Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 48 of 60)

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 48 of 60)

SERUM Se"rum, n. Etym: [L., akin to Gr. sara curd.] (Physiol.) (a) The watery portion of certain animal fluids, as blood, milk, etc. (b) A thin watery fluid, containing more or less albumin, secreted by the serous membranes of the body, such as the pericardium and peritoneum. Blood serum, the pale yellowish fluid which exudes from the clot formed in the coagulation of the blood; the loquid portion of the blood, after removal of the blood corpuscles and the fibrin. -- Muscle serum, the thin watery fluid which separates from the muscles after coagulation of the muscle plasma; the watery portion of the plasma. See Muscle plasma, under Plasma. -- Serum albumin (Physiol. Chem.), an albuminous body, closely related to egg albumin, present in nearly all serous fluids; esp., the albumin of blood serum. -- Serum globulin (Physiol. Chem.), paraglobulin. -- Serum of milk (Physiol. Chem.), the whey, or fluid portion of milk, remaining after removal of the casein and fat.

SERUM-THERAPY Se"rum-ther`a*py, n. (Med.)

Defn: The treatment of disease by the injection of blood serum from immune animals.

SERVABLE Serv"a*ble, a. Etym: [See Serve.]

1. Capable of being served.

2. Etym: [L. servabilis.]

Defn: Capable of being preserved. [R.]

SERVAGE Serv"age, n. Etym: [Cf. F. servage.]

Defn: Serfage; slavery; servitude. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SERVAL Ser"val, n. Etym: [Cf. F. serval.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An African wild cat (Felis serval) of moderate size. It has rather long legs and a tail of moderate length. Its color is tawny, with black spots on the body and rings of black on the tail.

SERVALINE Ser"val*ine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Related to, or resembling, the serval.

SERVANT Serv"ant, n. Etym: [OE. servant, servaunt, F. servant, a & p. pr. of servir to serve, L. servire. See Serve, and cf. Sergeant.]

1. One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper. "A yearly hired servant." Lev. xxv. 53. Men in office have begun to think themselves mere agents and servants of the appointing power, and not agents of the government or the country. D. Webster.

Note: In a legal sense, stewards, factors, bailiffs, and other agents, are servants for the time they are employed in such character, as they act in subordination to others. So any person may be legally the servant of another, in whose business, and under whose order, direction, and control, he is acting for the time being. Chitty.

2. One in a state of subjection or bondage. Thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt. Deut. v. 15.

3. A professed lover or suitor; a gallant. [Obs.] In my time a servant was I one. Chaucer. Servant of servants, one debased to the lowest condition of servitude. -- Your humble servant, or Your obedient servant, phrases of civility often used in closing a letter. Our betters tell us they are our humble servants, but understand us to be their slaves. Swift.

SERVANT Serv"ant, v. t.

Defn: To subject. [Obs.] Shak.

SERVANTESS Serv"ant*ess, n.

Defn: A maidservant. [Obs.] Wyclif.

SERVANTRY Serv"ant*ry, n.

Defn: A body of servants; servants, collectively. [R.]

SERVE Serve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Served; p. pr. & vb. n. Serving.] Etym: [OE. serven, servien, OF. & F. servir, fr. L. servire; akin to servus a servant or slave, servare to protect, preserve, observe; cf. Zend har to protect, haurva protecting. Cf. Conserve, Desert merit, Dessert, Observe, Serf, Sergeant.]

1. To work for; to labor in behalf of; to exert one's self continuously or statedly for the benefit of; to do service for; to be in the employment of, as an inferior, domestic, serf, slave, hired assistant, official helper, etc.; specifically, in a religious sense, to obey and worship. God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit. Rom. i. 9. Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Gen. xxix. 18. No man can serve two masters. Matt. vi. 24. Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies. Shak.

2. To be subordinate to; to act a secondary part under; to appear as the inferior of; to minister to. Bodies bright and greater should not serve The less not bright. Milton.

3. To be suitor to; to profess love to. [Obs.] To serve a lady in his beste wise. Chaucer.

4. To wait upon; to supply the wants of; to attend; specifically, to wait upon at table; to attend at meals; to supply with food; as, to serve customers in a shop. Others, pampered in their shameless pride, Are served in plate and in their chariots ride. Dryden.

5. Hence, to bring forward, arrange, deal, or distribute, as a portion of anything, especially of food prepared for eating; -- often with up; formerly with in. Bid them cover the table, serve in the meat, and we will come in to dinner. Shak. Some part he roasts, then serves it up so dressed. Dryde.

6. To perform the duties belonging to, or required in or for; hence, to be of use to; as, a curate may serve two churches; to serve one's country.

7. To contribute or conduce to; to promote; to be sufficient for; to satisfy; as, to serve one's turn. Turn it into some advantage, by observing where it can serve another end. Jer. Taylor.

8. To answer or be (in the place of something) to; as, a sofa serves one for a seat and a couch.

9. To treat; to behave one's self to; to requite; to act toward; as, he served me very ill.

10. To work; to operate; as, to serve the guns.

11. (Law) (a) To bring to notice, deliver, or execute, either actually or constructively, in such manner as the law requires; as, to serve a summons. (b) To make legal service opon (a person named in a writ, summons, etc.); as, to serve a witness with a subpoena.

12. To pass or spend, as time, esp. time of punishment; as, to serve a term in prison.

13. To copulate with; to cover; as, a horse serves a mare; -- said of the male.

14. (Tennis)

Defn: To lead off in delivering (the ball).

15. (Naut.)

Defn: To wind spun yarn, or the like, tightly around (a rope or cable, etc.) so as to protect it from chafing or from the weather. See under Serving. To serve an attachment or a writ of attachment (Law), to levy it on the person or goods by seizure, or to seize. -- To serve an execution (Law), to levy it on a lands, goods, or person, by seizure or taking possession. -- To serve an office, to discharge a public duty. -- To serve a process (Law), in general, to read it, so as to give due notice to the party concerned, or to leave an attested copy with him or his attorney, or his usual place of abode. -- To serve a warrant, to read it, and seize the person against whom it is issued. -- To serve a writ (Law), to read it to the defendant, or to leave an attested copy at his usual place of abode. -- To serve one out, to retaliate upon; to requite. "I'll serve you out for this." C. Kingsley. -- To serve one right, to treat, or cause to befall one, according to his deserts; -- used commonly of ill deserts; as, it serves the scoundrel right; -- To serve one's self of, to avail one's self of; to make use of. [A Gallicism] I will serve myself of this concession. Chillingworth. -- To serve out, to distribute; as, to serve out rations. -- To serve the time or the hour, to regulate one's actions by the requirements of the time instead of by one's duty; to be a timeserver. [Obs.] They think herein we serve the time, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment. Hooker.

Syn. -- To obey; minister to; subserve; promote; aid; help; assist; benefit; succor.

SERVE Serve, v. i.

1. To be a servant or a slave; to be employed in labor or other business for another; to be in subjection or bondage; to render menial service. The Lord shall give thee rest . . . from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. Isa. xiv. 3.

2. To perform domestic offices; to be occupied with household affairs; to prepare and dish up food, etc. But Martha . . . said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone Luke x. 40.

3. To be in service; to do duty; to discharge the requirements of an office or employment. Specifically, to act in the public service, as a soldier, seaman. etc. Many . . . who had before been great commanders, but now served as private gentlemen without pay. Knolles.

4. To be of use; to answer a purpose; to suffice; to suit; to be convenient or favorable. This little brand will serve to light your fire. Dryden. As occasion serves, this noble queen And prince shall follow with a fresh supply. Shak.

5. (Tennis)

Defn: To lead off in delivering the ball.

SERVER Serv"er, n.

1. One who serves.

2. A tray for dishes; a salver. Randolph.

SERVIAN Ser"vi*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Servia, a kingdom of Southern Europe. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Servia.

SERVICE; SERVICE Serv"ice, n., or Serv"ice. Etym: [Properly, the tree which bears serve, OE. serves, pl., service berries, AS. syrfe service tree; akin to L. sorbus.] (Bot.)

Defn: A name given to several trees and shrubs of the genus Pyrus, as Pyrus domestica and P. torminalis of Europe, the various species of mountain ash or rowan tree, and the American shad bush (see Shad bush, under Shad). They have clusters of small, edible, applelike berries. Service berry (Bot.), the fruit of any kind of service tree. In British America the name is especially applied to that of the several species or varieties of the shad bush (Amelanchier.)

SERVICE Serv"ice, n. Etym: [OE. servise, OF. servise, service, F. service, from L. servitium. See Serve.]

1. The act of serving; the occupation of a servant; the performance of labor for the benefit of another, or at another's command; attendance of an inferior, hired helper. slave, etc., on a superior, employer, master, or the like; also, spiritual obedience and love. "O God . . . whose service is perfect freedom." Bk. of Com. Prayer. Madam, I entreat true peace of you, Which I will purchase with my duteous service. Shak. God requires no man's service upon hard and unreasonable terms. Tillotson.

2. The deed of one who serves; labor performed for another; duty done or required; office. I have served him from the hour of my nativity, . . . and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows. Shak. This poem was the last piece of service I did for my master, King Charles. Dryden. To go on the forlorn hope is a service of peril; who will understake it if it be not also a service of honor Macaulay.

3. Office of devotion; official religious duty performed; religious rites appropriate to any event or ceremonial; as, a burial service. The outward service of ancient religion, the rites, ceremonies, and ceremonial vestments of the old law. Coleridge.

4. Hence, a musical composition for use in churches.

5. Duty performed in, or appropriate to, any office or charge; official function; hence, specifically, military or naval duty; performance of the duties of a soldier. When he cometh to experience of service abroad . . . ne maketh a worthy soldier. Spenser.

6. Useful office; advantage conferred; that which promotes interest or happiness; benefit; avail. The stork's plea, when taken in a net, was the service she did in picking up venomous creatures. L'Estrange.

7. Profession of respect; acknowledgment of duty owed. "Pray, do my service to his majesty." Shak.

8. The act and manner of bringing food to the persons who eat it; order of dishes at table; also, a set or number of vessels ordinarily used at table; as, the service was tardy and awkward; a service of plate or glass. There was no extraordinary service seen on the board. Hakewill.

9. (Law)

Defn: The act of bringing to notice, either actually or constructively, in such manner as is prescribed by law; as, the service of a subpoena or an attachment.

10. (Naut.)

Defn: The materials used for serving a rope, etc., as spun yarn, small lines, etc.

11. (Tennis)

Defn: The act of serving the ball.

12. Act of serving or covering. See Serve, v. t., 13. Service book, a prayer book or missal. -- Service line (Tennis), a line parallel to the net, and at a distance of 21 feet from it. -- Service of a writ, process, etc. (Law), personal delivery or communication of the writ or process, etc., to the party to be affected by it, so as to subject him to its operation; the reading of it to the person to whom notice is intended to be given, or the leaving of an attested copy with the person or his attorney, or at his usual place of abode. -- Service of an attachment (Law), the seizing of the person or goods according to the direction. -- Service of an execution (Law), the levying of it upon the goods, estate, or person of the defendant. -- Service pipe, a pipe connecting mains with a dwelling, as in gas pipes, and the like. Tomlinson. -- To accept service. (Law) See under Accept. -- To see service (Mil.), to do duty in the presence of the enemy, or in actual war.

SERVICEABLE Serv"ice*a*ble, a.

1. Doing service; promoting happiness, interest, advantage, or any good; useful to any end; adapted to any good end use; beneficial; advantageous. "Serviceable to religion and learning". Atterbury. "Serviceable tools." Macaulay. I know thee well, a serviceable villain. Shak.

2. Prepared for rendering service; capable of, or fit for, the performance of duty; hence, active; diligent. Courteous he was, lowly, and servysable. Chaucer. Bright-hearnessed angels sit in order serviceable. Milton. Seeing her so sweet and serviceable. Tennnyson. -- Serv"ice*a*ble*ness, n. -- Serv"ice*a*bly, adv.

SERVICEAGE Serv"ice*age, n.

Defn: Servitude. [Obs.] Fairfax.

SERVICE CAP; SERVICE HAT Serv"ice cap or hat. (Mil.)

Defn: A cap or hat worn by officers or enlisted men when full-dress uniform, or dress uniform, is not worn. In the United States army the service cap is round, about 3½ inches high, flat-topped, with a visor. The service hat is of soft felt of khaki color, with broad brim and high crown, creased down the middle.

SERVICE UNIFORM Service uniform. (Mil. & Nav.)

Defn: The uniform prescribed in regulations for active or routine service, in distinction from dress, full dress, etc. In the United States army it is of olive-drab woolen or khaki-colored cotton, with all metal attachments of dull-finish bronze, with the exceptional of insignia of rank, which are of gold or silver finish.

SERVIENT Serv"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. serviens, -entis, p. pr. See Serve.]

Defn: Subordinate. [Obs. except in law.] Dyer. Servient tenement or estate (Law), that on which the burden of a servitude or an easement is imposed. Cf. Dominant estate, under Dominant. Gale & Whately.

SERVIETTE Ser`viette", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A table napkin.

SERVILE Serv"ile, a. Etym: [L. servile, fr. servus a servant or slave: cf. F. servile. See Serve.]

1. Of or pertaining to a servant or slave; befitting a servant or a slave; proceeding from dependence; hence, meanly submissive; slavish; mean; cringing; fawning; as, servile flattery; servile fear; servile obedience. She must bend the servile knee. Thomson. Fearing dying pays death servile breath. Shak.

2. Held in subjection; dependent; enslaved. Even fortune rules no more, O servile land! Pope.

3. (Gram.) (a) Not belonging to the original root; as, a servile letter. (b) Not itself sounded, but serving to lengthen the preceeding vowel, as e in tune.

SERVILE Serv"ile, n. (Gram.)

Defn: An element which forms no part of the original root; -- opposed to radical.

SERVILELY Serv"ile*ly, adv.

Defn: In a servile manner; slavishly.

SERVILENESS Serv"ile*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being servile; servility.

SERVILITY Ser*vil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. servilité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being servile; servileness. To be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility. Shak.

SERVING Serv"ing,

Defn: a & n. from Serve. Serving board (Naut.), a flat piece of wood used in serving ropes. -- Serving maid, a female servant; a maidservant. -- Serving mallet (Naut.), a wooden instrument shaped like a mallet, used in serving ropes. -- Serving man, a male servant, or attendant; a manservant. -- Serving stuff (Naut.), small lines for serving ropes.

SERVITE Serv"ite, n. Etym: [It. servita.] (R.C.Ch.)

Defn: One of the order of the Religious Servants of the Holy Virgin, founded in Florence in 1223.

SERVITOR Serv"i*tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. servire to serve: cf. F. serviteur.]

1. One who serves; a servant; an attendant; one who acts under another; a follower or adherent. Your trusty and most valiant servitor. Shak.

2. (Univ. of Oxford, Eng.)

Defn: An undergraduate, partly supported by the college funds, whose duty it formerly was to wait at table. A servitor corresponded to a sizar in Cambridge and Dublin universities.

SERVITORSHIP Serv"i*tor*ship, n.

Defn: The office, rank, or condition of a servitor. Boswell.

SERVITUDE Serv"i*tude, n. Etym: [L. servitudo: cf. F. servitude.]

1. The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave; slavery; bondage; hence, a state of slavish dependence. You would have sold your king to slaughter, His princes and his peers to servitude. Shak. A splendid servitude; . . . for he that rises up early, and goeSouth.

2. Servants, collectively. [Obs.] After him a cumbrous train Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude. Milton.

3. (Law)

Defn: A right whereby one thing is subject to another thing or person for use or convenience, contrary to the common right.

Note: The object of a servitude is either to suffer something to be done by another, or to omit to do something, with respect to a thing. The easements of the English correspond in some respects with the servitudes of the Roman law. Both terms are used by common law writers, and often indiscriminately. The former, however, rather indicates the right enjoyed, and the latter the burden imposed. Ayliffe. Erskine. E. Washburn. Penal servitude. See under Penal. -- Personal servitude (Law), that which arises when the use of a thing is granted as a real right to a particular individual other than the proprietor. -- Predial servitude (Law), that which one estate owes to another estate. When it related to lands, vineyards, gardens, or the like, it is called rural; when it related to houses and buildings, it is called urban.

SERVITURE Serv"i*ture, n.

Defn: Servants, collectively. [Obs.]

SERVITUTE Serv"i*tute, n. Etym: [L. servitus.]

Defn: Servitude. [Obs.]

SERVO-MOTOR Ser`vo-mo"tor, n. [Sometimes erroneously spelt serro-motor.] [F. servo-moteur. See Serf; Motor.] (Mach.)

Defn: A relay apparatus; specif.: (a) An auxiliary motor, regulated by a hand lever, for quickly and easily moving the reversing gear of a large marine engine into any desired position indicated by that of the hand lever, which controls the valve of the motor. (b) In a Whitehead torpedo, a compressed-air motor, for moving the rudders so as to correct deviations from the course.

SERYE Se"rye, n.

Defn: A series. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SESAME Ses"a*me, n. Etym: [L. sesamum, sesama, Gr. sésame.] (Bot.)

Defn: Either of two annual herbaceous plants of the genus Sesamum (S. Indicum, and S. orientale), from the seeds of which an oil is expressed; also, the small obovate, flattish seeds of these plants, sometimes used as food. See Benne. Open Sesame, the magical command which opened the door of the robber's den in the Arabian Nights' tale of "The Forty Thieves;" hence, a magical password. -- Sesame grass. (Bot.) Same as Gama grass.

SESAMOID Ses"a*moid, a. Etym: [Gr. sésamoïde.]

1. Resembling in shape the seeds of sesame.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sesamoid bones or cartilages; sesamoidal. Sesamoid bones, Sesamoid cartilages (Anat.), small bones or cartilages formed in tendons, like the patella and pisiform in man.

SESAMOID Ses"a*moid, n. (Anat.)

Defn: A sesamoid bone or cartilage.

SESAMOIDAL Ses`a*moid"al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sesamoid.

SESBAN Ses"ban, n. Etym: [F., fr. Ar. saisaban, seiseban, a kind of tree, fr. Per. sisaban seed of cinquefoil.] (Bot.)

Defn: A leguminous shrub (Sesbania aculeata) which furnishes a fiber used for making ropes.

Note: The name is applied also to the similar plant, Sesbania Ægyptiaca, and other species of the same genus.

SESQUI- Ses`qui-. Etym: [L., one half more, one and a half.] (Chem.)

Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively) denoting that three atoms or equivalents of the substance to the name of which it is prefixed are combined with two of some other element or radical; as, sesquibromide, sesquicarbonate, sesquichloride, sesquioxide.

Note: Sesquidupli- is sometimes, but rarely, used in the same manner to denote the proportions of two and a half to one, or rather of five to two.

SESQUIALTER Ses`qui*al"ter, a.

Defn: Sesquialteral.

SESQUIALTER; SESQUIALTERA Ses`qui*al"ter, Ses`qui*al"ter*a, n. Etym: [NL. sesquialtera.] (Mus.)

Defn: A stop on the organ, containing several ranks of pipes which reënforce some of the high harmonics of the ground tone, and make the sound more brilliant.

SESQUIALTERAL; SESQUIALTERATE Ses`qui*al"ter*al, Ses`qui*al"ter*ate, a. Etym: [L. sesquialter once and a half; sesqui- + alter other: cf. F. sesquialtére.]

Defn: Once and a half times as great as another; having the ratio of one and a half to one. Sesquialteral ratio (Math.), the ratio of one and a half to one; thus, 9 and 6 are in a sequialteral ratio.

SESQUIALTEROUS Ses`qui*al"ter*ous, a.

Defn: Sesquialteral.

SESQUIBASIC Ses`qui*ba"sic, a. Etym: [Sesqui- + basic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Containing, or acting as, a base in the proportions of a sesqui compound.

SESQUIDUPLICATE Ses`qui*du"pli*cate, a. Etym: [Sesqui- + duplicate.]

Defn: Twice and a half as great (as another thing); having the ratio of two and a half to one. Sesquiduplicate ratio (Math.), the ratio of two and a half to one, or one in which the greater term contains the lesser twice and a half, as that of 50 to 20.

SESQUIOXIDE Ses`qui*ox"ide, n. Etym: [Sesqui- + oxide.] (Chem.)

Defn: An oxide containing three atoms of oxygen with two atoms (or radicals) of some other substance; thus, alumina, Al2O3 is a sesquioxide.

SESQUIPEDAL; SESQUIPEDALIAN Ses*quip"e*dal, Ses`qui*pe*da"li*an, a. Etym: [Sesqui- + pedal: cf. F. sesquipédal, L. sesquipedalis.]

Defn: Measuring or containing a foot and a half; as, a sesquipedalian pygmy; -- sometimes humorously applied to long words.

SESQUIPEDALIANISM; SESQUIPEDALISM Ses`qui*pe*da"li*an*ism, Ses*quip"e*dal*ism, n.

Defn: Sesquipedality.

SESQUIPEDALITY Ses`qui*pe*dal"i*ty, n.

1. The quality or condition of being sesquipedal. Sterne.

2. The use of sesquipedalian words; style characterized by the use of long words; sesquipedalism.

SESQUIPLICATE Ses*quip"li*cate, a. Etym: [Sesqui- + plicate.] (Math.)

Defn: Subduplicate of the triplicate; -- a term applied to ratios; thus, a and a' are in the sesquiplicate ratio of b and b', when a is to a' as the square root of the cube of b is to the square root of the cube of b', or a:a'::sq. rootb3:sq. rootb'3. The periodic times of the planets are in the sesquiplicate ratio of their mean distances. Sir I. Newton.

SESQUISALT Ses"qui*salt, n. Etym: [Sesqui- + salt.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt derived from a sesquioxide base, or made up on the proportions of a sesqui compound.

SESQUISULPHIDE Ses`qui*sul"phide, n. Etym: [Sesqui- + sulphide.] (Chem.)

Defn: A sulphide, analogous to a sesquioxide, containing three atoms of sulphur to two of the other ingredient; -- formerly called also sesquisulphuret; as, orpiment, As2S3 is arsenic sesquisulphide.

SESQUITERTIAL Ses`qui*ter"tial, a.

Defn: Sesquitertian.

SESQUITERTIAN; SESQUITERTIANAL Ses`qui*ter"tian, Ses`qui*ter"tian*al, a. Etym: [Sesqui- + L. tertianus belonging to the third. Cf. Tertian.] (Math.)

Defn: Having the ratio of one and one third to one (as 4 : 3).

SESQUITONE Ses"qui*tone, n. Etym: [Sesqui- + tone.] (Mus.)

Defn: A minor third, or interval of three semitones.

SESS Sess, v. t. Etym: [Aphetic form of assess. See Assess, Cess.]

Defn: To lay a tax upon; to assess. [Obs.]

SESS Sess, n.

Defn: A tax; an assessment. See Cess. [Obs.]

SESSA Ses"sa, interj.

Defn: Hurry; run. [Obs.] Shak.

SESSILE Ses"sile, a. Etym: [L. sessilis low, dwarf, from sedere, sessum, to sit: cf. F. sessile.]

1. Attached without any sensible projecting support.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Resting directly upon the main stem or branch, without a petiole or footstalk; as, a sessile leaf or blossom.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Permanently attached; -- said of the gonophores of certain hydroids which never became detached.

SESSILE-EYED Ses"sile-eyed`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having eyes which are not elevated on a stalk; -- opposed to stalk-eyed. Sessile-eyed Crustacea, the Arthrostraca.

SESSION Ses"sion, n. Etym: [L. sessio, fr. sedere, sessum, to sit: cf. F. session. See Sit.]

1. The act of sitting, or the state of being seated. [Archaic] So much his ascension into heaven and his session at the right hand of God do import. Hooker. But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . . Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood. Tennyson.

2. The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc., or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for the transaction of business. It's fit this royal session do proceed. Shak.

3. Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for business; or, the space of time between the first meeting and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is called a term. It was resolved that the convocation should meet at the beginning of the next session of Parliament. Macaulay.

Note: Sessions, in some of the States, is particularly used as a title for a court of justices, held for granting licenses to innkeepers, etc., and for laying out highways, and the like; it is also the title of several courts of criminal jurisdiction in England and the United States. Church session, the lowest court in the Presbyterian Church, composed of the pastor and a body of elders elected by the members of a particular church, and having the care of matters pertaining to the religious interests of that church, as the admission and dismission of members, discipline, etc. -- Court of Session, the supreme civil court of Scotland. -- Quarter sessions. (Eng.Law) See under Quarter. -- Sessions of the peace, sittings held by justices of the peace. [Eng.]

SESSIONAL Ses"sion*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a session or sessions.

SESSPOOL Sess"pool`, n. Etym: [Prov. E. suss hogwash, soss a dirty mess, a puddle + E. pool a puddle; cf. Gael. ses a coarse mess.]

Defn: Same as Cesspool.

SESTERCE Ses"terce, n. Etym: [L. sestertius (sc. nummus), fr. sestertius two and a half; semis half + tertius third: cf. F. sesterce.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A Roman coin or denomination of money, in value the fourth part of a denarius, and originally containing two asses and a half, afterward four asses, -- equal to about two pence sterling, or four cents.

Note: The sestertium was equivalent to one thousand sesterces, equal to £8 17s 1d. sterling, or about $43, before the reign of Augustus. After his reign its value was about £7 16s. 3d. sterling. The sesterce was originally coined only in silver, but later both in silver and brass.

SESTET Ses*tet", n. Etym: [It. sestetto, fr. sesto sixth, L. sextus, fr. sex six.]

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A piece of music composed for six voices or six instruments; a sextet; -- called also sestuor. [Written also sestett, sestette.]

2. (Poet.)

Defn: The last six lines of a sonnet.

SESTETTO Ses*tet"to, n.Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: A sestet.

SESTINE Ses"tine, n.

Defn: See Sextain.

SESTUOR Ses"tu*or, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A sestet.

SET Set, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Set; p. pr. & vb. n. Setting.] Etym: [OE. setten, AS. setton; akin to OS. settian, OFries. setta, D. zetten, OHG. sezzen, G. setzen, Icel. setja, Sw. sätta, Dan. s, Goth. satjan; causative from the root of E. sit. Sit, and cf. Seize.]

1. To cause to sit; to make to assume a specified position or attitude; to give site or place to; to place; to put; to fix; as, to set a house on a stone foundation; to set a book on a shelf; to set a dish on a table; to set a chest or trunk on its bottom or on end. I do set my bow in the cloud. Gen. ix. 13.

2. Hence, to attach or affix (something) to something else, or in or upon a certain place. Set your affection on things above. Col. iii. 2. The Lord set a mark upon Cain. Gen. iv. 15.

3. To make to assume specified place, condition, or occupation; to put in a certain condition or state (described by the accompanying words); to cause to be. The Lord thy God will set thee on hihg. Deut. xxviii. 1. I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother. Matt. x. 35. Every incident sets him thinking. Coleridge.

4. To fix firmly; to make fast, permanent, or stable; to render motionless; to give an unchanging place, form, or condition to. Specifically: -- (a) To cause to stop or stick; to obstruct; to fsten to a spot; hence, to occasion difficulty to; to embarrass; as, to set a coach in the mud. They show how hard they are set in this particular. Addison.

(b) To fix beforehand; to determine; hence, to make unyielding or obstinate; to render stiff, unpliant, or rigid; as, to set one's countenance. His eyes were set by reason of his age. 1 Kings xiv. 4. On these three objects his heart was set. Macaulay. Make my heart as a millstone, set my face as a flint. Tennyson.

(c) To fix in the ground, as a post or a tree; to plant; as, to set pear trees in an orchard. (d) To fix, as a precious stone, in a border of metal; to place in a setting; hence, to place in or amid something which serves as a setting; as, to set glass in a sash. And him too rich a jewel to be set In vulgar metal for a vulgar use. Dryden.

(e) To render stiff or solid; especially, to convert into curd; to curdle; as, to set milk for cheese.

5. To put into a desired position or condition; to adjust; to regulate; to adapt. Specifically: -- (a) To put in order in a particular manner; to prepare; as, to set (that is, to hone) a razor; to set a saw. Tables for to sette, and beddes make. Chaucer.

(b) To extend and bring into position; to spread; as, to set the sails of a ship. (c) To give a pitch to, as a tune; to start by fixing the keynote; as, to set a psalm. Fielding. (d) To reduce from a dislocated or fractured state; to replace; as, to set a broken bone. (e) To make to agree with some standard; as, to set a watch or a clock. (f) (Masonry) To lower into place and fix silidly, as the blocks of cut stone in a structure.

6. To stake at play; to wager; to risk. I have set my life upon a cast, And I will stand the hazard of the die. Shak.

7. To fit with music; to adapt, as words to notes; to prepare for singing. Set thy own songs, and sing them to thy lute. Dryden.

8. To determine; to appoint; to assign; to fix; as, to set a time for a meeting; to set a price on a horse.

9. To adorn with something infixed or affixed; to stud; to variegate with objects placed here and there. High on their heads, with jewels richly set, Each lady wore a radiant coronet. Dryden. Pastoral dales thin set with modern farms. Wordsworth.

10. To value; to rate; -- with at. Be you contented, wearing now the garland, To have a son set your decrees at naught. Shak. I do not set my life at a pin's fee. Shak.

11. To point out the seat or position of, as birds, or other game; -- said of hunting dogs.

12. To establish as a rule; to furnish; to prescribe; to assign; as, to set an example; to set lessons to be learned.

13. To suit; to become; as, it sets him ill. [Scot.]

14. (Print.)

Defn: To compose; to arrange in words, lines, etc.; as, to set type; to set a page. To set abroach. See Abroach. [Obs.] Shak. -- To set against, to oppose; to set in comparison with, or to oppose to, as an equivalent in exchange; as, to set one thing against another. -- To set agoing, to cause to move. -- To set apart, to separate to a particular use; to separate from the rest; to reserve. -- To set a saw, to bend each tooth a little, every alternate one being bent to one side, and the intermediate ones to the other side, so that the opening made by the saw may be a little wider than the thickness of the back, to prevent the saw from sticking. -- To set aside. (a) To leave out of account; to pass by; to omit; to neglect; to reject; to annul. Setting aside all other considerations, I will endeavor to know the truth, and yield to that. Tillotson. (b) To set apart; to reserve; as, to set aside part of one's income. (c) (Law) See under Aside. -- To set at defiance, to defy. -- To set at ease, to quiet; to tranquilize; as, to set the heart at ease. -- To set at naught, to undervalue; to contemn; to despise. "Ye have set at naught all my counsel." Prov. i. 25. -- To set a trap, snare, or gin, to put it in a proper condition or position to catch prey; hence, to lay a plan to deceive and draw another into one's power. -- To set at work, or To set to work. (a) To cause to enter on work or action, or to direct how tu enter on work. (b) To apply one's self; -- used reflexively. -- To set before. (a) To bring out to view before; to exhibit. (b) To propose for choice to; to offer to. -- To set by. (a) To set apart or on one side; to reject. (b) To attach the value of (anything) to. "I set not a straw by thy dreamings." Chaucer. -- To set by the compass, to observe and note the bearing or situation of by the compass. -- To set case, to suppose; to assume. Cf. Put case, under Put, v. t. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- To set down. (a) To enter in writing; to register. Some rules were to be set down for the government of the army. Clarendon. (b) To fix; to establish; to ordain. This law we may name eternal, being that order which God . . . hath set down with himself, for himself to do all things by. Hooker. (c) To humiliate. -- To set eyes on, to see; to behold; to fasten the eyes on. -- To set fire to, or To set on fire, to communicate fire to; fig., to inflame; to enkindle the passions of; to irritate. -- To set flying (Naut.), to hook to halyards, sheets, etc., instead of extending with rings or the like on a stay; -- said of a sail. -- To set forth. (a) To manifest; to offer or present to view; to exhibt; to display. (b) To publish; to promulgate; to make appear. Waller. (c) To send out; to prepare and send. [Obs.] The Venetian admiral had a fleet of sixty galleys, set forth by the Venetians. Knolles. -- To set forward. (a) To cause to advance. (b) To promote. -- To set free, to release from confinement, imprisonment, or bondage; to liberate; to emancipate. -- To set in, to put in the way; to begin; to give a start to. [Obs.] If you please to assist and set me in, I will recollect myself. Collier. -- To set in order, to adjust or arrange; to reduce to method. "The rest will I set in order when I come." 1 Cor. xi. 34. -- To set milk. (a) To expose it in open dishes in order that the cream may rise to the surface. (b) To cause it to become curdled as by the action of rennet. See 4 (e). -- To set much, or little, by, to care much, or little, for. -- To set of, to value; to set by. [Obs.] "I set not an haw of his proverbs." Chaucer. -- To set off. (a) To separate from a whole; to assign to a particular purpose; to portion off; as, to set off a portion of an estate. (b) To adorn; to decorate; to embellish. They . . . set off the worst faces with the best airs. Addison. (c) To give a flattering description of. -- To set off against, to place against as an equivalent; as, to set off one man's services against another's. -- To set on or upon. (a) To incite; to instigate. "Thou, traitor, hast set on thy wife to this." Shak. (b) To employ, as in a task. " Set on thy wife to observe." Shak. (c) To fix upon; to attach strongly to; as, to set one's heart or affections on some object. See definition 2, above. -- To set one's cap for. See under Cap, n. -- To set one's self against, to place one's self in a state of enmity or opposition to. -- To set one's teeth, to press them together tightly. -- To set on foot, to set going; to put in motion; to start. -- To set out. (a) To assign; to allot; to mark off; to limit; as, to set out the share of each proprietor or heir of an estate; to set out the widow's thirds. (b) To publish, as a proclamation. [Obs.] (c) To adorn; to embellish. An ugly woman, in rich habit set out with jewels, nothing can become. Dryden. (d) To raise, equip, and send forth; to furnish. [R.] The Venetians pretend they could set out, in case of great necessity, thirty men-of-war. Addison. (e) To show; to display; to recommend; to set off. I could set out that best side of Luther. Atterbury. (f) To show; to prove. [R.] "Those very reasons set out how heinous his sin was." Atterbury. (g) (Law) To recite; to state at large. -- To set over. (a) To appoint or constitute as supervisor, inspector, ruler, or commander. (b) To assign; to transfer; to convey. -- To set right, to correct; to put in order. -- To set sail. (Naut.) See under Sail, n. -- To set store by, to consider valuable. -- To set the fashion, to determine what shall be the fashion; to establish the mode. -- To set the teeth on edge, to affect the teeth with a disagreeable sensation, as when acids are brought in contact with them. -- To set the watch (Naut.), to place the starboard or port watch on duty. -- To set to, to attach to; to affix to. "He . . . hath set to his seal that God is true." John iii. 33. -- To set up. (a) To erect; to raise; to elevate; as, to set up a building, or a machine; to set up a post, a wall, a pillar. (b) Hence, to exalt; to put in power. "I will . . . set up the throne of David over Israel." 2 Sam. iii. 10. (c) To begin, as a new institution; to institute; to establish; to found; as, to set up a manufactory; to set up a school. (d) To enable to commence a new business; as, to set up a son in trade. (e) To place in view; as, to set up a mark. (f) To raise; to utter loudly; as, to set up the voice. I'll set up such a note as she shall hear. Dryden. (g) To advance; to propose as truth or for reception; as, to set up a new opinion or doctrine. T. Burnet. (h) To raise from depression, or to a sufficient fortune; as, this good fortune quite set him up. (i) To intoxicate. [Slang] (j) (Print.) To put in type; as, to set up copy; to arrange in words, lines, etc., ready for printing; as, to set up type. -- To set up the rigging (Naut.), to make it taut by means of tackles. R. H. Dana, Jr.

Syn. -- See Put.

SET Set, v. i.

1. To pass below the horizon; to go down; to decline; to sink out of sight; to come to an end. Ere the weary sun set in the west. Shak. Thus this century sets with little mirth, and the next is likely to arise with more mourning. Fuller.

2. To fit music to words. [Obs.] Shak.

3. To place plants or shoots in the ground; to plant. "To sow dry, and set wet." Old Proverb.

4. To be fixed for growth; to strike root; to begin to germinate or form; as, cuttings set well; the fruit has set well (i. e., not blasted in the blossom).

5. To become fixed or rigid; to be fastened. A gathering and serring of the spirits together to resist, maketh the teeth to set hard one against another. Bacon.

6. To congeal; to concrete; to solidify. That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set. Boyle.

7. To have a certain direction in motion; to flow; to move on; to tend; as, the current sets to the north; the tide sets to the windward.

8. To begin to move; to go out or forth; to start; -- now followed by out. The king is set from London. Shak.

9. To indicate the position of game; -- said of a dog; as, the dog sets well; also, to hunt game by the aid of a setter.

10. To apply one's self; to undertake earnestly; -- now followed by out. If he sets industriously and sincerely to perform the commands of Christ, he can have no ground of doubting but it shall prove successful to him. Hammond.

11. To fit or suit one; to sit; as, the coat sets well.

Note: [Colloquially used, but improperly, for sit.]

Note: The use of the verb set for sit in such expressions as, the hen is setting on thirteen eggs; a setting hen, etc., although colloquially common, and sometimes tolerated in serious writing, is not to be approved. To set about, to commence; to begin. -- To set forward, to move or march; to begin to march; to advance. -- To set forth, to begin a journey. -- To set in. (a) To begin; to enter upon a particular state; as, winter set in early. (b) To settle one's self; to become established. "When the weather was set in to be very bad." Addyson. (c) To flow toward the shore; -- said of the tide. -- To set off. (a) To enter upon a journey; to start. (b) (Typog.) To deface or soil the next sheet; -- said of the ink on a freshly printed sheet, when another sheet comes in contract with it before it has had time to dry. -- To set on or upon. (a) To begin, as a journey or enterprise; to set about. He that would seriously set upon the search of truth. Locke. (b) To assault; to make an attack. Bacon. Cassio hath here been set on in the dark. Shak. -- To set out, to begin a journey or course; as, to set out for London, or from London; to set out in business;to set out in life or the world. -- To set to, to apply one's self to. -- To set up. (a) To begin business or a scheme of life; as, to set up in trade; to set up for one's self. (b) To profess openly; to make pretensions. Those men who set up for mortality without regard to religion, are generally but virtuous in part. Swift.

SET Set, a.

1. Fixed in position; immovable; rigid; as, a set line; a set countenance.

2. Firm; unchanging; obstinate; as, set opinions or prejudices.

3. Regular; uniform; formal; as, a set discourse; a set battle. "The set phrase of peace." Shak.

4. Established; prescribed; as, set forms of prayer.

5. Adjusted; arranged; formed; adapted. Set hammer. (a) A hammer the head of which is not tightly fastened upon the handle, but may be reversed. Knight. (b) A hammer with a concave face which forms a die for shaping anything, as the end of a bolt, rivet, etc. -- Set line, a line to which a number of baited hooks are attached, and which, supported by floats and properly secured, may be left unguarded during the absence of the fisherman. -- Set nut, a jam nut or lock nut. See under Nut. -- Set screw (Mach.), a screw, sometimes cupped or printed at one end, and screwed through one part, as of a machine, tightly upon another part, to prevent the one from slipping upon the other. -- Set speech, a speech carefully prepared before it is delivered in public; a formal or methodical speech.

SET Set, n.

1. The act of setting, as of the sun or other heavenly body; descent; hence, the close; termination. "Locking at the set of day." Tennyson. The weary sun hath made a golden set. Shak.

2. That which is set, placed, or fixed. Specifically: -- (a) A young plant for growth; as, a set of white thorn. (b) That which is staked; a wager; a venture; a stake; hence, a game at venture. [Obs. or R.] We will in France, by God's grace, play a set Shall strike his father's crown into the hazard. Shak. That was but civil war, an equal set. Dryden. (c) (Mech.)

Defn: Permanent change of figure in consequence of excessive strain, as from compression, tension, bending, twisting, etc.; as, the set of a spring. (d) A kind of punch used for bending, indenting, or giving shape to, metal; as, a saw set. (e) (Pile Driving)

Defn: A piece placed temporarily upon the head of a pile when the latter cannot be reached by the weight, or hammer, except by means of such an intervening piece. [Often incorrectly written sett.] (f) (Carp.)

Defn: A short steel spike used for driving the head of a nail below the surface.

3. Etym: [Perhaps due to confusion with sect, sept.]

Defn: A number of things of the same kind, ordinarily used or classed together; a collection of articles which naturally complement each other, and usually go together; an assortment; a suit; as, a set of chairs, of china, of surgical or mathematical instruments, of books, etc. [In this sense, sometimes incorrectly written sett.]

4. A number of persons associated by custom, office, common opinion, quality, or the like; a division; a group; a clique. "Others of our set." Tennyson. This falls into different divisions, or sets, of nations connected under particular religions. R. P. Ward.

5. Direction or course; as, the set of the wind, or of a current.

6. In dancing, the number of persons necessary to execute a quadrille; also, the series of figures or movements executed.

7. The deflection of a tooth, or of the teeth, of a saw, which causes the the saw to cut a kerf, or make an opening, wider than the blade.

8. (a) A young oyster when first attached. (b) Collectively, the crop of young oysters in any locality.

9. (Tennis)

Defn: A series of as many games as may be necessary to enable one side to win six. If at the end of the tenth game the score is a tie, the set is usually called a deuce set, and decided by an application of the rules for playing off deuce in a game. See Deuce.

10. (Type Founding)

Defn: That dimension of the body of a type called by printers the width. Dead set. (a) The act of a setter dog when it discovers the game, and remains intently fixed in pointing it out. (b) A fixed or stationary condition arising from obstacle or hindrance; a deadlock; as, to be at a dead set. (c) A concerted scheme to defraud by gaming; a determined onset. -- To make a dead set, to make a determined onset, literally or figuratively.

Syn. -- Collection; series; group. See Pair.

SETA Se"ta, n.; pl. Setæ. Etym: [L. seta, saeta, a bristle.]

1. (Biol.)

Defn: Any slender, more or less rigid, bristlelike organ or part; as the hairs of a caterpillar, the slender spines of a crustacean, the hairlike processes of a protozoan, the bristles or stiff hairs on the leaves of some plants, or the pedicel of the capsule of a moss.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the movable chitinous spines or hooks of an annelid. They usually arise in clusters from muscular capsules, and are used in locomotion and for defense. They are very diverse in form. (b) One of the spinelike feathers at the base of the bill of certain birds.

SETACEOUS Se*ta"ceous, a. Etym: [L. seta a bristle: cf. F. sétacé.]

1. Set with, or consisting of, bristles; bristly; as, a stiff, setaceous tail.

2. Bristelike in form or texture; as, a setaceous feather; a setaceous leaf.

SETBACK Set"back`, n.

1. (Arch.)

Defn: Offset, n., 4.

2. A backset; a countercurrent; an eddy. [U. S.]

3. A backset; a check; a repulse; a reverse; a relapse. [Colloq. U.S.]

SETBOLT Set"bolt`, n. (Shipbuilding)

1. An iron pin, or bolt, for fitting planks closely together. Craig.

2. A bolt used for forcing another bolt out of its hole.

SET CHISEL Set chisel. (Mech.)

Defn: A kind of chisel or punch, variously shaped, with a broad flat end, used for stripping off rivet heads, etc.

SETDOWN Set"down`, n.

Defn: The humbling of a person by act or words, especially by a retort or a reproof; the retort or the reproof which has such effect.

SETEE Set*ee", n. (Naut.)

Defn: See 2d Settee.

SETEN Set"en,

Defn: obs. imp. pl. of Sit. Sat. Chaucer.

SETEWALE Set"e*wale, n.

Defn: See Cetewale. [Obs.]

SET-FAIR Set"-fair`, n.

Defn: In plastering, a particularly good troweled surface. Knight.

SETFOIL Set"foil`, n.

Defn: See Septfoil.

SETHEN Seth"en, adv. & conj.

Defn: See Since. [Obs.]

SETHIC Seth"ic, a.

Defn: See Sothic.

SETIFEROUS Se*tif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. seta a bristle + -ferous.]

Defn: Producing, or having one or more, bristles.

SETIFORM Se"ti*form, a. Etym: [Seta + -form: cf. F. sétiforme.]

Defn: Having the form or structure of setæ.

SETIGER Se"ti*ger, n. Etym: [NL. See Setigerous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An annelid having setæ; a chætopod.

SETIGEROUS Se*tig"er*ous, a. Etym: [Seta + -gerous.]

Defn: Covered with bristles; having or bearing a seta or setæ; setiferous; as, setigerous glands; a setigerous segment of an annelid; specifically (Bot.), tipped with a bristle.

SETIM Se"tim, n.

Defn: See Shittim.

SETIPAROUS Se*tip"a*rous, a. Etym: [Seta + L. papere to produce.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Producing setæ; -- said of the organs from which the setæ of annelids arise.

SETIREME Se"ti*reme, n. Etym: [Seta + L. remus an oar.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A swimming leg (of an insect) having a fringe of hairs on the margin.

SETNESS Set"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being set; formality; obstinacy. "The starched setness of a sententious writer." R. Masters.

SET-OFF Set"-off`, n. Etym: [Set + off.]

1. That which is set off against another thing; an offset. I do not contemplate such a heroine as a set-off to the many sins imputed to me as committed against woman. D. Jerrold.

2. That which is used to improve the appearance of anything; a decoration; an ornament.

3. (Law)

Defn: A counterclaim; a cross debt or demand; a distinct claim filed or set up by the defendant against the plaintiff's demand.

Note: Set-off differs from recoupment, as the latter generally grows out of the same matter or contract with the plaintiff's claim, while the former grows out of distinct matter, and does not of itself deny the justice of the plaintiff's demand. Offset is sometimes improperly used for the legal term set-off. See Recoupment.

4. (Arch.)

Defn: Same as Offset, n., 4.

5. (Print.)

Defn: See Offset, 7.

Syn. -- Set-off, Offset. -- Offset originally denoted that which branches off or projects, as a shoot from a tree, but the term has long been used in America in the sense of set-off. This use is beginning to obtain in England; though Macaulay uses set-off, and so, perhaps, do a majority of English writers.

SETON Se"ton, n. Etym: [F. séton (cf. It. setone), from L. seta a thick, stiff hair, a bristle.] (Med. & Far.)

Defn: A few silk threads or horsehairs, or a strip of linen or the like, introduced beneath the skin by a knife or needle, so as to form an issue; also, the issue so formed.

SETOSE; SETOUS Se*tose", Se"tous, a. Etym: [L. setosus, saetosus, from seta, saeta, bristle: cf. F. séteux.]

Defn: Thickly set with bristles or bristly hairs.

SETOUT Set"out`, n.

Defn: A display, as of plate, equipage, etc.; that which is displayed. [Coloq.] Dickens.

SET-STITCHED Set"-stitched`, a.

Defn: Stitched according to a formal pattern. "An old set-stiched chair, valanced, and fringed with party-colored worsted bobs." Sterne.

SETT Sett, n.

Defn: See Set, n., 2 (e) and 3.

SETTEE Set*tee", n. Etym: [From Set; cf. Settle a seat.]

Defn: A long seat with a back, -- made to accommodate several persons at once.

SETTEE Set*tee", n. Etym: [F. scétie, scitie.] (Naut.)

Defn: A vessel with a very long, sharp prow, carrying two or three masts with lateen sails, -- used in the Mediterranean. [Written also setee.]

SETTER Set"ter, n.

1. One who, or that which, sets; -- used mostly in composition with a noun, as typesetter; or in combination with an adverb, as a setter on (or inciter), a setter up, a setter forth.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hunting dog of a special breed originally derived from a cross between the spaniel and the pointer. Modern setters are usually trained to indicate the position of game birds by standing in a fixed position, but originally they indicated it by sitting or crouching.

Note: There are several distinct varieties of setters; as, the Irish, or red, setter; the Gordon setter, which is usually red or tan varied with black; and the English setter, which is variously colored, but usually white and tawny red, with or without black.

3. One who hunts victims for sharpers. Shak.

4. One who adapts words to music in composition.

5. An adornment; a decoration; -- with off. [Obs.] They come as . . . setters off of thy graces. Whitlock.

6. (Pottery)

Defn: A shallow seggar for porcelain. Ure.

SETTER Set"ter, v. t.

Defn: To cut the dewlap (of a cow or an ox), and to insert a seton, so as to cause an issue. [Prov. Eng.]

SETTERWORT Set"ter*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The bear's-foot (Helleborus foetidus); -- so called because the root was used in settering, or inserting setons into the dewlaps of cattle. Called also pegroots. Dr. Prior.

SETTING Set"ting, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, sets; as, the setting of type, or of gems; the setting of the sun; the setting (hardening) of moist plaster of Paris; the setting (set) of a current.

2. The act of marking the position of game, as a setter does; also, hunting with a setter. Boyle.

3. Something set in, or inserted. Thou shalt set in it settings of stones. Ex. xxviii. 17.

4. That in which something, as a gem, is set; as, the gold setting of a jeweled pin. Setting coat (Arch.), the finishing or last coat of plastering on walls or ceilings. -- Setting dog, a setter. See Setter, n., 2. -- Setting pole, a pole, often iron-pointed, used for pushing boats along in shallow water. -- Setting rule. (Print.) A composing rule.

SETTING-UP EXERCISE Set`ting-up" ex"er*cise.

Defn: Any one of a series of gymnastic exercises used, as in drilling recruits, for the purpose of giving an erect carriage, supple muscles, and an easy control of the limbs.

SETTLE Set"tle, n. Etym: [OE. setel, setil, a seat, AS. setl: akin to OHG. sezzal, G. sessel, Goth. sitls, and E. sit. sq. root154. See Sit.]

1. A seat of any kind. [Obs.] "Upon the settle of his majesty" Hampole.

2. A bench; especially, a bench with a high back.

3. A place made lower than the rest; a wide step or platform lower than some other part. And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle, shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit. Ezek. xliii. 14. Settle bed, a bed convertible into a seat. [Eng.]

SETTLE Set"tle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Settled; p. pr. & vb. n. Settling.] Etym: [OE. setlen, AS. setlan. sq. root154. See Settle, n. In senses 7, 8, and 9 perhaps confused with OE. sahtlen to reconcile, AS. sahtlian, fr. saht reconciliation, sacon to contend, dispute. Cf. Sake.]

1. To place in a fixed or permanent condition; to make firm, steady, or stable; to establish; to fix; esp., to establish in life; to fix in business, in a home, or the like. And he settled his countenance steadfastly upon him, until he was ashamed. 2 Kings viii. 11. (Rev. Ver.) The father thought the time drew on Of setting in the world his only son. Dryden.

2. To establish in the pastoral office; to ordain or install as pastor or rector of a church, society, or parish; as, to settle a minister. [U. S.]

3. To cause to be no longer in a disturbed condition; to render quiet; to still; to calm; to compose. God settled then the huge whale-bearing lake. Chapman. Hoping that sleep might settle his brains. Bunyan.

4. To clear of dregs and impurities by causing them to sink; to render pure or clear; -- said of a liquid; as, to settle coffee, or the grounds of coffee.

5. To restore or bring to a smooth, dry, or passable condition; -- said of the ground, of roads, and the like; as, clear weather settles the roads.

6. To cause to sink; to lower; to depress; hence, also, to render close or compact; as, to settle the contents of a barrel or bag by shaking it.

7. To determine, as something which is exposed to doubt or question; to free from unscertainty or wavering; to make sure, firm, or constant; to establish; to compose; to quiet; as, to settle the mind when agitated; to settle questions of law; to settle the succession to a throne; to settle an allowance. It will settle the wavering, and confirm the doubtful. Swift.

8. To adjust, as something in discussion; to make up; to compose; to pacify; as, to settle a quarrel.

9. To adjust, as accounts; to liquidate; to balance; as, to settle an account.

10. Hence, to pay; as, to settle a bill. [Colloq.] Abbott.

11. To plant with inhabitants; to colonize; to people; as, the French first settled Canada; the Puritans settled New England; Plymouth was settled in 1620. To settle on or upon, to confer upon by permanent grant; to assure to. "I . . . have settled upon him a good annuity." Addison. -- To settle the land (Naut.), to cause it to sink, or appear lower, by receding from it.

Syn. -- To fix; establish; regulate; arrange; compose; adjust; determine; decide.

SETTLE Set"tle, v. i.

1. To become fixed or permanent; to become stationary; to establish one's self or itself; to assume a lasting form, condition, direction, or the like, in place of a temporary or changing state. The wind came about and settled in the west. Bacon. Chyle . . . runs through all the intermediate colors until it settles in an intense red. Arbuthnot.

2. To fix one's residence; to establish a dwelling place or home; as, the Saxons who settled in Britain.

3. To enter into the married state, or the state of a householder. As people marry now and settle. Prior.

4. To be established in an employment or profession; as, to settle in the practice of law.

5. To become firm, dry, and hard, as the ground after the effects of rain or frost have disappeared; as, the roads settled late in the spring.

6. To become clear after being turbid or obscure; to clarify by depositing matter held in suspension; as, the weather settled; wine settles by standing. A government, on such occasions, is always thick before it settles. Addison.

7. To sink to the bottom; to fall to the bottom, as dregs of a liquid, or the sediment of a reserveir.

8. To sink gradually to a lower level; to subside, as the foundation of a house, etc.

9. To become calm; to cease from agitation. Till the fury of his highness settle, Come not before him. Shak.

10. To adjust differences or accounts; to come to an agreement; as, he has settled with his creditors.

11. To make a jointure for a wife. He sighs with most success that settles well. Garth.

SETTLEDNESS Set"tled*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being settled; confirmed state. [R.] Bp. Hall.

SETTLEMENT Set"tle*ment, n.

1. The act of setting, or the state of being settled. Specifically: - - (a) Establishment in life, in business, condition, etc.; ordination or installation as pastor. Every man living has a design in his head upon wealth power, or settlement in the world. L'Estrange.

(b) The act of peopling, or state of being peopled; act of planting, as a colony; colonization; occupation by settlers; as, the settlement of a new country.

(c) The act or process of adjusting or determining; composure of doubts or differences; pacification; liquidation of accounts; arrangement; adjustment; as, settlement of a controversy, of accounts, etc. (d) Bestowal, or giving possession, under legal sanction; the act of giving or conferring anything in a formal and permanent manner. My flocks, my fields, my woods, my pastures take, With settlement as good as law can make. Dryden. (e) (Law)

Defn: A disposition of property for the benefit of some person or persons, usually through the medium of trustees, and for the benefit of a wife, children, or other relatives; jointure granted to a wife, or the act of granting it.

2. That which settles, or is settled, established, or fixed. Specifically: -- (a) Matter that subsides; settlings; sediment; lees; dregs. [Obs.] Fuller's earth left a thick settlement. Mortimer.

(b) A colony newly established; a place or region newly settled; as, settlement in the West. (c) That which is bestowed formally and permanently; the sum secured to a person; especially, a jointure made to a woman at her marriage; also, in the United States, a sum of money or other property formerly granted to a pastor in additional to his salary.

3. (Arch.) (a) The gradual sinking of a building, whether by the yielding of the ground under the foundation, or by the compression of the joints or the material. (b) pl.

Defn: Fractures or dislocations caused by settlement.

4. (Law)

Defn: A settled place of abode; residence; a right growing out of residence; legal residence or establishment of a person in a particular parish or town, which entitles him to maintenance if a pauper, and subjects the parish or town to his support. Blackstone. Bouvier. Act of settlement (Eng. Hist.), the statute of 12 and 13 William III, by which the crown was limited to the present reigning house (the house of Hanover). Blackstone.

SETTLER Set"tler, n.

1. One who settles, becomes fixed, established, etc.

2. Especially, one who establishes himself in a new region or a colony; a colonist; a planter; as, the first settlers of New England.

3. That which settles or finishes; hence, a blow, etc., which settles or decides a contest. [Colloq.]

4. A vessel, as a tub, in which something, as pulverized ore suspended in a liquid, is allowed to settle.

SETTLING Set"tling, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, settles; the act of establishing one's self, of colonizing, subsiding, adjusting, etc.

2. pl.

Defn: That which settles at the bottom of a liquid; lees; dregs; sediment. Milton. Settling day, a day for settling accounts, as in the stock market.

SET-TO Set"-to`, n.

Defn: A contest in boxing, in an argument, or the like. [Colloq.] Halliwell.

SETULA Set"u*la, n.; pl. Setulæ. Etym: [L. setula, saetula, dim. of seta, saeta, bristle.]

Defn: A small, short hair or bristle; a small seta.

SETULE Set"ule, n. Etym: [See Setula.]

Defn: A setula.

SETULOSE Set"u*lose`, a.

Defn: Having small bristles or setæ.

SETWALL Set"wall`, n. Etym: [CF. Cetewale.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant formerly valued for its restorative qualities (Valeriana officinalis, or V. Pyrenaica). [Obs.] [Written also setwal.] Chaucer.

SEVEN Sev"en, a. Etym: [OE. seven, seoven, seofen, AS. seofon, seofan, seofen; akin to D. zeven, OS., Goth., & OHG. sibun, G. sieben, Icel. sjau, sjö, Sw. sju, Dan. syv, Lith. septyni, Russ. seme, W. saith, Gael. seachd, Ir. seacht, L. septem, Gr. saptan. sq. root305. Cf. Hebdomad, Heptagon, September.]

Defn: One more than six; six and one added; as, seven days make one week. Seven sciences. See the Note under Science, n., 4. -- Seven stars (Astron.), the Pleiades. -- Seven wonders of the world. See under Wonders. -- Seven-year apple (Bot.), a rubiaceous shrub (Genipa clusiifolia) growing in the West Indies; also, its edible fruit. -- Seven-year vine (Bot.), a tropical climbing plant (Ipomoea tuberosa) related to the morning-glory.

SEVEN Sev"en, n.

1. The number greater by one than six; seven units or objects. Of every beast, and bird, and insect small, Game sevens and pairs. Milton.

2. A symbol representing seven units, as 7, or vii.

SEVENFOLD Sev"en*fold`, a.

Defn: Repeated seven times; having seven thicknesses; increased to seven times the size or amount. "Sevenfold rage." Milton.

SEVENFOLD Sev"en*fold`, adv.

Defn: Seven times as much or as often. Whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. Gen. iv. 15.

SEVENNIGHT Seven"night, n.

Defn: A week; any period of seven consecutive days and nights. See Sennight.

SEVENSCORE Sev"en*score`, n. & a.

Defn: Seven times twenty, that is, a hundred and forty. The old Countess of Desmond . . . lived sevenscore years. Bacon.

SEVEN-SHOOTER Sev"en-shoot`er, n.

Defn: A firearm, esp. a pistol, with seven barrels or chambers for cartridges, or one capable of firing seven shots without reloading. [Colloq.]

SEVENTEEN Sev"en*teen`, a. Etym: [OE. seventene, AS. seofontyne, i. e., seven- ten. Cf. Seventy.]

Defn: One more than sixteen; ten and seven added; as, seventeen years.

SEVENTEEN Sev"en*teen`, n.

1. The number greater by one than sixteen; the sum of ten and seven; seventeen units or objects.

2. A symbol denoting seventeen units, as 17, or xvii.

SEVENTEENTH Sev"en*teenth`, a. Etym: [From Seventeen: cf. AS. seofonteóedha, seofonteogeedha.]

1. Next in order after the sixteenth; coming after sixteen others. In . . . the seventeenth day of the month . . . were all the fountains of the great deep broken up. Gen. vii. 11.

2. Constituting or being one of seventeen equal parts into which anything is divided.

SEVENTEENTH Sev"en*teenth`, n.

1. The next in order after the sixteenth; one coming after sixteen others.

2. The quotient of a unit divided by seventeen; one of seventeen equal parts or divisions of one whole.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: An interval of two octaves and a third.

SEVENTH Sev"enth, a. Etym: [From Seven: cf. AS. seofoedha.]

1. Next in order after the sixth;; coming after six others. On the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Gen. ii. 2.

2. Constituting or being one of seven equal parts into which anything is divided; as, the seventh part. Seventh day, the seventh day of the week; Saturday. -- Seventh-day Baptists. See under Baptist.

SEVENTH Sev"enth, n.

1. One next in order after the sixth; one coming after six others.

2. The quotient of a unit divided by seven; one of seven equal parts into which anything is divided.

3. (Mus.) (a) An interval embracing seven diatonic degrees of the scale. (b) A chord which includes the interval of a seventh whether major, minor, or diminished.

SEVEN-THIRTIES Sev`en-thir"ties, n. pl.

Defn: A name given to three several issues of United States Treasury notes, made during the Civil War, in denominations of $50 and over, bearing interest at the rate of seven and three tenths (thirty hundredths) per cent annually. Within a few years they were all redeemed or funded.

SEVENTHLY Sev"enth*ly, adv.

Defn: In the seventh place.

SEVENTIETH Sev"en*ti*eth, a. Etym: [AS. hund-seofontigoedha.]

1. Next in order after the sixty-ninth; as, a man in the seventieth year of his age.

2. Constituting or being one of seventy equal parts.

SEVENTIETH Sev"en*ti*eth, n.

1. One next in order after the sixty-ninth.

2. The quotient of a unit divided by seventy; one of seventy equal parts or fractions.

SEVENTY Sev"en*ty, a. Etym: [AS. hund-seofontig. See Seven, and Ten, and cf. Seventeen, Sixty.]

Defn: Seven times ten; one more than sixty-nine.

SEVENTY Sev"en*ty, n.; pl. Seventies (.

1. The sum of seven times ten; seventy units or objects.

2. A symbol representing seventy units, as 70, or lxx. The Seventy, the translators of the Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. See Septuagint.

SEVENTY-FOUR Sev`en*ty-four", n. (Naut.)

Defn: A naval vessel carrying seventy-four guns.

SEVEN-UP Sev"en-up`, n.

Defn: The game of cards called also all fours, and old sledge. [U. S.]

SEVER Sev"er, v. t. [imp. &. p. p. Severed; p. pr. & vb. n. Severing.] Etym: [OF. sevrer, severer, to separate, F. sevrer to wean, fr. L. separare. See Separate, and cf. Several.]

1. To separate, as one from another; to cut off from something; to divide; to part in any way, especially by violence, as by cutting, rending, etc.; as, to sever the head from the body. The angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. Matt. xiii. 49.

2. To cut or break open or apart; to divide into parts; to cut through; to disjoin; as, to sever the arm or leg. Our state can not be severed; we are one. Milton.

3. To keep distinct or apart; to except; to exempt. I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there. Ex. viii. 22.

4. (Law)

Defn: To disunite; to disconnect; to terminate; as, to sever an estate in joint tenancy. Blackstone.

SEVER Sev"er, v. i.

1. To suffer disjunction; to be parted, or rent asunder; to be separated; to part; to separate. Shak.

2. To make a separation or distinction; to distinguish. The Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt. Ex. ix. 4. They claimed the right of severing in their challenge. Macaulay.

SEVERABLE Sev"er*a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being severed. Encyc. Dict.

SEVERAL Sev"er*al, a. Etym: [OF., fr. LL. separalis, fr. L. separ separate, different. See Sever, Separate.]

1. Separate; distinct; particular; single. Each several ship a victory did gain. Dryden. Each might his several province well command, Would all but stoop to what they understand. Pope.

2. Diverse; different; various. Spenser. Habits and faculties, several, and to be distinguished. Bacon. Four several armies to the field are led. Dryden.

3. Consisting of a number more than two, but not very many; divers; sundry; as, several persons were present when the event took place.

SEVERAL Sev"er*al, adv.

Defn: By itself; severally. [Obs.] Every kind of thing is laid up several in barns or storehoudses. Robynson (More's Utopia).

SEVERAL Sev"er*al, n.

1. Each particular taken singly; an item; a detail; an individual. [Obs.] There was not time enough to hear . . . The severals. Shak.

2. Persons oe objects, more than two, but not very many. Several of them neither rose from any conspicuous family, nor left any behind them. Addison.

3. An inclosed or separate place; inclosure. [Obs.] They had their several for heathen nations, their several for the people of their own nation. Hooker. In several, in a state of separation. [R.] "Where pastures in several be." Tusser.

SEVERALITY Sev`er*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Severalities (.

Defn: Each particular taken singly; distinction. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SEVERALIZE Sev"er*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To distinguish. [Obs.]

SEVERALLY Sev"er*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Separately; distinctly; apart from others; individually. There must be an auditor to check and revise each severally by itself. De Quincey.

SEVERALTY Sev"er*al*ty, n.

Defn: A state of separation from the rest, or from all others; a holding by individual right. Forests which had never been owned in severalty. Bancroft. Estate in severalty (Law), an estate which the tenant holds in his own right, without being joined in interest with any other person; -- distinguished from joint tenancy, coparcenary, and common. Blackstone.

SEVERANCE Sev"er*ance, n.

1. The act of severing, or the state of being severed; partition; separation. Milman.

2. (Law)

Defn: The act of dividing; the singling or severing of two or more that join, or are joined, in one writ; the putting in several or separate pleas or answers by two or more disjointly; the destruction of the unity of interest in a joint estate. Bouvier.

SEVERE Se*vere", a. [Compar. Severer; superl. Severest.] Etym: [L. severus; perhaps akin to Gr. swikns innocent, chaste: cf. F. sévère. Cf. Asseverate, Persevere.]

1. Serious in feeeling or manner; sedate; grave; austere; not light, lively, or cheerful. Your looks alter, as your subject does, From kind to fierce, from wanton to severe. Waller.

2. Very strict in judgment, discipline, or government; harsh; not mild or indulgent; rigorous; as, severe criticism; severe punishment. "Custody severe." Milton. Come! you are too severe a moraler. Shak. Let your zeal, if it must be expressed in anger, be always more severe against thyself than against others. Jer. Taylor.

3. Rigidly methodical, or adherent to rule or principle; exactly conformed to a standard; not allowing or employing unneccessary ornament, amplification, etc.; strict; -- said of style, argument, etc. "Restrained by reason and severe principles." Jer. Taylor. The Latin, a most severe and compendious language. Dryden.

4. Sharp; afflictive; distressing; violent; extreme; as, severe pain, anguish, fortune; severe cold.

5. Difficult to be endured; exact; critical; rigorous; as, a severe test.

Syn. -- Strict; grave; austere; stern; morose; rigid; exact; rigorous; hard; rough; harsh; censorious; tart; acrimonious; sarcastic; satirical; cutting; biting; keen; bitter; cruel. See Strict. -- Se*vere"ly, adv. -- Se*vere"ness, n.

SEVERITY Se*ver"i*ty, n.; pl. Severities. Etym: [L. severitas: cf. F. sévérité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being severe. Specifically: -- (a) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties. "Strict age, and sour severity." Milton. (b) The quality or power of distressing or paining; extreme degree; extremity; intensity; inclemency; as, the severity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter. (c) Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war. (d) Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test. Confining myself to the severity of truth. Dryden.

SEVERY Sev"er*y, n. Etym: [Prob. corrupted fr. ciborium. Oxf. Gloss.] (Arch.)

Defn: A bay or compartment of a vaulted ceiling. [Written also civery.]

SEVOCATION Sev`o*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. sevocare, sevocatum, to call aside.]

Defn: A calling aside. [Obs.]

SEVRES BLUE Sè"vres blue`.

Defn: A very light blue.

SEVRES WARE Sè"vres ware`.

Defn: Porcelain manufactured at Sèvres, France, ecpecially in the national factory situated there.

SEW Sew, n.Etym: [OE. See Sewer household officer.]

Defn: Juice; gravy; a seasoned dish; a delicacy. [Obs.] Gower. I will not tell of their strange sewes. Chaucer.

SEW Sew, v. t. Etym: [See Sue to follow.]

Defn: To follow; to pursue; to sue. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

SEW Sew, v. t. [imp. Sewed; p. p. Sewed, rarely Sewn (; p. pr. & vb. n. Sewing.] Etym: [OE. sewen, sowen, AS. siówian, siwian; akin to OHG. siuwan, Icel. s, Sw. sy, Dan. sye, Goth. siujan, Lith. siuti, Russ, shite, L. ssuere, Gr. siv. sq. root156. Cf. Seam a suture, Suture.]

1. To unite or fasten together by stitches, as with a needle and thread. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment. Mark ii. 21.

2. To close or stop by ssewing; -- often with up; as, to sew up a rip.

3. To inclose by sewing; -- sometimes with up; as, to sew money in a bag.

SEW Sew, v. i.

Defn: To practice sewing; to work with needle and thread.

SEW Sew, v. t. Etym: [sq. root151 b. See Sewer a drain.]

Defn: To drain, as a pond, for taking the fish. [Obs.] Tusser.

SEWAGE Sew"age, n.

1. The contents of a sewer or drain; refuse liquids or matter carried off by sewers

2. Sewerage, 2.

SEWE Sewe, v. i.

Defn: To perform the duties of a sewer. See 3d Sewer. [Obs.]

SEWEL Sew"el, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A scarecrow, generally made of feathers tied to a string, hung up to prevent deer from breaking into a place. Halliwell.

SEWELLEL Se*wel"lel, n. Etym: [Of American Indian origin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A peculiar gregarious burrowing rodent (Haplodon rufus), native of the coast region of the Northwestern United States. It somewhat resembles a muskrat or marmot, but has only a rudimentary tail. Its head is broad, its eyes are small and its fur is brownish above, gray beneath. It constitutes the family Haplodontidæ. Called also boomer, showt'l, and mountain beaver.

SEWEN Sew"en, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A British trout usually regarded as a variety (var. Cambricus) of the salmon trout.

SEWER Sew"er, n.

1. One who sews, or stitches.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small tortricid moth whose larva sews together the edges of a leaf by means of silk; as, the apple-leaf sewer (Phoxopteris nubeculana)

SEWER Sew"er, n. Etym: [OF. sewiere, seuwiere, ultimately fr. L. ex out + a derivative of aqua water; cf. OF. essevour a drain, essever, esseuwer, essiaver, to cause to flow, to drain, to flow, LL. exaquatorium a channel through which water runs off. Cf. Ewer, Aquarium.]

Defn: A drain or passage to carry off water and filth under ground; a subterraneous channel, particularly in cities.

SEWER Sew"er, n. Etym: [Cf. OE. assewer, and asseour, OF. asseour, F. asseoir to seat, to set, L. assidere to sit by; ad + sedere to sit (cf. Sit); or cf. OE. sew pottage, sauce, boiled meat, AS. seáw juice, Skr. su to press out.]

Defn: Formerly, an upper servant, or household officer, who set on and removed the dishes at a feast, and who also brought water for the hands of the guests. Then the sewer Poured water from a great and golden ewer, That from their hands to a silver caldron ran. Chapman.

SEWERAGE Sew"er*age, n.

1. The construction of a sewer or sewers.

2. The system of sewers in a city, town, etc.; the general drainage of a city or town by means of sewers.

3. The material collected in, and discharged by, sewers. [In this sense sewage is preferable and common.]

SEWIN Sew"in, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Sewen.

SEWING Sew"ing, n.

1. The act or occupation of one who sews.

2. That which is sewed with the needle. Sewing horse (Harness making), a clamp, operated by the foot, for holding pieces of leather while being sewed. -- Sewing machine, a machine for sewing or stitching. -- Sewing press, or Sewing table (Bookbinding), a fixture or table having a frame in which are held the cords to which the back edges of folded sheets are sewed to form a book.

SEWSTER Sew"ster, n.

Defn: A seamstress. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SEX- Sex-. Etym: [L. sex six. See Six.]

Defn: A combining form meaning six; as, sexdigitism; sexennial.

SEX Sex, n. Etym: [L. sexus: cf. F. sexe.]

1. The distinguishing peculiarity of male or female in both animals and plants; the physical difference between male and female; the assemblage of properties or qualities by which male is distinguished from female.

2. One of the two divisions of organic beings formed on the distinction of male and female.

3. (Bot.) (a) The capability in plants of fertilizing or of being fertilized; as, staminate and pistillate flowers are of opposite sexes. (b) One of the groups founded on this distinction. The sex, the female sex; women, in general.

SEXAGENARIAN Sex`a*ge*na"ri*an, n. Etym: [See Sexagenary.]

Defn: A person who is sixty years old.

SEXAGENARY Sex*ag"e*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. sexagenarius, fr. sexageni sixty each, akin to sexaginta sixty, sex six: cf. sexagénaire. See Six.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, the number sixty; poceeding by sixties; sixty years old. Sexagenary arithmetic. See under Sexagesimal. -- Sexagenary, or Sexagesimal, scale (Math.), a scale of numbers in which the modulus is sixty. It is used in treating the divisions of the circle.

SEXAGENARY Sex*ag"e*na*ry, n.

1. Something composed of sixty parts or divisions.

2. A sexagenarian. Sir W. Scott.

SEXAGESIMA Sex`a*ges"i*ma, n. Etym: [L., fem. of sexagesimus sixtieth, fr. sexaginta sixty.] (Eccl.)

Defn: The second Sunday before Lent; -- so called as being about the sixtieth day before Easter.

SEXAGESIMAL Sex`a*ges"i*mal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sexagésimal.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or founded on, the number sixty. Sexagesimal fractions or numbers (Arith. & Alg.), those fractions whose denominators are some power of sixty; as, astronomical fractions, because formerly there were no others used in astronomical calculations. -- Sexagesimal, or Sexagenary, arithmetic, the method of computing by the sexagenary scale, or by sixties. -- Sexagesimal scale (Math.), the sexagenary scale.

SEXAGESIMAL Sex`a*ges"i*mal, n.

Defn: A sexagesimal fraction.

SEXANGLE Sex"an`gle, n. Etym: [L. sexangulus sexangular; sex six + angulus angle: cf. F. sexangle. Cf. Hexangular.] (Geom.)

Defn: A hexagon. [R.] Hutton.

SEXANGLED; SEXANGULAR Sex"an`gled, Sex*an"gu*lar a. Etym: [Cf. F. sexangulaire.]

Defn: Having six angles; hexagonal. [R.] Dryden.

SEXANGULARLY Sex*an"gu*lar*ly, adv.

Defn: Hexagonally. [R.]

SEXAVALENT Sex*av"a*lent, a.

Defn: See Sexivalent. [R.]

SEXDIGITISM Sex*dig"it*ism, n. Etym: [Sex- + digit.]

Defn: The state of having six fingers on a hand, or six toes on a foot.

SEXDIGITIST Sex*dig"it*ist, n.

Defn: One who has six fingers on a hand, or six toes on a foot.

SEXED Sexed, a.

Defn: Belonging to sex; having sex; distinctively male of female; as, the sexed condition.

SEXENARY Sex"e*na*ry, a.

Defn: Proceeding by sixes; sextuple; -- applied especially to a system of arithmetical computation in which the base is six.

SEXENNIAL Sex*en"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. sexennium a period of six years, sexennis of six years; sex six + annus a year. See Six, and Annual.]

Defn: Lasting six years, or happening once in six years. -- n.

Defn: A sexennial event.

SEXENNIALLY Sex*en"ni*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Once in six years.

SEXFID; SEXIFID Sex"fid, Sex"i*fid, a. Etym: [Sex- + root of L. findere to split: cf. F. sexfide.] (Bot.)

Defn: Six-cleft; as, a sexfid calyx or nectary.

SEXISYLLABIC Sex`i*syl*lab"ic, a. Etym: [Sex- + syllabic.]

Defn: Having six syllables. Emerson.

SEXISYLLABLE Sex"i*syl`la*ble, n. Etym: [Sex- + syllable.]

Defn: A word of six syllables.

SEXIVALENT Sex*iv"a*lent, a. Etym: [Sex- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.] (hem.)

Defn: Hexavalent. [R.]

SEXLESS Sex"less, a.

Defn: Having no sex.

SEXLOCULAR Sex`loc"u*lar, a. Etym: [Sex- + locular: cf. F. sexloculaire.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having six cells for seeds; six-celled; as, a sexlocular pericarp.

SEXLY Sex"ly, a.

Defn: Pertaining to sex. [R.] Should I ascribe any of these things unto myself or my sexly weakness, I were not worthy to live. Queen Elizabeth.

SEXRADIATE Sex*ra"di*ate, a. Etym: [Sex- + radiate.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having six rays; -- said of certain sponge spicules. See Illust. of Spicule.

SEXT Sext, n. Etym: [L. sexta, fem. of sextus sixtt, fr. sex six: cf. F. sexte.] (R.C.Ch.) (a) The office for the sixth canonical hour, being a part of the Breviary. (b) The sixth book of the decretals, added by Pope Boniface VIII.

SEXTAIN Sex"tain, n. Etym: [L. sextus sixth, fr. sex six: cf. It. sestina.] (Pros.)

Defn: A stanza of six lines; a sestine.

SEXTANS Sex"tans, n. Etym: [L. See Sextant.]

1. (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: A Roman coin, the sixth part of an as.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: A constellation on the equator south of Leo; the Sextant.

SEXTANT Sex"tant, n. Etym: [L. sextans, -antis, the sixth part of an as, fr. sextus sixth, sex six. See Six.]

1. (Math.)

Defn: The sixth part of a circle.

2. An instrument for measuring angular distances between objects, -- used esp. at sea, for ascertaining the latitude and longitude. It is constructed on the same optical principle as Hadley's quadrant, but usually of metal, with a nicer graduation, telescopic sight, and its arc the sixth, and sometimes the third, part of a circle. See Quadrant.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: The constellation Sextans. Box sextant, a small sextant inclosed in a cylindrical case to make it more portable.

SEXTARY Sex"ta*ry, n.; pl. Sextaries. Etym: [L. sextarius the sixth part of a measure, weight, etc., fr. sextus sixth, sex six.] (Rom. Antiq.)

Defn: An ancient Roman liquid and dry measure, about equal to an English pint.

SEXTARY Sex"ta*ry, n. Etym: [For sextonry.]

Defn: A sacristy. [Obs.]

SEXTET; SEXTETTO Sex*tet", Sex*tet"to, n. (Mus.)

Defn: See Sestet.

SEXTEYN Sex"teyn, n.

Defn: A sacristan. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SEXTIC Sex"tic, a. Etym: [L. sextus sixth.] (Math.)

Defn: Of the sixth degree or order. -- n. (Alg.)

Defn: A quantic of the sixth degree.

SEXTILE Sex"tile, a. Etym: [F. sextil, fr. L. sextus the sixth, from sex six. See Six.] (Astrol.)

Defn: Measured by sixty degrees; fixed or indicated by a distance of sixty degrees. Glanvill.

SEXTILE Sex"tile, n. Etym: [Cf. F. aspect sextil.] (Astrol.)

Defn: The aspect or position of two planets when distant from each other sixty degrees, or two signs. This position is marked thus: Hutton.

SEXTILLION Sex*til"lion, n. Etym: [Formed (in imitation of million) fr. L. sextus sixth, sex six: cf. F. sextilion.]

Defn: According to the method of numeration (which is followed also in the United States), the number expressed by a unit with twenty-one ciphers annexed. According to the English method, a million raised to the sixth power, or the number expressed by a unit with thirty-six ciphers annexed. See Numeration.

SEXTO Sex"to, n.; pl. Sextos. Etym: [L. sextus sixth.]

Defn: A book consisting of sheets each of which is folded into six leaves.

SEXTODECIMO Sex`to*dec"i*mo, a. Etym: [L. sextus-decimus the sixteenth; sextus the sixth (fr. sex six) + decimus the tenth, from decem ten. See - mo.]

Defn: Having sixteen leaves to a sheet; of, or equal to, the size of one fold of a sheet of printing paper when folded so as to make sixteen leaves, or thirty-two pages; as, a sextodecimo volume.

SEXTODECIMO Sex`to*dec"imo, n.; pl. Sextodecimos (.

Defn: A book composed of sheets each of which is folded into sixteen leaves; hence, indicating, more or less definitely, a size of a book; -- usually written 16mo, or 16º.

SEXTOLET Sex"to*let, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A double triplet; a group of six equal notes played in the time of four.

SEXTON Sex"ton, n. Etym: [OE. sextein, contr. fr. sacristan.]

Defn: An under officer of a church, whose business is to take care of the church building and the vessels, vestments, etc., belonging to the church, to attend on the officiating clergyman, and to perform other duties pertaining to the church, such as to dig graves, ring the bell, etc. Sexton beetle (Zoöl.), a burying beetle.

SEXTONESS Sex"ton*ess, n.

Defn: A female sexton; a sexton's wife.

SEXTONRY Sex"ton*ry, n.

Defn: Sextonship. [Obs.] Ld. Bernes.

SEXTONSHIP Sex"ton*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a sexton. Swift.

SEXTRY Sex"try, n.

Defn: See Sacristy. [Obs.]

SEXTUPLE Sex"tu*ple, a. Etym: [Formed (in imitation of quadruple) fr. L. sextus sixth: cf. F. sextuple.]

1. Six times as much; sixfold.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: Divisible by six; having six beats; as, sixtuple measure.

SEXUAL Sex"u*al, a. Etym: [L. sexualis, fr. sexus sex: cf. F. sexuel.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to sex, or the sexes; distinguishing sex; peculiar to the distinction and office of male or female; relating to the distinctive genital organs of the sexes; proceeding from, or based upon, sex; as, sexual characteristics; sexual intercourse, connection, or commerce; sexual desire; sexual diseases; sexual generation. Sexual dimorphism (Biol.), the condition of having one of the sexes existing in two forms, or varieties, differing in color, size, etc., as in many species of butterflies which have two kinds of females. -- Sexual method (Bot.), a method of classification proposed by Linnæus, founded mainly on difference in number and position of the stamens and pistils of plants. -- Sexual selection (Biol.), the selective preference of one sex for certain characteristics in the other, such as bright colors, musical notes, etc.; also, the selection which results from certain individuals of one sex having more opportunities of pairing with the other sex, on account of greater activity, strength, courage, etc.; applied likewise to that kind of evolution which results from such sexual preferences. Darwin. In these cases, therefore, natural selection seems to have acted independently of sexual selection. A. R. Wallace.

SEXUALIST Sex"u*al*ist, n. (Bot.)

Defn: One who classifies plants by the sexual method of Linnæus.

SEXUALITY Sex`u*al"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being distinguished by sex. Lindley.

SEXUALIZE Sex"u*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To attribute sex to.

SEXUALLY Sex"u*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sexual manner or relation.

SEY; SEYH Sey, Seyh, obs. imp. sing. & 2d pers. pl.

Defn: of See. Chaucer.

SEYE; SEYEN Seye, Seyen, obs. imp. pl. & p. p.

Defn: of See.

SEYND Seynd, obs. p. p.

Defn: of Senge, to singe. Chaucer.

SEYNT Seynt, n.

Defn: A gridle. See 1st Seint. [Obs.]

SFORZANDO; SFORZATO Sfor*zan"do, Sfor*za"to, a. Etym: [It. sforzando, p. pr., and sforzato, p. p. of sforzare to force.] (Mus.)

Defn: Forcing or forced; -- a direction placed over a note, to signify that it must be executed with peculiar emphasis and force; -- marked fz (an abbreviation of forzando), sf, sfz, or

SFUMATO Sfu*ma"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Paint.)

Defn: Having vague outlines, and colors and shades so mingled as to give a misty appearance; -- said of a painting.

SGRAFFITO Sgraf*fi"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Paint.)

Defn: Scratched; -- said of decorative painting of a certain style, in which a white overland surface is cut or scratched through, so as to form the design from a dark ground underneath.

SHAB Shab, n. Etym: [OE. shabbe, AS. sc. See Scab.]

Defn: The itch in animals; also, a scab. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SHAB Shab, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shabbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shabbing.] Etym: [See Scab, 3.]

Defn: To play mean tricks; to act shabbily. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.]

SHAB Shab, v. t.

Defn: To scratch; to rub. [Obs.] Farquhar.

SHABBED Shab"bed, a.

Defn: Shabby. [Obs.] Wood.

SHABBILY Shab"bi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shabby manner.

SHABBINESS Shab"bi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sghabby.

SHABBLE; SHABBLE Shab"ble, Shab"ble, n.Etym: [Cf. D. sabel, and G. säbel.]

Defn: A kind of crooked sword or hanger. [Scot.]

SHABBY Shab"by, a. [Compar. Shabbier; superl. Shabbiest.] Etym: [See Shab, n., Scabby, and Scab.]

1. Torn or worn to rage; poor; mean; ragged. Wearing shabby coats and dirty shirts. Macaulay.

2. Clothed with ragged, much worn, or soiled garments. "The dean was so shabby." Swift.

3. Mean; paltry; despicable; as, shabby treatment. "Very shabby fellows." Clarendon.

SHABRACK Shab"rack, n. Etym: [Turk. tshaprak, whence F. chabraque, G. shabracke.] (Mil.)

Defn: The saddlecloth or housing of a cavalry horse.

SHACK Shack, v. t. Etym: [Prov. E., to shake, to shed. See Shake.]

1. To shed or fall, as corn or grain at harvest. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

2. To feed in stubble, or upon waste corn. [Prov. Eng.]

3. To wander as a vagabond or a tramp. [Prev.Eng.]

SHACK Shack, n. Etym: [Cf. Scot. shag refuse of barley or oats.]

1. The grain left after harvest or gleaning; also, nuts which have fallen to the ground. [Prov. Eng.]

2. Liberty of winter pasturage. [Prov. Eng.]

3. A shiftless fellow; a low, itinerant beggar; a vagabond; a tramp. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.] Forby. All the poor old shacks about the town found a friend in Deacon Marble. H. W. Beecher. Common of shack (Eng.Law), the right of persons occupying lands lying together in the same common field to turn out their cattle to range in it after harvest. Cowell.

SHACKATORY Shack"a*to*ry, n.

Defn: A hound. [Obs.]

SHACKLE Shac"kle, n.

Defn: Stubble. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.

SHACKLE Shac"kle, n. Etym: [Generally used in the plural.] Etym: [OE. schakkyll, schakle, AS. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr. scacan to shake; cf. D. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh, Icel. skökull the pole of a cart. See Shake.]

1. Something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or a strap; a gyve; a fetter. His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean. Spenser.

2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action. His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles. South.

3. A fetterlike band worn as an ornament. Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and arms. Dampier.

4. A link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt, so that the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a clevis.

5. A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also drawlink, draglink, etc.

6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the staple. Knight. Shackle joint (Anat.), a joint formed by a bony ring passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of spines in some fishes.

SHACKLE Shac"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shackled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shackling.]

1. To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain. To lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn Of gathering crowds, the Britons' boasted chief. J. Philips.

2. Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or embarrass action; to impede; to cumber. Shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom could pursue that object. Walpole.

3. To join by a link or chain, as railroad cars. [U. S.] Shackle bar, the coupling between a locomotive and its tender. [U.S.] -- Shackle bolt, a shackle. Sir W. Scott.

SHACKLOCK Shack"lock`, n.

Defn: A sort of shackle. [Obs.]

SHACKLY Shack"ly, a.

Defn: Shaky; rickety. [Colloq. U. S.]

SHAD Shad, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [AS. sceadda a kind of fish, akin to Prov. G. schade; cf. Ir. & Gael. sgadan a herring, W. ysgadan herrings; all perhaps akin to E. skate a fish.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of food fishes of the Herring family. The American species (Clupea sapidissima), which is abundant on the Atlantic coast and ascends the larger rivers in spring to spawn, is an important market fish. The European allice shad, or alose (C. alosa), and the twaite shad. (C. finta), are less important species. [Written also chad.]

Note: The name is loosely applied, also, to several other fishes, as the gizzard shad (see under Gizzard), called also mud shad, white- eyed shad, and winter shad. Hardboaded, or Yellow-tailed, shad, the menhaden. -- Hickory, or Tailor, shad, the mattowacca. -- Long-boned shad, one of several species of important food fishes of the Bermudas and the West Indies, of the genus Gerres. -- Shad bush (Bot.), a name given to the North American shrubs or small trees of the rosaceous genus Amelanchier (A. Canadensis, and A. alnifolia) Their white racemose blossoms open in April or May, when the shad appear, and the edible berries (pomes) ripen in June or July, whence they are called Juneberries. The plant is also called service tree, and Juneberry. -- Shad frog, an American spotted frog (Rana halecina); -- so called because it usually appears at the time when the shad begin to run in the rivers. -- Trout shad, the squeteague. -- White shad,the common shad.

SHADBIRD Shad"bird`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The American, or Wilson's, snipe. See under Snipe. So called because it appears at the same time as the shad. (b) The common European sandpiper. [Prov. Eng.]

SHADD Shadd, n. (Mining.)

Defn: Rounded stones containing tin ore, lying at the surface of the ground, and indicating a vein. Raymond.

SHADDE Shad"de,

Defn: obs. imp. of Shed. Chaucer.

SHADDOCK Shad"dock, n. Etym: [Said to be so called from a Captain Shaddock, who first brought this fruit from the East Indies.] (Bot.)

Defn: A tree (Citrus decumana) and its fruit, which is a large species of orange; -- called also forbidden fruit, and pompelmous.

SHADE Shade, n. Etym: [OE. shade, shadewe, schadewe, AS. sceadu, scead; akin to OS. skado, D. schaduw, OHG. scato, (gen. scatewes), G. schatten, Goth. skadus, Ir. & Gael. sgath, and probably to Gr. Shadow, Shed a hat.]

1. Comparative obscurity owing to interception or interruption of the rays of light; partial darkness caused by the intervention of something between the space contemplated and the source of light.

Note: Shade differs from shadow as it implies no particular form or definite limit; whereas a shadow represents in form the object which intercepts the light. When we speak of the shade of a tree, we have no reference to its form; but when we speak of measuring a pyramid or other object by its shadow, we have reference to its form and extent.

2. Darkness; obscurity; -- often in the plural. The shades of night were falling fast. Longfellow.

3. An obscure place; a spot not exposed to light; hence, a secluded retreat. Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there Weep our sad bosoms empty. Shak.

4. That which intercepts, or shelters from, light or the direct rays of the sun; hence, also, that which protects from heat or currents of air; a screen; protection; shelter; cover; as, a lamp shade. The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Ps. cxxi. 5. Sleep under a fresh tree's shade. Shak. Let the arched knife well sharpened now assail the spreading shades of vegetables. J. Philips.

5. Shadow. [Poetic.] Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue. Pope.

6. The soul after its separation from the body; -- so called because the ancients it to be perceptible to the sight, though not to the touch; a spirit; a ghost; as, the shades of departed heroes. Swift as thought the flitting shade Thro' air his momentary journey made. Dryden.

7. (Painting, Drawing, etc.)

Defn: The darker portion of a picture; a less illuminated part. See Def. 1, above.

8. Degree or variation of color, as darker or lighter, stronger or paler; as, a delicate shade of pink. White, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees, or shades and mixtures, as green only in by the eyes. Locke.

9. A minute difference or variation, as of thought, belief, expression, etc.; also, the quality or degree of anything which is distinguished from others similar by slight differences; as, the shades of meaning in synonyms. New shades and combinations of thought. De Quincey. Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters. Macaulay. The Shades, the Nether World; the supposed abode of souls after leaving the body.

SHADE Shade, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shading.]

1. To shelter or screen by intercepting the rays of light; to keep off illumination from. Milton. I went to crop the sylvan scenes, And shade our altars with their leafy greens. Dryden.

2. To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen; to hide; as, to shade one's eyes. Ere in our own house I do shade my head. Shak.

3. To obscure; to dim the brightness of. Thou shad'st The full blaze of thy beams. Milton.

4. To pain in obscure colors; to darken.

5. To mark with gradations of light or color.

6. To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent. [Obs.] [The goddess] in her person cunningly did shade That part of Justice which is Equity. Spenser.

SHADEFUL Shade"ful, a.

Defn: Full of shade; shady.

SHADELESS Shade"less, a.

Defn: Being without shade; not shaded.

SHADER Shad"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, shades.

SHADILY Shad"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shady manner.

SHADINESS Shad"i*ness

Defn: , n. Quality or state of being shady.

SHADING Shad"ing, n.

1. Act or process of making a shade.

2. That filling up which represents the effect of more or less darkness, expressing rotundity, projection, etc., in a picture or a drawing.

SHADOOF Sha*doof", n. Etym: [Ar. shad.]

Defn: A machine, resembling a well sweep, used in Egypt for raising water from the Nile for irrigation.

SHADOW Shad"ow, n. Etym: [Originally the same word as shade. sq. root162. See Shade.]

1. Shade within defined limits; obscurity or deprivation of light, apparent on a surface, and representing the form of the body which intercepts the rays of light; as, the shadow of a man, of a tree, or of a tower. See the Note under Shade, n., 1.

2. Darkness; shade; obscurity. Night's sable shadows from the ocean rise. Denham.

3. A shaded place; shelter; protection; security. In secret shadow from the sunny ray, On a sweet bed of lilies softly laid. Spenser.

4. A reflected image, as in a mirror or in water. Shak.

5. That which follows or attends a person or thing like a shadow; an inseparable companion; hence, an obsequious follower. Sin and her shadow Death. Milton.

6. A spirit; a ghost; a shade; a phantom. "Hence, horrible shadow!" Shak.

7. An imperfect and faint representation; adumbration; indistinct image; dim bodying forth; hence, mystical reprresentation; type. The law having a shadow of good things to come. Heb. x. 1. [Types] and shadows of that destined seed. Milton.

8. A small degree; a shade. "No variableness, neither shadow of turning." James i. 17.

9. An uninvited guest coming with one who is invited. [A Latinism] Nares. I must not have my board pastered with shadows That under other men's protection break in Without invitement. Massinger. Shadow of death, darkness or gloom like that caused by the presence or the impending of death. Ps. xxiii. 4.

SHADOW Shad"ow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shadowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shadowing.] Etym: [OE. shadowen, AS. sceadwian. See adow, n.]

1. To cut off light from; to put in shade; to shade; to throw a shadow upon; to overspead with obscurity. The warlike elf much wondered at this tree, So fair and great, that shadowed all the ground. Spenser.

2. To conceal; to hide; to screen. [R.] Let every soldier hew him down a bough. And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadow The numbers of our host. Shak.

3. To protect; to shelter from danger; to shroud. Shadoving their right under your wings of war. Shak.

4. To mark with gradations of light or color; to shade.

5. To represent faintly or imperfectly; to adumbrate; hence, to represent typically. Augustus is shadowed in the person of Dryden.

6. To cloud; to darken; to cast a gloom over. The shadowed livery of the burnished sun. Shak. Why sad I must not see the face O love thus shadowed. Beau & Fl.

7. To attend as closely as a shadow; to follow and watch closely, especially in a secret or unobserved manner; as, a detective shadows a criminal.

SHADOWINESS Shad"ow*i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shadowy.

SHADOWING Shad"ow*ing, n.

1. Shade, or gradation of light and color; shading. Feltham.

2. A faint representation; an adumbration. There are . . . in savage theology shadowings, quaint or majestic, of the conception of a Supreme Deity. Tylor.

SHADOWISH Shad"ow*ish, a.

Defn: Shadowy; vague. [Obs.] Hooker.

SHADOWLESS Shad"ow*less, a.

Defn: Having no shadow.

SHADOWY Shad"ow*y, a.

1. Full of shade or shadows; causing shade or shadow. "Shadowy verdure." Fenton. This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods. Shak.

2. Hence, dark; obscure; gloomy; dim. "The shadowy past." Longfellow.

3. Not brightly luminous; faintly light. The moon . . . with more pleasing light, Shadowy sets off the face things. Milton.

4. Faintly representative; hence, typical. From sshadowy types to truth, from flesh to spirit. Milton.

5. Unsubstantial; unreal; as, shadowy honor. Milton has brought into his poems two actors of a shadowy and fictitious nature, in the persons of Sin and Death. Addison.

SHADRACH Sha"drach, n. (Metal.)

Defn: A mass of iron on which the operation of smelting has failed of its intended effect; -- so called from Shadrach, one of the three Hebrews who came forth unharmed from the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. (See Dan. iii. 26, 27.)

SHAD-SPIRIT Shad"-spir`it, n.

Defn: See Shadbird (a)

SHAD-WAITER Shad"-wait`er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A lake whitefish; the roundfish. See Roundfish.

SHADY Shad"y, a. [Compar. Shadier; superl. Shadiest.]

1. Abounding in shade or shades; overspread with shade; causing shade. The shady trees cover him with their shadow. Job. xl. 22. And Amaryllis fills the shady groves. Dryden.

2. Sheltered from the glare of light or sultry heat. Cast it also that you may have rooms shady for summer and warm for winter. Bacon.

3. Of or pertaining to shade or darkness; hence, unfit to be seen or known; equivocal; dubious or corrupt. [Colloq.] "A shady business." London Sat. Rev. Shady characters, disreputable, criminal. London Spectator. On the shady side of, on the thither side of; as, on the shady side of fifty; that is, more than fifty. [Colloq.] -- To keep shady, to stay in concealment; also, to be reticent. [Slang]

SHAFFLE Shaf"fle, v. i. Etym: [See Shuffle.]

Defn: To hobble or limp; to shuffle. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.]

SHAFFLER Shaf"fler, n.

Defn: A hobbler; one who limps; a shuffer. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.]

SHAFIITE Sha"fi*ite, n.

Defn: A member of one of the four sects of the Sunnites, or Orthodox Mohammedans; -- so called from its founder, Mohammed al-Shafeï.

SHAFT Shaft, n. Etym: [OE. shaft, schaft, AS. sceaft; akin to D. schacht, OHG. scaft, G. schaft, Dan. & Sw. skaft handle, haft, Icel. skapt, and probably to L. scapus, Gr. Scape, Scepter, Shave.]

1. The slender, smooth stem of an arrow; hence, an arrow. His sleep, his meat, his drink, is him bereft, That lean he wax, and dry as is a shaft. Chaucer. A shaft hath three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head. Ascham.

2. The long handle of a spear or similar weapon; hence, the weapon itself; (Fig.) anything regarded as a shaft to be thrown or darted; as, shafts of light. And the thunder, Winged with red lightning and impetuous rage, Perhaps hath spent his shafts. Milton. Some kinds of literary pursuits . . . have been attacked with all the shafts of ridicule. V. Knox.

3. That which resembles in some degree the stem or handle of an arrow or a spear; a long, slender part, especially when cylindrical. Specifically: (a) (Bot.) The trunk, stem, or stalk of a plant. (b) (Zoöl.) The stem or midrib of a feather. See Illust. of Feather. (c) The pole, or tongue, of a vehicle; also, a thill. (d) The part of a candlestick which supports its branches. Thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold . . . his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. Ex. xxv. 31.

(e) The handle or helve of certain tools, instruments, etc., as a hammer, a whip, etc. (f) A pole, especially a Maypole. [Obs.] Stow. (g) (Arch.) The body of a column; the cylindrical pillar between the capital and base (see Illust. of Column). Also, the part of a chimney above the roof. Also, the spire of a steeple. [Obs. or R.] Gwilt. (h) A column, an obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument. Bid time and nature gently spare The shaft we raise to thee. Emerson. (i) (Weaving)

Defn: A rod at the end of a heddle. (j) (Mach.) A solid or hollow cylinder or bar, having one or more journals on which it rests and revolves, and intended to carry one or more wheels or other revolving parts and to transmit power or motion; as, the shaft of a steam engine. See Illust. of Countershaft.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A humming bird (Thaumastura cora) having two of the tail feathers next to the middle ones very long in the male; -- called also cora humming bird.

5. Etym: [Cf. G. schacht.] (Mining)

Defn: A well-like excavation in the earth, perpendicular or nearly so, made for reaching and raising ore, for raising water, etc.

6. A long passage for the admission or outlet of air; an air shaft.

7. The chamber of a blast furnace. Line shaft (Mach.), a main shaft of considerable length, in a shop or factory, usually bearing a number of pulleys by which machines are driven, commonly by means of countershafts; -- called also line, or main line. -- Shaft alley (Naut.), a passage extending from the engine room to the stern, and containing the propeller shaft. -- Shaft furnace (Metal.), a furnace, in the form of a chimney, which is charged at the top and tapped at the bottom.

SHAFTED Shaft"ed, a.

1. Furnished with a shaft, or with shafts; as, a shafted arch.

2. (Her.)

Defn: Having a shaft; -- applied to a spear when the head and the shaft are of different tinctures.

SHAFTING Shaft"ing, n. (Mach.)

Defn: Shafts, collectivelly; a system of connected shafts for communicating motion.

SHAFTMAN; SHAFTMENT Shaft"man, Shaft"ment, n. Etym: [AS. sceaftmund.]

Defn: A measure of about six inches. [Obs.]

SHAG Shag, n. Etym: [AS. sceacga a bush of hair; akin to Icel. skegg the beard, Sw. skägg, Dan. skj. Cf. Schock of hair.]

1. Coarse hair or nap; rough, woolly hair. True Witney broadcloth, with its shag unshorn. Gay.

2. A kind of cloth having a long, coarse nap.

3. (Com.)

Defn: A kind of prepared tobacco cut fine.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of cormorant.

SHAG Shag, a.

Defn: Hairy; shaggy. Shak.

SHAG Shag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shagged; p. pr. & vb. n. Shagging.]

Defn: To make hairy or shaggy; hence, to make rough. Shag the green zone that bounds the boreal skies. J. Barlow.

SHAGBARK Shag"bark`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A rough-barked species of hickory (Carya alba), its nut. Called also shellbark. See Hickory. (b) The West Indian Pithecolobium micradenium, a legiminous tree with a red coiled-up pod.

SHAGEBUSH Shage"bush`, n.

Defn: A sackbut. [Obs.]

SHAGGED Shag"ged, a.

Defn: Shaggy; rough. Milton. -- Shag"ged*ness, n. Dr. H. More.

SHAGGINESS Shag"gi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shaggy; roughness; shaggedness.

SHAGGY Shag"gy, a. [Compar. Shaggier; superl. Shaggiest.] Etym: [From Shag, n.]

Defn: Rough with long hair or wool. About his shoulders hangs the shaggy skin. Dryden.

2. Rough; rugged; jaggy. Milton. [A rill] that winds unseen beneath the shaggy fell. Keble.

SHAG-HAIRED Shag"-haired`, a.

Defn: Having shaggy hair. Shak.

SHAG-RAG Shag"-rag`, n.

Defn: The unkempt and ragged part of the community. [Colloq. or Slang.] R. Browning.

SHAGREEN Sha*green", v. t.

Defn: To chagrin. [Obs.]

SHAGREEN Sha*green", n. Etym: [F. chagrin, It. zigrino, fr. Turk. saghri the back of a horse or other beast of burden, shagreen. Cf. Chagrin.]

1. A kind of untanned leather prepared in Russia and the East, from the skins of horses, asses, and camels, and grained so as to be covered with small round granulations. This characteristic surface is produced by pressing small seeds into the grain or hair side when moist, and afterward, when dry, scraping off the roughness left between them, and then, by soaking, causing the portions of the skin which had been compressed or indented by the seeds to swell up into relief. It is used for covering small cases and boxes.

2. The skin of various small sharks and other fishes when having small, rough, bony scales. The dogfishes of the genus Scyllium furnish a large part of that used in the arts.

SHAGREEN; SHAGREENED Sha*green", Sha*greened" a.

1. Made or covered with the leather called shagreen. "A shagreen case of lancets." T. Hook.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Covered with rough scales or points like those on shagreen.

SHAH Shah, n. Etym: [Per. shah a king, sovereign, prince. Cf. Checkmate, Chess, Pasha.]

Defn: The title of the supreme ruler in certain Eastern countries, especially Persia. [Written also schah.] Shah Nameh. Etym: [Per., Book of Kings.] A celebrated historical poem written by Firdousi, being the most ancient in the modern Persian language. Brande & C.

SHAHIN Sha*hin", n. Etym: [Ar. shahin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large and swift Asiatic falcon (Falco pregrinator) highly valued in falconry.

SHAIK Shaik, n.

Defn: See Sheik.

SHAIL Shail, v. i. Etym: [Cf. AS. sceolh squinting, Icel. skjagr wry, oblique, Dan. skele to squint.]

Defn: To walk sidewise. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

SHAITAN; SHEITAN Shai"tan, Shei"tan, n. [Written also sheytan.] [Hind. shaitan, fr. Ar. shaitsan.]

1. Among Mohammedans: (a) An evil spirit; the evil one; the devil. (b) One of bad disposition; a fiend. [Colloq.]

2. (Meteor.) A dust storm. [India]

SHAKE Shake,

Defn: obs. p. p. of Shake. Chaucer.

SHAKE Shake, v. t. [imp. Shook; p. p. Shaken, (Shook, obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Shaking.] Etym: [OE. shaken, schaken, AS. scacan, sceacan; akin to Icel. & Sw. skaka, OS. skakan, to depart, to flee. sq. root161. Cf. Shock, v.]

1. To cause to move with quick or violent vibrations; to move rapidly one way and the other; to make to tremble or shiver; to agitate. As a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Rev. vi. 13. Ascend my chariot; guide the rapid wheels That shake heaven's basis. Milton.

2. Fig.: To move from firmness; to weaken the stability of; to cause to waver; to impair the resolution of. When his doctrines grew too strong to be shook by his enemies, they persecuted his reputation. Atterbury. Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love Can by his fraud be shaken or seduced. Milton.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: To give a tremulous tone to; to trill; as, to shake a note in music.

4. To move or remove by agitating; to throw off by a jolting or vibrating motion; to rid one's self of; -- generally with an adverb, as off, out, etc.; as, to shake fruit down from a tree. Shake off the golden slumber of repose. Shak. 'Tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age. Shak. I could scarcely shake him out of my company. Bunyan. To shake a cask (Naut.), to knock a cask to pieces and pack the staves. -- To shake hands, to perform the customary act of civility by clasping and moving hands, as an expression of greeting, farewell, good will, agreement, etc. -- To shake out a reef (Naut.), to untile the reef points and spread more canvas. -- To shake the bells. See under Bell. -- To shake the sails (Naut.), to luff up in the wind, causing the sails to shiver. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SHAKE Shake, v. i.

Defn: To be agitated with a waving or vibratory motion; to tremble; to shiver; to quake; to totter. Under his burning wheels The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, All but the throne itself of God. Milton. What danger Who 's that that shakes behind there Beau & FL. Shaking piece, a name given by butchers to the piece of beef cut from the under side of the neck. See Illust. of Beef.

SHAKE Shake, n.

1. The act or result of shaking; a vacillating or wavering motion; a rapid motion one way and other; a trembling, quaking, or shivering; agitation. The great soldier's honor was composed Of thicker stuff, which could endure a shake. Herbert. Our salutations were very hearty on both sides, consisting of many kind shakes of the hand. Addison.

2. A fissure or crack in timber, caused by its being dried too suddenly. Gwilt.

3. A fissure in rock or earth.

4. (Mus.)

Defn: A rapid alternation of a principal tone with another represented on the next degree of the staff above or below it; a trill.

5. (Naut.)

Defn: One of the staves of a hogshead or barrel taken apart. Totten.

6. A shook of staves and headings. Knight.

7. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The redshank; -- so called from the nodding of its head while on the ground. [Prov. Eng.] No great shakes, of no great importance. [Slang] Byron. -- The shakes, the fever and ague. [Colloq. U.S.]

SHAKEDOWN Shake"down`, n.

Defn: A temporary substitute for a bed, as one made on the floor or on chairs; -- perhaps originally from the shaking down of straw for this purpose. Sir W. Scott.

SHAKEFORK Shake"fork`, n.

Defn: A fork for shaking hay; a pitchfork. [Obs.]

SHAKEN Shak"en, a.

1. Caused to shake; agitated; as, a shaken bough.

2. Cracked or checked; split. See Shake, n., 2. Nor is the wood shaken or twisted. Barroe.

3. Impaired, as by a shock.

SHAKER Shak"er, n.

1. A person or thing that shakes, or by means of which something is shaken.

2. One of a religious sect who do not marry, popularly so called from the movements of the members in dancing, which forms a part of their worship.

Note: The sect originated in England in 1747, and came to the United States in 1774, under the leadership of Mother Ann Lee. The Shakers are sometimes nicknamed Shaking Quakers, but they differ from the Quakers in doctrine and practice. They style themselves the "United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing." The sect is now confined in the United States.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A variety of pigeon. P. J. Selby.

SHAKERESS Shak"er*ess, n.

Defn: A female Shaker.

SHAKERISM Shak"er*ism, n.

Defn: Doctrines of the Shakers.

SHAKESPEAREAN Shake*spear"e*an, a.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or in the style of, Shakespeare or his works. [Written also Shakespearian, Shakspearean, Shakspearian, Shaksperean, Shaksperian.etc.]

SHAKINESS Shak"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being shaky.

SHAKINGS Shak"ings, n. pl. (Naut.)

Defn: Deck sweepings, refuse of cordage, canvas, etc. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SHAKO Shak"o, n. Etym: [Hung. csákó: cf. F. shako, schako.]

Defn: A kind of military cap or headress.

SHAKUDO Shak"u*do", n. [Jap.]

Defn: An alloy of copper, invented by the Japanese, having a very dark blue color approaching black.

SHAKY Shak"y, a. [Compar. Shakier; superl. Shakiest.]

1. Shaking or trembling; as, a shaky spot in a marsh; a shaky hand. Thackeray.

2. Full of shakes or cracks; cracked; as, shaky timber. Gwilt.

3. Easily shaken; tottering; unsound; as, a shaky constitution; shaky business credit. [Colloq.]

SHALE Shale, n. Etym: [AS. scealy, scalu. See Scalme, and cf. Shell.]

1. A shell or husk; a cod or pod. "The green shales of a bean." Chapman.

2. Etym: [G. shale.] (Geol.)

Defn: A fine-grained sedimentary rock of a thin, laminated, and often friable, structure. Bituminous shale. See under Bituminous.

SHALE Shale, v. t.

Defn: To take off the shell or coat of; to shell. Life, in its upper grades, was bursting its shell, or was shaling off its husk. I. Taylor.

SHALL Shall, v. i. & auxiliary. [imp. Should.] Etym: [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen, pres. zal, imp. zoude, zou, OHG. solan, scolan, pres. scal, sol. imp. scolta, solta, G. sollen, pres. soll, imp. sollte, Icel. skulu, pres. skal, imp. skyldi, SW. skola, pres. skall, imp. skulle, Dan. skulle, pres. skal, imp. skulde, Goth. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skulda, and to AS. scyld guilt, G. schuld guilt, fault, debt, and perhaps to L. scelus crime.]

Note: [Shall is defective, having no infinitive, imperative, or participle.]

1. To owe; to be under obligation for. [Obs.] "By the faith I shall to God" Court of Love.

2. To be obliged; must. [Obs.] "Me athinketh [I am sorry] that I shall rehearse it her." Chaucer.

3. As an auxiliary, shall indicates a duty or necessity whose obligation is derived from the person speaking; as, you shall go; he shall go; that is, I order or promise your going. It thus ordinarily expresses, in the second and third persons, a command, a threat, or a promise. If the auxillary be emphasized, the command is made more imperative, the promise or that more positive and sure. It is also employed in the language of prophecy; as, "the day shall come when . . . , " since a promise or threat and an authoritative prophecy nearly coincide in significance. In shall with the first person, the necessity of the action is sometimes implied as residing elsewhere than in the speaker; as, I shall suffer; we shall see; and there is always a less distinct and positive assertion of his volition than is indicated by will. "I shall go" implies nearly a simple futurity; more exactly, a foretelling or an expectation of my going, in which, naturally enough, a certain degree of plan or intention may be included; emphasize the shall, and the event is described as certain to occur, and the expression approximates in meaning to our emphatic "I will go." In a question, the relation of speaker and source of obligation is of course transferred to the person addressed; as, "Shall you go" (answer, "I shall go"); "Shall he go" i. e., "Do you require or promise his going" (answer, "He shall go".) The same relation is transferred to either second or third person in such phrases as "You say, or think, you shall go;" "He says, or thinks, he shall go." After a conditional conjunction (as if, whether) shall is used in all persons to express futurity simply; as, if I, you, or he shall say they are right. Should is everywhere used in the same connection and the same senses as shall, as its imperfect. It also expresses duty or moral obligation; as, he should do it whether he will or not. In the early English, and hence in our English Bible, shall is the auxiliary mainly used, in all the persons, to express simple futurity. (Cf. Will, v. t.) Shall may be used elliptically; thus, with an adverb or other word expressive of motion go may be omitted. "He to England shall along with you." Shak.

Note: Shall and will are often confounded by inaccurate speakers and writers. Say: I shall be glad to see you. Shall I do this Shall I help you (not Will I do this) See Will.

SHALLI Shal"li, n.

Defn: See Challis.

SHALLON Shal"lon, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An evergreen shrub (Gaultheria Shallon) of Northwest America; also, its fruit. See Salal-berry.

SHALLOON Shal*loon", n. Etym: [F. chalon, from Châlons, in France, where it was first made.]

Defn: A thin, loosely woven, twilled worsted stuff. In blue shalloon shall Hannibal be clad. Swift.

SHALLOP Shal"lop, n. Etym: [F. chaloupe, probably from D. sloep. Cf. Sloop.] (Naut.)

Defn: A boat. [She] thrust the shallop from the floating strand. Spenser.

Note: The term shallop is applied to boats of all sizes, from a light canoe up to a large boat with masts and sails.

SHALLOT Shal*lot", n. Etym: [OF. eschalote (for escalone), F. échalote. See Scallion, and cf. Eschalot.] (Bot.)

Defn: A small kind of onion (Allium Ascalonicum) growing in clusters, and ready for gathering in spring; a scallion, or eschalot.

SHALLOW Shal"low, a. [Compar. Shallower; superl. Shallowest.] Etym: [OE. schalowe, probably originally, sloping or shelving; cf. Icel. skjalgr wry, squinting, AS. sceolh, D. & G. scheel, OHG. schelah. Cf. Shelve to slope, Shoal shallow.]

1. Not deep; having little depth; shoal. "Shallow brooks, and rivers wide." Milton.

2. Not deep in tone. [R.] The sound perfecter and not so shallow and jarring. Bacon.

3. Not intellectually deep; not profound; not penetrating deeply; simple; not wise or knowing; ignorant; superficial; as, a shallow mind; shallow learning. The king was neither so shallow, nor so ill advertised, as not to perceive the intention of the French king. Bacon. Deep versed in books, and shallow in himself. Milton.

SHALLOW Shal"low, n.

1. A place in a body of water where the water is not deep; a shoal; a flat; a shelf. A swift stream is not heard in the channel, but upon shallows of gravel. Bacon. Dashed on the shallows of the moving sand. Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The rudd. [Prov. Eng.]

SHALLOW Shal"low, v. t.

Defn: To make shallow. Sir T. Browne.

SHALLOW Shal"low, v. i.

Defn: To become shallow, as water.

SHALLOW-BODIED Shal"low-bod`ied, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Having a moderate depth of hold; -- said of a vessel.

SHALLOW-BRAINED Shal"low-brained`, a.

Defn: Weak in intellect; foolish; empty-headed. South.

SHALLOW-HEARTED Shal"low-heart`ed, a.

Defn: Incapable of deep feeling. Tennyson.

SHALLOWLY Shal"low*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shallow manner.

SHALLOWNESS Shal"low*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being shallow.

SHALLOW-PATED Shal"low-pat`ed, a.

Defn: Shallow-brained.

SHALLOW-WAISTED Shal"low-waist`ed, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Having a flush deck, or with only a moderate depression amidships; -- said of a vessel.

SHALM Shalm, n.

Defn: See Shawm. [Obs.] Knolles.

SHALT Shalt,

Defn: 2d per. sing. of Shall.

SHALY Shal"y, a.

Defn: Resembling shale in structure.

SHAM Sham, n. Etym: [Originally the same word as shame, hence, a disgrace, a trick. See Shame, n.]

1. That which deceives expectation; any trick, fraud, or device that deludes and disappoint; a make-believe; delusion; imposture, humbug. "A mere sham." Bp. Stillingfleet. Believe who will the solemn sham, not I. Addison.

2. A false front, or removable ornamental covering. Pillow sham, a covering to be laid on a pillow.

SHAM Sham, a.

Defn: False; counterfeit; pretended; feigned; unreal; as, a sham fight. They scorned the sham independence proffered to them by the Athenians. Jowett (Thucyd)

SHAM Sham, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shammed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shamming.]

1. To trick; to cheat; to deceive or delude with false pretenses. Fooled and shammed into a conviction. L'Estrange.

2. To obtrude by fraud or imposition. [R.] We must have a care that we do not . . . sham fallacies upon the world for current reason. L'Estrange.

3. To assume the manner and character of; to imitate; to ape; to feign. To sham Abram or Abraham, to feign sickness; to malinger. Hence a malingerer is called, in sailors' cant, Sham Abram, or Sham Abraham.

SHAM Sham, v. i.

Defn: To make false pretenses; to deceive; to feign; to impose. Wondering . . . whether those who lectured him were such fools as they professed to be, or were only shamming. Macaulay.

SHAMA Sha"ma, n. Etym: [Hind. shama.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A saxicoline singing bird (Kittacincla macroura) of India, noted for the sweetness and power of its song. In confinement it imitates the notes of other birds and various animals with accuracy. Its head, neck, back, breast, and tail are glossy black, the rump white, the under parts chestnut.

SHAMAN Sha"man, n. Etym: [From the native name.]

Defn: A priest of Shamanism; a wizard among the Shamanists.

SHAMANIC Sha*man"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Shamanism.

SHAMANISM Sha"man*ism, n.

Defn: The type of religion which once prevalied among all the Ural- Altaic peoples (Tungusic, Mongol, and Turkish), and which still survives in various parts of Northern Asia. The Shaman, or wizard priest, deals with good as well as with evil spirits, especially the good spirits of ancestors. Encyc. Brit.

SHAMANIST Sha"man*ist, n.

Defn: An adherent of Shamanism.

SHAMBLE Sham"ble, n. Etym: [OE. schamel a bench, stool, AS. scamel, sceamol, a bench, form, stool, fr. L. scamellum, dim. of scamnum a bench, stool.]

1. (Mining)

Defn: One of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level.

2. pl.

Defn: A place where butcher's meat is sold. As summer flies are in the shambles. Shak.

3. pl.

Defn: A place for slaughtering animals for meat. To make a shambles of the parliament house. Shak.

SHAMBLE Sham"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shambled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shambling.] Etym: [Cf. OD. schampelen to slip, schampen to slip away, escape. Cf. Scamble, Scamper.]

Defn: To walk awkwardly and unsteadily, as if the knees were weak; to shuffle along.

SHAMBLING Sham"bling, a.

Defn: Characterized by an awkward, irregular pace; as, a shambling trot; shambling legs.

SHAMBLING Sham"bling, n.

Defn: An awkward, irregular gait.

SHAME Shame, n. Etym: [OE. shame, schame, AS. scamu, sceamu; akin to OS. & OHG. scama, G. scham, Icel. skömm, shkamm, Sw. & Dan. skam, D. & G. schande, Goth. skanda shame, skaman sik to be ashamed; perhaps from a root skam meaning to cover, and akin to the root (kam) of G. hemd shirt, E. chemise. Cf. Sham.]

1. A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of having done something which injures reputation, or of the exposure of that which nature or modesty prompts us to conceal. HIde, for shame, Romans, your grandsires' images, That blush at their degenerate progeny. Dryden. Have you no modesty, no maiden shame Shak.

2. Reproach incurred or suffered; dishonor; ignominy; derision; contempt. Ye have borne the shame of the heathen. Ezek. xxxvi. 6. Honor and shame from no condition rise. Pope. And every woe a tear can claim Except an erring sister's shame. Byron.

3. The cause or reason of shame; that which brings reproach, and degrades a person in the estimation of others; disgrace. O Cshame is this! Shak. Guides who are the shame of religion. Shak.

4. The parts which modesty requires to be covered; the private parts. Isa. xlvii. 3. For shame! you should be ashamed; shame on you! -- To put to shame, to cause to feel shame; to humiliate; to disgrace. "Let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil." Ps. xl. 14.

SHAME Shame, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shaming.]

1. To make ashamed; to excite in (a person) a comsciousness of guilt or impropriety, or of conduct derogatory to reputation; to put to shame. Were there but one righteous in the world, he would . . . shame the world, and not the world him. South.

2. To cover with reproach or ignominy; to dishonor; to disgrace. And with foul cowardice his carcass shame. Spenser.

3. To mock at; to deride. [Obs. or R.] Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor. Ps. xiv. 6.

SHAME Shame, v. i. Etym: [AS. scamian, sceamian. See Shame, n.]

Defn: To be ashamed; to feel shame. [R.] I do shame To think of what a noble strain you are. Shak.

SHAMEFACED Shame"faced`, a. Etym: [For shamefast; AS. scamf. See Shame, n., and Fast firm.]

Defn: Easily confused or put out of countenance; diffident; bashful; modest. Your shamefaced virtue shunned the people's prise. Dryden.

Note: Shamefaced was once shamefast, shamefacedness was shamefastness, like steadfast and steadfastness; but the ordinary manifestations of shame being by the face, have brought it to its present orthography. Trench. -- Shame"faced, adv. -- Shame"faced`ness, n.

SHAMEFAST Shame"fast, a. Etym: [AS. scamfæst.]

Defn: Modest; shamefaced. -- Shame"fast*ly, adv. -- Shame"fast*ness, n. [Archaic] See Shamefaced. Shamefast she was in maiden shamefastness. Chaucer. [Conscience] is a blushing shamefast spirit. Shak. Modest apparel with shamefastness. 1 Tim. ii. 9 (Rev. Ver.).

SHAMEFUL Shame"ful, a.

1. Bringing shame or disgrace; injurious to reputation; disgraceful. His naval preparations were not more surprising than his quick and shameful retreat. Arbuthnot.

2. Exciting the feeling of shame in others; indecent; as, a shameful picture; a shameful sight. Spenser.

Syn. -- Disgraceful; reproachful; indecent; unbecoming; degrading; scandalous; ignominious; infamous. -- Shame"ful*ly, adv. -- Shame"ful*ness, n.

SHAMELESS Shame"less, a. Etym: [AS. scamleás.]

1. Destitute of shame; wanting modesty; brazen-faced; insensible to disgrace. "Such shameless bards we have." Pope. Shame enough to shame thee, wert thou not shameless. Shak.

2. Indicating want of modesty, or sensibility to disgrace; indecent; as, a shameless picture or poem.

Syn. -- Impudent; unblushing; audacious; immodest; indecent; indelicate. -- Shame"less*ly, adv. -- Shame"less*ness, n.

SHAME-PROOF Shame"-proof`, n.

Defn: Shameless. Shak.

SHAMER Sham"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, disgraces, or makes ashamed. Beau & Fl.

SHAMMER Sham"mer, n.

Defn: One who shams; an impostor. Johnson.

SHAMMY Sham"my, n. Etym: [F. chamious a chamois, shammy leather. See Chamois.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chamois.

2. A soft, pliant leather, prepared originally from the skin of the chamois, but now made also from the skin of the sheep, goat, kid, deer, and calf. See Shamoying. [Written also chamois, shamoy, and shamois.]

SHAMOIS; SHAMOY Sham"ois, Sham"oy, n.

Defn: See Shammy.

SHAMOYING Sha*moy"ing, n. Etym: [See Shammy.]

Defn: A process used in preparing certain kinds of leather, which consists in frizzing the skin, and working oil into it to supply the place of the astringent (tannin, alum, or the like) ordinarily used in tanning.

SHAMPOO Sham*poo", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shampooed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shampooing.] Etym: [Hind. champna to press, to squeeze.] [Writing also champoo.]

1. To press or knead the whole surface of the body of (a person), and at the same time to stretch the limbs and joints, in connection with the hot bath.

2. To wash throughly and rub the head of (a person), with the fingers, using either soap, or a soapy preparation, for the more thorough cleansing.

SHAMPOO Sham*poo", n.

Defn: The act of shampooing.

SHAMPOOER Sham*poo"er, n.

Defn: One who shampoos.

SHAMROCK Sham"rock, n. Etym: [L. seamrog, seamar, trefoil, white clover, white honeysuckle; akin to Gael. seamrag.] (Bot.)

Defn: A trifoliate plant used as a national emblem by the Irish. The legend is that St. Patrick once plucked a leaf of it for use in illustrating the doctrine of the trinity.

Note: The original plant was probably a kind of wood sorrel (Oxalis Acetocella); but now the name is given to the white clover (Trifolium repens), and the black medic (Medicago lupulina).

SHANDRYDAN Shan"dry*dan, n.

Defn: A jocosely depreciative name for a vehicle. [Ireland]

SHANDYGAFF Shan"dy*gaff (, n.

Defn: A mixture of strong beer and ginger beer. [Eng.]

SHANGHAI Shang`hai", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shanghaied; p. pr. & vb. n. Shanghaiing.]

Defn: To intoxicate and ship (a person) as a sailor while in this condition. [Written also shanghae.] [Slang, U.S.]

SHANGHAI Shang`hai", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large and tall breed of domestic fowl.

SHANK Shank, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Chank.

SHANK Shank, n. Etym: [OE. shanke, schanke, schonke, AS. scanca, sceanca, sconca, sceonca; akin to D. schonk a bone, G. schenkel thigh, shank, schinken ham, OHG. scincha shank, Dan. & Sw. skank. sq. root161. Cf. Skink, v.]

1. The part of the leg from the knee to the foot; the shin; the shin bone; also, the whole leg. His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank. Shak.

2. Hence, that part of an instrument, tool, or other thing, which connects the acting part with a handle or other part, by which it is held or moved. Specifically: (a) That part of a key which is between the bow and the part which enters the wards of the lock. (b) The middle part of an anchor, or that part which is between the ring and the arms. See Illustr. of Anchor. (c) That part of a hoe, rake, knife, or the like, by which it is secured to a handle. (d) A loop forming an eye to a button.

3. (Arch.)

Defn: The space between two channels of the Doric triglyph. Gwilt.

4. (Founding)

Defn: A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it.

5. (Print.)

Defn: The body of a type.

6. (Shoemaking)

Defn: The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel.

7. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A wading bird with long legs; as, the green-legged shank, or knot; the yellow shank, or tattler; -- called also shanks.

8. pl.

Defn: Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round. Shank painter (Naut.), a short rope or chain which holds the shank of an anchor against the side of a vessel when it is secured for a voyage. -- To ride shank's mare, to go on foot; to walk.

SHANK Shank, v. i.

Defn: To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; -- usually followed by off. Darwin.

SHANKBEER Shank"beer`, n.

Defn: See Schenkbeer.

SHANKED Shanked, a.

Defn: Having a shank.

SHANKER Shank"er, n. (Med.)

Defn: See Chancre.

SHANNY Shan"ny, n.; pl. Shannies. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European smooth blenny (Blennius pholis). It is olive-green with irregular black spots, and without appendages on the head.

SHAN'T Shan't.

Defn: A contraction of shall not. [Colloq.]

SHANTY Shan"ty, a.

Defn: Jaunty; showy. [Prov. Eng.]

SHANTY Shan"ty, n.;pl. Shanties. Etym: [Said to be fr. Ir. sean old + tig. a house.]

Defn: A small, mean dwelling; a rough, slight building for temporary use; a hut.

SHANTY Shan"ty, v. i.

Defn: To inhabit a shanty. S. H. Hammond.

SHAPABLE Shap"a*ble, a.

1. That may be shaped.

2. Shapely. [R.] "Round and shapable." De Foe.

SHAPE Shape, v. t. [imp. Shaped; p. p. Shaped or Shapen; p. pr. & vb. n. Shaping.] Etym: [OE. shapen, schapen, AS. sceapian. The p. p. shapen is from the strong verb, AS. scieppan, scyppan, sceppan, p. p. sceapen. See Shape, n.]

1. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to. I was shapen in iniquity. Ps. li. 5. Grace shaped her limbs, and beauty decked her face. Prior.

2. To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the course of a vessel. To the stream, when neither friends, nor force, Nor spead nor art avail, he shapes his course. Denham. Charmed by their eyes, their manners I acqire, And shape my foolishness to their desire. Prior.

3. To image; to conceive; to body forth. Oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not. Shak.

4. To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange. When shapen was all this conspiracy, From point to point. Chaucer. Shaping machine. (Mach.) Same as Shaper. -- To shape one's self, to prepare; to make ready. [Obs.] I will early shape me therefor. Chaucer.

SHAPE Shape, v. i.

Defn: To suit; to be adjusted or conformable. [R.] Shak.

SHAPE Shape, n. Etym: [OE. shap, schap, AS. sceap in gesceap creation, creature, fr. the root of scieppan, scyppan, sceppan, to shape, to do, to effect; akin to OS. giskeppian, OFries. skeppa, D. scheppen, G. schaffen, OHG. scaffan, scepfen, skeffen, Icer. skapa, skepja, Dan. skabe, skaffe, Sw. skapa, skaffa, Goth. gaskapjan, and perhaps to E. shave, v. Cf. -ship.]

1. Character or construction of a thing as determining its external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form; guise; as, the shape of a tree; the shape of the head; an elegant shape. He beat me grievously, in the shape of a woman. Shak.

2. That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being. Before the gates three sat, On either side, a formidable shape. Milton.

3. A model; a pattern; a mold.

4. Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality. Milton.

5. Dress for disguise; guise. [Obs.] Look better on this virgin, and consider This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing In a Greekish dress. Messinger.

6. (Iron Manuf.) (a) A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar. (b) A piece which has been roughly forged nearly to the form it will receive when completely forged or fitted. To take shape, to assume a definite form.

SHAPELESS Shape"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of shape or regular form; wanting symmetry of dimensions; misshapen; -- opposed to Ant: shapely. -- Shape"less*ness, n. The shapeless rock, or hanging precipice. Pope.

SHAPELINESS Shape"li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shapely.

SHAPELY Shape"ly, a. [Compar. Shapelier; superl. Shapeliest.]

1. Well-formed; having a regular shape; comely; symmetrical. T. Warton. Waste sandy valleys, once perplexed with thorn, The spiry fir and shapely box adorn. Pope. Where the shapely column stood. Couper.

2. Fit; suitable. [Obs.] Shaply for to be an alderman. Chaucer.

SHAPER Shap"er, n.

1. One who shapes; as, the shaper of one's fortunes. The secret of those old shapers died with them. Lowell.

2. That which shapes; a machine for giving a particular form or outline to an object. Specifically; (a) (Metal Working) A kind of planer in which the tool, instead of the work, receives a reciprocating motion, usually from a crank. (b) (Wood Working) A machine with a vertically revolving cutter projecting above a flat table top, for cutting irregular outlines, moldings, etc.

SHAPOO Sha"poo, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The oörial.

SHAPS Shaps, n. pl. [Shortened fr. chaparajos. Cf. Chaps.]

Defn: Chaparajos. [Western U. S.]

A pair of gorgeous buckskin shaps, embroidered up the sides and adorned with innumerable ermine skins. The Century.

SHARD Shard, n.

Defn: A plant; chard. [Obs.] Dryden.

SHARD Shard, n. Etym: [AS. sceard, properly a p. p. from the root of scearn to shear, to cut; akin to D. schaard a fragment, G. scharte a notch, Icel. skar. See Shear, and cf. Sherd.] [Written also sheard, and sherd.]

1. A piece or fragment of an earthen vessel, or a like brittle substance, as the shell of an egg or snail. Shak. The precious dish Broke into shards of beauty on the board. E. Arnold.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hard wing case of a beetle. They are his shards, and he their beetle. Shak.

3. A gap in a fence. [Obs.] Stanyhurst.

4. A boundary; a division. [Obs. & R.] Spenser.

SHARD-BORNE Shard"-borne`, a.

Defn: Borne on shards or scaly wing cases. "The shard-borne beetle." Shak.

SHARDED Shard"ed, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having elytra, as a beetle.

SHARDY Shard"y, a.

Defn: Having, or consisting of, shards.

SHARE Share, n. Etym: [OE. schar, AS. scear; akin to OHG. scaro, G. schar, pflugshar, and E. shear, v. See Shear.]

1. The part (usually an iron or steel plate) of a plow which cuts the ground at the bottom of a furrow; a plowshare.

2. The part which opens the ground for the reception of the seed, in a machine for sowing seed. Knight.

SHARE Share, n. Etym: [OE. share, AS. scearu, scaru, fr. sceran to shear, cut. See Shear, v.]

1. A certain quantity; a portion; a part; a division; as, a small share of prudence.

2. Especially, the part allotted or belonging to one, of any property or interest owned by a number; a portion among others; an apportioned lot; an allotment; a dividend. "My share of fame." Dryden.

3. Hence, one of a certain number of equal portions into which any property or invested capital is divided; as, a ship owned in ten shares.

4. The pubes; the sharebone. [Obs.] Holland. To go shares, to partake; to be equally concerned. -- Share and share alike, in equal shares.

SHARE Share, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shared; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharing.]

1. To part among two or more; to distribute in portions; to divide. Suppose I share my fortune equally between my children and a stranger. Swift.

2. To partake of, use, or experience, with others; to have a portion of; to take and possess in common; as, to share a shelter with another. While avarice and rapine share the land. Milton.

3. To cut; to shear; to cleave; to divide. [Obs.] The shared visage hangs on equal sides. Dryden.

SHARE Share, v. i.

Defn: To have part; to receive a portion; to partake, enjoy, or suffer with others. A right of inheritance gave every one a title to share in the goods of his father. Locke.

SHAREBEAM Share"beam`, n.

Defn: The part of the plow to which the share is attached.

SHAREBONE Share"bone`, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The public bone.

SHAREBROKER Share"bro`ker, n.

Defn: A broker who deals in railway or other shares and securities.

SHAREHOLDER Share"hold`er, n.

Defn: One who holds or owns a share or shares in a joint fund or property.

SHARER Shar"er, n.

Defn: One who shares; a participator; a partaker; also, a divider; a distributer.

SHAREWORT Share"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A composite plant (Aster Tripolium) growing along the seacoast of Europe.

SHARK Shark, n. Etym: [Of uncertain origin; perhaps through OF. fr. carcharus a kind of dogfish, Gr. Shark, v. t.&i.); cf. Corn. scarceas.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes of the order Plagiostomi, found in all seas.

Note: Some sharks, as the basking shark and the whale shark, grow to an enormous size, the former becoming forty feet or more, and the latter sixty feet or more, in length. Most of them are harmless to man, but some are exceedingly voracious. The man-eating sharks mostly belong to the genera Carcharhinus, Carcharodon, and related genera. They have several rows of large sharp teeth with serrated edges, as the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias, or Rondeleti) of tropical seas, and the great blue shark (Carcharhinus glaucus) of all tropical and temperate seas. The former sometimes becomes thirty-six feet long, and is the most voracious and dangerous species known. The rare man-eating shark of the United States coast (Charcarodon Atwoodi) is thought by some to be a variety, or the young, of C. carcharias. The dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), and the smaller blue shark (C. caudatus), both common species on the coast of the United States, are of moderate size and not dangerous. They feed on shellfish and bottom fishes.

2. A rapacious, artful person; a sharper. [Colloq.]

3. Trickery; fraud; petty rapine; as, to live upon the shark. [Obs.] South. Baskin shark, Liver shark, Nurse shark, Oil shark, Sand shark, Tiger shark, etc. See under Basking, Liver, etc. See also Dogfish, Houndfish, Notidanian, and Tope. -- Gray shark, the sand shark. -- Hammer-headed shark. See Hammerhead. -- Port Jackson shark. See Cestraciont. -- Shark barrow, the eggcase of a shark; a sea purse. -- Shark ray. Same as Angel fish (a), under Angel. -- Thrasher shark, or Thresher shark, a large, voracious shark. See Thrasher. -- Whale shark, a huge harmless shark (Rhinodon typicus) of the Indian Ocean. It becomes sixty feet or more in length, but has very small teeth.

SHARK Shark, v. t. Etym: [Of uncertain origin; perhaps fr. shark, n., or perhaps related to E. shear (as hearken to hear), and originally meaning, to clip off. Cf. Shirk.]

Defn: To pick or gather indiscriminately or covertly. [Obs.] Shak.

SHARK Shark, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sharked; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharking.]

1. To play the petty thief; to practice fraud or trickery; to swindle. Neither sharks for a cup or a reckoning. Bp. Earle.

2. To live by shifts and stratagems. Beau & Fl.

SHARKER Shark"er, n.

Defn: One who lives by sharking.

SHARKING Shark"ing, n.

Defn: Petty rapine; trick; also, seeking a livelihood by shifts and dishonest devices.

SHAROCK Shar"ock, n.

Defn: An East Indian coin of the value of 12

SHARP Sharp, a. [Compar. Sharper; superl. Sharpest.] Etym: [OE. sharp, scharp, scarp, AS. scearp; akin to OS. skarp, LG. scharp, D. scherp, G. scharf, Dan. & Sw. skarp, Icel. skarpr. Cf. Escarp, Scrape, Scorpion.]

1. Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen. He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point. Shak.

2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features.

3. Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash.

4. (Mus.) (a) High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone. (b) Raised a semitone in pitch; as, C sharp (C#), which is a half step, or semitone, higher than C. (c) So high as to be out of tune, or above true pitch; as, the tone is sharp; that instrument is sharp. Opposed in all these senses to Ant: flat.

5. Very trying to the feelings; pierching; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air. Sharp misery had worn him to the bones. Shak. The morning sharp and clear. Cowper. In sharpest perils faithful proved. Keble.

6. Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke. "That sharp look." Tennyson. To that place the sharp Athenian law Can not pursue us. Shak. Be thy words severe, Sharp as merits but the sword forbear. Dryden.

7. Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing, or judgment. Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want. Addison. Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have never yeL. Watts.

8. Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite.

9. Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. "In sharp contest of battle." Milton. A sharp assault already is begun. Dryden.

10. Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer. The necessity of being so sharp and exacting. Swift.

11. Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand. Moxon.

12. Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve.

13. (Phonetics)

Defn: Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated.

Note: Sharp is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sharp-cornered, sharp-edged, sharp-pointed, sharp- tasted, sharp-visaged, etc. Sharp practice, the getting of an advantage, or the attempt to do so, by a tricky expedient. -- To brace sharp, or To sharp up (Naut.), to turn the yards to the most oblique position possible, that the ship may lie well up to the wind.

Syn. -- Keen; acute; piercing; penetrating; quick; sagacious; discerning; shrewd; witty; ingenious; sour; acid; tart; pungent; acrid; severe; poignant; biting; acrimonious; sarcastic; cutting; bitter; painful; afflictive; violent; harsh; fierce; ardent; fiery.

SHARP Sharp, adv.

1. To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply. M. Arnold. The head [of a spear] full sharp yground. Chaucer. You bite so sharp at reasons. Shak.

2. Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp. [Colloq.] Look sharp, attend; be alert. [Colloq.]

SHARP Sharp, n.

1. A sharp tool or weapon. [Obs.] If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs. Collier.

2. (Mus.) (a) The character [#] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step, or semitone, in pitch. (b) A sharp tone or note. Shak.

3. A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly. [Prov. Eng.] C. Kingsley.

4. A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps.

5. pl.

Defn: Same as Middlings, 1.

6. An expert. [Slang]

SHARP Sharp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sharped; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharping.]

1. To sharpen. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step, or semitone, above the natural tone.

SHARP Sharp, v. i.

1. To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper. L'Estrange.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: To sing above the proper pitch.

SHARP-CUT Sharp-cut`, a.

Defn: Cut sharply or definitely, or so as to make a clear, well- defined impression, as the lines of an engraved plate, and the like; clear-cut; hence, having great distinctness; well-defined; clear.

SHARPEN Sharp"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sarpened; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharpening.] Etym: [See Sharp, a.]

Defn: To make sharp. Specifically: (a) To give a keen edge or fine point to; to make sharper; as, to sharpen an ax, or the teeth of a saw. (b) To render more quick or acute in perception; to make more ready or ingenious. The air . . . sharpened his visual ray To objects distant far. Milton. He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Burke.

(c) To make more eager; as, to sharpen men's desires. Epicurean cooks Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite. Shak.

(d) To make more pungent and intense; as, to sharpen a pain or disease. (e) To make biting, sarcastic, or severe. "Sharpen each word." E. Smith. (f) To render more shrill or piercing. Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it. Bacon.

(g) To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar. (h) (Mus. ) To raise, as a sound, by means of a sharp; to apply a sharp to.

SHARPEN Sharp"en, v. i.

Defn: To grow or become sharp.

SHARPER Sharp"er, n.

Defn: A person who bargains closely, especially, one who cheats in bargains; a swinder; also, a cheating gamester. Sharpers, as pikes, prey upon their own kind. L'Estrange.

Syn. -- Swindler; cheat; deceiver; trickster; rogue. See Swindler.

SHARPIE Sharp"ie, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A long, sharp, flat-bottomed boat, with one or two masts carrying a triangular sail. They are often called Fair Haven sharpies, after the place on the coast of Connecticut where they originated. [Local, U.S.]

SHARPLING Sharp"ling, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A stickleback. [Prov. Eng.]

SHARPLY Sharp"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sharp manner,; keenly; acutely. They are more sharply to be chastised and reformed than the rude Irish. Spenser. The soldiers were sharply assailed with wants. Hayward. You contract your eye when you would see sharply. Bacon.

SHARPNESS Sharp"ness, n. Etym: [AS. scearpness.]

Defn: The quality or condition of being sharp; keenness; acuteness.

SHARPSAW Sharp"saw`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The great titmouse; -- so called from its harsh call notes. [Prov. Eng.]

SHARP-SET Sharp"-set`, a.

Defn: Eager in appetite or desire of gratification; affected by keen hunger; ravenous; as, an eagle or a lion sharp-set. The town is sharp-set on new plays. Pope.

SHARPSHOOTER Sharp"shoot`er, n.

Defn: One skilled in shooting at an object with exactness; a good marksman.

SHARPSHOOTING Sharp"shoot`ing, n.

Defn: A shooting with great precision and effect; hence, a keen contest of wit or argument.

SHARP-SIGHTED Sharp"-sight`ed, a.

Defn: Having quick or acute sight; -- used literally and figuratively. -- Sharp`-sight`ed*ness, n.

SHARPTAIL Sharp"tail`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The pintail duck. (b) The pintail grouse, or prairie chicken.

SHARP-WITTED Sharp"-wit`ted, a.

Defn: Having an acute or nicely discerning mind.

SHASH Shash, n. Etym: [See Sash.]

1. The scarf of a turban. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. A sash. [Obs.]

SHASTA Shas"ta, n.

Defn: A mountain peak, etc., in California.

SHASTA DAISY Shasta daisy.

Defn: A large-flowered garden variety of the oxeye daisy.

SHASTA FIR Shasta fir.

Defn: A Californian fir (Abies shastensis).

SHASTA SAM Shasta Sam. (Card Playing)

Defn: A game like California Jack, except that the pack drawn from is turned face down.

SHASTER; SHASTRA Shas"ter, Shas"tra, n. Etym: [Skr. castra an order or command, a sacred book, fr. cas to order, instruct, govern. Cf. Sastra.]

Defn: A treatise for authoritative instruction among the Hindoos; a book of institutes; especially, a treatise explaining the Vedas. [Written also sastra.]

SHATHMONT Shath"mont (, n.

Defn: A shaftment. [Scot.]

SHATTER Shat"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shattered; p. pr. & vb. n. Shattering.] Etym: [OE. schateren, scateren, to scatter, to dash, AS. scateran; cf. D. schateren to crack, to make a great noise, OD. schetteren to scatter, to burst, to crack. Cf. Scatter.]

1. To break at once into many pieces; to dash, burst, or part violently into fragments; to rend into splinters; as, an explosion shatters a rock or a bomb; too much steam shatters a boiler; an oak is shattered by lightning. A monarchy was shattered to pieces, and divided amongst revolted subjects. Locke.

2. To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be shattered in intellect; his constitution was shattered; his hopes were shattered. A man of a loose, volatile, and shattered humor. Norris.

3. To scatter about. [Obs.] Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year. Milton.

SHATTER Shat"ter, v. i.

Defn: To be broken into fragments; to fal Some fragile bodies break but where the force is; some shatter and fly in many places. Bacon.

SHATTER Shat"ter, n.

Defn: A fragment of anything shattered; -- used chiefly or soley in the phrase into shatters; as, to break a glass into shatters. Swift.

SHATTER-BRAINED; SHATTER-PATED Shat"ter-brained`, Shat"ter-pat`ed, a.

Defn: Disordered or wandering in intellect; hence, heedless; wild. J. Goodman.

SHATTERY Shat"ter*y, a.

Defn: Easily breaking into pieces; not compact; loose of texture; brittle; as, shattery spar.

SHAVE Shave,

Defn: obs. p. p. of Shave. Chaucer. His beard was shave as nigh as ever he can. Chaucer.

SHAVE Shave, v. t. [imp. Shaved;p. p. Shaved or Shaven (; p. pr. & vb. n. Shaving.] Etym: [OE. shaven, schaven, AS. scafan, sceafan; akin to D. schaven, G. schaben, Icel. skafa, Sw. skafva, Dan. skave, Goth. scaban, Russ. kopate to dig, Gr. scabere to scratch, to scrape. Cf. Scab, Shaft, Shape.]

1. To cut or pare off from the surface of a body with a razor or other edged instrument; to cut off closely, as with a razor; as, to shave the beard.

2. To make bare or smooth by cutting off closely the surface, or surface covering, of; especially, to remove the hair from with a razor or other sharp instrument; to take off the beard or hair of; as, to shave the face or the crown of the head; he shaved himself. I'll shave your crown for this. Shak. The laborer with the bending scythe is seen Shaving the surface of the waving green. Gay.

3. To cut off thin slices from; to cut in thin slices. Plants bruised or shaven in leaf or root. Bacon.

4. To skim along or near the surface of; to pass close to, or touch lightly, in passing. Now shaves with level wing the deep. Milton.

5. To strip; to plunder; to fleece. [Colloq.] To shave a note, to buy it at a discount greater than the legal rate of interest, or to deduct in discounting it more than the legal rate allows. [Cant, U.S.]

SHAVE Shave, v. i.

Defn: To use a razor for removing the beard; to cut closely; hence, to be hard and severe in a bargain; to practice extortion; to cheat.

SHAVE Shave, n. Etym: [AS. scafa, sceafa, a sort of knife. See Shave, v. t.]

1. A thin slice; a shaving. Wright.

2. A cutting of the beard; the operation of shaving.

3. (a) An exorbitant discount on a note. [Cant, U.S.] (b) A premium paid for an extension of the time of delivery or payment, or for the right to vary a stock contract in any particular. [Cant, U.S.] N. Biddle.

4. A hand tool consisting of a sharp blade with a handle at each end; a drawing knife; a spokeshave.

5. The act of passing very near to, so as almost to graze; as, the bullet missed by a close shave. [Colloq.] Shave grass (Bot.), the scouring rush. See the Note under Equisetum. -- Shave hook, a tool for scraping metals, consisting of a sharp- edged triangular steel plate attached to a shank and handle.

SHAVELING Shave"ling, n.

Defn: A man shaved; hence, a monk, or other religious; -- used in contempt. I am no longer a shaveling than while my frock is on my back. Sir W. Scott.

SHAVER Shav"er, n.

1. One who shaves; one whose occupation is to shave.

2. One who is close in bargains; a sharper. Swift.

3. One who fleeces; a pillager; a plunderer. By these shavers the Turks were stripped. Knolles.

4. A boy; a lad; a little fellow. [Colloq.] "These unlucky little shavers." Salmagundi. As I have mentioned at the door to this young shaver, I am on a chase in the name of the king. Dickens.

5. (Mech.)

Defn: A tool or machine for shaving. A note shaver, a person who buys notes at a discount greater than the legal rate of interest. [Cant, U.S.]

SHAVING Shav"ing, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, shaves; specifically, the act of cutting off the beard with a razor.

2. That which is shaved off; a thin slice or strip pared off with a shave, a knife, a plane, or other cutting instrument. "Shaving of silver." Chaucer. Shaving brush, a brush used in lathering the face preparatory to shaving it.

SHAW Shaw, n. Etym: [OE. schawe, scha, thicket, grove, AS. scaga; akin to Dan. skov, Sw. skog, Icel. sk.]

1. A thicket; a small wood or grove. [Obs. or Prov.Eng. & Scot.] Burns. Gaillard he was as goldfinch in the shaw. Chaucer. The green shaws, the merry green woods. Howitt.

2. pl.

Defn: The leaves and tops of vegetables, as of potatoes, turnips, etc. [Scot.] Jamieson.

SHAWFOWL Shaw"fowl`, n. Etym: [Scot. schaw, shaw, show + fowl.]

Defn: The representation or image of a fowl made by fowlers to shoot at. Johnson.

SHAWL Shawl, n. Etym: [Per. & Hind. shal: cf. F. châle.]

Defn: A square or oblong cloth of wool, cotton, silk, or other textile or netted fabric, used, especially by women, as a loose covering for the neck and shoulders. India shawl, a kind of rich shawl made in India from the wool of the Cashmere goat. It is woven in pieces, which are sewed together. -- Shawl goat (Zoöl.), the Cashmere goat.

SHAWL Shawl, v. t.

Defn: To wrap in a shawl. Thackeray.

SHAWM Shawm, n. Etym: [OE. shalmie, OF. chalemie; cf. F. chalumeau shawm, chaume haulm, stalk; all fr. L. calamus a reed, reed pipe. See Haulm, and cf. Calumet.] (Mus.)

Defn: A wind instrument of music, formerly in use, supposed to have resembled either the clarinet or the hautboy in form. [Written also shalm, shaum.] Otway. Even from the shrillest shaum unto the cornamute. Drayton.

SHAWNEES Shaw`nees", n. pl.; sing. Shawnee (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of North American Indians who occupied Western New York and part of Ohio, but were driven away and widely dispersed by the Iroquois.

SHAY Shay, n.

Defn: A chaise. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SHE She, pron. [sing. nom. She; poss. Her. ( or Hers (; obj. Her; pl. nom. They; poss. Their or Theirs (; obj. Them.] Etym: [OE. she, sche, scheo, scho, AS. seó, fem. of the definite article, originally a demonstrative pronoun; cf. OS. siu, D. zij, G. sie, OHG. siu, si, si, Icel. su, sja, Goth. si she, so, fem. article, Russ. siia, fem., this, Gr. sa, sya. The possessive her or hers, and the objective her, are from a different root. See Her.]

1. This or that female; the woman understood or referred to; the animal of the female sex, or object personified as feminine, which was spoken of. She loved her children best in every wise. Chaucer. Then Sarah denied, . . . for she was afraid. Gen. xviii. 15.

2. A woman; a female; -- used substantively. [R.] Lady, you are the cruelest she alive. Shak.

Note: She is used in composition with nouns of common gender, for female, to denote an animal of the female sex; as, a she-bear; a she- cat.

SHEADING Shead"ing, n. Etym: [From AS. scadan, sceádan, to separate, divide. See Shed, v. t.]

Defn: A tithing, or division, in the Isle of Man, in which there is a coroner, or chief constable. The island is divided into six sheadings.

SHEAF Sheaf, n. (Mech.)

Defn: A sheave. [R.]

SHEAF Sheaf, n.; pl. Sheaves. Etym: [OE. sheef, shef, schef, AS. sceáf; akin to D. schoof, OHG. scoub, G. schaub, Icel. skauf a fox's brush, and E. shove. See Shove.]

1. A quantity of the stalks and ears of wheat, rye, or other grain, bound together; a bundle of grain or straw. The reaper fills his greedy hands, And binds the golden sheaves in brittle bands. Dryden.

2. Any collection of things bound together; a bundle; specifically, a bundle of arrows sufficient to fill a quiver, or the allowance of each archer, -- usually twenty-four. The sheaf of arrows shook and rattled in the case. Dryden.

SHEAF Sheaf, v. t.

Defn: To gather and bind into a sheaf; to make into sheaves; as, to sheaf wheat.

SHEAF Sheaf, v. i.

Defn: To collect and bind cut grain, or the like; to make sheaves. They that reap must sheaf and bind. Shak.

SHEAFY Sheaf"y, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or consisting of, a sheaf or sheaves; resembling a sheaf.

SHEAL Sheal, n.

Defn: Same as Sheeling. [Scot.]

SHEAL Sheal, v. t.

Defn: To put under a sheal or shelter. [Scot.]

SHEAL Sheal, v. t. Etym: [See Shell.]

Defn: To take the husks or pods off from; to shell; to empty of its contents, as a husk or a pod. [Obs. or Prov.Eng. & Scot.] Jamieson. That's a shealed peascod. Shak.

SHEAL Sheal, n.

Defn: A shell or pod. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.]

SHEALING Sheal"ing, n.

Defn: The outer husk, pod, or shell, as of oats, pease, etc.; sheal; shell. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SHEALING Sheal"ing, n.

Defn: Same as Sheeling. [Scot.]

SHEAR Shear, v. t. [imp. Sheared or Shore (;p. p. Sheared or Shorn (; p. pr. & vb. n. Shearing.] Etym: [OE. sheren, scheren, to shear, cut, shave, AS. sceran, scieran, scyran; akin to D. & G. scheren, Icel. skera, Dan. ski, Gr. Jeer, Score, Shard, Share, Sheer to turn aside.]

1. To cut, clip, or sever anything from with shears or a like instrument; as, to shear sheep; to shear cloth.

Note: It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from sheep or their skins, and the nap from cloth.

2. To separate or sever with shears or a similar instrument; to cut off; to clip (something) from a surface; as, to shear a fleece. Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away. Shak.

3. To reap, as grain. [Scot.] Jamieson.

4. Fig.: To deprive of property; to fleece.

5. (Mech.)

Defn: To produce a change of shape in by a shear. See Shear, n., 4.

SHEAR Shear, n. Etym: [AS. sceara. See Shear, v. t.]

1. A pair of shears; -- now always used in the plural, but formerly also in the singular. See Shears. On his head came razor none, nor shear. Chaucer. Short of the wool, and naked from the shear. Dryden.

2. A shearing; -- used in designating the age of sheep. After the second shearing, he is a two-sher ram; . . . at the expiration of another year, he is a three-shear ram; the name always taking its date from the time of shearing. Youatt.

3. (Engin.)

Defn: An action, resulting from applied forces, which tends to cause two contiguous parts of a body to slide relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact; -- also called shearing stress, and tangential stress.

4. (Mech.)

Defn: A strain, or change of shape, of an elastic body, consisting of an extension in one direction, an equal compression in a perpendicular direction, with an unchanged magnitude in the third direction. Shear blade, one of the blades of shears or a shearing machine. -- Shear hulk. See under Hulk. -- Shear steel, a steel suitable for shears, scythes, and other cutting instruments, prepared from fagots of blistered steel by repeated heating, rolling, and tilting, to increase its malleability and fineness of texture.

SHEAR Shear, v. i.

1. To deviate. See Sheer.

2. (Engin.)

Defn: To become more or less completely divided, as a body under the action of forces, by the sliding of two contiguous parts relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact.

SHEARBILL Shear"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The black skimmer. See Skimmer.

SHEARD Sheard, n.

Defn: See Shard. [Obs.]

SHEARER Shear"er, n.

1. One who shears. Like a lamb dumb before his shearer. Acts viii. 32.

2. A reaper. [Scot.] Jamieson.

SHEARING Shear"ing, n.

1. The act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine, as the wool from sheep, or the nap from cloth.

2. The product of the act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine; as, the whole shearing of a flock; the shearings from cloth.

3. Same as Shearling. Youatt.

4. The act or operation of reaping. [Scot.]

5. The act or operation of dividing with shears; as, the shearing of metal plates.

6. The process of preparing shear steel; tilting.

7. (Mining)

Defn: The process of making a vertical side cutting in working into a face of coal. Shearing machine. (a) A machine with blades, or rotary disks, for dividing plates or bars of metal. (b) A machine for shearing cloth.

SHEARLING Shear"ling, n.

Defn: A sheep but once sheared.

SHEARMAN Shear"man, n.; pl. Shearmen (.

Defn: One whose occupation is to shear cloth.

SHEARN Shearn, n. Etym: [AS. scearn. Cf. Scarn.]

Defn: Dung; excrement. [Obs.] [Written also shern.] Holland.

SHEARS Shears, n. pl. Etym: [Formerly used also in the singular. See Shear, n.,1.]

1. A cutting instrument. Specifically: (a) An instrument consisting of two blades, commonly with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, and working on both sides of the material to be cut, -- used for cutting cloth and other substances. Fate urged the shears, and cut the sylph in twain. Pope.

(b) A similar instrument the blades of which are extensions of a curved spring, -- used for shearing sheep or skins. (c) A shearing machine; a blade, or a set of blades, working against a resisting edge.

2. Anything in the form of shears. Specifically: (a) A pair of wings. [Obs.] Spenser. (b) An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle. [Written also sheers.]

3. (Mach.)

Defn: The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured; as, the shears of a lathe or planer. See Illust. under Lathe. Rotary shears. See under Rotary.

SHEAR STEEL Shear steel.

Defn: See under Shear.

SHEARTAIL Shear"tail`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The common tern. (b) Any one of several species of humming birds of the genus Thaumastura having a long forked tail.

SHEARWATER Shear"wa`ter, n. Etym: [Shear + water; cf. G. wassersherer; -- so called from its running lightly along the surface of the water.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of long-winged oceanic birds of the genus Puffinus and related genera. They are allied to the petrels, but are larger. The Manx shearwater (P. Anglorum), the dusky shearwater (P. obscurus), and the greater shearwater (P. major), are well-known species of the North Atlantic. See Hagdon.

SHEATFISH Sheat"fish`, n. Etym: [Cf. dial. G. scheid, schaid, schaiden.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A European siluroid fish (Silurus glanis) allied to the cat- fishes. It is the largest fresh-water fish of Europe, sometimes becoming six feet or more in length. See Siluroid.

SHEATH Sheath, n. Etym: [OE. schethe, AS. scæedh, sceáedh, sceedh; akin to OS. skeedhia, D. scheede, G. scheide, OHG. sceida, Sw. skida, Dan. skede, Icel. skeiedhir, pl., and to E. shed, v.t., originally meaning, to separate, to part. See Shed.]

1. A case for the reception of a sword, hunting knife, or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard. The dead knight's sword out of his sheath he drew. Spenser.

2. Any sheathlike covering, organ, or part. Specifically: (a) (Bot.) The base of a leaf when sheathing or investing a stem or branch, as in grasses. (b) (Zoöl.) One of the elytra of an insect. Medullary sheath. (Anat.) See under Medullary. -- Primitive sheath. (Anat.) See Neurilemma. -- Sheath knife, a knife with a fixed blade, carried in a sheath. -- Sheath of Schwann. (Anat.) See Schwann's sheath.

SHEATHBILL Sheath"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Either one of two species of birds composing the genus Chionis, and family Chionidæ, native of the islands of the Antarctic.seas.

Note: They are related to the gulls and the plovers, but more nearly to the latter. The base of the bill is covered with a saddle-shaped horny sheath, and the toes are only slightly webbed. The plumage of both species is white.

SHEATHE Sheathe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sheathed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sheating.] Etym: [Written also sheath.]

1. To put into a sheath, case, or scabbard; to inclose or cover with, or as with, a sheath or case. The leopard . . . keeps the claws of his fore feet turned up from the ground, and sheathed in the skin of his toes. Grew. 'T is in my breast she sheathes her dagger now. Dryden.

2. To fit or furnish, as with a sheath. Shak.

3. To case or cover with something which protects, as thin boards, sheets of metal, and the like; as, to sheathe a ship with copper.

4. To obtund or blunt, as acrimonious substances, or sharp particles. [R.] Arbuthnot. To sheathe the sword, to make peace.

SHEATHED Sheathed, a.

1. Povided with, or inclosed in, sheath.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Invested by a sheath, or cylindrical membranaceous tube, which is the base of the leaf, as the stalk or culm in grasses; vaginate.

SHEATHER Sheath"er, n.

Defn: One who sheathes.

SHEATHFISH Sheath"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Sheatfish.

SHEATHING Sheath"ing, p. pr. & a.

Defn: from Sheathe. Inclosing with a sheath; as, the sheathing leaves of grasses; the sheathing stipules of many polygonaceous plants.

SHEATHING Sheath"ing, n.

Defn: That which sheathes. Specifically: (a) The casing or covering of a ship's bottom and sides; the materials for such covering; as, copper sheathing. (b) (Arch.) The first covering of boards on the outside wall of a frame house or on a timber roof; also, the material used for covering; ceiling boards in general.

SHEATHLESS Sheath"less, a.

Defn: Without a sheath or case for covering; unsheathed.

SHEATH-WINGED Sheath"-winged`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having elytra, or wing cases, as a beetle.

SHEATHY Sheath"y, a.

Defn: Forming or resembling a sheath or case. Sir T. Browne.

SHEA TREE She"a tree`. (Bot.)

Defn: An African sapotaceous tree (Bassia, or Butyrospermum, Parkii), from the seeds of which a substance resembling butter is obtained; the African butter tree.

SHEAVE Sheave, n. Etym: [Akin to OD. schijve orb, disk, wheel, D. schiff, G. scheibe, Icel. skifa a shaving, slice; cf. Gr. Shift, v., Shive.]

Defn: A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. Sheave hole, a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.

SHEAVE Sheave, v. t. Etym: [See Sheaf of straw.]

Defn: To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole.

SHEAVED Sheaved, a.

Defn: Made of straw. [Obs.] Shak.

SHEBANDER Sheb"an*der, n. Etym: [Per. shahbandar.]

Defn: A harbor master, or ruler of a port, in the East Indies. [Written also shebunder.]

SHEBANG She*bang", n. Etym: [Cf. Shebeen.]

Defn: A jocosely depreciative name for a dwelling or shop. [Slang,U.S.]

SHEBEEN She*been", n. Etym: [Of Irish origin; cf. Ir. seapa a shop.]

Defn: A low public house; especially, a place where spirits and other excisable liquors are illegally and privately sold. [Ireland]

SHECHINAH She*chi"nah, n.

Defn: See Shekinah.

SHECKLATON Sheck"la*ton, n. Etym: [Cf. Ciclatoun.]

Defn: A kind of gilt leather. See Checklaton. [Obs.] Spenser.

SHED Shed, n. Etym: [The same word as shade. See Shade.]

Defn: A slight or temporary structure built to shade or shelter something; a structure usually open in front; an outbuilding; a hut; as, a wagon shed; a wood shed. The first Aletes born in lowly shed. Fairfax. Sheds of reeds which summer's heat repel. Sandys.

SHED Shed, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shed; p. pr. & vb. n. Shedding.] Etym: [OE. scheden, sch, to pour, to part, AS. scadan, sceádan, to pert, to separate; akin to OS. sk, OFries. skscheiden, OHG. sceidan, Goth. skaidan, and probably to Lith. skëdu I part, separate, L. scindere to cleave, to split, Gr. chid, and perch. also to L. caedere to cut. sq. root159. Cf. Chisel, Concise, Schism, Sheading, Sheath, Shide.]

1. To separate; to divide. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.] Robert of Brunne.

2. To part with; to throw off or give forth from one's self; to emit; to diffuse; to cause to emanate or flow; to pour forth or out; to spill; as, the sun sheds light; she shed tears; the clouds shed rain. Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood Shak. Twice seven consenting years have shed Their utmost bounty on thy head. Wordsworth.

3. To let fall; to throw off, as a natural covering of hair, feathers, shell; to cast; as, fowls shed their feathers; serpents shed their skins; trees shed leaves.

4. To cause to flow off without penetrating; as, a tight roof, or covering of oiled cloth, sheeds water.

5. To sprinkle; to intersperse; to cover. [R.] "Her hair . . . is shed with gray." B. Jonson.

6. (Weaving)

Defn: To divide, as the warp threads, so as to form a shed, or passageway, for the shuttle.

SHED Shed, v. i.

1. To fall in drops; to pour. [Obs.] Such a rain down from the welkin shadde. Chaucer.

2. To let fall the parts, as seeds or fruit; to throw off a covering or envelope. White oats are apt to shed most as they lie, and black as they stand. Mortimer.

SHED Shed, n.

1. A parting; a separation; a division. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.] They say also that the manner of making the shed of newwedded wives' hair with the iron head of a javelin came up then likewise. Sir T. North.

2. The act of shedding or spilling; -- used only in composition, as in bloodshed.

3. That which parts, divides, or sheds; -- used in composition, as in watershed.

4. (Weaving)

Defn: The passageway between the threads of the warp through which the shuttle is thrown, having a sloping top and bottom made by raising and lowering the alternate threads.

SHEDDER Shed"der, n.

1. One who, or that which, sheds; as, a shedder of blood; a shedder of tears.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A crab in the act of casting its shell, or immediately afterwards while still soft; -- applied especially to the edible crabs, which are most prized while in this state.

SHEDDING Shed"ding, n.

1. The act of shedding, separating, or casting off or out; as, the shedding of blood.

2. That which is shed, or cast off. [R.] Wordsworth.

SHEELFA; SHILFA Sheel"fa, Shil"fa, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chaffinch; -- so named from its call note. [Prov. Eng.]

SHEELING Sheel"ing, n. Etym: [Icel. skj a shelter, a cover; akin to Dan. & Sw. skjul.]

Defn: A hut or small cottage in an expessed or a retired place (as on a mountain or at the seaside) such as is used by shepherds, fishermen, sportsmen, etc.; a summer cottage; also, a shed. [Written also sheel, shealing, sheiling, etc.] [Scot.]

SHEELY Sheel"y, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Sheelfa.

SHEEN Sheen, a. Etym: [OE. sehene, AS. sciéne, sc, sc, splendid, beautiful; akin to OFries. sk, sk, OS. sc, D. schoon, G. schön, OHG. sc, Goth, skanus, and E. shew; the original meaning being probably, visible, worth seeing. It is not akin to E. shine. See Shew, v. t.]

Defn: Bright; glittering; radiant; fair; showy; sheeny. [R., except in poetry.] This holy maiden, that is so bright and sheen. Chaucer. Up rose each warrier bold and brave, Glistening in filed steel and armor sheen. Fairfax.

SHEEN Sheen, v. i.

Defn: To shine; to glisten. [Poetic] This town, That, sheening far, celestial seems to be. Byron.

SHEEN Sheen, n.

Defn: Brightness; splendor; glitter. "Throned in celestial sheen." Milton.

SHEENLY Sheen""ly, adv.

Defn: Brightly. [R.] Mrs. Browning.

SHEENY Sheen"y, a.

Defn: Bright; shining; radiant; sheen. "A sheeny summer morn." Tennyson.

SHEEP Sheep, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [OE. shep, scheep, AS. sc, sceáp; akin to OFries. sk, LG. & D. schaap, G. schaf, OHG. scaf, Skr. chaga. sq. root295. Cf. Sheepherd.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of ruminants of the genus Ovis, native of the higher mountains of both hemispheres, but most numerous in Asia.

Note: The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) varies much in size, in the length and texture of its wool, the form and size of its horns, the length of its tail, etc. It was domesticated in prehistoric ages, and many distinct breeds have been produced; as the merinos, celebrated for their fine wool; the Cretan sheep, noted for their long horns; the fat-tailed, or Turkish, sheep, remarkable for the size and fatness of the tail, which often has to be supported on trucks; the Southdowns, in which the horns are lacking; and an Asiatic breed which always has four horns.

2. A weak, bashful, silly fellow. Ainsworth.

3. pl.

Defn: Fig.: The people of God, as being under the government and protection of Christ, the great Shepherd. Rocky mountain sheep.(Zoöl.) See Bighorn. -- Maned sheep. (Zoöl.) See Aoudad. -- Sheep bot (Zoöl.), the larva of the sheep botfly. See Estrus. -- Sheep dog (Zoöl.), a shepherd dog, or collie. -- Sheep laurel (Bot.), a small North American shrub (Kalmia angustifolia) with deep rose-colored flowers in corymbs. -- Sheep pest (Bot.), an Australian plant (Acæna ovina) related to the burnet. The fruit is covered with barbed spines, by which it adheres to the wool of sheep. -- Sheep run, an extensive tract of country where sheep range and graze. -- Sheep's beard (Bot.), a cichoraceous herb (Urospermum Dalechampii) of Southern Europe; -- so called from the conspicuous pappus of the achenes. -- Sheep's bit (Bot.), a European herb (Jasione montana) having much the appearance of scabious. -- Sheep pox (Med.), a contagious disease of sheep, characterixed by the development of vesicles or pocks upon the skin. -- Sheep scabious. (Bot.) Same as Sheep's bit. -- Sheep shears, shears in which the blades form the two ends of a steel bow, by the elasticity of which they open as often as pressed together by the hand in cutting; -- so called because used to cut off the wool of sheep. -- Sheep sorrel. (Bot.), a prerennial herb (Rumex Acetosella) growing naturally on poor, dry, gravelly soil. Its leaves have a pleasant acid taste like sorrel. -- Sheep's-wool (Zoöl.), the highest grade of Florida commercial sponges (Spongia equina, variety gossypina). -- Sheep tick (Zoöl.), a wingless parasitic insect (Melophagus ovinus) belonging to the Diptera. It fixes its proboscis in the skin of the sheep and sucks the blood, leaving a swelling. Called also sheep pest, and sheep louse. -- Sheep walk, a pasture for sheep; a sheep run. -- Wild sheep. (Zoöl.) See Argali, Mouflon, and Oörial.

SHEEPBACK Sheep"back`, n. (Geol.)

Defn: A rounded knoll of rock resembling the back of a sheep. -- produced by glacial action. Called also roche moutonnée; -- usually in the plural.

SHEEPBERRY Sheep"ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The edible fruit of a small North American tree of the genus Viburnum (V. Lentago), having white flowers in flat cymes; also, the tree itself. Called also nannyberry.

SHEEPBITE Sheep"bite`, v. i.

Defn: To bite or nibble like a sheep; hence, to practice petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak.

SHEEPBITER Sheep"bit`er, n.

Defn: One who practices petty thefts. [Obs.] Shak. There are political sheepbiters as well as pastoral; betrayers of public trusts as well as of private. L'Estrange.

SHEEPCOT; SHEEPCOTE Sheep"cot`, Sheep"cote`, n.

Defn: A small inclosure for sheep; a pen; a fold.

SHEEP-FACED Sheep"-faced`, a.

Defn: Over-bashful; sheepish.

SHEEPFOLD Sheep"fold`, n.

Defn: A fold or pen for sheep; a place where sheep are collected or confined.

SHEEP-HEADED Sheep"-head`ed, a.

Defn: Silly; simple-minded; stupid. Taylor (1630)

SHEEPHOOK Sheep"hook`, n.

Defn: A hook fastened to pole, by which shepherds lay hold on the legs or necks of their sheep; a shepherd's crook. Dryden.

SHEEPISH Sheep"ish, a.

1. Of or pertaining to sheep. [Obs.]

2. Like a sheep; bashful; over-modest; meanly or foolishly diffident; timorous to excess. Wanting change of company, he will, when he comes abroad, be a sheepish or conceited creature. Locke. -- Sheep"ish*ly, adv. -- Sheep"ish*ness, n.

SHEEPMASTER Sheep"mas`ter, n.

Defn: A keeper or feeder of sheep; also, an owner of sheep. 2 Kings iii. 4.

SHEEPRACK Sheep"rack`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The starling.

SHEEP'S-EYE Sheep's"-eye`, n.

Defn: A modest, diffident look; a loving glance; -- commonly in the plural. I saw her just now give him the languishing eye, as they call it; . . . of old called the sheep's-eye. Wycherley.

SHEEP'S-FOOT Sheep's-foot`, n.

Defn: A printer's tool consisting of a metal bar formed into a hammer head at one end and a claw at the other, -- used as a lever and hammer.

SHEEPSHANK Sheep"shank`, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A hitch by which a rope may be temporarily shortened.

SHEEPSHEAD Sheeps"head` (, n. Etym: [So called because of the fancied resemblance of its head and front teeth to those of a sheep.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large and valuable sparoid food fish (Archosargus, or Diplodus, probatocephalus) found on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It often weighs from ten to twelve pounds.

Note: The name is also locally, in a loose way, applied to various other fishes, as the butterfish, the fresh-water drumfish, the parrot fish, the porgy, and the moonfish.

SHEEP-SHEARER Sheep"-shear`er, n.

Defn: One who shears, or cuts off the wool from, sheep.

SHEEP-SHEARING Sheep"-shear`ing, n.

1. Act of shearing sheep.

2. A feast at the time of sheep-shearing. Shak.

SHEEPSKIN Sheep"skin`, n.

1. The skin of a sheep; or, leather prepared from it.

2. A diploma; -- so called because usually written or printed on parchment prepared from the skin of the sheep. [College Cant]

SHEEPSPLIT Sheep"split`, n.

Defn: A split of a sheepskin; one of the thin sections made by splitting a sheepskin with a cutting knife or machine.

SHEEPY Sheep"y, a.

Defn: Resembling sheep; sheepish. Testament of Love.

SHEER Sheer, a. Etym: [OE. shere, skere, pure, bright, Icel. sk; akin to skirr, AS. scir, OS. skiri, MHG. schir, G. schier, Dan. sk, Sw. skär, Goth. skeirs clear, and E. shine. sq. root157. See Shine, v. i.]

1. Bright; clear; pure; unmixed. "Sheer ale." Shak. Thou sheer, immaculate, and silver fountain. Shak.

2. Very thin or transparent; -- applied to fabrics; as, sheer muslin.

3. Being only what it seems to be; obvious; simple; mere; downright; as, sheer folly; sheer nonsense. "A sheer impossibility." De Quincey. It is not a sheer advantage to have several strings to one's bow. M. Arnold.

4. Stright up and down; vertical; prpendicular. A sheer precipice of a thousand feet. J. D. Hooker. It was at least Nine roods of sheer ascent. Wordsworth.

SHEER Sheer, adv.

Defn: Clean; quite; at once. [Obs.] Milton.

SHEER Sheer, v. t. Etym: [See Shear.]

Defn: To shear. [Obs.] Dryden.

SHEER Sheer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sheered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sheering.] Etym: [D. sheren to shear, cut, withdraw, warp. See Shear.]

Defn: To decline or deviate from the line of the proper course; to turn aside; to swerve; as, a ship sheers from her course; a horse sheers at a bicycle. To sheer off, to turn or move aside to a distance; to move away. -- To sheer up, to approach obliquely.

SHEER Sheer, n.

1. (Naut.) (a) The longitudinal upward curvature of the deck, gunwale, and lines of a vessel, as when viewed from the side. (b) The position of a vessel riding at single anchor and swinging clear of it.

2. A turn or change in a course. Give the canoe a sheer and get nearer to the shore. Cooper.

3. pl.

Defn: Shears See Shear. Sheer batten (Shipbuilding), a long strip of wood to guide the carpenters in following the sheer plan. -- Sheer boom, a boom slanting across a stream to direct floating logs to one side. -- Sheer hulk. See Shear hulk, under Hulk. -- Sheer plan, or Sheer draught (Shipbuilding), a projection of the lines of a vessel on a vertical longitudinal plane passing through the middle line of the vessel. -- Sheer pole (Naut.), an iron rod lashed to the shrouds just above the dead-eyes and parallel to the ratlines. -- Sheer strake (Shipbuilding), the strake under the gunwale on the top side. Totten. -- To break sheer (Naut.), to deviate from sheer, and risk fouling the anchor.

SHEERLY Sheer"ly, adv.

Defn: At once; absolutely. [Obs.]

SHEERWATER Sheer"wa`ter, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The shearwater.

SHEET Sheet, n. Etym: [OE. shete, schete, AS. sc, sc, fr. sceát a projecting corner, a fold in a garment (akin to D. schoot sheet, bosom, lap, G. schoss bosom, lap, flap of a coat, Icel. skaut, Goth. skauts the hem of a garment); originally, that which shoots out, from the root of AS. sceótan to shoot. sq. root159. See Shoot, v. t.]

Defn: In general, a large, broad piece of anything thin, as paper, cloth, etc.; a broad, thin portion of any substance; an expanded superficies. Specifically: (a) A broad piece of cloth, usually linen or cotton, used for wrapping the body or for a covering; especially, one used as an article of bedding next to the body. He fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners. Acts x. 10, 11. If I do die before thee, prithee, shroud me In one of those same sheets. Shak.

(b) A broad piece of paper, whether folded or unfolded, whether blank or written or printed upon; hence, a letter; a newspaper, etc. (c) A single signature of a book or a pamphlet; in pl., the book itself. To this the following sheets are intended for a full and distinct answer. Waterland.

(d) A broad, thinly expanded portion of metal or other substance; as, a sheet of copper, of glass, or the like; a plate; a leaf. (e) A broad expanse of water, or the like. "The two beautiful sheets of water." Macaulay. (f) A sail. Dryden. (g) (Geol.) An extensive bed of an eruptive rock intruded between, or overlying, other strata.

2. Etym: [AS. sceáta. See the Etymology above.] (Naut.) (a) A rope or chain which regulates the angle of adjustment of a sail in relation in relation to the wind; -- usually attached to the lower corner of a sail, or to a yard or a boom. (b) pl.

Defn: The space in the forward or the after part of a boat where there are no rowers; as, fore sheets; stern sheets.

Note: Sheet is often used adjectively, or in combination, to denote that the substance to the name of which it is prefixed is in the form of sheets, or thin plates or leaves; as, sheet brass, or sheet-brass; sheet glass, or sheet-glass; sheet gold, or sheet-gold; sheet iron, or sheet-iron, etc. A sheet in the wind, half drunk. [Sailors' Slang] -- Both sheets in the wind, very drunk. [Sailors' Slang] -- In sheets, lying flat or expanded; not folded, or folded but not bound; -- said especially of printed sheets. -- Sheet bend (Naut.), a bend or hitch used for temporarily fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye. -- Sheet lightning, Sheet piling, etc. See under Lightning, Piling, etc.

SHEET Sheet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sheeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sheeting.]

1. To furnish with a sheet or sheets; to wrap in, or cover with, a sheet, or as with a sheet. "The sheeted dead." "When snow the pasture sheets." Shak.

2. To expand, as a sheet. The star shot flew from the welkin blue, As it fell from the sheeted sky. J. R. Drake. To sheet home (Naut.), to haul upon a sheet until the sail is as flat, and the clew as near the wind, as possible.

SHEET ANCHOR Sheet" an"chor. Etym: [OE. scheten to shoot, AS. sceótan; cf. OE. shoot anchor. See Shoot, v. t.]

1. (Naut.)

Defn: A large anchor stowed on shores outside the waist of a vessel; -- called also waist anchor. See the Note under Anchor.

2. Anything regarded as a sure support or dependence in danger; the best hope or refuge.

SHEET CABLE Sheet" ca"ble. (Naut.)

Defn: The cable belonging to the sheet anchor.

SHEET CHAIN Sheet" chain". (Naut.)

Defn: A chain sheet cable.

SHEETFUL Sheet"ful, n.; pl. Sheetfuls (.

Defn: Enough to fill a sheet; as much as a sheet can hold.

SHEETING Sheet"ing, n.

1. Cotton or linen cloth suitable for bed sheets. It is sometimes made of double width.

2. (Hydraul. Engin.)

Defn: A lining of planks or boards (rarely of metal) for protecting an embankment.

3. The act or process of forming into sheets, or flat pieces; also, material made into sheets.

SHEIK Sheik, n. Etym: [Ar. sheikh, shaykh, a venerable old man, a chief, fr. shakha to grow or be old.]

Defn: The head of an Arab family, or of a clan or a tribe; also, the chief magistrate of an Arab village. The name is also applied to Mohammedan ecclesiastics of a high grade. [Written also scheik, shaik, sheikh.]

SHEIL; SHEILING Sheil, Sheil"ing, n.

Defn: See Sheeling.

SHEKEL Shek"el, n. Etym: [Heb. shegel, fr. shagal to weigh.]

1. An ancient weight and coin used by the Jews and by other nations of the same stock.

Note: A common estimate makes the shekel equal in weight to about 130 grains for gold, 224 grains for silver, and 450 grains for copper, and the approximate values of the coins are (gold) $5.00, (silver) 60 cents, and (copper half shekel), one and one half cents.

2. pl.

Defn: A jocose term for money.

SHEKINAH She*ki"nah, n. Etym: [Heb Talmud shekinah, fr. shakan to inhabit.]

Defn: The visible majesty of the Divine Presence, especially when resting or dwelling between the cherubim on the mercy seat, in the Tabernacle, or in the Temple of Solomon; -- a term used in the Targums and by the later Jews, and adopted by Christians. [Written also Shechinah.] Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.)

SHELD Sheld, a. Etym: [OE., fr. sheld a shield, probably in allusion to the ornamentation of shields. See Shield.]

Defn: Variegated; spotted; speckled; piebald. [Prov. Eng.]

SHELDAFLE; SHELDAPLE Sheld"a*fle, Sheld"a*ple, n. Etym: [Perhaps for sheld dapple. Cf. Sheldrake.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A chaffinch. [Written also sheldapple, and shellapple.]

SHELDFOWL Sheld"fowl`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common sheldrake. [Prov. Eng.]

SHELDRAKE Shel"drake`, n. Etym: [Sheld + drake.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of large Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna and allied genera, especially the European and Asiatic species. (T. cornuta, or tadorna), which somewhat resembles a goose in form and habit, but breeds in burrows.

Note: It has the head and neck greenish black, the breast, sides, and forward part of the back brown, the shoulders and middle of belly black, the speculum green, and the bill and frontal bright red. Called also shelduck, shellduck, sheldfowl, skeelduck, bergander, burrow duck, and links goose.

Note: The Australian sheldrake (Tadorna radja) has the head, neck, breast, flanks, and wing coverts white, the upper part of the back and a band on the breast deep chestnut, and the back and tail black. The chestnut sheldrake of Australia (Casarca tadornoides) is varied with black and chestnut, and has a dark green head and neck. The ruddy sheldrake, or Braminy duck (C. rutila), and the white-winged sheldrake (C. leucoptera), are related Asiatic species.

2. Any one of the American mergansers.

Note: The name is also loosely applied to other ducks, as the canvasback, and the shoveler.

SHELDUCK Shel"duck`, n. Etym: [Sheld variegated + duck.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sheldrake. [Written also shellduck.]

SHELF Shelf, n.; pl. Shelves. Etym: [OE. shelfe, schelfe, AS. scylfe; akin to G. schelfe, Icel. skjalf. In senses 2 & 3, perhaps a different word (cf. Shelve, v. i.).]

1. (Arch.)

Defn: A flat tablet or ledge of any material set horizontally at a distance from the floor, to hold objects of use or ornament.

2. A sand bank in the sea, or a rock, or ledge of rocks, rendering the water shallow, and dangerous to ships. On the tawny sands and shelves. Milton. On the secret shelves with fury cast. Dryden.

3. (Mining)

Defn: A stratum lying in a very even manner; a flat, projecting layer of rock.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: A piece of timber running the whole length of a vessel inside the timberheads. D. Kemp. To lay on the shelf, to lay aside as unnecessary or useless; to dismiss; to discard.

SHELFY Shelf"y, a.

1. Abounding in shelves; full of dangerous shallows. "A shelfy coast." Dryden.

2. Full of strata of rock. [Obs.] The tillable fields are in some places . . . so shelfy that the corn hath much ado to fasten its root. Carew.

SHELL Shell, n. Etym: [OE. shelle, schelle, AS. scell, scyll; akin to D. shel, Icel. skel, Goth. skalja a tile, and E. skill. Cf. Scale of fishes, Shale, Skill.]

1. A hard outside covering, as of a fruit or an animal. Specifically: (a) The covering, or outside part, of a nut; as, a hazelnut shell. (b) A pod. (c) The hard covering of an egg. Think him as a serpent's egg, . . . And kill him in the shell. Shak. (d) (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of mollusks, crustaceans, and some other invertebrates. In some mollusks, as the cuttlefishes, it is internal, or concealed by the mantle. Also, the hard covering of some vertebrates, as the armadillo, the tortoise, and the like. (e) (Zoöl.) Hence, by extension, any mollusks having such a covering.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: A hollow projectile, of various shapes, adapted for a mortar or a cannon, and containing an explosive substance, ignited with a fuse or by percussion, by means of which the projectile is burst and its fragments scattered. See Bomb.

3. The case which holds the powder, or charge of powder and shot, used with breechloading small arms.

4. Any slight hollow structure; a framework, or exterior structure, regarded as not complete or filled in; as, the shell of a house.

5. A coarse kind of coffin; also, a thin interior coffin inclosed in a more substantial one. Knight.

6. An instrument of music, as a lyre, -- the first lyre having been made, it is said, by drawing strings over a tortoise shell. When Jubal struck the chorded shell. Dryden.

7. An engraved copper roller used in print works.

8. pl.

Defn: The husks of cacao seeds, a decoction of which is often used as a substitute for chocolate, cocoa, etc.

9. (Naut.)

Defn: The outer frame or case of a block within which the sheaves revolve.

10. A light boat the frame of which is covered with thin wood or with paper; as, a racing shell. Message shell, a bombshell inside of which papers may be put, in order to convey messages. -- Shell bit, a tool shaped like a gouge, used with a brace in boring wood. See Bit, n., 3. -- Shell button. (a) A button made of shell. (b) A hollow button made of two pieces, as of metal, one for the front and the other for the back, -- often covered with cloth, silk, etc. -- Shell cameo, a cameo cut in shell instead of stone. -- Shell flower. (Bot.) Same as Turtlehead. -- Shell gland. (Zoöl.) (a) A glandular organ in which the rudimentary shell is formed in embryonic mollusks. (b) A glandular organ which secretes the eggshells of various worms, crustacea, mollusks, etc. -- Shell gun, a cannon suitable for throwing shells. -- Shell ibis (Zoöl.), the openbill of India. -- Shell jacket, an undress military jacket. -- Shell lime, lime made by burning the shells of shellfish. -- Shell marl (Min.), a kind of marl characterized by an abundance of shells, or fragments of shells. -- Shell meat, food consisting of shellfish, or testaceous mollusks. Fuller. -- Shell mound. See under Mound. -- Shell of a boiler, the exterior of a steam boiler, forming a case to contain the water and steam, often inclosing also flues and the furnace; the barrel of a cylindrical, or locomotive, boiler. -- Shell road, a road of which the surface or bed is made of shells, as oyster shells. -- Shell sand, minute fragments of shells constituting a considerable part of the seabeach in some places.

SHELL Shell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shelling.]

1. To strip or break off the shell of; to take out of the shell, pod, etc.; as, to shell nuts or pease; to shell oysters.

2. To separate the kernels of (an ear of Indian corn, wheat, oats, etc.) from the cob, ear, or husk.

3. To throw shells or bombs upon or into; to bombard; as, to shell a town. To shell out, to distribute freely; to bring out or pay, as money. [Colloq.]

SHELL Shell, v. i.

1. To fall off, as a shell, crust, etc.

2. To cast the shell, or exterior covering; to fall out of the pod or husk; as, nuts shell in falling.

3. To be disengaged from the ear or husk; as, wheat or rye shells in reaping.

SHELLAC; SHELL-LAC Shel"lac`, Shell"-lac`, n. Etym: [Shell + lac a resinous substance; cf. D. shellak, G. schellack.]

Defn: See the Note under 2d Lac.

SHELLAPPLE Shell"ap`ple, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Sheldafle.

SHELLBARK Shell"bark`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A species of hickory (Carya alba) whose outer bark is loose and peeling; a shagbark; also, its nut.

SHELLED Shelled, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a shell.

SHELLER Shell"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, shells; as, an oyster sheller; a corn sheller.

SHELLFISH Shell"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any aquatic animal whose external covering consists of a shell, either testaceous, as in oysters, clams, and other mollusks, or crustaceous, as in lobsters and crabs.

SHELLING Shell"ing, n.

Defn: Groats; hulled oats. Simmonds.

SHELL-LESS Shell"-less

Defn: , a. Having no shell. J. Burroughs.

SHELLPROOF Shell"proof`, a.

Defn: Capable of resisting bombs or other shells; bombproof.

SHELLWORK Shell"work`, n.

Defn: Work composed of shells, or adorned with them. Cotgrave.

SHELLY Shell"y, a.

Defn: Abounding with shells; consisting of shells, or of a shell. "The shelly shore." Prior. Shrinks backward in his shelly cave. Shak.

SHELTER Shel"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. OE. scheltrun, shiltroun, schelltrome, scheldtrome, a guard, squadron, AS. scildtruma a troop of men with shields; scild shield + truma a band of men. See Shield, n.]

1. That which covers or defends from injury or annoyance; a protection; a screen. The sick and weak the healing plant shall aid, From storms a shelter, and from heat a shade. Pope.

2. One who protects; a guardian; a defender. Thou [God] hast been a shelter for me. Ps. lxi. 3.

3. The state of being covered and protected; protection; security. Who into shelter takes their tender bloom. Young. Shelter tent,a small tent made of pieces of cotton duck arranged to button together. In field service the soldiers carry the pieces.

Syn. -- Asylum; refuge; retreat; covert; sanctuary; protection; defense; security.

SHELTER Shel"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sheltered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sheltering.]

1. To be a shelter for; to provide with a shelter; to cover from injury or annoyance; to shield; to protect. Those ruins sheltered once his sacred head. Dryden. You have no convents . . . in which such persons may be received and sheltered. Southey.

2. To screen or cover from notice; to disguise. In vain I strove to cheek my growing flame, Or shelter passion under friendship's name. Prior.

3. To betake to cover, or to a safe place; -- used reflexively. They sheltered themselves under a rock. Abp. Abbot.

SHELTER Shel"ter, v. i.

Defn: To take shelter. There oft the Indian herdsman, shunning heat, Shelters in cool. Milton.

SHELTERLESS Shel"ter*less, a.

Defn: Destitute of shelter or protection. Now sad and shelterless perhaps she lies. Rowe.

SHELTERY Shel"ter*y, a.

Defn: Affording shelter. [R.]

SHELTIE; SHELTY Shel"tie, Shel"ty, n.

Defn: A Shetland pony.

SHELVE Shelve, v. t.

1. To furnish with shelves; as, to shelve a closet or a library.

2. To place on a shelf. Hence: To lay on the shelf; to put aside; to dismiss from service; to put off indefinitely; as, to shelve an officer; to shelve a claim.

SHELVE Shelve, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shelved; p. pr. & vb. n. Shelving.] Etym: [Perhapss originally from the same source as shallow, but influenced by shelf a ledge, a platform.]

Defn: To incline gradually; to be slopping; as, the bottom shelves from the shore.

SHELVING Shelv"ing, a.

Defn: Sloping gradually; inclining; as, a shelving shore. Shak. "Shelving arches." Addison.

SHELVING Shelv"ing, n.

1. The act of fitting up shelves; as, the job of shelving a closet.

2. The act of laying on a shelf, or on the shelf; putting off or aside; as, the shelving of a claim.

3. Material for shelves; shelves, collectively.

SHELVY Shelv"y, a.

Defn: Sloping gradually; shelving. The shore was shelving and shallow. Shak.

SHEMITE Shem"ite, n.

Defn: A descendant of Shem.

SHEMITIC; SHEMITISH Shem*it"ic, Shem"i*tish, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Shem, the son of Noah, or his descendants. See Semitic.

SHEMITISM Shem"i*tism, n.

Defn: See Semitism.

SHEND Shend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shent; p. pr. & vb. n. Shending.] Etym: [AS. scendan to disgrace, bring to shame, from sceand, sceond, disgrace, dishonor, shame; akin to G. schande, Goth. skanda. See Shame, n.]

1. To injure, mar, spoil, or harm. [Obs.] "Loss of time shendeth us." Chaucer. I fear my body will be shent. Dryden.

2. To blame, reproach, or revile; to degrade, disgrace, or put to shame. [Archaic] R. Browning. The famous name of knighthood foully shend. Spenser. She passed the rest as Cynthia doth shend The lesser stars. Spenser.

SHENDFUL Shend"ful, a.

Defn: Destructive; ruinous; disgraceful. [Obs.] -- Shend"ful*ly, adv. [Obs.] Fabyan.

SHENDSHIP Shend"ship, n.

Defn: Harm; ruin; also, reproach; disgrace. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHENT Shent,

Defn: obs. 3d pers. sing. pres. of Shend, for shendeth. Chaucer.

SHENT Shent, v. t.

Defn: To shend. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHEOL She"ol, n. Etym: [Heb. sh.]

Defn: The place of departed spirits; Hades; also, the grave. For thou wilt not leave my soul to sheel. Ps. xvi. 10. (Rev. Ver.)

SHEPEN Shep"en, n.

Defn: A stable; a shippen. [Obs.] The shepne brenning with the blacke smoke. Chaucer.

SHEPHERD Shep"herd, n. Etym: [OE. schepherde, schephirde, AS. sceáphyrde; sceáp sheep + hyrde, hirde, heorde, a herd, a guardian. See Sheep, and Herd.]

1. A man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, esp. a flock grazing at large.

2. The pastor of a church; one with the religious guidance of others. Shepherd bird (Zoöl.), the crested screamer. See Screamer. -- Shepherd dog (Zoöl.), a breed of dogs used largely for the herding and care of sheep. There are several kinds, as the collie, or Scotch shepherd dog, and the English shepherd dog. Called also shepherd's dog. -- Shepherd dog, a name of Pan. Keats. -- Shepherd kings, the chiefs of a nomadic people who invaded Egypt from the East in the traditional period, and conquered it, at least in part. They were expelled after about five hundred years, and attempts have been made to connect their expulsion with narrative in the book of Exodus. -- Shepherd's club (Bot.), the common mullein. See Mullein. -- Shepherd's crook, a long staff having the end curved so as to form a large hook, -- used by shepherds. -- Shepherd's needle (Bot.), the lady's comb. -- Shepherd's plaid, a kind of woolen cloth of a checkered black and white pattern. -- Shephered spider (Zoöl.), a daddy longlegs, or harvestman. -- Shepherd's pouch, or Shepherd's purse (Bot.), an annual cruciferous plant (Capsella Bursapastoris) bearing small white flowers and pouchlike pods. See Illust. of Silicle. -- Shepherd's rod, or Shepherd's staff (Bot.), the small teasel.

SHEPHERD Shep"herd, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shepherded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shepherding.]

Defn: To tend as a shepherd; to guard, herd, lead, or drive, as a shepherd. [Poetic] White, fleecy clouds . . . Shepherded by the slow, unwilling wind. Shelley.

SHEPHERDESS Shep"herd*ess, n.

Defn: A woman who tends sheep; hence, a rural lass. She put herself into the garb of a shepherdess. Sir P. Sidney.

SHEPHERDIA Shep*her"di*a, n.; pl. Shepherdias. Etym: [NL. So called from John Shepherd, an English botanist.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of shrubs having silvery scurfy leaves, and belonging to the same family as Elæagnus; also, any plant of this genus. See Buffalo berry, under Buffalo.

SHEPHERDISH Shep"herd*ish, n.

Defn: Resembling a shepherd; suiting a shepherd; pastoral. Sir T. Sidney.

SHEPHERDISM Shep"herd*ism, n.

Defn: Pastoral life or occupation.

SHEPHERDLING Shep"herd*ling, n.

Defn: A little shepherd.

SHEPHERDLY Shep"herd*ly, a.

Defn: Resembling, or becoming to, a shepherd; pastoral; rustic. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

SHEPSTER Shep"ster, n.

Defn: A seamstress. [Obs.] Caxton.

SHERARDIZE Sher"ard*ize, v. t. [From Sherard Cowper-Coles, the inventor.] (Metal.)

Defn: To subject to the process of vapor galvanizing (which see, below).

SHERBET Sher"bet, n. Etym: [Ar. sherbet, shorbet, sharbat, properly, one drink or sip, a draught, beverage, from shariba to drink. Cf. Sorbet, Sirup, Shrub a drink.]

1. A refreshing drink, common in the East, made of the juice of some fruit, diluted, sweetened, and flavored in various ways; as, orange sherbet; lemon sherbet; raspberry sherbet, etc.

2. A flavored water ice.

3. A preparation of bicarbonate of soda, tartaric acid, sugar, etc., variously flavored, for making an effervescing drink; -- called also sherbet powder.

SHERD Sherd, n.

Defn: A fragment; -- now used only in composition, as in potsherd. See Shard. The thigh . . . which all in sherds it drove. Chapman.

SHEREEF; SHERIF Sher"eef, Sher"if, n. Etym: [Ar. sherif noble, holy, n., a prince.]

Defn: A member of an Arab princely family descended from Mohammed through his son-in-law Ali and daughter Fatima. The Grand Shereef is the governor of Mecca.

SHERIAT Sher"i*at, n. Etym: [Turk. sheri 'at]

Defn: The sacred law of the Turkish empire.

SHERIFF Sher"iff, n. Etym: [OE. shereve, AS. scir-ger; scir a shire + ger a reeve. See Shire, and Reeve, and cf. Shrievalty.]

Defn: The chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted the execution of the laws, the serving of judicial writs and processes, and the preservation of the peace.

Note: In England, sheriffs are appointed by the king. In the United States, sheriffs are elected by the legislature or by the citizens, or appointed and commissioned by the executive of the State. The office of sheriff in England is judicial and ministerial. In the United States, it is mainly ministerial. The sheriff, by himself or his deputies, executes civil and criminal process throughout the county, has charge of the jail and prisoners, attends courts, and keeps the peace. His judicial authority is generally confined to ascertaining damages on writs of inquiry and the like. Sheriff, in Scotland, called sheriff depute, is properly a judge, having also certain ministerial powers. Sheriff clerk is the clerk of the Sheriff's Court in Scotland. Sheriff's Court in London is a tribunal having cognizance of certain personal actions in that city. Wharton, Tomlins. Erskine.

SHERIFFALTY; SHERIFFDOM; SHERIFFRY; SHERIFFSHIP; SHERIFFWICK Sher"iff*al*ty, Sher"iff*dom, Sher"iff*ry, Sher"iff*ship, Sher"iff*wick, n.

Defn: The office or jurisdiction of sheriff. See Shrievalty.

SHERN Shern, n.

Defn: See Shearn. [Obs.]

SHERRIS Sher"ris, n.

Defn: Sherry. [Obs.] Shak.

SHERRY Sher"ry, n. Etym: [So called from Xeres, a Spanish town near Cadiz, x in Spanish having been formerly pronounced like sh in English.]

Defn: A Spanish light-colored dry wine, made in Andalusia. As prepared for commerce it is colored a straw color or a deep amber by mixing with it cheap wine boiled down. Sherry cobbler, a beverage prepared with sherry wine, water, lemon or orange, sugar, ice, etc., and usually imbided through a straw or a glass tube.

SHERRYVALLIES Sher"ry*val`lies, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. Sp. zaraquelles wide breeches or overalls.]

Defn: Trousers or overalls of thick cloth or leather, buttoned on the outside of each leg, and generally worn to protect other trousers when riding on horseback. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

SHET Shet, v. t. & i. [imp. Shet. (Obs. Shette (); p. pr. Shet; p. pr. & vb. n. Shetting.]

Defn: To shut. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Chaucer.

SHETE Shete, v. t. & i.

Defn: To shoot. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHETH Sheth, n.

Defn: The part of a plow which projects downward beneath the beam, for holding the share and other working parts; -- also called standard, or post.

SHETLAND PONY Shet"land po"ny.

Defn: One of a small, hardy breed of horses, with long mane and tail, which originated in the Shetland Islands; a sheltie.

SHEW Shew, v. t. & i.

Defn: See Show.

SHEW Shew, n.

Defn: Show. [Obs. except in shewbread.]

SHEWBREAD Shew"bread`.

Defn: See Showbread.

SHEWEL Shew"el, n.

Defn: A scarecrow. [Obs.] Trench.

SHEWER Shew"er, n.

Defn: One who shews. See Shower.

SHEWN Shewn,

Defn: p. p. of Shew.

SHIAH Shi"ah, n.

Defn: Same as Shiite.

SHIBBOLETH Shib"bo*leth, n. Etym: [Heb. shibboleth an ear of corn, or a stream, a flood.]

1. A word which was made the criterion by which to distinguish the Ephraimites from the Gileadites. The Ephraimites, not being able to pronounce sh, called the word sibboleth. See Judges xii. Without reprieve, adjudged to death, For want of well pronouncing shibboleth. Milton.

Defn: Also in an extended sense. The th, with its twofold value, is . . . the shibboleth of foreigners. Earle.

2. Hence, the criterion, test, or watchword of a party; a party cry or pet phrase.

SHICER Shi"cer (shi"ser), n. [Prob. fr. G. scheisser one who dungs.] (Mining)

Defn: An unproductive mine; a duffer. [Australia]

SHIDE Shide, n. Etym: [OE. shide, schide, AS. scide; akin to OHG. scit, G. scheit, Icel. ski, and E. shed, v.t.]

Defn: A thin board; a billet of wood; a splinter. [Prov. Eng.]

SHIE Shie, v. t.

Defn: See Shy, to throw.

SHIED Shied,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Shy.

SHIEL Shiel, n.

Defn: A sheeling. [Scot.] Burns.

SHIELD Shield, n. Etym: [OE. sheld, scheld, AS. scield, scild, sceld, scyld; akin to OS. scild, OFries. skeld, D. & G. schild, OHG. scilt, Icel. skjöldr, Sw. sköld, Dan. skiold, Goth. skildus; of uncertain origin. Cf. Sheldrake.]

1. A broad piece of defensive armor, carried on the arm, -- formerly in general use in war, for the protection of the body. See Buckler. Now put your shields before your hearts and fight, With hearts more proof than shields. Shak.

2. Anything which protects or defends; defense; shelter; protection. "My council is my shield." Shak.

3. Figuratively, one who protects or defends. Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen. xv. 1.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: In lichens, a Hardened cup or disk surrounded by a rim and containing the fructification, or asci.

5. (Her.)

Defn: The escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms. Cf. Lozenge. See Illust. of Escutcheon.

6. (Mining & Tunneling)

Defn: A framework used to protect workmen in making an adit under ground, and capable of being pushed along as excavation progresses.

7. A spot resembling, or having the form of, a shield. "Bespotted as with shields of red and black." Spenser.

8. A coin, the old French crown, or écu, having on one side the figure of a shield. [Obs.] Chaucer. Shield fern (Bot.), any fern of the genus Aspidium, in which the fructifications are covered with shield-shaped indusia; -- called also wood fern. See Illust. of Indusium.

SHIELD Shield, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shielded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shielding.] Etym: [AS. scidan, scyldan. See Shield, n.]

1. To cover with, or as with, a shield; to cover from danger; to defend; to protect from assault or injury. Shouts of applause ran ringing through the field, To see the son the vanquished father shield. Dryden. A woman's shape doth shield thee. Shak.

2. To ward off; to keep off or out. They brought with them their usual weeds, fit to shield the cold to which they had been inured. Spenser.

3. To avert, as a misfortune; hence, as a supplicatory exclamation, forbid! [Obs.] God shield that it should so befall. Chaucer. God shield I should disturb devotion! Shak.

SHIELD-BEARER Shield"-bear`er, n.

1. One who, or that which, carries a shield.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small moth of the genus Aspidisca, whose larva makes a shieldlike covering for itself out of bits of leaves.

SHIELDDRAKE Shield"drake`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sheldrake.

SHIELDLESS Shield"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of a shield, or of protection. -- Shield"less*ly, adv. -- Shield"less*ness, n.

SHIELDTAIL Shield"tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of small burrowing snakes of the family Uropeltidæ, native of Ceylon and Southern Asia. They have a small mouth which can not be dilated.

SHIELING Shiel"ing, n.

Defn: A hut or shelter for shepherds of fishers. See Sheeling. [Scot.]

SHIFT Shift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shifting.] Etym: [OE. shiften, schiften, to divide, change, remove. AS. sciftan to divide; akin to LG. & D. schiften to divide, distinguish, part Icel. skipta to divide, to part, to shift, to change, Dan skifte, Sw. skifta, and probably to Icel. skifa to cut into slices, as n., a slice, and to E. shive, sheave, n., shiver, n.]

1. To divide; to distribute; to apportion. [Obs.] To which God of his bounty would shift Crowns two of flowers well smelling. Chaucer.

2. To change the place of; to move or remove from one place to another; as, to shift a burden from one shoulder to another; to shift the blame. Hastily he schifte him[self]. Piers Plowman. Pare saffron between the two St. Mary's days, Or set or go shift it that knowest the ways. Tusser.

3. To change the position of; to alter the bearings of; to turn; as, to shift the helm or sails. Carrying the oar loose, [they] shift it hither and thither at pleasure. Sir W. Raleigh.

4. To exchange for another of the same class; to remove and to put some similar thing in its place; to change; as, to shift the clothes; to shift the scenes. I would advise you to shift a shirt. Shak.

5. To change the clothing of; -- used reflexively. [Obs.] As it were to ride day and night; and . . . not to have patience to shift me. Shak.

6. To put off or out of the way by some expedient. "I shifted him away." Shak. To shift off, to delay; to defer; to put off; to lay aside. -- To shift the scene, to change the locality or the surroundings, as in a play or a story. Shift the scene for half an hour; Time and place are in thy power. Swift.

SHIFT Shift, v. i.

1. To divide; to distribute. [Obs.] Some this, some that, as that him liketh shift. Chaucer.

2. To make a change or changes; to change position; to move; to veer; to substitute one thing for another; -- used in the various senses of the transitive verb. The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered pantaloon. Shak. Here the Baillie shifted and fidgeted about in his seat. Sir W. Scott.

3. To resort to expedients for accomplishing a purpose; to contrive; to manage. Men in distress will look to themselves, and leave their companions to schift as well as they can. L'Estrange.

4. To practice indirect or evasive methods. All those schoolmen, though they were exceeding witty, yet better teach all their followers to shift, than to resolve by their distinctions. Sir W. Raleigh.

5. (Naut.)

Defn: To slip to one side of a ship, so as to destroy the equilibrum; -- said of ballast or cargo; as, the cargo shifted.

SHIFT Shift, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel skipti. See Shift, v. t.]

1. The act of shifting. Specifically: (a) The act of putting one thing in the place of another, or of changing the place of a thing; change; substitution. My going to Oxford was not merely for shift of air. Sir H. Wotton. (b) A turning from one thing to another; hence, an expedient tried in difficalty; often, an evasion; a trick; a fraud. "Reduced to pitiable shifts." Macaulay. I 'll find a thousand shifts to get away. Shak. Little souls on little shifts rely. Dryden.

2. Something frequently shifted; especially, a woman's under-garment; a chemise.

3. The change of one set of workmen for another; hence, a spell, or turn, of work; also, a set of workmen who work in turn with other sets; as, a night shift.

4. In building, the extent, or arrangement, of the overlapping of plank, brick, stones, etc., that are placed in courses so as to break joints.

5. (Mining)

Defn: A breaking off and dislocation of a seam; a fault.

6. (Mus.)

Defn: A change of the position of the hand on the finger board, in playing the violin. To make shift, to contrive or manage in an exigency. "I shall make shift to go without him." Shak. [They] made a shift to keep their own in Ireland. Milton.

SHIFTABLE Shift"a*ble, a.

Defn: Admitting of being shifted.

SHIFTER Shift"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, shifts; one who plays tricks or practices artifice; a cozener. 'T was such a shifter that, if truth were known, Death was half glad when he had got him down. Milton.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: An assistant to the ship's cook in washing, steeping, and shifting the salt provisions.

3. (Mach.) (a) An arrangement for shifting a belt sidewise from one pulley to another. (b) (Knitting Mach.) A wire for changing a loop from one needle to another, as in narrowing, etc.

SHIFTINESS Shift"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shifty. Diplomatic shiftiness and political versatility. J. A. Syminds.

SHIFTING Shift"ing, a.

1. Changing in place, position, or direction; varying; variable; fickle; as, shifting winds; shifting opinions or principles.

2. Adapted or used for shifting anything. Shifting backstays (Naut.), temporary stays that have to be let go whenever the vessel tacks or jibes. -- Shifting ballast, ballast which may be moved from one side of a vessel to another as safety requires. -- Shifting center. See Metacenter. -- Shifting locomotive. See Switching engine, under Switch.

SHIFTINGLY Shift"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shifting manner.

SHIFTLESS Shift"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of expedients, or not using successful expedients; characterized by failure, especially by failure to provide for one's own support, through negligence or incapacity; hence, lazy; improvident; thriftless; as, a shiftless fellow; shiftless management. -- Shift"less*ly, adv. -- Shift"less*ness, n.

SHIFTY Shift"y, a.

Defn: Full of, or ready with, shifts; fertile in expedients or contrivance. Wright. Shifty and thrifty as old Greek or modern Scot, there were few things he could not invent, and perhaps nothing he could not endure. C. Kingsley.

SHIITE; SHIAH Shi"ite, Shi"ah, n. Etym: [Ar. shi'aia follower of the sect of Ali, fr. shi'at, shi'ah, a multitude following one another in pursuit of the same object, the sect of Ali, fr. sha'a to follow.]

Defn: A member of that branch of the Mohammedans to which the Persians belong. They reject the first three caliphs, and consider Ali as being the first and only rightful successor of Mohammed. They do not acknowledge the Sunna, or body of traditions respecting Mohammed, as any part of the law, and on these accounts are treated as heretics by the Sunnites, or orthodox Mohammedans.

SHIKAREE; SHIKARI Shi*ka"ree, Shi*ka"ri n. Etym: [Hind.]

Defn: A sportsman; esp., a native hunter. [India]

SHILF Shilf, n. Etym: [CF. G. shilf sedge.]

Defn: Straw. [Obs.]

SHILL Shill, v. t.

Defn: To shell. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SHILL Shill, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Sheal.]

Defn: To put under cover; to sheal. [Prov.ng.] Brockett.

SHILLALAH; SHILLELAH Shil*la"lah, Shil*le"lah, n.

Defn: An oaken sapling or cudgel; any cudgel; -- so called from Shillelagh, a place in Ireland of that name famous for its oaks. [Irish] [Written also shillaly, and shillely.]

SHILLING Shil"ling, n. Etym: [OE. shilling, schilling, AS. scilling; akin to D. schelling, OS. & OHG. scilling, G. schilling, Sw. & Dan. skilling, Icel. skillingr, Goth. skilliggs, and perh. to OHG. scellan to sound, G. schallen.]

1. A silver coin, and money of account, of Great Britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the United States currency.

2. In the United States, a denomination of money, differing in value in different States. It is not now legally recognized.

Note: Many of the States while colonies had issued bills of credit which had depreciated in different degrees in the different colonies. Thus, in New England currency (used also in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida), after the adoption of the decimal system, the pound in paper money was worth only $3.333, and the shilling 16 Am. Cyc.

3. The Spanish real, of the value of one eight of a dollar, or 12 York shilling. Same as Shilling, 3.

SHILL-I-SHALL-I; SHILLY-SHALLY Shill"-I-shall`-I, Shil"ly-shal`ly, adv. Etym: [A reduplication of shall I.]

Defn: In an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner. I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I don't stand shill-I-shall-I then; if I say 't, I'll do 't. Congreve.

SHILLY-SHALLY Shil"ly-shal`ly, v. i.

Defn: To hesitate; to act in an irresolute manner; hence, to occupy one's self with trifles.

SHILLY-SHALLY Shil"ly-shal`ly, n.

Defn: Irresolution; hesitation; also, occupation with trifles. She lost not one of her forty-five minutes in picking and choosing, - - no shilly-shally in Kate. De Quincey.

SHILOH Shi"loh (shi\'b6lo), n. Etym: [Heb. shiloh, literally, quiet, rest, fr. shalah to rest.] (Script.)

Defn: A word used by Jacob on his deathbed, and interpreted variously, as "the Messiah," or as the city "Shiloh," or as "Rest."

SHILY Shi"ly, adv.

Defn: See Shyly.

SHIM Shim, n.

1. A kind of shallow plow used in tillage to break the ground, and clear it of weeds.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: A thin piece of metal placed between two parts to make a fit.

SHIMMER Shim"mer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shimmered; p. pr. & vb. n. Shimmering.] Etym: [OE. schimeren, AS. scimerian; akin to scimian, sciman, to glitter, D. schemeren, G. schimmern, Dan. skimre, Sw. skimra, AS. scima a light, brightness, Icel. skima, Goth. skeima a torch, a lantern, and E. shine. sq. root157. See Shine, v. i.]

Defn: To shine with a tremulous or intermittent light; to shine faintly; to gleam; to glisten; to glimmer. The shimmering glimpses of a stream. Tennyson.

SHIMMER Shim"mer, n.

Defn: A faint, tremulous light; a gleaming; a glimmer. TWo silver lamps, fed with perfumed oil, diffused . . . a trembling twilight-seeming shimmer through the quiet apartment. Sir W. Scott.

SHIMMERING Shim"mer*ing, n.

Defn: A gleam or glimmering. "A little shimmering of a light." Chaucer.

SHIMMY Shim"my, n.

Defn: A chemise. [Colloq.]

SHIN Shin, n. Etym: [OE. shine, schine, AS. scina; akin to D. scheen, OHG. scina, G. schiene, schienbein, Dan. skinnebeen, Sw. skenben. Cf. Chine.]

1. The front part of the leg below the knee; the front edge of the shin bone; the lower part of the leg; the shank. "On his shin." Chaucer.

2. (Railbroad)

Defn: A fish plate for rails. Knight. Shin bone (Anat.), the tibia. -- Shin leaf (Bot.), a perennial ericaceous herb (Pyrola elliptica) with a cluster of radical leaves and a raceme of greenish white flowers.

SHIN Shin, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Shinning.]

1. To climb a mast, tree, rope, or the like, by embracing it alternately with the arms and legs, without help of steps, spurs, or the like; -- used with up; as, to shin up a mast. [Slang]

2. To run about borrowing money hastily and temporarily, as for the payment of one's notes at the bank. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

SHIN Shin, v. t.

Defn: To climb (a pole, etc.) by shinning up. [Slang]

SHINDLE Shin"dle, n. Etym: [See 2d Shingle.]

Defn: A shingle; also, a slate for roofing. [Obs.] Holland.

SHINDLE Shin"dle, v. t.

Defn: To cover or roof with shindles. [Obs.]

SHINDY Shin"dy, n.; pl. Shindies. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain; cf. Shinney, Shinty.]

1. An uproar or disturbance; a spree; a row; a riot. [Slang] Thackeray.

2. Hockey; shinney. Bartlett.

3. A fancy or liking. [Local, U. S.] Bartlett.

SHINE Shine, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shone ( (archaic Shined (); p. pr. & vb. n. Shining.] Etym: [OE. shinen, schinen, AS. scinan; akin to D. schijnen, OFries. skina, OS. & OHG. scinan, G. scheinen, Icel.skina, Sw. skina, Dan. skinne, Goth. skeinan, and perh. to Gr. Sheer pure, and Shimmer.]

1. To emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit brightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by night. Hyperion's quickening fire doth shine. Shak. God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Cghrist. 2 Cor. iv. 6. Let thine eyes shine forth in their full luster. Denham.

2. To be bright by reflection of light; to gleam; to be glossy; as, to shine like polished silver.

3. To be effulgent in splendor or beauty. "So proud she shined in her princely state." Spenser. Once brightest shined this child of heat and air. Pope.

4. To be eminent, conspicuous, or distinguished; to exhibit brilliant intellectual powers; as, to shine in courts; to shine in conversation. Few are qualified to shine in company; but it in most men's power to be agreeable. Swift. To make, or cause, the face to shine upon, to be propitious to; to be gracious to. Num. vi. 25.

SHINE Shine, v. t.

1. To cause to shine, as a light. [Obs.] He [God] doth not rain wealth, nor shine honor and virtues, upon men equally. Bacon.

2. To make bright; to cause to shine by reflected light; as, in hunting, to shine the eyes of a deer at night by throwing a light on them. [U. S.] Bartlett.

SHINE Shine, n.

1. The quality or state of shining; brightness; luster, gloss; polish; sheen. Now sits not girt with taper's holy shine. Milton. Fair opening to some court's propitious shine. Pope. The distant shine of the celestial city. Hawthorne.

2. Sunshine; fair weather. Be it fair or foul, or rain or shine. Dryden.

3. A liking for a person; a fancy. [Slang, U.S.]

4. Caper; antic; row. [Slang] To cut up shines, to play pranks. [Slang, U.S.]

SHINE Shine, a. Etym: [AS. scin. See Shine, v. i.]

Defn: Shining; sheen. [Obs.] Spenser.

SHINER Shin"er, n.

Defn: That which shines. Specifically: (a) A luminary. (b) A bright piece of money. [Slang] Has she the shiners, d' ye think Foote. black eye. (c) (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small freshwater American cyprinoid fishes, belonging to Notropis, or Minnilus, and allied genera; as the redfin (Notropis megalops), and the golden shiner (Notemigonus chrysoleucus) of the Eastern United States; also loosely applied to various other silvery fishes, as the dollar fish, or horsefish, menhaden, moonfish, sailor's choice, and the sparada. (d) (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common Lepisma, or furniture bug. Blunt-nosed shiner (Zoöl.), the silver moonfish.

SHINESS Shi"ness, n.

Defn: See Shyness.

SHINGLE Shin"gle, n. Etym: [Prob. from Norw. singl, singling, coarse gravel, small round stones.] (Geol.)

Defn: Round, water-worn, and loose gravel and pebbles, or a collection of roundish stones, such as are common on the seashore and elsewhere.

SHINGLE Shin"gle, n. Etym: [OE. shingle, shindle, fr. L. scindula, scandula; cf. scindere to cleave, to split, E. shed, v.t., Gr.

1. A piece of wood sawed or rived thin and small, with one end thinner than the other, -- used in covering buildings, especially roofs, the thick ends of one row overlapping the thin ends of the row below. I reached St. Asaph, . . . where there is a very poor cathedral church covered with shingles or tiles. Ray.

2. A sign for an office or a shop; as, to hang out one's shingle. [Jocose, U. S.] Shingle oak (Bot.), a kind of oak (Quercus imbricaria) used in the Western States for making shingles.

SHINGLE Shin"gle, v. t. [imp. &. p. p. Shingled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shingling.]

1. To cover with shingles; as, to shingle a roof. They shingle their houses with it. Evelyn.

2. To cut, as hair, so that the ends are evenly exposed all over the head, as shingles on a roof.

SHINGLE Shin"gle, v. t.

Defn: To subject to the process of shindling, as a mass of iron from the pudding furnace.

SHINGLER Shin"gler, n.

1. One who shingles.

2. A machine for shingling puddled iron.

SHINGLES Shin"gles, n. Etym: [OF. cengle a girth, F. sangle, fr. L. cingulum a girdle, fr. cingere to gird. Cf. Cincture, Cingle, Surcingle.] (Med.)

Defn: A kind of herpes (Herpes zoster) which spreads half way around the body like a girdle, and is usually attended with violent neuralgic pain.

SHINGLING Shin"gling, n.

1. The act of covering with shingles; shingles, collectively; a covering made of shingles.

2. (Metal)

Defn: The process of expelling scoriæ and other impurities by hammering and squeezing, in the production of wrought iron. Shingling hammer, a ponderous hammer moved by machinery, used in shingling puddled iron. -- Shingling mill, a mill or forge where puddled iron is shingled.

SHINGLY Shin"gly, a.

Defn: Abounding with shingle, or gravel.

SHINHOPPLE Shin"hop`ple, n.

Defn: The hobblebush.

SHINING Shin"ing, a.

1. Emitting light, esp. in a continuous manner; radiant; as, shining lamps; also, bright by the reflection of light; as, shining armor. "Fish . . . with their fins and shining scales." Milton.

2. Splendid; illustrious; brilliant; distinguished; conspicious; as, a shining example of charity.

3. Having the surface smooth and polished; -- said of leaves, the surfaces of shells, etc.

Syn. -- Glistening; bright; radiant; resplendent; effulgent; lustrous; brilliant; glittering; splendid; illustrious. -- Shining, Brilliant, Sparking. Shining describes the steady emission of a strong light, or the steady reflection of light from a clear or polished surface. Brilliant denotes a shining of great brightness, but with gleams or flashes. Sparkling implies a fitful, intense shining from radiant points or sparks, by which the eye is dazzled. The same distinctions obtain when these epithets are figuratively applied. A man of shining talents is made conspicious by possessing them; if they flash upon the mind with a peculiarly striking effect, we call them brilliant; if his brilliancy is marked by great vivacity and occasional intensity, he is sparkling. True paradise . . . inclosed with shining rock. Milton. Some in a brilliant buckle bind her waist, Some round her neck a circling light display. Gay. His sparkling blade about his head he blest. Spenser.

SHINING Shin"ing, n.

Defn: Emission or reflection of light.

SHININGNESS Shin"ing*ness, n.

Defn: Brightness. J. Spence.

SHINNEY Shin"ney, n. Etym: [CF. Shindy.]

Defn: The game of hockey; -- so called because of the liability of the players to receive blows on the shin. Halliwell.

SHINPLASTER Shin"plas`ter, n.

Defn: Formerly, a jocose term for a bank note greatly depreciated in value; also, for paper money of a denomination less than a dollar. [U. S.]

SHIN SHU Shin Shu. [Jap., lit., true sect.]

Defn: The leading and most progressive Buddhist sect of Japan, resting its faith rather upon Amida than Gautama Buddha. Rites and ceremonies are held useless without uprightness.

SHINTIYAN; SHINTYAN Shin"ti*yan (shin"ti*yan), Shin"ty*an (shin"ti*an), n. [Ar. shintian.]

Defn: A kind of wide loose drawers or trousers worn by women in Mohammedan countries.

SHINTO; SHINTIISM Shin"to, Shin"ti*ism, n. Etym: [Chin. shin god + tao way, doctrine.]

Defn: One of the two great systems of religious belief in Japan. Its essence is ancestor worship, and sacrifice to dead heroes. [Written also Sintu, and Sintuism.]

SHINTOIST Shin"to*ist, n.

Defn: An adherent of Shintoism.

SHINTY Shin"ty, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. sinteag a skip, a bound.]

Defn: A Scotch game resembling hockey; also, the club used in the game. Jamieson.

SHINY Shin"y, a. [Compar. Shinier; superl. Shiniest.]

Defn: Bright; luminous; clear; unclouded. Like distant thunder on a shiny day. Dryden.

-SHIP -ship. Etym: [OE. -schipe, AS. -scipe; akin to OFries. -skipe, OLG. - skepi, D. -schap, OHG. -scaf, G. -schaft. Cf. Shape, n., and Landscape.]

Defn: A suffix denoting state, office, dignity, profession, or art; as in lordship, friendship, chancellorship, stewardship, horsemanship.

SHIP Ship, n. Etym: [AS. scipe.]

Defn: Pay; reward. [Obs.] In withholding or abridging of the ship or the hire or the wages of servants. Chaucer.

SHIP Ship, n. Etym: [OE. ship, schip, AS. scip; akin to OFries. skip, OS. scip, D. schip, G. schiff, OHG. scif, Dan. skib, Sw. skeep, Icel. & Goth. skip; of unknown origin. Cf. Equip, Skiff, Skipper.]

1. Any large seagoing vessel. Like a stately ship . . . With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, Sails filled, and streamers waving. Milton. Thou, too, sail on, O Ship of State! Longfellow.

2. Specifically, a vessel furnished with a bowsprit and three masts (a mainmast, a foremast, and a mizzenmast), each of which is composed of a lower mast, a topmast, and a topgallant mast, and square-rigged on all masts. See Illustation in Appendix. l Port or Larboard Side; s Starboard Side; 1 Roundhouse or Deck House; 2 Tiller; 3 Grating; 4 Wheel; 5 Wheel Chains; 6 Binnacle; 7 Mizzenmast; 8 Skylight; 9 Capstan; 10 Mainmast; 11 Pumps; 12 Galley or Caboose; 13 Main Hatchway; 14 Windlass; 15 Foremast; 16 Fore Hatchway; 17 Bitts; 18 Bowsprit; 19 Head Rail; 20 Boomkins; 21 Catheads on Port Bow and Starboard Bow; 22 Fore Chains; 23 Main Chains; 24 Mizzen Chains; 25 Stern. 1 Fore Royal Stay; 2 Flying Jib Stay; 3 Fore Topgallant Stay;4 Jib Stay; 5 Fore Topmast Stays; 6 Fore Tacks; 8 Flying Martingale; 9 Martingale Stay, shackled to Dolphin Striker; 10 Jib Guys; 11 Jumper Guys; 12 Back Ropes; 13 Robstays; 14 Flying Jib Boom; 15 Flying Jib Footropes; 16 Jib Boom; 17 Jib Foottropes; 18 Bowsprit; 19 Fore Truck; 20 Fore Royal Mast; 21 Fore Royal Lift; 22 Fore Royal Yard; 23 Fore Royal Backstays; 24 Fore Royal Braces; 25 Fore Topgallant Mast and Rigging; 26 Fore Topgallant Lift; 27 Fore Topgallant Yard; 28 Fore Topgallant Backstays; 29 Fore Topgallant Braces; 30 Fore Topmast and Rigging; 31 Fore Topsail Lift; 32 Fore Topsail Yard; 33 Fore Topsail Footropes; 34 Fore Topsail Braces; 35 Fore Yard; 36 Fore Brace; 37 Fore Lift; 38 Fore Gaff; 39 Fore Trysail Vangs; 40 Fore Topmast Studding-sail Boom; 41 Foremast and Rigging; 42 Fore Topmast Backstays; 43 Fore Sheets; 44 Main Truck and Pennant; 45 Main Royal Mast and Backstay; 46 Main Royal Stay; 47 Main Royal Lift; 48 Main Royal Yard; 49 Main Royal Braces; 50 Main Topgallant Mast and Rigging; 51 Main Topgallant Lift; 52 Main Topgallant Backstays; 53 Main Topgallant Yard; 54 Main Topgallant Stay; 55 Main Topgallant Braces; 56 Main Topmast and Rigging; 57 Topsail Lift; 58 Topsail Yard; 59 Topsail Footropes; 60 Topsail Braces; 61 Topmast Stays; 62 Main Topgallant Studding-sail Boom; 63 Main Topmast Backstay; 64 Main Yard; 65 Main Footropes; 66 Mainmast and Rigging; 67 Main Lift; 68 Main Braces; 69 Main Tacks; 70 Main Sheets; 71 Main Trysail Gaff; 72 Main Trysail Vangs; 73 Main Stays; 74 Mizzen Truck; 75 Mizzen Royal Mast and Rigging; 76 Mizzen Royal Stay; 77 Mizzen Royal Lift; 78 Mizzen Royal Yard; 79 Mizzen Royal Braces; 80 Mizzen Topgallant Mast and Rigging; 81 Mizzen Topgallant Lift; 82 Mizzen Topgallant Backstays; 83 Mizzen Topgallant Braces; 84 Mizzen Topgallant Yard; 85 Mizzen Topgallant Stay; 86 Mizzen Topmast and Rigging; 87 Mizzen Topmast Stay; 88 Mizzen Topsail Lift; 89 Mizzen Topmast Backstays; 90 Mizzen Topsail Braces; 91 Mizzen Topsail Yard; 92 Mizzen Topsail Footropes; 93 Crossjack Yard; 94 Crossjack Footropes; 95 Crossjack Lift; 96 Crossjack Braces; 97 Mizzenmast and Rigging; 98 Mizzen Stay; 99 Spanker Gaff; 100 Peak Halyards; 101 Spanker Vangs; 102 Spanker Boom; 103 Spanker Boom Topping Lift; 104 Jacob's Ladder, or Stern Ladder; 105 Spanker Sheet; 106 Cutwater; 107 Starboard Bow; 108 Starboard Beam; 109 Water Line; 110 Starboard Quarter; 111 Rudder.

3. A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense. [Obs.] Tyndale. Armed ship, a private ship taken into the service of the government in time of war, and armed and equipped like a ship of war. [Eng.] Brande & C. -- General ship. See under General. -- Ship biscuit, hard biscuit prepared for use on shipboard; -- called also ship bread. See Hardtack. -- Ship boy, a boy who serves in a ship. "Seal up the ship boy's eyes." Shak. -- Ship breaker, one who breaks up vessels when unfit for further use. -- Ship broker, a mercantile agent employed in buying and selling ships, procuring cargoes, etc., and generally in transacting the business of a ship or ships when in port. -- Ship canal, a canal suitable for the passage of seagoing vessels. -- Ship carpenter, a carpenter who works at shipbuilding; a shipwright. -- Ship chandler, one who deals in cordage, canvas, and other, furniture of vessels. -- Ship chandlery, the commodities in which a ship chandler deals; also, the business of a ship chandler. -- Ship fever (Med.), a form of typhus fever; -- called also putrid, jail, or hospital fever. -- Ship joiner, a joiner who works upon ships. -- Ship letter, a letter conveyed by a ship not a mail packet. -- Ship money (Eng. Hist.), an imposition formerly charged on the ports, towns, cities, boroughs, and counties, of England, for providing and furnishing certain ships for the king's service. The attempt made by Charles I. to revive and enforce this tax was resisted by John Hampden, and was one of the causes which led to the death of Charles. It was finally abolished. -- Ship of the line. See under Line. -- Ship pendulum, a pendulum hung amidships to show the extent of the rolling and pitching of a vessel. -- Ship railway. (a) An inclined railway with a cradelike car, by means of which a ship may be drawn out of water, as for repairs. (b) A railway arranged for the transportation of vessels overland between two water courses or harbors. -- Ship's company, the crew of a ship or other vessel. -- Ship's days, the days allowed a vessel for loading or unloading. -- Ship's husband. See under Husband. -- Ship's papers (Mar. Law), papers with which a vessel is required by law to be provided, and the production of which may be required on certain occasions. Among these papers are the register, passport or sea letter, charter party, bills of lading, invoice, log book, muster roll, bill of health, etc. Bouvier. Kent. -- To make ship, to embark in a ship or other vessel.

SHIP Ship, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shipped; p. pr. & vb. n. Shipping.]

1. To put on board of a ship, or vessel of any kind, for transportation; to send by water. The timber was . . . shipped in the bay of Attalia, from whence it was by sea transported to Pelusium. Knolles.

2. By extension, in commercial usage, to commit to any conveyance for transportation to a distance; as, to ship freight by railroad.

3. Hence, to send away; to get rid of. [Colloq.]

4. To engage or secure for service on board of a ship; as, to ship seamen.

5. To receive on board ship; as, to ship a sea.

6. To put in its place; as, to ship the tiller or rudder.

SHIP Ship, v. i.

1. To engage to serve on board of a vessel; as, to ship on a man-of- war.

2. To embark on a ship. Wyclif (Acts xxviii. 11)

SHIPBOARD Ship"board`, n. Etym: [Ship + board. See Board, n., 8]

Defn: A ship's side; hence, by extension, a ship; -- found chiefly in adverbial phrases; as, on shipboard; a shipboard.

SHIPBUILDER Ship"build`er, n.

Defn: A person whose occupation is to construct ships and other vessels; a naval architect; a shipwright.

SHIPBUILDING Ship"build`ing, n.

Defn: Naval architecturel the art of constructing ships and other vessels.

SHIPFUL Ship"ful, n.; pl. Shipfuls (.

Defn: As much or as many as a ship will hold; enough to fill a ship.

SHIPHOLDER Ship"hold`er, n.

Defn: A shipowner.

SHIPLESS Ship"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of ships. Gray.

SHIPLET Ship"let, n.

Defn: A little ship. [R.] Holinshed.

SHIPLOAD Ship"load`, n.

Defn: The load, or cargo, of a ship.

SHIPMAN Ship"man, n.; pl. Shipmen (.

Defn: A seaman, or sailor. [Obs. or Poetic] Chaucer. R. Browning. About midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. Acts xxvii. 27. Shipman's card, the mariner's compass. [Obs.] Shak.

SHIPMASTER Ship"mas`ter, n.

Defn: The captain, master, or commander of a ship. Jonah i. 6.

SHIPMATE Ship"mate`, n.

Defn: One who serves on board of the same ship with another; a fellow sailor.

SHIPMENT Ship"ment, n.

1. The act or process of shipping; as, he was engaged in the shipment of coal for London; an active shipment of wheat from the West.

2. That which is shipped. The question is, whether the share of M. in the shipment is exempted from condemnation by reason of his neutral domicle. Story.

SHIPOWNER Ship"own`er, n.

Defn: Owner of a ship or ships.

SHIPPEN Ship"pen, n. Etym: [AS. scypen. Cf. Shop, Shepen.]

Defn: A stable; a cowhouse. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.]

SHIPPER Ship"per, n. Etym: [See Ship, n., and cf. Skipper.]

Defn: One who sends goods from one place to another not in the same city or town, esp. one who sends goods by water.

SHIPPING Ship"ping, a.

1. Relating to ships, their ownership, transfer, or employment; as, shiping concerns.

2. Relating to, or concerned in, the forwarding of goods; as, a shipping clerk.

SHIPPING Ship"ping, n.

1. The act of one who, or of that which, ships; as, the shipping of flour to Liverpool.

2. The collective body of ships in one place, or belonging to one port, country, etc.; vessels, generally; tonnage.

3. Navigation. "God send 'em good shipping." Shak. Shipping articles, articles of agreement between the captain of a vessel and the seamen on board, in respect to the amount of wages, length of time for which they are shipping, etc. Bouvier. -- To take shipping, to embark; to take ship. [Obs.] John vi.24. Shak.

SHIPPING NOTE Ship"ping note. (Com.)

Defn: A document used in shipping goods by sea. In the case of free goods the shipping notes are the receiving note, addressed by the shipper to the chief officer of the vessel, requesting him to receive on board specified goods, and a receipt for the mate to sign, on receiving whose signature it is called the mate's receipt, and is surrendered by the shipper for the bills of lading.

SHIPPO Ship*po", n. [Jap. shippo seven precious things; Chin. ts'ih seven + pao gem.] (Japanese Art)

Defn: Cloisonné enamel on a background of metal or porcelain.

SHIPPON Ship"pon, n.

Defn: A cowhouse; a shippen. [Prov. Eng.] Bessy would either do fieldwork, or attend to the cows, the shippon, or churn, or make cheese. Dickens.

SHIP RAILWAY Ship railway. (a) An inclined railway running into the water with a cradelike car on which a vessel may be drawn out on land, as for repairs. (b) A railway on which to transport vessels overland between bodies of water.

SHIP-RIGGED Ship"-rigged`, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Rigged like a ship, that is, having three masts, each with square sails.

SHIPSHAPE Ship"shape`, a.

Defn: Arranged in a manner befitting a ship; hence, trim; tidy; orderly. Even then she expressed her scorn for the lubbery executioner's mode of tying a knot, and did it herself in a shipshape orthodox manner. De Quincey. Keep everything shipshape, for I must go Tennyson.

SHIPSHAPE Ship"shape`, adv.

Defn: In a shipshape or seamanlike manner.

SHIPWORM Ship"worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any long, slender, worm-shaped bivalve mollusk of Teredo and allied genera. The shipworms burrow in wood, and are destructive to wooden ships, piles of wharves, etc. See Teredo.

SHIPWRECK Ship"wreck`, n.

1. The breaking in pieces, or shattering, of a ship or other vessel by being cast ashore or driven against rocks, shoals, etc., by the violence of the winds and waves.

2. A ship wrecked or destroyed upon the water, or the parts of such a ship; wreckage. Dryden.

3. Fig.: Destruction; ruin; irretrievable loss. Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. 1 Tim. 1. 19. It was upon an Indian bill that the late ministry had made shipwreck. J. Morley.

SHIPWRECK Ship"wreck`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shipwrecked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shipwrecking.]

1. To destroy, as a ship at sea, by running ashore or on rocks or sandbanks, or by the force of wind and waves in a tempest. Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break. Shak.

2. To cause to experience shipwreck, as sailors or passengers. Hence, to cause to suffer some disaster or loss; to destroy or ruin, as if by shipwreck; to wreck; as, to shipwreck a business. Addison.

SHIPWRIGHT Ship"wright`, n.

Defn: One whose occupation is to construct ships; a builder of ships or other vessels.

SHIPYARD Ship"yard`, n.

Defn: A yard, place, or inclosure where ships are built or repaired.

SHIRAZ Shi*raz", n.

Defn: A kind of Persian wine; -- so called from the place whence it is brought.

SHIRE Shire, n. Etym: [AS. scire, scir, a division, province, county. Cf. Sheriff.]

1. A portion of Great Britain originally under the supervision of an earl; a territorial division, usually identical with a county, but sometimes limited to a smaller district; as, Wiltshire, Yorkshire, Richmondshire, Hallamshire. An indefinite number of these hundreds make up a county or shire. Blackstone.

2. A division of a State, embracing several contiguous townships; a county. [U. S.]

Note: Shire is commonly added to the specific designation of a county as a part of its name; as, Yorkshire instead of York shire, or the shire of York; Berkshire instead of Berks shire. Such expressions as the county of Yorkshire, which in a strict sense are tautological, are used in England. In the United States the composite word is sometimes the only name of a county; as, Berkshire county, as it is called in Massachusetts, instead of Berks county, as in Pensylvania. The Tyne, Tees, Humber, Wash, Yare, Stour, and Thames separate the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, etc. Encyc. Brit. Knight of the shire. See under Knight. -- Shire clerk, an officer of a county court; also, an under sheriff. [Eng.] -- Shire mote (Old. Eng. Law), the county court; sheriff's turn, or court. [Obs.] Cowell. Blackstone. -- Shire reeve (Old Eng. Law), the reeve, or bailiff, of a shire; a sheriff. Burrill. -- Shire town, the capital town of a county; a county town. -- Shire wick, a county; a shire. [Obs.] Holland.

SHIRE HORSE Shire horse.

Defn: One of an English breed of heavy draft horses believed to be descended largely from the horses used in war in the days of heavy armor. They are the largest of the British draft breeds, and have long hair on the back of the cannons and fetlocks. Brown or bay with white on the face and legs is now the commonest color.

SHIRK Shirk, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shirked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shirking.] Etym: [Probably the same word as shark. See Shark, v. t.]

1. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation. You that never heard the call of any vocation, . . . that shirk living from others, but time from Yourselves. Bp. Rainbow.

2. To avoid; to escape; to neglect; -- implying unfaithfulness or fraud; as, to shirk duty. The usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties. Hare.

SHIRK Shirk, v. i.

1. To live by shifts and fraud; to shark.

2. To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away. One of the cities shirked from the league. Byron.

SHIRK Shirk, n.

Defn: One who lives by shifts and tricks; one who avoids the performance of duty or labor.

SHIRKER Shirk"er, n.

Defn: One who shirks. Macaulay.

SHIRKY Shirk"y, a.

Defn: Disposed to shirk. [Colloq.]

SHIRL Shirl, a.

Defn: Shrill. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SHIRL Shirl, n. (Min.)

Defn: See Schorl.

SHIRLEY Shir"ley, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The bullfinch.

SHIRR Shirr, n. (Sewing)

Defn: A series of close parallel runnings which are drawn up so as to make the material between them set full by gatherings; -- called also shirring, and gauging.

SHIRRED Shirred, a.

1. (Sewing)

Defn: Made or gathered into a shirr; as, a shirred bonnet.

2. (Cookery)

Defn: Broken into an earthen dish and baked over the fire; -- said of eggs.

SHIRT Shirt, n. Etym: [OE. schirte, sherte, schurte; akin to Icel. skyrta, Dan. skiorte, Sw. skjorta, Dan. skiört a petticoat, D. schort a petticoat, an argon, G. schurz, schürze, an argon; all probably from the root of E. short, as being originally a short garment. See Short, and cf. Skirt.]

Defn: A loose under-garment for the upper part of the body, made of cotton, linen, or other material; -- formerly used of the under- garment of either sex, now commonly restricted to that worn by men and boys. Several persons in December had nothing over their shoulders but their shirts. Addison. She had her shirts and girdles of hair. Bp. Fisher.

SHIRT Shirt, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Shirted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shirting.]

Defn: To cover or clothe with a shirt, or as with a shirt. Dryden.

SHIRTING Shirt"ing, n.

Defn: Cloth, specifically cotton cloth, suitable for making shirts.

SHIRTLESS Shirt"less, a.

Defn: Not having or wearing a shirt. Pope. -- Shirt"less*ness, n.

SHIRT WAIST Shirt waist.

Defn: A belted waist resembling a shirt in plainness of cut and style, worn by women or children; -- in England called a blouse.

SHIRT-WAIST SUIT Shirt-waist suit.

Defn: A costume consisting of a plain belted waist and skirt of the same material.

SHIST; SHISTOSE Shist, Shis*tose".

Defn: See Shist, Schistose.

SHITTAH; SHITTAH TREE Shit"tah, Shit"tah tree`, n. Etym: [Heb. shittah, pl. shittim.]

Defn: A tree that furnished the precious wood of which the ark, tables, altars, boards, etc., of the Jewish tabernacle were made; -- now believed to have been the wood of the Acacia Seyal, which is hard, fine grained, and yellowish brown in color.

SHITTIM; SHITTIM WOOD Shit"tim, Shit"tim wood`, n.

Defn: The wood of the shittah tree.

SHITTLE Shit"tle, n. Etym: [See Shuttle.]

Defn: A shuttle. [Obs.] Chapman.

SHITTLE Shit"tle, a.

Defn: Wavering; unsettled; inconstant. [Obs.] Holland.

SHITTLECOCK Shit"tle*cock`, n.

Defn: A shuttlecock. [Obs.]

SHITTLENESS Shit"tle*ness, n.

Defn: Instability; inconstancy. [Obs.] The vain shittlenesse of an unconstant head. Baret.

SHIVE Shive, n. Etym: [See Sheave, n.]

1. A slice; as, a shive of bread. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Shak.

2. A thin piece or fragment; specifically, one of the scales or pieces of the woody part of flax removed by the operation of breaking.

3. A thin, flat cork used for stopping a wide-mouthed bottle; also, a thin wooden bung for casks.

SHIVER Shiv"er, n. Etym: [OE. schivere, fr. shive; cf. G. schifer a splinter, slate, OHG. scivere a splinter, Dan. & Sw. skifer a slate. See Shive, and cf. Skever.]

1. One of the small pieces, or splinters, into which a brittle thing is broken by sudden violence; -- generally used in the plural. "All to shivers dashed." Milton.

2. A thin slice; a shive. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "A shiver of their own loaf." Fuller. Of your soft bread, not but a shiver. Chaucer.

3. (Geol.)

Defn: A variety of blue slate.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: A sheave or small wheel in a pulley.

5. A small wedge, as for fastening the bolt of a window shutter.

6. A spindle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SHIVER Shiv"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shivered; p. pr. & vb. n. Shivering.] Etym: [OE. schiveren, scheveren; cf. OD. scheveren. See Shiver a fragment.]

Defn: To break into many small pieces, or splinters; to shatter; to dash to pieces by a blow; as, to shiver a glass goblet. All the ground With shivered armor strown. Milton.

SHIVER Shiv"er, v. i.

Defn: To separate suddenly into many small pieces or parts; to be shattered. There shiver shafts upon shields thick. Chaucer The natural world, should gravity once cease, . . . would instantly shiver into millions of atoms. Woodward.

SHIVER Shiv"er, v. i. Etym: [OE. chiveren, cheveren; of uncertain origin. This word seems to have been confused with shiver to shatter.]

Defn: To tremble; to vibrate; to quiver; to shake, as from cold or fear. Prometheus is laid On icy Caucasus to shiver. Swift. The man that shivered on the brink of sin, Thus steeled and hardened, ventures boldly in. Creech.

SHIVER Shiv"er, v. t. (Naut.)

Defn: To cause to shake or tremble, as a sail, by steering close to the wind.

SHIVER Shiv"er, n.

Defn: The act of shivering or trembling.

SHIVERINGLY Shiv"er*ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shivering manner.

SHIVER-SPAR Shiv"er-spar`, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schiefer-spath.] (Min.)

Defn: A variety of calcite, so called from its slaty structure; -- called also slate spar.

SHIVERY Shiv"er*y, a.

1. Tremulous; shivering. Mallet.

2. Easily broken; brittle; shattery.

SHIZOKU Shi*zo"ku, n. sing. & pl. [Jap. shi-zoku, fr. Chin. ch' (chi) branch, posterity + tsu kindered, class.]

Defn: The Japanese warrior gentry or middle class, formerly called samurai; also, any member of this class.

SHOAD Shoad, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schutt rubbish.] (Mining)

Defn: A train of vein material mixed with rubbish; fragments of ore which have become separated by the action of water or the weather, and serve to direct in the discovery of mines. [Written also shode.]

SHOADING Shoad"ing, n. (Mining)

Defn: The tracing of veins of metal by shoads. [Written also shoding.] Pryce.

SHOAL Shoal, n. Etym: [AS. scolu, sceolu, a company, multitude, crowd, akin to OS. skola; probably originally, a division, and akin to Icel. skilja to part, divide. See Skill, and cf. School. of fishes.]

Defn: A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng; -- said especially of fish; as, a shoal of bass. "Great shoals of people." Bacon. Beneath, a shoal of silver fishes glides. Waller.

SHOAL Shoal, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shoaled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoaling.]

Defn: To assemble in a multitude; to throng; as, the fishes shoaled about the place. Chapman.

SHOAL Shoal, a. Etym: [Cf. Shallow; or cf. G. scholle a clod, glebe, OHG. scollo, scolla, prob. akin to E. shoal a multitude.]

Defn: Having little depth; shallow; as, shoal water.

SHOAL Shoal, n.

1. A place where the water of a sea, lake, river, pond, etc., is shallow; a shallow. The depth of your pond should be six feet; and on the sides some shoals for the fish to lay their span. Mortimer. Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honor. Shak.

2. A sandbank or bar which makes the water shoal. The god himself with ready trident stands, And opes the deep, and spreads the moving sands, Then heaves them off the shoals. Dryden.

SHOAL Shoal, v. i.

Defn: To become shallow; as, the color of the water shows where it shoals.

SHOAL Shoal, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become more shallow; to come to a more shallow part of; as, a ship shoals her water by advancing into that which is less deep. Marryat.

SHOALINESS Shoal"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shoaly; little depth of water; shallowness.

SHOALING Shoal"ing, a.

Defn: Becoming shallow gradually. "A shoaling estuary." Lyell.

SHOALY Shoal"y, a.

Defn: Full of shoals, or shallow places. The tossing vessel sailed on shoaly ground. Dryden.

SHOAR Shoar (shor), n.

Defn: A prop. See 3d Shore.

SHOAT Shoat (shot), n.

Defn: A young hog. Same as Shote.

SHOCK Shock, n. Etym: [OE. schokke; cf. OD schocke, G. schock a heap, quantity, threescore, MHG. schoc, Sw. skok, and also G. hocke a heap of hay, Lith. kugis.]

1. A pile or assemblage of sheaves of grain, as wheat, rye, or the like, set up in a field, the sheaves varying in number from twelve to sixteen; a stook. And cause it on shocks to be by and by set. Tusser. Behind the master walks, builds up the shocks. Thomson.

2. Etym: [G. schock.] (Com.)

Defn: A lot consisting of sixty pieces; -- a term applied in some Baltic ports to loose goods.

SHOCK Shock, v. t.

Defn: To collect, or make up, into a shock or shocks; to stook; as, to shock rye.

SHOCK Shock, v. i.

Defn: To be occupied with making shocks. Reap well, scatter not, gather clean that is shorn, Bind fast, shock apace. Tusser.

SHOCK Shock, n. Etym: [Cf. D. schok a bounce, jolt, or leap, OHG. scoc a swing, MHG. schoc, Icel. skykkjun tremuously, F. choc a shock, collision, a dashing or striking against, Sp. choque, It. ciocco a log. sq. root161. Cf. Shock to shake.]

1. A quivering or shaking which is the effect of a blow, collision, or violent impulse; a blow, impact, or collision; a concussion; a sudden violent impulse or onset. These strong, unshaken mounds resist the shocks Of tides and seas tempestuous. Blackmore. He stood the shock of a whole host of foes. Addison.

2. A sudden agitation of the mind or feelings; a sensation of pleasure or pain caused by something unexpected or overpowering; also, a sudden agitating or overpowering event. "A shock of pleasure." Talfourd.

3. (Med.)

Defn: A sudden depression of the vital forces of the entire body, or of a port of it, marking some profound impression produced upon the nervous system, as by severe injury, overpowering emotion, or the like.

4. (Elec.)

Defn: The sudden convulsion or contraction of the muscles, with the feeling of a concussion, caused by the discharge, through the animal system, of electricity from a charged body.

Syn. -- Concussion, Shock. Both words signify a sudden violent shaking caused by impact or colision; but concussion is restricted in use to matter, while shock is used also of mental states.

SHOCK Shock, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shocked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shocking.] Etym: [OE. schokken; cf. D. schokken, F. choquer, Sp. chocar. sq. root161. Cf. Chuck to strike, Jog, Shake, Shock a striking, Shog, n. & v.]

1. To give a shock to; to cause to shake or waver; hence, to strike against suddenly; to encounter with violence. Come the three corners of the world in arms, And we shall shock them. Shak. A shall never forget the force with which he shocked De Vipont. Sir W. Scott.

2. To strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust; to cause to recoil; as, his violence shocked his associates. Advise him not to shock a father's will. Dryden.

SHOCK Shock, v. i.

Defn: To meet with a shock; to meet in violent encounter. "They saw the moment approach when the two parties would shock together." De Quincey.

SHOCK Shock, n. Etym: [Cf. Shag.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A dog with long hair or shag; -- called also shockdog.

2. A thick mass of bushy hair; as, a head covered with a shock of sandy hair.

SHOCK Shock, a.

Defn: Bushy; shaggy; as, a shock hair. His red shock peruke . . . was laid aside. Sir W. Scott.

SHOCKDOG Shock"dog`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 7th Shock, 1.

SHOCK-HEAD Shock"-head`, a.

Defn: Shock-headed. Tennyson.

SHOCK-HEADED Shock"-head`ed, a.

Defn: Having a thick and bushy head of hair.

SHOCKING Shock"ing, a.

Defn: Causing to shake or tremble, as by a blow; especially, causing to recoil with horror or disgust; extremely offensive or disgusting. The grossest and most shocking villainies. Secker. -- Shock"ing*ly, adv. -- Shock"ing*ness, n.

SHOD Shod, imp. & p. p.

Defn: f Shoe.

SHODDY Shod"dy, n. Etym: [Perhaps fr. Shed, v. t.; as meaning originally, waste stuff shedor thrown off.]

1. A fibrous material obtained by "deviling," or tearing into fibers, refuse woolen goods, old stockings, rags, druggets, etc. See Mungo.

2. A fabric of inferior quality made of, or containing a large amount of, shoddy.

Note: The great quantity of shoddy goods furnished as army supplies in the late Civil War in the United States gave wide currency to the word, and it came to be applied to persons who pretend to a higher position in society than that to which their breeding or worth entitles them.

SHODDY Shod"dy, a.

Defn: Made wholly or in part of shoddy; containing shoddy; as, shoddy cloth; shoddy blankets; hence, colloquially, not genuine; sham; pretentious; as, shoddy aristocracy. Shoddy inventions designed to bolster up a factitious pride. Compton Reade.

SHODDY FEVER Shoddy fever. (Med.)

Defn: A febrile disease characterized by dyspnoa and bronchitis caused by inhaling dust.

SHODDYISM Shod"dy*ism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shoddy. [Colloq.] See the Note under Shoddy, n.

SHODE Shode, n. Etym: [AS. scade, fr. sceádan. See Shed, v. t.]

1. The parting of the hair on the head. [Obs.] Full straight and even lay his jolly shode. Chaucer.

2. The top of the head; the head. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHODE; SHODING Shode, Shod"ing.

Defn: See Shoad, Shoading.

SHODER Sho"der, n.

Defn: A package of gold beater's skins in which gold is subjected to the second process of beating.

SHOE Shoe, n.; pl. Shoes, formerly Shoon, now provincial. Etym: [OE. sho, scho, AS. sc, sceóh; akin to OFries. sk, OS. sk, D. schoe, schoen, G. schuh, OHG. scuoh, Icel. sk, Dan. & Sw. sko, Goth. sk; of unknown origin.]

1. A covering for the human foot, usually made of leather, having a thick and somewhat stiff sole and a lighter top. It differs from a boot on not extending so far up the leg. Your hose should be ungartered, . . . yourshoe untied. Shak. Spare none but such as go in clouted shoon. Shak.

2. Anything resembling a shoe in form, position, or use. Specifically: (a) A plate or rim of iron nailed to the hoof of an animal to defend it from injury. (b) A band of iron or steel, or a ship of wood, fastened to the bottom of the runner of a sleigh, or any vehicle which slides on the snow. (c) A drag, or sliding piece of wood or iron, placed under the wheel of a loaded vehicle, to retard its motion in going down a hill. (d) The part of a railroad car brake which presses upon the wheel to retard its motion. (e) (Arch.) A trough-shaped or spout-shaped member, put at the bottom of the water leader coming from the eaves gutter, so as to throw the water off from the building. (f) (Milling.) The trough or spout for conveying the grain from the hopper to the eye of the millstone. (g) An inclined trough in an ore-crushing mill. (h) An iron socket or plate to take the thrust of a strut or rafter. (i) An iron socket to protect the point of a wooden pile. (j) (Mach.) A plate, or notched piece, interposed between a moving part and the stationary part on which it bears, to take the wear and afford means of adjustment; -- called also slipper, and gib.

Note: Shoe is often used adjectively, or in composition; as, shoe buckle, or shoe-buckle; shoe latchet, or shoe-latchet; shoe leathet, or shoe-leather; shoe string, shoe-string, or shoestring. Shoe of an anchor. (Naut.) (a) A small block of wood, convex on the back, with a hole to receive the point of the anchor fluke, -- used to prevent the anchor from tearing the planks of the vessel when raised or lowered. (b) A broad, triangular piece of plank placed upon the fluke to give it a better hold in soft ground. -- Shoe block (Naut.), a block with two sheaves, one above the other, and at right angles to each other. -- Shoe bolt, a bolt with a flaring head, for fastening shoes on sleigh runners. -- Shoe pac, a kind of moccasin. See Pac. -- Shoe stone, a sharpening stone used by shoemakers and other workers in leather.

SHOE Shoe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shod; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoeing.] Etym: [AS. sc, sce. See Shoe, n.]

1. To furnish with a shoe or shoes; to put a shoe or shoes on; as, to shoe a horse, a sled, an anchor.

2. To protect or ornament with something which serves the purpose of a shoe; to tip. The sharp and small end of the billiard stick, which is shod with brass or silver. Evelyn.

SHOEBILL Shoe"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large African wading bird (Balæniceps rex) allied to the storks and herons, and remarkable for its enormous broad swollen bill. It inhabits the valley of the White Nile. See Illust. (l.) of Beak.

SHOEBLACK Shoe"black`, n.

Defn: One who polishes shoes.

SHOEFLY Shoe"fly`, n.

1. (Railroading) A contrivance for throwing the track temporarily to one side for convenience in filling washouts or effecting other repairs. [Cant, U. S.]

2. (Print.) In some cylinder presses, a device with long fingers for freeing the sheet from the cylinder.

SHOEHORN; SHOEING-HORN Shoe"horn`, Shoe"ing-horn`, n.

1. A curved piece of polished horn, wood, or metal used to facilitate the entrance of the foot into a shoe.

2. Figuratively: (a) Anything by which a transaction is facilitated; a medium; -- by way of contempt. Spectator. (b) Anything which draws on or allures; an inducement. [Low] Beau & Fl.

SHOELESS Shoe"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of shoes. Addison.

SHOEMAKER Shoe"mak`er, n.

1. One whose occupation it is to make shoes and boots.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The threadfish. (b) The runner, 12.

SHOEMAKING Shoe"mak`ing, n.

Defn: The business of a shoemaker.

SHOER Sho"er, n.

Defn: One who fits shoes to the feet; one who furnishes or puts on shoes; as, a shoer of horses.

SHOG Shog, n. Etym: [See Shock a striking.]

Defn: A shock; a jog; a violent concussion or impulse. [R. or Scot.]

SHOG Shog, v. t.

Defn: To shake; to shock. [R. or Scot.]

SHOG Shog, v. i. Etym: [Cf. W. ysgogi to wag, to stir. Cf. Jog.]

Defn: To jog; to move on. [R. or Scot.] Beau & Fl.

SHOGGLE Shog"gle, v. t. Etym: [See Shog, Joggle.]

Defn: To joggle. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Pegge.

SHOGUN Sho"gun, n. Etym: [Chin. tsiang kiÜn commander in chief.]

Defn: A title originally conferred by the Mikado on the military governor of the eastern provinces of Japan. By gradual usurpation of power the Shoguns (known to foreigners as Tycoons) became finally the virtual rulers of Japan. The title was abolished in 1867. [Written variously, Shiogun, Shiogoon, etc.]

SHOGUNATE Sho*gun"ate, n.

Defn: The office or dignity of a Shogun. [Written also Siogoonate.]

SHOLA Sho"la, n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Sola.

SHOLE Shole, n.

Defn: A plank fixed beneath an object, as beneath the rudder of a vessel, to protect it from injury; a plank on the ground under the end of a shore or the like.

SHOLE Shole, n.

Defn: See Shoal. [Obs.]

SHONDE Shonde, n. Etym: [AS. sceond. Cf. Shend.]

Defn: Harm; disgrace; shame. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHONE Shone,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Shine.

SHOO Shoo, interj. Etym: [Cf. G. scheuchen to scare, drive away.]

Defn: Begone; away; -- an expression used in frightening away animals, especially fowls.

SHOOI Sho"oi, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Richardson's skua (Stercorarius parasiticus);- so called from its cry. [Prov. Eng.]

SHOOK Shook,

Defn: imp. & obs. or poet. p. p. of Shake.

SHOOK Shook, n. Etym: [Cf. Shock a bundle of sheaves.] (Com.) (a) A set of staves and headings sufficient in number for one hogshead, cask, barrel, or the like, trimmed, and bound together in compact form. (b) A set of boards for a sugar box. (c) The parts of a piece of house furniture, as a bedstead, packed together.

SHOOK Shook, v. t.

Defn: To pack, as staves, in a shook.

SHOON Shoon, n.,

Defn: pl. of Shoe. [Archaic] Chaucer. They shook the snow from hats and shoon. Emerson.

SHOOP Shoop, obs.

Defn: imp. of Shape. Shaped. Chaucer.

SHOOT Shoot, n. Etym: [F. chute. See Chute. Confused with shoot to let fly.]

Defn: An inclined plane, either artificial or natural, down which timber, coal, etc., are caused to slide; also, a narrow passage, either natural or artificial, in a stream, where the water rushes rapidly; esp., a channel, having a swift current, connecting the ends of a bend in the stream, so as to shorten the course. [Written also chute, and shute.] [U. S.] To take a shoot, to pass through a shoot instead of the main channel; to take the most direct course. [U.S.]

SHOOT Shoot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shot; p. pr. & vb. n. Shooting. The old participle Shotten is obsolete. See Shotten.] Etym: [OE. shotien, schotien, AS. scotian, v. i., sceótan; akin to D. schieten, G. schie, OHG. sciozan, Icel. skj, Sw. skjuta, Dan. skyde; cf. Skr. skund to jump. sq. root159. Cf. Scot a contribution, Scout to reject, Scud, Scuttle, v. i., Shot, Sheet, Shut, Shuttle, Skittish, Skittles.]

1. To let fly, or cause to be driven, with force, as an arrow or a bullet; -- followed by a word denoting the missile, as an object. If you please To shoot an arrow that self way. Shak.

2. To discharge, causing a missile to be driven forth; -- followed by a word denoting the weapon or instrument, as an object; -- often with off; as, to shoot a gun. The two ends od a bow, shot off, fly from one another. Boyle.

3. To strike with anything shot; to hit with a missile; often, to kill or wound with a firearm; -- followed by a word denoting the person or thing hit, as an object. When Roger shot the hawk hovering over his master's dove house. A. Tucker.

4. To send out or forth, especially with a rapid or sudden motion; to cast with the hand; to hurl; to discharge; to emit. An honest weaver as ever shot shuttle. Beau & Fl. A pit into which the dead carts had nightly shot corpses by scores. Macaulay.

5. To push or thrust forward; to project; to protrude; -- often with out; as, a plant shoots out a bud. They shoot out the lip, they shake the head. Ps. xxii. 7. Beware the secret snake that shoots a sting. Dryden.

6. (Carp.)

Defn: To plane straight; to fit by planing. Two pieces of wood that are shot, that is, planed or else pared with a paring chisel. Moxon.

7. To pass rapidly through, over, or under; as, to shoot a rapid or a bridge; to shoot a sand bar. She . . . shoots the Stygian sound. Dryden.

8. To variegate as if by sprinkling or intermingling; to color in spots or patches. The tangled water courses slept, Shot over with purple, and green, and yellow. Tennyson. To be shot of, to be discharged, cleared, or rid of. [Colloq.] "Are you not glad to be shot of him" Sir W. Scott.

SHOOT Shoot, v. i.

1. To cause an engine or weapon to discharge a missile; -- said of a person or an agent; as, they shot at a target; he shoots better than he rides. The archers have . . . shot at him. Gen. xlix. 23.

2. To discharge a missile; -- said of an engine or instrument; as, the gun shoots well.

3. To be shot or propelled forcibly; -- said of a missile; to be emitted or driven; to move or extend swiftly, as if propelled; as, a shooting star. There shot a streaming lamp along the sky. Dryden.

4. To penetrate, as a missile; to dart with a piercing sensation; as, shooting pains. Thy words shoot through my heart. Addison.

5. To feel a quick, darting pain; to throb in pain. These preachers make His head to shoot and ache. Herbert.

6. To germinate; to bud; to sprout. Onions, as they hang, will shoot forth. Bacon. But the wild olive shoots, and shades the ungrateful plain. Dryden.

7. To grow; to advance; as, to shoot up rapidly. Well shot in years he seemed. Spenser. Delightful task! to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot. Thomson.

8. To change form suddenly; especially, to solidify. If the menstruum be overcharged, metals will shoot into crystals. Bacon.

9. To protrude; to jut; to project; to extend; as, the land shoots into a promontory. There shot up against the dark sky, tall, gaunt, straggling houses. Dickens.

10. (Naut.)

Defn: To move ahead by force of momentum, as a sailing vessel when the helm is put hard alee. To shoot ahead, to pass or move quickly forward; to outstrip others.

SHOOT Shoot, n.

1. The act of shooting; the discharge of a missile; a shot; as, the shoot of a shuttle. The Turkish bow giveth a very forcible shoot. Bacon. One underneath his horse to get a shoot doth stalk. Drayton.

2. A young branch or growth. Superfluous branches and shoots of this second spring. Evelyn.

3. A rush of water; a rapid.

4. (Min.)

Defn: A vein of ore running in the same general direction as the lode. Knight.

5. (Weaving)

Defn: A weft thread shot through the shed by the shuttle; a pick.

6. Etym: [Perh. a different word.]

Defn: A shoat; a young hog.

SHOOTER Shoot"er, n.

1. One who shoots, as an archer or a gunner.

2. That which shoots. Specifically: (a) A firearm; as, a five-shooter. [Colloq. U.S.] (b) A shooting star. [R.]

SHOOTING Shoot"ing, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, shoots; as, the shooting of an archery club; the shooting of rays of light.

2. A wounding or killing with a firearm; specifically (Sporting), the killing of game; as, a week of shooting.

3. A sensation of darting pain; as, a shooting in one's head.

SHOOTING Shoot"ing, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to shooting; for shooting; darting. Shooting board (Joinery), a fixture used in planing or shooting the edge of a board, by means of which the plane is guided and the board held true. -- Shooting box, a small house in the country for use in the shooting season. Prof. Wilson. -- Shooting gallery, a range, usually covered, with targets for practice with firearms. -- Shooting iron, a firearm. [Slang, U.S.] -- Shooting star. (a) (Astron.) A starlike, luminous meteor, that, appearing suddenly, darts quickly across some portion of the sky, and then as suddenly disappears, leaving sometimes, for a few seconds, a luminous train, - - called also falling star. Shooting stars are small cosmical bodies which encounter the earth in its annual revolution, and which become visible by coming with planetary velocity into the upper regions of the atmosphere. At certain periods, as on the 13th of November and 10th of August, they appear for a few hours in great numbers, apparently diverging from some point in the heavens, such displays being known as meteoric showers, or star showers. These bodies, before encountering the earth, were moving in orbits closely allied to the orbits of comets. See Leonids, Perseids. (b) (Bot.) The American cowslip (Dodecatheon Meadia). See under Cowslip. -- Shooting stick (Print.), a tapering piece of wood or iron, used by printers to drive up the quoins in the chase. Hansard.

SHOOTY Shoot"y, a.

Defn: Sprouting or coming up freely and regularly. [Prev. Eng.] Grose.

SHOP Shop, obs.

Defn: imp. of Shape. Shaped. Chaucer.

SHOP Shop, n. Etym: [OE. shoppe, schoppe, AS. sceoppa a treasury, a storehouse, stall, booth; akin to scypen a shed, LG. schup a shed, G. schoppen, schuppen, a shed, a coachhouse, OHG. scopf.]

1. A building or an apartment in which goods, wares, drugs, etc., are sold by retail. From shop to shop Wandering, and littering with unfolded silks The polished counter. Cowper.

2. A building in which mechanics or artisans work; as, a shoe shop; a car shop. A tailor called me in his shop. Shak.

Note: Shop is often used adjectively or in composition; as, shop rent, or shop-rent; shop thief, or shop-thief; shop window, or shop- window, etc. To smell of the shop, to indicate too distinctively one's occupation or profession. -- To talk shop, to make one's business the topic of social conversation; also, to use the phrases peculiar to one's employment. [Colloq.]

Syn. -- Store; warehouse. See Store.

SHOP Shop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shopped; p. pr. & vb. n. Shopping.]

Defn: To visit shops for the purpose of purchasing goods. He was engaged with his mother and some ladies to go shopping. Byron.

SHOPBOARD Shop"board`, n.

Defn: A bench or board on which work is performed; a workbench. South.

SHOPBOOK Shop"book`, n.

Defn: A book in which a tradesman keeps his accounts. Locke.

SHOPBOY Shop"boy`, n.

Defn: A boy employed in a shop.

SHOPEN Sho"pen, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Shape. Chaucer.

SHOPGIRL Shop"girl`, n.

Defn: A girl employed in a shop.

SHOPKEEPER Shop"keep`er, n.

Defn: A trader who sells goods in a shop, or by retail; -- in distinction from one who sells by wholesale. Addison.

SHOPLIFTER Shop"lift`er, n. Etym: [Shop + lift. See Lift to steal.]

Defn: One who steals anything in a shop, or takes goods privately from a shop; one who, under pretense of buying goods, takes occasion to steal.

SHOPLIFTING Shop"lift`ing, n.

Defn: Larceny committed in a shop; the stealing of anything from a shop.

SHOPLIKE Shop"like`, a.

Defn: Suiting a shop; vulgar. B. Jonson.

SHOPMAID Shop"maid`, n.

Defn: A shopgirl.

SHOPMAN Shop"man, n.; pl. Shopmen (.

1. A shopkeeper; a retailer. Dryden.

2. One who serves in a shop; a salesman.

3. One who works in a shop or a factory.

SHOPPER Shop"per, n.

Defn: One who shops.

SHOPPISH Shop"pish, a.

Defn: Having the appearance or qualities of a shopkeeper, or shopman.

SHOPPY Shop"py, a.

1. Abounding with shops. [Colloq.]

2. Of or pertaining to shops, or one's own shop or business; as, shoppy talk. [Colloq.] Mrs. Gaskell.

SHOPSHIFT Shop"shift`, n.

Defn: The trick of a shopkeeper; deception. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SHOPWALKER Shop"walk`er, n.

Defn: One who walks about in a shop as an overseer and director. Cf. Floorwalker.

SHOPWOMAN Shop"wom`an, n.; pl. Shopwomen (.

Defn: A woman employed in a shop.

SHOPWORN Shop"worn`, a.

Defn: Somewhat worn or damaged by having been kept for a time in a shop.

SHORAGE Shor"age, n.

Defn: Duty paid for goods brought on shore. Grabb.

SHORE Shore,

Defn: imp. of Shear. Chaucer.

SHORE Shore, n.

Defn: A sewer. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SHORE Shore, n. Etym: [OE. schore; akin to LG. schore, D. schoor, OD. schoore, Icel. skor, and perhaps to E. shear, as being a piece cut off.]

Defn: A prop, as a timber, placed as a brace or support against the side of a building or other structure; a prop placed beneath anything, as a beam, to prevent it from sinking or sagging. [Written also shoar.]

SHORE Shore, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shored; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoring.] Etym: [OE. schoren. See Shore a prop.]

Defn: To support by a shore or shores; to prop; -- usually with up; as, to shore up a building.

SHORE Shore, n. Etym: [OE. schore, AS. score, probably fr. scieran, and so meaning properly, that which is shorn off, edge; akin to OD. schoore, schoor. See Shear, v. t.]

Defn: The coast or land adjacent to a large body of water, as an ocean, lake, or large river. Michael Cassio, Lieutenant to the warlike Moor Othello, Is come shore. Shak. The fruitful shore of muddy Nile. Spenser. In shore, near the shore. Marryat. -- On shore. See under On. -- Shore birds (Zoöl.), a collective name for the various limicoline birds found on the seashore. -- Shore crab (Zoöl.), any crab found on the beaches, or between tides, especially any one of various species of grapsoid crabs, as Heterograpsus nudus of California. -- Shore lark (Zoöl.), a small American lark (Otocoris alpestris) found in winter, both on the seacoast and on the Western plains. Its upper parts are varied with dark brown and light brown. It has a yellow throat, yellow local streaks, a black crescent on its breast, a black streak below each eye, and two small black erectile ear tufts. Called also horned lark. -- Shore plover (Zoöl.), a large-billed Australian plover (Esacus magnirostris). It lives on the seashore, and feeds on crustaceans, etc. -- Shore teetan (Zoöl.), the rock pipit (Anthus obscurus). [Prov. Eng.]

SHORE Shore, v. t.

Defn: To set on shore. [Obs.] Shak.

SHORELESS Shore"less, a.

Defn: Having no shore or coast; of indefinite or unlimited extent; as, a shoreless ocean. Young.

SHORELING Shore"ling, n.

Defn: See Shorling.

SHORER Shor"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, shores or props; a prop; a shore.

SHOREWARD Shore"ward, adv.

Defn: Toward the shore.

SHORING Shor"ing, n.

1. The act of supporting or strengthening with a prop or shore.

2. A system of props; props, collectively.

SHORL; SHORLACEOUS Shorl, n., Shor*la"ceous (,a. (Min.)

Defn: See Schorl, Schorlaceous.

SHORLING Shor"ling, n.

1. The skin of a sheen after the fleece is shorn off, as distinct from the morling, or skin taken from the dead sheep; also, a sheep of the first year's shearing. [Prov. Eng.]

2. A person who is shorn; a shaveling; hence, in contempt, a priest. [Obs.] Halliwell.

SHORN Shorn (,

Defn: p. p. of Shear.

SHORT Short, a. [Compar. Shorter; superl. Shortest.] Etym: [OE. short, schort, AS. scort, sceort; akin to OHG. scurz, Icel. skorta to be short of, to lack, and perhaps to E. shear, v. t. Cf. Shirt.]

1. Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight. The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it. Isa. xxviii. 20.

2. Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath. The life so short, the craft so long to learn. Chaucer. To short absense I could yield. Milton.

3. Limited in quantity; inadequate; insufficient; scanty; as, a short supply of provisions, or of water.

4. Insufficiently provided; inadequately supplied; scantily furnished; lacking; not coming up to a resonable, or the ordinary, standard; -- usually with of; as, to be short of money. We shall be short in our provision. Shak.

5. Deficient; defective; imperfect; not coming up, as to a measure or standard; as, an account which is short of the trith.

6. Not distant in time; near at hand. Marinell was sore offended That his departure thence should be so short. Spenser. He commanded those who were appointed to attend him to be ready by a short day. Clarendon.

7. Limited in intellectual power or grasp; not comprehensive; narrow; not tenacious, as memory. Their own short understandings reach No farther than the present. Rowe.

8. Less important, efficaceous, or powerful; not equal or equivalent; less (than); -- with of. Hardly anything short of an invasion could rouse them again to war. Landor.

9. Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.

10. (Cookery)

Defn: Breaking or crumbling readily in the mouth; crisp; as, short pastry.

11. (Metal)

Defn: Brittle.

Note: Metals that are brittle when hot are called ; as, cast iron may be hot-short, owing to the presence of sulphur. Those that are brittle when cold are called cold-short; as, cast iron may be cold- short, on account of the presence of phosphorus.

12. (Stock Exchange)

Defn: Engaging or engaged to deliver what is not possessed; as, short contracts; to be short of stock. See The shorts, under Short, n., and To sell short, under Short, adv.

Note: In mercantile transactions, a note or bill is sometimes made payable at short sight, that is, in a little time after being presented to the payer.

13. (Phon.)

Defn: Not prolonged, or relatively less prolonged, in utterance; -- opposed to long, and applied to vowels or to syllables. In English, the long and short of the same letter are not, in most cases, the long and short of the same sound; thus, the i in ill is the short sound, not of i in isle, but of ee in eel, and the e in pet is the short sound of a in pate, etc. See Quantity, and Guide to Pronunciation, §§22, 30.

Note: Short is much used with participles to form numerous self- explaining compounds; as, short-armed, short-billed, short-fingered, short-haired, short-necked, short-sleeved, short-tailed, short- winged, short-wooled, etc. At short notice, in a brief time; promptly. -- Short rib (Anat.), one of the false ribs. -- Short suit (Whist), any suit having only three cards, or less than three. R. A. Proctor. -- To come short, To cut short, To fall short, etc. See under Come, Cut, etc.

SHORT Short, n.

1. A summary account. The short and the long is, our play is preferred. Shak.

2. pl.

Defn: The part of milled grain sifted out which is next finer than the bran. The first remove above bran is shorts. Halliwell.

3. pl.

Defn: Short, inferior hemp.

4. pl.

Defn: Breeches; shortclothes. [Slang] Dickens.

5. (Phonetics)

Defn: A short sound, syllable, or vowel. If we compare the nearest conventional shorts and longs in English, as in "bit" and "beat," "not" and "naught," we find that the short vowels are generally wide, the long narrow, besides being generally diphthongic as well. Hence, originally short vowels can be lengthened and yet kept quite distinct from the original longs. H. Sweet. In short, in few words; in brief; briefly. -- The long and the short, the whole; a brief summing up. -- The shorts (Stock Exchange), those who are unsupplied with stocks which they contracted to deliver.

SHORT Short, adv.

Defn: In a short manner; briefly; limitedly; abruptly; quickly; as, to stop short in one's course; to turn short. He was taken up very short, and adjudged corrigible for such presumptuous language. Howell. To sell short (Stock Exchange), to sell, for future delivery, what the party selling does not own, but hopes to buy at a lower rate.

SHORT Short, v. t. Etym: [AS. sceortian.]

Defn: To shorten. [Obs.]

SHORT Short, v. i.

Defn: To fail; to decrease. [Obs.]

SHORTAGE Short"age, n.

Defn: Amount or extent of deficiency, as determined by some requirement or standard; as, a shortage in money accounts.

SHORT-BREATHED Short"-breathed`, a.

1. Having short-breath, or quick respiration.

2. Having short life.

SHORTCAKE Short"cake`, n.

Defn: An unsweetened breakfast cake shortened with butter or lard, rolled thin, and baked.

SHORT CIRCUIT Short" cir"cuit. (Elec.)

Defn: A circuit formed or closed by a conductor of relatively low resistance because shorter or of relatively great conductivity.

SHORT-CIRCUIT Short"-cir`cuit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Short-circuited; p. pr. & vb. n. Short-circuiting.] (Elec.)

Defn: To join, as the electrodes of a battery or dynamo or any two points of a circuit, by a conductor of low resistance.

SHORTCLOTHES Short"clothes`, n.

Defn: Coverings for the legs of men or boys, consisting of trousers which reach only to the knees, -- worn with long stockings.

SHORTCOMING Short"com`ing, n.

Defn: The act of falling, or coming short; as: (a) The failure of a crop, or the like. (b) Neglect of, or failure in, performance of duty.

SHORT-DATED Short"-dat`ed, a.

Defn: Having little time to run from the date. "Thy short-dated life." Sandys.

SHORTEN Short"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening.] Etym: [See Short, a.]

1. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.

2. To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contract; as, to shorten work, an allowance of food, etc. Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain. Dryden.

3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears. Dryden.

4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like. To shorten a rope (Naut.), to take in the slack of it. -- To shorten sail (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in.

SHORTEN Short"en, v. i.

Defn: To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.

SHORTENER Short"en*er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, shortens.

SHORTENING Short"en*ing, n.

1. The act of making or becoming short or shorter.

2. (Cookery)

Defn: That which renders pastry short or friable, as butter, lard, etc.

SHORTHAND Short"hand`, n.

Defn: A compendious and rapid method or writing by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols, for letters, words, etc.; short writing; stenography. See Illust. under Phonography.

SHORT-HANDED Short`-hand"ed, a.

Defn: Short of, or lacking the regular number of, servants or helpers.

SHORTHEAD Short"head`, n.

Defn: A sucking whale less than one year old; -- so called by sailors.

SHORTHORN Short"horn`, a.

Defn: One of a breed of large, heavy domestic cattle having short horns. The breed was developed in England.

SHORT-JOINTED Short"-joint`ed, a.

Defn: Having short intervals between the joints; -- said of a plant or an animal, especially of a horse whose pastern is too short.

SHORT-LIVED Short"-lived`, a.

Defn: Not living or lasting long; being of short continuance; as, a short-lived race of beings; short-lived pleasure; short-lived passion.

SHORTLY Short"ly, adv. Etym: [AS. sceortlice.]

1. In a short or brief time or manner; soon; quickly. Chaucer. I shall grow jealous of you shortly. Shak. The armies came shortly in view of each other. Clarendon.

2. In few words; briefly; abruptly; curtly; as, to express ideas more shortly in verse than in prose.

SHORTNESS Short"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being short; want of reach or extension; brevity; deficiency; as, the shortness of a journey; the shortness of the days in winter; the shortness of an essay; the shortness of the memory; a shortness of provisions; shortness of breath.

SHORTSIGHTED Short"sight`ed, a.

1. Not able to see far; nearsighted; myopic. See Myopic, and Myopia.

2. Fig.: Not able to look far into futurity; unable to understand things deep; of limited intellect.

3. Having little regard for the future; heedless. -- Short"sight`ed*ly, adv. -- Short"sight`ed*ness, n. Cunning is a kind of shortsightedness. Addison.

SHORT-SPOKEN Short"-spo`ken, a.

Defn: Speaking in a quick or short manner; hence, gruff; curt. [Colloq.]

SHORTSTOP Short"stop`, n. (Baseball)

Defn: The player stationed in the field bewtween the second and third bases.

SHORT-WAISTED Short"-waist`ed, a.

Defn: Having a short waist.

SHORT-WINDED Short"-wind`ed, a.

Defn: Affected with shortness of breath; having a quick, difficult respiration, as dyspnoic and asthmatic persons. May.

SHORTWING Short"wing`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of small wrenlike Asiatic birds having short wings and a short tail. They belong to Brachypterix, Callene, and allied genera.

SHORT-WITED Short"-wit`ed, a.

Defn: Having little wit; not wise; having scanty intellect or judgment.

SHORY Shor"y, a.

Defn: Lying near the shore. [Obs.]

SHOSHONES Sho*sho"nes, n. pl.; sing. Shoshone (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A linguistic family or stock of North American Indians, comprising many tribes, which extends from Montana and Idaho into Mexico. In a restricted sense the name is applied especially to the Snakes, the most northern of the tribes.

SHOT Shot,

Defn: imp. & p. p. Shoot.

SHOT Shot, a.

Defn: Woven in such a way as to produce an effect of variegation, of changeable tints, or of being figured; as, shot silks. See Shoot, v. t., 8.

SHOT Shot, n. Etym: [AS. scot, sceot, fr. sceótan to shoot; akin to D. sschot, Icel. skot. sq. root159. See Scot a share, Shoot, v. t., and cf. Shot a shooting.]

Defn: A share or proportion; a reckoning; a scot. Here no shots are where all shares be. Chapman. A man is never . . . welcome to a place till some certain shot be paid and the hostess say "Welcome." Shak.

SHOT Shot, n.; pl. Shotor Shots. Etym: [OE. shot, schot, AS. gesceot a missile; akin to D. schot a shot, shoot, G. schuss, geschoss a missile, Icel. skot a throwing, a javelin, and E. shoot, v.t. sq. root159. See Shoot, and cf. Shot a share.]

1. The act of shooting; discharge of a firearm or other weapon which throws a missile. He caused twenty shot of his greatest cannon to be made at the king's army. Clarendon.

2. A missile weapon, particularly a ball or bullet; specifically, whatever is discharged as a projectile from firearms or cannon by the force of an explosive.

Note: Shot used in war is of various kinds, classified according to the material of which it is composed, into lead, wrought-iron, and cast-iron; according to form, into spherical and oblong; according to structure and modes of operation, into solid, hollow, and case. See Bar shot, Chain shot, etc., under Bar, Chain, etc.

3. Small globular masses of lead, of various sizes, -- used chiefly for killing game; as, bird shot; buckshot.

4. The flight of a missile, or the distance which it is, or can be, thrown; as, the vessel was distant more than a cannon shot.

5. A marksman; one who practices shooting; as, an exellent shot. Shot belt, a belt having a pouch or compartment for carrying shot. -- Shot cartridge, a cartridge containing powder and small shot, forming a charge for a shotgun. -- Shot garland (Naut.), a wooden frame to contain shot, secured to the coamings and ledges round the hatchways of a ship. -- Shot gauge, an instrument for measuring the diameter of round shot. Totten. -- shot hole, a hole made by a shot or bullet discharged. -- Shot locker (Naut.), a strongly framed compartment in the hold of a vessel, for containing shot. -- Shot of a cable (Naut.), the splicing of two or more cables together, or the whole length of the cables thus united. -- Shot prop (Naut.), a wooden prop covered with tarred hemp, to stop a hole made by the shot of an enemy in a ship's side. -- Shot tower, a lofty tower for making shot, by dropping from its summit melted lead in slender streams. The lead forms spherical drops which cool in the descent, and are received in water or other liquid. -- Shot window, a window projecting from the wall. Ritson, quoted by Halliwell, explains it as a window that opens and shuts; and Wodrow describes it as a window of shutters made of timber and a few inches of glass above them.

SHOT Shot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shotting.]

Defn: To load with shot, as a gun. Totten.

SHOT-CLOG Shot"-clog`, n.

Defn: A person tolerated only because he pays the shot, or reckoning, for the rest of the company, otherwise a mere clog on them. [Old Slang] Thou common shot-clog, gull of all companies. Chapman.

SHOTE Shote, n. Etym: [AS. sceóta a darting fish, a trout, fr. sceótan. See Shoot, v. t.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A fish resembling the trout. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Garew.

2. Etym: [Perh. a different word.]

Defn: A young hog; a shoat.

SHOT-FREE Shot"-free`, a.

Defn: Not to be injured by shot; shot-proof. [Obs.] Feltham.

SHOT-FREE Shot"-free`, a.

Defn: Free from charge or expense; hence, unpunished; scot-free. [Obs.] Shak.

SHOTGUN Shot"gun`, n.

Defn: A light, smooth-bored gun, often double-barreled, especially designed for firing small shot at short range, and killing small game.

SHOT-PROOF Shot"-proof`, a.

Defn: Impenetrable by shot.

SHOTS Shots, n. pl.

Defn: The refuse of cattle taken from a drove. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SHOT SAMPLES Shot samples. (Metal.)

Defn: Samples taken for assay from a molten metallic mass pouring a portion into water, to granulate it.

SHOTTED Shot"ted, a.

1. Loaded with shot.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Having a shot attached; as, a shotten suture.

SHOTTEN Shot"ten, n. Etym: [Properly p. p. of shoot; AS. scoten, sceoten, p. p. of sceótan.]

1. Having ejected the spawn; as, a shotten herring. Shak.

2. Shot out of its socket; dislocated, as a bone.

SHOUGH Shough, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A shockdog.

SHOUGH Shough, interj.

Defn: See Shoo. Beau & Fl.

SHOULD Should, imp. of Shall. Etym: [OE. sholde, shulde, scholde, schulde, AS. scolde, sceolde. See Shall.]

Defn: Used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); e. g.: they should have come last week; if I should go; I should think you could go. "You have done that you should be sorry for." Shak.

Syn. -- See Ought.

SHOULDER Shoul"der, n. Etym: [OE. shulder, shuldre, schutder, AS. sculdor; akin to D. schoulder, G. schulter, OHG. scultarra, Dan. skulder, Sw. skuldra.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The joint, or the region of the joint, by which the fore limb is connected with the body or with the shoulder girdle; the projection formed by the bones and muscles about that joint.

2. The flesh and muscles connected with the shoulder joint; the upper part of the back; that part of the human frame on which it is most easy to carry a heavy burden; -- often used in the plural. Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders bore The gates of Azza. Milton. Adown her shoulders fell her length of hair. Dryden.

3. Fig.: That which supports or sustains; support. In thy shoulder do I build my seat. Shak.

4. That which resembles a human shoulder, as any protuberance or projection from the body of a thing. The north western shoulder of the mountain. Sir W. Scott.

5. The upper joint of the fore leg and adjacent parts of an animal, dressed for market; as, a shoulder of mutton.

6. (Fort.)

Defn: The angle of a bastion included between the face and flank. See Illust. of Bastion.

7. An abrupt projection which forms an abutment on an object, or limits motion, etc., as the projection around a tenon at the end of a piece of timber, the part of the top of a type which projects beyond the base of the raised character, etc. Shoulder belt, a belt that passes across the shoulder. -- Shoulder blade (Anat.), the flat bone of the shoulder, to which the humerus is articulated; the scapula. -- Shoulder block (Naut.), a block with a projection, or shoulder, near the upper end, so that it can rest against a spar without jamming the rope. -- Shoulder clapper, one who claps another on the shoulder, or who uses great familiarity. [Obs.] Shak. -- Shoulder girdle. (Anat.) See Pectoral girdle, under Pectoral. -- Shoulder knot, an ornamental knot of ribbon or lace worn on the shoulder; a kind of epaulet or braided ornament worn as part of a military uniform. -- Shoulder-of-mutton sail (Naut.), a triangular sail carried on a boat's mast; -- so called from its shape. -- Shoulder slip, dislocation of the shoulder, or of the humerous. Swift. -- Shoulder strap, a strap worn on or over the shoulder. Specifically (Mil. & Naval), a narrow strap worn on the shoulder of a commissioned officer, indicating, by a suitable device, the rank he holds in the service. See Illust. in App.

SHOULDER Shoul"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shouldered; p. pr. & vb. n. Shouldering.]

1. To push or thrust with the shoulder; to push with violence; to jostle. As they the earth would shoulder from her seat. Spenser. Around her numberless the rabble flowed, Shouldering each other, crowding for a view. Rowe.

2. To take upon the shoulder or shoulders; as, to shoulder a basket; hence, to assume the burden or responsibility of; as, to shoulder blame; to shoulder a debt. As if Hercules Or burly Atlas shouldered up their state. Marston. Right shoulder arms (Mil.), a position in the Manual of Arms which the piece is placed on the right shoulder, with the lock plate up, and the muzzle elevated and inclined to the left, and held as in the illustration.

SHOULDERED Shoul"dered, a.

Defn: Having shoulders; -- used in composition; as, a broad- shouldered man. "He was short-shouldered." Chaucer.

SHOULDER-SHOTTEN Shoul"der-shot`ten, a.

Defn: Sprained in the shoulder, as a horse. Shak.

SHOUT Shout, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shouting.] Etym: [OE. shouten, of unknown origin; perhaps akin to shoot; cf. Icel. sk, sk, a taunt.]

Defn: To utter a sudden and loud outcry, as in joy, triumph, or exultation, or to attract attention, to animate soldiers, etc. Shouting of the men and women eke. Chaucer. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for Shak. To shout at, to utter shouts at; to deride or revile with shouts.

SHOUT Shout, v. t.

1. To utter with a shout; to cry; -- sometimes with out; as, to shout, or to shout out, a man's name.

2. To treat with shouts or clamor. Bp. Hall.

SHOUT Shout, n.

Defn: A loud burst of voice or voices; a vehement and sudden outcry, especially of a multitudes expressing joy, triumph, exultation, or animated courage. The Rhodians, seeing the enemy turn their backs, gave a great shout in derision. Knolles.

SHOUTER Shout"er, n.

Defn: One who shouts.

SHOVE Shove, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shoved; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoving.] Etym: [OE. shoven, AS. scofian, fr. sc; akin to OFries. sk, D. schuiven, G. schieben, OHG. scioban, Icel. sk, sk, Sw. skuffa, Dan. skuffe, Goth. afskiuban to put away, cast away; cf. Skr. kshubh to become agitated, to quake, Lith. skubrus quick, skubinti to hasten. sq. root160. Cf. Sheaf a bundle of stalks, Scoop, Scuffle.]

1. To drive along by the direct and continuous application of strength; to push; especially, to push (a body) so as to make it move along the surface of another body; as, to shove a boat on the water; to shove a table across the floor.

2. To push along, aside, or away, in a careless or rude manner; to jostle. And shove away the worthy bidden guest. Milton. He used to shove and elbow his fellow servants. Arbuthnot.

SHOVE Shove, v. i.

1. To push or drive forward; to move onward by pushing or jostling.

2. To move off or along by an act pushing, as with an oar a pole used by one in a boat; sometimes with off. He grasped the oar,shoved from shore. Garth.

SHOVE Shove, n.

Defn: The act of shoving; a forcible push. I rested . . . and then gave the boat another shove. Swift.

Syn. -- See Thrust.

SHOVE Shove, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Shove. Chaucer.

SHOVEBOARD; SHOVEGROAT Shove"board`, Shove"groat`, n.

Defn: The same as Shovelboard.

SHOVEL Shov"el, n. Etym: [OE. shovele, schovele, AS. scoft, sceoft; akin to D. schoffel, G. schaufel, OHG. sc, Dan. skovl, Sw. skofvel, skyffel, and to E. shove. sq. root160. See Shove, v. t.]

Defn: An implement consisting of a broad scoop, or more or less hollow blade, with a handle, used for lifting and throwing earth, coal, grain, or other loose substances. Shovel hat, a broad-brimmed hat, turned up at the sides, and projecting in front like a shovel, - - worn by some clergy of the English Church. [Colloq.] -- Shovelspur (Zoöl.), a flat, horny process on the tarsus of some toads, -- used in burrowing. -- Steam shovel, a machine with a scoop or scoops, operated by a steam engine, for excavating earth, as in making railway cuttings.

SHOVEL Shov"el, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shoveled or Shovelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shoveling or Shovelling.]

1. To take up and throw with a shovel; as, to shovel earth into a heap, or into a cart, or out of a pit.

2. To gather up as with a shovel.

SHOVELARD Shov"el*ard, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Shoveler. [Prov. Eng.]

SHOVELBILL Shov"el*bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The shoveler.

SHOVELBOARD Shov"el*board`, n.

1. A board on which a game is played, by pushing or driving pieces of metal or money to reach certain marks; also, the game itself. Called also shuffleboard, shoveboard, shovegroat, shovelpenny.

2. A game played on board ship in which the aim is to shove or drive with a cue wooden disks into divisions chalked on the deck; -- called also shuffleboard.

SHOVELER Shov"el*er, n. Etym: [Also shoveller.]

1. One who, or that which, shovels.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A river duck (Spatula clypeata), native of Europe and America. It has a large bill, broadest towards the tip. The male is handsomely variegated with green, blue, brown, black, and white on the body; the head and neck are dark green. Called also broadbill, spoonbill, shovelbill, and maiden duck. The Australian shoveler, or shovel-nosed duck (S. rhynchotis), is a similar species.

SHOVELFUL Shov"el*ful, n.; pl. Shovelfuls (.

Defn: As much as a shovel will hold; enough to fill a shovel.

SHOVELHEAD Shov"el*head`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A shark (Sphryna tiburio) allied to the hammerhead, and native of the warmer parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans; -- called also bonnet shark.

SHOVELNOSE Shov"el*nose`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The common sand shark. See under Snad. (b) A small California shark (Heptranchias maculatus), which is taken for its oil. (c) A Pacific Ocean shark (Hexanchus corinus). (d) A ganoid fish of the Sturgeon family (Scaphirhynchus platyrhynchus) of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers; -- called also white sturgeon.

SHOVEL-NOSED Shov"el-nosed`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a broad, flat nose; as, the shovel-nosed duck, or shoveler.

SHOVEN Shov"en, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Shove. Chaucer.

SHOW Show, v. t. [imp. Showed; p. p. Shown or Showed; p. pr. & vb. n. Showing. It is sometimes written shew, shewed, shewn, shewing.] Etym: [OE. schowen, shewen, schewen, shawen, AS. sceáwian, to look, see, view; akin to OS. scaw, OFries. skawia, D. schouwen, OHG. scouw, G. schauen, Dan. skue, Sw. sk, Icel. sko, Goth. usskawjan to waken, skuggwa a mirror, Icel. skuggy shade, shadow, L. cavere to be on one's guard, Gr. kavi wise. Cf. Caution, Scavenger, Sheen.]

1. To exhibit or present to view; to place in sight; to display; -- the thing exhibited being the object, and often with an indirect object denoting the person or thing seeing or beholding; as, to show a house; show your colors; shopkeepers show customers goods (show goods to customers). Go thy way, shew thyself to the priest. Matt. viii. 4. Nor want we skill or art from whence to raise Magnificence; and what can heaven show more Milton.

2. To exhibit to the mental view; to tell; to disclose; to reveal; to make known; as, to show one's designs. Shew them the way wherein they must walk. Ex. xviii. 20. If it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away. 1 Sam. xx. 13.

3. Specifically, to make known the way to (a person); hence, to direct; to guide; to asher; to conduct; as, to show a person into a parlor; to show one to the door.

4. To make apparent or clear, as by evidence, testimony, or reasoning; to prove; to explain; also, to manifest; to evince; as, to show the truth of a statement; to show the causes of an event. I 'll show my duty by my timely care. Dryden.

5. To bestow; to confer; to afford; as, to show favor. Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me. Ex. xx. 6. To show forth, to manifest; to publish; to proclaim. -- To show his paces, to exhibit the gait, speed, or the like; -- said especially of a horse. -- To show off, to exhibit ostentatiously. -- To show up, to expose. [Colloq.]

SHOW Show, v. i. Etym: [Written also shew.]

1. To exhibit or manifest one's self or itself; to appear; to look; to be in appearance; to seem. Just such she shows before a rising storm. Dryden. All round a hedge upshoots, and shows At distance like a little wood. Tennyson.

2. To have a certain appearance, as well or ill, fit or unfit; to become or suit; to appear. My lord of York, it better showed with you. Shak. To show off, to make a show; to display one's self.

SHOW Show, n. Etym: [Formerly written also shew.]

1. The act of showing, or bringing to view; exposure to sight; exhibition.

2. That which os shown, or brought to view; that which is arranged to be seen; a spectacle; an exhibition; as, a traveling show; a cattle show. As for triumphs, masks, feasts, and such shows. Bacon.

3. Proud or ostentatious display; parade; pomp. I envy none their pageantry and show. Young.

4. Semblance; likeness; appearance. He through the midst unmarked, In show plebeian angel militant Of lowest order, passed. Milton.

5. False semblance; deceitful appearance; pretense. Beware of the scribes, . . . which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers. Luke xx. 46. 47.

6. (Med.)

Defn: A discharge, from the vagina, of mucus streaked with blood, occuring a short time before labor.

7. (Mining)

Defn: A pale blue flame, at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence of fire damp. Raymond. Show bill, a broad sheet containing an advertisement in large letters. -- Show box, a box xontaining some object of curiosity carried round as a show. -- Show card, an advertising placard; also, a card for displaying samples. -- Show case, a gla -- Show glass, a glass which displays objects; a mirror. -- Show of hands, a raising of hands to indicate judgment; as, the vote was taken by a show of hands. -- Show stone, a piece of glass or crystal supposed to have the property of exhibiting images of persons or things not present, indicating in that way future events.

SHOWBREAD Show"bread`, n. (Jewish Antiq.)

Defn: Bread of exhibition; loaves to set before God; -- the term used in translating the various phrases used in the Hebrew and Greek to designate the loaves of bread which the priest of the week placed before the Lord on the golden table in the sanctuary. They were made of fine flour unleavened, and were changed every Sabbath. The loaves, twelve in number, represented the twelve tribes of Israel. They were to be eaten by the priests only, and in the Holy Place. [Written also shewbread.] Mark ii. 26.

SHOWER Show"er, n.

1. One who shows or exhibits.

2. That which shows; a mirror. [Obs.] Wyclif.

SHOWER Show"er, n. Etym: [OE. shour, schour, AS. se; akin to D. schoer, G. schauer, OHG. sc, Icel. sk, Sw. skur, Goth. sk a storm of wind; of uncertain origin.]

1. A fall or rain or hail of short duration; sometimes, but rarely, a like fall of snow. In drought or else showers. Chaucer. Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers. Milton.

2. That which resembles a shower in falling or passing through the air copiously and rapidly. With showers of stones he drives them far away. Pope.

3. A copious supply bestowed. [R.] He and myself Have travail'd in the great shower of your gifts. Shak. Shower bath, a bath in which water is showered from above, and sometimes from the sides also.

SHOWER Show"er, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Showered; p. pr. & vb. n. Showering.]

1. To water with a shower; to Lest it again dissolve and shower the earth. Milton.

2. To bestow liberally; to destribute or scatter in Shak. Cshowers down greatness on his friends. Addison.

SHOWER Show"er, v. i.

Defn: To rain in showers; to fall, as in a hower or showers. Shak.

SHOWERFUL Show"er*ful, a.

Defn: Full of showers. Tennyson.

SHOWERINESS Show"er*i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being showery.

SHOWERLESS Show"er*less, a.

Defn: Rainless; freo from showers.

SHOWERY Show"er*y, a.

1. Raining in showers; abounding with frequent showers of rain.

2. Of or pertaining to a shower or showers. "Colors of the showery arch." Milton.

SHOWILY Show"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a showy manner; pompously; with parade.

SHOWINESS Show"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being showy; pompousness; great parade; ostentation.

SHOWING Show"ing, n.

1. Appearance; display; exhibition.

2. Presentation of facts; statement. J. S. Mill.

SHOWISH Show"ish, a.

Defn: Showy; ostentatious. Swift.

SHOWMAN Show"man, n.; pl. Showmen.

Defn: One who exhibits a show; a proprietor of a show.

SHOWN Shown,

Defn: p. p. of Show.

SHOWROOM Show"room`, n.

Defn: A room or apartment where a show is exhibited.

2. A room where merchandise is exposed for sale, or where samples are displayed.

SHOWY Show"y

Defn: , a. Etym: [Compar. Showier (; superl. Showiest.]

Defn: Making a show; attracting attention; presenting a marked appearance; ostentatious; gay; gaudy. A present of everything that was rich and showy. Addison.

Syn. -- Splendid; gay; gaudy; gorgeous; fine; magnificent; grand; stately; sumptuous; pompous.

SHRAG Shrag, n. Etym: [CF. Scrag.]

Defn: A twig of a tree cut off. [Obs.]

SHRAG Shrag, v. t.

Defn: To trim, as trees; to lop. [Obs.]

SHRAGGER Shrag"ger, n.

Defn: One who lops; one who trims trees. [Obs.] Huloet.

SHRAM Shram, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Shrink.]

Defn: To cause to shrink or shrivel with cold; to benumb. [Prov. Eng.]

SHRANK Shrank,

Defn: imp. of Shrink.

SHRAP; SHRAPE Shrap, Shrape, n. Etym: [Cf. Scrap, and Scrape.]

Defn: A place baited with chaff to entice birds. [Written also scrap.] [Obs.] Bp. Bedell.

SHRAPNEL Shrap"nel, a.

Defn: Applied as an appellation to a kind of shell invented by Gen. H. Shrapnel of the British army. -- n.

Defn: A shrapnel shell; shrapnel shells, collectively. Shrapnel shell (Gunnery), a projectile for a cannon, consisting of a shell filled with bullets and a small bursting charge to scatter them at any given point while in flight. See the Note under Case shot.

SHRED Shred, n. Etym: [OE. shrede, schrede, AS. screáde; akin to OD. schroode, G. schrot a piece cut off, Icel. skrjothr a shred, and to E. shroud. Cf. Screed, Scroll, Scrutiny.]

1. A long, narrow piece cut or torn off; a strip. "Shreds of tanned leather." Bacon.

2. In general, a fragment; a piece; a particle. Shak.

SHRED Shred, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shred or Shredded (; p. pr. & vb. n. Shredding.] Etym: [OE. shreden, schreden, AS. screádian; akin to OD. schrooden, OHG. scr, G. schroten. See Shred, n.]

1. To cut or tear into small pieces, particularly narrow and long pieces, as of cloth or leather. Chaucer.

2. To lop; to prune; to trim. [Obs.]

SHREDCOOK Shred"cook`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The fieldfare; -- so called from its harsh cry before rain. [Prov. Eng.]

SHREDDING Shred"ding, n.

1. The act of cutting or tearing into shreds.

2. That which is cut or torn off; a piece. Hooker.

SHREDDY Shred"dy, a.

Defn: Consisting of shreds.

SHREDLESS Shred"less, a.

Defn: Having no shreds; without a shred. And those which waved are shredless dust ere now. Byron.

SHREW Shrew, a. Etym: [OE. shrewe, schrewe. Cf. Shrewd.]

Defn: Wicked; malicious. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SHREW Shrew, n. Etym: [See Shrew, a.]

1. Originally, a brawling, turbulent, vexatious person of either sex, but now restricted in use to females; a brawler; a scold. A man . . . grudgeth that shrews [i. e., bad men] have prosperity, or else that good men have adversity. Chaucer. A man had got a shrew to his wife, and there could be no quiet in the house for her. L'Estrange.

2. Etym: [AS. screáwa; -- so called because supposed to be venomous. ] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small insectivore of the genus Sorex and several allied genera of the family Sorecidæ. In form and color they resemble mice, but they have a longer and more pointed nose. Some of them are the smallest of all mammals.

Note: The common European species are the house shrew (Crocidura araneus), and the erd shrew (Sorex vulgaris) (see under Erd.). In the United States several species of Sorex and Blarina are common, as the broadnosed shrew (S. platyrhinus), Cooper's shrew (S. Cooperi), and the short-tailed, or mole, shrew (Blarina brevicauda). Th American water, or marsh, shrew (Neosorex palustris), with fringed feet, is less common. The common European water shrews are Crossopus fodiens, and the oared shrew (see under Oared). Earth shrew, any shrewlike burrowing animal of the family Centetidæ, as the tendrac. -- Elephant shrew, Jumping shrew, Mole shrew. See under Elephant, Jumping, etc. -- Musk shrew. See Desman. -- River shrew, an aquatic West African insectivore (Potamogale velox) resembling a weasel in form and size, but having a large flattened and crested tail adapted for rapid swimming. It feeds on fishes. -- Shrew mole, a common large North American mole (Scalops aquaticus). Its fine, soft fur is gray with iridescent purple tints.

SHREW Shrew, v. t. Etym: [See Shrew, a., and cf. Beshrew.]

Defn: To beshrew; to curse. [Obs.] "I shrew myself." Chaucer.

SHREWD Shrewd, a. [Compar. Shrewder; superl. Shrewdest.] Etym: [Originally the p. p. of shrew, v.t.]

1. Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence, vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish. [Obs.] Chaucer. [Egypt] hath many shrewd havens, because of the great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass by. Sir J. Mandeville. Every of this happy number That have endured shrewd days and nights with us. Shak.

2. Artful; wily; cunning; arch. These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. Shak.

3. Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply. Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind creates a shrewd suspicion that we have deserved it. Secker.

Syn. -- Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious; discerning; acute; penetrating. -- Shrewd, Sagacious. One who is shrewd is keen to detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and guard against the selfishness of others. Shrewd is a word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas shrewd does not. -- Shrewd"ly, adv. -- Shrewd"ness, n.

SHREWISH Shrew"ish, a.

Defn: having the qualities of a shrew; having a scolding disposition; froward; peevish. My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours. Shak. -- Shrew"ish*ly, adv. -- Shrew"ish*ness, n.

SHREWMOUSE Shrew"mouse`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A shrew; especially, the erd shrew.

SHRIEK Shriek, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shrieked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrieking.] Etym: [OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E. screech. See Screech, and cf. Screak.]

Defn: To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish. It was the owl that shrieked. Shak. At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train Echoed her grief. Dryden.

SHRIEK Shriek, v. t.

Defn: To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or shrieks. On top whereof aye dwelt the ghostly owl, Shrieking his baleful note. Spenser. She shrieked his name To the dark woods. Moore.

SHRIEK Shriek, n.

Defn: A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like. Shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town. Dryden. Shriek owl. (Zoöl.) (a) The screech owl. (b) The swift; -- so called from its cry.

SHRIEKER Shriek"er, n.

Defn: One who utters a shriek.

SHRIEVAL Shriev"al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sheriff.

SHRIEVALTY Shriev"al*ty, n. Etym: [Contr. from sheriffalty. See Shrieve, n. Sheriff.]

Defn: The office, or sphere of jurisdiction, of a sheriff; sheriffalty. It was ordained by 28 Edward I that the people shall have election of sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance. Blackstone.

SHRIEVE Shrieve, n. Etym: [Contr. from OE. shereve. See Sheriff.]

Defn: A sheriff. [Obs.] Shak.

SHRIEVE Shrieve, v. t.

Defn: To shrive; to question. [Obs.] "She gan him soft to shrieve." Spenser.

SHRIFT Shrift, n. Etym: [OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrifan to shrive. See Shrive.]

1. The act of shriving. In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer.

2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it. Chaucer. Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day Shak. Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift, And be yourself; for you must die this instant. Rowe. Shrift father, a priest to whom confession is made.

SHRIGHT Shright, obs.

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Shriek. She cried alway and shright. Chaucer.

SHRIGHT Shright, n. Etym: [See Shriek.]

Defn: A shriek; shrieking. [Obs] Spenser. "All hoarse for shright." Chaucer.

SHRIKE Shrike, n. Etym: [Akin to Icel. skrikja a shrieker, the shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scric a thrush. See Shriek, v. i.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family Laniidæ, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European gray shrike (Lanius excubitor), the great northern shrike (L. borealis), and several others, kill mice, small birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that account called also butcher birds. See under Butcher.

Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds of the family Formicaridæ. The cuckoo shrikes of the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family Campephagidæ. The drongo shrikes of the same regions belong to the related family Dicruridæ. See Drongo. Crow shrike. See under Crow. -- Shrike thrush. (a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of the genera Thamnocataphus, Gampsorhynchus, and allies. (b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian singing birds of the genus Colluricincla. -- Shrike tit. (a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus Falcunculus, having a strong toothed bill and sharp claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice, in search of insects. (b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds belonging to Allotrius, Pteruthius, Cutia, Leioptila, and allied genera, related to the true tits. Called also hill tit. -- Swallow shrike. See under Swallow.

SHRILL Shrill, a. [Compar. Shriller; superl. Shrillest.] Etym: [OE. shril, schril; akin to LG. schrell, G. schrill. See Shrill,v. i.]

Defn: Acute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing tone or sound; -- said a sound, or of that which produces a sound. Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give To sounds confused. Shak. Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high. Byron.

SHRILL Shrill, n.

Defn: A shrill sound. [Obs.] Spenser.

SHRILL Shrill, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shrilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrilling.] Etym: [OE. schrillen, akin to G. schrillen; cf. AS. scralletan to resound loudly, Icel. skrölta to jolt, Sw. skrälla to shrill, Norw. skryla, skr. Cf. Skirl.]

Defn: To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound with a sharp, shrill tone; to become shrill. Break we our pipes, that shrilledloud as lark. Spenser. No sounds were heard but of the shrilling cock. Goldsmith. His voice shrilled with passion. L. Wallace.

SHRILL Shrill, v. t.

Defn: To utter or express in a shrill tone; to cause to make a shrill sound. How poor Andromache shrills her dolors forth. Shak.

SHRILL-GORGED Shrill"-gorged`, a.

Defn: Having a throat which produces a shrill note. [R.] Shak.

SHRILLNESS Shrill"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shrill.

SHRILL-TONGUED Shrill"-tongued`, a.

Defn: Having a shrill voice. "When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds." Shak.

SHRILLY Shril"ly, adv.

Defn: In a shrill manner; acutely; with a sharp sound or voice.

SHRILLY Shril"ly, a.

Defn: Somewhat shrill. [Poetic] Sir W. Scott. Some kept up a shrilly mellow sound. Keats.

SHRIMP Shrimp, v. t. Etym: [Cf. AS. scrimman to dry up, wither, MHG. schrimpfen to shrink, G. schrumpfen, Dan. skrumpe, skrumpes, Da. & Sw. skrumpen shriveled. Cf. Scrimp, Shrink, Shrivel.]

Defn: To contract; to shrink. [Obs.]

SHRIMP Shrimp, n. Etym: [OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v.]

1. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to Crangon and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also prawns. See Illust. of Decapoda. (b) In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form. (c) In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under Fairy, and Brine.

2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt. This weak and writhled shrimp. Shak. Opossum shrimp. (Zoöl.) See under Opossum. -- Spector shrimp, or Skeleton shrimp (Zoöl.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied genera. See Illust. under Læmodopoda. -- Shrimp catcher (Zoöl.), the little tern (Sterna minuta). -- Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground.

SHRIMPER Shrimp"er, n.

Defn: One who fishes for shrimps.

SHRINE Shrine, n. Etym: [OE. schrin, AS. scrin, from L. scrinium a case, chest, box.]

1. A case, box, or receptacle, especially one in which are deposited sacred relics, as the bones of a saint.

2. Any sacred place, as an altar, tromb, or the like. Too weak the sacred shrine guard. Byron.

3. A place or object hallowed from its history or associations; as, a shrine of art.

SHRINE Shrine, v. t.

Defn: To enshrine; to place reverently, as in a shrine. "Shrined in his sanctuary." Milton.

SHRINK Shrink, v. i. [imp. Shrank or Shrunk p. p. Shrunk or Shrunken (, but the latter is now seldom used except as a participial adjective; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrinking.] Etym: [OE. shrinken, schrinken, AS. scrincan; akin to OD. schrincken, and probably to Sw. skrynka a wrinkle, skrynkla to wrinkle, to rumple, and E. shrimp, n. & v., scrimp. CF. Shrimp.]

1. To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to become compacted. And on a broken reed he still did stay His feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he lay. Spenser. I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room. Bacon. Against this fire do I shrink up. Shak. And shrink like parchment in consuming fire. Dryden. All the boards did shrink. Coleridge.

2. To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress. What happier natures shrink at with affright, The hard inhabitant contends is right. Pope. They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task. Jowett (Thucyd.)

3. To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [R.] Shak.

SHRINK Shrink, v. t.

1. To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water.

2. To draw back; to withdraw. [Obs.] The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn. Milton. To shrink on (Mach.), to fix (one piece or part) firmly around (another) by natural contraction in cooling, as a tire on a wheel, or a hoop upon a cannon, which is made slightly smaller than the part it is to fit, and expanded by heat till it can be slipped into place.

SHRINK Shrink, n.

Defn: The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal. Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink, That I had less to praise. Leigh Hunt.

SHRINKAGE Shrink"age, n.

1. The act of shrinking; a contraction into less bulk or measurement.

2. The amount of such contraction; the bulk or dimension lost by shrinking, as of grain, castings, etc.

3. Decrease in value; depreciation. [Colloq.]

SHRINKER Shrink"er, n.

Defn: One who shrinks; one who withdraws from danger.

SHRINKING Shrink"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Shrink. Shrinking head (Founding), a body of molten metal connected with a mold for the purpose of supplying metal to compensate for the shrinkage of the casting; -- called also sinking head, and riser.

SHRINKINGLY Shrink"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shrinking manner.

SHRIVALTY Shriv"al*ty, n.

Defn: Shrievalty. Johnson.

SHRIVE Shrive, v. t. [imp. Shrived or Shrove (; p. p. Shriven or Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving.] Etym: [OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scrivan to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skriva to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskriban to be troubled. Cf. Shrift, Shrovetide.]

1. To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the agent. That they should shrive their parishioners. Piers Plowman. Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . . Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Shak. Till my guilty soul be shriven. Longfellow.

2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively. Get you to the church and shrive yourself. Beau & Fl.

SHRIVE Shrive, v. i.

Defn: To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. Spenser.

SHRIVEL Shriv"el, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shriveled or Shrivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriveling or Shrivelling.] Etym: [Probably akin to shrimp, shrink; cf. dial. AS. screpa to pine away, Norw. skrypa to waste, skryp, skryv, transitory, frail, Sw. skröpling feeble, Dan. skröbelig, Icel. skrj brittle, frail.]

Defn: To draw, or be drawn, into wrinkles; to shrink, and form corrugations; as, a leaf shriveles in the hot sun; the skin shrivels with age; -- often with up.

SHRIVEL Shriv"el, v. t.

Defn: To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto corruptions.

SHRIVEN Shriv"en,

Defn: p. p. of Shrive.

SHRIVER Shriv"er, n.

Defn: One who shrives; a confessor.

SHRIVING Shriv"ing, n.

Defn: Shrift; confession. Spenser.

SHROFF Shroff, n. Etym: [Ar. sarraf.]

Defn: A banker, or changer of money. [East Indies]

SHROFFAGE Shroff"age, n.

Defn: The examination of coins, and the separation of the good from the debased. [East Indies]

SHROOD Shrood, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Shroud.] [Written also shroud, and shrowd.]

Defn: To trim; to lop. [Prov. Eng.]

SHROPSHIRE Shrop"shire, n. [From Shropshire, country of England.]

Defn: An English breed of black-faced hornless sheep similar to the Southdown, but larger, now extensively raised in many parts of the world.

SHROUD Shroud, n. Etym: [OE. shroud, shrud, schrud, AS. scr a garment, clothing; akin to Icel. skru the shrouds of a ship, furniture of a church, a kind of stuff, Sw. skrud dress, attire, and E. shred. See Shred, and cf. Shrood.]

1. That which clothes, covers, conceals, or protects; a garment. Piers Plowman. Swaddled, as new born, in sable shrouds. Sandys.

2. Especially, the dress for the dead; a winding sheet. "A dead man in his shroud." Shak.

3. That which covers or shelters like a shroud. Jura answers through her misty shroud. Byron.

4. A covered place used as a retreat or shelter, as a cave or den; also, a vault or crypt. [Obs.] The shroud to which he won His fair-eyed oxen. Chapman. A vault, or shroud, as under a church. Withals.

5. The branching top of a tree; foliage. [R.] The Assyrian wad a cedar in Lebanon, with fair branches and with a shadowing shroad. Ezek. xxxi. 3.

6. pl. (Naut.)

Defn: A set of ropes serving as stays to support the masts. The lower shrouds are secured to the sides of vessels by heavy iron bolts and are passed around the head of the lower masts.

7. (Mach.)

Defn: One of the two annular plates at the periphery of a water wheel, which form the sides of the buckets; a shroud plate. Bowsprit shrouds (Naut.), ropes extending from the head of the bowsprit to the sides of the vessel. -- Futtock shrouds (Naut.), iron rods connecting the topmast rigging with the lower rigging, passing over the edge of the top. -- Shroud plate. (a) (Naut.) An iron plate extending from the dead- eyes to the ship's side. Ham. Nav. Encyc. (b) (Mach.) A shroud. See def. 7, above.

SHROUD Shroud, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shrouded; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrouding.] Etym: [Cf. AS. scr. See Shroud, n.]

1. To cover with a shroud; especially, to inclose in a winding sheet; to dress for the grave. The ancient Egyptian mummies were shrouded in a number of folds of linen besmeared with gums. Bacon.

2. To cover, as with a shroud; to protect completely; to cover so as to conceal; to hide; to veil. One of these trees, with all his young ones, may shroud four hundred horsemen. Sir W. Raleigh. Some tempest rise, And blow out all the stars that light the skies, To shroud my shame. Dryden.

SHROUD Shroud, v. i.

Defn: To take shelter or harbor. [Obs.] If your stray attendance be yet lodged, Or shroud within these limits. Milton.

SHROUD Shroud, v. t.

Defn: To lop. See Shrood. [Prov. Eng.]

SHROUDED Shroud"ed, a.

Defn: Provided with a shroud or shrouds. Shrouded gear (Mach.), a cogwheel or pinion having flanges which form closed ends to the spaces between the teeth and thus strengthen the teeth by tying them together.

SHROUDING Shroud"ing, n.

Defn: The shrouds. See Shroud, n., 7.

SHROUD-LAID Shroud"-laid`, a.

Defn: Composed of four strands, and laid right-handed with a heart, or center; -- said of rope. See Illust. under Cordage.

SHROUDLESS Shroud"less, a.

Defn: Without a shroud.

SHROUDY Shroud"y, a.

Defn: Affording shelter. [R.] Milton.

SHROVE Shrove,

Defn: imp. of Shrive. Shrove Sunday, Quinguagesima Sunday. -- Shrove Tuesday, the Tuesday following Quinguagesima Sunday, and preceding the first day of Lent, or Ash Wednesday.

Note: It was formerly customary in England, on this day, for the people to confess their sins to their parish priests, after which they dined on pancakes, or fritters, and the occasion became one of merriment. The bell rung on this day is popularly called Pancake Bell, and the day itself Pancake Tuesday. P. Cyc.

SHROVE Shrove, v. i.

Defn: To join in the festivities of Shrovetide; hence, to make merry. [Obs.] J. Fletcher.

SHROVETIDE Shrove"tide`, n. Etym: [From shrive to take a confession (OE. imp. shrof, AS. scraf) + tide.]

Defn: The days immediately preceding Ash Widnesday, especially the period between the evening before Quinguagesima Sunday and the morning of Ash Wednesday.

SHROVING Shrov"ing, n.

Defn: The festivity of Shrovetide. [Obs.]

SHROW Shrow, n.

Defn: A shrew. [Obs.] Shak.

SHROWD Shrowd, v. t.

Defn: See Shrood. [Prov. Eng.]

SHRUB Shrub, n. Etym: [Ar. shirb, shurb, a drink, beverage, fr. shariba to drink. Cf. Sirup, Sherbet.]

Defn: A liquor composed of vegetable acid, especially lemon juice, and sugar, with spirit to preserve it.

SHRUB Shrub, n. Etym: [OE. schrob, AS. scrob, scrobb; akin to Norw. skrubba the dwarf cornel tree.] (Bot.)

Defn: A woody plant of less size than a tree, and usually with several stems from the same root.

SHRUB Shrub, v. t.

Defn: To lop; to prune. [Obs.] Anderson (1573).

SHRUBBERY Shrub"ber*y, n.; pl. Shrubberies (.

1. A collection of shrubs.

2. A place where shrubs are planted. Macaulay.

SHRUBBINESS Shrub"bi*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being shrubby.

SHRUBBY Shrub"by, a. [Compar. Shrubbier; superl. Shrubbiest.]

1. Full of shrubs.

2. Of the nature of a shrub; resembling a shrub. "Shrubby browse." J. Philips.

SHRUBLESS Shrub"less, a.

Defn: having no shrubs. Byron.

SHRUFF Shruff, n. Etym: [Cf. Scruff, Scurf.]

Defn: Rubbish. Specifically: (a) Dross or refuse of metals. [Obs.] (b) Light, dry wood, or stuff used for fuel. [Prov. Eng.]

SHRUG Shrug, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shrugged; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrugging.] Etym: [Probably akin to shrink, p. p. shrunk; cf. Dan. skrugge, skrukke, to stoop, dial. Sw. skrukka, skruga, to crouch.]

Defn: To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing dislike, dread, doubt, or the like. He shrugs his shoulders when you talk of securities. Addison.

SHRUG Shrug, v. i.

Defn: To raise or draw up the shoulders, as in expressing dislike, dread, doubt, or the like. They grin, they shrug. They bow, they snarl, they snatch, they hug. Swift.

SHRUG Shrug, n.

Defn: A drawing up of the shoulders, -- a motion usually expressing dislike, dread, or doubt. The Spaniards talk in dialogues Of heads and shoulders, nods and shrugs. Hudibras.

SHRUNKEN Shrunk"en, p. p. & a.

Defn: from Shrink.

SHUCK Shuck, n.

Defn: A shock of grain. [Prev.Eng.]

SHUCK Shuck, n. Etym: [Perhaps akin to G. shote a husk, pod, shell.]

1. A shell, husk, or pod; especially, the outer covering of such nuts as the hickory nut, butternut, peanut, and chestnut.

2. The shell of an oyster or clam. [U. S.]

SHUCK Shuck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shucked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shucking.]

Defn: To deprive of the shucks or husks; as, to shuck walnuts, Indian corn, oysters, etc.

SHUCKER Shuck"er, n.

Defn: One who shucks oysters or clams

SHUDDER Shud"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shuddered;p. pr. & vb. n. Shuddering.] Etym: [OE. shoderen, schuderen; akin to LG. schuddern, D. schudden to shake, OS. skuddian, G. schaudern to shudder, schütteln to shake, schütten to pour, to shed, OHG. scutten, scuten, to shake.]

Defn: To tremble or shake with fear, horrer, or aversion; to shiver with cold; to quake. "With shuddering horror pale." Milton. The shuddering tennant of the frigid zone. Goldsmith.

SHUDDER Shud"der, n.

Defn: The act of shuddering, as with fear. Shak.

SHUDDERINGLY Shud"der*ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a shuddering manner.

SHUDE Shude, n.

Defn: The husks and other refuse of rice mills, used to adulterate oil cake, or linseed cake.

SHUFFLE Shuf"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shuffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shuffling.] Etym: [Originally the same word as scuffle, and properly a freq. of shove. See Shove, and Scuffle.]

1. To shove one way and the other; to push from one to another; as, to shuffle money from hand to hand.

2. To mix by pushing or shoving; to confuse; to throw into disorder; especially, to change the relative positions of, as of the cards in a pack. A man may shuffle cards or rattle dice from noon to midnight without tracing a new idea in his mind. Rombler.

3. To remove or introduce by artificial confusion. It was contrived by your enemies, and shuffled into the papers that were seizen. Dryden. To shuffe off, to push off; to rid one's self of. -- To shuffe up, to throw together in hastel to make up or form in confusion or with fraudulent disorder; as, he shuffled up a peace.

SHUFFLE Shuf"fle, v. i.

1. To change the relative position of cards in a pack; as, to shuffle and cut.

2. To change one's position; to shift ground; to evade questions; to resort to equivocation; to prevaricate. I muself, . . . hiding mine honor in my necessity, am fain to shuffle. Shak.

3. To use arts or expedients; to make shift. Your life, good master, Must shuffle for itself. Shak.

4. To move in a slovenly, dragging manner; to drag or scrape the feet in walking or dancing. The aged creature came Shuffling along with ivory-headed wand. Keats.

Syn. -- To equivicate; prevaricate; quibble; cavil; shift; siphisticate; juggle.

SHUFFLE Shuf"fle, n.

1. The act of shuffling; a mixing confusedly; a slovenly, dragging motion. The unguided agitation and rude shuffles of matter. Bentley.

2. A trick; an artifice; an evasion. The gifts of nature are beyond all shame and shuffles. L'Estrange.

SHUFFLEBOARD Shuf"fle*board`, n.

Defn: See Shovelboard.

SHUFFLECAP Shuf"fle*cap`

Defn: ,.A play performed by shaking money in a hat or cap. [R.] Arbuthnot.

SHUFFLER Shuf"fler, n.

1. One who shuffles.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Either one of the three common American scaup ducks. See Scaup duck, under Scaup.

SHUFFLEWING Shuf"fle*wing`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hedg sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]

SHUFFLING Shuf"fling, a.

1. Moving with a dragging, scraping step. "A shuffling nag." Shak.

2. Evasive; as, a shuffling excuse. T. Burnet.

SHUFFLING Shuf"fling, v.

Defn: In a shuffling manner.

SHUG Shug, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Shrug.]

1. To writhe the body so as to produce friction against one's clothes, as do those who have the itch. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

2. Hence, to crawl; to sneak. [Obs.] There I 'll shug in and get a noble countenance. Ford.

SHUMAC Shu"mac, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Sumac.

SHUN Shun, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shunned; p. pr. & vb. n. Shunning.] Etym: [OE. shunien, schunien, schonien, AS. scunian, sceonian; cf. D. schuinen to slepe, schuin oblique, sloping, Icel. skunda, skynda, to hasten. Cf. Schooner, Scoundrel, Shunt.]

Defn: To avoid; to keep clear of; to get out of the way of; to escape from; to eschew; as, to shun rocks, shoals, vice. I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Acts xx. 26,27. Scarcity and want shall shun you. Shak.

Syn. -- See Avoid.

SHUNLESS Shun"less, a.

Defn: Not to be shunned; inevitable; unavoidable. [R.] "Shunless destiny." Shak.

SHUNT Shunt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shunting.] Etym: [Prov. E., to move from, to put off, fr. OE. shunten, schunten, schounten; cf. D. schuinte a slant, slope, Icel. skunda to hasten. Cf. Shun.]

1. To shun; to move from. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2. To cause to move suddenly; to give a sudden start to; to shove. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.] Ash.

3. To turn off to one side; especially, to turn off, as a grain or a car upon a side track; to switch off; to shift. For shunting your late partner on to me. T. Hughes.

4. (Elec.)

Defn: To provide with a shunt; as, to shunt a galvanometer.

SHUNT Shunt, v. i.

Defn: To go aside; to turn off.

SHUNT Shunt, n. Etym: [Cf. D. schuinte slant, slope, declivity. See Shunt, v. t.]

1. (Railroad)

Defn: A turning off to a side or short track, that the principal track may be left free.

2. (Elec.)

Defn: A conducting circuit joining two points in a conductor, or the terminals of a galvanometer or dynamo, so as to form a parallel or derived circuit through which a portion of the current may pass, for the purpose of regulating the amount passing in the main circuit.

3. (Gunnery)

Defn: The shifting of the studs on a projectile from the deep to the shallow sides of the grooves in its discharge from a shunt gun. Shunt dynamo (Elec.), a dynamo in which the field circuit is connected with the main circuit so as to form a shunt to the letter, thus employing a portion of the current from the armature to maintain the field. -- Shunt gun, a firearm having shunt rifling. See under Rifling.

SHUNTER Shunt"er, n. (Railroad)

Defn: A person employed to shunt cars from one track to another.

SHUNTING Shunt"ing, p. pr. & vb. n. of Shunt. Specif.: vb. n. (a) (Railroads) Switching; as, shunting engine, yard, etc. [British] (b) (Finance) Arbitrage conducted between certain local markets without the necessity of the exchange involved in foreign arbitrage. [Great Britain]

SHUNT VALVE Shunt valve. (Mach.)

Defn: A valve permitting a fluid under pressure an easier avenue of escape than normally; specif., a valve, actuated by the governor, used in one system of marine-engine governing to connect both ends of the low-pressure cylinder as a supplementary control.

SHUNT WINDING Shunt winding. (Elec.)

Defn: A winding so arranged as to divide the armature current and lead a portion of it around the field-magnet coils; -- opposed to series winding. --Shunt"-wound` (#), a.

SHUT Shut, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shut; p. pr. & vb. n. Shutting.] Etym: [OE. shutten, schutten, shetten, schitten, AS. scyttan to shut or lock up (akin to D. schutten, G. schützen to protect), properly, to fasten with a bolt or bar shot across, fr. AS. sceótan to shoot. sq. root159. See Shoot.]

1. To close so as to hinder ingress or egress; as, to shut a door or a gate; to shut one's eyes or mouth.

2. To forbid entrance into; to prohibit; to bar; as, to shut the ports of a country by a blockade. Shall that be shut to man which to the beast Is open Milton.

3. To preclude; to exclude; to bar out. "Shut from every shore." Dryden.

4. To fold together; to close over, as the fingers; to close by bringing the parts together; as, to shut the hand; to shut a book. To shut in. (a) To inclose; to confine. "The Lord shut him in." Cen. vii. 16. (b) To cover or intercept the view of; as, one point shuts in another. -- To shut off. (a) To exclude. (b) To prevent the passage of, as steam through a pipe, or water through a flume, by closing a cock, valve, or gate. -- To shut out, to preclude from entering; to deny admission to; to exclude; as, to shut out rain by a tight roof. -- To shut together, to unite; to close, especially to close by welding. -- To shut up. (a) To close; to make fast the entrances into; as, to shut up a house. (b) To obstruct. "Dangerous rocks shut up the passage." Sir W. Raleigh. (c) To inclose; to confine; to imprison; to fasten in; as, to shut up a prisoner. Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Gal. iii. 23. (d) To end; to terminate; to conclude. When the scene of life is shut up, the slave will be above his master if he has acted better. Collier. (e) To unite, as two pieces of metal by welding. (f) To cause to become silent by authority, argument, or force.

SHUT Shut, v. i.

Defn: To close itself; to become closed; as, the door shuts; it shuts hard. To shut up, to cease speaking. [Colloq.] T. Hughes.

SHUT Shut, a.

1. Closed or fastened; as, a shut door.

2. Rid; clear; free; as, to get shut of a person. [Now dialectical or local, Eng. & U.S.] L'Estrange.

3. (Phon.) (a) Formed by complete closure of the mouth passage, and with the nose passage remaining closed; stopped, as are the mute consonants, p, t, k, b, d, and hard g. H. Sweet. (b) Cut off sharply and abruptly by a following consonant in the same syllable, as the English short vowels, â, ê, î, ô, û, always are.

SHUT Shut, n.

Defn: The act or time of shutting; close; as, the shut of a door. Just then returned at shut of evening flowers. Milton.

2. A door or cover; a shutter. [Obs.] Sir I. Newton.

3. The line or place where two pieces of metal are united by welding. Cold shut, the imperfection in a casting caused by the flowing of liquid metal upon partially chilled metal; also, the imperfect weld in a forging caused by the inadequate heat of one surface under working.

SHUTE Shute, n.

Defn: Same as Chute, or Shoot.

SHUTTER Shut"ter, n.

1. One who shuts or closes.

2. A movable cover or screen for a window, designed to shut out the light, to obstruct the view, or to be of some strength as a defense; a blind.

3. A removable cover, or a gate, for closing an aperture of any kind, as for closing the passageway for molten iron from a ladle.

SHUTTERED Shut"tered, a.

Defn: Furnished with shutters.

SHUTTLE Shut"tle, n. Etym: [Also shittle, OE. schitel, scytyl, schetyl; cf. OE. schitel a bolt of a door, AS. scyttes; all from AS. sceótan to shoot; akin to Dan. skyttel, skytte, shuttle, dial. Sw. skyttel, sköttel. sq. root159. See Shoot, and cf. Shittle, Skittles.]

1. An instrument used in weaving for passing or shooting the thread of the woof from one side of the cloth to the other between the threads of the warp. Like shuttles through the loom, so swiftly glide My feathered hours. Sandys.

2. The sliding thread holder in a sewing machine, which carries the lower thread through a loop of the upper thread, to make a lock stitch.

3. A shutter, as for a channel for molten metal. [R.] Shuttle box (Weaving), a case at the end of a shuttle race, to receive the shuttle after it has passed the thread of the warp; also, one of a set of compartments containing shuttles with different colored threads, which are passed back and forth in a certain order, according to the pattern of the cloth woven. -- Shutten race, a sort of shelf in a loom, beneath the warp, along which the shuttle passes; a channel or guide along which the shuttle passes in a sewing machine. -- Shuttle shell (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of marine gastropods of the genus Volva, or Radius, having a smooth, spindle- shaped shell prolonged into a channel at each end.

SHUTTLE Shut"tle, v. i.

Defn: To move backwards and forwards, like a shuttle. I had to fly far and wide, shutting athwart the big Babel, wherever his calls and pauses had to be. Carlyle.

SHUTTLECOCK Shut"tle*cock`, n.

Defn: A cork stuck with feathers, which is to be struck by a battledoor in play; also, the play itself.

SHUTTLECOCK Shut"tle*cock, v. t.

Defn: To send or toss to and fro; to bandy; as, to shuttlecock words. Thackeray.

SHUTTLECORK Shut"tle*cork`, n.

Defn: See Shuttlecock.

SHUTTLEWISE Shut"tle*wise`, adv.

Defn: Back and forth, like the movement of a shuttle.

SHWAN-PAN Shwan"-pan, n.

Defn: See Schwan-pan.

SHY Shy, a. [Compar. Shier or Shyer; superl. Shiest or Shyest.] Etym: [OE. schey, skey, sceouh, AS. sceóh; akin to Dan. sky, Sw. skygg, D. schuw, MHG. schiech, G. scheu, OHG. sciuhen to be or make timid. Cf. Eschew.]

1. Easily frightened; timid; as, a shy bird. The horses of the army . . . were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting. Swift.

2. Reserved; coy; disinclined to familiar approach. What makes you so shy, my good friend There's nobody loves you better than I. Arbuthnot. The embarrassed look of shy distress And maidenly shamefacedness. Wordsworth.

3. Cautious; wary; suspicious. I am very shy of using corrosive liquors in the preparation of medicines. Boyle. Princes are, by wisdom of state, somewhat shy of thier successors. Sir H. Wotton. To fight shy. See under Fight, v. i.

SHY Shy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shied; p. pr. & vb. n. Shying.] Etym: [From Shy, a.]

Defn: To start suddenly aside through fright or suspicion; -- said especially of horses.

SHY Shy, v. t.

Defn: To throw sidewise with a jerk; to fling; as, to shy a stone; to shy a slipper. T. Hughes.

SHY Shy, n.

1. A sudden start aside, as by a horse.

2. A side throw; a throw; a fling. Thackeray. If Lord Brougham gets a stone in his hand, he must, it seems, have a shy at somebody. Punch.

SHYLY Shy"ly, adv.

Defn: In a shy or timid manner; not familiarly; with reserve. [Written also shily.]

SHYNESS Shy"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being shy. [Written also shiness.] Frequency in heavenly contemplation is particularly important to prevent a shyness bewtween God and thy soul. Baxter.

Syn. -- Bashfulness; reserve; coyness; timidity; diffidence. See Bashfulness.

SHYSTER Shy"ster, n. Etym: [Perh. from G. scheisse excrement.]

Defn: A trickish knave; one who carries on any business, especially legal business, in a mean and dishonest way. [Slang, U.S.]

SI Si. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: A syllable applied, in solmization, to the note B; more recently, to the seventh tone of any major diatonic scale. It was added to Guido's scale by Le Maire about the end of the 17th century.

SIAGA Si*a"ga, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The ahu, or jairou.

SIALOGOGUE Si*al"o*gogue, n. Etym: [Gr. si`alon saliva + sialagogue.] (Med.)

Defn: An agent which promotes the flow of saliva.

SIAMANG Si"a*mang`, n. Etym: [Malay siamang.] (Zool.)

Defn: A gibbon (Hylobates syndactylus), native of Sumatra. It has the second and third toes partially united by a web.

SIAMESE Si`a*mese", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Siam, its native people, or their language.

SIAMESE Si`a*mese`, n. sing. & pl.

1. A native or inhabitant of Siam; pl., the people of Siam.

2. sing.

Defn: The language of the Siamese.

SIB Sib, n. Etym: [AS. sibb alliance, gesib a relative. sq. root289. See Gossip.]

Defn: A blood relation. [Obs.] Nash.

SIB Sib, a.

Defn: Related by blood; akin. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Sir W. Scott. Your kindred is but . . . little sib to you. Chaucer. [He] is no fairy birn, ne sib at all To elfs, but sprung of seed terrestrial. Spenser.

SIBBENS Sib"bens, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Med.)

Defn: A contagious disease, endemic in Scotland, resembling the yaws. It is marked by ulceration of the throat and nose and by pustules and soft fungous excrescences upon the surface of the body. In the Orkneys the name is applied to the itch. [Written also sivvens.]

SIBERIAN Si*be"ri*an, a. Etym: [From Siberia, Russ. Sibire.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Siberia, a region comprising all northern Asia and belonging to Russia; as, a Siberian winter. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Siberia. Siberian crab (Bot.), the Siberian crab apple. See Crab apple, under Crab. -- Siberian dog (Zoöl.), one of a large breed of dogs having erect ears and the hair of the body and tail very long. It is distinguished for endurance of fatigue when used for the purpose of draught. -- Siberian pea tree (Bot.), a small leguminous tree (Cragana arborescens) with yellow flowers. It is a native of Siberia.

SIBILANCE; SIBILANCY Sib"i*lance, Sib"i*lan*cy, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sibilant; sibilation. Milton would not have avoided them for their sibilancy, he who wrote . . . verses that hiss like Medusa's head in wrath. Lowell.

SIBILANT Sib"i*lant, a. Etym: [L. sibilans, -antis, p. pr. of sibilare to hiss: cf. F. sibilant.]

Defn: Making a hissing sound; uttered with a hissing sound; hissing; as, s, z, sh, and zh, are sibilant elementary sounds. -- n.

Defn: A sibiliant letter.

SIBILATE Sib"i*late, v. t. & i.

Defn: To pronounce with a hissing sound, like that of the letter s; to mark with a character indicating such pronunciation.

SIBILATION Sib`i*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. sibilatio.]

Defn: Utterance with a hissing sound; also, the sound itself; a hiss. He, with a long, low sibilation, stared. Tennyson.

SIBILATORY Sib"i*la*to*ry, a.

Defn: Hissing; sibilant.

SIBILOUS Sib"i*lous, a. Etym: [L. sibilus.]

Defn: Having a hissing sound; hissing; sibilant. [R.] Pennant.

SIBYL Sib"yl, n. Etym: [L. sibylla, Gr.

1. (Class. Antiq.)

Defn: A woman supposed to be endowed with a spirit of prophecy.

Note: The number of the sibyls is variously stated by different authors; but the opinion of Varro, that there were ten, is generally adopted. They dwelt in various parts of Persia, Greece, and Italy.

2. A female fortune teller; a pythoness; a prophetess. "An old highland sibyl." Sir W. Scott.

SIBYLIST Sib"yl*ist, n.

Defn: One who believes in a sibyl or the sibylline prophecies. Cudworth.

SIBYLLINE Sib"yl*line, a. Etym: [L. sibyllinus.]

Defn: Pertaining to the sibyls; uttered, written, or composed by sibyls; like the productions of sibyls. Sibylline books. (a) (Rom. Antiq.) Books or documents of prophecies in verse concerning the fate of the Roman empire, said to have been purchased by Tarquin the Proud from a sibyl. (b) Certain Jewish and early Christian writings purporting to have been prophetic and of sibylline origin. They date from 100 b. c. to a. d. 500.

SIC Sic, a.

Defn: Such. [Scot.]

SIC Sic, adv. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Thus.

Note: This word is sometimes inserted in a quotation [sic], to call attention to the fact that some remarkable or inaccurate expression, misspelling, or the like, is literally reproduced.

SICAMORE Sic"a*more, n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Sycamore.

SICCA Sic"ca, n. Etym: [Ar. sikka.]

Defn: A seal; a coining die; -- used adjectively to designate the silver currency of the Mogul emperors, or the Indian rupee of 192 grains. Sicca rupee, an East Indian coin, valued nominally at about two shillings sterling, or fifty cents.

SICCATE Sic"cate, v. t. Etym: [L. siccatus, p. p. of siccare to dry, fr. siecus dry.]

Defn: To dry. [R.]

SICCATION Sic*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. siccatio.]

Defn: The act or process of drying. [R.] Bailey.

SICCATIVE Sic"ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. siccativus.]

Defn: Drying; causing to dry. -- n.

Defn: That which promotes drying.

SICCIFIC Sic*cif"ic, a.Etym: [L. siccificus; siccus dry + facere to make. See -fy.]

Defn: Causing dryness.

SICCITY Sic"ci*ty, n. Etym: [L. siccitas, fr. siccus dry.]

Defn: Dryness; aridity; destitution of moisture. [Obs.] The siccity and dryness of its flesh. Sir T. Browne.

SICE Sice, n. Etym: [F. six, fr. L. sex six. See Six.]

Defn: The number six at dice.

SICER Si"cer, n. Etym: [L. sicera. See Cider.]

Defn: A strong drink; cider. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SICH Sich, a.

Defn: Such. [Obs. or Colloq.] Spenser.

SICILIAN Si*cil"i*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Sicily or its inhabitants. Sicilian vespers, the great massacre of the French in Sicily, in the year 1282, on the evening of Easter Monday, at the hour of vespers.

SICILIAN Si*cil"i*an, n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Sicily.

SICILIANO Si*ci`li*a"no, n. Etym: [It., Sicilian.]

Defn: A Sicilian dance, resembling the pastorale, set to a rather slow and graceful melody in 12-8 or 6-8 measure; also, the music to the dance.

SICILIENNE Si`ci`lienne", n. Etym: [F., fem. of sicilien Sicilian.]

Defn: A kind of rich poplin.

SICK Sick, a. [Compar. Sicker; superl. Sickest.] Etym: [OE. sek, sik, ill, AS. seóc; akin to OS. siok, seoc, OFries. siak, D. ziek, G. siech, OHG. sioh, Icel. sj, Sw. sjuk, Dan. syg, Goth. siuks ill, siukan to be ill.]

1. Affected with disease of any kind; ill; indisposed; not in health. See the Synonym under Illness. Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever. Mark i. 30. Behold them that are sick with famine. Jer. xiv. 18.

2. Affected with, or attended by, nausea; inclined to vomit; as, sick at the stomach; a sick headache.

3. Having a strong dislike; disgusted; surfeited; -- with of; as, to be sick of flattery. He was not so sick of his master as of his work. L'Estrange.

4. Corrupted; imperfect; impaired; weakned. So great is his antipathy against episcopacy, that, if a seraphim himself should be a bishop, he would either find or make some sick feathers in his wings. Fuller. Sick bay (Naut.), an apartment in a vessel, used as the ship's hospital. -- Sick bed, the bed upon which a person lies sick. -- Sick berth, an apartment for the sick in a ship of war. -- Sick headache (Med.), a variety of headache attended with disorder of the stomach and nausea. -- Sick list, a list containing the names of the sick. -- Sick room, a room in which a person lies sick, or to which he is confined by sickness.

Note: [These terms, sick bed, sick berth, etc., are also written both hyphened and solid.]

Syn. -- Diseased; ill; disordered; distempered; indisposed; weak; ailing; feeble; morbid.

SICK Sick, n.

Defn: Sickness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SICK Sick, v. i.

Defn: To fall sick; to sicken. [Obs.] Shak.

SICK-BRAINED Sick"-brained`, a.

Defn: Disordered in the brain.

SICKEN Sick"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sickened; p. pr. & vb. n. Sickening.]

1. To make sick; to disease. Raise this strength, and sicken that to death. Prior.

2. To make qualmish; to nauseate; to disgust; as, to sicken the stomach.

3. To impair; to weaken. [Obs.] Shak.

SICKEN Sick"en, v. i.

1. To become sick; to fall into disease. The judges that sat upon the jail, and those that attended, sickened upon it and died. Bacon.

2. To be filled to disgust; to be disgusted or nauseated; to be filled with abhorrence or aversion; to be surfeited or satiated. Mine eyes did sicken at the sight. Shak.

3. To become disgusting or tedious. The toiling pleasure sickens into pain. Goldsmith.

4. To become weak; to decay; to languish. All pleasures sicken, and all glories sink. Pope.

SICKENING Sick"en*ing, a.

Defn: Causing sickness; specif., causing surfeit or disgust; nauseating. -- Sick"en*ing*ly, adv.

SICKER Sick"er, v. i. Etym: [AS. sicerian.] (Mining)

Defn: To percolate, trickle, or ooze, as water through a crack. [Also written sigger, zigger, and zifhyr.] [Prov. Eng.]

SICKER; SIKER Sick"er, Sik"er, a. Etym: [OE. siker; cf. OS. sikur, LG. seker, D. zeker, Dan. sikker, OHG. sihhur, G. sicher; all fr. L. securus. See Secure, Sure.]

Defn: Sure; certain; trusty. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Burns. When he is siker of his good name. Chaucer.

SICKER; SIKER Sick"er, Sik"er, adv.

Defn: Surely; certainly. [Obs.] Believe this as siker as your creed. Chaucer. Sicker, Willye, thou warnest well. Spenser.

SICKERLY; SIKERLY Sick"er*ly, Sik"er*ly, adv.

Defn: Surely; securely. [Obs.] But sikerly, withouten any fable. Chaucer.

SICKERNESS; SIKERNESS Sick"er*ness, Sik"er*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sicker, or certain. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

SICKISH Sick"ish, a.

1. Somewhat sick or diseased.

2. Somewhat sickening; as, a sickish taste. -- Sick"ish*ly, adv. -- Sick"ish*ness, n.

SICKLE Sic"kle, n. Etym: [OE. sikel, AS. sicol; akin to D. sikkel, G. sichel, OHG. sihhila, Dan. segel, segl, L. secula, fr. secare to cut; or perhaps from L. secula. See Saw a cutting instrument.]

1. A reaping instrument consisting of a steel blade curved into the form of a hook, and having a handle fitted on a tang. The sickle has one side of the blade notched, so as always to sharpen with a serrated edge. Cf. Reaping hook, under Reap. When corn has once felt the sickle, it has no more benefit from the sunshine. Shak.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: A group of stars in the constellation Leo. See Illust. of Leo. Sickle pod (Bot.), a kind of rock cress (Arabis Canadensis) having very long curved pods.

SICKLEBILL Sic"kle*bill`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of three species of humming birds of the genus Eutoxeres, native of Central and South America. They have a long and strongly curved bill. Called also the sickle-billed hummer. (b) A curlew. (c) A bird of the genus Epimachus and allied genera.

SICKLED Sic"kled, a.

Defn: Furnished with a sickle.

SICKLEMAN Sic"kle*man, n.; pl. Sicklemen (.

Defn: One who uses a sickle; a reaper. You sunburned sicklemen, of August weary. Shak.

SICKLER Sic"kler, n.

Defn: One who uses a sickle; a sickleman; a reaper.

SICKLESS Sick"less, a.

Defn: Free from sickness. [R.] Give me long breath, young beds, and sickless ease. Marston.

SICKLEWORT Sic"kle*wort`, n. Etym: [AS. sicolwyrt.] (Bot.) (a) A plant of the genus Coronilla (C. scorpioides); -- so named from its curved pods. (b) The healall (Brunella vulgaris).

SICKLIED Sick"lied, a.

Defn: Made sickly. See Sickly, v.

SICKLINESS Sick"li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sickly.

SICKLY Sick"ly, a. [Compar. Sicklier; superl. Sickliest.]

1. Somewhat sick; disposed to illness; attended with disease; as, a sickly body. This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. Shak.

2. Producing, or tending to, disease; as, a sickly autumn; a sickly climate. Cowper.

3. Appearing as if sick; weak; languid; pale. The moon grows sickly at the sight of day. Dryden. Nor torrid summer's sickly smile. Keble.

4. Tending to produce nausea; sickening; as, a sickly smell; sickly sentimentality.

Syn. -- Diseased; ailing; infirm; weakly; unhealthy; healthless; weak; feeble; languid; faint.

SICKLY Sick"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sick manner or condition; ill. My people sickly [with ill will] beareth our marriage. Chaucer.

SICKLY Sick"ly, v. t.

Defn: To make sick or sickly; -- with over, and probably only in the past participle. [R.] Sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought. Shak. Sentiments sicklied over . . . with that cloying heaviness into which unvaried sweetness is too apt to subside. Jeffrey.

SICKNESS Sick"ness, n. Etym: [AS. seócness.]

1. The quality or state of being sick or diseased; illness; sisease or malady. I do lament the sickness of the king. Shak. Trust not too much your now resistless charms; Those, age or sickness soon or late disarms. Pope.

2. Nausea; qualmishness; as, sickness of stomach.

Syn. -- Illness; disease; malady. See Illness.

SICLE Si"cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. silcus, Heb. shegel. See Shekel.]

Defn: A shekel. [Obs.] The holy mother brought five sicles and a pair of turtledoves to redeem the Lamb of God. Jer. Taylor.

SIDA Si"da, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of malvaceous plants common in the tropics. All the species are mucilaginous, and some have tough ligneous fibers which are used as a substitute for hemp and flax. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

SIDDOW Sid"dow, a.

Defn: Soft; pulpy. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SIDE Side, n. Etym: [AS. side; akin to D. zijde, G. seite, OHG. sita, Icel. si, Dan. side, Sw. sida; cf. AS. sid large, spacious, Icel. si long, hanging.]

1. The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc.

3. Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side. Looking round on every side beheld A pathless desert. Milton.

4. (a) One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather. (b) The right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body; as, a pain in the side. One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side. John xix. 34.

5. A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge. Along the side of yon small hill. Milton.

6. The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another. God on our side, doubt not of victory. Shak. We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics. Landor. Sets the passions on the side of truth. Pope.

7. A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another. To sit upon thy father David's throne, By mother's side thy father. Milton.

8. Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty. By the side of, close at hand; near to. -- Exterior side. (Fort.) See Exterior, and Illust. of Ravelin. -- Interior side (Fort.), the line drawn from the center of one bastion to that of the next, or the line curtain produced to the two oblique radii in front. H. L. Scott. -- Side by side, close together and abreast; in company or along with. -- To choose sides, to select those who shall compete, as in a game, on either side. -- To take sides, to attach one's self to, or give assistance to, one of two opposing sides or parties.

SIDE Side, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a side, or the sides; being on the side, or toward the side; lateral. One mighty squadron with a side wind sped. Dryden.

2. Hence, indirect; oblique; collateral; incidental; as, a side issue; a side view or remark. The law hath no side respect to their persons. Hooker.

3. Etym: [AS. sid. Cf Side, n.]

Defn: Long; large; extensive. [Obs. or Scot.] Shak. His gown had side sleeves down to mid leg. Laneham. Side action, in breech-loading firearms, a mechanism for operating the breech block, which is moved by a lever that turns sidewise. -- Side arms, weapons worn at the side, as sword, bayonet, pistols, etc. -- Side ax, an ax of which the handle is bent to one side. -- Side-bar rule (Eng. Law.), a rule authorized by the courts to be granted by their officers as a matter of course, without formal application being made to them in open court; -- so called because anciently moved for by the attorneys at side bar, that is, informally. Burril. -- Side box, a box or inclosed seat on the side of a theater. To insure a side-box station at half price. Cowper. -- Side chain, one of two safety chains connecting a tender with a locomotive, at the sides. -- Side cut, a canal or road branching out from the main one. [U.S.] -- Side dish, one of the dishes subordinate to the main course. -- Side glance, a glance or brief look to one side. -- Side hook (Carp.), a notched piece of wood for clamping a board to something, as a bench. -- Side lever, a working beam of a side-lever engine. -- Side-lever engine, a marine steam engine having a working beam of each side of the cylinder, near the bottom of the engine, communicating motion to a crank that is above them. -- Side pipe (Steam Engine), a steam or exhaust pipe connecting the upper and lower steam chests of the cylinder of a beam engine. -- Side plane, a plane in which the cutting edge of the iron is at the side of the stock. -- Side posts (Carp.), posts in a truss, usually placed in pairs, each post set at the same distance from the middle of the truss, for supporting the principal rafters, hanging the tiebeam, etc. -- Side rod. (a) One of the rods which connect the piston-rod crosshead with the side levers, in a side-lever engine. (b) See Parallel rod, under Parallel. -- Side screw (Firearms), one of the screws by which the lock is secured to the side of a firearm stock. -- Side table, a table placed either against the wall or aside from the principal table. -- Side tool (Mach.), a cutting tool, used in a lathe or planer, having the cutting edge at the side instead of at the point. -- Side wind, a wind from one side; hence, an indirect attack, or indirect means. Wright.

SIDE Side, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sided; p. pr.& vb. n. Siding.]

1. To lean on one side. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. To embrace the opinions of one party, or engage in its interest, in opposition to another party; to take sides; as, to side with the ministerial party. All side in parties, and begin the attack. Pope.

SIDE Side, v. t.

1. To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward. [Obs.] His blind eye that sided Paridell. Spenser.

2. To suit; to pair; to match. [Obs.] Clarendon.

3. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.

4. To furnish with a siding; as, to side a house.

SIDEBOARD Side"board`, n.

Defn: A piece of dining-room furniture having compartments and shelves for keeping or displaying articles of table service. At a stately sideboard, by the wine, That fragrant smell diffused. Milton.

SIDEBONE Side"bone`, n. (Far.)

Defn: A morbid growth or deposit of bony matter and at the sides of the coronet and coffin bone of a horse. J. H. Walsh.

SIDE-CHAIN THEORY Side"-chain` the`o*ry. (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A theory proposed by Ehrlich as a chemical explanation of immunity phenomena. In brief outline it is as follows: Animal cells and bacteria are complex aggregations of molecules, which are themselves complex. Complex molecules react with one another through certain of their side chains, but only when these side chains have a definite correspondence in structure (this account for the specific action of antitoxins).

SIDED Sid"ed, a.

Defn: Having (such or so many) sides; -- used in composition; as, one-sided; many-sided.

SIDEFLASH Side"flash`, n. (Elec.)

Defn: A disruptive discharge between a conductor traversed by an oscillatory current of high frequency (as lightning) and neighboring masses of metal, or between different parts of the same conductor.

SIDEHILL Side"hill`, n.

Defn: The side or slope of a hill; sloping ground; a descent. [U. S.]

SIDE LINE Side line.

1. (a) A line pert. or attached to the side of a thing. (b) Specif., a line for hobbling an animal by connecting the fore and the hind feet of the same side.

2. (a) A line of goods sold in addition to one's principal articles of trade; a course of business pursued aside from one's regular occupation. (b) A secondary road; esp., a byroad at right angles to a main road. [Canada]

SIDELING Side"ling, adv. Etym: [OE. sideling, fr. side side. See Side, and cf. Sidelong, Headlong.]

Defn: Sidelong; on the side; laterally; also, obliquely; askew. A fellow nailed up maps . . . some sideling, and others upside down. Swift.

SIDELING Side"ling, a.

Defn: Inclining to one sidel directed toward one side; sloping; inclined; as, sideling ground.

SIDELONG Side"long`, adv. Etym: [See Sideling, adv.]

1. Laterally; obliquely; in the direction of the side.

2. On the side; as, to lay a thing sidelong.

Note: [See Sideling, adv. ] Evelyn.

SIDELONG Side"long`, a.

Defn: Lateral; oblique; not being directly in front; as, a sidelong glance. The bashful virgin's sidelong looks of love. Goldsmith.

SIDEPIECE Side"piece`, n. (Joinery)

Defn: The jamb, or cheek, of an opening in a wall, as of door or window.

SIDER Sid"er, n.

Defn: One who takes a side.

SIDER Si"der, n.

Defn: Cider. [Obs.]

SIDERAL Sid"er*al, a. Etym: [L. sideralis. See Sidereal.]

1. Relating to the stars.

2. (Astrol.)

Defn: Affecting unfavorably by the supposed influence of the stars; baleful. "Sideral blast." Milton.

SIDERATED Sid"er*a`ted, a. Etym: [L. sideratus, p. p. of siderari to be blasted by a constellation, fr. sidus, sideris, a constellation.]

Defn: Planet-struck; blasted. [Obs.]

SIDERATION Sid`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. sideratio.]

Defn: The state of being siderated, or planet-struck; esp., blast in plants; also, a sudden and apparently causeless stroke of disease, as in apoplexy or paralysis. [Obs.] Ray.

SIDEREAL Si*de"re*al, a. Etym: [L. sidereus, from sidus, sideris, a constellation, a star. Cf. Sideral, Consider, Desire.]

1. Relating to the stars; starry; astral; as, sidereal astronomy.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: Measuring by the apparent motion of the stars; designated, marked out, or accompanied, by a return to the same position in respect to the stars; as, the sidereal revolution of a planet; a sidereal day. Sidereal clock, day, month, year. See under Clock, Day, etc. -- Sideral time, time as reckoned by sideral days, or, taking the sidereal day as the unit, the time elapsed since a transit of the vernal equinox, reckoned in parts of a sidereal day. This is, strictly, apparent sidereal time, mean sidereal time being reckoned from the transit, not of the true, but of the mean, equinoctial point.

SIDEREALIZE Si*de"re*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To elevate to the stars, or to the region of the stars; to etherealize. German literature transformed, siderealized, as we see it in Goethe, reckons Winckelmann among its initiators. W. Pater.

SIDEREOUS Si*de"re*ous, a. Etym: [L. sidereus.]

Defn: Sidereal. [Obs.]

SIDERITE Sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [L. sideritis loadstone, Gr.

1. (Min.) (a) Carbonate of iron, an important ore of iron occuring generally in cleavable masses, but also in rhombohedral crystals. It is of a light yellowish brown color. Called also sparry iron, spathic iron. (b) A meteorite consisting solely of metallic iron. (c) An indigo-blue variety of quartz. (d) Formerly, magnetic iron ore, or loadstone.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Sideritis; ironwort.

SIDEROGRAPHIC; SIDEROGRAPHICAL Sid`er*o*graph"ic, Sid`er*o*graph"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to siderography; executed by engraved plates of steel; as, siderographic art; siderographic impressions.

SIDEROGRAPHIST Sid`er*og"ra*phist, n.

Defn: One skilled in siderography.

SIDEROGRAPHY Sid`er*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: The art or practice of steel engraving; especially, the process, invented by Perkins, of multiplying facsimiles of an engraved steel plate by first rolling over it, when hardened, a soft steel cylinder, and then rolling the cylinder, when hardened, over a soft steel plate, which thus becomes a facsimile of the original. The process has been superseded by electrotypy.

SIDEROLITE Sid"er*o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.]

Defn: A kind of meteorite. See under Meteorite.

SIDEROMANCY Sid"er*o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]

Defn: Divination by burning straws on red-hot iron, and noting the manner of their burning. Craig.

SIDEROSCOPE Sid"er*o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]

Defn: An instrument for detecting small quantities of iron in any substance by means of a very delicate combination of magnetic needles.

SIDEROSIS Sid`e*ro"sis, n.Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A sort of pneumonia occuring in iron workers, produced by the inhalation of particles of iron.

SIDEROSTAT Sid"er*o*stat, n. Etym: [L. sidus, sideris, a star + Gr. (Astron.)

Defn: An apparatus consisting essentially of a mirror moved by clockwork so as to throw the rays of the sun or a star in a fixed direction; -- a more general term for heliostat.

SIDEROXYLON Sid`e*rox"y*lon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of tropical sapotaceous trees noted for their very hard wood; ironwood.

SIDESADDLE Side"sad`dle, n.

Defn: A saddle for women, in which the rider sits with both feet on one side of the animal mounted. Sidesaddle flower (Bot.), a plant with hollow leaves and curiously shaped flowers; -- called also huntsman's cup. See Sarracenia.

SIDE SLIP Side slip.

Defn: See Skid, below.

SIDE-SLIP Side"-slip`, v. i.

Defn: See Skid, below.

SIDESMAN Sides"man, n.; pl. Sidesmen (.

1. A party man; a partisan. Milton.

2. An assistant to the churchwarden; a questman.

SIDE-TAKING Side"-tak`ing, n.

Defn: A taking sides, as with a party, sect, or faction. Bp. Hall.

SIDETRACK Side"track`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sidetracked; p. pr. & vb. n. Sidetracking.]

1. (Railroads) To transfer to a siding from a main line of track.

2. Hence, fig., to divert or reduce to a position or condition that is relatively secondary or subordinate in activity, importance, effectiveness, or the like; to switch off; to turn aside, as from a purpose. [Colloq.]

Such a project was, in fact, sidetracked in favor of the census of school children. Pop. Sci. Monthly.

SIDEWALK Side"walk`, n.

Defn: A walk for foot passengers at the side of a street or road; a foot pavement. [U.S.]

SIDEWAYS Side"ways`, adv.

Defn: Toward the side; sidewise. A second refraction made sideways. Sir I. Newton. His beard, a good palm's length, at least, . . . Shot sideways, like a swallow's wings. Longfellow.

SIDE-WHEEL Side"-wheel`, a.

Defn: Having a paddle wheel on each side; -- said of steam vessels; as, a side-wheel steamer.

SIDEWINDER Side"wind`er, n.

1. (Zoöl.) See Horned rattler, under Horned.

2. A heavy swinging blow from the side, which disables an adversary. [Slang.]

SIDEWISE Side"wise`, adv.

Defn: On or toward one side; laterally; sideways. I saw them mask their awful glance Sidewise meek in gossamer lids. Emerson.

SIDING Sid"ing, n.

1. Attaching one's self to a party.

2. A side track, as a railroad; a turnout.

3. (Carp.)

Defn: The covering of the outside wall of a frame house, whether made of weatherboards, vertical boarding with cleats, shingles, or the like.

4. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: The thickness of a rib or timber, measured, at right angles with its side, across the curved edge; as, a timber having a siding of ten inches.

SIDLE Si"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sidled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sidling.] Etym: [From Side.]

Defn: To go or move with one side foremost; to move sidewise; as, to sidle through a crowd or narrow opening. Swift. He . . . then sidled close to the astonished girl. Sir W. Scott.

SIEGE Siege, n. Etym: [OE. sege, OF. siege, F. siège a seat, a siege; cf. It. seggia, seggio, zedio, a seat, asseggio, assedio, a siege, F. assiéger to besiege, It. & LL. assediare, L. obsidium a siege, besieging; all ultimately fr. L. sedere to sit. See Sit, and cf. See, n.]

1. A seat; especially, a royal seat; a throne. [Obs.] "Upon the very siege of justice." Shak. A stately siege of sovereign majesty, And thereon sat a woman gorgeous gay. Spenser. In our great hall there stood a vacant chair . . . And Merlin called it "The siege perilous." Tennyson.

2. Hence, place or situation; seat. [Obs.] Ah! traitorous eyes, come out of your shameless siege forever. Painter (Palace of Pleasure).

3. Rank; grade; station; estimation. [Obs.] I fetch my life and being From men of royal siege. Shak.

4. Passage of excrements; stool; fecal matter. [Obs.] The siege of this mooncalf. Shak.

5. The sitting of an army around or before a fortified place for the purpose of compelling the garrison to surrender; the surrounding or investing of a place by an army, and approaching it by passages and advanced works, which cover the besiegers from the enemy's fire. See the Note under Blockade.

6. Hence, a continued attempt to gain possession. Love stood the siege, and would not yield his breast. Dryden.

7. The floor of a glass-furnace.

8. A workman's bench. Knught. Siege gun, a heavy gun for siege operations. -- Siege train, artillery adapted for attacking fortified places.

SIEGE Siege, v. t.

Defn: To besiege; to beset. [R.] Through all the dangers that can siege The life of man. Buron.

SIEGEWORK Siege"work`, n.

Defn: A temporary fort or parallel where siege guns are mounted.

SIEMENS-MARTIN PROCESS Sie"mens-Mar`tin proc"ess.

Defn: See Open-hearth process, etc., under Open.

SIEMENS-MARTIN STEEL Sie"mens-Mar"tin steel.

Defn: See Open-hearth steel, under Open.

SIENITE Si"e*nite, n. (Min.)

Defn: See Syenite.

SIENITIC Si`e*nit"ic, a.

Defn: See Syenitic.

SIENNA Si*en"na, n. Etym: [It. terra di Siena, fr. Siena in Italy.] (Chem.)

Defn: Clay that is colored red or brown by the oxides of iron or manganese, and used as a pigment. It is used either in the raw state or burnt. Burnt sienna, sienna made of a much redder color by the action of fire. -- Raw sienna, sienna in its natural state, of a transparent yellowish brown color.

SIENNESE Si`en*nese", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Sienna, a city of Italy.

SIERRA Si*er"ra, n. Etym: [Sp., properly, a saw, fr. L. serra a saw. See Serrate.]

Defn: A ridge of mountain and craggy rocks, with a serrated or irregular outline; as, the Sierra Nevada. The wild sierra overhead. Whitter.

SIESTA Si*es"ta, n. Etym: [Sp., probably fr. L. sessitare to sit much or long, v. freq. of sedere, sessum, to sit. See Sit.]

Defn: A short sleep taken about the middle of the day, or after dinner; a midday nap.

SIEUR Sieur, n. Etym: [F., abbrev. from seigneur. Cf. Monsieur, Seignior.]

Defn: Sir; -- a title of respect used by the French.

SIEVA Sie"va, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A small variety of the Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus).

SIEVE Sieve, n. Etym: [OE. sive, AS. sife; akin to D. zeef, zift, OHG. sib, G. sieb. sq. root151a. Cf. Sift.]

1. A utensil for separating the finer and coarser parts of a pulverized or granulated substance from each other. It consist of a vessel, usually shallow, with the bottom perforated, or made of hair, wire, or the like, woven in meshes. "In a sieve thrown and sifted." Chaucer.

2. A kind of coarse basket. Simmonds. Sieve cells (Bot.), cribriform cells. See under Cribriform.

SIFAC Si"fac, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The white indris of Madagascar. It is regarded by the natives as sacred.

SIFFLEMENT Sif"fle*ment, n. Etym: [F., a whistling or hissing.]

Defn: The act of whistling or hissing; a whistling sound; sibilation. [Obs.] A. Brewer.

SIFILET Sif"i*let, n. Etym: [Cf. F. siflet.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The six-shafted bird of paradise. See Paradise bird, under Paradise.

SIFT Sift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sifting.] Etym: [AS. siftan, from sife sieve. sq. root151a. See Sieve.]

1. To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.

2. To separate or part as if with a sieve. When yellow sands are sifted from below, The glittering billows give a golden show. Dryden.

3. To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize. Sifting the very utmost sentence and syllable. Hooker. Opportunity I here have had To try thee, sift thee. Milton. Let him but narrowly sift his ideas. I. Taylor. To sift out, to search out with care, as if by sifting.

SIFTER Sift"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, sifts.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any lamellirostral bird, as a duck or goose; -- so called because it sifts or strains its food from the water and mud by means of the lamell

SIG Sig, n. Etym: [Akin to AS. sigan to fall. sq. root151a. See Sink, v. t.]

Defn: Urine. [Prov. Eng.]

SIGAULTIAN Si*gaul"ti*an, a. (Surg.)

Defn: Pertaining to Sigault, a French physician. See Symphyseotomy.

SIGGER Sig"ger, v. i.

Defn: Same as Sicker. [Prov. Eng.]

SIGH Sigh, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sighed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sighing.] Etym: [OE. sighen, si; cf. also OE. siken, AS. sican, and OE. sighten, si, sichten, AS. siccettan; all, perhaps, of imitative origin.]

1. To inhale a larger quantity of air than usual, and immediately expel it; to make a deep single audible respiration, especially as the result or involuntary expression of fatigue, exhaustion, grief, sorrow, or the like.

2. Hence, to lament; to grieve. He sighed deeply in his spirit. Mark viii. 12.

3. To make a sound like sighing. And the coming wind did roar more loud, And the sails did sigh like sedge. Coleridge. The winter winds are wearily sighing. Tennyson.

Note: An extraordinary pronunciation of this word as sith is still heard in England and among the illiterate in the United States.

SIGH Sigh, v. t.

1. To exhale (the breath) in sighs. Never man sighed truer breath. Shak.

2. To utter sighs over; to lament or mourn over. Ages to come, and men unborn, Shall bless her name, and sigh her fate. Pior.

3. To express by sighs; to utter in or with sighs. They . . . sighed forth proverbs. Shak. The gentle swain . . . sighs back her grief. Hoole.

SIGH Sigh, n. Etym: [OE. sigh; cf. OE. sik. See Sigh, v. i.]

1. A deep and prolonged audible inspiration or respiration of air, as when fatigued or grieved; the act of sighing. I could drive the boat with my sighs. Shak.

2. Figuratively, a manifestation of grief; a lan With their sighs the air Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite. Milton.

SIGH-BORN Sigh"-born`, a.

Defn: Sorrowful; mournful. [R.] "Sigh-born thoughts." De Quincey.

SIGHER Sigh"er, n.

Defn: One who sighs.

SIGHING Sigh"ing, a.

Defn: Uttering sighs; grieving; lamenting. "Sighing millions." Cowper. -- Sigh"ing*ly, adv.

SIGHT Sight, n. Etym: [OE. sight, si, siht, AS. siht, gesiht, gesih, gesieh, gesyh; akin to D. gezicht, G. sicht, gesicht, Dan. sigte, Sw. sigt, from the root of E. see. See See, v. t.]

1. The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view; as, to gain sight of land. A cloud received him out of their sight. Acts. i. 9.

2. The power of seeing; the faculty of vision, or of perceiving objects by the instrumentality of the eyes. Thy sight is young, And thou shalt read when mine begin to dazzle. Shak. O loss of sight, of thee I most complain! Milton.

3. The state of admitting unobstructed vision; visibility; open view; region which the eye at one time surveys; space through which the power of vision extends; as, an object within sight.

4. A spectacle; a view; a show; something worth seeing. Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Ex. iii. 3. They never saw a sight so fair. Spenser.

5. The instrument of seeing; the eye. Why cloud they not their sights Shak.

6. Inspection; examination; as, a letter intended for the sight of only one person.

7. Mental view; opinion; judgment; as, in their sight it was harmless. Wake. That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke xvi. 15.

8. A small aperture through which objects are to be seen, and by which their direction is settled or ascertained; as, the sight of a quadrant. Thier eyes of fire sparking through sights of steel. Shak.

9. A small piece of metal, fixed or movable, on the breech, muzzle, center, or trunnion of a gun, or on the breech and the muzzle of a rifle, pistol, etc., by means of which the eye is guided in aiming. Farrow.

10. In a drawing, picture, etc., that part of the surface, as of paper or canvas, which is within the frame or the border or margin. In a frame or the like, the open space, the opening.

11. A great number, quantity, or sum; as, a sight of money. [Now colloquial]

Note: Sight in this last sense was formerly employed in the best usage. "A sight of lawyers." Latimer. A wonder sight of flowers. Gower. At sight, as soon as seen, or presented to sight; as, a draft payable at sight: to read Greek at sight; to shoot a person at sight. -- Front sight (Firearms), the sight nearest the muzzle. -- Open sight. (Firearms) (a) A front sight through which the objects aimed at may be seen, in distinction from one that hides the object. (b) A rear sight having an open notch instead of an aperture. -- Peep sight, Rear sight. See under Peep, and Rear. -- Sight draft, an order, or bill of exchange, directing the payment of money at sight. -- To take sight, to take aim; to look for the purpose of directing a piece of artillery, or the like.

Syn. -- Vision; view; show; spectacle; representation; exhibition.

SIGHT Sight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sighting.]

1. To get sight of; to see; as, to sight land; to sight a wreck. Kane.

2. To look at through a sight; to see accurately; as, to sight an object, as a star.

3. To apply sights to; to adjust the sights of; also, to give the proper elevation and direction to by means of a sight; as, to sight a rifle or a cannon.

SIGHT Sight, v. i. (Mil.)

Defn: To take aim by a sight.

SIGHTED Sight"ed, a.

Defn: Having sight, or seeing, in a particular manner; -- used in composition; as, long-sighted, short-sighted, quick-sighted, sharp- sighted, and the like.

SIGHTFUL Sight"ful, a.

Defn: Easily or clearly seen; distinctly visible; perspicuous. [Obs.] Testament of Love.

SIGHTFULNESS Sight"ful*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being sightful; perspicuity. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

SIGHT-HOLE Sight"-hole`, n.

Defn: A hole for looking through; a peephole. "Stop all sight-holes." Shak.

SIGHTING Sight"ing, a & n.

Defn: from Sight, v. t. Sighting shot, a shot made to ascertain whether the sights of a firearm are properly adjusted; a trial shot.

SIGHTLESS Sight"less, a.

1. Wanting sight; without sight; blind. Of all who blindly creep or sightless soar. Pope.

2. That can not be seen; invisible. [Obs.] The sightless couriers of the air. Shak.

3. Offensive or unpleasing to the eye; unsightly; as, sightless stains. [R.] Shak. -- Sight"less*ly, adv.- Sight"less*ness, n.

SIGHTLINESS Sight"li*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being sightly; comeliness; conspicuousness.

SIGHTLY Sight"ly, a.

1. Pleasing to the sight; comely. "Many brave, sightly horses." L'Estrange.

2. Open to sight; conspicuous; as, a house stands in a sightly place.

SIGHTPROOF Sight"proof`, a.

Defn: Undiscoverable to sight. Hidden in their own sightproof bush. Lowell.

SIGHT-SEEING Sight"-see`ing, a.

Defn: Engaged in, or given to, seeing sights; eager for novelties or curiosities.

SIGHT-SEEING Sight"-see`ing, n.

Defn: The act of seeing sights; eagerness for novelties or curiosities.

SIGHT-SEER Sight"-se`er, n.

Defn: One given to seeing sights or noted things, or eager for novelties or curiosities.

SIGHT-SHOT Sight"-shot`, n.

Defn: Distance to which the sight can reach or be thrown. [R.] Cowley.

SIGHTSMAN Sights"man, n.; pl. Sightsmen (. (Mus.)

Defn: One who reads or performs music readily at first sight. [R.] Busby.

SIGIL Sig"il, n. Etym: [L. sigillum. See Seal a stamp.]

Defn: A seal; a signature. Dryden. Of talismans and sigils knew the power. Pope.

SIGILLARIA Sig`il*la"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [L., from sigillum a seal. See Sigil.] (Rom. Antic.)

Defn: Little images or figures of earthenware exposed for sale, or given as presents, on the last two days of the Saturnalia; hence, the last two, or the sixth and seventh, days of the Saturnalia.

SIGILLARIA Sig`il*la"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL., fem sing. fr. L. sigillum a seal.] (Paleon.)

Defn: A genus of fossil trees principally found in the coal formation; -- so named from the seallike leaf scars in vertical rows on the surface.

SIGILLARID Sig`il*la"rid, n. (Paleon.)

Defn: One of an extinct family of cryptagamous trees, including the genus Sigillaria and its allies.

SIGILLATED Sig"il*la`ted, a. Etym: [L. sigillatus adorned with little images.]

Defn: Decorated by means of stamps; -- said of pottery.

SIGILLATIVE Sig"il*la*tive, a. Etym: [L. sigillum a seal: cf. OF. sigillatif.]

Defn: Fit to seal; belonging to a seal; composed of wax. [R.]

SIGILLUM Si*gil"lum, n.; pl. Sigilla. Etym: [L.] (Rom. & Old Eng. Law)

Defn: A seal.

SIGLA Sig"la, n. pl. Etym: [L.]

Defn: The signs, abbreviations, letters, or characters standing for words, shorthand, etc., in ancient manuscripts, or on coins, medals, etc. W. Savage.

SIGMA Sig"ma, n.; pl. Sigmas. Etym: [L., from Gr.

Defn: The Greek letter S, or s). It originally had the form of the English C.

SIGMODONT Sig"mo*dont, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of a tribe (Sigmodontes) of rodents which includes all the indigenous rats and mice of America. So called from the form of the ridges of enamel on the crowns of the worn molars. Also used adjectively.

SIGMOID; SIGMOIDAL Sig"moid, Sig*moid"al, a. Etym: [Gr. sigmoïde.]

Defn: Curved in two directions, like the letter S, or the Greek s. Sigmoid flexure (Anat.), the last curve of the colon before it terminates in the rectum. See Illust. under Digestive. -- Sigmoid valves. (Anat.) See Semilunar valves, under Semilunar.

SIGMOIDALLY Sig*moid"al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sigmoidal manner.

SIGN Sign, n. Etym: [F. signe, L. signum; cf. AS. segen, segn, a sign, standard, banner, also fr. L. signum. Cf. Ensign, Resign, Seal a stamp, Signal, Signet.]

Defn: That by which anything is made known or represented; that which furnishes evidence; a mark; a token; an indication; a proof. Specifically: (a) A remarkable event, considered by the ancients as indicating the will of some deity; a prodigy; an omen. (b) An event considered by the Jews as indicating the divine will, or as manifesting an interposition of the divine power for some special end; a miracle; a wonder. Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. Rom. xv. 19. It shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. Ex. iv. 8.

(c) Something serving to indicate the existence, or preserve the memory, of a thing; a token; a memorial; a monument. What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign. Num. xxvi. 10.

(d) Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifles, or represents, an idea; a type; hence, sometimes, a picture. The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative; but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves. Brerewood. Saint George of Merry England, the sign of victory. Spenser.

(e) A word or a character regarded as the outward manifestation of thought; as, words are the sign of ideas. (f) A motion, an action, or a gesture by which a thought is expressed, or a command or a wish made known. They made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Luke i. 62.

(g) Hence, one of the gestures of pantomime, or of a language of a signs such as those used by the North American Indians, or those used by the deaf and dumb.

Note: Educaters of the deaf distinguish between natural signs, which serve for communicating ideas, and methodical, or systematic, signs, adapted for the dictation, or the rendering, of written language, word by word; and thus the signs are to be distinguished from the manual alphabet, by which words are spelled on the fingers. (h) A military emblem carried on a banner or a standard. Milton. (i) A lettered board, or other conspicuous notice, placed upon or before a building, room, shop, or office to advertise the business there transacted, or the name of the person or firm carrying it on; a publicly displayed token or notice. The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets. Macaulay. (j) (Astron.)

Defn: The twelfth part of the ecliptic or zodiac.

Note: The signs are reckoned from the point of intersection of the ecliptic and equator at the vernal equinox, and are named, respectively, Aries (Taurus (Gemini (II), Cancer (Leo (Virgo (Libra (Scorpio (Sagittarius (Capricornus (Aquarius (Pisces ( (k) (Alg.) A character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed upon them; as, the sign + (plus); the sign -- (minus); the sign of division ÷, and the like. (l) (Med.) An objective evidence of disease; that is, one appreciable by some one other than the patient.

Note: The terms symptom and and sign are often used synonymously; but they may be discriminated. A sign differs from a symptom in that the latter is perceived only by the patient himself. The term sign is often further restricted to the purely local evidences of disease afforded by direct examination of the organs involved, as distinguished from those evidence of general disturbance afforded by observation of the temperature, pulse, etc. In this sense it is often called physical sign. (m) (Mus.) Any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, etc. (n) (Theol.) That which, being external, stands for, or signifies, something internal or spiritual; -- a term used in the Church of England in speaking of an ordinance considered with reference to that which it represents. An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. Bk. of Common Prayer.

Note: See the Table of Arbitrary Signs, p. 1924. Sign manual. (a) (Eng. Law) The royal signature superscribed at the top of bills of grants and letter patent, which are then sealed with the privy signet or great seal, as the case may be, to complete their validity. (b) The signature of one's name in one's own handwriting. Craig. Tomlins. Wharton.

Syn. -- Token; mark; note; symptom; indication; signal; symbol; type; omen; prognostic; presage; manifestation. See Emblem.

SIGN Sign, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signed; p. pr. & vb. n. Signing.] Etym: [OE. seinen to bless, originally, to make the sign of the cross over; in this sense fr. ASS. segnian (from segn, n.), or OF. seignier, F. signer, to mark, to sign (in sense 3), fr. L. signare to mark, set a mark upon, from signum. See Sign, n.]

1. To represent by a sign; to make known in a typical or emblematic manner, in distinction from speech; to signify. I signed to Browne to make his retreat. Sir W. Scott.

2. To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign. We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross. Bk. of Com Prayer.

3. To affix a signature to; to ratify by hand or seal; to subscribe in one's own handwriting. Inquire the Jew's house out, give him this deed, And let him sign it. Shak.

4. To assign or convey formally; -- used with away.

5. To mark; to make distinguishable. Shak.

SIGN Sign, v. i.

1. To be a sign or omen. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To make a sign or signal; to communicate directions or intelligence by signs.

3. To write one's name, esp. as a token of assent, responsibility, or obligation.

SIGNABLE Sign"a*ble, a.

Defn: Suitable to be signed; requiring signature; as, a legal document signable by a particular person.

SIGNAL Sig"nal, n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. signale, fr. L. signum. See Sign, n.]

1. A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action. All obeyed The wonted signal and superior voice Of this great potentate. Milton.

2. A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign. The weary sun . . . Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow. Shak. There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen. De Foc.

SIGNAL Sig"nal, a. Etym: [From signal, n.: cf. F. signalé.]

1. Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence. As signal now in low, dejected state As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer. The signal service, a bureau of the government (in the United States connected with the War Department) organized to collect from the whole country simultaneous raports of local meteorological conditions, upon comparison of which at the central office, predictions concerning the weather are telegraphed to various sections, where they are made known by signals publicly displayed. -- Signal station, the place where a signal is displayed; specifically, an observation office of the signal service.

Syn. -- Eminent; remarkable; memorable; extraordinary; notable; conspicuous.

SIGNAL Sig"nal, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signaled ( or Signalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Signaling or Signalling.]

1. To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.

2. To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor. M. Arnold.

SIGNALIST Sig"nal*ist, n.

Defn: One who makes signals; one who communicates intelligence by means of signals.

SIGNALITY Sig*nal"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being signal or remarkable. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SIGNALIZE Sig"nal*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signalized; p. pr. & vb. n. Signalizing.] Etym: [From Signal, a.]

1. To make signal or eminent; to render distinguished from what is common; to distinguish. It is this passion which drives men to all the ways we see in use of signalizing themselves. Burke.

2. To communicate with by means of a signal; as, a ship signalizes its consort.

3. To indicate the existence, presence, or fact of, by a signal; as, to signalize the arrival of a steamer.

SIGNALLY Sig"nal*ly, adv.

Defn: In a signal manner; eminently.

SIGNALMAN Sig"nal*man, n.; pl. -men (.

Defn: A man whose business is to manage or display signals; especially, one employed in setting the signals by which railroad trains are run or warned.

SIGNALMENT Sig"nal*ment, n.

Defn: The act of signaling, or of signalizing; hence, description by peculiar, appropriate, or characteristic marks. Mrs. Browning.

SIGNATE Sig"nate, a. Etym: [L. signatus, p. p. See Sign, v. t.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having definite color markings.

SIGNATION Sig*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. signatio. See Sign, v. t.]

Defn: Sign given; marking. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SIGNATORY Sig"na*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. signatorius.]

1. Relating to a seal; used in sealing. [Obs.] Bailey.

2. Signing; joining or sharing in a signature; as, signatory powers.

SIGNATORY Sig"na*to*ry, n.; pl. -ries (.

Defn: A signer; one who signs or subscribes; as, a conference of signatories.

SIGNATURE Sig"na*ture, n. Etym: [F. (cf. It. signatura, segnatura, Sp. & LL. signatura), from L. signare, signatum. See Sign, v. t.]

1. A sign, stamp, or mark impressed, as by a seal. The brain, being well furnished with various traces, signatures, and images. I. Watts. The natural and indelible signature of God, which human souls . . . are supposed to be stamped with. Bentley.

2. Especially, the name of any person, written with his own hand, employed to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his wishes or intentions; a sign manual; an autograph.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: An outward mark by which internal characteristics were supposed to be indicated. Some plants bear a very evident signature of their nature and use. Dr. H. More.

4. (Old Med.)

Defn: A resemblance between the external characters of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; -- supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.

5. (Mus.)

Defn: The designation of the key (when not C major, or its relative, A minor) by means of one or more sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff, immediately after the clef, affecting all notes of the same letter throughout the piece or movement. Each minor key has the same signature as its relative major.

6. (Print.) (a) A letter or figure placed at the bottom of the first page of each sheet of a book or pamphlet, as a direction to the binder in arranging and folding the sheets. (b) The printed sheet so marked, or the form from which it is printed; as, to reprint one or more signatures.

Note: Star signatures (as A*, 1*) are the same characters, with the addition of asterisks, used on the first pages of offcuts, as in 12mo sheets.

7. (Pharm.)

Defn: That part of a prescription which contains the directions to the patient. It is usually prefaced by S or Sig. (an abbreviation for the Latin signa, imperative of signare to sign or mark).

SIGNATURE Sig"na*ture, v. t.

Defn: To mark with, or as with, a signature or signatures.

SIGNATURIST Sig"na*tur`ist, n.

Defn: One who holds to the doctrine of signatures impressed upon objects, indicative of character or qualities. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SIGNBOARD Sign"board`, n.

Defn: A board, placed on or before a shop, office, etc., on which ssome notice is given, as the name of a firm, of a business, or the like.

SIGNER Sign"er, n.

Defn: One who signs or subscribes his name; as, a memorial with a hundred signers.

SIGNET Sig"net, n. Etym: [OF. signet a signet, F., a bookmark, dim. of signe. See Sign, n., and cf. Sennet.]

Defn: A seal; especially, in England, the seal used by the sovereign in sealing private letters and grants that pass by bill under the sign manual; -- called also privy signet. I had my father's signet in my purse. Shak. Signet ring, a ring containing a signet or private seal. -- Writer to the signet (Scots Law), a judicial officer who prepares warrants, writs, etc.; originally, a clerk in the office of the secretary of state.

SIGNETED Sig"net*ed, a.

Defn: Stamped or marked with a signet.

SIGNIFER Sig"ni*fer, a. Etym: [L., from signum sign + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Bearing signs. [Obs.] "The signifer sphere, or zodiac." Holland.

SIGNIFICANCE; SIGNIFICANCY Sig*nif"i*cance, Sig*nif"i*can*cy, n. Etym: [L. significantia.]

1. The quality or state of being significant.

2. That which is signified; meaning; import; as, the significance of a nod, of a motion of the hand, or of a word or expression.

3. Importance; moment; weight; consequence. With this brain I must work, in order to give significancy and value to the few facts which I possess. De Quincey.

SIGNIFICANT Sig*nif"i*cant, a. Etym: [L. significans, -antis, p. pr. of significare. See Signify.]

1. Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant word or sound; a significant look. It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant, but not efficient. Sir W. Raleigh.

2. Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event. Significant figures (Arith.), the figures which remain to any number, or decimal fraction, after the ciphers at the right or left are canceled. Thus, the significant figures of 25,000, or of .0025, are 25.

SIGNIFICANT Sig*nif"i*cant, n.

Defn: That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol. Wordsworth. In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts. Shak.

SIGNIFICANTLY Sig*nif"i*cant*ly, adv.

Defn: In a significant manner.

SIGNIFICATE Sig*nif"i*cate, n. Etym: [L. significatus, p. p. of significare. See Signify.] (Logic)

Defn: One of several things signified by a common term. Whately.

SIGNIFICATION Sig`ni*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [F. signification, L. significatio.]

1. The act of signifying; a making known by signs or other means. A signification of being pleased. Landor. All speaking or signification of one's mind implies an act or addres of one man to another. South.

2. That which is signified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character, or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words.

SIGNIFICATIVE Sig*nif"i*ca*tive, a. Etym: [L. significativus: cf. F. significatif.]

1. Betokening or representing by an external sign. The holy symbols or signs are not barely significative. Brerewood.

2. Having signification or meaning; expressive of a meaning or purpose; significant. Neither in the degrees of kindred they were destitute of significative words. Camden. -- Sig*nif"i*ca*tive*ly, adv. -- Sig*nif"i*ca*tive*ness, n.

SIGNIFICATOR Sig"ni*fi*ca`tor, n. Etym: [Cf. F. significateur.]

Defn: One who, or that which, signifies. In this diagram there was one significator which pressed remarkably upon our astrologer's attention. Sir W. Scott.

SIGNIFICATORY Sig*nif"i*ca*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. significatorius.]

Defn: Significant. -- n.

Defn: That which is significatory.

SIGNIFICAVIT Sig`ni*fi*ca"vit, n. Etym: [L., (he) has signified, perf. ind. of significare to signify.] (Eng. Eccl. Law)

Defn: Formerly, a writ issuing out of chancery, upon certificate given by the ordinary, of a man's standing excommunicate by the space of forty days, for the laying him up in prison till he submit himself to the authority of the church. Crabb.

SIGNIFY Sig"ni*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Signified; p. pr. & vb. n. Signifying.] Etym: [F. signifier, L. significare; signum a sign + - ficare (in comp.) to make. See Sign, n., and -fy.]

1. To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express; as, a signified his desire to be present. I 'll to the king; and signify to him That thus I have resign'd my charge to you. Shak. The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied. Swift.

2. To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken. He bade her tell him what it signified. Chaucer. A tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Shak.

Note: Signify is often used impersonally; as, it signifies nothing, it does not signify, that is, it is of no importance.

Syn. -- To express; manifest; declare; utter; intimate; betoken; denote; imply; mean.

SIGNIOR Sign"ior, n.

Defn: Sir; Mr. The English form and pronunciation for the Italian Signor and the Spanish Señor.

SIGNIORIZE Sign"ior*ize, v. t. Etym: [See Seigniorize.]

Defn: To exercise dominion over; to lord it over. [Obs.] Shelton.

SIGNIORIZE Sign"ior*ize, v. i.

Defn: To exercise dominion; to signiorize. [Obs.] Hewyt.

SIGNIORSHIP Sign"ior*ship, n.

Defn: State or position of a signior.

SIGNIORY Sign"ior*y, n.

Defn: Same as Seigniory.

SIGNOR; SIGNORE Si*gnor", Si*gno"re, n. Etym: [It. See Seignior.]

Defn: Sir; Mr; -- a title of address or respect among the Italians. Before a noun the form is Signor.

SIGNORA Si*gno"ra, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: Madam; Mrs; -- a title of address or respect among the Italians.

SIGNORINA Si`gno*ri"na, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: Miss; -- a title of address among the Italians.

SIGNPOST Sign"post`, n.

Defn: A post on which a sign hangs, or on which papers are placed to give public notice of anything.

SIK; SIKE Sik, Sike, a.

Defn: Such. See Such. [Obs.] "Sike fancies weren foolerie." Spenser.

SIKE Sike, n. Etym: [AS. sic. Cf. Sig.]

Defn: A gutter; a stream, such as is usually dry in summer. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SIKE Sike, n. Etym: [See Sick.]

Defn: A sick person. [Prov. Eng.]

SIKE Sike, v. i.

Defn: To sigh. [Obs.] That for his wife weepeth and siketh sore. Chaucer.

SIKE Sike, n.

Defn: A sigh. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SIKER; SIKERLY; SIKERNESS Sik"er, a. & adv., Sik"er*ly, adv., Sik"er*ness, n., etc.

Defn: See 2d Sicker, Sickerly, etc. [Obs.]

SIKHS Sikhs, n. pl.; sing. Sikh (. Etym: [Hind. Sikh, properly, a disciple.]

Defn: A religious sect noted for warlike traits, founded in the Punjab at the end of the 15th century.

SILAGE Si"lage, n. & v.

Defn: Short for Ensilage.

SILE Sile, v. t. Etym: [Akin to Sw. sila to strain, sil sieve, G. sielen to draw away or lead off water. sq. root151a. See Silt.]

Defn: To strain, as fresh milk. [Prov. Eng.]

SILE Sile, v. i.

Defn: To drop; to flow; to fall. [Prov. Eng.]

SILE Sile, n.

1. A sieve with fine meshes. [Prov. Eng.]

2. Filth; sediment. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SILE Sile, n. Etym: [Icel. sild herring; akin to Sw. sill, Dan. sild. Cf. Sill the young of a herring.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young or small herring. [Eng.] Pennant.

SILENCE Si"lence, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. silentium. See Silent.]

1. The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness. I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep. Milton.

2. Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.

3. Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence. The administration itself keeps a profound silence. D. Webster.

4. The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

5. Absence of mention; oblivion. And what most merits fame, in silence hid. Milton.

SILENCE Si"lence, interj.

Defn: Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence. Shak.

SILENCE Si"lence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silenced; p. pr. & vb. n. Silencing.]

1. To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush. Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle. Shak.

2. To put to rest; to quiet. This would silence all further opposition. Clarendon. These would have silenced their scruples. Rogers.

3. To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel. The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity. B. Trumbull.

4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.

SILENCER Si"lenc*er, n. One that silences; specif.: (a) The muffler of an internal-combustion engine. (b) Any of various devices to silence the humming noise of telegraph wires. (c) A device for silencing the report of a firearm shooting its projectiles singly, as a tubular attachment for the muzzle having circular plates that permit the passage of the projectile but impart a rotary motion to, and thus retard, the exploding gases.

SILENE Si*le"ne, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. Silenus, the attendant of Bacchus.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of caryophyllaceous plants, usually covered with a viscid secretion by which insects are caught; catchfly. Bon Silène. See Silène, in the Vocabulary.

SILENT Si"lent, a. Etym: [L. silens, -entis, p. pr. of silere to be silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.]

1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet. How silent is this town! Shak.

2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative. Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men. Broome. This new-created world, whereof in hell Fame is not silent. Milton.

3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent. Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.

4. (Pron.)

Defn: Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in "fable."

5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.] Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead. Sir W. Raleigh. Silent partner. See Dormant partner, under Dormant.

Syn. -- Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See Mute, and Taciturn.

SILENT Si"lent, n.

Defn: That which is silent; a time of silence. [R.] "The silent of the night." Shak.

SILENTIARY Si*len"ti*a*ry, n. Etym: [L. silentiarius: cf. F. silenciaire. See Silence.]

Defn: One appointed to keep silence and order in court; also, one sworn not to divulge secre

SILENTIOUS Si*len"tious, a. Etym: [L. silentiosus: cf. F. silencieux.]

Defn: Habitually silent; taciturn; reticent. [R.]

SILENTLY Si"lent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a silent manner.

SILENTNESS Si"lent*ness, n.

Defn: State of being silent; silence.

SILENUS Si*le"nus, n. Etym: [L. Silenus the tutor and attendant of Bacchus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Wanderoo.

SILESIA Si*le"si*a, n.

1. A kind of linen cloth, originally made in Silesia, a province of Prussia.

2. A twilled cotton fabric, used for dress linings.

SILESIAN Si*le"si*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Silesia. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Silesia.

SILEX Si"lex, n. Etym: [L., a finit, a pebblestone.] (Min.)

Defn: Silica, SiO2 as found in nature, constituting quarz, and most sands and sandstones. See Silica, and Silicic.

SILHOUETTE Sil`hou*ette", n. Etym: [F.; -- so called from Etienne de Silhoutte, a French minister of finance in 1759, whise diversion it was to make such portraits on the walls of his apartments.]

Defn: A representation of the outlines of an object filled in with a black color; a profile portrait in black, such as a shadow appears to be.

SILHOUETTE Sil`hou*ette", v. t.

Defn: To represent by a silhouette; to project upon a background, so as to be like a silhouette. [Recent] A flock of roasting vultures silhouetted on the sky. The Century.

SILICA Sil"i*ca, n. Etym: [NL., from L. silex, silics, a flint.] (Chem.)

Defn: Silicon dioxide, SiO

SILICATE Sil"i*cate, n.Etym: [Cf. F. silicate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of silicic acid.

Note: In mineralogical chemistry the silicates include; the unisilicates or orthosilicates, salts of orthosilicic acid; the bisilicates or metasilicates, salts of metasilicic acid; the polysilicates or acid silicates, salts of the polysilicic acids; the basic silicates or subsilicates, in which the equivalent of base is greater than would be required to neutralize the acid; and the hydrous silicates, including the zeolites and many hydrated decomposition products.

SILICATED Sil"i*ca`ted, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Combined or impregnated with silicon or silica; as, silicated hydrogen; silicated rocks. Silicated soap, a hard soap containing silicate of soda.

SILICATIZATION Sil`i*ca*ti*za"tion, n.

Defn: Silicification.

SILICEA Si*lic"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Silicoidea.

SILICEOUS Si*li"ceous, a. Etym: [L. siliceus, fr. silex, silicis, a flint.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to silica; containing silica, or partaking of its nature. [Written also silisious.]

SILICIC Si*lic"ic, a. Etym: [L. silex, silicis, a flint: cf. F. silicique.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, silica; specifically, designating compounds of silicon; as, silicic acid. Silicic acid (Chem.), an amorphous gelatinous substance, Si(HO)4, very unstable and easily dried to silica, but forming many stable salts; -- called also orthosilicic, or normal silicic, acid.

SILICICALCAREOUS Si*lic`i*cal*ca"re*ous, a.

Defn: Consisting of silica and calcareous matter.

SILICIDE Sil"i*cide, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A binary compound of silicon, or one regarded as binary. [R.] Hydrogen silicide (Chem.), a colorless, spontaneously inflammable gas, SiH4, produced artifically from silicon, and analogous to methane; -- called also silico-methane, silicon hydride, and formerly siliciureted hydrogen.

SILICIFEROUS Sil`i*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. silex, silicis, a flint + -ferous.]

Defn: Producing silica; united with silica.

SILICIFICATION Si*lic`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [See Silicify.] (Chem.)

Defn: Thae act or process of combining or impregnating with silicon or silica; the state of being so combined or impregnated; as, the silicification of wood.

SILICIFIED Si*lic"i*fied, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Combined or impregnated with silicon or silica, especially the latter; as, silicified wood.

SILICIFY Si*lic"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silicified; p. pr. & vb. n. Silicifying.] Etym: [L. silex, silicis, a flint + -fy: cf. F. silicifier.] (Chem.)

Defn: To convert into, or to impregnate with, silica, or with the compounds of silicon. The specimens found . . . are completely silicified. Say.

Note: The silica may take the form of agate, chalcedony, flint, hornstone, or crystalline quartz.

SILICIFY Si*lic"i*fy, v. i.

Defn: To become converted into silica, or to be impregnated with silica.

SILICIOIDEA Sil`i*ci*oi"de*a, n. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Silicoidea.

SILICIOUS Si*li"cious, a.

Defn: See Siliceous.

SILICISPONGIAE Sil`i*ci*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Silex, and Sponge.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Silicoidea.

SILICITED Si*lic"it*ed, a.

Defn: Silicified. [Obs.]

SILICIUM Si*lic"i*um, n.

Defn: See Silicon.

SILICIURETED Si*lic"i*u*ret`ed, a. [Written also siliciuretted.] (Old. Chem.)

Defn: Combined or impregnated with silicon. [Obsoles.] Siliciureted hydrogen. (Chem.) Hydrogen silicide. [Obs.]

SILICLE Sil"i*cle, n. Etym: [L. silicula, dim. of siliqua a pod or husk: cf. F. silicule.] (Bot.)

Defn: A seed vessel resembling a silique, but about as broad as it is long. See Silique.

SILICO- Sil"i*co-. (Chem.)

Defn: A combining form (also used adjectively) denoting the presence of silicon or its compounds; as, silicobenzoic, silicofluoride, etc.

SILICOFLUORIC Sil`i*co*flu*or"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Containing, or composed of, silicon and fluorine; especially, denoting the compounds called silicofluorides. Silicofluoric acid (Chem.), a compound of hydrofluoric acid and silicon fluoride, known only in watery solution. It is produced by the action of silicon fluoride on water, and is regarded as an acid, H2SiF6, and the type and origin of the silicofluorides.

SILICOFLUORIDE Sil`i*co*flu"or*ide, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A fluosilicate; a salt of silicofluoric acid.

SILICOIDEA Sil`i*coi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Silex, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An extensive order of Porifera, which includes those that have the skeleton composed mainly of siliceous fibers or spicules.

SILICON Sil"i*con, n. Etym: [See Silica.] (Chem.)

Defn: A nonmetalic element analogous to carbon. It always occurs combined in nature, and is artificially obtained in the free state, usually as a dark brown amorphous powder, or as a dark crystalline substance with a meetallic luster. Its oxide is silica, or common quartz, and in this form, or as silicates, it is, next to oxygen, the most abundant element of the earth's crust. Silicon is characteristically the element of the mineral kingdom, as carbon is of the organic world. Symbol Si. Atomic weight 28. Called also silicium.

SILICOTUNGSTIC Sil`i*co*tung"stic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, any one of a series of double acids of silicon and tungsten, known in the free state, and also in their salts (called silicotungstates).

SILICULA Si*lic"u*la, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)

Defn: A silicle.

SILICULE Sil"i*cule, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A silicle.

SILICULOSE Si*lic"u*lose`, a. Etym: [NL. siliculosus, fr. L. silicula: cf. F. siliculeux. See Silicle.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing silicles; pertaining to, or resembling, silicles.

2. Full of, or consisting of, husks; husky. [Obs.]

SILIGINOSE Si*lig"i*nose`, a.Etym: [L. siligineus, fr. siligo, -inis, fine and very white wheat.]

Defn: Made of fine wheat. [Obs.] Bailey.

SILING Sil"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Sile to strain. [Obs. or Prov.Eng.] Siling dish, a colander. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SILIQUA Sil"i*qua, n.; pl. Siliquæ. Etym: [L. See Silique.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Silique.

2. A weight of four grains; a carat; -- a term used by jewelers, and refiners of gold.

SILIQUE Sil"ique, n. Etym: [L. siliqua a pod or husk, a very small weight or measure: cf. F. silique.] (Bot.)

Defn: An oblong or elongated seed vessel, consisting of two valves with a dissepiment between, and opening by sutures at either margin. The seeds are attached to both edges of the dissepiment, alternately upon each side of it.

SILIQUIFORM Sil"i*qui*form, a. Etym: [Silique + -form: cf. F. siliquiforme.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having the form of a silique.

SILIQUOSA Sil`i*quo"sa, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Siliquose.] (Bot.)

Defn: A Linnæan order of plants including those which bear siliques.

SILIQUOSE; SILIQUOUS Sil"i*quose`, Sil"i*quous, a. Etym: [NL. siliquosus: cf. F. siliqueux.] (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing siliques; as, siliquose plants; pertaining to, or resembling, siliques; as, siliquose capsules.

SILK Silk, n. Etym: [OE. silk, selk, AS. seolc, seoloc; akin to Icel. silki, SW. & Dan. silke; prob. through Slavic from an Oriental source; cf. Lith. szilkai, Russ. shelk', and also L. sericum Seric stuff, silk. Cf. Sericeous. Serge a woolen stuff.]

1. The fine, soft thread produced by various species of caterpillars in forming the cocoons within which the worm is inclosed during the pupa state, especially that produced by the larvæ of Bombyx mori.

2. Hence, thread spun, or cloth woven, from the above-named material.

3. That which resembles silk, as the filiform styles of the female flower of maize. Raw silk, silk as it is wound off from the cocoons, and before it is manufactured. -- Silk cotton, a cottony substance enveloping the seeds of the silk-cotton tree. -- Silk-cotton tree (Bot.), a name for several tropical trees of the genera Bombax and Eriodendron, and belonging to the order Bombaceæ. The trees grow to an immense size, and have their seeds enveloped in a cottony substance, which is used for stuffing cushions, but can not be spun. -- Silk flower. (Bot.) (a) The silk tree. (b) A similar tree (Calliandra trinervia) of Peru. -- Silk fowl (Zoöl.), a breed of domestic fowls having silky plumage. -- Silk gland (Zoöl.), a gland which secretes the material of silk, as in spider or a silkworm; a sericterium. -- Silk gown, the distinctive robe of a barrister who has been appointed king's or queen's counsel; hence, the counsel himself. Such a one has precedence over mere barristers, who wear stuff gowns. [Eng.] -- Silk grass (Bot.), a kind of grass (Stipa comata) of the Western United States, which has very long silky awns. The name is also sometimes given to various species of the genera Aqave and Yucca. -- Silk moth (Zoöl.), the adult moth of any silkworm. See Silkworm. -- Silk shag, a coarse, rough-woven silk, like plush, but with a stiffer nap. -- Silk spider (Zoöl.), a large spider (Nephila plumipes), native of the Southern United States, remarkable for the large quantity of strong silk it produces and for the great disparity in the sizes of the sexes. -- Silk thrower, Silk throwster, one who twists or spins silk, and prepares it for weaving. Brande & C. -- Silk tree (Bot.), an Asiatic leguminous tree (Albizzia Julibrissin) with finely bipinnate leaves, and large flat pods; -- so called because of the abundant long silky stamens of its blossoms. Also called silk flower. -- Silk vessel. (Zoöl.) Same as Silk gland, above. -- Virginia silk (Bot.), a climbing plant (Periploca Græca) of the Milkweed family, having a silky tuft on the seeds. It is native in Southern Europe.

SILKEN Silk"en, a. Etym: [AS. seolcen, seolocen.]

1. Of or pertaining to silk; made of, or resembling, silk; as, silken cloth; a silken veil.

2. Fig.: Soft; delicate; tender; smooth; as, silken language. "Silken terms precise." Shak.

3. Dressed in silk. "A . . . silken wanton." Shak.

SILKEN Silk"en, v. t.

Defn: To render silken or silklike. Dyer.

SILKINESS Silk"i*ness, n.

1. The quality or state of being silky or silken; softness and smoothness.

2. Fig.: Effeminacy; weakness. [R.] B. Jonson.

SILKMAN Silk"man, n.; pl. Silkmen (.

Defn: A dealer in silks; a silk mercer. Shak.

SILKNESS Silk"ness, n.

Defn: Silkiness. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SILK-STOCKING Silk"-stock`ing, a.

Defn: Wearing silk stockings (which among men were formerly worn chiefly by the luxurious or aristocratic); hence, elegantly dressed; aristocratic; luxurious; -- chiefly applied to men, often by way of reproach.

[They] will find their levees crowded with silk-stocking gentry, but no yeomanry; an army of officers without soldiers. Jefferson.

SILKWEED Silk"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genera Asclepias and Acerates whose seed vessels contain a long, silky down; milkweed.

SILKWORM Silk"worm`, n. Etym: [AS. seolcwyrm.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larva of any one of numerous species of bombycid moths, which spins a large amount of strong silk in constructing its cocoon before changing to a pupa.

Note: The common species (Bombyx mori) feeds onm the leaves of the white mulberry tree. It is native of China, but has long been introduced into other countries of Asia and Europe, and is reared on a large scale. In America it is reared only to small extent. The Ailanthus silkworm (Philosamia cynthia) is a much larger species, of considerable importance, which has been introduced into Europe and America from China. The most useful American species is the Polyphemus. See Polyphemus. Pernyi silkworm, the larva of the Pernyi moth. See Pernyi moth. -- Silkworm gut, a substance prepared from the contents of the silk glands of silkworms and used in making lines for angling. See Gut. -- Silkworm rot, a disease of silkworms; muscardine.

SILKY Silk"y, a. [Compar. Silkier; superl. Silkiest.]

1. Of or pertaining to silk; made of, or resembling, silk; silken; silklike; as, a silky luster.

2. Hence, soft and smooth; as, silky wine.

3. Covered with soft hairs pressed close to the surface, as a leaf; sericeous. Silky oak (Bot.), a lofty Australian tree (Grevillea robusta) with silky tomentose lobed or incised leaves. It furnishes a valuable timber.

SILL Sill, n. Etym: [OE. sille, sylle, AS. syl, syll; akin to G. schwelle, OHG. swelli, Icel. syll, svill, Sw. syll, Dan. syld, Goth. gasuljan to lay a foundation, to found.]

Defn: The basis or foundation of a thing; especially, a horizontal piece, as a timber, which forms the lower member of a frame, or supports a structure; as, the sills of a house, of a bridge, of a loom, and the like. Hence: (a) The timber or stone at the foot of a door; the threshold. (b) The timber or stone on which a window frame stands; or, the lowest piece in a window frame. (c) The floor of a gallery or passage in a mine. (d) A piece of timber across the bottom of a canal lock for the gates to shut against. Sill course (Arch.), a horizontal course of stone, terra cotta, or the like, built into a wall at the level of one or more window sills, these sills often forming part of it.

SILL Sill, n. Etym: [Cf. Thill.]

Defn: The shaft or thill of a carriage. [Prov. Eng.]

SILL Sill, n. Etym: [Cf. 4th Sile.]

Defn: A young herring. [Eng.]

SILLABUB Sil"la*bub, n. Etym: [Cf. sile to strain, and bub liquor, also Prov. E. sillibauk.]

Defn: A dish made by mixing wine or cider with milk, and thus forming a soft curd; also, sweetened cream, flavored with wine and beaten to a stiff froth. [Written also syllabub.]

SILLER Sil"ler, n.

Defn: Silver. [Scot.]

SILLILY Sil"li*ly, adv. Etym: [From Silly.]

Defn: In a silly manner; foolishly. Dryden.

SILLIMANITE Sil"li*man*ite, n. Etym: [After Benjamin Siliman, an American meneralogist.] (Min.)

Defn: Same as Fibrolite.

SILLINESS Sil"li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being silly.

SILLOCK Sil"lock, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pollock, or coalfish.

SILLON Sil"lon, n. Etym: [F., a furrow.] (Fort.)

Defn: A work raised in the middle of a wide ditch, to defend it. Crabb.

SILLY Sil"ly, a. [Compar. Sillier; superl. Silliest.] Etym: [OE. seely, sely, AS. s, ges, happy, good, fr. s, s, good, happy, s good fortune, happines; akin to OS. salig, a, good, happy, D. zalig blessed, G. selig, OHG. salig, Icel. s, Sw. säll, Dan. salig, Goth. s good, kind, and perh. also to L. sollus whole, entire, Gr. sarva. Cf. Seel, n.]

1. Happy; fortunate; blessed. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Harmless; innocent; inoffensive. [Obs.] "This silly, innocent Custance." Chaucer. The silly virgin strove him to withstand. Spenser. A silly, innocent hare murdered of a dog. Robynson (More's Utopia).

3. Weak; helpless; frail. [Obs.] After long storms . . . With which my silly bark was tossed sore. Spenser. The silly buckets on the deck. Coleridge.

4. Rustic; plain; simple; humble. [Obs.] A fourth man, in a sillyhabit. Shak. All that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. Milton.

5. Weak in intellect; destitute of ordinary strength of mind; foolish; witless; simple; as, a silly woman.

6. Proceeding from want of understanding or common judgment; characterized by weakness or folly; unwise; absurd; stupid; as, silly conduct; a silly question.

Syn. -- Simple; brainless; witless; shallow; foolish; unwise; indiscreet. See Simple.

SILLYHOW Sil"ly*how, n. Etym: [Prov. E. silly-hew; cf. AS. sælig happy, good, and hufe a cap, hood. See Silly, a.]

Defn: A caul. See Caul, n., 3. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SILO Si"lo, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A pit or vat for packing away green fodder for winter use so as to exclude air and outside moisture. See Ensilage.

SILT Silt, n. Etym: [OE. silte gravel, fr. silen to drain, E. sile; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. sila, prob. akin to AS. seón to filter, sigan to fall, sink, cause to sink, G. seihen to strain, to filter, OHG. sihan, Icel.sia, Skr. sic to pour; cf. Gr. Sig, Sile.]

Defn: Mud or fine earth deposited from running or standing water.

SILT Silt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silted; p. pr. & vb. n. Silting.]

Defn: To choke, fill, or obstruct with silt or mud.

SILT Silt, v. i.

Defn: To flow through crevices; to percolate.

SILTY Silt"y, a.

Defn: Full of silt; resembling silt.

SILUNDUM Si*lun"dum, n. [Trade name]

Defn: A form of silicon carbide, produced in the electric furnace, possessing great hardness, and high electrical resistance, and not subject to oxidation below 2880º F., or 1600º C.

SILURE Si*lure", n. Etym: [L. silurus a sort of river fish, Gr. silure.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A fish of the genus Silurus, as the sheatfish; a siluroid.

SILURIAN Si*lu"ri*an, a. Etym: [From L. Silures, a people who anciently inhabited a part of England and Wales.] (Geol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the country of the ancient Silures; -- a term applied to the earliest of the Paleozoic eras, and also to the strata of the era, because most plainly developed in that country.

Note: The Silurian formation, so named by Murchison, is divided into the Upper Silurian and Lower Silurian. The lower part of the Lower Silurian, with some underlying beds, is now separated under the name Cambrian, first given by Sedwick. Recently the term Ordovician has been proposed for the Lower Silurian, leawing the original word to apply only to the Upper Silurian.

SILURIAN Si*lu"ri*an, n.

Defn: The Silurian age.

SILURIDAN Si*lu"ri*dan, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any fish of the family Silurid or of the order Siluroidei.

SILUROID Si*lu"roid, n. Etym: [Silurus + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Belonging to the Siluroidei, or Nematognathi, an order of fishes including numerous species, among which are the American catfishes and numerous allied fresh-water species of the Old World, as the sheatfish (Silurus glanis) of Europe. -- n.

Defn: A siluroid fish.

SILUROIDEI Sil`u*roi"de*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (zoöl.)

Defn: An order of fishes, the Nematognathi.

SILURUS Si*lu"rus, n. Etym: [L. See Silure.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of large malacopterygious fishes of the order Siluroidei. They inhabit the inland waters of Europe and Asia.

SILVA Sil"va, n.; pl. E. Silvas, L. Silvae (. Etym: [L., properly, a wood, forest.] [Written also sylva.] (Bot.) (a) The forest trees of a region or country, considered collectively. (b) A description or history of the forest trees of a country.

SILVAN Sil"van, a. Etym: [L. silva, less correctly sylva, a wood or grove, perh. akin to Gr. "y`lh; cf. L. Silvanus Silvanus the god of woods: cf. F. sylvain silvan. Cf. Savage.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to woods; composed of woods or groves; woody. [Written also sylvan.] Betwixt two rows of rocks, a silvan scene Appears above, and groves forever green. Dryden.

SILVAN Sil"van, n. (Old Chem.)

Defn: See Sylvanium. [Obs.]

SILVANITE Sil"van*ite, n. (Min.)

Defn: See Sylvanite.

SILVAS; SELVAS Sil"vas or Sel"vas, n. pl. Etym: [L. silva a forest, Sp. selva.]

Defn: Vast woodland plains of South America.

SILVATE Sil"vate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: Same as Sylvate.

SILVER Sil"ver, n. Etym: [OE. silver, selver, seolver, AS. seolfor, siolfur, siolufr, silofr, sylofr; akin to OS. silubar, OFries. selover, D. zilver, LG. sulver, OHG. silabar, silbar, G. silber, Icel. silfr, Sw. silfver, Dan. sölv, Goth. silubr, Russ. serebro, Lith. sidabras; of unknown origin.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: A soft white metallic element, sonorous, ductile, very malleable, and capable of a high degree of polish. It is found native, and also combined with sulphur, arsenic, antimony, chlorine, etc., in the minerals argentite, proustite, pyrargyrite, ceragyrite, etc. Silver is one of the "noble" metals, so-called, not being easily oxidized, and is used for coin, jewelry, plate, and a great variety of articles. Symbol Ag (Argentum). Atomic weight 107.7. Specific gravity 10.5.

Note: Silver was known under the name of luna to the ancients and also to the alchemists. Some of its compounds, as the halogen salts, are remarkable for the effect of light upon them, and are used in photography.

2. Coin made of silver; silver money.

3. Anything having the luster or appearance of silver.

4. The color of silver.

Note: Silver is used in the formation of many compounds of obvious meaning; as, silver-armed, silver-bright, silver-buskined, silver- coated, silver-footed, silver-haired, silver-headed, silver-mantled, silver-plated, silver-slippered, silver-sounding, silver-studded, silver-tongued, silver-white. See Silver, a. Black silver (Min.), stephanite; -- called also brittle silver ore, or brittle silver glance. -- Fulminating silver. (Chem.) (a) A black crystalline substance, Ag2O.(NH3)2, obtained by dissolving silver oxide in aqua ammonia. When dry it explodes violently on the slightest percussion. (b) Silver fulminate, a white crystalline substance, Ag2C2N2O2, obtained by adding alcohol to a solution of silver nitrate. When dry it is violently explosive. -- German silver. (Chem.) See under German. -- Gray silver. (Min.) See Freieslebenite. -- Horn silver. (Min.) See Cerargyrite. -- King's silver. (O. Eng. Law) See Postfine. -- Red silver, or Ruby silver. (Min.) See Proustite, and Pyrargyrite. -- Silver beater, one who beats silver into silver leaf or silver foil. -- Silver glance, or Vitreous silver. (Min.) See Argentine.

SILVER Sil"ver, a.

1. Of or pertaining to silver; made of silver; as, silver leaf; a silver cup.

2. Resembling silver. Specifically: (a) Bright; resplendent; white. "Silver hair." Shak. Others, on silver lakes and rivers, bathed Their downy breast. Milton.

(b) Precious; costly. (c) Giving a clear, ringing sound soft and clear. "Silver voices." Spenser. (d) Sweet; gentle; peaceful. "Silver slumber." Spenser. American silver fir (Bot.), the balsam fir. See under Balsam. -- Silver age (Roman Lit.), the latter part (a. d. 14-180) of the classical period of Latinity, -- the time of writers of inferior purity of language, as compared with those of the previous golden age, so-called. -- Silver-bell tree (Bot.), an American shrub or small tree (Halesia tetraptera) with white bell-shaped flowers in clusters or racemes; the snowdrop tree. -- Silver bush (Bot.), a shrubby leguminous plant (Anthyllis Barba- Jovis) of Southern Europe, having silvery foliage. -- Silver chub (Zoöl.), the fallfish. -- Silver eel. (Zoöl.) (a) The cutlass fish. (b) A pale variety of the common eel. -- Silver fir (Bot.), a coniferous tree (Abies pectinata) found in mountainous districts in the middle and south of Europe, where it often grows to the height of 100 or 150 feet. It yields Burgundy pitch and Strasburg turpentine. -- Silver foil, foil made of silver. -- Silver fox (Zoöl.), a variety of the common fox (Vulpes vulpes, variety argenteus) found in the northern parts of Asia, Europe, and America. Its fur is nearly black, with silvery tips, and is highly valued. Called also black fox, and silver-gray fox. -- Silver gar. (Zoöl.) See Billfish (a) -- Silver grain (Bot.), the lines or narrow plates of cellular tissue which pass from the pith to the bark of an exogenous stem; the medullary rays. In the wood of the oak they are much larger than in that of the beech, maple, pine, cherry, etc. -- Silver grebe (Zoöl.), the red-throated diver. See Illust. under Diver. -- Silver hake (Zoöl.), the American whiting. -- Silver leaf, leaves or sheets made of silver beaten very thin. -- Silver lunge (Zoöl.), the namaycush. -- Silver moonfish.(Zoöl.) See Moonfish (b). -- Silver moth (Zoöl.), a lepisma. -- Silver owl (Zoöl.), the barn owl. -- Silver perch (Zoöl.), the mademoiselle, 2. -- Silver pheasant (Zoöl.), any one of several species of beautiful crested and long-tailed Asiatic pheasants, of the genus Euplocamus. They have the tail and more or less of the upper parts silvery white. The most common species (E. nychtemerus) is native of China. -- Silver plate, domestic utensils made of silver. -- Silver plover (Zoöl.), the knot. -- Silver salmon (Zoöl.), a salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) native of both coasts of the North Pacific. It ascends all the American rivers as far south as the Sacramento. Called also kisutch, whitefish, and white salmon. -- Silver shell (Zoöl.), a marine bivalve of the genus Anomia. See Anomia. -- Silver steel, an alloy of steel with a very small proportion of silver. -- Silver stick, a title given to the title field officer of the Life Guards when on duty at the palace. [Eng.] Thackeray. -- Silver tree (Bot.), a South African tree (Leucadendron argenteum) with long, silvery, silky leaves. -- Silver trout, (Zoöl.) See Trout. -- Silver wedding. See under Wedding. -- Silver whiting (Zoöl.), a marine sciænoid food fish (Menticirrus littoralis) native of the Southern United States; -- called also surf whiting. -- Silver witch (Zoöl.), A lepisma.

SILVER Sil"ver, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silvered; p. pr. & vb. n. Silvering.]

1. To cover with silver; to give a silvery appearance to by applying a metal of a silvery color; as, to silver a pin; to silver a glass mirror plate with an amalgam of tin and mercury.

2. To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver. And smiling calmness silvered o'er the deep. Pope.

3. To make hoary, or white, like silver. His head was silvered o'er with age. Gay.

SILVER Sil"ver, v. i.

Defn: To acquire a silvery color. [R.] The eastern sky began to silver and shine. L. Wallace.

SILVERBACK Sil"ver*back`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The knot.

SILVERBERRY Sil"ver*ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A tree or shrub (Elæagnus argentea) with silvery foliage and fruit. Gray.

SILVERBILL Sil"ver*bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An Old World finch of the genus Minia, as the M. Malabarica of India, and M. cantans of Africa.

SILVERBOOM Sil"ver*boom`, n. Etym: [D. zilver silver + boom tree.] (Bot.)

Defn: See Leucadendron.

SILVER CERTIFICATE Sil"ver cer*tif"i*cate.

Defn: A certificate issued by a government that there has been deposited with it silver to a specified amount, payable to the bearer on demand. In the United States and its possessions, it is issued against the deposit of silver coin, and is not legal tender, but is receivable for customs, taxes, and all public dues.

SILVERFIN Sil"ver*fin`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small North American fresh-water cyprinoid fish (Notropis Whipplei).

SILVERFISH Sil"ver*fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The tarpum. (b) A white variety of the goldfish. Lepisma saccharina, which may infest houses, and eats starched clothing and sized papers. See Lepisma.

SILVER-GRAY Sil"ver-gray`, a.

Defn: Having a gray color with a silvery luster; as, silver-gray hair.

SILVERINESS Sil"ver*i*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being silvery.

SILVERING Sil"ver*ing, n. (Metal.)

Defn: The art or process of covering metals, wood, paper, glass, etc., with a thin film of metallic silver, or a substance resembling silver; also, the firm do laid on; as, the silvering of a glass speculum.

SILVERITE Sil"ver*ite, n.

Defn: One who favors the use or establishment of silver as a monetary standard; -- so called by those who favor the gold standard. [Colloq. or Cant]

SILVERIZE Sil"ver*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Silverized; p. pr. & vb. n. Silverizing.]

Defn: To cover with silver.

SILVERLESS Sil"ver*less, a.

Defn: Having no silcver; hence, without money; impecunious. Piers Plowman.

SILVERLING Sil"ver*ling, n.

Defn: A small silver coin. [Obs.] A thousand vines at a thousand silverings. Isa. vii. 23.

SILVERLY Sil"ver*ly, adv.

Defn: Like silver in appearance or in sound. Let me wipe off this honorable dew, That silverly doth progress on thy cheeks. Shak.

SILVERN Sil"vern, a. Etym: [AS. seolfern, sylfren.]

Defn: Made of silver. [Archaic.] Wyclif (Acts xix. 24). Speech is silvern; silence is golden. Old Proverb.

SILVERSIDES Sil"ver*sides`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of small fishes of the family Atherinidæ, having a silvery stripe along each side of the body. The common species of the American coast (Menidia notata) is very abundant. Called also silverside, sand smelt, friar, tailor, and tinker. Brook silversides (Zoöl.), a small fresh-water North American fish (Labadesthes sicculus) related to the marine silversides.

SILVERSMITH Sil"ver*smith`, n.

Defn: One whose occupation is to manufacture utensils, ornaments, etc., of silver; a worker in silver.

SILVERSPOT Sil"ver*spot`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of butterflies of the genus Argynnis and allied genera, having silvery spots on the under side of the wings. See Illust. under Aphrodite.

SILVER STATE Silver State.

Defn: Nevada; -- a nickname alluding to its silver mines.

SILVERWARE Sil"ver*ware`, n.

Defn: Dishes, vases, ornaments, and utensils of various sorts, made of silver.

SILVERWEED Sil"ver*weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A perennial rosaceous herb (Potentilla Anserina) having the leaves silvery white beneath.

SILVERY Sil"ver*y, a.

1. Resembling, or having the luster of, silver; grayish white and lustrous; of a mild luster; bright. All the enameled race, whose silvery wing Waves to the tepid zephyrs of the spring. Pope.

2. Besprinkled or covered with silver.

3. Having the clear, musical tone of silver; soft and clear in sound; as, silvery voices; a silvery laugh. Silvery iron (Metal.), a peculiar light-gray fine-grained cast iron, usually obtained from clay iron ore.

SILVICS Sil"vics, n.

1. The science treating of the life of trees in the forest.

2. Habit or behavior of a forest tree.

SILVICULTURE Sil"vi*cul`ture, n. Etym: [Cf. F. silviculture.]

Defn: See Sylviculture.

SIMA Si"ma, n. (Arch.)

Defn: A cyma.

SIMAGRE Sim"a*gre, n. Etym: [F. simagrée.]

Defn: A grimace. [Obs.] Dryden.

SIMAR Si*mar", n. Etym: [F. simarre. See Chimere.]

Defn: A woman's long dress or robe; also light covering; a scarf. [Written also cimar, cymar, samare, simare.]

SIMARRE Si`marre". Etym: [F.]

Defn: See Simar. Sir W. Scott.

SIMBLOT Sim"blot, n. Etym: [F. simbleau.]

Defn: The harness of a drawloom.

SIMIA Sim"i*a, n. Etym: [L., an ape; cf. simus flatnosed, snub-nosed, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A Linnæan genus of Quadrumana which included the types of numerous modern genera. By modern writers it is usually restricted to the genus which includes the orang-outang.

SIMIAL Sim"i*al, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Simian; apelike.

SIMIAN Sim"i*an, a. Etym: [L. simia an ape.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the family Simiadæ, which, in its widest sense, includes all the Old World apes and monkeys; also, apelike. -- n.

Defn: Any Old World monkey or ape.

SIMILAR Sim"i*lar, a. Etym: [F. similaire, fr. L. similis like, similar. See Same, a., and cf. Simulate.]

1. Exactly corresponding; resembling in all respects; precisely like.

2. Nearly corresponding; resembling in many respects; somewhat like; having a general likeness.

3. Homogenous; uniform. [R.] Boyle. Similar figures (Geom.), figures which differ from each other only in magnitude, being made up of the same number of like parts similarly situated. -- Similar rectilineal figures, such as have their several angles respectively equal, each to each, and their sides about the equal angles proportional. -- Similar solids, such as are contained by the same number of similar planes, similarly situated, and having like inclination to one another.

SIMILAR Sim"i*lar, n.

Defn: That which is similar to, or resembles, something else, as in quality, form, etc.

SIMILARITY Sim`i*lar"i*ty, n.; pl. -ties. Etym: [Cf. F. similarité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being similar; likeness; resemblance; as, a similarity of features. Hardly is there a similarity detected between two or three facts, than men hasten to extend it to all. Sir W. Hamilton.

SIMILARLY Sim"i*lar*ly, adv.

Defn: In a similar manner.

SIMILARY Sim"i*lar*y, a.

Defn: Similar. [Obs.] Rhyming cadences of similarly words. South.

SIMILATIVE Sim"i*la*tive, a.

Defn: Implying or indicating likeness or resemblance. [R.] In similative or instrumental relation to a pa. pple. [past participle], as almond-leaved, -scented, etc. New English Dict.

SIMILE Simi"*le, n.; pl. Similes. Etym: [L., from similis. See Similar.] (Rhet.)

Defn: A word or phrase by which anything is likened, in one or more of its aspects, to something else; a similitude; a poetical or imaginative comparison. A good swift simile, but something currish. Shak.

SIMILITER Si*mil"i*ter, n. Etym: [L., in like manner.] (Law)

Defn: The technical name of the form by which either party, in pleading, accepts the issue tendered by his opponent; -- called sometimes a joinder in issue.

SIMILITUDE Si*mil"i*tude, n. Etym: [F. similitude, L. similitudo, from similis similar. See Similar.]

1. The quality or state of being similar or like; resemblance; likeness; similarity; as, similitude of substance. Chaucer. Let us make now man in our image, man In our similitude. Milton. If fate some future bard shall join In sad similitude of griefs to mine. Pope.

2. The act of likening, or that which likens, one thing to another; fanciful or imaginative comparison; a simile. Tasso, in his similitudes, never departed from the woods; that is, all his comparisons were taken from the country. Dryden.

3. That which is like or similar; a representation, semblance, or copy; a facsimile. Man should wed his similitude. Chaucer.

SIMILITUDINARY Si*mil`i*tu"di*na*ry, a.

Defn: Involving or expressing similitude. [Obs.] Coke.

SIMILIZE Sim"i*lize, v. t.

Defn: To liken; to compare; as, to similize a person, thing, or act. Lowell.

SIMILOR Sim"i*lor, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. similus similar + F. or gold, L. aurum. Cf. Semilor.]

Defn: An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling brass, but of a golden color. Ure.

SIMIOUS Sim"i*ous, a.Etym: [L. simia an ape.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Simian. That strange simious, schoolboy passion of giving pain to others. Sydney Smith.

SIMITAR Sim"i*tar, n.

Defn: See Scimiter.

SIMMER Sim"mer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Simmered; p. pr. & vb. n. Simmering.] Etym: [Prov. E. also simper; -- an onomatopoetic word.]

Defn: To boil gently, or with a gentle hissing; to begin to boil. I simmer as liquor doth on the fire before it beginneth to boil. Palsgrave.

SIMMER Sim"mer, v. t.

Defn: To cause to boil gently; to cook in liquid heated almost or just to the boiling point.

SIMNEL Sim"nel, n. Etym: [OF. simenel cake or bread of wheat flour, LL. simenellus wheat bread, fr. L. simila the finest wheat flour. Cf. Semolina.]

1. A kind of cake made of fine flour; a cracknel. [Obs.] Not common bread, but vastel bread, or simnels. Fuller.

2. A kind of rich plum cake, eaten especially on Mid-Lent Sunday. [Eng.] Herrick.

SIMONIAC Si*mo"ni*ac, n. Etym: [LL. simoniacus. See Simony.]

Defn: One who practices simony, or who buys or sells preferment in the church. Ayliffe.

SIMONIACAL Sim`o*ni"a*cal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to simony; guilty of simony; consisting of simony. -- Sim"o*ni`a*cal*ly, adv. The flagitious profligacy of their lives, and the simoniacal arts by which they grasped at the popedom. J. S. Harford.

SIMONIAL Si*mo"ni*al, a.

Defn: Simoniacal. [Obs.]

SIMONIAN Si*mo"ni*an, n.Etym: [See Simony.]

Defn: One of the followers of Simon Magus; also, an adherent of certain heretical sects in the early Christian church.

SIMONIOUS Si*mo"ni*ous, a.

Defn: Simoniacal. [Obs.] Milton.

SIMONIST Sim"o*nist, n.

Defn: One who practices simony.

SIMON-PURE Si"mon-pure", a.

Defn: Genuine; true; real; authentic; -- a term alluding to the comedy character Simon Pure, who is impersonated by another and is obliged to prove himself to be the "real Simon Pure."

SIMONY Sim"o*ny, n. Etym: [F. simonie, LL. simonia, fr. Simon Magus, who wished to purchase the power of conferring the Holy Spirit. Acts viii.]

Defn: The crime of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferment; the corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for money or reward. Piers Plowman.

SIMOOM; SIMOON Si*moom", Si*moon", n. Etym: [Ar. sam, fr. samma to poison. Cf. Samiel.]

Defn: A hot, dry, suffocating, dust-laden wind, that blows occasionally in Arabia, Syria, and neighboring countries, generated by the extreme heat of the parched deserts or sandy plains.

SIMOUS Si"mous, a.Etym: [L. simus, Gr.

Defn: Having a very flat or snub nose, with the end turned up.

SIMPAI Sim"pai, n.Etym: [Malay simpei.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A long-tailed monkey (Semnopitchecus melalophus) native of Sumatra. It has a crest of black hair. The forehead and cheeks are fawn color, the upper parts tawny and red, the under parts white. Called also black-crested monkey, and sinpæ.

SIMPER Sim"per, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Simpered; p. pr. & vb. n. Simpering.] Etym: [Cf. Norw. semper fine, smart, dial. Dan. semper, simper, affected, coy, prudish, OSw. semper one who affectedly refrains from eating, Sw. sipp finical, prim, LG. sipp.]

1. To smile in a silly, affected, or conceited manner. Behold yond simpering dame. Shak. With a made countenance about her mouth, between simpering and smiling. ir. P. Sidney.

2. To glimmer; to twinkle. [Obs.] Yet can I mark how stars above Simper and shine. Herbert.

SIMPER Sim"per, n.

Defn: A constrained, self-conscious smile; an affected, silly smile; a smirk. The conscious simper, and the jealous leer. Pope.

SIMPERER Sim"per*er, n.

Defn: One who simpers. Sir W. Scott. A simperer that a court affords. T. Nevile.

SIMPERING Sim"per*ing, a. &. n.

Defn: from Simper, v.

SIMPERINGLY Sim"per*ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a simpering manner.

SIMPLE Sim"ple, a. [Compar. Simpler; superl. Simplest.] Etym: [F., fr. L. simplus, or simplex, gen. simplicis. The first part of the Latin words is probably akin to E. same, and the sense, one, one and the same; cf. L. semel once, singuli one to each, single. Cg. Single, a., Same, a., and for the last part of the word cf. Double, Complex.]

1. Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled; uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem; simple tasks.

2. Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress. "Simple truth." Spenser. "His simple story." Burns.

3. Mere; not other than; being only. A medicine . . . whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pepin. Shak.

4. Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity; undesigning; sincere; true. Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I stand here, and I trust them. Marston. Must thou trust Tradition's simple tongue Byron. To be simple is to be great. Emerson.

5. Artless in manner; unaffected; unconstrained; natural; inartificial;; straightforward. In simple manners all the secret lies. Young.

6. Direct; clear; intelligible; not abstruse or enigmatical; as, a simple statement; simple language.

7. Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; of but moderate understanding or attainments; hence, foolish; silly. "You have simple wits." Shak. The simple believeth every word; but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Prov. xiv. 15.

8. Not luxurious; without much variety; plain; as, a simple diet; a simple way of living. Thy simple fare and all thy plain delights. Cowper.

9. Humble; lowly; undistinguished. A simple husbandman in garments gray. Spenser. Clergy and laity, male and female, gentle and simple made the fuel of the same fire. Fuller.

10. (BOt.)

Defn: Without subdivisions; entire; as, a simple stem; a simple leaf.

11. (Chem.)

Defn: Not capable of being decomposed into anything more simple or ultimate by any means at present known; elementary; thus, atoms are regarded as simple bodies. Cf. Ultimate, a.

Note: A simple body is one that has not as yet been decomposed. There are indications that many of our simple elements are still compound bodies, though their actual decomposition into anything simpler may never be accomplished.fundamental particle

12. (Min.)

Defn: Homogenous.

13. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Consisting of a single individual or zooid; as, a simple ascidian; -- opposed to compound. Simple contract (Law), any contract, whether verbal or written, which is not of record or under seal. J. W. Smith. Chitty. -- Simple equation (Alg.), an eqyation containing but one unknown quantity, and that quantity only in the first degree. -- Simple eye (Zoöl.), an eye having a single lens; -- opposed to Ant: compound eye. -- Simple interest. See under Interest. -- Simple larceny. (Law) See under Larceny. -- Simple obligation (Rom. Law), an obligation which does not depend for its execution upon any event provided for by the parties, or is not to become void on the happening of any such event. Burrill.

Syn. -- Single; uncompounded; unmingled; unmixed; mere; uncombined; elementary; plain; artless; sincere; harmless; undesigning; frank; open; unaffected; inartificial; unadorned; credulous; silly; foolish; shallow; unwise. -- Simple, Silly. One who is simple is sincere, unaffected, and inexperienced in duplicity, -- hence liable to be duped. A silly person is one who is ignorant or weak and also self-confident; hence, one who shows in speech and act a lack of good sense. Simplicity is incompatible with duplicity, artfulness, or vanity, while silliness is consistent with all three. Simplicity denotes lack of knowledge or of guile; silliness denotes want of judgment or right purpose, a defect of character as well as of education. I am a simple woman, much too weak To oppose your cunning. Shak. He is the companion of the silliest people in their most silly pleasure; he is ready for every impertinent entertainment and diversion. Law.

SIMPLE Sim"ple, n. Etym: [F. See Simple, a.]

1. Something not mixed or compounded. "Compounded of many simples." Shak.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A medicinal plant; -- so called because each vegetable was supposed to possess its particular virtue, and therefore to constitute a simple remedy. What virtue is in this remedy lies in the naked simple itself as it comes over from the Indies. Sir W. Temple.

3. (Weaving) (a) A drawloom. (b) A part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom.

4. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: A feast which is not a double or a semidouble.

SIMPLE Sim"ple, v. i.

Defn: To gather simples, or medicinal plants. As simpling on the flowery hills she [Circe] strayed. Garth.

SIMPLE-HEARTED Sim"ple-heart`ed, a.

Defn: Sincere; inguenuous; guileless. Sir W. Scott.

SIMPLE-MINDED Sim"ple-mind`ed, a.

Defn: Artless; guileless; simple-hearted; undesigning; unsuspecting; devoid of duplicity. Blackstone. -- Sim"ple-mind`ed*ness, n.

SIMPLENESS Sim"ple*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being simple; simplicity. Shak.

SIMPLER Sim"pler, n.

Defn: One who collects simples, or medicinal plants; a herbalist; a simplist. Simpler's joy. (Bot.) Vervain.

SIMPLESS Sim"pless, n. Etym: [F. simplesse.]

Defn: Simplicity; silliness. [Obs.] Spenser.

SIMPLETON Sim"ple*ton, n. Etym: [Cf. F. simplet, It. semplicione.]

Defn: A person of weak intellect; a silly person.

SIMPLICIAN Sim*pli"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. simplicien.]

Defn: One who is simple. [Obs.] Arnway.

SIMPLICITY Sim*plic"i*ty, n. Etym: [F. simplicité, L. simplicitas. See Simple.]

1. The quality or state of being simple, unmixed, or uncompounded; as, the simplicity of metals or of earths.

2. The quality or state of being not complex, or of consisting of few parts; as, the simplicity of a machine.

3. Artlessness of mind; freedom from cunning or duplicity; lack of acuteness and sagacity. Marquis Dorset, a man, for his harmless simplicity neither misliked nor much regarded. Hayward. In wit a man; simplicity a child. Pope.

4. Freedom from artificial ornament, pretentious style, or luxury; plainness; as, simplicity of dress, of style, or of language; simplicity of diet; simplicity of life.

5. Freedom from subtlety or abstruseness; clearness; as, the simplicity of a doctrine; the simplicity of an explanation or a demonstration.

6. Weakness of intellect; silliness; folly. How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning Prov. i. 22.

SIMPLIFICATION Sim`pli*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. simplification.]

Defn: The act of simplifying. A. Smith.

SIMPLIFY Sim"pli*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Simplified; p. pr. & vb. n. Simplifying.] Etym: [Cf. F. simplifier, LL. simplificare. See Simple, and -fy.]

Defn: To make simple; to make less complex; to make clear by giving the explanation for; to show an easier or shorter process for doing or making. The collection of duties is drawn to a point, and so far simplified. A. Hamilton. It is important, in scientific pursuits, to be caitious in simplifying our deductions. W. Nicholson.

SIMPLIST Sim"plist, n.

Defn: One skilled in simples, or medicinal plants; a simpler. Sir T. Browne.

SIMPLISTIC Sim*plis"tic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to simples, or a simplist. [R.] Wilkinson.

SIMPLITY Sim"pli*ty, n.

Defn: Simplicity. [Obs.]

SIMPLOCE Sim"plo*ce, n. (Gram.)

Defn: See Symploce.

SIMPLY Sim"ply, adv.

1. In a simple manner or state; considered in or by itself; without addition; along; merely; solely; barely. [They] make that now good or evil, . . . which otherwise of itself were not simply the one or the other. Hooker. Simply the thing I am Shall make me live. Shak.

2. Plainly; without art or subtlety. Subverting worldly strong and worldly wise By simply meek. Milton.

3. Weakly; foolishly. Johnson.

SIMULACHER; SIMULACHRE Sim"u*la`cher, Sim"u*la`chre, n. Etym: [Cf. F. simulacre.]

Defn: See Simulacrum. [Obs.]

SIMULACRUM Sim`u*la"crum, n.; pl. Simulacra. Etym: [L. See Simulate.]

Defn: A likeness; a semblance; a mock appearance; a sham; -- now usually in a derogatory sense. Beneath it nothing but a great simulacrum. Thackeray.

SIMULAR Sim"u*lar, n. Etym: [Cf. L. simulator, F. simulateur. See Simulate.]

Defn: One who pretends to be what he is not; one who, or that which, simulates or counterfeits something; a pretender. [Obs.] Shak. Christ calleth the Pharisees hypocrites, that is to say, simulars, and painted sepulchers. Tyndale.

SIMULAR Sim"u*lar, a.

Defn: False; specious; counterfeit. [R. & Obs.] "Thou simular man of virtue." Shak.

SIMULATE Sim"u*late, a. Etym: [L. simulatus, p. p. of simulare to simulate; akin to simul at the same time, together, similis like. See Similar, and cf. Dissemble, Semblance.]

Defn: Feigned; pretended. Bale.

SIMULATE Sim"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Simulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Simulating.]

Defn: To assume the mere appearance of, without the reality; to assume the signs or indications of, falsely; to counterfeit; to feign. The Puritans, even in the depths of the dungeons to which she had sent them, prayed, and with no simulated fervor, that she might be kept from the dagger of the assassin. Macaulay.

SIMULATION Sim`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [F. simulation, L. simulatio.]

Defn: The act of simulating, or assuming an appearance which is feigned, or not true; -- distinguished from dissimulation, which disguises or conceals what is true.

Syn. -- Counterfeiting; feint; pretense.

SIMULATOR Sim"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: One who simulates, or feigns. De Quincey.

SIMULATORY Sim"u*la*to*ry, a.

Defn: Simulated, or capable of being simulated. Bp. Hall.

SIMULTANEITY Si`mul*ta*ne"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being simultaneous; simultaneousness.

SIMULTANEOUS Si`mul*ta"ne*ous, a. Etym: [LL. simultim at the same time, fr. L. simul. See Simulate.]

Defn: Existing, happening, or done, at the same time; as, simultaneous events. -- Si`mul*ta"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Si`mul*ta"ne*ous*ness, n. Simultaneous equations (Alg.), two or more equations in which the values of the unknown quantities entering them are the same at the same time in both or in all.

SIMULTY Sim"ul*ty, n. Etym: [L. simultas a hostile encounter, drudge, originally, a (hostile) coming together, fr. simul together: cf. OF. simulté.]

Defn: Private grudge or quarrel; as, domestic simulties. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SIN Sin, adv., prep., & conj.

Defn: Old form of Since. [Obs. or Prov.Eng. & Scot.] Sin that his lord was twenty year of age. Chaucer.

SIN Sin, n. Etym: [OE. sinne, AS. synn, syn; akin to D. zonde, OS. sundia, OHG. sunta, G. sünde, Icel., Dan. & Sw. synd, L. sons, sontis, guilty, perhaps originally from the p. pr. of the verb signifying, to be, and meaning, the one who it is. Cf. Authentic, Sooth.]

1. Transgression of the law of God; disobedience of the divine command; any violation of God's will, either in purpose or conduct; moral deficiency in the character; iniquity; as, sins of omission and sins of commission. Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. John viii. 34. Sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John iii. 4. I think 't no sin. To cozen him that would unjustly win. Shak. Enthralled By sin to foul, exorbitant desires. Milton.

2. An offense, in general; a violation of propriety; a misdemeanor; as, a sin against good manners. I grant that poetry's a crying sin. Pope.

3. A sin offering; a sacrifice for sin. He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21.

4. An embodiment of sin; a very wicked person. [R.] Thy ambition, Thou scarlet sin, robbed this bewailing land Of noble Buckingham. Shak.

Note: Sin is used in the formation of some compound words of obvious signification; as, sin-born; sin-bred, sin-oppressed, sin-polluted, and the like. Actual sin, Canonical sins, Original sin, Venial sin. See under Actual, Canonical, etc. -- Deadly, or Mortal, sins (R. C. Ch.), willful and deliberate transgressions, which take away divine grace; -- in distinction from vental sins. The seven deadly sins are pride, covetousness, lust, wrath, gluttony, envy, and sloth. -- Sin eater, a man who (according to a former practice in England) for a small gratuity ate a piece of bread laid on the chest of a dead person, whereby he was supposed to have taken the sins of the dead person upon himself. -- Sin offering, a sacrifice for sin; something offered as an expiation for sin.

Syn. -- Iniquity; wickedness; wrong. See Crime.

SIN Sin, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sinned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sinning.] Etym: [OE. sinnen, singen, sinegen, AS. syngian. See Sin, n.]

1. To depart voluntarily from the path of duty prescribed by God to man; to violate the divine law in any particular, by actual transgression or by the neglect or nonobservance of its injunctions; to violate any known rule of duty; -- often followed by against. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned. Ps. li. 4. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Rom. iii. 23.

2. To violate human rights, law, or propriety; to commit an offense; to trespass; to transgress. I am a man More sinned against than sinning. Shak. Who but wishes to invert the laws Of order, sins against the eternal cause. Pope.

SINAIC; SINAITIC Si*na"ic, Si`na*it"ic, a. Etym: [From Mount Sinai.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mount Sinai; given or made at Mount Sinai; as, the Sinaitic law. Sinaitic manuscript, a fourth century Greek manuscript of the part Bible, discovered at Mount Sinai (the greater part of it in 1859) by Tisschendorf, a German Biblical critic; -- called also Codex Sinaiticus.

SINALBIN Sin*al"bin, n. Etym: [From L. Sinapis + alba.] (Chem.)

Defn: A glucoside found in the seeds of white mustard (Brassica alba, formerly Sinapis alba), and extracted as a white crystalline substance.

SINAMINE Sin*am"ine, n. Etym: [Sinapis + melamine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A bitter white crystalline nitrogenous substance, obtained indirectly from oil of mustard and ammonia; -- called also allyl melamine.

SINAPATE Sin"a*pate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of sinapic acid.

SINAPIC Sin"a*pic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to sinapine; specifically, designating an acid (C11H12O5) related to gallic acid, and obtained by the decomposition of sinapine, as a white crystalline substance.

SINAPINE Sin"a*pine, n. Etym: [L. sinapi, sinapis, mustard, Gr. sinapine.] (Chem.)

Defn: An alkaloid occuring in the seeds of mustard. It is extracted, in combination with sulphocyanic acid, as a white crystalline substance, having a hot, bitter taste. When sinapine is isolated it is unstable and undergoes decomposition.

SINAPIS Si*na"pis, n. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)

Defn: A disused generic name for mustard; -- now called Brassica.

SINAPISIN Sin"a*pis`in, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A substance extracted from mustard seed and probably identical with sinalbin. [Obs.]

SINAPISM Sin"a*pism, n. Etym: [L. sinapismus, Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A plaster or poultice composed principally of powdered mustard seed, or containing the volatile oil of mustard seed. It is a powerful irritant.

SINAPOLEIC Sin`a*po*le"ic, a. Etym: [Sinapis + oleic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to mustard oil; specifically, designating an acid of the oleic acid series said to occur in mistard oil.

SINAPOLINE Si*nap"o*line, n. Etym: [Sinapis + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)

Defn: A nitrogenous base, CO.(NH.C3H5)2, related to urea, extracted from mustard oil, and also produced artifically, as a white crystalline substance; -- called also diallyl urea.

SINCALINE Sin"ca*line, n. Etym: [So called because obtained by the action of alkalies on sinapine.] (Chem.)

Defn: Choline. [Written also sinkaline.]

SINCE Since, adv. Etym: [For sins, contr. fr. OE. sithens, sithenes, formed by an adverbial ending (cf. Besides) from OE. sithen, also shortened into sithe, sin, AS. si, sy, seo, afterward, then, since, after; properly, after that; fr. sisi afterward, since, OHG. sid, G. seit since, Goth. seipus late, ni sei no longer) + instrumental of the demonstrative and article. See That.]

1. From a definite past time until now; as, he went a month ago, and I have not seen him since. We since become the slaves to one man's lust. B. Jonson.

2. In the time past, counting backward from the present; before this or now; ago. w many ages since has Virgil writ Roscommon. About two years since, it so fell out, that he was brought to a great lady's house. Sir P. Sidney.

3. When or that. [Obs.] Do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in St. George's field Shak.

SINCE Since, prep.

Defn: From the time of; in or during the time subsequent to; subsequently to; after; -- usually with a past event or time for the object. The Lord hath blessed thee, since my coming. Gen. xxx. 30. I have a model by which he build a nobler poem than any extant since the ancients. Dryden.

SINCE Since, conj.

Defn: Seeing that; because; considering; -- formerly followed by that. Since that my penitence comes after all, Imploring pardon. Shak. Since truth and constancy are vain, Since neither love, nor sense of pain, Nor force of reason, can persuade, Then let example be obeyed. Granville.

Syn. -- Because; for; as; inasmuch as; considering. See Because.

SINCERE Sin*cere", a. [Compar. Sincerer; superl. Sincerest.] Etym: [L. sincerus, of uncertain origin; the first part perhaps akin to sin- in singuli (see Single), and the second to cernere to separate (cf. Discern): cf. F. sincère.]

1. Pure; unmixed; unadulterated. There is no sincere acid in any animal juice. Arbuthnot. A joy which never was sincere till now. Dryden.

2. Whole; perfect; unhurt; uninjured. [Obs.] The inviolable body stood sincere. Dryden.

3. Being in reality what it appears to be; having a character which corresponds with the appearance; not falsely assumed; genuine; true; real; as, a sincere desire for knowledge; a sincere contempt for meanness. A sincere intention of pleasing God in all our actions. Law.

4. Honest; free from hypocrisy or dissimulation; as, a sincere friend; a sincere person. The more sincere you are, the better it will fare with you at the great day of account. Waterland.

Syn. -- Honest; unfeigned; unvarnished; real; true; unaffected; inartificial; frank; upright. See Hearty.

SINCERELY Sin*cere"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sincere manner. Specifically: (a) Purely; without alloy. Milton. (b) Honestly; unfeignedly; without dissimulation; as, to speak one's mind sincerely; to love virtue sincerely.

SINCERENESS Sin*cere"ness, n.

Defn: Same as Sincerity. Beau & Fl.

SINCERITY Sin*cer"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. sinceritas: cf. F. sincérité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense; sincereness. I protest, in the sincerity of love. Shak. Sincerity is a duty no less plain than important. Knox.

SINCH Sinch, n. Etym: [See Cinch.]

Defn: A saddle girth made of leather, canvas, woven horsehair, or woven grass. [Western U.S.]

SINCH Sinch, v. t.

Defn: To gird with a sinch; to tighten the sinch or girth of (a saddle); as, to sinch up a sadle. [Western U.S.]

SINCIPITAL Sin*cip"i*tal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sinciput; being in the region of the sinciput.

SINCIPUT Sin"ci*put, n. Etym: [L., half a head; semihalf + caput the head.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The fore part of the head.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The part of the head of a bird between the base of the bill and the vertex.

SINDI Sind"i, n. [Ar. Sindi, fr. Sind Indian, Skr. sindhu river, sea, the river Indus, the country along the Indus. Cf. Indian, Hindoo.] (Ethnol.)

Defn: A native of Sind, India, esp. one of the native Hindoo stock.

SINDON Sin"don, n. Etym: [L., a kind of fine Indian cotton stuff, Gr.

1. A wrapper. [Obs.] "Wrapped in sindons of linen." Bacon.

2. (Surg.)

Defn: A small rag or pledget introduced into the hole in the cranium made by a trephine. Dunglison.

SINE Sine, n. Etym: [LL. sinus a sine, L. sinus bosom, used in translating the Ar. jaib, properly, bosom, but probably read by mistake (the consonants being the same) for an original jiba sine, from Skr. jiva bowstring, chord of an arc, sine.] (Trig.) (a) The length of a perpendicular drawn from one extremity of an arc of a circle to the diameter drawn through the other extremity. (b) The perpendicular itself. See Sine of angle, below. Artificial sines, logarithms of the natural sines, or logarithmic sines. -- Curve of sines. See Sinusoid. -- Natural sines, the decimals expressing the values of the sines, the radius being unity. -- Sine of an angle, in a circle whose radius is unity, the sine of the arc that measures the angle; in a right-angled triangle, the side opposite the given angle divided by the hypotenuse. See Trigonometrical function, under Function. -- Versed sine, that part of the diameter between the sine and the arc.

SINE Si"ne, prep. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Without.

SINECURAL Si"ne*cu`ral, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sinecure; being in the nature of a sinecure.

SINECURE Si`ne*cure, n. Etym: [L. sine without + cura care, LL., a cure. See Cure.]

1. An ecclesiastical benefice without the care of souls. Ayliffe.