Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 50 of 60)

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 50 of 60)

4. Readily; willingly; -- in this sense used with would, or some other word expressing will. I would as soon see a river winding through woods or in meadows, as when it is tossed up in so many whimsical figures at Versailles. Addison. As soon as, or So soon as, imediately at or after another event. "As soon as he came nigh unto the camp . . . he saw the calf, and the dancing." Ex. xxxii. 19. See So . . . as, under So. -- Soon at, as soon as; or, as soon as the time referred to arrives. [Obs.] "I shall be sent for soon at night." Shak. -- Sooner or later, at some uncertain time in the future; as, he will discover his mistake sooner or later. -- With the soonest, as soon as any; among the earliest; too soon. [Obs.] Holland.

SOON Soon, a.

Defn: Speedy; quick. [Obs.] Shak.

SOONEE Soo"nee, n.

Defn: See Sunnite.

SOONER Soon"er, n.

Defn: In the western United States, one who settles on government land before it is legally open to settlement in order to gain the prior claim that the law gives to the first settler when the land is opened to settlement; hence, any one who does a thing prematurely or anticipates another in acting in order to gain an unfair advantage.

SOONER STATE Sooner State.

Defn: Oklahoma; -- a nickname.

SOONLY Soon"ly, adv.

Defn: Soon. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

SOORD Soord, n.

Defn: Skin of bacon. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SOORMA Soor"ma, n. Etym: [Hind. & Per. surma.]

Defn: A preparation of antimony with which Mohammedan men anoint their eyelids.

SOOSHONG Soo*shong", n.

Defn: See Souchong.

SOOSOO Soo"soo, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A kind of dolphin (Platanista Gangeticus) native of the river Ganges; the Gangetic dolphin. It has a long, slender, somewhat spatulate beak. [Written also susu.]

SOOT Soot ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [OE. sot, AS. s; akin to Icel. s, Sw. sot, Dan. sod, OD. soet, Lith. s; cf. Gael. suith, Ir. suth.]

Defn: A black substance formed by combustion, or disengaged from fuel in the process of combustion, which rises in fine particles, and adheres to the sides of the chimney or pipe conveying the smoke; strictly, the fine powder, consisting chiefly of carbon, which colors smoke, and which is the result of imperfect combustion. See Smoke.

SOOT Soot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sooted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sooting.]

Defn: To cover or dress with soot; to smut with, or as with, soot; as, to soot land. Mortimer.

SOOT; SOOTE Soot, Soot"e, a. Etym: [See Sweet.]

Defn: Sweet. [Obs.] "The soote savour of the vine." Chaucer.

SOOTERKIN Soot"er*kin, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. G. suttern to boil gently.]

Defn: A kind of false birth, fabled to be produced by Dutch women from sitting over their stoves; also, an abortion, in a figurative sense; an abortive scheme. Fruits of dull heat, and sooterkins of wit. Pope.

SOOTH Sooth, a.; also adv. [Compar. Soother; superl. Soothest.] Etym: [OE. soth, AS. s, for san; akin to OS. s, OHG. sand, Icel. sannr, Sw. sann, Dan. sand, Skr. sat, sant, real, genuine, present, being; properly p. pr. from a root meaning, to be, Skr. as, L. esse; also akin to Goth. sunjis true, Gr. satya. Absent, Am, Essence, Is, Soothe, Sutee.]

1. True; faithful; trustworthy. [Obs. or Scot.] The sentence [meaning] of it sooth is, out of doubt. Chaucer. That shall I sooth (said he) to you declare. Spensser.

2. Pleasing; delightful; sweet. [R.] The soothest shepherd that ever piped on plains. Milton. With jellies soother than the creamy curd. Keats.

SOOTH Sooth, n. Etym: [AS. s. See Sooth, a.]

1. Truth; reality. [Archaic] The sooth it this, the cut fell to the knight. Chaucer. In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. Shak. In good sooth, Its mystery is love, its meaninng youth. Longfellow.

2. Augury; prognostication. [Obs.] The soothe of birds by beating of their wings. Spenser.

3. Blandishment; cajolery. [Obs.] Shak.

SOOTHE Soothe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soothed; p. pr. & vb. n. Soothing.] Etym: [Originally, to assent to as true; OE. so to verify, AS. ges to prove the truth of, to bear witness. See Sooth, a.]

1. To assent to as true. [Obs.] Testament of Love.

2. To assent to; to comply with; to gratify; to humor by compliance; to please with blandishments or soft words; to flatter. Good, my lord, soothe him, let him take the fellow. Shak. I've tried the force of every reason on him, Soothed and caressed, been angry, soothed again. Addison.

3. To assuage; to mollify; to calm; to comfort; as, to soothe a crying child; to soothe one's sorrows. Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak. Congreve. Though the sound of Fame May for a moment soothe, it can not slake The fever of vain longing. Byron.

Syn. -- To soften; assuage; allay; compose; mollify; tranquilize; pacify; mitigate.

SOOTHER Sooth"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, soothes.

SOOTHFAST Sooth"fast`, a. Etym: [Sooth + fast, that is, fast or firm with respect to truth.]

Defn: Firmly fixed in, or founded upon, the thruth; true; genuine; real; also, truthful; faithful. [Archaic] -- Sooth"fast`ness, n. [Archaic] "In very soothfastness." Chaucer. Why do not you . . . bear leal and soothfast evidence in her behalf, as ye may with a clear conscience! Sir W. Scott.

SOOTHFAST Sooth"fast`, adv.

Defn: Soothly; really; in fact. [Archaic] I care not if the pomps you show Be what they soothfast appear. Emerson.

SOOTHING Sooth"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Soothe, v.

SOOTHINGLY Sooth"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a soothing manner.

SOOTHLY Sooth"ly, adv.

Defn: In truth; truly; really; verily. [Obs.] "Soothly for to say." Chaucer.

SOOTHNESS Sooth"ness, n.

Defn: Truth; reality. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOOTHSAY Sooth"say`, v. i. Etym: [Sooth + say; properly to say truth, tell the truth.]

Defn: To foretell; to predict. "You can not soothsay." Shak. "Old soothsaying Glaucus' spell." Milton.

SOOTHSAY Sooth"say`, n.

1. A true saying; a proverb; a prophecy. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. Omen; portent. Having God turn the same to good soothsay. Spenser.

SOOTHSAYER Sooth"say`er, n.

1. One who foretells events by the art of soothsaying; a prognosticator.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A mantis.

SOOTHSAYING Sooth"say`ing, n.

1. A true saying; truth. [Obs.]

2. The act of one who soothsays; the foretelling of events; the art or practice of making predictions. A damsel, possessed with a spirit of divination . . . which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. Acts xvi. 16.

3. A prediction; a prophecy; a prognostication. Divinations and soothsayings and dreams are vain. Eclus. xxxiv. 5.

SOOTINESS Soot"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sooty; fuliginousness. Johnson.

SOOTISH Soot"ish, a.

Defn: Sooty. Sir T. Browne.

SOOTY Soot"y, a. [Compar Sootier; superl. Sootiest.] Etym: [AS. s. See Soot.]

1. Of or pertaining to soot; producing soot; soiled by soot. "Fire of sooty coal." Milton.

2. Having a dark brown or black color like soot; fuliginous; dusky; dark. "The grisly legions that troop under the sooty flag of Acheron." Milton. Sooty albatross (Zoöl.), an albatross (Phoebetria fuliginosa) found chiefly in the Pacific Ocean; -- called also nellie. -- Sooty tern (Zoöl.), a tern (Sterna fuliginosa) found chiefly in tropical seas.

SOOTY Soot"y, v. t.

Defn: To black or foul with soot. [R.] Sootied with noisome smoke. Chapman.

SOP Sop, n. Etym: [OE. sop, soppe; akin to AS. s to sup, to sip, to drink, D. sop sop, G. suppe soup, Icel. soppa sop. See Sup, v. t., and cf. Soup.]

1. Anything steeped, or dipped and softened, in any liquid; especially, something dipped in broth or liquid food, and intended to be eaten. He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. John xiii. 26. Sops in wine, quantity, inebriate more than wine itself. Bacon. The bounded waters Should lift their bosoms higher than the shores, And make a sop of all this solid globe. Shak.

2. Anything given to pacify; -- so called from the sop given to Cerberus, as related in mythology. All nature is cured with a sop. L'Estrange.

3. A thing of little or no value. [Obs.] P. Plowman. Sops in wine (Bot.), an old name of the clove pink, alluding to its having been used to flavor wine. Garlands of roses and sops in wine. Spenser. -- Sops of wine (Bot.), an old European variety of apple, of a yellow and red color, shading to deep red; -- called also sopsavine, and red shropsavine.

SOP Sop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sopped; p. pr. & vb. n. Sopping.]

Defn: To steep or dip in any liquid.

SOPE Sope, n.

Defn: See Soap. [Obs.]

SOPH Soph, n. (Eng. Univ.)

Defn: A contraction of Soph ister. [Colloq.]

SOPH Soph, n. (Amer. Colleges)

Defn: A contraction of Sophomore. [Colloq.]

SOPHI So"phi, n.; pl. Sophis (.

Defn: See Sufi.

SOPHIC; SOPHICAL Soph"ic, Soph"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Teaching wisdom. [Obs.] S. Harris.

SOPHIME So*phime" ( or ), n. Etym: [OF. soffime, sophisme.]

Defn: Sophism. [Obs.] I trow ye study aboute some sophime. Chaucer.

SOPHISM Soph"ism, n. Etym: [F. sophisme, L. sophisma, fr. Gr.

Defn: The doctrine or mode of reasoning practiced by a sophist; hence, any fallacy designed to deceive. When a false argument puts on the appearance of a true one, then it is properly called a sophism, or "fallacy". I. Watts. Let us first rid ourselves of sophisms, those of depraved men, and those of heartless philosophers. I. Taylor.

SOPHIST Soph"ist, n. Etym: [F. sophiste, L. sophistes, fr. Gr. Sophism.]

1. One of a class of men who taught eloquence, philosophy, and politics in ancient Greece; especially, one of those who, by their fallacious but plausible reasoning, puzzled inquirers after truth, weakened the faith of the people, and drew upon themselves general hatred and contempt. Many of the Sophists doubdtless card not for truth or morality, and merely professed to teach how to make the worse appear the better reason; but there scems no reason to hold that they were a special class, teaching special opinions; even Socrates and Plato were sometimes styled Sophists. Liddell & Scott.

2. Hence, an impostor in argument; a captious or fallacious reasoner.

SOPHISTER Soph"ist*er, n.

1. A sophist. See Sophist. [Obs.] Hooker.

2. (Eng. Univ.)

Defn: A student who is advanced beyond the first year of his residence.

Note: The entire course at the university consists of three years and one term, during which the students have the titles of first-year men, or freshmen; second-year men or junior sophs or sophisters; third-year men, or senior sophs or sophisters; and, in the last term, questionists, with reference to the approaching examination. In the older American colleges, the junior and senior classes were originally called, and in some of them are still called, junior sophisters and senior sophisters.

SOPHISTER Soph"ist*er, v. t.

Defn: To maintain by sophistry, or by a fallacious argument. [Obs.] obham.

SOPHISTIC; SOPHISTICAL So*phis"tic, So*phis"tic*al, a. Etym: [L. sophisticus, Gr. sophistique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sophist; embodying sophistry; fallaciously subtile; not sound. His argument . . . is altogether sophistical. Macaulay. -- So*phis"tic*al*ly, adv. -- So*phis"tic*al*ness, n.

SOPHISTICATE So*phis"ti*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sophisticated; p. pr. & vb. n. Sophisticating.] Etym: [LL. sophisticatus, p.p. of sophisticare to sophisticate.]

Defn: To render worthless by admixture; to adulterate; to damage; to pervert; as, to sophisticate wine. Howell. To sophisticate the understanding. Southey. Yet Butler professes to stick to plain facts, not to sophisticate, not to refine. M. Arnold. They purchase but sophisticated ware. Dryden.

Syn. -- To adulterate; debase; corrupt; vitiate.

SOPHISTICATE; SOPHISTICATED So*phis"ti*cate, So*phis"ti*ca`ted, a.

Defn: Adulterated; not pure; not genuine. So truth, while only one supplied the state, Grew scare and dear, and yet sophisticate. Dryden.

SOPHISTICATION So*phis`ti*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. LL. sophisticatio, F. sophistication.]

Defn: The act of sophisticating; adulteration; as, the sophistication of drugs. Boyle.

SOPHISTICATOR So*phis"ti*ca`tor, n.

Defn: One who sophisticates.

SOPHISTRY Soph"ist*ry, n. Etym: [OE. sophistrie, OF. sophisterie.]

1. The art or process of reasoning; logic. [Obs.]

2. The practice of a sophist; fallacious reasoning; reasoning sound in appearance only. The juggle of sophistry consists, for the most part, in usig a word in one sense in the premise, and in another sense in the conclusion. Coleridge.

Syn. -- See Fallacy.

SOPHOMORE Soph"o*more, n. Etym: [Probably fr. soph or sophister + Gr. Soph-Mor as "the next distinctive appellation to Freshman," but the term has now almost ceased to be known at the English university from whence it came.]

Defn: One belonging to the second of the four classes in an American college, or one next above a freshman. [Formerly written also sophimore.]

SOPHOMORIC; SOPHOMORICAL Soph`o*mor"ic, Soph`o*mor"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sophomore; resembling a sophomore; hence, pretentious; inflated in style or manner; as, sophomoric affectation. [U. S.]

SOPHORA So*pho"ra, n. Etym: [Ar. .] (Bot.) (a) A genus of leguminous plants. (b) A tree (Sophora Japonica) of Eastern Asia, resembling the common locust; occasionally planted in the United States.

SOPHTA Soph"ta, n.

Defn: See Softa.

SOPITE So"pite, v. t. Etym: [L. sopitus, p.p. of sopire to put to sleep; akin to sopor a sleeping draught, a heavy sleep.]

Defn: To lay asleep; to put to sleep; to quiet. [Obs.] The king's declaration for the sopiting of all Arminian heresies. Fuller.

SOPITION So*pi"tion, n.

Defn: The act of putting to sleep, or the state of being put to sleep; sleep. [Obs.] Dementation and sopition of reason. Sir T. Browne.

SOPOR So"por, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)

Defn: Profound sleep from which a person can be roused only with difficulty.

SOPORATE Sop"o*rate, v. t. Etym: [L. soporatus, p.p. or soporare to put to sleep, fr. sopor a heavy sleep.]

Defn: To lay or put to sleep; to stupefy. [Obs.] Cudworth.

SOPORIFEROUS Sop`o*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. soparifer; sopor a heavy sleep + ferere to bring.]

Defn: Causing sleep; somniferous; soporific. "Soporiferous medicine." Swift. --- Sop`o*rif"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Sop`o*rif"er*ous*ness, n.

SOPORIFIC Sop`o*rif"ic, a. Etym: [L. sopor a heavy sleep (akin to somnus sleep) + facere to make. See Somnolent, Fact.]

Defn: Causing sleep; tending to cause sleep; soporiferous; as, the soporific virtues of opium.

Syn. -- Somniferous; narcotic; opiate; anodyne.

SOPORIFIC Sop`o*rif"ic, n.

Defn: A medicine, drug, plant, or other agent that has the quality of inducing sleep; a narcotic.

SOPOROSE; SOPOROUS Sop"o*rose`, Sop"o*rous, a. Etym: [From Sopor; cf. L. soporus, fr. sopor a heavy sleep; F. soporeux.]

Defn: Causing sleep; sleepy.

SOPPER Sop"per, n.

Defn: One who sops. Johnson.

SOPPING sopping

Defn: more recent version of soppy. Used esp. in phrase sopping wet.

SOPPY Sop"py, a.

Defn: Soaked or saturated with liquid or moisture; very wet or sloppy. It [Yarmouth] looked rather spongy and soppy. Dickens.

SOPRA So"pra, adv. Etym: [It., from L. supra above.] (Mus.)

Defn: Above; before; over; upon.

SOPRANIST So*pra"nist, n. (Mus.)

Defn: A treble singer.

SOPRANO So*pra"no, n.; pl. E. Sopranos, It. Soprani. Etym: [It., fr. soprano superior, highest, fr. sopra above, L. supra. See Sovereign.] (Mus.) (a) The treble; the highest vocal register; the highest kind of female or boy's voice; the upper part in harmony for mixed voices. (b) A singer, commonly a woman, with a treble voice.

SOPSAVINE Sops"a*vine, n.

Defn: See Sops of wine, under Sop.

SORA So"ra, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A North American rail (Porzana Carolina) common in the Eastern United States. Its back is golden brown, varied with black and white, the front of the head and throat black, the breast and sides of the head and neck slate-colored. Called also American rail, Carolina rail, Carolina crake, common rail, sora rail, soree, meadow chicken, and orto. King sora, the Florida gallinule.

SORANCE Sor"ance ( or ), n.

Defn: Soreness. [Obs.]

SORB Sorb, n.Etym: [L. sorbus the tree, sorbum the fruit; cf. F. sorbe. See Service tree.] (Bot.) (a) The wild service tree (Pyrus torminalis) of Europe; also, the rowan tree. (b) The fruit of these trees. Sorb apple, the fruit of the sorb, or wild service tree. -- Sorb tree, the wild service tree.

SORBATE Sor"bate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sorbate. See Sorbic.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of sorbic acid.

SORBEFACIENT Sor`be*fa"cient, a. Etym: [L. sorbere to suck in, absorb + faciens, p.pr. of facere to make.] (Med.)

Defn: Producing absorption. -- n.

Defn: A medicine or substance which produces absorption.

SORBENT Sorb"ent, n. Etym: [L. sorbens, p.pr. of sorbere to suck in, to absorb.]

Defn: An absorbent. [R.]

SORBET Sor"bet, n. Etym: [F. sorbet or It. sorbetto or Sp. sorbete, from the same source as E. sherbet. See Sherbet.]

Defn: A kind of beverage; sherbet. Smolett.

SORBIC Sor"bic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sorbique. See Sorb.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, the rowan tree, or sorb; specifically, designating an acid, C

SORBILE Sor"bile, a. Etym: [L. sorbilis, fr. sorbere to suck in, to drink down.]

Defn: Fit to be drunk or sipped. [Obs.]

SORBIN Sor"bin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: An unfermentable sugar, isomeric with glucose, found in the ripe berries of the rowan tree, or sorb, and extracted as a sweet white crystalline substance; -- called also mountain-ash sugar.

SORBITE Sor"bite, n. Etym: [L. sorbus service tree.] (Chem.)

Defn: A sugarlike substance, isomeric with mannite and dulcite, found with sorbin in the ripe berries of the sorb, and extracted as a sirup or a white crystalline substance. -- Sor*bit"ic, a.

SORBITION Sor*bi"tion, n. Etym: [L. sorbitio.]

Defn: The act of drinking or sipping. [Obs.]

SORBONICAL Sor*bon"ic*al, a.

Defn: Belonging to the Sorbonne or to a Sorbonist. Bale.

SORBONIST Sor"bon*ist, n. Etym: [F. sorboniste.]

Defn: A doctor of the Sorbonne, or theological college, in the University of Paris, founded by Robert de Sorbon, a. d. 1252. It was suppressed in the Revolution of 1789.

SORCERER Sor"cer*er, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sorcier. See Sorcery.]

Defn: A conjurer; an enchanter; a magician. Bacon. Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers. Ex. vii. 11.

SORCERESS Sor"cer*ess, n.

Defn: A female sorcerer.

SORCERING Sor"cer*ing, n.

Defn: Act or practice of using sorcery.

SORCEROUS Sor"cer*ous, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sorcery.

SORCERY Sor"cer*y, n.; pl. Sorceries. Etym: [OE. sorcerie, OF. sorcerie, fr. OF. & F. sorcier a sorcerer, LL. sortiarius, fr. L. sors, sortis, a lot, decision by lot, fate, destiny. See Sort, n.]

Defn: Divination by the assistance, or supposed assistance, of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits; magic; necromancy; witchcraft; enchantment. Adder's wisdom I have learned, To fence my ear against thy sorceries. Milton.

SORD Sord ( or ), n.

Defn: See Sward. [R.] Milton.

SORDES Sor"des, n. Etym: [L., fr. sordere to be dirty or foul.]

Defn: Foul matter; excretion; dregs; filthy, useless, or rejected matter of any kind; specifically (Med.), the foul matter that collects on the teeth and tongue in low fevers and other conditions attended with great vital depression.

SORDET Sor"det, n. Etym: [See Sordine.] (Mus.)

Defn: A sordine.

SORDID Sor"did, a. Etym: [L. sordidus, fr. sordere to be filthy or dirty; probably akin to E. swart: cf. F. sordide. See Swart, a.]

1. Filthy; foul; dirty. [Obs.] A sordid god; down from his hoary chin A length of beard descends, uncombed, unclean. Dryden.

2. Vile; base; gross; mean; as, vulgar, sordid mortals. "To scorn the sordid world." Milton.

3. Meanly avaricious; covetous; niggardly. He may be old, And yet sordid, who refuses gold. Sir J. Denham.

SORDIDLY Sor*did"ly, n.

Defn: Sordidness. [Obs.]

SORDIDLY Sor"did*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sordid manner.

SORDIDNESS Sor"did*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sordid.

SORDINE Sor"dine ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [It. sordina, sordino, from sordo deaf, dull-sounding, L. surdus. See Surd.] (Mus.)

Defn: See Damper, and 5th Mute.

SORE Sore, a. Etym: [F. saure, sore, sor; faucon sor a sore falcon. See Sorrel, n.]

Defn: Reddish brown; sorrel. [R.] Sore falcon. (Zoöl.) See Sore, n., 1.

SORE Sore, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young hawk or falcon in the first year.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young buck in the fourth year. See the Note under Buck.

SORE Sore, a. [Compar. Sorer (; superl. Sorest.] Etym: [OE. sor, sar, AS. sar; akin to D. zeer, OS. & OHG. s, G. sehr very, Icel. sarr, Sw. sår, Goth. sair pain. Cf. Sorry.]

1. Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed; painful; -- said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand.

2. Fig.: Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation. Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy. Tillotson.

3. Severe; afflictive; distressing; as, a sore disease; sore evil or calamity. Shak.

4. Criminal; wrong; evil. [Obs.] Shak. Sore throat (Med.), inflammation of the throat and tonsils; pharyngitis. See Cynanche. -- Malignant, Ulcerated or Putrid, sore throat. See Angina, and under Putrid.

SORE Sore, n. Etym: [OE. sor, sar, AS. sar. See Sore, a.]

1. A place in an animal body where the skin and flesh are ruptured or bruised, so as to be tender or painful; a painful or diseased place, such as an ulcer or a boil. The dogs came and licked his sores. Luke xvi. 21.

2. Fig.: Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty. Chaucer. I see plainly where his sore lies. Sir W. Scott. Gold sore. (Med.) See under Gold, n.

SORE Sore, adv. Etym: [AS. sare. See Sore, a.]

1. In a sore manner; with pain; grievously. Thy hand presseth me sore. Ps. xxxviii. 2.

2. Greatly; violently; deeply. [Hannah] prayed unto the Lord and wept sore. 1 Sam. i. 10. Sore sighed the knight, who this long sermon heard. Dryden.

SOREDIA So*re"di*a, n.,

Defn: pl. of Soredium.

SOREDIATE So*re"di*ate, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Sorediïferous.

SOREDIFEROUS; SOREDIIFEROUS Sore*dif"er*ous, or Sore*di*if"er*ous, a. Etym: [Soredium + -ferous.] (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing soredia; sorediate.

SOREDIUM So*re"di*um, n.; pl. Soredia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A patch of granular bodies on the surface of the thallus of lichens.

SOREE So"ree (, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Sora.

SOREHEAD Sore"head`, n.

Defn: One who is disgruntled by a failure in politics, or the like. [Slang, U.S.]

SOREHON Sore"hon, n. Etym: [Corrupted from sojourn, Scot. soirne, sorn.]

Defn: Formerly, in Ireland, a kind of servile tenure which subjected the tenant to maintain his chieftain gratuitously whenever he wished to indulge in a revel. Spenser.

SOREL Sor"el, n. Etym: [A diminutive. See Sore reddish brown.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young buck in the third year. See the Note under Buck. Shak.

2. A yellowish or reddish brown color; sorrel.

SORELY Sore"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sore manner; grievously; painfully; as, to be sorely afflicted.

SOREMA So*re"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A heap of carpels belonging to one flower.

SORENESS Sore"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sore; tenderness; painfull; as, the soreness of a wound; the soreness of an affliction.

SOREX So"rex, n. Etym: [L., a shrew.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of small Insectivora, including the common shrews.

SORGHE Sor"ghe, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The three-beared rocking, or whistlefish. [Prov. Eng.]

SORGHUM Sor"ghum, n. Etym: [NL., probably of Chinese origin.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of grasses, properly limited to two species, Sorghum Halepense, the Arabian millet, or Johnson grass (see Johnson grass), and S. vulgare, the Indian millet (see Indian millet, under Indian). (b) A variety of Sorghum vulgare, grown for its saccharine juice; the Chinese sugar cane.

SORGO Sor"go, n. Etym: [Cf. It. sorgo. See Sorghum.] (Bot.)

Defn: Indian millet and its varieties. See Sorghum.

SORI So"ri, n.,

Defn: pl. of Sorus.

SORICINE So"ri*cine, a. Etym: [L. sorricinus, fr. sorex a shrew.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Shrew family (Soricidæ); like a shrew in form or habits; as, the soricine bat (Glossophaga soricina).

SORITES So*ri"tes, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. swrei`ths (sc. syllogismo`s), properly, heaped up (hence, a heap of syllogisms), fr. swro`s a heap.] (Logic)

Defn: An abridged form of stating of syllogisms in a series of propositions so arranged that the predicate of each one that precedes forms the subject of each one that follows, and the conclusion unites the subject of the first proposition with the predicate of the last proposition, as in following example; -- The soul is a thinking agent; A thinking agent can not be severed into parts; That which can not be severed can not be destroyed; Therefore the soul can not be destroyed.

Note: When the series is arranged in the reverse order, it is called the Goclenian sorites, from Goclenius, a philosopher of the sixteenth century. Destructive sorities. See under Destructive.

SORITICAL So"rit"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sorites; resembling a sorites.

SORN Sorn, v. i. Etym: [See Sorehon.]

Defn: To obtrude one's self on another for bed and board. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SORNER Sorn"er, n.

Defn: One who obtrudes himself on another for bed and board. [Scot.] De Quncey.

SORORAL So*ro"ral, a. Etym: [L. soror sister: cf. F. sororal.]

Defn: Relating to a sister; sisterly. [R.]

SORORICIDE So*ror"i*cide, n. Etym: [L. sororocida, and sororicidium; soror a sister + caedere to kill.]

Defn: The murder of one's sister; also, one who murders or kills one's own sister. Johnson.

SORORIZE So*ro"rize ( or ), v. i. Etym: [L. soror, sororis, a sister.]

Defn: To associate, or hold fellowship, as sisters; to have sisterly feelings; -- analogous to fraternize. [Recent & R.]

SOROSIS So*ro"sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Sororize.]

Defn: A woman's club; an association of women. [U. S.]

SOROSIS So*ro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A fleshy fruit formed by the consolidation of many flowers with their receptacles, ovaries, etc., as the breadfruit, mulberry, and pineapple.

SORRAGE Sor"rage (; 48), n. Etym: [Cf. Sorrel, n.]

Defn: The blades of green or barley. [Obs.] Bailey.

SORRANCE Sor"rance, n.

Defn: Same as Sorance. [Obs.]

SORREL Sor"rel, a. Etym: [F. saur, saure, OF. sor, sore, probably of Teutonic origin; cf. D. zoor dry, LG. soor; the meaning probably coming from the color of dry leaves. See Sear, a., and cf. Sorel.]

Defn: Of a yellowish or redish brown color; as, a sorrel horse.

SORREL Sor"rel, n.

Defn: A yellowish or redish brown color.

SORREL Sor"rel, n. Etym: [F. surelle, fr. sur sour, fr. OHG. s sour. See Sour.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of various plants having a sour juice; especially, a plant of the genus Rumex, as Rumex Acetosa, Rumex Acetosella, etc. Mountain sorrel. (Bot.) See under Mountain. -- Red sorrel. (Bot.) (a) A malvaceous plant (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) whose acid calyxes and capsules are used in the West Indies for making tarts and acid drinks. (b) A troublesome weed (Rumex Acetosella), also called sheep sorrel. -- Salt of sorrel (Chem.), binoxalate of potassa; -- so called because obtained from the juice of Rumex Acetosella, or Rumex Axetosa. -- Sorrel tree (Bot.), a small ericaceous tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) whose leaves resemble those of the peach and have a sour taste. It is common along the Alleghanies. Called also sourwood. -- Wood sorrel (Bot.), any plant of the genus Oxalis.

SORRENTO WORK Sor"ren"to work`.

Defn: Ornamental work, mostly carved in olivewood, decorated with inlay, made at or near Sorrento, Italy. Hence, more rarely, jig-saw work and the like done anywhere.

SORRILY Sor"ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sorry manner; poorly. Thy pipe, O Pan, shall help, though I sing sorrily. Sir P. Sidney.

SORRINESS Sor"ri*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sorry.

SORROW Sor"row, n. Etym: [OE. sorwe, sorewe, sor, AS. sorg, sorh; akin to D. zorg care, anxiety, OS. sorga, OHG. sorga, soraga, suorga, G. sorge, Icel., Sw., & Dan. sorg, Goth. saúrga; of unknown origin.]

Defn: The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good, real or supposed, or by diseappointment in the expectation of good; grief at having suffered or occasioned evil; regret; unhappiness; sadness. Milton. How great a sorrow suffereth now Arcite! Chaucer. The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment. Rambler.

Syn. -- Grief; unhappiness; regret; sadness; heaviness; mourning; affliction. See Affliction, and Grief.

SORROW Sor"row, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sorrowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sorrowing.] Etym: [OE. sorowen, sorwen, sorhen, AS. sorgian; akin to Goth. saúrgan. See Sorrow, n.]

Defn: To feel pain of mind in consequence of evil experienced, feared, or done; to grieve; to be sad; to be sorry. Sorrowing most of all . . . that they should see his face no more. Acts xx. 38. I desire no man to sorrow for me. Sir J. Hayward.

SORROWED Sor"rowed (, a.

Defn: Accompanied with sorrow; sorrowful. [Obs.] Shak.

SORROWFUL Sor"row*ful, a. Etym: [OE. sorweful, AS. sorgful.]

1. Full of sorrow; exhibiting sorrow; sad; dejected; distressed. "This sorrowful prisoner." Chaucer. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. Matt. xxvi. 38.

2. Producing sorrow; exciting grief; mournful; lamentable; grievous; as, a sorrowful accident.

Syn. -- Sad; mournful; dismal; disconsolate; drear; dreary; grievous; lamentable; doleful; distressing. -- Sor"row*ful*ly, adv. -- Sor"row*ful*ness, n.

SORROWLESS Sor"row*less, a.

Defn: Free from sorrow.

SORRY Sor"ry, a. [Compar. Sorrier; superl. Sorriest.] Etym: [OE. sory, sary, AS. sarig, fr. sar, n., sore. See Sore, n. & a. The original sense was, painful; hence. miserable, sad.]

1. Grieved for the loss of some good; pained for some evil; feeling regret; -- now generally used to express light grief or affliction, but formerly often used to express deeper feeling. "I am sorry for my sins." Piers Plowman. Ye were made sorry after a godly manner. 2 Cor. vii. 9. I am sorry for thee, friend; 't is the duke's pleasure. Shak. She entered, were he lief or sorry. Spenser.

2. Melancholy; dismal; gloomy; mournful. Spenser. All full of chirking was this sorry place. Chaucer.

3. Poor; mean; worthless; as, a sorry excuse. "With sorry grace." Chaucer. Cheeks of sorry grain will serve. Milton. Good fruit will sometimes grow on a sorry tree. Sir W. Scott.

Syn. -- Hurt; afflicted; mortified; vexed; chagrined; melancholy; dismal; poor; mean; pitiful.

SORS Sors, n.; pl. Sortes. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A lot; also, a kind of divination by means of lots. Sortes Homericæ or Virgilianæ Etym: [L., Homeric or Virgilian lots], a form of divination anciently practiced, which consisted in taking the first passage on which the eye fell, upon opening a volume of Homer or Virgil, or a passage drawn from an urn which several were deposited, as indicating future events, or the proper course to be pursued. In later times the Bible was used for the same purpose by Christians.

SORT Sort, n. Etym: [F. sorl, L. sors, sortis. See Sort kind.]

Defn: Chance; lot; destiny. [Obs.] By aventure, or sort, or cas [chance]. Chaucer. Let blockish Ajax draw The sort to fight with Hector. Shak.

SORT Sort, n. Etym: [F. sorie (cf. It. sorta, sorte), from L. sors, sorti, a lot, part, probably akin to serere to connect. See Series, and cf. Assort, Consort, Resort, Sorcery, Sort lot.]

1. A kind or species; any number or collection of individual persons or things characterized by the same or like qualities; a class or order; as, a sort of men; a sort of horses; a sort of trees; a sort of poems.

2. Manner; form of being or acting. Which for my part I covet to perform, In sort as through the world I did proclaim. Spenser. Flowers, in such sort worn, can neither be smelt nor seen well by those that wear them. Hooker. I'll deceive you in another sort. Shak. To Adam in what sort Shall I appear Milton. I shall not be wholly without praise, if in some sort I have copied his style. Dryden.

3. Condition above the vulgar; rank. [Obs.] Shak.

4. A chance group; a company of persons who happen to be together; a troop; also, an assemblage of animals. [Obs.] "A sort of shepherds." Spenser. "A sort of steers." Spenser. "A sort of doves." Dryden. "A sort of rogues." Massinger. A boy, a child, and we a sort of us, Vowed against his voyage. Chapman.

5. A pair; a set; a suit. Johnson.

6. pl. (Print.)

Defn: Letters, figures, points, marks, spaces, or quadrats, belonging to a case, separately considered. Out of sorts (Print.), with some letters or sorts of type deficient or exhausted in the case or font; hence, colloquially, out of order; ill; vexed; disturbed. -- To run upon sorts (Print.), to use or require a greater number of some particular letters, figures, or marks than the regular proportion, as, for example, in making an index.

Syn. -- Kind; species; rank; condition. -- Sort, Kind. Kind originally denoted things of the same family, or bound together by some natural affinity; and hence, a class. Sort signifies that which constitutes a particular lot of parcel, not implying necessarily the idea of affinity, but of mere assemblage. the two words are now used to a great extent interchangeably, though sort (perhaps from its original meaning of lot) sometimes carries with it a slight tone of disparagement or contempt, as when we say, that sort of people, that sort of language. As when the total kind Of birds, in orderly array on wing, Came summoned over Eden to receive Their names of there. Milton. None of noble sort Would so offend a virgin. Shak.

SORT Sort, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sorting.]

1. To separate, and place in distinct classes or divisions, as things having different qualities; as, to sort cloths according to their colors; to sort wool or thread according to its fineness. Rays which differ in refrangibility may be parted and sorted from one another. Sir I. Newton.

2. To reduce to order from a confused state. Hooker.

3. To conjoin; to put together in distribution; to class. Shellfish have been, by some of the ancients, compared and sorted with insects. Bacon. She sorts things present with things past. Sir J. Davies.

4. To choose from a number; to select; to cull. That he may sort out a worthy spouse. Chapman. I'll sort some other time to visit you. Shak.

5. To conform; to adapt; to accommodate. [R.] I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience. Shak.

SORT Sort, v. i.

1. To join or associate with others, esp. with others of the same kind or species; to agree. Nor do metals only sort and herd with metals in the earth, and minerals with minerals. Woodward. The illiberality of parents towards children makes them base, and sort with any company. Bacon.

2. To suit; to fit; to be in accord; to harmonize. They are happy whose natures sort with their vocations. Bacon. Things sort not to my will. herbert. I can not tell you precisely how they sorted. Sir W. Scott.

SORTABLE Sort"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sortable suitable.]

1. Capable of being sorted.

2. Suitable; befitting; proper. [Obs.] con.

SORTABLY Sort"a*bly, adv.

Defn: Suitable. [Obs.] otgrave.

SORTAL Sort"al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to a sort. [Obs.] Locke.

SORTANCE Sort"ance, n. Etym: [From Sort, v. i.]

Defn: Suitableness; agreement. [Obs.] hak.

SORTER Sort"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sorts.

SORTES Sor"tes, n.,

Defn: pl. of Sors.

SORTIE Sor"tie, n. Etym: [F., fr. sortir to go out, to issue, probably fr. L. sortus, for surrectus, p.p. of surgere to raise up, to rise up. See Source.] (Mil.)

Defn: The sudden issuing of a body of troops, usually small, from a besieged place to attack or harass the besiegers; a sally.

SORTILEGE Sor"ti*lege, n. Etym: [F. sortilège, fr. L. sors, sortis, a lot + legere to gather, to select.]

Defn: The act or practice of drawing lots; divination by drawing lots. A woman infamous for sortileges and witcheries. Sir W. Scott.

SORTILEGIOUS Sor`ti*le"gious, a.

Defn: Pertaining to sortilege.

SORTILEGY Sor"til"e*gy, n.

Defn: Sortilege. [R.] De Quincey.

SORTITA Sor*ti"ta, n. [It., a coming out.]

1. The air sung by any of the principal characters in an opera on entering.

2. A closing voluntary; a postlude.

SORTITION Sor*ti"tion, n. Etym: [L. sortitio, from sortiri to draw or cast lots, fr. sors, sortis, a lot.]

Defn: Selection or appointment by lot. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SORTMENT Sort"ment, n.

Defn: Assortiment. [Obs.]

SORUS So"rus, n.; pl. Sori. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: One of the fruit dots, or small clusters of sporangia, on the back of the fronds of ferns.

SORWE Sor"we, n. & v.

Defn: Sorrow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SORWEFUL Sor"we*ful, a.

Defn: Sorrowful. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SORY So"ry, n. Etym: [L. sory, Gr. (Old Min. Chem.)

Defn: Green vitriol, or some earth imregnated with it.

SOS SOS.

Defn: The letters signified by the signal ( . . . ---. . . ) prescribed by the International Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1912 for use by ships in distress.

SO-SO So"-so`, a. Etym: [So + so.]

Defn: Neither very good nor very bad; middling; passable; tolerable; indifferent. In some Irish houses, where things are so-so, One gammon of bacon hangs up for a show. Goldsmith. He [Burns] certainly wrote some so-so verses to the Tree of Liberty. Prof. Wilson.

SO-SO So"-so`, adv.

Defn: Tolerably; passably. H. James.

SOSS Soss, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Souse.]

Defn: To fall at once into a chair or seat; to sit lazily. [Obs.] Swift.

SOSS Soss, v. t.

Defn: To throw in a negligent or careless manner; to toss. [Obs.] Swift.

SOSS Soss, n.

1. A lazy fellow. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

2. A heavy fall. [Prov. Eng.] Hallowell.

SOSS Soss, n. Etym: [See Sesspol.]

Defn: Anything dirty or muddy; a dirty puddle. [Prov. Eng.]

SOSTENUTO Sos`te*nu"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: Sustained; -- applied to a movement or passage the sounds of which are to sustained to the utmost of the nominal value of the time; also, to a passage the tones of which are to be somewhat prolonged or protacted.

SOT Sot, n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. sottus; of unknown origin, cf. Ir. sotal pride, soithir proud, or Chald. & NHeb. shoten foolish.]

1. A stupid person; a blockhead; a dull fellow; a dolt. [Obs.] outh. In Egypt oft has seen the sot bow down, And reverence some dOldham.

2. A person stupefied by excessive drinking; an habitual drunkard. "A brutal sot." Granville. Every sign That calls the staring sots to nasty wine. Roscommon.

SOT Sot, a.

Defn: Sottish; foolish; stupid; dull. [Obs.] "Rich, but sot." Marston.

SOT Sot, v. t.

Defn: To stupefy; to infatuate; to besot. [R.] I hate to see a brave, bold fellow sotted. Dryden.

SOT Sot, v. i.

Defn: To tipple to stupidity. [R.] Goldsmith.

SOTADEAN So`ta*de"an, a.

Defn: Sotadic.

SOTADIC So*tad"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, the lascivious compositions of the Greek poet Sotades. -- n.

Defn: A Sotadic verse or poem.

SOTE Sote, a.

Defn: Sweet. [Obs.] Chaucer. Fairfax.

SOTEL; SOTIL So"tel, So"til, a.

Defn: Subtile. [Obs.]

SOTERIOLOGY So*te`ri*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

1. A discourse on health, or the science of promoting and preserving health.

2. (Theol.)

Defn: The doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ.

SOTHE Sothe ( or ), a.

Defn: Sooth. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOTHIAC; SOTHIC So"thi*ac, Soth"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Sothis, the Egyptian name for the Dog Star; taking its name from the Dog Star; canicular. Sothiac, or Sothic, year (Chronol.), the Egyptian year of 365 days and 6 hours, as distinguished from the Egyptian vague year, which contained 365 days. The Sothic period consists of 1,460 Sothic years, being equal to 1,461 vague years. One of these periods ended in July, a. d. 139.

SOTILTE So"til*te, n.

Defn: Subtlety. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOTTED Sot"ted,

Defn: a. & p. p. of Sot. Befooled; deluded; besotted. [Obs.] "This sotted priest." Chaucer.

SOTTERY Sot"ter*y, n.

Defn: Folly. [Obs.] Gauden.

SOTTISH Sot"tish, a. Etym: [From Sot.]

Defn: Like a sot; doltish; very foolish; drunken. How ignorant are sottish pretenders to astrology! Swift.

Syn. -- Dull; stupid; senseless; doltish; infatuate. -- Sot"tish*ly, adv. -- Sot"tish*ness, n.

SOTTO VOCE Sot`to vo"ce. Etym: [It.]

1. (Mus.)

Defn: With a restrained voice or moderate force; in an undertone.

2. Spoken low or in an undertone.

SOU Sou, n.; pl. Sous or. Etym: [F. sou, OF. sol, from L. solidus a gold coin, in LL., a coin of less value. See Sold, n., Solid, and and cf. Sol, Soldo.]

Defn: An old French copper coin, equivalent in value to, and now displaced by, the five-centime piece (sou.

SOUARI NUT Sou*a"ri nut`. (Bot.)

Defn: The large edible nutlike seed of a tall tropical American tree (Caryocar nuciferum) of the same natural order with the tea plant; -- also called butternut. [Written also sawarra nut.]

SOUBAH Sou"bah, n.

Defn: See Subah.

SOUBAHDAR Sou"bah*dar, n.

Defn: See Subahdar.

SOUBISE Sou`bise" (soo`bez"), n.

1. [F.] A sauce made of white onions and melted butter mixed with velouté sauce.

2. A kind of cravat worn by men in the late 18th century.

SOUBRETTE Sou`brette", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A female servant or attendant; specifically, as a term of the theater, a lady's maid, in comedies, who acts the part of an intrigante; a meddlesome, mischievous female servant or young woman.

SOUBRIQUET Sou`bri`quet", n.

Defn: See Sobriquet.

SOUCE Souce, n.

Defn: See 1st Souse.

SOUCE Souce, v. t. & i.

Defn: See Souse. [Obs.] penser.

SOUCHONG Sou*chong", n. Etym: [Chin. seou chong little plant or sort.]

Defn: A kind of black tea of a fine quality.

SOUDAN Sou*dan", n.Etym: [F.]

Defn: A sultan. [Obs.]

SOUDED; SOUDET Soud"ed, Soud"et, a. Etym: [See Solder.]

Defn: United; consolidated; made firm; strengthened. [Obs.] O martyr souded for virginity! Chaucer.

SOUFFLE Souf"fle, n. Etym: [F.] (Med.)

Defn: A murmuring or blowing sound; as, the uterine souffle heard over the pregnant uterus.

SOUFFLE Souf"flé, n. Etym: [F., fr. soufflé, p.p. of souffler to puff.] (Cookery)

Defn: A side dish served hot from the oven at dinner, made of eggs, milk, and flour or other farinaceous substance, beaten till very light, and flavored with fruits, liquors, or essence.

SOUFFLEE Soufflée.

Defn: Filled with air by beating, and baked; as, an omelette soufflé.

SOUGH Sough, n.

Defn: A sow. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUGH Sough, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A small drain; an adit. [Prov. Eng.] W. M. Buchanan.

SOUGH Sough, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. s (in comp.) a rushing sound, or OE. swough, swogh, a sound, AS. sw to rustle. Cf. Surf, Swoon, v. i.]

1. The sound produced by soughing; a hollow murmur or roaring. The whispering leaves or solemn sough of the forest. W. Howitt.

2. Hence, a vague rumor or flying report. [Scot.]

3. A cant or whining mode of speaking, especially in preaching or praying. [Scot.] Jamieson.

SOUGH Sough, v. i.

Defn: To whistle or sigh, as the wind.

SOUGHT Sought,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Seek.

SOUKE Souke, v. t. & i.

Defn: To suck. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUL Soul, a.

Defn: Sole. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUL Soul, a.

Defn: Sole. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUL Soul, v. i. Etym: [F. soûler to satiate. See Soil to feed.]

Defn: To afford suitable sustenance. [Obs.] Warner.

SOUL Soul, n. Etym: [OE. soule, saule, AS. sawel, sawl; akin to OFries. s, OS. s, D. ziel, G. seele, OHG. s, s, Icel. sala, Sw. själ, Dan. siæl, Goth. saiwala; of uncertain origin, perhaps akin to L. saeculum a lifetime, age (cf. Secular.)]

1. The spiritual, rational, and immortal part in man; that part of man which enables him to think, and which renders him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the so-called animal soul, that is, the seat of life, the sensitive affections and phantasy, exclusive of the voluntary and rational powers; -- sometimes, in distinction from the mind, the moral and emotional part of man's nature, the seat of feeling, in distinction from intellect; -- sometimes, the intellect only; the understanding; the seat of knowledge, as distinguished from feeling. In a more general sense, "an animating, separable, surviving entity, the vehicle of individual personal existence." Tylor. The eyes of our souls only then begin to see, when our bodily eyes are closing. Law.

2. The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. "The hidden soul of harmony." Milton. Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul. Milton.

3. The leader; the inspirer; the moving spirit; the heart; as, the soul of an enterprise; an able gemeral is the soul of his army. He is the very soul of bounty! Shak.

4. Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent power or goodness. That he wants algebra he must confess; But not a soul to give our arms success. Young.

5. A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation, usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Prov. xxv. 25. God forbid so many simple souls Should perish by the aword! Shak. Now mistress Gilpin (careful soul). Cowper.

6. A pure or disembodied spirit. That to his only Son . . . every soul in heaven Shall bend the knee. Milton.

Note: Soul is used in the formation of numerous compounds, most of which are of obvious signification; as, soul-betraying, soul- consuming, soul-destroying, soul-distracting, soul-enfeebling, soul- exalting, soul-felt, soul-harrowing, soul-piercing, soul-quickening, soul-reviving, soul-stirring, soul-subduing, soul-withering, etc.

Syn. -- Spirit; life; courage; fire; ardor. Cure of souls. See Cure, n., 2. -- Soul bell, the passing bell. Bp. Hall. -- Soul foot. See Soul scot, below. [Obs.] -- Soul scot or Soul shot. Etym: [Soul + scot, or shot; cf. AS. sawelsceat.] (O. Eccl. Law) A funeral duty paid in former times for a requiem for the soul. Ayliffe.

SOUL Soul, v. t.

Defn: To indue with a soul; to furnish with a soul or mind. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOULED Souled, a.

Defn: Furnished with a soul; possessing soul and feeling; -- used chiefly in composition; as, great-souled Hector. "Grecian chiefs . . . largely souled." Dryden.

SOULILI Sou"li*li`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A long-tailed, crested Javan monkey (Semnopithecus mitratus). The head, the crest, and the upper surface of the tail, are black.

SOULLESS Soul"less, a.

Defn: Being without a soul, or without greatness or nobleness of mind; mean; spiritless. Slave, souless villain, dog! Shak.

SOULLESSLY Soul"less*ly, adv.

Defn: In a soulless manner. Tylor.

SOUN Soun, n. & v.

Defn: Sound. [Obs.] aucer.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [AS. sund a swimming, akin to E. swim. See Swim.]

Defn: The air bladder of a fish; as, cod sounds are an esteemed article of food.

SOUND Sound, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A cuttlefish. [Obs.] Ainsworth.

SOUND Sound, a. [Compar. Sounder; superl. Soundest.] Etym: [OE. sound, AS. sund; akin to D. gezond, G. gesund, OHG. gisunt, Dan. & Sw. sund, and perhaps to L. sanus. Cf. Sane.]

1. Whole; unbroken; unharmed; free from flaw, defect, or decay; perfect of the kind; as, sound timber; sound fruit; a sound tooth; a sound ship.

2. Healthy; not diseased; not being in a morbid state; -- said of body or mind; as, a sound body; a sound constitution; a sound understanding.

3. Firm; strong; safe. The brasswork here, how rich it is in beams, And how, besides, it makes the whole house sound. Chapman.

4. Free from error; correct; right; honest; true; faithful; orthodox; -- said of persons; as, a sound lawyer; a sound thinker. Do not I know you a favorer Of this new seat Ye are nor sound. Shak.

5. Founded in truth or right; supported by justice; not to be overthrown on refuted; not fallacious; as, sound argument or reasoning; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me. 2 Tim. i. 13.

6. heavy; laid on with force; as, a sound beating.

7. Undisturbed; deep; profound; as, sound sleep.

8. Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective; as, a sound title to land.

Note: Sound is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sound-headed, sound-hearted, sound-timbered, etc. Sound currency (Com.), a currency whose actual value is the same as its nominal value; a currency which does not deteriorate or depreciate or fluctuate in comparision with the standard of values.

SOUND Sound, adv.

Defn: Soundly. So sound he slept that naught might him awake. Spenser.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [AS. sund a narrow sea or strait; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan. & G. sund, probably so named because it could be swum across. See Swim.] (Geog.)

Defn: A narrow passage of water, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean; as, the Sound between the Baltic and the german Ocean; Long Island Sound. The Sound of Denmark, where ships pay toll. Camden. Sound dues, tolls formerly imposed by Denmark on vessels passing through the Baltic Sound.

SOUND Sound, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Sounding.] Etym: [F. sonder; cf. AS. sundgyrd a sounding rod, sundline a sounding line (see Sound a narrow passage of water).]

1. To measure the depth of; to fathom; especially, to ascertain the depth of by means of a line and plummet.

2. Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe. I was in jest, And by that offer meant to sound your breast. Dryden. I've sounded my Numidians man by man. Addison.

3. (Med.)

Defn: To explore, as the bladder or urethra, with a sound; to examine with a sound; also, to examine by auscultation or percussion; as, to sound a patient.

SOUND Sound, v. i.

Defn: To ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device. I sound as a shipman soundeth in the sea with his plummet to know the depth of sea. Palsgrave.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [F. sonde. See Sound to fathom.] (Med.)

Defn: Any elongated instrument or probe, usually metallic, by which cavities of the body are sounded or explored, especially the bladder for stone, or the urethra for a stricture.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [OE. soun, OF. son, sun, F. son, fr. L. sonus akin to Skr. svana sound, svan to sound, and perh. to E. swan. Cf. Assonant, Consonant, Person, Sonata, Sonnet, Sonorous, Swan.]

1. The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact; the effect of an impression made on the organs of hearing by an impulse or vibration of the air caused by a collision of bodies, or by other means; noise; report; as, the sound of a drum; the sound of the human voice; a horrid sound; a charming sound; a sharp, high, or shrill sound. The warlike sound Of trumpets loud and clarions. Milton.

2. The occasion of sound; the impulse or vibration which would occasion sound to a percipient if present with unimpaired; hence, the theory of vibrations in elastic media such cause sound; as, a treatise on sound.

Note: In this sense, sounds are spoken of as audible and inaudible.

3. Noise without signification; empty noise; noise and nothing else. Sense and not sound . . . must be the principle. Locke. Sound boarding, boards for holding pugging, placed in partitions of under floors in order to deaden sounds. -- Sound bow, in a series of transverse sections of a bell, that segment against which the clapper strikes, being the part which is most efficacious in producing the sound. See Illust. of Bell. -- Sound post. (Mus.) See Sounding post, under Sounding.

SOUND Sound, v. i. Etym: [OE. sounen, sownen, OF. soner, suner, F. sonner, from L. sonare. See Sound a noise.]

1. To make a noise; to utter a voice; to make an impulse of the air that shall strike the organs of hearing with a perceptible effect. "And first taught speaking trumpets how to sound." Dryden. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues! Shak.

2. To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound. From you sounded out the word of the Lord. 1 Thess. i. 8.

3. To make or convey a certain impression, or to have a certain import, when heard; hence, to seem; to appear; as, this reproof sounds harsh; the story sounds like an invention. Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair Shak. To sound in or into, to tend to; to partake of the nature of; to be consonant with. [Obs., except in the phrase To sound in damages, below.] Soun[d]ing in moral virtue was his speech. Chaucer. -- To sound in damages (Law), to have the essential quality of damages. This is said of an action brought, not for the recovery of a specific thing, as replevin, etc., but for damages only, as trespass, and the like.

SOUND Sound, v. t.

1. To causse to make a noise; to play on; as, to sound a trumpet or a horn. A bagpipe well could he play and soun[d]. Chaucer.

2. To cause to exit as a sound; as, to sound a note with the voice, or on an instrument.

3. To order, direct, indicate, or proclain by a sound, or sounds; to give a signal for by a certain sound; as, to sound a retreat; to sound a parley. The clock sounded the hour of noon. G. H. Lewes.

4. To celebrate or honor by sounds; to cause to be reported; to publish or proclaim; as, to sound the praises of fame of a great man or a great exploit.

5. To examine the condition of (anything) by causing the same to emit sounds and noting their character; as, to sound a piece of timber; to sound a vase; to sound the lungs of a patient.

6. To signify; to import; to denote. [Obs.] Milton. Soun[d]ing alway the increase of his winning. Chaucer.

SOUNDABLE Sound"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being sounded.

SOUNDAGE Sound"age (; 48), n.

Defn: Dues for soundings.

SOUND-BOARD Sound"-board`, n.

Defn: A sounding-board. To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes. Milton.

SOUNDER Sound"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which; sounds; specifically, an instrument used in telegraphy in place of a register, the communications being read by sound.

SOUNDER Sound"er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A herd of wild hogs.

SOUNDING Sound"ing, a.

Defn: Making or emitting sound; hence, sonorous; as, sounding words. Dryden.

SOUNDING Sound"ing, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, sounds (in any of the senses of the several verbs).

2. (Naut.) Etym: [From Sound to fathom.] (a) measurement by sounding; also, the depth so ascertained. (b) Any place or part of the ocean, or other water, where a sounding line will reach the bottom; -- usually in the plural. (c) The sand, shells, or the like, that are brought up by the sounding lead when it has touched bottom. Sounding lead, the plummet at the end of a sounding line. -- Sounding line, a line having a plummet at the end, used in making soundings. -- Sounding post (Mus.), a small post in a violin, violoncello, or similar instrument, set under the bridge as a support, for propagating the sounds to the body of the instrument; -- called also sound post. -- Sounding rod (Naut.), a rod used to ascertain the depth of water in a ship's hold. -- In soundings, within the eighty-fathom line. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SOUNDING BALLOON Sound"ing bal*loon".

Defn: An unmanned balloon sent aloft for meteorological or aëronautic purposes.

SOUNDING-BOARD Sound"ing-board`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A thin board which propagates the sound in a piano, in a violin, and in some other musical instruments.

2. A board or structure placed behind or over a pulpit or rostrum to give distinctness to a speaker's voice.

3. pl.

Defn: See Sound boarding, under Sound, a noise.

SOUNDLESS Sound"less, a.

Defn: Not capable of being sounded or fathomed; unfathomable. Shak.

SOUNDLESS Sound"less, a.

Defn: Having no sound; noiseless; silent. -- Sound"less*ly, adv. -- Sound"less*ness, n.

SOUNDLY Sound"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sound manner.

SOUNDNESS Sound"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sound; as, the soundness of timber, of fruit, of the teeth, etc.; the soundness of reasoning or argument; soundness of faith.

Syn. -- Firmness; strength; solidity; healthiness; truth; rectitude.

SOUNE Soune, v. t. & i.

Defn: To sound. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUNST Sounst, a.

Defn: Soused. See Souse. [Obs.]

SOUP Soup, n. Etym: [F. soupe, OF. sope, supe, soupe, perhaps originally, a piece of bread; probably of Teutonic origin; cf. D. sop sop, G. suppe soup. See Sop something dipped in a liquid, and cf. Supper.]

Defn: A liquid food of many kinds, usually made by boiling meat and vegetables, or either of them, in water, -- commonly seasoned or flavored; strong broth. Soup kitchen, an establishment for preparing and supplying soup to the poor. -- Soup ticket, a ticket conferring the privilege of receiving soup at a soup kitchen.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To sup or swallow. [Obs.] Wyclif.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To breathe out. [Obs.] amden.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop. [Obs.]

SOUPCON Soup`çon", n. [F.]

Defn: A suspicion; a suggestion; hence, a very small portion; a taste; as, coffee with a soupçon of brandy; a soupçon of coquetry.

SOUPE-MAIGRE Soupe`-mai"gre, n. Etym: [F.] (Cookery)

Defn: Soup made chiefly from vegetables or fish with a little butter and a few condiments.

SOUPLE Sou"ple, n.

Defn: That part of a flail which strikes the grain. Knight.

SOUPY Soup"y, a.

Defn: Resembling soup; souplike.

SOUR Sour, a. [Compar. Sourer; superl. Sourest.] Etym: [OE. sour, sur, AS. s; akin to D. zuur, G. sauer, OHG. s, Icel. s, Sw. sur, Dan. suur, Lith. suras salt, Russ. surovui harsh, rough. Cf. Sorrel, the plant.]

1. Having an acid or sharp, biting taste, like vinegar, and the juices of most unripe fruits; acid; tart. All sour things, as vinegar, provoke appetite. Bacon.

2. Changed, as by keeping, so as to be acid, rancid, or musty, turned.

3. Disagreeable; unpleasant; hence; cross; crabbed; peevish; morose; as, a man of a sour temper; a sour reply. "A sour countenance." Swift. He was a scholar . . . Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, But to those men that sought him sweet as summer. Shak.

4. Afflictive; painful. "Sour adversity." Shak.

5. Cold and unproductive; as, sour land; a sour marsh. Sour dock (Bot.), sorrel. -- Sour gourd (Bot.), the gourdlike fruit Adansonia Gregorii, and A. digitata; also, either of the trees bearing this fruit. See Adansonia. -- Sour grapes. See under Grape. -- Sour gum (Bot.) See Turelo. -- Sour plum (Bot.), the edible acid fruit of an Australian tree (Owenia venosa); also, the tree itself, which furnished a hard reddish wood used by wheelwrights.

Syn. -- Acid; sharp; tart; acetous; acetose; harsh; acrimonious; crabbed; currish; peevish.

SOUR Sour, n.

Defn: A sour or acid substance; whatever produces a painful effect. Spenser.

SOUR Sour, v. t. Etym: [AS. s to sour, to become sour.]

1. To cause to become sour; to cause to turn from sweet to sour; as, exposure to the air sours many substances. So the sun's heat, with different powers, Ripens the grape, the liquor sours. Swift.

2. To make cold and unproductive, as soil. Mortimer.

3. To make unhappy, uneasy, or less agreeable. To sour your happiness I must report, The queen is dead. Shak.

4. To cause or permit to become harsh or unkindly. "Souring his cheeks." Shak. Pride had not sour'd nor wrath debased my heart. Harte.

5. To macerate, and render fit for plaster or mortar; as, to sour lime for business purposes.

SOUR Sour, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Soured; p. pr. & vb. n. Souring.]

Defn: To become sour; to turn from sweet to sour; as, milk soon sours in hot weather; a kind temper sometimes sours in adversity. They keep out melancholy from the virtuous, and hinder the hatred of vice from souring into severity. Addison.

SOURCE Source, n. Etym: [OE. sours, OF. sourse, surse, sorse, F. source, fr. OF. sors, p.p. of OF. sordre, surdre, sourdre, to spring forth or up, F. sourdre, fr. L. surgere to lift or raise up, to spring up. See Surge, and cf. Souse to plunge or swoop as a bird upon its prey.]

1. The act of rising; a rise; an ascent. [Obs.] Therefore right as an hawk upon a sours Up springeth into the air, right so prayers . . . Maken their sours to Goddes ears two. Chaucer.

2. The rising from the ground, or beginning, of a stream of water or the like; a spring; a fountain. Where as the Poo out of a welle small Taketh his firste springing and his sours. Chaucer. Kings that rule Behind the hidden sources of the Nile. Addison.

3. That from which anything comes forth, regarded as its cause or origin; the person from whom anything originates; first cause. This source of ideas every man has wholly in himself. Locke. The source of Newton's light, of Bacon's sense. Pope.

Syn. -- See Origin.

SOURCROUT Sour"crout`, n.

Defn: See Sauerkraut.

SOURDE Sourde, v. i. Etym: [F. sourdre. See Source.]

Defn: To have origin or source; to rise; to spring. [Obs.] Now might men ask whereof that pride sourdeth. Chaucer.

SOURING Sour"ing, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any sour apple.

SOURISH Sour"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat sour; moderately acid; as, sourish fruit; a sourish taste.

SOURKROUT Sour"krout`, n.

Defn: Same as Sauerkraut.

SOURLY Sour"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sour manner; with sourness.

SOURNESS Sour"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sour.

SOURS Sours, n.

Defn: Source. See Source. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOURSOP Sour"sop`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The large succulent and slightly acid fruit of a small tree (Anona muricata) of the West Indies; also, the tree itself. It is closely allied to the custard apple.

SOURWOOD Sour"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The sorrel tree.

SOUS; SOUSE Sous, Souse (F. soo; colloq. Eng. sous), n.

Defn: A corrupt form of Sou. [Obs.] Colman, the Elder.

SOUSE Souse, n. Etym: [OF. sausse. See Sauce.] [Written also souce, sowce, and sowse.]

1. Pickle made with salt.

2. Something kept or steeped in pickle; esp., the pickled ears, feet, etc., of swine. And he that can rear up a pig in his house, Hath cheaper his bacon, and sweeter his souse. Tusser.

3. The ear; especially, a hog's ear. [Prov. Eng.]

4. The act of sousing; a plunging into water.

SOUSE Souse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soused; p. pr. & vb. n. Sousing.] Etym: [Cf. F. saucer to wet with sauce. See Souse pickle.]

1. To steep in pickle; to pickle. "A soused gurnet." Shak.

2. To plunge or immerse in water or any liquid. They soused me over head and ears in water. Addison.

3. To drench, as by an immersion; to wet throughly. Although I be well soused in this shower. Gascoigne.

SOUSE Souse, v. i. Etym: [Probably fr. OF. sors, p.p. of sordre to rise, and first used of an upward swood, then of a swoop in general, but also confused with Souse, v. t. See Source.]

Defn: To swoop or plunge, as a bird upon its prey; to fall suddenly; to rush with speed; to make a sudden attack. For then I viewed his plunge and souse Into the foamy main. Marston. Jove's bird will souse upon the timorous hare. J. Dryden. Jr.

SOUSE Souse, v. t.

Defn: To pounce upon. [R.] [The gallant monarch] like eagle o'er his serie towers, To souse annoyance that comes near his nest. Shak.

SOUSE Souse, n.

Defn: The act of sousing, or swooping. As a falcon fair That once hath failed or her souse full near. Spenser.

SOUSE Souse, adv.

Defn: With a sudden swoop; violently. Young.

SOUSLIK Sous"lik, n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Suslik.

SOUT Sout, n.

Defn: Soot. [Obs.] Spenser.

SOUTACHE Sou`tache", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A kind of narrow braid, usually of silk; -- also known as Russian braid.

SOUTAGE Sout"age ( or ; 48), n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: That in which anything is packed; bagging, as for hops. [Obs.] Halliwell.

SOUTANE Sou`tane", n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. sotana, or It. sottana, LL. subtana, fr. L. subtus below, beneath, fr. sub under.] (Eccl. Costume)

Defn: A close garnment with straight sleeves, and skirts reaching to the ankles, and buttoned in front from top to bottom; especially, the black garment of this shape worn by the clergy in France and Italy as their daily dress; a cassock.

SOUTER Sou"ter, n. Etym: [AS. s, fr. It. sutor, fr. suere to sew.]

Defn: A shoemaker; a cobbler. [Obs.] Chaucer. There is no work better than another to please God: . . . to wash dishes, to be a souter, or an apostle, -- all is one. Tyndale.

SOUTERLY Sou"ter*ly, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a cobbler or cobblers; like a cobbler; hence, vulgar; low. [Obs.]

SOUTERRAIN Sou"ter*rain, n. Etym: [F. See Subterranean.]

Defn: A grotto or cavern under ground. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

SOUTH South (; by sailors sou), n. Etym: [OE. south, suþ, AS. suedh for sunedh; akin to D. zuid, OHG. sund, G. süd, süden, Icel. suedhr, sunnr, Dan. syd, sönden, Sw. syd, söder, sunnan; all probably akin to E. sun, meaning, the side towards the sun. sq. root297. See Sun.]

1. That one of the four cardinal points directly opposite to the north; the region or direction to the right or direction to the right of a person who faces the east.

2. A country, region, or place situated farther to the south than another; the southern section of a country. "The queen of the south." Matt. xii. 42.

3. Specifically: That part of the United States which is south of Mason and Dixon's line. See under Line.

4. The wind from the south. [Obs.] Shak.

SOUTH South, a.

Defn: Lying toward the south; situated at the south, or in a southern direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the south, or coming from the south; blowing from the south; southern; as, the south pole. "At the south entry." Shak. South-Sea tea (Bot.) See Yaupon.

SOUTH South

Defn: , adv.

1. Toward the south; southward.

2. From the south; as, the wind blows south. Bacon.

SOUTH South, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Southed; p. pr. & vb. n. Southing.]

1. To turn or move toward the south; to veer toward the south.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: To come to the meridian; to cross the north and south line; -- said chiefly of the moon; as, the moon souths at nine.

SOUTHCOTTIAN South*cot"ti*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A follower of Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), an Englishwoman who, professing to have received a miraculous calling, preached and prophesied, and committed many impious absurdities.

SOUTHDOWN South"down`, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the South Downs, a range of pasture hills south of the Thames, in England. Southdown sheep (Zoöl.), a celebrated breed of shortwooled, hornless sheep, highly valued on account of the delicacy of their flesh. So called from the South Downs where the breed originated.

SOUTHDOWN South"down`, n.

Defn: A Southdown sheep.

SOUTHEAST South`east" (; by sailors sou"-), n.

Defn: The point of the compass equally distant from the south and the east; the southeast part or region.

SOUTHEAST South`east (; by sailors sou"-), a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southeast; proceeding toward, or coming from, the southeast; as, a southeast course; a southeast wind.

SOUTHEASTER South`east"er, n.

Defn: A storm, strong wind, or gale coming from the southeast.

SOUTHEASTER South`east"er, adv.

Defn: Toward the southeast.

SOUTHEASTERN South`east"ern, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southeast; southeasterly.

SOUTHEASTWARD; SOUTHEASTWARDLY South`east"ward, South`east"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: Toward the southeast.

SOUTHER South"er, n.

Defn: A strong wind, gale, or storm from the south.

SOUTHERLINESS South"er*li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being southerly; direction toward the south.

SOUTHERLY South"er*ly, a.

Defn: Southern.

SOUTHERN South"ern, a. Etym: [AS. s. See South.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the south; situated in, or proceeding from, the south; situated or proceeding toward the south. Southern Cross (Astron.), a constellation of the southern hemisphere containing several bright stars so related in position as to resemble a cross. -- Southern Fish (Astron.), a constelation of the southern hemisphere (Piscis Australis) containing the bright star Fomalhaut. -- Southern States (U.S. Hist. & Geog.), the States of the American Union lying south of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River, with Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Before the Civil War, Missouri also, being a slave State, was classed as one of the Southern States.

SOUTHERN South"ern, n.

Defn: A Southerner. [R.]

SOUTHERNER South"ern*er, n.

Defn: An inhabitant or native of the south, esp. of the Southern States of North America; opposed to Northerner.

SOUTHERNLINESS South"ern*li*ness, n.

Defn: Southerliness.

SOUTHERNLY South"ern*ly, a.

Defn: Somewhat southern. -- adv.

Defn: In a southerly manner or course; southward.

SOUTHERNMOST South"ern*most`, a.

Defn: Farthest south.

SOUTHERNWOOD South"ern*wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A shrubby species of wormwood (Artemisia Abrotanum) having aromatic foliage. It is sometimes used in making beer.

SOUTHING South"ing, n.

1. Tendency or progress southward; as, the southing of the sun. Emerson.

2. The time at which the moon, or other heavenly body, passes the meridian of a place.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: Distance of any heavenly body south of the equator; south declination; south latitude.

4. (Surv. & Navigation)

Defn: Distance southward from any point departure or of reckoning, measured on a meridian; -- opposed to northing.

SOUTHLY South"ly, adv.

Defn: Southerly. [Obs. & R.]

SOUTHMOST South"most`, a.

Defn: Farthest toward the south; southernmost. [R.] Milton.

SOUTHNESS South"ness, n.

Defn: A tendency in the end of a magnetic needle to point toward the south pole. Faraday.

SOUTHPAW South"paw`, a. (Baseball)

Defn: Using the left hand in pitching; said of a pitcher. [Cant]

SOUTHPAW South"paw`, n.

Defn: A pitcher who pitches with the left hand. [Cant]

SOUTHREN South"ren, a.

Defn: Southern. [Obs.] "I am a Southren man." Chaucer.

SOUTHRON South"ron, n.

Defn: An inhabitant of the more southern part of a country; formerly, a name given in Scotland to any Englishman.

SOUTHSAY South"say`, v. i.

Defn: See Soothsay. [Obs.]

SOUTHSAYER South"say`er, n.

Defn: See Soothsayer. [Obs.]

SOUTH; SOUTHERLY South` south"er*ly. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the old squaw; -- so called in imitation of its cry. Called also southerly, and southerland. See under Old.

SOUTHWARD; SOUTHWARDS South"ward, South"wards, adv.

Defn: Toward the south, or toward a point nearer the south than the east or west point; as, to go southward.

SOUTHWARD South"ward, a.

Defn: Toward the south.

SOUTHWARD South"ward, n.

Defn: The southern regions or countries; the south. Sir W. Raleigh.

SOUTHWARDLY South"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: In a southern direction.

SOUTHWEST South`west (; colloq. sou"-.), n.

Defn: The point of the compass equally from the south and the west; the southwest part or region.

SOUTHWEST South`west", a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the southwest; proceeding toward the southwest; coming from the southwest; as, a southwest wind.

SOUTHWESTER South`west"er (; colloq. , n.

1. A storm, gale, or strong wind from the southwest.

2. A hat made of painted canvas, oiled cloth, or the like, with a flap at the back, -- worn in stormy weather.

SOUTHWESTERLY South`west"er*ly, a.

Defn: To ward or from the southwest; as, a southwesterly course; a southwesterly wind.

SOUTHWESTERN South`west"ern, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southwest; southwesterly; as, to sail a southwestern course.

SOUTHWESTWARD; SOUTHWESTWARDLY South`west"ward, South`west"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: Toward the southwest.

SOUVENANCE; SOVENAUNCE Sou"ve*nance, So"ve*naunce, n. Etym: [F. souvenance.]

Defn: Remembrance. [Obs.] Of his way he had no sovenance. Spenser.

SOUVENIR Sou`ve*nir ( or ), n. Etym: [F., fr. souvenir to remember, fr. L. subvenire to come up, come to mind; sub under + venire to come, akin to E. come. See Come, and cf. Subvention.]

Defn: That which serves as a reminder; a remembrancer; a memento; a keepsake.

SOVEREIGN Sov"er*eign ( or ; 277), a. Etym: [OE. soverain, sovereyn, OF. soverain, suvrain, F. souverain, LL. superanus, fr. L. superus that is above, upper, higher, fr. super above. See Over, Super, and cf. Soprano. The modern spelling is due to a supposed connection with reign.]

1. Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief; as, our sovereign prince.

2. Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.

3. Princely; royal. "Most sovereign name." Shak. At Babylon was his sovereign see. Chaucer.

4. Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount. We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good. Hooker.

5. Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling; as, a sovereign remedy. Dryden. Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the regulation of the lives and actions of men. South. Sovereign state, a state which administers its own government, and is not dependent upon, or subject to, another power.

SOVEREIGN Sov"er*eign ( or ; 277), n.

1. The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor. No question is to be made but that the bed of the Mississippi belongs to the sovereign, that is, to the nation. Jefferson.

2. A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at one pound sterling, or about $4.86.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalidi, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.

Syn. -- King; prince; monarch; potentate; emperor.

SOVEREIGNIZE Sov"er*eign*ize, v. i.

Defn: To exercise supreme authority. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

SOVEREIGNLY Sov"er*eign*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sovereign manner; in the highest degree; supremely. Chaucer.

SOVEREIGNTY Sov"er*eign*ty, n.; pl. Sovereignties. Etym: [OE. soverainetee, OF. sovraineté, F. souveraineté.]

Defn: The quality or state of being sovereign, or of being a sovereign; the exercise of, or right to exercise, supreme power; dominion; sway; supremacy; independence; also, that which is sovereign; a sovereign state; as, Italy was formerly divided into many sovereignties. Woman desiren to have sovereignty As well over their husband as over their love. Chaucer.

SOVRAN Sov"ran, a.

Defn: A variant of Sovereign. [Poetic] On thy bald, awful head, O sovran Blanc. Coleridge.

SOW Sow, v. i.

Defn: To sew. See Sew. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOW Sow, n. Etym: [OE. sowe, suwe, AS. sugu, akin to su, D. zog, zeug, OHG. su, G. sau, Icel. syr, Dan. so, Sw. sugga, so, L. sus. Gr. "y^s, sy^s, Zend. hu boar; probably from the root seen in Skr. su to beget, to bear; the animal being named in allusion to its fecundity. sq. root294. Cf. Hyena, Soil to stain, Son, Swine.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The female of swine, or of the hog kind.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sow bug.

3. (Metal.) (a) A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed. (b) The bar of metal which remains in such a runner. (c) A mass of solidified metal in a furnace hearth; a salamander.

4. (Mil.)

Defn: A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like. Craig. Sow bread. (Bot.) See Cyclamen. -- Sow bug, or Sowbug (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of terrestrial Isopoda belonging to Oniscus, Porcellio, and allied genera of the family Oniscidæ. They feed chiefly on decaying vegetable substances. -- Sow thistle Etym: [AS. sugepistel] (Bot.), a composite plant (Sonchus oleraceus) said to be eaten by swine and some other animals.

SOW Sow, v. t. [imp. Sowed; p. p. Sown or Sowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sowing.] Etym: [OE. sowen, sawen, AS. sawan; akin to OFries. s, D. zaaijen, OS. & HG. sajan, G. säen, Icel. sa, Sw. så, Dan. saae, Goth. saian, Lith. seti, Russ. sieiate, L. serere, sevi. Cf. Saturday, Season, Seed, Seminary.]

1. To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate. "He would sow some difficulty." Chaucer. A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside. Matt. xiii. 3, 4. And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers. Addison.

2. To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle. The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, . . . and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles. Sir M. Hale. [He] sowed with stars the heaven. Milton. Now morn . . . sowed the earth with orient pearl. Milton.

SOW Sow, v. i.

Defn: To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; -- literally or figuratively. They that sow in tears shall reap in joi. Ps. cxxvi. 5.

SOWANS Sow"ans ( or ), n. pl.

Defn: See Sowens.

SOWAR Sow"ar, n. Etym: [Per. sawar a horseman.]

Defn: In India, a mounted soldier.

SOWBANE Sow"bane`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The red goosefoot (Chenopodium rubrum), -- said to be fatal to swine.

SOWCE Sowce, n. & v.

Defn: See Souse. [Obs.]

SOWDAN Sow"dan, n. Etym: [F. soudan. See Soldan.]

Defn: Sultan. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWDANESSE Sow"dan*esse`, n.

Defn: A sultaness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWENS Sow"ens ( or ), n. pl. Etym: [Scottish; cf. AS. seáw juice, glue, paste.]

Defn: A nutritious article of food, much used in Scotland, made from the husk of the oat by a process not unlike that by which common starch is made; -- called flummery in England. [Written also sowans, and sowins.]

SOWER Sow"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sows.

SOWINS Sow"ins ( or ), n. pl.

Defn: See Sowens.

SOWL; SOWLE Sowl, Sowle, v. t. Etym: [Cf. prov. G. zaulen, zauseln, G. zausen to tug, drag.]

Defn: To pull by the ears; to drag about. [Obs.] hak.

SOWL Sowl, v. i.

Defn: See Soul, v. i. [Obs.]

SOWN Sown,

Defn: p. p. of Sow.

SOWNE Sowne, v. t. & i.

Defn: To sound. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWSE Sowse, n. & v.

Defn: See Souse. [Obs.] ryden.

SOWTER Sow"ter, n.

Defn: See Souter. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SOY Soy, n. Etym: [Chinese shoyu.]

1. A Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, etc., made by subjecting boiled beans (esp. soja beans), or beans and meal, to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: The soja, a kind of bean. See Soja.

SOYLE Soyle, v. t. Etym: [Aphetic form of assoil.]

Defn: To solve, to clear up; as, to soyl all other texts. [Obs.] Tyndate.

SOYLE Soyle, n. Etym: [Cf. Soil to feed.]

Defn: Prey. [Obs.] Spenser.

SOYNED Soyn"ed ( or ), a. Etym: [F. soigner to care.]

Defn: Filled with care; anxious. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag.

SOZZLE Soz"zle, v. t. Etym: [Freq. from soss, v.]

1. To splash or wet carelessly; as, to sozzle the feet in water. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

2. To heap up in confusion. [Prov. Eng.] Forby.

SOZZLE Soz"zle, n.

1. One who spills water or other liquids carelessly; specifically, a sluttish woman. [Local, U.S.]

2. A mass, or heap, confusedly mingled. [Prov. Eng.]

SPA Spa, n.

Defn: A spring or mineral water; -- so called from a place of this name in Belgium.

SPAAD Spaad, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spath spar. See Spar the mineral.] (Min.)

Defn: A kind of spar; earth flax, or amianthus. [Obs.] oodward.

SPACE Space, n. Etym: [OE. space, F. espace, from L. spatium space; cf. Gr. span. Cf. Expatiate.]

1. Extension, considered independently of anything which it may contain; that which makes extended objects conceivable and possible. Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor motion. Locke.

2. Place, having more or They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare; Long had he no space to dwell [in]. R. of Brunne. While I have time and space. Chaucer.

3. A quantity or portion of extension; distance from one thing to another; an interval between any two or more objects; as, the space between two stars or two hills; the sound was heard for the space of a mile. Put a space betwixt drove and drove. Gen. xxxii. 16.

4. Quantity of time; an interval between two points of time; duration; time. "Grace God gave him here, this land to keep long space." R. of brunne. Nine times the space that measures day and night. Milton. God may defer his judgments for a time, and give a people a longer space of repentance. Tillotson.

5. A short time; a while. [R.] "To stay your deadly strife a space." Spenser.

6. Walk; track; path; course. [Obs.] This ilke [same] monk let old things pace, And held after the new world the space. Chaucer.

7. (print.) (a) A small piece of metal cast lower than a face type, so as not to receive the ink in printing, -- used to separate words or letters. (b) The distance or interval between words or letters in the lines, or between lines, as in books.

Note: Spaces are of different thicknesses to enable the compositor to arrange the words at equal distances from each other in the same line.

8. (Mus.)

Defn: One of the intervals, or open places, between the lines of the staff. Absolute space, Euclidian space, etc. See under Absolute, Euclidian, etc. -- Space line (Print.), a thin piece of metal used by printers to open the lines of type to a regular distance from each other, and for other purposes; a lead. Hansard. -- Space rule (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the same height as the type, used in printing short lines in tabular matter.

SPACE Space, v. i. Etym: [Cf. OF. espacier, L. spatiari. See Space, n.]

Defn: To walk; to rove; to roam. [Obs.] And loved in forests wild to space. Spenser.

SPACE Space, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Spacong.] Etym: [Cf. F. espacer. See Space, n.] (Print.)

Defn: To arrange or adjust the spaces in or between; as, to space words, lines, or letters.

SPACE BAR; SPACE KEY Space bar or key. (Mach.)

Defn: A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

SPACEFUL Space"ful, a.

Defn: Wide; extensive. Sandys.

SPACELESS Space"less, a.

Defn: Without space. Coleridge.

SPACIAL Spa"cial, a.

Defn: See Spatial.

SPACIALLY Spa"cial*ly, adv.

Defn: See Spatially. Sir W,Hamilton.

SPACIOUS Spa"cious, a. Etym: [L. spatiousus: cf. F. spacieux. See Space, n.]

1. Extending far and wide; vast in extent. "A spacious plain outstretched in circuit wide." Milton.

2. Inclosing an extended space; having large or ample room; not contracted or narrow; capacious; roomy; as, spacious bounds; a spacious church; a spacious hall. -- Spa"cious*ly, adv. -- Spa"cious*ness, n.

SPAD Spad, n. (Mining)

Defn: A nail one or two inches long, of iron, brass, tin, or tinner iron, with a hole through the flattened head, used to mark stations in underground surveying.

SPADASSIN Spa`das`sin", n. Etym: [F., fr. It. spadaccino a swordsman, from spada a sword.]

Defn: A bravo; a bully; a duelist. Ld. Lytton.

SPADDLE Spad"dle, n.

Defn: A little spade. [Obs.]

SPADE Spade, n. Etym: [Cf. Spay, n.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hart or stag three years old. [Written also spaid, spayade.]

2. Etym: [Cf. L. spado.]

Defn: A castrated man or beast.

SPADE Spade, n. Etym: [AS. spæd; spada; akin to D. spade, G. spaten, Icel. spaedhi, Dan. & Sw. spade, L. spatha a spatula, a broad two-edged sword, a spathe, Gr. spa`qh. Cf. Epaulet, Spade at cards, Spathe, Spatula.]

1. An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel. "With spade and pickax armed." Milton.

2. Etym: [Sp. espada, literally, a sword; -- so caused because these cards among the Spanish bear the figure of a sword. Sp. espada is fr. L. spatha, Gr. spa`qh. See the Etymology above.]

Defn: One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade. "Let spades be trumps!" she said. Pope.

3. A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale. Spade bayonet, a bayonet with a broad blade which may be used digging; -- called also trowel bayonet. -- Spade handle (Mach.), the forked end of a connecting rod in which a pin is held at both ends. See Illust. of Knuckle joint, under Knuckle.

SPADE Spade, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Spading.]

Defn: To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.

SPADEBONE Spade"bone` (, n.

Defn: Shoulder blade. [Prov. Eng.]

SPADEFISH Spade"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An American market fish (Chætodipterus faber) common on the southern coasts; -- called also angel fish, moonfish, and porgy.

SPADEFOOT Spade"foot`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, esp. S. Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad.

SPADEFUL Spade"ful, n.; pl. Spadefuls. Etym: [Spade + full.]

Defn: As much as a spade will hold or lift.

SPADER Spad"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spades; specifically, a digging machine.

SPADICEOUS Spa*di"ceous, a. Etym: [L. spadix, -icis, a date-brown or nut-brown color. See Spadix.]

1. Of a bright clear brown or chestnut color. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing flowers on a spadix; of the nature of a spadix.

SPADICOSE Spa"di*cose`, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Spadiceous.

SPADILLE Spa*dille", n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada. See Spade a card.] (Card Playing)

Defn: The ace of spades in omber and quadrille.

SPADIX Spa"dix, n.; pl. L. Spadices, E. Spadixes. Etym: [L., a palm branch broken off, with its fruit, Gr.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A fleshy spike of flowers, usually inclosed in a leaf called a spathe.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A special organ of the nautilus, due to a modification of the posterior tentacles.

SPADO Spa"do, n.; pl. Spadones. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. Same as Spade, 2.

2. (Law)

Defn: An impotent person.

SPADROON Spa*droon", n. Etym: [Cf. F. & Sp. espadon, It. spadone. See Espadon, Spade.]

Defn: A sword, especially a broadsword, formerly used both to cut and thrust.

SPAE Spae, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spaed; p. pr. & vb. n. Spaeing.] Etym: [Scot. spae, spay, to foretell, to divine, Icel. spa.]

Defn: To foretell; to divine. [Scot.]

SPAEMAN Spae"man, n.

Defn: A prophet; a diviner. [Scot.]

SPAEWIFE Spae"wife`, n.

Defn: A female fortune teller. [Scot.]

SPAGHETTI Spa*ghet"ti, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: A variety or macaroni made in tubes of small diameter.

SPAGYRIC; SPAGYRICAL Spa*gyr"ic, Spa*gyr"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. sparygicus, fr. Gr. spagirique.]

Defn: Chemical; alchemical. [Obs.]

SPAGYRIC Spa*gyr"ic, n.

Defn: A spagyrist. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SPAGYRIST Spag"y*rist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spagiriste.]

1. A chemist, esp. one devoted to alchemistic pursuits. [Obs.]

2. One of a sect which arose in the days of alchemy, who sought to discover remedies for disease by chemical means. The spagyrists historically preceded the iatrochemists. Encyc. Brit.

SPAHI; SPAHEE Spa"hi, Spa"hee, n. Etym: [Per., Turk., & Hind. sipahi: cf. F. spahi. See Seroy.]

1. Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.

2. An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.

SPAID Spaid, n.

Defn: See 1st Spade.

SPAKE Spake, archaic

Defn: imp. of Speak.

SPAKENET Spake"net`, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.

SPAKY Spak"y, a.

Defn: Specky. [Obs.] hapman.

SPALDING KNIFE Spald"ing knife`.

Defn: A spalting knife.

SPALE Spale, n. Etym: [Cf. Spell a splinter.]

1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

2. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: A strengthening cross timber.

SPALL Spall, n. Etym: [OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule.]

Defn: The shoulder. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPALL Spall, n. Etym: [Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter.]

Defn: A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.

SPALL Spall, v. t.

1. (Mining)

Defn: To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.

2. (Masonry)

Defn: To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.

SPALL Spall, v. i.

Defn: To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.

SPALPEEN Spal"peen, n. Etym: [Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self- conceit.]

Defn: A scamp; an Irish term for a good-for-nothing fellow; -- often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.]

SPALT Spalt, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell.] (Metal.)

Defn: Spelter. [Colloq.]

SPALT Spalt, a. Etym: [See 1st Spell.]

1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]

SPALT Spalt, v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. OE. spalden. See Spalt, a.]

Defn: To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SPALTING KNIFE Spalt"ing knife`.

Defn: A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife.]

SPAN Span, archaic

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spin.

SPAN Span, n. Etym: [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G. spanne, Icel. spönn. sq. root170. See Span, v. t. ]

1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.

2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time. Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let me bound. Pope. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. Farquhar.

3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.

5. Etym: [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. spænd, G. gespann. See Span, v. t. ]

Defn: A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action. Span blocks (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards. -- Span counter, an old English child's game, in which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that he can span the space between them, and touch both the counters. Halliwell. "Henry V., in whose time boys went to span counter for French crowns." Shak. -- Span iron (Naut.), a special kind of harpoon, usually secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat. -- Span roof, a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both sides. Gwilt. -- Span shackle (Naut.), a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SPAN Span, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanned; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning.] Etym: [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spænde, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. spatium space. sq. root170. Cf. Spin, v. t., Space, Spasm.]

1. To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder. My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Isa. xiviii. 13.

2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch. The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry. prescott.

3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.

SPAN Span, v. i.

Defn: To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]

SPANAEMIA Spa*næ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of impoverishment of the blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient.

SPANAEMIC Spa*næ"mic ( or ), a. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spanæmia; having impoverished blood.

SPANCEL Span"cel, n. Etym: [Perhaps span + AS. sal a rope.]

Defn: A rope used for tying or hobbling the legs of a horse or cow. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Grose.

SPANCEL Span"cel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanceled or Spancelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling or Spancelling.]

Defn: To tie or hobble with a spancel. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Malone.

SPANDOGS Span"dogs`, n. pl.

Defn: A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.

SPANDREL Span"drel, n. Etym: [From Span.]

1. (Arch.)

Defn: The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.

2. A narrow mat or passe partout for a picture. [Cant]

SPANE Spane, v. t. Etym: [Akin to G. spänen, LG. & D. spennen, AS. spanu a teat.]

Defn: To wean. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPANG Spang, v. t.

Defn: To spangle. [Obs.]

SPANG Spang, v. i.

Defn: To spring; to bound; to leap. [Scot.] But when they spang o'er reason's fence, We smart for't at our own expense. Ramsay.

SPANG Spang, n.

Defn: A bound or spring. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SPANG Spang, n. Etym: [AS. spange a clasp or fastening; akin to D. spang, G. spange, OHG. spanga, Icel. spöng a spangle.]

Defn: A spangle or shining ornament. [Obs.] With glittering spangs that did like stars appear. Spenser.

SPANGLE Span"gle, n. Etym: [OE. spangel, dim. of AS. spange. See Spang a spangle.]

1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress.

2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. "The rich spangles that adorn the sky." Waller. Oak spangle. See under Oak.

SPANGLE Span"gle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spangled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spangling.]

Defn: To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. Donne. What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty Shak. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird (Lophornis reginæ). See Coquette, 2.

SPANGLE Span"gle, v. i.

Defn: To show brilliant spots or points; to glisten; to glitter. Some men by feigning words as dark as mine Make truth to spangle, and its rays to shine. Bunyan.

SPANGLER Span"gler, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spangles.

SPANGLY Span"gly, a.

Defn: Resembling, or consisting of, spangles; glittering; as, spangly light.

SPANIARD Span"iard, n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Spain.

SPANIEL Span"iel, n. Etym: [OF. espagneul, F. épagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. españnol, fr. España Spain, from L. Hispania.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under Clumber, and Cocker.

Note: There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see Clumber). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence. As a spaniel she will on him leap. Chaucer.

2. A cringing, fawning person. Shak.

SPANIEL Span"iel, a.

Defn: Cringing; fawning. Shak.

SPANIEL Span"iel, v. i.

Defn: To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] Churchill.

SPANIEL Span"iel, v. t.

Defn: To follow like a spaniel. [R.]

SPANISH Span"ish, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards. Spanish bayonet (Bot.), a liliaceous plant (Yucca alorifolia) with rigid spine-tipped leaves. The name is also applied to other similar plants of the Southwestern United States and mexico. Called also Spanish daggers. -- Spanish bean (Bot.) See the Note under Bean. -- Spanish black, a black pigment obtained by charring cork. Ure. -- Spanish broom (Bot.), a leguminous shrub (Spartium junceum) having many green flexible rushlike twigs. -- Spanish brown, a species of earth used in painting, having a dark reddish brown color, due to the presence of sesquioxide of iron. -- Spanish buckeye (Bot.), a small tree (Ungnadia speciosa) of Texas, New Mexico, etc., related to the buckeye, but having pinnate leaves and a three-seeded fruit. -- Spanish burton (Naut.), a purchase composed of two single blocks. A double Spanish burton has one double and two single blocks. Luce (Textbook of Seamanship). -- Spanish chalk (Min.), a kind of steatite; -- so called because obtained from Aragon in Spain. -- Spanish cress (Bot.), a cruciferous plant (lepidium Cadamines), a species of peppergrass. -- Spanish curiew (Zoöl.), the long-billed curlew. [U.S.] -- Spanish daggers (Bot.) See Spanish bayonet. -- Spanish elm (Bot.), a large West Indian tree (Cordia Gerascanthus) furnishing hard and useful timber. -- Spanish feretto, a rich reddish brown pigment obtained by calcining copper and sulphur together in closed crucibles. -- Spanish flag (Zoöl.), the California rockfish (Sebastichthys rubrivinctus). It is conspicuously colored with bands of red and white. -- Spanish fly (Zoöl.), a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under Blister, and Cantharis. -- Spanish fox (Naut.), a yarn twisted against its lay. -- Spanish grass. (Bot.) See Esparto. -- Spanish juice (Bot.), licorice. -- Spanish leather. See Cordwain. -- Spanish mackerel. (Zoöl.) (a) A species of mackerel (Scomber colias) found both in Europe and America. In America called chub mackerel, big-eyed mackerel, and bull mackerel. (b) In the United States, a handsome mackerel having bright yellow round spots (Scomberomorus maculatus), highly esteemed as a food fish. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to other species. See Illust. under Mackerel. -- Spanish main, the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World. -- Spanish moss. (Bot.) See Tillandsia. -- Spanish needles (Bot.), a composite weed (Bidens bipinnata) having achenia armed with needlelike awns. -- Spanish nut (Bot.), a bulbous plant (Iris Sisyrinchium) of the south of Europe. -- Spanish potato (Bot.), the sweet potato. See under Potato. -- Spanish red, an ocherous red pigment resembling Venetian red, but slightly yellower and warmer. Fairholt. -- Spanish reef (Naut.), a knot tied in the head of a jib-headed sail. -- Spanish sheep (Zoöl.), a merino. -- Spanish white, an impalpable powder prepared from chalk by pulverizing and repeated washings, -- used as a white pigment. -- Spanish windlass (Naut.), a wooden roller, with a rope wound about it, into which a marline spike is thrust to serve as a lever.

SPANISH Span"ish, n.

Defn: The language of Spain.

SPANK Spank (, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanked (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking.] Etym: [Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken, spenkern, to run and spring about quickly.]

Defn: To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap.

SPANK Spank, n.

Defn: A blow with the open hand; a slap.

SPANK Spank, v. i.

Defn: To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly. Thackeray.

SPANKER Spank"er, n.

1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; -- sometimes called driver. See Illust. under Sail. Totten.

3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also, a fast horse. [Colloq.]

4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [Colloq.] Spanker boom (Naut.), a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust. of Ship.

SPANKER Spank"er, n.

Defn: A small coin. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPANKING Spank"ing, a.

1. Moving with a quick, lively pace, or capable of so doing; dashing. Four spanking grays ready harnessed. G. Colman, the Younger.

2. Large; considerable. [Colloq.]

SPANKING BREEZE Spanking breeze (Naut.),

Defn: a strong breeze.

SPANLESS Span"less, a.

Defn: Incapable of being spanned.

SPANNER Span"ner, n.

1. One who, or that which, spans.

2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself. [Obs.]

3. An iron instrument having a jaw to fit a nut or the head of a bolt, and used as a lever to turn it with; a wrench; specifically, a wrench for unscrewing or tightening the couplings of hose.

4. pl.

Defn: A contrivance in some of the ealier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.

SPAN-NEW Span"-new`, a. Etym: [Icel. spann, properly, new as a ship just split; spann chip + n new. See Spoon, and New.]

Defn: Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. "A span-new archbishop's chair." Fuller.

SPANNISHING Span"nish*ing, n. Etym: [From OF. espanir to spread, F. épanou. See Expand.]

Defn: The full blooming of a flower. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

SPANPIECE Span"piece, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The collar of a roof; sparpiece.

SPANWORM Span"worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larva of any geometrid moth, as the cankeworm; a geometer; a measuring worm.

SPAR Spar, n. Etym: [AS. spær in spærstan chalkstone; akin to MHG. spar, G. sparkalk plaster.] (Min.)

Defn: An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein. Blue spar, Cube spar, etc. See under Blue, Cube, etc.

SPAR Spar, n. Etym: [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG. sparro, Dan.& Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin. Spar, v. t. ]

1. (Naut.)

Defn: A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; -- still applied locally to rafters.

3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the water. -- Spar deck (Naut.), the upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually placed. See under Deck. -- Spar torpedo (Naut.), a torpedo carried on the end of a spar usually projecting from the bow of a vessel, and intended to explode upon contact with an enemy's ships.

SPAR Spar, v. t. Etym: [OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G. sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. sq. root171. See Spara beam, bar.]

1. To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.

Note: A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.

SPAR Spar, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparred; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring.] Etym: [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick, F. éparer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.]

1. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.

2. To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box. Made believe to spar at Paul with great science. Dickens.

3. To contest in words; to wrangle. [Colloq.]

SPAR Spar, n.

1. A contest at sparring or boxing.

2. A movement of offense or defense in boxing.

SPARABLE Spar"a*ble, n. Etym: [Corrupted from sparrow bill.]

Defn: A kind of small nail used by shoemakers.

SPARADA Spar"a*da, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small California surf fish (Micrometrus aggregatus); -- called also shiner.

SPARADRAP Spar"a*drap, n. Etym: [F. sparadrap; cf. It. sparadrappo, NL. sparadrapa.]

1. A cerecloth. [Obs.]

2. (Med.)

Defn: Any adhesive plaster.

SPARAGE; SPARAGUS; SPARAGRASS Spar"age, Spar"a*gus, Spar"a*grass`, n.

Defn: Obs. or corrupt forms of Asparagus.

SPARBLE Spar"ble, v. t. Etym: [OF. esparpiller to scatter, F. éparpiller.]

Defn: To scatter; to disperse; to rout. [Obs.] The king's host was sparbled and chased. Fabyan.

SPARE Spare, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spared; p. pr. & vb. n.n Sparing.] Etym: [AS. sparian, fr. spær spare, sparing, saving; akin to D. & G. sparen, OHG. spar, Icel. & Sw. spara, Dan. spare See Spare, a.]

1. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save. "No cost would he spare." Chaucer. [Thou] thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare. Milton. He that hath knowledge, spareth his words. Prov. xvii. 27.

2. To keep to one's self; to forbear to impart or give. Be pleased your plitics to spare. Dryden. Spare my sight the pain Of seeing what a world of tears it costs you. Dryden.

3. To preserve from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm; to show mercy to. Spare us, good Lord. Book of Common Prayer. Dim sadness did not spare That time celestial visages. Milton. Man alone can whom he conquers spare. Waller.

4. To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty. All the time he could spare from the necessary cares of his weighty charge, he Knolles.

5. To deprive one's self of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with. Where angry Jove did never spare One breath of kind and temperate air. Roscommon. I could have better spared a better man. Shak. To spare one's self. (a) To act with reserve. [Obs.] Her thought that a lady should her spare. Chaucer. (b) To save one's self labor, punishment, or blame.

SPARE Spare, v. i.

1. To be frugal; not to be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious. I, who at some times spend, at others spare, Divided between carelessness and care. Pope.

2. To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance. He will not spare in the day of vengeance. Prov. vi. 34.

3. To desist; to stop; to refrain. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPARE Spare, a. [Compar. Sparer; superl. Sparest; -- not used in all the senses of the word.] Etym: [AS. spær sparing. Cf. Spare, v. t. ]

1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.

2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary. He was spare, but discreet of speech. Carew.

3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous; as, I have no spare time. If that no spare clothes he had to give. Spenser.

4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare anchor; a spare bed or room.

5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt. O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones. Shak.

6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Grose.

SPARE Spare, n.

1. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. [Obs.] Killing for sacrifice, without any spare. Holland.

2. Parsimony; frugal use. [Obs.] Bacon. Poured out their plenty without spite or spare. Spenser.

3. An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket. [Obs.]

4. That which has not been used or expended.

5. (Tenpins)

Defn: The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having knocked all the pins down in less than three bowls. If all the pins are knocked down in one bowl it is a double spare; in two bowls, a single spare.

SPAREFUL Spare"ful, a.

Defn: Sparing; chary. [Obs.] Fairfax. -- Spare"ful*ness, n. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

SPARELESS Spare"less, a.

Defn: Unsparing. Sylvester.

SPARELY Spare"ly, adv.

Defn: In a spare manner; sparingly.

SPARENESS Spare"ness, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. spærnis frugality.]

Defn: The quality or state of being lean or thin; leanness.

SPARER Spar"er, n.

Defn: One who spares.

SPARERIB Spare"rib`, n. Etym: [Spare, a. + rib.]

Defn: A piece of pork, consisting or ribs with little flesh on them.

SPARGE Sparge, v. t. Etym: [L. spargere; cf. F. asperger.]

Defn: To sprinkle; to moisten by sprinkling; as, to sparge paper.

SPARGEFACTION Spar`ge*fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. spargere to strew + facere, factum, to make.]

Defn: The act of sprinkling. [Obs.] Swift.

SPARGER Spar"ger, n. Etym: [Cf. F. asperger to sprinkle, L. aspergere, spargere.]

Defn: A vessel with a perforated cover, for sprinkling with a liquid; a sprinkler.

SPARHAWK Spar"hawk`, n. Etym: [OE. sperhauke.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sparrow hawk. [Prov. Eng.]

SPAR-HUNG Spar"-hung`, a.

Defn: Hung with spar, as a cave.

SPARING Spar"ing, a.

Defn: Spare; saving; frugal; merciful. Bacon. -- Spar"ing*ly, adv. -- Spar"ing*ness, n.

SPARK Spark, n. Etym: [OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark, sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. spragëti, Gr. sph to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak.]

1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. Man is born unto trouble, as hte sparks fly upward. Job v. 7.

2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." Shak. "Small intellectual spark." Macaulay. "Vital spark of heavenly flame." Pope. We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge. Locke. Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark. Wordsworth. Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas, -- chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. [U.S.]

SPARK Spark, n. Etym: [Icel. sparkr lively, sprightly.]

1. A brisk, showy, gay man. The finest sparks and cleanest beaux. Prior.

2. A lover; a gallant; a beau.

SPARK Spark, v. i.

Defn: To sparkle. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPARK Spark, v. i.

Defn: To play the spark, beau, or lover. A sure sign that his master was courting, or, as it is termed, sparking, within. W. Irwing.

SPARK COIL Spark coil. (Elec.) (a) An induction coil, esp. of an internal-combustion engine, wireless telegraph apparatus, etc. (b) A self-induction coil used to increase the spark in an electric gas-lighting apparatus.

SPARKER Spark"er, n.

Defn: A spark arrester.

SPARKFUL Spark"ful, a.

Defn: Lively; brisk; gay. [Obs.] "Our sparkful youth." Camden.

SPARK GAP Spark gap. (Elec.)

Defn: The space filled with air or other dielectric between high potential terminals (as of an electrostatic machine, induction coil, or condenser), through which the discharge passes; the air gap of a jump spark.

SPARKISH Spark"ish, a.

1. Like a spark; airy; gay. W. Walsh.

2. Showy; well-dresed; fine. L'Estrange.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, n. Etym: [Dim. of spark.]

1. A little spark; a scintillation. As fire is wont to quicken and go From a sparkle sprungen amiss, Till a city brent up is. Chaucer. The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper. Prescott.

2. Brilliancy; luster; as, the sparkle of a diamond.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparkled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling.] Etym: [See Sparkle, n., Spark of fire.]

1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle. A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. Chaucer.

2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash. I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes. Milton.

3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine.

Syn. -- To shine; glisten; scintillate; radiate; coruscate; glitter; twinkle.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. t.

Defn: To emit in the form or likeness of sparks. "Did sparkle forth great light." Spenser.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Sparble.]

1. To disperse. [Obs.] The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise. State Papers.

2. To scatter on or over. [Obs.] Purchas.

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n.

Defn: One who scatters; esp., one who scatters money; an improvident person. [Obs.]

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sparkles.

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tiger beetle.

SPARKLET Spark"let, n.

Defn: A small spark. [Obs.]

SPARKLINESS Spark"li*ness, n.

Defn: Vivacity. [Obs.] Aubrey.

SPARKLING Spar"kling, a.

Defn: Emitting sparks; glittering; flashing; brilliant; lively; as, sparkling wine; sparkling eyes. -- Spar"kling*ly, adv. -- Spar"kling*ness, n.

Syn. -- Brilliant; shining. See Shining.

SPARK PLUG Spark plug.

Defn: In internal-combustion engines with electric ignition, a plug, screwed into the cylinder head, having through it an insulated wire which is connected with the induction coil or magneto circuit on the outside, and forms, with another terminal on the base of the plug, a spark gap inside the cylinder.

SPARLING Spar"ling, n. Etym: [Akin to G. spierling, spiering, D. spiering: cf. F. éperlan.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus). (b) A young salmon. (c) A tern. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

SPARLYRE Spar"lyre`, n. Etym: [AS. spear-lira.]

Defn: The calf of the leg. [Obs.] Wyclif (Deut. xxviii. 35).

SPAROID Spa"roid, a. Etym: [L. sparus the gilthead + -oid: cf. F. sparoïde.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: of or pertaining to the Sparidæ, a family of spinous-finned fishes which includes the scup, sheepshead, and sea bream. -- n.

Defn: One of the Sparidæ.

SPARPIECE Spar"piece`, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The collar beam of a roof; the spanpiece. Gwilt.

SPARPOIL Spar"poil, v. t. Etym: [See Sparble.]

Defn: To scatter; to spread; to disperse. [Obs.]

SPARROW Spar"row, n. Etym: [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG. sparo, G. sperling, Icel. spörr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw. sparf, Goth. sparwa; - - originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligæ, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.

Note: The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see Peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge. He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age! Shak. Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See under Field, Fox, etc. -- Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. -- Sparrow hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A small European hawk (Accipiter nisus) or any of the allied species. (b) A small American falcon (Falco sparverius). (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk (Accipiter torquatus).

Note: The name is applied to other small hawks, as the European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk. -- Sparrow owl (Zoöl.), a small owl (Glaucidium passerinum) found both in the Old World and the New. The name is also applied to other species of small owls. -- Sparrow spear (Zoöl.), the female of the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]

SPARROWGRASS Spar"row*grass`, n. Etym: [Corrupted from asparagus.]

Defn: Asparagus. [Colloq.] See the Note under Asparagus.

SPARROWWORT Spar"row*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An evergreen shrub of the genus Erica (E. passerina).

SPARRY Spar"ry, a. Etym: [From Spar.]

Defn: Resembling spar, or consisting of spar; abounding with spar; having a confused crystalline structure; spathose. Sparry iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a). -- Sparry limestone (Min.), a coarsely crystalline marble.

SPARSE Sparse, a. [Compar. Sparser; superl. Sparsest.] Etym: [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]

1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, a sparse population. Carlyle.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; -- applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.

SPARSE Sparse, v. t. Etym: [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to scatter.]

Defn: To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPARSEDLY Spars"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: Sparsely. [Obs.]

SPARSELY Sparse"ly, adv.

Defn: In a scattered or sparse manner.

SPARSENESS Sparse"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sparse; as, sparseness of population.

SPARSIM Spar"sim, adv. Etym: [L., fr. spargere to scatter.]

Defn: Sparsely; scatteredly; here and there.

SPARTAN Spar"tan, a. Etym: [L. Spartanus.]

Defn: of or pertaining to Sparta, especially to ancient Sparta; hence, hardy; undaunted; as, Spartan souls; Spartan bravey. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Sparta; figuratively, a person of great courage and fortitude.

SPARTEINE Spar"te*ine, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A narcotic alkaloid extracted from the tops of the common broom (Cytisus scoparius, formerly Spartium scoparium), as a colorless oily liquid of aniline-like odor and very bitter taste.

SPARTERIE Spar"ter*ie, n. Etym: [F., from Sp. esparto esparto, L. spartum, Gr.

Defn: Articles made of the blades or fiber of the Lygeum Spartum and Stipa (or Macrochloa) tenacissima, kinds of grass used in Spain and other countries for making ropes, mats, baskets, nets, and mattresses. Loudon.

SPARTH Sparth, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spar.]

Defn: An Anglo-Saxon battle-ax, or halberd. [Obs.] He hath a sparth of twenty pound of weight. Chaucer.

SPARVE Sparve, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]

SPARY Spar"y, a.

Defn: Sparing; parsimonious. [Obs.]

SPASM Spasm, n. Etym: [F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. Span, v. t.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers.

Note: Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus.

2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a spasm of repentance. Cynic spasm (Med.) See under Cynic. -- Spasm of the chest. See Angina pectoris, under Angina.

SPASMATICAL Spas*mat"ic*al, a.

Defn: Spasmodic. [Obs.]

SPASMODIC Spas"mod"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. spasmotique.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma.

2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. -- Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.

SPASMODIC Spas*mod"ic, n. (Med.)

Defn: A medicine for spasm.

SPASMODICAL Spas*mod"ic*al, a.

Defn: Same as Spasmodic, a. -- Spas*mod"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPASTIC Spas"tic, a. Etym: [L. spasticus, Gr. spastique. See Spasm.] (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spasm; spasmodic; especially, pertaining to tonic spasm; tetanic.

SPASTICALLY Spas"tic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Spasmodically.

SPASTICITY Spas*tic"i*ty, n.

1. A state of spasm.

2. The tendency to, or capability of suffering, spasm.

SPAT Spat,

Defn: imp. of Spit. [Obs. or R.]

SPAT Spat, n. Etym: [From the root of spit; hence, literally, that which is ejected.]

Defn: A young oyster or other bivalve mollusk, both before and after it first becomes adherent, or such young, collectively.

SPAT Spat, v. i. & t.

Defn: To emit spawn; to emit, as spawn.

SPAT Spat, n. Etym: [Cf. Pat.]

1. A light blow with something flat. [U.S. & Prov. Eng.]

2. Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension. [U. S.]

SPAT Spat, v. i.

Defn: To dispute. [R.] Smart.

SPAT Spat, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spatted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spatting.]

Defn: To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together; as the hands. [Local, U.S.] Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands. Judd.

SPATANGOID Spa*tan"goid, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Spatangoidea. -- n.

Defn: One of the Spatangoidea.

SPATANGOIDEA Spat`an*goi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Spatangus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of irregular sea urchins, usually having a more or less heart-shaped shell with four or five petal-like ambulacra above. The mouth is edentulous and situated anteriorly, on the under side.

SPATANGUS Spa*tan"gus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. spatangius a kind of sea urchin, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of heart-shaped sea urchins belonging to the Spatangoidea.

SPATCHCOCK Spatch"cock`, n.

Defn: See Spitchcock.

SPATE Spate, n. Etym: [Of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. speid.]

Defn: A river flood; an overflow or inundation. Burns. Gareth in a showerful spring Stared at the spate. Tennyson.

SPATHA Spa"tha, n,; pl. Spathæ. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)

Defn: A spathe.

SPATHACEOUS Spa*tha"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spathal.

SPATHAL Spa"thal, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Furnished with a spathe; as, spathal flowers. Howitt.

SPATHE Spathe, n. Etym: [L. spatha, Gr. spathe. See Spade for digging.] (Bot.)

Defn: A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under Bract, and Illust. of Spadix.

Note: The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre of the iris and other similar plants.

SPATHED Spathed, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe or calyx like a sheath.

SPATHIC Spath"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spathique, fr. F. & G. spath spar.]

Defn: Like spar; foliated or lamellar; spathose. Spathic iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a).

SPATHIFORM Spath"i*form, a. Etym: [F. spathiforme.]

Defn: Resembling spar in form. "The ocherous, spathiform, and mineralized forms of uranite." Lavoisier (Trans.).

SPATHOSE Spath"ose`, a. (Min.)

Defn: See Spathic.

SPATHOSE Spath"ose`, a. Etym: [See Spathe.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spatheceous; spathal.

SPATHOUS Spath"ous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Spathose.

SPATHULATE Spath"u*late, a.

Defn: See Spatulate.

SPATIAL Spa"tial, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to space. "Spatial quantity and relations." L. H. Atwater.

SPATIALLY Spa"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: As regards space.

SPATIATE Spa"ti*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. spatiatus, p.p. of spatiari, fr. spatiatum. See Space.]

Defn: To rove; to ramble. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPATTER Spat"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spattered; p. pr. & vb. n. Spattering.] Etym: [From the root of spit salvia.]

1. To sprinkle with a liquid or with any wet substance, as water, mud, or the like; to make wet of foul spots upon by sprinkling; as, to spatter a coat; to spatter the floor; to spatter boots with mud. Upon any occasion he is to be spattered over with the blood of his people. Burke.

2. To distribute by sprinkling; to sprinkle around; as, to spatter blood. Pope.

3. Fig.: To injure by aspersion; to defame; to soil; also, to throw out in a defamatory manner.

SPATTER Spat"ter, v. i.

Defn: To throw something out of the mouth in a scattering manner; to sputter. That mind must needs be irrecoverably depraved, which, . . . tasting but once of one just deed, spatters at it, and abhors the relish ever after. Milton.

SPATTERDASHED Spat"ter*dashed`, a.

Defn: Wearing spatterdashes. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

SPATTERDASHES Spat"ter*dash`es, n. pl. Etym: [Spatter + dash.]

Defn: Coverings for the legs, to protect them from water and mud; long gaiters.

SPATTER-DOCK Spat`ter-dock`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The common yellow water lily (Nuphar advena).

SPATTLE Spat"tle, n.

Defn: Spawl; spittle. [Obs.] Bale.

SPATTLE Spat"tle, n.

1. A spatula.

2. (Pottery)

Defn: A tool or implement for mottling a molded article with coloring matter Knoght.

SPATTLING-POPPY Spat"tling-pop"py, n. Etym: [Prov. E. spattle to spit + E. poppy.] (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of catchfly (Silene inflata) which is sometimes frothy from the action of captured insects.

SPATULA Spat"u*la, n. Etym: [L. spatula, spathula, dim. of spatha a spatula: F. spatule. See Spade for digging.]

Defn: An implement shaped like a knife, flat, thin, and somewhat flexible, used for spreading paints, fine plasters, drugs in compounding prescriptions, etc. Cf. Palette knife, under Palette.

SPATULATE Spat"u*late, a. Etym: [NL. spatulatus.] (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Shaped like spatula, or like a battledoor, being roundish, with a long, narrow, linear base. [Also written spathulate.]

SPAULD Spauld, n. Etym: [See Spall the shoulder.]

Defn: The shoulder. [Scot.]

SPAVIN Spav"in, n. Etym: [OE. spaveyne, OF. esparvain, F. éparvin; akin to OF. espervier a sparrow hawk, F. épervier, fr. OHG. sparwari (G. sperber), fr. OHG. sparo sparrow, because this disease makes the horse raise the infirm leg in the manner of a sparrow hawk or sparrow. See Sparrow.] (Far.)

Defn: A disease of horses characterized by a bony swelling developed on the hock as the result of inflammation of the bones; also, the swelling itself. The resulting lameness is due to the inflammation, and not the bony tumor as popularly supposed. Harbaugh. Bog spavin, a soft swelling produced by distention of the capsular ligament of the hock; -- called also blood spavin. -- Bone spavin, spavin attended with exostosis; ordinary spavin.

SPAVINED Spav"ined, a.

Defn: Affected with spavin.

SPAW Spaw, n.

Defn: See Spa.

SPAWL Spawl, n.

Defn: A splinter or fragment, as of wood or stone. See Spall.

SPAWL Spawl, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. spatl, fr. spætan to spit; probably akin to spiwan, E. spew. Cf. Spew.]

Defn: Scattered or ejected spittle.

SPAWL Spawl, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Spawled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spawling.] Etym: [Cf. AS. spatlian.]

Defn: To scatter spittle from the mouth; to spit, as saliva. Why must he sputter, spawl, and slaver it In vain, against the people's favorite. Swift.

SPAWLING Spawl"ing, n.

Defn: That which is spawled, or spit out.

SPAWN Spawn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Spawning.] Etym: [OE. spanen, OF. espandre, properly, to shed, spread, L. expandere to spread out. See Expand.]

1. To produce or deposit (eggs), as fishes or frogs do.

2. To bring forth; to generate; -- used in contempt. One edition [of books] spawneth another. Fuller.

SPAWN Spawn, v. i.

1. To deposit eggs, as fish or frogs do.

2. To issue, as offspring; -- used contemptuously.

SPAWN Spawn, n. Etym: [sq. root170. See Spawn, v. t.]

1. The ova, or eggs, of fishes, oysters, and other aquatic animals.

2. Any product or offspring; -- used contemptuously.

3. (Hort.)

Defn: The buds or branches produced from underground stems.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: The white fibrous matter forming the matrix from which fungi. Spawn eater (Zoöl.), a small American cyprinoid fish (Notropis Hudsonius) allied to the dace.

SPAWNER Spawn"er, n.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A mature female fish. The barbel, for the preservation or their seed, both the spawner and the milter, cover their spawn with sand. Walton.

2. Whatever produces spawn of any kind.

SPAY Spay, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Spaying.] Etym: [Cf. Armor. spac'hein, spaza to geld, W. dyspaddu to geld, L. spado a eunuch, Gr.

Defn: To remove or extirpate the ovaries of, as a sow or a bitch; to castrate (a female animal).

SPAY Spay, n. Etym: [Cf. Spade a spay, Spay, v. t.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The male of the red deer in his third year; a spade.

SPAYAD; SPAYADE Spay"ad, Spay"ade, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A spay.

SPEAK Speak, v. i. [imp. Spoke (Spake ( Archaic); p. p. Spoken (Spoke, Obs. or Colloq.); p. pr. & vb. n. Speaking.] Etym: [OE. speken, AS. specan, sprecan; akin to OF.ries. spreka, D. spreken, OS. spreken, G. sprechen, OHG. sprehhan, and perhaps to Skr. sphurj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Spark of fire, Speech.]

1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak. Till at the last spake in this manner. Chaucer. Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. 1 Sam. iii. 9.

2. To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse. That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak. Boyle. An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. Shak. During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history. Macaulay.

3. To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally. Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty. Clarendon.

4. To discourse; to make mention; to tell. Lycan speaks of a part of Cæsar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake. Addison.

5. To give sound; to sound. Make all our trumpets speak. Shak.

6. To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will. Thine eye begins to speak. Shak. To speak of, to take account of, to make mention of. Robynson (More's Utopia). -- To speak out, to speak loudly and distinctly; also, to speak unreservedly. -- To speak well for, to commend; to be favorable to. -- To speak with, to converse with. "Would you speak with me" Shak.

Syn. -- To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter.

SPEAK Speak, v. t.

1. To utter with the mouth; to pronounce; to utter articulately, as human beings. They sat down with him upn ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him. Job. ii. 13.

2. To utter in a word or words; to say; to tell; to declare orally; as, to speak the truth; to speak sense.

3. To declare; to proclaim; to publish; to make known; to exhibit; to express in any way. It is my father;s muste To speak your deeds. Shak. Speaking a still good morrow with her eyes. Tennyson. And for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The maker's high magnificence. Milton. Report speaks you a bonny monk. Sir W. Scott.

4. To talk or converse in; to utter or pronounce, as in conversation; as, to speak Latin. And French she spake full fair and fetisely. Chaucer.

5. To address; to accost; to speak to. [He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair. Ecclus. xiii. 6. each village senior paused to scan And speak the lovely caravan. Emerson. To speak a ship (Naut.), to hail and speak to her captain or commander.

SPEAKABLE Speak"a*ble, a.

1. Capable of being spoken; fit to be spoken. Ascham.

2. Able to speak. Milton.

SPEAKER Speak"er, n.

1. One who speaks. Specifically: (a) One who utters or pronounces a discourse; usually, one who utters a speech in public; as, the man is a good speaker, or a bad speaker. (b) One who is the mouthpiece of others; especially, one who presides over, or speaks for, a delibrative assembly, preserving order and regulating the debates; as, the Speaker of the House of Commons, originally, the mouthpiece of the House to address the king; the Speaker of a House of Representatives.

2. A book of selections for declamation. [U. S.]

SPEAKERSHIP Speak"er*ship, n.

Defn: The office of speaker; as, the speakership of the House of Representatives.

SPEAKING Speak"ing, a.

1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.

2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. A speaking acquaintance, a slight acquaintance with a person, or one which merely permits the exchange of salutations and remarks on indifferent subjects. -- Speaking trumpet, an instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet, by which the sound of the human voice may be so intensified as to be conveyed to a great distance. -- Speaking tube, a tube for conveying speech, especially from one room to another at a distance. -- To be on speaking terms, to be slightly acquainted.

SPEAKING Speak"ing, n.

1. The act of uttering words.

2. Public declamation; oratory.

SPEAR Spear, n. Etym: [OE. spere, AS. spere; akin to D. & G. speer, OS. & OHS. sper, Icel. spjör, pl., Dan. spær, L. sparus.]

1. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.

Note: [See Illust. of Spearhead.] "A sharp ground spear." Chaucer. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Micah iv. 3.

2. Fig.: A spearman. Sir W. Scott.

3. A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.

4. A shoot, as of grass; a spire.

5. The feather of a horse. See Feather, n., 4.

6. The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod. Spear foot, the off hind foot of a horse. -- Spear grass. (Bot.) (a) The common reed. See Reed, n., 1. (b) meadow grass. See under Meadow. -- Spear hand, the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the right hand. Crabb. -- Spear side, the male line of a family. Lowell. -- Spear thistle (Bot.), the common thistle (Cnicus lanceolatus).

SPEAR Spear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speared; p. pr. & vb. n. Spearing.]

Defn: To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.

SPEAR Spear, v. i.

Defn: To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire. Mortimer.

SPEARER Spear"er, n.

Defn: One who uses a spear; as, a spearer of fish.

SPEARFISH Spear"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) A large and powerful fish (Tetrapturus albidus) related to the swordfish, but having scales and ventral fins. It is found on the American coast and the Mediterranean. (b) The carp sucker.

SPEARHEAD Spear"head`, n.

Defn: The pointed head, or end, of a spear.

SPEARMAN Spear"man, n.; pl. Spearmen (.

Defn: One who is armed with a spear. Acts xxiii. 23.

SPEARMINT Spear"mint`, n. Etym: [So named from its spiry, not capitate, inflorescence. Dr. Prior.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of mint (Mentha viridis) growing in moist soil. It vields an aromatic oil. See Mint, and Mentha.

SPEARWOOD Spear"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An Australian tree (Acacia Doratoxylon), and its tough wood, used by the natives for spears.

SPEARWORT Spear"wort`, n. Etym: [AS. sperewyrt.] (Bot.)

Defn: A name given to several species of crowfoot (Ranunculus) which have spear-shaped leaves.

SPEARY Spear"y, a.

Defn: Having the form of a spear.

SPECE Spece, n.

Defn: Species; kind. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPECHT Specht, n. Etym: [See Speight.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A woodpecker. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Sherwood.

SPECIAL Spe"cial, a. Etym: [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. spécial. See Species, and cf. Especial.]

1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort. A special is called by the schools a "species". I. Watts.

2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. Atterbury. To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. De Quincey.

3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.

4. Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.

5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.] The king hath drawn The special head of all the land together. Shak. Special administration (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc. -- Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter. -- Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. Tomlins. Wharton (Law Dict.). -- Special constable. See under Constable. Bouvier. -- Special damage (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it. -- Special demurrer (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated. -- Special deposit, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others. -- Special homology. (Biol.) See under Homology. -- Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. Daniell. -- Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. Stephen. -- Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury. -- Special orders (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc. -- Special partner, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; -- unknown at common law. -- Special partnership, a limited or particular partnership; -- a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure. -- Special plea in bar (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. Bouvier. -- Special pleader (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings. -- Special pleading (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. Burrill. -- Special property (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed. -- Special session, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as, a special session of Congress or of a legislature. -- Special statute, or Special law, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; -- in distinction from a general law. -- Special verdict (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. Wharton (Law Dict.).

Syn. -- Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See Peculiar.

SPECIAL Spe"cial, n.

1. A particular. [Obs.] Hammond.

2. One appointed for a special service or occasion. In special, specially; in particular. Chaucer.

SPECIALISM Spe"cial*ism, n.

Defn: Devotion to a particular and restricted part or branch of knowledge, art, or science; as, medical specialism.

SPECIALIST Spe"cial*ist, n.

Defn: One who devotes himself to some specialty; as, a medical specialist, one who devotes himself to diseases of particular parts of the body, as the eye, the ear, the nerves, etc.

SPECIALITY Spe`ci*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Specialities. Etym: [See Special, and Specialty.]

1. A particular or peculiar case; a particularity. Sir M. Hale.

2. (Law)

Defn: See Specialty, 3.

3. The special or peculiar mark or characteristic of a person or thing; that for which a person is specially distinguished; an object of special attention; a special occupation or object of attention; a specialty. On these two general heads all other specialities are depedent. Hooker. Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow- mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his speciality. Ld. Lytton. We 'll say, instead, the inconsequent creature man, -For that'a his speciality. Mrs. Browning. Think of this, sir, . . . remote from the impulses of passion, and apart from the specialities -- if I may use that strong remark -- of prejudice. Dickens.

4. An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.

SPECIALIZATION Spe`cial*i*za"tion, n.

1. The act of specializing, or the state of being spezialized.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: The setting spart of a particular organ for the performance of a particular function. Darwin.

SPECIALIZE Spe"cial*ize, v. t.

1. To mention specialy; to particularize.

2. To apply to some specialty or limited object; to assign to a specific use; as, specialized knowledge.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: To supply with an organ or organs having a special function or functions.

SPECIALLY Spe"cial*ly, adv.

1. In a special manner; partcularly; especially. Chaucer.

2. For a particular purpose; as, a meeting of the legislature is specially summoned.

SPECIALTY Spe"cial*ty, n.; pl. Specialties. Etym: [F. spécialité. Cf. Speciality.]

1. Particularity. Specialty of rule hath been neglected. Shak.

2. A particular or peculiar case. [Obs.]

3. (Law)

Defn: A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified. Chitty. Bouvier. Wharton (Law Dict.). Let specialties be therefore drawn between us. Shak.

4. That for which a person is distinguished, in which he is specially versed, or which he makes an object of special attention; a speciality. Men of boundless knowledge, like Humbold, must have had once their specialty, their pet subject. C. Kingsley.

SPECIE Spe"ci*e,

Defn: abl. of L. species sort, kind. Used in the phrase in specie, that is, in sort, in kind, in (its own) form. "[The king] expects a return in specie from them" [i. e., kindness for kindness]. Dryden. In specie (Law), in precise or definite form; specifically; according to the exact terms; of the very thing.

SPECIE Spe"cie, n. Etym: [Formed as a singular from species, in sense 5.]

Defn: Coin; hard money.

SPECIES Spe"cies, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [L., a sight, outward appearance, shape, form, a particular sort, kind, or quality, a species. See Spice, n., and cf. Specie, Special.]

1. Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image. [R.] "The species of the letters illuminated with indigo and violet." Sir I. Newton. Wit, . . . the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent. Dryden.

Note: In the scholastic philosophy, the species was sensible and intelligible. The sensible species was that in any material, object which was in fact discerned by the mind through the organ of perception, or that in any object which rendered it possible that it should be perceived. The sensible species, as apprehended by the understanding in any of the relations of thought, was called an intelligible species. "An apparent diversity between the species visible and audible is, that the visible doth not mingle in the medium, but the audible doth." Bacon.

2. (Logic)

Defn: A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.

3. In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.

Note: In mineralogy and chemistry, objects which possess the same definite chemical structure, and are fundamentally the same in crystallization and physical characters, are classed as belonging to a species. In zoölogy and botany, a species is an ideal group of individuals which are believed to have descended from common ancestors, which agree in essential characteristics, and are capable of indefinitely continued fertile reproduction through the sexes. A species, as thus defined, differs from a variety or subspecies only in the greater stability of its characters and in the absence of individuals intermediate between the related groups.

4. A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.

5. Coin, or coined silver, gold, ot other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie. [Obs.] There was, in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now. Arbuthnot.

6. A public spectacle or exhibition. [Obs.] Bacon.

7. (Pharmacy) (a) A component part of compound medicine; a simple. (b) (Med.) An officinal mixture or compound powder of any kind; esp., one used for making an aromatic tea or tisane; a tea mixture. Quincy.

8. (Civil Law)

Defn: The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure. Burill. Incipient species (Zoöl.), a subspecies, or variety, which is in process of becoming permanent, and thus changing to a true species, usually by isolation in localities from which other varieties are excluded.

SPECIFIABLE Spec"i*fi`a*ble, a.

Defn: Admitting specification; capable of being specified.

SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, a. Etym: [F. spécifique, or NL. cpesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. Specify.]

1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice. Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another. I. Watts.

2. Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.

3. (Med.)

Defn: Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a characteristic or characteristics distinguishing one species from every other species of the same genus. -- Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. -- Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. -- Specific gravity. (Physics) See under Gravity. -- Specific heat (Physics), the quantity of heat required to raise temperature of a body one degree, taking as the unit of measure the quantity required to raise the same weight of water from zero to one degree; thus, the specific heat of mercury is 0.033, that of water being 1.000. -- Specific inductive capacity (Physics), the effect of a dielectric body in producing static electric induction as compared with that of some other body or bodies referred to as a standard. -- Specific legacy (Law), a bequest of a particular thing, as of a particular animal or piece of furniture, specified and distinguished from all others. Wharton. Burrill. -- Specific name (Nat., Hist.), the name which, appended to the name of the genus, constitutes the distinctive name of the species; -- originally applied by Linnæus to the essential character of the species, or the essential difference. The present specific name he at first called the trivial name. -- Specific performance (Law), the peformance of a contract or agreement as decreed by a court of equity.

SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, n.

1. (Med.)

Defn: A specific remedy. See Specific, a., 3. His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady. Macaulay.

2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More.

SPECIFICAL Spe*cif"ic*al, a.

Defn: Specific. Bacon.

SPECIFICALLY Spe*cif"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a specific manner.

SPECIFICALNESS Spe*cif"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being specific.

SPECIFICATE Spe*cif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [See Specify.]

Defn: To show, mark, or designate the species, or the distinguishing particulars of; to specify. [Obs.] ir M. Hale.

SPECIFICATION Spec`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spécification, LL. specificatio.]

1. The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit; notation of limits. This specification or limitation of the question hinders the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of inquiry. I. Watts.

2. The designation of particulars; particular mention; as, the specification of a charge against an officer.

3. A written statement containing a minute description or enumeration of particulars, as of charges against a public officer, the terms of a contract, the description of an invention, as in a patent; also, a single article, item, or particular, an allegation of a specific act, as in a charge of official misconduct.

SPECIFICNESS Spe*cif"ic*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being specific.

SPECIFY Spec"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specified; p. pr. & vb. n. Specifying.] Etym: [F. spécifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL. specificare. See Species, -fy.]

Defn: To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased. He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified. Pope.

SPECILLUM Spe*cil"lum, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)

Defn: See Stylet, 2.

SPECIMEN Spec"i*men, n. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, to behold. See Spy.]

Defn: A part, or small portion, of anything, or one of a number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as, a specimen of a man's handwriting; a specimen of painting; aspecimen of one's art.

Syn. -- Sample; model; pattern. -- Specimen, Sample. A specimen is a representative of the class of things to which it belongs; as, a specimen of photography. A sample is a part of the thing itself, designed to show the quality of the whole; as, a sample of sugar or of broadcloth. A cabinet of minerals consists of specimens; if a part be broken off from any one of these, it is a sample of the mineral to which it belongs. "Several persons have exhibited specimens of this art before multitudes of beholders." Addison. "I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." Woodward.

SPECIOSITY Spe`ci*os"i*ty, n.; pl. Speciocities. Etym: [Cf. LL. speciositas.]

1. The quality or state of being specious; speciousness. Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance. Carlyle.

2. That which is specious. Dr. H. More.

SPECIOUS Spe"cious, a. Etym: [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. spécoeux. See Species.]

1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. Bp. Richardson. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton.

2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley.

Syn. -- Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible. -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. -- Spe"cious*ness, n.

SPECK Speck, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spik blubber, AS. spic, D. spek, G. speck.]

Defn: The blubber of whales or other marine mammals; also, the fat of the hippopotamus. Speck falls (Naut.), falls or ropes rove through blocks for hoisting the blubber and bone of whales on board a whaling vessel.

SPECK Speck, n. Etym: [OE. spekke, AS. specca; cf. LG. spaak.]

1. A small discolored place in or on anything, or a small place of a color different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; a blemish; as, a speck on paper or loth; specks of decay in fruit. "Gray sand, with black specks." Anson.

2. A very small thing; a particle; a mite; as, specks of dust; he has not a speck of money. Many bright specks bubble up along the blue Egean. Landor.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small etheostomoid fish (Ulocentra stigmæa) common in the Eastern United States.

SPECK Speck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specked; p. pr. & vb. n. Specking.]

Defn: To cause the presence of specks upon or in, especially specks regarded as defects or blemishes; to spot; to speckle; as, paper specked by impurities in the water used in its manufacture. Carnation, purple, azure, or specked with gold. Milton.

SPECKLE Spec"kle, n. Etym: [Dim. of speck; cf. D. spikkel.]

Defn: A little or spot in or anything, of a different substance or color from that of the thing itself. An huge great serpent, all with speckles pied. Spebser.

SPECKLE Spec"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Speckling.]

Defn: To mark with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface; to variegate with spots of a different color from the ground or surface.

SPECKLED Spec"kled, a.

Defn: Marked or variegated with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface. Speckled Indians (Ethnol.), the Pintos. -- Speckled trout. (Zoöl.) (a) The common American brook trout. See Trout. (b) The rainbow trout.

SPECKLED-BELLY Spec"kled-bel`ly, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The gadwall. [Local, U.S.]

SPECKLED-BILL Spec"kled-bill", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons).

SPECKLEDNESS Spec"kled*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being speckled.

SPECKSIONEER Speck`sion*eer", n.

Defn: The chief harpooner, who also directs in cutting up the speck, or blubber; -- so called among whalers.

SPECKT Speckt, n.

Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight.

SPECTACLE Spec"ta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. spectaculum, fr. spectare to look at, to behold, v. intens. fr. specere. See Spy.]

1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. O, piteous spectacle O, bloody times! Shak.

2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [Obs.] Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see. Chaucer.

3. pl.

Defn: An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light.

4. pl.

Defn: Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight. Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature. Dryden.

Syn. -- Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant.

SPECTACLED Spec"ta*cled, a.

1. Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles. As spectacled she sits in chimney nook. Keats.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the eyes surrounded by color markings, or patches of naked skin, resembling spectacles. Spectacled bear (Zoöl.), a South American bear (Tremarclos ornatus) which inhabits the high mountains of Chili and Peru. It has a light-colored ring around each eye. -- Spectacled coot, or Spectacled duck (Zoöl.), the surf scoter, or surf duck. [Local, U.S.] -- Spectacled eider (Zoöl.) See Eider. -- Spectacled goose (Zoöl.), the gannet. -- Spectacled snake (Zoöl.), the cobra de capello.

SPECTACULAR Spec*tac"u*lar, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a shows; of the nature of a show. "Spectacular sports." G. Hickes.

2. Adapted to excite wonder and admiration by a display of pomp or of scenic effects; as, a spectacular celebration of some event; a spectacular play.

3. Pertaining to spectacles, or glasses for the eyes.

SPECTANT Spec"tant, a. Etym: [L. spectans, p.pr. of spectare to look at.]

Defn: Looking forward.

SPECTATION Spec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. spectatio.]

Defn: Regard; aspect; appearance. Harvey.

SPECTATOR Spec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L. spectator: cf. F. spectateur. See Spectacle.]

Defn: One who on; one who sees or beholds; a beholder; one who is personally present at, and sees, any exhibition; as, the spectators at a show. "Devised and played to take spectators." Shak.

Syn. -- Looker-on; beholder; observer; witness.

SPECTATORIAL Spec`ta*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectator. Addison.

SPECTATORSHIP Spec*ta"tor*ship, n.

1. The office or quality of a spectator. [R.] Addison.

2. The act of beholding. [Obs.] Shak.

SPECTATRESS; SPECTATRIX Spec*ta"tress, Spec*ta"trix, n. Etym: [L. spectatrix.]

Defn: A female beholder or looker-on. "A spectatress of the whole scene." Jeffrey.

SPECTER; SPECTRE Spec"ter, Spec"tre, n. Etym: [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Spectrum.]

1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold fanatic specters to rejoice. Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect. Specter bat (Zoöl.), any phyllostome bat. -- Specter candle (Zoöl.), a belemnite. -- Specter shrimp (Zoöl.), a skeleton shrimp. See under Skeleton.

SPECTIONEER Spec`tion*eer", n.

Defn: Same as Specsioneer.

SPECTRAL Spec"tral, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty. He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to spread light. F. W. Robertson.

2. (Opt.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as, spectral colors; spectral analysis. Spectral lemur. (Zoöl.) See Tarsius.

SPECTRALLY Spec"tral*ly, adv.

Defn: In the form or manner of a specter.

SPECTRE Spec"tre, n.

Defn: See Specter.

SPECTROBOLOMETER Spec`tro*bo*lom"e*ter, n. (Physics)

Defn: A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. --Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROELECTRIC Spec`tro*e*lec"tric, a.

Defn: Pert. to or designating any form of spark tube the electric discharge within which is used in spectroscopic observations.

SPECTROGRAM Spec"tro*gram, n. [Spectrum + -gram.] (Physics)

Defn: A photograph, map, or diagram of a spectrum.

SPECTROGRAPH Spec"tro*graph, n. [Spectrum + graph.] (Physics) (a) An apparatus for photographing or mapping a spectrum. (b) A photograph or picture of a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*graph"ic (#), a. --Spec`tro*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv. --Spec*trog"ra*phy (#), n.

SPECTROHELIOGRAM Spec`tro*he"li*o*gram`, n. [Spectrum + heloi- + -gram.] (Astrophysics)

Defn: A photograph of the sun made by monochromatic light, usually of the calcium line (k), and showing the sun's faculæ and prominences.

SPECTROHELIOGRAPH Spec`tro*he"li*o*graph, n. (Astrophysics)

Defn: An apparatus for making spectroheliograms, consisting of a spectroscopic camera used in combination with a telescope, and provided with clockwork for moving the sun's image across the slit. -- Spec`tro*he`li*o*graph"ic (#), a.

SPECTROLOGICAL Spec`tro*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to spectrology; as, spectrological studies or experiments. -- Spec`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPECTROLOGY Spec*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -logy.] (Chem.Phys.)

Defn: The science of spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications.

SPECTROMETER Spec*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -meter.] (Physics)

Defn: A spectroscope fitted for measurements of the luminious spectra observed with it.

SPECTROMETRY Spec*trom"e*try, n. (Physics)

Defn: Art or process of using the spectrometer, or of measuring wave lengths of rays of a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROPHONE Spec"tro*phone, n. [Spectrum + Gr. sound.]

Defn: An instrument constructed on the principle of the photophone and used in spectrum analysis as an adjunct to the spectroscope. -- Spec`tro*phon"ic (#), a.

SPECTROPHOTOMETER Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + photometer.] (Opt.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring or comparing the intensites of the colors of the spectrum.

SPECTROPHOTOMETRY Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*try, n.

Defn: The art of comparing, photometrically, the brightness of two spectra, wave length by wave length; the use of the spectrophotometer. --Spec`tro*pho`to*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROSCOPE Spec"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -scope.] (Physics)

Defn: An optical instrument for forming and examining spectra (as that of solar light, or those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral lines, the composition of the substance.

SPECTROSCOPIC; SPECTROSCOPICAL Spec`tro*scop"ic, Spec`tro*scop"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectroscope, or spectroscopy. -- Spec`tro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPECTROSCOPIST Spec*tros"co*pist ( or ), n.

Defn: One who investigates by means of a spectroscope; one skilled in the use of the spectroscope.

SPECTROSCOPY Spec*tros"co*py, n.

Defn: The use of the spectroscope; investigations made with the spectroscope.

SPECTRUM Spec"trum, n.; pl. Spectra. Etym: [L. See Specter.]

1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.]

2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. -- Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. -- Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. -- Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. -- Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. -- Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. -- Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. -- Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. -- Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. -- Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. -- Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. -- Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena.

SPECULAR Spec"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a lookout, watchtower): cf. F. spéculaire. See Speculum.]

1. Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum; as, a specular examination.

3. Assisting sight, as a lens or the like. [Obs.] Thy specular orb Apply to well-dissected kernels; lo! In each observe the slender threads Of first-beginning trees. J. Philips.

4. Affording view. [R.] "Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount." Milton. Specular iron. (Min.) See Hematite.

SPECULATE Spec"u*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Speculating.] Etym: [L. speculatus, p.p. of speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See Spy.]

1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events. It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society. Hawthorne.

2. (Philos.)

Defn: To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.

3. (Com.)

Defn: To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; -- often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.

SPECULATE Spec"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

SPECULATION Spec`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. speculatio a spying out, observation: cf. F. spéculation.]

1. The act of speculating. Specifically: -- (a) Examination by the eye; view. [Obs.] (b) Mental view of anything in its various aspects and relations; contemplation; intellectual examination. Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts. Milton. (c) (Philos.)

Defn: The act or process of reasoning a priori from premises given or assumed. (d) (Com.) The act or practice of buying land, goods, shares, etc., in expectation of selling at a higher price, or of selling with the expectation of repurchasing at a lower price; a trading on anticipated fluctuations in price, as distinguished from trading in which the profit expected is the difference between the retail and wholesale prices, or the difference of price in different markets. 1 year) is considered investment. Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation. A. Smith. Speculation, while confined within moderate limits, is the agent for equalizing supply and demand, and rendering the fluctuations of price less sudden and abrupt than they would otherwise be. F. A. Walker.

(e) Any business venture in involving unusual risks, with a chance for large profits.

2. A conclusion to which the mind comes by speculating; mere theory; view; notion; conjecture. From him Socrates derived the principles of morality, and most part of his natural speculations. Sir W. temple. To his speculations on these subjects he gave the lofty name of the "Oracles of Reason." Macaulay.

3. Power of sight. [Obs.] Thou hast no speculation in those eyes. Shak.

4. A game at cards in which the players buy from one another trumps or whole hands, upon a chance of getting the highest trump dealt, which entitles the holder to the pool of stakes.

SPECULATIST Spec"u*la*tist, n.

Defn: One who speculates, or forms theories; a speculator; a theorist. The very ingenious speculatist, Mr. Hume. V. Knox.

SPECULATIVE Spec"u*la*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spéculatif, L. speculativus.]

1. Given to speculation; contemplative. The mind of man being by nature speculative. Hooker.

2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by demonstration. Cudworth.

3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive; curious. [R.] Bacon.

4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares, etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise. The speculative merchant exercises no one regular, established, or well-known branch of business. A. Smith. -- Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. -- Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.

SPECULATOR Spec"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L., a spy, explorer, investigator: cf. F. spéculateur.]

Defn: One who speculates. Specifically: (a) An observer; a contemplator; hence, a spy; a watcher. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. (b) One who forms theories; a theorist. A speculator who had dared to affirm that the human soul is by nature mortal. Macaulay. (c) (Com.)

Defn: One who engages in speculation; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.

SPECULATORIAL Spec`u*la*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Speculatory; speculative. [Obs.]

SPECULATORY Spec"u*la*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. speculatorius belonging to spies or scouts.]

1. Intended or adapted for viewing or espying; having oversight. T. Warton.

2. Exercising speculation; speculative. T. Carew.

SPECULIST Spec"u*list, n.

Defn: One who observes or considers; an observer. [R.] Goldsmith.

SPECULUM Spec"u*lum, n.; pl. L. Specula, E. Speculum. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, behold. See Spy.]

1. A mirror, or looking-glass; especially, a metal mirror, as in Greek and Roman archæology.

2. A reflector of polished metal, especially one used in reflecting telescopes. See Speculum metal, below.

3. (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for dilating certain passages of the body, and throwing light within them, thus facilitating examination or surgical operations.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bright and lustrous patch of color found on the wings of ducks and some other birds. It is usually situated on the distal portions of the secondary quills, and is much more brilliant in the adult male than in the female. Speculum metal, a hard, brittle alloy used for making the reflectors of telescopes and other instruments, usually consisting of copper and tin in various proportions, one of the best being that in which there are 126.4 parts of copper to 58.9 parts of tin, with sometimes a small proportion of arsenic, antimony, or zinc added to improve the whiteness.

SPED Sped,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Speed.

SPEECE Speece, n.

Defn: Species; sort. [Obs.]

SPEECH Speech, n. Etym: [OE. speche, AS. sp, spr, fr. specan, sprecan, to speak; akin to D. spraak speech, OHG. sprahha, G. sprache, Sw. spr, Dan. sprog. See Speak.]

1. The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking. There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man alone is endowed for the communication of his thoughts. Holder.

2. he act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as expressing ideas; language; conversation.

Note: Speech is voice modulated by the throat, tongue, lips, etc., the modulation being accomplished by changing the form of the cavity of the mouth and nose through the action of muscles which move their walls. O goode God! how gentle and how kind Ye seemed by your speech and your visage The day that maked was our marriage. Chaucer. The acts of God . . . to human ears Can nort without process of speech be told. Milton.

3. A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect. People of a strange speech and of an hard language. Ezek. iii. 6.

4. Talk; mention; common saying. The duke . . . did of me demand What was the speech among the Londoners Concerning the French journey. Shak.

5. formal discourse in public; oration; harangue. The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point. Swift.

6. ny declaration of thoughts. I. with leave of speech implored, . . . replied. Milton.

Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See Harangue, and Language.

SPEECH Speech, v. i. & t.

Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [R.]

SPEECHFUL Speech"ful, a.

Defn: Full of speech or words; voluble; loquacious. [R.]

SPEECHIFICATION Speech`i*fi*ca"tion, n.Etym: [See Spechify.]

Defn: The act of speechifying. [Used humorously or in contempt.]

SPEECHIFIER Speech"i*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who makes a speech or speeches; an orator; a declaimer. [Used humorously or in contempt.] G. Eliot.

SPEECHIFY Speech"i*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speechified; p. pr. & vb. n. Speechifying.] Etym: [Speech + -fy.]

Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [Used derisively or humorously.]

SPEECHIFYING Speech"i*fy`ing, n.

Defn: The act of making a speech or speeches. [Used derisively or humorously.] The dinner and speechifying . . . at the opening of the annual season for the buckhounds. M. Arnold.

SPEECHING Speech"ing, n.

Defn: The act of making a speech. [R.]

SPEECHLESS Speech"less, a.

1. Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech.

2. Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent. Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear. Addison. -- Speech"less*ly, adv. -- Speech"less*ness, n.

SPEECHMAKER Speech"mak`er, n.

Defn: One who makes speeches; one accustomed to speak in a public assembly.

SPEED Speed, n. Etym: [AS. sp success, swiftness, from sp to succeed; akin to D. spoedd, OHG. spuot success, spuot to succees, Skr. spha to increase, grow fat. sq. root170b.]

1. Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success. "For common speed." Chaucer. O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day. Gen. xxiv. 12.

2. The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel. Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. Milton.

Note: In kinematics, speedis sometimes used to denote the amount of velocity without regard to direction of motion, while velocity is not regarded as known unless both the direction and the amount are known.

3. One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success. [Obs.] "Hercules be thy speed!" Shak. God speed, Good speed; prosperity. See Godspeed. -- Speed gauge, Speed indicator, and Speed recorder (Mach.), devices for indicating or recording the rate of a body's motion, as the number of revolutions of a shaft in a given time. -- Speed lathe (Mach.), a power lathe with a rapidly revolving spindle, for turning small objects, for polishing, etc.; a hand lathe. -- Speed pulley, a cone pulley with steps.

Syn. -- Haste; swiftness; celerity; quickness; dispatch; expedition; hurry; acceleration. See Haste.

SPEED Speed, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sped, Speeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Speeding.] Etym: [AS. sp, fr. sp, n.; akin to D. spoeden, G. sich sputen. See Speed, n.]

1. To go; to fare. [Obs.] To warn him now he is too farre sped. Remedy of Love.

2. To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare. Shak. Ships heretofore in seas lke fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed. Waller.

3. To fare well; to have success; to prosper. Save London, and send true lawyers their meed! For whoso wants money with them shall not speed! Lydgate. I told ye then he should prevail, and speed On his bad errand. Milton.

4. To make haste; to move with celerity. I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. Shak.

5. To be expedient. [Obs.] Wyclif (2 Cor. xii. 1.)

SPEED Speed, v. t.

1. To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor. "Fortune speed us!" Shak. With rising gales that speed their happy flight. Dryden.

2. To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry. He sped him thence home to his habitation. Fairfax.

3. To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite. Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties. Ayliffe.

4. To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo. "Sped with spavins." Shak. A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped. If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead. Pope.

5. To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey. Welkome the coming, speed the parting guest. Pope. God speed you, them, etc., may God speed you; or, may you have good speed.

Syn. -- To depatch; hasten; expedite; accelerate; hurry.

SPEED COUNTER Speed counter. (Mach.)

Defn: A device for automatically counting the revolutions or pulsations of an engine or other machine; -- called also simply counter.

SPEEDER Speed"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, speeds.

2. (Spinning)

Defn: A machine for drawing and twisting slivers to form rovings.

SPEEDFUL Speed"ful, a.

Defn: Full of speed (in any sense). [Obs.]

SPEEDFULLY Speed"ful*ly, adv.

Defn: In a speedful manner. [Obs.]

SPEEDILY Speed"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a speedy manner.

SPEEDINESS Speed"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being speedy.

SPEEDLESS Speed"less, a.

Defn: Being without speed.

SPEEDWELL Speed"well, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Veronica, mostly low herbs with pale blue corollas, which quickly fall off.

SPEEDY Speed"y, a. [Compar. Speedier; superl. Speediest.] Etym: [AS. sp.]

Defn: Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid in motion or performance; as, a speedy flight; on speedy foot. I will wish her speedy strength. Shak. Darts, which not the good could shun, The speedy ould outfly. Dryden.

SPEER Speer, n.

Defn: A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPEER Speer, v. t.

Defn: To ask. [Scot.] See Spere.

SPEET Speet, v. t. Etym: [Cf. D. speten. See Spit an iron prong.]

Defn: To stab. [Obs.] Gammer Gurton's Needle.

SPEIGHT Speight, n. Etym: [G. specht, probably akin to L. picus: cf. D. specht. sq. root169. See Pie a magpie.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A woodpecker; -- called also specht, spekt, spight. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPEIR Speir, v. i.

Defn: To ask. See Spere. Sir W. Scott.

SPEISKOBALT Speis`ko"balt, n. Etym: [G.]

Defn: Smaltite.

SPEISS Speiss, n. Etym: [Cf. G. speise food, mixed metal for bells, etc.] (Metal.)

Defn: A regulus consisting essentially of nickel, obtained as a residue in fusing cobalt and nickel ores with silica and sodium carbonate to make smalt.

SPEKBOOM Spek"boom, n. Etym: [D., lit. fat tree.] (Bot.)

Defn: The purslane tree of South Africa, -- said to be the favorite food of elephants. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

SPEKE Speke, v. i. & t.

Defn: To speak. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPEKEHOUSE Speke"house`, n.

Defn: The parlor or reception room of a convent. [Obs.]

SPELDING Spel"ding, n. Etym: [Scot. speld to spread out, spelder to split. spread open; cf. G. spalten split.]

Defn: A haddock or other small fish split open and dried in the sun; -- called also speldron. [Scot.]

SPELICANS Spel"i*cans, n. pl.

Defn: See Spilikin.

SPELK Spelk, n. Etym: [AS. spelc, spilc, a little rod by which a thing is kept straight, a splint for binding up broken bones, akin to Icel. spelkur, pl., a splint. Cf. Spell a splinter.]

Defn: A small stick or rod used as a spike in thatching; a splinter. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

SPELL Spell, n. Etym: [OE. speld, AS. speld a spill to light a candle with; akin to D. speld a pin, OD. spelle, G. spalten to split, OHG. spaltan, MHG. spelte a splinter, Icel. spjald a square tablet, Goth. spilda a writing tablet. Cf. Spillsplinter, roll of paper, Spell to tell the letters of.]

Defn: A spelk, or splinter. [Obs.] Holland.

SPELL Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym: [AS. spelian to supply another's place.]

Defn: To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.

SPELL Spell, n.

1. The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or wathing; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spellat the pumps; a spell at the masthead. A spell at the wheel isc called a trick. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

2. The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks. Nothing new hass happened in this quarter, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold weather. Washington.

3. One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells. [R.] Their toil is so extreme that they can not endure it above four hours in a day, but are succeeded by spells. Garew.

4. A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell. [Local, U.S.]

SPELL Spell, n.Etym: [AS. spell a saying, tale, speech; akin to OS. & OHG. spel, Icel. spjall,Goth. spill. Cf. Gospel, Spell to tell the letters of.]

1. A story; a tale. [Obs.] "Hearken to my spell." Chaucer.

2. A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm. Start not; her actions shall be holy as You hear my spell is lawful. Shak.

SPELL Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled ( or Spelt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym: [OE. spellen, spellien, tell, relate, AS. spellian, fr. spell a saying, tale; akin to MHG. spellen to relate, Goth. spill.e Spell a tale. In sense 4 and those following, OE. spellen, perhaps originally a different word, and from or influenced by spell a splinter, from the use of a piece of wood to point to the letters in schools: cf. D. spellen to spell. Cf. Spell splinter.]

1. To tell; to relate; to teach. [Obs.] Might I that legend find, By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes. T. Warton.

2. To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. "Spelled with words of power." Dryden. He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot. Sir G. Buck.

3. To constitute; to measure. [Obs.] The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect. Fuller.

4. To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography. The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y. Dryden.

5. To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; -- usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible. To spell out a God in the works of creation. South. To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident. Milton.

SPELL Spell, v. i.

1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing. When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell, And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden.

2. To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study. [Obs.] Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew. Milton.

SPELLABLE Spell"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being spelt. Carlyle.

SPELLBIND Spell"bind`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spellbound; p. pr. & vb. n. Spellbinding.]

Defn: To bind or hold by, or as if by, a spell or charm; to fascinate, esp. by eloquence of speech, as in a political campaign. - - Spell"bind`er (#), n.

SPELLBOUND Spell"bound`, a.

Defn: Bound by, or as by, a spell.

SPELLER Spell"er, n.

1. One who spells.

2. A spelling book. [U. S.]

SPELLFUL Spell"ful, a.

Defn: Abounding in spells, or charms. Here, while his eyes the learned leaves peruse, Each spellful mystery explained he views. Hoole.

SPELLING Spell"ing, n.

Defn: The act of one who spells; formation of words by letters; orthography.

SPELLING Spell"ing, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to spelling. Spelling bee, a spelling match. [U.S.] -- Spelling book, a book with exercises for teaching children to spell; a speller. -- Spelling match, a contest of skill in spelling words, between two or more persons.

SPELLKEN Spell"ken, n.

Defn: A theater. [Slang] Byron.

SPELLWORK Spell"work`, n.

Defn: Power or effect of magic; that which is wrought by magic; enchantment. Like those Peri isles of light That hang by spellwork in the air. Moore.

SPELT Spelt,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spell. Spelled.

SPELT Spelt, n. Etym: [AS. spelt, fr. L. spelta.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of grain (Triticum Spelta) much cultivated for food in Germany and Switzerland; -- called also German wheat.

SPELT Spelt, n. Etym: [See Spalt.] (Metal.)

Defn: Spelter. [Colloq.]

SPELT Spelt, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Spell a splinter.]

Defn: To split; to break; to spalt. [Obs.] Mortimer.

SPELTER Spel"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. LG. spialter, G. & D. spiauter. Cf. Pewter.] (Metal.)

Defn: Zinc; -- especially so called in commerce and arts.

SPELUNC Spe*lunc", n. Etym: [L. spelunca cave.]

Defn: A cavern; a cave. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

SPENCE Spence, n. Etym: [OF. despense, F. dépense, buffet, buttery, fr. OF. despendre to spend, distribute, L. dispendere, dispensum. See Dispense, Spend.]

1. A place where provisions are kept; a buttery; a larder; a pantry. Chiefly Brit. dial. [MW10] In . . . his spence, or "pantry" were hung the carcasses of a sheep or ewe, and two cows lately slaughtered. Sir W. Scott. Bluff Harry broke into the spence, And turned the cowls adrift. Tennyson.

2. The inner apartment of a country house; also, the place where the family sit and eat. [Scot.] Jamieson.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. Etym: [OF. despensier. See Spence, and cf. Dispenser.]

Defn: One who has the care of the spence, or buttery. [Obs.] Promptorium Parvulorum.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. Etym: [From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion.]

Defn: A short jacket worn by men and by women. Ld. Lutton.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A fore-and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried at the foremast or mainmast; -- named after its inventor, Knight Spencer, of England [1802]. Spencer mast, a small mast just abaft the foremast or mainmast, for hoisting the spencer. R. H. Dana, Jr.

SPEND Spend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spent; p. pr. & vb. n. Spending.] Etym: [AS. spendan (in comp.), fr. L. expendere or dispendere to weigh out, to expend, dispense. See Pendant, and cf. Dispend, Expend, Spence, Spencer.]

1. To weigh or lay out; to dispose of; to part with; as, to spend money for clothing. Spend thou that in the town. Shak. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread Isa. lv. 2.

2. To bestow; to employ; -- often with on or upon. I . . . am never loath To spend my judgment. Herbert.

3. To consume; to waste; to squander; to exhaust; as, to spend an estate in gaming or other vices.

4. To pass, as time; to suffer to pass away; as, to spend a day idly; to spend winter abroad. We spend our years as a tale that is told. Ps. xc. 9.

5. To exhaust of force or strength; to waste; to wear away; as, the violence of the waves was spent. Their bodies spent with long labor and thirst. Knolles.

SPEND Spend, v. i.

1. To expend money or any other possession; to consume, use, waste, or part with, anything; as, he who gets easily spends freely. He spends as a person who knows that he must come to a reckoning. South.

2. To waste or wear away; to be consumed; to lose force or strength; to vanish; as, energy spends in the using of it. The sound spendeth and is dissipated in the open air. Bacon.

3. To be diffused; to spread. The vines that they use for wine are so often cut, that their sap spendeth into the grapes. Bacon.

4. (Mining)

Defn: To break ground; to continue working.

SPENDER Spen"der, n.

Defn: One who spends; esp., one who spends lavishly; a prodigal; a spendthrift.

SPENDING Spend"ing, n.

Defn: The act of expending; expenditure. Spending money, money set apart for extra (not necessary) personal expenses; pocket money. [Colloq.]

SPENDTHRIFT Spend"thrift`, n.

Defn: One who spends money profusely or improvidently; a prodigal; one who lavishes or wastes his estate. Also used figuratively. A woman who was a generous spendthrift of life. Mrs. R. H. Davis.

SPENDTHRIFT Spend"thrift, a.

Defn: Prodigal; extravagant; wasteful.

SPENDTHRIFTY Spend"thrift`y, a.

Defn: Spendthrift; prodigal. [R.]

SPENSERIAN Spen*se"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the English poet Spenser; -- specifically applied to the stanza used in his poem "The Faërie Queene."

SPENT Spent, a.

1. Exhausted; worn out; having lost energy or motive force. Now thou seest me Spent, overpowered, despairing of success. Addison. Heaps of spent arrows fall and strew the ground. Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Exhausted of spawn or sperm; -- said especially of fishes. Spent ball, a ball shot from a firearm, which reaches an object without having sufficient force to penetrate it.

SPER; SPERRE Sper, Sperre, v. t. Etym: [See Spar bar.]

Defn: To shut in; to support; to inclose; to fasten. [Obs.] "To sperre the gate." Spenser.

SPERABLE Spe"ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. spearabilis, fr. sperare to hope.]

Defn: Within the range of hpe; proper to be hoped for. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPERABLE Sper"a*ble, n.

Defn: See Sperable.

SPERAGE Sper"age, n.

Defn: Asperagus. [Obs.] Sylvester.

SPERATE Spe"rate, a. Etym: [L. speratus, p. p. of sperare to hope.]

Defn: Hoped for, or to be hoped for. [R.] Bouvier.

SPERE Spere, v. i. Etym: [AS. spyrian to inquire, properly, to follow the track; akin to D. speuren, G. spüren, Icel. spyrja. sq. root171. See Spoor.]

Defn: To search; to pry; to ask; to inquire. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [Written also speer, speir.] Jamieson.

SPERE Spere, n. Etym: [See Sphere.]

Defn: A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPERGE Sperge, n. (Distilling)

Defn: A charge of wash for the still. Knight.

SPERLING Sper"ling, n. Etym: [See Sparling.] (Zoöl.) (a) A smelt; a sparling. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A young herring. [Local, U.S.]

SPERM Sperm, n.Etym: [F. sperme, L. sperma, Gr. Spore.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The male fecundating fluid; semen. See Semen. Sperm cell (Physiol.), one of the cells from which the spermatozoids are developed. -- Sperm morula. (Biol.) Same as Spermosphere.

SPERM Sperm, n.Etym: [Contr. fr. spermaceti.]

Defn: Spermaceti. Sperm oil, a fatty oil found as a liquid, with spermaceti, in the head cavities of the sperm whale. -- Sperm whale. (Zoöl.) See in the Vocabulary.

SPERMACETI Sper`ma*ce"ti, n. Etym: [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. Sperm, Cetaceous.]

Defn: A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. Spermaceti whale (Zoöl.), the sperm whale.

SPERMALIST Sper"mal*ist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: See Spermist.

SPERMAPHORE Sper"ma*phore, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: That part of the ovary from which the ovules arise; the placenta.

SPERMARY Sper"ma*ry, n. (Anat.)

Defn: An organ in which spermatozoa are developed; a sperm gland; a testicle.

SPERMATHECA Sper`ma*the"ca, n.; pl. Spermathecæ. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small sac connected with the female reproductive organs of insects and many other invertebrates, serving to receive and retain the spermatozoa.

SPERMATIC Sper*mat"ic, a. Etym: [L. spermaticus, Gr. spermatique. See Sperm.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to semen; as, the spermatic fluid, the spermatic vessels, etc. Spermatic cord (Anat.), the cord which suspends the testicle within the scrotum. It is made up of a connective tissue sheath inclosing the spermatic duct and accompanying vessels and nerves.

SPERMATICAL Sper"mat"ic*al, a.

Defn: Spermatic.

SPERMATIN Sper"ma*tin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A substance allied to alkali albumin and to mucin, present in semen, to which it is said to impart the mucilaginous character.

SPERMATISM Sper"ma*tism, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The emission of sperm, or semen.

SPERMATIUM Sper*ma"ti*um, n.; pl. Spermatia. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the motionless spermatozoids in the conceptacles of certain fungi. J. H. Balfour.

SPERMATIZE Sper"ma*tize, v. i. Etym: [Gr. Sperm.]

Defn: To yield seed; to emit seed, or sperm. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SPERMATO-; SPERMO- Sper"ma*to-, Sper"mo-.

Defn: Combining forms from Gr. seed, sperm, semen (of plants or animals); as, spermatoblast, spermoblast.

SPERMATOBLAST Sper"ma*to*blast, n.

Defn: Same as Spermoblast.

SPERMATOCYTE Sper"ma*to*cyte, n. Etym: [Spermato- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermoblast.

SPERMATOGEMMA Sper`ma*to*gem"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermato-, and Gemma.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermosphere.

SPERMATOGENESIS Sper`ma*to*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Spermato- + genesis.] (Biol.)

Defn: The development of the spermatozoids.

SPERMATOGENETIC Sper`ma*to*ge*net"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Relating to, or connected with, spermatogenesis; as, spermatogenetic function.

SPERMATOGENOUS Sper`ma*tog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Spermato- + -genous.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Sperm-producing.

SPERMATOGONIUM Sper`ma*to*go"ni*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: A primitive seminal cell, occuring in masses in the seminal tubules. It divides into a mass (spermosphere) of small cells (spermoblast), which in turn give rise to spermatozoids.

SPERMATOID Sper"ma*toid, a. Etym: [Spermato- + -oid.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Spermlike; resembling sperm, or semen.

SPERMATOON; SPERMATOOEN Sper`ma*to"ön, n.; pl. Spermatoa. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: A spermoblast. -- Sper`ma*to"al, a. Owen.

SPERMATOPHORE Sper"ma*to*phore, n. Etym: [Spermato- + Gr.

1. (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermospore.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A capsule or pocket inclosing a number of spermatozoa. They are present in many annelids, brachiopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. In cephalopods the structure of the capsule is very complex.

SPERMATOPHOROUS Sper`ma*toph"o*rous, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Producing seed, or sperm; seminiferous; as, the so-called spermatophorous cells.

SPERMATOPHYTA Sper`ma*toph"y*ta, n. pl. [NL.; spermato- + Gr. plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: A phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants. They form the most numerous group, including over 120,000 species. In general, the group is characterized by the marked development of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts (root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc.); by the extreme reduction of the gametophyte; and by the development of seeds. All the Spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg cell is either through a pollen tube emitted by the microspore or (in a few gymnosperms) by spermatozoids. The phrase "flowering plants" is less distinctive than "seed plants," since the conifers, grasses, sedges, oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular sense. For this reason the terms Anthrophyta, Phænogamia, and Panerogamia have been superseded as names of the phylum by Spermatophyta.

SPERMATOPHYTE Sper"ma*to"phyte`, n.

Defn: Any plant of the phylum Spermatophyta. -- Sper`ma*to*phyt"ic (#), a.

SPERMATORRHEA; SPERMATORRHOEA Sper`ma*tor*rhe"a, Sper`ma*tor*rhoe"a, (, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Abnormally frequent involuntary emission of the semen without copulation.

SPERMATOSPORE Sper"ma*to*spore, n.

Defn: Same as Spermospore.

SPERMATOZOID Sper`ma*to*zo"id, n. Etym: [Spermatozoön + Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: The male germ cell in animals and plants, the essential element in fertilization; a microscopic animalcule-like particle, usually provided with one or more cilia by which it is capable of active motion. In animals, the familiar type is that of a small, more or less ovoid head, with a delicate threadlike cilium, or tail. Called also spermatozoön. In plants the more usual term is antherozoid.

SPERMATOZOOID Sper`ma*to*zo"oid n. (Biol.)

Defn: A spermatozoid.

SPERMATOZOON; SPERMATOZOOEN Sper`ma*to*zo"ön, n.; pl. Spermatozoa. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: Same as Spermatozoid.

SPERMIC Sper"mic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sperm, or semen.

SPERMIDIUM Sper*mid"i*um, n.; pl. Spermidia. Etym: [Nl., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: An achenium.

SPERMISM Sperm"ism, n. [Gr. seed, sperm + -ism.] (Biol.)

Defn: The theory, formerly held by many, that the sperm or spermatozoön contains the germ of the future embryo; animalculism.

SPERMIST Sperm"ist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: A believer in the doctrine, formerly current, of encasement in the male (see Encasement), in which the seminal thread, or spermatozoid, was considered as the real animal germ, the head being the true animal head and the tail the body.

SPERMOBLAST Sper"mo*blast, n. Etym: [Spermo- + -blast.] (Physiol.)

Defn: One of the cells formed by the diivision of the spermospore, each of which is destined to become a spermatozoid; a spermatocyte; a spermatoblast.

SPERMOCOCCUS Sper`mo*coc"cus, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermo-, and Coccus.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The nucleus of the sperm cell.

SPERMODERM Sper"mo*derm, n. Etym: [Spermo- + derm: cf. F. spermoderme.] (Bot.)

Defn: The covering of a seed; -- sometimes limited to the outer coat or testa. Lindley.

SPERMOGONIUM Sper`mo*go"ni*um, n. Etym: [NL.; spermo- + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A conceptacle of certain lichens, which contains spermatia.

SPERMOLOGIST Sper*mol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: One who treats of, or collects, seeds. Bailey.

SPERMOPHILE Sper"mo*phile, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus; gopher. See Illust. under Gopher.

SPERMOPHORE Sper"mo*phore, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A spermatophore.

SPERMOPHYTA Sper*moph"y*ta, n. pl. Etym: [Nl., from Gr.

Defn: Plants which produce seed; phænogamia. These plants constitute the highest grand division of the vegetable kingdom.

SPERMOPHYTE Sper"mo*phyte, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant which produces true seeds; -- a term recently proposed to replace phænogam.

SPERMOPHYTIC Sper`mo*phyt"ic, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Capable of producing seeds; phænogamic.

SPERMOPLASMA Sper`mo*plas"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermo-, and Plasma.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The protoplasm of the sperm cell. Haeckel.

SPERMOSPHERE Sper"mo*sphere, n. Etym: [Spermo- + sphere.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A mass or ball of cells formed by the repeated division of a male germinal cell (spermospore), each constituent cell (spermoblast) of which is converted into a spermatozoid; a spermatogemma.

SPERMOSPORE Sper"mo*spore, n. Etym: [Spermo- + spore.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The male germinal or seminal cell, from the breaking up of which the spermoblasts are formed and ultimately the spermatozoids; a spermatospore. Balfour.

SPERMULE Sper"mule, n. Etym: [Dim. fr. sperm.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A sperm cell. Haeckel.

SPERM WHALE Sperm" whale`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus), having a head of enormous size. The upper jaw is destitute of teeth. In the upper part of the head, above the skull, there is a large cavity, or case, filled with oil and spermaceti. This whale sometimes grows to the length of more than eighty feet. It is found in the warmer parts of all the oceans. Called also cachalot, and spermaceti whale. Pygmy sperm whale (Zoöl.), a small whale (Kogia breviceps), seldom twenty feet long, native of tropical seas, but occasionally found on the American coast. Called also snub-nosed cachalot. -- Sperm-whale porpoise (Zoöl.), a toothed cetacean (Hyperoödon bidens), found on both sides of the Atlantic and valued for its oil. The adult becomes about twenty-five feet long, and its head is very large and thick. Called also bottle-nosed whale.

SPERRYLITE Sper"ry*lite, n.Etym: [Named after F. L. Sperry, who discovered it.] (Min.)

Defn: An arsenide of platinum occuring in grains and minute isometric crystals of tin-white color. It is found near Sudbury, Ontario Canada, and is the only known compound of platinum occuring in nature.

SPERSE Sperse, v. t.

Defn: To disperse. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPESSARTITE Spes"sart*ite, n.Etym: [From Spessart, in Germany.] (Min.)

Defn: A manganesian variety of garnet.

SPET Spet, v. t. Etym: [AS. sp. See Spit.]

Defn: To spit; to throw out. [Obs.]

SPET Spet, n.

Defn: Spittle. [Obs.]

SPETCHES Spetch"es, n. pl.

Defn: Parings and refuse of hides, skins, etc., from which glue is made.

SPEW Spew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spewed; p. pr.& vb. n. Spewing.] Etym: [OE. spewen, speowen, AS. spiwan;n to D. spuwen to spit. OS & OHG. spiwan, G. speien, Icel. sp to spew, Sw. spy, Dan. spye, Goth. spiewan, th. spjauti, L. spuere to split, Gr. shtiv, shthiv. Cf. Pyke, Spit.] [Written also spue.]

1. To eject from the stomach; to vomit.

2. To cast forth with abhorrence or disgust; to eject. Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Rev. ii. 16.

SPEW Spew, v. i.

1. To vomit. Chaucer.

2. To eject seed, as wet land swollen with frost.

SPEW Spew, n.

Defn: That which is vomited; vomit.

SPEWER Spew"er, n.

Defn: One who spews.

SPEWINESS Spew"i*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being spewy.

SPEWY Spew"y, a.

Defn: Wet; soggy; inclined to spew.

SPHACEL Sphac"el, n. Etym: [Gr. sphacèle.] (Med.)

Defn: Gangrene.

SPHACELATE Sphac"e*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sphacelated; p. pr. & vb. n. Sphacelating.] Etym: [NL. sphacelare, sphacelatum, mortify: cf. F. sphacéler. See Sphacelus.] (Med.)

Defn: To die, decay, or become gangrenous, as flesh or bone; to mortify.

SPHACELATE Sphac"e*late, v. t. (Med.)

Defn: To affect with gangrene.

SPHACELATE; SPHACELATED Sphac"e*late, Sphac"e*la`ted, a. (Med.)

Defn: Affected with gangrene; mortified.

SPHACELATION Sphac`e*la"tion, n. (Med.)

Defn: The process of becoming or making gangrenous; mortification.

SPHACELUS Sphac"e*lus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Gangrenous part; gangrene; slough.

SPHAERENCHYMA Sphæ*ren"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -enchyma as in parenchima.] (Bot.)

Defn: Vegetable tissue composed of thin-walled rounded cells, -- a modification of parenchyma.

SPHAERIDIUM Sphæ*rid"i*um, n.; pl. Sphæridia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A peculiar sense organ found upon the exterior of most kinds of sea urchins, and consisting of an oval or sherical head surmounting a short pedicel. It is generally supposed to be an olfactory organ.

SPHAEROSPORE Sphæ"ro*spore, n. Etym: [Gr. spore.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the nonsexual spores found in red algæ; a tetraspore.

SPHAERULITE Sphær"u*lite, n. (Min.)

Defn: Same as Spherulite.

SPHAGNICOLOUS Sphag*nic"o*lous, a. Etym: [Sphagnum + L. colere to inhabit.] (Bot.)

Defn: Growing in moss of the genus Sphagnum.

SPHAGNOUS Sphag"nous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to moss of the genus Sphagnum, or bog moss; abounding in peat or bog moss.

SPHAGNUM Sphag"num, n. Etym: [NL., fr/ Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of mosses having white leaves slightly tinged with red or green and found growing in marshy places; bog moss; peat moss.

SPHALERITE Sphal"er*ite, n. Etym: [Gr. Blende.] (Min.)

Defn: Zinc sulphide; -- called also blende, black-jack, false galena, etc. See Blende (a).

SPHENE Sphene, n. Etym: [F. sphène, fr. Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A mineral found usually in thin, wedge-shaped crystals of a yellow or green to black color. It is a silicate of titanium and calcium; titanite.

SPHENETHMOID Sphe*neth"moid, a. Etym: [Sphenoid + ethmoid.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the sphenoidal and the ethmoidal regions of the skull, or the sphenethmoid bone; sphenethmoidal. Sphenethmoid bone (Anat.), a bone of the skull which surrounds the anterior end of the brain in many amphibia; the girdle bone.

SPHENETHMOID Sphe*neth"moid, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenethmoid bone.

SPHENETHMOIDAL Sphe`neth*moid"al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Relating to the sphenoethmoid bone; sphenoethmoid.

SPHENISCAN Sphe*nis"can, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of penguin.

SPHENO- Sphe"no-.

Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, the sphenoid bone; as in sphenomaxillary, sphenopalatine.

SPHENODON Sphe"no*don, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Hatteria.

SPHENOETHMOIDAL Sphe"no*eth*moid`al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sphenethmoid.

SPHENOGRAM Sphe"no*gram, n. Etym: [Gr. -gram.]

Defn: A cuneiform, or arrow-headed, character.

SPHENOGRAPHER Sphe*nog"ra*pher, n.

Defn: One skilled in sphenography; a sphenographist.

SPHENOGRAPHIC Sphe`no*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sphenography.

SPHENOGRAPHIST Sphe*nog"ra*phist, n.

Defn: A sphenographer.

SPHENOGRAPHY Sphe*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: The art of writing in cuneiform characters, or of deciphering inscriptions made in such characters.

SPHENOID Sphe"noid, a. Etym: [Gr. sphénoïde.]

1. Wedge-shaped; as, a sphenoid crystal.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sphenoid bone. Sphenoid bone (Anat.), an irregularly shaped bone in front of the occipital in the base of the skull of the higher vertebrates. It is composed of several fetal bones which become united the adult. See Alisphenoid, Basisphenoid, Orbitosphenoid, Presphenoid.

SPHENOID Sphe"noid, n.

1. (Crystallog.)

Defn: A wedge-shaped crystal bounded by four equal isosceles triangles. It is the hemihedral form of a square pyramid.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenoid bone.

SPHENOIDAL Sphe*noid"al, a.

1. Sphenoid.

2. (Crystalloq.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a sphenoid.

SPHENOTIC Sphe*not"ic, a. Etym: [Spheno- + (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, the sphenotic bone. Sphenotic bone (Anat.), a bone on the anterior side of the auditory capsule of many fishes, and connected with, or adjoining, the sphenoid bone.

SPHENOTIC Sphe*not"ic, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenotic bone.

SPHERAL Spher"al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a sphere or the spheres.

2. Rounded like a sphere; sphere-shaped; hence, symmetrical; complete; perfect.

SPHERE Sphere, n. Etym: [OE. spere, OF. espere, F. sphère, L. sphaera,. Gr.

1. (Geom.)

Defn: A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.

2. Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth. Of celestial bodies, first the sun, A mighty sphere, he framed. Milton.

3. (Astron.) (a) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it. (b) In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.

4. (Logic)

Defn: The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.

5. Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't. Shak. Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself. Hawthorne. Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woe Our hermit spirits dwell. Keble.

6. Rank; order of society; social positions.

7. An orbit, as of a star; a socket. [R.] Shak. Armillary sphere, Crystalline sphere, Oblique sphere,. See under Armillary, Crystalline,. -- Doctrine of the sphere, applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry. -- Music of the spheres. See under Music.

Syn. -- Globe; orb; circle. See Globe.

SPHERE Sphere, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sphering.]

1. To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere. The glorious planet Sol In noble eminence enthroned and sphered Amidst the other. Shak.

2. To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect. Tennyson.

SPHERICAL; SPHERIC Spher"ic*al, Spher"ic, a. Etym: [L. sphaericus, Gr. sphérique.]

1. Having the form of a sphere; like a sphere; globular; orbicular; as, a spherical body.

2. Of or pertaining to a sphere.

3. Of or pertaining to the heavenly orbs, or to the sphere or spheres in which, according to ancient astronomy and astrology, they were set. Knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance. Shak. Though the stars were suns, and overburned Their spheric limitations. Mrs. Browning. Spherical angle, Spherical coördinate, Spherical excess, etc. See under Angle, Coordinate, etc. -- Spherical geometry, that branch of geometry which treats of spherical magnitudes; the doctrine of the sphere, especially of the circles described on its surface. -- Spherical harmonic analysis. See under Harmonic, a. -- Spherical lune,portion of the surface of a sphere included between two great semicircles having a common diameter. -- Spherical opening, the magnitude of a solid angle. It is measured by the portion within the solid angle of the surface of any sphere whose center is the angular point. -- Spherical polygon,portion of the surface of a sphere bounded by the arcs of three or more great circles. -- Spherical projection, the projection of the circles of the sphere upon a plane. See Projection. -- Spherical sector. See under Sector. -- Spherical segment, the segment of a sphere. See under Segment. -- Spherical triangle,re on the surface of a sphere, bounded by the arcs of three great circles which intersect each other. -- Spherical trigonometry. See Trigonometry. -- Spher"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Spher"ic*al*ness, n.

SPHERICITY Sphe*ric"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sphéricité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being spherial; roundness; as, the sphericity of the planets, or of a drop of water.

SPHERICLE Spher"i*cle, n.

Defn: A small sphere.

SPHERICS Spher"ics, n. (Math.)

Defn: The doctrine of the sphere; the science of the properties and relations of the circles, figures, and other magnitudes of a sphere, produced by planes intersecting it; spherical geometry and trigonometry.

SPHEROBACTERIA Sphe`ro*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl.; sing. Spherobacterium (. Etym: [NL. See Sphere, and Bacterium.] (Biol.)

Defn: See the Note under Microbacteria.

SPHEROCONIC Sphe`ro*con"ic, n. (Geom.)

Defn: A nonplane curve formed by the intersection of the surface of an oblique cone with the surface of a sphere whose center is at the vertex of the cone.

SPHEROGRAPH Spher"o*graph, n. Etym: [Sphere + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument for facilitating the practical use of spherics in navigation and astronomy, being constructed of two cardboards containing various circles, and turning upon each other in such a manner that any possible spherical triangle may be readily found, and the measures of the parts read off by inspection.

SPHEROID Sphe"roid, n. Etym: [L. spheroides ball-like, spherical, Gr. sphéroïde.]

Defn: A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. Oblate spheroid, Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid.

SPHEROIDAL Sphe*roid"al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sphéroïdal.]

Defn: Having the form of a spheroid. -- Sphe*roid"al*ly, adv. Spheroidal state (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without actual contact with the heated surface, -- a phenomenon due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of evaporation.

SPHEROIDIC; SPHEROIDICAL Sphe*roid"ic, Sphe*roid"ic*al, a.

Defn: See Spheroidal. Cheyne.

SPHEROIDICITY; SPHEROIDITY Sphe`roi*dic"i*ty, Sphe*roid"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spheroidal.

SPHEROMERE Sphe"ro*mere, n. Etym: [Sphere + -mere.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of the several symmetrical segments arranged around the central axis and composing the body of a radiate anmal.

SPHEROMETER Sphe*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Sphere + -meter: cf. F. sphéromètre.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the curvature of spherical surface, as of lenses for telescope, etc.

SPHEROSIDERITE Spher`o*sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [Sphere + siderite.] (Min.)

Defn: Siderite occuring in spheroidal masses.

SPHEROSOME Sphe"ro*some, n. Etym: [Sphere + -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The body wall of any radiate animal.

SPHERULATE Spher"u*late, a.

Defn: Covered or set with spherules; having one or more rows of spherules, or minute tubercles.

SPHERULE Spher"ule, n. Etym: [L. spherula: cf. F. sphérule.]

Defn: A little sphere or spherical body; as, quicksilver, when poured upon a plane, divides itself into a great number of minute spherules.

SPHERULITE Spher"u*lite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sphérulite.] (Min.)

Defn: A minute spherical crystalline body having a radiated structure, observed in some vitreous volcanic rocks, as obsidian and pearlstone.

SPHERULITIC Spher`u*lit"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spherulite; characterized by the presence of spherulites.

SPHERY Spher"y, a.

1. Round; spherical; starlike. [R.] "Hermia's sphery eyne." Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to the spheres. [R.] She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime. Milton.

SPHEX Sphex, n.Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of sand wasps of the genus Sphex and allied genera. These wasps have the abdomen attached to the thorax by a slender pedicel. See Illust. of Sand wasp, under Sand. Sphex fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Conops and allied genera. The form of the body is similar to that of a sphex.

SPHIGMOMETER Sphig*mom"e*ter, n.

Defn: See Sphygmometer.

SPHINCTER Sphinc"ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. (Anat.)

Defn: A muscle which surrounds, and by its contraction tends to close, a natural opening; as, the sphincter of the bladder.

SPHINCTER Sphinc"ter, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sphincter; as, a sphincter muscle.

SPHINGID Sphin"gid, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sphinx.

SPHINGID Sphin"gid, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sphinx, or the family Sphingidæ.

SPHINX Sphinx, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.]

1. (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion. The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. Shelley.

(b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman.

Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Boeotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by "Subtle as sphinx." Shak.

2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidæ; -- called also hawk moth.

Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. -- Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

SPHRAGIDE Sphrag"ide, n.Etym: [L. sphragis, -idis, Lemnian earth, fr. Gr. (Min.)

Defn: Lemnian earth.

SPHRAGISTICS Sphra*gis"tics, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: The science of seals, their history, age, distinctions, etc., esp. as verifying the age and genuiness of documents.

SPHRIGOSIS Sphri*go"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A condition of vegetation in which there is too abundant growth of the stem and leaves, accompanied by deficiency of flowers and fruit.

SPHYGMIC Sphyg"mic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the pulse.

SPHYGMOGRAM Sphyg"mo*gram, n. Etym: [Gr. -gram.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A tracing, called a pulse tracing, consisting of a series of curves corresponding with the beats of the heart, obtained by the application of the sphygmograph.

SPHYGMOGRAPH Sphyg"mo*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.] (Physiol.)

Defn: An instrument which, when applied over an artery, indicates graphically the movements or character of the pulse. See Sphygmogram.

SPHYGMOGRAPHIC Sphyg`mo*graph"ic, a. (Phusiol.)

Defn: Relating to, or produced by, a sphygmograph; as, a sphygmographic tracing.

SPHYGMOMETER Sphyg*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physiol.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the strength of the pulse beat; a sphygmograph.

SPHYGMOPHONE Sphyg"mo*phone, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: An electrical instrument for determining by the ear the rhythm of the pulse of a person at a distance.

SPHYGMOSCOPE Sphyg"mo*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Sphygmograph.

SPHYRAENOID Sphy*ræ"noid, a.Etym: [L. sphyraena a kind of sea fish (Gr. sfy`raina) + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Sphyrænidæ, a family of marine fishes including the barracudas.

SPIAL Spi"al, n.

Defn: A spy; a scout. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPICA Spi"ca, n.; pl. Spicæ. Etym: [L., an ear, as of corn.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: A kind of bandage passing, by successive turns and crosses, from an extremity to the trunk; -- so called from its resemblance to a spike of a barley.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: A star of the first magnitude situated in the constellation Virgo.

SPICATE; SPICATED Spi"cate, Spi"ca*ted, a. Etym: [L. spicatus, p. p. of spicare furnish with spikes, or ears, fr. spica a spike, or ear.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having the form of a spike, or ear; arranged in a spike or spikes. Lee.

SPICCATO Spic*ca"to, a. Etym: [It., p. p. of spicare to detach, to separate.] (Mus.)

Defn: Detached; separated; -- a term indicating that every note is to be performed in a distinct and pointed manner.

SPICE Spice, n. Etym: [OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice, espece, F. épice spice, espèce species, fr. L. species particular sort or kind, a species, a sight, appearance, show, LL., spices, drugs, etc., of the same sort, fr. L. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Species.]

1. Species; kind. [Obs.] The spices of penance ben three. Chaucer. Abstain you from all evil spice. Wyclif (1. Thess,v. 22). Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative. Sir T. Elyot.

2. A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc. Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices Piers Plowman.

3. Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief. So much of the will, with a spice of the willful. Coleridge.

SPICE Spice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiced; p. p. & vb. n. Spicing.]

1. To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit. She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread With flowery poisons. Chapman.

2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. In the spiced Indian air, by night. Shak.

3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer.

SPICEBUSH Spice"bush`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Spicewood.

SPICENUT Spice"nut`.

Defn: A small crisp cake, highly spiced.

SPICER Spi"cer, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. espicier, F. épicier.]

1. One who seasons with spice.

2. One who deals in spice. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

SPICERY Spi"cer*y, n. Etym: [OF. espicerie, F. épicerie.]

1. Spices, in general. Chaucer.

2. A repository of spices. Addison.

SPICEWOOD Spice"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American shrub (Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; -- called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush.

SPICIFEROUS Spi*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. spicifer bearing spikes, or ears; spica ear + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Bearing ears, or spikes; spicate. [Obs.] Bailey.

SPICIFORM Spi"ci*form, a. Etym: [L. spica a spike, ear + -form.] (Bot.)

Defn: Spike-shaped. Gray.

SPICILY Spi"ci*ly, adv.

Defn: In a spicy manner.

SPICINESS Spi"ci*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spicy.

SPICK Spick, n. Etym: [Cf. Sw. spik. See Spike a nail.]

Defn: A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] Spick and span, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split; brand- new; as, a spick and span novelty. See Span-new. Howell.

SPICKNEL Spick"nel, n. Etym: [Contr. from spike nail a large, long nail; -- so called in allusion to the shape of its capillary leaves.] (Bot.)

Defn: An umbelliferous herb (Meum Athamanticum) having finely divided leaves, common in Europe; -- called also baldmoney, mew, and bearwort. [Written also spignel.]

SPICOSE Spi*cose", a. Etym: [L. spica a spike, or ear.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having spikes, or ears, like corn spikes.

SPICOSITY Spi*cos"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state of having, or being full of, ears like corn. [R.] Bailey.

SPICOUS Spi"cous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: See Spicose.

SPICULA Spic"u*la, n.; pl. Spiculæ. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. spica a spike, ear.] (Bot.) (a) A little spike; a spikelet. (b) A pointed fleshy appendage.

SPICULAR Spic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. spiculum a dart: cf. F. spiculaire.]

Defn: Resembling a dart; having sharp points.

SPICULATE Spic"u*late, a. Etym: [L. spiculatus, p. p. of spiculare to sharpen, to point, fr. spiculum a dart.]

1. Covered with, or having, spicules.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Covered with minute spiculæ, or pointed fleshy appendages; divided into small spikelets.

SPICULATE Spic"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To sharpen to a point. [R.] "With spiculated paling." Mason.

SPICULE Spic"ule, n. Etym: [L. spiculum a little point, a dart.]

1. A minute, slender granule, or point.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Spicula.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small calcareous or siliceous body found in the tissues of various invertebrate animals, especially in sponges and in most Alcyonaria.

Note: Spicules vary exceedingly in size and shape, and some of those found in siliceous sponges are very complex in structure and elegant in form. They are of great use in classification. Description of the Illustration: a Acerate; b Tricurvate, or Bowshaped; c d Hamate; e Broomshaped; f Scepterellate; g Spinispirulate; h Inequi-anchorate; i Sexradiate; j A Trichite Sheaf; k Six-rayed Capitate; l Rosette of Esperia; m Equi- anchorate.

SPICULIFORM Spi*cu"li*form, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the shape of a spicule.

SPICULIGENOUS Spic`u*lig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. spiculum + -genous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Producing or containing spicules.

SPICULISPONGIAE Spic`u*li*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of sponges including those which have independent siliceous spicules.

SPICULUM Spic"u*lum, n.; pl. Spicula. Etym: [L., a little point.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Spicule.

SPICY Spi"cy, a. [Compar. Spicier; superl. Spiciest.] Etym: [From Spice.]

1. Flavored with, or containing, spice or spices; fragrant; aromatic; as, spicy breezes. "The spicy nut-brown ale." Milton. Led by new stars, and borne by spicy gales. Pope.

2. Producing, or abounding with, spices. In hot Ceylon spicy forests grew. Dryden.

3. Fig.: Piquant; racy; as, a spicy debate.

Syn. -- Aromatic; fragrant; smart; pungent; pointed; keen. See Racy.

SPIDER Spi"der, n.Etym: [OE. spi, fr. AS. spinnan to spin; -- so named from spinning its web; cf. D. spin a spider, G. spinne, Sw. spindel. Seee Spin.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons, or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number (rarely six), and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax. See Illust. under Araneina.

Note: Spiders are divided into two principal groups: the Dipneumona, having two lungs: and the Tetrapneumona, having four lungs. See Mygale. The former group includes several tribes; as, the jumping spiders (see Saltigradæ), the wolf spiders, or Citigradæ (see under Wolf), the crab spiders, or Laterigradæ (see under Crab), the garden, or geometric, spiders, or Orbitellæ (see under Geometrical, and Garden), and others. See Bird spider, under Bird, Grass spider, under Grass, House spider, under House, Silk spider, under Silk.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as the red spider (see under Red).

3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs, and was used over coals on the hearth.

4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.

5. (Mach.)

Defn: A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as, a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc. Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. -- Spider crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira Kempferi), measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they are extended. -- Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. -- Spider hunter (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. -- Spider lines, filaments of a spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; -- used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. -- Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b) Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants. -- Spider monkey (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. -- Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant (Ophrys aranifera), having flowers which resemble spiders. -- Spider shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.

SPIDERED Spi"dered, a.

Defn: Infested by spiders; cobwebbed. Wolcott.

SPIDERLIKE Spi"der*like`, a.

Defn: Like a spider. Shak.

SPIDER STITCH Spi"der stitch.

Defn: A stitch in lace making used to fill in open spaces with threads resembling a cobweb.

SPIDER WEB; SPIDER'S WEB Spi"der web", or Spi"der's web". (Zoöl.)

Defn: The silken web which is formed by most kinds of spiders, particularly the web spun to entrap their prey. See Geometric spider, Triangle spider, under Geometric, and Triangle.

SPIDERWORT Spi"der*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American endogenous plant (Tradescantia Virginica), with long linear leaves and ephemeral blue flowers. The name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus.

SPIED Spied,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spy.

SPIEGELEISEN Spie"gel*ei`sen, n. Etym: [G. spiegel mirror + eisen iron.]

Defn: See Spiegel iron.

SPIEGEL IRON Spie"gel i`ron. Etym: [G. spiegel mirror + E. iron.] (Metal.)

Defn: A fusible white cast iron containing a large amount of carbon (from three and a half to six per cent) and some manganese. When the manganese reaches twenty-five per cent and upwards it has a granular structure, and constitutes the alloy ferro manganese, largely used in the manufacture of Bessemer steel. Called also specular pig iron, spiegel, and spiegeleisen.

SPIGHT Spight, n. & v.

Defn: Spite. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPIGHT Spight, n.

Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight. [Obs.]

SPIGNEL Spig"nel, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Spickenel.

SPIGNET Spig"net, n. Etym: [Corrupted fr. spikenard.] (Bot.)

Defn: An aromatic plant of America. See Spikenard.

SPIGOT Spig"ot, n. Etym: [From spick,or spike; cf. Ir. & Gael. spiocaid a spigot, Ir. spice a spike. See Spike.]

Defn: A pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask; also, the plug of a faucet or cock. Spigot and faucet joint, a joint for uniting pipes, formed by the insertion of the end of one pipe, or pipe fitting, into a socket at the end of another.

SPIGURNEL Spi*gur"nel, n. (Eng. Law)

Defn: Formerly the title of the sealer of writs in chancery. Mozley & W.

SPIKE Spike, n. Etym: [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. spik; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. Spine.]

1. A sort of very large nail; also, a piece of pointed iron set with points upward or outward.

2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape. He wears on his head the corona radiata . . . ; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun. Addison.

3. An ear of corn or grain.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis. Spike grass (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American grasses (Uniola paniculata, and U. latifolia) having broad leaves and large flattened spikelets. -- Spike rush. (Bot.) See under Rush. -- Spike shell (Zoöl.), any pteropod of the genus Styliola having a slender conical shell. -- Spike team, three horses, or a horse and a yoke of oxen, harnessed together, a horse leading the oxen or the span. [U.S.]

SPIKE Spike, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiked; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiking.]

1. To fasten with spikes, or long, large nails; as, to spike down planks.

2. To set or furnish with spikes.

3. To fix on a spike. [R.] Young.

4. To stop the vent of (a gun or cannon) by driving a spike nail, or the like into it.

SPIKE Spike, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spieke, L. spica an ear of grain. See Spikenard.] (Bot.)

Defn: Spike lavender. See Lavender. Oil of spike (Chem.), a colorless or yellowish aromatic oil extracted from the European broad-leaved lavender, or aspic (Lavendula Spica), used in artist's varnish and in veterinary medicine. It is often adulterated with oil of turpentine, which it much resembles.

SPIKEBILL Spike"bill`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The hooded merganser. (b) The marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa).

SPIKED Spiked, a.

Defn: Furnished or set with spikes, as corn; fastened with spikes; stopped with spikes. A youth, leaping over the spiked pales, . . . was caught by those spikes. Wiseman.

SPIKEFISH Spike"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Sailfish (a)

SPIKELET Spike"let, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A small or secondary spike; especially, one of the ultimate parts of the in florescence of grasses. See Illust. of Quaking grass.

SPIKENARD Spike"nard, n.Etym: [For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde, NL. spica nardi. See Spike an ear, and Nard.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.

2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys Jatamansi.

SPIKETAIL Spike"tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]

SPIKY Spik"y, a.

1. Like a spike; spikelike. These spiky, vivid outbursts of metallic vapors. C. A. Young.

2. Having a sharp point, or sharp points; furnished or armed with spikes. Or by the spiky harrow cleared away. Dyer. The spiky wheels through heaps of carnage tore. Pope.

SPILE Spile, n. Etym: [Cf. LG. spile, dial. G. speil, speiler, D. spijl. *170.]

1. A small plug or wooden pin, used to stop a vent, as in a cask.

2. A small tube or spout inserted in a tree for conducting sap, as from a sugar maple.

3. A large stake driven into the ground as a support for some superstructure; a pile. Spile hole, a small air hole in a cask; a vent.

SPILE Spile, v. t.

Defn: To supply with a spile or a spigot; to make a small vent in, as a cask.

SPILIKIN Spil"i*kin, n. Etym: [OD. spelleken a small pin. See Spill a splinter.]

Defn: One of a number of small pieces or pegs of wood, ivory, bone, or other material, for playing a game, or for counting the score in a game, as in cribbage. In the plural (spilikins), a game played with such pieces; pushpin. [Written also spillikin, spilliken.]

SPILL Spill, n. Etym: [sq. root170. Cf. Spell a splinter.]

1. A bit of wood split off; a splinter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2. A slender piece of anything. Specifically: -- (a) A peg or pin for plugging a hole, as in a cask; a spile. (b) A metallic rod or pin. (c) A small roll of paper, or slip of wood, used as a lamplighter, etc. (d) (Mining) One of the thick laths or poles driven horizontally ahead of the main timbering in advancing a level in loose ground.

3. A little sum of money. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

SPILL Spill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spilt; p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.]

Defn: To cover or decorate with slender pieces of wood, metal, ivory, etc.; to inlay. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPILL Spill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spilled, or Spilt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.] Etym: [OE. spillen,sually, to destroy, AS. spillan, spildan, to destroy; akin to Icel. spilla to destroy, Sw. spilla to spill, Dan. spilde,G. & D. spillen to squander, OHG. spildan.]

1. To destroy; to kill; to put an end to. [Obs.] And gave him to the queen, all at her will To choose whether she would him save or spill. Chaucer. Greater glory think [it] to save than spill. Spenser.

2. To mar; to injure; to deface; hence, to destroy by misuse; to waste. [Obs.] They [the colors] disfigure the stuff and spill the whole workmanship. Puttenham. Spill not the morning, the quintessence of day, in recreations. Fuller.

3. To suffer to fall or run out of a vessel; to lose, or suffer to be scattered; -- applied to fluids and to substances whose particles are small and loose; as, to spill water from a pail; to spill quicksilver from a vessel; to spill powder from a paper; to spill sand or flour.

Note: Spill differs from pour in expressing accidental loss, -- a loss or waste contrary to purpose.

4. To cause to flow out and be lost or wasted; to shed, or suffer to be shed, as in battle or in manslaughter; as, a man spills another's blood, or his own blood. And to revenge his blood so justly spilt. Dryden.

5. (Naut.)

Defn: To relieve a sail from the pressure of the wind, so that it can be more easily reefed or furled, or to lessen the strain. Spilling line (Naut.), a rope used for spilling, or dislodging, the wind from the belly of a sail. Totten.

SPILL Spill, v. i.

1. To be destroyed, ruined, or wasted; to come to ruin; to perish; to waste. [Obs.] That thou wilt suffer innocents to spill. Chaucer.

2. To be shed; to run over; to fall out, and be lost or wasted. "He was so topful of himself, that he let it spill on all the company." I. Watts.

SPILLER Spill"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, spills.

2. A kind of fishing line with many hooks; a boulter.

SPILLET FISHING; SPILLIARD FISHING Spil"let fish`ing, Spil"liard fish`ing,

Defn: A system or method of fishing by means of a number of hooks set on snoods all on one line; -- in North America, called trawl fishing, bultow, or bultow fishing, and long-line fishing.

SPILLIKIN Spil"li*kin, n.

Defn: See Spilikin.

SPILLWAY Spill"way`, n.

Defn: A sluiceway or passage for superfluous water in a reservoir, to prevent too great pressure on the dam.

SPILT Spilt,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spill. Spilled.

SPILTER Spil"ter, n. Etym: [From Spill, n.]

Defn: Any one of the small branches on a stag's head. [Obs.] Howell.

SPILTH Spilth, n. Etym: [From Spill.]

Defn: Anything spilt, or freely poured out; slop; effusion. [Archaic] "With drunken spilth of wine." Shak. Choicest cates, and the flagon's best spilth. R. Browning.

SPIN Spin, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spun (Archaic imp. Span (); p. pr. & vb. n. Spinning.] Etym: [AS. spinnan; akin to D. & G. spinnen, Icel. & Sw. spinna, Dan. spinde, Goth. spinnan, and probably to E. span. sq. root170. Cf. Span, v. t., Spider.]

1. To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material. All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Shak.

2. To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; -- with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject. Do you mean that story is tediously spun out Sheridan.

3. To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness. By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives. L'Estrange.

4. To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.

5. To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; -- said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.

6. (Mech.)

Defn: To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe. To spin a yarn (Naut.), to tell a story, esp. a long or fabulous tale. -- To spin hay (Mil.), to twist it into ropes for convenient carriage on an expedition. -- To spin street yarn, to gad about gossiping. [Collog.]

SPIN Spin, v. i.

1. To practice spinning; to work at drawing and twisting threads; to make yarn or thread from fiber; as, the woman knows how to spin; a machine or jenny spins with great exactness. They neither know to spin, nor care to toll. Prior.

2. To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve, as a top or a spindle, about its axis. Round about him spun the landscape, Sky and forest reeled together. Longfellow. With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head. G. W. Cable.

3. To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet; as, blood spinsfrom a vein. Shak.

4. To move swifty; as, to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc. [Colloq.]

SPIN Spin, n.

1. The act of spinning; as, the spin of a top; a spin a bicycle. [Colloq.]

2. (Kinematics)

Defn: Velocity of rotation about some specified axis. go for a spin take a spin, take a trip in a wheeled vehicle, usu. an automobile.

SPINA BIFIDA Spi"na bif"i*da. (Med.) Etym: [L., cleft spine.]

Defn: A congenital malformation in which the spinal column is cleft at its lower portion, and the membranes of the spinal cord project as an elastic swelling from the gap thus formed.

SPINACEOUS Spi*na"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the plant spinach, or the family of plants to which it belongs.

SPINACH; SPINAGE Spin"ach, Spin"age, n. Etym: [OF. espinache, espinoche, F. épinard; cf. F. spinace, Sp. espinaca; all fr. Ar. isfanaj, isfinaj, aspanakh, probably of Persian origin.] (Bot.)

Defn: A common pot herb (Spinacia oleracea) belonging to the Goosefoot family. Mountain spinach. See Garden orache, under Orache. -- New Zealand spinach (Bot.), a coarse herb (Tetragonia expansa), a poor substitute for spinach.

Note: Various other pot herbs are locally called spinach.

SPINAL Spi"nal, a. Etym: [L. spinalis, fr. spina the spine: cf. F. spinal. See Spine.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the backbone, or vertebral column; rachidian; vertebral.

2. Of or pertaining to a spine or spines. Spinal accessory nerves, the eleventh pair of cranial nerves in the higher vertebrates. They originate from the spinal cord and pass forward into the skull, from which they emerge in company with the pneumogastrics. -- Spinal column, the backbone, or connected series or vertebræ which forms the axis of the vertebrate skeleton; the spine; rachis; vertebral column. -- Spinal cord, the great nervous cord extending backward from the brain along the dorsal side of the spinal column of a vertebrate animal, and usually terminating in a threadlike appendage called the filum terminale; the spinal, or vertebral, marrow; the myelon. The nervous tissue consists of nerve fibers and nerve cells, the latter being confined to the so-called gray matter of the central portions of the cord, while the peripheral white matter is composed of nerve fibers only. The center of the cord is traversed by a slender canal connecting with the ventricles of the brain.

SPINATE Spi"nate, a.

Defn: Bearing a spine; spiniform.

SPINDLE Spin"dle, n. Etym: [AS. spinal, fr. spinnan to spin; akin to D. spil, G. spille, spindel, OHG. spinnala. sq. root170. See Spin.]

1. The long, round, slender rod or pin in spinning wheels by which the thread is twisted, and on which, when twisted, it is wound; also, the pin on which the bobbin is held in a spinning machine, or in the shuttle of a loom.

2. A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as, the spindle of a vane. Specifically: --(a) (Mach.)

Defn: The shaft, mandrel, or arbor, in a machine tool, as a lathe or drilling machine, etc., which causes the work to revolve, or carries a tool or center, etc. (b) (Mach.) The vertical rod on which the runner of a grinding mill turns. (c) (Founding) A shaft or pipe on which a core of sand is formed.

3. The fusee of a watch.

4. A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle.

5. A yarn measure containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120 yards; in linen yarn, 14,400 yards.

6. (Geom.)

Defn: A solid generated by the revolution of a curved line about its base or double ordinate or chord.

7. (Zoöl.) (a) Any marine univalve shell of the genus Rostellaria; -- called also spindle stromb. (b) Any marine gastropod of the genus Fusus. Dead spindle (Mach.), a spindle in a machine tool that does not revolve; the spindle of the tailstock of a lathe. -- Live spindle (Mach.), the revolving spindle of a machine tool; the spindle of the headstock of a turning lathe. -- Spindle shell. (Zoöl.) See Spindle, 7. above. -- Spindle side, the female side in descent; in the female line; opposed to spear side. Ld. Lytton. [R.] "King Lycaon, grandson, by the spindle side, of Oceanus." Lowell. -- Spindle tree (Bot.), any shrub or tree of the genus Eunymus. The wood of E. Europæus was used for spindles and skewers. See Prickwood.

SPINDLE Spin"dle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spindled(); p. pr. & vb. n. Spindling.]

Defn: To shoot or grow into a long, slender stalk or body; to become disproportionately tall and slender. It has begun to spindle into overintellectuality. Lowell.

SPINDLE-LEGGED Spin"dle-legged`, a.

Defn: Having long, slender legs.

SPINDLELEGS Spin"dle*legs`, n.

Defn: A spindlehanks.

SPINDLE-SHANKED Spin"dle-shanked`, a.

Defn: Having long, slender legs. Addison.

SPINDLESHANKS Spin"dle*shanks`, n.

Defn: A person with slender shanks, or legs; -- used humorously or in contempt.

SPINDLE-SHAPED Spin"dle-shaped`, a.

1. Having the shape of a spindle.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Thickest in the middle, and tapering to both ends; fusiform; -- applied chiefly to roots.

SPINDLETAIL Spin"dle*tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]

SPINDLEWORM Spin"dle*worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larva of a noctuid mmoth (Achatodes zeæ) which feeds inside the stalks of corn (maize), sometimes causing much damage. It is smooth, with a black head and tail and a row of black dots across each segment.

SPINDLING Spin"dling, a.

Defn: Long and slender, or disproportionately tall and slender; as, a spindling tree; a spindling boy.

SPINDRIFT Spin"drift, n.

Defn: Same as Spoondrift.

The ocean waves are broken up by wind, ultimately producing the storm wrack and spindrift of the tempest-tossed sea. J. E. Marr.

SPINE Spine, n. Etym: [L. spina thorn, the spine; akin to spica a point: cf. OF. espine, F. épine. Cf. Spike, Spinet a musical instrument, Spinny.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A sharp appendage to any of a plant; a thorn.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) A rigid and sharp projection upon any part of an animal. (b) One of the rigid and undivided fin rays of a fish.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: The backbone, or spinal column, of an animal; -- so called from the projecting processes upon the vertebræ.

4. Anything resembling the spine or backbone; a ridge.

SPINEBACK Spine"back`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A fish having spines in, or in front of, the dorsal fins.

SPINEBILL Spine"bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of Australian birds of the genus Acanthorhynchus. They are related to the honey eaters.

SPINED Spined, a.

Defn: Furnished with spines; spiny.

SPINE-FINNED Spine"-finned`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having fine supported by spinous fin rays; -- said of certain fishes.

SPINEL; SPINELLE Spi*nel", Spi*nelle", n. Etym: [F. spinelle, or LL. spinellus, perhaps from L. spina a thorn, a prickle, in allusion to its pointed crystals.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral occuring in octahedrons of great hardness and various colors, as red, green, blue, brown, and black, the red variety being the gem spinel ruby. It consist essentially of alumina and magnesia, but commonly contains iron and sometimes also chromium.

Note: The spinel group includes spinel proper, also magnetite, chromite, franklinite, gahnite, etc., all of which may be regarded as composed of a sesquioxide and a protoxide in equal proportions.

SPINEL Spin"el, n.

Defn: Bleached yarn in making the linen tape called inkle; unwrought inkle. Knight.

SPINELESS Spine"less, a.

Defn: Having no spine.

SPINESCENCE Spi*nes"cence, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being spinescent or spiny; also, a spiny growth or covering, as of certain animals.

SPINESCENT Spi*nes"cent, a.Etym: [L. spinescens, -entis, p. pr. of spinescere to know to grow thorny, fr. spina a thorn: cf. F. spinescent.] (Bot.)

Defn: Becoming hard and thorny; tapering gradually to a rigid, leafless point; armed with spines. Gray.

SPINET Spin"et, n. Etym: [OF. espinete, F. épinette (cf. It. spinetta), fr. L. spina a thorn; -- so called because its quills resemble thorns. See Spine.] (Mus.)

Defn: A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note, sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It was formerly much used. Dumb spinet. (Mus.) See Manichordon.

SPINET Spi"net, n. Etym: [L. spinetum. See Spinny.]

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

SPINETAIL Spine"tail`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one or several species of swifts of the genus Acanthylis, or Chætura, and allied genera, in which the shafts of the tail feathers terminate in rigid spines. (b) Any one of several species of South American and Central American clamatorial birds belonging to Synallaxis and allied genera of the family Dendrocolaptidæ. They are allied to the ovenbirds. (c) The ruddy duck. [Local, U.S.]

SPINE-TAILED Spine"-tailed, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the tail quills ending in sharp, naked tips. Spine- tailed swift. (Zoöl.) See Spinetail (a).

SPINETED Spin"et*ed, a.

Defn: Slit; cleft. [Obs. & R.]

SPINIFEROUS Spi*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. spinifer; spina thorn + ferre to produce.]

Defn: Producing spines; bearing thorns or spines; thorny; spiny.

SPINIFEX Spin"i*fex, n. [NL.; L. spina spine + facere to make.]

1. (Bot.) A genus of chiefly Australian grasses, the seeds of which bear an elastic spine. S. hirsutus (black grass) and S. longifolius are useful as sand binders. S. paradoxusis a valuable perennial fodder plant. Also, a plant of this genus.

2. Any of several Australian grasses of the genus Tricuspis, which often form dense, almost impassable growth, their leaves being stiff and sharp-pointed.

SPINIFORM Spin"i*form, a.

Defn: Shaped like a spine.

SPINIGEROUS Spi*nig"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. spiniger; spina spine + gerere to bear.]

Defn: Bearing a spine or spines; thorn-bearing.

SPININESS Spin"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being spiny.

SPINI-SPIRULATE Spin`i-*spir"u*late, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having spines arranged spirally. See Spicule.

SPINK Spink, n. Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. spink a kind of small bird, Gr. finch.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chaffinch.

SPINNAKER Spin"na*ker, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A large triangular sail set upon a boom, -- used when running before the wind.

SPINNER Spin"ner, n.

1. One who, or that which, spins one skilled in spinning; a spinning machine.

2. A spider. "Long-legged spinners." Shak.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A goatsucker; -- so called from the peculiar noise it makes when darting through the air.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A spinneret. Ring spinner, a machine for spinning, in which the twist, given to the yarn by a revolving bobbin, is regulated by the drag of a small metal loop which slides around a ring encircling the bobbin, instead of by a throstle.

SPINNERET Spin"ner*et, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the special jointed organs situated on the under side, and near the end, of the abdomen of spiders, by means of which they spin their webs. Most spiders have three pairs of spinnerets, but some have only two pairs. The ordinary silk line of the spider is composed of numerous smaller lines jointed after issuing from the spinnerets.

SPINNERULE Spin"ner*ule, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the numerous small spinning tubes on the spinnerets of spiders.

SPINNEY Spin"ney, n.; pl. Spinneys (.

Defn: Same as Spinny. T. Hughes.

SPINNING Spin"ning, a. & n.

Defn: from Spin. Spinning gland (Zoöl.), one of the glands which form the material for spinning the silk of silkworms and other larvæ. -- Spinning house, formerly a common name for a house of correction in England, the women confined therein being employed in spinning. -- Spinning jenny (Mach.), an engine or machine for spinning wool or cotton, by means of a large number of spindles revolving simultaneously. -- Spinning mite (Zoöl.), the red spider. -- Spinning wheel, a machine for spinning yarn or thread, in which a wheel drives a single spindle, and is itself driven by the hand, or by the foot acting on a treadle.

SPINNY Spin"ny, n.; pl. Spinnies. Etym: [OF. espinaye,espinoye, espinei, espanoi, F. épinaie, from L. spinetum a thicket of thorns, fr. spina a thorn. See Spine.]

Defn: A small thicket or grove with undergrowth; a clump of trees. [Written also spinney, and spinny.] The downs rise steep, crowned with black fir spinnies. C. Kingsley.

SPINNY Spin"ny, a. Etym: [Cf. Spiny, a.]

Defn: Thin and long; slim; slender. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPINOSE Spi*nose", a.Etym: [L. spinosus, from spina a thorn.]

Defn: Full of spines; armed with thorns; thorny.

SPINOSITY Spi*nos"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spiny or thorny; spininess.

SPINOUS Spi"nous, a.

1. Spinose; thorny.

2. Having the form of a spine or thorn; spinelike. Spinous process of a vertebra (Anat.), the dorsal process of the neural arch of a vertebra; a neurapophysis.

SPINOZISM Spi*no"zism, n.

Defn: The form of Pantheism taught by Benedict Spinoza, that there is but one substance, or infinite essence, in the universe, of which the so-called material and spiritual beings and phenomena are only modes, and that one this one substance is God. [Written also Spinosism.]

SPINOZIST Spi*no"zist, n.

Defn: A believer in Spinozism.

SPINSTER Spin"ster, n. Etym: [Spin + -ster.]

1. A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin. She spake to spinster to spin it out. Piers Plowman. The spinsters and the knitters in the sun. Shak.

2. A man who spins. [Obs.] Shak.

3. (Law)

Defn: An unmarried or single woman; -- used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname. If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ. Coke.

4. A woman of evil life and character; -- so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction. [Obs.]

SPINSTRESS Spin"stress, n.

Defn: A woman who spins. T. Brown.

SPINSTRY Spin"stry, n.

Defn: The business of one who spins; spinning. [Obs.] Milton.

SPINTHARISCOPE Spin*thar"i*scope, n. [Gr. spinqari`s spark + -scope.]

Defn: A small instrument containing a minute particle of a radium compound mounted in front of a fluorescent screen and viewed with magnifying lenses. The tiny flashes produced by the continual bombardment of the screen by the a rays are thus rendered visible. -- Spin*thar`i*scop"ic (#), a.

SPINULE Spin"ule, n. Etym: [L. spinula, dim. of spina a spine: cf. F. spinule.]

Defn: A minute spine. Dana.

SPINULESCENT Spin`u*les"cent, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having small spines; somewhat thorny.

SPINULOSE; SPINULOUS Spin"u*lose`, Spin"u*lous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spinuleux.]

Defn: Covered with small spines.

SPINY Spin"y, a. Etym: [From Spine.]

1. Full of spines; thorny; as, a spiny tree.

2. Like a spine in shape; slender. "Spiny grasshoppers sit chirping." Chapman.

3. Fig.: Abounding with difficulties or annoyances. The spiny deserts of scholastic philosophy. Bp. Warburton. Spiny lobster. (Zoöl.) Same as Rock lobster, under Rock. See also Lobster.

SPINY Spin"y, n.

Defn: See Spinny.

SPIODEA Spi*o"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Spio the typical genus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An extensive division of marine Annelida, including those that are without oral tentacles or cirri, and have the gills, when present, mostly arranged along the sides of the body. They generally live in burrows or tubes.

SPIRABLE Spi"ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. spirabilis.]

Defn: Capable of being breathed; respirable. [Obs.] Nash.

SPIRACLE Spir"a*cle, n.Etym: [L. spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe: cf. F. spiracule. See Spirit.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales, porpoises, and allied animals.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the external openings communicating with the air tubes or tracheæ of insects, myriapods, and arachnids. They are variable in number, and are usually situated on the sides of the thorax and abdomen, a pair to a segment. These openings are usually elliptical, and capable of being closed. See Illust. under Coleoptera. (a) A tubular orifice communicating with the gill cavity of certain ganoid and all elasmobranch fishes. It is the modified first gill cleft.

3. Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.

SPIRACULAR Spi*rac"u*lar, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spiracle.

SPIRAEA Spi*ræ"a, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of shrubs or perennial herbs including the meadowsweet and the hardhack.

SPIRAEIC Spi*ræ"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the meadowsweet (Spiræa); formerly, designating an acid which is now called salicylic acid.

SPIRAL Spi"ral, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spiral. See Spire a winding line.]

1. Winding or circling round a center or pole and gradually receding from it; as, the spiral curve of a watch spring.

2. Winding round a cylinder or imaginary axis, and at the same time rising or advancing forward; winding like the thread of a screw; helical.

3. (Geom.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spiral; like a spiral. Spiral gear, or Spiral wheel (Mach.), a gear resembling in general a spur gear, but having its teeth cut at an angle with its axis, or so that they form small portions of screws or spirals. -- Spiral gearing, a kind of gearing sometimes used in light machinery, in which spiral gears, instead of bevel gears, are used to transmit motion between shafts that are not parallel. -- Spiral operculum, an operculum whih has spiral lines of growth. -- Spiral shell, any shell in which the whorls form a spiral or helix. -- Spiral spring. See the Note under Spring, n., 4.

SPIRAL Spi"ral, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spirale. See Spiral, a.]

1. (Geom.)

Defn: A plane curve, not reëntrant, described by a point, called the generatrix, moving along a straight line according to a mathematical law, while the line is revolving about a fixed point called the pole. Cf. Helix.

2. Anything which has a spiral form, as a spiral shell. Equiangular spiral,a plane curve which cuts all its generatrices at the same angle. Same as Logarithmic spiral, under Logarithmic. -- Spiral of Archimedes, a spiral the law of which is that the generatrix moves uniformly along the revolving line, which also moves uniformly.

SPIRALITY Spi*ral"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or states of being spiral.

SPIRALLY Spi"ral*ly, adv.

Defn: In a spiral form, manner, or direction.

SPIRALOZOOID Spi*ra`lo*zo"oid, n. Etym: [Spiral + zooid. So called because they often have a spiral form when contracted.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the special defensive zooids of certain hydroids. They have the form of long, slender tentacles, and bear lasso cells.

SPIRANT Spi"rant, n. Etym: [L. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to breathe. See Spirit.] (Phon.)

Defn: A term used differently by different authorities; -- by some as equivalent to fricative, -- that is, as including all the continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, ng; with the further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch, -- thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 197-208.

SPIRANTHY Spi*ran"thy, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The occasional twisted growth of the parts of a flower.

SPIRATION Spi*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. spiratio, fr. spirare to breathe.]

Defn: The act of breathing. [Obs.] Barrow.

SPIRE Spire, v. i. Etym: [L. spirare to breathe. See Spirit.]

Defn: To breathe. [Obs.] Shenstone.

SPIRE Spire, n. Etym: [OE. spire, spir, a blade of grass, a young shoot, AS. spir; akin to G. spier a blade of grass, Dan. spire a sprout, sprig, Sw. spira a spar, Icel. spira.]

1. A slender stalk or blade in vegetation; as, a spire grass or of wheat. An oak cometh up a little spire. Chaucer.

2. A tapering body that shoots up or out to a point in a conical or pyramidal form. Specifically (Arch.), the roof of a tower when of a pyramidal form and high in proportion to its width; also, the pyramidal or aspiring termination of a tower which can not be said to have a roof, such as that of Strasburg cathedral; the tapering part of a steeple, or the steeple itself. "With glistering spires and pinnacles adorned." Milton. A spire of land that stand apart, Cleft from the main. Tennyson. Tall spire from which the sound of cheerful bells Just undulates upon the listening ear. Cowper.

3. (Mining)

Defn: A tube or fuse for communicating fire to the chargen in blasting.

4. The top, or uppermost point, of anything; the summit. The spire and top of praises. Shak.

SPIRE Spire, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spired; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiring.]

Defn: To shoot forth, or up in, or as if in, a spire. Emerson. It is not so apt to spire up as the other sorts, being more inclined to branch into arms. Mortimer.

SPIRE Spire, n. Etym: [L. spira coil, twist; akin to Gr. spire.]

1. A spiral; a curl; a whorl; a twist. Dryden.

2. (Geom.)

Defn: The part of a spiral generated in one revolution of the straight line about the pole. See Spiral, n. Spire bearer. (Paleon.) Same as Spirifer.

SPIRED Spired, a.

Defn: Having a spire; being in the form of a spire; as, a spired steeple. Mason.

SPIRICLE Spi"ri*cle, n. Etym: [Dim., fr. L. spira a coil.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of certain minute coiled threads in the coating of some seeds. When moistened these threads protrude in great numbers. Gray.

SPIRIFER Spi"ri*fer, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. spira a coil + ferreto bear.] (Paleon.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of fossil brachipods of the genus Spirifer, or Delthyris, and allied genera, in which the long calcareous supports of the arms form a large spiral, or helix, on each side.

SPIRILLUM Spi*ril"lum, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. spira a coil.] (Biol.)

Defn: A genus of common motile microörganisms (Spirobacteria) having the form of spiral-shaped filaments. One species is said to be the cause of relapsing fever.

SPIRING Spir"ing, a.

Defn: Shooting up in a spire or spires. "The spiring grass." Dryton.

SPIRIT Spir"it, n. Etym: [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L. spiritus, from spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. Conspire, Expire, Esprit, Sprite.]

1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself. [Obs.] "All of spirit would deprive." Spenser. The mild air, with season moderate, Gently attempered, and disposed eo well, That still it breathed foorth sweet spirit. Spenser.

2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also, a mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.] Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it. B. Jonson.

3. Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.

4. The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the soul, in distinction from the body in which it resides; the agent or subject of vital and spiritual functions, whether spiritual or material. There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Job xxxii. 8. As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James ii. 26. Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing, doubting, and a power of moving, do subsist. Locke.

5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it has left the body. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Eccl. xii. 7. Ye gentle spirits far away, With whom we shared the cup of grace. Keble.

6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a specter; a ghost; also, sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an elf. Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark. Locke.

7. Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage, etc. "Write it then, quickly," replied Bede; and summoning all his spirits together, like the last blaze of a candle going out, he indited it, and expired. Fuller.

8. One who is vivacious or lively; one who evinces great activity or peculiar characteristics of mind or temper; as, a ruling spirit; a schismatic spirit. Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I choose for my judges. Dryden.

9. Temper or disposition of mind; mental condition or disposition; intellectual or moral state; -- often in the plural; as, to be cheerful, or in good spirits; to be downhearted, or in bad spirits. God has . . . made a spirit of building succeed a spirit of pulling down. South. A perfect judge will read each work of wit With the same spirit that its author writ. Pope.

10. Intent; real meaning; -- opposed to the letter, or to formal statement; also, characteristic quality, especially such as is derived from the individual genius or the personal character; as, the spirit of an enterprise, of a document, or the like.

11. Tenuous, volatile, airy, or vapory substance, possessed of active qualities. All bodies have spirits . . . within them. Bacon.

12. Any liquid produced by distillation; especially, alcohol, the spirits, or spirit, of wine (it having been first distilled from wine): -- often in the plural.

13. pl.

Defn: Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors having much alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt liquors.

14. (Med.)

Defn: A solution in alcohol of a volatile principle. Cf. Tincture. U. S. Disp.

15. (Alchemy)

Defn: Any one of the four substances, sulphur, sal ammoniac, quicksilver, or arsenic (or, according to some, orpiment). The four spirits and the bodies seven. Chaucer.

16. (Dyeing)

Defn: Stannic chloride. See under Stannic.

Note: Spirit is sometimes joined with other words, forming compounds, generally of obvious signification; as, spirit-moving, spirit- searching, spirit-stirring, etc. Astral spirits, Familiar spirits, etc. See under Astral, Familiar, etc. -- Animal spirits. (a) (Physiol.) The fluid which at one time was supposed to circulate through the nerves and was regarded as the agent of sensation and motion; -- called also the nervous fluid, or nervous principle. (b) Physical health and energy; frolicsomeness; sportiveness. -- Ardent spirits, strong alcoholic liquors, as brandy, rum, whisky, etc., obtained by distillation. -- Holy Spirit, or The Spirit (Theol.), the Spirit of God, or the third person of the Trinity; the Holy Ghost. The spirit also signifies the human spirit as influenced or animated by the Divine Spirit. -- Proof spirit. (Chem.) See under Proof. -- Rectified spirit (Chem.), spirit rendered purer or more concentrated by redistillation, so as to increase the percentage of absolute alcohol. -- Spirit butterfly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of delicate butterflies of tropical America belonging to the genus Ithomia. The wings are gauzy and nearly destitute of scales. -- Spirit duck. (Zoöl.) (a) The buffle-headed duck. (b) The golden- eye. -- Spirit lamp (Art), a lamp in which alcohol or methylated spirit is burned. -- Spirit level. See under Level. -- Spirit of hartshorn. (Old Chem.) See under Hartshorn. -- Spirit of Mindererus (Med.), an aqueous solution of acetate of ammonium; -- named after R. Minderer, physician of Augsburg. -- Spirit of nitrous ether (Med. Chem.), a pale yellow liquid, of a sweetish taste and a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the distillatin of alcohol with nitric and sulphuric acids, and consists essentially of ethyl nitrite with a little acetic aldehyde. It is used a diaphoretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, etc. Called also sweet spirit of niter. -- Spirit of salt (Chem.), hydrochloric acid; -- so called because obtained from salt and sulphuric acid. [Obs.] -- Spirit of sense, the utmost refinement of sensation. [Obs.] Shak. -- Spirits, or Spirit, of turpentine (Chem.), rectified oil of turpentine, a transparent, colorless, volatile, and very inflammable liquid, distilled from the turpentine of the various species of pine; camphine. See Camphine. -- Spirit of vitriol (Chem.), sulphuric acid; -- so called because formerly obtained by the distillation of green vitriol. [Obs.] -- Spirit of vitriolic ether (Chem.) ether; -- often but incorrectly called sulphuric ether. See Ether. [Obs.] -- Spirits, or Spirit, of wine (Chem.), alcohol; -- so called because formerly obtained by the distillation of wine. -- Spirit rapper, one who practices spirit rapping; a "medium" so called. -- Spirit rapping, an alleged form of communication with the spirits of the dead by raps. See Spiritualism, 3. -- Sweet spirit of niter. See Spirit of nitrous ether, above.

Syn. -- Life; ardor; energy; fire; courage; animatioon; cheerfulness; vivacity; enterprise.

SPIRIT Spir"it, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spirited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiriting.]

1. To animate with vigor; to excite; to encourage; to inspirit; as, civil dissensions often spirit the ambition of private men; -- sometimes followed by up. Many officers and private men spirit up and assist those obstinate people to continue in their rebellion. Swift .

2. To convey rapidly and secretly, or mysteriously, as if by the agency of a spirit; to kidnap; -- often with away, or off. The ministry had him spirited away, and carried abroad as a dangerous person. Arbuthnot & Pope. I felt as if I had been spirited into some castle of antiquity. Willis. Spiriting away (Law), causing to leave; the offense of inducing a witness to leave a jurisdiction so as to evade process requiring attendance at trial.

SPIRITALLY Spir"it*al*ly, adv.Etym: [L. spiritalis belonging to breathing.]

Defn: By means of the breath. [Obs.] Holder.

SPIRITED Spir"it*ed, a.

1. Animated or possessed by a spirit. [Obs.] "So talked the spirited, sly snake." Milton.

2. Animated; full of life or vigor; lively; full of spirit or fire; as, a spirited oration; a spirited answer.

Note: Spirited is much used in composition; as in high-spirited, low- spirited, mean-spirited, etc.

Syn. -- Lively; vivacious; animated; ardent; active; bold; courageous. -- Spir"it*ed*ly, adv. -- Spir"it*ed*ness, n.

SPIRITFUL Spir"it*ful, a.

Defn: Full of spirit; spirited. [R.] The spiritful and orderly life of our own grown men. Milton. -- Spir"it*ful*ly, adv. -- Spir"it*ful*ness, n.

SPIRITISM Spir"it*ism, n.

Defn: Spiritualsm.

SPIRITIST Spir"it*ist, n.

Defn: A spiritualist.

SPIRITLESS Spir"it*less, a.

1. Destitute of spirit; wanting animation; wanting cheerfulness; dejected; depressed.

2. Destitute of vigor; wanting life, courage, or fire. A men so faint, so spiritless, So dull, so dead in lock, so woebegone. Shak.

3. Having no breath; extinct; dead. "The spiritless body." Greenhill. -- Spir"it*less*ly, adv. -- Spir"it*less*ness, n.

SPIRITOSO Spi`ri*to"so, a. & adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: Spirited; spiritedly; -- a direction to perform a passage in an animated, lively manner.

SPIRITOUS Spir"it*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. Spirituous.]

1. Like spirit; refined; defecated; pure. [R.] More refined, more spirituous and pure. Milton.

2. Ardent; active. [R.]

SPIRITOUSNESS Spir"it*ous*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being spiritous. [R.]

SPIRITUAL Spir"it*u*al, a. Etym: [L. spiritualis: cf. F. spirituel. See Spirit.]

1. Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as, a spiritual substance or being. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Cor. xv. 44.

2. Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.

3. Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits. God's law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man. Sir T. Browne.

4. Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; -- opposed to carnal. That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift. Rom. i. ll. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Eph. i. 3. If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one. Gal. vi. 1.

5. Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as, the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation. Spiritual coadjuctor. (Eccl.) See the Note under Jesuit. -- Spiritual court (Eccl. Law), an ecclesiastical court, or a court having jurisdiction in ecclesiastical affairs; a court held by a bishop or other ecclesiastic.

SPIRITUAL Spir"it*u*al, n.

Defn: A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2. He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals. Lowell.

SPIRITUALISM Spir"it*u*al*ism, n.

1. The quality or state of being spiritual.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The doctrine, in opposition to the materialists, that all which exists is spirit, or soul -- that what is called the external world is either a succession of notions impressed on the mind by the Deity, as maintained by Berkeley, or else the mere educt of the mind itself, as taught by Fichte.

3. A belief that departed spirits hold intercourse with mortals by means of physical phenomena, as by rappng, or during abnormal mental states, as in trances, or the like, commonly manifested through a person of special susceptibility, called a medium; spiritism; the doctrines and practices of spiritualists. What is called spiritualism should, I think, be called a mental species of materialism. R. H. Hutton.

SPIRITUALIST Spir"it*u*al*ist, n.

1. One who professes a regard for spiritual things only; one whose employment is of a spiritual character; an ecclesiastic.

2. One who maintains the doctrine of spiritualism.

3. One who believes in direct intercourse with departed spirits, through the agency of persons commonly called mediums, by means of physical phenomena; one who attempts to maintain such intercourse; a spiritist.

SPIRITUALIST Spir"it*u*al*ist, a.

Defn: Spiritualistic. Taylor.

SPIRITUALISTIC Spir`it*u*al*is"tic, a.

Defn: Relating to, or connected with, spiritualism.

SPIRITUALITY Spir`it*u*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Spiritualities. Etym: [L. spiritualitas: cf. F. spiritualité.]

1. The quality or state of being spiritual; incorporeality; heavenly- mindedness. A pleasure made for the soul, suitable to its spirituality. South. If this light be not spiritual, yet it approacheth nearest to spirituality. Sir W. Raleigh. Much of our spirituality and comfort in public worship depends on the state of mind in which we come. Bickersteth.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: That which belongs to the church, or to a person as an ecclesiastic, or to religion, as distinct from temporalities. During the vacancy of a see, the archbishop is guardian of the spiritualities thereof. Blackstone.

3. An ecclesiastical body; the whole body of the clergy, as distinct from, or opposed to, the temporality. [Obs.] Five entire subsidies were granted to the king by the spirituality. Fuller.

SPIRITUALIZATION Spir`it*u*al*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act of spiritualizing, or the state of being spiritualized.

SPIRITUALIZE Spir"it*u*al*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiritualized; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiritualizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. spiritualiser.]

1. To refine intellectiually or morally; to purify from the corrupting influence of the world; to give a spiritual character or tendency to; as, to spiritualize soul. This seen in the clear air, and the whole spiritualized by endless recollections, fills the eye and the heart more forcibly than I can find words to say. Carlyle.

2. To give a spiritual meaning to; to take in a spiritual sense; -- opposed to literalize.

3. (Old Chem.)

Defn: To extract spirit from; also, to convert into, or impregnate with, spirit.

SPIRITUALIZER Spir"it*u*al*i`zer, n.

Defn: One who spiritualizes.

SPIRITUALLY Spir"it*u*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a spiritual manner; with purity of spirit; like a spirit.

SPIRITUAL-MINDED Spir"it*u*al-mind`ed, a.

Defn: Having the mind set on spiritual things, or filled with holy desires and affections. -- Spir"it*u*al-mind`ed*ness, n.

SPIRITUALNESS Spir"it*u*al*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spiritual or spiritual-minded; spirituality.

SPIRITUALTY Spir"it*u*al*ty, n. Etym: [See Spirituality.] (Eccl.)

Defn: An ecclesiastical body; a spirituality. Shak.

SPIRITUELLE Spi`ri`tu`elle", a. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Of the nature, or having the appearance, of a spirit; pure; refined; ethereal.

SPIRITUOSITY Spir`it*u*os"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spirituous; spirituousness. [R.]

SPIRITUOUS Spir"it*u*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. (for sense 2) F. spiritueux. Cf. Spiritous.]

1. Having the quality of spirit; tenuous in substance, and having active powers or properties; ethereal; immaterial; spiritual; pure.

2. Containing, or of the nature of, alcoholic (esp. distilled) spirit; consisting of refined spirit; alcoholic; ardent; as, spirituous liquors.

3. Lively; gay; vivid; airy. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton. The mind of man is of that spirituous, stirring nature, that it is perpetually at work. South.

SPIRITUOUSNESS Spir"it*u*ous*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spirituous. [R.] Boyle.

SPIRKETING Spirk"et*ing, n. (Naut.)

Defn: The planking from the waterways up to the port sills. Totten.

SPIRLING Spirl"ing, n.

Defn: Sparling. [Prov. Eng.]

SPIROBACTERIA Spi`ro*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl.; sing. Spirobacterium (. Etym: [NL. See 4th Spire, and Bacterium.] (Biol.)

Defn: See the Note under Microbacteria.

SPIROCHAETA; SPIROCHAETE Spi`ro*chæ"ta, Spi`ro*chæ"te, n. Etym: [L. spira a coil + Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: A genus of Spirobacteria similar to Spirillum, but distinguished by its motility. One species, the Spirochæte Obermeyeri, is supposed to be the cause of relapsing fever.

SPIROGRAPH Spi"ro*graph, n. Etym: [L. spirare to breathe + -graph.] (Physiol.)

Defn: An instrument for recording the respiratory movements, as the sphygmograph does those of the pulse.

SPIROMETER Spi*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. spirare to breathe + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument for measuring the vital capacity of the lungs, or the volume of air which can be expelled from the chest after the deepest possible inspiration. Cf. Pneumatometer.

SPIROMETRY Spi*rom"e*try, n.

Defn: The act or process of measuring the chest capacity by means of a spirometer.

SPIROSCOPE Spi"ro*scope, n. Etym: [L. spirare to breathe + -scope.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A wet meter used to determine the breathing capacity of the lungs.

SPIROYLIC; SPIROYLOUS Spi*royl"ic, Spi*royl"ous, a. Etym: [NL. Spir meadowsweet (a source of salicylal) + -yl + -ic, -ous.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a substance now called salicylal. [Obs.]

SPIRT Spirt, v. & n.

Defn: Same as Spurt.

SPIRTLE Spir"tle, v. t.

Defn: To spirt in a scattering manner.

SPIRULA Spir"u*la, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. spira a coil.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of cephalopods having a multilocular, internal, siphunculated shell in the form of a flat spiral, the coils of which are not in contact.

SPIRULATE Spir"u*late, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the color spots, or structural parts, arranged spirally.

SPIRY Spir"y, a. Etym: [From Spire a winding line.]

Defn: Of a spiral form; wreathed; curled; serpentine. Hid in the spiry volumes of the snake. Dryden.

SPIRY Spir"y, a. Etym: [FR. Spire a steeple.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spire; like a spire, tall, slender, and tapering; abounding in spires; as, spiry turrets. "Spiry towns." Thomson.

SPISS Spiss, a. Etym: [L. spissus.]

Defn: Thick; crowded; compact; dense. [Obs.] This spiss and . . . copious, yet concise, treatise. Brerewood.

SPISSATED Spis"sa*ted, a.

Defn: Rendered dense or compact, as by evaporation; inspissated; thickened. [R.] The spissated juice of the poppy. Bp. Warburton.

SPISSITUDE Spis"si*tude, n. Etym: [L. spissitudo.]

Defn: The quality or state of being spissated; as, the spissitude of coagulated blood, or of any coagulum. Arbuthnot.

SPIT Spit, n. Etym: [OE. spite, AS. spitu; akin to D. spit, G. spiess, OHG. spiz, Dan. spid. Sw. spett, and to G. spitz pointed. sq. root170.]

1. A long, slender, pointed rod, usually of iron, for holding meat while roasting.

2. A small point of land running into the sea, or a long, narrow shoal extending from the shore into the sea; as, a spit of sand. Cook.

3. The depth to which a spade goes in digging; a spade; a spadeful. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SPIT Spit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spitting.] Etym: [From Spit, n.; cf. Speet.]

1. To thrust a spit through; to fix upon a spit; hence, to thrust through or impale; as, to spit a loin of veal. "Infants spitted upon pikes." Shak.

2. To spade; to dig. [Prov. Eng.]

SPIT Spit, v. i.

Defn: To attend to a spit; to use a spit. [Obs.] She's spitting in the kitchen. Old Play.

SPIT Spit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spit (Spat, archaic); p. pr. & vb. n. Spitting.] Etym: [AS. spittan; akin to G. spützen, Dan. spytte, Sw. spotta,Icel. sp, and prob. E. spew. The past tense spat is due to AS. sp, from sp to spit. Cf. Spat, n., Spew, Spawl, Spot, n.]

1. To eject from the mouth; to throw out, as saliva or other matter, from the mouth. "Thus spit I out my venom." Chaucer.

2. To eject; to throw out; to belch.

Note: Spitted was sometimes used as the preterit and the past participle. "He . . . shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on." Luke xviii. 32.

SPIT Spit, n.

Defn: The secretion formed by the glands of the mouth; spitle; saliva; sputum.

SPIT Spit, v. i.

1. To throw out saliva from the mouth.

2. To rain or snow slightly, or with sprinkles. It had been spitting with rain. Dickens. To spit on or upon, to insult grossly; to treat with contempt. "Spitting upon all antiquity." South.

SPITAL Spit"al, n. Etym: [Abbreviated from hospital.] [Written also spittle.]

Defn: A hospital. [Obs.] Shak.

SPITALHOUSE Spit"al*house`, n.

Defn: A hospital. [Obs.]

SPITBALL Spit"ball`, n.

Defn: Paper chewed, and rolled into a ball, to be thrown as a missile.

SPIT BALL Spit ball. (Baseball)

Defn: A pitched ball in throwing which the pitcher grips the ball between two, or three, fingers on one side (which is made slippery, as by saliva) and the thumb on the other side, and delivers it so that it slips off the fingers with the least possible friction. When pitched directly overhand a spit ball darts downward, when pitched with the arm extended sidewise it darts down and out. [Cant] -- Spit baller.

SPITBOX Spit"box`, n.

Defn: A vessel to receive spittle.

SPITCHCOCK Spitch"cock`, v. t. Etym: [1st spit + cock.] (Cookery)

Defn: To split (as an eel) lengthwise, and broil it, or fry it in hot fat.

SPITCHCOCK Spitch"cock`, n. (Cookery)

Defn: An eel split and broiled.

SPITCHCOCKED Spitch"cocked`, a. (Cookery)

Defn: Broiled or fried after being split lengthwise; -- said of eels.

SPIT CURL Spit" curl`.

Defn: A little lock of hair, plastered in a spiral form on the temple or forehead with spittle, or other adhesive substance. [Colloq.]

SPITE Spite, n. Etym: [Abbreviated fr. despite.]

1. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. Pope. This is the deadly spite that angers. Shak.

2. Vexation; chargrin; mortification. [R.] Shak. In spite of, or Spite of, in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding. "Continuing, spite of pain, to use a knee after it had been slightly ibnjured." H. Spenser. "And saved me in spite of the world, the devil, and myself." South. "In spite of all applications, the patient grew worse every day." Arbuthnot. See Syn. under Notwithstanding. -- To owe one a spite, to entertain a mean hatred for him.

Syn. -- Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge. -- Spite, Malice. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestation of it in words and actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, thought not always more criminal. " Malice . . . is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities." Cogan. "Consider eke, that spite availeth naught." Wyatt. See Pique.

SPITE Spite, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiting.]

1. To be angry at; to hate. [Obs.] The Danes, then . . . pagans, spited places of religion. Fuller.

2. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.

3. To fill with spite; to offend; to vex. [R.] Darius, spited at the Magi, endeavored to abolish not only their learning, but their language. Sir. W. Temple.

SPITEFUL Spite"ful, a.

Defn: Filled with, or showing, spite; having a desire to vex, annoy, or injure; malignant; malicious; as, a spiteful person or act. Shak. -- Spite"ful*ly, adv. Spite"ful*ness, n.

SPITFIRE Spit"fire`, n.

Defn: A violent, irascible, or passionate person. [Colloq.] Grose.

SPITFUL Spit"ful, n.; pl. Spitfuls (.

Defn: A spadeful. [Prov. Eng.]

SPITOUS Spit"ous, a.

Defn: Having spite; spiteful. [Obs.]

SPITOUSLY Spit"ous*ly, adv.

Defn: Spitefully. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPITSCOCKED Spits"cocked`, a.

Defn: Spitchcocked.

SPITTED Spit"ted, a. Etym: [From Spit.]

1. Put upon a spit; pierced as if by a spit.

2. Shot out long; -- said of antlers. Bacon.

SPITTED Spit"ted,

Defn: p. p. of Spit, v. i., to eject, to spit. [Obs.]

SPITTER Spit"ter, n. Etym: [See Spit to eject from the mouth.]

Defn: One who ejects saliva from the mouth.

SPITTER Spit"ter, n. Etym: [See Spit an iron prong.]

1. One who puts meat on a spit.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young deer whose antlers begin to shoot or become sharp; a brocket, or pricket.

SPITTLE Spit"tle, n.

Defn: See Spital. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SPITTLE Spit"tle, v. t. Etym: [See Spit to spade.]

Defn: To dig or stir with a small spade. [Prov. Eng.]

SPITTLE Spit"tle, n.

Defn: A small sort of spade. [Prov. Eng.]

SPITTLE Spit"tle, n. Etym: [From Spit to eject from the mouth: cf. Spattle, and AS. spatl.]

Defn: The thick, moist matter which is secreted by the salivary glands; saliva; spit. Spittle insect. (Zoöl.) See Cuckoo spit (b), under Cuckoo.

SPITTLY Spit"tly, a.

Defn: Like spittle; slimy. [Obs.]

SPITTOON Spit*toon", n.

Defn: A spitbox; a cuspidor.

SPIT-VENOM Spit"-ven"om, n.

Defn: Poison spittle; poison ejected from the mouth. [R.] Hooker.

SPITZ DOG Spitz" dog". Etym: [G. spitz, spitzhund.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A breed of dogs having erect ears and long silky hair, usually white; -- called also Pomeranian dog, and louploup.

SPITZENBURGH Spitz"en*burgh, n.

Defn: A kind of red and yellow apple, of medium size and spicy flavor. It originated at Newtown, on Long Island.

SPLANCHNAPOPHYSIS Splanch`napoph"y*sis, n.; pl. Splanchnapophyses. Etym: [NL. See Splanchnic, and Apophysis.] (Anat.)

Defn: Any element of the skeleton in relation with the alimentary canal, as the jaws and hyoidean apparatus. -- Splanch`nap`o*phys"i*al, a. Mivart.

SPLANCHNIC Splanch"nic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the viscera; visceral.

SPLANCHNOGRAPHY Splanch*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: Splanchnology.

SPLANCHNOLOGY Splanch*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of the viscera; also, a treatise on the viscera.

SPLANCHNOPLEURE Splanch"no*pleure, n. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The inner, or visceral, one of the two lamellæ into which the vertebrate blastoderm divides on either side of the notochord, and from which the walls of the enteric canal and the umbilical vesicle are developed. See Somatopleure. -- Splanch`no*pleu"ric, a.

SPLANCHNO-SKELETON Splanch`no-skel"e*ton, n. Etym: [Gr. skeleton.] (Anat.)

Defn: That part of the skeleton connected with the sense organs and the viscera. Owen.

SPLANCHNOTOMY Splanch*not"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: The dissection, or anatomy, of the viscera.

SPLANDREL Splan"drel, n.

Defn: See Spandrel. [R.]

SPLASH Splash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Splashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Splashing.] Etym: [Akin to plash.]

1. To strike and dash about, as water, mud, etc.; to plash.

2. To spatter water, mud, etc., upon; to wet.

SPLASH Splash, v. i.

Defn: To strike and dash about water, mud, etc.; to dash in such a way as to spatter.

SPLASH Splash, n.

1. Water, or water and dirt, thrown upon anything, or thrown from a puddle or the like; also, a spot or daub, as of matter which wets or disfigures.

2. A noise made by striking upon or in a liquid.

SPLASHBOARD Splash"board`, n.

Defn: A guard in the front part of vehicle, to prevent splashing by a mud or water from the horse's heels; -- in the United States commonly called dashboard.

SPLASHER Splash"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, splashes.

2. One of the guarde over the wheels, as of a carriage, locomotive, etc. Weale.

3. A guard to keep off splashes from anything.

SPLASHY Splash"y, a.

Defn: Full of dirty water; wet and muddy, so as be easily splashed about; slushy.

SPLATTER Splat"ter, v. i. & t.

Defn: To spatter; to splash.

SPLATTERDASH Splat"ter*dash`, n .

Defn: Uproar. Jamieson.

SPLAY Splay, v. t. Etym: [Abbrev. of display.]

1. To display; to spread. [Obs.] "Our ensigns splayed." Gascoigne.

2. To dislocate, as a shoulder bone.

3. To spay; to castrate. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

4. To turn on one side; to render oblique; to slope or slant, as the side of a door, window, etc. Oxf. Gloss.

SPLAY Splay, a.

Defn: Displayed; spread out; turned outward; hence, flat; ungainly; as, splay shoulders. Sonwthing splay, something blunt-edged, unhandy, and infelicitous. M. Arnold.

SPLAY Splay, a. (Arch.)

Defn: A slope or bevel, especially of the sides of a door or window, by which the opening is made larged at one face of the wall than at the other, or larger at each of the faces than it is between them.

SPLAYFOOT Splay"foot`, n.; pl. Splayfeet (.

Defn: A foot that is abnormally flattened and spread out; flat foot.

SPLAYFOOT; SPLAYFOOTED Splay"foot`, Splay"foot`ed a.

Defn: Having a splayfoot or splayfeet.

SPLAYMOUTH Splay"mouth`, n.; pl. Splaymouths (.

Defn: A wide mouth; a mouth stretched in derision. Dryden.

SPLAYMOUTHED Splay`mouthed", a.

Defn: Having a splaymouth. T. Brown.

SPLEEN Spleen, n. Etym: [L. splen, Gr. lien, plihan, plihan.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: A peculiar glandlike but ductless organ found near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and connected with the vascular system; the milt. Its exact function in not known.

2. Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen. In noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain. Pope.

3. A fit of anger; choler. Shak.

4. A sudden motion or action; a fit; a freak; a whim. [Obs. or R.] A thousand spleens bear her a thousand ways. Shak.

5. Melancholy; hypochondriacal affections. Bodies changed to various forms by spleen. Pope. There is a luxury in self-dispraise: And inward self-disparagement affords To meditative spleen a grateful feast. Wordsworth.

6. A fit of immoderate laughter or merriment. [Obs.] Thy silly thought enforces my spleen. Shak.

SPLEEN Spleen, v. t.

Defn: To dislke. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.

SPLEENED Spleened, a.

1. Deprived of the spleen.

2. Angered; annoyed. [Obs.] R. North.

SPLEENFUL Spleen"ful, a.

Defn: Displaying, or affected with, spleen; angry; fretful; melancholy. Myself have calmed their spleenful mutiny. Shak. Then rode Geraint, a little spleenful yet, Across the bridge that spann'd the dry ravine. Tennyson.

SPLEENISH Spleen"ish, a.

Defn: Spleeny; affected with spleen; fretful. -- Spleen"ish*ly, adv. -- Spleen"ish*ness, n.

SPLEENLESS Spleen"less, a.

Defn: Having no spleen; hence, kind; gentle; mild. [Obs.] Chapman.

SPLEENWORT Spleen"wort`, n. Etym: [Spleen + wort; cf. L. splenium, asplenium, Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Any fern of the genus Asplenium, some species of which were anciently used as remedies for disorders of the spleen.

SPLEENY Spleen"y, a.

1. Irritable; peevish; fretful. Spleeny Lutheran, and not wholesome to Our cause. Shak.

2. Affected with nervous complaints; melancholy.

SPLEGET Spleg"et, n. Etym: [Cf. Pledget.] (Med.)

Defn: A cloth dipped in a liquid for washing a sore. Crabb.

SPLENALGIA Sple*nal"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Pain over the region of the spleen.

SPLENCULUS Splen"cu*lus, n.; pl. Splenculi. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. splen.] (Anat.)

Defn: A lienculus.

SPLENDENT Splen"dent, a. Etym: [L. splendens, -entis, p. pr. of splendere to shine.]

1. Shining; glossy; beaming with light; lustrous; as, splendent planets; splendent metals. See the Note under 3d Luster, 4.

2. Very conspicuous; illustrious. "Great and splendent fortunes." Sir H. Wotton.

SPLENDID Splen"did, a. Etym: [L. splendidus, fr. splendere shine; cf. Lith. splendëti: cf. F. splendide.]

1. Possessing or displaying splendor; shining; very bright; as, a splendid sun.

2. Showy; magnificent; sumptuous; pompous; as, a splendid palace; a splendid procession or pageant.

3. Illustrious; heroic; brilliant; celebrated; famous; as, a splendid victory or reputation.

SPLENDIDIOUS Splen*did"i*ous, a.

Defn: Splendid. [Obs.]

SPLENDIDLY Splen"did*ly, adv.

Defn: In a splendid manner; magnificently.

SPLENDIDNESS Splen"did*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being splendid.

SPLENDIDOUS Splen"did*ous, a.

Defn: Splendid. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SPLENDIFEROUS Splen*dif"er*ous, a.

Defn: Splendor-bearing; splendid. Bale (1538). "A splendiferous woman." Haliburton. [Now used humorously.]

SPLENDOR Splen"dor, n.Etym: [L. fr. splendere to shine: cf. F. splendeur.]

1. Great brightness; brilliant luster; brilliancy; as, the splendor ot the sun. B. Jonson.

2. Magnifience; pomp; parade; as, the splendor of equipage, ceremonies, processions, and the like. "Rejoice in splendor of mine own." Shak.

3. Brilliancy; glory; as, the splendor of a victory.

Syn. -- Luster; brilliancy; magnifience; gorgeousness; display; showiness; pomp; parade; grandeur.

SPLENDROUS; SPLENDOROUS Splen"drous, Splen"dor*ous, a.

Defn: Splendid. Drayton.

SPLENETIC Splen"e*tic, a. Etym: [L. spleneticus: cf. F. splénétique. See Spleen.]

Defn: Affected with spleen; malicious; spiteful; peevish; fretful. "Splenetic guffaw." G. Eliot. You humor me when I am sick; Why not when I am splenetic Pope.

Syn. -- Morese; gloomy; sullen; peevish; fretful.

SPLENETIC Splen"e*tic, n.

Defn: A person affected with spleen.

SPLENETICAL Sple*net"ic*al, a.

Defn: Splenetic.

SPLENETICALLY Sple*net"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a splenetical manner.

SPLENIAL Sple"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. splenium a plaster, a patch, Gr. (Anat.) (a) Designating the splenial bone. (b) Of or pertaining to the splenial bone or splenius muscle. Splenial bone (Anat.), a thin splintlike bone on the inner side of the proximal portion of the mandible of many vertebrates.

SPLENIAL Sple"ni*al, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The splenial bone.

SPLENIC Splen"ic, a. Etym: [L. splenicus, Gr. splénique.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the spleen; lienal; as, the splenic vein. Splenic apoplexy or fever. (Med.) See Anthrax, n., 3.

SPLENICAL Splen"ic*al, a.

Defn: Splenic.

SPLENISH Splen"ish, a.

Defn: Spleenish. [Obs.] Drayton.

SPLENITIS Sple*ni"tis, n.Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the spleen.

SPLENITIVE Splen"i*tive, a.

Defn: Splenetic. Shak. Even and smooth as seemed the temperament of the nonchalant, languid Virginian -- not splenitive or rash. T. N. Page.

SPLENIUM Sple"ni*um, n.Etym: [L., a plaster, a patch, from Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The thickened posterior border of the corpus callosum; -- so called in allusion to its shape.

SPLENIUS Sple"ni*us, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: A flat muscle of the back of the neck.

SPLENIZATION Splen`i*za"tion, n. (Med.)

Defn: A morbid state of the lung produced by inflammation, in which its tissue resembles that of the spleen.

SPLENOCELE Splen"o*cele, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Hernia formed by the spleen.

SPLENOGRAPHY Sple*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: A description of the spleen.

SPLENOID Sple"noid, a.Etym: [Gr. -oid.] (Anat.)

Defn: Resembling the spleen; spleenlike.

SPLENOLOGY Sple*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: The branch of science which treats of the spleen.

SPLENOTOMY Sple*not"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (a) (Anat.) Dissection or anatomy of the spleen. (b) (Med.) An incision into the spleen; removal of the spleen by incision.

SPLENT Splent, n.

1. See Splent.

2. See Splent coal, below. Splent coal, an inferior kind of cannel coal from Scotch collieries; -- called also splent, splint, and splint coal.

SPLEUCHAN Spleu"chan, n. Etym: [Gael. spliuchan.]

Defn: A pouch, as for tobacco. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SPLICE Splice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spliced; p. pr. & vb. n. Splicing.] Etym: [D. splitsen, splitten; akin to G. splissen, Sw. splissa, Dan. splisse, and E. split; -- from the dividing or splitting the ends into separate strands. See Split, v. t.]

1. To unite, as two ropes, or parts of a rope, by a particular manner of interweaving the strands, -- the union being between two ends, or between an end and the body of a rope.

2. To unite, as spars, timbers, rails, etc., by lapping the two ends together, or by applying a piece which laps upon the two ends, and then binding, or in any way making fast.

3. To unite in marrige. [Slang] Splice grafting.ee under Grafting. -- To splice the main brace (Naut.), to give out, or drink, an extra allowance of spirits on occasion of special exposure to wet or cold, or to severe fatigue; hence, to take a dram.

SPLICE Splice, n.

Defn: A junction or joining made by splicing.

SPLINE Spline, n.

1. A rectangular piece fitting grooves like key seats in a hub and a shaft, so that while the one may slide endwise on the other, both must revolve together; a feather; also, sometimes, a groove to receive such a rectangular piece.

2. A long, flexble piece of wood sometimes used as a ruler.

SPLINING Splin"ing, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spline. Splining machine, a machine tool for cutting grooves, key seats, or slots; a slotting machine.

SPLINT Splint, n. Etym: [Akin to D. splinter,G. splinter, splitter, Dan. splint, Sw. splint a kind of spike, a forelock (in nautical use), Sw. splintato splint, splinter, Dan. splinte, and E. split. See Split, v. t., and cf. Splent.]

1. A piece split off; a splinter.

2. (Surg.)

Defn: A thin piece of wood, or other substance, used to keep in place, or protect, an injured part, especially a broken bone when set.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: A splint bone.

4. (Far.)

Defn: A disease affecting the splint bones, as a callosity or hard excrescence.

5. (Anc. Armor.)

Defn: One of the small plates of metal used in making splint armor. See Splint armor, below. The knees and feet were defended by splints, or thin plates of steel. Sir. W. Scott.

6. Splint, or splent, coal. See Splent coal, under Splent. Splint armor,a kind of ancient armor formed of thin plates of metal, usually overlapping each other and allowing the limbs to move freely. -- Splint bone (Anat.), one of the rudimentary, splintlike metacarpal or metatarsal bones on either side of the cannon bone in the limbs of the horse and allied animals. -- Splint coal. See Splent coal, under Splent.

SPLINT Splint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Splinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Splinting.]

Defn: To split into splints, or thin, slender pieces; to splinter; to shiver. [Obs. or R.] Florio.

2. To fasten or confine with splints, as a broken limb. See Splint, n., 2. [R.] Shak.

SPLINTER Splin"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Splintered; p. pr. & vb. n. Splintering.] Etym: [Cf. LG. splittern, splinteren. See Splint, n., Split.]

1. To split or rend into long, thin pieces; to shiver; as, the lightning splinters a tree. After splintering their lances, they wheeled about, and . . . abandoned the field to the enemy. Prescott.

2. To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb. Bp. Wren.

SPLINTER Splin"ter, v. i.

Defn: To become split into long pieces.

SPLINTER Splin"ter, n. Etym: [See Splinter, v., or Splint, n.]

Defn: A thin piece split or rent off lengthwise, as from wood, bone, or other solid substance; a thin piece; a sliver; as, splinters of a ship's mast rent off by a shot.

Splinter bar. (a) A crossbar in a coach, which supports the springs. (b) The bar to which the traces are attached; a roller bolt; a whiffletree.

SPLINTERPROOF Splin"ter*proof` (splîn"ter*proof`), a. (Mil.)

Defn: Proof against the splinters, or fragments, of bursting shells.

SPLINTERY Splin"ter*y (-y), a.

Defn: Consisting of splinters; resembling splinters; as, the splintery fracture of a mineral.

SPLIT Split (splît), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Split (Splitted, R.); p. pr. & vb. n. Splitting.] Etym: [Probably of Scand. or Low german origin; cf. Dan. splitte, LG. splitten, OD. splitten, spletten, D. splijten, G. spleissen, MHG. splizen. Cf. Splice, Splint, Splinter.]

1. To divide lengthwise; to separate from end to end, esp. by force; to divide in the direction of the grain layers; to rive; to cleave; as, to split a piece of timber or a board; to split a gem; to split a sheepskin. Cold winter split the rocks in twain. Dryden.

2. To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tear asunder. A huge vessel of exceeding hard marble split asunder by congealed water. Boyle.

3. To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by discord; to separate into parts or parties, as a political party; to disunite. [Colloq.] South.

4. (Chem.)

Defn: To divide or separate into components; -- often used with up; as, to split up sugar into alcohol and carbonic acid. To split hairs, to make distinctions of useless nicety.

SPLIT Split, v. i.

1. To part asunder; to be rent; to burst; as, vessels split by the freezing of water in them.

2. To be broken; to be dashed to pieces. The ship splits on the rock. Shak.

3. To separate into parties or factions. [Colloq.]

4. To burst with laughter. [Colloq.] Each had a gravity would make you split. Pope.

5. To divulge a secret; to betray confidence; to peach. [Slang] Thackeray. To split on a rock, to err fatally; to have the hopes and designs frustrated.

SPLIT Split, n.

Defn: A crack, or longitudinl fissure.

2. A breach or separation, as in a political party; a division. [Colloq.]

3. A piece that is split off, or made thin, by splitting; a splinter; a fragment.

4. Specif (Leather Manuf.), one of the sections of a skin made by dividing it into two or more thicknesses.

5. (Faro)

Defn: A division of a stake happening when two cards of the kind on which the stake is laid are dealt in the same turn.

SPLIT Split, a.

1. Divided; cleft.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Divided deeply; cleft. Split pease, hulled pease split for making soup, etc. -- Split pin (Mach.), a pin with one end split so that it may be spread open to secure it in its place. -- Split pulley, a parting pulley. See under Pulley. -- Split ring, a ring with overlapped or interlocked ends which may be sprung apart so that objects, as keys, may be strung upon the ring or removed from it. -- Split ticket, a ballot containing the names of only a portion of the candidates regularly nominated by one party, other names being substituted for those omitted. [U.S.]

SPLIT DYNAMOMETER Split dynamometer. (Elec.)

Defn: An electric dynamometer having two coils so arranged that one carries the primary current, and the other the secondary current, of a transformer.

SPLITFEET Split"feet`, n. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Fissipedia.

SPLIT INFINITIVE Split infinitive. (Gram.)

Defn: A simple infinitive with to, having a modifier between the verb and the to; as in, to largely decrease. Called also cleft infinitive.

SPLIT KEY Split key. (Mach.)

Defn: A key split at one end like a split pin, for the same purpose.

SPLIT SHOT; SPLIT STROKE Split shot or stroke .

Defn: In croquet, etc., a shot or stroke in which one drives in different directions one's own and the opponent's ball placed in contact.

SPLIT STITCH Split stitch.

Defn: A stitch used in stem work to produce a fine line, much used in old church embroidery to work the hands and faces of figures.

SPLIT STUFF Split stuff.

Defn: Timber sawn into lengths and then split.

SPLIT SWITCH Split switch. (Railroading)

Defn: = Point switch.

SPLIT-TAIL Split"-tail`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) A california market fish (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) belonging to the Carp family. (b) The pintail duck.

SPLITTER Split"ter, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, splits.

SPLIT-TONGUED Split"-tongued`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a forked tongue, as that of snakes and some lizards.

SPLIT WHEEL Split wheel.

Defn: = Split pulley.

SPLOTCH Splotch, n. Etym: [Cf. Splash.]

Defn: A spot; a stain; a daub. R. Browning.

SPLOTCHY Splotch"y, a.

Defn: Covered or marked with splotches.

SPLURGE Splurge, n.

Defn: A blustering demonstration, or great effort; a great display. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

SPLURGE Splurge, v. i.

Defn: To make a great display in any way, especially in oratory. [Slang, U.S.] splurge on a new hi-fi system.

SPLUTTER Splut"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spluttered; p. pr. & vb. n. Spluttering.] Etym: [Prov. E. splutter, eqivalent to sputter. Cf. Sputter.]

Defn: To speak hastily and confusedly; to sputter. [Colloq.] Carleton.

SPLUTTER Splut"ter, n.

Defn: A confused noise, as of hasty speaking. [Colloq.]

SPLUTTERER Splut"ter*er, n.

Defn: One who splutters.

SPODOMANCY Spod"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. spodo`s ashes + -mancy.]

Defn: Divination by means of ashes.

SPODOMANTIC Spod`o*man"tic, a.

Defn: Relating to spodomancy, or divination by means of ashes. C. Kingsley.

SPODUMENE Spod"u*mene, n. Etym: [Gr. spodo`s ashes; cf. F. spodumène.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of a white to yellowish, purplish, or emerald-green color, occuring in prismatic crystals, often of great size. It is a silicate of aluminia and lithia. See Hiddenite.

SPOFFISH Spof"fish, a. Etym: [probably from Prov. E. spoffle to be spoffish.]

Defn: Earnest and active in matters of no moment; bustling. [Colloq. Eng.] Dickens.

SPOIL Spoil (, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spoiled or Spoilt; p. pr. & vb. n. Spoiling.] Etym: [F. spolier, OF. espoilelier, fr. L. spoliare, fr. spolium spoil. Cf. Despoil, Spoliation.]

1. To plunder; to strip by violence; to pillage; to rob; -- with of before the name of the thing taken; as, to spoil one of his goods or possession. "Ye shall spoil the Egyptians." Ex. iii. 22. My sons their old, unhappy sire despise, Spoiled of his kingdom, and deprived of eues. Pope.

2. To seize by violence;; to take by force; to plunder. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man. Mark iii. 27.

3. To cause to decay and perish; to corrput; to vitiate; to mar. Spiritual pride spils many graces. Jer. Taylor.

4. To render useless by injury; to injure fatally; to ruin; to destroy; as, to spoil paper; to have the crops spoiled by insects; to spoil the eyes by reading.

SPOIL Spoil, v. i.

1. To practice plunder or robbery. Outlaws, which, lurking in woods, used to break forth to rob and spoil. Spenser.

2. To lose the valuable qualities; to be corrupted; to decay; as, fruit will soon spoil in warm weather.

SPOIL Spoil, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. espoille, L. spolium.]

1. That which is taken from another by violence; especially, the plunder taken from an enemy; pillage; booty. Gentle gales, Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils. Milton.

2. Public offices and their emoluments regarded as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction, to be bestowed for its own advantage; -- commonly in the plural; as to the victor belong the spoils. From a principle of gratitude I adhered to the coalition; my vote was counted in the day of battle, but I was overlooked in the division of the spoil. Gibbon.

3. That which is gained by strength or effort. each science and each art his spoil. Bentley.

4. The act or practice of plundering; robbery; aste. The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoil. Shak.

5. Corruption; cause of corruption. [Archaic] Villainous company hath been the spoil of me. Shak.

6. The slough, or cast skin, of a serpent or other animal. [Obs.] Bacon. Spoil bank, a bank formed by the earth taken from an excavation, as of a canal. -- The spoils system, the theory or practice of regarding public and their emoluments as so much plunder to be distributed among their active partisans by those who are chosen to responsible offices of administration.

SPOILABLE Spoil"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being spoiled.

SPOILER Spoil"er, n.

1. One who spoils; a plunderer; a pillager; a robber; a despoiler.

2. One who corrupts, mars, or renders useless.

SPOILFIVE Spoil"five`, n.

Defn: A certain game at cards in which, if no player wins three of the five tricks possible on any deal, the game is said to be spoiled.

SPOILFUL Spoil"ful, a.

Defn: Wasteful; rapacious. [Poetic]

SPOILSMAN Spoils"man, n.; pl. Spoilsmen (.

Defn: One who serves a cause or a party for a share of the spoils; in United States politics, one who makes or recognizes a demand for public office on the ground of partisan service; also, one who sanctions such a policy in appointments to the public service.

SPOILSMONGER Spoils"mon`ger, n.

Defn: One who promises or distributes public offices and their emoluments as the price of services to a party or its leaders.

SPOKE Spoke,

Defn: imp. of Speak.

SPOKE Spoke, n. Etym: [OE. spoke, spake, AS, spaca; akin to D. speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. sq. root170. Cf. Spike a nail.]

1. The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to support the rim or felly.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: A projecting handle of a steering wheel.

3. A rung, or round, of a ladder.

4. A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to prevent it from turning in going down a hill. To put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the execution of some design.

SPOKE Spoke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spoked; p. pr. & vb. n. Spoking.]

Defn: To furnish with spokes, as a wheel.

SPOKEN Spo"ken, a. Etym: [p.p. of Speak.]

1. Uttered in speech; delivered by word of mouth; oral; as, a spoken narrative; the spoken word.

2. Characterized by a certain manner or style in speaking; -- often in composition; as, a pleasant-spoken man. Methinks you 're better spoken. Shak.

SPOKESHAVE Spoke"shave`, n.

Defn: A kind of drawing knife or planing tool for dressing the spokes of wheels, the shells of blocks, and other curved work.

SPOKESMAN Spokes"man, n.; pl. Spokesmen. Etym: [Speak, spoke + man.]

Defn: One who speaks for another. He shall be thy spokesman unto the people. Ex. iv. 16.

SPOLIATE Spo"li*ate, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Spoliated; p. pr. & vb. n. Spoliating.] Etym: [L. spoliatus, p.p. of spoliare spoil. See Spoil, v. t.]

Defn: To plunder; to pillage; to despoil; to rob.

SPOLIATION Spo`li*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. spoliatio; cf. F. spoliation. See Spoil, v. t.]

1. The act of plundering; robbery; deprivation; despoliation. Legal spoliation, which will impoverish one part of the community in order to corrupt the remainder. Sir G. C. Lewis.

2. Robbery or plunder in war; especially, the authorized act or practice of plundering neutrals at sea.

3. (Eccl. Law) (a) The act of an incumbent in taking the fruits of his benefice without right, but under a pretended title. Blackstone. (b) A process for possession of a church in a spiritual court.

4. (Law)

Defn: Injury done to a document.

SPOLIATIVE Spo"li*a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spoliatif.]

Defn: Serving to take away, diminish, or rob; esp. (Med.), serving to diminish sensibily the amount of blood in the body; as, spoliative bloodletting.

SPOLIATOR Spo"li*a`tor, n.

Defn: One who spoliates; a spoiler.

SPOLIATORY Spo"li*a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Tending to spoil; destructive; spoliative.

SPONDAIC; SPONDAICAL Spon*da"ic, Spon*da"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. spondaicus, spondiacus, Gr. spondaïque.]

1. Or of pertaining to a spondee; consisting of spondees.

2. Containing spondees in excess; marked by spondees; as, a spondaic hexameter, i. e., one which has a spondee instead of a dactyl in the fifth foot.

SPONDEE Spon"dee, n. Etym: [L. spondeus, Gr. spondée. So called because at libations slow, solemn melodies were used, chiefly in this meter.] (pros.)

Defn: A poetic foot of two long syllables, as in the Latin word leges.

SPONDULICS Spon*du"lics, n.

Defn: Money. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

SPONDYL; SPONDYLE Spon"dyl, Spon"dyle, n. Etym: [L. spondylus, Gr. spondyle.] (Anat.)

Defn: A joint of the backbone; a vertebra.

SPONG Spong, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: An irregular, narrow, projecting part of a field. [Prov. Eng.]

SPONGE Sponge, n. Etym: [OF. esponge, F. éponge, L. spongia, Gr. Fungus, Spunk.] [Formerly written also spunge.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of Spongiæ, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongiæ.

2. The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiæ (keratosa), used for many purposes, especially the varieties of the genus Spongia. The most valuable sponges are found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and on the coasts of Florida and the West Indies.

3. Fig.: One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.

4. Any spongelike substance. Specifically: (a) Dough before it is kneaded and formed into loaves, and after it is converted into a light, spongy mass by the agency of the yeast or leaven. (b) Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition. (c) Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.

5. (Gun.)

Defn: A mop for cleaning the bore of a cannon after a discharge. It consists of a cylinder of wood, covered with sheepskin with the wool on, or cloth with a heavy looped nap, and having a handle, or staff.

6. (Far.)

Defn: The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel. Bath sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges, especially Spongia equina. -- Cup sponge, a toilet sponge growing in a cup-shaped form. -- Glass sponge. See Glass-sponge, in the Vocabulary. -- Glove sponge, a variety of commercial sponge (Spongia officinalis, variety tubulufera), having very fine fibers, native of Florida, and the West Indies. -- Grass sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges having the surface irregularly tufted, as Spongia graminea, and S. equina, variety cerebriformis, of Florida and the West Indies. -- Horse sponge, a coarse commercial sponge, especially Spongia equina. -- Platinum sponge. (Chem.) See under Platinum. -- Pyrotechnical sponge, a substance made of mushrooms or fungi, which are boiled in water, dried, and beaten, then put in a strong lye prepared with saltpeter, and again dried in an oven. This makes the black match, or tinder, brought from Germany. -- Sheep's-wool sponge, a fine and durable commercial sponge (Spongia equina, variety gossypina) found in Florida and the West Indies. The surface is covered with larger and smaller tufts, having the oscula between them. -- Sponge cake, a kind of sweet cake which is light and spongy. -- Sponge lead, or Spongy lead (Chem.), metallic lead brought to a spongy form by reduction of lead salts, or by compressing finely divided lead; -- used in secondary batteries and otherwise. -- Sponge tree (Bot.), a tropical leguminous tree (Acacia Farnesiana), with deliciously fragrant flowers, which are used in perfumery. -- Toilet sponge, a very fine and superior variety of Mediterranean sponge (Spongia officinalis, variety Mediterranea); -- called also turkish sponge. -- To set a sponge (Cookery), to leaven a small mass of flour, to be used in leavening a larger quantity. -- To throw up the sponge, to give up a contest; to acknowledge defeat; -- from a custom of the prize ring, the person employed to sponge a pugilist between rounds throwing his sponge in the air in token of defeat. [Cant or Slang] "He was too brave a man to throw up the sponge to fate." Lowell. -- Vegetable sponge. (Bot.) See Loof. -- Velvet sponge, a fine, soft commercial sponge (Spongia equina, variety meandriniformis) found in Florida and the West Indies. -- Vitreous sponge. See Glass-sponge. -- Yellow sponge, a common and valuable commercial sponge (Spongia agaricina, variety corlosia) found in Florida and the West Indies.

SPONGE Sponge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sponged; p. pr. & vb. n. Sponging.]

1. To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as, to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as, to sponge cloth.

2. To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of. Hooker.

3. Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition. "How came such multitudes of our nation . . . to be sponged of their plate and their money" South.

4. Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as, to sponge a breakfast. Swift.

SPONGE Sponge, v. i.

1. To suck in, or imbile, as a sponge.

2. Fig.: To gain by mean arts, by intrusion, or hanging on; as, an idler sponges on his neighbor. E. Eggleston. The fly is an intruder, and a common smell-feast, that sponges upon other people's trenchers. L'Estrange.

3. To be converted, as dough, into a light, spongy mass by the agency of yeast, or leaven.

SPONGELET Sponge"let, n.

Defn: See Spongiole.

SPONGEOUS Spon"geous, a. Etym: [See Spongious.]

Defn: Resembling sponge; having the nature or qualities of sponge.

SPONGER Spon"ger, n.

1. One who sponges, or uses a sponge.

2. One employed in gathering sponges.

3. Fig.: A parasitical dependent; a hanger-on.

SPONGIAE Spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [See Sponge.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The grand division of the animal kingdom which includes the sponges; -- called also Spongida, Spongiaria, Spongiozoa, and Porifera.

Note: In the Spongiæ, the soft sarcode of the body is usually supported by a skeleton consisting of horny fibers, or of silleceous or calcareous spicules. The common sponges contain larger and smaller cavities and canals, and numerous small ampullæ which which are lined with ciliated cells capable of taking in solid food. The outer surface usually has minute pores through which water enters, and large openings for its exit. Sponges produce eggs and spermatozoa, and the egg when fertilized undergoes segmentation to form a ciliated embryo.

SPONGIDA Spon"gi*da, n. pl. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: Spongiæ.

SPONGIFORM Spon"gi*form, a.

Defn: Resembling a sponge; soft and porous; porous.

SPONGILLA Spon*gil"la, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of spongia a sponge.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of siliceous spongea found in fresh water.

SPONGIN Spon"gin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: The chemical basis of sponge tissue, a nitrogenous, hornlike substance which on decomposition with sulphuric acid yields leucin and glycocoll.

SPONGINESS Spon"gi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spongy. Dr. H. More.

SPONGING Spon"ging,

Defn: a. & n. from Sponge, v. Sponging house (Eng. Law), a bailiff's or other house in which debtors are put before being taken to jail, or until they compromise with their creditors. At these houses extortionate charges are commonly made for food, lodging, etc.

SPONGIOLE Spon"gi*ole, n. Etym: [L. spongiola a rose gall, small roots, dim. of spongia: cf. F. spongiole.] (Bot.)

Defn: A supposed spongelike expansion of the tip of a rootlet for absorbing water; -- called also spongelet.

SPONGIOLITE Spon"gi*o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Paleon.)

Defn: One of the microsporic siliceous spicules which occur abundantly in the texture of sponges, and are sometimes found fossil, as in flints.

SPONGIOPILIN Spon`gi*o*pi"lin, n. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A kind of cloth interwoven with small pieces of sponge and rendered waterproof on one side by a covering of rubber. When moistend with hot water it is used as a poultice.

SPONGIOSE; SPONGIOUS Spon"gi*ose`, Spon"gi*ous, a. Etym: [L. spongious, spongeosus: cf. F. spongieux. See Sponge.]

Defn: Somewhat spongy; spongelike; full of small cavities like sponge; as, spongious bones.

SPONGIOZOA Spon`gi*o*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Sponglæ.

SPONGOBLAST Spon"go*blast, n. Etym: [Gr. -blast.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the cells which, in sponges, secrete the spongin, or the material of the horny fibers.

SPONGOID Spon"goid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.]

Defn: Resembling sponge; like sponge.

SPONGY Spon"gy, a.

1. Soft, and full of cavities; of an open, loose, pliable texture; as, a spongy excrescence; spongy earth; spongy cake; spongy bones.

2. Wet; drenched; soaked and soft, like sponge; rainy. "Spongy April." Shak.

3. Having the quality of imbibing fluids, like a sponge. Spongy lead (Chem.), sponge lead. See under Sponge. -- Spongy platinum. See under Platinum.

SPONK Sponk, n.

Defn: See Spunk.

SPONSAL Spon"sal, a. Etym: [L. sponsalis, fr. sponsus a betrothal, fr. spondere, sponsum, to betroth. See Spouse, and cf. Esousal, Spousal.]

Defn: Relating to marriage, or to a spouse; spousal.

SPONSIBLE Spon"si*ble, a. Etym: [Abbrev. from responsible.]

Defn: responsible; worthy of credit. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SPONSION Spon"sion, n. Etym: [L. sonsio, fr. spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly.]

1. The act of becoming surety for another.

2. (Internat. Law)

Defn: An act or engagement on behalf of a state, by an agent not specially authorized for the purpose, or by one who exceeds the limits of authority.

SPONSIONAL Spon"sion*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a pledge or agreement; responsible. [R.] He is righteous even in that representative and sponsional person he put on. Abp. Leighton.

SPONSON Spon"son, n. (Shipbuilding) (a) One of the triangular platforms in front of, and abaft, the paddle boxes of a steamboat. (b) One of the slanting supports under the guards of a steamboat. (c) One of the armored projections fitted with gun ports, used on modern war vessels.

SPONSOR Spon"sor, n. Etym: [L., from spondere, sponsum, to engage one's self. See Spose.]

1. One who binds himself to answer for another, and is responsible for his default; a surety.

2. One who at the baptism of an infant professore the christian faith in its name, and guarantees its religious education; a godfather or godmother.

SPONSORIAL Spon*so"ri*al, a.

Defn: Pertaining to a sponsor.

SPONSORSHIP Spon"sor*ship, n.

Defn: State of being a sponsor.

SPONTANEITY Spon`ta*ne"i*ty, n.; pl. Spontaneities. Etym: [Cf. F. spontanéité.]

1. The quality or state of being spontaneous, or acting from native feeling, proneness, or temperament, without constraint or external force. Romney Leigh, who lives by diagrams, And crosses not the spontaneities Of all his individual, personal life With formal universals. Mrs. Browning.

2. (Biol.) (a) The tendency to undergo change, characteristic of both animal and vegetable organisms, and not restrained or cheked by the environment. (b) The tendency to activity of muscular tissue, including the voluntary muscles, when in a state of healthful vigor and refreshment.

SPONTANEOUS Spon*ta"ne*ous, a. Etym: [L. spontaneus, fr. sponte of free will, voluntarily.]

1. Proceding from natural feeling, temperament, or disposition, or from a native internal proneness, readiness, or tendency, without constraint; as, a spontaneous gift or proportion.

2. Proceeding from, or acting by, internal impulse, energy, or natural law, without external force; as, spontaneous motion; spontaneous growth.

3. Produced without being planted, or without human labor; as, a spontaneous growth of wood. Spontaneous combustion, combustion produced in a substance by the evolution of heat through the chemical action of its own elements; as, the spontaneous combustion of waste matter saturated with oil. -- Spontaneous generation. (Biol.) See under Generation.

Syn. -- Voluntary; uncompelled; willing. -- Spontaneous, Voluntary. What is voluntary is the result of a volition, or act of choice; it therefore implies some degree of consideration, and may be the result of mere reason without excited feeling. What is spontaneous springs wholly from feeling, or a sudden impulse which admits of no reflection; as, a spontaneous burst of applause. Hence, the term is also applied to things inanimate when they are produced without the determinate purpose or care of man. "Abstinence which is but voluntary fasting, and . . . exercise which is but voluntary labor." J. Seed. Spontaneous joys, where nature has its play, The soul adopts, and owns their firstborn away. Goldsmith. -- Spon*ta"ne*ous*ly, adv. -- Spon*ta"ne*ous*ness, n.

SPONTOON Spon*toon", n. Etym: [F. sponton, esponton, it. spontone, spuntone.] (Mil.)

Defn: A kind of half-pike, or halberd, formerly borne by inferior officers of the British infantry, and used in giving signals to the soldiers.

SPOOK Spook, n. Etym: [D. spook; akin to G. spuk, Sw. spöke, Dan. spögelse a specter, spöge to play, sport, joke, spög a play, joke.]

1. A spirit; a ghost; an apparition; a hobgoblin. [Written also spuke.] Ld. Lytton.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The chimæra.

SPOOL Spool, n. Etym: [OE. spole, OD. spoele, D. spoel; akin to G. spule, OHG. spuola, Dan. & Sw. spole.]

Defn: A piece of cane or red with a knot at each end, or a hollow cylinder of wood with a ridge at each end, used to wind thread or yarn upon. Spool stand, an article holding spools of thread, turning on pins, -- used by women at their work.

SPOOL Spool, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spooled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spooling.]

Defn: To wind on a spool or spools.

SPOOLER Spool"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spools.

SPOOM Spoom, v. i. Etym: [Probably fr. spum foam. See Spume.] (Naut.)

Defn: To be driven steadily and swiftly, as before a strong wind; to be driven before the wind without any sail, or with only a part of the sails spread; to scud under bare poles. [Written also spoon.] When virtue spooms before a prosperous gale, My heaving wishes help to fill the sail. Dryden.

SPOON Spoon, v. i. (Naut.)

Defn: See Spoom. [Obs.] We might have spooned before the wind as well as they. Pepys.

SPOON Spoon, n. Etym: [OE. spon, AS. sp, a chip; akin to D. spaan, G. span, Dan. spaan, Sw. spån, Icel. spánn, spónn, a chip, a spoon. sq. root170. Cf. Span-new.]

1. An implement consisting of a small bowl (usually a shallow oval) with a handle, used especially in preparing or eating food. "Therefore behoveth him a full long spoon That shall eat with a fiend," thus heard I say. Chaucer. He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil. Shak.

2. Anything which resembles a spoon in shape; esp. (Fishing), a spoon bait.

3. Fig.: A simpleton; a spooney. [Slang] Hood. Spoon bait (Fishing), a lure used in trolling, consisting of a glistening metallic plate shaped like the bowl of a spoon with a fishhook attached. -- Spoon bit, a bit for boring, hollowed or furrowed along one side. -- Spoon net, a net for landing fish. -- Spoon oar. see under Oar.

SPOON Spoon, v. t.

Defn: To take up in, a spoon.

SPOON Spoon, v. i.

Defn: To act with demonstrative or foolish fondness, as one in love. [Colloq.]

SPOONBILL Spoon"bill`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of wading birds of the genera Ajaja and Platalea, and allied genera, in which the long bill is broadly expanded and flattened at the tip.

Note: The roseate spoonbill of America (Ajaja ajaja), and the European spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) are the best known. The royal spoonbill (P. regia) of Australia is white, with the skin in front of the eyes naked and black. The male in the breeding season has a fine crest. (b) The shoveler. See Shoveler, 2. (c) The ruddy duck. See under Ruddy. (d) The paddlefish.

SPOON-BILLED Spoon"-billed`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the bill expanded and spatulate at the end.

SPOONDRIFT Spoon"drift, n. Etym: [Spoom + drift.]

Defn: Spray blown from the tops waves during a gale at sea; also, snow driven in the wind at sea; -- written also spindrift.

SPOONEY Spoon"ey, a.

Defn: Weak-minded; demonstratively fond; as, spooney lovers. [Spelt also spoony.] [Colloq.]

SPOONEY Spoon"ey, n.; pl. Spooneye (.

Defn: A weak-minded or silly person; one who is foolishly fond. [Colloq.] There is no doubt, whatever, that I was a lackadaisical young spooney. Dickens.

SPOONFLOWER Spoon"flow`er, n.

Defn: The yautia.

SPOONFUL Spoon"ful, n.; pl. Spoonfuls (.

1. The quantity which a spoon contains, or is able to contain; as, a teaspoonful; a tablespoonful.

2. Hence, a small quantity. Arbuthnot.

SPOONILY Spoon"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a spoony manner.

SPOON-MEAT Spoon"-meat`, n.

Defn: Food that is, or must be, taken with a spoon; liquid food. "Diet most upon spoon-meats." Harvey.

SPOONWOOD Spoon"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia).

SPOONWORM Spoon"worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gephyrean worm of the genus Thalassema, having a spoonlike probiscis.

SPOONWORT Spoon"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Scurvy grass.

SPOONY Spoon"y, a. & n.

Defn: Same as Spooney.

SPOOR Spoor, n. Etym: [D. spoor; akin to AS. spor, G. spur, and from the root of E. spur. sq. root171. See Spur.]

Defn: The track or trail of any wild animal; as, the spoor of an elephant; -- used originally by travelers in South Africa.

SPOOR Spoor, v. i.

Defn: To follow a spoor or trail. [R.]

SPORADES Spor"a*des, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. spora`des. Cf. Sporadic.] (Astron.)

Defn: Stars not included in any constellation; -- called also informed, or unformed, stars.

SPORADIAL Spo*ra"di*al, a.

Defn: Sporadic. [R.]

SPORADIC Spo*rad"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. sporadique. See Spore.]

Defn: Occuring singly, or apart from other things of the same kind, or in scattered instances; separate; single; as, a sporadic fireball; a sporadic case of disease; a sporadic example of a flower. Sporadic disease (Med.), a disease which occurs in single and scattered cases. See the Note under Endemic, a.

SPORADICAL Spo*rad"ic*al, a.

Defn: Sporadic.

SPORADICALLY Spo*rad"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sporadic manner.

SPORANGIOPHORE Spo*ran"gi*o*phore, n. Etym: [Sporangium + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The axis or receptacle in certain ferns (as Trichomanes), which bears the sporangia.

SPORANGIUM Spo*ran"gi*um, n.; pl. Sporangia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A spore case in the cryptogamous plants, as in ferns, etc.

SPORE Spore, n. Etym: [Gr. Sperm.]

1. (Bot.) (a) One of the minute grains in flowerless plants, which are analogous to seeds, as serving to reproduce the species.

Note: Spores are produced differently in the different classes of cryptogamous plants, and as regards their nature are often so unlike that they have only their minuteness in common. The peculiar spores of diatoms (called auxospores) increase in size, and at length acquire a siliceous coating, thus becoming new diatoms of full size. Compare Macrospore, Microspore, Oöspore, Restingspore, Sphærospore, Swarmspore, Tetraspore, Zoöspore, and Zygospore. (b) An embryo sac or embryonal vesicle in the ovules of flowering plants.

2. (Biol.) (a) A minute grain or germ; a small, round or ovoid body, formed in certain organisms, and by germination giving rise to a new organism; as, the reproductive spores of bacteria, etc. (b) One of the parts formed by fission in certain Protozoa. See Spore formation, belw. Spore formation. (a) (Biol) A mode of reproduction resembling multitude fission, common among Protozoa, in which the organism breaks up into a number of pieces, or spores, each of which eventually develops into an organism like the parent form. Balfour. (b) The formation of reproductive cells or spores, as in the growth of bacilli.

SPORID Spo"rid, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A sporidium. Lindley.

SPORIDIFEROUS Spo`ri*dif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Sporidium + -ferous.] (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing sporidia.

SPORIDIUM Spo*rid"i*um, n.; pl. Sporidia. Etym: [NL. See Spore.] (Bot.) (a) A secondary spore, or a filament produced from a spore, in certain kinds of minute fungi. (b) A spore.

SPORIFEROUS Spo*rif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Spore + -ferous.] (Biol.)

Defn: Bearing or producing spores.

SPORIFICATION Spo`ri*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Spore + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] (Biol.)

Defn: Spore formation. See Spore formation (b), under Spore.

SPOROCARP Spo"ro*carp, n. Etym: [Spore + Gr. (Bot.) (a) A closed body or conceptacle containing one or more masses of spores or sporangia. (b) A sporangium.

SPOROCYST Spo"ro*cyst, n. Etym: [Gr.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An asexual zooid, usually forming one of a series of larval forms in the agamic reproduction of various trematodes and other parasitic worms. The sporocyst generally develops from an egg, but in its turn produces other larvæ by internal budding, or by the subdivision of a part or all of its contents into a number of minute germs. See Redia.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any protozoan when it becomes encysted produces germs by sporulation.

SPOROGENESIS Spo`ro*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Spore + genesis.] (Biol.)

Defn: reproduction by spores.

SPOROGONY Spo*rog"o*ny, n. Etym: [Spore + root of Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The growth or development of an animal or a zooid from a nonsexual germ.

SPOROPHORE Spo"ro*phore, n. Etym: [Spore + Gr. (Bot.) (a) A placenta. (b) That alternately produced form of certain cryptogamous plants, as ferns, mosses, and the like, which is nonsexual, but produces spores in countless numbers. In ferns it is the leafy plant, in mosses the capsule. Cf. Oöphore.

SPOROPHORIC Spo`ro*phor"ic, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having the nature of a sporophore.

SPOROPHYTE Spo"ro*phyte, n. [Spore + Gr. plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: In plants exhibiting alternation of generations, the generation which bears asexual spores; -- opposed to gametophyte. It is not clearly differentiated in the life cycle of the lower plants. -- Spo`ro*phyt"ic (#), a.

SPOROSAC Spo"ro*sac, n. Etym: [Spore + sac.] (Zoöl.) (a) A hydrozoan reproductive zooid or gonophore which does not become medusoid in form or structure. See Illust. under Athecata. (b) An early or simple larval stage of trematode worms and some other invertebrates, which is capable or reproducing other germs by asexual generation; a nurse; a redia.

SPOROZOA Spo`ro*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. a spore + (Zoöl.)

Defn: An extensive division of parasitic Protozoa, which increase by sporulation. It includes the Gregarinida.

SPOROZOID Spo`ro*zo"id, n. Etym: [Spore + Gr. .] (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Zoöspore.

SPOROZOITE Spo`ro*zo"ite, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: In certain Sporozoa, a small active, usually elongate, sickle- shaped or somewhat amoboid spore, esp. one of those produced by division of the passive spores into which the zygote divides. The sporozoites reproduce asexually.

SPORRAN Spor"ran, n. Etym: [Gael. sporan.]

Defn: A large purse or pouch made of skin with the hair or fur on, worn in front of the kilt by Highlanders when in full dress.

SPORT Sport, n. Etym: [Abbreviated frm disport.]

1. That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime; amusement. It is as sport a fool do mischief. prov. x. 23. Her sports were such as carried riches of knowledge upon the stream of delight. Sir P. Sidney. Think it but a minute spent in sport. Shak.

2. Mock; mockery; contemptuous mirth; derision. Then make sport at me; then let me be your jest.Shak.

3. That with which one plays, or which is driven about in play; a toy; a plaything; an object of mockery. Flitting leaves, the sport of every wind. Dryden. Never does man appear to greater disadvantage than when he is the sport of his own ungoverned pasions. John Clarke.

4. Play; idle jingle. An author who should introduce such a sport of words upon our stage would meet with small applause. Broome.

5. Diversion of the field, as fowling, hunting, fishing, racing, games, and the like, esp. when money is staked.

6. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the species; an abnormal variety or growth. See Sporting plant, under Sporting.

7. A sportsman; a gambler. [Slang] In sport, in jest; for play or diversion. "So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport" Prov. xxvi. 19.

Syn. -- Play; game; diversion; frolic; mirth; mock; mockery; jeer.

SPORT Sport, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sported; p. pr. & vb. n. Sporting.]

1. To play; to frolic; to wanton. [Fish], sporting with quick glance, Show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold. Milton.

2. To practice the diversions of the field or the turf; to be given to betting, as upon races.

3. To trifle. "He sports with his own life." Tillotson.

4. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: To assume suddenly a new and different character from the rest of the plant or from the type of the species; -- said of a bud, shoot, plant, or animal. See Sport, n., 6. Darwin.

Syn. -- To play; frolic; game; wanton.

SPORT Sport, v. t.

1. To divert; to amuse; to make merry; -- used with the reciprocal pronoun. Against whom do ye sport yourselves Isa. lvii. 4.

2. To represent by any knd of play. Now sporting on thy lyre the loves of youth. Dryden.

3. To exhibit, or bring out, in public; to use or wear; as, to sport a new equipage. [Colloq.] Grose.

4. To give utterance to in a sportive manner; to throw out in an easy and copious manner; -- with off; as, to sport off epigrams. Addison. To sport one's oak. See under Oak, n.

SPORTABILITY Sport`a*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Sportiveness. [Obs.]

SPORTAL Sport"al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sports; used in sports. [R.] "Sportal arms." Dryden.

SPORTER Sport"er, n.

Defn: One who sports; a sportsman. As this gentleman and I have been old fellow sporters, I have a frienship for him. Goldsmith.

SPORTFUL Sport"ful, a.

1. Full of sport; merry; frolicsome; full of jesting; indulging in mirth or play; playful; wanton; as, a sportful companion. Down he alights among the sportful herd. Milton.

2. Done in jest, or for mere play; sportive. They are no sportful productions of the soil. Bentley. -- Sport"ful*ly, adv. -- Sport"ful*ness, n.

SPORTING Sport"ing, a.

Defn: Of pertaining to, or engaging in, sport or sporrts; exhibiting the character or conduct of one who, or that which, sports. Sporting book, a book containing a record of bets, gambling operations, and the like. C. Kingsley. -- Sporting house, a house frequented by sportsmen, gamblers, and the like. -- Sporting man, one who practices field sports; also, a horse racer, a pugilist, a gambler, or the like. -- Sporting plant (Bot.), a plant in which a single bud or offset suddenly assumes a new, and sometimes very different, character from that of the rest of the plant. Darwin.

SPORTINGLY Sport"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In sport; sportively. The question you there put, you do it, I suppose, but sportingly. Hammond.

SPORTIVE Sport"ive, a.

Defn: Tending to, engaged in, or provocate of, sport; gay; froliscome; playful; merry. Is it I That drive thee from the sportive court Shak. -- Sport"ive*ly, adv. -- Sport"ive*ness, n.

SPORTLESS Sport"less, a.

Defn: Without sport or mirth; joyless.

SPORTLING Sport"ling, n.

Defn: A little person or creature engaged in sports or in play. When again the lambkins play --Pretty sportlings, full of May. Philips.

SPORTSMAN Sports"man, n.;pl. Sportsmen (.

Defn: One who pursues the sports of the field; one who hunts, fishes, etc.

SPORTSMANSHIP Sports"man*ship, n.

Defn: The practice of sportsmen; skill in field sports.

SPORTULA Spor"tu*la, n.; pl. Sportulæ (. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A gift; a present; a prize; hence, an alms; a largess. To feed luxuriously, to frequent sports and theaters, to run for the sportula. South.

SPORTULARY Spor"tu*la*ry, a.

Defn: Subsisting on alms or charitable contributions. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SPORTULE Spor"tule, n. Etym: [L. sportula a little basket, a gift, dim. of sporta a basket: cf. F. sortule.]

Defn: A charitable gift or contribution; a gift; an alms; a dole; a largess; a sportula. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

SPORULATION Spor`u*la"tion, n. (Biol.)

Defn: The act or process of forming spores; spore formation. See Illust. of Bacillus, b.

SPORULE Spor"ule, n. Etym: [Dim. of spore.] (Biol.)

Defn: A small spore; a spore.

SPORULIFEROUS Spor`u*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Sporule + -ferous.] (Biol.)

Defn: Producing sporules.

SPOT Spot, n. Etym: [Cf. Scot. & D. spat, Dan. spette, Sw. spott spittle, slaver; from the root of E. spit. See Spit to eject from the mouth, and cf. Spatter.]

1. A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a blot; a place discolored. Out, damned spot! Out, I say! Shak.

2. A stain on character or reputation; something that soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish. Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot. Pope.

3. A small part of a different color from the main part, or from the ground upon which it is; as, the spots of a leopard; the spots on a playing card.

4. A small extent of space; a place; any particular place. "Fixed to one spot." Otway. That spot to which I point is Paradise. Milton. "A jolly place," said he, "in times of old! But something ails it now: the spot is cursed." Wordsworth.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head just above its beak.

6. (Zoöl.) (a) A sciænoid food fish (Liostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. It has a black spot behind the shoulders and fifteen oblique dark bars on the sides. Called also goody, Lafayette, masooka, and old wife. (b) The southern redfish, or red horse, which has a spot on each side at the base of the tail. See Redfish.

7. pl.

Defn: Commodities, as merchandise and cotton, sold for immediate delivery. [Broker's Cant] Crescent spot (Zoöl.), any butterfly of the family Melitæidæ having crescent-shaped white spots along the margins of the red or brown wings. -- Spot lens (Microscopy), a condensing lens in which the light is confined to an annular pencil by means of a small, round diaphragm (the spot), and used in dark-field ilumination; -- called also spotted lens. -- Spot rump (Zoöl.), the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa hæmastica). -- Spots on the sun. (Astron.) See Sun spot, ander Sun. -- On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place. It was determined upon the spot. Swift.

Syn. -- Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish; place; site; locality.

SPOT Spot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spotting.]

1. To make visible marks upon with some foreign matter; to discolor in or with spots; to stain; to cover with spots or figures; as, to spot a garnment; to spot paper.

2. To mark or note so as to insure recognition; to recognize; to detect; as, to spot a criminal. [Cant]

3. To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish, as reputation; to asperse. My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain. Sir P. Sidney. If ever I shall close these eyes but once, May I live spotted for my perjury. Beau. & Fl. To spot timber, to cut or chip it, in preparation for hewing.

SPOT Spot, v. i.

Defn: To become stained with spots.

SPOT CASH Spot cash. (Com.)

Defn: Cash paid or ready for payment at once upon delivery of property purchased.

SPOTLESS Spot"less, a.

Defn: Without a spot; especially, free from reproach or impurity; pure; untained; innocent; as, a spotless mind; spotless behavior. A spotless virgin, and a faultless wife. Waller.

Syn. -- Blameless; unspotted; unblemished; pure; immaculate; irreproachable. See Blameless. -- Spot"less*ly, adv. -- Spot"less*ness, n.

SPOTLIGHT Spot"light`, n.

Defn: The projected spot or circle of light used to illuminate brilliantly a single person or object or group on the stage; leaving the rest of the stage more or less unilluminated; hence, conspicuous public notice. [Cant or Colloq.]

SPOT STROKE Spot stroke. (Eng. Billiards)

Defn: The pocketing of the red ball in a top corner pocket from off its own spot so as to leave the cue ball in position for an easy winning hazard in either top corner pocket.

SPOTTED Spot"ted, a.

Defn: Marked with spots; as, a spotted garment or character. "The spotted panther." Spenser. Spotted fever (Med.), a name applied to various eruptive fevers, esp. to typhus fever and cerebro-spinal meningitis. -- Spotted tree (Bot.), an Australian tree (Flindersia maculosa); -- so called because its bark falls off in spots.

SPOTTEDNESS Spot"ted*ness, n.

Defn: State or quality of being spotted.

SPOTTER Spot"ter, n.

Defn: One who spots.

SPOTTINESS Spot"ti*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being spotty.

SPOTTY Spot"ty, a.

Defn: Full of spots; marked with spots.

SPOUSAGE Spous"age (; 48), n. Etym: [OF. espousaige, from espouser. See Spouse, v. t.]

Defn: Espousal. [Obs.] Bale.

SPOUSAL Spous"al, a. Etym: [See Espousal, Sponsal, and Spouse.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spouse or marriage; nuptial; matrimonial; conjugal; bridal; as, spousal rites; spousal ornaments. Wordsworth.

SPOUSAL Spous"al, n. Etym: [See Espousal, Spouse.]

Defn: Marriage; nuptials; espousal; -- generally used in the plural; as, the spousals of Hippolita. Dryden. Boweth your head under that blissful yoke . . . Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock. Chaucer. the spousals of the newborn year. Emerson.

SPOUSE Spouse, n. Etym: [OF. espous, espos, fem. espouse, F. époux, épouse, fr. L. sponsus, sponsa, prop. p.p. of spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly, to engage one's self. Cf. Despond, Espouse, respond, Sponsor.]

1. A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife. At last such grace I found, and means I wrought, That that lady to my spouse had won. Spenser.

2. A married man, in distinct from a spousess or married woman; a bridegroom or husband. [Obs.] At which marriage was [were] no person present but the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young man. Fabyan.

SPOUSE Spouse, v. t. Etym: [See Espouse, and Spouse, n.]

Defn: To wed; to espouse. [Obs.] This markis hath her spoused with a ring. Chaucer. Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock's solemnize. Spenser. She was found again, and spoused to Marinell. Spenser.

SPOUSE-BREACH Spouse"-breach`, n.

Defn: Adultery. [Obs.]

SPOUSELESS Spouse"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of a spouse; unmarried.

SPOUSESS Spous"ess, n.

Defn: A wife or bride. [Obs.] Fabyan.

SPOUT Spout, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spouting.] Etym: [Cf. Sw. sputa, spruta, to spout, D. spuit a spout, spuiten to spout, and E. spurt, sprit, v., sprout, sputter; or perhaps akin to E. spit to eject from the mouth.]

1. To throw out forcibly and abudantly, as liquids through an office or a pipe; to eject in a jet; as, an elephant spouts water from his trunk. Who kept Jonas in the fish's maw Till he was spouted up at Ninivee Chaucer. Next on his belly floats the mighty whale . . . He spouts the tide. Creech.

2. To utter magniloquently; to recite in an oratorical or pompous manner. Pray, spout some French, son. Beau. & Fl.

3. To pawn; to pledge; as, spout a watch. [Cant]

SPOUT Spout, v. i.

1. To issue with with violence, or in a jet, as a liquid through a narrow orifice, or from a spout; as, water spouts from a hole; blood spouts from an artery. All the glittering hill Is bright with spouting rills. Thomson.

2. To eject water or liquid in a jet.

3. To utter a speech, especially in a pompous manner.

SPOUT Spout, n. Etym: [Cf. Sw. spruta a squirt, a syringe. See Spout, v. t.]

1. That through which anything spouts; a discharging lip, pipe, or orifice; a tube, pipe, or conductor of any kind through which a liquid is poured, or by which it is conveyed in a stream from one place to another; as, the spout of a teapot; a spout for conducting water from the roof of a building. Addison. "A conduit with three issuing spouts." Shak. In whales . . . an ejection thereof [water] is contrived by a fistula, or spout, at the head. Sir T. Browne. From silver spouts the grateful liquors glide. Pope.

2. A trough for conducting grain, flour, etc., into a receptacle.

3. A discharge or jet of water or other liquid, esp. when rising in a column; also, a waterspout. To put, shove, or pop, up the spout, to pawn or pledge at a pawnbroker's; -- in allusion to the spout up which the pawnbroker sent the ticketed articles. [Cant]

SPOUTER Spout"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spouts.

SPOUTFISH Spout"fish, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A marine animal that spouts water; -- applied especially to certain bivalve mollusks, like the long clams (Mya), which spout, or squirt out, water when retiring into their holes.

SPOUTLESS Spout"less, a.

Defn: Having no spout. Cowper.

SPOUTSHELL Spout"shell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any marine gastropod shell of the genus Apporhais having an elongated siphon. See Illust. under Rostrifera.

SPRACK Sprack, a. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spækr sprightly, dial. Sw. spräk, spräg, spirited, mettlesome; or Gael. spraic vigor.]

Defn: Quick; lively' alert. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SPRAD Sprad, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Spread. Chaucer.

SPRADDE Sprad"de, obs.

Defn: imp. of Spread. Chaucer.

SPRAG Sprag, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spraka a small flounder.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young salmon. [Prov. Eng.]

SPRAG Sprag, n. Etym: [See Spray a branch.]

Defn: A billet of wood; a piece of timber used as a prop.

SPRAG Sprag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spragged; p. pr. & vb. n. Spragging.]

1. To check the motion of, as a carriage on a steep grade, by putting a sprag between the spokes of the wheel. R. S. Poole.

2. To prop or sustain with a sprag.

SPRAG Sprag, a.

Defn: See Sprack, a. Shak.

SPRAIN Sprain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sprained; p. pr. & vb. n. Spraining.] Etym: [OF. espreindreto press, to force out, F. épreindre, fr. L. exprimere. See Express, v. t., and cf. Spraints.]

Defn: To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as, to sprain one's ankle.

SPRAIN Sprain, n.

Defn: The act or result of spraining; lameness caused by spraining; as, a bad sprain of the wrist. Sprain fracture (Med.), the separation of a tendon from its point of insertion, with the detachment of a shell of bone to which the tendon is attached.

SPRAINTS Spraints, n. pl. Etym: [OF. espraintes, espreintes, F. épreintes from espreinte a desire to go to stool, from espreindre. See Sprain, v. t.]

Defn: The dung of an otter.

SPRANG Sprang,

Defn: imp. of Spring.

SPRAT Sprat, n. Etym: [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch. Sprat borer (Zoöl.), the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. -- Sprat loon. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red-throated diver. See Diver. -- Sprat mew (Zoöl.), the kittiwake gull.

SPRAWL Sprawl (sprall), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprawled (spralld); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.] Etym: [OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. spælle, sprælde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.]

1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.

2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.

3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping. The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled. L'Estrange.

SPRAWLS Sprawls, n. pl.

Defn: Small branches of a tree; twigs; sprays. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SPRAY Spray, n. Etym: [Cf. Dan. sprag. See Sprig.]

1. A small shoot or branch; a twig. Chaucer. The painted birds, companions of the spring, Hopping from spray, were heard to sing. Dryden.

2. A collective body of small branches; as, the tree has a beautiful spray. And from the trees did lop the needless spray. Spenser.

3. (Founding) (a) A side channel or branch of the runner of a flask, made to distribute the metal in all parts of the mold. (b) A group of castings made in the same mold and connected by sprues formed in the runner and its branches. Knight. Spray drain (Agric.), a drain made by laying under earth the sprays or small branches of trees, which keep passages open.

SPRAY Spray, n. Etym: [probably from a Dutch or Low German form akin to E. spread. See Spread, v. t.]

1. Water flying in small drops or particles, as by the force of wind, or the dashing of waves, or from a waterfall, and the like.

2. (Med.) (a) A jet of fine medicated vapor, used either as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or a deodorizer. (b) An instrument for applying such a spray; an atomizer. Spray condenser (Steam Engine) an injection condenser in which the steam is condensed by a spray of water which mingles with it.

SPRAY Spray, v. t.

1. To let fall in the form of spray. [Poetic] M. Arnold.

2. To throw spray upon; to treat with a liquid in the form of spray; as, to spray a wound, or a surgical instrument, with carbolic acid.

SPRAYBOARD Spray`board, n. (Naut.)

Defn: See Dashboard, n., 2 (b).

SPRAYER Spray"er, n.

Defn: One that sprays; any instrument for vaporizing and spraying liquids.

SPREAD Spread, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spread; p. pr. & vb. n. Spreading.] Etym: [OE. spreden, AS. sprædan; akin to D. spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G. spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. Spray water flying in drops.]

1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail. He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent. Gen. xxxiii. 19. Here the Rhone Hath spread himself a couch. Byron.

2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or grater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space. Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread Their branches hung with copious fruit. Milton.

3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as, to spread a report; -- often acompanied by abroad. They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. Matt. ix. 31.

4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to spread a disease.

5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.

6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground.

7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table. Boiled the flesh, and spread the board. Tennyson. To sprad cloth, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Syn. -- To diffuse; propogate; disperse; publish; distribute; scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.

SPREAD Spread, v. i.

1. To extend in length and breadth in all directions, or in breadth only; to be extended or stretched; to expand. Plants, if they spread much, are seldom tall. Bacon. Govrnor Winthrop, and his associates at Charlestown, had for a church a large, spreading tree. B. Trumbull.

2. To be extended by drawing or beating; as, some metals spread with difficulty.

3. To be made known more extensively, as news.

4. To be propagated from one to another; as, the disease spread into all parts of the city. Shak.

SPREAD Spread, n.

1. Extent; compass. I have got a fine spread of improvable land. Addison.

2. Expansion of parts. No flower hath spread like that of the woodbine. Bacon.

3. A cloth used as a cover for a table or a bed.

4. A table, as spread or furnished with a meal; hence, an entertainment of food; a feast. [Colloq.]

5. A privilege which one person buys of another, of demanding certain shares of stock at a certain price, or of delivering the same shares of stock at another price, within a time agreed upon. [Broker's Cant]

6. (Geom.)

Defn: An unlimited expanse of discontinuous points.

SPREAD Spread,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spread, v. Spread eagle. (a) An eagle with outspread wings, the national emblem of the United States. (b) The figure of an eagle, with its wings elevated and its legs extended; often met as a device upon military ornaments, and the like. (c) (Her.) An eagle displayed; an eagle with the wings and legs extended on each side of the body, as in the double-headed eagle of Austria and Russia. See Displayed, 2.

SPREAD-EAGLE Spread"-ea`gle, a.

Defn: Characterized by a pretentious, boastful, exaggerated style; defiantly or extravagantly bombastic; as, a spread-eagle orator; a spread-eagle speech. [Colloq.& Humorous]

SPREAD-EAGLE Spread"-ea`gle v. i.

Defn: To assume a spread-eagled position; -- it may be done reclining, for relaxation, or momentarily, as an exhibitionary maneuver in a sport.

SPREAD-EAGLED Spread"-ea`gled v.tr.

Defn: 1. To place in a spread-eagle position, especially as a means of punishment. 2. being in a position with the arms and legs extended fully.

SPREADER Spread"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, spreads, expands, or propogates.

2. A machine for combining and drawing fibers of flax to form a sliver preparatory to spinning.

SPREADINGLY Spread"ing*ly

Defn: , adv. Increasingly. The best times were spreadingly infected. Milton.

SPRECHERY Sprech"er*y, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. spreidh catle.]

Defn: Movables of an inferior description; especially, such as have been collected by depredation. [Scot]

SPREE Spree, n. Etym: [Cf. Ir. spre a spark, animation, spirit, Gael. spraic. Cf. Sprack.]

Defn: A merry frolic; especially, a drinking frolic; a carousal. [Colloq.]

SPRENGE Sprenge, v. t. Etym: [OE. sprengen, p.p. sprent, spreint, from AS. sprengen to sprinkle. See Sprinkle.]

Defn: To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.] Wyclif (1 Pet. i. 2).

SPRENGEL PUMP Spreng"el pump`. (Physics)

Defn: A form of air pump in which exhaustion is produced by a stream of mercury running down a narrow tube, in the manner of an aspirator; -- named from the inventor.

SPRENT Sprent, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Sprenge. Sprinkled. All the ground with purple blood was sprent. Spenser.

SPREW Sprew, n. Etym: [Cf. D. sprouw, spruw.] (Med.)

Defn: Thrush. [Local, U.S.]

SPREYND Spreynd, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Sprenge. Sprinkled. When spreynd was holy water. Chaucer.

SPRIG Sprig, n. Etym: [AS. sprec; akin to Icel. sprek a stick. Cf. Spray a branch.]

1. A small shoot or twig of a tree or other plant; a spray; as, a sprig of laurel or of parsley.

2. A youth; a lad; -- used humorously or in slight disparagement. A sprig whom I remember, with a whey-face and a satchel, not so many years ago. Sir W. Scott.

3. A brad, or nail without a head.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: A small eyebolt ragged or barbed at the point.

SPRIG Sprig, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sprigged; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprigging.]

Defn: To mark or adorn with the representation of small branches; to work with sprigs; as, to sprig muslin.

SPRIGGED Sprigged, a.

Defn: Having sprigs.

SPRIGGY Sprig"gy, a.

Defn: Full of sprigs or small branches.

SPRIGHT Spright, n. Etym: [See Sprite.]

1. Spirit; mind; soul; state of mind; mood. [Obs.] "The high heroic spright." Spenser. Wondrous great grief groweth in my spright. Spenser.

2. A supernatural being; a spirit; a shade; an apparition; a ghost. Forth he called, out of deep darkness dread, Legions of sprights. Spenser. To thee, O Father, Son, and Sacred Spright. Fairfax.

3. A kind of short arrow. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPRIGHT Spright, v. t.

Defn: To haunt, as a spright. [Obs.] Shak.

SPRIGHTFUL Spright"ful, a. Etym: [Spright sprite + full.]

Defn: Full of spirit or of life; earnest; vivacious; lively; brisk; nimble; gay. [Obs.] -- Spright"ful*ly, adv. [Obs.] Shak. -- Spright"ful*ness, n. [Obs.] Spoke like a sprightful gentlemen. Shak. Steeds sprightful as the light. Cowley.

SPRIGHTLESS Spright"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of life; dull; sluggish.

SPRIGHTLINESS Spright"li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sprightly; liveliness; life; briskness; vigor; activity; gayety; vivacity. In dreams, observe with what a sprightliness and alacrity does she [the soul] exert herself! Addison.

SPRIGHTLY Spright"ly, a. [Compar. Sprightlier; superl. Sprightliest.] Etym: [See Sprite.]

Defn: Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as, a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden. The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green. Pope.

SPRIGTAIL Sprig"tail`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The pintail duck; -- called also sprig, and spreet-tail. [Local, U.S.] (b) The sharp-tailed grouse. [Local, U.S.]

SPRING Spring, v. i. [imp. Sprang or Sprung (; p. p. Sprung; p. pr. & vb. n. Springing.] Etym: [AS. springan; akin to D. & G. springen, OS. & OHG. springan, Icel. & Sw. springa, Dan. springe; cf. Gr. Springe, Sprinkle.]

1. To leap; to bound; to jump. The mountain stag that springs From height to height, and bounds along the plains. Philips.

2. To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot. And sudden light Sprung through the vaulted roof. Dryden.

3. To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert. Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring. Otway.

4. To fly back; as, a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.

5. To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as, a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning.

6. To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; -often followed by up, forth, or out. Till well nigh the day began to spring. Chaucer. To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth. Job xxxviii. 27. Do not blast my springing hopes. Rowe. O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born. Pope.

7. To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle. [They found] new hope to spring Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked. Milton.

8. To grow; to prosper. What makes all this, but Jupiter the king, At whose command we perish, and we spring Dryden. To spring at, to leap toward; to attempt to reach by a leap. -- To spring forth, to leap out; to rush out. -- To spring in, to rush in; to enter with a leap or in haste. -- To spring on or upon, to leap on; to rush on with haste or violence; to assault.

SPRING Spring, v. t.

1. To cause to spring up; to start or rouse, as game; to cause to rise from the earth, or from a covert; as, to spring a pheasant.

2. To produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly. She starts, and leaves her bed, amd springs a light. Dryden. The friends to the cause sprang a new project. Swift.

3. To cause to explode; as, to spring a mine.

4. To crack or split; to bend or strain so as to weaken; as, to spring a mast or a yard.

5. To cause to close suddenly, as the parts of a trap operated by a spring; as, to spring a trap.

6. To bend by force, as something stiff or strong; to force or put by bending, as a beam into its sockets, and allowing it to straighten when in place; -- often with in, out, etc.; as, to spring in a slat or a bar.

7. To pass over by leaping; as, to spring a fence. To spring a butt (Naut.), to loosen the end of a plank in a ship's bottom. -- To spring a leak (Naut.), to begin to leak. -- To spring an arch (Arch.), to build an arch; -- a common term among masons; as, to spring an arcg over a lintel. -- To spring a rattle, to cause a rattle to sound. See Watchman's rattle, under Watchman. -- To spring the luff (Naut.), to ease the helm, and sail nearer to the wind than before; -- said of a vessel. Mar. Dict. -- To spring a mast or spar (Naut.), to strain it so that it is unserviceable.

SPRING Spring, n. Etym: [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See Spring, v. i.]

1. A leap; a bound; a jump. The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke. Dryden.

2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former state by elasticity; as, the spring of a bow.

3. Elastic power or force. Heavens! what a spring was in his arm! Dryden.

4. An elastic body of any kind, as steel, India rubber, tough wood, or compressed air, used for various mechanical purposes, as receiving and imparting power, diminishing concussion, regulating motion, measuring weight or other force.

Note: The principal varieties of springs used in mechanisms are the spiral spring (Fig. a), the coil spring (Fig. b), the elliptic spring (Fig. c), the half-elliptic spring (Fig. d), the volute spring, the India-rubber spring, the atmospheric spring, etc.

5. Any source of supply; especially, the source from which a stream proceeds; as issue of water from the earth; a natural fountain. "All my springs are in thee." Ps. lxxxvii. 7. "A secret spring of spiritual joy." Bentley. "The sacred spring whence and honor streams." red rose of the House of Lancaster. Sir J. Davies.

6. Any active power; that by which action, or motion, is produced or propagated; cause; origin; motive. Our author shuns by vulgar springs to move The hero's glory, or the virgin's love. Pope.

7. That which springs, or is originated, from a source; as: (a) A race; lineage. [Obs.] Chapman. (b) A youth; a springal. [Obs.] Spenser. (c) A shoot; a plant; a young tree; also, a grove of trees; woodland. [Obs.] Spenser. Milton.

8. That which causes one to spring; specifically, a lively tune. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

9. The season of the year when plants begin to vegetate and grow; the vernal season, usually comprehending the months of March, April, and May, in the middle latitudes north of the equator. "The green lap of the new-come spring." Shak.

Note: Spring of the astronomical year begins with the vernal equinox, about March 21st, and ends with the summer solstice, about June 21st.

10. The time of growth and progress; early portion; first stage. "The spring of the day." 1 Sam. ix. 26. O how this spring of love resembleth The uncertain glory of an April day. Shak.

11. (Naut.) (a) A crack or fissure in a mast or yard, running obliquely or transversely. (b) A line led from a vessel's quarter to her cable so that by tightening or slacking it she can be made to lie in any desired position; a line led diagonally from the bow or stern of a vessel to some point upon the wharf to which she is moored. Air spring, Boiling spring, etc. See under Air, Boiling, etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding), a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance, a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam, a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam, under Paddle, n. -- Spring beauty. (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia, delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime. (b) (Zoöl.) A small, elegant American butterfly (Erora læta) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed, a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zoöl.), a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box, the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zoöl.), a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.), a vernal grass. See under Vernal. -- Spring gun, a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines), one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch, a latch that fastens with a spring.

-- Spring lock, a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress, a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch, under Springing. -- Spring of pork, the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. Sir, pray hand the spring of pork to me. Gayton. -- Spring pin (Locomotive Engines), an iron rod fitted between the springs and the axle boxes, to sustain and regulate the pressure on the axles. -- Spring rye, a kind of rye sown in the spring; -- in distinction from winter rye, sown in autumn. -- Spring stay (Naut.), a preventer stay, to assist the regular one. R. H. Dana, Jr. -- Spring tide, the tide which happens at, or soon after, the new and the full moon, and which rises higher than common tides. See Tide. -- Spring wagon, a wagon in which springs are interposed between the body and the axles to form elastic supports. -- Spring wheat, any kind of wheat sown in the spring; -- in distinction from winter wheat, which is sown in autumn.

SPRINGAL; SPRINGALD; SPRINGALL Spring"al, Spring"ald, Spring"all, a. Etym: [Scot. springald, springel, fr. Scot. & E. spring.]

Defn: An active, springly young man. [Obs.] "There came two springals of full tender years." Spenser. Joseph, when he was sold to Potiphar, that great man, was a fair young springall. Latimer.

SPRINGAL Spring"al, n. Etym: [OF. espringale; of Teutonic origin, akin to E. spring.]

Defn: An ancient military engine for casting stones and arrows by means of a spring.

SPRINGBOARD Spring"board`, n.

Defn: An elastic board, secured at the ends, or at one end, often by elastic supports, used in performing feats of agility or in exercising.

SPRINGBOK; SPRINGBUCK Spring"bok`, Spring"buck`, n. Etym: [D. springbok; springen to spring, leap + bok a he-goat, buck.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A South African gazelle (Gazella euchore) noted for its graceful form and swiftness, and for its peculiar habit of springing lighty and suddenly into the air. It has a white dorsal stripe, expanding into a broad patch of white on the rump and tail. Called also springer. [Written also springboc, and springbock.]

SPRINGE Springe, n. Etym: [From Spring, v. i.: cf. G. sprenkel, Prov. E. springle.]

Defn: A noose fastened to an elastic body, and drawn close with a sudden spring, whereby it catches a bird or other animal; a gin; a snare. As a woodcock to mine own springe. Shak.

SPRINGE Springe, v. t.

Defn: To catch in a springe; to insnare. [R.]

SPRINGE Spring"e ( or ), v. t. Etym: [OE. sprengen. See Sprinkle.]

Defn: To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.] He would sowen some difficulty, Or springen cockle in our cleane corn. Chaucer.

SPRINGER Spring"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, springs; specifically, one who rouses game.

2. A young plant. [Obs.] Evelyn.

3. (Arch.) (a) The impost, or point at which an arch rests upon its support, and from which it seems to spring. Hence: (b) The bottom stone of an arch, which lies on the impost. The skew back is one form of springer. (c) The rib of a groined vault, as being the solid abutment for each section of vaulting.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The grampus.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A variety of the field spaniel. See Spaniel.

6. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of antelope; the sprinkbok.

SPRINGHALT Spring"halt`, n. (Far.)

Defn: A kind of lameness in horse. See Stringhalt. Shak.

SPRINGHEAD Spring"head`, n.

Defn: A fountain or source.

SPRINGINESS Spring"i*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being springly. Boyle.

SPRINGING Spring"ing, n.

1. The act or process of one who, or that which, springs.

2. Growth; increase; also, that which springs up; a shoot; a plant. Thou blessest the springing thereof. Ps. lxv. 10. Springing line of an arch (Arch.), the horizontal line drawn through the junction of the vertical face of the impost with the curve of the intrados; -- called also spring of an arch.

SPRINGLE Sprin"gle, n.

Defn: A springe. [Prov. Eng.]

SPRINGLET Spring"let, n.

Defn: A little spring. But yet from out the little hill Oozes the slender springlet still. Sir W. Scott.

SPRING STEEL Spring steel.

Defn: A variety of steel, elastic, strong, and tough, rolled for springs, etc.

SPRINGTAIL Spring"tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small apterous insects belonging to the order Thysanura. They have two elastic caudal stylets which can be bent under the abdomen and then suddenly extended like a spring, thus enabling them to leap to a considerable distance. See Collembola, and Podura.

SPRINGTIDE Spring"tide, n.

Defn: The time of spring; springtime. Thomson.

SPRINGTIME Spring"time`, n.

Defn: The season of spring; springtide.

SPRINGY Spring"y, a. [Compar. Springier; superl. Springiest.] Etym: [From Spring.]

1. Resembling, having the qualities of, or pertaining to, a spring; elastic; as, springy steel; a springy step. Though her little frame was slight, it was firm and springy. Sir W. Scott.

2. Abounding with springs or fountains; wet; spongy; as, springy land.

SPRINKLE Sprin"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sprinkled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprinkling.] Etym: [OE. sprenkelen, freq. of sprengen to sprinkle, to scatter, AS. sprengan, properly, to make to spring, causative of springan to spring; akin to D. sprenkelen to sprinkle, G. sprengen. See Spring, v. i., and cf. Sprent.]

1. To scatter in small drops or particles, as water, seed, etc.

2. To scatter on; to disperse something over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle; as, to sprinkle the earth with water; to sprinkle a floor with sand.

3. To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Heb. x. 22.

SPRINKLE Sprin"kle, v. i.

1. To scatter a liquid, or any fine substance, so that it may fall in particles. And the priest shall . . . sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord. Lev. xiv. 16.

2. To rain moderately, or with scattered drops falling now and then; as, it sprinkles.

3. To fly or be scattered in small drops or particles.

SPRINKLE Sprin"kle, n.

1. A small quantity scattered, or sparsely distributed; a sprinkling.

2. A utensil for sprinkling; a sprinkler. [Obs.]

SPRINKLER Sprin"kler, n.

1. One who sprinkles.

2. An instrument or vessel used in sprinkling; specifically, a watering pot.

SPRINKLING Sprin"kling, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, sprinkles. Baptism may well enough be performed by sprinkling or effusion of water. Ayliffe.

2. A small quantity falling in distinct drops or particles; as, a sprinkling of rain or snow.

3. Hence, a moderate number or quantity distributed like drops. Craik.

SPRINT Sprint, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprinting.] Etym: [Cf. Sprunt.]

Defn: To run very rapidly; to run at full speed. A runner [in a quarter-mile race] should be able to sprint the whole way. Encyc. Brit.

SPRINT Sprint, n.

Defn: The act of sprinting; a run of a short distance at full speed. Sprint race, a foot race at the highest running speed; -- usually limited to distance under a quarter of a mile.

SPRINTER Sprint"er, n.

Defn: One who sprints; one who runs in sprint races; as, a champion sprinter.

SPRIT Sprit, v. t. Etym: [Akin to G. spritzen, sprützen. See Sprit, v. i.]

Defn: To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to eject; to spurt out. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SPRIT Sprit, v. i. Etym: [AS. spryttan to sprout, but. See Sprout, v. i., and cf. Spurt, v. t., Sprit a spar.]

Defn: To sprout; to bud; to germinate, as barley steeped for malt.

SPRIT Sprit, n.

Defn: A shoot; a sprout. [Obs.] Mortimer.

SPRIT Sprit, n. Etym: [OE. spret, AS. spreót a sprit; spear; akin to D. spriet, and E. sprout, sprit, v.t. & i. See Sprout, v. i.] (Naut.)

Defn: A small boom, pole, or spar, which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to extend and elevate.

SPRITE Sprite, n. Etym: [OE. sprit, F. esprit, fr. L. spiritus. See Spirit, and cf. Sprightly.]

1. A spirit; a soul; a shade; also, an apparition. See Spright. Gaping graves received the wandering, guilty sprite. Dryden.

2. An elf; a fairy; a goblin.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The green woodpecker, or yaffle.

SPRITEFUL; SPRITEFULLY; SPRITELINESS; SPRITELY Sprite"ful, a. Sprite"ful*ly, adv., Sprite"li*ness (, n., Sprite"ly, a., etc.

Defn: See Sprightful, Sprightfully, Sprightliness, Sprightly, etc.

SPRITSAIL Sprit"sail ( or ), n. (Naut.) (a) A sail extended by a sprit. (b) A sail formerly hung under the bowsprit, from the spritsail yard.

SPROCKET WHEEL Sprock"et wheel`. Etym: [Etymology of sprocket is uncertain.] (Mach.)

Defn: Same as Chain wheel.

SPROD Sprod, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. & Ir. bradan a salmon.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A salmon in its second year. [Prov. Eng.]

SPRONG Sprong, obs.

Defn: imp. of Spring. Sprung.

SPROUT Sprout, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprouting.] Etym: [OE. sprouten, spruten; akin to OFries. spr, AS. spreótan, D. spruiten, G. spriessen, Sw. spruta to squirt, to spout. Cf. Sprit, v. t. & i., Sprit a spar, Spout, v. t., Spurt.]

1. To shoot, as the seed of a plant; to germinate; to push out new shoots; hence, to grow like shoots of plants.

2. To shoot into ramifications. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPROUT Sprout, v. t.

1. To cause to sprout; as, the rain will sprout the seed.

2. To deprive of sprouts; as, to sprout potatoes.

SPROUT Sprout, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. sprote a sprout, sprig; akin to Icel. sproti, G. sprosse. See Sprout, v. i.]

1. The shoot of a plant; a shoot from the seed, from the stump, or from the root or tuber, of a plant or tree; more rarely, a shoot from the stem of a plant, or the end of a branch.

2. pl.

Defn: Young coleworts; Brussels sprouts. Johnson. Brussels sprouts (Bot.) See under Brussels.

SPRUCE Spruce, n. Etym: [OE. Spruce or Pruse, Prussia, Prussian. So named because it was first known as a native of Prussia, or because its sprouts were used for making, spruce beer. Cf. Spruce beer, below, Spruce, a.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Any coniferous tree of the genus Picea, as the Norway spruce (P. excelsa), and the white and black spruces of America (P. alba and P. nigra), besides several others in the far Northwest. See Picea.

2. The wood or timber of the spruce tree.

3. Prussia leather; pruce. [Obs.] Spruce, a sort of leather corruptly so called for Prussia leather. E. Phillips. Douglas spruce (Bot.), a valuable timber tree (Pseudotsuga Douglasii) of Northwestern America. -- Essence of spruce, a thick, dark-colored, bitterish, and acidulous liquid made by evaporating a decoction of the young branches of spruce. -- Hemlock spruce (Bot.), a graceful coniferous tree (Tsuga Canadensis) of North America. Its timber is valuable, and the bark is largely used in tanning leather. -- Spruce beer. Etym: [G. sprossenbier; sprosse sprout, shoot (akin to E. sprout, n.) + bier beer. The word was changed into spruce because the beer came from Prussia (OE. Spruce), or because it was made from the sprouts of the spruce. See Sprout, n., Beer, and cf. Spruce, n.] A kind of beer which is tinctured or flavored with spruce, either by means of the extract or by decoction. -- Spruce grouse. (Zoöl.) Same as Spruce partridge, below. -- Spruce leather. See Spruce, n., 3. -- Spruce partridge (Zoöl.), a handsome American grouse (Dendragapus Canadensis) found in Canada and the Northern United States; -- called also Canada grouse.

SPRUCE Spruce, a. [Compar. Sprucer; superl. Sprucest] Etym: [Perhaps fr. spruce a sort of leather from Prussia, which was an article of finery. See Spruce, n.]

1. Neat, without elegance or dignity; -- formerly applied to things with a serious meaning; now chiefly applied to persons. "Neat and spruce array." Remedy of Love.

2. Sprightly; dashing. [Obs.] "Now, my spruce companions." Shak. He is so spruce that he can never be genteel. Tatler.

Syn. -- Finical; neat; trim. See Finical. -- Sruce"ly, adv. -- Spruce"ness, n.

SPRUCE Spruce, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spruced; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprucing.]

Defn: To dress with affected neatness; to trim; to make spruce.

SPRUCE Spruce, v. i.

Defn: To dress one's self with affected neatness; as, to spruce up.

SPRUE Sprue, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

1. (Founding) (a) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. (b) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Same as Sprew.

SPRUG Sprug, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. sprug up to dress neatly, sprag to prop, a., lively.]

Defn: To make smart. [Obs.]

SPRUNG Sprung,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spring.

SPRUNG Sprung, a. (Naut.)

Defn: Said of a spar that has been cracked or strained.

SPRUNT Sprunt, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Sprout, v. i.]

Defn: To spring up; to germinate; to spring forward or outward. [Obs.] To sprunt up, to draw one's self up suddenly, as in anger or defiance; to bristle up. [Local, U.S.]

SPRUNT Sprunt, n.

1. Anything short and stiff. [Obs.]

2. A leap; a spring. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

3. A steep ascent in a road. [Prov. Eng.]

SPRUNT Sprunt, a.

Defn: Active; lively; vigorous. [Obs.] Kersey.

SPRUNTLY Sprunt"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sprunt manner; smartly; vigorously; youthfully. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SPRY Spry, a. [Compar. Sprier or Spryer (; superl. Spriest or Spryest.] Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. sprygg lively, skittish, and E. sprag.]

Defn: Having great power of leaping or running; nimble; active. [U.S. & Local Eng.] She is as spry as a cricket. S. Judd (Margaret). If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as I, And not half so spry. Emerson.

SPUD Spud, n. Etym: [Cf. Dan. spyd a spear.]

1. A sharp, narrow spade, usually with a long handle, used by farmers for digging up large-rooted weeds; a similarly shaped implement used for various purposes. My spud these nettles from the stone can part. Swyft.

2. A dagger. [Obs.] olland.

3. Anything short and thick; specifically, a piece of dough boiled in fat. [Local, U.S.]

SPUE Spue, v. t. & i.

Defn: See Spew.

SPUILZIE Spuil"zie, n.

Defn: See Spulzie.

SPUKE Spuke, n.

Defn: See Spook.

SPULLER Spul"ler (, n. [For spooler.] Etym: [See Spool.]

Defn: One employed to inspect yarn, to see that it is well spun, and fit for the loom. [Prov. Eng.]

SPULZIE Spul"zie, n. Etym: [Cf. Spoil.]

Defn: Plunder, or booty. [Written also spuilzie, and spulye.] Sir W. Scott.

SPUME Spume, n. Etym: [L. spuma. Cf. Pumice, Spoom.]

Defn: Frothy matter raised on liquids by boiling, effervescence, or agitation; froth; foam; scum. Materials dark and crude, Of spiritous and fiery spume. Milton.

SPUME Spume, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spumed; p. pr. & vb. n. Spuming.] Etym: [L. spumare.]

Defn: To froth; to foam.

SPUMEOUS Spume"ous, a.

Defn: Spumous. [Obs.] r. H. More.

SPUMESCENCE Spu*mes"cence, n. Etym: [See Spumescent.]

Defn: The state of being foamy; frothiness.

SPUMESCENT Spu*mes"cent, a. Etym: [L. spumescens, p.pr. of spumescere to grow foamy, from spuma foam.]

Defn: Resembling froth or foam; foaming.

SPUMID Spum"id, a. Etym: [L. spumidis.]

Defn: Spumous; frothy. [Obs.]

SPUMIFEROUS Spu*mif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. spumifier; spuma foam + ferra bear.]

Defn: Producing foam.

SPUMINESS Spum"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or condition of being spumy; spumescence.

SPUMOUS; SPUMY Spum"ous, Spum"y, a. Etym: [L. spumosus, spuma foam: cf. F. spumeux.]

Defn: Consisting of, containing, or covered with, froth, scum, or foam; frothy; foamy. The spumous and florid state of the blood. Arbuthnot. The spumy waves proclaim the watery war. Dryden.

SPUN Spun,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spin. Spun hay, hay twisted into ropes for convenient carriage, as on a military expedition. -- Spun silk, a cheap article produced from floss, or short-fibered, broken, and waste silk, carded and spun, in distinction from the long filaments wound from the cocoon. It is often mixed with cotton. -- Spun yarn (Naut.), a line formed of two or more rope-yarns loosely twisted.

SPUNGE Spunge (spûnj), n.

Defn: A sponge. [Obs.]

SPUNK Spunk (spûnk), n. Etym: [Gael. spong, or Ir. sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. sponge a sponge (L. spongia), spon a chip. Cf. Sponge, Punk.] [Written also sponk.]

1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou. Sir T. Browne.

2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk. [Colloq.] A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body. Prof. Wilson.

SPUNKY Spunk"y, a. [Compar. Spunkier; superl. Spunkiest.]

Defn: Full of spunk; quick; spirited. [Colloq.]

SPUR Spur, n. Etym: [See Sparrow.] (Zoöl.) (a) A sparrow. [Scot.] (b) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]

SPUR Spur, n. Etym: [OE. spure, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor, G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre, and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn. sq. root171. Cf. Sparrow, Spere, Spoor, Spurn.]

1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood. And on her feet a pair of spurs large. Chaucer.

2. That which goads to action; an incitement. Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights and live laborious days. Milton.

3. Something that projects; a snag.

4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. Shak.

5. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain burds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg.

6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.

7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber.

8. (Carp.)

Defn: A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.

9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.

10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. [R.]

11. (Fort.)

Defn: A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.

12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed. Spur fowl (Zoöl.), any one of several species of Asiatic gallinaceous birds of the genus Galloperdix, allied to the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each leg. -- Spur gear (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel. -- Spur gearing, gearing in which spur gears are used. See under Gearing. -- Spur pepper. (Bot.) See the Note under Capsicum. -- Spur wheel. Same as Spur gear, above.

SPUR Spur, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spurred; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurring.]

1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse.

2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive. Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. Shak.

3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot.

SPUR Spur, v. i.

Defn: To spur on one's horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit. "Now spurs the lated traveler." Shak. The Parthians shall be there, And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear. Dryden. The roads leading to the capital were covered with multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster. Macaulay. Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves. Grew.

SPURGALL Spur"gall`, n.

Defn: A place galled or excoriated by much using of the spur.

SPURGALL Spur"gall`, v. t.

Defn: To gall or wound with a spur.

SPURGE Spurge, v. t. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: To emit foam; to froth; -- said of the emission of yeast from beer in course of fermentation. [Obs.] W. Cartright.

SPURGE Spurge, n. Etym: [OF. espurge, F. épurge, from OF. espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge.] (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Euphobia. See Euphorbia. Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with crowded narrow leaves. It is native of Southern Europe. -- Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves. -- Spurge nettle. See under Nettle. -- Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found in the Mediterranean region.

SPURGEWORT Spurge"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any euphorbiaceous plant. Lindley.

SPURGING Spur"ging, n. Etym: [See 2d Spurge.]

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

SPURIOUS Spu"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. spurius.]

1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; false; adulterate.

2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue. "Her spurious firstborn." Milton. Spurious primary, or Spurious quill (Zoöl.), the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds. -- Spurious wing (Zoöl.), the bastard wing, or alula.

Syn. -- Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard. -- Spu"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Spu"ri*ous*ness, n.

SPURLESS Spur"less, a.

Defn: Having no spurs.

SPURLING Spur"ling, n. Etym: [See Sparling.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tern. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Tusser.

SPURLING-LINE Spur"ling-line`, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. spurling the rut of a wheel, a cart rut, AS. spor a track, trace, E. spoor. Scot. spurl to sprawl.] (Naut.)

Defn: The line which forms the communication between the steering wheel and the telltale.

SPURN Spurn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spurned; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurning.] Etym: [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over, AS. spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS. & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna, L. spernere to despise, Skr. sphur to jerk, to push. sq. root171. See Spur.]

1. To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick. [The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup. Chaucer. I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Shak.

2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept; to treat with contempt. What safe and nicely I might well delay By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn. Shak. Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master's feet. Locke.

SPURN Spurn, v. i.

1. To kick or toss up the heels. The miller spurned at a stone. Chaucer. The drunken chairman in the kennel spurns. Gay.

2. To manifest disdain in rejecting anything; to make contemptuous opposition or resistance. Nay, more, to spurn at your most royal image. Shak.

SPURN Spurn, n.

1. A kick; a blow with the foot. [R.] What defence can properly be used in such a despicable encounter as this but either the slap or the spurn Milton.

2. Disdainful rejection; contemptuous tratment. The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes. Shak.

3. (Mining)

Defn: A body of coal left to sustain an overhanding mass.

SPURNER Spurn"er, n.

Defn: One who spurns.

SPURN-WATER Spurn"-wa`ter, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A channel at the end of a deck to restrain the water.

SPURRED Spurred, a.

1. Wearing spurs; furnished with a spur or spurs; having shoots like spurs.

2. Affected with spur, or ergot; as, spurred rye. Spurred corolla (Bot.), a corolla in which there are one or more petals with a spur.

SPURRER Spur"rer, n.

Defn: One who spurs.

SPURREY Spur"rey, n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Spurry.

SPURRIER Spur"ri*er, n.

Defn: One whose occupation is to make spurs. B. Jonson. "The saddlers and spurriers would be ruined by thousands." Macaulay.

SPUR-ROYAL Spur"-roy`al, n.

Defn: A gold coin, first made in the reign of Edward IV., having a star on the reverse resembling the rowel of a spur. In the reigns of Elizabeth and of James I., its value was fifteen shillings. [Written also spur-rial, and spur-ryal.]

SPURRY Spur"ry, n. Etym: [D. or OF. spurrie; cf. G. spergel, NL. spergula.] (Bot.)

Defn: An annual herb (Spergula arvensis) with whorled filiform leaves, sometimes grown in Europe for fodder. [Written also spurrey.] Sand spurry (Bot.), any low herb of the genus Lepigonum, mostly found in sandy places.

SPUR-SHELL Spur"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of handsome gastropod shells of the genus Trochus, or Imperator. The shell is conical, with the margin toothed somewhat like the rowel of a spur.

SPURT Spurt, v. i. Etym: [Written also spirt, and originally the same word as sprit; OE. sprutten to sprout, AS. spryttan. See Sprit, v. i., Sprout, v. i.]

Defn: To gush or issue suddenly or violently out in a stream, as liquor from a cask; to rush from a confined place in a small stream or jet; to spirt. Thus the small jet, which hasty hands unlock, Spurts in the gardener's eyes who turns the cock. Pope.

SPURT Spurt, v. t.

Defn: To throw out, as a liquid, in a stream or jet; to drive or force out with violence, as a liquid from a pipe or small orifice; as, to spurt water from the mouth.

SPURT Spurt, n.

1. A sudden or violent ejection or gushing of a liquid, as of water from a tube, orifice, or other confined place, or of blood from a wound; a jet; a spirt.

2. A shoot; a bud. [Obs.] Holland.

3. Fig.: A sudden outbreak; as, a spurt of jealousy. Spurt grass (Bot.), a rush fit for basket work. Dr. Prior.

SPURT Spurt, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. sprette a spurt, spring, run, spretta to sprit, spring.]

Defn: A sudden and energetic effort, as in an emergency; an increased exertion for a brief space. The long, steady sweep of the so-called "paddle" tried him almost as much as the breathless strain of the spurt. T. Hughes.

SPURT Spurt, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spurted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurting.]

Defn: To make a sudden and violent exertion, as in an emergency.

SPURTLE Spur"tle, v. t. Etym: [Freq. of spurt.]

Defn: To spurt or shoot in a scattering manner. [Obs.] Drayton.

SPURWAY Spur"way`, n. Etym: [Prov. E. spoor a track, trace (AS. spor) + way.]

Defn: A bridle path. [R.]

SPUR-WINGED Spur"-winged`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having one or more spurs on the bend of the wings. Spur-winged goose (Zoöl.), any one of several species of long-legged African geese of the genus Plectropterus and allied genera, having a strong spur on the bend of the wing, as the Gambo goose (P. Gambensis) and the Egyptian, or Nile, goose (Alopochen Ægyptiaca). -- Spur-winged plover (Zoöl.), an Old World plover (Hoplopterus spinosus) having a sharp spur on the bend of the wing. It inhabits Northern Africa and the adjacent parts of Asia and Europe.

SPUT Sput, n. (Steam Boiler)

Defn: An annular reënforce, to strengthen a place where a hole is made.

SPUTATION Spu*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. sputare to spit, v. intens. fr. spuere to spit: cf. F. sputation.]

Defn: The act of spitting; expectoration. Harvey.

SPUTATIVE Spu"ta*tive, a.

Defn: Inclined to spit; spitting much. Sir H. Wotton.

SPUTE Spute, v. t. Etym: [Abbrev. from dispute.]

Defn: To dispute; to discuss. [Obs.] Wyclif.

SPUTTER Sput"ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sputtered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sputtering.] Etym: [From the root of spout or spit to eject from the mputh. Cf. Splutter.]

1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking.

2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva. They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples. Congreve.

3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering. Like the green wood . . . sputtering in the flame. Dryden.

SPUTTER Sput"ter, v. t.

Defn: To spit out hastily by quick, successive efforts, with a spluttering sound; to utter hastily and confusedly, without control over the organs of speech. In the midst of caresses, and without the last pretend incitement, to sputter out the basest accusations. Swift.

SPUTTER Sput"ter, n.

Defn: Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles; also, confused and hasty speech.

SPUTTERER Sput"ter*er, n.

Defn: One who sputters.

SPUTUM Spu"tum, n.; pl. Sputa. Etym: [L., from spuere, sputum, to spit.]

Defn: That which is expectorated; a salival discharge; spittle; saliva.

SPY Spy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spied; p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] Etym: [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. épier, OHG. speh, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa(Espy, v.t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuouc, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Scecimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.]

Defn: To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see. One in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration. Swift.

2. To discover by close search or examination. Look about with yout eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England. Latimer.

3. To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; -- usually with out. Moses sent to spy Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof. Num. xxi. 32.

SPY Spy, v. i.

Defn: To search narrowly; to scrutinize. It is my nature's plague To spy into abuses. Shak.

SPY Spy, n.; pl. Spies. Etym: [See Spy, v., and cf. Espy, n.]

1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." Dryden.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: A person sent secretly into an enemy's camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer. Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy. -- Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immediately preceding the festival of Easter; -- so called in allusion to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.

Syn. -- See Emissary, and Scout.

SPYBOAT Spy"boat`, n.

Defn: A boat sent to make discoveries and bring intelligence. Arbuthnot.

SPYGLASS Spy"glass, n.

Defn: A small telescope for viewing distant terrestrial objects.

SPYISM Spy"ism

Defn: , n. Act or business of spying. [R.]

SPYNACE; SPYNE Spy"nace, Spyne, n. (Naut.)

Defn: See Pinnace, n., 1 (a).

SQUAB Squab, a. Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. sqvabb a soft and fat body, sqvabba a fat woman, Icel. kvap jelly, jellylike things, and and E. quab.]

1. Fat; thick; plump; bulky. Nor the squab daughter nor the wife were nice. Betterton.

2. Unfledged; unfeathered; as, a squab pigeon. King.

SQUAB Squab, n.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A neatling of a pigeon or other similar bird, esp. when very fat and not fully fledged.

2. A person of a short, fat figure. Gorgonious sits abdominous and wan, Like a fat squab upon a Chinese fan. Cowper.

3. A thickly stuffed cushion; especially, one used for the seat of a sofa, couch, or chair; also, a sofa. Punching the squab of chairs and sofas. Dickens. On her large squab you find her spread. Pope.

SQUAB Squab, adv. Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. squapp, a word imitative of a splash, and E. squab fat, unfledged.]

Defn: With a heavy fall; plump. [Vulgar] The eagle took the tortoise up into the air, and dropped him down, squab, upon a rock. L'Estrange.

SQUAB Squab, v. i.

Defn: To fall plump; to strike at one dash, or with a heavy stroke. [Obs.]

SQUABASH Squa*bash", v. t.

Defn: To crush; to quash; to squash. [Colloq. or Slang, Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SQUABBISH Squab"bish, a.

Defn: Thick; fat; heavy.

SQUABBLE Squab"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squabbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Squabbling.] Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. skvabbel a dispute, skvappa to chide.]

1. To contend for superiority in an unseemly maner; to scuffle; to struggle; to wrangle; to quarrel.

2. To debate peevishly; to dispute. The sense of these propositions is very plain, though logicians might squabble a whole day whether they should rank them under negative or affirmative. I. Watts.

Syn. -- To dispute; contend; scuffle; wrangle; quarrel; struggle.

SQUABBLE Squab"ble, v. t. (Print.)

Defn: To disarrange, so that the letters or lines stand awry or are mixed and need careful readjustment; -- said of type that has been set up.

SQUABBLE Squab"ble, n.

Defn: A scuffle; a wrangle; a brawl.

SQUABBLER Squab"bler, n.

Defn: One who squabbles; a contentious person; a brawler.

SQUABBY Squab"by, a.

Defn: Short and thick; suqabbish.

SQUAB-CHICK Squab"-chick`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A young chicken before it is fully fledged. [Prov. Eng.]

SQUACCO Squac"co, n.; pl. Squaccos (. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A heron (Ardea comata) found in Asia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe.

SQUAD Squad, n. Etym: [F. escouade, fr. Sp. escuadra, or It. squadra, (assumed) LL. exquadrare to square; L. ex + quadra a square. See Square.]

1. (Mil.)

Defn: A small party of men assembled for drill, inspection, or other purposes.

2. Hence, any small party.

SQUAD Squad, n.

Defn: Sloppy mud. [Prov. Eng.] Tennyson.

SQUADRON Squad"ron, n. Etym: [F. escadron, formerly also esquadron, or It. squadrone. See Squad.]

1. Primarily, a square; hence, a square body of troops; a body of troops drawn up in a square. [R.] Those half-rounding quards Just met, and, closing, stood in squadron joined. Milton.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: A body of cavarly comparising two companies or troops, and averging from one hundred and twenty to two hundred men.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: A detachment of vessels employed on any particular service or station, under the command of the senior officer; as, the North Atlantic Squadron. Totten. Flying squadron, a squadron of observation or practice, that cruises rapidly about from place to place. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SQUADRONED Squad"roned, a.

Defn: Formed into squadrons, or squares. [R.] Milton.

SQUAIL Squail, v. i.

Defn: To throw sticls at cocks; to throw anything about awkwardly or irregularly. [Prov. Eng.] Southey.

SQUAIMOUS Squai"mous, a.

Defn: Squeamish. [Obs.]

SQUALI Squa"li, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. squalus a kind of sea fish.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The suborder of elasmobranch fishes which comprises the sharks.

SQUALID Squal"id, a. Etym: [L. squalidus, fr. squalere to be foul or filthy.]

Defn: Dirty through neglect; foul; filthy; extremely dirty. Uncomed his locks, and squalid his attrie. Dryden. Those squalid dens, which are the reproach of large capitals. Macaulay.

SQUALIDITY Squa*lid"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. squaliditas.]

Defn: The quality or state of being squalid; foulness; filthiness.

SQUALIDLY Squal"id*ly, adv.

Defn: In a squalid manner.

SQUALIDNESS Squal"id*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being squalid.

SQUALL Squall, n. Etym: [Cf. Sw. sqval an impetuous running of water, sqvalregn a violent shower of rain, sqala to stream, to gush.]

Defn: A sudden violent gust of wind often attended with rain or snow. The gray skirts of a lifting squall. Tennyson. Black squall, a squall attended with dark, heavy clouds. -- Thick squall, a black squall accompanied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.

SQUALL Squall, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squalled; p. pr. & vb. n. Squalling.] Etym: [Icel. skvala. Cf. Squeal.]

Defn: To cry out; to scream or cry violently, as a woman frightened, or a child in anger or distress; as, the infant squalled.

SQUALL Squall, n.

Defn: A loud scream; a harsh cry. There oft are heard the notes of infant woe, -The short, thick sob, loud scream, and shriller squall. Pope.

SQUALLER Squall"er, n.

Defn: One who squalls; a screamer.

SQUALLY Squall"y, a.

1. Abounding with squalls; disturbed often with sudden and violent gusts of wind; gusty; as, squally weather.

2. (Agric.)

Defn: Interrupted by unproductive spots; -- said of a flied of turnips or grain. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

3. (Weaving)

Defn: Not equally good throughout; not uniform; uneven; faulty; -- said of cloth.

SQUALODON Squa"lo*don, n. Etym: [NL. Squalus a genus of sharks + Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A genus of fossil whales belonging to the Phocodontia; -- so called because their are serrated, like a shark's.

SQUALODONT Squa"lo*dont, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to Squalodon.

SQUALOID Squa"loid, a. Etym: [NL. Squalus a genus of sharks (fr. L. squalus a kind of sea fish) + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to a shark or sharks.

SQUALOR Squa"lor, n. Etym: [L., fr. squalere to be foul or filthy.]

Defn: Squalidness; foulness; filthness; squalidity. The heterogenous indigent multitude, everywhere wearing nearly the same aspect of squalor. Taylor. To bring this sort of squalor among the upper classes. Dickens.

SQUAM Squam, n. [From Squam, shortened fr. Annisquam, name of a village on the coast of Massachusetts.]

Defn: An oilskin hat or southwester; -- a fisherman's name. [U. S.]

SQUAMA Squa"ma, n.; pl. Squamæ. Etym: [L. a scale.] (Med.)

Defn: A scale cast off from the skin; a thin dry shred consisting of epithelium.

SQUAMACEOUS Squa*ma"ceous, a.

Defn: Squamose.

SQUAMATA Squa*ma"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. squamatus scaly.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of edentates having the body covered with large, imbricated horny scales. It includes the pangolins.

SQUAMATE; SQUAMATED Squa"mate, Squa"ma*ted, a. Etym: [L. squamatus.]

Defn: Same as Squamose.

SQUAMDUCK Squam"duck`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The American eider duck. [Local, U.S.]

SQUAME Squame, n. Etym: [L. squama scale.]

1. A scale. [Obs.] "iron squames." Chaucer.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The scale, or exopodite, of an antenna of a crustacean.

SQUAMELLA Squa*mel"la, n.; pl. Squamellæ. Etym: [NL., dim. fr. L. squama a scale.] (Bot.)

Defn: A diminutive scale or bractlet, such as those found on the receptacle in many composite plants; a palea.

SQUAMELLATE Squa*mel"late, a.

Defn: Furnished or covered with little scales; squamulose.

SQUAMIFORM Squa"mi*form, a.Etym: [L. squama a scale + -form.]

Defn: Having the shape of a scale.

SQUAMIGEROUS Squa*mig"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. squamiger; squama a scale + gerere to bear.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Bearing scales.

SQUAMIPEN Squam"i*pen ( or ), n. ;pl. Squamipennes. Etym: [L. squama a scale + penna a fin: cf. F. squamipenne.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of a group of fishes having the dorsal and anal fins partially covered with scales.

Note: They are compressed and mostly, bright-colored tropical fishes, belonging to Chætodon and allied genera. Many of them are called soral fishes, and angel fishes.

SQUAMOID Squa"moid, a. Etym: [L. squama scale + -oid.]

Defn: Resembling a scale; also, covered with scales; scaly.

SQUAMOSAL Squa*mo"sal, a. (Anat.) (a) Scalelike; squamous; as, the squamosal bone. (b) Of or pertaining to the squamosal bone. -- n.

Defn: The squamous part of the temporal bone, or a bone correspondending to it, under Temporal.

SQUAMOSE; SQUAMOUS Squa*mose" or, Squa"mous, Etym: [L. squamosus, fr. squama a scale: cf. F. squameux.]

1. Covered with, or consisting of, scales; resembling a scale; scaly; as, the squamose cones of the pine; squamous epithelial cells; the squamous portion of the temporal bone, which is so called from a fancied resemblance to a scale.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the squamosal bone; squamosal.

SQUAMOZYGOMATIC Squa`mo*zyg`o*mat"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the squamosal and zygomatic bones; -- applied to a bone, or a center of ossification, in some fetal skulls. -- n.

Defn: A squamozygomatic bone.

SQUAMULA Squam"u*la ( or ), n.; pl. Squamulæ. Etym: [L., dim. of squama a scale.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the little hypogynous scales found in the flowers of grasses; a lodicule.

SQUAMULATE Squam"u*late, a.

Defn: Same as Squamulose.

SQUAMULE Squam"ule, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Squamula.

SQUAMULOSE Squam"u*lose`, a.

Defn: Having little scales; squamellate; squamulate.

SQUANDER Squan"der, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squandered; p. pr. & vb. n. Squandering.] Etym: [Cf. Scot. squatter to splash water about, to scatter, to squander, Prov. E. swatter, Dan. sqvatte, Sw. sqvätta to squirt, sqvättra to squander, Icel. skvetta to squirt out, to throw out water.]

1. To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.] Our squandered troops he rallies. Dryden.

2. To spend lavishly or profusely; to spend prodigally or wastefully; to use without economy or judgment; to dissipate; as, to squander an estate. The crime of squandering health is equal to the folly. Rambler.

Syn. -- To spend; expend; waste; scatter; dissipate.

SQUANDER Squan"der, v. i.

1. To spend lavishly; to be wasteful. They often squandered, but they never gave. Savage.

2. To wander at random; to scatter. [R.] The wise man's folly is anatomized Even by squandering glances of the fool. Shak.

SQUANDER Squan"der, n.

Defn: The act of squandering; waste.

SQUANDERER Squan"der*er, n.

Defn: One who squanders.

SQUANDERINGLY Squan"der*ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a squandering manner.

SQUARE Square, n. Etym: [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. équerre a carpenter's square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See Four, and cf. Quadrant, Squad, Squer a square.]

1. (Geom.) (a) The corner, or angle, of a figure. [Obs.] (b) A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles.

2. Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so; as: (a) A square piece or fragment. He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches. Sir W. Scott.

(b) A pane of glass. (c) (Print.) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; -- used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers. (d) (Carp.) One hundred superficial feet.

3. An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets. The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. Addison.

4. (Mech. & Joinery)

Defn: An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc.

5. Hence, a pattern or rule. [Obs.]

6. (Arith. & Alg.)

Defn: The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8 × 8 = 64; the square of a + b is a2 + 2ab + b2.

7. Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule. [Obs.] They of Galatia [were] much more out of square. Hooker. I have not kept my square. Shak.

8. (Mil.)

Defn: A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron. "The brave squares of war." Shak.

9. Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level. We live not on the square with such as these. Dryden.

10. (Astrol.)

Defn: The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate. [Obs.]

11. The act of squaring, or quarreling; a quarrel. [R.]

12. The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered. [Obs.] Shak. Geometrical square. See Quadrat, n., 2. -- Hollow square (Mil.), a formation of troops in the shape of a square, each side consisting of four or five ranks, and the colors, officers, horses, etc., occupying the middle. -- Least square, Magic square, etc. See under Least, Magic, etc. -- On the square, or Upon the square, in an open, fair manner; honestly, or upon honor. [Obs. or Colloq.] -- On, or Upon, the square with, upon equality with; even with. Nares. -- To be all squares, to be all settled. [Colloq.] Dickens. -- To be at square, to be in a state of quarreling. [Obs.] Nares. -- To break no square, to give no offense; to make no difference. [Obs.] -- To break squares, to depart from an accustomed order. To see how the squares go, to see how the game proceeds; -- a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chessboard being formed with squares. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

SQUARE Square, a.

1. (Geom.)

Defn: Having four equal sides and four right angles; as, a square figure.

2. Forming a right angle; as, a square corner.

3. Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and angular rather than curving outlines; as, a man of a square frame.

4. Exactly suitable or correspondent; true; just. She's a most truimphant lady, if report be square to her. Shak.

5. Rendering equal justice; exact; fair; honest, as square dealing.

6. Even; leaving no balance; as, to make or leave the accounts square.

7. Leaving nothing; hearty; vigorous. By Heaven, square eaters. More meat, I say. Beau. & Fl.

8. (Naut.)

Defn: At right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; -- said of the yards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.

Note: Square is often used in self-explaining compounds or combination, as in square-built, square-cornered, square-cut, square- nosed, etc. Square foot, an area equal to that of a square the sides of which are twelwe inches; 144 square inches. -- Square knot, a knot in which the terminal and standing parts are parallel to each other; a reef knot. See Illust. under Knot. -- Square measure, the measure of a superficies or surface which depends on the length and breadth taken conjointly. The units of square measure are squares whose sides are the linear measures; as, square inches, square feet, square meters, etc. -- Square number. See square, n., 6. -- Square root of a number or quantity (Math.), that number or quantity which, multiplied by itself produces the given number or quantity. -- Square sail (Naut.), a four-sided sail extended upon a yard suspended by the middle; sometimes, the foresail of a schooner set upon a yard; also, a cutter's or sloop's sail boomed out. See Illust of Sail. -- Square stern (Naut.), a stern having a transom and joining the counter timbers at an angle, as distinguished from a round stern, which has no transom. -- Three-square, Five-square, etc., having three, five, etc., equal sides; as, a three-square file. -- To get square with, to get even with; to pay off. [Colloq.]

SQUARE Square, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squared; p. pr. & vb. n. Squaring.] Etym: [Cf. OF. escarrer, esquarrer. See Square, n.]

1. To form with four sides and four right angles. Spenser.

2. To form with right angles and straight lines, or flat surfaces; as, to square mason's work.

3. To compare with, or reduce to, any given measure or standard. Shak.

4. To adjust; to regulate; to mold; to shape; to fit; as, to square our actions by the opinions of others. Square my trial To my proportioned strength. Milton.

5. To make even, so as leave no remainder of difference; to balance; as, to square accounts.

6. (Math.)

Defn: To multiply by itself; as, to square a number or a quantity.

7. (Astrol.)

Defn: To hold a quartile position respecting. The icy Goat and Crab that square the Scales. Creech.

8. (Naut.)

Defn: To place at right angles with the keel; as, to square the yards. To square one's shoulders, to raise the shoulders so as to give them a square appearance, -- a movement expressing contempt or dislike. Sir W. Scott. -- To square the circle (Math.), to determine the exact contents of a circle in square measure. The solution of this famous problem is now generally admitted to be impossible.

SQUARE Square, v. i.

1. To accord or agree exactly; to be consistent with; to conform or agree; to suit; to fit. No works shall find acceptamce . . . That square not truly with the Scripture plan. Cowper.

2. To go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance; to quarrel. [Obs.] Are you such fools To square for this Shak.

3. To take a boxing attitude; -- often with up, sometimes with off. [Colloq.] Dickens.

SQUARELY Square"ly, adv.

Defn: In a square form or manner.

SQUARENESS Square"ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being square; as, an instrument to try the squareness of work.

SQUARER Squar"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, squares.

2. One who squares, or quarrels; a hot-headed, contentious fellow. [Obs.] Shak.

SQUARE-RIGGED Square"-rigged` (skwâr"rîgd`), a. (Naut.)

Defn: Having the sails extended upon yards suspended horizontally by the middle, as distinguished from fore-and-aft sails; thus, a ship and a brig are square-rigged vessels.

SQUARE-TOED Square"-toed` (-tod`), n.

Defn: Having the toe square. Obsolete as fardingales, ruffs, and square-toed shoes. V. Knox.

SQUARE-TOES Square"-toes`, n.

Defn: A precise person; -- used contemptuously or jocularly. Thackeray.

SQUARISH Squar"ish, a.

Defn: Nearly square. Pennant.

SQUARROSE Squar*rose" ( or ; 277), a. Etym: [L. squarrosus (perhaps) scurfy, scabby.]

Defn: Ragged or full of lose scales or projecting parts; rough; jagged; as: (a) (Bot. & Zoöl.) Consisting of scales widely divaricating; having scales, small leaves, or other bodies, spreading widely from the axis on which they are crowded; -- said of a calyx or stem. (b) (Bot.)

Defn: Divided into shreds or jags, raised above the plane of the leaf, and not parallel to it; said of a leaf. (c) (Zoöl.) Having scales spreading every way, or standing upright, or at right angles to the surface; -- said of a shell. Squarrose- slashed (Bot.), doubly slashed, with the smaller divisions at right angles to the others, as a leaf. Landley.

SQUARROSO-DENTATE Squar*ro`so-den"tate, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having the teeth bent out of the plane of the lamina; -- said of a leaf.

SQUARROUS Squar"rous ( or ), a.

Defn: Squarrose.

SQUARRULOSE Squar"ru*lose`, a. Etym: [Dim. of squarrose.] (Bot.)

Defn: Somewhat squarrose; slightly squarrose. Gray.

SQUASH Squash, n. Etym: [Cf. Musquash.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An American animal allied to the weasel. [Obs.] Goldsmith.

SQUASH Squash, n. Etym: [Massachusetts Indian asq, pl. asquash, raw, green, immaturate, applied to fruit and vegetables which were used when green, or without cooking; askutasquash vine apple.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant and its fruit of the genus Cucurbita, or gourd kind.

Note: The species are much confused. The long-neck squash is called Cucurbita verrucosa, the Barbary or China squash, C. moschata, and the great winter squash, C. maxima, but the distinctions are not clear. Squash beetle (Zoöl.), a small American beetle (Diabrotica, or Galeruca vittata) which is often abundant and very injurious to the leaves of squash, cucumber, etc. It is striped with yellow and black. The name is applied also to other allied species. -- Squash bug (Zoöl.), a large black American hemipterous insect (Coreus, or Anasa, tristis) injurious to squash vines.

SQUASH Squash, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Squashing.] Etym: [OE. squashen, OF. escachier, esquachier, to squash, to crush, F. écacher, perhaps from (assumed) LL. excoacticare, fr. L. ex + coactare to constrain, from cogere, coactum, to compel. Cf. Cogent, Squat, v. i.]

Defn: To beat or press into pulp or a flat mass; to crush.

SQUASH Squash, n.

1. Something soft and easily crushed; especially, an unripe pod of pease. Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 't is a peascod. Shak.

2. Hence, something unripe or soft; -- used in contempt. "This squash, this gentleman." Shak.

3. A sudden fall of a heavy, soft body; also, a shock of soft bodies. Arbuthnot. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash. Swift.

SQUASHER Squash"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, squashes.

SQUASHINESS Squash"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being squashy, or soft.

SQUASHY Squash"y, a.

Defn: Easily squashed; soft.

SQUAT Squat, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The angel fish (Squatina angelus

SQUAT Squat, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squatted; p. pr. & vb. n. Squatting.] Etym: [OE. squatten to crush, OF. esquater, esquatir (cf. It. quatto squat, cowering), perhaps fr. L. ex + coactus, p. p. cogere to drive or urge together. See Cogent, Squash, v. t.]

1. To sit down upon the hams or heels; as, the savages squatted near the fire.

2. To sit close to the ground; to cower; to stoop, or lie close, to escape observation, as a partridge or rabbit.

3. To settle on another's land without title; also, to settle on common or public lands.

SQUAT Squat, v. t.

Defn: To bruise or make flat by a fall. [Obs.]

SQUAT Squat, a.

1. Sitting on the hams or heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering; crouching. Him there they found, Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve. Milton.

2. Short and thick, like the figure of an animal squatting. "The round, squat turret." R. Browning. The head [of the squill insect] is broad and squat. Grew.

SQUAT Squat, n.

1. The posture of one that sits on his heels or hams, or close to the ground.

2. A sudden or crushing fall. [Obs.] erbert.

3. (Mining) (a) A small vein of ore. (b) A mineral consisting of tin ore and spar. Halliwell. Woodward. Squat snipe (Zoöl.), the jacksnipe; -- called also squatter. [Local, U.S.]

SQUATEROLE Squat"er*ole, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The black-bellied plover.

SQUATTER Squat"ter, n.

1. One who squats; specifically, one who settles unlawfully upon land without a title. In the United States and Australia the term is sometimes applied also to a person who settles lawfully upon government land under permission and restrictions, before acquiring title. In such a tract, squatters and trespassers were tolerated to an extent now unknown. Macaulay.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Squat snipe, under Squat. Squatter sovereignty, the right claimed by the squatters, or actual residents, of a Territory of the United States to make their own laws. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

SQUATTY Squat"ty, a.

Defn: Squat; dumpy. J. Burroughs.

SQUAW Squaw, n. Etym: [Massachusetts Indian squa, eshqua; Narragansett squâws; Delaware ochqueu, and khqueu; used also in compound words (as the names of animals) in the sense of female.]

Defn: A female; a woman; -- in the language of Indian tribes of the Algonquin family, correlative of sannup. Old squaw. (Zoöl.) See under Old.

SQUAWBERRY Squaw"ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A local name for the partridge berry; also, for the deerberry. [U. S.]

SQUAWK Squawk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Squawked; p. pr. & vb. n. Squawking.] Etym: [See Squeak.]

Defn: To utter a shrill, abrupt scream; to squeak harshly. Squawking thrush (Zoöl.), the missel turush; -- so called from its note when alarmed. [Prov. Eng.]

SQUAWK Squawk, n.

1. Act of squawking; a harsh squeak.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The American night heron. See under Night. Squawk duck (Zoöl.), the bimaculate duck (Anas glocitans). It has patches of reddish brown behind, and in front of, each eye. [Prov. Eng.]

SQUAWL Squawl, v. i.