Historical source · 1908

Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 136

Thomas Davidson (editor). Read this edition’s full extracted entries and its original proposals. Publication here preserves a source; it does not endorse every claim.

35,730 entries179 browse pagesPublic-domain-USOriginal source ↗

Read the edition and extraction limits

Historical scholarship from 1908; not current consensus or editorial verification.
Historical text may contain offensive, obsolete or inaccurate language and classifications.
Public-domain determination applies to the United States; other jurisdictions require separate confirmation.
Chambers consulted earlier dictionaries including Skeat and the New English Dictionary; overlapping claims are not independent scholarly votes.

Coverage: the complete A–Z main-entry clusters and dictionary Addenda. Derivative words remain within their original entry clusters. Non-dictionary appendices and standalone illustrations are excluded.

United States Publisher marks these historical texts public domain in the USA. Transformed book text excludes Gutenberg branding; source attribution is a bibliographic acknowledgment. No non-US public-domain determination is made. Rights statement ↗

Browse the original entries

Page 136 of 179

Septifragal

Septifragal, sep-tif′rā-gal, adj. (bot.) breaking away from the partitions, said of the valves of a pod. [L. septum, a partition, frangĕre, fractum, to break.]

English · e-38700-1293

Septilateral

Septilateral, sep-ti-lat′ėr-al, adj. having seven sides. [L. septem, seven, latus, lateris, a side.]

English · e-38700-1294 · brief source record

Septillion

Septillion, sep-til′yun, n. the product of a million raised to the seventh power, or a unit with forty-two ciphers affixed: in the United States, France, &c., the eighth power of a thousand.

English · e-38700-1295

Septimanarian

Septimanarian, sep-ti-mā-nā′ri-an, n. a monk on duty for a week. [L. septimanus—septem, seven.]

English · e-38700-1296 · brief source record

Septime

Septime, sep′tēm, n. the seventh position assumed by a fencer after drawing his weapon from the scabbard. [L. septimus, seventh—septem, seven.]

English · e-38700-1297

Septimole

Septimole, sep′ti-mōl, n. a group of seven notes to be played in the time of four or six: sign [Image: septimole] .—Also Sep′tōle.

English · e-38700-1298

Septinsular

Septinsular, sept-in′sū-lar, adj. consisting of seven islands. [L. septem, seven, insula, island.]

English · e-38700-1299 · brief source record

Septisyllable

Septisyllable, sep′ti-sil-a-bl, n. a word of seven syllables.

English · e-38700-1300 · brief source record

Septomaxillary

Septomaxillary, sep-tō-mak′si-lā-ri, adj. combining characters of a nasal septum and a maxillary bone.—n. a bone in some birds uniting the maxillopalatines of opposite sides.

English · e-38700-1301

Septonasal

Septonasal, sep-tō-nā′zal, adj. forming a nasal septum.—n. a bone of this kind.

English · e-38700-1302 · brief source record

Septuagenarian

Septuagenarian, sep-tū-aj-e-nā′ri-an, n. a person seventy years old.—adj. Septūag′enary, consisting of seventy.—n. one seventy years old. [L. septuagenarius—septuageni, seventy each—septem, seven.]

English · e-38700-1303

Septuagesima

Septuagesima, sep-tū-a-jes′i-ma, n. the third Sunday before Lent—the seventieth day before Easter (the common but dubious explanation).—adj. Septuages′imal, consisting of seventy: counted by seventies. [L. septuagesimus—

English · e-38700-1304

Septuagint

Septuagint, sep′tū-a-jint, n. the version in Hellenistic Greek of the Old Testament, said to have been made by 72 translators at Alexandria by command of Ptolemy Philadelphus (284-247 B.C.)—usually expressed by LXX.—adj.

English · e-38700-1305

Septuary

Septuary, sep′tū-ā-ri, n. (obs.) something composed of seven.

English · e-38700-1306 · brief source record

Septum

Septum, sep′tum, n. (bot., anat.) a partition separating two cavities: one of the radial plates of a coral:—pl. Sep′ta.—adj. Sep′tulate, having imperfect or spurious septa.—n. Sep′tulum, a little septum or small partitio

English · e-38700-1307

Septuple

Septuple, sep′tū-pl, adj. sevenfold.—v.t. to make sevenfold: to multiply by seven.—n. Sep′tūplet, a septimole. [Low L. septuplus—septem, seven; on the analogy of quadruple.]

English · e-38700-1308

Sepulchre

Sepulchre, sep′ul-kėr, n. a place of burial: tomb: a burial vault: a recess in some early churches in which the reserved sacrament, &c., were laid from Good Friday till Easter.—v.t. (Milt.) to place in a sepulchre: to bu

English · e-38700-1309

Sepurture

Sepurture, sep′ur-tūr, adj. (her.) raised above the back and opened, of a bird's wings.

English · e-38700-1310 · brief source record

Sequacious

Sequacious, sē-kwā′shus, adj. inclined to follow a leader: attendant: manageable: pliant: observing logical sequence or consistence.—ns. Sequā′ciousness, Sequac′ity, disposition to follow. [L. sequax, sequacis—sequi, to

English · e-38700-1311

Sequel

Sequel, sē′kwel, n. that which follows, the succeeding part: result, consequence: (obs.) descendants: (Scots law) thirlage. [Fr.,—L. sequela—sequi; Gr. hepesthai, to follow.]

English · e-38700-1312

Sequela

Sequela, sē-kwē′la, n. that which follows: an inference, a corollary:—pl. Sē′quelæ.

English · e-38700-1313 · brief source record

Sequence

Sequence, sē′kwens, n. state of being sequent or following: order of succession: a series of things following in a certain order, as a set of three or more cards in order of value: that which follows: consequence: (mus.)

English · e-38700-1314

Sequester

Sequester, sē-kwes′tėr, v.t. to separate: to withdraw from society: to seclude: to set apart: (law) to place anything contested into the hands of a third person till the dispute is settled: to hold the property of anothe

English · e-38700-1315

Sequestrum

Sequestrum, sē-kwes′trum, n. a necrosed section of bone.—n. Sequestrot′omy, the operation of removing such.

English · e-38700-1316 · brief source record

Sequin

Sequin, sē′kwin, n. a gold Venetian coin of the 13th century=9s. 4d. [Fr.,—It. zecchino—zecca, the mint; of Ar. origin.]

English · e-38700-1317

Sequoia

Sequoia, sē-kwoi′a, n. a small genus of gigantic evergreen coniferous trees belonging to California—Wellingtonia. [A Latinised form of the name of the Cherokee chief Sequoiah.]

English · e-38700-1318

Sera

Sera, sē′ra, n. a lock of any kind:—pl. Sē′ræ. [L.]

English · e-38700-1319 · brief source record

Sérac

Sérac, sā-rak′, n. a name for the cuboidal masses into which the névé breaks when passing down a steep incline. [Swiss Fr.]

English · e-38700-1320

Seraglio

Seraglio, se-ral′yō, n. the ancient residence of the Sultan at Constantinople, enclosing within its walls a variety of mosques, gardens, and large edifices, the chief of which is the Harem: a place where women are kept,

English · e-38700-1321

Serai

Serai, se-rä′i, n. a khan, a caravansary: a seraglio for women. [Pers. serai, a palace.]

English · e-38700-1322 · brief source record

Seralbumin

Seralbumin, sēr-al-bū′min, n. albumin of the blood.

English · e-38700-1323 · brief source record

Serang

Serang, se-rang′, n. the skipper of a small East Indian vessel, the boatswain of a lascar crew. [Pers. sarhang, a commander.]

English · e-38700-1324

Serape

Serape, se-rä′pe, n. a Mexican shawl worn by men, often gay-coloured.

English · e-38700-1325 · brief source record

Serapeum

Serapeum, Serapeium, ser-a-pē′um, n. a temple of Serapis, esp. that near Memphis.

English · e-38700-1326 · brief source record

Seraph

Seraph, ser′af, n. an angel of the highest rank in the traditional angelology of the church, due to Dionysius the Areopagite, who places the seraphim at the head of the nine choirs of angels, the first rank being formed

English · e-38700-1327

Seraphine

Seraphine, ser′a-fēn, n. a coarse-toned musical reed-instrument, played with a key-board—the precursor of the harmonium.

English · e-38700-1328

Serapias

Serapias, se-rā′pi-as, n. a genus of orchids.

English · e-38700-1329 · brief source record

Serapis

Serapis, ser-ā′pis, n. Apis honoured by the Romans under the attributes of Osiris: a genus of gasteropods: a genus of hymenopterous insects.

English · e-38700-1330

Seraskier

Seraskier, ser-as′kēr, n. a Turkish general, esp. the commander-in-chief or the minister of war.—n. Seras′kierate, the office of a seraskier. [Turk.,—Pers. sar, ser, head, Ar. ‛asker, army.]

English · e-38700-1331

Serb

Serb, serb, adj. Servian.—n. a Servian.

English · e-38700-1332 · brief source record

Serbonian

Serbonian, ser-bō′ni-an, adj. relating to a dangerous bog in Egypt, hence to any difficult situation.

English · e-38700-1333 · brief source record

Serdab

Serdab, ser′dab, n. a secret chamber within the masonry of an ancient Egyptian tomb in which images of the deceased were stored. [Ar. serdāb.]

English · e-38700-1334

Sere

Sere. Same as Sear.

English · e-38700-1335 · brief source record

Sere

Sere, sēr, adj. (obs.) separate, several, many.

English · e-38700-1336 · brief source record

Sere

Sere, sēr, n. (obs.) a claw.

English · e-38700-1337 · brief source record

Serein

Serein, se-rang′, n. a fine rain which falls from a cloudless sky. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-1338 · brief source record

Serena

Serena, sē-rē′na, n. the damp, unwholesome air of evening.

English · e-38700-1339 · brief source record

Serenade

Serenade, ser-e-nād′, n. evening music in the open air, esp. given by a lover to his mistress under her window at night: a piece of music suitable for such an occasion.—v.t. to entertain with a serenade.—ns. Serenā′der,

English · e-38700-1340

Serendipity

Serendipity, sėr-en-dip′i-ti, n. a love for rare old books and other articles of virtu.—adj. appertaining to this. [Coined from Serendib, a character in the Arabian Nights who went about picking up odds and ends and piec

English · e-38700-10047

Serene

Serene, sē-rēn′, adj. calm: unclouded: unruffled: an adjunct to the titles of certain German princes—a translation of Durchlaucht.—v.t. to tranquillise.—n. the chilly damp of evening: blight.—adv. Serēne′ly, calmly, cool

English · e-38700-1341

Serenoa

Serenoa, sē-rē′nō-a, n. a genus of dwarf palms in Florida.

English · e-38700-1342 · brief source record

Serf

Serf, sėrf, n. a slave attached to the soil and sold with it: a labourer rendering forced service in Russia: a menial.—ns. Serf′age, Serf′dom, condition of a serf. [Fr.,—L. servus, a slave.]

English · e-38700-1343

Serge

Serge, sėrj, n. a strong twilled fabric, once of silk, now usually of worsted.—n. Sergette′, a thin serge. [Fr.,—L. serica, silk—Seres, the Chinese.]

English · e-38700-1344

Sergeant

Sergeant, Serjeant, sär′jent, n. a non-commissioned officer of the army and marines next above a corporal, overlooking the soldiers in barracks, and assisting the officers in all ways in the field: a bailiff: a constable

English · e-38700-1345

Serial

Serial, sē′ri-al, adj. pertaining to, or consisting of, a series: appearing periodically.—n. a tale or other composition appearing in successive parts, as in a periodical: a publication issued in successive numbers, a pe

English · e-38700-1346

Serian

Serian, sē′ri-an, adj. Chinese—also Ser′ic.—ns. Ser′ica, a genus of melolonthine beetles; Sericā′ria, a genus of bombycid moths, containing the mulberry silkworm.—adjs. Ser′icate, -d, silky, covered with silky down; Seri

English · e-38700-1347

Sericon

Sericon, ser′i-kon, n. in the jargon of alchemy, a red tincture—opp. to Bufo, a black.

English · e-38700-1348 · brief source record

Seriema

Seriema, ser-i-ē′ma, n. a long-legged, crested Brazilian bird.—Also Caria′ma.

English · e-38700-1349 · brief source record

Series

Series, sē′ri-ēz, n.sing. and pl. a succession of things connected by some likeness: sequence: order: (math.) a progression of numbers or quantities according to a certain law.—Arithmetical series, a series whose terms p

English · e-38700-1350

Serif

Serif, ser′if, n. the short cross-line at the ends of unconnected Roman types, as in H, l, d, y, &c.—Also Cer′iph and Ser′iph.

English · e-38700-1351

Seriform

Seriform, sē′ri-form, adj. noting a section of the Altaic family of languages, comprising Chinese, &c.

English · e-38700-1352 · brief source record

Serilophus

Serilophus, sē-ril′ō-fus, n. an Indian genus of broadbills. [Gr. sērikos, silky, lophos, a crest.]

English · e-38700-1353 · brief source record

Serin

Serin, ser′in, n. a small fringilline bird like the canary.—n. Serinette′, a bird-organ. [Fr.,—L. citrinus, citrine, yellow.]

English · e-38700-1354

Seringa

Seringa, se-ring′gä, n. a name of several Brazilian trees yielding india-rubber. [Port.]

English · e-38700-1355 · brief source record

Seringhi

Seringhi, ser-ing-gē′, n. a musical instrument of the viol class used in India.

English · e-38700-1356 · brief source record

Serinus

Serinus, sē-rī′nus, n. a genus of birds of the fringilline family, including canaries. [Fr. serin.]

English · e-38700-1357 · brief source record

Seriola

Seriola, sē-rī′ō-la, n. a genus of carangoid fishes, the amber fishes.

English · e-38700-1358 · brief source record

Serious

Serious, sē′ri-us, adj. solemn: in earnest: important: attended with danger: weighty: professedly religious.—adjs. Sē′rio-com′ic, -al, partly serious and partly comical.—adv. Sē′riously, gravely, deeply: without levity.—

English · e-38700-1359

Seriph

Seriph. See Serif.

English · e-38700-1360 · brief source record

Serjeant

Serjeant. See Sergeant.

English · e-38700-1361 · brief source record

Sermocination

Sermocination, ser-mos-i-nā′shun, n. (obs.) speech-making: (rhet.) a form of prosopopœia in which one answers a question he has himself asked.

English · e-38700-1362

Sermon

Sermon, sėr′mon, n. a discourse on a text of Scripture delivered during divine service: any serious address, any serious counsel, admonition, or reproof.—v.t. to tutor, to lecture.—ns. Sermol′ogus, a volume containing se

English · e-38700-1363

Seroon

Seroon, se-rōōn′, n. a crate or hamper in which Spanish and Levantine figs, raisins, &c. are usually packed.—n. Ser′on, a bale of about 200 lb. of Paraguay tea wrapped in hide. [Sp. seron.]

English · e-38700-1364

Seropurulent

Seropurulent, sē-rō-pū′rōō-lent, adj. composed of serum mixed with pus.—adj. Serosanguin′olent, pertaining to bloody serum.

English · e-38700-1365

Serotine

Serotine, ser′ō-tin, n. a small reddish vespertilionine bat. [L. serotinus—sero, late.]

English · e-38700-1366 · brief source record

Serotinous

Serotinous, sē-rot′i-nus, adj. (bot.) appearing late the season. [L. serotinus—sero, late.]

English · e-38700-1367 · brief source record

Serous

Serous, sē′rus, adj. resembling serum, thin, watery: secreting serum.—n. Seros′ity. [Serum.]

English · e-38700-1368 · brief source record

Serpent

Serpent, sėr′pent, n. any member of the genus Ophidia, more popularly known as snakes—any reptile without feet which moves by means of its ribs and scales: a snake: a person treacherous or malicious: one of the constella

English · e-38700-1369

Serpet

Serpet, ser′pet, n. (obs.) a basket.

English · e-38700-1370 · brief source record

Serpette

Serpette, sėr-pet′, n. a hooked pruning-knife. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-1371 · brief source record

Serpigo

Serpigo, sėr-pī′go, n. (Shak.) a skin eruption, herpes.—adj. Serpig′inous (-pij′-). [L. serpĕre, to creep.]

English · e-38700-1372 · brief source record

Serplath

Serplath, ser′plath, n. (Scot.) 80 stone weight.

English · e-38700-1373 · brief source record

Serpolet

Serpolet, ser′pō-let, n. the wild thyme. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-1374 · brief source record

Serpula

Serpula, ser′pū-la, n. a genus of sedentary Chætopod worms, living in twisted calcareous tubes fastened to shells and rocks in the sea, or even to other animals, such as crabs.—adj. Serpū′lian.—n. Ser′pulite, a fossil of

English · e-38700-1375

Serr

Serr, ser, v.t. (obs.) to crowd or press together.

English · e-38700-1376 · brief source record

Serra

Serra, ser′a, n. a saw, or saw-like part [L.]

English · e-38700-1377 · brief source record

Serradilla

Serradilla, ser-a-dil′a, n. a Port. bird's-foot clover.

English · e-38700-1378 · brief source record

Serranus

Serranus, ser-rā′nus, n. the genus containing sea-perches or sea-bass.—n.pl. Serran′idæ, the family of fishes containing among its genera Sea-bass, Rockfish, &c. [L. serra, a saw.]

English · e-38700-1379

Serrasalmo

Serrasalmo, ser-a-sal′mo, n. a genus of characinoid fishes, with compressed belly fringed with projecting scales. [L. serra, a saw, salmo, a salmon.]

English · e-38700-1380

Serrate

Serrate, -d, ser′rāt, -ed, adj. notched or cut like a saw: (bot.) having small sharp teeth along the margin.—n. Serrā′tion, state of being serrated.—adj. Serratiros′tral, saw-billed, as a bird.—ns. Ser′rāture, a notching

English · e-38700-1381

Serried

Serried, ser′rid, adj. crowded: pressed together.—v.t. Ser′ry, to crowd. [Fr. serrer, to crowd—L. sera, a door-bar.]

English · e-38700-1382 · brief source record

Sertularia

Sertularia, ser-tū-lā′ri-a, n. a common genus of Hydroids in which the branched horny investment of the plant-like colony forms a sessile cup around each polyp.—adj. Sertulā′rian. [L. serĕre, sertum, to plait.]

English · e-38700-1383

Serum

Serum, sē′rum, n. the watery part of curdled milk, whey: the thin fluid which separates from the blood when it coagulates. [L.]

English · e-38700-1384

Serval

Serval, sėr′val, n. a South African animal of the cat tribe, yellowish with black spots, valued for its fur—the Bush-cat, Tiger-cat. [Ger.]

English · e-38700-1385

Servant

Servant, sėr′vant, n. one who is in the service of another: a labourer: a domestic: one dedicated to God: (B.) a slave: one of low condition or spirit: a professed lover: a word of mere civility, as in 'your humble' or '

English · e-38700-1386

Servatory

Servatory, sėr′va-tor-i, n. (obs.) that which preserves.

English · e-38700-1387 · brief source record

Serve

Serve, sėrv, v.t. to be a servant to, to work for and obey: to attend or wait upon: to work for: to obey: to be subservient or subordinate to: to wait upon at table, &c.: to do duty for: to treat, behave towards: to rend

English · e-38700-1388

Servian

Servian, ser′vi-an, n. a native of Servia: the language of Servia, belonging to the southern division of the Slav tongues, its nearest congeners Bulgarian, Slovenian, and Russian.

English · e-38700-1389

Service

Service, sėr′vis, n. condition or occupation of a servant: a working for another: duty required in any office: military or naval duty: any liturgical form or office, public religious worship, religious ceremonial: a musi

English · e-38700-1390

Servient

Servient, ser′vi-ent, adj. subordinate.

English · e-38700-1391 · brief source record

Serviette

Serviette, ser-vi-et′, n. a table-napkin. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-1392 · brief source record

Servile

Servile, sėr′vīl, adj. pertaining to a slave or servant: slavish: meanly submissive: cringing: obedient: (gram.) secondary or subordinate.—n. a slave, a menial.—adv. Ser′vilely.—ns. Ser′vilism, the spirit of a servile cl

English · e-38700-1393

Sesame

Sesame, ses′a-mē, n. an annual herbaceous plant of Southern Asia, whose seed yields the valuable gingili-oil.—adjs. Ses′amoid, -al, denoting certain small bones found in the substance of the tendons at the articulations

English · e-38700-1394

Sesban

Sesban, ses′ban, n. a shrub of the bean family, with yellow flowers, native to Egypt.—Also Jyntee. [Fr.,—Ar. seisebān.]

English · e-38700-1395 · brief source record

Seseli

Seseli, ses′el-i, n. a genus of umbelliferous plants, usually perennial, with erect branching stems—including the mountain meadow-saxifrage. [Gr.]

English · e-38700-1396

Sesha

Sesha, sā′sha, n. the king of the serpents in Hindu mythology, having a thousand heads, the buttresses of the world.

English · e-38700-1397 · brief source record

Sesia

Sesia, sē′shi-a, n. a genus of clear-winged moths. [Gr. sēs, seos, a moth.]

English · e-38700-1398 · brief source record

Sesquialteral

Sesquialteral, ses-kwi-al′te-ral, adj. one and a half more—also Sesquial′terate, Sesquial′terous.—n. Sesquial′tera (mus.), the interval of a perfect fifth, having the ratio of 2 to 3: a rhythm in which three minims are m

English · e-38700-1399

Sesquiduple

Sesquiduple, ses-kwi-dū′pl, adj. of two and a half times.—adj. Sesquidū′plicate, being in the ratio of 2½ to 1, or 5 to 2.

English · e-38700-1400

Sesquipedalian

Sesquipedalian, ses-kwi-pē-dā′li-an, adj. containing a foot and a half: often humorously said of a very long word—also Ses′quipedal.—ns. Sesquipedā′lianism, Sesquipedal′ity. [L. sesquipedalis—sesqui, one-half more, pes,

English · e-38700-1401

Sesquiplicate

Sesquiplicate, ses-kwip′li-kāt, adj. noting the ratio of a cube to a square.

English · e-38700-1402 · brief source record

Sesquitertia

Sesquitertia, ses-kwi-ter′shi-a, n. (mus.) a perfect fourth, an interval having the ratio of 1 to 1⅓, or 3 to 4.—adjs. Sesquiter′tial, Sesquiter′tian, -al.

English · e-38700-1403

Sesquitone

Sesquitone, ses′kwi-tōn, n. (mus.) a minor third, an interval equal to a tone and a half.

English · e-38700-1404 · brief source record

Sess

Sess, ses, n. Same as Cess.

English · e-38700-1405 · brief source record

Sessa

Sessa, ses′a, interj. (Shak.) prob. a cry to urge to swiftness in running.

English · e-38700-1406 · brief source record

Sessile

Sessile, ses′il, adj. (bot.) growing directly from the stem, without a foot-stalk, as some leaves. [L. sessilis, low—sedēre, sessum, to sit.]

English · e-38700-1407

Session

Session, sesh′un, n. the sitting of a court or public body: the time it sits: the period of time between the meeting and prorogation of Parliament: the act of sitting, esp. the enthronement of Christ at the right hand of

English · e-38700-1408

Sesspool

Sesspool. Same as Cesspool.

English · e-38700-1409 · brief source record

Sestertius

Sestertius, ses-tėr′shi-us, n. a Roman silver coin, a quarter denarius, worth 2½ asses: a brass coin under the Empire, worth 4 asses—also Ses′terce:—pl. Sester′tii.—n. Sester′tium, a money of account equal to 1000 sester

English · e-38700-1410

Sestet

Sestet, Sestette, ses′tet, n. the last six lines of a sonnet forming two stanzas of three lines each: (mus.) same as Sextet. [It. sestetto—sesto—L. sextus, sixth.]

English · e-38700-1411

Sestina

Sestina, ses-tē′na, n. an old French form of verse, originally consisting of six stanzas of six unrhymed lines, with a final triplet, the same terminal words being used in each stanza, but arranged differently. Modern se

English · e-38700-1412

Sestole

Sestole, ses′tōl, n. (mus.) same as Sextuplet (q.v.).—Also Ses′tolet.

English · e-38700-1413 · brief source record

Set

Set, set, v.t. to make to sit: to place: to fix: to put in a condition for use, to make ready, to arrange, prepare, furnish, draw up: to render motionless: to determine beforehand: to obstruct: to plant, place so as to p

English · e-38700-1414

Set

Set, set, adj. fixed: firm: determined: regular: established: having reached the full growth: (B.) seated.—n. a number of things similar or suited to each other, set or used together: a group of games played together: th

English · e-38700-1415

Seta

Seta, sē′tä, n. a bristle, stiff hair, a prickle.—adj. Sētā′ceous, consisting of bristles: bristle-shaped.—n. Setā′ria, a genus of grasses with flat leaves and tail-like bristly spikes.—adjs. Sētif′erous; Sē′tiform, havi

English · e-38700-1416

Seton

Seton, sē′tn, n. (surg.) an artificially produced sinus or channel, through which some substance, as a skein of cotton or silk, or a long flat piece of india-rubber or gutta-percha, is passed so as to excite suppuration,

English · e-38700-1417

Settee

Settee, se-tē′, n. a long seat with a back, esp. a sofa for two. [Prob. a variant of settle (3).]

English · e-38700-1418 · brief source record

Settee

Settee, se-tē′, n. a single-decked Mediterranean vessel with long prow and lateen sails. [Prob. It. saettia.]

English · e-38700-1419 · brief source record

Setter

Setter, set′ėr, n. one who sets, as music to words: a dog which crouches when it scents the game: one who finds out the victims for thieves.—Setter forth, one who proclaims or promotes anything; Setter off, one who decor

English · e-38700-1420

Setter

Setter, set′ėr, v.t. (prov.) to cut an ox's dewlap, and treat with a seton.—ns. Sett′ering, the foregoing process; Sett′er-wort, the fetid hellebore.

English · e-38700-1421

Settima

Settima, set′ti-ma, n. (mus.) the interval of a seventh—(obs.) Set′timo. [It.,—L. septem.]

English · e-38700-1422 · brief source record

Setting

Setting, set′ing, n. act of setting: direction of a current of wind: the hardening of plaster: that which holds, as the mounting of a jewel: the mounting of a play, &c., for the stage: act of adapting to music.

English · e-38700-1423

Settle

Settle, set′l, v.t. to set or place in a fixed state: to fix: to establish in a situation or business: to render quiet, clear, &c.: to decide: to free from uncertainty: to quiet: to compose: to fix by gift or legal act:

English · e-38700-1424

Settle

Settle, set′l, v.t. to decide, conclude: to fix, appoint: regulate: to pay, balance: to restore to good order.—v.i. to adjust differences or accounts: to meet one's pecuniary obligations fully. [A.S. sahtlian, to reconci

English · e-38700-1425

Settle

Settle, set′l, n. a long high-backed bench for sitting on: (B.) also, a platform lower than another part.—n. Sett′le-bed, a bed which is folded or shut up so as to form a seat by day. [A.S. setl—sittan, to sit; Ger. sess

English · e-38700-1426

Setule

Setule, set′ūl, n. a setula or little bristle.—adjs. Set′ūliform, Set′ūlose.

English · e-38700-1427 · brief source record

Setwall

Setwall, set′wawl, n. the common European valerian. [O. Fr. citoual—Low L. zedoaria—Pers. zadwar.]

English · e-38700-1428 · brief source record

Setwork

Setwork, set′wurk, n. in plastering, two-coat work on lath: boat-building in which the strakes are placed edge to edge and secured by inside battens.

English · e-38700-1429

Seven

Seven, sev′n, adj. and n. six and one.—adj. Sev′en-fold, folded seven times: multiplied seven times.—n. Sev′en-night, seven days and nights: a week, the time from one day of the week to the same again—also contr. Sennigh

English · e-38700-1430

Seventeen

Seventeen, sev′n-tēn, adj. and n. seven and ten.—adj. and n. Sev′enteenth, the seventh after the tenth. [A.S. seofontíene—seofon, tíen, ten.]

English · e-38700-1431

Seventy

Seventy, sev′n-ti, adj. and n. seven times ten.—adj. Sev′entieth, last of seventy: the ordinal of 70.—n. a seventieth part.—The Seventy, the Jewish sanhedrim: the disciples sent out in Luke x.: the authors of the Septuag

English · e-38700-1432

Sever

Sever, sev′ėr, v.t. to separate with violence: to cut apart: to divide: (B.) to keep distinct.—v.i. to make a separation, to act independently: to be rent asunder.—adj. Sev′erable.—n. Sev′erance, act of severing: separat

English · e-38700-1433

Several

Several, sev′ėr-al, adj. distinct: particular: different: various: consisting of a number: sundry.—n. a woman's loose outer garment, capable of being worn as a shawl, or in other forms.—adv. Sev′erally.—n. Sev′eralty, so

English · e-38700-1434

Severe

Severe, sē-vēr′, adj. serious: grave: austere: strict: not mild: strictly adhering to rule: free from florid ornamentation, simple: sharp: distressing: inclement: searching: difficult to be endured.—adv. Sēvēre′ly.—ns. S

English · e-38700-1435

Sèvres

Sèvres, sā′vr, n. Sèvres porcelain.

English · e-38700-1436 · brief source record

Sew

Sew, sō, v.t. to join or fasten together with a needle and thread.—v.i. to practise sewing.—ns. Sew′er; Sew′ing; Sew′ing-cott′on, cotton thread for sewing; Sew′ing-machine′, a machine for sewing and stitching upon cloth,

English · e-38700-1437

Sew

Sew, sū, v.t. (Spens.) to follow, to solicit. [Sue.]

English · e-38700-1438 · brief source record

Sewel

Sewel, sū′el, n. a scarecrow.—Also Shew′el. [Prob. related to shy.]

English · e-38700-1439 · brief source record

Sewer

Sewer, sū′ėr, n. an officer who set down and removed the dishes at a feast. [O. Fr. asseour—asseoir, to set down—L. ad, to, sedēre, to sit. Skeat makes it from M. E. sewen, to set meat, sew, pottage—A.S. seaw, juice.]

English · e-38700-1440

Sewer

Sewer, sū′ėr, n. an underground passage for draining off water and filth.—ns. Sew′age, refuse carried off by sewers; Sew′erage, the whole sewers of a city: drainage by sewers; Sew′er-gas, the contaminated air of sewers.—

English · e-38700-1441

Sex

Sex, seks, n. the distinction between male and female: the characteristics by which an animal or plant is male or female, gender: the female sex, women generally, usually with the definite article.—adj. Sex′less, having

English · e-38700-1442

Sexagenarian

Sexagenarian, sek-sa-je-nā′ri-an, n. a person sixty years old.—adj. Sexag′enary, designating the number sixty.—n. a sexagenarian: something containing sixty.—ns. Sex′agene, an arc or angle of 60°; Sexages′ima, the second

English · e-38700-1443

Sexangle

Sexangle, sek′sang-gl, n. a figure with six angles, a hexagon.—adjs. Sex′angled, Sexang′ular.—adv. Sexang′ularly.

English · e-38700-1444 · brief source record

Sexcentenary

Sexcentenary, sek-sen′te-nā-ri, n. that which consists of 600: a 600th anniversary.—Also adj.

English · e-38700-1445 · brief source record

Sexdigitate

Sexdigitate, seks-dij′i-tāt, adj. having six fingers or toes.—n. Sexdig′itist.

English · e-38700-1446 · brief source record

Sexennial

Sexennial, seks-en′yal, adj. lasting six years: happening once in six years—also Sextenn′ial.—adv. Sexenn′ially. [L. sex, six, annus, a year.]

English · e-38700-1447

Sexfid

Sexfid, seks′fid, adj. (bot.) six-cleft.

English · e-38700-1448 · brief source record

Sexfoil

Sexfoil, seks′foil, n. a plant or flower with six leaves.

English · e-38700-1449 · brief source record

Sexisyllabic

Sexisyllabic, sek-si-si-lab′ik, adj. having six syllables.—n. Sex′isyllable, a word of six syllables.

English · e-38700-1450 · brief source record

Sexivalent

Sexivalent, sek-siv′a-lent, adj. (chem.) having an equivalent of six. [L. sex, six, valens—valēre, to have strength.]

English · e-38700-1451 · brief source record

Sexlocular

Sexlocular, seks-lok′ū-lär, adj. six-celled.

English · e-38700-1452 · brief source record

Sexpartite

Sexpartite, seks′pär-tīt, adj. divided into six parts. [L. sex, six, partitus, divided.]

English · e-38700-1453 · brief source record

Sext

Sext, Sexte, sekst, n. (eccles.) the office of the sixth hour, originally said at midday: (mus.) the interval of a sixth.—adj. Sex′tan, recurring every sixth day. [L. sextus, sixth—sex, six.]

English · e-38700-1454

Sextain

Sextain, seks′tān, n. a stanza of six lines.

English · e-38700-1455 · brief source record

Sextans

Sextans, seks′tanz, n. an ancient Roman bronze coin, worth one-sixth of the as.—adjs. Sex′tantal; Sex′tic, of the sixth degree. [L.,—sex, six.]

English · e-38700-1456

Sextant

Sextant, seks′tant, n. (math.) the sixth part of a circle: an optical instrument having an arc=the sixth part of a circle, and used for measuring angular distances.

English · e-38700-1457

Sextet

Sextet, Sextette, seks-tet′, n. (mus.) a work for six voices or instruments: a musical company of six.

English · e-38700-1458 · brief source record

Sextile

Sextile, seks′til, n. the position of two planets when at the distance of the sixth part of a circle (60°), marked thus *. [L.,—sex, six.]

English · e-38700-1459

Sextillion

Sextillion, seks-til′yun, n. a million raised to the sixth power, expressed by a unit with 36 ciphers attached: 1000 raised to the seventh power.

English · e-38700-1460

Sexto

Sexto, seks′to, n. a size of book made by folding a sheet of paper into six leaves.—n. Sex′to-dec′imo, a size of book made by folding a sheet of paper into sixteen leaves: a book of this size.

English · e-38700-1461

Sexton

Sexton, seks′tun, n. an officer who has charge of a church, attends the clergyman, digs graves, &c.: a burying-beetle.—ns. Sex′ton-bee′tle, a coleopterous insect of the genus Necrophorus; Sex′tonship, the office of a sex

English · e-38700-1462

Sextuple

Sextuple, seks′tū-pl,—adj. sixfold: (mus.) having six beats to the measure.—v.t. to multiply by six.—n. Sex′tūplet (mus.), a note divided into six parts instead of four.

English · e-38700-1463

Sforzando

Sforzando, sfor-tsän′dō, adj. (mus.) forced, with sudden emphasis. Abbrev. sf. and sfz., or marked [Image: horizontal sforzando] , [Image: vertical sforzando] .—Also Sforzato (sfor-tsä′tō). [It., pr.p. of sforzare, to fo

English · e-38700-1465

Sgraffito

Sgraffito, sgraf-fē′tō, n. (same as Graffito, q.v.): a kind of decorative work in pottery and superimposed metals, in which clays, &c., of different colours are laid one upon another, and the pattern is produced by cutti

English · e-38700-1466

Sha'n't

Sha'n't, shant (coll.), a contraction of shall not.

English · e-38700-1522 · brief source record

Shabby

Shabby, shab′i,—adj. threadbare or worn, as clothes: having a look of poverty: mean in look or conduct: low: paltry.—adv. Shabb′ily.—n. Shabb′iness.—adj. Shabb′y-genteel′, keeping up or affecting an appearance of gentili

English · e-38700-1467

Shabrack

Shabrack, shab′rak, n. a trooper's housing or saddle-cloth. [Fr.,—Ger. shabracke—Pol. czaprak.]

English · e-38700-1468 · brief source record

Shack

Shack, shak, v.i. to tramp or wander about.—n. a tramp, a vagabond.

English · e-38700-1469 · brief source record

Shack

Shack, shak, v.i. to shed or fall out, as ripe grain from the ear: to feed on stubble: (U.S.) to hibernate, to go into winter quarters.—n. grain, &c., fallen on the ground: liberty of winter pasturage: a hastily-built ca

English · e-38700-1470

Shackle

Shackle, shak′l, n. a curved bar, as of iron: a link or staple: a link securing two ankle-rings or two wrist-rings together, and so (pl.) fetters, manacles: a hinderance.—v.t. to fetter: to tie the limbs of: to confine.—

English · e-38700-1471

Shad

Shad, shad, n. a fish of the herring kind, but having the upper jaw deeply notched, and ascending rivers to spawn.—adj. Shad′-bell′ied, flat-bellied—opp. to Pot-bellied: sloping away gradually in front, cut away.—ns. Sha

English · e-38700-1472

Shaddock

Shaddock, shad′ok, n. a tree of the same genus as the orange, having larger leaves, flowers, and fruit. [Named from Captain Shaddock, who introduced it to the West Indies from China about 1810.]

English · e-38700-1473

Shade

Shade, shād, n. partial darkness: interception of light: obscurity: a shady place: protection: shelter: a screen: degree of colour: a very minute change: (paint.) the dark part of a picture: the soul separated from the b

English · e-38700-1474

Shadine

Shadine, sha-dēn′, n. the menhaden, or American sardine.

English · e-38700-1475 · brief source record

Shadoof

Shadoof, sha-dōōf′, n. a contrivance for raising water by means of a long rod pivoted near one end, the shorter arm weighted to act as the counterpoise of a lever, the longer carrying a bucket which is lowered into the w

English · e-38700-1476

Shadow

Shadow, shad′ō, n. shade caused by an object: darkness: shelter: security: favour: the dark part of a picture: an inseparable companion: a mystical representation: faint appearance: a ghost, spirit: something only in app

English · e-38700-1477

Shafiite

Shafiite, shaf′i-īt, n. a member of one of the four principal sects of the Sunnites, or orthodox Muslims. [Ar. Shāfi'ī, the name of the founder.]

English · e-38700-1478

Shaft

Shaft, shaft, n. anything long and straight, as the stem of an arrow, &c.: a long arrow, anything like an arrow in form or effect: the part of a column between the base and capital: the stem of a feather: the pole or thi

English · e-38700-1479

Shaft

Shaft, shaft, n. a well-like excavation sunk into a mine for pumping, hoisting, &c.: the tunnel of a blast-furnace. [Prob. in this sense from Ger. schacht, a shaft; cog. with foregoing.]

English · e-38700-1480

Shag

Shag, shag, n. woolly hair: cloth with a rough nap: a kind of tobacco cut into shreds.—adj. rough, hairy.—v.t. to roughen, make shaggy.—v.i. (Spens.) to hang in shaggy clusters.—adjs. Shag′-eared (Shak.), having shaggy o

English · e-38700-1481

Shagreen

Shagreen, sha-grēn′, n. the skin of various sharks, rays, &c., covered with small nodules, used for covering small caskets, boxes, cigar and spectacle cases, &c.: a granular leather prepared by unhairing and scraping the

English · e-38700-1482

Shah

Shah, shä, n. the monarch of Persia. [Pers.]

English · e-38700-1483 · brief source record

Shaheen

Shaheen, sha-hēn′, n. a peregrine falcon. [Pers. shāhīn.]

English · e-38700-1484 · brief source record

Shahi

Shahi, shä′i, n. a Persian copper coin. [Pers. shāhī, royal.]

English · e-38700-1485 · brief source record

Shairl

Shairl, shārl, n. a fine cloth woven from the hair of a Tibetan variety of the Cashmere goat.

English · e-38700-1486 · brief source record

Shairn

Shairn, shārn, n. (Scot.) cow-dung.

English · e-38700-1487 · brief source record

Shaitan

Shaitan, shī′tan, n. the devil, any evil spirit or devilish person. [Ar.]

English · e-38700-1488 · brief source record

Shakal

Shakal, shak′al, n. the same as Jackal.

English · e-38700-1489 · brief source record

Shake

Shake, shāk, v.t. to move with quick, short motions: to agitate: to make to tremble: to threaten to overthrow: to cause to waver: to give a tremulous note to.—v.i. to be agitated: to tremble: to shiver: to lose firmness:

English · e-38700-1490

Shakespearian

Shakespearian, shāk-spē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to, or in the style of, Shakespeare, or his works—also Shakespē′rian, Shakspear′ean, Shakspē′rian.—n. a student of Shakespeare (1564-1616).—n.pl. Shakespeariā′na, details or

English · e-38700-1491

Jump to a source dictionary page

Keep the source and the verdict separate

A historical dictionary can preserve useful evidence and superseded analyses at the same time. These records retain their source identity; no parent edge, sound law, first-use date or confidence score is generated from a sentence’s position.

Inspect acquisition and rights →