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Chambers’s Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language · page 142

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Page 142 of 179

Soteriology

Soteriology, sō-tē-ri-ol′ō-ji, n. (theol.) the doctrine of salvation by Jesus Christ.—adjs. Sotē′rial, pertaining to redemption; Sotēriolog′ical. [Gr. sōtērios, saving—sōtēr, saviour, logia—legein, to speak.]

English · e-38700-2493

Sothic

Sothic, sō′thik, adj. of or pertaining to the dog-star Sothis or Sirius.—Sothic cycle, or period, a period of 1460 years; Sothic year, the ancient Egyptian fixed year, according to the heliacal rising of Sirius.

English · e-38700-2494

Sotto

Sotto, sot′tō, adv. under, below, as in Sotto voce, in an undertone, aside. [It.,—L. subter, under.]

English · e-38700-2495 · brief source record

Sou

Sou, sōō, n. a French copper coin, the five-centime piece=1⁄20th of a franc. [Fr. sou (It. soldo)—L. solidus, a coin.]

English · e-38700-2496 · brief source record

Souari

Souari, sow-ä′ri, n. a tree of British Guiana yielding a durable timber and edible nuts.

English · e-38700-2497 · brief source record

Soubise

Soubise, sōō-bēz′, n. an 18th-cent. men's cravat. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2498 · brief source record

Soubrette

Soubrette, sōō-bret′, n. a maid-servant in a comedy, conventionally pert, coquettish, and intriguing. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2499 · brief source record

Souchong

Souchong, sōō-shong′, n. a fine sort of black tea. [Fr.,—Chin. siao, small, chung, sort.]

English · e-38700-2500 · brief source record

Souffle

Souffle, sōō′fl, n. a murmuring sound. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2501 · brief source record

Soufflé

Soufflé, sōō-flā′, n. a light dish, consisting of the whites of eggs, with chocolate, cheese, vanilla, &c., whisked into a creamy froth.—adj. prepared in this way. [Fr., souffler, to blow—L. sufflāre, to blow.]

English · e-38700-2502

Sough

Sough, sow, suf, or, as Scot., sōōh, v.i. to sigh, as the wind.—v.t. to whine out cantingly.—n. a sighing of the wind: a vague rumour: a whining tone of voice.—Keep a calm sough, to keep quiet. [Prob. Ice. súgr, a rushin

English · e-38700-2503

Sough

Sough, suf, n. a drain, sewer, mine-adit.—n. Sough′ing-tile, a drain-tile. [Prob. W. soch, a drain.]

English · e-38700-2504 · brief source record

Sought

Sought, sawt, pa.t. and pa.p. of seek.

English · e-38700-2505 · brief source record

Soul

Soul, sōl, n. that part of man which thinks, feels, desires, &c.: the seat of life and intellect: life: essence: internal power: energy or grandeur of mind: a human being, a person.—ns. Soul′-bell, the passing bell; Soul

English · e-38700-2506

Soum

Soum, Sowm, sowm, n. (Scot.) the proportion of sheep or cattle suitable for any pasture: pasture for a certain number of sheep or cattle.—v.i. to determine such. [A form of sum.]

English · e-38700-2507

Sound

Sound, sownd, adj. safe, whole, entire: perfect: healthy, strong: profound: correct: orthodox: weighty.—adv. soundly, completely fast, as in sleep.—adv. Sound′ly.—n. Sound′ness. [A.S. gesund; Ger. gesund, and perh. L. sa

English · e-38700-2508

Sound

Sound, sownd, n. a narrow passage of water: a strait. [A.S. sund, a narrow arm of the sea, from swimman, to swim; Ger. sund, a strait.]

English · e-38700-2509

Sound

Sound, sownd, n. the air or swimming bladder of a fish. [A.S. sund, swimming.]

English · e-38700-2510 · brief source record

Sound

Sound, sownd, v.i. to make a noise: to utter a voice: to spread or be spread: to appear on narration.—v.t. to cause to make a noise: to utter audibly: to direct by a sound or audible signal: to examine by percussion: to

English · e-38700-2511

Sound

Sound, sownd, v.t. to measure the depth of, esp. with a line and plummet: to probe: to try to discover a man's secret thoughts, wishes, &c.: to test: to introduce an instrument into the bladder to examine it.—v.i. to use

English · e-38700-2512

Sound

Sound, sownd, n. (Spens.) swoon.

English · e-38700-2513 · brief source record

Sounder

Sounder, sown′dėr, n. a herd of swine, a young boar. [A.S. sunor, a herd of swine.]

English · e-38700-2514 · brief source record

Soup

Soup, sōōp, n. the nutritious liquid obtained by boiling meat or vegetables in stock—named from the chief ingredient, as pea-, tomato-, vermicelli-, hare-, oxtail-soup, &c.—ns. Soup′er, a convert for the sake of material

English · e-38700-2515

Soupçon

Soupçon, soop-song′, n. a suspicion—hence a very small quantity, as of spirits. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2516 · brief source record

Souple

Souple, sōōp′l, adj. a provincial form of supple—denoting raw silk deprived of its silk-glue.

English · e-38700-2517 · brief source record

Sour

Sour, sowr, adj. having a pungent, acid taste: turned, as milk: rancid: crabbed or peevish in temper: bitter: cold and wet, as soil.—v.t. to make sour or acid: to make cross, peevish, or discontented.—v.i. to become sour

English · e-38700-2518

Source

Source, sōrs, n. that from which anything rises or originates: origin: the spring from which a stream flows. [O. Fr. sorse (Fr. source), from sourdre (It. sorgere)—L. surgĕre, to raise up, to rise.]

English · e-38700-2519

Sourdeline

Sourdeline, sōōr′de-lēn, n. a small bagpipe. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2520 · brief source record

Sourdine

Sourdine, sōōr-dēn′, n. a stop on the harmonium. [Fr.,—It. sordino, sordo, deaf—L. surdus, deaf.]

English · e-38700-2521 · brief source record

Sourock

Sourock, sōō′rok, n. (Scot.) the common sorrel.

English · e-38700-2522 · brief source record

Sous

Sous. Same as Sou.

English · e-38700-2523 · brief source record

Souse

Souse, sows, v.t. to strike with sudden violence, as a bird its prey.—v.i. to rush with speed, as a bird on its prey.—n. violent attack, as of a bird striking its prey.—adj. (Shak.) sudden, violent.—adv. with sudden viol

English · e-38700-2524

Souse

Souse, sows, n. pickle made of salt: anything steeped in pickle: the ear, feet, &c. of swine pickled.—v.t. to steep in pickle: to plunge into water. [Written also souce, a form of sauce.]

English · e-38700-2525

Sout

Sout, sowt, n. (Spens.). Same as Soot.

English · e-38700-2526 · brief source record

Soutache

Soutache, sōō-tash′, n. a narrow braid. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2527 · brief source record

Soutane

Soutane, sōō-tān′, n. a cassock. [Fr.,—Low L. subtana—L. subtus, beneath.]

English · e-38700-2528 · brief source record

Souter

Souter, sōō′tėr, n. (Scot.) a shoemaker, a cobbler—also Sow′ter, Sou′tar.—adv. Sou′terly. [A.S. sútere (Ice. sútari)—L. sutor—suĕre, to sew.]

English · e-38700-2529

South

South, sowth, n. the direction in which the sun appears at noon to the people north of the Tropic of Cancer: any land opposite the north: the Southern States in U.S. history: the side of a church on the right hand of one

English · e-38700-2530

Southcottian

Southcottian, sowth′kot-i-an, n. a follower of Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), whose dropsy was taken by many, and perhaps herself, for the gestation of a second Shiloh or Prince of Peace.

English · e-38700-2531

Southdown

Southdown, sowth′down, adj. pertaining to the South Downs in Hampshire, the famous breed of sheep so named, or their mutton.—n. this breed of sheep, a sheep of the same, or its mutton.

English · e-38700-2532

Southsay

Southsay, Southsayer, sōōth′-. Same as Soothsay, &c.

English · e-38700-2533 · brief source record

Souvenir

Souvenir, sōō-ve-nēr′, n. a remembrancer, a keepsake.—n. Souv′enance (Spens.), remembrance, memory. [Fr.,—L. subvenīre, to come up, to come to mind—sub, under, venīre, to come.]

English · e-38700-2534

Sovereign

Sovereign, suv′rān, or sov′e-rān, adj. supreme: possessing supreme power or dominion: superior to all others: utmost: most efficacious—(Milt.) Sov′ran.—n. a supreme ruler: a monarch: a gold coin=20s.—v.t. to rule over as

English · e-38700-2535

Sow

Sow, sow, n. a female pig: the metal solidified in parallel grooves or pigs, the iron of these being pig-iron: a movable shed for protecting the men using a battering-ram.—ns. Sow′back, a low ridge of sand or gravel; Sow

English · e-38700-2536

Sow

Sow, sō, v.t. to scatter seed that it may grow: to plant by strewing: to scatter seed over: to spread, disseminate.—v.i. to scatter seed for growth:—pa.p. sown and sowed.—ns. Sow′er; Sow′ing; Sow′ing-machine′, a hand or

English · e-38700-2537

Sowar

Sowar, sō-är′, n. a native horse-soldier in the British Indian army, a mounted attendant. [Hind. sawār, a horseman.]

English · e-38700-2538 · brief source record

Sowens

Sowens, sō′enz, n.pl. (Scot.) a dish made from the farina remaining among the husks of oats, flummery.—Also Sow′ans.

English · e-38700-2539 · brief source record

Sowl

Sowl, Sowle, sowl, v.t. (Shak.) to pull by the ears.

English · e-38700-2540 · brief source record

Sownd

Sownd, sownd, v.t. (Spens.) to wield.

English · e-38700-2541 · brief source record

Sownd

Sownd, sownd, n. (Spens.)=swound, the same as Swoon.

English · e-38700-2542 · brief source record

Sowne

Sowne, sown, n. (Spens.). Same as Sound.

English · e-38700-2543 · brief source record

Sowse

Sowse, sows, v. and n. (Spens.). Same as Souse, to strike.

English · e-38700-2544 · brief source record

Sowth

Sowth, sowth, v.i. and v.t. (Scot.) to whistle softly, to whistle over a tune.

English · e-38700-2545 · brief source record

Soy

Soy, soi, n. a thick and piquant sauce made from the seeds of the soy bean or pea, a native of China, Japan, and the Moluccas.—Also Soo′ja. [Jap. si-yan, Chin. shi-yu.]

English · e-38700-2546

Soyle

Soyle, soil, n. (Spens.) prey.

English · e-38700-2547 · brief source record

Sozzle

Sozzle, soz′l, v.t. to make wet or muddy.—n. disorder.—adj. Sozz′ly, sloppy.

English · e-38700-2548 · brief source record

Spa

Spa, spaw, n. a place where there is a mineral spring of water. [From Spa in Belgium.]

English · e-38700-2549 · brief source record

Space

Space, spās, n. extension as distinct from material substances: room: largeness: distance between objects: interval between lines or words in books: quantity of time: distance between two points of time: opportunity, lei

English · e-38700-2550

Spacial

Spacial=Spatial (q.v.).

English · e-38700-2551 · brief source record

Spadassin

Spadassin, spad′a-sin, n. a swordsman, a bravo. [Fr.,—It. spadaccino—spada, a sword.]

English · e-38700-2552 · brief source record

Spade

Spade, spād, n. a broad blade of iron with a handle, used for digging: a playing-card of one of the two black suits, shaped like a heart with a triangular handle.—v.t. to dig with a spade.—ns. Spade′-bone, the scapula; S

English · e-38700-2553

Spade

Spade, spād, n. a eunuch: a gelding.—Also Spā′do. [Gr. spadōn, a eunuch.]

English · e-38700-2554 · brief source record

Spadille

Spadille, spa-dil′, n. the ace of spades in the games of ombre and quadrille.—Also Spadil′io. [Fr.,—Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada, the ace of spades.]

English · e-38700-2555

Spadix

Spadix, spā′diks, n. (bot.) a fleshy spike of flowers, usually covered by a leaf called a spathe:—pl. Spādī′ces.—adjs. Spādic′eous, Spad′icose. [Gr.]

English · e-38700-2556

Spadone

Spadone, spa-dō′nē, n. a long heavy sword for both hands.—Also Spadroon′. [It.]

English · e-38700-2557 · brief source record

Spae

Spae, spā, v.i. and v.t. (Scot.) to foretell, divine—also Spay.—ns. Spae′man; Spā′er; Spae′wife, [Scand., Ice. spá; Ger. spähen, to spy.]

English · e-38700-2558

Spaghetti

Spaghetti, spa-get′ti, n. an Italian cord-like paste intermediate in size between macaroni and vermicelli. [It., pl. of spaghetto, dim. of spago, a cord.]

English · e-38700-2559

Spagiric

Spagiric, -al, spa-jir′ik, -al, adj. chemical, according to the chemistry of Paracelsus and his followers.—n. Spagir′ist, a follower of Paracelsus. [Gr. span, to tear, ageirein, to bring together.]

English · e-38700-2560

Spahi

Spahi, spä′hē, n. one of the irregular cavalry of the Turkish armies before the reorganisation of 1836.—Also Spa′hee. [Sepoy.]

English · e-38700-2561

Spairge

Spairge, spārj, v.t. (Scot.) a form of sparge, to sprinkle.

English · e-38700-2562 · brief source record

Spake

Spake, spāk, old pa.t. of speak.

English · e-38700-2563 · brief source record

Spalax

Spalax, spā′laks, n. the typical genus of mole-rats. [Gr., spalax, sphalax, a mole.]

English · e-38700-2564 · brief source record

Spale

Spale, spāl, n. (Scot.) a splinter of wood—also Spail: in shipbuilding, a temporary brace, cross-band—also Spā′ling.

English · e-38700-2565 · brief source record

Spall

Spall, spawl, n. (Spens.) the shoulder.—Also Spald. [O. Fr. espaule—L. spatula, a broad blade.]

English · e-38700-2566 · brief source record

Spall

Spall, spawl, v.t. and v.i. to split, splinter, to chip.—n. a chip or splinter thrown off.—v.t. and v.i. Spalt, to split off splinters.—adj. brittle.

English · e-38700-2567

Spalpeen

Spalpeen, spal′pēn, n. a rascal, a mischievous fellow. [Ir. spailpīn.]

English · e-38700-2568 · brief source record

Spalt

Spalt, spalt, n. a scaly whitish mineral, used as a flux for metals. [Ger. spalt-stein—spalten, to split.]

English · e-38700-2569 · brief source record

Span

Span, span, n. the space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little-finger when the fingers are extended: nine inches: the spread of an arch between its abutments: a space of time, the full duration of anything:

English · e-38700-2570

Span

Span, span, n. a yoke of horses or oxen. [Borrowed from Dut.; from the same root as above word.]

English · e-38700-2571 · brief source record

Span

Span, span, adv. wholly—in Span′-new, Spick′-and-span.

English · e-38700-2572 · brief source record

Span-roof

Span-roof, span′-rōōf, n. a roof having two equal inclined planes or sides.

English · e-38700-2588 · brief source record

Spancel

Spancel, span′sel, n. a tether for a cow's legs.—v.t. to fasten a cow with such.—adj. Span′celed (her.), hobbled. [Old Dut. spansel.]

English · e-38700-2573

Spandrel

Spandrel, span′drel, n. the irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the enclosing right angle.—Also Span′dril. [Ety. dub.; prob. conn. with span.]

English · e-38700-2574

Spandy

Spandy, span′di, adv. Same as Span (3).

English · e-38700-2575 · brief source record

Spane

Spane, Spean, spān, v.t. (Scot.) to wean. [A.S. spanan; Ger. spänen.]

English · e-38700-2576 · brief source record

Spanemia

Spanemia, spa-nē′mi-a, n. poverty of blood—also Spanæ′mia.—adjs. Spanē′mic, Spanæ′mic. [Gr. spanos, scarce, haima, blood.]

English · e-38700-2577

Spang

Spang, spang, n. a spangle, shining ornament.

English · e-38700-2578 · brief source record

Spang

Spang, spang, v.i. (Scot.) to leap.—v.t. to set in violent motion, to hurl.—n. a springing up: a sudden blow.

English · e-38700-2579 · brief source record

Spangle

Spangle, spang′gl, n. a small, thin plate or boss of shining metal: anything sparkling and brilliant, like a spangle.—v.t. to adorn with spangles.—v.i. to glitter.—adjs. Spang′led, Spang′ly.—n. Spang′ler. [A.S. spange; G

English · e-38700-2580

Spangolite

Spangolite, spang′gō-līt, n. a rare mineral found in hexagonal green crystals along with cuprite in Arizona. [Norman Spang of Pittsburg.]

English · e-38700-2581

Spaniard

Spaniard, span′yard, n. a native of Spain.

English · e-38700-2582 · brief source record

Spaniel

Spaniel, span′yel, n. a kind of dog, usually liver-and-white coloured, or black-and-white, with large pendent ears.—adj. (Shak.) like a spaniel, fawning, mean.—n. Span′ielship, obsequious attention.—Blenheim Spaniel, red

English · e-38700-2583

Spanish

Spanish, span′ish, adj. of or pertaining to Spain.—n. the language of Spain.—n. Span′iard, a native or citizen of Spain.—Spanish bayonet, any one of several species of yucca with straight sword-shaped leaves; Spanish bro

English · e-38700-2584

Spank

Spank, spangk, v.i. to move with speed or spirit.—n. Spank′er, one who walks with long strides: a fast-going horse: any person or thing particularly striking, a dashing person.—adj. Spank′ing, spirited, going freely: str

English · e-38700-2585

Spank

Spank, spangk, v.i. to strike with the flat of the hand, to slap.—n. a loud slap, esp. on the backside.

English · e-38700-2586 · brief source record

Spanker

Spanker, spang′kėr, n. the after-sail of a ship or barque, so called from its flapping in the breeze.

English · e-38700-2587 · brief source record

Spar

Spar, spär, n. a rafter: a general term for masts, yards, booms, and gaffs, &c.—n. Spar′-deck, the upper deck of a vessel. [The A.S. spearra is assumed from the verb sparrian, to fasten with a bar; cf. Ice. sparri, Dut.

English · e-38700-2589

Spar

Spar, spär, n. a term applied by miners to any bright crystalline mineral, and adopted by mineralogists in the names of a number of minerals—calcareous spar, fluor spar, Iceland spar, &c.—adj. Spar′ry, resembling spar, s

English · e-38700-2590

Spar

Spar, spär, v.i. to box with the hands: to fight with showy action: to dispute:—pr.p. spar′ring; pa.t. and pa.p. sparred.—n. a preliminary sparring, boxing-match, or cock-fight.—ns. Spar′rer; Spar′ring. [O. Fr. esparer (

English · e-38700-2591

Spar-hawk

Spar-hawk, spär′-hawk, n.=Sparrow-hawk.

English · e-38700-2598 · brief source record

Sparable

Sparable, spar′a-bl, n. a small nail used by shoemakers.—Also Sper′rable. [Sparrow-bill.]

English · e-38700-2592 · brief source record

Sparadrap

Sparadrap, spar′a-drap, n. a cerecloth, a plaster. [Fr.]

English · e-38700-2593 · brief source record

Spare

Spare, spār, v.t. to use frugally: to do without: to save from any use: to withhold from: to forbear from harming, to treat tenderly: to part with willingly.—v.i. to be frugal: to forbear: to be tender: to be forgiving.—

English · e-38700-2594

Sparganium

Sparganium, spär-gā′ni-um, n. a genus of plants of the order Typhaceæ:, the bur-reeds. [Gr.]

English · e-38700-2595 · brief source record

Sparge

Sparge, spärj, v.t. to sprinkle—(Scot.) Spairge.—n. Spar′ger, a sprinkler. [L. spargĕre, to sprinkle.]

English · e-38700-2596 · brief source record

Spargosis

Spargosis, spär-gō′sis, n. great distention of the breasts with milk.—Also Sparganō′sis. [Gr. spargōsis—spargan, to swell.]

English · e-38700-2597

Spark

Spark, spärk, n. a small ignited particle shot off from a burning body: any small shining body or light: a small portion of anything active or vivid: a gay sprightly person, a lover, a beau.—v.i. to emit sparks: to play

English · e-38700-2599

Sparke

Sparke, spärk, n. (Spens.) a battle-axe. [Perh. an error for sparthe.]

English · e-38700-2600 · brief source record

Sparkle

Sparkle, spärk′l, n. a little spark: lustre, brilliance: the presence of carbon dioxide, as in a wine, causing effervescence: the emission of sparks.—v.i. to emit sparks: to shine, glitter: to effervesce with glittering

English · e-38700-2601

Sparling

Sparling, spär′ling, n. the smelt.—Also Spir′ling.

English · e-38700-2602 · brief source record

Sparre

Sparre, spär, n. (Spens.) a bolt, a bar. [Spar.]

English · e-38700-2603 · brief source record

Sparrer

Sparrer. See under Spar (3).

English · e-38700-2604 · brief source record

Sparrow

Sparrow, spar′ō, n. an Old World genus of birds of fringilline family.—ns. Sparr′ow-bill, a small shoe-nail, so called from its shape—also Spar′able; Sparr′ow-grass, asparagus; Sparr′ow-hawk, a genus of long-legged, shor

English · e-38700-2605

Sparry

Sparry, spär′i, adj. consisting of, or like, spar.—n. Sparr′y-ī′ron, a carbonite of iron, siderite.

English · e-38700-2606 · brief source record

Sparse

Sparse, spärs, adj. thinly scattered: scanty.—adv. Sparse′ly.—n. Sparse′ness.—adj. Spar′sile.—n. Spar′sity. [L. sparsum, pa.p. of spargĕre, to scatter; Gr. speirein, to sow.]

English · e-38700-2607

Spartan

Spartan, spär′tan, adj. of or pertaining to Sparta in Greece: hardy, rigorously severe: fearless.

English · e-38700-2608 · brief source record

Sparterie

Sparterie, spär′tėr-i, n. articles made from esparto—mats, nets, ropes, &c.

English · e-38700-2609 · brief source record

Sparth

Sparth, -e, sparth, n. a halberd, mace.

English · e-38700-2610 · brief source record

Spasm

Spasm, spazm, n. an irregular and violent contraction of muscular parts—involuntary even when the voluntary muscles are concerned. When persistent it is tonic spasm or cramp, catalepsy, tetanus; when the relaxations alte

English · e-38700-2611

Spat

Spat, spat, pa.t. of spit, to throw from the mouth.

English · e-38700-2612 · brief source record

Spat

Spat, spat, n. the spawn of shellfish.—v.i. to shed spawn. [From root of spit.]

English · e-38700-2613 · brief source record

Spat

Spat, spat, n. a slap: a large drop, as of rain: a petty quarrel.—v.t. to slap, to strike lightly.—v.i. to engage in a petty quarrel.

English · e-38700-2614

Spat

Spat, spat, n. a gaiter or legging—usually in pl. [Spatter-dashes.]

English · e-38700-2615 · brief source record

Spatangus

Spatangus, spā-tang′gus, n. the typical genus of Spatangidæ, a family of irregular sea-urchins, the heart-urchins.—n.pl. Spatang′ida, the spatangoid sea-urchins.—adj. Spatang′oid, like a cordate urchin.—n. one of these.—

English · e-38700-2616

Spatch-cock

Spatch-cock, spach′-kok, n. a fowl killed and immediately roasted or broiled for some sudden occasion. [Prob. a corr. of despatch and cock.]

English · e-38700-2617

Spate

Spate, Spait, spāt, n. a sudden flood, as in a stream after heavy rain. [Prob. Ir. speid.]

English · e-38700-2618 · brief source record

Spathe

Spathe, spāth, n. (bot.) a sheathing bract, which encloses one or more flowers, as in the narcissus.—adjs. Spathā′ceous, spathe-bearing; Spāthed, having a spathe.—n. Spathil′la, a secondary or diminutive spathe.—adjs. Sp

English · e-38700-2619

Spathic

Spathic, spath′ik, adj. (min.) foliated, lamellar.—adj. Spath′iform, spathic. [Ger. spath, spar.]

English · e-38700-2620 · brief source record

Spathura

Spathura, spā-thū′ra, n. a genus of humming-birds with peculiar tail-feathers expanding into a spatule at the end, and leg-muffs. [Gr. spathē, a blade, oura, a tail.]

English · e-38700-2621

Spatial

Spatial, spā′shal, adj. relating to space.—n. Spātial′ity.—adv. Spā′tially.

English · e-38700-2622 · brief source record

Spatilomancy

Spatilomancy, spā-til′ō-man-si, n. divination by means of animal excrements. [Gr. spatilē, excrement, manteia, divination.]

English · e-38700-2623

Spatter

Spatter, spat′ėr, v.t. to throw out or scatter upon: to scatter about: to sprinkle with dirt or anything moist: to defame.—n. the act of spattering: what is spattered.—n.pl. Spatt′er-dash′es, coverings for the legs, to k

English · e-38700-2624

Spatula

Spatula, spat′ū-la, Spattle, spat′l, n. a little spade: a broad kind of knife for spreading plasters.—n. Spat′ulamancy, a method of divination by a sheep's shoulder-blade.—adj. Spat′ulāte, shaped like a spatula.—n. Spat′

English · e-38700-2625

Spavin

Spavin, spav′in, n. a disease of horses occurring under two different forms—bog-spavin, in which the hock-joint is distended with dark-coloured synovia or joint-oil, and bone-spavin, in which a bony enlargement occurs to

English · e-38700-2626

Spawl

Spawl, spawl, n. spittle, slaver.—v.i. to eject saliva.

English · e-38700-2627 · brief source record

Spawn

Spawn, spawn, n. the eggs of fish or frogs when ejected: offspring.—adj. containing spawn.—v.t. to produce, as fishes and frogs do their eggs: to bring forth.—v.i. to deposit eggs, as fishes or frogs: to issue, as offspr

English · e-38700-2628

Spay

Spay, spā, v.t. to make an animal barren by destroying its ovaries.—Also Spāve. [L. spado—Gr. spadōn, a eunuch—Gr. spaein, draw out.]

English · e-38700-2629

Speak

Speak, spēk, v.i. to utter words or articulate sounds: to say: to talk: to converse: to sound: to give expression by any means, to intimate, to hint.—v.t. to pronounce: to converse in: to address: to declare: to express

English · e-38700-2630

Speal-bone

Speal-bone, spēl′-bōn, n. the shoulder-blade.

English · e-38700-2631 · brief source record

Spear

Spear, spēr, n. a long weapon used in war and hunting, made of a pole pointed with iron: a lance with barbed prongs used for catching fish.—v.t. to pierce or kill with a spear.—ns. Spear′-fish, a kind of carp-sucker—also

English · e-38700-2632

Spec

Spec, a colloquial abbrev. of speculation.

English · e-38700-2633 · brief source record

Special

Special, spesh′al, adj. of a species or sort; particular: distinctive: uncommon: designed for a particular purpose: confined to a particular subject or application.—n. any special or particular person or thing: any perso

English · e-38700-2634

Specify

Specify, spes′i-fī, v.t. to mention particularly: to set down as a requisite:—pa.t. and pa.p. spec′ifīed.—v.t. Specif′icate, to specify.—n. Specificā′tion, the act of specifying: any point or particular specified: the de

English · e-38700-2635

Specillum

Specillum, spē-sil′um, n. a surgical probe: a lens, eyeglass. [L.,—specĕre, to look.]

English · e-38700-2636 · brief source record

Specimen

Specimen, spes′i-men, n. a portion of anything to show the kind and quality of the whole: a sample, a typical individual: a preparation in natural history, &c., exemplifying anything noticeable in a species or other grou

English · e-38700-2637

Specious

Specious, spē′shus, adj. that looks well at first sight: showy: plausible: appearing actual, not merely imaginary.—ns. Spēcios′ity, Spē′ciousness, plausible appearance.—adv. Spē′ciously. [Fr.,—L. speciosus, showy—species

English · e-38700-2638

Speck

Speck, spek, n. a spot: a blemish: a mark betokening decay: a separate piece or particle, an atom, the least morsel or quantity: a percoid fish of the United States, a darter.—v.t. to spot. [A.S. specca; Low Ger. spakig,

English · e-38700-2639

Speck

Speck, spek, n. fat, lard.—n. Specktioneer′, the chief harpooner in whale-fishing. [A.S. spic, bacon; Ger. speck, Dut. spek, fat.]

English · e-38700-2640

Speckle

Speckle, spek′l, n. a little speck or spot in anything different in substance or colour from the thing itself: (Scot.) kind, sort.—v.t. to mark with speckles.—adj. Speck′led, variegated, piebald.—n. Speck′ledness.—adjs.

English · e-38700-2641

Spectacle

Spectacle, spek′ta-kl, n. a sight: show, a pageant, exhibition: (pl.) a pair of lenses mounted in frames to assist the sight, aids to mental vision: a marking resembling spectacles, as in the cobra.—adjs. Spec′tacled, we

English · e-38700-2642

Spectant

Spectant, spek′tant, adj. looking forward.—v.t. Spec′tāte, to survey.—n. Spec′tātion. [L. spectans, -antis, pr.p. of spectāre.]

English · e-38700-2643

Spectator

Spectator, spek-tā′tor, n. one who looks on:—fem. Spectā′tress, Spectā′trix.—adj. Spectatō′rial.—n. Spectā′torship, the office or quality of a spectator: (Shak.) the act of beholding.

English · e-38700-2644

Spectre

Spectre, spek′tėr, n. a ghost.—adj. Spec′tral, relating to, or like, a spectre.—n. Spectral′ity, the state of being spectral, a spectral object.—adv. Spec′trally.—n. Spec′tre-bat, a South American leaf-nosed bat or vampi

English · e-38700-2645

Spectrum

Spectrum, spek′trum, n. the image of something seen continued after the eyes are closed: the colours of light separated by a prism, and exhibited as spread out on a screen:—pl. Spec′tra.—n. Spec′trograph, an apparatus fo

English · e-38700-2646

Specular

Specular, spek′ū-lar, adj. resembling a speculum: having a smooth reflecting surface: assisting vision, serving for inspection.—Specular iron ore, a variety of hematite, with a brilliant metallic lustre. [L.]

English · e-38700-2647

Specularia

Specularia, spek-ū-lā′ri-a, n. a genus of plants of the bellwort family (Campanulaceæ), including the Venus's-looking-glass.

English · e-38700-2648

Speculate

Speculate, spek′ū-lāt, v.i. to look at or into with the mind: to consider: to theorise: to traffic for great profit.—ns. Speculā′tion, act of speculating: mental view: contemplation: theory: the buying goods, &c., to sel

English · e-38700-2649

Speculum

Speculum, spek′ū-lum, n. (opt.) a reflector usually made of polished metal: (surg.) an instrument for bringing into view parts otherwise hidden: an ocellus or eye-spot, the mirror of a wing: a lookout place:—pl. Spec′ula

English · e-38700-2650

Sped

Sped, sped, pa.t. and pa.p. of speed.

English · e-38700-2651 · brief source record

Speech

Speech, spēch, n. that which is spoken: language: the power of speaking: manner of speech, oration: any declaration of thoughts: mention: colloquy: conference.—ns. Speech′-craft, the science of language: the gift of spee

English · e-38700-2652

Speed

Speed, spēd, n. quickness, velocity: success.—v.i. to move quickly, to hurry: to succeed, to fare.—v.t. to despatch quickly: to hasten, as to a conclusion: to cause to advance, to push forward: to give a certain speed to

English · e-38700-2653

Speir

Speir, Speer, spēr, v.t. and v.i. (Scot.) to ask. [A.S. spyrian, to inquire after, spor, a trace.]

English · e-38700-2654 · brief source record

Speiss

Speiss, spīs, n. the product first obtained (an arsenide of the metal) when arsenical ores are smelted. [Ger. speise.]

English · e-38700-2655 · brief source record

Spekboom

Spekboom, spek′bōm, n. a large South African shrub of the purslane family. [Dut.]

English · e-38700-2656 · brief source record

Spelæan

Spelæan, Spelean, spē-lē′an, adj. cave-dwelling. [L. spelæum—Gr. spēlaion, a cave.]

English · e-38700-2657 · brief source record

Speld

Speld, speld, n. a chip, splinter.—Also Spel′der.

English · e-38700-2658 · brief source record

Spelding

Spelding, spel′ding, n. (Scot.) a small fish split and dried in the sun.—Also Spel′drin, Spel′dron.

English · e-38700-2659 · brief source record

Spelin

Spelin, spe-lin′, n. an artificial linguistic system devised by G. Bauer in 1888 for universal use.

English · e-38700-2660 · brief source record

Spelk

Spelk, spelk, n. (prov.) a rod, switch.—v.t. to use a spelk in or upon.

English · e-38700-2661 · brief source record

Spell

Spell, spel, n. any form of words supposed to possess magical power: fascination.—v.t. to tell or name the letters of: to name, write, or print the proper letters of.—v.i. to form words with the proper letters: to study:

English · e-38700-2662

Spell

Spell, spel, v.t. to take another's place at work:—pr.p. spell′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. spelled.—n. a turn at work: a short period indefinitely: an interval of rest: a bad turn. [A.S. spelian, to act for another; cf. Dut. sp

English · e-38700-2663

Spelt

Spelt, spelt, n. a kind of wheat, probably only a race of common wheat, still grown in the mountainous parts of Europe and elsewhere—also called German wheat. [A.S. spelt—Low L. spelta.]

English · e-38700-2664

Spelter

Spelter, spel′tėr, n. zinc. [Allied to Dut. spiauter.]

English · e-38700-2665 · brief source record

Spence

Spence, spens, n. (prov.) a place where provisions are kept: a larder: a pantry.—Also Spense. [O. Fr. despense, a buttery—despendre—L. dispendĕre.]

English · e-38700-2666

Spencer

Spencer, spens′ėr, n. a short over-jacket worn by men or women, named after Earl Spencer (1782-1845).

English · e-38700-2667 · brief source record

Spencer

Spencer, spens′ėr, n. (in ships and barques) a fore-and-aft sail abaft the fore and main masts.

English · e-38700-2668 · brief source record

Spencerian

Spencerian, spen-sē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to the philosophy of Herbert Spencer (b. 1820).—n. a follower of Spencer.—n. Spencē′rianism, the system of evolutionary cosmology propounded by Herbert Spencer—the so-called syn

English · e-38700-2669

Spend

Spend, spend, v.t. to expend or weigh out: to give for any purpose: to consume: to waste: to pass, as time.—v.i. to make expense: to be lost, wasted, or dissipated: to emit milt, semen, &c.:—pr.p. spend′ing; pa.t. and pa

English · e-38700-2670

Spendthrift

Spendthrift, spend′thrift, n. one who spends the savings of thrift: a prodigal.—adj. excessively lavish. [Spend and thrift.]

English · e-38700-2671

Spenserian

Spenserian, spen-sē′ri-an, adj. pertaining to Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) or his versification, esp. his stanza in The Faerie Queene, a strophe of eight decasyllabic lines and an Alexandrine, having three rhymes, the 1st

English · e-38700-2672

Spent

Spent, spent, pa.t. and pa.p. of spend.

English · e-38700-2673 · brief source record

Speos

Speos, spē′os, n. a grotto-temple or tomb. [Gr.]

English · e-38700-2674 · brief source record

Sper

Sper, spėr, v.t. (Spens.) to bolt, to shut, as a gate.

English · e-38700-2675 · brief source record

Sperable

Sperable, spē′ra-bl, adj. (Bacon) that may be hoped.—adj. Spē′rate, hoped for. [L. sperabilis—sperāre, to hope.]

English · e-38700-2676 · brief source record

Spergula

Spergula, sper′gū-la, n. a genus of polypetalous annuals belonging to the Caryophyllaceæ, with small white or pink flowers—spurry or sandweed.—n. Spergulā′ria, an allied genus, the sand-spurry. [L. spargĕre, to scatter.]

English · e-38700-2677

Sperket

Sperket, spėr′ket, n. a hooked peg for hanging harness upon.—Also Spir′ket.

English · e-38700-2678 · brief source record

Sperm

Sperm, spėrm, n. animal seed: spawn of fishes or frogs: spermaceti.—ns. Sper′maduct, a spermatic duct; Sper′maphore (bot.), a placenta; Sper′mary, the male germ-gland; Spermathē′ca, a spermatic case or sheath—also Sperma

English · e-38700-2679

Spermaceti

Spermaceti, sper-ma-set′i, or-sē′tī, n. a waxy matter obtained mixed with oil from the head of the sperm-whale—purified by draining off the oil and repeatedly washing with hot water and weak boiling potash-lye.—adj. deri

English · e-38700-2680

Spermophile

Spermophile, sper′mō-fīl, n. a rodent of the genus Spermophilus, a ground-squirrel. [Gr. sperma, seed, philein, to love.]

English · e-38700-2681

Sperre

Sperre, sper, v.t. (Spens.). Same as Sper. [Spar.]

English · e-38700-2682 · brief source record

Sperrylite

Sperrylite, sper′i-līt, n. an arsenide of platinum discovered in 1888 in the province of Ontario, Canada.

English · e-38700-2683 · brief source record

Sperse

Sperse, spėrs, v.t. (Spens.) to disperse.

English · e-38700-2684 · brief source record

Spet

Spet, spet, v.i. (Milt.) a form of spit.

English · e-38700-2685 · brief source record

Spetch

Spetch, spech, n. a piece of skin used in making glue. [Speck.]

English · e-38700-2686 · brief source record

Spew

Spew, Spue, spū, v.t. and v.i. to vomit: to eject with loathing.—ns. Spew′er; Spew′iness, moistness.—adj. Spew′y, boggy. [A.S. spíwan; Dut. spuwen, Ger. speien; also L. spuĕre, Gr. ptyein.]

English · e-38700-2687

Sphacelus

Sphacelus, sfas′e-lus, n. gangrene.—adjs. Sphac′elate, -d, necrosed.—ns. Sphacelā′tion, Sphacelis′mus, necrosis; Sphacelō′ma, a genus of fungi containing anthracnose. [Gr. sphakelos.]

English · e-38700-2688

Sphæridium

Sphæridium, sfē-rid′i-um, n. one of the minute spheroidal bodies attached to the ambulacral plates of sea-urchins:—pl. Sphærid′ia. [Gr. sphairidion, dim. of sphaira, a sphere.]

English · e-38700-2689

Sphæristerium

Sphæristerium, sfē-ris-tē′ri-um, n. a tennis-court. [Gr.,—sphaira, a ball.]

English · e-38700-2690 · brief source record

Sphærite

Sphærite, sfē′rīt, n. a hydrous phosphate of aluminium.

English · e-38700-2691 · brief source record

Sphagnum

Sphagnum, sfag′num, n. a genus of mosses—peat or bog-moss, belonging to the order Sphagnaceæ.—ns. Sphagnol′ogist, one who has studied the foregoing; Sphagnol′ogy, the study of the same.—adj. Sphag′nous. [Gr. sphagnos, mo

English · e-38700-2692

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