Sphecius
Sphecius, sfē′shi-us, n. a genus of digger-wasps. [Gr. sphēx, a wasp.]
English · e-38700-2693 · brief source recordHistorical source · 1908
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.
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Sphecius, sfē′shi-us, n. a genus of digger-wasps. [Gr. sphēx, a wasp.]
English · e-38700-2693 · brief source recordSphendone, sfen′dō-nē, n. an ancient Greek form of women's head-band: an elliptical or semi-elliptical auditorium. [Gr., a sling.]
English · e-38700-2694Sphene, sfēn, n. titanite. [Fr.,—Gr. sphēn, wedge.]
English · e-38700-2695 · brief source recordSphenic, sfē′nik, adj. wedge-like. [Gr. sphēn, a wedge.]
English · e-38700-2696 · brief source recordSpheniscus, sfē-nis′kus, n. a genus of penguins, of the family Spheniscidæ, the jackass-penguins.
English · e-38700-2697 · brief source recordSphenodon, sfē′nō-don, n. a genus of South American fossil sloths; a genus of extinct New Zealand lizards.—adj. Sphē′nodont. [Gr. sphēn, a wedge, odous, odontos, a tooth.]
English · e-38700-2698Sphenoid, -al, sfē′noid, -al, adj. wedge-shaped: inserted like a wedge, denoting a bone at the base of the skull.—adjs. Spheneth′moid, pertaining to the sphenoid and the ethmoid bone; Sphē′nō-fron′tal, -mā′lar, -pal′atin
English · e-38700-2699Sphere, sfēr, n. a ball or globe: an orb or circle: circuit of motion: province or duty: definite range: rank, position in society: (geom.) a surface every point of which is equidistant from one and the same point, calle
English · e-38700-2700Sphex, sfeks, n. a genus of hymenopterous insects of the family Sphegidæ, closely allied to the true wasps (Vespidæ). [Gr. sphēx, a wasp.]
English · e-38700-2701Sphincter, sfingk′tėr, n. (anat.) a muscle that contracts or shuts an orifice or opening which it surrounds—around the anus, &c.—adjs. Sphinc′terāte, provided with a sphincter, contracted as if by a sphincter; Sphinctē′r
English · e-38700-2702Sphinx, sfingks, n. a monster of Greek mythology, with the head of a woman and the body of a lioness, that proposed riddles to travellers, and strangled those who could not solve them: an enigmatic or inscrutable person:
English · e-38700-2703Sphragistics, sfrā-jis′tiks, n. knowledge about seals, their age, history, &c. [Gr. sphragistikos, pertaining to seals—sphragis, a seal.]
English · e-38700-2704Sphrigosis, sfri-gō′sis, n. in fruit-trees, excessive growth in wood and leaves at the expense of fruit. [Gr. sphrigan, to be vigorous.]
English · e-38700-2705Sphygmograph, sfig′mō-graf, n. an instrument for ascertaining and recording the form, force, and frequency of the pulse-beat, and the changes it undergoes in certain morbid states.—adj. Sphyg′mic, pertaining to the pulse
English · e-38700-2706Sphyrna, sfėr′na, n. a genus of hammer-headed sharks.—adj. Sphyr′nine. [Gr. sphyra, a hammer.]
English · e-38700-2707 · brief source recordSpial, spī′al, n. (obs.) espial: a spy, a scout.
English · e-38700-2708 · brief source recordSpica, spī′ka, n. a spiral bandage with reversed turns: (ornith.) a spur.—adjs. Spī′cal, Spī′cāte, -d, arranged in, or having the form of, a spike.—n. Spicā′tum, in ancient masonry, herring-bone work. [L. spicatus, pa.p.
English · e-38700-2709Spice, spīs, n. an aromatic and pungent vegetable substance used as a condiment and for seasoning food—pepper, cayenne pepper, pimento, nutmeg, mace, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cassia, &c.: a characteristic touch or tast
English · e-38700-2710Spiciferous, Spiciform, Spicous, &c. See Spike.
English · e-38700-2711 · brief source recordSpick, spik, n. a nail, a spike.—adj. tidy, fresh.—adj. Spick′-and-span, new and fresh, brand-new.—Spick-and-span new, i.e. as new as a spike just made and a chip just split. [Spike, nail.]
English · e-38700-2712Spicknel, spik′nel, n. the baldmoney.—Also Spig′nel. [Prob. spike-nail.]
English · e-38700-2713 · brief source recordSpicy, spī′si, adj. producing or abounding with spices: fragrant: pungent: piquant, pointed, racy: showy.—adv. Spī′cily.—n. Spī′ciness.
English · e-38700-2714Spider, spī′dėr, n. an arachnid of the order Araneida, the body divided into two distinct parts—an unsegmented cephalo-thorax, bearing six pairs of appendages, and a soft unsegmented abdomen, at the end of which are the
English · e-38700-2715Spie, spī, n. (Spens.) a keen glance, the eye. [Spy.]
English · e-38700-2716 · brief source recordSpiegeleisen, spē′gl-ī-zen, n. a white cast-iron containing from eight to fifteen per cent. of manganese, largely used in the manufacture of steel by the Bessemer process. [Ger.,—spiegel—L. speculum, a mirror, Ger. eisen
English · e-38700-2717Spiffy, spif′i, adj. (slang) smart, spruce, well-dressed.
English · e-38700-2718 · brief source recordSpiflicate, spif′li-kāt, v.t. (slang) to suffocate, kill: to beat severely, to confound.—n. Spiflicā′tion.
English · e-38700-2719 · brief source recordSpigelia, spī-jē′li-a, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Loganiaceæ, containing the Worm-grass and Carolina-pink, the root—Pink-root—being purgative, narcotic, and poisonous, a powerful vermifuge.—adj. Spigē′lian
English · e-38700-2720Spight, spīt, v. and n. (Spens.). Same as Spite.
English · e-38700-2721 · brief source recordSpigot, spig′ut, n. a plug for stopping a small hole in a cask. [Gael. spiocaid, W. ysbigod—L. spica.]
English · e-38700-2722 · brief source recordSpike, spīk, n. an ear of corn: (bot.) an inflorescence in which sessile flowers, or flowers having very short stalks, are arranged around an axis: a small pointed rod: a large nail.—v.t. to set with spikes: to stop the
English · e-38700-2723Spikenard, spīk′närd, n. an aromatic oil or balsam yielded by an Indian plant, the Nardus, closely allied to valerian: the plant itself. [L. spica nardi.]
English · e-38700-2724Spile, spīl, n. a wooden plug serving as a spigot, a wooden pin or wedge: a spout driven into a sugar-maple tree, a tapping-gouge: a pile, or large timber driven into the ground for a foundation.—v.t. to pierce and provi
English · e-38700-2725Spill, spil, v.t. to allow to run out of a vessel: to shed: to waste: (coll.) to throw from a vehicle or the saddle: to empty the belly of a sail of wind for reefing.—v.i. to be shed: to be allowed to fall, be lost, or w
English · e-38700-2726Spill, spil, n. a small peg or pin to stop a hole: a thin strip of wood or twisted paper for lighting a candle, a pipe, &c.—n. Spill′ikin, one of a number of small pieces of wood, ivory, &c. for playing a game with: the
English · e-38700-2727Spiloma, spi-lō′ma, n. a birth-mark, a nævus. [Gr.]
English · e-38700-2728 · brief source recordSpilosite, spil′o-sīt, n. a greenish schistose rock spotted with chlorite, occurring in the Harz—the German Fleckenschiefer. [Gr. spilos, a spot.]
English · e-38700-2729Spilotes, spī-lō′tēz, n. a genus of colubrine serpents.
English · e-38700-2730 · brief source recordSpilt, spilt, p.adj. (Spens.) pieced, inlaid.
English · e-38700-2731 · brief source recordSpilth, spilth, n. spilling, anything spilt or poured out lavishly, excess of supply.
English · e-38700-2732 · brief source recordSpilus, spī′lus, n. a nævus or birth-mark. [Gr. spilos, a spot.]
English · e-38700-2733 · brief source recordSpin, spin, v.t. to draw out and twist into threads: to draw out a thread as spiders do: to draw out tediously: to cause to whirl rapidly: to fish with a swivel or spoon-bait: to reject at an examination.—v.i. to practis
English · e-38700-2734Spin′neret, an organ, or one of the organs, with which insects form their webs.—adj. Spinner′ular.—ns. Spin′nerule, one of the tubules of a spinneret; Spin′nery, a spinning-mill.—adj. Spin′ning, used in spinning.—ns. Spi
English · e-38700-2735Spinach, Spinage, spin′āj, n. an esculent vegetable whose thick succulent young leaves are boiled and seasoned, or fried with butter, forming a wholesome dish.—adj. Spinā′ceous. [It. spinace—Low L. spināceus—spina, a tho
English · e-38700-2736Spinal, spīn′al, adj. pertaining to the spine or backbone.—n. Spī′na, a spine, the backbone: one of the quills of a spinet: a barrier dividing the Roman hippodrome longitudinally.—adj. Spin′āte, covered with spines or sp
English · e-38700-2737Spindle, spin′dl, n. the pin from which the thread is twisted: a pin on which anything turns: the fusee of a watch: anything very slender.—v.i. to grow long and slender.—adjs. Spin′dle-legged, -shanked, having long slend
English · e-38700-2738Spindrift, spin′drift, n. the spray blown from the crests of waves.—Also Spoon′drift.
English · e-38700-2739 · brief source recordSpine, spīn, n. a thorn: a thin, pointed spike, esp. in fishes: the backbone of an animal: any ridge extending lengthways: the heart-wood of trees.—adjs. Spined, having spines; Spine′less, having no spine, weak; Spines′c
English · e-38700-2740Spinel, spin′el, or spi-nel′, n. a mineral composed chiefly of magnesia and alumina, and crystallising in octahedra—ruby, or magnesia spinel, reddish; pleonaste, dark green to black; picotite, or chrome spinel, black; ga
English · e-38700-2741Spinet, spin′et, n. (mus.) an old-fashioned keyed instrument like the harpsichord. [O. Fr. espinette—It. spinetta, dim. of spina—L. spina, a thorn.]
English · e-38700-2742Spinifex, spin′i-feks, n. porcupine-grass, a very coarse, hard, and spiny grass which grows in tussocks, and in some interior parts of Australia covers hundreds of square miles together.
English · e-38700-2743Spink, spingk, n. the chaffinch.
English · e-38700-2744 · brief source recordSpink, spingk, n. the primrose, the lady's-smock.
English · e-38700-2745 · brief source recordSpinnaker, spin′ā-kėr, n. a jib-headed sail sometimes carried on the side opposite the mainsail by racing yachts. [Prob. formed from spin.]
English · e-38700-2746Spinney. See under Spine.
English · e-38700-2747 · brief source recordSpinode, spī′nōd, n. (geom.) a cusp or stationary point of a curve.
English · e-38700-2748 · brief source recordSpinozism, spi-nōz′izm, n. the doctrine of Benedict Spinoza (1632-1677), who taught that God is not only the creator, but also the original matter of the universe, which consists of and is a development of Himself.—n. Sp
English · e-38700-2749Spinster, spin′stėr, n. an unmarried female: an old maid: (obs.) a woman of loose character, fit for the spinning-house.—ns. Spin′sterdom, the world of old maids collectively; Spin′sterhood, Spin′stership, the state of b
English · e-38700-2750Spintext, spin′tekst, n. a lengthy preacher.
English · e-38700-2751 · brief source recordSpinthariscope, spin-thär′i-skōp, n. an instrument devised by Sir W. Crookes for observing the scintillations produced in zinc sulphide by a small fragment of a radium compound placed near it. [Gr. spintharis, a spark, a
English · e-38700-10048Spiracle, spir′a-kl, n. a breathing-hole: any minute passage.—adjs. Spirac′ular; Spirac′ulate; Spiraculif′erous; Spirac′uliform.—n. Spirac′ulum:—pl. Spirac′ula. [L. spiraculum, formed as a double dim. from spirāre, to br
English · e-38700-2752Spiræa, spī-rē′a, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Rosaceæ, containing many species of herbaceous plants and low deciduous shrubs—Dropwort, Meadow-sweet, &c. [L.,—Gr. speiraia, meadow-sweet—speira, a coil.]
English · e-38700-2753Spiral, spī′ral, adj. pertaining to, or like, a spire: winding like the thread of a screw.—n. a spiral line: a curve which continually recedes from a centre about which it revolves: a screw.—n. Spiral′ity.—adv. Spī′rally
English · e-38700-2754Spirant, spī′rant, n. a consonant which is fricative or continuable—opp. to explosive, esp. v and f, th, dh; by others made to include the sibilants, and the semi-vowels w and y.
English · e-38700-2755Spiranthy, spī-ranth′i, n. the spiral distortion sometimes occurring in the parts of a flower.—adj. Spiranth′ic. [Gr. speira, a spire, anthos, a flower.]
English · e-38700-2756Spiraster, spī-ras′tėr, n. in sponges, a short curved axial rod-like spicule with thick spines. [Gr. speira, spire, astēr, star.]
English · e-38700-2757Spiration, spī-rā′shun, n. a breathing: (theol.) the procession of the Holy Ghost.
English · e-38700-2758 · brief source recordSpire, spīr, n. a winding line like the threads of a screw: a curl: a wreath: a tapering body, a slender stalk, a shoot or sprout: any one of various tall grasses, rushes, or sedges—the Marram, Reed canary-grass, &c.: th
English · e-38700-2759Spiric, spī′rik, adj. like a tore or anchor-ring.—n. a curve, the plane section of a tore.—n. Spir′icle, one of those threads in the hairs on the surface of certain seeds and achenes which uncoil when wet.
English · e-38700-2760Spirifer, spir′i-fėr, n. a brachiopod of the Carboniferous system.—adjs. Spīrif′erine; Spīrif′eroid; Spīrif′erous. [L. spira, a spire, ferre, to bear.]
English · e-38700-2761Spirillum, spī-ril′um, n. a genus of bacteria with cylindrical spirally twisted cells:—pl. Spirill′a.
English · e-38700-2762 · brief source recordSpirit, spir′it, n. vital force: the soul: a ghost: mental disposition: enthusiasm, animation, courage, mettle: real meaning: essence, chief quality: a very lively person: any volatile, inflammable liquid obtained by dis
English · e-38700-2763Spirket, spir′ket, n. a space forward and aft between floor-timbers.—n. Spir′ketting, quick-work.
English · e-38700-2764 · brief source recordSpirometer, spī-rom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the capacity of the lungs, or the quantity of air that one can breathe out after a forced inspiration.—n. Spī′rograph, an instrument for marking down the breathin
English · e-38700-2765Spirt, spėrt. Same as Spurt.
English · e-38700-2766 · brief source recordSpirtle=Spurtle (q.v.).
English · e-38700-2767 · brief source recordSpirula, spir′ū-la, n. a genus of sepioid cuttle-fishes. [L. spīra, a spire.]
English · e-38700-2768 · brief source recordSpirulate, Spiry. See under Spire.
English · e-38700-2769 · brief source recordSpissated, spis′ā-ted, adj. inspissated, thickened.—n. Spiss′itūde, density. [L. spissāre, -ātum, thicken.]
English · e-38700-2770 · brief source recordSpit, spit, n. an iron prong on which meat is roasted: a long piece of land or a narrow shoal running into the sea: a wire or spindle holding a spool in a shuttle.—v.t. to pierce with a spit: to string on a stick and han
English · e-38700-2771Spit, spit, v.t. to throw out from the mouth: to eject with violence.—v.i. to throw out saliva from the mouth: to fall in scattered drops, as rain at the beginning of a shower: to make a spitting sound, like an angry cat
English · e-38700-2772Spital, spit′al, n. Same as Hospital.
English · e-38700-2773 · brief source recordSpitch-cock, spich′-kok, n. an eel split and broiled.—v.t. to split and broil, as an eel. [Spatch-cock.]
English · e-38700-2774 · brief source recordSpite, spīt, n. grudge: lasting ill-will: hatred.—v.t. to vex: to thwart: to hate.—adj. Spite′ful, full of spite: desirous to vex or injure: malignant.—adv. Spite′fully.—n. Spite′fulness.—In spite of, in opposition to al
English · e-38700-2775Spitz, spitz, n. a Pomeranian dog. [Ger.]
English · e-38700-2776 · brief source recordSpiza, spī′za, n. a genus of fringilline birds, including the United States dickcissel or black-throated bunting, &c.—adj. Spiz′ine. [Gr., a finch.]
English · e-38700-2777Spizella, spi-zel′a, n. a genus of small American finches or sparrows, the chipping-sparrows.—adj. Spizell′ine.
English · e-38700-2778 · brief source recordSplachnum, splak′num, n. a genus of bryaceous mosses. [Gr.]
English · e-38700-2779 · brief source recordSplanchnic, splangk′nik, adj. relating to the viscera, intestinal.—ns. Splanch′nocœle, a visceral cavity; Splanchnog′raphy, descriptive splanchnology; Splanchnol′ogy, the knowledge of the viscera; Splanch′no-skel′eton, t
English · e-38700-2780Splash, splash, v.t. to spatter with water or mud.—v.i. to dabble in water, to dash about water or any liquid.—n. water or mud thrown on anything: a spot of dirt, a daub: a complexion powder.—ns. Splash′board, a guard to
English · e-38700-2781Splatter, splat′ėr, v.i. to spatter water or the like about.—n. Splatt′er-dash, an uproar, commotion.—adj. Splatt′er-faced, flat-faced. [Spatter.]
English · e-38700-2782Splay, splā, v.t. (archit.) to slope or slant: to dislocate, as the shoulder-bone.—adj. turned outward, as in splay-foot, awkward.—n. Splay′-foot, a flat foot turned outward.—adj. Splay′-footed.—n. Splay′-mouth, a wide m
English · e-38700-2783Spleen, splēn, n. a soft, pulpy, blood-modifying gland near the large extremity of the stomach, supposed by the ancients to be the seat of anger and melancholy—hence spite: ill-humour: melancholy.—adj. Spleen′ful, displa
English · e-38700-2784Splendid, splen′did, adj. magnificent: famous: illustrious: heroic.—adj. Splen′dent, splendid, bright.—adv. Splen′didly.—ns. Splen′didness; Splen′dour, the appearance of anything splendid: brilliance: magnificence. [L. s
English · e-38700-2785Splenial, splē′ni-al, adj. acting like a splint: pertaining to the splenium or the splenius.—ns. Splē′nium, the round pad-like posterior border of the corpus callosum; Splē′nius, a large thick muscle on the back of the n
English · e-38700-2786Splent=Splint (q.v.).
English · e-38700-2787 · brief source recordSpleuchan, splōōh′an, n. a pouch, a tobacco-pouch.—Also Spleugh′an. [Gael. spliuchan.]
English · e-38700-2788 · brief source recordSplice, splīs, v.t. to unite two ends of a rope by interweaving the strands: to join together two pieces of timber by overlapping.—n. act of splicing: joint made by splicing.—Splice the mainbrace (nautical slang), to ser
English · e-38700-2789Spline, splīn, n. in machines, the slot to receive a feather, the feather itself: a long flexible strip of wood or rubber used by draftsmen in laying out railway-curves, &c.—v.t. to fit with a spline.
English · e-38700-2790Splint, splint, n. a small piece of wood split off: a thin piece of padded wood, &c., for keeping a fractured limb in its proper position: a bony enlargement on the horse's leg, between the knee and the fetlock, usually
English · e-38700-2791Split, split, v.t. to cleave lengthwise: to tear asunder violently: to divide: to throw into discord.—v.i. to divide or part asunder: to be dashed to pieces: to divulge secrets: to vote for candidates of opposite parties
English · e-38700-2792Splore, splōr, n. (Scot.) a frolic, a spree.
English · e-38700-2793 · brief source recordSplotch, sploch, n. a large spot, a stain.—adj. Splotch′y.
English · e-38700-2794 · brief source recordSplurge, splurj, n. any boisterous display.—v.i. to make such a display.—adj. Splur′gy, given to such.
English · e-38700-2795 · brief source recordSplutter, splut′ėr, v.i. to eject drops of saliva while speaking: to scatter ink upon a paper, as a bad pen.—n. bustle.—n. Splutt′erer, one who splutters. [For sprutter, a freq. of sprout, orig. form of spout.]
English · e-38700-2796Spodium, spō′di-um, n. a powder obtained from calcination, as ivory-black, &c.—n. Spode, animal or bone charcoal, of which ornaments may be made.
English · e-38700-2797Spodogenous, spō-doj′e-nus, adj. caused by waste-products, applied esp. to an enlargement of the spleen caused by waste red blood-corpuscles. [Gr. spodos, ashes, genēs, producing.]
English · e-38700-2798Spodomancy, spod′ō-man-si, n. divination by means of ashes.—adj. Spodoman′tic. [Gr. spodos, ashes, manteia, divination.]
English · e-38700-2799Spodumene, spod′ū-mēn, n. a silicate of aluminium and lithium. [Gr. spodoun, to burn to ashes, spodos, ashes.]
English · e-38700-2800 · brief source recordSpoffish, spof′ish, adj. fussy, officious—also Spoff′y.—v.i. Spoff′le, to fuss or bustle.
English · e-38700-2801 · brief source recordSpoil, spoil, v.t. to take by force: to plunder.—v.i. to practise robbery.—n. prey, plunder: pillage: robbery.—n. Spoil′er, one who spoils, a plunderer.—n.pl. Spō′lia opī′ma, the most valued spoils—taken by a Roman comma
English · e-38700-2802Spoil, spoil, v.t. to corrupt: to mar: to make useless.—v.i. to decay: to become useless.—ns. Spoil′er, a corrupter; Spoil′-five, a round game of cards played with the whole pack, each one of the three to ten players rec
English · e-38700-2803Spoke, spōk, pa.t. of speak.
English · e-38700-2804 · brief source recordSpoke, spōk, n. one of the bars from the nave to the rim of a wheel.—Put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart a person by some impediment. [A.S. spáca; Dut. speek, Ger. speiche.]
English · e-38700-2805Spoken, spōk′n, pa.p. of speak, used as adj. in 'civil-spoken,' &c.
English · e-38700-2806 · brief source recordSpokeshave, spōk′shāv, n. a carpenter's tool having a plane-bit between two bandies for curved work, &c.
English · e-38700-2807 · brief source recordSpokesman, spōks′man, n. one who speaks for another, or for others, an advocate.
English · e-38700-2808 · brief source recordSpole, spōl, n. the small wheel near the distaff in the spinning-wheel. [A variant of spool.]
English · e-38700-2809 · brief source recordSpoliate, spō′li-āt, v.t. to spoil, to plunder, to pillage.—v.i. to practise robbery.—ns. Spō′liary, the place in a Roman amphitheatre where the bodies of slaughtered gladiators were dragged to be stripped; Spoliā′tion,
English · e-38700-2810Spondee, spon′dē, n. in classical poetry, a foot of two long syllables, as fātō.—adjs. Spondā′ic, -al, pertaining to, or consisting of, spondees. [Fr.,—L. spondēus (pes)—Gr. spondeios (pous), (a foot) of two syllables, s
English · e-38700-2811Spondyl, -e, spon′dil, n. a joint, joining.—ns. Spondylal′gia, pain in the spine; Spondylī′tis, arthritis of a vertebra.—adj. Spon′dylous, vertebral. [Gr. spondylos, a joint.]
English · e-38700-2812Sponge, spunj, n. a fixed, usually marine, animal with pores in the body-wall and without tentacles: the fibrous framework of such, remarkable for its power of sucking up water: any sponge-like substance, as dough before
English · e-38700-2813Sponsal, spon′sal, adj. pertaining to a betrothal, a marriage, or a spouse.—n. Spon′sion, the act of becoming surety for another.—adj. Spon′sional. [L.,—spondēre, sponsum, to promise.]
English · e-38700-2814Sponsible, spon′si-bl, adj. (Scot.) reliable: respectable.
English · e-38700-2815 · brief source recordSponson, spon′son, n. the curve of the timbers and planking towards the outer part of the wing, before and abaft each of the paddle-boxes of a steamer.—Also Spon′sing. [Ety. dub.]
English · e-38700-2816Sponsor, spon′sur, n. one who promises solemnly for another: a surety: a godfather or godmother.—adj. Sponsō′rial.—n. Spon′sorship. [L.,—spondēre, sponsum, to promise.]
English · e-38700-2817Spontaneous, spon-tā′nē-us, adj. of one's free-will: involuntary: acting by its own impulse or natural law: produced of itself or without interference.—ns. Spontanē′ity, Spontā′neousness, the state or quality of being sp
English · e-38700-2818Spontoon, spon-tōōn′, n. a weapon somewhat like a halberd, which used to be carried by certain officers of foot. [Fr. sponton—It. spontone—spuntare, to break off the point—puntone—punto, a point—L. pungĕre, punctum, to p
English · e-38700-2819Spook, spōōk, n. a ghost.—v.i. to play the spook.—adjs. Spook′ish, Spook′y, like a ghost, haunted by ghosts: sensitive to the dread of ghosts, suggesting the presence of ghosts. [Dut. spook; Ger. (obs.) spuch, Sw. spöke;
English · e-38700-2820Spool, spōōl, n. a hollow cylinder for winding yarn, &c., upon.—v.t. to wind on spools. [Low Ger. spole, Dut. spoel; Ger. spule.]
English · e-38700-2821Spoom, spōōm, v.i. to scud before the wind.—adj. Spoom′ing (Keats), foaming.
English · e-38700-2822 · brief source recordSpoon, spōōn, n. an instrument with a shallow bowl and handle for use in preparing, serving, or in eating food: anything like a spoon or its bowl, as an oar: in golf, a wooden-headed club of varying length, having the fa
English · e-38700-2823Spoor, spōōr, n. track or trail of an animal, esp. when hunted as game.—n. Spoor′er, one who tracks game by the spoor. [Dut. spoor, a track; cf. Ger. spur, Ice. spor, a track, Scot. speir, to ask.]
English · e-38700-2824Sporadic, -al, spō-rad′ik, -al, adj. scattered—a term specially applied to any disease usually epidemic or contagious, when it attacks only a few persons in a district and does not spread in its ordinary manner.—adv. Spo
English · e-38700-2825Spore, spōr, n. the reproductive body in flowerless plants like the fern, analogous to the seeds of ordinary flowering plants, but containing no embryo: a germ, a seed, a source of being generally.—adjs. Sporan′gial; Spo
English · e-38700-2826Sporran, spor′an, n. an ornamental pouch worn in front of the kilt by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael, sporan.]
English · e-38700-2827 · brief source recordSport, spōrt, v.i. to play: to frolic: to practise field diversions: to trifle.—v.t. to amuse: to make merry: to represent playfully: to spend in sport or display.—n. that which amuses or makes merry: play: mirth: jest:
English · e-38700-2828Sposh, sposh, n. slush.—adj. Sposh′y.
English · e-38700-2829 · brief source recordSpot, spot, n. a mark made by a drop of wet matter: a blot: a discoloured place: a small part of a different colour: a small extent of space: any particular place: one of the marked points on a billiard-table, from which
English · e-38700-2830Spouse, spowz, n. a husband or wife.—adj. Spous′al, pertaining to a spouse, or to marriage: nuptial: matrimonial.—n. usually in pl. nuptials: marriage.—adj. Spouse′less, destitute of a spouse: unmarried. [O. Fr. espouse
English · e-38700-2831Spout, spowt, v.t. to throw out, as from a pipe: to utter volubly: to pawn, pledge.—v.i. to issue with violence, as from a pipe: to speak volubly, to speechify.—n. the projecting mouth of a vessel from which a stream iss
English · e-38700-2832Sprack, sprak, adj. vigorous, sprightly.—Also Sprag. [Ice. sprækr, sparkr, sprightly.]
English · e-38700-2833 · brief source recordSprackle, sprak′l, v.i. (Scot.) to clamber up with difficulty.—Also Sprach′le, Sprauch′le. [Ice. spraukla, to sprawl.]
English · e-38700-2834 · brief source recordSprad, sprad (Spens.). Same as Spread.
English · e-38700-2835 · brief source recordSprag, sprag, n. a piece of wood used to lock a wheel: a punch-prop in mining.—v.t. to prop, or to stop, by a sprag.
English · e-38700-2836 · brief source recordSprag, sprag, n. (prov.) a young salmon.
English · e-38700-2837 · brief source recordSpraich, sprāh, n. (Scot.) a shriek, cry.—v.i. to shriek.
English · e-38700-2838 · brief source recordSpraid, sprād, adj. (prov.) chapped with cold.—Also Sprayed.
English · e-38700-2839 · brief source recordSprain, sprān, v.t. to overstrain the muscles of a joint.—n. a term employed in surgery to designate a violent stretching of tendinous or ligamentous parts with or without rupture of some of their fibres. [O. Fr. esprein
English · e-38700-2840Spraint, sprānt, n. the dung of an otter.
English · e-38700-2841 · brief source recordSprang, pa.t. of spring.
English · e-38700-2842 · brief source recordSprangle, sprang′gl, v.i. to sprawl, struggle.
English · e-38700-2843 · brief source recordSprat, sprat, n. a fish of the family Clupeidæ, like the herring, but much smaller.—n. Sprat′-weath′er, the dark days of November and December. [Dut. sprot; Ger. sprotte.]
English · e-38700-2844Sprattle, sprat′l, v.i. (Scot.) to scramble.
English · e-38700-2845 · brief source recordSprawl, sprawl, v.i. to toss or kick about the limbs: to stretch the body carelessly when lying: to spread ungracefully.—n. a sprawling posture.—n. Sprawl′er. [There is an A.S. spréawlian, to move convulsively; but the w
English · e-38700-2846Spray, sprā, n. small particles of water driven by the wind, as from the top of waves, &c.—adj. Spray′ey, consisting of spray. [Skeat suggests that the word is from Dut. spreiden, to spread, scatter.]
English · e-38700-2847Spray, sprā, n. a small shoot of a tree.—adj. Spray′ey, branching. [Akin to Ice. sprek, a twig, Dan. sprag; Doublet sprig.]
English · e-38700-2848Spread, spred, v.t. to scatter abroad or in all directions: to stretch: to extend: to overlay: to shoot out, as branches: to circulate, as news: to cause to affect numbers, as a disease: to diffuse: to set with provision
English · e-38700-2849Spreagh, spreh, n. plunder.—n. Spreagh′ery, cattle-lifting. [Gael. spreidh, cattle.]
English · e-38700-2850 · brief source recordSpreckled, sprek′ld, adj. speckled.
English · e-38700-2851 · brief source recordSpred, spred, pa.p. and n. an obsolete form of spread.—Also Spred′den.
English · e-38700-2852 · brief source recordSpree, sprē, n. a merry frolic: a drunken bout.—v.i. to carouse. [Prob. Ir. spre, a spark, spraic, vigour.]
English · e-38700-2853 · brief source recordSprent, sprent, adj. sprinkled. [M. E. sprengen (pa.t. sprente)—A.S. sprengan, to cause to spring.]
English · e-38700-2854 · brief source recordSprig, sprig, n. a small shoot or twig: a scion, a young person: an ornament like a spray: one of various small pointed implements, a headless nail: one of the separate pieces of lace fastened on a ground in appliqué lac
English · e-38700-2855Spright, sprīt, n. the same as Sprite (q.v.).—adj. Spright′ful (Shak.), full of spirit: brisk, gay.—adv. Spright′fully, in a sprightful manner, briskly, vigorously.—n. Spright′fulness, the quality of being sprightful, br
English · e-38700-2856Spring, spring, v.i. to bound: to leap: to rush hastily: to move suddenly by elastic force: to start up suddenly: to break forth: to appear: to issue: to come into existence: (B.) to rise, as the sun.—v.t. to cause to sp
English · e-38700-2857Springe, sprinj, n. a snare with a spring-noose: a gin.—v.t. to catch in a springe. [Prov. Eng. springle—spring; cf. Ger. sprenkel—springen.]
English · e-38700-2858Sprinkle, spring′kl, v.t. to scatter in small drops or particles: to scatter on: to baptise with a few drops of water: to purify.—v.i. to scatter in drops.—n. an aspersorium or utensil for sprinkling.—ns. Sprin′kle, Spri
English · e-38700-2859Sprint, sprint, n. a short-distance race at full speed.—v.i. to run at full speed—also Sprent.—ns. Sprin′ter, a short-distance runner in races; Sprin′ting; Sprint′-race; Sprint′-run′ner. [Cf. Spurt.]
English · e-38700-2860Sprit, sprit, n. (naut.) a spar set diagonally to extend a fore-and-aft sail. [A.S. spreót, a pole; Dut. and Ger. spriet, a bowsprit; conn. with sprout.]
English · e-38700-2861Sprite, sprīt, n. a spirit: a shade: a ghost: (obs.) frame of mind, disposition.—Also Spright. [A doublet of spirit.]
English · e-38700-2862 · brief source recordSpriteful, Spritely, &c. Same as Sprightful, &c.
English · e-38700-2863 · brief source recordSprocket, sprok′et, n. a projection on the periphery of a wheel or capstan for engaging the chain.
English · e-38700-2864 · brief source recordSprod, sprod, n. (prov.) a second-year salmon.
English · e-38700-2865 · brief source recordSprong, sprong (Spens.), pa.t. of spring.
English · e-38700-2866 · brief source recordSprout, sprowt, n. a germ or young shoot: (pl.) young shoots from old cabbages.—v.i. to shoot: to push out new shoots.—adj. Sprout′ed, budded.—Brussels sprouts (see Brussels). [According to Skeat, not from A.S. spreótan,
English · e-38700-2867Spruce, sprōōs, adj. smart: neat, dapper: over-fastidious, finical.—n. Prussian leather.—v.t. to smarten.—v.i. to become spruce or smart.—n. Spruce′-fir, or merely Spruce, any tree of the genus Picea of the pine family (
English · e-38700-2868Spruce-beer, sprōōs′-bēr, n. beer flavoured with a decoction of the young shoots of the spruce-fir. [Ger. sprossen-bier, sprossen, young shoots, Englished as Pruce-beer, i.e. Prussian beer.]
English · e-38700-2869Sprue, sprōō, n. in casting, one of the passages leading to the mould, also the metal which solidifies in it—deadhead.—n. Sprue′-hole, ingate or pouring-hole in a mould.
English · e-38700-2870Sprug, sprug, v.t. and v.i. (prov.) to smarten, to dress neatly.
English · e-38700-2871 · brief source recordSprug, sprug, n. (prov.) a sparrow.
English · e-38700-2872 · brief source recordSpruit, sprōō′it, n. a small head-stream, a stream flowing through a village, dry in summer. [S. Afr. Dut.]
English · e-38700-2873 · brief source recordSprung, pa.t. and pa.p. of spring.—adj. (coll.) tipsy, tight.
English · e-38700-2874 · brief source recordSprunny, sprun′i, adj. (prov.) neat.—n. a sweetheart.
English · e-38700-2875 · brief source recordSprunt, sprunt, v.i. to spring up: sprout, germinate.—n. a steep bit in a road: a rebellious curl, &c.—adv. Sprunt′ly, gaily, bravely.—Sprunt up, to bristle up.
English · e-38700-2876Spry, sprī, adj. vigorous, lively, gay, pert. [Scand.; Sw. prov. sprygg, very active.]
English · e-38700-2877 · brief source recordSpud, spud, n. a small narrow spade with a short handle: any short thick thing, a baby's hand, a potato, &c.—adj. Spud′dy, short and fat. [Prob. Scand., Dan. spyd, a spear.]
English · e-38700-2878Spue. Same as Spew.
English · e-38700-2879 · brief source recordSpulzie, Spuilzie, spül′yē, n. (Scot.) spoil.—Also Spul′ye, Spul′yie. [Spoil.]
English · e-38700-2880 · brief source recordSpume, spūm, n. scum or froth thrown up by liquid: foam.—v.i. to throw up scum: to foam.—adj. Spū′mēous, frothy.—n. Spūmes′cence, frothiness.—adjs. Spūmes′cent, foaming; Spūmif′erous, producing foam.—n. Spū′miness, the q
English · e-38700-2881Spun, pa.t. and pa.p. of spin.—adj. Spun′-out, unduly lengthened.—n. Spun′-yarn, rope-yarn twisted into a cord.
English · e-38700-2882 · brief source recordSpunge, spunj, v. and n. a form of sponge.
English · e-38700-2883 · brief source recordSpunk, spungk, n. touchwood, tinder, a fungus from which tinder is made, punk, amadou: (Scot.) a small fire, a fiery spark, a lucifer-match: mettle, spirit, pluck.—v.i. to take fire, flame up.—adj. Spunk′y, spirited: fie
English · e-38700-2884Spur, spur, n. an instrument on a horseman's heels, with sharp points for goading the horse: that which goads or instigates: something projecting: the hard projection on a cock's leg: a small range of mountains extending
English · e-38700-2885Spurge, spurj, n. a genus of plants of the natural order Euphorbiaceæ, all the species containing a resinous milky juice mostly very acrid.—n. Spurge′-lau′rel, a European evergreen shrub, with yellowish-green flowers, th
English · e-38700-2886Spuriæ, spū′ri-ē, n.pl. the bastard quills forming the alula in birds.
English · e-38700-2887 · brief source recordSpurious, spūr′i-us, adj. illegitimate: bastard: not genuine: false: resembling an organ, but without its function, or having the functions of an organ while morphologically different.—adv. Spūr′iously.—n. Spūr′iousness.
English · e-38700-2888Spurling=Sparling (q.v.).
English · e-38700-2889 · brief source recordSpurn, spurn, v.t. to drive away as with the foot: to kick: to reject with disdain.—n. disdainful rejection.—n. Spurn′er, one who spurns. [A.S. speornan; cog. with spur.]
English · e-38700-2890Spurne, spurn, v.t. (Spens.) to spur.
English · e-38700-2891 · brief source recordA 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.
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