succinic acid (sûk sin´ik) a colorless, crystalline dibasic acid, HOOC(CH2)2COOH, found in amber, lignite, and many plants, and produced synthetically or during alcoholic fermentation: it is used in medicine and organic synthesis [Fr succinique < L succinum, amber]
succinylcholine chloride (sûk´sэ nэl kou´li:n) a powerful muscle relaxant, C14H30Cl2N2O4, used in surgery, shock therapy, etc.: it briefly paralyzes the voluntary and respiratory muscles
succor (sûk´эr) •vt. to give assistance to in time of need or distress; help; aid; relieve •n. [ME socur, assumed sing. of socours < OFr sucurs < ML succursus < L, pp.: see the vt.] 1 aid; help; relief 2 a person or thing that succors Brit., etc. sp. suc´cour SYN. HELP [ME socouren < OFr sucurre, socorre < L succurrere < sub-, SUB- + currere, to run: see COURSE]
succory (sûk´эr i:) •n. CHICORY [altered < MLowG suckerie < older sycory, early form of CHICORY]
succotash (sûk´э tæsh') •n. a dish consisting of lima beans and kernels of corn cooked together [< Narragansett msíckquatash, boiled whole kernels of corn]
Succoth (su kout´, suk´ous) •n. SUKKOT
succubus (sûk´yu: bэs) pl. -bi' (-bai') a female evil spirit or demon thought in medieval times to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with sleeping men: cf. INCUBUS Also suc´cu·ba (-bэ), pl. -bae' (-bi:') •n. [ME < ML (altered by assoc. with INCUBUS) < LL succuba, strumpet < L succubare, to lie under < sub-, SUB- + cubare, to lie: see CUBE¹]
succulent (sûk´yu: lэnt) •adj. 1 full of juice; juicy 2 full of interest, vigor, etc.; not dry or dull 3 Bot. having thick, fleshy tissues for storing water, as a cactus •n. a succulent plant suc´cu·lence or suc´cu·len·cy •n. suc´cu·lent·ly •adv. [L succulentus < sucus, juice: see SUCK]
succumb (sэ kûm´) •vi. 1 to give way (to); yield; submit {to succumb to persuasion} 2 to die {to succumb to a plague} SYN. YIELD [L succumbere < sub-, SUB- + cumbere, nasalized form of cubare, to lie: see CUBE¹]
succuss (sэ kûs´) •vt. to shake forcibly; esp. formerly, to shake (a patient) from side to side in order to detect a liquid in some body cavity, esp. in the thorax suc·cus´sion •n. [< L succussus, pp. of succutere, to toss up < sub-, under + quatere, to shake: see QUASH²]
such (sûch) •adj. 1 a) of the kind mentioned or implied {a man such as his father} b) of the same or a similar kind; like {pens, pencils, crayons, and such supplies} 2 certain but not specified; whatever {at such time as you go} 3 so extreme, so much, so great, etc.: used, according to the context, for emphasis {embarrassed by such praise} Such is a term of comparison, although that with which comparison is made is not always expressed; when it is expressed, as or that is used as a correlative with such (Ex.: such love as his is seldom experienced) Such is not preceded by an article, although the article may occur between it and the noun it modifies (Ex.: such a fool!) •adv. to so great a degree; so {such good news} pron. 1 such a person (or persons) or thing (or things) {such as live by the sword} 2 the person or thing mentioned or implied {such was her nature} as such 1 as being what is indicated or suggested 2 in itself {a name, as such, means nothing} such as 1 for example 2 like or similar to (something specified) such as it is (or was, etc.) being the kind it is (or was, etc.): used in referring to something in either an apologetic or a derogatory way [ME suche < OE swilc, swelc, akin to Ger solch, Goth swaleiks < PGmc *swalika-: for components see SO¹ & LIKE¹]
such and such (being) something particular but not named or specified {we went to such and such a place}
suchlike (sûch´laik') •adj. of such a kind; of like or similar kind pron. persons or things of such a kind
Suchow (shu:´jou´) old form of XUZHOU
suck (sûk) •vt. 1 a) to draw (liquid) into the mouth by creating a vacuum or partial vacuum with the lips, cheeks, and tongue b) to draw up (water, oil, etc.) by the action of a pump 2 to take up or in by or as by sucking; absorb, inhale, etc. {to suck air into the lungs} 3 to suck liquid from (a breast, fruit, etc.) 4 to hold (candy, ice, etc.) in the mouth and lick so as to dissolve and consume 5 to place (the thumb, a pencil, etc.) in the mouth and draw on as if sucking 6 to bring into a specified state by sucking {to suck an orange dry} 7 [Vulgar Slang] to perform fellatio on •vi. 1 to draw in water, air, etc. by creating a partial vacuum 2 to suck milk from the breast or udder 3 to make a sound or movement of sucking 4 to draw in air instead of liquid: said of a faulty pump 5 [Slang] to be contemptible or very unsatisfying, as because of low quality {this show sucks} •n. 1 the act of sucking; sucking action or force; suction 2 a sound or movement of sucking 3 a) something drawn in by sucking b) [Colloq.] the amount sucked at one time; sip suck in 1 to compress and pull inward {to suck in one's belly} 2 [Slang] to take advantage of; swindle, etc. suck up to [Slang] to flatter or fawn upon ingratiatingly [ME suken < OE sucan, akin to Ger saugen < IE *seuk-, *seug- < base *seu-, damp, juice > SUP¹, L sucus, juice, sugere, to suck]
sucker (sûk´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that sucks Æ 2 any of a family (Catostomidae, order Cypriniformes) of bony fishes with a mouth adapted for sucking, found in freshwater of E Asia and North America 3 a part or device used for sucking; specif., a) a pipe or conduit through which something is sucked b) the piston or piston valve of a suction pump c) an organ used by the leech, fluke, remora, etc. for sucking or holding fast to a surface by suction Æ 4 LOLLIPOP Æ 5 [Slang] a) a person easily cheated or taken in; dupe b) a person highly susceptible to the attractions of something specified c) any person or thing (often used humorously or affectionately, or to express mild annoyance) 6 Bot. a subordinate shoot from a bud on the root or stem of a plant •vt. 1 to remove suckers, or shoots, from Æ 2 [Slang] to make a dupe of; trick •vi. to bear suckers, or shoots
sucker punch a quick punch delivered without warning; an unexpected blow
suckerfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es a REMORA (sense 1) •n.
sucking louse LOUSE (n. 1a)
suckle (sûk´эl) -led, -ling •vt. 1 to cause to suck at the breast or udder; nurse 2 to bring up; rear; foster •vi. to suck at the breast or udder [ME sokelen, prob. back-form. < sokelynge, SUCKLING]
suckler (-lэr) •n. 1 an animal that suckles its young; mammal 2 SUCKLING
Suckling (sûk´liŋ), Sir John 1609-42; Eng. poet suckling (-liŋ) •n. an unweaned child or young animal [ME sokelynge: see SUCK & -LING¹]
sucrase (su:´kreis') •n. an enzyme present in certain plant and animal tissues that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose into glucose and fructose [< Fr sucre, SUGAR + -ASE]
Sucre (su:´kře) city in SC Bolivia: legal capital & seat of the judiciary: pop. 58,000: cf. LA PAZ Sucre (su:´kře), An·to·nio Jo·sé de (än tô´nyô hô se´ de) 1795-1830; South American liberator: 1st president of Bolivia (1826-28) sucre (su:´kre) •n. the basic monetary unit of Ecuador: see MONEY, table [AmSp, after fol.]
sucrose (su:´krous') •n. Chem. a pure crystalline disaccharide extracted from sugar cane or sugar beets and consisting of glucose and fructose joined together in the molecule [< Fr sucre, SUGAR + -OSE¹]
suction (sûk´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of sucking 2 the production of a vacuum or partial vacuum in a cavity or over a surface so that the external atmospheric pressure forces the surrounding fluid into the cavity or causes something to adhere to the surface 3 the suction force created in this way •adj. 1 causing suction 2 operating by suction [L suctio < suctus, pp. of sugere, to SUCK]
suction cup a rubber cup that will stick to a surface by creating a vacuum in the area it covers
suction pump a pump that draws liquid up by suction created by pistons fitted with valves
suctorial (sûk tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 of or adapted for sucking or suction 2 having organs used for sucking [< ModL suctorius < L suctus (see SUCTION) + -AL]
Sudan (su: dæn´, -dän´) 1 vast semiarid region in NC Africa, south of the Sahara, extending from the Atlantic to the Red Sea 2 country in the E part of this region, south of Egypt: formerly a British & Egyptian condominium called ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN, it became an independent republic (1956): 967,500 sq. mi. (2,505,815 sq. km); pop. 20,000,000; cap. Khartoum Often preceded by the Su·da·nese (su:'dэ ni:z´, su:d'ªn i:z´), pl. -nese´, •adj., n.
Sudan grass a tall annual grass (Sorghum sudanense) grown for summer pasture and hay [after prec., where it is cultivated]
Sudanic (su: dæn´ik) •adj. 1 of or pertaining to Sudan 2 designating or of either of two branches (Eastern Sudanic and Central Sudanic) of the Chari-Nile subfamily of languages, including various languages spoken in Sudan •n. any Sudanic language
sudarium (su: der´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-э) in ancient Rome, a cloth for wiping sweat from the face Also su·da·ry (su:´dэ ri:), pl. -ries •n. [L < sudor, SWEAT]
sudatorium (su:'dэ tör´i: эm) pl. -ri·a (-э) •n. a heated room, as in a bath, for inducing sweating [L, neut. of sudatorius: see SUDATORY]
sudatory (su:´dэ tör'i:) •adj. 1 of a sudatorium 2 SUDORIFIC •n. pl. -ries SUDATORIUM [L sudatorius < sudor, SWEAT]
Sudbury (sûd´ber'i:, -bэr i:) city in SE Ontario, Canada: pop. 89,000
sudd (sûd) •n. floating masses of weeds, reeds, etc. that often obstruct navigation on the White Nile [Ar]
sudden (sûd´ªn) •adj. 1 a) happening or coming unexpectedly; not foreseen or prepared for b) sharp or abrupt {a sudden turn in the road} 2 done, coming, or taking place quickly or abruptly; hasty all of a sudden suddenly; unexpectedly sud´den·ly •adv. sud´den·ness •n. SYN.—sudden implies extreme quickness or hastiness and, usually, unexpectedness [a sudden outburst of temper]; precipitate adds the implication of rashness or lack of due deliberation [a precipitate decision]; abrupt implies a breaking in or off suddenly and, hence, suggests the lack of any warning or a curtness, lack of ceremony, etc.[an abrupt dismissal]; impetuous implies vehement impulsiveness or extreme eagerness [an impetuous suitor] —ANT. deliberate [ME sodain < OFr < VL *subitanus, for L subitaneus, sudden, extended < subitus, pp. of subire, to approach, go stealthily < sub-, under + ire, to go or come: see YEAR]
sudden death Sports an extra period added to a tied game, the game ending as soon as one side scores: usually sud'den-death´ overtime
sudden infant death syndrome the sudden death of an apparently healthy infant, of unknown cause but believed to be related to some faulty mechanism in respiration control
Sudermann (zu:´dэř män'; E su:´dэr mэn), Her·mann (heř´män') 1857-1928; Ger. playwright & novelist
Sudeten (su: deit´ªn; Ger zu: dei´tэn) 1 SUDETES MOUNTAINS 2 SUDETENLAND •n. pl. -tens or -ten a native or inhabitant of the Sudetenland •adj. of the Sudetenland or its people
Sudetenland (-lænd'; -länt') region in the Sudetes Mountains, N Czech Republic: annexed by Germany (1938): returned to Czechoslovakia (1945): c. 8,900 sq. mi. (23,050 sq. km)
Sudetes Mountains (su: di:t´i:z) mountain range along the borders of N Czech Republic & SW Poland: highest peak, 5,259 ft. (8,463 m)
sudoriferous (su:'dэ rif´эr эs) •adj. secreting sweat [ModL sudoriferus < L sudor (gen. sudoris): see SWEAT & -FEROUS]
sudorific (-rif´ik) •adj. causing or increasing sweating •n. a sudorific drug [ModL sudorificus < L sudor, SWEAT + facere, to make, DO¹]
Sudra (su:´drэ) •n. a member of the fourth and lowest Hindu caste, that of menial laborers [Sans śūdra]
suds (sûdz) •n.pl. 1 soapy water with a froth or foam on the surface 2 froth or foam Æ 3 [Slang] beer or ale Æ vi. to produce suds Æ vt. [Colloq.] to wash in suds [prob. (via East Anglian dial.) < MDu sudse, marsh, marsh water: for IE base see SEETHE]
sudsy (sûd´zi:) suds´i·er, suds´i·est •adj. full of or like suds or froth; foamy
sue (su:) sued, su´ing •vt. 1 to appeal to; petition; beseech 2 [Archaic] to be a suitor of; woo 3 Law a) to petition (a court) for legal redress b) to bring civil action against or prosecute in a court of law in seeking justice or redress of wrongs c) to carry (an action) through to its final decision •vi. 1 to make an appeal; petition; plead (for or to) 2 [Archaic] to pay suit; woo 3 to institute legal proceedings in court; bring suit SYN. APPEAL sue out to apply for and receive from a court (a writ or other legal process) su´er •n. [ME suen < OFr sivre, suir < VL *sequere, for L sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
suede or suède (sweid) •n. 1 tanned leather of calf, kid, cowhide, etc., with the flesh side buffed into a nap 2 a kind of cloth made to resemble this: also suede cloth [Fr Suède, Sweden, in gants de Suède, Swedish gloves]
sueded or suèded (-id) •adj. made to resemble suede
suet (su:´it) •n. the hard fat deposited around the kidneys and loins of cattle and sheep: used in cooking and as a source of tallow su´et·y •adj. [ME dim. < Anglo-Fr sue < OFr sieu, seu < L sebum, tallow: see SOAP]
Suetonius (swi tou´ni: эs) (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus) c. A.D. 69-c. 140; Rom. biographer & historian
Suez (su: ez´, su:´ez) 1 seaport in NE Egypt, on the Suez Canal: pop. 193,000 2 Gulf of N arm of the Red Sea: c. 180 mi. (290 km) long 3 Isthmus of strip of land connecting Asia & Africa, between the Mediterranean & the Gulf of Suez: narrowest point, 72 mi. (116 km)
Suez Canal ship canal across the Isthmus of Suez, joining the Mediterranean & the Gulf of Suez: c. 107 mi. (172 km) long
suf 1 sufficient: also suff 2 suffix
suf- (sûf) prefix SUB-: used before f [suffix]
suffer (sûf´эr) •vt. 1 to undergo (something painful or unpleasant, as injury, grief, a loss, etc.); be afflicted with 2 to undergo or experience (any process, esp. change) 3 to allow; permit; tolerate 4 to bear up under; endure: now chiefly in negative constructions {they could not suffer opposition} •vi. 1 to experience pain, harm, loss, a penalty, etc. 2 to be at a disadvantage {my grades suffer by comparison with yours} 3 [Archaic] to tolerate or endure evil, injury, etc. SYN. BEAR¹, LET¹ suf´fer·er •n. [ME suffren < Anglo-Fr suffrir < OFr sofrir < VL *sufferire, for L sufferre, to undergo, endure < sub-, SUB- + ferre, to BEAR¹]
sufferable (-э bэl) •adj. that can be suffered, endured, or allowed suf´fer·a·bly •adv.
sufferance (sûf´эr эns, sûf´rэns) •n. 1 the power or capacity to endure or tolerate pain, distress, etc. 2 consent, permission, or sanction implied by failure to interfere or prohibit; toleration 3 [Archaic] suffering on sufferance allowed or tolerated but not supported or encouraged [ME < Anglo-Fr souffrance < OFr < LL(Ec) sufferentia < L sufferens, prp.: see SUFFER]
suffering (sûf´эr iŋ, sûf´riŋ) •n. 1 the bearing or undergoing of pain, distress, or injury 2 something suffered; pain, distress, or injury SYN. DISTRESS
suffice (sэ fais´; also, -faiz´) -ficed´, -fic´ing •vi. 1 to be enough; be sufficient or adequate 2 [Obs.] to be competent or able •vt. [Archaic] to be enough for; meet the needs of; satisfy [ME sufficen < stem of OFr soufire < L sufficere, to provide, suffice < sub-, SUB- + facere, to make, DO¹]
sufficiency (sэ fish´эn si:) •n. 1 sufficient means, ability, or resources; specif., a) an adequate amount or quantity (of what is needed) b) enough wealth or income 2 the state or quality of being sufficient or adequate; adequacy
sufficient (-эnt) •adj. 1 as much as is needed; equal to what is specified or required; enough 2 competent; well-qualified; able suf·fi´cient·ly •adv. SYN.—sufficient and enough agree in describing that which satisfies a requirement exactly and is neither more nor less in amount than is needed [a word to the wise is sufficient, enough food for a week]; adequate suggests the meeting of an acceptable (sometimes barely so) standard of fitness or suitability [the supporting players were adequate] —ANT. deficient, inadequate [ME < L sufficiens, prp. of sufficere: see SUFFICE]
sufficient condition 1 Logic an antecedent whose validity entails the validity of the consequent 2 something whose existence or occurrence by itself guarantees that a given thing will exist or occur Cf. NECESSARY CONDITION
suffix (sûf´iks; also, for v., sэ fiks´) •n. 1 a letter, syllable, or group of syllables added at the end of a word or word base to change its meaning, give it grammatical function, or form a new word (Ex.: -ish in smallish, -ed in walked, -ness in darkness) 2 anything added to the end of something else •vt. to add as a suffix suf´fix·al •adj. suf'fix·a´tion •n. suf·fix´ion •n. [ModL suffixum < neut. of L suffixus, pp. of suffigere, to fasten on beneath < sub-, SUB- + figere, to FIX]
sufflate (sэ fleit´) -flat´ed, -flat´ing •vt. obs. var. of INFLATE suf·fla´tion •n. [< L sufflatus, pp. of sufflare < sub-, SUB- + flare, to BLOW¹]
suffocate (sûf´э keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to kill by cutting off the supply of oxygen to the lungs, gills, etc. 2 to hinder the free breathing of; deprive of fresh air; stifle; choke 3 to smother, suppress, extinguish, etc. by or as by cutting off the supply of air •vi. 1 to die by being suffocated 2 to be unable to breathe freely; choke; stifle; smother 3 to be unable to develop properly as because of a repressive or dulling environment suf´fo·cat'ing·ly •adv. suf'fo·ca´tion •n. suf´fo·ca'tive •adj. [< L suffocatus, pp. of suffocare, to choke < sub-, SUB- + fauces, gullet, throat: see FAUCES]
Suffolk (sûf´эk) 1 county of E England, on the North Sea: 1,467 sq. mi. (3,800 sq. km); pop. 616,000; county seat, Ipswich 2 city in SE Va.: pop. 52,000 [after the English county] •n. 1 any of a breed of hornless, hardy sheep, native to the Suffolk area of EC England, having a black face and black legs and raised for mutton 2 any of a breed of medium-sized, thickset draft horse, chestnut in color and native to Suffolk county, England
suffragan (sûf´rэ gэn) •n. 1 a bishop appointed to assist the bishop of a diocese 2 any bishop in his capacity as a subordinate to his archbishop •adj. 1 designating or of such a bishop 2 subordinate to a larger see [ME < MFr < ML(Ec) suffraganus < L suffragari, to vote for, support, favor < suffragium, ballot: see SUFFRAGE]
suffrage (sûf´rij) •n. 1 a prayer or act of intercession or supplication 2 a vote or voting; esp., a vote in favor of some candidate or issue Æ 3 the right to vote, esp. in political elections; franchise [ME < MFr < ML(Ec) < L suffragium, decision, vote, suffrage < sub- (see SUB-) + fragor, loud applause, orig., din, a crashing < IE base *bhreG-, to crash, BREAK]
suffragette (sûf'rэ jet´) •n. a woman who militantly advocates the right of women to vote This term is objected to by some, who prefer suffragist suf'fra·get´tism •n. [< prec. + -ETTE]
suffragist (sûf´rэ jist) •n. a person who believes in extending political suffrage, esp. to women
suffruticose (sэ fru:t´i kous') Bot. having a woody base that persists but branches that die after flowering Also suf·fru·tes·cent (sûf'ru tes´эnt) •adj. [ModL suffruticosus < L sub- (see SUB-) + fruticosus, FRUTICOSE]
suffumigate (sэ fyu:´mэ geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vt. to fumigate from below suf·fu'mi·ga´tion •n. [< pp. of L suffumigare: see SUB- & FUMIGATE]
suffuse (sэ fyu:z´) -fused´, -fus´ing •vt. to overspread so as to fill with a glow, color, fluid, etc.: said of light, a blush, air, etc. suf·fu´sion (-fyu:´zhэn) •n. suf·fu´sive (-siv) •adj. [< L suffusus, pp. of suffundere, to pour beneath, diffuse beneath or upon < sub-, under + fundere, to pour: see FOUND³]
Sufi (su:´fi:) •n. a Muslim following the principles of a special form of Islamic mysticism Su·fism (su:´fiz'эm) •n. [Ar sūfī, ascetic, lit., (a man) of wool < sūf, wool]
sug- prefix SUB- Used before g [suggest]
sugar (shug´эr) •n. 1 any of a class of sweet, soluble, crystalline carbohydrates, as the disaccharides and the monosaccharides 2 sucrose, esp. when prepared as a crystalline or powdered substance used as a food and sweetening agent 3 a sugar bowl, specif. as forming a set with a creamer 4 flattery; honeyed words 5 short for SUGAR DIABETES 6 [Colloq.] darling; sweetheart 7 [Slang] money •vt. 1 to mix, cover, sprinkle, or sweeten with sugar 2 short for SUGARCOAT •vi. Æ 1 to form sugar Æ 2 to boil down maple syrup to form maple sugar: usually with off sug´ar·like' •adj. [ME sucre < OFr < OSp azúcar or OIt zucchero, both < Ar sukkar < Pers šakar < Sans śárkarâ, akin to śarkarah, pebble]
sugar apple SWEETSOP
sugar beet a variety or cultivar of the common beet (Beta vulgaris) having a root with white flesh and a high sugar content, grown commercially as a source of sugar
sugar cane a very tall, perennial, tropical grass (Saccharum officinarum) cultivated as the main source of sugar
sugar daddy a rich, esp. older, man who lavishes gifts on young women in return for their favors
sugar diabetes nontechnical term for DIABETES MELLITUS
sugar loaf 1 a conical mass of crystallized sugar 2 a similarly shaped hill, mountain, etc.
Sugar Loaf Mountain granite mountain at the entrance to the harbor of Rio de Janeiro: 1,296 ft. (395 m)
sugar maple an E North American maple (Acer saccharum), valued for its hard wood and for its sap, which yields maple syrup and maple sugar
sugar of lead LEAD ACETATE
sugar of milk LACTOSE
sugar pine a giant pine (Pinus lambertiana) of the Pacific coast, with soft, reddish-brown wood, large cones, sugarlike resin, and needles in groups of five
sugar tongs small tongs for serving lumps of sugar
sugarberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. HACKBERRY
sugarbush (-bush') •n. a grove of sugar maples
sugarcoat (-kout') •vt. 1 to cover or coat with sugar 2 to make (something disagreeable) seem more acceptable or less unpleasant, as by using flattery, euphemism, etc.
sugar-cured (-kyurd') •adj. treated with a pickling preparation of sugar, salt, and nitrate or nitrite, as ham, bacon, etc.
sugarhouse (-haus') •n. 1 a place where sugar is processed Æ 2 a building where maple sap is boiled for producing maple syrup and sugar
sugarless (-lis) •adj. having no sugar; specif., prepared with synthetic sweeteners
sugarplum (-plûm') •n. 1 a round or oval piece of sugary candy; bonbon Æ 2 JUNEBERRY
sugar-tit (-tit') •n. cloth tied around a bit of sugar to form a nipplelike pacifier for a baby
sugary (shug´эr i:) •adj. 1 of, like, or containing sugar; sweet, granular, etc. 2 cloyingly or mawkishly sweet or sentimental sug´ar·i·ness •n.
suggest (sэg jest´; also, & Brit usually, sэ jest´) •vt. 1 to mention as something to think over, act on, etc.; bring to the mind for consideration 2 to bring or call to mind through association of ideas {objects suggested by the shapes of clouds} 3 to propose as a possibility {to suggest a course of study} 4 to show indirectly; imply; intimate {a silence that suggested agreement} 5 to serve as a motive for; prompt {a success that suggested further attempts} sug·gest´er •n. SYN.—suggest implies a putting of something into the mind either intentionally, as by way of a proposal [I suggest you leave now], or unintentionally, as through association of ideas [the smell of ether suggests a hospital]; imply stresses the putting into the mind of something involved, but not openly expressed, in a word, a remark, etc. and suggests the need for inference [the answer implied a refusal]; hint connotes faint or indirect suggestion that is, however, intended to be understood [he hinted that he would come]; intimate suggests a making known obliquely by a very slight hint [she only dared to intimate her feelings]; insinuate implies the subtle hinting of something disagreeable or of that which one lacks the courage to say outright [are you insinuating that I am dishonest?] [< L suggestus, pp. of suggerere, to carry or lay under, furnish < sub-, SUB- + gerere, to carry]
suggestible (-jes´tэ bэl) •adj. 1 readily influenced by suggestion; often, specif., susceptible to suggestion through hypnosis 2 that can be suggested sug·gest'i·bil´i·ty •n.
suggestion (-jes´chэn) •n. 1 a suggesting or being suggested 2 something suggested 3 the process by which an idea is brought to the mind through its connection or association with an idea already in the mind 4 a faint hint or indication; small amount; trace {a suggestion of boredom in her tone} 5 Psychol. a) the inducing of an idea that is accepted or acted on readily and uncritically, as in hypnosis b) the idea induced or the stimulus used to induce it [ME < OFr suggestioun < L suggestio]
suggestive (-jes´tiv) •adj. 1 that suggests or tends to suggest thoughts or ideas 2 tending to suggest something considered improper or indecent; risqué sug·ges´tive·ly •adv. sug·ges´tive·ness •n.
Suharto (su: här´tou) 1921- ; president of Indonesia (1967- )
sui generis (su:´i: jen´эr is, su:´ai) without a counterpart or equal; unique [L, lit., of his (or her or its) own kind]
sui juris (jur´is) Law legally competent to manage one's own affairs, in that one is of legal age and sound mind [L, of one's own right]
suicidal (su:'э said´ªl) •adj. 1 of, involving, or leading to suicide 2 having an urge to commit suicide 3 rash to the point of being very dangerous su'i·ci´dal·ly •adv.
suicide (su:´э said') •n. 1 the act of killing oneself intentionally 2 ruin of one's interests or prospects through one's own actions, policies, etc. 3 a person who commits suicide •vi. -cid'ed, -cid'ing [Rare] to commit suicide [L sui, of oneself (< IE *sewe-, refl. pron. < base *se-, apart > OE swæs, own) + -CIDE]
suicidology (su:'э sai däl´э ji:) •n. the study of suicide, its causes, and its prevention, and of the behavior of those who threaten or attempt suicide
suint (su:´int, swint) •n. the natural grease found in sheep's wool [Fr < suer, to sweat < L sudare: see SWEAT]
Suisse (süi:s) Fr. name of SWITZERLAND
suit (su:t) •n. 1 a) a set of clothes to be worn together; now, esp., a coat and trousers (or skirt), and sometimes a vest, usually all of the same material b) any complete outfit {a suit of armor} 2 a group of similar things forming a set or series; specif., any of the four sets of thirteen playing cards each (spades, clubs, hearts, and diamonds) that together make up a pack 3 [Historical] attendance at the court or manor of a feudal lord 4 action to secure justice in a court of law; attempt to recover a right or claim through legal action 5 a) an act of suing, pleading, or requesting b) a petition 6 the act of wooing; courtship •vt. 1 to meet the requirements of; be right for or appropriate to; befit 2 to make right or appropriate; fit; adapt 3 to please; satisfy {anything that suits your fancy} 4 to furnish with clothes, esp. with a suit •vi. 1 [Archaic] to correspond or harmonize: usually with to or with 2 to be fit, suitable, convenient, or satisfactory bring suit to institute legal action; sue follow suit 1 to play a card of the same suit as the card led 2 to follow the example set someone's strong (or strongest) suit a person's greatest talent, most conspicuous character trait, etc. {patience is my strong suit} suit oneself to act according to one's own wishes Æ suit up to put on an athletic uniform, spacesuit, etc. in preparation for a particular activity [ME sute, a pursuit, action of suing, garb, set of garments, sequence < OFr suite < VL *sequita, fem. pp. of sequere, to follow < L sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
suitable (su:t´э bэl) •adj. that suits a given purpose, occasion, condition, propriety, etc.; fitting; appropriate; apt SYN. FIT¹ suit'a·bil´i·ty or suit´a·ble·ness •n. suit´a·bly •adv.
suitcase (-keis') •n. a travel case for clothes, etc., esp. a rectangular one that opens into two hinged compartments
suite (swi:t; for 2b, occas. su:t) •n. 1 a group of attendants or servants; train; retinue; staff 2 a set or series of related things; specif., a) a group of connected rooms used as a unit, such as an apartment b) a set of pieces of matched furniture for a given room {a bedroom suite} 3 Music a) an early form of instrumental composition consisting of a series of dances in the same or related keys b) a modern instrumental composition in a number of movements [Fr: see SUIT]
suiting (su:t´iŋ) •n. cloth used for making suits
suitor (su:t´эr) •n. 1 a person who requests, petitions, or entreats 2 a person who sues at law 3 a man courting or wooing a woman [ME sutere < Anglo-Fr seutor < L secutor < secutus, pp. of sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
Sukarno (su: kär´nou) c. 1902-70; Indonesian statesman: president of Indonesia (1945-67)
sukiyaki (su:´ki: yä´ki:, suk'i:-; ski: yä´ki:) •n. a Japanese dish of thinly sliced meat, onions, and other vegetables cooked quickly, often at table, with soy sauce, sake, sugar, etc. [Jpn, prob. < sukimi, thinly sliced meat (< suku, to slice thinly + mi, meat) + yaki, nominal form of yaku, to broil]
sukkah (suk´э, -ä) pl. -kahs or -kot´ (-out´) •n. a temporary structure with a roof of leafy boughs, straw, etc., built by Jews for Sukkot to commemorate the tabernacles of the Exodus [see SUKKOT ]
Sukkot or Sukkoth (suk´out, suk´ous) •n. a Jewish festival, the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrating the fall harvest and commemorating the desert wandering of the Hebrews during the Exodus: observed from the 15th to the 22d day of Tishri Also Suk·kos (suk´ous) [Heb sukot, pl. of suka, tabernacle; earlier, booth < root skk, to cover, screen]
Sulawesi (su:'lä wei´si:) Indonesian name of CELEBES
sulcate (sûl´keit') Biol. having deep, parallel furrows or grooves; grooved; fluted Also sul´cat'ed •adj. [L sulcatus, pp. of sulcare, to furrow < sulcus, a furrow < IE base *swelk-, to pull > OE sulh, a furrow]
sulcus (sûl´kэs) pl. -ci (-sai) •n. 1 a groove or furrow 2 Anat. any of the shallow grooves separating the convolutions of the brain [L: see SULCATE]
Suleiman (I) (su:'lei män´) c. 1494-1566; sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1520-66): called the Magnificent
sulf- (sûlf) combining form of or containing sulfur {sulfinyl}
sulfa (sûl´fэ) •adj. designating or of a family of drugs of the sulfanilamide type, used in combating certain bacterial infections [contr. < SULFANILAMIDE]
sulfadiazine (sûl'fэ dai´э zi:n', -zin) •n. a sulfa drug, C10H10N4O2S, used in treating certain pneumococcal, streptococcal, and staphylococcal infections [prec. + DIAZINE]
sulfamerazine (-mer´э zi:n') •n. a sulfa drug, C11H12N4O2S, a methyl derivative of sulfadiazine that is more rapidly absorbed [SULFA + -mer (as in ISOMER) + AZINE]
sulfanilamide (-nil´э maid', -mid) •n. a white, crystalline compound, C6H8N2O2S, formerly used in treating gonorrhea, streptococcal infections, etc.: a synthetic coal-tar product [< fol. + AMIDE]
sulfanilic acid (-ik) a colorless, crystalline acid, H2NC6H4SO3H, prepared by heating aniline with sulfuric acid: used in dyes and medicines [SULF(O)- + ANIL(INE) + -IC]
sulfate (sûl´feit') •n. 1 a salt of sulfuric acid containing the divalent, negative radical SO4 2 an uncharged ester of this acid •vt. -fat'ed, -fat'ing 1 to treat with sulfuric acid or a sulfate 2 to convert into a sulfate 3 to cause a deposit of lead sulfate to form on (the negative plates of a storage battery) •vi. to become sulfated sul·fa´tion •n. [Fr < L sulphur, sulfur + Fr -ate, -ATE²]
sulfide (sûl´faid') •n. a compound of sulfur with another element or a radical
sulfinyl (sûl´fэ nil) •n. the SO group, present in certain organic compounds [SULF(O)- + -IN¹ + -YL]
sulfite (sûl´fait') •n. 1 a salt of sulfurous acid containing the divalent, negative radical SO3 2 an uncharged ester of this acid
sulfo- (sûl´fou, -fэ) combining form 1 containing sulfur, esp. divalent sulfur 2 replacing oxygen with sulfur: see THIO- 3 having the sulfonic or sulfonyl group
sulfonamide (sûl fän´э maid', -mid) •n. any of the sulfa drugs, as sulfadiazine, containing the group or the monovalent, negative radical SO2NH2 [SULFON(YL) + AMIDE]
sulfonate (sûl´fэ neit') •n. a salt or ester of a sulfonic acid •vt. -nat'ed, -nat'ing to introduce the sulfonic group into (an aromatic hydrocarbon) by treating with sulfuric acid
sulfone (sûl´foun') •n. any of a group of organic compounds containing the group or the divalent radical SO2, the sulfur atom of which is linked chemically with a carbon atom of each of two alkyl groups [Ger sulfon < sulfur (< L sulphur, sulfur) + -on, -ONE]
sulfonic (sûl fän´ik) •adj. designating or of the monovalent acid group SO3H [< prec. + -IC]
sulfonic acid any of numerous organic acids containing the sulfonic group SO3H, derived from sulfuric acid by the replacement of an OH group: used in the manufacture of dyes, drugs, phenols, etc.
sulfonium (sûl fou´ni: эm) •n. a monovalent radical containing three alkyl radicals and one atom of sulfur, as the triethyl sulfonium radical (C2H5)3S [ModL: see SULFO- & -ONIUM]
sulfonmethane (sûl'foun meθ´ein, -fän-) •n. a colorless, crystalline compound, C7H16O4S2, used in medicine as a soporific and hypnotic [SULFON(E) + METHANE]
sulfonyl (sûl´fэ nil') •n. the divalent radical SO2 [SULFON(E) + -YL]
sulfoxide (sûlf äk´said') •n. any of a group of organic compounds containing the group or the divalent radical SO See THIONYL [SULF(O)- + OXIDE]
sulfur (sûl´fэr) •n. 1 a pale-yellow, nonmetallic chemical element found in crystalline or amorphous form: it burns with a blue flame and a stifling odor and is used in vulcanizing rubber and in making matches, paper, gunpowder, insecticides, sulfuric acid, etc.: symbol, S; at. wt., 32.064; at. no., 16; sp. gr., 2.07; melt. pt., 112.8°C; boil. pt., 444.6°C 2 any of numerous small to medium-sized butterflies (family Pieridae) having yellow or orange wings with dark borders 3 a greenish-yellow color •vt. SULFURIZE [ME sulphur < L]
sulfur dioxide a heavy, colorless, suffocating gas, SO2, easily liquefied and used as a bleach, disinfectant, preservative, etc.
sulfurate (sûl´fyu: reit', -fэ-) -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. SULFURIZE sul'fu·ra´tion •n.
sulfur-bottom (sûl´fэr bät'эm) •n. BLUE WHALE
sulfureous (sûl fyur´i: эs) •adj. 1 of, like, or containing sulfur 2 greenish-yellow [L sulfureus]
sulfuret (sûl´fyu: ret', -fэ-) •n. SULFIDE •vt. -ret'ed or -ret'ted, -ret'ing or -ret'ting SULFURIZE [ModL sulphuretum]
sulfuric (sûl fyur´ik) •adj. 1 of or containing sulfur, esp. hexavalent sulfur 2 of or derived from sulfuric acid [Fr sulfurique]
sulfuric acid an oily, colorless, corrosive liquid, H2SO4, used in making dyes, paints, explosives, fertilizers, etc.
sulfurize (sûl´fyu raiz', -fэ-) -rized', -riz'ing •vt. to combine, treat, or impregnate with sulfur or a compound of sulfur, esp. with sulfur dioxide fumes in bleaching or disinfecting sul'fu·ri·za´tion •n. [Fr sulfuriser: see SULFUR & -IZE]
sulfurous (sûl´fэr эs, sûl fyur´эs) •adj. 1 of or containing sulfur, esp. tetravalent sulfur 2 like burning sulfur in odor, color, etc. 3 of or suggesting the fires of hell; infernal; hellish 4 violently emotional; heated; fiery sul´fu·rous·ly •adv. sul´fu·rous·ness •n. [L sulphurosus]
sulfurous acid a colorless acid, H2SO3, known only in the form of its salts or in aqueous solution and used as a chemical reagent, a bleach, in medicine, etc.
sulfury (sûl´fэr i:) •adj. of or like sulfur
sulfuryl (sûl´fэr il', -fyur´il') •n. SULFONYL
sulk (sûlk) •vi. to be sulky •n. 1 a sulky mood or state: also the sulks 2 a sulky person [back-form. < fol.]
sulky (sûl´ki:) sulk´i·er, sulk´i·est •adj. 1 showing resentment or dissatisfaction by petulant or peevish withdrawal 2 gloomy; dismal; sullen {a sulky day} •n. pl. sulk´ies a light, two-wheeled, one-horse carriage having a seat for only one person, esp. now, one used in harness races [prob. < the adj., in the sense of keeping aloof, because the vehicle seats only one person] sulk´i·ly •adv. sulk´i·ness •n. [prob. < OE -solcen (in comp.), idle, sluggish, pp. of -seolcan, to become slack < IE base *selG-, to let go, let loose > Sans sarjati, (he) releases]
Sulla (sûl´э) (Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix) 138-78 B.C.; Rom. general: dictator of Rome (82-79)
sullage (sûl´ij) •n. 1 filth or refuse; sewage 2 silt or sediment deposited by running water 3 Metallurgy scoria on the surface of molten metal in a ladle [prob. < Fr souiller, to SULLY + -AGE]
sullen (sûl´эn) •adj. 1 showing resentment and ill humor by morose, unsociable withdrawal 2 gloomy; dismal; sad; depressing 3 somber; dull {sullen colors} 4 slow-moving; sluggish 5 [Obs.] baleful; threatening sul´len·ly •adv. sul´len·ness •n. [ME solein, alone, solitary < VL *solanus, alone < L solus, alone, SOLE²]
Sullivan (sûl´э vэn) 1 Sir Arthur Seymour 1842-1900; Eng. composer: see GILBERT, Sir William Schwenck 2 John L(awrence) 1858-1918; U.S. prizefighter 3 Louis Hen·ri (hen´ri:) 1856-1924; U.S. architect
sully (sûl´i:) -lied, -ly·ing •vt. to soil, stain, tarnish, or besmirch, now esp. by disgracing •vi. [Obs.] to become sullied •n. pl. -lies [Archaic] a stain or tarnish; defilement [prob. < Fr souiller < OFr soillier: see SOIL²] Sully (sûl´i:; also, for 1, Fr sü li:´) 1 Duc de (Maximilien de Béthune) 1560-1641; Fr. statesman 2 Thomas 1783-1872; U.S. painter, born in England
Sully-Prudhomme (sü li: přü dôm´), Re·né Fran·çois Ar·mand (řэ nei´ fřäñ swå´ åř mäñ´) 1839-1907; Fr. poet & critic
sulph- (sûlf) [Chiefly Brit., etc.] see SULF-
sulphur (sûl´fэr) •n. chiefly Brit., etc. sp. of SULFUR
sultan (sûlt´ªn) •n. 1 a Muslim ruler 2 [S-] the former monarch of Turkey [Fr < Ar sultān, ruler, prince, orig., dominion]
sultana (sûl tæn´э, -tä´nэ) •n. 1 the wife of a sultan, or the mother, sister, or daughter of a sultan: also sul·tan·ess (sûlt´ªn is) 2 a mistress, esp. of a king, prince, etc. 3 a) a small, white, seedless grape used for raisins and in wine making b) such a raisin [It < Ar sultāna, fem. of sultān: see SULTAN]
sultanate (sûlt´ªn it, -eit') •n. 1 the land ruled by a sultan 2 the authority, office, or reign of a sultan
sultry (sûl´tri:) -tri·er, -tri·est •adj. 1 oppressively hot and moist; close; sweltering 2 extremely hot; fiery 3 a) hot or inflamed, as with passion or lust b) suggesting or expressing smoldering passion sul´tri·ly •adv. sul´tri·ness •n. [var. of SWELTRY]
sulu (su:´lu:) •n. a garment similar to a sarong, worn by Melanesians, as in the Fiji Islands [Fijian, clothes]
Sulu Archipelago group of islands in the Philippines, southwest of Mindanao: 1,038 sq. mi. (2,688 sq. km); pop. 427,000
Sulu Sea arm of the W Pacific, between the SW Philippines & NE Borneo
sum (sûm) •n. 1 an amount of money {a sum paid in reparation} 2 the whole amount; totality; aggregate {the sum of our experience} 3 the gist or a summary of something said, done, etc.: usually in sum and substance 4 a) the result obtained by adding numbers or quantities; total b) a series of numbers to be added together, or any problem in arithmetic c) the limit of the sum of the first n terms of an infinite series as n grows indefinitely d) the set containing every element belonging to one or both of two original sets and no other elements e) in Boolean algebra, DISJUNCTION (sense 2) 5 [Archaic] the highest degree; height; summit •vt. summed, sum´ming 1 to determine the sum of by adding 2 to summarize or review briefly; sum up •vi. to get, or come to, a total in sum to put it briefly; in short sum up 1 to add up or collect into a whole or total 2 to review briefly; summarize SYN.—sum refers to the number or amount obtained by adding individual units [the sum of 3 and 5 is 8]; amount applies to the result obtained by combining all the sums, quantities, measures, etc. that are involved [we paid the full amount of the damages]; aggregate refers to the whole group or mass of individual items gathered together [the aggregate of our experiences]; total stresses the wholeness or inclusiveness of a sum or amount [the collection reached a total of $200] [ME somme < MFr < L summa, fem. of summus, highest, superl. < base of super: see SUPER-]
sum- (sûm) prefix SUB- Used before m
sum total 1 the total arrived at by adding up a sum or sums 2 everything involved or included
sumac or sumach (shu´mæk', su:-) •n. 1 a) any of numerous nonpoisonous plants (genus Rhus) of the cashew family, with pinnately compound leaves and large, cone-shaped clusters of hairy, red fruit b) the powdered leaves of some of these plants, used in tanning and dyeing c) the wood of any of these plants 2 any of several poisonous plants (genus Toxicodendron) of the cashew family, including poison ivy, poison sumac, and certain Asiatic sumacs yielding Japan wax [ME sumac < MFr < Ar summāq]
Sumatra (su: mä´trэ) large island of Indonesia, just south of the Malay Peninsula: c. 165,000 sq. mi. (427,333 sq. km); pop. (with small nearby islands) 28,000,000
Sumba (su:m´bэ) island of Indonesia, west of Timor & south of Flores: c. 4,300 sq. mi. (11,130 sq. km)
Sumbawa (su:m bä´wä) island of Indonesia, between Lombok & Flores: c. 5,500 sq. mi. (14,200 sq. km)
Sumer (su:´mэr) ancient region in the lower valley of the Euphrates River
Sumerian (su: mir´i: эn, -mer´-) •adj. 1 of Sumer 2 designating or of the inhabitants of Sumer, an ancient, non-Semitic people of S Mesopotamia •n. 1 a member of this people 2 the language of the Sumerians, of undetermined relationship, extinct as a spoken language since c. 2000 B.C., although it continued to be written until the abandonment of the cuneiform writing system early in the present era: its tablets and inscriptions date back to 3000 B.C.
sumi (su:´mi:) •n. black sticks of soot mixed with glue, dipped in water and used in a Japanese style of writing and painting [Jpn]
summa (sum´э) pl. -mae (-i:) •n. a comprehensive treatise or exposition, as by a medieval scholastic [ML < L: see SUM]
summa cum laude (sum´э kum lau´de, sûm´э kûm lö´di:) a phrase signifying above-average academic standing at the time of graduation from a college or university: the highest of three categories See also CUM LAUDE, MAGNA CUM LAUDE
summarist (sûm´э rist) •n. a person who summarizes
summarize (sûm´э raiz') -rized', -riz'ing •vt. 1 to make a summary of; state briefly 2 to be a summary of sum'ma·ri·za´tion •n. sum´ma·riz'er •n.
summary (sûm´э ri:) •adj. 1 that presents the substance or general idea in brief form; summarizing; concise; condensed 2 a) prompt and without formality; expeditious {summary punishment} b) hasty and arbitrary {a summary dismissal} •n. pl. -ries a brief statement or account covering the substance or main points; digest; abridgment; compendium [L summarium: see the adj.] SYN. ABRIDGMENT sum·mar·i·ly (sэ mer´э li:) •adv. sum´ma·ri·ness •n. [ME < ML summarius < L summa, SUM]
summary court-martial the least formal military court, consisting of one officer, for judging minor offenses
summation (sэ mei´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of summing up, or of finding a total 2 a total or aggregate 3 the final summing up of arguments, as in a court trial or debate, before the decision is given [ModL summatio]
summer cypress an annual plant (Kochia scoparia) of the goosefoot family, cultivated for its brilliant red or purplish foliage in the fall
summer house a house or cottage, as in the country, used during the summer
summer sausage a type of hard, dried and smoked sausage that does not spoil easily
summer school a school or college session held during the regular summer vacation
summer solstice 1 the point on the celestial sphere where the sun is farthest north of the celestial equator 2 the moment or date of this annual event: in the Northern Hemisphere, on about June 21, which is thus the day of the year having the longest period of sunlight
summer squash any of a variety (Cucurbita pepo melopepo) of small garden squashes grown in summer and eaten before fully ripe
summer theater a theater that puts on plays or musicals during the summer
summer triangle a group of three first-magnitude stars (Deneb, Vega, and Altair) visible during the summer in the N skies
summer¹ (sûm´эr) •n. 1 the warmest season of the year: in the North Temperate Zone, generally regarded as including the months of June, July, and August: in the astronomical year, that period between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox 2 a year as reckoned by this season {a youth of sixteen summers} 3 any period of growth, development, fulfillment, perfection, etc. •adj. 1 of or typical of summer 2 designed for or taking place during summer {summer activities} •vi. to pass the summer •vt. to keep, feed, or maintain during the summer [ME sumer < OE sumor, akin to Ger sommer < IE base *sem-, summertime > Sans sámā, half year, season]
summer² (sûm´эr) •n. 1 a large, horizontal, supporting beam or girder 2 LINTEL 3 the capstone of a column supporting an arch or lintel [ME < OFr somier, pack horse < LL sagmarius, pack horse < sagma, pack saddle < Gr < base of sattein, to stuff]
summerhouse (sûm´эr haus') •n. a small, open structure in a garden, park, etc., for providing a shady rest
summersault (sûm´эr sölt') •n., vi. alt. sp. of SOMERSAULT
summertime (sûm´эr taim') •n. the season of summer
summerwood (-wud') •n. the last-formed woody portion of the annual growth ring of a shrub or tree, usually containing more fibers and fewer vessels than springwood
summery (-i:) •adj. of or like summer; warm, pleasant, etc.
summit (sûm´it) •n. 1 the highest point, part, or elevation; top or apex 2 the highest degree or state; acme Æ 3 a) the highest level of officials; specif., in connection with diplomatic negotiations, the level restricted to heads of government {a meeting at the summit} b) a conference at the summit •adj. Æ of the heads of government {a summit parley} SYN.—summit literally refers to the topmost point of a hill or similar elevation and, figuratively, to the highest attainable level, as of achievement; peak refers to the highest of a number of high points, as in a mountain range or, figuratively, in a graph; climax applies to the highest point, as in interest, force, excitement, etc., in a scale of ascending values; acme refers to the highest possible point of perfection in the development or progress of something; apex suggests the highest point (literally, of a geometric figure such as a cone; figuratively, of a career, process, etc.) where all ascending lines, courses, etc. ultimately meet; pinnacle, in its figurative uses, is equivalent to summit or peak, but sometimes connotes a giddy or unsteady height; zenith literally refers to the highest point in the heavens and hence figuratively suggests fame or success reached by a spectacular rise [ME sommete < OFr, dim. of som, summit < L summum, highest part < summus, highest: see SUM]
summitry (sûm´i tri:) pl. -ries •n. the use of, or reliance upon, summit conferences to resolve problems of international diplomacy
summon (sûm´эn) •vt. 1 to call together; order to meet or convene 2 to order to come or appear; call for or send for with authority or urgency 3 to order, as by a summons, to appear in court 4 to call upon to do something 5 to call forth; rouse; gather; collect: often with up {to summon up one's strength} SYN. CALL sum´mon·er •n. [ME somonen < OFr somondre < VL *submonere, for L summonere, to remind privily < sub-, under, secretly + monere, to advise, warn: see MONITOR]
summons (-эnz) pl. -mons·es •n. 1 a) an order or command to come, attend, appear, or perform some action b) Law an official order to appear in court, specif. to respond as a defendant to a charge; also, the writ containing such an order 2 a call, command, knock, or other signal that summons •vt. [Colloq.] to serve a court summons upon [ME somounce < Anglo-Fr somonse < OFr sumunse < pp. of somondre: see SUMMON]
summum bonum (sum´эm bou´nэm) the highest, or supreme, good [L]
Sumner (sûm´nэr) 1 Charles 1811-74; U.S. statesman & abolitionist 2 William Gra·ham (grei´эm) 1840-1910; U.S. sociologist & economist
sumo (wrestling) (su:´mou) [sometimes S- w-] a highly stylized Japanese form of wrestling engaged in by large, extremely heavy men [Jpn sumō, to compete]
sump (sûmp) •n. 1 a) a pit, cistern, cesspool, etc. for draining, collecting, or storing liquids b) [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] OIL PAN 2 Mining a) a pit or pool at the bottom of a shaft or mine, in which water collects and from which it is pumped b) an excavation at the head of a tunnel or shaft [ME sompe, SWAMP]
sump pump a pump for removing liquid from a sump
sumpter (sûmp´tэr) •n. a pack horse, mule, or other pack animal [ME sompter, pack horse, orig., driver of a pack horse < OFr sometier < LL *sagmatarius < LL sagma (gen. sagmatis), packsaddle: see SUMMER²]
sumptuary (sûmp´chu: er'i:) •adj. of or regulating expenses or expenditures; specif., seeking to regulate extravagance on religious or moral grounds [L sumptuarius < sumptus, expense < pp. of sumere, to take: see CONSUME]
sumptuous (sûmp´chu: эs) •adj. 1 involving great expense; costly; lavish 2 magnificent or splendid, as in furnishings, etc. sump´tu·ous·ly •adv. sump´tu·ous·ness •n. [ME < OFr sumptueux < L sumptuosus < sumptus: see SUMPTUARY]
Sumter , Fort see FORT SUMTER
sum-up (sûm´ûp') •n. [Colloq.] the act or result of summarizing
Sun Sunday
sun bath exposure of the body to sunlight or a sunlamp
sun bittern a tropical American wading bird (Eurypyga helias) of a gruiform family (Eurypygidae) having only one species, with a slim body and long neck
Sun City city in SW central Ariz.: pop. 38,000 [descriptive]
sun dance a religious dance in worship of the sun performed at the summer solstice by certain Plains Indians
sun deck any open porch, deck, etc. for taking sun baths
sun disk a disk flanked by two serpents and set in a pair of outspread wings: a symbol of the Egyptian sun god, Ra
sun god 1 the sun personified and worshiped as a god 2 any god associated or identified with the sun
sun parlor (or porch or room) a sitting room (or a porch) with large windows to let sunlight in freely
Sun Yat-sen (sun´ yät´sen´) 1866-1925; Chin. political & revolutionary leader: see CHINESE REVOLUTION
sun¹ (sûn) •n. 1 a) the self-luminous, gaseous central star of the solar system: magnitude, -26; mean distance from the earth, c. 149.6 million km (c. 93 million mi.); diameter, c. 1.4 million km (c. 864,000 mi.); mass, c. 332,000 times that of the earth; volume, c. 1.3 million times that of the earth; mean density, c. .25 times that of the earth; central temperature, c. 15 to 20 million degrees K; surface temperature, c. 6,000°K; rotational period, c. 27 earth days b) the heat or light of the sun {to lie in the sun} 2 any star that is the center of a planetary system 3 something like the sun, as in warmth, brilliance, splendor, etc. 4 [Old Poet.] a) a day b) a year 5 [Old Poet.] a clime; climate 6 [Archaic] sunrise or sunset •vt. sunned, sun´ning to expose to the sun's rays; warm, dry, bleach, tan, etc. in or as in the sunlight •vi. to sun oneself from sun to sun [Archaic] from sunrise to sunset place in the sun a prominent or favorable position under the sun on earth; in the world [ME sunne < OE, akin to Ger sonne, Goth sunnō < IE *sun-, *swen-, var. of base *sāwel- > L sol, Gr hēlios]
sun² (sûn) •n. 1 an East Indian annual plant (Crotalaria juncea) of the pea family, grown for its bast fiber used in making rope, bagging, cigarette papers, etc. 2 its fiber Also sun hemp [Hindi san < Sans śana, hempen]
sunbaked (sûn´beikt') •adj. 1 baked by the heat of the sun, as bricks 2 dried, cracked, etc. by the heat of the sun
sunbathe (-beið') -bathed', -bath'ing •vi. to take a sun bath sun´bath'er •n.
sunbeam (-bi:m') •n. a ray or beam of sunlight
Sunbelt (sûn´belt') that part of the U.S. comprising most of the States of the South and the Southwest, characterized by a warm, sunny climate and regarded as an area of rapid population and economic growth: also Sun Belt
sunbird (sûn´børd') •n. any of a family (Nectariniidae) of small, brightly colored, tropical Old World passerine birds, somewhat resembling the hummingbirds
sunbonnet (-bän'it) •n. a bonnet with a large brim and back flap for shading the face and neck from the sun, worn, esp. formerly, by women and girls
sunbow (-bou') •n. a rainbow formed by sunlight refracted in fine spray, as from a waterfall or fountain
sunburn (-børn') •n. an inflammation of the skin resulting from prolonged exposure to the sun's rays or to a sunlamp •vi., vt. -burned' or -burnt', -burn'ing to get or cause to get a sunburn
sunburst (-børst') •n. 1 the sudden appearance of sunlight, as through a break in clouds Æ 2 a decorative device representing the sun with spreading rays
sun-cured (-kyurd') •adj. cured, as meat or fruit, by drying in the sun
Sunda Islands (sûn´dэ; Du su:n´dä) group of islands in the Malay Archipelago, consisting of two smaller groups: Greater Sunda Islands (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, & small nearby islands) & Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali & islands stretching east through Timor)
sundae (sûn´dei, -di:) •n. a serving of ice cream covered with a syrup, fruit, nuts, whipped cream, etc. [prob. < SUNDAY, from being orig. sold only on this day]
Sunday (sûn´dei; occas., -di:) •n. the first day of the week: it is observed by most Christian denominations as the Sabbath •adj. 1 of, having to do with, or characteristic of Sunday 2 done, worn, performing, etc. usually or only on Sunday {Sunday suit, Sunday golfer} Abbrev. Sun, Su, S [ME < OE sunnandæg, lit., sun day, akin to ON sunnudagr, Ger Sonntag < 3d-c. transl. of LL dies solis, day of the sun, transl. of LGr hēmera hēlion] Sunday (sûn´dei, -di:), William Ashley (called Billy) 1862-1935; U.S. evangelist
Sunday best [Colloq.] one's best clothes
Sunday punch [Slang] 1 a boxer's hardest punch 2 any measure most effective against an opponent
Sunday school 1 a school, usually affiliated with some church or synagogue, giving religious instruction on Sunday 2 the teachers and pupils of such a school
Sunday-go-to-meeting (-gou'tэ mi:t´iŋ) •adj. [Colloq.] appropriate to Sunday church services; i.e., best or most presentable, as clothes, manners, etc.
Sundays (-deiz; occas., -di:z) •adv. on every Sunday or most Sundays
sunder (sûn´dэr) •vt., vi. to break apart; separate; part; split SYN. SEPARATE in sunder into parts or pieces sun´der·a·ble •adj. [ME sundren < OE sundrian < sundor, asunder, akin to Ger sonder < IE *snter- < base *seni-, away from, separate > L sine, without]
Sunderland (sûn´dэr lэnd) seaport in N England, on the North Sea: pop. 299,000
sundew (sûn´du:', -dyu:') •n. DROSERA •adj. designating a family (Droseraceae, order Nepenthales) of dicotyledonous plants, including the Venus' flytrap [transl. of ML ros solis < L ros, dew (see RACE¹) + solis, gen. of sol, SUN¹]
sundial (-dai'эl, -dail') •n. an instrument that indicates time by the position of a gnomon's shadow cast by the sun on the face of a dial marked in hours
sundog (-dög') •n. PARHELION
sundown (-daun') •n. SUNSET (esp. sense 1b) [contr. < ? sun go(ing) down]
sundowner (-daun'эr) •n. 1 [Austral. Colloq.] a tramp or vagrant 2 [Brit. Colloq.] an alcoholic drink taken at sunset Æ 3 [Slang] Naut. an officer who is a strict disciplinarian [from requiring return from shore leave by sundown] [prec. + -ER: from habitually arriving at a stock farm too late for work but early enough to receive a night's lodging and food]
sundress (-dres') •n. a sleeveless dress with a scoop neckline or, sometimes, shoulder straps, for wear in warm weather
sun-dried (-draid´) •adj. dried by the sun
sundries (sûn´dri:z) •n.pl. sundry, esp. minor, items
sundrops (sûn´dräps') •n.pl. any of a number of plants (genus Oenothera) of the evening-primrose family, with large, usually yellow flowers
sundry (sûn´dri:) •adj. various; miscellaneous; divers {sundry items of clothing} pron. [with pl. v.] sundry persons or things: chiefly in all and sundry, everybody; one and all [ME sundri < OE syndrig, separate < sundor, apart: see SUNDER & -Y²]
sunfast (sûn´fæst', -fäst') •adj. not fading in sunlight
sunfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es Æ 1 any of a large family (Centrarchidae) of North American, percoid, freshwater fishes, including the bluegill and black bass 2 OCEAN SUNFISH
sunflower (-flau'эr) •n. any of a genus (Helianthus) of tall plants of the composite family, having large, yellow, daisylike flowers with yellow, brown, purple, or almost black disks containing edible seeds that yield an oil
Sunflower State name for KANSAS
sung (sûŋ) •vi., vt. pp. & rare pt. of SING Sung (su:ŋ) Chin. dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), noted for achievement in art & literature
Sungari (su:ŋ´gä ři:´) old form of SONGHUA
sunglass (sûn´glæs', -gläs') •n. 1 BURNING GLASS 2 [pl.] eyeglasses with special lenses, usually tinted, to protect the eyes from the sun's glare
sunglow (-glou') •n. a colored glow seen in the sky at sunrise or sunset as a result of the diffraction of the sun's rays by particles in the air
sun-grebe (sûn´gri:b') •n. any of a gruiform family (Heliornithidae) of shy, long-necked tropical birds living along streams, lakes, etc.
sunk (sûŋk) •vi., vt. pp. & alt. pt. of SINK •adj. 1 SUNKEN 2 [Colloq.] utterly ruined; undone
sunken (-эn) •vi., vt. obs. pp. of SINK •adj. 1 submerged {a sunken ship} 2 below the level of the surrounding or adjoining area {a sunken patio} 3 fallen in; hollow {sunken cheeks} 4 depressed; dejected {sunken spirits}
sunlamp (sûn´læmp') •n. an electric lamp that radiates ultraviolet rays, used for tanning the body and therapeutically as a substitute for sunlight
sunless (sûn´lis) •adj. without sun or sunlight; dark
sunlight (-lait') •n. the light of the sun
sunlit (-lit') •adj. lighted by the sun
sunn (sûn) alt. sp. of SUN² Also sunn hemp •n.
Sunna or Sunnah (sun´э) •n. Muslim law based, according to tradition, on the teachings and practices of Mohammed and observed by orthodox Muslims: a supplement to the Koran [Ar sunna, lit., a form, course, tradition]
Sunni (sun´i:) pl. Sun´ni •n. SUNNITE
Sunnite (sun´ait) •n. a member of one of the two great sects of Muslims: Sunnites approve the historical order of the first four caliphs as the rightful line of succession to Mohammed and accept the Sunna as an authoritative supplement to the Koran: cf. SHIITE Sun´nism •n. [< Ar sunna (see SUNNA) + -ITE¹]
sunny (sûn´i:) -ni·er, -ni·est •adj. 1 shining or bright with sunlight; full of sunshine 2 bright and cheerful {a sunny smile} 3 of or suggestive of the sun {a sunny radiance} sun´ni·ly •adv. sun´ni·ness •n.
sunny side 1 the side exposed to sunlight 2 the more pleasant or cheerful aspect Æ on the sunny side of somewhat younger than (a specified age) Æ sunny side up fried with the yolk unbroken and without being turned over {two eggs sunny side up}
Sunnyvale (sûn´i: veil') city in W Calif.: suburb of San Jose: pop. 117,000 [descriptive]
sunproof (sûn´pru:f') •adj. impervious to or unaffected by sunlight
sunrise (sûn´raiz') •n. 1 the daily appearance of the sun above the eastern horizon 2 the varying time of this 3 the atmospheric phenomena at this time •adj. designating an industry that is growing rapidly, esp. one that is still in an early stage of development [SUN¹ + RISE, v., prob. in such phrases as before the sun rise]
sunroof (-ru:f', -ruf') •n. an automobile roof with a panel that slides back or lifts out to let in light and air Also sun roof
sunscald (-sköld') •n. a plant injury caused by exposure to bright sunlight or to excessive heat and manifested by whitening or browning of the leaves, fruits, or flowers
sunscreen (-skri:n') •n. 1 a substance, esp. para-aminobenzoic acid, used in lotions, creams, etc. to block certain ultraviolet rays of the sun and reduce the danger of sunburn 2 such a lotion or cream
sunset (-set') •n. 1 a) the daily disappearance of the sun below the western horizon b) the varying time of this c) the atmospheric phenomena at this time; esp., the color of the western sky at sunset 2 the final phase or decline (of a period) •adj. Æ 1 designating or of a law, bill, etc. requiring that certain government agencies, programs, etc. come to an end after a specified period unless they get legislative approval again 2 designating an industry that is in a final state of decline, as because of a diminished use of its products or an inability to meet foreign competition [ME sunne set, sonsette: see SUNRISE]
sunshade (-sheid') •n. a parasol, awning, broad hat, etc. used for protection against the sun's rays
sunshine (-shain') •n. 1 a) the shining of the sun b) the light and heat from the sun c) a sunny place or part 2 a) cheerfulness, happiness, etc. b) a source of this •adj. Æ designating or of a law, bill, etc., requiring that certain meetings, records, etc. of public bodies be open to the public sun´shin'y (-shain'i:) •adj.
sunspot (-spät') •n. any of the temporarily cooler regions appearing cyclically as dark spots on the surface of the sun, accompanied by increased geomagnetic disturbances
sunstroke (-strouk') •n. a form of heatstroke caused by excessive exposure to the sun sun´struck' (-strûk') •adj.
sunsuit (-su:t') •n. an article of clothing consisting of short pants with a bib and shoulder straps, worn by babies and young children
suntan (-tæn') •n. 1 a darkened condition of the skin resulting from exposure to the sun or a sunlamp 2 a reddish-brown color sun´-tanned' •adj.
sunup (-ûp') •n. SUNRISE
sunward (-wэrd) •adv. toward the sun Also sun´wards •adj. facing the sun
sunwise (-waiz') •adv., adj. in the direction of the sun's apparent motion across the sky; clockwise
suo jure (su:´ou jur´i:) in or by one's own right
suo loco (lou´kou) in one's or its own (i.e., proper) place
Suomi (swö´mi:) Finn. name of FINLAND
sup abbrev. 1 superior 2 superlative 3 supine 4 supplement 5 supplementary 6 supply
sup- (sûp) prefix SUB- Used before p [supply]
sup. above [L supra]
sup¹ (sûp) supped, sup´ping •n., vt., vi. [Dial.] SIP [ME soupen < OE supan, to sup, drink, akin to Ger saufen: see SUCK]
sup² (sûp) supped, sup´ping •vi. to eat the evening meal; have supper •vt. [Obs.] to provide with supper [ME soupen < OFr souper < soupe, soup, orig., a sop < VL suppa < WGmc *suppa < IE *seub-, var. of base *seu- > SUCK]
super (su:´pэr) •n. 1 short for: a) SUPERNUMERARY (esp. sense 2) b) SUPERINTENDENT (esp. sense 2) 2 [Colloq.] a product of superior grade, extra-large size, etc.: a trade term 3 Bookbinding a kind of starched cotton gauze used as reinforcing material in the spine of a book •adj. 1 [Colloq.] outstanding; exceptionally fine 2 great, extreme, or excessive •adv. [Colloq.] very, extremely, or excessively •vt. Bookbinding to reinforce with super [< fol. as used in numerous E comp.] super abbrev. 1 superfine 2 superior
super- (su:´pэr) prefix 1 over, above, on top of {superstructure, superscribe} 2 higher in rank or position than, superior to {superintendent} 3 a) greater in quality, amount, or degree than; surpassing {superfine, superabundant} b) greater or better than others of its kind {supermarket} 4 to a degree greater than normal {supersaturate} 5 extra, additional {supertax} 6 Chem. with a large amount of (the specified substance) {superphosphate}: now usually replaced by BI-¹, DI-¹, PER-, etc. [L < super, above < IE *eksuper (> Gr hyper) < *eghs (> EX-¹) + *uper, OVER]
super middleweight a boxer between a middleweight and a light heavyweight, with a maximum weight of 168 pounds (76.20 kg)
superable (su:´pэr э bэl) •adj. [Rare] that can be overcome or conquered; surmountable su´per·a·bly •adv. [L superabilis < superare, to overcome < super: see SUPER-]
superabound (su:'pэr э baund´) •vi. to be greatly or excessively abundant [ME superhabounden < LL superabundare: see SUPER- & ABOUND]
superabundant (-э bûn´dэnt) •adj. being more than is usual or needed; surplus; excess; overly abundant su'per·a·bun´dance •n. su'per·a·bun´dant·ly •adv. [ME superhabundaunt < LL superabundans, prp. of superabundare: see SUPER- & ABOUND]
superadd (-æd´) •vt. to put in as extra; add to what has already been added su'per·ad·di´tion (-э dish´эn) •n. [L superaddere: see SUPER- & ADD]
superalloy (-æl´oi') •n. an alloy that resists oxidation and can withstand high temperatures and stresses
superaltern (-öl´tэrn) •n. in traditional logic, a universal proposition that is the basis for immediate inference to a corresponding subaltern [SUPER- + (SUB)ALTERN]
superannuate (-æn´yu: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt., vi. 1 to set aside as, or become, old-fashioned or obsolete 2 to retire from service, esp. with a pension, because of old age or infirmity su'per·an'nu·a´tion (-wei´shэn) •n. [back-form. < fol.]
superannuated (-æn´yu: eit'id) •adj. 1 a) too old or worn for further work, service, etc. b) retired, esp. with a pension, because of old age or infirmity 2 obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated [< ML superannuatus, pp. of superannuari, to be too old < L super (see SUPER-) + annus, year (see ANNUAL)]
superb (sэ pørb´; also su-, su:-) •adj. 1 noble, grand, or majestic 2 rich, splendid, or magnificent 3 extremely fine; excellent su·perb´ly •adv. su·perb´ness •n. [L superbus, proud, haughty, delicate < super (see SUPER-) + -bus < IE *bhwos < base *bhū-, var. of *bheu-, to grow > BE]
superblock (su:´pэr bläk') •n. an urban area of several acres, usually closed to through traffic, having interrelated residences and industries along with commercial, social, and recreational facilities
supercalender (su:'pэr kæl´эn dэr) •n. a series of polished rollers used in papermaking to give an extra-high gloss to the paper •vt. to process with a supercalender [SUPER- + CALENDER¹]
supercargo (su:´pэr kär'gou) pl. -goes •n.or -gos an officer on a merchant ship who has charge of the cargo and the business dealings of the voyage [earlier supracargo < Sp sobrecargo < sobre, over (< L super: see SUPER-) + cargo, CARGO]
supercharge (-chärj') -charged', -charg'ing •vt. 1 to increase the power of (an engine), as by the use of a supercharger 2 PRESSURIZE (sense 1)
supercharger (-chär'jэr) •n. an engine-driven compressor used in some motor vehicles and airplanes to improve power by increasing the flow of air and fuel into the cylinders: also used in airplanes to pressurize cabins and to maintain adequate air pressure in the engine at higher altitudes
superciliary (su:'pэr sil´i: er'i:) •adj. of or near the eyebrow [ModL superciliarius < L supercilium: see SUPERCILIOUS]
supercilious (-sil´i: эs) •adj. disdainful or contemptuous; full of or characterized by pride or scorn; haughty SYN. PROUD su'per·cil´i·ous·ly •adv. su'per·cil´i·ous·ness •n. [L superciliosus < supercilium, eyebrow, hence (with reference to facial expression with raised brows) haughtiness < super-, above + cilium, eyelid (see CILIA)]
supercity (su:´pэr sit'i:) pl. -cit'ies •n. MEGALOPOLIS
superclass (su:´pэr klæs', -kläs') •n. a natural subdivision that includes a group of related classes within a zoological phylum or a botanical division
supercolossal (su:'pэr kэ läs´эl) •adj. extremely great, large, impressive, etc.: a term of hyperbolic description
superconductivity (-kän'dэk tiv´э ti:) Physics the phenomenon, exhibited by certain metals and alloys, as cadmium, aluminum, and mercury, of conducting electrical current without resistance when cooled to low temperatures Also su'per·con·duc´tion (-kэn dûk´shэn) •n. su'per·con·duct´ing or su'per·con·duc´tive •adj. su'per·con·duc´tor •n.
supercool (su:'pэr ku:l´) •vt. to cool (a liquid) below its freezing point without causing solidification •vi. to become supercooled
superdominant (-däm´э nэnt) •n. SUBMEDIANT
super-duper (su:´pэr du:´pэr) •adj. [Slang] extremely great, large, impressive, etc. [redupl. of SUPER]
superego (su:'pэr i:´gou) pl. -gos •n. Psychoanalysis that part of the psyche which is critical of the self or ego and enforces moral standards: at an unconscious level it blocks unacceptable impulses of the id
supereminent (su:'pэr em´э nэnt) •adj. eminent beyond others in rank, dignity, etc.; supremely remarkable, distinguished, etc. su'per·em´i·nence •n. su'per·em´i·nent·ly •adv. [LL supereminens < prp. of L supereminere, to rise above: see SUPER- & EMINENT]
supererogate (-er´э geit') -gat'ed, -gat'ing •vi. [Obs.] to do more than is required or expected [< LL supererogatus, pp. of supererogare, to pay out beyond what is expected < super- (see SUPER-) + erogare, to pay out (after consent by the people) < e- (for ex-), out + rogare, to ask: see ROGATION]
supererogation (-er'э gei´shэn) •n. the act of doing more than is required or expected [LL supererogatio < supererogatus: see SUPEREROGATE]
supererogatory (-i räg´э tör'i:) •adj. 1 done or observed beyond the degree required or expected 2 superfluous [ML supererogatorius: see SUPEREROGATE & -ORY]
superette (su:´pэr et', su:'pэr et´) •n. a small self-service grocery store [SUPER(MARKET) + -ETTE]
superfamily (su:´pэr fæm'э li:) pl. -lies •n. a natural subdivision ranking above a family and below an order, usually less extensive than a suborder
superfecta (su:'pэr fek´tэ) •n. a bet or betting procedure in which one wins if one correctly picks the first four finishers in a horse race in the order in which they finish [SUPER- + (PER)FECTA]
superfecundation (su:'pэr fi:'kэn dei´shэn, -fek'эn-) •n. the fertilization of two ova at separate times during the same ovulation period [SUPER- + FECUNDATION]
superfetation (-fi: tei´shэn) •n. the fertilization of an ovum during a pregnancy already in existence [ML superfetatio < L superfetatus, pp. of superfetare < super- (see SUPER-) + fetare, to bring forth, impregnate < fetus, FETUS]
superficial (su:'pэr fish´эl) •adj. 1 a) of or being on the surface {a superficial burn} b) of or limited to surface area; plane {superficial measurements} 2 concerned with and understanding only the easily apparent and obvious; not profound; shallow 3 quick and cursory {a superficial reading} 4 seeming such only at first glance; merely apparent {a superficial resemblance} su'per·fi'ci·al´i·ty (-i: æl´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. su'per·fi´cial·ly •adv. su'per·fi´cial·ness •n. SYN.—superficial implies concern with the obvious or surface aspects of a thing [superficial characteristics] and, in a derogatory sense, lack of thoroughness, profoundness, significance, etc. [superficial judgments]; shallow, in this connection always derogatory, implies a lack of depth of character, intellect, meaning, etc. [shallow writing]; cursory, which may or may not be derogatory, suggests a hasty consideration of something without pausing to note details [a cursory inspection] —ANT. deep, profound [ME superficyall < L superficialis < superficies: see SUPERFICIES]
superficies (su:'pэr fish´i: i:z', -fish´i:z) pl. -ci·es •n. 1 a surface; outer area 2 the outward form or aspect [L < super- (see SUPER-) + facies, FACE]
superfine (su:´pэr fain', su:'pэr fain´) •adj. 1 too subtle, delicate, or refined; overnice {a superfine distinction} 2 of exceptionally fine quality {superfine glassware} 3 extremely fine-grained {superfine sugar} [ME superfyne: see SUPER- & FINE¹]
superfix (su:´pэr fiks') Linguis. a pattern of stress, pitch, or juncture superposed on the segmental phonemes, as for indicating grammatical function (Ex.: in´sert, n., and in·sert´, v.) •n. [SUPER- + (AF)FIX]
superfluidity (su:'pэr flu: id´э ti:) •n. the phenomenon, exhibited by liquid helium at temperatures below 2.18°K, of flowing without friction and having very high thermal conductivity su'per·flu´id (-flu:´id) •n., adj.
superfluity (-flu:´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or quality of being superfluous 2 a quantity or number beyond what is needed; excess; superabundance 3 something superfluous; thing not needed [ME superfluite < OFr superfluité < L superfluitas]
superfluous (sэ pør´flu: эs; also su-, su:-) •adj. 1 being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive 2 not needed; unnecessary; irrelevant {a superfluous remark} 3 [Obs.] extravagant; prodigal su·per´flu·ous·ly •adv. su·per´flu·ous·ness •n. [L superfluus < superfluere, to overflow: see SUPER- & FLUCTUATE]
Superfund (su:´pэr fûnd') •n. [also s-] a U.S. government fund created for the cleanup or eradication of sites at which toxic waste, hazardous to the environment, has been dumped
supergiant (su:´pэr jai'эnt) •n. an immense and extremely luminous star, as Betelgeuse or Antares, that has a diameter at least 100 times that of the sun and that is 100 to more than 10,000 times as bright
superheat (su:'pэr hi:t´; for n., su:´pэr hi:t') •vt. 1 OVERHEAT 2 to heat (a liquid) above its boiling point without vaporizing it 3 to heat (steam not in contact with water) beyond its saturation point, so that a drop in temperature will not cause reconversion to water •n. the number of degrees by which the temperature of superheated steam exceeds the temperature of the steam at its saturation point su'per·heat´er •n.
superheterodyne (su:'pэr het´эr э dain') •adj. designating or of a form of radio reception in which part of the amplification prior to demodulation is carried out at an intermediate supersonic frequency produced by beating the frequency of the received carrier waves with that of locally generated oscillations •n. a radio set for this method of reception [SUPER(SONIC) + HETERODYNE]
superhigh frequency (su:´pэr hai') any radio frequency between 3,000 and 30,000 megahertz
superhighway (-hai´wei') •n. EXPRESSWAY
superhuman (su:'pэr hyu:´mэn) •adj. 1 having powers or a nature above that of man; divine; supernatural 2 greater than that of a normal human being su'per·hu´man·ly •adv. su'per·hu´man·ness •n.
superimpose (-im pouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to put, lay, or stack on top of something else 2 to add as a dominant or unassimilated feature su'per·im'po·si´tion (-im'pэ zish´эn) •n.
superincumbent (-in kûm´bэnt) •adj. 1 a) lying or resting on something else b) brought to bear from above (said of pressure) 2 arching over or overhanging su'per·in·cum´bence or su'per·in·cum´ben·cy •n. su'per·in·cum´bent·ly •adv. [L superincumbens, prp. of superincumbere: see SUPER- & INCUMBENT]
superinduce (-in du:s´, -dyu:s´) -duced´, -duc´ing •vt. to introduce or bring in as an addition to an existent condition, effect, etc. su'per·in·duc´tion (-dûk´shэn) •n. [L superinducere: see SUPER- & INDUCE]
superintend (-in tend´) •vt. to act as superintendent of; direct; supervise; manage su'per·in·tend´ence or su'per·in·tend´en·cy •n. [LL(Ec) superintendere: see SUPER- & INTEND]
superintendent (-in ten´dэnt) •n. 1 a person in charge of a department, institution, etc.; director; supervisor 2 a person responsible for the maintenance of a building; custodian •adj. that superintends [< LL(Ec) superintendens, prp. of superintendere, to superintend]
Superior (sэ pir´i: эr), Lake largest & westernmost of the Great Lakes, between Mich. & Ontario, Canada: 32,483 sq. mi. (84,130 sq. km) [orig. so called in Fr (Supérieur), from its position above Lake Huron] superior (sэ pir´i: эr) •adj. 1 higher in space; placed higher up; upper 2 high or higher in order, status, rank, etc. 3 greater in quality or value than: with to 4 above average in quality; excellent 5 refusing to give in to or be affected by: with to {a person superior to temptation} 6 showing a feeling of being better than others; haughty 7 more comprehensive or inclusive; generic: said of terms, concepts, etc. 8 Anat. located above or directed upward 9 a) Astron. farther from the sun than the earth is: said of six planets b) designating that conjunction which occurs when the sun is directly between the earth and an inferior planet 10 Bot. a) attached above some other organ, as the ovary of a hypogynous flower b) of the upper or adaxial petal of an axillary flower 11 Printing placed above the type line, as 2 in x² •n. 1 a superior person or thing 2 the head of a religious community su·pe´ri·or·ly •adv. [OFr < L, compar. of superus, that is above < super: see SUPER-]
superior court in some States, either a lower court of general jurisdiction or a court of appeals below the highest appellate court
superiority (sэ pir'i: ör´э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being superior, or higher, greater, better, etc. 2 pl. -ties an instance of this
superiority complex popularly, a feeling of superiority or exaggerated self-importance, often accompanied by excessive aggressiveness, arrogance, etc. which are compensation for feelings of inferiority Cf. INFERIORITY COMPLEX
superjacent (su:'pэr jei´sэnt) •adj. lying or resting above or upon [LL superjacens, prp. of superjacere < super-, over (see SUPER-) + jacere, to lie, be thrown down, throw: see JET¹]
superl superlative
superlative (sэ pør´lэ tiv; also su-, su:-) •adj. 1 superior to or excelling all other or others; of the highest kind, quality, degree, etc.; supreme 2 excessive or exaggerated 3 Gram. designating or of the extreme degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs; expressing the greatest degree of the quality or attribute expressed by the positive degree: usually indicated by the suffix -EST (hardest) or by the use of most with the positive form (most beautiful) •n. 1 the highest or utmost degree; acme; height; peak 2 something superlative 3 Gram. a) the superlative degree b) a word or form in this degree su·per´la·tive·ly •adv. su·per´la·tive·ness •n. [ME < MFr superlatif < LL superlativus < L superlatus, excessive < super-, above, beyond + latus, pp. of ferre, to BEAR¹]
superlunary (su:'pэr lu:n´эr i:) •adj. located above or beyond the moon Also su'per·lu´nar [< SUPER- + L luna, moon (see LUNAR) + -ARY]
superman (su:´pэr mæn') pl. -men' (-mэn') •n. 1 in the philosophy of Nietzsche, an idealized, superior, dominating human being, regarded as the goal of the evolutionary struggle for survival 2 a man having apparently superhuman powers [calque < Ger übermensch (< über, over + mensch, person), Nietzsche's term]
supermarket (-mär'kit) •n. a large, self-service, retail food store or market, often one of a chain
supernal (sэ pørn´эl; also su-, su:-) •adj. of, from, or as though from the heavens or the sky; celestial, heavenly, or divine su·per´nal·ly •adv. [LME < MFr < L supernus, upper < super, above: see SUPER-]
supernatant (su:'pэr neit´ªnt) •adj. 1 floating on the surface or over something 2 Chem. designating or of a liquid standing above a precipitate [L supernatans, prp. of supernatare, to swim above < super- (see SUPER-) + natare, to swim (see NATANT)]
supernatural (su:'pэr næch´эr эl) •adj. 1 existing or occurring outside the normal experience or knowledge of man; not explainable by the known forces or laws of nature; specif., of, involving, or attributed to God or a god 2 of, involving, or attributed to ghosts, spirits, the occult, etc. 3 exceeding normal bounds; extreme {skating with supernatural grace} the supernatural supernatural beings, forces, happenings, etc., esp. ghosts, spirits, and the like su'per·nat´u·ral·ly •adv. [ML supernaturalis: see SUPER- & NATURAL]
supernaturalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the quality or state of being supernatural 2 belief in the supernatural, esp. a belief that some supernatural, or divine, force controls nature and the universe su'per·nat´u·ral·ist •n., adj. su'per·nat'u·ral·is´tic •adj.
supernaturalize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make supernatural 2 to think of or treat as supernatural
supernormal (su:'pэr nör´mэl) •adj. 1 above normal 2 PARANORMAL su'per·nor´mal·ly •adv.
supernova (-nou´vэ) pl. -vae (-vi:) •n.or -vas a rare, extremely bright nova that suddenly increases up to a billion times in brightness and reaches an absolute magnitude of c. -16 [ModL: see SUPER- & NOVA]
supernumerary (-nu:´mэ rer'i:, -nyu:´-) •adj. 1 that exceeds or is beyond the regular or prescribed number; extra 2 that is beyond the number or quantity needed or desired; superfluous •n. pl. -ar'ies 1 a supernumerary person or thing 2 Theater a person with a small, nonspeaking part, as in a mob scene [LL supernumerarius < L super, above (see SUPER-) + numerus, NUMBER]
superorder (su:´pэr ör'dэr) •n. a natural subdivision between an order and a class or subclass of plants or animals
superordinate (su:'pэr örd´ªn it) •adj. of a superior kind, rank, status, etc. [SUPER- + (SUB)ORDINATE]
superorganism (-ör´gэn iz'эm) •n. a colony of interdependent organisms, as in the social insects, whose castes, individuals, etc. act as a unit
superovulation (-äv'yu: lei´shэn, -yэ-; -ou'vyu:-, -vyэ-) •n. the release of a larger-than-normal number of eggs for fertilization, esp. when artificially induced by injected hormones to produce embryos for transplantation, frozen storage, etc. su'per·ov´u·late' (-leit') •vt., vi.
superparasite (-per´э sait') •n. an organism that lives as a parasite upon another parasite
superpatriot (-pei´tri: эt) •n. a person who is or professes to be a devout patriot, often to the point of fanaticism su'per·pa'tri·ot´ic (-pei'tri: ät´ik) •adj. su'per·pa´tri·ot·ism' •n.
superphosphate (-fäs´feit') •n. an acid phosphate, esp. a mixture mainly of monobasic calcium phosphate and gypsum, made by treating bone, phosphate rock, etc. with sulfuric acid and used as fertilizer
superphysical (-fiz´i kэl) •adj. beyond the physical or the known laws of physics; hyperphysical
superplasticity (-plæs tis´э ti:) •n. the phenomenon, exhibited by certain metals and alloys usually at high temperatures, of stretching to extreme lengths without breaking su´per·plas'tic (-tik) •adj., n.
superpose (-pouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to lay or place on, over, or above something else 2 Geom. to make (one figure) coincide with another in all parts, by or as if by placing one on top of the other su'per·pos´a·ble •adj. su'per·po·si´tion (-pэ zish´эn) •n. [Fr superposer < L superpositus, pp. of superponere, to place over: see SUPER- & POSE¹]
superposed (-pouzd´) •adj. Bot. growing or lying directly above another part or organ [pp. of prec.]
superpower (su:´pэr pau'эr) •n. 1 power that is superior or very great 2 any of the few top world powers competing with one another for international influence
supersaturate (su:'pэr sæch´э reit') -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vt. to make more highly concentrated than in normal saturation at a given temperature su'per·sat'u·ra´tion •n. [SUPER- + SATURATE, after Fr sursaturer]
superscribe (su:´pэr skraib') -scribed', -scrib'ing •vt. to write, mark, or engrave (an inscription, name, etc.) at the top or on an outer surface of (something); specif., to write (a name, address, etc.) on (an envelope, parcel, etc.) [L superscribere: see SUPER- & SCRIBE]
superscript (-skript') •adj. written above; esp., SUPERIOR (adj. 11) •n. a figure, letter, or symbol written above and to the side of another {in y² and xn, 2 and n are superscripts} [L superscriptus, pp.: see SUPERSCRIBE]
superscription (su:'pэr skrip´shэn) •n. 1 the act of superscribing 2 something superscribed; esp., an address on a letter, etc. 3 Pharmacy the Latin word recipe (meaning take) or its symbol, ##, on a prescription [ME superscripcioun < L superscriptio]
supersede (-si:d´) -sed´ed, -sed´ing •vt. 1 to cause to be set aside or dropped from use as inferior or obsolete and replaced by something else 2 to take the place of in office, function, etc.; succeed 3 to remove or cause to be removed so as to make way for another; supplant SYN. REPLACE su'per·sed´er •n. Æ su'per·se´dure (-si:´jэr) or su'per·sed´ence •n. [MFr superseder, to leave off, give over < L supersedere, lit., to sit over, preside over, forbear: see SUPER- & SIT]
supersedeas (-si:´di: æs') •n. a legal document issued to halt or delay the action of some process of law [ME < L, you shall desist < supersedere: see SUPERSEDE]
supersensible (-sen´sэ bэl) •adj. outside or beyond the range of perception by the senses su'per·sen´si·bly •adv.
supersensitive (-sen´sэ tiv) •adj. extremely sensitive su'per·sen'si·tiv´i·ty •n.
supersensory (-sen´sэ ri:) •adj. SUPERSENSIBLE
supersession (-sesh´эn) •n. a superseding or being superseded su'per·ses´sive (-ses´iv) •adj. [ML supersessio < L supersessus, pp. of supersedere]
supersonic (-sän´ik) •adj. 1 designating, of, or moving at a speed in a surrounding fluid greater than that of sound in the same fluid 2 ULTRASONIC su'per·son´i·cal·ly •adv. [SUPER- + SONIC]
supersonics (-sän´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the science dealing with supersonic phenomena: specif., the study of the aerodynamics of supersonic speeds [see SUPERSONIC & -ICS]
superstar (su:´pэr stär') •n. a very prominent performer, as in sports or the entertainment industry, considered to have exceptional skill and talent
superstation (-stei'shэn) •n. a local TV station whose broadcasts are relayed via electronic satellite to cable TV systems over a large geographical area
superstition (su:'pэr stish´эn) •n. 1 any belief, based on fear or ignorance, that is inconsistent with the known laws of science or with what is generally considered in the particular society as true and rational; esp., such a belief in charms, omens, the supernatural, etc. 2 any action or practice based on such a belief 3 such beliefs collectively [ME supersticion < MFr < L superstitio, excessive fear of the gods, superstition, orig., a standing still over < superstare, to stand over < super-, SUPER- + stare, to STAND]
superstitious (-эs) •adj. 1 of, characterized by, or resulting from superstition 2 having superstitions su'per·sti´tious·ly •adv. su'per·sti´tious·ness •n.
superstratum (su:´pэr streit'em, -stræt'-) pl. -stra'ta (-э) •n.or -stra'tums a stratum lying over another
superstring (su:´pэr striŋ') •n. Physics a theoretical object analogous to an elementary particle, consisting of a curve of finite length but only one dimension, which vibrates within a framework of ten dimensions
superstructure (-strûk'chэr) •n. 1 a structure built on top of another: sometimes used figuratively 2 that part of a building above the foundation 3 that part of a ship above the main deck
supersubtle (su:'pэr sût´ªl) •adj. extremely subtle or too subtle su'per·sub´tle·ty (-ti:) •n.
supertanker (su:´pэr tæŋ'kэr) •n. an extremely large tanker, of about 300,000 tons or more
supertax (su:´pэr tæks') •n. an additional tax; esp., a surtax
supertitle (-tait'ªl) •n. one or more lines of a translation of the lyrics of an opera, oratorio, etc. in a foreign language, displayed above the stage during a performance
supertonic (su:'pэr tän´ik) •n. Music the second tone of a diatonic scale, next above the tonic
supervene (su:'pэr vi:n´) -vened´, -ven´ing •vi. 1 to come or happen as something extraneous or unexpected 2 to take place; ensue su'per·ven´ient (-vi:n´yэnt) •adj. su'per·ven´tion (-ven´shэn) or su'per·ven´ience (-vi:n´yэns) •n. [L supervenire, to come over or upon, follow < super- (see SUPER-) + venire, to COME]
supervise (su:´pэr vaiz') -vised', -vis'ing •vt., vi. to oversee, direct, or manage (work, workers, a project, etc.); superintend su'per·vi´sion (-vizh´эn) •n. [< ML supervisus, pp. of supervidere < L super- (see SUPER-) + videre, to see: see VISION]
supervisor (su:´pэr vai'zэr) •n. 1 a person who supervises; superintendent; manager; director Æ 2 in certain school systems, an official in charge of the courses of study for a particular subject and of all teachers of that subject su'per·vi´so·ry •adj.
supinate (su:´pэ neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vt., vi. to rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm faces upward or forward See PRONATE su'pi·na´tion •n. [< L supinatus, pp. of supinare, to lay backward < supinus, SUPINE]
supinator (su:´pэ neit'эr) •n. the muscle in the forearm by which supination is effected
supine (su:´pain'; also, for adj., su: pain´) •adj. 1 lying on the back, face upward 2 with the palm upward or away from the body: said of the hand 3 [Old Poet.] leaning or sloping backward 4 mentally or morally inactive; sluggish; listless; passive •n. Gram. 1 a Latin verbal noun formed from the stem of the past participle and having only an accusative and an ablative form 2 an infinitive in English preceded by to SYN. PRONE su´pine'ly •adv. su´pine'ness •n. [L supinus, prob. akin to sub-: see SUB-]
supp or suppl 1 supplement 2 supplementary
supper (sûp´эr) •n. 1 an evening meal; specif., a) dinner, when eaten in the evening b) a late, usually light, evening meal, as one eaten after attending the theater Æ 2 an evening social affair at which a meal is served {church supper} [ME souper < OFr, orig. inf., to SUP²]
supper club an intimate, expensive nightclub
supplant (sэ plænt´, -plänt´) •vt. 1 to take the place of; supersede, esp. through force or plotting 2 to remove or uproot in order to replace with something else SYN. REPLACE sup·plan·ta·tion (sûp'læn tei´shэn) •n. sup·plant´er •n. [ME supplanten < OFr supplanter < L supplantare, to put under the sole of the foot, trip up < sub-, under (see SUB-) + planta, sole of the foot: see PLANT]
supple (sûp´эl) -pler, -plest •adj. 1 easily bent or twisted; flexible; pliant 2 able to bend and move easily and nimbly; lithe; limber {a supple body} 3 easily changed or influenced; compliant 4 yielding too easily; obsequious 5 adaptable, as to changes {a supple mind} •vt., vi. -pled, -pling to make or become supple SYN. ELASTIC sup´ple·ly •adv. sup´ple·ness •n. [ME souple < OFr < L supplex, humble, submissive, akin to supplicare: see SUPPLICATE]
supplejack (-jæk') •n. Æ 1 a twining, woody, North American vine (Berchemia scandens) of the buckthorn family, with tough stems, greenish-white flowers, and dark-purple fruit 2 a) a tropical American woody vine (Paullinia curassavica) of the soapberry family, the wood of which is used for walking sticks b) such a walking stick
supplement (sûp´lэ mэnt; for v., -ment') •n. 1 something added, esp. to make up for a lack or deficiency 2 a section added to a book or the like to give additional information, correct errors in the body of the work, etc. Æ 3 a separate section containing feature stories, comic strips, or the like, issued with a newspaper 4 the amount to be added to a given angle or arc to make 180° or a semicircle •vt. to provide a supplement to; add to, esp. so as to make up for a lack or deficiency sup'ple·men´tal •adj. sup'ple·men·ta´tion (-mэn tei´shэn) •n. [ME < L supplementum < supplere: see SUPPLY¹]
supplementary (sûp'lэ men´tэr i:) •adj. supplying what is lacking; additional •n. pl. -ries a supplementary person or thing
supplementary angle either of two angles that together equal 180°
suppletion (sэ pli:´shэn) •n. Linguis. 1 a) the occurrence of an allomorph of a morpheme which has no phonological similarity to the other allomorphs (Ex.: the -en of oxen, as opposed to a form ending in -s) b) the use of an unrelated word (suppletive form) in a paradigm (Ex.: went for the past tense of go) 2 the morphological process by which such replacement occurs sup·ple·tive (sûp´lэ tiv, sэ pli:t´iv) •adj. [ME supplecioun < ML suppletio < L suppletus: see SUPPLETORY]
suppletory (sûp´lэ tör'i:) •adj. SUPPLEMENTARY [LL suppletorius < L suppletus, pp. of supplere, to SUPPLY¹]
suppliance (sûp´li: эns) •n. SUPPLICATION [< fol.]
suppliant (sûp´li: эnt) •n. a person who supplicates; petitioner •adj. [MFr, prp. of supplier < L supplicare, to SUPPLICATE] 1 asking humbly; supplicating; entreating 2 expressing supplication {suppliant words} sup´pli·ant·ly •adv. [ME suppliaunt: see the adj.]
supplicant (sûp´lэ kэnt) •adj. that supplicates; supplicating •n. a person who supplicates; suppliant
supplicate (sûp´lэ keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to ask for humbly and earnestly, as by prayer 2 to make a humble request of; petition earnestly •vi. to make a humble request or supplication, esp. in prayer SYN. APPEAL sup´pli·ca·to'ry (-kэ tör'i:) •adj. sup´pli·ca'tor •n. [ME supplicaten < L supplicatus, pp. of supplicare, to kneel down, pray < sub-, SUB- + plicare, to fold, double up: see PLY¹]
supplication (sûp'lэ kei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of supplicating 2 a humble request, prayer, petition, etc.
supply¹ (sэ plai´) -plied´, -ply´ing •vt. 1 to give, furnish, or provide (what is needed or wanted) {to supply tools to workers} 2 to meet the needs or requirements of; furnish, provide, or equip with what is needed or wanted {to supply workers with tools} 3 to compensate for; make good {to supply a deficiency} 4 to act as a substitute in; fill or serve in temporarily {to supply another's pulpit} •vi. to serve as a temporary substitute •n. pl. -plies´ 1 the act of supplying 2 an amount or quantity available for use; stock; store 3 [pl.] materials, provisions, etc. for supplying an army, expedition, a business, etc.; sometimes, specif., provisions for an army other than materiel, vehicles, etc. 4 [often pl.] [Chiefly Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] an amount of money granted for government expenses; appropriation 5 a temporary substitute, as for a minister 6 [Obs.] a) aid; assistance b) reinforcements 7 Econ. the amount of a commodity available for purchase at a given price: opposed to DEMAND •adj. 1 having to do with a supply or supplies 2 serving as a substitute sup·pli´er •n. [ME supplyen < MFr supplier < L supplere, to fill up < sub-, SUB- + plere, to fill: see FULL¹]
supply² (sûp´li:) •adv. in a supple manner; supplely
supply-side (sэ plai´said') •adj. designating or of an economic theory that an increase in money for investment, as supplied by lowering taxes, will increase productivity
supply-sider (-said'эr) •n. one who advocates or puts into practice supply-side economic theory
support (sэ pört´) •vt. 1 a) to carry or bear the weight of; keep from falling, slipping or sinking; hold up b) to carry or bear (a specified weight, strain, pressure, etc.) 2 to give courage, faith, or confidence to; help or comfort 3 to give approval to or be in favor of; subscribe to; uphold 4 to maintain or provide for (a person, institution, etc.) with money, or subsistence 5 to show or tend to show to be true; help prove, vindicate, or corroborate {evidence to support a claim} 6 to bear; endure; submit to; tolerate 7 to keep up; maintain; sustain; specif., to maintain (the price of a specified commodity) as by government purchase of surpluses 8 Theater to act a subordinate role in the same play with (a specified star) •n. 1 a supporting or being supported 2 a person or thing that supports; specif., a) a prop, base, brace, etc. b) a means of subsistence c) an elastic, girdlelike device to support or bind a part of the body sup·port´a·ble •adj. sup·port´a·bly •adv. SYN.—support, the broadest of these terms, suggests a favoring of someone or something, either by giving active aid or merely by approving or sanctioning [to support a candidate for office]; uphold suggests that what is being supported is under attack [to uphold civil rights for all]; sustain implies full active support so as to strengthen or keep from failing [sustained by his hope for the future]; maintain suggests a supporting so as to keep intact or unimpaired [to maintain the law, a family, etc.]; advocate implies support in speech or writing and sometimes connotes persuasion or argument [to advocate a change in policy]; back (often back up) suggests support, as financial aid, moral encouragement, etc., given to prevent failure [I'll back you up in your demands] [ME supporten < MFr supporter < LL(Ec) supportare, to endure, bear < L, to carry, bring to a place < sub-, SUB- + portare, to carry: see PORT³]
supporter (-эr) •n. 1 a person who supports; advocate; adherent; partisan 2 a thing that supports; esp., a) an elastic, girdlelike device worn to support the back, abdomen, etc. Æ b) JOCKSTRAP (in full athletic supporter) Æ c) GARTER 3 Heraldry either of a pair of figures, as of animals or men, standing one on either side of a shield SYN. FOLLOWER
supporting (-iŋ) •adj. Theater, Film designating or of an actor or role that is subordinate to or of lesser importance than that of a lead or principal
supportive (-iv) •adj. that gives support, help, or approval
suppose (sэ pouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. 1 to assume to be true, as for the sake of argument or to illustrate a proof {suppose A equals B} 2 to believe, think, guess, etc. {I suppose you're right} 3 PRESUPPOSE (sense 2) 4 to consider as a proposed or suggested possibility: used in the imperative {suppose they don't come} 5 to expect or obligate: always in the passive {you're supposed to telephone} •vi. to make a supposition; conjecture sup·pos´a·ble •adj. sup·pos´a·bly •adv. sup·pos´er •n. [ME supposen < MFr supposer, to suppose, imagine, altered (infl. by poser: see POSE¹) < ML supponere, to suppose, assume < L, to put under, substitute < sub-, SUB- + ponere: see POSITION]
supposed (sэ pouzd´, -pou´zid) •adj. 1 regarded as true, genuine, etc., without actual knowledge 2 merely imagined
supposedly (sэ pou´zid li:) •adv. according to what is, was, or may be supposed
supposition (sûp'э zish´эn) •n. 1 the act of supposing 2 something supposed; assumption; hypothesis Also sup·pos·al (sэ pou´zэl) sup'po·si´tion·al •adj. sup'po·si´tion·al·ly •adv. [OFr < L suppositio < suppositus, pp. of supponere: see SUPPOSE]
suppositious (-эs) •adj. SUPPOSITITIOUS
supposititious (sэ päz'э tish´эs) •adj. 1 substituted with intent to deceive or defraud; spurious; counterfeit 2 suppositional; hypothetical sup·pos'i·ti´tious·ly •adv. [L suppositicius < suppositus: see SUPPOSITION]
suppositive (sэ päz´э tiv) •adj. having the nature of, based on, or involving supposition •n. Gram. a conjunction introducing a supposition, as if, assuming, provided, etc. [LL suppositivus]
suppository (sэ päz´э tör'i:) pl. -ries •n. a small piece of medicated substance, usually conical, ovoid, or cylindrical, introduced into a body passage, as the rectum or vagina, where body heat causes it to melt [ME suppositorie < ML suppositorium < neut. of L suppositorius, placed underneath < suppositus: see SUPPOSITION]
suppress (sэ pres´) •vt. 1 a) to put down by force; subdue; quell; crush b) to abolish by authority 2 to keep from appearing or being known, published, etc. {to suppress a news story, a book, etc.} 3 to keep back; restrain; check {to suppress a laugh, a cough, etc.} 4 to check or stop (a natural flow, secretion, or excretion) 5 Electronics, Radio, etc. to eliminate or weaken (an unwanted oscillation, echo, etc.) in a circuit 6 Psychiatry to consciously dismiss from the mind (unacceptable ideas, impulses, etc.): cf. REPRESS sup·press´i·ble •adj. sup·pres´sive •adj. sup·pres´sive·ly •adv. sup·pres´sor •n. [ME suppressen < L suppressus, pp. of supprimere, to press under, suppress < sub-, SUB- + premere, to PRESS¹]
suppressant (-эnt) •n. something, esp. a drug, that tends to suppress an action, condition, etc. {appetite, pain, and cough suppressants}
suppression (sэ presh´эn) •n. 1 a suppressing or being suppressed 2 Psychiatry a) the mechanism by which unacceptable ideas, impulses, etc. are suppressed b) something suppressed in this way [L suppressio]
suppurate (sûp´yu: reit') -rat'ed, -rat'ing •vi. to form or discharge pus; fester sup'pu·ra´tion •n. sup´pu·ra'tive •adj. [< L suppuratus, pp. of suppurare, to form pus underneath < sup-, SUB- + pus (gen. puris), PUS]
supra (su:´prэ) •adv. above [L]
supra- (su:´prэ) prefix above, over, beyond, or before {suprarenal} [< L supra, above, over, akin to super: see SUPER-]
supralapsarian (su:'prэ læp ser´i: эn) •n. any of a group of Calvinists who held that God's plan of salvation for some people preceded the fall of man from grace, which had been predestined: opposed to INFRALAPSARIAN •adj. of this doctrine su'pra·lap·sar´i·an·ism' •n. [< prec. + L lapsus, a fall (see LAPSE) + -ARIAN]
supraliminal (-lim´i nэl) •adj. above the threshold of consciousness; at a conscious level [SUPRA- + LIMINAL]
supramolecular (-mou lek´yu lэr, -mэ-) •adj. composed of more than one molecule
supranational (-næsh´э nэl) •adj. of, for, involving, or over all nations or a number of nations {supranational authority}
supraorbital (-ör´bitªl, -bэ tэl) •adj. Anat. situated above the orbit of the eye
suprarenal (-ri:n´эl) •adj. situated on or above the kidney; specif., designating or of an adrenal gland •n. an adrenal gland [ModL suprarenalis: see SUPRA- & RENAL]
suprasegmental phonemes (-seg ment´ªl) phonemes or features of speech, as pitch, stress, and juncture, that may extend over and modify series of SEGMENTAL PHONEMES
supremacist (sэ prem´э sist; also su-, su:-) •n. a person who believes in or promotes the supremacy of a particular group {a white supremacist}
supremacy (-prem´э si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the quality or state of being supreme 2 supreme power or authority [< fol. + -ACY]
supreme (-pri:m´) •adj. 1 highest in rank, power, authority, etc.; dominant 2 highest in quality, achievement, performance, etc.; most excellent 3 highest in degree; utmost {a supreme fool} 4 final; ultimate su·preme´ly •adv. su·preme´ness •n. [L supremus, superl. of superus, that is above < super: see SUPER-]
Supreme Being God
Supreme Court Æ 1 the highest Federal court, consisting of nine judges: its decisions are final and take precedence over those of all other judicial bodies in the country Æ 2 the highest court in most States
supreme sacrifice the sacrifice of one's life
Supreme Soviet 1 the legislative body of the Soviet Union: it consisted of two equal chambers, the Soviet of the Union (whose members were elected on the basis of population) and the Soviet of Nationalities (whose members were elected by the various nationality groups) 2 a) a part of the legislative body of Russia b) the legislative body of Uzbekistan
Supt Superintendent
sur-¹ (sør) prefix over, upon, above, beyond {surcoat, surface} [ME < OFr sur-, sour- < L super, supra, over: see SUPER-]
sur-² (sør) prefix SUB-: used before r {surrogate}
sura (su:´rэ, sur´э) •n. any of the main divisions, or chapters, of the Koran [Ar sūra, lit., enclosure]
Surabaja or Surabaya (su:'řä bä´yä) seaport in NE Java, Indonesia, opposite Madura: pop. 2,028,000
surah (sur´э) •n. a soft, twilled fabric of silk or rayon [after SURAT: orig. used of coarse cotton goods made there]
Surakarta (su:'řä käř´tä) city in central Java, Indonesia: pop. 470,000
sural (su:´rэl, sur´эl) •adj. Anat. of the calf of the leg [ModL suralis < L sura, calf of the leg]
Surat (su: ræt´, sur´эt) seaport in Gujarat state, W India, on the Arabian Sea: pop. 913,000
surbase (sør´beis') •n. a molding along the top of a base, as of a pedestal, baseboard, etc.
surbased (-beist') •adj. 1 having a surbase [< prec. + -ED] 2 designating an arch whose rise is less than half its span [< Fr surbaissé < sur- (see SUR-¹) + baissé, pp. of baisser, to lower < VL *bassiare < bassus: see BASE²]
surcease (sør si:s´; for n., usually sør´si:s') -ceased´, -ceas´ing •vt., vi. [Archaic] to stop; end •n. an end, or cessation [ME sursessen < OFr sursis, pp. of surseoir, to pause, delay < L supersedere, to refrain from: see SUPERSEDE]
surcharge (sør´chärj'; also, for v., sэr chärj´) -charged´, -charg´ing •vt. 1 to overcharge 2 to overload; overburden 3 to fill to excess or beyond normal capacity 4 to mark (a postage stamp) with a surcharge 5 Law to show an omission, as of a credit, in (an account) •n. 1 a) an additional amount added to the usual charge b) an overcharge 2 an extra or excessive load, burden, etc. 3 a new valuation overprinted on a postage stamp, etc., to change its denomination 4 Law the act of surcharging [ME surchargen < OFr surcharger: see SUR-¹ & CHARGE]
surcingle (sør´siŋ'gэl) •n. 1 a strap passed around a horse's body to bind on a saddle, blanket, pack, etc. 2 [Historical] the belt of a cassock [ME surcengle < MFr < OFr sur-, SUR-¹ + L cingulum, a belt: see CINGULUM]
surcoat (-kout') •n. an outer coat or gown; esp. in the Middle Ages, a loose, short cloak worn over armor [ME surcote < MFr: see SUR-¹ & COAT]
surculose (sør´kyu: lous') •adj. Bot. having suckers [ModL surculosus < L, woody < surculus, twig, graft, sucker, dim. of surus, twig, branch < IE base *swer-, a stake > OE swier, a post]
surd (sørd) •adj. 1 Math. IRRATIONAL 2 Phonet. VOICELESS (adj. 6) •n. 1 Math. an irrational number or quantity; specif., a root which can be expressed only approximately {√5 is a surd} 2 Phonet. a voiceless sound [L surdus, deaf, dull, mute: used to transl. Gr alogos, irrational, lit., without reason]
sure (shur) sur´er, sur´est •adj. 1 orig., secure or safe 2 that will not fail; always effective {a sure method} 3 that can be relied upon; trustworthy {a sure friend} 4 that cannot be doubted, questioned, or disputed; absolutely true; certain 5 having or showing no doubt; positive; confident {to be sure of one's facts} 6 that can be counted on to be or happen {a sure defeat} 7 bound or destined to do, experience, or be something specified {sure to be elected} 8 never missing; unerring {a sure aim} •adv. [Colloq.] 1 surely; inevitably 2 certainly; indeed: an intensive, often used as an affirmative answer to questions for sure certain(ly); without doubt make sure to be or cause to be certain sure enough [Colloq.] certainly; without doubt to be sure surely; certainly sure´ness •n. SYN.—sure, the simple word, suggests merely an absence of doubt or hesitancy [I'm sure you don't mean it]; certain usually suggests conviction based on specific grounds or evidence [this letter makes me certain of his innocence]; confident stresses the firmness of one's certainty or sureness, esp. in some expectation [she's confident she'll win]; positive suggests unshakable confidence, esp. in the correctness of one's opinions or conclusions, sometimes to the point of dogmatism [he's too positive in his beliefs] —ANT. doubtful [OFr seur < L securus: see SECURE]
sure thing [Colloq.] 1 something considered certain to win, succeed, etc. 2 all right; OK: used interjectionally
sure-enough (shur´i nûf´) •adj. [Colloq.] real; actual
sure-fire (-fair') •adj. [Colloq.] sure to be successful or as expected; that will not fail
sure-footed (-fut´id) •adj. not likely to stumble, slip, fall, or err sure´-foot´ed·ly •adv. sure´-foot´ed·ness •n.
surely (-li:) •adv. 1 with assurance or confidence; in a sure, unhesitating manner 2 without a doubt; assuredly; certainly: often used as an intensive emphasizing a supposition {surely you don't believe that!} 3 without risk of failing: chiefly in slowly but surely