south-southwest (-west´) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due south and southwest; 22°30' west of due south •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind
southward (sauθ´wэrd; naut. sûð´эrd) •adv., adj. toward the south •n. a southward direction, point, or region
southwardly (-li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the south 2 from the south {a southwardly wind}
southwards (-wэrdz) •adv. SOUTHWARD
Southwark (sûð´эrk) borough of Greater London, England: pop. 221,000
southwest (sauθ'west´; naut. sau-) •n. 1 the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between south and west; 45° west of due south 2 a district or region in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the southwest 2 from the southwest {a southwest wind} •adv. in, toward, or from the southwest Æ the Southwest the southwestern part of the U.S., esp. Okla., Tex., N.Mex., Ariz., and S Calif.
southwest by south the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between southwest and south-southwest; 11°15' south of southwest
southwest by west the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between southwest and west-southwest; 11°15' west of southwest
southwester (sauθ'wes´tэr; naut. sau-) •n. 1 a storm or strong wind from the southwest 2 a sailor's waterproof coat or hat of oilskin, canvas, etc.: the hat has a brim that broadens in the back to protect the neck
southwesterly (-ter li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the southwest 2 from the southwest, as a wind
southwestern (-tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing southwest 2 from the southwest {a southwestern wind} Æ 3 [S-] of or characteristic of the Southwest South'west´ern·er •n.
southwestward (-west´wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the southwest •n. a southwestward direction, point, or region
southwestwardly (-wэrd li:) •adv., adj. 1 toward the southwest 2 from the southwest {a southwestwardly wind}
southwestwards (-wэrdz) •adv. SOUTHWESTWARD
Soutine (su ti:n´), Cha·im (khai´im) 1894-1943; Fr. painter, born in Lithuania
souvenir (su:'vэ nir´, su:´vэ nir') •n. something kept or serving as a reminder of a place, person, or occasion; keepsake; memento [Fr, orig. inf., to remember < L subvenire, to come to mind: see SUBVENE]
souvenir sheet (or card) a sheet (or card) with one or more commemorative postage stamps or reproductions, with an inscription to mark a philatelic or historical event
souvlakia (su: vlä´ki: э) •n. a Greek version of shish kebab, for which the meat is marinated before broiling Also sou·vla´ki (-ki:) [< ModGr soubla, skewer < Gr, awl; akin to L subula < IE *siūdhla < base *siw-, SEW]
sou'wester (sau wes´tэr) •n. SOUTHWESTER
sovereign (säv´rэn, -эr in; occas. sûv´-) •adj. 1 above or superior to all others; chief; greatest; supreme 2 supreme in power, rank, or authority 3 of or holding the position of ruler; royal; reigning 4 independent of all others {a sovereign state} 5 excellent; outstanding 6 very effectual, as a cure or remedy •n. 1 a person who possesses sovereign authority or power; specif., a monarch or ruler 2 a British gold coin valued at 20 shillings or one pound sterling, no longer minted for circulation sov´er·eign·ly •adv. [ME soveraine < OFr < VL *superanus < L super, above, OVER]
sovereignty (-ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or quality of being sovereign 2 the status, dominion, rule, or power of a sovereign 3 supreme and independent political authority 4 a sovereign state or governmental unit [ME soverainete < Anglo-Fr sovereyneté, OFr souveraineté]
soviet (sou´vi: et', -it; sou'vi: et´) •n. 1 a) in the Soviet Union, and now in Russia & Uzbekistan, any of the various governing councils, local, intermediate, and national, elected by and representing the people: they constitute a pyramidal governmental structure, with the village and town soviets as its base and the Supreme Soviet as its apex b) any similar council in a socialist governing system 2 [S-] [pl.] the government officials or the people of the Soviet Union, Russia, or Uzbekistan •adj. 1 of a soviet or soviets or government by soviets 2 [S-] of or connected with the Soviet Union [Russ sovyet, council, advice < s(o)-, together (< IE *kom-: see COM-) + -vèt, speak, ult. < IE base *weid-, to see, know, make known > WISE¹]
Soviet Union UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS Also Soviet Russia
sovietism (sou´vi: et'iz'эm) •n. [often S-] 1 government by soviets or the Soviets 2 the system, principles, practices, etc. of such government
sovietize (sou´vi: et'aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. [often S-] 1 to change to a soviet form of government 2 to make conform with the system, principles, practices, etc. of the Soviets so'vi·et·i·za´tion •n.
Sovietology (sou'vi: et'äl´э ji:') •n. the study of the political and economic policies, practices, etc. of the Soviet Union So'vi·et·ol´o·gist •n. [SOVIET + -OLOGY]
sovkhoz (säv´köz) pl. -khoz·y (-köz i:) •n. a state-owned farm in the Soviet Union
sow bug (sau) any of several small terrestrial isopods (esp. genus Oniscus) living in damp places, as under rocks
sow thistle (sau) any of several weeds (genus Sonchus) of the composite family, with yellow flower heads and spiny leaves [ME sowethistel (parallel with Ger saudistel): see SOW¹ & THISTLE]
sow¹ (sau) •n. 1 a) an adult female pig b) an adult female of certain other mammals, as the bear 2 a) a channel or sluice carrying molten metal from a blast furnace to the molds in which pig bars are cast b) a large mass of metal that has solidified in this channel [ME sowe < OE sugu, akin to Ger sau (OHG su) < IE base *sū-, pig > SWINE, L sus]
sow² (sou) sowed, sown (soun) or sowed, sow´ing •vt. 1 to scatter or plant (seed) for growing 2 to plant seed in or on (a field, ground, earth, etc.) 3 to spread or scatter; broadcast, disseminate, or propagate {to sow hate} 4 to implant; inculcate {to sow suspicion} •vi. to sow seed for growing sow´er •n. [ME sowen < OE sawan, akin to Ger säen < IE base *sē(i) > SEED]
sowbelly (sau´bel'i:) •n. [Colloq.] SALT PORK
sowens (sou´эnz, su:´-) •n.pl. [Scot.] a porridge made from fermented oat husks [Gael sūghan < sūgh, sap < IE *seug-: see SUCK]
sox (säks) alt. pl. of SOCK¹ (sense 3) •n.
soy (soi) •n. 1 SOY SAUCE 2 the soybean plant or its seeds Also [Chiefly Brit.] soy·a (soi´э) [Jpn, prob. dial. var. of SinoJpn shōyu < shō, rice, wheat, or beans fermented & steeped in brine + yu, oil]
soy sauce a dark, salty sauce made from soybeans fermented and steeped in brine, used esp. as a flavoring in Chinese and Japanese dishes
soybean (soi´bi:n') •n. 1 an annual crop plant (Glycine max) of the pea family, native to China and Japan but widely grown for its seeds, which contain much protein and oil, and as a forage and cover crop 2 its seed [prec. + BEAN]
Soyer (soi´эr) 1 Moses (1899-1974) U.S. painter, born in Russia 2 Raphael (1899-1987) U.S. painter, born in Russia: twin brother of Moses
Soyinka (shö yiŋ´kэ), Wo·le (wou´lei) (born Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka) 1934- ; Nigerian playwright
soyuz (sä´yu:z; Russ sû yu:z´) •n. any of a series of Soviet manned spacecraft capable of docking in space [Russ]
sozzled (säz´эld) •adj. [Colloq.] drunk; intoxicated [pp. of dial. sozzle, sossle, to mix in a sloppy manner, splash]
SP 1 Shore Patrol 2 Submarine Patrol Sp 1 Spain 2 Spaniard 3 Spanish sp 1 special 2 species 3 specific 4 spelling
Sp Am 1 Spanish America 2 Spanish-American
sp gr specific gravity
sp ht specific heat
spa (spä) •n. 1 a mineral spring 2 any place, esp. a health resort, having a mineral spring 3 any fashionable resort 4 a commercial establishment with exercise rooms, sauna baths, etc. 5 a large whirlpool bath, with ledges for seating several people [after Spa, celebrated health resort in Belgium]
space (speis) •n. 1 a) the three-dimensional, continuous expanse extending in all directions and containing all matter: variously thought of as boundless or indeterminately finite b) OUTER SPACE 2 a) the distance, expanse, or area between, over, within, etc. things b) area or room sufficient for or allotted to something {a parking space} 3 an interval or period of time, often one of specified length Æ 4 reserved accommodations {to buy space on a ship} Æ 5 room in a newspaper or magazine, or time on radio or TV, available for use by advertisers 6 [Colloq.] independence, privacy, and freedom to follow one's own interests 7 Math. a set of points or elements assumed to satisfy a given set of postulates (Ex.: space of one dimension is a line and of two dimensions is a plane) 8 Music the open area between any two lines of a staff 9 Printing a) a blank piece of type metal used to separate characters or words b) the area left vacant by this or by mechanical or electronic means on a printed or typed line 10 Telegraphy an interval when the key is open, or not in contact, during the sending of a message •adj. of or pertaining to space, esp. to outer space •vt. spaced, spac´ing to arrange with space or spaces between; divide into or by spaces space out to insert more space between letters, words, or lines so as to extend to the required length spac´er •n. [ME < OFr espace < L spatium < IE base *spēi-, to flourish, expand, succeed > SPEED, L spes, hope, ON sparr, OE spær, thrifty]
Space Age [also s- a-] the period characterized by the launching of artificial satellites and manned space vehicles: regarded as beginning with the launching of the first sputnik on October 4, 1957 space-age (spÀs´eij´) •adj.
space bar a bar, as at the bottom of a typewriter keyboard, pressed to leave a blank space or spaces rather than to produce a character
space charge Thermionics a gathering of electrons existing in one of the spaces between electrodes, usually the cathode and first grid, in a vacuum tube
space heater a small heating unit for warming the air of a single confined area, as a room
space lattice any array of points formed by the exact repetition in three dimensions of the structural units of a crystal
space medicine a branch of medicine concerned with diseases and disorders incident to flight in outer space Cf. AEROMEDICINE
space opera [Colloq.] a highly melodramatic science-fiction novel, film, etc. about adventures in space travel
Space shoes trademark for custom shoes molded to the contours of the wearer's feet
space shuttle a manned, airplanelike spacecraft designed for shuttling back and forth, as between the earth and a space station, transporting personnel and equipment
space station (or platform) a spacecraft designed to remain in orbit for a long period of time and to serve as a station from which to launch other spacecraft, as a research center, etc.
space telescope a satellite put in orbit around the earth and equipped with an extremely accurate reflecting telescope, cameras, etc.: it is designed to relay astronomical data to the earth
space writer a journalist or other writer paid according to the amount of space occupied by copy used
spacecraft (speis´kræft', -kräft') pl. -craft' any spaceship or satellite designed for orbiting the earth, sun, etc. If unmanned often called space capsule •n.
spaced-out (speist´aut´) •adj. [Slang] under or as if under the influence of a drug, marijuana, etc. Also spaced
spaceflight (speis´flait') •n. a flight through outer space
spaceless (-lis) •adj. 1 having no spatial limits 2 occupying no space
spaceman (-mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. an astronaut or any of the crew of a spaceship
spaceport (-pört') •n. a center where spacecraft are assembled, tested, and launched and are sometimes landed
spaceship (-ship') •n. a spacecraft, esp. if manned
spacesuit (-su:t') •n. a pressure suit used in space
space-time (-taim´) •n. 1 a four-dimensional continuum with four coordinates, the three dimensions of space and that of time, in which any event can be located: also called space-time continuum 2 the physical reality inherent in such a continuum
spacewalk (-wök') •n. the act of an astronaut in moving about in space outside his or her spacecraft •vi. to engage in a spacewalk space´walk'er •n.
spacey or spacy (spei´si:) spac´i·er, spac´i·est •adj. [Slang] 1 SPACED-OUT 2 a) very eccentric or unconventional b) not in touch with reality; flighty, irresponsible, neurotic, etc. spac´i·ness •n.
spacial (spei´shэl) •adj. alt. sp. of SPATIAL
spacing (speis´iŋ) •n. 1 the arrangement of spaces 2 space or spaces, as between printed words 3 the act of a person or thing that spaces
spacious (spei´shэs) •adj. 1 having or giving more than enough space or room; vast; extensive 2 great; large; not confined or limited spa´cious·ly •adv. spa´cious·ness •n. [ME < OFr spacieux < L spatiosus]
Spackle (spæk´эl) trademark for a powdery substance mixed with water to form a paste that dries hard, used to fill holes, cracks, etc. in wallboard, wood, etc. •n. [s-] this substance •vt. -led, -ling [s-] to fill, or cover the holes, etc. in, with spackle [prob. adapted < Ger spachtel, spatula, spachteln, to fill or smooth (a surface), ult. < L spatula: see SPATULA]
spackling compound (spæk´ªliŋ) spackle (see SPACKLE, n.)
spade¹ (speid) •n. 1 a heavy, flat-bladed, long-handled tool used for digging by pressing the metal blade into the ground with the foot 2 any of several tools resembling a spade 3 a part of the trail of a gun carriage which digs into the ground, so as to brace the gun during recoil •vt., vi. spad´ed, spad´ing to dig or cut with or as with a spade call a spade a spade to call something by its right name; use plain, blunt words spade´ful •n. spad´er •n. [ME < OE spadu, akin to Ger spaten < IE base *spē-, long flat piece of wood > SPOON, Gr spathē]
spade² (speid) •n. 1 any of a suit of playing cards marked with black figures shaped like this: ♠ 2 [pl., with sing. or pl. v.] this suit of cards 3 [Slang] BLACK (n. 5): term of contempt and prejudice Æ in spades [Colloq.] in an extreme or emphatic way [from the fact that spades are the highest suit in bridge, etc.] [Sp espada, sword (the sign used on Spanish cards) < L spatha, flat blade < Gr spathē: see SPADE1]
spade³ (speid) spad´ed, spad´ing •n. dial. var. of SPAY
spadefish (speid´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es •n. 1 any of a family (Ephippidae) of edible, disk-shaped percoid fishes of the Atlantic and Pacific, having sharp-spined fins 2 PADDLEFISH
spadefoot toad (-fut') any of several toads (family Pelobatidae) with a hornlike projection on the hind foot that is used in digging burrows
spadework (-wørk') •n. preparatory work for some main project, esp. when tiresome or difficult
spadix (spei´diks) pl. -dix·es or -di·ces (spei´dэ si:z', spei dai´si:z) •n. a fleshy spike of tiny flowers, usually enclosed in a spathe: see SPATHE, illus. [ModL < L, a palm branch broken off together with the fruit, date-brown color < Gr < IE base *spē-, to pull > SPAN¹]
spaetzle (shpet´slэ, -sэl, -sli:) •n.pl. egg noodles or dumplings usually made by pressing the dough through a colander or coarse sieve and cooking the resulting irregular pieces in boiling water Also spät·zle [Ger dial.]
spaghetti (spэ get´i:) •n. 1 pasta in the form of long, thin strings, cooked by boiling or steaming and served with a sauce 2 Elec. an insulating tubing somewhat resembling macaroni, used for sheathing bare wire [It, pl. of spaghetto, dim. of spago, small cord]
spaghetti squash a large, round squash (Cucurbita pepo) with flesh that forms spaghettilike strands when cooked
spaghetti strap a very thin shoulder strap on a woman's garment
spaghetti western [Slang] a film about cowboys in the western U.S., produced by the Italian movie industry
spaghettini (spэ ge'ti:´ni:) •n. pasta thicker than vermicelli but thinner than spaghetti [It, dim. of spaghetti]
spahi or spahee (spä´hi:') •n. 1 a member of a corps of Turkish professional cavalry 2 a member of a corps of native Algerian cavalry in the French armed forces [Fr < Turk sipahi < Pers: see SEPOY]
Spain (spein) country in SW Europe, on the Iberian peninsula: 194,346 sq. mi. (503,354 sq. km); pop. 39,000,000; cap. Madrid: Sp. name ESPAÑA [ME Spaine, aphetic < Anglo-Fr Espaigne < OFr < LL Spania, for L Hispania (prob. infl. by Gr Spania)]
spake (speik) •vi., vt. archaic pt. of SPEAK
spall (spöl) •n. a flake or chip, esp. of stone •vt., vi. 1 to break up or split 2 to break off in layers parallel to a surface [ME spalle, prob. < or akin to spalden, to chip, split, akin to Ger spalten, to split: see SPOOL]
spallation (spö lei´shэn) •n. a nuclear reaction produced by high-energy projectiles in which two or more fragments or particles, as neutrons or protons, are ejected from the target nucleus [< prec.]
spalpeen (spæl pi:n´) •n. [Irish] a scamp or rascal [Ir spailpīn]
Spam (spæm) trademark for a kind of canned luncheon meat made from pieces of seasoned pork and ham pressed into a loaf
Span 1 Spaniard 2 Spanish
span¹ (spæn) •n. 1 a unit of linear measure equal to nine inches, based on the distance between the tips of the extended thumb and little finger 2 a) the full amount or extent between any two limits b) the distance between ends or supports {the span of an arch} c) the full duration (of) {span of attention, the span of a person's life} 3 a part between two supports {a bridge of four spans} 4 short for WINGSPAN Æ 5 a team of two animals used together [borrowed in U.S. < Du span, in same sense] •vt. spanned, span´ning [ME spannen < OE spannan, join: see n.] 1 to measure, esp. by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended 2 to encircle with the hand or hands, in or as in measuring 3 to extend, stretch, reach, or pass over or across {the bridge that spans the river} 4 to furnish with something that extends or stretches over {to span an aisle with an arch} SYN. PAIR [ME spanne < OE sponn, akin to Ger spanne < IE *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, draw (> SPIN, Gr span, to pull) < base *spe-, to pull, extend]
span² (spæn) •vt., vi. archaic pt. of SPIN
spanakopita (spä´nä kou´pi: tä) •n. a Greek dish consisting of a small, triangular shell of phyllo that is filled with spiced spinach and feta cheese and baked [ModGr]
spancel (spæn´sэl) •n. a rope for fettering or hobbling cattle, etc. •vt. -celed or -celled, -cel·ing or -cel·ling to fetter or hobble as with a spancel [LowG spansel < spannen, to stretch, tie: see SPAN¹]
spandex (spæn´deks') •n. an elastic fiber, chiefly a synthetic polymer of polyurethane, used in girdles, swimsuits, etc. [arbitrary metathesis of EXPAND]
spandrel (spæn´drэl) •n. 1 either of the triangular spaces between the exterior curve of an arch and a rectangular frame or mold enclosing it 2 any of the spaces between a series of arches and a straight cornice running above them [ME spaundrell, dim. of Anglo-Fr spaundre < OFr espandre, to expand < L expandere, EXPAND]
spang (spæŋ) •adv. [Colloq.] abruptly, directly, or exactly [< dial. spang, with a leap]
spangle (spæŋ´gэl) •n. 1 a small piece of bright metal, esp. any of a number of these sewn on fabric for decoration 2 any small, bright object that glitters •vt. -gled, -gling to cover or decorate with spangles or other bright objects •vi. to glitter with or as with spangles span´gly, -gli·er, -gli·est, •adj. [ME spangel, dim. of spang, a buckle, clasp < OE, akin to Ger spange: for IE base see SPAN¹]
Spanglish (spæŋ´glish) •n. [Slang] a mixture of Spanish and English, esp. as spoken among bilingual people of Hispanic background
Spaniard (spæn´yэrd) •n. a native or inhabitant of Spain [ME Spaignard < OFr Espaignart < Espaigne, SPAIN]
spaniel (spæn´yэl) •n. 1 any member of several breeds of medium-sized hunting dog with large, drooping ears and a dense, wavy coat 2 a servile, fawning person [ME spainel < MFr espagnol, lit., Spanish < Sp español < España, Spain < L Hispania]
Spanish (spæn´ish) •adj. of Spain, its people, their language, etc. •n. the Romance language of Spain and of Spanish America: cf. CASTILIAN the Spanish the people of Spain
Spanish America Mexico and those countries in Central and South America and islands in the Caribbean in which Spanish is the chief language
Spanish Armada see ARMADA
Spanish bayonet any of a number of yuccas, esp. any of two species (Yucca aloifolia or Y. gloriosa) with stiff, sword-shaped leaves: also called Spanish dagger
Spanish cedar 1 a West Indian tree (Cedrela odorata) of the mahogany family, yielding a light, aromatic wood used in making cigar boxes, etc. 2 its wood
Spanish Civil War the civil war in Spain (1936-39)
Spanish fly 1 a bright-green blister beetle (Lytta vesicatoria) of S Europe 2 CANTHARIDES (sense 2) Also Span·ish·fly (spæn´ish flai')
Spanish Guinea old name of EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Spanish Inquisition the Inquisition as reorganized in Spain in 1478: notorious for its cruel and extreme practices against those accused of heresy and against Marranos
Spanish mackerel any of a genus (Scomberomorus) of edible marine scombroid fishes; esp., an Atlantic species (S. maculatus)
Spanish Main 1 orig., the coastal region of the Americas along the Caribbean Sea; esp., the N coast of South America between the Isthmus of Panama & the mouth of the Orinoco 2 later, the Caribbean Sea itself, or that part of it adjacent to the N coast of South America, traveled in the 16th-18th cent. by Spanish merchant ships, which were often harassed by pirates
Spanish Morocco the former Spanish zone of Morocco, constituting a coastal strip along the Mediterranean
Spanish moss a rootless epiphytic plant (Tillandsia usneoides) of the pineapple family, often found growing in long, graceful strands from the branches of trees in the SE U.S. and tropical America
Spanish needles 1 a bur marigold (Bidens bipinnata) of the E U.S. 2 its barbed fruit
Spanish omelet an omelet folded around a sauce of chopped onion, green pepper, and tomato
Spanish onion any of several large, globe-shaped, mild-flavored onions, often eaten raw
Spanish paprika paprika made from a variety of mild red pepper grown in Spain
Spanish rice boiled rice cooked with tomatoes and chopped onions, green peppers, etc.
Spanish Sahara old name of WESTERN SAHARA
Spanish Succession , War of the a war (1701-14) between European powers disputing the succession to the Spanish throne
Spanish-American (-э mer´i kэn) •adj. 1 of both Spain and America 2 of Spanish America or its people •n. a native or inhabitant of Spanish America, esp. one of Spanish descent
Spanish-American War the war between the U.S. and Spain (1898)
spank (spæŋk) •vt. to strike with something flat, as the open hand, esp. on the buttocks, as in punishment •vi. to move along swiftly or smartly [< SPANKING, adj.] •n. a smack given in spanking [echoic]
spanker (spæŋ´kэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that spanks 2 [Colloq.] an exceptionally fine, large, etc. person or thing 3 Naut. a) a fore-and-aft sail, usually hoisted on a gaff, on the after mast of a square-rigged vessel Æ b) the after mast and its sail on a schooner-rigged vessel of more than three masts
spanking (-kiŋ) •adj. 1 swiftly moving; rapid 2 brisk: said of a breeze 3 [Colloq.] exceptionally fine, large, vigorous, etc. •adv. [Colloq.] altogether; completely {spanking new} •n. a series of smacks, esp. on the buttocks, in punishment [< intens. use of prp. of SPANK]
spanner (spæn´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that spans 2 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] WRENCH (sense 4) [Ger < spannen, to stretch: see SPAN¹]
span-new (spæn´nu:´, -nyu:´) •adj. [Now Rare] perfectly new [ME span-newe < ON spān-n##r < spānn, a chip (akin to SPOON) + n##r, NEW]
Spansule (spæn´sul, -syul) trademark for a medicinal capsule containing many tiny beads of medicine that dissolve at spaced intervals for long-acting medication •n. [often s-] such a capsule [SPAN¹ + (CAP)SULE]
spanworm (spæn´wørm') •n. MEASURING WORM
spar buoy a sparlike buoy anchored at one end so as to float perpendicularly or obliquely
spar deck the upper deck running a ship's full length
Spar or SPAR (spär) •n. a woman member of the U.S. Coast Guard [< s(emper) par(atus), always prepared, L motto of the U.S. Coast Guard]
spar varnish a varnish that forms a hard, durable, protective finish, used esp. on outdoor surfaces
spar¹ (spär) •n. 1 any shiny, crystalline, nonmetallic mineral that cleaves easily into chips or flakes [< MDu or MLowG, akin to OE spær(stan), gypsum, chalk]
spar² (spär) •n. 1 any pole, as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff, supporting or extending a sail of a ship 2 any of the main structural beams attached to the fuselage of an airplane to support the wings •vt. sparred, spar´ring to equip with spars [ME sparre < ON sparri or MDu sparre < IE base *sper-, pole, rod > SPEAR, L sparus, short spear]
spar³ (spär) sparred, spar´ring •vi. 1 to fight with the feet and spurs: said of a fighting cock 2 to box with jabbing or feinting movements, landing few heavy blows, as in exhibition or practice matches 3 to wrangle or dispute •n. 1 a sparring match or movement 2 a dispute [ME sparren, prob. < MFr esparer < It sparare, to fling out the hind legs, kick < s- (< L ex-, intens.) + parare, to PARRY]
sparable (spær´э bэl) •n. a small, headless nail used by shoemakers [altered < sparrow bill: from its shape]
spare (sper) spared, spar´ing •vt. 1 to treat with mercy or leniency; refrain from killing, injuring, troubling, or distressing; save 2 to save or free a person from (something) {to spare someone trouble} 3 to refrain from, omit, avoid using, or use frugally {to spare no effort} 4 to give up the use or possession of; part with or give up conveniently {able to spare a cup of sugar} •vi. 1 to practice close economy; be frugal or sparing 2 to be merciful or restrained, as in punishing •adj. spar´er, spar´est 1 not in regular use or immediately needed; extra {a spare room, a spare tire} 2 not taken up by regular work or duties; free {spare time} 3 frugal; meager; scanty {to live on spare rations} 4 not fleshy; lean; thin •n. 1 a spare, or extra, part, thing, etc. Æ 2 Bowling a) the act of knocking down all the pins with two consecutive rolls of the ball b) a score so made SYN. MEAGER something to spare a surplus of something spare´ly •adv. spare´ness •n. spar´er •n. [ME sparien < OE sparian, akin to spær, thrifty, Ger sparen, to save: see SPACE]
spareribs (sper´ribz') •n.pl. a cut of meat, esp. pork, consisting of the thin end of the ribs with most of the meat cut away: see PORK, illus. [altered (infl. by prec., adj.) < MLowG ribbesper, cured pork ribs roasted on a spit < ribbe, RIB + sper, a spit, SPEAR]
sparge (spärj) sparged, sparg´ing •vt., vi. to splash or sprinkle sparg´er •n. [MFr espargier < L spargere: see SPARK¹]
sparing (sper´iŋ) •adj. 1 that spares 2 careful in spending or using; frugal 3 scanty or meager SYN. THRIFTY spar´ing·ly •adv. spar´ing·ness •n.
Spark (spärk), Muriel (Sarah) (born Muriel Sarah Camberg) 1918- ; Brit. writer
spark arrester any device used to prevent sparks from escaping, as from a chimney
spark chamber any of several devices for detecting charged subatomic particles, decay products, rays, etc., consisting usually of a large group of closely spaced, oppositely charged metal plates between which sparks will jump through an inert gas, as neon, along the ionized path created by the passage of radiation
spark coil an induction coil producing high voltage for a sparking device, as a spark plug
spark gap a space between two electrodes through which a spark discharge may take place
spark plug 1 an electrical device threaded into the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine to ignite the fuel mixture by producing timed sparks between electrodes 2 [Colloq.] a person or thing that inspires, activates, or advances something spark´plug', -plugged', -plug'ging, •vt.
spark transmitter an early type of radio transmitter that uses the oscillatory discharge of a capacitor through an inductor in series with a spark gap to generate its high-frequency power
spark¹ (spärk) •n. 1 a glowing bit of matter, esp. one thrown off by a fire 2 any flash or sparkle of light like this 3 a tiny beginning or vestige, as of life, interest, excitement, etc.; particle or trace 4 liveliness; vivacity 5 Elec. a) a very brief flash of light accompanying an electric discharge through air or some other insulating material, as between the electrodes of a spark plug b) such a discharge Æ 6 [pl., with sing. v.] [Slang] a ship's radio operator •vi. 1 to make or throw off sparks 2 to come forth as or like sparks 3 to produce the sparks properly: said of the spark plug in an internal combustion engine •vt. to serve as the activating or animating influence of or in; stir up; activate {to spark interest} spark´er •n. [ME sperke < OE spearca, akin to MDu sparke < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > SPRINKLE, L spargere]
spark² (spärk) •n. [Old-fashioned] 1 a dashing, gallant young man 2 a beau or lover Æ vt., vi. [Old Colloq.] to court, woo, pet, etc. spark´er •n. [ON sparkr, lively: for IE base see SPARK1]
sparkle (spär´kэl) -kled, -kling •vi. 1 to throw off sparks 2 to gleam or shine in flashes; glitter or glisten, as jewels, sunlit water, etc. 3 to be brilliant and lively {sparkling wit} 4 to effervesce or bubble, as soda water and some wines •vt. to cause to sparkle •n. 1 a spark or glowing particle 2 a sparkling, or glittering 3 brilliance; liveliness; vivacity SYN. FLASH [ME sparklen, freq. of sparken, to SPARK¹]
sparkler (-klэr) •n. a person or thing that sparkles; specif., a) a thin stick of pyrotechnic material that burns with bright sparks b) [pl.] [Colloq.] clear, brilliant eyes c) [Colloq.] a diamond or similar gem
sparling (spär´liŋ) pl. -ling or -lings a European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) •n. [ME sperlynge < MFr esperlinge < MDu spirlinc, orig. dim. of spīr, a small point, grass shoot: see SPIRE²]
sparring partner any person with whom a professional boxer spars or practices while training
sparrow (spær´ou) •n. 1 any of a family (Passeridae) of Old World passerine birds, including the English sparrow 2 any of various New World passerine birds (family Emberizidae), including the song sparrow and white-throated sparrow 3 any of several other similar birds, as the hedge or Java sparrows [ME sparwe < OE spearwa, akin to MHG sparwe < IE base *sper-, bird name, esp. for sparrow > Gr sporgilos, sparrow, psar, starling]
sparrow hawk 1 any of certain Eurasian hawks; esp., a small hawk (Accipiter nisus) with short, rounded wings Æ 2 AMERICAN KESTREL [ME sparowhawke: so named from preying on sparrows]
sparrowgrass (spær´ou græs', -gräs') •n. dial. var. of ASPARAGUS [altered by folk etym. < ASPARAGUS]
sparry (spär´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. of, like, or rich in mineral spar
sparse (spärs) spars´er, spars´est •adj. thinly spread or distributed; not dense or crowded SYN. MEAGER sparse´ly •adv. sparse´ness or spar´si·ty (-sэ ti:) •n. [L sparsus, pp. of spargere, to scatter: see SPARK¹]
Sparta (spärt´э) ancient city in the S Peloponnesus, Greece, a powerful military city in Laconia
Spartacus (spärt´э kэs) died 71 B.C.; Thracian slave & gladiator in Rome: leader of a slave revolt
Spartan (spärt´ªn) •adj. 1 of ancient Sparta, its people, or their culture 2 like or characteristic of the Spartans; warlike, brave, hardy, stoical, severe, frugal, and highly disciplined •n. 1 a native or citizen of Sparta 2 a person with Spartan traits Spar´tan·ism' •n. [L Spartanus]
Spartanburg (-børg´) city in NW S.C.: pop. 43,000 [after the Spartan Regiment raised there in the Am Revolution]
sparteine (spär´ti: i:n', -ti: in) •n. a clear, oily, poisonous, liquid alkaloid, C15H26N2, obtained from a broom (Spartium scoparium) [< ModL Spartium (< L spartum, broom (see ESPARTO) + -INE³]
spasm (spæz´эm) •n. 1 a sudden, convulsive, involuntary muscular contraction: a tonic spasm is persistent and sustained, and a clonic spasm is one of a series of relatively brief contractions alternating with relaxations 2 any sudden, violent, temporary activity, feeling, etc. [ME spasme < MFr < L spasmus < Gr spasmos < span, to draw, pull, wrench: see SPAN¹]
spasmodic (spæz mäd´ik) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, like, or characterized by a spasm or spasms; sudden, violent, and temporary; fitful; intermittent 2 [Rare] highly emotional or excitable Also spas·mod´i·cal spas·mod´i·cal·ly •adv. [ModL spasmodicus < Gr spasmodēs < spasmos: see SPASM & -OID]
spastic (spæs´tik) •adj. 1 of, characterized by, affected with, or produced by a spasm {spastic colon} 2 afflicted with or involving spastic paralysis •n. a person with spastic paralysis spas´ti·cal·ly •adv. [L spasticus < Gr spastikos, drawing, pulling < span: see SPASM]
spastic paralysis a condition, as in cerebral palsy, in which certain muscles are in a state of continuous contraction, causing rigidity of a normally movable part, accompanied by exaggerated tendon reflexes
spat¹ (spæt) •n. 1 [Rare] a slap 2 a quick, slapping sound 3 [Colloq.] a brief, petty quarrel or dispute •vi. spat´ted, spat´ting 1 [Rare] to slap 2 to strike with a quick, slapping sound Æ 3 [Colloq.] to engage in a spat, or quarrel •vt. [Rare] to slap SYN. QUARREL² [prob. echoic]
spat² (spæt) •n. a gaiterlike covering for the instep and ankle, usually of heavy cloth [contr. < SPATTERDASH]
spat³ (spæt) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of SPIT²
spat4 (spæt) •n. a young oyster or young oysters collectively [Anglo-Fr < ?]
spate (speit) •n. 1 [Chiefly Brit.] a) a flash flood b) a sudden, heavy rain 2 an unusually large outpouring, as of words [ME (northern dial.) < ?]
spathaceous (spэ θei´shэs) •adj. 1 having a spathe 2 of, or having the nature of, a spathe
spathe (speið) •n. a large, leaflike part or pair of such parts enclosing a flower cluster (esp. a spadix) spathed (speiðd) •adj. [ModL spatha < L, a flat blade: see SPADE²]
spathic (spæθ´ik) •adj. Mineralogy of or like spar [Ger spath, obs. sp. for spat, SPAR¹ < MHG spat (for IE base see SPADE¹) + -IC]
spathose¹ (spei´θous, spæθ´ous) •adj. SPATHACEOUS
spathose² (spæθ´ous) •adj. SPATHIC
spathulate (spæθ´yu: lit) •adj. SPATULATE (sense 1)
spatial (spei´shэl) •adj. 1 of space 2 happening or existing in space spa'ti·al´i·ty (-shi: æl´э ti:) •n. spa´tial·ly •adv. [< L spatium, SPACE + -AL]
spatiotemporal (spei'shi: ou tem´pэr эl) •adj. 1 existing in both space and time 2 of space-time spa'ti·o·tem´po·ral·ly •adv.
spatter (spæt´эr) •vt. 1 to scatter in drops or small blobs {to spatter red paint over blue} 2 to splash, spot, or soil with such drops or blobs 3 to defame or slander •vi. 1 to emit or spurt out in drops or small blobs, as fat in frying 2 to fall or strike in or as in a shower, as raindrops or pellets •n. 1 a) the act or an instance of spattering b) the sound of this 2 a mark or wet spot caused by spattering 3 a small amount or number [akin to Fris spateren, freq. of spatten, to splash, spurt]
spatterdash (-dæsh') •n. a long legging formerly worn to protect the stocking or trouser leg, as in wet weather [prec. + DASH¹]
spatterdock (-däk') •n. any of several waterlilies; esp., a North American species (Nuphar advena) with thick roots, heart-shaped leaves, and yellow flowers
spatula (spæch´э lэ) •n. any of various knifelike implements with a flat, flexible blade, used for spreading or blending substances, as foods or paints, for scraping, etc. spat´u·lar •adj. [L, dim. of spatha, flat blade: see SPADE²]
spatulate (-lit, -leit') •adj. 1 Bot. spoon-shaped in outline and attached at the narrow end, as some leaves: see LEAF, illus. 2 Zool. spoon-shaped or spatula-shaped [ModL spatulatus]
spavin (spæv´in) •n. a disease of horses in which a deposit of bone (bone spavin) or an infusion of lymph (bog spavin) develops in the hock joint, usually causing lameness [ME spaveine < MFr esparvain < ?]
spavined (-ind) •adj. afflicted with spavin; lame
spawn (spön) •vt., vi. 1 to produce or deposit (eggs, sperm, or young) 2 to bring forth or be the source of (esp. something regarded with contempt and produced in great numbers) 3 Hort. to plant with spawn, or mycelium •n. 1 the mass of eggs or young produced by fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, etc. 2 something produced, esp. in great quantity; specif., numerous offspring or progeny: usually contemptuous 3 the mycelium of fungi, esp. of mushrooms grown to be eaten [ME spaunnen (for *spaunden) < Anglo-Fr espaundre < OFr espandre, to shed < L expandere: see EXPAND]
spay (spei) •vt. to sterilize (a female animal) by removing the ovaries [ME spayen, aphetic < Anglo-Fr espeier < OFr espeer, to cut with a sword < espee, sword < L spatha: see SPADE²]
spaz (spæz) •n. [Slang] someone regarded with contempt as being clumsy, awkward, stupid, odd, etc.
SPCA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
SPCC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
speak (spi:k) spoke, spo´ken, speak´ing •vi. 1 to utter words with the ordinary voice; talk 2 to express or communicate opinions, feelings, ideas, etc. by or as by talking {speak in our behalf, actions speak louder than words} 3 to make a request or reservation (for): usually in the passive voice {a seat not yet spoken for} 4 to make a speech; deliver an address or lecture; discourse 5 to be a spokesman (for) 6 to talk with another or others; converse 7 to make or give out sound, as a gun firing or a dog barking •vt. 1 to express or make known by or as by speaking 2 to use or be able to use (a given language) in speaking 3 to utter (words) orally 4 [Archaic] to speak to; address 5 [Archaic] to declare or show to be; reveal 6 Naut. to hail (a ship) so to speak in a manner of speaking; that is to say speak for itself to be self-evident speak out (or up) 1 to speak audibly or clearly 2 to speak freely or forcefully speak well for to say or indicate something favorable about to speak of worthy of mention {no gains to speak of} speak´a·ble •adj. SYN.—speak and talk are generally synonymous, but speak often connotes formal address to an auditor or audience [who will speak at the dinner?] and talk often suggests informal colloquial conversation [we were talking at dinner]; converse suggests a talking together by two or more people so as to exchange ideas and information [they are conversing in the parlor]; discourse suggests a somewhat formal, detailed, extensive talking to another or others [she was discoursing to us on Keats] [ME speken < OE specan, earlier sprecan, akin to Ger sprechen < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > SPARK¹, L spargere, to sprinkle: basic sense to scatter (words)]
-speak (spi:k) combining form jargon, language {computerspeak, doublespeak}
speak-easy (-i:'zi:) pl. -eas'ies •n. [Slang] a place where alcoholic drinks are sold illegally, esp. such a place in the U.S. during Prohibition [SPEAK + EASY: so named from the secretive atmosphere]
speaker (spi:´kэr) •n. 1 a person who speaks; esp., a) a person who makes a speech or speeches in public b) the officer presiding over any of various lawmaking bodies Æ c) [S-] the presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives (in full Speaker of the House) Æ 2 a book of selections for use as exercises in declamation 3 short for LOUDSPEAKER speak´er·ship' •n.
speakerphone (-foun') •n. a telephone with a loudspeaker and microphone that enables more than one person to take part in a call
speaking (-kiŋ) •adj. 1 that speaks or seems to speak; expressive; eloquent; vivid {a speaking likeness} 2 used in or for speech 3 allowing or admitting of speech {within speaking range} •n. 1 the act or art of a person who speaks 2 that which is spoken; utterance; discourse on speaking terms friendly enough to exchange greetings or carry on conversation
speaking in tongues GLOSSOLALIA (sense 1)
speaking tube a tube or pipe made to carry the voice, as from one part of a building or ship to another
spear (spir) •n. 1 a weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a sharp point, usually of metal or stone, for thrusting or throwing 2 any spearlike, often forked, implement used for thrusting, as in one kind of fishing 3 short for SPEARMAN 4 a long blade or shoot, as of grass [var. of SPIRE²; ? infl. by n. 1 above] •vt. 1 to pierce or stab with something pointed, as a spear 2 to catch (fish, etc.) with a spear 3 [Colloq.] to extend the arm so as to make a one-handed catch of (a baseball, etc.) •vi. 1 to pierce or shoot like a spear 2 to sprout into a long stem [cf. n. 4] spear´er •n. [ME spere < OE (akin to Ger speer) < IE base *sper- > SPAR², L sparus]
spear carrier 1 [Colloq.] an actor with a walk-on role 2 a person having a minor or insignificant role in an organization, activity, etc.
spear grass any of several perennial grasses (genus Stipa) having hard, sharp-pointed, bearded fruits
spearfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any billfish; esp., any of a genus (Tetrapturus, family Istiophoridae) of large, percoid, food and game fishes of the open seas •vi. to fish with a spear or spear-thrusting device (spear gun)
spearhead (-hed') •n. 1 the pointed head of a spear 2 the leading person, part, or group in an endeavor, esp. in a military attack •vt. to take the lead in (an attack, etc.)
spearman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a warrior armed with a spear
spearmint (-mint') •n. a fragrant perennial plant (Mentha spicata) of the mint family, used for flavoring [prob. from the appearance of the flowers on the stem]
spec abbrev. special spec (spek) •n. [Colloq.] short for: 1 SPECIFICATION (sense 2) 2 SPECULATION (sense 2) on spec [Colloq.] 1 according to specification(s) 2 as a speculation or gamble
special (spesh´эl) •adj. 1 of a kind different from others; distinctive, peculiar, or unique 2 exceptional; extraordinary {a special treat} 3 highly regarded or valued {a special friend} 4 of or for a particular person, occasion, purpose, etc. {by special permission, a special edition} 5 not general or regular; specific or limited {special legislation} •n. 1 a special person or thing; specif., a special train, edition, sale offer or item, etc. Æ 2 a single TV program, not part of a regular series SYN.—special and especial both imply that the thing so described has qualities, aspects, or uses which differentiate it from others of its class, and the choice of word generally depends on euphony, but especial is usually preferred where preeminence is implied [a matter of especial interest to you]; specific and particular are both applied to something that is singled out for attention, but specific suggests the explicit statement of an example, illustration, etc. [he cited specific cases], and particular emphasizes the distinctness or individuality of the thing so described [in this particular case] —ANT. general [ME < OFr especial < L specialis < species, kind, sort: see SPECIES]
special assessment a special tax levied on a property to pay for a local public improvement, as a sewer, that will presumably benefit that property
special court-martial a military court for judging offenses less grave than those judged by a general court-martial
special delivery a postal service through which, for an extra fee, mail is delivered by a special messenger
Special Drawing Rights see SDRS
special education educational programs for students whose mental or physical ability, emotional functioning, etc. require special teaching approaches, equipment, or care within or outside a regular classroom
special effects artificial visual effects used to create illusions in films; esp., complex effects, either realistic or fantastic, produced by means of expensive technical work
Special Forces small detachments of U.S. Army personnel who train and direct non-U.S. forces in guerrilla operations: full name U.S. Army Special Forces
special handling a postal service which, for an extra fee, handles third-class or fourth-class mail as expeditiously as possible
special jury Law STRUCK JURY
special pleading 1 Law a pleading which is more than a mere denial of the charges or allegations, as one introducing new matter justifying an otherwise culpable act 2 an argument or presentation that leaves out what is unfavorable and develops only what is favorable to the case
specialism (-iz'эm) •n. concentration on or specialization in a branch or field of a study, profession, etc.
specialist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who specializes in a particular field of study, professional work, etc. Æ 2 U.S. Army any of six grades for enlisted personnel with technical training and duties, corresponding to the grades of corporal through sergeant major •adj. of a specialist or specialism Also spe'cial·is´tic
speciality (spesh'i: æl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. chiefly Brit., etc. var. of SPECIALTY [ME specialite < OFr specialité]
specialize (spesh´эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make special, specific, or particular; specify 2 to direct toward or concentrate on a specific end 3 Biol. to adapt (parts or organs) to a special condition, use, or requirement •vi. 1 to follow a special or limited line of endeavor; concentrate on only one part or branch of a subject, profession, etc. 2 Biol. to become adapted to meet a special condition, use, etc. spe'cial·i·za´tion •n. [Fr spécialiser]
specially (spesh´эl i:) •adv. 1 in a special manner; particularly 2 for a special purpose
specialty (spesh´эl ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a special quality, feature, point, characteristic, etc. 2 a thing specialized in; special interest, field of study or professional work, etc. 3 the state of being special 4 an article or class of article characterized by special features, superior quality, novelty, etc. {a bakery whose specialty is pie} 5 Law a special contract, obligation, agreement, etc. under seal, or a contract by deed •adj. 1 designating or of a store or stores that specialize in selling certain types of goods or to certain types of customers 2 of such goods or customers [ME specialte < OFr especialté]
speciation (spi:'shi: ei´shэn, -si:-) •n. Biol. the process of developing new species through evolution spe´ci·ate' (-eit'), -at'ed, -at'ing, •vi. [< SPECI(ES) + -ATION]
specie (spi:´shi:, -si:) •n. coin, as distinguished from paper money; also, coin made of precious, as distinguished from base, metal in specie 1 in kind 2 in coin [abl. of L species: used in E from occurrence in the phrase (paid) in specie]
species (-shi:z; -si:z) pl. -cies •n. 1 a distinct kind; sort; variety; class {a species of bravery} 2 [Obs.] outward form, appearance, or mental image 3 obs. var. of SPECIE 4 Biol. a naturally existing population of similar organisms that usually interbreed only among themselves, and are given a unique, latinized binomial name to distinguish them from all other creatures: see GENUS (sense 2) 5 Logic a class of individuals or objects having certain distinguishing attributes in common, given a common name, and comprised with other similar classes in a more comprehensive grouping called a GENUS: cf. DIFFERENTIA 6 Physics a) a specific kind of atomic nucleus b) NUCLIDE 7 R.C.Ch. a) the totality of natural physical characteristics (appearance, taste, etc.) of bread or wine, these characteristics remaining the same in the consecrated bread or wine of the Eucharist b) the consecrated bread or wine of the Eucharist the species the human race [L, a seeing, appearance, shape, kind, or quality < base of specere, to see: see SPY]
specif specifically
specifiable (spes´э fai'э bэl) •adj. that can be specified
specific (spэ sif´ik) •adj. 1 limiting or limited; specifying or specified; precise; definite; explicit {no specific plans} 2 of or constituting a species 3 peculiar to or characteristic of something {specific traits} 4 of a special, or particular, sort or kind 5 Med. a) specially indicated as a cure for a particular disease {a specific remedy} b) produced by a particular microorganism {a specific disease} 6 Physics designating a certain constant characteristic of a substance or phenomenon measured against some arbitrary, fixed standard of reference or expressed as an amount per unit area, unit volume, etc. Also [Rare] spe·cif´i·cal •n. 1 something specially suited for a given use or purpose 2 a specific cure or remedy 3 a distinct item or detail; particular SYN. EXPLICIT, SPECIAL spe·cif´i·cal·ly •adv. spec'i·fic´i·ty •n. [LL specificus < L species (see SPECIES) + -ficus, -FIC]
-specific (spэ sif´ik) combining form limited or specific to, characteristic of (a specified thing or person) {species-specific}
specific characters the persistent features that distinguish one species from all others
specific gravity the ratio of the weight or mass of a given volume of a substance to that of an equal volume of another substance (water for liquids and solids, air or hydrogen for gases) used as a standard
specific heat 1 the number of calories needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a given substance 1°C 2 the ratio of the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a given mass of a substance one degree to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an equal mass of water one degree
specific performance Law the exact performance of a contract or an order compelling it
specification (spes'э fi kei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of specifying; detailed mention or definition 2 [usually pl.] a) a detailed description of the parts of a whole b) a statement or enumeration of particulars, as to actual or required size, quality, performance, terms, etc. {specifications for a new building} 3 something specified; specified item, particular, etc. [ML specificatio]
specify (spes´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. 1 to mention, describe, or define in detail; state definitely {to specify the time and place} 2 to include as an item in a set of specifications 3 to state explicitly as a condition spec´i·fi'er •n. [ME specifien < OFr specifier < LL specificare < specificus, SPECIFIC]
specimen (spes´э mэn) •n. 1 a part of a whole, or one individual of a class or group, used as a sample or example of the whole, class, or group; typical part, individual, etc. 2 [Colloq.] a (specified kind of) individual or person {an unsavory specimen} 3 Med. a sample, as of urine, sputum, or blood for analysis [L, a mark, token, example < specere, to see: see SPY]
specious (spi:´shэs) •adj. 1 seeming to be good, sound, correct, logical, etc. without really being so; plausible but not genuine {specious logic} 2 [Obs.] pleasing to the sight SYN. PLAUSIBLE spe´cious·ly •adv. spe´cious·ness or spe'ci·os´i·ty (-shi: äs´э ti:) •n. [ME, fair, beautiful < L speciosus, showy, beautiful, plausible < species, look, show, appearance: see SPECIES]
speck (spek) •n. 1 a small spot, mark, or stain 2 a very small bit; particle •vt. to mark with specks [ME specke < OE specca: for IE base see SPARK¹]
speckle (spek´эl) •n. a small mark of contrasting color; speck •vt. -led, -ling to mark with speckles [ME spakle, dim. of specke, prec.]
speckled trout any of various fishes, as the sea trout or brook trout
specs (speks) •n.pl. [Colloq.] 1 spectacles; eyeglasses Æ 2 specifications: see SPECIFICATION (sense 2)
spectacle (spek´tэ kэl) •n. 1 something to look at, esp. some strange or remarkable sight; unusual display 2 a public show or exhibition on a grand scale 3 [pl.] [Old-fashioned] a pair of eyeglasses 4 [usually pl.] something like a pair of eyeglasses in shape, use, etc. make a spectacle of oneself to behave foolishly or improperly in public [OFr < L spectaculum < spectare, to behold, freq. of specere, to see: see SPY]
spectacled (-kэld) •adj. 1 wearing spectacles 2 having markings that resemble spectacles
spectacular (spek tæk´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 of or like a spectacle, or show 2 unusual to a striking degree; characterized by a great display, as of daring •n. an elaborate show or display spec·tac´u·lar·ly •adv. [< L spectaculum (see SPECTACLE) + -AR]
spectator (spek´teit'эr, spek teit´-) •n. a person who sees or watches something without taking an active part; onlooker [L < pp. of spectare, to behold: see SPECTACLE]
specter (spek´tэr) •n. 1 a ghost; apparition 2 any object of fear or dread Brit., etc. sp. spec´tre [Fr spectre < L spectrum, an appearance, apparition < spectare, to behold: see SPECTACLE]
spectra (-trэ) •n. alt. pl. of SPECTRUM
spectral (-trэl) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or like a specter; phantom; ghostly 2 of or caused by a spectrum or spectra spec·tral´i·ty (-træl´э ti:) or spec´tral·ness •n. spec´tral·ly •adv. [< SPECTER + -AL]
spectral line any of a number of lines in a spectrum produced by the emission of electromagnetic radiation from an excited atom: a spectral line represents the energy difference between two energy levels
spectro- (spek´trou, -trэ) combining form 1 of radiant energy as exhibited in a spectrum {spectrogram} 2 of or by a spectroscope {spectroheliogram} [< SPECTRUM]
spectrochemistry (spek'trou kem´is tri:) •n. the branch of chemistry dealing with the analysis of the spectra of substances spec'tro·chem´i·cal •adj.
spectrogram (spek´trou græm') •n. a photograph or other visual representation of a spectrum
spectrograph (-græf', -gräf') •n. an instrument for dispersing electromagnetic radiation into a spectrum and recording the spectrum photographically or by other means spec'tro·graph´ic •adj. spec'tro·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.
spectroheliogram (spek'trou hi:´li: э græm') •n. a monochromatic image of the sun's chromosphere produced by a spectroheliograph
spectroheliograph (-græf', -gräf') •n. an instrument acting like a filter, for photographing the sun using light from only one spectral line, usually from hydrogen (red) or calcium (violet)
spectrohelioscope (-skoup') •n. a spectroheliograph adapted for visual use
spectrometer (spek träm´эt эr) •n. an instrument used for measuring spectral wavelengths spec'tro·met´ric (-trou me´trik) •adj. spec·trom´e·try (-э tri:) •n. [Ger spektrometer: see SPECTRO- & -METER]
spectrophotometer (spek'trou fou täm´эt эr) •n. an instrument used for measuring the transmission or reflection of light by comparing various wavelengths of the light spec'tro·pho'to·met´ric (-fout'ou me´trik) •adj. spec'tro·pho·tom´e·try •n.
spectroscope (spek´trou skoup') •n. an optical instrument used for forming spectra for study spec'tro·scop´ic (-skäp´ik) •adj. spec'tro·scop´i·cal·ly •adv. [Ger spektroskop: see SPECTRO- & -SCOPE]
spectroscopy (spek träs´kэ pi:) •n. the study of spectra by use of the spectroscope spec·tros´co·pist (-pist) •n.
spectrum (spek´trэm) pl. -tra (-trэ) or -trums •n. 1 the series of colored bands dispersed and arranged in the order of their respective wavelengths by the passage of white light through a prism or other dispersing device and shading continuously from red (produced by the longest wave visible) through violet (produced by the shortest): the six main colors of the spectrum are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, with a seventh color (indigo) sometimes specified, between blue and violet 2 the intensity of any radiation or motion displayed as a function of frequency, or wavelength 3 an afterimage 4 a continuous range or entire extent {a wide spectrum of opinion} 5 a) RADIO SPECTRUM b) ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM [ModL, special use (by NEWTON, 1671) of L spectrum: see SPECTER]
spectrum analysis analysis of substances or bodies through study of their spectra
specular (spek´yu: lэr) •adj. of, like, or by means of, a speculum spec´u·lar·ly •adv. [L specularis]
speculate (spek´yu: leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. 1 to think about the various aspects of a given subject; meditate; ponder; esp., to conjecture 2 to buy or sell stocks, commodities, land, etc., usually in the face of higher than ordinary risk, hoping to take advantage of an expected rise or fall in price; also, to take part in any risky venture on the chance of making huge profits SYN. THINK¹ spec´u·la'tor •n. [< L speculatus, pp. of speculari, to view < specula, watchtower < specere, to see: see SPY]
speculation (spek'yu: lei´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act of speculating, or meditating b) a thought or conjecture 2 a) the act of speculating in stocks, land, etc. b) a speculative business venture
speculative (spek´yu: leit'iv, -lэ tiv) •adj. 1 of, characterized by, or having the nature of, speculation or meditation, conjecture, etc. 2 theoretical, not practical 3 of or characterized by financial speculation 4 uncertain; risky 5 indulging in or fond of speculation spec´u·la'tive·ly •adv. [ME speculatif < MFr < LL speculativus]
speculum (spek´yu: lэm) pl. -la (-lэ) or -lums •n. 1 a) a mirror, esp. one of polished metal b) [Historical] such a mirror in a reflecting telescope 2 Med. an instrument for dilating a passage or cavity to facilitate its examination 3 Zool. a distinctive patch of color on the wings of certain birds, esp. ducks [L, a mirror < specere, to look: see SPY]
speculum metal an alloy of copper and tin that will take a mirrorlike polish, used for making mirrors
sped (sped) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SPEED
speech (spi:ch) •n. 1 the act of speaking; expression or communication of thoughts and feelings by spoken words 2 the power or ability to speak 3 the manner of speaking {her lisping speech} 4 that which is spoken; utterance, remark, statement, talk, conversation, etc. 5 a talk or address given to an audience 6 the language used by a certain group of people; dialect or tongue 7 the study of the theory and practice of oral expression and communication 8 [Archaic] rumor; report SYN.—speech is the general word for a discourse delivered to an audience, whether prepared or impromptu; address implies a formal, carefully prepared speech and usually attributes importance to the speaker or the speech [an address to a legislature]; oration suggests an eloquent, rhetorical, sometimes merely bombastic speech, esp. one delivered on some special occasion [political orations at the picnic]; a lecture is a carefully prepared speech intended to inform or instruct the audience [a lecture to a college class]; talk suggests informality and is applied either to an impromptu speech or to an address or lecture in which the speaker deliberately uses a simple, conversational approach; a sermon is a speech by a clergyman intended to give religious or moral instruction and usually based on Scriptural text [ME speche < OE spæc, spræc < base of sprecan, to speak: see SPEAK]
speech clinic a clinic for treating speech disorders
speech community all the people speaking a particular language or dialect, whether in a single geographical area or dispersed throughout various regions
speech disorder any conspicuous speech imperfection, or variation from accepted speech patterns, caused either by a physical defect in the speech organs or by a mental disorder, as aphasia, stuttering, etc.
speech form LINGUISTIC FORM
speechify (spi:´chэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vi. to make a speech: used humorously or contemptuously speech´i·fi'er •n.
speechless (spi:ch´lis) •adj. 1 incapable of speech; lacking the ability to speak 2 temporarily unable to speak; silent, as from shock 3 not expressed or expressible in words {speechless terror} SYN. VOICELESS speech´less·ly •adv. speech´less·ness •n.
speechmaker (-mei'kэr) •n. a person who makes a speech or speeches; orator speech´mak'ing •n.
speed (spi:d) •n. 1 the act or state of moving rapidly; swiftness; quick motion 2 a) the rate of movement or motion; velocity {the speed of sound} b) the rate or rapidity of any action {reading speed} 3 a gear or arrangement of gears for the drive of an engine or bicycle {a truck with five forward speeds} 4 [Colloq.] one's kind or level of taste, capability, etc. Æ 5 [Slang] any of various amphetamine compounds, esp. Methedrine 6 [Archaic] luck; success; prosperity {to wish someone good speed} 7 Photog. a) the sensitivity of film to light, expressed in various numerical scales b) the widest effective aperture of a camera lens (see also F-NUMBER) c) the length of time the shutter is opened for an exposure •adj. of or having to do with speed •vi. sped or speed´ed, speed´ing 1 to move rapidly, esp. more rapidly than is safe or allowed by law 2 [Archaic] a) to get along; fare b) to have fortune, good or bad c) to have good fortune; prosper; succeed •vt. 1 to help (a project) to succeed; aid; promote 2 to wish Godspeed to {to speed the parting guest} 3 to send, convey, or cause to move, go, etc. swiftly {to speed a letter on its way} 4 to cause or design (a machine, etc.) to operate at a certain speed or speeds 5 [Archaic] to cause to succeed or prosper SYN. HASTE at speed quickly; rapidly speed up to increase in speed; go or make go faster; accelerate [ME sped < OE spæd, wealth, power, success, akin to spowan, to prosper, succeed < IE base *spēi-, to flourish, expand > SPACE, SPARE]
speed brake an airplane flap designed to decrease flight speed, esp. when landing
speed bump a raised concrete ridge, as in a parking lot, to discourage fast driving by jolting a car driving over it
speed trap a stretch of road where speeders are frequently apprehended, as by concealed police or through radar
speedball (spi:d´böl´) •n. [Slang] a dose of heroin or morphine and cocaine or, sometimes, an amphetamine
speedboat (-bout') •n. a motorboat built for speed
speeder (-эr) •n. Æ a person or thing that speeds; esp., a motorist who drives faster than is safe or legal
speeding (-iŋ) •n. Æ the act of driving a motor vehicle at a higher speed than is safe or legal
speedometer (spi däm´эt эr) •n. a device, often combined with an odometer, attached to a motor vehicle, etc. to indicate speed, as in miles per hour: it is usually connected to the transmission by a flexible drive shaft [< SPEED + -METER]
speedster (spi:d´stэr) •n. 1 a very fast driver, runner, vehicle, etc. 2 SPEEDER
speedup (-ûp') •n. an increase in speed; esp., an increase in the rate of output, as required by an employer without any increase in pay
speedway (-wei') •n. 1 a track for racing automobiles or motorcycles 2 a road for high-speed traffic
speedwell (-wel') •n. any of a genus (Veronica) of plants of the figwort family, with white or bluish flower spikes [< SPEED, v. + WELL²: orig. sense prob. prosper well]
speedy (spi:d´i:) speed´i·er, speed´i·est •adj. 1 characterized by speed of motion; rapid; swift 2 without delay; quick; prompt {a speedy reply} SYN. FAST¹ speed´i·ly •adv. speed´i·ness •n.
speiss (spais) •n. a mixture of metallic arsenides produced during the smelting of copper, iron, and certain other ores [Ger speise, amalgam, lit., food < ML spesa, cost, expense, earlier spensa < L expensa (pecunia), (money) spent < pp. of expendere, to EXPEND]
spelaean or spelean (spi li:´эn) •adj. 1 of or like a cave 2 dwelling in caves [< L spelaeum < Gr spēlaion, cave + -AN]
speleology (spi:'li: äl´э ji:) •n. the scientific study and exploration of caves spe'le·ol´o·gist •n. [< L spelaeum (see SPELEAN) + -LOGY]
speleothem (spi:´li: э θem') •n. a mineral deposit formed in caves by the evaporation of mineral-rich water, as a stalactite, stalagmite, or helictite
spell¹ (spel) •n. 1 a word, formula, or form of words thought to have some magic power; incantation 2 seemingly magical power or irresistible influence; charm; fascination 3 a trance cast a spell on 1 to put into, or as into, a trance 2 to win the complete affection of under a spell held in a spell or trance; enchanted [ME < OE, a saying, tale, charm, akin to Goth spill, tale < ? IE base *(s)pel-, to speak loudly]
spell² (spel) spelled or spelt, spell´ing •vt. 1 to name, write, or signal the letters which make up (a word, syllable, etc.), esp. the right letters in the right order 2 to make up, or form (a word, etc.): said of specified letters 3 to signify; mean {hard work spelled success} •vi. to spell a word, words, etc.; esp., to do so correctly spell out 1 to read letter by letter or with difficulty 2 to make out, or discern, as if by close reading Æ 3 to explain exactly and in detail [ME spellen < OFr espeller, to explain, relate < Frank *spellōn, akin to prec.]
spell³ (spel) spelled, spell´ing •vt. 1 [Colloq.] to serve or work in place of (another), esp. so as to give a period of rest to; relieve 2 [Chiefly Austral.] to give a period of rest to •vi. [Chiefly Austral.] to take a period of rest or relief •n. 1 a turn of serving or working in place of another 2 a period or turn of work, duty, etc. {a two-year spell as reporter} 3 a turn, period, or fit of something {a spell of brooding} 4 a period of a specified sort of weather {a cold spell} 5 [Colloq.] a period of time that is indefinite, short, or of a specified character Æ 6 [Dial.] a short distance 7 [Colloq.] a period or fit of some illness, indisposition, etc. 8 [Chiefly Austral.] a period of rest or relief from activity [ME spelien < OE spelian, to substitute for, akin to spala, a substitute]
spellbind (spel´baind') -bound', -bind'ing •vt. to hold by or as by a spell; fascinate; enchant [back-form. < SPELLBOUND]
spellbinder (-bain'dэr) •n. a speaker, esp. a politician, who can sway an audience with eloquence
spellbound (-baund') •adj. held or affected by or as by a spell; fascinated; enchanted [SPELL¹ + BOUND²]
spelldown (spel´daun') •n. SPELLING BEE
speller (-эr) •n. 1 a person who spells words {a poor speller} Æ 2 a book of exercises for teaching spelling
spelling (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who spells words 2 the way in which a word is spelled; orthography
spelling bee a spelling contest, esp. one in which a contestant is eliminated after misspelling a word
spelling pronunciation a pronunciation of a word that is influenced by its spelling and does not follow standard usage {(fôr´kas''l) is a spelling pronunciation of forecastle (fōk´sªl)}
spelt¹ (spelt) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of SPELL²
spelt² (spelt) •n. 1 a primitive species (Triticum spelta) of wheat with grains that do not thresh free of the chaff: now seldom cultivated 2 local name for EMMER [ME < OE < LL spelta < Gmc *speltō < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split off > SPILL¹]
spelter (spel´tэr) •n. crude zinc from the smelter, esp. as used in galvanizing [< or akin to MDu speauter, LowG spialter: akin to PEWTER]
spelunker (spi lûŋ´kэr, spi:´lûŋ'-) •n. a person who explores caves as a hobby spe·lunk´ing •n. [< obs. spelunk, cave (< ME spelunke < L spelunca < Gr spēlynx, akin to spēlaion, cave) + -ER]
spence (spens) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] a larder or pantry Also sp. spense [ME < ML spensa, aphetic for dispensa < L, fem. pp. of dispendere, to weigh out: see DISPENSE]
Spencer (spen´sэr) 1 a masculine name: var. Spenser 2 Herbert 1820-1903; Eng. philosopher [< the surname Spencer < ME spenser, butler, steward < OFr despencier < despense, larder, buttery < ML dispensa: see SPENCE]
spencer¹ (spen´sэr) •n. a short jacket of an early 19th-cent. style [after the 2d Earl Spencer (1758-1834)]
spencer² (spen´sэr) •n. a trysail on a gaff [< pers. name fol.]
Spencerian (spen sir´i: эn) •adj. Æ of or characteristic of the style of penmanship taught by Platt Rogers Spencer (1800-64), U.S. teacher, characterized by rounded, well-formed letters
spend (spend) spent, spend´ing •vt. 1 to use up, exhaust, consume, or wear out {his fury was spent} 2 to pay out (money); disburse 3 to give or devote (time, labor, thought, or effort) to some enterprise or for some purpose 4 to pass (a period of time) {spending hours together} 5 to waste; squander •vi. 1 to pay out or use up money, etc. 2 [Obs.] to be or become consumed, wasted, etc. spend´a·ble •adj. [ME spenden < OE spendan (in comp.) < ML spendere < L expendere: see EXPEND]
Spender (spen´dэr), Stephen 1909- ; Eng. poet & critic spender (-эr) •n. a person who spends, esp. lavishly
spending money money for small personal expenses
spendthrift (spend´θrift') •n. a person who spends money carelessly or wastefully; squanderer •adj. wasteful; extravagant; prodigal
Spengler (speŋ´lэr; Ger shpeŋ´lэř), Oswald 1880-1936; Ger. philosopher
Spenser (spen´sэr) 1 a masculine name: see SPENCER 2 Edmund c. 1552-99; Eng. poet
Spenserian (spen sir´i: эn) •adj. of or characteristic of Edmund Spenser or his writing •n. 1 a follower or imitator of Spenser 2 a Spenserian stanza, or poem in such stanzas
Spenserian stanza a stanza consisting of eight lines of iambic pentameter and a final line of iambic hexameter (an alexandrine), with a rhyme scheme ababbcbcc, used by Spenser in The Fairie Queene
spent (spent) •adj. 1 tired out; physically exhausted; without energy 2 used up; worn out; without power 3 exhausted of sperm or spawn
-sperm (spørm) combining form forming nouns seed {gymnosperm} [see SPERM¹]
sperm oil a valuable lubricating oil from the sperm whale
sperm whale any of a family (Physeteridae) of toothed whales; esp., a large species (Physeter catodon) inhabiting warm seas: a closed cavity in its roughly square head contains sperm oil
sperm¹ (spørm) •n. 1 the male generative fluid; semen 2 SPERMATOZOON [ME sperme < MFr esperme < LL sperma < Gr, seed, germ < speirein, to sow, scatter: for IE base see SPARK¹]
sperm² (spørm) •n. short for: 1 SPERMACETI 2 SPERM OIL 3 SPERM WHALE
spermaceti (spør'mэ si:t´ai', -si:t´i:; -set´-) •n. a white, waxlike substance taken from the oil in the head of a sperm whale or dolphin, used in making cosmetics, ointments, candles, etc. [ML sperma ceti, lit., whale sperm < LL sperma, SPERM¹ + L ceti, gen. of cetus, whale < Gr kētos]
spermagonium (-gou´ni: эm) pl. -ni·a (-ni: э) Bot. a flasklike structure found in certain fungi and lichens, which produces small, nonmotile sperm cells (spermatia) •n. [ModL < LL sperma, SPERM¹ + ModL -gonium, -GONIUM]
-spermal (spør´mэl) combining form -SPERMOUS
spermary (spør´mэ ri:) pl. -ries •n. an organ in which male germ cells are formed; male gonad; testis [ModL spermarium < LL sperma, SPERM¹]
spermatheca (spør'mэ θi:´kэ) •n. a small, saclike structure in the female reproductive tract in many invertebrates, esp. insects, for receiving and storing sperm [ModL: see SPERM¹ & THECA]
spermatic (spэr mæt´ik) •adj. 1 of, like, or having to do with sperm or sperm cells; generative or seminal 2 of or having to do with a spermary [MFr spermatique < LL spermaticus < Gr spermatikos]
spermatic cord the cord that suspends a testicle within the scrotum, consisting of a vas deferens, nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels, and connective tissue
spermatid (spør´mэ tid) •n. Zool. any of the four haploid cells formed by the two consecutive meiotic divisions of a primary spermatocyte, each of which develops into a spermatozoon [SPERMAT(O)- + -ID]
spermatium (spэr mei´shi: эm) pl. -ti·a (-shi: э) •n. Bot. 1 a nonmotile male sex cell in red algae 2 a very small, nonmotile male gamete, found in some lichens and fungi [ModL < Gr spermation, dim. of sperma, a seed: see SPERM¹]
spermato- (spør´mэ tou, -tэ; spэr mæt´ou, -э) combining form seed or sperm {spermatogenesis} Also, before a vowel, spermat- [< Gr sperma (gen. spermatos), a seed, SPERM¹]
spermatocyte (spør´mэ tou sait', spэr mæt´э-) •n. 1 Bot. a cell that develops into a spermatozoid 2 Zool. a stage in the development of the male sex cell, originating by growth from a spermatogonium [prec. + -CYTE]
spermatogenesis (spør'mэ tou jen´э sis, spэr mæt'э-) •n. the production and development of spermatozoa sper'ma·to·ge·net´ic •adj. [ModL: see SPERMATO- & -GENESIS]
spermatogonium (-gou´ni: эm) pl. -ni·a (-ni: э) •n. Zool. a primitive male germ cell which divides into spermatocytes or more spermatogonia sper'ma·to·go´ni·al •adj. [ModL < SPERMATO- + Gr gonē, seed: see GONAD]
spermatophore (spør´mэ tou för', spэr mæt´э-) •n. Zool. a case or capsule containing a number of spermatozoa, expelled whole by the male of certain animals, as in many copepods or leeches sper·ma·toph·o·ral (spør'mэ täf´эr эl) •adj. [SPERMATO- + -PHORE]
spermatophyte (-fait') •n. any seed-bearing plant sper'ma·to·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [SPERMATO- + -PHYTE]
spermatorrhea (spør'mэ tэ ri:´э, spэr mæt'э-) •n. the too frequent involuntary discharge of semen without an orgasm [SPERMATO- + -RRHEA]
spermatozoid (-zou´id) •n. Bot. in certain mosses, ferns, etc., a male gamete that moves by means of flagella: it is usually produced in an antheridium [< fol. + -ID]
spermatozoon (-zou´än', -эn) pl. -zo´a (-zou´э) •n. the male germ cell, found in semen, which penetrates the ovum, or egg, of the female to fertilize it: typically it consists of a head containing a large nucleus, a small midsection, and a whiplike tail used for locomotion sper'ma·to·zo´al, sper'ma·to·zo´an, or sper'ma·to·zo´ic •adj. [ModL < SPERMATO- + Gr zōion, animal: see BIO-]
spermicide (spør´mэ said') •n. an agent that kills spermatozoa sperm'i·cid´al •adj. [SPERM¹ + -i- + -CIDE]
spermine (spør´mi:n', spør´min) •n. a basic substance, C10H26N4, associated with nucleic acids and cell membranes, found in nearly all animal tissues: first found in human semen [SPERM¹ + -INE³]
spermiogenesis (spør'mi: ou jen´э sis) •n. 1 Zool. the changing of a spermatid into a spermatozoon 2 SPERMATOGENESIS [ModL < spermium (< Gr spermeion, sperm < sperma: see SPERM¹) + -GENESIS]
spermo- (spør´mэ, -mou) combining form SPERMATO-
spermogonium (spør'mэ gou´ni: эm) pl. -ni·a (-ni: э) •n. alt. sp. of SPERMAGONIUM [ModL]
spermophile (spør´mэ fail', -fil) •n. any of several squirrel-like rodents, as the ground squirrels, that live in burrows, feed on vegetation, and sometimes damage crops [< Gr sperma, a seed (see SPERM¹) + -PHILE]
spermous (spør´mэs) •adj. of or like sperm
-spermous (spør´mэs) combining form forming adjectives having (a specified number or kind of) seed {monospermous}
Sperry (sper´i:) 1 Elmer Ambrose 1860-1930; U.S. inventor, electrical engineer, & manufacturer 2 Roger Wolcott 1913- ; U.S. neurobiologist
sperrylite (sper´i lait') •n. a silvery-white, granular or crystalline, native compound of platinum and arsenic, PtAs2 [after its Cdn discoverer, F. L. Sperry + -LITE]
spessartite (spes´эr tait') •n. a usually dark-red variety of garnet containing manganese and aluminum, often with some iron: also called spes´sar·tine' (-ti:n') [Fr, after Spessart, mountain range in Bavaria + -ite, -ITE¹]
spew (spyu:) •vt., vi. 1 to throw up from or as from the stomach; vomit; eject 2 to flow or gush forth •n. something spewed; vomit spew´er •n. [ME spewen < OE spiwan, akin to Ger speien, Goth speiwan < IE base *(s)p(h)yēu- > L spuere, to vomit, Gr ptyein, to spit]
Spezia see LA SPEZIA
sphacelate (sfæs´э leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt., vi. to make or become gangrenous; mortify sphac'e·la´tion •n. [< ModL sphacelatus, pp. of sphacelare, to mortify < sphacelus, gangrene < Gr sphakelos]
sphagnum (sfæg´nэm) •n. 1 any of a genus (Sphagnum) of highly absorbent, spongelike, grayish peat mosses found in bogs 2 a mass of such peat mosses, used to improve soil, to pack and pot plants, etc. sphag´nous (-nэs) •adj. [ModL < Gr sphagnos, kind of moss]
sphalerite (sfæl´эr ait', sfeil´-) •n. native zinc sulfide, ZnS, the principal ore of zinc, usually brownish with resinous luster [Ger sphalerit < Gr sphaleros, deceptive (< sphallein, to trip, deceive: for IE base see SPOIL) + -it, -ITE¹: so named from being mistaken for other ores]
sphene (sfi:n) •n. a mineral, CaTiSiO5, a silicate of calcium and titanium with varying amounts of other elements [Fr sphène < Gr sphēn, a wedge (for IE base see SPOON): so named because of its crystal form]
spheno- (sfi:´nou, -nэ) combining form 1 shaped like a wedge {sphenogram} 2 of the sphenoid bone Also, before a vowel, sphen- [< Gr sphēn: see SPHENE]
sphenodon (sfi:´nэ dän') •n. TUATARA [< prec. + Gr odōn, TOOTH]
sphenogram (sfi:´nэ græm') •n. a cuneiform, or wedge-shaped, character [SPHENO- + -GRAM]
sphenoid (sfi:´noid') •adj. 1 wedge-shaped 2 Anat. designating or of the wedge-shaped compound bones of the skull: see SKULL, illus. Also sphe·noi´dal •n. 1 the sphenoid bone 2 Mineralogy a wedge-shaped crystal form having four triangular faces [ModL sphenoides < Gr sphēnoeides: see SPHENE & -OID]
spheral (sfir´эl) •adj. 1 of or like a sphere 2 rounded in form; spherical 3 symmetrical [LL sphaeralis]
sphere (sfir) •n. 1 any round body or figure having the surface equally distant from the center at all points; globe; ball 2 a star, planet, etc. 3 the visible heavens; sky 4 short for CELESTIAL SPHERE 5 any of a series of hypothetical spherical shells, transparent, concentric, and postulated as revolving one within another, in which the stars, planets, sun, moon, etc. were supposedly set: a concept of ancient astronomy 6 the place, range, or extent of action, existence, knowledge, experience, influence, etc.; province; compass 7 social stratum; place in society; walk of life •vt. sphered, spher´ing [Old Poet.] 1 to put in or as in a sphere 2 to put among the heavenly spheres 3 to form into a sphere [ME spere < OFr espere < L sphaera < Gr sphaira]
-sphere (sfir) combining form 1 something resembling a sphere; esp., a cell or body part {oosphere} 2 any of the atmospheric layers surrounding a planet or star {chromosphere}
sphere of influence a region in which political and economic influence or control is exerted by one nation over another nation or other nations
spherical (sfer´i kэl, sfir´-) •adj. 1 shaped like a sphere; globular 2 of a sphere or spheres 3 Astrol. of the celestial spheres: sometimes with astrological reference Also spher´ic SYN. ROUND¹ spher´i·cal·ly •adv. [< LL sphaericus < Gr sphairikos + -AL]
spherical aberration optical distortion resulting from the spherical shape of a lens or mirror
spherical angle an angle formed by the intersecting arcs of two great circles on a sphere
spherical coordinate Math. any of three coordinates for locating a point in three-dimensional space by reference to the length of its radius vector and the two polar angles that determine the position of this vector
spherical geometry the study of the geometry of figures drawn on a sphere
spherical polygon a closed figure on the surface of a sphere bounded by the arcs of three or more great circles
spherical triangle a closed figure on the surface of a sphere bounded by the arcs of three great circles: the sum of the angles exceeds 180°
spherical trigonometry the application of trigonometry to spherical triangles
sphericity (sfi ris´э ti:) •n. the state of being spherical; round form; roundness [ML sphaericitas]
spherics¹ (sfer´iks, sfir´-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 SPHERICAL GEOMETRY 2 SPHERICAL TRIGONOMETRY
spherics² (sfer´iks, sfir´-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] alt. sp. of SFERICS
spheroid (sfir´oid) •n. a body that is almost but not quite a sphere, esp. one generated by the rotation of an ellipse about one of its axes •adj. of this shape: also sphe·roi´dal [L sphaeroides < Gr sphairoeidēs: see SPHERE & -OID]
spherometer (sfi räm´эt эr) •n. an instrument used for measuring the curvature of a surface, as of a lens [Fr sphéromètre: see SPHERE & -METER]
spherule (sfer´u:l, sfir´-; -yu:l) •n. a small sphere or spherical body; globule spher´u·lar •adj. [L sphaerula, dim. of sphaera: see SPHERE]
spherulite (-u lait', -yu lait') •n. a rounded or spherical crystalline body found in some glassy volcanic rocks spher'u·lit´ic (-lit´ik) •adj. [prec. + -ITE¹]
sphery (sfir´i:) spher´i·er, spher´i·est •adj. [Old Poet.] 1 of or like a sphere 2 of the heavenly spheres
sphincter (sfiŋk´tэr) •n. Anat. a ring-shaped muscle that surrounds a natural opening in the body and can open or close it by expanding or contracting sphinc´ter·al •adj. [LL < Gr sphinktēr < sphingein, to draw close < IE *spheig- < base *spēi-, to flourish, grow thick > SPEED, SPARE]
sphingid (sfin´jid) •n. HAWK MOTH [< ModL Sphingidae < sphinx (gen. sphingis), type genus < L: see SPHINX & -IDAE]
sphinx (sfiŋks) pl. sphinx´es or sphin·ges (sfin´ji:z') •n. 1 any ancient Egyptian statue or figure having, typically, the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk 2 Gr. Myth. a winged monster with a lion's body and the head and breasts of a woman 3 a person who is difficult to know or understand 4 Zool. HAWK MOTH [S-] 1 a huge statue having the body of a lion and the head of a man, at Gîza, near Cairo, Egypt 2 Gr. Myth. a sphinx at Thebes that strangles passersby who are unable to guess its riddle [ME spynx < L sphinx < Gr, lit., the strangler < sphingein: see SPHINCTER]
sphragistics (sfrэ jis´tiks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the study of engraved seals and signets sphra·gis´tic •adj. [< LGr sphragistikos, of seals < Gr sphragis, a seal]
sphygmic (sfig´mik) •adj. Physiol. of the pulse [ModL sphygmicus < Gr sphygmikos < sphygmos, the pulse < sphyzein, to throb]
sphygmo- (sfig´mou, -mэ) combining form the pulse {sphygmograph} Also, before a vowel, sphygm- [< Gr sphygmos: see SPHYGMIC]
sphygmogram (sfig´mou græm') •n. the record or tracing made by a sphygmograph [prec. + -GRAM]
sphygmograph (-græf', -gräf') •n. an instrument for recording the rate, force, and variations of the pulse sphyg'mo·graph´ic •adj. sphyg·mog´ra·phy (-mä´grэ fi:) •n. [SPHYGMO- + -GRAPH]
sphygmomanometer (sfig'mou mэ näm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring arterial blood pressure, consisting of an inflatable band wrapped around the upper arm to compress the artery, and an attached manometer [SPHYGMO- + MANOMETER]
sphygmometer (sfig mäm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring the force and rate of the pulse [SPHYGMO- + -METER]
spic (spik) •n. [Slang] an offensive term of contempt and derision for a person from a Spanish-speaking country of Latin America or from a Spanish-speaking community in the U.S.
spica (spai´kэ) •n. 1 pl. -cae (-si:) Bot. a spike, as of a flower 2 Med. a kind of bandage wrapped back and forth with spiral overlapping around parts of a joint [S-] the brightest star in the constellation Virgo, with a magnitude of 1.03 [L, ear of grain, orig., a point: see SPIKE²]
spicate (spai´keit) •adj. 1 Biol. spikelike in form 2 arranged in a spike or spikes [L spicatus, pp. of spicare, to provide with spikes < spica, a point, SPIKE²]
spiccato (spi kät´ou) •adj. Musical Direction played with the bow wrist relaxed so that the bow of a violin, etc. rebounds rapidly between notes [It, pp. of spiccare, to detach]
spice (spais) •n. 1 a) any of several vegetable substances, as cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or pepper, used to season food; spices are usually dried for use and have distinctive flavors and aromas b) such substances collectively or as a material 2 a spicy fragrance or aroma 3 that which adds zest, piquancy, or interest 4 [Archaic] a small bit; trace •vt. spiced, spic´ing 1 to season or flavor with spice 2 to add zest, piquancy, or interest to [ME < OFr espice < L species (see SPECIES): in LL, wares, assorted goods, esp. spices and drugs]
Spice Islands old name of MOLUCCAS
spiceberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a) a Caribbean tree (Eugenia rhombea) of the myrtle family, having orange or black fruit b) this fruit 2 any of several aromatic plants, esp. WINTERGREEN (sense 1)
spicebush (-bush') •n. 1 an aromatic E North American plant (Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family, with leathery leaves, small yellowish flowers, and red fruit formerly dried for use as a spice 2 CAROLINA ALLSPICE
spicery (spais´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 spices 2 spicy quality, flavor, or aroma 3 [Obs.] a place to keep spices [ME spicerie < MFr espicerie < espice: see SPICE]
spick (spik) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of SPIC
spick-and-span (spik´ªn spæn´) •adj. 1 new or fresh 2 neat and clean [short for spick-and-span-new < spick, var. of SPIKE¹ + SPAN-NEW < ME spon-neowe < ON spān-n##r < spānn, a chip, shaving + n##r, NEW]
spiculate (spik´yэ leit') •adj. 1 shaped like a spicule; needlelike 2 covered with or consisting of spicules Also spic´u·lar (-lэr) [L spiculatus]
spicule (spik´yu:l') •n. 1 Astron. any of the short-lived, bright, dense gas jets continuously spurting up through the chromosphere of the sun: thought to be extensions of the photosphere's granules 2 Bot. a small spike; spikelet 3 Zool. a small, hard, needlelike piece or process, esp. of bony or calcareous material, as in the skeleton of the sponge [< ModL & L: ModL spicula < ML, head of a lance or arrow < L spiculum, dim. of spica, a point, ear, SPIKE²]
spiculum (spik´yэ lэm) pl. -la (-lэ) •n. a spicule; esp., any of several spinelike organs found in lower animals, as the starfish [L]
spicy (spai´si:) spic´i·er, spic´i·est •adj. 1 containing or abounding in spices 2 having the flavor or aroma of spice; fragrant, aromatic, or pungent 3 piquant or zestful; lively, interesting, etc. 4 risqué; racy spic´i·ly •adv. spic´i·ness •n.
spider (spai´dэr) •n. 1 any of an order (Araneae) of small, chiefly land arachnids having a body composed of a cephalothorax bearing the legs and an abdomen bearing two or more pairs of spinnerets that spin the silk threads from which are made nests, cocoons for the eggs, or webs for trapping insects Æ 2 a cast-iron frying pan, orig. one with legs for use on a hearth 3 any of various devices or frameworks with several leglike extensions [ME spithre < OE spithra < *spinthra < spinnan, to SPIN]
spider crab any of a family (Majidae) of sea crabs with a pear-shaped body and long, slender legs: they are often overgrown with algae, hydroids, etc.
spider flower CLEOME
spider mite any of a family (Tetranychidae, order Acariformes) of plant-eating mites that resemble spiders
spider monkey any of a genus (Ateles, family Cebidae) of New World monkeys with long, spidery limbs, a long, prehensile tail, and the thumb rudimentary or absent
spider plant an African plant (Chlorophytum comosum) of the lily family, with narrow leaves often streaked with white, periodically producing slender stolons bearing small, white flowers followed by young plants that can be rooted
spiderwort (-wørt') •n. any of a genus (Tradescantia) of fleshy perennial plants of the spiderwort family, having grasslike leaves and showy purplish, white, or pink flowers •adj. designating a family (Commelinaceae, order Commelinales) of monocotyledonous plants, including the dayflower and wandering Jew
spidery (-i:) •adj. 1 like a spider 2 long and thin like a spider's legs 3 infested with spiders
spiegeleisen (spi:´gэl ai'zэn) •n. a hard, white pig iron containing 15 to 32% manganese Also spie·gel (spi:´gэl) or spiegel iron [Ger < spiegel, mirror (< OHG spiagal < L speculum: see SPECULUM) + eisen, IRON]
spiel (spi:l) •n. [Slang] a talk, speech, or harangue, as in persuading or selling •vi. [Slang] to give a spiel [Ger spielen, to play] spiel off [Slang] to recite by or as if by rote spiel´er •n. [Ger, play, game]
spier (spai´эr) •n. a person who spies
spiff (spif) •vt. [Slang] to make spiffy; spruce (up) [see SPIFFY]
spiffy (spif´i:) spiff´i·er, spiff´i·est •adj. [Slang] spruce, smart, or dapper spiff´i·ness •n. [< 19th-c. spiff, well-dressed person < ?]
spigot (spig´эt) •n. 1 a plug or peg used to stop the vent in a barrel, etc. 2 a) a faucet b) the valve or plug in a faucet 3 the end of a pipe that is inserted into an enlarged end of another pipe to form a joint [ME spigote, prob. akin (? via OFr) to OIt dial. spigorare, to tap (a cask) < L spiculum: see SPICULE]
spike lavender a European lavender mint (Lavandula latifolia) that yields an oil used in art
spike¹ (spaik) •n. 1 a long, heavy nail 2 a sharp-pointed part or projection, usually slender and of metal, as along the top of an iron fence, etc. 3 any long, slender, pointed object, as the unbranched antler of a young deer 4 a) any of a number of sharp or pointed metal projections on the soles, and often on the heels, of shoes used for baseball, golf, track, etc. to prevent slipping b) [pl.] a pair of such shoes c) a high, very thin heel on a woman's shoe (also spike heel) Æ 5 a young mackerel not more than six inches long 6 a) a transient wave or variation in potential difference that propagates along a nerve axon b) a graphic recording or tracing of this, as any of the jagged peaks in an electroencephalogram •vt. spiked, spik´ing 1 to fasten or fit with or as with a spike or spikes 2 to mark, pierce, cut, etc. with a spike or spikes, or impale on a spike 3 to make (a cannon) unusable by driving a spike into the touchhole 4 to thwart, frustrate, or block (a scheme, etc.) Æ 5 [Slang] to add alcoholic liquor to (a drink) 6 Baseball to injure with the spikes on one's shoes Æ 7 Volleyball to leap into the air while close to the net and smash (the ball) into the opponents' court hang up one's spikes [Colloq.] to retire, as from a professional sport [ME < ON spīkr, a nail, spike, or < MDu & MLowG spīker, both ult. < IE base *(s)p(h)ei-, sharp, pointed splinter > SPIT¹, SPOKE¹, L spica, ear of grain, spina, SPINE]
spike² (spaik) •n. 1 an ear of grain 2 an unbranched flower cluster with stalkless flowers attached directly to the central axis: see INFLORESCENCE, illus. spiked •adj. [ME spik < L spica: see SPIKE²]
spikelet (-lit) •n. a small spike; esp., an individual unit of a flower cluster of a grass
spikenard (-närd', -nэrd) •n. 1 a fragrant ointment used in ancient times 2 an Asiatic plant (Nardostachys jatamansi) of the valerian family that yielded this ointment Æ 3 a perennial North American plant (Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family, with whitish flowers, purplish berries, and fragrant roots [ME < LL(Ec) spica nardi < L spica, an ear of grain (see SPIKE²) + nardus, NARD]
spike-tooth harrow (-tu:θ') a harrow with sharp teeth
spiky (spai´ki:) spik´i·er, spik´i·est •adj. 1 shaped like a spike; long and pointed 2 having spikes 3 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] not amiable or companionable; bristling, irascible, etc. spik´i·ness •n.
spile (spail) •n. 1 a plug or spigot, as for a barrel Æ 2 a tap or spout driven into a maple tree to draw off sap 3 a heavy stake or timber driven into the ground as a foundation or support •vt. spiled, spil´ing 1 to furnish or support with spiles, or stakes 2 to set a spile into (a tree, barrel, etc.) 3 to draw off (liquid) through a spile 4 to stop up (a hole) with a spile, or plug [MDu, splinter, skewer, bar, spindle: for IE base see SPIKE¹]
spiling (spail´iŋ) •n. spiles or timbers collectively [< prec. + -ING]
spill¹ (spil) spilled or spilt, spill´ing •vt. 1 to allow or cause, esp. unintentionally or accidentally, to run, fall, or flow over from a container, usually so as to result in loss or waste {Who spilled the milk?} 2 to shed (blood) 3 a) to empty the wind from (a sail) b) to lessen the pressure of (wind) on a sail 4 to scatter at random from a receptacle or container 5 [Colloq.] to let (something secret) become known; divulge 6 [Colloq.] to cause or allow (a rider, load, etc.) to fall off; throw off 7 [Obs.] a) to kill b) to destroy or ruin c) to squander; waste •vi. to be spilled from a container; overflow; run out •n. 1 the act of spilling 2 the amount spilled 3 SPILLWAY 4 a fall or tumble, as from a horse or from a vertical position spill over to overflow in superabundance or excess [ME spillen < OE spillan, to destroy, squander, akin to MHG spillen, to split < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split, split off > SPALL, L spolium]
spill² (spil) •n. 1 a splinter 2 a splinter, thin roll of paper, etc., set on fire and used to light a pipe, candle, etc. 3 a paper cone or roll used as a container 4 a small plug for stopping up a hole; spile 5 a small metal peg, pin, or rod [ME spille, prob. via dial. spil < ON spila, a splinter, akin to SPILE]
spillage (-ij) •n. the act of spilling or the amount spilled
spillikin (spil´i kэn) •n. [Chiefly Brit.] 1 any of the strips used in jackstraws 2 [pl., with sing. v.] the game of jackstraws Also sp. spilikin [< MDu spilleken, dim. of spille: see SPILE]
spillover (spil´ou'vэr) •n. 1 the act of spilling over 2 that which spills over; excess or overabundance
spillway (-wei') •n. a passageway or channel to carry off excess water, as around a dam [SPILL¹ + WAY]
spilt (spilt) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of SPILL¹
spilth (spilθ) •n. [Obs.] 1 the act of spilling 2 that which is spilled, esp. profusely [SPIL(L)¹ + -TH¹]
spin (spin) spun, spin´ning •vt. 1 a) to draw out and twist fibers of (wool, cotton, etc.) into thread b) to make (thread, yarn, etc.) by this process 2 to make (a web, cocoon, etc.) from a filament of a viscous fluid that is extruded from the body and hardens on exposure to the air: said of spiders, silkworms, etc. 3 to make or produce in a way suggestive of spinning {to spin a tale} 4 to draw out (a story, etc.) to a great length; prolong; protract 5 to cause to whirl or rotate swiftly {to spin a top} 6 to cause (wheels of a vehicle) to rotate freely without traction, as on ice or in sand 7 to extract water from (clothes) in a washer by the centrifugal force of swift rotation •vi. 1 to spin thread or yarn 2 to form a thread, web, etc.: said of spiders, etc. 3 to fish with a spinning reel 4 to whirl or rotate swiftly 5 to go into or descend in a spin: said of an aircraft 6 to seem to be spinning from dizziness 7 to move along swiftly and smoothly 8 to rotate freely without traction {wheels spinning on ice} •n. 1 the act of spinning or rotating something 2 a spinning or rotating movement 3 a moving along swiftly and smoothly 4 a ride or pleasure trip in a motor vehicle 5 any descent in which an airplane comes down nose first along a spiral path of large pitch and small radius 6 any sudden, steep downward movement 7 a particular emphasis or slant imparted to information in order to create a desired effect, such as a favorable public image for a politician [from the fact that the spin imparted to a ball in certain games affects its direction, bounce, etc.] 8 Physics a) the intrinsic angular momentum of an elementary particle or photon, produced by rotation about its own axis b) the total angular momentum of a nuclide spin off 1 to produce as an outgrowth or secondary benefit, development, etc. 2 to get rid of [ME spinnen < OE spinnan, akin to Ger spinnen < IE base *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, draw, spin > Lith spéndžiu, to lay a snare & (prob.) L pendere, to hang]
spin casting SPINNING (n. 2) spin-cast (spin´cæst') •vi.
spin the bottle a kissing game played by young people, in which a bottle is spun to point to the one to be kissed
spina bifida (spai´nэ bai´fi dэ, bif´i-) a congenital defect characterized by imperfect closure of part of the spinal column, exposing some of the nervous system and often resulting in hydrocephalus, paralysis, etc. [ModL < L spina (see SPINE) + bifida, fem. of bifidus, BIFID]
spinach (spin´ich) •n. 1 a plant (Spinacia oleracea) of the goosefoot family, with large, dark-green, juicy, edible leaves, usually eaten cooked 2 the leaves of this plant [< MFr espinach < (? via ML spinachia) OSp espinaca < Ar isbānakh < Pers aspanākh]
spinal (spai´nэl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the spine or spinal cord 2 of a spine or needle-shaped process •n. a spinal anesthetic spi´nal·ly •adv. [LL spinalis]
spinal anesthesia Surgery anesthesia of the lower part of the body by the injection of an anesthetic into the spinal cord, usually in the lumbar region spinal anesthetic
spinal canal the canal, or tube, formed by the vertebral arches, containing the spinal cord
spinal column the series of joined vertebrae forming the axial support for the skeleton; spine; backbone: see also SKELETON, illus.
spinal cord the thick cord of nerve tissue of the central nervous system, extending down the spinal canal from the medulla oblongata
spindle (spin´dэl) •n. 1 a slender rod or pin used in spinning; specif., a) in hand spinning, a rounded rod, usually wooden, tapering toward each end, for twisting into thread the fibers pulled from the material on the distaff, and notched at one end so as to hold the thread (see DISTAFF, illus.) b) on a spinning wheel, the rod by which the thread is twisted and on which it is then wound c) in a spinning machine, any of the rods holding the bobbins on which the spun thread is wound 2 a measure for yarn, equal to 14,400 yards in linen or 15,120 yards in cotton 3 the spindle-shaped bundle of nuclear fibers formed during one stage of mitosis 4 a short turned piece or decorative rod, as in a baluster, the back of some chairs, etc. 5 any rod, pin, or shaft that revolves or serves as an axis for a revolving part, as an axle, arbor, or mandrel 6 in a lathe, a shaftlike part (live spindle) that rotates while holding the thing to be turned, or a similar part (dead spindle) that does not rotate 7 the small, square shaft passing through a door lock, to which the doorknobs are attached Æ 8 a metal spike on a base, on which papers are impaled for temporary filing: also spindle file 9 HYDROMETER 10 Naut. a metal rod or pipe with a lantern, ball, etc. at its top, fastened to a rock, shoal, or the like as a warning to vessels •adj. of or like a spindle or spindles •vi. -dled, -dling 1 to grow in a long, slender shape 2 to grow into a long, slender stalk or stem •vt. 1 to form into a spindle 2 to fit or equip with a spindle Æ 3 to impale (papers, etc.) on a SPINDLE (sense 8) [ME (with intrusive -d-) < OE spinel < spinnan, to SPIN]
spindle tree EUONYMUS
spindle-legged (-leg'id, -legd') •adj. having thin legs: also spin´dle-shanked' (-shæŋkt')
spindlelegs (-legz') •n.pl. 1 thin legs 2 [with sing. v.] [Colloq.] a person with thin legs
spindling (spind´liŋ') •adj. SPINDLY
spindly (spind´li:) -dli·er, -dli·est •adj. long or tall and very thin or slender, often so as to be or seem frail or weak
spindrift (spin´drift') •n. spray blown from a rough sea or surf [earlier spenedrift, Scot var. of spoondrift < spoon, to scud (< ?) + DRIFT]
spine (spain) •n. 1 any of the stiff, sharp-pointed, superficial emergences on a plant, as on a rose, thistle, or cactus 2 a) a sharp process of bone b) any of the sharp, stiff projections on the bodies of certain animals, as the quill of a porcupine or a ray of a fish's fin c) anything resembling either of these projections 3 the spinal column; backbone 4 anything regarded as resembling a backbone, as a) a ridge of ground, crest of a hill, etc. b) the part of a bound book covering the backbone, and usually bearing the title and author's name Æ 5 courage, willpower, etc. [ME < OFr espine < L spina, thorn, prickle, backbone: see SPIKE¹]
spinel (spi nel´, spin´эl) •n. a hard, crystalline isometric mineral, (Mg,Fe)Al2O4, that is an oxide of aluminum, magnesium, and iron, found in various colors and used as a gemstone if it is highly transparent [Early ModE spynel < MFr spinelle < It spinella, dim. of spina, thorn, spine < L: see SPINE]
spineless (spain´lis) •adj. 1 having no backbone; invertebrate 2 having a weak or flexible backbone 3 lacking courage, resistance, willpower, etc. 4 without spines, or thorny processes spine´less·ly •adv. spine´less·ness •n.
spinescent (spai nes´эnt) •adj. 1 spiny; having spines 2 becoming spiny or spinelike [LL spinescens, prp. of spinescere, to grow spiny < L spina, SPINE]
spinet (spin´it, spi net´) •n. 1 an early, small variety of harpsichord with a single keyboard 2 a) a small upright piano of relatively low height b) a small electronic organ of similar design [MFr espinete < It spinetta, said to be after its alleged inventor, G. Spinetti, but prob. < spina, thorn (< L, SPINE): so named from the pointed quills used to strike the strings]
spiniferous (spai nif´эr эs) •adj. bearing spines [L spinifer < spina, SPINE + -FEROUS]
spinifex (spin´i feks') •n. any of a genus (Spinifex) of Australian grasses with pointed leaves and bristly seed heads [ModL < L spina, SPINE + facere, to make, DO¹]
spininess (spai´ni: nis) •n. a spiny quality or condition
spinnaker (spin´э kэr) •n. a large, triangular, baggy headsail used on some racing yachts when running before the wind [said to be < spinx, altered after Sphinx, name of a yacht which carried the sail]
spinner (spin´эr) •n. a person or thing that spins; specif., a) a fishing lure with attached blades that revolve or flutter when drawn through the water; also, any of these blades b) a domelike cap that fits over the hub of an airplane propeller and rotates with it
spinneret (spin'э ret´) •n. 1 the organ in spiders, caterpillars, etc., that spins thread for webs or cocoons 2 a thimblelike device or metal plate with tiny holes through which a solution is forced in the making of synthetic fibers [dim. of prec.]
spinney (spin´i:) pl. -neys •n. [Brit.] a small wood; copse [ME spenne, thorn hedge < OFr espinei < VL *spinēta, for L spinetum < spina, thorn, SPINE]
spinning (spin´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of making thread or yarn from fibers or filaments 2 the act of fishing with a rod that has a fixed spool, a light line, and light lures •adj. that spins or is used in spinning
spinning frame any of various spinning machines with many spindles
spinning jenny an early spinning machine with several spindles, for spinning more than one thread at a time
spinning mule MULE¹ (sense 3)
spinning wheel a simple spinning machine fitted with a single spindle driven by the rotation of a large wheel spun by a foot treadle or by hand
spinoff (spin´öf') •n. 1 a) the divestiture by a corporation of some of its assets or operations, accomplished by distributing to its stockholders shares of a new company formed to assume control over the divested parts b) the divestiture of a subsidiary by distributing its shares in this way c) the new company or subsidiary so divested 2 a secondary benefit, product, development, etc., as a television series built around a character, situation, etc. in another series
spinose (spai´nous') •adj. full of or covered with spines spi´nose·ly •adv. [L spinosus < spina, SPINE]
spinosity (spai näs´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the condition of being spinose 2 something spinose, or thorny, nettling, etc. [LL spinositas]
spinous (spai´nэs) •adj. 1 SPINOSE 2 like a spine or thorn in form 3 thorny; nettling [L spinosus]
Spinoza (spi nou´zэ), Ba·ruch (bэ ru:k´) (Eng. Benedict) 1632-77; Du. philosopher
Spinozism (-ziz'эm) •n. the philosophy of Spinoza, who taught that there is but one infinite substance, God (or Nature), having infinite attributes of which only thought and extension are knowable Spi·no´zist •n.
spinster (spin´stэr) •n. 1 a woman who spins thread or yarn 2 a) a woman who is not married, divorced, or widowed (used esp. in legal documents) b) a middle-aged or older woman who has never married spin´ster·hood' •n. spin´ster·ish •adj. [ME < spinnen, to SPIN + -STER]
spinthariscope (spin θær´э skoup') •n. a small device with a fluorescent screen, for visually observing the scintillations produced by the impact of alpha rays given off by a radioactive substance [< Gr spintharis, a spark + -SCOPE]
spinto (spi:n´tô) •adj. Music both dramatic and lyric: said of a singer's voice {a spinto soprano} •n. pl. -tos a spinto voice or singer [It, pp. of spingere, to push, spur on < VL expingere < L ex-, intens. + pangere, to fasten, drive in: see FANG]
spinule (spai´nyu:l', spin´yu:l') •n. a small spine spi´nu·lose' •adj. [L spinula, dim. of spina, SPINE]
spiny (spai´ni:) spin´i·er, spin´i·est •adj. 1 covered with or having spines, thorns, or prickles 2 full of difficulties; troublesome; thorny 3 spine-shaped