sheath knife a knife carried in a sheath
sheathbill (-bil') •n. any of a family (Chionidae) of white-plumed antarctic shorebirds distinguished by a horny, saddlelike sheath at the base of the upper bill
sheathe (shi:ð) sheathed, sheath´ing •vt. 1 to put into a sheath or scabbard 2 to enclose in or protect with a case or covering {wood sheathed with tin} 3 to thrust (a sword, knife, etc.) into flesh 4 to retract (claws) [ME schethen < schethe]
sheathing (shi:´ðiŋ) •n. 1 the act of one that sheathes 2 something that sheathes or encases; casing; specif., a) the inner covering of boards or waterproof material on the roof or outside wall of a frame house b) the protective covering of a ship's bottom or hull
sheave¹ (shi:v, shiv) •n. a wheel with a grooved rim, such as is mounted in a pulley block to guide the rope or cable; pulley wheel [ME sheve, var. of schive < OE *scife, akin to Ger scheibe, disk < IE *skeip- < base *skei-, to cut > SHEATH]
sheave² (shi:v) sheaved, sheav´ing •vt. to gather and fix (grain, papers, etc.) in a sheaf or sheaves [< SHEAF]
sheaves¹ (shi:vz) •n. pl. of SHEAF
sheaves² (shi:vz, shivz) •n. pl. of SHEAVE¹
Sheba (shi:´bэ) Biblical name of SABA (the ancient kingdom) Sheba , Queen of Bible the queen who visited King Solomon to investigate his reputed wisdom: 1 Kings 10:1-13
shebang (shэ bæŋ´) •n. 1 a shack or hut 2 [Colloq.] an affair, business, contrivance, thing, etc.: chiefly in the whole shebang [prob. var. of SHEBEEN]
Shebat (shэ vät´) •n. the fifth month of the Jewish year See JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb shebhāt]
shebeen (shi bi:n´) •n. [Chiefly Irish] an establishment where liquor is sold without a license [Anglo-Ir < Ir sībīn, little mug]
Sheboygan (shi boi´gэn) city & port in E Wis., on Lake Michigan: pop. 50,000 [< Menomini saapiiweehekaneh, lit., at a hearing distance through the woods]
she'd (shi:d) 1 she had 2 she would
shed¹ (shed) •n. 1 a small, rough building or lean-to, used for shelter or storage, as a workshop, etc. 2 a large, strongly built, barnlike or hangarlike structure, often with open front or sides [< ME shadde, var. of shade < OE scead, shelter, protection, SHADE]
shed² (shed) shed, shed´ding •vt. 1 to pour out; give off; emit 2 to cause to flow in a stream or fall in drops {to shed tears} 3 to send forth or spread about; radiate; diffuse; impart {to shed confidence} 4 to cause to flow off without penetrating; repel {oilskin sheds water} 5 a) to cast off or lose (a natural growth or covering, as leaves, skin, hair, etc.) b) to get rid of (something unwanted) {to shed a few pounds} •vi. 1 to shed a natural growth or covering, as hair 2 to drop off or fall out: said of leaves, seeds, etc. •n. [ME schede, division] 1 a ridge of high ground; specif., WATERSHED 2 an opening in the warp threads of a loom for the shuttle to pass through shed blood to kill in a violent way [ME scheden < OE sceadan, to separate, distinguish, akin to Ger scheiden, to cut, separate: for IE base see SHEATH]
shedder (shed´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that sheds Æ 2 a lobster, crab, etc. that is shedding or has just shed its shell
sheen (shi:n) •n. 1 brightness; shininess; luster 2 bright or shining attire •adj. [Archaic] of shining beauty; bright [ME schene < OE sciene, beautiful, splendid, akin to Ger schön (< IE base *(s)keu-, to observe, heed > HEAR): sense infl. by assoc. with SHINE] •vi. [Dial.] to shine; gleam sheen´y, sheen´i·er, sheen´i·est, •adj. [< the adj.]
sheep (shi:p) pl. sheep •n. 1 any of a wide variety of bovid ruminants, with horns in both sexes; esp., the domesticated sheep (Ovis aries) which has heavy wool, edible flesh called mutton, and skin used in making leather, parchment, etc. 2 leather made from the skin of the sheep, as for bookbinding 3 a person who is meek, stupid, timid, submissive, etc. make (or cast) sheep's eyes at to look shyly but amorously at [ME schep < OE sceap, scæp, akin to Ger schaf: known only in WGmc]
sheep dog any dog trained to herd and protect sheep Also sheep´dog' (-dög', -däg') •n.
sheep fescue a widespread perennial grass (Festuca ovina) of temperate climates, growing in small, grayish-green tufts
sheep ked (ked) SHEEP TICK [ked < ?]
sheep laurel a small E North American plant (Kalmia angustifolia) of the heath family, with pinkish flowers and evergreen leaves poisonous to sheep and other animals
sheep sorrel a low-growing sorrel (Rumex acetosella) with reddish or yellowish flowers, often found on dry soils
sheep tick a wingless, flattened, leathery dipterous fly (Melophagus ovinus) that is an external parasite on sheep
sheepberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a tall North American viburnum shrub or small tree (Viburnum lentago) with white flowers and juicy, blue-black berries 2 this berry
sheepcote (-kout') chiefly Brit. var. of SHEEPFOLD Also sheep´cot' (-kät') •n. [see COTE¹]
sheep-dip (-dip') •n. any chemical preparation used as a bath to free sheep from vermin and sheep scab or to clean the fleece and skin before shearing
sheepfold (-fould') •n. a pen or enclosure for sheep [ME < OE sceapa fald: see FOLD²]
sheepherder (-hør'dэr) •n. a person who herds or takes care of a large flock of grazing sheep sheep´herd'ing •n.
sheepish (-ish) •adj. 1 a) embarrassed as because of feeling chagrin b) awkwardly shy or bashful 2 resembling sheep in meekness, timidity, etc. sheep´ish·ly •adv. sheep´ish·ness •n. [ME shepisse, like a sheep]
sheepman (-mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. Æ a person who raises sheep for the market
sheep-run (-rûn') •n. [Austral.] a large property for raising sheep Also sheep´-sta'tion (-stei'shэn)
sheepshank (-shæŋk') •n. a knot used for shortening a rope: see KNOT¹, illus.
sheepshead (shi:ps´hed') •n. Æ 1 pl. -head' or -heads' a) a large, edible, marine porgy fish (Archosargus probatocephalus) with a massive head, a striped, deep body, and sheeplike incisor and molar teeth: found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. b) the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) common in the Great Lakes and Mississippi watershed c) a red wrasse (Semicossyphus pulcher) of the California coast 2 [Archaic] a stupid person
sheepshearing (shi:p´shir'iŋ) •n. 1 the act of shearing sheep 2 the time when sheep are sheared 3 a traditional feast held at this time sheep´shear'er •n.
sheepskin (-skin') •n. 1 the skin of a sheep, esp. one dressed with the fleece on it, as for a coat 2 parchment or leather made from the skin of a sheep: the parchment is often used for documents, as diplomas Æ 3 [Colloq.] DIPLOMA
sheepwalk (-wök') •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a range for sheep
sheer¹ (shir) •vi. to turn aside sharply from a course; swerve •vt. to cause to sheer •n. 1 a sudden change of course; abrupt turn; swerve 2 the oblique heading or position of a ship riding at a single bow anchor 3 the upward curve of a ship's deck toward the bow and stern, as seen from the side [var. of SHEAR, prob. infl. by Du or LowG scheren, to cut, deviate, warp away]
sheer² (shir) •adj. 1 very thin; transparent; diaphanous: said of textiles 2 not mixed or mingled with anything else; pure {sheer ice} 3 absolute; downright; unqualified; utter {sheer persistence} 4 perpendicular or extremely steep, as the face of a cliff •adv. 1 completely; utterly; outright 2 perpendicularly or very steeply •n. thin, fine material, or a curtain, etc. made of it SYN. STEEP¹ sheer´ly •adv. sheer´ness •n. [ME schere, prob. var. of scere, free, exempt < ON skærr, bright, clear, akin to Ger schier: for IE base see SHINE]
sheerlegs (shir´legz') •n.pl. SHEARS (sense 3)
sheet anchor 1 a large anchor used only in emergencies 2 a person or thing to be relied upon in danger [ME shute anker < ? schuten, to SHOOT + anker, ANCHOR: reason for name uncert.]
sheet bend Naut. a knot used in fastening a rope to the bight of another rope or to an eye: see KNOT¹, illus.
sheet lightning a sheetlike illumination caused by lightning reflected and diffused by clouds, etc.
sheet metal metal rolled thin in the form of a sheet
sheet music music printed on unbound sheets of paper
sheet¹ (shi:t) •n. 1 a large, rectangular piece of cotton, linen, etc., used on a bed, usually in pairs, one under and one over the body 2 a) a rectangular piece of paper, esp. one of a number of pieces cut to a definite, uniform size, as for use in writing, printing, etc. b) a large piece of such paper with a number of pages printed on it, to be folded into a signature for binding into a book (usually used in pl.) c) [Colloq.] a newspaper {a scandal sheet} 3 a broad, continuous surface, layer, or expanse, as of flame, water, ice, etc. 4 a broad, thin, usually rectangular piece of any material, as glass, plywood, metal, etc. 5 a flat baking pan {a cookie sheet} 6 [Old Poet.] a sail 7 Geol. any layer or deposit of rock, gravel, soil, ice, etc. that is broad in extent and comparatively thin 8 Philately a) the unseparated stamps printed on a piece of paper by a single impression of a plate b) PANE (sense 4a) •vt. to cover or provide with, or form into, a sheet or sheets •adj. in the form of a sheet {sheet iron} sheet´like' •adj. [ME schete < OE sceat, piece of cloth, lappet, region, akin to Ger schoss, lap, ON skaut, lappet: for prob. IE base see SHOOT]
sheet² (shi:t) •n. 1 a rope or chain attached to a lower corner of a sail: it is shortened or slackened to control the set of the sail 2 [pl.] the spaces not occupied by thwarts, or cross seats, at the bow and stern of an open boat sheet home to tighten the sheets of (a square sail) until it is set as flat as possible three sheets in (or to) the wind [Slang] very drunk [ME shete, as if < OE sceata, lower corner of a sail (akin to prec.) but actually short for sceatline, line attached to that part of a sail]
sheeting (shi:t´iŋ) •n. 1 cotton or linen material used for making sheets 2 material used in covering or lining a surface {copper sheeting} 3 the action or process of covering with or forming into sheets
Sheetrock (-räk') trademark for a kind of plasterboard •n. [s-] such plasterboard
Sheffield (shef´i:ld) city in NC England, in South Yorkshire: pop. 477,000
sheik or sheikh (shi:k; also, for 1-2, sheik) •n. 1 the chief of an Arab family, tribe, or village 2 an official in the Muslim religious organization 3 [Old Slang] a masterful man to whom women are irresistibly attracted [after E. M. Hull's novel, The Sheik (1921)] sheik´dom or sheikh´dom •n. [Ar shaikh, lit., old man < shākha, to grow old]
Sheila (shi:´lэ) a feminine name: see CECILIA •n. [s-] [Austral. & N.Z. Colloq.] a girl or young woman [Ir]
shekel (shek´эl) •n. 1 an ancient unit of weight used by Hebrews, Babylonians, etc., equal to about half an ounce 2 a half-ounce gold or silver coin of the ancient Hebrews 3 the basic monetary unit of Israel: see MONEY, table 4 [pl.] [Slang] money [Heb < shakal, to weigh]
Shekinah (shэ ki:´nэ, -kai´-; Heb shэ khi: nä´) Judaism the manifestation of the presence of God; Divine Presence [TalmudHeb shechina < root škn, to dwell]
sheldrake (shel´dreik') pl. -drakes' or -drake' •n. 1 any of several large, Old World wild ducks (genera Tadorna and Casarca) that feed on fish, shellfish, etc. and nest in burrows: the plumage is variegated and often brightly colored 2 MERGANSER Also shel´duck' (-dûk') [ME sheldedrake, prob. < a ME cognate of MDu schillede, variegated < schillen, to make different + drake, DRAKE¹]
shelf (shelf) pl. shelves •n. 1 a thin, flat length of wood or other material fixed horizontally at right angles to a wall and used for holding things 2 a similar support, usually one of a set, built into a frame, as in a bookcase or cupboard 3 the contents or capacity of a shelf 4 something like a shelf; specif., a) a flat ledge jutting out from a cliff b) a sandbar or sandy reef 5 a layer of bedrock, as under deposits of soil or gravel on the shelf out of use, activity, or circulation shelf´like' •adj. [ME, prob. < MLowG schelf, akin to OE scylf, shelf, ledge < IE *skelp < base *(s)kel-, to cut > HALF]
shelf ice ICE SHELF
shelf life the length of time a packaged food, chemical preparation, etc. can be stored without deteriorating
shell (shel) •n. 1 a hard outer covering, as of a turtle, mollusk, insect, egg, fruit, seed, etc. 2 something like or suggestive of a shell in being hollow, empty, or simply a covering or framework, as the hull of a boat, a hollow pastry or unfilled pie crust, the framework of a building, a structure with an arched or hemispherical roof or back, a tapered beer glass, etc. 3 a shy, reserved, or uncommunicative attitude or manner {to come out of one's shell} Æ 4 a woman's simple sleeveless blouse or sweater Æ 5 a long, narrow, thin-hulled racing boat rowed usually by a team of oarsmen 6 an explosive artillery projectile containing high explosives and sometimes shrapnel, chemicals, etc. Æ 7 a cartridge for small arms or small artillery, consisting of a metal, paper, or plastic case holding the primer, powder charge, and shot or bullet 8 a pyrotechnic cartridge which explodes high in the air 9 a) a mollusk b) [pl.] shellfish 10 Chem., Physics a) any of the spherical or elliptical orbits of electrons around the nucleus of an atom, each with the same principal quantum number and about the same energy b) the space taken up by such an orbit c) a grouping of like nucleons of approximately the same energy in the nucleus •vt. 1 to remove the shell or covering from; take out of the shell {to shell peas, oysters, etc.} 2 to separate (kernels of corn, wheat, etc.) from the cob or ear 3 to fire shells at from a large gun or guns; bombard •vi. 1 to separate from the shell or covering {peanuts shell easily} 2 to fall, slough, or peel off, as a shell Æ 3 to gather or collect shells shell out [Colloq.] to pay out (money) shell´-like' •adj. shell´y •adj. [ME schelle < OE sciel, akin to MDu schelle < IE base *(s)kel-: see SHELF]
she'll (shi:l; stressed shil) 1 she shall 2 she will
shell bean any bean, as the lima bean, whose seeds but not pods are used as food
shell game 1 a swindling game in which spectators are challenged to bet on the location of a small object ostensibly concealed under one of three cups or nutshells manipulated by sleight of hand 2 any scheme for tricking and cheating people
shell jacket a closefitting semiformal jacket; mess jacket
shell shock early term for COMBAT FATIGUE shell´shocked' (-shäkt') •adj.
shell steak a cut of steak from the short loin
shellac or shellack (shэ læk´) •n. 1 refined lac, a resin usually produced in thin, flaky layers or shells and used in making varnish, phonograph records, insulating materials, etc. 2 a thin, usually clear kind of varnish containing this resin and alcohol •vt. -lacked´, -lack´ing 1 to apply shellac to; cover or varnish with shellac Æ 2 [Slang] a) to beat b) to defeat decisively [SHEL(L) + LAC, used as transl. of Fr laque en écailles, lac in fine sheets]
shellacking (-iŋ) •n. [Slang] Æ 1 a whipping; flogging; beating Æ 2 a thorough defeat
shellback (shel´bæk') •n. 1 an old, experienced sailor 2 anyone who has crossed the equator by ship [SHELL + BACK¹, in allusion to the shell of the sea turtle]
shellbark (-bärk') •n. SHAGBARK
-shelled (sheld) combining form having a (specified kind of) shell {hard-shelled crab}
sheller (shel´эr) •n. a collector of seashells
Shelley (shel´i:) 1 a feminine name 2 Mary Woll·stone·craft (wul´stэn kræft') 1797-1851; Eng. novelist: daughter of Mary & William Godwin: second wife of Percy 3 Percy Bysshe (bish) 1792-1822; Eng. poet
shellfire (shel´fair') •n. the firing of large shells
shellfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any aquatic animal with a shell, as a shelled mollusk or crustacean, esp. an edible one, as the clam or lobster [ME shellfyssche < OE scilfisc < sciel, SHELL + fisc, FISH]
shellproof (-pru:f') •adj. proof against damage from shells or bombs
shelta (shel´tэ) •n. an esoteric jargon based on Irish and Gaelic and still spoken by tinkers, vagrants, etc. in some parts of Ireland and England [earlier sheldru, shelter < ? OIr bēlre, speech]
shelter (shel´tэr) •n. 1 something that covers or protects; protection, or place affording protection, as from the elements or danger 2 the state of being covered or protected; protection; refuge •vt. to provide shelter or refuge for; protect •vi. to find protection or refuge shel´ter·er •n. shel´ter·less •adj. SYN.—shelter implies the protection of something that covers, as a roof or other structure that shields one from the elements or danger [to find shelter from the rain]; refuge suggests a place of safety that one flees to in escaping danger or difficulties [he sought political refuge in France]; retreat implies retirement from that which threatens one's peace, and withdrawal to a safe, quiet, or secluded place [a country retreat]; asylum is applied to a refuge where one is immune from seizure or harm, as because it is beyond a particular legal jurisdiction [the convict sought asylum abroad]; a sanctuary is an asylum that has a sacred or inviolable character [the former right of sanctuary in churches] [prob. < ME scheltroun, earlier scheltrum < OE sceldtruma, lit., shield troop, body of men protected by interlocked shields < scield (see SHIELD) + truma, an array, troop; akin to trum, strong: (see TRIM)]
shelter tent a small, portable tent that shelters two persons: it is made by fastening together two sections (shelter halves)
shelterbelt (-belt') •n. a barrier zone of trees or shrubs planted to protect crops, soil, etc. against strong winds and storms
sheltered workshop a workshop and training center for handicapped persons, where they can earn wages but are free from the competitive stress of the usual job
sheltie or shelty (shel´ti:) pl. -ties •n. [Colloq.] 1 SHETLAND SHEEPDOG 2 SHETLAND PONY [prob. < Orkney pronun. of ON hjalti, Shetlander]
shelve (shelv) shelved, shelv´ing •vi. to incline or slope gradually •vt. [< pl. of SHELF] 1 to equip with shelves 2 to put on a shelf or shelves 3 a) to lay aside as if on a shelf; defer {to shelve a discussion} b) to dismiss or retire from active service [< SHELF]
shelves (shelvz) •n. pl. of SHELF
shelving (shel´viŋ) •n. 1 material for shelves 2 shelves collectively 3 the condition or degree of sloping
Shem (shem) Bible the eldest of Noah's three sons: Gen. 5:32 [Heb shem]
Shema (shэ mä´) •n. a declaration of the basic principle of Jewish belief, proclaiming the absolute unity of God [< Heb shma < shma yisroel, Hear, O Israel (the opening words): see Deut. 6:4-9]
Shemite (shem´ait') •n. rare var. of SEMITE
Shenandoah (shen'эn dou´э) river in N Va., flowing through a valley (Shenandoah Valley) between the Blue Ridge & Allegheny mountains, into the Potomac: c. 200 mi. (321 km) [prob. of Iroquoian orig.]
Shenandoah National Park national park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of N Va.: 302 sq. mi. (782 sq. km)
shenanigan (shi næn´i gэn) •n. [Colloq.] 1 [usually pl.] [Colloq.] nonsense; trickery; mischief 2 a) a treacherous or deceitful trick b) a playful or mischievous trick: usually used in pl. [altered < ? Ir sionnachuighim, I play the fox]
Shensi (shen´si:´; Chin shûn´shi:) old form of SHAANXI
Shenyang (shûn´yäŋ´) city in NE China: capital of Liaoning province: pop. 4,020,000
Sheol (shi:´oul') Bible a place in the depths of the earth conceived of as the dwelling of the dead [Heb < ? shaal, to dig]
Shepard (shep´эrd) 1 Alan (Bartlett) 1923- ; U.S. astronaut: 1st American in space (1961) 2 Sam (born Samuel Shepard Rogers) 1943- ; U.S. playwright
shepherd (shep´эrd) •n. 1 a person who herds and takes care of sheep 2 a leader of a group; esp., a minister •vt. to tend, herd, guard, or lead as or like a shepherd [ME shephirde < OE sceaphyrde: see SHEEP & HERD²]
shepherdess (-is) •n. a girl or woman shepherd, esp. as a stock character in pastoral poetry See -ESS
shepherd's check (or plaid) 1 a pattern of small checks formed by stripes of black and white 2 fabric woven in this pattern Also shepherd check
shepherd's pie a meat pie baked with a top crust of mashed potatoes
shepherd's purse a small weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris) of the crucifer family, with triangular, pouchlike pods
Sheraton (sher´э tэn) •adj. designating or of an 18th-cent. Eng. style of furniture characterized by simplicity of form, straight lines, and classically chaste decoration [after Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806), Eng cabinetmaker]
sherbet (shør´bэt) •n. 1 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a beverage, orig. from the Orient, made of watered fruit juice and sugar, and served cold 2 a frozen dessert like an ice but with gelatin and, often, milk added: also, erroneously, sher·bert (shør´børt) [Turk serbet < Ar sharba(t), a drink, var. of sharāb: see SYRUP]
Sherbrooke (shør´bruk') city in S Quebec, Canada: pop. 76,000
sherd (shørd) •n. var. of SHARD
Sheridan (sher´i dэn) 1 Philip Henry 1831-88; Union general in the Civil War 2 Richard Brins·ley (brinz´li:) 1751-1816; Brit. dramatist & politician, born in Ireland
sherif (she ri:f´) •n. 1 a descendant of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima 2 an Arab prince or chief 3 the chief magistrate of Mecca [Ar sharīf, noble]
sheriff (sher´if) •n. 1 in England, esp. formerly, any of various officers of a shire, or county Æ 2 in the U.S., the chief law-enforcement officer of a county, charged in general with the keeping of the peace and the execution of court orders sher´iff·dom •n. [ME schirreve < OE scirgerefa < scir, SHIRE + gerefa, REEVE¹]
Sherlock Holmes (shør´läk' houmz´, houlmz´) a fictitious British detective with great powers of deduction, the main character in many stories by A. Conan Doyle
Sherman (shør´mэn) 1 John 1823-1900; U.S. statesman: brother of William 2 Roger 1721-93; Am. statesman: signer of the Declaration of Independence 3 William Tecumseh 1820-91; Union general in the Civil War
Sherpa (shør´pэ, sher´-) •n. 1 pl. -pas or -pa a member of a Tibetan people living on the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal, famous as mountain climbers 2 [s-] a fabric with a woolly pile of polyester, cotton, etc., often used for linings of winter clothing
sherris (sher´is) •n. archaic var. of SHERRY
sherry (sher´i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a Spanish fortified wine varying in color from light yellow to dark brown and in flavor from very dry to sweet 2 any similar wine made elsewhere [taken as sing. of earlier sherris, after Xeres (now Jerez), Spain, where first made]
Sherwood (shør´wud), Robert Emmet 1896-1955; U.S. playwright
Sherwood Forest (shør´wud) forest in Nottinghamshire, England, made famous in the Robin Hood legends
she's (shi:z) 1 she is 2 she has
Shetland (shet´lэnd) region of NE Scotland, consisting of a group of islands (Shetland Islands) in the Atlantic, northeast of the Orkney Islands: 551 sq. mi. (1,427 sq. km); pop. 23,000 •n. 1 a) SHETLAND PONY b) SHETLAND SHEEPDOG 2 [also s-] a) SHETLAND WOOL b) a fabric made from Shetland wool [ON Hjaltland]
Shetland pony any of a breed of hardy pony (typically 38-40 in., 96.5-101.5 cm, in height), originally from the Shetland Islands, with a full mane and tail and a shaggy coat in winter
Shetland sheepdog any of a breed of dog closely resembling the rough collie but smaller: developed in the Shetland Islands for herding cattle and sheep: see COLLIE
Shetland wool 1 fine wool from the undercoat of sheep from Shetland 2 a soft, fine wool yarn made from this wool
shew (shou) shewed, shewn or shewed, shew´ing •n., vt., vi. archaic sp. of SHOW
shewbread (shou´bred') •n. archaic var. of SHOWBREAD [prec. + BREAD, after Ger schaubrot, Luther's transl. for Heb lechem panim, lit., bread of (the divine) face, or presence]
SHF or shf superhigh frequency
Shiah (shi:´э) pl. Shi´ah •n. var. of SHIITE
shiatsu (shi: ät´su:) •n. a kind of massage using acupressure [contr. of Jpn shiatsuryōhō, lit., finger pressure treatment < shi, finger + atsu-, pressure + ryōhō, treatment]
shibboleth (shib´э leθ', -lэθ) •n. 1 the test word used by the men of Gilead to distinguish the escaping Ephraimites, who pronounced the initial (sh) as (s): Judg. 12:4-6 2 any test word or password 3 any phrase, custom, etc. distinctive of a particular party, class, etc. [ME sebolech, after LL(Ec) sciboleth < Heb shibolet, a stream: pres. meaning from the use of the word as a test word]
Shibeli (shэ bel´i:) river in E Africa, flowing from SE Ethiopia through Somalia into a swamp near the Juba River: c. 1,200 mi. (1,932 km)
shicker (shik´эr) •adj. DRUNK (sense 1) •n. DRUNKARD Also shik´ker [Yidd shiker < Heb shikor: see CIDER]
shied (shaid) •vi., vt. pt. & pp. of SHY¹, SHY²
shield (shi:ld) •n. 1 a flat, usually broad, piece of metal, wood, etc., carried in the hand or worn on the forearm to ward off blows or missiles 2 any person or thing that guards, protects, or defends 3 a heraldic escutcheon 4 anything shaped like a shield, as a plaque, trophy, badge, or emblem 5 a movable canopy protecting workers from cave-ins in mines, tunnels, etc. 6 a heavy metal screen attached to an artillery piece for the protection of the gunners 7 a) a guard or safety screen, as over the moving parts of machinery b) an insulating covering on electric wires, etc. c) any material or structure used for protection against radiation 8 DRESS SHIELD 9 Zool. a hard surface covering or shell; protective plate, as on a turtle •vt. 1 to be or provide a shield for; defend; protect; guard 2 to hide from view; screen •vi. to serve as a shield, or protection shield´er •n. [ME schelde < OE scield, akin to Ger schild < Gmc *skild- < IE base *(s)kel- > SHELF]
shieling (shi:´liŋ) •n. [Scot.] 1 a pasture 2 a shepherd's rude hut or cottage [< Scot shiel, shieling (< ME schele, a shelter, akin to ON skjol, ult. < IE base *(s)keu-, to cover > HOUSE, HIDE¹) + -ING]
shier¹ (shai´эr) •n. a horse that tends to shy
shier² (shai´эr) •adj. alt. compar. of SHY¹
shiest (-эst) •adj. alt. superl. of SHY¹
shift (shift) •vt. 1 to move or transfer from one person, place, or position to another {to shift the blame} 2 to replace by another or others; change or exchange 3 to change (gears) from one arrangement to another in driving a motor vehicle 4 to change phonetically, as by Grimm's law 5 [Now Chiefly Dial.] to change (clothes) •vi. 1 a) to change position, direction, form, character, etc. b) to undergo phonetic change 2 to get along; manage {to shift for oneself} 3 to use tricky, evasive, or expedient methods Æ 4 to change from one gear arrangement to another 5 in typing, to change from small letters, etc. to capitals, etc. by depressing a key (shift key) 6 [Now Chiefly Dial.] to change one's clothing •n. 1 the act of shifting from one person, place, position, etc. to another; change; transfer; substitution 2 a means or plan of conduct, esp. one followed in an emergency or difficulty; expedient; stratagem 3 a deceitful scheme or method; evasion; trick Æ 4 short for GEARSHIFT 5 a) a group of people working in relay with another or other groups {the night shift} b) the regular work period of such a group 6 a change in direction, as of the wind 7 a) [Now Rare] a chemise, or woman's slip b) a loose dress that hangs straight with no waistline 8 [Now Chiefly Dial.] a change of clothing Æ 9 Football a regrouping of offensive or defensive players before the ball is put in play 10 Linguis. a phonetic change or series of changes that alters the system of sounds in a language: see GREAT VOWEL SHIFT 11 Mining a fault or displacement, as in a vein 12 Music a change in the position of the hand, as on the fingerboard of a violin 13 Physics a change in the observed frequency of a wave, as of light or sound make shift to manage or do the best one can (with whatever means are at hand) shift´a·ble •adj. shift´er •n. [ME schiften < OE sciftan, to divide, separate < IE *skeib- > SHIP]
shiftless (-lis) •adj. 1 lacking the will or ability to do or accomplish; incapable, inefficient, lazy, etc. 2 showing such lack shift´less·ly •adv. shift´less·ness •n.
shifty (shif´ti:) shift´i·er, shift´i·est •adj. 1 [Now Rare] full of shifts or expedients; resourceful 2 having or showing a tricky or deceitful nature; evasive shift´i·ly •adv. shift´i·ness •n.
shigella (shi gel´э) pl. -lae (-i:) •n.or -las any of a genus (Shigella) of Gram-negative bacilli, certain species of which cause dysentery [ModL, after Kiyoshi Shiga (1870-1957), Jpn bacteriologist]
shigellosis (shig'э lou´sis) •n. dysentery caused by various strains of shigella [< prec. + -OSIS]
Shih Tzu (shi:´ dzu:´) pl. Shih Tzus or Shih Tzu any of a breed of toy dog, developed in China, with long, silky hair, short legs, a short, square muzzle, and a plumed tail curved over the back [Mandarin shihtzu, lion]
shiitake (shi: tä´ki:) •n. an edible, Japanese mushroom (Lentinus edodes) from a family (Agaricaceae) of basidiomycetous fungi [Jpn]
Shiite (shi:´ait') •n. a member of one of the two great sects of Muslims: Shiites consider Ali, Mohammed's son-in-law and the fourth of the caliphs, as the first Imam and the rightful successor of Mohammed, and do not accept the Sunna as authoritative: cf. SUNNITE Shi´ism' •n. Shi·it´ic (-it´ik) •adj. [Ar shī؟a, followers, faction, sect < shā؟a, to spread, circulate]
Shijiazhuang (shû´jyä´jwäŋ´) city in Hebei province, NE China: pop. 1,118,000: old form Shih´chia´chuang
shikar (shi kär´) •n. in India, hunting as a sport [Pers shikār]
shikari or shikaree (shi kä´ri:) •n. in India, a hunter, esp. a native hunter who serves as a guide [Hindi shikāri < Pers shikār, a hunt]
Shikoku (shi:´kô ku:') island of Japan, south of Honshu: c. 6,860 sq. mi. (17,768 sq. km)
shiksa (shik´sэ) •n. a woman or girl who is not Jewish: term of mild contempt
shilingi (shi liŋ´i:) pl. shi'ling·i •n. the shilling of Tanzania
shill (shil) •n. [Slang] 1 the confederate of a gambler, pitchman, auctioneer, etc. who pretends to buy, bet, or bid so as to lure onlookers into participating 2 a person who works energetically to sell or promote something •vi. [Slang] to act or work as a shill [contr. < shillaber < ?]
shillelagh or shillalah (shi lei´li:, -lэ) •n. a club or cudgel: used chiefly of or by the Irish: also sp. shil·le´lah [after Shillelagh, village in County Wicklow, Ireland, famous for its oaks and blackthorns]
shilling (shil´iŋ) •n. 1 a) a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom, equal to ¹/20 of a pound or 12 pence b) a cupronickel coin worth one shilling: coinage discontinued in 1971 c) a former monetary unit of various other countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth, equal to ¹/20 of a pound or 12 pence 2 the basic monetary unit of: a) Kenya b) Somalia c) Tanzania d) Uganda: see MONEY, table 3 any of several coins of colonial America [ME schilling < OE scylling, akin to Ger schilling < Gmc *skildling, prob. < *skild- (see SHIELD) + *-ling, -LING¹]
Shilluk (shi lu:k´) •n. 1 pl. -luks´ or -luk´ any of a Nilotic people of Sudan living principally on the west bank of the White Nile 2 their Eastern Sudanic language
shilly-shally (shil´i: shæl'i:) •adv. [Now Rare] in a vacillating manner; irresolutely •n. [Now Rare] vacillation or irresolution, esp. over a trivial matter •vi. -lied, -ly·ing to be irresolute; vacillate, esp. over trifles [redupl. of shall I? meaning shall I or shall I not?]
Shiloh (shai´lou) national military park in SW Tenn., on the Tennessee River: scene of a Civil War battle (1862) [after an ancient town in Israel: see Josh. 18:1]
shim (shim) •n. Æ a thin, usually wedge-shaped piece of wood, metal, or stone used for filling space, leveling, etc., as in masonry Æ shimmed, shim´ming •vt. to fit with a shim or shims [< ?]
shimmer (shim´эr) •vi. 1 to shine with an unsteady light; glimmer 2 to form a wavering image, as by reflection from waves of water or heat •n. a shimmering light; glimmer SYN. FLASH shim´mer·y •adj. [ME schimeren < OE scymrian, freq. formation on base of scima, ray, light < IE base *skāi- > SHINE]
shimmy (shim´i:) •n. 1 [Old Slang] a chemise [< CHEMISE misunderstood as pl.] Æ 2 [< phr. to shake a shimmy] a) a jazz dance, popular in the 1920's, characterized by much shaking of the body b) a marked shaking, vibration, or wobble, as in the front wheels of an automobileÆ -mied, -my·ing •vi. 1 to dance the shimmy 2 to shake, vibrate, or wobble
Shimonoseki (shi:´mô nô sei´ki:) seaport at the SW tip of Honshu, Japan: pop. 262,000
shin¹ (shin) •n. 1 the front part of the leg between the knee and the ankle 2 the lower foreleg in beef •vt., vi. shinned, shin´ning to climb (a rope, pole, etc.) by using both hands and legs for gripping: often with up [ME schine < OE scinu, akin to Ger schiene, thin plate, schien-, shin < IE base *skei- > SHEATH]
shin² (shi:n) name of the twenty-second letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ש) •n. [Heb sīn, shīn, lit., tooth]
Shinar (shai´när) region mentioned in the Bible, prob. corresponding to Sumer, in Babylonia
shinbone (shin´boun') •n. TIBIA (sense 1)
shindig (shin´dig') •n. [Colloq.] a dance, party, entertainment, or other gathering, esp. of an informal kind [folk-etym. form of fol., as if shin-dig, a jovial kick in the shin]
shindy (shin´di:) pl. -dies •n. [Old Colloq.] 1 a noisy disturbance; commotion; row 2 SHINDIG [< ?]
shine (shain) shone •vi. or, esp. for vt. 2, shined, shin´ing 1 to emit or reflect light; be radiant or bright with light; gleam; glow 2 to be eminent, conspicuous, or brilliant; stand out; excel 3 to exhibit itself clearly or conspicuously {love shining from her face} •vt. 1 to direct the light of {to shine a flashlight} 2 to make shiny or bright by polishing {to shine shoes} •n. 1 brightness; radiance 2 luster; polish; gloss Æ 3 short for SHOESHINE 4 splendor; brilliance; show 5 sunshine; fair weather Æ 6 [Old Colloq.] a trick or prank: usually used in pl. SYN. POLISH Æ shine up to [Slang] to try to ingratiate oneself with; curry favor with Æ take a shine to [Slang] to take a liking to (someone) [ME schinen < OE scinan, akin to Ger scheinen < IE base *sāi-, to glimmer > Gr skia, shadow]
shiner (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that shines Æ 2 pl. -ers or -er any of a number of freshwater minnows (esp. genus Notropis) with silvery scales Æ 3 [Slang] BLACK EYE (sense 2)
shingle¹ (shiŋ´gэl) •n. 1 large, coarse, waterworn gravel, as found on a beach 2 an area, as a beach, covered with this shin´gly •adj. [prob. < Scand, as in Norw singel, akin to MDu singele, coastal detritus < ?]
shingle² (shiŋ´gэl) •n. 1 a thin, wedge-shaped piece of wood, slate, etc. laid with others in a series of overlapping rows as a covering for roofs and the sides of houses Æ 2 a woman's short haircut in which the hair over the nape is shaped close to the head Æ 3 a small signboard, esp. that which a physician or lawyer hangs outside his or her office •vt. -gled, -gling 1 to cover (a roof, etc.) with shingles Æ 2 to cut (hair) in shingle style [ME schingel, prob. altered < OE scindel, akin to OS scindula < WGmc borrowing < L scindula, later form of scandula, shingle < IE *(s)k(h)end-, to split, extension of base *sek-, to cut > SAW¹]
shingle³ (shiŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt. to work on (puddled iron) by hammering and squeezing it to remove impurities [< Fr dial. (Picardy) chingler, var. of Fr cingler, to strike with a flexible rod, ult. < L cingula: see CINGULUM]
shingles (shiŋ´gэlz) •n. nontechnical name for HERPES ZOSTER [ME schingles, altered < ML cingulus < L cingulum, a belt, girdle < cingere, to gird (see CINCH): used in ML as transl. of Gr zōnē, girdle, shingles]
shinguard (shin´gärd') •n. one of a pair of padded guards worn to protect the shins, as by a baseball catcher or hockey goalkeeper
shininess (shain´i: nis) •n. the state or quality of being shiny; luster; polish
shining (shain´iŋ) •adj. 1 giving off or reflecting light; radiant; bright 2 brilliant; splendid {a shining example} SYN. BRIGHT
shinleaf (shin´li:f') •n. any of a genus (Pyrola) of plants of the heath family, with slender stalks having small, rounded evergreen leaves at the base and racemes of globular flowers [reason for name uncert.]
shinny¹ (shin´i:) pl. -nies •n. 1 a simple form of hockey, esp. as played by children 2 the curved stick or club used in this game •vi. -nied, -ny·ing to play shinny Also sp. shin´ney [prob. < SHIN¹]
shinny² (shin´i:) -nied, -ny·ing •vi. SHIN¹
shinplaster (shin´plæs'tэr, -pläs'tэr) •n. 1 a plaster or poultice for use on sore shins 2 [Colloq.] a piece of paper money made almost worthless, as by inflation or inadequate security 3 [Colloq.] a piece of paper money of small face value, usually less than a dollar, as any issued by the U.S. government between 1862 and 1878
shinsplints (-splints') •n.pl. [with sing. v.] painful strain of extensor muscles in the lower leg, caused as by running on a hard surface [< SHIN¹ & SPLINT, n. 4]
Shinto (shin´tou) •n. a principal religion of Japan, with emphasis upon the worship of nature and of ancestors and ancient heroes and upon the divinity of the emperor: prior to 1945, the state religion Shin´to·ism' •n. Shin´to·ist •n., adj. Shin'to·is´tic •adj. [Jpn shintō, shindō < SinoJpn shin, god (< Chin shen) + tō, dō, way]
shiny (shain´i:) shin´i·er, shin´i·est •adj. 1 full of, or reflecting, light; bright; shining 2 highly polished; glossy 3 worn or rubbed smooth, and having a glossy finish
ship (ship) •n. 1 any vessel of considerable size navigating deep water; esp., one powered by an engine and larger than a boat 2 a sailing vessel with a bowsprit and at least three square-rigged masts, each composed of lower, top, and topgallant members 3 a ship's officers and crew 4 an aircraft •vt. shipped, ship´ping 1 to put or take on board a ship Æ 2 to send or transport by any carrier {to ship cattle by rail} 3 to take in (water) over the gunwale or side, as in a heavy sea 4 to put or fix (an object) in its proper place on a ship or boat {ship the oars} 5 to engage (a person or persons) for work on a ship 6 [Colloq.] to send (away, out, etc.); get rid of •vi. 1 to go aboard ship; embark 2 to engage to serve on a ship 3 to travel by ship [S-] the constellation Argo ship over to enlist or reenlist in the U.S. Navy ship out 1 to go to sea: said of a sailor or traveler 2 to send by ship 3 to leave, esp. because of not doing as well as expected: in shape up or ship out when (or if, etc.) one's ship comes in (or home) when (or if, etc.) one becomes rich [ME < OE scip, akin to Ger schiff, ON skip < IE *skeib- < *skei-, to cut, separate (> L scindere, to cut), extension of base *sek-, to cut (> SAW¹): basic sense hollowed-out tree trunk]
-ship (ship) a suffix forming nouns 1 the quality, condition, or state of being {hardship, friendship} 2 a) the rank or office of {professorship} b) a person having the rank or status of {lordship} 3 ability or skill as {statesmanship} 4 all individuals (of the specified class) collectively {readership} [ME < OE -scipe (akin to Ger -schaft, Du -scap) < base of scieppan, to create: see SHAPE]
ship biscuit HARDTACK
ship canal a canal large enough for seagoing ships
ship chandler a person who deals in ship supplies
ship money a former tax levied on English ports, maritime counties, etc. to provide money for warships
ship of the line a warship of the largest class, having a position in the line of battle
shipboard (ship´börd') •n. 1 a ship: chiefly in on shipboard, aboard a ship 2 [Obs.] the side of a ship •adj. done, happening, used, etc. on a ship {a shipboard romance}
shipbuilder (-bil'dэr) •n. a person whose business is the designing and building of ships ship´build'ing •n.
shipfitter (-fit'эr) •n. 1 a person whose work is to lay out, fabricate, and position plates, bulkheads, etc. inside the hull of a ship in readiness for riveting or welding Æ 2 U.S. Navy a petty officer who maintains metal fittings
shiplap (-læp') •n. 1 a kind of boarding or siding in which adjoining boards are rabbeted along the edge so as to make a flush joint 2 such a joint
shipload (-loud') •n. a full load for a ship
shipman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. [Archaic] 1 SEAMAN (sense 1) 2 SHIPMASTER
shipmaster (-mæs'tэr, -mäs'-) •n. the officer in command of a merchant ship; captain
shipmate (-meit') •n. a fellow sailor on the same ship
shipment (-mэnt) •n. 1 the shipping or transporting of goods 2 goods shipped or consigned
shipowner (-oun'эr) •n. an owner of a ship or ships
shippable (-э bэl) •adj. that can be shipped
shipper (-эr) •n. a person or agent who ships goods by any carrier; also, the carrier to whom they are consigned for transporting
shipping (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act or business of sending or transporting goods 2 ships collectively, as of a nation, port, etc., esp. with reference to tonnage
shipping clerk an employee who prepares goods for shipment, as by packing boxes, affixing postage, etc., and keeps records of shipments made
shipping room a room or department, as in a warehouse, where goods are made ready for shipment, and from which they are taken by a carrier
ship-rigged (-rigd') •adj. rigged as a ship, with three or more masts and square sails; full-rigged
ship's papers all the documents that a merchant ship must carry to meet the requirements of port authorities, international law, etc.
shipshape (-sheip') •adj. having everything neatly in place, as on board ship; trim •adv. in a neat and orderly manner
shipside (-said') •n. the area on a dock alongside a ship
shipway (ship´wei') •n. 1 the supporting structure or track on which a ship is built and from which it is launched 2 SHIP CANAL
shipworm (-wørm') •n. any of a family (Teredinidae) of marine, bivalve mollusks with wormlike bodies: they burrow into and damage submerged wood, as of ships, pilings, etc.
shipwreck (-rek') •n. 1 the remains of a wrecked ship; wreckage 2 the loss or destruction of a ship through storm, collision, going aground, etc. 3 any ruin, failure, or destruction •vt. 1 to cause to undergo shipwreck 2 to destroy, ruin, or wreck
shipwright (-rait') •n. a man, esp. a carpenter, whose work is the construction and repair of ships
shipyard (-yärd') •n. a place where ships are built and repaired
Shiraz (shi: řäz´) city in SC Iran: pop. 426,000
Shire (shi:´ře) river in SE Africa, flowing from Lake Malawi south into the Zambezi: c. 250 mi. (402 km) shire (shair) •n. 1 any of the former districts or regions in Great Britain 2 any of the counties of England, esp. one with a name ending in -shire 3 any of a breed of large, powerful draft horse with feathery fetlocks, orig. raised in the Shires and much used in the Middle Ages as a war horse the Shires the counties of EC England, esp. Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire [ME < OE scir, office, charge, akin to OHG scīra, official charge]
shirk (shørk) •vt. to neglect or evade doing (something that should be done) •vi. to neglect or evade work, duty, etc. shirk´er •n. [? akin to Ger schurke, scoundrel, rascal]
Shirley (shûr´li:) a feminine name: dim. Shirl; var. Sheryl [orig. a surname < the place name Shirley (England) < OE scire, SHIRE + leah, meadow, LEA¹: hence lea where the shire moot was held]
Shirley Temple any drink mixed to resemble a cocktail but containing no alcohol and often garnished with a maraschino cherry [after Shirley Temple, child movie star of the 1930's]
shirr (shør) •n. SHIRRING •vt. 1 to make shirring in (cloth or a garment) 2 to bake (eggs) in small buttered dishes, often with crumbs, cheese, etc. [< ?]
shirring (-iŋ) •n. 1 a gathering made in cloth by drawing the material up on parallel rows of short, running stitches 2 any trim made by shirring
shirt (shørt) •n. 1 a) the usual sleeved garment worn by men on the upper part of the body, often under a coat or jacket, typically having a collar and a buttoned opening down the front b) a similar garment for women 2 UNDERSHIRT in one's shirt sleeves not wearing a coat or jacket over one's shirt Æ keep one's shirt on [Slang] to remain patient or calm lose one's shirt [Slang] to lose all that one has [ME shert < OE scyrte (akin to Ger schürze, apron, ON skyrta, shirt) < base of scort, SHORT]
shirtdress (-dres') •n. a dress having trim, simple lines, with the bodice styled like a shirt
shirting (-iŋ) •n. material used in making shirts
shirtjacket (shørt´jæk´it) •n. a jacket styled like a shirt
shirt-sleeve (-sli:v') Æ adj. 1 in, or suitable for being in, one's shirt sleeves 2 plain, direct, and informal {shirt-sleeve philosophy}
shirttail (shørt´teil') •n. 1 the part of a shirt extending below the waist 2 [Slang] information added, often by a different writer, at the end of a newspaper article Æ adj. [Colloq.] being only distantly related {a shirttail cousin}
shirtwaist (-weist') •n. a woman's blouse or bodice tailored more or less like a shirt
shirty (shør´ti:) shirt´i·er, shirt´i·est •adj. [Slang, Chiefly Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] ill-tempered, cross, angry, etc. [< SHIRT (in phr. to have one's shirt out, to make or become angry) + -Y³]
shish kebab (shish´ kэ bäb') a dish consisting of small chunks of marinated meat, esp. lamb, placed on skewers alternately with tomatoes, onions, green peppers, etc., and broiled Also shish´ ka·bob' [Arm shish kabab < Ar shīsh, skewer + kabāb, kebab]
shit (shit) [Vulgar] shit •vi. or, occas., shat, shit´ting to discharge excrement; defecate •vt. 1 to discharge (excrement) 2 [Slang] to tease or try to fool •n. 1 a) excrement; feces b) the act of discharging excrement 2 [Slang] a) anyone or anything thought of as being bad, disgusting, foolish, worthless, etc. b) nonsense; foolishness c) an intoxicant or narcotic, esp. marijuana or heroin •interj. [Slang] an exclamation of surprise, anger, disgust, etc. beat (or kick, etc.) the shit out of [Slang] to give a severe beating to eat shit [Slang] to be humble or undergo humiliation get one's shit together [Slang] to become organized or have one's affairs in order not give a shit [Slang] to not care at all not worth a shit [Slang] useless, valueless, etc. shit on [Slang] to behave contemptuously or disparagingly toward take a shit [Slang] to discharge excrement tough shit! [Slang] too bad! when the shit hits the fan [Slang] at the time that a crisis point is reached or disaster takes place [Slang] shit´ty, -ti·er, -ti·est, •adj. [earlier shite < OE scītan, akin to Du schijten (MLG schīten), Ger scheissen (OHG skīzan) < Gmc *skīt-, *skit-]
shittah (shit´э) pl. shit´tahs or shit´tim (-im) •n. a tree mentioned in the Bible, now generally identified as an Asiatic acacia (Acacia seyal or A. tortils) with closegrained, yellowish-brown wood [Heb shita, pl. shitim]
shittim (wood) (shit´im) 1 the wood of the shittah, used in making the ark of the covenant and parts of the Jewish tabernacle: Ex. 25:10, 13, 23, etc. Æ 2 a small tree or shrub (Bumelia lanuginosa) of the sapodilla family, growing in the S U.S. [Heb: see SHITTAH]
shiv (shiv) •n. [Slang] a knife, esp. one used as a weapon [earlier chiv, prob. < Romany chiv, blade]
shiva (shi´vэ) •n. Judaism the formal mourning period of seven days, observed as in the home of the deceased, during which friends visit and comfort the bereaved [< Heb shiva, seven] Shiva (shi:´vэ) var. of SIVA
shivaree (shiv'э ri:´, shiv´э ri:') •n. a noisy demonstration or celebration; esp., a mock serenade with kettles, horns, etc. to a couple on their wedding night; charivari •vt. -reed´, -ree´ing to serenade with a shivaree [altered < CHARIVARI]
shive (shaiv) •n. a broad, shallow cork, as for a wide-mouthed bottle [ME shive < OE *scife, akin to Ger scheibe, disk, slice < IE *skeip- < *skei-, to cut: see SHIP]
shiver¹ (shiv´эr) •n. a fragment or splinter of something broken, as glass •vt., vi. to break into many fragments or splinters; shatter [ME schiveren] [ME schievere, freq. formation < base of prec.]
shiver² (shiv´эr) •vi. to shake, quiver, or tremble, as from fear or cold •vt. to cause (a sail) to flutter by heading too close to the wind •n. a shaking, quivering, or trembling, as from fear or cold the shivers a fit of shivering [ME sheveren, altered < cheveren, altered < ? chivelen in same sense < OE ceafl, jaw (see JOWL¹): prob. basic sense to have chattering teeth]
shivery¹ (shiv´эr i:) •adj. easily broken into shivers, or fragments; brittle
shivery² (shiv´эr i:) •adj. 1 shivering or inclined to shiver; suffering from cold, fear, etc. 2 causing or likely to cause shivering; chilling; terrifying
Shizuoka (shi:´zu: ô´kä) city on the S coast of Honshu, Japan: pop. 463,000
shlep or shlepp (shlep) shlepped, shlep´ping •n., vt., vi. alt. sp. of SCHLEP
shlump (shlûmp) •n., vi. alt. sp. of SCHLUMP shlump´y •adj.
shmaltz (shmölts, shmälts) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of SCHMALTZ shmaltz´y, shmaltz´i·er, shmaltz´i·est, •adj.
shmuck (shmûk) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of SCHMUCK
shnook (shnuk) •n. [Slang] alt. sp. of SCHNOOK
shoal¹ (shoul) •n. 1 a large group; mass; crowd 2 a large school of fish •vi. to come together in or move about as a shoal or school [via dial. < OE scolu, multitude, school of fish, akin to Du school < IE *skēl- < base *(s)kel-, to cut > SHIELD]
shoal² (shoul) •n. 1 a shallow place in a river, sea, etc.; a shallow 2 a sand bar or piece of rising ground forming a shallow place that is a danger to navigation, esp. one visible at low water •vi. to become shallow •vt. 1 to make shallow 2 to sail into a shallow or shallower part of (water) shoal´y •adj. SYN.—shoal applies to any place in a sea, river, etc. where the water is shallow and difficult to navigate; bank, in this connection, applies to a shallow place, formed by an elevated shelf of ground, that is deep enough to be safely navigated by lighter vessels; a reef is a ridge of rock, coral, etc. lying at or very close to the surface of the sea, just offshore; bar applies to a ridge of sand, etc. silted up across the mouth of a river or harbor and hindering navigation [< earlier adj. shoal, shallow < ME scholde < OE sceald, shallow; akin to OE *scealw, SHALLOW]
shoat (shout) •n. a young, weaned pig [ME schote, akin to Fl < ?]
shock absorber a device that absorbs the force of sudden jarring actions; esp., the hydraulic or pneumatic tubes used in the suspension systems of motor vehicles, aircraft, etc.
shock probation the release on probation of a criminal after brief imprisonment [from the theory that the shock of even a brief confinement may have a deterrent effect]
shock therapy a method of treating certain mental disorders by applying electric current to the brain or, less often, by injecting drugs: it results in convulsion or coma Also shock treatment
shock troops troops especially chosen, trained, and equipped to lead an attack
shock wave 1 a surface of discontinuity in a flow of air, sound, etc. set up when the flow suddenly changes from subsonic to supersonic, characterized by marked increases in temperature, pressure, and density of the flow, as in supersonic flow about an airplane wing 2 BLAST (n. 6c)
shock¹ (shäk) •n. 1 the impact of persons, forces, etc. in combat or collision 2 a) a sudden, powerful concussion; violent blow, shake, or jar {the shock of an earthquake} b) the result or effect of such concussion 3 a) any sudden disturbance or agitation of the mind or emotions, as through great loss or surprise b) something causing this 4 an extreme stimulation of the nerves, muscles, etc. accompanying the passage of electric current through the body 5 [Colloq.] short for SHOCK ABSORBER 6 Med. a disorder resulting from ineffective circulation of the blood, produced by hemorrhage, severe infection, disturbance of heart function, etc., and characterized by a marked decrease in blood pressure, rapid pulse, decreased kidney function, etc. •vt. [MFr choquer, prob. < MDu schokken, to collide < IE *skeug-, to push, shoot, var. of base *skeub(h)-, SHOVE] 1 to disturb the mind or emotions of; affect with great surprise, distress, disgust, etc. 2 to affect with physical shock 3 to produce electrical shock in (a body) •vi. 1 [Archaic] to come together violently; collide 2 to be shocked, distressed, disgusted, etc. {she doesn't shock easily} [Fr choc < choquer: see the vt.]
shock² (shäk) •n. a number of grain sheaves, as of corn or wheat, stacked together on end to cure and dry •vt., vi. to gather and pile in shocks [ME schokke, prob. via MDu or MLowG schok < IE *(s)keug- < base *keu-, to bend, arch > Russ kúča, a pile, HEAP: basic sense rounded heap]
shock³ (shäk) •n. a thick, bushy or tangled mass, as of hair •adj. bushy or shaggy, as hair [< ? prec.]
shocker (shäk´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that shocks 2 a sensational story, play, etc.
shocking (shäk´iŋ) •adj. 1 having an effect like that of a heavy blow or shock; staggering {the shocking news of his death} 2 a) highly offensive to good taste, propriety, etc.; extremely revolting b) very bad shock´ing·ly •adv.
Shockley (shäk´li:), William (Bradford) 1910- ; U.S. physicist, born in Great Britain
shockproof (-pru:f') •adj. able to absorb shock without being damaged {a shockproof watch}
shod (shäd) •vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SHOE
shodden (shäd´ªn) •vt. alt. pp. of SHOE
shoddy (shäd´i:) pl. shod´dies •n. 1 a) an inferior woolen yarn made from fibers taken from used fabrics and reprocessed b) cheap woolen cloth made from this 2 anything of less worth or quality than it seems to have; esp., an inferior imitation •adj. -di·er, -di·est 1 a) made of shoddy b) made of any cheap, inferior material c) poorly done or made 2 counterfeit; sham {shoddy gentility} 3 contemptible; mean; low {a shoddy trick} shod´di·ly •adv. shod´di·ness •n. [19th c. < ?]
shoe (shu:) •n. 1 an outer covering for the human foot, made of leather, canvas, etc. and usually having a stiff or thick sole and a heel: sometimes restricted to footwear that does not cover the ankle, as distinguished from a BOOT¹ 2 short for HORSESHOE 3 something like a shoe in shape or use; specif., a) a metal cap or ferrule fitted over the end of a cane, pole, staff, etc. b) short for BRAKE SHOE c) a part forming a base for the supports of a superstructure, as a roof, bridge, etc. d) the metal strip along the bottom of a sled runner e) the casing of a pneumatic tire f) the sliding contact plate by which an electric train picks up current from the third rail g) a metal protecting plate upon which a mechanical part moves •vt. shod or shoed, shod or shoed or shod´den, shoe´ing 1 to furnish or fit with a shoe or shoes 2 to cover, tip, or sheathe (a stick, wearing surface, etc.) with a metal plate, ferrule, etc. fill one's shoes to take one's place in another's shoes in another's position Æ the shoe is on the other foot the situation is reversed for the persons involved where the shoe pinches the source of trouble, grief, difficulty, etc. [ME sho < OE sceoh, akin to Ger schuh < IE base *(s)keu-, to cover > SKY, HIDE¹]
shoe tree a form, as of wood or metal, inserted in a shoe to stretch it or preserve its shape
shoebill (-bil') •n. a large wading bird (Balaeniceps rex), the only member of its family (Balaenicipitidae), with long legs and a heavy, shoelike bill: found along the White Nile in central Africa
shoehorn (-hörn') •n. an implement of metal, horn, plastic, etc. with a troughlike blade, inserted at the back of a shoe to aid in slipping the heel in •vt. to force or squeeze into a narrow space
shoelace (-leis') •n. a length of cord, leather, etc. used for lacing and fastening a shoe
shoemaker (-mei'kэr) •n. a person whose business is making or repairing shoes shoe´mak'ing •n.
shoepac (-pæk') •n. PAC (sense 2) [altered by folk etym. (infl. by SHOE) < 17th-c. Delaware trade language seppock, shoe, shoes < Delaware čípahko, shoes, moccasins (sing. čí˙p˙akw)]
shoer (shu:´эr) •n. a person who shoes horses
shoeshine (-shain') •n. 1 the cleaning and polishing of a pair of shoes 2 the shiny surface of polished shoes
shoestring (-striŋ') •n. 1 SHOELACE Æ 2 a small or barely adequate amount of capital {a business started on a shoestring} •adj. 1 like a shoestring; long and narrow Æ 2 of, operating on, or characterized by a small amount of money {a shoestring budget} Æ 3 at, near, or around the ankles {a shoestring catch of a ball, a shoestring tackle}
shoestring potatoes potatoes cut into long, very narrow strips and fried crisp in deep fat
shofar (shou´fэr, -fär'; Heb shô fäř´) pl. -fars or Heb. -frot´ (-fřout´) •n. a ram's horn used in ancient times as a signaling trumpet, and still blown in synagogues on Rosh Hashana and at the end of Yom Kippur [Heb shofar]
shogun (shou´gûn', -gun', -gu:n') •n. any of the hereditary governors of Japan who, until 1867, constituted a quasi-dynasty exercising absolute rule and relegating the emperors to a nominal position sho´gun·ate (-gэ nit, -neit') •n. [SinoJpn shōgun, military leader < Chin chiang-chun]
shoji (shou´ji:) pl. sho´ji or -jis •n. 1 a translucent sliding panel of rice paper on a wooden frame, used in Japanese homes as a partition or door 2 any panel, screen, etc. like this Also shoji screen [SinoJpn shōji, partition]
Sholapur (shou´lэ pur') city in Maharashtra state, W India: pop. 514,000
Sholokhov (shô´lô khôf), Mi·kha·il (Aleksandrovich) (mi khä i:l´) 1905-84; Russ. novelist
sholom (shä loum´) •n., interj. alt. sp. of SHALOM
Sholom Aleichem see ALEICHEM, Sholom
shone (shoun; also shän) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SHINE
shoo (shu:) •interj. 1 an exclamation used in driving away chickens and other animals 2 go away! get out! •vi. shooed, shoo´ing to cry shoo •vt. to drive away abruptly, by or as by crying shoo [echoic]
shoofly (shu:´flai') •n. 1 orig., a kind of shuffling dance [< phr. shoo, fly, don't bother me, in a Civil War nonsense song] 2 a child's rocker with a seat mounted between supports typically designed in the form of horses, swans, etc. 3 an open pie with a filling of molasses and brown sugar: in full shoofly pie [said to be so named from attracting flies which must be shooed away]
shoo-in (shu:´in') •n. [Colloq.] someone or something expected to win easily in an election, a race, etc. [SHOO + IN]
shook¹ (shuk) •n. Æ 1 a set of the pieces used in assembling a single box, cask, etc. 2 a shock of grain sheaves [prob. var. of SHOCK²]
shook² (shuk) •vt., vi. pt. and dial. pp. of SHAKE Æ shook up [Slang] upset; disturbed; agitated
shoon (shu:n) •n. archaic or dial. pl. of SHOE
shoot (shu:t) shot, shoot´ing •vt. 1 a) to move swiftly over, by, across, etc. {to shoot the rapids in a canoe} b) to make move with great speed or sudden force {to shoot an elevator upward} 2 to pour, empty out, or dump, as down a chute 3 a) to throw or hurl out or forth {volcanoes shooting molten rock into the air} b) to cast (an anchor, fish net, etc.) Æ c) to throw away or spoil (an opportunity, chance, etc.) d) [Colloq.] to use up or waste (time, money, etc.) 4 to slide (a door bolt) into or out of its fastening 5 a) to variegate, streak, fleck, etc. (with another color or substance) {a blue sky shot with white clouds} b) to vary (with something different) {a story shot with humor} 6 a) to thrust out suddenly {snakes shooting out their tongues} b) to put forth (a branch, leaves, etc.) 7 a) to send forth (a missile or projectile); discharge or fire (a bullet, arrow, etc.) b) to discharge or emit (rays) with force 8 to send forth (a question, reply, glance, fist, etc.) swiftly, suddenly, or with force or feeling 9 a) to discharge or fire (a gun, bow, charge of explosive, etc.) b) to hit, wound, kill, or destroy with a bullet, arrow, etc. c) to make by firing a bullet {to shoot a hole in a door} 10 to hunt game in or on (a tract of land) 11 to take the altitude of (a star) with a transit, sextant, etc. 12 a) to take a picture of with a camera; photograph; film b) to photograph (a motion picture) 13 to inject (a narcotic drug, etc.) intravenously 14 to plane (the edge of a board) straight Æ 15 [Slang] to send, hand, or give in a swift or hasty way 16 Games, Sports a) to throw, drive, or propel (a ball, marble, etc.) toward the objective Æ b) to roll (dice) c) to make or score (a goal, points, total strokes, etc.) d) to play (golf, pool, craps, etc.) e) to make (a specified bet), as in craps •vi. 1 a) to move swiftly, as an arrow from a bow; rush; dart b) to spurt or gush, as water from a hose 2 to be felt suddenly and keenly, as heat, pain, etc. 3 to grow or sprout, esp. rapidly 4 to jut out; project 5 to send forth a missile or projectile; discharge bullets, arrows, etc.; go off; fire 6 a) to use guns, bows and arrows, etc., as in hunting b) to have skill in using a gun, etc. Æ 7 a) to photograph a scene or subject b) to start the cameras working in photographing a scene or movie 8 Sports a) to propel a ball, etc. toward the objective b) to roll dice •n. 1 a) the act of shooting b) a shooting trip, party, or contest {a turkey shoot} c) a round of shots in a shooting contest 2 the action of growing or sprouting 3 a new growth; sprout or twig 4 action or motion like that of something shot, as of water from a hose 5 the launching of a rocket, guided missile, etc. Æ 6 a sloping trough or channel; chute 7 a body of ore in a vein, usually elongated and vertical or steeply inclined 8 a twinge or spasm of pain •interj. 1 an exclamation expressing disgust, disappointment, etc. 2 begin talking! start telling me! shoot at (or for) [Colloq.] to try to reach, gain, or accomplish; strive for shoot down 1 to bring down by hitting with a shot or shots 2 [Slang] to destroy, reject, etc., esp. forcefully shoot from the hip to act or talk in a rash, impetuous way Æ shoot off one's (or at the) mouth [Slang] 1 to speak without caution or discretion; blab 2 to boast; brag shoot up 1 to grow or rise rapidly 2 to hit with several or many shots Æ 3 [Colloq.] to spread terror and destruction throughout by lawless and wanton shooting Æ 4 [Slang] to inject a narcotic drug, esp. heroin, intravenously shoot´er •n. [ME shoten < OE sceotan, akin to ON skjōta, Ger schiessen < IE base *(s)keud-, to throw, shoot > SHUT, OSlav is-kydati, to throw out]
shoot'em-up (shu:t´ªm ûp') •n. [Slang] 1 a book, film, TV show, video game, etc. characterized by much violent content, gunplay, etc., esp. one in the western, crime, or war genres 2 GUNPLAY
shooting box (or lodge) [Chiefly Brit.] a small house or lodge used by hunters during the shooting season
shooting gallery 1 a place, as a booth at an amusement park, for practice shooting at targets Æ 2 [Slang] a place, as an apartment, where a narcotics addict can prepare and inject an illicit drug, as heroin, with equipment usually provided on the premises
shooting iron [Slang] any firearm
shooting script the final version of a movie or television script as it is to be filmed or taped
shooting star 1 METEOR 2 any of a genus (Dodecatheon) of North American plants of the primrose family, with clusters of flowers whose petals are turned back
shooting stick a canelike stick with a spike at one end and a narrow, folding seat at the top for resting on
shootout or shoot-out (shu:t´aut') •n. 1 a) a battle with handguns, etc., as between police and criminals b) any confrontation to settle a conflict 2 Soccer in the U.S., an extra period added to decide, by a series of kicks, a game still tied after two overtimes
shoot-the-chute (shu:t'ðэ shu:t´) •n. CHUTE-THE-CHUTE
shop (shäp) •n. 1 a) a place where certain goods or services are offered for sale; esp., a small store b) a specialized department in a large store {the gourmet shop} 2 a place where a particular kind of work is done {a printing shop} Æ 3 in some schools, an industrial arts course, class, or department •vi. shopped, shop´ping to visit a shop or shops so as to look at and buy or price things for sale •vt. Æ 1 [Colloq.] to shop at (a specified store) 2 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Slang] a) to inform on, esp. to the police b) to arrest or imprison set up shop to open or start a business Æ shop around 1 to go from shop to shop, looking for bargains or special items 2 to search about for a good or better job, idea, etc. shut up shop 1 to close a place of business, as for the night 2 to go out of business talk shop to discuss one's work [ME schoppe < OE sceoppa, booth, stall, akin to Ger schopf, porch < IE base *(s)keup-, a bundle, sheaf of straw: prob. basic meaning roof made of straw thatch]
shop steward a person elected by co-workers in a union shop to represent them in dealing with the employer
shopgirl (-gørl') •n. [Old-fashioned] a female clerk in a store
shophar (shou´fэr, -fär'; Heb shô fäř´) •n. alt. sp. of SHOFAR
shopkeeper (shäp´ki:'pэr) •n. a person who owns or operates a shop, or small store shop´keep'ing •n.
shoplifter (-lif'tэr) •n. a person who steals articles from a store during shopping hours shop´lift' •vt., vi.
shoppe (shäp) •n. alt. sp. of SHOP (sense 1) Early sp. used faddishly, esp. in the names of such shops
shopper (shä´pэr) •n. 1 a person who shops 2 a person hired by a store to shop for others 3 a person hired by a store to compare competitors' merchandise and prices Æ 4 a handbill containing advertisements of local stores
shopping bag a large paper or plastic bag with handles, for carrying purchases
shopping center a complex of stores, motion-picture theaters, restaurants, etc. grouped together and having a common parking area
shopping-bag lady (shäp´iŋ bæg) BAG LADY
shoptalk (shäp´tök') •n. 1 the specialized or technical vocabulary and idioms of those in the same work, profession, etc.: see SLANG¹ 2 conversation about one's work or business, esp. after hours
shopwalker (-wök'эr) •n. [Brit.] FLOORWALKER
shopworn (-wörn') •adj. 1 soiled, faded, etc. from having been displayed in a shop 2 no longer fresh, interesting, or attractive; drab, dull, trite, etc.
Shoran (shou´ræn', shör´æn') •n. [also s-] an electronic navigational system used in airplanes, guided missiles, etc., in which signals are sent to a pair of ground transponders whose answering signals allow the aircraft's precise position to be determined [Sho(rt) Ra(nge) N(avigation)]
shore dinner a meal that features a variety of seafood dishes
shore leave leave granted to a ship's crew for going ashore
shore patrol a detail of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps acting as military police on shore
shore¹ (shör) •n. 1 land at or near the edge of a body of water, esp. along an ocean, large lake, etc. 2 land as opposed to water 3 Law SEASHORE SYN.—shore is the general word applied to an edge of land directly bordering on the sea, a lake, a river, etc.; coast applies only to land along the sea; beach applies to a level stretch of sandy or pebbly seashore or lake shore, usually one that is washed by high water; strand is a poetic word for shore or beach; bank applies to rising or steep land at the edge of a stream [ME schore < OE *score (akin to MLowG schore) < or akin to scorian, to jut out < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > HARVEST]
shore² (shör) •n. a prop, as a beam, placed under or against something as a support or stabilizer; specif., any of the timbers used to support a boat or ship that is out of water •vt. shored, shor´ing to support or make stable with or as if with a shore or shores; prop: usually with up [ME schore, akin to MDu, ON skortha, a prop, stay: for IE base see SHORE1]
shore³ (shör) •vt., vi. archaic or dial. pt. & pp. of SHEAR
shorebird (-børd') •n. any of an order (Charadriiformes) of birds that feed or nest on the shores of the oceans, rivers, etc., as the sandpipers, gulls, plovers, or puffins
shoreless (-lis) •adj. having no shore; boundless
shoreline (-lain') •n. the edge of a body of water
shoreward (-wэrd) •adv. toward the shore: also shore´wards •adj. moving toward the shore
shoring (shör´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of supporting with or as with shores 2 a system of shores used for support
shorn (shörn) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of SHEAR
short (shört) •adj. 1 not extending far from end to end; not long or not long enough 2 not great in span, range, or scope {a short distance, journey, throw, view, etc.} 3 low or relatively low in height; not tall 4 a) lasting only a little time; brief b) passing quickly {a few short weeks} 5 not retentive for long {a short memory} 6 condensed or concise, as a literary style, story, speech, etc. 7 brief or abrupt to the point of rudeness; curt 8 quickly angered or irked 9 less than or lacking a sufficient or correct amount, amount of time, etc. {a short measure, short on money, short notice} 10 not far enough to reach the mark, objective, etc. {the shot fell short} 11 having a tendency to break or crumble; friable; specif., a) crisp or flaky, as pastry made from dough rich in shortening b) brittle and inductile when cold (cold short) or hot (hot short) (said of metal) Æ 12 a) not having in possession at the time of sale the commodity or security one is selling in anticipation of a decline in price b) designating or of a sale of commodities or securities not in the possession of the seller (see also SHORT SALE) 13 Phonet. a) articulated for a relatively short time; brief in duration (said of a speech sound) b) popularly, diphthongized [the short a in pan] (opposed to LONG¹, adj. 12b) 14 Prosody a) requiring a relatively short time to pronounce (said of syllables in quantitative verse) b) unstressed (said of syllables in accentual verse) •n. 1 something that is short; specif., a) a short sound or syllable, contrasted with one that is long b) a film usually less than 30 min. in length c) a fish or lobster below the size that may be legally taken d) a shot that falls short of the target or objective 2 a variation of clothing size shorter than the average for that size 3 [pl.] a) short, loose trousers reaching partway to the knee, worn in sports, etc. Æ b) men's undershorts 4 [pl.] items needed to make up a shortage or deficiency 5 [pl.] a byproduct of wheat milling that consists of bran, germ, and coarse meal 6 [pl.] trimmings, clippings, etc. left over in the manufacture of various products 7 short for Æ a) SHORTSTOP b) SHORT CIRCUIT 8 one who has not yet covered the short sale of a stock, commodity, etc. •adv. 1 abruptly; suddenly 2 rudely; curtly 3 briefly; concisely 4 so as to be short in length 5 by surprise; unawares {caught short} 6 by a short sale •vt., vi. 1 to give less than what is needed, wanted, or usual 2 short for a) SHORTCHANGE b) SHORT-CIRCUIT SYN. BRIEF for short by way of abbreviation or contraction in short 1 in summing up; to summarize 2 in a few words; briefly run short to have or be less than enough short and sweet agreeably or expeditiously brief short for being a shortened form of, or an abbreviation or nickname for short of 1 not equaling; less than 2 without a sufficient or correct amount of; lacking 3 not far enough to reach (the mark, objective, etc.) 4 without actually resorting to Æ the short end of the stick the worst of a deal short´ness •n. [ME < OE scort, akin to ON skort, short piece of clothing, OHG scurz, short < IE *(s)kerd- < base *(s)ker-, to cut, SHEAR < CURT]
short circuit 1 a usually accidental low-resistance connection between two points in an electric circuit, resulting in a side circuit that deflects most of the circuit current from desired paths or in excessive current flow that often causes damage 2 popularly, a disrupted electric circuit resulting from this
short covering the buying of securities or commodities to close out a short sale
short division the process of dividing a number by another, ordinarily a single digit, without putting down the steps of the process in full
short fuse [Slang] a tendency to become angry readily; quick temper
short interest the sum of the short sales in a security, commodity, etc., or on an exchange, which have not been covered as of a given date See also SHORT SALE
short loin the front part of a loin of beef, from the ribs to the sirloin
short novel a prose narrative midway between the novel and the short story in length and scope
short order any food that can be cooked or served quickly when ordered, as at a lunch counter short´-or'der •adj.
short position 1 the position of one who has not yet covered a short sale 2 SHORT INTEREST
short ribs the rib ends of beef from the forequarter, next to the plate
short sale a sale of securities or commodities which the seller does not yet have but expects to cover later at a lower price
short short story a short story that is brief and usually has a surprise ending
short shrift 1 orig., a brief time granted a condemned person for religious confession and absolution before his execution 2 very little care or attention, as from lack of patience or sympathy make short shrift of to make short work of; dispose of quickly and impatiently
short snort [Slang] a quick drink of liquor
short story a kind of story shorter than the novel or novelette, characteristically developing a single central theme and limited in scope and number of characters
short subject a film short, as that shown with a film feature
short ton see TON (sense 1)
shortage (-ij) •n. a deficiency in the quantity or amount needed or expected, or the extent of this; deficit
shortbread (-bred') •n. a rich, crumbly cake or cookie made with much shortening
shortcake (-keik') •n. 1 a) a crisp, light biscuit traditionally served with fruit, whipped cream, etc. as a dessert b) any sweet cake, as spongecake, served thus as a dessert 2 such a dessert {strawberry shortcake}
shortchange (-cheinj´) -changed´, -chang´ing •vt., vi. [Colloq.] 1 to give less money than is due in change 2 to cheat by depriving of something due short´chang´er •n.
short-circuit (-sør´kit) •vt. 1 Elec. to make a short circuit in 2 to bypass (an obstruction, custom, etc.) 3 to cause a sudden break in; impede; thwart •vi. to develop a short circuit
shortcoming (-kûm'iŋ) •n. a falling short of what is expected or required; defect or deficiency
shortcut (-kût') •n. 1 a shorter way to get to the same place 2 any way of saving time, effort, expense, etc.
short-day (-dei') •adj. Bot. maturing and blooming under short periods of light and long periods of darkness
shorten (shört´ªn) •vt. 1 to make short or shorter; reduce in length, amount, or extent 2 to furl or reef (a sail) so that less canvas is exposed to the breeze 3 to add shortening in making (pastry, etc.) for crispness or flakiness •vi. to become short or shorter SYN.—shorten implies reduction in length, extent, or duration [to shorten a rope, a visit, one's life, etc.]; curtail implies a making shorter than was originally intended, as because of necessity or expediency [expenditures curtailed because of a reduced income]; abridge implies reduction in compass by condensing, omitting parts, etc. but usually connotes that what is essential is kept [to abridge a dictionary]; abbreviate usually refers to the shortening of a word or phrase by contraction or by substitution of a symbol, but also has extended, sometimes jocular applications [an abbreviated costume] —ANT. lengthen, extend
shortening (shört´ªn iŋ, shört´niŋ) •n. 1 the act of making or becoming short or shorter 2 edible fat, esp. as used to make pastry, etc. crisp or flaky
shortfall (-föl') •n. the act or an instance of falling short, or the amount of the shortage
shorthair (shört´her') •n. any member of either of two breeds of short-haired domestic cat: the American shorthair has a slightly oblong head and a tapering tail; the British shorthair has a round head and a shorter, thick tail See also COLORPOINT SHORTHAIR, EXOTIC SHORTHAIR, ORIENTAL SHORTHAIR
shorthand (-hænd') •n. any system of speed writing using quickly made symbols to represent letters, words, and phrases •adj. using or written in shorthand
short-handed (-hæn´did) •adj. short of workers or helpers short´-hand'ed·ness •n.
shorthead (shört´hed') •n. a brachycephalic person short´head'ed •adj. short´head'ed·ness •n.
shorthorn (-hörn') •n. any of a breed of beef cattle, orig. from England, with short, inward-curving horns and a heavy, low-set body, typically red, white, and roan in color: they are raised for both beef and milk
short-horned grasshopper (-hörnd´) any of a family (Acrididae) of grasshoppers with antennae much shorter than the body, including most common grasshoppers
shortia (shört´i: э) •n. any of a genus (Shortia, family Diapensiaceae, order Diapensiales) of evergreen, dicotyledonous plants with nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers on long stalks; esp., an American species (S. galacifolia) native to the mountains of the Carolinas [ModL, after C. W. Short (1794-1863), U.S. horticulturist + -IA]
shortie (shört´i:) •n. [Colloq.] alt. sp. of SHORTY
shortish (-ish) •adj. rather short
short-list (shört´list') •n. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a list of those candidates for a position, award, etc. not eliminated in the preliminary selection process, from which the final choice will be made Also short list •vt. to place on a short-list
short-lived (-laivd', -livd') •adj. having or tending to have a short life span or existence
shortly (-li:) •adv. 1 in a few words; briefly 2 in a short time; soon 3 abruptly and rudely; curtly
short-range (shört´reinj') •adj. 1 designating or of a gun, aircraft, missile, etc. that has only a relatively short range 2 not looking far into the future {short-range plans}
short-run (shört´rûn´) •adj. lasting for a short period of time; short-term
shortsighted (-sait'id) •adj. 1 NEARSIGHTED 2 having or showing a lack of foresight short´sight'ed·ly •adv. short´sight'ed·ness •n.
short-spoken (-spouk'эn) •adj. 1 using only a few words; laconic 2 brief to the point of rudeness; curt
shortstop (-stäp') •n. Baseball 1 the infielder stationed between second and third base 2 the area covered by a shortstop
short-tempered (-tem'pэrd) •adj. having a tendency to lose one's temper; easily or quickly angered
short-term (-tørm') •adj. 1 for or extending over a short time 2 designating or of a capital gain, loan, etc. that involves a relatively short period, usually of less than a year
short-waisted (-weis'tid) •adj. unusually short between shoulders and waistline; with a high waistline
shortwave (-weiv') •n. 1 an electromagnetic wave that is shorter than those used in commercial broadcasting, usually a radio wave sixty meters or less in length 2 a radio or radio band for broadcasting or receiving shortwaves: in full shortwave radio
short-winded (-win'did) •adj. 1 easily put out of breath by exertion 2 breathing with quick, labored breaths 3 brief, often overly or undesirably so: said of speech or writing
shorty (-i:) pl. short´ies •n. [Colloq.] a person or thing of less than average height or size
Shoshone (shou shou´ni:) •n. 1 pl. -sho´nes or -sho´ne a member of a group of North American Indians scattered over Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and California 2 their Shoshonean language Also sp. Sho·sho´ni [< ? Shoshonean tsosoni, curly head, in allusion to their hairdo] Shoshone (shou shou´ni:) river in NW Wyo., flowing northeast into the Bighorn River: c. 100 mi. (160 km)
Shoshone Falls waterfall on the Snake River, in S Ida.: c. 200 ft. (61 m)
Shoshonean (shou shou´ni: эn, shou'shэ ni:´эn) •adj. designating or of a branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family, including Shoshone, Comanche, Ute, Paiute, Hopi, etc. •n. this branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family
Shostakovich (shô'stä kô´vich; E shäs'tэ kou´vich), Dmi·tri (dªmi:´tři:) 1906-75; Russ. composer
shot clock Basketball a timing device that indicates the number of seconds a team has in which to attempt a shot or else lose possession of the ball
shot effect random fluctuations in the number of electrons emitted by a heated cathode, producing a popping sound (shot noise) upon amplification
shot hole 1 a drilled hole in which an explosive charge is put for blasting 2 a hole bored in timber by an insect
shot put (put') 1 a contest in which a heavy metal ball is propelled for distance with an overhand thrust from the shoulder 2 a single put of the shot shot´-put'ter •n. shot´-put'ting •n.
shot¹ (shät) •n. 1 the act of shooting; discharge of a missile, esp. from a gun 2 a) the distance over which a missile travels b) range; reach; scope 3 an attempt to hit with a missile 4 a) any attempt or try b) a guess or conjecture 5 a pointed, critical remark 6 a) the flight or path of an object thrown, struck, driven, etc., as in any of several games b) a stroke, as in tennis or golf c) an attempt to score, as in basketball or hockey 7 a) a solid projectile designed for discharge from a firearm or cannon, as distinguished from an explosive shell b) such projectiles collectively 8 a) lead or steel in small pellets, of which a quantity is used for a single charge of a shotgun b) a single pellet of this kind 9 the heavy metal ball used in the SHOT PUT 10 a blast, or the amount of explosive used for a blast, as in mining 11 a marksman {a fair shot} Æ 12 a) the act of taking a single photograph b) a single photograph c) a single, continuous image as taken on film, videotape, or by a live TV camera 13 an amount due, esp. for drinks or entertainment [cf. SCOT] 14 a hypodermic injection, as of vaccine Æ 15 a drink of liquor; specif., JIGGER² 16 [Colloq.] something to bet on, considered from the standpoint of odds or chances of winning {a horse that is a ten-to-one shot} 17 Naut. a 90-foot length of chain, esp. for an anchor •vt. shot´ted, shot´ting to load or weight with shot a shot in the arm something that bolsters up, reinvigorates, encourages, etc., esp. in a difficult situation call the shots 1 to give orders 2 to control what is done or what happens have (or take) a shot at [Colloq.] to make a try at like a shot 1 quickly; rapidly 2 suddenly [ME < OE sceot < sceotan (akin to ON skot, Ger schuss): see SHOOT]
shot² (shät) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of SHOOT •adj. 1 variegated, streaked, flecked, etc. with another color or substance 2 woven with threads of different colors so as to appear iridescent 3 varied with something different {a novel shot through with pathos} Æ 4 [Colloq.] ruined or worn out
shote (shout) •n. alt. sp. of SHOAT
shotgun (shät´gûn') •n. 1 a smoothbore gun, usually used for firing a charge of shot at short range, as in hunting small game 2 Football an offensive formation, esp. for passing, in which the quarterback takes the snap while standing several yards behind the line of scrimmage: often shotgun formation •vt., vi. to shoot, force, or threaten with a shotgun •adj. 1 done or made under duress 2 with no fixed direction or target 3 designating a long, narrow house, apartment, etc. with rooms arranged one behind the other ride shotgun 1 [Historical] in the W U.S., to go along as an armed guard, esp. with the driver of a stagecoach 2 to accompany for protection, as in the front seat of a motor vehicle
shotgun wedding a wedding into which one or both partners are forced, as because of previous sexual intimacy or, esp., pregnancy
shott (shät) •n. in N Africa, a closed basin, often containing a temporary, shallow, salt lake [Fr chott < Ar shatt, orig., river bank]
shotten (shät´ªn) •vt., vi. obs. pp. of SHOOT •adj. 1 that has recently spawned and so become of inferior food value: said of fish 2 [Archaic] undesirable [in specialized sense (esp. applied to herrings), prob. infl. by Du schoten]
should (shud; unstressed, often shэd) v.aux. 1 pt. of SHALL {I had hoped I should see you} 2 used to express obligation, duty, propriety, or desirability {you should ask first, the plants should be watered weekly} 3 used to express expectation or probability {he should be here soon, I should know by tomorrow} 4 used to express a future condition {if I should die tomorrow, if you should be late} 5 used in polite or tentative expression of opinion {I should think they will be pleased} See usage note at WILL² [ME scholde < OE sceolde, pt. of sceal, scal, I am obliged: see SHALL]
shoulder (shoul´dэr) •n. 1 a) the joint connecting the arm or forelimb with the body b) the part of the body including this joint and extending to the base of the neck 2 [pl.] the two shoulders and the part of the back between them: often used figuratively with reference to this region as a place where burdens are often carried 3 a cut of meat consisting of the upper foreleg and attached parts: see PORK, illus. 4 the part of a garment that covers the shoulder 5 something like a shoulder in shape or position; shoulderlike projection 6 that part of the top of a piece of type which extends beyond the base of the raised character Æ 7 the strip of land along the edge of a paved road; berm •vt. 1 to push or thrust along or through, with or as with the shoulder {to shoulder one's way through a crowd} 2 to take or carry upon the shoulder 3 to assume the burden of •vi. to push with the shoulder or shoulders cry on someone's shoulder to tell one's troubles to someone in seeking comfort or sympathy put one's shoulder to the wheel to set to work vigorously; put forth vigorous effort shoulder arms Mil. 1 to rest a rifle against the (right or left) shoulder, supporting the butt with the hand on the same side 2 a) this position b) the command to assume it shoulder to shoulder 1 side by side and close together 2 working together; with common effort straight from the shoulder 1 moving straight forward from the shoulder: said of a blow 2 without reserve or evasion; frankly turn (or give) a cold shoulder to 1 to treat with disdain; snub 2 to avoid or shun [ME schuldere < OE sculdor, akin to Ger schulter < IE *skldhrā, shoulder blade used as a spade < base *(s)kel-, to cut > SHELL, SHILLING, SKULL]
shoulder blade SCAPULA
shoulder board (or mark) either of a pair of oblong pieces of stiffened cloth worn on the shoulders of certain uniforms and showing insignia of rank
shoulder girdle PECTORAL GIRDLE
shoulder harness a restraining device consisting of an anchored strap passing diagonally across the chest, used with a seat belt, as in an automobile Also called shoulder belt
shoulder holster a holster attached to a shoulder strap and usually worn under the arm, allowing a handgun to be concealed beneath a jacket or coat
shoulder knot 1 a knot of ribbon or lace formerly worn as an ornament on the shoulder 2 a detachable ornament of braided cord worn on the shoulders of full-dress uniforms
shoulder patch a cloth insignia identifying the wearer's unit, branch of service, etc., worn on the sleeve of a uniform, just below the shoulder
shoulder strap 1 a strap, usually one of a pair, worn over the shoulder to support a garment 2 a strap worn over the shoulder for carrying a purse, camera, etc.
shouldn't (shud´ªnt) should not
shouldst (shudst) archaic 2d pers. sing. pt. of SHALL: used with thou Also should·est (shud´ist) v.
shout (shaut) •n. 1 a loud cry or call 2 any sudden, loud outburst or uproar 3 [Austral. & N.Z. Colloq.] one's turn to buy a round of drinks, etc. [orig. uncert.] •vt. 1 to utter or express in a shout 2 [Austral. & N.Z. Colloq.] to treat (someone) to (a round of drinks, etc.) •vi. to utter a shout; cry out loudly shout down to silence or overwhelm by loud shouting; shout louder than shout´er •n. [ME schoute, prob. < an OE cognate of ON skūta, a taunt, prob. < IE *(s)kud-, to cry out > SCOUT²]
shove (shûv) shoved, shov´ing •vt., vi. 1 to push or thrust, as along a surface 2 to push roughly or hastily •n. the act or an instance of shoving; a push or thrust shove off 1 to push (a boat) away from shore, as in departing Æ 2 [Colloq.] to start off; leave shov´er •n. [ME shoven < OE scufan, akin to ON skufa, Ger schieben < IE base *skeubh-, to throw, shove > SCOFF¹]
shovel (shûv´эl) •n. 1 a) a tool with a broad, deep scoop or blade and a long handle: used in lifting and moving loose material, as earth, snow, gravel, etc. b) any machine equipped with a shovel-like device {a steam shovel} 2 SHOVELFUL •vt. -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling 1 to lift and move with a shovel 2 to clean or dig out (a path, etc.) with a shovel 3 to put or throw, in large quantities {to shovel food into one's mouth} •vi. to use a shovel [ME schovele < OE scofl < base of scufan: see SHOVE]
shovel hat a stiff, low-crowned hat with a broad brim turned up at the sides, worn by some clergymen
shoveler or shoveller (shûv´эl эr, shûv´lэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that shovels 2 a freshwater duck (Anas clypeata) with a very long, broad, flattened bill, living in the Northern Hemisphere mainly in marshes: also called northern shoveler
shovelful (shûv´эl ful') pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a shovel will hold
shovelhead (-hed') •n. a small hammerhead shark (Sphyrna tiburo) with a narrow head resembling the blade of a shovel
shovelnose sturgeon (-nouz') any of a genus (Scaphirhynchus) of freshwater sturgeons with a broad, shovel-like snout
shovel-nosed (-nouzd') •adj. having a broad, flattened nose, head, or bill
show (shou) showed, shown or showed, show´ing •vt. 1 to bring or put in sight or view; cause or allow to appear or be seen; make visible; exhibit; display 2 a) to enter (animals, flowers, etc.) in a competitive show b) to exhibit (paintings, sculpture, etc.), as in a gallery 3 to guide; conduct {to show a guest to a room} 4 to direct to another's attention; point out {to show the sights to visitors} 5 to reveal, manifest, or make evident (an emotion, condition, quality, etc.) by behavior or outward sign 6 to exhibit or manifest (oneself or itself) in a given character, condition, etc. {to show oneself to be reliable} 7 to open (a house, apartment, etc.) to prospective buyers or renters 8 to make evident by logical procedure; explain or prove {to show that something is right} 9 to make clear by going through a procedure; demonstrate {to show how to tie a bowknot} 10 to register; indicate {a clock shows the time} 11 to grant or bestow (favor, kindness, mercy, etc.) 12 Law to allege; plead {to show cause} •vi. 1 to be or become seen or visible; appear 2 a) to be apparent or noticeable {a scratch that hardly shows} b) to be visibly pregnant {five months pregnant and still not showing} 3 to have a given appearance; appear {to show to good effect} Æ 4 to finish third or better in a horse race or dog race 5 [Colloq.] to come or arrive as expected; make an appearance 6 Theater to give a performance; appear •n. 1 a showing, demonstration, or manifestation {a show of passion} 2 a display or appearance, specif. a colorful or striking one 3 spectacular, pompous display; ostentation 4 an indication of the presence of metal, coal, oil, etc. in the earth; trace 5 something false or superficial; semblance; pretense {sorrow that was mere show} 6 a person or thing looked upon as peculiar, ridiculous, laughable, etc.; spectacle; sight 7 a public display or exhibition, as of art, animals, flowers, automobiles, etc. 8 a presentation of entertainment, as a theatrical production, TV program, film, etc. Æ 9 third position at the finish of a horse race or dog race 10 [Colloq.] any undertaking, matter, or affair for show in order to attract notice or attention good show! [Chiefly Brit.] an exclamation of appreciation and congratulations on another's accomplishment put (or get) the show on the road [Slang] to set things in operation; start an activity, venture, etc. show in (or out) to usher into (or out of) a given place show off 1 to make a display of; exhibit in a showy manner 2 to behave in a manner intended to attract attention show up 1 to bring or come to light; expose or be exposed, as faults 2 to be clearly seen; stand out 3 to come; arrive; make an appearance 4 [Colloq.] to surpass in intelligence, performance, etc. Æ stand (or have) a show [Colloq.] to have a chance, esp. a remote one steal the show to become the main focus of attention, plaudits, etc., esp. if in a subordinate role or position SYN.—show implies a putting or bringing something into view so that it can be seen or looked at [show us the garden]; to display something is to spread it out so that it is shown to advantage [jewelry displayed on a sales counter]; exhibit implies prominent display, often for the purpose of attracting public attention or inspection [to exhibit products at a fair]; expose implies the laying open and displaying of something that has been covered or concealed [this bathing suit exposes the scar]; flaunt implies an ostentatious, impudent, or defiant display [to flaunt one's riches, vices, etc.] [ME schewen < OE sceawian, akin to Ger schauen, to look at < IE base *(s)keu-, to notice, heed > L cavere, to beware, OE hieran, to HEAR]
show and tell an elementary-school activity in which a student brings in an object of interest and presents it to the class: also show´-and-tell´ •n.
show bill a sheet or poster containing a notice or advertisement: also show card
show business the theater, movies, TV, etc. as a business or industry
show of hands a display or raising of hands, as in voting, volunteering, etc.
show window a store window in which merchandise is displayed
showboat (-bout') •n. 1 a boat, esp. a steamboat, containing a theater and carrying a troupe of actors who play river towns 2 [Slang] a showoff; exhibitionist •vi. [Slang] to show off
showbread (-bred') •n. Judaism the twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed at the altar in the ancient Temple as a token offering every Sabbath by the priests
showcase (-keis') •n. 1 a glass-enclosed case for protecting things on display, as in a store or exhibition 2 anything displaying someone or something to good advantage {the revue was a showcase for new talent} •vt. -cased', -cas'ing to display to good advantage
showdown (-daun') •n. [Colloq.] 1 Poker the laying down of the cards face up to see who wins 2 any action or confrontation that brings matters to a climax or settles them
shower¹ (shou´эr) •n. a person who shows, exhibits, etc.
shower² (shau´эr) •n. 1 a brief fall of rain, or sometimes of hail, sleet, or snow 2 a sudden, abundant fall or discharge, as of tears, meteors, rays, sparks, etc. 3 an abundant flow; rush {a shower of compliments} Æ 4 a party at which a number of gifts are presented to the guest of honor {a bridal shower} Æ 5 a) a bath in which the body is sprayed with fine streams of water from a perforated nozzle, usually fixed overhead (in full shower bath) b) an apparatus, as in a bathtub, or a room or enclosure used for this •vt. 1 to make wet as with a spray of water; sprinkle; spray 2 to pour forth or scatter in or as in a shower {showered with praise} •vi. 1 to fall or come as a shower 2 to bathe under a shower show´er·y •adj. [ME schoure < OE scur, akin to Ger schauer, shower, squall < IE base *(s)keu-, to cover > SHOE, HIDE¹]
showgirl (shou´gørl') •n. CHORUS GIRL
showily (shou´э li:) •adv. in a showy manner
showiness (-i: nis) •n. the quality or condition of being showy
showing (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of presenting or bringing to view or notice 2 an exhibition; formal display Æ 3 a performance, appearance, etc. {a good showing in the contest}
showman (shou´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a person whose business is producing or presenting shows 2 a person skilled at this or at presenting anything in an interesting or dramatic manner show´man·ship' •n.
shown (shoun) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of SHOW
showoff (shou´öf') •n. 1 the act of showing off; vain or showy display 2 a person who shows off
showpiece (shou´pi:s') •n. 1 something displayed or exhibited 2 something that is a fine example of its kind
showplace (-pleis') •n. 1 a place that is displayed or exhibited to the public for its beauty, etc. 2 any place that is beautiful, lavishly furnished, etc.
showroom (-ru:m') •n. a room where merchandise is displayed, as for advertising or sale
showy (-i:) show´i·er, show´i·est •adj. 1 of striking or attractive appearance 2 attracting attention in a gaudy or flashy way
shoyu (shou´yu:) •n. SOY SAUCE [Jpn]
shp shaft horsepower
shpt shipment
shr share(s)
shrank (shræŋk) •vt., vi. alt. pt. of SHRINK
shrapnel (shræp´nэl) •n. 1 an artillery shell filled with an explosive charge and many small metal balls, designed to explode in the air over the objective 2 the balls scattered by such an explosion 3 any fragments scattered by an exploding shell, bomb, etc. [after H. Shrapnel (1761-1842), Brit general who invented it]
shred (shred) •n. 1 a long, narrow strip or piece made by cutting or tearing 2 a very small piece or amount; fragment; particle {not a shred of evidence} •vt. shred´ded or shred, shred´ding to cut or tear into shreds shred´da·ble •adj. [ME schrede < OE screade, akin to Ger & MDu schrot < IE *(s)kreu(t)- (> L scrotum, SCROTUM) < base *(s)ker-, to cut > SHEAR, HARVEST]
shredded wheat partly cooked wheat that is shredded, formed into biscuits, toasted in an oven, and used as breakfast cereal
shredder (shred´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that shreds 2 an apparatus for cutting large quantities of paper into thin strips in order to destroy it (as secret documents) or to use it for packing, etc.
Shreveport (shri:v´pört') city in NW La.: pop. 199,000 [after H. M. Shreve (1785-1851), Mississippi River steamboat captain]
shrew (shru:) •n. 1 any of a number of small, slender, mouselike insectivore mammals (esp. family Soricidae) with soft fur and a long, pointed snout: one species (Suncus etruscus) is the smallest of all mammals 2 a scolding, evil-tempered woman [ME schrewe, a malicious person < OE screawa, shrewmouse, akin to OHG scrawaz, dwarf, goblin, MHG schröuwel, devil < IE *(s)ker-: see SHRED]
shrewd (shru:d) •adj. 1 orig., a) evil, bad, wicked, mischievous, shrewish, etc. b) artful, cunning, wily, etc. in one's dealings with others 2 keen-witted, clever, or sharp in practical affairs; astute: the usual current sense 3 [Archaic] keen; piercing; sharp shrewd´ly •adv. shrewd´ness •n. SYN.—shrewd implies keenness of mind, sharp insight, and a cleverness in practical matters [a shrewd comment, businessman, etc.]; sagacious implies keen discernment and farsighted judgment [a sagacious counselor]; perspicacious suggests the penetrating mental vision or discernment that enables one clearly to see and understand what is obscure, hidden, etc. [a perspicacious judge of character]; astute implies shrewdness combined with sagacity and sometimes connotes, in addition, artfulness or cunning [an astute politician] see also CLEVER [ME schrewed, pp. of schrewen, to curse < schrewe: see SHREW]
shrewdie (shru:d´i:) •n. [Colloq.] a person who is shrewd
shrewish (shru:´ish) •adj. like a shrew in disposition; evil-tempered shrew´ish·ly •adv. shrew´ish·ness •n.
shrewmouse (-maus') pl. -mice' (-mais') SHREW (sense 1) •n.
Shrewsbury (shru:z´ber'i:, shrouz´-; -bэ ri:) city in Shropshire, W England: pop. 51,000
shriek (shri:k) •vi. to make a loud, sharp, piercing cry or sound, as certain animals, or a person in terror, pain, or laughter; screech •vt. to utter with a shriek •n. a loud, piercing cry or sound shriek´er •n. [ME schriken, var. of scriken, prob. < ON *skrīka, to cry, akin to skrīkja, cry of birds: for IE base see SCREAM]
shrievalty (shri:v´эl ti:) pl. -ties •n. [Brit.] 1 a sheriff's office or term of office 2 the district served by a sheriff
shrieve (shri:v) •n. obs. var. of SHERIFF shriev´al •adj.
shrift (shrift) •n. [Archaic] 1 confession to and absolution by a priest 2 the act of shriving See also SHORT SHRIFT [ME schrift < OE scrift < scrifan, to SHRIVE]
shrike (shraik) •n. any of a family (Laniidae) of predatory, shrill-voiced passerine birds with hooked beaks, gray, black, and white plumage, and long tails: most types feed on insects, some on small birds, frogs, etc., which they may impale on thorns before eating [via dial. < OE scric, thrush, shrike, akin to ME schriken, SHRIEK]
shrill (shril) •adj. 1 having or producing a high, thin, piercing tone; high-pitched 2 characterized or accompanied by shrill sounds 3 unrestrained and irritatingly insistent 4 [Archaic] keen; sharp; biting; poignant •adv. [Rare] in a shrill manner •vi. to make a shrill noise or sound •vt. to utter shrilly shril´ly •adv. shrill´ness •n. [ME shrille, akin to LowG schrell, Ger schrill: echoic, prob. akin to SHRIEK]
shrimp (shrimp) pl. shrimps or shrimp •n. 1 any of a large number of small, slender, long-tailed decapods, mostly marine: many are highly valued as food 2 [Colloq.] a small or insignificant person •vi. to fish for shrimp shrimp´er •n. [ME schrimpe, shrimp, puny person < base of OE scrimman (akin to obs. Ger schrimpfen, to shrink, dry up < IE *(s)kremb-, to turn, twist, shrink < base *(s)ker-, to turn]
shrimp plant a widely grown tropical American plant (Beloperone guttata) of the acanthus family, with long, curving spikes of tiny, white flowers [from the fancied resemblance of the spike to the tail of a shrimp]
shrine (shrain) •n. 1 a) RELIQUARY b) a niche or other setting for a statue, picture, or other object arousing or designed to arouse devotion c) a small area or structure arranged for private devotion 2 a) a place revered as the place of death or burial of a saint or other venerable personage b) a place revered as the site of a reported supernatural apparition, miraculous occurrence, etc. c) any of certain churches or chapels often visited by pilgrims, specif. by those seeking special spiritual help, cures, etc. 3 any site or structure used in worship or devotion; esp., an area or a temple or templelike structure used in the worship of one or more deities 4 a) a place or structure esteemed for its importance or centrality as in history or the arts b) a place or structure designed as a memorial to someone or something •vt. shrined, shrin´ing ENSHRINE [ME schrin < OE scrin < L scrinium, chest, box, orig., a round container < IE *(s)krei- < base *(s)ker-, to turn: see SHRINK]
shrink (shriŋk) shrank or shrunk, shrunk or shrunk´en, shrink´ing •vi. 1 to become or seem to become smaller, more compact, etc.; contract, as from heat, cold, moisture, etc. 2 to lessen, as in amount, worth, etc. 3 to draw back; turn away; cower, as from fear 4 to hold back, as from taking action; hesitate or recoil {to shrink from doing one's duty} •vt. to cause to shrink or contract; specif., to cause (fabric) to shrink by a special process in manufacturing so as to minimize later shrinkage •n. 1 a shrinking; shrinkage Æ 2 [Slang] a psychiatrist [< (HEAD)SHRINK(ER)] SYN. CONTRACT shrink´a·ble •adj. [ME schrynken < OE scrincan, akin to Swed skrynka, to wrinkle < IE *(s)kreng- < base *(s)ker-, to bend, turn > SHRIMP, Gr kirkos, a ring, L curvus, curved]
shrinkage (shriŋ´kij) •n. 1 the act or process of shrinking; contraction in size, as of a fabric in washing 2 decrease in value; depreciation 3 the total loss in weight of livestock from the time of shipment to the final processing as meat 4 the amount of such shrinking, decrease, etc.
shrinking violet a very shy or unassuming person
shrink-wrap (shriŋk´ræp') -wrapped', -wrap'ping •vt. to wrap (a commodity) in a tough, transparent plastic material which is then shrunk by heating to form a sealed, tightfitting package •n. a wrapping of such material
shrive (shraiv) shrived or shrove, shriv·en (shriv´эn) or shrived, shriv´ing [Archaic] •vt. 1 to hear the confession of and absolve 2 to get absolution for oneself by confessing •vi. [Archaic] 1 to make one's confession 2 to hear confessions [ME shriven < OE scrifan, akin to Ger schreiben, to write < early WGmc borrowing < L scribere, to write: see SCRIBE]
shrivel (shriv´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vt., vi. 1 to shrink and make or become wrinkled or withered 2 to make or become helpless, useless, or inefficient [Early ModE, prob. < Scand, as in Swed dial. skryvla, to wrinkle]
shroff (shräf) •n. in the Asia a) a banker or money-changer b) an expert in testing coins •vt. to examine (coins) to separate the genuine from the counterfeit [Anglo-Ind sharaf < Hindi sarrāf < Ar sarrāf, money-changer < sarafa, to issue, disburse]
Shropshire (shräp´shir) county of W England: 1,347 sq. mi. (3,488 sq. km); pop. 388,000; county seat, Shrewsbury •n. any of a breed of medium-sized, dark-faced sheep, orig. developed in Shropshire
shroud (shraud) •n. 1 a cloth sometimes used to wrap a corpse for burial; winding sheet 2 something that covers, protects, or screens; veil; shelter 3 any of a set of ropes or wires stretched from a ship's side to a masthead to offset lateral strain on the mast 4 any of the set of lines from the canopy of a parachute to the harness: in full shroud line •vt. 1 to wrap (a corpse) in a shroud 2 to hide from view; cover; screen 3 [Archaic] to shelter and protect •vi. [Archaic] to take shelter [ME schroude < OE scrud, akin to ON skrud, accouterments, cloth, OE screade, SHRED]
shroud-laid (-leid´) •adj. made of four strands laid together with a right-handed twist Said of a rope
shrove (shrouv) •vt., vi. alt. pt. of SHRIVE
Shrovetide (shrouv´taid') •n. old name for the time, esp. the Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday: cf. MARDI GRAS), just before Ash Wednesday: so called from the custom of preparing for Lent by sacramental confession esp. during this period [ME schroffetide < shriven, to SHRIVE + TIDE¹]
shrub¹ (shrûb) •n. a low, woody plant with several permanent stems instead of a single trunk; bush shrub´like' •adj. [Early ME schrubbe < OE scrybb, brushwood, akin to SCRUB¹, Dan skrubbe]
shrub² (shrûb) •n. 1 a drink made of fruit juice, sugar, and, usually, rum or brandy 2 an iced drink made with slightly acid fruit juice and water [Ar sharāb, a drink: see SYRUP]
shrubbery (shrûb´эr i:) •n. 1 shrubs collectively 2 pl. -ber·ies [Brit.] a place where many shrubs are grown
shrubby (-i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 covered with shrubs 2 like a shrub shrub´bi·ness •n.
shrug (shrûg) shrugged, shrug´ging •vt., vi. to draw up (the shoulders), as in expressing indifference, doubt, disdain, contempt, etc. •n. 1 the gesture so made 2 a woman's short jacket or sweater with wide, loose sleeves shrug off to dismiss or disregard in a carefree way [ME schruggen, orig., to shiver (as with cold)]
shrunk (shrûŋk) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SHRINK
shrunken (shrûŋ´kэn) •vi., vt. alt. pp. of SHRINK •adj. contracted in size; shriveled
shtetl (shtet´ªl) pl. shtet´lach' (-läkh') or Eng. shtet´ls (-ªlz) •n. any of the former Jewish village communities of E Europe, esp. in Russia [Yidd, dim. of shtot, city < MHG stat, city]
shtg shortage
shtick (shtik) •n. [Slang] 1 a comic scene or piece of business, as in a vaudeville act 2 an attention-getting device 3 a special trait, talent, etc. [< E Yidd shtik, pl., pranks, interpreted as sing. < shtik, lit., piece < MHG stücke]
shuck (shûk) •n. 1 a shell, pod, or husk; esp., the husk of an ear of corn Æ 2 the shell of an oyster or clam Æ 3 [pl.] [Colloq.] something valueless {not worth shucks} Æ 4 [Slang] a) a hoax or fraud b) a fraudulent person or thing; phony •vt. 1 to remove shucks from (corn, clams, etc.) 2 to remove like a shuck {to shuck one's clothes} Æ 3 [Slang] to fool or hoax •vi. [Slang] to fool or deceive, often in a playful way shuck´er •n. [< ?]
shucks (shûks) •interj. an exclamation of mild disappointment, embarrassment, etc. [prob. < prec.]
shudder (shûd´эr) •vi. to shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as in horror or extreme disgust •n. the act of shuddering; a convulsive tremor of the body the shudders a feeling of horror, repugnance, etc. shud´der·ing·ly •adv. shud´der·y •adj. [ME schoderen, akin to Ger schaudern, to feel dread, OFris skedda, to shake < IE base *(s)kut-, to shake > Lith kutù, to shake up]
shuffle (shûf´эl) -fled, -fling •vt. 1 a) to move (the feet) with a dragging or shoving gait b) to perform (a dance) with such steps 2 to mix (playing cards) so as to change their order or arrangement 3 to push or mix together in a jumbled or disordered mass 4 to shift (things) about from one place to another 5 to bring, put, or thrust (into or out of) clumsily or trickily •vi. 1 to move by dragging or scraping the feet, as in walking or dancing 2 to get (into or out of a situation or condition) by trickery, evasion, lies, etc. 3 to act in a shifty, dishonest manner; practice deceit, trickery, evasion, etc. 4 to change or shift repeatedly from one position or place to another 5 to shuffle playing cards 6 to move clumsily (into or out of clothing) •n. 1 the act of shuffling 2 a tricky or deceptive action; evasion; trick 3 a) a shuffling of the feet b) a gait, dance, etc. characterized by this 4 a) the act of shuffling playing cards b) the right of, or one's turn at, shuffling the cards Æ lose in the shuffle to leave out or disregard in the confusion of things shuffle off to get rid of shuf´fler •n. [Early ModE, prob. < or akin to LowG schuffeln, to walk clumsily, shuffle cards < base of SHOVE]
shuffleboard (shûf´эl börd') •n. 1 a game in which large disks are pushed with a cue along a smooth lane toward numbered squares of a diagram 2 the marked surface on which it is played [< earlier shovel board: so named because of the shape of the cues]
shul (shu:l) •n. SYNAGOGUE [Yidd, lit., school < MHG schuol, school < L schola, SCHOOL¹]
Shulamite (shu:´lэ mait') the name of the maiden in the Song of Solomon, 6:13
shun (shûn) shunned, shun´ning •vt. to keep away from; avoid scrupulously or consistently shun´ner •n. [ME schunien < OE scunian]
shunpike (-paik') •n. a secondary road used to avoid turnpikes and expressways shun´pik'er •n. shun´pik'ing •n.
shunt (shûnt) •vt., vi. 1 to move or turn to one side; turn aside or out of the way 2 to shift or switch, as a train, car, etc. from one track to another 3 Elec. to divert or be diverted by a shunt: said of a current 4 to provide or connect with a shunt •n. 1 the act of shunting 2 SWITCH (n. 6a) 3 Elec. a conductor connecting two points in a circuit in parallel and serving to divert part of the current 4 Med. an abnormal natural channel or a surgically created one allowing flow from one organ or pathway to another shunt´er •n. [ME schunten < ? or akin to SHUN]
shunt winding the winding of an electric motor or generator in such a way that the field and armature circuits are connected in parallel shunt´-wound' (-waund') •adj.
shush (shûsh) •interj. hush! be quiet! •vt. to say shush to; tell (another) to be quiet; hush [echoic]
Shushan (shu:´shän') Biblical name of SUSA
shut (shût) shut, shut´ting •vt. 1 a) to move (a door, window, lid, etc.) into a position that closes the opening to which it is fitted b) to fasten (a door, etc.) securely, as with a bolt or catch 2 to close (an opening, passage, container, etc.) 3 a) to prevent or forbid entrance to or exit from; close or bar b) to confine or enclose in a room, cage, building, etc. 4 to fold up or bring together the parts of (an umbrella, book, etc. or the mouth, eyes, etc.) 5 to stop or suspend the operation of (a business, school, etc.) •vi. to move to a closed position; be or become shut •adj. closed, fastened, or secured •n. 1 the act or time of shutting or closing; close 2 the connecting line between two pieces of welded metal shut down 1 to close by lowering 2 to descend and envelop or darken a place: said of night, fog, etc. 3 to cease or cause to cease operating; close (a factory, etc.), usually temporarily Æ 4 [Colloq.] to bring to an end or restrict severely (with on or upon) shut in to surround or enclose; hem in shut of [Dial.] rid of; free from shut off 1 to prevent the passage of (electricity, steam, etc.) 2 to prevent passage through (a road, faucet, etc.) 3 to separate; isolate shut out 1 to deny entrance or admission to; exclude (sound, a view, etc.) Æ 2 to prevent (an opposing side or team) from scoring in a game shut up 1 to enclose, confine, or imprison 2 to close all the entrances to 3 [Colloq.] a) to stop or cause to stop talking b) to prevent from speaking or writing freely; silence or censor [ME (W Midland) schutten < OE scyttan < base of sceotan, to cast: see SHOOT]
shutdown (-daun') •n. a stoppage or suspension of work or activity, as in a factory
shut-eye (-ai') •n. [Slang] sleep
shut-in (-in') •adj. 1 confined to one's home, an institution, etc. by illness or infirmity 2 inclined to shun others; withdrawn Æ n. an invalid who is shut-in
shut-off (-öf') •n. 1 something that shuts off a flow or movement, as a valve 2 a stoppage or interruption
shutout (-aut') •n. Æ 1 the act of preventing the opposing team from scoring in a game Æ 2 a game in which one team is shut out