soffit (säf´it) •n. 1 the horizontal underside of an eave, cornice, etc. 2 the intrados of an arch or vault [Fr soffite < It soffitto < VL *suffictus, for L suffixus: see SUFFIX]

Sofia (sou´fi: э, sou fi:´ э; Bulg sô´fi: yä') capital of Bulgaria, in the W part: pop. 1,173,000: also sp. So´fi·ya'

soft (söft, säft) •adj. 1 giving way easily under pressure, as a feather pillow or moist clay 2 easily cut, marked, shaped, or worn away, as pine wood or pure gold 3 not hard for its kind; not as hard as is normal, desirable, etc. {soft butter} 4 smooth or fine to the touch; not rough, harsh, or coarse 5 a) bland; not acid, sour, or sharp b) easy to digest because free from roughage (said of a diet) 6 nonalcoholic: said of drinks 7 having in solution few or none of the mineral salts that interfere with the lathering and cleansing properties of soap: said of water 8 mild, gentle, or temperate, as a breeze, the weather, climate, etc. 9 a) weak or delicate; not strong or vigorous; esp., not able to endure hardship, as because of easy living b) having flabby muscles 10 requiring little effort; easy {a soft job} 11 a) kind or gentle, esp. to the point of weakness; lenient or compassionate b) easily impressed, influenced, or imposed upon 12 not bright, intense, or glaring; subdued: said of color or light 13 showing little contrast or distinctness; not sharp in lines, tones, focus, etc., as a photograph 14 gentle; low; not loud or harsh: said of sound 15 based on data from interviews, surveys, etc., rather than from controlled, repeatable experiments {soft evidence, soft sciences such as sociology} 16 replenished by nature, or capable of being used with relatively little damage to the natural environment {solar power is a soft energy source} 17 providing information other than the basic facts of a news story {features are soft news} 18 Finance a) unstable and declining (said of a market, prices, etc.) b) not readily accepted as foreign exchange (said of certain currencies) c) having very favorable terms (said of a loan) 19 Mil. above ground and vulnerable: said of targets or bases 20 Phonet. a) designating c sounded as in voice or g sounded as in age b) voiced c) palatalized, as certain consonants in Slavic languages: not used in these ways as a technical term by phoneticians 21 Radiology of low penetrating power: said of X-rays •adv. softly; gently; quietly •n. something soft •interj. 1 [Archaic] be quiet! hush! 2 slow up! stop! be soft on 1 to treat gently 2 to feel affectionate or amorous toward soft in the head stupid or foolish soft´ly •adv. soft´ness •n. SYN.—soft, in this connotation, implies an absence or reduction of all that is harsh, rough, too intense, etc., so as to be pleasing to the senses [soft colors, a soft voice]; bland implies such an absence of irritation, stimulation, pungency, etc. in something as to make it soothing, unexciting, and hence, sometimes, uninteresting [bland foods, climate, etc.]; mild applies to that which is not as rough, harsh, irritating, etc. as it might be [a mild cigarette, criticism, etc.]; gentle, often equivalent to mild, carries a more positive connotation of being pleasantly soothing or tranquil [a gentle breeze, voice, etc.] —ANT. harsh, rough [ME < OE softe, gentle, quiet < sefte, akin to Ger sanft < IE base *sem-, together, together with > SMOOTH, SAME: basic sense fitting, friendly, suited to]

soft chancre CHANCROID

soft coal BITUMINOUS COAL

soft drink a nonalcoholic drink, esp. one that is carbonated

soft drug a relatively mild drug such as marijuana, generally regarded as being nonaddictive

soft landing a landing of a spacecraft on a planet or moon without damage to the craft or its contents

soft palate the soft part at the rear of the roof of the mouth; velum

soft pedal a pedal used to soften or dampen the tone of a musical instrument, as a piano

soft rot any of various plant diseases, characterized by watery decay of rhizomes, roots, fruits, etc. and caused by any of numerous fungi or bacteria

soft sculpture sculpture, as of human or animal forms, made of fabric, stuffing, plastic, foam, etc.

soft sell selling that relies on subtle suggestion rather than high-pressure salesmanship soft´-sell´ •adj.

soft shoulder soft ground along the edge of a highway

soft soap 1 soap in liquid or semifluid form 2 [Colloq.] flattery or smooth talk

soft touch [Slang] a person who is easily persuaded, esp. to give or lend money

soft wheat wheat with low protein content and soft kernels, yielding a flour used in pastries, etc.

softball (-böl') •n. 1 a game like baseball played on a smaller diamond and with a larger, softer ball, for seven innings 2 the ball

soft-boiled (-boild') •adj. boiled only a short time so that the yolk is still soft: said of an egg

softbound (-baund') •adj. SOFTCOVER

soft-core (söft-kör) •adj. portraying sexual acts in a manner that is highly suggestive rather than explicit

softcover (-kûv'эr) •adj. 1 designating any book bound in a flexible cover, as vinyl plastic or imitation leather 2 PAPERBACK •n. a softcover book

soften (söf´эn, säf´-) •vt., vi. 1 to make or become soft or softer 2 to weaken the resistance or opposition of [ME softnen: see SOFT & -EN]

softener (-эr) •n. something that softens, as a) a positively charged compound added to water in treating fabrics to make them softer and fluffier (in full fabric softener) b) short for WATER SOFTENER

softening of the brain 1 degeneration of the brain tissues 2 [Colloq.] loss of mind

soft-finned (söft´find') •adj. Zool. having fins with soft rays instead of hard spines

softgoods (-gudz') •n.pl. goods that last a relatively short time, esp. textile products Also soft goods

softheaded (-hed'id) •adj. stupid or foolish soft´head'ed·ly •adv. soft´head'ed·ness •n.

softhearted (-härt'id) •adj. 1 full of compassion or tenderness 2 not strict or severe, as in discipline or authority soft´heart'ed·ly •adv. soft´heart'ed·ness •n.

softie (söf´ti:) •n. [Colloq.] alt. sp. of SOFTY

soft-pedal (-ped´ªl) -aled or -alled, -al·ing or -al·ling •vt. 1 to soften or dampen the tone of (a musical instrument) by use of a special pedal 2 [Colloq.] to make less emphatic, less obtrusive, less conspicuous, etc.; tone down; play down

soft-shell (-shэl') •adj. 1 having a soft shell 2 having an unhardened shell as the result of recent molting Also soft´-shelled' •n. a soft-shell animal; esp., a crab that has recently molted

soft-shell clam any of a family (Myidae) of edible clams of the coasts of North America, having elongated siphons and a chalky, white shell

soft-shelled turtle any of a family (Trionychidae) of aquatic turtles of North America, Asia, and Africa, with a soft, oval, leathery shell; esp., a North American genus (Trionyx) common in the Mississippi drainage

soft-shoe (-shu:') •adj. designating a kind of tap dancing done without metal taps on the shoes

soft-soap (-soup´) •vt. [Colloq.] to flatter soft´-soap´er •n.

soft-spoken (-spou´kэn) •adj. 1 speaking or spoken with a soft, low voice 2 smooth; ingratiating; suave

software (-wer') •n. Æ 1 the programs, routines, etc. for a computer: cf. HARDWARE (sense 3b) Æ 2 the program material, as a film on a videocassette, that is used with electronic equipment: cf. HARDWARE (sense 3c)

softwood (-wu:d') •n. 1 a) any light, easily cut wood b) any tree yielding such wood 2 Forestry the wood of any conifer

softy (söf´ti:, säf´-) pl. soft´ies •n. [Colloq.] 1 a person who is overly sentimental or trusting 2 a person who lacks physical stamina or vigor

Sogdian (säg´di: эn) •n. 1 a member of a people who lived in Sogdiana 2 the extinct Iranian language of this people

Sogdiana (säg'di: æn´э) ancient region in central Asia, between the Oxus & Jaxartes rivers

soggy (säg´i:, sög´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 saturated with moisture or liquid; soaked 2 moist and heavy; sodden {soggy cake} 3 dull, heavy, and boring sog´gi·ly •adv. sog´gi·ness •n. [< obs. sog, damp, boggy place, prob. < or akin to ON sea, lit., a sucking < base of SUCK]

Soho (sou´hou', sou hou´) district in Westminster, central London SoHo (sou´hou') district in the lower west side of Manhattan: noted as a center for artists, art galleries, etc. [< so(uth of) Ho(uston) (street in Manhattan), prob. echoing Soho (see SOHO)]

soi-disant (swå di: zäñ´) •adj. SELF-STYLED [Fr, lit., self-saying]

soigné (swå nyei´) •adj. 1 well cared for or attended to 2 neat; tidy; well-groomed soi·gnée´ (-nyei´) •adj.fem. [Fr, pp. of soigner, to care for < ML (Gallic) soniare < sonium, care < Frank *sunnja]

soil bank a Federal program under which subsidies are paid to farmers to stop growing certain surplus crops and to enrich the idle land by various methods

soil conservation the protection of fertile topsoil from erosion by wind and water and the replacement of nutrients in the soil, as by means of cover crops, terracing, contour farming, crop rotation, etc.

soil pipe a pipe for carrying off liquid waste from toilets

soil¹ (soil) •n. 1 the surface layer of earth, supporting plant life 2 any place for growth or development 3 land; country; territory {native soil} 4 ground or earth {barren soil} the soil life and work on a farm soil´less •adj. [ME soile < Anglo-Fr soil, for OFr suel < L solum, floor, ground, soil]

soil² (soil) •vt. 1 to make dirty, esp. on the surface 2 to smirch or stain 3 to bring disgrace upon 4 to corrupt or defile; sully •vi. to become soiled or dirty •n. [ME soile < OFr soil, pig sty < L suile < sus] 1 a soiled spot; stain; smirch 2 manure used for fertilizing 3 excrement, sewage, refuse, etc. 4 a soiling or being soiled [ME soilen < OFr souiller < VL *suculare < L suculus, dim. of sus, pig: see SOW¹]

soil³ (soil) •vt. 1 to feed (livestock) on soilage 2 to purge (livestock) by means of green food [altered < ? OFr saoler < L satullare, to satiate < satullus, filled (with food), dim. of satur: see SATURATE]

soilage (-ij) •n. green crops cultivated for fodder [prec. + -AGE]

soilure (soil´yur) •n. [Archaic] 1 a soiling, dirtying, or sullying 2 a stain; blot [ME soylure < MFr soilleure < soillier: see SOIL²]

soiree or soirée (swä rei´) •n. a party or gathering in the evening [Fr soirée < soir, evening < L sero, at a late hour < serus, late]

sojourn (sou´jørn; also, for v., sou jørn´) •vi. to live somewhere temporarily, as on a visit; stay for a while •n. a brief or temporary stay; visit so´journ·er •n. [ME sojournen < OFr sojorner < VL *subdiurnare < L sub-, under + diurnus, of a day: see JOURNEY]

soke (souk) •n. Eng. History 1 the right to hold court and dispense justice within a given territory 2 the territory under the jurisdiction of a court [ME < ML soca < OE socn, jurisdiction, prosecution < base of secan (< *sokjan), to SEEK]

sokol (sou´köl') •n. an international organization promoting physical health, esp. in gymnastics [Czech, lit., falcon]

Sokotra (sou kou´trэ) alt. sp. of SOCOTRA

Sol (säl) 1 Rom. Myth. the sun god: identified with the Greek Helios 2 the sun personified [ME < L < *sawol, *saol < IE base *sāwel-, *swen- > SUN¹, Gr hēlios, Goth sauil, sun] sol abbrev. solution Sol abbrev. 1 Solicitor 2 Bible Solomon

sol¹ (soul; Sp sôl) pl. sols or Sp. so·les (sô´les) •n. the basic monetary unit of Peru: see MONEY, table [Sp, lit., sun: from the radiant sun used as a device on one side]

sol² (soul) •n. Music a syllable representing the fifth tone of the diatonic scale: see SOLFEGGIO [< ML sol(ve): see GAMUT]

sol³ (säl, soul) •n. a colloidal dispersion in a liquid [< (HYDRO)SOL]

sola (sou´lэ) •n. alt. pl. of SOLUM sola (sou´lэ) •adj. fem. of SOLUS [L]

solace (säl´is) •n. 1 an easing of grief, loneliness, discomfort, etc. 2 something that eases or relieves; comfort; consolation; relief Also sol´ace·ment (-mэnt) •vt. -aced, -ac·ing 1 to give solace to; comfort; console 2 to lessen or allay (grief, sorrow, etc.) SYN. COMFORT sol´ac·er •n. [ME < OFr solaz < L solacium < solari, to comfort < IE base *sel-, favorable, in good spirits > SILLY]

solan (goose) (sou´lэn) GANNET [Scot < ME soland < ON sūla, gannet + -and, -ond, a duck, akin to OE ænid, Ger ente < IE *anet- > L anas]

solanine (sou´lэ ni:n', -nin) •n. a complex glycosidic alkaloid, C45H73NO15, found in potato sprouts and various plants of the nightshade family Also so´la·nin (-nin) [Fr < L solanum, nightshade (see SOLANUM) + Fr -ine, -INE³]

solanum (sou lei´nэm) •n. any of a large genus (Solanum) of trees, vines, shrubs, and plants of the nightshade family: most are poisonous, but a few are cultivated for food, as the potato, eggplant, etc. [L, nightshade, orig., sun plant < sol: see SOL]

solar (sou´lэr) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the sun 2 produced by or coming from the sun {solar energy} 3 depending upon the sun's light or energy {solar heating} 4 fixed or measured by the earth's motion with relation to the sun {mean solar time} 5 Astrol. under the influence of the sun [L solaris < sol, the sun: see SOL]

solar battery an assembly of one or more photovoltaic cells (solar cells) used to convert the radiant energy of sunlight into electric power

solar constant the average amount of solar radiation received normally by a unit area just outside the earth's atmosphere, equal to c. 1.37 x 106 ergs per cm² per second

solar cooker a simple, low-cost device using focused sunshine to cook rice, boil water, etc.

solar cycle a period of time, averaging c. 11 years, during which certain phenomena, as maximum sunspot activity, recur on the sun

solar day Law the period from sunrise to sunset

solar eclipse see ECLIPSE (n. 1)

solar flare a sudden, short-lived increase of intensity in the light of the sun, usually near sunspots, often accompanied by a large increase in cosmic rays, X-rays, etc. and by resultant magnetic storms

solar furnace a furnace for heating, smelting, etc. that uses concave mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays

solar panel any of the large, thin panels attached to certain artificial satellites, that unfold in space, generate electricity from sunlight, and improve stability: also called solar sail

solar plexus 1 a network of nerves in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach and in front of the aorta, containing ganglia that send nerve impulses to the abdominal viscera 2 [Colloq.] the area of the belly just below the sternum

solar pond a shallow, stagnant pool with very hot, dense, salty water trapped at the lowest levels: this hot water can be converted into electricity or used directly

solar prominence PROMINENCE (sense 3)

solar still any system for the purification of salt water in which a shallow pool of salt water evaporates within a greenhouselike structure, causing the formation on the ceiling of droplets of fresh water, which drip down into collection pools

solar system 1 that portion of our galaxy which is subject to the gravity of the sun 2 all the matter within this portion, including interplanetary dust or gas; esp., the sun itself and its planets

solar wind streams of ionized gas particles constantly emitted by the sun in all directions at speeds of c. 300 to 1,000 km per second (c. 186 to 620 mi. per second)

solar year see YEAR (sense 2)

solarium (sou ler´i: эm, sэ-) pl. -i·a (-i: э) •n. a glassed-in porch, room, etc. where people sun themselves, as in treating illness [L, sundial, place exposed to the sun < sol, the sun: see SOL]

solarize (sou´lэr aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to affect by exposing to the light and heat of the sun 2 to overexpose (a photographic film or plate) deliberately during developing to create special effects •vi. to become injured by such overexposure so'lar·i·za´tion •n.

solate (säl´eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vi. Chem. to convert into a sol sol·a´tion •n. [SOL³ + -ATE¹]

solatium (sou lei´shi: эm) pl. -ti·a (-shi: э) •n. compensation or damages, esp. for injury to the feelings [LL < L, SOLACE]

sold (sould) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of SELL

solder (säd´эr) •n. 1 a metal alloy used when melted for joining or patching metal parts or surfaces: soft solders of tin-lead alloys melt easily; hard (or brazing) solders of copper-zinc alloys melt only at red heat 2 anything that joins or fuses; bond •vt. 1 to join, patch, etc. with solder 2 to act as a bond between; unite •vi. 1 to become joined or united as by solder 2 to join things with solder sol´der·er •n. [ME soudre < OFr souldure < soulder, to make solid < L solidare < solidus, SOLID]

soldering iron (säd´эr iŋ) a pointed metal tool heated for use in melting and applying solder

soldier (soul´jэr) •n. 1 a person serving in an army; member of an army 2 a) an enlisted person, as distinguished from one holding a warrant or commission b) any low-ranking member of a Mafia family 3 one who has much military experience or military skill 4 a person who works zealously for a specified cause 5 an ant or termite of a caste having an enlarged head and jaws and serving as fighters in defense of the colony •vi. 1 to serve as a soldier 2 to proceed stubbornly or doggedly: usually with on 3 to shirk one's duty, as by making a pretense of working, feigning illness, etc. [ME soldiour < OFr soldier < solde, coin, pay < LL solidus: see SOLIDUS]

soldier of fortune 1 a mercenary soldier, esp. one seeking adventure or excitement 2 any adventurer

soldierly (-li:) •adj. of, like, or characteristic of a good soldier sol´dier·li·ness •n.

Soldier's Medal a U.S. Army decoration awarded for deeds of heroism outside of combat

soldiery (-i:) •n. 1 soldiers collectively 2 a group of soldiers 3 the profession, skill, or training of a soldier

soldo (säl´dou; It sôl´dô) pl. -di (-di:) •n. a former Italian copper coin and unit of money, equal to ¹/20 of a lira [It < LL solidus, SOLIDUS]

sole¹ (soul) •n. 1 the bottom surface of the foot 2 the part of a shoe, boot, sock, etc. corresponding to this 3 the bottom surface of any of several objects, as a golf club •vt. soled, sol'ing to furnish (a shoe, etc.) with a sole [OFr < VL *sola, for L solea, sandal, sole, kind of fish < solum, sole, base, ground, bottom]

sole² (soul) •adj. 1 a) without another or others; single; one and only b) acting, working, etc. alone without help 2 of or having to do with only one (specified) person or group 3 given or belonging to no other; not shared or divided; exclusive {the sole rights to a patent} 4 [Archaic] alone; solitary 5 Law unmarried: cf. FEME SOLE [ME < OE sol < L solus, alone < ? IE *sōlo- < base *se-, *s(e)wo-, apart > L suus, one's own]

sole³ (soul) pl. sole •n.or soles any of various flatfishes (esp. family Soleidae) usually highly valued as food [OFr < VL *sola, for L solea (see SOLE¹): so named from its shape]

solecism (säl´э siz'эm) •n. 1 a violation of the conventional usage, grammar, etc. of a language; ungrammatical use of words (Ex.: We done it for We did it): see also BARBARISM, IMPROPRIETY 2 a violation of good manners; breach of etiquette 3 a mistake or impropriety sol´e·cist •n. sol'e·cis´tic •adj. sol'e·cis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [L soloecismus < Gr soloikismos < soloikos, speaking incorrectly, after Soloi, city in Cilicia, whose dialect was a corrupt form of Attic]

solely (soul´li:) •adv. 1 without another or others; alone {to be solely to blame} 2 only, exclusively, merely, or altogether {to read solely for pleasure}

solemn (säl´эm) •adj. 1 a) observed or done according to ritual or tradition (said esp. of religious holidays, rites, etc.) b) sacred in character 2 according to strict form; formal {a solemn ceremony} 3 serious; grave; deeply earnest 4 arousing feelings of awe; very impressive {a solemn occasion} 5 somber because dark in color SYN. SERIOUS sol´emn·ly •adv. sol´emn·ness •n. [ME solemne < OFr < L sollemnis, sollennis, yearly, annual, hence religious, solemn (from assoc. with annual religious festivals) < sollus, all, entire < Oscan, akin to L salvus (see SAFE) + ? annus, year]

Solemn (High) Mass or Solemn Mass old term for a highly ceremonial Mass with parts of the text sung by the celebrant, with a deacon and subdeacon assisting at the ceremonies, and with choir singing and organ music

solemn vow R.C.Ch. a vow made with canonical effects stricter than those of a SIMPLE VOW: e.g., a solemn vow of chastity, broken by attempting marriage while the vow is still in effect, makes the marriage both illicit and invalid

solemnify (sэ lem´nэ fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt. to make solemn

solemnity (sэ lem´nэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 solemn ceremony, ritual, observance, etc. 2 solemn feeling, character, or appearance; serious or awesome quality; gravity 3 Law the formality needed to validate an act, contract, etc. [ME solempnete < OFr solempneté < L sollemnitas]

solemnize (säl´эm naiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. 1 to celebrate with formal ceremony or according to ritual 2 to perform the ceremony of (marriage, etc.) 3 to make solemn, or serious, grave, etc. SYN. CELEBRATE sol'em·ni·za´tion •n. sol´em·niz'er •n. [ME solempnisen < OFr solemniser < ML(Ec) solemnizare < L sollemnis, SOLEMN]

solenocyte (sэ li:´nэ sait') •n. an elongated, tubular flame cell with one or more long flagella, occurring in certain annelids, cephalochordates, etc. [< Gr sōlēn, a channel + -CYTE]

solenoglyph (-glif') •n. any poisonous snake of the viper family with hollow, paired, erectile fangs [< ModL Solenoglypha < Gr sōlēn, a channel (in reference to the tubular fangs) + glyphein, to carve: for IE base see CLEAVE¹]

solenoid (sou´lэ noid', säl´э-) •n. a coil of wire, usually wound in the form of a helix, that acts like a bar magnet when carrying a current: used in brakes, switches, relays, etc. so'le·noi´dal •adj. [Fr solénoïde < Gr sōlēn, a tube, channel (< IE *tul- < base *twō- > Sans tūna, a quiver) + eidos, -OID]

Solent (sou´lэnt), The W part of the channel between the Isle of Wight & the mainland of Hampshire, England: c. 15 mi. (24 km) long: the E part is called Spithead

soleplate (soul´pleit') •n. the ironing surface of a flatiron [SOLE¹ + PLATE]

soles (sô´les) •n. Sp. pl. of SOL¹

Soleure (sô lëř´) Fr. name of SOLOTHURN

sol-fa (soul'fä´) •n. 1 the syllables do (formerly ut), re, mi, fa, sol (or so), la, ti (or si), do (or ut), used to represent the tones of a scale, regardless of its key 2 the use of these syllables, as in vocal exercises; solfeggio •vt., vi. -faed´ (-fäd´), -fa´ing to sing (a scale, phrase, or song) to the sol-fa syllables sol'-fa´ist •n. [It solfa < sol + fa: see GAMUT]

solfatara (soul'fэ tä´rэ) •n. a volcanic vent or fissure giving off only vapors, esp. sulfurous gases [It < solfo, sulfur < L sulfur]

solfège (säl fezh´) •n. 1 orig., SOLFEGGIO 2 the teaching of the essentials of music theory, including tonality, tempo, rhythm, etc. [Fr < It solfeggio: see SOLFEGGIO]

solfeggio (säl fej´ou) pl. -feg´gios or -feg´gi •n. 1 voice practice in which scales are sung to the sol-fa syllables; solmization 2 the use of these syllables in singing, esp. in reading a song, etc. at sight [It < solfa: see SOL-FA]

solicit (sэ lis´it) •vt. 1 to ask or seek earnestly or pleadingly; appeal to or for {to solicit aid, to solicit members for donations} 2 to tempt or entice (someone) to do wrong 3 to approach for some immoral purpose, as a prostitute does •vi. to solicit someone or something SYN. BEG so·lic´i·tant (-i tэnt) •n., adj. so·lic'i·ta´tion •n. [ME soliciten < MFr solliciter < L sollicitare < sollicitus: see SOLICITOUS]

solicitor (-эr) •n. 1 a person who solicits; esp., one who seeks trade, asks for contributions, etc. 2 in England, a member of the legal profession who is not a barrister: solicitors are not members of the bar and may not plead cases in superior courts Æ 3 in the U.S., a lawyer serving as official law officer for a city, department, etc. SYN. LAWYER [ME solycitour < MFr solliciteur]

solicitor general pl. solicitors general or solicitor generals 1 the law officer in the U.S. Department of Justice ranking next below the attorney general: the U.S. solicitor general represents the U.S. in cases before the Supreme Court 2 a law officer of similar rank in some of the States and in England

solicitous (sэ lis´э tэs) •adj. 1 showing care, attention, or concern {solicitous for her welfare} 2 showing anxious desire; eager {solicitous to make friends} 3 full of anxiety or apprehension; troubled so·lic´i·tous·ly •adv. so·lic´i·tous·ness •n. [L sollicitus < sollus, whole (see SOLEMN) + citus, pp. of ciere, to set in motion: see CITE]

solicitude (-tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the state of being solicitous; care, concern, etc.; sometimes, excessive care or concern 2 [pl.] causes of care or concern SYN. CARE [ME < L sollicitudo]

solid (säl´id) •adj. 1 tending to keep its form rather than to flow or spread out like a liquid or gas; relatively firm or compact 2 filled with matter throughout; not hollow 3 a) having the three dimensions of length, breadth, and thickness {prisms and other solid figures} b) dealing with bodies or figures in three dimensions 4 a) firm, strong, and dependable {a solid structure} b) substantial, sound, and reliable {solid reasoning} c) sturdy or vigorous {a solid build, a solid punch} 5 serious; not superficial or trivial {solid scholarship} 6 complete, thoroughgoing, or genuine {solid satisfaction} 7 a) having no breaks or divisions {a solid line of fortifications} b) written or printed without a hyphen {a solid compound} 8 characterized by no pauses or interruptions {to talk for a solid hour} 9 a) of one or the same color, material, or consistency throughout {a solid walnut table} b) consisting of one unalloyed metal throughout; also, containing no more alloy than is necessary to insure hardness (said of gold, etc.) Æ 10 characterized by or showing complete unity; unanimous {a solid vote} 11 thick or dense in appearance or texture {a solid fog} 12 firm or dependable {a solid friendship} Æ 13 [Colloq.] having a firmly favorable or good relationship {to be in solid with someone} 14 [Colloq.] healthful and filling {a solid meal} Æ 15 [Slang] very good; excellent {a solid dance band} 16 Printing set without spaces between the lines of type •n. 1 a substance that is solid, not a liquid or gas 2 an object or figure having or represented as having length, breadth, and thickness SYN. FIRM¹ sol´id·ly •adv. sol´id·ness •n. [ME solide < MFr < L solidus < sollus, whole: see SOLEMN]

solid angle the angle formed by three or more planes meeting in a common point or formed at the vertex of a cone

solid fuel any of various rocket fuels and oxidizers that are mixed and solidified into a storable mass Also called solid propellant

solid geometry the branch of geometry dealing with solid, or three-dimensional, figures

solid rocket any of various rockets using solid fuel

Solid South those Southern States traditionally regarded as solidly supporting the Democratic Party

solidago (säl'э dei´gou) pl. -gos •n. GOLDENROD [ModL < ML, goldenrod < L solidare, to strengthen (see SOLDER): in reference to its supposed healing powers]

solidarity (säl'э dær´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. combination or agreement of all elements or individuals, as of a group; complete unity, as of opinion, purpose, interest, feeling, etc. SYN. UNITY [Fr solidarité < solidaire: see SOLID & -ARY]

solidify (sэ lid´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. 1 to make or become solid, firm, hard, compact, etc. 2 to crystallize 3 to make or become solid, strong, or united so·lid'i·fi·ca´tion •n. [Fr solidifier: see SOLID & -FY]

solidity (-ti:) •n. the quality or condition of being solid; firmness, soundness, hardness, etc. [L soliditas]

solid-state (säl´id steit') •adj. 1 designating or of the branch of physics dealing with the fundamental properties of solids, as structure, binding forces, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties etc., and with their effects 2 designating, of, or equipped with electronic devices, as semiconductors, that can control current without heated filaments, moving parts, etc.

solidus (säl´i dэs) pl. sol´i·di' (-dai') •n. 1 a gold coin of the Late Roman Empire 2 a medieval money of account worth twelve denarii: abbreviated s in £ s.d. 3 a) a slant line (/), orig. the old long s (∫, used to separate shillings from pence (Ex.: 7/6) b) VIRGULE [ME < LL < L solidus (nummus), lit., SOLID (coin)]

solifluction (säl'э flûk´ shэn, sou'li-) •n. a more rapid form of soil creep, often found near a glacier, in which saturated soil slips over hard or frozen layers

soliloquize (sэ lil´э kwaiz') -quized', -quiz'ing •vi. to deliver a soliloquy; talk to oneself •vt. to utter in or as a soliloquy so·lil´o·quist (-kwist) •n.

soliloquy (-kwi:) pl. -quies •n. 1 an act or instance of talking to oneself 2 lines in a drama in which a character reveals his or her thoughts to the audience, but not to the other characters, by speaking as if to himself or herself [LL soliloquium < L solus, alone, SOLE² + loqui, to speak]

Solimões (sô'li moiñs´) the upper Amazon, between the Peruvian border & the Negro River

Solingen (zou´liŋ эn) city in W Germany, in the Ruhr Basin, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: pop. 175,000

solipsism (säl´ip siz'эm) •n. 1 the theory that the self can be aware of nothing but its own experiences and states 2 the theory that nothing exists or is real but the self sol'ip·sis´tic •adj. sol´ip·sist •n. [< L solus, alone, SOLE² + ipse, self + -ISM]

solitaire (säl´э ter') •n. 1 orig., a hermit or recluse 2 a diamond or other gem set by itself, as in a ring 3 any of many card games played by one person [Fr solitaire < L solitarius: see SOLITARY]

solitary (säl´э ter'i:) •adj. 1 living or being alone 2 without others; single; only {a solitary example} 3 characterized by loneliness or lack of companions 4 lonely; remote; unfrequented {a solitary place} 5 done in solitude 6 Bot. occurring singly, as a flower 7 Zool. living alone or in pairs; not colonial, social, etc. •n. pl. -tar'ies 1 a person who lives alone; esp., a hermit 2 [Colloq.] SOLITARY CONFINEMENT SYN. ALONE sol´i·tar'i·ly •adv. sol´i·tar'i·ness •n. [ME < OFr solitaire < L solitarius < solus, alone, SOLE²]

solitary confinement confinement of a prisoner in isolation from all other prisoners, often in a dungeonlike cell: a form of extra punishment for misconduct

soliton (säl´i tän') •n. Physics a solitary wavelike disturbance that maintains its shape and velocity despite collisions with other such disturbances

solitude (säl´э tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the state of being solitary, or alone; seclusion, isolation, or remoteness 2 a lonely or secluded place sol'i·tu´di·nous •adj. SYN.—solitude refers to the state of one who is completely alone, cut off from all human contact, and sometimes stresses the loneliness of such a condition [the solitude of a hermit]; isolation suggests physical separation from others, often an involuntary detachment resulting from the force of circumstances [the isolation of a forest ranger]; seclusion suggests retirement from intercourse with the outside world, as by confining oneself to one's home, a remote place, etc. [ME < MFr < L solitudo < solus, alone, SOLE²]

solleret (säl´эr et', säl'эr et´) •n. a kind of shoe worn with a suit of armor, made of hinged steel plates: see ARMOR, illus. [MFr soleret, dim. of soler, shoe < ML subtelaris (calceus), (shoe) under the arch of the foot < LL subtel, the hollow of the foot < L sub, under (see UP¹) + talus, ankle]

solmization (säl'mi zei´shэn) •n. the system or practice of identifying musical tones by syllables: often used as an aid in teaching music [Fr solmisation < solmiser, to sol-fa < sol + mi: see GAMUT]

solo (sou´lou) pl. -los or -li (-li:) •n. 1 a) a musical piece or passage to be played or sung by one person, with or without accompaniment b) a dance, pantomime, etc., for performance by one person 2 an airplane flight made by a pilot alone, without an assistant, instructor, etc. 3 any performance by one person alone 4 any of several card games in which each person plays, or a person may choose to play, alone against the others, without a partner •adj. 1 designed for or performed by a single voice, person, or instrument 2 performing a solo •adv. without another or others; alone •vi. -loed, -lo·ing 1 to perform a solo 2 to make a solo flight [It < L solus, alone, SOLE²]

Solo man (sou´lou) a type of early human (Homo sapiens soloensis) known from fossil remains found in Upper Pleistocene deposits in C Java: see JAVA MAN [after Solo River in C Java]

soloist (-ist) •n. a person who performs a solo

Solomon (säl´э mэn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Sol 2 king of Israel: he built the first temple and was noted for his wisdom: son & successor of DAVID: 2 Sam. 12:24 •n. a very wise man; sage Sol'o·mon´ic (-män´ik) •adj. [LL(Ec) Solomon, Salomon < Gr(Ec) Solomōn, Salōmōn < Heb shelomo, lit., peaceful < shalom, peace]

Solomon Islands 1 country on a group of islands in the SW Pacific, east of New Guinea: formerly a British protectorate, it became independent (1978): c. 11,500 sq. mi. (29,785 sq. km); pop. 283,000; cap. Honiara 2 group of islands including both the islands of this country and Bougainville, Buka, and other islands belonging to Papua New Guinea: c. 16,000 sq. mi. (41,438 sq. km)

Solomon's seal 1 a mystic symbol in the form of a six-pointed star: cf. STAR OF DAVID 2 any of a genus (Polygonatum) of perennial plants of the lily family, with broad, waxy leaves, drooping, greenish flowers, and blue or black berries [transl. of ModL sigillum Salomonis: so called prob. from starlike markings on the rootstock]

Solon (sou´lэn, -län') c. 640-c. 559 B.C.; Athenian statesman & lawgiver: framed the democratic laws of Athens

Solothurn (zou´lô tuřn') 1 canton of NW Switzerland: 305 sq. mi. (790 sq. km); pop. 218,000 2 its capital: pop. 19,000

solstice (säl´stis) •n. short for: 1 SUMMER SOLSTICE 2 WINTER SOLSTICE sol·sti´tial •adj. [ME < MFr < L solstitium < sol, the sun (see SOL) + sistere, caus. of stare, to STAND]

solubility (säl'yu: bil´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality, condition, or extent of being soluble; capability of being dissolved 2 the amount of a substance that can be dissolved in a given solvent under specified conditions

solubilize (säl´yэ bэ laiz') -ized, -izing •vt., vi. to make or become soluble; dissolve sol'u·bi·li·za´tion •n.

soluble (säl´yu: bэl) •adj. 1 that can be dissolved; able to pass into solution 2 capable of being solved sol´u·bly •adv. [ME < MFr < L solubilis < solvere: see SOLVE]

soluble glass WATER GLASS (sense 4)

solum (sou´lэm) pl. -lums or -la (-lэ) •n. the altered soil or material overlying the parent material, often including the A-horizon and the B-horizon [ModL < L, base, soil]

solus (sou´lэs) •adj. alone: a stage direction [L, SOLE²]

solute (säl´yu:t') •n. the substance dissolved in a solution [< L solutus, pp. of solvere, to loosen: see SOLVE]

solution (sэ lu:´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act, method, or process of solving a problem b) the answer to a problem c) an explanation, clarification, etc. {the solution of a mystery} 2 a) the act or process of dispersing one or more liquid, gaseous, or solid substances in another, usually a liquid, so as to form a homogeneous mixture; a dissolving b) the state or fact of being dissolved c) a homogeneous molecular mixture, usually a liquid, so produced 3 a breaking up or coming to an end; dissolution; break; breach 4 Med. a) the termination of a disease b) the crisis of a disease c) a drug in solution; liquid medicine [ME solucion < OFr < L solutio < solutus: see SOLUTE]

solution set Math. the roots or values satisfying a given equation or inequality, or a set of simultaneous equations or inequalities

Solutrean or Solutrian (sэ lu:´tri: эn) •adj. designating or of an Upper Paleolithic culture of Europe, characterized by delicate, laurel-leaf flint points [after Solutre, village in France where artifacts were found]

solvable (säl´vэ bэl) •adj. 1 that can be solved 2 [Now Rare] that can be dissolved solv'a·bil´i·ty •n.

solvate (säl´veit') •n. Chem. a complex formed by the combining of molecules or ions of a solvent and solute •vt. -vat'ed, -vat'ing to convert (molecules or ions) into a solvate sol·va´tion •n. [SOLV(ENT) + -ATE¹]

Solvay process (säl´vei') a process for making soda (sodium carbonate) by treating common salt (sodium chloride) with ammonia and carbon dioxide [developed by Ernest Solvay (1838-1922), Belg chemist]

solve (sälv, sölv) solved, solv´ing •vt. 1 to find or provide a satisfactory answer or explanation for; make clear; explain 2 to find or provide the correct or a satisfactory solution to (a problem) solv´er •n. [ME solven < L solvere (for se-luere), to loosen, release, free < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + luere, to let go, set free: see LOSE]

solvency (säl´vэn si:) •n. a solvent state or quality

solvent (-vэnt) •adj. 1 able to pay all one's debts or meet all financial responsibilities 2 that dissolves or can dissolve another substance •n. 1 a substance, usually liquid, that dissolves or can dissolve another substance 2 something that solves or explains; solution [L solvens, prp. of solvere, to loosen: see SOLVE]

solvolysis (säl väl´э sis) •n. a chemical interaction, as hydrolysis, between a solute and solvent, with the production of new compounds [< prec. + -O- + -LYSIS]

Solway Firth (säl´wei) arm of the Irish Sea, between England & Scotland: c. 40 mi. (64 km) long

Solyman I (säl´i mэn) var. of SULEIMAN (I)

Solzhenitsyn (soul'zhэ ni:t´sin), Aleksandr (Isayevich) 1918- ; Russ. writer, esp. of novels: exiled in 1974

som (säm) •n. the basic monetary unit of Kyrgyzstan: see MONEY, table

soma¹ (sou´mэ) pl. so´ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n. the entire body of an animal or plant, with the exception of the germ cells [ModL < Gr sōma, body < IE *twōmn, something compact, sturdy < base *tēu-, to swell, thick > THUMB, L tumor, Gr sōros, a heap]

soma² (sou´mэ) •n. 1 an intoxicating plant juice referred to in the literature of Vedic ritual 2 an E Indian plant (Sarcostemma acidum) of the milkweed family [so called as a supposed source of this juice] [Sans < IE base *seu-, juice > SUCK, OE seaw, sap, L sucus, juice]

Somali (sou mä´li:, sэ-) •n. 1 pl. -lis or -li a member of a people of Somalia and neighboring regions 2 their Eastern Cushitic language 3 pl. -lis or -li any of a breed of domestic cat developed from the Abyssinian and similar to members of that breed except for the coat, which is of medium length [< ?]

Somalia (sou mä´li: э, sэ-; -mäl´yэ) country of E Africa, on the Indian Ocean & the Gulf of Aden: formed by merger of British Somaliland & Italian Somaliland (1960): 246,201 sq. mi. (637,658 sq. km); pop. 7,825,000; cap. Mogadishu So·ma·li·an •adj., n.

Somaliland (-lænd') region in E Africa, including NE Somalia, Djibouti, & E Ethiopia

somatic (sou mæt´ik) •adj. 1 of the body, as distinguished from the soul, mind, or psyche; corporeal; physical 2 Biol. of the soma 3 Anat., Zool. of the outer walls of the body, as distinguished from the viscera SYN. BODILY so·mat´i·cal·ly •adv. [Gr sōmatikos < sōma (gen. sōmatos), body: see SOMA¹]

somatic cell any of the cells of an organism that become differentiated into the tissues, organs, etc. of the body: opposed to GERM CELL

somato- (sou´mэ tou, -tэ; sou mæt´э) combining form body {somatoplasm}: also, before a vowel, somat- [< Gr sōma (gen. sōmatos), body: see SOMA¹]

somatology (sou'mэ täl´э ji:) •n. 1 the science concerned with the properties of organic bodies 2 old term for the branch of anthropology that deals with the physical nature and characteristics of people so'ma·to·log´ic (-tэ läj´ik) or so'ma·to·log´i·cal •adj. so'ma·tol´o·gist •n. [prec. + -LOGY]

somatomedin (sэ mät'э mi:d´эn, sou'mэ tэ-) •n. any of a group of protein hormones produced in the liver and regulating the activity of growth hormones in building muscle and cartilage

somatoplasm (sou´mэ tэ plæz'эm, sou mæt´э-) •n. the body cells collectively as distinguished from germ cells so'ma·to·plas´tic •adj. [SOMATO- + -PLASM]

somatopleure (-plur') •n. Embryology a mass of tissue formed from the fusion of the ectoderm and the outer of the two layers of the mesoderm, forming much of the body wall and the amnion and chorion so'ma·to·pleu´ral •adj. [SOMATO- + Gr pleura, a side]

somatostatin (sou'mэ tэ stæt´ªn) •n. a hormone produced mainly in the hypothalamus and pancreas, or prepared synthetically, that inhibits the release of glucagon and insulin from the pancreas: used in treating diabetes [SOMATO- + -STAT + -IN¹]

somatotropin (sэ mät'э troup´эn, sou'mэ tэ-) •n. GROWTH HORMONE (sense 1): also so·ma'to·troph´in

somatotype (-taip') •n. body type

somber (säm´bэr) •adj. 1 dark and gloomy or dull 2 mentally depressed or depressing; melancholy 3 earnest and solemn; grave Also [Chiefly Brit.] som´bre som´ber·ly •adv. som´ber·ness •n. [Fr sombre < LL *subumbrare, to shade < L sub, under + umbra, shade]

sombrero (säm brer´ou, sэm-) pl. -ros •n. a broad-brimmed, tall-crowned felt or straw hat of a kind worn in Mexico, the Southwest, etc. [Sp, hat < sombra, shade: see SOMBER]

some (sûm; unstressed sэm) •adj. 1 being a certain one or ones not specified or known {open some evenings} 2 being of a certain unspecified (but often considerable) number, quantity, degree, etc. {to have some fear, married for some years} 3 about {some ten of them} Æ 4 [Colloq.] remarkable, striking, etc. {it was some fight} pron. 1 a certain one or ones not specified or known; some one or ones {some agree} 2 a certain indefinite or unspecified number, quantity, etc. as distinguished from the rest {take some} •adv. 1 approximately; about {some ten men} 2 [Colloq.] to some extent; somewhat {slept some} Æ 3 [Colloq.] to a great extent or at a great rate {must run some to catch up} Æ and then some [Colloq.] and more than that [ME som < OE sum, a certain one, akin to Goth sums < IE *som- > SAME]

-some¹ (sэm) suffix like, tending to, tending to be {toilsome, tiresome, lonesome} [ME -som < OE -sum, akin to prec.]

-some² (sэm) suffix a group of (a specified number of) members {threesome} [ME -sum < sum, som, SOME]

-some³ (soum) combining form 1 body {chromosome} 2 chromosome {monosome} [< Gr sōma, body: see SOMA¹]

somebody (sûm´bäd'i:, -bûd'i:, -bэd i:) pron. a person unknown or not named; some person; someone •n. pl. -bod'ies a person of importance

someday (-dei') •adv. at some future day or time

somehow (-hau') •adv. in a way or by a method not known, stated, or understood {was somehow completed} Often in the phrase somehow or other

someone (-wûn', -wэn) pron. SOMEBODY

someplace (-pleis') •adv. [Colloq.] in, to, or at some place: somewhere •n. [Colloq.] SOMEWHERE

somersault (sûm´эr sölt') •n. an acrobatic stunt performed by turning the body one full revolution forward or backward, heels over head: often used figuratively, as of a complete reversal of opinion, sympathies, etc. •vi. to perform a somersault or a series of somersaults Also som´er·set' (-set') [altered < MFr sombresault, soubresault < L supra, over + saltus, a leap < pp. of saltare: see SALTANT]

Somerset (sûm´эr set') county of SW England, on Bristol Channel: 1,335 sq. mi. (3,458 sq. km); pop. 441,000; county seat, Taunton: also Som´er·set·shire' (-shir') [OE Sumersaete, contr. < Sumortun sæte, lit., the people of Somerton (< sumor, SUMMER¹ + tun, TOWN) + sæte, residents, pl. of sæta, akin to sæti, SEAT]

Somerville (sûm´эr vil') city in E Mass.: suburb of Boston: pop. 76,000 [? after Capt. R. Somers (1778-1804)]

something (sûm´θiŋ) •n. 1 a thing that is not definitely known, understood, or identified; some undetermined thing {something went wrong} 2 some thing or things, definite but unspecified {have something to eat} 3 a bit; a little {something over an hour} 4 [Colloq.] an important or remarkable person or thing •adv. 1 a little; somewhat {looks something like me} 2 [Colloq.] really; quite {sounds something awful} Also used after a figure to indicate a fraction beyond [the bus leaves at six something] make something of 1 to find a use for 2 to treat as of great importance Æ 3 [Colloq.] to make an issue of Æ something else [Slang] a really remarkable person or thing

sometime (sûm´taim') •adv. 1 at some time not known or specified 2 at some unspecified time in the future 3 [Archaic] a) sometimes b) formerly •adj. 1 former; erstwhile {her sometime friend} 2 merely occasional; sporadic {his wit is a sometime thing}

sometimes (-taimz') •adv. 1 at times; on various occasions; occasionally 2 [Obs.] formerly

someway (-wei') •adv. in some way or manner; somehow or other: also some´ways'

somewhat (-hwût', -hwät', -wût', -wэt) •n. some degree, amount, portion, or part; a bit: often followed by of {somewhat of a surprise} •adv. to some extent or degree; a little; rather {somewhat late}

somewhere (-hwer', -wer') •adv. 1 in, to, or at some place not known or specified {lives somewhere nearby} 2 at some time, degree, age, figure, etc. (with about, around, near, in, between, etc.) {somewhere about ten o'clock} •n. an unspecified or undetermined place Also [Chiefly Dial.] some´wheres'

somewhither (-hwið'эr) •adv. [Archaic] to some place

somewise (-waiz') •adv. [Archaic] in some way or to some degree: usually preceded by in

somite (sou´mait') •n. 1 METAMERE 2 a blocklike segment of mesodermal tissue in the vertebrate embryo, giving rise to muscle, bone, etc. so·mit´ic (-mit´ik) or so´mi·tal (-mitªl) •adj. [< SOMA¹ + -ITE¹]

Somme (sûm; Fr sôm) river in N France: c. 150 mi. (241 km)

sommelier (sûm'эl yei´; Fr sô mэ lyei´) pl. -liers´ (-yeiz´; Fr, -lyei´) •n. the person in a restaurant, club, etc. who is responsible for the selection of, and for serving, the wines, esp. with a French cuisine; wine steward [Fr < MFr, orig., person in charge of pack animals (hence, steward) < OFr sommerier < sommier < LL sagmarius: see SUMMER²]

somnambulate (säm næm´byu: leit', sэm-) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. to get up and move about in a trancelike state while asleep som·nam´bu·lant •adj. som·nam'bu·la´tion •n. som·nam´bu·la'tor •n. [< L somnus, sleep (see SOMNUS) + ambulatus, pp. of ambulare, to walk: see AMBLE]

somnambulism (-liz'эm) •n. 1 the act or practice of somnambulating; sleepwalking 2 the trancelike state of one who somnambulates som·nam´bu·list •n. som·nam'bu·lis´tic •adj. som·nam'bu·lis´ti·cal·ly •adv.

somniferous (säm nif´эr эs, sэm-) •adj. inducing sleep; soporific som·nif´er·ous·ly •adv. [L somnifer < somnus, sleep (see SOMNUS) + ferre, to bring, BEAR¹ + -OUS]

somniloquy (-nil´э kwi:) •n. 1 the act or habit of talking while asleep 2 the words so spoken som·nil´o·quist •n. [< L somnus, sleep (see SOMNUS) + loqui, to speak]

somnolent (säm´nэ lэnt) •adj. 1 sleepy; drowsy 2 inducing drowsiness SYN. SLEEPY som´no·lence or som´no·len·cy •n. som´no·lent·ly •adv. [LME sompnolent < MFr < L somnolentus < somnus, sleep: see SOMNUS]

Somnus (säm´nэs) Rom. Myth. the god of sleep: identified with the Greek Hypnos [L, sleep < IE *swopnos < base *swep-, to sleep > Gr hypnos, sleep, Sans svapiti, (he) sleeps, OE swefan, to sleep]

son (sûn) •n. 1 a boy or man as he is related to either or both parents: sometimes also used of animals 2 a male descendant 3 a) a stepson b) an adopted son c) a son-in-law 4 a male thought of as having been formed by some influence, as a child is by a parent {sons of France} 5 an affectionate or familiar form of address to a boy or man, as used by an older person the Son Christian Theol. Jesus Christ, as the second person of the Trinity [ME sone < OE sunu, akin to Ger sohn, Goth sunus < IE *sūnus < base *seu-, to give birth to > Sans sūyatē, (she) bears, OIr suth, birth]

son et lumière (souñ ei lü myeř´) 1 a technique of presenting a historical spectacle, esp. at night before a monument, etc., using special lighting effects and live or recorded narration, music, etc. 2 such a spectacle [Fr, sound and light]

son of a bitch [Slang] 1 a person or thing regarded with anger, contempt, etc. 2 an interjection expressing surprise, annoyance, etc. A somewhat vulgar term Also son·of·a·bitch (sûn´эv э bich'; for interj., usually sûn'эv э bich´) •n., interj.

son of a gun [Slang] a euphemistic alteration of SON OF A BITCH: often with overtones of indulgence, familiarity, etc.

son of Adam any man or boy

Son of God (or Man) Christian Theol. name for CHRIST (Jesus)

sonance (sou´nэns) •n. 1 [Obs.] a) a sound b) a tune 2 the quality or state of being sonant

sonant (sou´nэnt) •adj. 1 of sound 2 having sound; sounding •n. Phonet. 1 a syllabic consonant 2 a voiced sound [L sonans, sounding, prp. of sonare, to SOUND¹]

sonar (sou´när') •n. an apparatus that transmits high-frequency sound waves through water and registers the vibrations reflected from an object, used in finding submarines, depths, etc. [so(und) n(avigation) a(nd) r(anging)]

sonata (sэ nät´э) •n. a composition for one or two instruments, usually consisting of several movements: some modern sonatas have single movements [It, lit., a sounding < L sonare, to SOUND¹: orig., an instrumental composition as opposed to CANTATA, lit., something sung]

sonata form a type of musical composition, often serving as the first movement of a sonata or symphony, consisting of an exposition which contrasts two distinct keys, followed by a development of the exposition, and a recapitulation which returns to the original key or tonality: in full so·na´ta-al·le´gro' form

sonatina (sän'э ti:´nэ) •n. a short or simplified sonata [It, dim. of sonata]

sonde (sänd) •n. any of various devices, esp. a radiosonde, for measuring and usually telemetering meteorological and other physical conditions at high altitudes [Fr, a sounding line < sonder: see SOUND4]

sone (soun) •n. a unit of loudness, subjectively determined, equal to the loudness of a sound of one kilohertz at 40 decibels above the threshold of hearing of a given listener [< L sonus, SOUND¹]

song (söŋ) •n. 1 the act or art of singing {to break into song} 2 a piece of music sung or composed for singing 3 a) [Old Poet.] poetry; verse b) a relatively short metrical composition for, or suitable for, singing, as a ballad or simple lyric 4 a musical sound like singing {the song of the lark} for a song for very little money; cheap song´ful •adj. song´less •adj. [ME < OE sang: for IE base see SING] Song Bible Song of Solomon

song and dance 1 singing and dancing, esp. in vaudeville 2 [Colloq.] talk, esp. an explanation, that is pointless, devious, or evasive

song cycle a series of songs by a single composer that are poetically related to form a unified work

Song of Solomon Bible a book consisting of a love poem, dramatic and lyrical in character, traditionally ascribed to Solomon: also called Song of Songs or (in the Douay Bible) Canticle of Canticles: abbrev. S of Sol, S of S, Sg, or Song

song sparrow a common North American sparrow (Melospiza melodia) with a striped breast, noted for its sweet song

song thrush a mostly Eurasian songbird (Turdus philomelos) with brown wings and a white breast with many large, dark spots

songbird (-børd') •n. 1 a passerine bird that makes vocal sounds that are like music 2 a woman singer

songfest (söŋ´fest') •n. an informal gathering of people for singing, esp. folk songs [SONG + -FEST]

Songhua (suŋ´hwä´) river in Manchuria, NE China, flowing into the Amur River: c. 1,150 mi. (1,850 km)

songsmith (söŋ´smiθ') •n. [Colloq.] a songwriter

songster (söŋ´stэr) •n. 1 a singer 2 a writer of songs 3 SONGBIRD song´stress (-stris) •n.fem. [ME < OE sangestre: see SONG & -STER]

songwriter (-rait'эr) •n. a person who writes the words or music or both for songs, esp. popular songs

sonic (sän´ik) •adj. 1 of or having to do with sound 2 designating or of a speed equal to the speed of sound (about 1,220 km per hour, or 760 mph, through air at sea level at room temperature) son´i·cal·ly •adv. [< L sonus, SOUND¹ + -IC]

sonic barrier the large increase of aerodynamic resistance encountered by some aircraft when flying near the speed of sound; sound barrier

sonic boom an explosive sound that results when the cone-shaped shock wave caused by an object, as an airplane, traveling at supersonic speed touches the ground

sonic depth finder FATHOMETER

sonicate (sän´э keit') -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. to subject (a cell, virus, etc.) to the energy produced by sound waves son'i·ca´tion •n. son´i·ca'tor •n. [prec. + -ATE¹]

soniferous (sou nif´эr эs) •adj. carrying or producing sound [< L sonus, a SOUND¹ + -FEROUS]

son-in-law (sûn´in lö') pl. sons´-in-law' •n. the husband of one's daughter

sonnet (sän´it) •n. a poem normally of fourteen lines in any of several fixed verse and rhyme schemes, typically in rhymed iambic pentameter: sonnets characteristically express a single theme or idea See PETRARCHAN SONNET, SHAKESPEAREAN SONNET •vt., vi. SONNETIZE [Fr < It sonnetto < Prov sonet, dim. of son, a sound, song < L sonus, a SOUND¹]

sonneteer (sän'э tir´) •n. 1 a person who writes sonnets 2 any minor or inferior poet: used contemptuously [prec. + -EER]

sonnetize (sän´э taiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi., vt. to write sonnets (about)

sonny (sûn´i:) pl. -nies •n. little son: used as a familiar term of address to any young boy

sonobuoy (sän´ou boi', -bu:'i:; sou´nou-) •n. a buoy that amplifies sound signals picked up under water and transmits them by radio [< L sonus, SOUND¹ + BUOY]

sonogram (sän´э græm, sou´nэ-) •n. 1 ECHOGRAM 2 a visual pattern representing the sound waves of a voice, call, or noise so·nog·ra·phy (sэ näg´rэ fi:) •n.

Sonora (sô nô´řä) state of NW Mexico, on the Gulf of California & the S Ariz. border: 70,484 sq. mi. (182,552 sq. km); pop. 1,513,000; cap. Hermosillo

sonorant (sэ nör´эnt, sou-) •n. Phonet. a voiced consonant that is less sonorous than a vowel but more sonorous than an unvoiced plosive and that may occur as a syllabic {English sonorants are (l), (r), (w), (y), (m), (n), and (ŋ)} [SONOR(OUS) + (CONSON)ANT]

sonority (-э ti:) pl. -ties •n. quality, state, or instance of being sonorous; resonance [< Fr or LL: Fr sonorité < LL sonoritas]

sonorous (sэ nör´эs, sän´эr эs) •adj. 1 producing or capable of producing sound, esp. sound of full, deep, or rich quality; resonant 2 full, deep, or rich: said of sound 3 having a powerful, impressive sound; high-sounding {sonorous prose} 4 Phonet. having a degree of resonant tonality: said esp. of vowels, semivowels, and nasals so·no´rous·ly •adv. so·no´rous·ness •n. [L sonorus < sonor, a sound, din, akin to sonus, a SOUND¹]

sonship (sûn´ship) •n. the fact or state of being a son

sonsy or sonsie (sän´si:) •adj. [Chiefly Scot.] 1 buxom; handsome 2 good-natured [< dial. sonse, prosperity, plenty < Gael sonas, good fortune + -Y²]

Soo (su:) region in N Mich. & S Ontario, Canada, at the St. Marys Falls Canals & the cities of Sault Ste. Marie (in Mich. & Ontario) [alteration of Sault]

Soo Locks locks of St. Marys Falls Canals

Soochow (su:´chau´; Chin su:´jou´) old form of SUZHOU

sook (su:k) •n. alt. sp. of SOUK

soon (su:n) •adv. 1 in a short time (after a time specified or understood); shortly; before long {will soon be there} 2 promptly; quickly {as soon as possible} 3 ahead of time; early {we left too soon} 4 readily; willingly {I would as soon go as stay} 5 [Obs.] at once; immediately had sooner would rather; would prefer to sooner or later inevitably; eventually [ME sone < OE sona, at once, akin to OHG sān, Goth suns]

sooner (su:n´эr) •n. 1 a person occupying homestead land, as formerly in the western U.S., before the authorized time for doing so, thus gaining an unfair advantage in choice of location 2 [S-] a native or inhabitant of Oklahoma: a nickname [< compar. of prec.]

soot (sut, su:t) •n. a black substance consisting chiefly of carbon particles formed by the incomplete combustion of burning matter •vt. to cover, soil, or treat with soot [ME < OE sot, akin to MDu soet < IE base *sed-, to SIT: basic sense what settles]

sooth (su:θ) •adj. 1 [Archaic] true or real 2 [Old Poet.] soothing; smooth •n. [Archaic] truth; fact in sooth [Archaic] in truth; truly sooth´ly •adv. [ME soth < OE, akin to Goth sunja, truth, ON sannr, true < IE base *es-, to be (> AM, IS): basic sense that is]

soothe (su:ð) soothed, sooth´ing •vt. 1 to make calm or composed, as by gentle treatment, flattery, etc.; appease; mollify 2 to allay or relieve (pain, an ache, etc.); assuage •vi. to have a soothing effect SYN. COMFORT sooth´er •n. sooth´ing •adj. sooth´ing·ly •adv. [ME sothen < OE sothian, to bear witness to, prove true < soth: see SOOTH]

soothfast (su:θ´fæst', -fäst') •adj. [Archaic] 1 truthful or loyal 2 true or real [ME sothfast < OE sothfæst]

soothsay (su:θ´sei') -said', -say'ing •vi. to make predictions; foretell sooth´say'ing •n.

soothsayer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who professes to foretell the future 2 MANTIS [ME sothseyere, one who speaks the truth]

sooty (sut´i:, su:t´i:) soot´i·er, soot´i·est •adj. 1 of, like, or covered with, soot 2 dark or black like soot soot´i·ness •n. [ME < OE sotig: see SOOT & -Y²]

sop (säp) •n. 1 a piece of food, as bread, soaked in milk, gravy, etc. 2 a) something given by way of concession or appeasement b) a bribe •vt. sopped, sop´ping [OE soppian < the n.] 1 to soak, steep, or saturate in or with liquid 2 to take up (liquid) by absorption: usually with up •vi. 1 to soak (in, into, or through something) 2 to be or become thoroughly wet [ME soppe < OE sopp < base of supan: see SUP¹] SOP standard operating procedure

sopaipilla or sopapilla (sou'pэ pi:´э) •n. a piece of puffed, deep-fried bread, usually dipped in or covered with honey [MexSp]

soph (säf) •n. short for SOPHOMORE

Sophia (sou fi:´э, -fai´э) a feminine name: dim. Sophie, Sophy [< Gr sophia, skill, wisdom < sophos, wise]

sophism (säf´iz'эm) •n. a clever and plausible but fallacious argument or form of reasoning, whether or not intended to deceive; fallacy or sophistry [altered (infl. by L) < ME sophime < OFr soffime < L sophisma < Gr < sophizesthai, to play the sophist < sophos, clever, skillful, wise]

sophist (-ist) •n. 1 [often S-] in ancient Greece, any of a group of teachers of rhetoric, politics, philosophy, etc., some of whom were notorious for their clever, specious arguments 2 any person practicing clever, specious reasoning [L sophista < Gr sophistēs, wise man: see SOPHISM]

sophistical (sэ fis´ti kэl) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of sophists or sophistry 2 clever and plausible, but unsound and tending to mislead {a sophistical argument} 3 using sophistry Also so·phis´tic so·phis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [ML sophisticalis < L sophisticus < Gr sophistikos < sophistēs, wise man, sophist]

sophisticate (sэ fis´tэ keit'; for n., usually, -kit) -cat'ed, -cat'ing •vt. 1 to change from being natural, simple, artless, etc. to being artificial, worldly-wise, urbane, etc. 2 to bring to a more developed, complex, or refined form, technique, level, etc. 3 [Now Rare] to make impure by mixture or adulteration 4 [Archaic] to corrupt or mislead •vi. [Rare] to use sophistical reasoning •n. a sophisticated person [ME sophisticaten < ML sophisticatus, pp. of sophisticare < L sophisticus: see SOPHISTICAL]

sophisticated (-keit'id) •adj. 1 not simple, artless, naive, etc.; urbane, worldly-wise, etc. or knowledgeable, perceptive, subtle, etc. 2 designed for or appealing to sophisticated people 3 highly complex, refined, or developed; characterized by advanced form, technique, etc. {sophisticated equipment} so·phis´ti·cat'ed·ly •adv.

sophistication (sэ fis'tэ kei´shэn) •n. 1 [Now Rare] the use of sophistry 2 a) the act or process of sophisticating b) the state, quality, or character of being sophisticated [ME sophisticacioun < ML sophisticatio]

sophistry (säf´is tri:) pl. -tries •n. 1 unsound or misleading but clever, plausible, and subtle argument or reasoning; sophism 2 the methods or practices of the Sophists [ME sophistrie < ML sophistria]

Sophocles (säf´э kli:z') c. 496-406 B.C.; Gr. writer of tragic dramas

sophomore (säf´э mör') •n. 1 a student in the second year of college or the tenth grade in high school Æ 2 a person in his or her second year in some enterprise •adj. of or for sophomores [altered (< Gr sophos, wise + mōros, foolish) < older sophumer < sophum, sophism, prob. < ME sophime, SOPHISM]

sophomoric (säf'э mör´ik) •adj. of, like, or characteristic of sophomores, who are often regarded as self-assured, opinionated, etc. though immature: also soph'o·mor´i·cal soph'o·mor´i·cal·ly •adv.

-sophy (sэ fi:) combining form knowledge or thought {theosophy} [< Gr sophia, skill, wisdom]

sopor (sou´pэr) •n. an unnaturally deep sleep; stupor [L: for IE base see SOMNUS]

soporific (säp'э rif´ik, sou'pэ-) •adj. 1 causing or tending to cause sleep: also sop'o·rif´er·ous (-rif´эr эs) 2 of or characterized by sleep or sleepiness •n. something, as a drug, that causes sleep [Fr soporifique: see SOPOR & -FIC]

sopping (säp´iŋ) •adj. thoroughly wet; drenched

soppy (säp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 very wet; sopping 2 rainy 3 [Colloq.] sentimental

sopranino (sou'prэ ni:´nou) •adj. designating or of any musical instrument smaller and of a higher pitch than the soprano of that family •n. a sopranino instrument, esp. a recorder [It, dim. of soprano]

soprano (sэ præn´ou, -prä´nou) pl. -nos or -ni (-prä´ni:) •n. 1 the range of the highest voice of women or boys, usually from middle C to two or more octaves above 2 a) a voice or singer with such a range b) an instrument with a similar range within its family, as a soprano recorder c) a part for such a voice or instrument 3 in four-part harmony, the highest part •adj. of, for, or having the range of a soprano [It < sopra, above < L supra]

sora (sör´э) •n. a small rail (Porzana carolina) with a short, yellow bill: the most common rail of North America [< ?]

sorb (sörb) •n. 1 any of a number of European trees of the rose family, as the rowan and the service tree 2 the fruit of any of these trees [Fr sorbe < L sorbum, serviceberry, sorbus, SERVICE TREE] Sorb (sörb) •n. any member of an old Slavic people living in an enclave in E Germany, south of Berlin; Wend Sor´bi·an •adj. [Ger Sorbe < Serb Srb] Sorb (sörb) •n. any member of an old Slavic people living in an enclave in E Germany, south of Berlin; Wend Sor´bi·an •adj. [Ger Sorbe < Serb Srb]

sorbent (sör´bэnt) •n. any substance or process that adsorbs, absorbs, or desorbs

sorbet (sör´bэt, sör bei´) •n. a tart ice, as of fruit juice, served as a dessert or, sometimes, between courses of a meal to refresh the palate [Fr < It sorbetto < Ar sharba(t): see SHERBET]

sorbic acid (sör´bik) a white, crystalline solid, CH3CH:CHCH:CHCOOH, isolated from the berries of mountain ash or made synthetically: used in drying oils, and as a food preservative, fungicide, etc. [SORB + -IC]

sorbitol (sör´bi töl', -toul') •n. a white, sweet, odorless, crystalline alcohol, C6H8(OH)6, found in certain berries and fruits, used as a moistening agent in lotions or creams, as a sugar substitute, etc. [SORB + -IT(E)¹ + -OL¹]

Sorbonne (sör bän´; Fr sôř bôn´) 1 orig., a theological college in Paris, established about the middle of the 13th cent. 2 the University of Paris; specif., the seat of the faculties of letters and science [Fr, after the founder, Robert de Sorbon (1201-74), chaplain of Louis IX]

sorbose (sör´bous') •n. a white, crystalline hexose, C6H12O6, obtained by fermenting sorbitol: it is used in the manufacture of vitamin C [SORB(ITOL) + -OSE¹]

sorcerer (sör´sэr эr) •n. a person who practices sorcery; wizard [extended < ME sorcer < OFr sorcier, sorcerer < sorz, lot, chance < L sors (gen. sortis), lot, share: see SORT]

sorceress (sör´sэr эs) •n. a woman who practices sorcery; witch

sorcery (-i:) pl. -cer·ies •n. 1 the supposed use of an evil supernatural power over people and their affairs; witchcraft; black magic 2 seemingly magical power, influence, or charm SYN. MAGIC sor´cer·ous •adj. sor´cer·ous·ly •adv. [ME < OFr sorcerie < sorcier: see SORCERER]

sordid (sör´did) •adj. 1 a) dirty; filthy b) squalid; depressingly wretched 2 a) base; ignoble; mean b) mercenary, avaricious, grasping, or meanly selfish SYN. BASE² sor´did·ly •adv. sor´did·ness •n. [Fr sordide < L sordidus < sordes, filth < IE base *swordo(s)-, black, dirty > SWARTHY, Ger schwarz]

sordino (sör di:´nou) pl. -ni (-ni:) MUTE (n. 4) •n. [It < sordo, deaf, silent < L surdus: see SURD]

sordor (sör´dэr) •n. wretchedness or squalor; sordidness [ModL < L sordes, filth: see SORDID]

sore (sör) sor´er, sor´est •adj. 1 a) giving physical pain; painful; tender {a sore throat} b) feeling physical pain, as from wounds, bruises, etc. {to be sore all over} 2 a) filled with sadness, grief, or sorrow; distressed {with a sore heart} b) causing sadness, grief, misery, or distress {a sore hardship} c) distressingly intense or bitter; extreme {a sore lack} 3 provocative of irritation or disagreeable feelings {a sore point} Æ 4 [Colloq.] angry; offended; feeling hurt or resentful •n. [OE sar, pain] 1 a sore, usually infected spot on the body, as an ulcer, boil, or blister 2 a source of pain, irritation, grief, distress, etc. •adv. [Archaic] sorely; greatly •vt. sored, sor´ing Æ to inflict soring on (a horse) sore´ness •n. [ME sor < OE sar, akin to Ger sehr, very, lit., sore < IE base *sai-, pain, sickness > L saevus, raging, terrible, OIr sāeth, illness]

sorehead (-hed') •n. [Colloq.] a person who is angry, resentful, vindictive, etc., or one easily made so

Sorel (sô řel´; E sэ rel´), Georges (Eugène) (zhôřzh) 1847-1922; Fr. social philosopher

sorely (-li:) •adv. 1 grievously; painfully {sorely vexed} 2 urgently; greatly; extremely {sorely needed} [ME sorelie < OE sarlice: see SORE & -LY²]

sorghum (sör´gэm) •n. 1 any of a genus (Sorghum) of tropical grasses that have solid stems bearing large panicles of spikelets with numerous small, glossy grains: grown for grain, syrup, fodder, etc. Æ 2 syrup made from the sweet juices of a sorgo [ModL < It sorgo < dial. soreg < L syricus, Syrian: hence, orig., Syrian grass]

sorgo (sör´gou) pl. -gos any of several varieties of sorghum with sweet, watery juice, grown for syrup, fodder, or silage: also sor´gho, pl. -ghos •n. [It: see SORGHUM]

sori (sou´ri:') •n. pl. of SORUS

soricine (sör´э sain', -sin; sou´rэ-) •adj. of or like the shrews; shrewlike [L soricinus < sorex (gen. soricis), shrew < IE echoic base *swer-, to buzz > SWARM¹]

soring (sör´iŋ) •n. Æ the practice of making the front feet of a show horse sore, as by bruising or blistering, so as to force it to take high, exaggerated steps in exhibitions

sorites (sou rait´i:z) pl. so·ri´tes •n. Logic a series of premises followed by a conclusion, arranged so that the predicate of the first premise is the subject of the next, and so forth, the conclusion uniting the subject of the first with the predicate of the last in an elliptical series of syllogisms [L < Gr sōreitēs (syllogismos), heaped up (syllogism) < sōros, a heap: see SOMA¹]

sororal (sэ rör´эl) •adj. of or characteristic of a sister or sisters; sisterly so·ror´al·ly •adv.

sororate (sэ rör´it, -eit) •n. the custom in some cultures of marrying the younger sister of one's wife, esp. after the wife's death [ModL < L soror, SISTER + -ATE²]

sororicide (sэ rör´э said') •n. 1 the act of murdering one's own sister 2 a person who does this [L sororicida] so·ror'i·ci´dal •adj. [LL sororicidium < L soror, SISTER + caedere, to strike, kill]

sorority (sэ rör´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a group of women or girls joined together by common interests, for fellowship, etc. Æ 2 a Greek-letter college organization for women [ML sororitas, sisterhood < L soror, SISTER]

sorosis (sэ rou´sis) pl. -ses (-si:z) •n. a multiple fruit formed by the merging of many flowers into a fleshy mass, as in the mulberry [ModL < Gr sōros, a heap: see SOMA¹]

sorption (sörp´shэn) •n. absorption or adsorption [back-form. < ABSORPTION & ADSORPTION]

sorrel tree SOURWOOD

sorrel¹ (sör´эl, sär´-) •n. 1 any of various short, coarse weeds (genus Rumex) of the buckwheat family, with sour, edible leaves: see DOCK³ 2 WOOD SORREL [ME sorel < OFr surele < Frank *sur; akin to OHG sur, SOUR]

sorrel² (sör´эl, sär´-) •n. 1 light reddish brown 2 a horse or other animal of this color •adj. light reddish-brown [LME < OFr sorel < sor, sore, light brown < ML saurus < Gmc *saur, light brown, color of dry leaves, orig., dry, akin to SEAR¹]

Sorrento (sэ ren´tou; It sôř řen´tô) resort town in S Italy, on the Bay of Naples: pop. 13,000

sorrow (sär´ou, sör´ou) •n. 1 mental suffering caused by loss, disappointment, etc.; sadness, grief, or regret 2 that which produces such suffering; trouble, loss, affliction, etc. 3 the outward expression of such suffering; mourning; lamentation 4 earnest repentance; contrition {sorrow for sin} •vi. to feel or show sorrow; grieve sor´row·er •n. [ME sorwe < OE sorg, akin to Ger sorge < IE base *swergh-, to worry, be ill > Sans sūrksati, he worries about, Lith sergù, to be sick]

sorrowful (-э fэl) •adj. full of sorrow; feeling, causing, or expressing sorrow SYN. SAD sor´row·ful·ly •adv. sor´row·ful·ness •n. [ME soruful < OE sorgful]

sorry (sör´i:, sär´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 full of sorrow, pity, or sympathy: also used as an expression of apology or mild regret 2 a) inferior in worth or quality; poor {a sorry exhibit} b) wretched; miserable {a sorry tenement} sor´ri·ly •adv. sor´ri·ness •n. [ME sorie < OE sarig < sar, SORE]

sort (sört) •n. 1 any group of persons or things related by having something in common; kind; class 2 quality or type; nature {remarks of that sort} 3 [Archaic] manner or way 4 Comput. the act or an instance of sorting 5 [usually pl.] Printing any of the kinds of characters in a font of type •vt. to place, separate, or arrange according to class or kind: often with out •vi. 1 [Archaic] to associate; consort 2 [Archaic] to harmonize or agree; suit 3 Comput. to arrange a group of records in a particular way, as chronologically or alphabetically, so that they can be accessed more efficiently after a sort in some way but not very well of sorts 1 of various kinds 2 of a poor or inferior kind: also of a sort out of sorts 1 Printing lacking certain sorts of type 2 [Colloq.] a) not in a good humor; cross b) not feeling well; slightly ill sort of [Colloq.] somewhat sort´a·ble •adj. sort´er •n. [ME < MFr < VL *sorta < L sors (gen. sortis), lot, chance, fate, akin to serere, to join together, arrange: see SERIES]

sortie (sört´i:) •n. 1 a) a sudden rushing forth; sally; specif., a quick raid on besiegers by those besieged b) the forces making such a raid 2 one mission by a single military plane [Fr < sortir, to issue, go out < VL *sortire, prob. < L sortitus, chosen, selected by lot, pp. of sortiri < sors: see SORT]

sortilege (sört´ªl ij', -ej') •n. 1 divination or prophecy by casting lots 2 sorcery; black magic [ME < ML sortilegium < LL sortilegus, fortuneteller < L sors, lot (see SORT) + legere, to read: see LOGIC]

sorus (sou´rэs, sör´эs) pl. -ri (-ai) •n. a cluster of spore cases, esp. the ones on the undersurface of a fern frond [ModL < Gr sōros, a heap: see SOMA¹]

SOS (es´ou'es´) •n. 1 a signal of distress in code (. . .- - -. . .) used internationally in wireless telegraphy, as by ships 2 [Colloq.] any call for help

Sosnowiec (sôs nô´vyets) city in SW Poland: pop. 252,000

so-so (sou´sou') •adv. indifferently; just tolerably or passably •adj. neither very good nor very bad; only fair: also so so

sostenuto (säs'tэ nu:t´ou; It sôs'te nu:´tô) •adj., adv. Musical Direction played at a slower but sustained tempo, with each note held for its full value •n. pl. -tos or -ti (-ti:) a sostenuto passage [It, pp. of sostenere < L sustinere, to SUSTAIN]

sot (sät) •n. a drunkard [ME < Late OE sott, a fool, or OFr sot, a fool < ML sottus, prob. < Heb shote, a fool]

soteriology (sou tir'i: äl´э ji:) •n. Theol. study of the divine accomplishment of the salvation of humanity; specif., in Christian theology, study of this as effected through Jesus Christ so·te'ri·o·log´i·cal (-i: э läj´i kэl) •adj. [< Gr sōtēria, deliverance (in LXX & N.T., salvation) < sōtēr, deliverer (in N.T., Savior) < sōzein, to save < sōs, saos, safe, sound, prob. < IE *twewos < base *tēu-, to swell, be strong > L tumere + -LOGY]

Sothic (sou´θik, säθ´ik) •adj. 1 of or having to do with Sirius, the Dog Star 2 designating or of an ancient Egyptian cycle or period based on a fixed year of 365¼ days (Sothic year) and equal to 1,460 such years [Gr Sōthiakos < Sōthis, the Dog Star < Egypt Spdt]

Sotho (sou´θou, -tou) •n. 1 pl. So´thos or So´tho a member of a people living in S Africa 2 their Bantu language

sotol (sou´toul', sou toul´) •n. any of a genus (Dasylirion) of yuccalike desert plants of the agave family, with dense clusters of whitish, lilylike flowers, growing in the SW U.S. and N Mexico [AmSp < Nahuatl tzotolli]

sotted (sät´id) •adj. besotted; stupefied

sottish (-ish) •adj. 1 of or like a sot 2 stupid or foolish from or as from too much drinking sot´tish·ly •adv.

sotto voce (sät´ou vou´chi:; It sôt´tô vô´che) in an undertone, so as not to be overheard [It, under the voice]

sou (su:) pl. sous (su:z; Fr su:) •n. any of several former French coins, esp. one equal to five centimes [Fr < OFr sol < LL solidus: see SOLIDUS]

souari (su: är´i:) •n. any of a genus (Caryocar) of trees of N South America having durable timber (souari wood) and large, edible nuts (souari nuts) that yield an oil used in cooking, etc. [Fr saouari < Carib sawarra]

soubise (su: bi:z´) •n. a sauce containing onions and melted butter, or purée of onions [Fr, after Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise (1715-87), Marshal of France]

soubrette (su: bret´) •n. 1 in a play, light opera, etc., the role of a lady's maid, esp. one involved in intrigue, or of any pretty, flirtatious, or frivolous young woman 2 an actress who plays such roles [Fr < Prov soubreto < soubret, affected, sly < soubra, to put aside, exceed < L superare, to be above: see SUPER-]

soubriquet (su:´brэ kei') •n. var. of SOBRIQUET

souchong (su:´chöŋ', -shöŋ') •n. a black tea with large leaves [< Mandarin hsiao, small or young + chung, kind]

souffle (su:´fэl) •n. Med. a soft, blowing sound heard on auscultation [Fr < souffler, to blow: see SOUFFLÉ]

soufflé (su: flei´, su:´flei) •adj. made light and puffy in cooking: also souf·fléed´ (-fleid´) •n. any of several baked foods, as a dish prepared with white sauce and egg yolks and some additional ingredient, as cheese, made light and puffy by adding beaten egg whites before baking [Fr < pp. of souffler, to blow < L sufflare, to inflate, blow up, puff out < sub- (see SUB-) + flare, to BLOW¹]

sough (sau, sûf) •n. a soft, low, murmuring, sighing, or rustling sound •vi. to make a sough [ME swowen, soghen < OE swogan, to sound] [19th c. < Northern dial. < ME swough < OE swogan, to sound < ? IE base *(s)waGh-: see ECHO]

sought (söt) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of SEEK

souk (su:k) •n. an open-air marketplace in N Africa and the Middle East [Ar sūq]

soul (soul) •n. 1 an entity which is regarded as being the immortal or spiritual part of the person and, though having no physical or material reality, is credited with the functions of thinking and willing, and hence determining all behavior 2 the moral or emotional nature of a human being 3 spiritual or emotional warmth, force, etc., or evidence of this {a cold painting, without soul} 4 vital or essential part, quality, or principle {brevity is the soul of wit} 5 the person who leads or dominates; central figure {Daniel Boone, soul of the frontier} 6 embodiment; personification {the very soul of kindness} 7 a person {a town of 1,000 souls} 8 the spirit of a dead person, thought of as separate from the body and leading an existence of its own Æ 9 a) the deep spiritual and emotional quality of black American culture and heritage b) strong expression of this quality in a musical performance c) SOUL MUSIC Æ adj. of, for, like, or characteristic of American blacks upon my soul! an exclamation of surprise [ME soule < OE sawol, akin to Ger seele, Goth saiwala < Gmc *saiwalo, lit., ? that belonging to the sea (< *saiwa- > SEA): from the early Gmc belief that souls originate in and return to the sea]

soul food [Colloq.] items of food popular orig. in the South, esp. among blacks, such as chitterlings, ham hocks, yams, corn bread, and collard greens

soul kiss FRENCH KISS soul-kiss (soul´kis) •vt., vi.

soul mate [Colloq.] a person, esp. of the opposite sex, with whom one has a deeply personal relationship

soul music [Colloq.] a form of rhythm and blues characterized by a more deliberate beat, emotionally intense vocals, and elements of U.S. black gospel music

soulful (soul´fэl) •adj. full of or showing deep feeling soul´ful·ly •adv. soul´ful·ness •n.

soulless (-lis) •adj. lacking soul, sensitivity, or deepness of feeling; without spirit or inspiration

soul-searching (-sør'chiŋ) •n. close, honest examination of one's true feelings, motives, etc.

Sound (saund), The ÖRESUND

sound barrier SONIC BARRIER

sound bite a brief, quotable remark, or excerpt from a speech, made as by a politician and suitable for use on TV or radio newscasts: often a dismissive term implying superficiality

sound effects sounds, as of thunder, blows, animals, traffic, etc., produced artificially or by recording to supply sounds called for in the script of a radio, stage, film, or TV production

sound truck a truck or van with amplifiers, loudspeakers, etc., used on the streets for disseminating political statements or appeals, advertising announcements, etc.

sound wave Physics a longitudinal pressure wave stimulated by a mechanical disturbance of an elastic medium, as air, at some source and propagated by the action of disturbed particles on adjacent particles; esp., any of such waves within the range of those audible to the human ear (c. 15 cycles to 20,000 cycles per second)

sound¹ (saund) •n. 1 a) vibrations in air, water, etc. that stimulate the auditory nerves and produce the sensation of hearing b) the auditory sensation produced by such vibrations 2 a) any auditory effect that is distinctive or characteristic of its source; identifiable noise, tone, vocal utterance, etc. {the sound of a violin, a speech sound} b) such effects as transmitted by or recorded for radio, TV, films, or on phonograph records c) the volume or quality of transmitted or recorded sound 3 the distance within which a given sound may be heard; earshot {within sound of the bells} 4 the mental impression produced by the way something is worded; tenor; drift {the sound of his report} 5 meaningless noise; racket 6 [Archaic] a) report; rumor b) meaning; significance •vi. [ME sounen < OFr soner < L sonare] 1 to make a sound or sounds 2 to seem, from the sound or manner of utterance {to sound troubled} •vt. 1 a) to cause to sound {to sound a gong} b) to produce the sound of {to sound a C on a piano} c) to utter distinctly; articulate {to sound one's r's} 2 to express, signal, indicate, or announce {the clock sounds the hour} 3 to make widely known; proclaim {to sound someone's praises} 4 to examine (the chest) by auscultation or percussion sound off Æ 1 a) to speak in turn, as in counting off for a military formation b) to count cadence in marching Æ 2 [Slang] a) to give voice freely to opinions, complaints, etc. b) to speak in a loud or offensive way, as in boasting [< ME soun (+ unhistoric -d) < OFr son < L sonus < IE *swonos, a sound, noise < base *swen-, to sound > OE swinsian, to sing, make music]

sound² (saund) •adj. 1 free from defect, damage, or decay; whole and in good condition {sound timber} 2 normal and healthy; not weak, diseased, or impaired {a sound body and mind} 3 a) firm and safe; stable; secure {a sound alliance} b) safe and secure financially {a sound bank} 4 based on truth or valid reasoning; accurate, reliable, judicious, sensible, etc. {sound advice} 5 agreeing with established views or beliefs; not heterodox {sound doctrine} 6 thorough, solid, substantial, forceful, etc. {a sound defeat} 7 deep and undisturbed: said of sleep 8 morally strong; honest, honorable, loyal, etc. 9 legally valid {a sound title to a property} •adv. completely; deeply {sound asleep} SYN. VALID sound´ly •adv. sound´ness •n. [ME < OE (ge)sund, akin to Dan sund, Ger (ge)sund < Gmc *swintha-, strong > OE swith]

sound³ (saund) •n. 1 a wide channel or strait linking two large bodies of water or separating an island from the mainland 2 a long inlet or arm of the sea 3 the swim bladder of certain fishes [ME < OE sund, a swimming, water, strait & ON sund, both < base *swem- > SWIM¹]

sound4 (saund) •vt. 1 a) to measure the depth or various depths of (water or a body of water), esp. with a weighted line b) to measure (depth) in this way c) to investigate or examine (the bottom of the sea, etc.) with a weighted line that brings up adhering particles d) to probe (the atmosphere or space) so as to gain data 2 a) to investigate, examine, or try to find out (a person's opinions) b) to try to find out the opinions or feelings of (a person), as by roundabout questioning (often with out) 3 Med. to examine with a sound, or probe •vi. 1 to sound water or a body of water 2 to dive suddenly downward through the water: said esp. of whales or large fish 3 to try to find out something, as by roundabout questioning •n. Med. a long probe used in examining body cavities [ME sounden < MFr sonder < VL subundare, to submerge < L sub, under + unda, a wave: see WATER]

soundboard (saund´börd') •n. 1 a thin plate, as of wood, built into a musical instrument to increase its resonance or serve as a resonator 2 SOUNDING BOARD (sense 1b)

sounder¹ (saun´dэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that makes a sound or sounds 2 a telegraphic device that converts electric code impulses into sound

sounder² (saun´dэr) •n. a person or thing that sounds the depth of water, etc.

sounding board 1 a) SOUNDBOARD (sense 1) b) a structure over or behind a rostrum, stage, etc. designed to reflect sound toward the audience 2 a) a person or thing used for spreading ideas around b) a person on whom one tests one's ideas, opinions, etc.

sounding line LEAD LINE

sounding¹ (-diŋ) •adj. 1 making or giving forth sound 2 resonant; sonorous 3 high-sounding; bombastic

sounding² (-diŋ) •n. 1 a) the act of measuring the depth or examining the bottom of a body of water, etc. with or as with a weighted line b) depth so measured c) [pl.] a place, usually less than 100 fathoms (c. 180 m) in depth, where a sounding line will touch bottom 2 a) an examination of the atmosphere at or to a given height, as with a radiosonde b) a probe of space, as with a rocket 3 [pl.] measurements learned or data acquired by sounding 4 [often pl.] an exploratory sampling, as of public opinion

soundless¹ (saund´lis) •adj. without sound; quiet; noiseless sound´less·ly •adv. sound´less·ness •n.

soundless² (-lis) •adj. so deep as to be incapable of being sounded; unfathomable

soundproof (-pru:f') •adj. that keeps sound from coming through •vt. to make soundproof

soundtrack (-træk') •n. 1 the area along one side of a film, carrying its recorded sound portion 2 a) the sound portion of a film b) a recording of this, esp. of the music, on disc, tape, etc. Also sound track

soup (su:p) •n. 1 a liquid food, with or without solid particles, made by cooking meat, vegetables, fish, etc. in water, milk, or the like 2 [Slang] a heavy fog Æ 3 [Slang] nitroglycerin Æ from soup to nuts [Colloq.] from beginning to end; completely or exhaustively in the soup [Slang] in trouble soup up [Slang] to increase the power, capacity for speed, etc. of (an engine, etc.) [Fr soupe < OFr, soup: see SUP²]

soup kitchen a place where hot soup or the like is given to people in dire need

soupçon (su:p souñ´, su:p´souñ') •n. 1 literally, a suspicion 2 a slight trace, as of a flavor; hint; suggestion 3 a tiny amount; bit [Fr < OFr sospeçon < VL suspectio, for L suspicio: see SUSPICION]

soupe du jour (su:p dü zhu:ř´; E su:p'du: zhur´) the special, sometimes the only, soup served in a restaurant on any particular day: also, Eng. sp., soup du jour [Fr, soup of the day]

soupspoon (su:p´spu:n') •n. a large-bowled spoon for eating soup

soupy (su:´pi:) soup´i·er, soup´i·est •adj. 1 watery like soup 2 [Colloq.] a) thick and dank {a soupy fog} b) disagreeably wet {soupy weather} Æ 3 [Slang] sloppily sentimental; mawkish

sour (saur) •adj. 1 having the sharp, acid taste of lemon juice, vinegar, green fruit, etc. 2 made acid or rank by or as by fermentation {sour milk} 3 a) cross, bad-tempered, peevish, morose, etc. {a sour mood} b) ill-disposed and bitter {sour toward former associates} 4 below what is usual or normal; poor; bad {his game has gone sour} 5 distasteful or unpleasant 6 gratingly wrong or off pitch {a sour note} 7 excessively acid: said of soil 8 tainted with sulfur compounds: said of gasoline, etc. •n. 1 that which is sour; something sour Æ 2 a cocktail made with lemon or lime juice, sugar, and, usually, soda water {a whiskey sour} •vt., vi. to make or become sour {the milk will sour, soured on life} sour´ly •adv. sour´ness •n. SYN.—sour usually implies an unpleasant sharpness of taste and often connotes fermentation or rancidity [sour milk]; acid suggests a sourness that is normal or natural [a lemon is an acid fruit]; acidulous suggests a slightly sour or acid quality [acidulous spring water]; tart suggests a slightly stinging sharpness or sourness and usually connotes that this is pleasant to the taste [a tart cherry pie] —ANT. sweet [ME soure < OE sur, akin to Ger sauer, ON sūrr < IE *suro-, sour, salty > Latvian sũrs, salty, bitter]

sour cherry 1 a cherry tree (Prunus cerasus) bearing acid fruits that are usually used in cooking, preserves, etc. 2 this fruit

sour cream cream soured and thickened naturally or by adding a lactobacillus culture, for use in cooking, dressings, dips, etc.

sour gourd 1 an Australian tree (Adansonia gregorii) of the bombax family with a gourdlike fruit 2 its woody fruit, with acid pulp and large seeds 3 BAOBAB

sour grapes a scorning or belittling of something only because it cannot be had or done [from Aesop's fable in which the fox, after futile efforts to reach some grapes, scorns them as being sour]

sour mash a grain mash made with some mash from an earlier run, used in distilling some whiskeys

sour orange 1 an orange tree (Citrus aurantium) widely grown as a rootstock for grafting other citrus trees 2 its fruit, used in making marmalade

sour salt crystals of citric acid or tartaric acid, used in flavoring foods, in pharmaceuticals, etc.

sourball (-böl') •n. a small ball of tart, hard candy

source (sörs) •n. 1 a spring, fountain, etc. that is the starting point of a stream 2 that from which something comes into existence, develops, or derives {the sun is our source of energy, the source of a difficulty} 3 a) any person, place, or thing by which something is supplied {a source of pleasure} b) a person, book, document, etc. that provides information {to consult various sources} 4 the point or thing from which light rays, sound waves, etc. emanate •vt., vi. sourced, sourc´ing [Colloq.] Æ 1 to obtain (parts, materials, etc.) from a source of supply Æ 2 to identify the source of (information, quotations, etc.) SYN. ORIGIN [ME sours < OFr sourse < pp. of sourdre, to rise < L surgere: see SURGE]

source language Comput. the language, as COBOL or FORTRAN, in which a program is originally written

sourcebook (-buk') •n. a collection of documents or a diary, journal, etc. used as basic information in studying, evaluating, and writing about a person, period, etc.

sourdine (sur di:n´) •n. SORDINO [Fr < It sordina < sordo, deaf: see SORDINO]

sourdough (saur´dou') •n. 1 [Dial.] leaven; esp., fermented dough saved from one baking so that it can be used in the next, thus avoiding the need for fresh yeast 2 a prospector or settler in the W U.S. or Canada, esp. one living alone: so called because their staple was sourdough bread

sour-gum (saur´gûm') •adj. designating a family (Nyssaceae, order Cornales) of dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, including the tupelos

sourpuss (saur´pus') •n. [Slang] a person who has a gloomy or disagreeable expression or nature

soursop (saur´säp') •n. 1 a tropical American tree (Annona muricata) of the custard-apple family, with large, pulpy, acid fruit 2 this fruit

sourwood (-wud') •n. a North American tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) of the heath family, with thick, fissured bark, small, white flowers, grayish fruit, and sour leaves

Sousa (su:´zэ, -sэ), John Philip 1854-1932; U.S. bandmaster & composer of marches

sousaphone (su:´zэ foun', su:´sэ-) •n. a brass instrument of the tuba family, with a large, movable bell: it was developed from the helicon and is used esp. in military bands [after prec., who suggested its form]

sous-chef (su:´shef') •n. a chef's assistant [Fr, lit., under-chef]

souse¹ (saus) •n. 1 a pickled food, esp. the feet, ears, and head of a pig 2 liquid used for pickling; brine 3 the act of plunging into a liquid, esp. into brine for pickling Æ 4 [Slang] a drunkard •vt., vi. soused, sous´ing 1 to pickle 2 to plunge or steep in a liquid 3 to make or become soaking wet Æ 4 [Slang] to make or become intoxicated [ME sows < OFr souz < OHG sulza, brine, akin to salz, SALT]

souse² (saus) •n. [Obs.] Falconry the act of swooping down on prey by a hawk, falcon, etc. •vt., vi. soused, sous´ing [Obs.] Falconry to swoop down (on) [altered < ME source < OFr sors, sourse, in the same sense: see SOURCE]

soutache (su: tæsh´) •n. a narrow, flat braid used for trimming [Fr < Hung sujtás, pendant]

soutane (su: tæn´, -tän´) •n. CASSOCK [Fr < It sottana < sotto, under < L subtus, under, beneath < sub, under]

Souter (su:t´эr), David 1939- ; U.S. jurist: associate justice, Supreme Court (1990- )

south (sauθ) •n. 1 the direction to the left of a person facing the sunset; direction of the South Pole from any other point on the earth's surface 2 the point on a compass at 180°, directly opposite north 3 a region or district in or toward this direction 4 [often S-] the southern part of the earth, esp. the antarctic regions •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the south 2 from the south {a south wind} 3 [S-] designating the southern part of a continent, country, etc. {South Asia} •adv. in, toward, or from the south; in a southerly direction the South Æ that part of the U.S. which is bounded on the north by the southern border of Pa., the Ohio River, and the eastern and northern borders of Mo.; specif., in the Civil War, the Confederacy [ME < OE suth, akin to OHG sund-, ON suthr < Gmc *suntha- (understood as sun side < IE *sun-, SUN¹), prob. < *swintha-, strong, SOUND², to the right side, in reference to the east-facing position during prayer]

South Africa country in southernmost Africa: until 1961, as the Union of South Africa, a member of the Commonwealth: 472,358 sq. mi. (1,223,000 sq. km); pop. 33,241,000; caps. Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative), & Bloemfontein (judicial)

South African 1 of S Africa 2 of South Africa 3 a native or inhabitant of South Africa; esp., AFRIKANER

South African Dutch 1 the Boers 2 AFRIKAANS

South African Republic old name of TRANSVAAL

South America S continent in the Western Hemisphere: c. 6,881,000 sq. mi. (17,823,000 sq. km); pop. 241,000,000 South American

South Australia state of SC Australia: 380,070 sq. mi. (984,000 sq. km); pop. 1,347,000; cap. Adelaide

South Bend city in N Ind.: pop. 106,000 [from its being at a southernmost bend in the St. Joseph River]

south by east the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due south and south-southeast; 11°15' east of due south

south by west the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due south and south-southwest; 11°15' west of due south

South Carolina Southern State of the SE U.S., on the Atlantic: one of the 13 original States: 31,055 sq. mi. (80,432 sq. km); pop. 3,487,000; cap. Columbia: abbrev. SC or S.C. South Carolinian [see CAROLINA¹]

South China Sea arm of the W Pacific, touching Taiwan, the Philippines, Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, Indochina, & China: c. 895,000 sq. mi. (2,318,000 sq. km)

South Dakota Middle Western State of the NC U.S.: admitted, 1889; 77,047 sq. mi. (199,550 sq. km); pop. 696,000; cap. Pierre: abbrev. SD, S.D., or S Dak South Dakotan [see DAKOTA]

South Downs see DOWNS, the

South Gate city in SW Calif.: suburb of Los Angeles: pop. 86,000 [after South Gate Gardens south of Los Angeles]

South Georgia island in the South Atlantic: former dependency of the Falkland Islands: 1,600 sq. mi. (4,143 sq. km)

South Glamorgan county of S Wales: 160 sq. mi. (416 sq. km); pop. 395,000

South Holland province of the W Netherlands, on the North Sea: 1,121 sq. mi. (2,905 sq. km); pop. 3,151,000; cap. The Hague

South Island S island of the two main islands of New Zealand: 59,439 sq. mi. (153,946 sq. km); pop. 850,000

South Orkney Islands group of British islands in the South Atlantic, southeast of South America: 240 sq. mi. (621 sq. km)

South Platte river flowing from central Colo. through W Nebr., joining the North Platte to form the Platte: 424 mi. (682 km)

south pole 1 the place where the southern rotational axis intersects the surface of a planet, moon, etc. 2 the zenith of such a place; esp., the zenith (south celestial pole) of this place on the earth 3 that end of a straight magnet that points to the south when the magnet hangs free [S- P-] the place on the earth where its northern rotational axis intersects its surface: in full South Terrestrial Pole

South San Francisco city in W Calif.: pop. 54,000

South Saskatchewan river flowing from SW Alberta east & northeast through Saskatchewan, joining the North Saskatchewan to form the Saskatchewan: 865 mi. (1,392 km)

South Sea Islands islands in temperate or tropical parts of the South Pacific South Sea Islander

South Seas 1 the South Pacific 2 all the seas south of the equator

South Shetland Islands group of British islands in the South Atlantic, south of South America: 1,800 sq. mi. (4,661 sq. km)

South Shields seaport in N England, on the Tyne estuary, in the county of Tyne and Wear: pop. 93,000

South West Africa old name of NAMIBIA

South Yorkshire (yörk´shir) county of N England: 602 sq. mi. (1,560 sq. km); pop. 1,305,000

Southampton (sauθ æmp´tэn, soûθ hæmp´-) 1 seaport in S England, on an inlet (Southampton Water) of The Solent: pop. 209,000 2 island in N Hudson Bay, Canada: 15,700 sq. mi. (40,660 sq. km) [after Henry Wriothesley (1573-1624), 3d Earl of Southampton]

southbound (sauθ´baund') •adj. bound south; going southward

Southdown (sauθ´daun') •n. any of a breed of small, thickset sheep yielding a high-quality short-staple wool, but raised esp. for food [after SOUTH DOWNS]

southeast (sauθ'i:st´; naut. sau'-) •n. 1 the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between south and east; 45° east of due south 2 a district or region in or toward this direction •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the southeast 2 from the southeast {a southeast wind} •adv. in, toward, or from the southeast Æ the Southeast the southeastern part of the U.S.

Southeast Asia region comprising the Malay Archipelago, the Malay Peninsula, & Indochina

southeast by east the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between southeast and east-southeast; 11°15' east of southeast

southeast by south the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between southeast and south-southeast; 11°15' south of southeast

southeaster (sauθ'i:s´tэr; naut. sau'-) •n. a storm or strong wind from the southeast

southeasterly (-tэr li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the southeast 2 from the southeast, as a wind

southeastern (-tэrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the southeast 2 from the southeast {a southeastern wind} Æ 3 [S-] of or characteristic of the Southeast South'east´ern·er •n.

southeastward (-i:st´wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the southeast •n. a southeastward direction, point, or region

southeastwardly (-wэrd li:) •adj., adv. 1 toward the southeast 2 from the southeast {a southeastwardly wind}

southeastwards (-wэrdz) •adv. SOUTHEASTWARD

Southend-on-Sea (sauθ´end'än si:´) seaport in Essex, SE England, on the Thames estuary: pop. 157,000

souther (sauθ´эr) •n. a storm or strong wind from the south

southerly (sûð´эr li:) •adj., adv. 1 in or toward the south 2 from the south, as a wind •n. pl. -lies a wind from the south

southern (sûð´эrn) •adj. 1 in, of, to, toward, or facing the south 2 from the south {a southern wind} Æ 3 [S-] of or characteristic of the South Æ 4 [S-] designating a dialect of American English spoken in the Delmarva Peninsula, the Va. Piedmont, E N.C. and S.C., Ga., Fla., Ark., Tenn., and the States along the Gulf of Mexico •n. [also S-] dial. var. of SOUTHERNER (sense 2) [ME < OE suthern]

Southern Alps mountain range on South Island, New Zealand: highest peak, Mt. Cook

Southern Cross the constellation Crux

Southern Crown the constellation Corona Australis

Southern Hemisphere that half of the earth south of the equator

southern lights [also S- L-] AURORA AUSTRALIS

Southern Ocean that part of the Indian Ocean south of Australia Name used by Australians

Southern Province province of Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea: c. 40,130 sq. mi. (103,937 sq. km)

Southern Rhodesia old name of ZIMBABWE

Southern Sporades SPORADES (islands along Turkish coast)

Southern Uplands (ûp´lэndz) hilly moorland region in S Scotland, between the English border & the Lowlands

Southern Yemen old name of YEMEN (People's Democratic Republic)

southerner (sûð´эr nэr, -э nэr) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of the south Æ 2 [S-] a native or inhabitant of the southern part of the U.S.

southernism (sûð´эrn iz'эm) •n. 1 a word, expression, or practice peculiar to the south Æ 2 an idiom peculiar to the southern U.S.

southernmost (sûð´эrn moust') •adj. farthest south

southernwood (sûð´эrn wud') •n. a shrubby European wormwood (Artemisia abrotanum) with yellowish flowers and fragrant leaves [ME suthernewode < OE sutherne wudu: it is native to southern Europe]

Southey (sau´ði:, sûð´i:), Robert 1774-1843; Eng. poet & writer: poet laureate (1813-43)

Southfield (sauθ´fi:ld') city in SE Mich.: suburb of Detroit: pop. 76,000 [descriptive]

southing (sau´θiŋ, -ðiŋ) •n. 1 Naut. the distance due south covered by a vessel traveling on any southerly course 2 a southerly direction

southland (sauθ´lænd', -lэnd) •n. [also S-] 1 the southern region of a country 2 land in the south south´land'er •n.

southpaw (-pö') •n. [Slang] a person who is left-handed; esp., a left-handed baseball pitcher •adj. [Slang] left-handed [SOUTH + PAW¹: the ballpark in Chicago (c. 1885) was so located that the pitcher's left arm was toward the south]

Southport (sauθ´pört') city in Merseyside, NW England, on the Irish Sea: pop. 90,000

southron (sûð´rэn) a southerner: applied in Scottish dialect to an Englishman and, formerly, in the U.S. to a Southerner [LME sothron, altered (prob. modeled on BRITON, SAXON) < southren, dial. var. of southern]

south-southeast (sauθ´sauθ'i:st´; naut., sau´sau-) •n. the direction, or the point on a mariner's compass, halfway between due south and southeast; 22°30' east of due south •adj., adv. 1 in or toward this direction 2 from this direction, as a wind