sept- (sept) combining form 1 SEPTI-¹ 2 SEPTI-² Used before a vowel
septa (sep´tэ) •n. alt. pl. of SEPTUM
septal (-tэl) •adj. of or forming a septum or septums
septarium (sep ter´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-i: э) •n. a cementlike mass, as of limestone, shot through with fissures filled with some other material, as calcite sep·tar´i·an •adj. [ModL < L septum: see SEPTUM]
septate (sep´teit) •adj. having or divided by a septum or septums [ModL septatus]
September (sep tem´bэr) •n. the ninth month of the year, having 30 days: abbrev. Sept, Sep, or S [ME & OFr Septembre < L September < septem, seven (+ -ber < ?): so named as the seventh month of the ancient Roman year, which began with March]
September massacre the massacre of Royalists in Paris, Sept. 2 to 6, 1792, during the French Revolution
Septembrist (sep tem´brist) •n. a person who took part in the September massacre
septenary (sep´tэ ner'i:, sep ten´эr i:) •adj. 1 of the number seven 2 consisting of or forming a group of seven 3 SEPTENNIAL •n. pl. -nar'ies a group or set of seven, esp. seven years [L septenarius < septem, SEVEN]
septennial (sep ten´i: эl) •adj. 1 happening every seven years 2 lasting seven years sep·ten´ni·al·ly •adv. [< L septennium, a period of seven years < septem, SEVEN + annus, year (see ANNUAL) + -AL]
septentrional (sep ten´tri: э nэl) •adj. [Rare] northern; boreal [ME < L septentrionalis < septentriones, the seven stars of Ursa Major, lit., seven plowing oxen < septem, SEVEN + trio, plow ox < base of terere, to rub: see THROW]
septet or septette (sep tet´) •n. 1 a group of seven persons or things 2 Music a) a composition for seven voices or seven instruments b) the seven performers of such a composition [Ger < L septem, SEVEN + Ger (du)ett]
septi-¹ (sep´tэ, -ti) combining form seven {septilateral} [< L septem, SEVEN]
septi-² (sep´tэ, -ti) combining form divider, septum {septifragal} [< SEPTUM]
septic (sep´tik) •adj. causing, or resulting from, sepsis or putrefaction sep´ti·cal·ly •adv. sep·tic´i·ty (-tis´э ti:) •n. [L septicus < Gr sēptikos < sēpein, to make putrid: see SEPIA]
septic tank an underground tank for receiving waste matter to be putrefied and decomposed through bacterial action
septicemia (sep'tэ si:´mi: э) •n. a systemic disease caused by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxic products in the blood sep'ti·ce´mic (-mik) •adj. [ModL septicemia: see SEPTIC & -EMIA]
septicidal (sep'tэ said´ªl) •adj. Bot. splitting open, or dehiscent, down the middle of the partitions uniting carpels sep'ti·ci´dal·ly •adv. [< SEPTI-² + -CIDE + -AL]
septifragal (sep tif´rэ gэl) •adj. opening, or dehiscing, by the breaking away of the outer walls of the carpels from the partitions sep·tif´ra·gal·ly •adv. [SEPTI-² + base of L frangere, to BREAK + -AL]
septilateral (sep'tэ læt´эr эl) •adj. having seven sides [SEPTI-¹ + LATERAL]
septillion (sep til´yэn) •n. Æ 1 the number represented by 1 followed by 24 zeros 2 [Brit.] the number represented by 1 followed by 42 zeros •adj. amounting to one septillion in number [Fr < L septem, SEVEN + Fr (m)illion]
septime (sep´ti:m') •n. a parrying position in fencing, the seventh of the eight positions [< L septimus, seventh (< septem, SEVEN)]
septuagenarian (sep'tu: э jэ ner´i: эn, -tyu:-) •adj. 70 years old, or between the ages of 70 and 80 •n. a person of this age [< LL (homo) septuagenarius, (man) of seventy (< L septuageni, seventy each < septuaginta, seventy) + -AN]
Septuagesima (-jei´zi: mэ, -jes´i mэ) old name for the third Sunday before Lent: also Septuagesima Sunday •n. [ME Septuagesme < L, fem. of septuagesimus, seventieth]
Septuagint (sep´tu: э jint', -tyu:-) a translation into Greek of the Hebrew Scriptures made several centuries B.C. [< L septuaginta, seventy: because of the ancient tradition that it was completed in 70 (or 72) days by 72 Palestinian Jews for Ptolemy II of Egypt]
septum (sep´tэm) pl. -tums or -ta (-tэ) •n. Biol. a part that separates two cavities or two masses of tissue, as in the nose or in a fruit; partition [ModL < L, enclosure, hedge < saepire, to enclose, fence < saepes, a hedge < IE base *saip-, hedge fence > Gr haimos, thicket]
septuple (sep´tэ pэl, sep tu:´pэl) •adj. 1 consisting of or including seven 2 seven times as much or as many; sevenfold •n. an amount seven times as much or as many •vt., vi. -pled, -pling to multiply by seven [LL septuplus < L septem, SEVEN]
septuplet (sep tûp´lit, -tu:´plit; sep´tэ plet') •n. 1 any of seven offspring born at a single birth 2 a collection or group of seven, usually of one kind [dim. of prec.]
sepulcher (sep´эl kэr) •n. 1 a vault for burial; grave; tomb 2 R.C.Ch. a small, sealed cavity, holding martyrs' relics, in a flat rectangular or square stone forming the top or part of the top of an altar •vt. to place in a sepulcher; bury [ME < OFr sepulcre < L sepulcrum < sepelire, to bury < IE *sepel-, veneration < base *sep-, to honor > Sans sápati, (he) cultivates, cherishes]
sepulchral (sэ pûl´krэl) •adj. 1 of sepulchers, burial, etc. 2 suggestive of the grave or burial; dismal; gloomy 3 deep and melancholy: said of sound se·pul´chral·ly •adv. [L sepulcralis]
sepulchre (sep´эl kэr) -chred, -chring •n., vt. Brit., etc. sp. of SEPULCHER
sepulture (sep´эl chэr) •n. 1 burial; interment 2 [Archaic] a burial place [OFr < L sepultura < sepelire, to bury: see SEPULCHER]
seq 1 sequence 2 sequential
seq. the following [L sequentes or sequentia]
seqq. the following (ones) [L sequentia]
sequacious (si kwei´shэs) •adj. 1 tending to follow any leader; lacking individuality, as in thought; dependent; servile; compliant 2 [Rare] showing or following logical or smooth sequence se·qua´cious·ly •adv. se·quac´i·ty (-kwæs´э ti:) •n. [L sequax < sequi, to follow (see SEQUENT) + -OUS]
sequel (si:´kwэl, -kwel') •n. 1 something that follows; anything subsequent or succeeding; continuation 2 a result or consequence 3 a literary work, film, etc. complete in itself but continuing a story begun in an earlier work, film, etc. [ME sequele < MFr sequelle < L sequela: see SEQUELA]
sequela (si kwi:´lэ, -kwel´э) pl. -lae (-li:, -i:) •n. 1 a thing that follows; consequence 2 Med. a diseased condition following, and usually resulting from, a previous disease [L < sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
sequence (si:´kwэns, -kwens') •n. 1 a) the following of one thing after another in chronological, causal, or logical order; succession or continuity b) the order in which this occurs 2 a continuous or related series, often of uniform things {a sonnet sequence} 3 three or more playing cards in unbroken order in the same suit; run 4 a resulting event; consequence; sequel 5 Math. an ordered set of quantities or elements 6 Film a succession of scenes constituting a single, uninterrupted episode 7 Music the repetition of a melodic pattern in the same voice part but at different pitch levels 8 R.C.Ch. a hymn coming immediately before the Gospel in certain Masses [ME < ML sequentia < LL(Ec), used as transl. of Gr(Ec) akolouthia, a succession of notes on the last syllable of the alleluia: see ACOLYTE] •vt. -quenced, -quenc·ing 1 to arrange in a sequence; put in order 2 Biochem. to find the unique order of (structural units of a gene, protein, etc.) by chemical analysis SYN. SERIES [MFr < LL, a following < L sequens: see SEQUENT]
sequencer (-kwэn sэr, -kwen'sэr) •n. an electronic device or software program that allows a sequence of musical sounds, recorded in digital form, to be altered before they are played back
sequent (-kwэnt) •adj. 1 following in time or order; subsequent 2 following as a result or effect; consequent •n. something that follows, esp. as a result; consequence [L sequens, prp. of sequi, to follow < IE base *sekw-, to follow > OE secg, warrior]
sequential (si kwen´shэl) •adj. 1 SEQUENT 2 characterized by or forming a regular sequence of parts se·quen´tial·ly •adv.
sequester (si kwes´tэr) •vt. 1 to set off or apart; separate; segregate; often, to segregate or isolate (the jury) during a trial 2 to take and hold (property) by judicial authority, for safekeeping or as security, until a legal dispute is resolved 3 to take over; confiscate; seize, esp. by authority 4 to withdraw; seclude: often used reflexively [ME sequestren < MFr sequestrer < LL sequestrare, to remove, lay aside, separate < L sequester, trustee, akin to sequi: see SEQUENT]
sequestered (-tэrd) •adj. removed from others; secluded
sequestrant (-trэnt) •n. Chem. an agent producing sequestration
sequestrate (si kwes´treit'; also si:´kwэ streit', sek´wэ-) -trat'ed, -trat'ing •vt. SEQUESTER se·ques´tra'tor •n. [< LL sequestratus, pp.: see SEQUESTER]
sequestration (si:'kwэ strei´shэn, si kwes'trei´-; also, sek'we-) •n. 1 a sequestering or being sequestered; seclusion; separation 2 a) the taking and holding of property pending resolution of a legal dispute b) confiscation of property, as by court or government action 3 the process by which a sequestrum forms 4 Chem. the close union of ions in solution with an added material so that a stable, soluble complex is produced [ME sequestracion < MFr < LL sequestratio]
sequestrum (si kwes´trэm) pl. -trums or -tra (-trэ) •n. Med. a piece of dead bone which has become separated from the surrounding healthy bone [ModL < L, a deposit: see SEQUESTER]
sequin (si:´kwin) •n. 1 an obsolete gold coin of Italy and Turkey 2 a small, shiny ornament or spangle, as a metal disk, esp. one of many sewn on fabric for decoration [Fr < It zecchino < zecca, a mint < Ar sikka, stamp, die]
sequined or sequinned (-kwind) •adj. adorned with sequins
sequoia (si kwoi´э) •n. 1 BIG TREE 2 REDWOOD (sense 1) [ModL, genus name: after SEQUOYAH (Cherokee sikwo˙ya)]
Sequoia National Park national park in EC Calif., containing giant sequoias: 602 sq. mi. (1,560 sq. km)
Sequoyah (si kwoi´э) c. 1760-1843; Cherokee scholar and leader: created Cherokee syllabary Also sp. Se·quoy´a
ser (si:r, sir) •n. SEER² [Hindi sēr] ser abbrev. 1 series 2 sermon
ser- (sir) combining form SERO- Used before a vowel
sera (sir´э) •n. alt. pl. of SERUM
sérac (sэ ræk´, sei-) •n. a pointed mass or pinnacle of ice left standing among the crevasses of a glacier [Swiss-Fr, orig., a type of white cheese < VL *seraceum, soft cheese, whey < L serum: see SERUM]
seraglio (si ræl´you, -räl´-) pl. -glios •n. 1 the part of a Muslim household where wives or concubines live; harem 2 the palace of a Turkish sultan [It serraglio, enclosure, padlock, also (infl. by Turk saray, palace: see SERAI), place, seraglio < ML serraculum, a bolt, bar < LL serare, to lock, bar < L sera, a bolt, lock]
serai (si rä´i:) •n. 1 in the Near East, an inn; caravansary 2 a Turkish palace [Turk (modern sp. saray), palace, inn < Pers sarāī]
Serajevo (ser'э yei´vou) var. of SARAJEVO
seral (sir´эl) •adj. Ecol. of or pertaining to a sere
Seram (si ræm´) alt. sp. of CERAM
serape (sэ rä´pi:) •n. a brightly colored, wool blanket, used as an outer garment by men in Spanish-American countries [MexSp]
seraph (ser´эf) pl. -aphs or -a·phim' (-э fim') •n. 1 Bible one of the heavenly beings surrounding the throne of God, represented as having three pairs of wings: Isa. 6:2 2 any of the highest order of angels, above the cherubim se·raph·ic (sэ ræf´ik) •adj. se·raph´i·cal·ly •adv. [back-form. < LL(Ec) seraphim, pl. < Heb serafim, pl., sing. saraf, prob. < saraf, to burn]
Serapis (sэ rei´pis) Egypt. Myth. a god of the lower world, whose cult spread to Greece and Rome [L < Gr osorāpis < Egypt wsyr-hp, Osiris-Apis]
Serb (sørb) •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Serbia; esp., any of a Slavic people of Serbia and adjacent areas 2 SERBIAN (n. 1) •adj. SERBIAN [Serb Srb] Serb abbrev. 1 Serbia 2 Serbian
Serbia (sør´bi: э) the major constituent republic of Yugoslavia, formerly a kingdom: 34,116 sq. mi. (88,360 sq. km); pop. 9,720,000; cap. Belgrade
Serbian (-эn) •adj. of Serbia, the Serbs, or their language or culture •n. 1 the eastern variety of Serbo-Croatian, traditionally written in the Cyrillic alphabet 2 SERB (n. 1)
Serbo- (sør´bou) combining form Serbian, Serbian and {Serbo-Croatian}
Serbo-Croatian (sør'bou krou ei´shэn) •n. the South Slavic language spoken in Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and adjacent areas •adj. of this language or the people who speak it
sere¹ (sir) •n. Ecol. the complete series of stages occurring in succession in communities of plants and animals until the climax is reached [back-form. < SERIES]
sere² (sir) •adj. [Old Poet.] dried up; withered [var. of SEAR¹]
Seremban (sør'эm bän´) city in SW Peninsular Malaysia, Malaysia: capital of Negri Sembilan state: pop. 136,000
serenade (ser'э neid´) •n. 1 a vocal or instrumental performance of music outdoors at night, esp. by a lover under the window of his sweetheart 2 a piece of music suitable for this: cf. AUBADE 3 an instrumental composition somewhat like a suite •vt., vi. -nad´ed, -nad´ing to play or sing a serenade (to) ser'e·nad´er •n. [Fr sérénade < It serenata < sereno, serene, open air < L serenus, clear, SERENE; meaning infl. by assoc. with L sera, evening < serus, late]
serenata (ser'э nät´э) pl. -tas or -te (-ei) •n. 1 a type of 18th-cent. dramatic cantata for a special occasion, as a royal birthday 2 SERENADE [It: see SERENADE]
serendipity (ser'эn dip´э ti:) •n. 1 a seeming gift for finding something good accidentally 2 luck, or good fortune, in finding something good accidentally ser'en·dip´i·tous •adj. [coined (c. 1754) by Horace Walpole after The Three Princes of Serendip (i.e., Sri Lanka), a Pers fairy tale in which the princes make such discoveries]
serene (sэ ri:n´) •adj. 1 clear; bright; unclouded {a serene sky} 2 not disturbed or troubled; calm, peaceful, tranquil, etc. 3 [S-] exalted; high-ranking: used in certain royal titles {his Serene Highness} •n. [Old Poet.] a serene expanse, as of sky or water SYN. CALM se·rene´ly •adv. se·rene´ness •n. [L serenus < IE *ksero-, dry (> Gr xēros, dry, OHG serawēn, to dry out) < base *ksā-, to burn]
serenity (sэ ren´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality or state of being serene; calmness; tranquillity 2 [S-] a royal title of honor: preceded by Your or by His or Her SYN. EQUANIMITY [Fr sérénité < L serenitas]
serf (sørf) •n. 1 orig., a slave 2 a person in feudal servitude, bound to his master's land and transferred with it to a new owner 3 any person who is oppressed or without freedom serf´dom or serf´hood' •n. [OFr < L servus, slave, prob. of Etr orig.]
Serg Sergeant
serge (sørj) •n. a strong twilled fabric with a diagonal rib, made of wool, silk, rayon, etc. and used for suits, coats, etc. •vt. serged, serg´ing to finish off (a cut or raveling edge, as on a carpet) with overcast stitches [ME sarge < OFr < VL *sarica < L serica, silken garments < sericus, silken, lit., of the Seres, an Oriental people, prob. the Chinese < Gr Sēres, prob. ult. < Chin se, silk]
sergeancy (sär´jэn si:) pl. -cies the position or rank of a sergeant Also ser´geant·ship' •n.
sergeant (sär´jэnt) •n. 1 a feudal servant who attended his master in battle 2 SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Æ 3 a) U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps a noncommissioned officer of the fifth grade, ranking above a corporal and below a staff sergeant b) U.S. Air Force a noncommissioned officer of the fourth grade, ranking above airman first class and below staff sergeant c) generally, any of the noncommissioned officers in the U.S. armed forces with sergeant as part of the title of their rank 4 a) in the U.S., a police officer ranking next below a captain or a lieutenant b) in England, a police officer ranking just below an inspector [ME serjaunt < OFr sergant < L serviens, serving < servire, to SERVE]
sergeant first class U.S. Army a noncommissioned officer of the seventh grade, ranking above staff sergeant and below master or first sergeant
sergeant fish 1 COBIA 2 SNOOK¹
sergeant major pl. sergeants major 1 the chief administrative noncommissioned officer in a military headquarters: an occupational title and not a rank Æ 2 U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps the highest ranking noncommissioned officer 3 a small damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis) with bright green and black bands
sergeant-at-arms (-эt ärmz´) pl. ser´geants-at-arms´ •n. an officer appointed to keep order in a legislature, court, social club, etc.
Sergipe (sэř zhi:´pэ) state of E Brazil: 8,490 sq. mi. (21,989 sq. km); pop. 1,140,000; cap. Aracajú
Sergt Sergeant
serial (sir´i: эl) •adj. 1 of, arranged in, or forming a series {serial numbers} 2 appearing, published, issued, etc. in a series or succession of continuous parts at regular intervals 3 of a serial or serials {serial rights to a novel} 4 Music a) designating or of a technique of composition in which various components of music, as pitch, rhythm, dynamics, etc., are arranged in an arbitrary order (a row or set) which serves as a basis for development b) loosely, TWELVE-TONE •n. 1 a) a novel, story, motion picture, etc. published or presented in serial form b) any of the separate parts or episodes 2 a periodical publication se´ri·al·ly •adv. [ModL serialis < L series, a row, order, SERIES]
serial number a number that is one of a series, given for identification, as to armed forces personnel at enlistment or to engines at the time of manufacture
serialism (-iz'эm) •n. Music the twelve-tone system or technique of composition se´ri·al·ist •n.
serialize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to put or publish (a story, etc.) in serial form se'ri·al·i·za´tion •n.
seriate (sir´i: it, -eit') •adj. arranged or occurring in a series se´ri·ate·ly •adv. se'ri·a´tion •n. [ML seriatus, pp. of seriare, to arrange in a series]
seriatim (sir'i: eit´im) •adv., adj. one after another in order; point by point; serial(ly) [ML < L series, based on gradatim, step by step]
sericeous (si rish´эs) •adj. 1 of or like silk; silky 2 Bot. covered with fine, silky hairs [LL sericeus < L sericum, silken garment < sericus: see SERGE]
sericin (ser´э sin) •n. a resinous, amorphous substance that bonds the two gossamer filaments in a raw silk fiber [< L sericus, silk (see SERGE) + -IN¹]
sericulture (ser´i kûl'chэr) •n. the raising and keeping of silkworms for the production of raw silk ser'i·cul´tur·al •adj. ser'i·cul´tur·ist •n. [Fr sériculture, contr. < sériciculture < L sericus (see SERGE) + Fr culture]
seriema (ser'i i:´mэ, -ei´mэ) •n. either of two South American, crested gruiform birds (family Cariamidae) with a long neck and long red legs (Cariama cristata) or shorter black legs (Chunga burmeisteri) [ModL < Tupi seriema, lit., crested]
series (sir´i:z, si:´ri:z') pl. -ries •n. 1 a group or number of similar or related things arranged in a row {a series of arches} 2 a group or number of related or similar persons, things, or events coming one after another; sequence; succession 3 a number of things produced as a related group; set, as of books or television programs, related in subject, format, etc., or dealing with the same characters 4 Bowling a set of three consecutive games 5 Elec. a method of circuit interconnection in which the components are joined end to end so that the same current passes through each component: usually in the phrase in series 6 Geol. a subdivision of a system of stratified rocks comprising the rocks laid down during an epoch 7 Math. the sum of a sequence, often infinite, of terms usually separated by plus signs or minus signs (Ex.: 1 + 3 + 5 + 7) 8 Rhetoric a group of successive coordinate elements of a sentence •adj. Elec. designating or of a circuit in series SYN.—series applies to a number of similar, more or less related things following one another in time or place [a series of concerts]; sequence emphasizes a closer relationship between the things, such as logical connection, numerical order, etc. [the sequence of events]; succession merely implies a following of one thing after another, without any necessary connection between them [a succession of errors]; chain refers to a series in which there is a definite relationship of cause and effect or some other logical connection [a chain of ideas] [L < serere, to join or weave together < IE base *ser-, to line up, join > Gr eirein, to join together, OE searu, a snare, armor, ON sørvi, necklace]
series winding the winding of an electric motor or generator in such a way that the field and armature circuits are connected in series se´ries-wound' (-waund') •adj.
serif (ser´if) •n. Printing a fine line projecting from a main stroke of a letter in common styles of type: see TYPE, illus. [Du schreef, a stroke, line < schrijven, to write < L scribere: see SCRIBE]
serigraph (ser´э græf', -gräf') •n. a color print made by the silk-screen process and printed by the artist personally se·rig·ra·pher (sэ rig´rэ fэr) •n. se·rig´ra·phy •n. [< L sericum (see SERICEOUS) + -GRAPH]
serin (ser´in) •n. any of various small, yellow or yellowish-green Eurasian finches of a genus (Serinus) that includes the canary, esp. a European species (S. serinus) [Fr, prob. < OProv serena, bee-eater, a green bird < LL sirena, for L siren, SIREN]
serine (ser´i:n', sir´-; -in) •n. a nonessential amino acid, HOCH2CH(NH2)COOH, present in small quantities in many proteins: see AMINO ACID [< L sericum, silk (see SERICEOUS) + -INE³]
seringa (sэ riŋ´gэ) •n. any of several Brazilian trees (genus Hevea) of the spurge family, yielding rubber [Port < ModL syringa: see SYRINGA]
seriocomic (sir'i: ou käm´ik) •adj. partly serious and partly comic se'ri·o·com´i·cal·ly •adv.
serious (sir´i: эs) •adj. 1 of, showing, having, or caused by earnestness or deep thought; earnest, grave, sober, or solemn {a serious person} 2 a) meaning what one says or does; not joking or trifling; sincere b) meant in earnestness; not said or done in play 3 concerned with grave, important, or complex matters, problems, etc.; weighty {a serious novel} 4 requiring careful consideration or thought; involving difficulty, effort, or considered action {a serious problem} 5 giving cause for concern; dangerous {a serious wound} se´ri·ous·ly •adv. se´ri·ous·ness •n. SYN.—serious implies absorption in deep thought or involvement in something really important as distinguished from something frivolous or merely amusing [he takes a serious interest in the theater]; grave implies the dignified weightiness of heavy responsibilities or cares [a grave expression on his face]; solemn suggests an impressive or awe-inspiring seriousness [a solemn ceremony]; sedate implies a dignified, proper, sometimes even prim seriousness [a sedate clergyman]; earnest suggests a seriousness of purpose marked by sincerity and enthusiasm [an earnest desire to help]; sober implies a seriousness marked by temperance, self-control, emotional balance, etc. [a sober criticism] —ANT. frivolous, flippant [ME seryows < ML seriosus < L serius, grave, orig., prob. weighty, heavy < ? IE base *swer- > OE swær, heavy, sad, Goth swers, important, orig., heavy]
serious-minded (-main'did) •adj. of, having, or showing earnestness or seriousness of purpose, method, etc.; not frivolous, jocular, etc.
serjeant (sär´jэnt) •n. alt. Brit., etc. sp. of SERGEANT
serjeant-at-law (-æt lö´) pl. ser´jeants-at-law´ •n. any of a former group of high-ranking British barristers
Serkin (sør´kin), Rudolf 1903-91; U.S. pianist, born in Bohemia
sermon (sør´mэn) •n. 1 a speech given as instruction in religion or morals, esp. by a priest, minister, or rabbi during services, using a text from Scripture 2 any serious talk on behavior, responsibility, etc., esp. a long, tedious one SYN. SPEECH ser·mon´ic (-män´ik) •adj. [OFr < LL(Ec) sermo < L, a talk, discourse < IE base *swer-, to speak > SWEAR]
Sermon on the Mount the sermon delivered by Jesus to his disciples: Matt. 5-7, Luke 6:20-49: it contains basic teachings of Christianity
sermonette (sør'mэn et´) •n. a short lecture or scolding on a moral issue
sermonize (sør´mэ naiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vi. 1 to deliver a sermon or sermons 2 to preach, esp. in a dogmatic, moralizing fashion; lecture •vt. to preach to; exhort; lecture ser´mon·iz'er •n.
sero- (sir´э, -ou) combining form serum {serology} [< L serum: see SERUM]
serology (si räl´э ji:) •n. the science dealing with the properties and actions of serums se·ro·log·ic (sir'э läj´ik) or se'ro·log´i·cal •adj. se·rol´o·gist •n. [prec. + -LOGY]
seropurulent (sir'ou pyur´э lэnt, -yu lэnt) •adj. composed of pus and serum [SERO- + PURULENT]
serosa (si rou´sэ, -zэ) pl. -sas or -sae (-si:) •n. 1 SEROUS MEMBRANE 2 CHORION se·ro´sal •adj. [ModL < L serosus, SEROUS]
serotinal (sэ rät´ªn эl) Bot. late or delayed in development: said esp. of late-flowering plants Also se·rot´i·nous (-эs) •adj. [< L serotinus < serus, late < IE base *sē(i)-, slow, let fall, neglect, stretch out > SEED, SIDE]
serotonin (sir'э tou´nin, ser'-) •n. a complex amine, C10H12N2O, found in blood, the brain, etc. or produced synthetically: it constricts the blood vessels and contracts smooth muscle tissue, and is important both as a neurotransmitter and a hormone [SERO- + TON(IC) + -IN¹]
serous (sir´эs) •adj. 1 of or containing serum 2 like serum; thin and watery [MFr séreux < serum < L: see SERUM]
serous fluid any of several serumlike fluids in the body cavities, esp. in those lined with serous membrane
serous membrane the thin membrane lining most of the closed cavities of the body and folded back over the enclosed organs, as the peritoneum or pericardium
serow (ser´ou) •n. any of a genus (Capricornis) of dark-colored, sometimes maned, goat antelopes of E Asia [< Lepcha să-ro, native name in Sikkim for long-haired goat]
Serpens an equatorial constellation split into two separate regions, Serpens Caput (head) and Serpens Cauda (tail), on opposite sides of Ophiuchus
serpent (sør´pэnt) •n. 1 a snake, esp. a large or poisonous one 2 a sly, sneaking, treacherous person 3 Music an early coiled, bass wind instrument of wood covered with leather [often S-] Satan, in the form he assumed to tempt Eve: Gen. 3:1-5 [OFr < L serpens (gen. serpentis) < prp. of serpere, to creep < IE base *serp-, to creep > Sans sárpati, (he) creeps, Gr herpein]
serpentarium (sør'pэn ter´i: эm) •n. a place where snakes are kept, as for exhibition [prec. + (AQU)ARIUM]
serpentine (sør´pэn ti:n', -tain') •adj. of or like a serpent; esp., a) evilly cunning or subtle; treacherous b) coiled or twisted; winding •n. 1 something that twists or coils like a snake, as a coil of thin paper thrown out to unwind as a streamer 2 a mineral or rock composed primarily of a hydrated magnesium silicate, Mg3Si2O7·2H2O, green, yellow, or brown in color and often mottled with red [from resemblance to a serpent's skin] [ME serpentyn < OFr serpentin < LL(Ec) serpentinus]
serpigo (sэr pai´gou) •n. any spreading skin disease, as ringworm [ME < ML < L serpere, to creep: see SERPENT]
Serra (seř´ä), Ju·ní·pe·ro (hu: ni:´pe řô') (born Miguel José Serra) 1713-84; Sp. missionary in W North America
serranid (ser´э nid') •n. SEA BASS (sense 1) •adj. designating or of the SEA BASS (sense 1) Also ser´ra·noid' (-noid') [< ModL Serranidae < L serra, a saw]
serrate (ser´eit', -it; for v., often sэ reit´) •adj. having sawlike notches along the edge, as some leaves: see LEAF, illus. •vt. -rat'ed, -rat'ing to make serrate [L serratus < serra, a saw]
serration (ser ei´shэn) •n. 1 the condition of being serrate 2 a single tooth or notch in a serrate edge 3 a formation of these Also ser·ra·ture (ser´э chэr)
serried (ser´i:d) •adj. placed close together; crowded; compact, as soldiers in ranks [pp. of obs. serry < Fr serrer, to crowd < LL serare, to lock: see SERAGLIO]
serrulate (ser´yu: lit, ser´э-; -leit') •adj. having small, fine teeth or notches along the edge; finely serrate Also ser´ru·lat'ed [ModL serrulatus < L serrula, dim. of serra, a saw]
serrulation (ser'yu: lei´shэn, ser'э-) •n. 1 the condition of being serrulate 2 a single tooth or notch in a serrulate edge 3 a formation of these
sertularian (sør'tyu: ler´i: эn) •n. any of a family (Sertulariidae) of hydroids growing in colonies made up of double-rowed branches of cupped polyps [< ModL Sertularia < L sertula, dim. of serta, garland < fem. pp. of serere, to join together (see SERIES) + -AN]
serum (sir´эm) pl. -rums or -ra (-э) •n. 1 a) a clear, watery animal fluid, as serous fluid b) the clear yellowish fluid of the blood which separates from a blood clot after coagulation and shrinkage (in full blood serum) 2 blood serum containing agents of immunity, taken from an animal made immune to a specific disease by inoculation: it is used as an antitoxin and for diagnosis 3 the whey of milk 4 the thin, watery part of a plant fluid [L, whey < IE *serom, fluid < base *ser-, to flow > Sans sara-, fluid, Gr hormē, an attack]
serum albumin the most abundant protein of blood serum: it is synthesized by the liver and serves to regulate osmotic pressure and to carry certain metabolic products
serum globulin a component of blood serum consisting of proteins with larger molecular weights than serum albumin, including antibodies, lipoproteins, etc.
serv 1 servant 2 service
serval (sør´vэl) pl. -vals •n.or -val an African wildcat (Leptailurus serval) with a black-spotted, tawny coat, long legs, and no ear tufts [Fr < Port (lobo) cerval < L (lupus) cervarius, lynx, lit., deer wolf: see WOLF & CERVINE]
servant (sør´vэnt) •n. 1 a person employed to perform services, esp. household duties, for another 2 a person employed by a government: cf. PUBLIC SERVANT, CIVIL SERVANT 3 a person devoted to another or to a cause, creed, etc. [ME < OFr < prp. of servir < L servire, to SERVE]
serve (sørv) served, serv´ing •vt. 1 to work for as a servant 2 a) to do services or duties for; give service to; aid; assist; help b) to give obedience and reverent honor to (God, one's lord, etc.) c) [Archaic] to pay court to (a lady) 3 to do military or naval service for 4 to pass or spend (a term of imprisonment, military service, etc.) {to serve a year in prison} 5 a) to carry out the duties connected with (a position, office, etc.) b) to act as server for (Mass, Benediction, etc.) 6 a) to wait on (customers), as in a store b) to provide (customers, clients, or users) with goods or services, esp. professional services c) to provide (goods) for customers; supply 7 a) to prepare and offer (food, etc.) in a certain way {serve the beef with rice} b) to offer or set food, etc. before (a person) c) to give someone a portion or portions of (food, etc.) at the table {please serve me some peas} 8 a) to meet the needs or satisfy the requirements of {a tool to serve many purposes} b) to promote or further {to serve the national interest} 9 to be used by {a hospital that serves the entire city} 10 to function or perform for {if memory serves me well} 11 to behave toward; treat {to be cruelly served} 12 a) to deliver (a legal instrument, as a summons) b) to deliver a legal instrument to; esp., to present with a writ 13 to hit (a tennis ball, etc.) to one's opponent in order to start play 14 to copulate with (a female): said of an animal 15 Naut. to put a binding around in order to protect or strengthen (rope, etc.) •vi. 1 to work as a servant 2 to be in service; do service {to serve in the navy} 3 a) to carry out the duties connected with a position, office, etc. b) to act as server for Mass, Benediction, etc. 4 to be used or usable; be of service; function 5 to meet needs or satisfy requirements 6 to provide guests with something to eat or drink, as by waiting on table 7 to be suitable or favorable: said of weather, wind, etc. 8 to start play by hitting the ball, etc. to one's opponent, as in tennis •n. the act or manner of serving the ball in tennis, etc., or one's turn to serve serve someone right to be what someone deserves, for doing something wrong or foolish [ME serven < OFr servir < L servire, to serve < servus, servant, slave: see SERF]
server (sør´vэr) •n. 1 a person who serves, as an assistant to the celebrant at Mass, a waiter, a player who serves the ball, etc. 2 a thing used in serving, as a tray, cart, etc.
Servetus (sэř vi:t´эs), Michael (Sp. name Miguel Serveto) 1511-53; Sp. theologian: burned at the stake for heresy
Service (sør´vis), Robert (William) 1874-1958; Cdn. writer, born in England
service break Tennis the act or instance of winning a game on an opponent's serve
service cap a military cap with a round, flat top and a visor
service ceiling the altitude at which a specified kind of aircraft cannot, because of reduced atmospheric pressure, climb faster than a specified rate
service club 1 any of various clubs, as Rotary, Kiwanis, etc., organized to provide certain services for its members and to promote the community welfare 2 an armed-services recreation center
service elevator an elevator used by servants and tradespeople and for carrying goods, baggage, etc.
service entrance an entrance used by tradespeople, employees, etc. rather than by the general public
service line 1 Handball the line marking the front of the zone within which the server must stand 2 Tennis the line parallel to the net beyond which a served ball must not strike the court
service mark a symbol, design, word, letter, slogan, etc. used by a supplier of a service, as transportation, laundry, etc. to distinguish the service from that of a competitor: usually registered and protected by law: cf. TRADEMARK
service module a component of certain spacecraft that contains various support systems and its own rocket engine: it is separated from the COMMAND MODULE before reentry
service station 1 a place providing maintenance service, parts, supplies, etc. for mechanical or electrical equipment 2 a place providing such service, and selling gasoline, oil, etc., for motor vehicles; gas station
service stripe a stripe, or any of the parallel diagonal stripes, worn on the left sleeve of a uniform to indicate years spent in the service
service tree 1 a European mountain ash (Sorbus domestica) having small, edible fruit 2 a European mountain ash, the wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis), similar to this [ME serves, pl. of obs. serve < OE syrfe < VL *sorbea < L sorbus < IE base *sor-, *ser-, red, reddish]
service¹ (sør´vis) •n. 1 the occupation or condition of a servant 2 a) employment, esp. public employment {diplomatic service} b) a branch or department of this, including its personnel; specif., the armed forces, as army, navy, or air force 3 a) work done for a master or feudal lord b) work done or duty performed for another or others {repair service, public service} 4 the serving of God, as through good works, prayer, etc. 5 a) public worship b) any religious ceremony {the marriage service} c) a musical setting for a religious service 6 a) an act giving assistance or advantage to another b) the result of this; benefit; advantage c) [pl.] friendly help; also, professional aid or attention {the fee for his services} 7 the act or manner of serving food {a restaurant noted for its fine service} 8 a set of utensils or articles used in serving {silver tea service} 9 a system or method of providing people with the use of something, as electric power, water, transportation, mail delivery, etc. 10 installation, maintenance, repairs, etc., provided by a dealer or manufacturer to purchasers of equipment 11 the act or manner of serving the ball in tennis, etc., or one's turn to serve 12 [Archaic] devotion, as of a lover to his lady 13 Animal Husbandry the act of bringing a male animal to copulate with a female 14 Law notification of legal action, as by the serving of a writ 15 Naut. any material, as wire, used in serving (ropes, etc.) •adj. 1 of, for, or in service; specif., a) of or relating to the armed forces b) providing repair, maintenance, supplies, etc. c) providing services, rather than goods 2 of, for, or used by servants, tradespeople, etc. {a service entrance} 3 a) for use during active service {a service uniform} b) serviceable; durable {service weight stockings} •vt. -iced, -ic·ing 1 to furnish with a service 2 to copulate with (a female): said of a male animal Æ 3 to make or keep fit for service, as by inspecting, adjusting, repairing, refueling, etc. at one's service 1 ready to serve or cooperate with one 2 ready for one's use in service 1 in use; functioning: said esp. of an appliance, vehicle, etc. 2 in the armed forces 3 working as a domestic servant of service giving aid or assistance; helpful; useful [ME servise < OFr < L servitium, servitude < servus, slave: see SERF]
service² (sør´vis) •n. SERVICE TREE
serviceable (sør´vis э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be of service; ready for use; useful; usable 2 that will give good service, esp. in hard use; durable {a serviceable fabric} 3 [Archaic] willing to serve serv'ice·a·bil´i·ty or serv´ice·a·ble·ness •n. serv´ice·a·bly •adv. [ME servisable < OFr]
serviceberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. Æ 1 JUNEBERRY 2 the fruit of any service tree
serviceman (sør´vis mæn', -mэn) pl. -men' (-men', -mэn) •n. 1 a member of the armed forces 2 a person whose work is servicing or repairing something {a radio serviceman}: also service man
serviette (sør'vi: et´) •n. a table napkin [Fr < MFr < servir, to SERVE + -ette, -ET]
servile (sør´vэl, -vail) •adj. 1 of a slave or slaves 2 like that of slaves or servants {servile employment} 3 like or characteristic of a slave; humbly yielding or submissive; cringing; abject 4 [Archaic] held in slavery; not free ser´vile·ly •adv. ser·vil·i·ty (sэr vil´э ti:), pl. -ties, •n. ser´vile·ness •n. [ME < L servilis < servus, slave: see SERF]
serving (sør´viŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who serves 2 a helping, or single portion, of food •adj. used for, or suitable for giving food to a person or persons at the table {a serving dish}
servitor (sør´vэ tэr) •n. a person who serves another; servant, attendant, or, formerly, soldier [ME servitour < OFr < LL servitor < pp. of L servire, to SERVE]
servitude (sør´vэ tu:d', -tyu:d') •n. 1 the condition of a slave, serf, or the like; subjection to a master; slavery or bondage 2 work imposed as punishment for crime 3 Law the burden placed upon the property of a person by a specified right another has in its use SYN.—servitude refers to compulsory labor or service for another, often, specif., such labor imposed as punishment for crime; slavery implies absolute subjection to another person who owns and completely controls one; bondage originally referred to the condition of a serf bound to his master's land, but now implies any condition of subjugation or captivity —ANT. freedom, liberty [ME < MFr < L servitudo < servus, slave: see SERF]
servo (sør´vou) pl. -vos •n. short for: 1 SERVOMECHANISM 2 SERVOMOTOR •adj. of, pertaining to, incorporating, or controlled by a servomechanism
servomechanism (sør'vou mek´э niz'эm) •n. an automatic control system in which the output is constantly or intermittently compared with the input through feedback so that the error or difference between the two quantities can be used to bring about the desired amount of control [< fol. + MECHANISM]
servomotor (sør´vou mout'эr) •n. a device, as an electric motor, hydraulic piston, etc., that is controlled by an amplified signal from a command device of low power, as in a servomechanism [< Fr servo-moteur < L servus, slave (see SERF) + Fr moteur, MOTOR]
sesame (ses´э mi:') •n. 1 a plant (Sesamum indicum) whose flat seeds yield an edible oil and are used for flavoring bread, rolls, etc. 2 its seeds See also OPEN SESAME [altered (infl. by Gr) < earlier sesama < L sesamum sesama < Gr sēsamon, sēsamē, ult. < Akkadian shaman shammī, oil of plants]
sesamoid (ses´э moid') •adj. shaped like a sesame seed; specif., designating or of any of certain small bones developing in tendons, as at a joint, or any of certain small cartilaginous nodules in the nose •n. such a bone or cartilage [Gr sēsamoeidēs < sēsamon (see SESAME) + eidos, -OID]
sesqui- (ses´kwi, -kwэ, -kwi:) combining form 1 one and a half {sesquicentennial} 2 Chem. containing two atoms of one radical or element combined with three of another {sesquicarbonate} [L, more by a half < semis, half (< semi-: see SEMI-) + -que, and < IE *kwe (enclitic) > Sans ca, Gr te, OIr -ch, Goth -h]
sesquicarbonate (ses'kwi kär´bэ nit, -neit') •n. a carbonate in which there are three carbonate radicals for each two metal atoms [prec. + CARBONATE]
sesquicentennial (-sen ten´i: эl, -ten´yэl) •adj. of or ending a period of 150 years •n. a 150th anniversary or its commemoration
sesquioxide (ses'kwi: äk´said') •n. an oxide in which three atoms or equivalents of oxygen are combined with two of some other element or radical [SESQUI- + OXIDE]
sesquipedalian (ses'kwi pэ dei´li: эn, -pэ deil´yэn) •adj. 1 measuring a foot and a half 2 very long: said of words 3 using, or characterized by the use of, long words Also ses·quip´e·dal (-kwip´э dэl) •n. a long word ses'qui·pe·da´li·an·ism' •n. [< L sesquipedalis, of a foot and a half < sesqui- (see SESQUI-) + pedalis < pes (gen. pedis), a FOOT]
sessile (ses´il, -ail') •adj. 1 Biol. a) attached directly by its base b) permanently fixed; immobile 2 Bot. having no pedicel or peduncle; attached directly to the main stem, as the flower and leaves of a trillium plant [L sessilis < sessus, pp. of sedere, to SIT]
session (sesh´эn) •n. 1 a) the sitting together or meeting of a group; assembly, as of a court, legislature, council, etc. b) a continuous, day-to-day series of such meetings c) the term or period of such a meeting or meetings 2 a) a school term b) a day when school is open for classes 3 the governing body of a Presbyterian church, consisting of the minister and elders 4 a period of activity of any kind {a session with the dentist} in session officially meeting; assembled ses´sion·al •adj. [ME < L sessio < sedere, to SIT]
Sessions (sesh´эnz), Roger (Huntington) 1896-1985; U.S. composer
sesterce (ses´tørs') •n. an old Roman coin, orig. of silver, later of brass or copper, equal to ¼ denarius [L sestertius (nummus), for semis tertius, two and a half, because equal in value to two and a half asses]
sestertium (ses tør´shi: эm, -shэm) pl. -ti·a (-shi: э, -shэ) •n. a monetary unit of ancient Rome, equal to 1,000 sesterces [L < (mille) sestertium, gen. pl. of sestertius: see SESTERCE]
sestet (ses tet´, ses´tet') •n. 1 Music SEXTET 2 a) the final six lines of a Petrarchan sonnet b) a poem or stanza of six lines [It sestetto, dim. of sesto, sixth < L sextus, sixth < sex, SIX]
sestina (ses ti:´nэ) pl. -nas or -ne (-nei) •n. an elaborate verse form of six six-line stanzas and a tercet: the end words of the first stanza are repeated in varying combinations in the other five stanzas and the tercet [It < sesto, sixth: see SESTET]
Sestos (ses´täs) town in ancient Thrace, on the Hellespont opposite Abydos
set (set) set, set´ting •vt. 1 to place in a sitting position; cause to sit; seat 2 a) to cause (a fowl) to sit on eggs in order to hatch them b) to put (eggs) under a fowl or in an incubator to hatch them 3 to put in a certain place or position; cause to be, lie, stand, etc. in a place {set the book on the table} 4 to put in the proper or designated place {to set a wheel on an axle} 5 to put or move (a part of the body) into or on a specified place {to set foot on land} 6 to bring (something) into contact with something else {to burn a paper by setting a match to it} 7 a) [Archaic] to put in writing; record b) to put or affix (one's signature, seal, etc.) to a document 8 to cause to be in some condition or relation; specif., a) to cause to be or become {to set a house on fire} b) to put in a certain physical position {to set a book on end} 9 to cause to be in working or proper condition; put in order; arrange; fix; adjust; specif., a) to fix (a net, trap, etc.) in a position to catch animals b) to fix (a sail) in a position to catch the wind c) to put (a part of a device) in position to work {to set a chuck on a lathe} d) to adjust so as to be in a desired position for use; regulate {to set a radio dial, a clock, a thermostat, etc.} e) to place (oneself) in readiness for action f) to put an edge on (a knife, razor, etc.) g) to adjust (a saw) by slightly deflecting alternate teeth in opposite directions h) to sink (the head of a nail, screw, etc.) below a surface i) to arrange (a table) with knives, forks, plates, etc. for a meal a) to put (a dislocated joint or fractured bone) into normal position for healing, mending, etc. 10 to cause to be in a settled or firm position; specif., a) to put or press into a fixed or rigid position {to set one's jaw} b) to cause (one's mind, purpose, etc.) to be fixed, unyielding, determined, etc. c) to cause to become firm or hard in consistency {pectin sets jelly} d) to make (a color) fast in dyeing e) to mount, embed, or fix (gems) in rings, bracelets, etc. f) to cover, encrust, or decorate (gold, watches, etc.) with gems g) to fix firmly in a frame {set the glass in the window} h) to arrange (hair) in the desired style with lotions, hairpins, etc. and let it dry i) to transplant (a shoot, etc.) 11 to cause to take a particular direction; specif., a) to cause to move as specified; propel {the current set them eastward} b) to point, direct, or face as specified {to set one's face toward home} c) to direct (one's desires, hopes, heart, etc.) with serious attention (in or on someone or something) 12 to appoint, establish, ordain, etc.; specif., a) to post or station for certain duties {to set sentries at a gate} b) to place in a position of authority c) to fix (limits or boundaries) d) to fix or appoint (a time) for something to happen {to set Friday as the deadline} e) to fix a time for (an event) f) to establish (a regulation, law, record, etc.) or prescribe (a form, order, etc.) g) to give or furnish (an example, pattern, etc.) for others h) to introduce (a fashion, style, etc.) i) to allot or assign (a task, lesson, etc.) for work or study a) to fix (a quota, as of work) for a given period a) to begin to apply (oneself) to a task, etc. 13 to estimate or fix; place mentally; specif., a) to fix (the amount of a price, fine, etc.) b) to fix (a price, fine, etc.) at a specified amount c) to estimate or value {to set at naught all that one has won} d) to fix or put as an estimate {to set little store by someone} 14 Baking to put aside (leavened dough) to rise 15 Bridge to prevent (one's opponents) from making their bid 16 Hunting to point toward the position of (game): said of a dog 17 Music to write or fit (words to music or music to words) 18 Printing a) to arrange (type) for printing b) to produce or reproduce (printed matter) by computer or photocomposition c) to put (a piece of writing) into print 19 Theater a) to place (a scene) in a given locale b) to make up or arrange (scenery) on the stage c) to arrange the scenery and properties on (the stage) •vi. 1 to sit on eggs: said of a fowl 2 to become firm or hard in consistency {cement sets after several hours} 3 to become fast: said of dye, color, etc. 4 a) to begin to move, travel, etc. (with out, forth, on, off, or forward) b) to begin or get started {to set to work} 5 to have a certain direction; tend 6 a) to make an apparent descent toward and below the horizon; go down {the setting sun} b) to wane; decline 7 to hang, fit, or suit in a certain way {a jacket that sets well} 8 to grow together; mend: said of a broken bone 9 [Now Dial.] to sit 10 Bot. to begin to develop into a fruit after pollination 11 Hunting to point toward the position of game: said of a dog •adj. 1 fixed or appointed in advance {a set time} 2 established; prescribed, as by authority 3 deliberate; intentional; purposeful 4 conventional; stereotyped; not spontaneous {a set speech} 5 fixed; motionless; rigid; immovable 6 a) resolute; determined b) obstinate; unyielding 7 firm or hard in consistency 8 ready to begin some action or activity {get set to run} 9 formed; put together; built •n. 1 a setting or being set; specif., a) the act of a dog in setting game b) a becoming hard or firm in consistency 2 the way or position in which a thing is set; specif., a) direction; course, as of a current b) tendency; inclination c) change of form resulting from pressure, twisting, strain, etc.; warp; bend d) sideways deflection in opposite directions of the alternate teeth of a saw e) the way in which an article of clothing fits or hangs f) the position or attitude of a limb or part of the body {the set of her head} g) Psychol. a readiness to respond or to prepare for a certain definite kind of activity 3 something which is set; specif., a) a twig or slip for planting or grafting b) a young plant; esp., a dwarfed bulb, as of an onion, dried and kept over winter for early spring planting c) a number of backdrops, flats, properties, etc. constructed and arranged for a scene in a play, film, etc. 4 a) the act or a style of setting hair b) the lotion, etc. used for this purpose (in full hair set) 5 a group of persons; specif., a) a company or group with common habits, occupation, interests, etc. {a set of smugglers} b) an exclusive or select group; clique; coterie c) the number of couples needed for a country or square dance 6 a collection of things belonging, issued, used, or growing together; specif., a) a number of tools or instruments used together {a carpentry set} b) the collection of objects necessary for playing a game, esp. a parlor game c) a number of magazines, books, etc., often in a similar format, by one author, on one subject, etc. d) a matching collection of china, silverware, etc. e) the complement of natural or artificial teeth of a person or animal f) a clutch of eggs g) the figures that make up a country or square dance h) several pieces of dance music played, or danced to, in quick succession i) receiving equipment for radio or television assembled, as in a cabinet, for use a) Tennis a group of six or more games won before the other side wins five, or by a margin of two if the score is tied at more than four games each 7 Math. a prescribed collection of points, numbers, or other objects that satisfy a given condition 8 Printing the width of the body of a piece of type SYN. COTERIE Æ all set [Colloq.] prepared; ready set about to begin; start doing set against 1 to balance 2 to compare 3 to make hostile toward; make an enemy of set apart to separate and keep for a purpose; reserve set aside 1 to set apart 2 to discard; dismiss; reject 3 to annul; declare void set back 1 to put (a clock or its hands) to an earlier time, esp. to standard time 2 to reverse or hinder the progress of Æ 3 [Slang] to cost (a person) a specified sum of money set down 1 to place so as to rest upon a surface; put down; let alight 2 to land (an airplane) 3 to put in writing or print; record 4 to establish (rules, principles, etc.) 5 to consider, ascribe, attribute, etc. set forth 1 to publish 2 to express in words; state set in 1 to begin 2 a) to blow or flow toward the shore (said of wind, current, etc.) b) to direct (a ship) toward shore 3 to insert set off 1 a) to start (a person) doing something b) to make begin; start going 2 to set in relief; make prominent by contrast 3 to show to advantage; enhance 4 to cause to explode set on 1 to incite or urge on, as to attack {to set dogs on intruders} 2 to attack set out 1 to limit; define; mark out 2 to plan; lay out (a town, garden, etc.) 3 to display, as for sale; exhibit 4 to plant 5 to take upon oneself; undertake {to set out to prove a theory} set straight to give the correct facts to; inform properly set to 1 to make a beginning; get to work; begin 2 to begin fighting set up 1 a) to place in an upright position b) to place in a high position c) to raise to power d) to raise e) to present (oneself) as being something specified f) to present (something) as exemplary 2 to put together or erect (a tent, machine, etc.) 3 to establish; found 4 to make detailed plans for 5 to begin 6 to provide with money, etc., as for a business; fit out 7 to cause to feel stimulated, exhilarated, etc. 8 to make successful, well-to-do, etc. 9 to advance or propose (a theory, etc.) 10 to cause 11 a) to put (drinks, etc.) before customers Æ b) to pay for (food, drinks, etc.) for (another or others) Æ 12 to put (someone) in a vulnerable situation or position set upon to attack, esp. with violence [ME setten < OE settan (akin to Ger setzen & Goth satjan < Gmc *satjan), caus. formation to cause to sit < base of SIT] Set (set) Egypt. Myth. a god of evil, represented as having an animal's head with square-tipped ears [Gr Sēth < Egypt sth, śtsh]
set piece 1 an artistic composition, in literature, music, sculpture, etc., designed to give an impressive effect, often in a conventional style 2 a scenic display of fireworks 3 a piece of stage scenery 4 any situation carefully planned beforehand, as in a military or diplomatic maneuver
set shot Basketball a shot attempted by a player while standing in place, rather than while jumping in the air
set theory the branch of mathematics that deals with the properties and relations of sets: see SET (n. 7)
seta (si:t´э) pl. -tae (-i:) •n. Biol. a bristle or bristlelike part or organ [ModL < L seta, saeta, a stiff hair < IE base *sei-, cord > SINEW, OE sal, rope]
setaceous (si tei´shэs) •adj. 1 having bristles 2 like a bristle or bristles; bristlelike se·ta´ceous·ly •adv. [ModL setaceus < seta: see SETA]
setback (set´bæk') •n. 1 a reversal, check, or interruption in progress; relapse; upset 2 an upper part of a wall or building set back to form a steplike section 3 PITCH² (n. 8)
se-tenant (sэ ten´эnt, set'э näñ´) •adj. designating or of postage stamps joined together as pairs or larger sets, but differing in design, denomination, overprint, etc. •n. a se-tenant stamp Also se·ten´ant
Seth¹ (seθ) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible the third son of Adam: Gen. 4:25 [LL(Ec) < Gr(Ec) Sēth < Heb shet, lit., appointed < shat, to put]
Seth² (seit) var. of SET
seti- (si:t´i, -э) combining form bristle {setiform} [< L saeta, a stiff hair: see SETA]
setiferous (sэ tif´эr эs) •adj. having seta Also se·tig·er·ous (sэ tij´эr эs)
setiform (si:t´э förm') •adj. resembling a seta, or bristle, in shape [SETI- + -FORM]
set-in (set´in') •adj. made as a separate unit to fit within another part {a set-in sleeve}
setoff (set´öf') •n. 1 a thing that makes up for or sets off something else; counterbalance; compensation 2 a) a counterbalancing debt claimed by a debtor against a creditor b) a claim for this 3 OFFSET (n. 4 & 8)
Seton (si:t´ªn) 1 Saint Elizabeth Ann (born Elizabeth Ann Bayley) (1774-1821); Am. Rom. Catholic leader: 1st native-born Am. saint: her day is Jan. 4 2 Ernest Thompson (born Ernest Seton Thompson) 1860-1946; U.S. naturalist, writer, & illustrator, born in England
setose (si:´tous') •adj. SETACEOUS [L saetosus]
setscrew (set´skru:') •n. 1 a machine screw passing through one part and against or into another to prevent movement, as of a ring around a shaft: see SCREW, illus. 2 a screw used in regulating or adjusting the tension of a spring, etc.
settecento (set'te chen´tô) •n. the 18th cent. as a period in Italian art and literature [It, short for mille settecento, one thousand seven hundred]
settee (se ti:´) •n. 1 a seat or bench with a back, usually for two or three people 2 a small or medium-sized sofa [prob. altered < SETTLE¹]
setter (set´эr) •n. 1 a person who sets or a thing used in setting: often used in compounds {pinsetter} 2 a member of any of three breeds (ENGLISH SETTER, GORDON SETTER, IRISH SETTER) of long-haired bird dog trained to find game and point out its position by standing rigid
setting (set´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one that sets 2 the position or adjustment of something, as a dial, that has been set 3 a thing in or upon which something is set; specif., the backing for a gem or gems, or the style or shape of this {a marquise setting} 4 the time, place, environment, and surrounding circumstances of an event, story, play, etc. 5 actual physical surroundings or scenery whether real or, as on a stage, artificial 6 the music or the composing of music for a set of words, as a poem 7 the eggs in the nest of a setting hen 8 PLACE SETTING
setting-up exercises (set´iŋ ûp´) CALISTHENICS
settle¹ (set´ªl) •n. a long wooden bench with a back, armrests, and sometimes a chest beneath the seat [ME settel < OE setl (akin to Ger sessel) < IE *sedla- < base *sed- > SIT]
settle² (set´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. 1 to put in order; arrange or adjust as desired {to settle one's affairs} 2 to set in place firmly or comfortably {to settle oneself in a chair} 3 to establish as a resident or residents {he settled his family in London} 4 to migrate to and set up a community in; colonize {New York was settled by the Dutch} 5 to cause to sink and become more dense and compact {the rain settled the dust} 6 to clarify (a liquid) by causing the sediment to sink to the bottom 7 to free (the mind, nerves, stomach, etc.) from disturbance; calm or quiet 8 to prevent from creating a disturbance or interfering, or from continuing in such action, as by a reprimand or a blow 9 to make stable or permanent; establish 10 to establish in business, office, work, marriage, etc. 11 to fix definitely; determine or decide (something in doubt) 12 to end (a dispute) 13 to pay (a bill, debt, account, etc.) 14 to make over (property, etc.) to someone by legal action: with on or upon 15 to resolve (a legal dispute) by agreement between the parties 16 to impregnate (a female): said of an animal •vi. 1 to stop moving and stay in one place; come to rest 2 to cast itself, as darkness, fog, etc. over a landscape, or gloom or silence over a person or group; descend 3 to become localized in a given part of the body: said of pain or disease 4 to take up permanent residence; make one's home 5 to move downward; sink, esp. gradually {the car settled in the mud} 6 to become more dense or compact by sinking, as sediment or loose soil when shaken 7 to become clearer by the settling of sediment or dregs 8 to become more stable or composed; stop fluctuating or changing 9 a) to reach an agreement or decision (usually with with, on, or upon) Æ b) to accept something in place of what is hoped for, demanded, etc. (with for) {he'll settle for any kind of work} 10 to pay a bill or debt SYN. DECIDE settle down 1 to take up permanent residence, a regular job, etc.; lead a more routine, stable life, as after marriage 2 to become less nervous, restless, or erratic 3 to apply oneself steadily or attentively settle up to determine what is owed and make the necessary adjustments [ME setlen < OE setlan < setl, a seat: see SETTLE1]
settlement (-mэnt) •n. 1 a settling or being settled (in various senses) 2 a new colony, or a place newly colonized 3 a) a small or isolated community; village b) a community established by the members of a particular religious or social group 4 an agreement, arrangement, or adjustment 5 a) the conveyance or disposition of property for the benefit of a person or persons b) the property thus conveyed 6 an institution in a depressed and congested neighborhood offering social services and educational and recreational activities: also settlement house
settler (set´lэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that settles Æ 2 a person who settles in a new country or colony
settlings (set´liŋz) •n.pl. the solid matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; sediment; dregs
settlor (set´lэr) •n. Law a person who makes a settlement of property
set-to (set´tu:') pl. -tos' (-tu:z') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a fight or struggle; esp., a fist fight 2 any brisk or vigorous contest or argument; bout [< phr. SET TO]
setup (set´ûp') •n. 1 the way in which something is set up; specif., a) the plan, makeup, or arrangement, as of equipment, an organization, etc. b) the details of a situation, plan of action, etc. Æ 2 bodily posture; carriage Æ 3 the glass, ice, soda water, etc. provided for preparing an alcoholic drink Æ 4 [Colloq.] a) a contest deliberately arranged as an uneven match to result in an easy victory b) the contestant marked for defeat in such a contest c) an undertaking that is, or is purposely made, very easy, or a goal or result that is easy to achieve d) a person who is easily tricked
Seurat (sö řå´), Georges (Pierre) (zhôřzh) 1859-91; Fr. painter: noted for his use of pointillism
Seuss (su:s), Dr. pseud. of Theodor Seuss GEISEL
Sevastopol (sэ væs´tэ poul; Russ se'väs tô´pэl yª) seaport in SW Crimea, on the Black Sea: pop. 341,000
seven (sev´эn) •adj. totaling one more than six •n. 1 the cardinal number between six and eight; 7; VII 2 any group of seven people or things 3 something numbered seven or having seven units, as a playing card, throw of dice, etc. [ME seoven < OE seofon, akin to Ger sieben < IE base *sept##> L septem, Gr heptā]
Seven against Thebes Gr. Myth. the expedition of seven heroes to help one of their number, Polynices, recover his share of the throne of Thebes from his brother Eteocles: subject of a tragedy by Aeschylus
Seven Hills of Rome seven low hills on the E bank of the Tiber, on & about which Rome was originally built; Aventine, Caelian, Capitoline, Esquiline, Palatine (approximately in the center), Quirinal, & Viminal
seven seas all the oceans of the world
Seven Sisters a group of women's colleges in the NE U.S.: term often used to describe the fashions, standards, attitudes, etc. associated with their students
Seven Wonders of the World seven remarkable objects of ancient times: the Egyptian pyramids, the walls and hanging gardens of Babylon, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Colossus of Rhodes, the statue of Zeus by Phidias at Olympia, and the Pharos (or lighthouse) at Alexandria
Seven Years' War a war (1756-63) in which England and Prussia defeated Austria, France, Russia, Sweden, and Saxony
sevenfold (sev´эn fould') •adj. 1 having seven parts 2 having seven times as much or as many •adv. seven times as much or as many [SEVEN + -FOLD]
seventeen (sev´эn ti:n´) •adj. totaling seven more than ten •n. the cardinal number between sixteen and eighteen; 17; XVII [ME seventene < OE seofentyne: see SEVEN & -TEEN]
seventeenth (-ti:nθ´) •adj. 1 preceded by sixteen others in a series; 17th 2 designating any of the seventeen equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the sixteenth 2 any of the seventeen equal parts of something; ¹/17 •adv. in the seventeenth place, rank, group, etc. [ME sevententhe: see SEVENTEEN & -TH²]
seventeen-year locust (sev´эn ti:n´yir´) a cicada (Magicicada septendecim) which lives underground as a larva for from thirteen to seventeen years before emerging as an adult to live in the open for a brief period
seventh (sev´эnθ) •adj. 1 preceded by six others in a series; 7th 2 designating any of the seven equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the sixth 2 any of the seven equal parts of something; ¹/7 3 Music a) the seventh tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone six degrees above or below any given tone in such a scale; leading tone; subtonic b) the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them c) the chord formed by any tone and the third, fifth, and seventh of which it is the fundamental (in full seventh chord) •adv. in the seventh place, rank, group, etc. sev´enth·ly •adv. [ME seventhe, a new formation < seoven + -th, replacing OE seofande (akin to Ger siebente) & seofotha]
seventh heaven 1 in certain ancient cosmological systems, the outermost of concentric spheres viewed as enclosing the earth, in which God and his angels are 2 a condition of perfect happiness
seventh-day (-dei´) •adj. 1 of the seventh day (Saturday) 2 [often S- D-] observing the Sabbath on Saturday {Seventh-Day Adventists}
seventieth (sev´эn ti: iθ; often, -эn di:-) •adj. 1 preceded by sixty-nine others in a series; 70th 2 designating any of the seventy equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the sixty-ninth 2 any of the seventy equal parts of something; ¹/70 •adv. in the seventieth place, rank, group, etc. [ME seventithe: see SEVENTY & -TH²]
seventy (sev´эn ti:; often, -эn di:) •adj. seven times ten •n. pl. -ties the cardinal number between sixty-nine and seventy-one; 70; LXX the seventies the numbers or years, as of a century, from seventy through seventy-nine [ME seofentig < OE (hund)seofontig: see SEVEN & -TY²]
seven-up (sev'эn ûp´) •n. a card game for two, three, or four persons in which seven points constitute a game
sever (sev´эr) •vt., vi. 1 to separate; make or become distinct; divide {severed from his family by the war} 2 to part or break off, as by cutting or with force; cut in two {to sever a cable, to sever all relationship} SYN. SEPARATE [ME severen < OFr sevrer, severer < VL *seperare < L separare, to SEPARATE]
severable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 that can be severed or divided 2 Law separable into distinct, independent obligations: said of a contract sev'er·a·bil´i·ty •n.
several (sev´эr эl, sev´rэl) •adj. 1 existing apart; separate; distinct; individual 2 different; respective {parted and went their several ways} 3 more than two but not many; of an indefinite but small number; few 4 [Chiefly Dial.] quite a few; many 5 Law of or having to do with an individual person; not shared or joint •n. [with pl. v.] an indefinite but small number (of persons or things) pron. [with pl. v.] several persons or things; a few [ME < Anglo-Fr < ML separalis < L separ, separate, back-form. < separare: see SEPARATE]
severally (-i:) •adv. 1 separately; distinctly 2 respectively; individually
severalty (-ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the condition or character of being several or distinct 2 property owned by individual right, not shared with any other 3 the condition of property so owned [ME severalte < Anglo-Fr severauté: see SEVERAL + -TY¹]
severance (sev´эr эns, sev´rэns) •n. a severing or being severed [ME < Anglo-Fr < OFr sevrance]
severance pay extra pay given to employees who are dismissed through no fault of their own, usually based on length of time employed
severe (sэ vir´) -ver´er, -ver´est •adj. 1 harsh, strict, or highly critical, as in treatment; unsparing; stern 2 serious or grave; forbidding, as in expression or manner 3 serious or grievous {a severe wound} 4 conforming strictly to a rule, method, standard, etc.; rigidly accurate or demanding {a severe philosophy} 5 extremely plain or simple; unornamented; restrained {a dress with severe lines} 6 keen; extreme; intense {severe pain} 7 difficult; rigorous; trying {a severe test} se·vere´ly •adv. se·vere´ness •n. SYN.—severe applies to a person or thing that is strict and uncompromising and connotes a total absence of softness, laxity, frivolity, etc. [a severe critic, hairdo, etc.]; stern implies an unyielding firmness, esp. as manifested in a grim or forbidding aspect or manner [a stern guardian]; austere suggests harsh restraint, self-denial, stark simplicity [the austere diet of wartime], or an absence of warmth, passion, ornamentation, etc. [an austere bedroom]; ascetic implies extreme self-denial and self-discipline or even, sometimes, the deliberate self-infliction of pain and discomfort, as by religious fanatics [an ascetic hermit] —ANT. mild, lax, indulgent [< MFr < OFr < L severus, prob. < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + IE base *wer-, (to be) friendly > OE wær, faith, pledge, bond (of friendship)]
severity (sэ ver´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or condition of being severe; specif., a) strictness; harshness b) gravity, as of expression c) rigid accuracy d) extreme plainness or restraint, as in style e) keenness, as of pain; intensity f) rigorous or trying character 2 pl. -ties something severe, as a punishment [Fr sévérité < L severitas]
Severn (sev´эrn) river flowing from central Wales through England & into the Bristol Channel: c. 200 mi. (322 km)
Severnaya Zemlya (sev´эř nэ yä' zem lyä´) group of Russian islands in N Asian Russia north of the Taimyr Peninsula, between the Kara & Laptev seas: c. 14,500 sq. mi. (37,555 sq. km)
Seversky , Alexander see DE SEVERSKY, Alexander P(rocofieff)
Severus (sэ vir´эs), (Lucius Septimius) A.D. 146-211; Rom. emperor (193-211)
seviche (se vi:sh´) •n. a Latin American dish consisting of small pieces of raw fish or shellfish marinated in lime juice with chilies, chopped tomatoes, and herbs: it is served chilled, often as an appetizer
Sévigné (sei vi: nyei´), Marquise de (born Marie de Rabutin-Chantal) 1626-96; Fr. writer
Seville (sэ vil´) city in SW Spain, on the Guadalquivir River: pop. 654,000: Sp. name Se·vil·la (sei vi:´lyä)
Sevin (sev´in) trademark for an insecticide, C12H11NO2, derived from a carbamate, that is highly toxic when first applied but that breaks down quickly and becomes harmless [< the groups of seven atoms in its molecular structure]
Sèvres (sev´rэ; Fr se´vrª) •n. a type of fine French porcelain [after Sèvres, SW suburb of Paris, where made]
sew (sou) sewed, sewn or sewed, sew´ing •vt. 1 to join or fasten with stitches made with needle and thread 2 to make, mend, enclose, etc. by such means •vi. to work with needle and thread or at a sewing machine sew up 1 to close or bring together the edges of with stitches 2 to enclose in something by sewing Æ 3 [Colloq.] a) to get or have absolute control of or right to; monopolize b) to bring to a successful conclusion c) to make certain of success in {to sew up an election} [ME sewen < OE siwian, akin to Goth siujan < IE base *siw-, to sew > SEAM, L suere (pp. sutus), to sew, sew together]
sewage (su:´ij) •n. the waste matter carried off by sewers or drains [SEW(ER)¹ + -AGE]
Sewall (su:´эl), Samuel 1652-1730; Am. jurist, born in England: presided over witchcraft trials at Salem
sewan (si:´wэn) •n. shells used as money by the Algonquian Indians [Du < unattested Delaware dial. word for unstrung wampum beads < root se·w-, to scatter]
Seward (su:´эrd), William Henry 1801-72; U.S. statesman: secretary of state (1861-69)
Seward Peninsula peninsula of W Alas. on the Bering Strait: c. 200 mi. (321 km) long [after prec.]
sewer¹ (su:´эr) •n. a pipe or drain, usually underground, used to carry off water and waste matter •vi. to clean or maintain sewers [ME < MFr esseweur < essever, to drain off < VL *exaquare < L ex, out + aqua, water: see ISLAND]
sewer² (sou´эr) •n. a person or thing that sews
sewer³ (su:´эr) •n. a medieval servant of high rank in charge of serving meals and seating guests [ME, aphetic < Anglo-Fr asseour < OFr asseoir, to seat, cause to sit < L assidere, to sit by < ad-, to + sedere, to SIT]
sewerage (su:´эr ij) •n. 1 removal of surface water and waste matter by sewers 2 a system of sewers 3 SEWAGE
sewing (sou´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or occupation of a person who sews 2 material for sewing; needlework
sewing circle a group of women who meet regularly to sew, as for some charitable purpose
sewing machine a machine with a mechanically driven needle used for sewing and stitching
sewn (soun) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of SEW
sex (seks) •n. 1 either of the two divisions, male or female, into which persons, animals, or plants are divided, with reference to their reproductive functions 2 the character of being male or female; all the attributes by which males and females are distinguished 3 anything connected with sexual gratification or reproduction or the urge for these; esp., the attraction of those of one sex for those of the other 4 sexual intercourse 5 the genitalia •adj. SEXUAL •vt. to ascertain the sex of (chickens, etc.) sex up [Slang] 1 to arouse sexually 2 to give appealing or titillating characteristics to [ME < L sexus < ? secare, to cut, divide: see SAW¹]
sex- (seks) combining form six [< L sex, SIX]
sex appeal the physical attractiveness and erotic charm that attract members of the opposite sex
sex chromosome a sex-determining chromosome in the germ cells of most animals and a few plants: in most animals, including human beings, all the eggs carry an X chromosome and the spermatozoa either an X or Y chromosome, and an egg receiving an X chromosome at fertilization will develop into a female (XX) while one receiving a Y will develop into a male (XY)
sex hormone any hormone, as testosterone, estrogen, etc., influencing the development of, or having an effect upon, the reproductive organs, secondary sex characteristics, etc.
sex hygiene the branch of hygiene dealing with sex and sexual behavior: an earlier term for sexual instruction
sex kitten [Slang] a young woman who has much sex appeal
sex linkage Genetics the phenomenon by which inherited characters are determined by genes carried on one of the sex chromosomes and are consequently linked with the sex of an individual sex´-linked´ (-liŋkt´) •adj.
sex symbol [Colloq.] a well-known person who is generally regarded as representative of sexual attractiveness
sexagenarian (seks'э ji ner´i: эn) •adj. 60 years old, or between the ages of 60 and 70 •n. a person of this age [< L sexagenarius, of sixty < sexageni, sixty each + -AN]
Sexagesima (seks'э jei´zi: mэ, -jes´i mэ) old name for the second Sunday before Lent: also Sexagesima Sunday •n. [ME sexagesime < LL(Ec) sexagesima (dies) < fem. of L sexagesimus, sixtieth (+ dies, day)]
sexagesimal (-jes´i mэl) •adj. of or based on the number sixty [ML sexagesimalis < L sexagesimus, sixtieth < sexaginta, sixty]
sexed (sekst) •adj. 1 of or having sex or sexual differentiation 2 having (a specified degree of) sexuality
sexennial (sek sen´i: эl) •adj. 1 happening every six years 2 lasting six years sex·en´ni·al·ly •adv. [< L sexennium, six years < sex, SIX + annus (see ANNUAL) + -AL]
sexi- (sek´sэ) combining form SEX-
sexily (sek´sэ li:) •adv. [Colloq.] in a sexy manner
sexiness (-si: nis) •n. [Colloq.] a sexy state or quality
sexism (seks´iz'эm) •n. discrimination against people on the basis of sex; specif., discrimination against, and prejudicial stereotyping of, women sex´ist •adj., n. [SEX + (RAC)ISM]
sexless (seks´lis) •adj. 1 lacking the characteristics of sex; asexual; neuter 2 lacking in normal sexual appetite or appeal; sexually cold sex´less·ly •adv. sex´less·ness •n.
sexology (seks äl´э ji:) •n. the science dealing with human sexual behavior sex·ol´o·gist •n.
sexploitation (seks'ploi tei´shэn) •n. the use of explicit sexual material, esp. in a motion picture, to increase commercial appeal [SEX + (EX)PLOITATION]
sexpot (seks´pät') •n. [Slang] a woman who has much sex appeal [SEX + POT¹]
sext (sekst) •n. [often S-] the fourth of the canonical hours, orig. assigned to the sixth hour of the day (i.e., to noon, counting from 6 A.M.) [ME sexte < ML(Ec) sexta < L sexta (hora), sixth (hour), fem. of sextus, SIXTH]
Sextans (sek´stэnz) an equatorial constellation between Leo and Hydra
sextant (seks´tэnt) •n. an instrument used by navigators for measuring the angular distance of the sun, a star, etc. from the horizon, as in finding the position of a ship [ModL sextans (gen. sextantis), arc of a sixth part of a circle < L, a sixth part < sextus, SIXTH]
sextet or sextette (seks tet´) •n. 1 a group of six persons or things 2 Music a) a composition for six voices or six instruments b) the six performers of such a composition [altered by assoc. with L sex, SIX < SESTET]
sextile (seks´tэl) •n. Astrol. the aspect of two celestial bodies 60 degrees, or one sixth of a circle, apart •adj. Astrol. designating this aspect [L sextilis < sextus, SIXTH]
sextillion (seks til´yэn) •n. Æ 1 the number represented by 1 followed by 21 zeros 2 [Brit.] the number represented by 1 followed by 36 zeros •adj. amounting to one sextillion in number [Fr < L sextus, sixth (< sex, SIX) + Fr (m)illion]
sextodecimo (seks'tou des´э mou') pl. -mos' •n. SIXTEENMO [< L (in) sextodecimo, (in) sixteen, abl. of sextusdecimus, sixteenth]
sexton (seks´tэn) •n. 1 a church officer or employee in charge of the maintenance of church property: duties may include ringing the church bells and digging graves in the churchyard 2 an official in a synagogue who manages its day-to-day affairs [ME sextein, altered < segerstane < OFr segrestain < ML sacristanus: see SACRISTAN]
sextuple (seks´tэ pэl, seks tu:´pэl) •adj. 1 consisting of or including six 2 six times as much or as many; sixfold 3 Music having six beats to a rhythmic unit •n. an amount six times as much or as many •vt., vi. -pled, -pling to make or become six times as much or as many; multiply by six [< L sextus, SIXTH, after QUADRUPLE]
sextuplet (seks´tэ plit; seks tu:´plit, -tûp´lit) •n. 1 any of six offspring born at a single birth 2 a collection or group of six, usually of one kind [dim. of prec.]
sexual (sek´shu: эl) •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or involving sex, the sexes, the organs of sex and their functions, or the instincts, drives, behavior, etc. associated with sex 2 Biol. a) having sex b) designating or of reproduction by the union of male and female germ cells sex´u·al·ly •adv. [LL sexualis]
sexual intercourse a joining of the sexual organs of a male and a female human being, in which the erect penis of the male is inserted into the vagina of the female, usually with the ejaculation of semen into the vagina
sexuality (sek'shu: æl´э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being sexual 2 a) interest in or concern with sex b) sexual drive or activity
sexualize (sek´shu: э laiz') -ed, -ing •vt. to make sexual; endow with sexual significance, feeling, etc.
sexy (sek´si:) •adj. 1 [Colloq.] exciting or intended to excite sexual desire; erotic 2 [Slang] exciting, glamorous, etc.
Seychelles (sei shel´, -shelz´) country on a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar: formerly a British colony, it became independent as a republic within the Commonwealth (1976): c. 100 sq. mi. (259 sq. km); pop. 64,000; cap. Victoria (on Mahé Island)
Seyfert galaxy (si:´fэrt) any of a number of spiral galaxies with a small, intensely bright nucleus and a spectrum with strong, broad spectral lines [after Carl K. Seyfert, U.S. astronomer who discovered them in the 1940s]
Seymour (si:´mör) 1 a masculine name 2 Jane c. 1509-37; 3d wife of Henry VIII: mother of Edward VI [orig. Eng family name, prob. < OE sæ, sea + mor, hill]
sf¹ or SF science fiction
sf² or sfz sforzando
Sfax (sfäks) seaport on the E coast of Tunisia: pop. 232,000
SFC Sergeant First Class
sferics (sfer´iks, sfir´-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 ATMOSPHERICS 2 the study of atmospherics; esp., the locating, tracking, and evaluating of natural electrical discharges [altered & shortened < ATMOSPHERICS]
Sforza (sfôř´tsä) 1 Count Car·lo (käř´lô) 1873-1952; It. statesman & anti-Fascist leader 2 Fran·ces·co (fřän ches´kô) 1401-66; It. condottiere & duke of Milan 3 Lu·do·vi·co (lu:'dô vi:´kô) 1451-1508; duke of Milan & patron of da Vinci: son of Francesco: also Lo'do·vi´co (lô'-)
sforzando (sför tsän´dou) •adj., adv. Musical Direction with sudden force or emphasis; accented •n. pl. -dos a sforzando note or chord Also sfor·za´to (-tsä´tou) [It < sforzare, to force: s- ( < L ex-, intens.) + VL *fortiare < fortia, FORCE]
sfumato (sfu: mä´tou) •n. an effect, as in oil painting, of the tones shading into one another so there are no sharp outlines
Sg Bible Song of Songs: see SONG OF SOLOMON sg specific gravity
sgd signed
SGM Sergeant Major
sgraffito (skræ fi:´tou; It zgřäf fi:´tô) pl. -fi´ti (-ti:) •n. 1 a method of producing a design on ceramics, murals, etc. by incising the outer coating of slip or glaze to reveal a ground of a different color 2 such a design 3 an object bearing such a design [It < sgraffiare, to scratch < s-, intens. (< L ex-) + graffiare, to scratch < L graphium, a writing style < Gr graphion < graphein: see GRAPHIC]
Sgt Sergeant
Sgt Maj Sergeant Major
sh (sh: a prolonged sound) •interj. an exclamation used to urge or request silence sh 1 share(s) 2 Bookbinding sheet 3 shilling(s)
Shaanxi (shän´shi:´) province of NC China: 75,598 sq. mi. (195,798 sq. km); pop. 28,900,000; cap. Xian
Shabbat (shä bät´) pl. shab·bat·ot´ (-bä tout´)n. Judaism the Sabbath Also Shab·bos (shä´bэs) [Yidd shabes < Heb shabat] [Heb shabat, SABBATH]
shabby (shæb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 run down; dilapidated; deteriorated {shabby surroundings} 2 a) showing much wear; ragged; threadbare (said of clothing) b) wearing such clothing; seedy 3 beggarly; unworthy {a shabby offering} 4 disgraceful; shameful {shabby treatment of guests} shab´bi·ly •adv. shab´bi·ness •n. [< dial. shab, scab, scoundrel < OE sceabb, scab, scale: see SCAB]
shabby-genteel (-jen ti:l´) •adj. shabby but genteel in trying to keep up appearances
Shabuoth (shä vu:´out, shэ vu:´ous) •n. var. of SHAVUOT
Shache (shä´chэ´) city in W Xinjiang, China: a trading center: pop. 80,000
shack (shæk) •n. a small house or cabin that is crudely built and furnished; shanty shack up 1 [Slang] to live or room (in a certain place) 2 to live (with one's mistress or paramour) [< ? AmSp jacal < Nahuatl xacalli, wooden hut]
shackle (shæk´эl) •n. 1 a metal fastening, usually one of a linked pair, for the wrist or ankle of a prisoner; fetter; manacle 2 anything that restrains freedom of expression or action {the shackles of ignorance} 3 any of several devices used in fastening or coupling •vt. -led, -ling 1 to put shackles on; fetter 2 to fasten or connect with a shackle or shackles 3 to restrain in freedom of expression or action shack´ler •n. [ME schakel < OE sceacel, akin to MDu schakel, chain link < ? IE base *(s)kenk-, to gird, bind]
shad (shæd) pl. shad •n.or shads any of various marine or freshwater clupeid fishes; esp., a) an American coastal food fish (Alosa sapidissima) b) a species (Dorosoma cepedianum) widely introduced into fresh waters of the U.S. as food for other fish [OE sceadd, akin to Norw dial. skadd, prob. < IE base *skēt-, to leap, spring up]
shadberry (-ber'i:, -bэr i:) pl. -ries •n. JUNEBERRY
shadbush (-bush') •n. JUNEBERRY (sense 1) Also called shad´blow' (-blou') [from the fact that it flowers when shad appear in U.S. rivers]
shaddock (shæd´эk) •n. 1 a large, yellow, coarsegrained, pear-shaped citrus fruit resembling a grapefruit 2 the citrus tree (Citrus grandis) it grows on [after Capt. Shaddock, who first carried this fruit from the East to the West Indies (late 17th c.)]
shade (sheid) •n. 1 comparative darkness caused by a more or less opaque object cutting off rays of light, as from the sun 2 a) a place giving protection from the heat and light of the sun, as under a tree b) an area less brightly lighted than its surroundings 3 [Archaic] a) a shadow b) [often pl.] a retired or secluded place 4 an indication or representation of darkness in painting, drawing, photography, etc. 5 degree of darkness of a color; gradation of a color with reference to its mixture with black {various shades of blue}: cf. TINT 6 a) a small difference or variation {shades of opinion} b) a slight amount or degree; trace; touch; suggestion {a shade of humor in his voice} 7 [Chiefly Literary] a) a ghost; specter b) anything lacking substance or reality; phantom 8 any of various devices used to protect or screen from light and heat; specif., a) LAMPSHADE Æ b) WINDOW SHADE Æ 9 [pl.] [Slang] sunglasses •vt. shad´ed, shad´ing 1 to protect or screen from light or heat 2 to provide with a shade 3 to hide or screen with or as with a shadow 4 to make dark, as with a shade or a shadow; darken; dim; obscure 5 a) to represent the effects of shade in (a painting, photograph, etc.) b) to depict in, or mark with, gradations of light or color 6 to change by very slight degrees or gradations Æ 7 to lessen or reduce (a price) slightly •vi. to change, move, or vary slightly or by degrees SYN. COLOR in (or into) the shade 1 in or into darkness or shadow 2 in or into comparative obscurity, or a position of minor importance shades of something! an exclamation used to refer to something reminding one of something past {shades of Prohibition!} the shades 1 the increasing darkness, as of evening 2 a) the world of the dead; Hades b) the disembodied spirits of the dead, collectively shade´less •adj. shad´er •n. [ME schade < OE sceadu (gen. & dat. sceadwe), akin to Goth skadus < IE base *skot-, darkness, shadow > Gr skotos, darkness]
shadily (sheid´ªl i:) •adv. in a shady manner
shadiness (-i: nis) •n. a shady state or quality
shading (-iŋ) •n. 1 protection or shielding against light or heat 2 the representation of light or shade in a picture 3 any small difference or variation, as in quality, kind, etc.
shadoof (shä du:f´) •n. a device consisting of a long, pivoted pole with a bucket on one end and a weight on the other, used in the Near East for raising water, esp. in irrigating land [Ar shādūf]
shadow (shæd´ou) •n. 1 a definite area of shade cast upon a surface by a body intercepting the light rays 2 the dark image made by such a body 3 [pl.] the growing darkness after sunset 4 a) a feeling of gloom or depression, a suggestion of doubt, etc. b) anything causing gloom, doubt, etc. 5 a shaded area in a picture or X-ray 6 a dark area, as of a very short growth of beard 7 a mirrored image; reflection 8 a) something without reality or substance; imaginary vision b) a ghost; apparition 9 a vague indication or omen; prefiguration {coming events cast their shadows before} 10 a) a faint suggestion or appearance; trace {not a shadow of hope} b) remnant; vestige {a mere shadow of his former self} 11 a close or constant companion Æ 12 a person who trails another closely, as a detective or spy 13 [Rare] protection or shelter •vt. 1 [Archaic] a) to shelter from light or heat b) to shelter; protect 2 to throw a shadow upon 3 to make dark or gloomy; cloud 4 to represent vaguely, mystically, or prophetically; prefigure: often with forth 5 to stay close to or follow, esp. in secret so as to observe the movements and activities of •vi. 1 to change gradually 2 to become shadowy or clouded (with doubt, sorrow, etc.): said of the features •adj. 1 [Brit., etc.] of or belonging to a shadow cabinet {a shadow minister} 2 darker, indistinct, not plainly perceived, etc. in (or under) the shadow of 1 very close to; verging upon 2 under the influence or domination of under the shadow of in danger of; apparently fated for shad´ow·er •n. shad´ow·less •adj. [ME schadwe < inflected forms (gen. & dat. sceadwe) of OE sceadu, SHADE]
shadow box a small, shallow case, usually having a glass front and hung on a wall, as for displaying small objects
shadow cabinet [Brit., etc.] those members of the opposition party who function as unofficial counterparts to the cabinet ministers of the party in power
shadow play a play produced by showing to the audience only the shadows of actors or puppets on a screen
shadowbox (-bäks') •vi. to spar with an imaginary opponent, esp. in training as a boxer shad´ow·box'ing •n.
shadowgraph (-græf', -gräf') •n. an image or silhouette produced by throwing a shadow upon a lighted surface
shadowy (shæd´ou i:) •adj. 1 that is or is like a shadow; specif., a) without reality or substance; illusory b) dim; indistinct 2 shaded or full of shadow shad´ow·i·ness •n.
Shadrach (shæ´dræk', shei´-) Bible one of the three captives who came out of the fiery furnace miraculously unharmed: Dan. 3:12-27 [Heb shadrach: prob. a made-up name intended to sound Babylonian: see Dan. 1:7]
shady (shei´di:) shad´i·er, shad´i·est •adj. 1 giving shade 2 shaded, as from the sun; full of shade 3 of darkness, secrecy, or concealment 4 [Colloq.] of questionable character or honesty on the shady side of beyond (a given age); older than
shaft (shæft, shäft) •n. 1 a) the long stem or body of an arrow or spear b) an arrow or spear 2 a missile or something that seems to be hurled like a missile; bolt {shafts of lightning, derision, etc.} 3 a cone or column of light; ray; beam 4 a long, slender part or object; specif., a) [Rare] the trunk of a tree or stem of a plant b) the stem or rib of a feather c) the midsection of a long bone d) the supporting stem of a branched candlestick e) a column or obelisk; also, the main, usually cylindrical, part between the ends of a column or pillar; verge (see COLUMN, illus.) f) a flagpole g) a tall, slender building or part of a building; spire h) a handle, as on some tools or implements i) either of the two poles between which an animal is harnessed to a vehicle; thill a) a bar, usually round, supporting, or transmitting motion to, a wheel, pulley, gear, cam, etc. {the drive shaft of an engine} 5 a long, narrow, vertical or slanting passage sunk into the earth {a mine shaft} 6 a vertical opening passing through the floors of a building, as for an elevator 7 a conduit for air, as used in heating and ventilating •vt. [Slang] to cheat, trick, exploit, etc. get the shaft [Slang] to be cheated, tricked, etc. give someone the shaft [Slang] to cheat or trick someone [ME schaft < OE sceaft, akin to Ger schaft < IE base *(s)kap-, to cut with a sharp tool > SHAVE, Gr skapos, rod, L scapus, shaft, stalk]
Shaftesbury (shæfts´ber'i:, shäfts´-; -bэr i:), 1st Earl of (Anthony Ashley Cooper) 1621-83; Eng. statesman: lord chancellor (1672-73)
shafting (shæf´tiŋ, shäf´-) •n. 1 a system or group of shafts, as for transmitting motion, or conveying air 2 material for making shafts
shag¹ (shæg) •n. 1 [Rare] heavily matted wool or hair 2 a) a heavy, rough nap, as on some woolen cloth b) cloth with such a nap 3 any disordered or tangled mass 4 coarse, shredded tobacco •vt. shagged, shag´ging to make shaggy or rough [ME *shagge < OE sceacga, rough hair, akin to ON skegg, beard < IE base *skek-, to spring forth > SHAKE, Ger schicken, to send]
shag² (shæg) •n. any of several cormorants, esp. an American double-crested species (Phalacrocorax auritus) or a European species (P. aristotelis) [specialized use of prec. with reference to the rough crest]
shag³ (shæg) shagged, shag´ging •vt. Æ to chase after and retrieve (baseballs hit in batting practice) [< ?]
shaganappi (shæg´э næp'i:) •n. rawhide thongs or lacings, collectively [altered < Cree dial. piishaakanaapiy, lit., leather string]
shagbark (shæg´bärk') •n. 1 a hickory tree (Carya ovata) with gray, loose, rough bark 2 its wood 3 its edible nut
shagged (shægd) •adj. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Colloq.] exhausted; tired: often with out
shaggy (shæg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 covered with or having long, coarse hair or wool 2 carelessly groomed; unkempt 3 of tangled, coarse growth; straggly; scrubby 4 having a rough nap or surface shag´gi·ly •adv. shag´gi·ness •n.
shaggy dog (story) a long, rambling joke, typically involving ludicrously unreal or irrational behavior and usually having an irrelevant conclusion [from such an anecdote involving a shaggy dog]
shaggymane (-mein') •n. an edible inky cap mushroom (Coprinus comatus) with yellowish scales Also called shaggy cap
shagreen (shэ gri:n´) •n. 1 rawhide with a rough, granular surface, made from the skin of the horse, seal, etc. 2 the hard, rough skin of the shark or dogfish, used as a polisher [altered (as if from SHAG¹ & GREEN) < Fr chagrin < Turk sagrı, horse's back, hide from this area]
Shah Jahan (shä´ jэ hän´) 1592-1666; Mogul emperor of India (1628-58): builder of the Taj Mahal
shah¹ (shä, shö) •n. the title of any of the former rulers of Iran [Pers šāh, akin to Sans ksáyati, (he) rules < IE base *kthē(i)-, to acquire, gain power over > Gr kteanon, possessions]
shah² or sha (shö) •interj. hush! be quiet!: a soothing exclamation
Shahaptian (shä hæp´ti: эn) •n. var. of SAHAPTIAN
Shahn (shän), Ben(jamin) 1898-1969; U.S. painter, born in Lithuania
shaitan (shai tän´) •n. [often S-] Satan, or the Devil, in Muslim usage [Ar šaitān, akin to Heb satan: see SATAN]
Shak Shakespeare
shake (sheik) shook, shak´en, shak´ing •vt. 1 to cause to move up and down, back and forth, or from side to side with short, quick movements 2 to bring, force, mix, stir up, dislodge, rearrange, etc. by or as by abrupt, brisk movements {to shake a medicine before taking it} 3 a) to scatter by short, quick movements of the container {to shake pepper on a steak} b) to clean, empty, or straighten by short, quick movements (often with out) {to shake a rug} 4 to cause to quiver or tremble {chills that shook his body} 5 a) to cause to totter or become unsteady b) to unnerve; disturb; upset {shaken by the news} 6 to brandish; flourish; wave 7 to clasp (another's hand), as in greeting Æ 8 [Colloq.] to get away from or rid of {to shake one's pursuers} 9 Music TRILL •vi. 1 to move or be moved quickly and irregularly up and down, back and forth, or from side to side; vibrate 2 to tremble, quake, or quiver, as from cold or fear 3 to become unsteady; totter; reel 4 to clasp each other's hand, as in greeting 5 Music TRILL •n. 1 an act of shaking; back-and-forth movement 2 an unsteady or trembling movement; tremor 3 a natural split or fissure in rock or timber 4 a long shingle split from a log 5 [Colloq.] an earthquake Æ 6 short for MILKSHAKE 7 [pl.] [Colloq.] a convulsive trembling, as from disease, fear, alcoholism, etc.: usually with the 8 [Colloq.] a very short time; moment {be back in a shake} 9 [Colloq.] a particular kind of treatment; deal {to get a fair shake} 10 Music TRILL Æ give someone (or something) the shake [Slang] to avoid or get rid of an undesirable person (or thing) no great shakes [Colloq.] not of outstanding ability, importance, etc.; ordinary shake down 1 to bring down or cause to fall by shaking 2 to cause to settle by shaking 3 to test or condition (new equipment, etc.) Æ 4 [Slang] to extort money from, as by blackmail shake hands to clasp each other's hand as a token of agreement or friendship, or in parting or greeting shake off 1 to get away from or rid of (an undesirable person or thing) 2 to reject (a suggestion, request, etc.) shake up 1 to shake, esp. so as to mix, blend, or loosen 2 to disturb or rouse by or as by shaking 3 to jar or shock 4 to redistribute or reorganize by or as by shaking shak´a·ble or shake´a·ble •adj. [ME schaken < OE sceacan, akin to LowG schaken < IE *skeg-, var. of base *skek- > SHAG¹]
shakedown (sheik´daun') •n. 1 a crude, makeshift bed, as a pallet of straw Æ 2 [Slang] an extortion of money, as by blackmail Æ 3 a thorough search of a person or place Æ adj. for testing the performance or operational characteristics or acclimating the personnel {a shakedown cruise}
shaken (sheik´эn) •vt., vi. pp. of SHAKE
shakeout (-aut') •n. Æ 1 any movement in the market prices of securities that forces speculators to sell their holdings Æ 2 any drop in economic activity that eliminates marginal or unprofitable businesses, products, etc.
shaker (shei´kэr) •n. 1 a person or thing that shakes 2 a device used in shaking {a cocktail shaker} Æ 3 [S-] a member of a religious sect that flourished in the 19th cent., practicing celibacy and owning common property for community living [short for earlier Shaking Quaker: so named because of trembling caused by emotional stress of devotions: see QUAKER] •adj. [sometimes S-] designating a sweater knitted in a ribbed stitch (Shaker stitch), using heavy yarn Shak´er·ism' •n.
Shakespeare (sheik´spir), William 1564-1616; Eng. poet & dramatist: also sp. Shakespear or Shakespere or Shakspere
Shakespearean or Shakespearian (sheik spir´i: эn) •adj. of or like Shakespeare, his works, or style •n. a scholar specializing in Shakespeare and his works
Shakespearean sonnet a sonnet composed of three quatrains, typically with the rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef, and a final couplet with the rhyme gg; English sonnet
shake-up (sheik´ûp') •n. 1 the act or an instance of shaking up Æ 2 a reorganization of a drastic or extensive nature, as in policy or personnel
Shakhty (shäkh´ti:) city in SW European Russia, in the Donets Basin: pop. 221,000
shaking palsy PARKINSON'S DISEASE
shako (shæk´ou) pl. shak´os •n. a stiff, cylindrical military dress hat, usually with a flat top and a plume [Fr schako < Hung csákó < ?]
Shakti (shûk´ti:) •n. Hinduism divine power or energy worshiped in the person of the female consort of Siva or another god Shak´tism •n. [Sans sakti]
shakuhachi (shä'ku hä´chi:) •n. a Japanese, end-blown bamboo flute
shaky (shei´ki:) shak´i·er, shak´i·est •adj. 1 not firm, substantial, or secure; weak, unsound, or unsteady, as a structure, belief, etc. 2 a) trembling or tremulous b) nervous or jittery 3 not dependable or reliable; questionable {shaky evidence} shak´i·ly •adv. shak´i·ness •n.
shale (sheil) •n. a kind of fine-grained, thinly bedded sedimentary rock formed largely by the hardening of clay: it splits easily into thin layers [< ME, lit., shell < OE scealu, SHELL]
shale oil a dark mineral oil produced by the destructive distillation of bituminous shale
shall (shæl; unstressed shэl) pt. should v.aux. 1 used in the first person to indicate simple future time {I shall probably go tomorrow}: cf. WILL² (sense 1) 2 used in the second or third person, esp. in formal speech or writing, to express determination, compulsion, obligation, or necessity {you shall listen} 3 used in the statement of laws or regulations {the fine shall not exceed $200} 4 used in questions about what to do {shall I invite them?} 5 used in formal conditional subordinate clauses {if any man shall hear, let him remember} See usage note at WILL² [ME schal, pl. schullen < OE sceal, inf. sceolan, akin to Ger sollen < IE base *(s)kel-, to be indebted > Lith skeliù, to owe]
shalloon (shæ lu:n´, shэ-) •n. a twilled woolen fabric used largely for linings [Fr chalon, after Châlons-sur-Marne, town in N France]
shallop (shæl´эp) •n. any of various earlier small open boats fitted with oars or sails or both [Fr chaloupe, prob. < Du sloepe, SLOOP]
shallot (shэ lät´) •n. 1 a small onion (Allium ascalonicum) whose clustered bulbs, like garlic but milder, are used for flavoring 2 GREEN ONION [obs. Fr eschalotte, altered < OFr eschaloigne: see SCALLION]
shallow (shæl´ou) •adj. 1 not deep {a shallow lake} 2 lacking depth of character, intellect, or meaning; superficial 3 slight; weak {shallow breathing} •n. [usually pl., often with sing. v.] a shallow place in a body of water; shoal •vt., vi. to make or become shallow SYN. SUPERFICIAL shal´low·ly •adv. shal´low·ness •n. [ME shalow < OE *scealw < IE base *(s)kel-, to dry out > SHOAL², Gr skellein]
shalom (shä loum´) •n., interj. a word used as the traditional Jewish greeting or farewell [ModHeb shalom, lit., peace]
shalt (shælt; unstressed shэlt) archaic 2d pers. sing., pres. indic., of SHALL: used with thou
shaly (shei´li:) shal´i·er, shal´i·est •adj. of, like, or containing shale
sham (shæm) •n. 1 [Obs.] a trick or fraud 2 a) an imitation that is meant to deceive; counterfeit b) a hypocritical action, deceptive appearance, etc. 3 a person who falsely affects a certain character Æ 4 short for PILLOW SHAM •adj. not genuine or real; false, counterfeit, pretended, etc. •vt. shammed, sham´ming to be or make an imitation or false show of; counterfeit •vi. to pretend to be what one is not SYN. FALSE [prob. < N Eng dial. var. of SHAME]
shaman (shä´mэn, shei´-; shæm´эn) pl. sha´mans •n. a priest or medicine man of shamanism sha·man·ic (shэ mæn´ik) •adj. [Russ < Tungusic šaman < Prakrit samana, Buddhist monk < Sans sramana, orig., ascetic, akin to sram, to fatigue]
shamanism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 the religion of certain peoples of NE Asia, based on a belief in good and evil spirits who can be influenced only by the shamans 2 any similar religion, as of some American Indians and Eskimos sha´man·ist •n. sha'man·is´tic •adj.
shamas (shä´mэs) pl. sha·mo´sim (-mös´im) •n. 1 SEXTON (sense 2) 2 the candle used to light the other candles in a Hanuka menorah Also sha´mos or sha´mes [Yidd < Heb shamash, servant, sexton < root šmš, to serve, minister]
Shamash (shä´mäsh') Bab. & Assyr. Myth. the sun god, responsible for summer warmth and the success of crops, and a symbol for justice [< Akkadian shamshu, sun]
shamble (shæm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vi. to walk in a lazy or clumsy manner, barely lifting the feet; shuffle •n. a shambling walk [< obs. adj. shamble, in shamble legs, prob. < fol., in obs. sense of stool, bench]
shambles (-bэlz) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] 1 [Brit.] a place where meat is sold; butcher's stall or shop: now only a local usage, esp. in street names 2 a slaughterhouse 3 a scene of great slaughter, bloodshed, or carnage 4 any scene or condition of great destruction or disorder {rooms left a shambles by conventioneers} [ME schamel, bench, as for displaying meat for sale < OE scamol, bench or stool, akin to Ger schemel < early WGmc borrowing < L scamellum, dim. < scamnum, bench < IE base *skabh-, *skambh-, to prop up > Sans skámbhana-, a support]
shame (sheim) •n. 1 a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others because of the improper behavior, incompetence, etc. of oneself or another 2 a tendency to have feelings of this kind, or a capacity for such feeling 3 dishonor or disgrace {to bring shame to one's family} 4 a person or thing that brings shame, dishonor, or disgrace 5 something regrettable, unfortunate, or outrageous {it's a shame that he wasn't told} •vt. shamed, sham´ing 1 to cause to feel shame; make ashamed 2 to dishonor or disgrace 3 to drive, force, or impel by a sense of shame {shamed into apologizing} for shame! you ought to be ashamed! here is cause for shame! put to shame 1 to cause to feel shame 2 to do much better than; surpass; outdo shame on shame should be felt by; this is shameful of [ME < OE scamu, akin to Ger scham]
shamefaced (-feist') •adj. 1 [Now Rare] very modest, bashful, or shy 2 showing a feeling of shame; ashamed Also [Archaic] shame´fast' (-feist') shame·fac·ed·ly (sheim'feis´id li:, sheim´feist'li:) •adv. shame'fac´ed·ness •n. [altered, by folk etym. < ME schamfast < OE scamfæst < scamu, shame + fæst, firm, FAST¹]
shameful (-fэl) •adj. 1 bringing or causing shame or disgrace; disgraceful 2 not just, moral, or decent; offensive shame´ful·ly •adv. shame´ful·ness •n.
shameless (-lis) •adj. having or showing no feeling of shame, modesty, or decency; brazen; impudent shame´less·ly •adv. shame´less·ness •n.
shammer (shæm´эr) •n. a person who shams
shammes or shammas (shä´mэs) •n. alt. sp. of SHAMAS
shammy (shæm´i:) pl. -mies alt. sp. of CHAMOIS (n. 2) •n. •adj. alt. sp. of CHAMOIS (adj. 1) •vt. -mied, -my·ing alt. sp. of CHAMOIS
shampoo (shæm pu:´) -pooed´, -poo´ing •vt. 1 [Obs.] to massage 2 to wash (the hair and scalp), esp. with a shampoo 3 to wash the hair and scalp of 4 to clean or wash (a rug, upholstery, etc.) with a shampoo •n. 1 the act of washing hair, a rug, etc. 2 a special soap, or soaplike preparation, that produces suds sham·poo´er •n. [Hindi chāmpo, imper. of chāmpnā, to press, knead, shampoo]
shamrock (shæm´räk') •n. any of certain clovers or cloverlike plants with leaflets in groups of three, used as the emblem of Ireland, as the red clover, white clover, wood sorrel, or black medic [Ir seamrog, dim. of seamar, clover]
shamus (shei´mэs, shä´-) •n. [Slang] 1 a policeman 2 a private detective [prob. blend of SHAMAS & Ir Séamas, James]
Shan (shän, shæn) •n. 1 pl. Shans or Shan a member of a group of Asian peoples living esp. in NE Myanmar 2 the Tai language of these peoples [< Burmese]
Shan State administrative division of EC Myanmar, occupying a plateau region (Shan Plateau), inhabited by Shans
Shandong (shän´duŋ´) province of NE China, including a peninsula (Shandong Peninsula) which projects between the Yellow Sea & Bo Hai: 59,189 sq. mi. (153,300 sq. km); pop. 74,420,000; cap. Jinan
shandygaff (shæn´di: gæf') •n. a beverage of ale or beer mixed with ginger ale, ginger beer, or lemonade Also shan·dy (shæn´di:) [< ?]
Shane (shein) a masculine name
Shanghai (shæŋ´hai'; also for v., shæŋ hai´) •n. any of a breed of large, dark-skinned chicken with white feathers and feathered shanks, imported from China in the 19th cent.: now known as the COCHIN Æ -haied', -hai'ing •vt. [s-] 1 to kidnap, usually by drugging, for service aboard ship [orig. said of sailors thus kidnapped for crew duty on the China run] 2 [Slang] to induce (another) to do something through force or deceit shang´hai'er •n. [after fol.] Shanghai (shæŋ´hai´, shäŋ´-) seaport in Jiangsu province, E China, near the mouth of the Chang: pop. c. 6,270,000 (met. area 12,000,000)
Shangri-La (shæŋ´gri lä´) •n. any imaginary, idyllic utopia or hidden paradise [< the scene of James Hilton's novel, Lost Horizon (1933)]
shank (shæŋk) •n. 1 the lower part of the leg; part between the knee and ankle in humans or a part like this in animals 2 the whole leg 3 a cut of meat from the leg of an animal: see BEEF, illus. 4 a straight, narrow part between other parts, as a) the part of a tool or instrument between the handle and the working part; shaft b) the part of a tobacco pipe between the bowl and the bit c) the part of an anchor between the crown and the ring d) the narrow part of a shoe sole in front of the heel and beneath the instep 5 a projection or wire loop on some buttons by which they are sewn to fabric 6 the whole of a piece of type exclusive of the printing surface; body 7 Bot. FOOTSTALK •vi. Bot. to decay and fall off a diseased footstalk, as a flower •vt. Golf to hit (the ball) with the heel of the club ride (or go) on shank's mare to walk shank of the evening orig., the latter part of the afternoon (see EVENING, sense 2); now, the early part of the evening [ME shanke < OE scanca, akin to Ger schenkel, thigh < IE base *(s)keng-, to limp > Gr skazein, Ger hinken]
Shannon (shæn´эn) river in WC Ireland, flowing southwestward into the Atlantic: c. 220 mi. (354 km) Shannon (shæn´эn), Claude El·wood (el´wud) 1916- ; U.S. mathematician Shannon (shæn´эn) a masculine and feminine name
shanny (shæn´i:) pl. -nies •n.or -ny any of several marine percoid fishes (family Stichaeidae), esp. a yellowish arctic species (Lumpenus maculatus) with dark spots [< Brit. dial. shan]
shan't (shænt, shänt) shall not
shantey (shæn´ti:, shän´-) pl. -teys •n. var. of CHANTEY
Shantou (shän´tou´) seaport in Guangdong province, SE China, on the South China Sea: pop. 400,000
Shantung (shæn´tûŋ´) old form of SHANDONG •n. [sometimes s-] 1 a fabric with a slub filling, made from the silk of wild silkworms 2 a similar fabric of rayon, acetate, cotton, etc.
shanty¹ (shæn´ti:) pl. -ties •n. a small, shabby dwelling; shack; hut [< CdnFr chantier, workshop, applied to lumberers' living quarters < OFr: see GANTRY]
shanty² (shæn´ti:, shän´-) pl. -ties •n. var. of CHANTEY
shantytown (shæn´ti: taun') •n. the section of a city where there are many shanties or ramshackle houses
Shanxi (shän´shi:´) province of NE China, between the Huang and Inner Mongolia: 60,656 sq. mi. (157,100 sq. km); pop. 25,290,000; cap. Taiyuan: old form Shan´si´
SHAPE (sheip) Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe shape (sheip) •n. 1 that quality of a thing which depends on the relative position of all points composing its outline or external surface; physical or spatial form 2 the form characteristic of a particular person or thing, or class of things 3 the contour of the body, exclusive of the face; figure 4 assumed or feigned appearance; guise {a foe in the shape of a friend} 5 an imaginary or spectral form; phantom 6 something having a particular shape, used as a mold or basis for shaping or fashioning 7 any of the forms, structures, etc. in which a thing may exist {dangers of every shape} 8 definite, regular, or suitable form; orderly arrangement {to begin to take shape} Æ 9 [Colloq.] a) condition; state, esp. of health {a patient in poor shape} b) good physical condition {exercises that keep one in shape} •vt. shaped, shap´ing 1 to give definite shape to; make, as by cutting or molding material 2 to arrange, fashion, express, or devise (a plan, answer, etc.) in definite form 3 to adapt or adjust {to shape one's plans to one's abilities} 4 to direct or conduct (one's life, the course of events, etc.) 5 [Obs.] to appoint or decree •vi. 1 [Obs.] to become suited; conform 2 [Rare] to happen 3 [Colloq.] to take shape or form: often with into or up SYN. FORM, MAKE¹ out of shape [Colloq.] 1 not in good physical condition 2 damaged, bent, etc. so as not to have its usual form Æ shape up [Colloq.] 1 to develop to a definite form, condition, etc. 2 to develop satisfactorily or favorably 3 to do what is expected of one; behave as required take shape to begin to have definite form, condition, etc. shap´er •n. [ME schap < OE (ge)sceap, form, created thing, akin to scieppan, to create, form < IE *skeb-, var. of base *(s)kep-, to cut with a sharp tool > SHAFT, SHAVE] shape (sheip) •n. 1 that quality of a thing which depends on the relative position of all points composing its outline or external surface; physical or spatial form 2 the form characteristic of a particular person or thing, or class of things 3 the contour of the body, exclusive of the face; figure 4 assumed or feigned appearance; guise {a foe in the shape of a friend} 5 an imaginary or spectral form; phantom 6 something having a particular shape, used as a mold or basis for shaping or fashioning 7 any of the forms, structures, etc. in which a thing may exist {dangers of every shape} 8 definite, regular, or suitable form; orderly arrangement {to begin to take shape} Æ 9 [Colloq.] a) condition; state, esp. of health {a patient in poor shape} b) good physical condition {exercises that keep one in shape} •vt. shaped, shap´ing 1 to give definite shape to; make, as by cutting or molding material 2 to arrange, fashion, express, or devise (a plan, answer, etc.) in definite form 3 to adapt or adjust {to shape one's plans to one's abilities} 4 to direct or conduct (one's life, the course of events, etc.) 5 [Obs.] to appoint or decree •vi. 1 [Obs.] to become suited; conform 2 [Rare] to happen 3 [Colloq.] to take shape or form: often with into or up SYN. FORM, MAKE¹ out of shape [Colloq.] 1 not in good physical condition 2 damaged, bent, etc. so as not to have its usual form Æ shape up [Colloq.] 1 to develop to a definite form, condition, etc. 2 to develop satisfactorily or favorably 3 to do what is expected of one; behave as required take shape to begin to have definite form, condition, etc. shap´er •n. [ME schap < OE (ge)sceap, form, created thing, akin to scieppan, to create, form < IE *skeb-, var. of base *(s)kep-, to cut with a sharp tool > SHAFT, SHAVE]
shaped charge a charge arranged, in an armor-piercing projectile, in such a way as to concentrate its explosive force in a desired direction
shapeless (sheip´lis) •adj. 1 without distinct or regular shape or form 2 without a pleasing or symmetrical shape; unshapely shape´less·ly •adv. shape´less·ness •n.
shapely (-li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. having a pleasing or graceful shape or form; well-proportioned Used esp. of a woman with a full, rounded figure shape´li·ness •n.
shape-up (-ûp') •n. a method of selecting a daily work crew, as of longshoremen, from an assembled group of those available
Shapley (shæp´li:), Har·low (här´lou) 1885-1972; U.S. astronomer
shard (shärd) •n. 1 a fragment or broken piece, esp. of pottery; potsherd 2 Zool. a hard covering, as a shell, plate, scale, or elytron [ME < OE sceard, akin to scieran, to SHEAR]
share¹ (sher) •n. 1 a part or portion that belongs or is allotted to an individual, or the part contributed by one 2 a just, due, reasonable, or full part or quota {to do one's share of work} 3 a) any of the parts or portions into which the ownership of a piece of property is divided b) any one of the equal parts into which the capital stock of a corporation is divided •vt. shared, shar´ing 1 to distribute in shares; give out a portion or portions of; apportion 2 to receive, use, experience, etc. in common with another or others •vi. 1 to have or take a share; participate: often with in 2 to share or divide something equally: often with with go shares to take part jointly, as in an enterprise Æ on shares with each person concerned taking a share of the profit or loss share and share alike with each having an equal share share´a·ble or shar´a·ble •adj. shar´er •n. SYN.—share means to use, enjoy, or possess in common with others and generally connotes a giving or receiving a part of something [to share expenses]; participate implies a taking part with others in some activity or enterprise [to participate in the talks]; partake implies a taking one's share, as of a meal or responsibility [to partake of a friend's hospitality] [ME < OE scearu, akin to scieran, to SHEAR]
share² (sher) •n. the part of a plow or other agricultural tool that cuts the soil; plowshare [ME schar < OE scear, akin to scieran, to SHEAR]
sharecrop (sher´kräp') -cropped', -crop'ping •vi., vt. to work (land) for a share of the crop, esp. as a tenant farmer share´crop'per •n.
shareholder (sher´houl'dэr) •n. a person who holds or owns a share or shares, esp. in a corporation
Shari (shä´ri:) river in central Africa, flowing northwest through the Central African Republic & Chad into Lake Chad: c. 500 mi. (804 km)
shark¹ (shärk) •n. 1 a person who victimizes others, as by swindling or cheating Æ 2 [Slang] a person with great ability in a given activity; adept; expert •vt., vi. [Archaic] to get or live by fraud or stratagems [prob. < Ger schurke, scoundrel, rogue, sharper < MHG schurgen, to push, mislead < IE *skēu- < base *sek-, to cut > SAW¹]
shark² (shärk) •n. any of various orders of cartilaginous fishes that are usually large and mostly marine, having a tough, spiny, usually slate-gray skin, separate lateral gill openings, and a slender, rounded body with the mouth on the underside: most sharks are fish-eaters, and some will attack humans [? akin to prec.]
sharkskin (-skin') •n. 1 leather made from the skin of a shark Æ 2 a cloth of cotton, wool, rayon, etc. with a smooth, silky surface, used for suits, etc. 3 a fabric woven with a pebbly pattern
sharksucker (-sûk'эr) •n. REMORA
Sharon (sher´эn) 1 a feminine name [? contr. < ROSE OF SHARON] 2 Plain of coastal plain in W Israel, extending from Tel Aviv to Mount Carmel
sharp (shärp) •adj. 1 suitable for use in cutting or piercing; having a very thin edge or fine point; keen 2 having a point or edge; not rounded or blunt; peaked {a sharp ridge, features, etc.} 3 not gradual; abrupt; acute {a sharp turn} 4 clearly defined; distinct; clear {a sharp contrast} 5 made up of hard, angular particles, as sand 6 quick, acute, or penetrating in perception or intellect; specif., a) acutely sensitive in seeing, hearing, etc. b) clever; shrewd 7 showing or having a keen awareness; attentive; vigilant {a sharp lookout} 8 crafty; designing; underhanded 9 harsh, biting, or severe {a sharp temper, criticism, etc.} 10 violent or impetuous; sudden and forceful {a sharp attack} 11 brisk; active; vigorous {a sharp run} 12 having a keen effect on the senses or feelings; specif., a) severe; intense; acute; keen {a sharp pain, grief, appetite, etc.} b) strong; biting; pungent, as in taste or smell c) high-pitched; shrill {a sharp sound} d) brilliant; intense {a sharp flash of light} e) cold and cutting {a sharp wind} 13 [Slang] attractively or stylishly dressed or groomed 14 Music a) higher in pitch by a half step {C sharp (C #)} b) out of tune by being above the true or proper pitch •adv. 1 in a sharp manner; specif., a) abruptly or briskly b) attentively or alertly c) so as to have a sharp point or edge d) keenly; piercingly e) Music above the true or proper pitch 2 precisely; exactly {one o'clock sharp} •n. 1 a sewing needle with an extremely fine point 2 [Colloq.] an expert or adept 3 [Colloq.] SHARK¹, SHARPER 4 Music a) a note or tone one half step above another b) the symbol (#) indicating such a note •vt. Music to make sharp; raise a half step •vi. Music to sing or play above the true or proper pitch sharp´ly •adv. sharp´ness •n. SYN.—sharp and keen both apply to that which is cutting, biting, incisive, or piercing, as because of a fine edge, but sharp more often implies a harsh cutting quality [a sharp pain, tongue, flavor, etc.] and keen, a pleasantly biting or stimulating quality [keen wit, delight, etc.]; acute literally implies sharp-pointedness and figuratively suggests a penetrating or poignant quality [acute hearing, distress, etc.] [ME < OE scearp, akin to Ger scharf, ON skarpr < IE *(s)kerb(h)- < base *(s)ker-, to cut > SHEAR, HARVEST, L caro, flesh]
sharp-eared (-ird´) •adj. having keenly sensitive hearing
sharpen (shär´pэn) •vt., vi. to make or become sharp or sharper sharp´en·er •n.
sharper (shär´pэr) •n. a person, esp. a gambler, who is dishonest in dealing with others; cheat; swindler
sharp-eyed (shärp´aid´) •adj. having keen sight or perception
sharpie (shär´pi:) •n. 1 a long, narrow, flat-bottomed New England fishing boat with a centerboard and one or two masts, each rigged with a triangular sail 2 [Colloq.] a shrewd, cunning person, esp. a cheat [< SHARP: in sense 1, referring to its sharp lines]
sharp-nosed (shärp´nouzd´) •adj. 1 having a thin, pointed nose 2 having a keen sense of smell
sharp-set (-set´) •adj. 1 having a keen desire or appetite, as for food 2 set so as to be sharp or at an acute angle
sharp-shinned hawk (-shind´) a small North American hawk (Accipiter striatus) with a dark-gray back and a barred, reddish-and-white breast, feeding mainly on small birds
sharpshooter (-shu:t'эr) •n. a person who shoots with great accuracy; good marksman sharp´shoot'ing •n.
sharp-sighted (-sait'id) •adj. 1 having keen sight; sharp-eyed 2 keenly observant or perceptive; sharp-witted sharp´-sight'ed·ly •adv. sharp´-sight'ed·ness •n.
sharp-tongued (-tûŋd') •adj. using or characterized by severe, sharp, or harshly critical language
sharp-witted (-wit'id) •adj. having or showing keen intelligence or discernment; thinking quickly and effectively sharp´-wit´ted·ly •adv. sharp´-wit´ted·ness •n.
shashlik (shäsh´lik) •n. kebabs of meat, esp. lamb, skewered and broiled [Russ shashlyk, ult. < Turk şiş, skewer, spit]
Shasta (shæs´tэ), Mount volcanic mountain in the Cascade Range, N Calif.: 14,162 ft. (4,317 m) [< a tribal name < ?]
Shasta daisy any of several varieties of a daisylike chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum maximum) having large flowers [after prec.]
shat (shæt) •vt., vi. [Vulgar] alt. pt. & pp. of SHIT
Shatt-al-Arab (shæt'эl ä´řäb) river in SE Iraq, formed by the confluence of the Tigris & Euphrates rivers & flowing southeast into the Persian Gulf: 120 mi. (193 km)
shatter (shæt´эr) •vt. 1 orig., to scatter; strew 2 to break or burst into pieces suddenly, as with a blow 3 to damage severely; destroy or wreck {to shatter one's health} •vi. to break or burst into pieces; smash •n. [pl.] broken pieces: chiefly in in (or into) shatters SYN. BREAK [ME schateren, var. of scateren, to SCATTER]
shatter cone a cone-shaped fragment of rock, probably formed by violent shock waves, as from meteoritic impact or atomic explosions
shatterproof (-pru:f') •adj. that will resist shattering
shave (sheiv) shaved, shaved or shav´en, shav´ing •vt. 1 to cut or scrape away a thin slice or slices from {to shave the edge of a door} 2 to cut or scrape into thin sections or slices {shaved ham} 3 a) to cut off (hair, esp. the beard) at the surface of the skin (often with off or away) b) to cut the hair to the surface of {to shave the chin, the legs, etc.} c) to cut the beard of (a person) 4 to barely touch or just miss touching in passing; graze 5 to cut short or trim (grass, etc.) closely Æ 6 to discount (a note, bill, etc.) by more than the legal or customary rate Æ 7 [Colloq.] to lower (a price, rate, etc.) by a slight margin •vi. to cut off hair or beard with a razor or shaver; shave oneself •n. 1 a tool used for cutting thin slices, as of wood, from a surface 2 something shaved or sliced off; shaving 3 the act or an instance of shaving the beard See also CLOSE SHAVE [ME schaven < OE sceafan, akin to Ger schaben < IE base *(s)kab-, to cut > L scabere, to shave]
shaveling (-liŋ) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a priest or monk with a tonsured head: used contemptuously 2 a youth; stripling
shaven (shei´vэn) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of SHAVE •adj. 1 shaved or tonsured 2 closely trimmed
shaver (-vэr) •n. 1 a person who shaves 2 an instrument used in shaving, esp. a device with a small electric motor that operates a set of vibrating or rotating cutters 3 [Colloq.] a boy; lad 4 [Archaic] a person who is hard or grasping in bargaining
shavetail (sheiv´teil') •n. [Slang] a second lieutenant, esp. one recently appointed [orig. an unbroken mule; ? in allusion to the untrained mules, with closely cropped tails, formerly sent to the Quartermaster Corps]
Shavian (shei´vi: эn) •adj. of or characteristic of George Bernard Shaw or his work •n. an admirer of Shaw or his work [ModL Shavianus < Shavius, Latinized < SHAW]
shaving (shei´viŋ) •n. 1 the action of a person or thing that shaves 2 something shaved off, esp. a thin slice of wood or metal
Shavuot (shä vu:´out, shэ vu:´ous) •n. a Jewish holiday, the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, orig. celebrating the spring harvest, now chiefly commemorating the revelation of the Law at Mount Sinai: celebrated on the 6th & 7th days of Sivan [< Heb (chag-ha) shavuot, (the Feast of) Weeks < shavua, week < sheva, seven; akin to IE *sept##, seven]
shaw (shö) •n. [Dial.] a thicket; copse [ME shawe < OE sceaga, akin to ON skagi: for IE base see SHAG¹] Shaw (shö) 1 George Bernard 1856-1950; Brit. dramatist & critic, born in Ireland 2 Henry Wheeler see BILLINGS, Josh 3 Thomas Edward see LAWRENCE, T(homas) E(dward)
shawl (shöl) •n. an oblong or square cloth worn, esp. by women, as a covering for the head or shoulders [prob. via Urdu < Pers shāl, after ? Shāliāt, town in India where produced]
shawl collar a wide collar, as on a sweater or robe, that extends downward across the chest and meets or laps at or near the waist
shawm (shöm) •n. an early double-reed wind instrument resembling the oboe [ME schalme < MFr chalemie, altered < OFr chalamel < LL calamellus, dim. of L calamus, reed: see CALAMUS]
Shawn (shön) 1 a masculine name 2 Ted (born Edwin Myers Shawn) 1891-1972; U.S. dancer & choreographer: husband of Ruth St. Denis
Shawnee (shö ni:´, shö´ni:) •n. 1 pl. -nees´ or -nee´ a member of a North American Indian people living at various times in the East and Midwest, and now chiefly in Oklahoma 2 the Algonquian language of this people [back-form. < Shawnese, taken as pl. < earlier Shawanoes, ult. < Shawnee shaawanooki, lit., people of the south]
shay (shei) •n. [Dial.] a light carriage; chaise [back-form. < CHAISE, assumed as pl.]
Shays (sheiz), Daniel c. 1747-1825; Am. Revolutionary soldier: leader of an insurrection (Shays' Rebellion) in W Mass. (1786-87), protesting high land taxes
she (shi:; unstressed shi) pron. the woman, girl, or female animal (or, sometimes, the object regarded as female) previously mentioned: she is the nominative form, her the objective, her or hers the possessive, and herself the intensive and reflexive, of the feminine third personal pronoun •n. pl. shes a woman, girl, or female animal [ME sche, scho, prob. developed (infl. by OE seo, fem. def. article) < OE hēo, she]
she- (shi:) combining form female: used in hyphenated compounds {she-bear}
shea (shi:) •n. an African tree (Butyrospermum parkii) of the sapodilla family, whose seeds yield a thick, white fat (shea butter) used as a food, in soap, etc. [Mandingo si, se]
sheaf (shi:f) pl. sheaves •n. 1 a bunch of cut stalks of grain, etc. bound up in a bundle 2 a collection of things gathered together; bundle, as of papers •vt. SHEAVE² [ME schefe < OE sceaf, akin to Ger schaub < IE base *skeup-, *skeubh-, a bundle, clump > SHOP]
shear (shir) sheared, sheared or shorn, shear´ing •vt. 1 to cut with shears or a similar sharp-edged instrument 2 a) to remove (the hair, wool, etc.) by cutting or clipping b) to cut or clip the hair, wool, etc. from 3 to tear or wrench (off) by shearing stress 4 to move through as if cutting 5 to strip or divest (someone) of a power, right, etc. 6 [Dial.] to reap with a sickle •vi. 1 a) to use a cutting tool, as shears, in trimming or cutting wool, shrubbery, metal, etc. b) [Dial.] to use a sickle in reaping 2 to come apart or break under the action of shearing stress 3 to move by or as if by cutting •n. [ME schere < OE scear] 1 a) rare var. of SHEARS b) a single blade of a pair of shears 2 a machine used in cutting metal, esp. sheet metal 3 the action, process, or result of shearing; specif., the shearing of wool from an animal: used in designating a sheep's age {a sheep of three shears} 4 a) SHEARING STRESS b) any strain or distortion in shape resulting from the action of shearing stress shear´er •n. [ME scheren < OE scieran, akin to Ger scheren < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > HARVEST]
sheared (shird) •adj. subjected to shearing; esp., designating fur trimmed to give it an even surface {sheared beaver}
shearing (shir´iŋ) •n. 1 the action or process of cutting with or as with shears 2 something cut off with shears, as the amount of wool cut from sheep
shearing stress a force causing two contacting parts or layers to slide upon each other, in opposite directions parallel to the plane of their contact
shearling (-liŋ) •n. 1 a sheep that has been sheared once, usually a yearling 2 tanned sheepskin or lambskin from an animal killed not long after being sheared [see SHEAR & -LING¹]
shears (shirz) •n.pl. 1 a pair of scissors, usually large, as used in gardening: also called pair of shears 2 any of several large tools or machines used to cut metal, etc. by the scissors action of two opposed cutting edges 3 a device used in hoisting, consisting of two or more guyed poles or legs spread at the base and joined at the top to hold hoisting tackle: also shear·legs (shir´legz')
shearwater (shir´wöt'эr, -wät'-) •n. any of a genus (Puffinus, family Procellariidae) of black-and-white tubenose sea birds that skim the water in flight [SHEAR + WATER]
sheatfish (shi:t´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' or -fish'es any silurid catfish, esp. a very large species (Silurus glanis) •n. [earlier sheath-fish < fol. + FISH]
sheath (shi:θ) pl. sheaths (shi:ðz, shi:θs) •n. 1 a case for the blade of a knife, sword, etc. 2 a covering or receptacle resembling this, as the membrane around a muscle, a leaf base enveloping a stem of grass, etc. 3 a woman's closefitting dress •vt. SHEATHE [ME schethe < OE sceath, akin to Ger scheide < IE base *skei-, to cut, split, divide (> L scire, to know): the earliest form of sheath was prob. a split stick]