Scotch pine a hardy Eurasian pine (Pinus sylvestris), with yellow wood, cultivated for timber, Christmas trees, etc.
Scotch tape a thin, transparent, cellulose adhesive tape [< Scotch, a trademark]
Scotch verdict a verdict in criminal cases of not proved, rather than not guilty: allowed notably in Scotland
Scotch woodcock eggs cooked and served on toast or crackers spread with anchovies or anchovy paste
scotch¹ (skäch) •vt. 1 to cut; scratch; score; notch 2 to wound without killing; maim [< Theobald's emendation of scorch in Shakespeare's Macbeth, III, ii, 13] 3 to put an end to; stifle; stamp out {to scotch a rumor} •n. a cut or scratch [ME scocchen, prob. < Anglo-Fr escocher < OFr coche, a notch, nick < VL *cocca, knob at the end of a spindle (later, groove below this knob) < L coccum, berry < Gr kokkos]
scotch² (skäch) •vt. to block (a wheel, log, etc.) with a wedge, block, etc. to prevent movement •n. such a block, wedge, etc. used to prevent rolling, slipping, etc. [earlier scatch < ? OFr escachier, to crush < es- (L ex) + VL *coacticare: see CACHE]
Scotch-Irish (-ai´rish) •adj. designating or of those people of northern Ireland descended from Scottish settlers, esp. those who emigrated to America
Scotchman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. var. of SCOTSMAN
scoter (skout´эr) pl. -ters •n.or -ter any of several large, dark-colored sea ducks (genera Oidemia and Melanitta), found chiefly along the N coasts of Europe and North America [< ?]
scot-free (skät´fri:´) •adj. 1 free from payment of scot, or tax 2 unharmed or unpunished; clear; safe
scotia (skou´shэ, -shi: э) •n. a deep concave molding, esp. at the base of a column [L < Gr skotia, lit., darkness (from the shadow within the cavity) < skotos, darkness: see SHADE] Scotia (skou´shэ) old poet. name for SCOTLAND [LL]
Scotism (skout´iz'эm) •n. the scholastic philosophy of Duns Scotus and his followers, which sharply separates philosophy from theology and makes God's reason and goodness an expression of divine will Sco´tist •adj., n.
Scotland (skät´lэnd) division of the United Kingdom, occupying the N half of Great Britain & nearby islands: 30,410 sq. mi. (78,761 sq. km); pop. 5,130,000; cap. Edinburgh
Scotland Yard 1 short street in London, off Whitehall, orig. the site of police headquarters 2 headquarters of the metropolitan London police, on the Thames embankment since 1890: officially New Scotland Yard 3 the London police, esp. the detective bureau [so named because orig. the residence of the kings of Scotland when in London]
scotoma (skэ tou´mэ) pl. -ma·ta (-mэ tэ) •n.or -mas a dark area or gap in the visual field sco·tom´a·tous (-täm´э tэs) •adj. [ModL < LL, dimness of vision < Gr skotōma < skotos, darkness (see SHADE) + -OMA]
scotophobin (skout´э fou´bin) •n. a peptide produced in the brain of laboratory rats conditioned to have a fear of darkness: it is claimed that such a fear may be transferred to unconditioned rats by injection of the peptide, thus providing evidence for the theory that memory has a chemical basis [< Gr skotos, darkness (see SHADE) + phobos, a fear + -IN¹]
scotopia (skэ tou´pi: э) •n. the normal visual perception or vision in dim light or twilight, or at night following dark adaptation, in which the light intensity fails to activate the retinal cones: cf. PHOTOPIA sco·to´pic (-täp´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr skotos (see SCOTOPHOBIN) + -OPIA]
Scots (skäts) •adj., n. SCOTTISH [ME (northern) Scottis, var. of Scottissh]
Scotsman (skäts´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a native or inhabitant of Scotland, esp. a man Scotsman or Scot is preferred to Scotchman in Scotland Scots´wom'an, pl. -wom'en, •n.fem.
Scott (skät) 1 a masculine name: dim. Scotty 2 Dred (dred) c. 1795 -1858; U.S. black slave: his claim to be free as a result of living in free territory was denied in a controversial Supreme Court decision (1857) 3 Robert Fal·con (föl´kэn) 1868-1912; Eng. naval officer & antarctic explorer 4 Sir Walter 1771-1832; Scot. poet & novelist 5 Win·field (win´fi:ld') 1786-1866; U.S. general
Scotticism (skät´э siz'эm) •n. a Scottish idiom, expression, word, pronunciation, etc., esp. as contrasted with standard English usage
Scottie or Scotty (skät´i:) pl. -ties •n. short for SCOTTISH TERRIER
Scottish (skät´ish) •adj. of Scotland, its people, their English dialect, etc.: Scottish, the original form, is preferred to Scotch and Scots in U.S. and British formal and literary usage with reference to the people, the country, etc., and in Scotland has replaced Scotch, the colloquial form prevailing in the U.S. and England; but with some words, Scotch is almost invariably used (e.g., tweed, whisky), with others, Scots (e.g., law, mile) •n. the dialect of English spoken by the people of Scotland the Scottish the Scottish people [ME Scottissh < Late OE Scottisc, for earlier Scyttisc]
Scottish deerhound any of a breed of tall, slender, swift hound resembling the greyhound but with a rough, wiry coat: orig. used in Scotland for hunting deer
Scottish fold any of a breed of domestic cat, originally bred in Scotland, with ears folded, or bent, forward, a coat of short, dense fur, and a stocky build
Scottish Gaelic the Celtic language of the Scottish Highlands: see GAELIC
Scottish rite a ceremonial system in Freemasonry
Scottish terrier any of a breed of terrier, originating in Scotland, with short legs, a squarish muzzle, a hard, wiry coat, and pointed, erect ears
Scottsdale (skäts´deil') city in SC Ariz.: suburb of Phoenix: pop. 130,000 [after Winfield Scott (1837-1910), early settler]
Scotus see DUNS SCOTUS, John
scoundrel (skaun´drэl) •n. a mean, immoral, or wicked person; rascal scoun´drel·ly •adj. [prob. a disparaging dim. < Anglo-Fr escoundre (for OFr escondre), to abscond < VL *scondere, aphetic for L abscondere, ABSCOND]
scour¹ (skaur) •vt. 1 to clean or polish by vigorous rubbing, as with abrasives, soap and water, etc.; make clean and bright 2 to remove dirt and grease from (wool, etc.) 3 a) to wash or clear as by a swift current of water; flush b) to wash away, or remove in this way 4 to clear the intestines of; purge 5 to clean (wheat) 6 to remove as if by cleaning; sweep away; get rid of •vi. 1 to clean things by vigorous rubbing and polishing 2 to become clean and bright by being scoured •n. 1 the act of scouring 2 a cleansing agent used in scouring 3 a scoured place, as a part of a channel where mud has been washed away 4 [usually pl., with sing. v.] dysentery in cattle, etc. scour´er •n. [ME scouren < MDu scuren < ? OFr escurer < VL *excurare, to take great care of < L ex-, intens. + curare, to take care of < cura, care]
scour² (skaur) •vt. to pass over quickly, or range over or through, as in search or pursuit {to scour a town for an escaped convict} •vi. to run or range about, as in search or pursuit scour´er •n. [ME scouren < ? OFr escourre, to run forth < VL *excurrere < L ex-, out + currere, to run]
scourge (skørj) •n. 1 a whip or other instrument for flogging 2 any means of inflicting severe punishment, suffering, or vengeance 3 any cause of serious trouble or affliction {the scourge of war} •vt. scourged, scourg´ing 1 to whip or flog 2 to punish, chastise, or afflict severely [ME < OFr escorgie < L ex, off, from + corrigia, a strap, whip]
scouring rush (skaur´iŋ) HORSETAIL (sense 2)
scourings (skaur´iŋz) •n.pl. dirt, refuse, or remains removed by or as if by scouring
scouse (skaus) •n. short for LOBSCOUSE
scout car an armored military reconnaissance car
scout¹ (skaut) •n. 1 a soldier, ship, or plane sent to spy out the strength, movements, etc. of the enemy Æ 2 a person sent out to observe the tactics of an opponent, to search out new talent, etc. {a baseball scout} 3 [S-] a member of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts 4 the act of reconnoitering 5 [Slang] fellow; guy •vt. 1 to follow closely so as to spy upon 2 to look for; watch 3 to find or get by looking around: often with out, up •vi. 1 to go out in search of information about the enemy; reconnoiter 2 to go in search of something; hunt {scout around for some firewood} Æ 3 to work as a SCOUT¹ (n. 2) scout´er •n. [ME scoute < OFr escoute < escouter, escolter, to hear < VL ascultare, for L auscultare, to listen: see AUSCULTATION]
scout² (skaut) •vt. to reject as absurd; flout; scoff at •vi. to scoff (at); jeer [prob. via dial. < ON skuti, a taunt, term of abuse, akin to SHOUT]
scoutcraft (-kræft', -kräft') •n. 1 the practice of scouting 2 skills learned through participation in the Boy Scouts
scouting (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act or process of a person that scouts 2 [often S-] participation in, or the activities of, the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts
scoutmaster (-mæs'tэr, -mäs'-) •n. the adult leader of a troop of Boy Scouts
scow (skau) •n. a large, flat-bottomed boat with square ends, used for carrying coal, sand, etc. and often towed by a tug [Du schouw, lit., boat which is poled along, akin to LowG schalde, punt pole < IE *skoldha-, pole, branch cut off < base *(s)kel-, to cut > HALF]
scowl (skaul) •vi. 1 to contract the eyebrows and lower the corners of the mouth in showing displeasure; look angry, irritated, or sullen 2 to have a threatening look; lower •vt. to affect, influence, or express with a scowl or scowls •n. 1 the act or expression of scowling; angry frown 2 a threatening aspect scowl´er •n. [ME scoulen, prob. < Scand, as in Dan skule, in same sense, akin to MHG schulen, to be hidden, lurk < IE *(s)kulo-, concealment < base *(s)keu-, to cover]
scrabble (skræb´эl) -bled, -bling •vi. 1 to scratch, scrape, or paw as though looking for something 2 to struggle 3 to scribble; make meaningless marks •vt. 1 to scrape together quickly 2 a) to scribble b) to scribble on •n. 1 a scraping with the hands or paws 2 a scramble 3 a scribble; scrawl 4 a struggle Æ [S-] trademark for a word game played with lettered tiles placed as in a crossword puzzle scrab´bler •n. [Du schrabbelen < schrabben, to scrape: for IE base see SCRAPE]
scrabbly (-li:) -bli·er, -bli·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 having a scratching sound 2 scrubby, paltry, poor, etc.
scrag (skræg) •n. 1 a lean, scrawny person or animal 2 a thin, stunted tree or plant 3 the neck, or back of the neck, of mutton, veal, etc. 4 [Slang] the human neck •vt. scragged, scrag´ging [Slang] to choke or wring the neck of; hang; throttle; garrote [prob. < ON, as in Norw skragg, feeble, stunted person, Dan skrog, ON skröggr, fox (nickname) < IE base *(s)ker-, to shrivel, shrink]
scraggly (skræg´li:) -gli·er, -gli·est •adj. sparse, scrubby, irregular, uneven, ragged, etc. in growth or form {a scraggly beard} scrag´gli·ness •n. [see SCRAGGY & -LY¹]
scraggy (skræg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 rough or jagged 2 lean; bony; skinny scrag´gi·ly •adv. [< SCRAG + -Y²]
scram (skræm) scrammed, scram´ming •vi. [Slang] to leave or get out, esp. in a hurry: often used in the imperative •vt. to manually or automatically shut down (a nuclear reactor) usually by using the control rods •n. such a shutdown of a nuclear reactor [contr. of fol.]
scramble (skræm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vi. 1 to climb, crawl, or clamber hurriedly 2 to scuffle or struggle for something, as for coins scattered on the ground 3 to struggle or rush pell-mell, as to get something highly prized {to scramble for political office} 4 to get military aircraft into the air quickly Æ 5 Football to maneuver about in the backfield while seeking an open receiver to whom to pass the ball; also, to run with the ball if unable to find a receiver •vt. 1 a) to throw together haphazardly; mix in a confused way; jumble b) Electronics to modify (transmitted auditory or visual signals) so as to make unintelligible without special receiving equipment 2 to gather haphazardly; collect without method: often with up Æ 3 to cook (eggs) while stirring the mixed whites and yolks 4 to order or get (military aircraft) into the air quickly •n. 1 a hard, hurried climb or advance, as over rough, difficult ground 2 a disorderly struggle or rush, as for something prized 3 a disorderly heap; jumble 4 a quick takeoff of military aircraft scram´bler •n. [< ? SCAMPER + SCRABBLE]
scramjet (skræm´jet') •n. a high-altitude ramjet designed for speeds exceeding Mach 6 [s(upersonic) c(ombustion) ramjet]
scrannel (skræn´эl) •adj. [Archaic] 1 thin, lean, or slight 2 harsh and unmusical [< Scand, akin to Norw skran, wretched < IE base *(s)ker-, to shrink, wrinkle > SCRAG]
Scranton (skrænt´ªn) city in NE Pa.: pop. 82,000 [family name of the founders of a local ironworks]
scrap iron discarded or waste pieces of iron, to be recast or reworked
scrap¹ (skræp) •n. 1 a small piece; bit; fragment; shred 2 a bit of something written or printed; brief extract 3 a) discarded metal in the form of machinery, auto parts, etc. suitable only for reprocessing b) discarded articles or fragments of rubber, leather, cloth, paper, etc. 4 [pl.] a) bits of leftover food b) the crisp remnants of animal fat after the oil has been removed by rendering •adj. 1 in the form of fragments, pieces, odds and ends, or leftovers 2 used and discarded •vt. scrapped, scrap´ping 1 to make into scrap; break up 2 to get rid of or abandon as useless; discard; junk [ME scrappe < ON skrap, scraps, trifles < skrapa, to SCRAPE]
scrap² (skræp) •n. [Colloq.] a fight or quarrel •vi. scrapped, scrap´ping [Colloq.] to fight or quarrel [< ? SCRAPE]
scrapbook (skræp´buk') •n. a book of blank pages for mounting newspaper clippings, pictures, souvenirs, etc.
scrape (skreip) scraped, scrap´ing •vt. 1 to rub over the surface of with something rough or sharp 2 to make smooth or clean by rubbing with a tool or abrasive 3 to remove by rubbing with something sharp or rough: with off, out, etc. 4 to scratch or abrade by a rough, rubbing contact {to fall and scrape one's knee} 5 to rub with a harsh, grating sound {chalk scraping a blackboard} 6 to dig, esp. with the hands and nails 7 to collect or gather slowly and with difficulty {to scrape together some money} •vi. 1 to scrape something so as to remove dirt, etc. 2 to rub against something harshly; grate 3 to give out a harsh, grating noise 4 to collect or gather goods or money slowly and with difficulty 5 to manage to get by; survive: with through, along, by 6 to draw the foot back along the ground in bowing •n. 1 the act of scraping 2 a scraped place; abrasion or scratch 3 the noise of scraping; harsh, grating sound 4 a disagreeable or embarrassing situation; predicament, esp. when caused by one's own conduct 5 a fight or conflict scrap´er •n. [ME scrapen < ON skrapa, akin to Du schrapen, OE screpan, to scratch < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > SCURF, SHARP]
scrapheap (skræp´hi:p') •n. a pile of discarded material, as of scrap iron throw (or toss, cast, etc.) on the scrapheap to discard or get rid of as useless
scrapie (skrei´pi:) •n. a fatal, degenerative nervous disease of sheep and goats
scraping (skrei´piŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that scrapes 2 the sound of this 3 [usually pl.] something scraped off, together, or up
scrapper¹ (skræp´эr) •n. a person or thing that scraps
scrapper² (-эr) •n. [Colloq.] a ready or effective fighter
scrapple (skræp´эl) •n. cornmeal boiled with scraps of pork and allowed to set, then sliced and fried [dim. of SCRAP¹]
scrappy¹ (skræp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 made of scraps; consisting of odds and ends 2 disconnected; disjointed {scrappy memories} scrap´pi·ly •adv. scrap´pi·ness •n. [< SCRAP¹ + -Y²]
scrappy² (skræp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. [Colloq.] fond of fighting, arguing, etc.; aggressive scrap´pi·ly •adv. scrap´pi·ness •n. [< SCRAP² + -Y²]
Scratch (skræch) [sometimes s-] the Devil: usually Old Scratch [altered (infl. by prec.) < ME skratte < ON skratti, monster, sorcerer, akin to OHG scraz, goblin < IE base *(s)ker-, to shrink > SCRANNEL] scratch (skræch) •vt. 1 to mark, break, or cut the surface of slightly with something pointed or sharp 2 to tear or dig with the nails or claws 3 a) to rub or scrape lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc. b) to chafe 4 to rub or scrape with a grating noise {to scratch a match on a wall} 5 to write or draw hurriedly or carelessly 6 to strike out or cancel (writing, etc.) 7 to gather or collect with difficulty; scrape (together or up) 8 Sports to withdraw (an entry) from a contest, specif. from a horse race •vi. 1 to use nails or claws in digging or wounding 2 to rub or scrape the skin lightly, as with the fingernails, to relieve itching, etc. 3 to manage to get by; scrape by 4 to make a harsh, scraping noise 5 to withdraw from a race or contest 6 in certain card games, to score no points 7 Billiards, Pool to commit a scratch •n. 1 the act of scratching 2 a mark or tear made in a surface by something sharp or rough 3 a wound, usually superficial, inflicted by nails, claws, or something pointed pulled across the skin, etc. 4 a slight grating or scraping sound 5 a hasty mark, as of a pen; scribble 6 the starting line of a race 7 in certain card games, a score of zero Æ 8 [Slang] money 9 Billiards, Pool a) a shot that results in a penalty b) a miss 10 Sports a) the starting point or time of a contestant who receives no handicap b) such a contestant c) an entry withdrawn from a contest •adj. Æ 1 used for hasty notes, preliminary or tentative figuring, etc. {scratch paper} 2 starting from scratch; having no handicap or allowance in a contest 3 put together in haste and without much selection {a scratch team} Æ 4 Baseball designating a chance hit credited to a batter for a ball not hit sharply, but on which the batter reaches base safely from scratch 1 from the start; from the very beginning 2 from nothing; without resources, advantage, etc. scratch the surface to do, consider, or affect something superficially up to scratch 1 toeing the mark; ready to start a race, contest, etc. 2 [Colloq.] ready to meet difficulties, start on an enterprise, etc. 3 [Colloq.] up to standard; acceptable; good scratch´er •n. [LME scracchen, prob. altered < scratten, to scratch, based on cracchen < or akin to MDu cratsen, to scratch < IE base *gred- > Alb gërüj, (I) scratch]
scratch line 1 the starting line of a race Æ 2 a line that must not be overstepped in certain contests, as the long jump or javelin throw
scratch sheet a publication listing horses removed from the day's races at one or another racetrack
scratch test a test for determining substances to which a person is allergic, made by rubbing allergens into small scratches or punctures in the skin
scratchboard (-börd') •n. glossy, chalk-covered cardboard on which, after coating with ink, line drawings can be made by scratching through the ink to the white surface
scratchy (skræch´i:) scratch´i·er, scratch´i·est •adj. 1 having the appearance of being drawn roughly, hurriedly, etc.; made with scratches 2 making a scratching or scraping noise 3 scratched together; haphazard 4 that scratches, scrapes, chafes, itches, etc. {scratchy cloth} scratch´i·ly •adv. scratch´i·ness •n.
scrawl (skröl) •vt., vi. to write, draw, or mark awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly; esp., to write with sprawling, poorly formed letters •n. 1 sprawling, often illegible handwriting 2 something scrawled scrawl´er •n. scrawl´y, scrawl´i·er, scrawl´i·est, •adj. [< ? SCRATCH + SPRAWL]
scrawny (skrö´ni:) -ni·er, -ni·est •adj. 1 very thin; skinny and bony 2 stunted or scrubby scraw´ni·ness •n. [prob. var. of dial. scranny, lean, thin < Scand base > SCRANNEL]
screak (skri:k) •vi. to screech or creak •n. a screech or creak [ON skraekja, SCREECH]
scream (skri:m) •vi. 1 a) to utter a shrill, loud, piercing cry in fright, pain, etc. b) to make or move with a shrill, piercing sound 2 to laugh loudly or hysterically 3 to have a startling effect; leave a vivid impression 4 to shout or yell in anger, hysteria, etc. •vt. 1 to utter with or as with a scream or screams 2 to bring into a specified state by screaming {to scream oneself hoarse} •n. 1 a) a sharp, piercing cry; shriek b) any shrill, piercing sound 2 [Colloq.] a person or thing considered hilariously funny [ME screamen, akin to Fl schreemen, to scream, Ger schrei, a cry < IE *skerei- < echoic base *(s)ker- > SHRIEK, RAVEN¹, RING¹]
screamer (-эr) •n. 1 a person who screams Æ 2 [Slang] a sensational headline 3 [Slang] Printing an exclamation point 4 any of a primitive family (Anhimidae) of South American birds (order Anseriformes) having long toes and a bill like a chicken's
screaming (-iŋ) •adj. 1 that screams 2 startling in effect 3 causing screams of laughter scream´ing·ly •adv.
screaming meemies (mi:´mi:z) [Slang] extreme nervous tension [< prec. + echoic redupl.: orig. used of Ger shells in World War I]
scree (skri:) •n. TALUS² (sense 2) [back-form. < pl. screes < earlier screethes < ON skritha, landslide < skritha, to slide, creep, akin to Ger schreiten, to step < IE base *(s)ker-, to turn, bend]
screech (skri:ch) •vi. to utter or make a shrill, high-pitched, harsh shriek or sound •vt. to utter with a screech •n. a shrill, high-pitched, harsh shriek or sound screech´er •n. screech´y, screech´i·er, screech´i·est, •adj. [ME scrichen < ON skraekja: for IE base see SCREAM]
screech owl Æ 1 any of various subspecies of a small, North American gray or reddish-brown owl (Otus asio) with feathered ear tufts and an eerie, wailing cry rather than a hoot 2 [Brit., etc.] any owl with such a cry
screed (skri:d) •n. 1 a long, tiresome speech or piece of writing 2 a strip of wood or plaster put on a wall to gauge the thickness of plastering to be done 3 [Brit.] a finishing layer of mortar laid over a concrete or other solid floor 4 [Scot.] a torn place; rent [ME screde, var. of schrede, SHRED: sense from long list on a strip of paper]
screen (skri:n) •n. 1 a) a light, movable, covered frame or series of frames hinged together, serving as a portable partition to separate, conceal, shelter, or protect b) any partition or curtain serving such a purpose 2 anything that functions to shield, protect, or conceal like a curtain {a smoke screen} 3 a coarse mesh of wire, etc., used to sift out finer from coarser parts, as of sand or coal; sieve 4 a system for screening or separating different types of persons, etc. 5 a frame covered with a mesh, as of wire or plastic, used to keep insects out, serve as a barrier, etc. as on a window 6 a) a flat, reflective or translucent surface, as a matte white sheet or one of beaded vinyl, upon which films, slides, etc. are projected b) the film industry or art 7 the surface area of a television set, radar receiver, etc. on which light patterns are formed 8 any protective military formation, as of troops or ships 9 Photoengraving in the halftone process, a set of two glass plates cemented together so that parallel lines engraved in one plate are at right angles to the lines of the other plate 10 Physics a device used as a shield to prevent interference of some sort Æ 11 Psychoanalysis a form of concealment, as a person in a dream who stands for another or others with whom he has some characteristics in common •vt. 1 to separate, conceal, shelter, or protect, with or as with a screen 2 to enclose or provide with a screen or screens 3 to sift through a coarse mesh so as to separate finer from coarser parts 4 a) to interview or test so as to separate according to skills, personality, aptitudes, etc. b) to separate in this way (usually with out) 5 a) to project (pictures, etc.) upon a screen, as with a film or slide projector b) to show (a film, etc.) to critics, the public, etc. •vi. to be screened or suitable for screening, as in films screen´a·ble •adj. screen´er •n. screen´less •adj. [ME skrene, sieve, curtain < OFr escren < Gmc, as in OHG scerm (Ger shirm), guard, protection, screen < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > SHEAR, SCORE]
screen door an outer door consisting of a frame covered with mesh, as of wire or plastic, used to keep insects out
screen memory Psychoanalysis a memory that can be tolerated and is used unconsciously as a screen against an allied memory that would be distressing if remembered
screen pass Football a short forward pass to a receiver, in the flats, who is preceded by blockers
screen test 1 a filmed audition to determine a person's suitability as a movie actor or for a particular role 2 such an audition
screening (-iŋ) •n. 1 the act of a person or thing that screens 2 a) a screen or set of screens b) mesh used in a screen 3 [pl.] material separated out by a sifting screen
screenplay (-plei') •n. the script from which a film is produced
screenwriter (-rait'er) •n. the writer of a script for a film screen´writ'ing •n.
screw (skru:) •n. 1 a) a mechanical device for fastening things together, consisting essentially of a cylindrical or conical piece of metal threaded evenly around its outside surface with an advancing spiral ridge and commonly having a slotted head: it penetrates only by being turned, as with a screwdriver (also called male screw) b) the internal thread, or helical groove, as of a nut, into which a male screw, bolt, etc. can be turned (also called female screw) c) the act or an instance of turning such a screw 2 any of various devices operating or threaded like a screw, as a jackscrew or screw propeller 3 a) anything that spirals or twists like the thread of a screw b) the act of spiraling, twisting, or moving like this 4 [Slang] a prison guard 5 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a small amount of tobacco, salt, etc. in a twist of paper 6 [Slang, Chiefly Brit., etc.] a) a stingy person; miser b) a crafty bargainer c) a worn-out horse 7 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Slang] a salary 8 [Vulgar Slang] a) an act or instance of sexual intercourse b) a person with whom one engages in sexual intercourse, often, specif., one of specified competence •vt. 1 to twist; turn; tighten 2 a) to fasten, make secure, tighten, insert, etc. with or as with a screw or screws b) to put together or take apart with a screwlike motion 3 to twist out of natural shape; contort {to screw one's face up} 4 to make stronger; intensify: often with up 5 to force or compel, as if by using screws 6 [Slang] a) to practice extortion on; cheat; swindle b) to treat unfairly 7 [Vulgar Slang] to have sexual intercourse with •vi. 1 to go together or come apart by being turned or twisted in the manner of a screw {a lid that screws on} 2 to twist; turn; wind; have a motion like that of a screw 3 [Slang] to practice extortion 4 [Vulgar Slang] to engage in sexual intercourse have a screw loose [Slang] to be eccentric, odd, etc. put the screws on (or to) to subject to force; exert pressure on, as in exacting payment; coerce screw around [Slang] to waste time screw up [Slang] to make a mess of, as by ineptness; bungle; foul up [ME screwe < MFr escroue, hole in which the screw turns < L scrofa, sow, infl. by scrobis, vulva]
screw bean 1 the spirally twisted pod growing on a mesquite tree (Prosopis pubescens) of the SW U.S., often used for fodder 2 this tree
screw eye a screw with a loop for a head
screw hook a screw with a hook for a head
screw jack JACKSCREW
screw pine any of a genus (Pandanus) of SE Asian trees and shrubs of the screw-pine family, often having edible starchy fruits
screw propeller see PROPELLER
screw thread the helical ridge of or for a screw
screwball (skru:´böl') •n. 1 Baseball a ball thrown by a right-handed pitcher that curves to the right, or one thrown by a left-handed pitcher that curves to the left 2 [Slang] a person who seems erratic, irrational, unconventional, or unbalanced •adj. [Slang] peculiar; irrational
screwdriver (-drai'vэr) •n. 1 a tool used for turning screws, having an end that fits into the slot in the head of the screw Æ 2 a cocktail made of orange juice and vodka
screwed (skru:d) •adj. 1 having threads like a screw 2 twisted 3 [Slang, Chiefly Brit.] drunk
screw-pine (skru:´pain') •adj. designating a family (Pandanaceae, order Pandanales) of monocotyledonous trees, shrubs, and climbers, characterized by daggerlike leaves and prop roots
screwworm (skru:´wørm') •n. the larva of an American blowfly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) that infests wounds, and the nostrils, navel, etc. of animals, often causing illness
screwy (skru:´i:) screw´i·er, screw´i·est •adj. [Slang] Æ 1 mentally unbalanced; crazy Æ 2 peculiar, eccentric, or odd in a confusing way screw´i·ness •n.
Scriabin (skřyä´bi:n; E skri: ä´bin), A·lek·san·dr (Nikolayevich) (ä'lyik sän´dřª) 1872-1915; Russ. composer & pianist
scribal (skrai´bэl) •adj. 1 of scribes, or writers 2 arising from the process of writing {a scribal error}
scribble (skrib´эl) -bled, -bling •vt., vi. 1 to write carelessly or illegibly 2 to make or cover with meaningless or illegible marks 3 to compose hastily, without regard to style •n. 1 illegible or careless handwriting; scrawl 2 meaningless marks 3 an inferior literary work [ME scriblen < ML scribillare < L scribere, to write: see SCRIBE]
scribbler (-lэr) •n. a person who scribbles; specif., a) a person who writes illegibly or carelessly b) a hack writer; inferior and unimportant author
Scribe (skři:b), Au·gus·tin Eu·gène (ou güs tæñ´ ö zhen´) 1791-1861; Fr. dramatist & librettist scribe (skraib) •n. 1 a professional penman who copied manuscripts before the invention of printing 2 a writer or author 3 a person learned in the Jewish law who makes handwritten copies of the Torah 4 a person employed by the general public to write letters, etc. 5 a pointed instrument for scoring stone, brick, wood, etc. to show where it is to be cut: also scrib´er •vt. scribed, scrib´ing 1 to score (wood, bricks, etc.) with a scribe 2 to mark (a line) with a scribe •vi. to work as a scribe [ME < L scriba, public writer, scribe, in LL(Ec), doctor of the Jewish law < scribere, to write < IE *skeribh- < base *(s)ker-, to cut, incise > SHEAR]
scrim (skrim) •n. 1 a light, sheer, loosely woven cotton or linen cloth, used for curtains, upholstery linings, etc. Æ 2 a hanging of such cloth used in theatrical productions either as an opaque backdrop or as a semitransparent curtain, depending on the lighting [< ?]
scrimmage (skrim´ij) •n. 1 a rough-and-tumble fight; tussle; confused struggle Æ 2 Football a) the entire play that follows the snap from center when the two teams are lined up b) football practice in the form of actual play between two units c) short for LINE OF SCRIMMAGE 3 Rugby SCRUMMAGE •vi. -maged, -mag·ing to take part in a scrimmage scrim´mag·er •n. [altered < SKIRMISH]
scrimp (skrimp) •vt. 1 to make too small, short, etc.; skimp 2 to treat stingily; stint •vi. to be sparing and frugal; try to make ends meet; economize •adj. curtailed; scanty scrimp´er •n. [prob. < Scand, as in Swed skrympa, to shrink, akin to OE scrimman, Ger schrumpfen < IE base *(s)kremb-, to turn, twist, shrink]
scrimpy (skrim´pi:) scrimp´i·er, scrimp´i·est •adj. 1 skimpy; scanty; meager 2 frugal or economical scrimp´i·ly •adv. scrimp´i·ness •n.
scrimshaw (skrim´shö') •n. 1 intricate decoration and carving of bone, ivory, etc., as of whales and walruses, done esp. by sailors on long voyages 2 an article so made, or such articles collectively •vt., vi. to carve (shells, bone, etc.) in making scrimshaw [earlier also scrimshander < ?]
scrip¹ (skrip) •n. [Archaic] a small bag, wallet, or satchel [ME scrippe < ML scrippa: see SCARF¹]
scrip² (skrip) •n. 1 a brief writing, as a note, list, receipt, etc. 2 a small piece or scrap, esp. of paper 3 a certificate of a right to receive something; specif., a) a certificate representing a fraction of a share of stock b) a temporary paper to be exchanged for money, goods, land, etc. Æ c) a certificate of indebtedness, issued as currency, as by a local government during a financial depression Æ 4 paper money in amounts of less than a dollar, formerly issued in the U.S.; fractional currency [contr. < SCRIPT]
Scripps (skrips), Edward Wyl·lis (wil´is) 1854-1926; U.S. newspaper publisher
scripsit (skrip´sit) he (or she) wrote (it): placed after the author's name on a manuscript, etc. [L]
script abbrev. 1 scriptural 2 scripture script (skript) •n. 1 a) handwriting; written words, letters, or figures b) a style of handwriting; manner or method of forming letters or figures c) Printing a typeface that looks like handwriting, with the letters connected (cf. CURSIVE) 2 a written document; original manuscript 3 the manuscript, or a copy of the text, of a stage, film, radio, or television show •vt. to write the script for (a film, etc.) [ME < MFr escript < L scriptum < neut. of scriptus, pp. of scribere, to write: see SCRIBE]
scriptorium (skrip tör´i: эm) pl. -ri·a (-э) •n. a writing room; esp., a room in a monastery for copying manuscripts, writing, and studying [ML < L scriptus: see SCRIPT]
scripture (skrip´chэr) •n. 1 orig., anything written 2 [S-] a Bible passage 3 a) any sacred writing or books b) any writing regarded as authoritative and inviolable [S-] [often pl.] 1 the sacred writings of the Jews, identical with the Old Testament of the Christians 2 the Christian Bible; Old and New Testaments scrip´tur·al •adj. [ME < L scriptura, a writing, in LL(Ec), a Scripture, passage of Scripture < scriptus: see SCRIPT]
scriptwriter (skript´rait'эr) •n. a person who writes scripts for films, television, etc.
scrivener (skriv´эn эr) •n. [Archaic] 1 a scribe, copyist, or clerk 2 a notary [ME scriveyner, extended < scrivein < OFr escrivain < VL *scribanus < L scriba, SCRIBE]
scrobiculate (skrou bik´yэ lit, -leit') •adj. Biol. pitted or furrowed [< L scrobiculus, dim. of scrobis, a ditch (< IE *(s)kerb(h)- > SHARP) + -ATE¹]
scrod (skräd) •n. a young fish, as a codfish or haddock, esp. one split and prepared for cooking [prob. < MDu schrode, piece cut off, strip < IE *(s)kreut- > SHRED]
scrofula (skräf´yэ lэ) •n. tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, esp. of the neck, characterized by the enlargement of the glands, suppuration, and scar formation [ML < L scrofulae, pl., swellings of the neck glands < dim. of scrofa, a sow: prob. from the swollen condition of the glands]
scrofulous (-lэs) •adj. 1 of, like, or having scrofula 2 morally corrupt; degenerate scrof´u·lous·ly •adv.
scroll (skroul) •n. 1 a roll of parchment, paper, etc., usually with writing or pictures on it 2 an ancient book in the form of a rolled manuscript 3 a list of names; roll; roster {the scroll of fame} 4 anything having the form of a partly unrolled or loosely rolled sheet of paper, as the volute of an Ionic capital, or the ornamentally rolled end of the neck of a violin, etc. •vi. to display lines of text, television credits, etc. by moving them vertically on a video screen scrolled •adj. [ME scrowle, altered (? by assoc. with rowle, var. of rolle, ROLL) < scrowe < OFr escroue: see ESCROW]
scroll saw a thin, ribbonlike saw for cutting thin wood into spiral or ornamental designs
scrollwork (-wørk') •n. 1 ornamental work marked by scrolls 2 ornamental work done with a scroll saw
scrooch or scrootch (skru:ch) •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to crouch, hunch, huddle, squeeze, etc. [prob. alt. < SCROUGE]
Scrooge (skru:j) •n. [also s-] a hard, miserly misanthrope [after Ebenezer Scrooge, character in Dickens' A Christmas Carol]
scrotum (skrout´эm) pl. -ta (-э) •n.or -tums in most male mammals, the pouch of skin holding the testicles and related structures scro´tal •adj. [L < IE *(s)kreut- > SHRED]
scrouge (skrauj, skru:j) scrouged, scroug´ing •vt. [Dial.] to crowd, squeeze, press, etc. [earlier scruze: prob. echoic, suggested by SCREW, SQUEEZE]
scrounge (skraunj) scrounged, scroung´ing •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to manage to get or find by hunting around 2 to get by begging or sponging; mooch 3 to take without permission; pilfer •vi. [Colloq.] to seek (around) for something; forage scroung´er •n. [prob. altered < prec.]
scroungy (-i:) scroung´i·er, scroung´i·est •adj. [Slang] shabby, dirty, unkempt, etc. scroung´i·ness •n.
scrub typhus a disease of the Asiatic-Pacific area, transmitted to humans by the bite of the larva of a mite (esp. Trombicula akamushi) and caused by a rickettsia (Rickettsia tsutsugamushi): it is characterized by fever and a rash
scrub¹ (skrûb) •n. 1 a) a scraggly, stunted tree or shrub b) short, stunted trees, bushes, or shrubs growing thickly together c) land covered with such growth 2 a) any animal or thing smaller than the usual, or inferior in quality, breed, etc. b) any small or insignificant person Æ 3 Sports a) a player not on the varsity squad or regular team b) [pl.] a secondary or practice team made up of such players •adj. 1 mean; poor; inferior 2 undersized, undernourished, or stunted Æ 3 Sports of or for the scrubs [ME, var. of shrubbe, SHRUB¹, infl. ? by ON skroppa, a lean creature]
scrub² (skrûb) scrubbed, scrub´bing •vt. 1 to clean or wash by rubbing or brushing hard 2 to remove (dirt, etc.) by brushing or rubbing 3 to rub hard 4 to cleanse (a gas) of impurities 5 [Colloq.] a) to cancel or call off (esp. a rocket launch before or during the countdown) b) to get rid of; eliminate •vi. to clean something by rubbing, as with a brush •n. 1 the act of scrubbing 2 a person who scrubs scrub´ber •n. [ME scrobben, prob. < Scand, as in Dan skrubbe, Norw dial. skrubba, to rub hard, akin to MLowG schrubben < IE base *(s)ker-, to cut > SCRAPE]
scrubby (skrûb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 stunted in growth; undersized or inferior 2 covered with or consisting of scrub, or brushwood 3 paltry, shabby, etc. scrub´bi·ly •adv. scrub´bi·ness •n.
scrubwoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en •n. CHARWOMAN
scruff (skrûf) •n. the back of the neck; nape [< ON skrufr, a tuft of hair, forelock, var. of skruf, altered by metathesis < skufr, tuft < IE base *(s)keup- > OE scyfel, woman's headdress]
scruffy (skrûf´i:) scruff´i·er, scruff´i·est •adj. shabby, unkempt, or untidy; grubby scruff´i·ly •adv. scruff´i·ness •n. [< dial. scruff, var. of SCURF + -Y²]
scrummage (skrûm´ij) •n. Rugby a play in which the two sets of forwards, lined up facing each other in a compact formation, try to kick the ball between them back to their teammates •vi. -maged, -mag·ing to take part in a scrummage Also scrum, scrummed, scrum´ming [dial. var. of SCRIMMAGE]
scrumptious (skrûmp´shэs) •adj. [Colloq.] very pleasing, attractive, etc., esp. to the taste; delicious scrump´tious·ly •adv. scrump´tious·ness •n. [altered < SUMPTUOUS]
scrunch (skrûnch) •vt., vi. 1 to crunch, crush, or crumple 2 to hunch, huddle, or squeeze •n. a crunching or crumpling sound [< CRUNCH, with emphatic initial s-]
scruple (skru:´pэl) •n. 1 a very small quantity, amount, or part 2 a) an ancient Roman unit of weight equal to ¹/24 ounce b) an apothecaries' unit of weight equal to ¹/3 dram (20 grains, or ¹/24 ounce) 3 a feeling of hesitancy, doubt, or uneasiness arising from difficulty in deciding what is right, proper, ethical, etc.; qualm or misgiving about something one thinks is wrong •vt., vi. -pled, -pling to hesitate (at) from doubt or uneasiness; be unwilling because of one's conscience; have scruples (about) SYN. QUALM [MFr scrupule < L scrupulus, small sharp stone (hence small weight, difficulty, doubt), dim. of scrupus, sharp stone < IE *skreup- < base *(s)ker-, to cut]
scrupulous (skru:´pyэ lэs) •adj. 1 a) extremely careful to do the precisely right, proper, or correct thing in every last detail; most punctilious b) showing extreme care, precision, and punctiliousness 2 extremely conscientious 3 full of scruples; hesitant, doubtful, or uneasy, esp. constantly and obsessively, in deciding what is morally right or wrong SYN. CAREFUL scru'pu·los´i·ty (-läs´эt i:), pl. -ties, •n. scru´pu·lous·ly •adv. scru´pu·lous·ness •n. [< MFr or L: MFr scrupuleux < L scrupulosus]
scrutable (skru:t´э bэl) •adj. not inscrutable; open to being understood [LL *scrutabilis: see INSCRUTABLE]
scrutinize (skru:t´ªn aiz') -nized', -niz'ing •vt. to look at very carefully; examine closely; inspect minutely scru´ti·niz'er •n. SYN.—scrutinize implies a looking over carefully and searchingly in order to observe the minutest details [he slowly scrutinized the bank note]; inspect implies close, critical observation, esp. for detecting errors, flaws, etc. [to inspect a building for fire hazards]; examine suggests close observation or investigation to determine the condition, quality, validity, etc. of something [examined thoroughly by a doctor]; scan, in its earlier, stricter sense, implies close scrutiny, but in current usage, it more frequently connotes a quick, rather superficial survey [to scan the headlines] [< fol. + -IZE]
scrutiny (skru:t´ªn i:) pl. -nies •n. 1 close examination; minute inspection 2 a careful, continuous watch; surveillance 3 a lengthy, searching look [LL scrutinium < L scrutari, to examine carefully, rummage through odds and ends < scruta, trash, prob. altered < Gr grutē, a miscellany, woman's vanity bag: for prob. IE base see CRUMB]
scry (skrai) scried, scry´ing •vi. to practice crystal gazing
scuba (sku:´bэ) •n. equipment worn by divers for breathing underwater, consisting typically of one or two compressed-air tanks strapped to the back and connected by a hose to a mouthpiece [s(elf-)c(ontained) u(nderwater) b(reathing) a(pparatus)]
scuba diving the act or recreation of swimming and exploring underwater with the aid of scuba gear scuba diver
scud (skûd) scud´ded, scud´ding •vi. 1 to run or move swiftly; glide or skim along easily 2 to be driven or run before the wind •n. 1 the act of scudding 2 spray, rain, or snow driven by the wind 3 a sudden gust of wind 4 Meteorol. very low, dark, patchy clouds moving swiftly, generally characteristic of bad weather [prob. < ON form akin to OE scudan, to hurry: see SHUDDER]
scudo (sku:´dou) pl. -di (-di:) •n. a former monetary unit and gold or silver coin of Italy and Sicily [It, orig., a shield < L scutum, shield (prob. < IE *(s)keut- > HIDE²): it bore a shield]
scuff (skûf) •vt. 1 to scrape (the ground, floor, etc.) with the feet 2 to wear a rough place or places on the surface of (a shoe, etc.) 3 to move (the feet) with a dragging motion •vi. 1 to walk without lifting the feet; shuffle 2 to become scraped or worn in patches on the surface •n. 1 a sound or act of scuffing 2 a worn or rough spot 3 a loosefitting house slipper, esp. one without a built-up heel or a counter [prob. < or akin to ON skufa, to SHOVE]
scuffle (skûf´эl) -fled, -fling •vi. 1 to struggle or fight in rough confusion 2 to move in a confused hurry or bustle 3 to drag the feet; shuffle •n. 1 a rough, confused fight; close, haphazard struggle 2 the act or sound of feet shuffling [freq. of prec.]
scuffle hoe a hoe with a flat blade, pushed back and forth through the surface soil, as to weed
scull (skûl) •n. 1 an oar mounted at the stern of a boat and worked from side to side to move the boat forward 2 either of a pair of light oars used, one on each side of a boat, by a single rower 3 a light, narrow racing boat for one, two, or four rowers •vt., vi. to propel with a scull or sculls scull´er •n. [ME skulle, prob. < Scand form akin to obs. Swed skolle, thin plate < IE base *(s)kel-, to cut > HELM²]
scullery (skûl´эr i:) pl. -ler·ies •n. a room adjoining the kitchen, where pots and pans are cleaned and stored or where the rough, dirty kitchen work is done [ME, room for care of plates, pans, and kitchen utensils < OFr escuelerie < escuelle, a dish < L scutella, salver, tray, dim. of scutra, platter]
scullion (skûl´yэn) •n. [Archaic] a servant doing the rough, dirty work in a kitchen [LME sculyon < OFr escouillon, mop, cloth < escouve, broom < L scopa, broom, lit., twig, akin to scapus: see SHAFT]
sculp 1 sculpsit: also sculps 2 sculptor 3 sculpture
sculpin (skûl´pin) pl. -pin or -pins •n. 1 any of a family (Cottidae) of small, generally scaleless, mostly marine percoid fishes with a spiny head and wide mouth Æ 2 a scorpion fish (Scorpaena guttata) of the S California coast [prob. altered < Fr scorpene < L scorpaena: see SCORPION]
sculpsit (skûlp´sit) he (or she) carved (it): placed after the artist's name on a sculpture, etc. [L]
sculpt (skûlpt) •vt., vi. 1 to carve or model as a sculptor 2 to give sculpturelike form to (hair, fabric, etc.) Also sculp [Fr sculpter, altered (based on sculpture) < sculper < L sculpere: see SCULPTOR]
sculptor (skûlp´tэr) •n. a person who models, carves, or otherwise fashions figures or forms of clay, stone, metal, wood, etc.; artist who creates three-dimensional representations [S-] Astron. a S constellation between Cetus and Phoenix containing the S galactic pole [L < sculpere, to carve in stone, akin to scalpere, to cut: see SCALPEL]
sculptress (skûlp´tris) •n. a woman who sculpts: see -ESS
sculpture (skûlp´chэr) •n. 1 the art of carving wood, chiseling stone, casting or welding metal, molding clay or wax, etc. into three-dimensional representations, as statues, figures, forms, etc. 2 any work of sculpture, or such works collectively •vt. -tured, -tur·ing 1 to cut, carve, chisel, cast, weld, mold, etc. into statues, figures, etc. 2 to represent or portray by means of sculpture 3 to make or form as or like sculpture 4 to decorate with sculpture 5 to change in form by erosion {rock sculptured by a river} •vi. to work as a sculptor sculp´tur·al •adj. sculp´tur·al·ly •adv. [ME < L sculptura < sculptus, pp. of sculpere: see SCULPTOR]
sculpturesque (skûlp'chэr esk´) •adj. like or suggesting sculpture; shapely, statuelike, etc.
scum (skûm) •n. 1 a thin layer of impurities which forms on the top of liquids or bodies of water, often as the result of boiling or fermentation 2 the dross or refuse on top of molten metals 3 worthless parts or things; refuse 4 [Colloq.] a low, despicable person, or such people collectively; lowlife •vt. scummed, scum´ming to remove scum from; skim •vi. to form scum; become covered with scum [ME < MDu schum, akin to Ger schaum, foam, scum, prob. < IE base *(s)keu-, to cover > SKY]
scumble (skûm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 a) to soften the outlines or color of (a painting) by applying a thin coat of opaque color b) to apply (color) in this manner 2 to soften the outlines of (a drawing) by rubbing or blurring 3 to make by either of these processes •n. 1 a coat of color added in scumbling 2 the softening of outline produced by scumbling [freq. of prec.]
scummy (skûm´i:) -mi·er, -mi·est •adj. 1 of, like, or covered with scum 2 [Colloq.] despicable; low; mean
scunner (skûn´эr) •vi. [Scot. or North Eng.] to feel disgust or strong aversion •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a strong dislike: often in the phrase take a scunner [LME (Northern dial.) < ?]
Scunthorpe (skûn´θörp) city in Humberside, E England: pop. 69,000
scup (skûp) pl. scup •n.or scups a brown-and-white porgy (Stenotomus chrysops) found along the N Atlantic coast of the U.S. [< earlier scuppaug < Narragansett mishcuppaûog, pl. of mishcùp]
scupper (skûp´эr) •n. 1 an opening in a ship's side to allow water to run off the deck 2 a similar outlet in a building, as for water to run off from a floor or roof •vt. 1 [Brit.] to sink (one's own ship) deliberately 2 [Colloq.] to wreck; ruin {our plans were scuppered} [LME via ? Anglo-Fr < OFr escopir, lit., to spit < VL *skuppire, of echoic orig.]
scuppernong (skûp´эr nöŋ') •n. 1 a golden-green grape of the S U.S. 2 a sweet, light-colored wine made from this grape [after the Scuppernong River in N.C. < ? AmInd]
scurf (skørf) •n. 1 little, dry scales shed by the skin, as dandruff 2 any scaly coating, as on some plants, sometimes indicating a diseased condition scurf´y, scurf´i·er, scurf´i·est, •adj. [ME < ON *skurfr, akin to OE sceorf, Ger schorf < IE *(s)kerb(h)- < base *(s)ker-, to cut > SHEAR]
scurrile or scurril (skør´эl) •adj. archaic var. of SCURRILOUS [MFr scurrile < L scurrilis < scurra, buffoon, prob. of Etr orig.]
scurrility (skэ ril´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality of being scurrilous; coarseness or indecency of language, esp. in invective or joking 2 pl. -ties a scurrilous act or remark [L scurrilitas]
scurrilous (skør´э lэs) •adj. 1 using indecent or abusive language; coarse; vulgar; foulmouthed 2 containing coarse vulgarisms or indecent abuse scur´ri·lous·ly •adv. scur´ri·lous·ness •n. [SCURRIL(E) + -OUS]
scurry (skør´i:) -ried, -ry·ing •vi. to run hastily; scamper •vt. to cause to scurry •n. 1 the act or sound of scurrying 2 a short run or race [< hurry-scurry, redupl. of HURRY, prob. suggested by SCOUR²]
scurvy (skør´vi:) -vi·er, -vi·est •adj. 1 early var. of SCURFY 2 low; mean; vile; contemptible •n. a disease resulting from a deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body, characterized by weakness, anemia, spongy gums, bleeding from the mucous membranes, etc. [< the adj.] scur´vi·ly •adv. scur´vi·ness •n. [< SCURF]
scurvy grass an arctic plant (Cochlearia officinalis) of the crucifer family, with white flowers and a tarlike flavor, formerly used in treating scurvy: also scurvy weed
scut (skût) •n. 1 a short, stumpy tail, esp. of a hare, rabbit, or deer 2 a contemptible person [ME, hare, tail < ?]
scut work [Colloq.] work that is regarded as tedious and routine or menial [? < SCUT, sense 2]
scuta (skyu:t´э) •n. pl. of SCUTUM
scutage (skyu:t´ij) •n. a tax paid by the holder of a knight's fee, usually in lieu of feudal military service [ML scutagium < L scutum, a shield: see SCUTUM]
Scutari (sku:´tä ři:), Lake lake on border of S Yugoslavia & NW Albania: 140-200 sq. mi. (362-520 sq. km)
scutate (skyu:´teit') •adj. 1 Bot. PELTATE 2 Zool. covered or protected by bony or horny plates or scales [ModL scutatus < L < scutum, shield: see SCUTUM]
scutch (skûch) •vt. to free the fibers of (flax, cotton, etc.) from woody parts by beating •n. an instrument for doing this Also scutch´er [prob. < OFr *escoucher < VL *excuticare, to remove skin or rind < L ex-, out + cutis, skin: see HIDE²]
scutcheon (skûch´эn) •n. var. of ESCUTCHEON [ME scochoun, aphetic for escutcheon]
scute (skyu:t) •n. Zool. 1 any external bony or horny plate, as on some fishes and many reptiles 2 any scalelike structure [L scutum, a shield: see SCUTUM]
scutellate¹ (skyu:t´ªl eit', -it; skyu: tel´it) •adj. covered or protected with scutella, or small scales or plates [ModL scutellatus < scutellum: see SCUTELLUM]
scutellate² (skyu:t´ªl eit', -it; skyu: tel´it) •adj. Biol. shaped like a shield or platter; round and nearly flat [ModL scutellatus (see SCUTELLATE1), mistaken for L scutulatus < scutulum, dim. of scutum, a shield: see SCUTUM]
scutellation (skyu:t'ªl ei´shэn) •n. Zool. the entire covering of small scales or plates, as on a bird's leg or certain fishes [< SCUTELLATE¹]
scutellum (skyu: tel´эm) pl. -tel´la (-э) •n. 1 Bot. any of various parts shaped like a shield 2 Zool. a small, horny scale or plate [ModL < L scutella, a salver: see SCUTTLE¹] [ModL, mistaken for L scutulum: see SCUTELLATE²]
scutiform (skyu:t´э förm') •adj. shaped like a shield; scutate [ModL scutiformis < L scutum, a shield (see SCUTUM) + -formis, -FORM]
scutter (skût´эr) •vi. [Brit.] to scurry about; bustle •n. [Brit.] a scurrying or bustling about [var. of SCUTTLE²]
scuttle¹ (skût´ªl) •n. 1 a broad, open basket for carrying grain, vegetables, etc. 2 a kind of bucket, usually with a wide lip, used for pouring coal on a fire: in full coal scuttle [ME scutel, a dish < OE < L scutella, salver, dim. of scutra, flat dish]
scuttle² (skût´ªl) -tled, -tling •vi. to run or move quickly; scurry, esp. away from danger, trouble, etc. •n. a scurry or scamper; hasty flight [ME scutlen, prob. akin to SCUD]
scuttle³ (skût´ªl) •n. 1 an opening in a wall or roof, fitted with a lid or cover 2 a small, covered opening or hatchway in the outer hull or deck of a ship 3 the lid or cover for any such opening •vt. -tled, -tling 1 to make or open holes in the hull of (a ship or boat) below the waterline; esp., to sink in this way 2 to scrap or abandon (a plan, undertaking, etc.) [LME skottelle < MFr escoutille, trapdoor < Sp escotilla, an indentation, hollowing < escote, a notch, tuck, prob. < Goth skauts, seam, border; akin to OE sceat, SHEET¹]
scuttlebutt (skût´ªl bût') •n. 1 Naut. a drinking fountain on shipboard Æ 2 [Colloq.] rumor or gossip [orig. < scuttled butt, a cask or butt with an opening for a dipper]
scutum (skyu:t´эm) pl. scu´ta (-э) •n. 1 the long, wooden shield carried by infantrymen in the Roman legions 2 Zool. a heavy, horny scale, as on certain reptiles and insects; scute [S-] a small S constellation between Aquila and Sagittarius [L, prob. < IE base *(s)keut-, to cover, skin < HIDE², L cutis, skin, Gr skutos, hide, leather]
scuzzy (skûz´i:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. [Slang] dirty, shabby, disreputable, etc. [< ?]
Scylla (sil´э) a dangerous rock on the Italian side of the Straits of Messina, opposite the whirlpool Charybdis: in classical mythology both Scylla and Charybdis were personified as female monsters between Scylla and Charybdis between two perils or evils, neither of which can be evaded without risking the other [L < Gr Skylla]
scyphistoma (sai fis´tэ mэ) pl. -mae' (-mi:') •n.or -mas the small, attached polyp stage of the scyphozoan jellyfishes, preceding the strobila stage [ModL < L scyphus, cup (see SCYPHUS) + Gr stoma, mouth (see STOMA)]
scyphozoan (sai'fэ zou´эn) •n. any of a class (Scyphozoa) of sea cnidarians, consisting of jellyfishes lacking a velum [< ModL Scyphozoa < Gr skyphos, a cup + zōon, an animal: see BIO-]
scyphus (sai´fэs) pl. scy´phi (-fai') •n. 1 a form of ancient Greek cup with two handles and a flat bottom 2 Bot. a cup-shaped part, as in some flowers [L < Gr skyphos]
Scyros (sai´rэs) Latin name of SKÍROS
scythe (saið) •n. a tool with a long, single-edged blade set at an angle on a long, curved handle, used in cutting long grass, grain, etc. by hand •vt. scythed, scyth´ing to cut with a scythe [altered (infl. by L scindere, to cut) < ME sithe < OE sithe, sigthe, scythe, akin to LowG seged < IE base *sek-, to cut > SAW¹, L secare, to cut]
Scythia (siθ´i: э) ancient region in SE Europe, centered about the N coast of the Black Sea
Scythian (-эn) •adj. of ancient Scythia, its people, their language, etc. •n. 1 any of a warlike and nomadic people who lived in ancient Scythia 2 their extinct Iranian language
SD 1 sight draft 2 South Dakota: also S.D. or S Dak 3 Statistics standard deviation: also sd
'sdeath (zdeθ) •interj. [Obs.] euphemistic contraction of God's death: used as a swearword
SDI Strategic Defense Initiative: a proposed defense system in which weapons based in space would intercept and destroy missiles
SDRs or SDR's (es'di:'ärz´) a kind of international money created by the International Monetary Fund to supplement the use of gold and hard currencies in settling international payment imbalances [S(pecial) D(rawing) R(ights)]
SDS Students for a Democratic Society
SE 1 southeast 2 southeastern Se Chem. symbol for selenium
sea (si:) •n. 1 the continuous body of salt water covering the greater part of the earth's surface; ocean 2 a large body of salt water wholly or partly enclosed by land {the Red Sea, Irish Sea} 3 a large body of fresh water {Sea of Galilee} 4 the state of the surface of the ocean with regard to waves or swells {a calm sea} 5 a heavy swell or wave 6 something like or suggesting the sea in extent or vastness; very great amount or number {lost in a sea of debt} 7 Astron. MARE² (sense 2) •adj. of, connected with, or for use at sea at sea 1 on the open sea 2 uncertain; bewildered follow the sea to make one's living by serving on oceangoing ships go to sea 1 to become a sailor 2 to embark on a voyage put (out) to sea to sail away from land [ME see < OE sæ, akin to Du zee, Ger see]
sea anchor a large, canvas-covered frame, usually conical, let out from a ship as a drag or float to reduce drifting or to keep the ship heading into the wind
sea anemone any of an order (Actiniaria) of flowerlike, anthozoan sea polyps having a firm, gelatinous, often large, body without a skeleton, topped with petal-like tentacles: they are often brightly colored and live attached to rocks, pilings, etc.
sea bag a large, cylindrical canvas bag in which a sailor carries clothing and personal belongings
sea bass 1 any of a large family (Serranidae) of spiny-finned, predatory, marine percoid fishes; esp., a dark food fish (Centropristes striata) with large scales and a wide mouth, found along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. 2 any of various similar fishes, as a white drum (Atractoscion nobilis) of the warm waters along the California coast
sea biscuit HARDTACK Also sea bread
sea bream 1 any of various porgy fishes Æ 2 a porgy (Archosargus rhomboidalis) of the Atlantic coast of the U.S.
sea breeze a breeze blowing inland from the sea
sea captain the commander of a merchant ship
sea change a transformation, esp. a major one
sea cow any of an order (Sirenia) of large, vegetarian sea mammals with a cigar-shaped body, a blunt snout, large, mobile lips, flipperlike forelimbs, and a tail fluke, consisting of the dugong and manatee; sirenian
sea crawfish SPINY LOBSTER Also sea crayfish
sea cucumber HOLOTHURIAN
sea devil DEVILFISH
sea dog 1 an experienced sailor 2 any of various seals [transl. of Ger seehund (or Du zeehond), altered (as if < see, SEA) < earlier seelhund < *seel, akin to SEAL² + hund, dog: from its bark]
sea duck any of various ducks found chiefly on the seas
sea eagle any of several fish-eating eagles of the same genus (Haliaeetus) as the bald eagle
sea elephant either of two very large, earless seals (genus Mirounga) that are hunted for oil: the male has a long proboscis
sea fan any of several gorgonians with the axial skeleton formed into a fanlike structure; esp., a horny coral (Gorgonia flabellum) of the West Indies and Florida Keys
sea feather any of several anthozoans with the skeleton branched into a featherlike form, as the sea pen
sea green a pale bluish green sea´-green´ •adj.
sea gull GULL¹; esp., any gull living along a seacoast
sea hare any of a family (Aplysiidae) of large, sluglike, gastropod sea mollusks, with a rudimentary internal shell and a prominent front pair of tentacles
sea holly a European eryngo (Eryngium maritimum) with leathery, bluish, spiny leaves and globular heads of small, bluish flowers
sea horse 1 any of a genus (Hippocampus) of small, semitropical, marine bony fishes of the same family (Syngnathidae, order Gasterosteiformes) as the pipefishes, having a slender prehensile tail, plated body, and a head and foreparts somewhat suggestive of those of a horse: it normally swims in an upright position, and the male incubates the eggs in a pouch in his abdomen 2 WALRUS 3 a mythical sea creature, half fish and half horse
Sea Islands chain of islands off the coasts of S.C., Ga., & N Fla.
sea kale a fleshy, European, coastal plant (Crambe maritima) of the crucifer family, whose edible young shoots are blanched and used like asparagus [from growing near the coast]
sea king any of the Norse pirate chiefs of the Middle Ages [< ON sækonungr (OE sækyning)]
sea lamprey a parasitic lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) of the N Atlantic that ascends streams to spawn: now landlocked in the Great Lakes, where it is highly destructive to lake trout
sea lane a commonly used route for travel by sea
sea lavender any of a genus (Limonium, family Plumbaginaceae) of stiff, dicotyledonous plants (order Plumbaginales) with white, pink, lavender, or yellow flowers and many branches: often dried for winter bouquets
sea lawyer [Colloq.] a contentious sailor, who habitually argues, questions orders and regulations, etc.
sea legs the ability to walk without loss of balance on board ship, esp. in a rough sea
sea lettuce any of a genus (Ulva) of marine green algae with edible, leaflike parts
sea level the level of the surface of the sea, esp. the mean level between high and low tide: used as a standard in measuring heights and depths
sea lily any of several orders of stalked and attached crinoids
sea lion any of several genera of large, eared seals without underfur, usually living in colonies along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean
sea mew [Brit.] SEA GULL [ME semewe: see MEW³]
sea mouse any of a genus (Aphrodite) of large, marine polychaetes with a flat, oval body covered with bristles
sea nettle any large jellyfish
sea onion 1 the dried bulb of white varieties of a plant (Urginea maritima) of the lily family, formerly used in medicine 2 this plant
sea otter a marine otter (Enhydra lutris) with valuable dark-brown fur, found along the N Pacific coast
sea pen any of an order (Pennatulacea) of mud-dwelling anthozoans that form feather-shaped colonies
sea power 1 naval strength 2 a nation having great naval strength
sea purse a horny egg case or egg capsule produced by certain rays and sharks
sea raven Æ a sculpin (Hemitripterus americanus) found in the N Atlantic
sea robin any of a family (Triglidae) of spiny-finned, percoid sea fishes having a broad head covered with plates of bone, and large, winglike pectoral fins, esp. any of a genus (Prionotus) with reddish coloring Also sea´rob'in
sea room enough open space for maneuvering a ship
sea rover a pirate or a pirate ship
sea scorpion any of an extinct order (Eurypterida, class Merostomata) of large arthropods
sea serpent 1 any large, unidentified or imaginary serpentlike animal reported to have been seen in the sea 2 a) OARFISH b) SEA SNAKE
sea slug NUDIBRANCH
sea snake any of a large subfamily (Hydrophiinae) of poisonous elapine snakes with a flattened, oarlike tail, living in tropical seas
sea spider PYCNOGONID
sea squirt ASCIDIAN
sea swallow TERN
sea tangle any of various seaweeds
sea trout any of various saltwater drum fishes (genus Cynoscion) including several weakfishes
sea urchin any of various orders of echinoid echinoderms having a somewhat globular body of fused skeletal plates studded with long, calcareous, movable spines [so named because of its spines]
sea wall a wall or embankment made to break the force of the waves and to protect the shore from erosion
sea walnut CTENOPHORE
sea whip any of several gorgonians with the axial skeleton branched, forming long, whiplike colonies
sea wrack seaweed, esp. any of the kinds cast ashore
seabed (si:´bed) •n. the ocean floor, esp. the areas with rich mineral or oil deposits
Seabee (si:´bi:') •n. a member of any of the construction battalions of the Civil Engineer Corps of the United States Navy, that build harbor facilities, airfields, etc. [< C B, short for Construction Battalion]
seabird (-børd') •n. a bird living on or near the sea, as a gull or tern
seaboard (-börd') •n. land or coastal region bordering on the sea •adj. bordering on the sea [SEA + BOARD]
Seaborg (si:´börg), Glenn T(heodore) 1912- ; U.S. nuclear chemist
seaborne (-börn') •adj. 1 carried on or by seagoing ships 2 afloat: said of ships
seacoast (-koust') •n. land bordering on the sea; seashore
seacock (-käk') •n. a valve below the waterline in the hull of a ship, used to control the intake of sea water
seafarer (-fer'эr) •n. a traveler by sea; esp., a sailor
seafaring (-fer'iŋ) •adj. of or engaged in life at sea •n. 1 the business or profession of a sailor 2 travel by sea
seafood (-fu:d') •n. 1 food prepared from or consisting of saltwater fish or shellfish 2 loosely, food prepared from any fish
seafowl (-faul') •n. any bird living on or near the sea
seafront (-frûnt') •n. the part of a town or other built-up area facing on the sea
seagirt (-gørt') •adj. surrounded by the sea
seagoing (-gou'iŋ) •adj. 1 made for use on the open sea {a seagoing schooner} 2 SEAFARING
sea-island cotton (si:´ai'lэnd) a fine kind of long-fibered cotton (Gossypium barbadense) grown orig. in the Sea Islands
seal brown a rich, dark brown
seal ring SIGNET RING
seal¹ (si:l) •n. 1 a design, initial, or other device placed on a letter, document, etc., as a mark of genuineness or authenticity: letters were, esp. formerly, closed with a wafer of molten wax into which was pressed the distinctive seal of the sender 2 a stamp, signet ring, etc., or the signet itself, used in making such a design 3 a wax wafer, piece of paper, etc. bearing the impression of some official design and used as to authenticate a signature or document 4 a) something that seals, closes, or fastens tightly or securely; specif., a piece of metal, paper, etc. so placed over a lid, cap, etc. that it must be broken before the container can be opened b) a tight closure, as against the passage of air or water 5 anything that confirms, authenticates, or guarantees; pledge 6 an indication; sign; token {a handshake as a seal of friendship} 7 a) any device preventing the passage of gas through a pipe b) the standing water in the trap of a drainpipe Æ 8 an ornamental stamp placed on envelopes, packages, etc. {a Christmas seal} •vt. [ME selen < OFr seeler < the n.] 1 to mark with a seal; fix a seal to 2 to secure the contents of (a letter, envelope, etc.), orig. by closing with a sealed wax wafer, now usually with mucilage, tape, or a gummed flap 3 to confirm or authenticate (a document, etc.) by marking with a seal 4 to attest to or confirm the truth or genuineness of (a promise, bargain, etc.) 5 to certify as being accurate, exact, of a given size, quality, capacity, etc. by fixing a stamp or seal to 6 to grant, assign, or designate with a seal, pledge, etc. 7 to settle, determine, or decide finally or irrevocably {to seal one's fate} 8 a) to close, shut, or fasten with or as with a seal {to seal one's lips} b) to close completely so as to make airtight or watertight c) to apply a nonpermeable coating to (a porous surface, as of wood) as before painting 9 Elec. to bring (a plug and jack) into full, interlocking contact Æ 10 Mormon Ch. to solemnize (a marriage) for eternity in a church rite seal off 1 to close completely 2 to enclose or surround (an area, etc.) with barriers, a cordon, etc. set one's seal to 1 to mark with one's seal 2 to endorse; approve under (one's) seal in a document authenticated by one's seal [ME seel < OFr < L sigillum, a seal, mark, dim. of signum: see SIGN]
seal² (si:l) pl. seals or seal •n. 1 any of two families (Otariidae and Phocidae) of sea carnivores with a doglike head, a torpedo-shaped body, and four webbed feet or flippers: they live in cold or temperate waters and usually eat fish: see EARED SEAL, EARLESS SEAL 2 a) the fur of a fur seal b) a similar fur used as a substitute for this 3 leather made from sealskin •vi. to hunt seals [ME sele < OE seolh, akin to OHG selah, prob. < IE base *swelk-, to pull, draw (with reference to the seal's labored movements on land) > L sulcus, furrow]
Sealab (si:´læb') •n. any of a series of experimental underwater laboratories developed by the U.S. Navy for undersea explorations and for research in oceanography, marine biology, etc. [SEA + LAB(ORATORY)]
sealant (si:l´эnt) •n. a substance, as a wax, plastic, silicone, etc., used for sealing [SEAL¹ + -ANT]
sealed orders written orders or instructions, as to the captain of a ship regarding its destination, mission, etc., given in a sealed envelope not to be opened until a specified time or place is reached
sealer¹ (si:l´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that seals; specif., a substance used to seal a porous surface, as before painting 2 an inspector who tests and certifies weights and measures
sealer² (si:l´эr) •n. 1 a hunter of seals 2 a ship used in seal hunting
sealery (-i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 a place where seals are hunted 2 the work of hunting seals Also seal fishery
sealing wax a combination of resin and turpentine used for sealing letters, dry cells, etc.: it is hard at normal temperatures but softens when heated
sealskin (si:l´skin') •n. 1 the skin or pelt of the fur seal, esp. with the coarse outer hair removed and the soft undercoat dyed dark-brown or black 2 a garment made of this •adj. made of sealskin
Sealyham terrier (si:´li: hæm'; also, chiefly Brit, -li: эm) any of a breed of small terrier with short legs, a long, white, bristly coat, a squarish muzzle, and a docked, upright tail [after Sealyham, an estate in Wales, where first bred]
seam (si:m) •n. 1 a) a joining of two pieces of material with a line of stitches b) the line of stitches {sew a fine seam} c) the material between the margin of each of the joined pieces and its outer edge {a one-inch seam} d) the line on the outside of a garment at the joining of two pieces of material 2 a line formed by the joining together of any separate pieces; line marking adjoining edges, as of boards 3 a mark, line, ridge, etc. like this, as a scar, wrinkle, mold line on glass, etc. 4 a thin layer or stratum of ore, coal, etc. •vt. 1 to join together so as to form a seam 2 to mark with a seamlike line, crack, wrinkle, etc. 3 Knitting PURL² •vi. [Rare] to develop cracks or fissures [ME seme < OE seam, akin to Ger saum < IE base *siw-, *sū > SEW]
sea-maid (si:´meid') •n. 1 a mermaid 2 a sea nymph or goddess Also sea´-maid'en
seaman (si:´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a sailor; mariner 2 U.S. Navy an enlisted person ranking below a petty officer third class, whose general duties are concerned with most ships' equipment other than boilers and engines [ME seeman < OE sæman: see SEA & MAN]
seamanlike (-laik') •adj. like or characteristic of a good seaman; showing seamanship Also sea´man·ly
seamanship (-ship') •n. skill in sailing, navigating, or working a ship
seamark (si:´märk') •n. 1 a line marking the limit of the tide 2 any prominent object on shore, as a lighthouse, serving as a guide for ships
seamless (si:m´lis) •adj. made without a seam or seams
seamount (si:´maunt') •n. a mountain rising from the sea floor but not reaching the surface
seamster (si:m´stэr, sem´-) •n. [Now Rare] TAILOR
seamstress (si:m´stris, sem´-) •n. a woman who is expert at sewing, esp. one who makes her living by sewing [ME seamestre, man or woman who sews < OE < seam, SEAM + additional fem. suffix -ESS]
seamy (si:m´i:) seam´i·er, seam´i·est •adj. 1 having or showing seams, esp. with rough, unfinished edges, as the underside of a garment 2 unpleasant, squalid, or sordid {the seamy side of life} seam´i·ness •n.
Sean (shän) a masculine name
séance (sei´äns) •n. a meeting or session; now specif., a meeting at which a medium seeks or professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead [Fr, lit., a sitting < seoir < L sedere, to SIT]
seaplane (si:´plein') •n. any airplane designed to land on and take off from water
seaport (-pört') •n. 1 a port or harbor used by ocean ships 2 a town or city having such a port or harbor
seaquake (-kweik') •n. an earthquake on the ocean floor
sear¹ (sir) •adj. alt. sp. of SERE² •vt. [ME seeren < OE searian < the adj.] 1 to dry up; wither 2 a) to scorch or burn the surface of b) to brown (meat) quickly at high heat 3 to brand or cauterize with a hot iron 4 to make callous or unfeeling; harden •vi. [Archaic] to dry up; wither •n. a mark or condition caused by searing SYN. BURN¹ [ME seer < OE sear, dry < IE base *saus > Sans súsyati, (he) dries, withers, L sudus, dry]
sear² (sir) •n. the catch in a gunlock that holds the hammer cocked or half-cocked [< MFr serre, a bolt < OFr serrer, to close, press < VL *serrare, altered (infl. by L serrare, to saw) < LL serare, to bolt, bar < L sera, a bar, bolt]
search (sørch) •vt. 1 to go over or look through for the purpose of finding something; explore; rummage; examine {to search a house for a lost article} 2 to examine (a person) for something concealed, as by running one's hands over the clothing, through the pockets, etc. 3 to examine closely and carefully; test and try; probe {to search one's conscience} 4 to look through (writings, records, etc.) to establish certain facts 5 to find out or uncover by investigation: usually with out •vi. 1 to try to find something; make a search 2 to examine data in a computer in order to locate items having a given property •n. 1 an act of searching; scrutiny, inquiry, or examination in an attempt to find something, gain knowledge, establish facts, etc. 2 the act of a belligerent in stopping and searching a neutral ship for contraband: see RIGHT OF SEARCH in search of making a search for; trying to find, learn, etc. by searching Æ search me! I do not know the answer to your query search´a·ble •adj. search´er •n. [ME searchen < OFr cercher < LL circare, to go round, go about, explore < circus, a ring: see CIRCUS]
search party a group of people taking part in a search, as for a lost or missing person
search warrant a legal document authorizing or directing a peace officer to search a specified person, premises, dwelling, etc., as for stolen or contraband articles, items to be used in evidence, etc.
searching (-iŋ) •adj. 1 examining or exploring thoroughly; scrutinizing; thorough 2 sharp; piercing; penetrating {the searching wind} search´ing·ly •adv.
searchlight (-lait') •n. 1 an apparatus containing a light and reflector on a swivel, for projecting a strong, far-reaching beam in any direction 2 such a beam
seascape (si:´skeip') •n. 1 a view of the sea 2 a drawing, painting, etc. of such a scene [SEA + -SCAPE]
seashell (-shel') •n. the shell of any marine mollusk
seashore (-shör') •n. 1 land along the sea; seacoast 2 Law the land along the sea lying between the usual high-water and low-water marks
seasick (-sik') •adj. suffering from seasickness
seasickness (-sik'nis) •n. nausea, dizziness, etc. caused by the rolling and pitching of a ship or boat
seaside (si:´said') •n. land along the sea; seashore •adj. at or of the seaside
season (si:´zэn) •n. 1 any of the four arbitrary divisions of the year, characterized chiefly by differences in temperature, precipitation, amount of daylight, and plant growth; spring, summer, fall (or autumn), or winter 2 a time or part of the year during which a specified kind of agricultural work is done or a specified kind of weather prevails {the harvest season, the rainy season} 3 the time when something specified flourishes, develops, takes place, or is popular, permitted, or at its best {the opera season, the hunting season} 4 a period of time {a slack season in business} 5 the suitable, fitting, or convenient time 6 the time of a specified festival or holiday {the Christmas season} 7 [Obs.] something that seasons [< the v.] •vt. [ME sesonen, aphetic < MFr assaisonner, to season, orig., to ripen < a- (< L ad-), to + saison] 1 to make (food) more tasty by adding salt, spices, etc. 2 to add zest or interest to {to season a lecture with humor} 3 a) to make more suitable for use; improve the quality of, as by aging, drying, etc.; cure; mature {to season lumber} b) to give (an athlete, actor, etc.) experience to increase skill {many tours seasoned him as an actor} 4 to make used to; accustom; inure; acclimate {seasoned to a hard life} 5 to make less harsh or severe; temper; soften {discipline seasoned with kindness} •vi. to become seasoned, as wood by drying for a season for a while in good season early enough in season 1 available fresh for use as food: said of fruits, vegetables, seafood, etc. 2 at the legally established time for being hunted or caught: said of game 3 in or at the suitable or proper time 4 in good season, early enough 5 in heat: said of animals out of season not in season sea´son·er •n. [ME sesoun < OFr seson < VL satio, season for sowing < L, a sowing, planting < base of serere, to sow: see SEED]
season ticket a ticket or set of tickets as for a series of concerts, baseball games, etc. or for transportation between fixed points for a limited time
seasonable (-э bэl) •adj. 1 suitable to or usual for the time of year 2 coming or done at the right time; opportune; timely SYN. TIMELY sea´son·a·ble·ness •n. sea´son·a·bly •adv. [ME sesonable]
seasonal (si:´zэn эl) •adj. of, characteristic of, or depending on the season or seasons sea´son·al·ly •adv.
seasoning (si:´zэn iŋ) •n. anything that adds zest; esp., salt, spices, etc. added to food to make it more tasty
seat (si:t) •n. 1 the manner of sitting, as on horseback 2 a) a place or space to sit, or the right to such a place, esp. as evidenced by a ticket {to buy two seats to the opera} b) a thing to sit on; chair, bench, stool, etc. 3 a) the buttocks b) the part of a garment covering the buttocks c) the part of a chair, bench, etc. that supports the buttocks 4 the right to sit as a member; position of a member; membership {a seat on the stock exchange} 5 a) a part forming the base of something b) a part or surface on which another part rests or fits snugly 6 the place where something is carried on, settled, established, etc.; center; location; site {the seat of government, a seat of learning} 7 a part of the body in which some power, function, quality, etc. is or is thought to be centered 8 a home or residence; esp., a large house that is part of a country estate •vt. 1 to put or set in or on a seat 2 to lead to a seat or help to settle into a seat 3 to have seats for; accommodate with seats {a hall that seats 500} 4 to put a seat in or on; patch or renew the seat of; reseat 5 to put, fix, or establish in a particular place, position of authority, etc. be seated to assume a seated position; sit down: also take a seat by the seat of one's (or the) pants [Slang] relying on one's intuition and experience rather than on instruments or a predetermined plan [ME sete < ON sæti: for IE base see SIT]
seat belt a restraining device, usually consisting of anchored straps that buckle across the hips, to protect a seated passenger from abrupt jolts, as in a collision
-seater (si:t´эr) combining form a vehicle, airplane, etc. having (a specified number of) seats {a two-seater}
seating (si:t´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of providing with or directing to a seat or seats 2 material for covering chair seats, etc. 3 the arrangement of seats or of persons seated 4 SEAT (n. 5b)
seatmate (si:t´meit') •n. a person in an adjoining seat in an airplane, bus, etc.
SEATO (si:t´ou') Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (1955-76)
seat-of-the-pants (si:t´ эv ðэ pænts') •adj. [Slang] using or relying on intuition and experience rather than instruments, technology, or a predetermined plan
Seattle (si: æt´ªl) seaport in WC Wash., on Puget Sound: pop. 516,000 (met. area incl. Tacoma 2,559,000) [after Seathl, an Indian chief]
seatwork (si:t´wørk') •n. reading, writing, or other work on lessons, done in school by students at their desks
seaward (si:´wэrd) •n. a direction or position away from the land and toward the sea •adj. 1 directed, going, or situated toward the sea 2 from the sea: said of a wind •adv. toward, or in the direction of, the sea: also sea´wards
seaware (-wer') •n. seaweed; esp., large, coarse seaweed tossed up on shore, used as fertilizer [via dial. < OE sæware, seaweed < sæ, sea + war, alga]
seaway (-wei') •n. 1 a way or route by sea; sea as a means of travel 2 a ship's headway 3 a moderate to rough sea 4 an inland waterway to the sea for ocean ships {St. Lawrence Seaway}
seaweed (-wi:d') •n. 1 any sea plant or plants; esp., any marine alga, as kelp: in full marine seaweed 2 any similar freshwater plant: in full freshwater seaweed
seaworthy (-wør'ði:) •adj. fit to travel in on the open sea; sturdy: said of a ship sea´wor'thi·ness •n.
sebaceous (sэ bei´shэs) •adj. of or like fat, tallow, or sebum; esp., designating certain skin glands that secrete sebum [L sebaceus < sebum, tallow: see SOAP]
sebacic acid (sэ bæs´ik, -bei´sik) a white, crystalline acid, COOH(CH2)8COOH, obtained by the distillation of oleic acid or castor oil: used in making plasticizers, alkyd resins, etc. [< L sebaceus (see SEBACEOUS) + -IC]
Sebastian (sэ bæs´chэn) 1 a masculine name 2 Saint (died c. A.D. 288); Christian martyr of Rome: his day is Jan. 20 [L Sebastianus < Gr Sebastianos, lit., a man of Sebastia, ancient name of Sivas, or a man of Sebaste, name of Samaria after the time of Herod the Great]
Sebastopol (si bæs´tэ poul') var. of SEVASTOPOL
SEbE southeast by east
sebiferous (sэ bif´эr эs) Biol. secreting a fatty or waxlike substance; sebaceous Also se·bip´a·rous (-bip´эr эs) •adj. [< L sebum, tallow (see SOAP) + -FEROUS]
seborrhea or seborrhoea (seb'э ri:´э) •n. an excessive discharge from the sebaceous glands resulting in an abnormally oily skin seb'or·rhe´ic or seb'or·rhoe´ic •adj. [ModL: see SEBUM & -RRHEA]
SEbS southeast by south
sebum (si:´bэm) •n. the semiliquid, greasy secretion of the sebaceous glands [L, tallow: see SOAP]
sec (sek) •adj. dry; not sweet: said of wine [Fr: see SACK³] SEC Securities and Exchange Commission sec 1 secant 2 second(s) 3 secondary 4 secretary 5 section(s) 6 sector 7 security
sec. leg. according to law [L secundum legum]
secant (si:´kэnt) •adj. cutting; intersecting •n. 1 Geom. any straight line intersecting a curve at two or more points 2 Trigonometry the reciprocal of the cosine; specif., a) the ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side of a given acute angle in a right triangle (see SINE, illus.) b) an equivalent, positive or negative ratio for certain related angles (Ex.: the secant of 57° or 303° is 1.8362, of 123° or 237° is -1.8362) or real numbers representing radians (Ex.: the secant of .9948 radians (57°) is 1.8362 [L secans, prp. of secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
secateurs (sek´э tэrz) •n.pl. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] shears used for pruning [< Fr secateur < L secare, to cut (see SAW¹) + Fr -ateur < L -ator, -ATOR]
Secchi disk (or disc) (sek´i:) a circular, white or colored disk lowered into a body of water to estimate the clarity of the water by measuring the depth at which it disappears
secco (sek´kô) •adj. dry •n. painting done on dry plaster [It < L siccus: see SICCATIVE]
secede (si si:d´) -ced´ed, -ced´ing •vi. to withdraw formally from membership in, or association with, a group, organization, etc., esp. a political group se·ced´er •n. [L secedere < se-, sed-, apart (< IE base *se-, *swe-, apart, lone > OE swæs, special, dear) + cedere, to go: see CEDE]
secern (si sørn´) •vt. to discriminate, or distinguish {to secern good from evil} [L secernere, to sunder, separate < se- (see SECEDE) + cernere, to separate: see HARVEST]
secession (si sesh´эn) •n. Æ 1 an act of seceding; formal withdrawal or separation [often S-] the withdrawal of the Southern States from the Federal Union at the start of the Civil War se·ces´sion·al •adj. [L secessio]
secessionist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who favors or takes part in secession, or upholds the right to secede 2 [often S-] one who favored the secession of the Southern States se·ces´sion·ism' •n.
Seckel (pear) (sek´эl) a small, sweet, juicy, reddish-brown pear [after the Pa. fruit grower who originated it]
seclude (si klu:d´) -clud´ed, -clud´ing •vt. 1 to keep away or apart from others; bar or shut off from the view of or relations with others; isolate 2 to make private or hidden; screen [ME secluden < L secludere < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + claudere, to CLOSE²]
secluded (-klu:d´id) •adj. 1 shut off or kept apart from others; isolated; withdrawn 2 cut off from the public view; hidden {a secluded garden}
seclusion (si klu:´zhэn) •n. 1 a secluding or being secluded; retirement; isolation; privacy 2 a secluded spot SYN. SOLITUDE [ML seclusio]
seclusive (-siv) •adj. 1 tending to seclude 2 fond of or seeking seclusion se·clu´sive·ly •adv. se·clu´sive·ness •n. [< L seclusus, pp. of secludere (see SECLUDE) + -IVE]
secobarbital (sek'ou bär´bi täl', -tæl') •n. a white, odorless, bitter powder, C12H18N2O3, used chiefly in the form of its water-soluble sodium salt as a sedative and hypnotic
Seconal (sek´э nöl', -næl) trademark for SECOBARBITAL •n. [also s-] a capsule of this [< arbitrary base + -AL]
second banana [Slang] 1 a performer in show business, esp. burlesque, who plays a subordinate role, as straight man, to the top banana, or star comedian 2 any person in a subordinate, often servile, position
second base Baseball 1 the base between first base and third base, located behind the pitcher 2 the position of the infielder stationed at or to the right of second base (as viewed from home plate)
second best something next in quality below the first; something next to the best sec´ond-best´ •adj.
second childhood senility; dotage
Second Coming Christian Theol. the expected return of Christ, at the Last Judgment Also Second Advent
second cousin the child of one's parent's first cousin; also, in some social traditions, the first cousin of one's parent
Second Empire the government of France under Louis Napoleon, 1852-1870
second estate see ESTATE (sense 2)
second fiddle the part played by the second violin section of an orchestra or by the second violin of a quartet, etc. play (or be) second fiddle to have secondary status, as in the affection or attention of another
second floor Æ 1 the floor above the ground floor of a building 2 in Europe and Great Britain, the floor two stories above the ground floor: sometimes used in this sense in hotels, etc. in the U.S.
second growth Æ tree growth on land stripped of virgin forest
second hand 1 the hand that marks seconds on the face of a watch or clock 2 an intermediate person or thing: now only in (at) second hand, indirectly
second lieutenant a commissioned officer of the lowest rank in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps
second line a jaunty, syncopated rhythm in 2/4 time, often used in the rhythm and blues and jazz of New Orleans [from the impromptu percussive rhythms of the row of mourners behind the band in a New Orleans funeral procession]
second mate a merchant ship's officer next in rank below the first mate Also second officer
second mortgage an additional mortgage placed on property already mortgaged: it ranks below the first mortgage in priority of claim
second nature habits, characteristics, etc. acquired and fixed so deeply as to seem part of a person's nature
second papers popular name for the documents by which an alien formerly made application for U.S. citizenship after having earlier filed a declaration of intention
second person Gram. 1 a) the form of a pronoun (as you) or verb (as do or archaic dost) that refers to the person(s) or thing(s) spoken to in a given utterance b) a category consisting of such forms 2 narration characterized by the general use of such forms
Second Republic the republic established in France in 1848, when Louis Philippe was deposed, lasting until 1852, when the Second Empire was established
second self a person so intimately associated with another as to have taken on many of that person's personality traits, attitudes, beliefs, etc.
second sight the supposed ability to see things not physically present or to foretell events; clairvoyance
second thought a change in thought about a matter after reconsidering it on second thought after reconsideration
second wind 1 the return of relatively normal ease in breathing following the initial exhaustion that occurs during severe exertion or exercise, as while running 2 recovered capacity or renewed energy for continuing any sort of effort
second¹ (sek´эnd; often, -эnt) •adj. 1 coming next after the first in order of place or time; 2d or 2nd 2 another; other; additional; supplementary {to take a second helping} 3 being of the same kind as another; resembling a given original {a second Shakespeare} 4 alternate; other {every second day} 5 next below the first in rank, power, value, merit, excellence, etc. 6 inferior; subordinate; secondary 7 Music a) lower in pitch b) playing or singing a part that is lower in pitch •n. 1 the next after the first 2 any person, thing, class, place, etc. that is second 3 [pl.] an article of merchandise that falls below the standard set for first quality 4 [pl.] a) a kind of coarse flour b) bread made from this 5 an aide or official assistant, esp. to one of the principals in a duel or boxing match 6 the second forward gear of a transmission: it provides more speed but less torque than first 7 the act or an instance of seconding 8 [pl.] a second helping of something to eat 9 Music a) the second tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone one degree above or below any given tone in such a scale b) the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them c) the second part in a harmonized composition, esp. the alto d) an instrument or voice taking this part •vt. 1 to act as an aide or second to; aid; assist 2 to give support or encouragement to; further; reinforce 3 to indicate formally one's approval or support of (a motion, nomination, etc.) as a necessary preliminary to discussion of or a vote on it •adv. 1 in the second place, rank, group, etc. 2 next to or next after {the second last row} sec´ond·er •n. [ME secunde < OFr < L secundus, following, second < sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
second² (si känd´) •vt. [Brit., etc.] 1 to transfer (a military officer) from regular service to special service, civil or military 2 to transfer (an official, employee, etc.) to a temporary assignment [< Fr en second, in second position]
second³ (sek´эnd) •n. 1 a) ¹/60 of a minute of time b) the basic unit of time, now defined as the duration of 9,192,631,770 cycles of radiation emitted by cesium-133 2 ¹/60 of a minute of angular measurement: symbol (") 3 a very short period of time; moment; instant 4 a specific point in time [ME seconde < ML (pars minuta) secunda, second (small part): from being a further division (i.e., beyond the minute) < L secundus: see SECOND¹]
secondary (sek´эn der'i:) •adj. 1 second, or below the first, in rank, importance, class, place, etc.; subordinate; minor; not primary 2 a) derived or resulting from something considered primary or original; dependent; derivative b) secondhand; not original {a secondary source of information} c) designating colors derived by mixing two primary colors: see COLOR (sense 3) 3 coming after that which is first in a series of processes, events, stages, etc., as of growth or development 4 coming next in sequence after the primary or elementary level {secondary education} 5 Chem. a) formed by the replacement of two atoms or radicals in the molecule {secondary sodium phosphate, Na2HPO4} b) characterized by or designating a carbon atom that is directly attached to two other carbon atoms in a closed or open chain 6 Elec. designating or of an induced current or its circuit in a transformer, induction coil, etc. 7 Geol. formed as a result of the alteration, disintegration, or erosion of preexisting rocks or minerals 8 Linguis. a) derived from a base that is itself a word, by the addition of a prefix or derivational suffix b) designating a form or a process that is historically relatively late; not original 9 Zool. designating or of the long flight feathers attached to the second joint or segment of a bird's wing •n. pl. -ar'ies 1 a person or thing that is secondary, subordinate, or inferior 2 any of the secondary colors 3 Elec. an output winding of a transformer from which the power is taken 4 Football the defensive backfield 5 Zool. a secondary feather: see BIRD, illus. sec´ond·ar'i·ly •adv. [ME secundary < L secundarius]
secondary cell see STORAGE BATTERY
secondary emission 1 the emission of electrons (secondary electrons) from a material, following impact by high-speed electrons 2 the emission of electrons or electromagnetic radiation from a liquid, solid, or gas, following impact by a charged particle or higher energy electromagnetic radiation
secondary school a school, esp. a high school, coming after elementary school
secondary sex characteristic any of the physical characteristics that differentiate male and female individuals, as distribution of hair or fat on the body, breast and muscle development, deepening of the voice, etc., that are not directly related to reproduction and usually appear at puberty
secondary stress (or accent) 1 a) any accent, or stress, that is weaker than the full, or primary, accent b) a mark (in this dictionary, ') used to indicate this 2 Linguis. a) the second strongest of the four phonemic degrees of stress b) a mark indicating this
second-class (sek´эnd klæs´, -kläs´) •adj. 1 of the class, rank, excellence, etc. next below the highest; of secondary quality 2 designating or of accommodations next below the best {a second-class railway carriage} Æ 3 designating or of a class of mail consisting of newspapers, periodicals, etc.: such mail carries lower postage rates than first-class mail 4 inferior, inadequate, etc. •adv. 1 with accommodations next below the best {to travel second-class} 2 as or by second-class mail
seconde (si känd´; Fr zgouñd) •n. a parrying position in fencing, the second of the eight positions [Fr, fem. of second: see SECOND¹]
second-guess (sek´эnd ges´) •vt., vi. [Colloq.] to use hindsight in criticizing or advising (someone), re-solving (a past problem), remaking (a decision), etc. sec´ond-guess´er •n.
secondhand (-hænd´) •adj. 1 not direct from the original source; not original 2 used or worn previously by another; not new 3 of or dealing in merchandise that is not new •adv. not firsthand; not directly
secondly (sek´эnd li:) •adv. in the second place; second: used chiefly in enumerating topics
secondo (se kôn´dô) pl. -di (-di:) •n. the second, usually the lower, part in a concerted piece, esp. in a piano duet [It < L secundus, SECOND¹]
second-rate (sek´эnd reit´) •adj. 1 second in quality, rank, etc.; second-class 2 inferior; mediocre sec´ond-rate´ness •n. sec´ond-rat´er •n.
second-source (-sörs´) •adj. of or pertaining to a cooperative arrangement whereby the products, as electronic parts, of one company are also manufactured by another company •vt. -sourced, -sourc´ing to manufacture (another company's products) under such an arrangement
second-story man (-stör´i:) [Colloq.] a burglar who enters a building through an upstairs window
second-string (-striŋ´) •adj. [Colloq.] 1 Sports that is the second or a substitute choice for play at the specified position 2 subordinate or inferior in rank, importance, etc. sec´ond-string´er •n.
secrecy (si:´krэ si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the condition of being secret or concealed 2 a tendency to keep things secret; practice or habit of being secretive [altered < ME secretee < secre, secret < OFr secré < L secretus: see SECRET]
secret (si:´krit) •adj. 1 kept from public knowledge or from the knowledge of a certain person or persons 2 withdrawn, remote, or secluded {a secret hideaway} 3 keeping one's affairs to oneself; secretive 4 beyond general knowledge or understanding; mysterious or esoteric 5 concealed from sight or notice; hidden {a secret drawer} 6 acting in secret {a secret society} •n. 1 something known only to a certain person or persons and purposely kept from the knowledge of others 2 something not revealed, understood, or explained; mystery {the secret of Stonehenge} 3 the true cause or explanation, regarded as not obvious {the secret of one's success} 4 [S-] a prayer said just before the Preface of the Mass in secret without the knowledge of others; secretly se´cret·ly •adv. SYN.—secret, the general term, implies a concealing or keeping from the knowledge of others, for whatever reason [my secret opinion of him]; covert implies a concealing as by disguising or veiling [a covert threat]; clandestine suggests that what is being kept secret is of an illicit, immoral, or proscribed nature [their clandestine meetings in the park]; stealthy implies a slow, quiet secrecy of action in an attempt to elude notice and often connotes deceit [the stealthy advance of the panther]; furtive adds to this connotations of slyness or watchfulness and suggests a reprehensible objective [the furtive movement of his hand toward my pocket]; surreptitious connotes a feeling of guilt in the one who is acting in a furtive or stealthy manner [she stole a surreptitious glance at him]; underhanded implies a stealthiness characterized by fraudulence or deceit [underhanded business dealings] —ANT. open, obvious [OFr < L secretus, pp. of secernere, to set apart < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + cernere, to sift, distinguish: see HARVEST]
secret agent a person who carries on espionage or similar work of a secret nature, as for a government
secret police a police force that operates secretly, esp. for suppressing opposition to the government
secret service a government service organized to carry on secret investigation Æ [S- S-] a division of the U.S. Treasury Department concerned with the discovery and arrest of counterfeiters, protection of the President, etc.
secret society any organized group that conceals some of its ritual and other activities from nonmembers
secretariat (sek'rэ ter´i: эt) •n. 1 the office, position, or quarters of a secretary, esp. of an administrative secretary in a government or organization 2 a secretarial staff; specif., an administrative staff or department, headed by a secretary-general [Fr secrétariat < ML secretariatus]
secretary (sek´rэ ter'i:) pl. -tar'ies •n. 1 a) a person whose work is keeping records, taking care of correspondence and other writing tasks, etc. as for an individual in a business office b) an officer of a company, club, etc. having somewhat similar functions Æ 2 an official in charge of a department of government 3 a writing desk, esp. one topped with a small bookcase sec're·tar´i·al •adj. sec´re·tar'y·ship' •n. [ML secretarius, one entrusted with secrets < L secretum: see SECRET]
secretary bird a large, black and grayish-blue African bird of prey (Sagittarius serpentarius), the only species in its family (Sagittariidae), with a long neck, long legs, and tufts of penlike feathers sticking out from the back of its head: it feeds on insects, snakes, etc. [from the penlike feathers of its crest]
secretary-general (-jen´эr эl) pl. -tar'ies-gen´er·al •n. the chief administrative officer of an organization, in charge of a secretariat
secrete (si kri:t´) -cret´ed, -cret´ing •vt. 1 to put or keep in a secret place; hide; conceal 2 to form and release (a specified secretion) as a gland, etc. does [back-form. < SECRETION] SYN. HIDE¹ [< earlier secret, to hide < L secretus, pp. of secernere: see SECRET]
secretin (si kri:t´ªn) •n. a hormone produced in the small intestine, that stimulates secretion of pancreatic juice, bile, etc. [< fol. + -IN¹]
secretion (si kri:´shэn) •n. 1 the act of hiding or concealing something 2 a) a process in which a gland, tissue, etc. produces a biochemical and releases it into the organism for special use by the organism or for excretion b) the substance thus released, including digestive juices, hormones, and perspiration [MFr < L secretio, separation < secretus: see SECRET]
secretive (si:´krэ tiv; occas., & for 2 always si kri:t´iv) •adj. 1 tending to conceal one's thoughts, feelings, affairs, etc. from others; reticent; not frank or open 2 SECRETORY se´cre·tive·ly •adv. se´cre·tive·ness •n. [SECRET + -IVE]
secretory (si kri:t´эr i:) •adj. of, or having the function of, secretion; secreting •n. a secretory gland, etc.
sect abbrev. section sect (sekt) •n. 1 a religious body or denomination, esp. a small group that has broken away from an established church 2 any group of people having a common leadership, set of opinions, philosophical doctrine, political principles, etc., specif. a faction of a larger group [ME secte < MFr < L secta, path, way, method, party, faction, in LL(Ec), doctrine, sect < sequi, to follow: see SEQUENT]
-sect (sekt) combining form forming adjectives cut, separated {pinnatisect} [< L sectus, pp. of secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
sectarian (sek ter´i: эn) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of a sect 2 devoted to, or prejudiced in favor of, some sect 3 narrow-minded; limited; parochial •n. 1 orig., an apostate from an established church 2 a member of any religious sect 3 a person who is blindly and narrow-mindedly devoted to a sect sec·tar´i·an·ism' •n. sec·tar´i·an·ize' (-aiz'), -ized', -iz'ing, •vt., vi. [< fol. + -AN]
sectary (sek´tэr i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a member of a sect 2 [often S-] a Dissenter; Nonconformist [ML sectarius < L secta: see SECT]
sectile (sek´tэl, -tail) •adj. 1 capable of being cut smoothly with a knife 2 Bot. cut into small divisions sec·til´i·ty (-til´э ti:) •n. [Fr < L sectilis < secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
section (sek´shэn) •n. 1 the act or process of cutting or separating by cutting; specif., an incision in surgery 2 a) a part separated or removed by cutting; slice; division b) a very thin slice, as of tissue, used for microscopic study 3 a) a part or division of a book, newspaper, etc. b) a numbered paragraph of a writing, a law, etc. 4 any distinct, constituent part {a bookcase in five sections, various sections of society} 5 a segment of an orange, grapefruit, etc. Æ 6 a division of public lands constituting 640 acres (one sq. mi. or 2.58999 sq. km) or ¹/36 of a township 7 a loose subdivision of a biological genus, group, family, etc. 8 a view or drawing of a thing as it would appear if cut straight through in a given plane 9 any of the distinct groups of instruments or voices in an orchestra or chorus {the woodwind section} 10 any of several tactical subdivisions of military, air, or naval forces Æ 11 a) part of a sleeping car containing an upper and lower berth b) a division of a railroad right of way, usually several miles of track under the care of a single maintenance crew Æ 12 any of two or more buses, trains, or airplanes put into service for a particular route and schedule to accommodate extra passengers 13 Printing a mark () used to indicate a section in a book, etc., or as a reference mark: also section mark •vt. 1 to cut or divide into sections 2 to represent in sections, as in mechanical drawing SYN. PART [L sectio < sectus, pp. of secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
Section Eight (or 8) 1 discharge from the armed forces because of military unsuitability, esp. psychological unfitness 2 a person given such a discharge [from the former section number of the U.S. Army regulation governing this]
section gang a crew of persons (section hands) who do the maintenance work on a railroad section
sectional (sek´shэn эl) •adj. 1 of a section 2 of, characteristic of, or devoted to a given section or district; regional 3 made up of or divided into sections or parts that may be used as separate units, as a sofa Æ n. a sectional sofa, bookcase, etc. sec´tion·al·ly •adv.
sectionalism (-iz'эm) •n. narrow-minded concern for or devotion to the interests of one section of a country; sectional spirit, bias, etc. sec´tion·al·ist •adj., n.
sectionalize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make sectional 2 to divide into sections, esp. geographical sections sec'tion·al·i·za´tion •n.
sector (sek´tэr; occas., -tör') •n. 1 part of a circle bounded by any two radii and the arc included between them: see CIRCLE, illus. 2 a mathematical instrument consisting of two rulers marked with various scales and jointed together at one end, used in solving problems, measuring angles, etc. 3 any of the districts into which an area is divided for military operations 4 a distinct part of society or of an economy, group, area, etc.; section; segment •vt. to divide into sectors sec´tor·al •adj. [LL < L, cutter < sectus, pp. of secare, to cut: see SAW¹]
sectorial (sek tör´i: эl) •adj. 1 of a sector 2 Biol. designating or of a chimera having two or more distinct types of tissue set apart as sectors 3 Zool. specialized for slicing or shearing; carnassial •n. a sectorial tooth [prec. + -IAL]
secular (sek´yэ lэr) •adj. 1 a) of or relating to worldly things as distinguished from things relating to church and religion; not sacred or religious; temporal; worldly {secular music, secular schools} b) of or marked by secularism; secularistic 2 ordained for a diocese 3 a) coming or happening only once in an age or century b) lasting for an age or ages; continuing for a long time or from age to age •n. 1 a cleric ordained for a diocese 2 a person not a cleric; layman sec´u·lar·ly •adv. [ME seculer < OFr < LL(Ec) saecularis, worldly, profane, heathen < L, of an age < saeculum, an age, generation < IE *seitlo- < base *sei-, to scatter, SOW²]
secular humanism HUMANISM (sense 2)
secularism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 worldly spirit, views, or the like; esp., a system of doctrines and practices that disregards or rejects any form of religious faith and worship 2 the belief that religion and ecclesiastical affairs should not enter into the functions of the state, esp. into public education sec´u·lar·ist •n., adj. sec'u·lar·is´tic •adj. [SECULAR + -ISM]
secularity (sek'yэ ler´э ti:) •n. 1 the state or quality of being secular 2 SECULARISM 3 pl. -ties a secular concern, matter, etc. [ME seculerte < ML saecularitas]
secularize (sek´yэ lэ raiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 a) to change from religious to civil ownership or use b) to deprive of religious character, influence, or significance c) to convert to secularism 2 to release by church authority from religious vows and from connection with a monastery or similar religious institute; give secular status to sec'u·lar·i·za´tion •n. [Fr séculariser < LL(Ec) saecularis: see SECULAR]
secund (si:´kэnd, sek´эnd) •adj. Bot. growing on one side only, as the flowers in the lily of the valley [L secundus, following: see SECOND¹]
secundines (sek´эn dainz') •n.pl. AFTERBIRTH [ME < LL secundinae, pl., the afterbirth < L secundus, following: see SECOND¹]
secundum (si kûn´dэm) •prep. according to [L, orig. neut. of secundus, following: see SECOND¹]
secure (si kyur´) •adj. 1 free from fear, care, doubt, or anxiety; not worried, troubled, or apprehensive 2 free from danger; not exposed to damage, attack, etc.; safe 3 in safekeeping or custody 4 not likely to fail or give way; firm; strong; stable {to make a knot secure} 5 reliable; dependable {a secure investment} 6 [Archaic] overconfident and careless •vt. -cured´, -cur´ing 1 to make secure, or safe; guard; protect {to secure a position against attack} 2 to make sure or certain; guarantee; ensure, as with a pledge {to secure a loan with collateral} 3 a) to make firm, fast, tight, etc. {secure the bolt} b) to put under restraint; tie up 4 to get hold or possession of; obtain; acquire {to secure aid} 5 to take into custody; capture 6 to bring about; cause {to secure a laugh} 7 Naut. to bring to a halt; stop •vi. 1 to give security {a policy that secures against loss} 2 Naut. to stop working: said of personnel SYN. GET, SAFE se·cur´a·ble •adj. se·cur´ance •n. se·cure´ly •adv. se·cure´ness •n. se·cur´er •n. [L securus < se-, free from, apart (see SECEDE) + cura, care: see CURE]
security (si kyur´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being or feeling secure; freedom from fear, anxiety, danger, doubt, etc.; state or sense of safety or certainty 2 something that gives or assures safety, tranquillity, certainty, etc.; protection; safeguard 3 a) protection or defense against attack, interference, espionage, etc. {funds for national security} b) protection or defense against escape {a maximum-security prison} c) procedures to provide such protection or defense 4 an organization or department whose task is protection or safety, esp. a private police force hired to patrol or guard a building, park, or other area {if you see an intruder, call security} 5 a) something given as a pledge of repayment, fulfillment of a promise, etc.; guarantee b) a person who agrees to make good the failure of another to pay, perform a duty, etc.; surety 6 any evidence of debt or ownership; esp., a stock certificate or bond: usually used in pl. •adj. of, designating, or serving as security {security precautions, security guard} [ME securite < L securitas < securus: see SECURE]
security blanket 1 a small blanket or other soft cloth, as clutched or stroked by a child for the feeling of comfort and security it affords 2 anything that gives a person a sense of safety or freedom from anxiety
Security Council the United Nations council responsible for maintaining international peace and security: it consists of five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.) and ten nonpermanent members
secy or sec'y secretary
Sedan (si dæn´; Fr sэ däñ´) city in N France, on the Meuse River: scene of a decisive French defeat (1870) in the Franco-Prussian War: pop. 20,000 sedan (si dæn´) •n. 1 SEDAN CHAIR Æ 2 an enclosed automobile with two or four doors, posts between the front and rear windows, and seats for four to six people [? coined (1634) by Sir S. Duncombe, Eng holder of the patent, prob. < It sedente, sitting < sedere, to sit < L: see SIT]
sedan chair an enclosed chair for one person, with glass windows, carried on poles by two men, in use in Europe in the 17th and 18th cent.
sedate¹ (si deit´) •adj. calm, quiet, or composed; esp., serious and unemotional; staid; decorous SYN. SERIOUS se·date´ly •adv. se·date´ness •n. [L sedatus, pp. of sedare, to settle, caus. of sedere, to SIT]
sedate² (si deit´) -dat´ed, -dat´ing •vt. to dose with a sedative [back-form. < SEDATIVE]
sedation (si dei´shэn) •n. Med. 1 the act or process of reducing excitement, nervousness, or irritation, esp. by means of sedatives 2 the state so induced [L sedatio, a calming < sedare: see SEDATE¹]
sedative (sed´э tiv) •adj. 1 tending to soothe or quiet 2 Med. having the property of lessening excitement, nervousness, or irritation •n. a sedative medicine [MFr sédatif < ML sedativus < L sedatus: see SEDATE¹]
sedentary (sed´ªn ter'i:) •adj. 1 a) of or marked by much sitting about and little travel b) keeping one seated much of the time {a sedentary job} 2 a) remaining in one locality; not migratory (said of birds, etc.) b) fixed to one spot, as a barnacle sed´en·tar'i·ly •adv. sed´en·tar'i·ness •n. [Fr sédentaire < L sedentarius < sedens, prp. of sedere, to SIT]
Seder (sei´dэr) pl. Se·dar·im (sэ där´im) or Se´ders Judaism the feast commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, observed in the home by the reading of the Haggada on the eve of the first day of Passover (and by Orthodox Jews outside Israel also the eve of the second day) •n. [Heb seder, lit., order, arrangement < root sdr, to arrange, order]
sedge (sej) •n. any of the plants of the sedge family often found on wet ground or in water, having usually triangular, solid stems, three rows of narrow, pointed leaves, and minute flowers borne in spikelets •adj. designating a family (Cyperaceae, order Cyperales) of grasslike, monocotyledonous plants, including papyrus sedg´y, sedg´i·er, sedg´i·est, •adj. [ME segge < OE secg, akin to sagu, SAW¹: from the shape of the leaves]
sedilia (si dil´i: э) sing. se·di´le (-dai´li:) •n.pl. a set of seats, usually three, traditionally along the south side of a church, for the use of officiating clergy [L, pl. of sedile, a seat < sedere, to SIT]
sediment (sed´э mэnt) •n. 1 matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid 2 Geol. matter deposited by water or wind sed'i·men´tal (-men´tªl) •adj. [Fr sédiment < L sedimentum < sedere, to SIT]
sedimentary (sed'э men´tэr i:) •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or containing sediment 2 formed by the deposit of sediment, as certain rocks sed'i·men´ta·ri·ly •adv.
sedimentation (sed'э men tei´shэn, -mэn-) •n. the depositing or formation of sediment
sedition (si dish´эn) •n. 1 the stirring up of discontent, resistance, or rebellion against the government in power 2 [Archaic] revolt or rebellion se·di´tion·ar'y •n., adj. se·di´tion·ist •n. SYN.—sedition applies to anything regarded by a government as stirring up resistance or rebellion against it and implies that the evidence is not overt or absolute; treason implies an overt act in violation of the allegiance owed to one's state, specif. a levying war against it or giving aid or comfort to its enemies [ME sedicion < OFr < L seditio < sed-, apart (see SECEDE) + itio, a going < ire, to go: see YEAR]
seditious (si dish´эs) •adj. 1 of, like, or constituting sedition 2 inclined toward or engaging in sedition se·di´tious·ly •adv. se·di´tious·ness •n. [ME cedicious < MFr seditieux < L seditiosus]
seduce (si du:s´, -dyu:s´) -duced´, -duc´ing •vt. 1 a) to persuade to do something disloyal, disobedient, etc. b) to persuade or tempt to evil or wrongdoing; lead astray c) to persuade (someone) to engage, esp. for the first time, in illicit or unsanctioned sexual intercourse 2 to entice SYN. LURE se·duce´ment •n. se·duc´i·ble •adj. [ME seduisen < LL(Ec) seducere, to mislead, seduce < L, to lead aside < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + ducere, to lead: see DUCT]
seducer (-эr) •n. a person or thing that seduces; esp., a man who seduces a woman sexually
seduction (si dûk´shэn) •n. 1 the act of seducing or the state of being seduced 2 something that seduces [MFr < LL(Ec) seductio < L, a leading away]
seductive (-tiv) •adj. tending to seduce, or lead astray; tempting; enticing se·duc´tive·ly •adv. se·duc´tive·ness •n. [< L seductus, pp. of seducere (see SEDUCE) + -IVE]
seductress (-tris) •n. a woman who seduces, esp. one who seduces a man sexually
sedulity (si dyu:l´э ti:, -du:l´-) •n. the quality or fact of being sedulous [L sedulitas]
sedulous (sej´u lэs) •adj. 1 working hard and steadily; diligent 2 constant; persistent {sedulous attention to the task} SYN. BUSY sed´u·lous·ly •adv. sed´u·lous·ness •n. [L sedulus < sedulo, diligently, orig., without guile < se-, apart (see SECEDE) + dolus, trickery < Gr dolos: see TALE]
sedum (si:´dэm) •n. any of a genus (Sedum) of mainly perennial plants of the orpine family, found on rocks and walls, with fleshy stalks and leaves and white, yellow, or pink flowers [ModL < L, houseleek]
see¹ (si:) saw, seen, see´ing •vt. 1 a) to get knowledge or an awareness of through the eyes; perceive visually; look at; view b) to visualize as though present; picture 2 a) to get a clear mental impression of; grasp by thinking; understand {to see the point of a joke} b) to accept as right, proper, or suitable {I can't see him as president} c) to consider to be; judge {saw it as his duty} 3 a) to learn; discover; find out {see what they want} b) to learn by reading, as in a newspaper 4 to have personal knowledge of; experience; witness {to have seen better days} 5 to look over; inspect; examine {let me see that burn} 6 to take care; make sure {see that he does it right} 7 a) to escort; accompany; attend {to see someone home} b) to keep company with; be dating regularly 8 a) to encounter; meet; come in contact with {have you seen John?} b) to recognize by sight 9 a) to call on; visit b) to have an interview with; consult {see a lawyer} 10 to admit to one's presence; receive {too ill to see anyone} 11 to be a spectator at; view or attend {to see a show} 12 Card Games a) to meet (a bet) by staking an equal sum b) to meet the bet of (another) in this way •vi. 1 to have the power of sight 2 to discern objects, colors, etc. by using the eyes {to be able to see far} 3 a) to take a look {go and see} b) to investigate or inquire {see if he wants anything} 4 to comprehend; understand 5 to think over a given matter; reflect {let me see, where did I put it?} •interj. behold! look! see about 1 to investigate or inquire into 2 to attend to see after to take care of; look after see double to see two of every object through inability to focus the eyes, as from drunkenness see fit to consider that it is desirable, proper, etc. {go if you see fit; he saw fit to sue them} see into 1 to investigate; look into 2 to perceive the true meaning, character, or nature of see off to go with (another) to the place from which that person is to leave, as on a journey see out [Rare] 1 to carry out; finish; go through with 2 to wait till the end of see through 1 to perceive the true meaning, character, or nature of {saw through his pretty words} 2 to carry out to the end; finish {to see a project through} 3 to help out or carry through a time of difficulty {saw her through her final exams} see to to attend to see´a·ble •adj. SYN.—see, the most simple and direct of these terms, is the basic term for the use of the organs of sight; behold implies a directing of the eyes on something and holding it in view, usually stressing the strong impression made [he never beheld a sight more beautiful]; espy and descry both imply a catching sight of with some effort, espy suggesting the detection of that which is small, partly hidden, etc. [he espied the snake crawling through the grass] and descry the making out of something from a distance or through darkness, mist, etc. [he descried the distant steeple]; view implies a seeing or looking at what lies before one, as in inspection or examination [the jury viewed the evidence] [ME seen < OE seon (< *sehwan), akin to Ger sehen, Goth saihwan < IE base *sekw-, to observe, show, see, tell: see SAY]
see² (si:) •n. 1 the official seat, or center of authority, of a bishop 2 the position, authority, or jurisdiction of a bishop 3 [Obs.] a seat of authority, esp. a throne [ME se < OFr sie, sied < L sedes, a seat (in ML(Ec), a see of a bishop) < sedere, SIT]
Seebeck effect (zei´bek', si:´-) Elec. 1 the production of a current in a circuit when junctions composed of unlike metals have different temperatures 2 the current so produced [after T. J. Seebeck (1770-1831), Ger physicist]
seecatch (si:´kæch') •n. the adult male fur seal of Alaskan waters Also see'catch´ie (-i:) [Russ sekach, sekachi < Ger seekatze, lit., sea cat, transl. of Russ (morskoy) kot, (sea) cat, term used in Kamchatka]