SLR •n. a camera having a viewing system that allows the photographer to see the subject through the same lens that brings the image to the film [s(ingle) l(ens) r(eflex)]

slub (slûb) •n. 1 a roll of fiber, as of wool or cotton, twisted slightly for use in spinning 2 a soft lump or thick irregular place in yarn •vt. slubbed, slub´bing to draw out (fibers of wool, cotton, etc.) and twist slightly for use in spinning [< ?]

sludge (slûj) •n. 1 mud, mire, or ooze covering the ground or forming a deposit at the bottom of bodies of water 2 spongy lumps of drift ice 3 any heavy, slimy deposit, sediment, or mass, as the waste resulting from oil refining, the mud brought up by a mining drill, the precipitate in a sewage tank, the sediment in a steam boiler or crankcase, etc. sludg´y, sludg´i·er, sludg´i·est, •adj. [var. of slutch, sludge, mud: akin to ME sluchched, muddy, prob. ult. < IE base *(s)leu-, to hang limply > SLEET, MHG slote, mud, ooze]

sludgeworm (-wørm') •n. a small, freshwater tubifex worm (Tubifex tubifex) able to live in very low oxygen concentrations, as in sewage sludges and other bottom muds rich in organic matter

slue¹ (slu:) slued, slu´ing •vt., vi. to turn or swing around, as on a pivot or fixed point •n. 1 the act of sluing 2 the position to which a thing has been slued [< ?]

slue² (slu:) alt. sp. of SLOUGH² (sense 4) •n.

slue³ (slu:) •n. alt. sp. of SLEW³

sluff (slûf) Bridge SLOUGH¹ (vt. 2) •vt.

slug¹ (slûg) •n. 1 any of a large number of small, gastropod mollusks, esp. the ones resembling a land snail, but having only a rudimentary internal shell buried in the mantle 2 a smooth, soft moth (family Eucleidae) or sawfly larva, resembling a slug 3 a person, vehicle, etc. that moves sluggishly [ME slugge, slow, clumsy person or thing < Scand, as in Swed dial. slogga, to be sluggish < IE base *(s)leu-, to hang loosely, lax > SLUDGE]

slug² (slûg) •n. 1 a small piece or lump of metal; specif., a bullet Æ 2 a piece of metal shaped like and used in place of a coin in automatic coin machines; esp., such a substitute coin when used illegally Æ 3 Printing a) a strip of metal used to add space between lines of type b) a line of type made in one piece or strip, as by a linotype machine c) a short heading, often a single word, indicating the subject of copy 4 Physics a unit of mass, equal to c. 14.6 kg (c. 32.2 lb.), to which a force of one pound imparts an acceleration of one foot per second per second •vt. slugged, slug´ging Printing to insert (a slug) between lines [prob. < prec.]

slug³ (slûg) •n. [Slang] a single drink, esp. of straight alcoholic liquor [prob. < Dan sluge, to gulp; akin to Ger schlucken, to swallow < IE base *(s)leug- > OIr slucim, (I) swallow]

slug4 (slûg) slugged, slug´ging •vt. [Colloq.] to hit hard, esp. with the fist or a bat •n. [Colloq.] a hard blow or hit [< dial. (Shetland) slog, slag, a blow < ON slag, akin to OE slean, to strike: see SLAY]

slugabed (slûg´э bed') •n. a lazy person who stays in bed when he or she should be up [< ME sluggen (see SLUGGARD) + BED]

slugfest (slûg´fest') •n. [Colloq.] 1 a fight or boxing match characterized by much heavy punching 2 a baseball game in which many hits are made [SLUG4 + -FEST]

sluggard (slûg´эrd) •n. a habitually lazy or idle person •adj. lazy or idle: also slug´gard·ly [ME slogarde < sluggen, to be lazy, go slowly, prob. < Scand, as in Swed dial. slogga, to be slow: see SLUG¹ & -ARD]

slugger (slûg´эr) •n. [Colloq.] a person who slugs; specif., a) a prizefighter who punches hard b) a baseball player with a high percentage of extra-base hits

slugging average a number expressing a baseball player's average effectiveness in making extra-base hits, figured by dividing the total number of bases the player has reached as the result of hits made by the number of times at bat

sluggish (slûg´ish) •adj. 1 lacking energy, alertness, or vigor; indisposed to exertion; slothful 2 not active; slow or slow-moving; dull 3 not functioning with normal vigor slug´gish·ly •adv. slug´gish·ness •n. [< SLUG¹ + -ISH]

sluice (slu:s) •n. 1 an artificial channel or passage for water, having a gate or valve at its head to regulate the flow, as in a canal or millstream 2 the water held back by or passing through such a gate 3 a gate or valve used in opening or closing a sluice; floodgate: also sluice gate 4 any channel, esp. one for excess water Æ 5 a sloping trough or flume through which water is run, as in washing gold ore, carrying logs, etc. •vt. sluiced, sluic´ing 1 to draw off by or as by means of a sluice 2 a) to wash with water flowing in or from a sluice b) to wash off with a rush of water {to sluice a deck with hoses} Æ 3 to carry (logs, etc.) in a sluice •vi. to run or flow in or as in a sluice [ME scluse < OFr escluse & LL exclusa < fem. pp. of L excludere, to shut out, EXCLUDE]

sluiceway (-wei') •n. an artificial channel for water, with or without a floodgate; sluice

slum (slûm) •n. 1 a usually heavily populated area of a city, characterized by poverty, poor housing, etc. 2 something considered to be like a slum, as in being dilapidated or dirty •vi. slummed, slum´ming to visit or tour slums, esp. for reasons held to be condescending slum´mer •n. slum´my, -mi·er, -mi·est, •adj. [c. 1800 < cant: orig. sense, a room < ?]

slumber (slûm´bэr) •vi. 1 to sleep 2 to be dormant, negligent, or inactive •vt. to spend in sleeping •n. 1 sleep 2 an inactive state slum´ber·er •n. [ME slumeren < OE slumerian < sluma, slumber: for IE base see SLUG¹]

slumber party a house party at which young teenage girls, dressed in nightclothes, spend much of the night in talk, eating, games, etc.

slumberous (-эs) •adj. 1 inclined to slumber; sleepy; drowsy 2 suggestive of or characterized by slumber 3 causing sleep or drowsiness; soporific 4 tranquil; calm; quiet {a slumberous little town} Also slum´brous (-brэs) SYN. SLEEPY

slumgullion (slûm'gûl´yэn) •n. [Colloq.] any inexpensive stew or hash [< ?]

slumlord (slûm´lörd') •n. [Slang] an absentee landlord of slum dwellings, esp. one who charges inflated rents and neglects upkeep [SLUM + (LAND)LORD]

slump (slûmp) •vi. 1 to fall, sink, or collapse, esp. suddenly or heavily 2 to decline suddenly, as in value, activity, etc. 3 to have a drooping posture or gait •n. 1 a sudden or sharp fall 2 a decline in business activity, prices, etc. 3 a drooping posture or gait Æ 4 an extended period during which a player, team, worker, etc. is below normal in performance [prob. < or akin to MLowG slumpen, to come about by accident: for IE base see LIMP¹]

slung (slûŋ) •vt. pt. & pp. of SLING¹

slung shot a small, heavy weight attached to a strap or thong, used like a blackjack

slunk¹ (slûŋk) •vi. pt. & pp. of SLINK¹

slunk² (slûŋk) •vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SLINK²

slur (slør) slurred, slur´ring •vt. 1 to pass over quickly and carelessly; make little of: often with over 2 to pronounce rapidly and indistinctly, as by combining or dropping sounds 3 [Dial.] to stain, smirch, or sully 4 to blur or smear, as in printing 5 to disparage or discredit; cast aspersions on 6 Music a) to sing or play (different and successive notes) by gliding from one to another without a break b) to mark (notes) with a slur •n. 1 the act or process of slurring 2 something slurred, as a pronunciation 3 a blot, stain, or smear 4 any remark or action that harms or is meant to harm someone's reputation; aspersion, reproach, stigma, etc. 5 Music a) a curved line written above or below two or more successive notes of different pitch that are to be sounded without a noticeable break b) a group of such notes [prob. < MDu sleuren, to drag, move slowly, trail in mud: for IE base see SLUG¹]

slurb (slørb) •n. [Slang] a suburb with poorly planned, cheaply built housing developments [SL(UM) + (SUB)URB]

slurp (slørp) •vt., vi. [Slang] to drink or eat noisily •n. [Slang] a loud sipping or sucking sound [Du slurpen, to sip, lap, akin to Ger schlürfen; prob. ult. < IE echoic base *serbh-, to slurp > L sorbere, to suck in]

slurry (slør´i:) pl. -ries •n. a thin, watery mixture of a fine, insoluble material, as clay, cement, soil, etc. [ME slory < slore, thin mud < MDu, akin to SLUR]

slush (slûsh) •n. 1 partly melted snow or ice 2 soft mud; mire 3 refuse fat or grease from cooking, esp. on board ship 4 any of several greasy compounds used as lubricants or rust preventives for machinery Æ 5 overly sentimental talk or writing; drivel Æ 6 a confection consisting of shaved or crushed ice with a syrup, usually fruit-flavored, poured over it •vt. 1 to splash or cover with slush, esp. in lubricating or protecting 2 to patch with mortar •vi. to walk or move through slushy snow, ice, or mud slush´i·ness •n. slush´y, slush´i·er, slush´i·est, •adj. [prob. < Scand, as in Dan sluske, ult. < IE base *(s)leu- > SLEET]

slush fund 1 orig., a fund established aboard ship from the sale of refuse fat, etc. and used to buy small luxuries 2 money used for bribery, political pressure, or other corrupt purposes

slut (slût) •n. 1 a careless, dirty, slovenly woman; slattern 2 a sexually promiscuous woman slut´tish •adj. slut´tish·ly •adv. slut´tish·ness •n. [ME slutte, prob. < Scand or LowG form akin to MLowG slote, ditch, mud puddle, Ice sluta, to dangle: for IE base see SLUG¹]

sly (slai) sli´er or sly´er, sli´est or sly´est •adj. 1 [Dial.] skillful or clever 2 skillful at trickery or deceit; crafty; wily 3 showing a secretive, crafty, or wily nature; cunningly underhanded 4 mischievous in a playful way; roguish on the sly secretly; stealthily sly´ly •adv. sly´ness •n. SYN.—sly implies a working to achieve one's ends by evasiveness, insinuation, furtiveness, duplicity, etc. [a sly bargain]; cunning implies a cleverness or shrewd skillfulness at deception and circumvention [a cunning plot]; crafty implies an artful cunning in contriving stratagems and subtle deceptions [a crafty diplomat]; tricky suggests a shifty, unreliable quality rather than cleverness at deception [tricky subterfuges]; foxy suggests slyness and craftiness that have been sharpened by experience [a foxy old trader]; wily implies the deceiving or ensnarement of others by subtle stratagems and ruses [wily blandishments] [ME sley < ON slœgr, clever, cunning, lit., able to strike < base of slā & OE slean, to strike: see SLAY]

slyboots (-bu:ts') •n. a person who is clever or crafty in an appealing or engaging way [prec. + BOOTS, in Brit colloq. sense, fellow]

Sm 1 Chem. symbol for samarium 2 Bible Samuel 3 [also s-] small

SM or S.M. Master of Science [L Scientiae Magister]

smack¹ (smæk) •n. 1 a distinctive taste or flavor, esp. one that is faint or slight 2 a) a small amount; bit b) a touch, trace, or suggestion •vi. to have a smack (of) {diction that smacks of the stage} [ME smac < OE smæc, akin to Ger (ge)schmack < IE base *smeg(h)-, to taste > Lith smaguriaúti, to nibble]

smack² (smæk) •n. 1 a sharp noise made by pressing the lips together and parting them suddenly, as in showing enjoyment of a taste 2 a loud kiss 3 a) a sharp blow with the hand or any flat object; slap b) the sound of such a blow •vt. 1 to press (the lips) together and part them suddenly so as to make a smack 2 to kiss loudly 3 to slap loudly •vi. to make a loud, sharp noise, as on impact •adv. 1 with or as with a smack; violently; sharply 2 directly; precisely; squarely: also [Colloq.] smack´-dab´ (-dæb´) smack down [Slang] Æ to humble or reprimand (someone who is overstepping bounds) [< ? or akin to MDu smack, LowG smacke, of echoic orig.]

smack³ (smæk) •n. 1 a small sailboat, usually rigged as a sloop 2 a fishing boat with a well for keeping fish alive [prob. < Du smak (> Dan smakke, Sp zumaca) < smacken, to slap, SMACK¹: from the flapping sail]

smack4 (smæk) •n. [Slang] heroin [< ?]

smacker (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that smacks Æ 2 [Slang] a dollar

smacking (-iŋ) •adj. brisk; sharp; lively [prp. of SMACK²]

small (smöl) •adj. 1 little in size, esp. when compared with others of the same kind; not large or big; limited in size 2 a) little in quantity, extent, numbers, value, duration, etc. {a small income} b) of slight intensity; of limited degree or scope c) consisting of relatively few units; numerically low 3 of little importance or significance; trivial 4 young {a book for small children} 5 having relatively little investment, capital, etc. {a small business} 6 small-minded; mean; petty 7 a) of low or inferior rank; ordinary; not notable b) modest or humble 8 gentle and low; soft: said of sound or the voice 9 diluted; light; weak {small ale} 10 LOWERCASE •adv. 1 in small pieces 2 in a low, faint tone; softly 3 in a small manner •n. 1 the small or narrow part {the small of the back} 2 [pl.] small things or articles collectively 3 [pl.] [Brit. Colloq.] underclothes, or, formerly, smallclothes feel small to feel shame or humiliation small´ness •n. SYN.—small and little are often used interchangeably, but small is preferred with reference to something concrete of less than the usual quantity, size, amount, value, importance, etc. [a small man, tax, audience, matter, etc.] and little more often applies to absolute concepts [he has his little faults], in expressing tenderness, indulgence, etc. [the little woman], and in connoting insignificance, meanness, pettiness, etc. [of little importance]; diminutive implies extreme, sometimes delicate, smallness or littleness [the diminutive Lilliputians]; minute and the more informal tiny suggest that which is extremely diminutive, often to the degree that it can be discerned only by close scrutiny [a minute, or tiny, difference]; miniature applies to a copy, model, representation, etc. on a very small scale [miniature painting]; petite has specific application to a girl or woman who is small and trim in figure —ANT. large, big, great [ME smal, narrow, slender < OE smæl, akin to Ger schmal, narrow < IE base *(s)mēlo-, smaller animal: see MAL-]

small arms firearms of small caliber, held in the hand or hands when fired, as pistols, rifles, etc.

small beer 1 [Brit. Archaic] weak or inferior beer 2 [Colloq.] a person or thing of little importance

small calorie CALORIE (sense 1)

small capital a capital letter of smaller size than the regular capital letter used The regular capitals used in this dictionary are A, B, C, D, etc.; the small capitals are A, B, C, D, etc.

small change 1 coins, esp. those of low denomination 2 something of little value or importance

small forward Basketball that one of the two forwards whose function is primarily to score and who is therefore usually quicker and more agile

small game small wild animals, and sometimes birds, hunted as game

small hours the first few hours after midnight

small intestine the narrow, convoluted section of the intestines, extending from the pyloric end of the stomach to the large intestine and including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum: see INTESTINE, illus.

small potatoes [Colloq.] a petty or insignificant person (or people) or thing (or things)

small screen, the [Colloq.] television

small stores U.S. Navy small miscellaneous articles stocked by a store on a ship or naval base, for sale to naval personnel

small talk light conversation about common, everyday things; chitchat

smallclothes (smöl´klouz', -klouðz') •n.pl. [Archaic] closefitting knee breeches worn during the 18th cent.

smallholder (smöl´houl'dэr) •n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn)] a person who owns or works a smallholding

smallholding (smöl´houl'din) •n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a relatively small tract of land that is bought or rented for cultivation, sometimes as a source of extra income

smallish (-ish) •adj. somewhat small; not large

small-minded (-maind'id) •adj. blindly selfish, prejudiced, vindictive, etc.; petty; mean; narrow small´-mind'ed·ly •adv. small´-mind'ed·ness •n.

smallmouth bass (-mauθ') a black North American sunfish (Micropterus dolomieui) found in cool, clear fresh waters

smallpox (-päks') •n. an acute, highly contagious virus disease characterized by prolonged fever, vomiting, and pustular eruptions that often leave pitted scars, or pockmarks, when healed

small-scale (-skeil') •adj. 1 drawn to a small scale and showing few details: said of a map, etc. 2 of limited scope; not extensive {small-scale business operations}

smallsword (-sörd') •n. a light, tapering, straight sword, used esp. in fencing

small-time (-taim') •adj. [Colloq.] of little importance or significance; minor or petty

small-town (-taun') •adj. of or characteristic of a small town; provincial, unsophisticated, etc.

smalt (smölt) •n. 1 deep-blue glass prepared from silica, potash, and oxide of cobalt: used, in pulverized form, as a pigment 2 pigment made in this way 3 its deep-blue color [Fr < It smalto < Frank *smalt < WGmc base of OHG smelzan, to melt: see SMELT²]

smaltite (smölt´ait') •n. a white to gray, natural, isometric, cobalt-nickel arsenide, (Co,Ni) As3-x [prec. + -ITE¹]

smalto (smäl´tou; It zmäl´tô) pl. -tos or -ti (-ti:) •n. 1 a kind of colored glass or enamel used in mosaics 2 a piece of this [It: see SMALT]

smaragd (smær´ægd') now rare var. of EMERALD (sense 1) •n. sma·rag·dine (smэ ræg´din) •adj. [ME smaragde < OFr < L smaragdus: see EMERALD]

smaragdite (smэ ræg´dait) •n. a bright-green kind of amphibole [Fr: see SMARAGD & -ITE¹]

smarmy (smärm´i:) smarm´i·er, smarm´i·est •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] flattering in an oily, insincere manner; unctuous [< smarm, smalm, to bedaub, smear (< ?) + -Y²]

smart (smärt) •vi. 1 a) to cause sharp, stinging pain, as a slap b) to be the source of such pain, as a wound c) to feel such pain 2 to feel mental distress or irritation, as in resentment, remorse, etc. •vt. to cause to smart •n. [ME smerte < base of v.] 1 a smarting sensation, pain or distress Æ 2 [Slang] shrewdness, intelligence, or acumen •adj. [ME smerte < OE smeart < base of v.] 1 causing sharp or stinging pain {a smart slap} 2 sharp or stinging, as pain 3 brisk; vigorous; lively {walking at a smart pace} 4 a) intelligent, alert, clever, witty, etc. b) shrewd or sharp, as in one's dealings 5 neat; trim; spruce 6 a) in keeping with the current fashion; stylish b) characteristic of or used by those who follow the current fashions 7 [Colloq.] impertinent, flippant, or saucy 8 [Dial.] quite strong, intense, numerous, etc.; considerable {a right smart rain} 9 Comput. INTELLIGENT (sense 3) •adv. in a smart way SYN. INTELLIGENT smart off [Slang] to be impertinent or flippant smart´ly •adv. smart´ness •n. [ME smerten < OE smeortan, akin to Ger schmerzen < IE *mer-d < base *mer-, to rub away, fret > L mordere, to bite, sting, Gr smerdnos, frightful]

smart aleck or smart alec (æl'ik) [Colloq.] a person who is offensively conceited and self-assertive; cocky, bumptious person smart´-al'eck or smart´-al'eck·y •adj. [prec. + Aleck, dim. of ALEXANDER]

smart bomb [Mil. Slang] an extremely accurate guided missile directed to its target by any of various electronic means, as by a reflected laser beam

smart card [Colloq.] a plastic card with memory provided by an embedded integrated circuit, used for banking transactions, identification, etc.

smart money Æ 1 money bet or invested by those in the best position to know what might be advantageous [< SMART, adj. 4] Æ 2 Law EXEMPLARY DAMAGES [< SMART, n.]

smart set sophisticated, fashionable people, collectively

smartass or smart-ass (smärt´æs') •n. [Slang] a person who is annoyingly or obnoxiously cocky, knowing, flippant, etc.; wise guy •adj. [Slang] annoyingly cocky, knowing, etc.

smarten (smært´ªn) •vt., vi. to make or become smart or smarter; specif., a) to make or become neater or more stylish b) to make or become more alert, knowing, aware, etc. Usually with up

smartweed (-wi:d') •n. any of various knotgrasses (genus Polygonum) whose acrid juice may cause skin irritation

smarty (smært´i:) pl. smart´ies [Colloq.] SMART ALECK Also smart´y-pants' (-pænts') •n.

smash (smæsh) •vt. 1 to break or shatter into pieces with noise or violence 2 to hit (a tennis ball, badminton bird, etc.) with a hard overhand stroke 3 to hit with a hard, heavy blow or impact 4 to ruin completely; defeat utterly; wreck •vi. 1 to break into pieces 2 to be destroyed; come to ruin 3 to collide with crushing force 4 to move by smashing or with force •n. 1 a hard, heavy hit or blow; specif., a hard overhand stroke, as in tennis, that is difficult to return 2 a) a violent, noisy breaking or shattering b) the sound of this 3 a) a violent collision b) a wreck 4 complete ruin or defeat; total failure, esp. in business 5 an iced drink made of bruised mint leaves, sugar, soda water, and an alcoholic liquor Æ 6 an overwhelming popular success Æ adj. that is a SMASH (n. 6) SYN. BREAK go to smash [Colloq.] 1 to become smashed, broken, or ruined 2 to fail completely [prob. < s-, intens. + MASH]

smashed (smæsht) •adj. [Slang] drunk; intoxicated

smasher (smæsh´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that smashes 2 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] a handsome, attractive, or beautiful person or thing

smashing (-iŋ) •adj. 1 that smashes 2 [Colloq.] outstandingly good; extraordinary smash´ing·ly •adv.

smashup (-ûp') •n. 1 a wreck or collision, esp. one that does great damage 2 complete defeat or failure; ruin 3 any disaster or catastrophe

smatter (smæt´эr) •vt. [Now Rare] 1 to speak or utter (a language, words, etc.) with only slight knowledge 2 to study or learn (a subject) superficially •n. SMATTERING [ME smateren, to chatter, prob. akin to MHG smetern, to chatter, gossip, of echoic orig.]

smattering (-iŋ) •n. 1 slight or superficial knowledge 2 a small number [prec. + -ING]

smaze (smeiz) •n. a mixture of smoke and haze [SM(OKE) + (H)AZE¹]

smear (smir) •vt. 1 to cover, daub, or soil with something greasy, sticky, or dirty 2 to apply or daub (something greasy, sticky, or dirty) so as to leave a coating, mark, etc. 3 to make an unwanted mark or streak on, or to obscure, by rubbing {to smear a wet signature} 4 to make a smear with {to smear one's hand across a surface} 5 to harm the reputation of; malign; slander 6 [Slang] to overwhelm or defeat decisively •vi. to be or become smeared •n. [ME smere < OE smeoru, grease] 1 a spot or mark made by smearing 2 a small quantity of some substance, as blood, smeared on a slide for microscopic study, etc. 3 the act or an instance of smearing, or slandering, someone 4 a) [Obs.] ointment b) a substance to be smeared on something [ME smerien < OE smerian, to anoint, akin to Ger schmieren < IE base *smeru-, grease > OIr smir, marrow & (prob.) L medulla, marrow]

smearcase (smir´keis) •n. COTTAGE CHEESE [Ger schmierkäse < schmieren, to spread (see SMEAR) + käse, CHEESE¹]

smeary (smir´i:) smear´i·er, smear´i·est •adj. 1 covered with or having smears; smeared 2 tending to smear, as wet ink smear´i·ness •n.

smectic (smek´tik) •adj. designating or of a kind of liquid crystal in which the molecules form layers, with the molecules ordered or disordered within each layer [< L smecticus, cleansing < Gr smēktikos < smēktos, smeared (< smēchein, to wipe off: for IE base see SMITE) + -ikos, -IC]

smegma (smeg´mэ) •n. a cheeselike, foul-smelling, sebaceous secretion that may accumulate under the foreskin or around the clitoris [ModL < L, detergent < Gr smēgma < smēchein, to wipe off: see SMECTIC]

smell (smel) smelled or •vt. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] smelt, smell´ing 1 to be or become aware of by means of the nose and the olfactory nerves; detect the scent or odor of 2 to sense the presence or existence of {to smell trouble} 3 to test by the scent or odor; sniff {smell the milk to tell if it's sour} •vi. 1 to use the sense of smell; sniff: often with at or of 2 a) to have or emit a scent or odor {flowers that do not smell} b) to have or emit an unpleasant odor; stink 3 to have the odor or a suggestion (of) {breath that smells of garlic} 4 [Colloq.] a) to lack ability, worth, etc.; be of poor quality b) to be foul, corrupt, mean, etc. •n. [ME smel] 1 that one of the five senses of the body by which a substance is perceived through the chemical stimulation of the olfactory nerves in the nasal cavity by particles given off by that substance 2 the characteristic stimulation of any specific substance upon the olfactory nerves; odor; scent 3 an act of smelling 4 that which suggests the presence or existence of something; trace; suggestion smell out to look for or find by or as by smelling smell up to fill with a bad odor; cause to stink smell´er •n. SYN.—smell is the most general word for any quality perceived through the olfactory sense [foul and fresh smells]; scent refers to the emanation from the thing smelled, often implying that it can be discriminated only by a sensitive sense of smell [the scent of a hunted animal]; odor suggests a heavier emanation and, therefore, one that is more generally perceptible and more clearly recognizable [chemical odors]; aroma suggests a pervasive, pleasant, often spicy odor [the aroma of fine tobacco] [ME smellen < OE *smyllan < IE base *smel-, to burn slowly > SMOLDER: basic sense to give off smoke]

smelling salts an aromatic mixture of carbonate of ammonium with some fragrant scent, used as an inhalant in relieving faintness, headaches, etc.

smelly (smel´i:) smell´i·er, smell´i·est •adj. having an unpleasant smell smell´i·ness •n.

smelt¹ (smelt) pl. smelts •n.or smelt any of various fishes (order Salmoniformes); esp., any of a family (Osmeridae) of small, silvery, salmonoid food fishes found in northern seas or lakes: most run up rivers to spawn [ME < OE, akin to Norw smelt, whiting, Du smelt, Ger schmelte, sand eel]

smelt² (smelt) •vt. 1 to melt or fuse (ore, etc.) so as to separate impurities from pure metal 2 to refine or extract (metal) in this way •vi. to undergo fusing or smelting [MDu or MLowG smelten, akin to Ger schmelzen < IE *(s)mel-, to crush, grind fine > MELT, MALT]

smelt³ (smelt) •vt., vi. chiefly Brit., etc. pt. & pp. of SMELL

smelter (smelt´эr) •n. 1 a person engaged in the work or business of smelting 2 a place where smelting is done: also smelt´er·y, pl. -er·ies

Smetana (sme´tå nå; E smet´ªn э), Be·dřich (bed´эř zhikh) 1824-84; Czech composer

Smethwick (smeθ´ik) city in Staffordshire, central England, near Birmingham: pop. 56,000

smew (smyu:) •n. a small Eurasian merganser (Mergus albellus), the male of which has a white crest [var. of smee, akin to obs. Du sme(ente), MHG smiche, kind of small duck]

smidgen (smij´эn) •n. [Colloq.] a small amount; a bit Also sp. smidg´in or smidg´eon [prob. < dial. smidge, var. of smitch, particle]

smilax (smai´læks') •n. 1 GREENBRIER 2 a twining greenhouse vine (Asparagus asparagoides) of the lily family, with bright-green foliage [L < Gr, bindweed]

smile (smail) smiled, smil´ing •vi. 1 to have or take on a facial expression showing usually pleasure, amusement, affection, friendliness, etc., or, sometimes, irony, derision, etc. and characterized by an upward curving of the corners of the mouth and a sparkling of the eyes 2 to look (at, on, or upon someone) with a pleasant expression of this kind 3 to regard with favor or approval: with on or upon 4 to have a favorable, pleasing, or agreeable appearance •vt. 1 to express with a smile 2 to change or affect by smiling •n. 1 the act of smiling 2 the facial expression made in smiling 3 a favorable, pleasing, or agreeable appearance smile away to drive away or get rid of by a smile or smiling smil´er •n. smil´ing·ly •adv. [ME smilen, akin to Norw smile, Swed smila, prob. via MLowG *smilen < IE base *(s)mei-, to smile, be astonished > L mirus, wonderful, OE smearcian, to smile]

smirch (smørch) •vt. 1 to make dirty or discolor as by smearing or staining with grime 2 to sully or dishonor (a reputation, good name, etc.) •n. 1 a smudge; smear; stain 2 a stain on a reputation, etc. [ME smorchen, prob. < OFr esmorcher, to hurt < es- (< L ex), intens. + pp. of mordre, to bite, hurt: see MORDANT]

smirk (smørk) •vi. to smile in a conceited, knowing, or annoyingly complacent way •n. a smile of this kind smirk´er •n. smirk´ing·ly •adv. [ME smirken < OE smearcian, to SMILE]

smite (smait) smote, smit´ten or smote, smit´ing •vt. 1 [Now Rare] a) to hit or strike hard b) to bring into a specified condition by or as by a blow {to smite someone dead} c) to defeat, punish, destroy, or kill 2 to strike or attack with powerful or disastrous effect 3 to affect strongly and suddenly: with some feeling {smitten with dread} 4 to disquiet mentally; distress {smitten by conscience} 5 to strike or impress favorably; inspire with love {smitten with her charms} •vi. [Now Rare] to hit or strike hard smit´er •n. [ME smiten < OE smitan, akin to Ger schmeissen, to throw < IE base *smē-, to smear, smear on, stroke on]

Smith (smiθ) 1 Adam 1723-90; Scot. economist 2 Alfred E(manuel) 1873-1944; U.S. politician 3 Bes·sie (bes´i:) c. 1898-1937; U.S. blues singer 4 David (Roland) 1906-65; U.S. sculptor & painter 5 Captain John c. 1580-1631; Eng. colonist in America: cf. POCAHONTAS 6 Joseph 1805-44; U.S. founder of the Mormon Church 7 Sydney 1771-1845; Eng. clergyman & essayist 8 William 1769-1839; Eng. geologist smith (smiθ) •n. 1 a person who makes or repairs metal objects, esp. by shaping the metal while it is hot and soft; metalworker: usually in combination [silversmith] 2 short for BLACKSMITH [ME < OE, akin to Ger schmied (older schmid) < IE base *smēi-, to work with a sharp tool > Gr smilē, knife]

smithereens (smið'эr i:nz´) •n.pl. [Colloq.] small fragments or broken pieces; bits [Ir smidirīn]

smithery (smiθ´эr i:) pl. -er·ies •n. 1 the work or craft of a smith 2 SMITHY

Smithsonian Institution (smiθ sou´ni: эn) institution & museum founded in 1846 in Washington, D.C. by a bequest of James Smithson (c. 1765-1829), Eng. scientist: branches of the Institution cover a wide range of fields in the arts and sciences Also, unofficially, Smithsonian Institute

smithsonite (smiθ´sэ nait') •n. Æ native zinc carbonate, ZnCO3, an important ore of zinc [after James Smithson (see SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION) + -ITE¹]

smithy (smiθ´i:, smið´i:) pl. smith´ies •n. 1 the workshop of a smith, esp. a blacksmith Æ 2 BLACKSMITH [ME smithi < OE smiththe (< smith) or ON smithja (< smithr, smith)]

smitten (smit´n) •vt., vi. alt. pp. of SMITE

smock (smäk) •n. 1 a loose, shirtlike outer garment worn to protect the clothes 2 [Archaic] a chemise, or sliplike undergarment •vt. 1 to dress in a smock 2 to decorate with smocking [ME smoc < OE or ON smokkr < IE *(s)meugh < base *meug-, slippery, to slip, slip on > SMUGGLE, MEEK, L mucus]

smock frock a heavy smock, esp. of the kind worn by European farm laborers

smocking (smäk´iŋ) •n. shirred, decorative stitching used in gathering cloth, as to make it hang in even folds

smog (smäg, smög) •n. 1 orig., a noxious mixture of fog and smoke 2 a low-lying, perceptible layer of polluted air SYN. MIST smog´gy, -gi·er, -gi·est, •adj. [SM(OKE) + (F)OG¹]

smoke (smouk) •n. 1 a) the vaporous matter arising from something burning and made visible by minute particles of carbon suspended in it b) a mass or cloud of this 2 any vapor, fume, mist, etc. resembling smoke 3 Æ a) an act or period of smoking tobacco, etc. {time out for a smoke} b) something to smoke, as a cigarette or pipeful of tobacco 4 something without substance, significance, or lasting reality 5 something that beclouds or obscures 6 a dusky gray 7 Physical Chem. a suspension of solid particles in a gas •vi. smoked, smok´ing 1 to give off smoke or a smokelike substance 2 to discharge smoke in the wrong place, esp. into a room, as a furnace, fireplace, etc. 3 to give off too much smoke, as a lamp, type of fuel, etc. 4 [Now Rare] to move very rapidly, esp. so as to raise dust 5 a) to draw the smoke of tobacco, etc. into the mouth, and often lungs, and blow it out again b) to be a habitual smoker •vt. 1 to stain or color with smoke 2 to treat (meat, fish, etc.) with smoke, as in flavoring or curing 3 to fumigate as with smoke 4 to drive or force out with or as with smoke {to smoke an animal from its lair} 5 to stupefy or stun (bees, etc.) with smoke 6 to draw the smoke of or from (tobacco, a pipe, etc.) into the mouth, and often lungs, and blow it out again 7 [Archaic] to detect or be suspicious of 8 [Obs.] to tease or mock smoke out to drive or force into the open with or as with smoke; force out of hiding, secrecy, etc. smok´a·ble or smoke´a·ble •adj. [ME < OE smoca, akin to Ger schmauch < IE base *smeukh-, to smoke > Gr smychein, to smolder, Ir mūch, smoke]

smoke bomb a kind of bomb containing chemicals which when ignited give off dense clouds of smoke

smoke detector a usually battery-operated warning device that sets off a loud signal when excessive smoke or heat is detected

smoke jumper an employee of the forest service parachuted to strategic spots in fighting forest fires

smoke screen 1 a cloud of smoke spread to screen the movements of troops, ships, etc. 2 anything said or done to conceal or mislead

smoke tree 1 a small, bushy, Old World tree (Cotinus coggygria) of the cashew family, with filmy, feathery flower clusters resembling smoke 2 a tree (Cotinus americanus) of the cashew family, growing in the SW U.S. and having brilliant orange and scarlet coloring in the fall

smokehouse (-haus') •n. Æ a building, esp. an outbuilding on a farm, where meats, fish, etc. are smoked in order to cure and flavor them

smokejack (-jæk') •n. a device which turns a fireplace roasting spit, taking its power from a wheel rotated by the heated air rising in the chimney [SMOKE + JACK]

smokeless (-lis) •adj. having or making little or no smoke

smokeless powder a propellant or explosive that consists mainly of nitrocellulose and makes little or no smoke when it is fired

smoker (smouk´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that smokes; specif., a person who habitually smokes cigarettes, a pipe, etc. Æ 2 a railroad car or compartment reserved esp. for smoking: also smoking car Æ 3 [Old-fashioned] an informal social gathering for men only

smokestack (smouk´stæk') •n. a pipe for the discharge of smoke from a steamship, locomotive, factory, etc. •adj. designating or of heavy manufacturing industries, such as those producing steel, automobiles, or rubber

Smokey (smou´ki:) trademark for a cartoon figure of a bear dressed as a forest ranger, used as the symbol of the need for preventing forest fires

Smokies (smou´ki:z) GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

smoking gun [Colloq.] any conclusive evidence that proves guilt or fault

smoking jacket a man's lounging jacket for wear at home

smoking lamp [Historical] a lamp lit aboard a ship to indicate when the crew might smoke

smoking room a room or lounge set apart for smoking

smoky (smou´ki:) smok´i·er, smok´i·est •adj. 1 giving off smoke, esp. excessive smoke 2 like, of, or as of smoke {a smoky haze} 3 filled with smoke 4 having the color of smoke 5 flavored by smoking 6 darkened or soiled by smoke smok´i·ly •adv. smok´i·ness •n.

Smoky Hill river flowing from E Colo. eastward through Kans., joining the Republican River to form the Kansas River: 540 mi. (869 km) [named for the haze on the nearby hills]

Smoky Mountains GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

smoky quartz CAIRNGORM

smolder (smoul´dэr) •vi. 1 to burn and smoke without flame; be consumed by slow combustion 2 to exist in a suppressed state or with activity stifled 3 to have or show feelings of suppressed anger or hate •n. the act or condition of smoldering [ME smoldren < Gmc *smul-: for IE base see SMELL]

Smolensk (smou lensk´, smä-; Russ smô lyensk´) city in W European Russia, on the Dnepr: pop. 331,000

Smollett (smäl´it), Tobias (George) 1721-71; Brit. novelist, born in Scotland

smolt (smoult) •n. a young salmon when it first leaves fresh water and descends to the sea [LME (Scot): prob. akin to SMELT¹]

smooch¹ (smu:ch) •vt., n. var. of SMUTCH

smooch² (smu:ch) •n. [Slang] a kiss •vi., vt. [Slang] 1 to kiss 2 to hug, kiss, and caress in making love smooch´y •adj. [var. of dial. smouch, akin to Ger dial. (Westphalian) smuck: ult. akin to SMACK²]

smooth (smu:ð) •adj. 1 a) having an even or level surface; having no roughness or projections that can be seen or felt b) having its projections leveled by wear {a smooth tire} 2 having an even consistency; without lumps {a smooth paste} 3 even, calm, or gentle in flow or movement {a smooth voyage} 4 free from interruptions, obstacles, difficulties, etc. {smooth progress} 5 not easily agitated or ruffled; calm; serene {a smooth temper} 6 free from hair, beard, etc. 7 pleasing to the taste; not sharp or harsh; bland 8 having an easy, gentle, flowing rhythm or sound Æ 9 suave, polished, or ingratiating, esp. in a flattering, insincere way Æ 10 [Colloq.] polished; competent {a smooth dancer} 11 [Slang] very pleasant, attractive, or enjoyable 12 Mech. having relatively little friction 13 Phonet. articulated without aspiration •vt. 1 to make level or even 2 to remove the lumps from 3 to remove wrinkles from by pressing 4 to free from interruptions, difficulties, etc.; make easy 5 to make calm or serene; soothe 6 to make less crude; polish or refine •vi. to become smooth •adv. in a smooth manner •n. 1 something smooth; smooth part 2 an act of smoothing SYN. EASY, LEVEL smooth away to remove (difficulties, obstacles, etc.) smooth down to make or become smooth, or even, level, calm, etc. smooth over to gloss over or make light of (a fault, unpleasant situation, etc.) smooth´er •n. smooth´ly •adv. smooth´ness •n. [ME smothe < OE smoth, for earlier smethe < Gmc *smanthi < IE *som-, together < base *sem-, together, SAME]

smooth breathing 1 in written Greek, the mark (') placed over an initial vowel to show that in ancient Greek it was pronounced without a preceding (h) sound, or aspirate 2 the lack of aspiration thus indicated [transl. of L spiritus lenis]

smooth dogfish a requiem shark (Mustelus canis) without spines in front of the dorsal fin, common in the Atlantic

smooth muscle a contractile type of muscle tissue controlled by the involuntary nervous system, occurring in the walls of the uterus, stomach, intestines, blood vessels, etc., and characterized by nonstriated, spindle-shaped cells

smoothbore (-bör') •adj. having no grooves or ridges on the inner surface of the barrel; not rifled: said of guns •n. a smoothbore gun

smoothen (-эn) •vt., vi. to make or become smooth

smooth-faced (smu:ð´feist') •adj. 1 having no beard or mustache; smooth-shaven 2 having a smooth face, or surface {a smooth-faced tile} 3 having a false semblance of sincerity; plausibly ingratiating

smoothhound (-haund') •n. any of several requiem sharks (esp. genus Mustelus) common in the Atlantic and Pacific

smoothie (smu:ð´i:) •n. a suave, glib, attractive person, esp. a man Also sp. smooth´y

smooth-shaven (smu:ð´sheiv´эn) •adj. wearing no beard or mustache

smooth-spoken (-spou'kэn) •adj. speaking in a pleasing, persuasive, or polished manner

smooth-tongued (-tûŋd') •adj. smooth-spoken, esp. in a plausible or flattering way

smorgasbord or smörgåsbord (smör´gэs börd', smør´-) •n. 1 a wide variety of appetizers and other tasty foods, as cheeses, fishes, meats, salads, etc., served buffet style 2 a meal composed of these 3 a restaurant serving smorgasbord 4 any widely varied assortment or collection [Swed smörgåsbord < smörgås, buttered bread < smör, butter (akin to SMEAR) + dial. gås, a clump (of butter), lit., goose (akin to GOOSE) + bord, table (akin to BOARD)]

smorzando (smôř tsän´dô) •adj. Musical Direction dying away [It]

smote (smout) •vt., vi. pt. & alt. pp. of SMITE

smother (smûð´эr) •vt. 1 a) to keep from getting enough air to breathe; stifle b) to kill in this way; suffocate 2 to cover (a fire), excluding air from it and causing it to smolder or die down 3 to cover over thickly {liver smothered in onions} 4 to hide or suppress by or as by covering; stifle {to smother a yawn} •vi. 1 a) to be kept from getting enough air to breathe b) to die in this way; be suffocated 2 to be hidden, stifled, or suppressed •n. 1 dense, suffocating smoke or any thick cloud of dust, steam, fog, etc. 2 a confused turmoil; welter 3 [Archaic] a smoldering fire 4 [Archaic] a smoldering state or condition smoth´er·er •n. smoth´er·y •adj. [ME smorthren < smorther, dense smoke < base of OE smorian, to suffocate, akin to MLowG smoren, to smoke < var. of IE base *smel- > SMELL]

smoulder (smoul´dэr) •vi., n. Brit., etc. sp. of SMOLDER

smudge (smûj) •n. 1 a stain, blur, or smear; dirty spot 2 a) a fire made to produce dense smoke b) such smoke produced by burning a material in containers (smudge pots), esp. for driving away insects or protecting plants from frost •vt. smudged, smudg´ing [ME smogen, akin to Du smotsen, to besmirch: for IE base see SMUT] 1 to protect (an orchard, etc.) with smudge 2 to make dirty; soil; smutch •vi. 1 to blur or smear 2 to become smudged [Early ModE, prob. < the v.]

smudgy (smûj´i:) smudg´i·er, smudg´i·est •adj. covered with smudges; stained, blurred, etc. smudg´i·ly •adv. smudg´i·ness •n.

smug (smûg) smug´ger, smug´gest •adj. 1 orig., neat, spruce, trim, etc. 2 narrowly contented with one's own accomplishments, beliefs, morality, etc.; self-satisfied to an annoying degree; complacent smug´ly •adv. smug´ness •n. [prob. < LowG smuk, trim, neat, akin to Ger schmuck, neat: for IE base see SMOCK]

smuggle (smûg´эl) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to bring into or take out of a country secretly, under illegal conditions or without paying the required import or export duties 2 to bring, take, carry, etc. secretly or stealthily •vi. to practice smuggling; be a smuggler smug´gler •n. [< LowG smuggeln, akin to OE smugan, to creep: for IE base see SMOCK]

smut (smût) •n. 1 a) sooty matter b) a particle of this 2 a mark made by something dirty; soiled spot 3 pornographic or indecent talk, writing, etc. 4 Bot. a) any of various plant diseases, esp. of cereal grasses, characterized by the appearance of masses of black spores which usually break up into a fine powder b) any of an order (Ustilaginales) of basidiomycetous fungi causing smut •vt. smut´ted, smut´ting to mark or affect with smut [later var. of ME smoten, besmirch] •vi. to be marked or affected by smut [< or akin to LowG smutt, akin to Ger schmutz, dirt < IE *(s)meud- < base *meu-, wet, musty > MUD, MOSS]

smutch (smûch) •vt. to make dirty; smudge •n. 1 a dirty spot or mark; smudge 2 soot, smut, grime, or dirt smutch´y, smutch´i·er, smutch´i·est, •adj. [akin to prec.]

Smuts (smûts), Jan Chris·ti·aan (yän´ křis´ti: ån) 1870-1950; South African general: prime minister (1919-24; 1939-48)

smutty (smût´i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 soiled with smut 2 affected with plant smut 3 pornographic or indecent smut´ti·ly •adv. smut´ti·ness •n.

Smyrna (smør´nэ) old name of IZMIR

SN U.S. Navy Seaman Sn Chem. symbol for tin [L stannum]

snack (snæk) •n. 1 a share or part 2 a small quantity of food; light meal or refreshment taken between regular meals •vi. to eat a snack or snacks [ME snake, a bite < snaken, to bite, snap, prob. < MDu snacken, to snap]

snack bar a lunch counter, cafeteria, etc. serving snacks

snaffle (snæf´эl) •n. a bit, usually light and jointed, attached to a bridle and having no curb •vt. -fled, -fling 1 to fit with or control by a snaffle 2 [Brit., etc. Colloq.] to purloin or snitch [short for snaffle piece, prob. < Du snavel, horse's muzzle < ODu *snabel, dim. of *snabbe, bill of a bird, akin to Ger schnabel: see SNAP]

snafu (snæ fu:´, snæf´u:) •adj. [Slang] in characteristic disorder or confusion; mixed up as usual •vt. -fued´, -fu´ing [Slang] to throw into confusion; mix up •n. [Slang] a mix-up, mishap, mistake, etc. [orig. military slang for s(ituation) n(ormal), a(ll) f(ucked) u(p)]

snag (snæg) •n. 1 a piece, part, or point that sticks out, esp. one that is sharp or rough, as the broken end of a tree limb Æ 2 an underwater tree stump or branch dangerous to navigation 3 a broken or irregular tooth; snaggletooth 4 a small branch of an antler 5 a) a break or tear, as in cloth, made by a splinter, snag, etc. b) a pulled thread in knitted material, causing a loop at the point where it is caught Æ 6 an unexpected or hidden obstacle, difficulty, etc. •vt. snagged, snag´ging 1 to catch, tear, etc. on a snag 2 to impede with or as with a snag Æ 3 to clear (a body of water) of snags 4 to catch or grab quickly •vi. Æ 1 to strike or become caught on a snag in water 2 to form or develop a snag [< Scand, as in ON snagi, wooden peg, Norw snage, sharp point, projection, akin to Ger schnake]

snaggletooth (snæg´эl tu:θ') pl. -teeth' •n. 1 a tooth that sticks out beyond the others 2 a crooked or broken tooth snag´gle·toothed' •adj. [< prec.]

snaggy (snæg´i:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, a snag 2 full of snags, as a body of water 3 having snags

snail (sneil) •n. 1 any of a large number of slow-moving gastropods living on land or in water and having a spiral protective shell: some kinds are used as food 2 any lazy, slow-moving person or animal snail´like' •adj. [ME snaile < OE snægl, akin to Ger dial. schnägel, ON snigill < IE base *sneg-, to creep > SNAKE, SNEAK]

snail darter a very small freshwater fish (Percina tanasi) of the perch family: now nearly extinct

snail-paced (-peist') •adj. very slow-moving

snake (sneik) •n. 1 any of a limbless suborder (Serpentes, order Squamata) of reptiles with an elongated, scaly body, lidless eyes, and a tapering tail: some species have a poisonous bite 2 a treacherous or deceitful person 3 a plumber's tool consisting of a long, flexible rod of spiraled wire for removing obstructions from pipes, etc. •vi. snaked, snak´ing to move, curve, twist, or turn like a snake •vt. [Colloq.] Æ 1 to drag or pull, esp. lengthwise and with force 2 to pull quickly; jerk snake´like' •adj. [ME < OE snaca, akin to ON snakr, MLowG snake: for IE base see SNAIL] Snake river in NW U.S., flowing from Yellowstone National Park into the Columbia River in Wash.: 1,038 mi. (1,670 km) [transl. (prob. erroneous) of earlier Shoshone River]

snake charmer an entertainer who seems to hypnotize snakes by means of movements or music

snake dance 1 a ceremonial dance by American Indians involving the handling, imitation, etc. of snakes; esp., a ceremony performed every two years by the Hopi Indians, in which live rattlesnakes are handled 2 an informal parade in which those taking part move along behind each other in a long, winding line

snake doctor Æ 1 DRAGONFLY Æ 2 HELLGRAMMITE

snake eyes [Slang] a throw of two ones (two) in craps

snake fence VIRGINIA (RAIL) FENCE

snake in the grass a treacherous person or harmful thing that is hidden or seemingly harmless

snake oil a liquid substance with no real medicinal value sold as a cure-all or nostrum, esp. in a medicine show

snake pit 1 a pit where snakes are kept Æ 2 a place of horror and confusion, as a crowded mental hospital where patients are improperly cared for

snake plant SANSEVIERIA

snakebird (-børd') •n. ANHINGA

snakebite (-bait') •n. a bite by a snake, esp. a poisonous one, or the condition caused by it

snakehead (-hed') •n. TURTLEHEAD

snakemouth (-mauθ') •n. POGONIA

snakeroot (-ru:t', -rut') •n. 1 any of a number of plants reputed to be remedies for snakebites, as the black snakeroot (genus Sanicula) of the umbel family or the white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) of the composite family 2 the roots of any of these plants

snakes and ladders [also S- and L-] a British children's game in which dice are thrown to determine the moves of players' pieces around a board marked with pictures of snakes and ladders, which also affect the play

snakeskin (-skin') •n. a snake's skin or leather from it

snakeweed (-wi:d') •n. any of several plants supposedly resembling snakes or reputedly a cure for snakebites; specif., a) any of various plants (genus Gutierrezia) of the composite family, with small, yellow flower heads b) BISTORT Æ c) SNAKEROOT

snaky (sneik´i:) snak´i·er, snak´i·est •adj. 1 of or like a snake or snakes 2 having a snakelike form; serpentine; winding; twisting 3 cunningly treacherous or evil 4 full of or infested with snakes 5 formed of or entwined with snakes, as a caduceus snak´i·ly •adv. snak´i·ness •n.

SNAP (snæp) •n. a small nuclear power source designed to provide electricity for satellites, remote automatic weather stations, etc. [s(ystems for) n(uclear) a(uxiliary) p(ower)] snap (snæp) snapped, snap´ping •vi. 1 to bring the jaws together sharply; bite suddenly: often with at {a fish snaps at bait} 2 to snatch or grasp quickly or eagerly: with at {to snap at a chance} 3 to speak sharply, abruptly, or irritably: often with at 4 to break, part, or be released suddenly, esp. with a sharp, cracking sound 5 to give way suddenly under strain, as nerves, resistance, etc. 6 to make a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound, as a whip 7 to close, fasten, go into place, etc. with a snapping sound {the lock snapped shut} 8 to move or act suddenly and smartly {to snap to attention} 9 to appear to flash or sparkle, as in anger: said of the eyes •vt. 1 to grasp or get suddenly with or as with a bite; snatch: often with up 2 to break or sever suddenly or with a snapping sound 3 to speak or utter sharply or harshly, as in anger: often with out 4 to cause to make a snapping sound {to snap one's fingers} 5 to close, fasten, put into place, etc. with a snapping sound {to snap a lid shut} 6 to strike sharply by releasing one end of something held under tension {to snap someone with a rubber band} 7 to cause to move suddenly and smartly {snap the ball to first base} Æ 8 to take a snapshot of Æ 9 Football to put (the ball) into play by passing or handing it back between the legs to a member of the offensive backfield: said of the center •n. [MDu snap] 1 a sudden bite, grasp, snatch, catch, etc. 2 a sudden breaking or parting 3 a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound {the snap of a whip} 4 a short, angry utterance or manner of speaking 5 a brief period or spell of cold weather 6 any clasp or fastening that closes with a click or snap 7 a hard, thin cookie {gingersnaps} Æ 8 short for SNAPSHOT Æ 9 [Colloq.] alertness, vigor, or energy Æ 10 [Slang] an easy task, job, problem, etc. 11 [Slang] a person who is easy to influence, persuade, control, etc.; tractable person Æ 12 Football the act of snapping the ball •adj. Æ 1 made or done quickly or on the spur of the moment without deliberation; impulsive {a snap decision} 2 that fastens with a snap Æ 3 [Slang] simple; easy {a snap assignment} •adv. with, or as with, a snap not a snap not a bit; not at all snap back to recover quickly from an illness, disappointment, etc. snap one's fingers at to show lack of concern for; be careless of or indifferent toward Æ snap out of it to change suddenly from a bad condition to a better one; recover quickly or regain one's senses snap someone's head off to speak sharply or harshly to someone [< MDu or MLowG snappen, akin to Ger schnappen < Gmc base *snab-]

snap bean any of various green beans or wax beans

snap roll a maneuver in which an airplane makes one complete fast roll about its longitudinal axis while maintaining its general horizontal direction

snapback (-bæk') •n. SNAP (n. 12))

snap-brim hat (snæp´brim´) a man's hat with the crown creased lengthwise and the brim turned down in front

snapdragon (-dræg'эn) •n. 1 any of a genus (Antirrhinum) of perennial plants of the figwort family, with showy white, yellow, red, or purplish flowers; esp., a common garden species (A. majus) with white, purple, crimson, etc., saclike, two-lipped, closed flowers 2 [Historical] [in allusion to a fire-breathing dragon] a) a game in which raisins or the like are snatched from a bowl of burning brandy b) that which is so snatched [SNAP + DRAGON: from the mouth-shaped flowers]

snapper (snæp´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that snaps 2 pl. -pers or -per Æ a) SNAPPING TURTLE b) any of a family (Lutjanidae) of percoid fishes inhabiting most warm seas; esp., the red snapper Æ 3 a) PUNCH LINE b) the climactic, often surprising or shocking part of a story, speech, etc.

snapping beetle CLICK BEETLE

snapping turtle any of a family (Chelydridae) of large freshwater turtles of North America, with a small shell and powerful jaws which snap with great force, esp., a common species (Chelydra serpentina)

snappish (snæp´ish) •adj. 1 likely to snap or bite 2 cross or irritable, uncivil; sharp-tongued snap´pish·ly •adv. snap´pish·ness •n.

snappy (snæp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 snappish; cross 2 that snaps; snapping 3 [Colloq.] a) brisk, vigorous, or lively {a snappy reply, pace, etc.} b) sharply chilly {snappy weather} 4 [Colloq.] stylish; smart Æ make it snappy [Slang] be quick; hurry snap´pi·ly •adv. snap´pi·ness •n.

snapshot (snæp´shät') •n. 1 a hurried shot fired with little or no aim 2 an informal photograph, usually intended for private use, taken with a small camera

snare (snær) •n. 1 a kind of trap for small animals, usually consisting of a noose which jerks tight upon the release of a spring trigger 2 anything dangerous, risky, etc. that tempts or attracts; thing by which a person is entangled; trap 3 a) any of a set of spiraled wires or of gut strung across the bottom of a snare drum for added vibration b) [sometimes pl.] a snare drum 4 Surgery a wire noose for removing tumors, polyps, etc. •vt. snared, snar´ing [< Du snaar, akin to Ger schnur] 1 to catch in a trap or snare 2 to tempt or attract into a situation, esp. one that is dangerous, risky, etc. SYN. CATCH, TRAP¹ snar´er •n. [ME < OE sneare < ON snara, akin to OHG snarha < IE *(s)nerk- < base *(s)ner-, to twist: see NARCOTIC]

snare drum a small, double-headed drum with snares

snark (snärk) •n. an imaginary animal created by Lewis Carroll in his poem The Hunting of the Snark [prob. < SN(AKE) + (SH)ARK²]

snarl¹ (snärl) •vi. 1 to growl fiercely, baring the teeth, as a threatening dog 2 to speak harshly and sharply, as in anger, impatience, etc. •vt. to utter or give vent to with a snarl {to snarl one's contempt} •n. 1 a fierce, harsh growl 2 a harsh utterance expressing anger, impatience, etc. snarl´er •n. snarl´ing·ly •adv. [extended from earlier snar, to growl, akin to Swed snarra, MHG, MDu, MLowG snarren, to growl < IE echoic base *(s)ner-, *(s)nur- > SNEER, SNORE, OIce norn, NORN]

snarl² (snärl) •vt. 1 to make (thread, hair, etc.) knotted or tangled 2 to make disordered or confused; complicate {to snarl traffic} 3 to ornament (metalwork) with a raised design, as by hammering •vi. to become knotted or tangled •n. [ME snarle] 1 a knotted or tangled mass or tuft; tangle {hair full of snarls} 2 a confused, disordered state or situation; complication; confusion [ME snarlen < snare (see SNARE) + -len, -LE]

snarly¹ (snärl´i:) snarl´i·er, snarl´i·est •adj. snarling; bad-tempered; cross

snarly² (snärl´i:) snarl´i·er, snarl´i·est •adj. snarled; tangled; confused

snatch (snæch) •vt. 1 to grasp or seize suddenly, eagerly, or without right, warning, etc.; grab 2 to remove abruptly or hastily 3 to take, get, or avail oneself of hastily or while there is a chance {to snatch some rest} Æ 4 [Slang] to kidnap •vi. 1 to try to grasp or seize a thing suddenly; grab (at) 2 to accept or take advantage of a chance, etc. eagerly: with at •n. [ME snacche] 1 the act of snatching; a grab 2 a brief period; short time or spell {to sleep in snatches} 3 a small portion, esp. one that is incomplete or disconnected; fragment; bit {snatches of gossip} 4 [Vulgar Slang] the vulva Æ 5 [Slang] an act of kidnapping 6 Weight Lifting a lift in which the barbell is raised in one continuous motion from the floor to a position directly overhead with the arms completely extended SYN. TAKE snatch´er •n. [ME snacchen, prob. var. of snakken, to seize; akin to snaken: see SNACK]

snatch block Naut. a block so designed that it can be readily opened for the insertion of the bight (as distinct from the end) of a rope

snatchy (-i:) snatch´i·er, snatch´i·est •adj. done in snatches; not complete or continuous; disconnected

snath (snæθ) •n. the curved shaft or handle of a scythe Also snathe (sneið) [altered (infl. by dial. snathe, to lop, prune < ON sneitha, to cut; akin to OE snithan: see SCHNITZEL) < OE snæd]

snazzy (snæz´i:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. [Slang] stylishly or showily attractive; flashy [< ? SN(APPY) + (J)AZZY]

sneak (sni:k) sneaked or •vi. Æ snuck, sneak´ing 1 to move quietly and stealthily so as to avoid being seen or heard; go furtively 2 to be a sneak; behave in a stealthy, underhanded, or cowardly manner •vt. to give, put, carry, take, etc. secretly or in a stealthy, sneaking manner •n. 1 a person who sneaks; stealthy, underhanded, contemptible person 2 an act of sneaking Æ 3 short for SNEAKER •adj. without warning; stealthy {a sneak attack} sneak out of to avoid (duty, a task, etc.) by sneaking or stealth [prob. < OE *snecan, akin to snican, to crawl: for IE base see SNAIL]

sneak preview a single advance showing of a film, as for evaluating audience reaction or for increasing interest in the film prior to the regular showing

sneak thief a person who commits thefts in a sneaking way, without the use of force or violence

sneaker (sni:´kэr) •n. 1 a person or animal that sneaks Æ 2 a shoe or slipper with a cloth upper and a continuous sole and heel as of one piece of soft rubber, used for play and sports

sneaking (-kiŋ) •adj. 1 cowardly, stealthy, underhanded, or furtive {a sneaking manner} 2 not admitted or made known to others; secret {a sneaking fondness for candy} sneak´ing·ly •adv.

sneaking suspicion a slight or increasing suspicion

sneaky (sni:´ki:) sneak´i·er, sneak´i·est •adj. of or like a sneak; underhanded sneak´i·ly •adv. sneak´i·ness •n.

sneaky Pete (pi:t) [Slang] very cheap wine, often the dregs

sneer (snir) •vi. 1 to smile derisively; show scorn or contempt as by curling the upper lip 2 to express derision, scorn, or contempt in speech or writing •vt. 1 to utter with a sneer or in a sneering manner 2 to affect in a particular way by sneering {to sneer down a proposal} •n. 1 an act of sneering 2 a sneering expression, insinuation, etc. sneer´er •n. sneer´ing·ly •adv. [ME sneren, akin to Fris sneere, to scorn, Dan snaere, to grin like a dog: see SNARL¹]

sneeze (sni:z) sneezed, sneez´ing •vi. to exhale breath from the nose and mouth in a sudden, involuntary, explosive action, as a result of an irritation of the nasal mucous membrane •n. an act of sneezing not to be sneezed at not to be considered lightly or disregarded sneez´er •n. sneez´y •adj. [ME snesen, prob. echoic alteration of fnesen < OE fneosan: for IE base see PNEUMA]

sneezeweed (-wi:d') •n. any of a genus (Helenium) of plants of the composite family; esp., a North American perennial (H. autumnale) said to cause sneezing

sneezewort (-wørt') •n. a strong-smelling, white-flowered plant (Achillea ptarmica) of the composite family, with leaves and flowers formerly used in medicine

snell¹ (snel) •adj. [Dial.] 1 quick; active 2 clever; smart; acute 3 severe; extreme; harsh 4 keen; sharp [ME < OE, akin to Ger schnell]

snell² (snel) •n. a short length of gut, nylon, etc. used to attach a fishhook to a fish line •vt. to attach (a fishhook) to a snell [U.S. dial. < ?]

SNG •n. any manufactured fuel gas with properties similar to natural gas, produced from organic material such as coal or naphtha [s(ubstitute) or s(ynthetic) n(atural) g(as)]

snick¹ (snik) •n. 1 a small cut or notch; nick 2 Cricket a glancing blow •vt. 1 to cut slightly; nick 2 Cricket to hit (the ball) a glancing blow [prob. back-form. < snick or snee: see SNICKERSNEE]

snick² (snik) •n., vt., vi. CLICK [echoic]

snicker (snik´эr) •vi. 1 to laugh in a sly or derisive, partly stifled manner 2 to neigh; nicker •vt. to utter with a snicker •n. a sly or derisive, partly stifled laugh SYN. LAUGH snick´er·ing·ly •adv. [echoic]

snickersnee (snik´эr sni:') •n. [Rare] a large knife, designed for use as a thrusting and cutting weapon [< snick or snee, earlier stick or snee, combat with knives < Du steken, to thrust, stab + snijden, to cut]

snide (snaid) •adj. slyly malicious or derisive {a snide remark} snide´ly •adv. snide´ness •n. [orig., counterfeit, bogus < thieves' slang, prob. of Du dial. or Ger orig. < base of Ger schneiden, to cut, with reference to coin clipping and, later, to cutting remarks]

sniff (snif) •vi. 1 to draw in air through the nose with enough force to be heard, as in clearing the nose or smelling something 2 to express disdain, skepticism, etc. by sniffing •vt. 1 to breathe in forcibly through the nose; draw in or inhale nasally 2 to smell (a substance) by sniffing 3 to detect, perceive, or get a suspicion of by or as by sniffing: often with out •n. 1 an act or sound of sniffing 2 something sniffed sniff´er •n. [ME sniffen, akin to Dan snive, of echoic orig.]

sniffle (snif´эl) -fled, -fling •vi. to sniff repeatedly, as in checking mucus running from the nose •n. an act or sound of sniffling the sniffles [Colloq.] 1 a head cold 2 the sniffling that accompanies a crying spell snif´fler •n.

sniffy (snif´i:) sniff´i·er, sniff´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 characterized by or having a tendency to sniff 2 contemptuous; disdainful Also sniff´ish sniff´i·ly •adv. sniff´i·ness •n.

snifter (snif´tэr) •n. Æ 1 a footed goblet that tapers to a small opening to concentrate the aroma, as of brandy Æ 2 [Slang] a small drink of liquor [< snift, var. of SNIFF]

snigger (snig´эr) •vi., vt., n. SNICKER [echoic]

sniggle (snig´эl) -gled, -gling •vi. to fish for eels by putting a baited hook into their hiding holes •vt. to catch (eels) by this method [< dial. snig, eel < ME snygge, young eel, prob. akin to snegge, snail, akin to Ger schnecke: for IE base see SNAIL]

snip (snip) snipped, snip´ping •vt. 1 to cut with scissors or shears in a short, quick stroke or strokes 2 to remove by or as by such cutting •vi. to make a short, quick cut or cuts •n. 1 a small cut made with scissors, etc. 2 the sound of this 3 a) a small piece cut off b) any small piece; bit 4 [pl.] heavy hand shears used esp. for cutting sheet metal 5 [Colloq.] a young, small, or insignificant person, esp. one regarded as impudent or insolent snip´per •n. [Du snippen, akin to SNAP]

snipe (snaip) •n. 1 pl. snipes any of various shorebirds (family Scolopacidae) with a long, slender, flexible bill used in probing for food, esp. a genus (Gallinago) living chiefly in marshy places 2 a shot from a hidden position Æ 3 [Slang] a cigar butt or cigarette butt •vi. sniped, snip´ing 1 to hunt or shoot snipe 2 to shoot from a hidden position, as at individuals of an enemy force 3 to direct an attack (at someone) in a sly or underhanded way [ME snype < ON snipa (akin to Ger schnepfe) < Gmc *sneb-, beak < base seen in SNIP, SNAP]

sniper (snai´pэr) •n. a person, esp. a soldier, who snipes

sniperscope (-skoup') •n. a snooperscope for mounting on a rifle or carbine: used chiefly in World War II

snippet (snip´it) •n. a small, snipped piece; small scrap or portion, specif. of information, a book, etc. [dim. of SNIP]

snippety (-i:) •adj. 1 made up of scraps or snippets 2 [Colloq.] SNIPPY

snippy (snip´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 made up of small scraps or snips; fragmentary 2 [Colloq.] curt, sharp, or snappish, esp. in an insolent manner snip´pi·ly •adv. snip´pi·ness •n.

snit (snit) •n. a fit of anger, pique, etc. Usually in (or into) a snit [< ? prec. + (F)IT²]

snitch (snich) •vt. [Slang] to steal (usually something of little value); pilfer •vi. [Slang] to be an informer; tattle (on) •n. [Slang] an informer Also snitch´er [< 18th-c. thieves' slang: orig. sense a nose]

snivel (sniv´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vi. 1 to have mucus running from the nose 2 to sniff repeatedly, as from a head cold, crying, etc.; sniffle 3 to cry and sniffle 4 to fret or complain in a whining, tearful manner 5 to make a whining, tearful, often false display of grief, sympathy, disappointment, etc. •n. 1 nasal mucus 2 the act of sniveling 3 a sniveling display of grief, etc. sniv´el·er •n. [ME snivelen < OE *snyflan < base seen in snofl, mucus, prob. ult. < IE base *sneu-, to flow]

snob (snäb) •n. 1 orig., a person having no wealth or social rank; one of the common people 2 a person who attaches great importance to wealth, social position, etc., having contempt for those whom he considers his inferiors, and admiring and seeking to associate with those whom he considers his superiors 3 a person who feels and acts smugly superior about his particular tastes or interests {an intellectual snob} snob´bish •adj. snob´bish·ly •adv. snob´bish·ness •n. [orig. dial. boy, cobbler's boy < ?]

snobbery (-эr i:) pl. -ber·ies snobbish behavior or character, or an instance of this Also snob´bism •n.

snobby (snäb´i:) •adj. of, like, or characteristic of a snob

snog (snäg) •vi. [Brit. Slang] to kiss, cuddle, or fondle [< ?]

snood (snu:d) •n. 1 a tie or ribbon for the hair, esp. as formerly worn by young unmarried women in Scotland 2 a baglike net worn at the back of a woman's head to hold the hair 3 a hat or part of a hat resembling this 4 SNELL² •vt. to bind or hold up (the hair) with a snood [via ME dial. < OE snod, ult. < IE base *snē-, to twist threads, spin > NEEDLE]

snook¹ (snuk) pl. snook •n.or snooks any of a family (Centropomidae) of percoid fishes of warm seas; esp., a large game and food fish (Centropomus undecimalis) of the tropical Atlantic [Du snoek, pike < MDu snoec, akin to ON snokr, small shark & OE snacc, small vessel]

snook² (snuk) •n. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] the gesture of thumbing one's nose in defiance or derision Chiefly in cock a snook at to indicate contempt for by this gesture [< ?]

snooker (snuk´эr) •n. a variety of the game of pool played with fifteen red balls and six other balls •vt. 1 to make a direct shot impossible for (an opponent in snooker) 2 [Colloq.] to thwart or defeat 3 [Slang] to deceive [< ?]

snoop (snu:p) •vi. [Colloq.] to look about in a sneaking, prying way •n. [Colloq.] 1 a person who snoops: also snoop´er 2 the act of snooping snoop´y, snoop´i·er, snoop´i·est, •adj. [Du snoepen, to eat snacks on the sly]

snooperscope (snu:p´эr skoup') •n. an electronic viewing device using infrared radiation that allows an observer to see objects, areas, etc. in the dark [see SNOOP & -SCOPE]

snoot (snu:t) •n. 1 [Colloq.] the nose 2 the face 3 a grimace •vt. to snub [ME snute: see SNOUT]

snooty (-i:) snoot´i·er, snoot´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] haughty; snobbish snoot´i·ly •adv. snoot´i·ness •n. [prec. + -Y²: from the elevation of the nose of haughty people]

snooze (snu:z) •n. [Colloq.] a brief sleep; nap; doze •vi. snoozed, snooz´ing [Colloq.] to take a brief sleep; nap; doze snooz´er •n. [< 18th-c. cant < ? or akin to LowG snusen (Dan snuse), to sniff, snore]

Snoqualmie Falls (snou kwäl´mi:) waterfall, 270 ft. (82.2 m), in WC Wash., on a river (Snoqualmie) that flows west out of the Cascades [< Salish tribal name]

snore (snör) snored, snor´ing •vi. to breathe, while asleep, with harsh sounds caused by vibration of the soft palate, usually with the mouth open •n. the act or sound of snoring snor´er •n. [ME snoren: see SNARL¹]

snorkel (snör´kэl) •n. 1 a device for submarines, consisting of air intake and exhaust tubes: it permits submergence for long periods 2 a breathing tube extending above the surface of the water, used in swimming just below the surface 3 a hydraulic crane with a bucketlike aerial platform, mounted on a truck for firefighting, etc. •vi. -keled, -kel·ing to move or swim underwater using a snorkel snor´kel·er •n. [Ger schnorchel, inlet, breathing tube, lit., snort, akin to schnarchen, to snore, akin to prec.]

Snorri Sturluson (snö´ri: stør´lэ sэn) c. 1179-1241; Ice. historian & poet

snort (snört) •vi. 1 to force breath suddenly and violently through the nostrils so as to make a harsh sound 2 to express anger, contempt, or the like by a snort 3 to make a noise like a snort, as in laughing boisterously •vt. 1 to express or utter with a snort 2 to expel by or as by a snort Æ 3 [Slang] to take (a narcotic drug) up into the nose by sniffing •n. 1 the act or sound of snorting Æ 2 [Slang] a quick drink of straight liquor snort´er •n. [ME snorten, prob. < or akin to snoren, to SNORE]

snot (snät) •n. [Slang] 1 nasal mucus: sometimes considered mildly vulgar 2 a person, esp. a young person, who is impudent, insolent, etc. [ME < OE (ge)snot, mucus, akin to Ger dial. schnutz: for IE base see SNOUT]

snotty (-i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. [Slang] 1 of, like, or dirtied with snot 2 a) offensive; contemptible b) impudent, insolent, etc. snot´ti·ly •adv. snot´ti·ness •n.

snout (snaut) •n. 1 a) the projecting nose and jaws, or muzzle, of an animal b) an anterior prolongation of the head resembling this, as in a weevil; rostrum 2 something like an animal's snout, as a nozzle 3 [Colloq.] a human nose, esp. a large one [ME snoute, prob. < MDu snute, akin to Ger schnauze < IE base *snā-, *sneu-, to drip fluid, wetness > L natare, to swim, nutrire, to nurse]

snout beetle WEEVIL

Snow (snou), C(harles) P(ercy) Baron Snow of Leicester 1905-80; Eng. novelist & physicist snow (snou) •n. 1 particles of water vapor which when frozen in the upper air fall to earth as soft, white, crystalline flakes 2 a) a falling of snow b) snowy weather 3 a mass or accumulation of fallen snow 4 [Old Poet.] whiteness 5 something like snow in whiteness, texture, etc. Æ 6 fluctuating spots appearing on a television screen as a result of a weak signal Æ 7 [Slang] cocaine or heroin •vi. to fall as or like snow [ME snowen < OE sniwian] •vt. 1 to shower or let fall as or like snow Æ 2 to cover, obstruct, etc. with or as with snow: usually with in, up, under, etc. Æ 3 [Slang] to deceive, mislead, or win over by glib talk, flattery, etc. Æ snow under 1 to weigh down or overwhelm with work, etc. 2 to defeat decisively [ME < OE snaw, akin to Ger schnee < IE base *sneigwh-, to snow, *snoigwhos, snow > OIr snechta, Russ snieg, L nix (gen. nivis)]

snow blower a motorized, hand-guided machine on wheels, for removing snow as from walks Also snow thrower

snow bunting a small bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) inhabiting cold regions in the Northern Hemisphere: the male is white in summer with black streaks on the back

snow cone a confection consisting of crushed ice covered with flavored syrup, served in a paper cone

snow fence a light fence of lath and wire erected to control the drifting of snow

snow goose a wild, medium-sized, white goose (Anser caerulescens) with a reddish bill and black wing tips, that breeds in the Arctic and has a bluish-gray color phase if it migrates farther south

snow job [Slang] the act or an instance of deceiving, persuading, etc. with glib talk, flattery, etc.

snow leopard a large, whitish cat (Panthera uncia) of the mountains of C Asia, having many dark blotches on its long, thick fur

snow line (or limit) the lower boundary of a high region in which snow never melts

snow pea a variety of pea with crisp, edible seedpods

snow plant Æ a red, fleshy, saprophytic plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) of the heath family, with hanging red flowers and no leaves, growing in the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada: often found in spring before the snow has melted

snow pudding a kind of fluffy pudding made with beaten egg whites, sugar, and gelatin or cornstarch

snow tire a tire with a deep tread, and sometimes protruding studs, for added traction on snow or ice

snowball (snou´böl') •n. 1 a mass of snow packed together into a ball Æ 2 any of various plants with snowball-like flowers; esp., a cultivated European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus var. roseum) with spherical clusters of sterile, white or pinkish flowers •vi. 1 to increase or accumulate rapidly and out of control like a ball of snow rolling downhill 2 to throw snowballs •vt. 1 to throw snowballs at 2 to cause to increase or accumulate rapidly

snowbank (-bæŋk') •n. a large mass of snow, esp. a drift on a hillside, in a gully, etc.

snowbell (-bel') •n. any of several shrubby, white-flowered plants (genus Styrax) of the storax family, native to the E U.S. and the Orient

Snowbelt (snou´belt') that part of the U.S. comprising States of the Midwest and Northeast, characterized by cold, snowy winters Also Snow Belt

snowberry (snou´ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a hardy, shrubby North American plant (Symphoricarpos albus) of the honeysuckle family, with tubular, small, pink flowers and soft, white berries 2 any of various other plants having white berries 3 any of these berries

snowbird (-børd') •n. 1 a widely distributed junco (Junco hyemalis) commonly seen in the winter Æ 2 [Slang] a person addicted to the use of cocaine or heroin [see SNOW, 7 & BIRD, 5] Æ 3 [Slang] a northern tourist (usually retired) who vacations in the South during the winter and then returns to the North for the summer

snow-blind (-blaind') •adj. blinded temporarily by ultraviolet rays reflected from snow snow blindness

snowblink (-bliŋk') •n. a bright glare on the underside of clouds reflected from a snowy surface

snowbound (-baund') •adj. shut in or blocked off by snow

snow-broth (-bröθ') •n. partly melted snow; slush

snowbush (-bush') •n. a California shrub (Ceanothus cordulatus) of the buckthorn family, with white flowers

snowcap (-kæp') •n. a cap of snow, as on a mountain, the top of a tree, etc. snow´capped' •adj.

Snowdon (snoud´ªn) mountain in NW Wales: highest peak, 3,560 ft. (1,085 m)

snowdrift (snou´drift') •n. 1 a smooth heap of snow blown together by the wind 2 snow blown along by the wind

snowdrop (-dräp') •n. any of a genus (Galanthus) of low-growing, bulbous perennials of the lily family; esp., the common snowdrop (G. nivalis) of the Mediterranean region, with small, bell-shaped, white flowers

snowfall (-föl') •n. 1 a fall of snow 2 the amount of snow that falls in a given area or period of time

snowfield (-fi:ld') •n. a large expanse of snow

snowflake (-fleik') •n. 1 a single, feathery crystal of snow 2 SNOW BUNTING 3 any of a genus (Leucojum) of European bulbous plants of the lily family with drooping white flowers

snowman (-mæn') pl. -men' (-men') •n. a crude human figure made of snow packed together

snowmobile (-mou bi:l') •n. any of various motor vehicles for traveling over snow, usually with steerable runners at the front and tractor treads at the rear •vi. -biled', -bil'ing to travel by snowmobile [SNOW + -MOBILE]

snowmold (-mould') •n. a fungus disease of grasses and grains, appearing in lawns as circular, grayish-white patches near the edge of melting snow

snow-on-the-mountain (snou´än ðэ maunt´ªn) •n. Æ a spurge (Euphorbia marginata) of the W U.S., with small flowers and the margins of the upper leaves white

snowpack (-pæk') •n. the accumulated snow covering an area, that melts in the spring and provides water for irrigation, electric power, etc., usually estimated in millions of acre-feet

snowplow (snou´plau') •n. 1 any bulldozerlike device or machine used to clear snow off a road, railroad, etc. 2 Skiing a stemming of both skis, as for stopping, with the inside ski edges dug into the snow, and the tips of the skis pointed at each other •vi. to stem with both skis

snowshed (-shed') •n. a long shed to protect a section of railroad track against snow

snowshoe (-shu:') •n. a racket-shaped frame of wood fitted with crosspieces and crisscrossed with strips of leather, etc., worn on the feet to prevent sinking in deep snow •vi. -shoed', -shoe'ing to use snowshoes in walking snow´sho'er •n.

snowshoe hare a large hare (Lepus americanus) of N North America whose coloration changes from brown in summer to white in winter Also snowshoe rabbit [from its broad feet, heavily furred in winter]

snowslide (-slaid') •n. an avalanche consisting mostly of snow

snowstorm (-störm') •n. a storm with a heavy snowfall

snowsuit (-su:t') •n. a heavily lined one-piece garment or set of pants and jacket, often with a hood, worn by children in cold weather

snow-white (-hwait´, -wait´) •adj. white as snow

snowy (snou´i:) snow´i·er, snow´i·est •adj. 1 characterized by snow 2 covered or filled with snow {a snowy valley} 3 like or suggestive of snow; specif., a) pure; unsoiled; spotless b) white 4 of or consisting of snow snow´i·ly •adv. snow´i·ness •n. [ME snawi < OE snawig]

snowy owl a large, white migratory owl (Nyctea scandiaca) of northern tundras that often feeds on lemmings

snub (snûb) snubbed, snub´bing •vt. 1 orig., to check or interrupt with sharp or slighting words 2 to treat with scorn, contempt, disdain, etc.; behave coldly toward; slight or ignore 3 a) to check suddenly the movement of (a rope, cable, etc.) by turning it around a post b) to make (a boat, etc.) fast by such a movement Æ 4 to put out (a cigarette): usually with out •n. 1 scornful, slighting action or treatment; affront 2 a snubbing, or checking •adj. short and turned up; pug: said of the nose snub´ber •n. [ME snubben < ON snubba, to chide, snub]

snubby (snûb´i:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. 1 turned up; snub 2 tending to snub or slight

snub-nosed (-nouzd') •adj. having a snub nose

snuck (snûk) •vi., vt. alt. pt. & pp. of SNEAK

snuff¹ (snûf) •n. the charred end of a candlewick •vt. [ME snuffen < the n.] 1 to trim off the charred end of (a candlewick) 2 to put out (a candle) with snuffers or by pinching 3 [Slang] to kill; murder •adj. designating or of a kind of pornographic film that shows someone being murdered as the climax of sexual activity snuff out 1 to put out (a candle, etc.); extinguish 2 to bring to an end suddenly; destroy [ME < ?]

snuff² (snûf) •vt. 1 to draw in through the nose; inhale strongly; sniff 2 to smell, sniff, or sniff at •vi. to sniff or snort •n. 1 the act or sound of snuffing; sniff 2 a preparation of powdered tobacco that is inhaled by sniffing, chewed, or rubbed on the gums 3 any powder taken by inhaling 4 smell; scent up to snuff 1 [Colloq.] up to the usual standard, as in health, quality, etc. 2 [Brit. Colloq.] not easily cheated or deceived; alert [< MDu snuffen < Gmc *snuf- < IE *sneup < base *sneu-: see SNOUT]

snuffbox (-bäks') •n. a small, usually ornamental box for holding snuff

snuffer (-эr) •n. 1 a device with a cone on the end of a handle, for extinguishing a burning candle: in full candle snuffer 2 [usually pl.] an instrument like shears, for snuffing a candle: also pair of snuffers

snuffle (snûf´эl) -fled, -fling •vi. 1 to breathe audibly and with difficulty or by constant sniffing, as a dog in trailing; sniff or sniffle 2 to speak or sing in a nasal tone 3 [Rare] to whine •vt. to utter by snuffling •n. 1 the act or sound of snuffling 2 a nasal tone or twang the snuffles THE SNIFFLES snuf´fler •n. [freq. of SNUFF², v.]

snuffy (snûf´i:) snuff´i·er, snuff´i·est •adj. 1 like snuff, as in color or texture 2 having the habit of taking snuff 3 soiled with snuff 4 disagreeable; unattractive

snug (snûg) snug´ger, snug´gest •adj. 1 protected from the weather or the cold; warm and cozy 2 small but well arranged; compact and convenient; neat; trim {a snug cottage} 3 large enough to provide ease and comfort: said of an income 4 tight or close in fit {a snug coat, a snug joint} 5 trim and well-built; seaworthy 6 hidden or concealed {to lie snug} •adv. so as to be snug •vi. snugged, snug´ging [Dial.] SNUGGLE •vt. to make snug or secure •n. [Brit.] SNUGGERY SYN. COMFORTABLE snug down Naut. to make ready for a storm by reducing sail, lashing movable gear, etc. snug´ly •adv. snug´ness •n. [Early ModE < naut. language, prob. via E Fris snugge, Du snugger, smooth, neat < Scand, as in ON snøggr, short-haired, short (hence, tight, taut) < IE *ksneu- < base *kes-, to comb, shear (hair) > Gr xainein, to comb]

snuggery (snûg´эr i:) pl. -ger·ies •n. [Chiefly Brit.] a snug or comfortable place, room, etc.; esp., a small private room or booth in a public house

snuggies (-i:z) •n.pl. women's long, warm underwear

snuggle (snûg´эl) -gled, -gling •vi. to lie closely and comfortably; nestle; cuddle, as for warmth, in affection, etc. •vt. to hold or draw close or in a comfortable position; cuddle; nestle [freq. of SNUG]

so abbrev. 1 south 2 southern SO strikeout(s)

so long [Colloq.] GOODBYE

so¹ (sou) •adv. 1 in the way or manner shown, expressed, indicated, understood, etc.; as stated or described; in such a manner {hold the bat just so} 2 a) to the degree expressed or understood; to such an extent {why are you so late?} b) to an unspecified but limited degree, amount, number, etc. {to go so far and no further} c) to a very high degree; very {they are so happy} d) [Colloq.] very much {she so wants to go} 3 for the reason specified; therefore {they were tired, and so left} 4 more or less; approximately that number, amount, etc.: in this sense, so is often regarded as a pronoun {fifty dollars or so} 5 also; likewise [she enjoys music, and so does he]: also used colloquially in contradicting a negative statement [I did so tell the truth!] 6 then {and so to bed} conj. 1 in order that; with the purpose that: usually followed by that {talk louder so (that) all may hear} 2 [Colloq.] with the result that; therefore {she smiled, so I did too} 3 if only; as long as; provided (that) As a conjunction, so is sometimes used colloquially as a superfluous element connecting clauses or to preface or resume one's remarks pron. 1 that which has been specified or named {he is a friend and will remain so} 2 see adv. (sense 4) •interj. an exclamation expressing surprise, approval or disapproval, triumph, etc. •adj. 1 true; in reality {that's so} 2 in proper order {everything must be just so} and so on (or forth) and others; and the rest; and in like manner; et cetera (etc.) so as 1 with the purpose or result: followed by an infinitive 2 provided that so much to an unspecified but limited degree, amount, etc. [paid so much per day]: often used as an intensive [so much the worse for us!] so much for no more need be said about {so much for my problems} Æ so what? [Colloq.] even if so, what then?: used to express disregard, challenge, contempt, etc. [ME so, swo < OE swa, so, as, akin to Goth swa, OHG so < IE base *se-, *swe-, refl. particle]

so² (sou) •n. Music SOL²

soak (souk) •vt. 1 to make thoroughly wet; drench or saturate {soaked to the skin by the rain} 2 to submerge or keep in a liquid, as for thorough wetting, softening, for hydrotherapy, etc. 3 a) to take in (liquid) by sucking or absorbing (usually with up) b) to absorb by exposure to it {to soak up sunshine} 4 a) to take in mentally, esp. with little effort {to soak up knowledge} b) to immerse (oneself) in some study or branch of learning Æ 5 [Colloq.] to charge heavily or too dearly; overcharge Æ 6 [Slang] to give a heavy blow to •vi. 1 to stay immersed in water or other liquid for wetting, softening, etc. 2 to pass or penetrate as a liquid does; permeate {rain soaking through his coat} 3 to become absorbed mentally {the fact soaked into his head} •n. 1 the act or process of soaking 2 the state of being soaked 3 liquid used for soaking or steeping 4 [Slang] a drunkard soak out to draw out (dirt, etc.) by or as by soaking SYN.—soak implies immersion in a liquid, etc. as for the purpose of absorption, thorough wetting, softening, etc. [to soak bread in milk]; saturate implies absorption to a point where no more can be taken up [air saturated with moisture]; drench implies a thorough wetting as by a downpour [a garden drenched by the rain]; steep usually suggests soaking for the purpose of extracting the essence of something [to steep tea]; impregnate implies the penetration and permeation of one thing by another [wood impregnated with creosote] [ME soken < OE socian < base of sucan: see SUCK]

soakage (-ij) •n. 1 a soaking or being soaked 2 liquid that has seeped out or been absorbed

soakers (-эrz) •n.pl. short knitted pants of absorbent material, esp. wool, put on over a baby's diaper

so-and-so (sou´эn sou') pl. so´-and-sos' •n. [Colloq.] some person or thing whose name is either not specified or not known: often used euphemistically in place of a strong or vulgar, disparaging epithet

soap (soup) •n. 1 a substance used with water to produce suds for washing or cleaning: soaps are usually sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids, produced by the action of an alkali, as caustic soda or potash, on fats or oils 2 any metallic salt of a fatty acid Æ 3 [Slang] SOAP OPERA: also soap´er •vt. to lather, scrub, etc. with soap Æ no soap [Slang] 1 the offer, idea, etc. is not acceptable 2 to no avail [ME sope < OE sape, akin to Ger seife < Gmc *saipo- < IE base *seib-, to trickle, run out > L sebum, tallow]

soap bubble 1 a filmy bubble of soapy water, specif. one blown up, as from a pipe 2 something short-lived, insubstantial, or ephemeral

soap opera [Colloq.] a radio or television serial drama of a highly melodramatic, sentimental nature: so called since many of the original sponsors were soap companies

soap plant any of various plants some parts of which can be used as soap; esp., a tall W North American plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) of the lily family

soapbark (-bärk') •n. 1 a) a South American tree (Quillaja saponaria) of the rose family, with leathery leaves and white flower clusters b) its inner bark, used in cleansing preparations for its saponin content 2 any of several tropical American trees (genus Pithecellobium) of the mimosa family, whose bark contains saponin

soapberry (-ber'i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 any of a genus (Sapindus) of trees of the soapberry family, with fruits containing saponin 2 the globular fruit, with yellowish flesh and a large, round seed •adj. designating a family (Sapindaceae, order Sapindales) of chiefly tropical, dicotyledonous trees and shrubs, including the litchi and longan

soapbox (-bäks') •n. 1 a box or crate for soap Æ 2 any improvised platform used by a person (soapbox orator) making an informal, often impassioned speech to a street audience, as on a current, controversial issue

soapstone (-stoun') •n. STEATITE

soapsuds (-sûdz') •n.pl. 1 soapy water, esp. when stirred into a foam 2 the foam on soapy water

soapwort (-wørt´) •n. any of a genus (Saponaria) of plants of the pink family, with bright, colorful flowers and sap that forms a lather with water, including the bouncing Bet

soapy (sou´pi:) soap´i·er, soap´i·est •adj. 1 covered with or containing soap; lathery 2 of, like, or characteristic of soap 3 [Colloq.] of, like, or characteristic of a soap opera 4 [Slang] suave; unctuous; oily soap´i·ly •adv. soap´i·ness •n.

soar (sör) •vi. 1 to rise or fly high into the air 2 to fly, sail, or glide along high in the air 3 to glide along without engine power, maintaining or gaining altitude on currents of air: said of an aircraft, esp. a glider 4 to rise above the usual or ordinary level or bounds; be elevated {soaring prices, soaring spirits} •vt. [Old Poet.] to reach by soaring •n. 1 soaring range or height 2 the act of soaring soar´er •n. [ME soren < OFr essorer, to expose (wings) to the air, hence soar, as a falcon < VL *exaurare < L ex-, out + aura, air: see AURA]

Soave (sэ wä´vei, swä´-; It sô ä´ve) •n. [occas. s-] a dry white wine of northern Italy [It, after town where made]

sob sister [Old Slang] a journalist, esp. a woman, who writes sentimental human-interest stories

sob story [Colloq.] a very sad story, esp. an account of personal troubles meant to arouse sympathy

sob¹ (säb) sobbed, sob´bing •vi. 1 to weep aloud with a catch or break in the voice and short, gasping breaths 2 to make a sound like that of sobbing, as the wind •vt. 1 to bring (oneself) into a given state, esp. sleep, by sobbing 2 to utter with sobs •n. the act or sound of one that sobs SYN. CRY sob´bing·ly •adv. [ME sobben]

sob² or SOB (es´ou bi:´) pl. sob's or SOB's [Slang] SON OF A BITCH (sense 1) •n.

sobeit (sou bi:´it) conj. [Archaic] provided; if it should be that

sober (sou´bэr) •adj. 1 temperate or sparing in the use of alcoholic liquor 2 not drunk 3 temperate in any way; not extreme or extravagant 4 serious, solemn, grave, or sedate 5 not bright, garish, or flashy; quiet; plain: said of color, clothes, etc. 6 not exaggerated or distorted {the sober truth} 7 characterized by reason, sanity, or self-control; showing mental and emotional balance •vt., vi. to make or become sober: often with up or down SYN. SERIOUS so´ber·ly •adv. so´ber·ness •n. [ME sobre < OFr < L sobrius < so(d)-, var. of se(d)-, without + ebrius, drunk]

sober-minded (-main'did) •adj. sensible and serious so´ber-mind'ed·ly •adv. so´ber-mind'ed·ness •n.

sobersides (-saidz') pl. -sides' •n. a sedate, serious-minded person so´ber·sid'ed •adj.

Sobieski (sou byes´ki:), John see JOHN III

sobriety (sэ brai´э ti:, sou-) •n. the state or quality of being sober; specif., a) temperance or moderation, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquor b) seriousness; sedateness [ME sobrete < OFr sobriete < L sobrietas < sobrius, SOBER]

sobriquet (sou´brэ kei', sou'brэ kei´) •n. 1 a nickname 2 an assumed name [Fr < MFr soubriquet, chuck under the chin < ?]

soc 1 social 2 socialist 3 society

socage (säk´ij) •n. a medieval English system of land tenure in which a tenant held land in return for a fixed payment or for certain stated nonmilitary services to his lord [ME: see SOKE & -AGE]

so-called (sou´köld´) •adj. 1 popularly known or called by this term {the so-called nuclear powers} 2 inaccurately or questionably designated as such {a so-called liberal}

soccer (sä´kэr) •n. a game played with a round ball by two teams of eleven players on a field with a goal at either end: the ball is moved chiefly by kicking or by using any part of the body except the hands and arms [altered < (AS)SOC(IATION FOOTBALL)]

Soche (sou´che´) old form of SHACHE

Sochi (sô´chi:) seaport & resort in S Russia, on the Black Sea: pop. 310,000

sociable (sou´shэ bэl) •adj. 1 enjoying or requiring the company of others; fond of companionship; gregarious 2 friendly or agreeable, esp. in an easy, informal way; affable 3 characterized by pleasant, informal conversation and companionship {a sociable evening} •n. Æ a social, esp. a church social so'cia·bil´i·ty, pl. -ties, •n. so´cia·ble·ness •n. so´cia·bly •adv. [Fr < L sociabilis < sociare, to associate < socius: see SOCIAL]

social (sou´shэl) •adj. 1 of or having to do with human beings living together as a group in a situation in which their dealings with one another affect their common welfare {social consciousness, social problems} 2 living in this way; gregarious {man as a social being} 3 of or having to do with the ranks or activities of society, specif. the more exclusive or fashionable of these {a social event} 4 getting along well with others; sociable {a social nature} 5 of, for, or involving friends, companionship, or sociability {a social club} 6 offering material aid, counseling services, group recreational activities, etc. to those who need it; of or engaged in welfare work {a social worker or agency} 7 living or associating in groups or communities {the ant is a social insect} 8 [Now Rare] of or between allies or confederates {a social war} 9 Bot. growing in clumps or masses •n. an informal gathering of people for recreation or amusement; party so´cial·ly •adv. [< Fr or L: Fr < L socialis < socius, companion, akin to sequi, to follow < IE base *sekw-, to follow > OE secg, man, warrior]

social climber a person who associates with socially prominent people in an attempt to gain higher social status

social contract (or compact) in the theories of certain political philosophers, as Locke, Rousseau, etc., the agreement among individuals uniting for various reasons, by which organized society was begun and sets of regulations were instituted to govern interrelations of members

social dancing BALLROOM DANCING

social Darwinism 1 the application, chiefly in the late 19th cent., of Darwinism to the understanding of human society 2 the body of political and social beliefs based on this; specif., the belief that individuals, ethnic groups, etc. achieve success or dominance because of inherent genetic superiority and a resultant competitive advantage social Darwinist

Social Democrat a member or adherent of a Social Democratic Party Social Democratic

Social Democratic Party 1 a German Marxist political party formed in 1875 2 any of various similar political parties in other countries, advocating a gradual transition from capitalism to socialism

social disease any venereal disease

social engineering the application of methods regarded as similar to engineering techniques in their emphasis on practicality, efficiency, and moral neutrality in an effort to solve a social problem or improve the condition of society social engineer

social insurance any insurance program undertaken by a government to provide income or payments to persons who are unemployed, disabled, elderly, etc.

social science 1 the study of people living together in groups, families, etc., and their customs, activities, etc. 2 any of several studies, as economics, political science, or anthropology, dealing with the structure of society and the activity of its members social scientist

social secretary a secretary employed by an individual to handle his or her social appointments and correspondence

social security 1 any system by which a group provides for those of its members who may be in need 2 [often S- S-] in the U.S., a Federal system of old-age, unemployment, or disability insurance for various categories of employed and dependent persons, financed by a fund maintained jointly by employees, employers, and the government

social service SOCIAL WORK so´cial-serv´ice •adj.

social settlement SETTLEMENT (sense 6)

social studies a course of study, esp. in elementary and secondary schools, including history, civics, geography, etc.

social welfare 1 the welfare of society, esp. of those segments of society that are underprivileged or disadvantaged because of poverty, poor education, unemployment, etc. 2 SOCIAL WORK

social work any service or activity designed to promote the welfare of the community and the individual, as through counseling services, health clinics, recreation halls and playgrounds, aid for the needy, the aged, the physically handicapped, etc.

social worker a person trained to perform the tasks of social work, esp. one who holds a college or university degree in social work

socialism (sou´shэl iz'эm) •n. 1 any of various theories or systems of the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution by society or the community rather than by private individuals, with all members of society or the community sharing in the work and the products 2 [often S-] a) a political movement for establishing such a system b) the doctrines, methods, etc. of the Socialist parties 3 the stage of society, in Marxist doctrine, coming between the capitalist stage and the communist stage, in which private ownership of the means of production and distribution has been eliminated: see COMMUNISM (sense 2)

socialist (-ist) •n. 1 an advocate or supporter of socialism 2 [S-] a member of a Socialist Party •adj. 1 of, characteristic of, or like socialism or socialists 2 advocating or supporting socialism 3 [S-] of or having to do with a Socialist Party Also so'cial·is´tic so'cial·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.

Socialist Party a political party based on the principles of socialism advocated by Marx and Engels

socialite (so´shэl ait') •n. a person who is prominent in fashionable society

sociality (sou'shi: æl´э ti:) •n. 1 the quality or state of being social or sociable; sociability 2 pl. -ties the trait or tendency in individuals to join together in groups and associate with one another [L socialitas]

socialize (sou´shэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make social; adjust to or make fit for cooperative group living 2 to adapt or make conform to the common needs of a social group 3 to subject to governmental ownership and control; nationalize 4 to cause to become socialist Æ vi. to take part in social activity so'cial·i·za´tion •n. so´cial·iz'er •n.

socialized medicine any system supplying complete medical and hospital care, through public funds, for all the people in a community, district, or nation

societal (sэ sai´э tэl) •adj. pertaining to society; social

society (sэ sai´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a group of persons regarded as forming a single community, esp. as forming a distinct social or economic class 2 the system or condition of living together as a community in such a group {an agrarian society} 3 all people, collectively, regarded as constituting a community of related, interdependent individuals {a law for the good of society} 4 company or companionship {to seek another's society} 5 one's friends or associates 6 any organized group of people joined together because of work, interests, etc. in common {a medical society} 7 a) a group of persons regarded or regarding itself as a dominant class, usually because of wealth, birth, education, etc. {her debut into society} b) the conduct, standards, activities, etc. of this class 8 a group of animals or plants living together in a single environment and regarded as constituting a homogeneous unit or entity •adj. of or characteristic of SOCIETY (n. 7a) {the society page of a newspaper} [MFr société < L societas < socius, companion: see SOCIAL]

Society Islands group of islands in the South Pacific, constituting a division of French Polynesia: c. 650 sq. mi. (1,683 sq. km); pop. 142,000; chief town, Papeete [so named (1769) by James COOK]

Society of Friends a Christian denomination founded in England c. 1650 by George Fox: the Friends have no formal creed, rites, liturgy, or priesthood, and reject violence in human relations, including war See QUAKER

Society of Jesus see JESUIT

Socinianism (sou sin´i: эn iz'эm) •n. the teachings of Faustus Socinus (1539-1604), It. rationalistic religious reformer, denying the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, etc., and holding that salvation is attained solely by practicing the virtues exemplified by Christ So·cin´i·an •n., adj.

socio- (sou´si: ou', -shi:-; -э) combining form social, society, sociological (and) {socioeconomic, sociometry} [Fr < L socius, companion: see SOCIAL]

sociobiology (sou'si: ou'bai äl´э ji:, -shi:-) •n. the scientific study of the biological basis for animal and human social behavior: it is based on the theory that some or much of such behavior is genetically determined so'ci·o·bi'o·log´i·cal •adj. so'ci·o·bi·ol´o·gist •n.

sociocultural (sou'si: ou'kûl´chэr эl, sou'shi:-) •adj. of or involving both social and cultural factors

socioeconomic (-i:'kэ näm´ik, -ek'э-) •adj. of or involving both social and economic factors

sociogram (sou´si: э græm', sou´shi:-) •n. Sociology a diagram designed to indicate from answers to sociometric questions how individuals in a group feel toward each other

sociol 1 sociological 2 sociology

sociolinguistics (sou'si: ou'liŋ gwis´tiks, -shi:-) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of linguistics that analyzes the effects of social and cultural factors within a speech community upon its language patterns

sociological (sou'si: э lä´ji kэl, -shi:-) •adj. 1 of or having to do with human society, its organization, needs, development, etc. 2 of sociology Also so'ci·o·log´ic so'ci·o·log´i·cal·ly •adv.

sociology (sou'si: äl´э ji:, -shi:-) •n. 1 the science of human society and of social relations, organization, and change; specif., the study of the beliefs, values, etc. of societal groups and of the processes governing social phenomena 2 SYNECOLOGY so'ci·ol´o·gist •n. [Fr sociologie (coined in 1830 by COMTE): see SOCIO- & -LOGY]

sociometry (-äm´э tri:) •n. 1 the quantitative study of group relationships Æ 2 a technique for measuring what members of a group perceive, think, and feel about other members of the group so'ci·o·met´ric (-э met´rik) •adj.

sociopath (sou´si: э pæθ', -shi:-) •n. a person suffering from psychopathic personality, whose behavior is aggressively antisocial so'ci·o·path´ic •adj. [SOCIO- + (PSYCHO)PATH]

sociopolitical (sou'si: ou'pэ lit´i kªl, -shi:-) •adj. of or involving both social and political factors

sock cymbal HIGH-HAT

sock hop [Colloq.] an informal dance where participants dance in their socks, popular esp. in the 1950's among high-school students

sock¹ (säk) •n. 1 a light shoe worn by comic characters in ancient Greek and Roman drama 2 comedy or the muse of comedy 3 pl. socks or sox a short stocking reaching only partway to the knee 4 short for WINDSOCK Æ sock away [Colloq.] to set aside (money), esp. as savings Æ sock in to ground (an aircraft) or close (an airfield) as because of fog: usually in the passive voice [ME socke < OE socc < L soccus, type of light, low-heeled shoe < Gr sukchis, prob. of Phrygian orig.; akin to Avestan haxa-, sole of the foot]

sock² (säk) •vt. [Slang] to hit or strike with force, esp. with the fist •n. [Slang] a blow •adv. [Slang] directly; squarely [Early ModE < cant]

sockdolager or sockdologer (säk däl´э jэr) •n. [Old Slang] 1 something final or decisive, as a heavy blow 2 something outstanding [metathetic alteration (infl. by SOCK²) < DOXOLOGY (in sense of conclusion) + -ER]

socket (säk´it) •n. a hollow piece or part into which something fits {the socket for a light bulb, of the eye, of the hipbone, etc.} •vt. to furnish with or fit into a socket [ME soket, spearhead shaped like a plowshare < Anglo-Fr, dim. < OFr soc, plowshare < Gaul *soccus, plowshare, orig., pig's snout (hence, that which roots out) < IE *suk-, var. of base *su-, SOW¹]

socket wrench a wrench with a cylindrical socket that fits over a nut or bolt of a specific size and shape

sockeye salmon (säk´ai) a red-fleshed salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) of the N Pacific [altered < Salish suk-kegh]

socko (säk´ou') •adj. [Slang] very popular, impressive, or successful [< SOCK²]

socle (säk´эl, souk´-) •n. Archit. a projecting foundation piece, as for a column, wall, statue, etc. [Fr < It zoccolo, pedestal, wooden shoe < L socculus, dim. of soccus, SOCK¹]

Socotra (sou kou´trэ) island of the Republic of Yemen, in the Indian Ocean, off the E tip of Africa: 1,400 sq. mi. (3,625 sq. km); pop. c. 12,000

Socrates (säk´rэ ti:z') c. 470-399 B.C.; Athenian philosopher & teacher So·crat·ic (sэ kræt´ik, sou-) •adj., n.

Socratic irony pretense of ignorance in a discussion to expose the fallacies in the opponent's logic

Socratic method a method of teaching or discussion, like that used by Socrates, in which by means of a series of questions and answers the logical soundness of a definition is tested, the meaning of a concept examined, etc.

sod¹ (säd) •vt., vi. obs. pt. of SEETHE

sod² (säd) •n. 1 a surface layer of earth containing grass plants with their matted roots; turf; sward 2 a piece of this layer •vt. sod´ded, sod´ding to cover with sod or sods the old sod one's native land: used esp. by the Irish under the sod dead and buried [ME, prob. < MDu or MLowG sode, akin to OFris sada, satha]

sod³ (säd) •n. [Brit. Vulgar Slang] 1 a sodomite 2 an objectionable or contemptible person •vt. [Brit. Vulgar Slang] to damn; curse •interj. [Brit. Vulgar Slang] damn sod off [Brit. Vulgar Slang] go away! get lost! Sod's law [Brit. Colloq.] MURPHY'S LAW [shortened < sodomite: see SODOMITE, sense 2]

soda (sou´dэ) •n. 1 a) sodium oxide, Na2O b) SODIUM BICARBONATE c) SODIUM CARBONATE d) SODIUM HYDROXIDE 2 a) SODA WATER Æ b) SODA POP Æ c) a confection of soda water flavored with syrup, fruit, etc. and served with ice cream in it Æ 3 in faro, the card turned up in the dealing box before play starts [ML (or It or Sp) < Ar suwayd, burnt plant (from which soda was produced), dim. of رaswad, black]

soda ash crude SODIUM CARBONATE (sense 1)

soda biscuit 1 a biscuit made with baking soda and sour milk or buttermilk 2 [Chiefly Brit.] SODA CRACKER

soda cracker a cracker, usually salted, prepared from dough made of flour, water, and leavening, orig. baking soda and cream of tartar

soda fountain a counter with equipment for making and serving soft drinks, sodas, sundaes, etc.

soda jerk [Slang] a person who works at a soda fountain Also soda jerk·er (jør´kэr)

soda lime a white, powdery mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide, used as a chemical reagent and as an absorbent for moisture and acid gases

soda pop a flavored, carbonated soft drink, esp. as sold in tightly capped bottles or in cans

soda water 1 orig., an effervescent solution of water, acid, and sodium bicarbonate 2 a) water charged under pressure with carbon dioxide gas, used in ice-cream sodas or as a chaser or mix b) SODA POP

sodalite (sou´dэ lait') •n. a silicate of sodium and aluminum with some chlorine, Na4Al3Si3O12Cl, that somewhat resembles the feldspars [SODA + -LITE]

sodality (sou dæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 fellowship; companionship 2 an association or brotherhood 3 R.C.Ch. a lay society for devotional or charitable activity [L sodalitas < sodalis, companion < IE base *swedh- > ETHICAL]

sodden (säd´ªn) •vt., vi. 1 obs. pp. of SEETHE 2 to make or become sodden •adj. 1 [Archaic] boiled or steeped 2 filled with moisture; soaked through 3 heavy or soggy from improper baking or cooking, as bread 4 dull or stupefied, as from liquor sod´den·ly •adv.

Soddy (säd´i:), Frederick 1877-1956; Brit. chemist

sodium (sou´di: эm) •n. a soft, silver-white, alkaline metallic chemical element having a waxlike consistency: it is found in nature only in combined form and is extremely active chemically: symbol, Na; at. wt., 22.9898; at. no., 11; sp. gr., 0.968; melt. pt., 97.82°C; boil. pt., 881.4°C [ModL: so named (1807) by Sir Humphry DAVY < SODA (because isolated from caustic soda) + -IUM]

sodium benzoate a sweet, odorless, white powder, C6H5COONa, the sodium salt of benzoic acid, used as a food preservative, antiseptic, etc.

sodium bicarbonate BAKING SODA

sodium bromide a white, crystalline compound, NaBr, used in medicine as a sedative and in photography to produce silver bromide

sodium carbonate 1 the anhydrous sodium salt of carbonic acid, Na2CO3 2 any of the hydrated carbonates of sodium; esp., SAL SODA

sodium chlorate a colorless, crystalline salt, NaClO3, used as an oxidizing agent in matches, explosives, etc.

sodium chloride common salt, NaCl

sodium cyanide a white, highly poisonous salt, NaCN, used in electroplating, as an insecticide, etc.

sodium dichromate a red, crystalline salt, Na2Cr2O7, used as an oxidizing agent, corrosion inhibitor, antiseptic, etc.

sodium fluoroacetate (flur'ou æs´э teit, flör'-, flu:´эr ou-) a powder, CH2FCOONa, used as a rodent poison

sodium hydroxide a white, deliquescent substance, NaOH, in the form of a powder, flakes, sticks, etc.: it is a strong caustic base, widely used in chemistry, oil refining, etc.

sodium hypochlorite a greenish, unstable salt, NaOCl, usually stored in solution, used esp. as a bleaching agent and disinfectant

sodium hyposulfite (hai'pou sûl´fait') SODIUM THIOSULFATE

sodium nitrate a clear, odorless, crystalline salt, NaNO3, used in manufacturing nitric acid, sodium nitrite, explosives, fertilizers, etc., and as an oxidizing agent

sodium nitrite a yellowish or white powder, NaNO2, used to make dyes, preserve meats, counteract cyanide poisoning, etc.

sodium pentothal THIOPENTAL SODIUM

sodium perborate a white, odorless, crystalline compound, NaBO3·4H2O, used chiefly as a bleaching and oxidizing agent and in germicides, deodorants, etc.

sodium peroxide a yellowish-white powder, Na2O2, used as an antiseptic, bleaching and oxidizing agent, etc.

sodium phosphate any of three clear, crystalline sodium salts of phosphoric acid, widely used in industry

sodium propionate a transparent, deliquescent, crystalline compound, C3H5O2Na, used to prevent mold, esp. in foods

sodium sulfate a white, crystalline salt, Na2SO4, used in medicine and in the making of dyes, glass, etc.

sodium thiosulfate a white, crystalline salt, Na2S2O3, used as an antichlor, as a fixing agent in photography, etc.: popularly called sodium hyposulfite or hypo

sodium-vapor lamp (sou´di: эm vei´pэr) an electric lamp used for street lighting, fitted with two electrodes and filled with sodium vapor which gives off a soft, yellow light

Sodom (säd´эm) Bible a city destroyed by fire together with a neighboring city, Gomorrah, because of the sinfulness of the people: Gen. 18-19 [LL(Ec) Sodoma < Gr(Ec) < Heb sedom]

Sodomite (-ait') •n. 1 an inhabitant of Sodom 2 [s-] a person who practices sodomy [OFr < LL(Ec) Sodomita < Gr(Ec)]

sodomize (säd´эm aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to engage in sodomy with; specif., to forcibly subject to sodomy [fol. + -IZE]

sodomy (-эm i:) •n. any sexual intercourse held to be abnormal, esp. bestiality or anal intercourse between two male persons [ME sodomie < Sodome, SODOM]

soever (sou ev´эr) •adv. 1 in any way; to any extent or degree: usually following how and an adjective {how dark soever the night may be} 2 of any kind; at all; whatever {no rest soever} [see SO¹ & EVER]

-soever (sou ev´эr) combining form any (person, thing, time, place, manner, etc.) of all those possible: added, for emphasis or generalization, to who, what, when, where, how, etc.

sofa (sou´fэ) •n. an upholstered couch, usually of spring construction, with fixed back and arms [Fr < Ar suffa, a platform covered with rugs & cushions]

sofa bed a sofa that can be opened into a bed

sofar (sou´fär') •n. system for locating the site of an underwater explosion by calculations of the time the sound vibrations take to reach several shore stations [< so(und) f(ixing) a(nd) r(anging)]