Sirius (sir´i: эs) a binary star in the constellation Canis Major, the brightest star in the sky, with a magnitude of -1.45; Dog Star [ME < L < Gr Seirios, lit., scorcher]
sirloin (sør´loin') •n. a choice cut of meat, esp. of beef, from the loin end just in front of the rump [Early ModE surloyn < MFr surlonge < OFr sur, over (see SUR-¹) + loigne, LOIN]
sirocco (sэ räk´ou) pl. -cos •n. 1 a hot, steady, oppressive wind blowing from the Libyan deserts across the Mediterranean into S Europe, often bringing dust and sometimes accompanied by rain 2 any hot, oppressive wind, esp. one blowing toward a center of low barometric pressure [It < Ar sharq, the east < sharaqa, to rise (of the sun)]
sirrah or sirra (sir´э) •n. [Archaic] a contemptuous term of address used, as in anger, to a man [< SIR]
sirree or siree (sэ ri:´) •interj. an interjection used for emphasis after yes or no [< SIR]
sir-reverence (sør'rev´эr эns) •interj. [Obs.] begging your pardon: an expression of apology formerly used before a word or remark that might be regarded as indelicate [confused form for sa'reverence, contr. < save reverence, saving (your) reverence, transl. of ML salva reverentia]
sirup (sør´эp, sir´-) •n. alt. sp. of SYRUP sir´up·y •adj.
sirventes (sir vent´; Fr si:ř väñt´) pl. -ventes (sir vents´; Fr si:ř väñt´) •n. a Provençal form of verse or troubadour song, usually satirical [Prov < sirvent, serving (< L serveint-, root of serveins, prp. of servire, to SERVE) + -es, -esc < It -esco: (see -ESQUE)]
sis (sis) •n. [Colloq.] short for SISTER
sisal (sai´sэl, sis´эl) •n. 1 a strong fiber, similar to the related henequen, obtained from the leaves of an agave (Agave sisalana) native to S Mexico and now cultivated throughout the tropics, used for making rope, sacking, insulation, etc. 2 the plant yielding this fiber Also sisal hemp [after Sisal, Yucatán, a former seaport (< Maya, lit., cold waters)]
Sisera (sis´эr э) Bible a military leader of the Canaanites against the Israelites, murdered by Jael: Judg. 4:17-22 [Heb sisera; prob. of Hittite orig.]
siskin (sis´kin) •n. 1 a Eurasian finch (Carduelis spinus) with yellow-green plumage and black markings 2 PINE SISKIN [via Fl or Du < Ger zeischen, dim. of zeizig < Czech čížek, dim. of číž (akin to Pol czyz, Russ čiž), of echoic orig.]
Sisley (si:s lei´; E sis´li:), Al·fred (äl fřed´) 1839-99; Fr. painter
Sismondi (si:s môñ di:´; E sis män´di:), Jean Charles Lé·o·nard Si·monde de (zhäñ shåřl lei ô nåř´ si: môñd´ dэ) 1773-1842; Swiss historian & economist
sissified (sis´э faid') •adj. [Colloq.] SISSY
sissy (sis´i:) pl. -sies •n. 1 [Colloq.] a) an effeminate boy or man b) a timid person or coward 2 [Slang] a homosexual: term of mild contempt •adj. -si·er, -si·est [Colloq.] of or like a sissy sis´sy·ish •adj. [dim. of SIS]
sissy bar [Slang] a metal bar shaped like an inverted U, attached behind the seat of a motorcycle or bicycle as a kind of roll bar or a backrest, or to prevent a rider from sliding backward
sister (sis´tэr) •n. 1 a woman or girl as she is related to the other children of her parents: sometimes also used of animals 2 a woman or girl related to one by having a parent in common; half sister 3 a stepsister 4 a foster sister 5 a close female friend who is like a sister 6 a female fellow member of the same race, church, profession, organization, etc. {sorority sister, soul sister} 7 [often S-] a member of a female religious community, usually one with simple vows 8 something associated with another of the same kind, model, etc. 9 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a nurse, esp. a head nurse 10 [Colloq.] any woman: often used as a familiar term of address •adj. related or seeming to be related as sisters [ME < ON systir (akin to OE sweoster > dial. suster), akin to Ger schwester < IE *swesor-, sister (> Sans svasar, L soror, OIr siur) < *sewe-, (one's) own, refl. pron. (see SUICIDE) + *sor-, woman: hence, lit., woman of our (family)]
sisterhood (-hud') •n. 1 the state of being a sister or sisters 2 an association of women united in a common interest, work, creed, etc. 3 a belief in or feeling of unity and cooperation among women [ME sisterhod, sosterhode: see SISTER & -HOOD]
sister-in-law (-in lö') pl. sis´ters-in-law' •n. 1 the sister of one's husband or wife 2 the wife of one's brother 3 the wife of the brother of one's husband or wife
sisterly (-li:) •adj. 1 of a sister 2 having traits considered typical of sisters; friendly, kind, helpful, etc. •adv. [Archaic] as a sister sis´ter·li·ness •n.
Sistine (sis´ti:n, -tin) •adj. of or having to do with any pope named Sixtus [It Sistino < Sisto (< ML Sixtus, for L Sextus, lit., SIXTH)]
Sistine Chapel the principal chapel in the Vatican at Rome, famous for its frescoes by Michelangelo and other artists: built by order of Sixtus IV [see SISTINE]
sistroid (sis´troid') •adj. Math. designating the angle formed by the convex sides of two intersecting curves Opposed to CISSOID [< ?]
sistrum (sis´trэm) pl. -trums or -tra (-trэ) •n. a metal rattle or noisemaker consisting of a handle and a frame fitted with loosely held rods, jingled by the ancient Egyptians in the worship of Isis [ME < L < Gr seistron < seiein, to shake < IE *tweisō- < base *twei-, to shake]
Sisyphean (sis'э fi:´эn) •adj. 1 of or like Sisyphus 2 endless and toilsome, useless, etc. {a Sisyphean task} [< L Sisypheius < Gr Sisypheios < Sisyphos + -AN]
Sisyphus (sis´э fэs) Gr. Myth. a greedy king of Corinth doomed forever in Hades to roll a heavy stone uphill, only to have it always roll down again [L < Gr Sisyphos]
sit (sit) sat, sit´ting •vi. 1 a) to rest the weight of the body upon the buttocks and the back of the thighs, as on a chair; be seated b) to rest on the haunches with the forelegs braced (said of quadrupeds) c) to perch or roost (said of birds) 2 to cover and warm eggs for hatching; set; brood 3 a) to occupy a seat in the capacity of judge, legislator, etc. b) to be in session, as a court or legislature 4 to pose for one's portrait or as a model 5 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] to take an examination (for a degree, scholarship, etc.) 6 to be or remain inactive 7 to be located or have a place {a house sitting up on the hill} 8 to fit or hang on the wearer {a coat that sits loosely} 9 to rest or lie as specified {cares sit lightly upon him} Æ 10 BABY-SIT 11 to have a certain direction; set: said of the wind •vt. 1 to place in a seat; cause to sit; seat: often used reflexively {to sit oneself down} 2 to keep one's seat on (a horse, etc.) 3 to have seats or seating space for •n. [Colloq.] 1 the time spent in a seated position, esp. while waiting 2 the way a coat, dress, etc. hangs when put on sit back 1 to relax 2 to remain passive sit down 1 to lower oneself to a sitting position; take a seat 2 to settle down for or as for a siege sit in to take part; participate; attend Often with on sit on (or upon) 1 to serve as a member of (a jury, committee, etc.) 2 to confer on or investigate 3 [Colloq.] to suppress, repress, or squelch 4 [Colloq.] to hold (something) back from being considered or acted on Æ sit on one's hands 1 to fail to applaud 2 to fail to do what is needed or expected sit out 1 to stay until the end of 2 to stay longer than (another); outsit 3 to remain seated during or take no part in (a dance, game, etc.) sit up 1 to rise to a sitting position 2 to sit erect 3 to sit solely on the haunches with the forelegs held up in front of the chest: said of animals 4 to put off going to bed 5 [Colloq.] to become suddenly alert sit well with to be agreeable to [ME sitten < OE sittan, akin to ON sitja, Ger sitzen < IE base *sed-, to sit > L sedere, Gr hizein, Welsh seddu, to sit]
sitar (si tär´) •n. a lutelike instrument of India with a long, fretted neck, a resonating gourd or gourds, and three to seven playing strings and a number of strings that vibrate sympathetically si·tar´ist •n. [Hindi sitār]
sitcom (sit´käm') •n. [Colloq.] short for SITUATION COMEDY
sit-down (sit´daun') •n. 1 a strike, usually illegal, in which the strikers stay inside a factory, etc., refusing to work or leave until agreement is reached: in full sit-down strike 2 SIT-IN •adj. served to persons, as guests, who are seated at a table {a sit-down dinner for twelve}
site (sait) •n. 1 a piece of land considered from the standpoint of its use for some specified purpose {a good site for a town} 2 the place where something is, was, or is to be; location or scene {the site of a battle} •vt. sit´ed, sit´ing to locate or position on a site [ME < L situs, position, situation < pp. of sinere, to put down, permit, allow < IE base *sei-, to cast out, let fall: see SIDE]
sith (siθ) •adv., conj., prep. archaic form of SINCE [ME < OE siththa, contr. form of siththan: see SINCE]
sit-in (sit´in') •n. a method of protesting the policy of a government, business, etc., in which demonstrators sit in, and refuse to leave, a public place, thus blocking traffic, disrupting operations, etc.
Sitka (sit´kэ) city in SE Alas., on Baranof Island: pop. 8,600 [Tlingit sheet'ka < šì˙-t'i-ka, on the seaward side of Baranof Island]
sito- (sai´tou, -tэ) combining form 1 food {sitology} 2 grain {sitosterol} [< Gr sitos, food, grain]
sitology (sai täl´э ji:) •n. the study of foods, food values, nutrition, diet, etc.; dietetics [prec. + -LOGY]
sitosterol (sai täs´tэ röl', -roul') •n. any of a group of crystalline alcoholic sterols resembling cholesterol in their properties [SITO- + (CHOLE)STEROL]
sitten (sit´ªn) •vi., vt. obs. pp. of SIT
sitter (sit´эr) •n. a person or thing that sits; specif., Æ a) short for BABY SITTER b) a brooding hen Sitter (sit´эr), Wil·lem de (vil´эm dэ) 1872-1934; Du. astronomer
sitting (sit´iŋ) •n. 1 the act or position of one that sits, as for a portrait 2 a session or meeting, as of a court 3 a period of being seated at some activity {to read a book in two sittings} 4 a) a brooding upon eggs, as by a hen b) the number of eggs upon which a hen sits for a single hatching 5 a space in which to be seated 6 one of two or more successive periods when a meal is served, as aboard a ship {assigned to the second sitting} •adj. that sits; seated
Sitting Bull c. 1834-90; a principal chief of the Dakota Indians: fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn
sitting duck Æ [Colloq.] a person or thing especially vulnerable to attack; easy target
sitting room 1 LIVING ROOM 2 any room, esp. a small one next to a bedroom, used as a living room
Sittwe (sit´wi:') seaport in W Myanmar: pop. 143,000
situate (sich´u: it, -eit'; for v., -eit') •adj. rare or archaic var. of SITUATED •vt. -at'ed, -at'ing to put in a certain place or position; place; locate [ML situatus, pp. of situare, to place < L situs: see SITE]
situated (-eit'id) •adj. 1 placed as to site or position; located 2 placed as to circumstances, esp. financial circumstances {securely situated} [pp. of prec.]
situation (sich'u: ei´shэn) •n. 1 manner in which a thing is situated in relation to its surroundings; location; position 2 a place; locality 3 position or condition with regard to circumstances 4 a) the combination of circumstances at any given time b) a difficult or critical state of affairs c) any significant combination of circumstances developing in the course of a novel, play, etc. d) Psychol. the objective conditions immediately affecting an individual 5 a position of employment SYN. POSITION, STATE sit'u·a´tion·al •adj. [LME setuacyon < ML situatio: see SITUATE]
situation comedy a comedy, esp. a comic television series, with a story line made up of contrived episodes involving stock characters
situation ethics a system of ethics according to which moral rules are not absolutely binding but may be modified in the light of specific situations
sit-up or situp (sit´ûp') •n. an exercise in which a person lying flat on the back rises to a sitting position without using the hands
situs (sait´эs) •n. position or location; esp., the normal position, as of an organ of the body or a plant part [L: see SITE]
Sitwell (sit´wэl, -wel) 1 Dame Edith 1887-1964; Eng. poet & critic: sister of Osbert & Sacheverell 2 Sir Os·bert (äz´bэrt) 1892-1969; Eng. poet & essayist 3 Sa·chev·er·ell (sэ shev´эr эl) 1897-1988; Eng. poet & art critic
sitz bath (sits, zits) 1 a bath in which only the hips and buttocks are immersed, usually for therapy 2 a tub or basin used for such a bath [partial transl. of Ger sitzbad < sitz, a seat, sitting (< sitzen, SIT) + bad, BATH¹]
sitzmark (sits´märk', zits´-) •n. the depression made in snow by a skier who has fallen backward [< Ger sitzmarke < sitz, seat (< sitzen, SIT) + marke, MARK¹]
Siva (si:´vэ, shi:´-) Hindu god of destruction and reproduction, a member of the supreme Hindu trinity See BRAHMA, VISHNU [Hindi < Sans, auspicious]
Sivaism (-iz'эm) •n. worship of Siva Si'va·is´tic •adj.
Sivan (si: vän´, siv´эn) •n. the ninth month of the Jewish year See JEWISH CALENDAR [Heb siwan, akin to Akkadian simānu, name of 3d Babylonian month]
Sivas (si: väs´) city in central Turkey: pop. 173,000
six (siks) •adj. totaling one more than five •n. 1 the cardinal number between five and seven; 6; VI 2 any group of six people or things; half a dozen 3 something numbered six or having six units, as a playing card, domino, face of a die, etc. at sixes and sevens [Colloq.] 1 in confusion or disorder 2 at odds; disagreeing [ME < OE sex, akin to Ger sechs, ON sex, Goth saihs < IE base *seks, *swes > L sex, Gr hex, Sans sát]
Six Nations the Indian confederation of the Five Nations and the Tuscarora tribe
sixfold (-fould') •adj. 1 having six parts 2 having six times as much or as many •adv. six times as much or as many [prec. + -FOLD]
six-pack (-pæk') •n. a package containing six units of a product, esp. one with six cans of beer
sixpence (-pэns) •n. 1 [Brit.] the sum of six (old) pennies 2 a former British coin equal to this sum
sixpenny (-pen'i:, -pэ ni:) •adj. 1 worth or costing sixpence 2 of small worth; cheap 3 designating a size of nails, usually two inches long
six-shooter (-shu:t'эr) •n. [Colloq.] a revolver that fires six shots without being reloaded Also six´-gun'
sixteen (siks´ti:n´) •adj. totaling six more than ten •n. the cardinal number between fifteen and seventeen; 16; XVI [ME sixtene < OE syxtene: see SIX & -TEEN]
sixteenmo (-mou') pl. -mos' •n. 1 the page size of a book made up of printer's sheets folded into sixteen leaves, each leaf being approximately 4½ by 6¾ inches 2 a book consisting of pages of this size Usually written 16mo or 16° •adj. consisting of pages of this size [prec. + -mo, as in SEXTODECIMO]
sixteenth (siks´ti:nθ´) •adj. 1 preceded by fifteen others in a series; 16th 2 designating any of the sixteen equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the fifteenth 2 any of the sixteen equal parts of something; ¹/16 •adv. in the sixteenth place, rank, group, etc. [ME sixtenthe, replacing OE syxteotha: see SIXTEEN & -TH²]
sixteenth note Music a note having one sixteenth the duration of a whole note: see NOTE, illus.
sixth (siksθ) •adj. 1 preceded by five others in a series; 6th 2 designating any of the six equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the fifth 2 any of the six equal parts of something; ¹/6 3 Music a) the sixth tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone five degrees above or below any given tone in such a scale; submediant; superdominant b) the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them c) the chord formed by a triad in which the fundamental tone is raised an octave, creating a new interval of a sixth, as e-g-c (in full sixth chord) •adv. in the sixth place, rank, group, etc. sixth´ly •adv. [ME sixth < OE sixta, akin to Ger sechste, L sextus: see SIX & -TH²]
sixth form a senior section in some British, Australian, and New Zealand secondary schools, in which students continue preparation for college, do specialized work, study for A levels, etc. sixth´-form´er (-förm´эr) •n.
sixth sense a power of perception thought of as a sense in addition to the commonly accepted five senses; intuitive power
sixtieth (siks´ti: iθ) •adj. 1 preceded by fifty-nine others in a series; 60th 2 designating any of the sixty equal parts of something •n. 1 the one following the fifty-ninth 2 any of the sixty equal parts of something; ¹/60 •adv. in the sixtieth place, rank, group, etc. [ME sixtithe < OE sixteogotha < sixtig: see SIXTY & -TH²]
Sixtine (siks´ti:n, -tin) •adj. SISTINE
sixty (siks´ti:) •adj. six times ten •n. pl. -ties the cardinal number between fifty-nine and sixty-one; 60; LX the sixties the numbers or years, as of a century, from sixty through sixty-nine [ME sixti < OE sixtig: see SIX & -TY²]
sixty-fourth note (-förθ´) Music a note having one sixty-fourth the duration of a whole note: see NOTE, illus.
sizable (sai´zэ bэl) •adj. quite large or bulky Also size´a·ble siz´a·ble·ness •n. siz´a·bly •adv.
sizar (sai´zэr) •n. a student receiving a scholarship allowance at Trinity College, Dublin, or at Cambridge University Also, earlier, siz´er [< fol. (sense 6) + -AR]
-size (saiz) combining form -SIZED {life-size}
size¹ (saiz) •n. 1 that quality of a thing which determines how much space it occupies; dimensions or magnitude of a thing 2 any of a series of graded classifications of measure into which merchandise is divided {jumbo-size peanuts, size nine shoes} 3 a) extent, magnitude, amount, etc. {an undertaking of great size} b) relatively large amount, dimensions, etc. 4 character of a person with regard to ability to meet requirements 5 [Colloq.] actual condition; true state of affairs {that's the size of it} 6 [Obs.] standard ration or allowance, as of food •vt. sized, siz´ing 1 to make of a certain size 2 to arrange or grade according to size of a size of one or the same size Æ size up [Colloq.] 1 to make an estimate or judgment of 2 to meet requirements or specifications siz´er •n. [ME < OFr sise, aphetic for assise: see ASSIZE]
size² (saiz) •n. any thin, pasty or gluey substance used as a glaze or filler on porous materials, as on plaster, paper, or cloth •vt. sized, siz´ing to apply size to; fill, stiffen, or glaze with size [ME syse, prob. < MFr sise, a setting: see SIZE1]
-sized (saizd) combining form having a (specified) size: usually used in hyphenated compounds {medium-sized, undersized}
sizing (sai´ziŋ) •n. 1 SIZE² 2 the act or process of applying such size
sizzle (siz´эl) -zled, -zling •vi. 1 to make a hissing sound when in contact with heat, as a drop of water on hot metal 2 to be extremely hot 3 to be in a state of suppressed emotion or passion; esp., to simmer with rage •vt. to make sizzle •n. a sizzling sound [echoic]
sizzler (siz´lэr) •n. [Colloq.] something hot (in various senses), as a very hot day
SJ Society of Jesus
Sjælland (shel´län) Dan. name of ZEALAND
sjambok (shæm´bäk) •n. in South Africa, a whip traditionally made of rhinoceros or hippopotamus hide •vt. to strike or flog with a sjambok [Afrik < Malay cambuk, a large whip < Hindi cābuk]
SJD or S.J.D. Doctor of Juridical Science [L Scientiae Juridicae Doctor]
SK Saskatchewan
ska (skä) •n. a form of dance music, popular in Jamaica in the 1960's, characterized by the use of saxophones and brass, a heavily accented offbeat, and the influence of New Orleans rhythm and blues, jazz, and calypso
skag (skæg) •n. alt. sp. of SCAG
Skagen (skä´yэn), Cape The SKAW
Skagerrak (skæg´э ræk') arm of the North Sea, between Norway & Denmark: 150 mi. (241 km) long; 70-90 mi. (112-145 km) wide
skald (sköld, skäld) •n. any of the ancient Scandinavian poets, specif. of the Viking period skald´ic •adj. [ON skāld: see SCOLD]
skat (skæt, skät) •n. a card game for three people, played with thirty-two cards [Ger < It scarto, discard < scartare, to discard < s- (< L ex-, out) + carta, card (< L charta: see CARD¹)]
skate¹ (skeit) •n. 1 a) a bladelike metal runner mounted in a frame having clamps and straps for fastening it to the sole of a shoe and used for gliding on ice b) a shoe with such a runner permanently attached: also ice skate 2 a similar frame or shoe with a pair of small wheels near the toe and another pair at the heel, for gliding on a hardwood floor, sidewalk, etc.: also roller skate 3 the act or a period of skating •vi. skat´ed, skat´ing to move along or glide on or as on skates skat´er •n. [taken as sing. of earlier skates < Du schaats, a skate, stilt < NormFr escache < OFr eschace, stilt, crutch < Frank *skatja, stilt]
skate² (skeit) pl. skates •n.or skate any ray fish (esp. order Rajiformes) Often used as the name for the larger commercial species [ME scate < ON skata]
skate³ (skeit) •n. [Old Slang] Æ 1 a broken-down horse; nag 2 a person: now only in good skate, a congenial, likable person [< ?]
skateboard (skeit´börd') •n. a toy consisting of a short, oblong board with a pair of small wheels at each end, ridden, as down an incline, usually in a standing position •vi. -board'ed, -board'ing to ride or coast on a skateboard skate´board'er •n.
skatole (skæt´oul) •n. a foul-smelling, colorless, crystalline compound, C9H9N, formed by the decomposition of proteins, as in the intestine [< Gr skōr (gen. skatos), dung (see SCATO-) + -OL²]
Skaw (skö), The cape at the N tip of the Jutland peninsula, Denmark
skean (shki:n, ski:n) •n. a kind of dirk formerly used in Scotland and Ireland [Gael sgian, akin to MIr scïan, a knife < IE base *skei-, to cut > L scire]
Skeat (ski:t), W(alter) W(illiam) 1835-1912; Eng. philologist & lexicographer
skedaddle (ski dæd´ªl) -dled, -dling •vi. [Colloq.] to run off or away; leave in a hurry •n. [Colloq.] a running or scurrying away [popularized in military slang of Civil War period: prob. a fanciful formation]
skee (ski:) skeed, skee´ing •n., vi. rare alt. sp. of SKI
skeet (ski:t) •n. trapshooting in which the shooter fires from different stations, usually eight, at clay disks thrown from traps to simulate birds in flight [20th-c. adoption and alteration of ON skeyti, projectile, akin to skjōta, to SHOOT]
skeg (skeg) •n. Naut. the after part of the keel, or an extension of this upon which the rudderpost is mounted [Du schegge < ON skegg, beard (basic sense a projection): see SHAG¹]
skein (skein) •n. 1 a) a quantity of thread or yarn wound in a coil b) something like this, as a coil of hair 2 a flock of wild fowl 3 a sequence of events, esp. a series of games won or lost by a team {a 20-game winning skein} [ME skeyn < MFr escaigne]
skeleton (skel´э tэn) •n. 1 the hard framework of an animal body, supporting the tissues and protecting the organs; specif., all the bones collectively, or the bony framework, of a human being or other vertebrate animal 2 anything like a skeleton in any of various ways a) a very lean or emaciated person or animal b) a supporting framework, as of a ship c) an outline or preliminary sketch, as of a novel d) the meager or devitalized remains of something •adj. 1 of or like a skeleton; specif., of, or having the nature of, the main or essential outline, framework, etc. {a skeleton plan} 2 greatly reduced {a skeleton force} skeleton at the feast a person or event that brings gloom or sadness to an occasion of joy or celebration skeleton in the closet some fact, as about one's family, kept secret because of shame or fear of disgrace skel´e·tal (-tªl) •adj. [ModL < Gr < skeleton (sōma), dried (body), mummy < skeletos, dried up, akin to sklēros, dry, hard < IE base *(s)kel- > SHALLOW]
skeleton key a key having a large part of the bit filed away so that it can be used to open any of various simple locks
skeletonize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to reduce to a skeleton or a bare framework 2 to outline or sketch (a story, report, etc.) briefly 3 to reduce (a work force, etc.) greatly in number or size
skellum (skel´эm) •n. [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a rascal; rogue; scamp: now common only in South Africa Also skelm (skelm) [Early ModE < Du schelm, akin to OHG skelmo, one deserving to die < IE base *(s)kel-, to cut > SHELL, HELM²]
skelp (skelp) •vt. [Brit. Dial.] to slap or spank •vi. to hurry along; hustle •n. [Brit. Dial.] a slap; blow [ME shelpen, to beat, flog]
Skelton (skel´tªn), John c. 1460-1529; Eng. poet
skene (ski:n) •n. var. of SKEAN
skep (skep) •n. 1 a round, wooden or wicker basket 2 a beehive, esp. one of straw [ME skeppe < OE sceppe < ON skeppa, a measure, bushel < IE base *(s)kep- > SHAPE]
skeptic (skep´tik) •adj. var. of SKEPTICAL Used esp. in philosophy •n. 1 [S-] a member of any of the ancient Greek philosophical schools that denied the possibility of any certain knowledge 2 a person who believes in or practices philosophical skepticism 3 a person who habitually doubts, questions, or suspends judgment upon matters generally accepted 4 a person who doubts religious doctrines [L scepticus < Gr skeptikos, thoughtful, inquiring < skeptesthai, to consider: altered by metathesis < IE base *spe-, to peer > SPY]
skeptical (skep´ti kэl) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of skeptics or skepticism 2 not easily persuaded or convinced; doubting; questioning 3 doubting the fundamental doctrines of religion skep´ti·cal·ly •adv.
skepticism (-siz'эm) •n. 1 [S-] the doctrines of the ancient Greek Skeptics 2 the philosophical doctrine that the truth of all knowledge must always be in question and that inquiry must be a process of doubting 3 skeptical or doubting attitude or state of mind 4 doubt about fundamental religious doctrines SYN. UNCERTAINTY
skerry (sker´i:) pl. -ries •n. [Scot.] an isolated rock or reef in the sea [via Orkney dial. < ON sker, reef (< IE base *sker-, to cut > SHEAR) + ey, ISLAND]
sketch (skech) •n. 1 a simple, rough drawing or design, done rapidly and without much detail 2 a brief plan or description of major parts or points; outline 3 a short, light, informal story, description, play, skit, or piece of music •vt. to draw or describe quickly or in outline; make a sketch of •vi. to make a sketch or sketches sketch´er •n. [earlier schitz < Du schets < It schizzo < L schedium, extempore poem < Gr schedios, extempore, sudden < schein, to hold: see SCHEME]
sketchbook (-buk') •n. 1 a book of drawing paper for making sketches 2 a book of literary sketches Also sketch book
sketchy (-i:) sketch´i·er, sketch´i·est •adj. 1 having the form of a sketch; presenting only major parts or points; not detailed 2 lacking completeness; rough; inadequate sketch´i·ly •adv. sketch´i·ness •n.
skew (skyu:) •vi. 1 to take a slanting or oblique course or direction; swerve or twist 2 to squint or glance sideways (at) •vt. 1 to make slanting or oblique; set at a slant 2 to bias, distort, or pervert •adj. 1 turned aside or to one side; slanting; oblique 2 having a part or arrangement that is so turned, as in gearing having the shafts neither parallel nor intersecting 3 not symmetrical •n. 1 a slant or twist 2 a slanting part or movement [ME skewen < NormFr eskiuer, altered < OFr eschiver: see ESCHEW]
skew arch an arch with jambs not at right angles with the face, as in a vault or tunnel which narrows or widens from its opening
skew lines Math. two or more lines that lie in different planes, are not parallel, and do not intersect
skew polygon the figure formed by joining four or more points, not all in one plane, by the same number of lines
skewback (skyu:´bæk') •n. 1 the slanting surface supporting either end of a segmental arch 2 a supporting piece, as a stone, with such a surface
skewbald (skyu:´böld') •adj. having large patches of white and brown or any other color except black •n. a skewbald horse [< ME skewed, piebald + BALD]
skewer (skyu:´эr) •n. 1 a) a long pin used to hold meat together while cooking b) a similar but longer pin used as a brochette 2 any of several things shaped or used like a meat skewer •vt. to fasten or pierce with or as with skewers [var. of skiver < ON skifa, a slice < v., to slice: see SKIVE¹]
skewness (skyu:´nis) •n. 1 the fact or condition of being skew, or, esp., unsymmetrical 2 Statistics the lack of symmetry of the curve for a frequency distribution
ski (ski:; Brit also shi:) pl. skis or ski •n. 1 either of a pair of long, thin runners of wood, metal, etc., fastened to the shoes for gliding over snow 2 a water ski •vi. skied (ski:d), ski´ing 1 to travel on skis by gliding over the snow 2 to engage in the sport of gliding down snow-covered inclines on skis 3 short for WATER-SKI [Norw < ON skith, snowshoe, strip of wood, akin to OE scid, OHG scit, thin piece of wood, shingle < IE base *skei- > SHEATH]
ski jump 1 a jump made by a skier after gaining momentum by a glide down a long, usually artificial incline or track 2 such an incline or track
ski lift a motor-driven, endless cable, typically with seats attached, for carrying skiers up a ski slope
ski mask a knitted article of apparel that covers the head and has openings for the eyes and mouth, worn as by skiers for protection in cold weather
ski pants pants that fit snugly at the ankles, worn for skiing and other winter sports
ski pole either of a pair of light poles with a sharp metal tip surmounted by a projecting ring: used by skiers to gain speed and as a help in climbing and keeping their balance
ski run a slope or course used for skiing
ski touring the sport of cross-country skiing
ski tow a kind of ski lift for pulling skiers up a slope on their skis
skiagraph (skai´э græf', -gräf') •n. RADIOGRAPH Also ski´a·gram' (-græm') ski·ag·ra·phy (skai æg´rэ fi:) •n. [Gr skia, shadow (see SHINE) + -GRAPH]
skiascope (-skoup') •n. RETINOSCOPE
skiascopy (skai æs´kэ pi:) •n. RETINOSCOPY [Gr skia, shadow (see SHINE) + -SCOPY]
skid (skid) •n. Æ 1 a plank, log, etc., often one of a pair or set, used as a support or as a track upon which to slide or roll a heavy object 2 a low, movable wooden platform for holding loads or stacks 3 a runner used in place of a wheel on an aircraft landing gear 4 a sliding wedge or drag used to check the motion of a vehicle by pressure against a wheel 5 the act of skidding •vt. skid´ded, skid´ding 1 to brake or lock (a wheel) with a skid 2 to support with or slide on a skid or skids Æ 3 to haul, roll, or drag (logs) along a special track or trail, as through a forest 4 to cause (a wheel, vehicle, etc.) to slide or slip •vi. 1 to slide without turning, as a wheel when skids or brakes are applied on a slippery surface 2 to slide or slip sideways, as a vehicle when not gripping the road on ice 3 to slide sharply downward 4 Aeron. to slide outward while turning, as a result of failing to bank sufficiently Æ be on (or hit) the skids [Slang] to be on the decline or downgrade; meet with failure Æ put the skids to (or under) [Slang] to thwart or cause to fail skid´der •n. [Early ModE, prob. < ON skith: see SKI]
skid road 1 in lumbering, a trail along which newly cut logs are skidded 2 a) [West] a section of town where loggers gathered in taverns, inns, etc. b) SKID ROW
skid row a usually run-down section of a city frequented by indigent alcoholics, vagrants, derelicts, etc. [altered < prec.]
skiddoo (ski du:´) •vi. [Old Slang] to go away; leave: usually in the imperative [prob. < SKEDADDLE]
skiddy (skid´i:) -di·er, -di·est •adj. having a slippery surface on which vehicles are liable to skid
skidproof (skid´pru:f') •adj. that resists or prevents skidding, as some automobile tires, road surfaces, etc.
skier (ski:´эr; Brit also shi:´-) •n. a person who skis
skiff (skif) •n. any of various small, light, open boats propelled by oars, motor, or sail [MFr esquif < It schifo < Langobardic *skif, akin to SHIP]
skiffle (skif´ªl) •n. 1 a former primitive style of jazz played by bands using some nonstandard or homemade instruments 2 a kind of up-tempo popular music like this, played as by jug bands, esp. in the United Kingdom in the 1950's, characterized by elements of jazz, blues, country, folk, etc.
skijoring (ski:´jör'iŋ, ski: jör´-) •n. a sport in which skiers are drawn over snow or ice by a horse, tractor, etc. [Norw skikjøring < ski, SKI + kjøre, to ride, drive]
skilful (skil´fэl) •adj. alt. sp. of SKILLFUL skil´ful·ly •adv. skil´ful·ness •n.
skill (skil) •n. 1 great ability or proficiency; expertness that comes from training, practice, etc. 2 a) an art, craft, or science, esp. one involving the use of the hands or body b) ability in such an art, craft, or science 3 [Obs.] knowledge, understanding, or judgment •vi. [Archaic] to matter, avail, or make a difference SYN. ART¹ [ME, discernment, reason < ON skil, distinction, akin to skilja, to cut apart, separate < IE base *(s)kel-, to cut (> SHIELD, SHELL): basic sense ability to separate, hence discernment]
skilled (skild) •adj. 1 having skill; skillful 2 having or requiring an ability, as in a particular industrial occupation, gained by special experience or training
skillet (skil´it) •n. 1 [Chiefly Brit.] a pot or kettle with a long handle and, sometimes, feet 2 FRYING PAN [ME skelett < ? OFr escuellette, dim. of escuelle, porringer, basin < L scutella, dim. of scutra, dish]
skillful (skil´fэl) •adj. having or showing skill; accomplished; expert skill´ful·ly •adv. skill´ful·ness •n.
skilling (skil´iŋ, shil´-) •n. any of various former Scandinavian copper coins and units of value [Norw, Dan, Swed, akin to SHILLING]
skim (skim) skimmed, skim´ming •vt. 1 a) to clear (a liquid) of floating matter b) to remove (floating matter) from a liquid 2 to coat or cover with a thin layer {a pond skimmed with ice} 3 to look at hastily or carelessly; glance through (a book, etc.) without reading word for word 4 a) to glide or pass swiftly and lightly over b) to throw so as to cause to bounce or ricochet swiftly and lightly {to skim a flat stone across a pond} 5 [Slang] to refrain from reporting for tax purposes (a percentage of income, gambling gains, etc.) •vi. 1 to move along swiftly and lightly over a surface, through space, etc.; glide; sail 2 to make a rapid or careless examination, as of a book: usually with over or through 3 to become thinly coated, as with scum •n. 1 something that has been skimmed 2 the act of skimming 3 a thin coating or film •adj. 1 that has been skimmed 2 designating or of a finishing coat of plaster {skim coat} [ME skimen, prob. akin to SCUM]
skim milk milk from which cream has been removed Also skimmed milk
skimble-scamble (skim´bэl skæm'bэl, skim´эl skæm'эl) •adj. rambling, incoherent, nonsensical, etc.
skimmer (skim´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that skims 2 any utensil used in skimming liquids 3 any of a family (Rynchopidae) of long-winged shorebirds that use their elongated lower bill to scoop up food while skimming over water 4 any of a family (Libellulidae) of large dragonflies that hover low over ponds, ditches, etc. Æ 5 a hat, usually of straw, with a flat crown and a wide, straight brim
skimming (skim´iŋ) •n. [usually pl.] anything that has been skimmed from a liquid
skimp (skimp) •adj. [Colloq.] SCANTY •vi. 1 [Colloq.] to give or allow too little; be stingy; scrimp 2 to keep expenses very low •vt. 1 [Colloq.] to do poorly or carelessly 2 to be stingy in or toward; specif., to make too small, too short, etc. [prob. altered < SCRIMP]
skimpy (skim´pi:) skimp´i·er, skimp´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] barely or not quite enough; somewhat less in size, fullness, etc. than is needed; scanty skimp´i·ly •adv. skimp´i·ness •n.
skin (skin) •n. 1 the outer covering or integument of the animal body 2 such a covering, esp. that of a small animal, when removed from the body and prepared for use; pelt 3 something like skin in appearance or function; any outer layer, as fruit rind, the shell or plating of a ship, a film or scum, the outermost nacreous layer in a pearl, etc. 4 a container made of animal skin, used for holding liquids Æ 5 [pl.] [Slang] a set of drums, esp. in a jazz band Æ 6 [Slang] a dollar •vt. skinned, skin´ning 1 to cover with or as with skin; grow skin on 2 to remove skin from 3 to strip or peel off, as or like skin 4 to injure by scraping or abrading (one's knee, elbow, etc.) 5 [Colloq.] a) to defraud or cheat; swindle Æ b) to criticize or scold severely Æ 6 [Colloq.] to drive or urge on (a mule, ox, etc.) •vi. 1 to become covered with skin 2 [Colloq.] to climb (up or down) 3 to move (through), pass (by), succeed, etc. by a very narrow margin •adj. [Slang] depicting or involving nudity and, sometimes, explicit sexual activity {skin magazine} Æ be no skin off one's nose (or back) [Colloq.] to affect one not at all; be of no direct concern to one by the skin of one's teeth by the smallest possible margin; barely Æ get under one's skin [Colloq.] to anger or irritate one have a thick (or thin) skin to be insensitive (or acutely sensitive) to blame, criticism, insults, etc. save one's skin [Colloq.] to avoid harm or injury; esp., to escape death skin alive [Colloq.] Æ 1 to scold or punish severely 2 to defeat decisively SYN.—skin is the general term for the outer covering of the animal body and for the covering, especially if thin and tight, of certain fruits and vegetables [human skin, the skin of a peach]; hide is used of the tough skins of certain large animals, as of a horse, cow, elephant, etc.; pelt refers to the skin, esp. the untanned skin, of a fur-bearing animal, as of a mink, fox, sheep, etc.; rind applies to the thick, tough covering of certain fruits, as of a watermelon, or of cheeses, bacon, etc.; peel is used of the skin or rind of fruit that has been removed, as by stripping [potato peel, lemon peel]; bark applies to the hard covering of trees and woody plants [ME skinn < ON, akin to Ger schinden, to flay, peel < IE *(s)ken(d)-, to split off (< base *sek-, to cut: see SAW¹) > OIr ceinn, a scale, scurf]
skin diving underwater swimming in which the swimmer, without lines to the surface, is variously equipped with a face mask, flipperlike footgear, scuba equipment, etc. skin´-dive' (-daiv'), -dived', -div'ing, •vi. skin diver
skin effect the tendency of alternating current to concentrate at or near the surface of a conductor
skin game [Colloq.] a cheating, swindling trick
skin grafting the surgical transplanting of skin (skin graft) to replace skin destroyed, as by burning
skin test any test for detecting the presence of a disease or allergy from the reaction of the skin to a test substance
skin-deep (-di:p´) •adj. 1 penetrating no deeper than the skin 2 without real depth or significance; superficial; shallow •adv. so as to be only skin-deep; superficially
skinflick (-flik') •n. [Slang] a motion picture in which nudity and, often, explicit sexual activity are emphasized
skinflint (-flint') •n. a niggardly person; miser [< thieves' slang: lit., one who would skin a flint for gain or economy]
skinful (-ful') pl. -fuls' •n. 1 as much as a skin container can hold 2 [Colloq.] a) as much as the stomach can hold b) enough alcoholic liquor to make one drunk
skinhead (-hi:d') •n. [Slang] 1 a person who is bald or whose hair has been shaved off or closely cropped 2 a) any of a group of working-class youths, orig. in England in the 1960's, with closely cropped hair, often engaging in rowdyism b) any of a similar group of alienated youths in the U.S., Europe, etc. who variously affect a rough appearance, advocate fascist and racist policies, and engage in hostile and violent activity
skink (skiŋk) •n. any of a family (Scincidae) of widely distributed lizards having an elongated, shiny body, smooth scales, and short legs [L scincus < Gr skinkos]
skinless (skin´lis) •adj. without a skin, casing, etc.
-skinned (skind) combining form having (a specified kind of) skin: used in hyphenated compounds {dark-skinned}
skinner (skin´эr) •n. 1 a person who strips skins or processes them for market Æ 2 [Colloq.] a (mule) driver
Skinner box (skin´эr) an enclosure in which small animals, as rats or pigeons, are conditioned by rewards and punishments to perform certain acts in response to specific stimuli [after B. F. Skinner (1904-90), U.S. psychologist who invented it]
skinny (skin´i:) -ni·er, -ni·est •adj. 1 of or like skin 2 without much flesh; very thin 3 of inadequate size, growth, etc. •n. [Slang] inside or confidential information; gossip skin´ni·ness •n.
skinny-dip (-dip') -dipped', -dip'ping •vi. [Colloq.] to swim in the nude •n. [Colloq.] a swim in the nude
skin-pop (skin´päp') -popped', -pop'ping •vt. [Slang] to inject (a narcotic drug) subcutaneously Cf. MAINLINE skin´-pop'per •n.
skint (skint) •adj. [Brit. Slang] having little or no money; broke
skintight (-tait´) •adj. clinging closely to the body {skintight jeans}
skip¹ (skip) skipped, skip´ping •vi. 1 to leap, jump, or spring lightly; specif., to move along by hopping lightly on first one foot and then the other 2 to be deflected from a surface; ricochet 3 to pass, or direct the attention, from one point to another, omitting what lies between Æ 4 to be promoted in school beyond the next regular grade 5 [Colloq.] to leave hurriedly, esp. under questionable circumstances; abscond •vt. 1 to jump or leap lightly over 2 to pass over or omit, either deliberately or inadvertently 3 to omit attending a session or sessions of (school, church, etc.) 4 to cause to skip or ricochet Æ 5 a) to promote (a student) to the grade beyond the next regular one in school b) to pass over (the next regular grade) Æ 6 [Colloq.] to leave (a town, country, etc.) hurriedly •n. 1 a) an act of skipping; leap; spring b) a skipping gait alternating light hops on each foot 2 a passing over or omitting Æ skip it! [Colloq.] never mind! it doesn't matter! SYN.—skip suggests a springing forward lightly and quickly, leaping on alternate feet, and, of inanimate things, deflection from a surface in a series of jumps; bound implies longer, more vigorous leaps, as in running, or by an elastic object thrown along the ground; hop suggests a single short jump, as on one leg, or a series of short, relatively jerky jumps; ricochet is used of an inanimate object that has been thrown or shot and that bounds or skips in glancing deflection from a surface [ME skippen, prob. < Scand form akin to ON skopa, to jump, run < IE *skeub-, to shoot, throw > SHOVE]
skip² (skip) •n. 1 short for SKIPPER² 2 the captain of a lawn bowling team or curling team •vt. skipped, skip´ping to act as a skip for
skipjack (-jæk') pl. -jacks' •n.or -jack' any of various fishes that leap out of, or play at the surface of, the water, as the bluefish or a saury
skiplane (ski:´plein') •n. an airplane with skis instead of wheels for landing on, and taking off from, snow
skipper¹ (skip´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that skips 2 SAURY 3 any of a family (Hesperiidae) of mostly small, heavy-bodied butterflies, having threadlike antennae usually ending in a hook, and characterized by short, erratic bursts of flight 4 any skipping insect
skipper² (skip´эr) •n. 1 the captain of a ship, esp. of a small ship or boat 2 any leader, director, or captain •vt. to act as skipper of [ME < MDu schipper < schip, a SHIP]
skirl (skørl) •vt., vi. [Scot.] to sound out in shrill, piercing tones, as a bagpipe does •n. a shrill sound, as of a bagpipe [ME (northern) skrille, skyrle, prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. skrylla, to scream: for IE base see SHRILL]
skirmish (skør´mish) •n. 1 a brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle 2 any slight, unimportant conflict; brush •vi. to take part in a skirmish [ME scarmishen] SYN. BATTLE¹ skir´mish·er •n. [ME scarmoch < MFr escharmuche < It scaramuccia < schermire, to fight < Gmc, as in OHG *skirmjan, to protect < skirm, a guard: see SCREEN]
Skíros (ski:´řôs) Greek island of the N Sporades, in the Aegean Sea: c. 80 sq. mi. (207 sq. km)
skirr (skør) •vi. to move, run, fly, etc. swiftly and, occas., with a whirring sound •vt. 1 to cover in searching; scour 2 to throw and cause to skim •n. a whirring sound [of echoic orig.]
skirt (skørt) •n. 1 that part of a dress, coat, robe, etc. that hangs below the waist 2 a woman's garment of varying length that hangs down from the waist 3 something like a skirt, as a flap hanging from the side of a saddle or one covering the legs of a sofa, chair, etc. 4 [pl.] the outer or bordering parts; outskirts, as of a city 5 [Old Slang] a girl or woman •vt. 1 to lie along or form the border or edge of 2 a) to move along the edge of or pass around rather than through b) to miss narrowly 3 to avoid (something controversial, difficult, etc.) 4 to border or edge with something •vi. to be on, or move along, the edge or border {a path skirting along the pond} skirt´er •n. [ME < ON skyrt, shirt, kirtle, akin to OE scyrte, SHIRT]
skit (skit) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a taunt; gibe 2 a short piece of satirical or humorous writing 3 a short, comic theatrical sketch [< dial., v., to be skittish, taunt, prob. < Scand var. of ON skjōta, SHOOT]
skitter (skit´эr) •vi. 1 to skip or move along quickly and lightly, esp. over water Æ 2 to draw a fish lure over the water with a skipping motion •vt. to cause to skitter [freq. of dial. skite, to dart about < Scand, akin to SHOOT]
skittish (skit´ish) •adj. 1 lively or playful, esp. in a coy manner 2 easily frightened; jumpy {a skittish horse} 3 fickle or undependable skit´tish·ly •adv. skit´tish·ness •n. [ME: see SKIT & -ISH]
skittle (skit´ªl) •n. 1 [pl., with sing. v.] a British form of ninepins in which a wooden disk or ball is used to knock down the pins 2 any of these pins (not) all beer and skittles (not) pure pleasure and enjoyment [prob. < Scand cognate of SHUTTLE (as in Dan skyttel, a shuttle, marble)]
skive¹ (skaiv) skived, skiv´ing •vt. to slice off (leather, rubber, etc.) in thin layers; shave [ON skifa; akin to SHIVE]
skive² (skaiv) skived, skiv´ing •vi. [Brit. Colloq.] to avoid work by leaving; play truant: often with off
skiver (skai´vэr) •n. 1 a soft, thin leather made from the outer half of split sheepskin and used for bookbindings, hat linings, etc. 2 a person who skives leather 3 a tool used in skiving leather
skivvy¹ (skiv´i:) pl. -vies •n. [Slang] 1 a man's, esp. a sailor's, short-sleeved undershirt: usually skivvy shirt 2 [pl.] men's underwear [< ?]
skivvy² (skiv´i:) pl. -vies •n. [Brit.] HOUSEMAID: a contemptuous term •vi. -vied, -vy·ing [Brit.] to do menial work [< ?]
skoal (skoul) •interj. to your health! A toast [Dan & Norw skaal, a cup < ON skāl, bowl: for base see SCALE³]
Skokie (skou´ki:) village in NE Ill.: suburb of Chicago: pop. 59,000 [< ? AmInd]
skookum (sku:´kэm) •adj. [Northwest & Cdn.] strong, big, excellent, etc. [Chinook jargon, evil spirit]
Skopje (skô´pye) capital of MACEDONIA (the country): pop. 172,000: also Skop·lje (skôp´lye)
Skr, Skrt, or Skt Sanskrit
skua (skyu:´э) •n. 1 a large, brown-and-white, predatory shorebird (Catharacta skua, family Stercorariidae) found in cold seas 2 [Brit.] JAEGER (sense 2) [ModL, adapted (c. 1604) < Faroese skūgver < ON skūfr, tuft, sheaf (akin to SHOP)]
skulduggery or skullduggery (skûl dûg´эr i:) •n. [Colloq.] sneaky, dishonest behavior; trickery [obs. Scot sculdudrie < ?]
skulk (skûlk) •vi. 1 to move or lurk about in a stealthy, craven, or sinister manner; slink 2 [Chiefly Brit.] to avoid work or responsibility; shirk; malinger •n. 1 a person who skulks 2 [Obs.] a pack (of foxes) skulk´er •n. [ME sculken, prob. < LowG schulken, to play truant, or Dan skulke, to skulk]
skull (skûl) •n. 1 the entire bony or cartilaginous framework of the head of a vertebrate, enclosing and protecting the brain and sense organs, including the bones of the face and jaw 2 the human head regarded as the seat of thought or intelligence: usually with derogatory implication {a thick skull, an empty skull} •vt. to hit on the head out of one's skull [Slang] foolish; silly [ME scolle < Scand, as in Swed skulle, skull, akin to SCALE³, SHELL]
skull and crossbones a human skull facing forward with two long bones crossed beneath it, as formerly pictured on pirates' flags: now used as a warning sign, as on poisons
skull practice (or session) [Slang] a class session, as of a football team, at which plays are studied and discussed
skullcap (-kæp') •n. 1 a light, closefitting, brimless cap, usually worn indoors; specif., a zucchetto or a yarmulke 2 any of a genus (Scutellaria) of mints with a closed, helmet-shaped calyx
skunk (skûŋk) pl. skunks or skunk •n. 1 a) any of several bushy-tailed carnivores (family Mustelidae) of the New World, about the size of a house cat: it has glossy black fur, usually with white stripes or spots down the back, and ejects a foul-smelling, musky liquid when disturbed or frightened b) its fur 2 [Colloq.] a despicable, offensive person •vt. [Slang] to defeat overwhelmingly in a game or contest; often, specif., to keep from scoring any points [< New England Algonquian cognate of Abenaki segôgw]
skunk cabbage 1 a perennial E North American plant (Symplocarpus foetidus) of the arum family, growing in wet soil and having large, cabbagelike leaves, a spadix of small flowers concealed in a purple, hooded spathe, and a disagreeable smell 2 a similar plant (Lysichitum americanum) of the arum family of W North America
skunkweed (-wi:d') •n. any of several plants, as joe-pye weed, that have a disagreeable smell
sky (skai) pl. skies •n. 1 [often pl.] the upper atmosphere, esp. with reference to its appearance {blue skies, a cloudy sky} 2 the expanse of the heavens that forms an apparent arch over the earth; firmament 3 a) heaven, or the celestial regions b) climate or weather {the balmy southern sky} •vt. skied or skyed, sky´ing 1 to hit, throw, shoot, etc. high in the air 2 to hang (a picture) high up on the wall out of a clear (blue) sky without warning; suddenly to the skies without reserve; extravagantly {praised her to the skies} [ME < ON, a cloud, akin to OE sceo, a cloud, OHG scuwo, shadow < IE base *(s)keu-, a cloud, OHG scuwo, shadow < IE base *(s)keu-, to cover, hide > HIDE¹, L cutis, skin, Gr skytos, leather]
sky blue a blue color like that of the sky on a clear day
sky diving the sport of jumping from an airplane and executing free-fall maneuvers before opening the parachute, often at the last possible moment sky´-dive' (-daiv'), -dived', -div'ing, •vi. sky diver
sky marshal a Federal officer assigned to guard against the hijacking of commercial airliners
sky pilot [Slang] a member of the clergy; esp., CHAPLAIN (sense 2)
sky wave a radio wave that is reflected back to earth from one of the layers of the ionosphere
skycap (-kæp') •n. a porter, or redcap, at an airport terminal
Skye (skai), Isle of island off the W coast of Scotland: largest of the Inner Hebrides: 643 sq. mi. (1,665 sq. km)
Skye terrier any of a breed of small terrier with a long body, short legs, and a profuse coat of long, straight hair [after prec.]
skyey (skai´i:) •adj. 1 of or like the sky, as a shade of blue 2 of great height; lofty
sky-high (skai´hai´) •adj. of or to a great height, amount, degree, etc.; very high •adv. 1 to a great height, amount, degree, etc.; very high 2 in or to pieces; apart {blew it sky-high}
skyjack (-jæk') •vt. [Colloq.] to hijack (an aircraft) sky´jack'er •n.
Skylab (skai´læb') a U.S. space station (May 14, 1973-July 11, 1979) orbiting the earth and carrying alternating crews of astronauts, who conducted scientific experiments and made astronomical and meteorological observations [SKY + LAB(ORATORY)]
skylark (-lärk') •n. a Eurasian lark (Alauda arvensis) famous for the song it utters as it soars upward and flies about high in the sky •vi. to play about boisterously; frolic [< SKY + LARK²: orig. naut., of playing in the rigging]
skylight (-lait') •n. a window in a roof or ceiling
skyline (-lain') •n. 1 the line along which the sky seems to touch the earth; visible horizon 2 the outline, as of a city, seen against the sky
skyrocket (-räk'it) •n. a fireworks rocket that explodes in midair in a shower of colored sparks Æ vi., vt. to rise or cause to rise rapidly {meat prices skyrocketed}
Skýros (ski:´řôs) alt. sp. of SKÍROS
skysail (skai´seil', -sэl) •n. the small sail set above the royal at the top of a square-rigged mast
skyscraper (-skrei'pэr) •n. Æ a very tall building
skywalk (-wök') •n. a walkway suspended one or more stories above street level and usually enclosed or covered
skyward (-wэrd) •adv., adj. toward the sky Also sky´wards •adv.
skyways (-weiz') •n.pl. routes of air travel; air lanes
skywriting (-rait'iŋ) •n. the act or result of tracing words, figures, etc. in the sky by trailing smoke from an airplane in flight sky´write', -wrote', -writ'ten, •vi., vt. sky´writ'er •n.
slab¹ (slæb) •n. 1 a piece that is flat, broad, and fairly thick {a slab of concrete, a slab of bread} 2 any of the rough, outer pieces removed from a log in sawing it into lumber •vt. slabbed, slab´bing 1 to make into a slab or slabs 2 to cut the slabs from (a log) 3 to pave or cover with slabs [ME sclabbe]
slab² (slæb) •adj. [Archaic] thick and heavy; viscid {slab porridge} [< Scand, as in Swed dial. slabb, muddy water: for IE base see SLAVER¹]
slabber (slæb´эr) •vi., vt., n. var. of SLOBBER
slab-sided (slæb´said´id) •adj. [Colloq.] 1 flat-sided 2 tall and slender; lank
slack water 1 the period between tides when the water is neither in ebb nor flood 2 any stretch of water having little or no current
slack¹ (slæk) •adj. 1 slow; idle; sluggish 2 barely moving: said of a current, as of air or water 3 characterized by little work, trade, or business; not busy or active; dull {a slack period} 4 loose; relaxed; not tight, taut, or firm 5 easily changed or influenced; weak; lax 6 careless or negligent {a slack workman} •vt. 1 to make slack; slacken 2 to slake •vi. 1 to be or become slack; slacken 2 to be idle, careless, or negligent •adv. in a slack manner; so as to be slack •n. 1 a part that is slack or hangs loose 2 a lack of tension or tautness; looseness 3 a stoppage of movement in a current 4 a dull period; lull SYN. REMISS slack off to slacken slack up to go more slowly slack´ly •adv. slack´ness •n. [ME slakke < OE slæc, akin to Du slak < IE base *(s)lēg-, loose, slack > L laxus, lax]
slack² (slæk) •n. a mixture of small pieces of coal, coal dust, and dirt left from the screening of coal [ME sleck, akin to Fl slecke, dross, Du slak: for IE base see SLAY]
slack³ (slæk) •n. [Scot. or North Eng.] 1 a small valley; dell 2 a boggy hollow; morass [ME slak < ON *slakki < IE base *slēk, wet, sprinkle]
slack-baked (-beikt') •adj. not properly baked, made, etc.
slacken (slæk´эn) •vi. 1 to become less active, intense, brisk, etc. {slackening trade} 2 to become less tense; loosen, as rope •vt. 1 to reduce the intensity or severity of; retard; abate; moderate 2 to reduce the tension of; relax; loosen {to slacken one's grip} slack´en·er •n. [< SLACK¹]
slacker (-эr) •n. 1 a person who shirks work or duty 2 a person who evades military service in wartime
slacks (slæks) •n.pl. trousers for men or women; esp., trousers that are not part of a suit
slag (slæg) •n. 1 the fused refuse or dross separated from a metal in the process of smelting 2 lava resembling this •vt., vi. slagged, slag´ging to form into slag slag´gy, -gi·er, -gi·est, •adv. [< MLowG slagge (> Ger schlacke) < slagen, to strike: for IE base see SLAY]
slain (slein) •vt. pp. of SLAY
slainte (slön´tэ) •interj. to your health!: a toast [Ir slāinte, health]
slake (sleik) slaked, slak´ing •vt. 1 to allay or make (thirst, desire, etc.) less active or intense by satisfying; assuage; satisfy 2 to cause (a fire) to die down or go out 3 to produce a chemical change in (lime) by combination with water {slaked lime is calcium hydroxide} 4 [Obs.] to lessen, reduce, or relieve 5 [Obs.] to lessen the tension of •vi. 1 to become slaked or undergo slaking, as lime, thirst, etc. 2 [Archaic] to become less active or intense; slacken [ME slakien < OE slacian < slæc, SLACK¹]
slalom (slä´lэm) •n. 1 a timed downhill ski race over a zigzag course marked by flag-topped poles, or gates: see GATE¹ (n. 8) 2 any race over a zigzag course similarly marked •vi. to take part in a slalom [Norw, ski track with an even slope < dial. slad, sloping gently + lom, trail]
slam¹ (slæm) slammed, slam´ming •vt. 1 to shut or allow to shut with force and noise {to slam a door} 2 to hit, throw, or put in place or action with force and noise {to slam a baseball over the fence} Æ 3 [Colloq.] to criticize or depreciate severely •vi. to shut, go into place, etc. with force and noise •n. 1 a) a heavy, noisy impact, shutting, etc. b) the noise made by this Æ 2 [Colloq.] severe criticism Æ 3 [Slang] short for SLAMMER [prob. < Scand, as in Norw dial. slamra, slemma]
slam² (slæm) •n. Bridge short for GRAND SLAM or LITTLE SLAM [< ?]
slam-bang (slæm´bæŋ´) •adv. [Colloq.] 1 swiftly or abruptly and recklessly 2 with loud noise •adj. [Colloq.] characterized by liveliness, noise, etc.
slam-dunk (-dûŋk´) •n. Basketball a forceful dunk shot •vt. Basketball to dunk (the ball) forcefully
slammer (slæm´эr) •n. Æ [Slang] a prison or jail
slander (slæn´dэr) •n. 1 the utterance in the presence of another person of a false statement or statements, damaging to a third person's character or reputation: usually distinguished from libel, which is written 2 such a spoken statement •vt. to utter a slander about slan´der·er •n. [ME sclaunder < Anglo-Fr esclaundre (OFr esclandre, escandle) < LL(Ec) scandalum: see SCANDAL]
slanderous (-эs) •adj. 1 characterized by or constituting slander 2 uttering slander [ME sclaunderous]
slang¹ (slæŋ) •n. 1 orig., the specialized vocabulary and idioms as of criminals and tramps, the purpose of which was to disguise from outsiders the meaning of what was said: now usually called CANT¹ 2 the specialized vocabulary and idioms of those in the same work, way of life, etc.: now usually called SHOPTALK, ARGOT, JARGON¹ 3 highly informal speech that is outside conventional or standard usage and consists both of coined words and phrases and of new or extended meanings attached to established terms: slang develops from the attempt to find fresh and vigorous, colorful, pungent, or humorous expression, and generally either passes into disuse or comes to have a more formal status •vi. to use slang or abusive talk •vt. to address with abusive talk [18th-c. cant < ?]
slang² (slæŋ) •vt. dial. or archaic pt. of SLING¹
slangy (slæŋ´i:) slang´i·er, slang´i·est •adj. 1 of, having the nature of, or containing slang 2 given to using slang slang´i·ly •adv. slang´i·ness •n.
slank (slæŋk) •vi. archaic pt. of SLINK¹
slant (slænt) •vt., vi. 1 to incline or turn from a direct line or course, esp. one that is perpendicular or level; slope Æ 2 a) to write or tell so as to appeal to a particular interest b) to distort in writing or telling so as to express a particular bias •n. 1 a) an oblique or inclined surface, line, direction, etc.; slope; incline b) VIRGULE Æ 2 a) a point of view, attitude, or opinion b) a distortion or bias in narration 3 [Colloq.] a quick, oblique look; glance •adj. oblique; sloping; inclined [prob. aphetic < ME aslonte, aslant] slant´ing·ly •adv. [ME slenten, to glide, slope < Scand, as in ODan slente, to slip < IE *(s)lend(h)- < base *(s)leidh-, slippery, to glide > SLIDE]
slant rhyme rhyme in which there is close but not exact correspondence of sounds (Ex.: lid, lad; wait, made)
slantwise (-waiz') •adv. so as to slant or slope; obliquely Also slant´ways' (-weiz') •adj. slanting; oblique
slap (slæp) •n. 1 a) a blow or smack, esp. with something flat, specif. the palm of the hand b) the sound of this, or a sound like it 2 an injury to pride, self-respect, etc., as an insult or rebuff •vt. slapped, slap´ping 1 to strike with something flat, specif. the palm of the hand 2 to put, throw, hit, etc. carelessly or with force {to slap a hat on one's head} 3 [Colloq.] a) to penalize (a person, business, etc.) with a fine, lawsuit, etc. b) to impose (a fine, etc.) on a person, business, etc. •vi. to make a dull, sharp noise, as upon impact •adv. [Colloq.] directly and abruptly {I ran slap into the wall} slap down [Colloq.] to rebuke, suppress, or rebuff harshly slap´per •n. [LowG sklapp: of echoic orig.]
slap shot Ice Hockey a hard shot made with a full swing, usually causing the puck to leave the ice
slap-bang (-bæŋ´) •adv. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] suddenly; violently •adj. colloq. var. of SLAPDASH
slapdash (-dæsh') •n. something done carelessly and hastily •adv. in a hasty, careless manner •adj. hasty, careless, impetuous, etc.
slap-happy (-hæp'i:) •adj. [Slang] 1 dazed or mentally impaired by or as by blows to the head; punch-drunk 2 silly or giddy
slapjack (-jæk') •n. FLAPJACK
slapstick (-stik') •n. 1 an implement made of two flat pieces of wood that slap together loudly when hit against something: sometimes used by clowns to strike others with loud, harmless slaps 2 crude comedy in which the humor depends upon violent activity, horseplay, etc. •adj. characterized by such comedy
slap-up (-ûp') •adj. [Brit. Colloq.] 1 stylish; lavish 2 first-rate
slash pine 1 a common pine (Pinus caribaea) growing in slashes, or swamps, in the SE U.S., the West Indies, and Central America 2 the hard wood of this tree
slash pocket a pocket (in a garment) the opening of which is a finished, usually diagonal slit
slash¹ (slæsh) •vt. 1 to cut or wound with a sweeping stroke or strokes, as of a knife 2 to whip viciously; lash; scourge 3 to cut slits in (a fabric, dress, etc.), esp. so as to expose underlying material, usually of another color 4 to reduce drastically {to slash prices} 5 to criticize severely •vi. to make a sweeping stroke or strokes with or as with something sharp; cut or criticize violently •n. 1 a sweeping stroke made as with a knife 2 a cut made by or as by such a stroke; gash; slit 3 VIRGULE 4 an ornamental slit in a fabric, dress, etc. Æ 5 a) an open place in a forest, cluttered with branches, chips, or other debris, as from the cutting of timber b) such debris slash´er •n. [ME slaschen < ? OFr esclachier, to break, prob. < es- (< L ex-), intens. + Gmc *klakjan, to crack, of echoic orig.]
slash² (slæsh) •n. a low, swampy area, usually covered with brush [< dial. slash, boggy hollow, slashy, swampy, prob. < Scand, as in Norw slask, mud, slush]
slash-and-burn (-эn børn´) •adj. of or having to do with a type of primitive forest agriculture in which fields are cleared by cutting down and burning vegetation
slashing (-iŋ) •adj. 1 severe; merciless; violent 2 dashing; spirited 3 [Colloq.] immense; tremendous {a slashing success} •n. 1 the act of one that slashes 2 SLASH¹ (n. 4 & 5) slash´ing·ly •adv.
slat¹ (slæt) •n. 1 a thin, narrow strip of wood, metal, etc. {slats of a Venetian blind} Æ 2 [pl.] [Slang] a) the ribs b) the buttocks •vt. slat´ted, slat´ting to provide or make with slats [ME sclat < OFr esclat, a fragment < esclater, to splinter < Langobardic slaitan, to tear apart, split, akin to OHG slizzan, OE slitan: see SLIT]
slat² (slæt) slat´ted, slat´ting •vi. to flap or beat vigorously, as sails in a strong wind •vt. [Brit. Dial.] 1 to throw forcefully 2 to beat; strike •n. [Brit. Dial.] a sharp blow [ME sclatten, prob. < ON sletta, to throw: infl. by prec.]
slate¹ (sleit) •n. 1 a hard, fine-grained, metamorphic rock that cleaves naturally into thin, smooth-surfaced layers 2 a thin piece of slate or slatelike material, esp. one used as a roofing tile or as a tablet for writing on with chalk 3 the bluish-gray color of most slate: also slate blue Æ 4 a list of candidates proposed for nomination or election •vt. slat´ed, slat´ing 1 to cover with slate Æ 2 to put on a list or designate, as for candidacy, appointment, engagement, etc.; choose or schedule a clean slate a record showing no marks of discredit, dishonor, etc. [ME sclate < OFr esclate, fem. of esclat: see SLAT¹]
slate² (sleit) slat´ed, slat´ing •vt. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] 1 to punish severely, as by thrashing 2 to scold or criticize harshly [prob. < ON sleita, strife (akin to OE slætan, to bait, torment)]
slater (sleit´эr) •n. 1 a person who slates 2 any of various isopod crustaceans; esp., a sow bug
slather (slæð´эr) •n. [Colloq. or Dial.] [usually pl.] a large amount; a lot •vt. [Colloq. or Dial.] 1 to cover or spread thickly 2 to use or use up in a lavish or wasteful way [< ?]
slating (sleit´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of one who slates 2 slates collectively, as a material for roofing
slattern (slæt´эrn) •n. 1 a woman who is careless and sloppy in her habits, appearance, work, etc. 2 a sexually promiscuous woman; slut [< dial. slatter, to spill, slop < or akin to ON slattari, idler]
slatternly (-li:) •adj. 1 having the habits of a slattern; dirty; slovenly; untidy 2 characteristic of or fit for a slattern •adv. in a slatternly manner slat´tern·li·ness •n.
slatting (slæt´iŋ) •n. 1 slats collectively 2 material for making slats
slaty (sleit´i:) slat´i·er, slat´i·est •adj. 1 of or like slate 2 having the bluish-gray color of slate
slaughter (slöt´эr) •n. 1 the killing of an animal or animals for food; butchering 2 the killing of a human being, esp. in a brutal manner 3 the killing of people in large numbers, as in battle •vt. 1 to kill (an animal or animals) for food; butcher 2 to kill (people), esp. brutally or in large numbers slaugh´ter·er •n. SYN.—slaughter, as applied to people, suggests extensive and brutal killing, as in battle or by deliberate acts of wanton cruelty; massacre implies the indiscriminate and wholesale slaughter of those who are defenseless or helpless to resist; butchery adds implications of extreme cruelty and of such coldblooded heartlessness as one might display in the slaughtering of animals; carnage stresses the result of bloody slaughter and suggests the accumulation of the bodies of the slain; pogrom refers to an organized, often officially inspired, massacre of a minority group, specifically of the Jews in czarist Russia [ME slahter < ON slātr, lit., slain flesh, contr. < slattr, akin to OE sleaht, slaughter, death: for IE base see SLAY]
slaughterhouse (-haus') •n. a place where animals are butchered for food; abattoir
slaughterous (-эs) •adj. brutally destructive or murderous
Slav (släv, slæv) •n. a member of any of a group of Slavic-speaking peoples of E, SE, and C Europe, generally divided into Eastern Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, and Belorussians), Southern Slavs (Serbs, Croats, Bulgars, etc.), and Western Slavs (Czechs, Poles, Slovaks, etc.) •adj. var. of SLAVIC [ME Sclave < ML Slavus: see SLAVE] Slav abbrev. Slavic
Slave river in NE Alberta & S Northwest Territories, Canada, flowing from Lake Athabasca northwest into Great Slave Lake: 258 mi. (415 km) slave (sleiv) •n. 1 a human being who is owned as property by, and is absolutely subject to the will of, another; bondservant divested of all freedom and personal rights 2 a person who is completely dominated by some influence, habit, person, etc. {a slave to fashion} 3 a person who slaves; drudge 4 SLAVE ANT 5 a device actuated or controlled by another, similar device •vi. slaved, slav´ing 1 to work like a slave; drudge 2 to deal in slaves; be a slaver •vt. [Archaic] to enslave [ME sclave < OFr or ML: OFr esclave < ML sclavus, slave, orig., Slav < LGr Sklabos, ult. < OSlav Slovēne, native name of a Slavic people: first used of captives of Slavic orig. in SE Europe]
slave ant any ant enslaved by a SLAVE-MAKING ANT
Slave Coast W African coast between the Volta & Niger rivers, on the Bight of Benin: its ports were the former centers of the African slave trade
slave driver 1 a person who directs or oversees the work of slaves 2 any merciless taskmaster
slave ship a ship for transporting slaves, esp. one used in the African slave trade
Slave State any of the States in which slavery was legal before the Civil War: Ala., Ark., Del., Fla., Ga., Ky., La., Md., Miss., Mo., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., & Va.
slave trade traffic in slaves; specif., the former transportation of black people from Africa to America for sale as slaves
slaveholder (sleiv´houl'dэr) •n. a person who owns slaves slave´hold'ing •adj., n.
slave-making ant (-meik'iŋ) an ant of any of several species that enslave ants of other species, as by raiding their nests to carry off pupae that are raised to be workers
slaver¹ (slæv´эr, släv´-) •vi. to let saliva run or dribble from the mouth; drool •vt. [Archaic] to slobber on or cover with saliva •n. saliva drooling from the mouth [ME slaveren < Scand, as in Ice slafra, to slobber < IE *slep- < base *(s)lāp- > LIP, SLEEP]
slaver² (slei´vэr) •n. 1 SLAVE SHIP 2 a person who deals in slaves
slavery (slei´vэr i:, sleiv´ri:) •n. 1 the owning or keeping of slaves as a practice or institution; slaveholding 2 the condition of being a slave; bondage; servitude 3 a condition of submission to or domination by some influence, habit, etc. 4 hard work or toil like that done by slaves; drudgery SYN. SERVITUDE
slavey (slei´vi:, slæv´i:) pl. -eys •n. [Brit. Colloq.] a female domestic servant, esp. one who does hard, menial work
Slavic (släv´ik, slæv´-) •adj. of the Slavs or their languages or cultures •n. a principal branch of the Indo-European family of languages, generally divided into East Slavic (Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian), South Slavic (Old Church Slavonic, Bulgarian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, Macedonian), and West Slavic (Polish, Sorbian, Czech, Slovak) [ML Sclavicus, Baltic]
Slavicist (-э sist) •n. a student of or specialist in Slavic languages, cultures, etc. Also Slav´ist
slavish (slei´vish) •adj. 1 of or characteristic of a slave or slaves; specif., a) hopelessly submissive; servile b) [Now Rare] involving drudgery; laborious 2 blindly dependent or imitative {slavish adherence to a model} slav´ish·ly •adv. slav´ish·ness •n.
Slavism (släv´iz'эm, slæv´-) •n. characteristics, interests, culture, etc. of Slavs collectively
Slavkov (släf´kôf) Czech name of AUSTERLITZ
Slavo- (släv´ou, slæv´-; -э) combining form Slav {Slavophile}
slavocracy (sleiv äk´rэ si:) •n. slaveholders and pro-slavery forces as a dominant or powerful class in the U.S. before 1865 [SLAV(E) + -O- + -CRACY]
Slavonia (slэ vou´ni: э) region in S Europe bounded by the Sava, Drava, & Danube rivers Sla·vo´ni·an •adj., n.
Slavonic (slэ vän´ik) •adj., n. SLAVIC
Slavophile (släv´э fail', slæv´э-) •n. a person who admires or is very fond of the Slavs, their customs, their culture, etc. Also Slav´o·phil (-fil) Sla·voph·i·lism (slэ väf´э liz'эm) •n. [SLAVO- + -PHILE]
slaw (slö) •n. short for COLESLAW
slay (slei) slew or •vt. for 2 slayed, slain, slay´ing 1 to kill or destroy in a violent way 2 [Slang] to impress, delight, amuse, etc. with overwhelming force 3 [Obs.] to strike or hit SYN. KILL¹ slay´er •n. [ME slean < OE < *slahan, akin to Ger schlagen, Du slagen < IE base *slak-, to hit > MIr slacc, sword]
SLBM submarine-launched ballistic missile
sld 1 sailed 2 sealed
sleave (sli:v) •n. 1 [Obs.] a) a fine silk thread separated from a large thread b) untwisted silk that tends to mat or tangle; floss 2 [Rare] any tangle, as of ravelings •vt. sleaved, sleav´ing [Obs.] to separate or pull apart (twisted or tangled threads) [< OE -slæfan, to separate; akin to slifan: see SLIVER]
sleaze (sli:z) •n. [Slang] 1 the quality or condition of being sleazy; sleaziness 2 anything cheap, vulgar, shoddy, etc. 3 a shady, coarse, or immoral person: also sleaze´bag' (-bæg') or sleaze´ball' (-böl') [back-form. < fol.]
sleazy (sli:´zi:) -zi·er, -zi·est •adj. 1 flimsy or thin in texture or substance; lacking firmness {a sleazy rayon fabric} 2 shoddy, shabby, cheap, morally low, etc. Also [Slang] slea´zo (-zou) slea´zi·ly •adv. slea´zi·ness •n. [< slesia, var. of SILESIA]
sled (sled) •n. any of several types of vehicle mounted on runners for use on snow, ice, etc.: small sleds are used in the sport of coasting, large ones (also called sledges), for carrying loads Æ sled´ded, sled´ding •vt. to carry on a sled Æ vi. to ride or coast on a sled sled´der •n. [ME sledde < MLowG or MDu, akin to Ger schlitten: for IE base see SLIDE]
sledding (-iŋ) •n. 1 a riding or carrying on a sled 2 the condition of the ground with reference to the use of sleds: often used figuratively {the work was hard sledding}
sledge¹ (slej) sledged, sledg´ing •n., vt., vi. SLEDGEHAMMER [ME slegge < OE slecge < base of slean, to strike, SLAY]
sledge² (slej) •n. a sled or sleigh for carrying loads over ice, snow, etc. •vi., vt. sledged, sledg´ing to go or take by sledge [MDu sleedse, akin to sledde, SLED]
sledgehammer (-hæm'эr) •n. a long, heavy hammer, usually held with both hands •vt., vi. to strike with or as with a sledgehammer •adj. crushingly powerful [see SLEDGE¹]
sleek (sli:k) •adj. 1 smooth and shiny; glossy, as a highly polished surface, well-kept hair or fur, etc. 2 of well-fed or well-groomed appearance {fat, sleek pigeons} 3 polished in speech and behavior, esp. in a specious way; unctuous 4 highly fashionable, or stylish; elegant •vt. to make sleek; smooth: also sleek´en sleek´ly •adv. sleek´ness •n. [var. of SLICK, with Early ModE vowel lengthening]
sleekit (sli:k´it) •adj. [Scot.] 1 sleek, or smooth and shiny 2 sly, crafty, or sneaky [Scot var. of pp. of SLEEK]
sleep (sli:p) •n. 1 a) a natural, regularly recurring condition of rest for the body and mind, during which the eyes are usually closed and there is little or no conscious thought or voluntary movement, but there is intermittent dreaming b) a spell of sleeping 2 any state of inactivity thought of as like sleep, as death, unconsciousness, hibernation, etc. 3 Bot. NYCTITROPISM •vi. slept, sleep´ing 1 to be in the state of sleep; slumber 2 to be in a state of inactivity like sleep, as that of death, quiescence, hibernation, inattention, etc. 3 [Colloq.] to have sexual intercourse (with) 4 [Colloq.] to postpone a decision (on) to allow time for deliberation {let me sleep on it} 5 Bot. to assume a nyctitropic position at night, as petals or leaves •vt. 1 to slumber in (a specified kind of sleep) {to sleep the sleep of the just} 2 to provide sleeping accommodations for {a boat that sleeps four} last sleep death sleep around [Slang] to have promiscuous sexual relations sleep away 1 to spend in sleeping; sleep during 2 to get rid of by sleeping sleep in 1 to sleep at the place where one is employed as a household servant 2 to sleep later in the morning than one usually does sleep off to rid oneself of by sleeping sleep out 1 to spend in sleeping; sleep throughout 2 to sleep outdoors sleep over [Colloq.] to spend the night at another's home [ME slep < OE slæp, akin to Ger schlaf, sleep, schlaff, loose, lax < IE *slab < base *(s)leb-, *(s)lab-, loose, slack > LIP, LIMP¹, L labor, to slip, sink]
sleeper (sli:´pэr) •n. 1 a person or animal that sleeps, esp. as specified {a sound sleeper} 2 a timber or beam laid horizontally, as on the ground, to support something above it 3 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a tie supporting a railroad track Æ 4 SLEEPING CAR Æ 5 a previously disregarded person or thing that unexpectedly achieves success, assumes importance, etc. Æ 6 a) [usually pl.] a kind of pajamas for infants and young children, that enclose the feet b) BUNTING¹ (sense 3) Æ 7 Bowling a pin concealed by one in front of it, in bowling for a spare [ME slepere < OE slæpere]
sleepily (-pэ li:) •adv. in a sleepy or drowsy manner
sleepiness (-pi: nis) •n. a sleepy quality or state
sleeping bag a large, warmly lined, zippered bag, often waterproof, in which a person can sleep, esp. outdoors
sleeping car a railroad car equipped with berths, compartments, etc. for passengers to sleep in
sleeping partner Brit., etc. term for SILENT PARTNER
sleeping pill a pill or capsule containing a drug, esp. a barbiturate, that induces sleep
sleeping sickness 1 an infectious disease, esp. common in tropical Africa, caused by either of two trypanosomes (Trypanosoma gambiense or T. rhodesiense) that are transmitted by the bite of a tsetse fly: it is characterized by fever, drowsiness, and coma, usually ending in prolonged coma and death 2 inflammation of the brain, caused by a virus and characterized by drowsiness and lethargy
sleepless (sli:p´lis) •adj. 1 unable to sleep; wakeful; restless 2 marked by absence of sleep {a sleepless night} 3 constantly moving, active, or alert sleep´less·ly •adv. sleep´less·ness •n.
sleepover (-ou'vэr) •n. 1 an instance of spending the night at a place other than one's own home 2 SLUMBER PARTY
sleepwalking (-wök'iŋ) •n. the act or practice of walking while asleep; somnambulism sleep´walk' •vi. sleep´walk'er •n.
sleepwear (-wer') •n. NIGHTCLOTHES
sleepy (sli:´pi:) sleep´i·er, sleep´i·est •adj. 1 ready or inclined to sleep; drowsy 2 not very active; dull; quiet {a sleepy little town} 3 of, causing, or showing drowsiness SYN.—sleepy applies to a person who is nearly overcome by a desire to sleep and, figuratively, suggests either the power to induce sleepiness or a resemblance to this state [a sleepy town, song, etc.]; drowsy stresses the sluggishness or lethargic heaviness accompanying sleepiness [the drowsy sentry fought off sleep through the watch]; somnolent is a formal equivalent of either of the preceding [the somnolent voice of the speaker]; slumberous, a poetic equivalent, in addition sometimes suggests latent powers in repose [a slumberous city]
sleepyhead (-hed') •n. a sleepy person
sleet (sli:t) •n. 1 partly frozen rain, or rain that freezes as it falls 2 transparent or translucent precipitation in the form of pellets of ice that are smaller than 5 mm (.2 in.) 3 the icy coating formed when rain freezes on trees, streets, etc. •vi. to shower in the form of sleet sleet´y •adj. [ME slete < OE *sliete, akin to Ger schlosse, hail < IE base *(s)leu-, loose, lax > SLUR, SLUG¹]
sleeve (sli:v) •n. 1 that part of a garment that covers an arm or part of an arm 2 a tube or tubelike part fitting over or around another part 3 a thin paper or plastic cover for protecting a phonograph record, usually within a JACKET (n. 2b) 4 a drogue towed by an airplane for target practice •vt. sleeved, sleev´ing to provide or fit with a sleeve or sleeves up one's sleeve hidden or secret but ready at hand [ME sleve < OE sliefe, akin to Du sloof, apron: for IE base see SLIP³]
sleeved (sli:vd) •adj. fitted with sleeves: often in hyphenated compounds {short-sleeved}
sleeveless (sli:v´lis) •adj. without sleeves {a sleeveless sweater}
sleevelet (-lit) •n. a covering fitted over the lower part of a garment sleeve, as to protect it from soiling
sleigh (slei) •n. a light vehicle on runners, usually horse-drawn, for carrying persons over snow and ice •vi. to ride in or drive a sleigh [Du slee, contr. of slede, a SLED]
sleigh bells a number of small, spherical bells fixed to the harness straps of an animal drawing a sleigh
sleight (slait) •n. 1 cunning or craft used in deceiving 2 skill or dexterity [ME < ON slœgth < slœgr, crafty, clever: see SLY]
sleight of hand 1 skill with the hands, esp. in confusing or deceiving onlookers, as in doing magic tricks; legerdemain 2 a trick or tricks thus performed
slender (slen´dэr) •adj. 1 small in width as compared with the length or height; long and thin 2 having a slim, trim figure {a slender girl} 3 small or limited in amount, size, extent, etc.; meager {slender earnings} 4 of little force or validity; having slight foundation; feeble {slender hope} slen´der·ly •adv. slen´der·ness •n. [ME slendre, sclendre < ?]
slenderize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make or cause to seem slender •vi. to become slender
slept (slept) •vi., vt. pt. & pp. of SLEEP
Slesvig (sles´vikh) Dan. name of SCHLESWIG
sleuth (slu:θ) •n. 1 [Rare] a dog, as a bloodhound, that can follow a trail by scent: also sleuth´hound' (-haund') Æ 2 DETECTIVE (n. 2) Æ vi. to act as a detective [ME, a trail, spoor < ON slóth, akin to slothra, to drag (oneself) ahead: for IE base see SLUG¹]
slew¹ (slu:) alt. sp. of SLOUGH² (sense 4) •n.
slew² (slu:) •n., vt., vi. alt. sp. of SLUE¹
slew³ (slu:) •n. [Colloq.] a large number, group, or amount; a lot [Ir sluagh, a host]
slew4 (slu:) •vt. pt. of SLAY
slice (slais) •n. 1 a relatively thin, broad piece cut from an object having some bulk or volume {a slice of apple} 2 a part, portion, or share {a slice of one's earnings} 3 any of various implements with a flat, broad blade, as a spatula 4 a) the path of a hit ball that curves away to the right from a right-handed player or to the left from a left-handed player b) a ball that follows such a path •vt. sliced, slic´ing 1 to cut into slices 2 a) to cut off as in a slice or slices (often with off, from, away, etc.) b) to cut across or through like a knife 3 to separate into parts or shares {sliced up the profits} 4 to use a SLICE (n. 3) to spread, remove, etc. 5 to hit (a ball) in a SLICE (n. 4a) •vi. 1 to cut (through) like a knife {a plow slicing through the earth} 2 to hit a ball in a SLICE (n. 4a) slic´er •n. [ME < OFr esclice < esclicier, to slice < Frank slizzan, akin to SLIT]
slice of life 1 the realistic description or representation of events and situations in everyday life in literature, film, journalism, etc. 2 such an event or situation slice´-of-life´ •adj. [transl. of Fr tranche de (la) vie, prob. coined by dramatist Jean Jullien (1854-1919)]
slick (slik) •vt. 1 to make sleek, glossy, or smooth 2 [Colloq.] to make smart, neat, or tidy: usually with up •adj. [ME slike < the v.] 1 sleek; glossy; smooth 2 slippery; oily, as a surface 3 accomplished; adept; clever; ingenious 4 [Colloq.] clever in deception or trickery; deceptively plausible; smooth {a slick alibi} 5 [Colloq.] having or showing skill in composition or technique but little depth or literary significance {a slick style of writing} 6 [Old Slang] excellent, fine, enjoyable, attractive, etc. •n. Æ 1 a) a smooth area on the surface of water, as resulting from a layer of oil b) an oily layer on the surface of water c) a slippery, oily area on the surface of a road 2 something used for smoothing and polishing, as any of various tools with broad, flat blades Æ 3 [Colloq.] a magazine printed on paper with a glossy finish: distinguished from PULP •adv. smoothly, cleverly, deftly, easily, etc. slick´ly •adv. slick´ness •n. [ME slikien < OE slician, to make smooth, akin to ON slikr, smooth < IE *(s)leig-, slimy, to smooth, glide < base *(s)lei-: see SLIDE]
slickenside (slik´эn said') •n. Geol. a smooth, polished rock surface produced by friction, pressure, or cleavage [dial. slicken, var. of prec. + SIDE]
slicker (slik´эr) •n. Æ 1 a loose, waterproof coat made of oil-treated cloth Æ 2 [Colloq.] a tricky, cleverly deceptive person [SLICK, adj. + -ER]
slidden (slid´ªn) •vi., vt. archaic or dial. pp. of SLIDE
slide (slaid) slid (slid), slid´ing •vi. 1 to move along in constant frictional contact with some surface or substance {windows that slide open} 2 to move in this manner on a sled, the feet, etc. in contact with a smooth surface, esp. snow or ice 3 to move quietly and smoothly; glide 4 to move stealthily or unobtrusively 5 to shift from a position; slip {the wet cup slid from his hand} 6 to pass gradually (into or out of some condition) {to slide into bad habits} 7 Baseball to drop down and slide along the ground toward a base to avoid being tagged out by the baseman •vt. 1 to cause to slide; make move with a smooth, gliding motion 2 to move, place, or slip quietly, deftly, or stealthily (in or into) •n. 1 an act of sliding 2 a smooth, usually inclined track, surface, or chute down which to slide, as on a playground 3 something that works by sliding; part that slides or is slid on 4 a photographic transparency mounted for use with a viewer or projector 5 a small glass plate used as a mounting for objects to be examined under a microscope 6 a) the fall of a mass of rock, snow, earth, etc. down a slope Æ b) the mass that falls 7 Music a) PORTAMENTO b) an ornament made up of two or more notes ascending or descending to a principal note c) a U-shaped section of tubing which is moved to change the pitch of certain brass instruments, esp. the trombone •adj. Æ BOTTLENECK let slide to fail to take some expected or required action on; allow to drift along [ME sliden < OE slidan < IE *(s)leidh-, slippery < base *(s)lei-, slimy, slippery > LIME¹, SLICK, SLIME]
slide fastener a zipper or a zipperlike device having two grooved plastic edges joined or separated by a sliding tab, or pull
slide knot a kind of slipknot: see KNOT¹, illus.
slide rule a mechanical mathematical device consisting of a ruler with a central sliding piece, both parts being marked with various number scales: used to find square roots, logarithms, quotients, etc. rapidly
slide trombone see TROMBONE
slide valve a valve which opens and closes a passageway, as the cylinder port of a steam engine, by sliding back and forth across it
slider (slaid´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that slides Æ 2 Baseball a curve ball that breaks only slightly
sliding (-iŋ) •adj. 1 varying in accordance with given conditions 2 operating or moving on a track or groove, as a door or panel
sliding scale a standard or schedule, as of costs, wages, fees, tariff rates, etc., that varies in accordance with given conditions or standards, as cost of living, level of income, etc.
slight (slait) •adj. 1 a) light in form or build; not stout or heavy; slender b) frail; fragile 2 having little weight, strength, substance, or significance {a slight criticism} 3 small in amount or extent; not great or intense {a slight fever} •vt. 1 to do carelessly or poorly; neglect 2 to treat with disrespect or indifference; be discourteous toward 3 to treat as unimportant •n. a slighting or being slighted by pointedly indifferent, disrespectful, or supercilious treatment SYN. NEGLECT slight´ly •adv. slight´ness •n. [ME (northern dial.) sliht < OE, kin to OHG sleht, straight, smooth: for IE base see SLICK]
slighting (-iŋ) •adj. constituting a slight; disdainful; disparaging {a slighting remark} slight´ing·ly •adv.
Sligo (slai´gou) 1 county in Connacht province, NW Ireland: 694 sq. mi. (1,798 sq. km); pop. 55,000 2 its county seat: a seaport: pop. 17,000
slily (slai´li:) •adv. alt. sp. of SLYLY
slim (slim) slim´mer, slim´mest •adj. 1 small in girth in proportion to height or length; slender 2 small in amount, degree, or extent; slight; scant; meager {slim pickings, a slim hope} •vt., vi. slimmed, slim´ming to make or become slim {dieting to slim down} slim´ly •adv. slim´ness •n. [orig., useless, bad, weak < Du, crafty, bad, akin to Ger schlimm, bad]
slime (slaim) •n. any soft, moist, slippery, sometimes sticky matter, as soft mud, the mucous coating on fish, etc.; specif., moist or sticky matter considered filthy or disgusting •vt. slimed, slim´ing 1 to cover with slime 2 to clean slime from •vi. to become slimy [ME < OE slim, akin to Ger schleim < IE base *(s)lei-, slimy: see SLIDE]
slime mold (or fungus) MYXOMYCETE
slimsy (slim´zi:) -si·er, -si·est •adj. [Old Colloq.] slight; flimsy Also slimp·sy (slimp´si:) [SL(IM) + (FL)IMSY]
slimy (slaim´i:) slim´i·er, slim´i·est •adj. 1 of or like slime 2 covered with or full of slime 3 disgusting; repulsive slim´i·ly •adv. slim´i·ness •n.
sling¹ (sliŋ) •n. 1 a) a primitive instrument for throwing stones, etc., consisting of a piece of leather tied to cords that are whirled by hand for releasing the missile Æ b) SLINGSHOT 2 the act of throwing with or as with a sling; cast; throw; fling 3 a) a looped or hanging band, strap, etc. used in raising and lowering a heavy object or for carrying, supporting, or steadying something {a rifle sling} b) a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck and looped under an injured arm for support 4 a rope or chain for supporting a yard 5 a woman's open-heeled slipper having a strap across the top of the heel: also sling´-back' •vt. slung, sling´ing [ME slingen, prob. < ON slyngva, to throw, akin to OE & OHG slingan, to twist oneself, worm along < IE base *slenk-, to twist, turn, creep > SLINK¹, Lith slenkù, to creep] 1 to throw (stones, etc.) with a sling 2 to throw, cast, fling, or hurl 3 to place, carry, raise, lower, etc. in a sling 4 to hang loosely or in a sling; suspend (a hammock, etc.), esp. by several attachments [ME slinge < the v.]
sling² (sliŋ) •n. an alcoholic drink made with gin, rum, brandy, whiskey, etc., water or soda water, sugar, and, usually, lemon juice [< ?]
slinger (sliŋ´эr) •n. 1 a man using a sling for throwing missiles, as in ancient warfare 2 a person who throws or slings 3 a person operating, or supervising the use of, a sling, as in loading
slinger ring a ring-shaped tube, fitted around the hub of an airplane propeller, through which alcohol or some other de-icing fluid is applied to the blades by centrifugal force
slingshot (sliŋ´shät') •n. a Y-shaped piece of wood, metal, etc. with an elastic band or bands attached to the upper tips for shooting stones, etc.
slink¹ (sliŋk) slunk, slink´ing •vi. to move in a quiet, furtive, or sneaking manner, as from fear, guilt, etc.; sneak slink´ing·ly •adv. [ME slinken < OE slincan, to creep, crawl along, akin to LowG slinken < IE *sleng-, var. of base *slenk-, to wind, twist, turn > SLING¹]
slink² (sliŋk) slinked or slunk, slink´ing •vt. to expel (a fetus) prematurely: said of animals •n. an animal, esp. a calf, born prematurely •adj. born prematurely [prob. < SLING¹]
slinky (sliŋk´i:) slink´i·er, slink´i·est •adj. 1 sneaking; stealthy; furtive 2 [Slang] sinuous and graceful in movement, line, etc. [SLINK¹ + -Y²]
slip noose a noose made with a slipknot
slip rings Elec. metal rings mounted on, and insulated from, the rotor shaft of an alternating-current machine to lead current into or away from the rotor winding through stationary brushes pressing on the rings
slip stitch a continuous stitch, especially for a hem, in which the needle is put through the folded part of the hem, picking up a few threads of the fabric on the inside, so as to be invisible on the outside
slip¹ (slip) slipped, slip´ping •vi. 1 to go quietly or secretly; move without attracting notice {to slip out of a room} 2 a) to go, move, pass, etc. smoothly, quickly, or easily b) to get (into or out of clothes) quickly c) to go imperceptibly; pass unmarked {time slipped by} 3 to pass gradually into or out of some condition, activity, habit, opinion, etc. {to slip off to sleep} 4 to escape or pass from a person's memory, mind, power, grasp, etc. {to let a chance slip by} 5 to move out of place by sliding; shift or slide from position {a napkin slipping from one's lap} 6 to slide accidentally on a slippery surface, lose footing, etc. 7 to make a mistake; fall into error; err 8 to become worse; lose strength, ability, mental keenness, etc. 9 to decline slightly; fall off {a slipping market} 10 Aeron. SIDESLIP •vt. 1 to cause to slip or move with a smooth, sliding motion 2 to put (on) or take (off) quickly or easily, as an article of clothing 3 to put, pass, insert, etc. quickly, deftly, or stealthily {to slip a pill into one's mouth, to slip in a cutting remark} 4 a) to escape or pass from (the mind or memory) b) [Now Rare] to let pass unheeded; overlook; miss 5 to get loose or away from (a restraint, pursuer, etc.); become free of {the dog slipped its leash} 6 to let loose (hounds) to pursue game 7 to transfer (a stitch) from one needle to another without knitting it, as in forming patterns in, or decreasing the width of, a knitted piece 8 to slink (a fetus) 9 to put out of joint; dislocate 10 Naut. to free an anchored ship from (the anchor) by parting or unshackling the cable •n. 1 a) a pier or platform sloping into the water to serve as a landing place b) an inclined plane leading down to water, on which ships are built or repaired Æ c) a water channel between piers or wharves, used for the docking of ships 2 the difference between the distance moved by a vessel and the distance it would move if the propeller were advancing through a soft solid instead of mobile water; lost motion of a propeller 3 a leash for a dog made so that it can be released quickly 4 a) a woman's sleeveless undergarment the same length as a dress, usually suspended from shoulder straps b) a petticoat or HALF SLIP 5 a cloth cover for a pillow 6 an act of slipping, sliding, or falling down 7 a deviation or turning aside, esp. from a practice, course of conduct, etc. considered right 8 an error or mistake, esp. one made inadvertently in speaking, writing, etc. 9 an accident or mishap 10 the amount or degree of operative inefficiency of a mechanical device, expressed in terms of the difference between theoretical and actual output 11 movement of one part upon another, usually where no movement is meant to exist; play 12 Aeron. SIDESLIP 13 Cricket a fielder placed behind the wickets on the off side of the batter 14 Geol. a) any movement displacing parts of rock or soil masses in relation to one another; small fault or landslide b) a smooth surface or joint where such movement has taken place 15 Metallurgy the process by which plastic deformation is produced in metal crystals by one part of a crystal moving in relation to another, usually in a particular crystallographic plane SYN. ERROR give someone the slip to evade or escape from someone let slip to say or tell without intending to Æ slip one over on [Colloq.] to trick; hoodwink; cheat Æ slip up to make a mistake; be in error [ME slippen < MLowG, akin to OHG slifan < IE *(s)leib-, to glide, slip < base *(s)lei-, slimy: see SLIDE]
slip² (slip) •n. 1 a stem, root, twig, etc. cut or broken off a plant and used for planting or grafting; cutting; scion 2 a young, slim person {a mere slip of a girl} 3 a long, thin piece or strip, as of cloth 4 a small piece of paper, esp. one prepared for a specific use {an order slip} Æ 5 a narrow church pew •vt. slipped, slip´ping to take a slip from (a plant) for planting or grafting [ME slippe < MDu < slippen, to cut]
slip³ (slip) •n. Ceramics clay thinned to the consistency of cream for use in decorating or casting, or as a cement or coating [ME < OE slyppe, slypa, paste, slime, dropping < IE base *(s)leub-, to glide, slip > SLEEVE, L lubricus, slippery]
slipcase (slip´keis') •n. a boxlike container for a book or set of books, open at one end to expose the spine or spines
slipcover (-kûv'эr) •n. a removable, fitted cloth cover for an armchair, sofa, etc. •vt. -cov'ered, -cov'er·ing to cover (a chair, etc.) with a slipcover
slipknot (-nät') •n. a knot made so that it will slip along the rope, etc. around which it is tied: see KNOT¹, illus.
slip-on (-än') •adj. easily put on or taken off, as shoes without laces, or a garment to be slipped on or off over the head •n. a slip-on shoe or garment
slipover (-ou'vэr) •adj., n. PULLOVER
slippage (slip´ij) •n. 1 the act or an instance of slipping, as in meshing gear teeth 2 the amount of this 3 the resulting loss of motion or power, as in a chain or belt drive
slipped disk a herniated intervertebral disk, esp. of the lumbar spine, often causing sciatica
slipper (slip´эr) •n. a light, low shoe easily slipped on the foot, esp. one for indoor wear slip´pered •adj.
slippery (slip´эr i:, slip´ri:) -per·i·er, -per·i·est •adj. 1 causing or liable to cause sliding or slipping, as a wet, waxed, or greasy surface 2 tending to slip away, as from a grasp 3 not reliable or trustworthy; deceitful 4 subject to change {a slippery situation} 5 [Obs.] immoral slip´per·i·ness •n. [altered < ME sliper, slippery < OE slipor, akin to MHG slupferic: for IE base see SLIP¹]
slippery elm 1 a wide-branching North American elm (Ulmus rubra) with fragrant, mucilaginous inner bark and hard wood 2 the wood or bark
slippy (slip´i:) •adj. 1 [Colloq. or Dial.] SLIPPERY 2 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Colloq.] alert; sharp; quick
slipsheet (slip´shi:t') •n. a blank sheet of paper inserted between freshly printed sheets to prevent offset •vt., vi. to insert slipsheets between (printed sheets)
slipshod (-shäd') •adj. 1 wearing shoes with worn-down heels 2 careless, as in appearance or workmanship {a slipshod job} [SLIP¹ + SHOD < dial. or obs. slip-shoe, slipper]
slipslop (-släp') •n. [Old Colloq.] 1 sloppy or watery food or drink 2 shallow, pointless talk or writing [redupl. of SLOP]
slipsole (-soul') •n. 1 a half sole between the bottom sole and the insole 2 INSOLE (sense 2)
slipstream (-stri:m') •n. the current of air thrust backward by the spinning propeller of an aircraft; propeller wash
slipt (slipt) •vi., vt. archaic or old poetic pt. of SLIP¹
slip-up (slip´ûp') •n. [Colloq.] 1 an error or oversight 2 an unlucky happening; mishap
slipway (-wei') •n. SLIP¹ (n. 1b)
slit (slit) slit, slit´ting •vt. 1 to cut or split open, esp. by a straight, lengthwise incision 2 to cut lengthwise into strips 3 to cut (off); sever •n. 1 a cut or tear, esp. one that is long and straight 2 a long, narrow opening or crack slit´ter •n. [ME slitten < OE *slittan, akin to MHG slitzen < WGmc *slitjan < base of Gmc *slitan (> OE slitan) < IE base *(s)kel-, to cut > SHIELD, SHELL]
slit trench a narrow, relatively shallow trench for protecting a soldier from shellfire, bombs, etc.
slither (slið´эr) •vi. 1 to slip or slide on or as on a slope with a loose or broken surface 2 a) to move along by sliding or gliding, as a snake b) to walk with a sliding motion •vt. to cause to slither or slide •n. a sliding, slithering motion [ME slitheren, var. of slideren < OE sliderian, freq. < base of slidan, to SLIDE]
slithery (-i:) •adj. 1 slippery 2 like or characterized by a slither {a slithery walk}
sliver (sliv´эr) •n. 1 a thin, sharp piece that has been cut, split, or broken off; splinter 2 a loose, thin, continuous fiber or strand, as of wool or flax after carding, ready to be drawn and twisted •vt., vi. to cut or break into slivers [ME slivere < sliven, to cut, cleave < OE slifan, to split < IE *skleip- < base *(s)kel-: see SLIT]
slivovitz (sliv´э vits') •n. a usually colorless plum brandy made esp. in E Europe [Serb sljivovica < sliva, plum < OSlav: see LIVID]
Sloan (sloun), John 1871-1951; U.S. painter & etcher
slob (släb) •n. [Colloq.] a sloppy, coarse, or gross person [Ir slab, mud < Scand: see SLAB²]
slob ice a dense mass of sludge or floating ice
slobber (släb´эr) •vi. 1 to let saliva, food, etc. run from the mouth; slaver 2 to speak, write, etc. in a mawkish or maudlin way •vt. to wet, smear, or dribble on with saliva •n. 1 saliva, etc. running from the mouth 2 mawkish talk or writing slob´ber·er •n. slob´ber·y •adj. [ME sloberen, prob. < or akin to LowG slubberen, to swig, lap: for IE base see SLOVEN]
sloe (slou) •n. 1 BLACKTHORN (sense 1) 2 the small, blue-black, plumlike fruit of the blackthorn 3 any of various wild plums [ME slo < OE sla, akin to Ger schlehe, Russ & OSlav sliva, plum: see LIVID]
sloe gin a red liqueur made of dry gin flavored with sloes
sloe-eyed (-aid') •adj. 1 having large, dark eyes 2 having almond-shaped eyes
slog¹ (släg) slogged, slog´ging •vt., vi. to hit hard; slug slog´ger •n. [var. of SLUG4]
slog² (släg) slogged, slog´ging •vt., vi. 1 to make (one's way) with great effort; plod 2 to work hard (at something); toil {slogging away at her work} [ME sluggen: see SLUGGARD]
slogan (slou´gэn) •n. 1 orig., a cry used by Scottish Highland and Irish clans in battle or as an assembly signal 2 a catchword or rallying motto distinctly associated with a political party or other group 3 a catch phrase used to advertise a product [Gael sluggh-ghairm < sluagh, a host + gairm, a call]
sloganeer (slou'gэ nir´) •vi. to coin or make use of slogans •n. a person who coins or uses slogans
sloganize (slou´gэ naiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to express or generalize in the form of a slogan slo'gan·is´tic •adj.
sloid or slojd (sloid) •n. SLOYD
sloop (slu:p) •n. a fore-and-aft-rigged, single-masted sailing vessel with a mainsail and a jib [Du sloep < LowG sluup < slupen (akin to OE slupan), to glide: for IE base see SLIP³]
sloop of war 1 orig., a sailing vessel mounting from 10 to 32 guns 2 later, a small war vessel, having guns mounted on one deck only
sloop-rigged (-rigd') •adj. having rigging like that of a sloop
slop (släp) •n. 1 watery snow or mud; slush 2 a splash or puddle of spilled liquid 3 any liquid or semiliquid food that is unappetizing or of poor quality 4 [often pl.] a) liquid waste of any kind Æ b) kitchen waste or swill, used for feeding pigs, etc. 5 [Colloq.] excessive sentimentality in speech or writing See also SLOPS •vi. slopped, slop´ping 1 to spill or splash 2 to walk or splash through slush or mud •vt. 1 to spill liquid on 2 to spill Æ 3 to feed swill or slops to (pigs, etc.) slop over 1 to overflow or spill, as a liquid when its container is tilted Æ 2 [Colloq.] to make a display of sentimentality; gush [ME sloppe < OE (only in comp.) < base of slypa: see SLIP³]
slop bowl (or basin) [Chiefly Brit.] a bowl into which the dregs from tea cups are emptied at table
slop sink a deep sink for filling and emptying scrub pails, washing out mops, etc.
slope (sloup) •n. 1 a piece of ground that is not flat or level; rising or falling ground 2 any inclined line, surface, position, etc.; slant 3 a) deviation from the horizontal or vertical b) the amount or degree of this Æ 4 the land area that drains into a given ocean 5 Math. a) the trigonometric tangent of the positive angle formed between a given straight line and the x-axis of a pair of Cartesian coordinates b) the slope of the tangent line to a given curve at a designated point •vi. sloped, slop´ing 1 to have an upward or downward inclination; take an oblique direction; incline; slant 2 [Colloq.] to go or move (off, away, etc.), esp. in a leisurely or furtive way •vt. to cause to slope •adj. [Old Poet.] that slopes; slanting; inclined slop´er •n. [ME < aslope, sloping (mistaken as a slope) < OE aslopen, pp. of aslupan, to slip away < slupan, to glide: see SLOOP]
sloppy (släp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 consisting of or covered with slop; wet and splashy; muddy; slushy 2 splashed or spotted with liquids 3 a) very untidy; showing lack of care; slovenly or messy b) careless; slipshod 4 [Colloq.] gushingly sentimental slop´pi·ly •adv. slop´pi·ness •n.
sloppy Joe a dish consisting of ground meat cooked with tomato sauce, spices, etc. and served on a bun
slops (släps) •n.pl. 1 loosefitting outer garments; specif., a) [sing.] a smock, coveralls, or the like b) [Archaic] baggy trousers or breeches 2 clothing, bedding, etc. issued or sold to sailors 3 cheap, ready-made clothing [ME sloppes, pl. of slop, sloppe < OE -slop (as in oferslop, loose outer garment); akin to sliefe, SLEEVE]
slopwork (släp´wørk') •n. 1 the manufacture of cheap clothing 2 work that is carelessly done slop´work'er •n.
slosh (släsh) •vt. 1 to shake or agitate (a liquid or something in a liquid) 2 to apply (a liquid) lavishly or carelessly •vi. 1 to splash or move clumsily through water, mud, etc. 2 to splash about: said of a liquid •n. 1 SLUSH 2 the sound of liquid splashing about slosh´y •adj. [var. of SLUSH]
sloshed (släsht) •adj. [Slang] drunk
slot car a plastic, electrically driven, miniature car, built to exact scale and raced as a game against other such cars over a slotted track: each car is remotely controlled by a hand-held rheostat
slot machine a machine worked or started by inserting a coin or token in a slot; specif., a) a vending machine b) a gambling device having a lever that is pulled to spin disks and turn up symbols, various combinations of which determine the results
slot¹ (slät) •n. 1 a narrow notch, groove, or opening, as a keyway in a piece of machinery, a slit for a coin in a vending machine, etc. 2 any of various openings in the wing or tail surface of an airplane used in connection with a high-lift or control device; specif., an air gap between the wing and an auxiliary airfoil, as an aileron or flap, providing for a smooth flow of air on the upper surface Æ 3 [Colloq.] a position in a group, series, sequence, etc. 4 [Colloq.] short for SLOT MACHINE •vt. slot´ted, slot´ting 1 to make a slot or slots in Æ 2 [Colloq.] to place in a series or sequence [ME, a bar, bolt < OFr esclot < Frank *sclot; akin to Ger schliessen, to lock: see CLOSE²]
slot² (slät) •n. a track or trail of an animal, esp. a deer •vt. slot´ted, slot´ting to follow the trail of [OFr esclot < ? ON sloth: see SLEUTHHOUND]
sloth (slöθ, släθ; also slouθ) •n. 1 disinclination to work or exert oneself; indolence; laziness; idleness 2 [Now Rare] slowness; delay 3 a) any of a family (Bradypodidae) of slow-moving, tree-dwelling edentate mammals of tropical Central and South America that hang, back down, from branches and feed on fruits and vegetation, including a three-toed species (genus Bradypus) and a two-toed species (genus Choloepus) b) any of various families of extinct, ground-dwelling edentate mammals [ME slouthe < slou, slow, used for older slewthe, sleuthe < OE slæwth, sloth < slaw, slow: see SLOW & -TH¹]
sloth bear a bear (Melursus ursinus) with shaggy, black fur, a flexible snout, and long, white claws: it is found in India and Sri Lanka and feeds chiefly on fruits and insects
slothful (-fэl) •adj. characterized by sloth; indolent; lazy sloth´ful·ly •adv. sloth´ful·ness •n.
slouch (slauch) •n. Æ 1 a) a person who is awkward or lazy b) [Colloq.] a person who is incompetent (usually with a negative) {she's no slouch at golf} 2 a) a drooping or bending forward of the head and shoulders b) slovenly posture in general 3 a hanging down or drooping, as of a hat brim •vi. 1 to sit, stand, walk, etc. in a slouch 2 to droop, as a hat brim •vt. to cause to slouch [< ? dial. slouk, a lazy fellow < ON slōkr < slōka, to hang down, droop < IE *(s)leug-, var. of base *(s)leu-, to hang limply > SLUG¹, SLEET]
slouch hat a soft hat with a broad, drooping brim
slouchy (-i:) slouch´i·er, slouch´i·est •adj. slouching, esp. in posture slouch´i·ly •adv. slouch´i·ness •n.
slough¹ (slûf) •n. 1 the skin of a snake, esp. the outer layer that is periodically cast off 2 any castoff layer, covering, etc.: often used figuratively 3 Med. a mass of dead tissue in, or separating from, living tissue or an ulceration •vi. [< the n.] 1 a) to be shed, cast off, or discarded; come off b) to drop off; become fewer or less 2 to shed skin or other covering 3 Med. to separate from the surrounding tissue: said of dead tissue Often with off •vt. 1 to shed or throw (off) as or like slough; get rid of 2 Bridge to get rid of (a card); discard slough over to gloss over; minimize slough´y •adj. [ME slouh, akin to Ger schlauch, a skin, bag < IE base *sleug-, to glide, slip > Latvian sl'užât, to slide]
slough² (slau; for 4 slu:) •n. 1 a place, as a hollow, full of soft, deep mud 2 deep, hopeless dejection or discouragement [after Slough of Despond, a deep swamp in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress] 3 moral degradation 4 a swamp, bog, or marsh, esp. one that is part of an inlet or backwater slough´y •adj. [ME slowe < OE sloh, akin to MLowG slōch, swamp < IE base *sklēk, wet > SLACK³]
Slovak (slou´väk', -væk') •n. 1 a member of a Slavic people living chiefly in Slovakia 2 the West Slavic language of the Slovaks, closely related to Czech •adj. of Slovakia, the Slovaks, or their language or culture
Slovakia (slou vä´ki: э, -væk´i: э) country in central Europe: formerly the E constituent republic of Czechoslovakia: 18,933 sq. mi. (49,035 sq. km); pop. 5,310,154; cap. Bratislava: see BOHEMIA, map Slo·vak´i·an (-væk´i: эn, -vä´ki:-) •adj., n.
sloven (slûv´эn) •n. a person who is careless in appearance, habits, work, etc.; dirty or untidy person [ME slovein, prob. < MDu slof, lax, limp (< IE base *(s)leubh-, to hang loosely > SLOBBER, Lith slùbnas, limp) + Anglo-Fr -ain, -ein, -AN]
Slovenia (slou vi:´ni: э, -vi:n´yэ) country in SE Europe: formerly a constituent republic of Yugoslavia (1946-91): 7,821 sq. mi. (20,256 sq. km); pop. 1,975,000; cap. Ljubljana
Slovenian (slou vi:´ni: эn, -vi:n´yэn) •n. 1 a member of a Slavic people living chiefly in Slovenia 2 the South Slavic language of the Slovenians •adj. of Slovenia, the Slovenians, or their language or culture Also Slo·vene (slou´vi:n, slou vi:n´)
slovenly (slûv´эn li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 characteristic of a sloven 2 careless in appearance, habits, work, etc.; untidy; slipshod •adv. in a slovenly manner slov´en·li·ness •n.
Slovensko (slô´ven skô') Czech name of SLOVAKIA
slow (slou) •adj. 1 not quick or clever in understanding; dull; obtuse 2 a) taking a longer time than is expected or usual to act, move, go, happen, etc. b) not hasty, quick, ready, or prompt {a slow retort, slow to anger} 3 making relatively little progress for the time spent; marked by low speed, rate of rhythm, etc.; not fast or rapid 4 holding back fast progress, development, etc.; making speed or progress difficult {a slow growing season, a slow track} 5 showing a time that is behind the correct time: said of a timepiece 6 a) passing slowly or tediously {a slow afternoon} b) not lively or interesting; dull or boring {a slow town} 7 characterized by little activity; slack {slow trading} 8 lacking in energy; sluggish 9 behind the times; out of fashion 10 burning so as to give off a low or moderate heat {a slow fire} 11 gradual, as growth 12 Photog. a) having less sensitivity to light than other film, etc.: such film may require a longer exposure period b) allowing less light to enter than other lenses •vt. 1 to make slow or slower 2 to retard; delay Often with up or down •vi. to go or become slow or slower: often with up or down •adv. in a slow manner or at a slow speed; slowly SYN. STUPID slow´ly •adv. slow´ness •n. [ME slowe < OE slaw, akin to Du sleeuw, ON slær, dull < ?]
slow burn Æ [Slang] a gradual working up or show of anger: often in the phrase do a slow burn
slow match a match, or fuse, that burns slowly, used for setting off blasting charges
slow motion 1 slow-motion movement or action 2 an effect using slow-motion photography or video techniques
slow oven an oven heated to a relatively low temperature, for slow, or gradual, cooking
slow pitch a variety of softball in which the ball is pitched with moderate speed in an arc that rises at least six feet above the ground
slow time [Colloq.] standard time, as distinguished from daylight saving time
slowdown (-daun') •n. a slowing down, as of production
slow-motion (-mou´shэn) •adj. 1 moving or operating below usual or normal speed 2 designating a film or taped TV sequence in which the action is made to appear slower than the actual action by exposing more frames per second than is usual and projecting the film at normal speed or by filming or taping at normal speed and projecting or replaying at a lower than usual speed
slow-moving (-mu:v´iŋ) •adj. 1 moving slowly; showing little progress or activity 2 selling in a relatively small quantity or at a slow rate, as merchandise, stocks, etc.
slowpoke (-pouk') •n. [Slang] a person who acts or moves slowly
slow-witted (-wit'id) •adj. having a mind that works slowly and ineffectively; not bright or alert; dull slow´-wit'ted·ly •adv. slow´-wit'ted·ness •n.
slowworm (-wørm') •n. BLINDWORM [altered (by assoc. with SLOW) < ME slaworme < OE slawyrm < sla-, akin to Norw slo, slowworm, ult. < IE base *(s)lei-, slimy (> LIME¹, Gr leimax, snail) + OE wyrm, WORM]
sloyd (sloid) •n. a system of manual training originating in Sweden, based upon the use of hand tools in woodcarving and joining [Swed slöjd, skill < or akin to ON slœgth, cunning: see SLEIGHT]