staff sergeant Æ 1 U.S. Army a noncommissioned officer of the sixth grade, ranking above sergeant and below sergeant first class Æ 2 U.S. Air Force a noncommissioned officer of the fifth grade, ranking above sergeant and below technical sergeant Æ 3 U.S. Marine Corps a noncommissioned officer of the sixth grade, ranking above sergeant and below gunnery sergeant

staff¹ (stæf, stäf) pl. staffs; also, for senses 1 & 5, staves •n. 1 a stick, rod, or pole; specif., a) a stick used as a support in walking b) a pole or club used as a weapon c) a pole for supporting a banner or flag d) a rod, wand, crosier, etc. used as a symbol of authority e) [Archaic] a shaft, as of a lance f) any of several graduated sticks or rules used for measuring, as in surveying 2 a group of people assisting a chief, manager, president, or other leader 3 a group of officers serving a military or naval commanding officer in an advisory and administrative capacity without combat duties or command 4 a specific group of workers or employees {a teaching staff, newspaper staff, maintenance staff} 5 Music the horizontal lines on and between which notes are written or printed: the placement of a note on the staff indicates its pitch •adj. of, by, for, or on a staff; specif., employed full-time, as on a magazine staff, rather than as a freelance writer •vt. to provide with a staff, as of workers [ME staf < OE stæf, akin to Ger stab, < IE base *steb(h)-, post, pole > STEM¹, STAMP]

staff² (stæf, stäf) •n. a building material of plaster and fiber, used for temporary decorative work [< Ger staffieren, to fill out, decorate; via Du < OFr estoffe, STUFF]

staffer (-эr) •n. a member of a staff, as of a newspaper

Stafford (stæf´эrd) 1 county seat of Staffordshire, in the central part: pop. 63,000 2 STAFFORDSHIRE

Staffordshire (-shir') county of WC England: 1,049 sq. mi. (2,716 sq. km); pop. 1,019,000; county seat, Stafford

Staffordshire terrier any of either of two breeds of stocky, muscular terrier with a broad skull and short hair, developed by crossing the bulldog and an English terrier: the breeds (American Staffordshire terrier and Staffordshire bull terrier) are distinguished principally by size, the former being heavier

staff-tree (-tri:´) •n. any of a genus (Celastrus) of shrubby, usually climbing, plants of the staff-tree family, growing in Asia, Australia, and North America, including bittersweet •adj. designating a family (Celastraceae, order Celastrales) of widely distributed dicotyledonous trees and twining shrubs bearing red seeds in pods, including khat and euonymus

stag (stæg) pl. stags or stag •n. 1 a full-grown male deer, esp. a hart or a caribou 2 a male animal, esp. a hog, castrated in maturity Æ 3 a) a man who attends a social gathering unaccompanied by a woman b) a social gathering attended by men only •adj. Æ for men only {a stag dinner} •vt. stagged, stag´ging [Brit. Slang] to observe or follow secretly or furtively; spy on •vi. Æ to go to a party, etc. as a STAG (sense 3a) Æ go stag [Colloq.] 1 to go as a STAG (sense 3a) 2 to go unescorted by a man [ME < OE stagga, akin to ON (andar)steggi, drake < IE base *stegh-, to stick, pierce]

stag beetle any of a family (Lucanidae) of large beetles: the male has long, branched, antlerlike mandibles

stage (steij) •n. 1 a platform or dock 2 a scaffold for workmen 3 a level, floor, or story 4 a) a platform on which plays, speeches, etc. are presented b) any area, as in an arena theater, in which actors perform c) the whole working section of a theater, including the acting area, the backstage area, etc. d) the theater, drama, or acting as a profession (with the) 5 a) the scene of an event or series of events b) the center of attention 6 a place where a stop is made on a journey, esp., formerly, a regular stopping point for a stagecoach 7 the distance or a part of a route between two stopping places; leg of a journey 8 short for STAGECOACH 9 a shelf attached to a microscope for holding the object to be viewed 10 a period, level, or degree in a process of development, growth, or change {the larval stage of an insect} 11 any of two or more propulsion units used, in sequence, as the launch vehicle of a missile, spacecraft, etc.: when no longer operational or useful, the lower stages usually separate and fall back to earth 12 Geol. a subdivision of a series of stratified rocks comprising the rocks laid down during an age in the geologic time scale 13 Radio an element or part in some complex arrangement of parts; specif., any of several tubes with its accessory components in an amplifier •vt. staged, stag´ing 1 to present, represent, or exhibit on or as on a stage Æ 2 to plan, arrange, and carry out {to stage a counteroffensive} •vi. to be suitable for presentation on the stage {a play that stages well} by (or in) easy stages 1 traveling only a short distance at a time 2 working or acting unhurriedly, with stops for rest [ME < OFr estage < VL *staticum < L status, pp. of stare, to STAND]

stage direction 1 an instruction in the script of a play, directing the movements of the actors, the arrangement of scenery, etc. 2 the art or practice of directing the production of a play

stage door an outside door leading to the backstage part of a theater, used by actors, production staff, etc.

stage effect an effect or impression created on the stage as by lighting, scenery, or sound

stage fright nervousness felt when appearing as a speaker or performer before an audience

stage manager an assistant to the director of a play, in overall charge backstage during the actual performances

stage whisper 1 a loud whisper by an actor on the stage, heard by the audience but supposed not to be heard by other actors on stage 2 any similar loud whisper meant to be overheard

stagecoach (-kouch') •n. a horse-drawn coach that formerly carried passengers, parcels, and mail on scheduled trips over a regular route

stagecraft (-kræft', -kräft') •n. skill in, or the art of, writing or staging plays

stagehand (-hænd') •n. a person who helps to set and remove scenery and furniture, operate the curtain, etc. for a performance, as of a stage play

stage-manage (-mæn'ij) -aged, -ag·ing •vt. 1 to serve as stage manager for 2 to arrange with dramatic effect, esp. as if from behind the scenes stage´-man´age·ment •n. [back-form. < fol.]

stager (-эr) •n. 1 a person or animal of much experience; old hand; veteran: usually with old 2 [Archaic] an actor [STAG(E) + -ER]

stage-struck (-strûk') •adj. having an intense desire to be associated with the theater, esp. to be an actor or actress

stagey (-i:) stag´i·er, stag´i·est •adj. STAGY

stagflation (stæg flei´shэn) •n. [Colloq.] an economic condition marked by a continuing inflation together with a decline in business activity and an increase in unemployment [STAG(NATION) + (IN)FLATION]

staggard (stæg´эrd) •n. a hart in its fourth year [ME stagard: see STAG & -ARD]

stagger (stæg´эr) •vi. 1 to move unsteadily, as though about to collapse; totter, sway, or reel, as from a blow, fatigue, drunkenness, etc. 2 to lose determination, strength of purpose, etc.; hesitate; waver •vt. 1 to cause to stagger, as with a blow 2 to affect strongly with astonishment, horror, grief, etc.; overwhelm 3 to set, arrange, or incline alternately, as on either side of a line; make zigzag or alternating {to stagger the teeth of a saw} 4 to arrange (periods of activity, duties, etc.) so as to avoid crowding {to stagger employees' vacations} 5 Aeron. to make (airfoils, rotors, etc.) so that one is slightly ahead of another •n. 1 the act of staggering, or reeling, tottering, etc. 2 a staggered or zigzag arrangement 3 [pl., with sing. v.] any of several diseases or toxic conditions of horses, cattle, etc., characterized by a loss of coordination, and by staggering, falling, etc. stag´ger·er •n. [ME stakeren < ON stakra, to totter, intens. of staka, to push (for IE base see STAKE): akin to & prob. infl. in form by MDu staggeren]

staggerbush (-bush') •n. an E North American shrub (Lyonia mariana) of the heath family, with white or pinkish flowers, poisonous to livestock

staggering (-iŋ) •adj. 1 that staggers 2 that causes one to stagger; astonishing; overwhelming; specif., astonishingly great {a staggering sum} stag´ger·ing·ly •adv.

staghorn fern (stæg´hörn') any of a genus (Platycerium, family Polypodiaceae) of epiphytic ferns with antlerlike fronds and smaller, round barren fronds that cling to branches, wood, etc. for support

staghound (stæg´haund') •n. any of various large hounds, similar to the greyhound, but heavier, used in coursing the stag and other large game animals

staging (stei´jiŋ) •n. 1 a temporary structure used for support; scaffolding 2 the business of operating stagecoaches 3 travel by stagecoach 4 the act, process, or manner of presenting a play on the stage

staging area Mil. an area where troops are assembled and processed, as for regrouping, transportation, etc.

Stagirite (stæj´э rait') name for ARISTOTLE: with the

stagnant (stæg´nэnt) •adj. 1 without motion or current; not flowing or moving 2 foul from lack of movement: said of water, etc. 3 not active, alert, etc.; sluggish {a stagnant mind} stag´nan·cy (-nэn si:) •n. stag´nant·ly •adv. [L stagnans, prp. of stagnare: see STAGNATE]

stagnate (-neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vi. to be or become stagnant •vt. to make stagnant stag·na´tion •n. [< L stagnatus, pp. of stagnare, to stagnate < stagnum, pool, swamp, standing water < IE base *stag-, to trickle, seep > Gr stazein, to drip]

stagy (stei´ji:) stag´i·er, stag´i·est •adj. 1 of or characteristic of the stage; theatrical: usually in an unfavorable sense 2 affected; not real {stagy diction} stag´i·ly •adv.

staid (steid) •vi., vt. archaic pt. & pp. of STAY³ •adj. 1 [Rare] resisting change; fixed 2 sober; sedate; settled and steady staid´ly •adv. staid´ness •n.

stain (stein) •vt. 1 to spoil the appearance of by patches or streaks of color or dirt; discolor; spot 2 to bring shame upon (someone's character, reputation, etc.); taint; disgrace; dishonor 3 to change the appearance of (wood, glass, etc.) by applying a dye, pigment, etc. 4 to treat (material for microscopic study) with a coloring matter that facilitates study, as by making transparent parts visible or by producing a different effect upon different structures or tissues •vi. to impart or take a color or stain •n. 1 a color, discoloration, streak, or spot resulting from or as from staining with dirt, etc. 2 a moral blemish; dishonor; guilt; taint {a stain on one's reputation} 3 a substance used to impart color in staining; specif., a) a dye or pigment in solution, esp. one that penetrates a wood surface b) a dye used to stain material for microscopic study stain´a·ble •adj. stain´er •n. [ME stainen, aphetic < disteinen, DISTAIN: sense and form infl. by ON steinn, color, lit., STONE (hence, mineral pigment)]

stained glass glass colored in any of various ways, as by fusing metallic oxides into it, by enameling, by burning pigments into its surface, etc. and used as for church windows stained´-glass´ •adj.

stainless (-lis) •adj. 1 without a mark or stain 2 that resists staining, rusting, etc. 3 made of stainless steel •n. flatware made of stainless steel stain´less·ly •adv.

stainless steel steel alloyed with chromium, etc., virtually immune to rust and corrosion

stair (ster) •n. 1 [usually pl.] a flight of steps; stairway 2 a single step, esp. one of a series forming a stairway [ME steire < OE stæger < base of stigan, to climb: see STILE¹]

staircase (-keis') •n. a stairway, esp. one constructed of wood, etc. for access between the floors of a building, and usually having a handrail or balustrade

stairway (-wei') •n. a means of access, as from one level of a building to another, consisting of a series of stairs, with or without a balustrade, etc.

stairwell (-wel') •n. a vertical shaft (in a building) containing a staircase

staithe (steiθ) •n. [Brit. Archaic] a stage or wharf equipped to load and unload (coal, etc.) from railroad cars into vessels [ME stathe < OE stæth, shore, infl. by ON stoth, landing place: for IE base see STAND]

stake (steik) •n. 1 a length of wood or metal pointed at one end for driving into the ground, as for marking a boundary, supporting a plant, etc. 2 a) the post to which a person was tied for execution by burning b) execution by burning 3 a pole or post fitted upright into a socket, as at the edge of a railway flatcar, truck bed, etc. to help hold a load 4 [often pl.] something, esp. money, bet, as in a wager, game, or contest 5 [often pl.] a reward given a winner, as in a race; prize 6 [pl., with sing. v.] a race in which a prize is offered 7 a share or interest, as in property, a person, or a business venture Æ 8 Mormon Ch. a district made up of a number of wards Æ 9 [Colloq.] short for GRUBSTAKE •vt. staked, stak´ing Æ 1 a) to mark the location or boundaries of with or as with stakes b) to establish (a claim) in this way (often with out) 2 to support (a plant, etc.) by tying to a stake 3 to hitch or tether to a stake 4 to risk or hazard; gamble; bet [infl. by MDu staken, to fix, place] 5 [Colloq.] to furnish with money or resources Æ 6 [Colloq.] short for GRUBSTAKE at stake being risked or hazarded; in danger of being lost, injured, etc. Æ pull up stakes [Colloq.] to change one's place of residence, business, etc. stake out 1 to station (police officers, detectives, etc.) for surveillance of a suspected criminal, a place, etc. 2 to put (a suspected criminal, a place, etc.) under such surveillance stake up (or in) to close up (or in) with a fence of stakes [ME < OE staca, akin to Frank *stakka: see STICK]

stake body a flat truck body having sockets into which stakes may be fitted, as to support railings

stake truck a truck having a stake body

Staked Plain see LLANO ESTACADO

stakeholder (steik´houl´dэr) •n. one who holds money bet by others and pays it to the winner

stakeout (-aut') •n. 1 the staking out of police, etc. in a surveillance of a location, suspected criminal, etc. 2 an area so staked out

Stakhanovism (stэ khä´nэ vizªm) •n. in the Soviet Union, a system whereby teams of workers sought to increase their production by improving efficiency and, if successful, were rewarded with bonuses and privileges Sta·kha´nov·ite' (-vait') •adj., n. [after Aleksei Stakhanov, Soviet miner whose efforts inspired it (1935)]

stalactiform (stэ læk´tэ förm') •adj. having the form of a stalactite

stalactite (stэ læk´tait, stæl´эk tait') •n. an icicle-shaped, secondary mineral deposit that hangs from the roof of a cave and is formed by the evaporation of dripping water that is full of minerals stal·ac·tit·ic (stæl'эk tit´ik) •adj. [ModL stalactites < Gr stalaktos, trickling or dropping < stalassein, to let fall drop by drop: see STALE²]

stalag (shtä´läk; E stæl´æg') •n. a German prisoner-of-war camp, esp. in World War II [Ger < sta(mm)lag(er) < stamm, a base, lit., STEM¹ + lager, a camp: see LAIR]

stalagmite (stэ læg´mait', stæl´эg mait') •n. a cone-shaped, secondary mineral deposit built up on the floor of a cave by dripping water, often from a stalactite above: see STALACTITE, illus. stal·ag·mit·ic (stæl'эg mit´ik) •adj. [ModL stalagmites < Gr stalagmos, a dropping < stalassein, to drop or drip: see STALE²]

stale¹ (steil) stal´er, stal´est •adj. 1 having lost freshness; made musty, dry, bad, etc. by having been kept too long; specif., a) flat; vapid; tasteless {stale beer} b) hard and dry (said of bread, etc.) c) low in oxygen content; stagnant {stale air} d) in an early stage of decay, as meat or eggs 2 having lost originality or newness; lacking in interest through familiarity or overuse; hackneyed; trite {a stale joke, stale gossip} 3 out of condition, ineffective, enervated, bored, etc. from either too much or too little activity 4 Law having lost legal force or effect through lack of use or action, as a claim or lien •vt., vi. staled, stal´ing to make or become stale stale´ly •adv. stale´ness •n. [ME, prob. via Anglo-Norm < OFr estale, quiet, stagnant < Gmc *stall: for IE base see STILL¹]

stale² (steil) staled, stal´ing •vi. to urinate: said as of horses and cattle •n. urine, as of horses or cattle [ME, akin to MLowG stal, urine < IE base *(s)tel-, to let flow, urinate > Gr stalassein, to drip, telma, puddle]

stalemate (steil´meit') •n. 1 Chess any situation in which it is impossible for one of the players to move without placing his or her king in check: it results in a draw 2 any unresolved situation in which further action is impossible or useless; deadlock; draw •vt. -mat'ed, -mat'ing to bring into a stalemate [obs. stale, stalemate < ME < OFr estal, fixed location, safe place < Gmc, as in OHG stal (see STALL¹) + MATE²]

Stalin (stä´lin), Joseph (born Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili) 1879-1953; Soviet premier (1941-53): general secretary of the Communist party of the U.S.S.R. (1922-53) Sta´lin·ism' •n. Sta´lin·ist •adj., n.

Stalinabad (stä'li nä bät´) old name of DUSHANBE

Stalingrad (stä'lin gřät´; E stä´lin græd') old name of VOLGOGRAD

Stalino (stä´li nô') old name of DONETSK

Stalinsk (stä´linsk) old name of NOVOKUZNETSK

stalk¹ (stök) •vi. 1 a) to walk in a stiff, haughty, or grim manner b) to advance or spread grimly {plague stalks across the land} 2 to pursue or approach game, an enemy, etc. stealthily, as from cover 3 [Obs.] to walk or move along stealthily or furtively •vt. 1 to pursue or approach (game, etc.) stealthily 2 to stalk through {terror stalked the streets} •n. 1 a slow, stiff, haughty, or grim stride 2 the act of stalking game, an enemy, etc. stalk´er •n. [ME stalken < OE stealcian (in comp.) < stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-, to place, set up > STILL¹, Gr stellein]

stalk² (stök) •n. 1 any stem or stemlike part, as a slender rod, shaft, or support 2 Bot. a) the main stem or axis of a plant b) a lengthened part of a plant on which an organ grows or is supported, as the petiole of a leaf, the peduncle of a flower, etc. 3 Zool. a) a lengthened support for an animal organ b) a similar structure supporting a whole animal body, as the peduncle of a goose barnacle stalked •adj. stalk´less •adj. [ME stalke, akin to OE stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-: see STILL¹]

stalk-eyed (-aid') •adj. having eyes on short, movable stalks, as crabs

stalking-horse (stök´iŋ hörs') •n. 1 a horse, or a figure of a horse, used as cover by a hunter stalking game 2 anything used to disguise or conceal intentions, schemes, or activities; blind 3 Politics a person whose candidacy is advanced temporarily to conceal the actual choice or to divide the opposition

stalky (stö´ki:) stalk´i·er, stalk´i·est •adj. 1 like a stalk; long and slender 2 having, or consisting mainly of, stalks stalk´i·ness •n.

stall¹ (stöl) •n. 1 a) [Obs.] a stable b) a compartment for one animal in a stable 2 any of various compartments, booths, separate sections, etc., as, a) a booth, table, or counter, as at a market or fair, at which goods are sold b) a pew or enclosed seat in the main part of a church or in the choir c) a small, enclosed space, as a compartment in which one showers Æ d) any of the spaces marked off, as in a garage, for parking individual automobiles 3 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a) an orchestra seat in a theater, esp. one in the front part b) [pl.] ORCHESTRA (sense 3a); also, the people sitting in these seats 4 a protective sheath, as of rubber, for a finger or thumb; cot 5 the condition of being brought to a stop or standstill, as through some malfunction 6 Aeron. a condition in which an improper angle of attack and a lack of airspeed combine to disrupt the airflow around an airfoil enough to result in a loss of lift which forces the aircraft to drop, possibly going out of control •vt., vi. [ME stallen < the n. & < OFr estaler < Gmc, as in OHG stal] 1 to put, keep, or be kept in a stall 2 to cause to stick fast or to be stuck fast, as in mud 3 to bring or be brought to a stop or standstill, esp. unintentionally 4 to stop or cause to stop through some malfunction: said of a motor or engine 5 Aeron. to put or go into a stall [ME stal < OE steall, place, station, stall, stable, akin to OHG stal < IE base *stel-, to place, set up, stiff, stem > STILL¹]

stall² (stöl) •vi. to act or speak evasively or hesitantly so as to deceive or delay {to stall for time} •vt. to put off or delay by stalling: usually with off {to stall off creditors} •n. any action, device, etc. used to deceive or delay; evasive trick [< stall, decoy, var. of obs. stale, one who lures < Anglo-Fr estale < OFr estaler: see STALL¹, vt., vi.]

stall-feed (-fi:d') -fed' (-fed'), -feed'ing to feed (an animal kept inactive in a stall) for fattening •vt.

stallion (stæl´yэn; also stæl´i: эn) •n. an uncastrated male horse, esp. one used as a stud [ME stalon < OFr estalon < Gmc stal: see STALL¹]

stalwart (stöl´wэrt) •adj. 1 strong and well-built; sturdy; robust 2 brave; valiant 3 resolute; firm; unyielding •n. 1 a stalwart person 2 a person supporting a cause, esp. that of a political party, with firm partisanship stal´wart·ly •adv. stal´wart·ness •n. [ME stalworthe < OE stælwyrthe, short for statholwyrthe, firm < stathol, foundation (see STADDLE) + wyrthe, worth: hence, lit., having a firm foundation]

Stamboul or Stambul (stäm bu:l´) 1 old name of ISTANBUL 2 the old section of Istanbul

stamen (stei´mэn) pl. -mens or stam·i·na (stæm´э nэ, stei´mэ-) •n. a pollen-bearing organ in a flower, made up of a slender stalk (filament) and a pollen sac (anther); microsporophyll of a flowering plant: see FLOWER, illus. [ModL < L, thread, orig., warp (in an upright loom), akin to Gr stēmōn < IE *stamen-, a standing < base *sta-, STAND]

Stamford (stæm´fэrd) city in SW Conn.: pop. 108,000 [after Stamford, town in NE England]

stamina¹ (stæm´э nэ) •n. resistance to fatigue, illness, hardship, etc.; endurance [L, pl. of stamen: see STAMEN]

stamina² (stæm´э nэ, stei´mэ-) •n. alt. pl. of STAMEN

staminal¹ (stæm´э nэl) •adj. of or having to do with stamina

staminal² (stæm´э nэl, stei´mэ-) •adj. of or having to do with a stamen or stamens

staminate (-nit, -neit') •adj. 1 bearing stamens but no pistils, as male flowers 2 having or bearing a stamen or stamens [ModL staminatus < L, consisting of threads]

stamini- (stæm´э ni) combining form STAMEN {staminiferous}: also, before a vowel, stamin- [< L stamen (gen. staminis)]

staminiferous (stæm'э nif´эr эs) •adj. having or bearing a stamen or stamens [prec. + -FEROUS]

staminode (stæm´э noud') •n. an abortive or sterile stamen: also stam'i·no´di·um (-nou´di: эm), pl. -di·a (-di: э) [ModL staminodium < stamen + -odium: see -ODE²]

staminody (-nou'di:) •n. the change of other organs of a flower into stamens [< STAMIN(I)- + Gr -ōdia, a becoming like < -ōdēs: see -ODE²]

stammel (stæm´эl) •n. 1 a type of rough woolen cloth used by some medieval ascetics for undergarments 2 a red color like that usually used in dyeing such cloth [prob. < MFr estamel < OFr estame, woolen thread < L stamen: see STAMEN]

stammer (stæm´эr) •vt., vi. to speak or say with involuntary pauses or blocks, often with rapid repetitions of syllables or initial sounds, as temporarily from excitement, embarrassment, etc. or chronically as a result of muscle spasms believed to result from mental conflicts; stutter •n. act, instance, or habit of stammering stam´mer·er •n. stam´mer·ing·ly •adv. [ME stameren < OE stamerian, akin to Du stameren, freq. formation < IE base *stem-, to stumble in speech, halt > STEM², STUMBLE, Ger stumm, dumb]

stamp (stæmp) •vt. 1 to bring (the foot) down forcibly on the ground, a floor, etc. 2 a) to strike down on forcibly with the foot {to stamp the floor in anger} b) to beat, crush, etc. in a specified way by treading on heavily {to stamp the grass down to the earth} c) to remove by stamping the foot or feet {to stamp the snow from one's boots} d) to pulverize (ore, etc.) by grinding or crushing 3 a) to imprint or cut out (a mark, design, lettering, etc.) by bringing a form forcibly against a material {to stamp initials in leather} b) to cut out, form, or make as by applying a die to metal (often with out) {to stamp auto bodies} 4 to impress, mark, or imprint with some design, characters, etc., as to decorate or to show authenticity, ownership, sanction, or the like 5 to impress or mark distinctly or indelibly {the incident was stamped in her memory} 6 to put an official seal or a stamp on (a document, letter, etc.) 7 to characterize or reveal distinctly, as if by imprinting {the courage that stamped him as a hero} •vi. 1 to bring the foot down forcibly on the ground, a floor, etc. 2 to walk with loud, heavy steps, as in anger, etc. •n. 1 the act of stamping 2 a machine, tool, etc. used for stamping or crushing ore, etc. 3 a) any tool or implement, as a die, used by being forcibly brought against something to mark or shape it b) a mark or form made by such a tool or implement 4 a mark, seal, impression, etc. used to show officially that a tax has been paid, authority given, etc. 5 a) a small piece of paper, distinctively imprinted on the face and usually gummed on the back, issued by a government for a specified price and required to be affixed to a letter, parcel, document, commodity subject to duty, etc. as evidence that the prescribed fee, as for carrying mail, has been paid b) any piece of paper similar to a stamp, issued by an organization, business firm, etc. {trading stamps} 6 any characteristic sign or impression; indication {the stamp of truth} 7 character; kind; class; type stamp out 1 to beat, crush, or put out by treading on forcibly {to stamp out a fire, a cigarette, etc.} 2 to crush, suppress, or put down (a revolt, rebellion, etc.) [ME stampen, akin to OHG stampfon < Gmc *stampon, *stampjan, to press to pieces < IE *stembh-, to crush < base *steb(h)-, a post, pole > STAFF², STEP, STUMP]

Stamp Act a law passed by the British Parliament in 1765 to raise revenue, requiring that stamps be used for all legal and commercial documents, newspapers, etc. in the American colonies: it was repealed in March, 1766, because of strong colonial opposition

stamp mill a mill or machine for pulverizing ore

stampede (stæm pi:d´) •n. 1 a sudden, headlong running away of a group of frightened animals, esp. horses or cattle 2 a confused, headlong rush or flight of a large group of people 3 any sudden, impulsive, spontaneous mass movement {a stampede to support a candidate} •vi. -ped´ed, -ped´ing to move, or take part, in a stampede •vt. to cause to stampede stam·ped´er •n. [AmSp estampida < Sp, a crash, uproar < estampar, to stamp < Gmc *stampjan, STAMP]

stamper (stæm´pэr) •n. a person or thing that stamps; specif., a) a worker who stamps (something specified) {a metal stamper} b) any of various machines or tools for stamping, as for pulverizing ore

stamping ground (stæm´piŋ) [Colloq.] a regular or favorite gathering place, resort, or haunt

stance (stæns) •n. 1 the way a person or animal stands; standing posture, with special reference to placement of the feet, as the posture of a golfer, baseball batter, etc. Æ 2 the attitude adopted in confronting or dealing with a particular situation {a belligerent political stance} SYN. POSTURE [OFr estance < VL *stantia < L stans (gen. stantis), prp. of stare, to STAND]

stanch (stönch, stænch, stänch) •vt., vi., adj. see STAUNCH

stanchion (stæn´chэn, -shэn) •n. 1 an upright bar, beam, or post used as a support Æ 2 a restraining device fitted loosely around the neck of a cow to confine it to its stall •vt. 1 to provide or support with stanchions Æ 2 to confine (a cow) with a stanchion [ME stanchon < OFr estanson, estanchon < estance: see STANCE]

stand (stænd) stood, stand´ing •vi. 1 a) to be or remain in a generally upright position, supported on the feet (or foot) b) to be or remain in an upright position, supported on its base, bottom, pedestal, etc. (said of physical objects) c) to grow upright or erect (said of plants) 2 to rise to an upright position, as from a sitting, lying, or crouching position 3 a) to take, move into, or be in a (specified) upright position {stand straight!} b) to take, maintain, or be in a (specified) position, attitude, or course, as of support, antagonism, responsibility, sponsorship, etc. {to stand opposed to an act} 4 to have a (specified) height when standing {he stands six feet} 5 to point: said of a dog 6 a) to be placed; be situated b) to remain where situated, built, etc. 7 to gather and remain: said of a liquid {sweat stood on his brow} 8 a) to remain unchanged, intact, effective, or valid {the law still stands} b) to be or remain in a printed or written form 9 to be in a (specified) condition, relation, or circumstance: used with a phrase, infinitive, or adverb {they stood in awe, he stands to lose ten dollars} 10 to be of a (specified) rank, degree, or the like {to stand first in one's class} 11 to maintain one's opinion, viewpoint, adherence, etc.; remain resolute or firm 12 to make resistance, as to hostile action 13 a) to come to a stop; halt b) to be or remain stationary 14 to show the (specified) relative position of those involved {the score stands at 28 to 20} Æ 15 to be available for breeding: said of a stallion 16 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] to be a candidate, as for an office; run 17 Naut. to take or hold a course {a ship standing out of the harbor} 18 Printing to remain set: said of type or printed matter •vt. 1 to make stand; set or place upright 2 to go on enduring; put up with; bear; tolerate {to stand pain} 3 to remain uninjured or unaffected by; withstand {stood the trip quite well} 4 to be subjected to; undergo {to stand trial} 5 to do the duty of {to stand watch} 6 [Colloq.] a) to bear the cost of (a dinner, etc.) as when treating b) to treat (a person) to food, drink, etc. 7 Mil. to stand in formation at (reveille, retreat, etc.) •n. [OE stand < standan, to stand] 1 the act or position of standing (in various senses); esp., a stopping; halt or stop; specif., a) a stopping to counterattack, resist, etc., as in a retreat Æ b) a halt made by a touring theatrical company to give a performance; also, the place stopped at 2 the place where a person stands or is supposed to stand; position; station {to take one's stand at the rear} 3 a view, opinion, or position, as on an issue {to make one's stand clear} 4 a structure for a person or persons to stand or sit on, or to stand at; specif., a) a raised platform, as for a band or for spectators along a parade route b) [often pl.] a set of steplike tiers of benches, as for the spectators at a ballgame c) the place where a witness testifies in a courtroom d) a lectern, pulpit, reading desk, etc. Æ 5 a place of business; specif., a) a booth, stall, etc. where goods are sold b) a parking space along the side of a street, reserved as for taxicabs c) a business site or location 6 a rack, small table, etc. for holding something {a music stand} Æ 7 a standing growth of trees or plants 8 [Now Dial.] a group, set, etc. SYN. BEAR¹ make a stand 1 to take a position for defense or opposition 2 to support a definite position, opinion, etc. 3 to come to a stop stand a chance to have a chance (of winning, surviving, etc.) stand by 1 a) to be near and ready to act if or when needed b) to wait to go aboard 2 to aid or support 3 a) to make good (a promise, etc.) b) to maintain (a policy) 4 to be near or present, esp. in a passive manner or as a mere onlooker 5 Radio, TV to remain tuned in, as for continuance of a program, or to remain ready to transmit without actually doing so stand down Law to leave the witness stand, as after testifying stand for 1 to be a symbol for or sign of; represent; mean Æ 2 [Colloq.] to put up with; endure; tolerate stand in Æ 1 [Colloq.] to be on good terms; be friendly: usually followed by with 2 to take a share or part in stand in for to substitute for stand off 1 to keep at a distance 2 to fail or refuse to agree or comply Æ 3 to put off, stave off, or evade (a creditor or assailant) 4 Naut. to take or hold a course away from shore stand on 1 to be based or founded upon; depend on 2 to insist upon; demand due observance of (ceremony, one's dignity or rights, etc.) 3 Naut. to hold the same course or tack stand out 1 to stick out; project 2 to show up clearly; be distinct in appearance 3 to be prominent, notable, or outstanding; have distinction 4 to refuse to give in; be firm in resistance 5 Naut. to take or hold a course away from shore stand over 1 to hover over (someone) 2 to postpone or be postponed; hold over stand up 1 to rise to or be in a standing position 2 to prove valid, satisfactory, durable, etc. Æ 3 [Slang] to fail to keep an engagement with stand up for to take the side of; defend; support stand up to to confront fearlessly; refuse to be cowed or intimidated by stand up with to act as a wedding attendant to Æ take the stand to sit (or stand) in the designated place in a courtroom and give testimony stand´er •n. [ME standen < OE standan; akin to MDu standen, Goth standan < IE base *stā-, to stand, be placed > L stare, to stand, Gr histanai, to set, cause to stand]

stand oil linseed oil thickened by heat treatment, as for use in paint

stand-alone (stænd´э loun') •adj. designating or of a computer device or program that can perform some or all of its functions independently

standard (stæn´dэrd) •n. 1 any figure or object, esp. a flag or banner, used as an emblem or symbol of a leader, people, military unit, etc.; specif., a) Heraldry a long, tapering flag used as an ensign, as by a king b) Mil. the colors of a cavalry unit 2 something established for use as a rule or basis of comparison in measuring or judging capacity, quantity, content, extent, value, quality, etc. {standard of weight and measure} 3 a) the proportion of pure gold or silver and base metal prescribed for use in coinage b) the basis for the measure of value in a given monetary system (see GOLD STANDARD, SILVER STANDARD) 4 the type, model, or example commonly or generally accepted or adhered to; criterion set for usages or practices {moral standards} 5 a level of excellence, attainment, etc. regarded as a measure of adequacy 6 any upright object used as a support, often a part of the thing it supports; supporting piece; base; stand 7 a former grade or class designation in a British elementary school 8 a piece of popular music that continues to be included in the repertoire of many bands, singers, etc. through the years 9 Bot. a) the large, upper petal of a butterfly-shaped flower; vexillum b) any of the three erect petals in the flower of an iris 10 Hort. a) a tree or shrub with a tall, erect stem, that stands alone without support b) a plant grafted on a single erect stem to grow in tree form •adj. 1 used as, or meeting the requirements of, a standard, rule, model, etc. 2 generally accepted as reliable or authoritative {standard reference books} 3 conforming to what is usual; regular or typical; not special or extra; ordinary {standard procedure} 4 Linguis. a) of or in accord with the level of usage of most educated speakers of a language and established as the prestigious form of that language b) [S-] designating the prestigious dialect of a given language {Standard American English} SYN.—standard applies to some measure, principle, model, etc. with which things of the same class are compared in order to determine their quantity, value, quality, etc. [standard of purity for drugs]; criterion applies to a test or rule for measuring the excellence, fitness, or correctness of something [mere memory is no accurate criterion of intelligence]; gauge literally applies to a standard of measurement [a wire gauge], but figuratively it is equivalent to criterion [sales are an accurate gauge of a book's popularity]; yardstick refers to a test or criterion for measuring genuineness or value [time is the only true yardstick of a book's merit] see also MODEL [ME < OFr estendard < Frank *standord, place of formation < Gmc *standan, to STAND + *ort, a place, orig., a point, akin to OE ord (see ODD): hence, orig., a standing place]

standard deviation Statistics a measure of variability equal to the square root of the arithmetic average of the squares of the deviations from the mean in a frequency distribution

standard error Statistics a measure of the dispersion in the distribution of differences between expected and observed values of a statistic: the standard error of the mean is equal to the standard deviation of the original frequency distribution divided by the square root of the sample size

standard gauge 1 a width of 56.5 in. (143.5 cm) between the rails of a railroad track, established as standard 2 a railroad having such a gauge 3 a locomotive or car for tracks of such a gauge stand´ard-gauge´ •n.

standard of living a level of subsistence, as of a nation, social class, or person, with reference to the adequacy of necessities and comforts in daily life

standard pitch CONCERT PITCH

standard time 1 the time in any of the 24 time zones, each an hour apart, into which the earth is divided: it is based on distance east or west of Greenwich, England, and in North America, the eight zones (Atlantic, Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, Hawaii-Aleutian, and Samoa) use the mean solar times of the 60th, 75th, 90th, 105th, 120th, 135th, 150th, and 165th meridians, respectively: see TIME ZONE, map 2 the official time, whether mean solar time or daylight saving time, in any given region

standard-bearer (-ber'эr) •n. 1 the person assigned to carry the standard, or flag, of a group, esp. of a military organization 2 the leader or chief representative of a movement, political party, etc.

Standardbred (-bred´) •n. any of a breed of light horse developed from the Thoroughbred and specially trained for trotting or pacing in harness races

standardize (stæn´dэr daiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make standard or uniform; cause to be without variations or irregularities 2 to compare with, test by, or adjust to a standard stand'ard·i·za´tion •n. stand´ard·iz'er •n.

standby (stænd´bai') pl. -bys' •n. 1 a person or thing that can always be depended on, is always effective, etc. 2 a person or thing ready to serve or be put into service on an emergency basis or as a substitute 3 a person waiting to board an airplane, etc. if space becomes available, as through a cancellation •adj. of, for, or functioning as a standby on standby ready or waiting as a standby

standee (stæn di:´) •n. a person who stands, usually because there are no vacant seats, as on a bus

standfast (stænd´fæst', -fäst') •n. a firm, fixed position

stand-in (stænd´in') •n. 1 a person who serves as a substitute for a motion-picture or television actor or actress as while lights and cameras are being adjusted 2 any substitute for another

standing (stæn´diŋ) •n. 1 the act, state, or position of a person or thing that stands 2 a place to stand; standing room 3 a) status, position, rank, or reputation {in good standing} b) [pl.] a list showing rank or order, as in achievement, resources, etc. {team standings in a league} 4 duration or length of service, existence, membership, etc. {a record of long standing} •adj. 1 upright or erect {a standing position} 2 done or made in or from a standing position {a standing jump} 3 not flowing; stagnant, as water 4 going on regularly without change; lasting; permanent {a standing order} 5 stationary; not movable 6 not in use; idle; as a machine 7 Printing set and stored for future use: said of type or printed matter

standing army an army maintained on a permanent basis, in peacetime as well as in time of war

standing order 1 an order remaining in effect indefinitely until canceled or modified 2 [pl.] in parliamentary procedure, the rules which continue in force through all sessions until changed or repealed

standing rigging the permanently positioned parts of a vessel's rigging, as stays and shrouds, used to support sails, masts, etc. Cf. RUNNING RIGGING

standing room room in which to stand, esp. when there are no vacant seats, as in a theater

standing wave an oscillatory motion with a definite wavelength, frequency, and amplitude and having stationary, regularly spaced points where there is no motion: all the movement of the wave is contained between these nodes, thus providing for no net transport of energy

Standish (stæn´dish), Miles (or Myles) c. 1584-1656; Eng. colonist: military leader of Plymouth Colony standish (stæn´dish) •n. [Archaic] a stand for writing materials; inkstand [< ? STAND + DISH]

standoff (stænd´öf') •n. 1 a standing off or being stood off 2 a counterbalancing or equalizing effect 3 a tie or draw in a game or contest •adj. 1 that stands off 2 STANDOFFISH

standoffish (stænd'öf´ish) •adj. reserved and cool; aloof stand'off´ish·ly •adv. stand'off´ish·ness •n.

standout (stænd´aut') •n. [Colloq.] a person or thing conspicuously superior or notable in performance, quality, etc. •adj. [Colloq.] outstanding

standpat (-pæt') •adj. [Colloq.] of or characterized by a tendency to stand pat, or resist change; conservative stand´pat'ter (-pæt'эr) •n. stand·pat·tism (stænd´pæt iz'эm) •n.

standpipe (-paip') •n. a high vertical pipe or cylindrical tank for storing water and keeping it at a desired pressure, esp. such a large tank used in a water-supply system for a town, etc.

standpoint (-point') •n. 1 a position from which something is or may be viewed 2 the mental position from which things are judged; point of view [calque < Ger standpunkt]

standstill (-stil') •n. a stop, halt, or cessation

stand-up (-ûp') •adj. 1 standing upright or erect 2 done, taken, etc. in a standing position {a stand-up lunch} 3 high, stiff, and without folds: said of a collar Æ 4 designating or of a comedian who delivers monologues, tells a series of jokes, etc., as in nightclubs 5 [Slang] designating or having to do with a loyal, courageous person who will stand up resolutely for friends, principles, etc. {a stand-up guy}

stane (stein) •n., adj., vt. Scot. var. of STONE

Stanford-Binet test (stæn´fэrd bi nei´) a revision of the Binet-Simon test: developed at Stanford University, it covers a wider range and offers more tests than the original scale Also called Stanford revision

stang¹ (stæŋ) •vt., vi. archaic pt. & pp. of STING

stang² (stæŋ) •n., vt., vi. Scot. or North Eng. var. of STING [< ME stangen < ON stanga, to prick, goad: for IE base see STING]

stanhope (stæn´houp', stæn´эp) •n. a light, open carriage drawn by one horse, with two low wheels and one seat, popular in 19th-cent. England and the U.S. [after Fitzroy Stanhope (1787-1864), Eng clergyman for whom the first was built] Stanhope (stæn´эp), Philip Dor·mer (dör´mэr) see CHESTERFIELD, 4th Earl of

Stanislavsky (stæn'i släf´ski:, stän'-), Kon·stan·tin (kän´stэn ti:n') (born Konstantin Sergeyevich Alekseyev) 1863-1938; Russ. actor, director, & teacher of acting

stank (stæŋk) •vi. alt. pt. of STINK

Stanley (stæn´li:) 1 a masculine name: dim. Stan 2 Sir Henry Morton (born John Rowlands) 1841-1904; Brit. journalist & explorer in Africa 3 Wendell Meredith (1904-71); U.S. biochemist [< the surname Stanley < the place name Stanley < OE stan leah, stone lea] Stanley , Mount mountain in EC Africa, highest peak of the Ruwenzori group: 16,795 ft. (5,119 m)

Stanley Falls series of seven cataracts of the upper Congo River, just south of Kisangani

Stanley Pool broad, lakelike expansion of the Congo River between Congo & Zaire: c. 320 sq. mi. (828 sq. km)

Stanleyville (stæn´ li: vil') old name of KISANGANI

stannary (stæn´эr i:) pl. -ries •n. 1 a region of tin mines and tinworks 2 [usually pl.] such a region in Devon and Cornwall, England [ML stannaria < LL stannum, stagnum, tin, prob. < Celt]

stannic (stæn´ik) •adj. of or containing tin, specif. tetravalent tin [< LL stannum (see STANNARY) + -IC]

stannite (stæn´ait') •n. a gray or black tetragonal mineral, Cu2FeSnS4, with metallic luster, a native sulfide of tin, copper, and iron [< LL stannum, tin + -ITE¹]

stannous (stæn´эs) •adj. of or containing tin, specif. divalent tin [< LL stannum, tin + -OUS]

Stanton (stæn´tªn) 1 Edwin McMas·ters (mэk mæs´tэrz) 1814-69; U.S. statesman: secretary of war (1862-68) 2 Elizabeth Ca·dy (kei´di:) 1815-1902; U.S. reformer & suffragist leader

stanza (stæn´zэ) •n. a group of lines of verse forming one of the divisions of a poem or song: it is usually made up of four or more lines and often has a regular pattern in the number of lines and the arrangement of meter and rhyme stan·za´ic (-zei´ik) •adj. [It, lit., stopping place, room < VL *stantia: see STANCE]

stapedial (stэ pi:´di: эl) •adj. of the stapes

stapelia (stэ pi:´li: э, -pi:l´yэ) •n. any of a genus (Stapelia) of cactuslike, African plants of the milkweed family, with large, star-shaped, bad-smelling, yellowish or purple flowers [ModL, after Jan Bode van Stapel (died 1636), Du botanist and physician]

stapes (stei´pi:z') pl. sta´pes' or sta·pe·des (stэ pi:´di:z') •n. Anat. a small, stirrup-shaped bone, the innermost of a chain of three bones in the middle ear of mammals; stirrup: see EAR¹, illus. [ModL < ML, a stirrup, prob. < Gmc, as in MDu stap, a STEP, Langobardic staffa, step, stirrup]

staph (stæf) •n. short for STAPHYLOCOCCUS

staphylo- (stæf´э lou, -lэ) combining form 1 uvula {staphylorrhaphy} 2 grapelike {staphylococcus} Also, before a vowel, staphyl- [< Gr staphylē, bunch of grapes]

staphylococcus (stæf'э lou kä´kэs) pl. -coc´ci' (-käk´sai') •n. any of a genus (Staphylococcus) of spherical, Gram-positive bacteria that generally occur in irregular clusters or short chains: the pathogenic species (esp. S. aureus) are the cause of pus formation in boils, abscesses, etc. staph'y·lo·coc´cal (-käk´эl) or staph'y·lo·coc´cic (-käk´sik) •adj. [ModL: see STAPHYLO- & -COCCUS]

staphyloplasty (stæf´э lou plæs'ti:) •n. the use of plastic surgery to repair defects of the soft palate staph'y·lo·plas´tic •adj. [STAPHYLO- + -PLASTY]

staphylorrhaphy (stæf'э lör´э fi:) pl. -phies •n. the operation of uniting a cleft palate by plastic surgery [< STAPHYLO- + Gr rhaphē, a sewing, suture < rhaptein, to sew: see RHAPSODY]

staple¹ (stei´pэl) •n. 1 the chief commodity, or any of the most important commodities, made, grown, or sold in a particular place, region, country, etc. 2 a chief item, part, material, or element in anything 3 raw material 4 any chief item of trade, regularly stocked and in constant demand {flour, sugar, and salt are staples} 5 the fiber of cotton, wool, flax, etc., with reference to length and fineness •adj. 1 regularly found on the market or in stock as a result of a constant demand 2 produced, consumed, or exported regularly and in quantity 3 most important; leading; principal {staple industries} •vt. -pled, -pling to sort (wool, cotton, etc.) according to the nature of its staple [ME stapel < OFr estaple < MDu stapel, mart, emporium, post, orig. support, akin to fol.]

staple² (stei´pэl) •n. 1 a U-shaped piece of metal with sharp, pointed ends, driven into a surface to keep a hook, hasp, wire, etc. firmly in place 2 a similar piece of thin wire driven through papers and clinched over as a binding •vt. -pled, -pling to fasten or bind with a staple or staples [ME stapel < OE stapol, post, pillar, akin to Ger stapel, stake, beam: for IE base see STAMP]

stapler¹ (stei´plэr) •n. 1 a person who deals in staple goods 2 a person who staples (wool, etc.)

stapler² (stei´plэr) •n. 1 any of various devices or machines for driving staples through paper, etc., as for binding pamphlets 2 a heavier device for stapling insulation, upholstery fabric, etc. in place: also called staple gun

star (stär) •n. 1 any of the luminous celestial objects seen as points of light in the sky; esp., any self-luminous, celestial body having continuous nuclear reactions which send heat, light, etc. in all directions 2 a conventionalized flat figure having (usually five or six) symmetrical projecting points, regarded as a representation of a star of the sky 3 any mark, shape, emblem, or the like resembling such a figure, often used as an award, symbol of rank or authority, etc. 4 ASTERISK 5 a) Astrol. a zodiacal constellation or a planet regarded as influencing human fate or destiny b) [often pl.] fate; destiny; fortune 6 a person who excels or performs brilliantly in a given activity, esp. a sport 7 a prominent actor or actress, esp. one playing a leading role and having special billing in a given production •vt. starred, star´ring 1 to mark or set with stars as a decoration 2 to mark with one or more stars as a grade of quality 3 to mark with an asterisk 4 to present or feature (an actor or actress) in a leading role •vi. 1 to perform brilliantly; excel 2 to perform as a star, as in a theatrical production •adj. 1 having exceptional skill and talent; outstanding; excelling others; leading {a star performer} 2 of a star or stars see stars [Colloq.] to experience the sensation of lights brightly flashing before the eyes, as from a blow on the head thank one's (lucky) stars to be thankful for what appears to be good luck [ME sterre < OE steorra, akin to Goth stairnō, Cornish sterenn < IE base *ster-, a star > Gr astēr, L stella (dim. < *ster-ela), star]

star apple 1 a tropical American evergreen tree (Chrysophyllum cainito) of the sapodilla family, with shiny leaves, whitish flowers, and applelike fruit showing a starlike figure inside when cut across 2 its fruit

Star Chamber 1 a royal English court or tribunal abolished in 1641, notorious for its secret sessions without jury, and for its harsh and arbitrary judgments and its use of torture to force confessions 2 [also s- c-] any similar tribunal or inquisitorial body [ME, earlier Sterred Chambre: said to be so called because the ceiling was ornamented with stars]

star grass any of a number of grasslike plants with star-shaped flowers, including two genera (Hypoxis and Aletris) of the lily family

star of Bethlehem Bible the bright star over Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus, guiding the Magi: Matt. 2:1-10

Star of David a six-pointed star formed of two, often interlaced, equilateral triangles: a symbol of Judaism and now of the State of Israel: as a mystic symbol in the Middle Ages, called Solomon's Seal [transl. < Heb magen david, lit., shield of David]

star route a route between one city or town and another over which mail is transported by a private carrier under contract [such routes are marked with a star, or asterisk, in postal records]

star sapphire a type of sapphire that reflects light in a star-shaped pattern when cut as a cabochon

star shell Mil. a shell timed to burst in midair in a shower of bright particles that light up the surrounding terrain

star thistle any of several European plants (genus Centaurea) of the composite family; esp., an annual weed (C. maculosa) now common in NE U.S.

Star Wars [Colloq.] SDI [from the title of a 1977 science-fiction film]

Stara Zagora (stä´řä zä gô´řä) city in central Bulgaria: pop. 130,000

starboard (stär´bэrd, -börd') •n. the right-hand side of a ship, boat, or airplane as one faces forward: opposed to PORT4 •adj. 1 of or on this side 2 designating a sailing tack on which the wind passes over the starboard side •vt., vi. to move or turn (the helm) to the right [ME sterbord < OE steorbord < steoran, to STEER¹ (the old rudder being a large oar used on the right side of the ship) + bord: see BOARD]

starch (stärch) •n. 1 a white, tasteless, odorless food substance found in potatoes, rice, corn, wheat, cassava, and many other vegetable foods: it is a granular solid, chemically a complex carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, and is used in adhesives, sizes, foods, cosmetics, medicine, etc. 2 a powdered form of this, used in laundering for stiffening cloth fabrics, etc. 3 [pl.] starchy foods 4 formal, unbending manner or behavior; stiffness Æ 5 [Colloq.] energy; vigor •vt. to stiffen with or as if with starch starch´less •adj. [ME starche < sterchen, to stiffen < OE *stercan < stearc, rigid, stiff, akin to Ger stark, strong: see STARK]

starchy (stär´chi:) •adj. 1 of, containing, or like starch 2 stiffened with starch 3 stiff; formal; unbending starch´i·ly •adv. starch´i·ness •n.

star-crossed (stär´kröst') •adj. destined to an unhappy fate; sure to end up in misfortune; unlucky [see STAR, n. 5]

stardom (-dэm) •n. 1 the status of a STAR (senses 6 & 7) 2 stars of motion pictures, etc., collectively

stardust (-dûst') •n. 1 a cluster of stars too distant to be seen separately with the naked eye 2 [Colloq.] an enchanting, dreamlike state or mood; starry-eyed quality

stare (ster) stared, star´ing •vi. 1 to gaze or look steadily and intently with eyes wide open, as in fear, admiration, wonder, etc. 2 [Now Rare] a) to stand out conspicuously {staring bones} b) to stand on end, as hair •vt. 1 to look fixedly at {to stare a person up and down} 2 to affect in a given way by staring {to stare someone into confusion} •n. the act of staring; steady, intent look or gaze stare down to stare back at (another) until the gaze of the one stared at is turned away stare someone in the face 1 to look at someone steadily and intently 2 to be imminent, pressing, or inescapable star´er •n. [ME staren < OE starian, akin to ON stara < Gmc *stara-, having fixed eyes, rigid < IE base *(s)ter-, rigid, stiff > STARK, Gr strēnēs, hard]

stare decisis (ster'i: di sai´sis) a policy of law that requires courts to abide by laws and precedents previously laid down as applicable to a similar set of facts [L, to stand by things decided]

starets (stär´yэts) pl. star·tsy (stärt´si:) •n. Eastern Orthodox Ch. a spiritual advisor

starfish (stär´fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of a subclass (Asteroidea) of echinoderms with a hard, spiny skeleton and five or more arms or rays arranged like the points of a star; asteroid

starflower (-flau'эr) •n. 1 any of a genus (Trientalis) of small woodland plants of the primrose family, with white or pink, five-petaled, star-shaped flowers 2 any of various other plants with star-shaped flowers, as the star-of-Bethlehem

stargaze (-geiz') -gazed', -gaz'ing •vi. 1 to gaze at the stars 2 to indulge in dreamy, fanciful or visionary musing; daydream [back-form. < fol.]

stargazer (-gei'zэr) •n. 1 a person who stargazes, as an astrologer or astronomer 2 any of a family (Uranoscopidae) of tropical, marine percoid fishes having eyes at the top of the head and sensory electrical organs behind the eyes

stark (stärk) •adj. 1 a) stiff or rigid, as a corpse b) rigorous; harsh; severe {stark discipline} 2 sharply outlined or prominent {one stark tree} 3 bleak; desolate; barren {stark wasteland} 4 a) emptied; stripped {stark shelves} b) totally naked; bare 5 grimly blunt; unsoftened, unembellished, etc. {stark realism} 6 sheer; utter; downright; unrelieved {stark terror} 7 [Archaic] strong; powerful •adv. in a stark manner; esp., utterly; wholly {stark mad} stark´ly •adv. stark´ness •n. [ME starc < OE stearc: see STARE]

starkers (stär´kэrz) •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] 1 wearing no clothes; naked 2 insane; crazy

stark-naked (stärk´nei´kid) •adj. absolutely naked [altered (infl. by STARK) < ME stertnaked, lit., tail-naked < stert- < OE steort, tail, rump < IE *(s)terd-: see START]

starless (stär´lis) •adj. 1 without stars 2 with no stars visible {a starless sky}

starlet (-lit) •n. 1 a small star Æ 2 a young actress being promoted as a possible future star

starlight (-lait') •n. light given by the stars •adj. 1 of starlight 2 lighted by the stars; starlit

starlike (-laik') •adj. 1 like a star in brilliance 2 star-shaped; having radial points

starling (stär´liŋ) •n. any of an Old World family (Sturnidae) of dark-colored passerine birds with a short tail, long wings, and a sharp, pointed bill; esp., the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) with iridescent plumage, introduced into the U.S. where it is now often a pest [ME < OE stærlinc, dim. of stær, starling < IE *stor(n)os, starling, bird with similar cry > L sturnus]

starlit (stär´lit') •adj. lighted by the stars

star-nosed mole (-nouzd') a brownish-black, long-tailed, North American mole (Condylura cristata) having a ring of fleshy tentacles around its nose

star-of-Bethlehem (-эv beθ´lэ hem', -li: эm) pl. stars´-of-Beth´le·hem' •n. a bulbous plant (Ornithogalum umbellatum) of the lily family, with white, star-shaped flowers and long, narrow leaves

starred (stärd) •adj. 1 marked or decorated with or as with a star or stars 2 thought, as in astrology, to be influenced by the stars {ill-starred}

starry (stär´i:) -ri·er, -ri·est •adj. 1 set or marked with stars 2 shining like stars; bright 3 shaped like a star 4 lighted by or full of stars 5 of or coming from the stars 6 of, from, or like stars star´ri·ness •n.

starry-eyed (-id') •adj. 1 with the eyes sparkling in a glow of happiness, dreams, wonder, romance, etc. 2 impractical, unrealistic, overly optimistic, etc. {a starry-eyed reformer}

Stars and Bars name for the original flag (1861) of the American Confederacy, with a white horizontal bar between two parallel red ones and at the upper left, on a blue field, a circle of seven white stars, one for each seceded State

Stars and Stripes name for the flag of the United States, with seven horizontal red stripes and six white ones, the colors alternating, and in the upper left corner a blue field with white stars (now 50), one for each State

star-spangled (stär´spæn´gªld) •adj. studded or spangled with stars

Star-Spangled Banner the United States national anthem: the words were written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 [with reference to the U.S. flag]

START (stärt) Strategic Arms Reduction Talks start (stärt) •vi. 1 to make a sudden, involuntary or unexpected movement, as when surprised; jump, leap, jerk, etc. in a startled way 2 to be displaced; become loose, warped, etc. 3 to stick out or seem to stick out {eyes starting in fear} 4 a) to begin to do something or go somewhere; go into action or motion b) to make or have a beginning; commence 5 to be among the beginning entrants, as in a race; be a starter 6 to spring into being, activity, view, or the like •vt. 1 to cause to jump or move suddenly; rouse or flush (game) 2 to displace, loosen, warp, etc. 3 a) to enter upon; begin to perform, play, do, etc. b) to cause or enable to begin; set into motion, action, or operation 4 to introduce (a subject, topic, or discussion) 5 to open and make the contents flow from (a receptacle); tap 6 a) to give the starting signal for (a race) or to (the contestants in a race) b) to cause to be an entrant in a race, etc. c) to put (a player) into a game at the beginning d) to play in (a game) at the beginning (said of a player) 7 [Now Chiefly Dial.] to cause to start, or move involuntarily; startle •n. 1 a sudden, brief shock or fright; startled reaction 2 a sudden, startled movement; jump, leap, jerk, etc. 3 [pl.] sudden, usually brief bursts of activity: usually in the phrase by fits and starts 4 a) a part that is loosened, warped, etc. b) a break or gap resulting from this 5 a starting, or beginning; a getting into action or motion; commencement; specif., the fact of being part of the team that starts a game {a pitcher with 30 starts for the season} 6 a) a place where, or a time when, a beginning is made, as in a race; starting point {ahead from the start} b) a lead or other advantage, as at the beginning of a race or contest c) a signal to begin, as in a race 7 an opportunity of beginning or entering upon a career, etc. 8 [Archaic] an outburst or fit, as of emotion, or a sally, as of wit SYN. BEGIN Æ start in to begin a task, activity, etc. start out (or off) 1 to start a journey 2 to make a start on some course of action or procedure start something to cause a disturbance or trouble start up 1 to rise up or stand suddenly, as in fright 2 to come into being suddenly; spring up 3 to cause (a motor, etc.) to begin running [ME sterten < OE styrtan & ON sterta, akin to Ger stürzen, to overthrow < IE *sterd- < base *(s)ter-, stiff, walk stiffly > STARE, STARVE, STORK]

starter (-эr) •n. a person or thing that starts; specif., a) the first in a series b) a person or animal that starts in a race or game c) a person who gives the signal to start, as in a race d) a person who supervises the departure of commercial trucks, buses, etc. e) any of various devices for initiating motion in an internal-combustion engine; specif., an electric motor briefly activated by the ignition switch and powered by the battery to turn the flywheel f) a device within a fluorescent lamp for initiating high voltage across the electrodes g) a pure culture used to start fermentation of cream, etc. for starters [Colloq.] to begin with

starting blocks Track & Field the rigid blocks adjustable at an angle and mounted on a track against which a runner's shoes are placed to aid in starting

starting gate a movable set of stalls with gates that open simultaneously at the start of a horse race

startle (stärt´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. to surprise, frighten, or alarm suddenly or unexpectedly; esp., to cause to start, or move involuntarily, as from sudden fright •vi. to be startled •n. a start or shock, as of surprise or fright star´tler •n. star´tling •adj. star´tling·ly •adv. [ME stertlen, to rush, stumble along, freq. of sterten: see START]

starvation (stär vei´shэn) •n. 1 the act of starving 2 the state of being starved •adj. likely to cause starving {a starvation diet}

starve (stärv) starved, starv´ing •vi. 1 a) to die from lack of food b) to suffer or become weak from hunger c) [Colloq.] to be ravenously hungry 2 to suffer great need: with for {starving for affection} 3 [Now Dial.] to suffer and die slowly from any cause, esp. from extreme cold •vt. 1 to cause to starve by depriving of food 2 to force by starvation {to starve an enemy into submission} 3 to cause to suffer from a lack or need of something specified 4 [Now Dial.] to cause to die from extreme cold [ME sterven < OE steorfan, to die, perish, akin to Ger sterben: see START]

starveling (-liŋ) •n. a person or animal that is thin or weak from lack of food •adj. 1 starving; weak and hungry 2 suffering, showing, or caused by extreme deprivation; impoverished [prec. + -LING¹]

stash (stæsh) •vt. [Colloq.] to put or hide away (money, valuables, etc.) in a secret or safe place, as for future use •n. [Colloq.] 1 a place for hiding things 2 something hidden away [< ? STOW & CACHE]

stasis (stei´sis, stæs´is) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. 1 a) a stoppage of the flow of some fluid in the body, as of blood b) reduced peristalsis of the intestines resulting in the retention of feces 2 a state of equilibrium, balance, or stagnancy [ModL < Gr, a standing < histanai, to STAND]

stat (stæt) •n. short for STATISTIC [ModL -stata < Gr -statēs, akin to STASH] stat abbrev. 1 statuary 2 statute(s)

-stat (stæt) combining form an instrument or agent that keeps something (specified) stable or stationary {thermostat, heliostat}

stat. Pharmacy at once [L statim]

state (steit) •n. 1 a set of circumstances or attributes characterizing a person or thing at a given time; way or form of being; condition {a state of poverty} 2 a particular mental or emotional condition {a state of bliss} 3 condition as regards physical structure, constitution, internal form, stage or phase of existence, etc. {liquid state} 4 a) condition or position in life; social status, rank, or degree b) high rank or position c) the style of living characteristic of people having high rank and wealth; rich, imposing, ceremonious display {drove up in state} 5 [sometimes S-] a) the power or authority represented by a body of people politically organized under one government, esp. an independent government, within a territory or territories having definite boundaries b) such a body of people; body politic Æ 6 [usually S-] any of the territorial and political units that together constitute a federal government, as in the U.S. Æ 7 the territory of a STATE (senses 5b & 6) 8 the political organization constituting the basis of civil government {church and state} 9 the sphere of highest governmental authority and administration {matters of state} •adj. 1 of, for, or characteristic of occasions of great ceremony; formal; ceremonial 2 [sometimes S-] of or controlled, maintained, etc. by the government or a state •vt. stat´ed, stat´ing 1 to fix or establish by specifying {at the stated hour} 2 a) to set forth in words, esp. in a specific, definite, or formal way {to state one's objectives} b) to express or present in a nonverbal way {to state a musical theme in the first three measures} in (or into) a state [Colloq.] in (or into) a condition of agitation or excitement lie in state to be displayed formally to the public before burial the States the United States stat´a·ble •adj. SYN.—state and condition both refer to the set of circumstances surrounding or characterizing a person or thing at a given time [what is his mental state, or condition?], but condition more strongly implies some relationship to causes or circumstances which may be temporary [his condition will not permit him to travel]; situation implies a significant interrelationship of the circumstances, and connection between these and the person involved [to be in a difficult situation]; status, basically a legal term, refers to one's state as determined by such arbitrary factors as age, sex, training, mentality, service, etc. [his status as a veteran exempts him] [ME < OFr & L: OFr estat < L status, state, position, standing < pp. of stare, to STAND]

State bank a bank chartered by a State and subject to its regulations

state capitalism a form of capitalism in which much of the capital, industry, etc. is controlled by the state: a loose term sometimes equivalent to STATE SOCIALISM

state church ESTABLISHED CHURCH

State Department the department of the executive branch of the U.S. government in charge of relations with foreign countries

state of the art the current level of sophistication of a developing technology, as of computer science state´-of-the-art' •adj.

state of war a condition or period of hostilities between nations, either undeclared or officially declared

State prison a prison maintained by a State for adult criminals, usually those convicted of serious crimes

state socialism the theory, doctrine, or practice of an economy planned and controlled by the state, based on state ownership of public utilities, basic industries, etc.

State university a university supported and controlled by a State as part of its public educational system

statecraft (-kræft', -kräft') •n. STATESMANSHIP

stated (steit´id) •adj. 1 fixed or set, as by agreement 2 declared, esp. in specific terms; expressed stat´ed·ly •adv.

stated clerk an administrative official in the Presbyterian Church and certain other Protestant churches

statehood (steit´hud') •n. 1 the condition or status of being a state 2 [sometimes S-] the condition or status of being a State of the U.S.

statehouse (-haus') •n. Æ [often S-] the official meeting place of the legislature of a State of the U.S.

stateless (steit´lis) •adj. having no state or nationality

stately (steit´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 imposing; dignified; majestic 2 slow, dignified, and deliberate {a stately pace} •adv. [Now Rare] in a stately manner SYN. GRAND state´li·ness •n.

statement (steit´mэnt) •n. 1 a) an act of stating b) the thing stated; account, declaration, assertion, etc. 2 a) an abstract, usually itemized, of a financial account {a bank statement} b) a listing of charges for goods or services; bill

Staten Island (stæt´ªn) 1 island in New York Bay: 60 sq. mi. (155 sq. km) 2 borough of New York City, comprising this island & small nearby islands: pop. 379,000 [< Du Staaten Eylandt, States Island, referring to the States-General of the Dutch Republic]

stater (steit´эr) •n. any of various gold and silver coins of ancient Greece [ME < LL(Ec) < Gr statēr, orig., a weight < IE base *stā-, to STAND]

stateroom (steit´ru:m') •n. 1 a private cabin on a ship Æ 2 a private sleeping room in a railroad car

State's attorney a lawyer appointed or elected to prepare cases for the State and represent it in court

state's evidence Law evidence given by or for the prosecution in a criminal case, usually evidence given by a criminal against his associates turn state's evidence to give evidence for the prosecution in a criminal case

States of the Church PAPAL STATES

states' rights [sometimes S- r-] all the rights and powers which the Constitution neither grants to the Federal government nor denies to the State governments states' right´er

States-General (steits´jen´эr эl) •n. 1 the legislative body in France before the Revolution of 1789, made up of representatives of the clergy, the nobility, and the third estate 2 the legislative assembly of the Netherlands Also States General [transl. of Fr états généraux, Du staaten generaal]

stateside (steit´said') •adj. [Colloq.] of or characteristic of the U.S. (as viewed from abroad) {stateside newspapers} •adv. [Colloq.] in, to, or toward the U.S.

statesman (steits´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person who shows wisdom, skill, and vision in conducting state affairs and dealing with public issues, or one engaged in the business of government states´man·like' or states´man·ly •adj. states´wom'an, pl. -wom'en, •n.fem. [state's, gen. of STATE + MAN, based on Fr homme d'état]

statesmanship (-ship') •n. the ability, character, or methods of a statesman; skill and vision in managing public affairs [see -SHIP]

statewide (steit´waid´) •adj. extending throughout a state •adv. throughout a state

static (stæt´ik) •adj. 1 of bodies, masses, or forces at rest or in equilibrium: opposed to DYNAMIC 2 not moving or progressing; at rest; inactive; stationary 3 Comput. designating or of memory that retains stored data as long as power is supplied 4 Elec. designating, of, or producing stationary electrical charges, as those resulting from friction 5 Radio of or having to do with static Also stat´i·cal •n. Æ 1 a) electrical discharges in the atmosphere that interfere with radio or television reception, etc. b) interference or noises produced by such discharges 2 [Slang] adversely critical remarks stat´i·cal·ly •adv. Æ stat´ick·y •adj. [ModL staticus < Gr statikos, causing to stand < histanai, to cause to STAND]

static tube a tube with openings in its walls, inserted in a fluid in motion so that the flow is across the openings and used to measure the static pressure of the fluid; specif., such a tube in a Pitot-static tube

statice (stæt´э si:') •n. 1 SEA LAVENDER 2 THRIFT (sense 3) [ModL < L, an astringent herb < Gr statikē < fem. of statikos, causing to stand, astringent: see STATIC]

statics (stæt´iks) •n.pl. [with sing. v.] the branch of mechanics dealing with bodies, masses, or forces at rest or in equilibrium [see STATIC & -ICS]

station (stei´shэn) •n. 1 the place where a person or thing stands or is located, esp. an assigned post, position, or location; specif., a) the place where a person, as a guard, stands while on duty b) the post, building, base, or headquarters assigned to a group of people working together, as in providing a service, making scientific observations, etc. {a police station, service station} c) in Australia, a sheep or cattle ranch d) a place or region to which a naval fleet, ship, etc. is assigned for duty e) a post-office subdivision in a community with a main post office (distinguished from BRANCH, n. 6e) 2 a) a regular stopping place, with a shelter, platform, etc., as on a bus line or railroad b) the building or buildings at such a place, for passengers, etc. 3 social standing, position, or rank 4 a) a place equipped to transmit or receive radio waves; esp., the studios, offices, and technical installations collectively of an establishment for radio or television transmission b) such an establishment c) a broadcasting frequency or channel assigned to such an establishment 5 a fixed point from which measurements are made in surveying 6 [Archaic] the fact or condition of being stationary 7 Biol. a habitat, esp. the exact location of a given plant or animal •vt. to assign to a station; place; post [ME stacioun < OFr station < L statio, a standing, post, station < status, pp. of stare, to STAND]

station break a pause in radio and television programs for station identification and, usually, commercials

station house a building used as a station, esp. by a company of police or firefighters

station wagon an automobile with more cargo space than a comparable sedan model, two or four doors, a rear seat that folds down, and a rear door hinged in various ways

stationary (stei´shэ ner'i:) •adj. 1 not moving or not movable; fixed or still 2 unchanging in condition, value, etc.; not increasing or decreasing 3 not migratory or itinerant •n. pl. -ar'ies a person or thing that is stationary [ME stacionarye < L stationarius < statio: see STATION]

stationary engineer a person who operates and maintains stationary engines and mechanical equipment

stationary front Meteorol. a front that is not moving or is moving at a speed of less than c. 8 km/hr. (c. 5 mi./hr.)

stationary wave STANDING WAVE: also called stationary vibration

stationer (stei´shэ nэr) •n. 1 orig., a bookseller or publisher 2 a person who sells office supplies, greeting cards, some books, etc. [ME stacionere < ML stationarius, tradesman with a fixed station or shop (by contrast with a peddler) < L, STATIONARY]

stationery (stei´shэ ner'i:) •n. writing materials; specif., paper and envelopes used for letters [see STATIONER & -ERY]

stationmaster (stei´shэn mæs'tэr, -mäs'tэr) •n. an official in charge of a railroad station

Stations of the Cross 1 a series of fourteen crosses, as along the walls of a church, typically placed above representations of the stages of Jesus' final sufferings and of his death and burial, visited in succession as a devotional exercise 2 the devotional exercise itself

station-to-station (stei´shэn tэ stei´shэn) •adj. designating or of a long-distance telephone call with the caller willing to talk to anyone who answers

statism (steit´iz'эm) •n. the doctrine or practice of vesting economic control, economic planning, etc. in a centralized state government stat´ist (-ist) •n., adj.

statistic (stэ tis´tik) •adj. rare var. of STATISTICAL •n. a statistical item or element

statistical (-ti kэl) •adj. of, having to do with, consisting of, or based on statistics sta·tis´ti·cal·ly •adv. [< ModL statisticus, of politics < L status (see STATE) + -AL]

statistician (stæt'is tish´эn) •n. an expert or specialist in statistics

statistics (stэ tis´tiks) •n.pl. 1 facts or data of a numerical kind, assembled, classified, and tabulated so as to present significant information about a given subject 2 [with sing. v.] the calculation, description, manipulation, and interpretation of the mathematical attributes of sets or populations too numerous or extensive for exhaustive measurements [< Ger statistik < ModL statisticus: see STATISTICAL]

Statius (stei´shi: эs, stei´shэs), Pub·li·us Pa·pin·i·us (pûb´li: эs pэ pin´i: эs) c. A.D. 45-c. 96; Rom. poet

statoblast (stæt´э blæst') •n. Zool. a bud, enclosed in a hard covering, produced by most freshwater bryozoans, able to survive freezing, drying, etc. to germinate and form a new colony [< Gr statos, standing (see STATOCYST) + -BLAST]

statocyst (-sist') •n. 1 Bot. a plant cell containing plastids, starch grains, or other statoliths 2 Zool. a sense organ found in many invertebrate animals, consisting typically of a fluid-filled sac lined with small sensory hairs and containing one or more tiny, free, sandlike grains, or statoliths: it functions as an organ of balance or equilibrium stat'o·cys´tic (-sis´tik) •adj. [< Gr statos, standing < histanai, to STAND + -CYST]

statolith (-liθ') •n. 1 Bot. any of the small, freely moving concretions, often a starch grain, found in statocysts 2 Zool. OTOLITH (sense 2) stat'o·lith´ic •adj. [< Gr statos, standing (see STATOCYST) + -LITH]

stator (steit´эr) •n. a fixed part forming the pivot or housing for a revolving part (rotor), as in a motor, dynamo, etc. [ModL < L, one who stands < pp. of stare, to STAND]

statoscope (stæt´э skoup') •n. 1 a highly sensitive aneroid barometer 2 such a barometer adapted for use as an altimeter to indicate slight variations in the altitude of an aircraft [< Gr statos, standing (see STATOCYST) + -SCOPE]

stats (stæts) •n.pl. [Colloq.] short for STATISTICS (sense 1)

statuary (stæch´u: er'i:) pl. -ar'ies •n. 1 statues collectively; group of statues 2 the art of making statues 3 now rare var. of SCULPTOR •adj. of or suitable for statues [L statuaria < statuarius, of statues < statua, STATUE]

statue (stæch´u:) •n. the figure of a person or animal, or an imagined or abstract form, carved in stone, wood, etc., modeled in a plastic substance or cast in plaster, bronze, etc., esp. when done in the round rather than in relief [OFr < L statua < statuere, to set, place < pp. of stare, to STAND]

Statue of Liberty a colossal copper statue personifying Liberty in the form of a crowned woman holding a torch in her upraised hand: it was given to the U.S. by France and is located on Liberty Island in New York harbor: official name Liberty Enlightening the World

statued (stæch´u:d) •adj. ornamented with or represented in a statue or statues

statuesque (stæch'u esk´) •adj. of or like a statue; specif., a) tall and well-proportioned b) having a stately grace and dignity stat'u·esque´ly •adv. stat'u·esque´ness •n. [STATU(E) + -ESQUE]

statuette (-et´) •n. a small statue [Fr, dim. of statue]

stature (stæch´эr) •n. 1 the height of a person, or sometimes an animal, in a natural standing position 2 development, growth, or level of attainment, esp. as worthy of esteem {moral stature} SYN. HEIGHT [ME < OFr estature < L statura, height or size of body < statuere: see STATUE]

status (stæt´эs, steit´-) pl. -tus·es •n. 1 condition or position with regard to law {the status of a minor} 2 a) position; rank; standing {high status} b) high position; prestige {seeking status} 3 state or condition, as of affairs {economic status} SYN. STATE [L: see STATE]

status quo (kwou´) the existing state of affairs (at a particular time): also status in quo [L, lit., the state in which]

status symbol a possession, practice, etc. regarded as a mark of social status, esp. high social status

statutable (stæch´u: tэ bэl) •adj. STATUTORY

statute (stæch´u:t) •n. 1 an established rule; formal regulation 2 a) a law passed by a legislative body and set forth in a formal document b) such a document SYN. LAW [ME < OFr statut < LL statutum, neut. of L statutus, pp. of statuere: see STATUE]

statute book a book or other record of the body of statutes of a particular jurisdiction

statute law law established by a legislative body

statute mile a unit of linear measure (5,280 feet) See MILE

statute of limitations a statute limiting the period within which a specific legal action may be taken

statutory (stæch´u: tör'i:) •adj. 1 of, or having the nature of, a statute or statutes 2 fixed, authorized, or established by statute 3 declared by statute to be such, and hence legally punishable: said of an offense

statutory rape the crime of having sexual intercourse with a girl below the AGE OF CONSENT

staunch (stönch, stänch) •vt. 1 to stop or check (the flow of blood or of tears, etc.) from (a wound, opening, etc.) 2 a) to stop or lessen (the flow or drain of funds, resources, etc.) b) to stop up or close off (a source of draining or leakage) 3 [Now Chiefly Dial.] a) to quench; quell b) to allay; appease •vi. to cease flowing or draining out or away •adj. [OFr estanche, fem. of estanc, akin to v.] 1 watertight; seaworthy {a staunch ship} 2 firm; steadfast; loyal {a staunch supporter} 3 strong; solidly made; substantial Also stanch For the adj., staunch is now the prevailing form in the U.S.; for the v., usage is about evenly divided between staunch and stanch SYN. FAITHFUL staunch´ly •adv. staunch´ness •n. [ME stanchen < OFr estanchier < VL *stanticare, to bring to a stop < L stans: see STANCE]

staurolite (stör´э lait') •n. a dark-colored mineral, a silicate of iron and aluminum: the crystals are often found twinned in the form of a cross stau'ro·lit´ic (-lit´ik) •adj. [Fr < Gr stauros, a cross, post < IE *steu- > ON staurr, post (see STORE) + -lite, -LITE]

Stavanger (stä væŋ´эr) seaport in SW Norway, on the North Sea: pop. 92,000

stave (steiv) •n. 1 a) any of the thin, shaped strips of wood or metal, set edge to edge to form or strengthen the wall of a barrel, bucket, etc. b) any similar slat, bar, rung, stay, etc. 2 a stick or staff 3 a set of verses, or lines, of a song or poem; stanza 4 Music STAFF¹ (sense 5) •vt. staved or stove, stav´ing 1 a) to puncture or smash, esp. by breaking in a stave or staves b) to beat as with a staff 2 to furnish with staves •vi. to be or become stove in, as a boat; break up or in stave in to break or crush inward stave off to ward off, hold off, or put off, as by force, guile, etc. [ME, taken as sing. of staves, pl. of staf, STAFF¹]

staves (steivz) •n. 1 alt. pl. of STAFF¹ 2 pl. of STAVE

stavesacre (steivz´ei'kэr) •n. 1 a tall, purple-flowered delphinium (Delphinium staphisagria) of Europe and Asia, with poisonous seeds having strongly emetic and cathartic properties 2 its seeds [ME staphisagre < ML staphisagria < Gr staphis, raisin + agrios, wild; akin to agros: see ACRE]

Stavropol (stäv´řô pôl'yª) city in Russia, in the N Caucasus: pop. 293,000

stay¹ (stei) •n. a heavy rope or cable, usually of wire, used as a brace or support, as for a mast of a ship; guy •vt. 1 to brace or support with a stay or stays 2 to change the angle of (a mast) by shifting the stays 3 to put (a ship) on the other tack •vi. to tack: said of a ship in stays in the process of tacking: said of a ship [ME staie < OE stæg, akin to Du stag < IE *stāk-, to stand, place < base *sta-: see STAND]

stay² (stei) •n. 1 anything used as a support, or prop 2 a strip of stiffening material used in a corset, the collar of a shirt, etc. 3 [pl.] [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a corset stiffened as with whalebone •vt. 1 to support, or prop up 2 to strengthen, comfort, or sustain in mind or spirit 3 to cause (something) to rest on, upon, or in for support [MFr estaie < Frank *stakka: see STICK]

stay³ (stei) stayed, stay´ing •vi. 1 to continue in the place or condition specified; remain; keep {to stay at home, to stay healthy} 2 to live, dwell, or reside, esp. temporarily (for the time specified) 3 to stand still; stop; halt 4 to pause; tarry; wait; delay 5 [Colloq.] to continue or endure; last {to stay with a project} 6 [Colloq.] to keep up (with another contestant in a race, etc.) 7 [Archaic] to cease doing something 8 [Archaic] to make a stand Æ 9 Poker to remain in a hand by meeting the bet or raise •vt. 1 to stop, halt, or check 2 to hinder, impede, restrain, or detain 3 to postpone or delay (legal action or proceedings) 4 [Rare] to quell or allay (strife, etc.) 5 to satisfy or appease for a time the pangs or cravings of (thirst, appetite, etc.) 6 a) to remain through or during (often with out) {to stay the week (out)} b) to be able to last through {to stay the distance in a long race} 7 [Archaic] to await •n. 1 a) a stopping or being stopped b) a stop, halt, check, or pause 2 a postponement or delay in legal action or proceedings {a stay of execution} 3 a) the action of remaining or continuing in a place for a time b) time spent in a place {a long stay in the hospital} 4 [Colloq.] ability to continue or endure Æ stay put [Colloq.] to remain in place or unchanged SYN.—stay, the general term, implies a continuing in a specified place [stay there until you hear from me]; remain specifically suggests a staying behind while others go [he alone remained at home]; wait suggests a staying in anticipation of something [wait for me at the library]; abide, now somewhat archaic, implies a staying fixed for a relatively long period, as in a settled residence [he came for a visit and has been abiding here since]; tarry and linger imply a staying on after the required or expected time for departure, linger esp. implying that this is deliberate, as from reluctance to leave [we tarried in town two days, he lingered at his sweetheart's door] —ANT. go, leave, depart [ME staien < Anglo-Fr estaier < OFr ester < L stare, to STAND]

staying power ability to last or endure; endurance

staysail (-seil'; naut., -sэl) •n. a triangular, fore-and-aft rigged sail fastened on a stay

STB or S.T.B. Bachelor of Sacred Theology [L Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus]

St-Cloud (sæñ klu:´) city in NC France: suburb of Paris: pop. 26,000

std standard STD 1 Doctor of Sacred Theology: also S.T.D. [L Sacrae Theologiae Doctor] 2 sexually transmitted disease

St-Denis (sæñd ni:´) 1 city in NC France: suburb of Paris: pop. 94,000 2 capital of Réunion Island: pop. 126,000

Ste Saint (female) [< Fr Sainte]

stead (sted) •n. 1 the place or position of a person or thing as filled by a replacement, substitute, or successor {to send another in one's stead} 2 advantage, service, or avail: now only in stand someone in good stead, to give someone good use, service, or advantage 3 [Obs.] a place, site, or locality •vt. [Archaic] to be of advantage, service, or avail to [ME stede < OE, akin to Ger statt, a place, stadt, town < IE base *stā-, to STAND]

steadfast (sted´fæst', -fäst', -fэst) •adj. 1 firm, fixed, settled, or established 2 not changing, fickle, or wavering; constant stead´fast'ly •adv. stead´fast'ness •n. [ME stedefast < OE stedefæste: see STEAD & FAST¹]

steading (sted´iŋ) •n. Brit. var. of FARMSTEAD [ME steding: see STEAD & -ING]

steady (sted´i:) stead´i·er, stead´i·est •adj. 1 that does not shake, tremble, totter, etc.; firm; fixed; stable 2 constant, regular, uniform, or continuous; not changing, wavering, or faltering {a steady gaze, a steady diet, a steady rhythm} 3 not given to sudden changes in behavior, loyalty, disposition, etc. 4 habitual or regular; by habit {a steady customer} 5 not easily agitated, excited, or upset; calm and controlled {steady nerves} 6 grave; sober; staid; reliable; not frivolous or dissipated 7 keeping almost upright, as in a rough sea, or staying headed in the same direction: said of a ship •interj. 1 remain calm and controlled! 2 keep the ship headed in the same direction! •vt., vi. stead´ied, stead´y·ing to make or become steady •n. Æ [Colloq.] a person whom one dates regularly and exclusively; sweetheart •adv. in a steady manner Æ go steady [Colloq.] 1 to date someone of the opposite sex regularly and exclusively 2 to date each other regularly and exclusively stead´i·ly •adv. stead´i·ness •n. SYN.—steady implies a fixed regularity or constancy, esp. of movement, and an absence of deviation, fluctuation, faltering, etc. [a steady breeze]; even, often interchangeable with steady, emphasizes the absence of irregularity or inequality [an even heartbeat]; uniform implies a sameness or likeness of things, parts, events, etc., usually as the result of conformity with a fixed standard [a uniform wage rate]; regular emphasizes the orderliness or symmetry resulting from evenness or uniformity [regular features, attendance, etc.]; equable implies that the quality of evenness or regularity is inherent [an equable temper] —ANT. changeable, jerky [STEAD + -Y²]

steady-state (-steit') •adj. designating or of a system, operation, mixture, rate, etc. that does not change with time or that maintains a state of relative equilibrium even after undergoing fluctuations or transformations

steady-state theory a theory of cosmology, no longer favored, holding that new matter is continuously being created, thus keeping the density of the expanding universe constant: see BIG-BANG THEORY

steak (steik) •n. 1 a slice of meat, esp. beef, or of a large fish, cut thick for broiling or frying 2 ground beef cooked in this way [ME steike < ON steik < base of steikja, to roast on a spit: for IE base see STICK]

steak knife a table knife with a very sharp, often serrated, steel blade

steak tartare (tär tär´) ground sirloin or tenderloin steak mixed with chopped onion, raw egg yolk, etc. and eaten uncooked [tartare, pseudo-Fr for TARTAR: hence, steak in Tartar style]

steakhouse (-haus') •n. a restaurant that specializes in beefsteaks

steal (sti:l) stole, stol´en, steal´ing •vt. 1 to take or appropriate (another's property, ideas, etc.) without permission, dishonestly, or unlawfully, esp. in a secret or surreptitious manner 2 to get, take, or give slyly, surreptitiously, or without permission {to steal a look, to steal a kiss} 3 to take or gain insidiously or artfully {to steal someone's heart, to steal the puck in hockey} 4 to be the outstanding performer in (a scene, act, etc.), esp. in a subordinate role 5 to move, put, carry, or convey surreptitiously or stealthily (in, into, from, away, etc.) Æ 6 Baseball to gain (a base) safely without the help of a hit, walk, or error, usually by running to it from another base while the pitch is being delivered •vi. 1 to be a thief; practice theft 2 to move, pass, etc. stealthily, quietly, gradually, or without being noticed 3 Baseball to steal or attempt to steal a base •n. [Colloq.] 1 an act of stealing 2 something stolen 3 something obtained at a ludicrously low cost steal´er •n. [ME stelen < OE stælan, akin to Ger stehlen, prob. altered < IE base *ster-, to rob > Gr sterein, to rob]

stealth (stelθ) •n. 1 secret, furtive, or artfully sly action or behavior 2 of or incorporating technology designed to prevent military aircraft, etc. from being detected by enemy radar 3 [Obs.] theft [ME stelthe < base of stelen, to steal: see STEAL]

stealthy (stel´θi:) stealth´i·er, stealth´i·est •adj. characterized by stealth; secret, furtive, or sly SYN. SECRET stealth´i·ly •adv. stealth´i·ness •n.

steam (sti:m) •n. 1 orig., a vapor, fume, or exhalation 2 a) water as converted into an invisible vapor or gas by being heated to the boiling point; vaporized water: it is used for heating, cooking, cleaning, and, under pressure, as a source of power b) the power supplied by steam under pressure c) [Colloq.] driving force; vigor; energy 3 condensed water vapor, seen as the mist condensed on windows or in the air above boiling water •adj. 1 using steam; heated, operated, propelled, etc. by steam 2 containing or conducting steam {a steam pipe} 3 treated with, or exposed to the action of, steam •vi. 1 to give off steam or a steamlike vapor, esp. condensed water vapor 2 to rise or be given off as steam 3 to become covered with condensed steam, as a window: usually with up 4 to generate steam 5 to move or travel by or as if by steam power 6 [Colloq.] to seethe with anger, vexation, etc.; fume •vt. 1 to treat with, or expose to the action of, steam; cook, soften, remove, open, etc. by using steam 2 to give off (vapor) or emit as steam let (or blow) off steam [Colloq.] to express strong feeling; release pent-up emotion steam up [Colloq.] to make excited or angry [ME steme < OE steam, akin to Du stoom, WFris steam]

steam bath 1 the act of bathing by exposing oneself to steam, as to induce sweating 2 a room or establishment for so exposing oneself to steam

steam boiler a tank in which water is heated to produce steam and hold it under pressure

steam chest a compartment in a steam engine through which steam passes from the boiler to the cylinder

steam engine 1 an engine using steam under pressure to supply mechanical energy, usually through the action of a piston sliding in a cylinder 2 a locomotive powered by steam

steam heat heat given off by steam in a closed system of pipes and radiators

steam iron an electric iron that forms steam from water and releases it through the soleplate onto the material being pressed

steam room a room for taking a steam bath

steam shovel a large, mechanically operated digger, powered by steam

steam table a serving table or counter, as in restaurants, having a metal top with compartments heated by steam or hot water below, to keep foods warm

steam turbine a turbine turned by steam moving under great pressure

steamboat (-bout') •n. a steamship, esp. a relatively small one for use on inland waterways

steamer (sti:m´эr) •n. 1 something operated by steam power, as a steamship or, formerly, a steam-powered automobile 2 a container in which things are cooked, cleaned, etc. with steam 3 a person or thing that steams 4 SOFT-SHELL CLAM

steamer chair DECK CHAIR

steamer rug a heavy woolen blanket used by passengers in deck chairs on shipboard to cover the lap and legs

steamer trunk a broad, low, rectangular trunk, orig. designed to fit under a bunk on shipboard

steamfitter (sti:m´fit'эr) •n. a mechanic whose work is installing and maintaining boilers, pipes, etc. in steam-pressure systems steam´fit'ting •n.

steamroller (sti:m´roul'эr) •n. 1 a heavy, steam-driven machine with rollers used in building and repairing roads 2 an overwhelming power or influence, esp. when used relentlessly to force acceptance of a policy, override opposition, etc. •vt. 1 to bring overwhelming force to bear upon; crush or override as if with a steamroller 2 to cause the passage or defeat of (a legislative bill, etc.), or make (one's way, etc.), by crushing opposition or overriding obstacles •vi. to move with overwhelming force, or use steamroller tactics Also steam´roll' •adj. relentlessly overpowering

steamship (-ship') •n. a ship driven by steam power

steamtight (-tait') •adj. preventing leakage of steam

steamy (sti:m´i:) steam´i·er, steam´i·est •adj. 1 of or like steam 2 covered or filled with steam 3 giving off steam or steamlike vapor 4 [Slang] erotic steam´i·ly •adv. steam´i·ness •n.

Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré (seint æn´dэ bou prei´; Fr sæñ tån dэ bou přei´) village in S Quebec, Canada, on the St. Lawrence: site of a Rom. Catholic shrine (established 1620): pop. 3,300

steapsin (sti: æp´sin) •n. Biochem. the lipase present in pancreatic juice [< Gr stea(r), fat (see STONE) + (PE)PSIN]

stearate (sti:´э reit', stir´eit) •n. a salt or ester of stearic acid

stearic (sti: ær´ik, stir´ik) •adj. 1 of, derived from, or like stearin or fat 2 of or pertaining to stearic acid [Fr stéarique < Gr stear, tallow: see STONE]

stearic acid 1 a colorless, odorless, waxlike fatty acid, C18H36O2, found in many animal and vegetable fats, and used in making candles, stearates, soaps, etc. 2 a commercial mixture of palmitic and stearic acids

stearin (sti:´э rin, stir´in) •n. a white, crystalline substance, glyceryl stearate, (C18H35O2)3C3H5, found in the solid portion of most animal and vegetable fats and used in soaps, adhesives, textile sizes, etc.: also ste·a·rine (sti:´э rin, -ri:n'; stir´in, -i:n) [Fr stéarine: see STEARIC & -INE³]

stearoptene (sti:'э räp´ti:n) •n. the oxygenated, chiefly solid part of an essential oil [STEAR(IC) + (ELE)OPTENE]

steatite (sti: э tait') •n. a compact, usually impure, massive variety of talc, used to make electrical insulators, etc.; soapstone ste'a·tit´ic (-tit´ik) •adj. [L steatitis < Gr stear, tallow: see STONE]

steatolysis (sti:'э täl´э sis) •n. the hydrolysis of a fat into glycerol and fatty acids [ModL < Gr stear, gen. steatos, tallow (see STONE) + -LYSIS]

steatopygia (sti:'э tou pij´i: э, -pai´ji: э) •n. a heavy deposit of fat in the buttocks or thighs, esp. in Hottentot women Also ste'a·to´py·gy (-tä´pэ ji:) ste'a·to·pyg´ic or ste'a·to·py´gous (-pai´gэs) •adj. [ModL < Gr stear (see STEATOLYSIS) + pygē, buttocks < IE base *pu-, to swell > L pustula: see PUSTULE]

steatorrhea (sti:'э tэ ri:´э) •n. an excessive amount of fat in the feces [ModL < Gr stear (see STONE) + -RRHEA]

stedfast (sted´fæst', -fäst', -fэst) •adj. early var. of STEADFAST sted´fast'ly •adv. sted´fast'ness •n.

steed (sti:d) •n. a horse, esp. a high-spirited riding horse: literary term [ME stede < OE steda, stud horse, stallion < base of stod, STUD²]

steel (sti:l) •n. 1 a hard, tough metal composed of iron alloyed with various small percentages of carbon and often variously with other metals, as nickel, chromium, manganese, etc., to produce hardness, resistance to rusting, etc. 2 something made of steel; specif., a) [Old Poet.] a sword or dagger b) a piece of steel used with flint for making sparks c) a steel strip used for stiffening d) a roughened steel rod on which to sharpen knives 3 great strength, hardness, or toughness 4 [often pl.] shares of stock in steel-making companies 5 [Colloq.] STEEL GUITAR •adj. of or like steel •vt. 1 to cover or edge with steel 2 to make hard, tough, unfeeling, etc. [ME stel < OE stiele, stæli, akin to Ger stahl < IE *stak-, to stand: see STAY¹]

steel band a percussion band, of a kind originated in Trinidad, beating on steel oil drums modified to produce varying pitches

steel blue a metallic blue color like that of tempered steel steel´-blue´ •adj.

steel engraving 1 an engraving made on a steel plate 2 a print from this 3 the process used for this

steel gray a bluish-gray color steel´-gray´ •adj.

steel guitar a type of guitar, now esp. an electric guitar, with raised metal strings, held on the lap or mounted on legs and played by plucking while sliding a steel bar across the strings to change the pitch

steel mill a mill where steel is made, processed, and shaped

steel wool long, hairlike shavings of steel in a pad or ball, used for scouring, smoothing, and polishing

Steele (sti:l), Sir Richard 1672-1729; Brit. essayist & dramatist, born in Ireland

steelhead (sti:l´hed') pl. -head' •n.or -heads' a rainbow trout that has returned from the sea

steelwork (sti:l´wørk') •n. 1 articles or parts made of steel 2 [pl., often with sing. v.] STEEL MILL

steelworker (-wørk'эr) •n. a worker in a steel mill

steely (sti:l´i:) steel´i·er, steel´i·est •adj. 1 of or like steel, as in hardness 2 severe; stern {a steely glare} steel´i·ness •n.

steelyard (sti:l´yärd', stil´yэrd) •n. a balance or scale consisting of a metal arm suspended off center from above: the object to be weighed is hung from the shorter end, and a sliding weight is moved along the graduated longer end until the whole arm balances [STEEL + YARD¹ (in obs. sense of rod, bar)]

Steen (stein), Jan (yän) 1626-79; Du. painter

steenbok (sti:n´bäk', stein´-) pl. -bok' or -boks' STEINBOK Also steen´buck' (-bûk') •n. [Afrik < Du steen, STONE + bok, BUCK¹]

steep¹ (sti:p) •adj. 1 having a sharp rise or highly inclined slope; precipitous {a steep incline} 2 [Colloq.] a) unreasonably high or great; exorbitant; excessive {steep demands, a steep price} b) extreme; exaggerated {a rather steep statement} 3 [Obs.] high; lofty •n. a steep slope or incline steep´ly •adv. steep´ness •n. SYN.—steep suggests such sharpness of rise or slope as to make ascent or descent very difficult [a steep hill]; abrupt implies a sharper degree of inclination in a surface breaking off suddenly from the level [an abrupt bank at the river's edge]; precipitous suggests the abrupt and headlong drop of a precipice [a precipitous height]; sheer applies to that which is perpendicular, or almost so, and unbroken throughout its length [cliffs falling sheer to the sea] [ME < OE steap, lofty, high, akin to OFris steep, MHG stouf, cliff (as in Ger Hohenstaufen) < IE *steup- < base *(s)teu-, to strike, butt > STOCK, STUB, L tundere, to strike]

steep² (sti:p) •vt. 1 to soak in liquid, so as to soften, clean, extract the essence of, etc. 2 to immerse, saturate, absorb, or imbue {steeped in folklore} •vi. to be steeped, as tea leaves •n. 1 a steeping or being steeped 2 liquid in which something is steeped SYN. SOAK [ME stepen, akin to ON steypa, to overturn, cast (metals), plunge into: for prob. IE base see STEEP1]

steepen (-эn) •vt., vi. to make or become steep or steeper

steeple (sti:´pэl) •n. 1 a tower rising above the main structure of a building, esp. of a church, usually capped with a spire 2 a church tower with a spire; also, the spire [ME stepel < OE < base of steap, lofty: see STEEP¹]

steeplebush (-bush') •n. a shrub (Spiraea tomentosa) of the rose family, with clusters of pink, purple, or sometimes white flowers and hairy leaves, native to the E U.S. [from the steeplelike shape of the flower clusters]

steeplechase (-cheis') •n. 1 orig., a cross-country horse race 2 a horse race run over a prepared course with artificial obstructions, such as ditches, hedges, and walls 3 a cross-country footrace or one run over a prepared course with ditches and other obstacles •vi. -chased', -chas'ing to ride or run in a steeplechase stee´ple·chas'er •n. [the race orig. had as its goal a distant, visible steeple]

steeplejack (-jæk') •n. a person whose work is building, painting, or repairing steeples, smokestacks, etc.

steer¹ (stir) •vt. 1 to guide (a ship or boat) by means of a rudder 2 to direct the course or movement of {to steer an automobile} 3 to oversee, direct, or guide {to steer a team to victory} 4 to set and follow (a course) •vi. 1 to steer a ship, automobile, etc. 2 to be steered or guided {a car that steers easily} 3 to set and follow a course or way •n. Æ [Colloq.] a suggestion on how to proceed; tip steer clear of to avoid steer´a·ble •adj. [ME steren < OE stieran, akin to Ger steuern, ON styra < IE *steur-, a support, post (> Gr stauros, ON staurr, post) < base *stā-, to STAND]

steer² (stir) •n. 1 any castrated male cattle 2 loosely, any male cattle raised for beef [ME ster < OE steor, akin to Ger stier < IE *steu-ro (> MPers stor, horse, draft animal) < base *stā-, to STAND]

steerage (stir´ij) •n. 1 a) the act of steering (a ship, etc.) b) the response of a ship to the helmsman's guidance 2 [Historical] a section in some ships, with the poorest accommodations, occupied by the passengers paying the lowest fare [orig. located near the steering mechanism]

steerageway (-wei') •n. the minimum forward speed needed to make a ship respond to the helmsman's guidance

steering committee a committee, as of a legislative body, appointed to arrange the order of business

steering gear any mechanism used for steering, as in a ship, automobile, airplane, etc.

steering wheel a wheel that is turned by hand to operate a steering gear

steersman (stirz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person who steers a ship or boat; helmsman

steeve¹ (sti:v) steeved, steev´ing •vt. to stow (cargo), as in the hold of a ship, by means of a spar or derrick •n. such a spar or derrick [Fr estiver < Sp or Port estivar < L stipare, to compress, cram: see STONE]

steeve² (sti:v) steeved, steev´ing •vi., vt. to set or be set at an angle above the line of the horizon or of the keel: said of a bowsprit •n. the angle so formed [< ? or akin to OFr estive, tail of a plow < L stiva, plow handle]

Stefansson (stef´æn sэn), Vil·hjal·mur (vil´hyaul'mэr) 1879-1962; U.S. arctic explorer, born in Canada

stegosaurus (steg'э sör´эs) pl. -ri (-ai) •n. any of a suborder (Stegosauria, order Ornithischia) of large Upper Jurassic dinosaurs having a small head and heavy bony plates with sharp spikes down the backbone [ModL < Gr stegos, roof (see THATCH) + -SAURUS]

Steichen (stai´kэn), Edward 1879-1973; U.S. photographer, born in Luxembourg

Steiermark (shtai´эř mäřk') Ger. name of STYRIA

Stein (stain), Gertrude 1874-1946; U.S. writer in France stein (stain) •n. 1 an earthenware beer mug, or a similar mug of pewter, glass, etc. 2 the amount that a stein will hold, about a pint [Ger < steingut, stoneware < stein, STONE + gut, goods]

Steinbeck (stain´bek'), John (Ernst) 1902-68; U.S. novelist & short-story writer

steinbok (stain´bäk') pl. -bok' •n.or -boks' a small, reddish antelope (Raphicerus campestris) found in grassy areas of S and E Africa [Ger steinbock < stein, STONE + bock, BUCK¹]

Steinmetz (stain´mets), Charles Proteus 1865-1923; U.S. electrical engineer & inventor, born in Germany

stela (sti:´lэ) pl. -lae (-li:) STELE (senses 1 & 2) •n.

Stelazine (stel´э zi:n') trademark for a synthetic drug, C21H24F3N3S·2HCl, used as a tranquilizer in treating certain mental disorders [< stela-, arbitrary prefix + (THI)AZINE]

stele (sti:´li:; also, & for 2 & 3 usually, sti:l) •n. 1 an upright stone slab or pillar engraved with an inscription or design and used as a monument, grave marker, etc. 2 a prepared surface, as on a façade, having an inscription, carved design, etc. 3 Bot. a central cylinder of vascular tissues in the stems and roots of plants [L stela < Gr stēlē, post, slab < IE base *stel- > STILL¹]

Stella (stel´э) a feminine name: see ESTELLE [see STELLAR]

stellar (stel´эr) •adj. 1 of the stars or a star 2 like a star, as in shape 3 by or as by a star performer; excellent; outstanding 4 leading; chief {a stellar role} [LL stellaris < L stella, a STAR]

stellarator (stel´э reit'эr) •n. Physics a device shaped like the figure 8 used to investigate the production of a controlled thermonuclear reaction by using changeable magnetic fields to confine a plasma [prec. + -ATOR]

stellate (stel´eit', -it) •adj. shaped like a star; coming out in rays or points from a center Also stel´lat'ed stel´late'ly •adv. [L stellatus, pp. of stellare, to cover with stars < stella, a STAR]

stelliform (stel´э förm') •adj. shaped like a star [ModL stelliformis < L stella, STAR + -formis, -FORM]

stellular (-yu: lэr) •adj. 1 shaped like a small star or stars 2 covered with small stars or starlike spots [< LL stellula, dim. of L stella, STAR + -AR]

stem turn a turn made in skiing by stemming with one of the skis and bringing the other parallel

stem¹ (stem) •n. 1 the main upward-growing axis of a plant, having nodes and bearing leaves, usually extending in a direction opposite to that of the root and above the ground, and serving to support the plant and to transport and store food materials; specif., the main stalk or trunk of a tree, shrub, or other plant, from which leaves, flowers, and fruit develop 2 a) any stalk or part supporting leaves, flowers, or fruit, as a pedicel, petiole, or peduncle b) a stalk of bananas 3 a piece or part like a stem; specif., a) the slender part of a tobacco pipe between the bowl and the bit, esp. the part between the shank and the bit b) a narrow supporting part between the foot and the bowl, as of a wineglass c) the cylindrical shaft projecting from a watch, with a knurled knob at its end for winding the spring, setting the hands, etc. d) the rounded rod in some locks, about which the key fits and is turned e) the main or thick stroke of a letter, as in printing f) the vertical line forming part of a musical note (other than a whole note) g) the shaft of a feather or hair 4 a) the upright piece to which the side timbers or plates are attached to form the prow of a ship b) the forward part of a ship; prow; bow 5 main line of descent of a family; ancestry; stock 6 Linguis. the part of a word, consisting of a root or a root with one or more affixes, to which inflectional endings are added or in which inflectional phonetic changes are made {the present stem bring is the base to which -s may be added to form brings} •vt. stemmed, stem´ming 1 to remove the stem or stems from (a fruit, etc.) 2 to provide (artificial flowers, etc.) with stems 3 to make headway or progress against {to row upstream, stemming the current} [< n. 4] •vi. to originate, derive, or be descended SYN. RISE from stem to stern 1 from one end of a ship to the other 2 through the entire length of anything stem´less •adj. stem´like' •adj. [ME < OE stemn, stefn, akin to Ger stamm, tree trunk < IE base *stebh-, post, pole > STEP, STAFF¹]

stem² (stem) stemmed, stem´ming •vt. 1 to stop or check; esp., to dam up (a river, etc.), or to stop or check as if by damming up 2 to stop up, plug, or tamp (a hole, etc.) 3 to turn (a ski) in stemming •vi. to stop or slow down in skiing by turning one ski (single stemming) or both skis (double stemming) with the heel thrust outward and the tip of the ski(s) turned in •n. an act or manner of stemming on skis [ME < ON stemma (akin to Ger stemmen), to stop: see STAMMER]

stemma (stem´э) pl. stem·ma·ta (stem´э tэ) or stem´mas •n. 1 FAMILY TREE (sense 1) 2 a record or diagram showing the connections between manuscripts of a given literary work stem·mat·ic (stem æt´ik) •adj.

stemmed (stemd) •adj. 1 having a stem, usually of a specified kind {a thin-stemmed goblet} 2 with the stem or stems removed

stemmer (stem´эr) •n. a person or thing that stems; specif., one that removes stems as from fruit or tobacco

stemson (stem´sэn) •n. a timber connecting stem and keelson in the frame of a wooden ship [STEM¹ + (KEEL)SON]

stemware (stem´wer') •n. goblets, wineglasses, etc. having stems

stemwinder (stem´wain'dэr) •n. 1 a stem-winding watch 2 a rousing speech

stem-winding (-wain'diŋ) •adj. wound by turning a knurled knob at the outer end of the stem

stench (stench) •n. an offensive smell or odor; stink [ME < OE stenc < base of stincan, to STINK]

stencil (sten´sэl) -ciled or -cilled, -cil·ing or -cil·ling •vt. to make, mark, or paint with a stencil •n. 1 a thin sheet, as of paper, metal, or impermeable film, perforated or cut through in such a way that when ink, paint, etc. is applied to the sheet, the patterns, designs, letters, etc. are marked on the surface beneath 2 a pattern, design, letter, etc. made by stenciling sten´cil·er or sten´cil·ler •n. [< ME stansilen, to ornament with spangles < OFr estenceler < estencele, spangle, spark < VL *stincilla, for L scintilla, spark: see SCINTILLATE]

Stendhal (sten´däl; Fr stæñ dål´) (pseud. of Marie Henri Beyle) 1783-1842; Fr. novelist and essayist

steno (sten´ou) pl. sten´os •n. short for: 1 STENOGRAPHER 2 STENOGRAPHY

steno- (sten´ou, -э) combining form narrow, thin, small {stenography} [< Gr stenos, narrow < IE base *sten- > OE stith, hard, austere]

stenobath (sten´э bæθ') •n. Biol. an organism that can live only in a narrow range of water depths: opposed to EURYBATH sten'o·bath´ic •adj. [prec. + Gr bathos, depth]

stenograph (sten´э græf', -gräf') •vt. to write in shorthand •n. Æ a keyboard machine that prints shorthand symbols [back-form. < fol.]

stenographer (stэ näg´rэ fэr) •n. a person skilled in stenography

stenography (-fi:) •n. shorthand writing; specif., the skill or work of writing down dictation, testimony, etc. in shorthand and later transcribing it, as on a typewriter sten·o·graph·ic (sten'э græf´ik) or sten'o·graph´i·cal •adj. sten'o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.

stenohaline (sten'э hei´lain', -hæl´ain') •adj. Biol. able to exist only in waters with a very narrow range in their salt content: opposed to EURYHALINE [STENO- + HAL(O)- + -INE³]

stenohygric (-hai´grik) •adj. Biol. able to withstand only a narrow range of humidity: opposed to EURYHYGRIC [STENO- + HYGR- + -IC]

stenoky (stэ nou´ki:) •n. Biol. the ability of an organism to live only under a very narrow range of environmental conditions: opposed to EUROKY ste·no´kous (-kэs) •adj. [< STEN(O)- + -oky: see EUROKY]

stenophagous (stэ näf´э gэs) •adj. Biol. eating only a limited variety of foods: opposed to EURYPHAGOUS

stenosed (stэ noust´, -nouzd´) •adj. that has undergone stenosis; narrowed; constricted

stenosis (stэ nou´sis) •n. Med. a narrowing, or constriction, of a passage, duct, opening, etc. ste·not´ic (-nät´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr stenōsis: see STENO- & -OSIS]

stenotherm (sten´э θørm') •n. an organism that can live only in a narrow range of temperatures: opposed to EURYTHERM sten'o·ther´mal (-θør´mэl), sten'o·ther´mous (-mэs), or sten'o·ther´mic (-mik) •adj.

stenotopic (sten'э täp´ik) •adj. Biol. able to withstand only a limited range of variations in environmental conditions: opposed to EURYTOPIC [< Ger stenotop, stenotopic (< steno-, STENO- + -top < Gr topos, place: see TOPIC) + -IC]

stenotype (sten´э taip') •n. 1 a symbol or symbols representing a sound, word, or phrase in stenotypy 2 a keyboard machine that prints such symbols •vt. -typed', -typ'ing to record by stenotype

stenotypy (-tai'pi:) •n. shorthand in which symbols representing sounds, words, or phrases are typed on a keyboard machine sten´o·typ'ist •n.

Stentor (sten´tör') a Greek herald in the Trojan War, described in the Iliad as having the voice of fifty men •n. 1 [usually s-] a person having a very loud voice 2 [s-] any of a genus (Stentor) of large, trumpet-shaped, ciliate protozoans, found in stagnant fresh waters [L < Gr Stentōr, akin to stenein, to rumble, roar < IE base *(s)ten- > L tonare, to THUNDER]

stentorian (sten tör´i: эn) •adj. very loud [prec. + -IAN]

step (step) •n. 1 the act of moving and placing the foot forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, as in walking, dancing, or climbing 2 the distance covered by such a movement 3 a short distance 4 a) a manner of stepping; gait b) any of various paces or strides in marching {the goose step} c) a sequence of movements in dancing, usually repeated in a set pattern 5 the sound of stepping; tread; footfall 6 a mark or impression made by stepping; footprint 7 a rest for the foot in climbing, as a stair or the rung of a ladder 8 [pl.] a) a flight of stairs b) [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a stepladder 9 something resembling a stair step; specif., a) a bend or angle, as in a supply pipe, for passing around an obstruction b) a shelf or ledge cut in mining or quarrying c) a raised frame or platform supporting the butt end of a mast d) any of a series of angled surfaces on the underside of the hull of a hydroplane or seaplane 10 a degree; rank; level; stage {one step nearer victory} 11 any of a series of acts, processes, etc. {explain the next step} 12 Music a) a degree of the staff or scale b) the interval between two consecutive degrees •vi. stepped, step´ping [ME steppen < OE steppan] 1 to move by executing a step or steps 2 to walk, esp. a short distance {step outside} 3 to move with measured steps, as in dancing 4 to move quickly or briskly: often with along 5 to come or enter (into a situation, condition, etc.) {to step into a fortune} 6 a) to put the foot down (on or in something) b) to press down with the foot (on something) {to step on the brake} •vt. 1 to take (one or more strides or paces) 2 a) to set (the foot) down b) to move across or over on foot 3 to execute the steps of (a dance) 4 to measure by taking steps: usually with off {step off ten paces} 5 to provide with steps; specif., a) to cut steps in (a slope, etc.) b) to arrange in a series of degrees or grades {to step tests} 6 Naut. to set and fix (a mast) in its step break step to stop marching in cadence in step 1 conforming to a rhythm or cadence as in marching or dancing; esp., conforming to the cadence of another marcher or other marchers 2 in conformity or agreement keep step to stay in step out of step not in step step by step carefully or slowly; by degrees; gradually step down Æ 1 to resign or abdicate (from an office, position, etc.) Æ 2 to decrease or reduce, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees step in to intervene step it to dance step on it [Colloq.] to go faster; hurry; hasten step out 1 to leave a room or building for a short time 2 to start to walk briskly, esp. with long strides Æ 3 [Colloq.] to go out for a good time 4 [Colloq.] to be unfaithful to: with on step up 1 to go or come near; approach 2 to advance or progress Æ 3 to increase or raise, as in rate, by or as by one or more steps, or degrees take steps to adopt certain means or measures in order to facilitate, hinder, or modify something Æ watch one's step 1 to exercise care in walking or stepping 2 [Colloq.] to be careful or cautious [ME steppe < OE stepe, akin to Ger stapf < IE base *steb(h)-, post (> STAMP): basic sense to stamp feet]

step- (step) combining form related through the remarriage of a parent {stepchild, stepparent} [ME < OE steop-, orphaned (akin to Ger stief-, ON stjup-) < base of stiepan, to bereave, prob. < IE *(s)teub-, to strike (hence cut off) > STUMP, STEEP¹: orig. used of orphaned children]

stepbrother (step´brûð'эr) •n. one's stepparent's son by a former marriage [prec. + BROTHER]

stepchild (-chaild') pl. -chil'dren (-chil'drэn) •n. a child that one's husband or wife had by a former marriage [ME < OE steopcild: see STEP- & CHILD]

stepdaughter (-döt'эr) •n. a female stepchild

step-down (-daun') •adj. that steps down, or decreases; specif., a) designating a transformer that converts electric power or signals from a higher to a lower voltage b) designating a gear that reduces the speed •n. a decrease, as in amount, intensity, etc.

stepfather (-fä'ðэr) •n. a male stepparent

Stephanie (stef´э ni:) a feminine name [var. of Stephana, fem. of Stephanus: see STEPHEN]

stephanotis (stef'э nout´is) •n. any of a genus (Stephanotis) of climbing plants of the milkweed family; esp., a woody vine (S. floribunda) grown for its white, waxy, sweet-scented flowers [ModL < Gr stephanōtis, fit for a crown < stephanos, that which surrounds, a crown < stephein, to encircle, crown, prob. < IE base *steb(h)-, post, support, restrict > STAMP]

Stephen (sti:´vэn) 1 a masculine name: dim. Steve; var. Steven; equiv. L. Stephanus, Fr. Étienne, Ger. Stephan, It. Stefano, Sp. Esteban, Russ. Stepen; fem. Stephanie 2 Bible one of the seven chosen to assist the Apostles (Acts 6 & 7); the 1st Christian martyr: his day is Dec. 26: called Saint Stephen 3 Stephen (sometimes Stephen of Blois) c. 1097-1154: king of England (1135-54): grandson of William the Conqueror 4 Stephen I 975-1038; king of Hungary (1001-38): as Saint Stephen, his day is Aug. 16 5 Sir Leslie 1832-1904; Eng. critic & philosopher: father of Virginia Woolf [L Stephanus < Gr Stephanas < stephanos, a crown: see STEPHANOTIS]

Stephens (sti:´vэnz) 1 Alexander Hamilton 1812-83; U.S. statesman: vice president of the Confederacy (1861-65) 2 James 1882-1950; Ir. poet & novelist 3 John Lloyd 1805-52; U.S. explorer & archaeologist

Stephenson (sti:´vэn sэn) 1 George 1781-1848; Eng. engineer: developed the steam locomotive 2 Robert 1803-59; Eng. engineer & bridge builder: son of George

step-in (step´in') •adj. put on by being stepped into {a step-in dress} •n. 1 a step-in garment 2 [pl.] [Old-fashioned] short panties worn by women

stepladder (-læd'эr) •n. a ladder with broad, flat steps, typically consisting of two frames joined at the top, usually with a hinge, so that it stands on four legs

stepmother (-mûð'эr) •n. a female stepparent

Stepney (step´ni:) former metropolitan borough of E London, now part of Tower Hamlets

stepparent (-per'эnt, -pær'-) •n. the person who has married one's parent after the death of or divorce from the other parent; stepfather or stepmother [STEP- + PARENT]

steppe (step) •n. 1 any of the great plains of SE Europe and Asia, having few trees 2 any similar plain [Russ styep']

stepped-up (stept´ûp´) •adj. increased, as in tempo; accelerated

stepper (step´эr) •n. a person or animal that steps, usually in a specified manner, as a dancer or a horse

steppingstone (step´iŋ stoun') •n. 1 a stone, usually one of a series, used to step on, as in crossing a stream or soft turf 2 something used to better one's position or situation; means of advancement Also stepping stone

stepsister (step´sis'tэr) •n. one's stepparent's daughter by a former marriage [STEP- + SISTER]

stepson (-sûn') •n. a male stepchild

step-up (-ûp') •adj. that steps up, or increases; specif., a) designating a transformer that converts electric power or signals from a lower to a higher voltage b) designating a gear that increases the speed •n. an increase, as in amount, intensity, etc.

stepwise (-waiz') •adv. like a series of steps

ster sterling

-ster (stэr) suffix 1 a person who is, does, or creates (something specified): often derogatory {oldster, punster, rhymester, trickster} 2 a person associated with (something specified) {gangster} [ME < OE -estre, orig. a fem. agent suffix]

steradian (stэ rei´di: эn) •n. the unit of measure of solid angles, equal to the angle subtended at the center of a sphere of unit radius by unit area on its surface [STE(REO)- + RADIAN]

stercoraceous (stør'kэ rei´shэs) •adj. of, containing, like, or having the nature of feces, or dung [< L stercus (gen. stercoris), dung < IE base *(s)ter- > ON threkkr, Ger dreck, dirt, filth + -ACEOUS]

stercoricolous (stør'kэ rik´э lэs) •adj. Biol. living in dung, as some insects [< L stercus (see STERCORACEOUS) + -COLOUS]

sterculia (stør kyu:´li: э) •adj. designating a family (Sterculiaceae) of tropical, dicotyledonous plants (order Malvales), mostly shrubs and trees, including the cacao and cola [< L Sterculius, the deity presiding over manuring < stercus: see STERCORACEOUS]

stere (stir) •n. a cubic meter [Fr stère < Gr stereos, solid, cubic: see STEREO-]

stereo (ster´i: ou', stir´-) pl. -os' •n. Æ 1 a) a stereophonic high-fidelity sound reproduction device {turn on the stereo} b) a stereophonic system or effect {to record in stereo} 2 a) a stereoscopic system or effect b) a stereoscopic picture, film, etc. •adj. short for STEREOPHONIC

stereo- (ster´i: ou, stir´-; -i: э) combining form 1 solid, firm {stereotomy} 2 three-dimensional {stereoscope} Also, before some vowels, stere- [< Gr stereos, hard, firm, solid < IE base *ster-, stiff > STARE]

stereobate (ster´i: э beit', stir´-) •n. a foundation, as of a building, or a solid substructure or platform of masonry [L stereobata < Gr stereobatēs < stereos, solid (see STEREO-) + batēs, that which steps or treads < bainein, to COME]

stereochemistry (ster'i: ou kem´is tri:, stir'-) •n. the branch of chemistry dealing with the spatial arrangement of atoms or groups of atoms that make up molecules [STEREO- + CHEMISTRY]

stereogram (-græm') •n. 1 a stereographic diagram or picture 2 STEREOGRAPH

stereograph (-græf', -gräf') •n. a picture or a pair of pictures prepared for use with a stereoscope

stereography (ster'i: äg´rэ fi:, stir'-) •n. the art of representing the forms of solids on a plane surface; specif., the branch of solid geometry that deals with the construction of regularly defined solids ster'e·o·graph´ic (-э græf´ik) or ster'e·o·graph´i·cal •adj. ster'e·o·graph´i·cal·ly •adv.

stereoisomer (ster'i: ou ai´sэ mэr, stir'-) •n. any of two or more isomers containing the same number and kind of atoms linked in an identical manner in the molecule and differing from each other only in the spatial arrangement of the atoms or groups of atoms ster'e·o·i'so·mer´ic (-mer´ik) •adj. ster'e·o'i·som´er·ism' (-ai säm´эr iz'эm) •n.

stereometry (ster'i: äm´э tri:, stir'-) •n. the art of determining the dimensions and volume of solids ster'e·o·met´ric (-э me´trik) or ster'e·o·met´ri·cal •adj. ster'e·o·met´ri·cal·ly •adv.

stereophonic (ster'i: э fän´ik, stir'-) •adj. designating or of sound reproduction, as in films, records, tapes, or broadcasting, using two or more channels to carry and reproduce through separate speakers a blend of sounds from separate sources ster'e·o·phon´i·cal·ly •adv. ster'e·oph´o·ny (-äf´э ni:, ster´i: э fou'ni:, stir´-) •n.

stereopsis (-äp´sis) •n. stereoscopic vision [ModL: see STEREO- & -OPSIS]

stereopticon (-äp´ti kэn, -kän') •n. a kind of slide projector designed to allow one view to fade out while the next is fading in [< Gr stereos, solid (see STEREO-) + optikon, neut. of optikos, of sight, OPTIC]

stereoscope (ster´i: э skoup', stir´-) •n. an instrument with two eyepieces through which a pair of photographs of the same scene or subject, taken at slightly different angles, are viewed side by side: the two photographs are seen as a single picture apparently having depth, or three dimensions

stereoscopic (ster'i: э skäp´ik) •adj. 1 of or relating to stereoscopy 2 of or made by a stereoscope 3 3-D ster'e·o·scop´i·cal·ly •adv.

stereoscopy (ster'i: äs´kэ pi:, stir'-) •n. 1 the science of stereoscopic effects and techniques 2 the viewing of things as in three dimensions

stereotaxis (-э tæk´sis) •n. Biol. the positive, or negative, response of a freely moving organism to cling to, or avoid, a solid object after contact ster'e·o·tac´tic (-tæk´tik) •adj.

stereotomy (-ät´э mi:) •n. the art or science of cutting solid bodies, esp. stone, into desired shapes [Fr stéréotomie < stéréo-, STEREO- + -tomie, -TOMY]

stereotropism (-ät´rэ piz'эm) •n. Biol. a tropism in which the directing stimulus is contact with a solid body ster'e·o·trop´ic (-э träp´ik) •adj.

stereotype (ster´i: э taip', stir´-) •n. 1 a one-piece printing plate cast in type metal from a mold (matrix) taken of a printing surface, as a page of set type 2 STEREOTYPY 3 an unvarying form or pattern; specif., a fixed or conventional notion or conception, as of a person, group, idea, etc., held by a number of people, and allowing for no individuality, critical judgment, etc. •vt. -typed', -typ'ing 1 to make a stereotype of 2 to print from stereotype plates ster´e·o·typ'er or ster´e·o·typ'ist •n. [Fr adj. stéréotype: see STEREO- & -TYPE]

stereotyped (-taipt') •adj. 1 having the nature of a stereotype; esp., hackneyed; trite; not original or individualized 2 printed from stereotype plates SYN. TRITE

stereotypical (ster'i: э tip´i kªl, stir'-) •adj. 1 of or produced by stereotypy 2 stereotyped; hackneyed Also ster'e·o·typ´ic

stereotypy (ster´i: э tai'pi:, stir´-) •n. 1 the process of making or printing from stereotype plates 2 abnormal repetition of an action, speech phrase, etc., or abnormal sustained maintenance of a position or posture, as seen in some phases of schizophrenia [Fr stéréotypie]

steric (ster´ik, stir´-) •adj. Chem. having to do with the spatial arrangement of the atoms in a molecule ster´i·cal·ly •adv. [STER(EO-) + -IC]

steric hindrance the prevention or retardation of a chemical reaction, caused by the arrangement of atoms in a molecule

sterilant (ster´э lэnt) •n. a sterilizing agent, as great heat

sterile (ster´эl; Brit & Cdn, usually, -ail') •adj. 1 incapable of producing others of its kind; barren 2 producing little or nothing; unfruitful {sterile soil, a sterile policy} 3 lacking in interest or vitality; not stimulating or effective {a sterile style} 4 free from living microorganisms; esp., aseptic 5 Bot. a) unable or failing to bear fruit or spores, as a plant, or to germinate, as a seed b) having stamens only, as a male flower, or having neither pistils nor stamens ste·ril·i·ty (stэ ril´ э ti:) •n. SYN.—sterile and infertile imply incapability of producing offspring or fruit, as because of some disorder of the reproductive system; barren and unfruitful are specifically applied to a sterile woman or to plants or soil; impotent is specif. applied to a man who cannot engage in sexual intercourse because of an inability to have an erection All of these words have figurative uses [sterile thinking, an infertile mind, a barren victory, unfruitful efforts, impotent rage] —ANT. fertile [L sterilis < IE *ster-, barren (> Gr steira, barren, OE stierc, calf), special use of base *ster-, stiff, rigid > STARE]

sterilize (ster´э laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. to make sterile; specif., a) to make incapable of producing others of its kind, as by removing the organs of reproduction or preventing them from functioning effectively b) to make (land) unproductive c) to free from living microorganisms, as by subjecting to great heat or chemical action Also [Chiefly Brit.] ster´i·lise' ster·i·li·za·tion (ster'э li zei´shэn) •n. ster´i·liz'er •n.

sterlet (stør´lit) •n. a small sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) found in the Caspian Sea and used as food and as a source of caviar [Russ styerlyad']

sterling (stør´liŋ) •n. 1 orig., an early English silver penny: a pound weight of these pennies was later standardized as a money of account 2 English money having the fineness of quality of the standard silver penny 3 sterling silver or articles made of it 4 the standard of fineness of legal British coinage: for silver, 0.500; for gold, 0.91666 5 British money •adj. 1 of standard quality; specif., designating a silver alloy that is at least 92.5 percent pure silver 2 of or payable in British money 3 made of sterling silver 4 of genuinely high quality; excellent {sterling principles} [ME sterlinge, Norman silver penny < OFr esterlin < Frank *esterling, dim. < VL istater < LL(Ec) stater, STATER]

sterling area an association of countries that peg the value of their currencies to that of the British pound sterling, as esp. between 1931-72: also sterling bloc