spiny anteater ECHIDNA
spiny dogfish any of an order (Squaliformes) of sharks having a sharp single spine in front of each dorsal fin; esp., a small shark (Squalus acanthias)
spiny lobster any of a family (Palinuridae) of lobsters lacking large pincers and having a spiny shell
spiny-finned (spai´ni: find') •adj. having fins in which the membrane is supported by spines
spiny-headed worm (-hed'id) ACANTHOCEPHALAN
spiny-rayed (-reid') •adj. 1 having pointed, stiff rays: said of a fin 2 SPINY-FINNED
spir- SPIRO-² Used before a vowel
spiracle (spir´э kэl, spai´rэ-) •n. 1 a small opening allowing the outer air to come through into a confined space; air hole 2 Geol. a small vent formed on the surface of a thick lava flow 3 Zool. an aperture for breathing, as a) any of the small external openings of the tracheal respiratory system in most terrestrial arthropods, ordinarily along the sides of certain thoracic and abdominal segments; stigma b) any of various similar openings for the passage of air or respiratory water, as in tadpoles c) BLOWHOLE (sense 1) spi·rac·u·lar (spai ræk´yu lэr, spi-) •adj. [ME < L spiraculum < spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]
spiraea (spai ri:´э) •n. alt. sp. of SPIREA
spiral (spai´rэl) •adj. 1 circling around a central point in a flat curve that constantly increases (or decreases) in size; coiled or coiling in one plane 2 circling around a central axis in a curve of conical or cylindrical form; coiled or coiling in one plane •n. 1 a spiral curve occurring in a single plane 2 a spiral curve occurring in a series of planes; helix 3 something having a spiral form, as a wire for holding sheets in some notebooks 4 a spiral path or flight {the descending spiral of a falling leaf} 5 a section or segment of a spiral 6 a continuous, widening decrease or increase {an inflationary spiral ending in financial collapse} Æ 7 Football a kick or pass in which the ball rotates on its longer axis as it moves through the air •vi. -raled or -ralled, -ral·ing or -ral·ling to move in or form a spiral •vt. to cause to move in or form a spiral spi´ral·ly •adv. [ML spiralis < L spira, a coil < Gr speira: see SPIRE¹]
spiral galaxy a galaxy having the visible form of a spiral Also spiral nebula
spirant (spai´rэnt) •n. Phonet. a consonantal sound, as (sh) or (v), produced by the passage of breath through the partially closed oral cavity; fricative •adj. having the nature of a spirant; fricative [< L spirans, prp. of spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]
spire¹ (spair) •n. 1 a spiral or coil 2 any of the convolutions of a spiral or coil 3 Zool. the upper part of a spiral shell of a gastropod [Fr < L spira < Gr speira < IE base *sper-, to turn, wrap > Latvian sprangāt, to lace up]
spire² (spair) •n. 1 a sprout, spike, or stalk of a plant, a blade of grass, etc. 2 the top part of a pointed, tapering object or structure, as a mountain peak 3 anything that tapers to a point, as a pointed structure capping a tower or steeple •vi. spired, spir´ing to extend upward, tapering to a point; shoot up or rise in, or put forth, a spire or spires spired •adj. [ME < OE spir, akin to ON spīra: for IE base see SPIKE¹]
spirea (spai ri:´э) •n. any of a genus (Spiraea) of shrubs of the rose family, with dense clusters of small, pink or white flowers [< ModL Spiraea < L spiraea, meadowsweet < Gr speiraia < speira: see SPIRE¹]
spireme (spai´ri:m) •n. Biol. a thin, threadlike tangle of chromatin at the beginning of the prophase in mitosis [Gr speirēma, a coil < speira: see SPIRE¹]
spiriferous (spai rif´эr эs) •adj. Zool. characterized by a spire, or spiral structure, as some shells, or by spiral appendages, as a brachiopod [< ModL spirifer: see SPIRE¹ & -FEROUS]
spirillum (spai ril´эm) pl. -la (-э) •n. 1 any of a genus (Spirillum) of bacteria having the form of a spiral thread and characterized by flagella 2 any of various similar microorganisms [ModL, dim. of L spira: see SPIRE¹]
spirit (spir´it) •n. 1 a) the life principle, esp. in man, orig. regarded as inherent in the breath or as infused by a deity b) SOUL (sense 1) 2 the thinking, motivating, feeling part of man, often as distinguished from the body; mind; intelligence 3 [also S-] life, will, consciousness, thought, etc., regarded as separate from matter 4 a supernatural being, esp. one thought of as haunting or possessing a person, house, etc., as a ghost, or as inhabiting a certain region, being of a certain (good or evil) character, etc., as an angel, demon, fairy, or elf 5 an individual person or personality thought of as showing or having some specific quality {the brave spirits who pioneered} 6 [usually pl.] frame of mind; disposition; mood; temper {in high spirits} 7 vivacity, courage, vigor, enthusiasm, etc. {to answer with spirit} 8 enthusiasm and loyalty {school spirit} 9 real meaning; true intention {to follow the spirit if not the letter of the law} 10 a pervading animating principle, essential or characteristic quality, or prevailing tendency or attitude {the spirit of the Renaissance} 11 a divine animating influence or inspiration 12 [usually pl.] strong alcoholic liquor produced by distillation 13 [Obs.] a) any of certain substances or fluids thought of as permeating organs of the body b) Alchemy sulfur, sal ammoniac, mercury, or orpiment 14 [often pl.] Chem. a) any liquid produced by distillation, as from wood, shale, etc. {spirits of turpentine} b) ALCOHOL (sense 1) 15 Dyeing a solution of a tin salt, etc., used as a mordant 16 [often pl.] Pharmacy an alcoholic solution of a volatile or essential substance {spirits of camphor} •vt. 1 to inspirit, animate, encourage, cheer, etc.: (often with up) 2 to carry (away, off, etc.) secretly and swiftly, or in some mysterious way •adj. 1 a) of spirits or spiritualism Æ b) supposedly manifested by spirits {spirit rapping} 2 operating by the burning of alcohol {a spirit lamp} out of spirits sad; depressed the Spirit HOLY SPIRIT [ME < OFr espirit < L spiritus, breath, courage, vigor, the soul, life, in LL(Ec), spirit < spirare, to blow, breathe < IE base *(s)peis-, to blow > (prob.) Norw fisa, to puff, blow, OSlav piskati, to pipe, whistle]
spirit gum a solution of gum arabic in ether, etc. used as in the theater to attach false hair, whiskers, etc. to the face
spirit level LEVEL (n. 1)
spirited (-id) •adj. 1 full of spirit; lively; energetic; animated 2 having a (specified) character, mood, or disposition {public-spirited, low-spirited} spir´it·ed·ly •adv. spir´it·ed·ness •n.
spiritism (-iz'эm) •n. SPIRITUALISM spir´it·ist •n., adj. spir'it·is´tic •adj.
spiritless (-lis) •adj. lacking spirit, energy, or vigor; listless; depressed spir´it·less·ly •adv. spir´it·less·ness •n.
spiritoso (spir'i tou´sou; It spi:'ři: tô´sô) •adj., adv. Musical Direction lively; with spirit [It]
spiritous (spir´i tэs) •adj. 1 SPIRITUOUS 2 [Obs.] lively; high-spirited
spirits of ammonia a 10% solution of ammonia in alcohol: also spirit of ammonia
spirits of hartshorn old-fashioned term for AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE: also spirit of hartshorn
spirits of turpentine TURPENTINE (sense 3): also spirit of turpentine
spirits of wine ALCOHOL (sense 1): also spirit of wine
spiritual (spir´i chu: эl) •adj. 1 of the spirit or the soul as distinguished from the body or material matters 2 of, from, or concerned with the intellect; intellectual 3 of or consisting of spirit; not corporeal 4 characterized by the ascendancy of the spirit; showing much refinement of thought and feeling 5 of religion or the church; sacred, devotional, or ecclesiastical; not lay or temporal 6 spiritualistic or supernatural •n. Æ 1 any of a type of American folk hymn; specif., any of such songs originating among S U.S. blacks in the 18th and 19th cent. combining African and European musical elements 2 [pl.] religious or church matters spir´it·u·al·ly •adv. spir´it·u·al·ness •n. [ME spirituel < OFr < LL(Ec) spiritualis < L, of breathing or air]
spiritual bouquet R.C.Ch. a listing of a number of religious acts (Masses, Holy Communions, prayers, etc.) offered for another's spiritual benefit, the listing being typically done on a special card and presented to the beneficiary or to a relative or other representative of the beneficiary
spiritualism (-iz'эm) •n. Æ 1 a) the belief that the dead survive as spirits which can communicate with the living, esp. with the help of a third party (medium) b) any practice arising from this belief 2 the philosophical doctrine that all reality is in essence spiritual; idealism 3 spirituality; spiritual quality spir´it·u·al·ist •n. spir'it·u·al·is´tic •adj. spir'it·u·al·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
spirituality (spir'i chu: æl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 spiritual character, quality, or nature 2 [often pl.] the rights, jurisdiction, tithes, etc. belonging to the church or to an ecclesiastic 3 the fact or state of being incorporeal
spiritualize (spir´i chu: эl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to make spiritual; deprive of materiality or worldliness 2 to give a spiritual sense or meaning to spir'it·u·al·i·za´tion •n.
spiritualty (spir´i chu: æl ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the clergy 2 [often pl.] SPIRITUALITY (sense 2)
spirituel (spi: ři: tü el´) •adj. having or showing a refined nature or, esp., a quick, graceful wit or mind spi·ri·tu·elle´ (-el´) •adj.fem. [Fr: see SPIRITUAL]
spirituous (spir´i chu: эs) •adj. of, like, or containing alcohol: said esp. of distilled as opposed to fermented beverages spir'it·u·os´i·ty (-äs´э ti:) •n. [< L spiritus, SPIRIT + -OUS]
spiro-¹ (spai´rou, -rэ) combining form respiration {spirograph} [< L spirare, to breathe: see SPIRIT]
spiro-² (spai´rou, -rэ) combining form spiral or coil {spirochete} [< Gr speira, a coil: see SPIRE¹]
spirochete (spai´rou ki:t') •n. any of an order (Spirochaetales) of slender, flexible, spiral-shaped bacteria, including some species that cause disease, some that are parasitic, and some that are free-living Also sp. spi´ro·chaete' spi'ro·chet´al (-ki:t´ªl) •adj. [< ModL Spirochaeta < Gr speira, SPIRE¹ + chaitē, hair]
spirochetosis (spai'rou ki: tou´sis) •n. any disease, as syphilis or relapsing fever, caused by spirochetes
spirograph (spai´rou græf', -gräf') •n. an instrument for recording the movements of breathing spi'ro·graph´ic •adj. [SPIRO-¹ + -GRAPH]
spirogyra (spai'rou jai´rэ) •n. any of a genus (Spirogyra, family Zygnemataceae) of freshwater green algae containing spiral chlorophyll bands in their cylindrical cells [ModL < Gr speira, SPIRE¹ + gyros, a ring: see GYRATE]
spiroid (spai´roid') •adj. like a spiral; having a spiral form [ModL spiroides: see SPIRE¹ & -OID]
spirometer (spai räm´эt эr) •n. an instrument for measuring the breathing capacity of the lungs spi'ro·met´ric (-rou mэ´trik) •adj. spi·rom´e·try (-räm´э tri:) •n. [SPIRO-¹ + -METER]
spirt (spørt) •n., vt., vi. alt. sp. of SPURT
spirula (spir´yu: lэ, spir´u lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') •n. any of a genus (Spirula) of two-gilled, deep-water cephalopods, having a flat spiral shell with a series of chambers [ModL, name of the genus, dim. of L spira: see SPIRE¹]
spiry¹ (spair´i:) spir´i·er, spir´i·est •adj. [Old Poet.] spiral; coiled; curled
spiry² (spair´i:) spir´i·er, spir´i·est •adj. 1 of, or having the form of, a spire, steeple, etc. 2 having many spires
spit and polish formal or ceremonial, sometimes superficial, orderliness, neatness, or preciseness, as in the military
spit curl a curled lock of hair dampened, as with spit, and pressed flat against the forehead or temple
spit¹ (spit) •n. 1 a thin, pointed rod or bar on which meat is impaled for broiling or roasting over a fire or before other direct heat 2 a narrow point of land, or a narrow reef or shoal, extending into a body of water •vt. spit´ted, spit´ting to fix or impale on or as on a spit spit´ter •n. [ME spite < OE spitu, akin to OHG spizzi, sharp: for IE base see SPIKE¹]
spit² (spit) spit or •vt. [Chiefly Brit.] spat, spit´ting 1 to eject from within the mouth 2 to eject, throw (out), emit, or utter explosively {to spit out an oath} 3 to light (a fuse) •vi. 1 to eject saliva from the mouth; expectorate 2 to rain or snow lightly or briefly 3 to make an explosive hissing noise, as an angry cat 4 to express contempt or hatred by or as if by spitting saliva (on or at) 5 to sputter, as frying fat •n. 1 the act of spitting 2 saliva; spittle 3 something like saliva, as the frothy secretion of certain insects 4 a light, brief shower of rain or fall of snow 5 [Colloq.] the perfect likeness or exact image, as of a person: usually in the phrase spit and image (spit´ªn im´ij) spit up to regurgitate or cough up [ME spitten < OE spittan, akin to Dan spytte: for IE base see SPEW]
spital (spit´ªl) •n. [Obs.] 1 a hospital, esp. one for the poor or for lepers, etc. 2 a travelers' wayside shelter [respelling (based on HOSPITAL) of earlier spittle < ME spitel < ML hospitale]
spitball (spit´böl') •n. 1 a piece of paper chewed up into a wad for throwing 2 Baseball a pitch, now illegal, made to curve by moistening one side of the ball as with saliva
spite (spait) •n. 1 a) a mean or evil feeling toward another, characterized by the inclination to hurt, humiliate, annoy, frustrate, etc.; ill will; malice b) an instance of this; a grudge 2 [Obs.] something annoying or irritating •vt. spit´ed, spit´ing to behave in a spiteful manner toward; vent one's spite upon by hurting, annoying, frustrating, etc. in spite of in defiance of; regardless of; notwithstanding [ME, aphetic < despite: see DESPITE]
spiteful (-fэl) •adj. full of or showing spite; purposefully annoying; malicious SYN. VINDICTIVE spite´ful·ly •adv. spite´ful·ness •n.
spitfire (spit´fair') •n. a person, esp. a woman or girl, who is easily aroused to violent outbursts of anger
Spithead (spit´hed´) see SOLENT, The
Spitsbergen (spits´bør'gэn) 1 group of Norwegian islands in the Arctic Ocean, constituting the major part of Svalbard: 23,658 sq. mi. (61,273 sq. km) 2 SVALBARD
spitter (spit´эr) •n. 1 a person or animal that spits saliva, etc. Æ 2 [Colloq.] SPITBALL (sense 2)
spitting image (spit´ªn im´ij, spit´iŋ) spit and image: see SPIT² (n. 5)
spittle (spit´ªl) •n. 1 saliva; spit 2 the frothy secretion of larval spittlebugs [earlier spettle < ME spetil < OE spætl, var. of spatl: for IE base see SPEW]
spittlebug (-bûg') •n. any of a family (Cercopidae) of small, leaping homopteran insects whose nymphs produce white frothy masses on plants
spittoon (spi tu:n´) •n. a jarlike container to spit into; cuspidor [< SPIT²]
spitz (spits) •n. in the U.S., any of several dogs, as the chow chow, Samoyed, or Eskimo dog, characterized by a long, dense coat, erect, pointed ears, and a tail that curls over the back; esp., a variety of Pomeranian, usually white [Ger < spitz, pointed < OHG spizzi: see SPIT¹]
spiv (spiv) •n. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.) Slang] a man who lives by his wits, without doing any regular or honest work, esp. one engaged in petty, shady dealings [prob. var. of spiff: see SPIFFY]
splanchnic (splæŋk´nik) •adj. of the viscera; visceral [ModL splanchnicus < Gr splanchnikos < splanchnon, gut: for IE base see SPLEEN]
splanchno- (splæŋk´nou) combining form the viscera {splanchnology} Also, before a vowel, splanchn- [< Gr splanchnon: see SPLANCHNIC]
splanchnology (splæŋk näl´э ji:) •n. the branch of medical study dealing with the structure, functions, and diseases of the viscera [prec. + -LOGY]
splash (splæsh) •vt. 1 to cause (a liquid substance) to scatter and fall in drops or blobs 2 to dash or scatter a liquid substance, mud, etc. on, so as to wet or soil 3 to cause to splash a liquid {to splash one's feet in puddles} 4 to make (one's way) by splashing 5 to mark or spot by or as by splashing {a glade splashed with sunlight} 6 to display conspicuously {scandal splashed all over the front page} •vi. 1 to dash or scatter a liquid substance about 2 to fall, strike, or scatter with a splash or splashes {rain splashing against the window} 3 to move with splashes •n. 1 the act or sound of splashing 2 a mass of splashed water, mud, etc. 3 a spot or mark made by or as by splashing 4 a patch of color, light, etc. 5 a small amount (of soda water, etc.) 6 [Colloq.] a conspicuous or ostentatious display make a splash [Colloq.] to attract great, often brief attention by doing something striking or ostentatious splash´er •n. [intens. extension of PLASH²]
splash guard a flap hung behind a wheel of a motor vehicle to stop water, stones, etc. from splashing the vehicle body
splashboard (-börd') •n. 1 any screen or board protecting riders on a vehicle from being splashed in wet weather 2 a screen to keep water from splashing onto the deck of a boat 3 a trap for closing a sluice or spillway
splashdown (-daun') •n. a spacecraft's soft landing on the sea, permitting the recovery of rockets, instruments, etc.
splashy (-i:) splash´i·er, splash´i·est •adj. 1 splashing; making splashes 2 liable to splash; wet, muddy, etc. 3 covered or marked with splashes 4 [Colloq.] attracting much notice or attention; spectacular; striking splash´i·ly •adv. splash´i·ness •n.
splat¹ (splæt) •n. a thin, flat piece of wood, esp. as used in the back of a chair [via dial. < base of SPLIT]
splat² (splæt) •n., interj. a splattering or wet, slapping sound •vi. 1 to make such a sound 2 to flatten on impact [echoic]
splatter (-эr) •n., vt., vi. spatter or splash [altered (infl. by SPLASH) < SPATTER]
splay (splei) •vt., vi. 1 to spread out or apart; expand; extend: often with out 2 to make or be beveled or sloping •n. [< the v.] 1 a sloping or beveled surface or angle, as of the side of a doorway 2 a spreading; expansion; enlargement •adj. 1 sloping, spreading, or turning outward 2 broad and flat 3 awkwardly awry [ME splaien, aphetic < displaien, to DISPLAY]
splayfoot (-fut') pl. -feet' •n. 1 a foot that is flat and turned outward 2 the condition of having feet of this kind •adj. of or having splayfoot: also splay´foot'ed
spleen (spli:n) •n. 1 a large, vascular, lymphatic organ in the upper left part of the abdominal cavity of vertebrates, near the stomach: it has various functions in modifying the structure of the blood, and was formerly regarded as the seat of certain emotions 2 a) malice; spite; bad temper b) [Archaic] melancholy; low spirits c) [Obs.] a whim or caprice [ME splen < OFr esplen < L splen < Gr splēn, spleen < IE *sp(h)elGh- > Sans plīhan, OSlav slězena, spleen]
spleenful (-fэl) •adj. full of spleen; irritable, peevish, spiteful, etc.: also spleen´ish or spleen´y spleen´ful·ly •adv.
spleenwort (-wørt') •n. any of a genus (Asplenium, family Aspleniaceae) of ferns with simple or compound fronds and elongated sori
splen- (spli:n, splen) combining form SPLENO-: used before a vowel
splendent (splen´dэnt) •adj. 1 shining; lustrous 2 brilliant, splendid, or illustrious [LME < L splendens, prp. of splendere: see SPLENDID]
splendid (splen´did) •adj. 1 having or showing splendor; specif., a) shining; lustrous; brilliant b) magnificent; gorgeous 2 worthy of high praise; grand; glorious; illustrious {a splendid accomplishment} 3 [Colloq.] very good; excellent; fine {splendid weather} splen´did·ly •adv. splen´did·ness •n. [L splendidus < splendere, to shine < IE *splend- < base *(s)p(h)el-, to gleam, shine > Sans sphulinga, a spark, Gr splēndos, ashes, Ger flink, lively]
splendiferous (splen dif´эr эs) •adj. [Colloq.] gorgeous; splendid: a jocularly pretentious usage splen·dif´er·ous·ly •adv. splen·dif´er·ous·ness •n. [prob. a mod. recoinage (< fol. + -FEROUS) of obs. splendiferous < ME < ML splendiferus, for LL splendorifer < L splendor + -fer, -FER]
splendor (splen´dэr) •n. 1 great luster or brightness; brilliance 2 magnificent richness or glory; pomp; grandeur splen´dor·ous (-dэr эs) or splen´drous (-drэs) •adj. [ME splendure < OFr splendeur < L splendor < splendere, to shine: see SPLENDID]
splendour (splen´dэr) •n. Brit., etc. sp. of SPLENDOR
splenectomy (spli nek´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical removal of the spleen [SPLEN- + -ECTOMY]
splenetic (spli net´ik) •adj. 1 of the spleen; splenic 2 bad-tempered, irritable, peevish, spiteful, etc.; spleenful 3 [Obs.] melancholy Also sple·net´i·cal •n. a spleenful person SYN. IRRITABLE sple·net´i·cal·ly •adv. [LL spleneticus]
splenic (splen´ik, spli:n´-) •adj. 1 of or having to do with the spleen 2 in or near the spleen [L splenicus < Gr splēnikos]
splenius (spli:´ni: эs) pl. -ni·i' (-ni: ai') •n. either of two large, flat muscles at the back of the neck, serving to rotate and extend the head and rotate and flex the neck sple´ni·al •adj. [ModL < L splenium, a patch, plaster < Gr splēnion, dim. of splēn, SPLEEN]
spleno- (spli:´nou, splen´э) combining form the spleen {splenomegaly} [< Gr splēn (gen. splēnos), SPLEEN]
splenomegaly (spli:'nэ meg´э li:, splen´э-) •n. enlargement of the spleen [ModL: see SPLENO-, MEGALO- & -Y³]
splice (splais) spliced, splic´ing •vt. 1 to join or unite (ropes or rope ends) by weaving together the end strands 2 to join the ends of (timbers) by overlapping and binding or bolting together 3 to fasten the ends of (wire, motion-picture film, sound tape, etc.) together, as by twisting, soldering, cementing, etc. 4 [Slang] to join in marriage •n. a joint or joining made by splicing splic´er •n. [MDu splissen, akin to splitten, to SPLIT]
spliff (splif) •n. [Slang] a marijuana cigarette
spline (splain) •n. 1 a long, flat, pliable strip, as of wood or metal, esp. one used in drawing curves 2 a) a flat key or strip that fits into a groove or slot between parts b) the groove or slot into which it fits •vt. splined, splin´ing 1 to fit with a spline 2 to cut a groove or slot in for a spline [< E Anglian dial., prob. akin to Norw dial. splindra, a large, flat splinter: for IE base see SPLIT]
splint (splint) •n. 1 a thin strip of wood or cane woven together with others to make baskets, chair seats, etc. 2 a thin strip of metal used in overlapping construction with others to make medieval armor 3 a thin, rigid strip of wood, metal, etc. set along a broken bone to keep the pieces in place or used to keep a part of the body in a fixed position 4 a bony growth or tumor on the cannon bone of a horse, mule, etc. •vt. to fit, support, or hold in place with or as with a splint or splints [ME splente < MDu or MLowG splinte: for IE base see SPLIT]
splint bone in horses and similar animals, either of two small bones, one on each side of the cannon bone
splinter (splin´tэr) •vt., vi. 1 to break or split into thin, sharp pieces 2 to break into small parts or into groups with divergent views; fragment •n. 1 a thin, sharp piece of wood, bone, etc., made by splitting or breaking; sliver 2 a splinter group •adj. designating a group that separates from a main party, church, etc. because of divergent views SYN. BREAK [ME < MDu, akin to splinte, SPLINT]
splintery (-i:) •adj. 1 easily splintered 2 of or like a splinter 3 resulting in splinters, as a fracture 4 full of splinters; splintered; jagged; rough
Split (spli:t) seaport in Croatia, on the Adriatic: pop. 235,000 split (split) split, split´ting •vt. 1 to separate, cut, or divide into two or more parts; cause to separate along the grain or length; break into layers 2 to break or tear apart by force; burst; rend 3 to divide into parts or shares; portion out {to split the cost} Æ 4 to cast (one's vote) or mark (one's ballot) for candidates of more than one party 5 to cause (a group, political party, etc.) to separate into divisions or factions; disunite 6 Chem., Physics a) to break (a molecule) into atoms or into smaller molecules b) to produce nuclear fission in (an atom) 7 Finance to divide (stock) by substituting some multiple of the original shares that will usually have the same aggregate par value as the old, but a proportionately lower value per share •vi. 1 to separate lengthwise into two or more parts; separate along the grain or length 2 to break or tear apart; burst; rend 3 to separate or break up through failure to agree, etc.: often with up 4 [Colloq.] to divide something with another or others, each taking a share {winners split} Æ 5 [Slang] to leave a place; depart 6 [Brit., etc. Slang] to inform (on an accomplice) •n. 1 the act or process of splitting 2 the result of splitting; specif., a) a break; fissure; crack; tear b) a breach or division in a group, between persons, etc. 3 a splinter; sliver 4 a single thickness of hide split horizontally 5 a flexible strip of wood, as osier, used in basket making Æ 6 a confection made of a split banana or other fruit with ice cream, nuts, sauces, whipped cream, etc. 7 [often pl.] the feat of spreading the legs apart until they lie flat on the floor, etc. in a straight line, the body remaining upright 8 [Colloq.] a) a small bottle of carbonated water, wine, etc., usually about six ounces b) a drink or portion half the usual size 9 [Colloq.] a share, as of loot or booty 10 Bowling an arrangement of pins after the first bowl, so widely separated as to make a spare extremely difficult •adj. 1 divided or separated along the length or grain; broken into parts 2 divided, separated, or disunited SYN. BREAK split off to break off or separate as by splitting split´ter •n. [MDu splitten, akin to MHG splīzen < IE base *(s)plei-, to split, crack > FLINT]
split decision a decision in a boxing match that is not one made unanimously by the judges and referee
split end Football an end separated by a varying distance from the rest of the offensive line
split infinitive Gram. an infinitive with an adverb or other modifier placed between to and the verb form (Ex.: he decided to gradually change his methods): although some object to this construction, many writers use split infinitives where ambiguity or wrong emphasis would otherwise result
split pea a green or yellow pea that has been shelled, dried, and split: used esp. for making soup
split personality 1 nontechnical term for SCHIZOPHRENIA 2 a condition in which a person assumes intermittently two or more distinct and separate personalities
split second a fraction of a second split´-sec´ond •adj.
split shift a shift, or work period, divided into two parts that are separated by an interval longer than that of the usual meal or rest period
split ticket a ballot cast for candidates of more than one party
split-level (-lev´эl) •adj. designating or of a type of house with floor levels so staggered that each level is about a half story above or below the adjacent one, with stairs between
splitting (split´iŋ) •adj. 1 that splits 2 a) aching severely: said of the head b) severe, as a headache
split-up (-ûp') •n. a breaking up or separating into two or more parts, units, groups, etc.
splodge (spläj) splodged, splodg´ing •n., vt. [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] var. of SPLOTCH
splotch (spläch) •n. a spot, splash, or stain, esp. one that is irregular •vt., vi. to mark or soil, or be marked or soiled, with a splotch or splotches splotch´y, splotch´i·er, splotch´i·est, •adj. [prob. blend of SPOT + BLOTCH]
splurge (splørj) [Colloq.] •n. 1 any very showy display or effort 2 a spell of extravagant spending •vi. splurged, splurg´ing 1 to make a splurge; show off 2 to spend money extravagantly splurg´er •n. [echoic blend of SPL(ASH) + (S)URGE]
splutter (splût´эr) •vi. 1 to make hissing or spitting sounds, or to throw off particles in an explosive way, as something frying; sputter 2 to speak hurriedly and confusedly, as when excited or embarrassed •vt. 1 to utter hurriedly and confusedly; sputter 2 to spatter •n. 1 a spluttering sound or utterance 2 a loud sputtering or splash splut´ter·er •n. splut´ter·y •adj. [var. of SPUTTER]
Spock (späk), Benjamin (McLane) 1903- ; U.S. pediatrician, writer of books on child care, & social activist
Spode (spoud) trademark for a fine porcelain or chinaware [after Josiah Spode (1754-1827), Eng potter]
spodumene (späj´u: mi:n') •n. a monoclinic mineral, lithium aluminum silicate, LiAl(SiO3)2, usually light-green or yellow [< Gr spodumenos, prp. of spodousthai, to be burned to ashes < spodos, ashes: from being reduced to an ashlike form before the blowpipe]
spoil (spoil) spoiled or spoilt, spoil´ing •vt. 1 to damage or injure in such a way as to make useless, valueless, etc.; destroy 2 to mar or impair the enjoyment, quality, or functioning of {rain spoiled the picnic} 3 to overindulge so as to cause to demand or expect too much 4 [Archaic] a) to strip (a person) of goods, money, etc. by force b) to rob; pillage; plunder c) to seize (goods) by force •vi. 1 to be damaged or injured in such a way as to become useless, valueless, etc.; specif., to decay, as food 2 [Archaic] to pillage; plunder •n. [ME spoile < MFr espoille < L spolia, pl.] 1 [usually pl.] a) goods, territory, etc. taken by force in war; plunder; loot; booty Æ b) public offices to which the successful political party has the power of appointment 2 an object of plunder; prey 3 waste material removed in making excavations, etc. 4 [Archaic] the act of plundering; spoliation 5 [Obs.] damage; impairment Æ be spoiling for to be aggressively eager for (a fight, etc.) spoil´a·ble •adj. SYN.—spoil (now, more commonly, spoils) refers to any property, territory, etc. taken in war by the conqueror; pillage suggests violence and destructiveness in the taking of spoils; plunder is equivalent to pillage but also applies to property taken by bandits, highwaymen, etc.; booty suggests plunder taken by a band or gang, to be divided among the members; prize refers specifically to spoils taken at sea, esp. the taking of an enemy warship or its cargo; loot, a more derogatory equivalent for any of the preceding, emphasizes the immorality or predatory nature of the act see also DECAY, INDULGE, INJURE [ME spoilen < MFr espoillier < L spoliare, to plunder < spolium, arms taken from a defeated foe, plunder, orig., hide stripped from an animal < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split, tear off > SPALL, SPILL¹]
spoilage (-ij) •n. 1 a spoiling or being spoiled 2 something spoiled or the amount spoiled
spoiler (-эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that spoils 2 a person or group having little chance of winning that engages in a contest and spoils or alters the other participants' chances of success 3 any projecting device serving to break up airflow around a body; specif., a movable flap on the upper side of an airplane wing for increasing drag and decreasing lift
spoils system the system or practice of regarding and treating appointive public offices as the booty of the successful party in an election, to be distributed, with their opportunities for profit, among party workers
spoilsman (spoilz´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person who aids a political party in order to share in the spoils, or one who advocates the spoils system
spoilsport (spoil´spört') •n. a person who behaves in such a way as to ruin the pleasure of others
spoilt (spoilt) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of SPOIL
Spokane (spou kæn´) city in E Wash.: pop. 177,000 [< ? Salish spokanee, sun]
spoke¹ (spouk) •n. 1 any of the braces or bars extending between the hub and the rim of a wheel 2 a ladder rung 3 any of the grips or handholds fixed along the rim of a ship's steering wheel •vt. spoked, spok´ing to equip with or as with spokes [ME < OE spaca, akin to Ger speiche: see SPIKE¹]
spoke² (spouk) •vi., vt. pt. & archaic pp. of SPEAK
spoken (spou´kэn) •vi., vt. pp. of SPEAK •adj. 1 uttered; oral 2 characterized by or uttered in a (specified) kind of voice {fair-spoken}
spokeshave (spouk´sheiv') •n. a cutting or planing tool consisting of a blade with a curved handle at either end; orig. used to shape spokes, but now used for trimming and smoothing rounded surfaces
spokesman (spouks´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a person who speaks for another or for a group spokes´wom'an, pl. -wom'en, •n.fem. [irregularly formed < SPOKE²]
spokesperson (-pør'sэn) •n. SPOKESMAN: used to avoid the masculine implication of spokesman
Spoleto (spэ leit´ou) commune in central Italy, near Perugia: pop. 37,000
spoliate (spou´li: eit') -at'ed, -at'ing •vt. to rob, plunder, or despoil [back-form. < fol.]
spoliation (spou'li: ei´shэn) •n. 1 a spoliating or being spoliated; robbery; plundering 2 the act of spoiling or damaging 3 Law the destruction or alteration of a document by an unauthorized person [ME spoliacioun < L spoliatio: see SPOIL]
spondee (spän´di:) •n. a metrical foot of two long or accented syllables spon·da·ic (spän dei´ik) •adj. [ME sponde < L spondeum < spondeus, of a libation < Gr spondeios < spondē, solemn libation (such libations were accompanied by a solemn melody) < spendein, to present a libation: see SPONSOR]
spondylitis (spän'dэ lait´is) •n. inflammation of the vertebrae [< fol. + -ITIS]
spondylo- (spän´dэ lou', -lэ) combining form vertebra {spondylitis}: also, before a vowel, spondyl- [< Gr spondylos, vertebra < IE base *sp(h)e(n)d-, to jerk, dangle > Sans spandatē, (he) jerks]
sponge (spûnj) •n. 1 any of a phylum (Porifera) of simple, aquatic, sessile animals having a porous structure and a tough, often siliceous or calcareous, skeleton 2 the elastic skeleton, or a piece of the skeleton, of certain sponges, light in weight and highly absorbent, used for washing surfaces, in bathing, etc. 3 any substance like this; specif., a) a piece of spongy plastic, cellulose, rubber, etc., used like natural sponge b) a pad of gauze or cotton, as used in surgery c) a light dessert made of whipped gelatin and beaten egg whites or whipped cream d) raised dough, as for bread e) any of several metals, as platinum, found in a porous mass 4 a) a person having a spongelike capacity, as for drink, knowledge, etc. b) [Colloq.] SPONGER (sense 3) •vt. sponged, spong´ing [ME spongen < the n.] 1 to use a sponge on so as to dampen, wipe clean, etc. 2 to remove or obliterate with or as with a damp sponge: usually with out, off, away, etc. 3 to absorb with, as with, or like a sponge: often with up 4 [Colloq.] to get without cost, as by begging, imposition, etc. •vi. 1 to gather sponges from the sea 2 to take up liquid like a sponge 3 [Colloq.] to be a SPONGER (sense 3): often with off or on throw (or toss, etc.) in the sponge [Colloq.] to admit defeat; give up: from the practice by a boxer's second of throwing a sponge into the ring to concede defeat [ME < OE < L spongia < Gr spongia, spongos]
sponge bath a bath taken by using a wet sponge or cloth without getting into water or under a shower
sponge rubber rubber processed so that it has a spongelike texture that is firmer and denser than foam rubber: used for gaskets, rubber balls, etc.
spongecake (-keik') •n. a light, spongy cake made of flour, eggs, sugar, etc., but no shortening Also sponge cake
sponger (spûn´jэr) •n. 1 a person or vessel that gathers sponges 2 a person who cleans, etc. with a sponge 3 [Colloq.] a person who, though able to work, depends on others for food, money, etc.; parasite
spongin (spûn´jin) •n. a sulfur-containing protein making up the resilient fibrous network that forms the skeleton in many sponges [Ger < L spongia, SPONGE + Ger -in, -INE³]
spongy (-ji:) -gi·er, -gi·est •adj. 1 of or like a sponge; specif., a) light, soft, and elastic b) porous c) absorbent 2 soft and thoroughly soaked with moisture {spongy ground} spon´gi·ness •n.
sponsion (spän´shэn) •n. 1 a formal promise or pledge, esp. one made on behalf of another person, as by a godparent 2 in international law, an act done or engagement made for a state by an unauthorized agent [L sponsio < spondere, to promise solemnly: see SPONSOR]
sponson (spän´sэn) •n. 1 a structure that projects over the side of a ship or boat; specif., a) a projecting gun platform b) an air chamber built into the gunwale of a canoe 2 a short, winglike piece attached to the hull of a seaplane just above water level to give stability in the water [altered < ? EXPANSION: orig. applied to the platforms on each side of a steamer's paddle wheels]
sponsor (spän´sэr) •n. 1 a person or agency that undertakes certain responsibilities in connection with some other person or some group or activity, as in being a proponent, endorser, advisor, underwriter, surety, etc. 2 a godfather or godmother; person who answers for a child, as at baptism, making the profession of faith and the promises prescribed Æ 3 a business firm or other agency that alone or with others pays the costs of a radio or television program on which it advertises or promotes something •vt. to act as sponsor for spon·so´ri·al (-sör´i: эl) •adj. spon´sor·ship' •n. SYN.—a sponsor is one who assumes a certain degree of responsibility for another in any of various ways [the sponsors of a television program assume the costs of production]; a patron is one who assumes the role of protector or benefactor, now usually in a financial capacity as of an artist, an institution, etc.; a backer is one who lends support, esp. financial support, to someone or something but does not necessarily assume any responsibilities [the magazine failed when it lost its backers]; angel is a colloquial term for the backer of a theatrical enterprise [L, surety < spondere, to promise solemnly < IE base *spend-, to bring a libation, vow > Gr spendein, to promise, spondē, libation]
spontaneity (spän'tэ ni:´э ti:; -nei´-) •n. 1 the state or quality of being spontaneous 2 pl. -ties spontaneous behavior, movement, action, etc.
spontaneous (spän tei´ni: эs) •adj. 1 acting in accordance with or resulting from a natural feeling, impulse, or tendency, without any constraint, effort, or premeditation 2 having no apparent external cause or influence; occurring or produced by its own energy, force, etc. or through internal causes; self-acting 3 growing naturally without being planted or tended; indigenous; wild spon·ta´ne·ous·ly •adv. spon·ta´ne·ous·ness •n. SYN.—spontaneous applies to that which is done so naturally that it seems to come without prompting or premeditation [a spontaneous demonstration]; impulsive applies to that which is prompted by some external incitement or sudden inner inclination rather than by conscious rational volition [an impulsive retort]; instinctive suggests an instantaneous, unwilled response to a stimulus, as if prompted by some natural, inborn tendency [he took an instinctive liking to her]; involuntary refers to that which is done without thought or volition, as a reflex action [an involuntary flicker of the eyelid]; automatic suggests an unvarying, machinelike reaction to a given stimulus or situation [an automatic response] —ANT. deliberate, voluntary [LL spontaneus < L sponte, of free will < IE base *(s)pen(d)-, to pull > SPIN]
spontaneous combustion the process of catching fire as a result of heat generated by internal chemical action
spontaneous generation the theory, now discredited, that living organisms can originate in nonliving matter independently of other living matter; abiogenesis
spontoon (spän´tu:n´) •n. a short pike or halberd carried by 18th-cent. infantry officers [Fr sponton < It spuntone < s- (< L ex-) + punto < L punctum, a POINT]
spoof (spu:f) •n. 1 a joke, or deception 2 a light parody or satire •vt., vi. 1 to fool; deceive 2 to satirize in a playful, amiable manner spoof´er •n. [orig. a game involving hoaxing and nonsense, invented (c. 1889) by Arthur Roberts (1852-1933), Brit comedian]
spook (spu:k) •n. [Colloq.] 1 a specter; ghost 2 any person suggestive of a specter or ghost, as an eccentric, a secret agent, etc. •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to haunt (a person or place) 2 to startle, frighten, make nervous, annoy, etc. •vi. [Colloq.] to become frightened or startled [Du, akin to Ger spuk]
spooky (spu:´ki:) spook´i·er, spook´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 of, like, or suggesting a spook or spooks; weird; eerie 2 easily spooked; nervous, apprehensive, fearful, jumpy, etc. spook´i·ly •adv. spook´i·ness •n.
spool (spu:l) •n. 1 a cylinder or roller, usually with a hole for a spindle from end to end and a rim at either end, upon which thread, wire, etc. is wound 2 something like a spool, as a bobbin, reel, etc. 3 the material wound on a spool •vt. to wind on a spool [ME spole < MFr espole < MDu spoele, akin to Ger spule < IE base *(s)p(h)el-, to split, split off > SPALL, SPILL¹, SPOIL]
spoon (spu:n) •n. 1 a utensil consisting of a small, shallow, usually oval-shaped bowl and a handle, used for picking up or stirring food, etc. as in eating or cooking 2 something shaped like a spoon; specif., a shiny, curved fishing lure, usually made of metal, set above a hook or hooks so as to wobble when drawn through the water 3 Golf old term for number 3 wood: see WOOD¹ •vt. 1 to take up with or as with a spoon 2 to push, lift, or hit (a ball) with a scooping motion instead of a direct blow •vi. 1 to spoon or scoop a ball, etc. 2 [Old Colloq.] to embrace, kiss, and caress, as lovers do born with a silver spoon in one's mouth born rich [ME spon < OE a chip: sense infl. by cognate ON spōnn, spoon: see SPADE¹]
spoon bread [Chiefly South] a soft, light, moist bread made of cornmeal, eggs, milk, shortening, and, usually, baking powder, and served with a spoon
spoonbill (-bil') •n. 1 any of several wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) with a broad, flat bill that is spoon-shaped at the tip; esp., the roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) of North and South America 2 any of a number of other birds with a bill like this, as a shoveler duck Æ 3 PADDLEFISH
spoondrift (-drift') •n. early term for SPINDRIFT
spoonerism (spu:n´эr iz'эm) •n. an unintentional interchange of sounds, usually initial sounds, in two or more words (Ex.: a well-boiled icicle for a well-oiled bicycle) [after Rev. W. A. Spooner (1844-1930), of New College, Oxford, famous for such slips]
spoon-feed (spu:n´fi:d´) -fed´, -feed´ing •vt. 1 to feed with a spoon 2 to pamper; coddle 3 to treat, instruct, or inform in a manner that destroys initiative or curbs independent thought and action
spoonful (-ful) pl. -fuls' •n. as much as a spoon will hold
spoony or spooney (spu:´ni:) spoon´i·er, spoon´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] silly or foolish, esp., foolishly sentimental, or amorous in a mawkish way •n. pl. spoon´ies [Old Colloq.] a spoony person
spoor (spur) •n. the track or trail of an animal, esp. of a wild animal hunted as game •vt., vi. to trace or track by a spoor [Afrik < MDu, akin to OE spor, Ger spur: for IE base see SPUR]
Sporades (spör´э di:z; Gr spô řä´θes) 1 all the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea except the Cyclades 2 the Greek islands along the W coast of Turkey, esp. the Dodecanese: also Southern Sporades See also NORTHERN SPORADES
sporadic (spэ ræd´ik) •adj. 1 happening from time to time; not constant or regular; occasional 2 widely separated from others, scattered, or isolated in occurrence; appearing singly, apart, or in isolated instances spo·rad´i·cal·ly •adv. [ML sporadicus < Gr sporadikos < sporas, scattered: for IE base see SPORE]
sporangium (spou ræn´ji: эm, spэ-) pl. -gi·a (-э) •n. Bot. an organ or single cell producing spores spo·ran´gi·al •adj. [ModL < spora (see SPORE) + Gr angeion, vessel]
spore (spour, spör) •n. 1 Biol. any of various small reproductive bodies, usually consisting of a single cell, produced by bacteria, algae, mosses, ferns, certain protozoans, etc., either asexually (asexual spore) or by the union of gametes (sexual spore): they are capable of giving rise to a new adult individual, either immediately or after an interval of dormancy 2 any small organism or cell that can develop into a new individual; seed, germ, etc. •vi. spored, spor´ing to bear or develop spores [ModL spora < Gr, a sowing, seed, akin to speirein, to sow < IE base *(s)p(h)er-, to strew, sow > SPREAD, SPROUT]
spore case SPORANGIUM
spore fruit any specialized structure, as an ascocarp, in which spores are formed
spore mother cell a cell from which a spore is produced
sporiferous (spou rif´эr эs, spör if´-) •adj. bearing spores
sporo- (spou´rou, -rэ; spör´ou, spör´э) combining form spore {sporocarp} Also, before a vowel, spor-
sporocarp (spou´rэ kärp', spör´э-) •n. Bot. a many-celled body produced from a fertilized archicarp, serving for the development of spores in red algae, lichens, etc. [prec. + -CARP]
sporocyst (-sist') •n. 1 Bot. a resting cell giving rise to asexual spores 2 Zool. a) a saclike larval stage of many trematodes which produces rediae by asexual development from germinal cells b) a protective cyst produced by some protozoans before sporulation, or a protozoan in such encystment [SPORO- + -CYST]
sporogenesis (spou'rou jen´э sis, spör'э-) •n. Biol. 1 reproduction by means of spores 2 the formation of spores spo'ro·gen´ic •adj. spo·rog·e·nous (spou räj´э nэs) •adj. [ModL: see SPORO- & -GENESIS]
sporogonium (-gou´ni: эm) pl. -ni·a (-ni: э) •n. the sporophyte in mosses and liverworts, usually a spore-bearing capsule on a stalk that never separates from the mother plant [ModL: see SPORO- & -GONIUM]
sporogony (spou rä´gэ ni:, spör ä´-) •n. the process by which a large number of sporozoites are produced by cell divisions from a single zygote [SPORO- + -GONY]
sporophore (spou´rэ för', spör´э-) •n. Bot. an organ or structure in various fungi that bears spores spo·roph·o·rous (spou räf´эr эs) •adj. [SPORO- + -PHORE]
sporophyll (-fil) •n. a leaf, modified leaf, or leaflike part producing one or more sporangia spo·roph·yl·lar·y (spou rä´fi ler'i:) •adj. [SPORO- + -PHYLL]
sporophyte (-fait') •n. in plants, the spore-bearing generation that is diploid and reproduces by spores: the sporophyte generation begins with the fertilized egg and ends with meiosis Distinguished from GAMETOPHYTE spo'ro·phyt´ic (-fit´ik) •adj. [SPORO- + -PHYTE]
-sporous (spou´rэs, spör´эs, spэr эs) combining form forming adjectives having (a special number or kind of) spores {homosporous} [SPOR(O)- + -OUS]
sporozoan (spou'rou zou´эn, spör'э-) •n. any of a class (Sporozoa) of parasitic protozoans that usually pass through phases of both sexual and asexual generation, frequently in different hosts, during which sporogenesis takes place, including the organisms that cause malaria and Texas fever: also spo'ro·zo´on (-än, -эn), pl. -zo´a (-zou´э) •adj. of the sporozoans: also spo'ro·zo´ic spo'ro·zo´al •adj. [< ModL Sporozoa (see SPORO- & -ZOA + -AN]
sporozoite (-ait') •n. an infective body or group of cells released from spores in many sporozoans and formed by the division of a zygote: it is the infective stage of the malaria parasite [< ModL Sporozoa (see SPOROZOAN) + -ITE²]
sporran (spör´эn, spär´-) •n. a leather pouch or purse, usually covered with fur or hair, worn hanging from the front of the belt in the dress costume of Scottish Highlanders [Gael sporan]
sport (spört) •n. 1 any activity or experience that gives enjoyment or recreation; pastime; diversion 2 such an activity, esp. when competitive, requiring more or less vigorous bodily exertion and carried on, sometimes as a profession, according to some traditional form or set of rules, whether outdoors, as football, golf, etc., or indoors, as basketball, bowling, etc. 3 fun or play 4 a) an object of ridicule; laughingstock b) a thing or person buffeted about, as though a plaything Æ 5 [Colloq.] a gambler 6 [Colloq.] a) a person who is sportsmanlike, easygoing, or companionable {be a sport!} b) a person judged according to his ability to take loss, defeat, teasing, etc. {a good (or poor) sport} Æ 7 [Colloq.] a pleasure-loving, showy person; flashy fellow 8 [Obs.] amorous trifling or sexual play 9 Biol. a plant or animal showing some marked variation from the normal type, usually as a result of mutation •vt. 1 [Colloq.] to wear or display, esp. with unnecessary show {to sport a loud tie} 2 [Obs.] to amuse (oneself, etc.) •vi. 1 to play or frolic 2 to engage in a sport or sports 3 a) to joke or jest b) to trifle, dally, or play (with) c) to mock or ridicule someone or something 4 Biol. to vary markedly from the normal type; mutate •adj. 1 SPORTING (sense 1) 2 suitable for informal, casual wear; not dressy {a sport coat} in (or for) sport in joke or jest; not in earnest make sport of to mock or ridicule; poke fun at sport´er •n. sport´ful •adj. sport´ful·ly •adv. [ME sporte, aphetic for DISPORT]
sporting (-iŋ) •adj. 1 of, having to do with, or for sports, or athletic games, etc. 2 interested in or taking part in sports, or athletic games, etc. 3 sportsmanlike; fair Æ 4 interested in or having to do with games, races, etc. characterized by gambling or betting 5 Biol. inclined to mutate sport´ing·ly •adv.
sporting chance [Colloq.] a fair or even chance
sporting house [Old Colloq.] Æ 1 a gambling house Æ 2 a house of prostitution; brothel
sportive (-iv) •adj. 1 a) fond of or full of sport or merriment; playful b) done in fun or play, not in earnest 2 of, or having the nature of, sport, esp. outdoor sport 3 [Obs.] amorous or erotic spor´tive·ly •adv. spor´tive·ness •n.
sports (spörts) •adj. SPORT {sports clothes}
sports (or sport) car a low, small automobile, typically expensive, with seats for two, and a high-compression engine
sports medicine a branch of medicine concerned with athletic conditioning and nutrition, the treatment and prevention of athletic injuries, and the improvement of athletic performance
sportscast (spörts´kæst', -käst') •n. a sports broadcast, esp. of sports news, on radio or television sports´cast'er •n.
sportsman (-mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. 1 a man who is interested in or takes part in sports, esp. in hunting, fishing, etc. 2 a person who can take loss or defeat without complaint, or victory without gloating, and who treats his opponents with fairness, generosity, courtesy, etc. sports´man·like' or sports´man·ly •adj.
sportsmanship (-mэn ship') •n. 1 skill in or fondness for sports 2 qualities and behavior befitting a sportsman
sportswear (spörts´wer') •n. clothes worn while engaging in sports or for informal, casual wear
sportswoman (-wum'эn) pl. -wom'en (-wim'эn) •n. a woman who is interested in or takes part in sports
sportswriter (-rait'эr) •n. a reporter who writes about sports or sports events
sporty (spört´i:) sport´i·er, sport´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] 1 sporting or sportsmanlike 2 characteristic of a sport or sportsman 3 loud, flashy, or showy, as clothes sport´i·ly •adv. sport´i·ness •n.
sporulate (spör´yu: leit') -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vi. to undergo sporulation [SPORUL(E) + -ATE¹]
sporulation (spör'yu: lei´shэn) •n. 1 Bot. the formation of spores 2 Zool. a type of multiple fission in certain protozoans by which a parent spore becomes almost completely broken up into buds [< fol. + -ATION]
sporule (spör´yu:l') •n. a small spore or, sometimes, any spore [ModL sporula, dim. of spora, SPORE]
spot (spät) •n. 1 a small area of different color or texture from the main area of which it is a part; often, a mark made by some foreign matter; stain, blot, speck, patch, etc. 2 a) any of the pips used on playing cards, dice, etc. b) a playing card having (a specified number of) pips {the ten spot of spades} 3 a flaw or defect, as in character or reputation; something blameworthy; fault 4 a) a locality; place {a good fishing spot} b) any small area or space 5 short for SPOTLIGHT 6 a small, edible, silvery, marine drum fish (Leiostomus xanthurus) of the W Atlantic with a black spot behind the gill cover 7 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] a small quantity; bit {a spot of tea} 8 [Colloq.] position; situation; job 9 [Colloq.] position or place in a schedule or listing 10 [Colloq.] a spot advertisement or announcement Æ 11 [Slang] a nightclub Æ 12 [Slang] a piece of paper money of a specified value {a ten spot} •vt. spot´ted, spot´ting 1 to mark with spots 2 to sully; stain; blemish 3 to mark for future consideration 4 a) to place in or on a given spot or spots; locate {to spot men at strategic points} b) [Colloq.] to put in a spot in a schedule or listing 5 to be located at various places in or on 6 to shine a spotlight on 7 to remove (individual spots, marks, etc.) as in dry cleaning 8 a) to pick out; detect; see; recognize {to spot someone in a crowd} b) to determine the location of (a target, the enemy, etc.) c) to correct the accuracy of (gunfire) for a gun crew 9 to observe and report on (plays) as a spotter in sports Æ 10 [Colloq.] to allow as an advantage or handicap {to spot an opponent points} •vi. 1 to become marked with spots 2 to cause a spot or spots; make a stain, as ink, water, etc. 3 to act as a spotter, esp. for a gun crew or in sports •adj. 1 a) that can be paid out or delivered immediately; ready {spot cash} b) involving immediate payment of cash c) involving cash transactions only 2 made at random or according to an arbitrary sampling procedure {a spot survey} 3 inserted between regular radio or television programs {a spot advertisement or announcement} Æ hit the high spots [Colloq.] to treat only the main points of a topic, as in a cursory discussion hit the spot [Colloq.] to satisfy a craving or need Æ in a (bad) spot [Slang] in a bad situation; in trouble on the spot 1 on or at the place mentioned 2 at once; immediately Æ 3 [Slang] in trouble or difficulty 4 [Slang] in a position where something, as a reply, is expected of one Æ 5 [Slang] in danger, esp. in danger of death by murder [ME < or akin to MDu spotte, akin to ON spotti, small piece (of ground)]
spot pass Sports a pass of the ball, puck, etc. to a prearranged spot at which the receiver is expected to arrive at the same time as the ball, puck, etc.
spot welding a welding process in which overlapping metal pieces are held under great pressure between two electrodes, between which a brief, powerful current is passed, effecting the weld spot´-weld´ •vt., vi. spot´-weld´er •n.
spot-check (-chek´) •vt. to check or examine at random or by sampling •n. an act or instance of such checking
spotless (-lis) •adj. 1 having no spots; perfectly clean 2 having no faults or defects, as in character; irreproachable spot´less·ly •adv. spot´less·ness •n.
spotlight (-lait') •n. 1 a) a strong beam of light used to illuminate prominently a particular person, thing, or group, as on a stage, in a window display, etc. b) a lamp used to project such a beam of light 2 a lamp with a strong, focused beam, as on an automobile, that can be directed on a small area 3 public notice or prominence •vt. to light up or draw attention to by, or as by, a spotlight
spotted (-id) •adj. 1 marked with spots 2 stained, blemished; sullied
spotted adder MILK SNAKE
spotted fever any of various febrile diseases accompanied by skin eruptions; esp., Rocky Mountain spotted fever
spotter (spät´эr) •n. a person or thing that spots; specif., a) a person whose work is removing spots, etc. in dry cleaning Æ b) a person hired to watch for dishonesty, etc. among employees, as in a store c) a person who watches for, and reports, enemy aircraft d) a person who determines, as for a gun crew, the position of a target and the closeness to it of the projectiles fired Æ e) a football coach's assistant in the stands who reports on the plays to the bench by phone; also, an assistant to a sports announcer who helps identify the players for the announcer
spotty (-i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. 1 having, occurring in, or marked with spots 2 not uniform or consistent; irregular, as in quality; uneven spot´ti·ly •adv. spot´ti·ness •n.
spousal (spau´zэl) •n. [often pl.] [Now Rare] a marriage ceremony •adj. 1 [Now Rare] of marriage 2 of or relating to a spouse {spousal benefits} [see ESPOUSAL]
spouse (spaus; also, esp. for vt., spauz) •n. a partner in marriage; (one's) husband or wife •vt. spoused, spous´ing [Archaic] to marry; wed [ME spus < OFr espous < L sponsus, betrothed, pp. of spondere: see SPONSOR]
spout (spaut) •n. 1 a lip, orifice, or projecting tube, as on a teapot, in a drinking fountain, etc., by which a liquid is poured or discharged 2 a) a stream, jet, or discharge of or as of liquid from a spout b) the stream of air and water rising from the blowhole of a whale 3 a) DOWNSPOUT b) WATERSPOUT 4 a chute for conveying substances, as grain or flour, or articles 5 [Old Brit. Slang] a pawnshop [from chute formerly used as a conveyance in shop] •vt. 1 to shoot out (liquid, etc.) from or as from a spout 2 to speak or utter in a loud, pompous manner or in a ready, rapid flow of words •vi. 1 to flow or shoot out with force in a jet: said of liquid, etc. 2 to discharge liquid, etc. from or as from a spout 3 to spout words spout off to spout words in a way that is hasty, irresponsible, etc. up the spout [Brit., etc. Slang] 1 [Old-fashioned] in pawn 2 bankrupt; lost; ruined 3 pregnant spout´er •n. spout´less •adj. [ME spute, spoute < the v.]
spp species (pl. of SPECIES)
SPQR the Senate and the Roman people [L S(enatus) P(opulus)q(ue) R(omanus)]
spraddle (spræd´ªl) -dled, -dling •vt., vi. [Colloq. or Dial.] to spread (the legs) in a sprawling or straddling way [blend of SPREAD & STRADDLE]
sprag (spræg) •n. 1 a roof prop used in a coal mine Æ 2 a device for preventing a vehicle from rolling backward on a grade [prob. < Scand, as in Dan sprag, twig < base of sprage, to crack, crackle: for IE base see SPARK¹]
sprain (sprein) •vt. to wrench or twist a ligament or muscle of (a joint, as the ankle) without dislocating the bones •n. 1 an act of spraining 2 the resulting condition, characterized by swelling, pain, and disablement of the joint [< ? OFr espreindre, to force out, strain < VL *expremere, for L exprimere: see EXPRESS]
sprang (spræŋ) •vi., vt. alt. pt. of SPRING
sprat (spræt) •n. any of a genus (Sprattus) of small, silvery herrings of temperate seas, esp. a European species (S. sprattus) often canned as food [< ME sprotte < OE sprott: for IE base see SPROUT]
sprawl (spröl) •vi. 1 a) to spread the limbs in a relaxed, awkward, or unnatural position b) to sit or lie in such a position {to sprawl in a chair} 2 to crawl in an awkward, ungainly way 3 to spread out in an awkward or uneven way, esp. so as to take up more space than is necessary, as handwriting, a line of men, etc. •vt. to cause to sprawl •n. a sprawling movement or position sprawl´er •n. sprawl´y, sprawl´i·er, sprawl´i·est, •adj. [ME spraulen < OE spreawlian, to move convulsively: see SPROUT]
spray can a can in which gas under pressure is used to disperse the contents in the form of a spray
spray gun a device that shoots out a spray of liquid, as paint or insecticide, by air pressure from a compressor
spray¹ (sprei) •n. 1 a cloud or mist of fine liquid particles, as of water from breaking waves 2 a) a jet of fine liquid particles, or mist, as from an atomizer or spray gun b) a device for shooting out such a jet c) any liquid for spraying from such a device 3 something likened to a spray of liquid particles {a spray of gunfire} •vt. 1 to direct a spray on; treat with a spray 2 to direct a spray of on some surface, etc. •vi. 1 to shoot out a spray 2 to be shot out as a spray spray´er •n. [< or akin to MDu spraeien, to spray, akin to Ger sprühen: see SPREAD]
spray² (sprei) •n. 1 a small branch or sprig of a tree or plant, with leaves, berries, flowers, etc. 2 a design or ornament like this [ME: for IE base see SPARK¹]
spread (spred) spread, spread´ing •vt. 1 to draw out so as to display more fully; open or stretch out so as to cover more space; unfold or unfurl 2 to lay out in display; exhibit 3 to move apart (the fingers, arms, legs, wings, etc.) 4 a) to distribute over a surface or area; scatter; disperse b) to distribute among a group {to spread the wealth} 5 a) to distribute in a thin layer; smear {to spread butter on toast} b) to cover by smearing (with something) {to spread bread with jelly} 6 to extend or prolong in time {to spread payments over a two-year period} 7 to cause to be widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; disseminate; propagate; diffuse {to spread news, a disease, etc.} 8 to cover, overlay, or deck (with something) 9 a) to set (a table) for a meal b) to set (food) on a table 10 to push apart or farther apart Æ 11 to record in full; enter (on a record) 12 to flatten out (a rivet, etc.) by hammering •vi. 1 to extend itself; be extended or expanded 2 to become distributed or dispersed 3 to be made widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; be disseminated, propagated, or diffused 4 to be pushed apart or farther apart 5 to be of such consistency that it can be distributed in a thin layer, as butter; be capable of being smeared •n. 1 the act of spreading; extension; expansion; diffusion 2 a) the extent to which something is spread or can be spread b) the interval or difference between the highest and lowest figures of a set, as of the scores of a test or of the prices bid and asked on the market c) in betting, the number of points by which a team, esp. a football team, is expected to defeat its opponent 3 an expanse; extent; stretch; compass Æ 4 a) two facing pages of a newspaper, magazine, etc., treated as a single continuous sheet, as in advertising b) printed matter set across a page, or across several columns, of a newspaper, magazine, etc. Æ 5 a cloth cover for a table, bed, etc. Æ 6 any soft substance, as jam, butter, etc., used for spreading on bread 7 in rummy, etc. a set of three or four cards of the same denomination, or three or more cards of the same suit and consecutive denominations 8 [Colloq.] a meal, esp. one with a wide variety of food 9 [Colloq.] a pretentious display Æ 10 [West] a ranch Æ spread oneself thin to try to do too many things at once [ME spreden < OE sprædan, akin to Ger spreiten < IE *sprei-d-, to sprinkle, strew < base *(s)p(h)er-, to strew, spray, burst (of buds) > SPRAY¹, SPRAWL, SPROUT]
spread eagle 1 the figure of an eagle with wings and legs spread, used as an emblem of the U.S. 2 something suggesting this, as an acrobatic figure in fancy skating
spread-eagle (spred´i:'gэl) •adj. 1 having the figure of an eagle with wings and legs spread Æ 2 [Colloq.] boastful or jingoistic about the U.S. •vt. -gled, -gling to stretch out in the form of a spread eagle, as for a flogging •vi. to perform a spread eagle: see SPREAD EAGLE (sense 2)
spreader (-эr) •n. a person or thing that spreads; specif., a) a small, dull knife for spreading butter, etc. b) a contrivance for scattering something {a fertilizer spreader} c) a device, as a bar, for keeping apart wires, stays, etc.
spreading factor a substance, as hyaluronidase, that promotes the diffusion of a material through body tissues
spreadsheet (-shi:t') •n. a computer program that organizes numerical data into rows and columns on a video screen, for computing desired calculations and making overall adjustments based on new data
Sprechstimme (shpreH´shtim'э) •n. a form of vocal expression partly like speech and partly like song [Ger, lit., speaking voice]
Spree (shpřei) river in E Germany, flowing northwest through Berlin into the Havel: c. 250 mi. (402 km) spree (spri:) •n. 1 a lively, noisy frolic 2 a period of drunkenness 3 a period of uninhibited activity {a shopping spree} [late 18th-c. slang, for earlier spray < ?]
sprig (sprig) •n. 1 a) a little twig or spray b) a design or ornament like this 2 a small, headless brad 3 a young fellow; stripling 4 a person as the offspring or scion of a family, institution, class, etc.: used humorously •vt. sprigged, sprig´ging 1 to remove sprigs from (a bush, tree, etc.) 2 to decorate with a design of sprigs 3 to fasten with small, headless brads sprig´gy, -gi·er, -gi·est, •adj. [ME sprigge, prob. akin to MDu sprik, dry twig: for IE base see SPARK¹]
sprightly (sprait´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. full of energy and spirit; lively, brisk, etc. •adv. in a sprightly manner SYN. AGILE, LIVELY spright´li·ness •n. [< spright, var. of SPRITE + -LY¹]
spring (spriŋ) sprang or sprung, sprung, spring´ing •vi. 1 to move suddenly and rapidly; specif., a) to move upward or forward from the ground, etc. by suddenly contracting the muscles; leap; bound; also, to make a series of such leaps b) to rise suddenly and quickly from or as from a sitting or lying position {to spring to one's feet} c) to come, appear, etc. suddenly and quickly {curses springing to his lips} d) to move as a result of resilience; bounce 2 to come or arise as from some source; specif., a) to grow or develop {the plant springs from a seed} b) to come into existence, usually quickly {towns sprang up} c) to be descended d) [Archaic] to begin to appear, as day; dawn 3 to become warped, bent, split, loose, etc. {the door has sprung} 4 to rise up above surrounding objects; tower {a steeple springing high above the town} Æ 5 [Colloq.] to bear the cost for someone else; treat (with for) 6 Archit. to rise from the impost with an outward curve In many senses of the vi., spring is often followed by up •vt. 1 to cause to leap or come forth suddenly {to spring a covey of quail} 2 [Rare] to leap over; vault 3 to cause to close or snap shut, as by a spring {to spring a trap} 4 a) to cause to warp, bend, strain, split, etc., as by force b) to stretch (a spring, etc.) beyond the point where it will spring back fully 5 to explode (a military mine) 6 to make known or cause to appear suddenly or unexpectedly {to spring a surprise} 7 to equip with springs Æ [< the n., sense 3] 8 [Slang] to get (someone) released from jail or custody, as by paying bail •n. [ME & OE springe] 1 the act or an instance of springing; specif., a) a jump or leap forward or upward, or the distance covered by this b) a sudden darting or flying back 2 a) the quality of elasticity; resilience b) energy or vigor, as in one's walk 3 a) a device, as a coil of wire, that returns to its original form after being forced out of shape: springs are used to absorb shock, and as the motive power in clocks and similar mechanisms b) a bedspring or box spring (usually used in pl.) 4 a) a flow of water from the ground, often a source of a stream, pond, etc. b) any source, origin, or motive 5 a) that season of the year in which plants begin to grow after lying dormant all winter: in the North Temperate Zone, generally regarded as including the months of March, April, and May: in the astronomical year, that period between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice b) any period of beginning or newness 6 [Scot.] a lively song or dance 7 [Archaic] the dawn or dawning, as of day or light 8 Archit. the line or plane in which an arch or vault rises from its impost 9 Naut. a split or break in a mast or spar •adj. 1 of, for, appearing in, or planted in the spring 2 of or acting like a spring; elastic; resilient 3 having, or supported on, a spring or springs {a spring mattress} 4 coming from a spring {spring water} SYN. RISE spring a leak Æ to begin to leak suddenly [ME springen < OE springan, akin to Du & Ger springen < IE *sprenGh-, to move quickly (< base *sper-, to jerk) > Sans sprhayati, (he) strives for]
spring beauty CLAYTONIA
spring chicken 1 a young chicken, esp. one only a few months old, used for broiling or frying 2 [Slang] a young or inexperienced person
spring fever the laziness or restlessness that many people feel during the first warm, sunny days of spring
spring lock a lock in which the bolt is shot automatically by a spring
spring peeper a small tree frog (Hyla crucifer) of the E U.S., that makes shrill, peeping sounds in early spring
spring tide 1 either one of two tides, one occurring at or shortly after the new moon, the other at or shortly after the full moon: at these times the high tides are higher and the low tides are lower than the corresponding tides during neap tide 2 any great flow, rush, or flood
springal (spriŋ´эl) •n. [Archaic] an active young man; youth: also spring´ald [Scot springel, springald < ME sprynhold, prob. < springen: see SPRING]
springboard (spriŋ´börd') •n. 1 a flexible, springy board used by acrobats, gymnasts, etc. as a takeoff in performing various feats of leaping 2 DIVING BOARD 3 anything serving as the starting point or providing the impetus for something else
springbok (-bäk') pl. -bok' or -boks' a graceful gazelle (Antidorcas marsupialis) of S Africa, noted for its tendency to leap high in the air, as when startled: also spring´buck' (-bûk') •n. [Afrik < Du springen, to SPRING + bok, BUCK¹]
spring-cleaning (-kli:n´iŋ) •n. a thorough cleaning of the interior of a house, etc. as conventionally done in the spring
springe (sprinj) •n. [Now Rare] a snare consisting of a noose attached to something under tension, as a bent tree branch •vt. springed, springe´ing to snare in a springe [ME sprenge < sprengen < OE sprengan, to cause to spring, caus. of springan, to SPRING]
springer (spriŋ´эr) •n. 1 a person or thing that springs 2 short for SPRINGER SPANIEL Æ 3 SPRING CHICKEN (sense 1) 4 Archit. a) the support upon which an arch rests; impost b) the lowest stone or lowest part of an arch (see ARCH¹, illus.)
springer spaniel any dog of either of two breeds of spaniel: see ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL, WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL
springerle (shpriŋ´ger lэ) •n.pl. anise-flavored cookies, orig. of Germany
Springfield (spriŋ´fi:ld') 1 city in SW Mass., on the Connecticut River: pop. 157,000 (met. area 530,000) 2 city in SW Mo.: pop. 140,000 3 capital of Ill., in the central part: pop. 105,000 4 city in WC Ohio: pop. 70,000 [first sense after Springfield, village in Essex, England: others prob. after first sense]
Springfield rifle a .30-caliber magazine-fed rifle, operated by a bolt, adopted for use by the U.S. Army in 1903 and replaced as the standard infantry weapon by the Garand rifle in 1936 [after SPRINGFIELD, Mass., location of a U.S. armory]
springform pan (spriŋ´förm') a circular baking pan, esp. for cakes, with the side held in place by clamps, which are released to free the baked contents
springhalt (spriŋ´hölt') •n. STRINGHALT
springhead (-hed') •n. a source or fountainhead
springhouse (-haus') •n. a small structure built over a spring or brook, used for cooling milk, etc.
springlet (-lit) •n. a small spring of water
springtail (-teil') any of an order (Collembola) of small, primitive, wingless insects, able to leap great distances by the sudden release of a forklike, abdominal appendage
springtime (-taim') •n. 1 the season of spring 2 a period resembling spring; earliest period: also [Obs. or Old Poet.] spring´tide´
springwood (-wud´) •n. the first-formed woody portion of the annual growth ring of a shrub or tree
springy (-i:) spring´i·er, spring´i·est •adj. 1 having spring; elastic, resilient, etc. 2 having many springs of water spring´i·ly •adv. spring´i·ness •n.
sprinkle (spriŋ´kэl) -kled, -kling •vt. 1 to scatter (water, sand, etc.) in drops or particles 2 a) to scatter drops or particles upon; cover or strew with a sprinkling b) to dampen before ironing 3 to distribute at random or in a pattern •vi. 1 to scatter something in drops or particles 2 to fall in drops or particles 3 to rain lightly or infrequently •n. 1 the act of sprinkling 2 a small quantity; sprinkling 3 a light rain 4 [pl.] tiny pieces of candy, variously flavored and shaped, used for decorating cookies, servings of ice cream, etc. sprin´kler •n. [ME sprinklen, akin to Ger sprenkeln: see SPARK¹]
sprinkler system 1 a system of pipes and attached nozzles carrying water or other extinguishing fluid throughout a building for protection against fire: it usually operates automatically when exposed to abnormal heat 2 a system of pipes and nozzles, often underground, for watering a lawn, golf course, etc.: also sprinkling system
sprinkling (-kliŋ) •n. 1 a small number, quantity, or amount, esp. one that is sprinkled, scattered, or thinly distributed 2 the act of one that sprinkles
sprint (sprint) •vi. to run or race at full speed, esp. for a short distance •n. 1 the act of sprinting 2 a short run or race at full speed; dash 3 a brief period of intense activity sprint´er •n. [ME sprenten, to leap, run < Scand, as in Swed dial. sprinta, ON spretta, to run]
sprit (sprit) •n. a pole or spar extended diagonally upward from a mast to the topmost corner of a fore-and-aft sail, serving to extend the sail [ME spret < OE spreot, a sprout, pole, akin to Du spriet: for IE base see SPREAD]
sprite (sprait) •n. 1 Folklore an imaginary being or spirit, as a fairy, elf, or goblin 2 an elflike person 3 [Archaic] a ghost [ME sprit < OFr esprit < L spiritus, SPIRIT]
spritsail (sprait´seil', -sэl) •n. a sail extended by a sprit
spritz (sprits, shpřits) •vt., vi., n. squirt or spray [PaGer spritz (< Ger spritze(n)) & Yidd shprits, both < MHG sprütze < sprützen, to spray: for IE base see SPROUT]
spritzer (-эr) •n. a drink consisting of wine, usually white, and soda water
sprocket (spräk´it) •n. 1 any of a number of teeth or points, as on the rim of a wheel, arranged to fit into the links of a chain 2 a wheel fitted with sprockets on its outer rim, used in a chain drive: in full sprocket wheel [Early ModE < ?]
sprout (spraut) •vi. 1 to begin to grow or germinate; give off shoots or buds 2 to grow or develop rapidly •vt. to cause to sprout or grow •n. [ME sprute < the v.] 1 a young growth on a plant, as a stem or branch; shoot 2 a new growth from a bud, rootstock, germinating seed, etc. 3 something like or suggestive of a sprout, as an offshoot or young person 4 [pl.] short for BRUSSELS SPROUTS [ME sprouten < OE sprutan, akin to Ger spriessen < IE *spreud- < base *(s)p(h)er-: see SPREAD]
spruce beer a fermented beverage made with an extract of spruce leaves and twigs
spruce grouse a gray, black, and brown grouse (Canachites canadensis) of the spruce forests of N North America
spruce pine 1 a pine (Pinus glabra) of the SE U.S. 2 any of several similar pines, spruces, or hemlocks
spruce¹ (spru:s) •n. 1 any of a genus (Picea) of evergreen trees of the pine family, having slender needles that are rhombic in cross section 2 the soft, light wood of any of these trees 3 any of several evergreen trees, as the Douglas fir, resembling the spruces [ME Spruce, for Pruce, Prussia < OFr < ML Prussia: prob. because the tree was first known as a native of Prussia]
spruce² (spru:s) spruc´er, spruc´est •adj. neat and trim in a smart, dapper way •vt. spruced, spruc´ing to make spruce: usually with up •vi. to make oneself spruce: usually with up spruce´ly •adv. spruce´ness •n. [< ME Spruce (see SPRUCE1), esp. in the phr. Spruce leather, fine leather imported from Prussia]
sprue¹ (spru:) •n. a chronic, chiefly tropical disease characterized by defective absorption of food, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. [Du spruw]
sprue² (spru:) •n. 1 an opening through which molten material, as metal or plastic, is poured into a foundry mold 2 the waste piece of metal, etc. cast in such an opening [< ?]
sprung (sprûŋ) •vi., vt. pp. & alt. pt. of SPRING •adj. 1 having the springs broken, overstretched, or loose 2 having the parts warped, bent, etc. so that they no longer fit together properly 3 provided with or mounted on springs
sprung rhythm a kind of rhythm in English poetry, based on the normal rhythms of speech and made up of a mixture of feet, each foot consisting of either a single stressed syllable or a stressed syllable followed by one or more unstressed syllables [term coined by Gerard Manley HOPKINS]
spry (sprai) spri´er or spry´er, spri´est or spry´est •adj. full of life; active, nimble, brisk, etc., esp. though elderly SYN. AGILE spry´ly •adv. spry´ness •n. [< Brit dial. sprey < Scand, as in Swed sprygg, lively]
spud (spûd) •n. 1 any of various sharp, spadelike or chisel-like tools used for rooting out weeds, stripping off bark, etc. 2 [Colloq.] a potato •vt., vi. spud´ded, spud´ding to dig, strip, drill, etc. with or as with a spud spud´der •n. [ME spudde, prob. < Scand, as in ON spjōt, a spear (for IE base see SPIKE¹): sense 2 from the use of the implement in potato digging]
spue (spyu:) spued, spu´ing •n., vt., vi. SPEW
spume (spyu:m) •n. foam, froth, or scum •vt., vi. spumed, spum´ing to foam or froth spu´mous or spum´y, -i·er, -i·est, •adj. [ME < MFr espume < L spuma: see FOAM]
spumescent (spyu: mes´эnt) •adj. 1 like froth or foam 2 frothing; foaming spu·mes´cence •n. [L spumescens, prp. of spumescere, to grow frothy < spuma: see SPUME]
spumoni (spэ mou´ni:) •n. an Italian frozen dessert made of variously flavored and colored layers of smooth ice cream, often containing candied fruits and pistachio nuts: also sp. spu·mo´ne [It, pl. of spumone, aug. of spuma, foam (< L: see FOAM)]
spun (spûn) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of SPIN •adj. formed by or as if by spinning
spun glass fine glass fiber, made by forming liquid glass into a thread
spun silk a kind of yarn made from silk floss or waste
spun sugar COTTON CANDY
spun yarn 1 yarn spun from staple fibers 2 Naut. a line made of several rope yarns twisted together
spunk (spûŋk) •n. 1 a kind of wood or fungus that smolders when ignited; punk 2 [Colloq.] courage; spirit [Ir sponc, tinder, touchwood, sponge < L spongia, SPONGE]
spunky (spûŋ´ki:) spunk´i·er, spunk´i·est •adj. [Colloq.] having spunk; courageous; spirited spunk´i·ly •adv. spunk´i·ness •n.
spur (spør) •n. 1 any of various pointed devices worn on the heel by the rider of a horse and used to urge the horse forward 2 anything that urges, impels, or incites; stimulus to action 3 something like a spur; specif., a) a spinelike process, as on the wings or legs of certain birds b) a spinelike outgrowth of bone, as on the human heel, resulting from injury, disease, etc. c) a climbing iron, as used by lumberjacks d) a sharp metal device attached as a weapon to the leg of a gamecock in a cockfight e) a short, stunted, or projecting branch or shoot of a tree, etc. 4 a range or ridge projecting in a lateral direction from the main mass of a mountain or mountain range 5 a) GRIFFE b) a buttress, as of masonry, or any similar structure c) a short wooden reinforcing piece; brace; strut 6 SPUR TRACK 7 Bot. a slender, tubelike structure formed by a basal extension of one or more petals or sepals, often serving as a nectar receptacle; calcar •vt. spurred, spur´ring 1 to strike or prick with a spur or spurs 2 to urge, incite, or stimulate to action, greater effort, etc. 3 to provide with a spur or spurs 4 to strike or injure as with a SPUR (sense 3d) •vi. 1 to spur one's horse 2 to hurry; hasten on the spur of the moment hastily and abruptly; without forethought or preparation win one's spurs to attain distinction or honor, esp. for the first time; establish one's reputation spur´rer •n. [ME spure < OE spura, akin to Ger sporn < IE base *sp(h)er-, to jerk, push with the foot > SPURN, Sans sphurāti, (he) kicks away, L spernere, lit., to push away]
spur gear 1 a gear having radial teeth parallel to the axle: also spur wheel 2 a system of gearing having this kind of gear: also spur gearing
spur track a short track connected with the main track of a railroad
spurge (spørj) •n. any of a genus (Euphorbia) of plants of the spurge family, with milky juice and minute, simplified flowers borne in cuplike inflorescences •adj. designating a family (Euphorbiaceae, order Euphorbiales) of dicotyledonous plants, usually with milky juice and diclinous flowers, including the poinsettia, cassava, and rubber tree [ME < MFr espurge < espurger, to purge < L expurgare: see EXPURGATE]
spurge laurel a Eurasian evergreen shrub (Daphne laureola) of the mezereum family, with yellowish-green flowers, oblong leaves, and poisonous berries
spurious (spyur´i: эs) •adj. 1 [Now Rare] illegitimate; bastard 2 not true or genuine; false; counterfeit 3 Bot. like in appearance but unlike in structure or function 4 Radio designating or of an unwanted signal transmitted or received at other than the desired frequency SYN. ARTIFICIAL spu´ri·ous·ly •adv. spu´ri·ous·ness •n. [L spurius, illegitimate (in LL, false), orig., a bastard < Etr]
spurn (spørn) •vt. 1 [Archaic] to push or drive away contemptuously with or as with the foot 2 to refuse or reject with contempt or disdain; scorn •vi. to show contempt or disdain in refusing or rejecting •n. 1 [Archaic] a kick 2 scornful treatment or rejection SYN. DECLINE spurn´er •n. [ME spurnen < OE spurnan, to spurn, kick: see SPUR]
spurred (spørd) •adj. having, wearing, or fitted with spurs or spurlike parts
spurrier (spør´i: эr) •n. a person who makes spurs
spurry or spurrey (spør´i:) •n. any of a genus (Spergula) of European plants of the pink family; esp., the common corn spurry (S. arvensis) with small white flowers, now a weed in North America [Du spurrie < ML spergula < L spargere, to strew (see SPARK¹): so named from scattering its seeds]
spurt (spørt) •vt. to expel suddenly in a stream or gushing flow; squirt; jet •vi. 1 to gush forth in a stream or jet 2 to show a sudden, brief burst of energy, increased activity, etc., as near the end of a race •n. 1 a sudden gushing or shooting forth; jet 2 a sudden, brief burst of energy, increased activity, etc. [prob. altered by metathesis < ME sprutten, to sprout, spring forth < OE spryttan < base of sprutan: see SPROUT]
sputnik (sput´nik, spût´-) •n. SATELLITE (sense 2b) [< Russ, lit., co-traveler < s(o)-, with (< IE base *sem-: see SAME) + put', way (< OSlav pot' < IE base *pent-, to go > FIND) + -nik, -NIK]
sputter (spût´эr) •vi. 1 to spit out drops of saliva, bits of food, etc. in an explosive manner, as when talking excitedly; splutter 2 to speak hastily in a confused, explosive manner 3 to make sharp, sizzling or spitting sounds, as burning wood, frying fat, etc. •vt. 1 to spit or throw out (bits or drops) in an explosive manner 2 to utter by sputtering •n. 1 the act or noise of sputtering 2 matter thrown out in sputtering 3 hasty, confused, explosive utterance [Du sputteren, freq. < MDu spotten, to spit: for base see SPEW]
sputum (spyu:t´эm) pl. spu´ta (-э) •n. saliva, usually mixed with mucus from the respiratory tract, ejected from the mouth [L, that which is spit out < sputus, pp. of spuere, to SPIT²]
Spuyten Duyvil (spait´ªn dai´vэl) ship canal between N Manhattan Island & the mainland, connecting the Hudson & Harlem rivers [Du, lit., spouting devil, nickname for a dangerous ford]
spy (spai) spied, spy´ing •vt. 1 to watch or observe closely and secretly, usually with unfriendly purpose: often with out 2 to catch sight of; make out; perceive; see •vi. 1 to watch or observe closely and secretly; specif., to act as a spy 2 to make a close examination or careful inspection •n. pl. spies 1 a person who keeps close and secret watch on another or others Æ 2 a person employed by a government to get secret information about or monitor the affairs, plans, armed forces, etc. of another government 3 a person employed by a company, as in industry or commerce, to discover the business secrets of another company 4 [Now Rare] an act of spying •adj. 1 of or about spies or espionage 2 used for purposes of military espionage {spy plane, spy satellite} spy out to discover or seek to discover by close observation, inspection, etc. [ME spien < OFr espier < OHG spehōn, to search out, examine < IE base *spe-, to spy, watch closely > L specere, to see, Sans spaśati, (he) sees, Gr skopein, to observe]
spyglass (-glæs', -gläs') •n. a small telescope
sq 1 sequence 2 squadron 3 square
sq. the following one [L sequens]
sqq. the following ones; what follows [L sequentes; sequentia]
squab (skwäb) •n. 1 a nestling pigeon, still unfledged 2 a short, stout person 3 [Chiefly Brit., etc.] a) a thick cushion, esp. for a chair or sofa b) a sofa or couch •adj. 1 newly hatched or not fully fledged 2 short and stout [prob. < Scand, as in Swed sqvabb, loose flesh]
squabble (skwäb´эl) -bled, -bling •vi. to quarrel noisily over a small matter; wrangle •n. a noisy, petty quarrel or dispute; wrangle SYN. QUARREL² squab´bler •n. [< Scand as in Swed skvabbel, a dispute]
squabby (skwä´bi:) -bi·er, -bi·est •adj. short and stout
squad (skwäd) •n. 1 a) a small group of soldiers assembled for inspection, duty, etc. b) the smallest military tactical unit, often a subdivision of a platoon Æ 2 a) any small group of people working together {a police squad} b) an athletic team {a football squad} •vt. squad´ded, squad´ding 1 to form into squads 2 to assign to a squad [Fr escouade < Sp escuadra or It squadra, a square, both < VL *exquadrare, to form into a square: see SQUARE, vt.]
squad car PATROL CAR
squadron (skwäd´rэn) •n. 1 a group of warships, usually of the same type, assigned to some special duty; specif., a naval unit consisting of two or more divisions 2 a unit of armored cavalry composed of from two to four troops, a headquarters, and auxiliary units 3 a) a military flight formation b) the basic tactical and administrative air-force unit, smaller than an air group and larger than a flight 4 a large or organized group [It squadrone < squadra, a square, fem. of quadrus, SQUARE]
squalene (skwei´li:n') •n. an unsaturated hydrocarbon, C30H50, found in shark livers, etc. that is a precursor of cholesterol in biosynthesis [< ModL Squalus, a genus of sharks (< L, a kind of sea-fish: see WHALE¹) + -ENE]
squalid (skwäl´id) •adj. 1 foul or unclean, esp. as the result of neglect or unsanitary conditions 2 wretched; miserable; sordid squa·lid·i·ty (skwä lid´э ti:, skwö-) or squal´id·ness •n. squal´id·ly •adv. [L squalidus < squalere, to be foul or filthy]
squall¹ (skwöl) •n. 1 a brief, violent windstorm, usually with rain or snow 2 [Colloq.] trouble or disturbance •vi. to storm briefly; blow a squall squall´y, squall´i·er, squall´i·est, •adj. [< Scand, as in Swed sqval, a sudden shower, downpour: for prob. base see SQUALL2]
squall² (skwöl) •vi., vt. to cry or scream loudly and harshly •n. a harsh, shrill cry or loud scream squall´er •n. [< ON skvala, to cry out, yell: see SQUEAL]
squalor (skwäl´эr) •n. the quality or condition of being squalid; filth and wretchedness [L, foulness, akin to squalere, to be filthy]
squama (skwei´mэ) pl. -mae (-mi:) •n. a scale or scalelike part of an animal or plant [L, a scale, husk]
squamate (skwei´meit) •adj. having or covered with scales; scaly [LL squamatus < L squama, a scale]
squamation (skwei mei´shэn, skwэ-) •n. 1 the condition of being squamate 2 epidermal scale arrangement
squamo- (skwei´mou, -mэ) combining form squama Also, before a vowel, squam- [< L squama, a scale]
squamosal (skwэ mou´sэl) •adj. 1 SQUAMOUS 2 Zool. designating or of a bone in the skull of lower vertebrates analogous to the squamous portion of the temporal bone in humans •n. a squamosal bone
squamous (skwei´mэs) •adj. 1 like, formed of, or covered with scales 2 Anat. designating or of the thin, scalelike, upper anterior portion of the temporal bone Also squa·mose (skwei´mous) [L squamosus < squama, a scale]
squamulose (skwæm´yэ lous', skwei´myэ-) •adj. having, covered with, or consisting of small scales [ModL squamulosus < L squamula, dim. of squama, a scale]
squander (skwän´dэr) •vt. to spend or use wastefully or extravagantly •vi. to be wasteful or extravagant •n. [Rare] a squandering; extravagant expenditure [prob. a specialized use of dial. squander, to scatter, popularized after Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, I, iii, 22]
square (skwer) •n. 1 a plane figure having four equal sides and four right angles: see QUADRILATERAL, illus. 2 a) anything having or approximating this shape {a square of cloth} b) any of the spaces on a board for chess, checkers, etc. Æ 3 BLOCK (n. 11) 4 a) an open area bounded by, or at the intersection of, several streets, usually used as a park, plaza, etc. b) buildings surrounding such an area 5 an instrument having two sides that form an angle of 90 degrees, used for drawing or testing right angles 6 a solid piece with at least one face that is a square {to cut a cake into squares} 7 the product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself {9 is the square of 3} Æ 8 [Slang] a person who is SQUARE (adj. 12) •vt. squared, squar´ing [ME squaren < OFr esquarrer < VL *exquadrare] 1 a) to make into a square; make square b) to make into any rectangle 2 to test or adjust with regard to straightness or evenness {to square a surface with a straightedge} 3 to bring to or near to the form of a right angle {to square one's shoulders} 4 a) to settle; adjust; make right or even {to square accounts} b) to adjust or settle the accounts of {to square oneself with another} 5 to make equal {to square the score of a game} 6 to bring into agreement; make conform {to square a statement with the facts} 7 to mark off (a surface) in a series of connected squares 8 to bring into the correct position, as with reference to a line, course, etc. 9 to multiply (a number or quantity) by itself 10 to determine the square that is equal in area to (a figure) 11 [Old Slang] to bribe •vi. to fit; agree; accord (with) [ME < OFr esquarre, pp. of esquarrer] •adj. squar´er, squar´est 1 a) having four equal sides and four right angles b) more or less cubical; rectangular and three-dimensional, as a box 2 forming a right angle, or having a rectangular part or parts 3 correctly adjusted or positioned; straight, level, even, etc. 4 a) leaving no balance; balanced; even b) even in score; tied 5 just; fair; honest 6 clear; direct; straightforward; unequivocal {a square refusal} 7 a) designating or of a unit of surface measure in the form of a square having sides of a specified length b) given or stated in terms of such surface measure 8 having a shape broad for its length or height, with a solid, sturdy appearance, and somewhat rectangular or rectilinear {a square jaw} 9 square or rectangular in cross section, as some files 10 designating a number that is the product of another number multiplied by itself Æ 11 [Colloq.] satisfying; solid; substantial {a square meal} Æ 12 [Slang] not conversant with the current fads, styles, slang, etc.; old-fashioned, unsophisticated, conservative, etc. 13 Naut. at right angles to the keel and mast, as the yards of a square-rigged ship •adv. 1 honestly; fairly; justly 2 so as to be or form a square; at right angles 3 directly; exactly 4 so as to face 5 firmly; solidly on the square 1 at right angles (to something specified) 2 [Colloq.] honest(ly), fair(ly), genuine(ly), etc. out of square 1 not at right angles (with something specified) 2 [Colloq.] not in harmony, order, or agreement square away 1 to bring a ship's yards around so as to sail directly before the wind 2 SQUARE OFF 3 [Colloq.] to get ready; put in order Æ square off to assume a posture of attack or self-defense, as in boxing Æ square oneself [Colloq.] to make amends for a wrong; damage, hurt, etc. done by oneself to another square the circle 1 to construct or find a square equal in area to a given circle: an insoluble problem in Euclidean geometry 2 to do or attempt something that seems impossible square up 1 to make a settlement, as by paying, balancing accounts, etc. 2 to assume a posture of opposition (to an adversary) square´ly •adv. square´ness •n. [ME < OFr esquarre < VL *exquadra < *exquadrare, to make square < L ex, out + quadrare, to square < quadrus, a square < base of quattuor, FOUR]
square dance a lively dance with various steps, figures, etc., in which the couples are grouped in a given form, as a square square´-dance', -danced', -danc'ing, •vi.
square deal [Colloq.] any dealing that is honest and fair
square knot a double knot in which the free ends run parallel to the standing parts: see KNOT¹, illus.
square measure a system of measuring area, esp. the system in which 144 square inches = 1 square foot or that in which 10,000 square centimeters = 1 square meter See MEASURE, table
square one the point from which someone or something started Usually in the phrase back to (or at) square one [in allusion to the penalty in certain board games of returning to the first square]
square root the number or quantity which when squared will produce a given number or quantity {3 is the square root of 9}
square sail a four-sided sail rigged on a yard suspended horizontally across the mast and athwart the keel
square shooter [Colloq.] an honest, just person
square-rigged (-rigd') •adj. rigged with square sails as the principal sails
square-rigger (-rig'эr) •n. a square-rigged ship
square-shouldered (-shoul'dэrd) •adj. having a build or posture in which the shoulders jut out squarely from the main axis of the body
square-toed (-toud') •adj. 1 having a broad, square toe: said of a shoe 2 [Now Rare] old-fashioned; conservative
squarish (skwer´ish) •adj. more nearly square than round
squarrose (skwær´ous, skwэ rous´) •adj. 1 Biol. rough or scaly 2 Bot. having tips projecting at right angles, or having spreading bracts squar´rose·ly •adv. [L squarrosus]
squash bug a large, dark-colored hemipteran insect (Anasa tristis) that attacks squash vines and similar plants
squash¹ (skwösh, skwäsh) •vt. 1 a) to squeeze or crush into a soft or flat mass b) to press or squeeze tightly or too tightly 2 to suppress or bring to an abrupt end; quash {to squash a rebellion} 3 [Colloq.] to silence or disconcert (another) in a crushing manner •vi. 1 to be squashed, as by a heavy fall, pressure, etc. 2 to make a sound of squashing or splashing 3 to force one's way; crowd; squeeze •n. 1 something squashed; crushed mass 2 a squashing or being squashed 3 the sound of squashing 4 either of two similar games combining elements of both tennis and handball; specif., a) one played in a four-walled court with a small, long-handled racket and a small rubber ball (in full squash racquets) b) one played in a similar court, but with a larger racket and a larger, livelier ball (in full squash tennis) 5 [Brit., etc.] a drink made of sweetened fruit juice or fruit-flavored syrup diluted with water {lemon squash} •adv. 1 so as to squash 2 with a squashing sound [OFr esquasser < VL *exquassare < L ex-, intens. + quassus: see QUASH²]
squash² (skwösh, skwäsh) •n. 1 the fleshy fruit of any of various plants (genus Cucurbita) of the gourd family, eaten as a vegetable 2 a plant, usually a vine, bearing this fruit [shortened < isquoutersquashes, squontersquashes, pl. < S New England Algonquian: cf. Narragansett askútasquash, pl.]
squashy (-i:) squash´i·er, squash´i·est •adj. 1 soft and wet; mushy 2 easily squashed or crushed, as overripe fruit squash´i·ly •adv. squash´i·ness •n.
squat (skwät) squat´ted, squat´ting •vi. 1 to crouch so as to sit on the heels with the knees bent and the weight resting on the balls of the feet 2 to crouch or cower close to the ground, as an animal Æ 3 to settle on land, esp. public or unoccupied land, without right or title Æ 4 to settle on public land under regulation by the government, in order to get title to it 5 to occupy illegally an empty, abandoned, or condemned house, building, apartment, etc. •vt. to cause to squat: usually reflexive •adj. 1 crouched in a squatting position 2 short and heavy or thick •n. 1 the act of squatting 2 the position taken in squatting; crouching posture 3 a dwelling used by a squatter squat´ly •adv. squat´ness •n. [ME squatten < MFr esquatir < es- (L ex-), intens. + quatir, to press flat < VL *coactire < L coactus, pp. of cogere, to force, compress: see COGENT]
squatter (-эr) •n. 1 a person or animal that squats, or crouches Æ 2 a person who settles on public or unoccupied land: see SQUAT (vi. 3 & 4) 3 a person who occupies illegally a vacant house, building, etc.
squatty (-i:) -ti·er, -ti·est •adj. squat; thickset
squaw (skwö) •n. 1 [Now Rare] a North American Indian woman or wife: this term is now considered offensive 2 a woman; esp., one's wife: a mild term of contempt [< Massachusett squa, younger woman]
squaw man a white man married to a North American Indian woman, esp. one living with her tribe
Squaw Valley valley in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, E Calif., near Lake Tahoe: a ski resort [?]
squawfish (-fish') pl. (see FISH) -fish' •n.or -fish'es any of a genus (Ptychocheilus) of very long, slender cyprinoid fishes, found in rivers of the W U.S. and Canada
squawk (skwök) •vi. 1 to utter a loud, harsh cry, as a parrot or chicken Æ 2 [Colloq.] to complain or protest, esp. in a loud or raucous voice •vt. to utter in a squawk •n. 1 a loud, harsh cry Æ 2 [Colloq.] a loud, raucous complaint or protest Æ 3 the black-crowned night heron squawk´er •n. [echoic]
squawroot (skwö´ru:t') •n. 1 an E North American yellowish-brown, scaly, leafless plant (Conopholis americana) of the broomrape family, parasitic on the roots of some trees, esp. oaks 2 a purple trillium (Trillium erectum)
squeak (skwi:k) •vi. 1 to make or utter a short, sharp, high-pitched sound or cry 2 [Colloq., Chiefly Brit.] to act as an informer; squeal •vt. 1 to utter or produce in a squeak 2 to cause (a door, etc.) to squeak •n. a thin, sharp, usually short sound or cry narrow (or close or near) squeak [Colloq.] a narrow escape squeak through (or by, etc.) [Colloq.] to succeed, get through, survive, etc. by a narrow margin or with difficulty squeak´y, squeak´i·er, squeak´i·est, •adj. squeak´i·ly •adv. [ME squeken, prob. akin to ON skvakka, to gurgle]
squeaker (-эr) •n. 1 a person, animal, or thing that squeaks Æ 2 [Colloq.] a narrow escape, victory, etc.
squeaky-clean (skwi:k´i: kli:n´) •adj. [Colloq.] 1 very clean 2 having no faults or defects; wholesome, unsullied, irreproachable, etc. Also squeaky clean
squeal (skwi:l) •vi. 1 to utter or make a long, shrill cry or sound 2 [Slang] to act as an informer; betray a secret: often with on •vt. to utter in a squeal •n. a long, high, shrill cry or sound squeal´er •n. [ME squelen, prob. akin to ON skvala, to cry out, yell < IE *(s)kwel-, var. of base *kel- > L calare, to cry out, clamor, a cry]
squeamish (skwi:m´ish) •adj. 1 having a digestive system that is easily upset; easily nauseated; queasy 2 easily shocked or offended; prudish 3 excessively fastidious; oversensitive SYN. DAINTY squeam´ish·ly •adv. squeam´ish·ness •n. [ME squaymysch, earlier squaimous < Anglo-Fr escoimous, orig., disdainful, shy]
squeegee (skwi:´ji:) •n. 1 a T-shaped tool with a blade of rubber, etc. set across the handle, used to scrape water from a flat surface, as in washing windows 2 a tool with a rubber blade, roller, etc. used to remove surface liquid, apply ink, etc., as in photographic development or lithography •vt. -geed, -gee·ing to scrape or treat with a squeegee [prob. < squeege, intens. form of fol.]
squeeze (skwi:z) squeezed, squeez´ing •vt. 1 to press hard or closely; exert pressure on, esp. from two or more sides; compress 2 a) to press in order to extract liquid, juice, etc. {to squeeze oranges} b) to get, bring forth, or extract by pressure {to squeeze water from a sponge} 3 to force (into, out, through, etc.) by or as by pressing 4 to get, extract, or extort by force or unfair means 5 to oppress with exactions, burdensome taxes, etc. 6 to put pressure or bring influence to bear upon (someone) to do a certain thing, as to pay money, etc. 7 to embrace closely; hug Æ 8 Baseball to score (a run) or cause (a runner) to score by a squeeze play Æ 9 Bridge to force (an opponent) to discard a potentially winning card •vi. 1 to yield or give way to pressure {a wet sponge squeezes easily} 2 to exert pressure 3 to force one's way by pushing or pressing (in, out, through, etc.) •n. 1 a squeezing or being squeezed; hard or close pressure 2 a) a close embrace; hug b) a firm pressing or grasping of another's hand in one's own 3 the state of being closely pressed or packed; crush 4 a period or situation marked by scarcity, hardship, insecurity, etc. 5 a facsimile impression made by pressing a soft substance onto something, as a coin or inscription 6 a quantity of something extracted by squeezing 7 [Colloq.] pressure or influence brought to bear, as in extortion: used esp. in the phrase Æ put the squeeze on Æ 8 short for SQUEEZE PLAY 9 [Slang] a girlfriend or lover: used esp. in the expression main squeeze squeeze through (or by, etc.) [Colloq.] to succeed, survive, get through, etc. by a narrow margin or with difficulty squeez´a·ble •adj. squeez´er •n. [intens. of ME queisen < OE cwysan, to squeeze, dash against, bruise, akin to Goth quistjan, to destroy < IE base *gweye-, to overpower > Sans jināti, (he) conquers]
squeeze bottle a flexible plastic container which is squeezed to eject its contents through a tiny hole or holes
squeeze play 1 Baseball a play in which the batter bunts in an effort to allow a runner on third base to score 2 Bridge any play that forces an opponent to discard a potentially winning card 3 pressure or coercion exerted to achieve some goal
squelch (skwelch) •n. 1 the sound of liquid, mud, slush, etc. moving under pressure or suction, as in wet shoes 2 a crushed mass of something 3 [Colloq.] the act of suppressing or silencing; esp., a crushing retort, answer, rebuke, etc. •vt. 1 to crush or smash by or as by falling or stamping upon; squash 2 [Colloq.] to suppress or silence completely and with a crushing effect •vi. 1 to walk heavily, as through mud, making a sucking sound 2 to make such a sound squelch´er •n. [prob. echoic]
squelch circuit a circuit which disconnects a receiver in order to eliminate output noise when no signal or an extremely weak signal is received
squeteague (skwi: ti:g´) pl. sque·teague´ •n. WEAKFISH [< Algonquian name: a pl. form]
squib (skwib) •n. 1 a type of firecracker that burns with a hissing, spurting noise before exploding 2 a short, sharp, usually witty attack in words; lampoon 3 a short news item; filler •vt., vi. squibbed, squib´bing 1 to shoot off (a squib) 2 to write or utter a squib or squibs (against) 3 to explode with the sound of a squib [prob. echoic]
squid (skwid) pl. squids •n.or squid any of a number of long, slender, carnivorous cephalopod sea mollusks (esp. order Teuthoidea) having eight arms and two long tentacles: small squid are used as food and for fish bait Æ squid´ded, squid´ding •vi. 1 to take on an elongated squidlike shape due to strong air pressure: said of a parachute 2 to fish for squid or with squid as bait [prob. < squit, dial. for SQUIRT]
squiffy (skwif´i:) -fi·er, -fi·est •adj. [Colloq., Chiefly Brit., etc.] drunk; intoxicated Also squiffed (skwift) [< dial. skew-whiff, askew, tipsy + -Y³]
squiggle (skwig´эl) •n. 1 a short curved or wavy line; curlicue 2 an illegible or meaningless scribble or scrawl •vt. -gled, -gling 1 to form into squiggles 2 to write as a squiggle or scrawl •vi. 1 to make squiggles 2 to move with a squirming motion; wriggle squig´gly •adj. [SQU(IRM) + (W)IGGLE]
squilgee (skwil´ji:) •n. Naut. a squeegee for use on a ship's deck •vt. -geed, -gee·ing Naut. to use a squilgee on [? blend of SWILL & SQUEEGEE]
squill (skwil) •n. 1 SEA ONION 2 SCILLA [ME < L squilla, scilla < Gr skilla]
squilla (skwil´э) pl. -las or -lae (-i:) •n. STOMATOPOD [L squilla, scilla, prawn, shrimp, sea onion: see SQUILL]
squinch¹ (skwinch) •n. an interior corner support, as a small arch, corbeling, or lintel, supporting a weight, as of a spire, resting upon it [var. of scunch, contr. < LME scuncheon < OFr escoinson < es- (< L ex-) + coin, corner: see COIN]
squinch² (skwinch) •vt. 1 a) to squint (the eyes) b) to pucker or screw up (the face, nose, brow, etc.) 2 to squeeze or compress •vi. 1 to squint, pucker, or contort 2 to crouch down or draw oneself together so as to seem smaller 3 to flinch Often with up, down, away [fol. + (P)INCH]
squint (skwint) •vi. 1 to look or peer with the eyes partly closed, as when the light is too strong 2 to look with the eyes turned to the side; look obliquely or askance 3 to be cross-eyed 4 to incline or have a tendency (toward a given direction, belief, etc.) 5 to deviate from a given line, tendency, etc. •vt. 1 to cause to squint 2 to keep (the eyes) partly closed in peering at something •n. 1 the act of squinting 2 an inclination or tendency 3 an oblique or perverse tendency or bent 4 the condition of being cross-eyed; strabismus 5 [Colloq.] a look or glance, often sidelong or casual •adj. 1 squinting; looking askance or sidelong 2 characterized by strabismus {squint eyes} squint´er •n. squint´ing·ly •adv. squint´y •adj. [aphetic for ASQUINT]
squinteyed (-aid') •adj. squinting; specif., a) cross-eyed b) looking askance; malicious; prejudiced; spiteful
squinting (-iŋ) •adj. Gram. designating a modifier, as an adverb, that can be interpreted as modifying either the preceding or the following part of the construction in which it appears (Ex.: often in those who lie often are found out); also, designating the construction itself
squire (skwair) •n. 1 a young man of high birth who served a medieval knight as an attendant or armor-bearer 2 in England, a country gentleman or landed proprietor, esp. the main landowner in a district Æ 3 a title of respect applied commonly to a justice of the peace or similar local dignitary, as in a rural district 4 an attendant, esp. a man escorting a woman; gallant •vt. squired, squir´ing to act as a squire to [ME squier < OFr escuier: see ESQUIRE]
squirearchy (-är ki:) •n. country gentry or landed proprietors collectively Also sp. squir´ar·chy [prec. + -ARCHY, after HIERARCHY]
squireen (skwair i:n´) •n. [Irish] a small landowner; petty squire [SQUIRE + Ir dim. suffix -een < Gael -in]
squirm (skwørm) •vi. 1 to twist and turn the body in a snakelike movement; wriggle; writhe 2 to show or feel distress, as from painful embarrassment, humiliation, etc. •n. the act of squirming; a squirming motion squirm´y •adj.
squirrel (skwør´эl, skwørl) pl. -rels or -rel •n. 1 any of a family (Sciuridae) of small rodents living in trees, on the ground, or in burrows and usually having a long bushy tail, including flying squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots: see FOX SQUIRREL, GRAY SQUIRREL, RED SQUIRREL 2 the fur of some of these animals •vt. -reled or -relled, -rel·ing or -rel·ling to store, hide, or hoard (usually with away): squirrels store up nuts and seeds for the winter [ME squirel < OFr escuriuel < VL *scuriolus, dim. of *scurius, for L sciurus < Gr skiouros, squirrel < skia, shadow (see SHINE) + oura, tail: see URO-²]
squirrel cage a cage for a squirrel, hamster, etc. containing a drum that revolves when the animal runs inside it: often used figuratively of an existence, repetitive task, etc. that seems endless and without purpose
squirrel corn a delicate, E North American, woodland, spring wildflower (Dicentra canadensis) of the fumitory family, having racemes of whitish, spurred flowers
squirrelly or squirrely (-i:) •adj. [Slang] odd, crazy, etc. [in allusion to a squirrel's diet of nuts: see NUT, n. 8a]
squirt (skwørt) •vt. 1 to shoot out (a liquid) in a jet or narrow stream 2 to wet with liquid so shot out •vi. to be squirted out; spurt •n. 1 something used to squirt liquid, as a syringe 2 the act of squirting 3 a small amount of squirted liquid; jet or narrow stream 4 [Colloq.] a small or young person, esp. one who is impudent; whippersnapper squirt´er •n. [LME squyrten, prob. altered < or akin to LowG & Du swirtjen, to squirt]
squirt gun a toy gun that shoots a stream of water
squirting cucumber a sprawling vine (Ecballium elaterium) of the gourd family, with a small, fleshy fruit that separates from its stalk and squirts out its seeds when ripe
squish (skwish) •vi. to make a soft, splashing sound when walked on, squeezed, etc. •vt. [Colloq.] to squeeze into a soft mass; squash •n. 1 a squishing sound 2 [Colloq.] the act of squashing; squash [echoic var. of SQUASH¹]
squishy (-i:) squish´i·er, squish´i·est •adj. 1 soft and pliable; yielding to pressure 2 making a squishing sound
squoosh (skwush) •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to squeeze or crush into a soft, liquid mass 2 SLOSH squoosh´y, squoosh´i·er, squoosh´i·est, •adj. [altered < SQUASH¹]
Sr 1 Senhor [Port] 2 Senior 3 Señor [Sp] 4 Sister 5 Chem. symbol for strontium
Sra 1 Senhora [Port] 2 Señora [Sp]
sri (shři:) •n. a Hindu title of address equivalent to English Mr. [Hindi, lit., glorious < Sans śrī < IE base *rei-, to shine forth > Gr kreiōn, noble]
Sri Lanka (sri: läŋ´kэ) country coextensive with an island off the SE tip of India: a former British colony, it became independent & member of the Commonwealth (1948): a republic since 1972: 24,959 sq. mi. (64,643 sq. km); pop. 14,850,000; cap. Colombo Sri Lan´kan
Srinagar (sri: nûg´эr) city in W Kashmir, on the Jhelum River: summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir: pop. 533,000
SRO 1 single room occupancy 2 standing room only
Srta 1 Senhorita [Port] 2 Señorita [Sp]
SS 1 Social Security 2 steamship 3 Sunday school SS (es'es´) a quasi-military unit of the Nazi party, used as a special police [Ger Schutzstaffel, lit., protective rank] ss 1 Baseball shortstop 2 written above [L supra scriptum]
SS. 1 namely [L scilicet] 2 Saints [L Sancti]
SSA Social Security Administration
SSB single sideband
SSE south-southeast
SSG or SSgt Staff Sergeant
SSR or S.S.R. Soviet Socialist Republic: used to designate a republic of the U.S.S.R. other than the R.F.S.F.R., as the Uzbek S.S.R.
SSS Selective Service System
SST supersonic transport
SSW south-southwest
st 1 short ton 2 stanza 3 statute(s) 4 stet 5 stitch 6 stone (unit of weight) St 1 Saint: terms beginning with St. are entered in this dictionary as if spelled St- 2 Strait 3 Street
-st suffix contracted form of -EST (sense 2)
St. Albans (öl´bэnz) city in Hertfordshire, SE England: pop. 55,000
St. Augustine (ö´gэs ti:n') seaport in NE Fla.: oldest city (founded 1565) in the U.S.: pop. 12,000 [after St. AUGUSTINE (of Hippo)]
St. Bernard 1 var. of SAINT BERNARD (dog) 2 see GREAT ST. BERNARD PASS and LITTLE ST. BERNARD PASS
St. Boniface city in S Manitoba, Canada: pop. 43,000
St. Catharines (kæθ´эr inz) city in SE Ontario, Canada, on the Welland Canal: pop. 124,000
St. Christopher ST. KITTS
St. Clair (kler) 1 Lake lake between SE Mich. & Ontario, Canada: 460 sq. mi. (1,191 sq. km) 2 river between Mich. & Ontario, connecting this lake & Lake Huron: 40 mi. (65 km) [after Fr Sainte Claire (St. Clare of Assisi, 1194-1253)]
St. Clair Shores city in SE Mich., on Lake St. Clair: suburb of Detroit: pop. 68,000
St. Cloud (klaud) city in central Minn., on the Mississippi: pop. 49,000 [after prec.]
St. Croix (kroi) 1 largest island of the Virgin Islands of the U.S.: 80 sq. mi. (208 sq. km); pop. 50,000 2 river flowing from NW Wis. south along the Wis.-Minn. border into the Mississippi: c. 165 mi. (265 km) [Fr, holy cross]
St. Denis (seint' den´is), Ruth (born Ruth Dennis) c. 1877-1968; U.S. dancer & choreographer: wife of Ted Shawn
St. Elias 1 range of the Coast Ranges, in SW Yukon & SE Alas.: highest peak, Mt. Logan 2 Mount mountain in this range, on the Canada-Alas. border: 18,008 ft. (5,488 m)
St. Gallen (gäl´эn) 1 canton of NE Switzerland, on the Rhine: 777 sq. mi. (2,014 sq. km); pop. 392,000 2 its capital, in the N part: pop. 74,000 Fr. name St-Gall (sæñ gål´)
St. George's Channel strait between Ireland & Wales, connecting the Irish Sea with the Atlantic: c. 100 mi. (160 km) long
St. Gotthard (gät´эrd, gäθ´-) 1 mountain group in the Lepontine Alps, SC Switzerland: highest peak, 10,490 ft. (3,198 m) 2 pass through these mountains: c. 6,935 ft. (2,114 m) high Fr. name St-Got·hard (sæñ gô tåř´)
St. Helena (hэ li:´nэ, hel´э nэ) 1 British island in the South Atlantic, c. 1,200 mi. (1,931 km) from Africa: site of Napoleon's exile (1815-21): 47 sq. mi. (121 sq. km); pop. 5,500 2 British colony including this island, Ascension, & the Tristan da Cunha group: c. 120 sq. mi. (310 sq. km); pop. 5,800
St. Helens (hel´эnz), Mount volcanic mountain in the Cascade Range, SW Wash.: dormant since 1857, it erupted in 1980: 8,364 ft. (2,549 m) [after Baron A. F. St. Helens (1753-1839), Brit diplomat]
St. James's Palace palace in Westminster, London: the royal residence from 1697 to 1837
St. John , Henry see BOLINGBROKE, 1st Viscount St. John 1 island of the Virgin Islands of the U.S.: 20 sq. mi. (52 sq. km); pop. 3,500 2 Lake lake in SC Quebec, Canada: 321 sq. mi. (831 sq. km): Fr. name Lac St-Jean (låk sæñ zhäñ´)
St. John Perse (pørs) (pseud. of Alexis Saint-Léger Léger) 1887-1975; Fr. diplomat & poet
St. Johns river in E & NE Fla., flowing into the Atlantic near Jacksonville: 276 mi. (444 km)
St. John's 1 capital of Newfoundland: seaport on the SE coast: pop. 76,000 (met. area 121,000) 2 seaport & chief town of Antigua, on the N coast: capital of Antigua and Barbuda: pop. 25,000
St. Joseph city in NW Mo., on the Missouri River: pop. 72,000 [after St. Joseph, husband of Mary]
St. Kitts (kits) island of St. Kitts and Nevis: 65 sq. mi. (169 sq. km); pop. 50,500
St. Kitts and Nevis country in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies, consisting of two islands, St. Kitts and Nevis: formerly a British colony, it became an independent state (1983) & a member of the Commonwealth; cap. Basseterre
St. Laurent (sæñ lô řäñ´), Louis Stephen 1882-1973; Cdn. statesman: prime minister (1948-57)
St. Lawrence 1 river flowing from Lake Ontario northeast into the Gulf of St. Lawrence: c. 750 mi. (1,206 km) 2 Gulf of large inlet of the Atlantic in E Canada: c. 100,000 sq. mi. (259,000 sq. km) [< Fr St. Laurent, Rom. martyr (died A.D. 258)]
St. Lawrence Seaway inland waterway for oceangoing ships, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic: operated jointly by the U.S. & Canada, it consists of the Welland Canal, the St. Lawrence River, & several locks & canals between Montreal & Lake Ontario
St. Louis (lu:´is, lu:´i:) city & port in E Mo., on the Mississippi: pop. 397,000 (met. area 2,444,000) [prob. after LOUIS IX]
St. Louis Park city in SE Minn.: pop. 44,000 [prob. after LOUIS IX]
St. Lucia (lu:´shi: э, -shэ; lu: si:´э) country on an island of the Windward group, West Indies, south of Martinique: a former British colony, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1979): 238 sq. mi. (616 sq. km); pop. 120,000; cap. Castries
St. Martin island of the Leeward group, West Indies, south of Anguilla: the N part belongs to Guadeloupe, the S part to the Netherlands Antilles: 33 sq. mi. (88 sq. km); pop. 23,000: Fr. name St-Mar·tin (sæñ måř tæñ´); Du. name St. Maar·ten (sint mäřt´ªn)
St. Marylebone (mer´i lэ boun´) former metropolitan borough of London: since 1965, part of Westminster
St. Marys 1 river flowing from the Okefenokee Swamp along the Ga.-Fla. border into the Atlantic: c. 180 mi. (289 km) 2 river flowing from Lake Superior into Lake Huron, between NE Mich. & Ontario, Canada: 63 mi. (101 km)
St. Marys Falls Canals three ship canals (two U.S., one Canadian) bypassing a rapids of the St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie
St. Moritz (seint´ mou rits´; Fr sæñ mô ři:ts´) mountain resort town in SE Switzerland: pop. 5,900
St. Paul capital of Minn., on the Mississippi: pop. 272,000: see MINNEAPOLIS [after the Apostle Paul]
St. Petersburg (pi:t´эrz børg') 1 seaport in NW Russia, on the Gulf of Finland: former capital of the Russian Empire (1712-1917): pop 4,867,000: see LENINGRAD, PETROGRAD 2 city in WC Fla., on Tampa Bay: pop. 239,000: see TAMPA [after the Russian city]
St. Pierre and Miquelon (sæn pi: эr´ ªn mik'э län´) French overseas department in the Atlantic, south of Newfoundland, consisting of the islands of St. Pierre, c. 10 sq. mi. (25 sq. km) & Miquelon & six islets: 93 sq. mi. (240 sq. km); pop. 6,000
St. Thomas second largest island of the Virgin Islands of the U.S.: 32 sq. mi. (82 sq. km); pop. 48,000
St. Vincent island of the Windward group in the West Indies: 133 sq. mi. (345 sq. km)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines country consisting of St. Vincent & the N Grenadines: formerly a British colony, it became independent & a member of the Commonwealth (1979): 150 sq. mi. (388 sq. km); pop. 108,000; cap. Kingstown
Sta 1 Santa 2 Station
stab (stæb) •n. 1 a wound made by piercing with a knife, dagger, or other pointed weapon 2 a thrust, as with a knife or dagger 3 a sudden sensation of anguish or pain •vt. stabbed, stab´bing 1 to pierce or wound with or as with a knife, etc. 2 to thrust or plunge (a knife, etc.) into something 3 to go into in a sharp, thrusting way •vi. 1 to make a thrust or piercing wound as or as with a knife 2 to feel like a knife stabbing: said of pain Æ make (or take) a stab at to make an attempt at stab in the back 1 to harm (someone) by treachery 2 an act of betrayal stab´ber •n. [ME stabbe, prob. < stobbe, var. of stubbe, STUB]
Stabat Mater (stä´bät mät´эr) 1 a Latin hymn about the sorrows of the Virgin Mary at the crucifixion of Jesus 2 any musical setting of this hymn [ML, lit., the mother was standing (the opening words of the text)]
stabile (stei´bэl, -bil; also, and for n. usually, -bi:l, -bail') •adj. 1 stable; stationary; fixed in position 2 resistant to chemical change •n. a large stationary abstract sculpture, usually a construction of metal, wire, wood, etc.: the analogue of MOBILE [L stabilis: see STABLE¹, adj.]
stability (stэ bil´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or quality of being stable, or fixed; steadiness 2 firmness of character, purpose, or resolution 3 a) resistance to change; permanence b) resistance to chemical decomposition 4 the capacity of an object to return to equilibrium or to its original position after having been displaced 5 R.C.Ch. a Benedictine vow binding religious never to leave their monastery without permission [ME stablete < OFr stableté < L stabilitas]
stabilize (stei´bэ laiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. 1 to make stable, or firm 2 to keep from changing or fluctuating, as in price 3 to give stability to (an airplane, ship, etc.) with a stabilizer •vi. to become stabilized sta'bi·li·za´tion •n. [Fr stabiliser < L stabilis: see STABLE¹ & -IZE]
stabilizer (-lai'zэr) •n. a person or thing that stabilizes; specif., a) any of the fixed airfoils or vanes that keep an airplane steady in flight, as the components of the tail section b) a device used to steady a ship in rough waters, esp. a gyrostabilizer; also, a gyroscope used to keep instruments on a ship, aircraft, etc. in a steady position c) any additive used in substances and compounds to keep them stable, retard deterioration, etc.
stable¹ (stei´bэl) -bler, -blest •adj. 1 a) not easily moved or thrown off balance; firm; steady b) not likely to break down, fall apart, or give way; fixed 2 a) firm in character, purpose, or resolution; steadfast b) reliable, dependable 3 not likely to change or be affected adversely; lasting; enduring 4 a) emotionally steady; composed; self-possessed b) mentally sound; sane; rational 5 capable of returning to equilibrium or original position after having been displaced 6 Chem., Physics a) not readily decomposing or changing from one state of matter to another b) not undergoing spontaneous change 7 Nuclear Physics incapable of radioactive decay sta´bly •adv. [ME < OFr estable < L stabilis < stare, to STAND]
stable² (stei´bэl) •n. 1 a) a building in which horses or cattle are sheltered and fed b) a group of animals kept or belonging in such a building 2 a) all the racehorses belonging to one owner b) the people employed to take care of and train such a group of racehorses 3 [Colloq.] all the athletes, writers, performers, etc. under one management, with one agent, etc. •vt., vi. -bled, -bling to lodge, keep, or be kept in or as in a stable [ME < OFr estable < L stabulum < stare, to STAND]
stableboy (-boi') •n. a boy who works in a stable
stableman (-mэn, -mæn') pl. -men (-mэn, -men') •n. a man who works in a stable
stablemate (stei´ bэl meit') •n. 1 any of the horses sharing a stable 2 one belonging to a stable
stabling (stei´bliŋ') •n. 1 a stable or stables 2 accommodations in a stable or stables, for horses, etc.
stablish (stæb´lish) •vt. archaic var. of ESTABLISH
staccato (stэ kät´ou) •adj. 1 Musical Direction with distinct breaks between successive tones: usually indicated by a dot (staccato mark) placed over or under each note to be so produced: cf. LEGATO 2 made up of abrupt, distinct elements or sounds {a staccato outburst of gunfire} •adv. so as to be staccato •n. pl. -tos something, as a speech pattern, that is staccato [It, pp. of staccare, aphetic for distaccare, to detach < di(s)- (< L, DIS-) + Frank *stakka: see STICK]
stack (stæk) •n. 1 a large pile of straw, hay, etc., esp. one neatly arranged, as in a conical form, for outdoor storage 2 any somewhat orderly pile or heap, as of boxes, books, poker chips, etc. 3 a number of arms, esp. three rifles, leaning against one another on end so as to form a pyramid 4 [Brit.] a unit of measure for firewood or coal, equal to 108 cubic feet 5 a) a number of chimney flues or pipes arranged together b) SMOKESTACK Æ 6 [pl.] a) an extensive series of bookshelves b) the main area where books are shelved in a library 7 a) the part of a computer memory used to store data temporarily: retrieval of data from it is in reverse order to its storage b) the data so stored 8 [Colloq.] a large number or amount •vt. 1 to pile or arrange in a stack 2 to load with stacks of something 3 to assign (aircraft) to various altitudes for circling while awaiting a turn to land 4 to arrange in advance underhandedly so as to predetermine the outcome {to stack a jury} •vi. to form a stack Æ stack the cards (or deck) 1 to arrange the order of playing cards secretly so that certain cards are dealt to certain players 2 to prearrange circumstances, usually secretly and unfairly stack up 1 to add up; accumulate 2 to stand in comparison (with or against); measure up stack´a·ble •adj. stack´er •n. [ME stac < ON stakkr, akin to MLowG stack, barrier of slanting stakes: for IE base see STICK]
stacked (stækt) •adj. Æ [Slang] having a full, shapely figure; curvaceous: said of a woman
stacked (or stack) heel a heel on a shoe composed of several layers, as of leather, of alternating shades
stackup (stæk´ûp') •n. an arrangement of circling aircraft at various altitudes awaiting their turn to land
stacte (stæk´ti:) •n. a spice used by the ancient Hebrews in preparing incense: Ex. 30:34 [ME stacten < acc. of L stacte, oil of myrrh < Gr staktē < stazein, to drip: see STAGNATE]
Stacy (stei´si:) a feminine and masculine name: also Sta´cey
staddle (stæd´ªl) •n. [Now Chiefly Dial.] a lower part or support; specif., the base or framework of a stack, as of hay [ME stadel < OE stathol, akin to Ger stadel, barn: for IE base see STAND]
stade (steid) •n. STADIUM (sense 1b) [Fr < L stadium, STADIUM]
stadholder (stæd´houl'dэr) •n. 1 orig., the governor or viceroy of a province of the Netherlands 2 the chief magistrate of the 16th-17th cent. Netherlands republic Also stadt´hold'er (stæt´-) [< Du stadhouder < stad, a place (akin to STEAD) + houder, holder < houden, to HOLD¹]
stadia¹ (stei´di: э) •n. a method of surveying in which distances and elevations are obtained by observing the interval on a graduated, upright rod (stadia rod) intercepted by two parallel horizontal lines (stadia hairs or stadia wires) in a surveyor's transit set up at a distance from the rod [It, prob. < L, pl. of stadium: see STADIUM]
stadia² (stei´di: э) •n. alt. pl. of STADIUM
stadium (stei´di: эm) pl. -di·a (-di: э); also, and for sense 2 usually, -di·ums •n. 1 in ancient Greece and Rome, a) a unit of linear measure, equal to about 607 feet (185 meters) b) a straight track for footraces, typically one stadium in length, with tiers of seats for spectators on each side (see HIPPODROME) 2 a large, oval, round, or U-shaped, usually open structure, as for football, baseball, track events, etc., with tiers of seats for thousands of spectators 3 Biol. a period or stage in the life history of an animal or plant [ME < L < Gr stadion, fixed standard of length, altered (infl. by stadios, standing) < earlier spadion < span, to draw, pull: see SPAN¹]
Staël (stäl), Madame de Baronne de Staël-Holstein (born Anne Louise Germaine Necker) 1766-1817; Fr. writer & mistress of a popular salon
staff of life bread, regarded as the basic food
staff officer 1 an officer serving on a staff Æ 2 U.S. Navy a commissioned officer with nonmilitary duties, as a surgeon, chaplain, etc.