Spa ( 277), n. A spring or mineral water; — so called from a place of this name in Belgium.
Spaad, n. [Cf. G. spath spar. See Spar the mineral.] (Min.) A kind of spar; earth flax, or amianthus. [Obs.] oodward.
Space (spas), n. [OE. space, F. espace, from L. spatium space; cf. Gr. spa^n to draw, to tear; perh. akin to E. span. Cf. Expatiate.]
1. Extension, considered independently of anything which it may contain; that which makes extended objects conceivable and possible.
"Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor motion." Locke.
2. Place, having more or less extension; room.
"They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare;
Long had he no space to dwell [in]." R. of Brunne.
"While I have time and space." Chaucer.
3. A quantity or portion of extension; distance from one thing to another; an interval between any two or more objects; as the space between two stars or two hills; the sound was heard for the space of a mile.
"Put a space betwixt drove and drove." Gen. xxxii. 16.
4. Quantity of time; an interval between two points of time; duration; time. "Grace God gave him here, this land to keep long space." R. of brunne.
"Nine times the space that measures day and night." Milton.
"God may defer his judgments for a time, and give a people a longer space of repentance." Tillotson.
5. A short time; a while. [R.] "To stay your deadly strife a space." Spenser.
6. Walk; track; path; course. [Obs.]
"This ilke [same] monk let old things pace,
And held after the new world the space." Chaucer.
7. (print.) (a) A small piece of metal cast lower than a face type, so as not to receive the ink in printing, — used to separate words or letters. (b) The distance or interval between words or letters in the lines, or between lines, as in books. Spaces are of different thicknesses to enable the compositor to arrange the words at equal distances from each other in the same line.
8. (Mus.) One of the intervals, or open places, between the lines of the staff. Absolute space, Euclidian space, etc. See under Absolute, Euclidian, etc. — Space line (Print.), a thin piece of metal used by printers to open the lines of type to a regular distance from each other, and for other purposes; a lead. Hansard. — Space rule (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the same height as the type, used in printing short lines in tabular matter.
Space, v. i. [Cf. OF. espacier, L. spatiari. See Space, n. ] To walk; to rove; to roam. [Obs.]
"And loved in forests wild to space." Spenser.
Space, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spaced p. pr. & vb. n. Spacong ] [Cf. F. espacer. See Space, n. ] (Print.) To arrange or adjust the spaces in or between; as to space words, lines, or letters.
Spacially
Spa´cial•ly, adv. See Spatially. Sir W. Hamilton.
Spacious
Spa´cious, a. [L. spatiousus: cf. F. spacieux. See Space, n. ]
1. Extending far and wide; vast in extent. "A spacious plain outstretched in circuit wide." Milton.
2. Inclosing an extended space; having large or ample room; not contracted or narrow; capacious; roomy; as spacious bounds; a spacious church; a spacious hall. — Spa´cious•ly, adv. — Spa´cious•ness, n.
Spade, n. [Cf. Spay, n. ]
1. (Zoöl.) A hart or stag three years old. [Written also spaid, spayade.]
2. [Cf. L. spado.] A castrated man or beast.
Spade, n. [AS. spaed; spada; akin to D. spade, G. spaten, Icel. spaði, Dan. & Sw. spade, L. spatha a spatula, a broad two-edged sword, a spathe, Gr. spa•qh. Cf. Epaulet, Spade at cards, Spathe, Spatula.]
1. An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel. "With spade and pickax armed." Milton.
2. [Sp. espada, literally, a sword; — so caused because these cards among the Spanish bear the figure of a sword. Sp. espada is fr. L. spatha, Gr. spa•qh. See the Etymology above.] One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade.
""Let spades be trumps!" she said." Pope.
3. A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale. Spade bayonet, a bayonet with a broad blade which may be used digging; — called also trowel bayonet. — Spade handle (Mach.), the forked end of a connecting rod in which a pin is held at both ends. See Illust. of Knuckle joint, under Knuckle.
Spade, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Spading.] To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.
Spadeful
Spade´ful, n. ; pl. Spadefuls (#). [ Spade + full.] As much as a spade will hold or lift.
Spader
Spad´er, n. One who, or that which, spades; specifically, a digging machine.
Spadiceous
Spa•di´ceous, a. [L. spadix, -icis, a date-brown or nut-brown color. See Spadix.]
1. Of a bright clear brown or chestnut color. Sir T. Browne.
2. (Bot.) Bearing flowers on a spadix; of the nature of a spadix.
Spadille
Spa•dille´, n. [F., fr. Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada. See Spade a card.] (Card Playing) The ace of spades in omber and quadrille.
Spado
Spa´do, n. ; pl. Spadones (#). [L., fr. Gr. .]
1. Same as Spade, 2.
2. (Law) An impotent person.
Spadroon
Spa•droon´, n. [Cf. F. & Sp. espadon, It. spadone. See Espadon, Spade.] A sword, especially a broadsword, formerly used both to cut and thrust.
Spae, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spaed p. pr. & vb. n. Spaeing.] [Scot. spae, spay, to foretell, to divine, Icel. spa.] To foretell; to divine. [Scot.]
Spagyrist
Spag´y•rist, n. [Cf. F. spagiriste.]
1. A chemist, esp. one devoted to alchemistic pursuits. [Obs.]
2. One of a sect which arose in the days of alchemy, who sought to discover remedies for disease by chemical means. The spagyrists historically preceded the iatrochemists. Encyc. Brit. { Spa´hi, Spa´hee }, n. [Per., Turk., & Hind. sipahi: cf. F. spahi. See Seroy.]
1. Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.
2. An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.
Spakenet
Spake´net, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.
Spale, n. [Cf. Spell a splinter.]
1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
2. (Shipbuilding) A strengthening cross timber.
Spall, n. [OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule.] The shoulder. [Obs.] Spenser.
Spall, n. [Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter.] A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
Spalt, n. [Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell.] (Metal.) Spelter. [Colloq.]
Spalt, a. [See 1st Spell.]
1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as spalt timber. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]
Spalt, v. t. & i. [Cf. OE. spalden. See Spalt, a. ] To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]
Spalting knife
Spalt"ing knife A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife.]
Span, archaic imp. & p. p. of Spin.
Span, n. [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G. spanne, Icel. spönn. rad.170. See Span, v. t. ]
1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
"Yet not to earth’s contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound." Pope.
"Life’s but a span; I’ll every inch enjoy." Farquhar.
3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.
4. (Naut.) A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
5. [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. spaend, G. gespann. See Span, v. t. ] A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action. Span blocks (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards. — Span counter, an old English child’s game, in which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that he can span the space between them, and touch both the counters. Halliwell. "Henry V., in whose time boys went to span counter for French crowns." Shak. — Span iron (Naut.), a special kind of harpoon, usually secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat. — Span roof, a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both sides. Gwilt. — Span shackle (Naut.), a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Span, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanned p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning.] [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spaende, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. to draw, to drag, L. spatium space. rad.170. Cf. Spin, v. t., Space, Spasm.]
1. To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.
"My right hand hath spanned the heavens." Isa. xiviii. 13.
2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch.
"The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry." prescott.
3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
Spanaemic
Spa•nae´mic, a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spanaemia; having impoverished blood.
Spancel
Span´cel, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanceled or Spancelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling or Spancelling.] To tie or hobble with a spancel. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Malone.
Spandogs
Span´dogs, n. pl. A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.
Spandrel
Span´drel, n. [From Span.]
1. (Arch.) The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.
2. A narrow mat or passe partout for a picture. [Cant]
Spane, v. t. [Akin to G. spänen, LG. & D. spennen, AS. spanu a teat.] To wean. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Spang, v. t. To spangle. [Obs.]
Spangle
Span´gle, n. [OE. spangel, dim. of AS. spange. See Spang a spangle.]
1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress.
2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. "The rich spangles that adorn the sky." Waller. Oak spangle. See under Oak.
Spangle
Span´gle, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spangled p. pr. & vb. n. Spangling ] To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as a spangled breastplate. Donne.
"What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty?" Shak. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird ( Lophornis reginae). See Coquette, 2.
Spangly
Span´gly, a. Resembling, or consisting of, spangles; glittering; as spangly light.
Spaniel
Span´iel, n. [OF. espagneul, F. epagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. españnol, fr. España Spain, from L. Hispania.]
1. (Zoöl.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under Clumber, and Cocker. There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see Clumber). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence.
"As a spaniel she will on him leap." Chaucer.
2. A cringing, fawning person. Shak.
Spaniel
Span´iel, a. Cringing; fawning. Shak.
Spaniel
Span´iel, v. i. To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] Churchill.
Spanish
Span´ish, a. Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards. Spanish bayonet (Bot.), a liliaceous plant ( Yucca alorifolia) with rigid spine-tipped leaves. The name is also applied to other similar plants of the Southwestern United States and mexico. Called also Spanish daggers. — Spanish bean (Bot.) See the Note under Bean. — Spanish black, a black pigment obtained by charring cork. Ure. — Spanish broom (Bot.), a leguminous shrub ( Spartium junceum) having many green flexible rushlike twigs. — Spanish brown, a species of earth used in painting, having a dark reddish brown color, due to the presence of sesquioxide of iron. — Spanish buckeye (Bot.), a small tree ( Ungnadia speciosa) of Texas New Mexico, etc., related to the buckeye, but having pinnate leaves and a three-seeded fruit. — Spanish burton (Naut.), a purchase composed of two single blocks. A double Spanish burton has one double and two single blocks. Luce (Textbook of Seamanship). — Spanish chalk (Min.), a kind of steatite; — so called because obtained from Aragon in Spain. — Spanish cress (Bot.), a cruciferous plant ( lepidium Cadamines), a species of peppergrass. — Spanish curiew (Zoöl.), the long-billed curlew. [U.S.] — Spanish daggers (Bot.) See Spanish bayonet. — Spanish elm (Bot.), a large West Indian tree ( Cordia Gerascanthus) furnishing hard and useful timber. — Spanish feretto, a rich reddish brown pigment obtained by calcining copper and sulphur together in closed crucibles. — Spanish flag (Zoöl.), the California rockfish ( Sebastichthys rubrivinctus). It is conspicuously colored with bands of red and white. — Spanish fly (Zoöl.), a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under Blister, and Cantharis. — Spanish fox (Naut.), a yarn twisted against its lay. — Spanish grass. (Bot.) See Esparto. — Spanish juice (Bot.), licorice. — Spanish leather. See Cordwain. — Spanish mackerel. (Zoöl.) (a) A species of mackerel ( Scomber colias) found both in Europe and America. In America called chub mackerel, big-eyed mackerel, and bull mackerel. (b) In the United States, a handsome mackerel having bright yellow round spots ( Scomberomorus maculatus), highly esteemed as a food fish. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to other species. See Illust. under Mackerel. — Spanish main, the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World. — Spanish moss. (Bot.) See Tillandsia. — Spanish needles (Bot.), a composite weed ( Bidens bipinnata) having achenia armed with needlelike awns. — Spanish nut (Bot.), a bulbous plant ( Iris Sisyrinchium) of the south of Europe. — Spanish potato (Bot.), the sweet potato. See under Potato. — Spanish red, an ocherous red pigment resembling Venetian red, but slightly yellower and warmer. Fairholt. — Spanish reef (Naut.), a knot tied in the head of a jib-headed sail. — Spanish sheep (Zoöl.), a merino. — Spanish white, an impalpable powder prepared from chalk by pulverizing and repeated washings, — used as a white pigment. — Spanish windlass (Naut.), a wooden roller, with a rope wound about it, into which a marline spike is thrust to serve as a lever.
Spank, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanked ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking.] [Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken, spenkern, to run and spring about quickly.] To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap.
Spanker
Spank´er, n.
1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking.
2. (Naut.) The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; — sometimes called driver. See Illust. under Sail. Totten.
3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also a fast horse. [Colloq.]
4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [Colloq.] Spanker boom (Naut.), a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust. of Ship.
Span-new
Span´-new, a. [Icel. spannr, properly, new as a ship just split; spann chip + n. new. See Spoon, and New.] Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. "A span- new archbishop’s chair." Fuller.
Spannishing
Span´nish•ing, n. [From OF. espanir to spread, F. epanou. See Expand.] The full blooming of a flower. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
Spanpiece
Span´piece, n. (Arch.) The collar of a roof; sparpiece.
Spar, n. [AS. spaer in spaerstan chalkstone; akin to MHG. spar, G. sparkalk plaster.] (Min.) An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein. Blue spar, Cube spar, etc. See under Blue, Cube, etc.
Spar, n. [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG. sparro, Dan.& Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin. 171. Cf. Spar, v. t. ]
1. (Naut.) A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.
2. (Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; — still applied locally to rafters.
3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the water. — Spar deck (Naut.), the upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually placed. See under Deck. — Spar torpedo (Naut.), a torpedo carried on the end of a spar usually projecting from the bow of a vessel, and intended to explode upon contact with an enemy’s ships.
Spar, v. t. [OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G. sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. rad.171. See Spara beam, bar.]
1. To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel. A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.
Spar, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sparred p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring.] [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick, F. eparer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.]
1. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
2. To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box.
"Made believe to spar at Paul with great science." Dickens.
3. To contest in words; to wrangle. [Colloq.]
Spar, n.
1. A contest at sparring or boxing.
2. A movement of offense or defense in boxing.
Sparable
Spar´a•ble, n. [Corrupted from sparrow bill.] A kind of small nail used by shoemakers.
Sparadrap
Spar´a•drap, n. [F. sparadrap; cf. It. sparadrappo, NL. sparadrapa.]
1. A cerecloth. [Obs.]
2. (Med.) Any adhesive plaster. { Spar´age ( 48), Spar´a•gus, Spar´a•grass• }, n. Obs. or corrupt forms of Asparagus.
Spare, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spared p. pr. & vb. n. Sparing.] [AS. sparian, fr. spaer spare, sparing, saving; akin to D. & G. sparen, OHG. sparn, Icel. & Sw. spara, Dan. spare See Spare, a. ]
1. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save. "No cost would he spare." Chaucer.
"[Thou] thy Father’s dreadful thunder didst not spare." Milton.
"He that hath knowledge, spareth his words." Prov. xvii. 27.
2. To keep to one’s self; to forbear to impart or give.
"Be pleased your plitics to spare." Dryden.
"Spare my sight the pain
Of seeing what a world of tears it costs you." Dryden.
3. To preserve from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm; to show mercy to.
"Spare us, good Lord." Book of Common Prayer.
"Dim sadness did not spare
That time celestial visages." Milton.
"Man alone can whom he conquers spare." Waller.
4. To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty.
"All the time he could spare from the necessary cares of his weighty charge, he estowed on … serving of God." Knolles.
5. To deprive one’s self of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with.
"Where angry Jove did never spare
One breath of kind and temperate air." Roscommon.
"I could have better spared a better man." Shak. To spare one’s self. (a) To act with reserve. [Obs.]
"Her thought that a lady should her spare." Chaucer. (b) To save one’s self labor, punishment, or blame.
Spare, a. [ Compar. Sparer superl. Sparest; — not used in all the senses of the word.] [AS. spaer sparing. Cf. Spare, v. t. ]
1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as a spare diet.
2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary.
"He was spare, but discreet of speech." Carew.
3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous; as I have no spare time.
"If that no spare clothes he had to give." Spenser.
4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as a spare anchor; a spare bed or room.
5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt.
"O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones." Shak.
6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Grose.
Spareful
Spare´ful, a. Sparing; chary. [Obs.] Fairfax. — Spare´ful•ness, n. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
Sparhawk
Spar´hawk, n. [OE. sperhauke.] (Zoöl.) The sparrow hawk. [Prov. Eng.]
Sparing
Spar´ing, a. Spare; saving; frugal; merciful. Bacon. — Spar´ing•ly, adv. — Spar´ing•ness, n.
Spark, n. [OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark, sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. spragëti, Gr. a bursting with a noise, Skr. sphrj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak.]
1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion.
"Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." Job v. 7.
2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." Shak. "Small intellectual spark." Macaulay. "Vital spark of heavenly flame." Pope.
"We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge." Locke.
"Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark." Wordsworth. Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas — chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. [U.S.]
Sparkful
Spark´ful, a. Lively; brisk; gay. [Obs.] "Our sparkful youth." Camden.
Sparkish
Spark´ish, a.
1. Like a spark; airy; gay. W. Walsh.
2. Showy; well-dresed; fine. L’Estrange.
Sparkle
Spar´kle, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sparkled p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling ] [See Sparkle, n. , Spark of fire.]
1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle.
"A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging
Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling." Chaucer.
2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash.
"I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes." Milton.
3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as sparkling wine.
Syn. — To shine; glisten; scintillate; radiate; coruscate; glitter; twinkle.
Sparkle
Spar´kle, v. t. [Cf. Sparble.]
1. To disperse. [Obs.]
"The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise." State Papers.
2. To scatter on or over. [Obs.] Purchas.
Sparkler
Spar´kler, n. One who scatters; esp., one who scatters money; an improvident person. [Obs.]
Sparkling
Spar´kling, a. Emitting sparks; glittering; flashing; brilliant; lively; as sparkling wine; sparkling eyes. — Spar´kling•ly, adv. — Spar´kling•ness, n.
Syn. — Brilliant; shining. See Shining.
Sparlyre
Spar´lyre, n. [AS. spear- lira.] The calf of the leg. [Obs.] Wyclif (Deut. xxviii. 35).
Sparpiece
Spar´piece, n. (Arch.) The collar beam of a roof; the spanpiece. Gwilt.
Sparpoil
Spar´poil, v. t. [See Sparble.] To scatter; to spread; to disperse. [Obs.]
Sparrow
Spar´row, n. [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG. sparo, G. sperling, Icel. spörr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw. sparf, Goth. sparwa; — originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin.]
1. (Zoöl.) One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligae, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe ( Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House. The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see Peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc.
2. (Zoöl.) Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge.
"He that doth the ravens feed,
Yea, providently caters for the sparrow,
Be comfort to my age!" Shak. Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See under Field, Fox, etc. — Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. — Sparrow hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A small European hawk ( Accipiter nisus) or any of the allied species. (b) A small American falcon ( Falco sparverius). (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk ( Accipiter torquatus). The name is applied to other small hawks, as the European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk. — Sparrow owl (Zoöl.), a small owl ( Glaucidium passerinum) found both in the Old World and the New. The name is also applied to other species of small owls. — Sparrow spear (Zoöl.), the female of the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]
Sparrowgrass
Spar´row•grass, n. [Corrupted from asparagus.] Asparagus. [Colloq.] See the Note under Asparagus.
Sparrowwort
Spar´row•wort, n. (Bot.) An evergreen shrub of the genus Erica ( E. passerina).
Sparry
Spar´ry, a. [From Spar.] Resembling spar, or consisting of spar; abounding with spar; having a confused crystalline structure; spathose. Sparry iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a). — Sparry limestone (Min.), a coarsely crystalline marble.
Sparse, a. [ Compar. Sparser superl. Sparsest.] [L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]
1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as a sparse population. Carlyle.
2. (Bot.) Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; — applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.
Sparse, v. t. [L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to scatter.] To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.] Spenser.
Sparseness
Sparse´ness, n. The quality or state of being sparse; as sparseness of population.
Sparsim
Spar´sim, adv. [L., fr. spargere to scatter.] Sparsely; scatteredly; here and there.
Spasm, n. [F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr., from,, to draw, to cause convulsion. Cf. Span, v. t.]
1. (Med.) An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers. Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus.
2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as a spasm of repentance. Cynic spasm (Med.) See under Cynic. — Spasm of the chest. See Angina pectoris, under Angina.
Spasmodic
Spas´mod´ic, a. [Gr. ; a convulsion + likeness: cf. F. spasmotique.]
1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as a spasmodic asthma.
2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as spasmodic zeal or industry. Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. — Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.
Spasmodical
Spas•mod´ic•al, a. Same as Spasmodic, a. — Spas•mod´ic•al•ly (#), adv.
Spastic
Spas´tic, a. [L. spasticus, Gr., fr. to draw: cf. F. spastique. See Spasm.] (Med.) Of or pertaining to spasm; spasmodic; especially, pertaining to tonic spasm; tetanic.
Spat, imp. of Spit. [Obs. or R.]
Spat, v. i. & t. To emit spawn; to emit, as spawn.
Spat, n. [Cf. Pat.]
1. A light blow with something flat. [U.S. & Prov. Eng.]
2. Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension. [U. S.]
Spat, v. i. To dispute. [R.] Smart.
Spat, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spatted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spatting.] To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together; as the hands. [Local, U.S.]
"Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands." Judd.
Spat, n. [Short for Spatterdash.]
1. A legging; a gaiter. [Scot. & Dial. Eng.]
2. A kind of short cloth or leather gaiter worn over the upper part of the shoe and fastened beneath the instep; — chiefly in pl.
Spatangoidea
Spat•an•goi´de•a, n. pl. [NL. See Spatangus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) An order of irregular sea urchins, usually having a more or less heart-shaped shell with four or five petal-like ambulacra above. The mouth is edentulous and situated anteriorly, on the under side.
Spathaceous
Spa•tha´ceous, a. (Bot.) Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spathal.
Spathal
Spa´thal, a. (Bot.) Furnished with a spathe; as spathal flowers. Howitt.
Spathe, n. [L. spatha, Gr. : cf. F. spathe. See Spade for digging.] (Bot.) A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under Bract, and Illust. of Spadix. The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre of the iris and other similar plants.
Spathic
Spath´ic, a. [Cf. F. spathique, fr. F. & G. spath spar.] Like spar; foliated or lamellar; spathose. Spathic iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a).
Spathose
Spath´ose, a. (Min.) See Spathic.
Spathose
Spath´ose, a. [See Spathe.] (Bot.) Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spatheceous; spathal.
Spatial
Spa´tial, a. Of or pertaining to space. "Spatial quantity and relations." L. H. Atwater.
Spatiate
Spa´ti•ate, v. t. [L. spatiatus, p. p. of spatiari, fr. spatiatum. See Space.] To rove; to ramble. [Obs.] Bacon.
Spatter
Spat´ter, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spattered p. pr. & vb. n. Spattering.] [From the root of spit salvia.]
1. To sprinkle with a liquid or with any wet substance, as water, mud, or the like; to make wet of foul spots upon by sprinkling; as to spatter a coat; to spatter the floor; to spatter boots with mud.
"Upon any occasion he is to be spattered over with the blood of his people." Burke.
2. To distribute by sprinkling; to sprinkle around; as to spatter blood. Pope.
3. Fig.: To injure by aspersion; to defame; to soil; also to throw out in a defamatory manner.
Spatterdashed
Spat´ter•dashed, a. Wearing spatterdashes. [Colloq.] Thackeray.
Spatter-dock
Spat•ter-dock, n. (Bot.) The common yellow water lily ( Nuphar advena).
Spatula
Spat´u•la ( 135), n. [L. spatula, spathula, dim. of spatha a spatula: F. spatule. See Spade for digging.] An implement shaped like a knife, flat, thin, and somewhat flexible, used for spreading paints, fine plasters, drugs in compounding prescriptions, etc. Cf. Palette knife, under Palette.
Spauld, n. [See Spall the shoulder.] The shoulder. [Scot.]
Spavin
Spav´in, n. [OE. spaveyne, OF. esparvain, F. eparvin; akin to OF. espervier a sparrow hawk, F. epervier, fr. OHG. sparwari (G. sperber), fr. OHG. sparo sparrow, because this disease makes the horse raise the infirm leg in the manner of a sparrow hawk or sparrow. See Sparrow.] (Far.) A disease of horses characterized by a bony swelling developed on the hock as the result of inflammation of the bones; also the swelling itself. The resulting lameness is due to the inflammation, and not the bony tumor as popularly supposed. Harbaugh. Bog spavin, a soft swelling produced by distention of the capsular ligament of the hock; — called also blood spavin. — Bone spavin, spavin attended with exostosis; ordinary spavin.
Spawl, n. A splinter or fragment, as of wood or stone. See Spall.
Spawl, n. [Cf. AS. spatl, fr. spaetan to spit; probably akin to spiwan, E. spew. Cf. Spew.] Scattered or ejected spittle.
Spawl, v. i. & t. [ imp. & p. p. Spawled p. pr. & vb. n. Spawling.] [Cf. AS. spatlian.] To scatter spittle from the mouth; to spit, as saliva.
"Why must he sputter, spawl, and slaver it
In vain, against the people’s favorite." Swift.
Spawn, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spawned p. pr. & vb. n. Spawning.] [OE. spanen, OF. espandre, properly, to shed, spread, L. expandere to spread out. See Expand.]
1. To produce or deposit (eggs), as fishes or frogs do.
2. To bring forth; to generate; — used in contempt.
"One edition [of books] spawneth another." Fuller.
Spawn, n. [rad.170. See Spawn, v. t.]
1. The ova, or eggs, of fishes, oysters, and other aquatic animals.
2. Any product or offspring; — used contemptuously.
3. (Hort.) The buds or branches produced from underground stems.
4. (Bot.) The white fibrous matter forming the matrix from which fungi. Spawn eater (Zoöl.), a small American cyprinoid fish ( Notropis Hudsonius) allied to the dace.
Spay, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spayed p. pr. & vb. n. Spaying.] [Cf. Armor. spac’hein, spaza to geld, W. dyspaddu to geld, L. spado a eunuch, Gr. .] To remove or extirpate the ovaries of, as a sow or a bitch; to castrate (a female animal).
Spay, n. [Cf. Spade a spay, Spay, v. t.] (Zoöl.) The male of the red deer in his third year; a spade. { Spay´ad, Spay´ade }, n. (Zoöl.) A spay.
Speak, v. i. [ imp. Spoke (Spake Archaic); p. p. Spoken (Spoke, Obs. or Colloq.); p. pr. & vb. n. Speaking.] [OE. speken, AS. specan, sprecan; akin to OF.ries. spreka, D. spreken, OS. spreken, G. sprechen, OHG. sprehhan, and perhaps to Skr. sphurj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Spark of fire, Speech.]
1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak.
"Till at the last spake in this manner." Chaucer.
"Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." 1 Sam. iii. 9.
2. To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse.
"That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak." Boyle.
"An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not." Shak.
"During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history." Macaulay.
3. To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally.
"Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty." Clarendon.
4. To discourse; to make mention; to tell.
"Lycan speaks of a part of Caesar’s army that came to him from the Leman Lake." Addison.
5. To give sound; to sound.
"Make all our trumpets speak." Shak.
6. To convey sentiments, ideas or intelligence as if by utterance; as features that speak of self-will.
"Thine eye begins to speak." Shak. To speak of, to take account of, to make mention of. Robynson (More’s Utopia). — To speak out, to speak loudly and distinctly; also to speak unreservedly. — To speak well for, to commend; to be favorable to. — To speak with, to converse with. "Would you speak with me?" Shak.
Syn. — To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter.
Speaking
Speak´ing, n.
1. The act of uttering words.
2. Public declamation; oratory.
Spear, n. [OE. spere, AS. spere; akin to D. & G. speer, OS. & OHS. sper, Icel. spjör, pl., Dan. spaer, L. sparus.]
1. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance. [See Illust. of Spearhead.] "A sharp ground spear." Chaucer.
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks." Micah iv. 3.
2. Fig.: A spearman. Sir W. Scott.
3. A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.
4. A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
5. The feather of a horse. See Feather, n. , 4.
6. The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod. Spear foot, the off hind foot of a horse. — Spear grass. (Bot.) (a) The common reed. See Reed, n. , 1. (b) meadow grass. See under Meadow. — Spear hand, the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the right hand. Crabb. — Spear side, the male line of a family. Lowell. — Spear thistle (Bot.), the common thistle ( Cnicus lanceolatus).
Spear, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Speared p. pr. & vb. n. Spearing.] To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as to spear a fish.
Spear, v. i. To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire. Mortimer.
Spearer
Spear´er, n. One who uses a spear; as a spearer of fish.
Spearhead
Spear´head, n. The pointed head, or end, of a spear.
Spearman
Spear´man, n. ; pl. Spearmen . One who is armed with a spear. Acts xxiii. 23.
Spearmint
Spear´mint, n. [So named from its spiry, not capitate, inflorescence. Dr. Prior.] (Bot.) A species of mint ( Mentha viridis) growing in moist soil. It vields an aromatic oil. See Mint, and Mentha.
Specht, n. [See Speight.] (Zoöl.) A woodpecker. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Sherwood.
Special
Spe´cial, a. [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. special. See Species, and cf. Especial.]
1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort.
"A special is called by the schools a "species"." I. Watts.
2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon.
"Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted." Atterbury.
"To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress." De Quincey.
3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.
4. Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.
5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.]
"The king hath drawn
The special head of all the land together." Shak. Special administration (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc. — Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter. — Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. Tomlins. Wharton (Law Dict.). — Special constable. See under Constable. Bouvier. — Special damage (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it. — Special demurrer (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated. — Special deposit, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others. — Special homology. (Biol.) See under Homology. — Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. Daniell. — Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. Stephen. — Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury. — Special orders (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc. — Special partner, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; — unknown at common law. — Special partnership, a limited or particular partnership; — a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure. — Special plea in bar (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. Bouvier. — Special pleader (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings. — Special pleading (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. Burrill. — Special property (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed. — Special session, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as a special session of Congress or of a legislature. — Special statute, or Special law, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; — in distinction from a general law. — Special verdict (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. Wharton (Law Dict.).
Syn. — Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See Peculiar.
Speciality
Spe•ci•al´i•ty, n. ; pl. Specialities (#). [See Special, and Specialty.]
1. A particular or peculiar case; a particularity. Sir M. Hale.
2. (Law) See Specialty, 3.
3. The special or peculiar mark or characteristic of a person or thing; that for which a person is specially distinguished; an object of special attention; a special occupation or object of attention; a specialty.
"On these two general heads all other specialities are depedent." Hooker.
"Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow-mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his speciality." Ld. Lytton.
"We ’ll say, instead, the inconsequent creature man, -
For that’a his speciality." Mrs. Browning.
"Think of this, sir, … remote from the impulses of passion, and apart from the specialities — if I may use that strong remark — of prejudice." Dickens.
4. An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.
Specialty
Spe´cial•ty, n. ; pl. Specialties (#). [F. specialite. Cf. Speciality.]
1. Particularity.
"Specialty of rule hath been neglected." Shak.
2. A particular or peculiar case. [Obs.]
3. (Law) A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified. Chitty. Bouvier. Wharton (Law Dict.).
"Let specialties be therefore drawn between us." Shak.
4. That for which a person is distinguished, in which he is specially versed, or which he makes an object of special attention; a speciality.
"Men of boundless knowledge, like Humbold, must have had once their specialty, their pet subject." C. Kingsley.
Specie
Spe´cie, n. [Formed as a singular from species, in sense 5.] Coin; hard money.
Species
Spe´cies, n. sing. & pl. [L., a sight, outward appearance, shape, form, a particular sort, kind, or quality, a species. See Spice, n. , and cf. Specie, Special.]
1. Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image. [R.] "The species of the letters illuminated with indigo and violet." Sir I. Newton.
"Wit, … the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent." Dryden. In the scholastic philosophy, the species was sensible and intelligible. The sensible species was that in any material, object which was in fact discerned by the mind through the organ of perception, or that in any object which rendered it possible that it should be perceived. The sensible species, as apprehended by the understanding in any of the relations of thought, was called an intelligible species. "An apparent diversity between the species visible and audible is, that the visible doth not mingle in the medium, but the audible doth." Bacon.
2. (Logic) A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.
3. In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation. In mineralogy and chemistry, objects which possess the same definite chemical structure, and are fundamentally the same in crystallization and physical characters, are classed as belonging to a species. In zoölogy and botany, a species is an ideal group of individuals which are believed to have descended from common ancestors, which agree in essential characteristics, and are capable of indefinitely continued fertile reproduction through the sexes. A species, as thus defined, differs from a variety or subspecies only in the greater stability of its characters and in the absence of individuals intermediate between the related groups.
4. A sort; a kind; a variety; as a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.
5. Coin, or coined silver, gold, ot other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie. [Obs.]
"There was in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now." Arbuthnot.
6. A public spectacle or exhibition. [Obs.] Bacon.
7. (Pharmacy) (a) A component part of compound medicine; a simple. (b) (Med.) An officinal mixture or compound powder of any kind; esp., one used for making an aromatic tea or tisane; a tea mixture. Quincy.
8. (Civil Law) The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure. Burill. Incipient species (Zoöl.), a subspecies, or variety, which is in process of becoming permanent, and thus changing to a true species, usually by isolation in localities from which other varieties are excluded.
Specifiable
Spec´i•fi•a•ble, a. Admitting specification; capable of being specified.
Specific
Spe•cif´ic, a. [F. specifique, or NL. cpesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. Specify.]
1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
"Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another." I. Watts.
2. Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as a specific statement.
3. (Med.) Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
"In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science." Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a characteristic or characteristics distinguishing one species from every other species of the same genus. — Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. — Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. — Specific gravity. (Physics) See under Gravity. — Specific heat (Physics), the quantity of heat required to raise temperature of a body one degree, taking as the unit of measure the quantity required to raise the same weight of water from zero to one degree; thus, the specific heat of mercury is 0.033, that of water being 1.000. — Specific inductive capacity (Physics), the effect of a dielectric body in producing static electric induction as compared with that of some other body or bodies referred to as a standard. — Specific legacy (Law), a bequest of a particular thing, as of a particular animal or piece of furniture, specified and distinguished from all others. Wharton. Burrill. — Specific name (Nat., Hist.), the name which, appended to the name of the genus, constitutes the distinctive name of the species; — originally applied by Linnaeus to the essential character of the species, or the essential difference. The present specific name he at first called the trivial name. — Specific performance (Law), the peformance of a contract or agreement as decreed by a court of equity.
Specific
Spe•cif´ic, n.
1. (Med.) A specific remedy. See Specific, a. , 3.
"His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady." Macaulay.
2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More.
Specificalness
Spe•cif´ic•al•ness, n. The quality of being specific.
Specificate
Spe•cif´i•cate, v. t. [See Specify.] To show, mark, or designate the species, or the distinguishing particulars of; to specify. [Obs.] ir M. Hale.
Specificness
Spe•cif´ic•ness, n. The quality or state of being specific.
Specify
Spec´i•fy, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Specified p. pr. & vb. n. Specifying ] [F. specifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL. specificare. See Species, -fy.] To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased.
"He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified." Pope.
Specimen
Spec´i•men, n. [L., fr. specere to look, to behold. See Spy.] A part, or small portion, of anything, or one of a number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as a specimen of a man’s handwriting; a specimen of painting; a specimen of one’s art.
Syn. — Sample; model; pattern. — Specimen, Sample. A specimen is a representative of the class of things to which it belongs; as a specimen of photography. A sample is a part of the thing itself, designed to show the quality of the whole; as a sample of sugar or of broadcloth. A cabinet of minerals consists of specimens; if a part be broken off from any one of these, it is a sample of the mineral to which it belongs. "Several persons have exhibited specimens of this art before multitudes of beholders." Addison. "I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." Woodward.
Speciosity
Spe•ci•os´i•ty, n. ; pl. Speciocities (#). [Cf. LL. speciositas.]
1. The quality or state of being specious; speciousness.
"Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance." Carlyle.
2. That which is specious. Dr. H. More.
Specious
Spe´cious, a. [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. specoeux. See Species.]
1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy.
"Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye." Bp. Richardson.
"The rest, far greater part,
Will deem in outward rites and specious forms
Religion satisfied." Milton.
2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as specious reasoning; a specious argument.
"Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property." Macaulay.
"In consequence of their greater command of specious expression." J. Morley.
Syn. — Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible. — Spe´xious•ly (#), adv. — Spe´cious•ness, n.
Speck, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Specked p. pr. & vb. n. Specking.] To cause the presence of specks upon or in, especially specks regarded as defects or blemishes; to spot; to speckle; as paper specked by impurities in the water used in its manufacture.
"Carnation, purple, azure, or specked with gold." Milton.
Speckle
Spec´kle, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Speckled p. pr. & vb. n. Speckling ] To mark with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface; to variegate with spots of a different color from the ground or surface.
Speckled
Spec´kled, a. Marked or variegated with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface. Speckled Indians (Ethnol.), the Pintos. — Speckled trout. (Zoöl.) (a) The common American brook trout. See Trout. (b) The rainbow trout.
Speckled-belly
Spec´kled-bel•ly, n. (Zoöl.) The gadwall. [Local, U.S.]
Speckled-bill
Spec´kled-bill´, n. (Zoöl.) The American white-fronted goose ( Anser albifrons).
Speckledness
Spec´kled•ness, n. The quality of being speckled.
Spectacle
Spec´ta•cle, n. [F., fr. L. spectaculum, fr. spectare to look at, to behold, v. intens. fr. specere. See Spy.]
1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock.
"O, piteous spectacle? O, bloody times!" Shak.
2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [Obs.]
"Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me,
Through which he may his very friends see." Chaucer.
3. pl. An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light.
4. pl. Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight.
"Shakespeare … needed not the spectacles of books to read nature." Dryden.
Syn. — Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant.
Spectacled
Spec´ta•cled, a.
1. Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles.
"As spectacled she sits in chimney nook." Keats.
2. (Zoöl.) Having the eyes surrounded by color markings, or patches of naked skin, resembling spectacles. Spectacled bear (Zoöl.), a South American bear ( Tremarclos ornatus) which inhabits the high mountains of Chili and Peru. It has a light-colored ring around each eye. — Spectacled coot, or Spectacled duck (Zoöl.), the surf scoter, or surf duck. [Local, U.S.] — Spectacled eider (Zoöl.) See Eider. — Spectacled goose (Zoöl.), the gannet. — Spectacled snake (Zoöl.), the cobra de capello.
Spectant
Spec´tant, a. [L. spectans, p. pr. of spectare to look at.] Looking forward.
Spectation
Spec•ta´tion, n. [L. spectatio.] Regard; aspect; appearance. Harvey.
Spectator
Spec•ta´tor, n. [L. spectator: cf. F. spectateur. See Spectacle.] One who on; one who sees or beholds; a beholder; one who is personally present at, and sees, any exhibition; as the spectators at a show. "Devised and played to take spectators." Shak.
Syn. — Looker-on; beholder; observer; witness.
Spectatorial
Spec•ta•to´ri•al, a. Of or pertaining to a spectator. Addison.
Spectatorship
Spec•ta´tor•ship, n.
1. The office or quality of a spectator. [R.] Addison.
2. The act of beholding. [Obs.] Shak. { Spec•ta´tress, Spec•ta´trix }, n. [L. spectatrix.] A female beholder or looker-on. "A spectatress of the whole scene." Jeffrey. { Spec´ter, Spec´tre }, n. [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Spectrum.]
1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom.
"The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend,
With bold fanatic specters to rejoice." Dryden.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect. Specter bat (Zoöl.), any phyllostome bat. — Specter candle (Zoöl.), a belemnite. — Specter shrimp (Zoöl.), a skeleton shrimp. See under Skeleton.
Spectral
Spec´tral, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty.
"He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to spread light." F. W. Robertson.
2. (Opt.) Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as spectral colors; spectral analysis. Spectral lemur. (Zoöl.) See Tarsius.
Spectrally
Spec´tral•ly, adv. In the form or manner of a specter.
Spectrum
Spec´trum, n. ; pl. Spectra (#). [L. See Specter.]
1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.]
2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. — Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. — Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. — Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. — Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. — Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. — Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. — Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. — Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. — Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. — Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. — Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena.
Specular
Spec´u•lar, a. [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a lookout, watchtower): cf. F. speculaire. See Speculum.]
1. Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as a specular metal; a specular surface.
2. (Med.) Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum; as a specular examination.
3. Assisting sight, as a lens or the like. [Obs.]
"Thy specular orb
Apply to well-dissected kernels; lo!
In each observe the slender threads
Of first-beginning trees." J. Philips.
4. Affording view. [R.] "Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount." Milton. Specular iron. (Min.) See Hematite.
Speculate
Spec´u•late, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Speculated p. pr. & vb. n. Speculating.] [L. speculatus, p. p. of speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See Spy.]
1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events.
"It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society." Hawthorne.
2. (Philos.) To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.
3. (Com.) To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; — often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.
Speculatorial
Spec•u•la•to´ri•al, a. Speculatory; speculative. [Obs.]
Speculist
Spec´u•list, n. One who observes or considers; an observer. [R.] Goldsmith.
Speculum
Spec´u•lum, n. ; pl. L. Specula (#), E. Speculum (#). [L., fr. specere to look, behold. See Spy.]
1. A mirror, or looking-glass; especially, a metal mirror, as in Greek and Roman archaeology.
2. A reflector of polished metal, especially one used in reflecting telescopes. See Speculum metal, below.
3. (Surg.) An instrument for dilating certain passages of the body, and throwing light within them, thus facilitating examination or surgical operations.
4. (Zoöl.) A bright and lustrous patch of color found on the wings of ducks and some other birds. It is usually situated on the distal portions of the secondary quills, and is much more brilliant in the adult male than in the female. Speculum metal, a hard, brittle alloy used for making the reflectors of telescopes and other instruments, usually consisting of copper and tin in various proportions, one of the best being that in which there are 126.4 parts of copper to 58.9 parts of tin, with sometimes a small proportion of arsenic, antimony, or zinc added to improve the whiteness.
Speech, n. [OE. speche, AS. spc, spr, fr. specan, sprecan, to speak; akin to D. spraak speech, OHG. sprahha, G. sprache, Sw. sprk, Dan. sprog. See Speak.]
1. The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking.
"There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man alone is endowed for the communication of his thoughts." Holder.
2. he act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as expressing ideas; language; conversation. Speech is voice modulated by the throat, tongue, lips, etc., the modulation being accomplished by changing the form of the cavity of the mouth and nose through the action of muscles which move their walls.
"O goode God! how gentle and how kind
Ye seemed by your speech and your visage
The day that maked was our marriage." Chaucer.
"The acts of God … to human ears
Can nort without process of speech be told." Milton.
3. A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect.
"People of a strange speech and of an hard language." Ezek. iii. 6.
4. Talk; mention; common saying.
"The duke … did of me demand
What was the speech among the Londoners
Concerning the French journey." Shak.
5. formal discourse in public; oration; harangue.
"The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point." Swift.
6. ny declaration of thoughts.
"I. with leave of speech implored, … replied." Milton.
Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See Harangue, and Language.
Speechful
Speech´ful, a. Full of speech or words; voluble; loquacious. [R.]
Speechification
Speech•i•fi•ca´tion, n. [See Spechify.] The act of speechifying. [Used humorously or in contempt.]
Speechify
Speech´i•fy, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Speechified p. pr. & vb. n. Speechifying ] [ Speech + -fy.] To make a speech; to harangue. [Used derisively or humorously.]
Speechmaker
Speech´mak•er, n. One who makes speeches; one accustomed to speak in a public assembly.
Speed, n. [AS. spd success, swiftness, from spwan to succeed; akin to D. spoedd, OHG. spuot success, spuot to succees, Skr. spha to increase, grow fat. rad.170 b. ]
1. Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success. "For common speed." Chaucer.
"O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day." Gen. xxiv. 12.
2. The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as the speed a horse or a vessel.
"Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails." Milton. In kinematics, speedis sometimes used to denote the amount of velocity without regard to direction of motion, while velocity is not regarded as known unless both the direction and the amount are known.
3. One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success. [Obs.] "Hercules be thy speed!" Shak. God speed, Good speed; prosperity. See Godspeed. — Speed gauge, Speed indicator, ∧ Speed recorder (Mach.), devices for indicating or recording the rate of a body’s motion, as the number of revolutions of a shaft in a given time. — Speed lathe (Mach.), a power lathe with a rapidly revolving spindle, for turning small objects, for polishing, etc.; a hand lathe. — Speed pulley, a cone pulley with steps.
Syn. — Haste; swiftness; celerity; quickness; dispatch; expedition; hurry; acceleration. See Haste.
Speed (sped), v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sped (sped), Speeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Speeding.] [AS. spedan, fr. sped, n.; akin to D. spoeden, G. sich sputen. See Speed, n. ]
1. To go; to fare. [Obs.]
"To warn him now he is too farre sped." Remedy of Love.
2. To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare. Shak.
"Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped;
The mightiest still upon the smallest fed." Waller.
3. To fare well; to have success; to prosper.
"Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!
For whoso wants money with them shall not speed!" Lydgate.
"I told ye then he should prevail, and speed
On his bad errand." Milton.
4. To make haste; to move with celerity.
"I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility." Shak.
5. To be expedient. [Obs.] Wyclif (2 Cor. xii. 1.)
Speediness
Speed´i•ness, n. The quality or state of being speedy.
Speedy
Speed´y (-y), a. [ Compar. Speedier superl. Speediest.] [AS. spedyg.] Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid in motion or performance; as a speedy flight; on speedy foot.
"I will wish her speedy strength." Shak.
"Darts, which not the good could shun,
The speedy ould outfly." Dryden.
Speet, v. t. [Cf. D. speten. See Spit an iron prong.] To stab. [Obs.] Gammer Gurton’s Needle.
Speight, n. [G. specht, probably akin to L. picus: cf. D. specht. rad.169. See Pie a magpie.] (Zoöl.) A woodpecker; — called also specht, spekt, spight. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Speir, v. i. To ask. See Spere. Sir W. Scott.
Spekehouse
Speke´house, n. The parlor or reception room of a convent. [Obs.]
Spelk, n. [AS. spelc, spilc, a little rod by which a thing is kept straight, a splint for binding up broken bones, akin to Icel. spelkur, pl., a splint. Cf. Spell a splinter.] A small stick or rod used as a spike in thatching; a splinter. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.
Spell, n. [OE. speld, AS. speld a spill to light a candle with; akin to D. speld a pin, OD. spelle, G. spalten to split, OHG. spaltan, MHG. spelte a splinter, Icel. spjald a square tablet, Goth. spilda a writing tablet. Cf. Spillsplinter, roll of paper, Spell to tell the letters of.] A spelk, or splinter. [Obs.] Holland.
Spell, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spelled p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] [AS. spelian to supply another’s place.] To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as to spell the helmsman.
Spell, n. [AS. spell a saying, tale, speech; akin to OS. & OHG. spel, Icel. spjall,Goth. spill. Cf. Gospel, Spell to tell the letters of.]
1. A story; a tale. [Obs.] "Hearken to my spell." Chaucer.
2. A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm.
" Start not; her actions shall be holy as
You hear my spell is lawful." Shak.
Spell, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spelled or Spelt ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] [OE. spellen, spellien, tell, relate, AS. spellian, fr. spell a saying, tale; akin to MHG. spellen to relate, Goth. spilln.e Spell a tale. In sense 4 and those following, OE. spellen, perhaps originally a different word, and from or influenced by spell a splinter, from the use of a piece of wood to point to the letters in schools: cf. D. spellen to spell. Cf. Spell splinter.]
1. To tell; to relate; to teach. [Obs.]
"Might I that legend find,
By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes." T. Warton.
2. To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. "Spelled with words of power." Dryden.
"He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot." Sir G. Buck.
3. To constitute; to measure. [Obs.]
"The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect." Fuller.
4. To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography.
"The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y." Dryden.
5. To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; — usually with out; as to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible.
"To spell out a God in the works of creation." South.
"To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident." Milton.
Spellbind
Spell´bind, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spellbound p. pr. & vb. n. Spellbinding.] To bind or hold by, or as if by, a spell or charm; to fascinate, esp. by eloquence of speech, as in a political campaign. — Spell´bind•er (#), n.
Speller
Spell´er, n.
1. One who spells.
2. A spelling book. [U. S.]
Spelling
Spell´ing, n. The act of one who spells; formation of words by letters; orthography.
Spelt, imp. & p. p. of Spell. Spelled.
Spelt, n. [See Spalt.] (Metal.) Spelter. [Colloq.]
Spelt, v. t. & i. [See Spell a splinter.] To split; to break; to spalt. [Obs.] Mortimer.
Spelter
Spel´ter, n. [Cf. LG. spialter, G. & D. spiauter. Cf. Pewter.] (Metal.) Zinc; — especially so called in commerce and arts.
Spelunc
Spe•lunc´, n. [L. spelunca cave.] A cavern; a cave. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Spence, n. [OF. despense, F. depense, buffet, buttery, fr. OF. despendre to spend, distribute, L. dispendere, dispensum. See Dispense, Spend.]
1. A place where provisions are kept; a buttery; a larder; a pantry.
"In … his spence, or "pantry" were hung the carcasses of a sheep or ewe, and two cows lately slaughtered." Sir W. Scott.
"Bluff Harry broke into the spence,
And turned the cowls adrift." Tennyson.
2. The inner apartment of a country house; also the place where the family sit and eat. [Scot.] Jamieson.
Spencer
Spen´cer, n. [OF. despensier. See Spence, and cf. Dispenser.] One who has the care of the spence, or buttery. [Obs.] Promptorium Parvulorum.
Spend, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spent p. pr. & vb. n. Spending.] [AS. spendan (in comp.), fr. L. expendere or dispendere to weigh out, to expend, dispense. See Pendant, and cf. Dispend, Expend, Spence, Spencer.]
1. To weigh or lay out; to dispose of; to part with; as to spend money for clothing.
"Spend thou that in the town." Shak.
"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread?" Isa. lv. 2.
2. To bestow; to employ; — often with on or upon.
"I … am never loath
To spend my judgment." Herbert.
3. To consume; to waste; to squander; to exhaust; as to spend an estate in gaming or other vices.
4. To pass, as time; to suffer to pass away; as to spend a day idly; to spend winter abroad.
"We spend our years as a tale that is told." Ps. xc. 9.
5. To exhaust of force or strength; to waste; to wear away; as the violence of the waves was spent.
"Their bodies spent with long labor and thirst." Knolles.
Spender
Spen´der, n. One who spends; esp., one who spends lavishly; a prodigal; a spendthrift.
Spendthrift
Spend´thrift, a. Prodigal; extravagant; wasteful.
Spent (spent), a.
1. Exhausted; worn out; having lost energy or motive force.
"Now thou seest me Spent, overpowered, despairing of success." Addison.
"Heaps of spent arrows fall and strew the ground." Dryden.
2. (Zoöl.) Exhausted of spawn or sperm; — said especially of fishes. Spent ball, a ball shot from a firearm, which reaches an object without having sufficient force to penetrate it. { Sper, Sperre }, v. t. [See Spar bar.] To shut in; to support; to inclose; to fasten. [Obs.] "To sperre the gate." Spenser.
Spere, n. [See Sphere.] A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Sperge, n. (Distilling) A charge of wash for the still. Knight.
Sperling
Sper´ling, n. [See Sparling.] (Zoöl.) (a) A smelt; a sparling. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A young herring. [Local, U.S.]
Sperm, n. [F. sperme, L. sperma, Gr.,, from to sow. Cf. Spore.] (Physiol.) The male fecundating fluid; semen. See Semen. Sperm cell (Physiol.), one of the cells from which the spermatozoids are developed. — Sperm morula. (Biol.) Same as Spermosphere.
Spermaceti
Sper•ma•ce´ti, n. [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. . See Sperm, Cetaceous.] A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. Spermaceti whale (Zoöl.), the sperm whale.
Spermatic
Sper•mat´ic, a. [L. spermaticus, Gr. : cf. F. spermatique. See Sperm.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to semen; as the spermatic fluid, the spermatic vessels, etc. Spermatic cord (Anat.), the cord which suspends the testicle within the scrotum. It is made up of a connective tissue sheath inclosing the spermatic duct and accompanying vessels and nerves.
Spermatism
Sper´ma•tism, n. (Physiol.) The emission of sperm, or semen.
Spermatize
Sper´ma•tize, v. i. [Gr. . See Sperm.] To yield seed; to emit seed, or sperm. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. { Sper´ma•to-, Sper´mo- }. Combining forms from Gr. spe•rma, -atos, seed, sperm, semen (of plants or animals); as spermatoblast, spermoblast.
Spermatocyte
Sper´ma•to•cyte, n. [ Spermato- + Gr. a hollow vessel.] (Physiol.) Same as Spermoblast.
Spermatogemma
Sper•ma•to•gem´ma, n. [NL. See Spermato-, and Gemma.] (Physiol.) Same as Spermosphere.
Spermatogenous
Sper•ma•tog´e•nous, a. [ Spermato- + -genous.] (Physiol.) Sperm- producing.
Spermatoid
Sper´ma•toid, a. [ Spermato- + -oid.] (Physiol.) Spermlike; resembling sperm, or semen.
Spermatophore
Sper´ma•to•phore, n. [ Spermato- + Gr. to bear.]
1. (Physiol.) Same as Spermospore.
2. (Zoöl.) A capsule or pocket inclosing a number of spermatozoa. They are present in many annelids, brachiopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. In cephalopods the structure of the capsule is very complex.
Spermatozoön
Sper•ma•to•zo"ön, n. ; pl. Spermatozoa (#). [NL., fr. Gr., sperm + an animal.] (Biol.) Same as Spermatozoid.
Spermidium
Sper•mid´i•um, n. ; pl. Spermidia (#). [Nl., fr. Gr. spe•rma seed.] (Bot.) An achenium.
Spermist
Sperm´ist, n. (Biol.) A believer in the doctrine, formerly current, of encasement in the male (see Encasement), in which the seminal thread, or spermatozoid, was considered as the real animal germ, the head being the true animal head and the tail the body.
Spermococcus
Sper•mo•coc´cus, n. [NL. See Spermo-, and Coccus.] (Physiol.) The nucleus of the sperm cell.
Spermophile
Sper´mo•phile, n. [Gr. spe•rma a seed + fi•los loving, fond.] (Zoöl.) Any ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus; a gopher. See Illust. under Gopher.
Spermophytic
Sper•mo•phyt´ic, a. (Bot.) Capable of producing seeds; phaenogamic.
Spermoplasma
Sper•mo•plas´ma, n. [NL. See Spermo-, and Plasma.] (Physiol.) The protoplasm of the sperm cell. Haeckel.
Spermule
Sper´mule, n. [Dim. fr. sperm.] (Physiol.) A sperm cell. Haeckel.
Spessartite
Spes´sart•ite, n. [From Spessart, in Germany.] (Min.) A manganesian variety of garnet.
Spet, v. t. [AS. sptan. See Spit.] To spit; to throw out. [Obs.]
Spetches
Spetch´es, n. pl. Parings and refuse of hides, skins, etc., from which glue is made.
Spew, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spewed p. pr.& vb. n. Spewing.] [OE. spewen, speowen, AS. spiwan;n to D. spuwen to spit. OS & OHG. spiwan, G. speien, Icel. spja to spew, Sw. spy, Dan. spye, Goth. spiewan, th. spjauti, L. spuere to split, Gr., Skr. shtiv, shthiv. Cf. Pyke, Spit.] [Written also spue.]
1. To eject from the stomach; to vomit.
2. To cast forth with abhorrence or disgust; to eject.
"Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth." Rev. ii. 16.
Spew, v. i.
1. To vomit. Chaucer.
2. To eject seed, as wet land swollen with frost.
Sphacel
Sphac´el, n. [Gr. : cf. F. sphacèle.] (Med.) Gangrene.
Sphacelate
Sphac´e•late, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sphacelated p. pr. & vb. n. Sphacelating.] [NL. sphacelare, sphacelatum, mortify: cf. F. sphaceler. See Sphacelus.] (Med.) To die, decay, or become gangrenous, as flesh or bone; to mortify.
Sphacelation
Sphac•e•la´tion, n. (Med.) The process of becoming or making gangrenous; mortification.
Sphacelus
Sphac´e•lus, n. [NL., fr. Gr. .] (Med.) Gangrenous part; gangrene; slough.
Sphalerite
Sphal´er•ite, n. [Gr. slippery, uncertain. See Blende.] (Min.) Zinc sulphide; — called also blende, black-jack, false galena, etc. See Blende (a).
Sphenethmoid
Sphe•neth´moid, n. (Anat.) The sphenethmoid bone.
Sphenethmoidal
Sphe•neth•moid´al, a. (Anat.) Relating to the sphenoethmoid bone; sphenoethmoid.
Sphenodon
Sphe´no•don, n. [Gr. sfh•n a wedge +,, a tooth.] (Zoöl.) Same as Hatteria.
Sphenoethmoidal
Sphe´no•eth•moid•al, a. (Anat.) Sphenethmoid.
Sphenogram
Sphe´no•gram, n. [Gr. sfh•n a wedge + -gram.] A cuneiform, or arrow- headed, character.
Sphenographer
Sphe•nog´ra•pher, n. One skilled in sphenography; a sphenographist.
Sphenographic
Sphe•no•graph´ic, a. Of or pertaining to sphenography.
Sphenoid
Sphe´noid, a. [Gr. ; sfh•n a wedge + e’i^dos form: cf. F. sphenoïde.]
1. Wedge-shaped; as a sphenoid crystal.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the sphenoid bone. Sphenoid bone (Anat.), an irregularly shaped bone in front of the occipital in the base of the skull of the higher vertebrates. It is composed of several fetal bones which become united the adult. See Alisphenoid, Basisphenoid, Orbitosphenoid, Presphenoid.
Sphenoidal
Sphe•noid´al, a.
1. Sphenoid.
2. (Crystalloq.) Pertaining to, or resembling, a sphenoid.
Sphere, n. [OE. spere, OF. espere, F. sphère, L. sphaera,. Gr. a sphere, a ball.]
1. (Geom.) A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
2. Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
"Of celestial bodies, first the sun,
A mighty sphere, he framed." Milton.
3. (Astron.) (a) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it. (b) In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.
4. (Logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
5. Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.
"To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in ’t." Shak.
"Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself." Hawthorne.
"Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woe
Our hermit spirits dwell." Keble.
6. Rank; order of society; social positions.
7. An orbit, as of a star; a socket. [R.] Shak. Armillary sphere, Crystalline sphere, Oblique sphere,. See under Armillary, Crystalline,. — Doctrine of the sphere, applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry. — Music of the spheres. See under Music.
Syn. — Globe; orb; circle. See Globe.
Sphere, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sphered p. pr. & vb. n. Sphering.]
1. To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
"The glorious planet Sol
In noble eminence enthroned and sphered
Amidst the other." Shak.
2. To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect. Tennyson. { Spher´ic•al, Spher´ic } a. [L. sphaericus, Gr. : cf. F. spherique.]
1. Having the form of a sphere; like a sphere; globular; orbicular; as a spherical body.
2. Of or pertaining to a sphere.
3. Of or pertaining to the heavenly orbs, or to the sphere or spheres in which, according to ancient astronomy and astrology, they were set.
"Knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance." Shak.
"Though the stars were suns, and overburned
Their spheric limitations." Mrs. Browning.Spherical angle, Spherical coördinate, Spherical excess, etc. See under Angle, Coordinate, etc. — Spherical geometry, that branch of geometry which treats of spherical magnitudes; the doctrine of the sphere, especially of the circles described on its surface. — Spherical harmonic analysis. See under Harmonic, a. — Spherical lune,portion of the surface of a sphere included between two great semicircles having a common diameter. — Spherical opening, the magnitude of a solid angle. It is measured by the portion within the solid angle of the surface of any sphere whose center is the angular point. — Spherical polygon,portion of the surface of a sphere bounded by the arcs of three or more great circles. — Spherical projection, the projection of the circles of the sphere upon a plane. See Projection. — Spherical sector. See under Sector. — Spherical segment, the segment of a sphere. See under Segment. — Spherical triangle,re on the surface of a sphere, bounded by the arcs of three great circles which intersect each other. — Spherical trigonometry. See Trigonometry. — Spher´ic•al•ly, adv. — Spher´ic•al•ness, n.
Spherobacteria
Sphe•ro•bac•te´ri•a, n. pl.; sing. Spherobacterium . [NL. See Sphere, and Bacterium.] (Biol.) See the Note under Microbacteria.
Spheroid
Sphe´roid, n. [L. spheroides ball-like, spherical, Gr. ; sphere + form: cf. F. spheroïde.] A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. Oblate spheroid, Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid.
Spheroidal
Sphe•roid´al, a. [Cf. F. spheroïdal.] Having the form of a spheroid. — Sphe•roid´al•ly, adv. Spheroidal state (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without actual contact with the heated surface, — a phenomenon due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of evaporation. { Sphe•roid´ic, Sphe•roid´ic•al } a. See Spheroidal. Cheyne. { Sphe•roi•dic´i•ty, Sphe•roid´i•ty } n. The quality or state of being spheroidal.
Spherosome
Sphe´ro•some, n. [ Sphere + -some body.] (Zoöl.) The body wall of any radiate animal.
Sphex, n. [NL., fr. Gr.,, a wasp.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of sand wasps of the genus Sphex and allied genera. These wasps have the abdomen attached to the thorax by a slender pedicel. See Illust. of Sand wasp, under Sand. Sphex fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Conops and allied genera. The form of the body is similar to that of a sphex.
Sphingid
Sphin´gid, n. (Zoöl.) A sphinx.
Sphingid
Sphin´gid, a. Of or pertaining to a sphinx, or the family Sphingidae.
Sphinx, n. [L., from Gr. sfi•gx, usually derived from sfi•ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.]
1. (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion.
"The awful ruins of the days of old …
Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx." Shelley. (b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman. The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Bœotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by Œdipus, whereupon the sphinx slew herself. "Subtle as sphinx." Shak.
2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.
3. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidae; — called also hawk moth. The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.
4. (Zoöl.) The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon ( Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon ( Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. — Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.
Sphygmic
Sphyg´mic, a. [Gr. the pulse.] (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the pulse.
Sphygmograph
Sphyg´mo•graph, n. [Gr. the pulse + -graph.] (Physiol.) An instrument which, when applied over an artery, indicates graphically the movements or character of the pulse. See Sphygmogram.
Sphygmoscope
Sphyg´mo•scope, n. [Gr. the pulse + -scope.] (Physiol.) Same as Sphygmograph.
Spice, n. [OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice, espece, F. epice spice, espèce species, fr. L. species particular sort or kind, a species, a sight, appearance, show, LL., spices, drugs, etc., of the same sort, fr. L. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Species.]
1. Species; kind. [Obs.]
"The spices of penance ben three." Chaucer.
"Abstain you from all evil spice." Wyclif (1. Thess,v. 22).
"Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative." Sir T. Elyot.
2. A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc.
"Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices?" Piers Plowman.
3. Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as a spice of mischief.
"So much of the will, with a spice of the willful." Coleridge.
Spice, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spiced p. p. & vb. n. Spicing ]
1. To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as to spice wine; to spice one’s words with wit.
"She ’ll receive thee, but will spice thy bread
With flowery poisons." Chapman.
2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices.
"In the spiced Indian air, by night." Shak.
3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer.
Spiciform
Spi´ci•form, a. [L. spica a spike, ear + -form.] (Bot.) Spike-shaped. Gray.
Spiciness
Spi´ci•ness, n. The quality or state of being spicy.
Spick, n. [Cf. Sw. spik. See Spike a nail.] A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] Spick and span, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split; brand-new; as a spick and span novelty. See Span-new. Howell.
Spicose
Spi•cose´, a. [L. spica a spike, or ear.] (Bot.) Having spikes, or ears, like corn spikes.
Spicosity
Spi•cos´i•ty, n. The state of having, or being full of, ears like corn. [R.] Bailey.
Spiculate
Spic´u•late, v. t. To sharpen to a point. [R.] "With spiculated paling." Mason.
Spicule
Spic´ule, n. [L. spiculum a little point, a dart.]
1. A minute, slender granule, or point.
2. (Bot.) Same as Spicula.
3. (Zoöl.) Any small calcareous or siliceous body found in the tissues of various invertebrate animals, especially in sponges and in most Alcyonaria. Spicules vary exceedingly in size and shape, and some of those found in siliceous sponges are very complex in structure and elegant in form. They are of great use in classification.
"Description of the Illustration:"
"a Acerate; b Tricurvate, or Bowshaped; c d Hamate; e Broomshaped; f Scepterellate; g Spinispirulate; h Inequi-anchorate; i Sexradiate; j A Trichite Sheaf; k Six-rayed Capitate; l Rosette of Esperia; m Equi- anchorate."
Spiculiform
Spi•cu´li•form, a. (Zoöl.) Having the shape of a spicule.
Spiculum
Spic´u•lum, n. ; pl. Spicula (#). [L., a little point.] (Zoöl.) Same as Spicule.
Spicy
Spi´cy, a. [ Compar. Spicier superl. Spiciest.] [From Spice.]
1. Flavored with, or containing, spice or spices; fragrant; aromatic; as spicy breezes. "The spicy nut-brown ale." Milton.
"Led by new stars, and borne by spicy gales." Pope.
2. Producing, or abounding with, spices.
"In hot Ceylon spicy forests grew." Dryden.
3. Fig.: Piquant; racy; as a spicy debate.
Syn. — Aromatic; fragrant; smart; pungent; pointed; keen. See Racy.
Spider
Spi´der, n. [OE. spiþre, fr. AS. spinnan to spin; — so named from spinning its web; cf. D. spin a spider, G. spinne, Sw. spindel. Seee Spin.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons, or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number (rarely six), and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax. See Illust. under Araneina. Spiders are divided into two principal groups: the Dipneumona, having two lungs: and the Tetrapneumona, having four lungs. See Mygale. The former group includes several tribes; as the jumping spiders (see Saltigradae), the wolf spiders, or Citigradae (see under Wolf), the crab spiders, or Laterigradae (see under Crab), the garden, or geometric, spiders, or Orbitellae (see under Geometrical, and Garden), and others. See Bird spider, under Bird, Grass spider, under Grass, House spider, under House, Silk spider, under Silk.
2. (Zoöl.) Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as the red spider (see under Red).
3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs, and was used over coals on the hearth.
4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.
5. (Mach.) A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc. Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. — Spider crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab ( Macrocheira Kempferi), measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they are extended. — Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidae. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. — Spider hunter (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. — Spider lines, filaments of a spider’s web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; — used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. — Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b) Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants. — Spider monkey (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. — Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant ( Ophrys aranifera), having flowers which resemble spiders. — Spider shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.
Spidered
Spi´dered, a. Infested by spiders; cobwebbed. Wolcott.
Spiderlike
Spi´der•like, a. Like a spider. Shak. { Spi"der web", or Spi"der’s web" }. (Zoöl.) The silken web which is formed by most kinds of spiders, particularly the web spun to entrap their prey. See Geometric spider, Triangle spider, under Geometric, and Triangle.
Spiegeleisen
Spie´gel•ei•sen, n. [G. spiegel mirror + eisen iron.] See Spiegel iron.
Spight, n. & v. Spite. [Obs.] Spenser.
Spight, n. A woodpecker. See Speight. [Obs.]
Spignet
Spig´net, n. [Corrupted fr. spikenard.] (Bot.) An aromatic plant of America. See Spikenard.
Spigot
Spig´ot, n. [From spick,or spike; cf. Ir. & Gael. spiocaid a spigot, Ir. spice a spike. See Spike.] A pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask; also the plug of a faucet or cock. Spigot and faucet joint, a joint for uniting pipes, formed by the insertion of the end of one pipe, or pipe fitting, into a socket at the end of another.
Spike, n. [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. spik; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. Spine.]
1. A sort of very large nail; also a piece of pointed iron set with points upward or outward.
2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape.
"He wears on his head the corona radiata … ; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun." Addison.
3. An ear of corn or grain.
4. (Bot.) A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis. Spike grass (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American grasses ( Uniola paniculata, and U. latifolia) having broad leaves and large flattened spikelets. — Spike rush. (Bot.) See under Rush. — Spike shell (Zoöl.), any pteropod of the genus Styliola having a slender conical shell. — Spike team, three horses, or a horse and a yoke of oxen, harnessed together, a horse leading the oxen or the span. [U.S.]
Spike, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spiked p. pr. & vb. n. Spiking.]
1. To fasten with spikes, or long, large nails; as to spike down planks.
2. To set or furnish with spikes.
3. To fix on a spike. [R.] Young.
4. To stop the vent of (a gun or cannon) by driving a spike nail, or the like into it.
Spike, n. [Cf. G. spieke, L. spica an ear of grain. See Spikenard.] (Bot.) Spike lavender. See Lavender. Oil of spike (Chem.), a colorless or yellowish aromatic oil extracted from the European broad-leaved lavender, or aspic ( Lavendula Spica), used in artist’s varnish and in veterinary medicine. It is often adulterated with oil of turpentine, which it much resembles.
Spikebill
Spike´bill, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The hooded merganser. (b) The marbled godwit ( Limosa fedoa).
Spikelet
Spike´let, n. (Bot.) A small or secondary spike; especially, one of the ultimate parts of the in florescence of grasses. See Illust. of Quaking grass.
Spikenard
Spike´nard, n. [For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde, NL. spica nardi. See Spike an ear, and Nard.]
1. (Bot.) An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.
2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys Jatamansi.
Spiketail
Spike´tail, n. (Zoöl.) The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]
Spile, v. t. To supply with a spile or a spigot; to make a small vent in, as a cask.
Spilikin
Spil´i•kin, n. [OD. spelleken a small pin. See Spill a splinter.] One of a number of small pieces or pegs of wood, ivory, bone, or other material, for playing a game, or for counting the score in a game, as in cribbage. In the plural ( spilikins), a game played with such pieces; pushpin. [Written also spillikin, spilliken.]
Spill, n. [rad.170. Cf. Spell a splinter.]
1. A bit of wood split off; a splinter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2. A slender piece of anything. Specifically: — (a) A peg or pin for plugging a hole, as in a cask; a spile. (b) A metallic rod or pin. (c) A small roll of paper, or slip of wood, used as a lamplighter, etc. (d) (Mining) One of the thick laths or poles driven horizontally ahead of the main timbering in advancing a level in loose ground.
3. A little sum of money. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
Spill, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spilt p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.] To cover or decorate with slender pieces of wood, metal, ivory, etc.; to inlay. [Obs.] Spenser.
Spill, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spilled, or Spilt ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.] [OE. spillen,sually, to destroy, AS. spillan, spildan, to destroy; akin to Icel. spilla to destroy, Sw. spilla to spill, Dan. spilde,G. & D. spillen to squander, OHG. spildan.]
1. To destroy; to kill; to put an end to. [Obs.]
"And gave him to the queen, all at her will
To choose whether she would him save or spill." Chaucer.
"Greater glory think [it] to save than spill." Spenser.
2. To mar; to injure; to deface; hence, to destroy by misuse; to waste. [Obs.]
"They [the colors] disfigure the stuff and spill the whole workmanship." Puttenham.
"Spill not the morning, the quintessence of day, in recreations." Fuller.
3. To suffer to fall or run out of a vessel; to lose, or suffer to be scattered; — applied to fluids and to substances whose particles are small and loose; as to spill water from a pail; to spill quicksilver from a vessel; to spill powder from a paper; to spill sand or flour. Spill differs from pour in expressing accidental loss, — a loss or waste contrary to purpose.
4. To cause to flow out and be lost or wasted; to shed, or suffer to be shed, as in battle or in manslaughter; as a man spills another’s blood, or his own blood.
"And to revenge his blood so justly spilt." Dryden.
5. (Naut.) To relieve a sail from the pressure of the wind, so that it can be more easily reefed or furled, or to lessen the strain. Spilling line (Naut.), a rope used for spilling, or dislodging, the wind from the belly of a sail. Totten.
Spilt, imp. & p. p. of Spill. Spilled.
Spilter
Spil´ter, n. [From Spill, n. ] Any one of the small branches on a stag’s head. [Obs.] Howell.
Spilth, n. [From Spill.] Anything spilt, or freely poured out; slop; effusion. [Archaic] "With drunken spilth of wine." Shak.
"Choicest cates, and the flagon’s best spilth." R. Browning.
Spin, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spun (Archaic imp. Span ); p. pr. & vb. n. Spinning.] [AS. spinnan; akin to D. & G. spinnen, Icel. & Sw. spinna, Dan. spinde, Goth. spinnan, and probably to E. span. rad.170. Cf. Span, v. t., Spider.]
1. To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat’s hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material.
"All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses’ absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths." Shak.
2. To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; — with out; as to spin out large volumes on a subject.
"Do you mean that story is tediously spun out?" Sheridan.
3. To protract; to spend by delays; as to spin out the day in idleness.
"By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives." L’Estrange.
4. To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as to spin a top.
5. To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; — said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
6. (Mech.) To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe. To spin a yarn (Naut.), to tell a story, esp. a long or fabulous tale. — To spin hay (Mil.), to twist it into ropes for convenient carriage on an expedition. — To spin street yarn, to gad about gossiping. [Collog.]
Spinaceous
Spi•na´ceous, a. (Bot.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the plant spinach, or the family of plants to which it belongs. { Spin´ach, Spin´age }, n. [OF. espinache, espinoche, F. epinard; cf. F. spinace, Sp. espinaca; all fr. Ar. isfanaj, isfinaj, aspanakh, probably of Persian origin.] (Bot.) A common pot herb ( Spinacia oleracea) belonging to the Goosefoot family. Mountain spinach. See Garden orache, under Orache. — New Zealand spinach (Bot.), a coarse herb ( Tetragonia expansa), a poor substitute for spinach. Various other pot herbs are locally called spinach.
Spinal
Spi´nal, a. [L. spinalis, fr. spina the spine: cf. F. spinal. See Spine.]
1. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the backbone, or vertebral column; rachidian; vertebral.
2. Of or pertaining to a spine or spines. Spinal accessory nerves, the eleventh pair of cranial nerves in the higher vertebrates. They originate from the spinal cord and pass forward into the skull, from which they emerge in company with the pneumogastrics. — Spinal column, the backbone, or connected series or vertebrae which forms the axis of the vertebrate skeleton; the spine; rachis; vertebral column. — Spinal cord, the great nervous cord extending backward from the brain along the dorsal side of the spinal column of a vertebrate animal, and usually terminating in a threadlike appendage called the filum terminale; the spinal, or vertebral, marrow; the myelon. The nervous tissue consists of nerve fibers and nerve cells, the latter being confined to the so-called gray matter of the central portions of the cord, while the peripheral white matter is composed of nerve fibers only. The center of the cord is traversed by a slender canal connecting with the ventricles of the brain.
Spindle
Spin´dle, n. [AS. spinal, fr. spinnan to spin; akin to D. spil, G. spille, spindel, OHG. spinnala. rad.170. See Spin.]
1. The long, round, slender rod or pin in spinning wheels by which the thread is twisted, and on which, when twisted, it is wound; also the pin on which the bobbin is held in a spinning machine, or in the shuttle of a loom.
2. A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as the spindle of a vane. Specifically: — (a) (Mach.) The shaft, mandrel, or arbor, in a machine tool, as a lathe or drilling machine, etc., which causes the work to revolve, or carries a tool or center, etc. (b) (Mach.) The vertical rod on which the runner of a grinding mill turns. (c) (Founding) A shaft or pipe on which a core of sand is formed.
3. The fusee of a watch.
4. A long and slender stalk resembling a spindle.
5. A yarn measure containing, in cotton yarn, 15,120 yards; in linen yarn, 14,400 yards.
6. (Geom.) A solid generated by the revolution of a curved line about its base or double ordinate or chord.
7. (Zoöl.) (a) Any marine univalve shell of the genus Rostellaria; — called also spindle stromb. (b) Any marine gastropod of the genus Fusus. Dead spindle (Mach.), a spindle in a machine tool that does not revolve; the spindle of the tailstock of a lathe. — Live spindle (Mach.), the revolving spindle of a machine tool; the spindle of the headstock of a turning lathe. — Spindle shell. (Zoöl.) See Spindle, 7. above. — Spindle side, the female side in descent; in the female line; opposed to spear side. Ld. Lytton. [R.] "King Lycaon, grandson, by the spindle side, of Oceanus." Lowell. — Spindle tree (Bot.), any shrub or tree of the genus Eunymus. The wood of E. Europaeus was used for spindles and skewers. See Prickwood.
Spindle
Spin´dle, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spindled p. pr. & vb. n. Spindling ] To shoot or grow into a long, slender stalk or body; to become disproportionately tall and slender.
"It has begun to spindle into overintellectuality." Lowell.
Spindle-legged
Spin´dle-legged, a. Having long, slender legs.
Spindle-shanked
Spin´dle-shanked, a. Having long, slender legs. Addison.
Spindletail
Spin´dle•tail, n. (Zoöl.) The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]
Spindrift
Spin´drift, n. Same as Spoondrift.
"The ocean waves are broken up by wind, ultimately producing the storm wrack and spindrift of the tempest-tossed sea." J. E. Marr.
Spine, n. [L. spina thorn, the spine; akin to spica a point: cf. OF. espine, F. epine. Cf. Spike, Spinet a musical instrument, Spinny.]
1. (Bot.) A sharp appendage to any of a plant; a thorn.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) A rigid and sharp projection upon any part of an animal. (b) One of the rigid and undivided fin rays of a fish.
3. (Anat.) The backbone, or spinal column, of an animal; — so called from the projecting processes upon the vertebrae.
4. Anything resembling the spine or backbone; a ridge.
Spineback
Spine´back, n. (Zoöl.) A fish having spines in, or in front of, the dorsal fins.
Spinel
Spin´el, n. Bleached yarn in making the linen tape called inkle; unwrought inkle. Knight.
Spinet
Spin´et, n. [OF. espinete, F. epinette (cf. It. spinetta), fr. L. spina a thorn; — so called because its quills resemble thorns. See Spine.] (Mus.) A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note, sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It was formerly much used. Dumb spinet. (Mus.) See Manichordon.
Spinet
Spi´net, n. [L. spinetum. See Spinny.] A spinny. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Spine-tailed
Spine´-tailed, a. (Zoöl.) Having the tail quills ending in sharp, naked tips. Spine-tailed swift. (Zoöl.) See Spinetail (a).
Spini-spirulate
Spin•i-spir´u•late, a. (Zoöl.) Having spines arranged spirally. See Spicule.
Spinney
Spin´ney, n. ; pl. Spinneys . Same as Spinny. T. Hughes.
Spinning
Spin´ning, a. & n. from Spin. Spinning gland (Zoöl.), one of the glands which form the material for spinning the silk of silkworms and other larvae. — Spinning house, formerly a common name for a house of correction in England, the women confined therein being employed in spinning. — Spinning jenny (Mach.), an engine or machine for spinning wool or cotton, by means of a large number of spindles revolving simultaneously. — Spinning mite (Zoöl.), the red spider. — Spinning wheel, a machine for spinning yarn or thread, in which a wheel drives a single spindle, and is itself driven by the hand, or by the foot acting on a treadle.
Spinny
Spin´ny, n. ; pl. Spinnies (#). [OF. espinaye, espinoye, espinei, espanoi, F. epinaie, from L. spinetum a thicket of thorns, fr. spina a thorn. See Spine.] A small thicket or grove with undergrowth; a clump of trees. [Written also spinney, and spinny.]
"The downs rise steep, crowned with black fir spinnies." C. Kingsley.
Spinny
Spin´ny, a. [Cf. Spiny, a. ] Thin and long; slim; slender. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Spinose
Spi•nose´, a. [L. spinosus, from spina a thorn.] Full of spines; armed with thorns; thorny.
Spinosity
Spi•nos´i•ty, n. The quality or state of being spiny or thorny; spininess.
Spinstry
Spin´stry, n. The business of one who spins; spinning. [Obs.] Milton.
Spinule
Spin´ule, n. [L. spinula, dim. of spina a spine: cf. F. spinule.] A minute spine. Dana.
Spiny
Spin´y, a. [From Spine.]
1. Full of spines; thorny; as a spiny tree.
2. Like a spine in shape; slender. "Spiny grasshoppers sit chirping." Chapman.
3. Fig.: Abounding with difficulties or annoyances.
"The spiny deserts of scholastic philosophy." Bp. Warburton.Spiny lobster. (Zoöl.) Same as Rock lobster, under Rock. See also Lobster.
Spirable
Spi´ra•ble, a. [L. spirabilis.] Capable of being breathed; respirable. [Obs.] Nash.
Spiracle
Spir´a•cle, n. [L. spiraculum, fr. spirare to breathe: cf. F. spiracule. See Spirit.]
1. (Anat.) The nostril, or one of the nostrils, of whales, porpoises, and allied animals.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the external openings communicating with the air tubes or tracheae of insects, myriapods, and arachnids. They are variable in number, and are usually situated on the sides of the thorax and abdomen, a pair to a segment. These openings are usually elliptical, and capable of being closed. See Illust. under Coleoptera. (a) A tubular orifice communicating with the gill cavity of certain ganoid and all elasmobranch fishes. It is the modified first gill cleft.
3. Any small aperture or vent for air or other fluid.
Spiral
Spi´ral, a. [Cf. F. spiral. See Spire a winding line.]
1. Winding or circling round a center or pole and gradually receding from it; as the spiral curve of a watch spring.
2. Winding round a cylinder or imaginary axis, and at the same time rising or advancing forward; winding like the thread of a screw; helical.
3. (Geom.) Of or pertaining to a spiral; like a spiral. Spiral gear, or Spiral wheel (Mach.), a gear resembling in general a spur gear, but having its teeth cut at an angle with its axis, or so that they form small portions of screws or spirals. — Spiral gearing, a kind of gearing sometimes used in light machinery, in which spiral gears, instead of bevel gears, are used to transmit motion between shafts that are not parallel. — Spiral operculum, an operculum whih has spiral lines of growth. — Spiral shell, any shell in which the whorls form a spiral or helix. — Spiral spring. See the Note under Spring, n. , 4.
Spiral
Spi´ral, n. [Cf. F. spirale. See Spiral, a. ]
1. (Geom.) A plane curve, not reëntrant, described by a point, called the generatrix, moving along a straight line according to a mathematical law, while the line is revolving about a fixed point called the pole. Cf. Helix.
2. Anything which has a spiral form, as a spiral shell. Equiangular spiral,a plane curve which cuts all its generatrices at the same angle. Same as Logarithmic spiral, under Logarithmic. — Spiral of Archimedes, a spiral the law of which is that the generatrix moves uniformly along the revolving line, which also moves uniformly.
Spirality
Spi•ral´i•ty, n. The quality or states of being spiral.
Spirally
Spi´ral•ly, adv. In a spiral form, manner, or direction.
Spirant
Spi´rant, n. [L. spirans, -antis, p. pr. of spirare to breathe. See Spirit.] (Phon.) A term used differently by different authorities; — by some as equivalent to fricative, - - that is, as including all the continuous consonants, except the nasals m, n, n. ; with the further exception, by others, of the liquids r, l, and the semivowels w, y; by others limited to f, v, th surd and sonant, and the sound of German ch, — thus excluding the sibilants, as well as the nasals, liquids, and semivowels. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 197-208.
Spiration
Spi•ra´tion, n. [L. spiratio, fr. spirare to breathe.] The act of breathing. [Obs.] Barrow.
Spire, v. i. [L. spirare to breathe. See Spirit.] To breathe. [Obs.] Shenstone.
Spire, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spired p. pr. & vb. n. Spiring.] To shoot forth, or up in, or as if in, a spire. Emerson.
"It is not so apt to spire up as the other sorts, being more inclined to branch into arms." Mortimer.
Spire, n. [L. spira coil, twist; akin to Gr. : cf. F. spire.]
1. A spiral; a curl; a whorl; a twist. Dryden.
2. (Geom.) The part of a spiral generated in one revolution of the straight line about the pole. See Spiral, n. Spire bearer. (Paleon.) Same as Spirifer.
Spired, a. Having a spire; being in the form of a spire; as a spired steeple. Mason.
Spiring
Spir´ing, a. Shooting up in a spire or spires. "The spiring grass." Dryton.
Spirit
Spir´it, n. [OF. espirit, esperit, F. esprit, L. spiritus, from spirare to breathe, to blow. Cf. Conspire, Expire, Esprit, Sprite.]
1. Air set in motion by breathing; breath; hence, sometimes, life itself. [Obs.] "All of spirit would deprive." Spenser.
"The mild air, with season moderate,
Gently attempered, and disposed eo well,
That still it breathed foorth sweet spirit." Spenser.
2. A rough breathing; an aspirate, as the letter h; also a mark to denote aspiration; a breathing. [Obs.]
"Be it a letter or spirit, we have great use for it." B. Jonson.
3. Life, or living substance, considered independently of corporeal existence; an intelligence conceived of apart from any physical organization or embodiment; vital essence, force, or energy, as distinct from matter.
4. The intelligent, immaterial and immortal part of man; the soul, in distinction from the body in which it resides; the agent or subject of vital and spiritual functions, whether spiritual or material.
"There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding." Job xxxii. 8.
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James ii. 26.
"Spirit is a substance wherein thinking, knowing, doubting, and a power of moving, do subsist." Locke.
5. Specifically, a disembodied soul; the human soul after it has left the body.
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Eccl. xii. 7.
"Ye gentle spirits far away,
With whom we shared the cup of grace." Keble.
6. Any supernatural being, good or bad; an apparition; a specter; a ghost; also sometimes, a sprite,; a fairy; an elf.
"Whilst young, preserve his tender mind from all impressions of spirits and goblins in the dark." Locke.
7. Energy, vivacity, ardor, enthusiasm, courage, etc.
""Write it then, quickly," replied Bede; and summoning all his spirits together, like the last blaze of a candle going out, he indited it, and expired." Fuller.
8. One who is vivacious or lively; one who evinces great activity or peculiar characteristics of mind or temper; as a ruling spirit; a schismatic spirit.
"Such spirits as he desired to please, such would I choose for my judges." Dryden.
9. Temper or disposition of mind; mental condition or disposition; intellectual or moral state; — often in the plural; as to be cheerful, or in good spirits; to be downhearted, or in bad spirits.
"God has … made a spirit of building succeed a spirit of pulling down." South.
"A perfect judge will read each work of wit
With the same spirit that its author writ." Pope.
10. Intent; real meaning; — opposed to the letter, or to formal statement; also characteristic quality, especially such as is derived from the individual genius or the personal character; as the spirit of an enterprise, of a document, or the like.
11. Tenuous, volatile, airy, or vapory substance, possessed of active qualities.
"All bodies have spirits … within them." Bacon.
12. Any liquid produced by distillation; especially, alcohol, the spirits, or spirit, of wine (it having been first distilled from wine): — often in the plural.
13. pl. Rum, whisky, brandy, gin, and other distilled liquors having much alcohol, in distinction from wine and malt liquors.
14. (Med.) A solution in alcohol of a volatile principle. Cf. Tincture. U. S. Disp.
15. (Alchemy) Any one of the four substances, sulphur, sal ammoniac, quicksilver, or arsenic (or, according to some, orpiment).
"The four spirits and the bodies seven." Chaucer.
16. (Dyeing) Stannic chloride. See under Stannic. Spirit is sometimes joined with other words, forming compounds, generally of obvious signification; as spirit- moving, spirit-searching, spirit-stirring, etc. Astral spirits, Familiar spirits, etc. See under Astral, Familiar, etc. — Animal spirits. (a) (Physiol.) The fluid which at one time was supposed to circulate through the nerves and was regarded as the agent of sensation and motion; — called also the nervous fluid, or nervous principle. (b) Physical health and energy; frolicsomeness; sportiveness. — Ardent spirits, strong alcoholic liquors, as brandy, rum, whisky, etc., obtained by distillation. — Holy Spirit, or The Spirit (Theol.), the Spirit of God, or the third person of the Trinity; the Holy Ghost. The spirit also signifies the human spirit as influenced or animated by the Divine Spirit. — Proof spirit. (Chem.) See under Proof. — Rectified spirit (Chem.), spirit rendered purer or more concentrated by redistillation, so as to increase the percentage of absolute alcohol. — Spirit butterfly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of delicate butterflies of tropical America belonging to the genus Ithomia. The wings are gauzy and nearly destitute of scales. — Spirit duck. (Zoöl.) (a) The buffle-headed duck. (b) The golden-eye. — Spirit lamp (Art), a lamp in which alcohol or methylated spirit is burned. — Spirit level. See under Level. — Spirit of hartshorn. (Old Chem.) See under Hartshorn. — Spirit of Mindererus (Med.), an aqueous solution of acetate of ammonium; — named after R. Minderer, physician of Augsburg. — Spirit of nitrous ether (Med. Chem.), a pale yellow liquid, of a sweetish taste and a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by the distillation of alcohol with nitric and sulphuric acids, and consists essentially of ethyl nitrite with a little acetic aldehyde. It is used as a diaphoretic, diuretic, antispasmodic, etc. Called also sweet spirit of niter. — Spirit of salt (Chem.), hydrochloric acid; — so called because obtained from salt and sulphuric acid. [Obs.] — Spirit of sense, the utmost refinement of sensation. [Obs.] Shak. — Spirits, or Spirit, of turpentine (Chem.), rectified oil of turpentine, a transparent, colorless, volatile, and very inflammable liquid, distilled from the turpentine of the various species of pine; camphine. See Camphine. — Spirit of vitriol (Chem.), sulphuric acid; — so called because formerly obtained by the distillation of green vitriol. [Obs.] — Spirit of vitriolic ether (Chem.) ether; — often but incorrectly called sulphuric ether. See Ether. [Obs.] — Spirits, or Spirit, of wine (Chem.), alcohol; — so called because formerly obtained by the distillation of wine. — Spirit rapper, one who practices spirit rapping; a "medium" so called. — Spirit rapping, an alleged form of communication with the spirits of the dead by raps. See Spiritualism, 3. — Sweet spirit of niter. See Spirit of nitrous ether, above.
Syn. — Life; ardor; energy; fire; courage; animatioon; cheerfulness; vivacity; enterprise.
Spirit
Spir´it, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spirited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiriting.]
1. To animate with vigor; to excite; to encourage; to inspirit; as civil dissensions often spirit the ambition of private men; — sometimes followed by up.
"Many officers and private men spirit up and assist those obstinate people to continue in their rebellion." Swift.
2. To convey rapidly and secretly, or mysteriously, as if by the agency of a spirit; to kidnap; — often with away, or off.
"The ministry had him spirited away, and carried abroad as a dangerous person." Arbuthnot & Pope.
"I felt as if I had been spirited into some castle of antiquity." Willis. Spiriting away (Law), causing to leave; the offense of inducing a witness to leave a jurisdiction so as to evade process requiring attendance at trial.
Spiritous
Spir´it•ous, a. [Cf. Spirituous.]
1. Like spirit; refined; defecated; pure. [R.]
"More refined, more spirituous and pure." Milton.
2. Ardent; active. [R.]
Spiritousness
Spir´it•ous•ness, n. Quality of being spiritous. [R.]
Spiritual
Spir´it•u•al, a. [L. spiritualis: cf. F. spirituel. See Spirit.]
1. Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal; as a spiritual substance or being.
"It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1 Cor. xv. 44.
2. Of or pertaining to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
3. Of or pertaining to the moral feelings or states of the soul, as distinguished from the external actions; reaching and affecting the spirits.
"God’s law is spiritual; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man." Sir T. Browne.
4. Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; — opposed to carnal.
"That I may impart unto you some spiritual gift." Rom. i. ll.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings." Eph. i. 3.
"If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one." Gal. vi. 1.
5. Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical; as the spiritual functions of the clergy; lords spiritual and temporal; a spiritual corporation. Spiritual coadjuctor. (Eccl.) See the Note under Jesuit. — Spiritual court (Eccl. Law), an ecclesiastical court, or a court having jurisdiction in ecclesiastical affairs; a court held by a bishop or other ecclesiastic.
Spiritual
Spir´it•u•al, n. A spiritual function, office, or affair. See Spirituality, 2.
"He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor in temporals." Lowell.
Spiritualistic
Spir•it•u•al•is´tic, a. Relating to, or connected with, spiritualism.
Spiritualize
Spir´it•u•al•ize, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spiritualized p. pr. & vb. n. Spiritualizing ] [Cf. F. spiritualiser.]
1. To refine intellectiually or morally; to purify from the corrupting influence of the world; to give a spiritual character or tendency to; as to spiritualize soul.
"This seen in the clear air, and the whole spiritualized by endless recollections, fills the eye and the heart more forcibly than I can find words to say." Carlyle.
2. To give a spiritual meaning to; to take in a spiritual sense; — opposed to literalize.
3. (Old Chem.) To extract spirit from; also to convert into, or impregnate with, spirit.
Spiritually
Spir´it•u•al•ly, adv. In a spiritual manner; with purity of spirit; like a spirit.
Spiritualty
Spir´it•u•al•ty, n. [See Spirituality.] (Eccl.) An ecclesiastical body; a spirituality. Shak.
Spirituosity
Spir•it•u•os´i•ty, n. The quality or state of being spirituous; spirituousness. [R.]
Spirituous
Spir´it•u•ous, a. [Cf. (for sense 2) F. spiritueux. Cf. Spiritous.]
1. Having the quality of spirit; tenuous in substance, and having active powers or properties; ethereal; immaterial; spiritual; pure.
2. Containing, or of the nature of, alcoholic (esp. distilled) spirit; consisting of refined spirit; alcoholic; ardent; as spirituous liquors.
3. Lively; gay; vivid; airy. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.
"The mind of man is of that spirituous, stirring nature, that it is perpetually at work." South.
Spirituousness
Spir´it•u•ous•ness, n. The quality or state of being spirituous. [R.] Boyle.
Spirketing
Spirk´et•ing, n. (Naut.) The planking from the waterways up to the port sills. Totten.
Spirobacteria
Spi•ro•bac•te´ri•a, n. pl.; sing. Spirobacterium . [NL. See 4th Spire, and Bacterium.] (Biol.) See the Note under Microbacteria. { Spi•ro•chae´ta, Spi•ro•chae´te } n. [L. spira a coil + Gr. hair.] (Biol.) A genus of Spirobacteria similar to Spirillum, but distinguished by its motility. One species, the Spirochaete Obermeyeri, is supposed to be the cause of relapsing fever.
Spirometer
Spi•rom´e•ter, n. [L. spirare to breathe + -meter.] An instrument for measuring the vital capacity of the lungs, or the volume of air which can be expelled from the chest after the deepest possible inspiration. Cf. Pneumatometer.
Spirulate
Spir´u•late, n. (Zoöl.) Having the color spots, or structural parts, arranged spirally.
Spiry
Spir´y, a. [From Spire a winding line.] Of a spiral form; wreathed; curled; serpentine.
"Hid in the spiry volumes of the snake." Dryden.
Spiry
Spir´y, a. [FR. Spire a steeple.] Of or pertaining to a spire; like a spire, tall, slender, and tapering; abounding in spires; as spiry turrets. "Spiry towns." Thomson.
Spit, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spitting.] [From Spit, n. ; cf. Speet.]
1. To thrust a spit through; to fix upon a spit; hence, to thrust through or impale; as to spit a loin of veal. "Infants spitted upon pikes." Shak.
2. To spade; to dig. [Prov. Eng.]
Spit, v. i. To attend to a spit; to use a spit. [Obs.]
"She’s spitting in the kitchen." Old Play.
Spit, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spit (Spat, archaic); p. pr. & vb. n. Spitting.] [AS. spittan; akin to G. spützen, Dan. spytte, Sw. spotta,Icel. spta, and prob. E. spew. The past tense spat is due to AS. sptte, from sptan to spit. Cf. Spat, n. , Spew, Spawl, Spot, n. ]
1. To eject from the mouth; to throw out, as saliva or other matter, from the mouth. "Thus spit I out my venom." Chaucer.
2. To eject; to throw out; to belch. Spitted was sometimes used as the preterit and the past participle. "He … shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on." Luke xviii. 32.
Spit, n. The secretion formed by the glands of the mouth; spitle; saliva; sputum.
Spital
Spit´al, n. [Abbreviated from hospital.] [Written also spittle.] A hospital. [Obs.] Shak.
Spitball
Spit´ball, n. Paper chewed, and rolled into a ball, to be thrown as a missile.
Spitchcock
Spitch´cock, n. (Cookery) An eel split and broiled.
Spite, n. [Abbreviated fr. despite.]
1. Ill-will or hatred toward another, accompanied with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart; petty malice; grudge; rancor; despite. Pope.
"This is the deadly spite that angers." Shak.
2. Vexation; chargrin; mortification. [R.] Shak. In spite of, or Spite of, in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding. "Continuing, spite of pain, to use a knee after it had been slightly ibnjured." H. Spenser. "And saved me in spite of the world, the devil, and myself." South. "In spite of all applications, the patient grew worse every day." Arbuthnot. See Syn. under Notwithstanding. — To owe one a spite, to entertain a mean hatred for him.
Syn. — Pique, rancor; malevolence; grudge. — Spite, Malice. Malice has more reference to the disposition, and spite to the manifestation of it in words and actions. It is, therefore, meaner than malice, thought not always more criminal. " Malice … is more frequently employed to express the dispositions of inferior minds to execute every purpose of mischief within the more limited circle of their abilities." Cogan. "Consider eke, that spite availeth naught." Wyatt. See Pique.
Spite, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spited; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiting.]
1. To be angry at; to hate. [Obs.]
"The Danes, then … pagans, spited places of religion." Fuller.
2. To treat maliciously; to try to injure or thwart.
3. To fill with spite; to offend; to vex. [R.]
"Darius, spited at the Magi, endeavored to abolish not only their learning, but their language." Sir. W. Temple.
Spitfire
Spit´fire, n. A violent, irascible, or passionate person. [Colloq.] Grose.
Spitful
Spit´ful, n. ; pl. Spitfuls . A spadeful. [Prov. Eng.]
Spitted
Spit´ted, a. [From Spit.]
1. Put upon a spit; pierced as if by a spit.
2. Shot out long; — said of antlers. Bacon.
Spitted
Spit´ted, p. p. of Spit, v. i., to eject, to spit. [Obs.]
Spitter
Spit´ter, n. [See Spit to eject from the mouth.] One who ejects saliva from the mouth.
Spitter
Spit´ter, n. [See Spit an iron prong.]
1. One who puts meat on a spit.
2. (Zoöl.) A young deer whose antlers begin to shoot or become sharp; a brocket, or pricket.
Spittle
Spit´tle, n. See Spital. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Spittle
Spit´tle, v. t. [See Spit to spade.] To dig or stir with a small spade. [Prov. Eng.]
Spittle
Spit´tle, n. A small sort of spade. [Prov. Eng.]
Spittle
Spit´tle, n. [From Spit to eject from the mouth: cf. Spattle, and AS. spatl.] The thick, moist matter which is secreted by the salivary glands; saliva; spit. Spittle insect. (Zoöl.) See Cuckoo spit (b), under Cuckoo.
Spit-venom
Spit´-ven´om, n. Poison spittle; poison ejected from the mouth. [R.] Hooker.
Splanchnapophysis
Splanch•napoph´y•sis, n. ; pl. Splanchnapophyses (#). [NL. See Splanchnic, and Apophysis.] (Anat.) Any element of the skeleton in relation with the alimentary canal, as the jaws and hyoidean apparatus. — Splanch•nap•o•phys´i•al (#), a. Mivart.
Splanchnic
Splanch´nic, a. [Gr. an entrail.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the viscera; visceral.
Splanchnography
Splanch•nog´ra•phy, n. [Gr. an entrail + -graphy.] Splanchnology.
Splanchnopleure
Splanch´no•pleure, n. [Gr. an entrail + side.] (Anat.) The inner, or visceral, one of the two lamellae into which the vertebrate blastoderm divides on either side of the notochord, and from which the walls of the enteric canal and the umbilical vesicle are developed. See Somatopleure. — Splanch•no•pleu´ric (#), a.
Splash, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Splashed p. pr. & vb. n. Splashing.] [Akin to plash.]
1. To strike and dash about, as water, mud, etc.; to plash.
2. To spatter water, mud, etc., upon; to wet.
Splash, v. i. To strike and dash about water, mud, etc.; to dash in such a way as to spatter.
Splashy
Splash´y, a. Full of dirty water; wet and muddy, so as be easily splashed about; slushy.
Splaymouth
Splay´mouth, n. ; pl. Splaymouths . A wide mouth; a mouth stretched in derision. Dryden.
Splaymouthed
Splay•mouthed´, a. Having a splaymouth. T. Brown.
Spleened, a.
1. Deprived of the spleen.
2. Angered; annoyed. [Obs.] R. North.
Spleenless
Spleen´less, a. Having no spleen; hence, kind; gentle; mild. [Obs.] Chapman.
Spleget
Spleg´et, n. [Cf. Pledget.] (Med.) A cloth dipped in a liquid for washing a sore. Crabb.
Splenalgia
Sple•nal´gi•a, n. [NL., fr. Gr. spleen + pain.] (Med.) Pain over the region of the spleen.
Splenculus
Splen´cu•lus, n. ; pl. Splenculi (#). [NL., dim. of L. splen.] (Anat.) A lienculus.
Splendent
Splen´dent, a. [L. splendens, -entis, p. pr. of splendere to shine.]
1. Shining; glossy; beaming with light; lustrous; as splendent planets; splendent metals. See the Note under 3d Luster, 4.
2. Very conspicuous; illustrious. "Great and splendent fortunes." Sir H. Wotton.
Splendidly
Splen´did•ly, adv. In a splendid manner; magnificently.
Splendidness
Splen´did•ness, n. The quality of being splendid.
Splenetic
Splen´e•tic, a. [L. spleneticus: cf. F. splenetique. See Spleen.] Affected with spleen; malicious; spiteful; peevish; fretful. "Splenetic guffaw." G. Eliot.
"You humor me when I am sick;
Why not when I am splenetic?" Pope.
Syn. — Morese; gloomy; sullen; peevish; fretful.
Splenetically
Sple•net´ic•al•ly, adv. In a splenetical manner.
Splenic
Splen´ic, a. [L. splenicus, Gr. ; cf. F. splenique.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the spleen; lienal; as the splenic vein. Splenic apoplexy or fever. (Med.) See Anthrax, n. , 3.
Splenitis
Sple•ni´tis, n. [NL., fr. Gr. of the spleen.] (Med.) Inflammation of the spleen.
Splenius
Sple´ni•us, n. [NL.] (Anat.) A flat muscle of the back of the neck.
Splenocele
Splen´o•cele, n. [Gr. spleen + a tumor.] (Med.) Hernia formed by the spleen.
Splenography
Sple•nog´ra•phy, n. [Gr. spleen + -graphy.] A description of the spleen.
Splenoid
Sple´noid, a. [Gr. spleeen + -oid.] (Anat.) Resembling the spleen; spleenlike.
Splenology
Sple•nol´o•gy, n. [Gr. spleen + -logy.] The branch of science which treats of the spleen.
Splent, n.
1. See Splent.
2. See Splent coal, below. Splent coal, an inferior kind of cannel coal from Scotch collieries; — called also splent, splint, and splint coal.
Spleuchan
Spleu´chan, n. [Gael. spliuchan.] A pouch, as for tobacco. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
Splice, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spliced p. pr. & vb. n. Splicing ] [D. splitsen, splitten; akin to G. splissen, Sw. splissa, Dan. splisse, and E. split; — from the dividing or splitting the ends into separate strands. See Split, v. t.]
1. To unite, as two ropes, or parts of a rope, by a particular manner of interweaving the strands, — the union being between two ends, or between an end and the body of a rope.
2. To unite, as spars, timbers, rails, etc., by lapping the two ends together, or by applying a piece which laps upon the two ends, and then binding, or in any way making fast.
3. To unite in marrige. [Slang] Splice grafting.ee under Grafting. — To splice the main brace (Naut.), to give out, or drink, an extra allowance of spirits on occasion of special exposure to wet or cold, or to severe fatigue; hence, to take a dram.
Splint, n. [Akin to D. splinter,G. splinter, splitter, Dan. splint, Sw. splint a kind of spike, a forelock (in nautical use), Sw. splintato splint, splinter, Dan. splinte, and E. split. See Split, v. t., and cf. Splent.]
1. A piece split off; a splinter.
2. (Surg.) A thin piece of wood, or other substance, used to keep in place, or protect, an injured part, especially a broken bone when set.
3. (Anat.) A splint bone.
4. (Far.) A disease affecting the splint bones, as a callosity or hard excrescence.
5. (Anc. Armor.) One of the small plates of metal used in making splint armor. See Splint armor, below.
"The knees and feet were defended by splints, or thin plates of steel." Sir. W. Scott.
6. Splint, or splent, coal. See Splent coal, under Splent. Splint armor,a kind of ancient armor formed of thin plates of metal, usually overlapping each other and allowing the limbs to move freely. — Splint bone (Anat.), one of the rudimentary, splintlike metacarpal or metatarsal bones on either side of the cannon bone in the limbs of the horse and allied animals. — Splint coal. See Splent coal, under Splent.
Splint, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Splinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Splinting.] To split into splints, or thin, slender pieces; to splinter; to shiver. [Obs. or R.] Florio.
2. To fasten or confine with splints, as a broken limb. See Splint, n. , 2. [R.] Shak.
Splinter
Splin´ter, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Splintered p. pr. & vb. n. Splintering.] [Cf. LG. splittern, splinteren. See Splint, n. , Split.]
1. To split or rend into long, thin pieces; to shiver; as the lightning splinters a tree.
"After splintering their lances, they wheeled about, and … abandoned the field to the enemy." Prescott.
2. To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb. Bp. Wren.
Splinter
Splin´ter, v. i. To become split into long pieces.
Splinter
Splin´ter, n. [See Splinter, v. , or Splint, n. ] A thin piece split or rent off lengthwise, as from wood, bone, or other solid substance; a thin piece; a sliver; as splinters of a ship’s mast rent off by a shot. Splinter bar. (a) A crossbar in a coach, which supports the springs. (b) The bar to which the traces are attached; a roller bolt; a whiffletree.
Split (split), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Split (Splitted, R.); p. pr. & vb. n. Splitting.] [Probably of Scand. or Low german origin; cf. Dan. splitte, LG. splitten, OD. splitten, spletten, D. splijten, G. spleissen, MHG. splizen. Cf. Splice, Splint, Splinter.]
1. To divide lengthwise; to separate from end to end, esp. by force; to divide in the direction of the grain layers; to rive; to cleave; as to split a piece of timber or a board; to split a gem; to split a sheepskin.
"Cold winter split the rocks in twain." Dryden.
2. To burst; to rupture; to rend; to tear asunder.
"A huge vessel of exceeding hard marble split asunder by congealed water." Boyle.
3. To divide or break up into parts or divisions, as by discord; to separate into parts or parties, as a political party; to disunite. [Colloq.] South.
4. (Chem.) To divide or separate into components; — often used with up; as to split up sugar into alcohol and carbonic acid. To split hairs, to make distinctions of useless nicety.
Split, a.
1. Divided; cleft.
2. (Bot.) Divided deeply; cleft. Split pease, hulled pease split for making soup, etc. — Split pin (Mach.), a pin with one end split so that it may be spread open to secure it in its place. — Split pulley, a parting pulley. See under Pulley. — Split ring, a ring with overlapped or interlocked ends which may be sprung apart so that objects, as keys, may be strung upon the ring or removed from it. — Split ticket, a ballot containing the names of only a portion of the candidates regularly nominated by one party, other names being substituted for those omitted. [U.S.]
Split, n.
1. (a) (Basketwork) Any of the three or four strips into which osiers are commonly cleft for certain kinds of work; — usually in pl. (b) (Weaving) Any of the dents of a reed. (c) Any of the air currents in a mine formed by dividing a larger current.
2. Short for Split shot or stroke.
3. (Gymnastics) The feat of going down to the floor so that the legs extend in a straight line, either with one on each side or with one in front and the other behind. [Cant or Slang]
4. A small bottle (containing about half a pint) of some drink; — so called as containing half the quantity of the customary smaller commercial size of bottle; also a drink of half the usual quantity; a half glass. [Cant or Slang]
Split-tongued
Split´-tongued, a. (Zoöl.) Having a forked tongue, as that of snakes and some lizards.
Splotch, n. [Cf. Splash.] A spot; a stain; a daub. R. Browning.
Splurge, n. A blustering demonstration, or great effort; a great display. [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.
Splurge, v. i. To make a great display in any way, especially in oratory. [Slang, U.S.]
Splutter
Splut´ter, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spluttered p. pr. & vb. n. Spluttering.] [Prov. E. splutter, eqivalent to sputter. Cf. Sputter.] To speak hastily and confusedly; to sputter. [Colloq.] Carleton.
Splutter
Splut´ter, n. A confused noise, as of hasty speaking. [Colloq.]
Spodomancy
Spod´o•man•cy, n. [Gr. spodo•s ashes + -mancy.] Divination by means of ashes.
Spodomantic
Spod•o•man´tic, a. Relating to spodomancy, or divination by means of ashes. C. Kingsley.
Spodumene
Spod´u•mene ( 135), n. [Gr., p. pr. pass. from to burn to ashes, from spodo•s ashes; cf. F. spodumène.] (Min.) A mineral of a white to yellowish, purplish, or emerald-green color, occuring in prismatic crystals, often of great size. It is a silicate of aluminia and lithia. See Hiddenite.
Spoil, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spoiled (#) or Spoilt (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Spoiling.] [F. spolier, OF. espoilelier, fr. L. spoliare, fr. spolium spoil. Cf. Despoil, Spoliation.]
1. To plunder; to strip by violence; to pillage; to rob; — with of before the name of the thing taken; as to spoil one of his goods or possession. "Ye shall spoil the Egyptians." Ex. iii. 22.
"My sons their old, unhappy sire despise, Spoiled of his kingdom, and deprived of eues." Pope.
2. To seize by violence;; to take by force; to plunder.
"No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man." Mark iii. 27.
3. To cause to decay and perish; to corrput; to vitiate; to mar.
"Spiritual pride spoils many graces." Jer. Taylor.
4. To render useless by injury; to injure fatally; to ruin; to destroy; as to spoil paper; to have the crops spoiled by insects; to spoil the eyes by reading.
Spoke, n. [OE. spoke, spake, as spaca; akin to D. speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. rad.170. Cf. Spike a nail.]
1. The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to support the rim or felly.
2. (Naut.) A projecting handle of a steering wheel.
3. A rung, or round, of a ladder.
4. A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to prevent it from turning in going down a hill. To put a spoke in one’s wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the execution of some design.
Spoke, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spoked p. pr. & vb. n. Spoking.] To furnish with spokes, as a wheel.
Spoken
Spo´ken, a. [p. p. of Speak.]
1. Uttered in speech; delivered by word of mouth; oral; as a spoken narrative; the spoken word.
2. Characterized by a certain manner or style in speaking; — often in composition; as a pleasant- spoken man.
"Methinks you ’re better spoken." Shak.
Spoliate
Spo´li•ate, v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Spoliated p. pr. & vb. n. Spoliating ] [L. spoliatus, p. p. of spoliare spoil. See Spoil, v. t.] To plunder; to pillage; to despoil; to rob.
Spoliation
Spo•li•a´tion, n. [L. spoliatio; cf. F. spoliation. See Spoil, v. t.]
1. The act of plundering; robbery; deprivation; despoliation.
"Legal spoliation, which will impoverish one part of the community in order to corrupt the remainder." Sir G. C. Lewis.
2. Robbery or plunder in war; especially, the authorized act or practice of plundering neutrals at sea.
3. (Eccl. Law) (a) The act of an incumbent in taking the fruits of his benefice without right, but under a pretended title. Blackstone. (b) A process for possession of a church in a spiritual court.
4. (Law) Injury done to a document.
Spong, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] An irregular, narrow, projecting part of a field. [Prov. Eng.]
Sponge, n. [OF. esponge, F. eponge, L. spongia, Gr., . Cf. Fungus, Spunk.] [Formerly written also spunge.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Spongiae, or Porifera. See Illust. and Note under Spongiae.
2. The elastic fibrous skeleton of many species of horny Spongiae (keratosa), used for many purposes, especially the varieties of the genus Spongia. The most valuable sponges are found in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and on the coasts of Florida and the West Indies.
3. Fig.: One who lives upon others; a pertinaceous and indolent dependent; a parasite; a sponger.
4. Any spongelike substance. Specifically: (a) Dough before it is kneaded and formed into loaves, and after it is converted into a light, spongy mass by the agency of the yeast or leaven. (b) Iron from the puddling furnace, in a pasty condition. (c) Iron ore, in masses, reduced but not melted or worked.
5. (Gun.) A mop for cleaning the bore of a cannon after a discharge. It consists of a cylinder of wood, covered with sheepskin with the wool on, or cloth with a heavy looped nap, and having a handle, or staff.
6. (Far.) The extremity, or point, of a horseshoe, answering to the heel. Bath sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges, especially Spongia equina. — Cup sponge, a toilet sponge growing in a cup- shaped form. — Glass sponge. See Glass- sponge, in the Vocabulary. — Glove sponge, a variety of commercial sponge ( Spongia officinalis, variety tubulufera), having very fine fibers, native of Florida, and the West Indies. — Grass sponge, any one of several varieties of coarse commercial sponges having the surface irregularly tufted, as Spongia graminea, and S. equina, variety cerebriformis, of Florida and the West Indies. — Horse sponge, a coarse commercial sponge, especially Spongia equina. — Platinum sponge. (Chem.) See under Platinum. — Pyrotechnical sponge, a substance made of mushrooms or fungi, which are boiled in water, dried, and beaten, then put in a strong lye prepared with saltpeter, and again dried in an oven. This makes the black match, or tinder, brought from Germany. — Sheep’s-wool sponge, a fine and durable commercial sponge ( Spongia equina, variety gossypina) found in Florida and the West Indies. The surface is covered with larger and smaller tufts, having the oscula between them. — Sponge cake, a kind of sweet cake which is light and spongy. — Sponge lead, or Spongy lead (Chem.), metallic lead brought to a spongy form by reduction of lead salts, or by compressing finely divided lead; — used in secondary batteries and otherwise. — Sponge tree (Bot.), a tropical leguminous tree ( Acacia Farnesiana), with deliciously fragrant flowers, which are used in perfumery. — Toilet sponge, a very fine and superior variety of Mediterranean sponge ( Spongia officinalis, variety Mediterranea); — called also turkish sponge. — To set a sponge (Cookery), to leaven a small mass of flour, to be used in leavening a larger quantity. - - To throw up the sponge, to give up a contest; to acknowledge defeat; — from a custom of the prize ring, the person employed to sponge a pugilist between rounds throwing his sponge in the air in token of defeat. [Cant or Slang] "He was too brave a man to throw up the sponge to fate." Lowell. — Vegetable sponge. (Bot.) See Loof. — Velvet sponge, a fine, soft commercial sponge ( Spongia equina, variety meandriniformis) found in Florida and the West Indies. — Vitreous sponge. See Glass-sponge. - - Yellow sponge, a common and valuable commercial sponge ( Spongia agaricina, variety corlosia) found in Florida and the West Indies.
Sponge, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sponged p. pr. & vb. n. Sponging ]
1. To cleanse or wipe with a sponge; as to sponge a slate or a cannon; to wet with a sponge; as to sponge cloth.
2. To wipe out with a sponge, as letters or writing; to efface; to destroy all trace of. Hooker.
3. Fig.: To deprive of something by imposition. "How came such multitudes of our nation … to be sponged of their plate and their money?" South.
4. Fig.: To get by imposition or mean arts without cost; as to sponge a breakfast. Swift.
Spongeous
Spon´geous, a. [See Spongious.] Resembling sponge; having the nature or qualities of sponge.
Spongiae
Spon´gi•ae, n. pl. [See Sponge.] (Zoöl.) The grand division of the animal kingdom which includes the sponges; — called also Spongida, Spongiaria, Spongiozoa, and Porifera. In the Spongiae, the soft sarcode of the body is usually supported by a skeleton consisting of horny fibers, or of silleceous or calcareous spicules. The common sponges contain larger and smaller cavities and canals, and numerous small ampullae which which are lined with ciliated cells capable of taking in solid food. The outer surface usually has minute pores through which water enters, and large openings for its exit. Sponges produce eggs and spermatozoa, and the egg when fertilized undergoes segmentation to form a ciliated embryo.
Spongiform
Spon´gi•form, a. Resembling a sponge; soft and porous; porous.
Sponginess
Spon´gi•ness, n. The quality or state of being spongy. Dr. H. More.
Sponging
Spon´ging, a. & n. from Sponge, v. Sponging house (Eng. Law), a bailiff’s or other house in which debtors are put before being taken to jail, or until they compromise with their creditors. At these houses extortionate charges are commonly made for food, lodging, etc.
Spongiopilin
Spon•gi•o•pi´lin, n. [Gr., dim. of a sponge + felt.] (Med.) A kind of cloth interwoven with small pieces of sponge and rendered waterproof on one side by a covering of rubber. When moistend with hot water it is used as a poultice. { Spon´gi•ose•, Spon´gi•ous }, a. [L. spongious, spongeosus: cf. F. spongieux. See Sponge.] Somewhat spongy; spongelike; full of small cavities like sponge; as spongious bones.
Spongiozoa
Spon•gi•o•zo´a, n. pl. [NL., Gr. sponge + an animal.] (Zoöl.) See Sponglae.
Spongoid
Spon´goid ( 277), a. [Gr. sponge + -oid.] Resembling sponge; like sponge.
Spongy
Spon´gy, a.
1. Soft, and full of cavities; of an open, loose, pliable texture; as a spongy excrescence; spongy earth; spongy cake; spongy bones.
2. Wet; drenched; soaked and soft, like sponge; rainy. "Spongy April." Shak.
3. Having the quality of imbibing fluids, like a sponge. Spongy lead (Chem.), sponge lead. See under Sponge. — Spongy platinum. See under Platinum.
Sponsal
Spon´sal, a. [L. sponsalis, fr. sponsus a betrothal, fr. spondere, sponsum, to betroth. See Spouse, and cf. Esousal, Spousal.] Relating to marriage, or to a spouse; spousal.
Sponsor
Spon´sor, n. [L., from spondere, sponsum, to engage one’s self. See Spose.]
1. One who binds himself to answer for another, and is responsible for his default; a surety.
2. One who at the baptism of an infant professes the Christian faith in its name, and guarantees its religious education; a godfather or godmother.
Spontaneous
Spon•ta´ne•ous, a. [L. spontaneus, fr. sponte of free will, voluntarily.]
1. Proceding from natural feeling, temperament, or disposition, or from a native internal proneness, readiness, or tendency, without constraint; as a spontaneous gift or proportion.
2. Proceeding from, or acting by, internal impulse, energy, or natural law, without external force; as spontaneous motion; spontaneous growth.
3. Produced without being planted, or without human labor; as a spontaneous growth of wood. Spontaneous combustion, combustion produced in a substance by the evolution of heat through the chemical action of its own elements; as the spontaneous combustion of waste matter saturated with oil. — Spontaneous generation. (Biol.) See under Generation.
Syn. — Voluntary; uncompelled; willing. — Spontaneous, Voluntary. What is voluntary is the result of a volition, or act of choice; it therefore implies some degree of consideration, and may be the result of mere reason without excited feeling. What is spontaneous springs wholly from feeling, or a sudden impulse which admits of no reflection; as a spontaneous burst of applause. Hence, the term is also applied to things inanimate when they are produced without the determinate purpose or care of man. "Abstinence which is but voluntary fasting, and … exercise which is but voluntary labor." J. Seed.
"Spontaneous joys, where nature has its play,
The soul adopts, and owns their firstborn away." Goldsmith. — Spon•ta´ne•ous•ly, adv. — Spon•ta´ne•ous•ness, n.
Spool, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spooled p. pr. & vb. n. Spooling.] To wind on a spool or spools.
Spoom, v. i. [Probably fr. spum foam. See Spume.] (Naut.) To be driven steadily and swiftly, as before a strong wind; to be driven before the wind without any sail, or with only a part of the sails spread; to scud under bare poles. [Written also spoon.]
"When virtue spooms before a prosperous gale,
My heaving wishes help to fill the sail." Dryden.
Spoon (spoon), v. i. (Naut.) See Spoom. [Obs.]
"We might have spooned before the wind as well as they." Pepys.
Spoon, n. [OE. spon, AS. spon, a chip; akin to D. spaan, G. span, Dan. spaan, Sw. spån, Icel. spánn, spónn, a chip, a spoon. rad.170. Cf. Span- new.]
1. An implement consisting of a small bowl (usually a shallow oval) with a handle, used especially in preparing or eating food.
""Therefore behoveth him a full long spoon
That shall eat with a fiend," thus heard I say." Chaucer.
"He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil." Shak.
2. Anything which resembles a spoon in shape; esp. (Fishing), a spoon bait.
3. Fig.: A simpleton; a spooney. [Slang] Hood. Spoon bait (Fishing), a lure used in trolling, consisting of a glistening metallic plate shaped like the bowl of a spoon with a fishhook attached. — Spoon bit, a bit for boring, hollowed or furrowed along one side. — Spoon net, a net for landing fish. — Spoon oar. see under Oar.
Spoon, v. t. To take up in, or as in, a spoon.
Spoon, v. i. To act with demonstrative or foolish fondness, as one in love. [Colloq.]
Spoon, n. (Golf) A wooden club with a lofted face. Encyc. of Sport.
Spoon, v. i.
1. To fish with a spoon bait.
2. In croquet, golf, etc., to spoon a ball.
Spoonbill
Spoon´bill, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of wading birds of the genera Ajaja and Platalea, and allied genera, in which the long bill is broadly expanded and flattened at the tip. The roseate spoonbill of America ( Ajaja ajaja), and the European spoonbill ( Platalea leucorodia) are the best known. The royal spoonbill ( P. regia) of Australia is white, with the skin in front of the eyes naked and black. The male in the breeding season has a fine crest. (b) The shoveler. See Shoveler, 2. (c) The ruddy duck. See under Ruddy. (d) The paddlefish.
Spoon-billed
Spoon´-billed, a. (Zoöl.) Having the bill expanded and spatulate at the end.
Spoonwood
Spoon´wood, n. (Bot.) The mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia).
Spoor, n. [D. spoor; akin to AS. spor, G. spur, and from the root of E. spur. rad.171. See Spur.] The track or trail of any wild animal; as the spoor of an elephant; — used originally by travelers in South Africa.
Sporades
Spor´a•des, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. spora•des. Cf. Sporadic.] (Astron.) Stars not included in any constellation; — called also informed, or unformed, stars.
Sporadic
Spo•rad´ic, a. [Gr. scattered, fr.,, scattered, fr. to sow seed, to scatter like seed: cf. F. sporadique. See Spore.] Occuring singly, or apart from other things of the same kind, or in scattered instances; separate; single; as a sporadic fireball; a sporadic case of disease; a sporadic example of a flower. Sporadic disease (Med.), a disease which occurs in single and scattered cases. See the Note under Endemic, a.
Spore, n. [Gr. a sowing, seed, from to sow. Cf. Sperm.]
1. (Bot.) (a) One of the minute grains in flowerless plants, which are analogous to seeds, as serving to reproduce the species. Spores are produced differently in the different classes of cryptogamous plants, and as regards their nature are often so unlike that they have only their minuteness in common. The peculiar spores of diatoms (called auxospores) increase in size, and at length acquire a siliceous coating, thus becoming new diatoms of full size. Compare Macrospore, Microspore, Oöspore, Restingspore, Sphaerospore, Swarmspore, Tetraspore, Zoöspore, and Zygospore. (b) An embryo sac or embryonal vesicle in the ovules of flowering plants.
2. (Biol.) (a) A minute grain or germ; a small, round or ovoid body, formed in certain organisms, and by germination giving rise to a new organism; as the reproductive spores of bacteria, etc. (b) One of the parts formed by fission in certain Protozoa. See Spore formation, belw. Spore formation. (a) (Biol) A mode of reproduction resembling multitude fission, common among Protozoa, in which the organism breaks up into a number of pieces, or spores, each of which eventually develops into an organism like the parent form. Balfour. (b) The formation of reproductive cells or spores, as in the growth of bacilli.
Sporidiferous
Spo•ri•dif´er•ous, a. [ Sporidium + -ferous.] (Bot.) Bearing sporidia.
Sporidium
Spo•rid´i•um, n. ; pl. Sporidia (#). [NL. See Spore.] (Bot.) (a) A secondary spore, or a filament produced from a spore, in certain kinds of minute fungi. (b) A spore.
Sporiferous
Spo•rif´er•ous, a. [ Spore + -ferous.] (Biol.) Bearing or producing spores.
Sporification
Spo•ri•fi•ca´tion, n. [ Spore + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] (Biol.) Spore formation. See Spore formation (b), under Spore.
Sporocyst
Spo´ro•cyst, n. [Gr. seed + bladder.]
1. (Zoöl.) An asexual zooid, usually forming one of a series of larval forms in the agamic reproduction of various trematodes and other parasitic worms. The sporocyst generally develops from an egg, but in its turn produces other larvae by internal budding, or by the subdivision of a part or all of its contents into a number of minute germs. See Redia.
2. (Zoöl.) Any protozoan when it becomes encysted produces germs by sporulation.
Sporogenesis
Spo•ro•gen´e•sis, n. [ Spore + genesis.] (Biol.) reproduction by spores.
Sporophore
Spo´ro•phore, n. [ Spore + Gr. to bear.] (Bot.) (a) A placenta. (b) That alternately produced form of certain cryptogamous plants, as ferns, mosses, and the like, which is nonsexual, but produces spores in countless numbers. In ferns it is the leafy plant, in mosses the capsule. Cf. Oöphore.
Sporophoric
Spo•ro•phor´ic, a. (Bot.) Having the nature of a sporophore.
Sporosac
Spo´ro•sac, n. [ Spore + sac.] (Zoöl.) (a) A hydrozoan reproductive zooid or gonophore which does not become medusoid in form or structure. See Illust. under Athecata. (b) An early or simple larval stage of trematode worms and some other invertebrates, which is capable or reproducing other germs by asexual generation; a nurse; a redia.
Sporozoid
Spo•ro•zo´id, n. [ Spore + Gr. an animal.] (Bot.) Same as Zoöspore.
Sport (sport), n. [Abbreviated frm disport.]
1. That which diverts, and makes mirth; pastime; amusement.
"It is as sport a fool do mischief." prov. x. 23.
"Her sports were such as carried riches of knowledge upon the stream of delight." Sir P. Sidney.
"Think it but a minute spent in sport." Shak.
2. Mock; mockery; contemptuous mirth; derision.
"Then make sport at me; then let me be your jest.Shak."
3. That with which one plays, or which is driven about in play; a toy; a plaything; an object of mockery.
"Flitting leaves, the sport of every wind." Dryden.
"Never does man appear to greater disadvantage than when he is the sport of his own ungoverned pasions." John Clarke.
4. Play; idle jingle.
"An author who should introduce such a sport of words upon our stage would meet with small applause." Broome.
5. Diversion of the field, as fowling, hunting, fishing, racing, games, and the like, esp. when money is staked.
6. (Bot. & Zoöl.) A plant or an animal, or part of a plant or animal, which has some peculiarity not usually seen in the species; an abnormal variety or growth. See Sporting plant, under Sporting.
7. A sportsman; a gambler. [Slang] In sport, in jest; for play or diversion. "So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?" Prov. xxvi. 19.
Syn. — Play; game; diversion; frolic; mirth; mock; mockery; jeer.
Sport, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sported; p. pr. & vb. n. Sporting.]
1. To play; to frolic; to wanton.
"[Fish], sporting with quick glance,
Show to the sun their waved coats dropt with gold." Milton.
2. To practice the diversions of the field or the turf; to be given to betting, as upon races.
3. To trifle. "He sports with his own life." Tillotson.
4. (Bot. & Zoöl.) To assume suddenly a new and different character from the rest of the plant or from the type of the species; — said of a bud, shoot, plant, or animal. See Sport, n. , 6. Darwin.
Syn. — To play; frolic; game; wanton.
Sport, v. t.
1. To divert; to amuse; to make merry; — used with the reciprocal pronoun.
"Against whom do ye sport yourselves?" Isa. lvii. 4.
2. To represent by any knd of play.
"Now sporting on thy lyre the loves of youth." Dryden.
3. To exhibit, or bring out, in public; to use or wear; as to sport a new equipage. [Colloq.] Grose.
4. To give utterance to in a sportive manner; to throw out in an easy and copious manner; — with off; as to sport off epigrams. Addison. To sport one’s oak. See under Oak, n.
Sportal
Sport´al, a. Of or pertaining to sports; used in sports. [R.] "Sportal arms." Dryden.
Sportsmanship
Sports´man•ship, n. The practice of sportsmen; skill in field sports.
Sportulary
Spor´tu•la•ry, a. Subsisting on alms or charitable contributions. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
Sporule
Spor´ule, n. [Dim. of spore.] (Biol.) A small spore; a spore.
Sporuliferous
Spor•u•lif´er•ous, a. [ Sporule + -ferous.] (Biol.) Producing sporules.
Spot, n. [Cf. Scot. & D. spat, Dan. spette, Sw. spott spittle, slaver; from the root of E. spit. See Spit to eject from the mouth, and cf. Spatter.]
1. A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a blot; a place discolored.
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" Shak.
2. A stain on character or reputation; something that soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish.
"Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot." Pope.
3. A small part of a different color from the main part, or from the ground upon which it is; as the spots of a leopard; the spots on a playing card.
4. A small extent of space; a place; any particular place. "Fixed to one spot." Otway.
"That spot to which I point is Paradise." Milton.
""A jolly place," said he, "in times of old!
But something ails it now: the spot is cursed."" Wordsworth.
5. (Zoöl.) A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head just above its beak.
6. (Zoöl.) (a) A sciaenoid food fish ( Liostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. It has a black spot behind the shoulders and fifteen oblique dark bars on the sides. Called also goody, Lafayette, masooka, and old wife. (b) The southern redfish, or red horse, which has a spot on each side at the base of the tail. See Redfish.
7. pl. Commodities, as merchandise and cotton, sold for immediate delivery. [Broker’s Cant] Crescent spot (Zoöl.), any butterfly of the family Melitaeidae having crescent- shaped white spots along the margins of the red or brown wings. - - Spot lens (Microscopy), a condensing lens in which the light is confined to an annular pencil by means of a small, round diaphragm (the spot), and used in dark-field ilumination; — called also spotted lens. — Spot rump (Zoöl.), the Hudsonian godwit ( Limosa haemastica). — Spots on the sun. (Astron.) See Sun spot, ander Sun. — On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place.
"It was determined upon the spot." Swift.
Syn. — Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish; place; site; locality.
Spot, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spotted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spotting.]
1. To make visible marks upon with some foreign matter; to discolor in or with spots; to stain; to cover with spots or figures; as to spot a garnment; to spot paper.
2. To mark or note so as to insure recognition; to recognize; to detect; as to spot a criminal. [Cant]
3. To stain; to blemish; to taint; to disgrace; to tarnish, as reputation; to asperse.
"My virgin life no spotted thoughts shall stain." Sir P. Sidney.
"If ever I shall close these eyes but once,
May I live spotted for my perjury." Beau. & Fl.To spot timber, to cut or chip it, in preparation for hewing.
Spot cash. (Com.) Cash paid or ready for payment at once upon delivery of property purchased.
Spotless
Spot´less, a. Without a spot; especially, free from reproach or impurity; pure; untainted; innocent; as a spotless mind; spotless behavior.
"A spotless virgin, and a faultless wife." Waller.
Syn. — Blameless; unspotted; unblemished; pure; immaculate; irreproachable. See Blameless. — Spot´less•ly, adv. — Spot´less•ness, n.
Spottedness
Spot´ted•ness, n. State or quality of being spotted.
Spottiness
Spot´ti•ness, n. The state or quality of being spotty.
Spousage
Spous´age ( 48), n. [OF. espousaige, from espouser. See Spouse, v. t.] Espousal. [Obs.] Bale.
Spousal
Spous´al, a. [See Espousal, Sponsal, and Spouse.] Of or pertaining to a spouse or marriage; nuptial; matrimonial; conjugal; bridal; as spousal rites; spousal ornaments. Wordsworth.
Spousal
Spous´al, n. [See Espousal, Spouse.] Marriage; nuptials; espousal; — generally used in the plural; as the spousals of Hippolita. Dryden.
"Boweth your head under that blissful yoke …
Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock." Chaucer.
"the spousals of the newborn year." Emerson.
Spouse, n. [OF. espous, espos, fem. espouse, F. epoux, epouse, fr. L. sponsus, sponsa, prop. p. p. of spondere, sponsum, to promise solemnly, to engage one’s self. Cf. Despond, Espouse, respond, Sponsor.]
1. A man or woman engaged or joined in wedlock; a married person, husband or wife.
"At last such grace I found, and means I wrought,
That that lady to my spouse had won." Spenser.
2. A married man, in distinct from a spousess or married woman; a bridegroom or husband. [Obs.]
"At which marriage was [were] no person present but the spouse, the spousess, the Duchess of Bedford her mother, the priest, two gentlewomen, and a young man." Fabyan.
Spouse, v. t. [See Espouse, and Spouse, n. ] To wed; to espouse. [Obs.]
"This markis hath her spoused with a ring." Chaucer.
"Though spoused, yet wanting wedlock’s solemnize." Spenser.
"She was found again, and spoused to Marinell." Spenser.
Spout, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spouting.] [Cf. Sw. sputa, spruta, to spout, D. spuit a spout, spuiten to spout, and E. spurt, sprit, v., sprout, sputter; or perhaps akin to E. spit to eject from the mouth.]
1. To throw out forcibly and abudantly, as liquids through an office or a pipe; to eject in a jet; as an elephant spouts water from his trunk.
"Who kept Jonas in the fish’s maw
Till he was spouted up at Ninivee?" Chaucer.
"Next on his belly floats the mighty whale …
He spouts the tide." Creech.
2. To utter magniloquently; to recite in an oratorical or pompous manner.
"Pray, spout some French, son." Beau. & Fl.
3. To pawn; to pledge; as spout a watch. [Cant]
Spout, n. [Cf. Sw. spruta a squirt, a syringe. See Spout, v. t.]
1. That through which anything spouts; a discharging lip, pipe, or orifice; a tube, pipe, or conductor of any kind through which a liquid is poured, or by which it is conveyed in a stream from one place to another; as the spout of a teapot; a spout for conducting water from the roof of a building. Addison. "A conduit with three issuing spouts." Shak.
"In whales … an ejection thereof [water] is contrived by a fistula, or spout, at the head." Sir T. Browne.
"From silver spouts the grateful liquors glide." Pope.
2. A trough for conducting grain, flour, etc., into a receptacle.
3. A discharge or jet of water or other liquid, esp. when rising in a column; also a waterspout. To put, shove, or pop, up the spout, to pawn or pledge at a pawnbroker’s; — in allusion to the spout up which the pawnbroker sent the ticketed articles. [Cant]
Spoutshell
Spout´shell, n. (Zoöl.) Any marine gastropod shell of the genus Apporhais having an elongated siphon. See Illust. under Rostrifera.
Sprad, obs. p. p. of Spread. Chaucer.
Spradde
Sprad´de, obs. imp. of Spread. Chaucer.
Sprag, n. [Cf. Icel. spraka a small flounder.] (Zoöl.) A young salmon. [Prov. Eng.]
Sprag, n. [See Spray a branch.] A billet of wood; a piece of timber used as a prop.
Sprag, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spragged p. pr. & vb. n. Spragging ]
1. To check the motion of, as a carriage on a steep grade, by putting a sprag between the spokes of the wheel. R. S. Poole.
2. To prop or sustain with a sprag.
Sprag, a. See Sprack, a. Shak.
Sprain, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sprained p. pr. & vb. n. Spraining.] [OF. espreindreto press, to force out, F. epreindre, fr. L. exprimere. See Express, v. t., and cf. Spraints.] To weaken, as a joint, ligament, or muscle, by sudden and excessive exertion, as by wrenching; to overstrain, or stretch injuriously, but without luxation; as to sprain one’s ankle.
Spraints, n. pl. [OF. espraintes, espreintes, F. epreintes from espreinte a desire to go to stool, from espreindre. See Sprain, v. t.] The dung of an otter.
Sprat, n. [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small European herring ( Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; — called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish ( Rhacochilus toxotes); — called also alfione, and perch. Sprat borer (Zoöl.), the red- throated diver; — so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. — Sprat loon. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red- throated diver. See Diver. — Sprat mew (Zoöl.), the kittiwake gull.
Sprawl (spral), v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sprawled (sprald); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.] [OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. spaelle, spraelde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.]
1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.
2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.
3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping.
"The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled." L’Estrange.
Sprawls, n. pl. Small branches of a tree; twigs; sprays. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
Spray (spra), n. [Cf. Dan. sprag. See Sprig.]
1. A small shoot or branch; a twig. Chaucer.
"The painted birds, companions of the spring,
Hopping from spray, were heard to sing." Dryden.
2. A collective body of small branches; as the tree has a beautiful spray.
"And from the trees did lop the needless spray." Spenser.
3. (Founding) (a) A side channel or branch of the runner of a flask, made to distribute the metal in all parts of the mold. (b) A group of castings made in the same mold and connected by sprues formed in the runner and its branches. Knight. Spray drain (Agric.), a drain made by laying under earth the sprays or small branches of trees, which keep passages open.
Spray, n. [probably from a Dutch or Low German form akin to E. spread. See Spread, v. t.]
1. Water flying in small drops or particles, as by the force of wind, or the dashing of waves, or from a waterfall, and the like.
2. (Med.) (a) A jet of fine medicated vapor, used either as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or a deodorizer. (b) An instrument for applying such a spray; an atomizer. Spray condenser (Steam Engine) an injection condenser in which the steam is condensed by a spray of water which mingles with it.
Sprayboard
Spray•board, n. (Naut.) See Dashboard, n. , 2 (b).
Sprayer
Spray´er, n. One that sprays; any instrument for vaporizing and spraying liquids.
Spread, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spread; p. pr. & vb. n. Spreading.] [OE. spreden, AS. spraedan; akin to D. spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G. spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. Spray water flying in drops.]
1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail.
"He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent." Gen. xxxiii. 19.
"Here the Rhone
Hath spread himself a couch." Byron.
2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or grater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space.
"Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread
Their branches hung with copious fruit." Milton.
3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as to spread a report; — often acompanied by abroad.
"They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country." Matt. ix. 31.
4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as to spread a disease.
5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground.
7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as to spread a table.
"Boiled the flesh, and spread the board." Tennyson. To spread cloth, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] Evelyn.
Syn. — To diffuse; propogate; disperse; publish; distribute; scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.
Spread, imp. & p. p. of Spread, v. Spread eagle. (a) An eagle with outspread wings, the national emblem of the United States. (b) The figure of an eagle, with its wings elevated and its legs extended; often met as a device upon military ornaments, and the like. (c) (Her.) An eagle displayed; an eagle with the wings and legs extended on each side of the body, as in the double-headed eagle of Austria and Russia. See Displayed, 2.
Spreadingly
Spread´ing•ly, adv. Increasingly.
"The best times were spreadingly infected." Milton.
Spree, n. [Cf. Ir. spre a spark, animation, spirit, Gael. spraic. Cf. Sprack.] A merry frolic; especially, a drinking frolic; a carousal. [Colloq.]
Sprenge, v. t. [OE. sprengen, p. p. sprent, spreint, from AS. sprengen to sprinkle. See Sprinkle.] To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.] Wyclif (1 Pet. i. 2).
Sprent, obs. p. p. of Sprenge. Sprinkled.
"All the ground with purple blood was sprent." Spenser.
Sprew, n. [Cf. D. sprouw, spruw.] (Med.) Thrush. [Local, U.S.]
Spreynd, obs. p. p. of Sprenge. Sprinkled.
"When spreynd was holy water." Chaucer.
Sprig, n. [AS. sprec; akin to Icel. sprek a stick. Cf. Spray a branch.]
1. A small shoot or twig of a tree or other plant; a spray; as a sprig of laurel or of parsley.
2. A youth; a lad; — used humorously or in slight disparagement.
"A sprig whom I remember, with a whey-face and a satchel, not so many years ago." Sir W. Scott.
3. A brad, or nail without a head.
4. (Naut.) A small eyebolt ragged or barbed at the point.
Sprig, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sprigged p. pr. & vb. n. Sprigging ] To mark or adorn with the representation of small branches; to work with sprigs; as to sprig muslin.
Spright, n. [See Sprite.]
1. Spirit; mind; soul; state of mind; mood. [Obs.] "The high heroic spright." Spenser.
"Wondrous great grief groweth in my spright." Spenser.
2. A supernatural being; a spirit; a shade; an apparition; a ghost.
"Forth he called, out of deep darkness dread,
Legions of sprights." Spenser.
"To thee, O Father, Son, and Sacred Spright." Fairfax.
3. A kind of short arrow. [Obs.] Bacon.
Sprightless
Spright´less, a. Destitute of life; dull; sluggish.
Sprightly
Spright´ly, a. [ Compar. Sprightlier superl. Sprightliest.] [See Sprite.] Sprightlike, or spiritlike; lively; brisk; animated; vigorous; airy; gay; as a sprightly youth; a sprightly air; a sprightly dance. "Sprightly wit and love inspires." Dryden.
"The sprightly Sylvia trips along the green." Pope.
Spring, v. i. [ imp. Sprang or Sprung ; p. p. Sprung; p. pr. & vb. n. Springing.] [AS. springan; akin to D. & G. springen, OS. & OHG. springan, Icel. & Sw. springa, Dan. springe; cf. Gr. to hasten. Cf. Springe, Sprinkle.]
1. To leap; to bound; to jump.
"The mountain stag that springs
From height to height, and bounds along the plains." Philips.
2. To issue with speed and violence; to move with activity; to dart; to shoot.
"And sudden light Sprung through the vaulted roof." Dryden.
3. To start or rise suddenly, as from a covert.
"Watchful as fowlers when their game will spring." Otway.
4. To fly back; as a bow, when bent, springs back by its elastic power.
5. To bend from a straight direction or plane surface; to become warped; as a piece of timber, or a plank, sometimes springs in seasoning.
6. To shoot up, out, or forth; to come to the light; to begin to appear; to emerge; as a plant from its seed, as streams from their source, and the like; -often followed by up, forth, or out.
"Till well nigh the day began to spring." Chaucer.
"To satisfy the desolate and waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth." Job xxxviii. 27.
"Do not blast my springing hopes." Rowe.
"O, spring to light; auspicious Babe, be born." Pope.
7. To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle.
"[They found] new hope to spring
Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked." Milton.
8. To grow; to prosper.
"What makes all this, but Jupiter the king,
At whose command we perish, and we spring?" Dryden. To spring at, to leap toward; to attempt to reach by a leap. — To spring forth, to leap out; to rush out. — To spring in, to rush in; to enter with a leap or in haste. — To spring on or upon, to leap on; to rush on with haste or violence; to assault.
Spring, v. t.
1. To cause to spring up; to start or rouse, as game; to cause to rise from the earth, or from a covert; as to spring a pheasant.
2. To produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly.
"She starts, and leaves her bed, amd springs a light." Dryden.
"The friends to the cause sprang a new project." Swift.
3. To cause to explode; as to spring a mine.
4. To crack or split; to bend or strain so as to weaken; as to spring a mast or a yard.
5. To cause to close suddenly, as the parts of a trap operated by a spring; as to spring a trap.
6. To bend by force, as something stiff or strong; to force or put by bending, as a beam into its sockets, and allowing it to straighten when in place; — often with in, out, etc.; as to spring in a slat or a bar.
7. To pass over by leaping; as to spring a fence. To spring a butt (Naut.), to loosen the end of a plank in a ship’s bottom. — To spring a leak (Naut.), to begin to leak. — To spring an arch (Arch.), to build an arch; — a common term among masons; as to spring an arch over a lintel. — To spring a rattle, to cause a rattle to sound. See Watchman’s rattle, under Watchman. — To spring the luff (Naut.), to ease the helm, and sail nearer to the wind than before; — said of a vessel. Mar. Dict. — To spring amast or spar (Naut.), to strain it so that it is unserviceable.
Spring, n. [AS. spring a fountain, a leap. See Spring, v. i.]
1. A leap; a bound; a jump.
"The prisoner, with a spring, from prison broke." Dryden.
2. A flying back; the resilience of a body recovering its former state by elasticity; as the spring of a bow.
3. Elastic power or force.
"Heavens! what a spring was in his arm!" Dryden.
4. An elastic body of any kind, as steel, India rubber, tough wood, or compressed air, used for various mechanical purposes, as receiving and imparting power, diminishing concussion, regulating motion, measuring weight or other force. The principal varieties of springs used in mechanisms are the spiral spring (Fig. a), the coil spring (Fig. b), the elliptic spring (Fig. c), the half- elliptic spring (Fig. d), the volute spring, the India-rubber spring, the atmospheric spring, etc.
5. Any source of supply; especially, the source from which a stream proceeds; as issue of water from the earth; a natural fountain. "All my springs are in thee." Ps. lxxxvii. 7. "A secret spring of spiritual joy." Bentley. "The sacred spring whence and honor streams." Sir J. Davies.
6. Any active power; that by which action, or motion, is produced or propagated; cause; origin; motive.
"Our author shuns by vulgar springs to move
The hero’s glory, or the virgin’s love." Pope.
7. That which springs, or is originated, from a source; as: (a) A race; lineage. [Obs.] Chapman. (b) A youth; a springal. [Obs.] Spenser. (c) A shoot; a plant; a young tree; also a grove of trees; woodland. [Obs.] Spenser. Milton.
8. That which causes one to spring; specifically, a lively tune. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
9. The season of the year when plants begin to vegetate and grow; the vernal season, usually comprehending the months of March, April, and May, in the middle latitudes north of the equator. "The green lap of the new-come spring." Shak. Spring of the astronomical year begins with the vernal equinox, about March 21st, and ends with the summer solstice, about June 21st.
10. The time of growth and progress; early portion; first stage. "The spring of the day." 1 Sam. ix. 26.
"O how this spring of love resembleth
The uncertain glory of an April day." Shak.
11. (Naut.) (a) A crack or fissure in a mast or yard, running obliquely or transversely. (b) A line led from a vessel’s quarter to her cable so that by tightening or slacking it she can be made to lie in any desired position; a line led diagonally from the bow or stern of a vessel to some point upon the wharf to which she is moored. Air spring, Boiling spring, etc. See under Air, Boiling, etc. — Spring back (Bookbinding), a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. — Spring balance, a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. — Spring beam, a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam, under Paddle, n. — Spring beauty. (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia, delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime. (b) (Zoöl.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora laeta) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. — Spring bed, a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. — Spring beetle (Zoöl.), a snapping beetle; an elater. — Spring box, the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. — Spring fly (Zoöl.), a caddice fly; - - so called because it appears in the spring. — Spring grass (Bot.), a vernal grass. See under Vernal. — Spring gun, a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. — Spring hook (Locomotive Engines), one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. — Spring latch, a latch that fastens with a spring. — Spring lock, a lock that fastens with a spring. — Spring mattress, a spring bed. — Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch, under Springing. — Spring of pork, the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares.
"Sir, pray hand the spring of pork to me." Gayton. — Spring pin (Locomotive Engines), an iron rod fitted between the springs and the axle boxes, to sustain and regulate the pressure on the axles. — Spring rye, a kind of rye sown in the spring; — in distinction from winter rye, sown in autumn. — Spring stay (Naut.), a preventer stay, to assist the regular one. R. H. Dana, Jr. — Spring tide, the tide which happens at, or soon after, the new and the full moon, and which rises higher than common tides. See Tide. — Spring wagon, a wagon in which springs are interposed between the body and the axles to form elastic supports. — Spring wheat, any kind of wheat sown in the spring; — in distinction from winter wheat, which is sown in autumn. { Spring´al, Spring´ald, Spring´all }, a. [Scot. springald, springel, fr. Scot. & E. spring.] An active, springly young man. [Obs.] "There came two springals of full tender years." Spenser.
"Joseph, when he was sold to Potiphar, that great man, was a fair young springall." Latimer.
Spring steel. A variety of steel, elastic, strong, and tough, rolled for springs, etc.
Springe, n. [From Spring, v. i.: cf. G. sprenkel, Prov. E. springle.] A noose fastened to an elastic body, and drawn close with a sudden spring, whereby it catches a bird or other animal; a gin; a snare.
"As a woodcock to mine own springe." Shak.
Springe, v. t. To catch in a springe; to insnare. [R.]
Springe
Spring´e, v. t. [OE. sprengen. See Sprinkle.] To sprinkle; to scatter. [Obs.]
"He would sowen some difficulty,
Or springen cockle in our cleane corn." Chaucer.
Springer
Spring´er, n.
1. One who, or that which, springs; specifically, one who rouses game.
2. A young plant. [Obs.] Evelyn.
3. (Arch.) (a) The impost, or point at which an arch rests upon its support, and from which it seems to spring. Hence: (b) The bottom stone of an arch, which lies on the impost. The skew back is one form of springer. (c) The rib of a groined vault, as being the solid abutment for each section of vaulting.
4. (Zoöl.) The grampus.
5. (Zoöl.) A variety of the field spaniel. See Spaniel.
6. (Zoöl.) A species of antelope; the sprinkbok.
Springhalt
Spring´halt, n. (Far.) A kind of lameness in horse. See Stringhalt. Shak.
Springiness
Spring´i•ness, n. The state or quality of being springly. Boyle.
Springtail
Spring´tail, n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of small apterous insects belonging to the order Thysanura. They have two elastic caudal stylets which can be bent under the abdomen and then suddenly extended like a spring, thus enabling them to leap to a considerable distance. See Collembola, and Podura.
Springtide
Spring´tide, n. The time of spring; springtime. Thomson.
Springy
Spring´y, a. [ Compar. Springier superl. Springiest.] [From Spring.]
1. Resembling, having the qualities of, or pertaining to, a spring; elastic; as springy steel; a springy step.
"Though her little frame was slight, it was firm and springy." Sir W. Scott.
2. Abounding with springs or fountains; wet; spongy; as springy land.
Sprinkle
Sprin´kle, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sprinkled p. pr. & vb. n. Sprinkling ] [OE. sprenkelen, freq. of sprengen to sprinkle, to scatter, AS. sprengan, properly, to make to spring, causative of springan to spring; akin to D. sprenkelen to sprinkle, G. sprengen. See Spring, v. i., and cf. Sprent.]
1. To scatter in small drops or particles, as water, seed, etc.
2. To scatter on; to disperse something over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle; as to sprinkle the earth with water; to sprinkle a floor with sand.
3. To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.
"Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." Heb. x. 22.
Sprint, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sprinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprinting.] [Cf. Sprunt.] To run very rapidly; to run at full speed.
"A runner [in a quarter-mile race] should be able to sprint the whole way." Encyc. Brit.
Sprinter
Sprint´er, n. One who sprints; one who runs in sprint races; as a champion sprinter.
Sprit, v. t. [Akin to G. spritzen, sprützen. See Sprit, v. i.] To throw out with force from a narrow orifice; to eject; to spurt out. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
Sprit, v. i. [AS. spryttan to sprout, but. See Sprout, v. i., and cf. Spurt, v. t., Sprit a spar.] To sprout; to bud; to germinate, as barley steeped for malt.
Sprit, n. A shoot; a sprout. [Obs.] Mortimer.
Sprit, n. [OE. spret, AS. spreót a sprit; spear; akin to D. spriet, and E. sprout, sprit, v.t. & i. See Sprout, v. i.] (Naut.) A small boom, pole, or spar, which crosses the sail of a boat diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to extend and elevate.
Sprite, n. [OE. sprit, F. esprit, fr. L. spiritus. See Spirit, and cf. Sprightly.]
1. A spirit; a soul; a shade; also an apparition. See Spright.
"Gaping graves received the wandering, guilty sprite." Dryden.
2. An elf; a fairy; a goblin.
3. (Zoöl.) The green woodpecker, or yaffle.
Spriteful
Sprite´ful, a. Sprite´ful•ly, adv. , Sprite´li•ness, n. , Sprite´ly, a. , etc. See Sprightful, Sprightfully, Sprightliness, Sprightly, etc.
Sprocket wheel
Sprock"et wheel [Etymology of sprocket is uncertain.] (Mach.) Same as Chain wheel.
Sprod, n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. bradan a salmon.] (Zoöl.) A salmon in its second year. [Prov. Eng.]
Sprong, obs. imp. of Spring. Sprung.
Sprout, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sprouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprouting.] [OE. sprouten, spruten; akin to OFries. sprta, AS. spreótan, D. spruiten, G. spriessen, Sw. spruta to squirt, to spout. Cf. Sprit, v. t. & i., Sprit a spar, Spout, v. t., Spurt.]
1. To shoot, as the seed of a plant; to germinate; to push out new shoots; hence, to grow like shoots of plants.
2. To shoot into ramifications. [Obs.] Bacon.
Sprout, n. [Cf. AS. sprote a sprout, sprig; akin to Icel. sproti, G. sprosse. See Sprout, v. i.]
1. The shoot of a plant; a shoot from the seed, from the stump, or from the root or tuber, of a plant or tree; more rarely, a shoot from the stem of a plant, or the end of a branch.
2. pl. Young coleworts; Brussels sprouts. Johnson. Brussels sprouts (Bot.) See under Brussels.
Spruce, n. [OE. Spruce or Pruse, Prussia, Prussian. So named because it was first known as a native of Prussia, or because its sprouts were used for making, spruce beer. Cf. Spruce beer, below, Spruce, a. ]
1. (Bot.) Any coniferous tree of the genus Picea, as the Norway spruce ( P. excelsa), and the white and black spruces of America ( P. alba and P. nigra), besides several others in the far Northwest. See Picea.
2. The wood or timber of the spruce tree.
3. Prussia leather; pruce. [Obs.]
"Spruce, a sort of leather corruptly so called for Prussia leather." E. Phillips.Douglas spruce (Bot.), a valuable timber tree ( Pseudotsuga Douglasii) of Northwestern America. — Essence of spruce, a thick, dark-colored, bitterish, and acidulous liquid made by evaporating a decoction of the young branches of spruce. — Hemlock spruce (Bot.), a graceful coniferous tree ( Tsuga Canadensis) of North America. Its timber is valuable, and the bark is largely used in tanning leather. — Spruce beer. [G. sprossenbier; sprosse sprout, shoot (akin to E. sprout, n.) + bier beer. The word was changed into spruce because the beer came from Prussia (OE. Spruce), or because it was made from the sprouts of the spruce. See Sprout, n. , Beer, and cf. Spruce, n. ] A kind of beer which is tinctured or flavored with spruce, either by means of the extract or by decoction. — Spruce grouse. (Zoöl.) Same as Spruce partridge, below. - - Spruce leather. See Spruce, n. , 3. — Spruce partridge (Zoöl.), a handsome American grouse ( Dendragapus Canadensis) found in Canada and the Northern United States; — called also Canada grouse.
Spruce, a. [ Compar. Sprucer superl. Sprucest] [Perhaps fr. spruce a sort of leather from Prussia, which was an article of finery. See Spruce, n. ]
1. Neat, without elegance or dignity; — formerly applied to things with a serious meaning; now chiefly applied to persons. "Neat and spruce array." Remedy of Love.
2. Sprightly; dashing. [Obs.] "Now, my spruce companions." Shak.
"He is so spruce that he can never be genteel." Tatler.
Syn. — Finical; neat; trim. See Finical. — Sruce´ly, adv. — Spruce´ness, n.
Spruce, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spruced p. pr. & vb. n. Sprucing ] To dress with affected neatness; to trim; to make spruce.
Spruce, v. i. To dress one’s self with affected neatness; as to spruce up.
Sprue, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. (Founding) (a) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. (b) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross.
2. (Med.) Same as Sprew.
Sprung, imp. & p. p. of Spring.
Sprung, a. (Naut.) Said of a spar that has been cracked or strained.
Sprunt, v. i. [Cf. Sprout, v. i.] To spring up; to germinate; to spring forward or outward. [Obs.] To sprunt up, to draw one’s self up suddenly, as in anger or defiance; to bristle up. [Local, U.S.]
Spruntly
Sprunt´ly, adv. In a sprunt manner; smartly; vigorously; youthfully. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Spry, a. [ Compar. Sprier or Spryer ; superl. Spriest or Spryest.] [Cf. dial. Sw. sprygg lively, skittish, and E. sprag.] Having great power of leaping or running; nimble; active. [U.S. & Local Eng.]
"She is as spry as a cricket." S. Judd (Margaret).
"If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry." Emerson.
Spuller
Spul´ler, n. [For spooler.] [See Spool.] One employed to inspect yarn, to see that it is well spun, and fit for the loom. [Prov. Eng.]
Spulzie
Spul´zie, n. [Cf. Spoil.] Plunder, or booty. [Written also spuilzie, and spulye.] Sir W. Scott.
Spume, n. [L. spuma. Cf. Pumice, Spoom.] Frothy matter raised on liquids by boiling, effervescence, or agitation; froth; foam; scum.
"Materials dark and crude,
Of spiritous and fiery spume." Milton.
Spume, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spumed p. pr. & vb. n. Spuming.] [L. spumare.] To froth; to foam.
Spumescence
Spu•mes´cence, n. [See Spumescent.] The state of being foamy; frothiness.
Spumiferous
Spu•mif´er•ous, a. [L. spumifier; spuma foam + ferra bear.] Producing foam.
Spun, imp. & p. p. of Spin. Spun hay, hay twisted into ropes for convenient carriage, as on a military expedition. — Spun silk, a cheap article produced from floss, or short- fibered, broken, and waste silk, carded and spun, in distinction from the long filaments wound from the cocoon. It is often mixed with cotton. — Spun yarn (Naut.), a line formed of two or more rope-yarns loosely twisted.
Spunk (spunk), n. [Gael. spong, or Ir. sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. sponge a sponge (L. spongia), spon a chip. Cf. Sponge, Punk.] [Written also sponk.]
1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou. Sir T. Browne.
2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as a man of spunk. [Colloq.]
"A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body." Prof. Wilson.
Spunky
Spunk´y, a. [ Compar. Spunkier superl. Spunkiest.] Full of spunk; quick; spirited. [Colloq.]
Spur, n. [See Sparrow.] (Zoöl.) (a) A sparrow. [Scot.] (b) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]
Spur, n. [OE. spure, AS. spura, spora; akin to D. spoor, G. sporn, OHG. sporo, Icel. spori, Dan. spore, Sw. sporre, and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn. rad.171. Cf. Sparrow, Spere, Spoor, Spurn.]
1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood.
"And on her feet a pair of spurs large." Chaucer.
2. That which goads to action; an incitement.
"Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise
(That last infirmity of noble mind)
To scorn delights and live laborious days." Milton.
3. Something that projects; a snag.
4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree. Shak.
5. (Zoöl.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain burds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock’s leg.
6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.
7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber.
8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.
9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.
10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain. [R.]
11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.
12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel’s side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed. Spur fowl (Zoöl.), any one of several species of Asiatic gallinaceous birds of the genus Galloperdix, allied to the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each leg. — Spur gear (Mach.), a cogwheel having teeth which project radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel. — Spur gearing, gearing in which spur gears are used. See under Gearing. — Spur pepper. (Bot.) See the Note under Capsicum. — Spur wheel. Same as Spur gear, above.
Spur, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spurred p. pr. & vb. n. Spurring.]
1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as to spur a horse.
2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive.
"Love will not be spurred to what it loathes." Shak.
3. To put spurs on; as a spurred boot.
Spur, n.
1. (Mining) A branch of a vein.
2. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.
Spurgall
Spur´gall, n. A place galled or excoriated by much using of the spur.
Spurge, n. [OF. espurge, F. epurge, from OF. espurgier to purge, L. expurgare. See Expurgate, Purge.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Euphorbia. See Euphorbia. Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub ( Daphne Gnidium) with crowded narrow leaves. It is native of Southern Europe. — Spurge laurel, a European shrub ( Daphne Laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves. — Spurge nettle. See under Nettle. — Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub ( Daphne oleoides) found in the Mediterranean region.
Spurgewort
Spurge´wort, n. (Bot.) Any euphorbiaceous plant. Lindley.
Spurging
Spur´ging, n. [See 2d Spurge.] A purging. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Spurling
Spur´ling, n. [See Sparling.] (Zoöl.) A tern. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Tusser.
Spurn, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spurned p. pr. & vb. n. Spurning.] [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over, AS. spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS. & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna, L. spernere to despise, Skr. sphur to jerk, to push. rad.171. See Spur.]
1. To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick.
"[The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup." Chaucer.
"I spurn thee like a cur out of my way." Shak.
2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept; to treat with contempt.
"What safe and nicely I might well delay
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn." Shak.
"Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master’s feet." Locke.
Spurn-water
Spurn´-wa•ter, n. (Naut.) A channel at the end of a deck to restrain the water.
Spurt, v. i. [Written also spirt, and originally the same word as sprit; OE. sprutten to sprout, AS. spryttan. See Sprit, v. i., Sprout, v. i.] To gush or issue suddenly or violently out in a stream, as liquor from a cask; to rush from a confined place in a small stream or jet; to spirt.
"Thus the small jet, which hasty hands unlock, Spurts in the gardener’s eyes who turns the cock." Pope.
Spurt, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spurted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurting.] To make a sudden and violent exertion, as in an emergency.
Spurtle
Spur´tle, v. t. [Freq. of spurt.] To spurt or shoot in a scattering manner. [Obs.] Drayton.
Spurway
Spur´way, n. [Prov. E. spoor a track, trace (AS. spor) + way.] A bridle path. [R.]
Sput, n. (Steam Boiler) An annular reënforce, to strengthen a place where a hole is made.
Sputative
Spu´ta•tive, a. Inclined to spit; spitting much. Sir H. Wotton.
Spute, v. t. [Abbrev. from dispute.] To dispute; to discuss. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Sputter
Sput´ter, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sputtered p. pr. & vb. n. Sputtering.] [From the root of spout or spit to eject from the mputh. Cf. Splutter.]
1. To spit, or to emit saliva from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking.
2. To utter words hastily and indistinctly; to speak so rapidly as to emit saliva.
"They could neither of them speak their rage, and so fell a sputtering at one another, like two roasting apples." Congreve.
3. To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering.
"Like the green wood … sputtering in the flame." Dryden.
Spy, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spied p. pr. & vb. n. Spying.] [OE. spien, espien, OF. espier, F. epier, OHG. spehn, G. spähen; akin to L. specere to see, Skr. spa. 169. Cf. Espy, v.t., Aspect, Auspice, Circumspect, Conspicuouc, Despise, Frontispiece, Inspect, Prospect, Respite, Scope, Scecimen, Spectacle, Specter, Speculate, Spice, Spite, Suspicion.] To gain sight of; to discover at a distance, or in a state of concealment; to espy; to see.
"One in reading, skipped over all sentences where he spied a note of admiration." Swift.
2. To discover by close search or examination.
"Look about with yout eyes; spy what things are to be reformed in the church of England." Latimer.
3. To explore; to view; inspect; and examine secretly, as a country; — usually with out.
"Moses sent to spy Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof." Num. xxi. 32.
Spy, v. i. To search narrowly; to scrutinize.
"It is my nature’s plague
To spy into abuses." Shak.
Spy, n. ; pl. Spies (#). [See Spy, v. , and cf. Espy, n. ]
1. One who keeps a constant watch of the conduct of others. "These wretched spies of wit." Dryden.
2. (Mil.) A person sent secretly into an enemy’s camp, territory, or fortifications, to inspect his works, ascertain his strength, movements, or designs, and to communicate such intelligence to the proper officer. Spy money, money paid to a spy; the reward for private or secret intelligence regarding the enemy. — Spy Wednesday (Eccl.), the Wednesday immediately preceding the festival of Easter; — so called in allusion to the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.
Syn. — See Emissary, and Scout.
Spyboat
Spy´boat, n. A boat sent to make discoveries and bring intelligence. Arbuthnot.
Spyglass
Spy´glass, n. A small telescope for viewing distant terrestrial objects.
Spyism
Spy´ism, n. Act or business of spying. [R.] { Spy´nace ( 48), Spyne }, n. (Naut.) See Pinnace, n. , 1 (a).