Sy, obs. imp. of See. Saw. Chaucer.
Syb, a. See Sib. [Obs. or Scot.]
Sybaritism
Syb´a•rit•ism, n. Luxuriousness; effeminacy; wantonness; voluptuousness.
Sycamine
Syc´a•mine, n. [L. sycaminus, Gr. ; perhaps of Semitic origin.] See Sycamore.
Sycamore
Syc´a•more, n. [L. sycomorus, Gr. the fig mulberry; a fig + the black mulberry; or perhaps of Semitic origin: cf. F. sycomore. Cf. Mulberry.] (Bot.) (a) A large tree ( Ficus Sycomorus) allied to the common fig. It is found in Egypt and Syria, and is the sycamore, or sycamine, of Scripture. (b) The American plane tree, or buttonwood. (c) A large European species of maple ( Acer Pseudo-Platanus). [Written sometimes sycomore.]
Sycophant
Syc´o•phant, n. [L. sycophanta a slanderer, deceiver, parasite, Gr. a false accuser, false adviser, literally, a fig shower; a fig + to show: cf. F. sycophante. The reason for the name is not certainly known. See Phenomenon.]
1. An informer; a talebearer. [Obs.] "Accusing sycophants, of all men, did best sort to his nature." Sir P. Sidney.
2. A base parasite; a mean or servile flatterer; especially, a flatterer of princes and great men.
"A sycophant will everything admire:
Each verse, each sentence, sets his soul on fire." Dryden.
Syderolite
Syd´er•o•lite, n. A kind of Bohemian earthenware resembling the Wedgwood ware.
Sye, obs. imp. of See. Saw. Chaucer.
Syke, n. & v. See Sike. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Syker
Syk´er, a. & adv. See Sicker. [Obs.]
Syle, n. [See Sile a young herring.] (Zoöl.) A young herring ( Clupea harengus). [Also written sile.]
"But our folk call them syle, and nought but syle,
And when they’re grown, why then we call them herring." J. Ingelow.
Syllabarium
Syl•la•ba´ri•um, n. ; pl. Syllabaria (#). [NL.] A syllabary.
Syllabicate
Syl•lab´i•cate, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Syllabicated p. pr. & vb. n. Syllabicating.] To form or divide into syllables; to syllabify.
Syllabification
Syl•lab•i•fi•ca´tion, n. [See Syllabify.] Same as Syllabication. Rush.
"Syllabification depends not on mere force, but on discontinuity of force." H. Sweet.
Syllabify
Syl•lab´i•fy, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Syllabified p. pr. & vb. n. Syllabifying ] [L. syllaba syllable + -fy.] To form or divide into syllables.
Syllabist
Syl´la•bist, n. One who forms or divides words into syllables, or is skilled in doing this.
Syllable
Syl´la•ble, n. [OE. sillable, OF. sillabe, F. syllabe, L. syllaba, Gr. that which is held together, several letters taken together so as to form one sound, a syllable, fr. to take together; with + to take; cf. Skr. labh, rabh. Cf. Lemma, Dilemma.]
1. An elementary sound, or a combination of elementary sounds, uttered together, or with a single effort or impulse of the voice, and constituting a word or a part of a word. In other terms, it is a vowel or a diphtong, either by itself or flanked by one or more consonants, the whole produced by a single impulse or utterance. One of the liquids, l, m, n, may fill the place of a vowel in a syllable. Adjoining syllables in a word or phrase need not to be marked off by a pause, but only by such an abatement and renewal, or reënforcement, of the stress as to give the feeling of separate impulses. See Guide to Pronunciation, §275.
2. In writing and printing, a part of a word, separated from the rest, and capable of being pronounced by a single impulse of the voice. It may or may not correspond to a syllable in the spoken language.
"Withouten vice [ i. e. mistake] of syllable or letter." Chaucer.
3. A small part of a sentence or discourse; anything concise or short; a particle.
"Before any syllable of the law of God was written." Hooker.
"Who dare speak
One syllable against him?" Shak.
Syllable
Syl´la•ble, v. t. To pronounce the syllables of; to utter; to articulate. Milton.
Syllepsis
Syl•lep´sis, n. [L., fr. Gr. sy•llhpsis a taking together, from . See syllable, n. ]
1. (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which a word is used in a literal and metaphorical sense at the same time.
2. (Gram.) The agreement of a verb or adjective with one, rather than another, of two nouns, with either of which it might agree in gender, number, etc.; as rex et regina beati. { Syl•lep´tic, Syl•lep´tic•al } a. [Gr. collective.] Of or pertaining to a syllepsis; containing syllepsis. — Syl•lep´tic•al•ly, adv.
Syllogism
Syl´lo•gism, n. [OE. silogisme, OF. silogime, sillogisme, F. syllogisme, L. syllogismus, Gr. syllogismo•s a reckoning all together, a reasoning, syllogism, fr. syllogi•zesqai to reckon all together, to bring at once before the mind, to infer, conclude; sy•n with, together + logi•zesqai to reckon, to conclude by reasoning. See Syn-, and Logistic, Logic.] (Logic) The regular logical form of every argument, consisting of three propositions, of which the first two are called the premises, and the last, the conclusion. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises; so that, if these are true, the conclusion must be true, and the argument amounts to demonstration; as in the following example: Every virtue is laudable; Kindness is a virtue; Therefore kindness is laudable. These propositions are denominated respectively the major premise, the minor premise, and the conclusion. If the premises are not true and the syllogism is regular, the reasoning is valid, and the conclusion, whether true or false, is correctly derived. { Syl•lo•gis´tic, Syl•lo•gis´tic•al } a. [L. syllogisticus, Gr. : cf. F. syllogistique.] Of or pertaining to a syllogism; consisting of a syllogism, or of the form of reasoning by syllogisms; as syllogistic arguments or reasoning.
Syllogistically
Syl•lo•gis´tic•al•ly, adv. In a syllogistic manner.
Syllogization
Syl•lo•gi•za´tion, n. A reasoning by syllogisms. [Obs. or R.] Harris.
Syllogize
Syl´lo•gize, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Syllogized p. pr. & vb. n. Syllogizing ] [Gr. : cf. F. syllogiser.] To reason by means of syllogisms.
"Men have endeavored … to teach boys to syllogize, or frame arguments and refute them, without any real inward knowledge of the question." I. Watts.
Sylphid
Sylph´id, n. [F. sylphide, fem. See Sylph.] A little sylph; a young or diminutive sylph. "The place of the sylphid queen." J. R. Drake.
"Ye sylphs and sylphids, to your chief give ear,
Fays, fairies, genii, elves, and demons, hear." Pope.
Sylva
Syl´va, n. ; pl. Sylvae (#). [L. sylva, better silva, a wood. See Silva.] (Bot.) Same as Silva.
Sylvan
Syl´van, a. [See Silvan, a. ]
1. Of or pertaining to a sylva; forestlike; hence, rural; rustic.
"The traditional memory of a rural and a sylvan region … is usually exact as well as tenacious." De Quincey.
2. Abounding in forests or in trees; woody.
Sylvan
Syl´van, n. [L. Sylvanus, better Silvanus. See Silvan, a. ] A fabled deity of the wood; a satyr; a faun; sometimes, a rustic.
"Her private orchards, walled on every side,
To lawless sylvans all access denied." Pope.
Sylvatic
Syl•vat´ic, a. [L. sylvaticus, better silvaticus. See Silvan, a. ] Sylvan. [R.]
Sylvestrian
Syl•ves´tri•an, a. [L. sylvestris, better silvestris.] Sylvan. [R.]
Sylvicoline
Syl•vic´o•line, a. [L. sylva, silva, forest + colere to inhabit.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the family of warblers ( Sylvicolidae). See Warbler.
Symbal
Sym´bal, n. See Cimbal. [Obs.]
Symbol
Sym´bol, n. [L. symbolus, symbolum, Gr. sy•mbolon a sign by which one knows or infers a thing, from to throw or put together, to compare; sy•n with + to throw: cf. F. symbole. Cf. Emblem, Parable.]
1. A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.
"A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g., an actual part chosen to represent the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind." Coleridge.
2. (Math.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation. In crystallography, the symbol of a plane is the numerical expression which defines its position relatively to the assumed axes.
3. (Theol.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion.
4. [Gr. contributions.] That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty. [Obs.]
"They do their work in the days of peace … and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague." Jer. Taylor.
5. Share; allotment. [Obs.]
"The persons who are to be judged … shall all appear to receive their symbol." Jer. Taylor.
6. (Chem.) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element. In pure and organic chemistry there are symbols not only for the elements, but also for their grouping in formulas radicals, or residues, as evidenced by their composition, reactions, synthesis, etc. See the diagram of Benzene nucleus, under Benzene.
Syn. — Emblem; figure; type. See Emblem.
Symbolic
Sym•bol´ic, n. [Cf. F. symbolique. See Symbolic, a. ] (Theol.) See Symbolics. { Sym•bol´ic, Sym•bol´ic•al } a. [L. symbolicus, Gr. symboliko•s: cf. F. symbolique.] Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. — Sym•bol´ic•al•ly, adv. — Sym•bol´ic•al•ness, n.
"The sacrament is a representation of Christ’s death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed." Jer. Taylor.Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. — Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics.
Symbolize
Sym´bol•ize, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Symbolized p. pr. & vb. n. Symbolizing ] [Cf. F. symboliser.]
1. To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize.
"The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony." Bacon.
"They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves through multiplying glasses." Howell.
2. To hold the same faith; to agree. [R.]
"The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them." G. S. Faber.
3. To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.
Symbologist
Sym•bol´o•gist, n. One who practices, or who is versed in, symbology.
Symbology
Sym•bol´o•gy, n. [ Symbol + -logy.] The art of expressing by symbols.
Symmetral
Sym´me•tral, a. Commensurable; symmetrical. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.
Symmetrian
Sym•me´tri•an, n. One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. [R.] Sir P. Sidney.
Symmetrical
Sym•met´ric•al, a. [Cf. F. symetrique. See Symmetry.]
1. Involving or exhibiting symmetry; proportional in parts; having its parts in due proportion as to dimensions; as a symmetrical body or building.
2. (Biol.) Having the organs or parts of one side corresponding with those of the other; having the parts in two or more series of organs the same in number; exhibiting a symmetry. See Symmetry, 2.
3. (Bot.) (a) Having an equal number of parts in the successive circles of floral organs; — said of flowers. (b) Having a likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regular.
4. (Math.) Having a common measure; commensurable. (b) Having corresponding parts or relations. A curve or a plane figure is symmetrical with respect to a given line, and a line, surface, or solid with respect to a plane, when for each point on one side of the line or plane there is a corresponding point on the other side, so situated that the line joining the two corresponding points is perpendicular to the line or plane and is bisected by it. Two solids are symmetrical when they are so situated with respect to an intervening plane that the several points of their surfaces thus correspond to each other in position and distance. In analysis, an expression is symmetrical with respect to several letters when any two of them may change places without affecting the expression; as the expression a2b + ab2 + a2c + ac2 + b2c + bc2, is symmetrical with respect to the letters a, b, c. — Sym•met´ric•al•ly, adv. — Sym•met´ric•al•ness, n.
Symmetrician
Sym•me•tri´cian, n. Same as Symmetrian. [R.] Holinshed.
Symmetrist
Sym´me•trist, n. One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. Sir H. Wotton.
Symmetrize
Sym´me•trize, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Symmetrized p. pr. & vb. n. Symmetrizing ] [Cf. F. symetriser.] To make proportional in its parts; to reduce to symmetry. Burke.
Symmetry
Sym´me•try, n. [L. symmetria, Gr. ; sy•n with, together + a measure: cf. F. symetrie. See Syn-, and Meter rhythm.]
1. A due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole.
2. (Biol.) The law of likeness; similarity of structure; regularity in form and arrangement; orderly and similar distribution of parts, such that an animal may be divided into parts which are structurally symmetrical. Bilateral symmetry, or two-sidedness, in vertebrates, etc., is that in which the body can be divided into symmetrical halves by a vertical plane passing through the middle; radial symmetry, as in echinoderms, is that in which the individual parts are arranged symmetrically around a central axis; serial symmetry, or zonal symmetry, as in earthworms, is that in which the segments or metameres of the body are disposed in a zonal manner one after the other in a longitudinal axis. This last is sometimes called metamerism.
3. (Bot.) (a) Equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower. (b) Likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity. Axis of symmetry. (Geom.) See under Axis. — Respective symmetry, that disposition of parts in which only the opposite sides are equal to each other.
Sympathetic
Sym•pa•thet´ic, a. [See Sympathy, and cf. Pathetic.]
1. Inclined to sympathy; sympathizing.
"Far wiser he, whose sympathetic mind
Exults in all the good of all mankind." Goldsmith.
2. Produced by, or expressive of, sympathy.
"Ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears." Gray.
3. (Physiol.) (a) Produced by sympathy; — applied particularly to symptoms or affections. See Sympathy. (b) Of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system or some of its branches; produced by stimulation on the sympathetic nervious system or some part of it; as the sympathetic saliva, a modified form of saliva, produced from some of the salivary glands by stimulation of a sympathetic nerve fiber. Sympathetic ink. (Chem.) See under Ink. — Sympathetic nerve (Anat.), any nerve of the sympathetic system; especially, the axial chain of ganglions and nerves belonging to the sympathetic system. — Sympathetic powder (Alchemy), a kind of powder long supposed to be able to cure a wound if applied to the weapon that inflicted it, or even to a portion of the bloody clothes. Dunglison. — Sympathetic sounds (Physics), sounds produced from solid bodies by means of vibrations which have been communicated to them from some other sounding body, by means of the air or an intervening solid. — Sympathetic system (Anat.), a system of nerves and nerve ganglions connected with the alimentary canal, the vascular system, and the glandular organs of most vertebrates, and controlling more or less their actions. The axial part of the system and its principal ganglions and nerves are situated in the body cavity and form a chain of ganglions on each side of the vertebral column connected with numerous other ganglions and nerve plexuses.
Sympathetically
Sym•pa•thet´ic•al•ly, adv. In a sympathetic manner.
Sympathist
Sym´pa•thist, n. One who sympathizes; a sympathizer. [R.] Coleridge.
Sympathize
Sym´pa•thize, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sympathized p. pr. & vb. n. Sympathizing ] [F. sympathiser. See Sympathy.]
1. To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain.
"The mind will sympathize so much with the anguish and debility of the body, that it will be too distracted to fix itself in meditation." Buckminster.
2. To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.
"Their countrymen … sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures." Addison.
3. To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize. Dryden.
Sympathy
Sym´pa•thy, n. ; pl. Sympathies (#). [F. sympathie, L. sympathia, Gr. ; sy•n with + suffering, passion, fr.,, to suffer. See Syn-, and Pathos.]
1. Feeling corresponding to that which another feels; the quality of being affected by the affection of another, with feelings correspondent in kind, if not in degree; fellow- feeling.
"They saw, but other sight instead — a crowd
Of ugly serpents! Horror on them fell,
And horrid sympathy." Milton.
2. An agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament, which causes persons to be pleased, or in accord, with one another; as there is perfect sympathy between them.
3. Kindness of feeling toward one who suffers; pity; commiseration; compassion.
"I value myself upon sympathy, I hate and despise myself for envy." Kames.
4. (Physiol.) (a) The reciprocal influence exercised by the various organs or parts of the body on one another, as manifested in the transmission of a disease by unknown means from one organ to another quite remote, or in the influence exerted by a diseased condition of one part on another part or organ, as in the vomiting produced by a tumor of the brain. (b) That relation which exists between different persons by which one of them produces in the others a state or condition like that of himself. This is shown in the tendency to yawn which a person often feels on seeing another yawn, or the strong inclination to become hysteric experienced by many women on seeing another person suffering with hysteria.
5. A tendency of inanimate things to unite, or to act on each other; as the sympathy between the loadstone and iron. [R.]
6. Similarity of function, use office, or the like.
"The adverb has most sympathy with the verb." Earle.
Syn. — Pity; fellow-feeling; compassion; commiseration; tenderness; condolence; agreement. — Sympathy, Commiseration. Sympathy is literally a fellow-feeling with others in their varied conditions of joy or of grief. This term, however, is now more commonly applied to a fellow-feeling with others under affliction, and then coincides very nearly with commiseration. In this case it is commonly followed by for; as to feel sympathy for a friend when we see him distressed. The verb sympathize is followed by with; as to sympathize with a friend in his distresses or enjoyments. "Every man would be a distinct species to himself, were there no sympathy among individuals." South. See Pity.
"Fault,
Acknowledged and deplored, in Adam wrought Commiseration." Milton.
Sympetalous
Sym•pet´al•ous, a. [Pref. sym- + petal.] (Bot.) Having the petals united; gamopetalous.
Symphonious
Sym•pho´ni•ous, a. [From Symphony.]
1. Agreeing in sound; accordant; harmonious.
"Followed with acclamation and the sound Symphonious of ten thousand harps." Milton.
2. (Mus.) Symphonic.
Symphonist
Sym´pho•nist, n. [Cf. F. symphoniste.] A composer of symphonies.
Symphonize
Sym´pho•nize, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Symphonized p. pr. & vb. n. Symphonizing ] To agree; to be in harmony. [R.] Boyle.
Symphony
Sym´pho•ny, n. ; pl. Symphonies (#). [F. symphonie (cf. It. sinfonia), L. symphonia, Gr. ; sy•n with + a sound, the voice. See Phonetic.]
1. A consonance or harmony of sounds, agreeable to the ear, whether the sounds are vocal or instrumental, or both.
"The trumpets sound,
And warlike symphony in heard around." Dryden.
2. A stringed instrument formerly in use, somewhat resembling the virginal.
"With harp and pipe and symphony." Chaucer.
3. (Mus.) (a) An elaborate instrumental composition for a full orchestra, consisting usually, like the sonata, of three or four contrasted yet inwardly related movements, as the allegro, the adagio, the minuet and trio, or scherzo, and the finale in quick time. The term has recently been applied to large orchestral works in freer form, with arguments or programmes to explain their meaning, such as the "symphonic poems" of Liszt. The term was formerly applied to any composition for an orchestra, as overtures, etc., and still earlier, to certain compositions partly vocal, partly instrumental. (b) An instrumental passage at the beginning or end, or in the course of, a vocal composition; a prelude, interlude, or postude; a ritornello.
Symphyseal
Sym•phys´e•al, a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to to symphysis.
Symphysis
Sym´phy•sis, n. ; pl. Symphyses (#). [NL., fr. Gr., fr. to make to grow together; sy•n with + to cause to grow; to grow.] (Anat.) (a) An articulation formed by intervening cartilage; as the pubic symphysis. (b) The union or coalescence of bones; also the place of union or coalescence; as the symphysis of the lower jaw. Cf. Articulation.
Symposiast
Sym•po´si•ast, n. One engaged with others at a banquet or merrymaking. Sydney Smith.
Symposium
Sym•po´si•um, n. ; pl. Symposia (#). [L., fr. Gr. sympo•sion a drinking party, feast; sy•n with + po•sis a drinking. See Syn-, and cf. Potable.]
1. A drinking together; a merry feast. T. Warton.
2. A collection of short essays by different authors on a common topic; — so called from the appellation given to the philosophical dialogue by the Greeks.
Symptom
Symp´tom, n. [F. symptôme, Gr. anything that has befallen one, a chance, causality, symptom, fr. to fall together; sy•n with + to fall; akin to Skr. pat to fly, to fall. See Syn-, and cf. Asymptote, Feather.]
1. (Med.) Any affection which accompanies disease; a perceptible change in the body or its functions, which indicates disease, or the kind or phases of disease; as the causes of disease often lie beyond our sight, but we learn their nature by the symptoms exhibited.
"Like the sick man, we are expiring with all sorts of good symptoms." Swift.
2. A sign or token; that which indicates the existence of something else; as corruption in elections is a symptom of the decay of public virtue.
Syn. — Mark; note; sign; token; indication. { Symp•tom•at´ic, Symp•tom•at´ic•al } a. [Cf. F. symptomatique, Gr. causal.]
1. Of or pertaining to symptoms; happening in concurrence with something; being a symptom; indicating the existence of something else.
"Symptomatic of a shallow understanding and an unamiable temper." Macaulay.
2. According to symptoms; as a symptomatical classification of diseases. — Symp•tom•at´ic•al•ly, adv.
Syn-
Syn. [Gr. sy•n with.] A prefix meaning with, along with, together, at the same time. Syn- becomes sym- before p, b, and m, and syl- before l. { Syn•ac´me, Syn•ac´my } n. [NL. synacme. See Syn-, and Acme.] (Bot.) Same as Synanthesis. { Syn•aer´e•sis, Syn•er´e•sis }, n. [NL., fr. Gr. a taking or drawing together, fr. to take together; sy•n with + to take, to grasp. See Syn-, and Heresy.] (Gram.) The union, or drawing together into one syllable, of two vowels that are ordinarily separated in syllabification; synecphonesis; — the opposite of diaeresis.
Synagogical
Syn•a•gog´ic•al, a. Of or pertaining to a synagogue.
Synagogue
Syn´a•gogue, n. [F., from L. synagoga, Gr. a bringing together, an assembly, a synagogue, fr. to bring together; sy•n with + to lead. See Syn-, and Agent.]
1. A congregation or assembly of Jews met for the purpose of worship, or the performance of religious rites.
2. The building or place appropriated to the religious worship of the Jews.
3. The council of, probably, 120 members among the Jews, first appointed after the return from the Babylonish captivity; — called also the Great Synagogue, and sometimes, though erroneously, the Sanhedrin.
4. A congregation in the early Christian church.
"My brethren, … if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring." James ii. 1,2 (Rev. Ver.).
5. Any assembly of men. [Obs. or R.] Milton.
Synaptase
Syn•ap´tase, n. [Gr. fastened together + dias tase.] (Chem.) A ferment resembling diastase, found in bitter almonds. Cf. Amygdalin, and Emulsin.
Synarthrodia
Syn•ar•thro´di•a, n. [NL.] (Anat.) Synarthrosis. — Syn•ar•thro´di•al (#), a. Dunglison.
Synarthrosis
Syn•ar•thro´sis, n. ; pl. Synarthroses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. a being jointed together, fr. to link or joint together; sy•n with + a joint.] (Anat.) Immovable articulation by close union, as in sutures. It sometimes includes symphysial articulations also. See the Note under Articulation, n. , 1.
Synaxis
Syn•ax´is, n. [L., fr. Gr., fr. to bring together. See Synagogue.] A congregation; also formerly, the Lord’s Supper. Jer. Taylor.
Syncarp
Syn´carp, n. [NL. syncarpium. See Syncarpous.] (Bot.) A kind of aggregate fruit in which the ovaries cohere in a solid mass, with a slender receptacle, as in the magnolia; also a similar multiple fruit, as a mulberry.
Syncarpium
Syn•car´pi•um, n. ; pl. Syncarpia (#). [NL.] (Bot.) Same as Syncarp.
Syncategorematic
Syn•cat•e•gor•e•mat´ic, a. [Gr. ; sy•n with + a predicate. See Syn-, and Categorematic.] (Logic) Not capable of being used as a term by itself; — said of words, as an adverb or preposition.
Synchondrotomy
Syn•chon•drot´o•my, n. [Gr. union by cartilage + to cut.] (Surg.) Symphyseotomy.
Synchronal
Syn´chro•nal, a. [See Synchronous.] Happening at, or belonging to, the same time; synchronous; simultaneous. Dr. H. More.
Synchronism
Syn´chro•nism, n. [Gr., fr. to be contemporary with, from synchronous. See Synchronous.]
1. The concurrence of events in time; simultaneousness.
2. The tabular arrangement of historical events and personages, according to their dates.
3. (Paint.) A representation, in the same picture, of two or events which occured at different times.
Synchronize
Syn´chro•nize, v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Synchronized p. pr. & vb. n. Synchronizing ] [Gr. .] To agree in time; to be simultaneous.
"The path of this great empire, through its arch of progress, synchronized with that of Christianity." De Quincey.
Synchronology
Syn•chro•nol´o•gy, n. [Pref. syn- + Gr. time + -logy.] Contemporaneous chronology.
Synchronous
Syn´chro•nous, a. [Gr. ; sy•n with + time. Cf. Chronicle.] Happening at the same time; simultaneous. — Syn´chro•nous•ly, adv.
Syncopal
Syn´co•pal, a. Of or pertaining to syncope; resembling syncope.
Syncopate
Syn´co•pate, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Syncopated p. pr. & vb. n. Syncopating.] [LL. syncopatus, p. p. of syncopare to syncopate, to swoon. See Syncope.]
1. (Gram.) To contract, as a word, by taking one or more letters or syllables from the middle; as "Gloster" is a syncopated form of "Gloucester."
2. (Mus.) To commence, as a tone, on an unaccented part of a measure, and continue it into the following accented part, so that the accent is driven back upon the weak part and the rhythm drags.
Syncope
Syn´co•pe, n. [L. syncope, syncopa, Gr. a cutting up, a syncope; akin to to beat together, to cut up, cut short, weavy; sy•n with + to strike, cut.]
1. (Gram.) An elision or retrenchment of one or more letters or syllables from the middle of a word; as ne’er for never, ev’ry for every.
2. (Mus.) Same as Syncopation.
3. (Med.) A fainting, or swooning. See Fainting.
4. A pause or cessation; suspension. [R.]
"Revely, and dance, and show,
Suffer a syncope and solemn pause." Cowper.
Syncretism
Syn´cre•tism, n. (Philol.) The union or fusion into one of two or more originally different inflectional forms, as of two cases. { Syn•dac´tyl, Syn•dac´tyle }, a. [ Syn- + Gr. finger, toe.] (Zoöl. & Med.) Having two or more digits wholly or partly united. See Syndactylism.
Syndesmosis
Syn•des•mo´sis, n. ; pl. Syndesmoses (#). [NL., fr. Gr. a bond; together + a bond, fr. to bind.] (Anat.) An articulation formed by means of ligaments. { Syn•det´ic, Syn•det´ic•al } a. [Gr., from to bind together; sy•n with + to bind; cf. Asyndetic.] Connecting; conjunctive; as syndetic words or connectives; syndetic references in a dictionary. — Syn•det´ic•al•ly, adv.
"With the syndetic juxtaposition of distinct members, the article is not often repeated." C. J. Grece (Trans. Maetzner’s Gram.).
Syndic
Syn´dic, n. [L. syndictus, Gr. helping in a court of justice, advocate; sy•n with + justice, akin to to show: cf. F. syndic. See Teach.]
1. An officer of government, invested with different powers in different countries; a magistrate.
2. (Law) An agent of a corporation, or of any body of men engaged in a business enterprise; an advocate or patron; an assignee. In France, syndics are appointed by the creditors of a bankrupt to manage the property. Almost all the companies in Paris, the university, and the like, have their syndics. The university of Cambridge, Eng., has its syndics, who are chosen from the senate to transact special business, such as the regulation of fees, the framing of laws, etc.
Syndicate
Syn´di•cate, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. -cated p. pr. & vb. n. -cating ]
1. To combine or form into, or manage as a syndicate.
2. To acquire or control for or by, or to subject to the management of, a syndicate; as syndicated newspapers.
Syndication
Syn•di•ca´tion, n. Act or process of syndicating or forming a syndicate.
Syne
Syn., adv. [See Since.]
1. Afterwards; since; ago. [Obs. or Scot.] R. of Brunne.
2. Late, — as opposed to soon.
"[Each rogue] shall be discovered either soon or syne." W. Hamilton (Life of Wallace).
Synergism
Syn´er•gism, n. [See Synergetic.] (Theol.) The doctrine or theory, attributed to Melanchthon, that in the regeneration of a human soul there is a coöperation, or joint agency, on the part both of God and of man.
Synergy
Syn´er•gy, n. [Gr. . See Synergetic.] Combined action; especially (Med.), the combined healthy action of every organ of a particular system; as the digestive synergy.
Synocha
Syn´o•cha, n. [NL., fr. Gr. a holding together. See Synechia.] (Med.) See Synochus. [Obs.]
Synochal
Syn´o•chal, a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to synocha; like synocha. [Obs.]
Synodal
Syn´od•al, a. [L. synodalis: cf. F. synodal.] Synodical. Milton.
Synodal
Syn´od•al, n.
1. (Ch. of Eng.) A tribute in money formerly paid to the bishop or archdeacon, at the time of his Easter visitation, by every parish priest, now made to the ecclesiastical commissioners; a procuration.
"Synodals are due, of common right, to the bishop only." Gibson.
2. A constitution made in a provincial or diocesan synod. { Syn•od´ic, Syn•od´ic•al } a. [L. synodicus, Gr. : cf. F. synodique.]
1. (Eccl.) Of or pertaining to a synod; transacted in, or authorized by, a synod; as synodical proceedings or forms. "A synodical epistle." Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Astron.) Pertaining to conjunction, especially to the period between two successive conjunctions; extending from one conjunction, as of the moon or a planet with the sun, to the next; as a synodical month (see Lunar month, under Month); the synodical revolution of the moon or a planet.
Synonym
Syn´o•nym (sin"o•nim), n. ; pl. Synonyms (- nimz). [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. synw•nymon. See Synonymous.] One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.]
"All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society." De Quincey.
"His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy." Macaulay.
"In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished." G. P. Marsh.
Synonyma
Syn•on´y•ma (sin•on"i•ma), n. pl. [L.] Synonyms. [Obs.] Fuller.
Synonymic
Syn•o•nym´ic, n. [Cf. G. synonymik. See Synonymous.] (Gram.) The science, or the scientific treatment, of synonymous words. { Syn•o•nym´ic, Syn•o•nym´ic•al } a. Of or pertaining to synonyms, or synonymic; synonymous.
Synonymicon
Syn•o•nym´i•con, n. [NL.] A dictionary of synonyms. C. J. Smith.
Synonymist
Syn•on´y•mist, n. [Cf. F. synonymiste.] One who collects or explains synonyms.
Synonymize
Syn•on´y•mize, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Synonymized p. pr. & vb. n. Synonymizing ] To express by a synonym or synonyms; to give the synonym or synonyms corresponding to.
"This word "fortis" we may synonymize after all these fashions: stout, hardy, valiant, doughty, courageous, adventurous, brave, bold, daring, intrepid." Camden.
Synonymous
Syn•on´y•mous, a. [Gr. ; sy•n with, together +,, name. See Syn-, and Name.] Having the character of a synonym; expressing the same thing; conveying the same, or approximately the same, idea. — Syn•on´y•mous•ly, adv.
"These words consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed; for wisdom and understanding are synonymous words here." Tillotson.
Syn. — Identical; interchangeable. — Synonymous, Identical. If no words are synonymous except those which are identical in use and meaning, so that the one can in all cases be substituted for the other, we have scarcely ten such words in our language. But the term more properly denotes that the words in question approach so near to each other, that, in many or most cases, they can be used interchangeably. 1. Words may thus coincide in certain connections, and so be interchanged, when they can not be interchanged in other connections; thus we may speak either strength of mind or of force of mind, but we say the force (not strength) of gravitation. 2. Two words may differ slightly, but this difference may be unimportant to the speaker’s object, so that he may freely interchange them; thus it makes but little difference, in most cases, whether we speak of a man’s having secured his object or having attained his object. For these and other causes we have numerous words which may, in many cases or connections, be used interchangeably, and these are properly called synonyms. Synonymous words "are words which, with great and essential resemblances of meaning, have, at the same time, small, subordinate, and partial differences, — these differences being such as either originally and on the ground of their etymology inhered in them; or differences which they have by usage acquired in the eyes of all; or such as though nearly latent now, they are capable of receiving at the hands of wise and discreet masters of the tongue. Synonyms are words of like significance in the main, but with a certain unlikeness as well." Trench.
Synopsis
Syn•op´sis, n. ; pl. Synopses (#). [L., from Gr. ; sy•n with, together + a sight, view, from the root seen in E. optic.] A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus.
"That the reader may see in one view the exactness of the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle." Bp. Warburton.
Syn. — Abridgment; compendium; epitome; abstract; summary; syllabus; conspectus. See Abridgment. { Syn•op´tic, Syn•op´tic•al } a. [Gr. : cf. F. synoptique. See Synopsis.] Affording a general view of the whole, or of the principal parts of a thing; as a synoptic table; a synoptical statement of an argument. "The synoptic Gospels." Alford. — Syn•op´tic•al•ly, adv.
Synoptic
Syn•op´tic, n. One of the first three Gospels of the New Testament. See Synoptist.
Synovitis
Syn•o•vi´tis, n. [NL. See Synovia, -itis.] (Med.) Inflammation of the synovial membrane.
Synsepalous
Syn•sep´al•ous, a. [Pref. syn- + sepal.] (Bot.) Having united sepals; gamosepalous. { Syn•tac´tic, Syn•tac´tic•al } a. [Cf. G. putting together. See Syntax.] Of or pertaining to syntax; according to the rules of syntax, or construction. — Syn•tac´tic•al•ly, adv.
Syntax
Syn´tax, n. [L. syntaxis, Gr., fr. to put together in order; sy•n with + to put in order; cf. F. syntaxe. See Syn-, and Tactics.]
1. Connected system or order; union of things; a number of things jointed together; organism. [Obs.]
"They owe no other dependence to the first than what is common to the whole syntax of beings." Glanvill.
2. That part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences; the due arrangement of words in sentences in their necessary relations, according to established usage in any language.
Synteretic
Syn•te•ret´ic, a. [Gr. .] (Med.) Preserving health; prophylactic. [Obs.]
Synthermal
Syn•ther´mal, a. [Pref. syn- + thermal.] Having the same degree of heat.
Synthesis
Syn´the•sis, n. ; pl. Syntheses (#). [L., a mixture, properly, a putting together, Gr., fr. to place or put together; sy•n with + to place. See Thesis.]
1. Composition, or the putting of two or more things together, as in compounding medicines.
2. (Chem.) The art or process of making a compound by putting the ingredients together, as contrasted with analysis; thus, water is made by synthesis from hydrogen and oxygen; hence, specifically, the building up of complex compounds by special reactions, whereby their component radicals are so grouped that the resulting substances are identical in every respect with the natural articles when such occur; thus, artificial alcohol, urea, indigo blue, alizarin, etc., are made by synthesis.
3. (Logic) The combination of separate elements of thought into a whole, as of simple into complex conceptions, species into genera, individual propositions into systems; — the opposite of analysis.
"Analysis and synthesis, though commonly treated as two different methods, are, if properly understood, only the two necessary parts of the same method. Each is the relative and correlative of the other." Sir W. Hamilton.
Synthesist
Syn´the•sist, n. One who employs synthesis, or who follows synthetic methods.
Synthesize
Syn´the•size, v. t.
1. To combine by synthesis; to unite.
2. To produce by synthesis; as to synthesize albumin. { Syn•thet´ic, Syn•thet´ic•al } a. [Gr. : cf. F. synthetique.]
1. Of or pertaining to synthesis; consisting in synthesis or composition; as the synthetic method of reasoning, as opposed to analytical.
"Philosophers hasten too much from the analytic to the synthetic method; that is, they draw general conclusions from too small a number of particular observations and experiments." Bolingbroke.
2. (Chem.) Artificial. Cf. Synthesis, 2.
3. (Zoöl.) Comprising within itself structural or other characters which are usually found only in two or more diverse groups; — said of species, genera, and higher groups. See the Note under Comprehensive, 3. Synthetic, or Synthetical language, an inflectional language, or one characterized by grammatical endings; — opposed to analytic language. R. Morris.
Synthetize
Syn´the•tize, v. t. [Cf. Gr. .] To combine; to unite in regular structure. [R.]
Syntomy
Syn´to•my, n. [Gr., fr. to cut short; sy•n with + to cut.] Brevity; conciseness. [R.]
Syntonin
Syn´to•nin, n. [Cf. Gr. stretched tight, intense.] (Physiol. Chem.) A proteid substance (acid albumin) formed from the albuminous matter of muscle by the action of dilute acids; — formerly called musculin. See Acid albumin, under Albumin.
Syntonize
Syn´to•nize, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. -nized p. pr. & vb. n. -nizing ] [See Syntony.] (Physics) To adjust or devise so as to emit or respond to electric oscillations of a certain wave length; to tune; specif., to put (two or more instruments or systems of wireless telegraphy) in syntony with each other. — Syn•to•ni•za´tion (#), n.
Syntony
Syn´to•ny, n. [Cf. Gr. agreement. See Syn-; Tone.] (Physics) State of being adjusted to a certain wave length; agreement or tuning between the time period of an apparatus emitting electric oscillations and that of a receiving apparatus, esp. in wireless telegraphy.
Syphilide
Syph´i•lide, n. [F.] (Med.) A cutaneous eruption due to syphilis.
Syphilis
Syph´i•lis, n. [NL., fr. Syphilus, the name of a shepherd in the Latin poem of Fracastoro, "Syphilus, sive Morbus Gallicus," which was published in 1530; Gr. hog, swine + dear, loving. The term was introduced into nosology by Sauvages.] (Med.) The pox, or venereal disease; a chronic, specific, infectious disease, usually communicated by sexual intercourse or by hereditary transmission, and occurring in three stages known as primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis. See under Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.
Syphilitically
Syph•i•lit´ic•al•ly, adv. (Med.) In a syphilitic manner; with venereal disease.
Syphilize
Syph´i•lize, v. t. (Med.) To inoculate with syphilis.
Syphiloderm
Syph´i•lo•derm, n. [See Syphilis, and Derm.] (Med.) A cutaneous affection due to syphilis.
Syphiloid
Syph´i•loid, a. [ Syphilis + -oid.] (Med.) Resembling syphilis.
Syphilologist
Syph•i•lol´o•gist, n. One skilled in syphilology.
Syren
Sy´ren, n. See Siren. [R.]
Syringa
Sy•rin´ga, n. [NL., fr. Gr.,, a shepherd’s pipe, tube. Cf. Syringe.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of plants; the lilac. (b) The mock orange; — popularly so called because its stems were formerly used as pipestems.
Syringe
Syr´inge, n. [F. seringue (cf. Pr. siringua, Sp. jeringa, It. sciringa, scilinga), fg. Gr.,, a pipe or tube; cf. Skr. svar to sound, and E. swarum. Cf. Syringa.] A kind of small hand-pump for throwing a stream of liquid, or for purposes of aspiration. It consists of a small cylindrical barrel and piston, or a bulb of soft elastic material, with or without valves, and with a nozzle which is sometimes at the end of a flexible tube; — used for injecting animal bodies, cleansing wounds, etc. Garden syringe. See Garden.
Syringe
Syr´inge, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Syringed p. pr. & vb. n. Syringing ]
1. To inject by means of a syringe; as to syringe warm water into a vein.
2. To wash and clean by injection from a syringe.
Syringeal
Sy•rin´ge•al, a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the syrinx; as the syringeal muscle.
Syringotome
Sy•rin´go•tome, n. [Cf. F. syringotome. See Syringotomy.] (Surg. & Anat.) A small blunt-pointed bistoury, — used in syringotomy.
Syrphian
Syr´phi•an, a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the syrphus flies. — n. (Zoöl.) A syrphus fly.
Syrt, n. [L. syrtis a sand bank in the sea, Gr. : cf. F. syrte.] A quicksand; a bog. [R.] Young.
Syrtic
Syr´tic, a. Of or pertaining to a syrt; resembling syrt, or quicksand. [R.] Ed. Rev.
Syrtis
Syr´tis, n. ; pl. Syrtes (#). [See Syrt.] A quicksand.
"Quenched in a boggy syrtis, neither sea
Nor good dry land." Milton. { Syr´up, n. , Syr´up•y }, a. [See Sirup.] Same as Sirup, Sirupy.
Systaltic
Sys•tal´tic, a. [L. systalticus drawing together, Gr., from to draw together. Cf. Sustaltic, Systole.] (Physiol.) Capable of, or taking place by, alternate contraction and dilatation; as the systaltic action of the heart.
Systasis
Sys´ta•sis, n. [NL., fr. Gr., fr. to stand together. See under System.] A political union, confederation, or league. [R.] Burke.
System
Sys´tem, n. [L. systema, Gr., fr. to place together; sy•n with + to place: cf. F. système. See Stand.]
1. An assemblage of objects arranged in regular subordination, or after some distinct method, usually logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related by some common law, principle, or end; a complete exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a rational dependence or connection; a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing; as a system of philosophy; a system of government; a system of divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military system; the solar system.
"The best way to learn any science, is to begin with a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of that science well drawn up into a narrow compass." I. Watts.
2. Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe. "The great system of the world." Boyle.
3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as to have a system in one’s business.
4. (Mus.) The collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n.
5. (Biol.) An assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal or plant, essential to the performance of some particular function or functions which as a rule are of greater complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity.
6. (Zoöl.) One of the stellate or irregular clusters of intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many compound ascidians. Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under Block, Conservative, etc. { Sys•tem•at´ic, Sys•tem•at´ic•al } a. [Gr. : cf. F. systematique.]
1. Of or pertaining to system; consisting in system; methodical; formed with regular connection and adaptation or subordination of parts to each other, and to the design of the whole; as a systematic arrangement of plants or animals; a systematic course of study.
"Now we deal much in essays, and unreasonably despise systematical learning; whereas our fathers had a just value for regularity and systems." I. Watts.
"A representation of phenomena, in order to answer the purposes of science, must be systematic." Whewell.
2. Proceeding according to system, or regular method; as a systematic writer; systematic benevolence.
3. Pertaining to the system of the world; cosmical.
"These ends may be called cosmical, or systematical." Boyle.
4. (Med.) Affecting successively the different parts of the system or set of nervous fibres; as systematic degeneration. Systematic theology. See under Theology.
Systematically
Sys•tem•at´ic•al•ly, adv. In a systematic manner; methodically.
Systematism
Sys´tem•a•tism, n. The reduction of facts or principles to a system. Dunglison.
Systematize
Sys´tem•a•tize, v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Systematized p. pr. & vb. n. Systematizing ] [Cf. F. systematiser. Cf. Systemize.] To reduce to system or regular method; to arrange methodically; to methodize; as to systematize a collection of plants or minerals; to systematize one’s work; to systematize one’s ideas.
"Diseases were healed, and buildings erected, before medicine and architecture were systematized into arts." Harris.
Systemic
Sys•tem´ic, a.
1. Of or relating to a system; common to a system; as the systemic circulation of the blood.
2. (Anat. & Physiol.) Of or pertaining to the general system, or the body as a whole; as systemic death, in distinction from local death; systemic circulation, in distinction from pulmonic circulation; systemic diseases. Systemic death. See the Note under Death, n. , 1.
Systemization
Sys•tem•i•za´tion, n. The act or process of systematizing; systematization.
Systemize
Sys´tem•ize (sis"tem•iz), v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Systemized (- izd); p. pr. & vb. n. Systemizing (- i•zing).] [Cf. Systematize.] To reduce to system; to systematize.
Systyle
Sys´tyle, a. [L. systylos, Gr. sy•n with columns standing close; sy•n with + a column: cf. F. systyle.] (Arch.) Having a space equal to two diameters or four modules between two columns; — said of a portico or building. See Intercolumniation. — n. A systyle temple or other edifice. { Syth, Sythe }, prep., adv., conj. & n. See Sith, Sithe. [Obs.] Chaucer. Piers Plowman.
Syzygy
Syz´y•gy (siz"i•jy), n. ; pl. Syzygies (- jiz). [L. syzygia a joining together, conjunction, Gr. syzygi•a; sy•n with + zeygny•nai to join, zygo•n yoke: cf. F. syzygie. See Yoke, n. ]
1. (Astron.) The point of an orbit, as of the moon or a planet, at which it is in conjunction or opposition; — commonly used in the plural.
2. (Gr. & L. Pros.) The coupling together of different feet; as in Greek verse, an iambic syzygy.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of the segments of an arm of a crinoid composed of two joints so closely united that the line of union is obliterated on the outer, though visible on the inner, side. (b) The immovable union of two joints of a crinoidal arm. Line of syzygies (Astron.), the straight line connecting the earth, the sun, and the moon or a planet, when the latter is in conjunction or opposition; — used chiefly of the moon.