Sn. (also s) (pl. Ss or S's) 1 the nineteenth letter of the alphabet. 2 an S-shaped object or curve. abbr. (also S.) 1 Saint. 2 siemens. 3 Society. 4 South, Southern. symb. Chem. the element sulphur. s.abbr. 1 second(s). 2 shilling(s). 3 singular. 4 son. 5 succeeded. [sense 2 orig. f. L solidus: see SOLIDUS] 'sabbr. 1 is, has (he's; it's; John's; Charles's). 2 us (let's). 3 colloq. does (what's he say?). -sways, bags suffix denoting the plurals of nouns (cf. -ES). [OE -as pl. ending] ties, begs suffix forming the 3rd person sing. present of verbs (cf. -ES). [OE dial., prob. f. OE 2nd person sing. present ending -es, -as] besides suffix 1 forming adverbs (afterwards; besides). 2 forming possessive pronouns (hers; ours). [formed as -'S] suffix forming nicknames or pet names (Fats; ducks). [after -S] -s'suffix denoting the possessive case of plural nouns and sometimes of singular nouns ending in s (the boys' shoes; Charles' book). [as -'S] 's-prefix archaic (esp. in oaths) God's ('sblood; 'struth). [abbr.] -'ssuffix denoting the possessive case of singular nouns and of plural nouns not ending in -s (John's book; the book's cover; the children's shoes). [OE genit. sing. ending] suffix denoting the plural of a letter or symbol (S's; 8's). [as -S] SAabbr. 1 Salvation Army. 2 sex appeal. 3 a South Africa. b South America. c South Australia. 4 hist. Sturmabteilung (the paramilitary force of the Nazi party). sabadillan. 1 a Mexican plant, Schoenocaulon officinale, with seeds yielding veratrine. 2 a preparation of these seeds, used in medicine and agriculture. [Sp. cebadilla dimin. of cebada barley] Sabaothn.pl. Bibl. heavenly hosts (see HOST 2) (Lord of Sabaoth). [ME f. LL f. Gk Sabaoth f. Heb. sebaot pl. of sab host (of heaven)] Sabbatarian n. & adj. --n. 1 a strict sabbath-keeping Jew. 2 a Christian who favours observing Sunday strictly as the sabbath. 3 a Christian who observes Saturday as the sabbath. --adj. relating to or holding the tenets of Sabbatarians. Sabbatarianism n. [LL sabbatarius f. L sabbatum: see SABBATH] sabbathn. 1 (in full sabbath day) a day of rest and religious observance kept by Christians on Sunday, Jews on Saturday, and Muslims on Friday. 2 a period of rest. 3 (in full witches' sabbath) a supposed general midnight meeting of witches with the Devil. [OE sabat, L sabbatum, & OF sabbat, f. Gk sabbaton f. Heb. sabbat f. sabat to rest] sabbatical adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or appropriate to the sabbath. 2 (of leave) granted at intervals to a university teacher for study or travel, orig. every seventh year. --n. a period of sabbatical leave. sabbatical year 1 Bibl. every seventh year, prescribed by the Mosaic law to be observed as a 'sabbath', during which the land was allowed to rest. 2 a year's sabbatical leave. sabbatically adv. [LL sabbaticus f. Gk sabbatikos of the sabbath] saberUS var. of SABRE. Sabianadj. & n. --adj. of a sect classed in the Koran with Muslims, Jews, and Christians, as believers in the true God. --n. a member of this sect. [Arab. sabi'] sabicun. 1 a W. Indian tree, Lysiloma latisiliqua, grown for timber. 2 the mahogany-like wood of this tree. [Cuban Sp. sabic] Sabineadj. & n. --adj. of or relating to a people of the central Apennines in ancient Italy. --n. a member of this people. [L Sabinus] Sabin vaccine n. an oral vaccine giving immunity against poliomyelitis. [A. B. Sabin, US virologist b. 1906] sablen. 1 a a small brown-furred flesh-eating mammal, Martes zibellina, of N. Europe and parts of N. Asia, related to the marten. b its skin or fur. 2 a fine paintbrush made of sable fur. [ME f. OF f. med.L sabelum f. Slav.] n. & adj. --n. 1 esp. poet. black. 2 (in pl.) mourning garments. 3 (in full sable antelope) a large stout-horned African antelope, Hippotragus niger, the males of which are mostly black in old age. --adj. 1 (usu. placed after noun) Heraldry black. 2 esp. poet. dark, gloomy. sabled adj. sably adv. [ME f. OF (in Heraldry): gen. taken to be identical with SABLE, although sable fur is dark brown] sabotn. 1 a kind of simple shoe hollowed out from a block of wood. 2 a wooden-soled shoe. 3 Austral. a small snub-nosed yacht. saboted adj. [F, blend of savate shoe + botte boot] sabotagen. & v. --n. deliberate damage to productive capacity, esp. as a political act. --v.tr. 1 commit sabotage on. 2 destroy, spoil; make useless (sabotaged my plans). [F f. saboter make a noise with sabots, bungle, wilfully destroy: see SABOT] saboteurn. a person who commits sabotage. [F] sabran. a Jew born in Israel. [mod. Heb. sabrah opuntia fruit] sabren. & v. (US saber) --n. 1 a cavalry sword with a curved blade. 2 a cavalry soldier and horse. 3 a light fencing-sword with a tapering blade. --v.tr. cut down or wound with a sabre. sabre-bill any S. American bird of the genus Campylorhamphus with a long curved bill. sabre-cut 1 a blow with a sabre. 2 a wound made or a scar left by this. sabre-rattling a display or threat of military force. sabre-toothed designating any of various extinct mammals having long sabre-shaped upper canines. sabre-wing a S. American humming-bird, Campylopterus falcatus, with curved wings. [F, earlier sable f. G Sabel, Sabel, Schabel f. Pol. szabla or Magyar szablya] sabretache n. a flat satchel on long straps worn by some cavalry officers from the left of the waist-belt. [F f. G Sabeltasche (as SABRE, Tasche pocket)] sabreurn. a user of the sabre, esp. a cavalryman. [F f. sabrer SABRE v.] SACabbr. (in the UK) Senior Aircraftman. sacn. 1 a baglike cavity, enclosed by a membrane, in an animal or plant. 2 the distended membrane surrounding a hernia, cyst, tumour, etc. [F sac or L saccus SACK] saccaden. a brief rapid movement of the eye between fixation points. saccadic adj. [F, = violent pull, f. OF saquer, sachier pull] saccateadj. Bot. 1 dilated into a bag. 2 contained in a sac. saccharide n. Chem. = SUGAR 2. [mod.L saccharum sugar + -IDE] saccharimeter n. any instrument, esp. a polarimeter, for measuring the sugar content of a solution. [F saccharimtre (as SACCHARIDE)] saccharinn. a very sweet substance used as a non-fattening substitute for sugar. [G (as SACCHARIDE) + -IN] saccharine adj. 1 sugary. 2 of, containing, or like sugar. 3 unpleasantly over-polite, sentimental, etc. saccharo-comb. form sugar; sugar and. [Gk sakkharon sugar] saccharogenic adj. producing sugar. saccharometer n. any instrument, esp. a hydrometer, for measuring the sugar content of a solution. saccharose n. sucrose. [mod.L saccharum sugar + -OSE] sacciformadj. sac-shaped. [L saccus sac + -FORM] sacculen. a small sac or cyst. saccular adj. [L sacculus (as SAC)] sacerdotal adj. 1 of priests or the priestly office; priestly. 2 (of a doctrine etc.) ascribing sacrificial functions and supernatural powers to ordained priests; claiming excessive authority for the priesthood. sacerdotalism n. sacerdotalist n. sacerdotally adv. [ME f. OF sacerdotal or L sacerdotalis f. sacerdos -dotis priest] sachemn. 1 the supreme chief of some American Indian tribes. 2 US a political leader. [Narraganset, = SAGAMORE] sachetn. 1 a small bag or packet containing a small portion of a substance, esp. shampoo. 2 a small perfumed bag. 3 a dry perfume for laying among clothes etc. b a packet of this. [F, dimin. of sac f. L saccus] sackn. & v. --n. 1 a a large strong bag, usu. made of hessian, paper, or plastic, for storing or conveying goods. b (usu. foll. by of) this with its contents (a sack of potatoes). c a quantity contained in a sack. 2 (prec. by the) colloq. dismissal from employment. 3 (prec. by the) US sl. bed. 4 a a woman's short loose dress with a sacklike appearance. b archaic or hist. a woman's loose gown, or a silk train attached to the shoulders of this. 5 a man's or woman's loose-hanging coat not shaped to the back. --v.tr. 1 put into a sack or sacks. 2 colloq. dismiss from employment. sack race a race between competitors in sacks up to the waist or neck. sackful n. (pl. -fuls). sacklike adj. [OE sacc f. L saccus f. Gk sakkos, of Semitic orig.] v. & n. --v.tr. 1 plunder and destroy (a captured town etc.). 2 steal valuables from (a place). --n. the sacking of a captured place. [orig. as noun, f. F sac in phr. mettre sac put to sack, f. It. sacco SACK] n. hist. a white wine formerly imported into Britain from Spain and the Canaries (sherry sack). [16th-c. wyne seck, f. F vin sec dry wine] sackbutn. an early form of trombone. [F saquebute, earlier saqueboute hook for pulling a man off a horse f. saquer pull, boute (as BUTT)] sackclothn. 1 a coarse fabric of flax or hemp. 2 clothing made of this, formerly worn as a penance or in mourning (esp. sackcloth and ashes). sackingn. material for making sacks; sackcloth. sacrapl. of SACRUM. sacraladj. 1 Anat. of or relating to the sacrum. 2 Anthropol. of or for sacred rites. [E or L sacrum: see SACRUM] sacramentn. 1 a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Churches regarded as an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace: applied by the Eastern, pre-Reformation Western, and Roman Catholic Churches to the seven rites of baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, ordination, and matrimony, but restricted by most Protestants to baptism and the Eucharist. 2 a thing of mysterious and sacred significance; a sacred influence, symbol, etc. 3 (also Blessed or Holy Sacrament) (prec. by the) a the Eucharist. b the consecrated elements, esp. the bread or Host. 4 an oath or solemn engagement taken. [ME f. OF sacrement f. L sacramentum solemn oath etc. f. sacrare hallow f. sacer SACRED, used in Christian L as transl. of Gk musterion MYSTERY] sacramental adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or of the nature of a sacrament or the sacrament. 2 (of a doctrine etc.) attaching great importance to the sacraments. --n. an observance analogous to but not reckoned among the sacraments, e.g. the use of holy water or the sign of the cross. sacramentalism n. sacramentalist n. sacramentality n. sacramentally adv. [ME f. F sacramental or LL sacramentalis (as SACRAMENT)] sacrariumn. (pl. sacraria) 1 the sanctuary of a church. 2 RC Ch. a piscina. 3 Rom. Antiq. a shrine; the room (in a house) containing the penates. [L f. sacer sacri holy] sacredadj. 1 a (often foll. by to) exclusively dedicated or appropriated (to a god or to some religious purpose). b made holy by religious association. c connected with religion; used for a religious purpose (sacred music). 2 a safeguarded or required by religion, reverence, or tradition. b sacrosanct. 3 (of writings etc.) embodying the laws or doctrines of a religion. Sacred College RC Ch. the body of cardinals. sacred cow colloq. an idea or institution unreasonably held to be above criticism (with ref. to the Hindus' respect for the cow as a holy animal). Sacred Heart RC Ch. the heart of Christ as an object of devotion. sacred number a number associated with religious symbolism, e.g. 7. sacredly adv. sacredness n. [ME, past part. of obs. sacre consecrate f. OF sacrer f. L sacrare f. sacer sacri holy] sacrificen. & v. --n. 1 a the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else more important or worthy. b a thing given up in this way. c the loss entailed in this. 2 a the slaughter of an animal or person or the surrender of a possession as an offering to a deity. b an animal, person, or thing offered in this way. 3 an act of prayer, thanksgiving, or penitence as propitiation. 4 Theol. a Christ's offering of himself in the Crucifixion. b the Eucharist as either a propitiatory offering of the body and blood of Christ or an act of thanksgiving. 5 (in games) a loss incurred deliberately to avoid a greater loss or to obtain a compensating advantage. --v. 1 tr. give up (a thing) as a sacrifice. 2 tr. (foll. by to) devote or give over to. 3 tr. (also absol.) offer or kill as a sacrifice. sacrificial adj. sacrificially adv. [ME f. OF f. L sacrificium f. sacrificus (as SACRED)] sacrilegen. the violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. sacrilegious adj. sacrilegiously adv. [ME f. OF f. L sacrilegium f. sacrilegus stealer of sacred things, f. sacer sacri sacred + legere take possession of] sacringn. archaic 1 the consecration of the Eucharistic elements. 2 the ordination and consecration of a bishop, sovereign, etc. sacring bell a bell rung at the elevation of the elements in the Eucharist. [ME f. obs. sacre: see SACRED] sacristann. 1 a person in charge of a sacristy and its contents. 2 archaic the sexton of a parish church. [ME f. med.L sacristanus (as SACRED)] sacristyn. (pl. -ies) a room in a church, where the vestments, sacred vessels, etc., are kept and the celebrant can prepare for a service. [F sacristie or It. sacrestia or med.L sacristia (as SACRED)] sacro-comb. form denoting the sacrum (sacro-iliac). sacrosanct adj. (of a person, place, law, etc.) most sacred; inviolable. sacrosanctity n. [L sacrosanctus f. sacro ablat. of sacrum sacred rite (see SACRED) + sanctus (as SAINT)] sacrumn. (pl. sacra or sacrums) Anat. a triangular bone formed from fused vertebrae and situated between the two hip-bones of the pelvis. [L os sacrum transl. Gk hieron osteon sacred bone (from its sacrificial use)] SACWabbr. (in the UK) Senior Aircraftwoman. SADabbr. seasonal affective disorder. sadadj. (sadder, saddest) 1 unhappy; feeling sorrow or regret. 2 causing or suggesting sorrow (a sad story). 3 regrettable. 4 shameful, deplorable (is in a sad state). 5 (of a colour) dull, neutral-tinted. 6 (of dough etc.) heavy, having failed to rise. sad-iron a solid flat-iron. sad sack US colloq. a very inept person. saddish adj. sadly adv. sadness n. [OE sd f. Gmc, rel. to L satis] saddenv.tr. & intr. make or become sad. saddlen. & v. --n. 1 a seat of leather etc., usu. raised at the front and rear, fastened on a horse etc. for riding. 2 a seat for the rider of a bicycle etc. 3 a joint of meat consisting of the two loins. 4 a ridge rising to a summit at each end. 5 the part of a draught-horse's harness to which the shafts are attached. 6 a part of an animal's back resembling a saddle in shape or marking. 7 the rear part of a male fowl's back. 8 a support for a cable or wire on top of a suspension-bridge, pier, or telegraph-pole. 9 a fireclay bar for supporting ceramic ware in a kiln. --v.tr. 1 put a saddle on (a horse etc.). 2 a (foll. by with) burden (a person) with a task, responsibility, etc. b (foll. by on, upon) impose (a burden) on a person. 3 (of a trainer) enter (a horse) for a race. in the saddle 1 mounted. 2 in office or control. saddle-bag 1 each of a pair of bags laid across a horse etc. behind the saddle. 2 a bag attached behind the saddle of a bicycle or motor cycle. saddle-bow the arched front or rear of a saddle. saddle-cloth a cloth laid on a horse's back under the saddle. saddle-horse a horse for riding. saddle-sore chafed by riding on a saddle. saddle stitch a stitch of thread or a wire staple passed through the centre of a magazine or booklet. saddle-tree 1 the frame of a saddle. 2 a tulip-tree (with saddle-shaped leaves). saddleless adj. [OE sadol, sadul f. Gmc] saddleback n. 1 Archit. a tower-roof with two opposite gables. 2 a hill with a concave upper outline. 3 a black pig with a white stripe across the back. 4 any of various birds with a saddle-like marking esp. a New Zealand bird, Philesturnus carunculatus. saddlebacked adj. saddlern. a maker of or dealer in saddles and other equipment for horses. saddleryn. (pl. -ies) 1 the saddles and other equipment of a saddler. 2 a saddler's business or premises. Sadduceen. a member of a Jewish sect or party of the time of Christ that denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of spirits, and the obligation of the traditional oral law (cf. PHARISEE, ESSENE). Sadducean adj. [OE sadduceas f. LL Sadducaeus f. Gk Saddoukaios f. Heb. sedk, prob. = descendant of Zadok (2 Sam. 8:17)] sadhun. (in India) a holy man, sage, or ascetic. [Skr., = holy man] sadismn. 1 a form of sexual perversion characterized by the enjoyment of inflicting pain or suffering on others (cf. MASOCHISM). 2 colloq. the enjoyment of cruelty to others. sadist n. sadistic adj. sadistically adv. [F sadisme f. Count or 'Marquis' de Sade, Fr. writer d. 1814] sado-masochism n. the combination of sadism and masochism in one person. sado-masochist n. sado-masochistic adj. s.a.e.abbr. stamped addressed envelope. safarin. (pl. safaris) 1 a hunting or scientific expedition, esp. in E. Africa (go on safari). 2 a sightseeing trip to see African animals in their natural habitat. safari park an enclosed area where lions etc. are kept in relatively open spaces for public viewing from vehicles driven through. safari suit a lightweight suit usu. with short sleeves and four pleated pockets in the jacket. [Swahili f. Arab. safara to travel] safeadj. & n. --adj. 1 a free of danger or injury. b (often foll. by from) out of or not exposed to danger (safe from their enemies). 2 affording security or not involving danger or risk (put it in a safe place). 3 reliable, certain; that can be reckoned on (a safe catch; a safe method; is safe to win). 4 prevented from escaping or doing harm (have got him safe). 5 (also safe and sound) uninjured; with no harm done. 6 cautious and unenterprising; consistently moderate. --n. 1 a strong lockable cabinet etc. for valuables. 2 = meat safe. on the safe side with a margin of security against risks. safe bet a bet that is certain to succeed. safe-breaker (or -blower or -cracker) a person who breaks open and robs safes. safe conduct 1 a privilege of immunity from arrest or harm, esp. on a particular occasion. 2 a document securing this. safe deposit a building containing strongrooms and safes let separately. safe house a place of refuge or rendezvous for spies etc. safe keeping preservation in a safe place. safe light Photog. a filtered light for use in a darkroom. safe period the time during and near the menstrual period when conception is least likely. safe seat a seat in Parliament etc. that is usually won with a large margin by a particular party. safe sex sexual activity in which precautions are taken to reduce the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases, esp. Aids. safely adv. safeness n. [ME f. AF saf, OF sauf f. L salvus uninjured: (n.) orig. save f. SAVE] safeguardn. & v. --n. 1 a proviso, stipulation, quality, or circumstance, that tends to prevent something undesirable. 2 a safe conduct. --v.tr. guard or protect (rights etc.) by a precaution or stipulation. [ME f. AF salve garde, OF sauve garde (as SAFE, GUARD)] safetyn. (pl. -ies) 1 the condition of being safe; freedom from danger or risks. 2 (attrib.) a designating any of various devices for preventing injury from machinery (safety bar; safety lock). b designating items of protective clothing (safety helmet). safety-belt 1 = seat-belt. 2 a belt or strap securing a person to prevent injury. safety-catch a contrivance for locking a gun-trigger or preventing the accidental operation of machinery. safety curtain a fireproof curtain that can be lowered to cut off the auditorium in a theatre from the stage. safety factor (or factor of safety) 1 the ratio of a material's strength to an expected strain. 2 a margin of security against risks. safety film a cinematographic film on a slow-burning or non-flammable base. safety first a motto advising caution. safety fuse 1 a fuse (see FUSE) containing a slow-burning composition for firing detonators from a distance. 2 Electr. a protective fuse (see FUSE). safety glass glass that will not splinter when broken. safety harness a system of belts or restraints to hold a person to prevent falling or injury. safety lamp a miner's lamp so protected as not to ignite firedamp. safety match a match igniting only on a specially prepared surface. safety net a net placed to catch an acrobat etc. in case of a fall. safety pin a pin with a point that is bent back to the head and is held in a guard when closed. safety razor a razor with a guard to reduce the risk of cutting the skin. safety-valve 1 (in a steam boiler) a valve opening automatically to relieve excessive pressure. 2 a means of giving harmless vent to excitement etc. safety zone US an area of a road marked off for pedestrians etc. to wait safely. [ME sauvete f. OF sauvet f. med.L salvitas -tatis f. L salvus (as SAFE)] safflowern. 1 a a thistle-like plant, Carthamus tinctorius, yielding a red dye. b its dried petals. 2 a dye made from these, used in rouge etc. [Du. saffloer or G Safflor f. OF saffleur f. obs. It. saffiore, of unkn. orig.] saffronn. & adj. --n. 1 an orange flavouring and food colouring made from the dried stigmas of the crocus, Crocus sativus. 2 the colour of this. 3 = meadow saffron. --adj. saffron-coloured. saffrony adj. [ME f. OF safran f. Arab. za' faran] safraninen. (also safranin) any of a large group of mainly red dyes used in biological staining etc. [F safranine (as SAFFRON): orig. of dye from saffron] sagv. & n. --v.intr. (sagged, sagging) 1 sink or subside under weight or pressure, esp. unevenly. 2 have a downward bulge or curve in the middle. 3 fall in price. 4 (of a ship) drift from its course, esp. to leeward. --n. 1 a the amount that a rope etc. sags. b the distance from the middle of its curve to a straight line between its supports. 2 a sinking condition; subsidence. 3 a fall in price. 4 Naut. a tendency to leeward. saggy adj. [ME f. MLG sacken, Du. zakken subside] sagan. 1 a long story of heroic achievement, esp. a medieval Icelandic or Norwegian prose narrative. 2 a series of connected books giving the history of a family etc. 3 a long involved story. [ON, = narrative, rel. to SAW] sagaciousadj. 1 mentally penetrating; gifted with discernment; having practical wisdom. 2 acute-minded, shrewd. 3 (of a saying, plan, etc.) showing wisdom. 4 (of an animal) exceptionally intelligent; seeming to reason or deliberate. sagaciously adv. sagacity n. [L sagax sagacis] sagamoren. = SACHEM 1. [Penobscot sagamo] sagen. 1 an aromatic herb, Salvia officinalis, with dull greyish-green leaves. 2 its leaves used in cookery. sage and onion (or onions) a stuffing used with poultry, pork, etc. sage Derby (or cheese) a cheese made with an infusion of sage which flavours and mottles it. sage-green the colour of sage-leaves. sage tea a medicinal infusion of sage-leaves. sagy adj. [ME f. OF sauge f. L salvia healing plant f. salvus safe] n. & adj. --n. 1 often iron. a profoundly wise man. 2 any of the ancients traditionally regarded as the wisest of their time. --adj. 1 profoundly wise, esp. from experience. 2 of or indicating profound wisdom. 3 often iron. wise-looking; solemn-faced. sagely adv. sageness n. sageship n. [ME f. OF ult. f. L sapere be wise] sagebrushn. 1 a growth of shrubby aromatic plants of the genus Artemisia, esp. A. tridentata, found in some semi-arid regions of western N. America. 2 this plant. saggarn. (also sagger) a protective fireclay box enclosing ceramic ware while it is being fired. [prob. contr. of SAFEGUARD] sagittaladj. Anat. 1 of or relating to the suture between the parietal bones of the skull. 2 in the same plane as this, or in a parallel plane. [F f. med.L sagittalis f. sagitta arrow] Sagittarius n. 1 a constellation, traditionally regarded as contained in the figure of an archer. 2 a the ninth sign of the zodiac (the Archer). b a person born when the sun is in this sign. Sagittarian adj. & n. [ME f. L, = archer, f. sagitta arrow] sagittateadj. Bot. & Zool. shaped like an arrowhead. sagon. (pl. -os) 1 a kind of starch, made from the powdered pith of the sago palm and used in puddings etc. 2 (in full sago palm) any of several tropical palms and cycads, esp. Cycas circinalis and Metroxylon sagu, from which sago is made. [Malay sagu (orig. through Port.)] saguaron. (also sahuaro) (pl. -os) a giant cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, of the SW United States and Mexico. [Mex. Sp.] sahibn. 1 hist. (in India) a form of address, often placed after the name, to European men. 2 colloq. a gentleman (pukka sahib). [Urdu f. Arab. sahib friend, lord] saidpast and past part. of SAY. saigan. an antelope, Saiga tatarica, of the Asian steppes. [Russ.] sailn. & v. --n. 1 a piece of material (orig. canvas, now usu. nylon etc.) extended on rigging to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship. 2 a ship's sails collectively. 3 a a voyage or excursion in a sailing-ship. b a voyage of specified duration. 4 a ship, esp. as discerned from its sails. 5 (collect.) ships in a squadron or company (a fleet of twenty sail). 6 (in pl.) Naut. a sl. a maker or repairer of sails. b hist. a chief petty officer in charge of rigging. 7 a wind-catching apparatus, usu. a set of boards, attached to the arm of a windmill. 8 a the dorsal fin of a sailfish. b the tentacle of a nautilus. c the float of a Portuguese man-of-war. --v. 1 intr. travel on water by the use of sails or engine-power. 2 tr. a navigate (a ship etc.). b travel on (a sea). 3 tr. set (a toy boat) afloat. 4 intr. glide or move smoothly or in a stately manner. 5 intr. (often foll. by through) colloq. succeed easily (sailed through the exams). sail-arm the arm of a windmill. sail close to (or near) the wind 1 sail as nearly against the wind as possible. 2 come close to indecency or dishonesty; risk overstepping the mark. sail-fluke = MEGRIM. sailing-boat (or -ship or -vessel) a vessel driven by sails. sailing-master an officer navigating a ship, esp. Brit. a yacht. sailing orders instructions to a captain regarding departure, destination, etc. sail into colloq. attack physically or verbally with force. take in sail 1 furl the sail or sails of a vessel. 2 moderate one's ambitions. under sail with sails set. sailable adj. sailed adj. (also in comb.). sailless adj. [OE segel f. Gmc] sailboardn. a board with a mast and sail, used in windsurfing. sailboarder n. sailboarding n. sailboatn. US a boat driven by sails. sailclothn. 1 canvas for sails. 2 a canvas-like dress material. sailern. a ship of specified sailing-power (a good sailer). sailfishn. 1 any fish of the genus Istiophorus, with a large dorsal fin. 2 a basking shark. sailorn. 1 a seaman or mariner, esp. one below the rank of officer. 2 a person considered as liable or not liable to seasickness (a good sailor). sailor hat 1 a straw hat with a straight narrow brim and flat top. 2 a hat with a turned-up brim in imitation of a sailor's, worn by women and children. sailoring n. sailorless adj. sailorly adj. [var. of SAILER] sailplanen. a glider designed for sustained flight. sainfoinn. a leguminous plant, Onobrychis viciifolia, grown for fodder and having pink flowers. [obs. F saintfoin f. mod.L sanum foenum wholesome hay (because of its medicinal properties)] saintn. & v. --n. (abbr. St or S; pl. Sts or SS) 1 a holy or (in some Churches) a canonized person regarded as having a place in heaven. 2 (Saint or St) the title of a saint or archangel, hence the name of a church etc. (St Paul's) or (often with the loss of the apostrophe) the name of a town etc. (St Andrews; St Albans). 3 a very virtuous person; a person of great real or affected holiness (would try the patience of a saint). 4 a member of the company of heaven (with all the angels and saints). 5 ( Bibl., archaic, and used by Puritans, Mormons, etc.) one of God's chosen people; a member of the Christian Church or one's own branch of it. --v.tr. 1 canonize; admit to the calendar of saints. 2 call or regard as a saint. 3 (as sainted adj.) sacred; of a saintly life; worthy to be regarded as a saint. my sainted aunt see AUNT. saint's day a Church festival in memory of a saint . saintdom n. sainthood n. saintlike adj. saintling n. saintship n. [ME f. OF seint, saint f. L sanctus holy, past part. of sancire consecrate] St Andrew's cross n. an X-shaped cross. St Anthony cross n. (also St Anthony's cross) a T-shaped cross. St Anthony's fire n. erysipelas or ergotism. St Bernard n. (in full St Bernard dog) 1 a very large dog of a breed orig. kept to rescue travellers by the monks of the Hospice on the Great St Bernard pass in the Alps. 2 this breed. St Elmo'sfire n. a corposant. St George's cross n. a +-shaped cross, red on a white background. St John'swort n. any yellow-flowered plant of the genus Hypericum, esp. H. androsaemum. St Legern. a horse-race at Doncaster in England for three-year-olds. [f. the founder's name] St Luke'ssummer n. Brit. a period of fine weather expected about 18 Oct. saintlyadj. (saintlier, saintliest) very holy or virtuous. saintliness n. St Martin's summer n. Brit. a period of fine weather expected about 11 Nov. saintpaulia n. any plant of the genus Saintpaulia, esp. the African violet. [Baron W. von Saint Paul, Ger. soldier d. 1910, its discoverer] St Vitus's dance n. = Sydenham's chorea (see CHOREA). saitharchaic 3rd sing. present of SAY. saithen. Sc. a codlike fish, Pollachius virens, with skin that soils fingers like wet coal. Also called COALFISH, COLEY, POLLACK. [ON seithr] saken. (esp. for the sake of or for one's sake) 1 out of consideration for; in the interest of; because of; owing to (for my own sake as well as yours). 2 in order to please, honour, get, or keep (for the sake of uniformity). for Christ's (or God's or goodness' or Heaven's or Pete's etc.) sake an expression of urgency, impatience, supplication, anger, etc. for old times' sake in memory of former times. [OE sacu contention, charge, fault, sake f. Gmc] n. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice. [Jap.] sakern. 1 a large falcon, Falco cherrug, used in hawking, esp. the larger female bird. 2 hist. an old form of cannon. [ME f. OF sacre (in both senses), f. Arab. sakr] sakin. (pl. sakis) any monkey of the genus Pithecia or Chiropotes, native to S. America, having coarse fur and a long non-prehensile tail. [F f. Tupi ahy] Saktan. a member of a Hindu sect worshipping the Sakti. [Skr. sakta relating to power or to the SAKTI] Saktin. (also sakti) (in Hinduism) the female principle, esp. when personified as the wife of a god. [Skr. sakti power, divine energy] saln. a N. Indian tree, Shorea robusta, yielding teaklike timber and dammar resin. [Hindi sal] salaamn. & v. --n. 1 the oriental salutation 'Peace'. 2 an Indian obeisance, with or without the salutation, consisting of a low bow of the head and body with the right palm on the forehead. 3 (in pl.) respectful compliments. --v. 1 tr. make a salaam to (a person). 2 intr. make a salaam . [Arab. salam] salablevar. of SALEABLE. salaciousadj. 1 lustful; lecherous. 2 (of writings, pictures, talk, etc.) tending to cause sexual desire. salaciously adv. salaciousness n. salacity n. [L salax salacis f. salire leap] saladn. 1 a cold dish of various mixtures of raw or cooked vegetables or herbs, usu. seasoned with oil, vinegar, etc. 2 a vegetable or herb suitable for eating raw. salad cream creamy salad-dressing. salad days a period of youthful inexperience. salad-dressing a mixture of oil, vinegar, etc., used with salad. [ME f. OF salade f. Prov. salada ult. f. L sal salt] saladevar. of SALLET. salamander n. 1 Zool. any tailed newtlike amphibian of the order Urodela, esp. the genus Salamandra, once thought able to endure fire. 2 a mythical lizard-like creature credited with this property. 3 US = GOPHER 1. 4 an elemental spirit living in fire. 5 a red-hot iron used for lighting pipes, gunpowder, etc. 6 a metal plate heated and placed over food to brown it. salamandrian adj. salamandrine adj. salamandroid adj. & n. (in sense 1). [ME f. OF salamandre f. L salamandra f. Gk salamandra] salamin. (pl. salamis) a highly-seasoned orig. Italian sausage often flavoured with garlic. [It., pl. of salame, f. LL salare (unrecorded) to salt] sal ammoniac n. ammonium chloride, a white crystalline salt. [L sal ammoniacus 'salt of Ammon', associated with the Roman temple of Ammon in N. Africa] salariatn. the salaried class. [F f. salaire (see SALARY), after proltariat] salaryn. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) a fixed regular payment, usu. monthly or quarterly, made by an employer to an employee, esp. a professional or white-collar worker (cf. WAGE n. 1). --v.tr. (-ies, -ied) (usu. as salaried adj.) pay a salary to. [ME f. AF salarie, OF salaire f. L salarium orig. soldier's salt-money f. sal salt] salen. 1 the exchange of a commodity for money etc.; an act or instance of selling. 2 the amount sold (the sales were enormous). 3 the rapid disposal of goods at reduced prices for a period esp. at the end of a season etc. 4 a an event at which goods are sold. b a public auction. on (or for) sale offered for purchase. sale of work an event where goods made by parishioners etc. are sold for charity. sale or return an arrangement by which a purchaser takes a quantity of goods with the right of returning surplus goods without payment. sale-ring a circle of buyers at an auction. sales clerk US a salesman or saleswoman in a shop. sales department etc. the section of a firm concerned with selling as opposed to manufacturing or dispatching goods. sales engineer a salesperson with technical knowledge of the goods and their market. sales resistance the opposition or apathy of a prospective customer etc. to be overcome by salesmanship. sales talk persuasive talk to promote the sale of goods or the acceptance of an idea etc. sales tax a tax on sales or on the receipts from sales. [OE sala f. ON] saleableadj. (also salable) fit to be sold; finding purchasers. saleability n. salepn. a starchy preparation of the dried tubers of various orchids, used in cookery and formerly medicinally. [F f. Turk. salep f. Arab. (kusa-' l-) ta' lab fox, fox's testicles] saleratusn. US an ingredient of baking powder consisting mainly of potassium or sodium bicarbonate. [mod.L sal aeratus aerated salt] saleroomn. esp. Brit. a room in which items are sold at auction. salesgirln. a saleswoman. Salesiann. & adj. --n. a member of an educational religious order within the RC Church. --adj. of or relating to this order. [St Franois de Sales, Fr. RC bishop d. 1622] salesladyn. (pl. -ies) a saleswoman. salesmann. (pl. -men; fem. saleswoman, pl. -women) 1 a person employed to sell goods in a shop, or as an agent between the producer and retailer. 2 US a commercial traveller. salesmanship n. 1 skill in selling. 2 the techniques used in selling. salesperson n. a salesman or saleswoman (used as a neutral alternative). salesroomn. US = SALEROOM. Salianadj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the Salii, a 4th-c. Frankish people living near the River Ijssel, from which the Merovingians were descended. --n. a member of this people. [LL Salii] Salicadj. = SALIAN. Salic law hist. 1 a law excluding females from dynastic succession, esp. as the alleged fundamental law of the French monarchy. 2 a Frankish law-book extant in Merovingian and Carolingian times. [F Salique or med.L Salicus f. Salii (as SALIAN)] salicetn. an organ stop like a salicional but one octave higher. [as SALICIONAL] salicinn. (also salicine) a bitter crystalline glucoside with analgesic properties, obtained from poplar and willow bark. [F salicine f. L salix -icis willow] salicional n. an organ stop with a soft reedy tone like that of a willow-pipe. [G f. L salix as SALICIN] salicylicacid n. a bitter chemical used as a fungicide and in the manufacture of aspirin and dyestuffs. salicylate n. [salicyl its radical f. F salicyle (as SALICIN)] salientadj. & n. --adj. 1 jutting out; prominent; conspicuous, most noticeable. 2 (of an angle, esp. in fortification) pointing outwards (opp. RE-ENTRANT). 3 Heraldry (of a lion etc.) standing on its hind legs with the forepaws raised. 4 archaic a leaping or dancing. b (of water etc.) jetting forth. --n. a salient angle or part of a work in fortification; an outward bulge in a line of military attack or defence. salient point archaic the initial stage, origin, or first beginning. salience n. saliency n. saliently adv. [L salire leap] salientian adj. & n. = ANURAN. [mod.L Salientia (as SALIENT)] saliferous adj. Geol. (of rock etc.) containing much salt. [L sal salt + -FEROUS] salinan. a salt lake. [Sp. f. med.L, = salt pit (as SALINE)] salineadj. & n. --adj. 1 (of natural waters, springs, etc.) impregnated with or containing salt or salts. 2 (of food or drink etc.) tasting of salt. 3 of chemical salts. 4 of the nature of a salt. 5 (of medicine) containing a salt or salts of alkaline metals or magnesium. --n. 1 a salt lake, spring, marsh, etc. 2 a salt-pan or salt-works. 3 a saline substance, esp. a medicine. 4 a solution of salt in water. salinity n. salinization n. salinometer n. [ME f. L sal salt] salivan. liquid secreted into the mouth by glands to provide moisture and facilitate chewing and swallowing. saliva test a scientific test requiring a saliva sample. salivary adj. [ME f. L] salivatev. 1 intr. secrete or discharge saliva esp. in excess or in greedy anticipation. 2 tr. produce an unusual secretion of saliva in (a person) usu. with mercury. salivation n. [L salivare (as SALIVA)] Salk vaccine n. a vaccine developed against polio. [J. E. Salk, Amer. scientist b. 1914] salleen. (also sally) (pl. -ees or -ies) Austral. any of several eucalypts and acacias resembling the willow. [Aboriginal] salletn. (also salade) hist. a light helmet with an outward-curving rear part. [F salade ult. f. L caelare engrave f. caelum chisel] sallowadj. & v. --adj. (sallower, sallowest) (of the skin or complexion, or of a person) of a sickly yellow or pale brown. --v.tr. & intr. make or become sallow. sallowish adj. sallowness n. [OE salo dusky f. Gmc] n. 1 a willow-tree, esp. one of a low-growing or shrubby kind. 2 the wood or a shoot of this. sallowy adj. [OE salh salg- f. Gmc, rel. to OHG salaha, ON selja, L salix] Sallyn. (pl. -ies) colloq. 1 (usu. prec. by the) the Salvation Army. 2 a member of this. [abbr.] sallyn. & v. (pl. -ies) --n. 1 a sudden charge from a fortification upon its besiegers; a sortie. 2 a going forth; an excursion. 3 a witticism; a piece of banter; a lively remark esp. by way of attack upon a person or thing or of a diversion in argument. 4 a sudden start into activity; an outburst. 5 archaic an escapade. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) 1 (usu. foll. by out, forth) go for a walk, set out on a journey etc. 2 (usu. foll. by out) make a military sally. 3 archaic issue or come out suddenly. sally-port an opening in a fortification for making a sally from. [F saillie fem. past part. of saillir issue f. OF salir f. L salire leap] n. (pl. -ies) 1 the part of a bell-rope prepared with inwoven wool for holding. 2 a the first movement of a bell when set for ringing. b the bell's position when set. sally-hole the hole through which the bell-rope passes. [perh. f. SALLY in sense 'leaping motion'] var. of SALLEE. Sally Lunn n. Brit. a sweet light teacake, properly served hot. [perh. f. the name of a woman selling them at Bath c.1800] salmagundi n. (pl. salmagundis) 1 a dish of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs, onions, etc., and seasoning. 2 a general mixture; a miscellaneous collection of articles, subjects, qualities, etc. [F salmigondis of unkn. orig.] salmanazar n. a wine bottle of about 12 times the standard size. [Shalmaneser king of Assyria (2 Kings 17-18)] salmin. (pl. salmis) a ragout or casserole esp. of partly roasted game-birds. [F, abbr. formed as SALMAGUNDI] salmonn. & adj. --n. (pl. same or (esp. of types) salmons) 1 any anadromous fish of the family Salmonidae, esp. of the genus Salmo, much prized for its (often smoked) pink flesh. 2 Austral. & NZ the barramundi or a similar fish. --adj. salmon-pink. salmon-ladder (or -leap) a series of steps or other arrangement incorporated in a dam to allow salmon to pass upstream. salmon-pink the colour of salmon flesh. salmon trout a large silver-coloured trout, Salmo trutta. salmonoid adj. & n. (in sense 1). salmony adj. [ME f. AF sa(u)moun, OF saumon f. L salmo -onis] salmonella n. (pl. salmonellae) 1 any bacterium of the genus Salmonella, esp. any of various serotypes causing food poisoning. 2 food poisoning caused by infection with salmonellae. salmonellosis n. [mod.L f. D. E. Salmon, Amer. veterinary surgeon d. 1914] salonn. 1 the reception room of a large, esp. French or continental, house. 2 a room or establishment where a hairdresser, beautician, etc., conducts trade. 3 hist. a meeting of eminent people in the reception room of a (esp. Parisian) lady of fashion. 4 (Salon) an annual exhibition in Paris of the work of living artists. salon music light music for the drawing-room etc. [F: see SALOON] saloonn. 1 a a large room or hall, esp. in a hotel or public building. b a public room or gallery for a specified purpose (billiard-saloon; shooting-saloon). 2 (in full saloon car) a motor car with a closed body and no partition behind the driver. 3 a public room on a ship. 4 US a drinking-bar. 5 (in full saloon bar) Brit. the more comfortable bar in a public house. 6 (in full saloon car) Brit. a luxurious railway carriage serving as a lounge etc. saloon deck a deck for passengers using the saloon. saloon-keeper US a publican or bartender. saloon pistol (or rifle) a pistol or rifle adapted for short-range practice in a shooting-saloon. [F salon f. It. salone augment. of sala hall] Salopiann. & adj. --n. a native or inhabitant of Shropshire. --adj. of or relating to Shropshire. [AF Salopesberia f. ME f. OE Scrobbesbyrig Shrewsbury] salpiglossis n. any solanaceous plant of the genus Salpiglossis, cultivated for its funnel-shaped flowers. [mod.L, irreg. f. Gk salpigx trumpet + glossa tongue] salping-comb. form Med. denoting the Fallopian tubes. [Gk salpigx salpiggos, lit. 'trumpet'] salpingectomy n. (pl. -ies) Med. the surgical removal of the Fallopian tubes. salpingitis n. Med. inflammation of the Fallopian tubes. salsan. 1 a kind of dance music of Latin American origin, incorporating jazz and rock elements. 2 a dance performed to this music. [Sp. (as SAUCE)] salsifyn. (pl. -ies) 1 a European plant, Tragopogon porrifolius, with long cylindrical fleshy roots. 2 this root used as a vegetable. black salsify scorzonera. [F salsifis f. obs. It. salsefica, of unkn. orig.] SALTabbr. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (or Treaty). saltn., adj., & v. --n. 1 (also common salt) sodium chloride; the substance that gives sea water its characteristic taste, got in crystalline form by mining from strata consisting of it or by the evaporation of sea water, and used for seasoning or preserving food, or for other purposes. 2 a chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or metal-like radical. 3 sting; piquancy; pungency; wit (added salt to the conversation). 4 (in sing. or pl.) a a substance resembling salt in taste, form, etc. (bath salts; Epsom salts; smelling-salts). b (esp. in pl.) this type of substance used as a laxative. 5 a marsh, esp. one flooded by the tide, often used as a pasture or for collecting water for salt-making. 6 (also old salt) an experienced sailor. 7 (in pl.) an exceptional rush of sea water up river. --adj. 1 impregnated with, containing, or tasting of salt; cured or preserved or seasoned with salt. 2 (of a plant) growing in the sea or in salt marshes. 3 (of tears etc.) bitter. 4 (of wit) pungent. --v.tr. 1 cure or preserve with salt or brine. 2 season with salt. 3 make (a narrative etc.) piquant. 4 sprinkle (the ground etc.) with salt esp. in order to melt snow etc. 5 treat with a solution of salt or mixture of salts. 6 (as salted adj.) (of a horse or person) hardened or proof against diseases etc. caused by the climate or by special conditions. eat salt with be a guest of. in salt sprinkled with salt or immersed in brine as a preservative. not made of salt not disconcerted by wet weather. put salt on the tail of capture (with ref. to jocular directions given to children for catching a bird). salt an account sl. set an extremely high or low price for articles. salt-and-pepper (of materials etc. and esp. of hair) with light and dark colours mixed together. salt away (or down) sl. put money etc. by. salt the books sl. show receipts as larger than they really have been. salt-cat a mass of salt mixed with gravel, urine, etc., to attract pigeons and keep them at home. salt dome a mass of salt forced up into sedimentary rocks. salt fish W.Ind. preserved cod. salt-glaze a hard stoneware glaze produced by throwing salt into a hot kiln containing the ware. salt-grass US grass growing in salt meadows or in alkaline regions. salt horse Naut. sl. 1 salt beef. 2 a naval officer with general duties. salt lake a lake of salt water. salt-lick 1 a place where animals go to lick salt from the ground. 2 this salt. salt-marsh = sense 5 of n. salt meadow a meadow subject to flooding with salt water. salt a mine sl. introduce extraneous ore, material, etc., to make the source seem rich. the salt of the earth a person or people of great worthiness, reliability, honesty, etc.; those whose qualities are a model for the rest (Matt. 5:13). salt-pan a vessel, or a depression near the sea, used for getting salt by evaporation. salt-shaker US a container of salt for sprinkling on food. salt-spoon a small spoon usu. with a short handle and a roundish deep bowl for taking table salt. salt water 1 sea water. 2 sl. tears. salt-water adj. of or living in the sea. salt-well a bored well yielding brine. salt-works a place where salt is produced. take with a pinch (or grain) of salt regard as exaggerated; be incredulous about; believe only part of. worth one's salt efficient, capable. saltish adj. saltless adj. saltly adv. saltness n. [OE s(e)alt s(e)altan, OS, ON, Goth. salt, OHG salz f. Gmc] saltarello n. (pl. -os or saltarelli) an Italian and Spanish dance for one couple, with sudden skips. [It. salterello, Sp. saltarelo, rel. to It. saltare and Sp. saltar leap, dance f. L saltare (as SALTATION)] saltationn. 1 the act or an instance of leaping or dancing; a jump. 2 a sudden transition or movement. saltatory adj. saltatorial adj. [L saltatio f. saltare frequent. of salire salt- leap] saltbushn. = ORACHE. salt-cellar n. 1 a vessel holding salt for table use. 2 colloq. an unusually deep hollow above the collar-bone, esp. found in women. [SALT + obs. saler f. AF f. OF salier salt-box f. L (as SALARY), assim. to CELLAR] saltern. 1 a manufacturer or dealer in salt. 2 a workman at a salt-works. 3 a person who salts fish etc. 4 = dry-salter. [OE sealtere (as SALT)] salternn. 1 a salt-works. 2 a set of pools for the natural evaporation of sea water. [OE sealtrn (as SALT, rn building)] saltigrade adj. & n. Zool. --adj. (of arthropods) moving by leaping or jumping. --n. a saltigrade arthropod, e.g. a spider, sand-hopper, etc. [mod.L Saltigradae f. L saltus leap f. salire salt- + -gradus walking] saltingn. 1 in senses of SALT v. 2 (esp. in pl.) Geol. a salt marsh; a marsh overflowed by the sea. saltiren. Heraldry an ordinary formed by a bend and a bend sinister crossing like a St Andrew's cross. in saltire arranged in this way. saltirewise adv. [ME f. OF sau(l)toir etc. stirrup-cord, stile, saltire, f. med.L saltatorium (as SALTATION)] saltpetren. (US saltpeter) potassium nitrate, a white crystalline salty substance used in preserving meat and as a constituent of gunpowder. [ME f. OF salpetre f. med.L salpetra prob. for sal petrae (unrecorded) salt of rock (i.e. found as an incrustation): assim. to SALT] saltusn. literary a sudden transition; a breach of continuity. [L, = leap] saltwortn. any plant of the genus Salsola; glasswort. saltyadj. (saltier, saltiest) tasting of, containing, or preserved with salt. saltiness n. salubrious adj. 1 health-giving; healthy. 2 (of surroundings etc.) pleasant; agreeable. salubriously adv. salubriousness n. salubrity n. [L salubris f. salus health] salukin. (pl. salukis) 1 a tall swift slender dog of a silky-coated breed with large ears and a fringed tail and feet. 2 this breed. [Arab. saluki] salutaryadj. 1 producing good effects; beneficial. 2 archaic health-giving. [ME f. F salutaire or L salutaris f. salus -utis health] salutation n. 1 a sign or expression of greeting or recognition of another's arrival or departure. 2 words spoken or written to enquire about another's health or well-being. salutational adj. [ME f. OF salutation or L salutatio (as SALUTE)] salutatory adj. & n. --adj. of salutation. --n. (pl. -ies) US an oration, esp. as given by a member of a graduating class, often the second-ranking member. salutatorian n. (in sense of n.). [L salutatorius (as SALUTE)] saluten. & v. --n. 1 a gesture of respect, homage, or courteous recognition, esp. made to or by a person when arriving or departing. 2 a Mil. & Naut. a prescribed or specified movement of the hand or of weapons or flags as a sign of respect or recognition. b (prec. by the) the attitude taken by an individual soldier, sailor, policeman, etc., in saluting. 3 the discharge of a gun or guns as a formal or ceremonial sign of respect or celebration. 4 Fencing the formal performance of certain guards etc. by fencers before engaging. --v. 1 a tr. make a salute to. b intr. (often foll. by to) perform a salute. 2 tr. greet; make a salutation to. 3 tr. (foll. by with) receive or greet with (a smile etc.). 4 tr. archaic hail as (king etc.). take the salute 1 (of the highest officer present) acknowledge it by gesture as meant for him. 2 receive ceremonial salutes by members of a procession. saluter n. [ME f. L salutare f. salus -utis health] salvagen. & v. --n. 1 the rescue of a ship, its cargo, or other property, from loss at sea, destruction by fire, etc. 2 the property etc. saved in this way. 3 a the saving and utilization of waste paper, scrap material, etc. b the materials salvaged. 4 payment made or due to a person who has saved a ship or its cargo. --v.tr. 1 save from a wreck, fire, etc. 2 retrieve or preserve (something favourable) in adverse circumstances (tried to salvage some dignity). salvageable adj. salvager n. [F f. med.L salvagium f. L salvare SAVE] salvationn. 1 the act of saving or being saved; preservation from loss, calamity, etc. 2 deliverance from sin and its consequences and admission to heaven, brought about by Christ. 3 a religious conversion. 4 a person or thing that saves (was the salvation of). Salvation Army a worldwide evangelical organization on quasi-military lines for the revival of Christianity and helping the poor. salvationism n. salvationist n. (both nouns esp. with ref. to the Salvation Army). [ME f. OF sauvacion, salvacion, f. eccl.L salvatio -onis f. salvare SAVE, transl. Gk soteria] salven. & v. --n. 1 a healing ointment. 2 (often foll. by for) a thing that is soothing or consoling for wounded feelings, an uneasy conscience, etc. 3 archaic a thing that explains away a discrepancy or palliates a fault. --v.tr. 1 soothe (pride, self-love, conscience, etc.). 2 archaic anoint (a wound etc.). 3 archaic smooth over, make good, vindicate, harmonize, etc. [OE s(e)alf(e), s(e)alfian f. Gmc; senses 1 and 3 of v. partly f. L salvare SAVE] v.tr. 1 save (a ship or its cargo) from loss at sea. 2 save (property) from fire. salvable adj. [back-form. f. SALVAGE] salvern. a tray usu. of gold, silver, brass, or electroplate, on which drinks, letters, etc., are offered. [F salve tray for presenting food to the king f. Sp. salva assaying of food f. salvar SAVE: assoc. with platter] Salve Regina n. 1 a Roman Catholic hymn or prayer said or sung after compline and after the Divine Office from Trinity Sunday to Advent. 2 the music for this. [f. the opening words salve regina hail (holy) queen] salvian. any plant of the genus Salvia, esp. S. splendens with red or blue flowers. [L, = SAGE] Salvon. (pl. -os) Austral. sl. a member of the Salvation Army. [abbr.] salvon. (pl. -oes or -os) 1 the simultaneous firing of artillery or other guns esp. as a salute, or in a sea-fight. 2 a number of bombs released from aircraft at the same moment. 3 a round or volley of applause. [earlier salve f. F f. It. salva salutation (as SAVE)] n. (pl. -os) 1 a saving clause; a reservation (with an express salvo of their rights). 2 a tacit reservation. 3 a quibbling evasion; a bad excuse. 4 an expedient for saving reputation or soothing pride or conscience. [L, ablat. of salvus SAFE as used in salvo jure without prejudice to the rights of (a person)] sal volatile n. ammonium carbonate, esp. in the form of a flavoured solution in alcohol used as smelling-salts. [mod.L, = volatile salt] salvorn. a person or ship making or assisting in salvage. [SALVE] SAMabbr. surface-to-air missile. Sam.abbr. Samuel (Old Testament). samadhin. Buddhism & Hinduism 1 a state of concentration induced by meditation. 2 a state into which a perfected holy man is said to pass at his apparent death. [Skr. samadhi contemplation] samaran. Bot. a winged seed from the sycamore, ash, etc. [mod.L f. L, = elm-seed] Samaritann. & adj. --n. 1 (in full good Samaritan) a charitable or helpful person (with ref. to Luke 10:33 etc.). 2 a member of an organization which counsels people in distress by telephone or face to face. 3 a native of Samaria in West Jordan . 4 the language of this people. 5 an adherent of the Samaritan religious system, accepting only the Samaritan Pentateuch. --adj. of Samaria or the Samaritans. Samaritan Pentateuch a recension used by Samaritans of which the MSS are in archaic characters. Samaritanism n. [LL Samaritanus f. Gk Samareites f. Samareia Samaria] samariumn. Chem. a soft silvery metallic element of the lanthanide series, occurring naturally in monazite etc. and used in making ferromagnetic alloys. Symb.: Sm. [samarskite the mineral in which its spectrum was first observed, f. Samarski name of a 19th-c. Russ. official] samban. & v. --n. 1 a Brazilian dance of African origin. 2 a ballroom dance imitative of this. 3 the music for this. --v.intr. (sambas, sambaed or samba'd, sambaing) dance the samba. [Port., of Afr. orig.] sambarn. (also samba, sambhar) either of two large deer, Cervus unicolor or C. equinus, native to S. Asia. [Hindi sa(m)bar] Sambon. (pl. -os or -oes) 1 sl. offens. a Black person. 2 (sambo) hist. a person of mixed race esp. of Negro and Indian or Negro and European blood. [Sp. zambo perh. = zambo bandy-legged; sense 1 perh. a different word f. Foulah sambo uncle] Sam Browne n. (in full Sam Browne belt) an army officer's belt and the strap supporting it. [Sir Samuel J. Browne, Brit. military commander d. 1901] sameadj., pron., & adv. --adj. 1 (often prec. by the) identical; not different; unchanged (everyone was looking in the same direction; the same car was used in another crime; saying the same thing over and over). 2 unvarying, uniform, monotonous (the same old story). 3 (usu. prec. by this, these, that, those) (of a person or thing) previously alluded to; just mentioned; aforesaid (this same man was later my husband). --pron. (prec. by the) 1 the same person or thing (the others asked for the same). 2 Law or archaic the person or thing just mentioned (detected the youth breaking in and apprehended the same). --adv. (usu. prec. by the) similarly; in the same way (we all feel the same; I want to go, the same as you do). all (or just) the same 1 emphatically the same. 2 in spite of changed conditions, adverse circumstances, etc. (but you should offer, all the same). at the same time 1 simultaneously. 2 notwithstanding; in spite of circumstances etc. be all (or just) the same to an expression of indifference or impartiality (it's all the same to me what we do). by the same token see TOKEN. same here colloq. the same applies to me. the same to you! may you do, have, find, etc., the same thing; likewise. the very same emphatically the same. sameness n. [ME f. ON sami, sama, with Gmc cognates] sameyadj. (samier, samiest) colloq. lacking in variety; monotonous. sameyness n. samfun. a suit consisting of a jacket and trousers, worn by Chinese women and sometimes men. [Cantonese] Samhainn. Brit. Nov., celebrated by the Celts as a festival marking the beginning of winter. [Ir. Samhain] Samiann. & adj. --n. a native or inhabitant of Samos, an island in the Aegean sea. --adj. of Samos. Samian ware fine red pottery from various parts of the Roman Empire, esp. Gaulish pottery often found on Roman sites in Britain. [L Samius f. Gk Samios Samos] samisenn. a long three-stringed Japanese guitar, played with a plectrum. [Jap. f. Chin. san-hsien f. san three + hsien string] samiten. hist. a rich medieval dress-fabric of silk occas. interwoven with gold. [ME f. OF samit f. med.L examitum f. med. Gk hexamiton f. Gk hexa- six + mitos thread] samizdatn. a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR. [Russ., = self-publishing house] Samniten. & adj. --n. 1 a member of a people of ancient Italy often at war with republican Rome. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of this people or their language. [ME f. L Samnites (pl.), rel. to Sabinus SABINE] Samoann. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Samoa, a group of islands in the Pacific. 2 the language of this people. --adj. of or relating to Samoa or its people or language. [Samoa] samosan. a triangular pastry fried in ghee or oil, containing spiced vegetables or meat. [Hind.] samovarn. a Russian urn for making tea, with an internal heating tube to keep water at boiling-point. [Russ., = self-boiler] Samoyedn. 1 a member of a people of northern Siberia. 2 the language of this people. 3 (also samoyed) a a dog of a white Arctic breed. b this breed. [Russ. samoed] Samoyedicn. & adj. --n. the language of the Samoyeds. --adj. of or relating to the Samoyeds. sampn. US 1 coarsely-ground maize. 2 porridge made of this. [Algonquin nasamp softened by water] sampann. a small boat usu. with a stern-oar or stern-oars, used in the Far East. [Chin. san-ban f. san three + ban board] samphiren. 1 an umbelliferous maritime rock plant, Crithmum maritimum, with aromatic fleshy leaves used in pickles. 2 the glasswort. [earlier samp(i)ere f. F (herbe de) Saint Pierre St Peter('s herb)] samplen. & v. --n. 1 a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like. 2 a small amount of fabric, food, or other commodity, esp. given to a prospective customer. 3 a specimen, esp. one taken for scientific testing or analysis. 4 an illustrative or typical example. --v.tr. 1 take or give samples of. 2 try the qualities of. 3 get a representative experience of. sample bag Austral. an (orig. free) bag of advertisers' samples. [ME f. AF assample, OF essample EXAMPLE] samplern. a piece of embroidery worked in various stitches as a specimen of proficiency (often displayed on a wall etc.). [OF essamplaire (as EXEMPLAR)] n. 1 a person who samples. 2 US a collection of representative items etc. samsaran. Ind. Philos. the endless cycle of death and rebirth to which life in the material world is bound. samsaric adj. [Skr. samsara a wandering through] samskaran. Ind. Philos. 1 a purificatory ceremony or rite marking an event in one's life. 2 a mental impression, instinct, or memory. [Skr. samskara a making perfect, preparation] Samsonn. a person of great strength or resembling Samson in some respect. Samson- (or Samson's-) post 1 a strong pillar passing through the hold of a ship or between decks. 2 a post in a whaleboat to which a harpoon rope is attached. [LL f. Gk Sampson f. Heb. simsn (Judg. 13-16)] samurain. (pl. same) 1 a Japanese army officer. 2 hist. a military retainer of the daimios; a member of a military caste in Japan. [Jap.] sann. = SANATORIUM 2. [abbr.] sanativeadj. 1 healing; curative. 2 of or tending to physical or moral health. [ME f. OF sanatif or LL sanativus f. L sanare cure] sanatorium n. (pl. sanatoriums or sanatoria) 1 an establishment for the treatment of invalids, esp. of convalescents and the chronically sick. 2 Brit. a room or building for sick people in a school etc. [mod.L (as SANATIVE)] sanctifyv.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 consecrate; set apart or observe as holy. 2 purify or free from sin. 3 make legitimate or binding by religious sanction; justify; give the colour of morality or innocence to. 4 make productive of or conducive to holiness. sanctification n. sanctifier n. [ME f. OF saintifier f. eccl.L sanctificare f. L sanctus holy] sanctimonious adj. making a show of sanctity or piety. sanctimoniously adv. sanctimoniousness n. sanctimony n. [L sanctimonia sanctity (as SAINT)] sanctionn. & v. --n. 1 approval or encouragement given to an action etc. by custom or tradition; express permission. 2 confirmation or ratification of a law etc. 3 a a penalty for disobeying a law or rule, or a reward for obeying it. b a clause containing this. 4 Ethics a consideration operating to enforce obedience to any rule of conduct. 5 (esp. in pl.) military or esp. economic action by a State to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct. 6 Law hist. a law or decree. --v.tr. 1 authorize, countenance, or agree to (an action etc.). 2 ratify; attach a penalty or reward to; make binding. sanctionable adj. [F f. L sanctio -onis f. sancire sanct- make sacred] sanctitude n. archaic saintliness. [ME f. L sanctitudo (as SAINT)] sanctityn. (pl. -ies) 1 holiness of life; saintliness. 2 sacredness; the state of being hallowed. 3 inviolability. 4 (in pl.) sacred obligations, feelings, etc. [ME f. OF sain(c)tit or L sanctitas (as SAINT)] sanctuaryn. (pl. -ies) 1 a holy place; a church, temple, etc. 2 a the inmost recess or holiest part of a temple etc. b the part of the chancel containing the high altar. 3 a place where birds, wild animals, etc., are bred and protected. 4 a place of refuge, esp. for political refugees. 5 a immunity from arrest. b the right to offer this. 6 hist. a sacred place where a fugitive from the law or a debtor was secured by medieval Church law against arrest or violence. take sanctuary resort to a place of refuge. [ME f. AF sanctuarie, OF sanctuaire f. L sanctuarium (as SAINT)] sanctumn. (pl. sanctums) 1 a holy place. 2 colloq. a person's private room, study, or den. sanctum sanctorum 1 the holy of holies in the Jewish temple. 2 = sense 2 of n. 3 an inner retreat. 4 an esoteric doctrine etc. [L, neut. of sanctus holy, past part. of sancire consecrate: sanctorum genit. pl. in transl. of Heb. kodes hakk dasm holy of holies] sanctusn. (also Sanctus) 1 the prayer or hymn beginning 'Holy, holy, holy' said or sung at the end of the Eucharistic preface. 2 the music for this. sanctus bell a handbell or the bell in the turret at the junction of the nave and the chancel, rung at the sanctus or at the elevation of the Eucharist. [ME f. L, = holy] sandn. & v. --n. 1 a loose granular substance resulting from the wearing down of esp. siliceous rocks and found on the seashore, river-beds, deserts, etc. 2 (in pl.) grains of sand. 3 (in pl.) an expanse or tracts of sand. 4 a light yellow-brown colour like that of sand. 5 (in pl.) a sandbank. 6 US colloq. firmness of purpose; grit. --v.tr. 1 smooth or polish with sandpaper or sand. 2 sprinkle or overlay with, or bury under, sand. 3 adulterate (sugar etc.) with sand. sand bar a sandbank at the mouth of a river or US on the coast. sand-bath a vessel of heated sand to provide uniform heating. sand-bed a stratum of sand. sand-cloud driving sand in a simoom. sand-crack 1 a fissure in a horse's hoof. 2 a crack in the human foot from walking on hot sand. 3 a crack in brick due to imperfect mixing. sand dollar US any of various round flat sea urchins, esp. of the order Clypeasteroida. sand-dune (or -hill) a mound or ridge of sand formed by the wind. sand eel any eel-like fish of the family Ammodytidae or Hypotychidae: also called LAUNCE. sand-flea a chigoe or sand-hopper. sand-glass = HOURGLASS. sand-groper Austral. 1 a gold-rush pioneer. 2 joc. a Western Australian. sand-hill a dune. sand-hopper any of various small jumping crustaceans of the order Amphipoda, burrowing on the seashore. sand-martin a swallow-like bird, Riparia riparia, nesting in the side of a sandy bank etc. the sands are running out the allotted time is nearly at an end. sand-shoe a shoe with a canvas, rubber, hemp, etc., sole for use on sand. sand-skipper = sand-hopper. sand-yacht a boat on wheels propelled along a beach by wind. sander n. sandlike adj. [OE sand f. Gmc] sandaln. & v. --n. 1 a light shoe with an openwork upper or no upper, attached to the foot usu. by straps. 2 a strap for fastening a low shoe, passing over the instep or around the ankle. --v.tr. (sandalled, sandalling; US sandaled, sandaling) 1 (esp. as sandalled adj.) put sandals on (a person, his feet). 2 fasten or provide (a shoe) with a sandal. [ME f. L sandalium f. Gk sandalion dimin. of sandalon wooden shoe, prob. of Asiatic orig.] n. = SANDALWOOD. sandal-tree any tree yielding sandalwood, esp. the white sandalwood, Santalum album, of India. [ME f. med.L sandalum, ult. f. Skr. candana] sandalwood n. 1 the scented wood of a sandal-tree. 2 a perfume derived from this. red sandalwood the red wood from either of two SE Asian trees, Adenanthera pavonina and Pterocarpus santalinus, used as timber and to produce a red dye. sandalwood oil a yellow aromatic oil made from the sandal-tree. sandaracn. (also sandarach) 1 the gummy resin of a N. African conifer, Tetraclinis articulata, used in making varnish. 2 = REALGAR. [L sandaraca f. Gk sandarake, of Asiatic orig.] sandbagn. & v. --n. a bag filled with sand for use: 1 (in fortification) for making temporary defences or for the protection of a building etc. against blast and splinters or floodwaters. 2 as ballast esp. for a boat or balloon. 3 as a weapon to inflict a heavy blow without leaving a mark. 4 to stop a draught from a window or door. --v.tr. (-bagged, -bagging) 1 barricade or defend. 2 place sandbags against (a window, chink, etc.). 3 fell with a blow from a sandbag. 4 US coerce by harsh means. sandbagger n. sandbankn. a deposit of sand forming a shallow place in the sea or a river. sandblastv. & n. --v.tr. roughen, treat, or clean with a jet of sand driven by compressed air or steam. --n. this jet. sandblaster n. sandboxn. 1 Railways a box of sand on a locomotive for sprinkling slippery rails. 2 Golf a container for sand used in teeing. 3 a sandpit enclosed in a box. 4 hist. a device for sprinkling sand to dry ink. sandboyn. happy as a sandboy extremely happy or carefree. [prob. = a boy hawking sand for sale] sandcastle n. a shape like a castle made in sand, usu. by a child on the seashore. sanderling n. a small wading bird, Calidris alba, of the sandpiper family. [perh. f. an OE form sandyrthling (unrecorded, as SAND + yrthling ploughman, also the name of a bird)] sandersn. (also saunders) sandalwood, esp. red sandalwood. [ME f. OF sandre var. of sandle SANDAL] sandflyn. (pl. -ies) 1 any midge of the genus Simulium. 2 any biting fly of the genus Phlebotomus transmitting the viral disease leishmaniasis. sandhin. Gram. the process whereby the form of a word changes as a result of its position in an utterance (e.g. the change from a to an before a vowel). [Skr. samdhi putting together] sandhogn. US a person who works underwater laying foundations, constructing tunnels, etc. sandivern. liquid scum formed in glass-making. [ME app. f. F suin de verre exhalation of glass f. suer to sweat] sandlotn. US a piece of unoccupied sandy land used for children's games. sandmann. the personification of tiredness causing children's eyes to smart towards bedtime. sandpapern. paper with sand or another abrasive stuck to it for smoothing or polishing. sandpipern. any of various wading birds of the family Scolopacidae, frequenting moorland and coastal areas. sandpitn. a hollow partly filled with sand, usu. for children to play in. sandsoapn. heavy-duty gritty soap. sandstockn. brick made with sand dusted on the surface. sandstonen. 1 any clastic rock containing particles visible to the naked eye. 2 a sedimentary rock of consolidated sand commonly red, yellow, brown, grey, or white. sandstormn. a desert storm of wind with clouds of sand. sandwichn. & v. --n. 1 two or more slices of usu. buttered bread with a filling of meat, cheese, etc., between them. 2 a cake of two or more layers with jam or cream between (bake a sponge sandwich). --v.tr. 1 put (a thing, statement, etc.) between two of another character. 2 squeeze in between others (sat sandwiched in the middle). sandwich-board one of two advertisement boards carried by a sandwich-man. sandwich course a course of training with alternate periods of practical experience and theoretical instruction. sandwich-man (pl. -men) a man who walks the streets with sandwich-boards hanging before and behind. [4th Earl of Sandwich, Engl. nobleman d. 1792, said to have eaten food in this form so as not to leave the gaming-table] sandwortn. any low-growing plant of the genus Arenaria, usu. bearing small white flowers. sandyadj. (sandier, sandiest) 1 having the texture of sand. 2 having much sand. 3 a (of hair) yellowish-red. b (of a person) having sandy hair. sandy blight Austral. conjunctivitis with sandlike grains in the eye. sandiness n. sandyish adj. [OE sandig (as SAND)] saneadj. 1 of sound mind; not mad. 2 (of views etc.) moderate; sensible. sanely adv. saneness n. [L sanus healthy] sangpast of SING. sangarn. (also sanga) a stone breastwork round a hollow. [Pashto sangar] sangareen. a cold drink of wine diluted and spiced. [Sp. sangra SANGRIA] sang-froid n. composure, coolness, etc., in danger or under agitating circumstances. [F, = cold blood] sangrailn. = GRAIL. [ME f. OF saint graal (as SAINT, GRAIL)] sangrian. a Spanish drink of red wine with lemonade, fruit, etc. [Sp., = bleeding: cf. SANGAREE] sanguinary adj. 1 accompanied by or delighting in bloodshed. 2 bloody; bloodthirsty. 3 (of laws) inflicting death freely. sanguinarily adv. sanguinariness n. [L sanguinarius f. sanguis -inis blood] sanguineadj. & n. --adj. 1 optimistic; confident. 2 (of the complexion) florid; bright; ruddy. 3 hist. of a ruddy complexion with a courageous and hopeful amorous disposition. 4 hist. of the temperament in which blood predominates over the other humours. 5 Heraldry or literary blood red. 6 archaic bloody; bloodthirsty. --n. 1 a blood-red colour. 2 a crayon of chalk coloured red or flesh with iron oxide. sanguinely adv. sanguineness n. (both in sense 1 of n.). [ME f. OF sanguin -ine blood-red f. L sanguineus (as SANGUINARY)] sanguineous adj. 1 sanguinary. 2 Med. of or relating to blood. 3 blood-red. 4 full-blooded; plethoric. [L sanguineus (as SANGUINE)] Sanhedrinn. (also Sanhedrim) the highest court of justice and the supreme council in ancient Jerusalem with 71 members. [late Heb. sanhedrn f. Gk sunedrion (as SYN-, hedra seat)] saniclen. any umbelliferous plant of the genus Sanicula, esp. S. europaea, formerly believed to have healing properties. [ME ult. f. med.L sanicula perh. f. L sanus healthy] sanifyv.tr. (-ies, -ied) make healthy; improve the sanitary state of. [L sanus healthy] sanitarium n. (pl. sanitariums or sanitaria) US = SANATORIUM. [pseudo-L f. L sanitas health] sanitaryadj. 1 of the conditions that affect health, esp. with regard to dirt and infection. 2 hygienic; free from or designed to kill germs, infection, etc. sanitary engineer a person dealing with systems needed to maintain public health. sanitary towel (US napkin) an absorbent pad used during menstruation. sanitary ware porcelain for lavatories etc. sanitarian n. & adj. sanitarily adv. sanitariness n. [F sanitaire f. L sanitas: see SANITY] sanitation n. 1 sanitary conditions. 2 the maintenance or improving of these. 3 the disposal of sewage and refuse from houses etc. sanitate v.tr. & intr. sanitationist n. [irreg. f. SANITARY] sanitizev.tr. (also -ise) 1 make sanitary; disinfect. 2 US colloq. render (information etc.) more acceptable by removing improper or disturbing material. sanitizer n. sanityn. 1 a the state of being sane. b mental health. 2 the tendency to avoid extreme views. [ME f. L sanitas (as SANE)] sankpast of SINK. sannyasin. (also sanyasi) (pl. same) a Hindu religious mendicant. [Hindi & Urdu sannyasi f. Skr. samnyasin laying aside f. sam together, ni down, as throw] sansprep. archaic or joc. without. [ME f. OF san(z), sen(s) ult. f. L sine, infl. by L absentia in the absence of] sansculotte n. 1 hist. a lower-class Parisian republican in the French Revolution. 2 an extreme republican or revolutionary. sansculottism n. [F, lit. = without knee-breeches] sanserifn. & adj. (also sans-serif) Printing --n. a form of type without serifs. --adj. without serifs. [app. f. SANS + SERIF] Sanskritn. & adj. --n. the ancient and sacred language of the Hindus in India. --adj. of or in this language. Sanskritic adj. Sanskritist n. [Skr. samskrta composed, elaborated, f. sam together, kr make, -ta past part. ending] Santa Claus n. (also colloq. Santa) a person said to bring children presents on the night before Christmas. [orig. US f. Du. dial. Sante Klaas St Nicholas] santolinan. any aromatic shrub of the genus Santolina, with finely divided leaves and small usu. yellow flowers. [mod.L, var. of SANTONICA] santonican. 1 a shrubby wormwood plant, Artemisia cina, yielding santonin. 2 the dried flower-heads of this used as an anthelmintic. [L f. Santones an Aquitanian tribe] santoninn. a toxic drug extracted from santonica and other plants of the genus Artemisia, used as an anthelmintic. [SANTONICA + -IN] sanyasivar. of SANNYASI. sapn. & v. --n. 1 the vital juice circulating in plants. 2 vigour; vitality. 3 = SAPWOOD. 4 US sl. a bludgeon (orig. one made from a sapling). --v.tr. (sapped, sapping) 1 drain or dry (wood) of sap. 2 exhaust the vigour of (my energy had been sapped by disappointment). 3 remove the sapwood from (a log). 4 US sl. hit with a sap. sap-green n. 1 the pigment made from buckthorn berries. 2 the colour of this. --adj. of this colour. sapful adj. sapless adj. [OE sp prob. f. Gmc] n. & v. --n. 1 a tunnel or trench to conceal assailants' approach to a fortified place; a covered siege-trench. 2 an insidious or slow undermining of a belief, resolution, etc. --v. (sapped, sapping) 1 intr. a dig a sap or saps. b approach by a sap. 2 tr. undermine; make insecure by removing the foundations. 3 tr. destroy insidiously. [ult. f. It. zappa spade, spadework, in part through F sappe sap(p)er, prob. of Arab. orig.] n. sl. a foolish person. [abbr. of sapskull f. SAP = sapwood + SKULL] sapanwoodvar. of SAPPANWOOD. sapelen. 1 any of several large W. African hardwood trees of the genus Entandrophragma. 2 the reddish-brown mahogany-like timber of these trees. [W. Afr. name] sapidadj. literary 1 having (esp. an agreeable) flavour; savoury; palatable; not insipid. 2 literary (of talk, writing, etc.) not vapid or uninteresting. sapidity n. [L sapidus f. sapere taste] sapientadj. literary 1 wise. 2 aping wisdom; of fancied sagacity. sapience n. sapiently adv. [ME f. OF sapient or L part. stem of sapere be wise] sapiential adj. literary of or relating to wisdom. [ME f. F sapiential or eccl.L sapientialis f. L sapientia wisdom] saplingn. 1 a young tree. 2 a youth. 3 a greyhound in its first year. sapodillan. a large evergreen tropical American tree, Manilkara zapota, with edible fruit and durable wood, and sap from which chicle is obtained. sapodilla plum the fruit of this tree. [Sp. zapotillo dimin. of zapote f. Aztec tzpotl] saponaceous adj. 1 of, like, or containing soap; soapy. 2 joc. unctuous; flattering. [mod.L saponaceus f. L sapo -onis soap] saponifyv. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. turn (fat or oil) into soap by reaction with an alkali. 2 tr. convert (an ester) to an acid and alcohol. 3 intr. become saponified. saponifiable adj. saponification n. [F saponifier (as SAPONACEOUS)] saponinn. any of a group of plant glycosides, esp. those derived from the bark of the tree Quillaja saponaria, that foam when shaken with water and are used in detergents and fire extinguishers. [F saponine f. L sapo -onis soap] saporn. 1 a quality perceptible by taste, e.g. sweetness. 2 the distinctive taste of a substance. 3 the sensation of taste. [ME f. L sapere taste] sappanwood n. (also sapanwood) the heartwood of an E. Indian tree, Caesalpinia sappan, formerly used as a source of red dye. [Du. sapan f. Malay sapang, of S. Indian orig.] sappern. 1 a person who digs saps. 2 Brit. a soldier of the Royal Engineers (esp. as the official term for a private). Sapphicadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to Sappho, poetess of Lesbos c.600 BC, or her poetry. 2 lesbian. --n. (in pl.) (sapphics) verse in a metre associated with Sappho. [F sa(p)phique f. L Sapphicus f. Gk Sapphikos f. Sappho] sapphiren. & adj. --n. 1 a transparent blue precious stone consisting of corundum. 2 precious transparent corundum of any colour. 3 the bright blue of a sapphire. 4 a humming-bird with bright blue colouring. --adj. of sapphire blue. sapphire wedding a 45th wedding anniversary. sapphirine adj. [ME f. OF safir f. L sapphirus f. Gk sappheiros prob. = lapis lazuli] sappyadj. (sappier, sappiest) 1 full of sap. 2 young and vigorous. sappily adv. sappiness n. sapro-comb. form Biol. rotten, putrefying. [Gk sapros putrid] saprogenic adj. causing or produced by putrefaction. saprophagous adj. feeding on decaying matter. saprophile n. a bacterium inhabiting putrid matter. saprophilous adj. saprophyte n. any plant or micro-organism living on dead or decayed organic matter. saprophytic adj. sapwoodn. the soft outer layers of recently formed wood between the heartwood and the bark. sarabandn. 1 a stately old Spanish dance. 2 music for this or in its rhythm, usu. in triple time often with a long note on the second beat of the bar. [F sarabande f. Sp. & It. zarabanda] Saracenn. & adj. hist. --n. 1 an Arab or Muslim at the time of the Crusades. 2 a nomad of the Syrian and Arabian desert. --adj. of the Saracens. Saracen corn Brit. archaic buckwheat. Saracen's head the head of a Saracen or Turk as a heraldic charge or inn-sign. Saracenic adj. [ME f. OF sar(r)azin, sar(r)acin f. LL Saracenus f. late Gk Sarakenos perh. f. Arab. sarki eastern] sarangin. (pl. sarangis) an Indian stringed instrument played with a bow. [Hindi sarangi] sarapevar. of SERAPE. sarcasmn. 1 a bitter or wounding remark. 2 a taunt, esp. one ironically worded. 3 language consisting of such remarks. 4 the faculty of using this. sarcastic adj. sarcastically adv. [F sarcasme or f. LL sarcasmus f. late Gk sarkasmos f. Gk sarkazo tear flesh, in late Gk gnash the teeth, speak bitterly f. sarx sarkos flesh] sarcenetvar. of SARSENET. sarcoman. (pl. sarcomas or sarcomata) a malignant tumour of connective or other non-epithelial tissue. sarcomatosis n. sarcomatous adj. [mod.L f. Gk sarkoma f. sarkoo become fleshy f. sarx sarkos flesh] sarcophagus n. (pl. sarcophagi) a stone coffin, esp. one adorned with a sculpture or inscription. [L f. Gk sarkophagos flesh-consuming (as SARCOMA, -phagos -eating)] sarcoplasm n. Anat. the cytoplasm in which muscle fibrils are embedded. [Gk sarx sarkos flesh + PLASMA] sarcousadj. consisting of flesh or muscle. [Gk sarx sarkos flesh] sardn. a yellow or orange-red cornelian. [ME f. F sarde or L sarda = LL sardius f. Gk sardios prob. f. Sardo Sardinia] sardellen. any of several fish resembling the sardine. [It. sardella dimin. of sarda f. L (as SARDINE)] sardinen. a young pilchard or similar young or small herring-like marine fish. like sardines crowded close together (as sardines are in tins). [ME f. OF sardine = It. sardina f. L f. sarda f. Gk, perh. f. Sardo Sardinia] n. a precious stone mentioned in Rev. 4:3. [ME f. LL sardinus f. Gk sardinos var. of sardios SARD] sardiusn. Bibl. etc. a precious stone. [ME f. LL f. Gk sardios sard] sardonicadj. 1 grimly jocular. 2 (of laughter etc.) bitterly mocking or cynical. sardonically adv. sardonicism n. [F sardonique, earlier sardonien f. L sardonius f. Gk sardonios of Sardinia, alt. of sardanios Homeric epithet of bitter or scornful laughter] sardonyxn. onyx in which white layers alternate with sard. [ME f. L f. Gk sardonux (prob. as SARD, ONYX)] sareevar. of SARI. sargasson. (also sargassum) (pl. -os or -oes or sargassa) any seaweed of the genus Sargassum, with berry-like air-vessels, found floating in island-like masses, esp. in the Sargasso Sea of the N. Atlantic. Also called GULFWEED. [Port. sargao, of unkn. orig.] sargen. sl. sergeant. [abbr.] sarin. (also saree) (pl. saris or sarees) a length of cotton or silk draped round the body, traditionally worn as a main garment by Indian women. [Hindi sar(h)i] sarkn. Sc. & N.Engl. a shirt or chemise. [ME serk f. ON serkr f. Gmc] sarkingn. boarding between the rafters and the roof. [SARK + -ING] sarkyadj. (sarkier, sarkiest) Brit. sl. sarcastic. sarkily adv. sarkiness n. [abbr.] sarmentose adj. (also sarmentous) Bot. having long thin trailing shoots. [L sarmentosus f. sarmenta (pl.) twigs, brushwood, f. sarpere to prune] sarnien. Brit. colloq. a sandwich. [abbr.] sarongn. 1 a Malay and Javanese garment consisting of a long strip of (often striped) cloth worn by both sexes tucked round the waist or under the armpits. 2 a woman's garment resembling this. [Malay, lit. 'sheath'] sarosn. Astron. a period of about 18 years between repetitions of eclipses. [Gk f. Babylonian sar(u) 3,600 (years)] sarrusophone n. a metal wind instrument played with a double reed like an oboe. [Sarrus, 19th-c. Fr. inventor] sarsaparilla n. 1 a preparation of the dried roots of various plants, esp. smilax, used to flavour some drinks and medicines and formerly as a tonic. 2 any of the plants yielding this. [Sp. zarzaparilla f. zarza bramble, prob. + dimin. of parra vine] sarsenn. Geol. a sandstone boulder carried by ice during a glacial period. [prob. var. of SARACEN] sarsenetn. (also sarcenet) a fine soft silk material used esp. for linings. [ME f. AF sarzinett perh. dimin. of sarzin SARACEN after OF drap sarrasinois Saracen cloth] sartorialadj. 1 of a tailor or tailoring. 2 of men's clothes. sartorially adv. [L sartor tailor f. sarcire sart- patch] sartoriusn. Anat. the long narrow muscle running across the front of each thigh. [mod.L f. L sartor tailor (the muscle being used in adopting a tailor's cross-legged posture)] Sarum usen. Eccl. the order of divine service used in the diocese of Salisbury before the Reformation. [med.L Sarum Salisbury, perh. f. L Sarisburia] SASabbr. (in the UK) Special Air Service. s.a.s.e.abbr. US self-addressed stamped envelope. sashn. a long strip or loop of cloth etc. worn over one shoulder usu. as part of a uniform or insignia, or worn round the waist, usu. by a woman or child. sashed adj. [earlier shash f. Arab. sas muslin, turban] n. 1 a frame holding the glass in a sash-window and usu. made to slide up and down in the grooves of a window aperture. 2 the glazed sliding light of a glasshouse or garden frame. sash-cord a strong cord attaching the sash-weights to a sash. sash-tool a glazier's or painter's brush for work on sash-windows. sash-weight a weight attached to each end of a sash to balance it at any height. sash-window a window with one or two sashes of which one or each can be slid vertically over the other to make an opening. sashed adj. [sashes corrupt. of CHASSIS, mistaken for pl.] sashayv.intr. esp. US colloq. walk or move ostentatiously, casually, or diagonally. [corrupt. of CHASS] sashimin. a Japanese dish of garnished raw fish in thin slices. [Jap.] sasinn. = BLACKBUCK. [Nepali] sasinen. Sc. Law 1 the possession of feudal property. 2 an act or document granting this. [var. of SEISIN] Sask.abbr. Saskatchewan. sasquatchn. a supposed yeti-like animal of NW America. [Amer. Ind.] sassn. & v. US colloq. --n. impudence, cheek. --v.tr. be impudent to, cheek. [var. of SAUCE] sassabyn. (pl. -ies) a S. African antelope, Damaliscus lunatus, similar to the hartebeest. [Tswana tsessbe, -bi] sassafrasn. 1 a small tree, Sassafras albidum, native to N. America, with aromatic leaves and bark. 2 a preparation of oil extracted from the leaves, or from its bark, used medicinally or in perfumery. [Sp. sasafrs or Port. sassafraz, of unkn. orig.] Sassaniann. & adj. (also Sassanid) --n. a member of a Persian dynasty ruling 211-651. --adj. of or relating to this dynasty. [Sasan, founder of the dynasty] Sassenachn. & adj. Sc. & Ir. usu. derog. --n. an English person. --adj. English. [Gael. Sasunnoch, Ir. Sasanach f. L Saxones Saxons] sassyadj. (sassier, sassiest) esp. US colloq. = SAUCY. sassily adv. sassiness n. [var. of SAUCY] sastrugin.pl. wavelike irregularities on the surface of hard polar snow, caused by winds. [Russ. zastrugi small ridges] Sat.abbr. Saturday. satpast and past part. of SIT. Satann. the Devil; Lucifer. [OE f. LL f. Gk f. Heb. satan lit. 'adversary' f. satan oppose, plot against] satanicadj. 1 of, like, or befitting Satan. 2 diabolical, hellish. satanically adv. Satanismn. 1 the worship of Satan, with a travesty of Christian forms. 2 the pursuit of evil for its own sake. 3 deliberate wickedness. Satanist n. Satanize v.tr. (also -ise). Satanology n. 1 beliefs concerning the Devil. 2 a history or collection of these. satayn. (also satai, sat) an Indonesian and Malaysian dish consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer and usu. served with spiced sauce. [Malayan satai sate, Indonesian sate] SATBabbr. Mus. soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (as a combination of voices). satcheln. a small bag usu. of leather and hung from the shoulder with a strap, for carrying books etc. esp. to and from school. [ME f. OF sachel f. L saccellus (as SACK)] satev.tr. 1 gratify (desire, or a desirous person) to the full. 2 cloy, surfeit, weary with over-abundance (sated with pleasure). sateless adj. poet. [prob. f. dial. sade, OE sadian (as SAD), assim. to SATIATE] sateenn. cotton fabric woven like satin with a glossy surface. [satin after velveteen] satelliten. & adj. --n. 1 a celestial body orbiting the earth or another planet. 2 an artificial body placed in orbit round the earth or another planet. 3 a follower; a hanger-on. 4 an underling; a member of an important person's staff or retinue. 5 (in full satellite State) a small country etc. nominally independent but controlled by or dependent on another. --adj. 1 transmitted by satellite (satellite communications; satellite television). 2 esp. Computing secondary; dependent; minor (networks of small satellite computers). satellite dish a concave dish-shaped aerial for receiving broadcasting signals transmitted by satellite. satellite town a small town economically or otherwise dependent on a nearby larger town. satellitic adj. satellitism n. [F satellite or L satelles satellitis attendant] sativar. of SUTTEE. satiateadj. & v. --adj. archaic satiated. --v.tr. = SATE. satiable adj. archaic. satiation n. [L satiatus past part. of satiare f. satis enough] satietyn. 1 the state of being glutted or satiated. 2 the feeling of having too much of something. 3 (foll. by of) a cloyed dislike of. to satiety to an extent beyond what is desired. [obs. F saciet f. L satietas -tatis f. satis enough] satinn., adj., & v. --n. a fabric of silk or various man-made fibres, with a glossy surface on one side produced by a twill weave with the weft-threads almost hidden. --adj. smooth as satin. --v.tr. (satined, satining) give a glossy surface to (paper). satin finish 1 a polish given to silver etc. with a metallic brush. 2 any effect resembling satin in texture produced on materials in various ways. satin paper fine glossy writing paper. satin spar a fibrous variety of gypsum. satin stitch a long straight embroidery stitch, giving the appearance of satin. satin white a white pigment of calcium sulphate and alumina. satinized adj. (also -ised). satiny adj. [ME f. OF f. Arab. zaytuni of Tseutung in China] satinetten. (also satinet) a satin-like fabric made partly or wholly of cotton or synthetic fibre. satinflower n. 1 any plant of the genus Clarkia, with pink or lavender flowers. 2 = HONESTY 3. satinwoodn. 1 a (in full Ceylon satinwood) a tree, Chlororylon swietenia, native to central and southern India and Ceylon. b (in full West Indian satinwood) a tree, Fagara flava, native to the West Indies, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and southern Florida. 2 the yellow glossy timber of either of these trees. satiren. 1 the use of ridicule, irony, sarcasm, etc., to expose folly or vice or to lampoon an individual. 2 a work or composition in prose or verse using satire. 3 this branch of literature. 4 a thing that brings ridicule upon something else. 5 Rom. Antiq. a poetic medley, esp. a poem ridiculing prevalent vices or follies. [F satire or L satira later form of satura medley] satiricadj. 1 of satire or satires. 2 containing satire (wrote a satiric review). 3 writing satire (a satiric poet). [F satirique or LL satiricus (as SATIRE)] satiricaladj. 1 = SATIRIC. 2 given to the use of satire in speech or writing or to cynical observation of others; sarcastic; humorously critical. satirically adv. satiristn. 1 a writer of satires. 2 a satirical person. satirizev.tr. (also -ise) 1 assail or ridicule with satire. 2 write a satire upon. 3 describe satirically. satirization n. [F satiriser (as SATIRE)] satisfaction n. 1 the act or an instance of satisfying; the state of being satisfied (heard this with great satisfaction). 2 a thing that satisfies desire or gratifies feeling (is a great satisfaction to me). 3 a thing that settles an obligation or pays a debt. 4 a (foll. by for) atonement; compensation (demanded satisfaction). b Theol. Christ's atonement for the sins of mankind. to one's satisfaction so that one is satisfied. [ME f. OF f. L satisfactio -onis (as SATISFY)] satisfactory adj. 1 adequate; causing or giving satisfaction (was a satisfactory pupil). 2 satisfying expectations or needs; leaving no room for complaint (a satisfactory result). satisfactorily adv. satisfactoriness n. [F satisfactoire or med.L satisfactorius (as SATISFY)] satisfyv. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. a meet the expectations or desires of; comply with (a demand). b be accepted by (a person, his taste) as adequate; be equal to (a preconception etc.). 2 tr. put an end to (an appetite or want) by supplying what was required. 3 tr. rid (a person) of an appetite or want in a similar way. 4 intr. give satisfaction; leave nothing to be desired. 5 tr. pay (a debt or creditor). 6 tr. adequately meet, fulfil, or comply with (conditions, obligations, etc.) (has satisfied all the legal conditions). 7 tr. (often foll. by of, that) provide with adequate information or proof, convince (satisfied the others that they were right; satisfy the court of their innocence). 8 tr. Math. (of a quantity) make (an equation) true. 9 tr. (in passive) a (foll. by with) contented or pleased with. b (foll. by to) demand no more than or consider it enough to do. satisfy the examiners reach the standard required to pass an examination. satisfy oneself (often foll. by that + clause) be certain in one's own mind. satisfiable adj. satisfiability n. satisfiedly adv. satisfying adj. satisfyingly adv. [ME f. OF satisfier f. L satisfacere satisfact- f. satis enough] satorin. Buddhism sudden enlightenment. [Jap.] satrapn. 1 a provincial governor in the ancient Persian empire. 2 a subordinate ruler, colonial governor, etc. [ME f. OF satrape or L satrapa f. Gk satrapes f. OPers. xsathra-pavan country-protector] satrapyn. (pl. -ies) a province ruled over by a satrap. satsuman. 1 also a variety of tangerine orig. grown in Japan. 2 (Satsuma) (in full Satsuma ware) cream-coloured Japanese pottery. [Satsuma a province in Japan] saturatev.tr. 1 fill with moisture; soak thoroughly. 2 (often foll. by with) fill to capacity. 3 cause (a substance, solution, vapour, metal, or air) to absorb, hold, or combine with the greatest possible amount of another substance, or of moisture, magnetism, electricity, etc. 4 cause (a substance) to combine with the maximum amount of another substance. 5 supply (a market) beyond the point at which the demand for a product is satisfied. 6 (foll. by with, in) imbue with or steep in (learning, tradition, prejudice, etc.). 7 overwhelm (enemy defences, a target area, etc.) by concentrated bombing. 8 (as saturated adj.) a (of colour) full; rich; free from an admixture of white. b (of fat molecules) containing the greatest number of hydrogen atoms. saturate adj. literary. saturable adj. saturant n. & adj. [L saturare f. satur full] saturation n. the act or an instance of saturating; the state of being saturated. saturation point the stage beyond which no more can be absorbed or accepted. Saturdayn. & adv. --n. the seventh day of the week, following Friday. --adv. colloq. 1 on Saturday. 2 (Saturdays) on Saturdays; each Saturday. [OE Stern(es) dg transl. of L Saturni dies day of Saturn] Saturnn. 1 a the sixth planet from the sun, with a system of broad flat rings circling it, and the most distant of the five planets known in the ancient world. b Astrol. Saturn as a supposed astrological influence on those born under its sign, characterized by coldness and gloominess. 2 Alchemy the metal lead. Saturnian adj. [L Saturnus, Roman god of agriculture, identified with Kronos, father of Zeus, perh. f. Etruscan] saturnalia n. (pl. same or saturnalias) 1 (usu. Saturnalia) Rom.Hist. the festival of Saturn in December, characterized by unrestrained merrymaking for all, the predecessor of Christmas. 2 (as sing. or pl.) a scene of wild revelry or tumult; an orgy. saturnalian adj. [L, neut. pl. of Saturnalis (as SATURN)] saturnicadj. Med. affected with lead-poisoning. saturnism [SATURN 2] saturniidn. any large moth of the family Saturniidae, including emperor moths. [mod.L] saturnineadj. 1 a of a sluggish gloomy temperament. b (of looks etc.) dark and brooding. 2 archaic a of the metal lead. b Med. of or affected by lead-poisoning. saturninely adv. [ME f. OF saturnin f. med.L Saturninus (as SATURN)] satyagraha n. Ind. 1 hist. a policy of passive resistance to British rule advocated by Gandhi. 2 passive resistance as a policy. [Skr. f. satya truth + agraha obstinacy] satyrn. 1 (in Greek mythology) one of a class of Greek woodland gods with a horse's ears and tail, or (in Roman representations) with a goat's ears, tail, legs, and budding horns. 2 a lustful or sensual man. 3 = SATYRID. [ME f. OF satyre or L satyrus f. Gk saturos] satyriasis n. Med. excessive sexual desire in men. [LL f. Gk saturiasis (as SATYR)] satyricadj. (in Greek mythology) of or relating to satyrs. satyric drama a kind of ancient Greek comic play with a chorus of satyrs. [L satyricus f. Gk saturikos (as SATYR)] satyridn. any butterfly of the family Satyridae, with distinctive eyelike markings on the wings. [mod.L Satyridae f. the genus-name Satyrus (as SATYR)] saucen. & v. --n. 1 any of various liquid or semi-solid preparations taken as a relish with food; the liquid constituent of a dish (mint sauce; tomato sauce; chicken in a lemon sauce). 2 something adding piquancy or excitement. 3 colloq. impudence, impertinence, cheek. 4 US stewed fruit etc. eaten as dessert or used as a garnish. --v.tr. 1 colloq. be impudent to; cheek. 2 archaic a season with sauce or condiments. b add excitement to. sauce-boat a kind of jug or dish used for serving sauces etc. sauce for the goose what is appropriate in one case (by implication appropriate in others). sauceless adj. [ME f. OF ult. f. L salsus f. salere sals- to salt f. sal salt] saucepann. a usu. metal cooking pan, usu. round with a lid and a long handle at the side, used for boiling, stewing, etc., on top of a cooker. saucepanful n. (pl. -fuls). saucern. 1 a shallow circular dish used for standing a cup on and to catch drips. 2 any similar dish used to stand a plant pot etc. on. saucerful n. (pl. -fuls). saucerless adj. [ME, = condiment-dish, f. OF saussier(e) sauce-boat, prob. f. LL salsarium (as SAUCE)] saucyadj. (saucier, sauciest) 1 impudent, cheeky. 2 colloq. smart-looking (a saucy hat). 3 colloq. smutty, suggestive. saucily adv. sauciness n. [earlier sense 'savoury', f. SAUCE] Saudin. & adj. (also Saudi Arabian) --n. (pl. Saudis) 1 a a native or national of Saudi Arabia. b a person of Saudi descent. 2 a member of the dynasty founded by King Saud. --adj. of or relating to Saudi Arabia or the Saudi dynasty. [A. Ibn- Saud, Arab. king d. 1953] sauerkraut n. a German dish of chopped pickled cabbage. [G f. sauer SOUR + Kraut vegetable] saugern. US a small American pike-perch. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] saunan. 1 a Finnish-style steam bath. 2 a building used for this. [Finn.] saundersvar. of SANDERS. saunterv. & n. --v.intr. 1 walk slowly; amble, stroll. 2 proceed without hurry or effort. --n. 1 a leisurely ramble. 2 a slow gait. saunterer n. [ME, = muse: orig. unkn.] saurianadj. of or like a lizard. [mod.L Sauria f. Gk saura lizard] sauropodn. any of a group of plant-eating dinosaurs with a long neck and tail, and four thick limbs. [Gk saura lizard + pous pod- foot] sauryn. (pl. -ies) a long-beaked marine fish, Scomberesox saurus, of temperate waters. [perh. f. LL f. Gk sauros horse-mackerel] sausagen. 1 a minced pork, beef, or other meat seasoned and often mixed with other ingredients, encased in cylindrical form in a skin, for cooking and eating hot or cold. b a length of this. 2 a sausage-shaped object. not a sausage colloq. nothing at all. sausage dog Brit. colloq. a dachshund. sausage machine 1 a sausage-making machine. 2 a relentlessly uniform process. sausage meat minced meat used in sausages or as a stuffing etc. sausage roll Brit. sausage meat enclosed in a pastry roll and baked. [ME f. ONF saussiche f. med.L salsicia f. L salsus: see SAUCE] sautadj., n., & v. --adj. (esp. of potatoes etc.) quickly fried in a little hot fat. --n. food cooked in this way. --v.tr. (sautd or sauted) cook in this way. [F, past part. of sauter jump] Sauternesn. a sweet white wine from Sauternes in the Bordeaux region of France. savageadj., n., & v. --adj. 1 fierce; cruel (savage persecution; a savage blow). 2 wild; primitive (savage tribes; a savage animal). 3 archaic (of scenery etc.) uncultivated (a savage scene). 4 colloq. angry; bad-tempered (in a savage mood). 5 Heraldry (of the human figure) naked. --n. 1 Anthropol. derog. a member of a primitive tribe. 2 a cruel or barbarous person. --v.tr. 1 (esp. of a dog, wolf, etc.) attack and bite or trample. 2 (of a critic etc.) attack fiercely. savagedom n. savagely adv. savageness n. savagery n. (pl. -ies). [ME f. OF sauvage wild f. L silvaticus f. silva a wood] savannahn. (also savanna) a grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few or no trees. [Sp. zavana perh. of Carib orig.] savantn. (fem. savante) a learned person, esp. a distinguished scientist etc. [F, part. of savoir know (as SAPIENT)] savaten. a form of boxing in which feet and fists are used. [F, orig. a kind of shoe: cf. SABOT] savev. & n. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by from) rescue, preserve, protect, or deliver from danger, harm, discredit, etc. (saved my life; saved me from drowning). 2 tr. (often foll. by up) keep for future use; reserve; refrain from spending (saved up 150 for a new bike; likes to save plastic bags). 3 tr. (often refl.) a relieve (another person or oneself) from spending (money, time, trouble, etc.); prevent exposure to (annoyance etc.) (saved myself 50; a word processor saves time). b obviate the need or likelihood of (soaking saves scrubbing). 4 tr. preserve from damnation; convert (saved her soul). 5 tr. & refl. husband or preserve (one's strength, health, etc.) (saving himself for the last lap; save your energy). 6 intr. (often foll. by up) save money for future use. 7 tr. a avoid losing (a game, match, etc.). b prevent an opponent from scoring (a goal etc.). c stop (a ball etc.) from entering the goal. --n. 1 Football etc. the act of preventing an opponent's scoring etc. 2 Bridge a sacrifice-bid to prevent unnecessary losses. save-all 1 a device to prevent waste. 2 hist. a pan with a spike for burning up candle-ends. save appearances present a prosperous, respectable, etc. appearance. save-as-you-earn Brit. a method of saving by regular deduction from earnings at source. save one's breath not waste time speaking to no effect. save a person's face see FACE. save the situation (or day) find or provide a solution to difficulty or disaster. save one's skin (or neck or bacon) avoid loss, injury, or death; escape from danger. save the tide get in or out (of port etc.) while it lasts. save the trouble avoid useless or pointless effort. savable adj. (also saveable). [ME f. AF sa(u)ver, OF salver, sauver f. LL salvare f. L salvus SAFE] prep. & conj. archaic or poet. --prep. except; but (all save him). --conj. (often foll. by for) unless; but; except (happy save for one want; is well save that he has a cold). [ME f. OF sauf sauve f. L salvo, salva, ablat. sing. of salvus SAFE] saveloyn. a seasoned red pork sausage, dried and smoked, and sold ready to eat. [corrupt. of F cervelas, -at, f. It. cervellata (cervello brain)] savern. 1 a person who saves esp. money. 2 (often in comb.) a device for economical use (of time etc.) (found the short cut a time-saver). 3 Racing sl. a hedging bet. savinn. (also savine) 1 a bushy juniper, Juniperus sabina, usu. spreading horizontally, and yielding oil formerly used in the treatment of amenorrhoea. 2 US = red cedar. [OE f. OF savine f. L sabina (herba) Sabine (herb)] savingadj., n., & prep. --adj. (often in comb.) making economical use of (labour-saving). --n. 1 anything that is saved. 2 an economy (a saving in expenses). 3 (usu. in pl.) money saved. --prep. 1 with the exception of; except (all saving that one). 2 without offence to (saving your presence). saving clause Law a clause containing a stipulation of exemption etc. saving grace 1 the redeeming grace of God. 2 a redeeming quality or characteristic. savings account a deposit account. savings bank a bank receiving small deposits at interest and returning the profits to the depositors. savings certificate Brit. an interest-bearing document issued by the Government for the benefit of savers. [ME f. SAVE: prep. prob. f. SAVE after touching] saviourn. (US savior) 1 a person who saves or delivers from danger, destruction, etc. (the saviour of the nation). 2 (Saviour) (prec. by the, our) Christ. [ME f. OF sauvour f. eccl.L salvator -oris (transl. Gk soter) f. LL salvare SAVE] savoir faire n. the ability to act suitably in any situation; tact. [F, = know how to do] savorUS var. of SAVOUR. savoryn. (pl. -ies) any herb of the genus Satureia, esp. S. hortensis and S. montana, used esp. in cookery. [ME saverey, perh. f. OE stherie f. L satureia] US var. of SAVOURY. savourn. & v. (US savor) --n. 1 a characteristic taste, flavour, relish, etc. 2 a quality suggestive of or containing a small amount of another. 3 archaic a characteristic smell. --v. 1 tr. a appreciate and enjoy the taste of (food). b enjoy or appreciate (an experience etc.). 2 intr. (foll. by of) a suggest by taste, smell, etc. (savours of mushrooms). b imply or suggest a specified quality (savours of impertinence). savourless adj. [ME f. OF f. L sapor -oris f. sapere to taste] savouryadj. & n. (US savory) --adj. 1 having an appetizing taste or smell. 2 (of food) salty or piquant, not sweet (a savoury omelette). 3 pleasant; acceptable. --n. (pl. -ies) Brit. a savoury dish served as an appetizer or at the end of dinner. savourily adv. savouriness n. [ME f. OF savour past part. (as SAVOUR)] savoyn. a hardy variety of cabbage with wrinkled leaves. [Savoy in SE France] Savoyardn. & adj. --n. a native of Savoy in SE France. --adj. of or relating to Savoy or its people etc. [F f. Savoie Savoy] savvyv., n., & adj. sl. --v.intr. & tr. (-ies, -ied) know. --n. knowingness; shrewdness; understanding. --adj. (savvier, savviest) US knowing; wise. [orig. Black & Pidgin E after Sp. sabe usted you know] sawn. & v. --n. 1 a a hand tool having a toothed blade used to cut esp. wood with a to-and-fro movement. b any of several mechanical power-driven devices with a toothed rotating disk or moving band, for cutting. 2 Zool. etc. a serrated organ or part. --v. (past part. sawn or sawed) 1 tr. a cut (wood etc.) with a saw. b make (boards etc.) with a saw. 2 intr. use a saw. 3 a intr. move to and fro with a motion as of a saw or person sawing (sawing away on his violin). b tr. divide (the air etc.) with gesticulations. saw-doctor a machine for making the teeth of a saw. saw-edged with a jagged edge like a saw. saw-frame a frame in which a saw-blade is held taut. saw-gate = saw-frame. saw-gin = cotton-gin. saw-horse a rack supporting wood for sawing. sawn-off (US sawed-off) 1 (of a gun) having part of the barrel sawn off to make it easier to handle and give a wider field of fire. 2 colloq. (of a person) short. saw-pit a pit in which the lower of two men working a pit-saw stands. saw-set a tool for wrenching saw-teeth in alternate directions to allow the saw to work freely. saw-wort a composite plant, Serratula tinctoria, yielding a yellow dye from its serrated leaves. sawlike adj. [OE saga f. Gmc] past of SEE. n. a proverb; a maxim (that's just an old saw). [OE sagu f. Gmc, rel. to SAY: cf. SAGA] sawbilln. a merganser. sawbonesn. sl. a doctor or surgeon. sawbuckn. US 1 a saw-horse. 2 sl. a $10 note. sawdustn. powdery particles of wood produced in sawing. sawfishn. any large marine fish of the family Pristidae, with a toothed flat snout used as a weapon. sawflyn. (pl. -flies) any insect of the superfamily Tenthredinidae, with a serrated ovipositor, the larvae of which are injurious to plants. sawmilln. a factory in which wood is sawn mechanically into planks or boards. sawnpast part. of SAW. sawtoothadj. 1 (also sawtoothed) (esp. of a roof, wave, etc.) shaped like the teeth of a saw with one steep and one slanting side. 2 (of a wave-form) showing a slow linear rise and rapid linear fall. sawyern. 1 a person who saws timber professionally. 2 US an uprooted tree held fast by one end in a river. 3 NZ a large wingless horned grasshopper whose grubs bore in wood. [ME, earlier sawer, f. SAW] saxn. colloq. 1 a saxophone. 2 a saxophone-player. saxist n. [abbr.] n. (also zax) a slater's chopper, with a point for making nail-holes. [OE seax knife f. Gmc] saxatileadj. living or growing on or among rocks. [F saxatile or L saxatilis f. saxum rock] saxboardn. the uppermost strake of an open boat. [SAX + BOARD] saxen. (in full saxe blue) (often attrib.) a lightish blue colour with a greyish tinge. [F, = Saxony, the source of a dye of this colour] saxhornn. any of a series of different-sized brass wind instruments with valves and a funnel-shaped mouthpiece, used mainly in military and brass bands. [Sax, name of its Belgian inventors, + HORN] saxicoline adj. (also saxicolous) Biol. = SAXATILE. [mod.L saxicolus f. saxum rock + colere inhabit] saxifragen. any plant of the genus Saxifraga, growing on rocky or stony ground and usu. bearing small white, yellow, or red flowers. [ME f. OF saxifrage or LL saxifraga (herba) f. L saxum rock + frangere break] Saxonn. & adj. --n. 1 hist. a a member of the Germanic people that conquered parts of England in 5th-6th c. b (usu. Old Saxon) the language of the Saxons. 2 = ANGLO-SAXON. 3 a native of modern Saxony in Germany. 4 the Germanic (as opposed to Latin or Romance) elements of English. --adj. 1 hist. of or concerning the Saxons. 2 belonging to or originating from the Saxon language or Old English. 3 of or concerning modern Saxony or Saxons. Saxon architecture the form of Romanesque architecture preceding the Norman in England. Saxon blue a solution of indigo in sulphuric acid as a dye. Saxondom n. Saxonism n. Saxonist n. Saxonize v.tr. & intr. (also -ise). [ME f. OF f. LL Saxo -onis f. Gk Saxones (pl.) f. WG: cf. OE Seaxan, Seaxe (pl.)] saxonyn. 1 a fine kind of wool. 2 cloth made from this. [Saxony in Germany f. LL Saxonia (as SAXON)] saxophonen. 1 a keyed brass reed instrument in several sizes and registers, used esp. in jazz and dance music. 2 a saxophone-player. saxophonic adj. saxophonist n. [Sax (as SAXHORN) + -PHONE] sayv. & n. --v. (3rd sing. present says; past and past part. said) 1 tr. (often foll. by that + clause) a utter (specified words) in a speaking voice; remark (said 'Damn!'; said that he was satisfied). b put into words; express (that was well said; cannot say what I feel). 2 tr. (often foll. by that + clause) a state; promise or prophesy (says that there will be war). b have specified wording; indicate (says here that he was killed; the clock says ten to six). 3 tr. (in passive; usu. foll. by to + infin.) be asserted or described (is said to be 93 years old). 4 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) colloq. tell a person to do something (he said to bring the car). 5 tr. convey (information) (spoke for an hour but said little). 6 tr. put forward as an argument or excuse (much to be said in favour of it; what have you to say for yourself?). 7 tr. (often absol.) form and give an opinion or decision as to (who did it I cannot say; do say which you prefer). 8 tr. select, assume, or take as an example or (a specified number etc.) as near enough (shall we say this one?; paid, say, 20). 9 tr. a speak the words of (prayers, Mass, a grace, etc.). b repeat (a lesson etc.); recite (can't say his tables). 10 tr. Art etc. convey (inner meaning or intention) (what is the director saying in this film?). 11 intr. a speak; talk. b (in imper.) poet. tell me (what is your name, say!). 12 tr. (the said) Law or joc. the previously mentioned (the said witness). 13 intr. (as int.) US an exclamation of surprise, to attract attention, etc. --n. 1 a an opportunity for stating one's opinion etc. (let him have his say). b a stated opinion. 2 a share in a decision (had no say in the matter). how say you? Law how do you find? (addressed to the jury requesting its verdict). I etc. cannot (or could not) say I etc. do not know. I'll say colloq. yes indeed. I say! Brit. an exclamation expressing surprise, drawing attention, etc. it is said the rumour is that. not to say and indeed; or possibly even (his language was rude not to say offensive). said he (or I etc.) colloq. or poet. he etc. said. say for oneself say by way of conversation, oratory, etc. say much (or something) for indicate the high quality of. say no refuse or disagree. say out express fully or candidly. says I (or he etc.) colloq. I, he, etc., said (used in reporting conversation). say-so 1 the power of decision. 2 mere assertion (cannot proceed merely on his say-so). say something make a short speech. says you! colloq. I disagree. say when colloq. indicate when enough drink or food has been given. say the word 1 indicate that you agree or give permission. 2 give the order etc. say yes agree. that is to say 1 in other words, more explicitly. 2 or at least. they say it is rumoured. to say nothing of = not to mention (see MENTION). what do (or would) you say to? would you like? when all is said and done after all, in the long run. you can say that again! (or you said it!) colloq. I agree emphatically. you don't say so colloq. an expression of amazement or disbelief. sayable adj. sayer n. [OE secgan f. Gmc] SAYEabbr. Brit. save-as-you-earn. sayingn. 1 the act or an instance of saying. 2 a maxim, proverb, adage, etc. as the saying goes (or is) an expression used in introducing a proverb, clich, etc. go without saying be too well known or obvious to need mention. there is no saying it is impossible to know. Sbsymb. Chem. the element antimony. [L stibium] SBNabbr. Standard Book Number (cf. ISBN). S. by E.abbr. South by East. S. by W.abbr. South by West. SCabbr. 1 US South Carolina (also in official postal use). 2 special constable. Scsymb. Chem. the element scandium. sc.abbr. scilicet. s.c.abbr. small capitals. scabn. & v. --n. 1 a dry rough crust formed over a cut, sore, etc. in healing. 2 (often attrib.) colloq. derog. a person who refuses to strike or join a trade union, or who tries to break a strike by working; a blackleg. 3 the mange or a similar skin disease esp. in animals. 4 a fungous plant-disease causing scablike roughness. 5 a dislikeable person. --v.intr. (scabbed, scabbing) 1 act as a scab. 2 (of a wound etc.) form a scab; heal over. scabbed adj. scabby adj. (scabbier, scabbiest). scabbiness n. scablike adj. [ME f. ON skabbr (unrecorded), corresp. to OE sceabb] scabbardn. 1 hist. a sheath for a sword, bayonet, etc. 2 US a sheath for a revolver etc. scabbard-fish any of various silvery-white marine fish shaped like a sword-scabbard, esp. Lepidopus caudatus. [ME sca(u)berc etc. f. AF prob. f. Frank.] scabiesn. a contagious skin disease causing severe itching (cf. ITCH). [ME f. L f. scabere scratch] scabiousn. & adj. --n. any plant of the genus Scabiosa, Knautia, etc., with pink, white, or esp. blue pincushion-shaped flowers. --adj. affected with mange; scabby. [ME f. med.L scabiosa (herba) formerly regarded as a cure for skin disease: see SCABIES] scabrousadj. 1 having a rough surface; bearing short stiff hairs, scales, etc.; scurfy. 2 (of a subject, situation, etc.) requiring tactful treatment; hard to handle with decency. 3 a indecent, salacious. b behaving licentiously. scabrously adv. scabrousness n. [F scabreux or LL scabrosus f. L scaber rough] scadn. any fish of the family Carangidae native to tropical and subtropical seas, usu. having an elongated body and very large spiky scales. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] scadsn.pl. US colloq. large quantities. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] scaffoldn. & v. --n. 1 a hist. a raised wooden platform used for the execution of criminals. b a similar platform used for drying tobacco etc. 2 = SCAFFOLDING. 3 (prec. by the) death by execution. --v.tr. attach scaffolding to (a building). scaffolder n. [ME f. AF f. OF (e)schaffaut, earlier escadafaut: cf. CATAFALQUE] scaffolding n. 1 a a temporary structure formed of poles, planks, etc., erected by workmen and used by them while building or repairing a house etc. b materials used for this. 2 a temporary conceptual framework used for constructing theories etc. scagliolan. imitation stone or plaster mixed with glue. [It. scagliuola dimin. of scaglia SCALE] scalableadj. capable of being scaled or climbed. scalability n. scalaradj. & n. Math. & Physics --adj. (of a quantity) having only magnitude, not direction. --n. a scalar quantity (cf. VECTOR). [L scalaris f. scala ladder; see SCALE] scalawagvar. of SCALLYWAG. scaldv. & n. --v.tr. 1 burn (the skin etc.) with hot liquid or steam. 2 heat (esp. milk) to near boiling-point. 3 (usu. foll. by out) clean (a pan etc.) by rinsing with boiling water. 4 treat (poultry etc.) with boiling water to remove feathers etc. --n. 1 a burn etc. caused by scalding. 2 a skin disease caused esp. by air pollution etc. affecting the fruits of some plants. like a scalded cat moving unusually fast. scalded cream a dessert made from milk scalded and allowed to stand. scalding tears hot bitter tears of grief etc. scalder n. [ME f. AF, ONF escalder, OF eschalder f. LL excaldare (as EX-, L calidus hot)] var. of SKALD. scalen. & v. --n. 1 each of the small thin bony or horny overlapping plates protecting the skin of fish and reptiles. 2 something resembling a fish-scale, esp.: a a pod or husk. b a flake of skin; a scab. c a rudimentary leaf, feather, or bract. d each of the structures covering the wings of butterflies and moths. e Bot. a layer of a bulb. 3 a a flake formed on the surface of rusty iron. b a thick white deposit formed in a kettle, boiler, etc. by the action of heat on water. 4 plaque formed on teeth. --v. 1 tr. remove scale or scales from (fish, nuts, iron, etc.). 2 tr. remove plaque from (teeth) by scraping. 3 intr. a (of skin, metal, etc.) form, come off in, or drop, scales. b (usu. foll. by off) (of scales) come off. scale-armour hist. armour formed of metal scales attached to leather etc. scale-board very thin wood used for the back of a mirror, picture, etc. scale-bug = scale insect. scale-fern any of various spleenworts, esp. Asplenium ceterach. scale insect any of various insects, esp. of the family Coccidae, clinging to plants and secreting a shieldlike scale as covering. scale-leaf a modified leaf resembling a scale. scale-moss a type of liverwort with scalelike leaves. scales fall from a person's eyes a person is no longer deceived (cf. Acts 9:18). scale-winged lepidopterous. scale-work an overlapping arrangement. scaled adj. (also in comb.). scaleless adj. scaler n. [ME f. OF escale f. Gmc, rel. to SCALE] n. & v. --n. 1 a (often in pl.) a weighing machine or device (bathroom scales). b (also scale-pan) each of the dishes on a simple scale balance. 2 (the Scales) the zodiacal sign or constellation Libra. --v.tr. (of something weighed) show (a specified weight) in the scales. pair of scales a simple balance. throw into the scale cause to be a factor in a contest, debate, etc. tip (or turn) the scales 1 (usu. foll. by at) outweigh the opposite scale-pan (at a specified weight); weigh. 2 (of a motive, circumstance, etc.) be decisive. [ME f. ON skl bowl f. Gmc] n. & v. --n. 1 a series of degrees; a graded classification system (pay fees according to a prescribed scale; high on the social scale; seven points on the Richter scale). 2 a (often attrib.) Geog. & Archit. a ratio of size in a map, model, picture, etc. (on a scale of one centimetre to the kilometre; a scale model). b relative dimensions or degree (generosity on a grand scale). 3 Mus. an arrangement of all the notes in any system of music in ascending or descending order (chromatic scale; major scale). 4 a a set of marks on a line used in measuring, reducing, enlarging, etc. b a rule determining the distances between these. c a piece of metal, apparatus, etc. on which these are marked. 5 (in full scale of notation) Math. the ratio between units in a numerical system (decimal scale). --v. 1 tr. a (also absol.) climb (a wall, height, etc.) esp. with a ladder. b climb (the social scale, heights of ambition, etc.). 2 tr. represent in proportional dimensions; reduce to a common scale. 3 intr. (of quantities etc.) have a common scale; be commensurable. economies of scale proportionate savings gained by using larger quantities. in scale (of drawing etc.) in proportion to the surroundings etc. play (or sing) scales Mus. perform the notes of a scale as an exercise for the fingers or voice. scale down make smaller in proportion; reduce in size. scale up make larger in proportion; increase in size. scaling-ladder hist. a ladder used to climb esp. fortress walls, esp. to break a siege. to scale with a uniform reduction or enlargement. scaler n. [(n.) ME (= ladder): (v.) ME f. OF escaler or med.L scalare f. L scala f. scandere climb] scaleneadj. & n. --adj. (esp. of a triangle) having sides unequal in length. --n. 1 (in full scalene muscle) = SCALENUS. 2 a scalene triangle. scalene cone (or cylinder) a cone (or cylinder) with the axis not perpendicular to the base. [LL scalenus f. Gk skalenos unequal, rel. to skolios bent] scalenusn. (pl. scaleni) any of several muscles extending from the neck to the first and second ribs. [mod.L: see SCALENE] scallawagvar. of SCALLYWAG. scallionn. a shallot or spring onion; any long-necked onion with a small bulb. [ME f. AF scal(o)un = OF escalo(i)gne ult. f. L Ascalonia (caepa) (onion) of Ascalon in anc. Palestine] scallopn. & v. (also scollop) 1 any of various bivalve molluscs of the family Pectinidae, esp. of the genus Chlamys or Pecten, much prized as food. 2 (in full scallop shell) a a single valve from the shell of a scallop, with grooves and ridges radiating from the middle of the hinge and edged with small rounded lobes, often used for cooking or serving food. b hist. a representation of this shell worn as a pilgrim's badge. 3 (in pl.) an ornamental edging cut in material in imitation of a scallop-edge. 4 a small pan or dish shaped like a scallop shell and used for baking or serving food. --v.tr. (scalloped, scalloping) 1 cook in a scallop. 2 ornament (an edge or material) with scallops or scalloping. scalloper n. scalloping n. (in sense 3 of n.). [ME f. OF escalope prob. f. Gmc] scallywagn. (also scalawag, scallawag) a scamp; a rascal. [19th-c. US sl.: orig. unkn.] scalpn. & v. --n. 1 the skin covering the top of the head, with the hair etc. attached. 2 a hist. the scalp of an enemy cut or torn away as a trophy by an American Indian. b a trophy or symbol of triumph, conquest, etc. 3 Sc. a bare rock projecting above water etc. --v.tr. 1 hist. take the scalp of (an enemy). 2 criticize savagely. 3 US defeat; humiliate. 4 US colloq. resell (shares, tickets, etc.) at a high or quick profit. scalpless adj. [ME, prob. of Scand. orig.] scalpeln. a surgeon's small sharp knife shaped for holding like a pen. [F scalpel or L scalpellum dimin. of scalprum chisel f. scalpere scratch] scalpern. 1 a person or thing that scalps (esp. in sense 4 of v.). 2 (also scauper, scorper) an engraver's tool for hollowing out woodcut or linocut designs. [SCALP + -ER: sense 2 also f. L scalper cutting tool f. scalpere carve] scalyadj. (scalier, scaliest) covered in or having many scales or flakes. scaliness n. scamn. US sl. 1 a trick or swindle; a fraud. 2 a story or rumour. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] scammonyn. (pl. -ies) an Asian plant, Convolvulus scammonia, bearing white or pink flowers, the dried roots of which are used as a purgative. [ME f. OF scamonee, escamonie or L scammonia f. Gk skammonia] scampn. colloq. a rascal; a rogue. scampish adj. [scamp rob on highway, prob. f. MDu. schampen decamp f. OF esc(h)amper (as EX-, L campus field)] v.tr. do (work etc.) in a perfunctory or inadequate way. [perh. formed as SCAMP: cf. SKIMP] scamperv. & n. --v.intr. (usu. foll. by about, through) run and skip impulsively or playfully. --n. the act or an instance of scampering. [prob. formed as SCAMP] scampin.pl. 1 large prawns. 2 (often treated as sing.) a dish of these, usu. fried. [It.] scanv. & n. --v. (scanned, scanning) 1 tr. look at intently or quickly (scanned the horizon; rapidly scanned the speech for errors). 2 intr. (of a verse etc.) be metrically correct; be capable of being recited etc. metrically (this line doesn't scan). 3 tr. a examine all parts of (a surface etc.) to detect radioactivity etc. b cause (a particular region) to be traversed by a radar etc. beam. 4 tr. resolve (a picture) into its elements of light and shade in a prearranged pattern for the purposes esp. of television transmission. 5 tr. test the metre of (a line of verse etc.) by reading with the emphasis on its rhythm, or by examining the number of feet etc. 6 tr. a make a scan of (the body or part of it). b examine (a patient etc.) with a scanner. --n. 1 the act or an instance of scanning. 2 an image obtained by scanning or with a scanner. scannable adj. [ME f. L scandere climb: in LL = scan verses (from the raising of one's foot in marking rhythm)] scandaln. 1 a a thing or a person causing general public outrage or indignation. b the outrage etc. so caused, esp. as a subject of common talk. c malicious gossip or backbiting. 2 Law a public affront, esp. an irrelevant abusive statement in court. scandal sheet derog. a newspaper etc. giving prominence to esp. malicious gossip. scandalous adj. scandalously adv. scandalousness n. [ME f. OF scandale f. eccl.L scandalum f. Gk skandalon snare, stumbling-block] scandalize v.tr. (also -ise) offend the moral feelings, sensibilities, etc. of; shock. [ME in sense 'make a scandal of' f. F scandaliser or eccl.L scandaliso f. Gk skandalizo (as SCANDAL)] scandalmonger n. a person who spreads malicious scandal. Scandinavian n. & adj. --n. 1 a a native or inhabitant of Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland). b a person of Scandinavian descent. 2 the family of languages of Scandinavia. --adj. of or relating to Scandinavia or its people or languages. [L Scandinavia] scandiumn. Chem. a rare soft silver-white metallic element occurring naturally in lanthanide ores. Symb.: Sc. [mod.L f. Scandia Scandinavia (source of the minerals containing it)] scannablesee SCAN. scannern. 1 a device for scanning or systematically examining all the parts of something. 2 a machine for measuring the intensity of radiation, ultrasound reflections, etc., from the body as a diagnostic aid. 3 a person who scans or examines critically. 4 a person who scans verse. scansionn. 1 the metrical scanning of verse. 2 the way a verse etc. scans. [L scansio (LL of metre) f. scandere scans- climb] scantadj. & v. --adj. barely sufficient; deficient (with scant regard for the truth; scant of breath). --v.tr. archaic provide (a supply, material, a person, etc.) grudgingly; skimp; stint. scantly adv. scantness n. [ME f. ON skamt neut. of skammr short] scantlingn. 1 a a timber beam of small cross-section. b a size to which a stone or timber is to be cut. 2 a set of standard dimensions for parts of a structure, esp. in shipbuilding. 3 (usu. foll. by of) archaic a a specimen or sample. b one's necessary supply; a modicum or small amount. [alt. after -LING f. obs. scantlon f. OF escantillon sample] scantyadj. (scantier, scantiest) 1 of small extent or amount. 2 barely sufficient. scantily adv. scantiness n. [obs. scant scanty supply f. ON skamt neut. adj.: see SCANT] scapen. 1 a long flower-stalk coming directly from the root. 2 the base of an insect's antenna. [L scapus f. Gk skapos, rel. to SCEPTRE] -scapecomb. form forming nouns denoting a view or a representation of a view (moonscape; seascape). [after LANDSCAPE] scapegoatn. & v. --n. 1 a person bearing the blame for the sins, shortcomings, etc. of others, esp. as an expedient. 2 Bibl. a goat sent into the wilderness after the Jewish chief priest had symbolically laid the sins of the people upon it (Lev. 16). --v.tr. make a scapegoat of. scapegoater n. [scape (archaic, = escape) + GOAT, = the goat that escapes] scapegrace n. a rascal; a scamp, esp. a young person or child. [scape (as SCAPEGOAT) + GRACE = one who escapes the grace of God] scaphoidadj. & n. Anat. = NAVICULAR. [mod.L scaphoides f. Gk skaphoeides f. skaphos boat] scapulan. (pl. scapulae or scapulas) the shoulder-blade. [LL, sing. of L scapulae] scapularadj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the shoulder or shoulder-blade. --n. 1 a a monastic short cloak covering the shoulders. b a symbol of affiliation to an ecclesiastical order, consisting of two strips of cloth hanging down the breast and back and joined across the shoulders. 2 a bandage for or over the shoulders. 3 a scapular feather. scapular feather a feather growing near the insertion of the wing. [(adj.) f. SCAPULA: (n.) f. LL scapulare (as SCAPULA)] scapularyn. (pl. -ies) 1 = SCAPULAR n. 1. 2 = SCAPULAR n. 3. [ME f. OF eschapeloyre f. med.L scapelorium, scapularium (as SCAPULA)] scarn. & v. --n. 1 a usu. permanent mark on the skin left after the healing of a wound, burn, or sore. 2 the lasting effect of grief etc. on a person's character or disposition. 3 a mark left by damage etc. (the table bore many scars). 4 a mark left on the stem etc. of a plant by the fall of a leaf etc. --v. (scarred, scarring) 1 tr. (esp. as scarred adj.) mark with a scar or scars (was scarred for life). 2 intr. heal over; form a scar. 3 tr. form a scar on. scarless adj. [ME f. OF eschar(r)e f. LL eschara f. Gk eskhara scab] n. (also scaur) a steep craggy outcrop of a mountain or cliff. [ME f. ON sker low reef in the sea] scarabn. 1 a the sacred dung-beetle of ancient Egypt. b = SCARABAEID. 2 an ancient Egyptian gem cut in the form of a beetle and engraved with symbols on its flat side, used as a signet etc. [L scarabaeus f. Gk skarabeios] scarabaeid n. any beetle of the family Scarabaeidae, including the dung-beetle, cockchafer, etc. [mod.L Scarabaeidae (as SCARAB)] scaramouch n. archaic a boastful coward; a braggart. [It. Scaramuccia stock character in Italian farce f. scaramuccia = SKIRMISH, infl. by F form Scaramouche] scarceadj. & adv. --adj. 1 (usu. predic.) (esp. of food, money, etc.) insufficient for the demand; scanty. 2 hard to find; rare. --adv. archaic or literary scarcely. make oneself scarce colloq. keep out of the way; surreptitiously disappear. scarceness n. [ME f. AF & ONF (e)scars, OF eschars f. L excerpere: see EXCERPT] scarcelyadv. 1 hardly; barely; only just (I scarcely know him). 2 surely not (he can scarcely have said so). 3 a mild or apologetic or ironical substitute for 'not' (I scarcely expected to be insulted). scarcityn. (pl. -ies) (often foll. by of) a lack or inadequacy, esp. of food. scarev. & n. --v. 1 tr. frighten, esp. suddenly (his expression scared us). 2 tr. (as scared adj.) (usu. foll. by of, or to + infin.) frightened; terrified (scared of his own shadow). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by away, off, up, etc.) drive away by frightening. 4 intr. become scared (they don't scare easily). --n. 1 a sudden attack of fright (gave me a scare). 2 a general, esp. baseless, fear of war, invasion, epidemic, etc. (a measles scare). 3 a financial panic causing share-selling etc. scaredy-cat colloq. a timid person. scare-heading (or -head) a shockingly sensational newspaper headline. scare up (or out) esp. US 1 frighten (game etc.) out of cover. 2 colloq. manage to find; discover (see if we can scare up a meal). scarer n. [ME skerre f. ON skirra frighten f. skjarr timid] scarecrown. 1 a human figure dressed in old clothes and set up in a field to scare birds away. 2 colloq. a badly-dressed, grotesque-looking, or very thin person. 3 archaic an object of baseless fear. scaremonger n. a person who spreads frightening reports or rumours. scaremongering n. scarfn. (pl. scarves or scarfs) a square, triangular, or esp. long narrow strip of material worn round the neck, over the shoulders, or tied round the head (of a woman), for warmth or ornament. scarf-pin (or -ring) Brit. an ornamental device for fastening a scarf. scarf-skin the outermost layer of the skin constantly scaling off, esp. that at the base of the nails. scarf-wise worn diagonally across the body from shoulder to hip. scarfed adj. [prob. alt. of scarp (infl. by SCARF) f. ONF escarpe = OF escherpe sash] v. & n. --v.tr. join the ends of (pieces of esp. timber, metal, or leather) by bevelling or notching them to fit and then bolting, brazing, or sewing them together; cut the blubber of (a whale). --n. 1 a joint made by scarfing. 2 a cut on a whale made by scarfing. [ME (earlier as noun) prob. f. OF escarf (unrecorded) perh. f. ON] scarifiern. 1 a thing or person that scarifies. 2 a machine with prongs for loosening soil without turning it. 3 a spiked road-breaking machine. scarifyv.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 a make superficial incisions in. b cut off skin from. 2 hurt by severe criticism etc. 3 loosen (soil) with a scarifier. scarification n. [ME f. F scarifier f. LL scarificare f. L scarifare f. Gk skariphaomai f. skariphos stylus] v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) colloq. scare; terrify. scariousadj. (of a part of a plant etc.) having a dry membranous appearance; thin and brittle. [F scarieux or mod.L scariosus] scarlatina n. = scarlet fever. [mod.L f. It. scarlattina (febbre fever) dimin. of scarlatto SCARLET] scarletn. & adj. --n. 1 a brilliant red colour tinged with orange. 2 clothes or material of this colour (dressed in scarlet). --adj. of a scarlet colour. scarlet fever an infectious bacterial fever, affecting esp. children, with a scarlet rash. scarlet hat RC Ch. a cardinal's hat as a symbol of rank. scarlet pimpernel a small annual wild plant, Anagallis arvensis, with small esp. scarlet flowers closing in rainy or cloudy weather: also called poor man's weather-glass. scarlet rash = ROSEOLA 1. scarlet runner 1 a runner bean. 2 a scarlet-flowered climber bearing this bean. scarlet woman derog. a notoriously promiscuous woman, a prostitute. [ME f. OF escarlate: ult. orig. unkn.] scaroidn. & adj. --n. any colourful marine fish of the family Scaridae, native to tropical and temperate seas, including the scarus. --adj. of or relating to this family. scarpn. & v. --n. 1 the inner wall or slope of a ditch in a fortification (cf. COUNTERSCARP). 2 a steep slope. --v.tr. 1 make (a slope) perpendicular or steep. 2 provide (a ditch) with a steep scarp and counterscarp. 3 (as scarped adj.) (of a hillside etc.) steep; precipitous. [It. scarpa] scarperv.intr. Brit. sl. run away; escape. [prob. f. It. scappare escape, infl. by rhyming sl. Scapa Flow = go] scarusn. any fish of the genus Scarus, with brightly coloured scales, and teeth fused to form a parrot-like beak used for eating coral. Also called parrot-fish. [L f. Gk skaros] scarvespl. of SCARF. scaryadj. (scarier, scariest) colloq. scaring, frightening. scarily adv. scatv. & int. colloq. --v.intr. (scatted, scatting) depart quickly. --int. go! [perh. abbr. of SCATTER] n. & v. --n. improvised jazz singing using sounds imitating instruments, instead of words. --v.intr. (scatted, scatting) sing scat. [prob. imit.] scathev. & n. --v.tr. 1 poet. injure esp. by blasting or withering. 2 (as scathing adj.) witheringly scornful (scathing sarcasm). 3 (with neg.) do the least harm to (shall not be scathed) (cf. UNSCATHED). --n. (usu. with neg.) archaic harm; injury (without scathe). scatheless predic.adj. scathingly adv. [(v.) ME f. ON skatha = OE sceathian: (n.) OE f. ON skathi = OE sceatha malefactor, injury, f. Gmc] scatologyn. 1 a a morbid interest in excrement. b a preoccupation with obscene literature, esp. that concerned with the excretory functions. c such literature. 2 the study of fossilized dung. 3 the study of excrement for esp. diagnosis. scatological adj. [Gk skor skatos dung + -LOGY] scatophagous adj. feeding on dung. [as SCATOLOGY + Gk -phagos -eating] scatterv. & n. --v. 1 tr. a throw here and there; strew (scattered gravel on the road). b cover by scattering (scattered the road with gravel). 2 tr. & intr. a move or cause to move in flight etc.; disperse (scattered to safety at the sound). b disperse or cause (hopes, clouds, etc.) to disperse. 3 tr. (as scattered adj.) not clustered together; wide apart; sporadic (scattered villages). 4 tr. Physics deflect or diffuse (light, particles, etc.). 5 a intr. (of esp. a shotgun) fire a charge of shot diffusely. b tr. fire (a charge) in this way. --n. 1 the act or an instance of scattering. 2 a small amount scattered. 3 the extent of distribution of esp. shot. scatter cushions (or rugs, etc.) cushions, rugs, etc., placed here and there for effect. scatter-shot n. & adj. US firing at random. scatterer n. [ME, prob. var. of SHATTER] scatterbrain n. a person given to silly or disorganized thought with lack of concentration. scatterbrained adj. scattyadj. (scattier, scattiest) Brit. colloq. scatterbrained; disorganized. scattily adv. scattiness n. [abbr.] scaupn. any diving duck of the genus Aythya. [scaup Sc. var. of scalp mussel-bed, which it frequents] scaupervar. of SCALPER 2. scaurvar. of SCAR. scavengev. 1 tr. & intr. (usu. foll. by for) search for and collect (discarded items). 2 tr. remove unwanted products from (an internal-combustion engine cylinder etc.). [back-form. f. SCAVENGER] scavengern. 1 a person who seeks and collects discarded items. 2 an animal, esp. a beetle, feeding on carrion, refuse, etc. 3 Brit. archaic a person employed to clean the streets etc. scavengery n. [ME scavager f. AF scawager f. scawage f. ONF escauwer inspect f. Flem. scauwen, rel. to SHOW: for -n- cf. MESSENGER] scazonn. Prosody a Greek or Latin metre of limping character, esp. a trimeter of two iambuses and a spondee or trochee. [L f. Gk skazon f. skazo limp] Sc.D.abbr. Doctor of Science. [L scientiae doctor] SCEabbr. Scottish Certificate of Education. scenan. Mus. 1 a scene or part of an opera. 2 an elaborate dramatic solo usu. including recitative. [It. f. L: see SCENE] scenarion. (pl. -os) 1 an outline of the plot of a play, film, opera, etc., with details of the scenes, situations, etc. 2 a postulated sequence of future events. scenarist n. (in sense 1). [It. (as SCENA)] scendn. & v. Naut. --n. 1 the impulse given by a wave or waves (scend of the sea). 2 a plunge of a vessel. --v.intr. (of a vessel) plunge or pitch owing to the impulse of a wave. [alt. f. SEND or DESCEND] scenen. 1 a place in which events in real life, drama, or fiction occur; the locality of an event etc. (the scene was set in India; the scene of the disaster). 2 a an incident in real life, fiction, etc. (distressing scenes occurred). b a description or representation of an incident etc. (scenes of clerical life). 3 a public incident displaying emotion, temper, etc., esp. when embarrassing to others (made a scene in the restaurant). 4 a a continuous portion of a play in a fixed setting and usu. without a change of personnel; a subdivision of an act. b a similar section of a film, book, etc. 5 a any of the pieces of scenery used in a play. b these collectively. 6 a landscape or a view (a desolate scene). 7 colloq. a an area of action or interest (not my scene). b a way of life; a milieu (well-known on the jazz scene). 8 archaic the stage of a theatre. behind the scenes 1 Theatr. among the actors, scenery, etc. offstage. 2 not known to the public; secret. behind-the-scenes (attrib.) secret, using secret information (a behind-the-scenes investigation). change of scene a variety of surroundings esp. through travel. come on the scene arrive. quit the scene die; leave. scene-dock a space for storing scenery near the stage. scene-shifter a person who moves scenery in a theatre. scene-shifting this activity. set the scene 1 describe the location of events. 2 give preliminary information. [L scena f. Gk skene tent, stage] sceneryn. 1 the general appearance of the natural features of a landscape, esp. when picturesque. 2 Theatr. the painted representations of landscape, rooms, etc., used as the background in a play etc. change of scenery = change of scene (see SCENE). [earlier scenary f. It. SCENARIO: assim. to -ERY] scenicadj. 1 a picturesque; impressive or beautiful (took the scenic route). b of or concerning natural scenery (flatness is the main scenic feature). 2 (of a picture etc.) representing an incident. 3 Theatr. of or on the stage (scenic performances). scenic railway 1 a miniature railway running through artificial scenery at funfairs etc. 2 = big dipper 1. scenically adv. [L scenicus f. Gk skenikos of the stage (as SCENE)] scentn. & v. --n. 1 a distinctive, esp. pleasant, smell (the scent of hay). 2 a a scent trail left by an animal perceptible to hounds etc. b clues etc. that can be followed like a scent trail (lost the scent in Paris). c the power of detecting or distinguishing smells etc. or of discovering things (some dogs have little scent; the scent for talent). 3 Brit. = PERFUME 2. 4 a trail laid in a paper-chase. --v. 1 tr. a discern by scent (the dog scented game). b sense the presence of (scent treachery). 2 tr. make fragrant or foul-smelling. 3 tr. (as scented adj.) having esp. a pleasant smell (scented soap). 4 intr. exercise the sense of smell (goes scenting about). 5 tr. apply the sense of smell to (scented the air). false scent 1 a scent trail laid to deceive. 2 false clues etc. intended to deflect pursuers. on the scent having a clue. put (or throw) off the scent deceive by false clues etc. scent-bag a bag of aniseed etc. used to lay a trail in drag-hunting. scent-gland (or -organ) a gland in some animals secreting musk, civet, etc. scent out discover by smelling or searching. scentless adj. [ME sent f. OF sentir perceive, smell, f. L sentire; -c- (17th c.) unexpl.] scepsisn. (US skepsis) 1 philosophic doubt. 2 sceptical philosophy. [Gk skepsis inquiry, doubt f. skeptomai consider] scepterUS var. of SCEPTRE. scepticn. & adj. (US skeptic) --n. 1 a person inclined to doubt all accepted opinions; a cynic. 2 a person who doubts the truth of Christianity and other religions. 3 hist. a person who accepts the philosophy of Pyrrhonism. --adj. = SCEPTICAL. scepticism n. [F sceptique or L scepticus f. Gk skeptikos (as SCEPSIS)] scepticaladj. (US skeptical) 1 inclined to question the truth or soundness of accepted ideas, facts, etc.; critical; incredulous. 2 Philos. of or accepting the philosophy of Pyrrhonism, denying the possibility of knowledge. sceptically adv. sceptren. (US scepter) 1 a staff borne esp. at a coronation as a symbol of sovereignty. 2 royal or imperial authority. sceptred adj. [ME f. OF (s)ceptre f. L sceptrum f. Gk skeptron f. skepto lean on] sch.abbr. 1 scholar. 2 school. 3 schooner. schadenfreude n. the malicious enjoyment of another's misfortunes. [G f. Schaden harm + Freude joy] schappen. fabric or yarn made from waste silk. [G, = waste silk] schedulen. & v. --n. 1 a a list or plan of intended events, times, etc. b a plan of work (not on my schedule for next week). 2 a list of rates or prices. 3 US a timetable. 4 a tabulated inventory etc. esp. as an appendix to a document. --v.tr. 1 include in a schedule. 2 make a schedule of. 3 Brit. include (a building) in a list for preservation or protection. according to schedule (or on schedule) as planned; on time. behind schedule behind time. scheduled flight (or service etc.) a public flight, service, etc., according to a regular timetable. scheduled territories hist. = sterling area. scheduler n. [ME f. OF cedule f. LL schedula slip of paper, dimin. of scheda f. Gk skhede papyrus-leaf] scheeliten. Mineral. calcium tungstate in its mineral crystalline form. [K. W. Scheele, Sw. chemist d. 1786] scheman. (pl. schemata or schemas) 1 a synopsis, outline, or diagram. 2 a proposed arrangement. 3 Logic a syllogistic figure. 4 (in Kantian philosophy) a conception of what is common to all members of a class; a general type or essential form. [Gk skhema -atos form, figure] schematicadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning a scheme or schema. 2 representing objects by symbols etc. --n. a schematic diagram, esp. of an electronic circuit. schematically adv. schematism n. a schematic arrangement or presentation. [mod.L schematismus f. Gk skhematismos (as SCHEMATIZE)] schematize v.tr. (also -ise) 1 put in a schematic form; arrange. 2 represent by a scheme or schema. schematization n. schemen. & v. --n. 1 a a systematic plan or arrangement for work, action, etc. b a proposed or operational systematic arrangement (a colour scheme). 2 an artful or deceitful plot. 3 a timetable, outline, syllabus, etc. --v. 1 intr. (often foll. by for, or to + infin.) plan esp. secretly or deceitfully; intrigue. 2 tr. plan to bring about, esp. artfully or deceitfully (schemed their downfall). schemer n. [L schema f. Gk (as SCHEMA)] schemingadj. & n. --adj. artful, cunning, or deceitful. --n. plots; intrigues. schemingly adv. schemozzle var. of SHEMOZZLE. scherzando adv., adj., & n. Mus. --adv. & adj. in a playful manner. --n. (pl. scherzandos or scherzandi) a passage played in this way. [It., gerund of scherzare to jest (as SCHERZO)] scherzon. (pl. -os) Mus. a vigorous, light, or playful composition, usu. as a movement in a symphony, sonata, etc. [It., lit. 'jest'] schillingn. 1 the chief monetary unit of Austria. 2 a coin equal to the value of one schilling. [G (as SHILLING)] schipperke n. 1 a small black tailless dog of a breed with a ruff of fur round its neck. 2 this breed. [Du. dial., = little boatman, f. its use as a watchdog on barges] schismn. 1 a the division of a group into opposing sections or parties. b any of the sections so formed. 2 a the separation of a Church into two Churches or the secession of a group owing to doctrinal, disciplinary, etc., differences. b the offence of causing or promoting such a separation. [ME f. OF s(c)isme f. eccl.L schisma f. Gk skhisma -atos cleft f. skhizo to split] schismatic adj. & n. (also schismatical) --adj. inclining to, concerning, or guilty of, schism. --n. 1 a holder of schismatic opinions. 2 a member of a schismatic faction or a seceded branch of a Church. schismatically adv. [ME f. OF scismatique f. eccl.L schismaticus f. eccl.Gk skhismatikos (as SCHISM)] schistn. a foliated metamorphic rock composed of layers of different minerals and splitting into thin irregular plates. schistose adj. [F schiste f. L schistos f. Gk skhistos split (as SCHISM)] schistosome n. = BILHARZIA 1. [Gk skhistos divided (as SCHISM) + soma body] schistosomiasis n. = BILHARZIASIS. [mod.L Schistosoma (the genus-name, as SCHISTOSOME)] schizanthus n. any plant of the genus Schizanthus, with showy flowers in various colours, and finely-divided leaves. [mod.L f. Gk skhizo to split + anthos flower] schizoadj. & n. colloq. --adj. schizophrenic. --n. (pl. -os) a schizophrenic. [abbr.] schizocarp n. Bot. any of a group of dry fruits that split into single-seeded parts when ripe. schizocarpic adj. schizocarpous adj. [Gk skhizo to split + karpos fruit] schizoidadj. & n. --adj. (of a person or personality etc.) tending to or resembling schizophrenia or a schizophrenic, but usu. without delusions. --n. a schizoid person. schizomycete n. a former name for a bacterium. [Gk skhizo to split + mukes -etos mushroom] schizophrenia n. a mental disease marked by a breakdown in the relation between thoughts, feelings, and actions, frequently accompanied by delusions and retreat from social life. schizophrenic adj. & n. [mod.L f. Gk skhizo to split + phren mind] schizothymia n. Psychol. an introvert condition with a tendency to schizophrenia. schizothymic adj. [mod.L (as SCHIZOPHRENIA + Gk thumos temper)] schlemieln. US colloq. a foolish or unlucky person. [Yiddish shlumiel] schlepv. & n. (also schlepp) colloq. --v. (schlepped, schlepping) 1 tr. carry, drag. 2 intr. go or work tediously or effortfully. --n. esp. US trouble or hard work. [Yiddish shlepn f. G schleppen drag] schlierenn. 1 a visually discernible area or stratum of different density in a transparent medium. 2 Geol. an irregular streak of mineral in igneous rock. [G, pl. of Schliere streak] schlockn. US colloq. inferior goods; trash. [Yiddish shlak a blow] schmaltzn. esp. US colloq. sentimentality, esp. in music, drama, etc. schmaltzy adj. (schmaltzier, schmaltziest). [Yiddish f. G Schmalz dripping, lard] schmuckn. esp. US sl. a foolish or contemptible person. [Yiddish] schnappsn. any of various spirits drunk in N. Europe. [G, = dram of liquor f. LG & Du. snaps mouthful (as SNAP)] schnauzern. 1 a dog of a German breed with a close wiry coat and heavy whiskers round the muzzle. 2 this breed. [G f. Schnauze muzzle, SNOUT] schnitzeln. an escalope of veal. Wiener (or Vienna) schnitzel a breaded, fried, and garnished schnitzel. [G, = slice] schnorkelvar. of SNORKEL. schnorrern. esp. US sl. a beggar or scrounger; a layabout. [Yiddish f. G Schnurrer] scholarn. 1 a learned person, esp. in language, literature, etc.; an academic. 2 the holder of a scholarship. 3 a a person with specified academic ability (is a poor scholar). b a person who learns (am a scholar of life). 4 archaic colloq. a person able to read and write. 5 archaic a schoolboy or schoolgirl. scholar's mate see MATE. scholarly adv. scholarliness n. [ME f. OE scol(i)ere & OF escol(i)er f. LL scholaris f. L schola SCHOOL] scholarship n. 1 a academic achievement; learning of a high level. b the methods and standards characteristic of a good scholar (shows great scholarship). 2 payment from the funds of a school, university, local government, etc., to maintain a student in full-time education, awarded on the basis of scholarly achievement. scholastic adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning universities, schools, education, teachers, etc. 2 pedantic; formal (shows scholastic precision). 3 Philos. hist. of, resembling, or concerning the schoolmen, esp. in dealing with logical subtleties. --n. 1 a student. 2 Philos. hist. a schoolman. 3 a theologian of scholastic tendencies. 4 RC Ch. a member of any of several religious orders, who is between the novitiate and the priesthood. scholastically adv. scholasticism n. [L scholasticus f. Gk skholastikos studious f. skholazo be at leisure, formed as SCHOOL] scholiastn. hist. an ancient or medieval scholar, esp. a grammarian, who annotated ancient literary texts. scholiastic adj. [med.Gk skholiastes f. skholiazo write scholia: see SCHOLIUM] scholiumn. (pl. scholia) a marginal note or explanatory comment, esp. by an ancient grammarian on a classical text. [mod.L f. Gk skholion f. skhole disputation: see SCHOOL] schooln. & v. --n. 1 a an institution for educating or giving instruction, esp. Brit. for children under 19 years, or US for any level of instruction including college or university. b (attrib.) associated with or for use in school (a school bag; school dinners). 2 a the buildings used by such an institution. b the pupils, staff, etc. of a school. c the time during which teaching is done, or the teaching itself (no school today). 3 a a branch of study with separate examinations at a university; a department or faculty (the history school). b Brit. the hall in which university examinations are held. c (in pl.) Brit. such examinations. 4 a the disciples, imitators, or followers of a philosopher, artist, etc. (the school of Epicurus). b a group of artists etc. whose works share distinctive characteristics. c a group of people sharing a cause, principle, method, etc. (school of thought). 5 Brit. a group of gamblers or of persons drinking together (a poker school). 6 colloq. instructive or disciplinary circumstances, occupation, etc. (the school of adversity; learnt in a hard school). 7 hist. a medieval lecture-room. 8 Mus. (usu. foll. by of) a handbook or book of instruction (school of counterpoint). 9 (in pl.; prec. by the) hist. medieval universities, their teachers, disputations, etc. --v.tr. 1 send to school; provide for the education of. 2 (often foll. by to) discipline; train; control. 3 (as schooled adj.) (foll. by in) educated or trained (schooled in humility). at (US in) school attending lessons etc. go to school 1 begin one's education. 2 attend lessons. leave school finish one's education. of the old school according to former and esp. better tradition (a gentleman of the old school). school age the age-range in which children normally attend school. school board US or hist. a board or authority for local education. school-days the time of being at school, esp. in retrospect. school-inspector a government official reporting on the efficiency, teaching standards, etc. of schools. school-leaver Brit. a child leaving school esp. at the minimum specified age. school-leaving age the minimum age at which a schoolchild may leave school. school-ma'm (or -marm) US colloq. a schoolmistress. school-marmish colloq. prim and fussy. school-ship a training-ship. school-time 1 lesson-time at school or at home. 2 school-days. school year = academic year. [ME f. OE scol, scolu, & f. OF escole ult. f. L schola school f. Gk skhole leisure, disputation, philosophy, lecture-place] n. & v. --n. (often foll. by of) a shoal of fish, porpoises, whales, etc. --v.intr. form schools. [ME f. MLG, MDu. schole f. WG] schoolable adj. liable by age etc. to compulsory education. schoolboyn. a boy attending school. schoolchild n. a child attending school. schoolfellow n. a past or esp. present member of the same school. schoolgirl n. a girl attending school. schoolhouse n. Brit. 1 a building used as a school, esp. in a village. 2 a dwelling-house adjoining a school. schoolien. Austral. sl. & dial. a schoolteacher. schoolingn. 1 education, esp. at school. 2 training or discipline, esp. of an animal. schoolmann. (pl. -men) 1 hist. a teacher in a medieval European university. 2 RC Ch. hist. a theologian seeking to deal with religious doctrines by the rules of Aristotelian logic. 3 US a male teacher. schoolmaster n. a head or assistant male teacher. schoolmasterly adj. schoolmastering n. teaching as a profession. schoolmate n. = SCHOOLFELLOW. schoolmistress n. a head or assistant female teacher. schoolmistressy adj. colloq. prim and fussy. schoolroom n. a room used for lessons in a school or esp. in a private house. schoolteacher n. a person who teaches in a school. schoolteaching n. schoonern. 1 a fore-and-aft rigged ship with two or more masts, the foremast being smaller than the other masts. 2 a Brit. a measure or glass for esp. sherry. b US & Austral. a tall beer-glass. 3 US hist. = prairie schooner. [18th c.: orig. uncert.] schorln. black tourmaline. [G Schrl] schottische n. 1 a kind of slow polka. 2 the music for this. [G der schottische Tanz the Scottish dance] Schottky effect n. Electronics the increase in thermionic emission from a solid surface due to the presence of an external electric field. [W. Schottky, Ger. physicist d. 1976] Schrdinger equation n. Physics a differential equation used in quantum mechanics for the wave function of a particle. [E. Schrdinger, Austrian physicist d. 1961] schussn. & v. --n. a straight downhill run on skis. --v.intr. make a schuss. [G, lit. 'shot'] schwan. (also sheva) Phonet. 1 the indistinct unstressed vowel sound as in a mom ent ago. 2 the symbol representing this in the International Phonetic Alphabet. [G f. Heb. sewa, app. f. saw' emptiness] sciagraphy n. (also skiagraphy) the art of shading in drawing etc. sciagram n. sciagraph n. & v.tr. sciagraphic adj. [F sciagraphie f. L sciagraphia f. Gk skiagraphia f. skia shadow] sciamachyn. (also skiamachy) formal 1 fighting with shadows. 2 imaginary or futile combat. [Gk skiamakhia (as SCIAGRAPHY, -makhia -fighting)] sciaticadj. 1 of the hip. 2 of or affecting the sciatic nerve. 3 suffering from or liable to sciatica. sciatic nerve the largest nerve in the human body, running from the pelvis to the thigh. sciatically adv. [F sciatique f. LL sciaticus f. L ischiadicus f. Gk iskhiadikos subject to sciatica f. iskhion hip-joint] sciatican. neuralgia of the hip and thigh; a pain in the sciatic nerve. [ME f. LL sciatica (passio) fem. of sciaticus: see SCIATIC] sciencen. 1 a branch of knowledge conducted on objective principles involving the systematized observation of and experiment with phenomena, esp. concerned with the material and functions of the physical universe (see also natural science). 2 a systematic and formulated knowledge, esp. of a specified type or on a specified subject (political science). b the pursuit or principles of this. 3 an organized body of knowledge on a subject (the science of philology). 4 skilful technique rather than strength or natural ability. 5 archaic knowledge of any kind. science fiction fiction based on imagined future scientific discoveries or environmental changes, frequently dealing with space travel, life on other planets, etc. science park an area devoted to scientific research or the development of science-based industries. [ME f. OF f. L scientia f. scire know] scienteradv. Law intentionally; knowingly. [L f. scire know] scientialadj. concerning or having knowledge. [LL scientialis (as SCIENCE)] scientific adj. 1 a (of an investigation etc.) according to rules laid down in exact science for performing observations and testing the soundness of conclusions. b systematic, accurate. 2 used in, engaged in, or relating to (esp. natural) science (scientific discoveries; scientific terminology). 3 assisted by expert knowledge. scientifically adv. [F scientifique or LL scientificus (as SCIENCE)] scientismn. 1 a a method or doctrine regarded as characteristic of scientists. b the use or practice of this. 2 often derog. an excessive belief in or application of scientific method. scientistic adj. scientistn. 1 a person with expert knowledge of a (usu. physical or natural) science. 2 a person using scientific methods. scientology n. a religious system based on self-improvement and promotion through grades of esp. self-knowledge. scientologist n. [L scientia knowledge + -LOGY] sci-fin. (often attrib.) colloq. science fiction. [abbr.: cf. HI-FI] scilicetadv. to wit; that is to say; namely (introducing a word to be supplied or an explanation of an ambiguity). [ME f. L, = scire licet one is permitted to know] scillan. any liliaceous plant of the genus Scilla, related to the bluebell, usu. bearing small blue star-shaped or bell-shaped flowers and having long glossy straplike leaves. [L f. Gk skilla] Scillonian adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to the Scilly Isles off the coast of Cornwall. --n. a native of the Scilly Isles. [Scilly, perh. after Devonian] scimitarn. an oriental curved sword usu. broadening towards the point. [F cimeterre, It. scimitarra, etc., of unkn. orig.] scintigram n. an image of an internal part of the body, produced by scintigraphy. scintigraphy n. the use of a radioisotope and a scintillation counter to get an image or record of a bodily organ etc. [SCINTILLATION + -GRAPHY] scintillan. 1 a trace. 2 a spark. [L] scintillate v.intr. 1 (esp. as scintillating adj.) talk cleverly or wittily; be brilliant. 2 sparkle; twinkle; emit sparks. 3 Physics fluoresce momentarily when struck by a charged particle etc. scintillant adj. scintillatingly adv. [L scintillare (as SCINTILLA)] scintillation n. 1 the process or state of scintillating. 2 the twinkling of a star. 3 a flash produced in a material by an ionizing particle etc. scintillation counter a device for detecting and recording scintillation. scintiscan n. an image or other record showing the distribution of radioactive traces in parts of the body, used in the detection and diagnosis of various diseases. [SCINTILLATION + SCAN] sciolistn. a superficial pretender to knowledge. sciolism n. sciolistic adj. [LL sciolus smatterer f. L scire know] scionn. 1 (US cion) a shoot of a plant etc., esp. one cut for grafting or planting. 2 a descendant; a younger member of (esp. a noble) family. [ME f. OF ciun, cion, sion shoot, twig, of unkn. orig.] scire facias n. Law a writ to enforce or annul a judgement, patent, etc. [L, = let (him) know] sciroccovar. of SIROCCO. scirrhusn. (pl. scirrhi) a carcinoma which is hard to the touch. scirrhoid adj. scirrhosity n. scirrhous adj. [mod.L f. Gk skir(r)os f. skiros hard] scisseln. waste clippings etc. of metal produced during coin manufacture. [F cisaille f. cisailler clip with shears] scissileadj. able to be cut or divided. [L scissilis f. scindere sciss- cut] scissionn. 1 the act or an instance of cutting; the state of being cut. 2 a division or split. [ME f. OF scission or LL scissio (as SCISSILE)] scissorv.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by off, up, into, etc.) cut with scissors. 2 (usu. foll. by out) clip out (a newspaper cutting etc.). scissorsn.pl. 1 (also pair of scissors sing.) an instrument for cutting fabric, paper, hair, etc., having two pivoted blades with finger and thumb holes in the handles, operating by closing on the material to be cut. 2 (treated as sing.) a a method of high-jumping with a forward and backward movement of the legs. b a hold in wrestling in which the opponent's body or esp. head is gripped between the legs. scissor-bill = SKIMMER 4. scissor-bird (or -tail) a fork-tailed flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus. scissors and paste a method of compiling a book, article, etc., from extracts from others or without independent research. scissorwise adv. [ME sisoures f. OF cisoires f. LL cisoria pl. of cisorium cutting instrument (as CHISEL): assoc. with L scindere sciss- cut] sciurineadj. 1 of or relating to the family Sciuridae, including squirrels and chipmunks. 2 squirrel-like. sciuroid adj. [L sciurus f. Gk skiouros squirrel f. skia shadow + oura tail] scleran. the white of the eye; a white membrane coating the eyeball. scleral adj. scleritis n. sclerotomy n. (pl. -ies). [mod.L f. fem. of Gk skleros hard] sclerenchyma n. the woody tissue found in a plant, formed from lignified cells and usu. providing support. [mod.L f. Gk skleros hard + egkhuma infusion, after parenchyma] scleroidadj. Bot. & Zool. having a hard texture; hardened. [Gk skleros hard] scleroman. (pl. scleromata) an abnormal patch of hardened skin or mucous membrane. [mod.L f. Gk skleroma (as SCLEROSIS)] sclerometer n. an instrument for determining the hardness of materials. [Gk skleros hard + -METER] sclerophyll n. any woody plant with leathery leaves retaining water. sclerophyllous adj. [Gk skleros hard + phullon leaf] scleroprotein n. Biochem. any insoluble structural protein. [Gk skleros hard + PROTEIN] sclerosedadj. affected by sclerosis. sclerosisn. 1 an abnormal hardening of body tissue (see also ARTERIOSCLEROSIS, ATHEROSCLEROSIS). 2 (in full multiple or disseminated sclerosis) a chronic and progressive disease of the nervous system resulting in symptoms including paralysis and speech defects. 3 Bot. the hardening of a cell-wall with lignified matter. [ME f. med.L f. Gk sklerosis f. skleroo harden] scleroticadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or having sclerosis. 2 of or relating to the sclera. --n. = SCLERA. sclerotitis n. [med.L sclerotica (as SCLEROSIS)] sclerousadj. Physiol. hardened; bony. [Gk skleros hard] SCMabbr. (in the UK) 1 State Certified Midwife. 2 Student Christian Movement. scoffv. & n. --v.intr. (usu. foll. by at) speak derisively, esp. of serious subjects; mock; be scornful. --n. 1 mocking words; a taunt. 2 an object of ridicule. scoffer n. scoffingly adv. [perh. f. Scand.: cf. early mod. Da. skuf, skof jest, mockery] v. & n. colloq. --v.tr. & intr. eat greedily. --n. food; a meal. [(n.) f. Afrik. schoff repr. Du. schoft quarter of a day (hence, meal): (v.) orig. var. of dial. scaff, assoc. with the noun] scoldv. & n. --v. 1 tr. rebuke (esp. a child, employee, or inferior). 2 intr. find fault noisily; complain; rail. --n. archaic a nagging or grumbling woman. scolder n. scolding n. [ME (earlier as noun), prob. f. ON skld SKALD] scolexn. (pl. scoleces or scolices) the head of a larval or adult tapeworm. [mod.L f. Gk skolex worm] scoliosisn. an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. scoliotic adj. [mod.L f. Gk f. skolios bent] scollopvar. of SCALLOP. scolopendrium n. any of various ferns, esp. hart's tongue. [mod.L f. Gk skolopendrion f. skolopendra millipede (because of the supposed resemblance)] scombern. any marine fish of the family Scombridae, including mackerels, tunas, and bonitos. scombrid n. scombroid adj. & n. [L f. Gk skombros] sconcen. 1 a flat candlestick with a handle. 2 a bracket candlestick to hang on a wall. [ME f. OF esconse lantern or med.L sconsa f. L absconsa fem. past part. of abscondere hide: see ABSCOND] n. 1 a small fort or earthwork usu. defending a ford, pass, etc. 2 archaic a shelter or screen. [Du. schans brushwood f. MHG schanze] sconen. a small sweet or savoury cake of flour, fat, and milk, baked quickly in an oven. [orig. Sc., perh. f. MDu. schoon(broot), MLG schon(brot) fine (bread)] scoopn. & v. --n. 1 any of various objects resembling a spoon, esp.: a a short-handled deep shovel used for transferring grain, sugar, coal, coins, etc. b a large long-handled ladle used for transferring liquids. c the excavating part of a digging-machine etc. d Med. a long-handled spoonlike instrument used for scraping parts of the body etc. e an instrument used for serving portions of mashed potato, ice-cream, etc. 2 a quantity taken up by a scoop. 3 a movement of or resembling scooping. 4 a piece of news published by a newspaper etc. in advance of its rivals. 5 a large profit made quickly or by anticipating one's competitors. 6 Mus. a singer's exaggerated portamento. 7 a scooped-out hollow etc. --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by out) hollow out with or as if with a scoop. 2 (usu. foll. by up) lift with or as if with a scoop. 3 forestall (a rival newspaper, reporter, etc.) with a scoop. 4 secure (a large profit etc.) esp. suddenly. scoop-neck the rounded low-cut neck of a garment. scoop-net a net used for sweeping a river bottom, or for catching bait. scooper n. scoopful n. (pl. -fuls). [ME f. MDu., MLG schope bucket etc., rel. to SHAPE] scootv. & n. colloq. --v.intr. run or dart away, esp. quickly. --n. the act or an instance of scooting. [19th-c. US (earlier scout): orig. unkn.] scootern. & v. --n. 1 a child's toy consisting of a footboard mounted on two wheels and a long steering-handle, propelled by resting one foot on the footboard and pushing the other against the ground. 2 (in full motor scooter) a light two-wheeled open motor vehicle with a shieldlike protective front. 3 US a sailboat able to travel on both water and ice. --v.intr. travel or ride on a scooter. scooterist n. scopan. (pl. scopae) a small brushlike tuft of hairs, esp. on the leg of a bee for collecting pollen. [sing. of L scopae = twigs, broom] scopen. 1 a the extent to which it is possible to range; the opportunity for action etc. (this is beyond the scope of our research). b the sweep or reach of mental activity, observation, or outlook (an intellect limited in its scope). 2 Naut. the length of cable extended when a ship rides at anchor. 3 archaic a purpose, end, or intention. [It. scopo aim f. Gk skopos target f. skeptomai look at] n. colloq. a telescope, microscope, or other device ending in -scope. [abbr.] -scopecomb. form forming nouns denoting: 1 a device looked at or through (kaleidoscope; telescope). 2 an instrument for observing or showing (gyroscope; oscilloscope). -scopic comb. form forming adjectives. [from or after mod.L -scopium f. Gk skopeo look at] scopolamine n. = HYOSCINE. [Scopolia genus-name of the plants yielding it, f. G. A. Scopoli, It. naturalist d. 1788 + AMINE] scopulan. (pl. scopulae) any of various small brushlike structures, esp. on the legs of spiders. [LL, dimin. of L scopa: see SCOPA] -scopycomb. form indicating viewing or observation, usu. with an instrument ending in -scope (microscopy). scorbuticadj. & n. --adj. relating to, resembling, or affected with scurvy. --n. a person affected with scurvy. scorbutically adv. [mod.L scorbuticus f. med.L scorbutus scurvy, perh. f. MLG schorbuk f. schoren break + buk belly] scorchv. & n. --v. 1 tr. a burn the surface of with flame or heat so as to discolour, parch, injure, or hurt. b affect with the sensation of burning. 2 intr. become discoloured etc. with heat. 3 tr. (as scorching adj.) colloq. a (of the weather) very hot. b (of criticism etc.) stringent; harsh. 4 intr. colloq. (of a motorist etc.) go at excessive speed. --n. 1 a mark made by scorching. 2 colloq. a spell of fast driving etc. scorched earth policy the burning of crops etc. and the removing or destroying of anything that might be of use to an enemy force occupying a country. scorchingly adv. [ME, perh. rel. to skorkle in the same sense] scorchern. 1 a person or thing that scorches. 2 colloq. a a very hot day. b a fine specimen. scoren. & v. --n. 1 a the number of points, goals, runs, etc., made by a player, side, etc., in some games. b the total number of points etc. at the end of a game (the score was five-nil). c the act of gaining esp. a goal (a superb score there!). 2 (pl. same or scores) twenty or a set of twenty. 3 (in pl.) a great many (scores of people arrived). 4 a a reason or motive (rejected on the score of absurdity). b topic, subject (no worries on that score). 5 Mus. a a usu. printed copy of a composition showing all the vocal and instrumental parts arranged one below the other. b the music composed for a film or play, esp. for a musical. 6 colloq. a a piece of good fortune. b the act or an instance of scoring off another person. 7 colloq. the state of affairs; the present situation (asked what the score was). 8 a notch, line, etc. cut or scratched into a surface. 9 a an amount due for payment. b a running account kept by marks against a customer's name. 10 Naut. a groove in a block or dead-eye to hold a rope. --v. 1 tr. a win or gain (a goal, run, points, etc., or success etc.) (scored a century). b count for a score of (points in a game etc.) (a bull's-eye scores most points). c allot a score to (a competitor etc.). d make a record of (a point etc.). 2 intr. a make a score in a game (failed to score). b keep the tally of points, runs, etc. in a game. 3 tr. mark with notches, incisions, lines, etc.; slash; furrow (scored his name on the desk). 4 intr. secure an advantage by luck, cunning, etc. (that is where he scores). 5 tr. Mus. a orchestrate (a piece of music). b (usu. foll. by for) arrange for an instrument or instruments. c write the music for (a film, musical, etc.). d write out in a score. 6 tr. a (usu. foll. by up) mark (a total owed etc.) in a score (see sense 9b of n.). b (usu. foll. by against, to) enter (an item of debt to a customer). 7 intr. sl. a obtain drugs illegally. b (of a man) make a sexual conquest. 8 tr. (usu. foll. by against, to) mentally record (an offence etc.). 9 tr. US criticize (a person) severely. keep score (or the score) register the score as it is made. know the score colloq. be aware of the essential facts. on the score of for the reason that; because of. on that score so far as that is concerned. score-book (or -card or -sheet) a book etc. prepared for entering esp. cricket scores in. score draw a draw in football in which goals are scored. score off (or score points off) colloq. humiliate, esp. verbally in repartee etc. score out draw a line through (words etc.). score under underline. scorer n. scoring n. Mus. [(n.) f. OE: sense 5 f. the line or bar drawn through all staves: (v.) partly f. ON skora f. ON skor notch, tally, twenty, f. Gmc: see SHEAR] scoreboard n. a large board for publicly displaying the score in a game or match. scorian. (pl. scoriae) 1 cellular lava, or fragments of it. 2 the slag or dross of metals. scoriaceous adj. [L f. Gk skoria refuse f. skor dung] scorifyv.tr. (-ies, -ied) 1 reduce to dross. 2 assay (precious metal) by treating a portion of its ore fused with lead and borax. scorification n. scorifier n. scornn. & v. --n. 1 disdain, contempt, derision. 2 an object of contempt etc. (the scorn of all onlookers). --v.tr. 1 hold in contempt or disdain. 2 (often foll. by to + infin.) abstain from or refuse to do as unworthy (scorns lying; scorns to lie). think scorn of despise. scorner n. [ME f. OF esc(h)arn(ir) ult. f. Gmc: cf. OS skern MOCKERY] scornfuladj. (often foll. by of) full of scorn; contemptuous. scornfully adv. scornfulness n. scorpervar. of SCALPER 2. Scorpion. (pl. -os) 1 a constellation, traditionally regarded as contained in the figure of a scorpion. 2 a the eighth sign of the zodiac (the Scorpion). b a person born when the sun is in this sign. Scorpian adj. & n. [ME f. L (as SCORPION)] scorpioidadj. & n. --adj. 1 Zool. of, relating to, or resembling a scorpion; of the scorpion order. 2 Bot. (of an inflorescence) curled up at the end, and uncurling as the flowers develop. --n. this type of inflorescence. [Gk skorpioeides (as SCORPIO)] scorpionn. 1 an arachnid of the order Scorpionida, with lobster-like pincers and a jointed tail that can be bent over to inflict a poisoned sting on prey held in its pincers. 2 (in full false scorpion) a similar arachnid of the order Pseudoscorpionida, smaller and without a tail. 3 (the Scorpion) the zodiacal sign or constellation Scorpio. 4 Bibl. a whip with metal points (1 Kings 12:11). scorpion fish any of various marine fish of the family Scorpaenidae, with venomous spines on the head and gills. scorpion fly any insect of the order Mecoptera, esp. of the family Panorpidae, the males of which have a swollen abdomen curved upwards like a scorpion's sting. scorpion grass = forget-me-not. [ME f. OF f. L scorpio -onis f. scorpius f. Gk skorpios] scorzonera n. 1 a composite plant, Scorzonera hispanica, with long tapering purple-brown roots. 2 the root used as a vegetable. [It. f. scorzone venomous snake ult f. med.L curtio] Scotn. 1 a a native of Scotland. b a person of Scottish descent. 2 hist. a member of a Gaelic people that migrated from Ireland to Scotland around the 6th c. [OE Scottas (pl.) f. LL Scottus] scotn. hist. a payment corresponding to a modern tax, rate, etc. pay scot and lot share the financial burdens of a borough etc. (and so be allowed to vote). scot-free unharmed; unpunished; safe. [ME f. ON skot & f. OF escot, of Gmc orig.: cf. SHOT] Scotchadj. & n. --adj. var. of SCOTTISH or SCOTS. --n. 1 var. of SCOTTISH or SCOTS. 2 Scotch whisky. Scotch broth a soup made from beef or mutton with pearl barley etc. Scotch cap = BONNET n. 1b. Scotch catch Mus. a short note on the beat followed by a long one. Scotch egg a hard-boiled egg enclosed in sausage meat and fried. Scotch fir (or pine) a pine tree, Pinus sylvestris, native to Europe and Asia. Scotch kale a variety of kale with purplish leaves. Scotch mist 1 a thick drizzly mist common in the Highlands. 2 a retort made to a person implying that he or she has imagined or failed to understand something. Scotch pebble agate, jasper, cairngorm, etc., found in Scotland. Scotch pine = Scotch fir. Scotch snap = Scotch catch. Scotch terrier 1 a small terrier of a rough-haired short-legged breed. 2 this breed. Scotch whisky whisky distilled in Scotland, esp. from malted barley. Scots or Scottish is generally preferred in Scotland, except in the special compounds given above. [contr. of SCOTTISH] scotchv. & n. --v.tr. 1 put an end to; frustrate (injury scotched his attempt). 2 archaic a wound without killing; slightly disable. b make incisions in; score. --n. 1 archaic a slash. 2 a line on the ground for hopscotch. [ME: orig. unkn.] n. & v. --n. a wedge or block placed against a wheel etc. to prevent its slipping. --v.tr. hold back (a wheel, barrel, etc.) with a scotch. [17th c.: perh. = scatch stilt f. OF escache] Scotchmann. (pl. -men; fem. Scotchwoman, pl. -women) = SCOTSMAN. Scotsman etc. are generally preferred in Scotland. scotern. (pl. same or scoters) a large marine duck of the genus Melanitta. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] scotian. a concave moulding, esp. at the base of a column. [L f. Gk skotia f. skotos darkness, with ref. to the shadow produced] Scoticismvar. of SCOTTICISM. Scoticizevar. of SCOTTICIZE. Scotland Yard n. 1 the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police. 2 its Criminal Investigation Department. [Great and New Scotland Yard, streets where it was successively situated until 1967] scotoman. (pl. scotomata) a partial loss of vision or blind spot in an otherwise normal visual field. [LL f. Gk skotoma f. skotoo darken f. skotos darkness] Scotsadj. & n. esp. Sc. --adj. 1 = SCOTTISH adj. 2 in the dialect, accent, etc., of (esp. Lowlands) Scotland. --n. 1 = SCOTTISH n. 2 the form of English spoken in (esp. Lowlands) Scotland. [ME orig. Scottis, north. var. of SCOTTISH] Scotsmann. (pl. -men; fem. Scotswoman, pl. -women) 1 a native of Scotland. 2 a person of Scottish descent. Scotticism n. (also Scoticism) a Scottish phrase, word, or idiom. [LL Scot(t)icus] Scotticize v. (also Scoticize, -ise) 1 tr. imbue with or model on Scottish ways etc. 2 intr. imitate the Scottish in idiom or habits. Scottien. colloq. 1 (also Scottie dog) a Scotch terrier. 2 a Scot. Scottishadj. & n. --adj. of or relating to Scotland or its inhabitants. --n. (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the people of Scotland (see also SCOTS). Scottishness n. scoundreln. an unscrupulous villain; a rogue. scoundreldom n. scoundrelism n. scoundrelly adj. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] scourv. & n. --v.tr. 1 a cleanse or brighten by rubbing, esp. with soap, chemicals, sand, etc. b (usu. foll. by away, off, etc.) clear (rust, stains, reputation, etc.) by rubbing, hard work, etc. (scoured the slur from his name). 2 (of water, or a person with water) clear out (a pipe, channel, etc.) by flushing through. 3 hist. purge (the bowels) drastically. --n. 1 the act or an instance of scouring; the state of being scoured, esp. by a swift water current (the scour of the tide). 2 diarrhoea in cattle. 3 a substance used for scouring. scouring-rush any of various horsetail plants with a rough siliceous coating used for polishing wood etc. scourer n. [ME f. MDu., MLG schuren f. F escurer f. LL excurare clean (off) (as EX-, CURE)] v. 1 tr. hasten over (an area etc.) searching thoroughly (scoured the streets for him; scoured the pages of the newspaper). 2 intr. range hastily esp. in search or pursuit. [ME: orig. unkn.] scourgen. & v. --n. 1 a whip used for punishment, esp. of people. 2 a person or thing seen as punishing, esp. on a large scale (the scourge of famine; Genghis Khan, the scourge of Asia). --v.tr. 1 whip. 2 punish; afflict; oppress. scourger n. [ME f. OF escorge (n.), escorgier (v.) (ult. as EX-, L corrigia thong, whip)] Scousen. & adj. colloq. --n. 1 the dialect of Liverpool. 2 (also Scouser) a native of Liverpool. 3 (scouse) = LOBSCOUSE. --adj. of or relating to Liverpool. [abbr. of LOBSCOUSE] scoutn. & v. --n. 1 a person, esp. a soldier, sent out to get information about the enemy's position, strength, etc. 2 the act of seeking (esp. military) information (on the scout). 3 = talent-scout. 4 (Scout) a member of the Scout Association, a boys' association intended to develop character esp. by open-air activities. 5 a college servant, esp. at Oxford University. 6 colloq. a person; a fellow. 7 a ship or aircraft designed for reconnoitring, esp. a small fast aircraft. --v. 1 intr. act as a scout. 2 intr. (foll. by about, around) make a search. 3 tr. (often foll. by out) colloq. explore to get information about (territory etc.). Queen's (or King's) Scout a Scout who has reached the highest standard of proficiency. scouter n. scouting n. [ME f. OF escouter listen, earlier ascolter ult. f. L auscultare] v.tr. reject (an idea etc.) with scorn. [Scand.: cf. ON skta, skti taunt] Scoutern. an adult member of the Scout Association. Scoutmaster n. a person in charge of a group of Scouts. scown. esp. US a flat-bottomed boat used as a lighter etc. [Du. schouw ferry-boat] scowln. & v. --n. a severe frown producing a sullen, bad-tempered, or threatening look on a person's face. --v.intr. make a scowl. scowler n. [ME, prob. f. Scand.: cf. Da. skule look down or sidelong] SCPSabbr. (in the UK) Society of Civil and Public Servants. SCRabbr. Brit. Senior Common (or Combination) Room. scr.abbr. scruple(s) (of weight). scrabblev. & n. --v.intr. (often foll. by about, at) scratch or grope to find or collect or hold on to something. --n. 1 an act of scrabbling. 2 (Scrabble) propr. a game in which players build up words from letter-blocks on a board. [MDu. schrabbelen frequent. of schrabben SCRAPE] scragn. & v. --n. 1 (also scrag-end) the inferior end of a neck of mutton. 2 a skinny person or animal. 3 colloq. a person's neck. --v.tr. (scragged, scragging) sl. 1 strangle, hang. 2 seize roughly by the neck. 3 handle roughly; beat up. [perh. alt. f. dial. crag neck, rel. to MDu. craghe, MLG krage] scragglyadj. sparse and irregular. scraggyadj. (scraggier, scraggiest) thin and bony. scraggily adv. scragginess n. scramv.intr. (scrammed, scramming) (esp. in imper.) colloq. go away. [20th c.: perh. f. SCRAMBLE] scramblev. & n. --v. 1 intr. make one's way over rough ground, rocks, etc., by clambering, crawling, etc. 2 intr. (foll. by for, at) struggle with competitors (for a thing or share of it). 3 intr. move with difficulty, hastily, or anxiously. 4 tr. a mix together indiscriminately. b jumble or muddle. 5 tr. cook (eggs) by heating them when broken and well mixed with butter, milk, etc. 6 tr. change the speech frequency of (a broadcast transmission or telephone conversation) so as to make it unintelligible without a corresponding decoding device. 7 intr. move hastily. 8 tr. colloq. execute (an action etc.) awkwardly and inefficiently. 9 intr. (of fighter aircraft or their pilots) take off quickly in an emergency or for action. --n. 1 an act of scrambling. 2 a difficult climb or walk. 3 (foll. by for) an eager struggle or competition. 4 Brit. a motor-cycle race over rough ground. 5 an emergency take-off by fighter aircraft. scrambled egg colloq. gold braid on a military officer's cap. [16th c. (imit.): cf. dial. synonyms scamble, cramble] scramblern. a device for scrambling telephone conversations. scrann. sl. 1 food, eatables. 2 remains of food. bad scran Ir. bad luck. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] scrapn. & v. --n. 1 a small detached piece; a fragment or remnant. 2 rubbish or waste material. 3 an extract or cutting from something written or printed. 4 discarded metal for reprocessing (often attrib.: scrap metal). 5 (with neg.) the smallest piece or amount (not a scrap of food left). 6 (in pl.) a odds and ends. b bits of uneaten food. 7 (in sing or pl.) a residuum of melted fat or of fish with the oil expressed. --v.tr. (scrapped, scrapping) discard as useless. scrap heap 1 a pile of scrap materials. 2 a state of uselessness. scrap merchant a dealer in scrap. [ME f. ON skrap, rel. to skrapa SCRAPE] n. & v. colloq. --n. a fight or rough quarrel, esp. a spontaneous one. --v.tr. (scrapped, scrapping) (often foll. by with) have a scrap. scrapper n. [perh. f. SCRAPE] scrapbookn. a book of blank pages for sticking cuttings, drawings, etc., in. scrapev. & n. --v. 1 tr. a move a hard or sharp edge across (a surface), esp. to make something smooth. b apply (a hard or sharp edge) in this way. 2 tr. (foll. by away, off, etc.) remove (a stain, projection, etc.) by scraping. 3 tr. a rub (a surface) harshly against another. b scratch or damage by scraping. 4 tr. make (a hollow) by scraping. 5 a tr. draw or move with a sound of, or resembling, scraping. b intr. emit or produce such a sound. c tr. produce such a sound from. 6 intr. (often foll. by along, by, through, etc.) move or pass along while almost touching close or surrounding features, obstacles, etc. (the car scraped through the narrow lane). 7 tr. just manage to achieve (a living, an examination pass, etc.). 8 intr. (often foll. by by, through) a barely manage. b pass an examination etc. with difficulty. 9 tr. (foll. by together, up) contrive to bring or provide; amass with difficulty. 10 intr. be economical. 11 intr. draw back a foot in making a clumsy bow. 12 tr. clear (a ship's bottom) of barnacles etc. 13 tr. completely clear (a plate) of food. 14 tr. (foll. by back) draw (the hair) tightly back off the forehead. --n. 1 the act or sound of scraping. 2 a scraped place (on the skin etc.). 3 a thinly applied layer of butter etc. on bread. 4 the scraping of a foot in bowing. 5 colloq. an awkward predicament, esp. resulting from an escapade. scrape acquaintance with contrive to get to know (a person). scrape the barrel colloq. be reduced to one's last resources. [ME f. ON skrapa or MDu. schrapen] scrapern. a device used for scraping, esp. for removing dirt etc. from a surface. scraperboard n. Brit. cardboard or board with a blackened surface which can be scraped off for making white-line drawings. scrapien. a viral disease of sheep involving the central nervous system and characterized by lack of coordination causing affected animals to rub against trees etc. for support. scrapingn. 1 in senses of SCRAPE v. & n. 2 (esp. in pl.) a fragment produced by this. scrappyadj. (scrappier, scrappiest) 1 consisting of scraps. 2 incomplete; carelessly arranged or put together. scrappily adv. scrappiness n. scrapyardn. a place where (esp. metal) scrap is collected. scratchv., n., & adj. --v. 1 tr. score or mark the surface of with a sharp or pointed object. 2 tr. a make a long narrow superficial wound in (the skin). b cause (a person or part of the body) to be scratched (scratched himself on the table). 3 tr. (also absol.) scrape without marking, esp. with the hand to relieve itching (stood there scratching). 4 tr. make or form by scratching. 5 tr. scribble; write hurriedly or awkwardly (scratched a quick reply; scratched a large A). 6 tr. (foll. by together, up, etc.) obtain (a thing) by scratching or with difficulty. 7 tr. (foll. by out, off, through) cancel or strike (out) with a pencil etc. 8 tr. (also absol.) withdraw (a competitor, candidate, etc.) from a race or competition. 9 intr. (often foll. by about, around, etc.) a scratch the ground etc. in search. b look around haphazardly (they were scratching about for evidence). --n. 1 a mark or wound made by scratching. 2 a sound of scratching. 3 a spell of scratching oneself. 4 colloq. a superficial wound. 5 a line from which competitors in a race (esp. those not receiving a handicap) start. 6 (in pl.) a disease of horses in which the pastern appears scratched. 7 sl. money. --attrib.adj. 1 collected by chance. 2 collected or made from whatever is available; heterogeneous (a scratch crew). 3 with no handicap given (a scratch race). from scratch 1 from the beginning. 2 without help or advantage. scratch along make a living etc. with difficulty. scratch one's head be perplexed. scratch my back and I will scratch yours 1 do me a favour and I will return it. 2 used in reference to mutual aid or flattery. scratch pad 1 esp. US a pad of paper for scribbling. 2 Computing a small fast memory for the temporary storage of data. scratch the surface deal with a matter only superficially. up to scratch up to the required standard. scratcher n. [ME, prob. f. synonymous ME scrat & cratch, both of uncert. orig.: cf. MLG kratsen, OHG krazzon] scratchyadj. (scratchier, scratchiest) 1 tending to make scratches or a scratching noise. 2 (esp. of a garment) tending to cause itchiness. 3 (of a drawing etc.) done in scratches or carelessly. scratchily adv. scratchiness n. scrawlv. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. write in a hurried untidy way. 2 tr. (foll. by out) cross out by scrawling over. --n. 1 a piece of hurried writing. 2 a scrawled note. scrawly adj. [perh. f. obs. scrawl sprawl, alt. of CRAWL] scrawnyadj. (scrawnier, scrawniest) lean, scraggy. scrawniness n. [var. of dial. scranny: cf. archaic scrannel (of sound) weak, feeble] screamn. & v. --n. 1 a loud high-pitched piercing cry expressing fear, pain, extreme fright, etc. 2 the act of emitting a scream. 3 colloq. an irresistibly funny occurrence or person. --v. 1 intr. emit a scream. 2 tr. speak or sing (words etc.) in a screaming tone. 3 intr. make or move with a shrill sound like a scream. 4 intr. laugh uncontrollably. 5 intr. be blatantly obvious or conspicuous. 6 intr. colloq. turn informer. [OE or MDu.] screamern. 1 a person or thing that screams. 2 any S. American goose-like bird of the family Anhimidae, frequenting marshland and having a characteristic shrill cry. 3 colloq. a tale that raises screams of laughter. 4 US colloq. a sensational headline. screen. (in sing. or pl.) 1 small loose stones. 2 a mountain slope covered with these. [prob. back-form. f. screes (pl.) ult. f. ON skritha landslip, rel. to skrtha glide] screechn. & v. --n. a harsh high-pitched scream. --v.tr. & intr. utter with or make a screech. screech-owl any owl that screeches instead of hooting, esp. a barn-owl or a small American owl, Otus asio. screecher n. screechy adj. (screechier, screechiest). [16th-c. var. of ME scritch (imit.)] screedn. 1 a long usu. tiresome piece of writing or speech. 2 a a strip of plaster or other material placed on a surface as a guide to thickness. b a levelled layer of material (e.g. cement) applied to a floor or other surface. [ME, prob. var. of SHRED] screenn. & v. --n. 1 a fixed or movable upright partition for separating, concealing, or sheltering from draughts or excessive heat or light. 2 a thing used as a shelter, esp. from observation. 3 a a measure adopted for concealment. b the protection afforded by this (under the screen of night). 4 a a blank usu. white or silver surface on which a photographic image is projected. b (prec. by the) the cinema industry. 5 the surface of a cathode-ray tube or similar electronic device, esp. of a television, VDU, etc., on which images appear. 6 = sight-screen. 7 = WINDSCREEN. 8 a frame with fine wire netting to keep out flies, mosquitoes, etc. 9 Physics a body intercepting light, heat, electric or magnetic induction, etc., in a physical apparatus. 10 Photog. a piece of ground glass in a camera for focusing. 11 a large sieve or riddle, esp. for sorting grain, coal, etc., into sizes. 12 a system of checking for the presence or absence of a disease, ability, attribute, etc. 13 Printing a transparent finely-ruled plate or film used in half-tone reproduction. 14 Mil. a body of troops, ships, etc., detached to warn of the presence of an enemy force. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by from) a afford shelter to; hide partly or completely. b protect from detection, censure, etc. 2 (foll. by off) shut off or hide behind a screen. 3 a show (a film etc.) on a screen. b broadcast (a television programme). 4 prevent from causing, or protect from, electrical interference. 5 a test (a person or group) for the presence or absence of a disease. b check on (a person) for the presence or absence of a quality, esp. reliability or loyalty. 6 pass (grain, coal, etc.) through a screen. screen printing a process like stencilling with ink forced through a prepared sheet of fine material (orig. silk). screen test an audition for a part in a cinema film. screenable adj. screener n. [ME f. ONF escren, escran: cf. OHG skrank barrier] screenings n.pl. refuse separated by sifting. screenplay n. the script of a film, with acting instructions, scene directions, etc. screenwriter n. a person who writes a screenplay. screwn. & v. --n. 1 a thin cylinder or cone with a spiral ridge or thread running round the outside (male screw) or the inside (female screw). 2 (in full wood-screw) a metal male screw with a slotted head and a sharp point for fastening things, esp. in carpentry, by being rotated to form a thread in wood etc. 3 (in full screw-bolt) a metal male screw with a blunt end on which a nut is threaded to bolt things together. 4 a wooden or metal straight screw used to exert pressure. 5 (in sing. or pl.) an instrument of torture acting in this way. 6 (in full screw-propeller) a form of propeller with twisted blades acting like a screw on the water or air. 7 one turn of a screw. 8 (foll. by of) Brit. a small twisted-up paper (of tobacco etc.). 9 Brit. (in billiards etc.) an oblique curling motion of the ball. 10 sl. a prison warder. 11 Brit. sl. an amount of salary or wages. 12 coarse sl. a an act of sexual intercourse. b a partner in this. Usually considered a taboo use. 13 sl. a mean or miserly person. 14 sl. a worn-out horse. --v. 1 tr. fasten or tighten with a screw or screws. 2 tr. turn (a screw). 3 intr. twist or turn round like a screw. 4 intr. (of a ball etc.) swerve. 5 tr. a put psychological etc. pressure on to achieve an end. b oppress. 6 tr. (foll. by out of) extort (consent, money, etc.) from (a person). 7 tr. (also absol.) coarse sl. have sexual intercourse with. Usually considered a taboo use. 8 intr. (of a rolling ball, or of a person etc.) take a curling course; swerve. 9 intr. (often foll. by up) make tenser or more efficient. have one's head screwed on the right way colloq. have common sense. have a screw loose colloq. be slightly crazy. put the screws on colloq. exert pressure, esp. to extort or intimidate. screw cap = screw top. screw-coupling a female screw with threads at both ends for joining lengths of pipes or rods. screw eye a screw with a loop for passing cord etc. through instead of a slotted head. screw gear an endless screw with a cog-wheel or pinion. screw hook a hook to hang things on, with a screw point for fastening it. screw-jack a vehicle jack (see JACK) worked by a screw device. screw pine any plant of the genus Pandanus, with its leaves arranged spirally and resembling those of a pineapple. screw-plate a steel plate with threaded holes for making male screws. screw-tap a tool for making female screws. screw top (also (with hyphen) attrib.) a cap or lid that can be screwed on to a bottle, jar, etc. screw up 1 contract or contort (one's face etc.). 2 contract and crush into a tight mass (a piece of paper etc.). 3 summon up (one's courage etc.). 4 sl. a bungle or mismanage. b spoil or ruin (an event, opportunity, etc.). screw-up n. sl. a bungle, muddle, or mess. screw valve a stopcock opened and shut by a screw. screwable adj. screwer n. [ME f. OF escroue female screw, nut, f. L scrofa sow] screwballn. & adj. US sl. --n. a crazy or eccentric person. --adj. crazy. screwdriver n. a tool with a shaped tip to fit into the head of a screw to turn it. screwedadj. 1 twisted. 2 sl. a ruined; rendered ineffective. b drunk. screwyadj. (screwier, screwiest) sl. 1 crazy or eccentric. 2 absurd. screwiness n. scribblev. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. write carelessly or hurriedly. 2 intr. often derog. be an author or writer. 3 intr. & tr. draw carelessly or meaninglessly. --n. 1 a scrawl. 2 a hasty note etc. 3 careless handwriting. scribbler n. scribbly adj. [ME f. med.L scribillare dimin. of L scribere write] v.tr. card (wool, cotton, etc.) coarsely. [prob. f. LG: cf. G schrubbeln (in the same sense), frequent. f. LG schrubben: see SCRUB] scriben. & v. --n. 1 a person who writes out documents, esp. an ancient or medieval copyist of manuscripts. 2 Bibl. an ancient Jewish record-keeper or professional theologian and jurist. 3 (in full scribe-awl) a pointed instrument for making marks on wood, bricks, etc., to guide a saw, or in sign-writing. 4 US colloq. a writer, esp. a journalist. --v.tr. mark (wood etc.) with a scribe (see sense 3 of n.). scribal adj. scriber n. [(n.) ME f. L scriba f. scribere write: (v.) perh. f. DESCRIBE] scrimn. open-weave fabric for lining or upholstery etc. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] scrimmagen. & v. --n. 1 a rough or confused struggle; a brawl. 2 Amer. Football a sequence of play beginning with the placing of the ball on the ground with its longest axis at right angles to the goal-line. --v. 1 intr. engage in a scrimmage. 2 tr. Amer. Football put (the ball) into a scrimmage. scrimmager n. [var. of SKIRMISH] scrimpv. 1 intr. be sparing or parsimonious. 2 tr. use sparingly. scrimpy adj. [18th c., orig. Sc.: perh. rel. to SHRIMP] scrimshank v.intr. Brit. sl. esp. Mil. shirk duty. scrimshanker n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] scrimshawv. & n. --v.tr. (also absol.) adorn (shells, ivory, etc.) with carved or coloured designs (as sailors' pastime at sea). --n. work or a piece of work of this kind. [19th c.: perh. f. a surname] scripn. 1 a provisional certificate of money subscribed to a bank or company etc. entitling the holder to a formal certificate and dividends. 2 (collect.) such certificates. 3 an extra share or shares instead of a dividend. [abbr. of subscription receipt] scriptn. & v. --n. 1 handwriting as distinct from print; written characters. 2 type imitating handwriting. 3 an alphabet or system of writing (the Russian script). 4 the text of a play, film, or broadcast. 5 an examinee's set of written answers. 6 Law an original document as distinct from a copy. --v.tr. write a script for (a film etc.). [ME, = thing written, f. OF escri(p)t f. L scriptum, neut. past part. of scribere write] scriptorium n. (pl. scriptoria or scriptoriums) a room set apart for writing, esp. in a monastery. scriptorial adj. [med.L (as SCRIPT)] scriptural adj. 1 of or relating to a scripture, esp. the Bible. 2 having the authority of a scripture. scripturally adv. [LL scripturalis f. L scriptura: see SCRIPTURE] scripturen. 1 sacred writings. 2 (Scripture or the Scriptures) a the Bible as a collection of sacred writings in Christianity. b the sacred writings of any other religion. [ME f. L scriptura (as SCRIPT)] scriptwriter n. a person who writes a script for a film, broadcast, etc. scriptwriting n. scrivenern. hist. 1 a copyist or drafter of documents. 2 a notary. 3 a broker. 4 a moneylender. [ME f. obs. scrivein f. OF escrivein ult. f. L (as SCRIBE)] scrobiculate adj. Bot. & Zool. pitted, furrowed. [L scrobiculus f. scrobis trench] scrodn. US a young cod or haddock, esp. as food. [19th c.: perh. rel. to SHRED] scrofulan. archaic a disease with glandular swellings, prob. a form of tuberculosis. Also called king's evil. scrofulous adj. [ME f. med.L (sing.) f. LL scrofulae (pl.) scrofulous swelling, dimin. of L scrofa a sow] scrolln. & v. --n. 1 a roll of parchment or paper esp. with writing on it. 2 a book in the ancient roll form. 3 an ornamental design or carving imitating a roll of parchment. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by down, up) move (a display on a VDU screen) in order to view new material. 2 tr. inscribe in or like a scroll. 3 intr. curl up like paper. scroll saw a saw for cutting along curved lines in ornamental work. [ME scrowle alt. f. rowle ROLL, perh. after scrow (in the same sense), formed as ESCROW] scrolledadj. having a scroll ornament. scrollwork decoration of spiral lines, esp. as cut by a scroll saw. Scroogen. a mean or miserly person. [a character in Dickens's Christmas Carol] scrotumn. (pl. scrota or scrotums) a pouch of skin containing the testicles. scrotal adj. scrotitis n. [L] scroungev. & n. colloq. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) obtain (things) illicitly or by cadging. 2 intr. search about to find something at no cost. --n. an act of scrounging. on the scrounge engaged in scrounging. scrounger n. [var. of dial. scrunge steal] scrubv. & n. --v. (scrubbed, scrubbing) 1 tr. rub hard so as to clean, esp. with a hard brush. 2 intr. use a brush in this way. 3 intr. (often foll. by up) (of a surgeon etc.) thoroughly clean the hands and arms by scrubbing, before operating. 4 tr. colloq. scrap or cancel (a plan, order, etc.). 5 tr. use water to remove impurities from (gas etc.). --n. the act or an instance of scrubbing; the process of being scrubbed. scrubbing-brush (US scrub-brush) a hard brush for scrubbing floors. scrub round colloq. circumvent, avoid. [ME prob. f. MLG, MDu. schrobben, schrubben] n. 1 a vegetation consisting mainly of brushwood or stunted forest growth. b an area of land covered with this. 2 (of livestock) of inferior breed or physique (often attrib.: scrub horse). 3 a small or dwarf variety (often attrib.: scrub pine). 4 US Sport colloq. a team or player not of the first class. scrub turkey a megapode. scrub typhus a rickettsial disease of the W. Pacific transmitted by mites. scrubby adj. [ME, var. of SHRUB] scrubbern. 1 an apparatus using water or a solution for purifying gases etc. 2 sl. derog. a sexually promiscuous woman. scruffn. the back of the neck as used to grasp and lift or drag an animal or person by (esp. scruff of the neck). [alt. of scuff, perh. f. ON skoft hair] n. colloq. an untidy or scruffy person. [orig. = SCURF, later 'worthless thing', or back-form. f. SCRUFFY] scruffyadj. (scruffier, scruffiest) colloq. shabby, slovenly, untidy. scruffily adv. scruffiness n. [scruff var. of SCURF + -Y] scrumn. 1 Rugby Football an arrangement of the forwards of each team in two opposing groups, each with arms interlocked and heads down, with the ball thrown in between them to restart play. 2 colloq. a milling crowd. scrum-half a half-back who puts the ball into the scrum. [abbr. of SCRUMMAGE] scrummagen. Rugby Football = SCRUM 1. [as SCRIMMAGE] scrumpv.tr. Brit. colloq. steal (fruit) from an orchard or garden. [cf. SCRUMPY] scrumplev.tr. crumple, wrinkle. [var. of CRUMPLE] scrumptious adj. colloq. 1 delicious. 2 pleasing, delightful. scrumptiously adv. scrumptiousness n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] scrumpyn. Brit. colloq. rough cider, esp. as made in the West Country of England. [dial. scrump small apple] scrunchv. & n. --v.tr. & intr. 1 (usu. foll. by up) make or become crushed or crumpled. 2 make or cause to make a crunching sound. --n. the act or an instance of scrunching. [var. of CRUNCH] scruplen. & v. --n. 1 (in sing. or pl.) a regard to the morality or propriety of an action. b a feeling of doubt or hesitation caused by this. 2 Brit. hist. an apothecaries' weight of 20 grains. 3 archaic a very small quantity. --v.intr. 1 (foll. by to + infin.; usu. with neg.) be reluctant because of scruples (did not scruple to stop their allowance). 2 feel or be influenced by scruples. [F scrupule or L scrupulus f. scrupus rough pebble, anxiety] scrupulous adj. 1 conscientious or thorough even in small matters. 2 careful to avoid doing wrong. 3 punctilious; over-attentive to details. scrupulosity n. scrupulously adv. scrupulousness n. [ME f. F scrupuleux or L scrupulosus (as SCRUPLE)] scrutineer n. a person who scrutinizes or examines something, esp. the conduct and result of a ballot. scrutinize v.tr. (also -ise) look closely at; examine with close scrutiny. scrutinizer n. scrutinyn. (pl. -ies) 1 a critical gaze. 2 a close investigation or examination of details. 3 an official examination of ballot-papers to check their validity or accuracy of counting. [ME f. L scrutinium f. scrutari search f. scruta rubbish: orig. of rag-collectors] scryv.intr. (-ies, -ied) divine by crystal-gazing. scryer n. [shortening f. DESCRY] scuban. (pl. scubas) an aqualung. [acronym f. self- contained underwater breathing apparatus] scuba-diving n. swimming underwater using a scuba, esp. as a sport. scuba-dive v.intr. scuba-diver n. scudv. & n. --v.intr. (scudded, scudding) 1 fly or run straight, fast, and lightly; skim along. 2 Naut. run before the wind. --n. 1 a spell of scudding. 2 a scudding motion. 3 vapoury driving clouds. 4 a driving shower; a gust. 5 wind-blown spray. [perh. alt. of SCUT, as if to race like a hare] scuffv. & n. --v. 1 tr. graze or brush against. 2 tr. mark or wear down (shoes) in this way. 3 intr. walk with dragging feet; shuffle. --n. a mark of scuffing. [imit.] scufflen. & v. --n. a confused struggle or disorderly fight at close quarters. --v.intr. engage in a scuffle. [prob. f. Scand.: cf. Sw. skuffa to push, rel. to SHOVE] sculduggery var. of SKULDUGGERY. sculln. & v. --n. 1 either of a pair of small oars used by a single rower. 2 an oar placed over the stern of a boat to propel it, usu. by a twisting motion. 3 (in pl.) a race between boats with single pairs of oars. --v.tr. propel (a boat) with sculls. [ME: orig. unkn.] scullern. 1 a user of sculls. 2 a boat intended for sculling. sculleryn. (pl. -ies) a small kitchen or room at the back of a house for washing dishes etc. [ME f. AF squillerie, OF escuelerie f. escuele dish f. L scutella salver dimin. of scutra wooden platter] scullionn. archaic 1 a cook's boy. 2 a person who washes dishes etc. [ME: orig. unkn.] sculpinn. any of numerous fish of the family Cottidae, native to non-tropical regions, having large spiny heads. [perh. f. obs. scorpene f. L scorpaena f. Gk skorpaina a fish] sculptv.tr. & intr. (also sculp) sculpture. [F sculpter f. sculpteur SCULPTOR: now regarded as an abbr.] sculptorn. (fem. sculptress) an artist who makes sculptures. [L (as SCULPTURE)] sculpturen. & v. --n. 1 the art of making forms, often representational, in the round or in relief by chiselling stone, carving wood, modelling clay, casting metal, etc. 2 a work or works of sculpture. 3 Zool. & Bot. raised or sunken markings on a shell etc. --v. 1 tr. represent in or adorn with sculpture. 2 intr. practise sculpture. sculptural adj. sculpturally adv. sculpturesque adj. [ME f. L sculptura f. sculpere sculpt- carve] scumn. & v. --n. 1 a layer of dirt, froth, or impurities etc. forming at the top of liquid, esp. in boiling or fermentation. 2 (foll. by of) the most worthless part of something. 3 colloq. a worthless person or group. --v. (scummed, scumming) 1 tr. remove scum from; skim. 2 tr. be or form a scum on. 3 intr. (of a liquid) develop scum. scummy adj. (scummier, scummiest) adj. [ME f. MLG, MDu. schum, OHG scum f. Gmc] scumblev. & n. --v.tr. 1 modify (a painting) by applying a thin opaque coat of paint to give a softer or duller effect. 2 modify (a drawing) similarly with light pencilling etc. --n. 1 material used in scumbling. 2 the effect produced by scumbling. [perh. frequent. of SCUM v.tr.] scuncheonn. the inside face of a door-jamb, window-frame, etc. [ME f. OF escoinson (as EX-, COIN)] scungen. Austral. & NZ colloq. 1 dirt, scum. 2 a dirty or disagreeable person. scungy adj. (scungier, scungiest). [perh. f. E dial. scrunge steal: cf. SCROUNGE] scunnerv. & n. Sc. --v.intr. feel disgust or nausea. --n. 1 a strong dislike (esp. take a scunner at or against). 2 an object of loathing. [14th c.: orig. uncert.] scupn. an E. American fish, Stenostomus chrysops, a kind of porgy. [Narraganset mishcup thick-scaled f. mishe large + cuppi scale] scuppern. a hole in a ship's side to carry off water from the deck. [ME (perh. f. AF) f. OF escopir f. Rmc skuppire (unrecorded) to spit: orig. imit.] v.tr. Brit. sl. 1 sink (a ship or its crew). 2 defeat or ruin (a plan etc.). 3 kill. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] scurfn. 1 flakes on the surface of the skin, cast off as fresh skin develops below, esp. those of the head; dandruff. 2 any scaly matter on a surface. scurfy adj. [OE, prob. f. ON & earlier OE sceorf, rel. to sceorfan gnaw, sceorfian cut to shreds] scurrilous adj. 1 (of a person or language) grossly or indecently abusive. 2 given to or expressed with low humour. scurrility n. (pl. -ies). scurrilously adv. scurrilousness n. [F scurrile or L scurrilus f. scurra buffoon] scurryv. & n. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) run or move hurriedly, esp. with short quick steps; scamper. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 the act or sound of scurrying. 2 bustle, haste. 3 a flurry of rain or snow. [abbr. of hurry-scurry redupl. of HURRY] scurvyn. & adj. --n. a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, esp. formerly affecting sailors. --adj. (scurvier, scurviest) paltry, low, mean, dishonourable, contemptible. scurvy grass any cresslike seaside plant of the genus Cochlearia, orig. taken as a cure for scurvy. scurvied adj. scurvily adv. [SCURF + -Y: noun sense by assoc. with F scorbut (cf. SCORBUTIC)] scutn. a short tail, esp. of a hare, rabbit, or deer. [ME: orig. unkn.: cf. obs. scut short, shorten] scutapl. of SCUTUM. scutagen. hist. money paid by a feudal landowner instead of personal service. [ME f. med.L scutagium f. L scutum shield] scutchv.tr. dress (fibrous material, esp. retted flax) by beating. scutcher n. [OF escouche, escoucher (dial.), escousser, ult. f. L excutere excuss- (as EX-, quatere shake)] scutcheonn. 1 = ESCUTCHEON. 2 an ornamented brass etc. plate round or over a keyhole. 3 a plate for a name or inscription. [ME f. ESCUTCHEON] scuten. Zool. etc. = SCUTUM. [L (as SCUTUM)] scutellumn. (pl. scutella) Bot. & Zool. a scale, plate, or any shieldlike formation on a plant, insect, bird, etc., esp. one of the horny scales on a bird's foot. scutellate adj. scutellation n. [mod.L dimin. of L scutum shield] scutterv. & n. --v.intr. colloq. scurry. --n. the act or an instance of scuttering. [perh. alt. of SCUTTLE] scuttlen. 1 a receptacle for carrying and holding a small supply of coal. 2 Brit. the part of a motor-car body between the windscreen and the bonnet. [ME f. ON skutill, OHG scuzzila f. L scutella dish] v. & n. --v.intr. 1 scurry; hurry along. 2 run away; flee from danger or difficulty. --n. 1 a hurried gait. 2 a precipitate flight or departure. [cf. dial. scuddle frequent. of SCUD] n. & v. --n. a hole with a lid in a ship's deck or side. --v.tr. let water into (a ship) to sink it, esp. by opening the seacocks. [ME, perh. f. obs. F escoutille f. Sp. escotilla hatchway dimin. of escota cutting out cloth] scuttlebutt n. 1 a water-butt on the deck of a ship, for drinking from. 2 colloq. rumour, gossip. scutumn. (pl. scuta) each of the shieldlike plates or scales forming the bony covering of a crocodile, sturgeon, turtle, armadillo, etc. scutal adj. scutate adj. [L, = oblong shield] Scylla and Charybdis n.pl. two dangers such that avoidance of one increases the risk from the other. [the names of a sea-monster and whirlpool in Gk mythology] scyphozoan n. & adj. --n. any marine jellyfish of the class Scyphozoa, with tentacles bearing stinging cells. --adj. of or relating to this class. [as SCYPHUS + Gk zoion animal] scyphusn. (pl. scyphi) 1 Gk Antiq. a footless drinking-cup with two handles below the level of the rim. 2 Bot. a cup-shaped part as in a narcissus flower or in lichens. scyphose adj. [mod.L f. Gk skuphos] scythen. & v. --n. a mowing and reaping implement with a long curved blade swung over the ground by a long pole with two short handles projecting from it. --v.tr. cut with a scythe. [OE sithe f. Gmc] Scythianadj. & n. --adj. of or relating to ancient Scythia, a region north of the Black Sea. --n. 1 an inhabitant of Scythia. 2 the language of this region. [L Scythia f. Gk Skuthia Scythia] SDabbr. US South Dakota (in official postal use). S.Dak.abbr. South Dakota. SDIabbr. strategic defence initiative. SDLPabbr. (in N. Ireland) Social Democratic and Labour Party. SDPabbr. (in the UK) Social Democratic Party. SDRabbr. special drawing right (from the International Monetary Fund). SEabbr. 1 south-east. 2 south-eastern. Sesymb. Chem. the element selenium. se-prefix apart, without (seclude; secure). [L f. OL se (prep. & adv.)] sean. 1 the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its land masses. 2 any part of this as opposed to land or fresh water. 3 a particular (usu. named) tract of salt water partly or wholly enclosed by land (the North Sea; the Dead Sea). 4 a large inland lake (the Sea of Galilee). 5 the waves of the sea, esp. with reference to their local motion or state (a choppy sea). 6 (foll. by of) a vast quantity or expanse (a sea of troubles; a sea of faces). 7 (attrib.) living or used in, on, or near the sea (often prefixed to the name of a marine animal, plant, etc., having a superficial resemblance to what it is named after) (sea lettuce). at sea 1 in a ship on the sea. 2 (also all at sea) perplexed, confused. by sea in a ship or ships. go to sea become a sailor. on the sea 1 in a ship at sea. 2 situated on the coast. put (or put out) to sea leave land or port. sea anchor a device such as a heavy bag dragged in the water to retard the drifting of a ship. sea anemone any of various coelenterates of the order Actiniaria having a polypoid body bearing a ring of tentacles around the mouth. sea-angel an angel-fish. sea bass any of various marine fishes like the bass, esp. Centropristis striatus. sea bird a bird frequenting the sea or the land near the sea. sea bream = PORGY. sea breeze a breeze blowing towards the land from the sea, esp. during the day (cf. land breeze). sea buckthorn a maritime shrub, Hippopha rhamnoides with orange berries. sea change a notable or unexpected transformation (with ref. to Shakesp. Tempest I. ii. 403). sea-chest a sailor's storage-chest. sea coal archaic mineral coal, as distinct from charcoal etc. sea cow 1 a sirenian. 2 a walrus. sea cucumber a holothurian, esp. a bche-de-mer. sea dog an old or experienced sailor. sea eagle any fish-eating eagle esp. of the genus Haliatus. sea-ear = ORMER. sea elephant any large seal of the genus Mirounga, the male of which has a proboscis: also called elephant seal. sea fan any colonial coral of the order Gorgonacea supported by a fanlike horny skeleton. sea front the part of a coastal town directly facing the sea. sea-girt literary surrounded by sea. sea gooseberry any marine animal of the phylum Ctenophora, with an ovoid body bearing numerous cilia. sea-green bluish-green (as of the sea). sea hare any of various marine molluscs of the order Anaspidea, having an internal shell and long extensions from its foot. sea holly a spiny-leaved blue-flowered evergreen plant, Eryngium maritimum. sea horse 1 any of various small upright marine fish of the family Syngnathidae, esp. Hippocampus hippocampus, having a body suggestive of the head and neck of a horse. 2 a mythical creature with a horse's head and fish's tail. sea-island cotton a fine-quality long-stapled cotton grown on islands off the southern US. sea lavender any maritime plant of the genus Limonium, with small brightly-coloured funnel-shaped flowers. sea legs the ability to keep one's balance and avoid seasickness when at sea. sea level the mean level of the sea's surface, used in reckoning the height of hills etc. and as a barometric standard. sea lily any of various sessile echinoderms, esp. of the class Crinoidea, with long jointed stalks and feather-like arms for trapping food. sea lion any large, eared seal of the Pacific, esp. of the genus Zalophus or Otaria. sea loch = LOCH 2. Sea Lord (in the UK) a naval member of the Admiralty Board. sea mile = nautical mile. sea mouse any iridescent marine annelid of the genus Aphrodite. sea onion = SQUILL 2. sea otter a Pacific otter, Enhydra lutris, using a stone balanced on its abdomen to crack bivalve molluscs. sea pink a maritime plant, Armeria maritima, with bright pink flowers: also called THRIFT. sea purse the egg-case of a skate or shark. sea room clear space at sea for a ship to turn or manoeuvre in. sea salt salt produced by evaporating sea water. Sea Scout a member of the maritime branch of the Scout Association. sea serpent (or snake) 1 a snake of the family Hydrophidae, living in the sea. 2 an enormous legendary serpent-like sea monster. sea shell the shell of a salt-water mollusc. sea snail 1 a small slimy fish of the family Liparididae, with a ventral sucker. 2 any spiral-shelled mollusc, e.g. a whelk. sea squirt any marine turnicate of the class Ascidiacea, consisting of a bag-like structure with apertures for the flow of water. sea trout = salmon trout. sea urchin a small marine echinoderm of the class Echinoidea, with a spherical or flattened spiny shell. sea wall a wall or embankment erected to prevent encroachment by the sea. sea water water in or taken from the sea. [OE s f. Gmc] seabedn. the ground under the sea; the ocean floor. seaboardn. 1 the seashore or coastal region. 2 the line of a coast. seaborneadj. transported by sea. seacockn. a valve below a ship's water-line for letting water in or out. seafarern. 1 a sailor. 2 a traveller by sea. seafaringadj. & n. travelling by sea, esp. regularly. seafoodn. edible sea fish or shellfish. seagoingadj. 1 (of ships) fit for crossing the sea. 2 (of a person) seafaring. seagulln. = GULL. seakalen. a cruciferous maritime plant, Crambe maritima, having coarsely-toothed leaves and used as a vegetable. seakale beet = CHARD. sealn. & v. --n. 1 a piece of wax, lead, paper, etc., with a stamped design, attached to a document as a guarantee of authenticity. 2 a similar material attached to a receptacle, envelope, etc., affording security by having to be broken to allow access to the contents. 3 an engraved piece of metal, gemstone, etc., for stamping a design on a seal. 4 a a substance or device used to close an aperture or act as a fastening. b an amount of water standing in the trap of a drain to prevent foul air from rising. 5 an act or gesture or event regarded as a confirmation or guarantee. 6 a significant or prophetic mark (has the seal of death in his face). 7 a decorative adhesive stamp. 8 esp. Eccl. a vow of secrecy; an obligation to silence. --v.tr. 1 close securely or hermetically. 2 stamp or fasten with a seal. 3 fix a seal to. 4 certify as correct with a seal or stamp. 5 (often foll. by up) confine or fasten securely. 6 settle or decide (their fate is sealed). 7 (foll. by off) put barriers round (an area) to prevent entry and exit, esp. as a security measure. 8 apply a non-porous coating to (a surface) to make it impervious. Great Seal (in the UK) the seal in the charge of the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper used in sealing important State papers. one's lips are sealed one is obliged to keep a secret. sealed-beam (attrib.) designating a vehicle headlamp with a sealed unit consisting of the light source, reflector, and lens. sealed book see BOOK. sealed orders orders for procedure not to be opened before a specified time. sealing-wax a mixture of shellac and rosin with turpentine and pigment, softened by heating and used to make seals. seal ring a finger ring with a seal. seals of office (in the UK) those held during tenure esp. by the Lord Chancellor or a Secretary of State. set one's seal to (or on) authorize or confirm. sealable adj. [ME f. AF seal, OF seel f. L sigillum dimin. of signum SIGN] n. & v. --n. any fish-eating amphibious sea mammal of the family Phocidae or Otariidae, with flippers and webbed feet. --v.intr. hunt for seals. [OE seolh seol- f. Gmc] sealantn. material for sealing, esp. to make something airtight or watertight. sealern. a ship or person engaged in hunting seals. sealeryn. (pl. -ies) a place for hunting seals. sealskinn. 1 the skin or prepared fur of a seal. 2 (often attrib.) a garment made from this. Sealyhamn. (in full Sealyham terrier) 1 a terrier of a wire-haired short-legged breed. 2 this breed. [Sealyham in S. Wales] seamn. & v. --n. 1 a line where two edges join, esp. of two pieces of cloth etc. turned back and stitched together, or of boards fitted edge to edge. 2 a fissure between parallel edges. 3 a wrinkle or scar. 4 a stratum of coal etc. --v.tr. 1 join with a seam. 2 (esp. as seamed adj.) mark or score with or as with a seam. bursting at the seams full to overflowing. seam bowler Cricket a bowler who makes the ball deviate by bouncing off its seam. seamer n. seamless adj. [OE seam f. Gmc] seamann. (pl. -men) 1 a sailor, esp. one below the rank of officer. 2 a person regarded in terms of skill in navigation (a poor seaman). seamanlike adj. seamanly adj. [OE sman (as SEA, MAN)] seamanship n. skill in managing a ship or boat. seamstress n. (also sempstress) a woman who sews, esp. professionally; a needlewoman. [OE seamestre fem. f. seamere tailor, formed as SEAM + -STER + -ESS] seamyadj. (seamier, seamiest) 1 marked with or showing seams. 2 unpleasant, disreputable (esp. the seamy side). seaminess n. Seanadn. the upper House of Parliament in the Republic of Ireland. [Ir., = senate] seancen. (also seance) a meeting at which spiritualists attempt to make contact with the dead. [F seance f. OF seoir f. L sedere sit] seaplanen. an aircraft designed to take off from and land and float on water. seaportn. a town with a harbour for seagoing ships. SEAQabbr. Stock Exchange Automated Quotations (computerized access to share information). seaquaken. an earthquake under the sea. searv. & adj. --v.tr. 1 a scorch, esp. with a hot iron; cauterize, brand. b (as searing adj.) scorching, burning (searing pain). 2 cause pain or great anguish to. 3 brown (meat) quickly at a high temperature so that it will retain its juices in cooking. 4 make (one's conscience, feelings, etc.) callous. 5 archaic blast, wither. --adj. (also sere) literary (esp. of a plant etc.) withered, dried up. [OE sear (adj.), searian (v.), f. Gmc] searchv. & n. --v. 1 tr. look through or go over thoroughly to find something. 2 tr. examine or feel over (a person) to find anything concealed. 3 tr. a probe or penetrate into. b examine or question (one's mind, conscience, etc.) thoroughly. 4 intr. (often foll. by for) make a search or investigation. 5 intr. (as searching adj.) (of an examination) thorough; leaving no loopholes. 6 tr. (foll. by out) look probingly for; seek out. --n. 1 an act of searching. 2 an investigation. in search of trying to find. right of search a belligerent's right to stop a neutral vessel and search it for prohibited goods. search me! colloq. I do not know. search-party a group of people organized to look for a lost person or thing. search warrant an official authorization to enter and search a building. searchable adj. searcher n. searchingly adv. [ME f. AF sercher, OF cerchier f. LL circare go round (as CIRCUS)] searchlight n. 1 a powerful outdoor electric light with a concentrated beam that can be turned in any direction. 2 the light or beam from this. seascapen. a picture or view of the sea. seashoren. 1 land close to or bordering on the sea. 2 Law the area between high and low water marks. seasickadj. suffering from sickness or nausea from the motion of a ship at sea. seasickness n. seasiden. the sea-coast, esp. as a holiday resort. seasonn. & v. --n. 1 each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) associated with a type of weather and a stage of vegetation. 2 a time of year characterized by climatic or other features (the dry season). 3 a the time of year when a plant is mature or flowering etc. b the time of year when an animal breeds or is hunted. 4 a proper or suitable time. 5 a time when something is plentiful or active or in vogue. 6 (usu. prec. by the) = high season. 7 the time of year regularly devoted to an activity (the football season). 8 the time of year dedicated to social life generally (went up to London for the season). 9 a period of indefinite or varying length. 10 Brit. colloq. = season ticket. --v. 1 tr. flavour (food) with salt, herbs, etc. 2 tr. enhance with wit, excitement, etc. 3 tr. temper or moderate. 4 tr. & intr. a make or become suitable or in the desired condition, esp. by exposure to the air or weather; mature. b make or become experienced or accustomed (seasoned soldiers). in season 1 (of foodstuff) available in plenty and in good condition. 2 (of an animal) on heat. 3 timely. season ticket a ticket entitling the holder to any number of journeys, admittances, etc., in a given period. seasoner n. [ME f. OF seson f. L satio -onis (in Rmc sense 'seed-time') f. serere sat- sow] seasonable adj. 1 suitable to or usual in the season. 2 opportune. 3 meeting the needs of the occasion. seasonableness n. seasonably adv. seasonaladj. of, depending on, or varying with the season. seasonal affective disorder a depressive state associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by a lack of light. seasonality n. seasonally adv. seasoningn. condiments added to food. seatn. & v. --n. 1 a thing made or used for sitting on; a chair, stool, saddle, etc. 2 the buttocks. 3 the part of the trousers etc. covering the buttocks. 4 the part of a chair etc. on which the sitter's weight directly rests. 5 a place for one person in a theatre, vehicle, etc. 6 the occupation of a seat. 7 esp. Brit. a the right to occupy a seat, esp. as a Member of the House of Commons. b a member's constituency. 8 the part of a machine that supports or guides another part. 9 a site or location of something specified (a seat of learning; the seat of the emotions). 10 a country mansion, esp. with large grounds. 11 the manner of sitting on a horse etc. --v.tr. 1 cause to sit. 2 a provide sitting accommodation for (the cinema seats 500). b provide with seats. 3 (as seated adj.) sitting. 4 put or fit in position. be seated sit down. by the seat of one's pants colloq. by instinct rather than logic or knowledge. seat-belt a belt securing a person in the seat of a car or aircraft. take a (or one's) seat sit down. seatless adj. [ME f. ON sti (= OE gesete f. Gmc)] -seatern. (in comb.) having a specified number of seats (a 16-seater bus). seatingn. 1 seats collectively. 2 sitting accommodation. SEATOabbr. South-East Asia Treaty Organization. seawardadv., adj., & n. --adv. (also seawards) towards the sea. --adj. going or facing towards the sea. --n. such a direction or position. seawayn. 1 an inland waterway open to seagoing ships. 2 a ship's progress. 3 a ship's path across the sea. seaweedn. any of various algae growing in the sea or on the rocks on a shore. seaworthyadj. (esp. of a ship) fit to put to sea. seaworthiness n. sebaceousadj. fatty; of or relating to tallow or fat. sebaceous gland (or follicle or duct) a gland etc. secreting or conveying oily matter to lubricate the skin and hair. [L sebaceus f. sebum tallow] seborrhoea n. (US seborrhea) excessive discharge of sebum from the sebaceous glands. seborrhoeic adj. [SEBUM after gonorrhoea etc.] sebumn. the oily secretion of the sebaceous glands. [mod.L f. L sebum grease] Sec.abbr. secretary. secadj. (of wine) dry. [F f. L siccus] secabbr. secant. n. colloq. (in phrases) a second (of time). [abbr.] sec.abbr. second(s). secantadj. & n. Math. --adj. cutting (secant line). --n. 1 a line cutting a curve at one or more points. 2 the ratio of the hypotenuse to the shorter side adjacent to an acute angle (in a right-angled triangle). Abbr.: sec. [F secant(e) f. L secare secant- cut] secateursn.pl. esp. Brit. a pair of pruning clippers for use with one hand. [F secateur cutter, irreg. f. L secare cut] seccon. the technique of painting on dry plaster with pigments mixed in water. [It., = dry, f. L siccus] secedev.intr. (usu. foll. by from) withdraw formally from membership of a political federation or a religious body. seceder n. [L secedere secess- (as SE-, cedere go)] secessionn. 1 the act or an instance of seceding. 2 (Secession) hist. the withdrawal of eleven southern States from the US Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War. secessional adj. secessionism n. secessionist n. [F secession or L secessio (as SECEDE)] secludev.tr. (also refl.) 1 keep (a person or place) retired or away from company. 2 (esp. as secluded adj.) hide or screen from view. [ME f. L secludere seclus- (as SE-, claudere shut)] seclusionn. 1 a secluded state; retirement, privacy. 2 a secluded place. seclusionist n. seclusive adj. [med.L seclusio (as SECLUDE)] secondn., adj., & v. --n. 1 the position in a sequence corresponding to that of the number 2 in the sequence 1-2. 2 something occupying this position. 3 the second person etc. in a race or competition. 4 Mus. a an interval or chord spanning two consecutive notes in the diatonic scale (e.g. C to D). b a note separated from another by this interval. 5 = second gear. 6 another person or thing in addition to one previously mentioned or considered (the policeman was then joined by a second). 7 (in pl.) a goods of a second or inferior quality. b coarse flour, or bread made from it. 8 (in pl.) colloq. a a second helping of food at a meal. b the second course of a meal. 9 an attendant assisting a combatant in a duel, boxing-match, etc. 10 a a place in the second class of an examination. b a person having this. --adj. 1 that is the second; next after first. 2 additional, further; other besides one previously mentioned or considered (ate a second cake). 3 subordinate in position or importance etc.; inferior. 4 Mus. performing a lower or subordinate part (second violins). 5 such as to be comparable to; closely reminiscent of (a second Callas). --v.tr. 1 supplement, support; back up. 2 formally support or endorse (a nomination or resolution etc., or its proposer). at second hand by hearsay, not direct observation etc. in the second place as a second consideration etc. second advent a supposed return of Christ to earth. second ballot a deciding ballot between candidates coming first (without an absolute majority) and second in a previous ballot. second-best adj. next after best. --n. a less adequate or desirable alternative. second cause Logic a cause that is itself caused. second chamber the upper house of a bicameral parliament. second class the second-best group or category, esp. of hotel or train accommodation or (in the UK) of postal services. second-class adj. 1 of or belonging to the second class. 2 inferior in quality, status, etc. (second-class citizens). --adv. by second-class post, train, etc. (travelled second-class). second coming Theol. the second advent of Christ on earth. second cousin see COUSIN. second-degree Med. denoting burns that cause blistering but not permanent scars. second fiddle see FIDDLE. second floor 1 Brit. the floor two levels above the ground floor. 2 US the floor above the ground floor. second gear the second (and next to lowest) in a sequence of gears. second-generation denoting the offspring of a first generation, esp. of immigrants. second-guess colloq. 1 anticipate or predict by guesswork. 2 judge or criticize with hindsight. second honeymoon a holiday like a honeymoon, taken by a couple after some years of marriage. second in command the officer next in rank to the commanding or chief officer. second lieutenant an army officer next below lieutenant or US first lieutenant. second name a surname. second nature (often foll. by to) an acquired tendency that has become instinctive (is second nature to him). second officer an assistant mate on a merchant ship. second person Gram. see PERSON. second-rate of mediocre quality; inferior. second-rater a person or thing that is second-rate. second reading a second presentation of a bill to a legislative assembly, in the UK to approve its general principles and in the US to debate committee reports. second self a close friend or associate. second sight the supposed power of being able to perceive future or distant events. second-sighted having the gift of second sight. second string an alternative course of action, means of livelihood, etc., invoked if the main one is unsuccessful. second teeth the teeth that replace the milk teeth in a mammal. second thoughts a new opinion or resolution reached after further consideration. second to none surpassed by no other. second wind 1 recovery of the power of normal breathing during exercise after initial breathlessness. 2 renewed energy to continue an effort. seconder n. (esp. in sense 2 of v.). [ME f. OF f. L secundus f. sequi follow] n. 1 a sixtieth of a minute of time or angular distance. Symb.:'. 2 the SI unit of time, based on the natural periodicity of the caesium atom. Abbr.: s. 3 colloq. a very short time (wait a second). second hand an extra hand in some watches and clocks, recording seconds. [F f. med.L secunda (minuta) secondary (minute)] v.tr. Brit. transfer (a military officer or other official or worker) temporarily to other employment or to another position. secondment n. [F en second in the second rank (of officers)] secondaryadj. & n. --adj. 1 coming after or next below what is primary. 2 derived from or depending on or supplementing what is primary. 3 (of education, a school, etc.) for those who have had primary education, usu. from 11 to 18 years. 4 Electr. a (of a cell or battery) having a reversible chemical reaction and therefore able to store energy. b denoting a device using electromagnetic induction, esp. a transformer. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a secondary thing. 2 a secondary device or current. secondary colour the result of mixing two primary colours. secondary feather a feather growing from the second joint of a bird's wing. secondary picketing the picketing of premises of a firm not otherwise involved in the dispute in question. secondary planet a satellite of a planet (cf. primary planet). secondary sexual characteristics those distinctive of one sex but not directly related to reproduction. secondarily adv. secondariness n. [ME f. L secundarius (as SECOND)] seconden. Fencing the second of eight parrying positions. [F, fem. of second SECOND] second-hand adj. & adv. --adj. also 1 a (of goods) having had a previous owner; not new. b (of a shop etc.) where such goods can be bought. 2 (of information etc.) accepted on another's authority and not from original investigation. --adv. 1 on a second-hand basis. 2 at second hand; not directly. secondlyadv. 1 furthermore; in the second place. 2 as a second item. secondon. (pl. secondi) Mus. the second or lower part in a duet etc. [It.] secrecyn. 1 the keeping of secrets as a fact, habit, or faculty. 2 a state in which all information is withheld (was done in great secrecy). sworn to secrecy having promised to keep a secret. [ME f. secretie f. obs. secre (adj.) or SECRET adj.] secretadj. & n. --adj. 1 kept or meant to be kept private, unknown, or hidden from all or all but a few. 2 acting or operating secretly. 3 fond of, prone to, or able to preserve secrecy. 4 (of a place) hidden, completely secluded. --n. 1 a thing kept or meant to be kept secret. 2 a thing known only to a few. 3 a mystery. 4 a valid but not commonly known or recognized method of achieving or maintaining something (what's their secret?; correct breathing is the secret of good health). 5 RC Ch. a prayer concluding the offertory of the mass. in secret secretly. in (or in on) the secret among the number of those who know it. keep a secret not reveal it. secret agent a spy acting for a country. secret ballot a ballot in which votes are cast in secret. secret police a police force operating in secret for political purposes. secret service a government department concerned with espionage. secret society a society whose members are sworn to secrecy about it. secretly adv. [ME f. OF f. L secretus (adj.) separate, set apart f. secernere secret- (as SE-, cernere sift)] secretaire n. an escritoire. [F (as SECRETARY)] secretariat n. 1 a permanent administrative office or department, esp. a governmental one. 2 its members or premises. 3 the office of secretary. [F secretariat f. med.L secretariatus (as SECRETARY)] secretaryn. (pl. -ies) 1 a person employed by an individual or in an office etc. to assist with correspondence, keep records, make appointments, etc. 2 an official appointed by a society etc. to conduct its correspondence, keep its records, etc. 3 (in the UK) the principal assistant of a government minister, ambassador, etc. secretary bird a long-legged snake-eating African bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, with a crest likened to a quill pen stuck over a writer's ear. Secretary-General the principal administrator of an organization. Secretary of State 1 (in the UK) the head of a major government department. 2 (in the US) the chief government official responsible for foreign affairs. secretarial adj. secretaryship n. [ME f. LL secretarius (as SECRET)] secretev.tr. Biol. (of a cell, organ, etc.) produce by secretion. secretor n. secretory adj. [back-form. f. SECRETION] v.tr. conceal; put into hiding. [obs. secret (v.) f. SECRET] secretionn. 1 Biol. a a process by which substances are produced and discharged from a cell for a function in the organism or for excretion. b the secreted substance. 2 the act or an instance of concealing (the secretion of stolen goods). [F secretion or L secretio separation (as SECRET)] secretiveadj. inclined to make or keep secrets; uncommunicative. secretively adv. secretiveness n. [back-form. f. secretiveness after F secretivite (as SECRET)] sectn. 1 a a body of people subscribing to religious doctrines usu. different from those of an established Church from which they have separated. b usu. derog. a nonconformist or other Church. c a party or faction in a religious body. d a religious denomination. 2 the followers of a particular philosopher or philosophy, or school of thought in politics etc. [ME f. OF secte or L secta f. the stem of sequi secut- follow] sect.abbr. section. sectarianadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning a sect. 2 bigoted or narrow-minded in following the doctrines of one's sect. --n. 1 a member of a sect. 2 a bigot. sectarianism n. sectarianize v.tr. (also -ise). [SECTARY] sectaryn. (pl. -ies) a member of a religious or political sect. [med.L sectarius adherent (as SECT)] sectionn. & v. --n. 1 a part cut off or separated from something. 2 each of the parts into which a thing is divided (actually or conceptually) or divisible or out of which a structure can be fitted together. 3 a distinct group or subdivision of a larger body of people (the wind section of an orchestra). 4 a subdivision of a book, document, statute, etc. 5 US a an area of land. b one square mile of land. c a particular district of a town (residential section). 6 a subdivision of an army platoon. 7 esp. Surgery a separation by cutting. 8 Biol. a thin slice of tissue etc., cut off for microscopic examination. 9 a the cutting of a solid by or along a plane. b the resulting figure or the area of this. 10 a representation of the internal structure of something as if cut across along a vertical or horizontal plane. 11 Biol. a group, esp. a subgenus. --v.tr. 1 arrange in or divide into sections. 2 Brit. cause (a person) to be compulsorily committed to a psychiatric hospital in accordance with a section of a mental health act. 3 Biol. cut into thin slices for microscopic examination. section-mark the sign () used as a reference mark to indicate the start of a section of a book etc. [F section or L sectio f. secare sect- cut] sectionaladj. 1 a relating to a section, esp. of a community. b partisan. 2 made in sections. 3 local rather than general. sectionalism n. sectionalist n. & adj. sectionalize v.tr. (also -ise). sectionally adv. sectorn. 1 a distinct part or branch of an enterprise, or of society, the economy, etc. 2 Mil. a subdivision of an area for military operations, controlled by one commander or headquarters. 3 the plane figure enclosed by two radii of a circle, ellipse, etc., and the arc between them. 4 a mathematical instrument consisting of two arms hinged at one end and marked with sines, tangents, etc., for making diagrams etc. sectoral adj. [LL, techn. use of L sector cutter (as SECTION)] sectorialadj. 1 of or like a sector or sectors. 2 = CARNASSIAL. secularadj. & n. --adj. 1 concerned with the affairs of this world; not spiritual or sacred. 2 (of education etc.) not concerned with religion or religious belief. 3 a not ecclesiastical or monastic. b (of clergy) not bound by a religious rule. 4 occurring once in an age or century. 5 lasting for or occurring over an indefinitely long time. --n. a secular priest. secular variation Astron. variation compensated over a long period of time. secularism n. secularist n. secularity n. secularize v.tr. (also -ise). secularization n. secularly adv. [ME (in senses 1-3 f. OF seculer) f. L saecularis f. saeculum generation, age] secundadj. Bot. arranged on one side only (as the flowers of lily of the valley). secundly adv. [L secundus (as SECOND)] secureadj. & v. --adj. 1 untroubled by danger or fear. 2 safe against attack: impregnable. 3 reliable; certain not to fail (the plan is secure). 4 fixed or fastened so as not to give way or get loose or be lost (made the door secure). 5 a (foll. by of) certain to achieve (secure of victory). b (foll. by against, from) safe, protected (secure against attack). --v.tr. 1 make secure or safe; fortify. 2 fasten, close, or confine securely. 3 succeed in obtaining or achieving (have secured front seats). 4 guarantee against loss (a loan secured by property). 5 compress (a blood-vessel) to prevent bleeding. secure arms Mil. hold a rifle with the muzzle downward and the lock in the armpit to guard it from rain. securable adj. securely adv. securement n. [L securus (as SE-, cura care)] securityn. (pl. -ies) 1 a secure condition or feeling. 2 a thing that guards or guarantees. 3 a the safety of a State, company, etc., against espionage, theft, or other danger. b an organization for ensuring this. 4 a thing deposited or pledged as a guarantee of the fulfilment of an undertaking or the payment of a loan, to be forfeited in case of default. 5 (often in pl.) a certificate attesting credit or the ownership of stock, bonds, etc. on security of using as a guarantee. security blanket 1 an official sanction on information in the interest of security. 2 a blanket or other familiar object given as a comfort to a child. Security Council a permanent body of the United Nations seeking to maintain peace and security. security guard a person employed to protect the security of buildings, vehicles, etc. security risk a person whose presence may threaten security. [ME f. OF securit or L securitas (as SECURE)] sedann. 1 (in full sedan chair) an enclosed chair for conveying one person, carried between horizontal poles by two porters, common in the 17th-18th c. 2 US an enclosed motor car for four or more people. [perh. alt. f. It. dial., ult. f. L sella saddle f. sedere sit] sedateadj. tranquil and dignified; equable, serious. sedately adv. sedateness n. [L sedatus past part. of sedare settle f. sedere sit] v.tr. put under sedation. [back-form. f. SEDATION] sedationn. a state of rest or sleep esp. produced by a sedative drug. [F sedation or L sedatio (as SEDATE)] sedativen. & adj. --n. a drug, influence, etc., that tends to calm or soothe. --adj. calming, soothing; inducing sleep. [ME f. OF sedatif or med.L sedativus (as SEDATE)] sedentaryadj. 1 sitting (a sedentary posture). 2 (of work etc.) characterized by much sitting and little physical exercise. 3 (of a person) spending much time seated. 4 Zool. not migratory, free-swimming, etc. sedentarily adv. sedentariness n. [F sedentaire or L sedentarius f. sedere sit] Sedern. the ritual for the first night or first two nights of the Passover. [Heb. seder order] sederuntn. Sc. a sitting of an ecclesiastical assembly or other body. [L, = (the following persons) sat f. sedere sit] sedgen. 1 any grasslike plant of the genus Carex with triangular stems, usu. growing in wet areas. 2 an expanse of this plant. sedge-warbler (or -wren) a small warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, that breeds in sedge. sedgy adj. [OE secg f. Gmc] sedilen. (pl. sedilia) (usu. in pl.) Eccl. each of usu. three stone seats for priests in the south wall of a chancel, often canopied and decorated. [L, = seat f. sedere sit] sedimentn. 1 matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid; dregs. 2 Geol. matter that is carried by water or wind and deposited on the surface of the land, and may in time become consolidated into rock. sedimentary adj. sedimentation n. [F sdiment or L sedimentum (as SEDILE)] seditionn. 1 conduct or speech inciting to rebellion or a breach of public order. 2 agitation against the authority of a State. seditious adj. seditiously adv. [ME f. OF sedition or L seditio f. sed- = SE- + ire it- go] seducev.tr. 1 tempt or entice into sexual activity or into wrongdoing. 2 coax or lead astray; tempt (seduced by the smell of coffee). seducer n. seducible adj. [L seducere seduct- (as SE-, ducere lead)] seductionn. 1 the act or an instance of seducing; the process of being seduced. 2 something that tempts or allures. [F sduction or L seductio (as SEDUCE)] seductiveadj. tending to seduce; alluring, enticing. seductively adv. seductiveness n. [SEDUCTION after inductive etc.] seductress n. a female seducer. [obs. seductor male seducer (as SEDUCE)] sedulousadj. 1 persevering, diligent, assiduous. 2 (of an action etc.) deliberately and consciously continued; painstaking. sedulity n. sedulously adv. sedulousness n. [L sedulus zealous] sedumn. any plant of the genus Sedum, with fleshy leaves and star-shaped yellow, pink, or white flowers, e.g. stonecrop. [L, = houseleek] seev. (past saw; past part. seen) 1 tr. discern by use of the eyes; observe; look at (can you see that spider?; saw him fall over). 2 intr. have or use the power of discerning objects with the eyes (sees best at night). 3 tr. discern mentally; understand (I see what you mean; could not see the joke). 4 tr. watch; be a spectator of (a film, game, etc.). 5 tr. ascertain or establish by inquiry or research or reflection (I will see if the door is open). 6 tr. consider; deduce from observation (I see that you are a brave man). 7 tr. contemplate; foresee mentally (we saw that no good would come of it; can see myself doing this job indefinitely). 8 tr. look at for information (usu. in imper. as a direction in or to a book: see page 15). 9 tr. meet or be near and recognize (I saw your mother in town). 10 tr. a meet socially (sees her sister most weeks). b meet regularly as a boyfriend or girlfriend; court (is still seeing that tall man). 11 tr. give an interview to (the doctor will see you now). 12 tr. visit to consult (went to see the doctor). 13 tr. find out or learn, esp. from a visual source (I see the match has been cancelled). 14 intr. reflect; consider further; wait until one knows more (we shall have to see). 15 tr. interpret or have an opinion of (I see things differently now). 16 tr. experience; have presented to one's attention (I never thought I would see this day). 17 tr. recognize as acceptable; foresee (do you see your daughter marrying this man?). 18 tr. observe without interfering (stood by and saw them squander my money). 19 tr. find attractive (can't think what she sees in him). 20 intr. (usu. foll. by to, or that + infin.) make provision for; ensure; attend to (shall see to your request immediately; see that he gets home safely) (cf. see to it). 21 tr. escort or conduct (to a place etc.) (saw them home). 22 tr. be a witness of (an event etc.) (see the New Year in). 23 tr. supervise (an action etc.) (will stay and see the doors locked). 24 tr. a (in gambling, esp. poker) equal (a bet). b equal the bet of (a player), esp. to see the player's cards. as far as I can see to the best of my understanding or belief. as I see it in my opinion. do you see? do you understand? has seen better days has declined from former prosperity, good condition, etc. I'll be seeing you colloq. an expression on parting. I see I understand (referring to an explanation etc.). let me see an appeal for time to think before speaking etc. see about attend to. see after 1 take care of. 2 = see about. see the back of colloq. be rid of (an unwanted person or thing). see a person damned first colloq. refuse categorically and with hostility to do what a person wants. see eye to eye see EYE. see fit see FIT. see here! = look here. see into investigate. see life gain experience of the world, often by enjoying oneself. see the light 1 realize one's mistakes etc. 2 suddenly see the way to proceed. 3 undergo religious conversion. see the light of day (usu. with neg.) come into existence. see off 1 be present at the departure of (a person) (saw them off at Heathrow). 2 colloq. ward off, get the better of (managed to see off an investigation into their working methods). see out 1 accompany out of a building etc. 2 finish (a project etc.) completely. 3 remain awake, alive, etc., until the end of (a period). 4 last longer than; outlive. see over inspect; tour and examine. see reason see REASON. see red become suddenly enraged. see a person right make sure that a person is rewarded, safe, etc. see service see SERVICE. see stars colloq. see lights before one's eyes as a result of a blow on the head. see things have hallucinations or false imaginings. see through 1 not be deceived by; detect the true nature of. 2 penetrate visually. see-through adj. (esp. of clothing) translucent. see a person through support a person during a difficult time. see a thing through persist with it until it is completed. see to it (foll. by that + clause) ensure (see to it that I am not disturbed) (cf. sense 20 of v.). see one's way clear to feel able or entitled to. see the world see WORLD. see you (or see you later) colloq. an expression on parting. we shall see 1 let us await the outcome. 2 a formula for declining to act at once. will see about it a formula for declining to act at once. you see 1 you understand. 2 you will understand when I explain. seeable adj. [OE seon f. Gmc] n. 1 the area under the authority of a bishop or archbishop, a diocese (the see of Norwich). 2 the office or jurisdiction of a bishop or archbishop (fill a vacant see). See of Rome the papacy, the Holy See. [ME f. AF se(d) ult. f. L sedes seat f. sedere sit] seedn. & v. --n. 1 a a flowering plant's unit of reproduction (esp. in the form of grain) capable of developing into another such plant. b seeds collectively, esp. as collected for sowing (is full of seed; to be kept for seed). 2 a semen. b milt. 3 (foll. by of) prime cause, beginning, germ (seeds of doubt). 4 archaic offspring, progeny, descendants (the seed of Abraham). 5 Sport a seeded player. 6 a small seedlike container for the application of radium etc. 7 a seed crystal. --v. 1 tr. a place seeds in. b sprinkle with or as with seed. 2 intr. sow seeds. 3 intr. produce or drop seed. 4 tr. remove seeds from (fruit etc.). 5 tr. place a crystal or crystalline substance in (a solution etc.) to cause crystallization or condensation (esp. in a cloud to produce rain). 6 tr. Sport a assign to (a strong competitor in a knockout competition) a position in an ordered list so that strong competitors do not meet each other in early rounds (is seeded seventh). b arrange (the order of play) in this way. 7 intr. go to seed. go (or run) to seed 1 cease flowering as seed develops. 2 become degenerate, unkempt, ineffective, etc. raise up seed archaic beget children. seed-bed 1 a bed of fine soil in which to sow seeds. 2 a place of development. seed-cake cake containing whole seeds esp. of caraway as flavouring. seed-coat the outer integument of a seed. seed-corn 1 good quality corn kept for seed. 2 assets reused for future profit or benefit. seed crystal a crystal used to initiate crystallization. seed-eater a bird (esp. a finch) living mainly on seeds. seed-fish a fish that is ready to spawn. seed-leaf a cotyledon. seed-lip a basket for seed in sowing by hand. seed money money allocated to initiate a project. seed-pearl a very small pearl. seed-plot a place of development. seed-potato a potato kept for seed. seed-time the sowing season. seed-vessel a pericarp. seedless adj. [OE sd f. Gmc, rel. to SOW] seedern. 1 a person or thing that seeds. 2 a machine for sowing seed, esp. a drill. 3 an apparatus for seeding raisins etc. 4 Brit. a spawning fish. seedlingn. a young plant, esp. one raised from seed and not from a cutting etc. seedsmann. (pl. -men) a dealer in seeds. seedyadj. (seedier, seediest) 1 full of seed. 2 going to seed. 3 shabby-looking, in worn clothes. 4 colloq. unwell. seedily adv. seediness n. seeingconj. & n. --conj. (usu. foll. by that + clause) considering that, inasmuch as, because (seeing that you do not know it yourself). --n. Astron. the quality of observed images as determined by atmospheric conditions. seekv. (past and past part. sought) 1 a tr. make a search or inquiry for. b intr. (foll. by for, after) make a search or inquiry. 2 tr. a try or want to find or get. b ask for; request (sought help from him; seeks my aid). 3 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) endeavour or try. 4 tr. make for or resort to (a place or person, for advice, health, etc.) (sought his bed; sought a fortune-teller; sought the shore). 5 tr. archaic aim at, attempt. 6 intr. (foll. by to) archaic resort. seek dead an order to a retriever to find killed game. seek out 1 search for and find. 2 single out for companionship, etc. sought-after much in demand; generally desired or courted. to seek (or much to seek or far to seek) deficient, lacking, or not yet found (the reason is not far to seek; an efficient leader is yet to seek). seeker n. (also in comb.). [OE secan f. Gmc] seelv.tr. archaic close (a person's eyes). [obs. sile f. F ciller, siller, or med.L ciliare f. L cilium eyelid] seemv.intr. 1 give the impression or sensation of being (seems ridiculous; seems certain to win). 2 (foll. by to + infin.) appear or be perceived or ascertained (he seems to be breathing; they seem to have left). can't seem to colloq. seem unable to. do not seem to colloq. somehow do not (I do not seem to like him). it seems (or would seem) (often foll. by that + clause) it appears to be true or the fact (in a hesitant, guarded, or ironical statement). [ME f. ON soema honour f. soemr fitting] seemingadj. 1 apparent but perhaps not real (with seeming sincerity). 2 apparent only; ostensible (the seeming and the real; seeming-virtuous). seemingly adv. n. literary 1 appearance, aspect. 2 deceptive appearance. seemlyadj. (seemlier, seemliest) conforming to propriety or good taste; decorous, suitable. seemliness n. [ME f. ON soemiligr (as SEEM)] seenpast part. of SEE. seepv. & n. --v.intr. ooze out; percolate slowly. --n. US a place where petroleum etc. oozes slowly out of the ground. [perh. dial. form of OE sipian to soak] seepagen. 1 the act of seeping. 2 the quantity that seeps out. seern. 1 a person who sees. 2 a prophet; a person who sees visions; a person of supposed supernatural insight esp. as regards the future. [ME f. SEE] n. an Indian (varying) measure of weight (about one kilogram) or liquid measure (about one litre). [Hindi ser] seersucker n. material of linen, cotton, etc., with a puckered surface. [Pers. sir o sakar, lit. 'milk and sugar'] see-sawn., v., adj., & adv. --n. 1 a a device consisting of a long plank balanced on a central support for children to sit on at each end and move up and down by pushing the ground with their feet. b a game played on this. 2 an up-and-down or to-and-fro motion. 3 a contest in which the advantage repeatedly changes from one side to the other. --v.intr. 1 play on a see-saw. 2 move up and down as on a see-saw. 3 vacillate in policy, emotion, etc. --adj. & adv. with up-and-down or backward-and-forward motion (see-saw motion). go see-saw vacillate or alternate. [redupl. of SAW] seethev. 1 intr. boil, bubble over. 2 intr. be very agitated, esp. with anger (seething with discontent; I was seething inwardly). 3 tr. & intr. archaic cook by boiling. seethingly adv. [OE seothan f. Gmc] segmentn. & v. --n. 1 each of several parts into which a thing is or can be divided or marked off. 2 Geom. a part of a figure cut off by a line or plane intersecting it, esp.: a the part of a circle enclosed between an arc and a chord. b the part of a line included between two points. c the part of a sphere cut off by any plane not passing through the centre. 3 the smallest distinct part of a spoken utterance. 4 Zool. each of the longitudinal sections of the body of certain animals (e.g. worms). --v. usu. 1 intr. & tr. divide into segments. 2 intr. Biol. (of a cell) undergo cleavage or divide into many cells. segmental adj. segmentalize v.tr. (also -ise). segmentalization n. segmentally adv. segmentary adj. segmentation n. [L segmentum f. secare cut] segon. (pl. -os) (in full sego lily) a N. American plant, Calochortus nuttallii, with green and white bell-shaped flowers. [Paiute] segregatev. 1 tr. put apart from the rest; isolate. 2 tr. enforce racial segregation on (persons) or in (a community etc.). 3 intr. separate from a mass and collect together. 4 intr. Biol. (of alleles) separate into dominant and recessive groups. segregable adj. segregative adj. [L segregare (as SE-, grex gregis flock)] adj. 1 Zool. simple or solitary, not compound. 2 archaic set apart, separate. [L segregatus past part. (as SEGREGATE)] segregation n. 1 enforced separation of racial groups in a community etc. 2 the act or an instance of segregating; the state of being segregated. segregational adj. segregationist n. & adj. [LL segregatio (as SEGREGATE)] seguev. & n. esp. Mus. --v.intr. (segues, segued, seguing) (usu. foll. by into) go on without a pause. --n. an uninterrupted transition from one song or melody to another. [It., = follows] seguidilla n. 1 a Spanish dance in triple time. 2 the music for this. [Sp. f. seguida following f. seguir follow] Sehnsuchtn. yearning, wistful longing. [G] sein. a small rorqual, Balaenoptera borealis. [Norw. sejhval sei whale] seicenton. the style of Italian art and literature of the 17th c. seicentist n. seicentoist n. [It., = 600, used with ref. to the years 1600-99] seichen. a fluctuation in the water-level of a lake etc., usu. caused by changes in barometric pressure. [Swiss F] Seidlitz powder n. (US Seidlitz powders) a laxative medicine of two powders mixed separately with water and then poured together to effervesce. [named with ref. to the mineral water of Seidlitz in Bohemia] seifn. (in full seif dune) a sand-dune in the form of a long narrow ridge. [Arab. saif sword (from its shape)] seigneurn. (also seignior) a feudal lord; the lord of a manor. grand seigneur a person of high rank or noble presence. seigneurial adj. seigniorial adj. [ME f. OF seigneur, seignor f. L SENIOR] seigniorage n. (also seignorage) 1 a a profit made by issuing currency, esp. by issuing coins rated above their intrinsic value. b hist. the Crown's right to a percentage on bullion brought to a mint for coining. 2 hist. something claimed by a sovereign or feudal superior as a prerogative. [ME f. OF seignorage, seigneurage (as SEIGNEUR)] seignioryn. (pl. -ies) 1 lordship, sovereign authority. 2 (also seigneury) a seigneur's domain. [ME f. OF seignorie (as SEIGNEUR)] seinen. & v. --n. (also seine-net) a fishing-net for encircling fish, with floats at the top and weights at the bottom edge, and usu. hauled ashore. --v.intr. & tr. fish or catch with a seine. seiner n. [ME f. OF sane, & OE segne f. WG f. L sagena f. Gk sagene] seisevar. of SEIZE 9. seisinn. (also seizin) Law 1 possession of land by freehold. 2 the act of taking such possession. 3 what is so held. [ME f. AF sesine, OF seisine, saisine (as SEIZE)] seismicadj. of or relating to an earthquake or earthquakes. seismal adj. seismical adj. seismically adv. [Gk seismos earthquake f. seio shake] seismo-comb. form earthquake. [Gk seismos] seismogram n. a record given by a seismograph. seismograph n. an instrument that records the force, direction, etc., of earthquakes. seismographic adj. seismographical adj. seismology n. the scientific study and recording of earthquakes and related phenomena. seismological adj. seismologically adv. seismologist n. seizev. 1 tr. take hold of forcibly or suddenly. 2 tr. take possession of forcibly (seized the fortress; seized power). 3 tr. take possession of (contraband goods, documents, etc.) by warrant or legal right, confiscate, impound. 4 tr. affect suddenly (panic seized us; was seized by apoplexy; was seized with remorse). 5 tr. take advantage of (an opportunity). 6 tr. comprehend quickly or clearly. 7 intr. (usu. foll. by on, upon) a take hold forcibly or suddenly. b take advantage eagerly (seized on a pretext). 8 intr. (usu. foll. by up) (of a moving part in a machine) become stuck or jammed from undue heat, friction, etc. 9 tr. (also seise) (usu. foll. by of) Law put in possession of. 10 tr. Naut. fasten or attach by binding with turns of yarn etc. seized (or seised) of 1 possessing legally. 2 aware or informed of. seizable adj. seizer n. [ME f. OF seizir, saisir give seisin f. Frank. f. L sacire f. Gmc] seizinvar. of SEISIN. seizingn. Naut. a cord or cords used for seizing (see SEIZE 10). seizuren. 1 the act or an instance of seizing; the state of being seized. 2 a sudden attack of apoplexy etc., a stroke. sejantadj. (placed after noun) Heraldry (of an animal) sitting upright on its haunches. [properly seiant f. OF var. of seant sitting f. seoir f. L sedere sit] Sektn. a German sparkling white wine. [G] selachiann. & adj. --n. any fish of the subclass Selachii, including sharks and dogfish. --adj. of or relating to this subclass. [mod.L Selachii f. Gk selakhos shark] seladangn. a Malayan gaur. [Malay] selahint. often used at the end of a verse in Psalms and Habakkuk, supposed to be a musical direction. [Heb. se. lah] seldomadv. & adj. --adv. rarely, not often. --adj. rare, uncommon. [OE seldan f. Gmc] selectv. & adj. --v.tr. choose, esp. as the best or most suitable. --adj. 1 chosen for excellence or suitability; choice. 2 (of a society etc.) exclusive, cautious in admitting members. select committee see COMMITTEE. selectable adj. selectness n. [L seligere select- (as SE-, legere choose)] selecteen. US a conscript. selectionn. 1 the act or an instance of selecting; the state of being selected. 2 a selected person or thing. 3 things from which a choice may be made. 4 Biol. the process in which environmental and genetic influences determine which types of organism thrive better than others, regarded as a factor in evolution. selectional adj. selectionally adv. [L selectio (as SELECT)] selectiveadj. 1 using or characterized by selection. 2 able to select, esp. (of a radio receiver) able to respond to a chosen frequency without interference from others. selective service US hist. service in the armed forces under conscription. selectively adv. selectiveness n. selectivity n. selectorn. 1 a person who selects, esp. one who selects a representative team in a sport. 2 a device that selects, esp. a device in a vehicle that selects the required gear. seleniten. a form of gypsum occurring as transparent crystals or thin plates. selenitic adj. [L selenites f. Gk selenites lithos moonstone f. selene moon] seleniumn. Chem. a non-metallic element occurring naturally in various metallic sulphide ores and characterized by the variation of its electrical resistivity with intensity of illumination. Symb.: Se. selenium cell a piece of this used as a photoelectric device. selenate n. selenic adj. selenious adj. [mod.L f. Gk selene moon + -IUM] seleno-comb. form moon. [Gk selene moon] selenography n. the study or mapping of the moon. selenographer n. selenographic adj. selenology n. the scientific study of the moon. selenologist n. selfn. & adj. --n. (pl. selves) 1 a person's or thing's own individuality or essence (showed his true self). 2 a person or thing as the object of introspection or reflexive action (the consciousness of self). 3 a one's own interests or pleasure (cares for nothing but self). b concentration on these (self is a bad guide to happiness). 4 Commerce or colloq. myself, yourself, himself, etc. (cheque drawn to self; ticket admitting self and friend). 5 used in phrases equivalent to myself, yourself, himself, etc. (his very self; your good selves). 6 (pl. selfs) a flower of uniform colour, or of the natural wild colour. --adj. 1 of the same colour as the rest or throughout. 2 (of a flower) of the natural wild colour. 3 (of colour) uniform, the same throughout. one's better self one's nobler impulses. one's former (or old) self oneself as one formerly was. [OE f. Gmc] self-comb. form expressing reflexive action: 1 of or directed towards oneself or itself (self-respect; self-cleaning). 2 by oneself or itself, esp. without external agency (self-evident). 3 on, in, for, or relating to oneself or itself (self-absorbed; self-confident). self-abandon n. (also self-abandonment) the abandonment of oneself, esp. to passion or an impulse. self-abandoned adj. self-abasement n. the abasement of oneself; self-humiliation; cringing. self-abhorrence n. the abhorrence of oneself; self-hatred. self-abnegation n. the abnegation of oneself, one's interests, needs, etc.; self-sacrifice. self-absorption n. 1 absorption in oneself. 2 Physics the absorption, by a body, of radiation emitted within it. self-absorbed adj. self-abuse n. 1 the reviling or abuse of oneself. 2 archaic masturbation. self-accusation n. the accusing of oneself. self-accusatory adj. self-acting adj. acting without external influence or control; automatic. self-action n. self-activity n. self-addressed adj. (of an envelope etc.) having one's own address on for return communication. self-adhesive adj. (of an envelope, label, etc.) adhesive, esp. without being moistened. self-adjusting adj. (of machinery etc.) adjusting itself. self-adjustment n. self-admiration n. the admiration of oneself; pride; conceit. self-advancement n. the advancement of oneself. self-advertisement n. the advertising or promotion of oneself. self-advertiser n. self-affirmation n. Psychol. the recognition and assertion of the existence of the conscious self. self-aggrandizement n. the act or process of enriching oneself or making oneself powerful. self-aggrandizing adj. self-analysis n. Psychol. the analysis of oneself, one's motives, character, etc. self-analysing adj. self-appointed adj. designated so by oneself, not authorized by another (a self-appointed guardian). self-appreciation n. a good opinion of oneself; conceit. self-approbation n. = SELF-APPRECIATION. self-approval n. = SELF-APPRECIATION. self-assertion n. the aggressive promotion of oneself, one's views, etc. self-asserting adj. self-assertive adj. self-assertiveness n. self-assurance n. confidence in one's own abilities etc. self-assured adj. self-assuredly adv. self-aware adj. conscious of one's character, feelings, motives, etc. self-awareness n. self-begotten adj. produced by oneself or itself; not made externally. self-betrayal n. 1 the betrayal of oneself. 2 the inadvertent revelation of one's true thoughts etc. self-binder n. a reaping machine with an automatic mechanism for binding the sheaves. self-bornadj. produced by itself or oneself; not made externally. self-catering adj. (esp. of a holiday or holiday premises) providing rented accommodation with cooking facilities but without food. self-censorship n. the censoring of oneself. self-centred adj. preoccupied with one's own personality or affairs. self-centredly adv. self-centredness n. self-certification n. the practice by which an employee declares in writing that an absence from work was due to illness. self-cleaning adj. (esp. of an oven) cleaning itself when heated etc. self-closing adj. (of a door etc.) closing automatically. self-cocking adj. (of a gun) with the hammer raised by the trigger, not by hand. self-collected adj. composed, serene, self-assured. self-coloured adj. 1 a having the same colour throughout (buttons and belt are self-coloured). b (of material) natural; undyed. 2 a (of a flower) of uniform colour. b having its colour unchanged by cultivation or hybridization. self-command n. = SELF-CONTROL. self-communion n. meditation upon one's own character, conduct, etc. self-conceit n. = SELF-SATISFACTION. self-conceited adj. self-condemnation n. 1 the blaming of oneself. 2 the inadvertent revelation of one's own sin, crime, etc. self-condemned adj. self-confessed adj. openly admitting oneself to be (a self-confessed thief). self-confidence n. = SELF-ASSURANCE. self-confident adj. self-confidently adv. self-congratulation n. = SELF-SATISFACTION. self-congratulatory adj. self-conquest n. the overcoming of one's worst characteristics etc. self-conscious adj. 1 socially inept through embarrassment or shyness. 2 Philos. having knowledge of one's own existence; self-contemplating. self-consciously adv. self-consciousness n. self-consistent adj. (of parts of the same whole etc.) consistent; not conflicting. self-consistency n. self-constituted adj. (of a person, group, etc.) assuming a function without authorization or right; self-appointed. self-contained adj. 1 (of a person) uncommunicative; independent. 2 Brit. (esp. of living-accommodation) complete in itself. self-containment n. self-contempt n. contempt for oneself. self-contemptuous adj. self-content n. satisfaction with oneself, one's life, achievements, etc. self-contented adj. self-contradiction n. internal inconsistency. self-contradictory adj. self-control n. the power of controlling one's external reactions, emotions, etc. self-controlled adj. self-convicted adj. = SELF-CONDEMNED (see SELF-CONDEMNATION). self-correcting adj. correcting itself without external help. self-created adj. created by oneself or itself. self-creation n. self-critical adj. critical of oneself, one's abilities, etc. self-criticism n. self-deception n. deceiving oneself esp. concerning one's true feelings etc. self-deceit n. self-deceiver n. self-deceiving adj. self-deceptive adj. self-defeating adj. (of an attempt, action, etc.) doomed to failure because of internal inconsistencies etc. self-defence n. 1 an aggressive act, speech, etc., intended as defence (had to hit him in self-defence). 2 (usu. the noble art of self-defence) boxing. self-defensive adj. self-delight n. delight in oneself or one's existence. self-delusion n. the act or an instance of deluding oneself. self-denial n. = SELF-ABNEGATION. self-denying ordinance hist. a resolution of the Long Parliament 1645 depriving Members of Parliament of civil and military office. self-denying adj. self-dependence adj. dependence only on oneself or itself; independence. self-dependent adj. self-deprecation n. the act of disparaging or belittling oneself. self-deprecating adj. self-deprecatingly adv. self-despair n. despair with oneself. self-destroying adj. destroying oneself or itself. self-destruct v. & adj. esp. US --v.intr. (of a spacecraft, bomb, etc.) explode or disintegrate automatically, esp. when pre-set to do so. --attrib.adj. enabling a thing to self-destruct (a self-destruct device). self-destruction n. 1 the process or an act of destroying oneself or itself. 2 esp. US the process or an act of self-destructing. self-destructive adj. self-destructively adv. self-determination n. 1 a nation's right to determine its own allegiance, government, etc. 2 the ability to act with free will, as opposed to fatalism etc. self-determined adj. self-determining adj. self-development n. the development of oneself, one's abilities, etc. self-devotion n. the devotion of oneself to a person or cause. self-discipline n. the act of or ability to apply oneself, control one's feelings, etc.; self-control. self-disciplined adj. self-discovery n. the process of acquiring insight into oneself, one's character, desires, etc. self-disgust n. disgust with oneself. self-doubt n. lack of confidence in oneself, one's abilities, etc. self-drive adj. (of a hired vehicle) driven by the hirer. self-educated adj. educated by oneself by reading etc., without formal instruction. self-education n. self-effacing adj. retiring; modest; timid. self-effacement n. self-effacingly adv. self-elective adj. (of a committee etc.) proceeding esp. by co-opting members etc. self-employed adj. working for oneself, as a freelance or owner of a business etc.; not employed by an employer. self-employment n. self-esteem n. a good opinion of oneself. self-evident adj. obvious; without the need of evidence or further explanation. self-evidence n. self-evidently adv. self-examination n. 1 the study of one's own conduct, reasons, etc. 2 the examining of one's body for signs of illness etc. self-executing adj. Law (of a law, legal clause, etc.) not needing legislation etc. to be enforced; automatic. self-existent adj. existing without prior cause; independent. self-explanatory adj. easily understood; not needing explanation. self-expression n. the expression of one's feelings, thoughts, etc., esp. in writing, painting, music, etc. self-expressive adj. self-faced adj. (of stone) unhewn; undressed. self-feeder n. 1 a furnace, machine, etc., that renews its own fuel or material automatically. 2 a device for supplying food to farm animals automatically. self-feeding adj. self-fertile adj. (of a plant etc.) self-fertilizing. self-fertility n. self-fertilization n. the fertilization of plants by their own pollen, not from others. self-fertilized adj. self-fertilizing adj. self-financing adj. that finances itself, esp. (of a project or undertaking) that pays for its own implementation or continuation. self-finance v.tr. self-flattery n. = SELF-APPRECIATION. self-flattering adj. self-forgetful adj. unselfish. self-forgetfulness n. self-fulfilling adj. (of a prophecy, forecast, etc.) bound to come true as a result of actions brought about by its being made. self-fulfilment n. (US -fulfillment) the fulfilment of one's own hopes and ambitions. self-generating adj. generated by itself or oneself, not externally. self-glorification n. the proclamation of oneself, one's abilities, etc.; self-satisfaction. self-government n. 1 (esp. of a former colony etc.) government by its own people. 2 = SELF-CONTROL. self-governed adj. self-governing adj. self-haten. = SELF-HATRED. self-hatred n. hatred of oneself, esp. of one's actual self when contrasted with one's imagined self. self-healn. any of several plants, esp. Prunella vulgaris, believed to have healing properties. self-helpn. 1 the theory that individuals should provide for their own support and improvement in society. 2 the act or faculty of providing for or improving oneself. selfhoodn. personality, separate and conscious existence. self-image n. one's own idea or picture of oneself, esp. in relation to others. self-importance n. a high opinion of oneself; pompousness. self-important adj. self-importantly adv. self-imposed adj. (of a task or condition etc.) imposed on and by oneself, not externally (self-imposed exile). self-improvement n. the improvement of one's own position or disposition by one's own efforts. self-induced adj. 1 induced by oneself or itself. 2 Electr. produced by self-induction. self-inductance n. Electr. the property of an electric circuit that causes an electromotive force to be generated in it by a change in the current flowing through it (cf. mutual inductance). self-induction n. Electr. the production of an electromotive force in a circuit when the current in that circuit is varied. self-inductive adj. self-indulgent adj. indulging or tending to indulge oneself in pleasure, idleness, etc. self-indulgence n. self-indulgently adv. self-inflicted adj. (esp. of a wound, damage, etc.) inflicted by and on oneself, not externally. self-interest n. one's personal interest or advantage. self-interested adj. selfishadj. 1 deficient in consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure; actuated by self-interest. 2 (of a motive etc.) appealing to self-interest. selfishly adv. selfishness n. self-justification n. the justification or excusing of oneself, one's actions, etc. self-knowledge n. the understanding of oneself, one's motives, etc. selflessadj. disregarding oneself or one's own interests; unselfish. selflessly adv. selflessness n. self-loading adj. (esp. of a gun) loading itself. self-loader n. self-locking adj. locking itself. self-loven. 1 selfishness; self-indulgence. 2 Philos. regard for one's own well-being and happiness. self-madeadj. 1 successful or rich by one's own effort. 2 made by oneself. self-mastery n. = SELF-CONTROL. selfmaten. Chess checkmate in which a player forces the opponent to achieve checkmate. self-mocking adj. mocking oneself or itself. self-motion n. motion caused by oneself or itself, not externally. self-moving adj. self-motivated adj. acting on one's own initiative without external pressure. self-motivation n. self-murder n. = SUICIDE. self-murderer n. self-neglect n. neglect of oneself. selfnessn. 1 individuality, personality, essence. 2 selfishness or self-regard. self-opinionated adj. 1 stubbornly adhering to one's own opinions. 2 arrogant. self-opinion n. self-perpetuating adj. perpetuating itself or oneself without external agency. self-perpetuation n. self-pityn. extreme sorrow for one's own troubles etc. self-pitying adj. self-pityingly adv. self-pollination n. the pollination of a flower by pollen from the same plant. self-pollinated adj. self-pollinating adj. self-pollinator n. self-portrait n. a portrait or description of an artist, writer, etc., by himself or herself. self-possessed adj. habitually exercising self-control; composed. self-possession n. self-praise n. boasting; self-glorification. self-preservation n. 1 the preservation of one's own life, safety, etc. 2 this as a basic instinct of human beings and animals. self-proclaimed adj. proclaimed by oneself or itself to be such. self-propagating adj. (esp. of a plant) able to propagate itself. self-propelled adj. (esp. of a motor vehicle etc.) moving or able to move without external propulsion. self-propelling adj. self-protection n. protecting oneself or itself. self-protective adj. self-raising adj. Brit. (of flour) having a raising agent already added. self-realization n. 1 the development of one's faculties, abilities, etc. 2 this as an ethical principle. self-recording adj. (of a scientific instrument etc.) automatically recording its measurements. self-regard n. 1 a proper regard for oneself. 2 a selfishness. b conceit. self-registering adj. (of a scientific instrument etc.) automatically registering its measurements. self-regulating adj. regulating oneself or itself without intervention. self-regulation n. self-regulatory adj. self-reliance n. reliance on one's own resources etc.; independence. self-reliant adj. self-reliantly adv. self-renewal n. the act or process of renewing oneself or itself. self-renunciation n. 1 = SELF-SACRIFICE. 2 unselfishness. self-reproach n. reproach or blame directed at oneself. self-reproachful adj. self-respect n. respect for oneself, a feeling that one is behaving with honour, dignity, etc. self-respecting adj. self-restraint n. = SELF-CONTROL. self-restrained adj. self-revealing adj. revealing one's character, motives, etc., esp. inadvertently. self-revelation n. self-righteous adj. excessively conscious of or insistent on one's rectitude, correctness, etc. self-righteously adv. self-righteousness n. self-righting adj. (of a boat) righting itself when capsized. self-rising adj. US = SELF-RAISING. self-rulen. = SELF-GOVERNMENT 1. self-sacrifice n. the negation of one's own interests, wishes, etc., in favour of those of others. self-sacrificing adj. selfsameattrib.adj. (prec. by the) the very same (the selfsame village). self-satisfaction n. excessive and unwarranted satisfaction with oneself, one's achievements, etc.; complacency. self-satisfied adj. self-satisfiedly adv. self-sealing adj. 1 (of a pneumatic tyre, fuel tank, etc.) automatically able to seal small punctures. 2 (of an envelope) self-adhesive. self-seeking adj. & n. seeking one's own welfare before that of others. self-seeker n. self-selection n. the act of selecting oneself or itself. self-selecting adj. self-service adj. & n. --adj. (often attrib.) 1 (of a shop, restaurant, garage, etc.) where customers serve themselves and pay at a checkout counter etc. 2 (of a machine) serving goods after the insertion of coins. --n. colloq. a self-service store, garage, etc. self-serving adj. = SELF-SEEKING. self-slaughter n. = SUICIDE. self-sownadj. grown from seed scattered naturally. self-starter n. 1 an electric appliance for starting a motor vehicle engine without the use of a crank. 2 an ambitious person who needs no external motivation. self-sterile adj. Biol. not being self-fertile. self-sterility n. self-styled adj. called so by oneself; would-be; pretended (a self-styled artist). self-sufficient adj. 1 a needing nothing; independent. b (of a person, nation, etc.) able to supply one's needs for a commodity, esp. food, from one's own resources. 2 content with one's own opinion; arrogant. self-sufficiency n. self-sufficiently adv. self-sufficing adj. self-suggestion n. = AUTO-SUGGESTION. self-supporting adj. 1 capable of maintaining oneself or itself financially. 2 staying up or standing without external aid. self-support n. self-surrender n. the surrender of oneself or one's will etc. to an influence, emotion, or other person. self-sustaining adj. sustaining oneself or itself. self-sustained adj. self-taught adj. educated or trained by oneself, not externally. self-torture n. the inflicting of pain, esp. mental, on oneself. self-willed adj. obstinately pursuing one's own wishes. self-will n. self-winding adj. (of a watch etc.) having an automatic winding apparatus. self-worth n. = SELF-ESTEEM. Seljukn. & adj. --n. a member of any of the Turkish dynasties (11th-13th c.) of central and western Asia preceding Ottoman rule. --adj. of or relating to the Seljuks. Seljukian adj. & n. [Turk. seljuq (name of their reputed ancestor)] sellv. & n. --v. (past and past part. sold) 1 tr. make over or dispose of in exchange for money. 2 tr. keep a stock of for sale or be a dealer in (do you sell candles?). 3 intr. (of goods) be purchased (will never sell; these are selling well). 4 intr. (foll. by at, for) have a specified price (sells at 5). 5 tr. betray for money or other reward (sell one's country). 6 tr. offer dishonourably for money or other consideration; make a matter of corrupt bargaining (sell justice; sell oneself; sell one's honour). 7 tr. a advertise or publish the merits of. b give (a person) information on the value of something, inspire with a desire to buy or acquire or agree to something. 8 tr. cause to be sold (the author's name alone will sell many copies). 9 tr. sl. disappoint by not keeping an engagement etc., by failing in some way, or by trickery (sold again!). --n. colloq. 1 a manner of selling (soft sell). 2 a deception or disappointment. sell-by date the latest recommended date of sale marked on the packaging of esp. perishable food. sell down the river see RIVER. sell the (or a) dummy see DUMMY. selling-point an advantageous feature. selling-race a horse-race after which the winning horse must be auctioned. sell one's life dear (or dearly) do great injury before being killed. sell off sell the remainder of (goods) at reduced prices. sell out 1 a sell all one's stock-in-trade, one's shares in a company, etc. b sell (all or some of one's stock, shares, etc.). 2 a betray. b be treacherous or disloyal. sell-out n. 1 a commercial success, esp. the selling of all tickets for a show. 2 a betrayal. sell the pass see PASS. sell a pup see PUP. sell short disparage, underestimate. sell up Brit. 1 sell one's business, house, etc. 2 sell the goods of (a debtor). sold on colloq. enthusiastic about. sellable adj. [OE sellan f. Gmc] sellern. 1 a person who sells. 2 a commodity that sells well or badly. seller's (or sellers') market an economic position in which goods are scarce and expensive. Sellotapen. & v. --n. propr. adhesive usu. transparent cellulose or plastic tape. --v.tr. (sellotape) fix with Sellotape. [CELLULOSE + TAPE] seltzern. (in full seltzer water) 1 medicinal mineral water from Nieder-Selters in Germany. 2 an artificial substitute for this; soda water. [G Selterser (adj.) f. Selters] selvagen. (also selvedge) 1 a an edging that prevents cloth from unravelling (either an edge along the warp or a specially woven edging). b a border of different material or finish intended to be removed or hidden. 2 Geol. an alteration zone at the edge of a rock mass. 3 the edge-plate of a lock with an opening for the bolt. [ME f. SELF + EDGE, after Du. selfegghe] selvespl. of SELF. semantemen. Linguistics a fundamental element expressing an image or idea. [F smantme (as SEMANTIC)] semanticadj. relating to meaning in language; relating to the connotations of words. semantically adv. [F smantique f. Gk semantikos significant f. semaino signify f. sema sign] semanticsn.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) the branch of linguistics concerned with meaning. semantician n. semanticist n. semaphoren. & v. --n. 1 Mil. etc. a system of sending messages by holding the arms or two flags in certain positions according to an alphabetic code. 2 a signalling apparatus consisting of a post with a movable arm or arms, lanterns, etc., for use (esp. on railways) by day or night. --v.intr. & tr. signal or send by semaphore. semaphoric adj. semaphorically adv. [F smaphore, irreg. f. Gk sema sign + -phoros -PHORE] semasiology n. semantics. semasiological adj. [G Semasiologie f. Gk semasia meaning f. semaino signify] sematicadj. Zool. (of colouring, markings, etc.) significant; serving to warn off enemies or attract attention. [Gk sema sematos sign] semblablen. & adj. --n. a counterpart or equal. --adj. archaic having the semblance of something, seeming. [ME f. OF (as SEMBLANCE)] semblancen. 1 the outward or superficial appearance of something (put on a semblance of anger). 2 resemblance. [ME f. OF f. sembler f. L similare, simulare SIMULATE] semadj. (also seme) Heraldry covered with small bearings of indefinite number (e.g. stars, fleurs-de-lis) arranged all over the field. [F, past part. of semer to sow] semeiology var. of SEMIOLOGY. semeiotics var. of SEMIOTICS. sememen. Linguistics the unit of meaning carried by a morpheme. [as SEMANTIC] semenn. the reproductive fluid of male animals, containing spermatozoa in suspension. [ME f. L semen seminis seed f. serere to sow] semestern. a half-year course or term in (esp. German and US) universities. [G f. L semestris six-monthly f. sex six + mensis month] semin. (pl. semis) colloq. 1 Brit. a semi-detached house. 2 US a semi-trailer. [abbr.] semi-prefix 1 half (semicircle). 2 partly; in some degree or particular (semi-official; semi-detached). 3 almost (a semi-smile). 4 occurring or appearing twice in a specified period (semi-annual). [F, It., etc. or L, corresp. to Gk HEMI-, Skr. sami] semi-annual adj. occurring, published, etc., twice a year. semi-annually adv. semi-automatic adj. 1 partially automatic. 2 (of a firearm) having a mechanism for continuous loading but not for continuous firing. semi-basement n. a storey partly below ground level. semi-boldadj. Printing printed in a type darker than normal but not as dark as bold. semibreven. Mus. the longest note now in common use, having the time value of two minims or four crochets, and represented by a ring with no stem. Also called whole note. semicircle n. 1 half of a circle or of its circumference. 2 a set of objects ranged in, or an object forming, a semicircle. [L semicirculus (as SEMI-, CIRCLE)] semicircular adj. 1 forming or shaped like a semicircle. 2 arranged as or in a semicircle. semicircular canal one of three fluid-filled channels in the ear giving information to the brain to help maintain balance. [LL semicircularis (as SEMICIRCLE)] semi-civilized adj. partially civilized. semicolonn. a punctuation mark (;) of intermediate value between a comma and full stop. semiconducting adj. having the properties of a semiconductor. semiconductor n. a solid substance that is a non-conductor when pure or at a low temperature but has a conductivity between that of insulators and that of most metals when containing a suitable impurity or at a higher temperature and is used in integrated circuits, transistors, diodes, etc. semi-conscious adj. partly or imperfectly conscious. semicylinder n. half of a cylinder cut longitudinally. semicylindrical adj. semidemisemiquaver n. Mus. = HEMIDEMISEMIQUAVER. [SEMI- + DEMISEMIQUAVER] semi-deponent adj. Gram. (of a Latin verb) having active forms in present tenses and passive forms with active sense in perfect tenses. semi-detached adj. & n. --adj. (of a house) joined to another by a party-wall on one side only. --n. a semi-detached house. semidiameter n. half of a diameter. [LL (as SEMI-, DIAMETER)] semi-documentary adj. & n. --adj. (of a film) having a factual background and a fictitious story. --n. (pl. -ies) a semi-documentary film. semi-domen. 1 a half-dome formed by vertical section. 2 a part of a structure more or less resembling a dome. semi-double adj. (of a flower) intermediate between single and double in having only the outer stamens converted to petals. semifinaln. a match or round immediately preceding the final. semifinalist n. a competitor in a semifinal. semi-finished adj. prepared for the final stage of manufacture. semi-fitted adj. (of a garment) shaped to the body but not closely fitted. semifluidadj. & n. --adj. of a consistency between solid and liquid. --n. a semifluid substance. semi-infinite adj. Math. limited in one direction and stretching to infinity in the other. semi-invalid n. a person somewhat enfeebled or partially disabled. semi-liquid adj. & n. = SEMIFLUID. semi-lunar adj. shaped like a half moon or crescent. semi-lunar bone a bone of this shape in the carpus. semi-lunar cartilage a cartilage of this shape in the knee. semi-lunar valve a valve of this shape in the heart. [mod.L semilunaris (as SEMI-, LUNAR)] semi-metal n. a substance with some of the properties of metals. [mod.L semimetallum (as SEMI-, METAL)] semi-monthly adj. & adv. --adj. occurring, published, etc., twice a month. --adv. twice a month. seminaladj. 1 of or relating to seed, semen, or reproduction. 2 germinal. 3 rudimentary, undeveloped. 4 (of ideas etc.) providing the basis for future development. seminal fluid semen. seminally adv. [ME f. OF seminal or L seminalis (as SEMEN)] seminarn. 1 a small class at a university etc. for discussion and research. 2 a short intensive course of study. 3 a conference of specialists. [G (as SEMINARY)] seminaryn. (pl. -ies) 1 a training-college for priests, rabbis, etc. 2 a place of education or development. seminarist n. [ME f. L seminarium seed-plot, neut. of seminarius (adj.) (as SEMEN)] seminiferous adj. 1 bearing seed. 2 conveying semen. [L semin- f. SEMEN + -FEROUS] semi-official adj. 1 partly official; rather less than official. 2 (of communications to newspapers etc.) made by an official with the stipulation that the source should not be revealed. semi-officially adv. semiologyn. (also semeiology) = SEMIOTICS. semiological adj. semiologist n. [Gk semeion sign f. sema mark] semi-opaque adj. not fully transparent. semioticsn. (also semeiotics) 1 the study of signs and symbols in various fields, esp. language. 2 Med. symptomatology. semiotic adj. semiotical adj. semiotically adv. semiotician n. [Gk semeiotikos of signs (as SEMIOLOGY)] semi-permanent adj. rather less than permanent. semi-permeable adj. (of a membrane etc.) allowing small molecules, but not large ones, to pass through. semi-plume n. a feather with a firm stem but a downy web. semiprecious adj. (of a gem) less valuable than a precious stone. semi-proadj. & n. (pl. -os) US colloq. = SEMI-PROFESSIONAL. semi-professional adj. & n. --adj. 1 receiving payment for an activity but not relying on it for a living. 2 involving semi-professionals. --n. a semi-professional musician, sportsman, etc. semiquaver n. Mus. a note having the time value of half a quaver and represented by a large dot with a two-hooked stem. Also called sixteenth note. semi-rigid adj. (of an airship) having a stiffened keel attached to a flexible gas container. semi-skilled adj. (of work or a worker) having or needing some training but less than for a skilled worker. semi-smile n. an expression that is not quite a smile. semi-solid adj. viscous, semifluid. semi-sweet adj. (of biscuits etc.) slightly sweetened. semi-synthetic adj. Chem. (of a substance) that is prepared synthetically but derives from a naturally occurring material. Semiten. a member of any of the peoples supposed to be descended from Shem, son of Noah (Gen. 10:21 ff.), including esp. the Jews, Arabs, Assyrians, and Phoenicians. Semitism n. Semitist n. Semitize v.tr. (also -ise). Semitization n. [mod.L Semita f. LL f. Gk Sem Shem] Semiticadj. 1 of or relating to the Semites, esp. the Jews. 2 of or relating to the languages of the family including Hebrew and Arabic. [mod.L Semiticus (as SEMITE)] semitonen. Mus. the smallest interval used in classical European music; half a tone. semi-trailer n. a trailer having wheels at the back but supported at the front by a towing vehicle. semi-transparent adj. partially or imperfectly transparent. semi-tropics n.pl. = SUBTROPICS. semi-tropical adj. semi-vowel n. 1 a sound intermediate between a vowel and a consonant (e.g. w, y). 2 a letter representing this. [after L semivocalis] semi-weekly adj. & adv. --adj. occurring, published, etc., twice a week. --adv. twice a week. semmitn. Sc. an undershirt. [ME: orig. unkn.] semolinan. 1 the hard grains left after the milling of flour, used in puddings etc. and in pasta. 2 a pudding etc. made of this. [It. semolino dimin. of semola bran f. L simila flour] sempiternal adj. rhet. eternal, everlasting. sempiternally adv. sempiternity n. [ME f. OF sempiternel f. LL sempiternalis f. L sempiternus f. semper always + aeternus eternal] sempliceadv. Mus. in a simple style of performance. [It., = SIMPLE] sempreadv. Mus. throughout, always (sempre forte). [It.] sempstress var. of SEAMSTRESS. SENabbr. (in the UK) State Enrolled Nurse. Sen.abbr. 1 Senior. 2 US a Senator. b Senate. senariusn. (pl. senarii) Prosody a verse of six feet, esp. an iambic trimeter. [L: see SENARY] senaryadj. of six, by sixes. [L senarius f. seni distrib. of sex six] senaten. 1 a legislative body, esp. the upper and smaller assembly in the US, France, and other countries, in the States of the US, etc. 2 the governing body of a university or (in the US) a college. 3 Rom.Hist. the State council of the republic and empire sharing legislative power with the popular assemblies, administration with the magistrates, and judicial power with the knights. [ME f. OF senat f. L senatus f. senex old man] senatorn. 1 a member of a senate. 2 (in Scotland) a Lord of Session. senatorial adj. senatorship n. [ME f. OF senateur f. L senator -oris (as SENATE)] sendv. (past and past part. sent) 1 tr. a order or cause to go or be conveyed (send a message to headquarters; sent me a book; sends goods all over the world). b propel; cause to move (send a bullet; sent him flying). c cause to go or become (send into raptures; send to sleep). d dismiss with or without force (sent her away; sent him about his business). 2 intr. send a message or letter (he sent to warn me). 3 tr. (of God, providence, etc.) grant or bestow or inflict; bring about; cause to be (send rain; send a judgement; send her victorious!). 4 tr. sl. affect emotionally, put into ecstasy. send away for send an order to a dealer for (goods). send down Brit. 1 rusticate or expel from a university. 2 sentence to imprisonment. 3 Cricket bowl (a ball or an over). send for 1 summon. 2 order by post. send in 1 cause to go in. 2 submit (an entry etc.) for a competition etc. send off 1 get (a letter, parcel, etc.) dispatched. 2 attend the departure of (a person) as a sign of respect etc. 3 Sport (of a referee) order (a player) to leave the field and take no further part in the game. send-off n. a demonstration of goodwill etc. at the departure of a person, the start of a project, etc. send off for = send away for. send on transmit to a further destination or in advance of one's own arrival. send a person to Coventry see COVENTRY. send up 1 cause to go up. 2 transmit to a higher authority. 3 Brit. colloq. satirize or ridicule, esp. by mimicking. 4 US sentence to imprisonment. send-up n. Brit. colloq. a satire or parody. send word send information. sendable adj. sender n. [OE sendan f. Gmc] sendaln. hist. 1 a thin rich silk material. 2 a garment of this. [ME f. OF cendal, ult. f. Gk sindon] senecion. any composite plant of the genus Senecio, including many cultivated species as well as groundsel and ragwort. [L senecio old man, groundsel, with ref. to the hairy fruits] senescev.intr. grow old. senescence n. senescent adj. [L senescere f. senex old] seneschaln. 1 the steward or major-domo of a medieval great house. 2 a judge in Sark. [ME f. OF f. med.L seniscalus f. Gmc, = old servant] senhorn. a title used of or to a Portuguese or Brazilian man. [Port. f. L senior: see SENIOR] senhoran. a title used of or to a Portuguese woman or a Brazilian married woman. [Port., fem. of SENHOR] senhoritan. a title used of or to a Brazilian unmarried woman. [Port., dimin. of SENHORA] senileadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or characteristic of old age (senile apathy; senile decay). 2 having the weaknesses or diseases of old age. --n. a senile person. senility n. [F snile or L senilis f. senex old man] senioradj. & n. --adj. 1 (often foll. by to) more or most advanced in age or standing. 2 of high or highest position. 3 (placed after a person's name) senior to another of the same name. 4 (of a school) having pupils in an older age-range (esp. over 11). 5 US of the final year at a university, high school, etc. --n. 1 a person of advanced age or comparatively long service etc. 2 one's elder, or one's superior in length of service, membership, etc. (is my senior). 3 a senior student. senior citizen an elderly person, esp. an old-age pensioner. senior college US a college in which the last two years' work for a bachelor's degree is done. senior common (or combination) room Brit. a room for use by senior members of a college. senior nursing officer the person in charge of nursing services in a hospital. senior officer an officer to whom a junior is responsible. senior partner the head of a firm. senior service Brit. the Royal Navy as opposed to the Army. senior tutor Brit. a college tutor in charge of the teaching arrangements. seniority n. [ME f. L, = older, older man, compar. of senex senis old man, old] sennan. 1 a cassia tree. 2 a laxative prepared from the dried pod of this. [med.L sena f. Arab. sana] sennetn. hist. a signal call on a trumpet or cornet (in the stage directions of Elizabethan plays). [perh. var. of SIGNET] var. of SINNET. sennightn. archaic a week. [OE seofon nihta seven nights] sennitn. 1 hist. plaited straw, palm leaves, etc., used for making hats. 2 = SINNET. [var. of SINNET] seorn. (pl. seores) a title used of or to a Spanish-speaking man. [Sp. f. L senior: see SENIOR] seoran. a title used of or to a Spanish-speaking married woman. [Sp., fem. of SEOR] seoritan. a title used of or to a Spanish-speaking unmarried woman. [Sp., dimin. of SEORA] Senr.abbr. Senior. sensateadj. perceived by the senses. [LL sensatus having senses (as SENSE)] sensationn. 1 the consciousness of perceiving or seeming to perceive some state or condition of one's body or its parts or senses or of one's mind or its emotions; an instance of such consciousness (lost all sensation in my left arm; had a sensation of giddiness; a sensation of pride; in search of a new sensation). 2 a a stirring of emotions or intense interest esp. among a large group of people (the news caused a sensation). b a person, event, etc., causing such interest. 3 the sensational use of literary etc. material. [med.L sensatio f. L sensus SENSE] sensational adj. 1 causing or intended to cause great public excitement etc. 2 of or causing sensation. sensationally adv. sensationalism n. 1 the use of or interest in the sensational in literature, political agitation, etc. 2 Philos. the theory that ideas are derived solely from sensation (opp. RATIONALISM). sensationalist n. & adj. sensationalistic adj. sensen. & v. --n. 1 a any of the special bodily faculties by which sensation is roused (has keen senses; has a dull sense of smell). b sensitiveness of all or any of these. 2 the ability to perceive or feel or to be conscious of the presence or properties of things. 3 (foll. by of) consciousness (sense of having done well; sense of one's own importance). 4 (often foll. by of) a quick or accurate appreciation, understanding, or instinct regarding a specified matter (sense of the ridiculous; road sense; the moral sense). b the habit of basing one's conduct on such instinct. 5 practical wisdom or judgement, common sense; conformity to these (has plenty of sense; what is the sense of talking like that?; has more sense than to do that). 6 a a meaning; the way in which a word etc. is to be understood (the sense of the word is clear; I mean that in the literal sense). b intelligibility or coherence or possession of a meaning. 7 the prevailing opinion among a number of people. 8 (in pl.) a person's sanity or normal state of mind. 9 Math. etc. a a direction of movement. b that which distinguishes a pair of entities which differ only in that each is the reverse of the other. --v.tr. 1 perceive by a sense or senses. 2 be vaguely aware of. 3 realize. 4 (of a machine etc.) detect. 5 US understand. bring a person to his or her senses 1 cure a person of folly. 2 restore a person to consciousness. come to one's senses 1 regain consciousness. 2 become sensible after acting foolishly. the five senses sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. in a (or one) sense if the statement is understood in a particular way (what you say is true in a sense). in one's senses sane. make sense be intelligible or practicable. make sense of show or find the meaning of. man of sense a sagacious man. out of one's senses in or into a state of madness (is out of her senses; frightened him out of his senses). sense-datum (pl. -data) Philos. an element of experience received through the senses. sense of direction the ability to know without guidance the direction in which one is or should be moving. sense of humour see HUMOUR. sense-organ a bodily organ conveying external stimuli to the sensory system. take leave of one's senses go mad. take the sense of the meeting ascertain the prevailing opinion. under a sense of wrong feeling wronged. [ME f. L sensus faculty of feeling, thought, meaning, f. sentire sens- feel] senselessadj. 1 unconscious. 2 wildly foolish. 3 without meaning or purpose. 4 incapable of sensation. senselessly adv. senselessness n. sensibility n. (pl. -ies) 1 capacity to feel (little finger lost its sensibility). 2 a openness to emotional impressions, susceptibility, sensitiveness (sensibility to kindness). b an exceptional or excessive degree of this (sense and sensibility). 3 (in pl.) a tendency to feel offended etc. [ME f. LL sensibilitas (as SENSIBLE)] sensibleadj. 1 having or showing wisdom or common sense; reasonable, judicious (a sensible person; a sensible compromise). 2 a perceptible by the senses (sensible phenomena). b great enough to be perceived; appreciable (a sensible difference). 3 (of clothing etc.) practical and functional. 4 (foll. by of) aware; not unmindful (was sensible of his peril). sensible horizon see HORIZON 1b. sensibleness n. sensibly adv. [ME f. OF sensible or L sensibilis (as SENSE)] sensitiveadj. & n. --adj. 1 (often foll. by to) very open to or acutely affected by external stimuli or mental impressions; having sensibility. 2 (of a person) easily offended or emotionally hurt. 3 (often foll. by to) (of an instrument etc.) responsive to or recording slight changes. 4 (often foll. by to) a (of photographic materials) prepared so as to respond (esp. rapidly) to the action of light. b (of any material) readily affected by or responsive to external action. 5 (of a topic etc.) subject to restriction of discussion to prevent embarrassment, ensure security, etc. 6 (of a market) liable to quick changes of price. --n. a person who is sensitive (esp. to supposed occult influences). sensitive plant 1 a plant whose leaves curve downwards and leaflets fold together when touched, esp. mimosa. 2 a sensitive person. sensitively adv. sensitiveness n. [ME, = sensory, f. OF sensitif -ive or med.L sensitivus, irreg. f. L sentire sens- feel] sensitivity n. the quality or degree of being sensitive. sensitizev.tr. (also -ise) 1 make sensitive. 2 Photog. make sensitive to light. 3 make (an organism etc.) abnormally sensitive to a foreign substance. sensitization n. sensitizer n. sensitometer n. Photog. a device for measuring sensitivity to light. sensorn. a device giving a signal for the detection or measurement of a physical property to which it responds. [SENSORY, after MOTOR] sensoriumn. (pl. sensoria or sensoriums) 1 the seat of sensation, the brain, brain and spinal cord, or grey matter of these. 2 Biol. the whole sensory apparatus including the nerve-system. sensorial adj. sensorially adv. [LL f. L sentire sens- feel] sensoryadj. of sensation or the senses. sensorily adv. [as SENSORIUM] sensualadj. 1 a of or depending on the senses only and not on the intellect or spirit; carnal, fleshly (sensual pleasures). b given to the pursuit of sensual pleasures or the gratification of the appetites; self-indulgent sexually or in regard to food and drink; voluptuous, licentious. c indicative of a sensual nature (sensual lips). 2 of sense or sensation, sensory. 3 Philos. of, according to, or holding the doctrine of, sensationalism. sensualism n. sensualist n. sensualize v.tr. (also -ise). sensually adv. [ME f. LL sensualis (as SENSE)] sensuality n. gratification of the senses, self-indulgence. [ME f. F sensualit f. LL sensualitas (as SENSUAL)] sensumn. (pl. sensa) Philos. a sense-datum. [mod.L, neut. past part. of L sentire feel] sensuousadj. of or derived from or affecting the senses, esp. aesthetically rather than sensually. sensuously adv. sensuousness n. [L sensus sense] sentpast and past part. of SEND. sentencen. & v. --n. 1 a a set of words complete in itself as the expression of a thought, containing or implying a subject and predicate, and conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command. b a piece of writing or speech between two full stops or equivalent pauses, often including several grammatical sentences (e.g. I went; he came). 2 a a decision of a lawcourt, esp. the punishment allotted to a person convicted in a criminal trial. b the declaration of this. 3 Logic a series of signs or symbols expressing a proposition in an artificial or logical language. --v.tr. 1 declare the sentence of (a convicted criminal etc.). 2 (foll. by to) declare (such a person) to be condemned to a specified punishment. under sentence of having been condemned to (under sentence of death). [ME f. OF f. L sententia opinion f. sentire be of opinion] sentential adj. Gram. & Logic of a sentence. [L sententialis (as SENTENCE)] sententious adj. 1 (of a person) fond of pompous moralizing. 2 (of a style) affectedly formal. 3 aphoristic, pithy, given to the use of maxims, affecting a concise impressive style. sententiously adv. sententiousness n. [L sententiosus (as SENTENCE)] sentientadj. having the power of perception by the senses. sentience n. sentiency n. sentiently adv. [L sentire feel] sentimentn. 1 a mental feeling (the sentiment of pity). 2 a the sum of what one feels on some subject. b a verbal expression of this. 3 the expression of a view or desire esp. as formulated for a toast (concluded his speech with a sentiment). 4 an opinion as distinguished from the words meant to convey it (the sentiment is good though the words are injudicious). 5 a view or tendency based on or coloured with emotion (animated by noble sentiments). 6 such views collectively, esp. as an influence (sentiment unchecked by reason is a bad guide). 7 the tendency to be swayed by feeling rather than by reason. 8 a mawkish tenderness. b the display of this. 9 an emotional feeling conveyed in literature or art. [ME f. OF sentement f. med.L sentimentum f. L sentire feel] sentimental adj. 1 of or characterized by sentiment. 2 showing or affected by emotion rather than reason. 3 appealing to sentiment. sentimental value the value of a thing to a particular person because of its associations. sentimentalism n. sentimentalist n. sentimentality n. sentimentalize v.intr. & tr. (also -ise). sentimentalization n. sentimentally adv. sentineln. & v. --n. a sentry or lookout. --v.tr. (sentinelled, sentinelling; US sentineled, sentineling) 1 station sentinels at or in. 2 poet. keep guard over or in. [F sentinelle f. It. sentinella, of unkn. orig.] sentryn. (pl. -ies) a soldier etc. stationed to keep guard. sentry-box a wooden cabin intended to shelter a standing sentry. sentry-go the duty of pacing up and down as a sentry. [perh. f. obs. centrinel, var. of SENTINEL] sepaln. Bot. each of the divisions or leaves of the calyx. [F spale, mod.L sepalum, perh. formed as SEPARATE + PETAL] separableadj. 1 able to be separated. 2 Gram. (of a prefix, or a verb in respect of a prefix) written as a separate word in some collocations. separability n. separableness n. separably adv. [F sparable or L separabilis (as SEPARATE)] separateadj., n., & v. --adj. (often foll. by from) forming a unit that is or may be regarded as apart or by itself; physically disconnected, distinct, or individual (living in separate rooms; the two questions are essentially separate). --n. 1 (in pl.) separate articles of clothing suitable for wearing together in various combinations. 2 an offprint. --v. 1 tr. make separate, sever, disunite. 2 tr. prevent union or contact of. 3 intr. go different ways, disperse. 4 intr. cease to live together as a married couple. 5 intr. (foll. by from) secede. 6 tr. a divide or sort (milk, ore, fruit, light, etc.) into constituent parts or sizes. b (often foll. by out) extract or remove (an ingredient, waste product, etc.) by such a process for use or rejection. 7 tr. US discharge, dismiss. separately adv. separateness n. separative adj. separatory adj. [L separare separat- (as SE-, parare make ready)] separation n. 1 the act or an instance of separating; the state of being separated. 2 (in full judicial separation or legal separation) an arrangement by which a husband and wife remain married but live apart. 3 any of three or more monochrome reproductions of a coloured picture which can combine to reproduce the full colour of the original. separation order an order of court for judicial separation. [ME f. OF f. L separatio -onis (as SEPARATE)] separatist n. a person who favours separation, esp. for political or ecclesiastical independence (opp. UNIONIST 2). separatism n. separatorn. a machine for separating, e.g. cream from milk. Sephardin. (pl. Sephardim) a Jew of Spanish or Portuguese descent (cf. ASHKENAZI). Sephardic adj. [LHeb., f. separad, a country mentioned in Obad. 20 and taken to be Spain] sepian. 1 a dark reddish-brown colour. 2 a a brown pigment prepared from a black fluid secreted by cuttlefish, used in monochrome drawing and in water-colours. b a brown tint used in photography. 3 a drawing done in sepia. 4 the fluid secreted by cuttlefish. [L f. Gk sepia cuttlefish] sepoyn. hist. a native Indian soldier under European, esp. British, discipline. [Urdu & Pers. sipahi soldier f. sipah army] seppukun. hara-kiri. [Jap.] sepsisn. 1 the state of being septic. 2 blood-poisoning. [mod.L f. Gk sepsis f. sepo make rotten] Sept.abbr. 1 September. 2 Septuagint. septn. a clan, esp. in Ireland. [prob. alt. of SECT] sept-var. of SEPTI-. septapl. of SEPTUM. septaladj. 1 of a septum or septa. 2 Archaeol. (of a stone or slab) separating compartments in a burial chamber. [SEPTUM] adj. of a sept or septs. septateadj. Bot., Zool., & Anat. having a septum or septa; partitioned. septation n. septcentenary n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a seven-hundredth anniversary. 2 a festival marking this. --adj. of or concerning a septcentenary. Septembern. the ninth month of the year. [ME f. L September f. septem seven: orig. the seventh month of the Roman year] septenarius n. (pl. septenarii) Prosody a verse of seven feet, esp. a trochaic or iambic tetrameter catalectic. [L f. septeni distributive of septem seven] septenaryadj. & n. --adj. of seven, by sevens, on the basis of seven. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a group or set of seven (esp. years). 2 a septenarius. [L septenarius (as SEPTENARIUS)] septenateadj. Bot. 1 growing in sevens. 2 having seven divisions. [L septeni (as SEPTENARIUS)] septennial adj. 1 lasting for seven years. 2 recurring every seven years. [LL septennis f. L septem seven + annus year] septennium n. (pl. septenniums or septennia) a period of seven years. septetn. (also septette) 1 Mus. a a composition for seven performers. b the performers of such a composition. 2 any group of seven. [G Septett f. L septem seven] septfoiln. 1 a seven-lobed ornamental figure. 2 archaic tormentil. [LL septifolium after CINQUEFOIL, TREFOIL] septi-comb. form (also sept- before a vowel) seven. [L f. septem seven] septicadj. contaminated with bacteria from a festering wound etc., putrefying. septic tank a tank in which the organic matter in sewage is disintegrated through bacterial activity. septically adv. septicity n. [L septicus f. Gk septikos f. sepo make rotten] septicaemia n. (US septicemia) blood-poisoning. septicaemic adj. [mod.L f. Gk septikos + haima blood] septillion n. (pl. same) a thousand raised to the eighth (or formerly, esp. Brit., the fourteenth) power (10(24) and 10(42) respectively). [F f. sept seven, after billion etc.] septimaladj. of the number seven. [L septimus seventh f. septem seven] septimen. Fencing the seventh of the eight parrying positions. [L septimus (as SEPTIMAL)] septivalent adj. (also septavalent) Chem. having a valency of seven. septuagenarian n. & adj. --n. a person from 70 to 79 years old. --adj. of this age. [L septuagenarius f. septuageni distributive of septuaginta seventy] Septuagesima n. (in full Septuagesima Sunday) the Sunday before Sexagesima. [ME f. L, = seventieth (day), formed as SEPTUAGINT, perh. after QUINQUAGESIMA or with ref. to the period of 70 days from Septuagesima to the Saturday after Easter] Septuagint n. a Greek version of the Old Testament including the Apocrypha, said to have been made about 270 BC by seventy-two translators. [L septuaginta seventy] septumn. (pl. septa) Anat., Bot., & Zool. a partition such as that between the nostrils or the chambers of a poppy-fruit or of a shell. [L s(a)eptum f. saepire saept- enclose f. saepes hedge] septupleadj., n., & v. --adj. 1 sevenfold, having seven parts. 2 being seven times as many or as much. --n. a sevenfold number or amount. --v.tr. & intr. multiply by seven. [LL septuplus f. L septem seven] septupletn. 1 one of seven children born at one birth. 2 Mus. a group of seven notes to be played in the time of four or six. [as SEPTUPLE, after TRIPLET etc.] sepulchral adj. 1 of a tomb or interment (sepulchral mound; sepulchral customs). 2 suggestive of the tomb, funereal, gloomy, dismal (sepulchral look). sepulchrally adv. [F spulchral or L sepulchralis (as SEPULCHRE)] sepulchren. & v. (US sepulcher) --n. a tomb esp. cut in rock or built of stone or brick, a burial vault or cave. --v.tr. 1 lay in a sepulchre. 2 serve as a sepulchre for. the Holy Sepulchre the tomb in which Christ was laid. whited sepulchre a hypocrite (with ref. to Matt. 23:27). [ME f. OF f. L sepulc(h)rum f. sepelire sepult- bury] sepulturen. literary the act or an instance of burying or putting in the grave. [ME f. OF f. L sepultura (as SEPULCHRE)] seq.abbr. (pl. seqq.) the following. [L sequens etc.] sequacious adj. 1 (of reasoning or a reasoner) not inconsequent, coherent. 2 archaic inclined to follow, lacking independence or originality, servile. sequaciously adv. sequacity n. [L sequax f. sequi follow] sequeln. 1 what follows (esp. as a result). 2 a novel, film, etc., that continues the story of an earlier one. in the sequel as things developed afterwards. [ME f. OF sequelle or L sequel(l)a f. sequi follow] sequelan. (pl. sequelae) Med. (esp. in pl.) a morbid condition or symptom following a disease. [L f. sequi follow] sequencen. & v. --n. 1 succession, coming after or next. 2 order of succession (shall follow the sequence of events; give the facts in historical sequence). 3 a set of things belonging next to one another on some principle of order; a series without gaps. 4 a part of a film dealing with one scene or topic. 5 a set of poems on one theme. 6 a set of three or more playing-cards next to one another in value. 7 Mus. repetition of a phrase or melody at a higher or lower pitch. 8 Eccl. a hymn said or sung after the Gradual or Alleluia that precedes the Gospel. 9 succession without implication of causality (opp. CONSEQUENCE). --v.tr. 1 arrange in a definite order. 2 Biochem. ascertain the sequence of monomers in (esp. a polypeptide or nucleic acid). sequence of tenses Gram. the dependence of the tense of a subordinate verb on the tense of the principal verb, according to certain rules (e.g. I think you are, thought you were, wrong). sequencer n. [ME f. LL sequentia f. L sequens pres. part. of sequi follow] sequentadj. 1 following as a sequence or consequence. 2 consecutive. sequently adv. [OF sequent or L sequens (as SEQUENCE)] sequential adj. forming a sequence or consequence or sequela. sequentiality n. sequentially adv. [SEQUENCE, after CONSEQUENTIAL] sequesterv.tr. 1 (esp. as sequestered adj.) seclude, isolate, set apart (sequester oneself from the world; a sequestered life; a sequestered cottage). 2 = SEQUESTRATE. 3 Chem. bind (a metal ion) so that it cannot react. [ME f. OF sequestrer or LL sequestrare commit for safe keeping f. L sequester trustee] sequestrate v.tr. 1 confiscate, appropriate. 2 Law take temporary possession of (a debtor's estate etc.). 3 Eccl. apply (the income of a benefice) to clearing the incumbent's debts or accumulating a fund for the next incumbent. sequestrable adj. sequestration n. sequestrator n. [LL sequestrare (as SEQUESTER)] sequestrum n. (pl. sequestra) a piece of dead bone or other tissue detached from the surrounding parts. sequestral adj. sequestrotomy n. (pl. -ies). [mod.L, neut. of L sequester standing apart] sequinn. 1 a circular spangle for attaching to clothing as an ornament. 2 hist. a Venetian gold coin. sequinned adj. (also sequined). [F f. It. zecchino f. zecca a mint f. Arab. sikka a die] sequoian. a Californian evergreen coniferous tree, Sequoia sempervirens, of very great height. [mod.L genus-name, f. Sequoiah, the name of a Cherokee] serapl. of SERUM. seracn. one of the tower-shaped masses into which a glacier is divided at steep points by crevasses crossing it. [Swiss F srac, orig. the name of a compact white cheese] seraglion. (pl. -os) 1 a harem. 2 hist. a Turkish palace, esp. that of the Sultan with government offices etc. at Constantinople. [It. serraglio f. Turk. f. Pers. saray palace: cf. SERAI] serain. a caravanserai. [Turk. f. Pers. (as SERAGLIO)] serangn. Anglo-Ind. a native head of a Lascar crew. [Hindi f. Pers. sarhang commander] serapen. (also sarape, zarape) a shawl or blanket worn as a cloak by Spanish Americans. [Mexican Sp.] seraphn. (pl. seraphim or seraphs) an angelic being, one of the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy gifted esp. with love and associated with light, ardour, and purity. [back-form. f. seraphim (cf. CHERUB) (pl.) f. LL f. Gk seraphim f. Heb. serapim] seraphicadj. 1 of or like the seraphim. 2 ecstatically adoring, fervent, or serene. seraphically adv. [med.L seraphicus f. LL (as SERAPH)] seraskiern. hist. the Turkish Commander-in-Chief and minister of war. [Turk. f. Pers. sar' askar head of army] Serbn. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Serbia in Yugoslavia. 2 a person of Serbian descent. --adj. = SERBIAN. [Serbian Srb] Serbiann. & adj. --n. 1 the dialect of the Serbs (cf. SERBO-CROAT). 2 = SERB. --adj. of or relating to the Serbs or their dialect. Serbo-comb. form Serbian. Serbo-Croat n. & adj. (also Serbo-Croatian) --n. the main official language of Yugoslavia, combining Serbian and Croatian dialects. --adj. of or relating to this language. SERCabbr. (in the UK) Science and Engineering Research Council. seren. a catch of a gunlock holding the hammer at half or full cock. [prob. f. OF serre lock, bolt, grasp, f. serrer (see SERRIED)] var. of SEAR adj. n. Ecol. a sequence of animal or plant communities. [L serere join in a SERIES] sereinn. a fine rain falling in tropical climates from a cloudless sky. [F f. OF serain ult. f. L serum evening f. serus late] serenaden. & v. --n. 1 a piece of music sung or played at night, esp. by a lover under his lady's window, or suitable for this. 2 = SERENATA. --v.tr. sing or play a serenade to. serenader n. [F srnade f. It. serenata f. sereno SERENE] serenatan. Mus. 1 a cantata with a pastoral subject. 2 a simple form of suite for orchestra or wind band. [It. (as SERENADE)] serendipity n. the faculty of making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident. serendipitous adj. serendipitously adv. [coined by Horace Walpole (1754) after The Three Princes of Serendip (Sri Lanka), a fairy-tale] sereneadj. & n. --adj. (serener, serenest) 1 a (of the sky, the air, etc.) clear and calm. b (of the sea etc.) unruffled. 2 placid, tranquil, unperturbed. --n. poet. a serene expanse of sky, sea, etc. all serene Brit. sl. all right. Serene Highness a title used in addressing and referring to members of some European royal families (His Serene Highness; Their Serene Highnesses; Your Serene Highness). serenely adv. sereneness n. [L serenus] serenityn. (pl. -ies) 1 tranquillity, being serene. 2 (Serenity) a title used in addressing and referring to a reigning prince or similar dignitary (your Serenity). [F srnit or L serenitas (as SERENE)] serfn. 1 hist. a labourer not allowed to leave the land on which he worked, a villein. 2 an oppressed person, a drudge. serfage n. serfdom n. serfhood n. [OF f. L servus slave] sergen. a durable twilled worsted etc. fabric. [ME f. OF sarge, serge ult. f. L serica (lana): see SILK] sergeantn. 1 a non-commissioned Army or Air Force officer next below warrant officer. 2 a police officer ranking below (Brit.) inspector or (US) captain. company sergeant-major Mil. the highest non-commissioned officer of a company. Sergeant Baker Austral. a large brightly-coloured marine fish, Aulopus purpurissatus. sergeant-fish a marine fish, Rachycentron canadum, with lateral stripes suggesting a chevron. sergeant-major Mil. 1 (in full regimental sergeant-major) Brit. a warrant-officer assisting the adjutant of a regiment or battalion. 2 US the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer. sergeancy n. (pl. -ies). sergeantship n. [ME f. OF sergent f. L serviens -entis servant f. servire SERVE] Sergt.abbr. Sergeant. serialn. & adj. --n. 1 a story, play, or film which is published, broadcast, or shown in regular instalments. 2 a periodical. --adj. 1 of or in or forming a series. 2 (of a story etc.) in the form of a serial. 3 Mus. using transformations of a fixed series of notes (see SERIES). 4 (of a publication) appearing in successive parts published usu. at regular intervals, periodical. serial killer a person who murders continuously with no apparent motive. serial number a number showing the position of an item in a series. serial rights the right to publish a story or book as a serial. seriality n. serially adv. [SERIES + -AL] serialistn. a composer or advocate of serial music. serialism n. serializev.tr. (also -ise) 1 publish or produce in instalments. 2 arrange in a series. 3 Mus. compose according to a serial technique. serialization n. seriateadj. & v. --adj. in the form of a series; in orderly sequence. --v.tr. arrange in a seriate manner. seriation n. seriatimadv. point by point; taking one subject etc. after another in regular order (consider seriatim). [med.L f. L series, after LITERATIM etc.] Sericadj. archaic Chinese. [L sericus; see SILK] sericeousadj. Bot. & Zool. covered with silky hairs. [LL sericeus silken] sericulture n. 1 silkworm-breeding. 2 the production of raw silk. sericultural adj. sericulturist n. [F sriciculture f. LL sericum: see SILK, CULTURE] serieman. (also cariama) Zool. any S. American bird of the family Cariamidae, having a long neck and legs and a crest above the bill. [mod.L f. Tupi siriema etc. crested] seriesn. (pl. same) 1 a number of things of which each is similar to the preceding or in which each successive pair are similarly related; a sequence, succession, order, row, or set. 2 a set of successive games between the same teams. 3 a set of programmes with the same actors etc. or on related subjects but each complete in itself. 4 a set of lectures by the same speaker or on the same subject. 5 a a set of successive issues of a periodical, of articles on one subject or by one writer, etc., esp. when numbered separately from a preceding or following set (second series). b a set of independent books in a common format or under a common title or supervised by a common general editor. 6 Philately a set of stamps, coins, etc., of different denominations but issued at one time, in one reign, etc. 7 Geol. a a set of strata with a common characteristic. b the rocks deposited during a specific epoch. 8 Mus. an arrangement of the twelve notes of the chromatic scale as a basis for serial music. 9 Electr. a a set of circuits or components arranged so that the current passes through each successively. b a set of batteries etc. having the positive electrode of each connected with the negative electrode of the next. 10 Chem. a set of elements with common properties or of compounds related in composition or structure. 11 Math. a set of quantities constituting a progression or having the several values determined by a common relation. arithmetical (or geometrical) series a series in arithmetical (or geometrical) progression. in series 1 in ordered succession. 2 Electr. (of a set of circuits or components) arranged so that the current passes through each successively. [L, = row, chain f. serere join, connect] serifn. a slight projection finishing off a stroke of a letter as in T contrasted with T! (cf. SANSERIF). seriffed adj. [perh. f. Du. schreef dash, line f. Gmc] serigraphy n. the art or process of printing designs by means of a silk screen. serigraph n. serigrapher n. [irreg. f. L sericum SILK] serinn. any small yellow Mediterranean finch of the genus Serinus, esp. the wild canary S. serinus. [F, of uncert. orig.] serinetten. an instrument for teaching cage-birds to sing. [F (as SERIN)] seringan. 1 = SYRINGA. 2 any of various rubber-trees of the genus Hevea, native to Brazil. [F (as SYRINGA)] serio-comic adj. combining the serious and the comic, jocular in intention but simulating seriousness or vice versa. serio-comically adv. seriousadj. 1 thoughtful, earnest, sober, sedate, responsible, not reckless or given to trifling (has a serious air; a serious young person). 2 important, demanding consideration (this is a serious matter). 3 not slight or negligible (a serious injury; a serious offence). 4 sincere, in earnest, not ironical or joking (are you serious?). 5 (of music and literature) not merely for amusement (opp. LIGHT 5a). 6 not perfunctory (serious thought). 7 not to be trifled with (a serious opponent). 8 concerned with religion or ethics (serious subjects). seriousness n. [ME f. OF serieux or LL seriosus f. L serius] seriouslyadv. 1 in a serious manner (esp. introducing a sentence, implying that irony etc. is now to cease). 2 to a serious extent. serjeantn. 1 (in full serjeant-at-law, pl. serjeants-at-law) hist. a barrister of the highest rank. 2 Brit. (in official lists) a sergeant in the Army. Common Serjeant Brit. a circuit judge of the Central Criminal Court with duties in the City of London. serjeant-at-arms (pl. serjeants-at-arms) an official of a court or city or parliament, with ceremonial duties. serjeantship n. [var. of SERGEANT] sermonn. 1 a spoken or written discourse on a religious or moral subject, esp. a discourse based on a text or passage of Scripture and delivered in a service by way of religious instruction or exhortation. 2 a piece of admonition or reproof, a lecture. 3 a moral reflection suggested by natural objects etc. (sermons in stones). Sermon on the Mount the discourse of Christ recorded in Matt. 5-7. [ME f. AF sermun, OF sermon f. L sermo -onis discourse, talk] sermonette n. a short sermon. sermonizev. (also -ise) 1 tr. deliver a moral lecture to. 2 intr. deliver a moral lecture. sermonizer n. serologyn. the scientific study of blood sera and their effects. serological adj. serologist n. serosan. a serous membrane. [mod.L, fem. of med.L serosus SEROUS] serotinen. a chestnut-coloured European bat, Eptesicus serotinus. [F srotine f. L serotinus late, of the evening, f. serus late] serotoninn. Biol. a compound present in blood serum, which constricts the blood vessels and acts as a neurotransmitter. [SERUM + TONIC + -IN] serousadj. of or like or producing serum; watery. serous gland (or membrane) a gland or membrane with a serous secretion. serosity n. [F sreux or med.L serosus (as SERUM)] serpentn. 1 usu. literary. a a snake, esp. of a large kind. b a scaly limbless reptile. 2 a sly or treacherous person, esp. one who exploits a position of trust to betray it. 3 Mus. an old bass wind instrument made from leather-covered wood, roughly in the form of an S. 4 (the Serpent) Bibl. Satan (see Gen. 3, Rev. 20). [ME f. OF f. L serpens -entis part. of serpere creep] serpentine adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of or like a serpent. 2 coiling, tortuous, sinuous, meandering, writhing (the serpentine windings of the stream). 3 cunning, subtle, treacherous. --n. 1 a soft rock mainly of hydrated magnesium silicate, usu. dark green and sometimes mottled or spotted like a serpent's skin, taking a high polish and used as a decorative material. 2 Skating a figure of three circles in a line. --v.intr. move sinuously, meander. serpentine verse a metrical line beginning and ending with the same word. [ME f. OF serpentin f. LL serpentinus (as SERPENT)] serpiginous adj. (of a skin-disease etc.) creeping from one part to another. [med.L serpigo -ginis ringworm f. L serpere creep] SERPSabbr. (in the UK) State earnings-related pension scheme. serpulan. (pl. serpulae) any of various marine worms of the family Serpulidae, living in intricately twisted shell-like tubes. [LL, = small serpent, f. L serpere creep] serran. (pl. serrae) a serrated organ, structure, or edge. [L, = saw] serradilla n. (pl. serradillae) a clover, Ornithopus sativus, grown as fodder. [Port., dimin. of serrado serrated] serrann. any marine fish of the family Serranidae. [mod.L serranus f. L serra saw] serratev. & adj. --v.tr. (usu. as serrated adj.) provide with a sawlike edge. --adj. esp. Anat., Bot., & Zool. notched like a saw. serration n. [LL serrare serrat- f. L serra saw] serriedadj. (of ranks of soldiers, rows of trees, etc.) pressed together; without gaps; close. [past part. of serry press close prob. f. F serr past part. of serrer close ult. f. L sera lock, or past part. of obs. serr f. OF serrer] serrulateadj. esp. Anat., Bot., & Zool. finely serrate; with a series of small notches. serrulation n. [mod.L serrulatus f. L serrula dimin. of serra saw] serumn. (pl. sera or serums) 1 a an amber-coloured liquid that separates from a clot when blood coagulates. b whey. 2 Med. blood serum (usu. from a non-human mammal) as an antitoxin or therapeutic agent, esp. in inoculation. 3 a watery fluid in animal bodies. serum sickness a reaction to an injection of serum, characterized by skin eruption, fever, etc. [L, = whey] servaln. a tawny black-spotted long-legged African cat, Felis serval. [F f. Port. cerval deerlike f. cervo deer f. L cervus] servantn. 1 a person who has undertaken (usu. in return for stipulated pay) to carry out the orders of an individual or corporate employer, esp. a person employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant. 2 a devoted follower, a person willing to serve another (a servant of Jesus Christ). your humble servant Brit. archaic a formula preceding a signature or expressing ironical courtesy. your obedient servant Brit. a formula preceding a signature, now used only in certain formal letters. [ME f. OF (as SERVE)] servev. & n. --v. 1 tr. do a service for (a person, community, etc.). 2 tr. (also absol.) be a servant to. 3 intr. carry out duties (served on six committees). 4 intr. a (foll. by in) be employed in (an organization, esp. the armed forces, or a place, esp. a foreign country) (served in the air force). b be a member of the armed forces. 5 a tr. be useful to or serviceable for; meet the needs of; do what is required for (serve a purpose; one packet serves him for a week). b intr. meet requirements; perform a function (a sofa serving as a bed). c intr. (foll. by to + infin.) avail, suffice (his attempt served only to postpone the inevitable; it serves to show the folly of such action). 6 tr. go through a due period of (office, apprenticeship, a prison sentence, etc.). 7 tr. set out or present (food) for those about to eat it (asparagus served with butter; dinner was then served). 8 intr. (in full serve at table) act as a waiter. 9 tr. a attend to (a customer in a shop). b (foll. by with) supply with (goods) (was serving a customer with apples; served the town with gas). 10 tr. treat or act towards (a person) in a specified way (has served me shamefully; you may serve me as you will). 11 tr. a (often foll. by on) deliver (a writ etc.) to the person concerned in a legally formal manner (served a warrant on him). b (foll. by with) deliver a writ etc. to (a person) in this way (served her with a summons). 12 tr. Tennis etc. a (also absol.) deliver (a ball etc.) to begin or resume play. b produce (a fault etc.) by doing this. 13 tr. Mil. keep (a gun, battery, etc.) firing. 14 tr. (of an animal, esp. a stallion etc. hired for the purpose) copulate with (a female). 15 tr. distribute (served the ammunition out; served the rations round). 16 tr. render obedience to (a deity etc.). 17 Eccl. a intr. act as a server. b tr. act as a server at (a service). 18 intr. (of a tide) be suitable for a ship to leave harbour etc. 19 tr. Naut. bind (a rope etc.) with thin cord to strengthen it. 20 tr. play (a trick etc.) on. --n. 1 Tennis etc. a the act or an instance of serving. b a manner of serving. c a person's turn to serve. 2 Austral. sl. a reprimand. it will serve it will be adequate. serve one's needs (or need) be adequate. serve out retaliate on. serve the purpose of take the place of, be used as. serve a person right be a person's deserved punishment or misfortune. serve one's time 1 hold office for the normal period. 2 (also serve time) undergo imprisonment, apprenticeship, etc. serve one's (or the) turn be adequate. serve up offer for acceptance. [ME f. OF servir f. L servire f. servus slave] servern. 1 a person who serves. 2 Eccl. a person assisting the celebrant at a service, esp. the Eucharist. serveryn. (pl. -ies) a room from which meals etc. are served and in which utensils are kept. servicen. & v. --n. 1 the act of helping or doing work for another or for a community etc. 2 work done in this way. 3 assistance or benefit given to someone. 4 the provision or system of supplying a public need, e.g. transport, or (often in pl.) the supply of water, gas, electricity, telephone, etc. 5 a the fact or status of being a servant. b employment or a position as a servant. 6 a state or period of employment doing work for an individual or organization (resigned after 15 years' service). 7 a a public or Crown department or organization employing officials working for the State (civil service; secret service). b employment in this. 8 (in pl.) the armed forces. 9 (attrib.) of the kind issued to the armed forces (a service revolver). 10 a a ceremony of worship according to prescribed forms. b a form of liturgy for this. 11 a the provision of what is necessary for the installation and maintenance of a machine etc. or operation. b a periodic routine maintenance of a motor vehicle etc. 12 assistance or advice given to customers after the sale of goods. 13 a the act or process of serving food, drinks, etc. b an extra charge nominally made for this. 14 a set of dishes, plates, etc., used for serving meals (a dinner service). 15 Tennis etc. a the act or an instance of serving. b a person's turn to serve. c the manner or quality of serving. d (in full service game) a game in which a particular player serves. --v.tr. 1 provide service or services for, esp. maintain. 2 maintain or repair (a car, machine, etc.). 3 pay interest on (a debt). 4 supply with a service. at a person's service ready to serve or assist a person. be of service be available to assist. in service 1 employed as a servant. 2 available for use. on active service serving in the armed forces in wartime. out of service not available for use. see service 1 have experience of service, esp. in the armed forces. 2 (of a thing) be much used. service area 1 an area beside a major road for the supply of petrol, refreshments, etc. 2 the area served by a broadcasting station. service-book a book of authorized forms of worship of a Church. service bus (or car) Austral. & NZ a motor coach. service charge an additional charge for service in a restaurant, hotel, etc. service dress ordinary military etc. uniform. service flat a flat in which domestic service and sometimes meals are provided by the management. service industry one providing services not goods. service line (in tennis etc.) a line marking the limit of the area into which the ball must be served. service road a road parallel to a main road, serving houses, shops, etc. service station an establishment beside a road selling petrol and oil etc. to motorists and often able to carry out maintenance. take service with become a servant to. [ME f. OF service or L servitium f. servus slave] n. (in full service tree) a European tree of the genus Sorbus, esp. S. domestica with toothed leaves, cream-coloured flowers, and small round or pear-shaped fruit eaten when overripe. service-berry 1 the fruit of the service tree. 2 a any American shrub of the genus Amelanchier. b the edible fruit of this. [earlier serves, pl. of obs. serve f. OE syrfe f. Gmc surbhjon ult. f. L sorbus] serviceable adj. 1 useful or usable. 2 able to render service. 3 durable; capable of withstanding difficult conditions. 4 suited for ordinary use rather than ornament. serviceability n. serviceableness n. serviceably adv. [ME f. OF servisable (as SERVICE)] serviceman n. (pl. -men) 1 a man serving in the armed forces. 2 a man providing service or maintenance. servicewoman n. (pl. -women) a woman serving in the armed forces. servietten. esp. Brit. a napkin for use at table. [ME f. OF f. servir SERVE] servileadj. 1 of or being or like a slave or slaves. 2 slavish, fawning; completely dependent. servilely adv. servility n. [ME f. L servilis f. servus slave] servingn. a quantity of food served to one person. servitorn. 1 archaic a a servant. b an attendant. 2 hist. an Oxford undergraduate performing menial duties in exchange for assistance from college funds. servitorship n. [ME f. OF f. LL (as SERVE)] servituden. 1 slavery. 2 subjection (esp. involuntary); bondage. 3 Law the subjection of property to an easement. [ME f. OF f. L servitudo -inis f. servus slave] servon. (pl. -os) 1 (in full servo-mechanism) a powered mechanism producing motion or forces at a higher level of energy than the input level, e.g. in the brakes and steering of large motor vehicles, esp. where feedback is employed to make the control automatic. 2 (in full servo-motor) the motive element in a servo-mechanism. 3 (in comb.) of or involving a servo-mechanism (servo-assisted). [L servus slave] sesamen. Bot. 1 an E. Indian herbaceous plant, Sesamum indicum, with seeds used as food and yielding an edible oil. 2 its seeds. open sesame a means of acquiring or achieving what is normally unattainable (from the magic words used in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments). [L sesamum f. Gk sesamon, sesame] sesamoidadj. & n. --adj. shaped like a sesame seed; nodular (esp. of small independent bones developed in tendons passing over an angular structure such as the kneecap and the navicular bone). --n. a sesamoid bone. sesqui-comb. form 1 denoting one and a half. 2 Chem. (of a compound) in which there are three equivalents of a named element or radical to two others. [L (as SEMI-, -que and)] sesquicentenary n. (pl. -ies) a one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary. sesquicentennial n. & adj. --n. = SESQUICENTENARY. --adj. of or relating to a sesquicentennial. sessvar. of CESS. sessileadj. 1 Bot. & Zool. (of a flower, leaf, eye, etc.) attached directly by its base without a stalk or peduncle. 2 fixed in one position; immobile. sessile oak = DURMAST. [L sessilis f. sedere sess- sit] sessionn. 1 the process of assembly of a deliberative or judicial body to conduct its business. 2 a single meeting for this purpose. 3 a period during which such meetings are regularly held. 4 a an academic year. b the period during which a school etc. has classes. 5 a period devoted to an activity (poker session; recording session). 6 the governing body of a Presbyterian Church. in session assembled for business; not on vacation. petty sessions 1 a meeting of two or more magistrates for the summary trial of certain offences. 2 = quarter sessions. sessional adj. [ME f. OF session or L sessio -onis (as SESSILE)] sestercen. (also sestertius) (pl. sesterces or sestertii) an ancient Roman coin and monetary unit equal to one quarter of a denarius. [L sestertius (nummus coin) = 2 f. semis half + tertius third] sestetn. 1 the last six lines of a sonnet. 2 a sextet. [It. sestetto f. sesto f. L sextus a sixth] sestinan. a form of rhymed or unrhymed poem with six stanzas of six lines and a final triplet, all stanzas having the same six words at the line-ends in six different sequences. [It. (as SESTET)] setv. (setting; past and past part. set) 1 tr. put, lay, or stand (a thing) in a certain position or location (set it on the table; set it upright). 2 tr. (foll. by to) apply (one thing) to (another) (set pen to paper). 3 tr. a fix ready or in position. b dispose suitably for use, action, or display. 4 tr. a adjust the hands of (a clock or watch) to show the right time. b adjust (an alarm clock) to sound at the required time. 5 tr. a fix, arrange, or mount. b insert (a jewel) in a ring, framework, etc. 6 tr. make (a device) ready to operate. 7 tr. lay (a table) for a meal. 8 tr. arrange (the hair) while damp so that it dries in the required style. 9 tr. (foll. by with) ornament or provide (a surface, esp. a precious item) (gold set with gems). 10 tr. bring by placing or arranging or other means into a specified state; cause to be (set things in motion; set it on fire). 11 intr. & tr. harden or solidify (the jelly is set; the cement has set). 12 intr. (of the sun, moon, etc.) appear to move towards and below the earth's horizon (as the earth rotates). 13 tr. represent (a story, play, scene, etc.) as happening in a certain time or place. 14 tr. a (foll. by to + infin.) cause or instruct (a person) to perform a specified activity (set them to work). b (foll. by pres. part.) start (a person or thing) doing something (set him chatting; set the ball rolling). 15 tr. present or impose as work to be done or a matter to be dealt with (set them an essay). 16 tr. exhibit as a type or model (set a good example). 17 tr. initiate; take the lead in (set the fashion; set the pace). 18 tr. establish (a record etc.). 19 tr. determine or decide (the itinerary is set). 20 tr. appoint or establish (set them in authority). 21 tr. join, attach, or fasten. 22 tr. a put parts of (a broken or dislocated bone, limb, etc.) into the correct position for healing. b deal with (a fracture or dislocation) in this way. 23 tr. (in full set to music) provide (words etc.) with music for singing. 24 tr. (often foll. by up) Printing a arrange or produce (type or film etc.) as required. b arrange the type or film etc. for (a book etc.). 25 intr. (of a tide, current, etc.) have a certain motion or direction. 26 intr. (of a face) assume a hard expression. 27 tr. a cause (a hen) to sit on eggs. b place (eggs) for a hen to sit on. 28 tr. put (a seed, plant, etc.) in the ground to grow. 29 tr. give the teeth of (a saw) an alternate outward inclination. 30 tr. esp. US start (a fire). 31 intr. (of eyes etc.) become motionless. 32 intr. feel or show a certain tendency (opinion is setting against it). 33 intr. a (of blossom) form into fruit. b (of fruit) develop from blossom. c (of a tree) develop fruit. 34 intr. (in full set to partner) (of a dancer) take a position facing one's partner. 35 intr. (of a hunting dog) take a rigid attitude indicating the presence of game. 36 intr. dial. or sl. sit. set about 1 begin or take steps towards. 2 colloq. attack. set (a person or thing) against (another) 1 consider or reckon (a thing) as a counterpoise or compensation for. 2 cause to oppose. set apart separate, reserve, differentiate. set aside see ASIDE. set back 1 place further back in place or time. 2 impede or reverse the progress of. 3 colloq. cost (a person) a specified amount. set-back n. 1 a reversal or arrest of progress. 2 a relapse. set by archaic save for future use. set down 1 record in writing. 2 allow to alight from a vehicle. 3 (foll. by to) attribute to. 4 (foll. by as) explain or describe to oneself as. set eyes on see EYE. set one's face against see FACE. set foot on (or in) see FOOT. set forth 1 begin a journey. 2 make known; expound. set forward begin to advance. set free release. set one's hand to see HAND. set one's heart (or hopes) on want or hope for eagerly. set in 1 (of weather, a condition, etc.) begin (and seem likely to continue), become established. 2 insert (esp. a sleeve etc. into a garment). set little by consider to be of little value. set a person's mind at rest see MIND. set much by consider to be of much value. set off 1 begin a journey. 2 detonate (a bomb etc.). 3 initiate, stimulate. 4 cause (a person) to start laughing, talking, etc. 5 serve as an adornment or foil to; enhance. 6 (foll. by against) use as a compensating item. set-off n. 1 a thing set off against another. 2 a thing of which the amount or effect may be deducted from that of another or opposite tendency. 3 a counterpoise. 4 a counter-claim. 5 a thing that embellishes; an adornment to something. 6 Printing = OFFSET 7. set on (or upon) 1 attack violently. 2 cause or urge to attack. set out 1 begin a journey. 2 (foll. by to + infin.) aim or intend. 3 demonstrate, arrange, or exhibit. 4 mark out. 5 declare. set sail 1 hoist the sails. 2 begin a voyage. set the scene see SCENE. set store by (or on) see STORE. set one's teeth 1 clench them. 2 summon one's resolve. set to begin doing something vigorously, esp. fighting, arguing, or eating. set-to n. (pl. -tos) colloq. a fight or argument. set up 1 place in position or view. 2 organize or start (a business etc.). 3 establish in some capacity. 4 supply the needs of. 5 begin making (a loud sound). 6 cause or make arrangements for (a condition or situation). 7 prepare (a task etc. for another). 8 restore or enhance the health of (a person). 9 establish (a record). 10 propound (a theory). 11 colloq. put (a person) in a dangerous or vulnerable position. set-up n. 1 an arrangement or organization. 2 the manner or structure or position of this. set oneself up as make pretensions to being. [OE settan f. Gmc] n. 1 a number of things or persons that belong together or resemble one another or are usually found together. 2 a collection or group. 3 a section of society consorting together or having similar interests etc. 4 a collection of implements, vessels, etc., regarded collectively and needed for a specified purpose (cricket set; teaset; a set of teeth). 5 a piece of electric or electronic apparatus, esp. a radio or television receiver. 6 (in tennis etc.) a group of games counting as a unit towards a match for the player or side that wins a defined number or proportion of the games. 7 Math. & Logic a collection of distinct entities, individually specified or satisfying specified conditions, forming a unit. 8 a group of pupils or students having the same average ability. 9 a a slip, shoot, bulb, etc., for planting. b a young fruit just set. 10 a a habitual posture or conformation; the way the head etc. is carried or a dress etc. flows. b (also dead set) a setter's pointing in the presence of game. 11 the way, drift, or tendency (of a current, public opinion, state of mind, etc.) (the set of public feeling is against it). 12 the way in which a machine, device, etc., is set or adjusted. 13 esp. Austral. & NZ colloq. a grudge. 14 a the alternate outward deflection of the teeth of a saw. b the amount of this. 15 the last coat of plaster on a wall. 16 Printing a the amount of spacing in type controlling the distance between letters. b the width of a piece of type. 17 a warp or bend or displacement caused by continued pressure or a continued position. 18 a setting, including stage furniture etc., for a play or film etc. 19 a sequence of songs or pieces performed in jazz or popular music. 20 the setting of the hair when damp. 21 (also sett) a badger's burrow. 22 (also sett) a granite paving-block. 23 a predisposition or expectation influencing a response. 24 a number of people making up a square dance. make a dead set at 1 make a determined attack on. 2 seek to win the affections of. set point Tennis etc. 1 the state of a game when one side needs only one more point to win the set. 2 this point. set theory the branch of mathematics concerned with the manipulation of sets. [sense 1 (and related senses) f. OF sette f. L secta SECT: other senses f. SET] adj. 1 in senses of SET. 2 prescribed or determined in advance. 3 fixed, unchanging, unmoving. 4 (of a phrase or speech etc.) having invariable or predetermined wording; not extempore. 5 prepared for action. 6 (foll. by on, upon) determined to acquire or achieve etc. 7 (of a book etc.) specified for reading in preparation for an examination. 8 (of a meal) served according to a fixed menu. set fair (of the weather) fine without a sign of breaking. set phrase an invariable or usual arrangement of words. set piece 1 a formal or elaborate arrangement, esp. in art or literature. 2 fireworks arranged on scaffolding etc. set screw a screw for adjusting or clamping parts of a machine. set scrum Rugby Football a scrum ordered by the referee. set square a right-angled triangular plate for drawing lines, esp. at 90, 45, 60, or 30. [past part. of SET] setan. (pl. setae) Bot. & Zool. stiff hair; bristle. setaceous adj. [L, = bristle] setiferous adj. (also setigerous) having bristles. [L seta bristle, setiger bristly + -FEROUS, -GEROUS] setonn. Surgery a skein of cotton etc. passed below the skin and left with the ends protruding to promote drainage etc. [ME f. med.L seto, seta silk, app. f. L seta bristle] setoseadj. Biol. bristly. [L seta bristle] Setswanavar. of TSWANA (and the preferred form for the language). settvar. of SET 21, 22. setteen. a seat (usu. upholstered), with a back and usu. arms, for more than one person. [18th c.: perh. a fanciful var. of SETTLE] settern. 1 a a dog of a large long-haired breed trained to stand rigid when scenting game (see SET 35). b this breed. 2 a person or thing that sets. settingn. 1 the position or manner in which a thing is set. 2 the immediate surroundings (of a house etc.). 3 the surroundings of any object regarded as its framework; the environment of a thing. 4 the place and time, scenery, etc., of a story, drama, etc. 5 a frame in which a jewel is set. 6 the music to which words of a poem, song, etc., are set. 7 a set of cutlery and other accessories for one person at a table. 8 the way in which or level at which a machine is set to operate. setting lotion lotion used to prepare the hair for being set. settlev. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by down) establish or become established in a more or less permanent abode or way of life. 2 intr. & tr. (often foll. by down) a cease or cause to cease from wandering, disturbance, movement, etc. b adopt a regular or secure style of life. c (foll. by to) apply oneself (to work, an activity, a way of life, etc.) (settled down to writing letters). 3 a intr. sit or come down to stay for some time. b tr. cause to do this. 4 tr. & intr. bring to or attain fixity, certainty, composure, or quietness. 5 tr. determine or decide or agree upon (shall we settle a date?). 6 tr. a resolve (a dispute etc.). b deal with (a matter) finally. 7 tr. terminate (a lawsuit) by mutual agreement. 8 intr. a (foll. by for) accept or agree to (esp. an alternative not one's first choice). b (foll. by on) decide on. 9 tr. (also absol.) pay (a debt, an account, etc.). 10 intr. (as settled adj.) not likely to change for a time (settled weather). 11 tr. a aid the digestion of (food). b remedy the disordered state of (nerves, the stomach, etc.). 12 tr. a colonize. b establish colonists in. 13 intr. subside; fall to the bottom or on to a surface (the foundations have settled; wait till the sediment settles; the dust will settle). 14 intr. (of a ship) begin to sink. 15 tr. get rid of the obstruction of (a person) by argument or conflict or killing. settle one's affairs make any necessary arrangements (e.g. write a will) when death is near. settle a person's hash see HASH. settle in become established in a place. settle up 1 (also absol.) pay (an account, debt, etc.). 2 finally arrange (a matter). settle with 1 pay all or part of an amount due to (a creditor). 2 get revenge on. settling day the fortnightly pay-day on the Stock Exchange. settleable adj. [OE setlan (as SETTLE) f. Gmc] n. a bench with a high back and arms and often with a box fitted below the seat. [OE setl place to sit f. Gmc] settlement n. 1 the act or an instance of settling; the process of being settled. 2 a the colonization of a region. b a place or area occupied by settlers. c a small village. 3 a a political or financial etc. agreement. b an arrangement ending a dispute. 4 a the terms on which property is given to a person. b a deed stating these. c the amount of property given. d = marriage settlement. 5 the process of settling an account. 6 subsidence of a wall, house, soil, etc. settlern. a person who goes to settle in a new country or place; an early colonist. settlorn. Law a person who makes a settlement esp. of a property. sevenn. & adj. --n. 1 one more than six, or three less than ten; the sum of four units and three units. 2 a symbol for this (7, vii, VII). 3 a size etc. denoted by seven. 4 a set or team of seven individuals. 5 the time of seven o'clock (is it seven yet?). 6 a card with seven pips. --adj. that amount to seven. the seven deadly sins the sins of pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. the seven seas the oceans of the world: the Arctic, Antarctic, N. Pacific, S. Pacific, N. Atlantic, S. Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. the seven wonders of the world see WONDER. seven year itch a supposed tendency to infidelity after seven years of marriage. [OE seofon f. Gmc] sevenfoldadj. & adv. 1 seven times as much or as many. 2 consisting of seven parts. seventeenn. & adj. --n. 1 one more than sixteen, or seven more than ten. 2 a symbol for this (17, xvii, XVII). 3 a size etc. denoted by seventeen. --adj. that amount to seventeen. seventeenth adj. & n. [OE seofontiene] seventhn. & adj. --n. 1 the position in a sequence corresponding to the number 7 in the sequence 1-7. 2 something occupying this position. 3 one of seven equal parts of a thing. 4 Mus. a an interval or chord spanning seven consecutive notes in the diatonic scale (e.g. C to B). b a note separated from another by this interval. --adj. that is the seventh. in seventh heaven see HEAVEN. Seventh-Day Adventists a staunchly protestant branch of the Adventists with beliefs based rigidly on faith and the Scriptures and the imminent return of Christ to earth, and observing the sabbath on Saturday. seventhly adv. seventyn. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 the product of seven and ten. 2 a symbol for this (70, lxx, LXX). 3 (in pl.) the numbers from 70 to 79, esp. the years of a century or of a person's life. --adj. that amount to seventy. seventy-first, -second , etc. the ordinal numbers between seventieth and eightieth. seventy-one, -two , etc. the cardinal numbers between seventy and eighty. seventieth adj. & n. seventyfold adj. & adv. [OE -seofontig] severv. 1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by from) divide, break, or make separate, esp. by cutting. 2 tr. & intr. break off or away; separate, part, divide (severed our friendship). 3 tr. end the employment contract of (a person). severable adj. [ME f. AF severer, OF sevrer ult. f. L separare SEPARATE v.] severaladj. & n. --adj. & n. more than two but not many. --adj. 1 separate or respective; distinct (all went their several ways). 2 Law applied or regarded separately (opp. JOINT). severally adv. [ME f. AF f. AL separalis f. L separ SEPARATE adj.] severaltyn. 1 separateness. 2 the individual or unshared tenure of an estate etc. (esp. in severalty). [ME f. AF severalte (as SEVERAL)] severancen. 1 the act or an instance of severing. 2 a severed state. severance pay an amount paid to an employee on the early termination of a contract. severeadj. 1 rigorous, strict, and harsh in attitude or treatment (a severe critic; severe discipline). 2 serious, critical (a severe shortage). 3 vehement or forceful (a severe storm). 4 extreme (in an unpleasant quality) (a severe winter; severe cold). 5 arduous or exacting; making great demands on energy, skill, etc. (severe competition). 6 unadorned; plain in style (severe dress). severely adv. severity n. [F svre or L severus] severyn. (pl. -ies) Archit. a space or compartment in a vaulted ceiling. [ME f. OF civoire (as CIBORIUM)] Seville orange n. a bitter orange used for marmalade. [Seville in Spain] Svresn. fine porcelain, often with elaborate decoration, made at Svres in the suburbs of Paris. sewv.tr. (past part. sewn or sewed) 1 (also absol.) fasten, join, etc., by making stitches with a needle and thread or a sewing-machine. 2 make (a garment etc.) by sewing. 3 (often foll. by on, in, etc.) attach by sewing (shall I sew on your buttons?). sew up 1 join or enclose by sewing. 2 colloq. (esp. in passive) satisfactorily arrange or finish dealing with (a project etc.). 3 esp. US obtain exclusive use of. sewer n. [OE si(o)wan] sewagen. waste matter, esp. excremental, conveyed in sewers. sewage farm (or works) a place where sewage is treated, esp. to produce manure. sewenvar. of SEWIN. sewern. a conduit, usu. underground, for carrying off drainage water and sewage. sewer rat the common brown rat. [ME f. AF sever(e), ONF se(u)wiere channel to carry off the overflow from a fishpond, ult. f. L ex- out of + aqua water] seweragen. a system of or drainage by sewers. sewinn. (also sewen) a salmon trout of Welsh etc. rivers. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] sewingn. a piece of material or work to be sewn. sewing-machine n. a machine for sewing or stitching. sewnpast part. of SEW. sexn., adj., & v. --n. 1 either of the main divisions (male and female) into which living things are placed on the basis of their reproductive functions. 2 the fact of belonging to one of these. 3 males or females collectively. 4 sexual instincts, desires, etc., or their manifestation. 5 colloq. sexual intercourse. --adj. 1 of or relating to sex (sex education). 2 arising from a difference or consciousness of sex (sex antagonism; sex urge). --v.tr. 1 determine the sex of. 2 (as sexed adj.) a having a sexual appetite (highly sexed). b having sexual characteristics. sex act (usu. prec. by the) the (or an) act of sexual intercourse. sex appeal sexual attractiveness. sex change an apparent change of sex by surgical means and hormone treatment. sex chromosome a chromosome concerned in determining the sex of an organism, which in most animals are of two kinds, the X-chromosome and the Y-chromosome. sex hormone a hormone affecting sexual development or behaviour. sex kitten colloq. a young woman who asserts her sex appeal. sex life a person's activity related to sexual instincts. sex-linked Genetics carried on or by a sex chromosome. sex maniac colloq. a person needing or seeking excessive gratification of the sexual instincts. sex object a person regarded mainly in terms of sexual attractiveness. sex-starved lacking sexual gratification. sex symbol a person widely noted for sex appeal. sexer n. [ME f. OF sexe or L sexus] sexagenarian n. & adj. --n. a person from 60 to 69 years old. --adj. of this age. [L sexagenarius f. sexageni distrib. of sexaginta sixty] Sexagesima n. the Sunday before Quinquagesima. [ME f. eccl.L, = sixtieth (day), prob. named loosely as preceding QUINQUAGESIMA] sexagesimal adj. & n. --adj. 1 of sixtieths. 2 of sixty. 3 reckoning or reckoned by sixtieths. --n. (in full sexagesimal fraction) a fraction with a denominator equal to a power of 60 as in the divisions of the degree and hour. sexagesimally adv. [L sexagesimus (as SEXAGESIMA)] sexcentenary n. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a six-hundredth anniversary. 2 a celebration of this. --adj. 1 of or relating to a sexcentenary. 2 occurring every six hundred years. sexennialadj. 1 lasting six years. 2 recurring every six years. [SEXI- + L annus year] sexfoiln. a six-lobed ornamental figure. [SEXI-, after CINQUEFOIL, TREFOIL] sexi-comb. form (also sex- before a vowel) six. [L sex six] sexismn. prejudice or discrimination, esp. against women, on the grounds of sex. sexist adj. & n. sexivalent adj. (also sexvalent) Chem. having a valency of six. sexlessadj. 1 Biol. neither male nor female. 2 lacking in sexual desire or attractiveness. sexlessly adv. sexlessness n. sexologyn. the study of sexual life or relationships, esp. in human beings. sexological adj. sexologist n. sexpartite adj. divided into six parts. sexploitation n. colloq. the exploitation of sex, esp. commercially. sexpotn. colloq. a sexy person (esp. a woman). sextn. Eccl. 1 the canonical hour of prayer appointed for the sixth daytime hour (i.e. noon). 2 the office of sext. [ME f. L sexta hora sixth hour f. sextus sixth] sextantn. an instrument with a graduated arc of 60(0) used in navigation and surveying for measuring the angular distance of objects by means of mirrors. [L sextans -ntis sixth part f. sextus sixth] sextetn. (also sextette) 1 Mus. a composition for six voices or instruments. 2 the performers of such a piece. 3 any group of six. [alt. of SESTET after L sex six] sextillion n. (pl. same or sextillions) a thousand raised to the seventh (or formerly, esp. Brit., the twelfth) power (10(21) and 10(36) respectively) (cf. BILLION). sextillionth [F f. L sex six, after septillion etc.] sexton. (pl. -os) 1 a size of book or page in which each leaf is one-sixth that of a printing-sheet. 2 a book or sheet of this size. [L sextus sixth, as QUARTO] sextodecimo n. (pl. -os) 1 a size of book or page in which each leaf is one-sixteenth that of a printing-sheet. 2 a book or sheet of this size. [L sextus decimus 16th (as QUARTO)] sextonn. a person who looks after a church and churchyard, often acting as bell-ringer and gravedigger. sexton beetle any beetle of the genus Necrophorus, burying carrion to serve as a nidus for its eggs. [ME segerstane etc., f. AF, OF segerstein, secrestein f. med.L sacristanus SACRISTAN] sextupleadj., n., & v. --adj. 1 sixfold. 2 having six parts. 3 being six times as many or much. --n. a sixfold number or amount. --v.tr. & intr. multiply by six; increase sixfold. sextuply adv. [med.L sextuplus, irreg. f. L sex six, after LL quintuplus QUINTUPLE] sextupletn. 1 each of six children born at one birth. 2 Mus. a group of six notes to be played in the time of four. [SEXTUPLE, after triplet etc.] sexualadj. 1 of or relating to sex, or to the sexes or the relations between them. 2 Bot. (of classification) based on the distinction of sexes in plants. 3 Biol. having a sex. sexual intercourse the insertion of a man's erect penis into a woman's vagina, usu. followed by the ejaculation of semen. sexuality n. sexually adv. [LL sexualis (as SEX)] sexvalentvar. of SEXIVALENT. sexyadj. (sexier, sexiest) 1 sexually attractive or stimulating. 2 sexually aroused. 3 concerned with or engrossed in sex. sexily adv. sexiness n. sezsl. says (sez you). [phonetic repr.] SFabbr. science fiction. sfabbr. Mus. sforzando. SFAabbr. Scottish Football Association. sforzandoadj., adv., & n. (also sforzato) --adj. & adv. Mus. with sudden emphasis. --n. (pl. -os or sforzandi) 1 a note or group of notes especially emphasized. 2 an increase in emphasis and loudness. [It., verbal noun and past part. of sforzare use force] sfumatoadj. & n. Painting --adj. with indistinct outlines. --n. the technique of allowing tones and colours to shade gradually into one another. [It., past part. of sfumare shade off f. s- = EX- + fumare smoke] sfzabbr. Mus. sforzando. SGabbr. 1 US senior grade. 2 Law Solicitor-General. 3 specific gravity. sgd.abbr. signed. sgraffiton. (pl. sgraffiti) a form of decoration made by scratching through wet plaster on a wall or through slip on ceramic ware, showing a different-coloured under-surface. [It., past part. of sgraffire scratch f. s- = EX- + graffio scratch] Sgt.abbr. Sergeant. shint. calling for silence. [var. of HUSH] sh.abbr. Brit. hist. shilling(s). shabbyadj. (shabbier, shabbiest) 1 in bad repair or condition; faded and worn, dingy, dilapidated. 2 dressed in old or worn clothes. 3 of poor quality. 4 contemptible, dishonourable (a shabby trick). shabbily adv. shabbiness n. shabbyish adj. [shab scab f. OE sceabb f. ON, rel. to SCAB] shabrackn. hist. a cavalry saddle-cloth. [G Schabracke of E. European orig.: cf. Russ. shabrak] shackn. & v. --n. a roughly built hut or cabin. --v.intr. (foll. by up) sl. cohabit, esp. as lovers. [perh. f. Mex. jacal, Aztec xacatli wooden hut] shacklen. & v. --n. 1 a metal loop or link, closed by a bolt, to connect chains etc. 2 a fetter enclosing the ankle or wrist. 3 (usu. in pl.) a restraint or impediment. --v.tr. fetter, impede, restrain. shackle-bolt 1 a bolt for closing a shackle. 2 a bolt with a shackle at its end. [OE sc(e)acul fetter, corresp. to LG shkel link, coupling, ON skkull wagon-pole f. Gmc] shadn. (pl. same or shads) Zool. any deep-bodied edible marine fish of the genus Alosa, spawning in fresh water. [OE sceadd, of unkn. orig.] shaddockn. Bot. 1 the largest citrus fruit, with a thick yellow skin and bitter pulp. Also called POMELO. 2 the tree, Citrus grandis, bearing these. [Capt. Shaddock, who introduced it to the W. Indies in the 17th c.] shaden. & v. --n. 1 comparative darkness (and usu. coolness) caused by shelter from direct light and heat. 2 a place or area sheltered from the sun. 3 a darker part of a picture etc. 4 a colour, esp. with regard to its depth or as distinguished from one nearly like it. 5 comparative obscurity. 6 a slight amount (am a shade better today). 7 a translucent cover for a lamp etc. 8 a screen excluding or moderating light. 9 an eye-shield. 10 (in pl.) esp. US colloq. sunglasses. 11 a slightly differing variety (all shades of opinion). 12 literary a a ghost. b (in pl.) Hades. 13 (in pl.; foll. by of) suggesting reminiscence or unfavourable comparison (shades of Dr Johnson!). --v. 1 tr. screen from light. 2 tr. cover, moderate, or exclude the light of. 3 tr. darken, esp. with parallel pencil lines to represent shadow etc. 4 intr. & tr. (often foll. by away, off, into) pass or change by degrees. in the shade in comparative obscurity. shadeless adj. [OE sc(e)adu f. Gmc] shadingn. 1 the representation of light and shade, e.g. by pencilled lines, on a map or drawing. 2 the graduation of tones from light to dark to create a sense of depth. shadoofn. a pole with a bucket and counterpoise used esp. in Egypt for raising water. [Egypt. Arab. saduf] shadown. & v. --n. 1 shade or a patch of shade. 2 a dark figure projected by a body intercepting rays of light, often regarded as an appendage. 3 an inseparable attendant or companion. 4 a person secretly following another. 5 the slightest trace (not the shadow of a doubt). 6 a weak or insubstantial remnant or thing (a shadow of his former self). 7 (attrib.) Brit. denoting members of a political party in opposition holding responsibilities parallel to those of the government (shadow Home Secretary; shadow cabinet). 8 the shaded part of a picture. 9 a substance used to colour the eyelids. 10 gloom or sadness. --v.tr. 1 cast a shadow over. 2 secretly follow and watch the movements of. shadow-boxing boxing against an imaginary opponent as a form of training. shadower n. shadowless adj. [repr. OE scead(u)we, oblique case of sceadu SHADE] shadowgraph n. 1 an image or photograph made by means of X-rays; = RADIOGRAM 2. 2 a picture formed by a shadow cast on a lighted surface. 3 an image formed by light refracted differently by different densities of a fluid. shadowyadj. 1 like or having a shadow. 2 full of shadows. 3 vague, indistinct. shadowiness n. shadyadj. (shadier, shadiest) 1 giving shade. 2 situated in shade. 3 (of a person or behaviour) disreputable; of doubtful honesty. shadily adv. shadiness n. shaftn. & v. --n. 1 a an arrow or spear. b the long slender stem of these. 2 a remark intended to hurt or provoke (a shaft of malice; shafts of wit). 3 (foll. by of) a a ray (of light). b a bolt (of lightning). 4 the stem or handle of a tool, implement, etc. 5 a column, esp. between the base and capital. 6 a long narrow space, usu. vertical, for access to a mine, a lift in a building, for ventilation, etc. 7 a long and narrow part supporting or connecting or driving a part or parts of greater thickness etc. 8 each of the pair of poles between which a horse is harnessed to a vehicle. 9 the central stem of a feather. 10 Mech. a large axle or revolving bar transferring force by belts or cogs. 11 US colloq. harsh or unfair treatment. --v.tr. US colloq. treat unfairly. [OE scft, sceaft f. Gmc] shaftingn. Mech. 1 a system of connected shafts for transmitting motion. 2 material from which shafts are cut. shagn. 1 a rough growth or mass of hair etc. 2 a coarse kind of cut tobacco. 3 a cormorant, esp. the crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax aristotelis. [OE sceacga, rel. to ON skegg beard, OE sceaga coppice] v.tr. (shagged, shagging) coarse sl. Usually considered a taboo word. 1 have sexual intercourse with. 2 (usu. in passive; often foll. by out) exhaust; tire out. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] shaggyadj. (shaggier, shaggiest) 1 hairy, rough-haired. 2 unkempt. 3 (of the hair) coarse and abundant. 4 Biol. having a hairlike covering. shaggy-dog story a long rambling story amusing only by its being inconsequential. shaggily adv. shagginess n. shagreenn. 1 a kind of untanned leather with a rough granulated surface. 2 a sharkskin rough with natural papillae, used for rasping and polishing. [var. of CHAGRIN in the sense 'rough skin'] shahn. hist. a title of the former monarch of Iran. shahdom n. [Pers. sah f. OPers. ksaytiya king] shaikhvar. of SHEIKH. shakev. & n. --v. (past shook; past part. shaken) 1 tr. & intr. move forcefully or quickly up and down or to and fro. 2 a intr. tremble or vibrate markedly. b tr. cause to do this. 3 tr. a agitate or shock. b colloq. upset the composure of. 4 tr. weaken or impair; make less convincing or firm or courageous (shook his confidence). 5 intr. (of a voice, note, etc.) make tremulous or rapidly alternating sounds; trill (his voice shook with emotion). 6 tr. brandish; make a threatening gesture with (one's fist, a stick, etc.). 7 intr. colloq. shake hands (they shook on the deal). 8 tr. esp. US colloq. = shake off. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shaking; the process of being shaken. 2 a jerk or shock. 3 (in pl.; prec. by the) a fit of or tendency to trembling or shivering. 4 Mus. a trill. 5 = milk shake. in two shakes (of a lamb's or dog's tail) very quickly. no great shakes colloq. not very good or significant. shake a person by the hand = shake hands. shake down 1 settle or cause to fall by shaking. 2 settle down. 3 become established; get into harmony with circumstances, surroundings, etc. 4 US sl. extort money from. shake the dust off one's feet depart indignantly or disdainfully. shake hands (often foll. by with) clasp right hands at meeting or parting, in reconciliation or congratulation, or over a concluded bargain. shake one's head move one's head from side to side in refusal, denial, disapproval, or concern. shake in one's shoes tremble with apprehension. shake a leg 1 begin dancing. 2 make a start. shake off 1 get rid of (something unwanted). 2 manage to evade (a person who is following or pestering one). shake out 1 empty by shaking. 2 spread or open (a sail, flag, etc.) by shaking. shake-out n. = shake-up. shake up 1 mix (ingredients) by shaking. 2 restore to shape by shaking. 3 disturb or make uncomfortable. 4 rouse from lethargy, apathy, conventionality, etc. shake-up n. an upheaval or drastic reorganization. shakeable adj. (also shakable). [OE sc(e)acan f. Gmc] shakedownn. 1 a makeshift bed. 2 US sl. a swindle; a piece of extortion. 3 (attrib.) US colloq. denoting a voyage, flight, etc., to test a new ship or aircraft and its crew. shakenpast part. of SHAKE. shakern. 1 a person or thing that shakes. 2 a container for shaking together the ingredients of cocktails etc. 3 (Shaker) a member of an American religious sect living simply, in celibate mixed communities. Shakeress n. (in sense 3). Shakerism n. (in sense 3). [ME, f. SHAKE: sense 3 from religious dances] Shakespearian adj. & n. (also Shakespearean) --adj. 1 of or relating to William Shakespeare, English dramatist d. 1616. 2 in the style of Shakespeare. --n. a student of Shakespeare's works etc. shakon. (pl. -os) a cylindrical peaked military hat with a plume. [F schako f. Magyar csk (sveg) peaked (cap) f. csk peak f. G Zacken spike] shakuhachi n. (pl. shakuhachis) a Japanese bamboo flute. [Jap. f. shaku a measure of length + hachi eight (tenths)] shakyadj. (shakier, shakiest) 1 unsteady; apt to shake; trembling. 2 unsound, infirm (a shaky hand). 3 unreliable, wavering (a shaky promise; got off to a shaky start). shakily adv. shakiness n. shalen. soft finely stratified rock that splits easily, consisting of consolidated mud or clay. shale oil oil obtained from bituminous shale. shaly adj. [prob. f. G Schale f. OE sc(e)alu rel. to ON skl (see SCALE)] shallv.aux. (3rd sing. present shall; archaic 2nd sing. present shalt as below; past should) (foll. by infin. without to, or absol.; present and past only in use) 1 (in the 1st person) expressing the future tense (I shall return soon) or (with shall stressed) emphatic intention (I shall have a party). 2 (in the 2nd and 3rd persons) expressing a strong assertion or command rather than a wish (cf. WILL) (you shall not catch me again; they shall go to the party). For the other persons in senses 1, 2 see WILL. 3 expressing a command or duty (thou shalt not steal; they shall obey). 4 (in 2nd-person questions) expressing an enquiry, esp. to avoid the form of a request (cf. WILL) (shall you go to France?). shall I? do you want me to? [OE sceal f. Gmc] shallotn. an onion-like plant, Allium ascalonicum, with a cluster of small bulbs. [eschalot f. F eschalotte alt. of OF eschaloigne: see SCALLION] shallowadj., n., & v. --adj. 1 of little depth. 2 superficial, trivial (a shallow mind). --n. (often in pl.) a shallow place. --v.intr. & tr. become or make shallow. shallowly adv. shallowness n. [ME, prob. rel. to schald, OE sceald SHOAL] shalomn. & int. a Jewish salutation at meeting or parting. [Heb. salm peace] shaltarchaic 2nd person sing. of SHALL. shamv., n., & adj. --v. (shammed, shamming) 1 intr. feign, pretend. 2 tr. a pretend to be. b simulate (is shamming sleep). --n. 1 imposture, pretence. 2 a person or thing pretending or pretended to be what he or she or it is not. --adj. pretended, counterfeit. shammer n. [perh. north. dial. var. of SHAME] shamann. a witch-doctor or priest claiming to communicate with gods etc. shamanism n. shamanist n. & adj. shamanistic adj. [G Schamane & Russ. shaman f. Tungusian samn] shamateurn. derog. a sports player who makes money from sporting activities though classed as an amateur. shamateurism n. [SHAM + AMATEUR] shamblev. & n. --v.intr. walk or run with a shuffling or awkward gait. --n. a shambling gait. [prob. f. dial. shamble (adj.) ungainly, perh. f. shamble legs with ref. to straddling trestles: see SHAMBLES] shamblesn.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 colloq. a mess or muddle (the room was a shambles). 2 a butcher's slaughterhouse. 3 a scene of carnage. [pl. of shamble stool, stall f. OE sc(e)amul f. WG f. L scamellum dimin. of scamnum bench] shambolicadj. colloq. chaotic, unorganized. [SHAMBLES, prob. after SYMBOLIC] shamen. & v. --n. 1 a feeling of distress or humiliation caused by consciousness of the guilt or folly of oneself or an associate. 2 a capacity for experiencing this feeling, esp. as imposing a restraint on behaviour (has no sense of shame). 3 a state of disgrace, discredit, or intense regret. 4 a a person or thing that brings disgrace etc. b a thing or action that is wrong or regrettable. --v.tr. 1 bring shame on; make ashamed; put to shame. 2 (foll. by into, out of) force by shame (was shamed into confessing). for shame! a reproof to a person for not showing shame. put to shame disgrace or humiliate by revealing superior qualities etc. shame on you! you should be ashamed. what a shame! how unfortunate! [OE sc(e)amu] shamefaced adj. 1 showing shame. 2 bashful, diffident. shamefacedly also adv. shamefacedness n. [16th-c. alt. of shamefast, by assim. to FACE] shamefuladj. 1 that causes or is worthy of shame. 2 disgraceful, scandalous. shamefully adv. shamefulness n. [OE sc(e)amful (as SHAME, -FUL)] shamelessadj. 1 having or showing no sense of shame. 2 impudent. shamelessly adv. shamelessness n. [OE sc(e)amleas (as SHAME, -LESS)] shammyn. (pl. -ies) (in full shammy leather) colloq. = CHAMOIS 2. [repr. corrupted pronunc.] shampoon. & v. --n. 1 liquid or cream used to lather and wash the hair. 2 a similar substance for washing a car or carpet etc. 3 an act or instance of cleaning with shampoo. --v.tr. (shampoos, shampooed) wash with shampoo. [Hind. chhampo, imper. of chhampna to press] shamrockn. any of various plants with trifoliate leaves, esp. Trifolium repens or Medicago lupulina, used as the national emblem of Ireland. [Ir. seamrg trefoil, dimin. of seamar clover + og young] shamusn. US sl. a detective. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] shandyn. (pl. -ies) a mixture of beer with lemonade or ginger beer. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] shanghaiv. & n. --v.tr. (shanghais, shanghaied, shanghaiing) 1 force (a person) to be a sailor on a ship by using drugs or other trickery. 2 colloq. put into detention or an awkward situation by trickery. 3 Austral. & NZ shoot with a catapult. --n. (pl. shanghais) Austral. & NZ a catapult. [Shanghai in China] Shangri-La n. an imaginary paradise on earth. [the name of a hidden Tibetan valley in J. Hilton's Lost Horizon (1933)] shankn. 1 a the leg. b the lower part of the leg; the leg from knee to ankle. c the shin-bone. 2 the lower part of an animal's foreleg, esp. as a cut of meat. 3 a shaft or stem. 4 a the long narrow part of a tool etc. joining the handle to the working end. b the stem of a key, spoon, anchor, etc. c the straight part of a nail or fish-hook. 5 the narrow middle of the sole of a shoe. shanks's mare (or pony) one's own legs as a means of conveyance. shanked adj. (also in comb.). [OE sceanca f. WG] shannyn. (pl. -ies) a long-bodied olive-green European marine fish, Blennius pholis. [19th c.: orig. unkn.: cf. 18th-c. shan] shan'tcontr. shall not. shantungn. soft undressed Chinese silk, usu. undyed. [Shantung, Chinese province] shantyn. (pl. -ies) 1 a hut or cabin. 2 a crudely built shack. shanty town a poor or depressed area of a town, consisting of shanties. [19th c., orig. N.Amer.: perh. f. Can.F chantier] n. (also chanty) (pl. -ies) (in full sea shanty) a song with alternating solo and chorus, of a kind orig. sung by sailors while hauling ropes etc. [prob. F chantez, imper. pl. of chanter sing: see CHANT] SHAPEabbr. Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. shapen. & v. --n. 1 the total effect produced by the outlines of a thing. 2 the external form or appearance of a person or thing. 3 a specific form or guise. 4 a description or sort or way (not on offer in any shape or form). 5 a definite or proper arrangement (must get our ideas into shape). 6 a condition, as qualified in some way (in good shape; in poor shape). b (when unqualified) good condition (back in shape). 7 a person or thing as seen, esp. indistinctly or in the imagination (a shape emerged from the mist). 8 a mould or pattern. 9 a jelly etc. shaped in a mould. 10 a piece of material, paper, etc., made or cut in a particular form. --v. 1 tr. give a certain shape or form to; fashion, create. 2 tr. (foll. by to) adapt or make conform. 3 intr. give signs of a future shape or development. 4 tr. frame mentally; imagine. 5 intr. assume or develop into a shape. 6 tr. direct (one's life, course, etc.). lick (or knock) into shape make presentable or efficient. shape up 1 take a (specified) form. 2 show promise; make good progress. shape up well be promising. shapable adj. (also shapeable). shaped adj. (also in comb.). shaper n. [OE gesceap creation f. Gmc] shapelessadj. lacking definite or attractive shape. shapelessly adv. shapelessness n. shapelyadj. (shapelier, shapeliest) 1 well formed or proportioned. 2 of elegant or pleasing shape or appearance. shapeliness n. shardn. 1 a broken piece of pottery or glass etc. 2 = POTSHERD. 3 a fragment of volcanic rock. 4 the wing-case of a beetle. [OE sceard: sense 3 f. shard-borne (Shakesp.) = born in a shard (dial., = cow-dung), wrongly taken as 'borne on shards'] sharen. & v. --n. 1 a portion that a person receives from or gives to a common amount. 2 a a part contributed by an individual to an enterprise or commitment. b a part received by an individual from this (got a large share of the credit). 3 part-proprietorship of property held by joint owners, esp. any of the equal parts into which a company's capital is divided entitling its owner to a proportion of the profits. --v. 1 tr. get or have or give a share of. 2 tr. use or benefit from jointly with others. 3 intr. have a share; be a sharer (shall I share with you?). 4 intr. (foll. by in) participate. 5 tr. (often foll. by out) a divide and distribute. b give away part of. share and share alike make an equal division. share-farmer Austral. & NZ a tenant farmer who receives a share of the profits from the owner. shareable adj. (also sharable). sharer n. [ME f. OE scearu division, rel. to SHEAR] n. = PLOUGHSHARE. [OE scear, scr f. Gmc] sharecropper n. esp. US a tenant farmer who gives a part of each crop as rent. sharecrop v.tr. & intr. (-cropped, -cropping). shareholder n. an owner of shares in a company. shariahn. the Muslim code of religious law. [Arab. sari' a] sharifn. (also shereef, sherif) 1 a descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima, entitled to wear a green turban or veil. 2 a Muslim leader. [Arab. sarif noble f. sarafa be exalted] sharkn. any of various large usu. voracious marine fish with a long body and prominent dorsal fin. [16th c.: orig. unkn.] n. colloq. a person who unscrupulously exploits or swindles others. [16th c.: orig. perh. f. G Schurke worthless rogue: infl. by SHARK] sharkskinn. 1 the skin of a shark. 2 a smooth dull-surfaced fabric. sharpadj., n., adv., & v. --adj. 1 having an edge or point able to cut or pierce. 2 tapering to a point or edge. 3 abrupt, steep, angular (a sharp fall; a sharp turn). 4 well-defined, clean-cut. 5 a severe or intense (has a sharp temper). b (of food etc.) pungent, keen (a sharp appetite). c (of a frost) severe, hard. 6 (of a voice or sound) shrill and piercing. 7 (of sand etc.) composed of angular grains. 8 (of words or temper etc.) harsh or acrimonious (had a sharp tongue). 9 (of a person) acute; quick to perceive or comprehend. 10 quick to take advantage; artful, unscrupulous, dishonest. 11 vigorous or brisk. 12 Mus. a above the normal pitch. b (of a key) having a sharp or sharps in the signature. c (C, F, etc., sharp) a semitone higher than C, F, etc. 13 colloq. stylish or flashy with regard to dress. --n. 1 Mus. a a note raised a semitone above natural pitch. b the sign (**) indicating this. 2 colloq. a swindler or cheat. 3 a fine sewing-needle. --adv. 1 punctually (at nine o'clock sharp). 2 suddenly, abruptly, promptly (pulled up sharp). 3 at a sharp angle. 4 Mus. above the true pitch (sings sharp). --v. 1 intr. archaic cheat or swindle at cards etc. 2 tr. US Mus. make sharp. sharp end colloq. 1 the bow of a ship. 2 the scene of direct action or decision. sharp practice dishonest or barely honest dealings. sharp-set 1 set with a sharp edge. 2 hungry. sharply adv. sharpness n. [OE sc(e)arp f. Gmc] sharpenv.tr. & intr. make or become sharp. sharpener n. sharpern. a swindler, esp. at cards. sharpishadj. & adv. colloq. --adj. fairly sharp. --adv. 1 fairly sharply. 2 quite quickly. sharpshooter n. a skilled marksman. sharpshooting n. & adj. sharp-witted adj. keenly perceptive or intelligent. sharp-wittedly adv. sharp-wittedness n. shashlikn. (in Asia and E. Europe) a kebab of mutton and garnishings. [Russ. shashlyk, ult. f. Turk. sis spit, skewer: cf. SHISH KEBAB] Shastan. (in full Shasta daisy) a European plant, Chrysanthemum maximum, with large daisy-like flowers. [Shasta in California] Shastran. Hindu sacred writings. [Hindi sastr, Skr. sastra] shatterv. 1 tr. & intr. break suddenly in pieces. 2 tr. severely damage or utterly destroy (shattered hopes). 3 tr. greatly upset or discompose. 4 tr. (usu. as shattered adj.) exhaust. shatterer n. shattering adj. shatteringly adv. shatter-proof adj. [ME, rel. to SCATTER] shavev. & n. --v.tr. (past part. shaved or (as adj.) shaven) 1 remove (bristles or hair) from the face etc. with a razor. 2 (also absol.) remove bristles or hair with a razor from the face etc. of (a person) or (a part of the body). 3 a reduce by a small amount. b take (a small amount) away from. 4 cut thin slices from the surface of (wood etc.) to shape it. 5 pass close to without touching; miss narrowly. --n. 1 an act of shaving or the process of being shaved. 2 a close approach without contact. 3 a narrow miss or escape; = close shave (see CLOSE). 4 a tool for shaving wood etc. [OE sc(e)afan (sense 4 of noun f. OE sceafa) f. Gmc] shavelingn. archaic 1 a shaven person. 2 a monk, friar, or priest. shavensee SHAVE. shavern. 1 a person or thing that shaves. 2 an electric razor. 3 colloq. a young lad. Shavianadj. & n. --adj. of or in the manner of G. B. Shaw, Irish-born dramatist d. 1950, or his ideas. --n. an admirer of Shaw. [Shavius, Latinized form of Shaw] shavingn. 1 a thin strip cut off the surface of wood etc. 2 (attrib.) used in shaving the face (shaving-cream). Shavuothn. (also Shavuot) the Jewish Pentecost. [Heb. sab' t, = weeks, with ref. to the weeks between Passover and Pentecost] shawn. esp. Brit. the stalks and leaves of potatoes, turnips, etc. [perh. = SHOW n.] shawln. a piece of fabric, usu. rectangular and often folded into a triangle, worn over the shoulders or head or wrapped round a baby. shawl collar a rolled collar extended down the front of a garment without lapel notches. shawled adj. [Urdu etc. f. Pers. sal, prob. f. Shaliat in India] shawmn. Mus. a medieval double-reed wind instrument with a sharp penetrating tone. [ME f. OF chalemie, chalemel, chalemeaus (pl.), ult. f. L calamus f. Gk kalamos reed] shchin. a Russian cabbage soup. [Russ.] shepron. & n. --pron. (obj. her; poss. her; pl. they) 1 the woman or girl or female animal previously named or in question. 2 a thing regarded as female, e.g. a vehicle or ship. 3 Austral. & NZ colloq. it; the state of affairs (she'll be right). --n. 1 a female; a woman. 2 (in comb.) female (she-goat). she-devil a malicious or spiteful woman. [ME sc, sche, etc., f. OE fem. demonstr. pron. & adj. sio, seo, acc. sie] s/hepron. a written representation of 'he or she' used to indicate both sexes. shean. a W. African tree, Vitellaria paradoxa, bearing nuts containing a large amount of fat. shea-butter a butter made from this fat. [Mandingo si, se, sye] sheadingn. each of the six administrative divisions of the Isle of Man. [SHED + -ING] sheafn. & v. --n. (pl. sheaves) a group of things laid lengthways together and usu. tied, esp. a bundle of cornstalks tied after reaping, or a collection of papers. --v.tr. make into sheaves. [OE sceaf f. Gmc (as SHOVE)] shealingvar. of SHIELING. shearv. & n. --v. (past sheared, archaic except Austral. & NZ shore; past part. shorn or sheared) 1 tr. cut with scissors or shears etc. 2 tr. remove or take off by cutting. 3 tr. clip the wool off (a sheep etc.). 4 tr. (foll. by of) a strip bare. b deprive. 5 tr. & intr. (often foll. by off) distort or be distorted, or break, from a structural strain. --n. 1 Mech. & Geol. a strain produced by pressure in the structure of a substance, when its layers are laterally shifted in relation to each other. 2 (in pl.) (also pair of shears sing.) a large clipping or cutting instrument shaped like scissors for use in gardens etc. shearer n. [OE sceran f. Gmc] shearlingn. 1 a sheep that has been shorn once. 2 wool from a shearling. shearwater n. 1 any long-winged sea bird of the genus Puffinus, usu. flying near the surface of the water. 2 = SKIMMER 4. sheatfishn. (pl. same or sheatfishes) a large freshwater catfish, Silurus glanis, native to European waters. [earlier sheath-fish, prob. after G Scheid] sheathn. (pl. sheaths) 1 a close-fitting cover, esp. for the blade of a knife or sword. 2 a condom. 3 Bot., Anat., & Zool. an enclosing case or tissue. 4 the protective covering round an electric cable. 5 a woman's close-fitting dress. sheath knife a dagger-like knife carried in a sheath. sheathless adj. [OE scth, sceath] sheathev.tr. 1 put into a sheath. 2 encase; protect with a sheath. [ME f. SHEATH] sheathingn. a protective casing or covering. sheavev.tr. make into sheaves. n. a grooved wheel in a pulley-block etc., for a rope to run on. [ME f. OE scife (unrecorded) f. Gmc] sheavespl. of SHEAF. shebangn. US sl. 1 a matter or affair (esp. the whole shebang). 2 a shed or hut. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] shebeenn. esp. Ir. an unlicensed house selling alcoholic liquor. [Anglo-Ir. sbn f. sibe mugful] shedn. 1 a one-storeyed structure usu. of wood for storage or shelter for animals etc., or as a workshop. 2 a large roofed structure with one side open, for storing or maintaining machinery etc. 3 Austral. & NZ an open-sided building for shearing sheep or milking cattle. [app. var. of SHADE] v.tr. (shedding; past and past part. shed) 1 let or cause to fall off (trees shed their leaves). 2 take off (clothes). 3 reduce (an electrical power load) by disconnection etc. 4 cause to fall or flow (shed blood; shed tears). 5 disperse, diffuse, radiate (shed light). shed light on see LIGHT. [OE sc(e)adan f. Gmc] she'dcontr. 1 she had. 2 she would. sheddern. 1 a person or thing that sheds. 2 a female salmon after spawning. shedhandn. Austral. & NZ an unskilled assistant in a shearing shed. sheenn. 1 a gloss or lustre on a surface. 2 radiance, brightness. sheeny adj. [obs. sheen beautiful, resplendent f. OE scene: sense assim. to SHINE] sheepn. (pl. same) 1 any ruminant mammal of the genus Ovis with a thick woolly coat, esp. kept in flocks for its wool or meat, and noted for its timidity. 2 a bashful, timid, or silly person. 3 (usu. in pl.) a a member of a minister's congregation. b a parishioner. separate the sheep from the goats divide into superior and inferior groups (cf. Matt. 25:33). sheep-dip 1 a preparation for cleansing sheep of vermin or preserving their wool. 2 the place where sheep are dipped in this. sheep-run an extensive sheepwalk, esp. in Australia. sheep's-bit a plant, Jasione montana, resembling a scabious. sheeplike adj. [OE scep, scp, sceap] sheepdogn. 1 a dog trained to guard and herd sheep. 2 a a dog of various breeds suitable for this. b any of these breeds. sheepfoldn. an enclosure for penning sheep. sheepishadj. 1 bashful, shy, reticent. 2 embarrassed through shame. sheepishly adv. sheepishness n. sheepshank n. a knot used to shorten a rope temporarily. sheepskinn. 1 a garment or rug of sheep's skin with the wool on. 2 leather from a sheep's skin used in bookbinding. sheepwalkn. Brit. a tract of land on which sheep are pastured. sheeradj. & adv. --adj. 1 no more or less than; mere, unqualified, absolute (sheer luck; sheer determination). 2 (of a cliff or ascent etc.) perpendicular; very steep. 3 (of a textile) very thin; diaphanous. --adv. 1 directly, outright. 2 perpendicularly. sheerly adv. sheerness n. [ME schere prob. f. dial. shire pure, clear f. OE scir f. Gmc] v. & n. --v.intr. 1 esp. Naut. swerve or change course. 2 (foll. by away, off) go away, esp. from a person or topic one dislikes or fears. --n. Naut. a deviation from a course. [perh. f. MLG scheren = SHEAR v.] n. the upward slope of a ship's lines towards the bow and stern. [prob. f. SHEAR n.] sheerlegsn.pl. (treated as sing.) a hoisting apparatus made from poles joined at or near the top and separated at the bottom for masting ships, installing engines, etc. [sheer, var. of SHEAR n. + LEG] sheetn. & v. --n. 1 a large rectangular piece of cotton or other fabric, used esp. in pairs as inner bedclothes. 2 a a broad usu. thin flat piece of material (e.g. paper or metal). b (attrib.) made in sheets (sheet iron). 3 a wide continuous surface or expanse of water, ice, flame, falling rain, etc. 4 a set of unseparated postage stamps. 5 derog. a newspaper, esp. a disreputable one. 6 a complete piece of paper of the size in which it was made, for printing and folding as part of a book. --v. 1 tr. provide or cover with sheets. 2 tr. form into sheets. 3 intr. (of rain etc.) fall in sheets. sheet lightning a lightning flash with its brightness diffused by reflection. sheet metal metal formed into thin sheets by rolling, hammering, etc. sheet music music published in cut or folded sheets, not bound. [OE scete, sciete f. Gmc] n. 1 a rope or chain attached to the lower corner of a sail for securing or controlling it. 2 (in pl.) the space at the bow or stern of an open boat. flowing sheets sheets eased for free movement in the wind. sheet anchor 1 a second anchor for use in emergencies. 2 a person or thing depended on in the last resort. sheet bend a method of temporarily fastening one rope through the loop of another. [ME f. OE sceata, ON skaut (as SHEET)] sheetingn. material for making bed linen. sheikhn. (also shaikh, sheik) 1 a chief or head of an Arab tribe, family, or village. 2 a Muslim leader. sheikhdom n. [ult. f. Arab. sayk old man, sheikh, f. saka be or grow old] sheilan. Austral. & NZ sl. a girl or young woman. [orig. shaler (of unkn. orig.): assim. to the name Sheila] shekeln. 1 the chief monetary unit of modern Israel. 2 hist. a silver coin and unit of weight used in ancient Israel and the Middle East. 3 (in pl.) colloq. money; riches. [Heb. sekel f. sakal weigh] shelduckn. (pl. same or shelducks; masc. sheldrake, pl. same or sheldrakes) any bright-plumaged coastal wild duck of the genus Tadorna, esp. T. tadorna. [ME prob. f. dial. sheld pied, rel. to MDu. schillede variegated, + DRAKE] shelfn. (pl. shelves) 1 a a thin flat piece of wood or metal etc. projecting from a wall, or as part of a unit, used to support books etc. b a flat-topped recess in a wall etc. used for supporting objects. 2 a a projecting horizontal ledge in a cliff face etc. b a reef or sandbank under water. c = continental shelf. on the shelf 1 (of a woman) past the age when she might expect to be married. 2 (esp. of a retired person) no longer active or of use. shelf-life the amount of time for which a stored item of food etc. remains usable. shelf-mark a notation on a book showing its place in a library. shelf-room available space on a shelf. shelved adj. shelfful n. (pl. -fuls). shelflike adj. [ME f. (M)LG schelf, rel. to OE scylfe partition, scylf crag] n. & v. Austral. sl. --n. an informer. --v.tr. inform upon. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] shelln. & v. --n. 1 a the hard outer case of many marine molluscs (cockle shell). b the esp. hard but fragile outer covering of a bird's, reptile's, etc. egg. c the usu. hard outer case of a nut-kernel, seed, etc. d the carapace of a tortoise, turtle, etc. e the wing-case or pupa-case of many insects etc. 2 a an explosive projectile or bomb for use in a big gun or mortar. b a hollow metal or paper case used as a container for fireworks, explosives, cartridges, etc. c US a cartridge. 3 a mere semblance or outer form without substance. 4 any of several things resembling a shell in being an outer case, esp.: a a light racing-boat. b a hollow pastry case. c the metal framework of a vehicle body etc. d the walls of an unfinished or gutted building, ship, etc. e an inner or roughly-made coffin. f a building shaped like a conch. g the handguard of a sword. 5 a group of electrons with almost equal energy in an atom. --v. 1 tr. remove the shell or pod from. 2 tr. bombard (a town, troops, etc.) with shells. 3 tr. provide or cover with a shell or shells. 4 intr. (usu. foll. by off) (of metal etc.) come off in scales. 5 intr. (of a seed etc.) be released from a shell. come out of one's shell cease to be shy; become communicative. shell-bit a gouge-shaped boring bit. shell company an unimportant firm made the subject of a take-over bid because of its status on the Stock Exchange etc. shell egg an egg still in its shell, not dried etc. shell-heap (or -mound) hist. a kitchen midden. shell-jacket an army officer's tight-fitting undress jacket reaching to the waist. shell-lime fine quality lime produced by burning sea shells. shell-money shells used as a medium of exchange, e.g. wampum. shell out (also absol.) colloq. 1 pay (money). 2 hand over (a required sum). shell-out n. 1 the act of shelling out. 2 a game of snooker etc. played by three or more people. shell-pink a delicate pale pink. shell-shock a nervous breakdown resulting from exposure to battle. shell-shocked suffering from shell-shock. shell-work ornamentation consisting of shells cemented on to wood etc. shelled adj. shell-less adj. shell-like adj. shellproof adj. (in sense 2a of n.). shelly adj. [OE sc(i)ell f. Gmc: cf. SCALE] she'llcontr. she will; she shall. shellacn. & v. --n. lac resin melted into thin flakes and used for making varnish (cf. LAC). --v.tr. (shellacked, shellacking) 1 varnish with shellac. 2 US sl. defeat or thrash soundly. [SHELL + LAC, transl. F laque en cailles lac in thin plates] shellbackn. sl. an old sailor. shellfishn. 1 an aquatic shelled mollusc, e.g. an oyster, winkle, etc. 2 a crustacean, e.g. a crab, shrimp, etc. Sheltan. an ancient hybrid secret language used by Irish tinkers, gypsies, etc. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] sheltern. & v. --n. 1 anything serving as a shield or protection from danger, bad weather, etc. 2 a a place of refuge provided esp. for the homeless etc. b US an animal sanctuary. 3 a shielded condition; protection (took shelter under a tree). --v. 1 tr. act or serve as shelter to; protect; conceal; defend (sheltered them from the storm; had a sheltered upbringing). 2 intr. & refl. find refuge; take cover (sheltered under a tree; sheltered themselves behind the wall). shelter-belt a line of trees etc. planted to protect crops from the wind. shelterer n. shelterless adj. [16th c.: perh. f. obs. sheltron phalanx f. OE scieldtruma (as SHIELD, truma troop)] sheltien. (also shelty) (pl. -ies) a Shetland pony or sheepdog. [prob. repr. ON Hjalti Shetlander as pronounced in Orkney] shelvev.tr. 1 put (books etc.) on a shelf. 2 a abandon or defer (a plan etc.). b remove (a person) from active work etc. 3 fit (a cupboard etc.) with shelves. shelver n. shelving n. [shelves pl. of SHELF] v.intr. (of ground etc.) slope in a specified direction (land shelved away to the horizon). [perh. f. shelvy (adj.) having underwater reefs f. shelve (n.) ledge, f. SHELVE] shelvespl. of SHELF. shemozzlen. (also schemozzle) sl. 1 a brawl or commotion. 2 a muddle. [Yiddish after LHeb. sel-lo' -mazzal of no luck] shenanigan n. (esp. in pl.) colloq. 1 high-spirited behaviour; nonsense. 2 trickery; dubious manoeuvres. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] Sheoln. the Hebrew underworld abode of the dead. [Heb. se'l] shepherdn. & v. --n. 1 (fem. shepherdess) a person employed to tend sheep, esp. at pasture. 2 a member of the clergy etc. who cares for and guides a congregation. --v.tr. 1 a tend (sheep etc.) as a shepherd. b guide (followers etc.). 2 marshal or drive (a crowd etc.) like sheep. the Good Shepherd Christ. shepherd dog a sheepdog. shepherd's crook a staff with a hook at one end used by shepherds. shepherd's needle a white-flowered common plant, Scandix pecten-veneris, with spiny fruit. shepherd's pie a dish of minced meat under a layer of mashed potato. shepherd's plaid 1 a small black and white check pattern. 2 woollen cloth with this pattern. shepherd's purse a white-flowered hairy cornfield plant, Capsella bursa-pastoris, with triangular or cordate pods. [OE sceaphierde (as SHEEP, HERD)] sherardize v.tr. (also -ise) coat (iron or steel) with zinc by heating in contact with zinc dust. [Sherard Cowper-Coles, Engl. inventor d. 1936] Sheratonn. (often attrib.) a style of furniture introduced in England c.1790, with delicate and graceful forms. [T. Sheraton, Engl. furniture-maker d. 1806] sherbetn. 1 a a flavoured sweet effervescent powder or drink. b US a water-ice. 2 a cooling drink of sweet diluted fruit-juices esp. in Arabic countries. 3 Austral. joc. beer. [Turk. serbet, Pers. serbet f. Arab. sarba drink f. sariba to drink: cf. SHRUB, SYRUP] sherdn. = POTSHERD. [var. of SHARD] shereef(also sherif) var. of SHARIF. sheriffn. 1 Brit. a (also High Sheriff) the chief executive officer of the Crown in a county, administering justice etc. b an honorary officer elected annually in some towns. 2 US an elected officer in a county, responsible for keeping the peace. sheriff court Sc. a county court. sheriff-depute Sc. the chief judge of a county or district. sheriffalty n. (pl. -ies). sheriffdom n. sheriffhood n. sheriffship n. [OE scir-gerefa (as SHIRE, REEVE)] Sherpan. (pl. same or Sherpas) 1 a Himalayan people living on the borders of Nepal and Tibet, and skilled in mountaineering. 2 a member of this people. [native name] sherryn. (pl. -ies) 1 a fortified wine orig. from S. Spain. 2 a glass of this. sherry cobbler see COBBLER 2. sherry-glass a small wineglass used for sherry. [earlier sherris f. Sp. (vino de) Xeres (now Jerez de la Frontera) in Andalusia] she'scontr. 1 she is. 2 she has. Shetlander n. a native of the Shetland Islands, NNE of the mainland of Scotland. Shetland lace n. openwork woollen trimming. Shetland pony n. 1 a pony of a small hardy rough-coated breed. 2 this breed. Shetland sheepdog n. 1 a small dog of a collie-like breed. 2 this breed. Shetland wool n. a fine loosely twisted wool from Shetland sheep. shevavar. of SCHWA. shewarchaic var. of SHOW. shewbreadn. twelve loaves that were displayed in a Jewish temple and renewed each sabbath. Shiahn. one of the two main branches of Islam, esp. in Iran, that rejects the first three Sunni Caliphs and regards Ali as Muhammad's first successor. [Arab. si' a party (of Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law)] shiatsun. a kind of therapy of Japanese origin, in which pressure is applied with the thumbs and palms to certain points of the body. [Jap., = finger pressure] shibboleth n. a long-standing formula, doctrine, or phrase, etc., held to be true by a party or sect (must abandon outdated shibboleths). [ME f. Heb. sibbolet ear of corn, used as a test of nationality for its difficult pronunciation (Judg. 12:6)] shicern. Austral. 1 Mining an unproductive claim or mine. 2 sl. a a swindler, welsher, or cheat. b a worthless thing; a failure. [G Scheisser contemptible person] shickeradj. (also shickered) Austral. & NZ sl. drunk. [Yiddish shiker f. Heb. sikkr f. sakar be drunk] shieldn. & v. --n. 1 a esp. hist. a piece of armour of esp. metal, carried on the arm or in the hand to deflect blows from the head or body. b a thing serving to protect (insurance is a shield against disaster). 2 a thing resembling a shield, esp.: a a trophy in the form of a shield. b a protective plate or screen in machinery etc. c a shieldlike part of an animal, esp. a shell. d a similar part of a plant. e Geol. a large rigid area of the earth's crust, usu. of Precambrian rock, which has been unaffected by later orogenic episodes. f US a policeman's shield-shaped badge. 3 Heraldry a stylized representation of a shield used for displaying a coat of arms etc. --v.tr. protect or screen, esp. from blame or lawful punishment. shield fern 1 any common fern of the genus Polystichum, with shield-shaped indusia. 2 = BUCKLER 2. shieldless adj. [OE sc(i)eld f. Gmc: prob. orig. = board, rel. to SCALE] shielingn. (also shealing) Sc. 1 a roughly constructed hut orig. esp. for pastoral use. 2 pasture for cattle. [Sc. shiel hut: ME, of unkn. orig.] shiercompar. of SHY. shiestsuperl. of SHY. shiftv. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. change or move or cause to change or move from one position to another. 2 tr. remove, esp. with effort (washing won't shift the stains). 3 sl. a intr. hurry (we'll have to shift!). b tr. consume (food or drink) hastily or in bulk. c tr. sell (esp. dubious goods). 4 intr. contrive or manage as best one can. 5 US a tr. change (gear) in a vehicle. b intr. change gear. 6 intr. (of cargo) get shaken out of place. 7 intr. archaic be evasive or indirect. --n. 1 a the act or an instance of shifting. b the substitution of one thing for another; a rotation. 2 a a relay of workers (the night shift). b the time for which they work (an eight-hour shift). 3 a a device, stratagem, or expedient. b a dodge, trick, or evasion. 4 a a woman's straight unwaisted dress. b archaic a loose-fitting undergarment. 5 a displacement of spectral lines (see also red shift). 6 (also sound shift) a systematic change in pronunciation as a language evolves. 7 a key on a keyboard used to switch between lower and upper case etc. 8 Bridge a a change of suit in bidding. b US a change of suit in play. 9 the positioning of successive rows of bricks so that their ends do not coincide. 10 US a a gear lever in a motor vehicle. b a mechanism for this. make shift manage or contrive; get along somehow (made shift without it). shift for oneself rely on one's own efforts. shift one's ground take up a new position in an argument etc. shift off get rid of (responsibility etc.) to another. shiftable adj. shifter n. [OE sciftan arrange, divide, etc., f. Gmc] shiftlessadj. lacking resourcefulness; lazy; inefficient. shiftlessly adv. shiftlessness n. shiftyadj. colloq. (shiftier, shiftiest) not straightforward; evasive; deceitful. shiftily adv. shiftiness n. shigellan. any airborne bacterium of the genus Shigella, some of which cause dysentery. [mod.L f. K. Shiga, Jap. bacteriologist d. 1957 + dimin. suffix] shih-tzun. 1 a dog of a breed with long silky erect hair and short legs. 2 this breed. [Chin. shizi lion] Shiiten. & adj. --n. an adherent of the Shiah branch of Islam. --adj. of or relating to Shiah. Shiism n. shikarn. Ind. hunting. [Urdu f. Pers. sikar] shiksan. often offens. (used by Jews) a gentile girl or woman. [Yiddish shikse f. Heb. si&qdbelow.s f. sheqes detested thing + - fem. suffix] shilln. US a person employed to decoy or entice others into buying, gambling, etc. [prob. f. earlier shillaber, of unkn. orig.] shillelagh n. a thick stick of blackthorn or oak used in Ireland esp. as a weapon. [Shillelagh in Co. Wicklow, Ireland] shillingn. 1 hist. a former British coin and monetary unit worth one-twentieth of a pound or twelve pence. 2 a monetary unit in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. shilling-mark hist. = SOLIDUS. take the King's (or Queen's) shilling hist. enlist as a soldier (formerly a soldier was paid a shilling on enlisting). [OE scilling, f. Gmc] shilly-shally v., adj., & n. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) hesitate to act or choose; be undecided; vacillate. --adj. vacillating. --n. indecision; vacillation. shilly-shallyer n. (also -shallier). [orig. shill I, shall I, redupl. of shall I?] shilyvar. of SHYLY (see SHY). shimn. & v. --n. a thin strip of material used in machinery etc. to make parts fit. --v.tr. (shimmed, shimming) fit or fill up with a shim. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] shimmerv. & n. --v.intr. shine with a tremulous or faint diffused light. --n. such a light. shimmeringly adv. shimmery adj. [OE scymrian f. Gmc: cf. SHINE] shimmyn. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 hist. a kind of ragtime dance in which the whole body is shaken. 2 archaic colloq. = CHEMISE. 3 US an abnormal vibration of esp. the front wheels of a motor vehicle. --v.intr. (-ies, -ied) 1 a hist. dance a shimmy. b move in a similar manner. 2 shake or vibrate abnormally. [20th c.: orig. uncert.] shinn. & v. --n. 1 the front of the leg below the knee. 2 a cut of beef from the lower foreleg. --v.tr. & (usu. foll. by up, down) intr. (shinned, shinning) climb quickly by clinging with the arms and legs. shin-bone = TIBIA. shin-pad (or -guard) a protective pad for the shins, worn when playing football etc. [OE sinu] shindign. colloq. 1 a festive, esp. noisy, party. 2 = SHINDY 1. [prob. f. SHINDY] shindyn. (pl. -ies) colloq. 1 a brawl, disturbance, or noise (kicked up a shindy). 2 = SHINDIG 1. [perh. alt. of SHINTY] shinev. & n. --v. (past and past part. shone or shined) 1 intr. emit or reflect light; be bright; glow (the lamp was shining; his face shone with gratitude). 2 intr. (of the sun, a star, etc.) not be obscured by clouds etc.; be visible. 3 tr. cause (a lamp etc.) to shine. 4 tr. (past and past part. shined) make bright; polish (shined his shoes). 5 intr. be brilliant in some respect; excel (does not shine in conversation; is a shining example). --n. 1 light; brightness, esp. reflected. 2 a high polish; lustre. 3 US the act or an instance of shining esp. shoes. shine up to US seek to ingratiate oneself with. take the shine out of 1 spoil the brilliance or newness of. 2 throw into the shade by surpassing. take a shine to colloq. take a fancy to; like. shiningly adv. [OE scinan f. Gmc] shinern. 1 a thing that shines. 2 colloq. a black eye. 3 US any of various small silvery freshwater fish, esp. of the genus Notropis. 4 (usu. in pl.) sl. a archaic money. b a jewel. shinglen. (in sing. or pl.) small rounded pebbles, esp. on a sea-shore. shingly adj. [16th c.: orig. uncert.] n. & v. --n. 1 a rectangular wooden tile used on roofs, spires, or esp. walls. 2 archaic a shingled hair. b the act of shingling hair. 3 US a small signboard, esp. of a doctor, lawyer, etc. --v.tr. 1 roof or clad with shingles. 2 archaic a cut (a woman's hair) very short. b cut the hair of (a person or head) in this way. [ME app. f. L scindula, earlier scandula] shinglesn.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) an acute painful viral inflammation of the nerve ganglia, with a skin eruption often forming a girdle around the middle of the body. [ME f. med.L cingulus f. L cingulum girdle f. cingere gird] shinnyv.intr. (-ies, -ied) (usu. foll. by up, down) US colloq. shin (up or down a tree etc.). Shinton. the official religion of Japan incorporating the worship of ancestors and nature-spirits. Shintoism n. Shintoist n. [Jap. f. Chin. shen dao way of the gods] shintyn. (pl. -ies) Brit. 1 a game like hockey played with a ball and curved sticks, and taller goalposts. 2 a stick or ball used in shinty. [earlier shinny, app. f. the cry used in the game shin ye, shin you, shin t' ye, of unkn. orig.] shinyadj. (shinier, shiniest) 1 having a shine; glistening; polished; bright. 2 (of clothing, esp. the seat of trousers etc.) having the nap worn off. shinily adv. shininess n. [SHINE] shipn. & v. --n. 1 a any large seagoing vessel (cf. BOAT). b a sailing-vessel with a bowsprit and three, four, or five square-rigged masts. 2 US an aircraft. 3 a spaceship. 4 colloq. a boat, esp. a racing-boat. --v. (shipped, shipping) 1 tr. put, take, or send away (goods, passengers, sailors, etc.) on board ship. 2 tr. a take in (water) over the side of a ship, boat, etc. b take (oars) from the rowlocks and lay them inside a boat. c fix (a rudder etc.) in its place on a ship etc. d step (a mast). 3 intr. a take ship; embark. b (of a sailor) take service on a ship (shipped for Africa). 4 tr. deliver (goods) to a forwarding agent for conveyance. ship-breaker a contractor who breaks up old ships. ship-broker an agent in shipping goods and insuring ships. ship burial Archaeol. burial in a wooden ship under a mound. ship-canal a canal large enough for ships to pass inland. ship (or ship's) chandler see CHANDLER. ship-fever typhus. ship-money hist. a tax raised to provide ships for the navy in the 17th c. ship of the desert the camel. ship off 1 send or transport by ship. 2 colloq. send (a person) away. ship of the line hist. a large battleship fighting in the front line of battle. ship-rigged square-rigged. ship's articles the terms on which seamen take service on a ship. ship's biscuit hist. a hard coarse kind of biscuit kept and eaten on board ship. ship's boat a small boat carried on board a ship. ship's company a ship's crew. ship's ship's husband an agent appointed by the owners to see to the provisioning of a ship in port. ship's papers documents establishing the ownership, nationality, nature of the cargo, etc., of a ship. take ship embark. when a person's ship comes home (or in) when a person's fortune is made. shipless adj. shippable adj. [OE scip, scipian f. Gmc] -shipsuffix forming nouns denoting: 1 a quality or condition (friendship; hardship). 2 status, office, or honour (authorship; lordship). 3 a tenure of office (chairmanship). 4 a skill in a certain capacity (workmanship). 5 the collective individuals of a group (membership). [OE -scipe etc. f. Gmc] shipboardn. (usu. attrib.) used or occurring on board a ship (a shipboard romance). on shipboard on board ship. shipbuilder n. a person, company, etc., that constructs ships. shipbuilding n. shiplapv. & n. --v.tr. fit (boards) together for cladding etc. so that each overlaps the one below. --n. such cladding. shiploadn. a quantity of goods forming a cargo. shipmaster n. a ship's captain. shipmaten. a fellow member of a ship's crew. shipmentn. 1 an amount of goods shipped; a consignment. 2 the act or an instance of shipping goods etc. shipownern. a person owning a ship or ships or shares in ships. shippern. a person or company that sends or receives goods by ship, or US by land or air. [OE scipere (as SHIP)] shippingn. 1 the act or an instance of shipping goods etc. 2 ships, esp. the ships of a country, port, etc. shipping-agent a person acting for a ship or ships at a port etc. shipping-articles = ship's articles. shipping-bill Brit. a manifest of goods shipped. shipping-master Brit. an official presiding at the signing of ship's articles, paying off of seamen, etc. shipping-office the office of a shipping-agent or -master. shipshapeadv. & predic.adj. in good order; trim and neat. shipwayn. a slope on which a ship is built and down which it slides to be launched. shipwormn. = TEREDO. shipwreckn. & v. --n. 1 a the destruction of a ship by a storm, foundering, etc. b a ship so destroyed. 2 (often foll. by of) the destruction of hopes, dreams, etc. --v. 1 tr. inflict shipwreck on (a ship, a person's hopes, etc.). 2 intr. suffer shipwreck. shipwright n. 1 a shipbuilder. 2 a ship's carpenter. shipyardn. a place where ships are built, repaired, etc. shiraleen. Austral. a tramp's swag or bundle. [20th c.: orig. unkn.] shiren. Brit. 1 a county. 2 (the Shires) a a group of English counties with names ending or formerly ending in -shire, extending NE from Hampshire and Devon. b the midland counties of England. c the fox-hunting district of mainly Leicestershire and Northants. 3 Austral. a rural area with its own elected council. shire-horse a heavy powerful type of draught-horse bred chiefly in the midland counties of England. [OE scir, OHG scira care, official charge: orig. unkn.] -shiresuffix forming the names of counties (Derbyshire; Hampshire). shirkv. & n. --v.tr. (also absol.) shrink from; avoid; get out of (duty, work, responsibility, fighting, etc.). --n. a person who shirks. shirker n. [obs. shirk (n.) sponger, perh. f. G Schurke scoundrel] shirrn. & v. --n. 1 two or more rows of esp. elastic gathered threads in a garment etc. forming smocking. 2 elastic webbing. --v.tr. 1 gather (material) with parallel threads. 2 US bake (eggs) without shells. shirring n. [19th c.: orig. unkn.] shirtn. 1 a man's upper-body garment of cotton etc., having a collar, sleeves, and esp. buttons down the front, and often worn under a jacket or sweater. 2 a similar garment worn by a woman; a blouse. 3 = NIGHTSHIRT. keep one's shirt on colloq. keep one's temper. put one's shirt on colloq. bet all one has on; be sure of. shirt blouse = sense 2 of n. shirt-dress = SHIRTWAISTER. shirt-front the breast of a shirt, esp. of a stiffened evening shirt. the shirt off one's back colloq. one's last remaining possessions. shirt-tail the lower curved part of a shirt below the waist. shirted adj. shirting n. shirtless adj. [OE scyrte, corresp. to ON skyrta (cf. SKIRT) f. Gmc: cf. SHORT] shirtsleeve n. (usu. in pl.) the sleeve of a shirt. in shirtsleeves wearing a shirt with no jacket etc. over it. shirtwaist n. esp. US a woman's blouse resembling a shirt. shirtwaister n. US a woman's dress with a bodice like a shirt. [SHIRT, WAIST] shirtyadj. (shirtier, shirtiest) colloq. angry; annoyed. shirtily adv. shirtiness n. shish kebab n. a dish of pieces of marinated meat and vegetables cooked and served on skewers. [Turk. sis kebabi f. sis skewer, KEBAB roast meat] shitv., n., & int. coarse sl. Usually considered a taboo word. --v. (shitting; past and past part. shitted or shit) intr. & tr. expel faeces from the body or cause (faeces etc.) to be expelled. --n. 1 faeces. 2 an act of defecating. 3 a contemptible or worthless person or thing. 4 nonsense. 5 an intoxicating drug, esp. cannabis. --int. an exclamation of disgust, anger, etc. [OE scitan (unrecorded) f. Gmc] shittyadj. (shittier, shittiest) coarse sl. 1 disgusting, contemptible. 2 covered with excrement. Shivavar. of SIVA. shivareeesp. US var. of CHARIVARI. shiverv. & n. --v.intr. 1 tremble with cold, fear, etc. 2 suffer a quick trembling movement of the body; shudder. --n. 1 a momentary shivering movement. 2 (in pl.) an attack of shivering, esp. from fear or horror (got the shivers in the dark). shiverer n. shiveringly adv. shivery adj. [ME chivere, perh. f. chavele chatter (as JOWL)] n. & v. --n. (esp. in pl.) each of the small pieces into which esp. glass is shattered when broken; a splinter. --v.tr. & intr. break into shivers. shiver my timbers a reputed piratical curse. [ME scifre, rel. to OHG scivaro splinter f. Gmc] shivoon. Austral. colloq. a party or celebration. shoaln. & v. --n. 1 a great number of fish swimming together (cf. SCHOOL). 2 a multitude; a crowd (shoals of letters). --v.intr. (of fish) form shoals. [prob. re-adoption of MDu. schole SCHOOL] n., v., & adj. --n. 1 a an area of shallow water. b a submerged sandbank visible at low water. 2 (esp. in pl.) hidden danger or difficulty. --v. 1 intr. (of water) get shallower. 2 tr. (of a ship etc.) move into a shallower part of (water). --adj. archaic (of water) shallow. shoaly adj. [OE sceald f. Gmc, rel. to SHALLOW] shoatn. US a young pig, esp. newly weaned. [ME: cf. W.Flem. schote] shockn. & v. --n. 1 a violent collision, impact, tremor, etc. 2 a sudden and disturbing effect on the emotions, physical reactions, etc. (the news was a great shock). 3 an acute state of prostration following a wound, pain, etc., esp. when much blood is lost (died of shock). 4 = electric shock. 5 a disturbance in stability causing fluctuations in an organization, monetary system, etc. --v. 1 tr. a affect with shock; horrify; outrage; disgust; sadden. b (absol.) cause shock. 2 tr. (esp. in passive) affect with an electric or pathological shock. 3 intr. experience shock (I don't shock easily). 4 intr. archaic collide violently. shock absorber a device on a vehicle etc. for absorbing shocks, vibrations, etc. shock-brigade (or -workers) a body of esp. voluntary workers in the USSR engaged in an especially arduous task. shock stall excessive strain produced by air resistance on an aircraft approaching the speed of sound. shock tactics 1 sudden and violent action. 2 Mil. a massed cavalry charge. shock therapy (or treatment) Psychol. a method of treating depressive patients by electric shock or drugs inducing coma and convulsions. shock troops troops specially trained for assault. shock wave a sharp change of pressure in a narrow region travelling through air etc. caused by explosion or by a body moving faster than sound. shockable adj. shockability n. [F choc, choquer, of unkn. orig.] n. & v. --n. a group of usu. twelve corn-sheaves stood up with their heads together in a field. --v.tr. arrange (corn) in shocks. [ME, perh. repr. OE sc(e)oc (unrecorded)] n. an unkempt or shaggy mass of hair. [cf. obs. shock(-dog), earlier shough, shaggy-haired poodle] shockern. colloq. 1 a shocking, horrifying, unacceptable, etc. person or thing. 2 hist. a sordid or sensational novel etc. 3 a shock absorber. shockingadj. & adv. --adj. 1 causing indignation or disgust. 2 colloq. very bad (shocking weather). --adv. colloq. shockingly (shocking bad manners). shocking pink a vibrant shade of pink. shockingly adv. shockingness n. shockproof adj. resistant to the effects of (esp. physical) shock. shodpast and past part. of SHOE. shoddyadj. & n. --adj. (shoddier, shoddiest) 1 trashy; shabby; poorly made. 2 counterfeit. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a an inferior cloth made partly from the shredded fibre of old woollen cloth. b such fibre. 2 any thing of shoddy quality. shoddily adv. shoddiness n. [19th c.: orig. dial.] shoen. & v. --n. 1 either of a pair of protective foot-coverings of leather, plastic, etc., having a sturdy sole and, in Britain, not reaching above the ankle. 2 a metal rim nailed to the hoof of a horse etc.; a horseshoe. 3 anything resembling a shoe in shape or use, esp.: a a drag for a wheel. b = brake shoe (see BRAKE). c a socket. d a ferrule, esp. on a sledge-runner. e a mast-step. f a box from which cards are dealt in casinos at baccarat etc. --v.tr. (shoes, shoeing; past and past part. shod) 1 fit (esp. a horse etc.) with a shoe or shoes. 2 protect (the end of a pole etc.) with a metal shoe. 3 (as shod adj.) (in comb.) having shoes etc. of a specified kind (dry-shod; roughshod). be in a person's shoes be in his or her situation, difficulty, etc. dead men's shoes property or a position etc. coveted by a prospective successor. if the shoe fits US = if the cap fits (see CAP). shoe-bill an African stork-like bird, Balaeniceps rex, with a large flattened bill for catching aquatic prey. shoe-buckle a buckle worn as ornament or as a fastening on a shoe. shoe-leather leather for shoes, esp. when worn through by walking. shoe-tree a shaped block for keeping a shoe in shape when not worn. where the shoe pinches where one's difficulty or trouble is. shoeless adj. [OE scoh, scog(e)an f. Gmc] shoeblackn. a person who cleans the shoes of passers-by for payment. shoeboxn. 1 a box for packing shoes. 2 a very small space or dwelling. shoehornn. a curved piece of horn, metal, etc., for easing the heel into a shoe. shoelacen. a cord for lacing up shoes. shoemakern. a maker of boots and shoes. shoemaking n. shoeshinen. esp. US a polish given to shoes. shoestring n. 1 a shoelace. 2 colloq. a small esp. inadequate amount of money (living on a shoestring). 3 (attrib.) barely adequate; precarious (a shoestring majority). shofarn. (pl. shofroth) a ram's-horn trumpet used by Jews in religious ceremonies and as an ancient battle-signal. [Heb. spar, pl. spart] shogunn. hist. any of a succession of Japanese hereditary Commanders-in-Chief and virtual rulers before 1868. shogunate n. [Jap., = general, f. Chin. jiang jun] shonepast and past part. of SHINE. shonkyadj. (shonkier, shonkiest) Austral. sl. unreliable, dishonest. [perh. E dial. shonk smart] shooint. & v. --int. an exclamation used to frighten away birds, children, etc. --v. (shoos, shooed) 1 intr. utter the word 'shoo!'. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by away) drive (birds etc.) away by shooing. shoo-in US something easy or certain to succeed. [imit.] shookpast of SHAKE. --predic.adj. colloq. 1 (foll. by up) emotionally or physically disturbed; upset. 2 (foll. by on) Austral. & NZ keen on; enthusiastic about (not too shook on the English climate). n. US a set of staves and headings for a cask, ready for fitting together. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] shootv., n., & int. --v. (past and past part. shot) 1 tr. a cause (a gun, bow, etc.) to fire. b discharge (a bullet, arrow, etc.) from a gun, bow, etc. c kill or wound (a person, animal, etc.) with a bullet, arrow, etc. from a gun, bow, etc. 2 intr. discharge a gun etc. esp. in a specified way (shoots well). 3 tr. send out, discharge, propel, etc., esp. violently or swiftly (shot out the contents; shot a glance at his neighbour). 4 intr. (often foll. by out, along, forth, etc.) come or go swiftly or vigorously. 5 intr. a (of a plant etc.) put forth buds etc. b (of a bud etc.) appear. 6 intr. a hunt game etc. with a gun. b (usu. foll. by over) shoot game over an estate etc. 7 tr. shoot game in or on (coverts, an estate, etc.). 8 tr. film or photograph (a scene, film, etc.). 9 tr. (also absol.) esp. Football a score (a goal). b take a shot at (the goal). 10 tr. (of a boat) sweep swiftly down or under (a bridge, rapids, falls, etc.). 11 tr. move (a door-bolt) to fasten or unfasten a door etc. 12 tr. let (rubbish, a load, etc.) fall or slide from a container, lorry, etc. 13 intr. a (usu. foll. by through, up, etc.) (of a pain) pass with a stabbing sensation. b (of part of the body) be intermittently painful. 14 intr. (often foll. by out) project abruptly (the mountain shoots out against the sky). 15 tr. (often foll. by up) sl. inject esp. oneself with (a drug). 16 tr. US colloq. a play a game of (craps, pool, etc.). b throw (a die or dice). 17 tr. Golf colloq. make (a specified score) for a round or hole. 18 tr. colloq. pass (traffic-lights at red). 19 tr. plane (the edge of a board) accurately. 20 intr. Cricket (of a ball) dart along the ground after pitching. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shooting. 2 a a young branch or sucker. b the new growth of a plant. 3 Brit. a a hunting party, expedition, etc. b land shot over for game. 4 = CHUTE. 5 a rapid in a stream. --int. colloq. 1 a demand for a reply, information, etc. 2 US euphem. an exclamation of disgust, anger, etc. (see SHIT). shoot ahead come quickly to the front of competitors etc. shoot one's bolt see BOLT. shoot down 1 kill (a person) by shooting. 2 cause (an aircraft, its pilot, etc.) to crash by shooting. 3 argue effectively against (a person, argument, etc.). shoot it out sl. engage in a decisive gun-battle. shoot a line sl. talk pretentiously. shoot one's mouth off sl. talk too much or indiscreetly. shoot-out colloq. a decisive gun battle. shoot through Austral. & NZ sl. depart; escape, abscond. shoot up 1 grow rapidly, esp. (of a person) grow taller. 2 rise suddenly. 3 terrorize (a district) by indiscriminate shooting. 4 sl. = sense 15 of v. the whole shoot = the whole shooting match (see SHOOTING). shootable adj. [OE sceotan f. Gmc: cf. SHEET, SHOT, SHUT] shootern. 1 a person or thing that shoots. 2 a (in comb.) a gun or other device for shooting (peashooter; six-shooter). b sl. a pistol etc. 3 a player who shoots or is able to shoot a goal in football, netball, etc. 4 Cricket a ball that shoots. 5 a person who throws a die or dice. shootingn. & adj. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shooting. 2 a the right of shooting over an area of land. b an estate etc. rented to shoot over. --adj. moving, growing, etc. quickly (a shooting pain in the arm). shooting-box Brit. a lodge used by sportsmen in the shooting-season. shooting-brake (or -break) Brit. an estate car. shooting-coat (or -jacket) a coat designed to be worn when shooting game. shooting-gallery a place used for shooting at targets with rifles etc. shooting-iron esp. US colloq. a firearm. shooting-range a ground with butts for rifle practice. shooting star a small meteor moving rapidly and burning up on entering the earth's atmosphere. shooting-stick a walking-stick with a foldable seat. shooting war a war in which there is shooting (opp. cold war, war of nerves etc.). the whole shooting match colloq. everything. shopn. & v. --n. 1 a building, room, etc., for the retail sale of goods or services (chemist's shop; betting-shop). 2 a place in which manufacture or repairing is done; a workshop (engineering-shop). 3 a profession, trade, business, etc., esp. as a subject of conversation (talk shop). 4 colloq. an institution, establishment, place of business, etc. --v. (shopped, shopping) 1 intr. a go to a shop or shops to buy goods. b US = window-shop. 2 tr. esp. Brit. sl. inform against (a criminal etc.). all over the shop colloq. 1 in disorder (scattered all over the shop). 2 in every place (looked for it all over the shop). 3 wildly (hitting out all over the shop). set up shop establish oneself in business etc. shop around look for the best bargain. shop assistant Brit. a person who serves customers in a shop. shop-boy (or -girl) an assistant in a shop. shop-floor workers in a factory etc. as distinct from management. shop-soiled 1 (of an article) soiled or faded by display in a shop. 2 (of a person, idea, etc.) grubby; tarnished; no longer fresh or new. shop steward a person elected by workers in a factory etc. to represent them in dealings with management. shop-window 1 a display window in a shop. 2 an opportunity for displaying skills, talents, etc. shop-worn = shop-soiled. shopless adj. shoppy adj. [ME f. AF & OF eschoppe booth f. MLG schoppe, OHG scopf porch] shopkeeper n. the owner and manager of a shop. shopkeeping n. shoplifter n. a person who steals goods while appearing to shop. shoplifting n. shopmann. (pl. -men) 1 Brit. a shopkeeper or shopkeeper's assistant. 2 a workman in a repair shop. shoppern. 1 a person who makes purchases in a shop. 2 a shopping bag or trolley. 3 sl. an informer. shoppingn. 1 (often attrib.) the purchase of goods etc. (shopping expedition). 2 goods purchased (put the shopping on the table). shopping centre an area or complex of shops, with associated facilities. shopwalker n. Brit. an attendant in a large shop who directs customers, supervises assistants, etc. shorann. a system of aircraft navigation using the return of two radar signals by two ground stations. [short range navigation] shoren. 1 the land that adjoins the sea or a large body of water. 2 (usu. in pl.) a country; a sea-coast (often visits these shores; on a distant shore). 3 Law land between ordinary high and low water marks. in shore on the water near or nearer to the shore (cf. INSHORE). on shore ashore. shore-based operating from a base on shore. shore leave Naut. 1 permission to go ashore. 2 a period of time ashore. shoreless adj. shoreward adj. & adv. shorewards adv. [ME f. MDu., MLG schore, perh. f. the root of SHEAR] v. & n. --v.tr. (often foll. by up) support with or as if with a shore or shores; hold up. --n. a prop or beam set obliquely against a ship, wall, tree, etc., as a support. shoring n. [ME f. MDu., MLG schore prop, of unkn. orig.] see SHEAR. shoreweedn. a stoloniferous plant, Littorella uniflora, growing in shallow water. shornpast part. of SHEAR. shortadj., adv., n., & v. --adj. 1 a measuring little; not long from end to end (a short distance). b not long in duration; brief (a short time ago; had a short life). c seeming less than the stated amount (a few short years of happiness). 2 of small height; not tall (a short square tower; was shorter than average). 3 a (usu. foll. by of, on) having a partial or total lack; deficient; scanty (short of spoons; is rather short on sense). b not far-reaching; acting or being near at hand (within short range). 4 a concise; brief (kept his speech short). b curt; uncivil (was short with her). 5 (of the memory) unable to remember distant events. 6 Phonet. & Prosody of a vowel or syllable: a having the lesser of the two recognized durations. b unstressed. c (of an English vowel) having a sound other than that called long (cf. LONG adj. 8). 7 a (of pastry) crumbling; not holding together. b (of clay) having poor plasticity. 8 esp. Stock Exch. a (of stocks, a stockbroker, crops, etc.) sold or selling when the amount is not in hand, with reliance on getting the deficit in time for delivery. b (of a bill of exchange) maturing at an early date. 9 Cricket a (of a ball) pitching relatively near the bowler. b (of a fielder or his position) relatively near the batsman. 10 (of a drink of spirits) undiluted. --adv. 1 before the natural or expected time or place; abruptly (pulled up short; cut short the celebrations). 2 rudely; uncivilly (spoke to him short). --n. 1 colloq. a short drink, esp. spirits. 2 a short circuit. 3 a short film. 4 Stock Exch. a a person who sells short. b (in pl.) short-dated stocks. 5 Phonet. a a short syllable or vowel. b a mark indicating that a vowel is short. 6 (in pl.) a mixture of bran and coarse flour. --v.tr. & intr. short-circuit. be caught (or taken) short 1 be put at a disadvantage. 2 colloq. urgently need to urinate or defecate. bring up (or pull up) short check or pause abruptly. come short be inadequate or disappointing. come short of fail to reach or amount to. for short as a short name (Tom for short). get (or have) by the short hairs colloq. be in complete control of (a person). go short (often foll. by of) not have enough. in short to use few words; briefly. in short order US immediately. in the short run over a short period of time. in short supply scarce. in the short term = in the short run. make short work of accomplish, dispose of, destroy, consume, etc. quickly. short and sweet esp. iron. brief and pleasant. short-arm (of a blow etc.) delivered with the arm not fully extended. short back and sides a haircut in which the hair is cut short at the back and the sides. short change insufficient money given as change. short-change v.tr. rob or cheat by giving short change. short circuit an electric circuit through small resistance, esp. instead of the resistance of a normal circuit. short-circuit 1 cause a short circuit or a short circuit in. 2 shorten or avoid (a journey, work, etc.) by taking a more direct route etc. short commons insufficient food. short cut 1 a route shortening the distance travelled. 2 a quick way of accomplishing something. short date an early date for the maturing of a bill etc. short-dated due for early payment or redemption. short-day (of a plant) needing the period of light each day to fall below some limit to cause flowering. short division Math. division in which the quotient is written directly without being worked out in writing. short drink a strong alcoholic drink served in small measures. short-eared owl an owl, Asio flammeus, frequenting open country and hunting at dawn or dusk. short for an abbreviation for ('Bob' is short for 'Robert'). short fuse a quick temper. short game Golf approaching and putting. short-handed undermanned or understaffed. short haul 1 the transport of goods over a short distance. 2 a short-term effort. short head Racing a distance less than the length of a horse's head. short-head v.tr. beat by a short head. short hundredweight see HUNDREDWEIGHT. short list Brit. a list of selected candidates from which a final choice is made. short-list v.tr. Brit. put on a short list. short-lived ephemeral; not long-lasting. short mark = BREVE 2. short measure less than the professed amount. short metre Prosody a hymn stanza of four lines with 6, 6, 8, and 6 syllables. short notice an insufficient length of warning time. short odds nearly equal stakes or chances in betting. short of 1 see sense 3a of adj. 2 less than (nothing short of a miracle). 3 distant from (two miles short of home). 4 without going so far as; except (did everything short of destroying it). short of breath panting, short-winded. short on colloq. see sense 3a of adj. short order US an order in a restaurant for quickly cooked food. short-pitched Cricket (of a ball) pitching relatively near the bowler. short-range 1 having a short range. 2 relating to a fairly immediate future time (short-range possibilities). short rib = floating rib. short score Mus. a score not giving all parts. short shrift curt or dismissive treatment. short sight the inability to focus except on comparatively near objects. short-sleeved with sleeves not reaching below the elbow. short-staffed having insufficient staff. short story a story with a fully developed theme but shorter than a novel. short suit a suit of less than four cards. short temper self-control soon or easily lost. short-term occurring in or relating to a short period of time. short time the condition of working fewer than the regular hours per day or days per week. short title an abbreviated form of a title of a book etc. short ton see TON. short view a consideration of the present only, not the future. short waist 1 a high or shallow waist of a dress. 2 a short upper body. short wave a radio wave of frequency greater than 3 MHz. short weight weight less than it is alleged to be. short whist whist with ten or five points to a game. short wind quickly exhausted breathing-power. short-winded 1 having short wind. 2 incapable of sustained effort. shortish adj. shortness n. [OE sceort f. Gmc: cf. SHIRT, SKIRT] shortagen. (often foll. by of) a deficiency; an amount lacking (a shortage of 100 tons). shortbread n. a crisp rich crumbly type of biscuit made with butter, flour, and sugar. shortcaken. 1 = SHORTBREAD. 2 a cake made of short pastry and filled with fruit and cream. shortcoming n. failure to come up to a standard; a defect. shortcrust n. (in full shortcrust pastry) a type of crumbly pastry made with flour and fat. shortenv. 1 intr. & tr. become or make shorter or short; curtail. 2 tr. Naut. reduce the amount of (sail spread). 3 intr. & tr. (with reference to gambling odds, prices, etc.) become or make shorter; decrease. shortening n. fat used for making pastry, esp. for making short pastry. shortfalln. a deficit below what was expected. shorthandn. 1 (often attrib.) a method of rapid writing in abbreviations and symbols esp. for taking dictation. 2 an abbreviated or symbolic mode of expression. shorthand typist Brit. a typist qualified to take and transcribe shorthand. shorthornn. 1 an animal of a breed of cattle with short horns. 2 this breed. shortievar. of SHORTY. shortlyadv. 1 (often foll. by before, after) before long; soon (will arrive shortly; arrived shortly after him). 2 in a few words; briefly. 3 curtly. [OE scortlice (as SHORT, -LY)] shortsn.pl. 1 trousers reaching only to the knees or higher. 2 US underpants. short-sighted adj. 1 having short sight. 2 lacking imagination or foresight. short-sightedly adv. short-sightedness n. shortstopn. a baseball fielder near second base. shortyn. (also shortie) (pl. -ies) colloq. 1 a person shorter than average. 2 a short garment, esp. a nightdress or raincoat. shotn. 1 the act or an instance of firing a gun, cannon, etc. (several shots were heard). 2 an attempt to hit by shooting or throwing etc. (took a shot at him). 3 a a single non-explosive missile for a cannon, gun, etc. b (pl. same or shots) a small lead pellet used in quantity in a single charge or cartridge in a shotgun. c (as pl.) these collectively. 4 a a photograph. b a film sequence photographed continuously by one camera. 5 a a stroke or a kick in a ball game. b colloq. an attempt to guess or do something (let him have a shot at it). 6 colloq. a person having a specified skill with a gun etc. (is not a good shot). 7 a heavy ball thrown by a shot-putter. 8 the launch of a space rocket (a moonshot). 9 the range, reach, or distance to or at which a thing will carry or act (out of earshot). 10 a remark aimed at a person. 11 colloq. a a drink of esp. spirits. b an injection of a drug, vaccine, etc. (has had his shots). like a shot colloq. without hesitation; willingly. make a bad shot guess wrong. not a shot in one's (or the) locker 1 no money left. 2 not a chance left. shot-blasting the cleaning of metal etc. by the impact of a stream of shot. shot-firer a person who fires a blasting-charge in a mine etc. shot in the arm colloq. 1 stimulus or encouragement. 2 an alcoholic drink. shot in the dark a mere guess. shot-put an athletic contest in which a shot is thrown a great distance. shot-putter an athlete who puts the shot. shot-tower hist. a tower in which shot was made from molten lead poured through sieves at the top and falling into water at the bottom. shotproof adj. [OE sc(e)ot, gesc(e)ot f. Gmc: cf. SHOOT] past and past part. of SHOOT. --adj. 1 (of coloured material) woven so as to show different colours at different angles. 2 colloq. a exhausted; finished. b drunk. 3 (of a board-edge) accurately planed. be (or get) shot of sl. be (or get) rid of. shot through permeated or suffused. [past part. of SHOOT] n. colloq. a reckoning, a bill, esp. at an inn etc. (paid his shot). [ME, = SHOT: cf. OE sceotan shoot, pay, contribute, and SCOT] shotgunn. a smooth-bore gun for firing small shot at short range. shotgun marriage (or wedding) colloq. an enforced or hurried wedding, esp. because of the bride's pregnancy. shotten herring n. 1 a herring that has spawned. 2 archaic a weakened or dispirited person. [ME, archaic past part. of SHOOT] shouldv.aux. (3rd sing. should) past of SHALL, used esp.: 1 in reported speech, esp. with the reported element in the 1st person (I said I should be home by evening). Cf. WILL, WOULD, now more common in this sense, esp. to avoid implications of sense 2. 2 a to express a duty, obligation, or likelihood; = OUGHT (I should tell you; you should have been more careful; they should have arrived by now). b (in the 1st person) to express a tentative suggestion (I should like to say something). 3 a expressing the conditional mood in the 1st person (cf. WOULD) (I should have been killed if I had gone). b forming a conditional protasis or indefinite clause (if you should see him; should they arrive, tell them where to go). 4 expressing purpose = MAY, MIGHT (in order that we should not worry). shouldern. & v. --n. 1 a the part of the body at which the arm, foreleg, or wing is attached. b (in full shoulder joint) the end of the upper arm joining with the collar-bone and blade-bone. c either of the two projections below the neck from which the arms depend. 2 the upper foreleg and shoulder blade of a pig, lamb, etc. when butchered. 3 (in pl.) a the upper part of the back and arms. b this part of the body regarded as capable of bearing a burden or blame, providing comfort, etc. (needs a shoulder to cry on). 4 a strip of land next to a metalled road (pulled over on to the shoulder). 5 a part of a garment covering the shoulder. 6 a part of anything resembling a shoulder in form or function, as in a bottle, mountain, tool, etc. --v. 1 a tr. push with the shoulder; jostle. b intr. make one's way by jostling (shouldered through the crowd). 2 tr. take (a burden etc.) on one's shoulders (shouldered the family's problems). put (or set) one's shoulder to the wheel make an effort. shoulder arms hold a rifle with the barrel against the shoulder and the butt in the hand. shoulder-bag a woman's handbag that can be hung from the shoulder. shoulder-belt a bandolier or other strap passing over one shoulder and under the opposite arm. shoulder-blade Anat. either of the large flat bones of the upper back; the scapula. shoulder-high up to or as high as the shoulders. shoulder-holster a gun holster worn in the armpit. shoulder-knot a knot of ribbon, metal, lace, etc. worn as part of a ceremonial dress. shoulder-length (of hair etc.) reaching to the shoulders. shoulder loop US the shoulder-strap of an army, air-force, or marines officer. shoulder mark US the shoulder-strap of a naval officer. shoulder-note Printing a marginal note at the top of a page. shoulder-of-mutton sail = leg-of-mutton sail. shoulder-pad a pad sewn into a garment to bulk out the shoulder. shoulder-strap 1 a strip of fabric, leather, etc. suspending a bag or garment from the shoulder. 2 a strip of cloth from shoulder to collar on a military uniform bearing a symbol of rank etc. 3 a similar strip on a raincoat. shoulder to shoulder 1 side by side. 2 with closed ranks or united effort. shouldered adj. (also in comb.). [OE sculdor f. WG] shouldn'tcontr. should not. shoutv. & n. --v. 1 intr. make a loud cry or vocal sound; speak loudly (shouted for attention). 2 tr. say or express loudly; call out (shouted that the coast was clear). 3 tr. (also absol.) Austral. & NZ colloq. treat (another person) to drinks etc. --n. 1 a loud cry expressing joy etc. or calling attention. 2 colloq. one's turn to order a round of drinks etc. (your shout I think). all over bar (or but) the shouting colloq. the contest is virtually decided. shout at speak loudly to etc. shout down reduce to silence by shouting. shout for call for by shouting. shout-up colloq. a noisy argument. shouter n. [ME, perh. rel. to SHOOT: cf. ON skta SCOUT] shovev. & n. --v. 1 tr. (also absol.) push vigorously; move by hard or rough pushing (shoved him out of the way). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by along, past, through, etc.) make one's way by pushing (shoved through the crowd). 3 tr. colloq. put somewhere (shoved it in the drawer). --n. an act of shoving or of prompting a person into action. shove-halfpenny a form of shovelboard played with coins etc. on a table esp. in licensed premises. shove off 1 start from the shore in a boat. 2 sl. depart; go away (told him to shove off). [OE scufan f. Gmc] shoveln. & v. --n. 1 a a spadelike tool for shifting quantities of coal, earth, etc., esp. having the sides curved upwards. b the amount contained in a shovel; a shovelful. 2 a machine or part of a machine having a similar form or function. --v.tr. (shovelled, shovelling; US shoveled, shoveling) 1 shift or clear (coal etc.) with or as if with a shovel. 2 colloq. move (esp. food) in large quantities or roughly (shovelled peas into his mouth). shovel hat a broad-brimmed hat esp. worn by some clergymen. shovelful n. (pl. -fuls). [OE scofl f. Gmc (see SHOVE)] shovelboard n. a game played esp. on a ship's deck by pushing discs with the hand or with a long-handled shovel over a marked surface. [earlier shoveboard f. SHOVE + BOARD] shovelhead n. a shark, Sphyrna tiburo, like the hammerhead but smaller. Also called BONNETHEAD. shovellern. (also shoveler) 1 a person or thing that shovels. 2 a duck, Anas clypeata, with a broad shovel-like beak. [SHOVEL: sense 2 earlier shovelard f. -ARD, perh. after mallard] showv. & n. --v. (past part. shown or showed) 1 intr. & tr. be, or allow or cause to be, visible; manifest; appear (the buds are beginning to show; white shows the dirt). 2 tr. (often foll. by to) offer, exhibit, or produce (a thing) for scrutiny etc. (show your tickets please; showed him my poems). 3 tr. a indicate (one's feelings) by one's behaviour etc. (showed mercy to him). b indicate (one's feelings to a person etc.) (showed him particular favour). 4 intr. (of feelings etc.) be manifest (his dislike shows). 5 tr. a demonstrate; point out; prove (has shown it to be false; showed that he knew the answer). b (usu. foll. by how to + infin.) cause (a person) to understand or be capable of doing (showed them how to knit). 6 tr. (refl.) exhibit oneself as being (showed herself to be fair). 7 tr. & intr. (with ref. to a film) be presented or cause to be presented. 8 tr. exhibit (a picture, animal, flower, etc.) in a show. 9 tr. (often foll. by in, out, up, etc.) conduct or lead (showed them to their rooms). 10 intr. = show up 3 (waited but he didn't show). 11 intr. US finish in the first three in a race. --n. 1 the act or an instance of showing; the state of being shown. 2 a a spectacle, display, exhibition, etc. (a fine show of blossom). b a collection of things etc. shown for public entertainment or in competition (dog show; flower show). 3 a a play etc., esp. a musical. b a light entertainment programme on television etc. c any public entertainment or performance. 4 a an outward appearance, semblance, or display (made a show of agreeing; a show of strength). b empty appearance; mere display (did it for show; that's all show). 5 colloq. an undertaking, business, etc. (sold the whole show). 6 colloq. an opportunity of acting, defending oneself, etc. (gave him a fair show; made a good show of it). 7 Med. a discharge of blood etc. from the vagina at the onset of childbirth. give the show (or whole show) away demonstrate the inadequacies or reveal the truth. good (or bad or poor) show! colloq. 1 that was well (or badly) done. 2 that was lucky (or unlucky). nothing to show for no visible result of (effort etc.). on show being exhibited. show business colloq. the theatrical profession. show-card a card used for advertising. show one's cards = show one's hand. show cause Law allege with justification. show a clean pair of heels colloq. retreat speedily; run away. show one's colours make one's opinion clear. show a person the door dismiss or eject a person. show one's face make an appearance; let oneself be seen. show fight be persistent or belligerent. show the flag see FLAG. show forth archaic exhibit; expound. show one's hand 1 disclose one's plans. 2 reveal one's cards. show house (or flat etc.) a furnished and decorated house (or flat etc.) on a new estate shown to prospective buyers. show in see sense 9 of v. show a leg colloq. get out of bed. show off 1 display to advantage. 2 colloq. act pretentiously; display one's wealth, knowledge, etc. show-off n. colloq. a person who shows off. show of force proof that one is prepared to use force. show of hands raised hands indicating a vote for or against, usu. without being counted. show oneself 1 be seen in public. 2 see sense 6 of v. show out see sense 9 of v. show-piece 1 an item of work presented for exhibition or display. 2 an outstanding example or specimen. show-place a house etc. that tourists go to see. show round take (a person) to places of interest; act as guide for (a person) in a building etc. show-stopper colloq. a performance receiving prolonged applause. show one's teeth reveal one's strength; be aggressive. show through 1 be visible although supposedly concealed. 2 (of real feelings etc.) be revealed inadvertently. show trial esp. hist. a judicial trial designed by the State to terrorize or impress the public. show up 1 make or be conspicuous or clearly visible. 2 expose (a fraud, impostor, inferiority, etc.). 3 colloq. appear; be present; arrive. 4 colloq. embarrass or humiliate (don't show me up by wearing jeans). show the way 1 indicate what has to be done etc. by attempting it first. 2 show others which way to go etc. show the white feather appear cowardly (see also white feather). show willing display a willingness to help etc. show-window a window for exhibiting goods etc. [ME f. OE sceawian f. WG: cf. SHEEN] showbizn. colloq. = show business. showboatn. US a river steamer on which theatrical performances are given. showcasen. & v. --n. 1 a glass case used for exhibiting goods etc. 2 a place or medium for presenting (esp. attractively) to general attention. --v.tr. display in or as if in a showcase. showdownn. 1 a final test or confrontation; a decisive situation. 2 the laying down face up of the players' cards in poker. showern. & v. --n. 1 a brief fall of esp. rain, hail, sleet, or snow. 2 a a brisk flurry of arrows, bullets, dust, stones, sparks, etc. b a similar flurry of gifts, letters, honours, praise, etc. 3 (in full shower-bath) a a cubicle, bath, etc. in which one stands under a spray of water. b the apparatus etc. used for this. c the act of bathing in a shower. 4 a group of particles initiated by a cosmic-ray particle in the earth's atmosphere. 5 US a party for giving presents to a prospective bride, etc. 6 Brit. sl. a contemptible or unpleasant person or group of people. --v. 1 tr. discharge (water, missiles, etc.) in a shower. 2 intr. use a shower-bath. 3 tr. (usu. foll. by on, upon) lavishly bestow (gifts etc.). 4 intr. descend or come in a shower (it showered on and off all day). showery adj. [OE scur f. Gmc] showerproof adj. & v. --adj. resistant to light rain. --v.tr. render showerproof. showgirln. an actress who sings and dances in musicals, variety shows, etc. showingn. 1 the act or an instance of showing. 2 a usu. specified quality of performance (made a poor showing). 3 the presentation of a case; evidence (on present showing it must be true). [OE sceawung (as SHOW)] showjumping n. the sport of riding horses over a course of fences and other obstacles, with penalty points for errors. showjump v.intr. showjumper n. showmann. (pl. -men) 1 the proprietor or manager of a circus etc. 2 a person skilled in self-advertisement or publicity. showmanship n. shownpast part. of SHOW. showroomn. a room in a factory, office building, etc. used to display goods for sale. showyadj. (showier, showiest) 1 brilliant; gaudy, esp. vulgarly so. 2 striking. showily adv. showiness n. s.h.p.abbr. shaft horsepower. shrankpast of SHRINK. shrapneln. 1 fragments of a bomb etc. thrown out by an explosion. 2 a shell containing bullets or pieces of metal timed to burst short of impact. [Gen. H. Shrapnel, Brit. soldier d. 1842, inventor of the shell] shredn. & v. --n. 1 a scrap, fragment, or strip of esp. cloth, paper, etc. 2 the least amount, remnant (not a shred of evidence). --v.tr. (shredded, shredding) tear or cut into shreds. tear to shreds completely refute (an argument etc.). [OE scread (unrecorded) piece cut off, screadian f. WG: see SHROUD] shreddern. 1 a machine used to reduce documents to shreds. 2 any device used for shredding. shrewn. 1 any small usu. insect-eating mouselike mammal of the family Soricidae, with a long pointed snout. 2 a bad-tempered or scolding woman. shrewish adj. (in sense 2). shrewishly adv. shrewishness n. [OE screawa, scrwa shrew-mouse: cf. OHG scrawaz dwarf, MHG schrawaz etc. devil] shrewdadj. 1 a showing astute powers of judgement; clever and judicious (a shrewd observer; made a shrewd guess). b (of a face etc.) shrewd-looking. 2 archaic a (of pain, cold, etc.) sharp, biting. b (of a blow, thrust, etc.) severe, hard. c mischievous; malicious. shrewdly adv. shrewdness n. [ME, = malignant, f. SHREW in sense 'evil person or thing', or past part. of obs. shrew to curse, f. SHREW] shriekv. & n. --v. 1 intr. a utter a shrill screeching sound or words esp. in pain or terror. b (foll. by of) provide a clear or blatant indication of. 2 tr. a utter (sounds or words) by shrieking (shrieked his name). b indicate clearly or blatantly. --n. a high-pitched piercing cry or sound; a scream. shriek out say in shrill tones. shriek with laughter laugh uncontrollably. shrieker n. [imit.: cf. dial. screak, ON skrkja, and SCREECH] shrievaladj. of or relating to a sheriff. [shrieve obs. var. of SHERIFF] shrievalty n. (pl. -ies) 1 a sheriff's office or jurisdiction. 2 the tenure of this. [as SHRIEVAL + -alty as in mayoralty etc.] shriftn. archaic 1 confession to a priest. 2 confession and absolution. short shrift 1 curt treatment. 2 archaic little time between condemnation and execution or punishment. [OE scrift (verbal noun) f. SHRIVE] shriken. any bird of the family Laniidae, with a strong hooked and toothed bill, that impales its prey of small birds and insects on thorns. Also called butcher-bird. [perh. rel. to OE scric thrush, MLG schrik corncrake (imit.): cf. SHRIEK] shrilladj. & v. --adj. 1 piercing and high-pitched in sound. 2 derog. (esp. of a protester) sharp, unrestrained, unreasoning. --v. 1 intr. (of a cry etc.) sound shrilly. 2 tr. (of a person etc.) utter or send out (a song, complaint, etc.) shrilly. shrilly adv. shrillness n. [ME, rel. to LG schrell sharp in tone or taste f. Gmc] shrimpn. & v. --n. 1 (pl. same or shrimps) any of various small (esp. marine) edible crustaceans, with ten legs, grey-green when alive and pink when boiled. 2 colloq. a very small slight person. --v.intr. go catching shrimps. shrimp plant an evergreen shrub, Justicia brandegeana, bearing small white flowers in clusters of pinkish-brown bracts. shrimper n. [ME, prob. rel. to MLG schrempen wrinkle, MHG schrimpfen contract, and SCRIMP] shrinen. & v. --n. 1 esp. RC Ch. a a chapel, church, altar, etc., sacred to a saint, holy person, relic, etc. b the tomb of a saint etc. c a casket esp. containing sacred relics; a reliquary. d a niche containing a holy statue etc. 2 a place associated with or containing memorabilia of a particular person, event, etc. 3 a Shinto place of worship. --v.tr. poet. enshrine. [OE scrin f. Gmc f. L scrinium case for books etc.] shrinkv. & n. --v. (past shrank; past part. shrunk or (esp. as adj.) shrunken) 1 tr. & intr. make or become smaller; contract, esp. by the action of moisture, heat, or cold. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by from) a retire; recoil; flinch; cower (shrank from her touch). b be averse from doing (shrinks from meeting them). 3 (as shrunken adj.) (esp. of a face, person, etc.) having grown smaller esp. because of age, illness, etc. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shrinking; shrinkage. 2 sl. a psychiatrist (from 'head-shrinker'). shrinking violet an exaggeratedly shy person. shrink into oneself become withdrawn. shrink on slip (a metal tyre etc.) on while expanded with heat and allow to tighten. shrink-resistant (of textiles etc.) resistant to shrinkage when wet etc. shrink-wrap (-wrapped, -wrapping) enclose (an article) in (esp. transparent) film that shrinks tightly on to it. shrinkable adj. shrinker n. shrinkingly adv. shrink-proof adj. [OE scrincan: cf. skrynka to wrinkle] shrinkagen. 1 a the process or fact of shrinking. b the degree or amount of shrinking. 2 an allowance made for the reduction in takings due to wastage, theft, etc. shrivev.tr. (past shrove; past part. shriven) RC Ch. archaic 1 (of a priest) hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve. 2 (refl.) (of a penitent) submit oneself to a priest for confession etc. [OE scrifan impose as penance, WG f. L scribere write] shrivelv.tr. & intr. (shrivelled, shrivelling or US shriveled, shriveling) contract or wither into a wrinkled, folded, rolled-up, contorted, or dried-up state. [perh. f. ON: cf. Sw. dial. skryvla to wrinkle] shrivenpast part. of SHRIVE. shroudn. & v. --n. 1 a sheetlike garment for wrapping a corpse for burial. 2 anything that conceals like a shroud (wrapped in a shroud of mystery). 3 (in pl.) Naut. a set of ropes forming part of the standing rigging and supporting the mast or topmast. --v.tr. 1 clothe (a body) for burial. 2 cover, conceal, or disguise (hills shrouded in mist). shroud-laid (of a rope) having four strands laid right-handed on a core. shroudless adj. [OE scrud f. Gmc: see SHRED] shrovepast of SHRIVE. Shrovetide n. Shrove Tuesday and the two days preceding it when it was formerly customary to be shriven. [ME shrove abnormally f. SHROVE] Shrove Tuesday n. the day before Ash Wednesday. shrubn. a woody plant smaller than a tree and having a very short stem with branches near the ground. shrubby adj. [ME f. OE scrubb, scrybb shrubbery: cf. NFris. skrobb brushwood, WFlem. schrobbe vetch, Norw. skrubba dwarf cornel, and SCRUB] n. a cordial made of sweetened fruit-juice and spirits, esp. rum. [Arab. surb, sarab f. sariba to drink: cf. SHERBET, SYRUP] shrubberyn. (pl. -ies) an area planted with shrubs. shrugv. & n. --v. (shrugged, shrugging) 1 intr. slightly and momentarily raise the shoulders to express indifference, helplessness, contempt, etc. 2 tr. a raise (the shoulders) in this way. b shrug the shoulders to express (indifference etc.) (shrugged his consent). --n. the act or an instance of shrugging. shrug off dismiss as unimportant etc. by or as if by shrugging. [ME: orig. unkn.] shrunk(also shrunken) past part. of SHRINK. shtickn. sl. a theatrical routine, gimmick, etc. [Yiddish f. G Stck piece] shuckn. & v. US --n. 1 a husk or pod. 2 the shell of an oyster or clam. 3 (in pl.) colloq. an expression of contempt or regret or self-deprecation in response to praise. --v.tr. remove the shucks of; shell. shucker n. [17th c.: orig. unkn.] shudderv. & n. --v.intr. 1 shiver esp. convulsively from fear, cold, repugnance, etc. 2 feel strong repugnance etc. (shudder to think what might happen). 3 (of a machine etc.) vibrate or quiver. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shuddering. 2 (in pl.; prec. by the) colloq. a state of shuddering. shudderingly adv. shuddery adj. [ME shod(d)er f. MDu. schuderen, MLG schoderen f. Gmc] shufflev. & n. --v. 1 tr. & intr. move with a scraping, sliding, or dragging motion (shuffles along; shuffling his feet). 2 tr. a (also absol.) rearrange (a pack of cards) by sliding them over each other quickly. b rearrange; intermingle; confuse (shuffled the documents). 3 tr. (usu. foll. by on, off, into) assume or remove (clothes, a burden, etc.) esp. clumsily or evasively (shuffled on his clothes; shuffled off responsibility). 4 intr. a equivocate; prevaricate. b continually shift one's position; fidget. 5 intr. (foll. by out of) escape evasively (shuffled out of the blame). --n. 1 a shuffling movement. 2 the act or an instance of shuffling cards. 3 a general change of relative positions. 4 a piece of equivocation; sharp practice. 5 a quick scraping movement of the feet in dancing (see also double shuffle). shuffle-board = SHOVELBOARD. shuffle the cards change policy etc. shuffler n. [perh. f. LG schuffeln walk clumsily f. Gmc: cf. SHOVE] shuftin. (pl. shuftis) Brit. colloq. a look or glimpse. [Arab. saffa try to see] shunv.tr. (shunned, shunning) avoid; keep clear of (shuns human company). [OE scunian, of unkn. orig.] shuntv. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. diverge or cause (a train) to be diverted esp. on to a siding. 2 tr. Electr. provide (a current) with a shunt. 3 tr. a postpone or evade. b divert (a decision etc.) on to another person etc. --n. 1 the act or an instance of shunting on to a siding. 2 Electr. a conductor joining two points of a circuit, through which more or less of a current may be diverted. 3 Surgery an alternative path for the circulation of the blood. 4 sl. a motor accident, esp. a collision of vehicles travelling one close behind another. shunter n. [ME, perh. f. SHUN] shushint. & v. --int. = HUSH int. --v. 1 intr. a call for silence by saying shush. b be silent (they shushed at once). 2 tr. make or attempt to make silent. [imit.] shutv. (shutting; past and past part. shut) 1 tr. a move (a door, window, lid, lips, etc.) into position so as to block an aperture (shut the lid). b close or seal (a room, window, box, eye, mouth, etc.) by moving a door etc. (shut the box). 2 intr. become or be capable of being closed or sealed (the door shut with a bang; the lid shuts automatically). 3 intr. & tr. become or make (a shop, business, etc.) closed for trade (the shops shut at five; shuts his shop at five). 4 tr. bring (a book, hand, telescope, etc.) into a folded-up or contracted state. 5 tr. (usu. foll. by in, out) keep (a person, sound, etc.) in or out of a room etc. by shutting a door etc. (shut out the noise; shut them in). 6 tr. (usu. foll. by in) catch (a finger, dress, etc.) by shutting something on it (shut her finger in the door). 7 tr. bar access to (a place etc.) (this entrance is shut). be (or get) shut of sl. be (or get) rid of (were glad to get shut of him). shut the door on refuse to consider; make impossible. shut down 1 stop (a factory, nuclear reactor, etc.) from operating. 2 (of a factory etc.) stop operating. 3 push or pull (a window-sash etc.) down into a closed position. shut-down n. the closure of a factory etc. shut-eye colloq. sleep. shut one's eyes (or ears or heart or mind) to pretend not, or refuse, to see (or hear or feel sympathy for or think about). shut in (of hills, houses, etc.) encircle, prevent access etc. to or escape from (were shut in by the sea on three sides) (see also sense 5). shut off 1 stop the flow of (water, gas, etc.) by shutting a valve. 2 separate from society etc. shut-off n. 1 something used for stopping an operation. 2 a cessation of flow, supply, or activity. shut out 1 exclude (a person, light, etc.) from a place, situation, etc. 2 screen (landscape etc.) from view. 3 prevent (a possibility etc.). 4 block (a painful memory etc.) from the mind. 5 US prevent (an opponent) from scoring (see also sense 5). shut-out bid Bridge a pre-emptive bid. shut to 1 close (a door etc.). 2 (of a door etc.) close as far as it will go. shut up 1 close all doors and windows of (a house etc.); bolt and bar. 2 imprison (a person). 3 close (a box etc.) securely. 4 colloq. reduce to silence by rebuke etc. 5 put (a thing) away in a box etc. 6 (esp. in imper.) colloq. stop talking. shut up shop 1 close a business, shop, etc. 2 cease business etc. permanently. shut your face (or head or mouth or trap)! sl. an impolite request to stop talking. [OE scyttan f. WG: cf. SHOOT] shuttern. & v. --n. 1 a person or thing that shuts. 2 a each of a pair or set of panels fixed inside or outside a window for security or privacy or to keep the light in or out. b a structure of slats on rollers used for the same purpose. 3 a device that exposes the film in a photographic camera. 4 Mus. the blind of a swell-box in an organ used for controlling the sound-level. --v.tr. 1 put up the shutters of. 2 provide with shutters. put up the shutters 1 cease business for the day. 2 cease business etc. permanently. shutterless adj. shuttering n. 1 a temporary structure usu. of wood, used to hold concrete during setting. 2 material for making shutters. shuttlen. & v. --n. 1 a a bobbin with two pointed ends used for carrying the weft-thread across between the warp-threads in weaving. b a bobbin carrying the lower thread in a sewing-machine. 2 a train, bus, etc., going to and fro over a short route continuously. 3 = SHUTTLECOCK. 4 = space shuttle. --v. 1 intr. & tr. move or cause to move to and fro like a shuttle. 2 intr. travel in a shuttle. shuttle armature Electr. an armature with a single coil wound on an elongated iron bobbin. shuttle diplomacy negotiations conducted by a mediator who travels successively to several countries. shuttle service a train or bus etc. service operating to and fro over a short route. [OE scytel dart f. Gmc: cf. SHOOT] shuttlecock n. 1 a cork with a ring of feathers, or a similar device of plastic, used instead of a ball in badminton and in battledore and shuttlecock. 2 a thing passed repeatedly back and forth. [SHUTTLE + COCK, prob. f. the flying motion] shyadj., v., & n. --adj. (shyer, shyest or shier, shiest) 1 a diffident or uneasy in company; timid. b (of an animal, bird, etc.) easily startled; timid. 2 (foll. by of) avoiding; chary of (shy of his aunt; shy of going to meetings). 3 (in comb.) showing fear of or distaste for (gun-shy; work-shy). 4 (often foll. by of, on) colloq. having lost; short of (I'm shy three quid; shy of the price of admission). --v.intr. (shies, shied) 1 (usu. foll. by at) (esp. of a horse) start suddenly aside (at an object, noise, etc.) in fright. 2 (usu. foll. by away from, at) avoid accepting or becoming involved in (a proposal etc.) in alarm. --n. a sudden startled movement. shyer n. shyly adv. (also shily). shyness n. [OE sceoh f. Gmc] v. & n. --v.tr. (shies, shied) (also absol.) fling or throw (a stone etc.). --n. the act or an instance of shying. have a shy at colloq. 1 try to hit with a stone etc. 2 make an attempt at. 3 jeer at. shyer n. [18th c.: orig. unkn.] Shylockn. a hard-hearted money-lender; a miser. [character in Shakesp. Merchant of Venice] shystern. esp. US colloq. a person, esp. a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous methods. [19th c.: orig. uncert.] SIabbr. 1 (Order of the) Star of India. 2 the international system of units of measurement (F Systme International). Sisymb. Chem. the element silicon. sin. Mus. = TE. [F f. It., perh. f. the initials of Sancte Iohannes: see GAMUT] sialogogue n. & adj. --n. a medicine inducing the flow of saliva. --adj. inducing such a flow. [F f. Gk sialon saliva + agogos leading] siamangn. a large black gibbon, Hylobates syndactylus, native to Sumatra and the Malay peninsula. [Malay] Siamesen. & adj. --n. (pl. same) 1 a a native of Siam (now Thailand) in SE Asia. b the language of Siam. 2 (in full Siamese cat) a a cat of a cream-coloured short-haired breed with a brown face and ears and blue eyes. b this breed. --adj. of or concerning Siam, its people, or language. Siamese twins 1 twins joined at any part of the body and sometimes sharing organs etc. 2 any closely associated pair. sibn. & adj. --n. 1 a brother or sister (cf. SIBLING). 2 a blood relative. 3 a group of people recognized by an individual as his or her kindred. --adj. (usu. foll. by to) esp. Sc. related; akin. [OE sib(b)] Siberiann. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Siberia in the northern Soviet Union. 2 a person of Siberian descent. --adj. of or relating to Siberia. sibilantadj. & n. --adj. 1 (of a letter or set of letters, as s, sh) sounded with a hiss. 2 hissing (a sibilant whisper). --n. a sibilant letter or letters. sibilance n. sibilancy n. [L sibilare sibilant- hiss] sibilatev.tr. & intr. pronounce with or utter a hissing sound. sibilation n. siblingn. each of two or more children having one or both parents in common. [SIB + -LING] sibshipn. 1 the state of belonging to a sib or the same sib. 2 a group of children having the same two parents. sibyln. 1 any of the women in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god. 2 a prophetess, fortune-teller, or witch. [ME f. OF Sibile or med.L Sibilla f. L Sibylla f. Gk Sibulla] sibyllineadj. 1 of or from a sibyl. 2 oracular; prophetic. the Sibylline books a collection of oracles belonging to the ancient Roman State and used for guidance by magistrates etc. [L Sibyllinus (as SIBYL)] sicadv. (usu. in brackets) used, spelt, etc., as written (confirming, or calling attention to, the form of quoted or copied words). [L, = so, thus] siccativen. & adj. --n. a substance causing drying, esp. mixed with oil-paint etc. for quick drying. --adj. having such properties. [LL siccativus f. siccare to dry] sicen. the six on dice. [ME f. OF sis f. L sex six] var. of SYCE. Siciliann. & adj. --n. 1 a native of Sicily, an island off the S. coast of Italy. 2 a person of Sicilian descent. --adj. of or relating to Sicily. [L Sicilia Sicily] sicilianon. (pl. -os) (also siciliana) a dance, song, or instrumental piece in 6/8 or 12/8 time, often in a minor key, and evoking a pastoral mood. [It., = Sicilian] sickadj., n., & v. --adj. 1 (often in comb.) esp. Brit. vomiting or tending to vomit (feels sick; has been sick; seasick). 2 esp. US ill; affected by illness (has been sick for a week; a sick man; sick with measles). 3 a (often foll. by at) esp. mentally perturbed; disordered (the product of a sick mind; sick at heart). b (often foll. by for, or in comb.) pining; longing (sick for a sight of home; lovesick). 4 (often foll. by of) colloq. a disgusted; surfeited (sick of chocolates). b angry, esp. because of surfeit (am sick of being teased). 5 colloq. (of humour etc.) jeering at misfortune, illness, death, etc.; morbid (sick joke). 6 (of a ship) needing repair (esp. of a specified kind) (paint-sick). --n. Brit. colloq. vomit. --v.tr. (usu. foll. by up) Brit. colloq. vomit (sicked up his dinner). go sick report oneself as ill. look sick colloq. be unimpressive or embarrassed. sick at (or to) one's stomach US vomiting or tending to vomit. sick-benefit Brit. an allowance made by the State to a person absent from work through sickness. sick building syndrome a high incidence of illness in office workers, attributed to the immediate working surroundings. sick-call 1 a visit by a doctor to a sick person etc. 2 Mil. a summons for sick men to attend. sick-flag a yellow flag indicating disease at a quarantine station or on ship. sick headache a migraine headache with vomiting. sick-leave leave of absence granted because of illness. sick-list a list of the sick, esp. in a regiment, ship, etc. sick-making colloq. sickening. sick nurse = NURSE. sick-pay pay given to an employee etc. on sick-leave. take sick colloq. be taken ill. sickish adj. [OE seoc f. Gmc] v.tr. (usu. in imper.) (esp. to a dog) set upon (a rat etc.). [19th c., dial. var. of SEEK] sickbayn. 1 part of a ship used as a hospital. 2 any room etc. for sick people. sickbedn. 1 an invalid's bed. 2 the state of being an invalid. sickenv. 1 tr. affect with loathing or disgust. 2 intr. a (often foll. by for) show symptoms of illness (is sickening for measles). b (often foll. by at, or to + infin.) feel nausea or disgust (he sickened at the sight). 3 (as sickening adj.) a loathsome, disgusting. b colloq. very annoying. sickeningly adv. sickien. Austral. & NZ colloq. a period of sick-leave, usu. taken with insufficient medical reason. sicklen. 1 a short-handled farming tool with a semicircular blade, used for cutting corn, lopping, or trimming. 2 anything sickle-shaped, esp. the crescent moon. sickle-bill any of various curlews with a sickle-shaped bill. sickle-cell a sickle-shaped blood-cell, esp. as found in a type of severe hereditary anaemia. sickle-feather each of the long middle feathers of a cock's tail. [OE sicol, sicel f. L secula f. secare cut] sicklyadj. (sicklier, sickliest) 1 a of weak health; apt to be ill. b (of a person's complexion, look, etc.) languid, faint, or pale, suggesting sickness (a sickly smile). c (of light or colour) faint, pale, feeble. 2 causing ill health (a sickly climate). 3 (of a book etc.) sentimental or mawkish. 4 inducing or connected with nausea (a sickly taste). 5 (of a colour etc.) of an unpleasant shade inducing nausea (a sickly green). sickliness n. [ME, prob. after ON sjukligr (as SICK)] sicknessn. 1 the state of being ill; disease. 2 a specified disease (sleeping sickness). 3 vomiting or a tendency to vomit. sickness benefit (in the UK) benefit paid by the State for sickness interrupting paid employment. [OE seocnesse (as SICK, -NESS)] sickroomn. 1 a room occupied by a sick person. 2 a room adapted for sick people. sidalcean. any mallow-like plant of the genus Sidalcea, bearing racemes of white, pink, or purple flowers. [mod.L f. Sida + Alcea, names of related genera] siden. & v. --n. 1 a each of the more or less flat surfaces bounding an object (a cube has six sides; this side up). b a more or less vertical inner or outer plane or surface (the side of a house; a mountainside). c such a vertical lateral surface or plane as distinct from the top or bottom, front or back, or ends (at the side of the house). 2 a the half of a person or animal that is on the right or the left, esp. of the torso (has a pain in his right side). b the left or right half or a specified part of a thing, area, building, etc. (put the box on that side). c (often in comb.) a position next to a person or thing (grave-side; seaside; stood at my side). d a specified direction relating to a person or thing (on the north side of; came from all sides). e half of a butchered carcass (a side of bacon). 3 a either surface of a thing regarded as having two surfaces. b the amount of writing needed to fill one side of a sheet of paper (write three sides). 4 any of several aspects of a question, character, etc. (many sides to his character; look on the bright side). 5 a each of two sets of opponents in war, politics, games, etc. (the side that bats first; much to be said on both sides). b a cause or philosophical position etc. regarded as being in conflict with another (on the side of right). 6 a a part or region near the edge and remote from the centre (at the side of the room). b (attrib.) a subordinate, peripheral, or detached part (a side-road; a side-table). 7 a each of the bounding lines of a plane rectilinear figure (a hexagon has six sides). b each of two quantities stated to be equal in an equation. 8 a position nearer or farther than, or right or left of, a dividing line (on this side of the Alps; on the other side of the road). 9 a line of hereditary descent through the father or the mother. 10 (in full side spin) Brit. a spinning motion given to a billiard-ball etc. by hitting it on one side, not centrally. 11 Brit. sl. boastfulness; swagger (has no side about him). 12 Brit. colloq. a television channel (shall we try another side?). --v.intr. (usu. foll. by with) take part or be on the same side as a disputant etc. (sided with his father). by the side of 1 close to. 2 compared with. from side to side 1 right across. 2 alternately each way from a central line. let the side down fail one's colleagues, esp. by frustrating their efforts or embarrassing them. on one side 1 not in the main or central position. 2 aside (took him on one side to explain). on the ... side fairly, somewhat (qualifying an adjective: on the high side). on the side 1 as a sideline; in addition to one's regular work etc. 2 secretly or illicitly. 3 US as a side dish. on this side of the grave in life. side-arms swords, bayonets, or pistols. side-band a range of frequencies near the carrier frequency of a radio wave, concerned in modulation. side-bet a bet between opponents, esp. in card-games, over and above the ordinary stakes. side-bone either of the small forked bones under the wings of poultry. side by side standing close together, esp. for mutual support. side-car 1 a small car for a passenger or passengers attached to the side of a motor cycle. 2 a cocktail of orange liqueur, lemon juice, and brandy. 3 a jaunting car. side-chapel a chapel in the aisle or at the side of a church. side dish an extra dish subsidiary to the main course. side-door 1 a door in or at the side of a building. 2 an indirect means of access. side-drum a small double-headed drum in a jazz or military band or in an orchestra (orig. hung at the drummer's side). side-effect a secondary, usu. undesirable, effect. side-glance a sideways or brief glance. side-issue a point that distracts attention from what is important. side-note a marginal note. side-on adv. from the side. --adj. 1 from or towards one side. 2 (of a collision) involving the side of a vehicle. side-road a minor or subsidiary road, esp. joining or diverging from a main road. side-saddle n. a saddle for a woman rider with both feet on the same side of the horse. --adv. sitting in this position on a horse. side salad a salad served as a side dish. side-seat a seat in a vehicle etc. in which the occupant has his back to the side of the vehicle. side-slip n. 1 a skid. 2 Aeron. a sideways movement instead of forward. --v.intr. 1 skid. 2 Aeron. move sideways instead of forward. side-splitting causing violent laughter. side-street a minor or subsidiary street. side-stroke 1 a stroke towards or from a side. 2 an incidental action. 3 a swimming stroke in which the swimmer lies on his or her side. side-swipe n. 1 a glancing blow along the side. 2 incidental criticism etc. --v.tr. hit with or as if with a side-swipe. side-table a table placed at the side of a room or apart from the main table. side-trip a minor excursion during a voyage or trip; a detour. side valve a valve in a vehicle engine, operated from the side of the cylinder. side-view 1 a view obtained sideways. 2 a profile. side-wheeler US a steamer with paddle-wheels. side-whiskers whiskers growing on the cheeks. side wind 1 wind from the side. 2 an indirect agency or influence. take sides support one or other cause etc. sideless adj. [OE side f. Gmc] sideboardn. a table or esp. a flat-topped cupboard at the side of a dining-room for supporting and containing dishes, table linen, decanters, etc. sideboards n.pl. Brit. colloq. hair grown by a man down the sides of his face; side-whiskers. sideburnsn.pl. = SIDEBOARDS. [burnsides pl. of burnside f. General Burnside d. 1881 who affected this style] sidedadj. 1 having sides. 2 (in comb.) having a specified side or sides (one-sided). -sidedly adv. sidedness n. (also in comb.). sidehilln. US a hillside. sidekickn. colloq. a close associate. sidelightn. 1 a light from the side. 2 incidental information etc. 3 Brit. a light at the side of the front of a motor vehicle to warn of its presence. 4 Naut. the red port or green starboard light on a ship under way. sidelinen. & v. --n. 1 work etc. done in addition to one's main activity. 2 (usu. in pl.) a a line bounding the side of a hockey-pitch, tennis-court, etc. b the space next to these where spectators etc. sit. --v.tr. US remove (a player) from a team through injury, suspension, etc. on (or from) the sidelines in (or from) a position removed from the main action. sidelongadj. & adv. --adj. inclining to one side; oblique (a sidelong glance). --adv. obliquely (moved sidelong). [sideling (as SIDE, -LING): see -LONG] siderealadj. of or concerning the constellations or fixed stars. sidereal clock a clock showing sidereal time. sidereal day the time between successive meridional transits of a star or esp. of the first point of Aries, about four minutes shorter than the solar day. sidereal time time measured by the apparent diurnal motion of the stars. sidereal year a year longer than the solar year by 20 minutes 23 seconds because of precession. [L sidereus f. sidus sideris star] sideriten. 1 a mineral form of ferrous carbonate. 2 a meteorite consisting mainly of nickel and iron. [Gk sideros iron] siderostat n. an instrument used for keeping the image of a celestial body in a fixed position. [L sidus sideris star, after heliostat] sideshown. 1 a minor show or attraction in an exhibition or entertainment. 2 a minor incident or issue. sidesmann. (pl. -men) an assistant churchwarden, who shows worshippers to their seats, takes the collection, etc. sidestepn. & v. --n. a step taken sideways. --v.tr. (-stepped, -stepping) 1 esp. Football avoid (esp. a tackle) by stepping sideways. 2 evade. sidestepper n. sidetrackn. & v. --n. a railway siding. --v.tr. 1 turn into a siding; shunt. 2 a postpone, evade, or divert treatment or consideration. b divert (a person) from considering etc. sidewalkn. US a pedestrian path at the side of a road; a pavement. sidewardadj. & adv. --adj. = SIDEWAYS. --adv. (also sidewards) = SIDEWAYS. sidewaysadv. & adj. --adv. 1 to or from a side (moved sideways). 2 with one side facing forward (sat sideways on the bus). --adj. to or from a side (a sideways movement). sidewise adv. & adj. sidewinder n. 1 a desert rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes, native to N. America, moving with a lateral motion. 2 US a sideways blow. sidingn. 1 a short track at the side of and opening on to a railway line, used for shunting trains. 2 US cladding material for the outside of a building. sidlev. & n. --v.intr. (usu. foll. by along, up) walk in a timid, furtive, stealthy, or cringing manner. --n. the act or an instance of sidling. [back-form. f. sideling, SIDELONG] SIDSabbr. sudden infant death syndrome; = cot-death (see COT). siegen. 1 a a military operation in which an attacking force seeks to compel the surrender of a fortified place by surrounding it and cutting off supplies etc. b a similar operation by police etc. to force the surrender of an armed person. c the period during which a siege lasts. 2 a persistent attack or campaign of persuasion. lay siege to esp. Mil. conduct the siege of. raise the siege of abandon or cause the abandonment of an attempt to take (a place) by siege. siege-gun hist. a heavy gun used in sieges. siege-train artillery and other equipment for a siege, with vehicles etc. [ME f. OF sege seat f. assegier BESIEGE] siemensn. Electr. the SI unit of conductance, equal to one reciprocal ohm. Abbr.: S. [W. von Siemens, Ger. electrical engineer, d. 1892] siennan. 1 a kind of ferruginous earth used as a pigment in paint. 2 its colour of yellowish-brown (raw sienna) or reddish-brown (burnt sienna). [It. (terra di) Sienna (earth of) Siena in Tuscany] sierran. a long jagged mountain chain, esp. in Spain or Spanish America. [Sp. f. L serra saw] siestan. an afternoon sleep or rest esp. in hot countries. [Sp. f. L sexta (hora) sixth hour] sieven. & v. --n. a utensil having a perforated or meshed bottom for separating solids or coarse material from liquids or fine particles, or for reducing a soft solid to a fine pulp. --v.tr. 1 put through or sift with a sieve. 2 examine (evidence etc.) to select or separate. head like a sieve colloq. a memory that retains little. sievelike adj. [OE sife f. WG] siffleurn. (fem. siffleuse) a professional whistler. [F f. siffler whistle] siftv. 1 tr. sieve (material) into finer and coarser parts. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by from, out) separate (finer or coarser parts) from material. 3 tr. sprinkle (esp. sugar) from a perforated container. 4 tr. examine (evidence, facts, etc.) in order to assess authenticity etc. 5 intr. (of snow, light, etc.) fall as if from a sieve. sift through examine by sifting. sifter n. (also in comb.). [OE siftan f. WG] Sig.abbr. Signor. sighv. & n. --v. 1 intr. emit a long deep audible breath expressive of sadness, weariness, longing, relief, etc. 2 intr. (foll. by for) yearn for (a lost person or thing). 3 tr. utter or express with sighs ('Never!' he sighed). 4 intr. (of the wind etc.) make a sound like sighing. --n. 1 the act or an instance of sighing. 2 a sound made in sighing (a sigh of relief). [ME sihen etc., prob. back-form. f. sihte past of sihen f. OE sican] sightn. & v. --n. 1 a the faculty of seeing with the eyes (lost his sight). b the act or an instance of seeing; the state of being seen. 2 a thing seen; a display, show, or spectacle (not a pretty sight; a beautiful sight). 3 a way of looking at or considering a thing (in my sight he can do no wrong). 4 a range of space within which a person etc. can see or an object be seen (he's out of sight; they are just coming into sight). 5 (usu. in pl.) noteworthy features of a town, area, etc. (went to see the sights). 6 a a device on a gun or optical instrument used for assisting the precise aim or observation. b the aim or observation so gained (got a sight of him). 7 colloq. a person or thing having a ridiculous, repulsive, or dishevelled appearance (looked a perfect sight). 8 colloq. a great quantity (will cost a sight of money; is a sight better than he was). --v.tr. 1 get sight of, esp. by approaching (they sighted land). 2 observe the presence of (esp. aircraft, animals, etc.) (sighted buffalo). 3 take observations of (a star etc.) with an instrument. 4 a provide (a gun, quadrant, etc.) with sights. b adjust the sight of (a gun etc.). c aim (a gun etc.) with sights. at first sight on first glimpse or impression. at (or on) sight as soon as a person or a thing has been seen (plays music at sight; liked him on sight). catch (or lose) sight of begin (or cease) to see or be aware of. get a sight of manage to see; glimpse. have lost sight of no longer know the whereabouts of. in sight 1 visible. 2 near at hand (salvation is in sight). in (or within) sight of so as to see or be seen from. lower one's sights become less ambitious. out of my sight! go at once! out of sight 1 not visible. 2 colloq. excellent; delightful. out of sight out of mind we forget the absent. put out of sight hide, ignore. set one's sights on aim at (set her sights on a directorship). sight for the gods (or sight for sore eyes) a welcome person or thing, esp. a visitor. sight-glass a transparent device for observing the interior of apparatus etc. sighting shot an experimental shot to guide riflemen in adjusting their sights. sight-line a hypothetical line from a person's eye to what is seen. sight-read (past and past part. -read) read and perform (music) at sight. sight-reader a person who sight-reads. sight-screen Cricket a large white screen on wheels placed near the boundary in line with the wicket to help the batsman see the ball. sight-sing sing (music) at sight. sight unseen without previous inspection. sighter n. [OE (ge)sihth] sightedadj. 1 capable of seeing; not blind. 2 (in comb.) having a specified kind of sight (long-sighted). sightlessadj. 1 blind. 2 poet. invisible. sightlessly adv. sightlessness n. sightlyadj. attractive to the sight; not unsightly. sightliness n. sightseern. a person who visits places of interest; a tourist. sightsee v.intr. & tr. sightseeing n. sightworthy adj. worth seeing. sigillateadj. 1 (of pottery) having impressed patterns. 2 Bot. having seal-like marks. [L sigillatus f. sigillum seal dimin. of signum sign] siglumn. (pl. sigla) a letter (esp. an initial) or other symbol used to denote a word in a book, esp. to refer to a particular text. [LL sigla (pl.), perh. f. singula neut. pl. of singulus single] sigman. the eighteenth letter of the Greek alphabet. [L f. Gk] sigmateadj. 1 sigma-shaped. 2 S-shaped. sigmoidadj. & n. --adj. 1 curved like the uncial sigma; crescent-shaped. 2 S-shaped. --n. (in full sigmoid flexure) Anat. the curved part of the intestine between the colon and the rectum. [Gk sigmoeides (as SIGMA)] signn. & v. --n. 1 a a thing indicating or suggesting a quality or state etc.; a thing perceived as indicating a future state or occurrence (violence is a sign of weakness; shows all the signs of decay). b a miracle evidencing supernatural power; a portent (did signs and wonders). 2 a a mark, symbol, or device used to represent something or to distinguish the thing on which it is put (marked the jar with a sign). b a technical symbol used in algebra, music, etc. (a minus sign; a repeat sign). 3 a gesture or action used to convey information, an order, request, etc. (gave him a sign to leave; conversed by signs). 4 a publicly displayed board etc. giving information; a signboard or signpost. 5 any objective evidence of a disease, usu. specified (Babinski's sign). 6 a password (advanced and gave the sign). 7 any of the twelve divisions of the zodiac, named from the constellations formerly situated in them (the sign of Cancer). 8 US the trail of a wild animal. 9 Math. etc. the positiveness or negativeness of a quantity. --v. 1 tr. a (also absol.) write (one's name, initials, etc.) on a document etc. indicating that one has authorized it. b write one's name etc. on (a document) as authorization. 2 intr. & tr. communicate by gesture (signed to me to come; signed their assent). 3 tr. & intr. engage or be engaged by signing a contract etc. (see also sign on, sign up). 4 tr. mark with a sign (esp. with the sign of the cross in baptism). make no sign seem unconscious; not protest. sign and countersign secret words etc. used as passwords. sign away convey (one's right, property, etc.) by signing a deed etc. sign for acknowledge receipt of by signing. sign language a system of communication by visual gestures, used esp. by the deaf. sign of the cross a Christian sign made in blessing or prayer, by tracing a cross from the forehead to the chest and to each shoulder, or in the air. sign off 1 end work, broadcasting, a letter, etc., esp. by writing or speaking one's name. 2 a end a period of employment, contract, etc. b end the period of employment or contract of (a person). 3 Brit. stop receiving unemployment benefit after finding work. 4 Bridge indicate by a conventional bid that one is seeking to end the bidding. sign-off n. Bridge such a bid. sign of the times a portent etc. showing a likely trend. sign on 1 agree to a contract, employment, etc. 2 begin work, broadcasting, etc., esp. by writing or announcing one's name. 3 employ (a person). 4 Brit. register as unemployed. sign-painter (or -writer) a person who paints signboards etc. sign up 1 engage or employ (a person). 2 enlist in the armed forces. 3 a commit (another person or oneself) by signing etc. (signed you up for dinner). b enrol (signed up for evening classes). signable adj. signer n. [ME f. OF signe, signer f. L signum, signare] signaln. & v. --n. 1 a a usu. prearranged sign conveying information, guidance, etc. esp. at a distance (waved as a signal to begin). b a message made up of such signs (signals made with flags). 2 an immediate occasion or cause of movement, action, etc. (the uprising was a signal for repression). 3 Electr. a an electrical impulse or impulses or radio waves transmitted as a signal. b a sequence of these. 4 a light, semaphore, etc., on a railway giving instructions or warnings to train-drivers etc. 5 Bridge a prearranged mode of bidding or play to convey information to one's partner. --v. (signalled, signalling; US signaled, signaling) 1 intr. make signals. 2 tr. a (often foll. by to + infin.) make signals to; direct. b transmit (an order, information, etc.) by signal; announce (signalled her agreement; signalled that the town had been taken). signal-book a list of signals arranged for sending esp. naval and military messages. signal-box Brit. a building beside a railway track from which signals are controlled. signal of distress esp. Naut. an appeal for help, esp. from a ship by firing guns. signal-tower US = signal-box. signaller n. [ME f. OF f. Rmc & med.L signale neut. of LL signalis f. L signum SIGN] adj. remarkably good or bad; noteworthy (a signal victory). signally adv. [F signal f. It. past part. segnalato distinguished f. segnale SIGNAL] signalizev.tr. (also -ise) 1 make noteworthy or remarkable. 2 lend distinction or lustre to. 3 indicate. signalmann. (pl. -men) 1 a railway employee responsible for operating signals and points. 2 a person who displays or receives naval etc. signals. signaryn. (pl. -ies) a list of signs constituting the syllabic or alphabetic symbols of a language. [L signum SIGN + -ARY, after syllabary] signatoryn. & adj. --n. (pl. -ies) a party or esp. a State that has signed an agreement or esp. a treaty. --adj. having signed such an agreement etc. [L signatorius of sealing f. signare signat- mark] signaturen. 1 a a person's name, initials, or mark used in signing a letter, document, etc. b the act of signing a document etc. 2 archaic a distinctive action, characteristic, etc. 3 Mus. a = key signature. b = time signature. 4 Printing a a letter or figure placed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book as a guide for binding. b such a sheet after folding. 5 US directions given to a patient as part of a medical prescription. signature tune esp. Brit. a distinctive tune used to introduce a particular programme or performer on television or radio. [med.L signatura (LL = marking of sheep), as SIGNATORY] signboardn. a board with a name or symbol etc. displayed outside a shop or hotel etc. signetn. 1 a seal used instead of or with a signature as authentication. 2 (prec. by the) the royal seal formerly used for special purposes in England and Scotland, and in Scotland later as the seal of the Court of Session. signet-ring a ring with a seal set in it. [ME f. OF signet or med.L signetum (as SIGN)] significance n. 1 importance; noteworthiness (his opinion is of no significance). 2 a concealed or real meaning (what is the significance of his statement?). 3 the state of being significant. 4 Statistics the extent to which a result deviates from a hypothesis such that the difference is due to more than errors in sampling. [OF significance or L significantia (as SIGNIFY)] significant adj. 1 having a meaning; indicative. 2 having an unstated or secret meaning; suggestive (refused it with a significant gesture). 3 noteworthy; important; consequential (a significant figure in history). 4 Statistics of or relating to the significance in the difference between an observed and calculated result. significant figure Math. a digit conveying information about a number containing it, and not a zero used simply to fill vacant space at the beginning or end. significantly adv. [L significare: see SIGNIFY] signification n. 1 the act of signifying. 2 (usu. foll. by of) exact meaning or sense, esp. of a word or phrase. [ME f. OF f. L significatio -onis (as SIGNIFY)] significative adj. 1 (esp. of a symbol etc.) signifying. 2 having a meaning. 3 (usu. foll. by of) serving as a sign or evidence. [ME f. OF significatif -ive, or LL significativus (as SIGNIFY)] signifyv. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. be a sign or indication of (a yawn signifies boredom). 2 tr. mean; have as its meaning ('Dr' signifies 'doctor'). 3 tr. communicate; make known (signified their agreement). 4 intr. be of importance; matter (it signifies little). signifier n. [ME f. OF signifier f. L significare (as SIGN)] signingn. a person who has signed a contract, esp. to join a professional sports team. signorn. (pl. signori) 1 a title or form of address used of or to an Italian-speaking man, corresponding to Mr or sir. 2 an Italian man. [It. f. L senior: see SENIOR] signoran. 1 a title or form of address used of or to an Italian-speaking married woman, corresponding to Mrs or madam. 2 a married Italian woman. [It., fem. of SIGNOR] signorinan. 1 a title or form of address used of or to an Italian-speaking unmarried woman. 2 an Italian unmarried woman. [It., dimin. of SIGNORA] signoryn. (pl. -ies) 1 = SEIGNIORY. 2 hist. the governing body of a medieval Italian republic. [ME f. OF s(e)ignorie (as SEIGNEUR)] signpostn. & v. --n. 1 a post erected at a crossroads with arms indicating the direction to and sometimes also the distance from various places. 2 a means of guidance; an indication. --v.tr. 1 provide with a signpost or signposts. 2 indicate (a course of action, direction, etc.). sikan. a small forest-dwelling deer, Cervus nippon, native to Japan. [Jap. shika] Sikhn. a member of an Indian monotheistic sect founded in the 16th c. [Hindi, = disciple, f. Skr. sishya] Sikhismn. the religious tenets of the Sikhs. silagen. & v. --n. 1 storage in a silo. 2 green fodder that has been stored in a silo. --v.tr. put into a silo. [alt. of ENSILAGE after silo] sildn. a small immature herring, esp. one caught in N. European seas. [Da. & Norw.] silencen. & v. --n. 1 absence of sound. 2 abstinence from speech or noise. 3 the avoidance of mentioning a thing, betraying a secret, etc. 4 oblivion; the state of not being mentioned. --v.tr. make silent, esp. by coercion or superior argument. in silence without speech or other sound. reduce (or put) to silence refute in argument. [ME f. OF f. L silentium (as SILENT)] silencern. any of various devices for reducing the noise emitted by the exhaust of a motor vehicle, a gun, etc. silentadj. 1 not speaking; not uttering or making or accompanied by any sound. 2 (of a letter) written but not pronounced, e.g. b in doubt. 3 (of a film) without a synchronized soundtrack. 4 (of a person) taciturn; speaking little. 5 saying or recording nothing on some subject (the records are silent on the incident). 6 (of spirits) unflavoured. silent majority those of moderate opinions who rarely assert them. silent partner US = sleeping partner (see SLEEP). silently adv. [L silere silent- be silent] silenusn. (pl. sileni) (in Greek mythology) a bearded old man like a satyr, sometimes with the tail and legs of a horse. [L f. Gk seilenos] silexn. a kind of glass made of fused quartz. [L (as SILICA)] silhouette n. & v. --n. 1 a representation of a person or thing showing the outline only, usu. done in solid black on white or cut from paper. 2 the dark shadow or outline of a person or thing against a lighter background. --v.tr. represent or (usu. in passive) show in silhouette. in silhouette seen or placed in outline. [tienne de Silhouette, Fr. author and politician d. 1767] silican. silicon dioxide, occurring as quartz etc. and as a principal constituent of sandstone and other rocks. silica gel hydrated silica in a hard granular form used as a desiccant. siliceous adj. (also silicious). silicic adj. silicify v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied). silicification n. [L silex -icis flint, after alumina etc.] silicaten. any of the many insoluble compounds of a metal combined with silicon and oxygen, occurring widely in the rocks of the earth's crust. siliconn. Chem. a non-metallic element occurring widely in silica and silicates, and used in the manufacture of glass. Symb.: Si. silicon chip a silicon microchip. silicon carbide = CARBORUNDUM. Silicon Valley an area with a high concentration of electronics industries. [L silex -icis flint (after carbon, boron), alt. of earlier silicium] siliconen. any of the many polymeric organic compounds of silicon and oxygen with high resistance to cold, heat, water, and the passage of electricity. silicosisn. lung fibrosis caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica. silicotic adj. siliquan. (also silique) (pl. siliquae or siliques) the long narrow seed-pod of a cruciferous plant. siliquose adj. siliquous adj. [L, = pod] silkn. 1 a fine strong soft lustrous fibre produced by silkworms in making cocoons. 2 a similar fibre spun by some spiders etc. 3 thread or cloth made from silk fibre. 4 (in pl.) kinds of silk cloth or garments made from it, esp. as worn by a jockey in a horse-owner's colours. 5 Brit. colloq. Queen's (or King's) Counsel, as having the right to wear a silk gown. 6 (attrib.) made of silk (silk blouse). 7 the silky styles of the female maize-flower. silk cotton kapok or a similar substance. silk-fowl a breed of fowl with a silky plumage. silk-gland a gland secreting the substance produced as silk. silk hat a tall cylindrical hat covered with silk plush. silk moth any of various large moths of the family Saturniidae, esp. Hyalophora cecropia. silk-screen printing = screen printing. take silk Brit. become a Queen's (or King's) Counsel. silklike adj. [OE sioloc, seolec (cf. ON silki) f. LL sericum neut. of L sericus f. seres f. Gk Seres an oriental people] silkenadj. 1 made of silk. 2 wearing silk. 3 soft or lustrous as silk. 4 (of a person's manner etc.) suave or insinuating. [OE seolcen (as SILK)] silkwormn. the caterpillar of the moth Bombyx mori, which spins its cocoon of silk. silkyadj. (silkier, silkiest) 1 like silk in smoothness, softness, fineness, or lustre. 2 (of a person's manner etc.) suave, insinuating. silkily adv. silkiness n. silln. (also cill) 1 a shelf or slab of stone, wood, or metal at the foot of a window or doorway. 2 a horizontal timber at the bottom of a dock or lock entrance, against which the gates close. 3 Geol. a tabular sheet of igneous rock intruded between other rocks and parallel with their planar structure. [OE syll, sylle] sillabubvar. of SYLLABUB. sillimanite n. an aluminium silicate occurring in orthorhombic crystals or fibrous masses. [B. Silliman, Amer. chemist d. 1864] sillyadj. & n. --adj. (sillier, silliest) 1 lacking sense; foolish, imprudent, unwise. 2 weak-minded. 3 Cricket (of a fielder or position) very close to the batsman (silly mid-off). 4 archaic innocent, simple, helpless. --n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a foolish person. silly billy colloq. a foolish person. the silly season high summer as the season when newspapers often publish trivial material for lack of important news. sillily adv. silliness n. [later form of ME sely (dial. seely) happy, repr. OE slig (recorded in unslig unhappy) f. Gmc] silon. & v. --n. (pl. -os) 1 a pit or airtight structure in which green crops are pressed and kept for fodder, undergoing fermentation. 2 a pit or tower for the storage of grain, cement, etc. 3 an underground chamber in which a guided missile is kept ready for firing. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) make silage of. [Sp. f. L sirus f. Gk siros corn-pit] siltn. & v. --n. sediment deposited by water in a channel, harbour, etc. --v.tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) choke or be choked with silt. siltation n. silty adj. [ME, perh. rel. to Da., Norw. sylt, OLG sulta, OHG sulza salt marsh, formed as SALT] siltstonen. rock of consolidated silt. Silurianadj. & n. Geol. --adj. of or relating to the third period of the Palaeozoic era with evidence of the first fish and land plants, and the formation of mountains and new land areas. Cf. Appendix II. --n. this period or system. [L Silures, a people of ancient SE Wales] silvavar. of SYLVA. silvanvar. of SYLVAN. silvern., adj., & v. --n. Chem. 1 a greyish-white lustrous malleable ductile precious metallic element, occurring naturally as the element and in mineral form, and used chiefly with an admixture of harder metals for coin, plate, and ornaments, as a subordinate monetary medium, and in compounds for photography etc. Symb.: Ag. 2 the colour of silver. 3 silver or cupro-nickel coins. 4 esp. Sc. money. 5 silver vessels or implements, esp. cutlery. 6 household cutlery of any material. 7 = silver medal. --adj. 1 made wholly or chiefly of silver. 2 coloured like silver. --v. 1 tr. coat or plate with silver. 2 tr. provide (a mirror-glass) with a backing of tin amalgam etc. 3 tr. (of the moon or a white light) give a silvery appearance to. 4 a tr. turn (the hair) grey or white. b intr. (of the hair) turn grey or white. silver age a period regarded as inferior to a golden age, e.g. that of post-classical Latin literature in the early Imperial period. silver band Brit. a band playing silver-plated instruments. silver birch a common birch, Betula alba, with silver-coloured bark. silver fir any fir of the genus Abies, with the under-sides of its leaves coloured silver. silver fox 1 an American red fox at a time when its fur is black with white tips. 2 its fur. silver gilt 1 gilded silver. 2 an imitation gilding of yellow lacquer over silver leaf. silver-grey a lustrous grey. silver jubilee 1 the 25th anniversary of a sovereign's accession. 2 any other 25th anniversary. silver Latin literary Latin of the early Imperial period. silver-leaf a fungal disease of fruit trees. silver lining a consolation or hopeful feature in misfortune. silver medal a medal of silver, usu. awarded as second prize. silver nitrate a colourless solid that is soluble in water and formerly used in photography. silver paper 1 a fine white tissue-paper for wrapping silver. 2 aluminium or tin foil. silver plate vessels, spoons, etc., of copper etc. plated with silver. silver salmon a coho. silver sand a fine pure sand used in gardening. silver screen (usu. prec. by the) motion pictures collectively. silver solder solder containing silver. silver spoon a sign of future prosperity. silver standard a system by which the value of a currency is defined in terms of silver, for which the currency may be exchanged. silver thaw a glassy coating of ice formed on the ground or an exposed surface, caused by freezing rain or a sudden light frost. silver tongue eloquence. silver wedding the 25th anniversary of a wedding. silver weed a plant with silvery leaves, esp. a potentilla, Potentilla anserina, with silver-coloured leaves. [OE seolfor f. Gmc] silverfish n. (pl. same or -fishes) 1 any small silvery wingless insect of the order Thysanura, esp. Lepisma saccharina in houses and other buildings. 2 a silver-coloured fish, esp. a colourless variety of goldfish. silvernadj. archaic or poet. = SILVER adj. [OE seolfren, silfren (as SILVER)] silverside n. Brit. the upper side of a round of beef from the outside of the leg. silversmith n. a worker in silver; a manufacturer of silver articles. silversmithing n. silverware n. articles made of or coated with silver. silveryadj. 1 like silver in colour or appearance. 2 having a clear gentle ringing sound. 3 (of the hair) white and lustrous. silveriness n. silviculture n. (also sylviculture) the growing and tending of trees as a branch of forestry. silvicultural adj. silviculturist n. [F f. L silva a wood + F culture CULTURE] simianadj. & n. --adj. 1 of or concerning the anthropoid apes. 2 like an ape or monkey (a simian walk). --n. an ape or monkey. [L simia ape, perh. f. L simus f. Gk simos flat-nosed] similaradj. 1 like, alike. 2 (often foll. by to) having a resemblance. 3 of the same kind, nature, or amount. 4 Geom. shaped alike. similarity n. (pl. -ies). similarly adv. [F similaire or med.L similaris f. L similis like] similen. 1 a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another of a different kind, as an illustration or ornament (e.g. as brave as a lion). 2 the use of such comparison. [ME f. L, neut. of similis like] similitude n. 1 the likeness, guise, or outward appearance of a thing or person. 2 a comparison or the expression of a comparison. 3 archaic a counterpart or facsimile. [ME f. OF similitude or L similitudo (as SIMILE)] simmerv. & n. --v. 1 intr. & tr. be or keep bubbling or boiling gently. 2 intr. be in a state of suppressed anger or excitement. --n. a simmering condition. simmer down become calm or less agitated. [alt. of ME (now dial.) simper, perh. imit.] simnel cake n. Brit. a rich fruit cake, usu. with a marzipan layer and decoration, eaten esp. at Easter or during Lent. [ME f. OF simenel, ult. f. L simila or Gk semidalis fine flour] simon-pure adj. real, genuine. [(the real) Simon Pure, a character in Centlivre's Bold Stroke for a Wife (1717)] simonyn. the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges, e.g. pardons or benefices. simoniac adj. & n. simoniacal adj. [ME f. OF simonie f. LL simonia f. Simon Magus (Acts 8:18)] simoomn. (also simoon) a hot dry dust-laden wind blowing at intervals esp. in the Arabian desert. [Arab. samum f. samma to poison] simpn. US colloq. a simpleton. [abbr.] simpaticoadj. congenial, likeable. [It. & Sp. (as SYMPATHY)] simperv. & n. --v. 1 intr. smile in a silly or affected way. 2 tr. express by or with simpering. --n. such a smile. simperingly adv. [16th c.: cf. Du. and Scand. semper, simper, G zimp(f)er elegant, delicate] simpleadj. & n. --adj. 1 easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty (a simple explanation; a simple task). 2 not complicated or elaborate; without luxury or sophistication. 3 not compound; consisting of or involving only one element or operation etc. 4 absolute, unqualified, straightforward (the simple truth; a simple majority). 5 foolish or ignorant; gullible, feeble-minded (am not so simple as to agree to that). 6 plain in appearance or manner; unsophisticated, ingenuous, artless. 7 of low rank; humble, insignificant (simple people). 8 Bot. a consisting of one part. b (of fruit) formed from one pistil. --n. archaic 1 a herb used medicinally. 2 a medicine made from it. simple eye an eye of an insect, having only one lens. simple fracture a fracture of the bone only, without a skin wound. simple harmonic motion see HARMONIC. simple interest interest payable on a capital sum only (cf. compound interest (see COMPOUND)). simple interval Mus. an interval of one octave or less. simple machine any of the basic mechanical devices for applying a force (e.g. an inclined plane, wedge, or lever). simple sentence a sentence with a single subject and predicate. Simple Simon a foolish person (from the nursery-rhyme character). simple time Mus. a time with two, three, or four beats in a bar. simpleness n. [ME f. OF f. L simplus] simple-minded adj. 1 natural, unsophisticated. 2 feeble-minded. simple-mindedly adv. simple-mindedness n. simpletonn. a foolish, gullible, or halfwitted person. [SIMPLE after surnames f. place-names in -ton] simplexadj. & n. --adj. 1 simple; not compounded. 2 Computing (of a circuit) allowing transmission of signals in one direction only. --n. a simple or uncompounded thing, esp. a word. [L, = single, var. of simplus simple] simplicity n. the fact or condition of being simple. be simplicity itself be extremely easy. [OF simplicit or L simplicitas (as SIMPLEX)] simplifyv.tr. (-ies, -ied) make simple; make easy or easier to do or understand. sim