Chapter X: Front Matter (10)

SIX, siks, _adj._ and _n._ five and one: a figure denoting six units (6, or vi.): a playing-card with six spots, the face of a die bearing six spots, or that die itself: beer sold at six shillings a barrel, small beer: (_pl._) in hymnology, a quatrain in trochaic measure, the lines of three feet or six syllables.--_adj._ SIX'FOLD, folded or multiplied six times.--_ns._ SIX'FOOTER, a person six feet high; SIX'PENCE, a silver coin=six pence.--_adj._ SIX'PENNY, worth sixpence: cheap, worthless.--_ns._ SIX'-SHOOT'ER, a six-chambered revolver; SIXTE, a parry in which the hand is on guard opposite the right breast, the point of the sword raised and moved a little to the right.--_adjs._ and _ns._ SIX'TEEN, six and ten; SIX'TEENTH, the sixth after the tenth.--_adj._ SIXTH, the last of six: the ordinal of six.--_n._ the sixth part: (_mus._) an interval of four tones and a semitone, or six intervals.--_adv._ SIXTH'LY, in the sixth place.--SIXTH HOUR, noon-tide.--BE AT SIXES AND SEVENS, to be in disorder; LONG SIXES, candles weighing six to the pound, about 8 inches long; SHORT SIXES, candles weighing six to the pound, about 4 inches long. [A.S. _siex_; Ger. _sechs_, Gael. _se_; also L. _sex_, Gr. _hex_, Sans. _shash_.]

SIXTEENMO=_Sexto-decimo_ (q.v.).

SIXTY, siks'ti, _adj._ and _n._ six times ten.--_adj._ and _n._ SIX'TIETH, the sixth tenth: the ordinal of sixty. [A.S. _sixtig_.]

SIZAR, s[=i]'zar, _n._ the name of an order of students at Cambridge and Dublin--from the allowance of victuals made to them from the college buttery.--_n._ S[=I]'ZARSHIP. [_Size_, fixed quantity.]

SIZE, s[=i]z, _n._ extent of volume or surface: magnitude: an allotted portion: (_pl._) allowances (_Shak._).--_v.t._ to arrange according to size: at Cambridge, to buy rations at a certain fixed rate: to measure.--_v.i._ to increase in size.--_adjs._ S[=I]'ZABLE, SIZE'ABLE, of suitable size: of considerable size or bulk; SIZED, having a particular size.--_ns._ S[=I]'ZER, one who, or that which, sizes or measures, a kind of gauge; S[=I]'ZING, act of sorting articles according to size, esp. crushed or stamped ores in mining: an order for extra food from a college buttery.--SIZE UP, to measure, consider carefully. [Contr. of _assize_ (q.v.).]

SIZE, s[=i]z, SIZING, s[=i]'zing, _n._ a kind of weak glue, used as varnish: any gluey substance.--_v.t._ to cover with size.--_adj._ SIZED, having size in its composition.--_n._ S[=I]'ZINESS.--_adj._ S[=I]'ZY, size-like: glutinous.

SIZEL=_Scissel_ (q.v.).

SIZZLE, siz'l, _v.i._ to make a sound as if frying.--_n._ a hissing sound; extreme heat.--_n._ SIZZ'LING, a hissing.

SKAIN=_Skein_ (q.v.).

SKAINSMATE, sk[=a]nz'm[=a]t, _n._ (_Shak._) a companion, a scapegrace.

SKALD, _n._=_Scald_, a poet.

SKAT, skat, _n._ a game played with thirty-two cards as in Piquet, and said to have been invented in 1817 in Altenburg. Each of three players receives ten cards, the two others being laid aside (hence the name from O. Fr. _escart_, laying aside).

SKATE, sk[=a]t, _n._ a kind of sandal or frame of wood on a steel blade for moving on ice.--_v.i._ to slide on, skates.--_ns._ SK[=A]'TER; SK[=A]'TING; SK[=A]'TING-RINK. [Dut. _schaats_; cf. also Dan. _sköite_.]

SKATE, sk[=a]t, _n._ the popular name of several species of Ray, esp. those of the family _Raiidæ_ and genus _Raia_, with greatly extended pectoral fins. [Ice. _skata_--Low L. _squatus_--L. _squatina_; cf. _Shad_.]

SKATHE. Same as SCATHE.

SKAW, skä, _n._ a promontory.--Also SCAW. [Ice. _skagi_--_skaga_, to jut out.]

SKEAN, sk[=e]n, _n._ a dagger.--_n._ SKEAN-DHU (sk[=e]n'-d[=oo]), the knife stuck in the stocking of the Highland dress. [Gael, _sgian_, a knife.]

SKEARY, sk[=e]'ri, a dial. form of _scary_.

SKEDADDLE, sk[=e]-dad'l, _v.t._ (_prov._) to spill, scatter.--_v.i._ (_coll._) to scamper off.--_n._ a scurrying off. [Ety. unknown. Prob. conn. somehow with _shed_--A.S. _sceádan_, to pour.]

SKEE, sk[=e], _n._ a wooden runner for sliding down a declivity.--_v.i._ to slide on skees. [Dan. _ski_--Ice. _skídh_.]

SKEEL, sk[=e]l, _n._ (_Scot._) a milking-pail, a washing-tub. [Scand., Ice. _skjóla_.]

SKEELY, sk[=e]'li, _adj._ (_Scot._) skilful.

SKEESICKS, sk[=e]'ziks, _n._ (_U.S._) a rascal.

SKEETER, sk[=e]'t[.e]r, _n._ a mosquito.

SKEG, skeg, _n._ a stump, branch: the after-part of a ship's keel.

SKEG, skeg, _n._ a wild-plum.

SKEIN, sk[=a]n, _n._ a knot or number of knots of thread or yarn. [O. Fr. _escagne_, from Celt.; cf. Ir. _sgainne_, a skein.]

SKELDER, skel'd[.e]r, _v.i._ and _v.t._ to practise begging: to swindle.

SKELETON, skel'e-tun, _n._ the bones of an animal separated from the flesh and preserved in their natural position: the framework or outline of anything: a very lean and emaciated person: a very thin form of light-faced type.--_adj._ pertaining to a skeleton--also SKEL'ETAL.--_ns._ SKELETOG'ENY (-toj'-); SKELETOG'RAPHY; SKELETOL'OGY.--_v.t._ SKEL'ETONISE, to reduce to a skeleton.--_n._ SKEL'ETON-KEY, a key for picking locks, without the inner bits.--SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD, CLOSET, HOUSE, &c., some hidden domestic source of sorrow or shame. [Gr. _skeleton_ (_s[=o]ma_), a dried (body)--_skeletos_, dried--_skellein_, to dry, to parch.]

SKELLOCH, skel'oh, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to cry out with a shrill voice.--_n._ a squeal.

SKELLUM, skel'um, _n._ (_Scot._) a ne'er-do-well. [Dut. _schelm_, a rogue.]

SKELLY, skel'i, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to squint. [Cf. Dan. _skele_, Sw. _skela_, Ger. _schielen_, to squint.]

SKELP, skelp, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to slap.--_v.i._ to move briskly along, to bound along.--_n._ a slap: a heavy fall of pelting rain: a large portion.--_adj._ SKELP'ING, very big or full. [Gael. _sgealp_, a slap.]

SKELTER, skel't[.e]r, _v.i._ to hurry or dash along.

SKEP, skep, _n._ a grain-basket, or beehive made of straw or wicker-work.--_n._ SKEP'FUL, as much as a skep will hold. [A.S. _scep_--Scand., Ice. _skeppa_.]

SKEPTIC=_Sceptic_; SKEPSIS=_Scepsis_.

SKERRY, sker'i, _n._ a rocky isle. [Ice. _sker_.]

SKETCH, skech, _n._ a first draft of any plan or painting: an outline, a short and slightly constructed play, essay, &c.: a short dramatic scene for representation by two persons: an artist's preliminary study of a work to be elaborated.--_v.t._ to make a rough draft of: to draw the outline: to give the principal points of.--_v.i._ to practise sketching.--_adj._ SKETCH'ABLE, capable of being sketched effectively.--_ns._ SKETCH'BOOK, a blank book used for sketching by an artist or writer: a printed volume of literary sketches; SKETCH'ER, one who sketches.--_adv._ SKETCH'ILY.--_n._ SKETCH'INESS.--_adj._ SKETCH'Y, containing a sketch or outline: incomplete, slight. [Dut. _schets_, It. _schizzo_--L. _schedium_--_schedius_, made off-hand--Gr. _schedios_, sudden.]

SKEW, sk[=u], _adj._ oblique: intersecting a road, river, &c. not at right angles, as a bridge.--_adv._ awry: obliquely.--_v.t._ to turn aside.--_n._ a deviation, a mistake: a squint: (_archit._) the sloping top of a buttress slanting off against a wall.--_ns._ SKEW'-ARCH, an arch standing obliquely on its abutments; SKEW'-BACK (_archit._), the course of masonry on the top of an abutment with a slope for the base of the arch to rest against.--_adj._ SKEW'-BALD, spotted irregularly, piebald.--_n._ SKEW'-BRIDGE, a bridge having its arch or arches set obliquely on its abutments, as when a railway crosses a road, &c., at an oblique angle.--_adjs._ SKEWED, distorted; SKEW-GEE' (_coll._), crooked.--_n._ SKEW'-WHEEL, a bevel-wheel with teeth formed obliquely on the rim. [Old Dut. _sch[=u]wen_ (Dut. _schuwen_); Ger. _scheuen_, to shun; cf. _Shy_.]

SKEWER, sk[=u]'[.e]r, _n._ a pin of wood or iron for keeping meat in form while roasting.--_v.t._ to fasten with skewers. [Prov. Eng. _skiver_, prob. the same as _shiver_, a splinter of wood.]

SKIASCOPY, sk[=i]'a-sk[=o]-pi, _n._ the shadow-test for measuring the refraction of an eye.--Also SC[=I]'ASCOPY. [Gr. _skia_, a shadow, _skopein_, to view.]

SKID, skid, _n._ a piece of timber hung against a ship's side to protect it from injury: a sliding wedge or drag to check the wheel of a wagon on a steep place: a slab put below a gun to keep it off the ground.--_v.t._ to check with a skid.--_v.i._ to slide along without revolving.--_n._ SKID'DER, one who uses a skid. [Scand., Ice. _skídh_; A.S. _scíd_, a piece split off.]

SKIEY, sk[=i]'i, _adj._ Same as SKYEY.

SKIFF, skif, _n._ a small light boat. [A doublet of _ship_.]

SKIFF, skif, _adj._ (_prov._) distorted: awkward.

SKILL, skil, _n._ knowledge of anything: dexterity in practice.--_v.i._ to understand, to be dexterous in: to make a difference, to signify.--_adj._ SKIL'FUL, having or displaying skill: dexterous.--_adv._ SKIL'FULLY.--_n._ SKIL'FULNESS.--_adjs._ SKILLED, having skill: skilful: expert; SKIL'LESS (_Shak._), wanting skill, artless. [Scand., as Ice. _skil_, a distinction, _skilja_, to separate.]

SKILLET, skil'et, _n._ a small metal vessel with a long handle, used for boiling water, in cooking, &c. [Prob. from O. Fr. _escuellette_, dim of _escuelle_ (Fr. _écuelle_)--L. _scutella_, dim. of _scutra_, a dish.]

SKILLIGALEE, skil-i-ga-l[=e]', _n._ thin watery soup.--Also SKILLIGOLEE', SKILL'Y. [Ety. dub.]

SKILLING, skil'ing, _n._ a small coin formerly current in North Germany and Scandinavia, in value from ¼d. to 1d. [Dan.]

SKILTS, skilts, _n.pl._ short loose trousers.

SKILVINGS, skil'vingz, _n.pl._ (_prov._) the rails of a cart.

SKIM, skim, _v.t._ to clear off scum: to take off by skimming: to brush the surface of lightly.--_v.i._ to pass over lightly: to glide along near the surface: to become coated over:--_pr.p._ skim'ming; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ skimmed.--_n._ the act of skimming: what is skimmed off.--_ns._ SKIM'MER, a utensil for skimming milk: a bird that skims the water; SKIM'-MILK, skimmed milk: milk from which the cream has been skimmed; SKIM'MING, the act of taking off that which floats on the surface of a liquid, as cream: that which is taken off, scum.--_adv._ SKIM'MINGLY, by skimming along the surface. [_Scum_.]

SKIMBLE-SKAMBLE, skim'bl-skam'bl, _adj._ wandering, wild, rambling, incoherent.--_adv._ in a confused manner. [A reduplication of _scamble_.]

SKIMMINGTON, skim'ing-ton, _n._ a burlesque procession intended to ridicule a henpecked husband: a riot generally.--Also SKIM'INGTON, SKIM'MERTON, SKIM'ITRY. [Ety. unknown.]

SKIMP, skimp, _v.t._ to give scanty measure, to stint: to do a thing imperfectly.--_v.i._ to be parsimonious.--_adj._ scanty, spare.--_adj._ SKIM'PING, sparing: meagre: done inefficiently.--_adv._ SKIM'PINGLY.--_adj._ SKIM'PY. [A variant of _scamp_.]

SKIN, skin, _n._ the natural outer covering of an animal body: a hide: the bark or rind of plants, &c.: the inside covering of the ribs of a ship: a drink of whisky hot.--_v.t._ to cover with skin: to cover the surface of: to strip the skin from, to peel: to plunder, cheat: to answer an examination paper, &c., by unfair means.--_v.i._ to become covered with skin: to sneak off:--_pr.p._ skin'ning; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ skinned.--_adj._ SKIN'-DEEP, as deep as the skin only: superficial.--_ns._ SKIN'FLINT, one who takes the smallest gains: a very niggardly person; SKIN'FUL, as much as one can hold, esp. of liquor.--_adj._ SKIN'LESS, having no skin, or a very thin one.--_ns._ SKIN'NER; SKIN'NINESS.--_adjs._ SKIN'NY, consisting of skin or of skin only: wanting flesh; SKIN'-TIGHT, fitting close to the skin.--_n._ SKIN'-WOOL, wool pulled from the skin of a dead sheep.--BY, or WITH, THE SKIN OF ONE'S TEETH, very narrowly; CLEAN SKINS, unbranded cattle; SAVE ONE'S SKIN, to escape without injury. [A.S. _scinn_; Ice. _skinn_, skin, Ger. _schinden_, to flay.]

SKINK, skingk, _n._ drink.--_v.i._ and _v.t._ to serve drink.--_n._ SKINK'ER, one who serves drink, a tapster.--_adj._ SKINK'ING (_Scot._), thin, watery. [A.S. _scencan_, to pour out drink; Ger. _schenken_.]

SKINK, skingk, _n._ an African lizard. [L. _scincus_--Gr. _skingkos_, the adda.]

SKINK, skingk, _n._ (_Scot._) a shin-bone of beef, soup made from such. [Cf. Dut. _schonk_, a bone; cf. _Shank_.]

SKIO, sky[=o], _n._ in Orkney, a fisherman's hut.--Also SKEO. [Norw. _skjaa_, a shed.]

SKIP, skip, _v.i._ to leap: to bound lightly and joyfully: to pass over.--_v.t._ to leap over: to omit:--_pr.p._ skip'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ skipped.--_n._ a light leap: a bound: the omission of a part: the captain of a side at bowls and curling: a college servant.--_ns._ SKIP'JACK, an impudent fellow: the blue-fish, saurel, &c.; SKIP'-KEN'NEL, one who has to jump the gutters, a lackey; SKIP'PER, one who skips: a dancer: (_Shak._) a young thoughtless person: a hesperian butterfly.--_adj._ SKIP'PING, flighty, giddy.--_adv._ SKIP'PINGLY, in a skipping manner: by skips or leaps.--_n._ SKIP'PING-ROPE, a rope used in skipping. [Either Celt., according to Skeat, from Ir. _sgiob_, to snatch, Gael. _sgiab_, to move suddenly, W. _ysgipio_, to snatch away; or Teut., conn. with Ice. _skopa_, to run.]

SKIP, skip, _n._ an iron box for raising ore running between guides, or in inclined shafts fitted with wheels to run on a track, a mine-truck.

SKIPETAR, skip'e-tär, _n._ an Albanian: the Albanian language. [Albanian _skipetar_, a mountaineer.]

SKIPPER, skip'[.e]r, _n._ the master of a merchant-ship.--SKIPPER'S DAUGHTERS, white-topped waves. [Dut. _schipper_; Dan. _skipper_.]

SKIPPER, skip'[.e]r, _n._ a barn, a shed in which to shelter for the night.--_v.i._ to shelter in such a place.--_n._ SKIPP'ER-BIRD, a tramp. [Prob. W. _ysguber_, a barn.]

SKIPPET, skip'et, _n._ (_Spens._) a small boat. [Dim. of A.S. _scip_, ship.]

SKIPPET, skip'et, _n._ a round flat box for holding a seal, which used to be attached to the parchment by ribbons passing through the lid.

SKIRL, skirl, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Scot._) to shriek shrilly.--_n._ a shrill cry.--_n._ SKIR'LING, a shrill sound.

SKIRMISH, sk[.e]r'mish, _n._ an irregular fight between two small parties: a contest.--_v.i._ to fight slightly or irregularly.--_ns._ SKIR'MISHER, a soldier belonging to troops dispersed to cover front or flank, and prevent surprises; SKIR'MISHING. [O. Fr. _escarmouche_--Old High Ger. _skerman_, _scirman_, to fight.]

SKIRR, sk[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to ramble over, to scour.--_v.i._ to run in haste. [_Scurry_.]

SKIRRET, skir'et, _n._ an edible water-parsnip: a perennial plant, native to China and Japan. [_Sugar-root_.]

SKIRT, sk[.e]rt, _n._ the part of a garment below the waist: a woman's garment like a petticoat: the edge of any part of the dress: border: margin: extreme part.--_v.t._ to border: to form the edge of.--_v.i._ to be on the border: to live near the extremity.--_ns._ SKIRT'-DANC'ING, a form of ballet-dancing in which the flowing skirts are waved about in the hands; SKIR'TER, a huntsman who dodges his jumps by going round about; SKIR'TING, strong material made up in lengths for women's skirts: skirting-board; SKIR'TING-BOARD, the narrow board next the floor round the walls of a room.--DIVIDED SKIRT, a skirt in the form of loose trousers. [Scand., Ice. _skyrta_, a shirt. A doublet of _shirt_.]

SKIT, skit, _n._ any sarcastic squib, lampoon, or pamphlet. [Ice. _skúti_, a taunt.]

SKITE, sk[=i]t, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to glide or slip--also SKYTE.--_n._ a sudden blow: a trick.--_vs.i._ SKIT, to leap aside: to caper; SKIT'TER, to skim lightly over: to void thin excrement: to draw a baited hook along the surface of water. [Scand., Sw. _skutta_, to leap, _skjuta_, to shoot.]

SKITTISH, skit'ish, _adj._ unsteady, light-headed, easily frightened: hasty, volatile, changeable: wanton.--_adv._ SKITT'ISHLY.--_n._ SKITT'ISHNESS. [_Skite_.]

SKITTLES, skit'lz, _n.pl._ a game of ninepins in which a flattened ball or thick rounded disc is thrown to knock down the pins--played in a SKITT'LE-ALL'EY, or -GROUND. In American Bowls, the game is played with ten pins arranged in the form of a triangle, the missile being rolled along a carefully constructed wooden floor.--_v.t._ SKITT'LE, to knock down.--n SKITT'LE-BALL, the ball thrown in playing at skittles. [A variant of _shittle_ or _shuttle_.]

SKIVER, sk[=i]'v[.e]r, _n._ a kind of leather made of split sheep-skins, used for bookbinding, &c.--_n._ a machine for skiving leather.--_v.t._ SKIVE, to cut, pare off.--_n._ SK[=I]'VING, the act of skiving: a piece skived off--of leather, usually on the flesh side. [From root of _shive_, _shiver_.]

SKIVER, sk[=i]'v[.e]r, _v.t._ (_prov._) to run through, to skewer.

SKIVIE, skiv'i, _adj._ (_Scot._) deranged: askew.

SKLENT, a Scotch form of _slant_.

SKOAL, sk[=o]l, _interj._ hail! a friendly exclamation of salutation before drinking, &c. [Ice. _skál_; Norw. _skaal_, a bowl, Sw. _skål_.]

SKOLION, sk[=o]'li-on, _n._ a short drinking-song in ancient Greece, taken up by the guests in turn:--_pl._ SK[=O]'LIA. [Gr.]

SKRIMMAGE. Same as SCRIMMAGE.

SKRYER, skr[=i]'[.e]r, _n._ one who uses the divining-glass.

SKUA, sk[=u]'a, _n._ a bird of the family _Laridæ_, esp. the Great Skua (_Stercorarius catarrhactes_), a rapacious bird about two feet long, the plumage predominantly brown, breeding in the Shetlands.--_n._ SK[=U]'A-GULL. [Norw.]

SKUE, sk[=u], an obsolete form of _skew_.

SKUG, SCUG, skug, _n._ (prov.) shelter.--_v.t._ to shelter: to expiate.--_n._ SKUG'GERY, SCUG'GERY, secrecy.--_adjs._ SKUG'GY, SCUG'GY, shady. [Ice. _skuggi_, a shade.]

SKUG, skug, _n._ (_prov._) a squirrel.

SKULDUDDERY. See SCULDUDDERY.

SKULK, skulk, _v.i._ to sneak out of the way: to lurk.--_ns._ SKULK, SKULK'ER, one who skulks.--_adv._ SKULK'INGLY.--_n._ SKULK'ING-PLACE. [Scand., as in Dan. _skulke_, to sneak; conn. with Ice. _skjöl_, cover, hiding-place; also with Eng. _scowl_.]

SKULL, skul, _n._ the bony case that encloses the brain: the head, the sconce, noddle: a crust formed on the ladle, &c., by the partial cooling of molten metal: in armour, the crown of the head-piece: (_Scot._) a shallow, bow-handled basket.--_n._ SKULL'CAP, a cap which fits closely to the head: the sinciput.--_adj._ SKULL'-LESS.--SKULL AND CROSS-BONES, a symbolic emblem of death and decay. [Ice. _skál_, a shell; conn. with _shell_ and _scale_, a thin plate.]

SKULPIN=_Sculpin_.

SKUNK, skungk, _n._ a small North American carnivorous quadruped allied to the otter and weasel, defending itself by emitting an offensive fluid: a low fellow: (_U.S._) a complete defeat.--_v.t._ to inflict such.--_ns._ SKUNK'-BIRD, -BLACK'BIRD, the male bobolink in full plumage. [Indian _seganku_.]

SKUPSHTINA, skoopsh'ti-na, _n._ the national assembly of Servia, having one chamber and 178 deputies, three-fourths elected and one-fourth nominated by the crown.--GREAT SKUPSHTINA, specially elected for discussing graver questions.

SKURRY=_Scurry_.

SKY, sk[=i], _n._ the apparent canopy over our heads: the heavens: the weather: the upper rows of pictures in a gallery.--_v.t._ to raise aloft, esp. to hang pictures above the line of sight.--_adjs._ SKY'-BLUE, blue like the sky; SKY'-BORN, of heavenly birth.--_n._ SKY'-COL'OUR, the colour of the sky.--_adjs._ SKY'-COL'OURED, blue, azure; SKYED, surrounded by sky; SKY'EY, like the sky: ethereal; SKY'-HIGH, very high; SKY'ISH (_Shak._), like or approaching the sky, lofty.--_n._ SKY'LARK, a species of lark that mounts high towards the sky and sings on the wing.--_v.i._ to engage in any kind of boisterous frolic.--_ns._ SKY'LARKING, running about the rigging of a ship in sport: frolicking; SKY'-LIGHT, a window in a roof or ceiling towards the sky for the admission of light; SKY'LINE, the horizon; SKY'-PAR'LOUR, a lofty attic; SKY'-P[=I]'LOT, a clergyman.--_adj._ SKY'-PLANT'ED, placed in the sky.--_n._ SKY'-ROCK'ET, a rocket that ascends high towards the sky and burns as it flies.--_v.i._ to move like a sky-rocket, to rise and disappear as suddenly.--_ns._ SKY'SAIL, the sail above the royal; SKY'SCAPE, a view of a portion of the sky, or a picture of the same; SKY'-SCR[=A]P'ER, a sky-sail of a triangular shape: anything shooting high into the sky.--_adj._ SKY'-TINC'TURED, of the colour of the sky.--_adv._ SKY'WARD, toward the sky. [Ice. _ský_, a cloud; akin to A.S. _scúa_, Gr. _skia_, a shadow.]

SKYE, sk[=i], _n._ for Skye terrier. [See _Terrier_.]

SKYR, skir, _n._ curds. [Ice.]

SKYRIN, sk[=i]'rin, _adj._ (_Scot._) shining, showy.

SLAB, slab, _n._ a thin slip of anything, esp. of stone, having plane surfaces: a piece sawed from a log.--_v.t._ to cut slabs from, as a log.--_adj._ SLAB'-SID'ED, having long flat sides, tall and lank.--_n._ SLAB'STONE, flagstone. [Scand., Ice. _sleppa_, to slip, Norw. _sleip_, a slab of wood.]

SLAB, slab, _adj._ thick.--_n._ mud.--_adj._ SLAB'BY, muddy. [Celt., Ir., and Gael. _slaib_, mud.]

SLABBER, slab'[.e]r, _v.i._ to slaver: to let the saliva fall from the mouth: to drivel.--_v.t._ to wet with saliva.--_n._ SLABB'ERER.--_adj._ SLABB'ERY.--_n._ SLABB'INESS.--_adj._ SLABB'Y. [Allied to Low Ger. and Dut. _slabbern_; imit. Doublet _slaver_.]

SLACK, slak, _adj._ lax or loose: not firmly extended or drawn out: not holding fast, weak: not eager or diligent, inattentive: not violent or rapid, slow.--_adv._ in a slack manner: partially: insufficiently.--_n._ that part of a rope, belt, &c. which is slack or loose: a period of inactivity: a slack-water haul of a net.--_vs.i._ SLACK, SLACK'EN, to become loose or less tight: to be remiss: to abate: to become slower: to fail or flag.--_v.t._ to make less tight: to loosen: to relax: to remit: to abate: to withhold: to use less liberally: to check: (_B._) to delay.--_v.t._ SLACK'-BAKE, to half-bake.--_adj._--SLACK'-HAND'ED, remiss.--_n._ SLACK'-JAW (_slang_), impudent talk.--_adv._ SLACK'LY.--_n._ SLACK'NESS.--_adj._--SLACK'-SALT'ED, insufficiently salted.--_n._ SLACK'-WA'TER, ebb-tide: slow-moving water, as that above a dam.--_adj._ pertaining to slack-water.--SLACK AWAY, to ease off freely; SLACK-IN-STAYS, slow in going about, of a ship; SLACK OFF, to ease off; SLACK UP, to ease off: to slow. [A.S. _sleac_; Sw. _slak_, Ice. _slakr_.]

SLACK, slak, _n._ coal-dross. [Ger. _schlacke_.]

SLACK, slak, _n._ (_Scot._) a cleft between hills: a common: a boggy place. [Scand., Ice. _slakki_, a hill-slope.]

SLADE, sl[=a]d, _n._ a little valley or dell; a piece of low, moist ground. [A.S. _slæd_, a plain; prob. Celt., Ir. _slad_.]

SLADE, sl[=a]d, _n._ a peat-spade.

SLAE, a Scotch form of sloe.

SLAG, slag, _n._ vitrified cinders from smelting-works, &c.: the scoriæ of a volcano.--_v.i._ to cohere into slag.--_adj._ SLAG'GY, pertaining to, or like, slag. [Sw. _slagg_; cf. Ger. _schlacke_, dross.]

SLAIN, sl[=a]n, _pa.p._ of slay.

SLAISTER, sl[=a]s't[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._) a slobbery mess, slovenly work.--_v.t._ to bedaub.--_v.i._ to slabber: to move about in a dirty, slovenly manner.--_adj._ SLAIS'TERY. [Prob. Sw. _slaska_, to dabble, slask, wet.]

SLAKE, sl[=a]k, _v.t._ to quench: to extinguish: to mix with water: to make slack or inactive.--_v.i._ to go out: to become extinct.--_adj._ SLAKE'LESS, that cannot be slaked: inextinguishable. [A.S. _sleacian_, to grow slack--_sleccan_, to make slack--_sleac_, slack.]

SLAKE, sl[=a]k, _n._ a channel through a swamp or morass: slime. [Ice. _slakki_, a hill-slope.]

SLAKE, sl[=a]k, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to besmear.--_n._ a slabbery daub. [Prob. conn. with Ice. _sleikja_, to lick; Ger. _schlecken_, to lick.]

SLAM, slam, _v.t._ or _v.i._ to shut with violence and noise: to throw down with violence: to win all the tricks in a card-game:--_pr.p._ slam'ming; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slammed.--_n._ the act of slamming: the sound so made: the winning of all the tricks at whist, &c. [Scand., Norw. _slemma_, Ice. _slamra_.]

SLAM, slam, _n._ an old card-game.

SLAM, slam, _n._ a shambling fellow. [Cf. Dut. _slomp_, Ger. _schlampe_.]

SLAMKIN, slam'kin, _n._ a loose 18th-century women's morning-gown.--Also SLAM'MERKIN.

SLANDER, slan'd[.e]r, _n._ a false or malicious report: malicious defamation by words spoken: calumny.--_v.t._ to defame: to calumniate.--_n._ SLAN'DERER.--_adj._ SLAN'DEROUS, given to, or containing, slander: calumnious.--_adv._ SLAN'DEROUSLY.--_n._ SLAN'DEROUSNESS, the state or quality of being slanderous. [O. Fr. _esclandre_--L. _scandalum_--Gr. _skandalon_.]

SLANG, slang, _n._ a conventional tongue with many dialects, which are, as a rule, unintelligible to outsiders, such as Gypsy, Canting or Flash, Back-slang, and Shelta or Tinkers' Talk: any kind of colloquial and familiar language serving as a kind of class or professional shibboleth.--_adj._ pertaining to slang.--_v.i._ to use slang, and esp. abusive language.--_v.t._ to scold.--_adv._ SLANG'ILY.--_n._ SLANG'INESS.--_adj._ SLANG'ULAR, slangy.--_v.i._ SLANG'-WHANG, to talk slangily or boisterously.--_n._ SLANG'-WHANG'ER, an abusive and wordy fellow.--_adj._ SLANG'Y. [Explained by Skeat as Scand., Norw. _sleng_, a slinging, a device, a burthen of a song, _slengja_, to sling. Leland boldly makes it Romany, and orig. applied to everything relating to shows--in Hindustani, _Swangi_, also often _Slangi_.]

SLANG, slang, _n._ a narrow strip of land.--Also SLANK'ET. SLANG, slang, _n._ (_slang_) a counterfeit weight or measure: a travelling show, or a performance of the same: a hawker's license: a watch-chain: (_pl._) convicts' leg-irons.

SLANT, slant, _adj._ sloping: oblique: inclined from a direct line--also SLAN'TING.--_n._ a slope: a gibe: (_slang_) a chance.--_v.i._ to turn in a sloping direction.--_v.i._ to slope, to incline towards: (_Scot._) to exaggerate, to lie.--_adj._ SLANTENDIC'[=U]LAR, oblique: indirect.--_advs._ SLAN'TINGLY, in a slanting direction: with a slope or inclination; SLANT'LY, SLANT'WISE, in a sloping, oblique, or inclined manner.--SLANT-OF-WIND, a transitory breeze of favourable wind. [Scand., Sw. _slinta_, to slide.]

SLAP, slap, _n._ a blow with the hand or anything flat.--_v.t._ to give a slap to:--_pr.p._ slap'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slapped.--_adv._ with a slap: suddenly, violently.--_adj._ (_slang_) first-rate.--_adv._ SLAP'-BANG, violently, all at once.--_adj._ dashing, violent.--_n._ a cheap eating-house.--_adv._ SLAP'-DASH, in a bold, careless way.--_adj._ off-hand, rash.--_n._ rough-cast harling: carelessly done work.--_v.t._ to do anything in a hasty, imperfect manner: to rough-cast with mortar.--_n._ SLAP'PER (_slang_), anything big of its kind.--_adjs._ SLAP'PING, very large; SLAP'-UP, excellent, very grand. [Allied to Low Ger. _slapp_, Ger. _schlappe_; imit.]

SLAP, slap, _n._ (_Scot._) a gap in a fence: a narrow cleft between hills.--_v.t._ to break an opening in.

SLAPE, sl[=a]p, _adj._ (_prov._) slippery, crafty. [Ice. _sleipr_, sleppr, slippery--slípa, to be smooth.]

SLAPJACK=_Flapjack_ (q.v.).

SLASH, slash, _v.t._ to cut by striking with violence and at random: to make long cuts: to ornament by cutting slits in the cloth in order to show some fine material underneath.--_v.i._ to strike violently and at random with an edged instrument: to strike right and left: to move rapidly.--_n._ a long cut: a cut at random: a cut in cloth to show colours underneath: a stripe on a non-commissioned officer's sleeve: a clearing in a wood.--_adj._ SLASHED, cut with slashes: gashed.--_ns._ SLASH'ER, anything which slashes; SLASH'ING, a slash in a garment: the felling of trees as a military obstacle, also the trees so felled.--_adj._ cutting mercilessly, unsparing: dashing: very big, slapping. [O. Fr. _eslecher_, to dismember--Old High Ger. _sl[=i]zan_, to split.]

SLASH, slash, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to work in wet.--_n._ a large quantity of watery food, as broth, &c.--_adj._ SLASH'Y, dirty, muddy. [Sw. _slaska_, dabble--_slask_, wet.]

SLAT, slat, _v.t._ to strike, beat.--_v.i._ to flap violently.--_n._ a sudden sharp blow. [Scand., Ice. _sletta_, to slap, Norw. _sletta_, to cast.]

SLAT, slat, _n._ a thin piece of stone, a slate: a strip of wood.--_adj._ made of slats.--_adj._ SLAT'TED, covered with slats. [O. Fr. _esclat_--Old High Ger. _sl[=i]zan_, to slit.]

SLATCH, slach, _n._ the slack of a rope: an interval of fair weather: a short breeze. [SLACK.]

SLATE, sl[=a]t, _n._ a highly metamorphosed argillaceous rock, fine-grained and fissile, and of a dull blue, gray, purple, or green colour--used in thin slabs of small size for ordinary roofs, and in larger slabs for dairy-fittings, wash-tubs, cisterns, tables, &c., and when polished for writing-slates and 'black-boards:' a piece of slate for roofing, or for writing upon: a preliminary list of candidates before a caucus.--_adj._ bluish-gray, slate-coloured.--_v.t._ to cover with slate: to enter on a slate.--_ns._ SLATE'-AXE, a slater's tool, a sax; SLATE'-CLAY, a fissile shale.--_adjs._ SL[=A]'TED, covered with slates; SLATE'-GRAY, of a light slate colour.--_ns._ SLATE'-PEN'CIL, a cut or turned stick of soft slate, or of compressed moistened slate-powder, for writing on slate; SL[=A]'TER; SL[=A]'TINESS, the quality of being slaty; SL[=A]'TING, the act of covering with slates: a covering of slates: materials for slating.--_adj._ SL[=A]'TY, resembling slate: having the nature or properties of slate. [O. Fr. _esclat_--Old High Ger. _sl[=i]zan_, Ger. _schleissen_, to split.]

SLATE, sl[=a]t, _v.t._ to abuse, criticise severely: (_prov._) to set a dog at.--_n._ SL[=A]'TING, a severe criticism. [A.S. _slítan_, to slit.]

SLATER, sl[=a]'t[.e]r, _n._ a terrestrial oniscid isopod, as the common _Porcellio scaber_.

SLATHER, slath'[.e]r, _n._ (_slang_) a large quantity.

SLATTERN, slat'[.e]rn, _n._ a woman negligent of her dress: an untidy woman.--_v.i._ SLATT'ER (_prov._), to be untidy or slovenly.--_n._ SLATT'ERNLINESS.--_adj._ SLATT'ERNLY, like a slattern: negligent of person: slovenly: dirty: sluttish.--_adv._ negligently: untidily.--_adj._ SLATT'ERY (_prov._) wet. [From _slatter_, a freq. of _slat_, to strike (q.v.).]

SLAUGHTER, slaw't[.e]r, _n._ a killing: a great destruction of life: carnage: butchery.--_ns._ SLAUGH'TERER; SLAUGH'TERHOUSE, a place where beasts are killed for the market; SLAUGH'TERMAN, a man employed in killing or butchering animals.--_adj._ SLAUGH'TEROUS, given to slaughter: destructive: murderous.--_adv._ SLAUGH'TEROUSLY. [Prob. Ice. _slátr_, butchers' meat, whence _slátra_, to slaughter cattle. The A.S. is _sleaht_--_sleán_, to slay.]

SLAV, SLAVE, släv, _n._ one belonging to any of the Slavonic groups of Aryans--Bulgarians, Czechs, Poles, Russians, Servians, Wends, &c.--_adj._ SLAV'IC. [_Slovene_ or _Slovane_, from Polish _slovo_, a word, thus meaning the people who spoke intelligibly, as distinguished from their neighbour, _Niemets_, the German, lit. the dumb man. Miklosich considers both to be tribal names.]

SLAVE, sl[=a]v, _n._ a captive in servitude: any one in bondage: a serf: one who labours like a slave: a drudge: one wholly under the will of another: one who has lost all power of resistance.--_v.i._ to work like a slave: to drudge.--_adj._ SLAVE'-BORN, born in slavery.--_ns._ SLAVE'-DR[=I]'VER, one who superintends slaves at their work; SLAVE'-FORK, a long and heavy branch into the forked end of which a slave's neck is fixed to prevent his escaping from the slave-trader's gang.--_adj._ SLAVE'-GROWN, grown on land worked by slaves.--_ns._ SLAVE'-HOLD'ER, an owner of slaves; SLAVE'-HOLD'ING; SLAVE'-HUNT, a hunt after runaway slaves; SL[=A]'VER, a ship employed in the slave-trade; SL[=A]'VERY, the state of being a slave: serfdom: the state of being entirely under the will of another: bondage: drudgery; SLAVE'-SHIP, a ship used for transporting slaves.--_n.pl._ SLAVE'-STATES, those states of the American Union which maintained domestic slavery before the Civil War--Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee.--_ns._ SLAVE'-TRADE, the trade of buying and selling slaves; SLAVE'-TR[=A]'DER, a trader in slaves; SL[=A]'VEY (_slang_), a domestic drudge, a maid-servant.--_adj._ SL[=A]'VISH, of or belonging to slaves: becoming slaves: servile: mean: base: laborious.--_adv._ SL[=A]'VISHLY.--_ns._ SL[=A]'VISHNESS; SL[=A]VOC'RACY, slave-owners collectively, or their interests, &c.; SL[=A]'VOCRAT, a member of the slavocracy. [O. Fr. _esclave_--Mid. High Ger. _slave_ (Ger. _sclave_), from _Slav_, above.]

SLAVER, slav'[.e]r, _n._ spittle or saliva running from the mouth.--_v.i._ to let the saliva run out of the mouth.--_v.t._ to smear with saliva.--_n._ SLAV'ERER.--_adv._ SLAV'ERINGLY, in a slavering manner.--_adj._ SLAV'ERY, slabbery. [_Slabber_.]

SLAVONIC, sla-von'ik, _adj._ of or belonging to the _Slavs_, or their language--also SCLAVON'IC, SLAV[=O]'NIAN, SCLAV[=O]'NIAN.--_vs.t._ SLAVON'ICISE, SLAV'ONISE, to render Slavonic in character, language, &c.--_ns._ SLAV'OPHIL, one devoted to promoting the interests of the Slavonic peoples; SLAV'OPHILISM, Slavophil feelings and aims; SLAV'OPH[=O]BIST, one who dreads the growth of Slav influence.

SLAW, slaw, _n._ sliced cabbage eaten as a salad. [Dut. _slaa_.]

SLAY, sl[=a], _v.t._ to strike: to kill: to put to death: to destroy:--_pa.t._ slew (sl[=oo]); _pa.p._ slain (sl[=a]n).--_n._ SLAY'ER. [A.S. _sleán_; Ice. _slá_, Goth. _slahan_, Ger. _schlagen_, to strike.]

SLEAVE, sl[=e]v, _n._ the ravelled, knotty part of silk thread: (_Shak._) floss-silk.--_v.t._ to separate, as threads:--_pr.p._ sleav'ing; _pa.p._ sleaved. [Cf. Dan. _slöife_, a loose knot, Sw. _slejf_, a knot of ribbon, Ger. _schleife_, a loop.]

SLEAZY, sl[=a]'zi, or sl[=e]'zi, _adj._ thin and flimsy.--_n._ SLEA'ZINESS. [Prob. Ger. _schleissig_, worn out, readily split--schleissen, to split.]

SLED, sled, SLEDGE, slej, _n._ a carriage with runners made for sliding upon snow: a sleigh: anything dragged without wheels along the ground.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to convey, or to travel, in a sled.--_p.adj._ SLED'DED (_Shak._), sledged.--_ns._ SLED'DING, the act of transporting on a sled; SLEDGE'-CHAIR, a chair mounted on runners for ice. [Ice. _sledhi_; from a root seen in A.S. _slídan_, to slide.]

SLEDGE, slej, _n._ an instrument for striking: a large heavy hammer used chiefly by ironsmiths. [A.S. _slecg_--_sleán_, to strike, slay (cf. Ger. _schlägel_, a beater--schlagen).]

SLEEK, sl[=e]k, _adj._ smooth: glossy: soft, not rough: insinuating, plausible: dexterous.--_v.t._ to make smooth or glossy: to calm or soothe.--_v.i._ to glide.--_advs._ SLEEK, SLICK, neatly.--_v.t._ SLEEK'EN, to make smooth or sleek.--_ns._ SLEEK'ER, SLICK'ER, a tool for dressing the surface of leather.--_adj._ SLEEK'-HEAD'ED, having a smooth head.--_n._ SLEEK'ING, the act of making smooth.--_adj._ SLEEK'IT (_Scot._), having a smooth skin: sly, cunning, fair-spoken.--_adv._ SLEEK'LY.--_ns._ SLEEK'NESS; SLEEK'-STONE, a smooth stone used for polishing anything.--_adj._ SLEEK'Y, smooth: sly, untrustworthy. [Scand., Ice. _slíkr_, sleek; cf. Dut. _slijk_, Ger. _schlick_, grease.]

SLEEP, sl[=e]p, _v.i._ to take rest by relaxation: to become unconscious: to slumber: to rest: to be motionless or inactive: to remain unnoticed: to live thoughtlessly: to be dead: to rest in the grave:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slept.--_n._ the state of one who, or that which, sleeps: slumber: rest: the dormancy of some animals during winter: (_bot._) nyctitropism.--_n._ SLEEP'ER, one who sleeps: a horizontal timber supporting a weight, rails, &c.--_adv._ SLEEP'ILY.--_n._ SLEEP'INESS.--_p.adj._ SLEEP'ING, occupied with, or for, sleeping: dormant.--_n._ the state of resting in sleep: (_Shak._) the state of being at rest or in abeyance.--_ns._ SLEEP'ING-CAR, -CARRIAGE, a railway-carriage in which passengers have berths for sleeping in; SLEEP'ING-DRAUGHT, a drink given to bring on sleep; SLEEP'ING-PART'NER (see PARTNER).--_adj._ SLEEP'LESS, without sleep: unable to sleep.--_adv._ SLEEP'LESSLY.--_ns._ SLEEP'LESSNESS; SLEEP'-WALK'ER, one who walks while asleep: a somnambulist; SLEEP'-WALKING.--_adj._ SLEEP'Y, inclined to sleep: drowsy: dull: lazy.--_n._ SLEEP'YHEAD, a lazy person.--ON SLEEP (_B._), asleep. [A.S. _sl['æ]pan_--_sl['æ]p_; Ger. _schlaf_, Goth. _sleps_.]

SLEET, sl[=e]t, _n._ rain mingled with snow or hail.--_v.i._ to hail or snow with rain mingled.--_n._ SLEET'INESS.--_adj._ SLEET'Y. [Scand., Norw. _sletta_, sleet.]

SLEEVE, sl[=e]v, _n._ the part of a garment which covers the arm: a tube into which a rod or other tube is inserted.--_v.t._ to furnish with sleeves.--_ns._ SLEEVE'-BAND (_Shak._), the wristband; SLEEVE'-BUTT'ON, a button or stud for the wristband or cuff.--_adjs._ SLEEVED, furnished with sleeves; SLEEVE'LESS, without sleeves.--_ns._ SLEEVE'-LINK, two buttons, &c., joined by a link for holding together the two edges of the cuff or wristband; SLEEVE'-NUT, a double-nut for attaching the joint-ends of rods or tubes; SLEEVE'-WAIST'COAT, SLEEVED'-WAIST'COAT, a waistcoat with long sleeves, worn by porters, boots, &c.--HANG ON THE SLEEVE, to be dependent on some one; HAVE IN ONE'S SLEEVE, to have in readiness for any emergency; LAUGH IN ONE'S SLEEVE, to laugh behind one's sleeve, to laugh privately or unperceived; LEG-OF-MUTTON SLEEVE, a woman's sleeve full in the middle, tight at arm-hole and wrist. [A.S. _sléfe_, _sléf_, a sleeve--_slúpan_, to slip; cog. with Ger. _schlauf_.]

SLEEZY=_Sleazy_ (q.v.).

SLEIDED, sl[=a]d'ed, _adj._ (_Shak._) unwoven. [_Sley_.]

SLEIGH, sl[=a], _n._ same as SLED.--_ns._ SLEIGH'-BELL, a small bell attached to a sleigh or its harness; SLEIGH'ING, the act of riding in a sleigh or sled.

SLEIGHT, sl[=i]t, _n._ cunning: dexterity: an artful trick.--_n._ SLEIGHT'-OF-HAND, legerdemain. [Ice. _slægth_, cunning, _slægr_, sly.]

SLENDER, slen'd[.e]r, _adj._ thin or narrow: feeble: inconsiderable: simple: meagre, inadequate, poorly furnished.--_adv._ SLEN'DERLY.--_n._ SLEN'DERNESS. [Old Dut. _slinder_, thin, _slinderen_, to drag; cf. Ger. _schlendern_, to saunter.]

SLEPT, slept, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _sleep_.

SLEUTH-HOUND, sl[=oo]th'-hownd, _n._ a dog that tracks game by the scent, a blood-hound. [_Slot_.]

SLEW, sl[=oo], _pa.t._ of _slay_.

SLEY, sl[=a], _n._ the reed of a weaver's loom. [A.S. _sl['æ]_--_sleán_, to strike.]

SLICE, sl[=i]s, _v.t._ to slit or divide into thin pieces.--_n._ a thin broad piece: a broad knife for serving fish.--_n._ SL[=I]'CER, one who, or that which, slices: a broad, flat knife. [O. Fr. _esclice_--Old High Ger. _sl[=i]zan_, to split.]

SLICK, slik, _adj._ smooth: smooth-tongued: dexterous in movement or action.--_adv._ in a smooth manner, deftly. [_Sleek_]

SLICK, slik, _n._ ore finely powdered. [Ger. _schlich_.]

SLICKENSIDES, slik'en-s[=i]dz, _n._ the smooth, polished, or striated, and generally glazed surfaces of joints and faults in rocks, considered to have been produced by the friction of the two surfaces during the movement of the rock.--_adj._ SLICK'ENSIDED. [_Sleek_.]

SLID, slid, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _slide_.

SLIDDEN, slid'n, _pa.p._ of _slide_.

SLIDDER, slid'[.e]r, _v.i._ to slip, slide.--_adj._ SLIDD'ERY, slippery. [A.S. _sliderian_, to slip, _slidor_, slippery:--_slídan_, to slide.]

SLIDE, sl[=i]d, _v.i._ to slip or glide: to pass along smoothly: to fall: to slip away quietly, to disappear: (_slang_) to slope, slip away from the police, &c.--_v.t._ to thrust along: to slip:--_pa.t._ slid; _pa.p._ slid or slidd'en.--_n._ a smooth passage: the fall of a mass of earth or rock: a smooth declivity: anything, as a lid, that slides, a glass that slides in a frame in front of a magic-lantern, bearing the picture to be thrown on the screen, that part of a photographic plate-holder which serves to cover and uncover the negative: (_mus._) a melodic embellishment, two notes sliding into each other: (_slang_) a biscuit covered with ice-cream.--_adj._ SL[=I]'DABLE, capable of sliding or of being slid.--_ns._ SL[=I]'DER, one who, or that which, slides: the part of an instrument or machine that slides; SLIDE'-REST, an apparatus adapted to a turning-lathe for carrying the cutting-tool; SLIDE'-VALVE, a valve in a steam-engine, made to slide backward and forward to cover and uncover the openings through which steam enters the cylinder; SL[=I]'DING, act of one who slides: falling: backsliding.--_p.adj._ slippery: movable, changing.--_ns._ SL[=I]'DING-KEEL, an oblong frame let down vertically through the bottom of a vessel in order to deepen the draught and sustain against a side-wind; SL[=I]'DING-RULE (see RULE); SL[=I]'DING-SCALE, a scale of duties which slide or vary according to the value or market prices: a sliding-rule; SL[=I]'DING-SEAT, a kind of seat for racing-boats, moving with the swing of the rower's body; SL[=I]DOM'ETER, an instrument indicating the strain put on a railway-carriage by sudden stoppage. [A.S. _slídan_, to slide; Dut. _slidderen_, to slip.]

SLIGHT, sl[=i]t, _adj._ weak: slender: of little value: trifling: small: negligent: not decided, superficial, cursory: slighting, disdainful.--_v.t._ to disregard, as of little value: to neglect: (_obs._) to demolish, smooth.--_n._ neglect: disregard, an act of discourtesy.--_advs._ SLIGHT'INGLY; SLIGHT'LY.--_n._ SLIGHT'NESS. [Old Low Ger. _slicht_, plain; Dut. _slecht_, bad, Ger. _schlecht_, straight.]

SLIGHT, sl[=i]t, _n._ (_Spens._), sleight, device, trick.

SLILY, sl[=i]'li, _adv._ See under SLY.

SLIM, slim, _adj._ (_comp._ SLIM'MER, _superl._ SLIM'MEST) very thin, weak, slender: slight, trivial, unsubstantial: delicate: crafty.--_adv._ SLIM'LY.--_adj._ SLIM'MISH, somewhat slim.--_n._ SLIM'NESS.--_adj._ SLIM'SY (_U.S._), frail, flimsy. [Old Low Ger. _slim_, crafty; Dan. _slem_, worthless, Ger. _schlimm_, bad.]

SLIME, sl[=i]m, _n._ glutinous mud: (_B._) probably bitumen.--_n._ SLIME'-PIT, a pit of slime or viscous mire.--_adv._ SL[=I]M'ILY.--_n._ SL[=I]M'INESS.--_adj._ SL[=I]M'Y, abounding with, or consisting of, slime: glutinous. [A.S. _slím_; Ger. _schleim_.]

SLINESS, sl[=i]'nes, _n._ Same as SLYNESS.

SLING, sling, _n._ a strap or pocket with a string attached to each end, for hurling a stone: a throw: a hanging bandage for a wounded limb: a rope with hooks, used in hoisting and lowering weights: a sweep or swing: a stroke as from a missile thrown from a sling.--_v.t._ to throw with a sling: to hang so as to swing: to move or swing by means of a rope: to cast.--_v.i._ to bound along with swinging steps: (_slang_) to blow the nose with the fingers:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slung.--_ns._ SLING'ER; SLING'STONE, a stone to be thrown from a sling. [A.S. _slingan_, to turn in a circle; Ger. _schlingen_, to move or twine round.]

SLING, sling, _n._ toddy with grated nutmeg.

SLINK, slingk, _v.i._ to creep or crawl away, as if ashamed: to sneak:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slunk. [A.S. _slincan_, to creep; Low Ger. _sliken_, Ger. _schleichen_.]

SLINK, slingk, _v.t._ to cast prematurely, as a calf.--_v.i._ to miscarry.--_n._ a calf prematurely born: the flesh of such: a bastard child.--_adj._ prematurely born: unfit for food: lean, starved: mean.--_ns._ SLINK'-BUTCH'ER, one who kills and dresses for sale the carcasses of diseased animals; SLINK'SKIN, the skin of a slink, or leather made from it.--_adj._ SLINK'Y, lean.

SLIP, slip, _v.i._ to slide or glide along: to move out of place: to escape: to err: to slink: to enter by oversight.--_v.t._ to cause to slide: to convey secretly: to omit: to throw off: to let loose: to escape from: to part from the branch or stem:--_pr.p._ slip'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slipped.--_n._ act of slipping: that on which anything may slip: an error, a fault, a slight transgression: an escape: a twig: a strip, a narrow piece of anything: a leash: a smooth inclined plane, sloping down to the water, on which a ship is built: anything easily slipped on: (_print._) a long galley-proof before being made up into pages.--_ns._ SLIP'-BOARD, a board sliding in grooves; SLIP'-DOCK, a dock having a floor that slopes so that the lower end is submerged; SLIP'-KNOT, a knot which slips along the rope or line round which it is made; SLIP'PER, a loose shoe easily slipped on.--_adj._ (_Spens._) slippery.--_adj._ SLIP'PERED, wearing slippers.--_adv._ SLIP'PERILY, in a slippery manner.--_ns._ SLIP'PERINESS, SLIP'PINESS.--_adjs._ SLIP'PERY, SLIP'PY, apt to slip away: smooth: not affording firm footing or confidence: unstable: uncertain; SLIP'SHOD, shod with slippers, or shoes down at the heel like slippers: careless.--_n._ SLIP'STITCH.--SLIP OFF, to take off noiselessly or hastily; SLIP ON, to put on loosely or in haste; SLIP ONE'S BREATH, or wind, to die; SLIP THE LEASH, to disengage one's self from a noose.--GIVE A PERSON THE SLIP, to escape stealthily from him. [A.S. _slípan_; Sw. _slippa_, Dut. _slippen_, to glide, Ger. _schliefen_.]

SLIPE, sl[=i]p, _n._ in mining, a skip or sledge without wheels.

SLIPSLOP, slip'slop, _adj._ slipshod, slovenly.--_n._ thin, watery food: a blunder.--_v.i._ to slip loosely about.--_adj._ SLIP'SLOPPY, slushy, sloppy.

SLISH, slish, _n._ (_Shak._) a cut. [A corr. of _slash_.]

SLIT, slit, _v.t._ to cut lengthwise: to split: to cut into strips:--_pr.p._ slit'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slit.--_n._ a long cut: a narrow opening.--_n._ SLIT'TER, anything which slits, a slitting-shears for sheet-metal.--_adj._ SLIT'TERED, cut into strips with square ends.--_n._ SLIT'TING-MILL, an establishment in which metal plates are cut into strips for nail-making: a rotating disc used by gem-cutters for slitting: a gang-saw used for resawing lumber for blind-slats, fence-pickets, &c. [A.S. _slítan_; Ger. _schleissen_.]

SLITHER, sli_th_'[.e]r, _v.i._ to slide.--_adj._ slippery.--_n._ a limestone rubble.--_adjs._ SLITH'ERING, slow, deceitful; SLITH'ERY, slippery. [A variant of _slidder_.]

SLIVER, sliv'[.e]r, or sl[=i]'v[.e]r, _v.t._ to split, to tear off lengthwise, to slice.--_n._ a piece cut or rent off, a slice: a continuous strand of loose untwisted wool or other fibre.--_v.i._ SLIVE, to slide, skulk. [A.S. _slífan_, to cleave.]

SLOAM, sl[=o]m, _n._ (_prov._) in coal-mining, the under-clay.

SLOAT, sl[=o]t, _n._ Same as SLOT (1) and (2).

SLOBBER, slob'[.e]r, same as SLABBER.--_n._ SLOB, mire, muddy land.--_adj._ SLOBB'ERY, moist, wet.

SLOCKEN, slok'n, _v.t._ to quench, extinguish.--Also SLOK'EN. [Ice. _slokna_, to go out.]

SLOE, sl[=o], _n._ the blackthorn, producing white flowers before the leaves, the shoots making excellent walking-sticks: the austere fruit, a good preserve. [A.S. _slá_; Dut. _slee_, a sloe.]

SLOG, slog, _v.i._ to hit hard.--_n._ SLOG'GER, a hard hitter.

SLOGAN, sl[=o]'gan, _n._ a war-cry among the ancient Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael., contracted from _sluagh-gairm_, an army-cry.]

SLOID=_Sloyd_ (q.v.).

SLOMBRY, slom'bri, _adj._ (_Spens._) sleepy.--_v.i._ SLOOM (_prov._), to slumber.--_adj._ SLOOM'Y, lazy, inactive.

SLOOP, sl[=oo]p, _n._ a light boat: a one-masted cutter-rigged vessel, differing from a cutter, according to old authorities, in having a fixed bowsprit and somewhat smaller sails in proportion to the hull.--_n._ SLOOP'-OF-WAR, formerly a vessel, of whatever rig, between a corvette and a gun-vessel, constituting the command of a commander, carrying from ten to eighteen guns. [Dut. _sloep_, prob. O. Fr. _chaloupe_, shallop.]

SLOP, slop, _n._ water carelessly spilled: a puddle: mean liquor or liquid food: (_pl._) dirty water.--_v.t._ to soil by letting a liquid fall upon:--_pr.p._ slop'ping; _pa.p._ slopped.--_ns._ SLOP'-B[=A]'SIN, -BOWL, a basin for slops, esp. for the dregs of tea and coffee cups at table; SLOP'-DASH, weak cold tea, &c.: SLOP'-PAIL, a pail for collecting slops; SLOP'PINESS.--_adj._ SLOP'PY, wet: muddy. [A.S. _sloppe_, _slyppe_, cow-droppings--_slúpan_, to slip.]

SLOPE, sl[=o]p, _n._ any incline down which a thing may slip: a direction downward.--_v.t._ to form with a slope, or obliquely.--_v.i._ to be inclined, to slant: (_slang_) to decamp, disappear.--_adv._ in a sloping manner.--_adv._ SLOPE'WISE, obliquely.--_p.adj._ SL[=O]'PING, inclining from a horizontal or other right line.--_adv._ SL[=O]'PINGLY, in a sloping manner: with a slope.--_adj._ SL[=O]'PY, sloping, inclined: oblique. [A.S. _slípan_, pa.t. _sláp_, to slip.]

SLOPS, slops, _n.pl._ any loose lower garment that slips on easily, esp. trousers: ready-made clothing, &c.--_ns._ SLOP'-SELL'ER, one who sells cheap ready-made clothes; SLOP'-SHOP, a shop where ready-made clothes are sold; SLOP'-WORK, the making of cheap cloth, any work superficially done; SLOP'-WORK'ER, one who does slop-work. [Scand., Ice. _sloppr_, a long robe--_sleppa_, to slip.]

SLOSH, slosh, _n._ a watery mess.--_v.i._ to flounder in slush: to go about in an easy way.--_adj._ SLOSH'Y. [A form of _slush_.]

SLOT, slot, _n._ a bar or bolt: a broad, flat, wooden bar which holds together larger pieces. [Allied to Low Ger. _slot_, Dut. _slot_, a lock.]

SLOT, slot, _n._ a hollow, narrow depression, to receive some corresponding part in a mechanism: a ditch, the continuous opening between the rails in a cable tramway along which the shank of the grip moves.--_n._ SLOT'TING-MACHINE', a machine for cutting slots or square grooves in metal. [SLIT.]

SLOT, slot, _n._ the track of a deer. [Ice. _slóth_, track, path; Scot. _sleuth_, track by the scent.]

SLOTH, sl[=o]th, or sloth, _n._ laziness, sluggishness: a sluggish arboreal animal of tropical America, of two genera (_Choloepus_, the two-toed sloth, and _Bradypus_, the three-toed sloth).--_adj._ SLOTH'FUL, given to sloth: inactive: lazy.--_adv._ SLOTH'FULLY.--_n._ SLOTH'FULNESS. [A.S. _sl['æ]wth_--_sláw_, slow.]

SLOTTER, slot'[.e]r, _n._ filth.--_v.t._ to foul.--_adj._ SLOTT'ERY, foul.

SLOUCH, slowch, _n._ a hanging down loosely of the head or other part: clownish gait: a clown.--_v.i._ to hang down: to have a clownish look or gait.--_v.t._ to depress.--_n._ SLOUCH'-HAT, a soft broad-brimmed hat.--_p.adj._ SLOUCH'ING, walking with a downcast, awkward manner: hanging down.--_adj._ SLOUCH'Y, somewhat slouching. [Scand., Ice. _slókr_, a slouching fellow; _slakr_, slack.]

SLOUGH, slow, _n._ a hollow filled with mud: a soft bog or marsh.--_adj._ SLOUGH'Y, full of sloughs: miry. [A.S. _slóh_, a hollow place; perh. from Ir. _sloc_--_slugaim_, to swallow up.]

SLOUGH, sluf, _n._ the cast-off skin of a serpent: the dead part which separates from a sore.--_v.i._ to come away as a slough (with _off_): to be in the state of sloughing.--_v.t._ to cast off, as a slough.--_adj._ SLOUGH'Y, like, or containing, slough. [Scand.; Sw. dial. _slug_; cf. Ger. _slauch_, a skin.]

SLOVAK, sl[=o]-vak', _adj._ pertaining to the _Slovaks_, a branch of the Slavs in the mountainous districts of N.W. Hungary, their language little more than a dialect of Czech.--_n._ one of this race, or his language.--_adjs._ SLOVAK'IAN, SLOVAK'ISH.

SLOVEN, sluv'n, _n._ a man carelessly or dirtily dressed:--_fem._ SLUT.--_n._ SLOV'ENLINESS.--_adj._ SLOV'ENLY, like a sloven: negligent of neatness or cleanliness: disorderly: done in an untidy manner.--_adv._ negligently.--_n._ SLOV'ENRY (_Shak._), slovenliness. [Old Dut. _slof_, sloef, Low Ger. _sluf_, slow, indolent.]

SLOVENIAN, sl[=o]-v[=e]'ni-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Slovenes_, a branch of the South Slavonic stock to which the Serbs and Croats belong.

SLOW, sl[=o], _adj._ not swift: late: behind in time: not hasty: not ready: not progressive.--_v.t._ to delay, retard, slacken the speed of.--_v.i._ to slacken in speed.--_n._ SLOW'BACK, a lazy lubber.--_p.adj._ SLOW'-GAIT'ED (_Shak._), accustomed to walk slowly.--_ns._ SLOW'-HOUND, sleuth-hound; SLOW'ING, a lessening of speed.--_adv._ SLOW'LY.--_ns._ SLOW'-MATCH, generally rope steeped in a solution of saltpetre and lime-water, used for firing guns before the introduction of friction tubes, and sometimes for firing military mines, now superseded by _Bickford's fuse_, a train of gunpowder enclosed in two coatings of jute thread waterproofed; SLOW'NESS.--_adj._ SLOW'-SIGHT'ED, slow to discern; SLOW'-WINGED, flying slowly.--_n._ SLOW'-WORM, a scincoid lizard, same as Blind-worm--by popular etymology '_slow-_worm,' but, according to Skeat, really '_slay-_worm,' A.S. _slá-wyrm_. [A.S. _sláw_; Dut. _slee_, Ice. _sljór_.]

SLOYD, SLOID, sloid, _n._ the name given to a certain system of manual instruction which obtains in the schools of Finland and Sweden, the word properly denoting work of an artisan kind practised not as a trade or means of livelihood, but in the intervals of other employment. [Sw. _slöjd_, dexterity.]

SLUB, slub, _v.t._ to twist after carding to prepare for spinning.

SLUBBER, slub'[.e]r, _v.t._ to stain, to daub, slur over.--_n._ SLUBB'ER-DEGULL'ION, a wretch.--_adv._ SLUBB'ERINGLY. [Dut. _slobberen_, to lap, Low Ger. _slubbern_.]

SLUDGE, sluj, _n._ soft mud or mire: half-melted snow.--_adj._ SLUDG'Y, miry: muddy. [A form of _slush_.]

SLUE, SLEW, sl[=u], _v.t._ (_naut._) to turn anything about its axis without removing it from its place: to turn or twist about.--_v.i._ to turn round:--_pr.p._ sl[=u]'ing; _pa.p._ sl[=u]ed.--_n._ the turning of a body upon an axis within its figure.--_adj._ SLUED, tipsy. [Scand., Ice. _snua_, to turn.]

SLUG, slug, _n._ a heavy, lazy fellow: a name for land-molluscs of order Pulmonata, with shell rudimentary or absent--they do great damage to garden crops: any hinderance.--_ns._ SLUG'-A-BED (_Shak._), one who is fond of lying in bed, a sluggard; SLUG'GARD, one habitually idle or inactive.--_v.t._ SLUG'GARDISE (_Shak._), to make lazy.--_adj._ SLUG'GISH, habitually lazy: slothful: having little motion: having little or no power.--_adv._ SLUG'GISHLY.--_n._ SLUG'GISHNESS. [Scand., Dan. _slug_, _sluk_, drooping, Norw. _sloka_, to slouch; Low Ger. _slukkern_, to be loose; allied to slack.]

SLUG, slug, _n._ a cylindrical or oval piece of metal for firing from a gun: a piece of crude metal. [Prob. from slug above, or _slug_=_slog_, to hit hard.]

SLUGGA, slug'a, _n._ a deep cavity formed by the action of subterranean streams common in some limestone districts of Ireland. [Ir. _slugaid_, a slough.]

SLUGHORN, slug'horn, _n._ a word used to denote a kind of horn, but really a corruption of slogan.

SLUICE, sl[=oo]s, _n._ a sliding gate in a frame for shutting off or regulating the flow of water: the stream which flows through it: that through which anything flows: a source of supply: in mining, a board trough for separating gold from placer-dirt carried through it by a current of water: the injection-valve in a steam-engine condenser.--_v.t._ to wet or drench copiously: to wash in or by a sluice: to flush or clean out with a strong flow of water.--_adj._ SLUIC'Y, falling in streams, as from a sluice. [O. Fr. _escluse_ (Fr. _écluse)_--Low L. _exclusa_ (_aqua_), a sluice (water) shut out, _pa.p._ of L. _ex-clud[)e]re_, to shut out.]

SLUM, slum, _n._ a low street or neighbourhood.--_v.i._ to visit the slums of a city, esp. from motives of curiosity.--_ns._ SLUM'MER, one who slums; SLUM'MING, the practice of visiting slums.

SLUMBER, slum'b[.e]r, _v.i._ to sleep lightly: to sleep: to be in a state of negligence or inactivity.--_n._ light sleep: repose.--_ns._ SLUM'BERER; SLUM'BERING.--_adv._ SLUM'BERINGLY, in a slumbering manner.--_n._ SLUM'BERLAND, the state of slumber.--_adjs._ SLUM'BERLESS, without slumber: sleepless; SLUM'BEROUS, SLUM'BROUS, inviting or causing slumber; sleepy; SLUM'BERY, sleepy: drowsy. [With intrusive _b_ from M. E. _slumeren_--A.S. _sluma_, slumber; cog. with Ger. _schlummern_.]

SLUMP, slump, _v.i._ to fall or sink suddenly into water or mud: to fail or fall through helplessly.--_n._ a boggy place: the act of sinking into slush, &c., also the sound so made: a sudden fall or failure.--_adj._ SLUMP'Y, marshy. [Cf. Dan. _slumpe_, to stumble upon by chance; Ger. _schlumpen_, to trail.]

SLUMP, slump, _v.t._ to throw into a lump or mass, to lump.--_n._ a gross amount, a lump.--_n._ SLUMP'-WORK, work in the lump. [Cf. Dan. _slump_, a lot, Dut. _slomp_, a mass.]

SLUNG, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _sling_.--_n._ SLUNG'-SHOT, a weight attached to a cord, used as a weapon.

SLUNK, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _slink_.--_adj._ SLUNK'EN (_prov._), shrivelled.

SLUR, slur, _v.t._ to soil; to contaminate: to disgrace: to pass over lightly: to conceal: (_mus._) to sing or play in a gliding manner.--_v.i._ (_print._) to slip in making the impression, causing the printing to be blurred:--_pr.p._ slur'ring; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slurred.--_n._ a stain: slight reproach or disparagement: (_mus._) a mark showing that notes are to be sung to the same syllable.--_p.adj._ SLURRED (_mus._), marked with a slur, performed in a gliding style like notes marked with a slur. [Old Dut. _slooren_, sleuren, Low Ger. _slüren_, to drag along the ground.]

SLURRY, slur'i, _n._ any one of several semi-fluid mixtures, esp. of ganister, used to make repairs in converter-linings.

SLUSH, slush, _n._ liquid mud: melting snow: a mixture of grease for lubrication: the refuse of the cook's galley in a ship.--_v.t._ to apply slush to, to grease: to wash by throwing water upon: to fill spaces in masonry with mortar (with up): to coat with a mixture of white-lead and lime the bright parts of machinery.--_adj._ SLUSH'Y. [Cf. _Slosh_.]

SLUT, slut, _n._ (_fem._ of SLOVEN) a dirty, untidy woman: a wench, a jade: a bitch.--_adj._ SLUT'TISH, resembling a slut: dirty: careless.--_adv._ SLUT'TISHLY.--_ns._ SLUT'TISHNESS, SLUT'TERY. [Scand., Ice. _slöttr_, a dull fellow--_slota_, to droop.]

SLY, sl[=i], _adj._ dexterous in doing anything so as to be unobserved: cunning: wily: secret: done with artful dexterity: illicit.--_n._ SLY'BOOTS, a sly or cunning person or animal.--_advs._ SLY'LY, SL[=I]'LY.--_ns._ SLY'NESS, SL[=I]'NESS.--ON THE SLY, slyly, secretly. [Prob. from Ice. _slæg-r_; cf. Ger. _schlau_.]

SLYPE, sl[=i]p, _n._ a. covered passage from the transept of a cathedral to the chapter-house, &c. [_Slip_.]

SMACK, smak, _n._ taste: flavour: a pleasing taste: a small quantity: a flavour of something.--_v.i._ to have a taste: to have a quality. [A.S. _smæc_.]

SMACK, smak, _n._ a generic name for small decked or half-decked coasters and fishing-vessels, most rigged as cutters, sloops, or yawls. [Dut. _smak_; Ger. _schmacke_, Ice. _snekja_.]

SMACK, smak, _v.t._ to strike smartly, to slap loudly: to kiss roughly and noisily.--_v.i._ to make a sharp noise with, as the lips by separation.--_n._ a sharp sound: a crack: a hearty kiss.--_adv._ sharply, straight.--_p.adj._ SMACK'ING, making a sharp, brisk sound, a sharp noise, a smack. [Prob. imit., Dut. _smakken_, to smite, Ger. _schmatzen_, to smack.]

SMALL, smawl, _adj._ little in quantity or degree: minute: not great: unimportant: ungenerous, petty: of little worth or ability: short: having little strength: gentle: little in quality or quantity.--_adv._ in a low tone; gently.--_ns._ SMALL'-ALE, ale with little malt and unhopped; SMALL'-AND-EARL'Y (_coll._) an informal evening-party.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-ARMS, muskets, rifles, pistols, &c., including all weapons that can be actually carried by a man.--_n._ SMALL'-BEER, a kind of weak beer.--_adj._ inferior generally.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-CLOTHES, knee-breeches, esp. those of the close-fitting 18th-century form.--_ns._ SMALL'-COAL, coal not in lumps but small pieces; SMALL'-CRAFT, small vessels generally.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-DEBTS, a phrase current in Scotland to denote debts under £12, recoverable in the Sheriff Court.--_n._ SMALL'-HAND, writing such as is ordinarily used in correspondence.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-HOURS, the hours immediately following midnight.--_adj._ SMALL'ISH, somewhat small.--_ns._ SMALL'NESS; SMALL'-P[=I]'CA (see PICA); SMALL'POX, or _Variola_, a contagious, febrile disease, of the class known as _Exanthemata_, characterised by small pocks or eruptions on the skin; SMALLS, the 'little-go' or previous examination: small-clothes; SMALL'-TALK, light or trifling conversation.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-WARES (see WARE).--IN A SMALL WAY, with little capital or stock: unostentatiously. [A.S. _smæl_; Ger. _schmal_.]

SMALLAGE, smawl'[=a]j, _n._ celery. [_Small_, Fr. _ache_--L. _apium_, parsley.]

SMALT, smawlt, _n._ glass melted, tinged blue by cobalt, and pulverised when cold.--_n._ SMAL'TINE, an arsenide of cobalt, often containing nickel and iron. [Low L. _smaltum_--Old High Ger. _smalzjan_ (Ger. _schmelzen_), to melt.]

SMARAGDINE, sma-rag'din, _adj._ of an emerald green.--_n._ SMARAG'DITE, a peculiar variety of Amphibole, light grass-green in colour, with a foliated, lamellar or fibrous structure--occurring as a constituent of the rock called _Eklogite_. [L. _smaragdinus_--smaragdus--Gr. _smaragdos_, the emerald.]

SMART, smärt, _n._ quick, stinging pain of body or mind: smart-money: a dandy.--_v.i._ to feel a smart: to be punished.--_adj._ causing a smart: severe: sharp: vigorous, brisk: acute, witty, pert, vivacious: well-dressed, fine, fashionable: keen in business: creditable, up-to-the-mark.--_v.t._ SMART'EN, to make smart, to brighten (with _up_).--_adv._ SMART'LY.--_ns._ SMART'-MON'EY, money paid by a recruit for his release before being sworn in: money paid for escape from any unpleasant situation or engagement: excessive damages: money allowed to soldiers and sailors for wounds; SMART'NESS; SMART'-TICK'ET, a certificate granted to one entitled to smart-money; SMART'-WEED, a name given to some of the Milkworts from their acrid properties, esp. _Polygonum Hydropiper_, or Waterpepper; SMART'Y, a would-be smart fellow. [A.S. _smeortan_; Dut. _smarten_, Ger. _schmerzen_.]

SMASH, smash, _v.t._ to break in pieces violently: to crush: to dash violently.--_v.i._ to act with crushing force: to be broken to pieces: to be ruined, to fail: to dash violently.--_n._ act of smashing, destruction, ruin, bankruptcy.--_ns._ SMASH'ER, one who smashes: (_slang_) one who passes bad money, bad money itself: anything great or extraordinary; SMASH'ING.--_adj._ crushing: dashing.--_n._ SMASH'-UP, a serious smash. [Prob. Sw. dial. _smaske_, to smack.]

SMATCH, smach, _n._ (_Shak._) taste or tincture.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to have a taste. [_Smack_.]

SMATTER, smat'[.e]r, _v.i._ to talk superficially: to have a superficial knowledge.--_ns._ SMATT'ERER; SMATT'ERING, a superficial knowledge.--_adv._ SMATT'ERINGLY, in a smattering manner. [M. E. _smateren_, to rattle, to chatter--Sw. _smattra_, to clatter; Ger. _schnattern_.]

SMEAR, sm[=e]r, _v.t._ to overspread with anything sticky or oily, as grease: to daub.--_n._ SMEAR'INESS.--_adj._ SMEAR'Y, sticky: showing smears. [A.S. _smeru_, fat, grease; Ger. _schmeer_, grease, Ice. _smjör_, butter.]

SMECTITE, smek't[=i]t, _n._ a greenish clay. [Gr. _sm[=e]ktis_--_sm[=e]chein_, to rub.]