Chapter XIII: Front Matter (13)

SPECK, spek, _n._ a spot: a blemish: a mark betokening decay: a separate piece or particle, an atom, the least morsel or quantity: a percoid fish of the United States, a darter.--_v.t._ to spot. [A.S. _specca_; Low Ger. _spakig_, spotted with wet.]

SPECK, spek, _n._ fat, lard.--_n._ SPECKTIONEER', the chief harpooner in whale-fishing. [A.S. _spic_, bacon; Ger. _speck_, Dut. _spek_, fat.]

SPECKLE, spek'l, _n._ a little speck or spot in anything different in substance or colour from the thing itself: (_Scot._) kind, sort.--_v.t._ to mark with speckles.--_adj._ SPECK'LED, variegated, piebald.--_n._ SPECK'LEDNESS.--_adjs._ SPECK'LESS, spotless, perfectly clean; SPECK'Y, partially spotted.

SPECTACLE, spek'ta-kl, _n._ a sight: show, a pageant, exhibition: (_pl._) a pair of lenses mounted in frames to assist the sight, aids to mental vision: a marking resembling spectacles, as in the cobra.--_adjs._ SPEC'TACLED, wearing spectacles: marked like spectacles, as the bear, cobra, &c.; SPECTAC'ULAR, marked by display.--_n._ SPECTACULAR'ITY.--_adv._ SPECTAC'ULARLY. [L. _spectaculum_--_spect[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, intens. of _spec[)e]re_, to look at.]

SPECTANT, spek'tant, _adj._ looking forward.--_v.t._ SPEC'T[=A]TE, to survey.--_n._ SPEC'T[=A]TION. [L. _spectans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of _spect[=a]re_.]

SPECTATOR, spek-t[=a]'tor, _n._ one who looks on:--_fem._ SPECT[=A]'TRESS, SPECT[=A]'TRIX.--_adj._ SPECTAT[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ SPECT[=A]'TORSHIP, the office or quality of a spectator: (_Shak._) the act of beholding.

SPECTRE, spek't[.e]r, _n._ a ghost.--_adj._ SPEC'TRAL, relating to, or like, a spectre.--_n._ SPECTRAL'ITY, the state of being spectral, a spectral object.--_adv._ SPEC'TRALLY.--_n._ SPEC'TRE-BAT, a South American leaf-nosed bat or vampire. [L. _spectrum_, a vision--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]

SPECTRUM, spek'trum, _n._ the image of something seen continued after the eyes are closed: the colours of light separated by a prism, and exhibited as spread out on a screen:--_pl._ SPEC'TRA.--_n._ SPEC'TROGRAPH, an apparatus for photographing a spectrum.--_adjs._ SPECTROGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_n._ SPECTROG'RAPHY, the art of using the spectrograph.--_adj._ SPECTROLOG'ICAL.--_adv._ SPECTROLOG'ICALLY.--_ns._ SPECTROL'OGY, the division of physical science that embraces spectrum analysis: demonology; SPECTROM'ETER, an instrument like a spectroscope, by means of which the angular deviation of a ray of light in passing through a prism can be accurately measured.--_adj._ SPECTROMET'RIC.--_n._ SPEC'TROPH[=O]NE, an adaptation of the spectroscope, in which, on the principle of the radiophone, perception of a succession of sounds takes the place of observation by the eye.--_adj._ SPECTROPHON'IC.--_ns._ SPEC'TRO-POLAR'ISCOPE, a polariscope combined with a spectroscope; SPEC'TROSCOPE, an instrument for forming and examining spectra of luminous bodies, so as to determine their composition.--_adjs._ SPECTROSC[=O]P'IC, -AL.--_adv._ SPECTROSC[=O]P'ICALLY.--_ns._ SPEC'TROSC[=O]PIST, one skilled in spectroscopy; SPEC'TROSC[=O]PY, the use of the spectroscope and the study of spectrum analysis. [L.,--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]

SPECULAR, spek'[=u]-lar, _adj._ resembling a speculum: having a smooth reflecting surface: assisting vision, serving for inspection.--SPECULAR IRON ORE, a variety of hematite, with a brilliant metallic lustre. [L.]

SPECULARIA, spek-[=u]-l[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a genus of plants of the bellwort family (_Campanulaceæ_), including the Venus's-looking-glass.

SPECULATE, spek'[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to look at or into with the mind: to consider: to theorise: to traffic for great profit.--_ns._ SPECUL[=A]'TION, act of speculating: mental view: contemplation: theory: the buying goods, &c., to sell them at an advance, any more or less risky investment of money for the sake of unusually large profits; SPEC'UL[=A]TIST, a speculative philosopher.--_adj._ SPEC'[=U]L[=A]TIVE, given to speculation or theory: ideal: pertaining to speculation in business, &c.--_adv._ SPEC'UL[=A]TIVELY.--_ns._ SPEC'UL[=A]TIVENESS, the state of being speculative; SPEC'UL[=A]TOR, one who engages in mental speculations, or who practises speculation in trade or business of any kind.--_adj._ SPEC'[=U]L[=A]TORY, exercising speculation: adapted for spying or viewing.--_n._ SPEC'UL[=A]TRIX, a female speculator. [L. _speculatus_, _pa.p._ of _specul[=a]ri_--_specula_, a lookout--_spec[)e]re_, to look.]

SPECULUM, spek'[=u]-lum, _n._ (_opt._) a reflector usually made of polished metal: (_surg._) an instrument for bringing into view parts otherwise hidden: an ocellus or eye-spot, the mirror of a wing: a lookout place:--_pl._ SPEC'ULA. [L.,--_spec[)e]re_, to look.]

SPED, sped, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _speed_.

SPEECH, sp[=e]ch, _n._ that which is spoken: language: the power of speaking: manner of speech, oration: any declaration of thoughts: mention: colloquy: conference.--_ns._ SPEECH'-CRAFT, the science of language: the gift of speech; SPEECH'-CR[=I]'ER, one who hawked the broadsides containing the dying speeches of persons executed, once common; SPEECH'-DAY, the public day at the close of a school year.--_adj._ SPEECH'FUL, loquacious.--_ns._ SPEECHIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of making harangues; SPEECH'IF[=I]ER.--_v.i._ SPEECH'IFY, to make speeches, harangue (implying contempt).--_adj._ SPEECH'LESS, destitute or deprived of the power of speech.--_adv._ SPEECH'LESSLY.--_ns._ SPEECH'LESSNESS; SPEECH'-M[=A]K'ER, one accustomed to speak in public; SPEECH'-M[=A]K'ING, a formal speaking before an assembly; SPEECH'-READ'ING, the art of following spoken words by observing the speaker's lips, as taught to deaf-mutes. [A.S. _sp['æ]c_, _spr['æ]c_; Ger. _sprache_.]

SPEED, sp[=e]d, _n._ quickness, velocity: success.--_v.i._ to move quickly, to hurry: to succeed, to fare.--_v.t._ to despatch quickly: to hasten, as to a conclusion: to cause to advance, to push forward: to give a certain speed to, regulate the speed of: to send off, to put forth, to rid of, to kill: to cause to be relieved (only in passive): to execute: to aid: to make prosperous:--_pr.p._ speed'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ sped.--_n._ SPEED'ER, one who, or that which, promotes speed.--_adj._ SPEED'FUL, speedy.--_advs._ SPEED'FULLY; SPEED'ILY.--_ns._ SPEED'INESS, speed, haste; SPEED'-PULL'EY, a pulley having different faces of different diameters giving various speeds according to the face the belt passes over; SPEED'WELL (_Veronica_), a genus of plants of the natural order _Scrophulariaceæ_, with blue, white, or pink flowers, the leaves of some species used medicinally.--_adj._ SPEED'Y, hasty: quick: nimble. [A.S. _spéd_; Dut. _spoed_.]

SPEIR, SPEER, sp[=e]r, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Scot._) to ask. [A.S. _spyrian_, to inquire after, _spor_, a trace.]

SPEISS, sp[=i]s, _n._ the product first obtained (an arsenide of the metal) when arsenical ores are smelted. [Ger. _speise_.]

SPEKBOOM, spek'b[=o]m, _n._ a large South African shrub of the purslane family. [Dut.]

SPELÆAN, SPELEAN, sp[=e]-l[=e]'an, _adj._ cave-dwelling. [L. _spelæum_--Gr. _sp[=e]laion_, a cave.]

SPELD, speld, _n._ a chip, splinter.--Also SPEL'DER.

SPELDING, spel'ding, _n._ (_Scot._) a small fish split and dried in the sun.--Also SPEL'DRIN, SPEL'DRON.

SPELIN, spe-lin', _n._ an artificial linguistic system devised by G. Bauer in 1888 for universal use.

SPELK, spelk, _n._ (_prov._) a rod, switch.--_v.t._ to use a spelk in or upon.

SPELL, spel, _n._ any form of words supposed to possess magical power: fascination.--_v.t._ to tell or name the letters of: to name, write, or print the proper letters of.--_v.i._ to form words with the proper letters: to study:--_pr.p._ spell'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spelled, spelt.--_adjs._ SPELL'ABLE, capable of being spelled; SPELL'-BOUND, SPELL'-STOPPED (_Shak._), entranced, fascinated.--_ns._ SPELL'ER, one who spells: one skilled in spelling; SPELL'ING, act of spelling or naming the letters of words: orthography; SPELL'ING-BEE, a competition in spelling; SPELL'ING-BOOK, a book for teaching to spell; SPELL'-WORK, that which is wrought by spells or charms: power of magic.--SPELL BACKWARD, to spell, repeat, or arrange in reverse order: to understand in a contrary sense: to turn wrong-side out, misconstrue one's qualities; SPELL BAKER, to do something difficult, that word being one of the earliest dissyllables in children's books. [A.S. _spell_, a narrative; Goth. _spill_, Ice. _spjall_, a tale.]

SPELL, spel, _v.t._ to take another's place at work:--_pr.p._ spell'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spelled.--_n._ a turn at work: a short period indefinitely: an interval of rest: a bad turn. [A.S. _spelian_, to act for another; cf. Dut. _spelen_, Ger. _spielen_, to play.]

SPELT, spelt, _n._ a kind of wheat, probably only a race of common wheat, still grown in the mountainous parts of Europe and elsewhere--also called German wheat. [A.S. _spelt_--Low L. _spelta_.]

SPELTER, spel't[.e]r, _n._ zinc. [Allied to Dut. _spiauter_.]

SPENCE, spens, _n._ (_prov._) a place where provisions are kept: a larder: a pantry.--Also SPENSE. [O. Fr. _despense_, a buttery--_despendre_--L. _dispend[)e]re_.]

SPENCER, spens'[.e]r, _n._ a short over-jacket worn by men or women, named after Earl _Spencer_ (1782-1845).

SPENCER, spens'[.e]r, _n._ (in ships and barques) a fore-and-aft sail abaft the fore and main masts.

SPENCERIAN, spen-s[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the philosophy of Herbert _Spencer_ (b. 1820).--_n._ a follower of Spencer.--_n._ SPENC[=E]'RIANISM, the system of evolutionary cosmology propounded by Herbert Spencer--the so-called synthetic philosophy.

SPEND, spend, _v.t._ to expend or weigh out: to give for any purpose: to consume: to waste: to pass, as time.--_v.i._ to make expense: to be lost, wasted, or dissipated: to emit milt, semen, &c.:--_pr.p._ spend'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spent.--_adj._ SPEN'DABLE, that may be spent.--_ns._ SPEND'ALL, a spendthrift; SPEN'DER; SPEN'DING; SPENSE=_Spence_ (q.v.).--_adj._ SPENT, exhausted: impotent: of fish, exhausted by spawning. [A.S. _spendan_--L. _expend[)e]re_ or _dispend[)e]re_, to weigh out.]

SPENDTHRIFT, spend'thrift, _n._ one who spends the savings of thrift: a prodigal.--_adj._ excessively lavish. [_Spend_ and _thrift_.]

SPENSERIAN, spen-s[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to Edmund _Spenser_ (1552-1599) or his versification, esp. his stanza in _The Faerie Queene_, a strophe of eight decasyllabic lines and an Alexandrine, having three rhymes, the 1st and 3d, the 2d, 4th, 5th, and 7th, and the 6th, 8th, and 9th.

SPENT, spent, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of spend.

SPEOS, sp[=e]'os, _n._ a grotto-temple or tomb. [Gr.]

SPER, sp[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to bolt, to shut, as a gate.

SPERABLE, sp[=e]'ra-bl, _adj._ (_Bacon_) that may be hoped.--_adj._ SP[=E]'RATE, hoped for. [L. _sperabilis_--_sper[=a]re_, to hope.]

SPERGULA, sper'g[=u]-la, _n._ a genus of polypetalous annuals belonging to the _Caryophyllaceæ_, with small white or pink flowers--_spurry_ or _sandweed_.--_n._ SPERGUL[=A]'RIA, an allied genus, the sand-spurry. [L. _sparg[)e]re_, to scatter.]

SPERKET, sp[.e]r'ket, _n._ a hooked peg for hanging harness upon.--Also SPIR'KET.

SPERM, sp[.e]rm, _n._ animal seed: spawn of fishes or frogs: spermaceti.--_ns._ SPER'MADUCT, a spermatic duct; SPER'MAPHORE (_bot._), a placenta; SPER'MARY, the male germ-gland; SPERMATH[=E]'CA, a spermatic case or sheath--also SPERMATOTH[=E]'CA.--_adjs._ SPERMATH[=E]'CAL; SPERMAT'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or consisting of, sperm or seed, seminal: connected with the male function, testicular.--_v.i._ SPER'MATISE, to yield or to discharge semen.--_ns._ SPER'MATISM=_Spermism_; SPER'MATIST=_Spermist_; SPERM[=A]'TIUM, a minute spore within a spermogonium:--_pl._ SPERM[=A]'TIA.--_adj._ SPERMAT[=O]'AL, pertaining to a spermatoon.--_n._ SPER'MATOBLAST, the germ of a spermatozoon.--_adj._ SPERMATOBLAS'TIC.--_ns._ SPER'MATOCELE, swelling of the testicle; SPER'MATOCYST, a seminal vesicle; SPERMATOCYS'TIS, inflammation of the seminal vesicles.--_adj._ SPERMATOCY'TAL.--_ns._ SPER'MATOCYTE, a mother-cell from which spermatozoids are developed; SPERMATOGEM'MA, a mass of spermatocytes; SPERMATOGEN'ESIS, the formation of spermatozoa.--_adjs._ SPERMATOGENET'IC, SPERMATOG'ENOUS.--_ns._ SPERMATOG'ENY, the generation of spermatozoa; SPERMATOG[=O]'NIUM, one of the primitive seminal cells that by division form the spermatocytes.--_adjs._ SPER'MATOID, sperm-like; SPERMATOLOG'ICAL, pertaining to spermatology.--_ns._ SPERMATOL'OGIST, one versed in spermatology; SPERMATOL'OGY, the knowledge of the facts about semen; SPERMAT[=O]'ON, the nucleus of a spermatozoon; SPERMAT'[=O]PH[=O]RE, a case which in some Invertebrata encloses the spermatozoa.--_adj._ SPERMATOPH'OROUS.--_ns._ SPERMATORRH[=E]'A, involuntary seminal discharge; SPERMAT[=O]'VUM, a fecundated ovum; SPERMATOZ[=O]'ID, SPERMATOZ[=O]'ON, one of the male reproductive cells of animals, the physiological complements of the egg-cells or ova:--_pl._ SPERMATOZ[=O]'A; SPERM'-CELL, a spermatozoon: a spermatoblast or a spermatocyte.--_adj._ SPER'MIC=_Spermatic_--_ns._ SPER'MISM, a seminal discharge: the theory that the male sperm holds the whole germ of the future animal; SPER'MIST, one who holds the theory of spermism; SPERM'-N[=U]'CLEUS, the nucleus of a spermatozoon; SPER'MODERM, the whole integument of a seed; SPERMOG[=O]'NIUM, the cavity in which, spermatia are produced; SPERM'-OIL, oil from the sperm-whale; SPORMOL'OGY=_Spermatology_; SPERMOPH'[=O]RUM, a seminal vesicle.--_n.pl._ SPERMOPH'YTA, one of the four divisions of the vegetable kingdom including flowering plants.--_ns._ SPERM'[=U]LE, a sperm-cell; SPERM'-WHALE, the cachalot, a species of whale from which spermaceti is obtained. [Fr.,--L. _sperma_--Gr. _sperma_, _spermatos_--_speirein_, to sow.]

SPERMACETI, sper-ma-set'i, or-s[=e]'t[=i], _n._ a waxy matter obtained mixed with oil from the head of the sperm-whale--purified by draining off the oil and repeatedly washing with hot water and weak boiling potash-lye.--_adj._ derived from, or yielding, spermaceti.--_n._ SPERMACET'I-WHALE, the sperm-whale. [L. _sperma_, _c[=e]tus_, a whale--Gr. _k[=e]tos_.]

SPERMOPHILE, sper'm[=o]-f[=i]l, _n._ a rodent of the genus _Spermophilus_, a ground-squirrel. [Gr. _sperma_, seed, _philein_, to love.]

SPERRE, sper, _v.t._ (_Spens._). Same as SPER. [_Spar_.]

SPERRYLITE, sper'i-l[=i]t, _n._ an arsenide of platinum discovered in 1888 in the province of Ontario, Canada.

SPERSE, sp[.e]rs, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to disperse.

SPET, spet, _v.i._ (_Milt._) a form of _spit_.

SPETCH, spech, _n._ a piece of skin used in making glue. [_Speck_.]

SPEW, SPUE, sp[=u], _v.t._ and _v.i._ to vomit: to eject with loathing.--_ns._ SPEW'ER; SPEW'INESS, moistness.--_adj._ SPEW'Y, boggy. [A.S. _spíwan_; Dut. _spuwen_, Ger. _speien_; also L. _spu[)e]re_, Gr. _ptyein_.]

SPHACELUS, sfas'e-lus, _n._ gangrene.--_adjs._ SPHAC'ELATE, -D, necrosed.--_ns._ SPHACEL[=A]'TION, SPHACELIS'MUS, necrosis; SPHACEL[=O]'MA, a genus of fungi containing _anthracnose_. [Gr. _sphakelos_.]

SPHÆRIDIUM, sf[=e]-rid'i-um, _n._ one of the minute spheroidal bodies attached to the ambulacral plates of sea-urchins:--_pl._ SPHÆRID'IA. [Gr. _sphairidion_, dim. of _sphaira_, a sphere.]

SPHÆRISTERIUM, sf[=e]-ris-t[=e]'ri-um, _n._ a tennis-court. [Gr.,--_sphaira_, a ball.]

SPHÆRITE, sf[=e]'r[=i]t, _n._ a hydrous phosphate of aluminium.

SPHAGNUM, sfag'num, _n._ a genus of mosses--peat or bog-moss, belonging to the order _Sphagnaceæ_.--_ns._ SPHAGNOL'OGIST, one who has studied the foregoing; SPHAGNOL'OGY, the study of the same.--_adj._ SPHAG'NOUS. [Gr. _sphagnos_, moss.]

SPHECIUS, sf[=e]'shi-us, _n._ a genus of digger-wasps. [Gr. _sph[=e]x_, a wasp.]

SPHENDONE, sfen'd[=o]-n[=e], _n._ an ancient Greek form of women's head-band: an elliptical or semi-elliptical auditorium. [Gr., a sling.]

SPHENE, sf[=e]n, _n._ titanite. [Fr.,--Gr. _sph[=e]n_, wedge.]

SPHENIC, sf[=e]'nik, _adj._ wedge-like. [Gr. _sph[=e]n_, a wedge.]

SPHENISCUS, sf[=e]-nis'kus, _n._ a genus of penguins, of the family _Spheniscidæ_, the jackass-penguins.

SPHENODON, sf[=e]'n[=o]-don, _n._ a genus of South American fossil sloths; a genus of extinct New Zealand lizards.--_adj._ SPH[=E]'NODONT. [Gr. _sph[=e]n_, a wedge, _odous_, _odontos_, a tooth.]

SPHENOID, -AL, sf[=e]'noid, -al, _adj._ wedge-shaped: inserted like a wedge, denoting a bone at the base of the skull.--_adjs._ SPHENETH'MOID, pertaining to the sphenoid and the ethmoid bone; SPH[=E]'N[=O]-FRON'TAL, -M[=A]'LAR, -PAL'ATINE, -PAR[=I]'ETAL, -TEM'PORAL, pertaining to the sphenoid and frontal, malar, palatine, parietal, and temporal bones respectively.--_n._ SPH[=E]'NOGRAM, a cuneiform character.--_adjs._ SPH[=E]NOGRAPH'IC, -AL.--_n._ SPH[=E]NOG'RAPHY, the art of writing or deciphering cuneiform inscriptions.--_adjs._ SPH[=E]NOT'IC, pertaining to the sphenoid bone and the otic capsule; SPH[=E]'NO-TUR'BINAL, sphenoidal and turbinated or whorled. [Gr. _sph[=e]n_, _sph[=e]nos_, a wedge, _eidos_, form.]

SPHERE, sf[=e]r, _n._ a ball or globe: an orb or circle: circuit of motion: province or duty: definite range: rank, position in society: (_geom._) a surface every point of which is equidistant from one and the same point, called the centre.--_adjs._ SPH[=E]R'AL; SPHERE'LESS.--_ns._ SPHERE'-MET'AL (_Milt._), metal like that of which the celestial spheres were anciently supposed to be made; SPHERE'-M[=U]'SIC, the music of the spheres.--_adjs._ SPHER'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or like, a sphere.--_n._ SPHERICAL'ITY.--_adv._ SPHER'ICALLY.--_ns._ SPHER'ICALNESS, SPHERIC'ITY, state or quality of being spherical: roundness; SPHER'ICLE, a little sphere; SPHER'ICS, the geometry and trigonometry of the sphere; SPH[=E]'ROID, a body or figure nearly spherical, but not quite so--a species of ellipsoid (_prolate_ spheroid, a slightly lengthened sphere; _oblate_ spheroid, a slightly flattened sphere).--_adj._ SPH[=E]ROI'DAL, having the form of a spheroid.--_ns._ SPH[=E]ROIDI'CITY, SPH[=E]ROID'ITY, the state of being spheroidal; SPH[=E]'ROM[=E]RE, one of the symmetrical segments of a radiate; SPH[=E]ROM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the sphericity of portions of spherical surfaces--for example, lenses; SPH[=E]'ROSID'ERITE, the name given to impure or earthy and frequently concretionary varieties of carbonate of iron.--_adj._ SPHER'[=U]LAR.--_ns._ SPHER'[=U]LE, a little sphere; SPHER'[=U]LITE, a radiating spherical group of minute acicular crystals common in silicious volcanic rocks.--_adjs._ SPHER[=U]LIT'IC; SPH[=E]'RY, spherical, round: belonging to the celestial spheres. [Fr.,--L. _sphæra_--Gr. _sphaira_.]

SPHEX, sfeks, _n._ a genus of hymenopterous insects of the family _Sphegidæ_, closely allied to the true wasps (_Vespidæ_). [Gr. _sph[=e]x_, a wasp.]

SPHINCTER, sfingk't[.e]r, _n._ (_anat._) a muscle that contracts or shuts an orifice or opening which it surrounds--around the anus, &c.--_adjs._ SPHINC'TER[=A]TE, provided with a sphincter, contracted as if by a sphincter; SPHINCT[=E]'RIAL, SPHINCTER'IC, relating to a sphincter or its function.--_n._ SPHINCTEROT'OMY, the operation of cutting a sphincter. [Gr. _sphingkt[=e]r_,--_sphinggein_, to bind tight.]

SPHINX, sfingks, _n._ a monster of Greek mythology, with the head of a woman and the body of a lioness, that proposed riddles to travellers, and strangled those who could not solve them: an enigmatic or inscrutable person: a hawk-moth: the Guinea baboon. [Gr.,--_sphinggein_, to throttle.]

SPHRAGISTICS, sfr[=a]-jis'tiks, _n._ knowledge about seals, their age, history, &c. [Gr. _sphragistikos_, pertaining to seals--_sphragis_, a seal.]

SPHRIGOSIS, sfri-g[=o]'sis, _n._ in fruit-trees, excessive growth in wood and leaves at the expense of fruit. [Gr. _sphrigan_, to be vigorous.]

SPHYGMOGRAPH, sfig'm[=o]-graf, _n._ an instrument for ascertaining and recording the form, force, and frequency of the pulse-beat, and the changes it undergoes in certain morbid states.--_adj._ SPHYG'MIC, pertaining to the pulse.--_n._ SPHYG'MOGRAM, the record made by a sphygmograph.--_adj._ SPHYGMOGRAPH'IC.--_n._ SPHYGMOG'RAPHY, the act of taking pulse-tracings.--_adj._ SPHYG'MOID, pulse-like.--_ns._ SPHYGMOL'OGY, the science of the pulse; SPHYGM[=O]M[=A]NOM'ETER, SPHYGMOM'ETER, an instrument for measuring the tension of blood in an artery; SPHYG'MOPHONE, an instrument by means of which a pulse-beat makes a sound: SPHYG'M[=O]SC[=O]PE, an instrument for making arterial pulsations visible; SPHYG'MUS, the pulse. [Gr. _sphygmos_, the pulse, _graphein_, to write.]

SPHYRNA, sf[.e]r'na, _n._ a genus of hammer-headed sharks.--_adj._ SPHYR'NINE. [Gr. _sphyra_, a hammer.]

SPIAL, sp[=i]'al, _n._ (_obs._) espial: a spy, a scout.

SPICA, sp[=i]'ka, _n._ a spiral bandage with reversed turns: (_ornith._) a spur.--_adjs._ SP[=I]'CAL, SP[=I]'C[=A]TE, -D, arranged in, or having the form of, a spike.--_n._ SPIC[=A]'TUM, in ancient masonry, herring-bone work. [L. _spicatus_, pa.p. of _spic[=a]re_--_spica_, ear.]

SPICE, sp[=i]s, _n._ an aromatic and pungent vegetable substance used as a condiment and for seasoning food--pepper, cayenne pepper, pimento, nutmeg, mace, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cassia, &c.: a characteristic touch or taste, smack, flavour: anything that adds piquancy or interest: an aromatic odour.--_v.t._ to season with spice: to tincture, vary, or diversify.--_ns._ SPICE'-BOX, an ornamental box for keeping spices: (_coll._) a hot-tempered person; SPICE'-BUSH, an aromatic American shrub of the laurel family; SPICE'-CAKE, a cake flavoured with spice of some kind.--_adjs._ SPICED, impregnated with a spicy odour: over-scrupulous; SPICE'FUL, aromatic.--_ns._ SP[=I]'CER, one who seasons with spice; SP[=I]'CERY, spices in general: a repository of spices: spiciness; SPICE'-TREE, an evergreen tree of the Pacific United States, yielding a fine hard wood--the _Mountain-laurel_, _California-laurel_, _Olive-_ or _Bay-tree_, and _Cajeput_; SPICE'-WOOD, the spice-bush. [O. Fr. _espice_ (Fr. _épice_)--Late L. _species_, kinds of goods, spices--L. _species_, a particular kind, &c.]

SPICIFEROUS, SPICIFORM, SPICOUS, &c. See SPIKE.

SPICK, spik, _n._ a nail, a spike.--_adj._ tidy, fresh.--_adj._ SPICK'-AND-SPAN, new and fresh, brand-new.--SPICK-AND-SPAN NEW, i.e. as new as a spike just made and a chip just split. [_Spike_, nail.]

SPICKNEL, spik'nel, _n._ the baldmoney.--Also SPIG'NEL. [Prob. _spike-nail_.]

SPICY, sp[=i]'si, _adj._ producing or abounding with spices: fragrant: pungent: piquant, pointed, racy: showy.--_adv._ SP[=I]'CILY.--_n._ SP[=I]'CINESS.

SPIDER, sp[=i]'d[.e]r, _n._ an arachnid of the order _Araneida_, the body divided into two distinct parts--an unsegmented cephalo-thorax, bearing six pairs of appendages, and a soft unsegmented abdomen, at the end of which are the spinnerets from each of which numerous 'spinning-spools' ooze forth the viscid fluid which hardens into the silken thread: a frying-pan with feet, a trivet.--_ns._ SP[=I]'DER-CATCH'ER, the wall-creeper; SP[=I]'DER-CRAB, a spider-like crab, or sea-spider with long thin legs; SP[=I]'DER-D[=I]V'ER, the little grebe, or dabchick; SP[=I]'DERDOM, spiders collectively.--_adj._ SP[=I]'DERED, cobwebbed.--_n._ SP[=I]'DER-FLY, a pupiparous fly, as a bird-louse, &c.--_adj._ SP[=I]'DER-LIKE, like a spider.--_ns._ SP[=I]'DERLING, a young spider; SP[=I]'DER-MON'KEY, an American platyrrine monkey, with long slender legs and tail; SP[=I]'DER-STITCH, a stitch in lace or netting in which threads are carried diagonally and parallel to each other; SP[=I]'DER-WASP, a pompilid wasp which fills its nest with spiders for its young; SP[=I]'DER-WEB, the snare spun by the spider; SP[=I]'DER-WHEEL, in embroidery, a circular pattern with radiating lines; SP[=I]'DER-WORK, lace worked by spider-stitch; SP[=I]'DER-WORT, any plant of the genus _Tradescantia_, esp. _T. virginica_, an American perennial with deep-blue or reddish-violet flowers.--_adj._ SP[=I]'DERY, spider-like. [M. E. _spither_--A.S. _spinnan_, to spin; cf. Dan. _spinder_, Ger. _spinne_.]

SPIE, sp[=i], _n._ (_Spens._) a keen glance, the eye. [_Spy_.]

SPIEGELEISEN, sp[=e]'gl-[=i]-zen, _n._ a white cast-iron containing from eight to fifteen per cent. of manganese, largely used in the manufacture of steel by the Bessemer process. [Ger.,--_spiegel_--L. _speculum_, a mirror, Ger. _eisen_, iron.]

SPIFFY, spif'i, _adj._ (_slang_) smart, spruce, well-dressed.

SPIFLICATE, spif'li-k[=a]t, _v.t._ (_slang_) to suffocate, kill: to beat severely, to confound.--_n._ SPIFLIC[=A]'TION.

SPIGELIA, sp[=i]-j[=e]'li-a, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order _Loganiaceæ_, containing the _Worm-grass_ and _Carolina-pink_, the root--_Pink-root_--being purgative, narcotic, and poisonous, a powerful vermifuge.--_adj._ SPIG[=E]'LIAN, denoting the _lobulus spigelii_, one of the lobes of the liver. [From the Belgian Ad. van der _Spiegel_ (1558-1625).]

SPIGHT, sp[=i]t, v. and _n._ (_Spens._). Same as SPITE.

SPIGOT, spig'ut, _n._ a plug for stopping a small hole in a cask. [Gael. _spiocaid_, W. _ysbigod_--L. _spica_.]

SPIKE, sp[=i]k, _n._ an ear of corn: (_bot._) an inflorescence in which sessile flowers, or flowers having very short stalks, are arranged around an axis: a small pointed rod: a large nail.--_v.t._ to set with spikes: to stop the vent of with a cast-iron spike driven in hard and then broken off, as by soldiers obliged to abandon their own guns or unable to remove those of the enemy which they have captured.--_adjs._ SP[=I]'CATE, SP[=I]'COSE, SP[=I]'COUS, having spikes or ears, like corn; SPICIF'EROUS, bearing spikes: having spurs; SP[=I]'CIFORM, having the form of a spike.--_n._ SPICOS'ITY, state of being spicous or eared.--_adjs._ SPIC'[=U]LAR, resembling a dart: in the shape of, or having, sharp points; SPIC'[=U]LATE, covered with, or divided into, minute points.--_n._ SPIC'[=U]LE (_bot._), a little spike--also SPIC'[=U]LA: a minute, slender granule or point.--_adjs._ SPIC'UL[=I]FORM; SPIC[=U]LIG'ENOUS, SPIC[=U]LIF'EROUS, producing spicules; SPIC'[=U]L[=O]SE, SPIC'[=U]LOUS, having spicules.--_ns._ SPIC'[=U]LUM, a spicule; SPIKE'BILL, a merganser, a sawbill: the marbled godwit.--_p.adj._ SPIKED, furnished, fastened, or stopped with spikes.--_ns._ SPIKE'-EXTRACT'OR, an apparatus for drawing out spikes, as from railway-ties; SPIKE'-FISH, a kind of sail-fish; SPIKE'-GRASS, one of several American grasses with conspicuous spikelets of flowers; SPIKE'LET, a little spike; SPIKE'-NAIL, a spike; SPIKE'-OIL, the oil of spike, a species of lavender; SPIKE'-PLANK, a platform before the mizzen-mast of a vessel, used in Arctic voyages.--_adj._ SP[=I]'KY, furnished with spikes: having a sharp point. [L. _spica_, an ear of corn.]

SPIKENARD, sp[=i]k'närd, _n._ an aromatic oil or balsam yielded by an Indian plant, the _Nardus_, closely allied to valerian: the plant itself. [L. _spica nardi_.]

SPILE, sp[=i]l, _n._ a wooden plug serving as a spigot, a wooden pin or wedge: a spout driven into a sugar-maple tree, a tapping-gouge: a pile, or large timber driven into the ground for a foundation.--_v.t._ to pierce and provide with a spile: to drive piles into.--_n._ SP[=I]'LING, building-piles: the edge-curve of a plank or of a strake in a vessel's hull. [Cf. _Spill_ (2).]

SPILL, spil, _v.t._ to allow to run out of a vessel: to shed: to waste: (_coll._) to throw from a vehicle or the saddle: to empty the belly of a sail of wind for reefing.--_v.i._ to be shed: to be allowed to fall, be lost, or wasted:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spilled, spilt.--_n._ a fall, a throw: a downpour.--_ns._ SPILL'ER; SPILL'ING-LINE, a rope for spilling the wind out of a square sail to facilitate reefing or furling; SPILL'-STREAM, a stream formed by overflow water, a bayou; SPILL'WAY, a passage for overflow-water from a dam. [A.S. _spillan_; Dut. _spillen_, Ice. _spilla_, to destroy.]

SPILL, spil, _n._ a small peg or pin to stop a hole: a thin strip of wood or twisted paper for lighting a candle, a pipe, &c.--_n._ SPILL'IKIN, one of a number of small pieces of wood, ivory, &c. for playing a game with: the game played--also SPIL'KIN. [A.S. _speld_, a torch; cf. Ger. _spalten_, to cleave, Dut. _speld_, a splinter.]

SPILOMA, spi-l[=o]'ma, _n._ a birth-mark, a nævus. [Gr.]

SPILOSITE, spil'o-s[=i]t, _n._ a greenish schistose rock spotted with chlorite, occurring in the Harz--the German _Fleckenschiefer_. [Gr. _spilos_, a spot.]

SPILOTES, sp[=i]-l[=o]'t[=e]z, _n._ a genus of colubrine serpents.

SPILT, spilt, _p.adj._ (_Spens._) pieced, inlaid.

SPILTH, spilth, _n._ spilling, anything spilt or poured out lavishly, excess of supply.

SPILUS, sp[=i]'lus, _n._ a nævus or birth-mark. [Gr. _spilos_, a spot.]

SPIN, spin, _v.t._ to draw out and twist into threads: to draw out a thread as spiders do: to draw out tediously: to cause to whirl rapidly: to fish with a swivel or spoon-bait: to reject at an examination.--_v.i._ to practise the art or trade of spinning, to perform the act of spinning: to issue in a small or thread-like current: to whirl, to go fast:--_pr.p._ spin'ning; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spun.--_n._ a rapid revolving motion, a spurt at high speed.--_ns._ SPIN'NER, one who spins: (_Shak._) a spider: a spinneret;

SPIN'NERET, an organ, or one of the organs, with which insects form their webs.--_adj._ SPINNER'ULAR.--_ns._ SPIN'NERULE, one of the tubules of a spinneret; SPIN'NERY, a spinning-mill.--_adj._ SPIN'NING, used in spinning.--_ns._ SPIN'NING-HOUSE, a place of correction where lewd and incorrigible women were made to spin; SPIN'NING-JENN'Y, a machine by which a number of threads can be spun at the same time; SPIN'NING-MILL, a factory where thread is spun; SPIN'NING-WHEEL, a machine for spinning yarn, consisting of a wheel driven by the hand or by a treadle, which drives one or two spindles.--SPIN A YARN, to tell a long story; SPIN OUT, to prolong tediously. [A.S. _spinnan_; Ger. _spinnen_.]

SPINACH, SPINAGE, spin'[=a]j, _n._ an esculent vegetable whose thick succulent young leaves are boiled and seasoned, or fried with butter, forming a wholesome dish.--_adj._ SPIN[=A]'CEOUS. [It. _spinace_--Low L. _spin[=a]ceus_--_spina_, a thorn.]

SPINAL, sp[=i]n'al, _adj._ pertaining to the spine or backbone.--_n._ SP[=I]'NA, a spine, the backbone: one of the quills of a spinet: a barrier dividing the Roman hippodrome longitudinally.--_adj._ SPIN'[=A]TE, covered with spines or spine-like processes.--SPINAL COLUMN, the backbone; SPINAL CORD, MARROW, the main neural axis of every vertebrate.

SPINDLE, spin'dl, _n._ the pin from which the thread is twisted: a pin on which anything turns: the fusee of a watch: anything very slender.--_v.i._ to grow long and slender.--_adjs._ SPIN'DLE-LEGGED, -SHANKED, having long slender legs, like spindles.--_ns.pl._ SPIN'DLE-LEGS, -SHANKS, long slim legs--hence an over-long and slender person.--_adj._ SPIN'DLE-SHAPED, shaped like a spindle: thickest in the middle and tapering to both ends.--_ns._ SPIN'DLE-SHELL, a spindle-shaped shell; SPIN'DLE-TREE, a shrub whose hard-grained wood was formerly used for making musical instruments and for spindles, and is now for skewers, &c.; SPIN'DLING, a person or thing too long and slender: a slender shoot.--_adj._ long and slender.--_adj._ SPIN'DLY, disproportionally long and slender. [A.S. _spinl_--_spinnan_, to spin; Ger. _spindel_.]

SPINDRIFT, spin'drift, _n._ the spray blown from the crests of waves.--Also SPOON'DRIFT.

SPINE, sp[=i]n, _n._ a thorn: a thin, pointed spike, esp. in fishes: the backbone of an animal: any ridge extending lengthways: the heart-wood of trees.--_adjs._ SPINED, having spines; SPINE'LESS, having no spine, weak; SPINES'CENT, somewhat spiny; SP[=I]NIF EROUS, bearing spines or thorns; SP[=I]'NIFORM, shaped like a spine or thorn; SP[=I]NIG'EROUS, bearing spines, as a hedgehog; SP[=I]'NIGRADE, moving by means of spines, as an echinoderm.--_n._ SP[=I]'NINESS.--_adjs._ SP[=I]NIREC'TOR, erecting the spine of the muscles of the back; SP[=I]NISPIR'ULAR, spiny and somewhat spiral.--_ns._ SP[=I]N[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the spinal cord in the horse, &c; SPIN'NEY, SPIN'NY, a small thicket with underwood.--_adjs._ SP[=I]'NOSE, SP[=I]'NOUS, full of spines: thorny.--_ns._ SPINOS'ITY, thorniness; SPIN'[=U]LA, SPIN'[=U]LE, a minute spine.--_adjs._ SPIN'[=U]L[=A]TE, SPIN'[=U]L[=O]SE, SPIN'[=U]LOUS, covered with spinules or minute spines; SP[=I]'NY, full of spines: thorny: troublesome: perplexed. [O. Fr. _espine_ (Fr. _épine_)--L. _spina_, a thorn.]

SPINEL, spin'el, or spi-nel', _n._ a mineral composed chiefly of magnesia and alumina, and crystallising in octahedra--_ruby_, or _magnesia spinel_, reddish; _pleonaste_, dark green to black; _picotite_, or _chrome spinel_, black; _gahnite_, or _zinc spinel_, green to brown; _hercynite_, or _iron spinel_, black. [Low L. _spinellus_, dim. of _spina_, a thorn.]

SPINET, spin'et, _n._ (_mus._) an old-fashioned keyed instrument like the harpsichord. [O. Fr. _espinette_--It. _spinetta_, dim. of _spina_--L. _spina_, a thorn.]

SPINIFEX, spin'i-feks, _n._ porcupine-grass, a very coarse, hard, and spiny grass which grows in tussocks, and in some interior parts of Australia covers hundreds of square miles together.

SPINK, spingk, _n._ the chaffinch.

SPINK, spingk, _n._ the primrose, the lady's-smock.

SPINNAKER, spin'[=a]-k[.e]r, _n._ a jib-headed sail sometimes carried on the side opposite the mainsail by racing yachts. [Prob. formed from _spin_.]

SPINNEY. See under SPINE.

SPINODE, sp[=i]'n[=o]d, _n._ (_geom._) a cusp or stationary point of a curve.

SPINOZISM, spi-n[=o]z'izm, _n._ the doctrine of Benedict _Spinoza_ (1632-1677), who taught that God is not only the creator, but also the original matter of the universe, which consists of and is a development of Himself.--_n._ SPIN[=O]'ZIST, a follower of Spinoza.--_adj._ SPIN[=O]ZIS'TIC.

SPINSTER, spin'st[.e]r, _n._ an unmarried female: an old maid: (_obs._) a woman of loose character, fit for the spinning-house.--_ns._ SPIN'STERDOM, the world of old maids collectively; SPIN'STERHOOD, SPIN'STERSHIP, the state of being a spinster; SPIN'STRESS, one who spins. [Orig. one who _spins_.]

SPINTEXT, spin'tekst, _n._ a lengthy preacher.

SPIRACLE, spir'a-kl, _n._ a breathing-hole: any minute passage.--_adjs._ SPIRAC'ULAR; SPIRAC'ULATE; SPIRACULIF'EROUS; SPIRAC'ULIFORM.--_n._ SPIRAC'ULUM:--_pl._ SPIRAC'ULA. [L. _spiraculum_, formed as a double dim. from _spir[=a]re_, to breathe.]

SPIRÆA, sp[=i]-r[=e]'a, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order _Rosaceæ_, containing many species of herbaceous plants and low deciduous shrubs--_Dropwort_, _Meadow-sweet_, &c. [L.,--Gr. _speiraia_, meadow-sweet--_speira_, a coil.]

SPIRAL, sp[=i]'ral, _adj._ pertaining to, or like, a spire: winding like the thread of a screw.--_n._ a spiral line: a curve which continually recedes from a centre about which it revolves: a screw.--_n._ SPIRAL'ITY.--_adv._ SP[=I]'RALLY, in a spiral form or direction.--_adj._ SPIR[=A]'TED, spiral, whorled.

SPIRANT, sp[=i]'rant, _n._ a consonant which is fricative or continuable--opp. to explosive, esp. _v_ and _f_, _th_, _dh_; by others made to include the sibilants, and the semi-vowels _w_ and _y_.

SPIRANTHY, sp[=i]-ranth'i, _n._ the spiral distortion sometimes occurring in the parts of a flower.--_adj._ SPIRANTH'IC. [Gr. _speira_, a spire, _anthos_, a flower.]

SPIRASTER, sp[=i]-ras't[.e]r, _n._ in sponges, a short curved axial rod-like spicule with thick spines. [Gr. _speira_, spire, _ast[=e]r_, star.]

SPIRATION, sp[=i]-r[=a]'shun, _n._ a breathing: (_theol._) the procession of the Holy Ghost.

SPIRE, sp[=i]r, _n._ a winding line like the threads of a screw: a curl: a wreath: a tapering body, a slender stalk, a shoot or sprout: any one of various tall grasses, rushes, or sedges--the _Marram_, _Reed canary-grass_, &c.: the top or summit of anything: a very acute pyramidal roof in common use over the towers of churches.--_v.i._ to sprout, shoot up.--_v.t._ to furnish with a spire.--_adjs._ SP[=I]RED, having a spire; SPIR'ULATE, spiral in form or arrangement; SP[=I]'RY, of a spiral form: wreathed: tapering like a spire or a pyramid: abounding in spires. [Fr.,--L. _spira_; Gr. _speira_, anything wound round or upon a thing; akin to _eirein_, to fasten together in rows.]

SPIRIC, sp[=i]'rik, _adj._ like a tore or anchor-ring.--_n._ a curve, the plane section of a tore.--_n._ SPIR'ICLE, one of those threads in the hairs on the surface of certain seeds and achenes which uncoil when wet.

SPIRIFER, spir'i-f[.e]r, _n._ a brachiopod of the Carboniferous system.--_adjs._ SP[=I]RIF'ERINE; SP[=I]RIF'EROID; SP[=I]RIF'EROUS. [L. _spira_, a spire, _ferre_, to bear.]

SPIRILLUM, sp[=i]-ril'um, _n._ a genus of bacteria with cylindrical spirally twisted cells:--_pl._ SPIRILL'A.

SPIRIT, spir'it, _n._ vital force: the soul: a ghost: mental disposition: enthusiasm, animation, courage, mettle: real meaning: essence, chief quality: a very lively person: any volatile, inflammable liquid obtained by distillation, as brandy: (_pl._) intellectual activity: liveliness: persons with particular qualities of mind: mental excitement: spirituous liquors.--_v.t._ to inspirit, encourage, cheer: to convey away secretly, to kidnap.--_ns._ SPIR'IT-BLUE, an aniline blue obtained from coal-tar; SPIR'IT-DUCK, the buffle-head, from its rapid diving.--_adj._ SPIR'ITED, full of spirit, life, or fire: animated.--_adv._ SPIR'ITEDLY.--_n._ SPIR'ITEDNESS.--_adj._ SPIR'ITFUL.--_n._ SPIR'ITING, the office of a spirit or sprite; SPIR'ITISM=_Spiritualism_; SPIR'ITIST=_Spiritualist_; SPIR'IT-LAMP, a lamp in which alcohol is burned, generally used for heating.--_adj._ SPIR'ITLESS, without spirit, cheerfulness, or courage: dejected: dead.--_adv._ SPIR'ITLESSLY.--_ns._ SPIR'ITLESSNESS, the state of being spiritless: want of animation or energy; SPIR'IT-LEV'EL, in surveying, a cylindrical glass tube, slightly convex on one side, and so nearly filled with alcohol that only a small bubble of air remains inside--from the position of the bubble the amount of variation from perfect levelness is determined.--_adj._ SPIR'ITOUS, of the nature of spirit, pure: ardent, spirituous.--_ns._ SPIR'ITOUSNESS; SPIR'IT-RAP'PER, one to whom spirits convey intelligence by raps or knocks; SPIR'IT-RAP'PING.--_adjs._ SPIR'IT-STIR'RING, rousing the spirit; SPIR'IT[=U]AL, consisting of spirit: having the nature of a spirit: immaterial: relating to the mind: intellectual: pertaining to the soul: holy: divine: relating to sacred things: not lay or temporal.--_n._ SPIRITUALIS[=A]'TION.--_v.t._ SPIR'IT[=U]ALISE, to make spiritual: to imbue with spirituality: to refine: to free from sensuality: to give a spiritual meaning to.--_ns._ SPIR'ITUALISER; SPIR'ITUALISM, a being spiritual: the philosophical doctrine that nothing is real but soul or spirit: the doctrine that spirit has a real existence apart from matter: the name applied to a varied series of abnormal phenomena purporting to be for the most part caused by spiritual beings acting upon specially sensitive persons or mediums; SPIR'IT[=U]ALIST, one who has a regard only to spiritual things: one who holds the doctrine of spiritualism or spiritism.--_adj._ SPIRIT[=U]ALIST'IC, relating to, or connected with, spiritualism.--_n._ SPIRIT[=U]AL'ITY, state of being spiritual: essence distinct from matter.--_adv._ SPIR'IT[=U]ALLY.--_ns._ SPIR'IT[=U]AL-MIND'EDNESS, the state of having holy affections; SPIR'IT[=U]ALNESS, the state or quality of being spiritual.--_adj._ SPI'RIT[=U]ELLE, showing great grace and delicacy.--_n._ SPIRIT[=U]OS'ITY, spirituous character: immateriality.--_advs._ SPIRIT-U[=O]'SO, SPIRIT[=O]'SO (_mus._), with spirit or animation.--_adj._ SPIR'IT[=U]OUS, possessing the qualities of spirit: containing much alcohol: volatile.--_ns._ SPIR'IT[=U]OUSNESS, the quality of being spirituous: stimulating quality: ardour: activity; SPIR'ITUS, a breathing, an aspirate: any spirituous preparation; SPIR'ITWORLD, the world of disembodied spirits.--_adj._ SPIR'ITY (_Scot._), full of spirit, spirited.--SPIRIT OF WINE, alcohol; SPIRITUAL COURT, an ecclesiastical court; SPIRITUS ASPER, a rough breathing; SPIRITUS LENIS, a soft or smooth breathing.--ANIMAL SPIRITS, constitutional liveliness of spirits; HOLY SPIRIT (see under HOLY); THE SPIRIT, the Holy Spirit: the human spirit under the influence of the Holy Spirit. [L. _spiritus_, a breath--_spir[=a]re_, to breathe.]

SPIRKET, spir'ket, _n._ a space forward and aft between floor-timbers.--_n._ SPIR'KETTING, quick-work.

SPIROMETER, sp[=i]-rom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the capacity of the lungs, or the quantity of air that one can breathe out after a forced inspiration.--_n._ SP[=I]'ROGRAPH, an instrument for marking down the breathing movement.--_adj._ SP[=I]ROMET'RIC.--_ns._ SP[=I]ROM'ETRY; SP[=I]'ROPHORE, an apparatus for inducing artificial respiration by means of an air-tight case for the body and an air-pump; SP[=I]ROPH'YTON, a genus of fossil algæ found in the Devonian in New York state; SP[=I]ROZ[=O]'OID, the filamentous defensive zooid of certain hydroids, coiled spirally when not in action. [L. _spir[=a]re_, to breathe, Gr. _metron_, a measure.]

SPIRT, sp[.e]rt. Same as SPURT.

SPIRTLE=_Spurtle_ (q.v.).

SPIRULA, spir'[=u]-la, _n._ a genus of sepioid cuttle-fishes. [L. _sp[=i]ra_, a spire.]

SPIRULATE, SPIRY. See under SPIRE.

SPISSATED, spis'[=a]-ted, _adj._ inspissated, thickened.--_n._ SPISS'IT[=U]DE, density. [L. _spiss[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, thicken.]

SPIT, spit, _n._ an iron prong on which meat is roasted: a long piece of land or a narrow shoal running into the sea: a wire or spindle holding a spool in a shuttle.--_v.t._ to pierce with a spit: to string on a stick and hang up to dry:--_pr.p._ spit'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spit'ted.--_p.adj._ SPIT'TED, put upon a spit, impaled: shot out to a point.--_n._ SPIT'TER, one who puts meat on a spit: a young deer whose antlers have shot out but not branched. [A.S. _spitu_; Dut. _spit_, Ger. _spitze_.]

SPIT, spit, _v.t._ to throw out from the mouth: to eject with violence.--_v.i._ to throw out saliva from the mouth: to fall in scattered drops, as rain at the beginning of a shower: to make a spitting sound, like an angry cat:--_pr.p._ spit'ting; _pa.t._ spit, spat; _pa.p._ spit.--_n._ saliva, spume: a light fall of rain or snow.--_ns._ SPIT'-BOX, a spittoon; SPIT'-CURL (_coll._), a soap-lock; SPIT'FIRE, a hot-tempered person; SPIT'POISON, a venomous calumniator.--_pa.p._ SPIT'TED (_B._), thrown out from the mouth.--_ns._ SPIT'TER, one who spits; SPIT'TING, the act of one who or that which spits: an appearance on the surface of melted silver or platinum allowed to cool slowly, jets of oxygen forming small cones and sometimes throwing up drops of molten metal--also called SPROUT'ING; SPIT'TLE, the moist matter thrown from the mouth: saliva; SPITTOON', a vessel for the convenience of such smokers as spit. [A.S. _spittan_, also _sp['æ]tan_; Ice. _spýta_, Ger. _spützen_.]

SPITAL, spit'al, _n._ Same as HOSPITAL.

SPITCH-COCK, spich'-kok, _n._ an eel split and broiled.--_v.t._ to split and broil, as an eel. [_Spatch-cock_.]

SPITE, sp[=i]t, _n._ grudge: lasting ill-will: hatred.--_v.t._ to vex: to thwart: to hate.--_adj._ SPITE'FUL, full of spite: desirous to vex or injure: malignant.--_adv._ SPITE'FULLY.--_n._ SPITE'FULNESS.--IN SPITE OF, in opposition to all efforts of, in defiance of, in contempt of. [Short for despite.]

SPITZ, spitz, _n._ a Pomeranian dog. [Ger.]

SPIZA, sp[=i]'za, _n._ a genus of fringilline birds, including the United States dickcissel or black-throated bunting, &c.--_adj._ SPIZ'INE. [Gr., a finch.]

SPIZELLA, spi-zel'a, _n._ a genus of small American finches or sparrows, the chipping-sparrows.--_adj._ SPIZELL'INE.

SPLACHNUM, splak'num, _n._ a genus of bryaceous mosses. [Gr.]

SPLANCHNIC, splangk'nik, _adj._ relating to the viscera, intestinal.--_ns._ SPLANCH'NOCOELE, a visceral cavity; SPLANCHNOG'RAPHY, descriptive splanchnology; SPLANCHNOL'OGY, the knowledge of the viscera; SPLANCH'NO-SKEL'ETON, the visceral skeleton; SPLANCHNOT'OMY, the anatomy of the viscera. [Gr. _splangchnon_ (pl. _splangchna_), bowels.]

SPLASH, splash, _v.t._ to spatter with water or mud.--_v.i._ to dabble in water, to dash about water or any liquid.--_n._ water or mud thrown on anything: a spot of dirt, a daub: a complexion powder.--_ns._ SPLASH'BOARD, a guard to keep those in a vehicle from being splashed with mud; SPLASH'ER, one who, or that which, splashes.--_adj._ SPLASH'Y, splashing: wet and muddy: full of dirty water. [_Plash_.]

SPLATTER, splat'[.e]r, _v.i._ to spatter water or the like about.--_n._ SPLATT'ER-DASH, an uproar, commotion.--_adj._ SPLATT'ER-FACED, flat-faced. [_Spatter_.]

SPLAY, spl[=a], _v.t._ (_archit._) to slope or slant: to dislocate, as the shoulder-bone.--_adj._ turned outward, as in _splay-foot_, awkward.--_n._ SPLAY'-FOOT, a flat foot turned outward.--_adj._ SPLAY'-FOOTED.--_n._ SPLAY'-MOUTH, a wide mouth, a mouth stretched out in grinning.--_adj._ SPLAY'-MOUTHED. [_Display_.]

SPLEEN, spl[=e]n, _n._ a soft, pulpy, blood-modifying gland near the large extremity of the stomach, supposed by the ancients to be the seat of anger and melancholy--hence spite: ill-humour: melancholy.--_adj._ SPLEEN'FUL, displaying spleen, angry, fretful.--_adv._ SPLEEN'FULLY.--_adj._ SPLEEN'ISH, affected with spleen, fretful, peevish.--_adv._ SPLEEN'ISHLY, in a spleenish manner.--_ns._ SPLEEN'ISHNESS, the state of being spleenish; SPLEEN'-STONE, jade or nephrite; SPLEEN'WORT, any fern of the genus _Asplenium_.--_adj._ SPLEEN'Y (_Shak._), spleenish.--_ns._ SPL[=E]NAL'GIA, pain in the region of the spleen; SPLEN'CULE, SPLEN'C[=U]LUS, a supplementary spleen; SPL[=E]NEC'TOMIST, one who excises the spleen; SPL[=E]NEC'TOMY, excision of the spleen; SPL[=E]NECT[=O]'PIA, displacement of the spleen; SPL[=E]N'ETIC, a splenetic person.--_adjs._ SPL[=E]NET'IC, -AL, affected with spleen: peevish: melancholy.--_adv._ SPL[=E]NET'ICALLY.--_adj._ SPLEN'IC, pertaining to the spleen.--_n._ SPL[=E]NIS[=A]'TION, a diseased condition of the lung, in which its tissue resembles that of the spleen, in softness, &c.--_adj._ SPL[=E]NIT'IC.--_n._ SPL[=E]N[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the spleen.--_adj._ SPLEN'ITIVE, full of spleen, passionate, irritable.--_ns._ SPLEN'OCELE, a splenic tumour; SPL[=E]NOG'RAPHY, the description of the spleen.--_adjs._ SPL[=E]'NOID, like the spleen; SPL[=E]NOLOG'ICAL.--_ns._ SPL[=E]NOL'OGY, knowledge about the spleen; SPL[=E]NOP'ATHY, disease of the spleen; SPL[=E]NOT'OMY, splenological anatomy.--SPLENIC FEVER (see ANTHRAX). [L. _splen_--Gr. _spl[=e]n_.]

SPLENDID, splen'did, _adj._ magnificent: famous: illustrious: heroic.--_adj._ SPLEN'DENT, splendid, bright.--_adv._ SPLEN'DIDLY.--_ns._ SPLEN'DIDNESS; SPLEN'DOUR, the appearance of anything splendid: brilliance: magnificence. [L. _splendidus_--_splend[=e]re_, to shine.]

SPLENIAL, spl[=e]'ni-al, _adj._ acting like a splint: pertaining to the splenium or the splenius.--_ns._ SPL[=E]'NIUM, the round pad-like posterior border of the _corpus callosum_; SPL[=E]'NIUS, a large thick muscle on the back of the neck. [Gr. _spl[=e]nion_, bandage.]

SPLENT=_Splint_ (q.v.).

SPLEUCHAN, spl[=oo]h'an, _n._ a pouch, a tobacco-pouch.--Also SPLEUGH'AN. [Gael. _spliuchan_.]

SPLICE, spl[=i]s, _v.t._ to unite two ends of a rope by interweaving the strands: to join together two pieces of timber by overlapping.--_n._ act of splicing: joint made by splicing.--SPLICE THE MAINBRACE (_nautical slang_), to serve out an allowance of spirits, to fall to drinking. [Old Dut. _splissen_--_splitsen_, _splijten_; cf. _Split_, and Ger. _splissen_.]

SPLINE, spl[=i]n, _n._ in machines, the slot to receive a feather, the feather itself: a long flexible strip of wood or rubber used by draftsmen in laying out railway-curves, &c.--_v.t._ to fit with a spline.

SPLINT, splint, _n._ a small piece of wood split off: a thin piece of padded wood, &c., for keeping a fractured limb in its proper position: a bony enlargement on the horse's leg, between the knee and the fetlock, usually appearing on the inside of one or both forelegs, frequently situated between the large and small canon bones, depending upon concussion--also SPLENT.--_v.t._ to confine with splints.--_ns._ SPLINT'AGE, use of splints; SPLINT'-ARM'OUR, armour made of splints or narrow overlapping plates; SPLINT'-COAL, cannel-coal of slaty structure; SPLINT'ER, a piece of wood, &c., split off.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to split into splinters.--_ns._ SPLINT'ER-BAR, the cross-bar of a coach, supporting the springs; SPLINT'ER-BONE, the fibula.--_adjs._ SPLINT'ER-PROOF, proof against the splinters of bursting shells; SPLINT'ERY, made of, or like, splinters: apt to splinter. [Sw. _splint_--_splinta_, to splinter; cf. _Split_.]

SPLIT, split, _v.t._ to cleave lengthwise: to tear asunder violently: to divide: to throw into discord.--_v.i._ to divide or part asunder: to be dashed to pieces: to divulge secrets: to vote for candidates of opposite parties: to burst with laughter:--_pr.p._ split'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ split.--_n._ a crack or rent lengthwise: a schism: a half-bottle of aerated water, a half-glass of spirits: (_pl._) the acrobatic feat of going down to the floor with the legs spread out laterally.--_adj._ SPLIT'-NEW (_Scot._), brand-new.--_n.pl._ SPLIT'-PEASE, husked pease split for making pea-soup, &c.--_n._ SPLIT'TER, one who, or that which, splits: one who splits hairs in argument, &c.: (_U.S._) a wheaten cake split and buttered when hot.--_adj._ SPLIT'TING, very severe: very rapid.--SPLIT ON A ROCK, to meet some unforeseen and disastrous difficulty, to go to ruin; SPLIT ONE'S SIDES, to laugh immoderately; SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE, to divide equally the sum or matter in dispute, to take the mean. [Scand., Dan. _splitte_, to split; Dut. _splijten_; Ger. _spleissen_.]

SPLORE, spl[=o]r, _n._ (_Scot._) a frolic, a spree.

SPLOTCH, sploch, _n._ a large spot, a stain.--_adj._ SPLOTCH'Y.

SPLURGE, splurj, _n._ any boisterous display.--_v.i._ to make such a display.--_adj._ SPLUR'GY, given to such.

SPLUTTER, splut'[.e]r, _v.i._ to eject drops of saliva while speaking: to scatter ink upon a paper, as a bad pen.--_n._ bustle.--_n._ SPLUTT'ERER, one who splutters. [For _sprutter_, a freq. of _sprout_, orig. form of _spout_.]

SPODIUM, sp[=o]'di-um, _n._ a powder obtained from calcination, as ivory-black, &c.--_n._ SPODE, animal or bone charcoal, of which ornaments may be made.

SPODOGENOUS, sp[=o]-doj'e-nus, _adj._ caused by waste-products, applied esp. to an enlargement of the spleen caused by waste red blood-corpuscles. [Gr. _spodos_, ashes, _gen[=e]s_, producing.]

SPODOMANCY, spod'[=o]-man-si, _n._ divination by means of ashes.--_adj._ SPODOMAN'TIC. [Gr. _spodos_, ashes, _manteia_, divination.]

SPODUMENE, spod'[=u]-m[=e]n, _n._ a silicate of aluminium and lithium. [Gr. _spodoun_, to burn to ashes, _spodos_, ashes.]

SPOFFISH, spof'ish, _adj._ fussy, officious--also SPOFF'Y.--_v.i._ SPOFF'LE, to fuss or bustle.

SPOIL, spoil, _v.t._ to take by force: to plunder.--_v.i._ to practise robbery.--_n._ prey, plunder: pillage: robbery.--_n._ SPOIL'ER, one who spoils, a plunderer.--_n.pl._ SP[=O]'LIA OP[=I]'MA, the most valued spoils--taken by a Roman commander from the enemy's commander in single combat; hence supreme rewards or honours generally. [O. Fr. _espoille_--L. _spolium_, spoil.]

SPOIL, spoil, _v.t._ to corrupt: to mar: to make useless.--_v.i._ to decay: to become useless.--_ns._ SPOIL'ER, a corrupter; SPOIL'-FIVE, a round game of cards played with the whole pack, each one of the three to ten players receiving five cards.--_adj._ SPOIL'FUL (_Spens._), wasteful, rapacious.--_n._ SPOILS'MAN, one who looks for profit out of politics. [Same as above word.]

SPOKE, sp[=o]k, _pa.t._ of _speak_.

SPOKE, sp[=o]k, _n._ one of the bars from the nave to the rim of a wheel.--PUT A SPOKE IN ONE'S WHEEL, to thwart a person by some impediment. [A.S. _spáca_; Dut. _speek_, Ger. _speiche_.]

SPOKEN, sp[=o]k'n, _pa.p._ of _speak_, used as _adj._ in 'civil-spoken,' &c.

SPOKESHAVE, sp[=o]k'sh[=a]v, _n._ a carpenter's tool having a plane-bit between two bandies for curved work, &c.

SPOKESMAN, sp[=o]ks'man, _n._ one who speaks for another, or for others, an advocate.

SPOLE, sp[=o]l, _n._ the small wheel near the distaff in the spinning-wheel. [A variant of _spool_.]

SPOLIATE, sp[=o]'li-[=a]t, _v.t._ to spoil, to plunder, to pillage.--_v.i._ to practise robbery.--_ns._ SP[=O]'LIARY, the place in a Roman amphitheatre where the bodies of slaughtered gladiators were dragged to be stripped; SPOLI[=A]'TION, act of spoiling: robbery.--_adj._ SP[=O]'LI[=A]TIVE, serving to take away or diminish.--_n._ SP[=O]'LI[=A]TOR, one who spoliates.--_adj._ SP[=O]'LI[=A]TORY, tending to spoil: destructive.--_n._ SP[=O]'LIUM, the property of a beneficed ecclesiastic not transmissible by will. [L. _spoliatus_, _pa.p._ of _spoli[=a]re_--_spolium_, spoil.]

SPONDEE, spon'd[=e], _n._ in classical poetry, a foot of two long syllables, as _f[=a]t[=o]_.--_adjs._ SPOND[=A]'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or consisting of, spondees. [Fr.,--L. _spond[=e]us_ (_pes_)--Gr. _spondeios_ (_pous_), (a foot) of two syllables, so called because much used in the slow solemn hymns sung at a _spond[=e]_ or drink-offering--_spendein_, to pour out, make a libation.]

SPONDYL, -E, spon'dil, _n._ a joint, joining.--_ns._ SPONDYLAL'GIA, pain in the spine; SPONDYL[=I]'TIS, arthritis of a vertebra.--_adj._ SPON'DYLOUS, vertebral. [Gr. _spondylos_, a joint.]

SPONGE, spunj, _n._ a fixed, usually marine, animal with pores in the body-wall and without tentacles: the fibrous framework of such, remarkable for its power of sucking up water: any sponge-like substance, as dough before it is kneaded and formed: any cringing hanger-on or parasite, a drunken fellow: an instrument for cleaning cannon after a discharge: the heel of a horse's shoe.--_v.t._ to wipe with a sponge: to wipe out, absorb up, with a sponge: to wipe out completely: to destroy.--_v.i._ to suck in, as a sponge: to gain by mean tricks, to live on others by some mean subterfuge or other.--_ns._ SPONGE'CAKE, a very light sweet cake of flour, eggs, and sugar; SPONGE'LET, a little sponge.--_adjs._ SPONGE'OUS, SPON'GI[=O]SE, SPONGIOLIT'IC.--_n._ SPONG'ER, one who uses a sponge: a person or vessel engaged in fishing for sponges: an apparatus for sponging cloth by means of a perforated adjustable cylinder: a sponge or parasite.--_adjs._ SPONGIC'OLOUS, inhabiting sponges; SPONG'IFORM, resembling a sponge: porous.--_ns._ SPONG'INESS, porous quality; SPONG'ING-HOUSE, a bailiff's lodging-house for debtors in his custody before their committal to prison; SPON'GI[=O]LE, the spongy tissue of a root-tip; SPON'GIOLITE, a fossil sponge spicule.--_adj._ SPONGOID (spong'goid).--_ns._ SPONGOLOGIST (spong-gol'[=o]-jist), one devoted to the study of sponges; SPONGOLOGY (spong-gol'[=o]-ji), the knowledge about sponges.--_adj._ SPONG'Y, like a sponge, absorptive: of open texture, porous: wet and soft: drunken.--SET A SPONGE, to leaven a small mass of dough with which to leaven a large quantity; THROW UP THE SPONGE, to acknowledge defeat by throwing into the air the sponge with which a boxer is rubbed down between rounds: to give up any contest. [O. Fr. _esponge_--L. _spongia_--Gr. _sponggia_.]

SPONSAL, spon'sal, _adj._ pertaining to a betrothal, a marriage, or a spouse.--_n._ SPON'SION, the act of becoming surety for another.--_adj._ SPON'SIONAL. [L.,--_spond[=e]re_, _sponsum_, to promise.]

SPONSIBLE, spon'si-bl, _adj._ (_Scot._) reliable: respectable.

SPONSON, spon'son, _n._ the curve of the timbers and planking towards the outer part of the wing, before and abaft each of the paddle-boxes of a steamer.--Also SPON'SING. [Ety. dub.]

SPONSOR, spon'sur, _n._ one who promises solemnly for another: a surety: a godfather or godmother.--_adj._ SPONS[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ SPON'SORSHIP. [L.,--_spond[=e]re_, _sponsum_, to promise.]

SPONTANEOUS, spon-t[=a]'n[=e]-us, _adj._ of one's free-will: involuntary: acting by its own impulse or natural law: produced of itself or without interference.--_ns._ SPONTAN[=E]'ITY, SPONT[=A]'NEOUSNESS, the state or quality of being spontaneous.--_adv._ SPONT[=A]'NEOUSLY.--SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION, a phenomenon that occasionally manifests itself in mineral and organic substances; SPONTANEOUS GENERATION, a term applied to the real or imaginary development of lowly organisms from non-living matter. [L. _spontaneus_--_sponte_, of one's own accord.]

SPONTOON, spon-t[=oo]n', _n._ a weapon somewhat like a halberd, which used to be carried by certain officers of foot. [Fr. _sponton_--It. _spontone_--_spuntare_, to break off the point--_puntone_--_punto_, a point--L. _pung[)e]re_, _punctum_, to point.]

SPOOK, sp[=oo]k, _n._ a ghost.--_v.i._ to play the spook.--_adjs._ SPOOK'ISH, SPOOK'Y, like a ghost, haunted by ghosts: sensitive to the dread of ghosts, suggesting the presence of ghosts. [Dut. _spook_; Ger. (obs.) _spuch_, Sw. _spöke_; not related to _puck_.]

SPOOL, sp[=oo]l, _n._ a hollow cylinder for winding yarn, &c., upon.--_v.t._ to wind on spools. [Low Ger. _spole_, Dut. _spoel_; Ger. _spule_.]

SPOOM, sp[=oo]m, _v.i._ to scud before the wind.--_adj._ SPOOM'ING (_Keats_), foaming.

SPOON, sp[=oo]n, _n._ an instrument with a shallow bowl and handle for use in preparing, serving, or in eating food: anything like a spoon or its bowl, as an oar: in golf, a wooden-headed club of varying length, having the face more or less spooned, used in approaching the holes from varying distances.--_v.t._ to use a spoon upon: to lie spoon fashion with.--_v.i._ to fish with a spoon-hook: in croquet, to shove or scoop with the mallet: to be foolishly fond, to indulge in endearments openly.--_ns._ SPOON'-BAIT, a revolving metallic lure attached to a fishing-line by a swivel, used in trolling for fish; SPOON'BILL, a family of birds (_Plataleidæ_) allied to the _Ibididæ_, and more distantly to the storks, with a bill long, flat, and broad throughout, and much dilated in a spoon form at the tip; SPOON'-DRIFT, light spray borne on a gale; SPOON'FUL, as much as fills a spoon: a small quantity:--_pl._ SPOON'FULS.--_adv._ SPOON'ILY, in a spoony or silly way.--_n._ SPOON'MEAT, food taken with a spoon, such as is given to young children.--_adv._ SPOON'WAYS, applied to a way of packing slaves in ships very closely together.--_adjs._ SPOON'Y, SPOON'EY, silly, weakly affectionate, foolishly fond.--_n._ a simple fellow: one foolishly fond of a sweetheart.--APOSTLE SPOON (see APOSTLE); DESSERT-SPOON (see DESSERT); EUCHARISTIC SPOON, the cochlear or labis; TABLESPOON (see TABLE).--BE SPOONS ON, to be silly in the manifestation of one's love for a woman. [A.S. _spón_; Ger. _span_, a chip, Ice. _spánn_, a chip, a spoon.]

SPOOR, sp[=oo]r, _n._ track or trail of an animal, esp. when hunted as game.--_n._ SPOOR'ER, one who tracks game by the spoor. [Dut. _spoor_, a track; cf. Ger. _spur_, Ice. _spor_, a track, Scot. _speir_, to ask.]

SPORADIC, -AL, sp[=o]-rad'ik, -al, _adj._ scattered--a term specially applied to any disease usually epidemic or contagious, when it attacks only a few persons in a district and does not spread in its ordinary manner.--_adv._ SPORAD'ICALLY.--_n._ SPORAD'ICALNESS. [Gr. _sporadikos_--_sporas_, _sporados_, scattered--_speirein_, to sow.]

SPORE, sp[=o]r, _n._ the reproductive body in flowerless plants like the fern, analogous to the seeds of ordinary flowering plants, but containing no embryo: a germ, a seed, a source of being generally.--_adjs._ SPORAN'GIAL; SPORANGIF'EROUS; SPORAN'GIFORM; SPORAN'GIOID, like a sporangium.--_ns._ SPORANG[=I]'OLUM, a small sporangium; SPORAN'GIOPH[=O]RE, the receptacle which bears the sporangia; SPORAN'GIOSP[=O]RE, one of the peculiar spores of the _Myxomycetes_; SPORAN'GIUM (_pl._ SPORAN'GIA), a spore-case, the sac in which the spores are produced endogenously--also SPORE'-CASE; SP[=O]'RIDESM (_bot._), a pluricellular body which becomes free like a simple spore, and in which every cell is capable of germinating; SPORID[=I]'OLUM, a secondary sporidium; SPORID'IUM, a secondary spore borne on a promycelium: an ascospore; SPORIFIC[=A]'TION, spore-production; SPORIPAR'ITY, reproduction by means of spores.--_adj._ SPORIP'AROUS.--_ns._ SP[=O]'ROCARP, a many-celled form of fruit produced in certain lower cryptogams in consequence of a sexual act; SP[=O]'ROCYST, the cyst or capsule developed in the process of sporular encystment.--_adj._ SPOROCYST'IC.--_ns._ SP[=O]'RODERM, the wall or covering of a spore; SPOROGEN'ESIS, reproduction by means of spores--also SPOROG'ENY.--_adj._ SPOROG'ENOUS.--_n._ SPOROG[=O]'NIUM, the sporocarp, capsule or so-called 'moss-fruit' in mosses.--_adj._ SP[=O]'ROID, like a spore.--_ns._ SPOROL'OGIST, a botanist who emphasises the spores in classification; SP[=O]'ROPHORE, the part of the thallus which bears spores: the placenta in flowering plants: a sporophyte.--_adjs._ SPOROPHOR'IC, SPOROPH'OROUS.--_ns._ SP[=O]'ROPHYL, the leaf bearing the spores or spore receptacles; SP[=O]'ROPHYTE, the spore-bearing stage in the life-cycle of a plant.--_adj._ SPOROPHYT'IC.--_ns._ SP[=O]'ROSAC, one of the gonophores of certain hydrozoans in which the medusoid structure is not developed: a redia or spiro-cyst, in Vermes; SPOROST[=E]'GIUM, the so-called fruit of plants in the _Characeæ_, consisting of the hard brownish spirally-twisted shell or covering of the spore.--_adjs._ SP[=O]'ROUS; SP[=O]'RULAR.--_ns._ SPORUL[=A]'TION, conversion into spores or sporules--also SPOR[=A]'TION; SP[=O]'RULE, a small spore.--_adjs._ SPORULIF'EROUS, SPOR'ULOID. [Gr. _sporos_, a sowing, seed--_speirein_, to sow.]

SPORRAN, spor'an, _n._ an ornamental pouch worn in front of the kilt by the Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael, _sporan_.]

SPORT, sp[=o]rt, _v.i._ to play: to frolic: to practise field diversions: to trifle.--_v.t._ to amuse: to make merry: to represent playfully: to spend in sport or display.--_n._ that which amuses or makes merry: play: mirth: jest: contemptuous mirth: anything for playing with: a toy: idle jingle: field diversion: an animal or plant, or one of its organs, that varies singularly and spontaneously from the normal type.--_n._ SPORT'ER, one who sports: a sportsman.--_adj._ SPORT'FUL, full of sport: merry: full of jesting.--_adv._ SPORT'FULLY.--_n._ SPORT'FULNESS.--_adj._ SPORT'ING, relating to, or engaging in, sports.--_adv._ SPORT'INGLY.--_adj._ SPORT'IVE, inclined to sport: playful: merry: amorous, wanton.--_adv._ SPORT'IVELY.--_n._ SPORT'IVENESS.--_adj._ SPORT'LESS, without sport or mirth: sad.--_n._ SPORTS'MAN, one who practises, or one skilled in, field-sports.--_adj._ SPORTS'MAN-LIKE.--_ns._ SPORTS'MANSHIP, practice or skill of a sportsman; SPORTS'WOMAN, a she-sportsman.--SPORT ONE'S OAK (see OAK). [Formed by aphæresis from _disport_.]

SPOSH, sposh, _n._ slush.--_adj._ SPOSH'Y.

SPOT, spot, _n._ a mark made by a drop of wet matter: a blot: a discoloured place: a small part of a different colour: a small extent of space: any particular place: one of the marked points on a billiard-table, from which balls are played (for _Centre-spot_, _Pyramid-spot_, &c., see BILLIARDS): one of the dark places on the surface of the sun, &c.: something that soils: a stain on character or reputation.--_v.t._ to mark with drops of wet: to stain: to discolour: to taint: to tarnish, as reputation: to note or recognise by some point, to detect: to indicate, name:--_pr.p._ spot'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spot'ted.--_adj._ SPOT'LESS, without a spot: untainted: pure.--_adv._ SPOT'LESSLY.--_ns._ SPOT'LESSNESS; SPOT'-STROKE, a stroke in billiards when the player pockets the red ball from the 'spot,' leaving his own ball in position to repeat the stroke.--_adjs._ SPOT'TED, SPOT'TY, marked with spots or discoloured places.--_ns._ SPOT'TEDNESS, the state of being spotted; SPOT'TER, one who spots or detects; SPOT'TINESS, state of being spotty.--SPOT-BARRED GAME, a game at billiards when the spot-stroke is forbidden to be played more than twice consecutively. [Cf. Dut. _spat_, Dan. _spætte_; prob. conn. with _spit_.]

SPOUSE, spowz, _n._ a husband or wife.--_adj._ SPOUS'AL, pertaining to a spouse, or to marriage: nuptial: matrimonial.--_n._ usually in _pl._ nuptials: marriage.--_adj._ SPOUSE'LESS, destitute of a spouse: unmarried. [O. Fr. _espouse_ (Fr. _époux_, fem. _épouse_)--L. _sponsus_, pa.p. of _spond[=e]re_, to promise in marriage.]

SPOUT, spowt, _v.t._ to throw out, as from a pipe: to utter volubly: to pawn, pledge.--_v.i._ to issue with violence, as from a pipe: to speak volubly, to speechify.--_n._ the projecting mouth of a vessel from which a stream issues: a pipe for conducting a liquid: a term applied to the blowing or breathing of whales and other cetaceans.--_ns._ SPOUT'ER, one who, or that which, spouts: a speechifier: a South Sea whale, a skilful whaler; SPOUT'-HOLE, an orifice for discharging a liquid, a whale's spiracle.--_adj._ SPOUT'LESS, wanting a spout. [Skeat explains that _spout_, like _speak_, has lost an _r_, thus standing for _sprout_, the _r_ being preserved in _spurt_, with nearly the same sense as _spout_. Sw. _sputa_ for _spruta_, to squirt; Dut. _spuiten_.]

SPRACK, sprak, _adj._ vigorous, sprightly.--Also SPRAG. [Ice. _sprækr_, _sparkr_, sprightly.]

SPRACKLE, sprak'l, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to clamber up with difficulty.--Also SPRACH'LE, SPRAUCH'LE. [Ice. _spraukla_, to sprawl.]

SPRAD, sprad (_Spens._). Same as SPREAD.

SPRAG, sprag, _n._ a piece of wood used to lock a wheel: a punch-prop in mining.--_v.t._ to prop, or to stop, by a sprag.

SPRAG, sprag, _n._ (_prov._) a young salmon.

SPRAICH, spr[=a]h, _n._ (_Scot._) a shriek, cry.--_v.i._ to shriek.

SPRAID, spr[=a]d, _adj._ (_prov._) chapped with cold.--Also SPRAYED.

SPRAIN, spr[=a]n, _v.t._ to overstrain the muscles of a joint.--_n._ a term employed in surgery to designate a violent stretching of tendinous or ligamentous parts with or without rupture of some of their fibres. [O. Fr. _espreindre_ (Fr. _épreindre_), to press--L. _exprim[)e]re_, to press out.]

SPRAINT, spr[=a]nt, _n._ the dung of an otter.

SPRANG, _pa.t._ of _spring_.

SPRANGLE, sprang'gl, _v.i._ to sprawl, struggle.

SPRAT, sprat, _n._ a fish of the family _Clupeidæ_, like the herring, but much smaller.--_n._ SPRAT'-WEATH'ER, the dark days of November and December. [Dut. _sprot_; Ger. _sprotte_.]

SPRATTLE, sprat'l, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to scramble.