Chapter C: S. Sargent (6)

Su`per*sti"tion (?), n. [F. superstition, L. superstitio, originally, a standing still over or by a thing; hence, amazement, wonder, dread, especially of the divine or supernatural, fr. superstare to stand over; super over + stare to stand. See Super-, and Stand.] 1. An excessive reverence for, or fear of, that which is unknown or mysterious.

2. An ignorant or irrational worship of the Supreme Deity; excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice; extreme and unnecessary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; also, a rite or practice proceeding from excess of sculptures in religion.

And the truth With superstitions and traditions taint.

Milton.

3. The worship of a false god or gods; false religion; religious veneration for objects.

[The accusers] had certain questions against him of their own
superstition.

Acts xxv. 19.

4. Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in magic, omens, prognostics, or the like.

5. Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness.

Syn. -- Fanaticism. -- Superstition, Fanaticism. Superstition springs from religious feeling misdirected or unenlightened. Fanaticism arises from this same feeling in a state of high-wrought and self-confident excitement. The former leads in some cases to excessive rigor in religious opinions or practice; in others, to unfounded belief in extraordinary events or in charms, omens, and prognostics, hence producing weak fears, or excessive scrupulosity as to outward observances. The latter gives rise to an utter disregard of reason under the false assumption of enjoying a guidance directly inspired. Fanaticism has a secondary sense as applied to politics, etc., which corresponds to the primary.

Su`per*sti"tion*ist, n. One addicted to superstition. [Obs.] "Blind superstitionists." Dr. H. More.

Su`per*sti"tious (?), a. [F. superstitieux, L. superstitiosus.] 1. Of or pertaining to superstition; proceeding from, or manifesting, superstition; as, superstitious rites; superstitious observances.

2. Evincing superstition; overscrupulous and rigid in religious observances; addicted to superstition; full of idle fancies and scruples in regard to religion.

Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious.

Acts xvii. 22.

3. Overexact; scrupulous beyond need.

Superstitious use (Law), the use of a gift or bequest, as of land, etc., for the maintenance of the rites of a religion not tolerated by the law. [Eng.] Mozley & W.

-- Su`per*sti"tious*ly, adv. -- Su`per*sti"tious*ness, n.

Su`per*strain" (?), v. t. To overstrain. Bacon.

Su`per*stra"tum (?), n.; pl. Superstrata (&?;). [NL.: cf. L. supersternere, superstratum, to spread upon. See Super-, and Stratum.] A stratum, or layer, above another.

Su`per*struct" (?), v. t. [L. superstructus, p. p. of superstruere to build upon; super over + struere to build. See Super-, and Structure.] To build over or upon another structure; to erect upon a foundation.

This is the only proper basis on which to superstruct first
innocency and then virtue.

Dr. H. More.

Su`per*struc"tion (?), n. 1. The act of superstructing, or building upon.

2. That which is superstructed, or built upon some foundation; an edifice; a superstructure.

My own profession hath taught me not to erect new superstructions
upon an old ruin.

Denham.

Su`per*struct"ive (?), a. Built or erected on something else. Hammond.

Su`per*struct"or (?), n. One who builds a superstructure. [R.] R. North.

Su`per*struc"ture (?), n. [Cf. F. superstructure.] 1. Any material structure or edifice built on something else; that which is raised on a foundation or basis; esp. (Arch.), all that part of a building above the basement. Also used figuratively.

You have added to your natural endowments the superstructure of
study.

Dryden.

2. (Railway Engin.) The sleepers, and fastenings, in distinction from the roadbed.

Su`per*sub*stan"tial (?), a. [Pref. super- + substantial: cf. F. supersubstantiel.] More than substantial; spiritual. "The heavenly supersubstantial bread." Jer. Taylor.

Su`per*sub"tle (?), a. Too subtle. Shak.

Su`per*sul"phate (?), n. (Chem.) An acid sulphate. [Obs.]

Su`per*sul"phu*ret`ed (?), a. (Chem.) Supersulphurized. [Obs.] [Written also - sulphuretted.]

Su`per*sul"phur*ize (?), v. t. (Chem.) To impregnate or combine with an excess of sulphur.

Su`per*tem"po*ral (?), n. That which is more than temporal; that which is eternal. [R.]

Su`per*ter*ra"ne*an (?), a. Being above ground. "Superterranean quarries." Mrs. Trollope.

Su`per*ter*rene" (?), a. [Pref. super- + terrene: cf. L. superterrenus.] Being above ground, or above the earth. [R.]

Su`per*ter*res"tri*al (?), a. Being above the earth, or above what belongs to the earth. Buckminster.

Su`per*ton"ic (?), n. (Mus.) The note next above the keynote; the second of the scale. Busby.

Su`per*trag"ic*al (?), a. Tragical to excess.

Su`per*tu`ber*a"tion (?), n. [Pref. super- + tuber.] (Bot.) The production of young tubers, as potatoes, from the old while still growing.

Su`per*va*ca"ne*ous (?), a. [L. supervacaneus, supervacuus; super over + vacuus empty.] Serving no purpose; superfluous; needless. [Obs.] Howell.

Su`per*vene" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Supervened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supervening.] [L. supervenire, superventum, to come over, to come upon; super over + venire to come. See Super-, and Come, and cf. Overcome.] To come as something additional or extraneous; to occur with reference or relation to something else; to happen upon or after something else; to be added; to take place; to happen.

Such a mutual gravitation can never supervene to matter unless
impressed by divine power.

Bentley.

A tyrany immediately supervened.

Burke.

Su`per*ven"ient (?), a. [L. superveniens, p. pr.] Coming as something additional or extraneous; coming afterwards.

That branch of belief was in him supervenient to Christian
practice.

Hammond.

Divorces can be granted, a mensa et toro, only for supervenient
causes.

Z. Swift.

Su`per*ven"tion (?), n. [L. superventio.] The act of supervening. Bp. Hall.

Su`per*vis"al (?), n. Supervision. Walpole.

Su`per*vise" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supervised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supervising.] [Pref. super- + L. visere to look at attentively, to view, surely, intens. from videre, visum, to see. Cf. Survise, and Survey.] 1. To oversee for direction; to superintend; to inspect with authority; as, to supervise the construction of a steam engine, or the printing of a book.

2. To look over so as to read; to peruse. [Obs.] Shak.

Syn. -- See Superintend.

Su`per*vise", n. Supervision; inspection. [Obs.]

Su`per*vi"sion (?), n. The act of overseeing; inspection; superintendence; oversight.

Su`per*vi"sive (?), a. Supervisory. [R.]

Su`per*vis"or (?), n. 1. One who supervises; an overseer; an inspector; a superintendent; as, a supervisor of schools.

2. A spectator; a looker-on. [Obs.] Shak.

Su`per*vi"so*ry (?), a. Of or pertaining to supervision; as, supervisory powers.

Su`per*vive" (?), v. t. [L. supervivere. See Survive.] To survive; to outlive. [Obs.]

Su`per*vo*lute" (?), a. [L. supervolutus, p. p. of supervolvere to roll over; super over + volvere to roll.] (Bot.) Having a plainted and convolute arrangement in the bud, as in the morning- glory.

Su`pi*na"tion (?), n. [L. supinare, supinatum, to bend or lay backward, fr. supinus supine: cf. F. supination. See Supine.] (Physiol.) (a) The act of turning the hand palm upward; also, position of the hand with the palm upward. (b) The act or state of lying with the face upward. Opposed to pronation.

Su`pi*na"tor (?), n. [NL.] (Anat.) A muscle which produces the motion of supination.

Su*pine" (?), a. [L. supinus, akin to sub under, super above. Cf. Sub-, Super-.] 1. Lying on the back, or with the face upward; -- opposed to prone.

2. Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined.

If the vine On rising ground be placed, or hills supine.

Dryden.

3. Negligent; heedless; indolent; listless.

He became pusillanimous and supine, and openly exposed to any
temptation.

Woodward.

Syn. -- Negligent; heedless; indolent; thoughtless; inattentive; listless; careless; drowsy.

-- Su*pine"ly, adv. -- Su*pine"ness, n.

Su"pine (?), n. [L. supinum (sc. verbum), from supinus bent or thrown backward, perhaps so called because, although furnished with substantive case endings, it rests or falls back, as it were, on the verb: cf. F. supin.] (Lat. Gram.) A verbal noun; or (according to C.F.Becker), a case of the infinitive mood ending in -um and -u, that in -um being sometimes called the former supine, and that in -u the latter supine.

Su*pin"i*ty (?), n. [L. supinitas.] Supineness. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Sup"page (?), n. [From Sup.] What may be supped; pottage. [Obs.] Hooker.

Sup`pal*pa"tion (?), n. [L. suppalpari to caress a little; sub under, a little + palpare to caress.] The act of enticing by soft words; enticement. [Obs.]

Sup*par`a*si*ta"tion (?), n. [See Supparasite.] The act of flattering to gain favor; servile approbation. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

Sup*par"a*site (?), v. t. [L. supparasitari; sub under, a little + parasitus a parasite.] To flatter; to cajole; to act the parasite. [Obs.] Dr. R. Clerke.

Sup*pawn" (?), n. See Supawn.

Sup`pe*da"ne*ous (?), a. [Pref. sub- + L. pes, pedis, a foot: cf. L. suppedaneum a footstool.] Being under the feet. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Sup*ped"i*tate (?), v. t. [L. suppeditatus, p. p. of suppeditare to supply.] To supply; to furnish. [Obs.] Hammond.

Sup*ped`i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. suppeditatio.] Supply; aid afforded. [Obs.] Bacon.

Sup"per (?), n. [OE. soper, super, OF. super, soper, F. souper; originally an infinitive, to sup, take a meal. See Soup, and cf. Sup to take supper.] A meal taken at the close of the day; the evening meal.

Supper is much used in an obvious sense, either adjectively or as the first part of a compound; as, supper time or supper-time, supper bell, supper hour, etc.

Sup"per, v. i. To take supper; to sup. [R.]

Sup"per, v. t. To supply with supper. [R.] "Kester was suppering the horses." Mrs. Gaskell.

Sup"per*less, a. Having no supper; deprived of supper; as, to go supperless to bed. Beau. & Fl.

Sup"ping (?), n. 1. The act of one who sups; the act of taking supper.

2. That which is supped; broth. [Obs.] Holland.

Sup*place" (?), v. t. To replace. [R.] J. Bascom.

Sup*plant" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplanted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supplanting.] [F. supplanter, L. supplantare to trip up one's heels, to throw down; sub under + planta the sole of the foot, also, a sucker, slip, sprout. Cf. Plant, n.] 1. To trip up. [Obs.] "Supplanted, down he fell." Milton.

2. To remove or displace by stratagem; to displace and take the place of; to supersede; as, a rival supplants another in the favor of a mistress or a prince.

Suspecting that the courtier had supplanted the friend.

Bp. Fell.

3. To overthrow, undermine, or force away, in order to get a substitute in place of.

You never will supplant the received ideas of God.

Landor.

Syn. -- To remove; displace; overpower; undermine; overthrow; supersede.

<! p. 1449 !>

Sup`plan*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. supplantation, L. supplantatio hypocritical deceit.] The act of supplanting or displacing.

Habitual supplantation of immediate selfishness.

Cloeridge.

Sup*plan"ter (?), n. One who supplants.

Sup"ple (?), a. [OE. souple, F. souple, from L. supplex suppliant, perhaps originally, being the knees. Cf. Supplicate.] 1. Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.

2. Yielding compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance; as, a supple horse.

If punishment . . . makes not the will supple, it hardens the
offender.

Locke.

3. Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious. Addison.

Syn. -- Pliant; flexible; yielding; compliant; bending; flattering; fawning; soft.

Sup"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suppled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Suppling (?).] 1. To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather.

The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.

Spenser.

2. To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.

A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and
suppled her will.

Locke.

They should supple our stiff willfulness.

Barrow.

Sup"ple, v. i. To become soft and pliant.

The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell.

Dryden.

Sup"ple-chapped` (?), a. Having a limber tongue. [R.] "A supple-chapped flatterer." Marston.

Sup"ple-jack` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) A climbing shrub (Berchemia volubilus) of the Southern United States, having a tough and pliable stem. (b) A somewhat similar tropical American plant (Paullinia Curassavica); also, a walking stick made from its stem.

He was in form and spirit like a supple-jack, . . . yielding, but
tough; though he bent, he never broke.

W. Irving.

This name is given to various plants of similar habit in different British colonies.

Sup"ple*ly, adv. In a supple manner; softly; pliantly; mildly. Cotgrave.

Sup"ple*ment (?), n. [F. supplément, L. supplementum, fr. supplere to fill up. See Supply, v. t.] 1. That which supplies a deficiency, or meets a want; a store; a supply. [Obs.] Chapman.

2. That which fills up, completes, or makes an addition to, something already organized, arranged, or set apart; specifically, a part added to, or issued as a continuation of, a book or paper, to make good its deficiencies or correct its errors.

3. (Trig.) The number of degrees which, if added to a specified arc, make it 180°; the quantity by which an arc or an angle falls short of 180 degrees, or an arc falls short of a semicircle.

Syn. -- Appendix. -- Appendix, Supplement. An appendix is that which is appended to something, but is not essential to its completeness; a supplement is that which supplements, or serves to complete or make perfect, that to which it is added.

Sup"ple*ment (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplemented; p. pr. & vb. n. Supplementing.] To fill up or supply by addition; to add something to.

Causes of one kind must be supplemented by bringing to bear upon
them a causation of another kind.

I. Taylor.

{ Sup`ple*men"tal (?), Sup`ple*men"ta*ry (?), } a. [Cf. F. supplémentaire.] Added to supply what is wanted; additional; being, or serving as, a supplement; as, a supplemental law; a supplementary sheet or volume.

Supplemental air (Physiol.), the air which in addition to the residual air remains in the lungs after ordinary expiration, but which, unlike the residual air, can be expelled; reserve air. -- Supplemental bill (Equity), a bill filed in aid of an original bill to supply some deffect in the latter, or to set forth new facts which can not be done by amendment. Burrill. Daniel. -- Supplementary chords (Math.), in an ellipse or hyperbola, any two chords drawn through the extremities of a diameter, and intersecting on the curve.

Sup`ple*men*ta"tion (?), n. The act of supplementing. C. Kingsley.

Sup"ple*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being supple; flexibility; pliableness; pliancy.

{ Sup"ple*tive (?), Sup"ple*to*ry (?), } a. [Cf. F. supplétif, LL. suppletivus, from L. supplere, suppletum, to fill up. See Supply.] Supplying deficiencies; supplementary; as, a suppletory oath.

Sup"ple*to*ry, n.; pl. Suppletories (&?;). That which is to supply what is wanted.

Invent suppletories to excuse an evil man.

Jer. Taylor.

Sup*pli"al (?), n. The act of supplying; a supply. "The supplial of a preposition." Fitzed. Hall.

Sup*pli"ance (?), n. [From Supply.] That which supplies a want; assistance; a gratification; satisfaction. [R.]

The perfume and suppliance of a minute.

Shak.

Sup*pli"ance (?), n. [See Suppliant.] Supplication; entreaty.

When Greece her knee in suppliance bent.

Halleck.

Sup"pli*ant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of supplier to entreat, L. supplicare. See Supplicate, and cf. Supplicant.] 1. Asking earnestly and submissively; entreating; beseeching; supplicating.

The rich grow suppliant, and the poor grow proud.

Dryden.

2. Manifesting entreaty; expressive of supplication.

To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee.

Milton.

Syn. -- Entreating; beseeching; suing; begging; supplicating; imploring.

-- Sup"pli*ant*ly, adv. -- Sup"pli*ant*ness, n.

Sup"pli*ant, n. One who supplicates; a humble petitioner; one who entreats submissively.

Hear thy suppliant's prayer.

Dryden.

Sup"pli*can*cy (?), n. Supplication. [R.]

Sup"pli*cant (?), a. [L. supplicans, p. pr. See Supplicate, and cf. Suppliant.] Entreating; asking submissively. Shak. -- Sup"pli*cant*ly, adv.

Sup"pli*cant, n. One who supplicates; a suppliant.

The wise supplicant . . . left the event to God.

Rogers.

||Sup"pli*cat (?), n. [L., he supplicates.] (Eng. Universities) A ||petition; esp., a written one, with a certificate that the conditions ||have been complied with.

Sup"pli*cate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplicated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supplicating.] [L. supplicatus, p. p. of supplicare to supplicate; of uncertain origin, cf. supplex, supplicis, humbly begging or entreating; perhaps fr. sub under + a word akin to placare to reconcile, appease (cf. Placable), or fr. sub under + plicare to fold, whence the idea of bending the knees (cf. Ply, v. t.). Cf. Supple.] 1. To entreat for; to seek by earnest prayer; to ask for earnestly and humbly; as, to supplicate blessings on Christian efforts to spread the gospel.

2. To address in prayer; to entreat as a supplicant; as, to supplicate the Deity.

Syn. -- To beseech; entreat; beg; petition; implore; importune; solicit; crave. See Beseech.

Sup"pli*cate, v. i. To make petition with earnestness and submission; to implore.

A man can not brook to supplicate or beg.

Bacon.

Sup"pli*ca`ting*ly, adv. In a supplicating manner.

Sup`pli*ca"tion (?), n. [F. supplication, L. supplicatio.] 1. The act of supplicating; humble and earnest prayer, as in worship.

2. A humble petition; an earnest request; an entreaty.

3. (Rom. Antiq.) A religious solemnity observed in consequence of some military success, and also, in times of distress and danger, to avert the anger of the gods.

Syn. -- Entreaty; petition; solicitation; craving.

Sup"pli*ca`tor (?), n. [L.] One who supplicates; a supplicant.

Sup"pli*ca*to*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. supplicatoire.] Containing supplication; humble; earnest.

Sup*pli"er (?), n. One who supplies.

Sup*ply" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supplying (?).] [For older supploy, F. suppléer, OF. also supployer, (assumed) LL. suppletare, from L. supplere, suppletum; sub under + plere to fill, akin to plenus full. See Plenty.] 1. To fill up, or keep full; to furnish with what is wanted; to afford, or furnish with, a sufficiency; as, rivers are supplied by smaller streams; an aqueduct supplies an artificial lake; -- often followed by with before the thing furnished; as, to supply a furnace with fuel; to supply soldiers with ammunition.

2. To serve instead of; to take the place of.

Burning ships the banished sun supply.

Waller.

The sun was set, and Vesper, to supply His absent beams, had
lighted up the sky.

Dryden.

3. To fill temporarily; to serve as substitute for another in, as a vacant place or office; to occupy; to have possession of; as, to supply a pulpit.

4. To give; to bring or furnish; to provide; as, to supply money for the war. Prior.

Syn. -- To furnish; provide; administer; minister; contribute; yield; accommodate.

Sup*ply", n.; pl. Supplies (&?;). 1. The act of supplying; supplial. A. Tucker.

2. That which supplies a want; sufficiency of things for use or want. Specifically: --

(a) Auxiliary troops or reënforcements. "My promised supply of horsemen." Shak.

(b) The food, and the like, which meets the daily necessities of an army or other large body of men; store; -- used chiefly in the plural; as, the army was discontented for lack of supplies.

(c) An amount of money provided, as by Parliament or Congress, to meet the annual national expenditures; generally in the plural; as, to vote supplies.

(d) A person who fills a place for a time; one who supplies the place of another; a substitute; esp., a clergyman who supplies a vacant pulpit.

Stated supply (Eccl.), a clergyman employed to supply a pulpit for a definite time, but not settled as a pastor. [U.S.] -- Supply and demand. (Polit. Econ.) "Demand means the quantity of a given article which would be taken at a given price. Supply means the quantity of that article which could be had at that price." F. A. Walker.

Sup*ply", a. Serving to contain, deliver, or regulate a supply of anything; as, a supply tank or valve.

Supply system (Zoöl.), the system of tubes and canals in sponges by means of which food and water are absorbed. See Illust. of Spongiæ.

Sup*ply"ant (?), a. Supplying or aiding; auxiliary; suppletory. [Obs.] Shak.

Sup*ply"ment (?), n. A supplying or furnishing; supply. [Obs.] Shak.

Sup*port" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supported; p. pr. & vb. n. Supporting.] [F. supporter, L. supportare to carry on, to convey, in LL., to support, sustain; sub under + portare to carry. See Port demeanor.] 1. To bear by being under; to keep from falling; to uphold; to sustain, in a literal or physical sense; to prop up; to bear the weight of; as, a pillar supports a structure; an abutment supports an arch; the trunk of a tree supports the branches.

2. To endure without being overcome, exhausted, or changed in character; to sustain; as, to support pain, distress, or misfortunes.

This fierce demeanor and his insolence The patience of a god could
not support.

Dryden.

3. To keep from failing or sinking; to solace under affictive circumstances; to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits.

4. To assume and carry successfully, as the part of an actor; to represent or act; to sustain; as, to support the character of King Lear.

5. To furnish with the means of sustenance or livelihood; to maintain; to provide for; as, to support a family; to support the ministers of the gospel.

6. To carry on; to enable to continue; to maintain; as, to support a war or a contest; to support an argument or a debate.

7. To verify; to make good; to substantiate; to establish; to sustain; as, the testimony is not sufficient to support the charges; the evidence will not support the statements or allegations.

To urge such arguments, as though they were sufficient to support
and demonstrate a whole scheme of moral philosophy.

J. Edwards.

8. To vindicate; to maintain; to defend successfully; as, to be able to support one's own cause.

9. To uphold by aid or countenance; to aid; to help; to back up; as, to support a friend or a party; to support the present administration.

Wherefore, bold pleasant, Darest thou support a published traitor?

Shak.

10. A attend as an honorary assistant; as, a chairman supported by a vice chairman; O'Connell left the prison, supported by his two sons.

Support arms (Mil.), a command in the manual of arms in responce to which the piece is held vertically at the shoulder, with the hammer resting on the left forearm, which is passed horizontally across the body in front; also, the position assumed in response to this command.

Syn. -- To maintain; endure; verify; substantiate; countenance; patronize; help; back; second; succor; relieve; uphold; encourage; favor; nurture; nourish; cherish; shield; defend; protect; stay; assist; forward.

Sup*port" (?), n. [F.] 1. The act, state, or operation of supporting, upholding, or sustaining.

2. That which upholds, sustains, or keeps from falling, as a prop, a pillar, or a foundation of any kind.

3. That which maintains or preserves from being overcome, falling, yielding, sinking, giving way, or the like; subsistence; maintenance; assistance; reënforcement; as, he gave his family a good support, the support of national credit; the assaulting column had the support of a battery.

Points of support (Arch.), the horizontal area of the solids of a building, walls, piers, and the like, as compared with the open or vacant spaces. -- Right of support (Law), an easement or servitude by which the owner of a house has a right to rest his timber on the walls of his neighbor's house. Kent.

Syn. -- Stay; prop; maintenance; subsistence; assistance; favor; countenance; encouragement; patronage; aid; help; succor; nutriment; sustenance; food.

Sup*port"a*ble (?), a. [Cf. F. supportable.] Capable of being supported, maintained, or endured; endurable. -- Sup*port"a*ble*ness, n. -- Sup*port"a*bly, adv.

Sup*port"ance (?), n. Support. [Obs.] Shak.

Sup`por*ta"tion (?), n. Maintenance; support. [Obs.] Chaucer. Bacon.

Sup*port"er (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, supports; as, oxygen is a supporter of life.

The sockets and supporters of flowers are figured.

Bacon.

The saints have a . . . supporter in all their miseries.

South.

2. Especially, an adherent; one who sustains, advocates, and defends; as, the supporter of a party, faction, or candidate.

3. (Shipbuilding) A knee placed under the cathead.

4. (Her.) A figure, sometimes of a man, but commonly of some animal, placed on either side of an escutcheon, and exterior to it. Usually, both supporters of an escutcheon are similar figures.

5. (Med.) A broad band or truss for supporting the abdomen or some other part or organ.

Sup*port"ful (?), a. Abounding with support. [Obs.] Chapman.

Sup*port"less, a. Having no support. Milton.

Sup*port"ment (?), n. Support. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

Sup*port"ress (?), n. A female supporter. [R.]

You are my gracious patroness and supportress.

Massinger.

Sup*pos"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being supposed, or imagined to exist; as, that is not a supposable case. -- Sup*pos"a*ble*ness, n. -- Sup*pos"a*bly, adv.

Sup*pos"al (?), n. The act of supposing; also, that which is supposed; supposition; opinion. Shak.

Interest, with a Jew, never proceeds but upon supposal, at least,
of a firm and sufficient bottom.

South.

Sup*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supposing.] [F. supposer; pref. sub- under + poser to place; -- corresponding in meaning to L. supponere, suppositum, to put under, to substitute, falsify, counterfeit. See Pose.] 1. To represent to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the result?

Suppose they take offence without a cause.

Shak.

When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could
possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to make any doubt of its
existence.

Tillotson.

2. To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.

How easy is a bush supposed a bear!

Shak.

Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all the young men, the
king's sons; for Amnon only is dead.

2 Sam. xiii. 32.

3. To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight.

One falsehood always supposes another, and renders all you can say
suspected.

Female Quixote.

4. To put by fraud in the place of another. [Obs.]

Syn. -- To imagine; believe; conclude; judge; consider; view; regard; conjecture; assume.

<! p. 1450 !>

Sup*pose" (?), v. i. To make supposition; to think; to be of opinion. Acts ii. 15.

Sup*pose", n. Supposition. [Obs.] Shak. "A base suppose that he is honest." Dryden.

Sup*pose"er (?), n. One who supposes.

Sup`po*si"tion (?), n. [F. supposition, L. suppositio a placing under, a substitution, fr. supponere, suppositium, to put under, to substitute. The word has the meaning corresponding to suppose. See Sub-, and Position.] 1. The act of supposing, laying down, imagining, or considering as true or existing, what is known not to be true, or what is not proved.

2. That which is supposed; hypothesis; conjecture; surmise; opinion or belief without sufficient evidence.

This is only an infallibility upon supposition that if a thing be
true, it is imposible to be false.

Tillotson.

He means are in supposition.

Shak.

Sup`po*si"tion*al (?), a. Resting on supposition; hypothetical; conjectural; supposed. South.

Sup*pos`i*ti"tious (?), a. [L. suppositicus. See Supposition.] 1. Fraudulently substituted for something else; not being what is purports to be; not genuine; spurious; counterfeit; as, a supposititious child; a supposititious writing. Bacon.

2. Suppositional; hypothetical. [R.] Woodward.

-- Sup*pos`i*ti"tious*ly, adv. -- Sup*pos`i*ti"tious*ness, n.

Sup*pos"i*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. suppositif.] Including or implying supposition, or hypothesis; supposed. -- Sup*pos"i*tive*ly, adv. Hammond.

Sup*pos"i*tive, n. A word denoting or implying supposition, as the words if, granting, provided, etc. Harris.

Sup*pos"i*tor (?), n. (Med.) An apparatus for the introduction of suppositories into the rectum.

Sup*pos"i*to*ry (?), n.; pl. Suppositories (#). [LL. suppositorium, fr. L. suppositorius that is placed underneath: cf. F. suppositoire. See Supposition.] (Med.) A pill or bolus for introduction into the rectum; esp., a cylinder or cone of medicated cacao butter.

Sup*po"sure (?), n. Supposition; hypothesis; conjecture. [Obs.] Hudibras.

Sup*press" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suppressed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Suppressing.] [L. suppressus, p. p. of supprimere to suppress; sub under + premere, pressum, to press. See Sub-, and Press.] 1. To overpower and crush; to subdue; to put down; to quell.

Every rebellion, when it is suppressed, doth make the subject
weaker, and the prince stronger.

Sir J. Davies.

2. To keep in; to restrain from utterance or vent; as, to suppress the voice; to suppress a smile. Sir W. Scott.

3. To retain without disclosure; to conceal; not to reveal; to prevent publication of; as, to suppress evidence; to suppress a pamphlet; to suppress the truth.

She suppresses the name, and this keeps him in a pleasing suspense.

Broome.

4. To stop; to restrain; to arrest the discharges of; as, to suppress a diarrhea, or a hemorrhage.

Syn. -- To repress; restrain; put down; overthrow; overpower; overwhelm; conceal; stifle; stop; smother.

Sup*press"i*ble (?), a. That may be suppressed.

Sup*pres"sion (?), n. [L. suppressio: cf. F. suppression.] 1. The act of suppressing, or the state of being suppressed; repression; as, the suppression of a riot, insurrection, or tumult; the suppression of truth, of reports, of evidence, and the like.

2. (Med.) Complete stoppage of a natural secretion or excretion; as, suppression of urine; -- used in contradiction to retention, which signifies that the secretion or excretion is retained without expulsion. Quain.

3. (Gram.) Omission; as, the suppression of a word.

Syn. -- Overthrow; destruction; concealment; repression; detention; retention; obstruction.

Sup*press"ive (?), a. Tending to suppress; subduing; concealing.

Sup*press"or (?), n. [L., hider.] One who suppresses.

Sup*prise" (?), v. t. To surprise. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sup"pu*rant (?), n. (Med.) A suppurative.

Sup"pu*rate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Suppurated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Suppurating.] [L. suppuratus, p. p. of suppurare to suppurate, cause to suppurate; sub under + pus, puris, matter. See Pus.] To generate pus; as, a boil or abscess suppurates.

Sup"pu*rate, v. t. To cause to generate pus; as, to suppurate a sore. Arbuthnot.

Sup`pu*ra"tion (?), n. [L. suppuratio: cf. F. suppuration.] 1. The act or process of suppurating.

2. The matter produced by suppuration; pus.

Sup"pu*ra*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. suppuratif.] Tending to suppurate; promoting suppuration.

Suppurative fever (Med.), pyæmia.

Sup"pu*ra*tive, n. (Med.) A suppurative medicine.

Sup"pu*tate (?), v. t. [L. supputatus, p. p. of supputare. See Suppute.] To suppute. [Obs.]

Sup`pu*ta"tion (?), n. [L. supputatio: cf. F. supputation.] Reckoning; account. [Obs.]

Sup*pute" (?), v. t. [F. supputer, or L. supputare; sub under + putare to reckon.] To reckon; to compute; to suppose; to impute. [Obs.] Drayton.

Su"pra (?), adv. [L.; akin to super. See Super-.] Over; above; before; also, beyond; besides; -- much used as a prefix.

Su`pra-a*cro"mi*al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above the acromial process of the scapula.

Su`pra-an"gu*lar (?), a. (Anat.) See Surangular.

Su`pra-au*ric"u*lar (?), a. (Zoöl.) Situated above the ear coverts, or auriculars; -- said of certain feathers of birds. -- n. A supra-auricular feather.

Su"pra-ax"il*la*ry (?), a. (Bot.) Growing above the axil; inserted above the axil, as a peduncle. See Suprafoliaceous.

Su`pra*bran"chi*al (?), a. (Zoöl.) Situated above the branchiæ; -- applied especially to the upper division of the gill cavity of bivalve mollusks.

{ Su`pra*cho"roid (?), Su`pra*cho*roid"al (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above the choroid; - - applied to the layer of the choroid coat of the eyeball next to the sclerotic.

Su`pra*cil"i*a*ry (?), a. (Anat.) Superciliary.

Su`pra*clav"i*cle (?), n. (Anat.) A bone which usually connects the clavicle with the post-temporal in the pectorial arch of fishes.

Su`pra*cla*vic"u*lar (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Situated above the clavicle. (b) Of or pertaining to the supraclavicle.

{ Su`pra*con"dy*lar (?), Su`pra*con"dy*loid (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above a condyle or condyles.

Su`pra*cos"tal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or on the outside of, the ribs.

Su`pra*cra"ni*al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or in the roof of, the cranium.

Su`pra*cre*ta"ceous (?), a. (Geol.) Lying above the chalk; Supercretaceous.

Su`pra*de*com"pound (?), a. (Bot.) More than decompound; divided many times.

{ Su`pra-e*soph"a*gal (?), Su`pra-e`so*phag"e*al (?), } a. (Bot. & Zoöl.) Situated above, or on the dorsal side of, the esophagus; as, the supra- esophageal ganglion of Crustacea. [Written also supra- œsophagal, and supra-œsophageal.]

Su`pra-eth"moid (?), a. (Anat.) Above, or on the dorsal side of, the ethmoid bone or cartilage.

Su`pra*fo`li*a"ceous (?), a. (Bot.) Inserted into the stem above the leaf, petiole, or axil, as a peduncle or flower.

Su`pra*glot"ic (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above the glottis; -- applied to that part of the cavity of the larynx above the true vocal cords.

Su`pra*he*pat"ic (?), a. (Anat.) Situated over, or on the dorsal side of, the liver; -- applied to the branches of the hepatic veins.

Su`pra*hy"oid (?), a. (Anat.) Hyomental.

Su`pra-il"i*um (?), n. (Anat.) The cartilaginous cap at the sacral end of the ilium of some animals.

Su`pra*lap*sa"ri*an (?), n. [Supra- + lapse: cf. F. supralapsaire.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of that class of Calvinists who believed that God's decree of election determined that man should fall, in order that the opportunity might be furnished of securing the redemption of a part of the race, the decree of salvation being conceived of as formed before or beyond, and not after or following, the lapse, or fall. Cf. Infralapsarian.

Su`pra*lap*sa"ri*an, a. Of or pertaining to the Supralapsarians, or their doctrine.

Su`pra*lap*sa"ri*an*ism (?), n. The doctrine, belief, or principles of the Supralapsarians.

Su`pra*lap"sa*ry (?), a. Supralapsarian.

Su`pra*lap"sa*ry, n. A Supralapsarian.

Su`pra*lo"ral (?), a. (Zoöl.) Situated above the lores; as, the supraloral feathers of a bird. -- n. A supraloral feather.

{ Su`pra*lu"nar (?), Su`pra*lu"na*ry (?), } a. Beyond the moon; hence, very lofty.

Su`pra*max"il*la (?), n.; pl. Supramaxillæ (&?;). (Anat.) The upper jaw or maxilla.

Su`pra*max"il*la*ry (?), a. (Anat.) (a) Situated over the lower jaw; as, the supramaxillary nerve. (b) Of or pertaining to the upper jaw.

Su`pra*mun"dane (?), a. Being or situated above the world or above our system; celestial.

Su`pra*nat"u*ral*ism (?), n. The state of being supernatural; belief in supernatural agency or revelation; supernaturalism.

Su`pra*nat"u*ral*ist, n. A supernaturalist.

{ Su`pra*nat"u*ral*ist (?), Su`pra*nat`u*ral*is"tic (?), } a. Of or pertaining to supernaturalism; supernaturalistic.

Su`pra*oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated over, or in the upper part of, the occiput; of or pertaining to the supraoccipital bone. -- n. The supraoccipital bone.

Supraoccipital bone (Anat.), a bone on the dorsal side of the great foramen of the skull, usually forming a part of the occipital in the adult, but distinct in the young.

Su`pra*oc"u*lar (?), a. (Zoöl.) Above the eyes; -- said of certain scales of fishes and reptiles.

Su`pra-œ*soph"a*gal (?), a. (Anat.) See Supra-esophagal.

{ Su`pra*or"bit*al (?), Su`pra*or"bit*ar (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above the orbit of the eye.

Supraorbital point (Anat.), the middle point of the supraorbital line, which is a line drawn across the narrowest part of the forehead, separating the face from the cranium; the ophryon.

Su*prap"e*dal (?), a. (Zoöl.) Situated above the foot of a mollusk; as, the suprapedal gland.

Su`pra*pro"test (?), n. (Mercantile Law) An acceptance of a bill by a third person after protest for nonacceptance by the drawee. Burrill.

{ Su`pra*pu"bi*an (?), Su`pra*pu"bic (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above, or anterior to, the pubic bone.

Su`pra*re"nal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or anterior to, the kidneys. -- n. A suprarenal capsule.

Suprarenal capsules (Anat.), two small bodies of unknown function in front of, or near, the kidneys in most vertebrates. Also called renal capsules, and suprarenal bodies.

{ Su`pra*scalp"u*lar (?), Su`pra*scalp"u*la*ry (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above, or on the anterior side of, the scapula.

Su`pra*sphe*noid"al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above the sphenoidal bone; as, the suprasphenoidal appendage, or pituitary body.

Su`pra*spi"nal, a. (Anat.) (a) Situated above the vertebral column. (b) Situated above a spine or spines; supraspinate; supraspinous.

{ Su`pra*spi"nate (?), Su`pra*spi"nous (?), } a. (Anat.) Situated above a spine or spines; especially, situated above, or on the dorsal side of, the neural spines of the vertebral column, or above, or in front of, the spine of the scapula.

Su`pra*sta*pe"di*al (?), a. (Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, that part of the columella of the ear which projects above the connection with the stapes, as in many animals. -- n. The suprastapedial part of the columella.

Su`pra*ster"nal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or anterior to, the sternum.

Su`pra*tem"po*ral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above the temporal bone or temporal fossa. -- n. A supratemporal bone.

Su`pra*troch"le*ar (?), a. (Anat.) Situated over or above a trochlea or trochlear surface; -- applied esp. to one of the subdivisions of the trigeminal nerve.

Su`pra*vag"i*nal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above or outside a sheath or vaginal membrane.

Su`pra*vi"sion (?), n. Supervision. [Obs.]

Su`pra*vis"or (?), n. A supervisor. [Obs.]

Su`pra*vul"gar (?), a. Being above the vulgar or common people. [R.] Collier.

Su*prem"a*cy (?), n. [Cf. F. suprématie. See Supreme.] The state of being supreme, or in the highest station of power; highest or supreme authority or power; as, the supremacy of a king or a parliament.

The usurped power of the pope being destroyed, the crown was
restored to its supremacy over spiritual men and causes.

Blackstone.

Oath supremacy, an oath which acknowledges the supremacy of the sovereign in spiritual affairs, and renounced or abjures the supremacy of the pope in ecclesiastical or temporal affairs. [Eng.] Brande & C.

Su*preme" (?), a. [L. supremus, superlative of superus that is above, upper, fr. super above: cf. F. suprême. See Super-, and cf. Sum.] 1. Highest in authority; holding the highest place in authority, government, or power.

He that is the supreme King of kings.

Shak.

2. Highest; greatest; most excellent or most extreme; utmost; greatist possible (sometimes in a bad sense); as, supreme love; supreme glory; supreme magnanimity; supreme folly.

Each would be supreme within its own sphere, and those spheres
could not but clash.

De Quincey.

3. (Bot.) Situated at the highest part or point.

The Supreme, the Almighty; God.

Su*preme"ly, adv. In a supreme manner.

Su*prem"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. LL. supremitas.] Supremacy. [Obs.] Fuller.

Sur-. [F. sur over, above, contr. fr. L. super, supra. See Super-.] A prefix signifying over, above, beyond, upon.

||Su"ra (?), n. [Ar., a step, a degree.] One of the sections or ||chapters of the Koran, which are one hundred and fourteen in number.

Su`ra*dan"ni (?), n. A valuable kind of wood obtained on the shores of the Demerara River in South America, much used for timbers, rails, naves and fellies of wheels, and the like.

Sur`ad*di"tion (?), n. [F.] Something added or appended, as to a name. [Obs.] Shak.

Su"rah (?), n. A soft twilled silk fabric much used for women's dresses; -- called also surah silk.

Su"ral (?), a. [L. sura the calf of the leg: cf. F. sural.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the calf of the leg; as, the sural arteries.

Sur"ance (?), n. Assurance. [Obs.] Shak.

Sur*an"gu*lar (?), a. [Pref. sur- + angular.] (Anat.) Above the angular bone; supra- angular; -- applied to a bone of the lower jaw in many reptiles and birds. -- n. The surangular bone.

Sur"base` (?), n. [Pref. sur- + base.] 1. (Arch.) A cornice, or series of moldings, on the top of the base of a pedestal, podium, etc. See Illust. of Column.

2. A board or group of moldings running round a room on a level with the tops of the chair backs. Knight.

Sur"based` (?), a. (Arch.) (a) Having a surbase, or molding above the base. (b) [F. surbaissé.] Having the vertical height from springing line to crown less than the half span; -- said of an arch; as, a segmental arch is surbased.

Sur*bate" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surbated; p. pr. & vb. n. Surbating.] [F. solbatu, p. p., bruised (said of a horse's foot); sole a sole (of a horse's foot) + battu, p. p. of battre to beat.] 1. To make sore or bruise, as the feet by travel. [Obs.]

Lest they their fins should bruise, and surbate sore Their tender
feet upon the stony ground.

Spenser.

Chalky land surbates and spoils oxen's feet.

Mortimer.

2. To harass; to fatigue. [Obs.] Clarendon.

<! p. 1451 !>

Sur*beat" (?), v. t. Same as Surbate. [Obs.]

Sur*bed" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surbedded; p. pr. & vb. n. Surbedding.] [Pref. sur- + bed.] To set edgewise, as a stone; that is, to set it in a position different from that which it had in the quarry.

It . . . has something of a grain parallel with the horizon, and
therefore should not be surbedded.

Gilbert White.

Sur*bet" (?), v. t. Same as Surbate. [Obs.]

Sur*bet", a. Surbated; bruised. [Obs.] Spenser.

Sur*cease" (?), n. [F. sursis, from sursis, p. p. of surseoir to suspend, postpone, defer, in OF., to delay, refrain from, forbear, L. supersedere. Surcease is not connected with E. cease. See Supersede.] Cessation; stop; end. "Not desire, but its surcease." Longfellow.

It is time that there were an end and surcease made of this
immodest and deformed manner of writing.

Bacon.

Sur*cease", v. t. To cause to cease; to end. [Obs.] "The waves . . . their range surceast." Spenser.

The nations, overawed, surceased the fight.

Dryden.

Sur*cease", v. i. To cease. [Obs.]

Sur*cease"ance (?), n. Cessation. [Obs.]

Sur*charge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surcharged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surcharging (?).] [F. surcharger. See Sur-, and Charge, and cf. Overcharge, Supercharge, Supercargo.] 1. To overload; to overburden; to overmatch; to overcharge; as, to surcharge a beast or a ship; to surcharge a cannon.

Four charged two, and two surcharged one.

Spenser.

Your head reclined, as hiding grief from view, Droops like a rose
surcharged with morning dew.

Dryden.

2. (Law) (a) To overstock; especially, to put more cattle into, as a common, than the person has a right to do, or more than the herbage will sustain. Blackstone. (b) (Equity) To show an omission in (an account) for which credit ought to have been given. Story. Daniel.

Sur*charge", n. [F.] 1. An overcharge; an excessive load or burden; a load greater than can well be borne.

A numerous nobility causeth poverty and inconvenience in a state,
for it is surcharge of expense.

Bacon.

2. (Law) (a) The putting, by a commoner, of more beasts on the common than he has a right to. (b) (Equity) The showing an omission, as in an account, for which credit ought to have been given. Burrill.

Sur*charge"ment (?), n. The act of surcharging; also, surcharge, surplus. [Obs.] Daniel.

Sur*char"ger (?), n. One who surcharges.

Sur"cin`gle (?), n. [OE. sursengle, OF. sursangle. See Sur-, and Cingle, Shingles.] 1. A belt, band, or girth which passes over a saddle, or over anything laid on a horse's back, to bind it fast.

2. (Eccl.) The girdle of a cassock, by which it is fastened round the waist.

Sur"cin`gled (?), a. Bound with the surcingle.

Sur"cle (?), n. [L. surculus.] A little shoot; a twig; a sucker. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Sur"cloy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surcloyed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surcloying.] To surfeit. [Obs.]

Sur"coat` (?), n. [OE. surcote, OF. surcote. See Sur-, and Coat, and cf. Overcoat.] 1. A coat worn over the other garments; especially, the long and flowing garment of knights, worn over the armor, and frequently emblazoned with the arms of the wearer.

A long surcoat of pers upon he had..

Chaucer.

At night, or in the rain, He dons a surcoat which he doffs at morn.

Emerson.

2. A name given to the outer garment of either sex at different epochs of the Middle Ages.

Sur"crew` (?), n. [From F. surcroît increase, or surcrû, p. p. of surcroître to overgrow.] Increase; addition; surplus. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

Sur"cu*late (?), v. t. [L. surculatus, p. p. of surculare to purne, from surculus a shoot, sprout. See Surcle.] To purne; to trim. [Obs.] Cockeram.

Sur`cu*la"tion (?), n. Act of purning. [Obs.]

Sur"cu*lose` (?), a. [CF. L. sucrulosus woody. See Surcle.] (Bot.) Producing suckers, or shoots resembling suckers.

Surd (?), a. [L. surdus deaf (whence the meaning, deaf to reason, irrational), perhaps akin to E. swart. Cf. Sordine.] 1. Net having the sense of hearing; deaf. [Obs.] "A surd . . . generation." Sir T. Browne.

2. Unheard. [Obs.] Kenrick.

3. (Math.) Involving surds; not capable of being expressed in rational numbers; radical; irrational; as, a surd expression or quantity; a surd number.

4. (Phonetics) Uttered, as an element of speech, without tone, or proper vocal sound; voiceless; unintonated; nonvocal; atonic; whispered; aspirated; sharp; hard, as f, p, s, etc.; -- opposed to sonant. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§169, 179, 180.

Surd, n. (Math.) 1. A quantity which can not be expressed by rational numbers; thus, &radic;2 is a surd.

2. (Phon.) A surd element of speech. See Surd, a., 4.

Surd"al (?), a. (Math.) Same as Surd, a., 3.

Surd"i*ny (?), n. A sardine. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Surd"i*ty (?), n. [L. surditas.] Deafness. [Obs.]

Sure (?), a. [Compar. Surer (?); superl. Surest.] [OE. sur, OF. seür, F. sûr, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See Secure, and cf. Assure, Insure, Sicker sure.] 1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive.

We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against
them which commit such things.

Rom. ii. 2.

I'm sure care 's an enemy of life.

Shak.

2. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.

3. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word." Keble.

The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord
fighteth the battles of the Lord.

1 Sam. xxv. 28.

The testimony of the Lord is sure.

Ps. xix. 7.

Which put in good sure leather sacks.

Chapman.

4. Betrothed; engaged to marry. [Obs.]

The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before
God.

Sir T. More.

I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind
you, man and wife.

Brome.

5. Free from danger; safe; secure.

Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that
we are sure enough.

Shak.

-- To be sure, or Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do? To be sure I shall. -- To make sure. (a) To make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object. "Make Cato sure." Addison. "A peace can not fail, provided we make sure of Spain." Sir W. Temple. (b) To betroth. [Obs.]

She that's made sure to him she loves not well.

Cotgrave.

Syn. -- Certain; unfailing; infallible; safe; firm; permanent; steady; stable; strong; secure; indisputable; confident; positive.

Sure (?), adv. In a sure manner; safely; certainly. "Great, sure, shall be thy meed." Spenser.

'T is pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print.

Byron.

Sure"-foot`ed (?), a. Not liable to stumble or fall; as, a sure-footed horse.

Sure"ly (?), adv. 1. In a sure or certain manner; certainly; infallibly; undoubtedly; assuredly.

In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Gen. ii. 17.

He that created something out of nothing, surely can raise great
things out of small.

South.

2. Without danger; firmly; steadly; securely.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely.

Prov. x. 9.

Sure"ment (?), n. A making sure; surety. [Obs.]

Every surement and every bond.

Chaucer.

Sure"ness, n. The state of being sure; certainty.

For more sureness he repeats it.

Woodward.

The law holds with equal sureness for all right action.

Emerson.

Sures"by (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain. See Rudesby.] One to be sure of, or to be relied on. [Obs.]

There is one which is suresby, as they say, to serve, if anything
will serve.

Bradford.

Sure"ti*ship (?), n. Suretyship. Prov. xi. 15.

Sure"ty (?), n.; pl. Sureties (#). [OE. seurte, OF. seürté, F. sûreté. See Sure, Security.] 1. The state of being sure; certainty; security.

Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that
is not theirs.

Gen. xv. 13.

For the more surety they looked round about.

Sir P. Sidney.

2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.

[We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
On other surety none.

Milton.

3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act.

There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in surety of the
which One part of Aquitaine is bound to us.

Shak.

4. (Law) One who is bound with and for another who is primarily liable, and who is called the principal; one who engages to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt, or for performance of some act; a bondsman; a bail.

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.

Prov. xi. 15.

5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. Cowper.

6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.]

She called the saints to surety, That she would never put it from
her finger, Unless she gave it to yourself.

Shak.

Sure"ty, v. t. To act as surety for. [Obs.] Shak.

Sure"ty*ship, n. The state of being surety; the obligation of a person to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another. Bouvier.

Surf (?), n. [Formerly spelled suffe, and probably the same word as E. sough.] The swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore, esp. upon a sloping beach.

Surf bird (Zoöl.), a ploverlike bird of the genus Aphriza, allied to the turnstone. -- Surf clam (Zoöl.), a large clam living on the open coast, especially Mactra, or Spisula, solidissima. See Mactra. -- Surf duck (Zoöl.), any one of several species of sea ducks of the genus Oidemia, especially O. percpicillata; -- called also surf scoter. See the Note under Scoter. -- Surf fish (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of California embiotocoid fishes. See Embiotocoid. -- Surf smelt. (Zoöl.) See Smelt. -- Surf whiting. (Zoöl.) See under Whiting.

Surf, n. The bottom of a drain. [Prov. Eng.]

Sur"face` (?), n. [F. See Sur-, and Face, and cf. Superficial.] 1. The exterior part of anything that has length and breadth; one of the limits that bound a solid, esp. the upper face; superficies; the outside; as, the surface of the earth; the surface of a diamond; the surface of the body.

The bright surface of this ethereous mold.

Milton.

2. Hence, outward or external appearance.

Vain and weak understandings, which penetrate no deeper than the
surface.

V. Knox.

3. (Geom.) A magnitude that has length and breadth without thickness; superficies; as, a plane surface; a spherical surface.

4. (Fort.) That part of the side which is terminated by the flank prolonged, and the angle of the nearest bastion. Stocqueler.

Caustic surface, Heating surface, etc. See under Caustic, Heating, etc. -- Surface condensation, Surface condenser. See under Condensation, and Condenser. -- Surface gauge (Mach.), an instrument consisting of a standard having a flat base and carrying an adjustable pointer, for gauging the evenness of a surface or its height, or for marking a line parallel with a surface. -- Surface grub (Zoöl.), the larva of the great yellow underwing moth (Triphœna pronuba). It is often destructive to the roots of grasses and other plants. -- Surface plate (Mach.), a plate having an accurately dressed flat surface, used as a standard of flatness by which to test other surfaces. -- Surface printing, printing from a surface in relief, as from type, in distinction from plate printing, in which the ink is contained in engraved lines.

Sur"face (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surfaced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Surfacing (?).] 1. To give a surface to; especially, to cause to have a smooth or plain surface; to make smooth or plain.

2. To work over the surface or soil of, as ground, in hunting for gold.

Sur"fa*cer (?), n. A form of machine for dressing the surface of wood, metal, stone, etc.

Surf"boat` (?), n. (Naut.) A boat intended for use in heavy surf. It is built with a pronounced sheer, and with a view to resist the shock of waves and of contact with the beach.

Sur"feit (?), n. [OE. surfet, OF. surfait, sorfait, excess, arrogance, crime, fr. surfaire, sorfaire, to augment, exaggerate, F. surfaire to overcharge; sur over + faire to make, do, L. facere. See Sur-, and Fact.] 1. Excess in eating and drinking.

Let not Sir Surfeit sit at thy board.

Piers Plowman.

Now comes the sick hour that his surfeit made.

Shak.

2. Fullness and oppression of the system, occasioned often by excessive eating and drinking.

To prevent surfeit and other diseases that are incident to those
that heat their blood by travels.

Bunyan.

3. Disgust caused by excess; satiety. Sir P. Sidney.

Matter and argument have been supplied abundantly, and even to
surfeit.

Burke.

Sur"feit, v. i. 1. To load the stomach with food, so that sickness or uneasiness ensues; to eat to excess.

They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve
with nothing.

Shak.

2. To indulge to satiety in any gratification.

Sur"feit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surfeited; p. pr. & vb. n. Surfeiting.] 1. To feed so as to oppress the stomach and derange the function of the system; to overfeed, and produce satiety, sickness, or uneasiness; -- often reflexive; as, to surfeit one's self with sweets.

2. To fill to satiety and disgust; to cloy; as, he surfeits us with compliments. V. Knox.

Sur"feit*er (?), n. One who surfeits. Shak.

Sur"feit-wa`ter (?), n. Water for the cure of surfeits. [Obs.] Locke.

{ Sur"fel, Sur"fle } (?), v. t. [Cf. Sulphur.] To wash, as the face, with a cosmetic water, said by some to be prepared from the sulphur. [Obs.]