Chapter CCCXCIII: Prologue (44)

Note: Science is applied or pure. Applied science is a knowledge of facts, events, or phenomena, as explained, accounted for, or produced, by means of powers, causes, or laws. Pure science is the knowledge of these powers, causes, or laws, considered apart, or as pure from all applications. Both these terms have a similar and special signification when applied to the science of quantity; as, the applied and pure mathematics. Exact science is knowledge so systematized that prediction and verification, by measurement, experiment, observation, etc., are possible. The mathematical and physical sciences are called the exact sciences. Comparative sciences, Inductive sciences. See under Comparative, and Inductive.

Syn. -- Literature; art; knowledge. -- Science, Literature, Art. Science is literally knowledge, but more usually denotes a systematic and orderly arrangement of knowledge. In a more distinctive sense, science embraces those branches of knowledge of which the subject-matter is either ultimate principles, or facts as explained by principles or laws thus arranged in natural order. The term literature sometimes denotes all compositions not embraced under science, but usually confined to the belles-lettres. [See Literature.] Art is that which depends on practice and skill in performance. "In science, scimus ut sciamus; in art, scimus ut producamus. And, therefore, science and art may be said to be investigations of truth; but one, science, inquires for the sake of knowledge; the other, art, for the sake of production; and hence science is more concerned with the higher truths, art with the lower; and science never is engaged, as art is, in productive application. And the most perfect state of science, therefore, will be the most high and accurate inquiry; the perfection of art will be the most apt and efficient system of rules; art always throwing itself into the form of rules." Karslake.

SCIENCE Sci"ence, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become versed in science; to make skilled; to instruct. [R.] Francis.

SCIENT Sci"ent, a. Etym: [L. sciens, -entis, p.pr.]

Defn: Knowing; skillful. [Obs.] Cockeram.

SCIENTER Sci*en"ter, adv. Etym: [L.] (Law)

Defn: Knowingly; willfully. Bouvier.

SCIENTIAL Sci*en"tial, a. Etym: [LL. scientialis, fr. L. scientic.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or producing, science. [R.] Milton.

SCIENTIFIC Sci`en*tif"ic, a. Etym: [F. scientifique; L. scientia science + facere to make.]

1. Of or pertaining to science; used in science; as, scientific principles; scientific apparatus; scientific observations.

2. Agreeing with, or depending on, the rules or principles of science; as, a scientific classification; a scientific arrangement of fossils.

3. Having a knowledge of science, or of a science; evincing science or systematic knowledge; as, a scientific chemist; a scientific reasoner; a scientific argument. Bossuet is as scientific in the structure of his sentences. Lander. Scientific method, the method employed in exact science and consisting of: (a) Careful and abundant observation and experiment. (b) generalization of the results into formulated "Laws" and statements.

SCIENTIFICAL Sci`en*tif"ic*al, a.

Defn: Scientific. Locke.

SCIENTIFICALLY Sci`en*tif"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scientific manner; according to the rules or principles of science. It is easier to believe than to be scientifically instructed. Locke.

SCIENTIST Sci"en*tist, n.

Defn: One learned in science; a scientific investigator; one devoted to scientific study; a savant. [Recent]

Note: Twenty years ago I ventured to propose one [a name for the class of men who give their lives to scientific study] which has been slowly finding its way to general adoption; and the word scientist, though scarcely euphonious, has gradually assumed its place in our vocabulary. B. A. Gould (Address, 1869).

SCILICET Scil"i*cet, adv. Etym: [L., fr. scire licet you may know.]

Defn: To wit; namely; videlicet; -- often abbreviated to sc., or ss.

SCILLAIN Scil"la*in, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A glucoside extracted from squill (Scilla) as a light porous substance.

SCILLITIN Scil"li*tin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. scilistine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A bitter principle extracted from the bulbs of the squill (Scilla), and probably consisting of a complex mixture of several substances.

SCIMITER; SCIMITAR Scim"i*ter , Scim"i*tar, n. Etym: [F. cimeterre, cf. It. scimitarra, Sp. cimitarra; fr. Biscayan cimetarry with a sharp edge; or corrupted from Per. shimshir.]

1. A saber with a much curved blade having the edge on the convex side, -- in use among Mohammedans, esp., the Arabs and persians. [Written also cimeter, and scymetar.]

2. A long-handled billhook. See Billhook. Scimiter pods (Bot.), the immense curved woody pods of a leguminous woody climbing plant (Entada scandens) growing in tropical India and America. They contain hard round flattish seeds two inches in diameter, which are made into boxes.

SCINCOID Scin"coid, a. Etym: [L. scincus a kind of lizard (fr. Gr. -oid. Cf. Skink.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the family Scincidæ, or skinks. -- n.

Defn: A scincoidian.

SCINCOIDEA Scin*coi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tribe of lizards including the skinks. See Skink.

SCINCOIDIAN Scin*coid"i*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of lizards of the family Scincidæ or tribe Scincoidea. The tongue is not extensile. The body and tail are covered with overlapping scales, and the toes are margined. See Illust. under Skink.

SCINIPH Scin"iph, n. Etym: [L. scinifes, cinifes, or ciniphes, pl., Gr.

Defn: Some kind of stinging or biting insect, as a flea, a gnat, a sandly, or the like. Ex. viii. 17 (Douay version).

SCINK Scink, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A skink.

SCINK Scink, n.

Defn: A slunk calf. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SCINTILLA Scin*til"la, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: A spark; the least particle; an iota; a tittle. R. North.

SCINTILLANT Scin"til*lant, a. Etym: [L. scintillans, p.pr. of scintillare to sparkle. See Scintillate.]

Defn: Emitting sparks, or fine igneous particles; sparkling. M. Green.

SCINTILLATE Scin"til*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scintillated; p. pr. & vb. n. Scintillating.] Etym: [L. scintillare, scintillatum, from scintilla a spark. Cf. Stencil.]

1. To emit sparks, or fine igneous particles. As the electrical globe only scintillates when rubbed against its cushion. Sir W. Scott.

2. To sparkle, as the fixed stars.

SCINTILLATION Scin`til*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. scintillatio: cf. F. scintillation.]

1. The act of scintillating.

2. A spark of flash emitted in scintillating. These scintillations are . . . the inflammable effluences discharged from the bodies collided. Sir T. Browne.

SCINTILLOUS Scin"til*lous, a.

Defn: Scintillant. [R.]

SCINTILLOUSLY Scin"til*lous*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scintillant manner. [R.]

SCIOGRAPHY Sci*og"ra*phy, n.

Defn: See Sciagraphy.

SCIOLISM Sci"o*lism, n. Etym: [See Sciolist.]

Defn: The knowledge of a sciolist; superficial knowledge.

SCIOLIST Sci"o*list, n. Etym: [L. sciolus. See Sciolous.]

Defn: One who knows many things superficially; a pretender to science; a smatterer. These passages in that book were enough to humble the presumption of our modern sciolists, if their pride were not as great as their ignorance. Sir W. Temple. A master were lauded and scolists shent. R. Browning.

SCIOLISTIC Sci`o*lis"tic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sciolism, or a sciolist; partaking of sciolism; resembling a sciolist.

SCIOLOUS Sci"o*lous, a. Etym: [L. scilus, dim. of scius knowing, fr. scire to know. See Science.]

Defn: Knowing superficially or imperfectly. Howell.

SCIOMACHY Sci*om"a*chy, n. Etym: [Gr. sciomachie, sciamachie.]

Defn: A fighting with a shadow; a mock contest; an imaginary or futile combat. [Written also scimachy.] Cowley.

SCIOMANCY Sci"o*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy: cf. F. sciomance, scaimancie.]

Defn: Divination by means of shadows.

SCION Sci"on, n. Etym: [OF. cion, F. scion, probably fron scier to saw, fr. L. secare to cut. Cf. Section.]

1. (Bot.) (a) A shoot or sprout of a plant; a sucker. (b) A piece of a slender branch or twig cut for grafting. [Formerly written also cion, and cyon.]

2. Hence, a descendant; an heir; as, a scion of a royal stock.

SCIOPTIC Sci*op"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. scioptique. See Optic.] (Opt.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to an optical arrangement for forming images in a darkened room, usually called scioptic ball. Scioptic ball (Opt.), the lens of a camera obscura mounted in a wooden ball which fits a socket in a window shutter so as to be readily turned, like the eye, to different parts of the landscape.

SCIOPTICON Sci*op"ti*con, n. Etym: [NL. See Scioptic.]

Defn: A kind of magic lantorn.

SCIOPTICS Sci*op"tics, n.

Defn: The art or process of exhibiting luminous images, especially those of external objects, in a darkened room, by arrangements of lenses or mirrors.

SCIOPTRIC Sci*op"tric, a. (Opt.)

Defn: Scioptic.

SCIOT Sci"ot, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the island Scio (Chio or Chios). -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Scio. [Written also Chiot.]

SCIOTHERIC Sci`o*ther"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. L. sciothericon Sciatheric.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sundial. Sciotheric telescope (Dialing), an instrument consisting of a horizontal dial, with a telescope attached to it, used for determining the time, whether of day or night.

SCIOUS Sci"ous, a. Etym: [L. scius.]

Defn: Knowing; having knowledge. "Brutes may be and are scious." Coleridge.

SCIRE FACIAS Sci`re fa"ci*as. Etym: [L., do you cause to know.] (Law)

Defn: A judicial writ, founded upon some record, and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the party bringing it should not have advantage of such record, or (as in the case of scire facias to repeal letters patent) why the record should not be annulled or vacated. Wharton. Bouvier.

SCIRRHOID Scir"rhoid, a. Etym: [Scirhus + -oid.]

Defn: Resembling scirrhus. Dungliston.

SCIRRHOSITY Scir*rhos"i*ty, n. (Med.)

Defn: A morbid induration, as of a gland; stste of being scirrhous.

SCIRRHOUS Scir"rhous, a. Etym: [NL. scirrhosus.] (Med.)

Defn: Proceeding from scirrhus; of the nature of scirrhus; indurated; knotty; as, scirrhous affections; scirrhous disease. [Written also skirrhous.]

SCIRRHUS Scir"rhus, n.; pl. L. Scirrhi, E. Scirrhuses. Etym: [NL., from L. scirros, Gr. (Med.) (a) An indurated organ or part; especially, an indurated gland. [Obs.] (b) A cancerous tumor which is hard, translucent, of a gray or bluish color, and emits a creaking sound when incised. [Sometimes incorrectly written schirrus; written also skirrhus.]

SCISCITATION Scis`ci*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. sciscitatio, fr. sciscere to seek to know, v. incho. from scire to know.]

Defn: The act of inquiring; inquiry; demand. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SCISE Scise, v. i. Etym: [L. scindere, scissum, to cut, split.]

Defn: To cut; to penetrate. [Obs.] The wicked steel scised deep in his right side. Fairfax.

SCISSEL Scis"sel, n. Etym: [Cf. Scissile.]

1. The clippings of metals made in various mechanical operations.

2. The slips or plates of metal out of which circular balnks have been cut for the purpose of coinage.

SCISSIBLE Scis"si*ble, a. Etym: [L. scindere, scissum, to

Defn: Capable of being cut or divided by a sharp instrument. [R.] con.

SCISSIL Scis"sil, n.

Defn: See Scissel.

SCISSILE Scis"sile, a. Etym: [L. scissilis, fr. scindere, scissum, to cut, to split: cf. F. scissile. See Schism.]

Defn: Capable of being cut smoothly; scissible. [R.] Arbuthnot.

SCISSION Scis"sion, n. Etym: [L. scissio, fr. scindere, scis, to cut, to split: cf. F. scission.]

Defn: The act of dividing with an instrument having a sharp edge. Wiseman.

SCISSIPARITY Scis`si*par"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. scissus (p.p. of scindere to split) + parere to bring forth: cf.F. scissiparité.] (Biol.)

Defn: Reproduction by fission.

SCISSOR Scis"sor, v. t.

Defn: To cut with scissors or shears; to prepare with the aid of scissors. Massinger.

SCISSORS Scis"sors, n. pl. Etym: [OE. sisoures, OF. cisoires (cf. F. ciseaux), probably fr. LL. cisorium a cutting instrument, fr. L. caedere to cut. Cf. Chisel, Concise. The modern spelling is due to a mistaken derivation from L. scissor one who cleaves or divides, fr. scindere, scissum, to cut, spilt.]

Defn: A cutting instrument resembling shears, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades with handles, movable on a pin in the center, by which they are held together. Often called a pair of scissors. [Formerly written also cisors, cizars, and scissars.] Scissors grinder (Zoöl.), the European goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]

SCISSORSBILL Scis"sors*bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Skimmer.

SCISSORSTAIL Scis"sors*tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tyrant flycatcher (Milvulus forficatus) of the Southern United States and Mexico, which has a deeply forked tail. It is light gray above, white beneath, salmon on the flanks, and fiery red at the base of the crown feathers.

SCISSORS-TAILED Scis"sors-tailed`, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the outer feathers much the longest, the others decreasing regularly to the median ones.

SCISSURE Scis"sure, n. Etym: [L. scissura, from scindere, scissum, to cut, spilt.]

Defn: A longitudinal opening in a body, made by cutting; a cleft; a fissure. Hammond.

SCITAMINEOUS Scit`a*min"e*ous, a. Etym: [NL. sciamineosus, fr. Scitamineze, fr. L. scitamentum a delicacy, dainty.] (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants (Scitamimeæ), mostly tropical herbs, including the ginger, Indian shot, banana, and the plants producing turmeric and arrowroot.

SCIURINE Sci"u*rine, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sciurien. See Sciurus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Squirrel family. -- n.

Defn: A rodent of the Squirrel family.

SCIUROID Sci"u*roid, a. Etym: [Sciurus + -oid.] (Bot.)

Defn: Resembling the tail of a squirrel; -- generally said of branches which are close and dense, or of spikes of grass like barley.

SCIUROMORPHA Sci`u*ro*mor"pha, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. L. sciurus squirrel + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tribe of rodents containing the squirrels and allied animals, such as the gophers, woodchucks, beavers, and others.

SCIURUS Sci*u"rus, n. Etym: [L., a squirrel, Gr. Squirrel.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of reodents comprising the common squirrels.

SCLAFF Sclaff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sclaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sclaffing.] [Orig. uncert.]

1. To scuff or shuffle along. [Scot.]

2. (Golf) To scrape the ground with the sole of the club, before striking the ball, in making a stroke.

SCLAFF Sclaff, n. [Scot.]

1. A slight blow; a slap; a soft fall; also, the accompanying noise.

2. (Golf) The stroke made by one who sclaffs.

3. A thin, solid substance, esp. a thin shoe or slipper.

SCLAFF Sclaff, v. t. (Golf)

Defn: To scrape (the club) on the ground, in a stroke, before hitting the ball; also, to make (a stroke) in that way.

SCLAUNDRE Sclaun"dre, n.

Defn: Slander. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCLAV; SCLAVE Sclav, Sclave, n.

Defn: Same as Slav.

SCLAVIC Sclav"ic, a.

Defn: Same as Slavic.

SCLAVISM Sclav"ism, n.

Defn: Same as Slavism.

SCLAVONIAN Scla*vo"nian, a. & n.

Defn: Same as Slavonian.

SCLAVONIC Scla*von"ic, a.

Defn: Same as Slavonic.

SCLENDER Sclen"der, a.

Defn: Slender. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCLERAGOGY Scler"a*go`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Severe discipline. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.

SCLEREMA Scle*re"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Induration of the cellular tissue. Sclerema of adults. See Scleroderma. -- Sclerema neonatorum ( Etym: [NL., of the newborn], an affection characterized by a peculiar hardening and rigidity of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues in the newly born. It is usually fatal. Called also skinbound disease.

SCLERENCHYMA Scle*ren"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. -enchyma as in parenchyma.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: Vegetable tissue composed of short cells with thickened or hardened walls, as in nutshells and the gritty parts of a pear. See Sclerotic.

Note: By recent german writers and their English translation, this term is used for liber cells. Goodale.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hard calcareous deposit in the tissues of Anthozoa, constituing the stony corals.

SCLERENCHYMATOUS Scler`en*chym"a*tous, a. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or composed of, sclerenchyma.

SCLERENCHYME Scle*ren"chyme, n.

Defn: Sclerenchyma.

SCLERIASIS Scle*ri"a*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. gr. (Med.) (a) A morbid induration of the edge of the eyelid. (b) Induration of any part, including scleroderma.

SCLERITE Scle"rite, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hard chitinous or calcareous process or corpuscle, especially a spicule of the Alcyonaria.

SCLERITIS Scle*ri"tis, n. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: See Sclerottis.

SCLEROBASE Scler"o*base ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The calcareous or hornlike coral forming the central stem or axis of most compound alcyonarians; -- called also foot secretion. See Illust. under Gorgoniacea, and Coenenchyma. -- Scler`o*ba"sic, a.

SCLERODERM Scler"o*derm ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Gr. scléroderme.] (a) (Zoöl.) One of a tribe of plectognath fishes (Sclerodermi) having the skin covered with hard scales, or plates, as the cowfish and the trunkfish. (b) One of the Sclerodermata. (c) Hardened, or bony, integument of various animals.

SCLERODERMA Scler`o*der"ma, n. Etym: [NL.] (Med.)

Defn: A disease of adults, characterized by a diffuse rigidity and hardness of the skin.

SCLERODERMATA Scler`o*der"ma*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The stony corals; the Madreporaria.

SCLERODERMIC; SCLERODERMOUS Scler`o*der"mic, Scler`o*der"mous, (Zoöl.) (a) Having the integument, or skin, hard, or covered with hard plates. (b) Of or pertaining to the Sclerodermata.

SCLERODERMITE Scler`o*der"mite, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The hard integument of Crustacea. (b) Sclerenchyma.

SCLEROGEN Scler"o*gen ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -gen.] (Bot.)

Defn: The thickening matter of woody cells; lignin.

SCLEROGENOUS Scle*rog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -genous.] (Anat.)

Defn: Making or secreting a hard substance; becoming hard.

SCLEROID Scle"roid, a. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + (Bot.)

Defn: Having a hard texture, as nutshells.

SCLEROMA Scle*ro"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. sklhro`s hard + -oma.] (Med.)

Defn: Induration of the tissues. See Sclerma, Scleroderma, and Sclerosis.

SCLEROMETER Scle*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. sklhro`s hard + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument for determining with accuracy the degree of hardness of a mineral.

SCLEROSED Scle*rosed", a.

Defn: Affected with sclerosis.

SCLEROSIS Scle*ro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (sklhro`s hard.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Induration; hardening; especially, that form of induration produced in an organ by increase of its interstitial connective tissue.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Hardening of the cell wall by lignification. Cerebro-spinal sclerosis (Med.), an affection in which patches of hardening, produced by increase of the neuroglia and atrophy of the true nerve tissue, are found scattered throughout the brain and spinal cord. It is associated with complete or partial paralysis, a peculiar jerking tremor of the muscles, headache, and vertigo, and is usually fatal. Called also multiple, disseminated, or insular, sclerosis.

SCLEROSKELETON Scle`ro*skel"e*ton, n. Etym: [Gr. skeleton.] (Anat.)

Defn: That part of the skeleton which is developed in tendons, ligaments, and aponeuroses.

SCLEROTAL Scle*ro"tal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sclerotic. -- n.

Defn: The optic capsule; the sclerotic coat of the eye. Owen.

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. sclérotique.]

1. Hard; firm; indurated; -- applied especially in anatomy to the firm outer coat of the eyeball, which is often cartilaginous and sometimes bony.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sclerotic coat of the eye; sclerotical.

3. (Med.) Affected with sclerosis; sclerosed. Sclerotic parenchyma (Bot.), sclerenchyma. By some writers a distinction is made, sclerotic parenchyma being applied to tissue composed of cells with the walls hardened but not thickened, and sclerenchyma to tissue composed of cells with the walls both hardened and thickened.

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sclérotique.] (Anat.)

Defn: The sclerotic coat of the eye. See Illust. of Eye (d).

SCLEROTIC Scle*rot"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from ergot or the sclerotium of a fungus growing on rye.

SCLEROTICAL Scle*rot"ic*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sclerotic.

SCLEROTITIS Scler`o*ti"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Sclerotic, and -rris.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the sclerotic coat.

SCLEROTIUM Scle*ro"ti*um, n.; pl. Sclerotia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A hardened body formed by certain fungi, as by the Claviceps purpurea, which produced ergot.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The nature or resting stage of a plasmodium.

SCLEROTOME Scler"o*tome ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the bony, cartilaginous, or membranous partitoins which separate the myotomes. -- Scler`o*tom"ic, a.

SCLEROUS Scle"rous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Hard; indurated; sclerotic.

SCOAT Scoat, v. t.

Defn: To prop; to scotch. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOBBY Scob"by, n.

Defn: The chaffinch. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOBIFORM Scob"i*form, a. Etym: [L. scobs, or scobis, sawdust, scrapings + - form: cf. F. scobiforme.]

Defn: Having the form of, or resembling, sawdust or raspings.

SCOBS Scobs, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [L. scobs, or scobis, fr. scabere to scrape.]

1. Raspings of ivory, hartshorn, metals, or other hard substance. Chambers.

2. The dross of metals.

SCOFF Scoff, n. Etym: [OE. scof; akin to OFries. schof, OHG. scoph, Icel. skaup, and perh. to E. shove.]

1. Derision; ridicule; mockery; derisive or mocking expression of scorn, contempt, or reproach. With scoffs, and scorns, and contumelious taunts. Shak.

2. An object of scorn, mockery, or derision. The scoff of withered age and beardless youth. Cowper.

SCOFF Scoff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scoffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoffing.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. skuffe to deceive, delude, Icel. skopa to scoff, OD. schoppen. See Scoff, n.]

Defn: To show insolent ridicule or mockery; to manifest contempt by derisive acts or language; -- often with at. Thuth from his lips prevailed with double sway, And fools who came to scoff, remained to pray. Goldsmith.

Syn. -- To sneer; mock; gibe; jeer. See Sneer.

SCOFF Scoff, v. t.

Defn: To treat or address with derision; to assail scornfully; to mock at. To scoff religion is ridiculously proud and immodest. Glanwill.

SCOFFER Scoff"er, n.

Defn: One who scoffs. 2 Pet. iii. 3.

SCOFFERY Scoff"er*y, n.

Defn: The act of scoffing; scoffing conduct; mockery. Holinshed.

SCOFFINGLY Scoff"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scoffing manner. Broome.

SCOKE Scoke, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Poke (Phytolacca decandra).

SCOLAY Sco*lay", v. i.

Defn: See Scoley. [Obs.]

SCOLD Scold, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scolded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scolding.] Etym: [Akin to D. schelden, G. schelten, OHG. sceltan, Dan. skielde.]

Defn: To find fault or rail with rude clamor; to brawl; to utter harsh, rude, boisterous rebuke; to chide sharply or coarsely; -- often with at; as, to scold at a servant. Pardon me, lords, 't is the first time ever I was forced to scold. Shak.

SCOLD Scold, v. t.

Defn: To chide with rudeness and clamor; to rate; also, to rebuke or reprove with severity.

SCOLD Scold, n.

1. One who scolds, or makes a practice of scolding; esp., a rude, clamorous woman; a shrew. She is an irksome, brawling scold. Shak.

2. A scolding; a brawl.

SCOLDER Scold"er, n.

1. One who scolds.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The oyster catcher; -- so called from its shrill cries. (b) The old squaw. [Local U.S.]

SCOLDING Scold"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Scold, v. Scolding bridle, an iron frame. See Brank, n., 2.

SCOLDINGLY Scold"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scolding manner.

SCOLE Scole, n.

Defn: School. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOLECIDA Sco*le"ci*da ( or ), n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Scolex.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Helminthes.

SCOLECITE Scol"e*cite ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A zeolitic mineral occuring in delicate radiating groups of white crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of aluminia and lime. Called also lime mesotype.

SCOLECOMORPHA Sco*le`co*mor"pha (, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Solex, -morphous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scolecida.

SCOLEX Sco"lex, n.; pl. Scoleces. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) The embryo produced directly from the egg in a metagenetic series, especially the larva of a tapeworm or other parasitic worm. See Illust. of Echinococcus. (b) One of the Scolecida.

SCOLEY Sco*ley", v. i. Etym: [Cf. OF. escoler to teach. See School.]

Defn: To go to school; to study. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOLIOSIS Sco`li*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A lateral curvature of the spine.

SCOLITHUS Scol"i*thus ( or ), n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: A tubular structure found in Potsdam sandstone, and believed to be the fossil burrow of a marine worm.

SCOLLOP Scol"lop, n. & v.

Defn: See Scallop.

SCOLOPACINE Scol`o*pa"cine, a. Etym: [L. scolopax a snipe, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Scolopacidæ, or Snipe family.

SCOLOPENDRA Scol`o*pen"dra, n. Etym: [L., a kind of multiped, fr. Gr.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of venomous myriapods including the centipeds. See Centiped.

2. A sea fish. [R.] Spenser.

SCOLOPENDRINE Scol`o*pen"drine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to the Scolopendra.

SCOLYTID Scol"y*tid, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small bark-boring beetles of the genus Scolytus and allied genera. Also used adjectively.

SCOMBER Scom"ber, n. Etym: [L., a mackerel, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of acanthopterygious fishes which includes the common mackerel.

SCOMBEROID Scom"ber*oid, a. & n. Etym: [Cf. F. scomnéroïde.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scombroid.

SCOMBRIFORMES Scom`bri*for"mes, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of fishes including the mackerels, tunnies, and allied fishes.

SCOMBROID Scom"broid, a. Etym: [Scomber + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to the Mackerel family. -- n.

Defn: Any fish of the family Scombridæ, of which the mackerel (Scomber) is the type.

SCOMFISH Scom"fish ( or ), v. t. & i.

Defn: To suffocate or stifle; to smother. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

SCOMFIT Scom"fit, n. & v.

Defn: Discomfit. [Obs.]

SCOMM Scomm, n. Etym: [L. scomma a taunt, jeer, scoff, Gr.

1. A bufoon. [Obs.] L'Estrange.

2. A flout; a jeer; a gibe; a taunt. [Obs.] Fortherby.

SCONCE Sconce, n. Etym: [D. schans, OD. schantse, perhaps from OF. esconse a hiding place, akin to esconser to hide, L. absconsus, p. p. of abscondere. See Abscond, and cf. Ensconce, Sconce a candlestick.]

1. A fortification, or work for defense; a fort. No sconce or fortress of his raising was ever known either to have been forced, or yielded up, or quitted. Milton.

2. A hut for protection and shelter; a stall. One that . . . must raise a sconce by the highway and sell switches. Beau. & Fl.

3. A piece of armor for the head; headpiece; helmet. I must get a sconce for my head. Shak.

4. Fig.: The head; the skull; also, brains; sense; discretion. [Colloq.] To knock him about the sconce with a dirty shovel. Shak.

5. A poll tax; a mulct or fine. Johnson.

6. Etym: [OF. esconse a dark lantern, properly, a hiding place. See Etymol. above.]

Defn: A protection for a light; a lantern or cased support for a candle; hence, a fixed hanging or projecting candlestick. Tapers put into lanterns or sconces of several-colored, oiled paper, that the wind might not annoy them. Evelyn. Golden sconces hang not on the walls. Dryden.

7. Hence, the circular tube, with a brim, in a candlestick, into which the candle is inserted.

8. (Arch.)

Defn: A squinch.

9. A fragment of a floe of ice. Kane.

10. Etym: [Perhaps a different word.]

Defn: A fixed seat or shelf. [Prov. Eng.]

SCONCE Sconce, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sconced; p. pr. & vb. n. Sconcing.]

1. To shut up in a sconce; to imprison; to insconce. [Obs.] Immure him, sconce him, barricade him in 't. Marston.

2. To mulct; to fine. [Obs.] Milton.

SCONCHEON Scon"cheon, n. (Arch.)

Defn: A squinch.

SCONE Scone, n.

Defn: A cake, thinner than a bannock, made of wheat or barley or oat meal. [Written variously, scon, skone, skon, etc.] [Scot.] Burns.

SCOOP Scoop, n. Etym: [OE. scope, of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. skopa, akin to D. schop a shovel, G. schüppe, and also to E. shove. See Shovel.]

1. A large ladle; a vessel with a long handle, used for dipping liquids; a utensil for bailing boats.

2. A deep shovel, or any similar implement for digging out and dipping or shoveling up anything; as, a flour scoop; the scoop of a dredging machine.

3. (Surg.)

Defn: A spoon-shaped instrument, used in extracting certain substances or foreign bodies.

4. A place hollowed out; a basinlike cavity; a hollow. Some had lain in the scoop of the rock. J. R. Drake.

5. A sweep; a stroke; a swoop.

6. The act of scooping, or taking with a scoop or ladle; a motion with a scoop, as in dipping or shoveling. Scoop net, a kind of hand net, used in fishing; also, a net for sweeping the bottom of a river. -- Scoop wheel, a wheel for raising water, having scoops or buckets attached to its circumference; a tympanum.

SCOOP Scoop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scooped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scooping.] Etym: [OE. scopen. See Scoop, n.]

1. To take out or up with, a scoop; to lade out. He scooped the water from the crystal flood. Dryden.

2. To empty by lading; as, to scoop a well dry.

3. To make hollow, as a scoop or dish; to excavate; to dig out; to form by digging or excavation. Those carbuncles the Indians will scoop, so as to hold above a pint. Arbuthnot.

SCOOPER Scoop"er, n.

1. One who, or that which scoops.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The avocet; -- so called because it scoops up the mud to obtain food.

SCOOT Scoot, v. i.

Defn: To walk fast; to go quickly; to run hastily away. [Colloq. & Humorous, U.S.]

SCOPARIN Sco"pa*rin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A yellow gelatinous or crystalline substance found in broom (Cytisus scoparius) accompanying sparteïne.

SCOPATE Sco"pate, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the surface closely covered with hairs, like a brush.

-SCOPE -scope (. Etym: [Gr. skopo`s a watcher, spy. See Scope.]

Defn: A combining form usually signifying an instrument for viewing (with the eye) or observing (in any way); as in microscope, telescope, altoscope, anemoscope.

SCOPE Scope, n. Etym: [It. scopo, L. scopos a mark, aim, Gr. skopo`s, a watcher, mark, aim; akin to spy. Cf. Skeptic, Bishop.]

1. That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose; intention; drift; object. "Shooting wide, do miss the marked scope." Spenser. Your scope is as mine own, So to enforce or quality the laws As to your soul seems good. Shak. The scope of all their pleading against man's authority, is to overthrow such laws and constitutions in the church. Hooker.

2. Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view; intent, or action. Give him line and scope. Shak. In the fate and fortunes of the human race, scope is given to the operation of laws which man must always fail to discern the reasons of. I. Taylor. Excuse me if I have given too much scope to the reflections which have arisen in my mind. Burke. An intellectual cultivation of no moderate depth or scope. Hawthorne.

3. Extended area. [Obs.] "The scopes of land granted to the first adventurers." Sir J. Davies.

4. Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable. v. t. To look at for the purpose of evaluation; usu with out; as, to scope out the area as a camping site.

SCOPELINE Sco"pe*line, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Scopeloid.

SCOPELOID Sco"pe*loid, a. Etym: [NL. Scopelus, typical genus (fr. Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like or pertaining to fishes of the genus Scopelus, or family Scopelodæ, which includes many small oceanic fishes, most of which are phosphorescent. -- n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any fish of the family Scopelidæ.

SCOPIFEROUS Sco*pif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa + -ferous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Bearing a tuft of brushlike hairs.

SCOPIFORM Sco"pi*form, a. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom + -form.]

Defn: Having the form of a broom or besom. "Zeolite, stelliform or scopiform." Kirwan.

SCOPIPED Sco"pi*ped, n. Etym: [L. scopae, scopa, a broom + pes, pedis, a foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scopuliped.

SCOPPET Scop"pet, v. t. Etym: [From Scoop, v. t.]

Defn: To lade or dip out. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SCOPS OWL Scops" owl`. Etym: [NL. scops, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small owls of the genus Scops having ear tufts like those of the horned owls, especially the European scops owl (Scops giu), and the American screech owl. (S. Asio).

SCOPTIC; SCOPTICAL Scop"tic, Scop"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Jesting; jeering; scoffing. [Obs.] South. -- Scop"tic*al*ly, adv. [Obs.]

SCOPULA Scop"u*la, n.; pl. E. Scopulas, L. Scopulæ. Etym: [L. scopulae, pl. a little broom.] (Zoöl.) (a) A peculiar brushlike organ found on the foot of spiders and used in the construction of the web. (b) A special tuft of hairs on the leg of a bee.

SCOPULIPED Scop"u*li*ped, n. Etym: [L. scopulae, pl., a little broom (fr. scopae a broom) + pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of bee which has on the hind legs a brush of hairs used for collecting pollen, as the hive bees and bumblebees.

SCOPULOUS Scop"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. scopulosus, fr. scopulus a rock, Gr.

Defn: Full of rocks; rocky. [Obs.]

SCORBUTE Scor"bute, n. Etym: [LL. scorbutus: cf. F. scorbut. See Scurvy, n.]

Defn: Scurry. [Obs.] Purchas.

SCORBUTIC; SCORBUTICAL Scor*bu"tic, Scor*bu"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scorbutique.] (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to scurvy; of the nature of, or resembling, scurvy; diseased with scurvy; as, a scorbutic person; scorbutic complaints or symptoms. -- Scor*bu"tic*al*ly, adv.

SCORBUTUS Scor*bu"tus, n. Etym: [LL. See Scorbute.] (Med.)

Defn: Scurvy.

SCORCE Scorce, n.

Defn: Barter. [Obs.] See Scorse.

SCORCH Scorch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scorching.] Etym: [OE. scorchen, probably akin to scorcnen; cf. Norw. skrokken shrunk up, skrekka, skrökka, to shrink, to become wrinkled up, dial. Sw. skråkkla to wrinkle (see Shrug); but perhaps influenced by OF. escorchier to strip the bark from, to flay, to skin, F. écorcher, LL. excorticare; L. ex from + cortex, -icis, bark (cf. Cork); because the skin falls off when scorched.]

1. To burn superficially; to parch, or shrivel, the surface of, by heat; to subject to so much heat as changes color and texture without consuming; as, to scorch linen. Summer drouth or singed air never scorch thy tresses fair. Milton.

2. To affect painfully with heat, or as with heat; to dry up with heat; to affect as by heat. Lashed by mad rage, and scorched by brutal fires. Prior.

3. To burn; to destroy by, or as by, fire. Power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. Rev. xvi. 8. The fire that scorches me to death. Dryden.

SCORCH Scorch, v. i.

1. To be burnt on the surface; to be parched; to be dried up. Scatter a little mungy straw or fern amongst your seedlings, to prevent the roots from scorching. Mortimer.

2. To burn or be burnt. he laid his long forefinger on the scarlet letter, which forthwith seemed to scoch into Hester's breast, as if it had been red hot. Hawthorne.

SCORCHING Scorch"ing, a.

Defn: Burning; parching or shriveling with heat. -- Scorch"ing*ly, adv. -- Scorch"ing*ness, n.

SCORE Score, n. Etym: [AS. scor twenty, fr. sceran, scieran, to shear, cut, divice; or rather the kindred Icel. skor incision, twenty, akin to Dan. skure a notch, Sw. skåra. See Shear.]

1. A notch or incision; especially, one that is made as a tally mark; hence, a mark, or line, made for the purpose of account. Whereas, before, our forefathers had no other books but the score and the tally, thou hast caused printing to be used. Shak.

2. An account or reckoning; account of dues; bill; hence, indebtedness. He parted well, and paid his score. Shak.

3. Account; reason; motive; sake; behalf. But left the trade, as many more Have lately done on the same score. Hudibras. You act your kindness in Cydria's score. Dryden.

4. The number twenty, as being marked off by a special score or tally; hence, in pl., a large number. Amongst three or four score hogsheads. Shak. At length the queen took upon herself to grant patents of monopoly by score. Macaulay.

5. A distance of twenty yards; -- a term used in ancient archery and gunnery. Halliwell.

6. A weight of twenty pounds. [Prov. Eng.]

7. The number of points gained by the contestants, or either of them, in any game, as in cards or cricket.

8. line drawn; a groove or furrow.

9. (Mus.)

Defn: The original and entire draught, or its transcript, of a composition, with the parts for all the different instruments or voices written on staves one above another, so that they can be read at a glance; -- so called from the bar, which, in its early use, was drawn through all the parts. Moore (Encyc. of Music). In score (Mus.), having all the parts arranged and placed in juxtaposition. Smart. -- To quit scores, to settle or balance accounts; to render an equivalent; to make compensation. Does not the earth quit scores with all the elements in the noble fruits that issue from it South.

SCORE Score, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scored; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoring.]

1. To mark with lines, scratches, or notches; to cut notches or furrows in; to notch; to scratch; to furrow; as, to score timber for hewing; to score the back with a lash. Let us score their backs. Shak. A briar in that tangled wilderness Had scored her white right hand. M. Arnold.

2. Especially, to mark with significant lines or notches, for indicating or keeping account of something; as, to score a tally.

3. To mark or signify by lines or notches; to keep record or account; to set down; to record; to charge. Madam, I know when, Instead of five, you scored me ten. Swift. Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score. Shak.

4. To engrave, as upon a shield. [R.] Spenser.

5. To make a score of, as points, runs, etc., in a game.

6. (Mus.)

Defn: To write down in proper order and arrangement; as, to score an overture for an orchestra. See Score, n., 9.

7. (Geol.)

Defn: To mark with parallel lines or scratches; as, the rocks of New England and the Western States were scored in the drift epoch.

SCORER Scor"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, scores.

SCORIA Sco"ri*a, n.; pl. Scorlæ. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. The recrement of metals in fusion, or the slag rejected after the eduction of metallic ores; dross.

2. Cellular slaggy lava; volcanic cinders.

SCORIAC Sco"ri*ac, a.

Defn: Scoriaceous. E. A. Poe.

SCORIACEOUS Sco`ri*a"ceous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scoriacé.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to scoria; like scoria or the recrement of metals; partaking of the nature of scoria.

SCORIE Sco"rie, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The young of any gull. [Written also scaurie.] [prov. Eng.]

SCORIFICATION Sco`ri*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. scorification. See Scorify.] (Chem.)

Defn: The act, process, or result of scorifying, or reducing to a slag; hence, the separation from earthy matter by means of a slag; as, the scorification of ores.

SCORIFIER Sco"ri*fi`er, n. (Chem.)

Defn: One who, or that which, scorifies; specifically, a small flat bowl-shaped cup used in the first heating in assaying, to remove the earth and gangue, and to concentrate the gold and silver in a lead button.

SCORIFORM Sco"ri*form, a.

Defn: In the form of scoria.

SCORIFY Sco"ri*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorified; p. pr. & vb. n. Scorifying.] Etym: [Scoria + -fy: cf. F. scorifier.] (Chem.)

Defn: To reduce to scoria or slag; specifically, in assaying, to fuse so as to separate the gangue and earthy material, with borax, lead, soda, etc., thus leaving the gold and silver in a lead button; hence, to separate from, or by means of, a slag.

SCORIOUS Sco"ri*ous, a.

Defn: Scoriaceous. Sir T. Browne.

SCORN Scorn, n. Etym: [OE. scorn, scarn, scharn, OF. escarn, escharn, eschar, of German origin; cf. OHG. skern mockery, skern to mock; but cf. also OF. escorner to mock.]

1. Extreme and lofty contempt; haughty disregard; that disdain which aprings from the opinion of the utter meanness and unworthiness of an object. Scorn at first makes after love the more. Shak. And wandered backward as in scorn, To wait an æon to be born. Emerson.

2. An act or expression of extreme contempt. Every sullen frown and bitter scorn But fanned the fuel that too fast did burn. Dryden.

3. An object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Ps. xliv. 13. To think scorn, to regard as worthy of scorn or contempt; to disdain. "He thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone." Esther iii. 6. -- To laugh to scorn, to deride; to make a mock of; to redicule as contemptible.

Syn. -- Contempt; disdain; derision; contumely; despite; slight; dishonor; mockery.

SCORN Scorn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scorned; p. pr. & vb. n. Scoring.] Etym: [OE. scornen, scarnen, schornen, OF. escarning, escharnir. See Scorn, n.]

1. To hold in extreme contempt; to reject as unworthy of regard; to despise; to contemn; to disdain. I scorn thy meat; 't would choke me. Shak. This my long sufference, and my day of grace, Those who neglect and scorn shall never taste. Milton. We scorn what is in itself contemptible or disgraceful. C. J. Smith.

2. To treat with extreme contempt; to make the object of insult; to mock; to scoff at; to deride. His fellow, that lay by his bed's side, Gan for to laugh, and scorned him full fast. Chaucer. To taunt and scorn you thus opprobriously. Shak.

Syn. -- To contemn; despise; disdain. See Contemn.

SCORN Scorn, v. i.

Defn: To scoff; to act disdainfully. He said mine eyes were black and my hair black, And, now I remembered, scorned at me. Shak.

SCORNER Scorn"er, n.

Defn: One who scorns; a despiser; a contemner; specifically, a scoffer at religion. "Great scorners of death." Spenser. Superly he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly. Prov. iii. 34.

SCORNFUL Scorn"ful, a.

1. Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful. Scornful of winter's frost and summer's sun. Prior. Dart not scornful glances from those eyes. Shak.

2. Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. [Obs.] The scornful mark of every open eye. Shak.

Syn. -- Contemptuous; disdainful; contumelious; reproachful; insolent. -- Scorn"ful*ly, adv. -- Scorn"ful*ness, n.

SCORNY Scorn"y, a.

Defn: Deserving scorn; paltry. [Obs.]

SCORODITE Scor"o*dite, n. Etym: [G. scorodit; -- so called in allusion to its smell under the blowpipe, from Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A leek-green or brownish mineral occurring in orthorhombic crystals. It is a hydrous arseniate of iron. [Written also skorodite.]

SCORPAENOID Scor*pæ"noid, a. Etym: [NL. Scorpaena, a typical genus (see Scorpene) + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the family Scorpænidæ, which includes the scorpene, the rosefish, the California rockfishes, and many other food fishes. [Written also scorpænid.] See Illust. under Rockfish.

SCORPENE Scor"pene, n. Etym: [F. scorpène, fr. L. scorpaena a kind of fish, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A marine food fish of the genus Scorpæna, as the European hogfish (S. scrofa), and the California species (S. guttata).

SCORPER Scor"per, n.

Defn: Same as Scauper.

SCORPIO Scor"pi*o, n.; pl. Scorpiones. Etym: [L.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A scorpion.

2. (Astron.) (a) The eighth sign of the zodiac, which the sun enters about the twenty-third day of October, marked thus [scorpio] in almanacs. (b) A constellation of the zodiac containing the bright star Antares. It is drawn on the celestial globe in the figure of a scorpion.

SCORPIODEA Scor`pi*o"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scorpiones.

SCORPIOID; SCORPIOIDAL Scor"pi*oid, Scor`pi*oid"al, a. Etym: [Gr.

1. Having the inflorescence curved or circinate at the end, like a scorpion's tail.

SCORPION Scor"pi*on, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. scorpio, scorpius, Gr. sharp.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of pulmonate arachnids of the order scorpiones, having a suctorial mouth, large claw-bearing palpi, and a caudal sting.

Note: Scorpions have a flattened body, and a long, slender post- abdomen formed of six movable segments, the last of which terminates in a curved venomous sting. The venom causes great pain, but is unattended either with redness or swelling, except in the axillary or inguinal glands, when an extremity is affected. It is seldom if ever destructive of life. Scorpions are found widely dispersed in the warm climates of both the Old and New Worlds.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pine or gray lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). [Local, U.S.]

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the scorpene.

4. (Script.)

Defn: A painful scourge. My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 1 Kings xii. 11.

5. (Astron.)

Defn: A sign and constellation. See Scorpio.

6. (Antiq.)

Defn: An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles. Book scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under Book. -- False scorpion. (Zoöl.) See under False, and Book scorpion. -- Scorpion bug, or Water scorpion (Zoöl.) See Nepa. -- Scorpion fly (Zoöl.), a neuropterous insect of the genus Panorpa. See Panorpid. -- Scorpion grass (Bot.), a plant of the genus Myosotis. M. palustris is the forget-me-not. -- Sorpion senna (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous shrub (Coronilla Emerus) having a slender joined pod, like a scorpion's tail. The leaves are said to yield a dye like indigo, and to be used sometimes to adulterate senna. -- Scorpion shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras. -- Scorpion spiders. (Zoöl.), any one of the Pedipalpi. -- Scorpion's tail (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus Scorpiurus, herbs with a circinately coiled pod; -- also called caterpillar. -- Scorpion's thorn (Bot.), a thorny leguminous plant (Genista Scorpius) of Southern Europe. -- The Scorpion's Heart (Astron.), the star Antares in the constellation Scorpio.

SCORPIONES Scor`pi*o"nes, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of arachnids comprising the scorpions.

SCORPIONIDEA Scor`pi*o*nid"e*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scorpiones.

SCORPIONWORT Scor"pi*on*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A leguminous plant (Ornithopus scorpides) of Southern Europe, having curved pods.

SCORSE Scorse ( or ), n. Etym: [Cf. It. scorsa a course, and E. discourse.]

Defn: Barter; exchange; trade. [Obs.] And recompensed them with a better scorse. Spenser.

SCORSE Scorse, v. t. Etym: [Written also scourse, and scoss.]

1. To barter or exchange. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. To chase. [Obs.] Spenser.

SCORSE Scorse, v. i.

Defn: To deal for the purchase of anything; to practice barter. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SCORTATORY Scor"ta*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. scorator a fornicator, from scortari to fornicate, scortum a prostitute.]

Defn: Pertaining to lewdness or fornication; lewd.

SCOT Scot, n.

Defn: A name for a horse. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SCOT Scot, n. Etym: [Cf. L. Skoti, pl., AS. Scotta, pl. Skottas, Sceottas.]

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Scotland; a Scotsman, or Scotchman.

SCOT Scot, n. Etym: [Icel. skot; or OF. escot, F. écot, LL. scottum, scotum, from a kindred German word; akin to AS. scot, and E. shot, shoot; cf. AS. sceótan to shoot, to contribute. See Shoot, and cf. Shot.]

Defn: A portion of money assessed or paid; a tax or contribution; a mulct; a fine; a shot. Scot and lot, formerly, a parish assessment laid on subjects according to their ability. [Eng.] Cowell. Now, a phrase for obligations of every kind regarded collectivelly. Experienced men of the world know very well that it is best to pay scot and lot as they go along. Emerson.

SCOTAL; SCOTALE Scot"al, Scot"ale, n. Etym: [Scot + ale.] (O. Eng. Law)

Defn: The keeping of an alehouse by an officer of a forest, and drawing people to spend their money for liquor, for fear of his displeasure.

SCOTCH Scotch, a. Etym: [Cf. Scottish.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Scotland, its language, or its inhabitants; Scottish. Scotch broom (Bot.), the Cytisus scoparius. See Broom. -- Scotch dipper, or Scotch duck (Zoöl.), the bufflehead; -- called also Scotch teal, and Scotchman. -- Scotch fiddle, the itch. [Low] Sir W. Scott. -- Scotch mist, a coarse, dense mist, like fine rain. -- Scotch nightingale (Zoöl.), the sedge warbler. [Prov. Eng.] -- Scotch pebble. See under pebble. -- Scotch pine (Bot.) See Riga fir. -- Scotch thistle (Bot.), a species of thistle (Onopordon acanthium); -- so called from its being the national emblem of the Scotch.

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

1. The dialect or dialects of English spoken by the people of Scotland.

2. Collectively, the people of Scotland.

SCOTCH Scotch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scotched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scotching.] Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. scole a prop, and Walloon ascot a prop, ascoter to prop, F. accoter, also Armor. skoaz the shoulder, skoazia to shoulder up, to prop, to support, W. ysgwydd a shoulder, ysgwyddo to shoulder. Cf. Scoat.] [Written also scoatch, scoat.]

Defn: To shoulder up; to prop or block with a wedge, chock, etc., as a wheel, to prevent its rolling or slipping.

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

Defn: A chock, wedge, prop, or other support, to prevent slipping; as, a scotch for a wheel or a log on inclined ground.

SCOTCH Scotch, v. t. Etym: [Probably the same word as scutch; cf. Norw. skoka, skoko, a swingle for flax; perhaps akin to E. shake.]

Defn: To cut superficially; to wound; to score. We have scotched the snake, not killed it. Shak. Scotched collops (Cookery), a dish made of pieces of beef or veal cut thin, or minced, beaten flat, and stewed with onion and other condiments; -- called also Scotch collops. [Written also scotcht collops.]

SCOTCH Scotch, n.

Defn: A slight cut or incision; a score. Walton.

SCOTCH-HOPPER Scotch"-hop`per, n.

Defn: Hopscotch.

SCOTCHING Scotch"ing, n. (Masonry)

Defn: Dressing stone with a pick or pointed instrument.

SCOTCHMAN Scotch"man, n.; pl. Scotchmen (.

1. A native or inhabitant of Scotland; a Scot; a Scotsman.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: A piece of wood or stiff hide placed over shrouds and other rigging to prevent chafe by the running gear. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SCOTCH RITE Scotch rite. (Freemasonry)

Defn: The ceremonial observed by one of the Masonic systems, called in full the Ancient and Accepted Scotch Rite; also, the system itself, which confers thirty-three degrees, of which the first three are nearly identical with those of the York rite.

SCOTCH TERRIER Scotch terrier. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a breed of small terriers with long, rough hair.

SCOTER Sco"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus Oidemia.

Note: The European scoters are Oidemia nigra, called also black duck, black diver, surf duck; and the velvet, or double, scoter (O. fusca). The common American species are the velvet, or white-winged, scoter (O. Deglandi), called also velvet duck, white-wing, bull coot, white- winged coot; the black scoter (O. Americana), called also black coot, butterbill, coppernose; and the surf scoter, or surf duck (O. perspicillata), called also baldpate, skunkhead, horsehead, patchhead, pishaug, and spectacled coot. These birds are collectively called also coots. The females and young are called gray coots, and brown coots.

SCOT-FREE Scot"-free" [], a.

Defn: Free from payment of scot; untaxed; hence, unhurt; clear; safe. Do as much for this purpose, and thou shalt pass scot-free. Sir W. Scott. Then young Hay escaped scot-free to Holland. A. Lang.

SCOTH Scoth, v. t.

Defn: To clothe or cover up. [Obs.]

SCOTH Scoth, v. t.

Defn: To clothe or cover up. [Obs.]

SCOTIA Sco"ti*a, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. skoti`a darkness, a sunken molding in the base of a pillar, so called from the dark shadow it casts, from sko`tos darkness.] (Arch.)

Defn: A concave molding used especially in classical architecture.

SCOTIA Sco"ti*a, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Scotland [Poetic] O Scotia! my dear, my native soil! Burns.

SCOTIST Sco"tist, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A follower of (Joannes) Duns Scotus, the Franciscan scholastic (d. 1308), who maintained certain doctrines in philosophy and theology, in opposition to the Thomists, or followers of Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican scholastic.

SCOTOGRAPH Scot"o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. sko`tos darkness + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument for writing in the dark, or without seeing. Maunder.

SCOTOMA Sco*to"ma, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)

Defn: Scotomy.

SCOTOMY Scot"o*my, n. Etym: [NL. scotomia, from Gr. sko`tos darkness: cf. F. scotomie.]

1. Dizziness with dimness of sight. [Obs.] Massinger.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Obscuration of the field of vision due to the appearance of a dark spot before the eye.

SCOTOSCOPE Sco"to*scope ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. sko`tos darkness + -scope.]

Defn: An instrument that discloses objects in the dark or in a faint light. [Obs.] Pepys.

SCOTS Scots, a. Etym: [For older Scottis Scottish. See Scottish.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Scotch; Scotch; Scottish; as, Scots law; a pound Scots (1s. 8d.).

SCOTSMAN Scots"man (-man), n.

Defn: See Scotchman.

SCOTTERING Scot"ter*ing, n.

Defn: The burning of a wad of pease straw at the end of harvest. [Prov. Eng.]

SCOTTICISM Scot"ti*cism, n.

Defn: An idiom, or mode of expression, peculiar to Scotland or Scotchmen. That, in short, in which the Scotticism of Scotsmen most intimately consists, is the habit of emphasis. Masson.

SCOTTICIZE Scot"ti*cize, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become like the Scotch; to make Scottish. [R.]

SCOTTISH Scot"tish, a. Etym: [From Scot a Scotchman: cf. AS. Scyttisc, and E. Scotch, a., Scots, a.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of Scotland, their country, or their language; as, Scottish industry or economy; a Scottish chief; a Scottish dialect.

SCOTTISH TERRIER Scot"tish ter"ri*er. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Scotch terrier.

SCOUNDREL Scoun"drel, n. Etym: [Probably from Prov. E. & Scotch scunner, scouner, to loathe, to disgust, akin to AS. scunian to shun. See Shun.]

Defn: A mean, worthless fellow; a rascal; a villain; a man without honor or virtue. Go, if your ancient, but ignoble blood Has crept through soundrels ever since the flood. Pope.

SCOUNDREL Scoun"drel, a.

Defn: Low; base; mean; unprincipled.

SCOUNDRELDOM Scoun"drel*dom, n.

Defn: The domain or sphere of scoundrels; scoundrels, collectively; the state, ideas, or practices of scoundrels. Carlyle.

SCOUNDRELISM Scoun"drel*ism, n.

Defn: The practices or conduct of a scoundrel; baseness; rascality. Cotgrave.

SCOUR Scour, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scoured; p. pr. & vb. n. Scouring.] Etym: [Akin to LG. schüren, D. schuren, schueren, G. scheuern, Dan. skure; Sw. skura; all possibly fr. LL. escurare, fr. L. ex + curare to take care. Cf. Cure.]

1. To rub hard with something rough, as sand or Bristol brick, especially for the purpose of cleaning; to clean by friction; to make clean or bright; to cleanse from grease, dirt, etc., as articles of dress.

2. To purge; as, to scour a horse.

3. To remove by rubbing or cleansing; to sweep along or off; to carry away or remove, as by a current of water; -- often with off or away. [I will] stain my favors in a bloody mask, Which, washed away, shall scour my shame with it. Shak.

4. Etym: [Perhaps a different word; cf. OF. escorre, escourre, It. scorrere, both fr. L. excurrere to run forth. Cf. Excursion.]