Chapter CCCXCIV: Prologue (45)

Defn: To pass swiftly over; to brush along; to traverse or search thoroughly; as, to scour the coast. Not so when swift Camilla scours the plain. Pope. Scouring barrel, a tumbling barrel. See under Tumbling. -- Scouring cinder (Metal.), a basic slag, which attacks the lining of a shaft furnace. Raymond. -- Scouring rush. (Bot.) See Dutch rush, under Dutch. -- Scouring stock (Woolen Manuf.), a kind of fulling mill.

SCOUR Scour, v. i.

1. To clean anything by rubbing. Shak.

2. To cleanse anything. Warm water is softer than cold, for it scoureth better. Bacon.

3. To be purged freely; to have a diarrhoea.

4. To run swiftly; to rove or range in pursuit or search of something; to scamper. So four fierce coursers, starting to the race, Scour through the plain, and lengthen every pace. Dryden.

SCOUR Scour, n.

Defn: Diarrhoea or dysentery among cattle.

SCOURAGE Scour"age (; 48), n.

Defn: Refuse water after scouring.

SCOURER Scour"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, scours.

2. A rover or footpad; a prowling robber. In those days of highwaymen and scourers. Macaulay.

SCOURGE Scourge, n. Etym: [F. escourgée, fr. L. excoriata (sc. scutica) a stripped off (lash or whip), fr. excoriate to strip, to skin. See Excoriate.]

1. A lash; a strap or cord; especially, a lash used to inflict pain or punishment; an instrument of punishment or discipline; a whip. Up to coach then goes The observed maid, takes both the scourge and reins. Chapman.

2. Hence, a means of inflicting punishment, vengeance, or suffering; an infliction of affliction; a punishment. Sharp scourges of adversity. Chaucer. What scourge for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence Shak.

SCOURGE Scourge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scourged; p. pr. & vb. n. Scourging.] Etym: [From Scourge, n.: cf. OF. escorgier.]

1. To whip severely; to lash. is it lawful for you to scourge a . . . Roman Acts xxii. 25.

2. To punish with severity; to chastise; to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii. 6.

3. To harass or afflict severely. To scourge and impoverish the people. Brougham.

SCOURGER Scour"ger, n.

Defn: One who scourges or punishes; one who afflicts severely. The West must own the scourger of the world. Byron.

SCOURSE Scourse, v. t.

Defn: See Scorse. [Obs.]

SCOUSE Scouse, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A sailor's dish. Bread scouse contains no meat; lobscouse contains meat, etc. See Lobscouse. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [Icel. sk a small craft or cutter.]

Defn: A swift sailing boat. [Obs.] So we took a scout, very much pleased with the manner and conversation of the passengers. Pepys.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [Icel. skuta to jut out. Cf. Scout to reject.]

Defn: A projecting rock. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

SCOUT Scout, v. t. Etym: [Icel. sk a taunt; cf. Icel. skuta to jut out, skota to shove, skj to shoot, to shove. See Shoot.]

Defn: To reject with contempt, as something absurd; to treat with ridicule; to flout; as, to scout an idea or an apology. "Flout 'em and scout 'em." Shak.

SCOUT Scout, n. Etym: [OF. escaute scout, spy, fr. escouter, escolter, to listen, to hear, F. écouter, fr. L. auscultare, to hear with attention, to listen to. See Auscultation.]

1. A person sent out to gain and bring in tidings; especially, one employed in war to gain information of the movements and condition of an enemy. Scouts each coast light-armèd scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. Milton.

2. A college student's or undergraduate's servant; -- so called in Oxford, England; at Cambridge called a gyp; and at Dublin, a skip. [Cant]

3. (Criket)

Defn: A fielder in a game for practice.

4. The act of scouting or reconnoitering. [Colloq.] While the rat is on the scout. Cowper.

Syn. -- Scout, Spy. -- In a military sense a scout is a soldier who does duty in his proper uniform, however hazardous his adventure. A spy is one who in disguise penetrates the enemies' lines, or lurks near them, to obtain information.

SCOUT Scout, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Scouting.]

1. To observe, watch, or look for, as a scout; to follow for the purpose of observation, as a scout. Take more men, And scout him round. Beau. & Fl.

2. To pass over or through, as a scout; to reconnoiter; as, to scout a country.

SCOUT Scout, v. i.

Defn: To go on the business of scouting, or watching the motions of an enemy; to act as a scout. With obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of night. Milton.

SCOVEL Scov"el, n. Etym: [OF. escouve, escouvette, broom, L. scopae, or cf. W. ysgubell, dim. of ysgub a broom.]

Defn: A mop for sweeping ovens; a malkin.

SCOW Scow, n. Etym: [D. schouw.] (Naut.)

Defn: A large flat-bottomed boat, having broad, square ends.

SCOW Scow, v. t.

Defn: To transport in a scow.

SCOWL Scowl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scowled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scowling.] Etym: [Akin to Dan. skule; cf. Icel. skolla to skulk, LG. schulen to hide one's self, D. schuilen, G. schielen to squint, Dan. skele, Sw. skela, AS. sceolh squinting. Cf. Skulk.]

1. To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry. She scowled and frowned with froward countenance. Spenser.

2. Hence, to look gloomy, dark, or threatening; to lower. "The scowling heavens." Thomson.

SCOWL Scowl, v. t.

1. To look at or repel with a scowl or a frown. Milton.

2. To express by a scowl; as, to scowl defiance.

SCOWL Scowl, n.

1. The wrinkling of the brows or face in frowing; the expression of displeasure, sullennes, or discontent in the countenance; an angry frown. With solemn phiz, and critic scowl. Lloyd.

2. Hence, gloom; dark or threatening aspect. Burns. A ruddy storm, whose scowl Made heaven's radiant face look foul. Crashaw.

SCOWLINGLY Scowl"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scowling manner.

SCRABBED EGGS Scrab"bed eggs`. Etym: [CF. Scramble.]

Defn: A Lenten dish, composed of eggs boiled hard, chopped, and seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper. Halliwell.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrabbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrabbling.] Etym: [Freq. of scrape. Cf. Scramble, Scrawl, v. t.]

1. To scrape, paw, or scratch with the hands; to proceed by clawing with the hands and feet; to scramble; as, to scrabble up a cliff or a tree. Now after a while Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way. Bunyan.

2. To make irregular, crooked, or unmeaning marks; to scribble; to scrawl. David . . . scrabbled on the doors of the gate. 1. Sam. xxi. 13.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, v. t.

Defn: To mark with irregular lines or letters; to scribble; as, to scrabble paper.

SCRABBLE Scrab"ble, n.

Defn: The act of scrabbing; a moving upon the hands and knees; a scramble; also, a scribble.

SCRABER Scra"ber, n. Etym: [Cf. Scrabble.] (Zoöl.) (a) The Manx shearwater. (b) The black guillemot.

SCRAFFLE Scraf"fle, v. i. Etym: [See Scramble: cf. OD. schraeffelen to scrape.]

Defn: To scramble or struggle; to wrangle; also, to be industrious. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCRAG Scrag, n. Etym: [Cf. dial. Sw. skraka a great dry tree, a long, lean man, Gael. sgreagach dry, shriveled, rocky. See Shrink, and cf. Scrog, Shrag, n.]

1. Something thin, lean, or rough; a bony piece; especially, a bony neckpiece of meat; hence, humorously or in contempt, the neck. Lady MacScrew, who . . . serves up a scrag of mutton on silver. Thackeray.

2. A rawboned person. [Low] Halliwell.

3. A ragged, stunted tree or branch. Scrag whale (Zoöl.), a North Atlantic whalebone whale (Agaphelus giddosus). By some it is considered the young of the right whale.

SCRAGGED Scrag"ged, a.

1. Rough with irregular points, or a broken surface; scraggy; as, a scragged backbone.

2. Lean and rough; scraggy.

SCRAGGEDNESS Scrag"ged*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being scragged.

SCRAGGILY Scrag"gi*ly, adv.

Defn: in a scraggy manner.

SCRAGGINESS Scrag"gi*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being scraggy; scraggedness.

SCRAGGY Scrag"gy, a. [Compar. Scragger; superl. Scraggiest.]

1. Rough with irregular points; scragged. "A scraggy rock." J. Philips.

2. Lean and rough; scragged. "His sinewy, scraggy neck." Sir W. Scott.

SCRAGLY Scrag"ly, a.

Defn: See Scraggy.

SCRAG-NECKED Scrag"-necked`, a.

Defn: Having a scraggy neck.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrambled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrambling.] Etym: [Freq. of Prov. E. scramb to rake together with the hands, or of scramp to snatch at. cf. Scrabble.]

1. To clamber with hands and knees; to scrabble; as, to scramble up a cliff; to scramble over the rocks.

2. To struggle eagerly with others for something thrown upon the ground; to go down upon all fours to seize something; to catch rudely at what is desired. Of other care they little reckoning make, Than how to scramble at the shearer's feast. Milton.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, v. t.

1. To collect by scrambling; as, to scramble up wealth. Marlowe.

2. To prepare (eggs) as a dish for the table, by stirring the yolks and whites together while cooking.

SCRAMBLE Scram"ble, n.

1. The act of scrambling, climbing on all fours, or clambering.

2. The act of jostling and pushing for something desired; eager and unceremonious struggle for what is thrown or held out; as, a scramble for office. Scarcity [of money] enhances its price, and increases the scramble. Locke.

SCRAMBLED EGGS Scram"bled eggs.

Defn: Eggs of which the whites and yolks are stirred together while cooking, or eggs beaten slightly, often with a little milk, and stirred while cooking.

SCRAMBLER Scram"bler, n.

1. One who scrambles; one who climbs on all fours.

2. A greedy and unceremonious contestant.

SCRAMBLING Scram"bling, a.

Defn: Confused and irregular; awkward; scambling. -- Scram"bling*ly, adv. A huge old scrambling bedroom. Sir W. Scott.

SCRANCH Scranch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scranched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scranching.] Etym: [Cf. D. schransen to eat greedily, G. schranzen. Cf. Crunch, Scrunch.]

Defn: To grind with the teeth, and with a crackling sound; to craunch. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]

SCRANKY Scrank"y, a.

Defn: Thin; lean. [Scot.]

SCRANNEL Scran"nel, a. Etym: [Cf. Scrawny.]

Defn: Slight; thin; lean; poor. Having Grate on their scranned pipes of wretched straw. Milton.

SCRANNY Scran"ny, a. Etym: [See Scrannel.]

Defn: Thin; lean; meager; scrawny; scrannel. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SCRAP Scrap, n. Etym: [OE. scrappe, fr. Icel. skrap trifle, cracking. See Scrape, v. t.]

1. Something scraped off; hence, a small piece; a bit; a fragment; a detached, incomplete portion. I have no materials -- not a scrap. De Quincey.

2. Specifically, a fragment of something written or printed; a brief excerpt; an unconnected extract.

3. pl.

Defn: The crisp substance that remains after trying out animal fat; as, pork scraps.

4. pl.

Defn: Same as Scrap iron, below. Scrap forgings, forgings made from wrought iron scrap. -- Scrap iron. (a) Cuttings and waste pieces of wrought iron from which bar iron or forgings can be made; -- called also wrought-iron scrap. (b) Fragments of cast iron or defective castings suitable for remelting in the foundry; -- called also founding scrap, or cast scrap.

SCRAPBOOK Scrap"book`, n.

Defn: A blank book in which extracts cut from books and papers may be pasted and kept.

SCRAPE Scrape, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scraped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scraping.] Etym: [Icel. skrapa; akin to Sw. skrapa, Dan. skrabe, D. schrapen, schrabben, G. schrappen, and prob. to E. sharp.]

1. To rub over the surface of (something) with a sharp or rough instrument; to rub over with something that roughens by removing portions of the surface; to grate harshly over; to abrade; to make even, or bring to a required condition or form, by moving the sharp edge of an instrument breadthwise over the surface with pressure, cutting away excesses and superfluous parts; to make smooth or clean; as, to scrape a bone with a knife; to scrape a metal plate to an even surface.

2. To remove by rubbing or scraping (in the sense above). I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. Ezek. xxvi. 4.

3. To collect by, or as by, a process of scraping; to gather in small portions by laborius effort; hence, to acquire avariciously and save penuriously; -- often followed by together or up; as, to scrape money together. The prelatical party complained that, to swell a number the nonconformists did not choose, but scrape, subscribers. Fuller.

4. To express disapprobation of, as a play, or to silence, as a speaker, by drawing the feet back and forth upon the floor; -- usually with down. Macaulay. To scrape acquaintance, to seek acquaintance otherwise than by an introduction. Farquhar. He tried to scrape acquaintance with her, but failed ignominiously. G. W. Cable.

SCRAPE Scrape, v. i.

1. To rub over the surface of anything with something which roughens or removes it, or which smooths or cleans it; to rub harshly and noisily along.

2. To occupy one's self with getting laboriously; as, he scraped and saved until he became rich. "[Spend] their scraping fathers' gold." Shak.

3. To play awkwardly and inharmoniously on a violin or like instrument.

4. To draw back the right foot along the ground or floor when making a bow.

SCRAPE Scrape, n.

1. The act of scraping; also, the effect of scraping, as a scratch, or a harsh sound; as, a noisy scrape on the floor; a scrape of a pen.

2. A drawing back of the right foot when bowing; also, a bow made with that accompaniment. H. Spencer.

3. A disagreable and embrassing predicament, as it were, a painful rubbing or scraping; a perplexity; a difficulty. The too eager pursuit of this his old enemy through thick and thin has led him into many of these scrapes. Bp. Warburton.

SCRAPEPENNY Scrape"pen`ny, n.

Defn: One who gathers and hoards money in trifling sums; a miser.

SCRAPER Scrap"er, n.

1. An instrument with which anything is scraped. Specifically: (a) An instrument by which the soles of shoes are cleaned from mud and the like, by drawing them across it. (b) An instrument drawn by oxen or horses, used for scraping up earth in making or repairing roads, digging cellars, canals etc. (c) (Naut.) An instrument having two or three sharp sides or edges, for cleaning the planks, masts, or decks of a ship. (d) (Lithography) In the printing press, a board, or blade, the edge of which is made to rub over the tympan sheet and thus produce the impression.

2. One who scrapes. Specifically: (a) One who plays awkwardly on a violin. (b) One who acquires avariciously and saves penuriously.

SCRAPING Scrap"ing, n.

1. The act of scraping; the act or process of making even, or reducing to the proper form, by means of a scraper.

2. Something scraped off; that which is separated from a substance, or is collected by scraping; as, the scraping of the street.

SCRAPING Scrap"ing, a.

Defn: Resembling the act of, or the effect produced by, one who, or that which, scrapes; as, a scraping noise; a scraping miser. -- Scrap"ing*ly, adv.

SCRAPPILY Scrap"pi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scrappy manner; in scraps. Mary Cowden Clarke.

SCRAPPLE Scrap"ple, n. [Dim. of scrap.]

Defn: An article of food made by boiling together bits or scraps of meat, usually pork, and flour or Indian meal.

SCRAPPY Scrap"py, a.

Defn: Consisting of scraps; fragmentary; lacking unity or consistency; as, a scrappy lecture. A dreadfully scrappy dinner. Thackeray.

SCRAT Scrat, v. t. Etym: [OE. scratten. Cf. Scratch.]

Defn: To scratch. [Obs.] Burton.

SCRAT Scrat, v. i.

Defn: To rake; to search. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag.

SCRAT Scrat, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. scritta an hermaphrodite, Ir. scrut a scrub, a low, mean person, Gael. sgrut, sgruit, an old, shriveled person.]

Defn: An hermaphrodite. [Obs.] Skinner.

SCRATCH Scratch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scratched; p. pr. & vb. n. Scratching.] Etym: [OE. cracchen (perhaps influenced by OE. scratten to scratch); cf. OHG. chrazz, G. kratzen, OD. kratsen, kretsen, D. krassen, Sw. kratsa to scrape, kratta to rake, to scratch, Dan. kradse to scratch, to scrape, Icel. krota to engrave. Cf. Grate to rub.]

1. To rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or ragged; to scrape, roughen, or wound slightly by drawing something pointed or rough across, as the claws, the nails, a pin, or the like. Small sand-colored stones, so hard as to scratch glass.Grew. Be mindful, when invention fails., To scratch your head, and bite your nails.Swift.

2. To write or draw hastily or awkwardly. Scratch out a pamphlet." Swift.

3. To cancel by drawing one or more lines through, as the name of a candidate upon a ballot, or of a horse in a list; hence, to erase; to efface; -- often with out.

4. To dig or excavate with the claws; as, some animals scratch holes, in which they burrow. To scratch a ticket, to cancel one or more names of candidates on a party ballot; to refuse to vote the party ticket in its entirety. [U.S.]

SCRATCH Scratch, v. i.

1. To use the claws or nails in tearing or in digging; to make scratches. Dull, tame things, . . . that will neither bite nor scratch. Dr. H. More.

2. (Billiards)

Defn: To score, not by skillful play but by some fortunate chance of the game. [Cant, U.S.]

SCRATCH Scratch, n.

1. A break in the surface of a thing made by scratching, or by rubbing with anything pointed or rough; a slight wound, mark, furrow, or incision. The coarse file . . . makes deep scratches in the work. Moxon. These nails with scratches deform my breast. Prior. God forbid a shallow scratch should drive The prince of Wales from such a field as this. Shak.

2. (Pugilistic Matches)

Defn: A line across the prize ring; up to which boxers are brought when they join fight; hence, test, trial, or proof of courage; as, to bring to the scratch; to come up to the scratch. [Cant] Grose.

3. pl. (Far.)

Defn: Minute, but tender and troublesome, excoriations, covered with scabs, upon the heels of horses which have been used where it is very wet or muddy. Law (Farmer's Veter. Adviser).

4. A kind of wig covering only a portion of the head.

5. (Billiards)

Defn: A shot which scores by chance and not as intended by the player; a fluke. [Cant, U.S.] Scratch cradle. See Cratch cradle, under Cratch. -- Scratch grass (Bot.), a climbing knotweed (Polygonum sagittatum) with a square stem beset with fine recurved prickles along the angles. -- Scratch wig. Same as Scratch, 4, above. Thackeray.

SCRATCH Scratch, a.

Defn: Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards. [Slang] Scratch race, one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors are chosen by lot.

SCRATCHBACK Scratch"back`, n.

Defn: A toy which imitates the sound of tearing cloth, -- used by drawing it across the back of unsuspecting persons. [Eng.]

SCRATCHBRUSH Scratch"brush`, n.

Defn: A stiff wire brush for cleaning iron castings and other metal.

SCRATCH COAT Scratch" coat`.

Defn: The first coat in plastering; -- called also scratchwork. See Pricking-up.

SCRATCHER Scratch"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, scratches; specifically (Zoöl.), any rasorial bird.

SCRATCHING Scratch"ing, adv.

Defn: With the action of scratching.

SCRATCH PLAYER; SCRATCH RUNNER Scratch player, runner, etc.

Defn: One that starts from the scratch; hence, one of first-rate ability.

SCRATCHWEED Scratch"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Cleavers.

SCRATCHWORK Scratch"work`, n.

Defn: See Scratch coat.

SCRATCHY Scratch"y, a.

Defn: Characterized by scratches.

SCRAW Scraw, n. Etym: [Ir. scrath a turf, sgraith a turf, green sod; akin to Gael. sgrath, sgroth, the outer skin of anything, a turf, a green sod.]

Defn: A turf. [Obs.] Swift.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. i.

Defn: See Crawl. [Obs.] Latimer.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrawled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrawling.] Etym: [Probably corrupted from scrabble.]

Defn: To draw or mark awkwardly and irregularly; to write hastily and carelessly; to scratch; to scribble; as, to scrawl a letter. His name, scrawled by himself. Macaulay.

SCRAWL Scrawl, v. i.

Defn: To write unskillfully and inelegantly. Though with a golden pen you scrawl. Swift.

SCRAWL Scrawl, n.

Defn: Unskillful or inelegant writing; that which is unskillfully or inelegantly written. The left will make such a scrawl, that it will not be legible. Arbuthnot. You bid me write no more than a scrawl to you. Gray.

SCRAWLER Scrawl"er, n.

Defn: One who scrawls; a hasty, awkward writer.

SCRAWNY Scraw"ny, a. Etym: [Cf. Scrannel.]

Defn: Meager; thin; rawboned; bony; scranny.

SCRAY Scray, n. Etym: [Cf. W. ysgräen, ysgräell, a sea swallow, Armor. skrav.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tern; the sea swallow. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also sgraye.]

SCREABLE Scre"a*ble, a. Etym: [L. screare to hawk, spit out.]

Defn: Capable of being spit out. [Obs.] Bailey.

SCREAK Screak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Screaking.] Etym: [Cf. Icel. skrækja to screech. Cf. Creak, v., Screech.]

Defn: To utter suddenly a sharp, shrill sound; to screech; to creak, as a door or wheel.

SCREAK Screak, n.

Defn: A creaking; a screech; a shriek. Bp. Bull.

SCREAM Scream, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screamed; p. pr. & vb. n. Screaming.] Etym: [Icel. skræma to scare, terrify; akin to Sw. skräma, Dan. skræmme. Cf. Screech.]

Defn: To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech. I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Shak. And scream thyself as none e'er screamed before. Pope.

SCREAM Scream, n.

Defn: A sharp, shrill cry, uttered suddenly, as in terror or in pain; a shriek; a screech. "Screams of horror." Pope.

SCREAMER Scream"er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of three species of South American birds constituting the family Anhimidæ, and the suborder Palamedeæ. They have two spines on each wing, and the head is either crested or horned. They are easily tamed, and then serve as guardians for other poultry. The crested screamers, or chajas, belong to the genus Chauna. The horned screamer, or kamichi, is Palamedea cornuta.

SCREAMING Scream"ing, a.

1. Uttering screams; shrieking.

2. Having the nature of a scream; like a scream; shrill; sharp. The fearful matrons raise a screaming cry. Dryden.

SCREE Scree, n.

Defn: A pebble; a stone; also, a heap of stones or rocky débris. [Prov. Eng.] Southey.

SCREECH Screech, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Screeched; p. pr. & vb. n. Screeching.] Etym: [Also formerly, scritch, OE. skriken, skrichen, schriken, of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. skrækja to shriek, to screech, skrija to titter, Sw. skrika to shriek, Dan. skrige; also Gael. sgreach, sgreuch, W. ysgrechio, Skr. kharj to creak. Cf. Shriek, v., Scream, v.]

Defn: To utter a harsh, shrill cry; to make a sharp outcry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek. "The screech owl, screeching loud." Shak.

SCREECH Screech, n.

Defn: A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream. Screech bird, or Screech thrush (Zoöl.), the fieldfare; -- so called from its harsh cry before rain. -- Screech rain. -- Screech hawk (Zoöl.), the European goatsucker; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.] -- Screech owl. (Zoöl.) (a) A small American owl (Scops asio), either gray or reddish in color. (b) The European barn owl. The name is applied also to other species.

SCREECHERS Screech"ers, n. pl. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The picarian birds, as distinguished from the singing birds.

SCREECHY Screech"y, a.

Defn: Like a screech; shrill and harsh.

SCREED Screed, n. Etym: [Prov. E., a shred, the border of a cap. See Shred.]

1. (Arch.) (a) A strip of plaster of the thickness proposed for the coat, applied to the wall at intervals of four or five feet, as a guide. (b) A wooden straightedge used to lay across the plaster screed, as a limit for the thickness of the coat.

2. A fragment; a portion; a shred. [Scot.]

SCREED Screed, n. Etym: [See 1st Screed. For sense 2 cf. also Gael. sgread an outcry.]

1. A breach or rent; a breaking forth into a loud, shrill sound; as, martial screeds.

2. An harangue; a long tirade on any subject. The old carl gae them a screed of doctrine; ye might have heard him a mile down the wind. Sir W. Scott.

SCREEN Screen, n. Etym: [OE. scren, OF. escrein, escran, F. écran, of uncertain origin; cf. G. schirm a screen, OHG. scrim, scern a protection, shield, or G. schragen a trestle, a stack of wood, or G. schranne a railing.]

1. Anything that separates or cuts off inconvience, injury, or danger; that which shelters or conceals from view; a shield or protection; as, a fire screen. Your leavy screens throw down. Shak. Some ambitious men seem as screens to princes in matters of danger and envy. Bacon.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: A dwarf wall or partition carried up to a certain height for separation and protection, as in a church, to separate the aisle from the choir, or the like.

3. A surface, as that afforded by a curtain, sheet, wall, etc., upon which an image, as a picture, is thrown by a magic lantern, solar microscope, etc.

4. A long, coarse riddle or sieve, sometimes a revolving perforated cylinder, used to separate the coarser from the finer parts, as of coal, sand, gravel, and the like.

SCREEN Screen, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Screened; p. pr. & vb. n. Screening.]

1. To provide with a shelter or means of concealment; to separate or cut off from inconvience, injury, or danger; to shelter; to protect; to protect by hiding; to conceal; as, fruits screened from cold winds by a forest or hill. They were encouraged and screened by some who were in high comands. Macaulay.

2. To pass, as coal, gravel, ashes, etc., through a screen in order to separate the coarse from the fine, or the worthless from the valuable; to sift.

SCREENINGS Screen"ings, n. pl.

Defn: The refuse left after screening sand, coal, ashes, etc.

SCREW Screw, n. Etym: [OE. scrue, OF. escroue, escroe, female screw, F. écrou, L. scrobis a ditch, trench, in LL., the hole made by swine in rooting; cf. D. schroef a screw, G. schraube, Icel. skr.]

1. A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a continuous rib, called the thread, winding round it spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a continuous spiral groove, between one turn and the next, -- used chiefly for producing, when revolved, motion or pressure in the direction of its axis, by the sliding of the threads of the cylinder in the grooves between the threads of the perforation adapted to it, the former being distinguished as the external, or male screw, or, more usually the screw; the latter as the internal, or female screw, or, more usually, the nut.

Note: The screw, as a mechanical power, is a modification of the inclined plane, and may be regarded as a right-angled triangle wrapped round a cylinder, the hypotenuse of the marking the spiral thread of the screw, its base equaling the circumference of the cylinder, and its height the pitch of the thread.

2. Specifically, a kind of nail with a spiral thread and a head with a nick to receive the end of the screw-driver. Screws are much used to hold together pieces of wood or to fasten something; -- called also wood screws, and screw nails. See also Screw bolt, below.

3. Anything shaped or acting like a screw; esp., a form of wheel for propelling steam vessels. It is placed at the stern, and furnished with blades having helicoidal surfaces to act against the water in the manner of a screw. See Screw propeller, below.

4. A steam vesel propelled by a screw instead of wheels; a screw steamer; a propeller.

5. An extortioner; a sharp bargainer; a skinflint; a niggard. Thackeray.

6. An instructor who examines with great or unnecessary severity; also, a searching or strict examination of a student by an instructor. [Cant, American Colleges]

7. A small packet of tobacco. [Slang] Mayhew.

8. An unsound or worn-out horse, useful as a hack, and commonly of good appearance. Ld. Lytton.

9. (Math.)

Defn: A straight line in space with which a definite linear magnitude termed the pitch is associated (cf. 5th Pitch, 10 (b)). It is used to express the displacement of a rigid body, which may always be made to consist of a rotation about an axis combined with a translation parallel to that axis.

10. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An amphipod crustacean; as, the skeleton screw (Caprella). See Sand screw, under Sand. Archimedes screw, Compound screw, Foot screw, etc. See under Archimedes, Compound, Foot, etc. -- A screw loose, something out of order, so that work is not done smoothly; as, there is a screw loose somewhere. H. Martineau. -- Endless, or perpetual screw, a screw used to give motion to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a worm. -- Lag screw. See under Lag. -- Micrometer screw, a screw with fine threads, used for the measurement of very small spaces. -- Right and left screw, a screw having threads upon the opposite ends which wind in opposite directions. -- Screw alley. See Shaft alley, under Shaft. -- Screw bean. (Bot.) (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree (Prosopis pubescens) growing from Texas to California. It is used for fodder, and ground into meal by the Indians. (b) The tree itself. Its heavy hard wood is used for fuel, for fencing, and for railroad ties. -- Screw bolt, a bolt having a screw thread on its shank, in distinction from a key bolt. See 1st Bolt, 3. -- Screw box, a device, resembling a die, for cutting the thread on a wooden screw. -- Screw dock. See under Dock. -- Screw engine, a marine engine for driving a screw propeller. -- Screw gear. See Spiral gear, under Spiral. -- Screw jack. Same as Jackscrew. -- Screw key, a wrench for turming a screw or nut; a spanner wrench. -- Screw machine. (a) One of a series of machines employed in the manufacture of wood screws. (b) A machine tool resembling a lathe, having a number of cutting tools that can be caused to act on the work successively, for making screws and other turned pieces from metal rods. -- Screw pine (Bot.), any plant of the endogenous genus Pandanus, of which there are about fifty species, natives of tropical lands from Africa to Polynesia; -- named from the spiral arrangement of the pineapple-like leaves. -- Screw plate, a device for cutting threads on small screws, consisting of a thin steel plate having a series of perforations with internal screws forming dies. -- Screw press, a press in which pressure is exerted by means of a screw. -- Screw propeller, a screw or spiral bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel propelled by a screw. -- Screw shell (Zoöl.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella. -- Screw steamer, a steamship propelled by a screw. -- Screw thread, the spiral which forms a screw. -- Screw stone (Paleon.), the fossil stem of an encrinite. -- Screw tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Helicteres, consisting of about thirty species of tropical shrubs, with simple leaves and spirally twisted, five-celled capsules; -- also called twisted-horn, and twisty. -- Screw valve, a stop valve which is opened or closed by a screw. -- Screw worm (Zoöl.), the larva of an American fly (Compsomyia macellaria), allied to the blowflies, which sometimes deposits its eggs in the nostrils, or about wounds, in man and other animals, with fatal results. -- Screw wrench. (a) A wrench for turning a screw. (b) A wrench with an adjustable jaw that is moved by a screw. -- To put the screw, or screws, on, to use pressure upon, as for the purpose of extortion; to coerce. -- To put under the screw or screws, to subject to presure; to force. -- Wood screw, a metal screw with a sharp thread of coarse pitch, adapted to holding fast in wood. See Illust. of Wood screw, under Wood.

SCREW Screw, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Screwed; p. pr. & vb. n. Screwing.]

1. To turn, as a screw; to apply a screw to; to press, fasten, or make firm, by means of a screw or screws; as, to screw a lock on a door; to screw a press.

2. To force; to squeeze; to press, as by screws. But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we'll not fail. Shak.

3. Hence: To practice extortion upon; to oppress by unreasonable or extortionate exactions. Our country landlords, by unmeasureable screwing and racking their tenants, have already reduced the miserable people to a worse condition than the peasants in France. swift.

4. To twist; to distort; as, to screw his visage. He screwed his face into a hardened smile. Dryden.

5. To examine rigidly, as a student; to subject to a severe examination. [Cant, American Colleges] To screw out, to press out; to extort. -- To screw up, to force; to bring by violent pressure. Howell. -- To screw in, to force in by turning or twisting.

SCREW Screw, v. i.

1. To use violent mans in making exactions; to be oppressive or exacting. Howitt.

2. To turn one's self uneasily with a twisting motion; as, he screws about in his chair.

SCREW-CUTTING Screw"-cut`ting, a.

Defn: Adapted for forming a screw by cutting; as, a screw-cutting lathe.

SCREW-DRIVER Screw"-driv`er, n.

Defn: A tool for turning screws so as to drive them into their place. It has a thin end which enters the nick in the head of the screw.

SCREWER Screw"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, screws.

SCREWING Screw"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Screw, v. t. Screwing machine. See Screw machine, under Screw.

SCRIBABLE Scrib"a*ble, a. Etym: [See Scribe.]

Defn: Capable of being written, or of being written upon. [R.]

SCRIBATIOUS Scri*ba"tious, a. Etym: [See Scribe.]

Defn: Skillful in, or fond of, writing. [Obs.] Barrow.

SCRIBBET Scrib"bet, n.

Defn: A painter's pencil.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Scrabble.] (Woolen Manuf.)

Defn: To card coarsely; to run through the scribling machine.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scribbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Scribling.] Etym: [From Scrible.]

1. To write hastily or carelessly, without regard to correctness or elegance; as, to scribble a letter.

2. To fill or cover with careless or worthless writing.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, v. i.

Defn: To write without care, elegance, or value; to scrawl. If Mævius scribble in Apollo's spite. Pope.

SCRIBBLE Scrib"ble, n.

Defn: Hasty or careless writing; a writing of little value; a scrawl; as, a hasty scribble. Boyle. Neither did I but vacant seasons spend In this my scribble. Bunyan.

SCRIBBLEMENT Scrib"ble*ment, n.

Defn: A scribble. [R.] oster.

SCRIBBLER Scrib"bler, n.

Defn: One who scribles; a literary hack. The scribbler, pinched with hunger, writes to dine. Granville.

SCRIBBLER Scrib"bler, n.

Defn: A scribbling machine.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, n. Etym: [See 1st Scribble.]

Defn: The act or process of carding coarsely. Scribbing machine, the machine used for the first carding of wool or other fiber; -- called also scribbler.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, a.

Defn: Writing hastily or poorly. Ye newspaper witlings! ye pert scribbling folks! Goldsmith.

SCRIBBLING Scrib"bling, n.

Defn: The act of writing hastily or idly.

SCRIBBLINGLY Scrib"bling*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scribbling manner.

SCRIBE Scribe, n. Etym: [L. scriba, fr. scribere to write; cf. Gr. scarify. Cf. Ascribe, Describe, Script, Scrivener, Scrutoire.]

1. One who writes; a draughtsman; a writer for another; especially, an offical or public writer; an amanuensis or secretary; a notary; a copyist.

2. (Jewish Hist.)

Defn: A writer and doctor of the law; one skilled in the law and traditions; one who read and explained the law to the people.

SCRIBE Scribe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scribed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scribing.]

1. To write, engrave, or mark upon; to inscribe. Spenser.

2. (Carp.)

Defn: To cut (anything) in such a way as to fit closely to a somewhat irregular surface, as a baseboard to a floor which is out of level, a board to the curves of a molding, or the like; -- so called because the workman marks, or scribe, with the compasses the line that he afterwards cuts.

3. To score or mark with compasses or a scribing iron. Scribing iron, an iron-pointed instrument for scribing, or marking, casks and logs.

SCRIBE Scribe, v. i.

Defn: To make a mark. With the separated points of a pair of spring dividers scribe around the edge of the templet. A. M. Mayer.

SCRIBER Scrib"er, n.

Defn: A sharp-pointed tool, used by joiners for drawing lines on stuff; a marking awl.

SCRIBISM Scrib"ism, n.

Defn: The character and opinions of a Jewish scribe in the time of Christ. F. W. Robertson.

SCRID Scrid, n.

Defn: A screed; a shred; a fragment. [R.]

SCRIGGLE Scrig"gle, v. i.

Defn: To wriggle. [Prov. Eng.]

SCRIM Scrim, n.

1. A kind of light cotton or linen fabric, often woven in openwork patterns, -- used for curtains, etc,; -- called also India scrim.

2. pl.

Defn: Thin canvas glued on the inside of panels to prevent shrinking, checking, etc.

SCRIMER Scri"mer, n. Etym: [F. escrimeur. See Skirmish.]

Defn: A fencing master. [Obs.] Shak.

SCRIMMAGE Scrim"mage (; 48), n. Etym: [A corruption of skirmish. "Sore scrymmishe." Ld. Berners.]] [Written also scrummage.]

1. Formerly, a skirmish; now, a general row or confused fight or struggle.

2. (Football)

Defn: The struggle in the rush lines after the ball is put in play.

SCRIMP Scrimp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrimped; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrimping.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. skrumpe, G. schrumpfen, D. krimpen. Cf. Shrimp, Shrine.]

Defn: To make too small or short; to limit or straiten; to put on short allowance; to scant; to contract; to shorten; as, to scrimp the pattern of a coat.

SCRIMP Scrimp, a.

Defn: Short; scanty; curtailed.

SCRIMP Scrimp, n.

Defn: A pinching miser; a niggard. [U.S.]

SCRIMPING Scrimp"ing,

Defn: a. & n. from Scrimp, v. t. Scrimping bar, a device used in connection with a calico printing machine for stretching the fabric breadthwise so that it may be smooth for printing. Knight.

SCRIMPINGLY Scrimp"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scrimping manner.

SCRIMPNESS Scrimp"ness, n.

Defn: The state of being scrimp.

SCRIMPTION Scrimp"tion, n.

Defn: A small portion; a pittance; a little bit. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SCRIMSHAW Scrim"shaw`, v. t.

Defn: To ornament, as shells, ivory, etc., by engraving, and (usually) rubbing pigments into the incised lines. [Sailor's cant. U.S.]

SCRIMSHAW Scrim"shaw`, n.

Defn: A shell, a whale's tooth, or the like, that is scrimshawed. [Sailor's cant, U.S.]

SCRINE Scrine, n. Etym: [L. scrinium a case for books, letters, etc.: cf. OF. escrin, F. écrin. See Shrine.]

Defn: A chest, bookcase, or other place, where writings or curiosities are deposited; a shrine. [Obs.] But laid them up in immortial scrine. Spenser.

SCRINE Scrine, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scringing.] Etym: [Cf. Cringe.]

Defn: To cringe. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SCRINGE Scringe, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scringing.] [Cf. Cringe.]

Defn: To cringe. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SCRIP Scrip, n. Etym: [OE. scrippe, probably of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. & OSw. skreppa, and also LL. scrippum, OF. esquerpe, escrepe, F. écharpe scarf. Cf. Scarp, Scarf a piece of dress.]

Defn: A small bag; a wallet; a satchel. [Archaic] Chaucer. And in requital ope his leathern scrip. Milton.

SCRIP Scrip, n. Etym: [From script.]

1. A small writing, certificate, or schedule; a piece of paper containing a writing. Call them generally, man by man, according to the scrip. Shak. Bills of exchange can not pay our debts abroad, till scrips of paper can be made current coin. Locke.

2. A preliminary certificate of a subscription to the capital of a bank, railroad, or other company, or for a share of other joint property, or a loan, stating the amount of the subscription and the date of the payment of the installments; as, insurance scrip, consol scrip, etc. When all the installments are paid, the scrip is exchanged for a bond share certificate.

3. Paper fractional currency. [Colloq.U.S.]

SCRIPPAGE Scrip"page (; 48), n.

Defn: The contents of a scrip, or wallet. [Obs.] Shak.

SCRIPT Script, n. Etym: [OE. scrit, L. scriptum something written, fr. scribere, scriptum to write: cf. OF. escript, , F. écrit. See Scribe, and cf. Scrip a writing.]

1. A writing; a written document. [Obs.] aucer.

2. (Print.)

Defn: Type made in imitation of handwriting.

3. (Law)

Defn: An original instrument or document.

4. Written characters; style of writing.

SCRIPTORIUM Scrip*to"ri*um, n.; pl. Scriptoria. Etym: [LL. See Scriptory.]

Defn: In an abbey or monastery, the room set apart for writing or copying manuscripts; in general, a room devoted to writing. Writing rooms, or scriptoria, where the chief works of Latin literature . . . were copied and illuminated. J. R. Green.

SCRIPTORY Scrip"to*ry, a. Etym: [L. scriptorius, fr. scribere, scriptum to write.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to writing; expressed in writing; used in writing; as, scriptory wills; a scriptory reed. [R.] Swift.

SCRIPTURAL Scrip"tur*al, a.

Defn: Contained in the Scriptures; according to the Scriptures, or sacred oracles; biblical; as, a scriptural doctrine.

SCRIPTURALISM Scrip"tur*al*ism, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being scriptural; literal adherence to the Scriptures.

SCRIPTURALIST Scrip"tur*al*ist, n.

Defn: One who adheres literally to the Scriptures.

SCRIPTURALLY Scrip"tur*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a scriptural manner.

SCRIPTURALNESS Scrip"tur*al*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being scriptural.

SCRIPTURE Scrip"ture, n. Etym: [L. scriptura, fr. scribere, scriptum, to write: cf. OF. escripture, escriture, F. écriture. See Scribe.]

1. Anything written; a writing; a document; an inscription. I have put it in scripture and in remembrance. Chaucer. Then the Lord of Manny read the scripture on the tomb, the which was in Latin. Ld. Berners.

2. The books of the Old and the new Testament, or of either of them; the Bible; -- used by way of eminence or distinction, and chiefly in the plural. There is not any action a man ought to do, or to forbear, but the Scripture will give him a clear precept or prohibition for it. South. Compared with the knowledge which the Scripteres contain, every other subject of human inquiry is vanity. Buckminster.

3. A passage from the Bible;; a text. The devil can eite Scripture for his purpose. Shak. Hanging by the twined thread of one doubtful Scripture. Milton.

SCRIPTURIAN Scrip*tu"ri*an, n.

Defn: A Scripturist. [Obs.]

SCRIPTURIST Scrip"tur*ist, n.

Defn: One who is strongly attached to, or versed in, the Scriptures, or who endeavors to regulate his life by them. The Puritan was a Scripturist with all his heart, if as yet with imperfect intelligence . . . he cherished the scheme of looking to the Word of God as his sole and universal directory. Palfrey.

SCRIT Scrit, n. Etym: [See Script.]

Defn: Writing; document; scroll. [Obs.] "Of every scrit and bond." Chaucer.

SCRITCH Scritch, n.

Defn: A screech. [R.] Perhaps it is the owlet's scritch. Coleridge.

SCRIVENER Scrive"ner ( or ), n. Etym: [From older scrivein, OF. escrivain, F. écrivain, LL. scribanus, from L. scribere to write. See Scribe.]

1. A professional writer; one whose occupation is to draw contracts or prepare writings. Shak. The writer better scrivener than clerk. Fuller.

2. One whose business is to place money at interest; a broker. [Obs.] ryden.

3. A writing master. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Scrivener's palsy. See Writer's cramp, under Writer.

SCROBICULA Scro*bic"u*la, n.; pl. Scrobiculæ. Etym: [NL. See Scrobiculate.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the smooth areas surrounding the tubercles of a sea urchin.

SCROBICULAR Scro*bic"u*lar, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or surrounding, scrobiculæ; as, scrobicular tubercles.

SCROBICULATE; SCROBICULATED Scro*bic"u*late, Scro*bic"u*la`ted, a. Etym: [L. scrobiculus, dim. of scrobis a ditch or trench.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having numerous small, shallow depressions or hollows; pitted.

SCROD; SCRODE Scrod, Scrode, n.

Defn: A young codfish, especially when cut open on the back and dressed. [Written also escrod.] [Local, U.S.]

SCRODDLED WARE Scrod"dled ware`.

Defn: Mottled pottery made from scraps of differently colored clays.

SCROFULA Scrof"u*la, n. Etym: [L. scrofulae, fr. scrofa a breeding sow, because swine were supposed to be subject to such a complaint, or by a fanciful comparison of the glandular swellings to little pigs; perhaps akin to Gr. scrofules. Cf. Scroyle.] (Med.)

Defn: A constitutional disease, generally hereditary, especially manifested by chronic enlargement and cheesy degeneration of the lymphatic glands, particularly those of the neck, and marked by a tendency to the development of chronic intractable inflammations of the skin, mucous membrane, bones, joints, and other parts, and by a diminution in the power of resistance to disease or injury and the capacity for recovery. Scrofula is now generally held to be tuberculous in character, and may develop into general or local tuberculosis (consumption).

SCROFULIDE Scrof"u*lide ( or ), n. (Med.)

Defn: Any affection of the skin dependent on scrofula.

SCROFULOUS Scrof"u*lous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. scrofuleux.]

1. Pertaining to scrofula, or partaking of its nature; as, scrofulous tumors; a scrofulous habit of body.

2. Diseased or affected with scrofula. Scrofulous persons can never be duly nourished. Arbuthnot. -- Scorf"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Scrof"u*lous*ness, n.

SCROG Scrog, n. Etym: [Cf. Scrag, or Gael. sgrogag anything shriveled, from sgrag to compress, shrivel.]

Defn: A stunted shrub, bush, or branch. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SCROGGY Scrog"gy, a.

Defn: Abounding in scrog; also, twisted; stunted. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Halliwell.

SCROLL Scroll, n. Etym: [A dim. of OE. scroue, scrowe (whence E. escrow), OF. escroe, escroue, F. écrou entry in the jail book, LL. scroa scroll, probably of Teutonic origin; cf. OD. schroode a strip, shred, slip of paper, akin to E. shred. Cf. Shred, Escrow.]

1. A roll of paper or parchment; a writing formed into a roll; a schedule; a list. The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. Isa. xxxiv. 4. Here is the scroll of every man's name. Shak.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: An ornament formed of undulations giving off spirals or sprays, usually suggestive of plant form. Roman architectural ornament is largely of some scroll pattern.

3. A mark or flourish added to a person's signature, intended to represent a seal, and in some States allowed as a substitute for a seal. [U.S.] Burrill.

4. (Geom.)

Defn: Same as Skew surface. See under Skew. Linen scroll (Arch.) See under Linen. -- Scroll chuck (Mach.), an adjustable chuck, applicable to a lathe spindle, for centering and holding work, in which the jaws are adjusted and tightened simultaneously by turning a disk having in its face a spiral groove which is entered by teeth on the backs of the jaws. -- Scroll saw. See under Saw.

SCROLLED Scrolled, a.

Defn: Formed like a scroll; contained in a scroll; adorned with scrolls; as, scrolled work.

SCROPHULARIA Scroph`u*la"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL. So called because it was reputed to be remedy for scrofula.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of coarse herbs having small flowers in panicled cymes; figwort.

SCROPHULARIACEOUS Scroph`u*la`ri*a"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a very large natural order of gamopetalous plants (Scrophulariaceæ, or Scrophularineæ), usually having irregular didynamous flowers and a two-celled pod. The order includes the mullein, foxglove, snapdragon, figwort, painted cup, yellow rattle, and some exotic trees, as the Paulownia.

SCROTAL Scro"tal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the scrotum; as, scrotal hernia.

SCROTIFORM Scro"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. scrotum scrotum + -form.]

Defn: Purse-shaped; pouch-shaped.

SCROTOCELE Scro"to*cele, n. Etym: [Scrotum + Gr. scrotocéle.] (Med.)

Defn: A rupture or hernia in the scrotum; scrotal hernia.

SCROTUM Scro"tum, n. Etym: [L.] (Anat.)

Defn: The bag or pouch which contains the testicles; the cod.

SCROUGE Scrouge, v. t. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: To crowd; to squeeze. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U.S.]

SCROW Scrow ( or ), n. Etym: [See Escrow, Scroll.]

1. A scroll. [Obs.] Palsgrave.

2. A clipping from skins; a currier's cuttings.

SCROYLE Scroyle, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. escrouselle a kind of vermin, escrouelles, pl., scrofula, F. écrouelles, fr. (assumed) LL. scrofulae. See Scrofula, and cf. Cruels.]

Defn: A mean fellow; a wretch. [Obs.] hak.

SCRUB Scrub, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scrubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Scrubbing.] Etym: [OE. scrobben, probably of Dutch or Scand. origin; cf. Dan. sckrubbe, Sw. skrubba, D. schrobben, LG. schrubben.]

Defn: To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening; as, to scrub a floor, a doorplate.

SCRUB Scrub, v. i.

Defn: To rub anything hard, especially with a wet brush; to scour; hence, to be diligent and penurious; as, to scrub hard for a living.

SCRUB Scrub, n.

1. One who labors hard and lives meanly; a mean fellow. "A sorry scrub." Bunyan. We should go there in as proper a manner possible; nor altogether like the scrubs about us. Goldsmith.

2. Something small and mean.

3. A worn-out brush. Ainsworth.

4. A thicket or jungle, often specified by the name of the prevailing plant; as, oak scrub, palmetto scrub, etc.

5. (Stock Breeding)

Defn: One of the commen live stock of a region of no particular breed or not of pure breed, esp. when inferior in size, etc. [U.S.] Scrub bird (Zoöl.), an Australian passerine bird of the family Atrichornithidæ, as Atrichia clamosa; -- called also brush bird. -- Scrub oak (Bot.), the popular name of several dwarfish species of oak. The scrub oak of New England and the Middle States is Quercus ilicifolia, a scraggy shrub; that of the Southern States is a small tree (Q. Catesbæi); that of the Rocky Mountain region is Q. undulata, var. Gambelii. -- Scrub robin (Zoöl.), an Australian singing bird of the genus Drymodes.

SCRUB Scrub, a.

Defn: Mean; dirty; contemptible; scrubby. How solitary, how scrub, does this town lokk! Walpole. No little scrub joint shall come on my board. Swift. Scrub game, a game, as of ball, by unpracticed players. -- Scrub race, a race between scrubs, or between untrained animals or contestants.

SCRUBBED Scrub"bed, a.

Defn: Dwarfed or stunted; scrubby.

SCRUBBER Scrub"ber, n.

1. One who, or that which, scrubs; esp., a brush used in scrubbing.

2. (Gas Manuf.)

Defn: A gas washer. See under Gas.

SCRUBBOARD Scrub"board`, n.

Defn: A baseboard; a mopboard.

SCRUBBY Scrub"by, a. [Compar. Scrubbier; superl. Scrubbiest.]

Defn: Of the nature of scrub; small and mean; stunted in growth; as, a scrubby cur. "Dense, scrubby woods." Duke of Argull.

SCRUBSTONE Scrub"stone`, n.

Defn: A species of calciferous sandstone. [Prov. Eng.]

SCRUFF Scruff, n. Etym: [See Scurf.]

Defn: Scurf. [Obs.]

SCRUFF Scruff, n. Etym: [Cf. Scuff.]

Defn: The nape of the neck; the loose outside skin, as of the back of the neck.

SCRUMMAGE Scrum"mage (; 43), n.

Defn: See Scrimmage.

SCRUMPTIOUS Scrump"tious, a.

Defn: Nice; particular; fastidious; excellent; fine. [Slang]

SCRUNCH Scrunch, v. t. & v. i. Etym: [Cf. Scranch, Crunch.]

Defn: To scranch; to crunch. Dickens.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, n. Etym: [L. scrupulus a small sharp or pointed stone, the twenty-fourth part of an ounce, a scruple, uneasiness, doubt, dim. of scrupus a rough or sharp stone, anxiety, uneasiness; perh. akin to Gr. kshura: cf. F. scrupule.]

1. A weight of twenty grains; the third part of a dram.

2. Hence, a very small quantity; a particle. I will not bate thee a scruple. Shak.

3. Hesitation as to action from the difficulty of determining what is right or expedient; unwillingness, doubt, or hesitation proceeding from motives of conscience. He was made miserable by the conflict between his tastes and his scruples. Macaulay. To make scruple, to hesitate from conscientious motives; to scruple. Locke.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scrupled; p. pr. & vb. n. Skrupling.]

Defn: To be reluctant or to hesitate, as regards an action, on account of considerations of conscience or expedience. We are often over-precise, scrupling to say or do those things which lawfully we may. Fuller. Men scruple at the lawfulness of a set form of divine worship. South.

SCRUPLE Scru"ple, v. t.

1. To regard with suspicion; to hesitate at; to question. Others long before them . . . scrupled more the books of hereties than of gentiles. Milton.

2. To excite scruples in; to cause to scruple. [R.] Letters which did still scruple many of them. E. Symmons.

SCRUPLER Scru"pler, n.

Defn: One who scruples.

SCRUPULIST Scru"pu*list, n.

Defn: A scrupler. [Obs.]

SCRUPULIZE Scru"pu*lize, v. t.

Defn: To perplex with scruples; to regard with scruples. [Obs.] Bp. Montagu.

SCRUPULOSITY Scru`pu*los"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. scrupulositas.]

Defn: The quality or state of being scruppulous; doubt; doubtfulness respecting decision or action; caution or tenderness from the far of doing wrong or ofending; nice regard to exactness and propierty; precision. The first sacrilege is looked on with horror; but when they have made the breach, their scrupulosity soon retires. Dr. H. More. Careful, even to scrupulosity, . . . to keep their Sabbath. South.

SCRUPULOUS Scru"pu*lous, a. Etym: [L. scrupulosus: cf. F. scrupuleux.]