Chapter CDXVI: Prologue (67)

2. A short period of vigorous action; as, a snatch at weeding after a shower. Tusser. They move by fits and snatches. Bp. Wilkins.

3. A small piece, fragment, or quantity; a broken part; a scrap. We have often little snatches of sunshine. Spectator. Leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Shak.

SNATCH BLOCK Snatch block (Naut.),

Defn: a kind of block with an opening in one side to receive the bight of a rope.

SNATCHER Snatch"er, n.

Defn: One who snatches, or takes abruptly.

SNATCHINGLY Snatch"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: By snatching; abruptly.

SNATH Snath, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. sni to cut, to mow, sn a bite, bit snip.]

Defn: The handle of a scythe; a snead. [Variously written in England snead, sneed, sneath, sneeth, snathe, etc.; in Scotland written sned.]

SNATH Snath (snath), n. [Cf. AS. sniðan to cut, to mow, snaed a bite, bit, snip.]

Defn: The handle of a scythe; a snead. [Variously written in England snead, sneed, sneath, sneeth, snathe, etc.; in Scotland written sned.]

SNATHE Snathe, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Icel. snei to cut into alices, sni to cut; akin to AS. besn, sni, G. schneiden, OHG. snidan, Goth. snei to cut, to reap, and E. snath, snithe.]

Defn: To lop; to prune. [Prov. Eng.]

SNATTOCK Snat"tock, n. Etym: [See Snathe.]

Defn: A chip; a alice. [Prov. Eng.] Gayton.

SNAW Snaw, n.

Defn: Snow. [Obs. or Scot.] Burns.

SNEAD Snead, n. Etym: [See Snatch.]

1. A snath.

2. A line or cord; a string. [Prov. Eng.]

SNEAK Sneak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sneaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Sneaking.] Etym: [OE. sniken, AS. snican to creep; akin to Dan. snige sig; cf. Icel. snikja to hanker after.]

1. To creep or steal (away or about) privately; to come or go meanly, as a person afraid or ashamed to be seen; as, to sneak away from company. imp. & p. p. "snuck" is more common now, but not even mentioned here. In MW10, simply "sneaked or snuck" You skulked behind the fence, and sneaked away. Dryden.

2. To act in a stealthy and cowardly manner; to behave with meanness and servility; to crouch.

SNEAK Sneak, v. t.

Defn: To hide, esp. in a mean or cowardly manner. [Obs.] "[Slander] sneaks its head." Wake.

SNEAK Sneak, n.

1. A mean, sneaking fellow. A set of simpletons and superstitious sneaks. Glanvill.

2. (Cricket)

Defn: A ball bowled so as to roll along the ground; -- called also grub. [Cant] R. A. Proctor.

SNEAK-CUP Sneak"-cup`, n.

Defn: One who sneaks from his cups; one who balks his glass. [Obs.] Shak.

SNEAK CURRENT Sneak current. (Elec.)

Defn: A current which, though too feeble to blow the usual fuse or to injure at once telegraph or telephone instruments, will in time burn them out.

SNEAKER Sneak"er, n.

1. One who sneaks. Lamb.

2. A vessel of drink. [Prov. Eng.] A sneaker of five gallons. Spectator.

SNEAKINESS Sneak"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being sneaky.

SNEAKING Sneak"ing, a.

Defn: Marked by cowardly concealment; deficient in openness and courage; underhand; mean; crouching. -- Sneak"ing*ly, adv. -- Sneak"ing*ness, n.

SNEAKSBY Sneaks"by, n.

Defn: A paltry fellow; a sneak. [Obs.] "Such a bashful sneaksby." Barrow.

SNEAKY Sneak"y, n.

Defn: Like a sneak; sneaking.

SNEAP Sneap, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Icel. sneypa to dishonor, disgrace, chide, but also E. snip, and snub.]

1. To check; to reprimand; to rebuke; to chide. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

2. To nip; to blast; to blight. [Obs.] Biron is like an envious, sneaping frost. Shak.

SNEAP Sneap, n.

Defn: A reprimand; a rebuke. [Obs.] My lord, I will not undergo this sneap without reply. Shak.

SNEATH; SNEATHE Sneath, Sneathe, n.

Defn: See Snath.

SNEB Sneb, v. t. Etym: [See Snib.]

Defn: To reprimand; to sneap. [Obs.] "Scold and sneb the good oak." Spenser.

SNECK Sneck, v. t. Etym: [See Snatch.]

Defn: To fasten by a hatch; to latch, as a door. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Sneck up, be silent; shut up; hold your peace. Shak.

SNECK Sneck, n.

Defn: A door latch. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Sneck band, a latchstring. Burns. -- Sneck drawer, a latch lifter; a bolt drawer; hence, a sly person; a cozener; a cheat; -- called also sneckdraw. -- Sneck drawing, lifting the latch.

SNECKET Sneck"et, n.

Defn: A door latch, or sneck. [Prov. Eng.]

SNED Sned, v. t.

Defn: To lop; to snathe. [Prov. Eng.]

SNED; SNEED Sned, Sneed, n.

Defn: See Snath.

SNEER Sneer, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sneered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sneering.] Etym: [OE. sneren, Dan. sn to snarl or grin (like a dog); cf. Prov. E. sneer to grin, sner to snort, snert to sneer at. See Snore, v. i.]

1. To show contempt by turning up the nose, or by a particular facial expression.

2. To inssinuate contempt by a covert expression; to speak derisively. I could be content to be a little sneared at. Pope.

3. To show mirth awkwardly. [R.] Tatler.

Syn. -- To scoff; gibe; jeer. -- Sneer, Scoff, Jeer. The verb to sneer implies to cast contempt indirectly or by covert expressions. To jeer is stronger, and denotes the use of several sarcastic reflections. To scoff is stronger still, implying the use of insolent mockery and derision. And sneers as learnedly as they, Like females o'er their morning tea. Swift. Midas, exposed to all their jeers, Had lost his art, and kept his ears. Swift. The fop, with learning at defiance, Scoffs at the pedant and science. Gay.

SNEER Sneer, v. t.

1. To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to utter with a sneer; to say sneeringly; as, to sneer fulsome lies at a person. Congreve. "A ship of fools," he sneered. Tennyson.

2. To treat with sneers; to affect or move by sneers. Nor sneered nor bribed from virtue into shame. Savage.

SNEER Sneer, n.

1. The act of sneering.

2. A smile, grin, or contortion of the face, indicative of contempt; an indirect expression or insinuation of contempt. "Who can refute a sneer" Raley.

SNEERER Sneer"er, n.

Defn: One who sneers.

SNEERFUL Sneer"ful, a.

Defn: Given to sneering. [Obs.]

SNEERINGLY Sneer"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sneering manner.

SNEEZE Sneeze, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sneezed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sneezing.] Etym: [OE. snesen; of uncertain origin; cf. D. snuse to sniff, E. neese, and AS. fneósan.]

Defn: To emit air, chiefly through the nose, audibly and violently, by a kind of involuntary convulsive force, occasioned by irritation of the inner membrane of the nose. Not to be sneezed at, not to be despised or contemned; not to be treated lightly. [Colloq.] "He had to do with old women who were not to be sneezed at." Prof. Wilson.

SNEEZE Sneeze, n.

Defn: A sudden and violent ejection of air with an audible sound, chiefly through the nose.

SNEEZEWEED Sneeze"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A yellow-flowered composite plant (Helenium autumnale) the odor of which is said to cause sneezing.

SNEEZEWOOD Sneeze"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The wood of a South African tree. See Neishout.

SNEEZEWORT Sneeze"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A European herbaceous plant (Achillea Ptarmica) allied to the yarrow, having a strong, pungent smell.

SNEEZING Sneez"ing, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act of violently forcing air out through the nasal passages while the cavity of the mouth is shut off from the pharynx by the approximation of the soft palate and the base of the tongue.

SNELL Snell, a. Etym: [AS. snell; akin to D. snel, G. schnell, OHG. snel, Icel. snjallr valiant.]

Defn: Active; brisk; nimble; quick; sharp. [Archaic or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] That horny-handed, snell, peremptory little man. Dr. J. Brown.

SNELL Snell, n.

Defn: A short line of horsehair, gut, etc., by which a fishhook is attached to a longer line.

SNET Snet, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schnitt that which is cut, fr. schneiden to cut, E. snath.]

Defn: The fat of a deer. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SNET Snet, v. t. Etym: [See Snot.]

Defn: The clear of mucus; to blow. [Obs.] "Snetting his nose." Holland.

SNEW Snew, v. i.

Defn: To snow; to abound. [Obs.] It snewed in his house of meat and drink. Chaucer.

SNIB Snib, v. t. Etym: [OE. snibben; cf. Dan. snibbe, and E. snub, v. t.]

Defn: To check; to sneap; to sneb. [Obs.] Him would he snib sharply for the nones. Chaucer.

SNIB Snib, n.

Defn: A reprimand; a snub. [Obs.] Marston.

SNICK Snick, n. Etym: [Prov. E. snick a notch; cf. Icel. snikka nick, cut.]

1. A small cut or mark.

2. (Cricket)

Defn: A slight hit or tip of the ball, often unintentional.

3. (Fiber)

Defn: A knot or irregularity in yarn. Knight.

4. (Furriery)

Defn: A snip or cut, as in the hair of a beast. Snick and snee Etym: [cf. D. snee, snede, a cut], a combat with knives. [Obs.] Wiseman.

SNICK Snick, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snicked; p. pr. & vb. n. Snicking.]

1. To cut slightly; to strike, or strike off, as by cutting. H. Kingsley.

2. (Cricket)

Defn: To hit (a ball) lightly. R. A. Proctor.

SNICK Snick, n. & v. t.

Defn: See Sneck. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] Snick up, shut up; silenced. See Sneck up, under Sneck. Give him money, George, and let him go snick up. Beau & Fl.

SNICKER Snick"er, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snickered; p. pr. & vb. n. Snickering.] Etym: [Cf. D. snikken to sob, to sigh.] [Written also snigger.]

1. To laugh slyly; to laugh in one's sleeve.

2. To laugh with audible catches of voice, as when persons attempt to suppress loud laughter.

SNICKER Snick"er, n.

Defn: A half suppressed, broken laugh. [Written also snigger.]

SNIDE Snide, a.

Defn: Tricky; deceptive; contemptible; as, a snide lawyer; snide goods. [Slang]

SNIDER RIFLE; SNIDER Sni"der ri"fle, or Sni"der, n. (Mil.)

Defn: A breech-loading rifle formerly used in the British service; -- so called from the inventor.

SNIFF Sniff, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniffed or Snift; p. pr. & vb. n. Sniffing.] Etym: [OE. sneven; akin to snivel, snuff; cf. Dan. snive to sniff. See Snuff, v. t.]

Defn: To draw air audibly up the nose; to snuff; -- sometimes done as a gesture of suspicion, offense, or contempt. So ye grow squeamish, gods, and sniff at heaven. M. Arnold.

SNIFF Sniff, v. t.

1. To draw in with the breath through the nose; as, to sniff the air of the country.

2. To perceive as by sniffing; to snuff, to scent; to smell; as, to sniff danger.

SNIFF Sniff, n.

Defn: The act of sniffing; perception by sniffing; that which is taken by sniffing; as, a sniff of air.

SNIFFING Sniff"ing, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: A rapid inspiratory act, in which the mouth is kept shut and the air drawn in through the nose.

SNIFFLE Snif"fle, v. i. Etym: [Freq. of sniff. See Snivel.]

Defn: To snuffle, as one does with a catarrh. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIFT Snift, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Snifting.] Etym: [From Sniff.]

1. To snort. [Obs.] "Resentment expressed by snifting." Johnson.

2. To sniff; to snuff; to smell. It now appears that they were still snifing and hankering after their old quarters. Landor.

SNIFT Snift, n.

1. A moment. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

2. Slight snow; sleet. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SNIFTING Snift"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Snift. Snifting valve, a small valve opening into the atmosphere from the cylinder or condenser of a steam engine, to allow the escape of air when the piston makes a stroke; -- so called from the noise made by its action.

SNIG Snig, v. t. Etym: [See Snick a small cut.]

Defn: To chop off; to cut. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIG Snig, v. i. Etym: [See Sneak.]

Defn: To sneak. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIG; SNIGG Snig, Snigg, n. Etym: [Cf. Sneak.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small eel. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIGGER Snig"ger, v. i.

Defn: See Snicker. Thackeray.

SNIGGER Snig"ger, n.

Defn: See Snicker. Dickens.

SNIGGLE Snig"gle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniggled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sniggling().] Etym: [See Snig a kind of eel.]

Defn: To fish for eels by thrusting the baited hook into their holes or hiding places. Walton.

SNIGGLE Snig"gle, v. t.

Defn: To catch, as an eel, by sniggling; hence, to hook; to insnare. Beau & Fl.

SNIP Snip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snipped; p. pr. & vb. n. Snipping.] Etym: [D. snippen; akin to G. schnippen.]

Defn: To cut off the nip or neb of, or to cut off at once with shears or scissors; to clip off suddenly; to nip; hence, to break off; to snatch away. Curbed and snipped in my younger years by fear of my parents from those vicious excrescences to which that age was subject. Fuller. The captain seldom ordered anything out of the ship's stores . . . but I snipped some of it for my own share. De Foe.

SNIP Snip, n.

1. A single cut, as with shears or scissors; a clip. Shak.

2. A small shred; a bit cut off. Wiseman.

3. A share; a snack. [Obs.] L'Estrange

4. A tailor. [Slang] Nares. C. Kingsley.

5. Small hand shears for cutting sheet metal.

SNIPE Snipe, n. Etym: [OE. snipe; akin to D. snep, snip, LG. sneppe, snippe, G. schnepfe, Icel. snipa (in comp.), Dan. sneppe, Sw. snäppa a sanpiper, and possibly to E. snap. See Snap, Snaffle.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of limicoline game birds of the family Scolopacidæ, having a long, slender, nearly straight beak.

Note: The common, or whole, snipe (Gallinago coelestis) and the great, or double, snipe (G. major), are the most important European species. The Wilson's snipe (G. delicata) (sometimes erroneously called English snipe) and the gray snipe, or dowitcher (Macrohamphus griseus), are well-known American species.

2. A fool; a blockhead. [R.] Shak. Half snipe, the dunlin; the jacksnipe. -- Jack snipe. See Jacksnipe. -- Quail snipe. See under Quail. -- Robin snipe, the knot. -- Sea snipe. See in the Vocabulary. -- Shore snipe, any sandpiper. -- Snipe hawk, the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.] -- Stone snipe, the tattler. -- Summer snipe, the dunlin; the green and the common European sandpipers. -- Winter snipe. See Rock snipe, under Rock. -- Woodcock snipe, the great snipe.

SNIPEBILL Snipe"bill`, n.

1. A plane for cutting deep grooves in moldings.

2. A bolt by which the body of a cart is fastened to the axle. [Local, U.S.]

SNIPEFISH Snipe"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The bellows fish. (b) A long, slender deep-sea fish (Nemichthys scolopaceus) with a slender beak.

SNIPPACK Snip"pack, n. Etym: [Cf. Snipe.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common snipe. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIPPER Snip"per, n.

Defn: One who snips.

SNIPPER-SNAPER Snip"per-snap`er, n.

Defn: A small, insignificant fellow. [Colloq.]

SNIPPET Snip"pet, n.

Defn: A small part or piece. To be cut into snippets and shreds. F. Harrison.

SNIPPETY Snip"pet*y, a.

Defn: Ridiculously small; petty. "Snippety facts." London Spectator.

SNIP-SNAP Snip"-snap`, n. Etym: [Reduplication of snap.]

Defn: A tart dialogue with quick replies. [R.] Pope.

SNIP-SNAP Snip"-snap`, a.

Defn: Quick; short; sharp; smart. Shak.

SNIPY Snip"y, a.

Defn: Like a snipe.

SNITE Snite, n.

Defn: A snipe. [Obs. or Scot.] Carew.

SNITE Snite, v. t. Etym: [Icel. snifa. See Snout.]

Defn: To blow, as the nose; to snuff, as a candle. [Obs. or Scot.]

SNITHE; SNITHY Snithe, Snith"y, a. Etym: [AS. sni to cut. See Snathe.]

Defn: Sharp; piercing; cutting; -- applied to the wind. [Prov. Eng.]

SNIVEL Sniv"el, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sniveled or Snivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sniveling or Snivelling.] Etym: [OE. snivelen, snevelen, snuvelen, freg. of sneven. See Sniff, and cf. Snuffle.]

1. To run at the nose; to make a snuffling noise.

2. To cry or whine with snuffling, as children; to cry weakly or whiningly. Put stop to thy sniveling ditty. Sir W. Scott.

SNIVEL Sniv"el, n. Etym: [AS. snofel. Cf. Snivel, v. i.]

Defn: Mucus from the nose; snot.

SNIVELER Sniv"el*er, n. Etym: [Written also sniveller.]

Defn: One who snivels, esp. one who snivels habitually.

SNIVELY Sniv"el*y, a.

Defn: Running at the nose; sniveling pitiful; whining.

SNOB Snob, n. Etym: [Icel. snapr a dolt, impostor, charlatan. Cf. Snub.]

1. A vulgar person who affects to be better, richer, or more fashionable, than he really is; a vulgar upstart; one who apes his superiors. Thackeray. Essentially vulgar, a snob. -- a gilded snob, but none the less a snob. R. G. White.

2. (Eng. Univ.)

Defn: A townsman. [Canf]

3. A journeyman shoemaker. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

4. A workman who accepts lower than the usual wages, or who refuses to strike when his fellows do; a rat; a knobstick. Those who work for lower wages during a strike are called snobs, the men who stand out being "nobs" De Quincey.

SNOBBERY Snob"ber*y, n.

Defn: The quality of being snobbish; snobbishness.

SNOBBISH Snob"bish, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a snob; characteristic of, or befitting, a snob; vulgarly pretentious. -- Snob"bish*ly, adv.

SNOBBISHNESS Snob"bish*ness, n.

Defn: Vulgar affectation or ostentation; mean admiration of mean things; conduct or manners of a snob.

SNOBBISM Snob"bism, n.

Defn: Snobbery.

SNOBBY Snob"by, a.

Defn: Snobbish. [R.] E. B. Ramsay.

SNOBLING Snob"ling, n.

Defn: A little snob. [Jocose] Thackeray.

SNOBOCRACY Snob*oc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Snob + -cracy, as in aristocracy, mobocracy.]

Defn: Snobs, collectively. [Hybrid & Recent] C. Kingsley.

SNOD Snod, n. Etym: [See Snood.]

Defn: A fillet; a headband; a snood. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SNOD Snod, a. Etym: [Scot. snod to prune, put in order.]

Defn: Trimmed; smooth; neat; trim; sly; cunning; demure. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

SNOFF Snoff, n. Etym: [Cf. Snuff.] (Mining)

Defn: A short candle end used for igniting a fuse. Raymond.

SNOOD Snood, n. Etym: [AS. sn. Cf. Snare.]

1. The fillet which binds the hair of a young unmarried woman, and is emblematic of her maiden character. [Scot.] And seldom was a snood amid Such wild, luxuriant ringlets hid. Sir W. Scott.

2. A short line (often of horsehair) connecting a fishing line with the hook; a snell; a leader.

SNOOD Snood, v. t.

Defn: To bind or braid up, as the hair, with a snood. [Scot.]

SNOODED Snood"ed, a.

Defn: Wearing or having a snood. "The snooded daughter." Whittier.

SNOOK Snook, v. i. Etym: [Prov. E. snook to search out, to follow by the scent; cf. Sw. snoka to lurk, LG. snöggen, snuckern, snökern, to snuffle, to smell about, to search for.]

Defn: To lurk; to lie in ambush. [Obs.]

SNOOK Snook, n. Etym: [D. snoek.] (Zoöl.) (a) A large perchlike marine food fish (Centropomus undecimalis) found both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of tropical America; -- called also ravallia, and robalo. (b) The cobia. (c) The garfish.

SNOOZE Snooze, n. Etym: [Scot. snooze to sleep; cf. Dan. & Sw. snus snuff.]

Defn: A short sleep; a nap. [Colloq.]

SNOOZE Snooze, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snoozed; p. pr. & vb. n. Snoozing.]

Defn: To doze; to drowse; to take a short nap; to slumber. [Colloq.]

SNORE Snore, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snored; p. pr. & vb. n. Snoring.] Etym: [OE. snoren, AS. snora a snoring; akin to LG. snoren, snorken, snurken, to snore, D. snorken, G. schnarchen to snore, schnarren to rattle, MHG. snarren, Sw. snarka to snore, Icel. snarka to sputter, fizzle. Cf. Snarl to growl, Sneer, Snort. See Snoring.]

Defn: To breathe with a rough, hoarse, nasal voice in sleep.

SNORE Snore, n.

Defn: A harsh nasal noise made in sleep.

SNORER Snor"er, n.

Defn: One who snores.

SNORING Snor"ing, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The act of respiring through the open mouth so that the currents of inspired and expired air cause a vibration of the uvula and soft palate, thus giving rise to a sound more or less harsh. It is usually unvoluntary, but may be produced voluntarily.

SNORT Snort, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Snorting.] Etym: [OE. snorten; akin to snoren. See Snore.]

1. To force the air with violence through the nose, so as to make a noise, as do high-spirited horsed in prancing and play. Fairfax.

2. To snore. [R.] "The snorting citizens." Shak.

3. To laugh out loudly. [Colloq.] Halliwell.

SNORT Snort, n.

Defn: The act of snorting; the sound produced in snorting.

SNORT Snort, v. t.

Defn: To expel throught the nostrils with a snort; to utter with a snort. Keats.

SNORTER Snort"er, n.

1. One who snorts.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The wheather; -- so called from its cry. [Prov. Eng.]

SNOT Snot, n. Etym: [AS. snot; akin to D. snot, LG. snotte, Dan. snot, and to E. snout. See Snout.]

1. Mucus secreted in, or discharged from, the nose. [Low]

2. A mean, insignificant fellow. [Low]

SNOT Snot, v. t.

Defn: To blow, wipe, or clear, as the nose.

SNOTTER Snot"ter, v. i. Etym: [From Snot.]

Defn: To snivel; to cry or whine. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

SNOTTER Snot"ter, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.)

Defn: A rope going over a yardarm, used to bend a tripping line to, in sending down topgallant and royal yards in vessels of war; also, the short line supporting the heel of the sprit in a small boat.

SNOTTERY Snot"ter*y, n.

Defn: Filth; abomination. [Obs.] To purge the snottery of our slimy time. Marston.

SNOTTY Snot"ty, a.

Defn: Foul with snot; hence, mean; dirty. -- Snort"ti*ly, adb. -- Snot"ti*ness, n.

SNOUT Snout, n. Etym: [OE. snoute, probably of Scand, or Low German origin; cf. LG. snute, D. snuit, G. schnauze, Sw. snut, snyte, Dan. snude, Icel. sn to blow the nose; probably akin to E. snuff, v.t. Cf. Snite, Snot, Snuff.]

1. The long, projecting nose of a beast, as of swine.

2. The nose of a man; -- in contempt. Hudibras.

3. The nozzle of a pipe, hose, etc.

4. (Zoöl.) (a) The anterior prolongation of the head of a gastropod; -- called also rostrum. (b) The anterior prolongation of the head of weevils and allied beetles. Snout beetle (Zoöl.), any one of many species of beetles having an elongated snout and belonging to the tribe Rhynchophora; a weevil. -- Snout moth (Zoöl.), any pyralid moth. See Pyralid.

SNOUT Snout, v. t.

Defn: To furnish with a nozzle or point.

SNOUTY Snout"y, a.

Defn: Resembling a beast's snout. The nose was ugly, long, and big, Broad and snouty like a pig. Otway.

SNOW Snow, n. Etym: [LG. snaue, or D. snaauw, from LG. snau a snout, a beak.] (Naut.)

Defn: A square-rigged vessel, differing from a brig only in that she has a trysail mast close abaft the mainmast, on which a large trysail is hoisted.

SNOW Snow, n. Etym: [OE. snow, snaw, AS. snaw; akin to D. sneeuw, OS. & OHG. sneo, G. schnee, Icel. snær, snjor, snajar, Sw. snö, Dan. snee, Goth. snaiws, Lith. snëgas, Russ. snieg', Ir. & Gael. sneachd, W. nyf, L. nix, nivis, Gr. acc. ni`fa, also AS. sniwan to snow, G. schneien, OHG. sniwan, Lith. snigti, L. ningit it snows, Gr. ni`fei, Zend snizh to snow; cf. Skr. snih to be wet or sticky. sq. root172.]

1. Watery particles congealed into white or transparent crystals or flakes in the air, and falling to the earth, exhibiting a great variety of very beautiful and perfect forms.

Note: Snow is often used to form compounds, most of which are of obvious meaning; as, snow-capped, snow-clad, snow-cold, snow-crowned, snow-crust, snow-fed, snow-haired, snowlike, snow-mantled, snow- nodding, snow-wrought, and the like.

2. Fig.: Something white like snow, as the white color (argent) in heraldry; something which falls in, or as in, flakes. The field of snow with eagle of black therein. Chaucer. Red snow. See under Red. Snow bunting. (Zoöl.) See Snowbird, 1. -- Snow cock (Zoöl.), the snow pheasant. -- Snow flea (Zoöl.), a small black leaping poduran (Achorutes nivicola) often found in winter on the snow in vast numbers. -- Snow flood, a flood from melted snow. -- Snow flower (Bot.), the fringe tree. -- Snow fly, or Snow insect (Zoöl.), any one of several species of neuropterous insects of the genus Boreus. The male has rudimentary wings; the female is wingless. These insects sometimes appear creeping and leaping on the snow in great numbers. -- Snow gnat (Zoöl.), any wingless dipterous insect of the genus Chionea found running on snow in winter. -- Snow goose (Zoöl.), any one of several species of arctic geese of the genus Chen. The common snow goose (Chen hyperborea), common in the Western United States in winter, is white, with the tips of the wings black and legs and bill red. Called also white brant, wavey, and Texas goose. The blue, or blue-winged, snow goose (C. coerulescens) is varied with grayish brown and bluish gray, with the wing quills black and the head and upper part of the neck white. Called also white head, white-headed goose, and bald brant. -- Snow leopard (Zool.), the ounce. -- Snow line, lowest limit of perpetual snow. In the Alps this is at an altitude of 9,000 feet, in the Andes, at the equator, 16,000 feet. -- Snow mouse (Zoöl.), a European vole (Arvicola nivalis) which inhabits the Alps and other high mountains. -- Snow pheasant (Zoöl.), any one of several species of large, handsome gallinaceous birds of the genus Tetraogallus, native of the lofty mountains of Asia. The Himalayn snow pheasant (T.Himalayensis) in the best-known species. Called also snow cock, and snow chukor. -- Snow partridge. (Zoöl.) See under Partridge. -- Snow pigeon (Zoöl.), a pigeon (Columba leuconota) native of the Himalaya mountains. Its back, neck, and rump are white, the top of the head and the ear coverts are black. -- Snow plant (Bot.), a fleshy parasitic herb (Sarcodes sanguinea) growing in the coniferous forests of California. It is all of a bright red color, and is fabled to grow from the snow, through which it sometimes shoots up.

SNOW Snow, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snowed (; p. pr. & vb. n. Snowing.]

Defn: To fall in or as snow; -- chiefly used impersonally; as, it snows; it snowed yesterday.

SNOW Snow, v. t.

Defn: To scatter like snow; to cover with, or as with, snow. Donne. Shak.

SNOWBALL Snow"ball`, n.

1. A round mass of snow pressed or roller together, or anything resembling such a mass.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: The Guelder-rose. Snowball tree (Bot.), the Guelder-rose.

SNOWBALL Snow"ball`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snowballed; p. pr. & vb. n. Snowballing.]

Defn: To pelt with snowballs; to throw snowballs at.

SNOWBALL Snow"ball`, v. i.

Defn: To throw snowballs.

SNOW BANNER Snow banner.

Defn: A bannerlike stream of snow blown into the air from a mountain peak, often having a pinkish color and extending horizontally for several miles across the sky.

SNOWBERRY Snow"ber`ry, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A name of several shrubs with white berries; as, the Symphoricarpus racemosus of the Northern United States, and the Chiococca racemosa of Florida and tropical America. Creeping snowberry. (Bot.) See under Creeping.

SNOWBIRD Snow"bird, n. (Zoöl.) (a) An arctic finch (Plectrophenax, or Plectrophanes, nivalis) common, in winter, both in Europe and the United States, and often appearing in large flocks during snowstorms. It is partially white, but variously marked with chestnut and brown. Called also snow bunting, snowflake, snowfleck, and snowflight. (b) Any finch of the genus Junco which appears in flocks in winter time, especially J. hyemalis in the Eastern United States; -- called also blue snowbird. See Junco. (c) The fieldfare. [Prov. Eng.]

SNOW-BLIND Snow"-blind`, a.

Defn: Affected with blindness by the brilliancy of snow. -- Snow"-blind`ness, n.

SNOW-BOUND Snow"-bound`, a.

Defn: Enveloped in, or confined by, snow. Whittier.

SNOW-BROTH Snow"-broth`, n.

Defn: Snow and water mixed, or snow just melted; very cold liquor. Shak.

SNOWCAP Snow"cap`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A very small humming bird (Microchæra albocoronata) native of New Grenada.

Note: The feathers of the top of the head are white and snining, the body blue black with a purple and bronzy luster. The name is applied also to Microchæra parvirostris of Central America, which is similar in color.

SNOW-CAPPED Snow"-capped`, a.

Defn: Having the top capped or covered with snow; as, snow-capped mountains.

SNOWDRIFT Snow"drift`, n.

Defn: A bank of drifted snow.

SNOWDROP Snow"drop`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A bulbous plant (Galanthus nivalis) bearing white flowers, which often appear while the snow is on the ground. It is cultivated in gardens for its beauty. Snowdrop tree. See Silver-bell tree, under Silver, a.

SNOWFLAKE Snow"flake`, n.

1. A flake, or small filmy mass, of snow.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Snowbird, 1.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: A name given to several bulbous plants of the genus Leucoium (L. vernum, æstivum, etc.) resembling the snowdrop, but having all the perianth leaves of equal size.

SNOWFLECK Snow"fleck`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Snowbird, 1.

SNOWL Snowl, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hooded merganser. [Local, U.S.]

SNOWLESS Snow"less, a.

Defn: Destitute of snow.

SNOWPLOW; SNOWPLOUGH Snow"plow`, Snow"plough`, n.

Defn: An implement operating like a plow, but on a larger scale, for clearing away the snow from roads, railways, etc.

SNOWSHED Snow"shed, n.

Defn: A shelter to protect from snow, esp. a long roof over an exposed part of a railroad.

SNOWSHOE Snow"shoe`, n.

Defn: A slight frame of wood three or four feet long and about one third as wide, with thongs or cords stretched across it, and having a support and holder for the foot; -- used by persons for walking on soft snow.

SNOWSHOEING Snow"shoe`ing, n.

Defn: Traveling on snowshoes.

SNOWSHOER Snow"sho`er, n.

Defn: One who travels on snowshoes; an expert in using snowshoes. W. G. Beers.

SNOWSLIP Snow"slip`, n.

Defn: A large mass or avalanche of snow which slips down the side of a mountain, etc.

SNOWSTORM Snow"storm`, n.

Defn: A storm with falling snow.

SNOW-WHITE Snow"-white`, a.

Defn: White as snow; very white. "Snow-white and rose-red" Chaucer.

SNOWY Snow"y, a.

1. White like snow. "So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows." Shak.

2. Abounding with snow; covered with snow. "The snowy top of cold Olympus." Milton.

3. Fig.: Pure; unblemished; unstained; spotless. There did he lose his snowy innocence. J. Hall (1646). Snowy heron (Zoöl.), a white heron, or egret (Ardea candidissima), found in the Southern United States, and southward to Chili; -- called also plume bird. -- Snowy lemming (Zoöl.), the collared lemming (Cuniculus torquatus), which turns white in winter. -- Snowy owl (Zoöl.), a large arctic owl (Nyctea Scandiaca, or N. nivea) common all over the northern parts of the United States and Europe in winter time. Its plumage is sometimes nearly pure white, but it is usually more or less marked with blackish spots. Called also white owl. -- Snowy plover (Zoöl.), a small plover (Ægialitis nivosa) of the western parts of the United States and Mexico. It is light gray above, with the under parts and portions of the head white.

SNUB Snub, v. i. Etym: [Cf. D. snuiven to snort, to pant, G. schnauben, MHG. snuben, Prov. G. schnupfen, to sob, and E. snuff, v.t.]

Defn: To sob with convulsions. [Obs.] Bailey.

SNUB Snub, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Snubbing.] Etym: [Cf. Icel. ssnubba to snub, chide, Sw. snubba, Icel. snubbottr snubbed, nipped, and E. snib.]

1. To clip or break off the end of; to check or stunt the growth of; to nop.

2. To check, stop, or rebuke, with a tart, sarcastic reply or remark; to reprimand; to check. J. Foster.

3. To treat with contempt or neglect, as a forward or pretentious person; to slight designedly. To snub a cable or rope (Naut.), to check it suddenly in running out. Totten.

SNUB Snub, n.

1. A knot; a protuberance; a song. [Obs.] [A club] with ragged snubs and knotty grain. Spenser.

2. A check or rebuke; an intended slight. J. Foster. Snub nose, a short or flat nose. -- Snub post, or Snubbing post (Naut.), a post on a dock or shore, around which a rope is thrown to check the motion of a vessel.

SNUB-NOSED Snub"-nosed`, a.

Defn: Having a short, flat nose, slightly turned up; as, the snub- nosed eel. Snub-nosed cachalot (Zoöl.), the pygmy sperm whale.

SNUDGE Snudge, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Snug.]

Defn: To lie snug or quiet. [Obs.] Herbert.

SNUDGE Snudge, n.

Defn: A miser; a sneaking fellow. [Obs.]

SNUFF Snuff, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schnuppe candle snuff, schnuppen to snuff a candle (see Snuff, v. t., to snuff a candle), or cf. Snub, v. t.]

Defn: The part of a candle wick charred by the flame, whether burning or not. If the burning snuff happens to get out of the snuffers, you have a chance that it may fall into a dish of soup. Swift.

SNUFF Snuff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Snuffing.] Etym: [OE. snuffen. See Snuff of a candle Snuff to sniff.]

Defn: To crop the snuff of, as a candle; to take off the end of the snuff of. To snuff out, to extinguish by snuffing.

SNUFF Snuff, v. t.Etym: [Akin to D. snuffen, G. schnupfen, schnuppen, to snuff, schnupfen a cold in the head, schnuppen to snuff (air), also, to snuff (a candle). Cf. Sniff, Snout, Snub, v. i.]

1. To draw in, or to inhale, forcibly through the nose; to sniff. He snuffs the wind, his heels the sand excite. Dryden.

2. To perceive by the nose; to scent; to smell.

SNUFF Snuff, v. i.

1. To inhale air through the nose with violence or with noise, as do dogs and horses. Dryden.

2. To turn up the nose and inhale air, as an expression of contempt; hence, to take offense. Do the enemies of the church rage and snuff Bp. Hall.

SNUFF Snuff, n.

1. The act of snuffing; perception by snuffing; a sniff.

2. Pulverized tobacco, etc., prepared to be taken into the nose; also, the amount taken at once.

3. Resentment, displeasure, or contempt, expressed by a snuffing of the nose. [Obs.] Snuff dipping. See Dipping, n., 5. -- Snuff taker, one who uses snuff by inhaling it through the nose. -- To take it in snuff, to be angry or offended. Shak. -- Up to snuff, not likely to be imposed upon; knowing; acute. [Slang]

SNUFFBOX Snuff"box`, n.

Defn: A small box for carrying snuff about the person.

SNUFFER Snuff"er, n.

1. One who snuffs.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common porpoise.

SNUFFERS Snuff"ers, n. pl.

Defn: An instrument for cropping and holding the snuff of a candle.

SNUFFINGLY Snuff"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a snuffing manner.

SNUFFLE Snuf"fle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snuffled(); p. pr. & vb. n. Snuffling.] Etym: [Freq. of snuff, v.i.; akin to LG. snuffeln, G. schnüffeln, D. snuffeln, Dan. snövle. Cf. Sniffle.]

Defn: To speak through the nose; to breathe through the nose when it is obstructed, so as to make a broken sound. One clad in purple Eats, and recites some lamentable rhyme . . . Snuffling at nose, and croaking in his throat. Dryden.

SNUFFLE Snuf"fle, n.

1. The act of snuffing; a sound made by the air passing through the nose when obstructed. This dread sovereign, Breath, in its passage, gave a snort or snuffle. Coleridge.

2. An affected nasal twang; hence, cant; hypocrisy.

3. pl.

Defn: Obstruction of the nose by mucus; nasal catarrh of infants or children. [Colloq.]

SNUFFLER Snuf"fler, n.

Defn: One who snuffles; one who uses cant.

SNUFFY Snuff"y, a.

1. Soiled with snuff.

2. Sulky; angry; vexed. [Obs. or Scot.] Jamieson.

SNUG Snug, a. [Compar. Snugger; superl. Snuggest.] Etym: [Prov. E. snug tight, handsome; cf. Icel. snöggr smooth, ODan. snög neat, Sw. snugg.]

1. Close and warm; as, an infant lies snug.

2. Close; concealed; not exposed to notice. Lie snug, and hear what critics say. Swift.

3. Compact, convenient, and comfortable; as, a snug farm, house, or property.

SNUG Snug, n. (Mach.)

Defn: Same as Lug, n., 3.

SNUG Snug, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Snugged; p. pr. & vb. n. Snugging().]

Defn: To lie close; to snuggle; to snudge; -- often with up, or together; as, a child snugs up to its mother.

SNUG Snug, v. t.

1. To place snugly. [R.] Goldsmith.

2. To rub, as twine or rope, so as to make it smooth and improve the finish.

SNUGGERY Snug"ger*y, n.; pl. Snuggeries (.

Defn: A snug, cozy place. [Colloq.] Dickens.

SNUGGLE Snug"gle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Snuggled; p. pr. & vb. n. Snuggling.] Etym: [Freq. of snug.]

Defn: To move one way and the other so as to get a close place; to lie close for comfort; to cuddle; to nestle.

SNUGLY Snug"ly, adv.

Defn: In a snug manner; closely; safely.

SNUGNESS Snug"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being snug.

SNY Sny, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. snua to turn.]

Defn: An upward bend in a piece of timber; the sheer of a vessel.

SNYING Sny"ing, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A curved plank, placed edgewise, to work in the bows of a vessel. R. H. Dana, Jr.

SO So, adv. Etym: [OE. so, sa, swa, AS. swa; akin to OFries, sa, s, D. zoo, OS. & OHG. s, G. so, Icel. sva, sv, svo, so, Sw. s, Dan. saa, Goth. swa so, sw as; cf. L. suus one's own, Skr. sva one's own, one's self. sq. root192. Cf. As, Custom, Ethic, Idiom, Such.]

1. In that manner or degree; as, indicated (in any way), or as implied, or as supposed to be known. Why is his chariot so long in coming Judges v. 28.

2. In like manner or degree; in the same way; thus; for like reason; whith equal reason; -- used correlatively, following as, to denote comparison or resemblance; sometimes, also, following inasmuch as. As a war should be undertaken upon a just motive, so a prince ought to consider the condition he is in. Swift.

3. In such manner; to such degree; -- used correlatively with as or that following; as, he was so fortunate as to escape. I viewed in may mind, so far as I was able, the beginning and progress of a rising world. T. Burnet. He is very much in Sir Roger's esteem, so that he lives in the family rather as a relation than dependent. Addison.

4. Very; in a high degree; that is, in such a degree as can not well be expressed; as, he is so good; he planned so wisely.

5. In the same manner; as has been stated or suggested; in this or that condition or state; under these circumstances; in this way; -- with reflex reference to something just asserted or implied; used also with the verb to be, as a predicate. Use him [your tutor] with great respect yourself, and cause all your family to do so too. Locke. It concerns every man, with the greatest seriousness, to inquire into those matters, whether they be so or not. Tillotson. He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou. Shak.

6. The case being such; therefore; on this account; for this reason; on these terms; -- used both as an adverb and a conjuction. God makes him in his own image an intellectual creature, and so capable of dominion. Locke. Here, then, exchange we mutually forgiveness; So may the guilt of all my broken vows, My perjuries to thee, be all forgotten. Rowe.

7. It is well; let it be as it is, or let it come to pass; -- used to express assent. And when 't is writ, for my sake read it over, And if it please you, so; if not, why, so. Shak. There is Percy; if your father will do me any honor, so; if not, let him kill the next Percy himself. Shak.

8. Well; the fact being as stated; -- used as an expletive; as, so the work is done, is it

9. Is it thus do you mean what you say -- with an upward tone; as, do you say he refuses So [Colloq.]

10. About the number, time, or quantity specified; thereabouts; more or less; as, I will spend a week or so in the country; I have read only a page or so. A week or so will probably reconcile us. Gay.

Note: See the Note under Ill, adv. So . . . as. So is now commonly used as a demonstrative correlative of as when it is the puprpose to emphasize the equality or comparison suggested, esp. in negative assertions, and questions implying a negative answer. By Shakespeare and others so . . . as was much used where as . . . as is now common. See the Note under As, 1. So do, as thou hast said. Gen. xviii. 5. As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. Ps. ciii. 15. Had woman been so strong as men. Shak. No country suffered so much as England. Macaulay. -- So far, to that point or extent; in that particular. "The song was moral, and so far was right." Cowper. -- So far forth, as far; to such a degree. Shak. Bacon. -- So forth, further in the same or similar manner; more of the same or a similar kind. See And so forth, under And. -- So, so, well, well. "So, so, it works; now, mistress, sit you fast." Dryden. Also, moderately or tolerably well; passably; as, he succeeded but so so. "His leg is but so so." Shak. -- So that, to the end that; in order that; with the effect or result that. -- So then, thus then it is; therefore; the consequence is.

SO So, conj.

Defn: Provided that; on condition that; in case that; if. Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose play upon the earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Milton.

SO So, interj.

Defn: Be as you are; stand still; stop; that will do; right as you are; -- a word used esp. to cows; also used by sailors.

SOAK Soak, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soaked; p. pr. & vb. n. Soaking.] Etym: [OE. soken, AS. socian to sioak, steep, fr. s, s, to suck. See Suck.]

1. To cause or suffer to lie in a fluid till the substance has imbibed what it can contain; to macerate in water or other liquid; to steep, as for the purpose of softening or freshening; as, to soak cloth; to soak bread; to soak salt meat, salt fish, or the like.

2. To drench; to wet thoroughly. Their land shall be soaked with blood. Isa. xxiv. 7.

3. To draw in by the pores, or through small passages; as, a sponge soaks up water; the skin soaks in moisture.

4. To make (its way) by entering pores or interstices; -- often with through. The rivulet beneath soaked its way obscurely through wreaths of snow. Sir W. Scott.

5. Fig.: To absorb; to drain. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

SOAK Soak, v. i.

1. To lie steeping in water or other liquid; to become sturated; as, let the cloth lie and soak.

2. To enter (into something) by pores or interstices; as, water soaks into the earth or other porous matter.

3. To drink intemperately or gluttonously. [Slang]

SOAKAGE Soak"age, n.

Defn: The act of soaking, or the state of being soaked; also, the quantity that enters or issues by soaking.

SOAKER Soak"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, soaks.

2. A hard drinker. [Slang] South.

SOAKING Soak"ing, a.

Defn: Wetting thoroughly; drenching; as, a soaking rain. -- Soak"ing*ly, adv.

SOAKY Soak"y, a.

Defn: Full of moisture; wet; soppy.

SOAL Soal, n.

1. The sole of a shoe. [Obs. or R.]

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Sole, the fish. [Obs.]

SOAL Soal, n. Etym: [AS. sol mire. Cf. Sully.]

Defn: A dirty pond. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SOAM Soam, n.

Defn: A chain by which a leading horse draws a plow. Knight.

SOAP Soap, n. Etym: [OE. sope, AS. sape; akin to D. zeep, G. seife, OHG. seifa, Icel. sapa, Sw. s, Dan. s, and perhaps to AS. sipan to drip, MHG. sifen, and L. sebum tallow. Cf. Saponaceous.]

Defn: A substance which dissolves in water, thus forming a lather, and is used as a cleansing agent. Soap is produced by combining fats or oils with alkalies or alkaline earths, usually by boiling, and consists of salts of sodium, potassium, etc., with the fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic, etc.). See the Note below, and cf. Saponification. By extension, any compound of similar composition or properties, whether used as a cleaning agent or not.

Note: In general, soaps are of two classes, hard and soft. Calcium, magnesium, lead, etc., form soaps, but they are insoluble and useless. The purifying action of soap depends upon the fact that it is decomposed by a large quantity of water into free alkali and an insoluble acid salt. The first of these takes away the fatty dirt on washing, and the latter forms the soap lather which envelops the greasy matter and thus tends to remove it. Roscoe & Schorlemmer. Castile soap, a fine-grained hard soap, white or mottled, made of olive oil and soda; -- called also Marseilles, or Venetian, soap. -- Hard soap, any one of a great variety of soaps, of different ingredients and color, which are hard and compact. All solid soaps are of this class. -- Lead soap, an insoluble, white, pliable soap made by saponifying an oil (olive oil) with lead oxide; -- used externally in medicine. Called also lead plaster, diachylon, etc. -- Marine soap. See under Marine. -- Pills of soap (Med.), pills containing soap and opium. -- Potash soap, any soap made with potash, esp. the soft soaps, and a hard soap made from potash and castor oil. -- Pumice soap, any hard soap charged with a gritty powder, as silica, alumina, powdered pumice, etc., which assists mechanically in the removal of dirt. -- Resin soap, a yellow soap containing resin, -- used in bleaching. -- Silicated soap, a cheap soap containing water glass (sodium silicate). -- Soap bark. (Bot.) See Quillaia bark. -- Soap bubble, a hollow iridescent globe, formed by blowing a film of soap suds from a pipe; figuratively, something attractive, but extremely unsubstantial. This soap bubble of the metaphysicians. J. C. Shairp. -- Soap cerate, a cerate formed of soap, olive oil, white wax, and the subacetate of lead, sometimes used as an application to allay inflammation. -- Soap fat, the refuse fat of kitchens, slaughter houses, etc., used in making soap. -- Soap liniment (Med.), a liniment containing soap, camphor, and alcohol. -- Soap nut, the hard kernel or seed of the fruit of the soapberry tree, -- used for making beads, buttons, etc. -- Soap plant (Bot.), one of several plants used in the place of soap, as the Chlorogalum pomeridianum, a California plant, the bulb of which, when stripped of its husk and rubbed on wet clothes, makes a thick lather, and smells not unlike new brown soap. It is called also soap apple, soap bulb, and soap weed. -- Soap tree. (Bot.) Same as Soapberry tree. -- Soda soap, a soap containing a sodium salt. The soda soaps are all hard soaps. -- Soft soap, a soap of a gray or brownish yellow color, and of a slimy, jellylike consistence, made from potash or the lye from wood ashes. It is strongly alkaline and often contains glycerin, and is used in scouring wood, in cleansing linen, in dyehouses, etc. Figuratively, flattery; wheedling; blarney. [Colloq.] -- Toilet soap, hard soap for the toilet, usually colored and perfumed.

SOAP Soap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soaped; p. pr. & vb. n. Soaping.]

1. To rub or wash over with soap.

2. To flatter; to wheedle. [Slang]

SOAPBERRY TREE Soap"ber`ry tree`. (Bot.)

Defn: Any tree of the genus Sapindus, esp. Sapindus saponaria, the fleshy part of whose fruit is used instead of soap in washing linen; -- also called soap tree.

SOAPFISH Soap"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any serranoid fish of the genus Rhypticus; -- so called from the soapy feeling of its skin.

SOAPINESS Soap"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being soapy.

SOAPROOT Soap"root`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A perennial herb (Gypsophila Struthium) the root of which is used in Spain as a substitute for soap.

SOAPSTONE Soap"stone`, n.

Defn: See Steatite, and Talc.

SOAPSUDS Soap"suds`, n. pl.

Defn: Suds made with soap.

SOAPWORT Soap"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A common plant (Saponaria officinalis) of the Pink family; -- so called because its bruised leaves, when agitated in water, produce a lather like that from soap. Called also Bouncing Bet.

SOAPY Soap"y, a. [Compar. Soapier; superl. Soapiest.]

1. Resembling soap; having the qualities of, or feeling like, soap; soft and smooth.

2. Smeared with soap; covered with soap.

SOAR Soar, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Soared; p. pr. & vb. n. Soaring.] Etym: [F. s'essorer to soar, essorer to dry (by exposing to the air), fr. L. ex out + aura the air, a breeze; akin to Gr.

1. To fly aloft, as a bird; to mount upward on wings, or as on wings. Chaucer. When soars Gaul's vulture with his wings unfurled. Byron.

2. Fig.: To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood. Where the deep transported mind may soar. Milton. Valor soars above What the world calls misfortune. Addison.

SOAR Soar, n.

Defn: The act of soaring; upward flight. This apparent soar of the hooded falcon. Coleridge.

SOAR Soar, a.

Defn: See 3d Sore. [Obs.]

SOAR Soar, a.

Defn: See Sore, reddish brown. Soar falcon. (Zoöl.) See Sore falcon, under Sore.

SOARING Soar"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Soar. -- Soar"ing*ly, adv.

SOAVE So*a"ve, a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: Sweet.

SOAVEMENTE So*a`ve*men"te, adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: Sweetly.

SOB Sob, v. t. Etym: [See Sop.]

Defn: To soak. [Obs.] Mortimer.

SOB Sob, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sobbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sobbing.] Etym: [OE. sobben; akin to AS. seófian, siófian, to complain, bewail, seófung, siófung, sobbing, lamentation; cf. OHG. s, s, to sigh, MHG. siuften, siufzen, G. seufzen, MHG. s a sigh, properly, a drawing in of breath, from s to drink, OHG. s. Cf. Sup.]

Defn: To sigh with a sudden heaving of the breast, or with a kind of convulsive motion; to sigh with tears, and with a convulsive drawing in of the breath. Sobbing is the same thing [as sighing], stronger. Bacon. She sighed, she sobbed, and, furious with despair. She rent her garments, and she tore her hair. Dryden.

SOB Sob, n.

1. The act of sobbing; a convulsive sigh, or inspiration of the breath, as in sorrow. Break, heart, or choke with sobs my hated breath. Dryden.

2. Any sorrowful cry or sound. The tremulous sob of the complaining owl. Wordsworth.

SOBBING Sob"bing, n.

Defn: A series of short, convulsive inspirations, the glottis being suddenly closed so that little or no air enters into the lungs.

SOBER Sober, a. [Compar. Soberer; superl. Soberest.] Etym: [OE. sobre, F. sobre, from L. sobrius, probably from a prefix so- expressing separation + ebrius drunken. Cf. Ebriety.]

1. Temperate in the use of spirituous liquors; habitually temperate; as, a sober man. That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Thy holy name. Bk. of Com. Prayer.

2. Not intoxicated or excited by spirituous liquors; as, the sot may at times be sober.

3. Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising cool, dispassionate reason; self-controlled; self- possessed. There was not a sober person to be had; all was tempestuous and blustering. Druden. No sober man would put himself into danger for the applause of escaping without breaking his neck. Dryden.

4. Not proceeding from, or attended with, passion; calm; as, sober judgment; a man in his sober senses.

5. Serious or subdued in demeanor, habit, appearance, or color; solemn; grave; sedate. What parts gay France from sober Spain Prior. See her sober over a sampler, or gay over a jointed baby. Pope. Twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad. Milton.

Syn. -- Grave; temperate; abstinent; abstemious; moderate; regular; steady; calm; quiet; cool; collected; dispassionate; unimpassioned; sedate; staid; serious; solemn; somber. See Grave.

SOBER So"ber, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sobered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sobering.]

Defn: To make sober. There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Pope.

SOBER So"ber, v. i.

Defn: To become sober; -- often with down. Vance gradually sobered down. Ld. Lytton.

SOBERIZE So"ber*ize, v. t. & i.

Defn: To sober. [R.] Crabbe.

SOBERLY So"ber*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sober manner; temperately; cooly; calmly; gravely; seriously.

SOBERLY So"ber*ly, a.

Defn: Grave; serious; solemn; sad. [Obs.] [He] looked hollow and thereto soberly. Chaucer.

SOBER-MINDED So"ber-mind`ed, a.

Defn: Having a disposition or temper habitually sober. -- So"ber-mind`ed*ness, n.

SOBERNESS So"ber*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sober.

SOBOLES Sob"o*les, n. Etym: [L., a short.] (Bot.) (a) A shoot running along under ground, forming new plants at short distances. (b) A sucker, as of tree or shrub.

SOBOLIFEROUS Sob`o*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. soboles + -ferous.] (Bot.)

Defn: Producing soboles. See Illust. of Houseleek.

SOBRANJE So*bran"je, n. [Bulgarian, lit., assembly.]

Defn: The unicameral national assembly of Bulgaria, elected for a term of five years by universal suffrage of adult males.

SOBRIETY So*bri"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. sobrietas: cf. F. sobriété. See Sober.]

1. Habitual soberness or temperance as to the use of spirituous liquors; as, a man of sobriety. Public sobriety is a relative duty. Blackstone.

2. Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion, or overheated imagination; calmness; coolness; gravity; seriousness; as, the sobriety of riper years. Mirth makes them not mad, Nor sobriety sad. Denham.

Syn. -- Soberness; temperance; abstinence; abstemiousness; moderation; regularity; steadness; calmness; coolness; sober-mindeness; sedateness; staidness; gravity; seriousness; solemnity.