Chapter CDXX: Prologue (71)

SOUND Sound, adv.

Defn: Soundly. So sound he slept that naught might him awake. Spenser.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [AS. sund a narrow sea or strait; akin to Icel., Sw., Dan. & G. sund, probably so named because it could be swum across. See Swim.] (Geog.)

Defn: A narrow passage of water, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean; as, the Sound between the Baltic and the german Ocean; Long Island Sound. The Sound of Denmark, where ships pay toll. Camden. Sound dues, tolls formerly imposed by Denmark on vessels passing through the Baltic Sound.

SOUND Sound, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Sounding.] Etym: [F. sonder; cf. AS. sundgyrd a sounding rod, sundline a sounding line (see Sound a narrow passage of water).]

1. To measure the depth of; to fathom; especially, to ascertain the depth of by means of a line and plummet.

2. Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe. I was in jest, And by that offer meant to sound your breast. Dryden. I've sounded my Numidians man by man. Addison.

3. (Med.)

Defn: To explore, as the bladder or urethra, with a sound; to examine with a sound; also, to examine by auscultation or percussion; as, to sound a patient.

SOUND Sound, v. i.

Defn: To ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device. I sound as a shipman soundeth in the sea with his plummet to know the depth of sea. Palsgrave.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [F. sonde. See Sound to fathom.] (Med.)

Defn: Any elongated instrument or probe, usually metallic, by which cavities of the body are sounded or explored, especially the bladder for stone, or the urethra for a stricture.

SOUND Sound, n. Etym: [OE. soun, OF. son, sun, F. son, fr. L. sonus akin to Skr. svana sound, svan to sound, and perh. to E. swan. Cf. Assonant, Consonant, Person, Sonata, Sonnet, Sonorous, Swan.]

1. The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact; the effect of an impression made on the organs of hearing by an impulse or vibration of the air caused by a collision of bodies, or by other means; noise; report; as, the sound of a drum; the sound of the human voice; a horrid sound; a charming sound; a sharp, high, or shrill sound. The warlike sound Of trumpets loud and clarions. Milton.

2. The occasion of sound; the impulse or vibration which would occasion sound to a percipient if present with unimpaired; hence, the theory of vibrations in elastic media such cause sound; as, a treatise on sound.

Note: In this sense, sounds are spoken of as audible and inaudible.

3. Noise without signification; empty noise; noise and nothing else. Sense and not sound . . . must be the principle. Locke. Sound boarding, boards for holding pugging, placed in partitions of under floors in order to deaden sounds. -- Sound bow, in a series of transverse sections of a bell, that segment against which the clapper strikes, being the part which is most efficacious in producing the sound. See Illust. of Bell. -- Sound post. (Mus.) See Sounding post, under Sounding.

SOUND Sound, v. i. Etym: [OE. sounen, sownen, OF. soner, suner, F. sonner, from L. sonare. See Sound a noise.]

1. To make a noise; to utter a voice; to make an impulse of the air that shall strike the organs of hearing with a perceptible effect. "And first taught speaking trumpets how to sound." Dryden. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues! Shak.

2. To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound. From you sounded out the word of the Lord. 1 Thess. i. 8.

3. To make or convey a certain impression, or to have a certain import, when heard; hence, to seem; to appear; as, this reproof sounds harsh; the story sounds like an invention. Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair Shak. To sound in or into, to tend to; to partake of the nature of; to be consonant with. [Obs., except in the phrase To sound in damages, below.] Soun[d]ing in moral virtue was his speech. Chaucer. -- To sound in damages (Law), to have the essential quality of damages. This is said of an action brought, not for the recovery of a specific thing, as replevin, etc., but for damages only, as trespass, and the like.

SOUND Sound, v. t.

1. To causse to make a noise; to play on; as, to sound a trumpet or a horn. A bagpipe well could he play and soun[d]. Chaucer.

2. To cause to exit as a sound; as, to sound a note with the voice, or on an instrument.

3. To order, direct, indicate, or proclain by a sound, or sounds; to give a signal for by a certain sound; as, to sound a retreat; to sound a parley. The clock sounded the hour of noon. G. H. Lewes.

4. To celebrate or honor by sounds; to cause to be reported; to publish or proclaim; as, to sound the praises of fame of a great man or a great exploit.

5. To examine the condition of (anything) by causing the same to emit sounds and noting their character; as, to sound a piece of timber; to sound a vase; to sound the lungs of a patient.

6. To signify; to import; to denote. [Obs.] Milton. Soun[d]ing alway the increase of his winning. Chaucer.

SOUNDABLE Sound"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being sounded.

SOUNDAGE Sound"age (; 48), n.

Defn: Dues for soundings.

SOUND-BOARD Sound"-board`, n.

Defn: A sounding-board. To many a row of pipes the sound-board breathes. Milton.

SOUNDER Sound"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which; sounds; specifically, an instrument used in telegraphy in place of a register, the communications being read by sound.

SOUNDER Sound"er, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A herd of wild hogs.

SOUNDING Sound"ing, a.

Defn: Making or emitting sound; hence, sonorous; as, sounding words. Dryden.

SOUNDING Sound"ing, n.

1. The act of one who, or that which, sounds (in any of the senses of the several verbs).

2. (Naut.) Etym: [From Sound to fathom.] (a) measurement by sounding; also, the depth so ascertained. (b) Any place or part of the ocean, or other water, where a sounding line will reach the bottom; -- usually in the plural. (c) The sand, shells, or the like, that are brought up by the sounding lead when it has touched bottom. Sounding lead, the plummet at the end of a sounding line. -- Sounding line, a line having a plummet at the end, used in making soundings. -- Sounding post (Mus.), a small post in a violin, violoncello, or similar instrument, set under the bridge as a support, for propagating the sounds to the body of the instrument; -- called also sound post. -- Sounding rod (Naut.), a rod used to ascertain the depth of water in a ship's hold. -- In soundings, within the eighty-fathom line. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SOUNDING BALLOON Sound"ing bal*loon".

Defn: An unmanned balloon sent aloft for meteorological or aëronautic purposes.

SOUNDING-BOARD Sound"ing-board`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A thin board which propagates the sound in a piano, in a violin, and in some other musical instruments.

2. A board or structure placed behind or over a pulpit or rostrum to give distinctness to a speaker's voice.

3. pl.

Defn: See Sound boarding, under Sound, a noise.

SOUNDLESS Sound"less, a.

Defn: Not capable of being sounded or fathomed; unfathomable. Shak.

SOUNDLESS Sound"less, a.

Defn: Having no sound; noiseless; silent. -- Sound"less*ly, adv. -- Sound"less*ness, n.

SOUNDLY Sound"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sound manner.

SOUNDNESS Sound"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sound; as, the soundness of timber, of fruit, of the teeth, etc.; the soundness of reasoning or argument; soundness of faith.

Syn. -- Firmness; strength; solidity; healthiness; truth; rectitude.

SOUNE Soune, v. t. & i.

Defn: To sound. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOUNST Sounst, a.

Defn: Soused. See Souse. [Obs.]

SOUP Soup, n. Etym: [F. soupe, OF. sope, supe, soupe, perhaps originally, a piece of bread; probably of Teutonic origin; cf. D. sop sop, G. suppe soup. See Sop something dipped in a liquid, and cf. Supper.]

Defn: A liquid food of many kinds, usually made by boiling meat and vegetables, or either of them, in water, -- commonly seasoned or flavored; strong broth. Soup kitchen, an establishment for preparing and supplying soup to the poor. -- Soup ticket, a ticket conferring the privilege of receiving soup at a soup kitchen.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To sup or swallow. [Obs.] Wyclif.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To breathe out. [Obs.] amden.

SOUP Soup, v. t.

Defn: To sweep. See Sweep, and Swoop. [Obs.]

SOUPCON Soup`çon", n. [F.]

Defn: A suspicion; a suggestion; hence, a very small portion; a taste; as, coffee with a soupçon of brandy; a soupçon of coquetry.

SOUPE-MAIGRE Soupe`-mai"gre, n. Etym: [F.] (Cookery)

Defn: Soup made chiefly from vegetables or fish with a little butter and a few condiments.

SOUPLE Sou"ple, n.

Defn: That part of a flail which strikes the grain. Knight.

SOUPY Soup"y, a.

Defn: Resembling soup; souplike.

SOUR Sour, a. [Compar. Sourer; superl. Sourest.] Etym: [OE. sour, sur, AS. s; akin to D. zuur, G. sauer, OHG. s, Icel. s, Sw. sur, Dan. suur, Lith. suras salt, Russ. surovui harsh, rough. Cf. Sorrel, the plant.]

1. Having an acid or sharp, biting taste, like vinegar, and the juices of most unripe fruits; acid; tart. All sour things, as vinegar, provoke appetite. Bacon.

2. Changed, as by keeping, so as to be acid, rancid, or musty, turned.

3. Disagreeable; unpleasant; hence; cross; crabbed; peevish; morose; as, a man of a sour temper; a sour reply. "A sour countenance." Swift. He was a scholar . . . Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, But to those men that sought him sweet as summer. Shak.

4. Afflictive; painful. "Sour adversity." Shak.

5. Cold and unproductive; as, sour land; a sour marsh. Sour dock (Bot.), sorrel. -- Sour gourd (Bot.), the gourdlike fruit Adansonia Gregorii, and A. digitata; also, either of the trees bearing this fruit. See Adansonia. -- Sour grapes. See under Grape. -- Sour gum (Bot.) See Turelo. -- Sour plum (Bot.), the edible acid fruit of an Australian tree (Owenia venosa); also, the tree itself, which furnished a hard reddish wood used by wheelwrights.

Syn. -- Acid; sharp; tart; acetous; acetose; harsh; acrimonious; crabbed; currish; peevish.

SOUR Sour, n.

Defn: A sour or acid substance; whatever produces a painful effect. Spenser.

SOUR Sour, v. t. Etym: [AS. s to sour, to become sour.]

1. To cause to become sour; to cause to turn from sweet to sour; as, exposure to the air sours many substances. So the sun's heat, with different powers, Ripens the grape, the liquor sours. Swift.

2. To make cold and unproductive, as soil. Mortimer.

3. To make unhappy, uneasy, or less agreeable. To sour your happiness I must report, The queen is dead. Shak.

4. To cause or permit to become harsh or unkindly. "Souring his cheeks." Shak. Pride had not sour'd nor wrath debased my heart. Harte.

5. To macerate, and render fit for plaster or mortar; as, to sour lime for business purposes.

SOUR Sour, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Soured; p. pr. & vb. n. Souring.]

Defn: To become sour; to turn from sweet to sour; as, milk soon sours in hot weather; a kind temper sometimes sours in adversity. They keep out melancholy from the virtuous, and hinder the hatred of vice from souring into severity. Addison.

SOURCE Source, n. Etym: [OE. sours, OF. sourse, surse, sorse, F. source, fr. OF. sors, p.p. of OF. sordre, surdre, sourdre, to spring forth or up, F. sourdre, fr. L. surgere to lift or raise up, to spring up. See Surge, and cf. Souse to plunge or swoop as a bird upon its prey.]

1. The act of rising; a rise; an ascent. [Obs.] Therefore right as an hawk upon a sours Up springeth into the air, right so prayers . . . Maken their sours to Goddes ears two. Chaucer.

2. The rising from the ground, or beginning, of a stream of water or the like; a spring; a fountain. Where as the Poo out of a welle small Taketh his firste springing and his sours. Chaucer. Kings that rule Behind the hidden sources of the Nile. Addison.

3. That from which anything comes forth, regarded as its cause or origin; the person from whom anything originates; first cause. This source of ideas every man has wholly in himself. Locke. The source of Newton's light, of Bacon's sense. Pope.

Syn. -- See Origin.

SOURCROUT Sour"crout`, n.

Defn: See Sauerkraut.

SOURDE Sourde, v. i. Etym: [F. sourdre. See Source.]

Defn: To have origin or source; to rise; to spring. [Obs.] Now might men ask whereof that pride sourdeth. Chaucer.

SOURING Sour"ing, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any sour apple.

SOURISH Sour"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat sour; moderately acid; as, sourish fruit; a sourish taste.

SOURKROUT Sour"krout`, n.

Defn: Same as Sauerkraut.

SOURLY Sour"ly, adv.

Defn: In a sour manner; with sourness.

SOURNESS Sour"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sour.

SOURS Sours, n.

Defn: Source. See Source. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOURSOP Sour"sop`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The large succulent and slightly acid fruit of a small tree (Anona muricata) of the West Indies; also, the tree itself. It is closely allied to the custard apple.

SOURWOOD Sour"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The sorrel tree.

SOUS; SOUSE Sous, Souse (F. soo; colloq. Eng. sous), n.

Defn: A corrupt form of Sou. [Obs.] Colman, the Elder.

SOUSE Souse, n. Etym: [OF. sausse. See Sauce.] [Written also souce, sowce, and sowse.]

1. Pickle made with salt.

2. Something kept or steeped in pickle; esp., the pickled ears, feet, etc., of swine. And he that can rear up a pig in his house, Hath cheaper his bacon, and sweeter his souse. Tusser.

3. The ear; especially, a hog's ear. [Prov. Eng.]

4. The act of sousing; a plunging into water.

SOUSE Souse, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Soused; p. pr. & vb. n. Sousing.] Etym: [Cf. F. saucer to wet with sauce. See Souse pickle.]

1. To steep in pickle; to pickle. "A soused gurnet." Shak.

2. To plunge or immerse in water or any liquid. They soused me over head and ears in water. Addison.

3. To drench, as by an immersion; to wet throughly. Although I be well soused in this shower. Gascoigne.

SOUSE Souse, v. i. Etym: [Probably fr. OF. sors, p.p. of sordre to rise, and first used of an upward swood, then of a swoop in general, but also confused with Souse, v. t. See Source.]

Defn: To swoop or plunge, as a bird upon its prey; to fall suddenly; to rush with speed; to make a sudden attack. For then I viewed his plunge and souse Into the foamy main. Marston. Jove's bird will souse upon the timorous hare. J. Dryden. Jr.

SOUSE Souse, v. t.

Defn: To pounce upon. [R.] [The gallant monarch] like eagle o'er his serie towers, To souse annoyance that comes near his nest. Shak.

SOUSE Souse, n.

Defn: The act of sousing, or swooping. As a falcon fair That once hath failed or her souse full near. Spenser.

SOUSE Souse, adv.

Defn: With a sudden swoop; violently. Young.

SOUSLIK Sous"lik, n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Suslik.

SOUT Sout, n.

Defn: Soot. [Obs.] Spenser.

SOUTACHE Sou`tache", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A kind of narrow braid, usually of silk; -- also known as Russian braid.

SOUTAGE Sout"age ( or ; 48), n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: That in which anything is packed; bagging, as for hops. [Obs.] Halliwell.

SOUTANE Sou`tane", n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. sotana, or It. sottana, LL. subtana, fr. L. subtus below, beneath, fr. sub under.] (Eccl. Costume)

Defn: A close garnment with straight sleeves, and skirts reaching to the ankles, and buttoned in front from top to bottom; especially, the black garment of this shape worn by the clergy in France and Italy as their daily dress; a cassock.

SOUTER Sou"ter, n. Etym: [AS. s, fr. It. sutor, fr. suere to sew.]

Defn: A shoemaker; a cobbler. [Obs.] Chaucer. There is no work better than another to please God: . . . to wash dishes, to be a souter, or an apostle, -- all is one. Tyndale.

SOUTERLY Sou"ter*ly, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a cobbler or cobblers; like a cobbler; hence, vulgar; low. [Obs.]

SOUTERRAIN Sou"ter*rain, n. Etym: [F. See Subterranean.]

Defn: A grotto or cavern under ground. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

SOUTH South (; by sailors sou), n. Etym: [OE. south, suþ, AS. suedh for sunedh; akin to D. zuid, OHG. sund, G. süd, süden, Icel. suedhr, sunnr, Dan. syd, sönden, Sw. syd, söder, sunnan; all probably akin to E. sun, meaning, the side towards the sun. sq. root297. See Sun.]

1. That one of the four cardinal points directly opposite to the north; the region or direction to the right or direction to the right of a person who faces the east.

2. A country, region, or place situated farther to the south than another; the southern section of a country. "The queen of the south." Matt. xii. 42.

3. Specifically: That part of the United States which is south of Mason and Dixon's line. See under Line.

4. The wind from the south. [Obs.] Shak.

SOUTH South, a.

Defn: Lying toward the south; situated at the south, or in a southern direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the south, or coming from the south; blowing from the south; southern; as, the south pole. "At the south entry." Shak. South-Sea tea (Bot.) See Yaupon.

SOUTH South

Defn: , adv.

1. Toward the south; southward.

2. From the south; as, the wind blows south. Bacon.

SOUTH South, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Southed; p. pr. & vb. n. Southing.]

1. To turn or move toward the south; to veer toward the south.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: To come to the meridian; to cross the north and south line; -- said chiefly of the moon; as, the moon souths at nine.

SOUTHCOTTIAN South*cot"ti*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: A follower of Joanna Southcott (1750-1814), an Englishwoman who, professing to have received a miraculous calling, preached and prophesied, and committed many impious absurdities.

SOUTHDOWN South"down`, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the South Downs, a range of pasture hills south of the Thames, in England. Southdown sheep (Zoöl.), a celebrated breed of shortwooled, hornless sheep, highly valued on account of the delicacy of their flesh. So called from the South Downs where the breed originated.

SOUTHDOWN South"down`, n.

Defn: A Southdown sheep.

SOUTHEAST South`east" (; by sailors sou"-), n.

Defn: The point of the compass equally distant from the south and the east; the southeast part or region.

SOUTHEAST South`east (; by sailors sou"-), a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southeast; proceeding toward, or coming from, the southeast; as, a southeast course; a southeast wind.

SOUTHEASTER South`east"er, n.

Defn: A storm, strong wind, or gale coming from the southeast.

SOUTHEASTER South`east"er, adv.

Defn: Toward the southeast.

SOUTHEASTERN South`east"ern, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southeast; southeasterly.

SOUTHEASTWARD; SOUTHEASTWARDLY South`east"ward, South`east"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: Toward the southeast.

SOUTHER South"er, n.

Defn: A strong wind, gale, or storm from the south.

SOUTHERLINESS South"er*li*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being southerly; direction toward the south.

SOUTHERLY South"er*ly, a.

Defn: Southern.

SOUTHERN South"ern, a. Etym: [AS. s. See South.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the south; situated in, or proceeding from, the south; situated or proceeding toward the south. Southern Cross (Astron.), a constellation of the southern hemisphere containing several bright stars so related in position as to resemble a cross. -- Southern Fish (Astron.), a constelation of the southern hemisphere (Piscis Australis) containing the bright star Fomalhaut. -- Southern States (U.S. Hist. & Geog.), the States of the American Union lying south of Pennsylvania and the Ohio River, with Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Before the Civil War, Missouri also, being a slave State, was classed as one of the Southern States.

SOUTHERN South"ern, n.

Defn: A Southerner. [R.]

SOUTHERNER South"ern*er, n.

Defn: An inhabitant or native of the south, esp. of the Southern States of North America; opposed to Northerner.

SOUTHERNLINESS South"ern*li*ness, n.

Defn: Southerliness.

SOUTHERNLY South"ern*ly, a.

Defn: Somewhat southern. -- adv.

Defn: In a southerly manner or course; southward.

SOUTHERNMOST South"ern*most`, a.

Defn: Farthest south.

SOUTHERNWOOD South"ern*wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A shrubby species of wormwood (Artemisia Abrotanum) having aromatic foliage. It is sometimes used in making beer.

SOUTHING South"ing, n.

1. Tendency or progress southward; as, the southing of the sun. Emerson.

2. The time at which the moon, or other heavenly body, passes the meridian of a place.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: Distance of any heavenly body south of the equator; south declination; south latitude.

4. (Surv. & Navigation)

Defn: Distance southward from any point departure or of reckoning, measured on a meridian; -- opposed to northing.

SOUTHLY South"ly, adv.

Defn: Southerly. [Obs. & R.]

SOUTHMOST South"most`, a.

Defn: Farthest toward the south; southernmost. [R.] Milton.

SOUTHNESS South"ness, n.

Defn: A tendency in the end of a magnetic needle to point toward the south pole. Faraday.

SOUTHPAW South"paw`, a. (Baseball)

Defn: Using the left hand in pitching; said of a pitcher. [Cant]

SOUTHPAW South"paw`, n.

Defn: A pitcher who pitches with the left hand. [Cant]

SOUTHREN South"ren, a.

Defn: Southern. [Obs.] "I am a Southren man." Chaucer.

SOUTHRON South"ron, n.

Defn: An inhabitant of the more southern part of a country; formerly, a name given in Scotland to any Englishman.

SOUTHSAY South"say`, v. i.

Defn: See Soothsay. [Obs.]

SOUTHSAYER South"say`er, n.

Defn: See Soothsayer. [Obs.]

SOUTH; SOUTHERLY South` south"er*ly. (Zoöl.)

Defn: the old squaw; -- so called in imitation of its cry. Called also southerly, and southerland. See under Old.

SOUTHWARD; SOUTHWARDS South"ward, South"wards, adv.

Defn: Toward the south, or toward a point nearer the south than the east or west point; as, to go southward.

SOUTHWARD South"ward, a.

Defn: Toward the south.

SOUTHWARD South"ward, n.

Defn: The southern regions or countries; the south. Sir W. Raleigh.

SOUTHWARDLY South"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: In a southern direction.

SOUTHWEST South`west (; colloq. sou"-.), n.

Defn: The point of the compass equally from the south and the west; the southwest part or region.

SOUTHWEST South`west", a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the southwest; proceeding toward the southwest; coming from the southwest; as, a southwest wind.

SOUTHWESTER South`west"er (; colloq. , n.

1. A storm, gale, or strong wind from the southwest.

2. A hat made of painted canvas, oiled cloth, or the like, with a flap at the back, -- worn in stormy weather.

SOUTHWESTERLY South`west"er*ly, a.

Defn: To ward or from the southwest; as, a southwesterly course; a southwesterly wind.

SOUTHWESTERN South`west"ern, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the southwest; southwesterly; as, to sail a southwestern course.

SOUTHWESTWARD; SOUTHWESTWARDLY South`west"ward, South`west"ward*ly, adv.

Defn: Toward the southwest.

SOUVENANCE; SOVENAUNCE Sou"ve*nance, So"ve*naunce, n. Etym: [F. souvenance.]

Defn: Remembrance. [Obs.] Of his way he had no sovenance. Spenser.

SOUVENIR Sou`ve*nir ( or ), n. Etym: [F., fr. souvenir to remember, fr. L. subvenire to come up, come to mind; sub under + venire to come, akin to E. come. See Come, and cf. Subvention.]

Defn: That which serves as a reminder; a remembrancer; a memento; a keepsake.

SOVEREIGN Sov"er*eign ( or ; 277), a. Etym: [OE. soverain, sovereyn, OF. soverain, suvrain, F. souverain, LL. superanus, fr. L. superus that is above, upper, higher, fr. super above. See Over, Super, and cf. Soprano. The modern spelling is due to a supposed connection with reign.]

1. Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief; as, our sovereign prince.

2. Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.

3. Princely; royal. "Most sovereign name." Shak. At Babylon was his sovereign see. Chaucer.

4. Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount. We acknowledge him [God] our sovereign good. Hooker.

5. Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling; as, a sovereign remedy. Dryden. Such a sovereign influence has this passion upon the regulation of the lives and actions of men. South. Sovereign state, a state which administers its own government, and is not dependent upon, or subject to, another power.

SOVEREIGN Sov"er*eign ( or ; 277), n.

1. The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor. No question is to be made but that the bed of the Mississippi belongs to the sovereign, that is, to the nation. Jefferson.

2. A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at one pound sterling, or about $4.86.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalidi, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.

Syn. -- King; prince; monarch; potentate; emperor.

SOVEREIGNIZE Sov"er*eign*ize, v. i.

Defn: To exercise supreme authority. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

SOVEREIGNLY Sov"er*eign*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sovereign manner; in the highest degree; supremely. Chaucer.

SOVEREIGNTY Sov"er*eign*ty, n.; pl. Sovereignties. Etym: [OE. soverainetee, OF. sovraineté, F. souveraineté.]

Defn: The quality or state of being sovereign, or of being a sovereign; the exercise of, or right to exercise, supreme power; dominion; sway; supremacy; independence; also, that which is sovereign; a sovereign state; as, Italy was formerly divided into many sovereignties. Woman desiren to have sovereignty As well over their husband as over their love. Chaucer.

SOVRAN Sov"ran, a.

Defn: A variant of Sovereign. [Poetic] On thy bald, awful head, O sovran Blanc. Coleridge.

SOW Sow, v. i.

Defn: To sew. See Sew. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOW Sow, n. Etym: [OE. sowe, suwe, AS. sugu, akin to su, D. zog, zeug, OHG. su, G. sau, Icel. syr, Dan. so, Sw. sugga, so, L. sus. Gr. "y^s, sy^s, Zend. hu boar; probably from the root seen in Skr. su to beget, to bear; the animal being named in allusion to its fecundity. sq. root294. Cf. Hyena, Soil to stain, Son, Swine.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The female of swine, or of the hog kind.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sow bug.

3. (Metal.) (a) A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed. (b) The bar of metal which remains in such a runner. (c) A mass of solidified metal in a furnace hearth; a salamander.

4. (Mil.)

Defn: A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like. Craig. Sow bread. (Bot.) See Cyclamen. -- Sow bug, or Sowbug (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of terrestrial Isopoda belonging to Oniscus, Porcellio, and allied genera of the family Oniscidæ. They feed chiefly on decaying vegetable substances. -- Sow thistle Etym: [AS. sugepistel] (Bot.), a composite plant (Sonchus oleraceus) said to be eaten by swine and some other animals.

SOW Sow, v. t. [imp. Sowed; p. p. Sown or Sowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Sowing.] Etym: [OE. sowen, sawen, AS. sawan; akin to OFries. s, D. zaaijen, OS. & HG. sajan, G. säen, Icel. sa, Sw. så, Dan. saae, Goth. saian, Lith. seti, Russ. sieiate, L. serere, sevi. Cf. Saturday, Season, Seed, Seminary.]

1. To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate. "He would sow some difficulty." Chaucer. A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside. Matt. xiii. 3, 4. And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers. Addison.

2. To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle. The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, . . . and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles. Sir M. Hale. [He] sowed with stars the heaven. Milton. Now morn . . . sowed the earth with orient pearl. Milton.

SOW Sow, v. i.

Defn: To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; -- literally or figuratively. They that sow in tears shall reap in joi. Ps. cxxvi. 5.

SOWANS Sow"ans ( or ), n. pl.

Defn: See Sowens.

SOWAR Sow"ar, n. Etym: [Per. sawar a horseman.]

Defn: In India, a mounted soldier.

SOWBANE Sow"bane`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The red goosefoot (Chenopodium rubrum), -- said to be fatal to swine.

SOWCE Sowce, n. & v.

Defn: See Souse. [Obs.]

SOWDAN Sow"dan, n. Etym: [F. soudan. See Soldan.]

Defn: Sultan. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWDANESSE Sow"dan*esse`, n.

Defn: A sultaness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWENS Sow"ens ( or ), n. pl. Etym: [Scottish; cf. AS. seáw juice, glue, paste.]

Defn: A nutritious article of food, much used in Scotland, made from the husk of the oat by a process not unlike that by which common starch is made; -- called flummery in England. [Written also sowans, and sowins.]

SOWER Sow"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sows.

SOWINS Sow"ins ( or ), n. pl.

Defn: See Sowens.

SOWL; SOWLE Sowl, Sowle, v. t. Etym: [Cf. prov. G. zaulen, zauseln, G. zausen to tug, drag.]

Defn: To pull by the ears; to drag about. [Obs.] hak.

SOWL Sowl, v. i.

Defn: See Soul, v. i. [Obs.]

SOWN Sown,

Defn: p. p. of Sow.

SOWNE Sowne, v. t. & i.

Defn: To sound. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SOWSE Sowse, n. & v.

Defn: See Souse. [Obs.] ryden.

SOWTER Sow"ter, n.

Defn: See Souter. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SOY Soy, n. Etym: [Chinese shoyu.]

1. A Chinese and Japanese liquid sauce for fish, etc., made by subjecting boiled beans (esp. soja beans), or beans and meal, to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: The soja, a kind of bean. See Soja.

SOYLE Soyle, v. t. Etym: [Aphetic form of assoil.]

Defn: To solve, to clear up; as, to soyl all other texts. [Obs.] Tyndate.

SOYLE Soyle, n. Etym: [Cf. Soil to feed.]

Defn: Prey. [Obs.] Spenser.

SOYNED Soyn"ed ( or ), a. Etym: [F. soigner to care.]

Defn: Filled with care; anxious. [Obs.] Mir. for Mag.

SOZZLE Soz"zle, v. t. Etym: [Freq. from soss, v.]

1. To splash or wet carelessly; as, to sozzle the feet in water. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

2. To heap up in confusion. [Prov. Eng.] Forby.

SOZZLE Soz"zle, n.

1. One who spills water or other liquids carelessly; specifically, a sluttish woman. [Local, U.S.]

2. A mass, or heap, confusedly mingled. [Prov. Eng.]

SPA Spa, n.

Defn: A spring or mineral water; -- so called from a place of this name in Belgium.

SPAAD Spaad, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spath spar. See Spar the mineral.] (Min.)

Defn: A kind of spar; earth flax, or amianthus. [Obs.] oodward.

SPACE Space, n. Etym: [OE. space, F. espace, from L. spatium space; cf. Gr. span. Cf. Expatiate.]

1. Extension, considered independently of anything which it may contain; that which makes extended objects conceivable and possible. Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor motion. Locke.

2. Place, having more or They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare; Long had he no space to dwell [in]. R. of Brunne. While I have time and space. Chaucer.

3. A quantity or portion of extension; distance from one thing to another; an interval between any two or more objects; as, the space between two stars or two hills; the sound was heard for the space of a mile. Put a space betwixt drove and drove. Gen. xxxii. 16.

4. Quantity of time; an interval between two points of time; duration; time. "Grace God gave him here, this land to keep long space." R. of brunne. Nine times the space that measures day and night. Milton. God may defer his judgments for a time, and give a people a longer space of repentance. Tillotson.

5. A short time; a while. [R.] "To stay your deadly strife a space." Spenser.

6. Walk; track; path; course. [Obs.] This ilke [same] monk let old things pace, And held after the new world the space. Chaucer.

7. (print.) (a) A small piece of metal cast lower than a face type, so as not to receive the ink in printing, -- used to separate words or letters. (b) The distance or interval between words or letters in the lines, or between lines, as in books.

Note: Spaces are of different thicknesses to enable the compositor to arrange the words at equal distances from each other in the same line.

8. (Mus.)

Defn: One of the intervals, or open places, between the lines of the staff. Absolute space, Euclidian space, etc. See under Absolute, Euclidian, etc. -- Space line (Print.), a thin piece of metal used by printers to open the lines of type to a regular distance from each other, and for other purposes; a lead. Hansard. -- Space rule (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the same height as the type, used in printing short lines in tabular matter.

SPACE Space, v. i. Etym: [Cf. OF. espacier, L. spatiari. See Space, n.]

Defn: To walk; to rove; to roam. [Obs.] And loved in forests wild to space. Spenser.

SPACE Space, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spaced; p. pr. & vb. n. Spacong.] Etym: [Cf. F. espacer. See Space, n.] (Print.)

Defn: To arrange or adjust the spaces in or between; as, to space words, lines, or letters.

SPACE BAR; SPACE KEY Space bar or key. (Mach.)

Defn: A bar or key, in a typewriter or typesetting machine, used for spacing between letters.

SPACEFUL Space"ful, a.

Defn: Wide; extensive. Sandys.

SPACELESS Space"less, a.

Defn: Without space. Coleridge.

SPACIAL Spa"cial, a.

Defn: See Spatial.

SPACIALLY Spa"cial*ly, adv.

Defn: See Spatially. Sir W,Hamilton.

SPACIOUS Spa"cious, a. Etym: [L. spatiousus: cf. F. spacieux. See Space, n.]

1. Extending far and wide; vast in extent. "A spacious plain outstretched in circuit wide." Milton.

2. Inclosing an extended space; having large or ample room; not contracted or narrow; capacious; roomy; as, spacious bounds; a spacious church; a spacious hall. -- Spa"cious*ly, adv. -- Spa"cious*ness, n.

SPAD Spad, n. (Mining)

Defn: A nail one or two inches long, of iron, brass, tin, or tinner iron, with a hole through the flattened head, used to mark stations in underground surveying.

SPADASSIN Spa`das`sin", n. Etym: [F., fr. It. spadaccino a swordsman, from spada a sword.]

Defn: A bravo; a bully; a duelist. Ld. Lytton.

SPADDLE Spad"dle, n.

Defn: A little spade. [Obs.]

SPADE Spade, n. Etym: [Cf. Spay, n.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hart or stag three years old. [Written also spaid, spayade.]

2. Etym: [Cf. L. spado.]

Defn: A castrated man or beast.

SPADE Spade, n. Etym: [AS. spæd; spada; akin to D. spade, G. spaten, Icel. spaedhi, Dan. & Sw. spade, L. spatha a spatula, a broad two-edged sword, a spathe, Gr. spa`qh. Cf. Epaulet, Spade at cards, Spathe, Spatula.]

1. An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel. "With spade and pickax armed." Milton.

2. Etym: [Sp. espada, literally, a sword; -- so caused because these cards among the Spanish bear the figure of a sword. Sp. espada is fr. L. spatha, Gr. spa`qh. See the Etymology above.]

Defn: One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade. "Let spades be trumps!" she said. Pope.

3. A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale. Spade bayonet, a bayonet with a broad blade which may be used digging; -- called also trowel bayonet. -- Spade handle (Mach.), the forked end of a connecting rod in which a pin is held at both ends. See Illust. of Knuckle joint, under Knuckle.

SPADE Spade, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Spading.]

Defn: To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.

SPADEBONE Spade"bone` (, n.

Defn: Shoulder blade. [Prov. Eng.]

SPADEFISH Spade"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: An American market fish (Chætodipterus faber) common on the southern coasts; -- called also angel fish, moonfish, and porgy.

SPADEFOOT Spade"foot`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, esp. S. Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad.

SPADEFUL Spade"ful, n.; pl. Spadefuls. Etym: [Spade + full.]

Defn: As much as a spade will hold or lift.

SPADER Spad"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spades; specifically, a digging machine.

SPADICEOUS Spa*di"ceous, a. Etym: [L. spadix, -icis, a date-brown or nut-brown color. See Spadix.]

1. Of a bright clear brown or chestnut color. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Bearing flowers on a spadix; of the nature of a spadix.

SPADICOSE Spa"di*cose`, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Spadiceous.

SPADILLE Spa*dille", n. Etym: [F., fr. Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada. See Spade a card.] (Card Playing)

Defn: The ace of spades in omber and quadrille.

SPADIX Spa"dix, n.; pl. L. Spadices, E. Spadixes. Etym: [L., a palm branch broken off, with its fruit, Gr.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A fleshy spike of flowers, usually inclosed in a leaf called a spathe.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A special organ of the nautilus, due to a modification of the posterior tentacles.

SPADO Spa"do, n.; pl. Spadones. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. Same as Spade, 2.

2. (Law)

Defn: An impotent person.

SPADROON Spa*droon", n. Etym: [Cf. F. & Sp. espadon, It. spadone. See Espadon, Spade.]

Defn: A sword, especially a broadsword, formerly used both to cut and thrust.

SPAE Spae, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spaed; p. pr. & vb. n. Spaeing.] Etym: [Scot. spae, spay, to foretell, to divine, Icel. spa.]

Defn: To foretell; to divine. [Scot.]

SPAEMAN Spae"man, n.

Defn: A prophet; a diviner. [Scot.]

SPAEWIFE Spae"wife`, n.

Defn: A female fortune teller. [Scot.]

SPAGHETTI Spa*ghet"ti, n. Etym: [It.]

Defn: A variety or macaroni made in tubes of small diameter.

SPAGYRIC; SPAGYRICAL Spa*gyr"ic, Spa*gyr"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. sparygicus, fr. Gr. spagirique.]

Defn: Chemical; alchemical. [Obs.]

SPAGYRIC Spa*gyr"ic, n.

Defn: A spagyrist. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

SPAGYRIST Spag"y*rist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spagiriste.]

1. A chemist, esp. one devoted to alchemistic pursuits. [Obs.]

2. One of a sect which arose in the days of alchemy, who sought to discover remedies for disease by chemical means. The spagyrists historically preceded the iatrochemists. Encyc. Brit.

SPAHI; SPAHEE Spa"hi, Spa"hee, n. Etym: [Per., Turk., & Hind. sipahi: cf. F. spahi. See Seroy.]

1. Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.

2. An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.

SPAID Spaid, n.

Defn: See 1st Spade.

SPAKE Spake, archaic

Defn: imp. of Speak.

SPAKENET Spake"net`, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.

SPAKY Spak"y, a.

Defn: Specky. [Obs.] hapman.

SPALDING KNIFE Spald"ing knife`.

Defn: A spalting knife.

SPALE Spale, n. Etym: [Cf. Spell a splinter.]

1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

2. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: A strengthening cross timber.

SPALL Spall, n. Etym: [OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule.]

Defn: The shoulder. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPALL Spall, n. Etym: [Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter.]

Defn: A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.

SPALL Spall, v. t.

1. (Mining)

Defn: To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.

2. (Masonry)

Defn: To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.

SPALL Spall, v. i.

Defn: To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.

SPALPEEN Spal"peen, n. Etym: [Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self- conceit.]

Defn: A scamp; an Irish term for a good-for-nothing fellow; -- often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.]

SPALT Spalt, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell.] (Metal.)

Defn: Spelter. [Colloq.]

SPALT Spalt, a. Etym: [See 1st Spell.]

1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]

SPALT Spalt, v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. OE. spalden. See Spalt, a.]

Defn: To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SPALTING KNIFE Spalt"ing knife`.

Defn: A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife.]

SPAN Span, archaic

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spin.

SPAN Span, n. Etym: [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G. spanne, Icel. spönn. sq. root170. See Span, v. t. ]

1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.

2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time. Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let me bound. Pope. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. Farquhar.

3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.

5. Etym: [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. spænd, G. gespann. See Span, v. t. ]

Defn: A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action. Span blocks (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards. -- Span counter, an old English child's game, in which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that he can span the space between them, and touch both the counters. Halliwell. "Henry V., in whose time boys went to span counter for French crowns." Shak. -- Span iron (Naut.), a special kind of harpoon, usually secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat. -- Span roof, a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both sides. Gwilt. -- Span shackle (Naut.), a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

SPAN Span, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanned; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning.] Etym: [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spænde, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. spatium space. sq. root170. Cf. Spin, v. t., Space, Spasm.]

1. To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder. My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Isa. xiviii. 13.

2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch. The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry. prescott.

3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.

SPAN Span, v. i.

Defn: To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]

SPANAEMIA Spa*næ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A condition of impoverishment of the blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient.

SPANAEMIC Spa*næ"mic ( or ), a. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spanæmia; having impoverished blood.

SPANCEL Span"cel, n. Etym: [Perhaps span + AS. sal a rope.]

Defn: A rope used for tying or hobbling the legs of a horse or cow. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Grose.

SPANCEL Span"cel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanceled or Spancelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling or Spancelling.]

Defn: To tie or hobble with a spancel. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Malone.

SPANDOGS Span"dogs`, n. pl.

Defn: A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.

SPANDREL Span"drel, n. Etym: [From Span.]

1. (Arch.)

Defn: The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.

2. A narrow mat or passe partout for a picture. [Cant]

SPANE Spane, v. t. Etym: [Akin to G. spänen, LG. & D. spennen, AS. spanu a teat.]

Defn: To wean. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPANG Spang, v. t.

Defn: To spangle. [Obs.]

SPANG Spang, v. i.

Defn: To spring; to bound; to leap. [Scot.] But when they spang o'er reason's fence, We smart for't at our own expense. Ramsay.

SPANG Spang, n.

Defn: A bound or spring. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SPANG Spang, n. Etym: [AS. spange a clasp or fastening; akin to D. spang, G. spange, OHG. spanga, Icel. spöng a spangle.]

Defn: A spangle or shining ornament. [Obs.] With glittering spangs that did like stars appear. Spenser.

SPANGLE Span"gle, n. Etym: [OE. spangel, dim. of AS. spange. See Spang a spangle.]

1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress.

2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. "The rich spangles that adorn the sky." Waller. Oak spangle. See under Oak.

SPANGLE Span"gle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spangled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spangling.]

Defn: To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. Donne. What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty Shak. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird (Lophornis reginæ). See Coquette, 2.

SPANGLE Span"gle, v. i.

Defn: To show brilliant spots or points; to glisten; to glitter. Some men by feigning words as dark as mine Make truth to spangle, and its rays to shine. Bunyan.

SPANGLER Span"gler, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, spangles.

SPANGLY Span"gly, a.

Defn: Resembling, or consisting of, spangles; glittering; as, spangly light.

SPANIARD Span"iard, n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Spain.

SPANIEL Span"iel, n. Etym: [OF. espagneul, F. épagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. españnol, fr. España Spain, from L. Hispania.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under Clumber, and Cocker.

Note: There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see Clumber). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence. As a spaniel she will on him leap. Chaucer.

2. A cringing, fawning person. Shak.

SPANIEL Span"iel, a.

Defn: Cringing; fawning. Shak.

SPANIEL Span"iel, v. i.

Defn: To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] Churchill.

SPANIEL Span"iel, v. t.

Defn: To follow like a spaniel. [R.]

SPANISH Span"ish, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards. Spanish bayonet (Bot.), a liliaceous plant (Yucca alorifolia) with rigid spine-tipped leaves. The name is also applied to other similar plants of the Southwestern United States and mexico. Called also Spanish daggers. -- Spanish bean (Bot.) See the Note under Bean. -- Spanish black, a black pigment obtained by charring cork. Ure. -- Spanish broom (Bot.), a leguminous shrub (Spartium junceum) having many green flexible rushlike twigs. -- Spanish brown, a species of earth used in painting, having a dark reddish brown color, due to the presence of sesquioxide of iron. -- Spanish buckeye (Bot.), a small tree (Ungnadia speciosa) of Texas, New Mexico, etc., related to the buckeye, but having pinnate leaves and a three-seeded fruit. -- Spanish burton (Naut.), a purchase composed of two single blocks. A double Spanish burton has one double and two single blocks. Luce (Textbook of Seamanship). -- Spanish chalk (Min.), a kind of steatite; -- so called because obtained from Aragon in Spain. -- Spanish cress (Bot.), a cruciferous plant (lepidium Cadamines), a species of peppergrass. -- Spanish curiew (Zoöl.), the long-billed curlew. [U.S.] -- Spanish daggers (Bot.) See Spanish bayonet. -- Spanish elm (Bot.), a large West Indian tree (Cordia Gerascanthus) furnishing hard and useful timber. -- Spanish feretto, a rich reddish brown pigment obtained by calcining copper and sulphur together in closed crucibles. -- Spanish flag (Zoöl.), the California rockfish (Sebastichthys rubrivinctus). It is conspicuously colored with bands of red and white. -- Spanish fly (Zoöl.), a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under Blister, and Cantharis. -- Spanish fox (Naut.), a yarn twisted against its lay. -- Spanish grass. (Bot.) See Esparto. -- Spanish juice (Bot.), licorice. -- Spanish leather. See Cordwain. -- Spanish mackerel. (Zoöl.) (a) A species of mackerel (Scomber colias) found both in Europe and America. In America called chub mackerel, big-eyed mackerel, and bull mackerel. (b) In the United States, a handsome mackerel having bright yellow round spots (Scomberomorus maculatus), highly esteemed as a food fish. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to other species. See Illust. under Mackerel. -- Spanish main, the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World. -- Spanish moss. (Bot.) See Tillandsia. -- Spanish needles (Bot.), a composite weed (Bidens bipinnata) having achenia armed with needlelike awns. -- Spanish nut (Bot.), a bulbous plant (Iris Sisyrinchium) of the south of Europe. -- Spanish potato (Bot.), the sweet potato. See under Potato. -- Spanish red, an ocherous red pigment resembling Venetian red, but slightly yellower and warmer. Fairholt. -- Spanish reef (Naut.), a knot tied in the head of a jib-headed sail. -- Spanish sheep (Zoöl.), a merino. -- Spanish white, an impalpable powder prepared from chalk by pulverizing and repeated washings, -- used as a white pigment. -- Spanish windlass (Naut.), a wooden roller, with a rope wound about it, into which a marline spike is thrust to serve as a lever.

SPANISH Span"ish, n.

Defn: The language of Spain.

SPANK Spank (, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanked (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking.] Etym: [Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken, spenkern, to run and spring about quickly.]

Defn: To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap.

SPANK Spank, n.

Defn: A blow with the open hand; a slap.

SPANK Spank, v. i.

Defn: To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly. Thackeray.

SPANKER Spank"er, n.

1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; -- sometimes called driver. See Illust. under Sail. Totten.

3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also, a fast horse. [Colloq.]

4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [Colloq.] Spanker boom (Naut.), a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust. of Ship.

SPANKER Spank"er, n.

Defn: A small coin. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPANKING Spank"ing, a.

1. Moving with a quick, lively pace, or capable of so doing; dashing. Four spanking grays ready harnessed. G. Colman, the Younger.

2. Large; considerable. [Colloq.]

SPANKING BREEZE Spanking breeze (Naut.),

Defn: a strong breeze.

SPANLESS Span"less, a.

Defn: Incapable of being spanned.

SPANNER Span"ner, n.

1. One who, or that which, spans.

2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself. [Obs.]

3. An iron instrument having a jaw to fit a nut or the head of a bolt, and used as a lever to turn it with; a wrench; specifically, a wrench for unscrewing or tightening the couplings of hose.

4. pl.

Defn: A contrivance in some of the ealier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.

SPAN-NEW Span"-new`, a. Etym: [Icel. spann, properly, new as a ship just split; spann chip + n new. See Spoon, and New.]

Defn: Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. "A span-new archbishop's chair." Fuller.

SPANNISHING Span"nish*ing, n. Etym: [From OF. espanir to spread, F. épanou. See Expand.]

Defn: The full blooming of a flower. [Obs.] Rom. of R.

SPANPIECE Span"piece, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The collar of a roof; sparpiece.

SPANWORM Span"worm`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larva of any geometrid moth, as the cankeworm; a geometer; a measuring worm.

SPAR Spar, n. Etym: [AS. spær in spærstan chalkstone; akin to MHG. spar, G. sparkalk plaster.] (Min.)

Defn: An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein. Blue spar, Cube spar, etc. See under Blue, Cube, etc.