Chapter CDXXI: Prologue (72)

SPAR Spar, n. Etym: [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG. sparro, Dan.& Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin. Spar, v. t. ]

1. (Naut.)

Defn: A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; -- still applied locally to rafters.

3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the water. -- Spar deck (Naut.), the upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually placed. See under Deck. -- Spar torpedo (Naut.), a torpedo carried on the end of a spar usually projecting from the bow of a vessel, and intended to explode upon contact with an enemy's ships.

SPAR Spar, v. t. Etym: [OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G. sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. sq. root171. See Spara beam, bar.]

1. To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.

Note: A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.

SPAR Spar, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparred; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring.] Etym: [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick, F. éparer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.]

1. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.

2. To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box. Made believe to spar at Paul with great science. Dickens.

3. To contest in words; to wrangle. [Colloq.]

SPAR Spar, n.

1. A contest at sparring or boxing.

2. A movement of offense or defense in boxing.

SPARABLE Spar"a*ble, n. Etym: [Corrupted from sparrow bill.]

Defn: A kind of small nail used by shoemakers.

SPARADA Spar"a*da, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small California surf fish (Micrometrus aggregatus); -- called also shiner.

SPARADRAP Spar"a*drap, n. Etym: [F. sparadrap; cf. It. sparadrappo, NL. sparadrapa.]

1. A cerecloth. [Obs.]

2. (Med.)

Defn: Any adhesive plaster.

SPARAGE; SPARAGUS; SPARAGRASS Spar"age, Spar"a*gus, Spar"a*grass`, n.

Defn: Obs. or corrupt forms of Asparagus.

SPARBLE Spar"ble, v. t. Etym: [OF. esparpiller to scatter, F. éparpiller.]

Defn: To scatter; to disperse; to rout. [Obs.] The king's host was sparbled and chased. Fabyan.

SPARE Spare, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spared; p. pr. & vb. n.n Sparing.] Etym: [AS. sparian, fr. spær spare, sparing, saving; akin to D. & G. sparen, OHG. spar, Icel. & Sw. spara, Dan. spare See Spare, a.]

1. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save. "No cost would he spare." Chaucer. [Thou] thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare. Milton. He that hath knowledge, spareth his words. Prov. xvii. 27.

2. To keep to one's self; to forbear to impart or give. Be pleased your plitics to spare. Dryden. Spare my sight the pain Of seeing what a world of tears it costs you. Dryden.

3. To preserve from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm; to show mercy to. Spare us, good Lord. Book of Common Prayer. Dim sadness did not spare That time celestial visages. Milton. Man alone can whom he conquers spare. Waller.

4. To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty. All the time he could spare from the necessary cares of his weighty charge, he Knolles.

5. To deprive one's self of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with. Where angry Jove did never spare One breath of kind and temperate air. Roscommon. I could have better spared a better man. Shak. To spare one's self. (a) To act with reserve. [Obs.] Her thought that a lady should her spare. Chaucer. (b) To save one's self labor, punishment, or blame.

SPARE Spare, v. i.

1. To be frugal; not to be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious. I, who at some times spend, at others spare, Divided between carelessness and care. Pope.

2. To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance. He will not spare in the day of vengeance. Prov. vi. 34.

3. To desist; to stop; to refrain. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPARE Spare, a. [Compar. Sparer; superl. Sparest; -- not used in all the senses of the word.] Etym: [AS. spær sparing. Cf. Spare, v. t. ]

1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.

2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary. He was spare, but discreet of speech. Carew.

3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous; as, I have no spare time. If that no spare clothes he had to give. Spenser.

4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare anchor; a spare bed or room.

5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt. O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones. Shak.

6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Grose.

SPARE Spare, n.

1. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. [Obs.] Killing for sacrifice, without any spare. Holland.

2. Parsimony; frugal use. [Obs.] Bacon. Poured out their plenty without spite or spare. Spenser.

3. An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket. [Obs.]

4. That which has not been used or expended.

5. (Tenpins)

Defn: The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having knocked all the pins down in less than three bowls. If all the pins are knocked down in one bowl it is a double spare; in two bowls, a single spare.

SPAREFUL Spare"ful, a.

Defn: Sparing; chary. [Obs.] Fairfax. -- Spare"ful*ness, n. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

SPARELESS Spare"less, a.

Defn: Unsparing. Sylvester.

SPARELY Spare"ly, adv.

Defn: In a spare manner; sparingly.

SPARENESS Spare"ness, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. spærnis frugality.]

Defn: The quality or state of being lean or thin; leanness.

SPARER Spar"er, n.

Defn: One who spares.

SPARERIB Spare"rib`, n. Etym: [Spare, a. + rib.]

Defn: A piece of pork, consisting or ribs with little flesh on them.

SPARGE Sparge, v. t. Etym: [L. spargere; cf. F. asperger.]

Defn: To sprinkle; to moisten by sprinkling; as, to sparge paper.

SPARGEFACTION Spar`ge*fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. spargere to strew + facere, factum, to make.]

Defn: The act of sprinkling. [Obs.] Swift.

SPARGER Spar"ger, n. Etym: [Cf. F. asperger to sprinkle, L. aspergere, spargere.]

Defn: A vessel with a perforated cover, for sprinkling with a liquid; a sprinkler.

SPARHAWK Spar"hawk`, n. Etym: [OE. sperhauke.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The sparrow hawk. [Prov. Eng.]

SPAR-HUNG Spar"-hung`, a.

Defn: Hung with spar, as a cave.

SPARING Spar"ing, a.

Defn: Spare; saving; frugal; merciful. Bacon. -- Spar"ing*ly, adv. -- Spar"ing*ness, n.

SPARK Spark, n. Etym: [OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark, sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. spragëti, Gr. sph to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak.]

1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. Man is born unto trouble, as hte sparks fly upward. Job v. 7.

2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." Shak. "Small intellectual spark." Macaulay. "Vital spark of heavenly flame." Pope. We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge. Locke. Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark. Wordsworth. Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas, -- chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. [U.S.]

SPARK Spark, n. Etym: [Icel. sparkr lively, sprightly.]

1. A brisk, showy, gay man. The finest sparks and cleanest beaux. Prior.

2. A lover; a gallant; a beau.

SPARK Spark, v. i.

Defn: To sparkle. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPARK Spark, v. i.

Defn: To play the spark, beau, or lover. A sure sign that his master was courting, or, as it is termed, sparking, within. W. Irwing.

SPARK COIL Spark coil. (Elec.) (a) An induction coil, esp. of an internal-combustion engine, wireless telegraph apparatus, etc. (b) A self-induction coil used to increase the spark in an electric gas-lighting apparatus.

SPARKER Spark"er, n.

Defn: A spark arrester.

SPARKFUL Spark"ful, a.

Defn: Lively; brisk; gay. [Obs.] "Our sparkful youth." Camden.

SPARK GAP Spark gap. (Elec.)

Defn: The space filled with air or other dielectric between high potential terminals (as of an electrostatic machine, induction coil, or condenser), through which the discharge passes; the air gap of a jump spark.

SPARKISH Spark"ish, a.

1. Like a spark; airy; gay. W. Walsh.

2. Showy; well-dresed; fine. L'Estrange.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, n. Etym: [Dim. of spark.]

1. A little spark; a scintillation. As fire is wont to quicken and go From a sparkle sprungen amiss, Till a city brent up is. Chaucer. The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper. Prescott.

2. Brilliancy; luster; as, the sparkle of a diamond.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparkled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling.] Etym: [See Sparkle, n., Spark of fire.]

1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle. A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. Chaucer.

2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash. I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes. Milton.

3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine.

Syn. -- To shine; glisten; scintillate; radiate; coruscate; glitter; twinkle.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. t.

Defn: To emit in the form or likeness of sparks. "Did sparkle forth great light." Spenser.

SPARKLE Spar"kle, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Sparble.]

1. To disperse. [Obs.] The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise. State Papers.

2. To scatter on or over. [Obs.] Purchas.

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n.

Defn: One who scatters; esp., one who scatters money; an improvident person. [Obs.]

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sparkles.

SPARKLER Spar"kler, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tiger beetle.

SPARKLET Spark"let, n.

Defn: A small spark. [Obs.]

SPARKLINESS Spark"li*ness, n.

Defn: Vivacity. [Obs.] Aubrey.

SPARKLING Spar"kling, a.

Defn: Emitting sparks; glittering; flashing; brilliant; lively; as, sparkling wine; sparkling eyes. -- Spar"kling*ly, adv. -- Spar"kling*ness, n.

Syn. -- Brilliant; shining. See Shining.

SPARK PLUG Spark plug.

Defn: In internal-combustion engines with electric ignition, a plug, screwed into the cylinder head, having through it an insulated wire which is connected with the induction coil or magneto circuit on the outside, and forms, with another terminal on the base of the plug, a spark gap inside the cylinder.

SPARLING Spar"ling, n. Etym: [Akin to G. spierling, spiering, D. spiering: cf. F. éperlan.] (Zoöl.) (a) The European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus). (b) A young salmon. (c) A tern. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

SPARLYRE Spar"lyre`, n. Etym: [AS. spear-lira.]

Defn: The calf of the leg. [Obs.] Wyclif (Deut. xxviii. 35).

SPAROID Spa"roid, a. Etym: [L. sparus the gilthead + -oid: cf. F. sparoïde.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: of or pertaining to the Sparidæ, a family of spinous-finned fishes which includes the scup, sheepshead, and sea bream. -- n.

Defn: One of the Sparidæ.

SPARPIECE Spar"piece`, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The collar beam of a roof; the spanpiece. Gwilt.

SPARPOIL Spar"poil, v. t. Etym: [See Sparble.]

Defn: To scatter; to spread; to disperse. [Obs.]

SPARROW Spar"row, n. Etym: [OE. sparwe, AS. spearwa; akin to OHG. sparo, G. sperling, Icel. spörr, Dan. spurv, spurre, Sw. sparf, Goth. sparwa; - - originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligæ, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House.

Note: The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see Peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See under Hedge. He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age! Shak. Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See under Field, Fox, etc. -- Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. -- Sparrow hawk. (Zoöl.) (a) A small European hawk (Accipiter nisus) or any of the allied species. (b) A small American falcon (Falco sparverius). (c) The Australian collared sparrow hawk (Accipiter torquatus).

Note: The name is applied to other small hawks, as the European kestrel and the New Zealand quail hawk. -- Sparrow owl (Zoöl.), a small owl (Glaucidium passerinum) found both in the Old World and the New. The name is also applied to other species of small owls. -- Sparrow spear (Zoöl.), the female of the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.]

SPARROWGRASS Spar"row*grass`, n. Etym: [Corrupted from asparagus.]

Defn: Asparagus. [Colloq.] See the Note under Asparagus.

SPARROWWORT Spar"row*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An evergreen shrub of the genus Erica (E. passerina).

SPARRY Spar"ry, a. Etym: [From Spar.]

Defn: Resembling spar, or consisting of spar; abounding with spar; having a confused crystalline structure; spathose. Sparry iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a). -- Sparry limestone (Min.), a coarsely crystalline marble.

SPARSE Sparse, a. [Compar. Sparser; superl. Sparsest.] Etym: [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]

1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, a sparse population. Carlyle.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; -- applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.

SPARSE Sparse, v. t. Etym: [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to scatter.]

Defn: To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPARSEDLY Spars"ed*ly, adv.

Defn: Sparsely. [Obs.]

SPARSELY Sparse"ly, adv.

Defn: In a scattered or sparse manner.

SPARSENESS Sparse"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being sparse; as, sparseness of population.

SPARSIM Spar"sim, adv. Etym: [L., fr. spargere to scatter.]

Defn: Sparsely; scatteredly; here and there.

SPARTAN Spar"tan, a. Etym: [L. Spartanus.]

Defn: of or pertaining to Sparta, especially to ancient Sparta; hence, hardy; undaunted; as, Spartan souls; Spartan bravey. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Sparta; figuratively, a person of great courage and fortitude.

SPARTEINE Spar"te*ine, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A narcotic alkaloid extracted from the tops of the common broom (Cytisus scoparius, formerly Spartium scoparium), as a colorless oily liquid of aniline-like odor and very bitter taste.

SPARTERIE Spar"ter*ie, n. Etym: [F., from Sp. esparto esparto, L. spartum, Gr.

Defn: Articles made of the blades or fiber of the Lygeum Spartum and Stipa (or Macrochloa) tenacissima, kinds of grass used in Spain and other countries for making ropes, mats, baskets, nets, and mattresses. Loudon.

SPARTH Sparth, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spar.]

Defn: An Anglo-Saxon battle-ax, or halberd. [Obs.] He hath a sparth of twenty pound of weight. Chaucer.

SPARVE Sparve, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]

SPARY Spar"y, a.

Defn: Sparing; parsimonious. [Obs.]

SPASM Spasm, n. Etym: [F. spasme, L. spasmus, Gr. Span, v. t.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: An involuntary and unnatural contraction of one or more muscles or muscular fibers.

Note: Spasm are usually either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession. In tonic spasm, the contraction is steady and uniform, and continues for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus.

2. A sudden, violent, and temporary effort or emotion; as, a spasm of repentance. Cynic spasm (Med.) See under Cynic. -- Spasm of the chest. See Angina pectoris, under Angina.

SPASMATICAL Spas*mat"ic*al, a.

Defn: Spasmodic. [Obs.]

SPASMODIC Spas"mod"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. spasmotique.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spasm; consisting in spasm; occuring in, or characterized by, spasms; as, a spasmodic asthma.

2. Soon relaxed or exhausted; convulsive; intermittent; as, spasmodic zeal or industry. Spasmodic croup (Med.), an affection of childhood characterized by a stoppage of brathing developed suddenly and without fever, and produced by spasmodic contraction of the vocal cords. It is sometimes fatal. Called also laryngismus stridulus, and childcrowing. -- Spasmodic stricture, a stricture caused by muscular spasm without structural change. See Organic stricture, under Organic.

SPASMODIC Spas*mod"ic, n. (Med.)

Defn: A medicine for spasm.

SPASMODICAL Spas*mod"ic*al, a.

Defn: Same as Spasmodic, a. -- Spas*mod"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPASTIC Spas"tic, a. Etym: [L. spasticus, Gr. spastique. See Spasm.] (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to spasm; spasmodic; especially, pertaining to tonic spasm; tetanic.

SPASTICALLY Spas"tic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: Spasmodically.

SPASTICITY Spas*tic"i*ty, n.

1. A state of spasm.

2. The tendency to, or capability of suffering, spasm.

SPAT Spat,

Defn: imp. of Spit. [Obs. or R.]

SPAT Spat, n. Etym: [From the root of spit; hence, literally, that which is ejected.]

Defn: A young oyster or other bivalve mollusk, both before and after it first becomes adherent, or such young, collectively.

SPAT Spat, v. i. & t.

Defn: To emit spawn; to emit, as spawn.

SPAT Spat, n. Etym: [Cf. Pat.]

1. A light blow with something flat. [U.S. & Prov. Eng.]

2. Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension. [U. S.]

SPAT Spat, v. i.

Defn: To dispute. [R.] Smart.

SPAT Spat, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spatted; p. pr. & vb. n. Spatting.]

Defn: To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together; as the hands. [Local, U.S.] Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands. Judd.

SPATANGOID Spa*tan"goid, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Spatangoidea. -- n.

Defn: One of the Spatangoidea.

SPATANGOIDEA Spat`an*goi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Spatangus, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An order of irregular sea urchins, usually having a more or less heart-shaped shell with four or five petal-like ambulacra above. The mouth is edentulous and situated anteriorly, on the under side.

SPATANGUS Spa*tan"gus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. spatangius a kind of sea urchin, Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of heart-shaped sea urchins belonging to the Spatangoidea.

SPATCHCOCK Spatch"cock`, n.

Defn: See Spitchcock.

SPATE Spate, n. Etym: [Of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. speid.]

Defn: A river flood; an overflow or inundation. Burns. Gareth in a showerful spring Stared at the spate. Tennyson.

SPATHA Spa"tha, n,; pl. Spathæ. Etym: [L.] (Bot.)

Defn: A spathe.

SPATHACEOUS Spa*tha"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spathal.

SPATHAL Spa"thal, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Furnished with a spathe; as, spathal flowers. Howitt.

SPATHE Spathe, n. Etym: [L. spatha, Gr. spathe. See Spade for digging.] (Bot.)

Defn: A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under Bract, and Illust. of Spadix.

Note: The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre of the iris and other similar plants.

SPATHED Spathed, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe or calyx like a sheath.

SPATHIC Spath"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spathique, fr. F. & G. spath spar.]

Defn: Like spar; foliated or lamellar; spathose. Spathic iron (Min.), siderite. See Siderite (a).

SPATHIFORM Spath"i*form, a. Etym: [F. spathiforme.]

Defn: Resembling spar in form. "The ocherous, spathiform, and mineralized forms of uranite." Lavoisier (Trans.).

SPATHOSE Spath"ose`, a. (Min.)

Defn: See Spathic.

SPATHOSE Spath"ose`, a. Etym: [See Spathe.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having a spathe; resembling a spathe; spatheceous; spathal.

SPATHOUS Spath"ous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Spathose.

SPATHULATE Spath"u*late, a.

Defn: See Spatulate.

SPATIAL Spa"tial, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to space. "Spatial quantity and relations." L. H. Atwater.

SPATIALLY Spa"tial*ly, adv.

Defn: As regards space.

SPATIATE Spa"ti*ate, v. t. Etym: [L. spatiatus, p.p. of spatiari, fr. spatiatum. See Space.]

Defn: To rove; to ramble. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPATTER Spat"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spattered; p. pr. & vb. n. Spattering.] Etym: [From the root of spit salvia.]

1. To sprinkle with a liquid or with any wet substance, as water, mud, or the like; to make wet of foul spots upon by sprinkling; as, to spatter a coat; to spatter the floor; to spatter boots with mud. Upon any occasion he is to be spattered over with the blood of his people. Burke.

2. To distribute by sprinkling; to sprinkle around; as, to spatter blood. Pope.

3. Fig.: To injure by aspersion; to defame; to soil; also, to throw out in a defamatory manner.

SPATTER Spat"ter, v. i.

Defn: To throw something out of the mouth in a scattering manner; to sputter. That mind must needs be irrecoverably depraved, which, . . . tasting but once of one just deed, spatters at it, and abhors the relish ever after. Milton.

SPATTERDASHED Spat"ter*dashed`, a.

Defn: Wearing spatterdashes. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

SPATTERDASHES Spat"ter*dash`es, n. pl. Etym: [Spatter + dash.]

Defn: Coverings for the legs, to protect them from water and mud; long gaiters.

SPATTER-DOCK Spat`ter-dock`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The common yellow water lily (Nuphar advena).

SPATTLE Spat"tle, n.

Defn: Spawl; spittle. [Obs.] Bale.

SPATTLE Spat"tle, n.

1. A spatula.

2. (Pottery)

Defn: A tool or implement for mottling a molded article with coloring matter Knoght.

SPATTLING-POPPY Spat"tling-pop"py, n. Etym: [Prov. E. spattle to spit + E. poppy.] (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of catchfly (Silene inflata) which is sometimes frothy from the action of captured insects.

SPATULA Spat"u*la, n. Etym: [L. spatula, spathula, dim. of spatha a spatula: F. spatule. See Spade for digging.]

Defn: An implement shaped like a knife, flat, thin, and somewhat flexible, used for spreading paints, fine plasters, drugs in compounding prescriptions, etc. Cf. Palette knife, under Palette.

SPATULATE Spat"u*late, a. Etym: [NL. spatulatus.] (Nat. Hist.)

Defn: Shaped like spatula, or like a battledoor, being roundish, with a long, narrow, linear base. [Also written spathulate.]

SPAULD Spauld, n. Etym: [See Spall the shoulder.]

Defn: The shoulder. [Scot.]

SPAVIN Spav"in, n. Etym: [OE. spaveyne, OF. esparvain, F. éparvin; akin to OF. espervier a sparrow hawk, F. épervier, fr. OHG. sparwari (G. sperber), fr. OHG. sparo sparrow, because this disease makes the horse raise the infirm leg in the manner of a sparrow hawk or sparrow. See Sparrow.] (Far.)

Defn: A disease of horses characterized by a bony swelling developed on the hock as the result of inflammation of the bones; also, the swelling itself. The resulting lameness is due to the inflammation, and not the bony tumor as popularly supposed. Harbaugh. Bog spavin, a soft swelling produced by distention of the capsular ligament of the hock; -- called also blood spavin. -- Bone spavin, spavin attended with exostosis; ordinary spavin.

SPAVINED Spav"ined, a.

Defn: Affected with spavin.

SPAW Spaw, n.

Defn: See Spa.

SPAWL Spawl, n.

Defn: A splinter or fragment, as of wood or stone. See Spall.

SPAWL Spawl, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. spatl, fr. spætan to spit; probably akin to spiwan, E. spew. Cf. Spew.]

Defn: Scattered or ejected spittle.

SPAWL Spawl, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Spawled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spawling.] Etym: [Cf. AS. spatlian.]

Defn: To scatter spittle from the mouth; to spit, as saliva. Why must he sputter, spawl, and slaver it In vain, against the people's favorite. Swift.

SPAWLING Spawl"ing, n.

Defn: That which is spawled, or spit out.

SPAWN Spawn, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Spawning.] Etym: [OE. spanen, OF. espandre, properly, to shed, spread, L. expandere to spread out. See Expand.]

1. To produce or deposit (eggs), as fishes or frogs do.

2. To bring forth; to generate; -- used in contempt. One edition [of books] spawneth another. Fuller.

SPAWN Spawn, v. i.

1. To deposit eggs, as fish or frogs do.

2. To issue, as offspring; -- used contemptuously.

SPAWN Spawn, n. Etym: [sq. root170. See Spawn, v. t.]

1. The ova, or eggs, of fishes, oysters, and other aquatic animals.

2. Any product or offspring; -- used contemptuously.

3. (Hort.)

Defn: The buds or branches produced from underground stems.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: The white fibrous matter forming the matrix from which fungi. Spawn eater (Zoöl.), a small American cyprinoid fish (Notropis Hudsonius) allied to the dace.

SPAWNER Spawn"er, n.

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A mature female fish. The barbel, for the preservation or their seed, both the spawner and the milter, cover their spawn with sand. Walton.

2. Whatever produces spawn of any kind.

SPAY Spay, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Spaying.] Etym: [Cf. Armor. spac'hein, spaza to geld, W. dyspaddu to geld, L. spado a eunuch, Gr.

Defn: To remove or extirpate the ovaries of, as a sow or a bitch; to castrate (a female animal).

SPAY Spay, n. Etym: [Cf. Spade a spay, Spay, v. t.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The male of the red deer in his third year; a spade.

SPAYAD; SPAYADE Spay"ad, Spay"ade, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A spay.

SPEAK Speak, v. i. [imp. Spoke (Spake ( Archaic); p. p. Spoken (Spoke, Obs. or Colloq.); p. pr. & vb. n. Speaking.] Etym: [OE. speken, AS. specan, sprecan; akin to OF.ries. spreka, D. spreken, OS. spreken, G. sprechen, OHG. sprehhan, and perhaps to Skr. sphurj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Spark of fire, Speech.]

1. To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words; as, the organs may be so obstructed that a man may not be able to speak. Till at the last spake in this manner. Chaucer. Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. 1 Sam. iii. 9.

2. To express opinions; to say; to talk; to converse. That fluid substance in a few minutes begins to set, as the tradesmen speak. Boyle. An honest man, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not. Shak. During the century and a half which followed the Conquest, there is, to speak strictly, no English history. Macaulay.

3. To utter a speech, discourse, or harangue; to adress a public assembly formally. Many of the nobility made themselves popular by speaking in Parliament against those things which were most grateful to his majesty. Clarendon.

4. To discourse; to make mention; to tell. Lycan speaks of a part of Cæsar's army that came to him from the Leman Lake. Addison.

5. To give sound; to sound. Make all our trumpets speak. Shak.

6. To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance; as, features that speak of self-will. Thine eye begins to speak. Shak. To speak of, to take account of, to make mention of. Robynson (More's Utopia). -- To speak out, to speak loudly and distinctly; also, to speak unreservedly. -- To speak well for, to commend; to be favorable to. -- To speak with, to converse with. "Would you speak with me" Shak.

Syn. -- To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter.

SPEAK Speak, v. t.

1. To utter with the mouth; to pronounce; to utter articulately, as human beings. They sat down with him upn ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him. Job. ii. 13.

2. To utter in a word or words; to say; to tell; to declare orally; as, to speak the truth; to speak sense.

3. To declare; to proclaim; to publish; to make known; to exhibit; to express in any way. It is my father;s muste To speak your deeds. Shak. Speaking a still good morrow with her eyes. Tennyson. And for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The maker's high magnificence. Milton. Report speaks you a bonny monk. Sir W. Scott.

4. To talk or converse in; to utter or pronounce, as in conversation; as, to speak Latin. And French she spake full fair and fetisely. Chaucer.

5. To address; to accost; to speak to. [He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair. Ecclus. xiii. 6. each village senior paused to scan And speak the lovely caravan. Emerson. To speak a ship (Naut.), to hail and speak to her captain or commander.

SPEAKABLE Speak"a*ble, a.

1. Capable of being spoken; fit to be spoken. Ascham.

2. Able to speak. Milton.

SPEAKER Speak"er, n.

1. One who speaks. Specifically: (a) One who utters or pronounces a discourse; usually, one who utters a speech in public; as, the man is a good speaker, or a bad speaker. (b) One who is the mouthpiece of others; especially, one who presides over, or speaks for, a delibrative assembly, preserving order and regulating the debates; as, the Speaker of the House of Commons, originally, the mouthpiece of the House to address the king; the Speaker of a House of Representatives.

2. A book of selections for declamation. [U. S.]

SPEAKERSHIP Speak"er*ship, n.

Defn: The office of speaker; as, the speakership of the House of Representatives.

SPEAKING Speak"ing, a.

1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.

2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. A speaking acquaintance, a slight acquaintance with a person, or one which merely permits the exchange of salutations and remarks on indifferent subjects. -- Speaking trumpet, an instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet, by which the sound of the human voice may be so intensified as to be conveyed to a great distance. -- Speaking tube, a tube for conveying speech, especially from one room to another at a distance. -- To be on speaking terms, to be slightly acquainted.

SPEAKING Speak"ing, n.

1. The act of uttering words.

2. Public declamation; oratory.

SPEAR Spear, n. Etym: [OE. spere, AS. spere; akin to D. & G. speer, OS. & OHS. sper, Icel. spjör, pl., Dan. spær, L. sparus.]

1. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.

Note: [See Illust. of Spearhead.] "A sharp ground spear." Chaucer. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Micah iv. 3.

2. Fig.: A spearman. Sir W. Scott.

3. A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.

4. A shoot, as of grass; a spire.

5. The feather of a horse. See Feather, n., 4.

6. The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; a pump rod. Spear foot, the off hind foot of a horse. -- Spear grass. (Bot.) (a) The common reed. See Reed, n., 1. (b) meadow grass. See under Meadow. -- Spear hand, the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the right hand. Crabb. -- Spear side, the male line of a family. Lowell. -- Spear thistle (Bot.), the common thistle (Cnicus lanceolatus).

SPEAR Spear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speared; p. pr. & vb. n. Spearing.]

Defn: To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.

SPEAR Spear, v. i.

Defn: To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire. Mortimer.

SPEARER Spear"er, n.

Defn: One who uses a spear; as, a spearer of fish.

SPEARFISH Spear"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) A large and powerful fish (Tetrapturus albidus) related to the swordfish, but having scales and ventral fins. It is found on the American coast and the Mediterranean. (b) The carp sucker.

SPEARHEAD Spear"head`, n.

Defn: The pointed head, or end, of a spear.

SPEARMAN Spear"man, n.; pl. Spearmen (.

Defn: One who is armed with a spear. Acts xxiii. 23.

SPEARMINT Spear"mint`, n. Etym: [So named from its spiry, not capitate, inflorescence. Dr. Prior.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of mint (Mentha viridis) growing in moist soil. It vields an aromatic oil. See Mint, and Mentha.

SPEARWOOD Spear"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An Australian tree (Acacia Doratoxylon), and its tough wood, used by the natives for spears.

SPEARWORT Spear"wort`, n. Etym: [AS. sperewyrt.] (Bot.)

Defn: A name given to several species of crowfoot (Ranunculus) which have spear-shaped leaves.

SPEARY Spear"y, a.

Defn: Having the form of a spear.

SPECE Spece, n.

Defn: Species; kind. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPECHT Specht, n. Etym: [See Speight.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A woodpecker. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Sherwood.

SPECIAL Spe"cial, a. Etym: [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. spécial. See Species, and cf. Especial.]

1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort. A special is called by the schools a "species". I. Watts.

2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. Atterbury. To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. De Quincey.

3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.

4. Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.

5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.] The king hath drawn The special head of all the land together. Shak. Special administration (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc. -- Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter. -- Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. Tomlins. Wharton (Law Dict.). -- Special constable. See under Constable. Bouvier. -- Special damage (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it. -- Special demurrer (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated. -- Special deposit, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others. -- Special homology. (Biol.) See under Homology. -- Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. Daniell. -- Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. Stephen. -- Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury. -- Special orders (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc. -- Special partner, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; -- unknown at common law. -- Special partnership, a limited or particular partnership; -- a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure. -- Special plea in bar (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. Bouvier. -- Special pleader (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings. -- Special pleading (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. Burrill. -- Special property (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed. -- Special session, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as, a special session of Congress or of a legislature. -- Special statute, or Special law, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; -- in distinction from a general law. -- Special verdict (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. Wharton (Law Dict.).

Syn. -- Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See Peculiar.

SPECIAL Spe"cial, n.

1. A particular. [Obs.] Hammond.

2. One appointed for a special service or occasion. In special, specially; in particular. Chaucer.

SPECIALISM Spe"cial*ism, n.

Defn: Devotion to a particular and restricted part or branch of knowledge, art, or science; as, medical specialism.

SPECIALIST Spe"cial*ist, n.

Defn: One who devotes himself to some specialty; as, a medical specialist, one who devotes himself to diseases of particular parts of the body, as the eye, the ear, the nerves, etc.

SPECIALITY Spe`ci*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Specialities. Etym: [See Special, and Specialty.]

1. A particular or peculiar case; a particularity. Sir M. Hale.

2. (Law)

Defn: See Specialty, 3.

3. The special or peculiar mark or characteristic of a person or thing; that for which a person is specially distinguished; an object of special attention; a special occupation or object of attention; a specialty. On these two general heads all other specialities are depedent. Hooker. Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow- mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his speciality. Ld. Lytton. We 'll say, instead, the inconsequent creature man, -For that'a his speciality. Mrs. Browning. Think of this, sir, . . . remote from the impulses of passion, and apart from the specialities -- if I may use that strong remark -- of prejudice. Dickens.

4. An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.

SPECIALIZATION Spe`cial*i*za"tion, n.

1. The act of specializing, or the state of being spezialized.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: The setting spart of a particular organ for the performance of a particular function. Darwin.

SPECIALIZE Spe"cial*ize, v. t.

1. To mention specialy; to particularize.

2. To apply to some specialty or limited object; to assign to a specific use; as, specialized knowledge.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: To supply with an organ or organs having a special function or functions.

SPECIALLY Spe"cial*ly, adv.

1. In a special manner; partcularly; especially. Chaucer.

2. For a particular purpose; as, a meeting of the legislature is specially summoned.

SPECIALTY Spe"cial*ty, n.; pl. Specialties. Etym: [F. spécialité. Cf. Speciality.]

1. Particularity. Specialty of rule hath been neglected. Shak.

2. A particular or peculiar case. [Obs.]

3. (Law)

Defn: A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified. Chitty. Bouvier. Wharton (Law Dict.). Let specialties be therefore drawn between us. Shak.

4. That for which a person is distinguished, in which he is specially versed, or which he makes an object of special attention; a speciality. Men of boundless knowledge, like Humbold, must have had once their specialty, their pet subject. C. Kingsley.

SPECIE Spe"ci*e,

Defn: abl. of L. species sort, kind. Used in the phrase in specie, that is, in sort, in kind, in (its own) form. "[The king] expects a return in specie from them" [i. e., kindness for kindness]. Dryden. In specie (Law), in precise or definite form; specifically; according to the exact terms; of the very thing.

SPECIE Spe"cie, n. Etym: [Formed as a singular from species, in sense 5.]

Defn: Coin; hard money.

SPECIES Spe"cies, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [L., a sight, outward appearance, shape, form, a particular sort, kind, or quality, a species. See Spice, n., and cf. Specie, Special.]

1. Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image. [R.] "The species of the letters illuminated with indigo and violet." Sir I. Newton. Wit, . . . the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent. Dryden.

Note: In the scholastic philosophy, the species was sensible and intelligible. The sensible species was that in any material, object which was in fact discerned by the mind through the organ of perception, or that in any object which rendered it possible that it should be perceived. The sensible species, as apprehended by the understanding in any of the relations of thought, was called an intelligible species. "An apparent diversity between the species visible and audible is, that the visible doth not mingle in the medium, but the audible doth." Bacon.

2. (Logic)

Defn: A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.

3. In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.

Note: In mineralogy and chemistry, objects which possess the same definite chemical structure, and are fundamentally the same in crystallization and physical characters, are classed as belonging to a species. In zoölogy and botany, a species is an ideal group of individuals which are believed to have descended from common ancestors, which agree in essential characteristics, and are capable of indefinitely continued fertile reproduction through the sexes. A species, as thus defined, differs from a variety or subspecies only in the greater stability of its characters and in the absence of individuals intermediate between the related groups.

4. A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.

5. Coin, or coined silver, gold, ot other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie. [Obs.] There was, in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now. Arbuthnot.

6. A public spectacle or exhibition. [Obs.] Bacon.

7. (Pharmacy) (a) A component part of compound medicine; a simple. (b) (Med.) An officinal mixture or compound powder of any kind; esp., one used for making an aromatic tea or tisane; a tea mixture. Quincy.

8. (Civil Law)

Defn: The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure. Burill. Incipient species (Zoöl.), a subspecies, or variety, which is in process of becoming permanent, and thus changing to a true species, usually by isolation in localities from which other varieties are excluded.

SPECIFIABLE Spec"i*fi`a*ble, a.

Defn: Admitting specification; capable of being specified.

SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, a. Etym: [F. spécifique, or NL. cpesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. Specify.]

1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice. Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another. I. Watts.

2. Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.

3. (Med.)

Defn: Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a characteristic or characteristics distinguishing one species from every other species of the same genus. -- Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. -- Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. -- Specific gravity. (Physics) See under Gravity. -- Specific heat (Physics), the quantity of heat required to raise temperature of a body one degree, taking as the unit of measure the quantity required to raise the same weight of water from zero to one degree; thus, the specific heat of mercury is 0.033, that of water being 1.000. -- Specific inductive capacity (Physics), the effect of a dielectric body in producing static electric induction as compared with that of some other body or bodies referred to as a standard. -- Specific legacy (Law), a bequest of a particular thing, as of a particular animal or piece of furniture, specified and distinguished from all others. Wharton. Burrill. -- Specific name (Nat., Hist.), the name which, appended to the name of the genus, constitutes the distinctive name of the species; -- originally applied by Linnæus to the essential character of the species, or the essential difference. The present specific name he at first called the trivial name. -- Specific performance (Law), the peformance of a contract or agreement as decreed by a court of equity.

SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, n.

1. (Med.)

Defn: A specific remedy. See Specific, a., 3. His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady. Macaulay.

2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More.

SPECIFICAL Spe*cif"ic*al, a.

Defn: Specific. Bacon.

SPECIFICALLY Spe*cif"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a specific manner.

SPECIFICALNESS Spe*cif"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being specific.

SPECIFICATE Spe*cif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [See Specify.]

Defn: To show, mark, or designate the species, or the distinguishing particulars of; to specify. [Obs.] ir M. Hale.

SPECIFICATION Spec`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spécification, LL. specificatio.]

1. The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit; notation of limits. This specification or limitation of the question hinders the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of inquiry. I. Watts.

2. The designation of particulars; particular mention; as, the specification of a charge against an officer.

3. A written statement containing a minute description or enumeration of particulars, as of charges against a public officer, the terms of a contract, the description of an invention, as in a patent; also, a single article, item, or particular, an allegation of a specific act, as in a charge of official misconduct.

SPECIFICNESS Spe*cif"ic*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being specific.

SPECIFY Spec"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specified; p. pr. & vb. n. Specifying.] Etym: [F. spécifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL. specificare. See Species, -fy.]

Defn: To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased. He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified. Pope.

SPECILLUM Spe*cil"lum, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)

Defn: See Stylet, 2.

SPECIMEN Spec"i*men, n. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, to behold. See Spy.]

Defn: A part, or small portion, of anything, or one of a number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as, a specimen of a man's handwriting; a specimen of painting; aspecimen of one's art.

Syn. -- Sample; model; pattern. -- Specimen, Sample. A specimen is a representative of the class of things to which it belongs; as, a specimen of photography. A sample is a part of the thing itself, designed to show the quality of the whole; as, a sample of sugar or of broadcloth. A cabinet of minerals consists of specimens; if a part be broken off from any one of these, it is a sample of the mineral to which it belongs. "Several persons have exhibited specimens of this art before multitudes of beholders." Addison. "I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." Woodward.

SPECIOSITY Spe`ci*os"i*ty, n.; pl. Speciocities. Etym: [Cf. LL. speciositas.]

1. The quality or state of being specious; speciousness. Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance. Carlyle.

2. That which is specious. Dr. H. More.

SPECIOUS Spe"cious, a. Etym: [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. spécoeux. See Species.]

1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. Bp. Richardson. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton.

2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley.

Syn. -- Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible. -- Spe"xious*ly, adv. -- Spe"cious*ness, n.

SPECK Speck, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spik blubber, AS. spic, D. spek, G. speck.]

Defn: The blubber of whales or other marine mammals; also, the fat of the hippopotamus. Speck falls (Naut.), falls or ropes rove through blocks for hoisting the blubber and bone of whales on board a whaling vessel.

SPECK Speck, n. Etym: [OE. spekke, AS. specca; cf. LG. spaak.]

1. A small discolored place in or on anything, or a small place of a color different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; a blemish; as, a speck on paper or loth; specks of decay in fruit. "Gray sand, with black specks." Anson.

2. A very small thing; a particle; a mite; as, specks of dust; he has not a speck of money. Many bright specks bubble up along the blue Egean. Landor.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small etheostomoid fish (Ulocentra stigmæa) common in the Eastern United States.

SPECK Speck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specked; p. pr. & vb. n. Specking.]

Defn: To cause the presence of specks upon or in, especially specks regarded as defects or blemishes; to spot; to speckle; as, paper specked by impurities in the water used in its manufacture. Carnation, purple, azure, or specked with gold. Milton.

SPECKLE Spec"kle, n. Etym: [Dim. of speck; cf. D. spikkel.]

Defn: A little or spot in or anything, of a different substance or color from that of the thing itself. An huge great serpent, all with speckles pied. Spebser.

SPECKLE Spec"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Speckling.]

Defn: To mark with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface; to variegate with spots of a different color from the ground or surface.

SPECKLED Spec"kled, a.

Defn: Marked or variegated with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface. Speckled Indians (Ethnol.), the Pintos. -- Speckled trout. (Zoöl.) (a) The common American brook trout. See Trout. (b) The rainbow trout.

SPECKLED-BELLY Spec"kled-bel`ly, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The gadwall. [Local, U.S.]

SPECKLED-BILL Spec"kled-bill", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons).

SPECKLEDNESS Spec"kled*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being speckled.

SPECKSIONEER Speck`sion*eer", n.

Defn: The chief harpooner, who also directs in cutting up the speck, or blubber; -- so called among whalers.

SPECKT Speckt, n.

Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight.

SPECTACLE Spec"ta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. spectaculum, fr. spectare to look at, to behold, v. intens. fr. specere. See Spy.]

1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. O, piteous spectacle O, bloody times! Shak.

2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [Obs.] Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see. Chaucer.

3. pl.

Defn: An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light.

4. pl.

Defn: Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight. Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature. Dryden.

Syn. -- Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant.

SPECTACLED Spec"ta*cled, a.

1. Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles. As spectacled she sits in chimney nook. Keats.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the eyes surrounded by color markings, or patches of naked skin, resembling spectacles. Spectacled bear (Zoöl.), a South American bear (Tremarclos ornatus) which inhabits the high mountains of Chili and Peru. It has a light-colored ring around each eye. -- Spectacled coot, or Spectacled duck (Zoöl.), the surf scoter, or surf duck. [Local, U.S.] -- Spectacled eider (Zoöl.) See Eider. -- Spectacled goose (Zoöl.), the gannet. -- Spectacled snake (Zoöl.), the cobra de capello.

SPECTACULAR Spec*tac"u*lar, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a shows; of the nature of a show. "Spectacular sports." G. Hickes.

2. Adapted to excite wonder and admiration by a display of pomp or of scenic effects; as, a spectacular celebration of some event; a spectacular play.

3. Pertaining to spectacles, or glasses for the eyes.

SPECTANT Spec"tant, a. Etym: [L. spectans, p.pr. of spectare to look at.]

Defn: Looking forward.

SPECTATION Spec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. spectatio.]

Defn: Regard; aspect; appearance. Harvey.

SPECTATOR Spec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L. spectator: cf. F. spectateur. See Spectacle.]

Defn: One who on; one who sees or beholds; a beholder; one who is personally present at, and sees, any exhibition; as, the spectators at a show. "Devised and played to take spectators." Shak.

Syn. -- Looker-on; beholder; observer; witness.