Chapter CDXXXVI: Prologue (87)

Defn: A long horizontal timber to connect uprights in a frame, or to support a floor or the like.

STRINGHALT String"halt`, n. (Far.)

Defn: An habitual sudden twitching of the hinder leg of a horse, or an involuntary or convulsive contraction of the muscles that raise the hock. [Written also springhalt.]

STRINGINESS String"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being stringy.

STRINGLESS String"less, a.

Defn: Having no strings. His tongue is now a stringless instrument. Shak.

STRINGPIECE String"piece`, n. (Arch.) (a) A long piece of timber, forming a margin or edge of any piece of construction; esp.: (b) One of the longitudinal pieces, supporting the treads and rises of a flight or run of stairs.

STRINGY String"y, a.

1. Consisting of strings, or small threads; fibrous; filamentous; as, a stringy root.

2. Capable of being drawn into a string, as a glutinous substance; ropy; viscid; gluely. Stringy bark (Bot.), a name given in Australia to several trees of the genus Eucalyptus (as E. amygdalina, obliqua, capitellata, macrorhyncha, piperita, pilularis, and tetradonta), which have a fibrous bark used by the aborigines for making cordage and cloth.

STRIP Strip, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stripped; p. pr. & vb. n. Stripping.] Etym: [OE. stripen, strepen, AS. str in bestr to plunder; akin to D. stroopen, MHG. stroufen, G. streifen.]

1. To deprive; to bereave; to make destitute; to plunder; especially, to deprive of a covering; to skin; to peel; as, to strip a man of his possession, his rights, his privileges, his reputation; to strip one of his clothes; to strip a beast of his skin; to strip a tree of its bark. And strippen her out of her rude array. Chaucer. They stripped Joseph out of his coat. Gen. xxxvii. 23. Opinions which . . . no clergyman could have avowed without imminent risk of being stripped of his gown. Macaulay.

2. To divest of clothing; to uncover. Before the folk herself strippeth she. Chaucer. Strip your sword stark naked. Shak.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: To dismantle; as, to strip a ship of rigging, spars, etc.

4. (Agric.)

Defn: To pare off the surface of, as land, in strips.

5. To deprive of all milk; to milk dry; to draw the last milk from; hence, to milk with a peculiar movement of the hand on the teats at the last of a milking; as, to strip a cow.

6. To pass; to get clear of; to outstrip. [Obs.] When first they stripped the Malean promontory. Chapman. Before he reached it he was out of breath, And then the other stripped him. Beau. & Fl.

7. To pull or tear off, as a covering; to remove; to wrest away; as, to strip the skin from a beast; to strip the bark from a tree; to strip the clothes from a man's back; to strip away all disguisses. To strip bad habits from a corrupted heart, is stripping off the skin. Gilpin.

8. (Mach.) (a) To tear off (the thread) from a bolt or nut; as, the thread is stripped. (b) To tear off the thread from (a bolt or nut); as, the bolt is stripped.

9. To remove the metal coating from (a plated article), as by acids or electrolytic action.

10. (Carding)

Defn: To remove fiber, flock, or lint from; -- said of the teeth of a card when it becomes partly clogged.

11. To pick the cured leaves from the stalks of (tobacco) and tie them into "hands"; to remove the midrib from (tobacco leaves).

STRIP Strip, v. i.

1. To take off, or become divested of, clothes or covering; to undress.

2. (Mach.)

Defn: To fail in the thread; to lose the thread, as a bolt, screw, or nut. See Strip, v. t., 8.

STRIP Strip, n.

1. A narrow piece, or one comparatively long; as, a strip of cloth; a strip of land.

2. (Mining)

Defn: A trough for washing ore.

3. (Gunnery)

Defn: The issuing of a projectile from a rifled gun without acquiring the spiral motion. Farrow.

STRIPE Stripe, n. Etym: [OD. strijpe a stripe, streak; akin to LG. stripe, D. streep, Dan. stribe, G. strief, striefen, MHG. striefen to glide, march.]

1. A line, or long, narrow division of anything of a different color or structure from the ground; hence, any linear variation of color or structure; as, a stripe, or streak, of red on a green ground; a raised stripe.

2. (Weaving)

Defn: A pattern produced by arranging the warp threads in sets of alternating colors, or in sets presenting some other contrast of appearance.

3. A strip, or long, narrow piece attached to something of a different color; as, a red or blue stripe sewed upon a garment.

4. A stroke or blow made with a whip, rod, scourge, or the like, such as usually leaves a mark. Forty stripes he may give him, and not exceed. Deut. xxv. 3.

5. A long, narrow discoloration of the skin made by the blow of a lash, rod, or the like. Cruelty marked him with inglorious stripes. Thomson.

6. Color indicating a party or faction; hence, distinguishing characteristic; sign; likeness; sort; as, persons of the same political stripe. [Colloq. U.S.]

7. pl. (Mil.)

Defn: The chevron on the coat of a noncommissioned officer. Stars and Stripes. See under Star, n.

STRIPE Stripe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Striped; p. pr. & vb. n. Striping.]

1. To make stripes upon; to form with lines of different colors or textures; to variegate with stripes.

2. To strike; to lash. [R.]

STRIPED Striped, a.

Defn: Having stripes of different colors; streaked. Striped bass. (Zoöl.) See under Bass. -- Striped maple (Bot.), a slender American tree (Acer Pennsylvanicum) with finely striped bark. Called also striped dogwood, and moosewood. -- Striped mullet. (Zoöl.) See under Mullet, 2. -- Striped snake (Zoöl.), the garter snake. -- Striped squirrel (Zoöl.), the chipmunk.

STRIP-LEAF Strip"-leaf`, n.

Defn: Tobacco which has been stripped of its stalks before packing.

STRIPLING Strip"ling, n. Etym: [Dim. of strip; as if a small strip from the main stock or steam.]

Defn: A youth in the state of adolescence, or just passing from boyhood to manhood; a lad. Inquire thou whose son the stripling is. 1 Sam. xvii. 56.

STRIPPER Strip"per, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, strips; specifically, a machine for stripping cards.

STRIPPET Strip"pet, n. Etym: [Dim. of strip.]

Defn: A small stream. [Obs.] "A little brook or strippet." Holinshed.

STRIPPING Strip"ping, n.

1. The act of one who strips. The mutual bows and courtesies . . . are remants of the original prostrations and strippings of the captive. H. Spencer. Never were cows that required such stripping. Mrs. Gaskell.

2. pl.

Defn: The last milk drawn from a cow at a milking.

STRISORES Stri*so"res, n. pl. Etym: [NL.; cf. L. stridere to creak, whiz, buzz.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of passerine birds including the humming birds, swifts, and goatsuckers. It is now generally considered an artificial group.

STRIVE Strive, v. i. [imp. Strove; p. p. Striven (Rarely, Strove); p. pr. & vb. n. Striving.] Etym: [OF. estriver; of Teutonic origin, and akin to G. streben, D. streven, Dan. stræbe, Sw. sträfva. Cf. Strife.]

1. To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with earnestness; to labor hard. Was for this his ambition strove To equal Cæsar first, and after, Jove Cowley.

2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute; to contend; to contest; -- followed by against or with before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against temptation; strive for the truth. Chaucer. My Spirit shall not always strive with man. Gen. vi. 3. Why dost thou strive against him Job xxxiii. 13. Now private pity strove with public hate, Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. Denham.

3. To vie; to compete; to be a rival. Chaucer. [Not] that sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired Castalian spring, might with this paradise Of Eden strive. Milton.

Syn. -- To contend; vie; struggle; endeavor; aim.

STRIVE Strive, n.

1. An effort; a striving. [R.] Chapman.

2. Strife; contention. [Obs.] Wyclif (luke xxi. 9).

STRIVED Strived, obs. p. p. of Strive.

Defn: Striven. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel. Rom. xv. 20.

STRIVEN Striv"en,

Defn: p. p. of Strive.

STRIVER Striv"er, n.

Defn: One who strives.

STRIVING Striv"ing, a. & n.

Defn: from Strive. -- Striv"ing*ly, adv.

STRIX Strix, n. Etym: [L. strix, strigis.] (Arch.)

Defn: One of the flutings of a column.

STROAM Stroam, v. i. Etym: [Prov. E. strome to walk with long strides.]

1. To wander about idly and vacantly. [Obs.]

2. To take long strides in walking. [Prov. Eng.]

STROBILA Stro*bi"la, n.; pl. Strobilæ. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.) (a) A form of the larva of certain Discophora in a state of development succeeding the scyphistoma. The body of the strobila becomes elongated, and subdivides transversely into a series of lobate segments which eventually become ephyræ, or young medusæ. (b) A mature tapeworm.

STROBILACEOUS Strob`i*la"ceous, a. Etym: [See Strobila.] (Bot.) (a) Of or pertaining to a strobile or cone. (b) Producing strobiles.

STROBILATION Strob`i*la"tion, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The act or phenomenon of spontaneously dividing transversely, as do certain species of annelids and helminths; transverse fission. See Illust. under Syllidian.

STROBILE Strob"ile, n. Etym: [L. strobilus a pine cone, Gr. strobole.] [Written also strobil.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: A scaly multiple fruit resulting from the ripening of an ament in certain plants, as the hop or pine; a cone. See Cone, n., 3.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: An individual asexually producing sexual individuals differing from itself also in other respects, as the tapeworm, -- one of the forms that occur in metagenesis.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Strobila.

STROBILIFORM Stro*bil"i*form, a.

Defn: Shaped like a strobile.

STROBILINE Strob"i*line, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a strobile; strobilaceous; strobiliform; as, strobiline fruits.

STROBOSCOPE Strob"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]

1. An instrument for studying or observing the successive phases of a periodic or varying motion by means of light which is periodically interrupted.

2. An optical toy similar to the phenakistoscope. See Phenakistoscope.

STROCKLE Stroc"kle, n. (Glass Manuf.)

Defn: A shovel with a turned-up edge, for frit, sand, etc. [Written also strocal, strocle, strokal.]

STRODE Strode, n.

Defn: See Strude. [Obs.]

STRODE Strode,

Defn: imp. of Stride.

STROKE Stroke, obs. imp. of Strike.

Defn: Struck.

STROKE Stroke, n. Etym: [OE. strok, strook, strak, fr. striken. See Strike, v. t.]

1. The act of striking; a blow; a hit; a knock; esp., a violent or hostile attack made with the arm or hand, or with an instrument or weapon. His hand fetcheth a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree. Deut. xix. 5. A fool's lips enter into contention and his mouth calleth for strokes. Prov. xviii. 6. He entered and won the whole kingdom of Naples without striking a stroke. Bacon.

2. The result of effect of a striking; injury or affliction; soreness. In the day that Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Isa. xxx. 26.

3. The striking of the clock to tell the hour. Well, but what's o'clock - Upon the stroke of ten. -- Well, let is strike. Shak.

4. A gentle, caressing touch or movement upon something; a stroking. Dryden.

5. A mark or dash in writing or printing; a line; the touch of a pen or pencil; as, an up stroke; a firm stroke. O, lasting as those colors may they shine, Free as thy stroke, yet faultless as thy line. Pope.

6. Hence, by extension, an addition or amandment to a written composition; a touch; as, to give some finishing strokes to an essay. Addison.

7. A sudden attack of disease; especially, a fatal attack; a severe disaster; any affliction or calamity, especially a sudden one; as, a stroke of apoplexy; the stroke of death. At this one stroke the man looked dead in law. Harte.

8. A throb or beat, as of the heart. Tennyson.

9. One of a series of beats or movements against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is accomplished; as, the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or an oar in rowing, of a skater, swimmer, etc.; also: (Rowing) (a) The rate of succession of stroke; as, a quick stroke. (b) The oar nearest the stern of a boat, by which the other oars are guided; -- called also stroke oar. (c) The rower who pulls the stroke oar; the strokesman.

10. A powerful or sudden effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished; also, something done or accomplished by such an effort; as, a stroke of genius; a stroke of business; a master stroke of policy.

11. (Mach.)

Defn: The movement, in either direction, of the piston plunger, piston rod, crosshead, etc., as of a steam engine or a pump, in which these parts have a reciprocating motion; as, the forward stroke of a piston; also, the entire distance passed through, as by a piston, in such a movement; as, the piston is at half stroke.

Note: The respective strokes are distinguished as up and down strokes, outward and inward strokes, forward and back strokes, the forward stroke in stationary steam engines being toward the crosshead, but in locomotives toward the front of the vehicle.

12. Power; influence. [Obs.] "Where money beareth [hath] all the stroke." Robynson (More's Utopia). He has a great stroke with the reader. Dryden.

13. Appetite. [Obs.] Swift. To keep stroke, to make strokes in unison. The oars where silver, Which to the tune of flutes kept stroke. Shak.

STROKE Stroke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strokeed; p. pr. & vb. n. Strokeing.] Etym: [OE. stroken, straken, AS. stracian, fr. strican to go over, pass. See Strike, v. t., and cf. Straggle.]

1. To strike. [Obs.] Ye mote with the plat sword again Stroken him in the wound, and it will close. Chaucer.

2. To rib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to caress; to soothe. He dried the falling drops, and, yet more kind, He stroked her cheeks. Dryden.

3. To make smooth by rubbing. Longfellow.

4. (Masonry)

Defn: To give a finely fluted surface to.

5. To row the stroke oar of; as, to stroke a boat.

STROKER Strok"er, n.

Defn: One who strokes; also, one who pretends to cure by stroking. Cures worked by Greatrix the stroker. Bp. Warburton.

STROKESMAN Strokes"man, n.; pl. Strokesman (. (Rowing)

Defn: The man who rows the aftermost oar, and whose stroke is to be followed by the rest. Totten.

STROKING Strok"ing, n.

1. The act of rubbing gently with the hand, or of smoothing; a stroke. I doubt not with one gentle stroking to wipe away ten thousand tears. Milton.

2. (Needlework)

Defn: The act of laying small gathers in cloth in regular order.

3. pl.

Defn: See Stripping, 2. Smollett.

STROLL Stroll, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Strolled; p. pr. & vb. n. Strolling.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. stryge to stroll, Sw. stryka to stroke, to ramble, dial. Sw. strykel one who strolls about, Icel. strj to stroke, D. struikelen to stumble, G. straucheln. Cf. Struggle.]

Defn: To wander on foot; to ramble idly or leisurely; to rove. These mothers stroll to beg sustenance for their helpless infants. Swift.

Syn. -- To rove; roam; range; stray.

STROLL Stroll, n.

Defn: A wandering on foot; an idle and leisurely walk; a ramble.

STROLLER Stroll"er, n.

Defn: One who strolls; a vagrant.

STROMA Stro"ma, n.; pl. Stromata. Etym: [L., a bed covering, Gr.

1. (Anat.) (a) The connective tissue or supporting framework of an organ; as, the stroma of the kidney. (b) The spongy, colorless framework of a red blood corpuscle or other cell.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: A layer or mass of cellular tissue, especially that part of the thallus of certain fungi which incloses the perithecia.

STROMATIC Stro*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. miscellaneous writings, fr.

Defn: Miscellaneous; composed of different kinds.

STROMATOLOGY Stro`ma*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.] (Geol.)

Defn: The history of the formation of stratified rocks.

STROMB Stromb, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any marine univalve mollusk of the genus Strombus and allied genera. See Conch, and Strombus.

STROMBITE Strom"bite, n. (Paleon.)

Defn: A fossil shell of the genus Strombus.

STROMBOID Strom"boid, a. Etym: [Strombus + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or like, Strombus.

STROMBULIFORM Strom*bu"li*form, a. Etym: [NL. strombulus, dim. of strombus + -form. See Strombus.]

1. (Geol.)

Defn: Formed or shaped like a top.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Coiled into the shape of a screw or a helix.

STROMBUS Strom"bus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of marine gastropods in which the shell has the outer lip dilated into a broad wing. It includes many large and handsome species commonly called conch shells, or conchs. See Conch.

STROMEYERITE Stro"mey`er*ite, n. Etym: [So named from the German chemist Friedrich Stromeyer.] (Min.)

Defn: A steel-gray mineral of metallic luster. It is a sulphide of silver and copper.

STROND Strond, n.

Defn: Strand; beach. [Obs.] Shak.

STRONG Strong, a. [Compar. Stronger; superl. Strongest.] Etym: [AS. strang, strong; akin to D. & G. streng strict, rigorous, OHG. strengi strong, brave, harsh, Icel. strangr strong, severe, Dan. streng, Sw. sträng strict, severe. Cf. Strength, Stretch, String.]

1. Having active physical power, or great physical power to act; having a power of exerting great bodily force; vigorous. That our oxen may be strong to labor. Ps. cxliv. 14. Orses the strong to greater strength must yield. Dryden.

2. Having passive physical power; having ability to bear or endure; firm; hale; sound; robust; as, a strong constitution; strong health.

3. Solid; tough; not easily broken or injured; able to withstand violence; able to sustain attacks; not easily subdued or taken; as, a strong beam; a strong rock; a strong fortress or town.

4. Having great military or naval force; powerful; as, a strong army or fleet; a nation strong at sea.

5. Having great wealth, means, or resources; as, a strong house, or company of merchants.

6. Reaching a certain degree or limit in respect to strength or numbers; as, an army ten thousand strong.

7. Moving with rapidity or force; violent; forcible; impetuous; as, a strong current of water or wind; the wind was strong from the northeast; a strong tide.

8. Adapted to make a deep or effectual impression on the mind or imagination; striking or superior of the kind; powerful; forcible; cogent; as, a strong argument; strong reasons; strong evidence; a strong example; strong language.

9. Ardent; eager; zealous; earnestly engaged; as, a strong partisan; a strong Whig or Tory. Her mother, ever strong against that match. Shak.

10. Having virtues of great efficacy; or, having a particular quality in a great degree; as, a strong powder or tincture; a strong decoction; strong tea or coffee.

11. Full of spirit; containing a large proportion of alcohol; intoxicating; as, strong liquors.

12. Affecting any sense powerfully; as, strong light, colors, etc.; a strong flavor of onions; a strong scent.

13. Solid; nourishing; as, strong meat. Heb. v. 12.

14. Well established; firm; not easily overthrown or altered; as, a strong custom; a strong belief.

15. Violent; vehement; earnest; ardent. He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. Heb. v. 7.

16. Having great force, vigor, power, or the like, as the mind, intellect, or any faculty; as, a man of a strong mind, memory, judgment, or imagination. I was stronger in prophecy than in criticism. Dryden.

17. Vigorous; effective; forcible; powerful. Like her sweet voice is thy harmonious song, As high, as sweet, as easy, and as strong. E. Smith.

18. (Stock Exchange)

Defn: Tending to higher prices; rising; as, a strong market.

19. (Gram.) (a) Pertaining to, or designating, a verb which forms its preterit (imperfect) by a variation in the root vowel, and the past participle (usually) by the addition of -en (with or without a change of the root vowel); as in the verbs strive, strove, striven; break, broke, broken; drink, drank, drunk. Opposed to weak, or regular. See Weak. (b) Applied to forms in Anglo-Saxon, etc., which retain the old declensional endings. In the Teutonic languages the vowel stems have held the original endings most firmly, and are called strong; the stems in -n are called weak other constant stems conform, or are irregular. F. A. March. Strong conjugation (Gram.), the conjugation of a strong verb; -- called also old, or irregular, conjugation, and distinguished from the weak, or regular, conjugation.

Note: Strong is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, strong-backed, strong-based, strong-bodied, strong- colored, strong-fisted, strong-handed, strong-ribbed, strong- smelling, strong-voiced, etc.

Syn. -- Vigorous; powerful; stout; solid; firm; hardy; muscular; forcible; cogent; valid. See Robust.

STRONGHAND Strong"hand`, n.

Defn: Violence; force; power. It was their meaning to take what they needed by stronghand. Sir W. Raleigh.

STRONGHOLD Strong"hold`, n.

Defn: A fastness; a fort or fortress; fortfield place; a place of security.

STRONGISH Strong"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat strong.

STRONGLY Strong"ly, adv.

Defn: In a strong manner; so as to be strong in action or in resistance; with strength; with great force; forcibly; powerfully; firmly; vehemently; as, a town strongly fortified; he objected strongly.

STRONG-MINDED Strong"-mind`ed, a.

Defn: Having a vigorous mind; esp., having or affecting masculine qualities of mind; -- said of women. -- Strong"-mind`ed*ness, n.

STRONG-WATER Strong"-wa`ter, n.

1. An acid. [Obs.]

2. Distilled or ardent spirits; intoxicating liquor.

STRONGYLID Stron"gy*lid, a. & n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Strongyloid.

STRONGYLOID Stron"gy*loid, a. Etym: [NL. Strongylus the genus (from Gr. -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like, or pertaining to, Strongylus, a genus of parasitic nematode worms of which many species infest domestic animals. Some of the species, especially those living in the kidneys, lungs, and bronchial tubes, are often very injurious. -- n.

Defn: A strongyloid worm.

STRONTIA Stron"ti*a, n. Etym: [NL. strontia, fr. Strontian, in Argyleshire, Scotland, where strontianite was first found.] (Chem.)

Defn: An earth of a white color resembling lime in appearance, and baryta in many of its properties. It is an oxide of the metal strontium.

STRONTIAN Stron"ti*an, n. (Min.)

Defn: Strontia.

STRONTIANITE Stron"ti*an*ite, n. (Min.)

Defn: Strontium carbonate, a mineral of a white, greenish, or yellowish color, usually occurring in fibrous massive forms, but sometimes in prismatic crystals.

STRONTIC Stron"tic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to strontium; containing, or designating the compounds of, strontium.

STRONTITIC Stron*tit"ic, a.

Defn: Strontic.

STRONTIUM Stron"ti*um, n. Etym: [NL. See Strontia.] (Chem.)

Defn: A metallic element of the calcium group, always naturally occurring combined, as in the minerals strontianite, celestite, etc. It is isolated as a yellowish metal, somewhat malleable but harder than calcium. It is chiefly employed (as in the nitrate) to color pyrotechnic flames red. Symbol Sr. Atomic weight 87.3. A radioactive isotope of strontium produced by certain nuclear reactions, and constituting one of the prominent harmful components of radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions; also called radiostrontium. It has a half-life of 28 years.

STROOK Strook, obs.

Defn: imp. of Strike. Dryden.

STROOK Strook, n.

Defn: A stroke. [Obs.] Chaucer.

STROOT Stroot, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Strut, v. i.]

Defn: To swell out; to strut. [Obs.] Chapman.

STROP Strop, n. Etym: [See Strap.]

Defn: A strap; specifically, same as Strap, 3.

STROP Strop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stropped; p. pr. & vb. n. Stropping.]

Defn: To draw over, or rub upon, a strop with a view to sharpen; as, to strop a razor.

STROP Strop, n. Etym: [Cf. F. estrope, étrope, fr. L. struppus. See Strop a strap.] (Naut.)

Defn: A piece of rope spliced into a circular wreath, and put round a block for hanging it.

STROPHANTHUS Stro*phan"thus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of tropical apocynaceous shrubs having singularly twisted flowers. One species (Strophanthus hispidus) is used medicinally as a cardiac sedative and stimulant.

STROPHE Stro"phe, n.; pl. Strophes. Etym: [NL., from Gr. strap.]

Defn: In Greek choruses and dances, the movement of the chorus while turning from the right to the left of the orchestra; hence, the strain, or part of the choral ode, sung during this movement. Also sometimes used of a stanza of modern verse. See the Note under Antistrophe.

STROPHIC Stroph"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, containing, or consisting of, strophes.

STROPHIOLATE; STROPHIOLATED Stro"phi*o*late, Stro"phi*o*la`ted, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Furnished with a strophiole, or caruncle, or that which resembles it. Gray.

STROPHIOLE Stro"phi*ole, n. Etym: [L. strophiolum a little chaplet, dim. of strophium a band, Gr. strophiole.] (Bot.)

Defn: A crestlike excrescence about the hilum of certain seeds; a caruncle.

STROPHULUS Stroph"u*lus, n. Etym: [NL.] (Med.)

Defn: See Red-gum, 1.

STROUD Stroud, n.

Defn: A kind of coarse blanket or garment used by the North American Indians.

STROUDING Stroud"ing, n.

Defn: Material for strouds; a kind of coarse cloth used in trade with the North American Indians.

STROUT Strout, v. i. Etym: [See Strut.]

Defn: To swell; to puff out; to project. [Obs.] Chaucer.

STROUT Strout, v. t.

Defn: To cause to project or swell out; to enlarge affectedly; to strut. [Obs.] Bacon.

STROVE Strove,

Defn: imp. of Strive.

STROW Strow, v. t. [imp. Strowed; p. p. Strown or Strowed.]

Defn: Same as Strew. Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks In Vallombrosa. Milton. A manner turbid . . . and strown with blemished. M. Arnold.

STROWL Strowl, v. i.

Defn: To stroll. [Obs.]

STROWN Strown,

Defn: p. p. of Strow.

STROY Stroy, v. i.

Defn: To destroy. [Obs.] Tusser.

STRUCK Struck,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Strike. Struck jury (Law), a special jury, composed of persons having special knowledge or qualifications, selected by striking from the panel of jurors a certain number for each party, leaving the number required by law to try the cause.

STRUCKEN Struck"en, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Strike. Shak.

STRUCTURAL Struc"tur*al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to structure; affecting structure; as, a structural error.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to organit structure; as, a structural element or cell; the structural peculiarities of an animal or a plant. Structural formula. (Chem.) See Rational formula, under Formula. empirical formula.

STRUCTURAL SHAPE Struc"tur*al shape. (Engin. & Arch.)

Defn: The shape of a member especially adapted to structural purposes, esp. in giving the greatest strength with the least material. Hence, Colloq.,

Defn: any steel or iron member of such shape, as channel irons, I beams, T beams, etc., or, sometimes, a column, girder, etc., built up with such members.

STRUCTURAL STEEL Structural steel. (a) Rolled steel in structural shapes. (b) A kind of strong mild steel, suitable for structural shapes.

STRUCTURE Struc"ture, n. Etym: [L. structura, from struere, structum, to arrange, build, construct; perhaps akin to E. strew: cf. F. structure. Cf. Construe, Destroy, Instrument, Obstruct.]

1. The act of building; the practice of erecting buildings; construction. [R.] His son builds on, and never is content Till the last farthing is in structure spent. J. Dryden, Jr.

2. Manner of building; form; make; construction. Want of insight into the structure and constitution of the terraqueous globe. Woodward.

3. Arrangement of parts, of organs, or of constituent particles, in a substance or body; as, the structure of a rock or a mineral; the structure of a sentence. It [basalt] has often a prismatic structure. Dana.

4. (Biol.)

Defn: Manner of organization; the arrangement of the different tissues or parts of animal and vegetable organisms; as, organic structure, or the structure of animals and plants; cellular structure.

5. That which is built; a building; esp., a building of some size or magnificence; an edifice. There stands a structure of majestic frame. Pope. Columnar structure. See under Columnar.

STRUCTURED Struc"tured, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Having a definite organic structure; showing differentiation of parts. The passage from a structureless state to a structured state is itself a vital process. H. Spencer.

STRUCTURELESS Struc"ture*less, a.

Defn: Without a definite structure, or arrangement of parts; without organization; devoid of cells; homogeneous; as, a structureless membrane.

STRUCTURIST Struc"tur*ist, n.

Defn: One who forms structures; a builder; a constructor. [R.]

STRUDE Strude, n.

Defn: A stock of breeding mares. [Written also strode.] [Obs.] Bailey.

STRUGGLE Strug"gle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Struggled; p. pr. & vb. n. Struggling.] Etym: [OE. strogelen; cf. Icel. strj to stroke, to beat, to flog, Sw. stryka to stroke, to strike, Dan. stryge, G. straucheln to stumble. Cf. Stroll.]

1. To strive, or to make efforts, with a twisting, or with contortions of the body.

2. To use great efforts; to labor hard; to strive; to contend forcibly; as, to struggle to save one's life; to struggle with the waves; to struggle with adversity. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it [Gettysburg] far above our power to add or detract. Lincoln.

3. To labor in pain or anguish; to be in agony; to labor in any kind of difficulty or distress. 'T is wisdom to beware, And better shun the bait than struggle in the snare. Dryden.

Syn. -- To strive; contend; labor; endeavor.

STRUGGLE Strug"gle, n.

1. A violent effort or efforts with contortions of the body; agony; distress.

2. Great labor; forcible effort to obtain an object, or to avert an evil. Macaulay.

3. Contest; contention; strife. An honest might look upon the struggle with indifference. Addison.

Syn. -- Endeavor; effort; contest; labor; difficulty.

STRUGGLER Strug"gler, n.

Defn: One who struggles.

STRULL Strull, n.

Defn: A bar so placed as to resist weight.

STRUM Strum, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Strummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Strumming.] Etym: [Probably of imitative origin. Cf. Thrum.]

Defn: To play on an instrument of music, or as on an instrument, in an unskillful or noisy way; to thrum; as, to strum a piano.

STRUMA Stru"ma, n. Etym: [L., a scrofulous tumor.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Scrofula.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: A cushionlike swelling on any organ; especially, that at the base of the capsule in many mosses.

STRUMATIC Stru*mat"ic, a.

Defn: Scrofulous; strumous.

STRUMOSE Stru*mose", a. Etym: [L. strumosus: cf. F. strumeux.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: Strumous.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Having a struma.

STRUMOUS Stru"mous, a. (Med.)

Defn: Scrofulous; having struma.

STRUMOUSNESS Stru"mous*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being strumous.

STRUMPET Strum"pet, n. Etym: [OE. strumpet, strompet; cf. OF. stupe debauchery, F. stupe, L. stuprare, stupratum, to debauch, stuprum debauchery, Gael. & Ir. striopach a prostitute.]

Defn: A prostitute; a harlot. Shak.

STRUMPET Strum"pet, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a strumpet; characteristic of a strumpet. Out on thy more than strumpet impudence. B. Jonson.

STRUMPET Strum"pet, v. t.

1. To debauch. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To dishonor with the reputation of being a strumpet; hence, to belie; to slander. With his untrue reports, strumpet your fame. Massinger.

STRUMSTRUM Strum"strum, n.

Defn: A rude musical instrument somewhat like a cittern. [R.] Dampier.

STRUNG Strung,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of String.

STRUNT Strunt, n.

Defn: Spirituous liquor. [Scot.] Burns.

STRUNTIAN Strun"tian, n.

Defn: A kind of worsted braid, about an inch broad. [Scot.] Jamieson.

STRUSE Struse, n. Etym: [Russ. strug'.] (Naut.)

Defn: A Russian river craft used for transporting freight.

STRUT Strut, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strutted; p. pr. & vb. n. Strutting.] Etym: [OE. struten, strouten, to swell; akin to G. strozen to be swelled, to be puffed up, to strut, Dan. strutte.]

1. To swell; to bulge out. [R.] The bellying canvas strutted with the gale. Dryden.

2. To walk with a lofty, proud gait, and erect head; to walk with affected dignity. Does he not hold up his head, . . . and strut in his gait Shak.

STRUT Strut, n. Etym: [For senses 2 & 3 cf. LG. strutt rigid.]

1. The act of strutting; a pompous step or walk.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: In general, any piece of a frame which resists thrust or pressure in the direction of its own length. See Brace, and Illust. of Frame, and Roof.

3. (Engin.)

Defn: Any part of a machine or structure, of which the principal function is to hold things apart; a brace subjected to compressive stress; -- the opposite of stay, and tie.

STRUT Strut, v. t.

Defn: To hold apart. Cf. Strut, n., 3.

STRUT Strut, a.

Defn: Protuberant. [Obs.] Holland.

STRUTHIAN Stru"thi*an, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Struthious.

STRUTHIO Stru"thi*o, n.; pl. Struthiones. Etym: [L., an ostrich, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of birds including the African ostriches.

STRUTHIOIDEA Stru`thi*oi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Struthio, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Struthiones.

STRUTHIONES Stru`thi*o"nes, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Struthio.] (Zoöl.) (a) A division, or order, of birds, including only the African ostriches. (b) In a wider sense, an extensive group of birds including the ostriches, cassowaries, emus, moas, and allied birds incapable of flight. In this sense it is equivalent to Ratitæ, or Dromæognathæ.

STRUTHIONINE Stru`thi*o"nine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Struthious.

STRUTHIOUS Stru"thi*ous, a. Etym: [L. struthius, strutheus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Struthiones, or Ostrich tribe.

STRUTTER Strut"ter, n.

Defn: One who struts.

STRUTTING Strut"ting, a. & n.

Defn: from Strut, v. -- Strut"ting*ly, adv.

STRUVITE Struv"ite, n. Etym: [After the Russian minister Von Struve.] (Min.)

Defn: A crystalline mineral found in guano. It is a hydrous phosphate of magnesia and ammonia.

STRYCHNIA Strych"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Strychnine.] (Chem.)

Defn: Strychnine.

STRYCHNIC Strych"nic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to strychnine; produced by strychnine; as, strychnic compounds; strychnic poisoning; specifically (Chem.),

Defn: used to designate an acid, called also igasuric acid.

STRYCHNINE Strych"nine, n. Etym: [L. strychnos a kind of nightshade, Gr. strychnine.] (Chem.)

Defn: A very poisonous alkaloid resembling brucine, obtained from various species of plants, especially from species of Loganiaceæ, as from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean (Strychnos Ignatia) and from nux vomica. It is obtained as a white crystalline substance, having a very bitter acrid taste, and is employed in medicine (chiefly in the form of the sulphate) as a powerful neurotic stimulant. Called also strychnia, and formerly strychnina.

STRYCHNOS Strych"nos, n. Etym: [L., a kind of nightshade, Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of tropical trees and shrubs of the order Loganiaceæ. See Nux vomica.

STRYPHNIC Stryph"nic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid, obtained by the action of acetic acid and potassium nitrite on uric acid, as a yellow crystalline substance, with a bitter, astringent taste.

STUB Stub, n. Etym: [OE. stubbe, AS. stub, styb; akin to D. stobbe, LG. stubbe, Dan. stub, Sw. stubbe, Icel. stubbr, stubbi; cf. Gr.

1. The stump of a tree; that part of a tree or plant which remains fixed in the earth when the stem is cut down; -- applied especially to the stump of a small tree, or shrub. Stubs sharp and hideous to behold. Chaucer. And prickly stubs instead of trees are found. Dryden.

2. A log; a block; a blockhead. [Obs.] Milton.

3. The short blunt part of anything after larger part has been broken off or used up; hence, anything short and thick; as, the stub of a pencil, candle, or cigar.

4. A part of a leaf in a check book, after a check is torn out, on which the number, amount, and destination of the check are usually recorded.

5. A pen with a short, blunt nib.

6. A stub nail; an old horseshoe nail; also, stub iron. Stub end (Mach.), the enlarged end of a connecting rod, to which the strap is fastened. -- Stub iron, iron made from stub nails, or old horseshoe nails, -- used in making gun barrels. -- Stub mortise (Carp.), a mortise passing only partly through the timber in which it is formed. -- Stub nail, an old horseshoe nail; a nail broken off; also, a short, thick nail. -- Stub short, or Stub shot (Lumber Manuf.), the part of the end of a sawn log or plank which is beyond the place where the saw kerf ends, and which retains the plank in connection with the log, until it is split off. -- Stub twist, material for a gun barrel, made of a spirally welded ribbon of steel and stub iron combined.

STUB Stub, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stubbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Stubbing.]

1. To grub up by the roots; to extirpate; as, to stub up edible roots. What stubbing, plowing, digging, and harrowing is to a piece of land. Berkley.

2. To remove stubs from; as, to stub land.

3. To strike as the toes, against a stub, stone, or other fixed object. [U. S.]

STUBBED Stub"bed, a.

1. Reduced to a stub; short and thick, like something truncated; blunt; obtuse.

2. Abounding in stubs; stubby. A bit of stubbed ground, once a wood. R. Browning.

3. Not nice or delicate; hardy; rugged. "Stubbed, vulgar constitutions." Berkley.

STUBBEDNESS Stub"bed*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being stubbed.

STUBBINESS Stub"bi*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being stubby.

STUBBLE Stub"ble, n. Etym: [OE. stobil, stoble, OF. estouble, estuble, F. étuele, LL. stupla, stupula, L. stipula stubble, stalk; cf. D. & G. stopped, OHG. stupfila. Cf. Stipule.]

Defn: The stumps of wheat, rye, barley, oats, or buckwheat, left in the ground; the part of the stalk left by the scythe or sickle. "After the first crop is off, they plow in the wheast stubble." Mortimer. Stubble goose (Zoöl.), the graylag goose. [Prov. Eng.] Chaucer. -- Stubble rake, a rake with long teeth for gleaning in stubble.

STUBBLED Stub"bled, a.

1. Covered with stubble. A crow was strutting o'er the stubbled plain. Gay.

2. Stubbed; as, stubbled legs. [Obs.] Skelton.

STUBBLY Stub"bly, a.

Defn: Covered with stubble; stubbled.

STUBBORN Stub"born, a. Etym: [OE. stoburn, stiborn; probably fr. AS. styb a stub. See Stub.]

Defn: Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding; persistent; hence, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion; not yielding to reason or persuasion; refractory; harsh; -- said of persons and things; as, stubborn wills; stubborn ore; a stubborn oak; as stubborn as a mule. "Bow, stubborn knees." Shak. "Stubborn attention and more than common application." Locke. "Stubborn Stoics." Swift. And I was young and full of ragerie [wantonness] Stubborn and strong, and jolly as a pie. Chaucer. These heretics be so stiff and stubborn. Sir T. More. Your stubborn usage of the pope. Shak.

Syn. -- Obstinate; inflexible; obdurate; headstrong; stiff; hardy; firm; refractory; intractable; rugged; contumacious; heady. -- Stubborn, Obstinate. Obstinate is used of either active or passive persistence in one's views or conduct, in spite of the wishes of others. Stubborn describes an extreme degree of passive obstinacy. -- Stub"born*ly, adv. -- Stub"born*ness, n.

STUBBY Stub"by, a.

1. Abounding with stubs.

2. Short and thick; short and strong, as bristles.

STUCCO Stuc"co, n.; pl. Stuccoes, Stuccos. Etym: [It., fr. OHG. stucchi a crust, piece, G. stück piece; akin to AS. stycce. See Stock.]

1. Plaster of any kind used as a coating for walls, especially, a fine plaster, composed of lime or gypsum with sand and pounded marble, used for internal decorations and fine work.

2. Work made of stucco; stuccowork.

STUCCO Stuc"co, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stuccoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Stuccoing.]

Defn: To overlay or decorate with stucco, or fine plaster.

STUCCOER Stuc"co*er, n.

Defn: One who stuccoes.

STUCCOWORK Stuc"co*work`, n.

Defn: Work done in stucco.

STUCK Stuck,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Stick.

STUCK Stuck, n. Etym: [Cf. 1st Stoccado.]

Defn: A thrust. [Obs.] Shak.

STUCKLE Stuc"kle, n. Etym: [From Stook.]

Defn: A number of sheaves set together in the field; a stook.

STUCK-UP Stuck"-up`, a.

Defn: Self-important and supercilious, [Colloq.] The airs of small, stuck-up, men. A. K. H. Boyd.

STUD Stud, n. Etym: [OE. stod, stood, AS. stod; akin to OHG. stuota, G. stute a mare, Icel. sto stud, Lith. stodas a herd, Russ. stado, and to E. stand. The sense is properly, a stand, an establishment. *163. See Stand, and cf. Steed.]

Defn: A collection of breeding horses and mares, or the place where they are kept; also, a number of horses kept for a racing, riding, etc. In the studs of Ireland, where care is taken, we see horses bred of excellent shape, vigor, and size. Sir W. Temple. He had the finest stud in England, and his delight was to win plates from Tories. Macaulay.

STUD Stud, n. Etym: [AS. studu a post; akin to Sw. stöd a prop, Icel. sto a post, sty to prop, and probably ultimately to E. stand; cf. D. stut a prop, G. stütze. See Stand.]

1. A stem; a trunk. [Obs.] Seest not this same hawthorn stud Spenser.

2. (Arch.)

Defn: An upright scanting, esp. one of the small uprights in the framing for lath and plaster partitions, and furring, and upon which the laths are nailed.

3. A kind of nail with a large head, used chiefly for ornament; an ornamental knob; a boss. A belt of straw and ivy buds, With coral clasps and amber studs. Marlowe. Crystal and myrrhine cups, embossed with gems And studs of pearl. Milton.

4. An ornamental button of various forms, worn in a shirt front, collar, wristband, or the like, not sewed in place, but inserted through a buttonhole or eyelet, and transferable.

5. (Mach.) (a) A short rod or pin, fixed in and projecting from something, and sometimes forming a journal. (b) A stud bolt.

6. An iron brace across the shorter diameter of the link of a chain cable. Stud bolt, a bolt with threads on both ends, to be screwed permanently into a fixed part at one end and receive a nut upon the other; -- called also standing bolt.

STUD Stud, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Studded; p. pr. & vb. n. Studding.]

1. To adorn with shining studs, or knobs. Thy horses shall be trapped, Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. Shak.

2. To set with detached ornaments or prominent objects; to set thickly, as with studs. The sloping sides and summits of our hills, and the extensive plains that stretch before our view, are studded with substantial, neat, and commodious dwellings of freemen. Bp. Hobart.

STUDBOOK Stud"book`, n.

Defn: A genealogical register of a particular breed or stud of horses, esp. thoroughbreds.

STUDDERY Stud"der*y, n.

Defn: A stud, or collection of breeding horses and mares; also, a place for keeping a stud. [Obs.] King Henry the Eighth erected a noble studdery. Holinshed.

STUDDING Stud"ding, n.

Defn: Material for studs, or joists; studs, or joists, collectively; studs.

STUDDING SAIL Stud"ding sail`. (Naut.)

Defn: A light sail set at the side of a principal or square sail of a vessel in free winds, to increase her speed. Its head is bent to a small spar which is called the studding-sail boom. See Illust. of Sail. Toten.

STUDENT Stu"dent, n. Etym: [L. studens, -entis, p.pr. of studere to study. See Study, n.]

1. A person engaged in study; one who is devoted to learning; a learner; a pupil; a scholar; especially, one who attends a school, or who seeks knowledge from professional teachers or from books; as, the students of an academy, a college, or a university; a medical student; a hard student. Keep a gamester from the dice, and a good student from his book. Shak.

2. One who studies or examines in any manner; an attentive and systematic observer; as, a student of human nature, or of physical nature.

STUDENTRY Stu"dent*ry, n.

Defn: A body of students. [R.]

STUDENTSHIP Stu"dent*ship, n.

Defn: The state of being a student.

STUDFISH Stud"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of small American minnows of the genus Fundulus, as F. catenatus.

STUD-HORSE Stud"-horse`, n. Etym: [AS. stod-hors.]

Defn: A stallion, esp. one kept for breeding.

STUDIED Stud"ied, a.

1. Closely examined; read with diligence and attention; made the subject of study; well considered; as, a studied lesson.

2. Well versed in any branch of learning; qualified by study; learned; as, a man well studied in geometry. I shrewdly suspect that he is little studied of a theory of moral proportions. Burke.

3. Premeditated; planned; designed; as, a studied insult. "Studied magnificence." Hawthorne.

4. Intent; inclined. [Obs.] Shak.

STUDIEDLY Stud"ied*ly, adv.

Defn: In a studied manner.

STUDIER Stud"i*er, n.

Defn: A student. [R.] W. Irving. Lipsius was a great studier of the stoical philosophy. Tillotson.

STUDIO Stu"di*o, n.; pl. Studios. Etym: [It. studio, properly, study. See Study.]

Defn: The working room of an artist.

STUDIOUS Stu"di*ous, a. Etym: [L. studious: cf. F. studieux. See Study.]

1. Given to study; devoted to the acquisition of knowledge from books; as, a studious scholar.

2. Given to thought, or to the examination of subjects by contemplation; contemplative. Locke.

3. Earnest in endeavors; aiming sedulously; attentive; observant; diligent; -- usually followed by an infinitive or by of; as, be studious to please; studious to find new friends and allies. You that are so studious Of my affairs, wholly neglect your own. Massinger.

4. Planned with study; deliberate; studied. For the frigid villainy of studious lewdness, . . . with apology can be invented Rambler.

5. Favorable to study; suitable for thought and contemplation; as, the studious shade. [Poetic] But let my due feet never fail To walk the studious cloister's pale. Milton. -- Stu"di*ous*ly, adv. -- Stu"di*ous*ness, n.

STUDY Stud"y, n.; pl. Studies. Etym: [OE. studie, L. studium, akin to studere to study; possibly akin to Gr. estudie, estude, F. étude. Cf. Etude, Student, Studio, Study, v. i.]

1. A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. Hammond . . . spent thirteen hours of the day in study. Bp. Fell. Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace. Sir W. Temple.

2. Mental occupation; absorbed or thoughtful attention; meditation; contemplation. Just men they seemed, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works. Milton.

3. Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration. The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, are her daily study. Law. The proper study of mankind is man. Pope.

4. A building or apartment devoted to study or to literary work. "His cheery little study." Hawthorne.

5. (Fine Arts)

Defn: A representation or rendering of any object or scene intended, not for exhibition as an original work of art, but for the information, instruction, or assistance of the maker; as, a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture.

6. (Mus.)

Defn: A piece for special practice. See Etude.

STUDY Stud"y, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Studied; p. pr. & vb. n. Studying.] Etym: [OE. studien, OF. estudier, F. étudier. See Study, n.]

1. To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder. Chaucer. I found a moral first, and then studied for a fable. Swift.

2. To apply the mind to books or learning. Shak.

3. To endeavor diligently; to be zealous. 1 Thes. iv. 11.

STUDY Stud"y, v. t.

1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose of learning and understanding; as, to study law or theology; to study languages.

2. To consider attentively; to examine closely; as, to study the work of nature. Study thyself; what rank or what degree The wise Creator has ordained for thee. Dryden.

3. To form or arrange by previous thought; to con over, as in committing to memory; as, to study a speech.

4. To make an object of study; to aim at sedulously; to devote one's thoughts to; as, to study the welfare of others; to study variety in composition. For their heart studieth destruction. Prov. xxiv. 2.

STUFA Stu"fa, n. Etym: [It. stufa a stove. See Stove.]

Defn: A jet of steam issuing from a fissure in the earth.

STUFF Stuff, n. Etym: [OF. estoffe, F. étoffe; of uncertain origin, perhaps of Teutonic origin and akin to E. stop, v.t. Cf. Stuff, v. t.]

1. Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture. For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much. Ex. xxxvi. 7. Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff. Shak. The workman on his stuff his skill doth show, And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill. Sir J. Davies.

2. The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence. Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscience To do no contrived murder. Shak.

3. Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber. What stuff wilt have a kirtle of Shak. It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively. F. G. Lee.

4. Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils. He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff. Hayward.

5. A medicine or mixture; a potion. Shak.

6. Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash. Anger would indite Such woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write. Dryden.

7. (Naut.)

Defn: A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

8. Paper stock ground ready for use.

Note: When partly ground, called half stuff. Knight. Clear stuff. See under Clear. -- Small stuff (Naut.), all kinds of small cordage. Ham. Nav. Encyc. -- Stuff gown, the distinctive garb of a junior barrister; hence, a junior barrister himself. See Silk gown, under Silk.stuff and nonsense. (See def. 6 for stuff) balderdash, twaddle, nonsense, foolishness.

STUFF Stuff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stuffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Stuffing.] Etym: [OE. stoffen; cf. OF. estoffer, F. étoffer, to put stuff in, to stuff, to line, also, OF. estouffer to stifle, F. étouffer; both perhaps of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. stop. Cf. Stop, v. t., Stuff, n.]

1. To fill by crowding something into; to cram with something; to load to excess; as, to stuff a bedtick. Sometimes this crook drew hazel bought adown, And stuffed her apron wide with nuts so brown. Gay. Lest the gods, for sin, Should with a swelling dropsy stuff thy skin. Dryden.

2. To thrust or crowd; to press; to pack. Put roses into a glass with a narrow mouth, stuffing them close together . . . and they retain smell and color. Bacon.

3. To fill by being pressed or packed into. With inward arms the dire machine they load, And iron bowels stuff the dark abode. Dryden.

4. (Cookery)

Defn: To fill with a seasoning composition of bread, meat, condiments, etc.; as, to stuff a turkey.

5. To obstruct, as any of the organs; to affect with some obstruction in the organs of sense or respiration. I'm stuffed, cousin; I can not smell. Shak.

6. To fill the skin of, for the purpose of preserving as a specimen; -- said of birds or other animals.

7. To form or fashion by packing with the necessary material. An Eastern king put a judge to death for an iniquitous sentence, and ordered his hide to be stuffed into a cushion, and placed upon the tribunal. Swift.

8. To crowd with facts; to cram the mind of; sometimes, to crowd or fill with false or idle tales or fancies.

9. To put fraudulent votes into (a ballot box). [U. S.]

STUFF Stuff, v. i.

Defn: To feed gluttonously; to cram. Taught harmless man to cram and stuff. Swift.

STUFFER Stuff"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, stuffs.

STUFFINESS Stuff"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being stuffy.

STUFFING Stuff"ing, n.

1. That which is used for filling anything; as, the stuffing of a saddle or cushion.

2. (Cookery)

Defn: Any seasoning preparation used to stuff meat; especially, a composition of bread, condiments, spices, etc.; forcemeat; dressing.

3. A mixture of oil and tallow used in softening and dressing leather. Stuffing box, a device for rendering a joint impervious where there is a hole through which a movable cylindrical body, as the paston rod of a steam engine, or the plunger of a pump, slides back and forth, or in which a shaft turns. It usually consists of a box or chamber, made by an enlargement of part of the hole, forming a space around the rod or shaft for containing packing which is compressed and made to fill the space closely by means of a sleeve, called the gland, which fits loosely around the rod, and is pressed upon the packing by bolts or other means.

STUFFY Stuff"y, a.

1. Stout; mettlesome; resolute. [Scot.] Jamieson.

2. Angry and obstinate; sulky. [U. S.]

3. Ill-ventilated; close.

STUKE Stuke, n.

Defn: Stucco. [Obs.]

STULL Stull, n. Etym: [CF. Stum.]

Defn: A framework of timber covered with boards to support rubbish; also, a framework of boards to protect miners from falling stones. [Prov. Eng.]

STULM Stulm, n. Etym: [Cf. G. stollen a post, a stulm, E. stall, stand.]

Defn: A shaft or gallery to drain a mine. [Local, Eng.] Bailey.

STULP Stulp, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. stolpi, Dan., Sw., & OD. stolpe.]

Defn: A short, stout post used for any purpose, a to mark a boundary. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

STULTIFICATION Stul`ti*fi*ca"tion, n.

Defn: The act of stultifying, or the state of being stultified.

STULTIFIER Stul"ti*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who stultifies.

STULTIFY Stul"ti*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stultified; p. pr. & vb. n. Stultifying.] Etym: [L. stultus foolish + -fy.]

1. To make foolish; to make a fool of; as, to stultify one by imposition; to stultify one's self by silly reasoning or conduct. Burke.

2. To regard as a fool, or as foolish. [R.] The modern sciolist stultifies all understanding but his own, and that which he conceives like his own. Hazlitt.

3. (Law)