Chapter CDXLIV: Prologue (95)

2. Capable of impression; having nice sensibility; impressible; tender; sensitive; as, children are more susceptible than adults; a man of a susceptible heart. Candidates are . . . not very susceptible of affronts. Cowper. I am constitutionally susceptible of noises. Lamb. -- Sus*cep"ti*ble*ness, n. -- Sus*cep"ti*bly, adv.

SUSCEPTION Sus*cep"tion, n. Etym: [L. susceptio: cf. F. susception. See Susceptible.]

Defn: The act of taking; reception.

SUSCEPTIVE Sus*cep"tive, a.

Defn: Susceptible. I. Watts. -- Sus*cep"tive*ness, n.

SUSCEPTIVITY Sus`cep*tiv"i*ty, n.

Defn: Capacity for receiving; susceptibility. [R.] Wollaston.

SUSCEPTOR Sus*cep"tor, n. Etym: [L. See Susceptible.]

Defn: One who undertakes anything; specifically, a godfather; a sponsor; a guardian. Puller. Shipley.

SUSCIPIENCY Sus*cip"i*en*cy, n.

Defn: Admission. [R.]

SUSCIPIENT Sus*cip"i*ent, a. Etym: [L. suscipiens, p.pr. of suscipere. See Susceptible.]

Defn: Receiving; admitting. [R.]

SUSCIPIENT Sus*cip"i*ent, n.

Defn: One who takes or admits; one who receives. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

SUSCITABILITY Sus`ci*ta*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: Capability of being suscitated; excitability. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

SUSCITATE Sus"ci*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suscitated; p. pr. & vb. n. Suscitating.] Etym: [L. suscitatus, p.p. of suscitare to lift up, to rouse; pref. sus- (see Sub-) + citare to rouse, excite. Cf. Excite, Incite.]

Defn: To rouse; to excite; to call into life and action. [Obs.]

SUSCITATION Sus`ci*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. suscitatio: cf. F. suscitation.]

Defn: The act of raising or exciting. [R.] A mere suscitation or production of a thing. South.

SUSLIK Sus"lik, n. Etym: [Russ. súslik'.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A ground squirrel (Spermophilus citillus) of Europe and Asia. It has large cheek pouches. [Written also souslik.]

SUSPECT Sus*pect", a. Etym: [L. suspectus, p.p. of suspicere to look up, admire, esteem, to look at secretly or askance, to mistrust; sub under + specere to look: cf. F. suspect suspected, suspicious. See Spy, and cf. Suspicion.]

1. Suspicious; inspiring distrust. [Obs.] Suspect [was] his face, suspect his word also. Chaucer.

2. Suspected; distrusted. [Obs.] What I can do or offer is suspect. Milton.

SUSPECT Sus*pect", n. Etym: [LL. suspectus. See Suspect, a.]

1. Suspicion. [Obs.] Chaucer. So with suspect, with fear and grief, dismayed. Fairfax.

2. One who, or that which, is suspected; an object of suspicion; -- formerly applied to persons and things; now, only to persons suspected of crime. Bacon.

SUSPECT Sus*pect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suspected; p. pr. & vb. n. Suspecting.]

1. To imagine to exist; to have a slight or vague opinion of the existence of, without proof, and often upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to surmise; -- commonly used regarding something unfavorable, hurtful, or wrong; as, to suspect the presence of disease. Nothing makes a man suspect much, more than to know little; and therefore men should remedy suspicion by producing to know more. Bacon. From her hand I could suspect no ill. Milton.

2. To imagine to be guilty, upon slight evidence, or without proof; as, to suspect one of equivocation.

3. To hold to be uncertain; to doubt; to mistrust; to distruct; as, to suspect the truth of a story. Addison.

4. To look up to; to respect. [Obs.]

Syn. -- To mistrust; distrust; surmise; doubt.

SUSPECT Sus*pect", v. i.

Defn: To imagine guilt; to have a suspicion or suspicions; to be suspicious. If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at time. Shak.

SUSPECTABLE Sus*pect"a*ble, a.

Defn: That may be suspected.

SUSPECTED Sus*pect"ed, a.

Defn: Distrusted; doubted. -- Sus*pect"ed*ly, adv. -- Sus*pect"ed*ness, n.

SUSPECTER Sus*pect"er, n.

Defn: One who suspects.

SUSPECTFUL Sus*pect"ful, a.

Defn: Apt to suspect or mistrust; full of suspicion; suspicious; as, to be suspectful of the motives of others. Milton. -- Sus*pect"ful*ness, n.

SUSPECTION Sus*pec"tion, n.

Defn: Suspicion. [Obs.]

SUSPECTIOUSNESS Sus*pec"tious*ness, n.

Defn: Suspiciousness; cause for suspicion. [Obs. & R.] Ld. Berners.

SUSPECTLESS Sus*pect"less, a.

1. Not suspecting; having no suspicion. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.

2. Not suspected; not mistrusted. [R.] Beau. & Fl.

SUSPEND Sus*pend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suspended; p. pr. & vb. n. Suspending.] Etym: [F. suspendre, or OF. souspendre (where the prefix is L. subtus below, from sub under), L. suspendere, suspensum; pref. sus- (see Sub-) + pendere to hang. See Pedant, and cf. Suspense, n.]

1. To attach to something above; to hang; as, to suspend a ball by a thread; to suspend a needle by a loadstone.

2. To make to depend; as, God hath suspended the promise of eternal life on the condition of obedience and holiness of life. [Archaic] Tillotson.

3. To cause to cease for a time; to hinder from proceeding; to interrupt; to delay; to stay. Suspend your indignation against my brother. Shak. The guard nor fights nor fies; their fate so near At once suspends their courage and their fear. Denham.

4. To hold in an undetermined or undecided state; as, to suspend one's judgment or opinion. Locke.

5. To debar, or cause to withdraw temporarily, from any privilege, from the execution of an office, from the enjoyment of income, etc.; as, to suspend a student from college; to suspend a member of a club. Good men should not be suspended from the exercise of their ministry and deprived of their livelihood for ceremonies which are on all hands acknowledged indifferent. Bp. Sanderson.

6. To cause to cease for a time from operation or effect; as, to suspend the habeas corpus act; to suspend the rules of a legislative body.

7. (Chem.)

Defn: To support in a liquid, as an insoluble powder, by stirring, to facilitate chemical action. To suspend payment (Com.), to cease paying debts or obligations; to fail; -- said of a merchant, a bank, etc.

Syn. -- To hang; interrupt; delay; intermit; stay; hinder; debar.

SUSPEND Sus*pend", v. i.

Defn: To cease from operation or activity; esp., to stop payment, or be unable to meet obligations or engagements (said of a commercial firm or a bank).

SUSPENDER Sus*pend"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, suspends; esp., one of a pair of straps or braces worn over the shoulders, for holding up the trousers.

SUSPENSATION Sus`pen*sa"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. LL. suspensatio suspension from a charge or benefice.]

Defn: The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended, especially for a short time; temporary suspension.

SUSPENSE Sus*pense", a. Etym: [F. suspens, L. suspensus, p.p. of suspendere. See Suspend.]

1. Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding. [Obs.] [The great light of day] suspense in heaven. Milton.

2. Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt. [Obs.] "Expectation held his look suspense." Milton.

SUSPENSE Sus*pense", n. Etym: [From F. suspens, a. See Suspense, a.]

1. The state of being suspended; specifically, a state of uncertainty and expectation, with anxiety or apprehension; indetermination; indecision; as, the suspense of a person waiting for the verdict of a jury. Ten days the prophet in suspense remained. Denham. Upon the ticklish balance of suspense. Cowper.

2. Cessation for a time; stop; pause. A cool suspense from pleasure and from pain. Pope.

3. Etym: [Cf. F. suspense.] (Law)

Defn: A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent. Suspense account (Bookkeeping), an account in which receipts or disbursements are temporarily entered until their proper position in the books is determined.

SUSPENSELY Sus*pense"ly, adv.

Defn: In suspense. [Obs.] Hales.

SUSPENSIBILITY Sus*pen`si*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being suspensible.

SUSPENSIBLE Sus*pen"si*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being suspended; capable of being held from sinking.

SUSPENSION Sus*pen"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. suspension, L. suspensio arched work, imperfect pronunciation. See Suspend.]

1. The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended; pendency; as, suspension from a hook.

2. Especially, temporary delay, interruption, or cessation; as: (a) Of labor, study, pain, etc. (b) Of decision, determination, judgment, etc.; as, to ask a suspension of judgment or opinion in view of evidence to be produced. (c) Of the payment of what is due; as, the suspension of a mercantile firm or of a bank. (d) Of punishment, or sentence of punishment. (e) Of a person in respect of the exercise of his office, powers, prerogative, etc.; as, the suspension of a student or of a clergyman. (f) Of the action or execution of law, etc.; as, the suspension of the habeas corpus act.

3. A conditional withholding, interruption, or delay; as, the suspension of a payment on the performance of a condition.

4. The state of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but undissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining; also, any substance in this state.

5. (Rhet.)

Defn: A keeping of the hearer in doubt and in attentive expectation of what is to follow, or of what is to be the inference or conclusion from the arguments or observations employed.

6. (Scots Law)

Defn: A stay or postponement of execution of a sentence condemnatory by means of letters of suspension granted on application to the lord ordinary.

7. (Mus.)

Defn: The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects. Cf. Retardation. Pleas in suspension (Law), pleas which temporarily abate or suspend a suit. -- Points of suspension (Mech.), the points, as in the axis or beam of a balance, at which the weights act, or from which they are suspended. -- Suspension bridge, a bridge supported by chains, ropes, or wires, which usually pass over high piers or columns at each end, and are secured in the ground beyond. -- Suspension of arms (Mil.), a short truce or cessation of operations agreed on by the commanders of contending armies, as for burying the dead, making proposal for surrender or for peace, etc. -- Suspension scale, a scale in which the platform hangs suspended from the weighing apparatus instead of resting upon it.

Syn. -- Delay; interruption; intermission; stop.

SUSPENSIVE Sus*pen"sive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. suspensif. See Suspend.]

Defn: Tending to suspend, or to keep in suspense; causing interruption or delay; uncertain; doubtful. "In suspensive thoughts." Beaumont. "A suspensive veto." Macaulay. The provisional and suspensive attitude. J. Morley. Suspensive condition (Scots Law), a condition precedent, or a condition without the performance of which the contract can not be completed.

SUSPENSOR Sus*pen"sor, n. Etym: [NL.]

1. A suspensory.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: The cord which suspends the embryo; and which is attached to the radicle in the young state; the proembryo.

SUSPENSORIUM Sus`pen*so"ri*um, n.; pl. Suspensoria. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: Anything which suspends or holds up a part: especially, the mandibular suspensorium (a series of bones, or of cartilages representing them) which connects the base of the lower jaw with the skull in most vertebrates below mammals.

SUSPENSORY Sus*pen"so*ry, a.

1. Suspended; hanging; depending.

2. Fitted or serving to suspend; suspending; as, a suspensory muscle. Ray.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a suspensorium.

SUSPENSORY Sus*pen"so*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. suspensoir, suspensoire.]

Defn: That which suspends, or holds up, as a truss; specifically (Med.),

Defn: a bandage or bag for supporting the scrotum.

SUSPICABLE Sus"pi*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. suspacabilis, fr. suspicari to suspect, akin to suspicere. See Suspect, v. t.]

Defn: Liable to suspicion; suspicious. [Obs.] It is a very suspicable business. Dr. H. more.

SUSPICIENCY Sus*pi"cien*cy, n. Etym: [From L. suspiciens, p.pr. of suspicere. See Suspect, v. t.]

Defn: Suspiciousness; suspicion. [Obs.] Hopkins.

SUSPICION Sus*pi"cion, n. Etym: [OE. suspecioun, OF. souspeçon, F. soupçon, L. suspectio a looking up to, an esteeming highly, suspicion, fr. suspicere to look up, to esteem, to mistrust. The modern form suspicion in English and French is in imitation of L. suspicio mistrust, suspicion. See Suspect, and cf. Suspicious.]

1. The act of suspecting; the imagination or apprehension of the existence of something (esp. something wrong or hurtful) without proof, or upon very slight evidence, or upon no evidence. Suspicions among thoughts are like bats among birds, they ever fly by twilight. Bacon.

2. Slight degree; suggestion; hint. [Colloq.] The features are mild but expressive, with just a suspicion . . . of saturnine or sarcastic humor. A. W. Ward.

Syn. -- Jealousy; distrust; mistrust; diffidence; doubt.

SUSPICION Sus*pi"cion, v. t.

Defn: To view with suspicion; to suspect; to doubt. [Obs. or Low] South.

SUSPICIOUS Sus*pi"cious, a. Etym: [OE. suspecious; cf. L. suspiciosus. See Suspicion.]

1. Inclined to suspect; given or prone to suspicion; apt to imagine without proof. Nature itself, after it has done an injury, will ever be suspicious; and no man can love the person he suspects. South. Many mischievous insects are daily at work to make men of merit suspicious of each other. Pope.

2. Indicating suspicion, mistrust, or fear. We have a suspicious, fearful, constrained countenance. Swift.

3. Liable to suspicion; adapted to raise suspicion; giving reason to imagine ill; questionable; as, an author of suspicious innovations; suspicious circumstances. I spy a black, suspicious, threatening could. Shak.

Syn. -- Jealous; distrustful; mistrustful; doubtful; questionable. See Jealous. -- Sus*pi"cious*ly, adv. -- Sus*pi"cious*ness, n.

SUSPIRAL Sus*pir"al, n. Etym: [From Suspire.]

1. A breathing hole; a vent or ventiduct.

2. A spring of water passing under ground toward a cistern or conduit.

SUSPIRATION Sus`pi*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. suspiratio. See Suspire.]

Defn: The act of sighing, or fetching a long and deep breath; a deep respiration; a sigh. Windy suspiration of forced breath. Shak.

SUSPIRE Sus*pire", v. i. Etym: [L. suspirare to breathe out, to sigh; sub under + spirare to breathe: cf. F. souspirer, OF. souspirer.]

Defn: To fetch a long, deep breath; to sigh; to breathe. Shak. Fireflies that suspire In short, soft lapses of transported flame. Mrs. Browning.

SUSPIRE Sus*pire", n. Etym: [Cf. L. suspirium.]

Defn: A long, deep breath; a sigh. [Obs.]

SUSPIRED Sus*pired", a.

Defn: Ardently desired or longed for; earnestly coveted. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

SUSTAIN Sus*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sustained; p. pr. & vb. n. Sustaining.] Etym: [OE. sustenen, susteinen, OF. sustenir, sostenir, F. soutenir (the French prefix is properly fr. L. subtus below, fr. sub under), L. sustinere; pref. sus- (see Sub-) + tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Sustenance.]

1. To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support; as, a foundation sustains the superstructure; a beast sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight. Every pillar the temple to sustain. Chaucer.

2. Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support. No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the evils in this world. Tillotson.

3. To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army.

4. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate. Shak. His sons, who seek the tyrant to sustain. Dryden.

5. To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.

6. To suffer; to bear; to undergo. Shall Turnus, then, such endless toil sustain Dryden. You shall sustain more new disgraces. Shak.

7. To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to continue; not to dismiss or abate; as, the court sustained the action or suit.

8. To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.

Syn. -- To support; uphold; subsist; assist; relieve; suffer; undergo.

SUSTAIN Sus*tain", n.

Defn: One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer. [Obs.] I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord. Milton.

SUSTAINABLE Sus*tain"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. soutenable, OF. soustenable.]

Defn: Capable of being sustained or maintained; as, the action is not sustainable.

SUSTAINED Sus*tained", a.

Defn: Held up to a certain pitch, degree, or level; uniform; as, sustained pasion; a sustained style of writing; a sustained note in music.

SUSTAINER Sus*tain"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, sustains. Waterland.

SUSTAINMENT Sus*tain"ment, n.

Defn: The act of sustaining; maintenance; support. Milton. Lowell.

SUSTALTIC Sus*tal"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Mournful; -- said of a species of music among the ancient Greeks. Busby.

SUSTENANCE Sus"te*nance, n. Etym: [OF. sustenance, sostenance, soustenance: cf. L. sustenentia endurance. See Sustain.]

1. The act of sustaining; support; maintenance; subsistence; as, the sustenance of the body; the sustenance of life.

2. That which supports life; food; victuals; provisions; means of living; as, the city has ample sustenance. "A man of little sustenance." Chaucer. For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. Milton.

SUSTENTACLE Sus*ten"ta*cle, n. Etym: [L. sustentaculum. See Sustentation.]

Defn: Sustenance. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

SUSTENTACULAR Sus`ten*tac"u*lar, a. Etym: [See Sustenance.] (Anat.)

Defn: Supporting; sustaining; as, a sustentacular tissue.

SUSTENTATE Sus"ten*tate, v. t.

Defn: To sustain. [R.] C. Reade.

SUSTENTATION Sus`ten*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. sustentatio sustenance, maintenance, fr. sustentare to support, maintain, v. intens. fr. sustinere to sustain: cf. F. sustentation. See Sustain.]

1. The act of sustaining, or the state of being sustained; preservation from falling; support; sustenance; maintenance.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: The aggregate of the functions by which a living organism is maintained in a normal condition of weight and growth. Sustentation fund (Eccl.), a fund of a religious body for support of its ministers, chapels, etc.; as, the sustentation fund of the Free Church of Scotland.

SUSTENTATIVE Sus"ten*ta*tive, a.

Defn: Adapted to sustain, strengthen, or corroborate; as, sustentative citations or quotations. Sustentative functions (Physiol.), those functions of the body which affect its material composition and thus determine its mass.

SUSTENTION Sus*ten"tion, n.

Defn: Sustentation. [R. or Colloq.] In fine images, in sustention, in irony, they surpass anything that Burke ever wrote. J. Morley.

SUSTER; SUSTRE Sus"ter, Sus"tre, n.; pl. Susters (, Sustres, or Sustren (.

Defn: Sister. [Obs.] Chaucer. There are seven sustren, that serve truth ever. Piers Plowman.

SUSU Su"su, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Soosoo.

SUSURRANT Su*sur"rant, a. Etym: [L. susurrans, p.pr. from susurrare to whisper.]

Defn: Whispering. [R.] "The soft susurrant sigh." Poetry of Anti- Jacobin.

SUSURRATION Su`sur*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. susurratio, fr. susurrare to whisper: cf. F. susurration.]

Defn: A whispering; a soft murmur. "Soft susurrations of the trees." Howell.

SUSURRINGLY Su*sur"ring*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of a whisper. [Obs.]

SUSURROUS Su*sur"rous, a. Etym: [L. susurrus.]

Defn: Whispering; rustling; full of whispering sounds. [R.]

SUSURRUS Su*sur"rus, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: The act of whispering; a whisper; a murmur. De Quincey. The soft susurrus and sighs of the branches. Longfellow.

SUTILE Su"tile, a. Etym: [L. sutilis, fr. suere to sew: cf. F. sutile.]

Defn: Done by stitching. [R.] Boswell.

SUTLER Sut"ler, n. Etym: [D. zoetelaar, OD. soetelaar, a small trader, especially in camps, fr. soetelen to undertake low offices; cf. G. sudeln to do dirty work, to sully, soil, E. suds.]

Defn: A person who follows an army, and sells to the troops provisions, liquors, and the like.

SUTLERSHIP Sut"ler*ship, n.

Defn: The condition or occupation of a sutler.

SUTLING Sut"ling, a.

Defn: Belonging to sutlers; engaged in the occupation of a sutler. Addison.

SUTOR Su"tor, n.

Defn: A kind of sirup made by the Indians of Arizona from the fruit of some cactaceous plant (probably the Cereus giganteus).

SUTRA Su"tra, n.; pl. Sutras. Etym: [Skr. s a thread, a string of rules; an aphorism; fr. siv to sew.]

1. (a) A precept; an aphorism; a brief rule. (b) A collection of such aphorisms.

2. pl.

Defn: A body of Hindoo literature containing aphorisms on grammar, meter, law, and philosophy, and forming a connecting link between the Vedic and later Sanscrit literature. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

SUTTEE Sut*tee", n. Etym: [Skr. sati a faithful wife, fem. of sant existing, real, true, good, p.pr. of as to be. Cf. Sooth.]

1. A Hindoo widow who immolates herself, or is immolated, on the funeral pile of her husband; -- so called because this act of self- immolation is regarded as envincing excellence of wifely character. [India]

2. The act of burning a widow on the funeral pile of her husband. [India]

Note: The practice, though abolished in British India law in 1829, is not wholly prevented.

SUTTEEISM Sut*tee"ism, n.

Defn: The practice of self-immolation of widows in Hindostan.

SUTTLE Sut"tle, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Com.)

Defn: The weight when the tare has been deducted, and tret is yet to be allowed. M

SUTTLE Sut"tle, v. i. Etym: [See Sutler.]

Defn: To act as sutler; to supply provisions and other articles to troops.

SUTURAL Su"tur*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sutural, NL. suturals.]

1. Of or pertaining to a suture, or seam.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Taking place at a suture; as, a sutural de.

SUTURALLY Su"tur*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a sutural manner.

SUTURATED Su"tur*a`ted, a.

Defn: Sewed or knit together; united by a suture; stitched.

SUTURE Su"ture, n. Etym: [L. sutura, fr. suere, sutum, to sew or stitch: cf. F. suture. See Sew to unite with thread.]

1. The act of sewing; also, the line along which two things or parts are sewed together, or are united so as to form a seam, or that which resembles a seam.

2. (Surg.) (a) The uniting of the parts of a wound by stitching. (b) The stitch by which the parts are united.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: The line of union, or seam, in an immovable articulation, like those between the bones of the skull; also, such an articulation itself; synarthrosis. See Harmonic suture, under Harmonic.

4. (Bot.) (a) The line, or seam, formed by the union of two margins in any part of a plant; as, the ventral suture of a legume. (b) A line resembling a seam; as, the dorsal suture of a legume, which really corresponds to a midrib.

5. (Zoöl.) (a) The line at which the elytra of a beetle meet and are sometimes confluent. (b) A seam, or impressed line, as between the segments of a crustacean, or between the whorls of a univalve shell. Glover's suture, Harmonic suture, etc. See under Glover, Harmonic, etc.

SUTURED Su"tured, a.

Defn: Having a suture or sutures; knit or united together. Pennant.

SUWARROW Su*war"row, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The giant cactus (Cereus giganteus); -- so named by the Indians of Arizona. Called also saguaro.

SUZERAIN Su"ze*rain, n. Etym: [F., formed fr. sus above, L. susum, sursum (fr. sub under + versum, p.p. of vertere to turn), after the analogy of souverain, E. sovereign. See Sub-, and Verse.]

Defn: A superior lord, to whom fealty is due; a feudal lord; a lord paramount.

SUZERAINTY Su"ze*rain*ty, n. Etym: [F. suzeraineté.]

Defn: The dominion or authority of a suzerain; paramount authority.

SWA Swa (swä), adv. Etym: [See So.]

Defn: So. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SWAB Swab, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swabbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swabbing.] Etym: [See Swabber, n.]

Defn: To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship. [Spelt also swob.]

SWAB Swab, n. Etym: [Written also swob.]

1. A kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, etc., esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads.

2. A bit of sponge, cloth, or the like, fastened to a handle, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person, applying medicaments to deep- seated parts, etc.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: An epaulet. [Sailor's Slang] Marryat.

4. A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease. [Obs.] Bailey.

5. A sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

SWABBER Swab"ber, v. t.

Defn: To swab. [R.]

SWABBER Swab"ber, n. Etym: [D. zwabber; cf.D. zwabberen to swab, G. schwabbern, Dan. svabre, Sw. svab a swab, svabla to swab.]

1. One who swabs a floor or desk. Shak.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: Formerly, an interior officer on board of British ships of war, whose business it was to see that the ship was kept clean.

3. Same as Swobber, 2.

SWAD Swad, n. Etym: [Probably fr. AS. swe to bind.] [Written also swod.]

1. A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease. [Prov. Eng.] Swad, in the north, is a peascod shell -- thence used for an empty, shallow-headed fellow. Blount.

2. A clown; a country bumpkin. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "Country swains, and silly swads." Greene. There was one busy fellow was their leader, A blunt, squat swad, but lower than yourself. B. Jonson.

3. A lump of mass; also, a crowd. [Low, U.S.]

4. (Coal Mining)

Defn: A thin layer of refuse at the bottom of a seam. Raymond.

SWADDLE Swad"dle, n. Etym: [AS. swe, swe, fr. swe to bind. See Swathe.]

Defn: Anything used to swaddle with, as a cloth or band; a swaddling band. They put me in bed in all my swaddles. Addison.

SWADDLE Swad"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swaddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaddling.]

1. To bind as with a bandage; to bind or warp tightly with clothes; to swathe; -- used esp. of infants; as, to swaddle a baby. They swaddled me up in my nightgown with long pieces of linen. Addison.

2. To beat; to cudgel. [Obs.] Hudibras.

SWADDLEBILL Swad"dle*bill`, n. (Zoöl.)

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

SWADDLER Swad"dler, n.

Defn: A term of contempt for an Irish Methodist. Shipley.

SWADDLING Swad"dling, a. & n.

Defn: from Swaddle, v. Swaddling band, Swaddling cloth, or Swaddling clout, a band or cloth wrapped round an infant, especially round a newborn infant. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke ii. 12.

SWAG Swag, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swagged; p. pr. & vb. n. Swagging.] Etym: [Cf. Icel. sveggja, sveigja to bend, to sway, Norw. svaga to sway. See Sway.]

1. To hang or move, as something loose and heavy; to sway; to swing. [Prov. Eng.]

2. To sink down by its weight; to sag. Sir H. Wotton. I swag as a fat person's belly swaggeth as he goeth. Palsgrave.

SWAG Swag, n.

1. A swaying, irregular motion.

2. A burglar's or thief's booty; boodle. [Cant or Slang] Charles Reade.

SWAG-BELLIED Swag"-bel`lied, a.

Defn: Having a prominent, overhanging belly. Shak.

SWAGBELLY Swag"bel`ly, n.

1. A prominent, overhanging belly. Smollett.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Any large tumor developed in the abdomen, and neither fluctuating nor sonorous. Dunglison.

SWAGE Swage, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Swaged; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaging.] Etym: [Equiv. to suage, abbrev. fr. assuage.]

Defn: See Assuage. [Obs.]

SWAGE Swage, n.

Defn: A tool, variously shaped or grooved on the end or face, used by blacksmiths and other workers in metals, for shaping their work, whether sheet metal or forging, by holding the swage upon the work, or the work upon the swage, and striking with a sledge. Swage block, a perforated block of iron, having grooved sides and adapted for use in heading bolts and swaging objects of large size.

SWAGE Swage, v. t.

Defn: To shape by means of a swage; to fashion, as a piece of iron, by forcing it into a groove or mold having the required shape.

SWAGGER Swag"ger, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swaggered; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaggering.] Etym: [Freq. of swag.]

1. To walk with a swaying motion; hence, to walk and act in a pompous, consequential manner. A man who swaggers about London clubs. Beaconsfield.

2. To boast or brag noisily; to be ostentatiously proud or vainglorious; to bluster; to bully. What a pleasant it is . . . to swagger at the bar! Arbuthnot. To be great is not . . . to swagger at our footmen. Colier.

SWAGGER Swag"ger, v. t.

Defn: To bully. [R.] Swift.

SWAGGER Swag"ger, n.

Defn: The act or manner of a swaggerer. He gave a half swagger, half leer, as he stepped forth to receive us. W. Irving.

SWAGGERER Swag"ger*er, n.

Defn: One who swaggers; a blusterer; a bully; a boastful, noisy fellow. Shak.

SWAGGIE Swag"gie, n.

Defn: A swagman. [Australia]

SWAGGY Swag"gy, a.

Defn: Inclined to swag; sinking, hanging, or leaning by its weight. Sir T. Browne.

SWAGMAN Swag"man, n.

Defn: A bushman carrying a swag and traveling on foot; -- called also swagsman, swagger, and swaggie.

SWAGSMAN Swags"man, n.

Defn: A swagman. [Australia]

SWAIN Swain, n. Etym: [OE. swain, swein, Icel. sveinn a boy, servant; akin to Sw. sven, Dan. svend, AS. swan, OHG. swein.]

1. A servant. [Obs.] Him behoves serve himself that has no swain. Chaucer.

2. A young man dwelling in the country; a rustic; esp., a cuntry gallant or lover; -- chiefly in poetry. It were a happy life To be no better than a homely swain. Shak. Blest swains! whose nymphs in every grace excel. Pope.

SWAINISH Swain"ish, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a swain; rustic; ignorant. "An ungentle and swainish beast." Milton. -- Swain"ish*ness, n. Emerson.

SWAINLING Swain"ling, n.

Defn: A little swain. [R.]

SWAINMOTE Swain"mote`, n. Etym: [Swain + mote meeting: cf. LL. swanimotum.] (Eng. Forest Law)

Defn: A court held before the verders of the forest as judges, by the steward of the court, thrice every year, the swains, or freeholders, within the forest composing the jury. [Written also swanimote, and sweinmote.] Blackstone.

SWAINSHIP Swain"ship, n.

Defn: The condition of a swain.

SWAIP Swaip, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Sweep.]

Defn: To walk proudly; to sweep along. [Prov. Eng.] Todd.

SWAL Swal, obs. imp. of Swell.

Defn: Swelled. Chaucer.

SWALE Swale, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. svalr cool, svala to cool.]

Defn: A valley or low place; a tract of low, and usually wet, land; a moor; a fen. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]

SWALE Swale, v. i. & t.

Defn: To melt and waste away; to singe. See Sweal, v.

SWALE Swale, n.

Defn: A gutter in a candle. [Prov. Eng.]

SWALLET Swal"let, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schwall a sea swell, from schwellen to swell, E. swell.]

Defn: Water breaking in upon the miners at their work; -- so called among tin miners. [Prov. Eng.]

SWALLOW Swal"low, n. Etym: [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala, Dan. svale.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family Hirundinidæ, especially one of those species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and gracefulness of their flight.

Note: The most common North American species are the barn swallow (see under Barn), the cliff, or eaves, swallow (see under Cliff), the white-bellied, or tree, swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), and the bank swallow (see under Bank). The common European swallow (Chelidon rustica), and the window swallow, or martin (Chelidon urbica), are familiar species.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of swifts which resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the common American chimney swallow, or swift.

3. (Naut.)

Defn: The aperture in a block through which the rope reeves. Ham. Nav. Encyc. Swallow plover (Zoöl.), any one of several species of fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus Glareola, as G. orientalis of India; a pratincole. -- Swallow shrike (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family Artamiidæ, allied to the shrikes but similar to swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike (Artamus fuscus) is common in India. -- Swallow warbler (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus Dicæum. They are allied to the honeysuckers.

SWALLOW Swal"low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swallowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swallowing.] Etym: [OE. swolewen, swolwen, swolhen, AS. swelgan; akin to D. zwelgen, OHG. swelahan, swelgan, G. schwelgen to feast, to revel, Icel. svelgia to swallow, SW. svälja, Dan. svælge. Cf. Groundsel a plant.]

1. To take into the stomach; to receive through the gullet, or esophagus, into the stomach; as, to swallow food or drink. As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills. Shak.

2. To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb -- usually followed by up. Milton. The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses. Num. xvi. 32.

3. To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without examination or scruple; to receive implicitly. Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed. Sir T. Browne.

4. To engross; to appropriate; -- usually with up. Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the honor of those who succeeded him. Pope.

5. To occupy; to take up; to employ. The necessary provision of the life swallows the greatest part of their time. Locke.

6. To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume. Corruption swallowed what the liberal hand Of bounty scattered. Thomson.

7. To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions. "Swallowed his vows whole." Shak.

8. To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation; as, to swallow an affront or insult.

Syn. -- To absorb; imbibe; ingulf; engross; consume. See Absorb.

SWALLOW Swal"low, v. i.

Defn: To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe he is unable to swallow.

SWALLOW Swal"low, n.

1. The act of swallowing.

2. The gullet, or esophagus; the throat.

3. Taste; relish; inclination; liking. [Colloq.] I have no swallow for it. Massinger.

4. Capacity for swallowing; voracity. There being nothing too gross for the swallow of political rancor. Prof. Wilson.

5. As much as is, or can be, swallowed at once; as, a swallow of water.

6. That which ingulfs; a whirlpool. [Obs.] Fabyan.

SWALLOWER Swal"low*er, n.

Defn: One who swallows; also, a glutton. Tatler.

SWALLOWFISH Swal"low*fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European sapphirine gurnard (Trigla hirundo). It has large pectoral fins.

SWALLOWTAIL Swal"low*tail`, n.

1. (Carp.)

Defn: A kind of tenon or tongue used in making joints. See Dovetail.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: A species of willow.

3. (Fort.)

Defn: An outwork with converging sides, its head or front forming a reëntrant angle; -- so called from its form. Called also priestcap.

4. A swallow-tailed coat. This Stultz coat, a blue swallowtail, with yellow buttons. Thackeray.

5. An arrow. Sir W. Scott.

6. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of large and handsome butterflies, belonging to Papilio and allied genera, in which the posterior border of each hind wing is prolongated in the form of a long lobe.

Note: The black swallowtail, or asterias (see Papilio), the blue swallowtail, or philenor, the tiger swallowtail, or turnus (see Turnus), and the zebra swallowtail, or ajax (see under Zebra) are common American species. See also Troilus.

SWALLOW-TAILED Swal"low-tailed`, a.

1. Having a tail like that of a swallow; hence, like a swallow's tail in form; having narrow and tapering or pointed skirts; as, a swallow- tailed coat.

2. (Carp.)

Defn: United by dovetailing; dovetailed. Swallow-tailed duck (Zoöl.), the old squaw. -- Swallow-tailed gull (Zoöl.), an Arctic gull (Xema furcata), which has a deeply forked tail. -- Swallow-tailed hawk or kite (Zoöl.), the fork-tailed kite. -- Swallow-tailed moth (Zoöl.), a European moth (Urapteryx sambucaria) having tail-like lobes on the hind wings.

SWALLOWWORT Swal"low*wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) See Celandine. (b) A poisonous plant (Vincetoxicum officinale) of the Milkweed family, at one time used in medicine; -- also called white swallowwort. African swallowwort, a plant of the genus Stapelia.

SWAM Swam,

Defn: imp. of Swim.

SWAMP Swamp, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. swam a fungus, OD. swam a sponge, D. zwam a fungus, G. schwamm a sponge, Icel. svöppr, Dan. & Sw. swamp, Goth. swamms, Gr. somfo`s porous, spongy.]

Defn: Wet, spongy land; soft, low ground saturated with water, but not usually covered with it; marshy ground away from the seashore. Gray swamps and pools, waste places of the hern. Tennyson. A swamp differs from a bog and a marsh in producing trees and shrubs, while the latter produce only herbage, plants, and mosses. Farming Encyc. (E. Edwards, Words). Swamp blackbird. (Zoöl.) See Redwing (b). -- Swamp cabbage (Bot.), skunk cabbage. -- Swamp deer (Zoöl.), an Asiatic deer (Rucervus Duvaucelli) of India. -- Swamp hen. (Zoöl.) (a) An Australian azure-breasted bird (Porphyrio bellus); -- called also goollema. (b) An Australian water crake, or rail (Porzana Tabuensis); -- called also little swamp hen. (c) The European purple gallinule. -- Swamp honeysuckle (Bot.), an American shrub (Azalea, or Rhododendron, viscosa) growing in swampy places, with fragrant flowers of a white color, or white tinged with rose; -- called also swamp pink. -- Swamp hook, a hook and chain used by lumbermen in handling logs. Cf. Cant hook. -- Swamp itch. (Med.) See Prairie itch, under Prairie. -- Swamp laurel (Bot.), a shrub (Kalmia glauca) having small leaves with the lower surface glaucous. -- Swamp maple (Bot.), red maple. See Maple. -- Swamp oak (Bot.), a name given to several kinds of oak which grow in swampy places, as swamp Spanish oak (Quercus palustris), swamp white oak (Q. bicolor), swamp post oak (Q. lyrata). -- Swamp ore (Min.), big ore; limonite. -- Swamp partridge (Zoöl.), any one of several Australian game birds of the genera Synoicus and Excalfatoria, allied to the European partridges. -- Swamp robin (Zoöl.), the chewink. -- Swamp sassafras (Bot.), a small North American tree of the genus Magnolia (M. glauca) with aromatic leaves and fragrant creamy-white blossoms; -- called also sweet bay. -- Swamp sparrow (Zoöl.), a common North American sparrow (Melospiza Georgiana, or M. palustris), closely resembling the song sparrow. It lives in low, swampy places. -- Swamp willow. (Bot.) See Pussy willow, under Pussy.

SWAMP Swamp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swamped; p. pr. & vb. n. Swamping.]

1. To plunge or sink into a swamp.

2. (Naut.)

Defn: To cause (a boat) to become filled with water; to capsize or sink by whelming with water.

3. Fig.: To plunge into difficulties and perils; to overwhelm; to ruin; to wreck. The Whig majority of the house of Lords was swamped by the creation of twelve Tory peers. J. R. Green. Having swamped himself in following the ignis fatuus of a theory. Sir W. Hamilton.

SWAMP Swamp, v. i.

1. To sink or stick in a swamp; figuratively, to become involved in insuperable difficulties.

2. To become filled with water, as a boat; to founder; to capsize or sink; figuratively, to be ruined; to be wrecked.

SWAMPY Swamp"y, a.

Defn: Consisting of swamp; like a swamp; low, wet, and spongy; as, swampy land.

SWAN Swan, n. Etym: [AS. swan; akin to D. zwaan, OHG. swan, G. schwan, Icel. svanr, Sw. svan, Dan. svane; and perhaps to E. sound something audible.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninæ. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. Most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death.

Note: The European white, or mute, swan (Cygnus gibbus), which is most commonly domesticated, bends its neck in an S-shaped curve. The whistling, or trumpeting, swans of the genus Olor do not bend the neck in an S-shaped curve, and are noted for their loud and sonorous cry, due to complex convolutions of the windpipe. To this genus belong the European whooper, or whistling swan (Olor cygnus), the American whistling swan (O. Columbianus), and the trumpeter swan (O. buccinator). The Australian black swan (Chenopis atrata) is dull black with white on the wings, and has the bill carmine, crossed with a white band. It is a very graceful species and is often domesticated. The South American black-necked swan (Sthenelides melancorypha) is a very beautiful and graceful species, entirely white, except the head and neck, which are dark velvety seal-brown. Its bill has a double bright rose-colored knob.

2. Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: The constellation Cygnus. Swan goose (Zoöl.), a bird of India (Cygnopsis cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose. -- Swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling.

SWANG Swang, obs.

Defn: imp. of Swing.

SWANG Swang, n. Etym: [Cf. Swamp.]

Defn: A swamp. [Prov. Eng.]

SWANHERD Swan"herd`, n.

Defn: One who tends or marks swans; as, the royal swanherd of England.

SWAN-HOPPING Swan"-hop`ping, n.

Defn: A corruption of Swan-upping. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

SWANIMOTE Swan"i*mote, n. (Eng. Forest Law)

Defn: See Swainmote.

SWANKIE; SWANKY Swank"ie, Swank"y, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schwank flexible, pliant.]

Defn: An active and clever young fellow. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

SWANLIKE Swan"like`, a.

Defn: Resembling a swan.

SWANMARK Swan"mark`, n.

Defn: A mark of ownership cut on the bill or swan. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

SWANNERY Swan"ner*y, n.

Defn: A place where swans are bred. "The largest swannery in England." Encyc. Brit.

SWANNY Swan"ny, a.

Defn: Swanlike; as, a swanny glossiness of the neck. Richardson.

SWANPAN Swan"pan, n. Etym: [Cf. Schwanpan.]

Defn: The Chinese abacus; a schwanpan. S. W. Williams.

SWAN'S-DOWN; SWANS-DOWN Swan's"-down`, or; Swans"-down`, n.

1. The down, or fine, soft feathers, of the swan, used on various articles of dress.

2. A fine, soft, thick cloth of wool mixed with silk or cotton; a sort of twilled fustian, like moleskin. Swan's-down cotton. See Cotton flannel, under Cotton.

SWANSKIN Swan"skin`, n.

1. The act of a swan with the down or the feathers on.

2. A species of soft flannel, thick and warm.

SWAN-UPPING Swan"-up`ping, n.

Defn: A yearly expedition on the Thames to take up young swans and mark them, as by Companies of Dyers and Vintners; -- called also swan-hopping. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.

SWAP Swap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swapped; p. pr. & vb. n. Swapping.] Etym: [OE. swappen to strike; cf. E. to strike a bargain; perh. akin to E. sweep. Cf. Swap a blow, Swap, v. i.] [Written also swop.]

1. To strike; -- with off. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "Swap off his head!" Chaucer.

2. To exchange (usually two things of the same kind); to swop. [Colloq.] Miss Edgeworth.

SWAP Swap, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Swap, v. t.]

1. To fall or descend; to rush hastily or violently. C. Richardson (Dict.). All suddenly she swapt adown to ground. Chaucer.

2. To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.

SWAP Swap, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schwapp, n., a slap, swap, schwapp, schwapps, interj., slap! smack! and E. swap, v.t.]

1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2. An exchange; a barter. [Colloq.] Sir W. Scott.

SWAP Swap, adv. Etym: [See Swap, n.]

Defn: Hastily. [Prov. Eng.]

SWAPE Swape, n.

Defn: See Sweep, n., 12.

SWARD Sward, n. Etym: [AS. sweard skin, covering; akin to OFries. swarge, D. zwoord, G. schwarte, Icel. svör skin, sward of the earth.]

1. Skin; covering. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

2. The grassy surface of land; that part of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass; turf. The sward was trim as any garden lawn. Tennyson. Sward pork, bacon in large fitches. [Prov. Eng.]

SWARD Sward, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Swarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Swarding.]

Defn: To produce sward upon; to cover, or be covered, with sward. Mortimer.

SWARD-CUTTER Sward"-cut`ter, n. (a) A plow for turning up grass land. (b) A lawn mower.

SWARDED Sward"ed, a.

Defn: Covered with sward. Mrs. Browning.

SWARDY Sward"y, a.

Defn: Covered with sward or grass.

SWARE Sware,

Defn: imp. of Swear. [Obs. or Poetic] Cophetua sware a royal oath. Tennyson.

SWARF Swarf, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Swerve.]

Defn: To grow languid; to faint. [Scot.] "To swarf for very hunger." Sir W. Scott.

SWARF Swarf, n. Etym: [Cf. Swerve.]

Defn: The grit worn away from grindstones in grinding cutlery wet. [Prov. Eng.]

SWARM Swarm, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Swerve.]

Defn: To climb a tree, pole, or the like, by embracing it with the arms and legs alternately. See Shin. [Colloq.] At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it. W. Coxe.

SWARM Swarm, n. Etym: [OE. swarm, AS. swearm; akin to D. zwerm, G. schwarm, OHG. swaram, Icel. svarmr a tumult, Sw. svärm a swarm, Dan. sværm, and G. schwirren to whiz, to buzz, Skr. svar to sound, and perhaps to E. swear. *177. Cf. Swerve, Swirl.]

1. A large number or mass of small animals or insects, especially when in motion. "A deadly swarm of hornets." Milton.

2. Especially, a great number of honeybees which emigrate from a hive at once, and seek new lodgings under the direction of a queen; a like body of bees settled permanently in a hive. "A swarm of bees." Chaucer.

3. Hence, any great nimber or multitude, as of people in motion, or sometimes of inanimate objects; as, a swarm of meteorites. Those prodigious swarms that had settled themselves in every part of it [Italy]. Addison.

Syn. -- Multitude; crowd; throng.

SWARM Swarm, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swarmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swarming.]

1. To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; -- said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer.

2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. Chaucer.

3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. Every place swarms with soldiers. Spenser.

4. To abound; to be filled (with). Atterbury.

5. To breed multitudes. Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon. Milton.

SWARM Swarm, v. t.

Defn: To crowd or throng. Fanshawe.

SWARMSPORE Swarm"spore`, n.

1. (Bot.)

Defn: One of innumerable minute, motile, reproductive bodies, produced asexually by certain algæ and fungi; a zoöspore.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the minute flagellate germs produced by the sporulation of a protozoan; -- called also zoöspore.

SWART Swart, n.

Defn: Sward. [Obs.] Holinshed.

SWART Swart, a. Etym: [OE. swart, AS. sweart black; akin to OFries, OS. & LG. swart, D. zwart, G. schwartz, OHG. swarz, Icel. svarir, Sw. svart, Dan. sort, Goth. swarts; cf. L. sordes dirt, sordere to be dirty. Cf. Sordid, Surd.]

1. Of a dark hue; moderately black; swarthy; tawny. "Swart attendants." Trench. "Swart savage maids." Hawthorne. A nation strange, with visage swart. Spenser.

2. Gloomy; malignant. [Obs.] Milton. Swart star, the Dog Star; -- so called from its appearing during the hot weather of summer, which makes swart the countenance. [R.] Milton.

SWART Swart, v. t.

Defn: To make swart or tawny; as, to swart a living part. Sir T. Browne.

SWARTBACK Swart"back`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The black-backed gull (Larus marinus); -- called also swarbie. [Prov. Eng.]

SWARTH Swarth, a.

Defn: Swart; swarthy. "A swarth complexion." Chapman.

SWARTH Swarth, n.

Defn: An apparition of a person about to die; a wraith. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

SWARTH Swarth, n. Etym: [See Sward.]

Defn: Sward; short grass. Grassy swarth, close cropped by nibbling sheep. Cowper.

SWARTH Swarth, n.

Defn: See Swath.

SWARTHILY Swarth"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a swarthy manner; with a tawny hue; duskily.

SWARTHINESS Swarth"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being swarthy; a dusky or dark complexion; tawniness.

SWARTHNESS Swarth"*ness, n.

Defn: Swarthiness. [R.] Dr. R. Clerke.

SWARTHY Swarth"y, a. [Compar. Swarthier; superl. Swarthiest.] Etym: [See Swart, a.]

Defn: Being of a dark hue or dusky complexion; tawny; swart; as, swarthy faces. "A swarthy Ethiope." Shak. Their swarthy hosts would darken all our plains. Addison.

SWARTHY Swarth"y, v. t.

Defn: To make swarthy. [Obs.] Cowley.

SWARTINESS Swart"i*ness, n.

Defn: Swarthiness. [Obs.]

SWARTISH Swart"ish, a.

Defn: Somewhat swart, dark, or tawny.

SWARTNESS Swart"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being swart.

SWARTY Swart"y, a.

Defn: Swarthy; tawny. [Obs.] Burton.

SWARVE Swarve, v. i. Etym: [See Swerve.]

1. To swerve. [Obs. or Scot.] Spenser. Jamieson.

2. To climb. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

SWASH Swash, n. Etym: [Cf. Swash, v. i., Squash, v. t.] (Arch.)

Defn: An oval figure, whose moldings are oblique to the axis of the work. Moxon. Swash plate (Mach.), a revolving circular plate, set obliquely on its shaft, and acting as a cam to give a reciprocating motion to a rod in a direction parallel to the shaft.

SWASH Swash, a. Etym: [Cf. Swash, v. i., Squash, v. t.]

Defn: Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.

SWASH Swash, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Swashed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swashing.] Etym: [Probably of imitative origin; cf. Sw. svasska to splash, and, for sense 3, Sw. svassa to bully, to rodomontade.]

1. To dash or flow noisily, as water; to splash; as, water swashing on a shallow place.

2. To fall violently or noisily. [Obs.] Holinshed.

3. To bluster; to make a great noise; to vapor or brag.

SWASH Swash, n.

1. Impulse of water flowing with violence; a dashing or splashing of water.

2. A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand bank, or between a sand bank and the shore, or a bar over which the sea washes.

3. Liquid filth; wash; hog mash. [Obs.]

4. A blustering noise; a swaggering behavior. [Obs.]

5. A swaggering fellow; a swasher.

SWASHBUCKLER Swash"buc`kler, n.

Defn: A bully or braggadocio; a swaggering, boastful fellow; a swaggerer. Milton.

SWASHER Swash"er, n.

Defn: One who makes a blustering show of valor or force of arms. Shak.

SWASHING Swash"ing, a.

1. Swaggering; hectoring. "A swashing and martial outside." Shak.

2. Resounding; crushing. "Swashing blow." Shak.

SWASHWAY Swash"way`, n.

Defn: Same as 4th Swash, 2.

SWASHY Swash"y, a.

Defn: Soft, like fruit that is too ripe; quashy; swash. [Prov. Eng.]

SWASTIKA; SWASTICA Swas"ti*ka, Swas"ti*ca, n. [Also suastica, svastika, etc.] [Skr. svastika, fr. svasti walfare; su well + asti being.]

Defn: A symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms at right angles all in the same direction, and each prolonged to the height of the parallel arm of the cross. A great many modified forms exist, ogee and volute as well as rectilinear, while various decorative designs, as Greek fret or meander, are derived from or closely associated with it. The swastika is found in remains from the Bronze Age in various parts of Europe, esp. at Hissarlik (Troy), and was in frequent use as late as the 10th century. It is found in ancient Persia, in India, where both Jains and Buddhists used (or still use) it as religious symbol, in China and Japan, and among Indian tribes of North, Central, and South America. It is usually thought to be a charm, talisman, or religious token, esp. a sign of good luck or benediction. Max MüLler distinguished from the swastika, with arms prolonged to the right, the suavastika, with arms prolonged to the left, but this distinction is not commonly recognized. Other names for the swastika are fylfot and gammadion.

SWAT Swat, obs.

Defn: imp. of Sweat. Chaucer.

SWATCH Swatch, n.

1. A swath. [Obs.] Tusser.

2. A piece, pattern, or sample, generally of cloth. Halliwell. Jamieson.

SWATE Swate, obs.

Defn: imp. of Sweat. Thomson.

SWATH Swath, n. Etym: [AS. swa a track, trace; akin to D. zwaad, zwad, zwade, a swath of grass, G. schwad, schwaden; perhaps, originally, a shred. Cf. Swathe, v. t.]

1. A line of grass or grain cut and thrown together by the scythe in mowing or cradling.

2. The whole sweep of a scythe, or the whole breadth from which grass or grain is cut by a scythe or a machine, in mowing or cradling; as, to cut a wide swath.

3. A band or fillet; a swathe. Shak. Swath bank, a row of new-mown grass. [Prov. Eng.]

SWATHE Swathe, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swathed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swathing.] Etym: [OE. swathen, AS. swe. See Swath, n., and cf. Swaddle.]

Defn: To bind with a swathe, band, bandage, or rollers. Their children are never swathed or bound about with any thing when they are first born. Abp. Abbot.

SWATHE Swathe, n.

Defn: A bandage; a band; a swath. Wrapped me in above an hundred yards of swathe. Addison. Milk and a swathe, at first, his whole demand. Young. The solemn glory of the afternoon, with its long swathes of light between the far off rows of limes. G. Eliot.

SWATHER Swath"er, n. Etym: [See Swath, n.] (Agric.)

Defn: A device attached to a mowing machine for raising the uncut fallen grain and marking the limit of the swath.

SWATTE Swat"te, obs.

Defn: imp. of Sweat. Chaucer.

SWAY Sway, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swaying.] Etym: [OE. sweyen, Icel. sveigja, akin to E. swing; cf. D. zwaaijen to wield, swing. See Swing, and cf. Swag, v. i.]

1. To move or wield with the hand; to swing; to wield; as, to sway the scepter. As sparkles from the anvil rise, When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed. Spenser.

2. To influence or direct by power and authority; by persuasion, or by moral force; to rule; to govern; to guide. The will of man is by his reason swayed. Shak. She could not sway her house. Shak. This was the race To sway the world, and land and sea subdue. Dryden.

3. To cause to incline or swing to one side, or backward and forward; to bias; to turn; to bend; warp; as, reeds swayed by wind; judgment swayed by passion. As bowls run true by being made On purpose false, and to be swayed. Hudibras. Let not temporal and little advantages sway you against a more durable interest. Tillotson.

4. (Naut.)

Defn: To hoist; as, to sway up the yards.

Syn. -- To bias; rule; govern; direct; influence; swing; move; wave; wield.

SWAY Sway, v. i.

1. To be drawn to one side by weight or influence; to lean; to incline. The balance sways on our part. Bacon.

2. To move or swing from side to side; or backward and forward.

3. To have weight or influence. The example of sundry churches . . . doth sway much. Hooker.

4. To bear sway; to rule; to govern. Hadst thou swayed as kings should do. Shak.

SWAY Sway, n.