S (continued 21)

2. (Logic)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. (Civil Law)

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

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

Defn: Admitting specification; capable of being specified.

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

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

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

3. (Med.)

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

SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, n.

1. (Med.)

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

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

SPECIFICAL Spe*cif"ic*al, a.

Defn: Specific. Bacon.

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

Defn: In a specific manner.

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

Defn: The quality of being specific.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPECIFICNESS Spe*cif"ic*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being specific.

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

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

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

Defn: See Stylet, 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. (Zoöl.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPECKLED Spec"kled, a.

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

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

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

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

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

SPECKLEDNESS Spec"kled*ness, n.

Defn: The quality of being speckled.

SPECKSIONEER Speck`sion*eer", n.

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

SPECKT Speckt, n.

Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight.

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

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

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

3. pl.

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

4. pl.

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

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

SPECTACLED Spec"ta*cled, a.

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

2. (Zoöl.)

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

SPECTACULAR Spec*tac"u*lar, a.

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

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

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

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

Defn: Looking forward.

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

Defn: Regard; aspect; appearance. Harvey.

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

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

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

SPECTATORIAL Spec`ta*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectator. Addison.

SPECTATORSHIP Spec*ta"tor*ship, n.

1. The office or quality of a spectator. [R.] Addison.

2. The act of beholding. [Obs.] Shak.

SPECTATRESS; SPECTATRIX Spec*ta"tress, Spec*ta"trix, n. Etym: [L. spectatrix.]

Defn: A female beholder or looker-on. "A spectatress of the whole scene." Jeffrey.

SPECTER; SPECTRE Spec"ter, Spec"tre, n. Etym: [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum an appearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Spectrum.]

1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold fanatic specters to rejoice. Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect. Specter bat (Zoöl.), any phyllostome bat. — Specter candle (Zoöl.), a belemnite. — Specter shrimp (Zoöl.), a skeleton shrimp. See under Skeleton.

SPECTIONEER Spec`tion*eer", n.

Defn: Same as Specsioneer.

SPECTRAL Spec"tral, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty. He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to spread light. F. W. Robertson.

2. (Opt.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as, spectral colors; spectral analysis. Spectral lemur. (Zoöl.) See Tarsius.

SPECTRALLY Spec"tral*ly, adv.

Defn: In the form or manner of a specter.

SPECTRE Spec"tre, n.

Defn: See Specter.

SPECTROBOLOMETER Spec`tro*bo*lom"e*ter, n. (Physics)

Defn: A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. —Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROELECTRIC Spec`tro*e*lec"tric, a.

Defn: Pert. to or designating any form of spark tube the electric discharge within which is used in spectroscopic observations.

SPECTROGRAM Spec"tro*gram, n. [Spectrum + -gram.] (Physics)

Defn: A photograph, map, or diagram of a spectrum.

SPECTROGRAPH Spec"tro*graph, n. [Spectrum + graph.] (Physics) (a) An apparatus for photographing or mapping a spectrum. (b) A photograph or picture of a spectrum. — Spec`tro*graph"ic (#), a. —Spec`tro*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv. —Spec*trog"ra*phy (#), n.

SPECTROHELIOGRAM Spec`tro*he"li*o*gram`, n. [Spectrum + heloi- + -gram.] (Astrophysics)

Defn: A photograph of the sun made by monochromatic light, usually of the calcium line (k), and showing the sun's faculæ and prominences.

SPECTROHELIOGRAPH Spec`tro*he"li*o*graph, n. (Astrophysics)

Defn: An apparatus for making spectroheliograms, consisting of a spectroscopic camera used in combination with a telescope, and provided with clockwork for moving the sun's image across the slit. — Spec`tro*he`li*o*graph"ic (#), a.

SPECTROLOGICAL Spec`tro*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to spectrology; as, spectrological studies or experiments. — Spec`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPECTROLOGY Spec*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -logy.] (Chem.Phys.)

Defn: The science of spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications.

SPECTROMETER Spec*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -meter.] (Physics)

Defn: A spectroscope fitted for measurements of the luminious spectra observed with it.

SPECTROMETRY Spec*trom"e*try, n. (Physics)

Defn: Art or process of using the spectrometer, or of measuring wave lengths of rays of a spectrum. — Spec`tro*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROPHONE Spec"tro*phone, n. [Spectrum + Gr. sound.]

Defn: An instrument constructed on the principle of the photophone and used in spectrum analysis as an adjunct to the spectroscope. — Spec`tro*phon"ic (#), a.

SPECTROPHOTOMETER Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + photometer.] (Opt.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring or comparing the intensites of the colors of the spectrum.

SPECTROPHOTOMETRY Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*try, n.

Defn: The art of comparing, photometrically, the brightness of two spectra, wave length by wave length; the use of the spectrophotometer. —Spec`tro*pho`to*met"ric (#), a.

SPECTROSCOPE Spec"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -scope.] (Physics)

Defn: An optical instrument for forming and examining spectra (as that of solar light, or those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral lines, the composition of the substance.

SPECTROSCOPIC; SPECTROSCOPICAL Spec`tro*scop"ic, Spec`tro*scop"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectroscope, or spectroscopy. — Spec`tro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.

SPECTROSCOPIST Spec*tros"co*pist ( or ), n.

Defn: One who investigates by means of a spectroscope; one skilled in the use of the spectroscope.

SPECTROSCOPY Spec*tros"co*py, n.

Defn: The use of the spectroscope; investigations made with the spectroscope.

SPECTRUM Spec"trum, n.; pl. Spectra. Etym: [L. See Specter.]

1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.]

2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. — Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. — Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. — Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. — Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. — Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. — Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. — Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. — Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. — Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. — Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. — Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena.

SPECULAR Spec"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a lookout, watchtower): cf. F. spéculaire. See Speculum.]

1. Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum; as, a specular examination.

3. Assisting sight, as a lens or the like. [Obs.] Thy specular orb Apply to well-dissected kernels; lo! In each observe the slender threads Of first-beginning trees. J. Philips.

4. Affording view. [R.] "Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount." Milton. Specular iron. (Min.) See Hematite.

SPECULATE Spec"u*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Speculating.] Etym: [L. speculatus, p.p. of speculari to spy out, observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See Spy.]

1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events. It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society. Hawthorne.

2. (Philos.)

Defn: To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.

3. (Com.)

Defn: To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; — often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.

SPECULATE Spec"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.

SPECULATION Spec`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. speculatio a spying out, observation: cf. F. spéculation.]

1. The act of speculating. Specifically: — (a) Examination by the eye; view. [Obs.] (b) Mental view of anything in its various aspects and relations; contemplation; intellectual examination. Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts. Milton. (c) (Philos.)

Defn: The act or process of reasoning a priori from premises given or assumed. (d) (Com.) The act or practice of buying land, goods, shares, etc., in expectation of selling at a higher price, or of selling with the expectation of repurchasing at a lower price; a trading on anticipated fluctuations in price, as distinguished from trading in which the profit expected is the difference between the retail and wholesale prices, or the difference of price in different markets. 1 year) is considered investment. Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation. A. Smith. Speculation, while confined within moderate limits, is the agent for equalizing supply and demand, and rendering the fluctuations of price less sudden and abrupt than they would otherwise be. F. A. Walker.

(e) Any business venture in involving unusual risks, with a chance for large profits.

2. A conclusion to which the mind comes by speculating; mere theory; view; notion; conjecture. From him Socrates derived the principles of morality, and most part of his natural speculations. Sir W. temple. To his speculations on these subjects he gave the lofty name of the "Oracles of Reason." Macaulay.

3. Power of sight. [Obs.] Thou hast no speculation in those eyes. Shak.

4. A game at cards in which the players buy from one another trumps or whole hands, upon a chance of getting the highest trump dealt, which entitles the holder to the pool of stakes.

SPECULATIST Spec"u*la*tist, n.

Defn: One who speculates, or forms theories; a speculator; a theorist. The very ingenious speculatist, Mr. Hume. V. Knox.

SPECULATIVE Spec"u*la*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spéculatif, L. speculativus.]

1. Given to speculation; contemplative. The mind of man being by nature speculative. Hooker.

2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by demonstration. Cudworth.

3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive; curious. [R.] Bacon.

4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares, etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise. The speculative merchant exercises no one regular, established, or well-known branch of business. A. Smith. — Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. — Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.

SPECULATOR Spec"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L., a spy, explorer, investigator: cf. F. spéculateur.]

Defn: One who speculates. Specifically: (a) An observer; a contemplator; hence, a spy; a watcher. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. (b) One who forms theories; a theorist. A speculator who had dared to affirm that the human soul is by nature mortal. Macaulay. (c) (Com.)

Defn: One who engages in speculation; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.

SPECULATORIAL Spec`u*la*to"ri*al, a.

Defn: Speculatory; speculative. [Obs.]

SPECULATORY Spec"u*la*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. speculatorius belonging to spies or scouts.]

1. Intended or adapted for viewing or espying; having oversight. T. Warton.

2. Exercising speculation; speculative. T. Carew.

SPECULIST Spec"u*list, n.

Defn: One who observes or considers; an observer. [R.] Goldsmith.

SPECULUM Spec"u*lum, n.; pl. L. Specula, E. Speculum. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, behold. See Spy.]

1. A mirror, or looking-glass; especially, a metal mirror, as in Greek and Roman archæology.

2. A reflector of polished metal, especially one used in reflecting telescopes. See Speculum metal, below.

3. (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for dilating certain passages of the body, and throwing light within them, thus facilitating examination or surgical operations.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bright and lustrous patch of color found on the wings of ducks and some other birds. It is usually situated on the distal portions of the secondary quills, and is much more brilliant in the adult male than in the female. Speculum metal, a hard, brittle alloy used for making the reflectors of telescopes and other instruments, usually consisting of copper and tin in various proportions, one of the best being that in which there are 126.4 parts of copper to 58.9 parts of tin, with sometimes a small proportion of arsenic, antimony, or zinc added to improve the whiteness.

SPED Sped,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Speed.

SPEECE Speece, n.

Defn: Species; sort. [Obs.]

SPEECH Speech, n. Etym: [OE. speche, AS. sp, spr, fr. specan, sprecan, to speak; akin to D. spraak speech, OHG. sprahha, G. sprache, Sw. spr, Dan. sprog. See Speak.]

1. The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking. There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man alone is endowed for the communication of his thoughts. Holder.

2. he act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as expressing ideas; language; conversation.

Note: Speech is voice modulated by the throat, tongue, lips, etc., the modulation being accomplished by changing the form of the cavity of the mouth and nose through the action of muscles which move their walls. O goode God! how gentle and how kind Ye seemed by your speech and your visage The day that maked was our marriage. Chaucer. The acts of God . . . to human ears Can nort without process of speech be told. Milton.

3. A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect. People of a strange speech and of an hard language. Ezek. iii. 6.

4. Talk; mention; common saying. The duke . . . did of me demand What was the speech among the Londoners Concerning the French journey. Shak.

5. formal discourse in public; oration; harangue. The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point. Swift.

6. ny declaration of thoughts. I. with leave of speech implored, . . . replied. Milton.

Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See Harangue, and Language.

SPEECH Speech, v. i. & t.

Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [R.]

SPEECHFUL Speech"ful, a.

Defn: Full of speech or words; voluble; loquacious. [R.]

SPEECHIFICATION Speech`i*fi*ca"tion, n.Etym: [See Spechify.]

Defn: The act of speechifying. [Used humorously or in contempt.]

SPEECHIFIER Speech"i*fi`er, n.

Defn: One who makes a speech or speeches; an orator; a declaimer. [Used humorously or in contempt.] G. Eliot.

SPEECHIFY Speech"i*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speechified; p. pr. & vb. n. Speechifying.] Etym: [Speech + -fy.]

Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [Used derisively or humorously.]

SPEECHIFYING Speech"i*fy`ing, n.

Defn: The act of making a speech or speeches. [Used derisively or humorously.] The dinner and speechifying . . . at the opening of the annual season for the buckhounds. M. Arnold.

SPEECHING Speech"ing, n.

Defn: The act of making a speech. [R.]

SPEECHLESS Speech"less, a.

1. Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech.

2. Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent. Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear. Addison. — Speech"less*ly, adv. — Speech"less*ness, n.

SPEECHMAKER Speech"mak`er, n.

Defn: One who makes speeches; one accustomed to speak in a public assembly.

SPEED Speed, n. Etym: [AS. sp success, swiftness, from sp to succeed; akin to D. spoedd, OHG. spuot success, spuot to succees, Skr. spha to increase, grow fat. sq. root170b.]

1. Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success. "For common speed." Chaucer. O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day. Gen. xxiv. 12.

2. The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel. Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. Milton.

Note: In kinematics, speedis sometimes used to denote the amount of velocity without regard to direction of motion, while velocity is not regarded as known unless both the direction and the amount are known.

3. One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success. [Obs.] "Hercules be thy speed!" Shak. God speed, Good speed; prosperity. See Godspeed. — Speed gauge, Speed indicator, and Speed recorder (Mach.), devices for indicating or recording the rate of a body's motion, as the number of revolutions of a shaft in a given time. — Speed lathe (Mach.), a power lathe with a rapidly revolving spindle, for turning small objects, for polishing, etc.; a hand lathe. — Speed pulley, a cone pulley with steps.

Syn. — Haste; swiftness; celerity; quickness; dispatch; expedition; hurry; acceleration. See Haste.

SPEED Speed, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sped, Speeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Speeding.] Etym: [AS. sp, fr. sp, n.; akin to D. spoeden, G. sich sputen. See Speed, n.]

1. To go; to fare. [Obs.] To warn him now he is too farre sped. Remedy of Love.

2. To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare. Shak. Ships heretofore in seas lke fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed. Waller.

3. To fare well; to have success; to prosper. Save London, and send true lawyers their meed! For whoso wants money with them shall not speed! Lydgate. I told ye then he should prevail, and speed On his bad errand. Milton.

4. To make haste; to move with celerity. I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. Shak.

5. To be expedient. [Obs.] Wyclif (2 Cor. xii. 1.)

SPEED Speed, v. t.

1. To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor. "Fortune speed us!" Shak. With rising gales that speed their happy flight. Dryden.

2. To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry. He sped him thence home to his habitation. Fairfax.

3. To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite. Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties. Ayliffe.

4. To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo. "Sped with spavins." Shak. A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped. If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead. Pope.

5. To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey. Welkome the coming, speed the parting guest. Pope. God speed you, them, etc., may God speed you; or, may you have good speed.

Syn. — To depatch; hasten; expedite; accelerate; hurry.

SPEED COUNTER Speed counter. (Mach.)

Defn: A device for automatically counting the revolutions or pulsations of an engine or other machine; — called also simply counter.

SPEEDER Speed"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, speeds.

2. (Spinning)

Defn: A machine for drawing and twisting slivers to form rovings.

SPEEDFUL Speed"ful, a.

Defn: Full of speed (in any sense). [Obs.]

SPEEDFULLY Speed"ful*ly, adv.

Defn: In a speedful manner. [Obs.]

SPEEDILY Speed"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a speedy manner.

SPEEDINESS Speed"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being speedy.

SPEEDLESS Speed"less, a.

Defn: Being without speed.

SPEEDWELL Speed"well, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant of the genus Veronica, mostly low herbs with pale blue corollas, which quickly fall off.

SPEEDY Speed"y, a. [Compar. Speedier; superl. Speediest.] Etym: [AS. sp.]

Defn: Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid in motion or performance; as, a speedy flight; on speedy foot. I will wish her speedy strength. Shak. Darts, which not the good could shun, The speedy ould outfly. Dryden.

SPEER Speer, n.

Defn: A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPEER Speer, v. t.

Defn: To ask. [Scot.] See Spere.

SPEET Speet, v. t. Etym: [Cf. D. speten. See Spit an iron prong.]

Defn: To stab. [Obs.] Gammer Gurton's Needle.

SPEIGHT Speight, n. Etym: [G. specht, probably akin to L. picus: cf. D. specht. sq. root169. See Pie a magpie.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A woodpecker; — called also specht, spekt, spight. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

SPEIR Speir, v. i.

Defn: To ask. See Spere. Sir W. Scott.

SPEISKOBALT Speis`ko"balt, n. Etym: [G.]

Defn: Smaltite.

SPEISS Speiss, n. Etym: [Cf. G. speise food, mixed metal for bells, etc.] (Metal.)

Defn: A regulus consisting essentially of nickel, obtained as a residue in fusing cobalt and nickel ores with silica and sodium carbonate to make smalt.

SPEKBOOM Spek"boom, n. Etym: [D., lit. fat tree.] (Bot.)

Defn: The purslane tree of South Africa, — said to be the favorite food of elephants. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

SPEKE Speke, v. i. & t.

Defn: To speak. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPEKEHOUSE Speke"house`, n.

Defn: The parlor or reception room of a convent. [Obs.]

SPELDING Spel"ding, n. Etym: [Scot. speld to spread out, spelder to split. spread open; cf. G. spalten split.]

Defn: A haddock or other small fish split open and dried in the sun; — called also speldron. [Scot.]

SPELICANS Spel"i*cans, n. pl.

Defn: See Spilikin.

SPELK Spelk, n. Etym: [AS. spelc, spilc, a little rod by which a thing is kept straight, a splint for binding up broken bones, akin to Icel. spelkur, pl., a splint. Cf. Spell a splinter.]

Defn: A small stick or rod used as a spike in thatching; a splinter. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.

SPELL Spell, n. Etym: [OE. speld, AS. speld a spill to light a candle with; akin to D. speld a pin, OD. spelle, G. spalten to split, OHG. spaltan, MHG. spelte a splinter, Icel. spjald a square tablet, Goth. spilda a writing tablet. Cf. Spillsplinter, roll of paper, Spell to tell the letters of.]

Defn: A spelk, or splinter. [Obs.] Holland.

SPELL Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym: [AS. spelian to supply another's place.]

Defn: To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.

SPELL Spell, n.

1. The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or wathing; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spellat the pumps; a spell at the masthead. A spell at the wheel isc called a trick. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

2. The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks. Nothing new hass happened in this quarter, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold weather. Washington.

3. One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells. [R.] Their toil is so extreme that they can not endure it above four hours in a day, but are succeeded by spells. Garew.

4. A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell. [Local, U.S.]

SPELL Spell, n.Etym: [AS. spell a saying, tale, speech; akin to OS. & OHG. spel, Icel. spjall,Goth. spill. Cf. Gospel, Spell to tell the letters of.]

1. A story; a tale. [Obs.] "Hearken to my spell." Chaucer.

2. A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm. Start not; her actions shall be holy as You hear my spell is lawful. Shak.

SPELL Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled ( or Spelt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym: [OE. spellen, spellien, tell, relate, AS. spellian, fr. spell a saying, tale; akin to MHG. spellen to relate, Goth. spill.e Spell a tale. In sense 4 and those following, OE. spellen, perhaps originally a different word, and from or influenced by spell a splinter, from the use of a piece of wood to point to the letters in schools: cf. D. spellen to spell. Cf. Spell splinter.]

1. To tell; to relate; to teach. [Obs.] Might I that legend find, By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes. T. Warton.

2. To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. "Spelled with words of power." Dryden. He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot. Sir G. Buck.

3. To constitute; to measure. [Obs.] The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect. Fuller.

4. To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography. The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y. Dryden.

5. To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; — usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible. To spell out a God in the works of creation. South. To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident. Milton.

SPELL Spell, v. i.

1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing. When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell, And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden.

2. To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study. [Obs.] Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew. Milton.

SPELLABLE Spell"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being spelt. Carlyle.

SPELLBIND Spell"bind`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spellbound; p. pr. & vb. n. Spellbinding.]

Defn: To bind or hold by, or as if by, a spell or charm; to fascinate, esp. by eloquence of speech, as in a political campaign. - - Spell"bind`er (#), n.

SPELLBOUND Spell"bound`, a.

Defn: Bound by, or as by, a spell.

SPELLER Spell"er, n.

1. One who spells.

2. A spelling book. [U. S.]

SPELLFUL Spell"ful, a.

Defn: Abounding in spells, or charms. Here, while his eyes the learned leaves peruse, Each spellful mystery explained he views. Hoole.

SPELLING Spell"ing, n.

Defn: The act of one who spells; formation of words by letters; orthography.

SPELLING Spell"ing, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to spelling. Spelling bee, a spelling match. [U.S.] — Spelling book, a book with exercises for teaching children to spell; a speller. — Spelling match, a contest of skill in spelling words, between two or more persons.

SPELLKEN Spell"ken, n.

Defn: A theater. [Slang] Byron.

SPELLWORK Spell"work`, n.

Defn: Power or effect of magic; that which is wrought by magic; enchantment. Like those Peri isles of light That hang by spellwork in the air. Moore.

SPELT Spelt,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spell. Spelled.

SPELT Spelt, n. Etym: [AS. spelt, fr. L. spelta.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of grain (Triticum Spelta) much cultivated for food in Germany and Switzerland; — called also German wheat.

SPELT Spelt, n. Etym: [See Spalt.] (Metal.)

Defn: Spelter. [Colloq.]

SPELT Spelt, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Spell a splinter.]

Defn: To split; to break; to spalt. [Obs.] Mortimer.

SPELTER Spel"ter, n. Etym: [Cf. LG. spialter, G. & D. spiauter. Cf. Pewter.] (Metal.)

Defn: Zinc; — especially so called in commerce and arts.

SPELUNC Spe*lunc", n. Etym: [L. spelunca cave.]

Defn: A cavern; a cave. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

SPENCE Spence, n. Etym: [OF. despense, F. dépense, buffet, buttery, fr. OF. despendre to spend, distribute, L. dispendere, dispensum. See Dispense, Spend.]

1. A place where provisions are kept; a buttery; a larder; a pantry. Chiefly Brit. dial. [MW10] In . . . his spence, or "pantry" were hung the carcasses of a sheep or ewe, and two cows lately slaughtered. Sir W. Scott. Bluff Harry broke into the spence, And turned the cowls adrift. Tennyson.

2. The inner apartment of a country house; also, the place where the family sit and eat. [Scot.] Jamieson.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. Etym: [OF. despensier. See Spence, and cf. Dispenser.]

Defn: One who has the care of the spence, or buttery. [Obs.] Promptorium Parvulorum.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. Etym: [From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion.]

Defn: A short jacket worn by men and by women. Ld. Lutton.

SPENCER Spen"cer, n. (Naut.)

Defn: A fore-and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried at the foremast or mainmast; — named after its inventor, Knight Spencer, of England [1802]. Spencer mast, a small mast just abaft the foremast or mainmast, for hoisting the spencer. R. H. Dana, Jr.

SPEND Spend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spent; p. pr. & vb. n. Spending.] Etym: [AS. spendan (in comp.), fr. L. expendere or dispendere to weigh out, to expend, dispense. See Pendant, and cf. Dispend, Expend, Spence, Spencer.]

1. To weigh or lay out; to dispose of; to part with; as, to spend money for clothing. Spend thou that in the town. Shak. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread Isa. lv. 2.

2. To bestow; to employ; — often with on or upon. I . . . am never loath To spend my judgment. Herbert.

3. To consume; to waste; to squander; to exhaust; as, to spend an estate in gaming or other vices.

4. To pass, as time; to suffer to pass away; as, to spend a day idly; to spend winter abroad. We spend our years as a tale that is told. Ps. xc. 9.

5. To exhaust of force or strength; to waste; to wear away; as, the violence of the waves was spent. Their bodies spent with long labor and thirst. Knolles.

SPEND Spend, v. i.

1. To expend money or any other possession; to consume, use, waste, or part with, anything; as, he who gets easily spends freely. He spends as a person who knows that he must come to a reckoning. South.

2. To waste or wear away; to be consumed; to lose force or strength; to vanish; as, energy spends in the using of it. The sound spendeth and is dissipated in the open air. Bacon.

3. To be diffused; to spread. The vines that they use for wine are so often cut, that their sap spendeth into the grapes. Bacon.

4. (Mining)

Defn: To break ground; to continue working.

SPENDER Spen"der, n.

Defn: One who spends; esp., one who spends lavishly; a prodigal; a spendthrift.

SPENDING Spend"ing, n.

Defn: The act of expending; expenditure. Spending money, money set apart for extra (not necessary) personal expenses; pocket money. [Colloq.]

SPENDTHRIFT Spend"thrift`, n.

Defn: One who spends money profusely or improvidently; a prodigal; one who lavishes or wastes his estate. Also used figuratively. A woman who was a generous spendthrift of life. Mrs. R. H. Davis.

SPENDTHRIFT Spend"thrift, a.

Defn: Prodigal; extravagant; wasteful.

SPENDTHRIFTY Spend"thrift`y, a.

Defn: Spendthrift; prodigal. [R.]

SPENSERIAN Spen*se"ri*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the English poet Spenser; — specifically applied to the stanza used in his poem "The Faërie Queene."

SPENT Spent, a.

1. Exhausted; worn out; having lost energy or motive force. Now thou seest me Spent, overpowered, despairing of success. Addison. Heaps of spent arrows fall and strew the ground. Dryden.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Exhausted of spawn or sperm; — said especially of fishes. Spent ball, a ball shot from a firearm, which reaches an object without having sufficient force to penetrate it.

SPER; SPERRE Sper, Sperre, v. t. Etym: [See Spar bar.]

Defn: To shut in; to support; to inclose; to fasten. [Obs.] "To sperre the gate." Spenser.

SPERABLE Spe"ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. spearabilis, fr. sperare to hope.]

Defn: Within the range of hpe; proper to be hoped for. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPERABLE Sper"a*ble, n.

Defn: See Sperable.

SPERAGE Sper"age, n.

Defn: Asperagus. [Obs.] Sylvester.

SPERATE Spe"rate, a. Etym: [L. speratus, p. p. of sperare to hope.]

Defn: Hoped for, or to be hoped for. [R.] Bouvier.

SPERE Spere, v. i. Etym: [AS. spyrian to inquire, properly, to follow the track; akin to D. speuren, G. spüren, Icel. spyrja. sq. root171. See Spoor.]

Defn: To search; to pry; to ask; to inquire. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [Written also speer, speir.] Jamieson.

SPERE Spere, n. Etym: [See Sphere.]

Defn: A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.

SPERGE Sperge, n. (Distilling)

Defn: A charge of wash for the still. Knight.

SPERLING Sper"ling, n. Etym: [See Sparling.] (Zoöl.) (a) A smelt; a sparling. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A young herring. [Local, U.S.]

SPERM Sperm, n.Etym: [F. sperme, L. sperma, Gr. Spore.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The male fecundating fluid; semen. See Semen. Sperm cell (Physiol.), one of the cells from which the spermatozoids are developed. — Sperm morula. (Biol.) Same as Spermosphere.

SPERM Sperm, n.Etym: [Contr. fr. spermaceti.]

Defn: Spermaceti. Sperm oil, a fatty oil found as a liquid, with spermaceti, in the head cavities of the sperm whale. — Sperm whale. (Zoöl.) See in the Vocabulary.

SPERMACETI Sper`ma*ce"ti, n. Etym: [L. sperma sperm + cetus,gen. ceti, any large sea animal, a whale, Gr. Sperm, Cetaceous.]

Defn: A white waxy substance obtained from cavities in the head of the sperm whale, and used making candles, oilments, cosmetics, etc. It consists essentially of ethereal salts of palmitic acid with ethal and other hydrocarbon bases. The substance of spermaceti after the removal of certain impurities is sometimes called cetin. Spermaceti whale (Zoöl.), the sperm whale.

SPERMALIST Sper"mal*ist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: See Spermist.

SPERMAPHORE Sper"ma*phore, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: That part of the ovary from which the ovules arise; the placenta.

SPERMARY Sper"ma*ry, n. (Anat.)

Defn: An organ in which spermatozoa are developed; a sperm gland; a testicle.

SPERMATHECA Sper`ma*the"ca, n.; pl. Spermathecæ. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small sac connected with the female reproductive organs of insects and many other invertebrates, serving to receive and retain the spermatozoa.

SPERMATIC Sper*mat"ic, a. Etym: [L. spermaticus, Gr. spermatique. See Sperm.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to semen; as, the spermatic fluid, the spermatic vessels, etc. Spermatic cord (Anat.), the cord which suspends the testicle within the scrotum. It is made up of a connective tissue sheath inclosing the spermatic duct and accompanying vessels and nerves.

SPERMATICAL Sper"mat"ic*al, a.

Defn: Spermatic.

SPERMATIN Sper"ma*tin, n. (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A substance allied to alkali albumin and to mucin, present in semen, to which it is said to impart the mucilaginous character.

SPERMATISM Sper"ma*tism, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: The emission of sperm, or semen.

SPERMATIUM Sper*ma"ti*um, n.; pl. Spermatia. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the motionless spermatozoids in the conceptacles of certain fungi. J. H. Balfour.

SPERMATIZE Sper"ma*tize, v. i. Etym: [Gr. Sperm.]

Defn: To yield seed; to emit seed, or sperm. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

SPERMATO-; SPERMO- Sper"ma*to-, Sper"mo-.

Defn: Combining forms from Gr. seed, sperm, semen (of plants or animals); as, spermatoblast, spermoblast.

SPERMATOBLAST Sper"ma*to*blast, n.

Defn: Same as Spermoblast.

SPERMATOCYTE Sper"ma*to*cyte, n. Etym: [Spermato- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermoblast.

SPERMATOGEMMA Sper`ma*to*gem"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermato-, and Gemma.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermosphere.

SPERMATOGENESIS Sper`ma*to*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Spermato- + genesis.] (Biol.)

Defn: The development of the spermatozoids.

SPERMATOGENETIC Sper`ma*to*ge*net"ic, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Relating to, or connected with, spermatogenesis; as, spermatogenetic function.

SPERMATOGENOUS Sper`ma*tog"e*nous, a. Etym: [Spermato- + -genous.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Sperm-producing.

SPERMATOGONIUM Sper`ma*to*go"ni*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: A primitive seminal cell, occuring in masses in the seminal tubules. It divides into a mass (spermosphere) of small cells (spermoblast), which in turn give rise to spermatozoids.

SPERMATOID Sper"ma*toid, a. Etym: [Spermato- + -oid.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Spermlike; resembling sperm, or semen.

SPERMATOON; SPERMATOOEN Sper`ma*to"ön, n.; pl. Spermatoa. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: A spermoblast. — Sper`ma*to"al, a. Owen.

SPERMATOPHORE Sper"ma*to*phore, n. Etym: [Spermato- + Gr.

1. (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Spermospore.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A capsule or pocket inclosing a number of spermatozoa. They are present in many annelids, brachiopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. In cephalopods the structure of the capsule is very complex.

SPERMATOPHOROUS Sper`ma*toph"o*rous, a. (Physiol.)

Defn: Producing seed, or sperm; seminiferous; as, the so-called spermatophorous cells.

SPERMATOPHYTA Sper`ma*toph"y*ta, n. pl. [NL.; spermato- + Gr. plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: A phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants. They form the most numerous group, including over 120,000 species. In general, the group is characterized by the marked development of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts (root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc.); by the extreme reduction of the gametophyte; and by the development of seeds. All the Spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg cell is either through a pollen tube emitted by the microspore or (in a few gymnosperms) by spermatozoids. The phrase "flowering plants" is less distinctive than "seed plants," since the conifers, grasses, sedges, oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular sense. For this reason the terms Anthrophyta, Phænogamia, and Panerogamia have been superseded as names of the phylum by Spermatophyta.

SPERMATOPHYTE Sper"ma*to"phyte`, n.

Defn: Any plant of the phylum Spermatophyta. — Sper`ma*to*phyt"ic (#), a.

SPERMATORRHEA; SPERMATORRHOEA Sper`ma*tor*rhe"a, Sper`ma*tor*rhoe"a, (, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Abnormally frequent involuntary emission of the semen without copulation.

SPERMATOSPORE Sper"ma*to*spore, n.

Defn: Same as Spermospore.

SPERMATOZOID Sper`ma*to*zo"id, n. Etym: [Spermatozoön + Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: The male germ cell in animals and plants, the essential element in fertilization; a microscopic animalcule-like particle, usually provided with one or more cilia by which it is capable of active motion. In animals, the familiar type is that of a small, more or less ovoid head, with a delicate threadlike cilium, or tail. Called also spermatozoön. In plants the more usual term is antherozoid.

SPERMATOZOOID Sper`ma*to*zo"oid n. (Biol.)

Defn: A spermatozoid.

SPERMATOZOON; SPERMATOZOOEN Sper`ma*to*zo"ön, n.; pl. Spermatozoa. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: Same as Spermatozoid.

SPERMIC Sper"mic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sperm, or semen.

SPERMIDIUM Sper*mid"i*um, n.; pl. Spermidia. Etym: [Nl., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: An achenium.

SPERMISM Sperm"ism, n. [Gr. seed, sperm + -ism.] (Biol.)

Defn: The theory, formerly held by many, that the sperm or spermatozoön contains the germ of the future embryo; animalculism.

SPERMIST Sperm"ist, n. (Biol.)

Defn: A believer in the doctrine, formerly current, of encasement in the male (see Encasement), in which the seminal thread, or spermatozoid, was considered as the real animal germ, the head being the true animal head and the tail the body.

SPERMOBLAST Sper"mo*blast, n. Etym: [Spermo- + -blast.] (Physiol.)

Defn: One of the cells formed by the diivision of the spermospore, each of which is destined to become a spermatozoid; a spermatocyte; a spermatoblast.

SPERMOCOCCUS Sper`mo*coc"cus, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermo-, and Coccus.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The nucleus of the sperm cell.

SPERMODERM Sper"mo*derm, n. Etym: [Spermo- + derm: cf. F. spermoderme.] (Bot.)

Defn: The covering of a seed; — sometimes limited to the outer coat or testa. Lindley.

SPERMOGONIUM Sper`mo*go"ni*um, n. Etym: [NL.; spermo- + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A conceptacle of certain lichens, which contains spermatia.

SPERMOLOGIST Sper*mol"o*gist, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: One who treats of, or collects, seeds. Bailey.

SPERMOPHILE Sper"mo*phile, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any ground squirrel of the genus Spermophilus; gopher. See Illust. under Gopher.

SPERMOPHORE Sper"mo*phore, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A spermatophore.

SPERMOPHYTA Sper*moph"y*ta, n. pl. Etym: [Nl., from Gr.

Defn: Plants which produce seed; phænogamia. These plants constitute the highest grand division of the vegetable kingdom.

SPERMOPHYTE Sper"mo*phyte, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Any plant which produces true seeds; — a term recently proposed to replace phænogam.

SPERMOPHYTIC Sper`mo*phyt"ic, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Capable of producing seeds; phænogamic.

SPERMOPLASMA Sper`mo*plas"ma, n. Etym: [NL. See Spermo-, and Plasma.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The protoplasm of the sperm cell. Haeckel.

SPERMOSPHERE Sper"mo*sphere, n. Etym: [Spermo- + sphere.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A mass or ball of cells formed by the repeated division of a male germinal cell (spermospore), each constituent cell (spermoblast) of which is converted into a spermatozoid; a spermatogemma.

SPERMOSPORE Sper"mo*spore, n. Etym: [Spermo- + spore.] (Physiol.)

Defn: The male germinal or seminal cell, from the breaking up of which the spermoblasts are formed and ultimately the spermatozoids; a spermatospore. Balfour.

SPERMULE Sper"mule, n. Etym: [Dim. fr. sperm.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A sperm cell. Haeckel.

SPERM WHALE Sperm" whale`. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A very large toothed whale (Physeter macrocephalus), having a head of enormous size. The upper jaw is destitute of teeth. In the upper part of the head, above the skull, there is a large cavity, or case, filled with oil and spermaceti. This whale sometimes grows to the length of more than eighty feet. It is found in the warmer parts of all the oceans. Called also cachalot, and spermaceti whale. Pygmy sperm whale (Zoöl.), a small whale (Kogia breviceps), seldom twenty feet long, native of tropical seas, but occasionally found on the American coast. Called also snub-nosed cachalot. — Sperm-whale porpoise (Zoöl.), a toothed cetacean (Hyperoödon bidens), found on both sides of the Atlantic and valued for its oil. The adult becomes about twenty-five feet long, and its head is very large and thick. Called also bottle-nosed whale.

SPERRYLITE Sper"ry*lite, n.Etym: [Named after F. L. Sperry, who discovered it.] (Min.)

Defn: An arsenide of platinum occuring in grains and minute isometric crystals of tin-white color. It is found near Sudbury, Ontario Canada, and is the only known compound of platinum occuring in nature.

SPERSE Sperse, v. t.

Defn: To disperse. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPESSARTITE Spes"sart*ite, n.Etym: [From Spessart, in Germany.] (Min.)

Defn: A manganesian variety of garnet.

SPET Spet, v. t. Etym: [AS. sp. See Spit.]

Defn: To spit; to throw out. [Obs.]

SPET Spet, n.

Defn: Spittle. [Obs.]

SPETCHES Spetch"es, n. pl.

Defn: Parings and refuse of hides, skins, etc., from which glue is made.

SPEW Spew, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spewed; p. pr.& vb. n. Spewing.] Etym: [OE. spewen, speowen, AS. spiwan;n to D. spuwen to spit. OS & OHG. spiwan, G. speien, Icel. sp to spew, Sw. spy, Dan. spye, Goth. spiewan, th. spjauti, L. spuere to split, Gr. shtiv, shthiv. Cf. Pyke, Spit.] [Written also spue.]

1. To eject from the stomach; to vomit.

2. To cast forth with abhorrence or disgust; to eject. Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Rev. ii. 16.

SPEW Spew, v. i.

1. To vomit. Chaucer.

2. To eject seed, as wet land swollen with frost.

SPEW Spew, n.

Defn: That which is vomited; vomit.

SPEWER Spew"er, n.

Defn: One who spews.

SPEWINESS Spew"i*ness, n.

Defn: The state of being spewy.

SPEWY Spew"y, a.

Defn: Wet; soggy; inclined to spew.

SPHACEL Sphac"el, n. Etym: [Gr. sphacèle.] (Med.)

Defn: Gangrene.

SPHACELATE Sphac"e*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sphacelated; p. pr. & vb. n. Sphacelating.] Etym: [NL. sphacelare, sphacelatum, mortify: cf. F. sphacéler. See Sphacelus.] (Med.)

Defn: To die, decay, or become gangrenous, as flesh or bone; to mortify.

SPHACELATE Sphac"e*late, v. t. (Med.)

Defn: To affect with gangrene.

SPHACELATE; SPHACELATED Sphac"e*late, Sphac"e*la`ted, a. (Med.)

Defn: Affected with gangrene; mortified.

SPHACELATION Sphac`e*la"tion, n. (Med.)

Defn: The process of becoming or making gangrenous; mortification.

SPHACELUS Sphac"e*lus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Gangrenous part; gangrene; slough.

SPHAERENCHYMA Sphæ*ren"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -enchyma as in parenchima.] (Bot.)

Defn: Vegetable tissue composed of thin-walled rounded cells, — a modification of parenchyma.

SPHAERIDIUM Sphæ*rid"i*um, n.; pl. Sphæridia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A peculiar sense organ found upon the exterior of most kinds of sea urchins, and consisting of an oval or sherical head surmounting a short pedicel. It is generally supposed to be an olfactory organ.

SPHAEROSPORE Sphæ"ro*spore, n. Etym: [Gr. spore.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the nonsexual spores found in red algæ; a tetraspore.

SPHAERULITE Sphær"u*lite, n. (Min.)

Defn: Same as Spherulite.

SPHAGNICOLOUS Sphag*nic"o*lous, a. Etym: [Sphagnum + L. colere to inhabit.] (Bot.)

Defn: Growing in moss of the genus Sphagnum.

SPHAGNOUS Sphag"nous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to moss of the genus Sphagnum, or bog moss; abounding in peat or bog moss.

SPHAGNUM Sphag"num, n. Etym: [NL., fr/ Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of mosses having white leaves slightly tinged with red or green and found growing in marshy places; bog moss; peat moss.

SPHALERITE Sphal"er*ite, n. Etym: [Gr. Blende.] (Min.)

Defn: Zinc sulphide; — called also blende, black-jack, false galena, etc. See Blende (a).

SPHENE Sphene, n. Etym: [F. sphène, fr. Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A mineral found usually in thin, wedge-shaped crystals of a yellow or green to black color. It is a silicate of titanium and calcium; titanite.

SPHENETHMOID Sphe*neth"moid, a. Etym: [Sphenoid + ethmoid.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the sphenoidal and the ethmoidal regions of the skull, or the sphenethmoid bone; sphenethmoidal. Sphenethmoid bone (Anat.), a bone of the skull which surrounds the anterior end of the brain in many amphibia; the girdle bone.

SPHENETHMOID Sphe*neth"moid, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenethmoid bone.

SPHENETHMOIDAL Sphe`neth*moid"al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Relating to the sphenoethmoid bone; sphenoethmoid.

SPHENISCAN Sphe*nis"can, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any species of penguin.

SPHENO- Sphe"no-.

Defn: A combining form used in anatomy to indicate connection with, or relation to, the sphenoid bone; as in sphenomaxillary, sphenopalatine.

SPHENODON Sphe"no*don, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Hatteria.

SPHENOETHMOIDAL Sphe"no*eth*moid`al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Sphenethmoid.

SPHENOGRAM Sphe"no*gram, n. Etym: [Gr. -gram.]

Defn: A cuneiform, or arrow-headed, character.

SPHENOGRAPHER Sphe*nog"ra*pher, n.

Defn: One skilled in sphenography; a sphenographist.

SPHENOGRAPHIC Sphe`no*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to sphenography.

SPHENOGRAPHIST Sphe*nog"ra*phist, n.

Defn: A sphenographer.

SPHENOGRAPHY Sphe*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]

Defn: The art of writing in cuneiform characters, or of deciphering inscriptions made in such characters.

SPHENOID Sphe"noid, a. Etym: [Gr. sphénoïde.]

1. Wedge-shaped; as, a sphenoid crystal.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sphenoid bone. Sphenoid bone (Anat.), an irregularly shaped bone in front of the occipital in the base of the skull of the higher vertebrates. It is composed of several fetal bones which become united the adult. See Alisphenoid, Basisphenoid, Orbitosphenoid, Presphenoid.

SPHENOID Sphe"noid, n.

1. (Crystallog.)

Defn: A wedge-shaped crystal bounded by four equal isosceles triangles. It is the hemihedral form of a square pyramid.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenoid bone.

SPHENOIDAL Sphe*noid"al, a.

1. Sphenoid.

2. (Crystalloq.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, a sphenoid.

SPHENOTIC Sphe*not"ic, a. Etym: [Spheno- + (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, the sphenotic bone. Sphenotic bone (Anat.), a bone on the anterior side of the auditory capsule of many fishes, and connected with, or adjoining, the sphenoid bone.

SPHENOTIC Sphe*not"ic, n. (Anat.)

Defn: The sphenotic bone.

SPHERAL Spher"al, a.

1. Of or pertaining to a sphere or the spheres.

2. Rounded like a sphere; sphere-shaped; hence, symmetrical; complete; perfect.

SPHERE Sphere, n. Etym: [OE. spere, OF. espere, F. sphère, L. sphaera,. Gr.

1. (Geom.)

Defn: A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.

2. Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth. Of celestial bodies, first the sun, A mighty sphere, he framed. Milton.

3. (Astron.) (a) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it. (b) In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.

4. (Logic)

Defn: The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.

5. Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence. To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't. Shak. Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself. Hawthorne. Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woe Our hermit spirits dwell. Keble.

6. Rank; order of society; social positions.

7. An orbit, as of a star; a socket. [R.] Shak. Armillary sphere, Crystalline sphere, Oblique sphere,. See under Armillary, Crystalline,. — Doctrine of the sphere, applications of the principles of spherical trigonometry to the properties and relations of the circles of the sphere, and the problems connected with them, in astronomy and geography, as to the latitudes and longitudes, distance and bearing, of places on the earth, and the right ascension and declination, altitude and azimuth, rising and setting, etc., of the heavenly bodies; spherical geometry. — Music of the spheres. See under Music.

Syn. — Globe; orb; circle. See Globe.

SPHERE Sphere, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sphered; p. pr. & vb. n. Sphering.]

1. To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere. The glorious planet Sol In noble eminence enthroned and sphered Amidst the other. Shak.

2. To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect. Tennyson.

SPHERICAL; SPHERIC Spher"ic*al, Spher"ic, a. Etym: [L. sphaericus, Gr. sphérique.]

1. Having the form of a sphere; like a sphere; globular; orbicular; as, a spherical body.

2. Of or pertaining to a sphere.

3. Of or pertaining to the heavenly orbs, or to the sphere or spheres in which, according to ancient astronomy and astrology, they were set. Knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance. Shak. Though the stars were suns, and overburned Their spheric limitations. Mrs. Browning. Spherical angle, Spherical coördinate, Spherical excess, etc. See under Angle, Coordinate, etc. — Spherical geometry, that branch of geometry which treats of spherical magnitudes; the doctrine of the sphere, especially of the circles described on its surface. — Spherical harmonic analysis. See under Harmonic, a. — Spherical lune,portion of the surface of a sphere included between two great semicircles having a common diameter. — Spherical opening, the magnitude of a solid angle. It is measured by the portion within the solid angle of the surface of any sphere whose center is the angular point. — Spherical polygon,portion of the surface of a sphere bounded by the arcs of three or more great circles. — Spherical projection, the projection of the circles of the sphere upon a plane. See Projection. — Spherical sector. See under Sector. — Spherical segment, the segment of a sphere. See under Segment. — Spherical triangle,re on the surface of a sphere, bounded by the arcs of three great circles which intersect each other. — Spherical trigonometry. See Trigonometry. — Spher"ic*al*ly, adv. — Spher"ic*al*ness, n.

SPHERICITY Sphe*ric"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sphéricité.]

Defn: The quality or state of being spherial; roundness; as, the sphericity of the planets, or of a drop of water.

SPHERICLE Spher"i*cle, n.

Defn: A small sphere.

SPHERICS Spher"ics, n. (Math.)

Defn: The doctrine of the sphere; the science of the properties and relations of the circles, figures, and other magnitudes of a sphere, produced by planes intersecting it; spherical geometry and trigonometry.

SPHEROBACTERIA Sphe`ro*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl.; sing. Spherobacterium (. Etym: [NL. See Sphere, and Bacterium.] (Biol.)

Defn: See the Note under Microbacteria.

SPHEROCONIC Sphe`ro*con"ic, n. (Geom.)

Defn: A nonplane curve formed by the intersection of the surface of an oblique cone with the surface of a sphere whose center is at the vertex of the cone.

SPHEROGRAPH Spher"o*graph, n. Etym: [Sphere + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument for facilitating the practical use of spherics in navigation and astronomy, being constructed of two cardboards containing various circles, and turning upon each other in such a manner that any possible spherical triangle may be readily found, and the measures of the parts read off by inspection.

SPHEROID Sphe"roid, n. Etym: [L. spheroides ball-like, spherical, Gr. sphéroïde.]

Defn: A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; esp., a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. Oblate spheroid, Prolate spheroid. See Oblate, Prolate, and Ellipsoid.

SPHEROIDAL Sphe*roid"al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. sphéroïdal.]

Defn: Having the form of a spheroid. — Sphe*roid"al*ly, adv. Spheroidal state (Physics.), the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and without actual contact with the heated surface, — a phenomenon due to the repulsive force of heat, the intervention of a cushion of nonconducting vapor, and the cooling effect of evaporation.

SPHEROIDIC; SPHEROIDICAL Sphe*roid"ic, Sphe*roid"ic*al, a.

Defn: See Spheroidal. Cheyne.

SPHEROIDICITY; SPHEROIDITY Sphe`roi*dic"i*ty, Sphe*roid"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spheroidal.

SPHEROMERE Sphe"ro*mere, n. Etym: [Sphere + -mere.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of the several symmetrical segments arranged around the central axis and composing the body of a radiate anmal.

SPHEROMETER Sphe*rom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Sphere + -meter: cf. F. sphéromètre.] (Physics)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the curvature of spherical surface, as of lenses for telescope, etc.

SPHEROSIDERITE Spher`o*sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [Sphere + siderite.] (Min.)

Defn: Siderite occuring in spheroidal masses.

SPHEROSOME Sphe"ro*some, n. Etym: [Sphere + -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The body wall of any radiate animal.

SPHERULATE Spher"u*late, a.

Defn: Covered or set with spherules; having one or more rows of spherules, or minute tubercles.

SPHERULE Spher"ule, n. Etym: [L. spherula: cf. F. sphérule.]

Defn: A little sphere or spherical body; as, quicksilver, when poured upon a plane, divides itself into a great number of minute spherules.

SPHERULITE Spher"u*lite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. sphérulite.] (Min.)

Defn: A minute spherical crystalline body having a radiated structure, observed in some vitreous volcanic rocks, as obsidian and pearlstone.

SPHERULITIC Spher`u*lit"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a spherulite; characterized by the presence of spherulites.

SPHERY Spher"y, a.

1. Round; spherical; starlike. [R.] "Hermia's sphery eyne." Shak.

2. Of or pertaining to the spheres. [R.] She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime. Milton.

SPHEX Sphex, n.Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of sand wasps of the genus Sphex and allied genera. These wasps have the abdomen attached to the thorax by a slender pedicel. See Illust. of Sand wasp, under Sand. Sphex fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small dipterous flies of the genus Conops and allied genera. The form of the body is similar to that of a sphex.

SPHIGMOMETER Sphig*mom"e*ter, n.

Defn: See Sphygmometer.

SPHINCTER Sphinc"ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. (Anat.)

Defn: A muscle which surrounds, and by its contraction tends to close, a natural opening; as, the sphincter of the bladder.

SPHINCTER Sphinc"ter, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sphincter; as, a sphincter muscle.

SPHINGID Sphin"gid, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A sphinx.

SPHINGID Sphin"gid, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a sphinx, or the family Sphingidæ.

SPHINX Sphinx, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. sfi`gx, usually derived from sfi`ggein to bind tight or together, as if the Throttler.]

1. (a) In Egyptian art, an image of granite or porphyry, having a human head, or the head of a ram or of a hawk, upon the wingless body of a lion. The awful ruins of the days of old . . . Or jasper tomb, or mutilated sphinx. Shelley.

(b) On Greek art and mythology, a she-monster, usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman.

Note: The most famous Grecian sphinx, that of Thebes in Boeotia, is said to have proposed a riddle to the Thebans, and killed those who were unable to guess it. The enigma was solved by "Subtle as sphinx." Shak.

2. Hence: A person of enigmatical character and purposes, especially in politics and diplomacy.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of large moths of the family Sphingidæ; — called also hawk moth.

Note: The larva is a stout naked caterpillar which, when at rest, often assumes a position suggesting the Egyptian sphinx, whence the name.

4. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. — Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.

SPHRAGIDE Sphrag"ide, n.Etym: [L. sphragis, -idis, Lemnian earth, fr. Gr. (Min.)

Defn: Lemnian earth.

SPHRAGISTICS Sphra*gis"tics, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: The science of seals, their history, age, distinctions, etc., esp. as verifying the age and genuiness of documents.

SPHRIGOSIS Sphri*go"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A condition of vegetation in which there is too abundant growth of the stem and leaves, accompanied by deficiency of flowers and fruit.

SPHYGMIC Sphyg"mic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the pulse.

SPHYGMOGRAM Sphyg"mo*gram, n. Etym: [Gr. -gram.] (Physiol.)

Defn: A tracing, called a pulse tracing, consisting of a series of curves corresponding with the beats of the heart, obtained by the application of the sphygmograph.

SPHYGMOGRAPH Sphyg"mo*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.] (Physiol.)

Defn: An instrument which, when applied over an artery, indicates graphically the movements or character of the pulse. See Sphygmogram.

SPHYGMOGRAPHIC Sphyg`mo*graph"ic, a. (Phusiol.)

Defn: Relating to, or produced by, a sphygmograph; as, a sphygmographic tracing.

SPHYGMOMETER Sphyg*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Physiol.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the strength of the pulse beat; a sphygmograph.

SPHYGMOPHONE Sphyg"mo*phone, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: An electrical instrument for determining by the ear the rhythm of the pulse of a person at a distance.

SPHYGMOSCOPE Sphyg"mo*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Physiol.)

Defn: Same as Sphygmograph.

SPHYRAENOID Sphy*ræ"noid, a.Etym: [L. sphyraena a kind of sea fish (Gr. sfy`raina) + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Sphyrænidæ, a family of marine fishes including the barracudas.

SPIAL Spi"al, n.

Defn: A spy; a scout. [Obs.] Bacon.

SPICA Spi"ca, n.; pl. Spicæ. Etym: [L., an ear, as of corn.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: A kind of bandage passing, by successive turns and crosses, from an extremity to the trunk; — so called from its resemblance to a spike of a barley.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: A star of the first magnitude situated in the constellation Virgo.

SPICATE; SPICATED Spi"cate, Spi"ca*ted, a. Etym: [L. spicatus, p. p. of spicare furnish with spikes, or ears, fr. spica a spike, or ear.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having the form of a spike, or ear; arranged in a spike or spikes. Lee.

SPICCATO Spic*ca"to, a. Etym: [It., p. p. of spicare to detach, to separate.] (Mus.)

Defn: Detached; separated; — a term indicating that every note is to be performed in a distinct and pointed manner.

SPICE Spice, n. Etym: [OE. spice, spece, spice, species, OF. espice, espece, F. épice spice, espèce species, fr. L. species particular sort or kind, a species, a sight, appearance, show, LL., spices, drugs, etc., of the same sort, fr. L. specere to look. See Spy, and cf. Species.]

1. Species; kind. [Obs.] The spices of penance ben three. Chaucer. Abstain you from all evil spice. Wyclif (1. Thess,v. 22). Justice, although it be but one entire virtue, yet is described in two kinds of spices. The one is named justice distributive, the other is called commutative. Sir T. Elyot.

2. A vegetable production of many kinds, fragrant or aromatic and pungent to the taste, as pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, cloves, etc., which are used in cookery and to flavor sauces, pickles, etc. Hast thou aught in thy purse [bag] any hot spices Piers Plowman.

3. Figuratively, that which enriches or alters the quality of a thing in a small degree, as spice alters the taste of food; that which gives zest or pungency; a slight flavoring; a relish; hence, a small quantity or admixture; a sprinkling; as, a spice of mischief. So much of the will, with a spice of the willful. Coleridge.

SPICE Spice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiced; p. p. & vb. n. Spicing.]

1. To season with spice, or as with spice; to mix aromatic or pungent substances with; to flavor; to season; as, to spice wine; to spice one's words with wit. She 'll receive thee, but will spice thy bread With flowery poisons. Chapman.

2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. In the spiced Indian air, by night. Shak.

3. To render nice or dainty; hence, to render scrupulous. [Obs.] "A spiced conscience." Chaucer.

SPICEBUSH Spice"bush`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Spicewood.

SPICENUT Spice"nut`.

Defn: A small crisp cake, highly spiced.

SPICER Spi"cer, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. espicier, F. épicier.]

1. One who seasons with spice.

2. One who deals in spice. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

SPICERY Spi"cer*y, n. Etym: [OF. espicerie, F. épicerie.]

1. Spices, in general. Chaucer.

2. A repository of spices. Addison.

SPICEWOOD Spice"wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American shrub (Lindera Benzoin), the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; — called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever bush.

SPICIFEROUS Spi*cif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. spicifer bearing spikes, or ears; spica ear + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Bearing ears, or spikes; spicate. [Obs.] Bailey.

SPICIFORM Spi"ci*form, a. Etym: [L. spica a spike, ear + -form.] (Bot.)

Defn: Spike-shaped. Gray.

SPICILY Spi"ci*ly, adv.

Defn: In a spicy manner.

SPICINESS Spi"ci*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being spicy.

SPICK Spick, n. Etym: [Cf. Sw. spik. See Spike a nail.]

Defn: A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] Spick and span, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split; brand- new; as, a spick and span novelty. See Span-new. Howell.

SPICKNEL Spick"nel, n. Etym: [Contr. from spike nail a large, long nail; — so called in allusion to the shape of its capillary leaves.] (Bot.)

Defn: An umbelliferous herb (Meum Athamanticum) having finely divided leaves, common in Europe; — called also baldmoney, mew, and bearwort. [Written also spignel.]

SPICOSE Spi*cose", a. Etym: [L. spica a spike, or ear.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having spikes, or ears, like corn spikes.

SPICOSITY Spi*cos"i*ty, n.

Defn: The state of having, or being full of, ears like corn. [R.] Bailey.

SPICOUS Spi"cous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: See Spicose.

SPICULA Spic"u*la, n.; pl. Spiculæ. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. spica a spike, ear.] (Bot.) (a) A little spike; a spikelet. (b) A pointed fleshy appendage.

SPICULAR Spic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. spiculum a dart: cf. F. spiculaire.]

Defn: Resembling a dart; having sharp points.

SPICULATE Spic"u*late, a. Etym: [L. spiculatus, p. p. of spiculare to sharpen, to point, fr. spiculum a dart.]

1. Covered with, or having, spicules.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Covered with minute spiculæ, or pointed fleshy appendages; divided into small spikelets.

SPICULATE Spic"u*late, v. t.

Defn: To sharpen to a point. [R.] "With spiculated paling." Mason.

SPICULE Spic"ule, n. Etym: [L. spiculum a little point, a dart.]

1. A minute, slender granule, or point.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Spicula.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any small calcareous or siliceous body found in the tissues of various invertebrate animals, especially in sponges and in most Alcyonaria.

Note: Spicules vary exceedingly in size and shape, and some of those found in siliceous sponges are very complex in structure and elegant in form. They are of great use in classification. Description of the Illustration: a Acerate; b Tricurvate, or Bowshaped; c d Hamate; e Broomshaped; f Scepterellate; g Spinispirulate; h Inequi-anchorate; i Sexradiate; j A Trichite Sheaf; k Six-rayed Capitate; l Rosette of Esperia; m Equi- anchorate.

SPICULIFORM Spi*cu"li*form, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the shape of a spicule.

SPICULIGENOUS Spic`u*lig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. spiculum + -genous.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Producing or containing spicules.

SPICULISPONGIAE Spic`u*li*spon"gi*æ, n. pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A division of sponges including those which have independent siliceous spicules.

SPICULUM Spic"u*lum, n.; pl. Spicula. Etym: [L., a little point.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Spicule.

SPICY Spi"cy, a. [Compar. Spicier; superl. Spiciest.] Etym: [From Spice.]

1. Flavored with, or containing, spice or spices; fragrant; aromatic; as, spicy breezes. "The spicy nut-brown ale." Milton. Led by new stars, and borne by spicy gales. Pope.

2. Producing, or abounding with, spices. In hot Ceylon spicy forests grew. Dryden.

3. Fig.: Piquant; racy; as, a spicy debate.

Syn. — Aromatic; fragrant; smart; pungent; pointed; keen. See Racy.

SPIDER Spi"der, n.Etym: [OE. spi, fr. AS. spinnan to spin; — so named from spinning its web; cf. D. spin a spider, G. spinne, Sw. spindel. Seee Spin.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of arachnids comprising the order Araneina. Spiders have the mandibles converted into poison fangs, or falcers. The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near the end, by means of which they spin threads of silk to form cocoons, or nests, to protect their eggs and young. Many species spin also complex webs to entrap the insects upon which they prey. The eyes are usually eight in number (rarely six), and are situated on the back of the cephalothorax. See Illust. under Araneina.

Note: Spiders are divided into two principal groups: the Dipneumona, having two lungs: and the Tetrapneumona, having four lungs. See Mygale. The former group includes several tribes; as, the jumping spiders (see Saltigradæ), the wolf spiders, or Citigradæ (see under Wolf), the crab spiders, or Laterigradæ (see under Crab), the garden, or geometric, spiders, or Orbitellæ (see under Geometrical, and Garden), and others. See Bird spider, under Bird, Grass spider, under Grass, House spider, under House, Silk spider, under Silk.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of various other arachnids resembling the true spiders, especially certain mites, as the red spider (see under Red).

3. An iron pan with a long handle, used as a kitchen utensil in frying food. Originally, it had long legs, and was used over coals on the hearth.

4. A trevet to support pans or pots over a fire.

5. (Mach.)

Defn: A skeleton, or frame, having radiating arms or members, often connected by crosspieces; as, a casting forming the hub and spokes to which the rim of a fly wheel or large gear is bolted; the body of a piston head; a frame for strengthening a core or mold for a casting, etc. Spider ant. (Zoöl.) Same as Solitary ant, under Solitary. — Spider crab (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of maioid crabs having a more or less triangular body and ten long legs. Some of the species grow to great size, as the great Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira Kempferi), measuring sometimes more than fifteen feet across the legs when they are extended. — Spider fly (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of parasitic dipterous insects of the family Hippoboscidæ. They are mostly destitute of wings, and live among the feathers of birds and the hair of bats. Called also bird tick, and bat tick. — Spider hunter (Zoöl.), any one of several species of East Indian sunbirds of the genus Arachnothera. — Spider lines, filaments of a spider's web crossing the field of vision in optical instruments; — used for determining the exact position of objects and making delicate measurements. Fine wires, silk fibers, or lines on glass similarly placed, are called spider lines. — Spider mite. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of parasitic mites of the genus Argas and allied genera. See Argas. (b) Any one of numerous small mites injurious to plants. — Spider monkey (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of South American monkeys of the genus Ateles, having very long legs and a long prehensile tail. — Spider orchis (Bot.), a European orchidaceous plant (Ophrys aranifera), having flowers which resemble spiders. — Spider shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Pteroceras. See Pteroceras.

SPIDERED Spi"dered, a.

Defn: Infested by spiders; cobwebbed. Wolcott.

SPIDERLIKE Spi"der*like`, a.

Defn: Like a spider. Shak.

SPIDER STITCH Spi"der stitch.

Defn: A stitch in lace making used to fill in open spaces with threads resembling a cobweb.

SPIDER WEB; SPIDER'S WEB Spi"der web", or Spi"der's web". (Zoöl.)

Defn: The silken web which is formed by most kinds of spiders, particularly the web spun to entrap their prey. See Geometric spider, Triangle spider, under Geometric, and Triangle.

SPIDERWORT Spi"der*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An American endogenous plant (Tradescantia Virginica), with long linear leaves and ephemeral blue flowers. The name is sometimes extended to other species of the same genus.

SPIED Spied,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spy.

SPIEGELEISEN Spie"gel*ei`sen, n. Etym: [G. spiegel mirror + eisen iron.]

Defn: See Spiegel iron.

SPIEGEL IRON Spie"gel i`ron. Etym: [G. spiegel mirror + E. iron.] (Metal.)

Defn: A fusible white cast iron containing a large amount of carbon (from three and a half to six per cent) and some manganese. When the manganese reaches twenty-five per cent and upwards it has a granular structure, and constitutes the alloy ferro manganese, largely used in the manufacture of Bessemer steel. Called also specular pig iron, spiegel, and spiegeleisen.

SPIGHT Spight, n. & v.

Defn: Spite. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPIGHT Spight, n.

Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight. [Obs.]

SPIGNEL Spig"nel, n. (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Spickenel.

SPIGNET Spig"net, n. Etym: [Corrupted fr. spikenard.] (Bot.)

Defn: An aromatic plant of America. See Spikenard.

SPIGOT Spig"ot, n. Etym: [From spick,or spike; cf. Ir. & Gael. spiocaid a spigot, Ir. spice a spike. See Spike.]

Defn: A pin or peg used to stop the vent in a cask; also, the plug of a faucet or cock. Spigot and faucet joint, a joint for uniting pipes, formed by the insertion of the end of one pipe, or pipe fitting, into a socket at the end of another.

SPIGURNEL Spi*gur"nel, n. (Eng. Law)

Defn: Formerly the title of the sealer of writs in chancery. Mozley & W.

SPIKE Spike, n. Etym: [Akin to LG. spiker, spieker, a large nail, D. spijker, Sw. spik, Dan. spiger, Icel. spik; all perhaps from L. spica a point, an ear of grain; but in the sense of nail more likely akin to E. spoke of a wheel. Cf. Spine.]

1. A sort of very large nail; also, a piece of pointed iron set with points upward or outward.

2. Anything resembling such a nail in shape. He wears on his head the corona radiata . . . ; the spikes that shoot out represent the rays of the sun. Addison.

3. An ear of corn or grain.

4. (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of flower cluster in which sessile flowers are arranged on an unbranched elongated axis. Spike grass (Bot.), either of two tall perennial American grasses (Uniola paniculata, and U. latifolia) having broad leaves and large flattened spikelets. — Spike rush. (Bot.) See under Rush. — Spike shell (Zoöl.), any pteropod of the genus Styliola having a slender conical shell. — Spike team, three horses, or a horse and a yoke of oxen, harnessed together, a horse leading the oxen or the span. [U.S.]

SPIKE Spike, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spiked; p. pr. & vb. n. Spiking.]

1. To fasten with spikes, or long, large nails; as, to spike down planks.

2. To set or furnish with spikes.

3. To fix on a spike. [R.] Young.

4. To stop the vent of (a gun or cannon) by driving a spike nail, or the like into it.

SPIKE Spike, n. Etym: [Cf. G. spieke, L. spica an ear of grain. See Spikenard.] (Bot.)

Defn: Spike lavender. See Lavender. Oil of spike (Chem.), a colorless or yellowish aromatic oil extracted from the European broad-leaved lavender, or aspic (Lavendula Spica), used in artist's varnish and in veterinary medicine. It is often adulterated with oil of turpentine, which it much resembles.

SPIKEBILL Spike"bill`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The hooded merganser. (b) The marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa).

SPIKED Spiked, a.

Defn: Furnished or set with spikes, as corn; fastened with spikes; stopped with spikes. A youth, leaping over the spiked pales, . . . was caught by those spikes. Wiseman.

SPIKEFISH Spike"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Sailfish (a)

SPIKELET Spike"let, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A small or secondary spike; especially, one of the ultimate parts of the in florescence of grasses. See Illust. of Quaking grass.

SPIKENARD Spike"nard, n.Etym: [For spiked nard; cf. G. spieknarde, NL. spica nardi. See Spike an ear, and Nard.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: An aromatic plant. In the United States it is the Aralia racemosa, often called spignet, and used as a medicine. The spikenard of the ancients is the Nardostachys Jatamansi, a native of the Himalayan region. From its blackish roots a perfume for the hair is still prepared in India.

2. A fragrant essential oil, as that from the Nardostachys Jatamansi.

SPIKETAIL Spike"tail`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The pintail duck. [Local, U.S.]

SPIKY Spik"y, a.

1. Like a spike; spikelike. These spiky, vivid outbursts of metallic vapors. C. A. Young.

2. Having a sharp point, or sharp points; furnished or armed with spikes. Or by the spiky harrow cleared away. Dyer. The spiky wheels through heaps of carnage tore. Pope.

SPILE Spile, n. Etym: [Cf. LG. spile, dial. G. speil, speiler, D. spijl. *170.]

1. A small plug or wooden pin, used to stop a vent, as in a cask.

2. A small tube or spout inserted in a tree for conducting sap, as from a sugar maple.

3. A large stake driven into the ground as a support for some superstructure; a pile. Spile hole, a small air hole in a cask; a vent.

SPILE Spile, v. t.

Defn: To supply with a spile or a spigot; to make a small vent in, as a cask.

SPILIKIN Spil"i*kin, n. Etym: [OD. spelleken a small pin. See Spill a splinter.]

Defn: One of a number of small pieces or pegs of wood, ivory, bone, or other material, for playing a game, or for counting the score in a game, as in cribbage. In the plural (spilikins), a game played with such pieces; pushpin. [Written also spillikin, spilliken.]

SPILL Spill, n. Etym: [sq. root170. Cf. Spell a splinter.]

1. A bit of wood split off; a splinter. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

2. A slender piece of anything. Specifically: — (a) A peg or pin for plugging a hole, as in a cask; a spile. (b) A metallic rod or pin. (c) A small roll of paper, or slip of wood, used as a lamplighter, etc. (d) (Mining) One of the thick laths or poles driven horizontally ahead of the main timbering in advancing a level in loose ground.

3. A little sum of money. [Obs.] Ayliffe.

SPILL Spill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spilt; p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.]

Defn: To cover or decorate with slender pieces of wood, metal, ivory, etc.; to inlay. [Obs.] Spenser.

SPILL Spill, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spilled, or Spilt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spilling.] Etym: [OE. spillen,sually, to destroy, AS. spillan, spildan, to destroy; akin to Icel. spilla to destroy, Sw. spilla to spill, Dan. spilde,G. & D. spillen to squander, OHG. spildan.]

1. To destroy; to kill; to put an end to. [Obs.] And gave him to the queen, all at her will To choose whether she would him save or spill. Chaucer. Greater glory think [it] to save than spill. Spenser.

2. To mar; to injure; to deface; hence, to destroy by misuse; to waste. [Obs.] They [the colors] disfigure the stuff and spill the whole workmanship. Puttenham. Spill not the morning, the quintessence of day, in recreations. Fuller.

3. To suffer to fall or run out of a vessel; to lose, or suffer to be scattered; — applied to fluids and to substances whose particles are small and loose; as, to spill water from a pail; to spill quicksilver from a vessel; to spill powder from a paper; to spill sand or flour.

Note: Spill differs from pour in expressing accidental loss, — a loss or waste contrary to purpose.

4. To cause to flow out and be lost or wasted; to shed, or suffer to be shed, as in battle or in manslaughter; as, a man spills another's blood, or his own blood. And to revenge his blood so justly spilt. Dryden.

5. (Naut.)

Defn: To relieve a sail from the pressure of the wind, so that it can be more easily reefed or furled, or to lessen the strain. Spilling line (Naut.), a rope used for spilling, or dislodging, the wind from the belly of a sail. Totten.

SPILL Spill, v. i.

1. To be destroyed, ruined, or wasted; to come to ruin; to perish; to waste. [Obs.] That thou wilt suffer innocents to spill. Chaucer.

2. To be shed; to run over; to fall out, and be lost or wasted. "He was so topful of himself, that he let it spill on all the company." I. Watts.

SPILLER Spill"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, spills.

2. A kind of fishing line with many hooks; a boulter.

SPILLET FISHING; SPILLIARD FISHING Spil"let fish`ing, Spil"liard fish`ing,

Defn: A system or method of fishing by means of a number of hooks set on snoods all on one line; — in North America, called trawl fishing, bultow, or bultow fishing, and long-line fishing.

SPILLIKIN Spil"li*kin, n.

Defn: See Spilikin.

SPILLWAY Spill"way`, n.

Defn: A sluiceway or passage for superfluous water in a reservoir, to prevent too great pressure on the dam.

SPILT Spilt,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Spill. Spilled.

SPILTER Spil"ter, n. Etym: [From Spill, n.]

Defn: Any one of the small branches on a stag's head. [Obs.] Howell.

SPILTH Spilth, n. Etym: [From Spill.]

Defn: Anything spilt, or freely poured out; slop; effusion. [Archaic] "With drunken spilth of wine." Shak. Choicest cates, and the flagon's best spilth. R. Browning.

SPIN Spin, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spun (Archaic imp. Span (); p. pr. & vb. n. Spinning.] Etym: [AS. spinnan; akin to D. & G. spinnen, Icel. & Sw. spinna, Dan. spinde, Goth. spinnan, and probably to E. span. sq. root170. Cf. Span, v. t., Spider.]

1. To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material. All the yarn she [Penelope] spun in Ulysses' absence did but fill Ithaca full of moths. Shak.

2. To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; — with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject. Do you mean that story is tediously spun out Sheridan.

3. To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness. By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives. L'Estrange.

4. To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.

5. To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; — said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.

6. (Mech.)

Defn: To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe. To spin a yarn (Naut.), to tell a story, esp. a long or fabulous tale. — To spin hay (Mil.), to twist it into ropes for convenient carriage on an expedition. — To spin street yarn, to gad about gossiping. [Collog.]

SPIN Spin, v. i.

1. To practice spinning; to work at drawing and twisting threads; to make yarn or thread from fiber; as, the woman knows how to spin; a machine or jenny spins with great exactness. They neither know to spin, nor care to toll. Prior.

2. To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve, as a top or a spindle, about its axis. Round about him spun the landscape, Sky and forest reeled together. Longfellow. With a whirligig of jubilant mosquitoes spinning about each head. G. W. Cable.

3. To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet; as, blood spinsfrom a vein. Shak.

4. To move swifty; as, to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc. [Colloq.]

SPIN Spin, n.

1. The act of spinning; as, the spin of a top; a spin a bicycle. [Colloq.]

2. (Kinematics)

Defn: Velocity of rotation about some specified axis. go for a spin take a spin, take a trip in a wheeled vehicle, usu. an automobile.

SPINA BIFIDA Spi"na bif"i*da. (Med.) Etym: [L., cleft spine.]

Defn: A congenital malformation in which the spinal column is cleft at its lower portion, and the membranes of the spinal cord project as an elastic swelling from the gap thus formed.

SPINACEOUS Spi*na"ceous, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the plant spinach, or the family of plants to which it belongs.

SPINACH; SPINAGE Spin"ach, Spin"age, n. Etym: [OF. espinache, espinoche, F. épinard; cf. F. spinace, Sp. espinaca; all fr. Ar. isfanaj, isfinaj, aspanakh, probably of Persian origin.] (Bot.)

Defn: A common pot herb (Spinacia oleracea) belonging to the Goosefoot family. Mountain spinach. See Garden orache, under Orache. — New Zealand spinach (Bot.), a coarse herb (Tetragonia expansa), a poor substitute for spinach.

Note: Various other pot herbs are locally called spinach.

SPINAL Spi"nal, a. Etym: [L. spinalis, fr. spina the spine: cf. F. spinal. See Spine.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the backbone, or vertebral column; rachidian; vertebral.

2. Of or pertaining to a spine or spines. Spinal accessory nerves, the eleventh pair of cranial nerves in the higher vertebrates. They originate from the spinal cord and pass forward into the skull, from which they emerge in company with the pneumogastrics. — Spinal column, the backbone, or connected series or vertebræ which forms the axis of the vertebrate skeleton; the spine; rachis; vertebral column. — Spinal cord, the great nervous cord extending backward from the brain along the dorsal side of the spinal column of a vertebrate animal, and usually terminating in a threadlike appendage called the filum terminale; the spinal, or vertebral, marrow; the myelon. The nervous tissue consists of nerve fibers and nerve cells, the latter being confined to the so-called gray matter of the central portions of the cord, while the peripheral white matter is composed of nerve fibers only. The center of the cord is traversed by a slender canal connecting with the ventricles of the brain.

SPINATE Spi"nate, a.

Defn: Bearing a spine; spiniform.

SPINDLE Spin"dle, n. Etym: [AS. spinal, fr. spinnan to spin; akin to D. spil, G. spille, spindel, OHG. spinnala. sq. root170. See Spin.]

1. The long, round, slender rod or pin in spinning wheels by which the thread is twisted, and on which, when twisted, it is wound; also, the pin on which the bobbin is held in a spinning machine, or in the shuttle of a loom.

2. A slender rod or pin on which anything turns; an axis; as, the spindle of a vane. Specifically: —(a) (Mach.)

Defn: The shaft, mandrel, or arbor, in a machine tool, as a lathe or drilling machine, etc., which causes the work to revolve, or carries a tool or center, etc. (b) (Mach.) The vertical rod on which the runner of a grinding mill turns. (c) (Founding) A shaft or pipe on which a core of sand is formed.