S (continued 35)
Reading edition
2. A stringed instrument formerly in use, somewhat resembling the virginal. With harp and pipe and symphony. Chaucer.
3. (Mus.) (a) An elaborate instrumental composition for a full orchestra, consisting usually, like the sonata, of three or four contrasted yet inwardly related movements, as the allegro, the adagio, the minuet and trio, or scherzo, and the finale in quick time. The term has recently been applied to large orchestral works in freer form, with arguments or programmes to explain their meaning, such as the "symphonic poems" of Liszt. The term was formerly applied to any composition for an orchestra, as overtures, etc., and still earlier, to certain compositions partly vocal, partly instrumental. (b) An instrumental passage at the beginning or end, or in the course of, a vocal composition; a prelude, interlude, or postude; a ritornello.
SYMPHYLA Sym*phy"la, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of small apterous insects having an elongated body, with three pairs of thoracic and about nine pairs of abdominal legs. They are, in many respects, intermediate between myriapods and true insects.
SYMPHYSEAL Sym*phys"e*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to to symphysis.
SYMPHYSEOTOMY Sym`phy*se*ot"o*my, n. Etym: [NL. symphysis pubis + Gr. (Surg.)
Defn: The operation of dividing the symphysis pubis for the purpose of facilitating labor; — formerly called the Sigualtian section. [Written also symphysotomy.] Dunglison.
SYMPHYSIS Sym"phy*sis, n.; pl. Symphyses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.) (a) An articulation formed by intervening cartilage; as, the pubic symphysis. (b) The union or coalescence of bones; also, the place of union or coalescence; as, the symphysis of the lower jaw. Cf. Articulation.
SYMPHYSOTOMY Sym`phy*sot"o*my, n.
Defn: Symphyseotomy.
SYMPHYTISM Sym"phy*tism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Coalescence; a growing into one with another word. [R.] Some of the phrasal adverbs have assumed the form of single words, by that symphytism which naturally attaches these light elements to each other. Earle.
SYMPIESOMETER Sym`pi*e*som"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.]
Defn: A sensitive kind of barometer, in which the pressure of the atmosphere, acting upon a liquid, as oil, in the lower portion of the instrument, compresses an elastic gas in the upper part.
Note: The column of oil of a lower part BC of a glass tube compresses hydrogen gas in the upper part AB, and is thus measured on the scale pq by the position of a surface of the oil in the tube. The scale pq is adjustable, and its index must be set to the division on the scale rs corresponding to the temperature indicated by the termometer t, in order to correct for the effects of temperature on the gas. It is sensitive, and convenient for use at sea, but inferior in accuracy to the mercurial barometer.
SYMPLECTIC Sym*plec"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Plaiting or joining together; — said of a bone next above the quadrate in the mandibular suspensorium of many fishes, which unites together the other bones of the suspensorium. — n.
Defn: The symplectic bone.
SYMPLOCE Sym"plo*ce, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and another at the end of successive clauses; as, Justice came down from heaven to view the earth; Justice returned to heaven, and left the earth.
SYMPODE Sym"pode, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A sympodium.
SYMPODIAL Sym*po"di*al, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Composed of superposed branches in such a way as to imitate a simple axis; as, a sympodial stem.
SYMPODIUM Sym*po"di*um, n.; pl. Sympodia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: An axis or stem produced by dichotomous branching in which one of the branches is regularly developed at the expense of the other, as in the grapevine.
SYMPOSIAC Sym*po"si*ac, a. Etym: [L. symposiacus, Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to compotations and merrymaking; happening where company is drinking together; as, symposiac meetings. Symposiac disputations amongst my acquaintance. Arbuthnot.
SYMPOSIAC Sym*po"si*ac, n.
Defn: A conference or conversation of philosophers at a banquet; hence, any similar gathering.
SYMPOSIARCH Sym*po"si*arch, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Antiq.)
Defn: The master of a feast.
SYMPOSIAST Sym*po"si*ast, n.
Defn: One engaged with others at a banquet or merrymaking. Sydney Smith.
SYMPOSION Sym*po"si*on, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: A drinking together; a symposium. "Our symposion last night." Sir W. Scott.
SYMPOSIUM Sym*po"si*um, n.; pl. Symposia. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. sympo`sion a drinking party, feast; sy`n with + po`sis a drinking. See Syn-, and cf. Potable.]
1. A drinking together; a merry feast. T. Warton.
2. A collection of short essays by different authors on a common topic; — so called from the appellation given to the philosophical dialogue by the Greeks.
SYMPTOM Symp"tom, n. Etym: [F. symptôme, Gr. pat to fly, to fall. See Syn-, and cf. Asymptote, Feather.]
1. (Med.)
Defn: Any affection which accompanies disease; a perceptible change in the body or its functions, which indicates disease, or the kind or phases of disease; as, the causes of disease often lie beyond our sight, but we learn their nature by the symptoms exhibited. Like the sick man, we are expiring with all sorts of good symptoms. Swift.
2. A sign or token; that which indicates the existence of something else; as, corruption in elections is a symptom of the decay of public virtue.
Syn. — Mark; note; sign; token; indication.
SYMPTOMATIC; SYMPTOMATICAL Symp`tom*at"ic, Symp`tom*at"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. symptomatique, Gr.
1. Of or pertaining to symptoms; happening in concurrence with something; being a symptom; indicating the existence of something else. Symptomatic of a shallow understanding and an unamiable temper. Macaulay.
2. According to symptoms; as, a symptomatical classification of diseases. — Symp`tom*at"ic*al*ly, adv.
SYMPTOMATOLOGY Symp`tom*a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy: cf. F. symptomatologie.] (Med.)
Defn: The doctrine of symptoms; that part of the science of medicine which treats of the symptoms of diseases; semeiology.
Note: It includes diagnosis, or the determination of the disease from its symptoms; and prognosis, or the determination of its probable course and event.
SYN- Syn-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A prefix meaning with, along with, together, at the same time. Syn- becomes sym- before p, b, and m, and syl- before l.
SYNACME; SYNACMY Syn*ac"me, Syn*ac"my, n. Etym: [NL. synacme. See Syn-, and Acme.] (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Synanthesis.
SYNAERESIS; SYNERESIS Syn*ær"e*sis, Syn*er"e*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Syn-, and Heresy.] (Gram.)
Defn: The union, or drawing together into one syllable, of two vowels that are ordinarily separated in syllabification; synecphonesis; — the opposite of diæresis.
SYNAGOGICAL Syn`a*gog"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a synagogue.
SYNAGOGUE Syn"a*gogue, n. Etym: [F., from L. synagoga, Gr. Syn-, and Agent.]
1. A congregation or assembly of Jews met for the purpose of worship, or the performance of religious rites.
2. The building or place appropriated to the religious worship of the Jews.
3. The council of, probably, 120 members among the Jews, first appointed after the return from the Babylonish captivity; — called also the Great Synagogue, and sometimes, though erroneously, the Sanhedrin.
4. A congregation in the early Christian church. My brethren, . . . if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring. James ii. 1,2 (Rev. Ver.).
5. Any assembly of men. [Obs. or R.] Milton.
SYNALEPHA Syn`a*le"pha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. synaloepha, Gr. (Gram.)
Defn: A contraction of syllables by suppressing some vowel or diphthong at the end of a word, before another vowel or diphthong; as, th' army, for the army. [Written also synaloepha.]
SYNALLAGMATIC Syn`al*lag*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Law)
Defn: Imposing reciprocal obligations upon the parties; as, a synallagmatic contract. Bouvier.
SYNALLAXINE Syn`al*lax"ine, a. Etym: [From Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the outer and middle toes partially united; — said of certain birds related to the creepers.
SYNALOEPHA Syn`a*loe"pha, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: Same as Synalepha.
SYNANGIUM Syn*an"gi*um, n.; pl. Synangia. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The divided part beyond the pylangium in the aortic trunk of the amphibian heart. — Syn*an"gi*al, a.
SYNANTHEROUS Syn*an"ther*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + anther.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having the stamens united by their anthers; as, synantherous flowers.
SYNANTHESIS Syn`an*the"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: The simultaneous maturity of the anthers and stigmas of a blossom. Gray.
SYNANTHOUS Syn*an"thous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having flowers and leaves which appear at the same time; — said of certain plants.
SYNANTHROSE Syn*an"throse", n. Etym: [From NL. Synantheræ the Compositæ; Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose, found in the tubers of the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), in the dahlia, and other Compositæ.
SYNAPTA Syn*ap"ta, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of slender, transparent holothurians which have delicate calcareous anchors attached to the dermal plates. See Illustration in Appendix.
SYNAPTASE Syn*ap"tase, n. Etym: [Gr. tase.] (Chem.)
Defn: A ferment resembling diastase, found in bitter almonds. Cf. Amygdalin, and Emulsin.
SYNAPTICULA Syn`ap*tic"u*la, n.; pl. Synapticulæ. Etym: [NL., dim. from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of numerous calcareous processes which extend between, and unite, the adjacent septa of certain corals, especially of the fungian corals.
SYNARCHY Syn"ar*chy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Joint rule or sovereignity. [R.] Stackhouse.
SYNARTESIS Syn`ar*te"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A fastening or knitting together; the state of being closely jointed; close union. [R.] Coleridge.
SYNARTHRODIA Syn`ar*thro"di*a, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)
Defn: Synarthrosis. — Syn`ar*thro"di*al, a. Dunglison.
SYNARTHROSIS Syn`ar*thro"sis, n.; pl. Synarthroses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Immovable articulation by close union, as in sutures. It sometimes includes symphysial articulations also. See the Note under Articulation, n., 1.
SYNASTRY Syn"as*try, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr.
Defn: Concurrence of starry position or influence; hence, similarity of condition, fortune, etc., as prefigured by astrological calculation. [R.] Motley.
SYNAXIS Syn*ax"is, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Synagogue.]
Defn: A congregation; also, formerly, the Lord's Supper. Jer. Taylor.
SYNCARP Syn"carp, n. Etym: [NL. syncarpium. See Syncarpous.] (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of aggregate fruit in which the ovaries cohere in a solid mass, with a slender receptacle, as in the magnolia; also, a similar multiple fruit, as a mulberry.
SYNCARPIUM Syn*car"pi*um, n.; pl. Syncarpia. Etym: [NL.] (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Syncarp.
SYNCARPOUS Syn*car"pous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Composed of several carpels consolidated into one ovary.
SYNCATEGOREMATIC Syn*cat`e*gor`e*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Syn-, and Categorematic.] (Logic)
Defn: Not capable of being used as a term by itself; — said of words, as an adverb or preposition.
SYNCHONDROSIS Syn`chon*dro"sis, n.; pl. Synchondroses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: An immovable articulation in which the union is formed by cartilage. — Syn`chon*dro"si*al, a.
SYNCHONDROTOMY Syn`chon*drot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. (Surg.)
Defn: Symphyseotomy.
SYNCHORESIS Syn`cho*re"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A concession made for the purpose of retorting with greater force.
SYNCHRONAL Syn"chro*nal, a. Etym: [See Synchronous.]
Defn: Happening at, or belonging to, the same time; synchronous; simultaneous. Dr. H. More.
SYNCHRONAL Syn"chro*nal, n.
Defn: A synchronal thing or event.
SYNCHRONICAL Syn*chron"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. synchronique.]
Defn: Happening at the same time; synchronous. Boyle. — Syn*chron"ic*al*ly, adv.
SYNCHRONISM Syn"chro*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. Synchronous.]
1. The concurrence of events in time; simultaneousness.
2. The tabular arrangement of historical events and personages, according to their dates.
3. (Paint.)
Defn: A representation, in the same picture, of two or events which occured at different times.
SYNCHRONISTIC Syn`chro*nis"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to synchronism; arranged according to correspondence in time; as, synchronistic tables.
SYNCHRONIZATION Syn`chro*ni*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of synchronizing; concurrence of events in respect to time.
SYNCHRONIZE Syn"chro*nize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Synchronized; p. pr. & vb. n. Synchronizing.] Etym: [Gr.
Defn: To agree in time; to be simultaneous. The path of this great empire, through its arch of progress, synchronized with that of Christianity. De Quincey.
SYNCHRONIZE Syn"chro*nize, v. t.
1. To assign to the same date or period of time; as, to synchronize two events of Greek and Roman history. "Josephus synchronizes Nisan with the Egyptian Pharmus." W. L. Bevan.
2. To cause to agree in time; as, to synchronize the movements of different machines; to synchronize clocks.
SYNCHRONOLOGY Syn`chro*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. -logy.]
Defn: Contemporaneous chronology.
SYNCHRONOUS Syn"chro*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. Chronicle.]
Defn: Happening at the same time; simultaneous. — Syn"chro*nous*ly, adv.
SYNCHRONY Syn"chro*ny, n.
Defn: The concurrence of events in time; synchronism. [R.] Geological contemporaneity is the same as chronological synchrony. Huxley.
SYNCHYSIS Syn"chy*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A derangement or confusion of any kind, as of words in a sentence, or of humors in the eye. Sparkling synchysis (Med.), a condition in which the vitreous humor is softened and contains sparkling scales of cholesterin.
SYNCLASTIC Syn*clas"tic, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. kla^n to break.] (Math. Physics)
Defn: Curved toward the same side in all directions; — said of surfaces which in all directions around any point bend away from a tangent plane toward the same side, as the surface of a sphere; — opposed to anticlastic. Sir W. Thomson.
SYNCLINAL Syn*cli"nal, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Inclined downward from opposite directions, so as to meet in a common point or line.
2. (Geol.)
Defn: Formed by strata dipping toward a common line or plane; as, a synclinal trough or valley; a synclinal fold; — opposed to anticlinal.
Note: A downward flexure in the case of folded rocks makes a synclinal axis, and the alternating upward flexure an anticlinal axis.
SYNCLINAL Syn*cli"nal, n. (Geol.)
Defn: A synclinal fold.
SYNCLINE Syn*cline", n. (Geol.)
Defn: A synclinal fold.
SYNCLINICAL Syn*clin"ic*al, a.
Defn: Synclinal. [R.]
SYNCLINORIUM Syn`cli*no"ri*um, n.; pl. Synclinoria. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: A mountain range owing its origin to the progress of a geosynclinal, and ending in a catastrophe of displacement and upturning. Dana.
SYNCOPAL Syn"co*pal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to syncope; resembling syncope.
SYNCOPATE Syn"co*pate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Syncopated; p. pr. & vb. n. Syncopating.] Etym: [LL. syncopatus, p.p. of syncopare to syncopate, to swoon. See Syncope.]
1. (Gram.)
Defn: To contract, as a word, by taking one or more letters or syllables from the middle; as, "Gloster" is a syncopated form of "Gloucester."
2. (Mus.)
Defn: To commence, as a tone, on an unaccented part of a measure, and continue it into the following accented part, so that the accent is driven back upon the weak part and the rhythm drags.
SYNCOPATION Syn`co*pa"tion, n.
1. (Gram.)
Defn: The act of syncopating; the contraction of a word by taking one or more letters or syllables from the middle; syncope.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: The act of syncopating; a peculiar figure of rhythm, or rhythmical alteration, which consists in welding into one tone the second half of one beat with the first half of the beat which follows.
SYNCOPE Syn"co*pe, n. Etym: [L. syncope, syncopa, Gr.
1. (Gram.)
Defn: An elision or retrenchment of one or more letters or syllables from the middle of a word; as, ne'er for never, ev'ry for every.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: Same as Syncopation.
3. (Med.)
Defn: A fainting, or swooning. See Fainting.
4. A pause or cessation; suspension. [R.] Revely, and dance, and show, Suffer a syncope and solemn pause. Cowper.
SYNCOPIST Syn"co*pist, n.
Defn: One who syncopates. Addison.
SYNCOPIZE Syn"co*pize, v. t.
Defn: To syncopate.
SYNCOTYLEDONOUS Syn*cot`y*led"on*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + cotyledonous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having united cotyledonous.
SYNCRETIC Syn*cret"ic, a.
Defn: Uniting and blending together different systems, as of philosophy, morals, or religion. Smart.
SYNCRETISM Syn"cre*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. syncrétisme.]
Defn: Attempted union of principles or parties irreconcilably at variance with each other. He is plotting a carnal syncretism, and attempting the reconcilement of Christ and Belial. Baxter. Syncretism is opposed to eclecticism in philosophy. Krauth-Fleming.
SYNCRETIST Syn"cre*tist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. syncrétiste.]
Defn: One who attempts to unite principles or parties which are irreconcilably at variance; specifically (Eccl. Hist.),
Defn: an adherent of George Calixtus and other Germans of the seventeenth century, who sought to unite or reconcile the Protestant sects with each other and with the Roman Catholics, and thus occasioned a long and violent controversy in the Lutheran church.
SYNCRETISTIC Syn`cre*tis"tic, a.
1. Pertaining to, or characterized by, syncretism; as, a syncretistic mixture of the service of Jehovah and the worship of idols.
2. Of or pertaining to Syncretists.
SYNCRISIS Syn"cri*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure of speech in which opposite things or persons are compared. Crabb.
SYNCYTIUM Syn*cy"ti*um, n.; pl. Syncitia. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
1. (Biol.)
Defn: Tissue in which the cell or partition walls are wholly wanting and the cell bodies fused together, so that the tissue consists of a continuous mass of protoplasm in which nuclei are imbedded, as in ordinary striped muscle.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The ectoderm of a sponge.
SYNDACTYL; SYNDACTYLE Syn*dac"tyl, Syn*dac"tyle, a. [Syn- + Gr. finger, toe.] (Zoöl. & Med.)
Defn: Having two or more digits wholly or partly united. See Syndactylism.
SYNDACTYLE Syn*dac"tyle, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. syndactyle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any bird having syndactilous feet.
SYNDACTYLIC Syn*dac*tyl"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Syndactilous.
SYNDACTYLOUS Syn*dac"tyl*ous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the toes firmly united together for some distance, and without an intermediate web, as the kingfishers; gressorial.
SYNDESMOGRAPHY Syn`des*mog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. -graphy.]
Defn: A description of the ligaments; syndesmology.
SYNDESMOLOGY Syn`des*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of ligaments.
SYNDESMOSIS Syn`des*mo"sis, n.; pl. Syndesmoses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: An articulation formed by means of ligaments.
SYNDETIC; SYNDETICAL Syn*det"ic, Syn*det"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. Asyndetic.]
Defn: Connecting; conjunctive; as, syndetic words or connectives; syndetic references in a dictionary. — Syn*det"ic*al*ly, adv. With the syndetic juxtaposition of distinct members, the article is not often repeated. C. J. Grece (Trans. Maetzner's Gram.).
SYNDIC Syn"dic, n. Etym: [L. syndictus, Gr. syndic. See Teach.]
1. An officer of government, invested with different powers in different countries; a magistrate.
2. (Law)
Defn: An agent of a corporation, or of any body of men engaged in a business enterprise; an advocate or patron; an assignee.
Note: In France, syndics are appointed by the creditors of a bankrupt to manage the property. Almost all the companies in Paris, the university, and the like, have their syndics. The university of Cambridge, Eng., has its syndics, who are chosen from the senate to transact special business, such as the regulation of fees, the framing of laws, etc.
SYNDICAL Syn"dic*al, a.
1. Consisting of, or pert. to, a syndic.
2. Of or pertaining to, or of the nature of, syndicalism.
SYNDICALISM Syn"dic*al*ism, n. [F. syndicalisme.]
Defn: The theory, plan, or practice of trade-union action (originally as advocated and practiced by the French Confédération Générale du Travail) which aims to abolish the present political and social system by means of the general strike (as distinguished from the local or sectional strike) and direct action of whatever kind (as distinguished from action which takes effect only through the medium of political action) — direct action including any kind of action that is directly effective, whether it be a simple strike, a peaceful public demonstration, sabotage, or revolutionary violence. By the general strike and direct action syndicalism aims to establish a social system in which the means and processes of production are in the control of local organizations of workers, who are manage them for the common good.
SYNDICALIST Syn"dic*al*ist, n.
Defn: One who advocates or practices syndicalism. —Syn`dic*al*is"tic (#), a.
SYNDICATE Syn"di*cate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. syndicat, LL. syndicatus.]
1. The office or jurisdiction of a syndic; a council, or body of syndics. Bp. Burnet.
2. An association of persons officially authorized to undertake some duty or to negotiate some business; also, an association of persons who combine to carry out, on their own account, a financial or industrial project; as, a syndicate of bankers formed to take up and dispose of an entire issue of government bonds.
SYNDICATE Syn"di*cate, v. t. Etym: [LL. syndicatus, p.p. of syndicare to censure.]
Defn: To judge; to censure. [Obs.]
SYNDICATION Syn`di*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Act or process of syndicating or forming a syndicate.
SYNDROME Syn"dro*me, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
Defn: Concurrence. [R.] Glanvill.
Defn: A group of symptoms occurring together that are characteristic and indicative of some underlying cause, such as a disease.
SYNDYASMIAN Syn`dy*as"mi*an, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Pertaining to the state of pairing together sexually; — said of animals during periods of procreation and while rearing their offspring. Morgan.
SYNE Syne, adv. Etym: [See Since.]
1. Afterwards; since; ago. [Obs. or Scot.] R. of Brunne.
2. Late, — as opposed to soon. [Each rogue] shall be discovered either soon or syne. W. Hamilton (Life of Wallace).
SYNE Syne, conj.
Defn: Since; seeing. [Scot.]
SYNECDOCHE Syn*ec"do*che, n. Etym: [L. synecdoche, Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure or trope by which a part of a thing is put for the whole (as, fifty sail for fifty ships), or the whole for a part (as, the smiling year for spring), the species for the genus (as, cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (as, a creature for a man), the name of the material for the thing made, etc. Bain.
SYNECDOCHICAL Syn`ec*doch"ic*al, a.
Defn: Expressed by synecdoche; implying a synecdoche. Isis is used for Themesis by a synecdochical kind of speech, or by a poetical liberty, in using one for another. Drayton.
SYNECDOCHICALLY Syn`ec*doch"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By synecdoche.
SYNECHIA Syn*e"chi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A disease of the eye, in which the iris adheres to the cornea or to the capsule of the crystalline lens.
SYNECPHONESIS Syn*ec`pho*ne"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Gram.)
Defn: A contraction of two syllables into one; synizesis.
SYNEDRAL Syn*e"dral, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Growing on the angles of a stem, as the leaves in some species of Selaginella.
SYNENTOGNATHI Syn`en*tog"na*thi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of fishes, resembling the Physoclisti, without spines in the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins. It includes the true flying fishes.
SYNEPY Syn"e*py, n. Etym: [Gr. (Rhet.)
Defn: The interjunction, or joining, of words in uttering the clauses of sentences.
SYNERESIS Syn*er"e*sis, n.
Defn: Same as Synæresis.
SYNERGETIC Syn`er*get"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Working together; coöperating; as, synergetic muscles.
SYNERGISM Syn"er*gism, n. Etym: [See Synergetic.] (Theol.)
Defn: The doctrine or theory, attributed to Melanchthon, that in the regeneration of a human soul there is a coöperation, or joint agency, on the part both of God and of man.
SYNERGIST Syn"er*gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. synergiste.]
1. One who holds the doctrine of synergism.
2. (Med.)
Defn: A remedy which has an action similar to that of another remedy, and hence increases the efficiency of that remedy when combined with it.
SYNERGISTIC Syn`er*gis"tic, a.
1. Of or pertaining to synergism. "A synergistic view of regeneration." Shedd.
2. Coöperating; synergetic.
SYNERGY Syn"er*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. Synergetic.]
Defn: Combined action; especially (Med.),
Defn: the combined healty action of every organ of a particular system; as, the digestive synergy.
Defn: An effect of the interaction of the actions of two agents such that the result of the combined action is greater than expected as a simple additive combination of the two agents acting separately. Also synergism.
SYNESIS Syn"e*sis, n. [Gr. intelligence.] (Gram.)
Defn: A construction in which adherence to some element in the sense causes a departure from strict syntax, as in "Philip went down to Samaria and preached Christ unto them."
SYNGENESIA Syn`ge*ne"si*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of plants in which the stamens are united by the anthers.
SYNGENESIAN; SYNGENESIOUS Syn`ge*ne"sian, Syn`ge*ne"sious, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the stamens united by the anthers; of or pertaining to the Syngenesia.
SYNGENESIS Syn*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + genesis.] (Biol.)
Defn: A theory of generation in which each germ is supposed to contain the germs of all subsequent generations; — the opposite of epigenesis.
SYNGNATHI Syng"na*thi, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of lophobranch fishes which have an elongated snout and lack the ventral and first dorsal fins. The pipefishes and sea horses are examples. — Syng"na*thous, a.
SYNGRAPH Syn"graph, n. Etym: [L. syngrapha, Gr. (Law)
Defn: A writing signed by both or all the parties to a contract or bond.
SYNIZESIS Syn`i*ze"sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. (Med.)
Defn: An obliteration of the pupil of the eye.
2. (Gram.)
Defn: A contraction of two syllables into one; synecphonesis.
SYNNEOROSIS Syn`neo*ro"sis, n.; pl. Synneuroses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Syndesmosis.
SYNOCHA Syn"o*cha, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Synechia.] (Med.)
Defn: See Synochus. [Obs.]
SYNOCHAL Syn"o*chal, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to synocha; like synocha. [Obs.]
SYNOCHUS Syn"o*chus, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Med.)
Defn: A continuous fever. [Obs.]
Note: Synocha and synochus were used as epithets of two distinct types of fever, but in different senses at different periods. The same disease is placed under synocha by one author, under synochus by another. Quain.
SYNOCIL Syn"o*cil, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + cilium.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A sense organ found in certain sponges. It consists of several filaments, each of which arises from a single cell.
SYNOD Syn"od, n. Etym: [L. synodus, Gr. sino, seno, F. synode, both from the Latin.]
1. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters.
Note: Synods are of four kinds: 1. General, or ecumenical, which are compopsed of bishops from different nations; — commonly called general council. 2. National, composed of bishops of one nation only. 3. Provincial, in which the bishops of only one province meet; — called also convocations. 4. Diocesan, a synod in which the bishop of the diocese or his representative presides. Among Presbyterians, a synod is composed of several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the ministers and a ruling elder from each parish.
2. An assembly or council having civil authority; a legislative body. It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to our adverse towns. Shak. Parent of gods and men, propitious Jove! And you, bright synod of the powers above. Dryden.
3. (Astron.)
Defn: A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies. [R.] Milton.
SYNODAL Syn"od*al, a. Etym: [L. synodalis: cf. F. synodal.]
Defn: Synodical. Milton.
SYNODAL Syn"od*al, n.
1. (Ch. of Eng.)
Defn: A tribute in money formerly paid to the bishop or archdeacon, at the time of his Easter visitation, by every parish priest, now made to the ecclesiastical commissioners; a procuration. Synodals are due, of common right, to the bishop only. Gibson.
2. A constitution made in a provincial or diocesan synod.
SYNODIC; SYNODICAL Syn*od"ic, Syn*od"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. synodicus, Gr. synodique.]
1. (Eccl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a synod; transacted in, or authorized by, a synod; as, synodical proceedings or forms. "A synodical epistle." Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: Pertaining to conjunction, especially to the period between two successive conjunctions; extending from one conjunction, as of the moon or a planet with the sun, to the next; as, a synodical month (see Lunar month, under Month); the synodical revolution of the moon or a planet.
SYNODICALLY Syn*od"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a synodical manner; in a synod; by the authority of a synod. "Synodically agreed upon." R. Nelson.
SYNODIST Syn"od*ist, n.
Defn: An adherent to a synod. These synodists thought fit in Latin as yet to veil their decrees from vulgar eyes. Fuller.
SYNOECIOUS Syn*oe"cious, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having stamens and pistil in the same head, or, in mosses, having antheridia and archegonia on the same receptacle.
SYNOMOCY Syn*om"o*cy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Sworn brotherhood; a society in ancient Greece nearly resembling a modern political club.
SYNONYM Syn"o*nym, n.; pl. Synonyms (). Etym: [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. Synonymous.]
Defn: One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. G. P. Marsh.
SYNONYMA Syn*on"y*ma, n. pl. Etym: [L.]
Defn: Synonyms. [Obs.] Fuller.
SYNONYMAL Syn*on"y*mal, a.
Defn: Synonymous. [Obs.]
SYNONYMALLY Syn*on"y*mal*ly, adv.
Defn: Synonymously. [Obs.]
SYNONYME Syn"o*nyme, n.
Defn: Same as Synonym.
SYNONYMIC Syn`o*nym"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. G. synonymik. See Synonymous.] (Gram.)
Defn: The science, or the scientific treatment, of synonymous words.
SYNONYMIC; SYNONYMICAL Syn`o*nym"ic, Syn`o*nym"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to synonyms, or synonymic; synonymous.
SYNONYMICON Syn`o*nym"i*con, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: A dictionary of synonyms. C. J. Smith.
SYNONYMIST Syn*on"y*mist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. synonymiste.]
Defn: One who collects or explains synonyms.
SYNONYMIZE Syn*on"y*mize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Synonymized; p. pr. & vb. n. Synonymizing.]
Defn: To express by a synonym or synonyms; to give the synonym or synonyms corresponding to. This word "fortis" we may synonymize after all these fashions: stout, hardy, valiant, doughty, courageous, adventurous, brave, bold, daring, intrepid. Camden.
SYNONYMOUS Syn*on"y*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. Syn-, and Name.]
Defn: Having the character of a synonym; expressing the same thing; conveying the same, or approximately the same, idea. — Syn*on"y*mous*ly, adv. These words consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed; for wisdom and understanding are synonymous words here. Tillotson.
Syn. — Identical; interchangeable. — Synonymous, Identical. If no words are synonymous except those which are identical in use and meaning, so that the one can in all cases be substituted for the other, we have scarcely ten such words in our language. But the term more properly denotes that the words in question approach so near to each other, that, in many or most cases, they can be used interchangeably. 1. Words may thus coincide in certain connections, and so be interchanged, when they can not be interchanged in other connections; thus we may speak either strength of mind or of force of mind, but we say the force (not strength) of gravitation. 2. Two words may differ slightly, but this difference may be unimportant to the speaker's object, so that he may freely interchange them; thus it makes but little difference, in most cases, whether we speak of a man's having secured his object or having attained his object. For these and other causes we have numerous words which may, in many cases or connections, be used interchangeably, and these are properly called synonyms. Synonymous words "are words which, with great and essential resemblances of meaning, have, at the same time, small, subordinate, and partial differences, — these differences being such as either originally and on the ground of their etymology inhered in them; or differences which they have by usage acquired in the eyes of all; or such as, though nearly latent now, they are capable of receiving at the hands of wise and discreet masters of the tongue. Synonyms are words of like significance in the main, but with a certain unlikeness as well." Trench.
SYNONYMY Syn*on"y*my, n. Etym: [L. synonymia, Gr. synonymie.]
1. The quality of being synonymous; sameness of meaning.
2. A system of synonyms.
3. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which synonymous words are used to amplify a discourse.
SYNOPSIS Syn*op"sis, n.; pl. Synopses. Etym: [L., from Gr. optic.]
Defn: A general view, or a collection of heads or parts so arranged as to exhibit a general view of the whole; an abstract or summary of a discourse; a syllabus; a conspectus. That the reader may see in one view the exactness of the method, as well as force of the argument, I shall here draw up a short synopsis of this epistle. Bp. Warburton.
Syn. — Abridgment; compendium; epitome; abstract; summary; syllabus; conspectus. See Abridgment.
SYNOPTIC; SYNOPTICAL Syn*op"tic, Syn*op"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. synoptique. See Synopsis.]
Defn: Affording a general view of the whole, or of the principal parts of a thing; as, a synoptic table; a synoptical statement of an argument. "The synoptic Gospels." Alford. — Syn*op"tic*al*ly, adv.
SYNOPTIC Syn*op"tic, n.
Defn: One of the first three Gospels of the New Testament. See Synoptist.
SYNOPTIST Syn*op"tist, n.
Defn: Any one of the authors of the three synoptic Gospels, which give a history of our Lord's life and ministry, in distinction from the writer of John's Gospel, which gives a fuller record of his teachings.
SYNOSTEOLOGY Syn*os`te*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Pref. syn- + Gr. -logy.]
Defn: That part of anatomy which treats of joints; arthrology.
SYNOSTEOSIS Syn*os`te*o"sis, n.; pl. Synosteoses. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Union by means of bone; the complete closing up and obliteration of sutures.
SYNOSTOSIS Syn`os*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL.]
Defn: Same as Synosteosis.
SYNOVIA Syn*o"vi*a, n. Etym: [NL., perhaps fr. Gr. ovum egg: cf. F. synovie.] (Anat.)
Defn: A transparent, viscid, lubricating fluid which contains mucin and secreted by synovial membranes; synovial fluid.
SYNOVIAL Syn*o"vi*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. synovial.] (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to synovia; secreting synovia. Synovial capsule, a closed sac of synovial membrane situated between the articular surfaces at diarthrodial joints. — Synovial fluid, synovia. — Synovial membrane, the dense and very smooth connective tissue membrane which secretes synovia and surrounds synovial capsules and other synovial cavities.
SYNOVITIS Syn`o*vi"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Synovia, -itis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the synovial membrane.
SYNPELMOUS Syn*pel"mous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the two main flexor tendons of the toes blended together.
SYNSEPALOUS Syn*sep"al*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + sepal.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having united sepals; gamosepalous.
SYNTACTIC; SYNTACTICAL Syn*tac"tic, Syn*tac"tic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. G. Syntax.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to syntax; according to the rules of syntax, or construction. — Syn*tac"tic*al*ly, adv.
SYNTAX Syn"tax, n. Etym: [L. syntaxis, Gr. syntaxe. See Syn-, and Tactics.]
1. Connected system or order; union of things; a number of things jointed together; organism. [Obs.] They owe no other dependence to the first than what is common to the whole syntax of beings. Glanvill.
2. That part of grammar which treats of the construction of sentences; the due arrangement of words in sentences in their necessary relations, according to established usage in any language.
SYNTAXIS Syn*tax"is, n.
Defn: Syntax. [R.] B. Jonson.
SYNTERESIS Syn`te*re"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Med.)
Defn: Prophylaxis. [Obs.]
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: Conscience viewed as the internal repository of the laws of duty. Whewell.
SYNTERETIC Syn`te*ret"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Preserving health; prophylactic. [Obs.]
SYNTERETICS Syn`te*ret"ics, n. (Med.)
Defn: That department of medicine which relates to the preservation of health; prophylaxis. [Obs.]
SYNTHERMAL Syn*ther"mal, a. Etym: [Pref. syn- + thermal.]
Defn: Having the same degree of heat.
SYNTHESIS Syn"the*sis, n.; pl. Syntheses. Etym: [L., a mixture, properly, a putting together, Gr. Thesis.]
1. Composition, or the putting of two or more things together, as in compounding medicines.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: The art or process of making a compound by putting the ingredients together, as contrasted with analysis; thus, water is made by synthesis from hydrogen and oxygen; hence, specifically, the building up of complex compounds by special reactions, whereby their component radicals are so grouped that the resulting substances are identical in every respect with the natural articles when such occur; thus, artificial alcohol, urea, indigo blue, alizarin, etc., are made by synthesis.
3. (Logic)
Defn: The combination of separate elements of thought into a whole, as of simple into complex conceptions, species into genera, individual propositions into systems; — the opposite of Ant: analysis. Analysis and synthesis, though commonly treated as two different methods, are, if properly understood, only the two necessary parts of the same method. Each is the relative and correlative of the other. Sir W. Hamilton.
SYNTHESIST Syn"the*sist, n.
Defn: One who employs synthesis, or who follows synthetic methods.
SYNTHESIZE Syn"the*size, v. t.
1. To combine by synthesis; to unite.
2. To produce by synthesis; as, to synthesize albumin.
SYNTHETIC; SYNTHETICAL Syn*thet"ic, Syn*thet"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. synthétique.]
1. Of or pertaining to synthesis; consisting in synthesis or composition; as, the synthetic method of reasoning, as opposed to analytical. Philosophers hasten too much from the analytic to the synthetic method; that is, they draw general conclusions from too small a number of particular observations and experiments. Bolingbroke.
2. (Chem.)
Defn: Artificial. Cf. Synthesis, 2.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Comprising within itself structural or other characters which are usually found only in two or more diverse groups; — said of species, genera, and higher groups. See the Note under Comprehensive, 3. Synthetic, or Synthetical language, an inflectional language, or one characterized by grammatical endings; — opposed to analytic language. R. Morris.
SYNTHETICALLY Syn*thet"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a synthetic manner.
SYNTHETIZE Syn"the*tize, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: To combine; to unite in regular structure. [R.]
SYNTOMY Syn"to*my, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Brevity; conciseness. [R.]
SYNTONIC Syn*ton"ic, a. (Physics)
Defn: Of or pert. to syntony; specif., designating, or pert. to, a system of wireless telegraphy in which the transmitting and receiving apparatus are in syntony with, and only with, one another. — Syn*ton"ic*al (#), a. —Syn*ton"ic*al*ly, adv.
SYNTONIN Syn"to*nin, n. Etym: [Cf. Gr. (Physiol. Chem.)
Defn: A proteid substance (acid albumin) formed from the albuminous matter of muscle by the action of dilute acids; — formerly called musculin. See Acid albumin, under Albumin.
SYNTONIZE Syn"to*nize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -nized; p. pr. & vb. n. -nizing.] [See Syntony.] (Physics)
Defn: To adjust or devise so as to emit or respond to electric oscillations of a certain wave length; to tune; specif., to put (two or more instruments or systems of wireless telegraphy) in syntony with each other. — Syn`to*ni*za"tion (#), n.
SYNTONIZER Syn"to*niz`er, n. (Physics)
Defn: One that syntonizes; specif., a device consisting essentially of a variable inductance coil and condenser with a pair of adjustable spark balls, for attuning the time periods of antennæ in wireless telegraphy (called also syntonizing coil).
SYNTONY Syn"to*ny, n. [Cf. Gr. agreement. See Syn-; Tone.] (Physics)
Defn: State of being adjusted to a certain wave length; agreement or tuning between the time period of an apparatus emitting electric oscillations and that of a receiving apparatus, esp. in wireless telegraphy.
SYPHERING Sy"pher*ing, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Carp.)
Defn: The lapping of chamfered edges of planks to make a smooth surface, as for a bulkhead.
SYPHILIDE Syph"i*lide, n. Etym: [F.] (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous eruption due to syphilis.
SYPHILIS Syph"i*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Syphilus, the name of a shepherd in the Latin poem of Fracastoro, "Syphilus, sive Morbus Gallicus," which was published in 1530; Gr. (Med.)
Defn: The pox, or venereal disease; a chronic, specific, infectious disease, usually communicated by sexual intercourse or by hereditary transmission, and occurring in three stages known as primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis. See under Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.Treponema pallidum. Usu. tretable with penicillin or other beta-lactam antibiotics.
SYPHILITIC Syph`i*lit"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. syphilitique.] (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to syphilis; of the nature of syphilis; affected with syphilis. — n.
Defn: A syphilitic patient.
SYPHILITICALLY Syph`i*lit"ic*al*ly, adv. (Med.)
Defn: In a syphilitic manner; with venereal disease.
SYPHILIZATION Syph`i*li*za"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: Inoculation with the syphilitic virus, especially when employed as a preventive measure, like vaccination.
SYPHILIZE Syph"i*lize, v. t. (Med.)
Defn: To inoculate with syphilis.
SYPHILODERM Syph"i*lo*derm, n. Etym: [See Syphilis, and Derm.] (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous affection due to syphilis.
SYPHILODERMATOUS Syph`i*lo*der"ma*tous, a. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the cutaneous manifestations of syphilis.
SYPHILOID Syph"i*loid, a. Etym: [Syphilis + -oid.] (Med.)
Defn: Resembling syphilis.
SYPHILOLOGIST Syph`i*lol"o*gist, n.
Defn: One skilled in syphilology.
SYPHILOLOGY Syph`i*lol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Syphilis + -logy.]
Defn: That branch of medicine which treats of syphilis.
SYPHON Sy"phon, n.
Defn: See Syphon.
SYRACUSE Syr"a*cuse, n.
Defn: A red wine of Italy.
SYREN Sy"ren, n.
Defn: See Siren. [R.]
SYRIAC Syr"i*ac, a. Etym: [L. Syriacus, from Syria: cf. F. syriaque.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Syria, or its language; as, the Syriac version of the Pentateuch. — n.
Defn: The language of Syria; especially, the ancient language of that country.
SYRIACISM Syr"i*a*cism, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom; a Syrianism.
SYRIAN Syr"i*an, a. Etym: [L. Syrius: cf. F. Syrien.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Syria; Syriac. — n.
Defn: A native of Syria.
SYRIANISM Syr"i*an*ism, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom, or a peculiarity of the Syrian language; a Syriacism. Paley.
SYRIASM Syr"i*asm, n.
Defn: A Syrian idiom; a Syrianism; a Syriacism. M. Stuart. The Scripture Greek is observed to be full of Syriasms and Hebraisms. Bp. Warburton.
SYRINGA Sy*rin"ga, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Syringe.] (Bot.) (a) A genus of plants; the lilac. (b) The mock orange; — popularly so called because its stems were formerly used as pipestems.
SYRINGE Syr"inge, n. Etym: [F. seringue (cf. Pr. siringua, Sp. jeringa, It. sciringa, scilinga), fg. Gr. svar to sound, and E. swarum. Cf. Syringa.]
Defn: A kind of small hand-pump for throwing a stream of liquid, or for purposes of aspiration. It consists of a small cylindrical barrel and piston, or a bulb of soft elastic material, with or without valves, and with a nozzle which is sometimes at the end of a flexible tube; — used for injecting animal bodies, cleansing wounds, etc. Garden syringe. See Garden.
SYRINGE Syr"inge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Syringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Syringing.]
1. To inject by means of a syringe; as, to syringe warm water into a vein.
2. To wash and clean by injection from a syringe.
SYRINGEAL Sy*rin"ge*al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the syrinx; as, the syringeal muscle.
SYRINGIN Sy*rin"gin, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A glucoside found in the bark of the lilac (Syringa) and extracted as a white crystalline substance; — formerly called also lilacin.
SYRINGOCOELE Sy*rin"go*coele, n. Etym: [Syrinx + Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The central canal of the spinal cord. B. G. Wilder.
SYRINGOTOME Sy*rin"go*tome, n. Etym: [Cf. F. syringotome. See Syringotomy.] (Surg. & Anat.)
Defn: A small blunt-pointed bistoury, — used in syringotomy.
SYRINGOTOMY Syr`in*got"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. syringotomie.] (Surg.)
Defn: The operation of cutting for anal fistula.
SYRINX Syr"inx, n.; pl. Syringes. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A wind instrument made of reeds tied together; — called also pandean pipes.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The lower larynx in birds.
Note: In birds there are two laringes, an upper or true, but voiceless, larynx in the usual position behind the tongue, and a lower one, at or near the junction of the trachea and bronchi, which is the true organ of the voice.
SYRMA Syr"ma, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Class. Antiq.)
Defn: A long dress, trailing on the floor, worn by tragic actors in Greek and Roman theaters.
SYRPHIAN Syr"phi*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the syrphus flies. — n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A syrphus fly.
SYRPHUS FLY Syr"phus fly`. Etym: [NL. Syrphus, the generic name, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of dipterous flies of the genus Syrphus and allied genera. They are usually bright-colored, with yellow bands, and hover around plants. The larvæ feed upon plant lice, and are, therefore, very beneficial to agriculture.
SYRT Syrt, n. Etym: [L. syrtis a sand bank in the sea, Gr. syrte.]
Defn: A quicksand; a bog. [R.] Young.
SYRTIC Syr"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a syrt; resembling syrt, or quicksand. [R.] Ed. Rev.
SYRTIS Syr"tis, n.; pl. Syrtes. Etym: [See Syrt.]
Defn: A quicksand. Quenched in a boggy syrtis, neither sea Nor good dry land. Milton.
SYRUP; SYRUPY Syr"up, n., Syr"up*y, a. Etym: [See Sirup.]
Defn: Same as Sirup, Sirupy.
SYSSARCOSIS Sys`sar*co"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: The junction of bones by intervening muscles.
SYSTALTIC Sys*tal"tic, a. Etym: [L. systalticus drawing together, Gr. Sustaltic, Systole.] (Physiol.)
Defn: Capable of, or taking place by, alternate contraction and dilatation; as, the systaltic action of the heart.
SYSTASIS Sys"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. System.]
Defn: A political union, confederation, or league. [R.] Burke.
SYSTEM Sys"tem, n. Etym: [L. systema, Gr. système. See Stand.]
1. An assemblage of objects arranged in regular subordination, or after some distinct method, usually logical or scientific; a complete whole of objects related by some common law, principle, or end; a complete exhibition of essential principles or facts, arranged in a rational dependence or connection; a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing; as, a system of philosophy; a system of government; a system of divinity; a system of botany or chemistry; a military system; the solar system. The best way to learn any science, is to begin with a regular system, or a short and plain scheme of that science well drawn up into a narrow compass. I. Watts.
2. Hence, the whole scheme of created things regarded as forming one complete plan of whole; the universe. "The great system of the world." Boyle.
3. Regular method or order; formal arrangement; plan; as, to have a system in one's business.
4. (Mus.)
Defn: The collection of staves which form a full score. See Score, n.
5. (Biol.)
Defn: An assemblage of parts or organs, either in animal or plant, essential to the performance of some particular function or functions which as a rule are of greater complexity than those manifested by a single organ; as, the capillary system, the muscular system, the digestive system, etc.; hence, the whole body as a functional unity.
6. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the stellate or irregular clusters of intimately united zooids which are imbedded in, or scattered over, the surface of the common tissue of many compound ascidians. Block system, Conservative system, etc. See under Block, Conservative, etc.
SYSTEMATIC; SYSTEMATICAL Sys`tem*at"ic, Sys`tem*at"ic*al, a. [Gr. systématique.]
1. Of or pertaining to system; consisting in system; methodical; formed with regular connection and adaptation or subordination of parts to each other, and to the design of the whole; as, a systematic arrangement of plants or animals; a systematic course of study. Now we deal much in essays, and unreasonably despise systematical learning; whereas our fathers had a just value for regularity and systems. I. Watts. A representation of phenomena, in order to answer the purposes of science, must be systematic. Whewell.
2. Proceeding according to system, or regular method; as, a systematic writer; systematic benevolence.
3. Pertaining to the system of the world; cosmical. These ends may be called cosmical, or systematical. Boyle.
4. (Med.)
Defn: Affecting successively the different parts of the system or set of nervous fibres; as, systematic degeneration. Systematic theology. See under Theology.
SYSTEMATICALLY Sys`tem*at"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a systematic manner; methodically.
SYSTEMATISM Sys"tem*a*tism, n.
Defn: The reduction of facts or principles to a system. Dunglison.
SYSTEMATIST Sys"tem*a*tist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. systématiste.]
1. One who forms a system, or reduces to system.
2. One who adheres to a system.
SYSTEMATIZATION Sys`tem*a*ti*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. systématization.]
Defn: The act or operation of systematizing.
SYSTEMATIZE Sys"tem*a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Systematized; p. pr. & vb. n. Systematizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. systématiser. Cf. Systemize.]
Defn: To reduce to system or regular method; to arrange methodically; to methodize; as, to systematize a collection of plants or minerals; to systematize one's work; to systematize one's ideas. Diseases were healed, and buildings erected, before medicine and architecture were systematized into arts. Harris.
SYSTEMATIZER Sys"tem*a*ti`zer, n.
Defn: One who systematizes. Aristotle may be called the systematizer of his master's doctrines. Harris.
SYSTEMATOLOGY Sys`tem*a*tol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]
Defn: The doctrine of, or a treatise upon, systems. Dunglison.
SYSTEMIC Sys*tem"ic, a.
1. Of or relating to a system; common to a system; as, the systemic circulation of the blood.
2. (Anat. & Physiol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the general system, or the body as a whole; as, systemic death, in distinction from local death; systemic circulation, in distinction from pulmonic circulation; systemic diseases. Systemic death. See the Note under Death, n., 1.
SYSTEMIZATION Sys`tem*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of systematizing; systematization.
SYSTEMIZE Sys"tem*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Systemized; p. pr. & vb. n. Systemizing.] Etym: [Cf. Systematize.]
Defn: To reduce to system; to systematize.
SYSTEMIZER Sys"tem*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who systemizes, or reduces to system; a systematizer.
SYSTEMLESS Sys"tem*less, a.
1. Being without system.
2. (Nat. Hist.)
Defn: Not agreeing with some artificial system of classification.
3. (Biol.)
Defn: Not having any of the distinct systems or types of structure, as the radiate, articulate, etc., characteristic of organic nature; as, all unicellular organisms are systemless.
SYSTOLE Sys"to*le, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
1. (Gram.)
Defn: The shortening of the long syllable.
2. (Physiol.)
Defn: The contraction of the heart and arteries by which the blood is forced onward and the circulation kept up; — correlative to diastole.
SYSTOLIC Sys*tol"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to systole, or contraction; contracting; esp., ralating to the systole of the heart; as, systolic murmur. Dunglison.
SYSTYLE Sys"tyle, a. Etym: [L. systylos, Gr. systyle.] (Arch.)
Defn: Having a space equal to two diameters or four modules between two columns; — said of a portico or building. See Intercolumniation. — n.
Defn: A systyle temple or other edifice.
SYTH; SYTHE Syth, Sythe, prep., adv., conj. & n.
Defn: See Sith, Sithe. [Obs.] Chaucer. Piers Plowman.
SYTHE Sythe, n.
Defn: Scythe. [Obs. or R.]
SYZYGIAL Sy*zyg"i*al, a.
Defn: Pertaining to a syzygy.
SYZYGY Syz"y*gy, n.; pl. Syzygies. Etym: [L. syzygia a joining together, conjunction, Gr. syzygie. See Yoke, n.]
1. (Astron.)
Defn: The point of an orbit, as of the moon or a planet, at which it is in conjunction or opposition; — commonly used in the plural.
2. (Gr. & L. Pros.)
Defn: The coupling together of different feet; as, in Greek verse, an iambic syzygy.
3. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of the segments of an arm of a crinoid composed of two joints so closely united that the line of union is obliterated on the outer, though visible on the inner, side. (b) The immovable union of two joints of a crinoidal arm. Line of syzygies (Astron.), the straight line connecting the earth, the sun, and the moon or a planet, when the latter is in conjunction or opposition; — used chiefly of the moon.