S.

S, as anumeral, was used to represent 7; as anabbreviationit generally meanssociusor Fellow (of a society); S. P. Q. R., on Roman monuments, stands forsenatus, populusque Romanus.

Sabanum, R. (σάβανον). A kind of cloth, towel, or napkin.

Sabaoth, Heb. Armies; hosts of angels. It is also writtenZabaoth.

Sabatines, O. E. (1) Steel armour for the feet; 16th century. (2) Slippers, or clogs.

Sabianism.The worship of the heavenly bodies.

Sable.(1) The best and most costly brushes for painting are made from this fur. (2) In Heraldry, the colour black, represented in engraving by crossed lines. (See Fig.375.)

Sabre, Fr. A curved sword with a broad and heavy blade.

Sabretasche, Fr. A pocket worn, suspended, from the sword-belt, by a cavalry officer.

Sac-friars.(SeeSaccus.)

Sacciperium, R. A large sackcloth bag. A pocket.

Saccus, R. (σάκκος). A large sack of coarse cloth for wheat, flour, &c. (2) A beggar’s wallet. (3) Chr. (Angl.sack). A coarse upper garment of sack or hair-cloth, worn by monks; hence calledSac-friars. (Cf.Sacque.)

Sacellum, R. (dimin. ofsacrum). A small precinct enclosing an altar, and consecrated to a divinity. In Christian architecture, small monumental chapels within churches.

Sachem.The chief of a tribe of North American Indians.

Sackbut, O. E. (9th century). A wind instrument resembling thetrombone.

Fig. 598. Sacque of the time of Louis XIV.

Sacque.Part of a lady’s dress in the reign of Louis XIV. It was a silk cloak, and hung from the shoulders, spreading over the dress to the ground. In England it was worn in part of the reign of George III. (Fig.598.)

Sacrarium(sacrum, holy). A place in which sacred things are kept; the sacristy in a temple. In a private house a place used as a chapel or oratory.

Sacring Bell, Chr. A hand-bell rung at the elevation of the Host.

“Her eye was as bright as the merry sunlight,When it shines on the dewy grass;And her voice was as clear as asacring bell,That is rung at the holy mass.”

“Her eye was as bright as the merry sunlight,

When it shines on the dewy grass;

And her voice was as clear as asacring bell,

That is rung at the holy mass.”

(See alsoSanctus Bell.)

Sacristy, of a church, the apartment where the vestments and vessels are kept.

Sacro Catino, It. An extraordinary hexagonal glass dish preserved in the cathedral at Genoa, which was for a long time supposed to have been formed of a single emerald; and to have been either, “a gift from the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, or the dish which held the Paschal Lamb at the Last Supper,” &c. It was obtained in the Crusades in 1101, and was for many generations an object of superstitious reverence. Its principal interest now is in the evidence it bears to the early perfection of the art of making and colouring glass.

Sadda, Pers. (lit. a hundred gates). An abridgment of the Zend-Avesta or sacred books of the ancient Persians.

Saddle-bars.Said of small iron bars, in glazing casements, to which the lead panels are fastened.

Saddle-roof, Arch. A roof of two gables. (French,en batière.)

Safety-arch, Arch. An arch in a wall over a door or window, to keep the weight of the wall above off the lintel.

Safflower.A delicate red colour obtained from the flower of that name.

Saffron(It.zafferano). Produced from the flowers of the crocus; a yellow pigment principally used as a glazing.

Saga, R. A woman skilled in religious mysteries; and thence a witch or sorceress.

Sagaris, Orient. (σάγαρις). A two-edged axe, also calledbipennis; it was used by the Amazons, Massagetæ, and Persians. (SeeBipennis.)

Sagena, Gr. and R. (σαγήνη). A large fishing-net; modernseine. It was fitted with leaden weights at the bottom and corks at the top.

Sagitta, R. (1) An arrow; primitively with heads of flint, afterwards of bronze and iron. The heads of the arrows of the Greeks and Romans were oval; among other nations they were triangular and barbed, like those carried by theSagittariusin Fig.599. This kind of arrow was calledsagitta hastaoradunca. (2) A lancet for bleeding animals.

Fig. 599. Sagittarius.

Sagittarius, R. An archer; a sign of the zodiac, represented as a centaur. (Fig.599.) In Christian art, a symbol of Divine vengeance.

Sagma, R. (σάγμα). A wooden pack-saddle.

Sagmarius, R. A beast of burden carrying thesagma.

Sagochlamys, R. A military cloak which combined the Romansagusand the Greekchlamys.

SagusorSagum, Celt. A woollen cloak with a long nap, worn folded and fastened round the neck by a clasp, especially by soldiers on a campaign (Fig.44); hencesagais a sign of war, astogais of peace. At a later period the same name was given to a kind of blouse, striped or checked in staring colours, and adorned with flowers and other ornaments, and bordered with bands of purple and gold and silver embroidery, worn by the Gauls in Artois and Flanders.

Saic, Turk. A sailing vessel common in the Levant.

Saie, O. E. A delicate serge or woollen cloth.

Saints-bell, O. E. forSacring bell.

Salade,Sallet. A light helmet resembling theKettle-hat(Fig.407), introduced from Germany in the 15th century.

Salam-stone.A name given to the blue or oriental sapphire from Ceylon.

Fig. 600. Salamander. Device of Francis I., the “Father of Letters.”

Salamander, Chr. In Christian art, a symbol of fire, and supposed to live in fire; or, according to Pliny, “to quench it as if ice were put into it.” In Heraldry it is either represented as a lizard, or as a kind of dog breathing flames. Fig.600is the device of Francis I. of France, with a motto implying that a good prince nourishes that which is good, and expels the bad. At the meeting of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, the king’s guard at the tournament was clothed in blue and yellow, with the salamander embroidered thereon.

Salamander’s Hair.The variety of asbestos calledamianthus.

Salet, O. E. A light helmet. (SeeSalade.)

Salic Dances.(SeeSalii.)

Salient, Her. In the act of leaping or bounding, the hind-paws on the ground, both the fore-paws elevated.

Salinum, R. (sal, salt). A salt-cellar.

Saltatio, R. (salto, to dance). Dancing; applied to religious dances, gymnastic or war dances,Corybantic,Salic,Mimeticor theatrical dances, &c.

Fig. 601. Argent asaltiregules.

SaltireorSaltier, Her. An ordinary in the form of St. Andrew’s Cross. The illustration (Fig.601) is “argentaSALTIREgules.”

Salutatorium.(SeeReceptorium.)

Salute at Sea.The English claim the right, formerly claimed by the Venetians, of being salutedfirstin all places, as sovereigns of the seas. The naval salute to the British flag began in the reign of King Alfred.

Sambuca, R. (σαμβύκη). (1) A stringed musical instrument, which varied in form, but resembled a harp. (2) Military. A scaling-ladder.

Sam-cloth, O. E. (needlework). A sampler. “Asam-cloth, vulgarly a sampler.”

Samit, forExsamit(ἑξ, six;μίτοι, threads). A splendid tissue, having six threads of silk in the warp, and the weft of flat gold shreds.

Sammaron-cloth, O. E. A woven mixture of linen and hemp.

Samnites.Gladiators armed like the Samnite soldiers, with a close helmet, shield, and greaves.

Sampan.A Chinese canoe or small boat.

Sampler(Lat.exemplar). A piece of ornamental needlework, done for a sample or specimen.

Sanctus Bell, Chr. (1) A fixed bell rung at the elevation of the Host, at the words “sanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Deus Sabaoth.” It was fixed outside the church, generally on the eastern gable of the nave. (SeeSacring Bell.) (2) In the absence of a fixed bell, small bells carried by acolytes, often the subject of rich ornamentation, sometimes consisting of a carillon of three small bells hidden within one large one, thus blending their sounds.

Sandal.(SeeCendal.)

Sandal-wood.Ornamental wood highly valued for cabinet-work; when old it becomes yellow and highly odoriferous.

Sandalium, Gr. and R. (σανδάλιον). A richly ornamented sandal worn exclusively by women.

Sandapila, R. A rough kind of bier for the poor. (SeeLectica.)

Sandarac.A resin used for spirit varnishes.

Sandyx, Gr. (σάνδυξ). A Lydian tunic, of a fine and transparent texture, dyed with the juice of the sandyx, which gave it a flesh-coloured tint.

Sang-réal(Saint Graal). The Holy Grail said to have been brought to England by Joseph of Arimathea. The legend is that it is an emerald cup, or the cup used at the Last Supper, containing the real (or it may mean “royal”) Blood (sang-réelorréal).

“The cup, the cup itself, from which our LordDrank at the last sad supper with his own.”(Tennyson.)

“The cup, the cup itself, from which our Lord

Drank at the last sad supper with his own.”

(Tennyson.)

Sanglier, Her. A wild boar.

Sanguine.A deep blood colour, prepared from oxide of iron.

Sanguinolentæ(sc. ampullæ). Glass vessels found in the catacombs at Rome, containing a red sediment, ascertained by analysis to beblood; and canonically pronounced by the Roman Church to be that of the early Christian martyrs in whose tombs it has been found. (The subject is discussed at length byV. Schultze:die Katakomben, Leipzig, 1882.)

Sanhedrim, Heb. The supreme council of the Jews, which sat at Jerusalem in a circular hall, one half of which was within the temple, and the other outside. (Bosc.)

Sap-green.The only green vegetable pigment; used in water-colour painting. Obtained by evaporating the juice of the berries of the buckthorn, mixed with lime.

Sap-wood.The soft white wood immediately under the bark of a tree.

Sapphire(Syriacsaphilah). Theoriental sapphirefrom Arabia, which has been known from the earliest antiquity, was one of the stones on the breastplate of Aaron, and was dedicated to Apollo by the Greeks, by whom it was regarded as the gem of gems—the sacred stonepar excellence. The sapphires from Brazil are also called oriental sapphires. The sapphires of Puy, found in a mountain in Central France, vary from the deepest to the palest blue, passing sometimes to a reddish blue or even to a yellowish green. The sapphire, although extremely hard, has been engraved by the ancients. There is a beautiful sapphire among the crown jewels of Russia, representing a draped female figure: the stone is of two tints, and the artist has skilfully used the dark tint for the woman and the light for the drapery. (L. Dieulafait.)

Sapphire, in Christian art. (SeeBlue.)

Saraballa,Sarabara, Gr. and R. (σαράβαλλα). Loose trousers, which reached from the waist to the instep, worn by the Parthians, Medes, and Persians.

Saraband, Sp. A slow dance derived from the Saracens; the music forsarabands, by Corelli and other old masters, is interesting. (SeeChappell’s History of Music, &c.)

Saracenic Architecture. (SeeAlhambraic,Moorish,Moresco-Spanish.)

Sarapis, Pers. (σάραπις). The tunic of the kings of Persia; it was made of a fine purple-coloured cloth, with a white band in front embroidered with gold.

Sarcenet.A fine thin woven silk. An improvedcendal, introduced in the 15th century by the Saracens of the south of Spain; hence its name. (SeeCendal.)

Sarcilis, Chr. A woollen garment—not described.

Sarcoline(Gr.σὰρξ, flesh). Flesh-coloured.

Sarcolite.A stone of a rose-flesh colour.

Sarcophagus, Gen. (σαρκοφάγος;σὰρξ, flesh, andφαγεῖν, to eat). A coffin of a limestone called Lapis Assius, in which the corpse was rapidly consumed. The great sarcophagus called “of Alexander the Great,” in the British Museum, is a celebrated specimen. (SeeBisomus,Quadrisomus, andTrisomus.)

SardorCarnelian. A brownish-red variety of chalcedony.

Sard-achates.A name given by the ancients to varieties ofagate, which contained layers ofSardor carnelian.

Sardonic Laughter.A distortion of the features of the dying, the closing symptom of several fatal diseases; named from the poisonous herb Sardonia.

Sard-onyx.A precious stone composed of alternate layers of carnelian andchalcedony; extensively used for gem-engraving.

Sardel,Sardine,Sardius. A precious stone mentioned in Scripture in the description of Aaron’s breastplate.

Sarissa, Gr. (σάρισσα). The longest and heaviest spear of the Greeks peculiar to the Macedonian phalanx.

Sarrazinois Carpets.Embroidered stuffs resembling tapestry, made in the 10th and 11th centuries, doubtless imitated from work by the Saracens.

Sarsen-stones.Boulders of sandstone found on the Chalk downs in Wiltshire.

Sarsnet.(SeeSarcenet.)

Sartago, R. A frying-pan; in the patois of Languedoc,sartan.

Satin.This fine silk, originally imported from China, was first known in England in the 14th century. It is thicker than ordinary silk, and remarkable for its smooth glossy surface, not exhibiting the marks of the reticulations of the threads.

Satin-spar.An ornamental stone, having a softsatinysurface when polished.

Satin-wood.An ornamental yellow wood much used in cabinet-making.

Satinet.A thin kind of satin.

Saturn, Her. The black colour in the arms of sovereign princes.

Saturnalia, R. Festivals of Saturn, held on the seventh of the calends of January (14th of December), instituted by Numa. During the four or five days that this festival lasted, both public and private business was interrupted; and banquets and festivities were held, in which masters and slaves met on a temporary footing of equality. In the feasts at rustic places, the hollow statue of Saturn was filled with oil; he held a pruning knife in his hand, and his feet were surrounded with a band of wool.

Satyrs.Greek deities of the wooded plains, as the Romanfaunswere of the fields. They are usually represented as the attendants of Bacchus, or the lovers of the Nymphs, with goat’s legs and horns, and human bodies covered with short hair; often withLaciniaon the neck.

Saunders’ Blue(Green) (from the Frenchcendres’ bleu). The blue ashes of calcinedlapis lazuli. (SeeCarbonates of Copper.)

Saurians.Animals of the lizard tribe, crocodiles, &c., antediluvian and other.

Fig. 602. Device of Charles d’Amboise, Sieur de Chaumont.

Savage-manorWood-man, Her. A wild man, naked, or clothed in skins or leaves, and carrying a club. The illustration is the device of De Chaumont, Marshal of France (+ 1510), with the motto, “Mitem animum agresti sub tegmine scabro,” which he bore embroidered on the pennon of his company.

Savonnerie.(SeeTurkey-stitch.)

Saxon Blue.Sulphate of indigo used as a dye-stuff.

Saxon Gold-workof elegant design and skilful workmanship, may be attributed to the 5th and 6th centuries. The art was doubtless imported by Roman colonists. Specimens may be studied in the South Kensington Museum. (SeeMetallurgy.)

Scabellum, R. (dimin. fromScamnum, q.v.) (1) A stool or step to get into bed with. (2) A shoe with a castanet in the sole, with which the wearer beat time, as an accompaniment to music.

Scagliola(It.scaglia, a chip of marble). Artificial marble made of gypsum, glue, &c., of variegated colours, in imitation of marble, applied in ornamental work likestucco, but admitting a fine polish.

Scalæ, R. (scando, to climb). A ladder or staircase.

Scald, Scand. A poet or bard.

Scaldino, It. A copper.

Scale, in Music (It.scala, a ladder). (SeeTones.)

Scalmus, R. (σκαλμός). The thole, or strong peg with a thong, with which an oar was attached to the side of a ship.

Scalper,Scalprum, R. (scalpo, to cut). A general term for all kinds of cutting tools, such as chisels, knives, &c.

Scalptura.Engraving in precious stones. (SeeIntaglio,Cameo.)

Scamnum, R. (scando, to climb). A stool for a bed or arm-chair, or a stone bench with a step.

Scandula, R. A wooden shingle used for tiles (tegulæ).

Scansoria MachinaorScansorium, R. (scando, to mount). A scaffolding, such as a tower, which enables work to be carried on at various heights from the ground.

Scantling.InMasonry, the size of a stone, in length, breadth, and thickness. InCarpentry, the dimensions of a timber in breadth and thickness only. Any piece of timber less than five inches square is calledscantling.

Scapha, R. (σκάφη, i. e. dug out). A long-boat or cutter attached to a larger vessel; obviously, from the etymology, a sort of canoe in its origin; our “skiff.”

Scaphium, R. (σκάφιον). A vessel of Greek origin and of small size, and in the form of a boat (scapha), which, though used as a drinking-cup, is especially to be classed among sacrificial utensils.

Scapple.In Masonry, to reduce a stone to a straight surface, without making it smooth.

Scapulary, Chr. A part of the monastic dress, worn by both sexes over the shoulders (scapula). It is generally a narrow strip of cloth contrasting with the colour of the dress, reaching almost to the feet.

Scapus, Gr. and R. (σκᾶπος). A shaft or stem. This term is applied to several distinct things, which all, however, imply an idea of use in support of some other thing; as, for instance, the shaft of a column, which supports a capital, and occasionally an entablature; the central shaft or newel which supports the staircase of a column; the stem of a candelabrum or lamp-rest, and so on.

Fig. 603. Scarabæus, sacred.

Scarabæus(Egyp.), or sacred ateuchus, is an attribute of Phtha, and the symbol of creation. Under the name ofKheper(creator), the scarabæus was given to the soldiers in exchange for their oath of fidelity, and worn by them as a finger-ring. With wings extended (as in Fig.603) it is a funereal ornament.

Scarlet.(SeeIodine Scarlet.)

Scarlet Ochre.(SeeVenetian Red.)

Scarpe,Escarpe, Her. A diminutive of a bend sinister.

Scauper.A tool used by engravers; a kind of gouge. (Angl.scooper.)

Scena, Gr. and R. (σκηνή). (1) The stage of a theatre, including not only the part so called at the present day, but the wall at the back, which was provided with three doors, one in the centre (valvæ regiæ), and two lateral ones (valvæ hospitales). (2) A double-edged axe, used in the sacrifices; one of the iron sides of this axe had the broad blade of thesecuris, and the other that of thedolabra. In the sense of “an axe,”scenais the contracted form of an old Latin wordsacena.

Scene-paintingwas invented by Inigo Jones, about 1610.

Scenographia, R. (σκηνο-γραφία). The drawing of a building inperspective. Ageometricalplan is calledorthographia.

Sceptre, Gr. and R. (σκῆπτρον). Originally, in early antiquity, a long staff similar to the shaft of a spear, which was carried by great persons to lean on when walking. Afterwards it became thetruncheon, and a weapon of offence and defence. Later on, an ornament was added to the upper end of this staff, and it became the insignia of power and authority. The ivory sceptre of the kings and consuls of Rome was surmounted by an eagle. The sceptre was an attribute of Jupiter and Juno, as sovereigns of the gods.

Schafte, O. E. (SeeShaft.)

Scheele’s Green.A green pigment; an arsenite of copper; arsenite of potash mixed with sulphate of copper; used in oil and water-colours.

Scherzo, It. (playful). A lively style in music; faster than the minuet (such as inBeethoven’sSecond Symphony, op. 36, in D major).

Fig. 604. Schleswig Lace.

Schleswig Lace.North Schleswig (or South Jutland) is the only province of Denmark in which there was a regular manufacture of lace. The art itself is supposed to have been introduced, in 1515, by Queen Elizabeth (sister of the Emperor Charles V., and wife of Christian II. of Denmark). About 1712 lace-making was much improved by Brabant women. The earlier specimens are all of Flemish character, made on the pillow in the same way, occasionally imitating the Mechlin ground with the pattern apparently run in with the needle. All Schleswig laces are remarkable for their fine quality and excellent workmanship. The engraving shows part of a shirt-collar of Christian IV., of a Brabant pattern to be seen in his portrait in Hampton Court Palace.

Schmeltz, Germ. Glass ornament; produced by fusing lumps of coloured glass together to imitate marble, cornelian, and other stones. (SeeGlass.)

Schweinfurth’s Green.A brilliant sea-green pigment.

Scimitar.(SeeScymetar.)

Scimpodium, Gr. and R. (σκιμπόδιον, lit. footprop). A couch or long chair for an invalid.

Scintillant, Her. Emitting sparks. (See Fig.342.)

Sciolist(fromσκιὸς, a shadow). A man of superficial acquirements, who sees only theshadowsof things.

Scioptics(σκιὰ, a shadow). The branch of the science of optics applied in the construction of thecamera obscura.

Sciothericon(σκιοθηρικόν). A sun-dial.

Scipio.An official staff. (SeeSceptre.)

Scirophoria.Athenian festivals held in the month Scirophorion or June.

Scirpea, R. A waggon formed of basket-work of plaited rushes (scirpus), and used principally for agricultural operations.

Scobina, R. (scabo, to scrape). A rasp for wood; distinct fromlima, a file for metals.

Scobs.Shreds of ivory, metals, &c., turned off the lathe or rasp, &c.

Sconces.Brackets projecting from the wall, supporting candlesticks: originated in the 15th century, and from that date form an important branch of metallurgical art-work.

Scopæ, R. A broom made of small twigs of wood. This term survives in the Languedocescoube.

Scopulæ, R. A little broom.

Scorpers.In wood-engraving, tools used for cutting away large spaces after outlining or engraving, so as to leave only the drawing in relief.

Scorpio, Gr. and R. (lit. a scorpion). (1) A kind of cross-bow. (2) A pyramid of stones raised for a landmark in country places.

Fig. 605. Scotia or Trochilus.

ScotiaorTrochilus, Arch. (σκοτία,τροχίλος). A concave moulding employed especially in the decoration of the bases of columns or pilasters, between the fillets of the tori. In plain bases thescotiæare smooth, and in decorated bases they are ornamented with sculptures, as shown in Fig.605.

Scourge.(SeeFlagellumandFlagrum.)

Scraper.An engraver’s tool for removingBurrs(q.v.).

Screen, Chr. An open barrier of wood-work or stone enclosing the choir or chancel of a church, chapel, or tomb; generally highly enriched by carving and gilding, and the lower panels decorated with painting. (SeeRood-loft.)

Scrinium,Scrinia, Chr. and R. (1) Chr. A chest which held chiefly liturgical writings; according to the writings they contained, these cases were variously distinguished asscrinia epistolarum,scrinia dispositionum,scrinia libellorum,scrinia memoriæ,scrinia sacra, &c.Scriniawere generally kept in thediaconicumorscevophylacium. (2) Cylindrical boxes or cases used for carrying volumes (i. e. rolls) and papers (cf.Hanaper). (3)Scrinia unguentariawere used to contain phials of oils and perfumes, &c., for the toilette.

Scriptorium, Chr. An apartment in large monasteries where manuscripts were transcribed.

Scripulum.(SeeScrupulum.)

Scrupulum, R. (scrupus, lit. a small stone). A scruple, the smallest Roman gold coin; it weighed a third of thedenarius aureus. (SeeDenarius.)

Scrutoire, Fr. An old way of spellingescritoire.

Scudo, It. A silver coin worth about 4s.In Rome the gold scudo is worth 65s.

Sculponeæ, R. A common kind of boot, with a wooden sole; it was worn by thefamilia rustica, or slaves who worked in the country.

Sculpture(fromsculpo, to carve) includes all carved work, in wood, ivory, stone, marble, metal, or other material; and also those works formed in a softer material not requiring carving, such as wax or clay. It includesStatuary, carved ornament, andGlypticsor incised gems and cameos. From the practice of preparing the model in clay, sculpture is also calledthe plastic art. A most remarkable incident in the history of sculpture, is the fact that the most ancient specimens are carved of the hardest stones, such as basalt, granite, and porphyry; and that this work was done at a period antecedent to the introduction of steel tools. (ConsultRedford’s Ancient Sculpture.)

Scumbling.The process of going over a painting with a nearly dry brush, to soften and blend the tints.

Scutage, O. E. (fromscutum, a shield). A tax upon lands held byknight-service.

Scutale, R. (fromscutum, i. e. shield-shaped). The hollow in the thongs of a sling in which the missile is laid.

Scutarius, Med. An esquire or shield-bearer.

Scutcheon, forEscutcheon(q.v.).

Scutella.Diminutive ofScutra(q.v.).

Scutica, Gr. and R. A whip made with a leather thong (σκυτικός).

Scutiform.Shaped like a shield.

Scutra, R. (fromscutum, i. e. shield-shaped). Diminutivescutella. A square wooden tray for plates, dishes, and cups.

Scutum, R. and Egyp. The large oblong shield of the Roman infantry, in contradistinction toclipeus, a round shield. (SeeShields.)

Scymetar.A sword of oriental origin, with a curved blade, very sharp.

Scyphus, Gr. and R. (σκύφος). A drinking-cup of wood or silver, of smaller capacity than theBromias(q.v.). It was sacred to Hercules.

Seals.Ancient porcelain seals, to which the Chinese attribute an antiquity of from 1000 to 2000 years, are met with in collections; and precisely identical specimens have been found in the bogs ofIreland. They are of a peculiar white or cream-coloured porcelain, such as has not been made in China for several hundred years. It is believed that the Irish specimens must have lain buried there from a period anterior to history. (Fortune.) (SeeSigillum,Rings.)

Seax.A Saxon sword.

Secco, It. Fresco-paintingin seccois that kind which absorbs the colours into the plaster, and gives them a dry sunken appearance. (Fairholt.)

Second Distance.In a picture, the part of themiddle distancenext the foreground.

Secondary Colours.The threeprimary colours(containing nothing of any other colour)—blue, red, and yellow—when mixed inequalproportions produce threesecondarycolours:—blue and yellow producegreen; blue and red,violet; and yellow and red,orange. Mixed inunequalproportions they produce what are calledTones(q.v.).

Secos, Egyp. (σηκός). The name for theNaosin an Egyptian temple.

Secretarium, Chr. (secretum, secret). Asacristy(not atabernacle, as maintained by some authors) in the apse, at the side of the altar. In the ancient basilicas there were two such recesses, one on each side of the altar.

Sectilis.(SeePavimentum.)

Securicula(diminutive ofsecuris). In Architecture, a dove-tail mortise.

Securis, R. (seco, to cut). An axe or hatchet of any kind; but esp. that borne by the lictors in theFasces. (SeeDolabra,Bipennis,Fascis, &c.)

Securis Dannica, Med. (SeeBipennis.)

Secutores, R. Gladiators appointed to fight with theRetiarii(whom they were constantlypursuinground the circus); or those who replaced others killed were so called.

Sedes,Sedile(dimin.sedicula). Any kind of seat.

Sedilia.(1) R. The rows of seats in the amphitheatre. (2) Chr. In a Catholic church, the stone seats on the south side of the altar, for the use of the clergy in the intervals of the services.

Segestrium, R. (lit. of straw). A coarse wrapper made of skins or straw-matting.

Segmenta, R. (seco, to cut off). Strips of rich cloth or tissues of gold or silver worn as a border to the dresses of wealthy Roman ladies.

Segno.In Music, a direction to repeat:—al segno, as far as the sign;dal segno, from the sign.

Segreant, Her. A griffin or wyvern rampant. (See Fig.369.)

Fig. 606. Sejant.

Sejant, Her. Sitting:—of a lion, at rest with his fore-legs stretched on the ground, but awake, and his head and tail elevated.

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