Slide-valves.
Slide, slīd,v.i.to slip or glide: to pass along smoothly: to fall: to slip away quietly, to disappear: (slang) to slope, slip away from the police, &c.—v.t.to thrust along: to slip:—pa.t.slid;pa.p.slid orslidd′en.—n.a smooth passage: the fall of a mass of earth or rock: a smooth declivity: anything, as a lid, that slides, a glass that slides in a frame in front of a magic-lantern, bearing the picture to be thrown on the screen, that part of a photographic plate-holder which serves to cover and uncover the negative: (mus.) a melodic embellishment, two notes sliding into each other: (slang) a biscuit covered with ice-cream.—adj.Slī′dable, capable of sliding or of being slid.—ns.Slī′der, one who, or that which, slides: the part of an instrument or machine that slides;Slide′-rest, an apparatus adapted to a turning-lathe for carrying the cutting-tool;Slide′-valve, a valve in a steam-engine, made to slide backward and forward to cover and uncover the openings through which steam enters the cylinder;Slī′ding, act of one who slides: falling: backsliding.—p.adj.slippery: movable, changing.—ns.Slī′ding-keel, an oblong frame let down vertically through the bottom of a vessel in order to deepen the draught and sustain against a side-wind;Slī′ding-rule(seeRule);Slī′ding-scale, a scale of duties which slide or vary according to the value or market prices: a sliding-rule;Slī′ding-seat, a kind of seat for racing-boats, moving with the swing of the rower's body;Slīdom′eter, an instrument indicating the strain put on a railway-carriage by sudden stoppage. [A.S.slídan, to slide; Dut.slidderen, to slip.]
Slight, slīt,adj.weak: slender: of little value: trifling: small: negligent: not decided, superficial, cursory: slighting, disdainful.—v.t.to disregard, as of little value: to neglect: (obs.) to demolish, smooth.—n.neglect: disregard, an act of discourtesy.—advs.Slight′ingly;Slight′ly.—n.Slight′ness. [Old Low Ger.slicht, plain; Dut.slecht, bad, Ger.schlecht, straight.]
Slight, slīt,n.(Spens.), sleight, device, trick.
Slily, slī′li,adv.See underSly.
Slim, slim,adj.(comp.Slim′mer,superl.Slim′mest) very thin, weak, slender: slight, trivial, unsubstantial: delicate: crafty.—adv.Slim′ly.—adj.Slim′mish, somewhat slim.—n.Slim′ness.—adj.Slim′sy(U.S.), frail, flimsy. [Old Low Ger.slim, crafty; Dan.slem, worthless, Ger.schlimm, bad.]
Slime, slīm,n.glutinous mud: (B.) probably bitumen.—n.Slime′-pit, a pit of slime or viscous mire.—adv.Slīm′ily.—n.Slīm′iness.—adj.Slīm′y, abounding with, or consisting of, slime: glutinous. [A.S.slím; Ger.schleim.]
Sliness, slī′nes,n.Same asSlyness.
Sling, sling,n.a strap or pocket with a string attached to each end, for hurling a stone: a throw: a hanging bandage for a wounded limb: a rope with hooks, used in hoisting and lowering weights: a sweep or swing: a stroke as from a missile thrown from a sling.—v.t.to throw with a sling: to hang so as to swing: to move or swing by means of a rope: to cast.—v.i.to bound along with swinging steps: (slang) to blow the nose with the fingers:—pa.t.andpa.p.slung.—ns.Sling′er;Sling′stone, a stone to be thrown from a sling. [A.S.slingan, to turn in a circle; Ger.schlingen, to move or twine round.]
Sling, sling,n.toddy with grated nutmeg.
Slink, slingk,v.i.to creep or crawl away, as if ashamed: to sneak:—pa.t.andpa.p.slunk. [A.S.slincan, to creep; Low Ger.sliken, Ger.schleichen.]
Slink, slingk,v.t.to cast prematurely, as a calf.—v.i.to miscarry.—n.a calf prematurely born: the flesh of such: a bastard child.—adj.prematurely born: unfit for food: lean, starved: mean.—ns.Slink′-butch′er, one who kills and dresses for sale the carcasses of diseased animals;Slink′skin, the skin of a slink, or leather made from it.—adj.Slink′y, lean.
Slip, slip,v.i.to slide or glide along: to move out of place: to escape: to err: to slink: to enter by oversight.—v.t.to cause to slide: to convey secretly: to omit: to throw off: to let loose: to escape from: to part from the branch or stem:—pr.p.slip′ping;pa.t.andpa.p.slipped.—n.act of slipping: that on which anything may slip: an error, a fault, a slight transgression: an escape: a twig: a strip, a narrow piece of anything: a leash: a smooth inclined plane, sloping down to the water, on which a ship is built: anything easily slipped on: (print.) a long galley-proof before being made up into pages.—ns.Slip′-board, a board sliding in grooves;Slip′-dock, a dock having a floor that slopes so that the lower end is submerged;Slip′-knot, a knot which slips along the rope or line round which it is made;Slip′per, a loose shoe easily slipped on.—adj.(Spens.) slippery.—adj.Slip′pered, wearing slippers.—adv.Slip′perily, in a slippery manner.—ns.Slip′periness,Slip′piness.—adjs.Slip′pery,Slip′py, apt to slip away: smooth: not affording firm footing or confidence: unstable: uncertain;Slip′shod, shod with slippers, or shoes down at the heel like slippers: careless.—n.Slip′stitch.—Slip off, to take off noiselessly or hastily;Slip on, to put on loosely or in haste;Slip one's breath, or wind, to die;Slip the leash, to disengage one's self from a noose.—Give a person the slip, to escape stealthily from him. [A.S.slípan; Sw.slippa, Dut.slippen, to glide, Ger.schliefen.]
Slipe, slīp,n.in mining, a skip or sledge without wheels.
Slipslop, slip′slop,adj.slipshod, slovenly.—n.thin, watery food: a blunder.—v.i.to slip loosely about.—adj.Slip′sloppy, slushy, sloppy.
Slish, slish,n.(Shak.) a cut. [A corr. ofslash.]
Slit, slit,v.t.to cut lengthwise: to split: to cut into strips:—pr.p.slit′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.slit.—n.a long cut: a narrow opening.—n.Slit′ter, anything which slits, a slitting-shears for sheet-metal.—adj.Slit′tered, cut into strips with square ends.—n.Slit′ting-mill, an establishment in which metal plates are cut into strips for nail-making: a rotating disc used by gem-cutters for slitting: a gang-saw used for resawing lumber for blind-slats, fence-pickets, &c. [A.S.slítan; Ger.schleissen.]
Slither, slith′ėr,v.i.to slide.—adj.slippery.—n.a limestone rubble.—adjs.Slith′ering, slow, deceitful;Slith′ery, slippery. [A variant ofslidder.]
Sliver, sliv′ėr, or slī′vėr,v.t.to split, to tear off lengthwise, to slice.—n.a piece cut or rent off, a slice: a continuous strand of loose untwisted wool or other fibre.—v.i.Slive, to slide, skulk. [A.S.slífan, to cleave.]
Sloam, slōm,n.(prov.) in coal-mining, the under-clay.
Sloat, slōt,n.Same asSlot(1) and (2).
Slobber, slob′ėr, same asSlabber.—n.Slob, mire, muddy land.—adj.Slobb′ery, moist, wet.
Slocken, slok′n,v.t.to quench, extinguish.—AlsoSlok′en. [Ice.slokna, to go out.]
Sloe, slō,n.the blackthorn, producing white flowers before the leaves, the shoots making excellent walking-sticks: the austere fruit, a good preserve. [A.S.slá; Dut.slee, a sloe.]
Slog, slog,v.i.to hit hard.—n.Slog′ger, a hard hitter.
Slogan, slō′gan,n.a war-cry among the ancient Highlanders of Scotland. [Gael., contracted fromsluagh-gairm, an army-cry.]
Sloid=Sloyd(q.v.).
Slombry, slom′bri,adj.(Spens.) sleepy.—v.i.Sloom(prov.), to slumber.—adj.Sloom′y, lazy, inactive.
Sloop.
Sloop, slōōp,n.a light boat: a one-masted cutter-rigged vessel, differing from a cutter, according to old authorities, in having a fixed bowsprit and somewhat smaller sails in proportion to the hull.—n.Sloop′-of-war, formerly a vessel, of whatever rig, between a corvette and a gun-vessel, constituting the command of a commander, carrying from ten to eighteen guns. [Dut.sloep, prob. O. Fr.chaloupe, shallop.]
Slop, slop,n.water carelessly spilled: a puddle: mean liquor or liquid food: (pl.) dirty water.—v.t.to soil by letting a liquid fall upon:—pr.p.slop′ping;pa.p.slopped.—ns.Slop′-bā′sin,-bowl, a basin for slops, esp. for the dregs of tea and coffee cups at table;Slop′-dash, weak cold tea, &c.:Slop′-pail, a pail for collecting slops;Slop′piness.—adj.Slop′py, wet: muddy. [A.S.sloppe,slyppe, cow-droppings—slúpan, to slip.]
Slope, slōp,n.any incline down which a thing may slip: a direction downward.—v.t.to form with a slope, or obliquely.—v.i.to be inclined, to slant: (slang) to decamp, disappear.—adv.in a sloping manner.—adv.Slope′wise, obliquely.—p.adj.Slō′ping, inclining from a horizontal or other right line.—adv.Slō′pingly, in a sloping manner: with a slope.—adj.Slō′py, sloping, inclined: oblique. [A.S.slípan, pa.t.sláp, to slip.]
Slops, slops,n.pl.any loose lower garment that slips on easily, esp. trousers: ready-made clothing, &c.—ns.Slop′-sell′er, one who sells cheap ready-made clothes;Slop′-shop, a shop where ready-made clothes are sold;Slop′-work, the making of cheap cloth, any work superficially done;Slop′-work′er, one who does slop-work. [Scand., Ice.sloppr, a long robe—sleppa, to slip.]
Slosh, slosh,n.a watery mess.—v.i.to flounder in slush: to go about in an easy way.—adj.Slosh′y. [A form ofslush.]
Slot, slot,n.a bar or bolt: a broad, flat, wooden bar which holds together larger pieces. [Allied to Low Ger.slot, Dut.slot, a lock.]
Slot, slot,n.a hollow, narrow depression, to receive some corresponding part in a mechanism: a ditch, the continuous opening between the rails in a cable tramway along which the shank of the grip moves.—n.Slot′ting-machine′, a machine for cutting slots or square grooves in metal. [Slit.]
Slot, slot,n.the track of a deer. [Ice.slóth, track, path; Scot.sleuth, track by the scent.]
Sloth, slōth, or sloth,n.laziness, sluggishness: a sluggish arboreal animal of tropical America, of two genera (Cholœpus, the two-toed sloth, andBradypus, the three-toed sloth).—adj.Sloth′ful, given to sloth: inactive: lazy.—adv.Sloth′fully.—n.Sloth′fulness. [A.S.slǽwth—sláw, slow.]
Slotter, slot′ėr,n.filth.—v.t.to foul.—adj.Slott′ery, foul.
Slouch, slowch,n.a hanging down loosely of the head or other part: clownish gait: a clown.—v.i.to hang down: to have a clownish look or gait.—v.t.to depress.—n.Slouch′-hat, a soft broad-brimmed hat.—p.adj.Slouch′ing, walking with a downcast, awkward manner: hanging down.—adj.Slouch′y, somewhat slouching. [Scand., Ice.slókr, a slouching fellow;slakr, slack.]
Slough, slow,n.a hollow filled with mud: a soft bog or marsh.—adj.Slough′y, full of sloughs: miry. [A.S.slóh, a hollow place; perh. from Ir.sloc—slugaim, to swallow up.]
Slough, sluf,n.the cast-off skin of a serpent: the dead part which separates from a sore.—v.i.to come away as a slough (withoff): to be in the state of sloughing.—v.t.to cast off, as a slough.—adj.Slough′y, like, or containing, slough. [Scand.; Sw. dial.slug; cf. Ger.slauch, a skin.]
Slovak, slō-vak′,adj.pertaining to theSlovaks, a branch of the Slavs in the mountainous districts of N.W. Hungary, their language little more than a dialect of Czech.—n.one of this race, or his language.—adjs.Slovak′ian,Slovak′ish.
Sloven, sluv′n,n.a man carelessly or dirtily dressed:—fem.Slut.—n.Slov′enliness.—adj.Slov′enly, like a sloven: negligent of neatness or cleanliness: disorderly: done in an untidy manner.—adv.negligently.—n.Slov′enry(Shak.), slovenliness. [Old Dut.slof, sloef, Low Ger.sluf, slow, indolent.]
Slovenian, slō-vē′ni-an,adj.pertaining to theSlovenes, a branch of the South Slavonic stock to which the Serbs and Croats belong.
Slow, slō,adj.not swift: late: behind in time: not hasty: not ready: not progressive.—v.t.to delay, retard, slacken the speed of.—v.i.to slacken in speed.—n.Slow′back, a lazy lubber.—p.adj.Slow′-gait′ed(Shak.), accustomed to walk slowly.—ns.Slow′-hound, sleuth-hound;Slow′ing, a lessening of speed.—adv.Slow′ly.—ns.Slow′-match, generally rope steeped in a solution of saltpetre and lime-water, used for firing guns before the introduction of friction tubes, and sometimes for firing military mines, now superseded byBickford's fuse, a train of gunpowder enclosed in two coatings of jute thread waterproofed;Slow′ness.—adj.Slow′-sight′ed, slow to discern;Slow′-winged, flying slowly.—n.Slow′-worm, a scincoid lizard, same as Blind-worm—by popular etymology 'slow-worm,' but, according to Skeat, really 'slay-worm,' A.S.slá-wyrm. [A.S.sláw; Dut.slee, Ice.sljór.]
Sloyd,Sloid, sloid,n.the name given to a certain system of manual instruction which obtains in the schools of Finland and Sweden, the word properly denoting work of an artisan kind practised not as a trade or means of livelihood, but in the intervals of other employment. [Sw.slöjd, dexterity.]
Slub, slub,v.t.to twist after carding to prepare for spinning.
Slubber, slub′ėr,v.t.to stain, to daub, slur over.—n.Slubb′er-degull′ion, a wretch.—adv.Slubb′eringly. [Dut.slobberen, to lap, Low Ger.slubbern.]
Sludge, sluj,n.soft mud or mire: half-melted snow.—adj.Sludg′y, miry: muddy. [A form ofslush.]
Slue,Slew, slū,v.t.(naut.) to turn anything about its axis without removing it from its place: to turn or twist about.—v.i.to turn round:—pr.p.slū′ing;pa.p.slūed.—n.the turning of a body upon an axis within its figure.—adj.Slued, tipsy. [Scand., Ice.snua, to turn.]
Slug, slug,n.a heavy, lazy fellow: a name for land-molluscs of order Pulmonata, with shell rudimentary or absent—they do great damage to garden crops: any hinderance.—ns.Slug′-a-bed(Shak.), one who is fond of lying in bed, a sluggard;Slug′gard, one habitually idle or inactive.—v.t.Slug′gardise(Shak.), to make lazy.—adj.Slug′gish, habitually lazy: slothful: having little motion: having little or no power.—adv.Slug′gishly.—n.Slug′gishness. [Scand., Dan.slug,sluk, drooping, Norw.sloka, to slouch; Low Ger.slukkern, to be loose; allied to slack.]
Slug, slug,n.a cylindrical or oval piece of metal for firing from a gun: a piece of crude metal. [Prob. from slug above, orslug=slog, to hit hard.]
Slugga, slug′a,n.a deep cavity formed by the action of subterranean streams common in some limestone districts of Ireland. [Ir.slugaid, a slough.]
Slughorn, slug′horn,n.a word used to denote a kind of horn, but really a corruption of slogan.
Sluice, slōōs,n.a sliding gate in a frame for shutting off or regulating the flow of water: the stream which flows through it: that through which anything flows: a source of supply: in mining, a board trough for separating gold from placer-dirt carried through it by a current of water: the injection-valve in a steam-engine condenser.—v.t.to wet or drench copiously: to wash in or by a sluice: to flush or clean out with a strong flow of water.—adj.Sluic′y, falling in streams, as from a sluice. [O. Fr.escluse(Fr.écluse)—Low L.exclusa(aqua), a sluice (water) shut out,pa.p.of L.ex-cludĕre, to shut out.]
Slum, slum,n.a low street or neighbourhood.—v.i.to visit the slums of a city, esp. from motives of curiosity.—ns.Slum′mer, one who slums;Slum′ming, the practice of visiting slums.
Slumber, slum′bėr,v.i.to sleep lightly: to sleep: to be in a state of negligence or inactivity.—n.light sleep: repose.—ns.Slum′berer;Slum′bering.—adv.Slum′beringly, in a slumbering manner.—n.Slum′berland, the state of slumber.—adjs.Slum′berless, without slumber: sleepless;Slum′berous,Slum′brous, inviting or causing slumber; sleepy;Slum′bery, sleepy: drowsy. [With intrusivebfrom M. E.slumeren—A.S.sluma, slumber; cog. with Ger.schlummern.]
Slump, slump,v.i.to fall or sink suddenly into water or mud: to fail or fall through helplessly.—n.a boggy place: the act of sinking into slush, &c., also the sound so made: a sudden fall or failure.—adj.Slump′y, marshy. [Cf. Dan.slumpe, to stumble upon by chance; Ger.schlumpen, to trail.]
Slump, slump,v.t.to throw into a lump or mass, to lump.—n.a gross amount, a lump.—n.Slump′-work, work in the lump. [Cf. Dan.slump, a lot, Dut.slomp, a mass.]
Slung,pa.t.andpa.p.ofsling.—n.Slung′-shot, a weight attached to a cord, used as a weapon.
Slunk,pa.t.andpa.p.ofslink.—adj.Slunk′en(prov.), shrivelled.
Slur, slur,v.t.to soil; to contaminate: to disgrace: to pass over lightly: to conceal: (mus.) to sing or play in a gliding manner.—v.i.(print.) to slip in making the impression, causing the printing to be blurred:—pr.p.slur′ring;pa.t.andpa.p.slurred.—n.a stain: slight reproach or disparagement: (mus.) a mark showing that notes are to be sung to the same syllable.—p.adj.Slurred(mus.), marked with a slur, performed in a gliding style like notes marked with a slur. [Old Dut.slooren, sleuren, Low Ger.slüren, to drag along the ground.]
Slurry, slur′i,n.any one of several semi-fluid mixtures, esp. of ganister, used to make repairs in converter-linings.
Slush, slush,n.liquid mud: melting snow: a mixture of grease for lubrication: the refuse of the cook's galley in a ship.—v.t.to apply slush to, to grease: to wash by throwing water upon: to fill spaces in masonry with mortar (with up): to coat with a mixture of white-lead and lime the bright parts of machinery.—adj.Slush′y. [Cf.Slosh.]
Slut, slut,n.(fem.ofSloven) a dirty, untidy woman: a wench, a jade: a bitch.—adj.Slut′tish, resembling a slut: dirty: careless.—adv.Slut′tishly.—ns.Slut′tishness,Slut′tery. [Scand., Ice.slöttr, a dull fellow—slota, to droop.]
Sly, slī,adj.dexterous in doing anything so as to be unobserved: cunning: wily: secret: done with artful dexterity: illicit.—n.Sly′boots, a sly or cunning person or animal.—advs.Sly′ly,Slī′ly.—ns.Sly′ness,Slī′ness.—On the sly, slyly, secretly. [Prob. from Ice.slæg-r; cf. Ger.schlau.]
Slype, slīp,n.a. covered passage from the transept of a cathedral to the chapter-house, &c. [Slip.]
Smack, smak,n.taste: flavour: a pleasing taste: a small quantity: a flavour of something.—v.i.to have a taste: to have a quality. [A.S.smæc.]
Smack, smak,n.a generic name for small decked or half-decked coasters and fishing-vessels, most rigged as cutters, sloops, or yawls. [Dut.smak; Ger.schmacke, Ice.snekja.]
Smack, smak,v.t.to strike smartly, to slap loudly: to kiss roughly and noisily.—v.i.to make a sharp noise with, as the lips by separation.—n.a sharp sound: a crack: a hearty kiss.—adv.sharply, straight.—p.adj.Smack′ing, making a sharp, brisk sound, a sharp noise, a smack. [Prob. imit., Dut.smakken, to smite, Ger.schmatzen, to smack.]
Small, smawl,adj.little in quantity or degree: minute: not great: unimportant: ungenerous, petty: of little worth or ability: short: having little strength: gentle: little in quality or quantity.—adv.in a low tone; gently.—ns.Small′-ale, ale with little malt and unhopped;Small′-and-earl′y(coll.) an informal evening-party.—n.pl.Small′-arms, muskets, rifles, pistols, &c., including all weapons that can be actually carried by a man.—n.Small′-beer, a kind of weak beer.—adj.inferior generally.—n.pl.Small′-clothes, knee-breeches, esp. those of the close-fitting 18th-century form.—ns.Small′-coal, coal not in lumps but small pieces;Small′-craft, small vessels generally.—n.pl.Small′-debts, a phrase current in Scotland to denote debts under £12, recoverable in the Sheriff Court.—n.Small′-hand, writing such as is ordinarily used in correspondence.—n.pl.Small′-hours, the hours immediately following midnight.—adj.Small′ish, somewhat small.—ns.Small′ness;Small′-pī′ca(seePica);Small′pox, orVariola, a contagious, febrile disease, of the class known asExanthemata, characterised by small pocks or eruptions on the skin;Smalls, the 'little-go' or previous examination: small-clothes;Small′-talk, light or trifling conversation.—n.pl.Small′-wares(seeWare).—In a small way, with little capital or stock: unostentatiously. [A.S.smæl; Ger.schmal.]
Smallage, smawl′āj,n.celery. [Small, Fr.ache—L.apium, parsley.]
Smalt, smawlt,n.glass melted, tinged blue by cobalt, and pulverised when cold.—n.Smal′tine, an arsenide of cobalt, often containing nickel and iron. [Low L.smaltum—Old High Ger.smalzjan(Ger.schmelzen), to melt.]
Smaragdine, sma-rag′din,adj.of an emerald green.—n.Smarag′dite, a peculiar variety of Amphibole, light grass-green in colour, with a foliated, lamellar or fibrous structure—occurring as a constituent of the rock calledEklogite. [L.smaragdinus—smaragdus—Gr.smaragdos, the emerald.]
Smart, smärt,n.quick, stinging pain of body or mind: smart-money: a dandy.—v.i.to feel a smart: to be punished.—adj.causing a smart: severe: sharp: vigorous, brisk: acute, witty, pert, vivacious: well-dressed, fine, fashionable: keen in business: creditable, up-to-the-mark.—v.t.Smart′en, to make smart, to brighten (withup).—adv.Smart′ly.—ns.Smart′-mon′ey, money paid by a recruit for his release before being sworn in: money paid for escape from any unpleasant situation or engagement: excessive damages: money allowed to soldiers and sailors for wounds;Smart′ness;Smart′-tick′et, a certificate granted to one entitled to smart-money;Smart′-weed, a name given to some of the Milkworts from their acrid properties, esp.Polygonum Hydropiper, or Waterpepper;Smart′y, a would-be smart fellow. [A.S.smeortan; Dut.smarten, Ger.schmerzen.]
Smash, smash,v.t.to break in pieces violently: to crush: to dash violently.—v.i.to act with crushing force: to be broken to pieces: to be ruined, to fail: to dash violently.—n.act of smashing, destruction, ruin, bankruptcy.—ns.Smash′er, one who smashes: (slang) one who passes bad money, bad money itself: anything great or extraordinary;Smash′ing.—adj.crushing: dashing.—n.Smash′-up, a serious smash. [Prob. Sw. dial.smaske, to smack.]
Smatch, smach,n.(Shak.) taste or tincture.—v.t.andv.i.to have a taste. [Smack.]
Smatter, smat′ėr,v.i.to talk superficially: to have a superficial knowledge.—ns.Smatt′erer;Smatt′ering, a superficial knowledge.—adv.Smatt′eringly, in a smattering manner. [M. E.smateren, to rattle, to chatter—Sw.smattra, to clatter; Ger.schnattern.]
Smear, smēr,v.t.to overspread with anything sticky or oily, as grease: to daub.—n.Smear′iness.—adj.Smear′y, sticky: showing smears. [A.S.smeru, fat, grease; Ger.schmeer, grease, Ice.smjör, butter.]
Smectite, smek′tīt,n.a greenish clay. [Gr.smēktis—smēchein, to rub.]
Smectymnuus, smek-tim′nū-us,n.a name compounded of the initials of the five Puritan divines—Stephen Marshall, Edmund Calamy, Thomas Young, Matthew Newcomen, and William Spurstow, joint authors ofAn Answer(1641) to Bishop Hall'sHumble Remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament(1641) in defence of the liturgy and episcopal government.
Smeddum, smed′um,n.fine powder: sagacity, spirit, mettle: ore small enough to go through the sieve. [A.S.smedema, fine flour.]
Smee, smē,n.the pochard: widgeon: pintail-duck.—AlsoSmeath.
Smegma, smeg′ma,n.a sebaceous secretion, esp. that under the prepuce: an unguent.—adj.Smegmat′ic. [Gr.smēgma.]
Smell, smel,v.i.to affect the nose: to have odour: to use the sense of smell.—v.t.to perceive by the nose:—pa.t.andpa.p.smelled or smelt.—n.the quality of bodies which affects the nose: odour: perfume: the sense which perceives this quality.—ns.Smell′er;Smell′-feast, a greedy fellow;Smell′ing, the sense by which smells are perceived;Smell′ing-bott′le, a bottle containing smelling-salts, or the like;Smell′ing-salts, a preparation of ammonium carbonate with lavender, &c., used as a stimulant in faintness, &c.;Smell′-trap, a drain-trap.—adj.Smell′y, having a bad smell.—Smell a rat(seeRat);Smell out, to find out by prying. [Allied to Low Ger.smelen, Dut.smeulen, to smoulder.]
Smelt, smelt,n.a fish of the salmon or trout family, having a cucumber-like smell and a delicious flavour. [A.S.smelt.]
Smelt, smelt,v.t.to melt ore in order to separate the metal.—ns.Smel′ter;Smel′tery, a place for smelting;Smel′ting;Smel′ting-fur′nace,-house,-works. [Scand., Sw.smälta, to smelt.]
Smerky, smėrk′i,adj.(Spens.) neat. [Smirk.]
Smew, smū,n.a bird of the familyAnatidæ, in the same genus as the goosander and mergansers.
Smicker, smik′ėr,v.i.(obs.) to look amorously.—n.Smick′ering, an inclination for a woman.—adv.Smick′ly, amorously.
Smicket, smik′et,n.a smock.
Smiddy, smid′i,n.a smithy.
Smidgen, smij′en,n.(U.S.) a small quantity, a trifle.
Smift, smift,n.a piece of touchwood, &c., formerly used to ignite the train in blasting.—AlsoSnuff.
Smight, smīt,v.t.(Spens.) to smite.
Smilax, smī′laks,n.a genus of liliaceous plants, type of the tribeSmilaceæ—the roots of several species yield sarsaparilla.
Smile, smīl,v.i.to express pleasure by the countenance: to express slight contempt: to look joyous: to be favourable.—n.act of smiling: the expression of the features in smiling: favour: (slang) a drink, a treat.—ns.Smī′ler, one who smiles;Smī′let(Shak.), a little smile.—adj.Smī′ling, wearing a smile, joyous.—adv.Smī′lingly, in a smiling manner: with a smile or look of pleasure.—n.Smī′lingness, the state of being smiling. [Scand., Sw.smila, to smile.]
Smirch, smirch,v.t.to besmear, dirty: to degrade in fame, dignity, &c.—n.a stain. [A weakened form ofsmer-k, from M. E.smeren, to smear.]
Smirk, smėrk,v.i.to smile affectedly: to look affectedly soft.—n.an affected smile.—adjs.Smirk(obs.),Smirk′y, smart. [A.S.smercian; akin to smile.]
Smit, smit, obsoletepa.t.andpa.p.ofsmite.
Smit, smit,v.t.(prov.) to infect.—n.a stain: infection.—v.t.Smit′tle, to infect.—adj.infectious.—n.infection. [A.S.smittian, to spot,smitta, a spot, an intens. ofsmítan, to smite.]
Smitch, smich,n.a particle: dust.—n.(dim.)Smitch′el.
Smite, smīt,v.t.to strike with the fist, hand, or weapon: to beat: to kill: to overthrow in battle: to affect with feeling: (B.) to blast: to afflict.—v.i.to strike:—pa.t.smōte;pa.p.smitt′en.—n.Smī′ter.—Smite off, to cut off;Smite out, to knock out;Smite with the tongue(B.), to reproach, to revile. [A.S.smítan; Dut.smijten, Ger.schmeissen.]
Smith, smith,n.one who forges with the hammer: a worker in metals: one who makes anything.—ns.Smith′ery, the workshop of a smith: work done by a smith—alsoSmith′ing;Smith′y, the workshop of a smith;Smith′y-coal, a kind of small coal much used by smiths. [A.S.smith; Ger.schmied.]
Smithereens, smith-ėr-ēnz′,n.pl.(coll.) small fragments.
Smithsonian, smith-sō′ni-an,adj.pertaining to James MacieSmithson(1765—1829), founder of a great institution at Washington for ethnological and scientific investigations, organised by Congress in 1846.
Smitten, smit′n,pa.p.ofsmite.
Smock, smok,n.a woman's shift: a smock-frock.—v.t.to clothe in a smock or smock-frock.—adj.Smock′-faced, pale-faced.—ns.Smock′-frock, an outer garment of coarse white linen worn over the other clothes in the south of England;Smock′-race, a race for the prize of a smock. [A.S.smoc, perh. from A.S.smeógan, to creep into.]
Smoke, smōk,n.the vapour from a burning body—a common term for the volatile products of the imperfect combustion of such organic substances as wood or coal.—v.i.to emit smoke: to smoke out instead of upward, owing to imperfect draught: to draw in and puff out the smoke of tobacco: to raise smoke by moving rapidly: to burn, to rage: to suffer, as from punishment.—v.t.to apply smoke to: to dry, scent, or medicate by smoke: to inhale the smoke of: to use in smoking: to try to expel by smoking: to scent out, discover: to quiz, ridicule: to thrash.—ns.Smoke′-black, lampblack;Smoke′-board, a board suspended before the upper part of a fireplace to prevent the smoke coming out into the room;Smoke′-box, part of a steam-boiler where the smoke is collected before passing out at the chimney;Smoke′-consū′mer, an apparatus for burning all the smoke from a fire.—adj.Smoke′-dried.—v.t.Smoke′-dry, to cure or dry by means of smoke.—ns.Smoke′-house, a building where meat or fish is cured by smoking, or where smoked meats are stored;Smoke′-jack, a contrivance for turning a jack by means of a wheel turned by the current of air ascending a chimney.—adj.Smoke′less, destitute of smoke.—adv.Smokel′essly.—ns.Smoke′lessness;Smō′ker, one who smokes tobacco: a smoking-carriage: one who smoke-dries meat: an evening entertainment at which smoking is permitted;Smoke′-sail, a small sail hoisted between the galley-funnel and the foremast when a vessel rides head to the wind;Smoke′-shade, a scale of tints ranging from 0 to 10, for comparison of different varieties of coal, according to the amount of unburnt carbon in their smoke;Smoke′-stack, an upright pipe through which the combustion-gases from a steam-boiler pass into the open air.—adj.Smoke′-tight, impervious to smoke.—ns.Smoke′-tree, an ornamental shrub of the cashew family, with long light feathery or cloud-like fruit-stalks;Smoke′-wash′er, an apparatus for removing soot and particles of unburnt carbon from smoke by making it pass through water;Smoke′-wood, the virgin's bower (Clematis Vitalba), whose porous stems are smoked by boys.—adv.Smō′kily.—ns.Smō′kiness;Smō′king, the act of emitting smoke: the act or habit of drawing into the mouth and emitting the fumes of tobacco by means of a pipe or cigar—a habit of great sedative value: a bantering;Smō′king-cap,-jack′et, a light ornamental cap or jacket often worn by smokers;Smō′king-carr′iage,-room, a railway-carriage,-room,supposed to be set apart for smokers.—adj.Smō′ky, giving out smoke: like smoke: filled, or subject to be filled, with smoke: tarnished or noisome with smoke: (obs.) suspicious.—On a smoke(B.), smoking, or on fire. [A.S.smocian,smoca; Ger.schmauch.]
Smolder=Smoulder(q.v.).
Smolt, smōlt,n.a name given to young river salmon when they are bluish along the upper half of the body and silvery along the sides. [Smelt.]
Smooth, smōōth,adj.having an even surface: not tough: evenly spread: glossy: gently flowing: easy: regular: unobstructed: bland: mild, calm.—v.t.to make smooth: to palliate: to soften: to calm: to ease: (Shak.) to exonerate.—v.i.to repeat flattering words.—n.(B.) the smooth part.—adj.Smooth′-bore, not rifled.—n.a gun with smooth-bored barrel.—adjs.Smooth′-browed, with unwrinkled brow;Smooth′-chinned, having a smooth chin: beardless;Smooth′-dit′tied, sweetly sung, with a flowing melody.—v.tSmooth′en, to make smooth.—n.Smooth′er, one who, or that which, smooths: in glass-cutting, an abrading-wheel for polishing the aces of the grooves cut by another wheel: (obs.) a flatterer.—adj.Smooth′-faced, having a smooth air, mild-looking.—ns.Smooth′ing-ī′ron, an instrument of iron for smoothing clothes;Smooth′ing-plane, a small fine plane used for finishing.—adv.Smooth′ly.—n.Smooth′ness.—adjs.Smooth′-paced, having a regular easy pace;Smooth′-shod, having shoes without spikes;Smooth′-spō′ken, speaking pleasantly: plausible: flattering;Smooth′-tongued, having a smooth tongue: flattering. [A.S.smóthe, usuallysméthe; Ger.ge-schmeidig, soft.]
Smore, smōr, a Scotch form ofsmother.
Smote, smōt,pa.t.andpa.p.ofsmite.
Smother, smuth′ėr,v.t.to suffocate by excluding the air: to conceal.—v.i.to be suffocated or suppressed: to smoulder.—n.smoke: thick floating dust: state of being smothered: confusion.—ns.Smotherā′tion, suffocation: a sailor's dish of meat buried in potatoes;Smoth′eriness.—adv.Smoth′eringly.—adj.Smoth′ery, tending to smother: stifling. [M. E.smorther—A.S.smorian, to smother; cf. Ger.schmoren, to stew.]
Smouch, smowch,n.a smack, a hearty kiss.—v.t.to kiss, to buss.
Smouch, smowch,v.t.to take advantage of, to chouse.
Smouched, smowcht,adj.blotted, dirtied, smutched.
Smoulder, smōl′dėr,v.i.to burn slowly or without vent.—adjs.Smoul′dring,Smoul′dry. [M. E.smolderen—smolder=smor-ther, stifling smoke; cf.Smother.]
Smouse,Smous, smows,n.a peddler, a German Jew.
Smout, smowt,n.(slang) a printer who gets chance jobs in various offices.—v.i.to do occasional work.
Smudge, smuj,n.a spot, a stain: a choking smoke—v.t.to stifle: to fumigate with smoke.—n.Smud′ger, one who smudges: a plumber.—adj.Smud′gy, stained with smoke. [Scand., Sw.smuts, dirt, Dan.smuds, smut; Ger.schmutz.]
Smug, smug,adj.neat, prim, spruce: affectedly smart: well satisfied with one's self.—n.a self-satisfied person.—adj.Smug′-faced, prim or precise-looking.—adv.Smug′ly.—n.Smug′ness. [Dan.smuk, handsome; cf. Ger.schmuck, fine.]
Smug, smug,v.t.to seize without ceremony, to confiscate: (slang) to hush up.
Smuggle, smug′l,v.t.to import or export without paying the legal duty: to convey secretly.—ns.Smugg′ler, one who smuggles: a vessel used in smuggling;Smugg′ling, defrauding the government of revenue by the evasion of custom-duties or excise-taxes. [Low Ger.smuggeln, cog. with Ger.schmuggeln; Dut.smuigen, to eat secretly.]
Smuggle, smug′l,v.t.to fondle, cuddle.
Smur, smur,n.(Scot.) fine misty rain.—v.i.to drizzle.—adj.Smur′ry.
Smut, smut,n.a spot of dirt, soot, &c.: foul matter, as soot:Bunt, sometimes alsoDust-brand, the popular name of certain small fungi which infest flowering land-plants, esp. the grasses, the name derived from the appearance of the spores, which are nearly black and very numerous: obscene language.—v.t.to soil with smut: to blacken or tarnish.—v.i.to gather smut: to be turned into smut:—pr.p.smut′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.smut′ted.—n.Smut′-ball, a fungus of genusTilletia: a puff-ball.—adj.Smut′tied, made smutty.—adv.Smut′tily.—n.Smut′tiness.—adj.Smut′ty, stained with smut: affected with smut or mildew: obscene, filthy. [Scand., Sw.smuts; Ger.schmutz, prob. from root ofsmite.]
Smutch, smuch,v.t.to blacken, as with soot.—n.a dirty mark. [A form ofsmut.]
Smyrniot,-e, smėr′niot, -ōt,n.a native or inhabitant, ofSmyrna.—adj.of or pertaining to Smyrna.
Smyterie,Smytrie, smit′ri,n.(Scot.) a large number of individuals of small size.
Snabble, snab′l,v.t.(prov.) to plunder: to kill.—v.i.to gobble up.
Snabby, snab′i,n.(Scot.) the chaffinch.
Snack, snak,n.a share: a slight, hasty meal.—v.t.to snatch, to bite: to share. [A form ofsnatch.]
Snaffle, snaf′l,n.a bridle which crosses the nose and has a slender mouth-bit without branches.—v.t.to bridle: to clutch by the bridle.—ns.Snaff′le-bit, a kind of slender bit;Snaff′ling-lay, the trade of highwayman. [Dut.snavel, the muzzle; cf.Snap.]
Snag, snag,n.a sharp protuberance: a short branch: a projecting tooth or stump: a tree lying in the water so as to impede navigation—hence any stumbling-block or obstacle.—v.t.to catch on a snag: to entangle: to fill with snags, or to clear from such.—n.Snag′boat, a steamboat with appliances for removing snags.—adjs.Snag′ged,Snag′gy, full of snags. [Akin to Gael. and Ir.snaigh, to cut.]
Snag, snag,v.t.to lop superfluous branches from a tree.—n.Snag′ger, the tool for this.
Snail, snāl,n.a term for the species of terrestrialGasteropodawhich have well-formed spiral shells—the more typical snails belonging to the genusHelix, of the familyHelicidæ, having the shell of many whorls, globose, depressed, or conical.—ns.Snail′-clov′er,-trē′foil, a species of medic;Snail′-fish, a fish of genusLiparis, sticking to rocks;Snail′-flow′er, a twining bean.—adjs.Snail′-like(Shak.), in the manner of a snail, slowly;Snail′-paced(Shak.), as slow-moving as a snail;Snail′-slow, as slow as a snail.—n.Snail′-wheel, in some striking time-pieces, a rotating piece with a spiral periphery having notches so arranged as to determine the number of strokes made on the bell.—Snail's pace, a very slow pace. [A.S.snegl,snægl; Ger.schnecke.]
Snake, snāk,n.a serpent—Snakes(Ophidia) form one of the classes of reptiles, in shape limbless and much elongated, embracing tree-snakes, the water-snakes, and the very venomous sea-snakes (Hydrophidæ), the burrowing-snakes (Typhlopidæ) and the majority, which may be called ground-snakes.—ns.Snake′-bird, a darter: the wryneck;Snake′-eel, a long Mediterranean eel, its tail without a tail-fin.—adj.Snake′-like(Tenn.), like a snake.—ns.Snake′-root, the popular name of various plants of different genera, whose roots are considered good for snake-bites;Snake's′-head, the guinea-hen flower;Snake′-stone, a small rounded piece of stone or other hard substance, popularly believed to be efficacious in curing snake-bites;Snake′-weed, the bistort;Snake′wood(same asLetter-wood).—adjs.Snak′ish, having the qualities of a snake: cunning, deceitful;Snak′y(Spens.), belonging to, or resembling, a serpent: (Milt.) cunning, deceitful: covered with, or having, serpents. [A.S.snaca, prob. fromsnícan, to creep; Ice.snák-r.]
Snap, snap,v.t.to break short or at once: to bite, or catch at suddenly: to crack: to interrupt sharply (often withup): to shut with a sharp sound: to take an instantaneous photograph of, esp. with a hand camera.—v.i.to break short: to try to bite: to utter sharp words (with at): to flash:—pr.p.snap′ping;pa.t.andpa.p.snapped.—n.act of snapping, or the noise made by it: a small catch or lock: a hasty repast, a snack: a crack, the spring-catch of a bracelet, &c., an earring: a crisp kind of gingerbread nut or cake: crispness, pithiness, epigrammatic point or force: vigour, energy: (slang) a brief theatrical engagement, an easy and profitable place or task: a sharper, a cheat: a riveter's tool, also a glass-moulder's tool: the act of taking a snapshot.—adj.sudden, unpremeditated, without preparation.—ns.Snap′dragon, a plant, so called because the lower lip of the corolla when parted shuts with a snap like a dragon's jaw: a Christmas pastime in which raisins are snatched out of a dish in which brandy is burning, in a room otherwise dark—also the raisins so taken;Snap′per;Snap′per-up(Shak.), one who snaps up;Snap′ping-tur′tle, a large fresh-water tortoise of the United States—from its habit of snapping at things.—adjs.Snap′pish,Snap′py, inclined to snap: eager to bite: sharp in reply.—adv.Snap′pishly, in a snappish manner: peevishly: tartly.—ns.Snap′pishness;Snap′shot, an instantaneous photograph. [Dut.snappen, to snap; Ger.schnappen.]
Snaphance, snaf′ans,n.a term originally applied to the spring-lock of a gun or pistol, but afterwards applied to the gun itself, a Dutch firelock of the 17th century: a snappish retort.—AlsoSnaph′aunce. [Dut.snaphaan—snappen, to snap,haan, a cock.]
Snar, snär,v.i.(Spens.) to snarl.
Snare, snār,n.a running noose of string or wire, &c., for catching an animal: a trap: that by which any one is entrapped: a cord, esp. that stretched across the lower head of a drum: a surgical instrument for removing tumours, &c., by an ever-tightening loop.—v.t.same asEnsnare(q.v.).—v.i.to use snares.—n.Snār′er.—adj.Snār′y. [A.S.snear; Dut.snaar.]
Snarl, snärl,v.i.to growl, as a surly dog: to speak in a surly manner.—v.t.to utter snarlingly.—n.a growl, a jealous quarrelsome utterance.—n.Snar′ler.—adjs.Snar′ling, growling, snappish;Snar′ly. [Prob. imit.; Low Ger.snarren, Ger.schnarren; conn. with Eng.snore.]
Snarl, snärl,v.t.to twist, entangle, confuse.—v.i.to become entangled.—n.a knot or any kind of complication: a squabble.—adj.Snarled, twisted.—ns.Snar′ling-ī′ron,-tool, a curved tool for snarling or fluting hollow metal-ware, &c.
Snash, shash,n.(Scot.) insolence, abusive language.—v.i.to talk impudently.