Spritsail.
Sprit, sprit,n.(naut.) a spar set diagonally to extend a fore-and-aft sail. [A.S.spreót, a pole; Dut. and Ger.spriet, a bowsprit; conn. withsprout.]
Sprite, sprīt,n.a spirit: a shade: a ghost: (obs.) frame of mind, disposition.—AlsoSpright. [A doublet ofspirit.]
Spriteful,Spritely, &c. Same asSprightful, &c.
Sprocket, sprok′et,n.a projection on the periphery of a wheel or capstan for engaging the chain.
Sprod, sprod,n.(prov.) a second-year salmon.
Sprong, sprong (Spens.),pa.t.ofspring.
Sprout, sprowt,n.a germ or young shoot: (pl.) young shoots from old cabbages.—v.i.to shoot: to push out new shoots.—adj.Sprout′ed, budded.—Brussels sprouts(seeBrussels). [According to Skeat, not from A.S.spreótan, norsprýtan, but from Old Friesicspruta, to sprout, Low Ger.spruten, Dut.spruiten, Ger.spriessen.]
Spruce, sprōōs,adj.smart: neat, dapper: over-fastidious, finical.—n.Prussian leather.—v.t.to smarten.—v.i.to become spruce or smart.—n.Spruce′-fir, or merelySpruce, any tree of the genusPiceaof the pine family (Coniferæ), or the wood of such a tree.—adv.Spruce′ly.—n.Spruce′ness.—v.t.Spru′cify, to smarten. [O. Fr.Pruce—Late L.Prussia, Ger.Preussen.]
Spruce-beer, sprōōs′-bēr,n.beer flavoured with a decoction of the young shoots of the spruce-fir. [Ger.sprossen-bier,sprossen, young shoots, Englished asPruce-beer, i.e. Prussian beer.]
Sprue, sprōō,n.in casting, one of the passages leading to the mould, also the metal which solidifies in it—deadhead.—n.Sprue′-hole, ingate or pouring-hole in a mould.
Sprug, sprug,v.t.andv.i.(prov.) to smarten, to dress neatly.
Sprug, sprug,n.(prov.) a sparrow.
Spruit, sprōō′it,n.a small head-stream, a stream flowing through a village, dry in summer. [S. Afr. Dut.]
Sprung,pa.t.andpa.p.ofspring.—adj.(coll.) tipsy, tight.
Sprunny, sprun′i,adj.(prov.) neat.—n.a sweetheart.
Sprunt, sprunt,v.i.to spring up: sprout, germinate.—n.a steep bit in a road: a rebellious curl, &c.—adv.Sprunt′ly, gaily, bravely.—Sprunt up, to bristle up.
Spry, sprī,adj.vigorous, lively, gay, pert. [Scand.; Sw. prov.sprygg, very active.]
Spud, spud,n.a small narrow spade with a short handle: any short thick thing, a baby's hand, a potato, &c.—adj.Spud′dy, short and fat. [Prob. Scand., Dan.spyd, a spear.]
Spue. Same asSpew.
Spulzie,Spuilzie, spül′yē,n.(Scot.) spoil.—AlsoSpul′ye,Spul′yie. [Spoil.]
Spume, spūm,n.scum or froth thrown up by liquid: foam.—v.i.to throw up scum: to foam.—adj.Spū′mēous, frothy.—n.Spūmes′cence, frothiness.—adjs.Spūmes′cent, foaming;Spūmif′erous, producing foam.—n.Spū′miness, the quality of being spumy or frothy.—adjs.Spū′mous,Spū′my, consisting of froth: frothy: foamy. [L.spuma—spuĕreto spew.]
Spun,pa.t.andpa.p.of spin.—adj.Spun′-out, unduly lengthened.—n.Spun′-yarn, rope-yarn twisted into a cord.
Spunge, spunj, v. andn.a form ofsponge.
Spunk, spungk,n.touchwood, tinder, a fungus from which tinder is made, punk, amadou: (Scot.) a small fire, a fiery spark, a lucifer-match: mettle, spirit, pluck.—v.i.to take fire, flame up.—adj.Spunk′y, spirited: fiery-tempered. [Cf. Ir.sponc, tinder, sponge—L.spongia, a sponge—Gr.sponggia.]
Spur, spur,n.an instrument on a horseman's heels, with sharp points for goading the horse: that which goads or instigates: something projecting: the hard projection on a cock's leg: a small range of mountains extending laterally from a larger range.—v.t.to urge on with spurs: to urge onward: to impel: to put spurs on.—v.i.to press forward: to travel in great haste:—pr.p.spur′ring;pa.t.andpa.p.spurred.—v.t.Spur′-gall(Shak.), to gall or wound with a spur.—ns.Spur′-gear,-gear′ing, gearing in which spur-wheels are used.—adj.Spur′-heeled, having a long straight hind-claw.—n.Spur′-leath′er, the strap by which the spur is fastened to the foot.—p.adj.Spurred, wearing spurs: having shoots like spurs: affected with ergot, as rye.—ns.Spur′rer, one who, or that which, spurs;Spur′rier, one who makes spurs;Spur′-roy′al, an ancient English coin, worth fifteen shillings, so called from having a star on one side resembling the rowel of a spur;Spur′-way, a bridle-road;Spur′-whang=Spur-leather;Spur′-wheel(mech.), a wheel with the cogs on the face of the edge like a spur.—adj.Spur′-winged, with a horny spur on the pinion, as with the plovers, &c. [A.S.spora; Ice.spori, Ger.sporn.]
Spurge, spurj,n.a genus of plants of the natural orderEuphorbiaceæ, all the species containing a resinous milky juice mostly very acrid.—n.Spurge′-lau′rel, a European evergreen shrub, with yellowish-green flowers, thick leaves, and poisonous berries. [O. Fr.espurge(Fr.épurge)—L.expurgāre, to purge—ex, off,purgāre, to clear.]
Spuriæ, spū′ri-ē,n.pl.the bastard quills forming the alula in birds.
Spurious, spūr′i-us,adj.illegitimate: bastard: not genuine: false: resembling an organ, but without its function, or having the functions of an organ while morphologically different.—adv.Spūr′iously.—n.Spūr′iousness. [L.spurius, false.]
Spurling=Sparling(q.v.).
Spurn, spurn,v.t.to drive away as with the foot: to kick: to reject with disdain.—n.disdainful rejection.—n.Spurn′er, one who spurns. [A.S.speornan; cog. withspur.]
Spurne, spurn,v.t.(Spens.) to spur.
Spurry, spur′i,n.a plant of the genusSpergula. [O. Fr.sporrie, of Teut. origin; cf. Ger.spörgel.]
Spurt, spurt,v.t.to spout, or send out in a sudden stream, as water.—v.i.to gush out suddenly in a small stream: to flow out forcibly or at intervals.—n.a sudden or violent gush of a liquid from an opening: a jet: a sudden short effort, a special exertion of one's self for a short time, in running, rowing, &c. [Formerlyspirt—Ice.sprettr, a spurt—spretta, to start, to sprout.]
Spurtle, spur′tl,n.(Scot.) a short stick for stirring porridge, broth, &c.—n.Spur′tle-blade, a sword.
Sputter, sput′ėr,v.i.to spit in small drops, as in rapid speaking: to throw out moisture in scattered drops: to speak rapidly and indistinctly, to jabber.—v.t.to throw out with haste and noise: to utter hastily and indistinctly.—n.moist matter thrown out in particles.—n.Sputt′erer, one who sputters. [The freq. ofspout(q.v.).]
Sputum, spū′tum,n.spittle, the matter expectorated:—pl.Spū′ta. [L.,—spuĕre, to spit.]
Spy, spī,n.one sent into an enemy's country or camp to find out their strength, &c.: one who keeps a watch on others: one who secretly conveys information.—v.t.to see: to discover, generally at a distance: to discover by close search: to inspect secretly:—pa.t.andpa.p.spied.—ns.Spy′al=Spial;Spy′-craft,Spy′ism, the art or practice of spying;Spy′glass, a small hand-telescope;Spy′-hole, a peep-hole;Spy′-mon′ey, money paid for secret intelligence. [O. Fr.espier—Old High Ger.spehōn; L.specĕre.]
Spyre, spīr,v.i.(Spens.) to shoot forth. [L.spirāre, to sprout.]
Squab, skwob,adj.fat, clumsy: curt, abrupt: unfledged, newly hatched: shy, coy.—n.a young pigeon, the young of other animals before the hair or feathers are grown: a short stumpy person: a thickly-stuffed cushion, a sofa padded throughout, an ottoman.—v.t.to stuff thickly and sew through, the stitches being concealed by buttons, &c.—v.i.to fall heavily.—adv.flat: heavily, as a fall.—adjs.Squab′bish, thick, heavy;Squab′by, squat.—ns.Squab′-chick, a fledgling;Squab′-pie, a pie made of strips of mutton, onions, and slices of apple. [Prob. Scand.; cf. Sw. dial.sqvapp, a word imitative of a splash,sqvabb, loose flesh,sqvabbig, flabby.]
Squabash, skwa-bash′,v.t.to crush, smash.
Squabble, skwob′l,v.i.to dispute in a noisy manner: to wrangle.—n.a noisy, petty quarrel: a brawl.—n.Squabb′ler. [Scand., Sw. dial.skvabbel, a dispute.]
Squacco, skwak′ō,n.a small crested African heron.
Squad, skwod,n.a small body of men assembled for drill, any small group or company of men.—n.Squad′ron, a body of cavalry, consisting of two troops, or 120 to 200 men: a body of soldiers drawn up in a square: any regularly ranked body, or a group: section of a fleet, commanded by a flag-officer.—p.adj.Squad′roned, formed into squadrons.—Awkward squad, a body of recruits not yet competent in drill, &c. [O. Fr.esquadre—It.squadra, and L.exquadrāre, to make square.]
Squaddy, skwad′i,adj.squabby.
Squail, skwāl,n.a disc or counter used in the game of squails: (pl.) a parlour-game in which small discs are snapped from the edge of the table to a centre mark called theprocess: the game of ninepins.—v.i.to throw a stick, &c., at any object.—v.t.to pelt with sticks, &c.—n.Squail′er, a throwing-stick. [A variant ofkail.]
Squalid, skwol′id,adj.filthy, foul.—n.Squalid′ity, the state of being squalid: filthiness.—adv.Squal′idly.—ns.Squal′idness;Squal′or, state of being squalid: dirtiness: filthiness. [L.squalidus—squalēre, to be stiff; akin to Gr.skellein, to dry.]
Squall, skwawl,v.i.to cry out violently.—n.a loud cry or scream: a violent gust of wind.—n.Squall′er.—adj.Squall′y, abounding or disturbed with squalls or gusts of wind: gusty, blustering: threatening a squall.—White squall, a tropical whirlwind, coming on without warning other than a small white cloud. [Scand., Sw.sqvala, to gush out.]
Squally, skwawl′i,adj.irregularly woven: having bare patches, of a field of corn, &c. [Prob. the same asscally. Cf.Scall.]
Squaloid, skwā′loid,adj.resembling aSquā′lusor shark.—n.Squā′lid, one of theSqualidæ, a family of sharks.—adj.Squā′liform, having the form of a shark. [L.squalus, a shark.]
Squama, skwā′ma,n.a scale: the bractea of a deciduous spike, any scaly bracted leaf:—pl.Squā′mæ.—n.pl.Squāmā′ta, a division of reptiles, including lizards and serpents.—adjs.Squā′mate,Squā′mous,Squamā′ceous,Squā′mose, covered with, or consisting of, scales: scaly.—ns.Squāme, a scale or squama;Squāmel′la, a small scale.—adjs.Squāmif′erous,Squāmig′erous, bearing squamæ or scales;Squā′miform,Squā′moid, like a scale.—ns.Squāmō′sal, the squamous portion of the temporal bone;Squam′ula, a very small scale—alsoSquam′ule.—adjs.Squam′ulate,Squam′uliform. [L.squamosus—squama, a scale.]
Squander, skwon′dėr,v.t.to spend lavishly or wastefully: to waste money or powers.—n.Squan′derer.—adv.Squan′deringly, in a squandering manner, by squandering. [Skeat explains as a nasalised form of Lowland Scotchsquatter, to splash water about, prov. Eng.swatter, to throw water about. These are frequentatives from Dan.sqvatte, to splash, spurt, squander; Sw.sqvätta, to squirt,Ice.skvetta, to squirt out water.]
Square, skwār;adj.having four equal sides and angles: forming a right angle: having a straight front or an outline formed by straight lines: exact suitable, fitting: true, that does equal justice, fair, honest: even, leaving no balance, settled, as accounts: directly opposed, complete, unequivocal: solid, full, satisfying.—n.that which is square: a square figure: a four-sided space enclosed by houses: a square body of troops: the length of the side of any figure squared: an instrument for measuring right angles: (arith.) the product of a quantity multiplied by itself: due proportion, order, honesty, equity, fairness.—v.t.to form like a square: to form with four equal sides and angles: (arith.) to multiply by itself: to reduce to any given measure or standard, to adjust, regulate: (naut.) to place at right angles with the mast or keel.—v.i.to suit, fit: to accord or agree: to take an attitude of offence and defence, as a boxer.—adj.Square′-built, of a square build or shape.—adv.Square′ly, in a square form or manner.—ns.Square′-meas′ure,Squarepierced.a system of measures applied to surfaces, of which the unit is the square of the lineal unit;Square′ness.—adj.Square′-pierced(her.), designating a charge perforated with a square opening so as to show the field.—n.Squā′rer, one who, or that which, squares: (Shak.) a fighting, quarrelsome person.—adj.Square′-rigged, having the chief sails square, and extended by yards suspended by the middle at right angles to the masts—opposed toFore-and-aft.—ns.Square′-root, that root which being multiplied into itself produces the given number or quantity;Square′-sail, a four-sided sail extended by yards suspended by the middle at right angles to the mast.—adj.Square′-toed.—n.Square′-toes, an old-fashioned, punctilious person.—adj.Squā′rish.—Square the circle, to determine the area of a circle in square measure.—On the square, honestly. [O. Fr.esquarre(Fr.équerre)—L.ex-quadrāre, to square—quadrus, conn. withquatuor, four.]
Squarrose, skwär′ōs,adj.rough, with projecting or deflexed scales.—adj.Squarr′ulose, diminutively squarrose.
Squarson, skwär′sn,n.one who is both a beneficed clergyman and a squire or land-owner in a parish.—n.Squar′sonage, the residence of such.
Squash, skwosh,v.t.to press into pulp: to crush flat.—v.i.to form a soft mass as from a fall: to make a noise similar to such.—n.a sudden fall or shock of soft bodies: anything soft and easily crushed, anything soft or unripe, as a peascod.—ns.Squash′er;Squash′iness, state of being squashy.—adj.Squash′y, like a squash: muddy. [O. Fr.esquacher(Fr.écacher), to crush—L.ex, out,coactāre, to restrain—cogĕre,coactum, to drive together.]
Squash, skwosh,n.a term loosely used, esp. in the United States, for two or three kinds of gourd, including the pumpkin. [Amer. Ind.asquash(pl. ofasq), green.]
Squat, skwot,v.i.to sit down upon the hams or heels: to cower, as an animal: to settle on new land without title:—pr.p.squat′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.squat′ted.—adj.short and thick, dumpy, clumsy.—ns.Squatoc′racy, the squatters of Australia collectively;Squat′ter, a settler on new land without title: one who leases pasture-land from the government;Squat′tiness.—v.i.Squat′tle(Scot.), to squat down.—adj.Squat′ty, very short and thick. [O. Fr.esquatir, to crush—L.ex-,coactus, pa.p. ofcogĕre, to drive together.]
Squatter, skwot′ėr,v.i.to plunge through water.
Squaw, skwaw,n.an American Indian woman, esp. a wife.—n.Squaw′man, a white man with an Indian wife.
Squeak, skwēk,v.i.to utter a shrill and usually short cry.—n.a sudden, shrill cry.—v.i.Squawk, to utter a harsh cry: (U.S.) to back out in a mean way.—n.a loud squeak.—n.Squeak′er, one who squeaks: a young bird.—adv.Squeak′ingly.—A narrow squeak, a narrow escape. [Imit.; cf. Sw.sqväka, to croak, Ger.quieken, to squeak.]
Squeal, skwēl,v.i.to utter a shrill and prolonged sound: to turn informer.—n.a shrill loud cry.—n.Squeal′er, a young pigeon: an informer. [Scand.; Sw. dial.sqväla, to cry out.]
Squeamish, skwēm′ish,adj.sickish at stomach: easily disgusted or offended: fastidious in taste.—adv.Squeam′ishly.—n.Squeam′ishness. [Scand.; Ice.sveimr, stir; prob. also influenced by qualmish.]
Squeegee, skwē′jē,n.a wooden implement edged with rubber for clearing water away from decks, floors, windows, &c.: a photographer's roller for squeezing the moisture from a print—alsoSquil′gee.—v.t.to smooth down with a squeegee.
Squeeze, skwēz,v.t.to crush or press between two bodies: to embrace closely: to force through a small hole: to cause to pass: to extort, oppress, harass.—v.i.to push between close bodies: to press: to crowd.—n.act of squeezing: pressing between bodies: an impression of an inscription, &c., made by taking a rubbing.—n.Squeezabil′ity.—adj.Squeez′able.—ns.Squeez′er, one who, or that which, squeezes: (pl.) playing-cards having the number of spots marked in the right-hand corner of each;Squeez′ing, the act of exerting pressure.—adj.Squeez′y, suggesting squeezing, small, contracted. [M. E.queisen—A.S.cwísan.]
Squelch, skwelch,n.a heavy blow or a heavy fall.—v.t.to crush down.
Squib, skwib,n.a paper tube filled with combustibles, thrown up into the air burning and bursting: a petty lampoon.—v.t.to aim squibs at: to lampoon.—v.i.to write lampoons: to use squibs: to sound like a squib exploding. [Scand.; Ice.svipa, to flash.]
Squid, skwid,n.a kind of cuttle-fish or calamary: a lure used in trolling for fish.—v.i.to fish with a squid or spoon-bait.
Squiggle, skwig′l,v.i.(U.S.) to squirm, wriggle: (prov.) to rinse out the mouth with a liquid.
Squilgee. SeeSqueegee.
Squill, skwil,n.a genus of bulbous-rooted plants of orderLiliaceæ, with radical leaves, and flowers in terminal racemes or loose corymbs—the officinal Squill is diuretic and expectorant.—adj.Squillit′ic. [Fr.squille—L.squilla,scilla—Gr.skilla.]
Squinch, skwinch,n.a small stone arch, or series of arches, across an interior angle of a square tower to support the sides of an octagonal spire.
Squinny, skwin′i,v.i.(Shak.) to look asquint.
Squint, skwint,adj.looking obliquely: having the vision distorted.—v.i.to look obliquely: to have the vision distorted.—v.t.to cause to squint.—n.act or habit of squinting: an oblique look: distortion of vision: a hagioscope, a narrow aperture cut in the wall of a church (generally about two feet wide) to enable persons standing in the side-chapels, &c., to see the elevation of the host at the high-altar.—n.Squint′-eye, an eye that squints.—adj.Squint′-eyed, looking obliquely: oblique, malignant.—n.Squint′ing, technicallyStrabismus, a common deformity which may be defined as a want of parallelism in the visual axes, when the patient endeavours to direct both eyes to an object at the same time.—adv.Squint′ingly. [Scand.; Sw.svinka, to shrink, a nasalised form ofsvika, to fail.]
Squire, skwīr,n.an esquire, a knight's attendant: a beau or gallant: a country gentleman, an owner of land in England, esp. if of old family: (U.S.) one who has been a justice of the peace, &c.—ns.Squire′age,Squire′archy, landed gentry collectively.—adj.Squire′archal.—ns.Squireen′, a gentleman farmer, one almost a squire;Squire′hood, the state or rank of a squire—alsoSquire′ship.—adjs.Squire′-like,Squire′ly, like or becoming a squire.—ns.Squire′ling, a squire of small possessions;Squireoc′racy, government by the landed classes;Squīr′ess, a squire's wife. [Esquire.]
Squire, skwīr,n.(Shak.) a square. [Square.]
Squirm, skwirm,v.i.to wriggle or writhe, to climb by wriggling up: to escape with any awkward evasion or lie. [A variant ofsquir=whir.]
Squirrel, skwir′el,n.a nimble, reddish-brown, rodent little animal with hairy tail and large eyes, mainly of arboreal habit.—ns.Squirr′el-fish, a holocentroid tropical fish;Squirr′el-tail, any one of several grasses of the genusHordeum, with long hair-like awns: a cap of squirrel-skins, with a tail hanging down behind. [O. Fr.escurel—Low L.scurellus, dim. of L.sciurus—Gr.skiouros—skia, shade,oura, tail.]
Squirt, skwėrt,v.t.to throw out water in a stream from a narrow opening.—n.a small instrument for squirting: a small, quick stream.—n.Squirt′er. [Skeat says therappears to be intrusive; allied to prov. Eng.squitter, to squirt, andsquitter, diarrhœa. From Sw. dial.skvittär, to sprinkle all round, freq. ofskwitta, to squirt, Sw.sqvätta, to squirt; cf. Dan.sqvatte, to splash.]
Squitch, skwich,n.quitch-grass.
Sraddha, srä′da,n.the offering of rice and flowers to the manes of a deceased ancestor. [Sans.]
Stab, stab,v.t.to wound with a pointed weapon: to wound: to injure secretly, or by slander: to roughen a brick wall with a pick so as to hold plaster: to pierce folded sheets, near their back edges, for the passage of thread or wire.—v.i.to give a stab or a mortal wound:—pr.p.stab′bing;pa.t.andpa.p.stabbed.—n.a wound with a pointed weapon: an injury given secretly.—n.Stab′ber, one who stabs.—adv.Stab′bingly. [Gael.stob, a stake.]
Stabat Mater, stā′bat mā′tėr,n.a Latin hymn on the seven dolours of the Virgin, ascribed to Jacopone da Todi, a 13th-cent. Minorite: a musical setting of this sequence. [Its opening words.]
Stable, stā′bl,adj.that stands firm: firmly established: durable: firm in purpose or character: constant, unchangeable.—ns.Stabil′ity, state of being stable: steadiness;Stā′bleness.—adv.Stā′bly. [Fr.,—L.stabilis—stāre, to stand.]
Stable, stā′bl,n.a building for horses and cattle.—v.t.to put or keep in a stable.—v.i.to dwell in a stable.—ns.Stā′ble-boy,-man, a boy, or man, who attends in a stable;Stā′bler, a stable-keeper;Stā′ble-room, room for stabling horses or cattle;Stā′bling, act of putting into a stable: accommodation for horses and cattle. [O. Fr.estable(Fr.étable)—L.stabulum—stāre, to stand.]
Stablish, stab′lish,v.t.old form ofestablish.—n.Stab′lishment=Establishment.
Staccato, stak-kä′to,adj.(mus.) with the notes to be played in an abrupt, disconnected manner—opp. toLegato: marked by abrupt emphasis: giving a clear distinct sound to each note.—adj.Staccatis′simo, as staccato as possible. [It., fromstaccare, fordistaccare, to separate.]
Stachys, stā′kis,n.a genus ofLabiatæ, containing the Hedge-nettle, the Woundwort, and according to some botanists the Common Betony or Wood Betony. [L.,—Gr.stachys, an ear of corn.]
Stack, stak,n.a large pile of bay, corn, wood, &c.: a number of chimneys standing together: a pyramid formed by a number of muskets with fixed bayonets interlocked and the stocks spread widely apart.—v.t.to pile into a stack: to make up cards for cheating.—ns.Stack′-stand, a frame of wood, iron, or stone, supported on short props, for building a stack upon;Stack′yard, a yard for stacks. [Scand.; Ice.stakkr, a stack of hay.]
Stacte, stak′te,n.a Jewish spice, liquid myrrh.
Stactometer, stak-tom′e-tėr,n.a tube with a small hole at the bottom for measuring a liquid in drops.—AlsoStalagmom′eter. [Gr.staktos, dropping,metron, a measure.]
Stadda, stad′a,n.a double-bladed hand-saw for cutting the teeth of combs.
Staddle, stad′l,n.anything that serves for support: a staff or crutch: a stack-stand: a small tree. [A.S.stathol, foundation; Ger.stadel.]
Stade=Stadium(q.v.).
Stadia, stā′di-a,n.a temporary surveying station: an instrument for measuring distances.—n.Stadiom′eter, a self-recording theodolite.
Stadium, stā′di-um,n.a Greek measure of length, 600 podes=582 English feet, the Greek foot being .971 of an English foot:—pl.Stā′dia.
Stadtholder, stad-hōl′dėr,n.a barbarous English form of the DutchStadhouder, 'stead-holder,' of which the Frenchlieu-tenantis a literal translation,Statthalterbeing the corresponding German.
Staff, staf,n.a stick carried for support or defence: a prop: a long piece of wood: pole: a flagstaff: the long handle of an instrument: a stick or ensign of authority: the five lines and spaces on which music is written: a stanza (the previous meanings havepl.StaffsorStaves, stāvz): a body of skilled officers whose duty it is, under orders from the commanding officers of various grades, to arrange the movements and supply of the various bodies which go to make up an army: a similar body of persons in any undertaking, acting under a manager or chief (the last two meanings havepl.Staffs, stafs).—ns.Staff′-captain, the senior grade in the navigating branch in the British navy;Staff′-coll′ege, a college where military officers are trained in the higher branches of professional knowledge, and prepared for holding staff-appointments;Staff′-corps, a body of intelligent officers and men who performed engineering and siege duties, made reconnaissances, &c. during the wars of Wellington; (Indian) a body of British officers serving on the permanent Indian establishment, appointed from it to do duty with native regiments, &c.;Staff′-dū′ty, the occupation of an officer who serves on a staff, having been detached from his regiment;Staff′-notā′tion, musical notation in which a staff is used, as opposed to the tonic-solfa system;Staff′-sur′geon, a navy surgeon of senior grade;Staff′-sys′tem, a block-system in use on single-line railways in which the station-master gives the engine-driver a staff authorising him to proceed over a given portion. [A.S.stæf; Ice.stafr, Ger.stab.]
Stag, stag,n.the male deer, esp. one of the red deer:—fem.Hind: a speculator who applies for shares or stock in new concerns quoted at a premium, hoping to obtain an allotment and secure a profit without holding the stock, one who sells new securities quoted at a premium before allotment.—v.t.to follow, to dog, to shadow.—v.i.to act as a stag on the stock-exchange.—ns.Stag′-bee′tle, a genus of Lamellicorn beetles, nearly allied to the Scarabees, the males with large projecting mandibles;Stag′-dance,-part′y, a dance or party of men only;Stag′hound, a name applied both to the buck-hound and the Scottish deer-hound. [Ice.steggr, a male animal,stiga, to mount.]
Stage, stāj,n.an elevated platform, esp. in a theatre: the theatre: theatrical representations, the theatrical calling: any place of exhibition or performance: a place of rest on a journey or road: distance between places: degree of progress.—v.t.to represent or place for representation on the stage.—ns.Stage′-coach, a coach that runs regularly with passengers from stage to stage;Stage′-craft, skill in putting a play on the stage;Stage′-door, the actors' entrance to a theatre;Stage′-driv′er, one who drives a stage;Stage′-effect′, theatrical effect;Stage′-fē′ver, a passion to go on the stage;Stage′-fright, nervousness before an audience, esp. for the first time;Stage′-man′ager, one who superintends the production of plays, and has general charge of everything behind the curtain;Stage′-play, a play for representation on a stage;Stage′-play′er, a player on the stage;Stā′ger, a stage-horse: one who has had much experience in anything.—adj.Stage′-struck, sorely smitten with stage-fever.—ns.Stage′-wag′on, a wagon for conveying goods and passengers at fixed times;Stage′-whis′per, a loud whisper, as that of an actor meant to be heard by the audience.—adjs.Stā′gey,Stā′gy, suggesting the stage, theatrical.—ns.Stā′giness;Stā′ging, a structure for workmen in building. [O. Fr.estage(Fr.étage), a story of a house, through a L. formstaticus, fromstāre, to stand.]
Stagger, stag′ėr,v.i.to reel from side to side: to begin to give way: to begin to doubt: to hesitate.—v.t.to cause to reel: to cause to doubt or hesitate: to shock.—adv.Stagg′eringly.—n.Stagg′ers, a popular term applied to several diseases of horses.—Grass, orStomach,staggers, an acute indigestion;Mad, orSleepy,staggers, an inflammation of the brain. [Ice.stakra, to push, freq. ofstaka, to push.]
Stagirite,Stagyrite, staj′i-rīt,adj.pertaining toStageirain Macedonia.—n.a native or inhabitant thereof, esp. Aristotle (384-322B.C.).
Stagnant, stag′nant,adj.stagnating: not flowing: motionless: impure from being motionless: not brisk: dull.—n.Stag′nancy, the state of being stagnant.—adv.Stag′nantly.—v.i.Stag′nate, to cease to flow: to become dull or motionless.—n.Stagnā′tion, act of stagnating: state of being stagnant or motionless: dullness. [L.stagnans,-antis, pr.p. ofstagnāre.]
Stahlianism, stäl′i-an-izm,n.the doctrines of Georg ErnstStahl, a German physician (1660-1734), who held that there exists a mysterious force residing in, but independent of, matter, not only forming the body, but directing it in all its functions—alsoStahl′ism.—adj.Stahl′ian.
Staid, stād,adj.steady: sober: grave.—adv.Staid′ly.—n.Staid′ness. [Forstayed—stay.]
Staig, stāg,n.(Scot.) a young horse, a stallion.
Stain, stān,v.t.to tinge or colour: to give a different colour to: to impregnate, as a tissue, with some substance whose reaction colours some parts but not others, thus making form or structure plainly visible: to dye: to mark with guilt or infamy: to bring reproach on: to sully: to tarnish.—v.i.to take or impart a stain.—n.a discoloration: a spot: taint of guilt: cause of reproach: shame.—n.Stain′er, one who stains or blots: a dyer.—adj.Stain′less, without or free from stain.—adv.Stain′lessly.—n.Stain′lessness.—Stained glass, glass painted with certain pigments fused into its surface. [Short fordistain—O. Fr.desteindre—L.dis-, away,tingĕre, to dye.]
Stair, stār,n.a series of steps for ascending to a higher level: one of such steps: a flight of steps, only inpl.: (Spens.) a degree.—ns.Stair′-car′pet, carpet suitable for stairs;Stair′case, a flight of stairs with balusters, &c.;Stair′-rod, one of a number of metallic rods for holding a stair-carpet in its place.—adv.Down′stairs, in the lower part of a house—opp. toUpstairs.—Back-stairs, adjectively for secret, underhand;Below stairs, in a lower story, in the basement. [A.S.stǽager—stígan, to ascend; Ger.steigen, to climb, Ice.stegi, a step.]
Staith,Stathe, stāth,n.(prov.) the extremity of a line of rails laid on a platform, for discharging coals, &c., into vessels. [A.S.stæth,steth, bank.]
Stake, stāk,n.a strong stick pointed at one end: one of the upright pieces of a fence: a post to which an animal is tied, esp. that to which a martyr was tied to be burned: martyrdom: a tinsmith's anvil: anything pledged in a wager: a prize, anything to gain or lose.—v.t.to fasten, or pierce with a stake: to mark the bounds of with stakes (often with off and out): to wager, to hazard.—ns.Stake′-hold′er, the person with whom the stakes in a wager are deposited;Stake′-net, a form of fishing-net hung on stakes.—At stake, hazarded, in danger. [A.S.staca, a stake.]
Stalactite, sta-lak′tīt,n.a deposit of carbonate of lime, hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cavern, formed by the dripping of water.—adjs.Stalac′tic,-al,Stalactit′ic,-al, having the form or properties of a stalactite;Stalac′tiform, like a stalactite. [Gr.stalaktos—stalazein, to drip.]
Stalagmite, sta-lag′mīt,n.a deposit of carbonate of lime, &c., on the floor of a cavern, usually cylindrical or conical in form, caused by the dripping from the roof of water holding some substance in solution; it is the counterpart to aStalactite, and both are often fused together, forming aStalactitic column.—adjs.Stalagmit′ic,-al, having the form of stalagmites.—adv.Stalagmit′ically. [Gr.stalagmos, a dropping—stalazein, to drip.]
Stal'd, stāld,pa.p.(Spens.) stolen, taken. [Steal.]
Stalder, stal′dėr,n.(prov.) a pile of wood: a cask-stand.
Stale, stāl,adj.too long kept: tainted: vapid or tasteless from age, as beer: not new: worn out by age: decayed: no longer fresh, trite: in athletics, over-trained, hence unfit, as in 'gone stale.'—n.anything become stale: urine of cattle, &c.: (Shak.) a whore.—v.t.to render insipid, to make common.—v.i.to make water, as beasts.—adv.Stale′ly.—n.Stale′ness. [Prov. Eng.stale, conn. with Old Dut.stel, old. Skeat makesstalethat which reminds one of the stable, tainted, &c.—Sw.stalla, to put into a stall, also to stale (as cattle)—Sw.stall, a stable.]
Stale, stāl,n.something offered or exhibited as an allurement to draw others to any place or purpose: (Spens.) a decoy, a gull: (Shak.) a dupe, laughing-stock.—n.Stall, a thief's assistant. [A.S.stalu, theft—stelan, to steal.]
Stale, stāl,n.the handle of anything, a stalk. [A.S.stæl,stel, a stalk.]
Stalemate, stāl′māt,n.in chess-playing, the position of the king when he cannot move without being placed in check.—v.t.to put into a condition of stalemate: to bring to a standstill.
Stalk, stawk,n.the stem of a plant: the stem on which a flower or fruit grows: the stem of a quill: the handle of anything, the stem: a tall chimney.—p.adj.Stalked, having a stalk.—adjs.Stalk′-eyed, podophthalmous, as a crustacean;Stalk′less, having no stalk;Stalk′y, hard as a stalk: resembling a stalk. [An extension of A.S.stæl,stel(cf. Ice.stilkr, Dan.stilk); cog. with Ger.stiel, which is allied to, perh. borrowed from, L.stilus, a stake.]
Stalk, stawk,v.i.to walk as on stilts: to walk with long, slow steps: to walk behind a stalking-horse: to pursue game by approaching behind covers.—v.t.to approach secretly in order to kill, as deer.—n.a stately step: the pursuit of game by stealthy approach.—ns.Stalk′er, one who stalks, as a deer-stalker: a kind of fishing-net: (pl.) the Gradatores;Stalk′ing, the act of approaching game warily or behind a cover;Stalk′ing-horse, a horse behind which a sportsman hides while stalking game: a mask or pretence. [A.S.stælcan, to walk cautiously,stealc, high; Dan.stalke, to walk with long steps.]
Stalkoes, staw′kōz,n.pl.walking gentlemen. [Ir.stalcaire, a bully.]