Sesban, ses′ban,n.a shrub of the bean family, with yellow flowers, native to Egypt.—AlsoJyntee. [Fr.,—Ar.seisebān.]
Seseli, ses′el-i,n.a genus of umbelliferous plants, usually perennial, with erect branching stems—including the mountainmeadow-saxifrage. [Gr.]
Sesha, sā′sha,n.the king of the serpents in Hindu mythology, having a thousand heads, the buttresses of the world.
Sesia, sē′shi-a,n.a genus of clear-winged moths. [Gr.sēs,seos, a moth.]
Sesquialteral, ses-kwi-al′te-ral,adj.one and a half more—alsoSesquial′terate,Sesquial′terous.—n.Sesquial′tera(mus.), the interval of a perfect fifth, having the ratio of 2 to 3: a rhythm in which three minims are made equal to a preceding two. [L.sesquialter.]
Sesquiduple, ses-kwi-dū′pl,adj.oftwoand a half times.—adj.Sesquidū′plicate, being in the ratio of 2½ to 1, or 5 to 2.
Sesquipedalian, ses-kwi-pē-dā′li-an,adj.containing a foot and a half: often humorously said of a very long word—alsoSes′quipedal.—ns.Sesquipedā′lianism,Sesquipedal′ity. [L.sesquipedalis—sesqui, one-half more,pes,ped-is, a foot.]
Sesquiplicate, ses-kwip′li-kāt,adj.noting the ratio of a cube to a square.
Sesquitertia, ses-kwi-ter′shi-a,n.(mus.) a perfect fourth, an interval having the ratio of 1 to 1⅓, or 3 to 4.—adjs.Sesquiter′tial,Sesquiter′tian,-al.
Sesquitone, ses′kwi-tōn,n.(mus.) a minor third, an interval equal to a tone and a half.
Sess, ses,n.Same asCess.
Sessa, ses′a,interj.(Shak.) prob. a cry to urge to swiftness in running.
Sessile_Leaves.
Sessile, ses′il,adj.(bot.) growing directly from the stem, without a foot-stalk, as some leaves. [L.sessilis, low—sedēre,sessum, to sit.]
Session, sesh′un,n.the sitting of a court or public body: the time it sits: the period of time between the meeting and prorogation of Parliament: the act of sitting, esp. the enthronement of Christ at the right hand of God the Father: (Scot.) the lowest Presbyterian church court, the kirk-session.—adj.Ses′sional, pertaining or belonging to a session or sessions.—n.Ses′sion-clerk, the official who officially records the transactions of a kirk-session.—Court of Session, the supreme civil court of Scotland. [Fr.,—L.sessio,sessionis—sedēre,sessum, to sit.]
Sesspool. Same asCesspool.
Sestertius, ses-tėr′shi-us,n.a Roman silver coin, a quarter denarius, worth 2½ asses: a brass coin under the Empire, worth 4 asses—alsoSes′terce:—pl.Sester′tii.—n.Sester′tium, a money of account equal to 1000 sestertii. [L., 'two-and-a-half'—semis, half,tertius, third.]
Sestet,Sestette, ses′tet,n.the last six lines of a sonnet forming two stanzas of three lines each: (mus.) same asSextet. [It.sestetto—sesto—L.sextus, sixth.]
Sestina, ses-tē′na,n.an old French form of verse, originally consisting of six stanzas of six unrhymed lines, with a final triplet, the same terminal words being used in each stanza, but arranged differently. Modern sestinas are written on two or three rhymes.—AlsoSes′tine. [It.,—L.sextus, sixth.]
Sestole, ses′tōl,n.(mus.) same asSextuplet(q.v.).—AlsoSes′tolet.
Set, set,v.t.to make to sit: to place: to fix: to put in a condition for use, to make ready, to arrange, prepare, furnish, draw up: to render motionless: to determine beforehand: to obstruct: to plant, place so as to promote growth: to place a brooding fowl on a nest containing eggs: to fix in metal: to put and fix in its proper place, as a broken limb, &c.: to assign, as a price: to sharpen: to spread, as sails: to pitch, as a tune: to adapt music to: to frame, mount, or adorn with something fixed: to stud: to point, as a dog: to accompany part or the whole of the way: (Scot.) to let to a tenant: to compose, put into type: (prov.) to become, as a dress, &c.—v.i.to sink below the horizon: to decline: to become fixed: to congeal: to begin the growth of fruit: to have a certain direction in motion: to acquire a set or bend: to point out game: to apply (one's self):—pr.p.set′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.set.—n.Set′-back, a check to progress: an overflow.—adj.Set-by′(Scot.), proud, reserved.—ns.Set′-down, a rebuke, snubbing;Set′-off, a claim set up against another: a counterbalance: an ornament;Set′-out, preparations: a display of dishes, dress, &c.: a company, clique;Set′-to, a conflict in boxing, argument, &c.;Set′-up, bearing of a person.—adj.hilarious, tipsy.—Set about, to begin;Set abroach, to tap and leave running: to give publicity to;Set against, to oppose;Set agoing, to make begin to move;Set apart, to separate from the rest, to reserve: (B.) to promote;Set aside, to put away, to omit or reject;Set at ease, to quiet, content;Set at naught(seeNaught);Set at work, to put to a task;Set before, to put in front of one;Set by, to put aside: (B.) to value or esteem;Set by the compass, to note the bearing by the compass;Set down, to lay on the ground: to put down in writing: to fix in one's mind: to attribute, charge: to lay down authoritatively: to give a severe rebuke to;Set eyes on, to see, fix one's eyes on;Set forth, to exhibit, display: to praise, recommend: to publish: (B.) to set off to advantage: to set out on a journey;Set forward(B.), to further, promote;Set free, to release, put at liberty;Set in, to put in the way: to begin;Set in order, to adjust or arrange;Set little,much, &c.,by, to regard, esteem little, much, &c.;Set off, to adorn: to place against as an equivalent;Set on(B.), to attack;Set on, or upon, to instigate: to employ: to fix upon: (B.) to attack;Set one's face, to turn one's self resolutely towards;Set one's hand to, to sign;Set one's self, to bend one's energies toward anything;Set one's self against, to discountenance, oppose;Set one's teeth, to set one's teeth together, as in a strong resolution;Set on fire, to apply fire;Set on foot, to set agoing, to start;Set out, to mark off, to assign: (Bacon) to publish, to adorn: to equip, to furnish: to recommend: to prove: to start;Set over, to appoint as ruler over;Set sail(seeSail);Set the fashion, to lead or establish the fashion;Set the teeth on edge(seeEdge);Set to, to affix: to apply one's self;Set up, to erect, to exalt: to begin: to enable to begin: to place in view: (print.) to put in type: to begin a new course: to make pretensions. [A.S.settan; cog. with Ger.setzen, Ice.setja, Goth.satjan;settanis the weak causative ofsittan, to sit.]
Set, set,adj.fixed: firm: determined: regular: established: having reached the full growth: (B.) seated.—n.a number of things similar or suited to each other, set or used together: a group of games played together: the full number of eggs set under a hen: the couples that take part in a square dance, also the movements in a country-dance or quadrille: a number of persons associated: direction, drift, tendency: act of setting: a young plant ready for setting out, a cutting, slip: the appearance of young oysters in a district in any season: a mine or set of mines on lease, a distance set off for excavation, a system of pumps in a mine (alsoSett): a tool for dressing forged iron: any permanent change of shape or bias of mind: fit, way in which a dress hangs: the pattern of a tartan, &c.: bearing, carriage, build.—n.Set′-square, a triangular piece of wood having one of its angles a right angle, used in mechanical drawing.—Set fair, a barometric indication of steady, fair weather;Set piece, a piece of theatrical scenery with a supporting framework, as distinguished from a side-scene or drop-scene;Set speech, a speech carefully premeditated.
Seta, sē′tä,n.a bristle, stiff hair, a prickle.—adj.Sētā′ceous, consisting of bristles: bristle-shaped.—n.Setā′ria, a genus of grasses with flat leaves and tail-like bristly spikes.—adjs.Sētif′erous;Sē′tiform, having the form of a bristle;Sētig′erous(tij′),bearing bristles;Sētip′arous, producing bristles;Sētose′,Sē′tous, bristly. [L.seta, a bristle.]
Seton, sē′tn,n.(surg.) an artificially producedsinusor channel, through which some substance, as a skein of cotton or silk, or a long flat piece of india-rubber or gutta-percha, is passed so as to excite suppuration, and to keep the artificially formed openings patent: also the inserted material. [Fr.séton(It.setone)—Low L.seto—L.seta, a bristle.]
Settee, se-tē′,n.a long seat with a back, esp. a sofa for two. [Prob. a variant ofsettle(3).]
Settee, se-tē′,n.a single-decked Mediterranean vessel with long prow and lateen sails. [Prob. It.saettia.]
Setter, set′ėr,n.one who sets, as music to words: a dog which crouches when it scents the game: one who finds out the victims for thieves.—Setter forth, one who proclaims or promotes anything;Setter off, one who decorates;Setter on, an instigator;Setter out, one who expounds;Setter up, one who establishes.
Setter, set′ėr,v.t.(prov.) to cut an ox's dewlap, and treat with a seton.—ns.Sett′ering, the foregoing process;Sett′er-wort, the fetid hellebore.
Settima, set′ti-ma,n.(mus.) the interval of a seventh—(obs.)Set′timo. [It.,—L.septem.]
Setting, set′ing,n.act of setting: direction of a current of wind: the hardening of plaster: that which holds, as the mounting of a jewel: the mounting of a play, &c., for the stage: act of adapting to music.
Settle, set′l,v.t.to set or place in a fixed state: to fix: to establish in a situation or business: to render quiet, clear, &c.: to decide: to free from uncertainty: to quiet: to compose: to fix by gift or legal act: to adjust: to liquidate or pay: to colonise.—v.i.to become fixed or stationary: to fix one's residence or habits of life (often withdown): to grow calm or clear: to sink by its own weight: to sink to the bottom: to cease from agitation.—adj.Sett′led, fixed, firmly seated or decided: quiet, sober.—ns.Sett′ledness;Sett′lement, act of settling: state of being settled: payment: arrangement: a colony newly settled: a subsidence or sinking of a wall, &c.: a sum newly settled on a woman at her marriage;Sett′ler, one who settles: a colonist;Sett′ling, the act of making a settlement: the act of subsiding: the adjustment of differences: sediment: dregs;Sett′ling-day, a date fixed by the Stock Exchange for the completion of transactions—in consols, once a month; in all other stocks, twice a month, each settlement occupying three days (contango-day,name-day, andpay-day). [A.S.setlan, to fix—setl, a seat.]
Settle, set′l,v.t.to decide, conclude: to fix, appoint: regulate: to pay, balance: to restore to good order.—v.i.to adjust differences or accounts: to meet one's pecuniary obligations fully. [A.S.sahtlian, to reconcile,saht, reconciliation—sacan, to contend. Confused in both form and meaning with the preceding.]
Settle, set′l,n.a long high-backed bench for sitting on: (B.) also, a platform lower than another part.—n.Sett′le-bed, a bed which is folded or shut up so as to form a seat by day. [A.S.setl—sittan, to sit; Ger.sessel.]
Setule, set′ūl,n.a setula or little bristle.—adjs.Set′ūliform,Set′ūlose.
Setwall, set′wawl,n.the common European valerian. [O. Fr.citoual—Low L.zedoaria—Pers.zadwar.]
Setwork, set′wurk,n.in plastering, two-coat work on lath: boat-building in which the strakes are placed edge to edge and secured by inside battens.
Seven, sev′n,adj.andn.six and one.—adj.Sev′en-fold, folded seven times: multiplied seven times.—n.Sev′en-night, seven days and nights: a week, the time from one day of the week to the same again—also contr.Sennight(sen′nīt).—adj.Sev′enth, last of seven, next after the sixth.—n.one of seven equal parts.—adv.Sev′enthly.—Seven cardinal,chief, orprincipal virtues(seeCardinal);Seven champions of Christendom, St George for England, St Andrew for Scotland, St Patrick for Ireland, St David for Wales, St Denis for France, St James for Spain, St Anthony for Italy;Seven deadly sins, pride, covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth;Seven dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary(seeDolour);Seven free arts(seeArts);Seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, understanding, counsel, ghostly strength or fortitude, knowledge, godliness, and the fear of the Lord;Seven sages, or wise men, Solon of Athens, Thales of Miletus, Pittacus of Mitylene, Bias of Priene in Caria, Chilon of Sparta, Cleobulus tyrant of Lindus in Rhodes, and Periander tyrant of Corinth;Seven Sleepers, seven Christian youths at Ephesus who took refuge in a cave about 250A.D.in the persecution of Decius, were walled up by their pursuers, fell into a deep sleep, and only awoke in 447 under Theodosius II.;Seven stars, the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn: the constellation Ursa Major: the Pleiades;Seven wise masters, the most common title given to a famous medieval collection of stories grouped round a central story of the birth, education, and trials of a young prince. Accused like Joseph, he is sentenced to death, but each one of the seven viziers gains a day, out of the fated seven during which the prince may not open his mouth, by two tales against women. At the end of the seventh day the prince is free to speak, and quickly clears his character;Seven wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Hanging (i.e. terraced) Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, the Statue of Jupiter at Athens by Phidias, the Mausoleum, erected by Artemisia at Halicarnassus, the Colossus at Rhodes, and the Pharos of Alexandria;Seven years' war(1756-63), the third and severest struggle for the possession of Silesia between Frederick the Great and the Empress Maria Theresa, together with the allies on both sides; it gave Silesia to Frederick, and to England the mastery of North America and India. [A.S.seofon; Dut.zeven, Ger.sieben, Goth.sibun, Gr.hepta, L.septem.]
Seventeen, sev′n-tēn,adj.andn.seven and ten.—adj.andn.Sev′enteenth, the seventh after the tenth. [A.S.seofontíene—seofon,tíen, ten.]
Seventy, sev′n-ti,adj.andn.seven times ten.—adj.Sev′entieth, last of seventy: the ordinal of 70.—n.a seventieth part.—The Seventy, the Jewish sanhedrim: the disciples sent out in Luke x.: the authors of the Septuagint—often LXX. [A.S.seofontig—seofon, seven; Dut.zeventig, Ger.siebenzig.]
Sever, sev′ėr,v.t.to separate with violence: to cut apart: to divide: (B.) to keep distinct.—v.i.to make a separation, to act independently: to be rent asunder.—adj.Sev′erable.—n.Sev′erance, act of severing: separation. [Fr.sevrer, to wean—L.separāre, to separate.]
Several, sev′ėr-al,adj.distinct: particular: different: various: consisting of a number: sundry.—n.a woman's loose outer garment, capable of being worn as a shawl, or in other forms.—adv.Sev′erally.—n.Sev′eralty, sole tenancy of property. [O. Fr.,—L.separāre, to separate.]
Severe, sē-vēr′,adj.serious: grave: austere: strict: not mild: strictly adhering to rule: free from florid ornamentation, simple: sharp: distressing: inclement: searching: difficult to be endured.—adv.Sēvēre′ly.—ns.Sēvēre′ness;Sēver′ity, quality of being severe: gravity: harshness: exactness: inclemency. [Fr.sévère—L.severus.]
Sèvres, sā′vr,n.Sèvres porcelain.
Sew, sō,v.t.to join or fasten together with a needle and thread.—v.i.to practise sewing.—ns.Sew′er;Sew′ing;Sew′ing-cott′on, cotton thread for sewing;Sew′ing-machine′, a machine for sewing and stitching upon cloth, leather, &c., operated by any power.—Sew up one's stocking, to put one to silence.—Be sewed, orsewed up, to be stranded, of a ship: (coll.) to be brought to a stand-still, to be ruined: to be tipsy. [A.S.síwian,séowian; Old High Ger.siwan, Goth.siujan.]
Sew, sū,v.t.(Spens.) to follow, to solicit. [Sue.]
Sewel, sū′el,n.a scarecrow.—AlsoShew′el. [Prob. related toshy.]
Sewer, sū′ėr,n.an officer who set down and removed the dishes at a feast. [O. Fr.asseour—asseoir, to set down—L.ad, to,sedēre, to sit. Skeat makes it from M. E.sewen, to set meat,sew, pottage—A.S.seaw, juice.]
Sewer, sū′ėr,n.an underground passage for draining off water and filth.—ns.Sew′age, refuse carried off by sewers;Sew′erage, the whole sewers of a city: drainage by sewers;Sew′er-gas, the contaminated air of sewers.—Open sewer, a sewer of which the channel is exposed to the air. [O. Fr.seuwiere, a canal—L.ex, out,aqua, water.]
Sex, seks,n.the distinction between male and female: the characteristics by which an animal or plant is male or female, gender: the female sex, women generally, usually with the definite article.—adj.Sex′less, having no sex.—n.Sex′lessness.—adj.Sex′ūal, pertaining to sex: distinguished or founded on the sex: relating to the distinct organs of the sexes.—v.t.Sex′ūalise, to distinguish as sexed.—ns.Sex′ūalist, one who classifies plants according to the differences of the sexes;Sexūal′ity, state or quality of being sexual.—adv.Sex′ūally.—Sexual affinity, the instinctive attraction of one sex for another;Sexual organs, the organs of generation;Sexual selection, that province of natural selection in which sex comes into play. [Fr.sexe—L.sexus—secāre, to cut.]
Sexagenarian, sek-sa-je-nā′ri-an,n.a person sixty years old.—adj.Sexag′enary, designating the number sixty.—n.a sexagenarian: something containing sixty.—ns.Sex′agene, an arc or angle of 60°;Sexages′ima, the second Sunday before Lent (seeSeptuagesima).—adj.Sexages′imal, pertaining to the number sixty: proceeding by sixties.—adv.Sexages′imally. [L.sexagenarius—sexaginta, sixty.]
Sexangle, sek′sang-gl,n.a figure with six angles, a hexagon.—adjs.Sex′angled,Sexang′ular.—adv.Sexang′ularly.
Sexcentenary, sek-sen′te-nā-ri,n.that which consists of 600: a 600th anniversary.—Alsoadj.
Sexdigitate, seks-dij′i-tāt,adj.having six fingers or toes.—n.Sexdig′itist.
Sexennial, seks-en′yal,adj.lasting six years: happening once in six years—alsoSextenn′ial.—adv.Sexenn′ially. [L.sex, six,annus, a year.]
Sexfid, seks′fid,adj.(bot.) six-cleft.
Sexfoil, seks′foil,n.a plant or flower with six leaves.
Sexisyllabic, sek-si-si-lab′ik,adj.having six syllables.—n.Sex′isyllable, a word of six syllables.
Sexivalent, sek-siv′a-lent,adj.(chem.) having an equivalent of six. [L.sex, six,valens—valēre, to have strength.]
Sexlocular, seks-lok′ū-lär,adj.six-celled.
Sexpartite, seks′pär-tīt,adj.divided into six parts. [L.sex, six,partitus, divided.]
Sext,Sexte, sekst,n.(eccles.) the office of the sixth hour, originally said at midday: (mus.) the interval of a sixth.—adj.Sex′tan, recurring every sixth day. [L.sextus, sixth—sex, six.]
Sextain, seks′tān,n.a stanza of six lines.
Sextans, seks′tanz,n.an ancient Roman bronze coin, worth one-sixth of the as.—adjs.Sex′tantal;Sex′tic, of the sixth degree. [L.,—sex, six.]
Sextant.
Sextant, seks′tant,n.(math.) the sixth part of a circle: an optical instrument having an arc=the sixth part of a circle, and used for measuring angular distances.
Sextet,Sextette, seks-tet′,n.(mus.) a work for six voices or instruments: a musical company of six.
Sextile, seks′til,n.the position of two planets when at the distance of the sixth part of a circle (60°), marked thus *. [L.,—sex, six.]
Sextillion, seks-til′yun,n.a million raised to the sixth power, expressed by a unit with 36 ciphers attached: 1000 raised to the seventh power.
Sexto, seks′to,n.a size of book made by folding a sheet of paper into six leaves.—n.Sex′to-dec′imo, a size of book made by folding a sheet of paper into sixteen leaves: a book of this size.
Sexton, seks′tun,n.an officer who has charge of a church, attends the clergyman, digs graves, &c.: a burying-beetle.—ns.Sex′ton-bee′tle, a coleopterous insect of the genusNecrophorus;Sex′tonship, the office of a sexton. [A corr. ofsacristan.]
Sextuple, seks′tū-pl,—adj.sixfold: (mus.) having six beats to the measure.—v.t.to multiply by six.—n.Sex′tūplet(mus.), a note divided into six parts instead of four.
'Sfoot, sfōōt,interj.(Shak.) a minced imprecation. [Abbrev. fromGod's foot. Cf.'sblood.]
Sforzando, sfor-tsän′dō,adj.(mus.) forced, with sudden emphasis. Abbrev.sf.andsfz., or markedhorizontal sforzando,vertical sforzando.—AlsoSforzato(sfor-tsä′tō).[It., pr.p. ofsforzare, to force—L.ex, out, Low L.fortia, force.]
Sgraffito, sgraf-fē′tō,n.(same asGraffito, q.v.): a kind of decorative work in pottery and superimposed metals, in which clays, &c., of different colours are laid one upon another, and the pattern is produced by cutting away the outer layers:—pl.Sgraffi′ti.
Shabby, shab′i,—adj.threadbare or worn, as clothes: having a look of poverty: mean in look or conduct: low: paltry.—adv.Shabb′ily.—n.Shabb′iness.—adj.Shabb′y-genteel′, keeping up or affecting an appearance of gentility, though really shabby. [An adj. formed fromshab, an old by-form ofscab—thus a doublet ofscabby.]
Shabrack, shab′rak,n.a trooper's housing or saddle-cloth. [Fr.,—Ger.shabracke—Pol.czaprak.]
Shack, shak,v.i.to tramp or wander about.—n.a tramp, a vagabond.
Shack, shak,v.i.to shed or fall out, as ripe grain from the ear: to feed on stubble: (U.S.) to hibernate, to go into winter quarters.—n.grain, &c., fallen on the ground: liberty of winter pasturage: a hastily-built cabin, a rickety house.—ns.Shack′-bait, such bait as may be picked up at sea;Shack′le, stubble. [Shake.]
Shackle, shak′l,n.a curved bar, as of iron: a link or staple: a link securing two ankle-rings or two wrist-rings together, and so (pl.) fetters, manacles: a hinderance.—v.t.to fetter: to tie the limbs of: to confine.—ns.Shack′le-bolt, a bolt having a shackle on the end: (her.) a bearing representing a fetlock for hobbling a horse;Shack′le-joint, a peculiar kind of articulation seen in the exoskeleton of some fishes. [A.S.sceacul,scacul, a shackle—sceacan, to shake; cog. with Old Dut.schakel, a link of a chain, Ice.skökull, the pole of a cart.]
Shad, shad,n.a fish of the herring kind, but having the upper jaw deeply notched, and ascending rivers to spawn.—adj.Shad′-bell′ied, flat-bellied—opp. toPot-bellied: sloping away gradually in front, cut away.—ns.Shad′-bird, the common American snipe: the sandpiper;Shad′-bush, the June-berry or service-berry;Shad′-fly, a May-fly;Shad′-frog, a large and very agile American frog;Shad′-wait′er, the pilot-fish or round-fish. [A.S.sceadda.]
Shaddock, shad′ok,n.a tree of the same genus as the orange, having larger leaves, flowers, and fruit. [Named from CaptainShaddock, who introduced it to the West Indies from China about 1810.]
Shade, shād,n.partial darkness: interception of light: obscurity: a shady place: protection: shelter: a screen: degree of colour: a very minute change: (paint.) the dark part of a picture: the soul separated from the body: a ghost: (obs.,poet.) a bodily shadow: (pl.) the departed spirits, or their unseen abode, Hades.—v.t.to screen from light or heat: to shelter: to mark with gradations of colour: to darken: (Spens.) to foreshadow, represent.—adjs.Shā′ded, marked with gradations of colour: sheltered;Shade′ful, shady;Shade′less, without shade.—n.Shā′der.—adv.Shā′dily.—ns.Shā′diness;Shā′ding, the act of making a shade: the effect of light and shade, as in a picture;Shā′ding-pen, a pen with a broad flat nib.—adj.Shā′dy, having, or in, shade: sheltered from light or heat: (coll.) not fit to bear the light, of dubious honesty or morality. [A.S.sceadu—scead, shade.]
Shadine, sha-dēn′,n.the menhaden, or American sardine.
Shadoof, sha-dōōf′,n.a contrivance for raising water by means of a long rod pivoted near one end, the shorter arm weighted to act as the counterpoise of a lever, the longer carrying a bucket which is lowered into the water—much used on the Nile for irrigation purposes.—AlsoShaduf′. [Ar.shādūf.]
Shadow, shad′ō,n.shade caused by an object: darkness: shelter: security: favour: the dark part of a picture: an inseparable companion: a mystical representation: faint appearance: a ghost, spirit: something only in appearance.—v.t to shade: to cloud or darken: to shade, as a painting: to represent faintly: to hide, conceal: (coll.) to attend like a shadow, watch continuously and carefully.—ns.Shad′ow-fig′ure, a silhouette;Shad′owiness, the state of being shadowy or unsubstantial;Shad′owing, shading: gradation of light and colour.—adj.Shad′owless.—n.Shad′ow-stitch, in lace-making, a very delicate kind of ladder-stitch used in fine open-work.—adj.Shad′owy, full of shadow: dark: obscure: typical: unsubstantial: (rare) indulging in fancies.—Shadow of death, approach of death: terrible disaster. [A.S.sceadu; cog. with Old High Ger.scato, and perh. Gr.skotos, darkness,skia, shadow.]
Shafiite, shaf′i-īt,n.a member of one of the four principal sects of the Sunnites, or orthodox Muslims. [Ar.Shāfi'ī, the name of the founder.]
Shaft, shaft,n.anything long and straight, as the stem of an arrow, &c.: a long arrow, anything like an arrow in form or effect: the part of a column between the base and capital: the stem of a feather: the pole or thill of a carriage: the handle of a tool of any kind.—adj.Shaft′ed, having a shaft or handle.—ns.Shaft′-horse, the horse that is harnessed between the shafts of a carriage;Shaft′ing(mach.), the system of shafts connecting machinery with the prime mover.—Make a shaft or a bolt of it(Shak.), to take the risk and make the best of it—the shaft and the bolt being the arrows of the long-bow and the cross-bow respectively. [A.S.sceaft; prob. orig. pa.p. ofscafan, to shave.]
Shaft, shaft,n.a well-like excavation sunk into a mine for pumping, hoisting, &c.: the tunnel of a blast-furnace. [Prob. in this sense from Ger.schacht, a shaft; cog. with foregoing.]
Shag, shag,n.woolly hair: cloth with a rough nap: a kind of tobacco cut into shreds.—adj.rough, hairy.—v.t.to roughen, make shaggy.—v.i.(Spens.) to hang in shaggy clusters.—adjs.Shag′-eared(Shak.), having shaggy or rough ears;Shag′ged, shaggy, rough.—n.Shag′gedness.—adv.Shag′gily.—n.Shag′giness.—adjs.Shag′gy, covered with rough hair or wool: rough: rugged;Shag′-haired, having long, rough hair. [A.S.sceacga, a head of hair; Ice.skegg, beard,skagi, cape (in Shetland,skaw).]
Shagreen, sha-grēn′,n.the skin of various sharks, rays, &c., covered with small nodules, used for covering small caskets, boxes, cigar and spectacle cases, &c.: a granular leather prepared by unhairing and scraping the skin of horses, asses, &c.—formerlyChagrin′.—adj.(alsoShagreened′) made of, or covered with, shagreen. [Fr.chagrin—Turk.sāghrī, the back of a horse.]
Shah, shä,n.the monarch of Persia. [Pers.]
Shaheen, sha-hēn′,n.a peregrine falcon. [Pers.shāhīn.]
Shahi, shä′i,n.a Persian copper coin. [Pers.shāhī, royal.]
Shairl, shārl,n.a fine cloth woven from the hair of a Tibetan variety of the Cashmere goat.
Shairn, shārn,n.(Scot.) cow-dung.
Shaitan, shī′tan,n.the devil, any evil spirit or devilish person. [Ar.]
Shakal, shak′al,n.the same asJackal.
Shake, shāk,v.t.to move with quick, short motions: to agitate: to make to tremble: to threaten to overthrow: to cause to waver: to give a tremulous note to.—v.i.to be agitated: to tremble: to shiver: to lose firmness:—pa.t.shook, (B.) shāked;pa.p.shāk′en,—n.a rapid tremulous motion: a trembling or shivering: a concussion: a rent in timber, rock, &c.: (mus.) a rapid repetition of two notes: (slang) a brief instant.—n.Shake′down, a temporary bed, named from the original shaking down of straw for this purpose.—adj.Shāk′en, weakened, disordered.—ns.Shāk′er, one of a small communistic religious sect founded in Manchester about the middle of the 18th century, so nicknamed from a peculiar dance forming part of their religious service;Shake′-rag(obs.), a ragged fellow;Shāk′erism.—adv.Shāk′ily.—n.Shāk′iness.—adj.Shāk′y, in a shaky condition: feeble: (coll.) wavering, undecided: of questionable ability, solvency, or integrity: unsteady: full of cracks or clefts.—Shake down, ortogether, to make more compact by shaking;Shake hands, to salute by grasping the hand: (with) to bid farewell to;Shake off the dust from one's feet, to renounce all intercourse with;Shake the head, to move the head from side to side in token of reluctance, disapproval, &c.;Shake together(coll.), to get friendly with;Shake up, to restore to shape by shaking: (Shak.) to upbraid.—Great shakes(coll.), a thing of great account, something of value (usually 'No great shakes'). [A.S.sceacan,scacan.]
Shakespearian, shāk-spē′ri-an,adj.pertaining to, or in the style of,Shakespeare, or his works—alsoShakespē′rian,Shakspear′ean,Shakspē′rian.—n.a student of Shakespeare (1564-1616).—n.pl.Shakespeariā′na, details or learning connected with Shakespeare and his writings.—n.Shakespea′rianism, anything peculiar to Shakespeare.
Shako, shak′ō,n.a military cap of cylindrical shape, worn mostly by infantry, and generally plumed. [Hung.csako.]
Shale, shāl,n.clay or argillaceous material, splitting readily into thin laminæ.—adj.Shā′ly. [Ger.schale, a scale.]
Shale, shāl,n.a shell or husk. [A.S.sceale.]
Shall, shal,v.t.(obs.) to be under obligation: now only auxiliary, used in the future tense of the verb, whether apredictiveor apromissivefuture (in the first person implying mere futurity; in the second and third implying authority or control on the part of the speaker, and expressing promise, command, or determination, or a certainty about the future. In thepromissivefuture 'will' is used for the first person, and 'shall' for the second and third). [A.S.sceal, to be obliged; Ger.soll, Goth.skal, Ice.skal, to be in duty bound.]
Shalli, shal′i,n.a soft cotton stuff made in India, mostly red.
Shalloon, sha-lōōn′,n.a light kind of woollen stuff for coat-linings, &c., said to have been first made atChâlons-sur-Marnein France.
Shallop, shal′op,n.a light boat or vessel, with or without a mast. [O. Fr.chaluppe; Ger.schaluppe; prob. of East Ind. origin.]
Shallot, sha-lot′,n.a species of onion with a flavour like that of garlic.—AlsoShalot′. [O. Fr.eschalote, formed fromeschalone,escalone, whence Eng.scallion(q.v.).]
Shallow, shal′ō,n.a sandbank: a place over which the water is not deep: a shoal.—adj.not deep: not profound: not wise: trifling.—v.t.to make shallow.—v.i.to grow shallow.—adjs.Shall′ow-brained,-pā′ted, weak in intellect;Shall′ow-heart′ed, not capable of deep feelings.—adv.Shall′owly(Shak.), simply, foolishly.—n.Shall′owness. [Scand., Ice.skjálgr, wry; cf. Ger.scheel.]
Shalm. Same asShawm(q.v.).
Shalt, shalt, 2d pers. sing. ofshall.
Sham, sham,n.a pretence: that which deceives expectation: imposture.—adj.pretended: false.—v.t.to pretend: to feign: to impose upon.—v.i.to make false pretences:—pr.p.sham′ming;pa.t.andpa.p.shammed.—ns.Sham′-fight, a fight in imitation of a real one;Sham′mer, one who shams.—Sham Abraham(seeAbraham-man). [Shame.]
Shamanism, sham′an-izm,n.a name applied loosely to the religion of the Turanian races of Siberia and north-eastern Asia, based essentially on magic and sorcery.—n.Sham′an, a wizard priest.—adj.Shaman′ic.—n.Sham′anist.—adj.Shamanis′tic. [Perh. Hind.shaman, idolater.]
Shamble, sham′bl,v.i.to walk with an awkward, unsteady gait.—n.a shambling gait.—adj.Sham′bling. [Skeat refers to Dut.schampelen—O. Fr.s'escamper, to decamp.]
Shambles, sham′blz,n.pl.stalls on which butchers exposed their meat for sale, hence a flesh-market: a slaughter-house. [A.S.scamel(Ger.schämel), a stool—Low L.scamellum, for L.scabellum, dim. ofscamnum, a bench.]
Shame, shām,n.the feeling caused by the exposure of that which ought to be concealed, or by a consciousness of guilt: the cause of shame, a person or thing to be ashamed of: disgrace, dishonour: (B.) the parts of the body which modesty requires to be concealed.—v.t.to make ashamed: to cause to blush: to cover with reproach: to drive or compel by shame.—adj.Shame′faced(properlyShame′fast, A.S.sceam-fæst), very modest or bashful.—adv.Shame′facedly.—ns.Shame′facedness,Shame′fastness, modesty.—adj.Shame′ful, disgraceful.—adv.Shame′fully.—n.Shame′fulness.—adj.Shame′less, immodest: done without shame: audacious.—adv.Shame′lessly.—n.Shame′lessness.—adj.Shame′-proof(Shak.), insensible to shame.—ns.Shā′mer, one who, or that which, makes ashamed;Shame′-reel, the first dance after the celebration of marriage, the bride being the best man's partner, the best maid the bridegroom's.—For shame, an interjectional phrase, signifying 'you should be ashamed!'—Put to shame, to cause to feel shame. [A.S.sceamu,scamu, modesty; Ice.skömm, a wound, Ger.scham.]
Shammatha, sha-mä′tha,n.the severest form of excommunication among the ancient Jews. [Heb.]
Shammy, sham′i, same asChamois.—v.t.Sham′oy, to prepare leather by working oil into the skin.—n.Sham′oying.
Shampoo, sham-pōō′,v.t.to squeeze and rub the body, in connection with the hot bath: to wash thoroughly with soap and water.—ns.Shampoo′;Shampoo′er. [Hind.chāmpnā, squeeze.]
Shamrock, sham′rok,n.the national emblem of Ireland, a leaf with three leaflets, or plant having such leaves, sometimes supposed to be the Wood-sorrel, but the name is more frequently applied to some species of Clover, or to some common plant of some of the nearly allied genera, as the Bird's Foot Trefoil or the Black Medick. The Lesser Yellow Trefoil is the plant usually sold in Dublin on St Patrick's Day. [Ir.seamrog, Gael.seamrag, trefoil, dim. ofseamar, trefoil.]
Shan, shan,adj.pertaining to theShans, a number of tribes of common origin, who live on the borders of Burma, Siam, and China.
Shand, shand,n.(obs.) shame: (Scot.) base coin.—adj.worthless. [A.S.sceand, scand.]
Shandrydan, shan′dri-dan,n.a light two-wheeled cart: any rickety conveyance.—AlsoShan′dry. [Ir.]
Shandygaff, shan′di-gaf,n.a mixture of bitter ale or beer with ginger-beer. [Ety. dub.]
Shanghai, shang-hī′,n.a long-legged hen with feathered shanks, said to have been introduced fromShanghaiin China: (U.S.) a tall dandy.—v.t.(naut.) to hocus a sailor and ship him while insensible: (U.S.) to get a person by some artifice into a jurisdiction where he can lawfully be arrested.
Shangie, shang′i,n.(Scot.) a shackle.
Shangti, shang′tē′,n.a Christian name in China for God. [Chin.shang, high,ti, ruler.]
Shank, shangk,n.the leg below the knee to the foot: the long part of any instrument, as of an anchor between the arms and ring: the part of a tool connecting the handle with the acting part: the part of a shoe connecting the sole with the heel.—v.i.to be affected with disease of the footstalk: to take to one's legs (with it).—v.t.(Scot.) to despatch unceremoniously.—adj.Shanked, having a shank: affected with disease of the shank or footstalk.—ns.Shank′-ī′ron, a shaping-tool for shoe-shanks: an iron plate inserted as a stiffening between the leather parts of a shank;Shank′-paint′er, a painter or small rope for fastening the shank of an anchor, when catted, to a ship's side. [A.S.sceanca, leg—sceacan, to shake; Dut.schonk, Low Ger.schake.]
Shanker, shangk′ėr,n.the same asChancre.
Shanny, shan′i,n.the smooth blenny.
Sha'n't, shant (coll.), a contraction ofshall not.
Shanty, shant′i,n.a mean dwelling or hut, a temporary house: a grog-shop. [Perh. from Ir.sean, old,tig, a house; others derive through Fr.chantier, a timber-yard, from L.cantherius, a rafter.]
Shanty, shant′i,n.a song with boisterous drawling chorus, sung by sailors while heaving at the capstan, or the like—alsoChant′y,Chant′ie.—n.Shant′yman, the leader of such a chorus. [Prob. from Fr.chanter, to sing.]
Shape, shāp,v.t.to form: to fashion: to adapt to a purpose: to regulate: to direct: to conceive.—v.i.(Shak.) to take shape, to become fit:—pa.p.shāped, (B.)shāp′en.—n.form or figure: external appearance: that which has form or figure: an appearance: particular nature: expression, as in words: a pattern: (cook.) a dish of rice, jelly, or the like cast in a mould and turned out when it has grown firm.—adjs.Shā′pable,Shape′able;Shaped, having a varied ornamental form;Shape′less, having no shape or regular form: (Shak.) effecting nothing.—ns.Shape′lessness;Shape′liness.—adj.Shape′ly, having shape or regular form: symmetrical.—ns.Shā′per, a metal planing machine, the tool with reciprocating motion;Shā′ping, representation, imagination.—Take shape, to assume a definite form or plan. [A.S.sceapan,scapan, to form, make; Ice.skapa, Ger.schaffen.]
Shard, shärd,n.dung. [Ety. dub.]
Shard, shärd,n.(Spens.) a boundary, division: (obs.) the leaves of the artichoke whitened. [Perh. from Ice.skardh(Ger.scharte, a notch), and ult. conn. with A.S.sceran, to divide.]
Shard, shärd,n.a fragment, as of an earthen vessel: the wing-case of a beetle.—adjs.Shard′-borne(Shak.), borne on shards, as beetles;Shar′ded(Shak.), provided with elytra or wing-cases. [A.S.sceard, a fragment—sceran, to divide.]
Share, shār,n.a part cut off: a portion: dividend: one of a number of equal portions of anything: a fixed and indivisible section of the capital of a company.—v.t.to divide into parts: to partake with others.—v.i.to have a part: to receive a dividend.—ns.Share′-brok′er, a broker or dealer in shares of railways, &c.;Share′holder, one who holds or owns a share in a joint fund or property;Share′-list, a list of the prices of shares of railways, banks, &c.;Shār′er.—Share and share alike, in equal shares.—Deferred shares(seeDefer);Go shares, to divide equally;Ordinary shares, shares forming the common stock of a company. [A.S.scearu—sceran, to shear.]
Share, shār,n.the iron blade of a plough which cuts the ground.—v.t.to cut, cleave.—n.Share′-beam, the part of the plough to which the share is fixed. [A.S.scear—sceran, to shear.]
Shark, shärk,n.a common name for most of the Elasmobranch fishes included in the sub-orderSelachoidei—voracious fishes, mostly carnivorous, with large sharp teeth on the jaws—most numerous in the tropics. [Perh. L.carcharus—Gr.karcharos, jagged.]
Shark, shärk,n.a sharper, a cheat or swindler: an extortionate rogue.—v.i.to live like a swindler.—v.t.to pick up (withuporout).—ns.Shark′er;Shark′ing. [Prob. from preceding word.]
Sharn, shärn,n.(Scot.) dung of cattle. [A.S.scearn; cf. Ice.skarn.]