6. To convey sentiments, ideas, or intelligence as if by utterance;as, features that speak of self-will.Thine eye begins to speak. Shak.To speak of, to take account of, to make mention of. Robynson (More'sUtopia).— To speak out, to speak loudly and distinctly; also, to speakunreservedly.— To speak well for, to commend; to be favorable to.— To speak with, to converse with. "Would you speak with me" Shak.
Syn. — To say; tell; talk; converse; discourse; articulate; pronounce; utter.
SPEAKSpeak, v. t.
1. To utter with the mouth; to pronounce; to utter articulately, as human beings. They sat down with him upn ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him. Job. ii. 13.
2. To utter in a word or words; to say; to tell; to declare orally; as, to speak the truth; to speak sense.
3. To declare; to proclaim; to publish; to make known; to exhibit; toexpress in any way.It is my father;s muste To speak your deeds. Shak.Speaking a still good morrow with her eyes. Tennyson.And for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The maker's highmagnificence. Milton.Report speaks you a bonny monk. Sir W. Scott.
4. To talk or converse in; to utter or pronounce, as in conversation; as, to speak Latin. And French she spake full fair and fetisely. Chaucer.
5. To address; to accost; to speak to. [He will] thee in hope; he will speak thee fair. Ecclus. xiii. 6. each village senior paused to scan And speak the lovely caravan. Emerson. To speak a ship (Naut.), to hail and speak to her captain or commander.
SPEAKABLESpeak"a*ble, a.
1. Capable of being spoken; fit to be spoken. Ascham.
2. Able to speak. Milton.
SPEAKERSpeak"er, n.
1. One who speaks. Specifically: (a) One who utters or pronounces a discourse; usually, one who utters a speech in public; as, the man is a good speaker, or a bad speaker. (b) One who is the mouthpiece of others; especially, one who presides over, or speaks for, a delibrative assembly, preserving order and regulating the debates; as, the Speaker of the House of Commons, originally, the mouthpiece of the House to address the king; the Speaker of a House of Representatives.
2. A book of selections for declamation. [U. S.]
SPEAKERSHIPSpeak"er*ship, n.
Defn: The office of speaker; as, the speakership of the House ofRepresentatives.
SPEAKINGSpeak"ing, a.
1. Uttering speech; used for conveying speech; as, man is a speaking animal; a speaking tube.
2. Seeming to be capable of speech; hence, lifelike; as, a speaking likeness. A speaking acquaintance, a slight acquaintance with a person, or one which merely permits the exchange of salutations and remarks on indifferent subjects. — Speaking trumpet, an instrument somewhat resembling a trumpet, by which the sound of the human voice may be so intensified as to be conveyed to a great distance. — Speaking tube, a tube for conveying speech, especially from one room to another at a distance. — To be on speaking terms, to be slightly acquainted.
SPEAKINGSpeak"ing, n.
1. The act of uttering words.
2. Public declamation; oratory.
SPEARSpear, n. Etym: [OE. spere, AS. spere; akin to D. & G. speer, OS. &OHS. sper, Icel. spjör, pl., Dan. spær, L. sparus.]
1. A long, pointed weapon, used in war and hunting, by thrusting or throwing; a weapon with a long shaft and a sharp head or blade; a lance.
Note: [See Illust. of Spearhead.] "A sharp ground spear." Chaucer. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Micah iv. 3.
2. Fig.: A spearman. Sir W. Scott.
3. A sharp-pointed instrument with barbs, used for stabbing fish and other animals.
4. A shoot, as of grass; a spire.
5. The feather of a horse. See Feather, n., 4.
6. The rod to which the bucket, or plunger, of a pump is attached; apump rod. Spear foot, the off hind foot of a horse.— Spear grass. (Bot.) (a) The common reed. See Reed, n., 1. (b)meadow grass. See under Meadow.— Spear hand, the hand in which a horseman holds a spear; the righthand. Crabb.— Spear side, the male line of a family. Lowell.— Spear thistle (Bot.), the common thistle (Cnicus lanceolatus).
SPEARSpear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speared; p. pr. & vb. n. Spearing.]
Defn: To pierce with a spear; to kill with a spear; as, to spear a fish.
SPEARSpear, v. i.
Defn: To shoot into a long stem, as some plants. See Spire. Mortimer.
SPEARERSpear"er, n.
Defn: One who uses a spear; as, a spearer of fish.
SPEARFISH Spear"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) A large and powerful fish (Tetrapturus albidus) related to the swordfish, but having scales and ventral fins. It is found on the American coast and the Mediterranean. (b) The carp sucker.
SPEARHEADSpear"head`, n.
Defn: The pointed head, or end, of a spear.
SPEARMANSpear"man, n.; pl. Spearmen (.
Defn: One who is armed with a spear. Acts xxiii. 23.
SPEARMINT Spear"mint`, n. Etym: [So named from its spiry, not capitate, inflorescence. Dr. Prior.] (Bot.)
Defn: A species of mint (Mentha viridis) growing in moist soil. It vields an aromatic oil. See Mint, and Mentha.
SPEARWOODSpear"wood`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: An Australian tree (Acacia Doratoxylon), and its tough wood, used by the natives for spears.
SPEARWORTSpear"wort`, n. Etym: [AS. sperewyrt.] (Bot.)
Defn: A name given to several species of crowfoot (Ranunculus) which have spear-shaped leaves.
SPEARYSpear"y, a.
Defn: Having the form of a spear.
SPECESpece, n.
Defn: Species; kind. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SPECHTSpecht, n. Etym: [See Speight.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A woodpecker. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Sherwood.
SPECIAL Spe"cial, a. Etym: [L. specialis, fr. species a particular sort, kind, or quality: cf. F. spécial. See Species, and cf. Especial.]
1. Of or pertaining to a species; constituting a species or sort. A special is called by the schools a "species". I. Watts.
2. Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. Atterbury. To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. De Quincey.
3. Appropriate; designed for a particular purpose, occasion, or person; as, a special act of Parliament or of Congress; a special sermon.
4. Limited in range; confined to a definite field of action, investigation, or discussion; as, a special dictionary of commercial terms; a special branch of study.
5. Chief in excellence. [Obs.] The king hath drawn The special head of all the land together. Shak. Special administration (Law), an administration limited to certain specified effects or acts, or one granted during a particular time or the existence of a special cause, as during a controversy respecting the probate of a will, or the right of administration, etc. — Special agency, an agency confined to some particular matter. — Special bail, Bail above, or Bail to the action (Law), sureties who undertake that, if the defendant is convicted, he shall satisfy the plaintiff, or surrender himself into custody. Tomlins. Wharton (Law Dict.). — Special constable. See under Constable. Bouvier. — Special damage (Law), a damage resulting from the act complained of, as a natural, but not the necessary, consequence of it. — Special demurrer (Law), a demurrer for some defect of form in the opposite party pleading, in which the cause of demurrer is particularly stated. — Special deposit, a deposit made of a specific thing to be kept distinct from others. — Special homology. (Biol.) See under Homology. — Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. Daniell. — Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. Stephen. — Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is called upon motion of either party when the cause is supposed to require it; a struck jury. — Special orders (Mil.), orders which do not concern, and are not published to, the whole command, such as those relating to the movement of a particular corps, a detail, a temporary camp, etc. — Special partner, a limited partner; a partner with a limited or restricted responsibility; — unknown at common law. — Special partnership, a limited or particular partnership; — a term sometimes applied to a partnership in a particular business, operation, or adventure. — Special plea in bar (Law), a plea setting forth particular and new matter, distinguished from the general issue. Bouvier. — Special pleader (Law), originally, a counsel who devoted himself to drawing special counts and pleas; in a wider sense, a lawyer who draws pleadings. — Special pleading (Law), the allegation of special or new matter, as distingiushed from a direct denial of matter previously alleged on the side. Bouvier. The popular denomination of the whole science of pleading. Stephen. The phrase is sometimes popularly applied to the specious, but unsound, argumentation of one whose aim is victory, and not truth. Burrill. — Special property (Law), a qualified or limited ownership possession, as in wild animals, things found or bailed. — Special session, an extraordinary session; a session at an unusual time or for an unusual purpose; as, a special session of Congress or of a legislature. — Special statute, or Special law, an act of the legislature which has reference to a particular person, place, or interest; — in distinction from a general law. — Special verdict (Law), a special finding of the facts of the case, leaving to the court the application of the law to them. Wharton (Law Dict.).
Syn. — Peculiar; appropriate; specific; dictinctive; particular; exceptional; singular. See Peculiar.
SPECIALSpe"cial, n.
1. A particular. [Obs.] Hammond.
2. One appointed for a special service or occasion. In special, specially; in particular. Chaucer.
SPECIALISMSpe"cial*ism, n.
Defn: Devotion to a particular and restricted part or branch of knowledge, art, or science; as, medical specialism.
SPECIALISTSpe"cial*ist, n.
Defn: One who devotes himself to some specialty; as, a medical specialist, one who devotes himself to diseases of particular parts of the body, as the eye, the ear, the nerves, etc.
SPECIALITYSpe`ci*al"i*ty, n.; pl. Specialities. Etym: [See Special, andSpecialty.]
1. A particular or peculiar case; a particularity. Sir M. Hale.
2. (Law)
Defn: See Specialty, 3.
3. The special or peculiar mark or characteristic of a person or thing; that for which a person is specially distinguished; an object of special attention; a special occupation or object of attention; a specialty. On these two general heads all other specialities are depedent. Hooker. Strive, while improving your one talent, to enrich your whole capital as a man. It is in this way that you escape from the wretched narrow- mindedness which is the characteristic of every one who cultivates his speciality. Ld. Lytton. We 'll say, instead, the inconsequent creature man, -For that'a his speciality. Mrs. Browning. Think of this, sir, . . . remote from the impulses of passion, and apart from the specialities — if I may use that strong remark — of prejudice. Dickens.
4. An attribute or quality peculiar to a species.
SPECIALIZATIONSpe`cial*i*za"tion, n.
1. The act of specializing, or the state of being spezialized.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: The setting spart of a particular organ for the performance of a particular function. Darwin.
SPECIALIZESpe"cial*ize, v. t.
1. To mention specialy; to particularize.
2. To apply to some specialty or limited object; to assign to a specific use; as, specialized knowledge.
3. (Biol.)
Defn: To supply with an organ or organs having a special function or functions.
SPECIALLYSpe"cial*ly, adv.
1. In a special manner; partcularly; especially. Chaucer.
2. For a particular purpose; as, a meeting of the legislature is specially summoned.
SPECIALTYSpe"cial*ty, n.; pl. Specialties. Etym: [F. spécialité. Cf.Speciality.]
1. Particularity. Specialty of rule hath been neglected. Shak.
2. A particular or peculiar case. [Obs.]
3. (Law)
Defn: A contract or obligation under seal; a contract by deed; a writing, under seal, given as security for a debt particularly specified. Chitty. Bouvier. Wharton (Law Dict.). Let specialties be therefore drawn between us. Shak.
4. That for which a person is distinguished, in which he is specially versed, or which he makes an object of special attention; a speciality. Men of boundless knowledge, like Humbold, must have had once their specialty, their pet subject. C. Kingsley.
SPECIESpe"ci*e,
Defn: abl. of L. species sort, kind. Used in the phrase in specie, that is, in sort, in kind, in (its own) form. "[The king] expects a return in specie from them" [i. e., kindness for kindness]. Dryden. In specie (Law), in precise or definite form; specifically; according to the exact terms; of the very thing.
SPECIESpe"cie, n. Etym: [Formed as a singular from species, in sense 5.]
Defn: Coin; hard money.
SPECIESSpe"cies, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [L., a sight, outward appearance,shape, form, a particular sort, kind, or quality, a species. SeeSpice, n., and cf. Specie, Special.]
1. Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image. [R.] "The species of the letters illuminated with indigo and violet." Sir I. Newton. Wit, . . . the faculty of imagination in the writer, which searches over all the memory for the species or ideas of those things which it designs to represent. Dryden.
Note: In the scholastic philosophy, the species was sensible and intelligible. The sensible species was that in any material, object which was in fact discerned by the mind through the organ of perception, or that in any object which rendered it possible that it should be perceived. The sensible species, as apprehended by the understanding in any of the relations of thought, was called an intelligible species. "An apparent diversity between the species visible and audible is, that the visible doth not mingle in the medium, but the audible doth." Bacon.
2. (Logic)
Defn: A group of individuals agreeing in common attributes, and designated by a common name; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.
3. In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation.
Note: In mineralogy and chemistry, objects which possess the same definite chemical structure, and are fundamentally the same in crystallization and physical characters, are classed as belonging to a species. In zoölogy and botany, a species is an ideal group of individuals which are believed to have descended from common ancestors, which agree in essential characteristics, and are capable of indefinitely continued fertile reproduction through the sexes. A species, as thus defined, differs from a variety or subspecies only in the greater stability of its characters and in the absence of individuals intermediate between the related groups.
4. A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth.
5. Coin, or coined silver, gold, ot other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie. [Obs.] There was, in the splendor of the Roman empire, a less quantity of current species in Europe than there is now. Arbuthnot.
6. A public spectacle or exhibition. [Obs.] Bacon.
7. (Pharmacy) (a) A component part of compound medicine; a simple. (b) (Med.) An officinal mixture or compound powder of any kind; esp., one used for making an aromatic tea or tisane; a tea mixture. Quincy.
8. (Civil Law)
Defn: The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure. Burill. Incipient species (Zoöl.), a subspecies, or variety, which is in process of becoming permanent, and thus changing to a true species, usually by isolation in localities from which other varieties are excluded.
SPECIFIABLESpec"i*fi`a*ble, a.
Defn: Admitting specification; capable of being specified.
SPECIFIC Spe*cif"ic, a. Etym: [F. spécifique, or NL. cpesificus; L. species a particular sort or kind + facere to make. Cf. Specify.]
1. Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice. Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another. I. Watts.
2. Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
3. (Med.)
Defn: Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a characteristic or characteristics distinguishing one species from every other species of the same genus. — Specific disease (Med.) (a) A disease which produces a determinate definite effect upon the blood and tissues or upon some special tissue. (b) A disease which is itself uniformly produced by a definite and peculiar poison or organism. — Specific duty. (Com.) See under Duty. — Specific gravity. (Physics) See under Gravity. — Specific heat (Physics), the quantity of heat required to raise temperature of a body one degree, taking as the unit of measure the quantity required to raise the same weight of water from zero to one degree; thus, the specific heat of mercury is 0.033, that of water being 1.000. — Specific inductive capacity (Physics), the effect of a dielectric body in producing static electric induction as compared with that of some other body or bodies referred to as a standard. — Specific legacy (Law), a bequest of a particular thing, as of a particular animal or piece of furniture, specified and distinguished from all others. Wharton. Burrill. — Specific name (Nat., Hist.), the name which, appended to the name of the genus, constitutes the distinctive name of the species; — originally applied by Linnæus to the essential character of the species, or the essential difference. The present specific name he at first called the trivial name. — Specific performance (Law), the peformance of a contract or agreement as decreed by a court of equity.
SPECIFICSpe*cif"ic, n.
1. (Med.)
Defn: A specific remedy. See Specific, a., 3. His parents were weak enough to believe that the royal touch was a specific for this malady. Macaulay.
2. Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied. Dr. H. More.
SPECIFICALSpe*cif"ic*al, a.
Defn: Specific. Bacon.
SPECIFICALLYSpe*cif"ic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a specific manner.
SPECIFICALNESSSpe*cif"ic*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being specific.
SPECIFICATESpe*cif"i*cate, v. t. Etym: [See Specify.]
Defn: To show, mark, or designate the species, or the distinguishing particulars of; to specify. [Obs.] ir M. Hale.
SPECIFICATIONSpec`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. spécification, LL. specificatio.]
1. The act of specifying or determining by a mark or limit; notation of limits. This specification or limitation of the question hinders the disputers from wandering away from the precise point of inquiry. I. Watts.
2. The designation of particulars; particular mention; as, the specification of a charge against an officer.
3. A written statement containing a minute description or enumeration of particulars, as of charges against a public officer, the terms of a contract, the description of an invention, as in a patent; also, a single article, item, or particular, an allegation of a specific act, as in a charge of official misconduct.
SPECIFICNESSSpe*cif"ic*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being specific.
SPECIFYSpec"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specified; p. pr. & vb. n.Specifying.] Etym: [F. spécifier, or OF. especifier, fr. LL.specificare. See Species, -fy.]
Defn: To mention or name, as a particular thing; to designate in words so as to distinguish from other things; as, to specify the uses of a plant; to specify articles purchased. He has there given us an exact geography of Greece, where the countries and the uses of their soils are specified. Pope.
SPECILLUMSpe*cil"lum, n. Etym: [L.] (Med.)
Defn: See Stylet, 2.
SPECIMENSpec"i*men, n. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, to behold. See Spy.]
Defn: A part, or small portion, of anything, or one of a number of things, intended to exhibit the kind and quality of the whole, or of what is not exhibited; a sample; as, a specimen of a man's handwriting; a specimen of painting; aspecimen of one's art.
Syn. — Sample; model; pattern. — Specimen, Sample. A specimen is a representative of the class of things to which it belongs; as, a specimen of photography. A sample is a part of the thing itself, designed to show the quality of the whole; as, a sample of sugar or of broadcloth. A cabinet of minerals consists of specimens; if a part be broken off from any one of these, it is a sample of the mineral to which it belongs. "Several persons have exhibited specimens of this art before multitudes of beholders." Addison. "I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." Woodward.
SPECIOSITYSpe`ci*os"i*ty, n.; pl. Speciocities. Etym: [Cf. LL. speciositas.]
1. The quality or state of being specious; speciousness. Professions built so largely on speciosity, instead of performance. Carlyle.
2. That which is specious. Dr. H. More.
SPECIOUS Spe"cious, a. Etym: [L. speciosusgood-looking, beautiful, specious, fr. species look, show, appearance; cf. F. spécoeux. See Species.]
1. Presenting a pleasing appearance; pleasing in form or look; showy. Some [serpents] specious and beautiful to the eye. Bp. Richardson. The rest, far greater part, Will deem in outward rites and specious forms Religion satisfied. Milton.
2. Apparently right; superficially fair, just, or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley.
Syn.— Plausible; showy; ostensible; colorable; feasible. See Plausible.— Spe"xious*ly, adv.— Spe"cious*ness, n.
SPECK Speck, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. spik blubber, AS. spic, D. spek, G. speck.]
Defn: The blubber of whales or other marine mammals; also, the fat of the hippopotamus. Speck falls (Naut.), falls or ropes rove through blocks for hoisting the blubber and bone of whales on board a whaling vessel.
SPECKSpeck, n. Etym: [OE. spekke, AS. specca; cf. LG. spaak.]
1. A small discolored place in or on anything, or a small place of a color different from that of the main substance; a spot; a stain; a blemish; as, a speck on paper or loth; specks of decay in fruit. "Gray sand, with black specks." Anson.
2. A very small thing; a particle; a mite; as, specks of dust; he has not a speck of money. Many bright specks bubble up along the blue Egean. Landor.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small etheostomoid fish (Ulocentra stigmæa) common in theEastern United States.
SPECKSpeck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Specked; p. pr. & vb. n. Specking.]
Defn: To cause the presence of specks upon or in, especially specks regarded as defects or blemishes; to spot; to speckle; as, paper specked by impurities in the water used in its manufacture. Carnation, purple, azure, or specked with gold. Milton.
SPECKLESpec"kle, n. Etym: [Dim. of speck; cf. D. spikkel.]
Defn: A little or spot in or anything, of a different substance or color from that of the thing itself. An huge great serpent, all with speckles pied. Spebser.
SPECKLESpec"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Speckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Speckling.]
Defn: To mark with small spots of a different color from that of the rest of the surface; to variegate with spots of a different color from the ground or surface.
SPECKLEDSpec"kled, a.
Defn: Marked or variegated with small spots of a different color fromthat of the rest of the surface. Speckled Indians (Ethnol.), thePintos.— Speckled trout. (Zoöl.) (a) The common American brook trout. SeeTrout. (b) The rainbow trout.
SPECKLED-BELLYSpec"kled-bel`ly, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The gadwall. [Local, U.S.]
SPECKLED-BILLSpec"kled-bill", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons).
SPECKLEDNESSSpec"kled*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being speckled.
SPECKSIONEERSpeck`sion*eer", n.
Defn: The chief harpooner, who also directs in cutting up the speck, or blubber; — so called among whalers.
SPECKTSpeckt, n.
Defn: A woodpecker. See Speight.
SPECTACLE Spec"ta*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. spectaculum, fr. spectare to look at, to behold, v. intens. fr. specere. See Spy.]
1. Something exhibited to view; usually, something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. O, piteous spectacle O, bloody times! Shak.
2. A spy-glass; a looking-glass. [Obs.] Poverty a spectacle is, as thinketh me, Through which he may his very friends see. Chaucer.
3. pl.
Defn: An optical instrument consisting of two lenses set in a light frame, and worn to assist sight, to obviate some defect in the organs of vision, or to shield the eyes from bright light.
4. pl.
Defn: Fig.: An aid to the intellectual sight.Shakespeare . . . needed not the spectacles of books to read nature.Dryden.
Syn.— Show; sight; exhibition; representation; pageant.
SPECTACLEDSpec"ta*cled, a.
1. Furnished with spectacles; wearing spectacles. As spectacled she sits in chimney nook. Keats.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the eyes surrounded by color markings, or patches of naked skin, resembling spectacles. Spectacled bear (Zoöl.), a South American bear (Tremarclos ornatus) which inhabits the high mountains of Chili and Peru. It has a light-colored ring around each eye. — Spectacled coot, or Spectacled duck (Zoöl.), the surf scoter, or surf duck. [Local, U.S.] — Spectacled eider (Zoöl.) See Eider. — Spectacled goose (Zoöl.), the gannet. — Spectacled snake (Zoöl.), the cobra de capello.
SPECTACULARSpec*tac"u*lar, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a shows; of the nature of a show. "Spectacular sports." G. Hickes.
2. Adapted to excite wonder and admiration by a display of pomp or of scenic effects; as, a spectacular celebration of some event; a spectacular play.
3. Pertaining to spectacles, or glasses for the eyes.
SPECTANTSpec"tant, a. Etym: [L. spectans, p.pr. of spectare to look at.]
Defn: Looking forward.
SPECTATIONSpec*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. spectatio.]
Defn: Regard; aspect; appearance. Harvey.
SPECTATORSpec*ta"tor, n. Etym: [L. spectator: cf. F. spectateur. SeeSpectacle.]
Defn: One who on; one who sees or beholds; a beholder; one who is personally present at, and sees, any exhibition; as, the spectators at a show. "Devised and played to take spectators." Shak.
Syn.— Looker-on; beholder; observer; witness.
SPECTATORIALSpec`ta*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectator. Addison.
SPECTATORSHIPSpec*ta"tor*ship, n.
1. The office or quality of a spectator. [R.] Addison.
2. The act of beholding. [Obs.] Shak.
SPECTATRESS; SPECTATRIXSpec*ta"tress, Spec*ta"trix, n. Etym: [L. spectatrix.]
Defn: A female beholder or looker-on. "A spectatress of the whole scene." Jeffrey.
SPECTER; SPECTRESpec"ter, Spec"tre, n. Etym: [F. spectre, fr. L. spectrum anappearance, image, specter, fr. specere to look. See Spy, and cf.Spectrum.]
1. Something preternaturally visible; an apparition; a ghost; a phantom. The ghosts of traitors from the bridge descend, With bold fanatic specters to rejoice. Dryden.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The tarsius. (b) A stick insect. Specter bat (Zoöl.), any phyllostome bat. — Specter candle (Zoöl.), a belemnite. — Specter shrimp (Zoöl.), a skeleton shrimp. See under Skeleton.
SPECTIONEERSpec`tion*eer", n.
Defn: Same as Specsioneer.
SPECTRALSpec"tral, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a specter; ghosty. He that feels timid at the spectral form of evil is not the man to spread light. F. W. Robertson.
2. (Opt.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the spectrum; made by the spectrum; as, spectral colors; spectral analysis. Spectral lemur. (Zoöl.) See Tarsius.
SPECTRALLYSpec"tral*ly, adv.
Defn: In the form or manner of a specter.
SPECTRESpec"tre, n.
Defn: See Specter.
SPECTROBOLOMETERSpec`tro*bo*lom"e*ter, n. (Physics)
Defn: A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. —Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric (#), a.
SPECTROELECTRICSpec`tro*e*lec"tric, a.
Defn: Pert. to or designating any form of spark tube the electric discharge within which is used in spectroscopic observations.
SPECTROGRAMSpec"tro*gram, n. [Spectrum + -gram.] (Physics)
Defn: A photograph, map, or diagram of a spectrum.
SPECTROGRAPH Spec"tro*graph, n. [Spectrum + graph.] (Physics) (a) An apparatus for photographing or mapping a spectrum. (b) A photograph or picture of a spectrum. — Spec`tro*graph"ic (#), a. —Spec`tro*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv. —Spec*trog"ra*phy (#), n.
SPECTROHELIOGRAMSpec`tro*he"li*o*gram`, n. [Spectrum + heloi- + -gram.](Astrophysics)
Defn: A photograph of the sun made by monochromatic light, usually of the calcium line (k), and showing the sun's faculæ and prominences.
SPECTROHELIOGRAPHSpec`tro*he"li*o*graph, n. (Astrophysics)
Defn: An apparatus for making spectroheliograms, consisting of a spectroscopic camera used in combination with a telescope, and provided with clockwork for moving the sun's image across the slit. — Spec`tro*he`li*o*graph"ic (#), a.
SPECTROLOGICALSpec`tro*log"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to spectrology; as, spectrological studies orexperiments.— Spec`tro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
SPECTROLOGYSpec*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -logy.] (Chem.Phys.)
Defn: The science of spectrum analysis in any or all of its relations and applications.
SPECTROMETERSpec*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -meter.] (Physics)
Defn: A spectroscope fitted for measurements of the luminious spectra observed with it.
SPECTROMETRYSpec*trom"e*try, n. (Physics)
Defn: Art or process of using the spectrometer, or of measuring wave lengths of rays of a spectrum. — Spec`tro*met"ric (#), a.
SPECTROPHONESpec"tro*phone, n. [Spectrum + Gr. sound.]
Defn: An instrument constructed on the principle of the photophone and used in spectrum analysis as an adjunct to the spectroscope. — Spec`tro*phon"ic (#), a.
SPECTROPHOTOMETERSpec`tro*pho*tom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Spectrum + photometer.] (Opt.)
Defn: An instrument for measuring or comparing the intensites of the colors of the spectrum.
SPECTROPHOTOMETRYSpec`tro*pho*tom"e*try, n.
Defn: The art of comparing, photometrically, the brightness of two spectra, wave length by wave length; the use of the spectrophotometer. —Spec`tro*pho`to*met"ric (#), a.
SPECTROSCOPESpec"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Spectrum + -scope.] (Physics)
Defn: An optical instrument for forming and examining spectra (as that of solar light, or those produced by flames in which different substances are volatilized), so as to determine, from the position of the spectral lines, the composition of the substance.
SPECTROSCOPIC; SPECTROSCOPICALSpec`tro*scop"ic, Spec`tro*scop"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a spectroscope, or spectroscopy.— Spec`tro*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.
SPECTROSCOPISTSpec*tros"co*pist ( or ), n.
Defn: One who investigates by means of a spectroscope; one skilled in the use of the spectroscope.
SPECTROSCOPYSpec*tros"co*py, n.
Defn: The use of the spectroscope; investigations made with the spectroscope.
SPECTRUMSpec"trum, n.; pl. Spectra. Etym: [L. See Specter.]
1. An apparition; a specter. [Obs.]
2. (Opt.) (a) The several colored and other rays of which light is composed, separated by the refraction of a prism or other means, and observed or studied either as spread out on a screen, by direct vision, by photography, or otherwise. See Illust. of Light, and Spectroscope. (b) A luminous appearance, or an image seen after the eye has been exposed to an intense light or a strongly illuminated object. When the object is colored, the image appears of the complementary color, as a green image seen after viewing a red wafer lying on white paper. Called also ocular spectrum. Absorption spectrum, the spectrum of light which has passed through a medium capable of absorbing a portion of the rays. It is characterized by dark spaces, bands, or lines. — Chemical spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their chemical effects, as in photography. These, in the usual photogrophic methods, have their maximum influence at and beyond the violet rays, but are not limited to this region. — Chromatic spectrum, the visible colored rays of the solar spectrum, exhibiting the seven principal colors in their order, and covering the central and larger portion of the space of the whole spectrum. — Continous spectrum, a spectrum not broken by bands or lines, but having the colors shaded into each other continously, as that from an incandescent solid or liquid, or a gas under high pressure. — Diffraction spectrum, a spectrum produced by diffraction, as by a grating. — Gaseous spectrum, the spectrum of an incandesoent gas or vapor, under moderate, or especially under very low, pressure. It is characterized by bright bands or lines. — Normal spectrum, a representation of a spectrum arranged upon conventional plan adopted as standard, especially a spectrum in which the colors are spaced proportionally to their wave lengths, as when formed by a diffraction grating. — Ocular spectrum. See Spectrum, 2 (b), above. — Prismatic spectrum, a spectrum produced by means of a prism. — Solar spectrum, the spectrum of solar light, especially as thrown upon a screen in a darkened room. It is characterized by numerous dark lines called Fraunhofer lines. — Spectrum analysis, chemical analysis effected by comparison of the different relative positions and qualities of the fixed lines of spectra produced by flames in which different substances are burned or evaporated, each substance having its own characteristic system of lines. — Thermal spectrum, a spectrum of rays considered solely with reference to their heating effect, especially of those rays which produce no luminous phenomena.
SPECULAR Spec"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. specularis (cf., from the same root, specula a lookout, watchtower): cf. F. spéculaire. See Speculum.]
1. Having the qualities of a speculum, or mirror; having a smooth, reflecting surface; as, a specular metal; a specular surface.
2. (Med.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a speculum; conducted with the aid of a speculum; as, a specular examination.
3. Assisting sight, as a lens or the like. [Obs.] Thy specular orb Apply to well-dissected kernels; lo! In each observe the slender threads Of first-beginning trees. J. Philips.
4. Affording view. [R.] "Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount." Milton. Specular iron. (Min.) See Hematite.
SPECULATESpec"u*late, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speculated; p. pr. & vb. n.Speculating.] Etym: [L. speculatus, p.p. of speculari to spy out,observe, fr. specula a lookout, fr. specere to look. See Spy.]
1. To consider by turning a subject in the mind, and viewing it in its different aspects and relations; to meditate; to contemplate; to theorize; as, to speculate on questions in religion; to speculate on political events. It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most pefect quietude to the external regulations of society. Hawthorne.
2. (Philos.)
Defn: To view subjects from certain premises given or assumed, and infer conclusions respecting them a priori.
3. (Com.)
Defn: To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; — often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.
SPECULATESpec"u*late, v. t.
Defn: To consider attentively; as, to speculate the nature of a thing. [R.] Sir W. Hamilton.
SPECULATION Spec`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. speculatio a spying out, observation: cf. F. spéculation.]
1. The act of speculating. Specifically: — (a) Examination by the eye; view. [Obs.] (b) Mental view of anything in its various aspects and relations; contemplation; intellectual examination. Thenceforth to speculations high or deep I turned my thoughts. Milton. (c) (Philos.)
Defn: The act or process of reasoning a priori from premises given or assumed. (d) (Com.) The act or practice of buying land, goods, shares, etc., in expectation of selling at a higher price, or of selling with the expectation of repurchasing at a lower price; a trading on anticipated fluctuations in price, as distinguished from trading in which the profit expected is the difference between the retail and wholesale prices, or the difference of price in different markets. 1 year) is considered investment. Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation. A. Smith. Speculation, while confined within moderate limits, is the agent for equalizing supply and demand, and rendering the fluctuations of price less sudden and abrupt than they would otherwise be. F. A. Walker.
(e) Any business venture in involving unusual risks, with a chance for large profits.
2. A conclusion to which the mind comes by speculating; mere theory; view; notion; conjecture. From him Socrates derived the principles of morality, and most part of his natural speculations. Sir W. temple. To his speculations on these subjects he gave the lofty name of the "Oracles of Reason." Macaulay.
3. Power of sight. [Obs.] Thou hast no speculation in those eyes. Shak.
4. A game at cards in which the players buy from one another trumps or whole hands, upon a chance of getting the highest trump dealt, which entitles the holder to the pool of stakes.
SPECULATISTSpec"u*la*tist, n.
Defn: One who speculates, or forms theories; a speculator; atheorist.The very ingenious speculatist, Mr. Hume. V. Knox.
SPECULATIVESpec"u*la*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. spéculatif, L. speculativus.]
1. Given to speculation; contemplative. The mind of man being by nature speculative. Hooker.
2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical; not established by demonstration. Cudworth.
3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive; curious. [R.] Bacon.
4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares, etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise. The speculative merchant exercises no one regular, established, or well-known branch of business. A. Smith. — Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. — Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.
SPECULATOR Spec"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L., a spy, explorer, investigator: cf. F. spéculateur.]
Defn: One who speculates. Specifically: (a) An observer; a contemplator; hence, a spy; a watcher. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. (b) One who forms theories; a theorist. A speculator who had dared to affirm that the human soul is by nature mortal. Macaulay. (c) (Com.)
Defn: One who engages in speculation; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.
SPECULATORIALSpec`u*la*to"ri*al, a.
Defn: Speculatory; speculative. [Obs.]
SPECULATORY Spec"u*la*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. speculatorius belonging to spies or scouts.]
1. Intended or adapted for viewing or espying; having oversight. T. Warton.
2. Exercising speculation; speculative. T. Carew.
SPECULISTSpec"u*list, n.
Defn: One who observes or considers; an observer. [R.] Goldsmith.
SPECULUM Spec"u*lum, n.; pl. L. Specula, E. Speculum. Etym: [L., fr. specere to look, behold. See Spy.]
1. A mirror, or looking-glass; especially, a metal mirror, as in Greek and Roman archæology.
2. A reflector of polished metal, especially one used in reflecting telescopes. See Speculum metal, below.
3. (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for dilating certain passages of the body, and throwing light within them, thus facilitating examination or surgical operations.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bright and lustrous patch of color found on the wings of ducks and some other birds. It is usually situated on the distal portions of the secondary quills, and is much more brilliant in the adult male than in the female. Speculum metal, a hard, brittle alloy used for making the reflectors of telescopes and other instruments, usually consisting of copper and tin in various proportions, one of the best being that in which there are 126.4 parts of copper to 58.9 parts of tin, with sometimes a small proportion of arsenic, antimony, or zinc added to improve the whiteness.
SPEDSped,
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Speed.
SPEECESpeece, n.
Defn: Species; sort. [Obs.]
SPEECHSpeech, n. Etym: [OE. speche, AS. sp, spr, fr. specan, sprecan, tospeak; akin to D. spraak speech, OHG. sprahha, G. sprache, Sw. spr,Dan. sprog. See Speak.]
1. The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking. There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man alone is endowed for the communication of his thoughts. Holder.
2. he act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as expressing ideas; language; conversation.
Note: Speech is voice modulated by the throat, tongue, lips, etc., the modulation being accomplished by changing the form of the cavity of the mouth and nose through the action of muscles which move their walls. O goode God! how gentle and how kind Ye seemed by your speech and your visage The day that maked was our marriage. Chaucer. The acts of God . . . to human ears Can nort without process of speech be told. Milton.
3. A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect. People of a strange speech and of an hard language. Ezek. iii. 6.
4. Talk; mention; common saying. The duke . . . did of me demand What was the speech among the Londoners Concerning the French journey. Shak.
5. formal discourse in public; oration; harangue. The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point. Swift.
6. ny declaration of thoughts. I. with leave of speech implored, . . . replied. Milton.
Syn. Harangue; language; address; oration. See Harangue, andLanguage.
SPEECHSpeech, v. i. & t.
Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [R.]
SPEECHFULSpeech"ful, a.
Defn: Full of speech or words; voluble; loquacious. [R.]
SPEECHIFICATIONSpeech`i*fi*ca"tion, n.Etym: [See Spechify.]
Defn: The act of speechifying. [Used humorously or in contempt.]
SPEECHIFIERSpeech"i*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who makes a speech or speeches; an orator; a declaimer.[Used humorously or in contempt.] G. Eliot.
SPEECHIFYSpeech"i*fy, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Speechified; p. pr. & vb. n.Speechifying.] Etym: [Speech + -fy.]
Defn: To make a speech; to harangue. [Used derisively or humorously.]
SPEECHIFYINGSpeech"i*fy`ing, n.
Defn: The act of making a speech or speeches. [Used derisively orhumorously.]The dinner and speechifying . . . at the opening of the annual seasonfor the buckhounds. M. Arnold.
SPEECHINGSpeech"ing, n.
Defn: The act of making a speech. [R.]
SPEECHLESSSpeech"less, a.
1. Destitute or deprived of the faculty of speech.
2. Not speaking for a time; dumb; mute; silent.Speechless with wonder, and half dead with fear. Addison.— Speech"less*ly, adv.— Speech"less*ness, n.
SPEECHMAKERSpeech"mak`er, n.
Defn: One who makes speeches; one accustomed to speak in a public assembly.
SPEED Speed, n. Etym: [AS. sp success, swiftness, from sp to succeed; akin to D. spoedd, OHG. spuot success, spuot to succees, Skr. spha to increase, grow fat. sq. root170b.]
1. Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success. "For common speed." Chaucer. O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day. Gen. xxiv. 12.
2. The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel. Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. Milton.
Note: In kinematics, speedis sometimes used to denote the amount of velocity without regard to direction of motion, while velocity is not regarded as known unless both the direction and the amount are known.
3. One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success. [Obs.] "Hercules be thy speed!" Shak. God speed, Good speed; prosperity. See Godspeed. — Speed gauge, Speed indicator, and Speed recorder (Mach.), devices for indicating or recording the rate of a body's motion, as the number of revolutions of a shaft in a given time. — Speed lathe (Mach.), a power lathe with a rapidly revolving spindle, for turning small objects, for polishing, etc.; a hand lathe. — Speed pulley, a cone pulley with steps.
Syn. — Haste; swiftness; celerity; quickness; dispatch; expedition; hurry; acceleration. See Haste.
SPEEDSpeed, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sped, Speeded; p. pr. & vb. n. Speeding.]Etym: [AS. sp, fr. sp, n.; akin to D. spoeden, G. sich sputen. SeeSpeed, n.]
1. To go; to fare. [Obs.] To warn him now he is too farre sped. Remedy of Love.
2. To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare. Shak. Ships heretofore in seas lke fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed. Waller.
3. To fare well; to have success; to prosper. Save London, and send true lawyers their meed! For whoso wants money with them shall not speed! Lydgate. I told ye then he should prevail, and speed On his bad errand. Milton.
4. To make haste; to move with celerity. I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility. Shak.
5. To be expedient. [Obs.] Wyclif (2 Cor. xii. 1.)
SPEEDSpeed, v. t.
1. To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor. "Fortune speed us!" Shak. With rising gales that speed their happy flight. Dryden.
2. To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry. He sped him thence home to his habitation. Fairfax.
3. To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite. Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties. Ayliffe.
4. To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo. "Sped with spavins." Shak. A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped. If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead. Pope.
5. To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey. Welkome the coming, speed the parting guest. Pope. God speed you, them, etc., may God speed you; or, may you have good speed.
Syn.— To depatch; hasten; expedite; accelerate; hurry.
SPEED COUNTERSpeed counter. (Mach.)
Defn: A device for automatically counting the revolutions or pulsations of an engine or other machine; — called also simply counter.
SPEEDERSpeed"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, speeds.
2. (Spinning)
Defn: A machine for drawing and twisting slivers to form rovings.
SPEEDFULSpeed"ful, a.
Defn: Full of speed (in any sense). [Obs.]
SPEEDFULLYSpeed"ful*ly, adv.
Defn: In a speedful manner. [Obs.]
SPEEDILYSpeed"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a speedy manner.
SPEEDINESSSpeed"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being speedy.
SPEEDLESSSpeed"less, a.
Defn: Being without speed.
SPEEDWELLSpeed"well, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Veronica, mostly low herbs with pale blue corollas, which quickly fall off.
SPEEDYSpeed"y, a. [Compar. Speedier; superl. Speediest.] Etym: [AS. sp.]
Defn: Not dilatory or slow; quick; swift; nimble; hasty; rapid inmotion or performance; as, a speedy flight; on speedy foot.I will wish her speedy strength. Shak.Darts, which not the good could shun, The speedy ould outfly. Dryden.
SPEERSpeer, n.
Defn: A sphere. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SPEERSpeer, v. t.
Defn: To ask. [Scot.] See Spere.
SPEETSpeet, v. t. Etym: [Cf. D. speten. See Spit an iron prong.]
Defn: To stab. [Obs.] Gammer Gurton's Needle.
SPEIGHT Speight, n. Etym: [G. specht, probably akin to L. picus: cf. D. specht. sq. root169. See Pie a magpie.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A woodpecker; — called also specht, spekt, spight. [Obs. orProv. Eng.]
SPEIRSpeir, v. i.
Defn: To ask. See Spere. Sir W. Scott.
SPEISKOBALTSpeis`ko"balt, n. Etym: [G.]
Defn: Smaltite.
SPEISSSpeiss, n. Etym: [Cf. G. speise food, mixed metal for bells, etc.](Metal.)
Defn: A regulus consisting essentially of nickel, obtained as a residue in fusing cobalt and nickel ores with silica and sodium carbonate to make smalt.
SPEKBOOMSpek"boom, n. Etym: [D., lit. fat tree.] (Bot.)
Defn: The purslane tree of South Africa, — said to be the favorite food of elephants. Balfour (Cyc. of India).
SPEKESpeke, v. i. & t.
Defn: To speak. [Obs.] Chaucer.
SPEKEHOUSESpeke"house`, n.
Defn: The parlor or reception room of a convent. [Obs.]
SPELDING Spel"ding, n. Etym: [Scot. speld to spread out, spelder to split. spread open; cf. G. spalten split.]
Defn: A haddock or other small fish split open and dried in the sun; — called also speldron. [Scot.]
SPELICANSSpel"i*cans, n. pl.
Defn: See Spilikin.
SPELK Spelk, n. Etym: [AS. spelc, spilc, a little rod by which a thing is kept straight, a splint for binding up broken bones, akin to Icel. spelkur, pl., a splint. Cf. Spell a splinter.]
Defn: A small stick or rod used as a spike in thatching; a splinter.[Prov. Eng.] Grose.
SPELL Spell, n. Etym: [OE. speld, AS. speld a spill to light a candle with; akin to D. speld a pin, OD. spelle, G. spalten to split, OHG. spaltan, MHG. spelte a splinter, Icel. spjald a square tablet, Goth. spilda a writing tablet. Cf. Spillsplinter, roll of paper, Spell to tell the letters of.]
Defn: A spelk, or splinter. [Obs.] Holland.
SPELLSpell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym:[AS. spelian to supply another's place.]
Defn: To supply the place of for a time; to take the turn of, at work; to relieve; as, to spell the helmsman.
SPELLSpell, n.
1. The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or wathing; also, a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as, a spellat the pumps; a spell at the masthead. A spell at the wheel isc called a trick. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
2. The time during which one person or gang works until relieved; hence, any relatively short period of time, whether a few hours, days, or weeks. Nothing new hass happened in this quarter, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold weather. Washington.
3. One of two or more persons or gangs who work by spells. [R.] Their toil is so extreme that they can not endure it above four hours in a day, but are succeeded by spells. Garew.
4. A gratuitous helping forward of another's work; as, a logging spell. [Local, U.S.]
SPELL Spell, n.Etym: [AS. spell a saying, tale, speech; akin to OS. & OHG. spel, Icel. spjall,Goth. spill. Cf. Gospel, Spell to tell the letters of.]
1. A story; a tale. [Obs.] "Hearken to my spell." Chaucer.
2. A stanza, verse, or phrase supposed to be endowed with magical power; an incantation; hence, any charm. Start not; her actions shall be holy as You hear my spell is lawful. Shak.
SPELL Spell, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spelled ( or Spelt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Spelling.] Etym: [OE. spellen, spellien, tell, relate, AS. spellian, fr. spell a saying, tale; akin to MHG. spellen to relate, Goth. spill.e Spell a tale. In sense 4 and those following, OE. spellen, perhaps originally a different word, and from or influenced by spell a splinter, from the use of a piece of wood to point to the letters in schools: cf. D. spellen to spell. Cf. Spell splinter.]
1. To tell; to relate; to teach. [Obs.] Might I that legend find, By fairies spelt in mystic rhymes. T. Warton.
2. To put under the influence of a spell; to affect by a spell; to bewitch; to fascinate; to charm. "Spelled with words of power." Dryden. He was much spelled with Eleanor Talbot. Sir G. Buck.
3. To constitute; to measure. [Obs.] The Saxon heptarchy, when seven kings put together did spell but one in effect. Fuller.
4. To tell or name in their proper order letters of, as a word; to write or print in order the letters of, esp. the proper letters; to form, as words, by correct orthography. The word "satire" ought to be spelled with i, and not with y. Dryden.
5. To discover by characters or marks; to read with difficulty; — usually with out; as, to spell out the sense of an author; to spell out a verse in the Bible. To spell out a God in the works of creation. South. To sit spelling and observing divine justice upon every accident. Milton.
SPELLSpell, v. i.
1. To form words with letters, esp. with the proper letters, either orally or in writing. When what small knowledge was, in them did dwell, And he a god, who could but read or spell. Dryden.
2. To study by noting characters; to gain knowledge or learn the meaning of anything, by study. [Obs.] Where I may sit and rightly spell Of every star that heaven doth shew, And every herb that sips the dew. Milton.
SPELLABLESpell"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being spelt. Carlyle.
SPELLBINDSpell"bind`, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spellbound; p. pr. & vb. n.Spellbinding.]
Defn: To bind or hold by, or as if by, a spell or charm; to fascinate, esp. by eloquence of speech, as in a political campaign. - - Spell"bind`er (#), n.
SPELLBOUNDSpell"bound`, a.
Defn: Bound by, or as by, a spell.
SPELLERSpell"er, n.
1. One who spells.
2. A spelling book. [U. S.]
SPELLFULSpell"ful, a.
Defn: Abounding in spells, or charms. Here, while his eyes the learned leaves peruse, Each spellful mystery explained he views. Hoole.
SPELLINGSpell"ing, n.
Defn: The act of one who spells; formation of words by letters; orthography.
SPELLINGSpell"ing, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to spelling. Spelling bee, a spelling match.[U.S.] — Spelling book, a book with exercises for teaching childrento spell; a speller.— Spelling match, a contest of skill in spelling words, between twoor more persons.