Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Sphène, n. p. 1270(Min.) A mineral composed of silica, titanic acid, and lime. Its colors are dull yellow, green, gray, brown, and black. It is found usually in thin, wedge-shaped crystals.Sphē'no-grām, n. p. 1270A cuneiform or arrow-headed character. See CUNEIFORM.Sphē'noid or Sphē-noid'al, a. p. 1270Resembling a wedge. Sphenoid bone (Anat.), an irregularly shaped bone situated at the base of the skull on the median line;—called also pterygoid bone. ☞ Sphenoid, abbreviated to spheno, is sometimes…Sphé'noid, n. p. 1270(Crystallog.) A wedge-shaped crystal contained under four equal isosceles triangles. Dana. 2. (Anat.) A wedge-shaped compound bone; the sphenoid bone. Dunglison.Sphē'r'al, a. p. 1270Rounded like a sphere; hence, symmetrical; complete; perfect.Sphēre, n. p. 1270(Geom.) A body contained under a single surface, which, in every part, is equally distant from a point within, called its center. 2. Hence, any orb or star. First the sun, a mighty sphere, he framed.…Sphēre, v. t. p. 1270To place in a sphere. The glorious planet Sol, In noble eminence, enthroned and sphered Amidst the rest. Shak. 2. To form into roundness. “Light . . . sphered in a radiant cloud.” Milton.Sphère'-mél'o-dy, n. p. 1270Melody or music of the spheres. Carlyle.Sphère'-mū'sic, n. p. 1270The music or harmony of the spheres. Ed. Rev.Sphér'ic or Sphér'ic-al, a. p. 1270Having the form of a sphere; like a sphere; globular; orbicular; as, a spherical body. 2. Pertaining to a sphere. 3. Relating to the heavenly orbs; planetary. We make guilty of our disasters the sun…Sphèr'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 1270In the form of a sphere.Sphē'rie-al-ness or Sphē-ric'i-ty, n. p. 1270The state or quality of being spherical; roundness; as, the sphericity of a drop of water.Sphēr'ĭ-cle, n. p. 1270A small sphere.Sphē'rics, n. sing. p. 1270The doctrine of the sphere; the science of the properties and relations of the circles, figures, and other magnitudes of a sphere, produced by planes intersecting it; spherical geometry and…Sphĕr'o-grāph, n. p. 1270An instrument for facilitating the practical use of spheres in navigation and astronomy, being constructed of two card-boards containing various circles, and turning upon each other in such a manner…Sphē'roid, n. p. 1270A body or figure approaching to a sphere, but not perfectly spherical; especially, a solid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about one of its axes. Oblate spheroid. See OBLATE.—Prolate…Sphe-roid'al or Sphe-roid'ic, a. p. 1270Sphe-roid'ie-al, a. p. 1270Having the form of a spheroid. Cheyne. 2. (Crystallog.) Bounded by several convex faces.Spheroidal state p. 1270the state of a liquid, as water, when, on being thrown on a surface of highly heated metal, it rolls about in spheroidal drops or masses, at a temperature several degrees below ebullition, and…Sphe-roid'i-ty, n. p. 1270The state or quality of being spheroidal. [Rare.]Sphe-rōm'e-ter, n. p. 1270An instrument for measuring the thickness of small bodies, the curvature of optical glasses, and the like.Sphĕr'/o-sĭd'er-īte, n. p. 1270(Min.) Carbonate of iron in spheroidal masses, occurring in trap. Dana.Sphēr'u-late, a. p. 1270Covered or set with spherules; having one or more rows of spherules or minute tubercles.Sphèr'ule, n. p. 1270A little sphere or spherical body; as, quicksilver, when poured upon a plane, divides itself into a great number of minute spherules.Sphĕr'u-lite, n. p. 1270(Min.) A variety of obsidian or pearl-stone, found in rounded grains.Sphē'r'y, a. p. 1270Round; spherical. Shak. 2. Belonging to the spheres. She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime. Milton.Sphig-mōm'e-ter, n. p. 1270The same as SPHYGMOMETER, q. v.Sphinc'ter, n. p. 1270(Anat.) A muscle that contracts or shuts the opening of an organ. It is more generally applied to such as naturally and without volition maintain soft openings closed; as, the sphincter of the mouth.Sphinx, n. p. 1270(Myth.) A monster usually represented as having the winged body of a lion, and the face and breast of a young woman; — represented also in other forms. 2. (Entom.) A genus of lepidopterous insects…Sphrăg'īde, n. p. 1270(Min.) A species of ocherous clay which falls to pieces in water, with the emission of many bubbles; — called also earth of Lemnos and Lemnian earth.Sphra-gis'tics, n. sing. p. 1271The science of seals, their history, age, distinctions; a branch of diplomatics. [See Note under MATHEMATICS.]Sphyg'mic, a. p. 1271Of, or pertaining to the pulse. Dunglison.Sphyg'mo-grāph, n. p. 1271(Med.) A contrivance for indicating the character of the pulse as to force and extent of undulations. Dunglison.Sphyg-mŏm'e-ter, n. p. 1271A sphygmograph.Spī'al, n. p. 1271A spy; a scout. [Obs.] Bacon.Spī'cā, n. p. 1271(Surg.) A kind of bandage;—so called from its resemblance to a spike of barley. 2. (Astron.) A star of the first magnitude situated in the constellation Virgo.Spī'cate or Spī'cā-ted, a. p. 1271(Bot.) Having the form of a spike or ear; arranged in a spike. Lee.Spic-cā'to, p. a. p. 1271(Mus.) Detached; separated;—a term indicating that every note is to be performed in a distinct and pointed manner. [Obs. or rare.]Spīce, n. p. 1271A vegetable production, fragrant or aromatic to the smell and pungent to the taste;—used in sauces and in cookery. 2. Hence, that which resembles spice, or enriches or alters the quality of a thing…Spīce, v. t. p. 1271To season with spice, or that which resembles spice; to mix aromatic substances with; as, to spice wine. 2. To fill or impregnate with the odor of spices. “In the spiced Indian air, by night.” Shak.…Spīce'-bush, n. p. 1271(Bot.) Spice-wood.Spīce'-nŭt, n. p. 1271A gingerbread nut. [Eng.]Spī'cer, n. p. 1271One who seasons with spice. 2. One who deals in spice.Spī'cer-y, n. p. 1271Spices in general; fragrant and aromatic vegetable substances used in seasoning. 2. A repository of spices. Addison.Spice'-wood, n. p. 1271(Bot.) An American shrub, the bark of which has a spicy taste and odor; the Benzoin odoriferum (Laurus benzoin of Linnæus);—called also Benjamin, wild allspice, and fever-bush.Spī·cif'er-ous, a. p. 1271Bearing ears, as corn; producing spikes, as some plants; spicate. [Obs.] Bailey.Spī'ci-fōrm, a. p. 1271(Bot.) Spike-shaped. Gray.Spī'ci-ly, adv. p. 1271In a spicy manner.Spī'ci-ness, n. p. 1271The state or quality of being spicy.Spĭck, n. p. 1271A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] Spick and span new, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split. See SPAN-NEW.Spĭck'nel, n. p. 1271(Bot.) A plant of the genus Athemantium; — called also, provincially, maldmony, and bearwort.Spī-cōse', a. p. 1271(Bot.) Having spikes or ears, like corn-spikes. Wright.Spī-cōs'ĭ-ty, n. p. 1271The state of having or being full of ears, like corn. [Obs.] Bailey.Spī'coūs, a. p. 1271The same as SPICOSE, q. v.Spī'cē-lā, n. p. 1271(Bot.) (a.) A little spike; a spikelet. (b.) A pointed, fleshy appendage. Henslow.Spīc'ū-lar, a. p. 1271Resembling a dart; having sharp points.Spīc'ū-lāte, v. t. p. 1271To sharpen to a point. [Rare.] Mason.Spīc'ū-late, a. p. 1271(Bot.) Covered with minute points, as pointed fleshy appendages; divided into small spikelets. Henslow.Spīc'ūle, n. p. 1271A minute, slender granule or point.Spi-cū'li-form, a. p. 1271Having the form of a spicule.