SCIOMACHY, s[=i]-om'a-ki, _n._ a battle or fighting with shadows: imaginary
or futile combat.--Also SCIAM'ACHY. [Gr. _skiamachia_,
_skiomachia_--_skia_, shadow, _mach[=e]_, battle.]
SCIOMANCY, s[=i]'[=o]-man-si, _n._ divination by means of the shades of the
dead.
SCION, s[=i]'on, _n._ a cutting or twig for grafting: a young member of a
family: a descendant. [O. Fr. _sion_, _cion_--L. _section-em_, a
cutting--_sec[=a]re_, to cut.]
SCIOPTIC, s[=i]-op'tik, _adj._ noting a certain optical arrangement for
forming images in a darkened room, consisting of a globe with a lens fitted
to a camera, and made to turn like the eye--also SCIOP'TRIC.--_ns._
SCIOP'TICON; SCIOP'TICS. [Gr. _skia_, shadow, _optikos_, pertaining to
sight.]
SCIOTHEISM, s[=i]'[=o]-th[=e]-izm, _n._ ancestor-worship.
SCIOTHERIC. Same as SCIATHERIC (q.v.).
SCIOUS, sc[=i]'us, _adj._ (_obs._) knowing.
SCIRE FACIAS, s[=i]'re f[=a]'shi-as, _n._ (_law_) a writ to enforce the
execution of judgments, or to quash them.
SCIRPUS, sir'pus, _n._ a genus of monocotyledonous plants, including the
bulrushes. [L., a rush.]
SCIRRHUS, skir'us, or sir'us, _n._ (_med._) a hardened gland forming a
tumour: a hardening, esp. that preceding cancer.--_adjs._ SCIRR'HOID,
resembling scirrhus; SCIRR'HOUS, hardened, proceeding from scirrhus.
[L.,--Gr. _skirros_, _skiros_, a tumour.]
SCIRTOPOD, sir't[=o]-pod, _adj._ having limbs fitted for leaping.--_n.pl._
SCIRTOP'ODA, an order of saltatorial rotifers. [Gr. _skirtan_, leap,
_pous_, foot.]
SCISCITATION, sis-i-t[=a]'shun, _n._ (_obs._) the act of inquiry: demand.
[L.,--_sciscit[=a]ri_, to inquire--_scisc[)e]re_, to seek to
know--_sc[=i]re_, to know.]
SCISSEL, sis'el, _n._ the clippings of various metals: scrap--also
SCISS'IL. [O. Fr. _cisaille_--_ciseler_--_cisel_, a chisel (q.v.). The
spelling has been adapted in the interests of a fancied connection with L.
_scind[)e]re_, _scissum_, to divide.]
SCISSORS, siz'orz, _n.pl._ a cutting instrument consisting of two blades
fastened at the middle: shears.--_v.i._ SCISE, s[=i]z (_obs._), to cut: to
penetrate.--_adjs._ SCISS'IBLE, SCISS'ILE, capable of being cut.--_ns._
SCIS'SION, the act of cutting: division: splitting; SCISSIPAR'ITY,
reproduction by fission.--_v.t._ SCISS'OR, to cut with scissors.--_ns._
SCISS'OR-BILL, a skimmer; SCISS'OR-TAIL, an American bird, the
scissor-tailed fly-catcher; SCISS'OR-TOOTH, the sectorial tooth of a
carnivore which cuts against its fellow; SCISS[=U]'RA (_anat._), a fissure,
a cleft; SCIS'SURE, a cleft: a fissure: a rupture: a division;
SCISSUREL'LA, a genus of gasteropods with a shell deeply cut. [Formerly
written _cisors_--O. Fr. _cisoires_, conn. with Fr. _ciseaux_, scissors,
from Late L. _cisorium_, a cutting instrument--L. _cæd[)e]re_, _cæsum_, to
cut.]
SCIURIDÆ, s[=i]-[=u]'ri-d[=e], _n._ a family of rodent mammals containing
the squirrels and their allies.--_adjs._ SC[=I]'[=U]RINE,
SC[=I]'[=U]ROID.--_ns._ SCI[=U]ROP'TERUS, one of two genera of flying
squirrels; SCI[=U]'RUS, a genus of _Sciuridæ_, the arboreal squirrels. [Gr.
_skiouros_.]
SCLATE, skl[=a]t, _n._ an obs. or prov. form of _slate_.
SCLAVE, SCLAVONIAN, &c. See SLAV, SLAVONIC.
SCLERA, skl[=e]'ra, _n._ the sclerotic coat of the eye-ball.--_n._
SCL[=E]'RAGOGY, severe discipline.--_adj._ SCL[=E]'RAL.--_ns._
SCL[=E]RAN'THUS, a genus of apetalous plants, including the knawel or
German knot-grass; SCLERE, in sponges, a skeletal element;
SCL[=E]RENCH'YMA, the hard parts of corals or plants.--_adj._
SCLERENCHYM'ATOUS.--_ns._ SCL[=E]'RIA, a genus of monocotyledonous plants,
of the sedge family; SCLER[=I]'ASIS, sclerodermia; SCL[=E]'RITE, any hard
part of the integument of arthropods.--_adj._ SCLERIT'IC.--_n._
SCL[=E]'ROBASE, a dense corneous mass, as in red coral.--_adj._
SCLEROB[=A]'SIC.--_ns._ SCL[=E]ROBR[=A]'CHIA, an order of brachiopods;
SCL[=E]'RODERM, hardened integument or exo-skeleton, esp. of a coral: a
madrepore.--_n.pl._ SCLERODER'MATA, the scaly reptiles: the
madrepores.--_n._ SCL[=E]RODER'MIA, a chronic non-inflammatory affection of
the skin, which becomes thick and rigid.--_adjs._ SCLERODER'MIC,
SCLERODER'MOUS, SCLERODERMIT'IC.--_ns._ SCLERODER'MITE; SCL[=E]'ROGEN, the
thickening matter of woody cells, as in walnut-shells, &c.--_adjs._
SCLEROG'ENOUS, producing sclerous tissue: mail-cheeked, as a fish;
SCL[=E]'ROID, hard, scleritic.--_ns._ SCL[=E]R[=O]'MA, sclerosis;
SCL[=E]ROM[=E]'NINX, the dura mater; SCL[=E]ROM'ETER, an instrument for
measuring the hardness of a mineral.--_adjs._ SCL[=E]R[=O]'SAL,
SCL[=E]'ROSED.--_ns._ SCL[=E]R[=O]'SIS, a hardening: (_bot._) the
induration of a tissue; SCL[=E]ROS'TOMA, a genus of nematode worms;
SCL[=E]R[=O]'TAL, a bone of the eye-ball.--_adj._ relating to such.--_adj._
SCL[=E]ROT'IC, hard, firm, applied esp. to the outer membrane of the
eye-ball: pertaining to sclerosis: relating to ergot.--_n._ the outermost
membrane of the eye-ball.--_ns._ SCL[=E]ROT[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the
sclerotic; SCL[=E]R[=O]'TIUM, a hard, multicellular tuber-like body formed
towards the end of the vegetative season by the close union of the ordinary
mycelial filaments of Fungi.--_adjs._ SCL[=E]'ROUS, hard or indurated:
ossified or bony; SCL[=E]RUR'INE, having stiff, hard tail-feathers, as a
bird of the genus _Sclerurus_. [Gr. _skl[=e]ros_, hard.]
SCOAT, sk[=o]t, _v.t._ to prop, to block, to scotch, as a wheel.--Also
SCOTE. [O. Fr. _ascouter_--_ascot_, a branch--Teut., Old High Ger. _scuz_,
a shoot; Ger. _schuss_.]
SCOBBY, skob'i, _n._ the chaffinch.--Also SC[=O]'BY.
SCOBS, skobz, _n._ sawdust: shavings: dross of metals.--_adj._ SCOB'IFORM,
resembling sawdust or raspings.--_n._ SCOB[=I]'NA, the pedicle of the
spikelets of grasses. [L. _scobis_--_scab[)e]re_, to scrape.]
SCOFF, skof, _v.t._ to mock: to treat with scorn.--_v.i._ to show contempt
or scorn: to deride, taunt, gibe.--_n._ an expression of scorn or contempt:
an object of scoffing.--_n._ SCOFF'ER.--_adv._ SCOFF'INGLY, in a scoffing
manner: with mockery or contempt. [Old Fris. _schof_; Ice. _skaup_, cf. Old
Dut. _schoppen_, to scoff.]
SCOGANISM, sk[=o]'gan-izm, _n._ a scurrilous jesting. [From _Scogan_, the
name of a famous jester.]
SCOGIE, sk[=o]'ji, _n._ (_Scot._) a kitchen drudge.
SCOLD, sk[=o]ld, _v.i._ to rail in a loud and violent manner: to find
fault.--_v.t._ to chide rudely: to rebuke in words.--_n._ a rude, clamorous
woman: a termagant.--_ns._ SCOLD'ER; SCOLD'ING, railing: a rating;
SCOLD'ING-STOOL, a cucking-stool. [Old Dut. _scheldan_; Ger. _schelten_, to
brawl, to scold.]
SCOLECIDA, sk[=o]-les'i-da, _n._ a class of worms consisting of the
wheel-animalcules, turbellarians, trematode worms, &c.--_adj._
SCOLEC'IFORM.--_ns._ SCOLEC[=I]'NA, a group of annelids typified by the
earth-worm--also SCOLE[=I]'NA; SCOL'EC[=I]TE, a hydrous silicate of
aluminium and calcium.--_adjs._ SCOL[=E]'COID, like a scolex;
SCOL[=E]COPH'AGOUS, worm-eating, as a bird.--_n._ SCOLECOPH'AGUS, a genus
of birds including the maggot-eaters or rusty grackles.--_n.pl._
SCOLECOPHID'IA, a division of angiostomous serpents.--_adj._
SCOLECOPHID'IAN, worm-like, as a snake.--_n._ SC[=O]'LEX, the embryo of an
entozoic worm. [Gr. _sk[=o]l[=e]x_, a worm.]
SCOLIA, sk[=o]-li-a, _n._ a genus of fossorial hymenopterous insects. [Gr.
_sk[=o]los_, a prickle.]
SCOLIODON, sk[=o]-l[=i]'[=o]-don, _n._ the genus containing the
oblique-toothed sharks. [Gr. _skolios_, oblique, _odous_, _odontis_, a
tooth.]
SCOLISOIS, skol-i-[=o]'sis, _n._ lateral curvature of the spinal
column.--_adj._ SCOLIOT'IC. [Gr.,--_skolios_, oblique.]
SCOLITE, sk[=o]'l[=i]t, _n._ a fossil worm or its trace. [Gr. _skolios_,
oblique.]
SCOLLOP. Same as SCALLOP.
SCOLOPACEOUS, skol-[=o]-p[=a]'shi-us, _adj._ resembling a snipe.--_n.pl._
SCOLOPAC'IDÆ, a family of wading-birds containing snipes, &c.--_adjs._
SCOL'OPACINE, SCOL'OPACOID.--_n._ SCOL'OPAX. [L. _scolopax_, a snipe.]
SCOLOPENDRA, skol-[=o]-pen'dra, _n._ a genus of _Myriapoda_, having a long,
slender, depressed body, protected by coriaceous plates, and having at
least twenty-one pairs of legs: (_Spens._) an imaginary fish or
sea-monster.--_adj._ SCOLOPEN'DRIFORM, SCOLOPEN'DRINE.--_n._
SCOLOPEN'DRIUM, a genus of asplenioid ferns, generally called
_Hart's-tongue_. [L.,--Gr. _skolopendra_, a milliped.]
SCOLYTUS, skol'i-tus, _n._ typical genus of SCOLYT'IDÆ, a family of bark
beetles.--_adj._ SCOL'YTOID. [Gr. _skolyptein_, to strip.]
SCOMBER, skom'b[.e]r, _n._ a genus of acanthopterygian fishes typical of
the family _Scombridæ_, to which belong mackerel, tunnies, bonitos,
&c.--_ns._ SCOMBER'ESOX, the mackerel pikes, saury pikes, or sauries;
SCOMBEROM'ORUS, the Spanish mackerel and related species.--_adjs._
SCOM'BRIFORM, SCOM'BRID, -AL, SCOM'BROID. [L.,--Gr. _skombros_, a
mackerel.]
SCOMFISH, skom'fish, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to suffocate by bad air: to nauseate:
to discomfit.--_v.i._ to be suffocated. [A corr. of obs.
_scomfit_=_discomfit_.]
SCOMM, skom, _n._ (_obs._) a flout: a buffoon. [L. _scomma_--Gr.
_sk[=o]mma_, a jest.]
SCONCE, skons, _n._ a bulwark: a small fort: a protective headpiece, hence
the head, the skull, brains, wits: a covered stall: a fine: a seat in an
old-fashioned open chimney-place, a chimney-seat: a fragment of an
icefloe.--_v.t._ to fortify: to tax, to fine lightly, at Oxford and
Cambridge, for some irregularity. [O. Fr. _esconcer_, to conceal--L.
_abscond[)e]re_, _absconsum_.]
SCONCE, skons, _n._ the part of a candlestick for the candle: a hanging
candlestick with a mirror to reflect the light: a lantern. [O. Fr.
_esconse_--Low L. _absconsa_, a dark-lantern--_abscond[)e]re_, to hide.]
SCONCHEON. Same as SQUINCH.
SCONE, sk[=o]n, _n._ (_Scot._) a soft cake fired on a griddle. [Perh. Gael.
_sgonn_, a shapeless mass.]
SCOON, sk[=oo]n, _v.t._ to skim along like a vessel: (_Scot._) to skip flat
stones on the surface of water. [_Scun_.]
SCOOP, sk[=oo]p, _v.t._ to lift up, as water, with something hollow: to
empty with a ladle: to make hollow: to dig out: to dredge for grain: to get
before a rival newspaper in publishing some important piece of news.--_n._
anything hollow for scooping: a large hollow shovel or ladle: a banker's
shovel: a coal-scuttle: a haul of money made in speculation: a place
hollowed out: a sweeping stroke: (_Scot._) the peak of a cap: the act of
beating another newspaper in publishing some news.--_ns._ SCOOP'ER, an
engraver's tool; SCOOP'ING, the action of the right whale in feeding;
SCOOP'-NET, a hand-net; SCOOP'-WHEEL, a wheel having buckets attached to
its circumference, used for raising water. [Prob. Scand., Sw. _skopa_, a
scoop; or Old Dut. _schoepe_, a shovel, Ger. _schüppe_, a shovel.]
SCOOT, sk[=oo]t, _v.i._ to make off with celerity.--_v.t._ (_Scot._) to
squirt.--_n._ a sudden flow of water: a squirt. [A variant of _shoot_.]
SCOPA, sk[=o]'pa, _n._ (_entom._) a mass of stiff hairs like a brush.--_n._
SCOP[=A]'RIA, a genus of pyralid moths: a genus of gamopetalous plants--the
West Indian _sweet bromweed_.--_adjs._ SCOP[=A]'RIOUS, scopiform;
SC[=O]'PATE, covered with stiff hairs; SC[=O]PIF'EROUS, brushy;
SC[=O]'PIFORM, broom-shaped.--_ns._ SCOP'ULA (_entom._), a small brush-like
organ; SCOPUL[=A]'RIA, in a sponge, the besom-shaped spicule.--_adjs._
SCOP'[=U]LATE, broom-shaped; SCOP'[=U]LIFORM, scopiform; SCOP'[=U]LIPED,
SC[=O]'PIPED, having brushy feet, as solitary bees. [L. _scopa_, twigs.]
SCOPE, sk[=o]p, _n._ that which one sees, space as far as one can see: room
or opportunity for free outlook: space for action: the end before the mind:
intention: length of cable at which a vessel rides at liberty: a
target.--_adjs._ SCOPE'FUL, with a wide prospect; SCOPE'LESS, purposeless,
useless. [It. _scopo_--Gr. _skopos_--_skopein_, to view.]