SÉRAC, s[=a]-rak', _n._ a name for the cuboidal masses into which the névé
breaks when passing down a steep incline. [Swiss Fr.]
SERAGLIO, se-ral'y[=o], _n._ the ancient residence of the Sultan at
Constantinople, enclosing within its walls a variety of mosques, gardens,
and large edifices, the chief of which is the Harem: a place where women
are kept, a place of licentious pleasure: an enclosure. [It.
_serraglio_--Low L. _ser[=a]re_, to lock up, from L. _sera_, a door-bar.
The word was confused with Pers. _serai_, a palace.]
SERAI, se-rä'i, _n._ a khan, a caravansary: a seraglio for women. [Pers.
_serai_, a palace.]
SERALBUMIN, s[=e]r-al-b[=u]'min, _n._ albumin of the blood.
SERANG, se-rang', _n._ the skipper of a small East Indian vessel, the
boatswain of a lascar crew. [Pers. _sarhang_, a commander.]
SERAPE, se-rä'pe, _n._ a Mexican shawl worn by men, often gay-coloured.
SERAPEUM, SERAPEIUM, ser-a-p[=e]'um, _n._ a temple of _Serapis_, esp. that
near Memphis.
SERAPH, ser'af, _n._ an angel of the highest rank in the traditional
angelology of the church, due to Dionysius the Areopagite, who places the
seraphim at the head of the nine choirs of angels, the first rank being
formed by the seraphim, cherubim, and _throni_:--_pl._ SERAPHS (ser'afs),
SERAPHIM (ser'af-im), celestial beings on either side of the throne of
Jehovah, seen in prophetic vision by Isaiah, and by him alone (vi. 2-6): a
geometrid moth.--_adjs._ SERAPH'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or becoming, a
seraph: angelic: pure: sublime: refined.--_adv._ SERAPH'ICALLY. [Heb.
_Ser[=a]ph[=i]m_--_s[=a]raph_, to burn.]
SERAPHINE, ser'a-f[=e]n, _n._ a coarse-toned musical reed-instrument,
played with a key-board--the precursor of the harmonium.
SERAPIAS, se-r[=a]'pi-as, _n._ a genus of orchids.
SERAPIS, ser-[=a]'pis, _n._ Apis honoured by the Romans under the
attributes of Osiris: a genus of gasteropods: a genus of hymenopterous
insects.
SERASKIER, ser-as'k[=e]r, _n._ a Turkish general, esp. the
commander-in-chief or the minister of war.--_n._ SERAS'KIERATE, the office
of a seraskier. [Turk.,--Pers. _sar_, _ser_, head, Ar. _`asker_, army.]
SERB, serb, _adj._ Servian.--_n._ a Servian.
SERBONIAN, ser-b[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ relating to a dangerous bog in Egypt,
hence to any difficult situation.
SERDAB, ser'dab, _n._ a secret chamber within the masonry of an ancient
Egyptian tomb in which images of the deceased were stored. [Ar.
_serd[=a]b_.]
SERE. Same as SEAR.
SERE, s[=e]r, _adj._ (_obs._) separate, several, many.
SERE, s[=e]r, _n._ (_obs._) a claw.