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, sh[=a]r, _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.;
SH[=A]R'ER.--SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE, in equal shares.--DEFERRED SHARES (see
DEFER); GO SHARES, to divide equally; ORDINARY SHARES, shares forming the
common stock of a company. [A.S. _scearu_--_sceran_, to shear.]
SHARE, sh[=a]r, _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-order _Selachoidei_--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 (with _up_ or
_out_).--_ns._ SHARK'ER; SHARK'ING. [Prob. from preceding word.]
SHARN, shärn, _n._ (_Scot._) dung of cattle. [A.S. _scearn_; cf. Ice.
_skarn_.]
[Illustration]
SHARP, shärp, _adj._ having a thin cutting edge or fine point: peaked or
ridged: affecting the senses as if pointed or cutting: severe: keen, keenly
contested: alive to one's interests, barely honest: of keen or quick
perception: vigilant, attentive: pungent, biting, sarcastic: eager: fierce:
impetuous: shrill: (_phon._) denoting a consonant pronounced with breath
and not voice, surd--as the sharp mutes, _p_, _t_, _k_.--_n._ an acute or
shrill sound: (_mus._) a note raised a semitone in the scale, also the
character directing this: a long and slender sewing-needle--opp. to a
_blunt_ and a _between_: a small sword or duelling sword: a sharper, cheat:
(_pl._) the hard parts of wheat, middlings: an oysterman's boat--also
SHARP'IE, SHARP'Y.--_v.t._ (_obs._) to sharpen.--_v.i._ to play the
sharper, cheat.--_adj._ SHARP'-CUT, cut sharply or definitely:
well-defined: clear.--_v.t._ SHARP'EN, to make sharp or keen, pungent or
painful, active or acute.--_v.i._ to grow sharp.--_ns._ SHAR'PENER, one who
sharpens; SHARP'ER, a trickster: a swindler: a cheat.--_adjs._ SHARP'-EYED,
sharp-sighted; SHARP'-GROUND, ground to a sharp edge; SHARP'-LOOK'ING
(_Shak._), hungry-looking.--_adv._ SHARP'LY, quickly: to the moment:
(_mus._) above the true pitch.--_n._ SHARP'NESS.--_adjs._ SHARP'-NOSED,
having a pointed nose: keen of scent, as a dog; SHARP'-SET,
ravenous.--_ns._ SHARP'-SHOOT'ER, an old term applied in the army to
riflemen when skirmishing or specially employed as marksmen;
SHARP'-SHOOT'ING.--_adjs._ SHARP'-SIGHT'ED, having acute sight: shrewd;
SHARP'-VIS'AGED, having a thin face; SHARP'-WIT'TED, having an acute
wit.--LOOK SHARP, to show eagerness, to act quickly. [A.S. _scearp_; Ice.
_skarpr_, Gr. _scharf_.]
SHASTER, shas't[.e]r, _n._ a text-book, an authoritative religious and
legal book among the Hindus.--Also SHAS'TRA. [Sans. _ç[=a]stra_--_ç[=a]s_,
to teach.]
SHATTER, shat'[.e]r, _v.t._ to break or dash to pieces: to crack: to
disorder: to render unsound.--_v.i._ to break into fragments.--_n._ a
fragment: impaired state.--_adjs._ SHATT'ER-BRAINED, -P[=A]'TED, disordered
in intellect; SHATT'ERY, brittle. [_Scatter_.]
SHAUCHLE, shawh'l, _v.i._ (_Scot._) to walk with shuffling, loose
gait.--_v.t._ to distort, deform. [Perh. conn. with Ice. _skjálgr_, wry,
squinting.]
SHAVE, sh[=a]v, _v.t._ to cut off the hair with a razor: to pare closely:
to make smooth by paring: to cut in thin slices: to skim along the surface:
to strip, swindle.--_v.i._ to remove hair by a razor:--_pa.p._ sh[=a]ved or
sh[=a]'ven.--_n._ the act of shaving: a paring: a narrow miss or escape: a
piece of financial knavery.--_ns._ SHAVE'-GRASS, the scouring-rush;
SHAVE'LING, a monk or friar, from his shaven crown; SH[=A]'VER, one who
shaves: a barber: a sharp or extortionate dealer: (_coll._) a chap,
youngster; SH[=A]'VING, the act of shaving: that which is shaved or pared
off; SH[=A]'VING-B[=A]'SIN, -BOWL, -BRUSH, a basin, bowl, brush, used by
persons shaving.--CLOSE, or NEAR, SHAVE, a very narrow escape. [A.S.
_sceafan_, _scafan_; Dut. _schaven_, Ger. _schaben_, L. _scab[)e]re_, to
scrape, Gr. _skaptein_, to dig.]
SHAVIE, sh[=a]'vi, _n._ (_Scot._) a trick or prank.--Also SK[=A]'VIE.
[Perh. Dan. _skæv_, crooked; cf. Ger. _schief_, oblique.]
SHAW, shaw, _n._ a thicket, a small wood: (_Scot._) a stem with the leaves,
as of a potato. [A.S. _scaga_; Ice. _skógr_, Dan. _skov_.]
SHAWL, shawl, _n._ a wrap made of wool, cotton, silk, or hair, used
particularly by women as a loose covering for the shoulders: a kind of
mantle.--_v.t._ to wrap in a shawl.--_ns._ SHAWL'-DANCE, a graceful
Oriental dance in which the dancer waves a scarf; SHAWL'-MAT[=E]'RIAL, a
textile of silk and wool, soft and flexible, usually with Oriental designs,
employed for dresses and parts of dresses for women; SHAWL'-PATT'ERN, a
coloured pattern, supposed to resemble an Eastern shawl, and applied to
material of plainer design; SHAWL'-PIN, a pin used for fastening a shawl;
SHAWL'-STRAP, a pair of leather straps, fitted to a handle, used for
carrying shawls, rugs, &c.; SHAWL'-WAIST'COAT, a vest or waistcoat with a
large staring pattern like that of a shawl. [Pers. _sh[=a]l_.]
SHAWM, SHALM, _shawm_, _n._ a musical instrument of the oboe class, having
a double reed enclosed in a globular mouthpiece. [O. Fr. _chalemie_--L.
_calamus_, a reed-pipe.]
SHAY, _n._ See CHAY.
SHAYAK, sha'yak, _n._ a coarse Tripoli woollen cloth.
SHAYA-ROOT, sh[=a]'ä-r[=oo]t, _n._ the root of the so-called Indian madder,
yielding a red dye.--Also CHÉ-ROOT, CHOY-ROOT. [Tamil _chaya_.]
SHE, sh[=e], _pron. fem._ the female understood or previously mentioned:
sometimes used as a noun for a woman or other female. [Orig. the fem. of
the def. art. in A.S.--viz. _seó_, which in the 12th century began to
replace _heó_, the old fem. pron.]
SHEA, sh[=e]'ä, _n._ the tree yielding the Galam butter or
shea-butter.--Also SH[=E]'A-TREE and _Karite_.
SHEADING, sh[=e]'ding, _n._ one of the six divisions or districts of the
Isle of Man. [_Shed_.]
SHEAF, sh[=e]f, _n._ a quantity of things, esp. the stalks of grain, put
together and bound: a bundle of arrows, usually 24 in number: any bundle or
collection:--_pl._ SHEAVES (sh[=e]vz).--_v.t._ to bind in sheaves.--_v.i._
to make sheaves.--_adj._ SHEAF'Y. [A.S. _sceáf_--A.S. _scúfan_, to shove;
Ger. _schaub_, Dut. _schoof_.]
SHEAL, sh[=e]l, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to shell, as peas.--_n._ SHEAL'ING, the
shell, pod, or husk, as of peas. [_Shell_.]
SHEAL, SHIEL, sh[=e]l, _n._ (_Scot._) a hut used by shepherds, sportsmen,
&c.: a shelter for sheep.--_ns._ SHEAL'ING, SHEEL'ING, SHIEL'ING. [Either
Ice. _skáli_, a hut, or Ice. _skjól_, a shelter; both cog. with sky,
_shade_.]
SHEAR, sh[=e]r, _v.t._ to cut or clip: to clip with shears or any other
instrument: (_Scot._) to reap with a sickle.--_v.i._ to separate, cut,
penetrate: in mining, to make a vertical cut in the coal:--_pa.t._ sheared,
(_obs._) shore; _pa.p._ sheared or shorn.--_n._ a shearing or clipping: a
strain where compression is answered by elongation at right angles: curve,
deviation.--_ns._ SHEAR'-BILL, the scissor-bill, cut-water, or black
skimmer; SHEAR'ER; SHEAR'-HOG, a sheep after the first shearing; SHEAR'ING,
the act or operation of cutting with shears: what is cut off with shears:
(_Scot._) the time of reaping: the process of preparing shear-steel:
(_geol._) the process by which shear-structure (q.v.) has been produced;
SHEAR'LING, a sheep only once sheared; SHEAR'MAN, one whose occupation is
to shear cloth; SHEARS (_pl._ and _sing._), an instrument for shearing or
cutting, consisting of two blades that meet each other: a hoisting
apparatus (see SHEERS): anything resembling shears, as even a pair of wings
(_Spens._); SHEAR'-STEEL, steel suitable for the manufacture of shears and
other edge-tools; SHEAR'-STRUC'TURE (_geol._), a structure often seen in
volcanic rocks, due to the reciprocal compression and elongation of various
parts under great crust movements; SHEAR'-WA'TER, a genus of oceanic birds
allied to the petrels, and varying from 8½ to 14 inches in length. [A.S.
_sceran_; Ice. _skera_, to clip, Ger. _scheren_, to shave.]
SHEAT-FISH, sh[=e]t'-fish, _n._ a fish of the family _Siluridæ_, the great
catfish of central Europe.
SHEATH, sh[=e]th, _n._ a case for a sword or other long instrument: a
scabbard: any thin defensive covering: a membrane covering a stem or
branch: the wing-case of an insect.--_v.t._ SHEATHE (_th_), to put into a
sheath: to cover with a sheath or case: to enclose in a lining.--_adj._
SHEATHED (_th_), provided with, or enclosed in, a sheath: (_bot._, _zool._,
and _anat._) having a sheath, vaginate.--_ns._ SHEATH'ING (_th_), that
which sheathes, esp. the covering of a ship's bottom; SHEATH'-KNIFE, a
knife carried in a sheath from the waist.--_adjs._ SHEATH'LESS;
SHEATH'-WINGED, having the wings encased in elytra: coleopterous; SHEATH'Y,
sheath-like.--SHEATHE THE SWORD, to put an end to war. [A.S. _scéth_,
_sc['æ]th_; Ger. _scheide_, Ice. _skeithir_.]
SHEAVE, sh[=e]v, _n._ the wheel of a pulley over which the rope runs: a
sliding scutcheon for covering a keyhole.--_n._ SHEAVE'-HOLE. [_Shive_.]
SHEAVED, sh[=e]vd, _adj._ (_Shak._) made of straw.
SHEBANG, sh[=e]-bang', _n._ (_Amer._) a place, a store, a saloon, a
gaming-house: a brothel.
SHEBEEN, she-b[=e]n', _n._ a place where intoxicating drinks are privately
and unlawfully sold.--_ns._ SHEB[=EE]'NER, one who keeps a shebeen;
SHEB[=EE]'NING. [Ir.]
SHECHINAH, sh[=e]-k[=i]'na, _n._ Same as SHEKINAH.
SHECKLATON, shek'la-ton, _n._ Same as CHECKLATON.
SHED, shed, _v.t._ to part, separate: to scatter, cast off: to throw out:
to pour: to spill.--_v.i._ to let fall, cast:--_pr.p._ shed'ding; _pa.t._
and _pa.p._ shed.--_n._ a division, parting, as of the hair, and in
watershed.--_ns._ SHED'DER; SHED'DING. [A.S. _sceádan_, to separate; Ger.
_scheiden_.]
SHED, shed, _n._ a slight erection, usually of wood, for shade or shelter:
an outhouse: a large temporary open structure for reception of goods.
[_Shade_.]
SHEELING. See under SHEAL.
SHEEN, sh[=e]n, _n._ brightness or splendour.--_adj._ (_obs._) bright,
shining.--_v.i._ (_arch._) to shine, glitter.--_adj._ SHEEN'Y, shining,
beautiful. [A.S. _scéne_, _scýne_, fair; Dut. _schoon_, Ger. _schön_,
beautiful; prob. from the root of A.S. _sceáwian_, to look at.]
SHEENY, sh[=e]n'i, _n._ (_slang_) a sharp fellow, a cheat, a Jewish
dealer.--_adj._ cheating.
[Illustration]
SHEEP, sh[=e]p, _n.sing._ and _pl._ the well-known ruminant mammal covered
with wool: leather made from sheep-skin: a silly and timid fellow.--_ns._
SHEEP'-B[=I]T'ER (_Shak._), one who practises petty thefts;
SHEEP'-B[=I]T'ING, robbing those under one's care, like an ill-trained
shepherd-dog; SHEEP'-COTE, an enclosure for sheep; SHEEP'-DOG, a dog
trained to watch sheep: (_slang_) a chaperon.--_adj._ SHEEP'-FACED,
sheepish, bashful.--_ns._ SHEEP'-FARM'ER, SHEEP'-FOLD, a fold or enclosure
for sheep: a flock of sheep; SHEEP'-HEAD, SHEEP'S'-HEAD, a fool, a stupid
and timid person: an American fish of the family _Sparidæ_, allied to the
perches, so called from the shape and colour of the head; SHEEP'-HOOK, a
shepherd's crook.--_adj._ SHEEP'ISH, like a sheep: bashful: foolishly
diffident.--_adv._ SHEEP'ISHLY.--_ns._ SHEEP'ISHNESS; SHEEP'-LOUSE, a
parasitic dipterous insect; SHEEP'-MAR'KET, a place where sheep are sold;
SHEEP'-MAS'TER, a master or owner of sheep; SHEEP'-PEN, an enclosure for
sheep; SHEEP'-PEST, the sheep-tick; SHEEP'-POX, a contagious eruptive
disease of sheep, variola ovina; SHEEP'-RUN, a tract of grazing country for
sheep; SHEEP'S'-EYE, a modest, diffident look: a loving, wishful glance;
SHEEP'S'-FOOT, a printer's tool with a claw at one end for prizing up
forms; SHEEP'-SHANK (_Scot._), the shank of a sheep--hence something
slender and weak: a nautical knot for temporarily shortening a rope;
SHEEP'-SHEARER, one who shears sheep; SHEEP'-SHEARING; SHEEP'-SHEARS, a
kind of shears used for shearing sheep; SHEEP'-SIL'VER, money formerly paid
by tenants for release from the service of washing the lord's sheep;
SHEEP'-SKIN, the skin of a sheep: leather prepared from the skin of a
sheep: a deed engrossed on sheep-skin parchment; SHEEP'-STEAL'ER;
SHEEP'-STEAL'ING; SHEEP'S'-WOOL, a valuable Florida sponge; SHEEP'-TICK, an
insect which attacks the sheep, sucking its blood and raising a tumour;
SHEEP'WALK, the place where the sheep pasture; SHEEP'-WASH, a lotion for
vermin on the sheep, or to preserve its wool--also SHEEP'-DIP;
SHEEP'-WHIS'TLING, tending sheep.--BLACK SHEEP, the disreputable member of
a family or group. [A.S. _sceáp_; Ger. _schaf_.]
SHEER, sh[=e]r, _adj._ pure: unmingled: simple: without a break,
perpendicular.--_adv._ clear: quite: at once. [Ice. _skærr_, bright; Ice.
_skírr_, A.S. _scír_.]
SHEER, sh[=e]r, _v.i._ to deviate from the line of the proper course, as a
ship: to turn aside.--_n._ the deviation from the straight line, or the
longitudinal curve or bend of a ship's deck or sides.--_ns._ SHEER'-HULK,
an old dismasted ship with a pair of sheers mounted on it for masting
ships; SHEER'-LEG, one of the spars.--_n.pl._ SHEERS, an apparatus for
hoisting heavy weights, having usually two legs or spars spread apart at
their lower ends, and bearing at their tops, where they are joined,
hoisting-tackle. [Perh. Dut. _scheren_, to cut, withdraw.]
SHEET, sh[=e]t, _n._ a large, thin piece of anything: a large, broad piece
of cloth in a bed: a large, broad piece of paper: a sail: the rope fastened
to the leeward corner of a sail to extend it to the wind.--_v.t._ to cover
with, or as with, a sheet: to furnish with sheets: to form into
sheets.--_ns._ SHEET'-COPP'ER, -[=I]'RON, -LEAD, -MET'AL, copper, iron,
lead, metal in thin sheets.--_adj._ SHEET'ED, with a white band or
belt.--_ns._ SHEET'-GLASS, a kind of crown-glass made at first in the form
of a cylinder, cut longitudinally, and opened out into a sheet; SHEET'ING,
cloth used for bed-sheets: the process of forming into sheets;
SHEET'-LIGHT'NING, lightning appearing in sheets or having a broad
appearance; SHEET'-WORK, press-work.--A SHEET (or THREE SHEETS) IN THE
WIND, fuddled, tipsy; IN SHEETS (_print._), not folded, or folded but not
bound. [A.S. _scéte_, _scýte_, a sheet--_sceótan_ (pa.t. _sceát_), to
shoot, project.]
SHEET-ANCHOR, sh[=e]t'-angk'ur, _n._ the largest anchor of a ship, shot or
thrown out in extreme danger: chief support: last refuge. [_Shoot_ and
_anchor_.]
SHEIK, SHEIKH, sh[=e]k, _n._ a man of eminence, a lord, a chief: a title of
learned or devout me _n._ [Ar. _sheikh_--_sh[=a]kha_, to be old.]
SHEILING, sh[=e]l'ing, _n._ Same as SHEALING.
SHEKEL, shek'l, _n._ a Jewish weight (about half-an-ounce avoirdupois) and
coin (about 2s. 6d. sterling): (_pl._) money (_slang_). [Heb. from
_sh[=a]qal_, to weigh.]
SHEKINAH, SHECHINAH, sh[=e]-k[=i]'na, _n._ the Divine presence which rested
like a cloud or visible light over the mercy-seat. [Heb.,--_sh[=a]khan_, to
dwell.]
SHELDRAKE, shel'dr[=a]k, _n._ a genus of birds of the Duck family
_Anatidæ_, having the hind-toe free:--_fem._ SHEL'DUCK. [A.S. _scyld_, a
shield, and _drake_.]
SHELF, shelf, _n._ a board fixed on a wall, &c., for laying things on: a
flat layer of rock: a ledge: a shoal: a sandbank:--_pl._ SHELVES
(shelvz).--_adj._ SHELF'Y.--PUT, LAY, ON THE SHELF, to put aside from duty
or service. [A.S. _scylfe_, a plank, Ice. _skjálf_, a bench.]
SHELL, shel, _n._ a term applied to the hard outer covering or skeleton of
many animals, to the internal skeleton of some invertebrates, and to the
outer covering-of the eggs of various animals: any framework: the outer
ear: a testaceous mollusc: any frail structure: a frail boat: a rough kind
of coffin: an instrument of music: a bomb: a hollow projectile containing a
bursting charge of gunpowder or other explosive ignited at the required
instant by means of either time or percussion fuses: the thin coating of
copper on an electrotype: an intermediate class in some schools.--_v.t._ to
break off the shell: to remove the shell from: to take out of the shell: to
throw shells or bombs upon, to bombard.--_v.i._ to fall off like a shell:
to cast the shell.--_ns._ SHELLAC (she-lak', shel'ak), SHELL'-LAC, lac
prepared in thin plates for making varnish, &c.--_v.t._ to coat with
shellac.--_ns._ SHELL'-BACK, an old sailor, a barnacle; SHELL'-BARK, either
of two North American hickories.--_adj._ SHELLED, having a shell,
testaceous.--_ns._ SHELL'ER, one who shells or husks; SHELL'FISH, a popular
term for many aquatic animals not fishes, esp. oysters, clams and all
molluscs, and crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters; SHELL'-GUN, a cannon
used for throwing shells, esp. horizontally: SHELL'-HEAP, a prehistoric
accumulation of shells, &c., pointing back to a race that lived on
shellfish; SHELL'-ICE, ice no longer supported by the water beneath;
SHELL'-JACK'ET, an undress military jacket; SHELL'-LIME, lime procured from
the shells of shellfish by burning; SHELL'-LIME'STONE, a limestone largely
consisting of shells; SHELL'-MARL, a white earthy deposit, resulting from
the accumulation of fragments of shells; SHELL'-MOUND, a shell-heap;
SHELL'-OR'NAMENT, decoration in which any shell-form is prominent.--_adj._
SHELL'PROOF, proof against, or able to resist, shells or bombs.--_ns._
SHELL'-ROOM, a magazine on board ship where shells are stored; SHELL'-SAND,
sand consisting in great part of fragments of shells, and often containing
a small proportion of organic matter, a very useful manure for clay soils,
heavy loams, and newly-reclaimed bogs; SHELL'WORK, work composed of or
adorned with shells.--_adj._ SHELL'Y, consisting of a shell:
testaceous.--SHELL OUT, (_slang_), to hand over, as money. [A.S. _scell_,
_scyl_; Dut. _schel_, Ice. _skel_.]
SHELTA, shel'ta, _n._ a secret jargon of great antiquity spoken by Irish
tinkers, beggars, and pipers.--Also _Shelr[=u]_, _Cainnt cheard_, _Gam
cant_, _Bog-latin_. [_Shelr[=u]_, a perversion of the Irish _béulra_,
language.]
SHELTER, shel't[.e]r, _n._ that which shields or protects: a refuge: a
retreat, a harbour: protection.--_v.t._ to cover or shield: to defend: to
conceal.--_v.i._ to take shelter.--_n._ SHEL'TERER.--_adjs._ SHEL'TERLESS;
SHEL'TERY, affording shelter. [Orig. _sheltron_--A.S. _scyld-truma_,
shield-troop--_scyld_, shield, _truma_, troop--_trum_, firm.]
SHELTY, SHELTIE, shel'ti, _n._ a Shetland pony. [Perh. a dim. of _Shetland
pony_.]
SHELVE, shelv, _v.t._ to furnish with shelves: to place on a shelf; to put
aside.--_n._ SHEL'VING, the furnishing with shelves: the act of placing on
a shelf: shelves or materials for shelves.
SHELVE, shelv, _v.i._ to slope, incline.--_n._ a ledge.--_n._ SHEL'VING, a
shelving place: (_rare_) a bank.--_adj._ SHEL'VY, sloping, shallow. [Prob.
ult. from Ice. _skelgja-sk_, to come askew--_skjálgr_, wry.]
SHEMITIC. Same as SEMITIC.
SHEND, shend, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to disgrace, to reproach, to blame, also to
overpower, to surpass:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ shent. [A.S. _scendan_, to
disgrace--A.S. _scand_, _sceand_ (Ger. _schande_), shame.]
SHE-OAK, sh[=e]'-[=o]k, _n._ one of several shrubs of the Australian genus
_Casuarina_.
SHEOL, sh[=e]'[=o]l, _n._ the place of departed spirits. [Heb. _she'[=o]l_,
a hollow place--_sh[=a]'al_, to dig out.]
SHEPHERD, shep'[.e]rd, _n._ one who herds sheep: a swain: a pastor:--_fem._
SHEP'HERDESS.--_v.t._ to tend as a shepherd: to watch over, protect the
interests of, or one's own interests in.--_ns._ SHEP'HERDISM, pastoral
life; SHEP'HERDLING, a little shepherd; SHEP'HERD'S-CROOK, a long staff,
its upper end curved into a hook; SHEP'HERD'S-DOG, a dog specially trained
to help in tending sheep, the collie or Scotch sheep-dog, &c.;
SHEP'HERD'S-FLUTE, a flageolet or the like; SHEP'HERD'S-NEE'DLE, an annual
plant, called also Venus's comb; SHEP'HERD'S-PLAID, -TAR'TAN, a woollen
cloth made with black and white checks: this form of pattern itself;
SHEP'HERD'S-POUCH, -PURSE, an annual cruciferous plant, with compressed,
somewhat heart-shaped seed-vessel; SHEP'HERD'S-ROD, -STAFF, a small kind of
teasel.--SHEPHERD KINGS (see HYKSOS).--THE GOOD SHEPHERD, a title of Jesus
Christ (John, x. 11); THE SHEPHERDS, a sect of fanatical shepherds in
France about 1251 A.D., eager to deliver the imprisoned Louis IX. [A.S.
_sceáp-hyrde_. _Sheep_ and _herd_.]
SHEPPY, SHEPPEY, shep'i, _n._ (_prov_.) a sheep-cote.
SHERBET, sh[.e]r'bet, _n._ a drink of water and fruit juices, sweetened and
flavoured. [Through Turk. from Ar. _sharbat_, a drink--_shariba_, he
drinks.]
SHERD, sh[.e]rd, _n._ See SHARD.
SHERIF, SHEREEF, she-r[=e]f', _n._ a descendant of Mohammed through his
daughter Fatima: a prince or ruler: the chief magistrate of Mecca. [Ar.
_shar[=i]f_, noble, lofty.]
SHERIFF, sher'if, _n._ the governor of a shire: (_English law_) the chief
officer of the crown in every county or shire, his duties being chiefly
ministerial rather than judicial: (_Scots law_) the chief magistrate and
judge of the county: in the United States the office of sheriff is mainly
ministerial, his principal duties to maintain peace and order, attend
courts, guard prisoners, serve processes, and execute judgments.--_ns._
SHER'IFFALTY, SHER'IFFDOM, SHER'IFFSHIP, the office or jurisdiction of a
sheriff; SHER'IFF-CLERK, in Scotland the registrar of the sheriff's court,
who has charge of the records of the court; SHER'IFF-DEP'UTE (_Scot._), the
sheriff proper, so called since the abolition of the heritable
jurisdictions in 1748 to distinguish him from the earlier heritable
SHER'IFF-PRIN'CIPAL, whose title is now merged in that of the
Lord-lieutenant; SHER'IFF-OFF'ICER, in Scotland, an officer connected with
the sheriff's court, who is charged with arrests, the serving of processes,
&c.; SHER'IFF-SUB'STITUTE, the acting sheriff in a Scotch county or city,
like the sheriff-depute appointed by the crown, but unlike the
sheriff-depute forced to reside within his judicial district, and forbidden
to take other employment; UN'DER-SHER'IFF, the deputy of an English sheriff
who performs the execution of writs. [A.S. _scir-geréfa_--_scir_ (Eng.
_shire_), _geréfa_, a governor; cog. with Ger. _graf_, a count.]
SHERRIS, sher'is, _n._ (_Shak._). Same as SHERRY.
SHERRY, sher'i, _n._ a name derived from _Xeres_ or _Jerez_ de la Frontera,
near Cadiz, and applied to the better kind of white wines grown in the
neighbourhood of Xeres.--SHERRY COBBLER, a cobbler made with
sherry.--NATURAL SHERRY, a sherry having from two to four per cent. of
spirit added to make it keep.
SHET, shet, _adj._ (_U.S._) freed from.
SHETLANDER, shet'land-[.e]r, _n._ a native or inhabitant of
_Shetland_.--SHETLAND LACE, an open-work ornamental trimming made with
woollen yarn for shawls, &c.; SHETLAND PONY, a small sturdy and shaggy
horse, usually nine to ten hands high, a shelty; SHETLAND WOOL, a thin but
strong undyed worsted, spun from the wool of the sheep in the Shetland
Islands, much used for knitting fine shawls, &c.
SHEUCH, SHEUGH, sh[=oo]h, or shyuh, _n._ (_Scot._) a ditch.
SHEVA, she-vä', _n._ a Hebrew point (:) written below its consonant, and
indicating properly the absence of a vowel (_simple sheva_). It is either
unsounded, as at the close of a syllable (_silent sheva_), or given a short
breathing or neutral sound, as at the beginning of a syllable (_vocal
sheva_). Sometimes it is compounded with the short vowels, forming
_compound shevas_.
SHEW, sh[=o]. Same as SHOW.
SHEWBREAD, sh[=o]'bred. Same as SHOWBREAD.
SHIAH, sh[=e]'ä, _n._ a member of that Mohammedan sect which maintains that
Ali, first cousin of Mohammed and husband of his daughter Fatima, was the
first legitimate successor of the Prophet, rejecting the three califs of
their opponents the Sunnis, as usurpers.--_n._ SHIISM (sh[=e]'izm). [Ar.
_sh[=i]'a_, sect.]
SHIBBOLETH, shib'b[=o]-leth, _n._ (_B._) a test-word used by the Gileadites
under Jephthah to detect the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce
the _sh_ (Judges, xii. 4-6): the criterion or watchword of a party. [Heb.,
an ear of corn, or a stream.]
[Illustration]
SHIELD, sh[=e]ld, _n._ a broad plate worn for defence on the left arm:
anything that protects: defence: a person who protects: the shield-shaped
escutcheon used for displaying arms.--_v.t._ to defend: (_Shak._) to
forfend, avert.--_v.i._ to be a shelter.--_ns._ SHIEL'DER; SHIELD'-FERN, a
fern, so called from its shape.--_adj._ SHIELD'LESS, defenceless.--_adv._
SHIELD'LESSLY.--_n._ SHIELD'LESSNESS.--_adj._ SHIELD'-SHAPED, scutate.
[A.S. _scyld_; Ger. _schild_, Ice. _skiöldr_, protection.]
SHIELING. See under SHEAL.
SHIFT, shift, _v.t._ to change in form or character: to put out of the way:
to dress in fresh clothes.--_v.i._ to change about: to remove: to change
one's clothes: to resort to expedients for some purpose: in violin-playing,
to move the left hand from its original position next to the nut.--_n._ a
change: in violin-playing, any position of the left hand except that
nearest the nut: a squad or relay of men: a contrivance: an artifice: last
resource: a chemise or woman's undermost garment (orig. signifying a change
of body-linen).--_adj._ SHIFT'ABLE, capable of being shifted.--_ns._
SHIFT'ER, one who shifts: a trickster; SHIFT'INESS, the character of being
shifty.--_adj._ SHIFT'ING, unstable: shifty.--_adv._ SHIFT'INGLY.--_adj._
SHIFT'LESS, destitute of shifts or expedients: unsuccessful, for want of
proper means.--_adv._ SHIFT'LESSLY.--_n._ SHIFT'LESSNESS.--_adj._ SHIFT'Y,
full of, or ready with, shifts, contrivances, or expedients.--SHIFT ABOUT,
to vacillate: to turn quite round to the opposite point; SHIFT FOR ONE'S
SELF, to provide for one's self; SHIFT OF CROPS, rotation of crops; SHIFT
OFF, to defer: to put away.--MAKE SHIFT, to find ways and means of doing
something, contrive. [A.S. _sciftan_, to divide, Ice. _skipta_.]
SHIITE, sh[=e]'[=i]t, _n._ the same as SHIAH (q.v.).--_adj._ SHIIT'IC.
SHIKAR, shi-kär', _n._ in India, hunting, sport.--_ns._ SHIKAR'EE,
SHIKAR'I, a hunter. [Hind.]
SHIKO, shik'[=o], _n._ a posture of prostration in Burma.
SHILLALAH, shi-l[=a]'la, _n._ an oak sapling, the oak or blackthorn cudgel
of the conventional Irishman.--Also SHILLE'LAH, SHILL[=A]'LY. [Prob.
_Shillelagh_, an oak-wood in County Wicklow.]
SHILLING, shil'ing, _n._ an English silver coin=12 pence.--TAKE THE
SHILLING, to enlist as a soldier by accepting the recruiting-officer's
shilling--discontinued since 1879. [A.S. _scilling_; Ger. _schilling_.]
SHILLY-SHALLY, shil'i-shal'i, _adv._ in silly hesitation.--_n._ foolish
trifling: irresolution.--_v.i._ to hesitate.--_n._ SHILL'Y-SHALL'IER, an
irresolute person. [A reduplication of '_Shall I?_']
SHILPIT, shil'pit, _adj._ (_Scot._) weak, washy: feeble-looking. [Ety.
dub.]
SHILY, same as SHYLY. See SHY.
SHIM, shim, _n._ (_mach._) a thin slip used to fill up space caused by
wear.--_v.t._ to wedge up. [Ety. dub.]
SHIMMER, shim'[.e]r, _v.i._ to gleam tremulously, to glisten.--_ns._
SHIMM'ER, SHIMM'ERING, a tremulous gleam. [A.S. _scimrian_--_scíman_, to
shine; Ger. _schimmern_.]
SHIN, shin, _n._ the large bone of the leg or the forepart of it: a bird's
shank.--_v.i._ to climb a tree (with _up_): to tramp, trudge.--_v.t._ to
climb a tree by swarming up it: to kick on the shins.--_ns._ SHIN'-BONE,
the tibia; SHIN'-PIECE, a piece of armour defending the forepart of the
leg; SHIN'-PLAS'TER (_U.S._), a patch of brown-paper steeped in vinegar,
&c., laid on a sore: a small paper note or promise to pay. [A.S. _scina_,
the shin (esp. in the compound _scin-bán_, shin-bone); Dut. _scheen_, Ger.
_schiene_.]
SHIN, shin, _n._ a god, or the gods: the term used by Protestant
missionaries in Japan and China for the Supreme Being.
SHINDY, shin'di, _n._ the game of shinty, shinny, bandy-ball, or hockey:
(_slang_) a row, disturbance.--KICK UP A SHINDY, to make a disturbance.
SHINE, sh[=i]n, _v.i._ to beam with steady radiance: to glitter: to be
bright or beautiful: to be eminent.--_v.t._ to cause to shine:--_pa.t._ and
_pa.p._ shone (shon), (_B._) sh[=i]ned.--_adj._ (_Spens._) bright.--_n._
brightness: splendour: fair weather: (_slang_) disturbance, row, a
trick.--_n._ SH[=I]'NER, that which shines: (_slang_) a coin, esp. a
sovereign: a small American fresh-water fish.--_adj._ SH[=I]'NING.--_adv._
SH[=I]'NINGLY.--_n._ SH[=I]'NINGNESS.--_adj._ SH[=I]'NY, clear, unclouded:
glossy.--CAUSE, or MAKE, THE FACE TO SHINE (_B._), to be propitious; TAKE
THE SHINE OUT OF (_slang_), to outshine, eclipse. [A.S. _scínan_; Ger.
_scheinen_.]
SHINGLE, shing'gl, _n._ wood sawed or split thin, used instead of slates or
tiles, for roofing houses: (_U.S._) a small sign-board or plate.--_v.t._ to
cover with shingles: to crop the hair very close.--_adjs._ SHING'LED,
SHING'LE-ROOFED, having the roof covered with shingles.--_ns._ SHING'LER;
SHING'LING. [Low L. _scindula_, a wooden tile--L. _scind[)e]re_, to split.]
SHINGLE, shing'gl, _n._ the coarse gravel on the shores of rivers or of the
sea.--_adj._ SHING'LY. [Orig. _single_--Norw. _singel_, _singling_,
shingle--_singla_, freq. of _singa_, to ring.]
SHINGLES, shing'glz, _n._ popular name for the disease _Herpes zoster_. [A
corr. of L. _cingulum_, a belt or girdle--_cing[)e]re_, to gird.]
SHINNY, shin'i, _n._ the game of bandy-ball or hockey. [Prob. Gael,
_sinteag_, a bound.]
SHINTI-YAN, shin'ti-yan, _n._ the loose drawers worn by Moslem women.--Also
SHIN'TIGAN.
SHINTO, shin't[=o], _n._ the system of nature and hero worship forming the
indigenous religion of Japan.--_ns._ SHIN'T[=O]ISM; SHIN'T[=O]IST.
[Jap.,=Chin. _shin tao_--_shin_, god, _tao_, way, doctrine.]
SHINTY, shin'ti, _n._ Same as SHINNY.
SHIP, ship, _n._ a vessel having three masts, with tops and yards to each:
generally, any large sea-going vessel.--_v.t._ to put on board a ship: to
engage for service on board a ship: to transport by ship: to fix in its
place.--_v.i._ to engage for service on shipboard:--_pr.p._ ship'ping;
_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ shipped.--_ns._ SHIP'-BIS'CUIT, hard biscuit for use on
shipboard; SHIP'BOARD, the deck or side of a ship; SHIP'-BOY, a boy that
serves on board a ship; SHIP'-BREAK'ER, one who breaks up vessels no longer
fit for sea; SHIP'-BROK'ER, a broker who effects sales, insurance, &c. of
ships; SHIP'BUILDER, one whose occupation is to construct ships;
SHIP'BUILDING; SHIP'-CANAL', a canal large enough to admit the passage of
sea-going vessels; SHIP'-CAP'TAIN, one who commands a ship;
SHIP'-CAR'PENTER, a carpenter who works at shipbuilding; SHIP'-CHAND'LER, a
dealer in cordage, canvas, and other ship furniture or stores;
SHIP'-CHAND'LERY, the business wares of a ship-chandler; SHIP'-F[=E]'VER,
typhus fever, as common on board crowded ships; SHIP'FUL, as much or as
many as a ship will hold; SHIP'-HOLD'ER, a ship-owner; SHIP'-LETT'ER, a
letter sent by a vessel which does not carry mails; SHIP'-LOAD, the load or
cargo of a ship; SHIP'MAN, a sailor:--_pl._ SHIP'MEN; SHIP'MASTER, the
captain of a ship; SHIP'MATE, a companion in the same ship; SHIP'MENT, act
of putting on board ship: embarkation: that which is shipped; SHIP'-MON'EY,
a tyrannical tax imposed by the king on seaports, revived without
authorisation of parliament by Charles I. in 1634-37; SHIP'-OF-THE-LINE,
before steam navigation, a man-of-war large enough to take a place in a
line of battle; SHIP'-OWN'ER, the owner of a ship or ships.--_adj._ SHIPPED
(_Shak._), furnished with a ship or ships.--_ns._ SHIP'PER; SHIP'PING,
ships collectively: tonnage: (_Shak._) a voyage; SHIP'PING-[=A]G'ENT, the
agent of a vessel or line of vessels to whom goods are consigned for
shipment.--_n.pl._ SHIP'PING-ART'ICLES, articles of agreement, between the
captain and his crew.--_ns._ SHIP'PING-BILL, invoice of goods embarked;
SHIP'PING-MAS'TER, the official who witnesses signature by the sailors of
the articles of agreement; SHIP'PING-OFF'ICE, the office of a
shipping-agent, or of a shipping-master; SHIP'-POUND, a unit of weight in
the Baltic ports; SHIP'-RAIL'WAY, a railway by means of which vessels can
be carried overland from one body of water to another.--_adjs._
SHIP'-RIGGED (_naut._), rigged like a ship, having three masts with square
sails and spreading yards; SHIP'SHAPE, in a seaman-like manner: trim, neat,
proper.--_ns._ SHIP'S'-HUS'BAND, the owner's agent in the management of a
ship; SHIP'-TIRE (_Shak._), a sort of head-dress, whether from its
streamers or its general likeness to a ship; SHIP'-WAY, the supports
forming a sliding-way for the building, repairing, and launching of
vessels; SHIP'-WORM, a genus (_Teredo_) of worm-like molluscs which
perforate and live in timber, lining the cavity or tube with a calcareous
encrustation; SHIP'WRECK, the wreck or destruction of a ship:
destruction.--_v.t._ to destroy on the sea: to make to suffer wreck.--_ns._
SHIP'WRIGHT, a wright or carpenter who constructs ships; SHIP'YARD, a yard
where ships are built or repaired.--SHIP A SEA, to have a wave come aboard;
SHIP'S PAPERS, documents required for the manifestation of the property of
a ship and cargo; SHIP THE OARS (see OAR).--ABOUT SHIP! an exclamation to
pull in the sheet preparatory to changing a ship's course during a tack;
MAKE SHIPWRECK OF, to ruin, destroy; ON SHIPBOARD, upon or within a ship;
TAKE SHIP, or SHIPPING, to embark. [A.S. _scip_--_scippan_, to
make--_scapan_, to shape; Goth. _skip_, Ice. _skip_, Ger. _schiff_.]
SHIPPEN, ship'n, _n._ (_prov._) a stable.--Also SHIP'PON.
SHIPPO, ship-p[=o]', _n._ Japanese enamel, cloisonné.
SHIPTON, ship'ton, _n._ usually 'Mother Shipton,' a famous prophetess of
popular English tradition, born near Knaresborough in 1488.