SLIT, slit, _v.t._ to cut lengthwise: to split: to cut into
strips:--_pr.p._ slit'ting; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slit.--_n._ a long cut: a
narrow opening.--_n._ SLIT'TER, anything which slits, a slitting-shears for
sheet-metal.--_adj._ SLIT'TERED, cut into strips with square ends.--_n._
SLIT'TING-MILL, an establishment in which metal plates are cut into strips
for nail-making: a rotating disc used by gem-cutters for slitting: a
gang-saw used for resawing lumber for blind-slats, fence-pickets, &c. [A.S.
_slítan_; Ger. _schleissen_.]
SLITHER, sli_th_'[.e]r, _v.i._ to slide.--_adj._ slippery.--_n._ a
limestone rubble.--_adjs._ SLITH'ERING, slow, deceitful; SLITH'ERY,
slippery. [A variant of _slidder_.]
SLIVER, sliv'[.e]r, or sl[=i]'v[.e]r, _v.t._ to split, to tear off
lengthwise, to slice.--_n._ a piece cut or rent off, a slice: a continuous
strand of loose untwisted wool or other fibre.--_v.i._ SLIVE, to slide,
skulk. [A.S. _slífan_, to cleave.]
SLOAM, sl[=o]m, _n._ (_prov._) in coal-mining, the under-clay.
SLOAT, sl[=o]t, _n._ Same as SLOT (1) and (2).
SLOBBER, slob'[.e]r, same as SLABBER.--_n._ SLOB, mire, muddy land.--_adj._
SLOBB'ERY, moist, wet.
SLOCKEN, slok'n, _v.t._ to quench, extinguish.--Also SLOK'EN. [Ice.
_slokna_, to go out.]
SLOE, sl[=o], _n._ the blackthorn, producing white flowers before the
leaves, the shoots making excellent walking-sticks: the austere fruit, a
good preserve. [A.S. _slá_; Dut. _slee_, a sloe.]
SLOG, slog, _v.i._ to hit hard.--_n._ SLOG'GER, a hard hitter.
SLOGAN, sl[=o]'gan, _n._ a war-cry among the ancient Highlanders of
Scotland. [Gael., contracted from _sluagh-gairm_, an army-cry.]
SLOID=_Sloyd_ (q.v.).
SLOMBRY, slom'bri, _adj._ (_Spens._) sleepy.--_v.i._ SLOOM (_prov._), to
slumber.--_adj._ SLOOM'Y, lazy, inactive.
[Illustration]
SLOOP, sl[=oo]p, _n._ a light boat: a one-masted cutter-rigged vessel,
differing from a cutter, according to old authorities, in having a fixed
bowsprit and somewhat smaller sails in proportion to the hull.--_n._
SLOOP'-OF-WAR, formerly a vessel, of whatever rig, between a corvette and a
gun-vessel, constituting the command of a commander, carrying from ten to
eighteen guns. [Dut. _sloep_, prob. O. Fr. _chaloupe_, shallop.]
SLOP, slop, _n._ water carelessly spilled: a puddle: mean liquor or liquid
food: (_pl._) dirty water.--_v.t._ to soil by letting a liquid fall
upon:--_pr.p._ slop'ping; _pa.p._ slopped.--_ns._ SLOP'-B[=A]'SIN, -BOWL, a
basin for slops, esp. for the dregs of tea and coffee cups at table;
SLOP'-DASH, weak cold tea, &c.: SLOP'-PAIL, a pail for collecting slops;
SLOP'PINESS.--_adj._ SLOP'PY, wet: muddy. [A.S. _sloppe_, _slyppe_,
cow-droppings--_slúpan_, to slip.]
SLOPE, sl[=o]p, _n._ any incline down which a thing may slip: a direction
downward.--_v.t._ to form with a slope, or obliquely.--_v.i._ to be
inclined, to slant: (_slang_) to decamp, disappear.--_adv._ in a sloping
manner.--_adv._ SLOPE'WISE, obliquely.--_p.adj._ SL[=O]'PING, inclining
from a horizontal or other right line.--_adv._ SL[=O]'PINGLY, in a sloping
manner: with a slope.--_adj._ SL[=O]'PY, sloping, inclined: oblique. [A.S.
_slípan_, pa.t. _sláp_, to slip.]
SLOPS, slops, _n.pl._ any loose lower garment that slips on easily, esp.
trousers: ready-made clothing, &c.--_ns._ SLOP'-SELL'ER, one who sells
cheap ready-made clothes; SLOP'-SHOP, a shop where ready-made clothes are
sold; SLOP'-WORK, the making of cheap cloth, any work superficially done;
SLOP'-WORK'ER, one who does slop-work. [Scand., Ice. _sloppr_, a long
robe--_sleppa_, to slip.]
SLOSH, slosh, _n._ a watery mess.--_v.i._ to flounder in slush: to go about
in an easy way.--_adj._ SLOSH'Y. [A form of _slush_.]
SLOT, slot, _n._ a bar or bolt: a broad, flat, wooden bar which holds
together larger pieces. [Allied to Low Ger. _slot_, Dut. _slot_, a lock.]
SLOT, slot, _n._ a hollow, narrow depression, to receive some corresponding
part in a mechanism: a ditch, the continuous opening between the rails in a
cable tramway along which the shank of the grip moves.--_n._
SLOT'TING-MACHINE', a machine for cutting slots or square grooves in metal.
[SLIT.]
SLOT, slot, _n._ the track of a deer. [Ice. _slóth_, track, path; Scot.
_sleuth_, track by the scent.]
SLOTH, sl[=o]th, or sloth, _n._ laziness, sluggishness: a sluggish arboreal
animal of tropical America, of two genera (_Choloepus_, the two-toed sloth,
and _Bradypus_, the three-toed sloth).--_adj._ SLOTH'FUL, given to sloth:
inactive: lazy.--_adv._ SLOTH'FULLY.--_n._ SLOTH'FULNESS. [A.S.
_sl['æ]wth_--_sláw_, slow.]
SLOTTER, slot'[.e]r, _n._ filth.--_v.t._ to foul.--_adj._ SLOTT'ERY, foul.
SLOUCH, slowch, _n._ a hanging down loosely of the head or other part:
clownish gait: a clown.--_v.i._ to hang down: to have a clownish look or
gait.--_v.t._ to depress.--_n._ SLOUCH'-HAT, a soft broad-brimmed
hat.--_p.adj._ SLOUCH'ING, walking with a downcast, awkward manner: hanging
down.--_adj._ SLOUCH'Y, somewhat slouching. [Scand., Ice. _slókr_, a
slouching fellow; _slakr_, slack.]
SLOUGH, slow, _n._ a hollow filled with mud: a soft bog or marsh.--_adj._
SLOUGH'Y, full of sloughs: miry. [A.S. _slóh_, a hollow place; perh. from
Ir. _sloc_--_slugaim_, to swallow up.]
SLOUGH, sluf, _n._ the cast-off skin of a serpent: the dead part which
separates from a sore.--_v.i._ to come away as a slough (with _off_): to be
in the state of sloughing.--_v.t._ to cast off, as a slough.--_adj._
SLOUGH'Y, like, or containing, slough. [Scand.; Sw. dial. _slug_; cf. Ger.
_slauch_, a skin.]
SLOVAK, sl[=o]-vak', _adj._ pertaining to the _Slovaks_, a branch of the
Slavs in the mountainous districts of N.W. Hungary, their language little
more than a dialect of Czech.--_n._ one of this race, or his
language.--_adjs._ SLOVAK'IAN, SLOVAK'ISH.
SLOVEN, sluv'n, _n._ a man carelessly or dirtily dressed:--_fem._
SLUT.--_n._ SLOV'ENLINESS.--_adj._ SLOV'ENLY, like a sloven: negligent of
neatness or cleanliness: disorderly: done in an untidy manner.--_adv._
negligently.--_n._ SLOV'ENRY (_Shak._), slovenliness. [Old Dut. _slof_,
sloef, Low Ger. _sluf_, slow, indolent.]
SLOVENIAN, sl[=o]-v[=e]'ni-an, _adj._ pertaining to the _Slovenes_, a
branch of the South Slavonic stock to which the Serbs and Croats belong.
SLOW, sl[=o], _adj._ not swift: late: behind in time: not hasty: not ready:
not progressive.--_v.t._ to delay, retard, slacken the speed of.--_v.i._ to
slacken in speed.--_n._ SLOW'BACK, a lazy lubber.--_p.adj._ SLOW'-GAIT'ED
(_Shak._), accustomed to walk slowly.--_ns._ SLOW'-HOUND, sleuth-hound;
SLOW'ING, a lessening of speed.--_adv._ SLOW'LY.--_ns._ SLOW'-MATCH,
generally rope steeped in a solution of saltpetre and lime-water, used for
firing guns before the introduction of friction tubes, and sometimes for
firing military mines, now superseded by _Bickford's fuse_, a train of
gunpowder enclosed in two coatings of jute thread waterproofed;
SLOW'NESS.--_adj._ SLOW'-SIGHT'ED, slow to discern; SLOW'-WINGED, flying
slowly.--_n._ SLOW'-WORM, a scincoid lizard, same as Blind-worm--by popular
etymology '_slow-_worm,' but, according to Skeat, really '_slay-_worm,'
A.S. _slá-wyrm_. [A.S. _sláw_; Dut. _slee_, Ice. _sljór_.]
SLOYD, SLOID, sloid, _n._ the name given to a certain system of manual
instruction which obtains in the schools of Finland and Sweden, the word
properly denoting work of an artisan kind practised not as a trade or means
of livelihood, but in the intervals of other employment. [Sw. _slöjd_,
dexterity.]
SLUB, slub, _v.t._ to twist after carding to prepare for spinning.
SLUBBER, slub'[.e]r, _v.t._ to stain, to daub, slur over.--_n._
SLUBB'ER-DEGULL'ION, a wretch.--_adv._ SLUBB'ERINGLY. [Dut. _slobberen_, to
lap, Low Ger. _slubbern_.]
SLUDGE, sluj, _n._ soft mud or mire: half-melted snow.--_adj._ SLUDG'Y,
miry: muddy. [A form of _slush_.]
SLUE, SLEW, sl[=u], _v.t._ (_naut._) to turn anything about its axis
without removing it from its place: to turn or twist about.--_v.i._ to turn
round:--_pr.p._ sl[=u]'ing; _pa.p._ sl[=u]ed.--_n._ the turning of a body
upon an axis within its figure.--_adj._ SLUED, tipsy. [Scand., Ice. _snua_,
to turn.]
SLUG, slug, _n._ a heavy, lazy fellow: a name for land-molluscs of order
Pulmonata, with shell rudimentary or absent--they do great damage to garden
crops: any hinderance.--_ns._ SLUG'-A-BED (_Shak._), one who is fond of
lying in bed, a sluggard; SLUG'GARD, one habitually idle or
inactive.--_v.t._ SLUG'GARDISE (_Shak._), to make lazy.--_adj._ SLUG'GISH,
habitually lazy: slothful: having little motion: having little or no
power.--_adv._ SLUG'GISHLY.--_n._ SLUG'GISHNESS. [Scand., Dan. _slug_,
_sluk_, drooping, Norw. _sloka_, to slouch; Low Ger. _slukkern_, to be
loose; allied to slack.]
SLUG, slug, _n._ a cylindrical or oval piece of metal for firing from a
gun: a piece of crude metal. [Prob. from slug above, or _slug_=_slog_, to
hit hard.]
SLUGGA, slug'a, _n._ a deep cavity formed by the action of subterranean
streams common in some limestone districts of Ireland. [Ir. _slugaid_, a
slough.]
SLUGHORN, slug'horn, _n._ a word used to denote a kind of horn, but really
a corruption of slogan.
SLUICE, sl[=oo]s, _n._ a sliding gate in a frame for shutting off or
regulating the flow of water: the stream which flows through it: that
through which anything flows: a source of supply: in mining, a board trough
for separating gold from placer-dirt carried through it by a current of
water: the injection-valve in a steam-engine condenser.--_v.t._ to wet or
drench copiously: to wash in or by a sluice: to flush or clean out with a
strong flow of water.--_adj._ SLUIC'Y, falling in streams, as from a
sluice. [O. Fr. _escluse_ (Fr. _écluse)_--Low L. _exclusa_ (_aqua_), a
sluice (water) shut out, _pa.p._ of L. _ex-clud[)e]re_, to shut out.]
SLUM, slum, _n._ a low street or neighbourhood.--_v.i._ to visit the slums
of a city, esp. from motives of curiosity.--_ns._ SLUM'MER, one who slums;
SLUM'MING, the practice of visiting slums.
SLUMBER, slum'b[.e]r, _v.i._ to sleep lightly: to sleep: to be in a state
of negligence or inactivity.--_n._ light sleep: repose.--_ns._ SLUM'BERER;
SLUM'BERING.--_adv._ SLUM'BERINGLY, in a slumbering manner.--_n._
SLUM'BERLAND, the state of slumber.--_adjs._ SLUM'BERLESS, without slumber:
sleepless; SLUM'BEROUS, SLUM'BROUS, inviting or causing slumber; sleepy;
SLUM'BERY, sleepy: drowsy. [With intrusive _b_ from M. E. _slumeren_--A.S.
_sluma_, slumber; cog. with Ger. _schlummern_.]
SLUMP, slump, _v.i._ to fall or sink suddenly into water or mud: to fail or
fall through helplessly.--_n._ a boggy place: the act of sinking into
slush, &c., also the sound so made: a sudden fall or failure.--_adj._
SLUMP'Y, marshy. [Cf. Dan. _slumpe_, to stumble upon by chance; Ger.
_schlumpen_, to trail.]
SLUMP, slump, _v.t._ to throw into a lump or mass, to lump.--_n._ a gross
amount, a lump.--_n._ SLUMP'-WORK, work in the lump. [Cf. Dan. _slump_, a
lot, Dut. _slomp_, a mass.]
SLUNG, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _sling_.--_n._ SLUNG'-SHOT, a weight attached
to a cord, used as a weapon.
SLUNK, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _slink_.--_adj._ SLUNK'EN (_prov._),
shrivelled.
SLUR, slur, _v.t._ to soil; to contaminate: to disgrace: to pass over
lightly: to conceal: (_mus._) to sing or play in a gliding manner.--_v.i._
(_print._) to slip in making the impression, causing the printing to be
blurred:--_pr.p._ slur'ring; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ slurred.--_n._ a stain:
slight reproach or disparagement: (_mus._) a mark showing that notes are to
be sung to the same syllable.--_p.adj._ SLURRED (_mus._), marked with a
slur, performed in a gliding style like notes marked with a slur. [Old Dut.
_slooren_, sleuren, Low Ger. _slüren_, to drag along the ground.]
SLURRY, slur'i, _n._ any one of several semi-fluid mixtures, esp. of
ganister, used to make repairs in converter-linings.
SLUSH, slush, _n._ liquid mud: melting snow: a mixture of grease for
lubrication: the refuse of the cook's galley in a ship.--_v.t._ to apply
slush to, to grease: to wash by throwing water upon: to fill spaces in
masonry with mortar (with up): to coat with a mixture of white-lead and
lime the bright parts of machinery.--_adj._ SLUSH'Y. [Cf. _Slosh_.]
SLUT, slut, _n._ (_fem._ of SLOVEN) a dirty, untidy woman: a wench, a jade:
a bitch.--_adj._ SLUT'TISH, resembling a slut: dirty: careless.--_adv._
SLUT'TISHLY.--_ns._ SLUT'TISHNESS, SLUT'TERY. [Scand., Ice. _slöttr_, a
dull fellow--_slota_, to droop.]
SLY, sl[=i], _adj._ dexterous in doing anything so as to be unobserved:
cunning: wily: secret: done with artful dexterity: illicit.--_n._
SLY'BOOTS, a sly or cunning person or animal.--_advs._ SLY'LY,
SL[=I]'LY.--_ns._ SLY'NESS, SL[=I]'NESS.--ON THE SLY, slyly, secretly.
[Prob. from Ice. _slæg-r_; cf. Ger. _schlau_.]
SLYPE, sl[=i]p, _n._ a. covered passage from the transept of a cathedral to
the chapter-house, &c. [_Slip_.]
SMACK, smak, _n._ taste: flavour: a pleasing taste: a small quantity: a
flavour of something.--_v.i._ to have a taste: to have a quality. [A.S.
_smæc_.]
SMACK, smak, _n._ a generic name for small decked or half-decked coasters
and fishing-vessels, most rigged as cutters, sloops, or yawls. [Dut.
_smak_; Ger. _schmacke_, Ice. _snekja_.]
SMACK, smak, _v.t._ to strike smartly, to slap loudly: to kiss roughly and
noisily.--_v.i._ to make a sharp noise with, as the lips by
separation.--_n._ a sharp sound: a crack: a hearty kiss.--_adv._ sharply,
straight.--_p.adj._ SMACK'ING, making a sharp, brisk sound, a sharp noise,
a smack. [Prob. imit., Dut. _smakken_, to smite, Ger. _schmatzen_, to
smack.]
SMALL, smawl, _adj._ little in quantity or degree: minute: not great:
unimportant: ungenerous, petty: of little worth or ability: short: having
little strength: gentle: little in quality or quantity.--_adv._ in a low
tone; gently.--_ns._ SMALL'-ALE, ale with little malt and unhopped;
SMALL'-AND-EARL'Y (_coll._) an informal evening-party.--_n.pl._
SMALL'-ARMS, muskets, rifles, pistols, &c., including all weapons that can
be actually carried by a man.--_n._ SMALL'-BEER, a kind of weak
beer.--_adj._ inferior generally.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-CLOTHES, knee-breeches,
esp. those of the close-fitting 18th-century form.--_ns._ SMALL'-COAL, coal
not in lumps but small pieces; SMALL'-CRAFT, small vessels
generally.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-DEBTS, a phrase current in Scotland to denote
debts under £12, recoverable in the Sheriff Court.--_n._ SMALL'-HAND,
writing such as is ordinarily used in correspondence.--_n.pl._
SMALL'-HOURS, the hours immediately following midnight.--_adj._ SMALL'ISH,
somewhat small.--_ns._ SMALL'NESS; SMALL'-P[=I]'CA (see PICA); SMALL'POX,
or _Variola_, a contagious, febrile disease, of the class known as
_Exanthemata_, characterised by small pocks or eruptions on the skin;
SMALLS, the 'little-go' or previous examination: small-clothes;
SMALL'-TALK, light or trifling conversation.--_n.pl._ SMALL'-WARES (see
WARE).--IN A SMALL WAY, with little capital or stock: unostentatiously.
[A.S. _smæl_; Ger. _schmal_.]
SMALLAGE, smawl'[=a]j, _n._ celery. [_Small_, Fr. _ache_--L. _apium_,
parsley.]
SMALT, smawlt, _n._ glass melted, tinged blue by cobalt, and pulverised
when cold.--_n._ SMAL'TINE, an arsenide of cobalt, often containing nickel
and iron. [Low L. _smaltum_--Old High Ger. _smalzjan_ (Ger. _schmelzen_),
to melt.]
SMARAGDINE, sma-rag'din, _adj._ of an emerald green.--_n._ SMARAG'DITE, a
peculiar variety of Amphibole, light grass-green in colour, with a
foliated, lamellar or fibrous structure--occurring as a constituent of the
rock called _Eklogite_. [L. _smaragdinus_--smaragdus--Gr. _smaragdos_, the
emerald.]
SMART, smärt, _n._ quick, stinging pain of body or mind: smart-money: a
dandy.--_v.i._ to feel a smart: to be punished.--_adj._ causing a smart:
severe: sharp: vigorous, brisk: acute, witty, pert, vivacious:
well-dressed, fine, fashionable: keen in business: creditable,
up-to-the-mark.--_v.t._ SMART'EN, to make smart, to brighten (with
_up_).--_adv._ SMART'LY.--_ns._ SMART'-MON'EY, money paid by a recruit for
his release before being sworn in: money paid for escape from any
unpleasant situation or engagement: excessive damages: money allowed to
soldiers and sailors for wounds; SMART'NESS; SMART'-TICK'ET, a certificate
granted to one entitled to smart-money; SMART'-WEED, a name given to some
of the Milkworts from their acrid properties, esp. _Polygonum Hydropiper_,
or Waterpepper; SMART'Y, a would-be smart fellow. [A.S. _smeortan_; Dut.
_smarten_, Ger. _schmerzen_.]
SMASH, smash, _v.t._ to break in pieces violently: to crush: to dash
violently.--_v.i._ to act with crushing force: to be broken to pieces: to
be ruined, to fail: to dash violently.--_n._ act of smashing, destruction,
ruin, bankruptcy.--_ns._ SMASH'ER, one who smashes: (_slang_) one who
passes bad money, bad money itself: anything great or extraordinary;
SMASH'ING.--_adj._ crushing: dashing.--_n._ SMASH'-UP, a serious smash.
[Prob. Sw. dial. _smaske_, to smack.]
SMATCH, smach, _n._ (_Shak._) taste or tincture.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to have
a taste. [_Smack_.]
SMATTER, smat'[.e]r, _v.i._ to talk superficially: to have a superficial
knowledge.--_ns._ SMATT'ERER; SMATT'ERING, a superficial knowledge.--_adv._
SMATT'ERINGLY, in a smattering manner. [M. E. _smateren_, to rattle, to
chatter--Sw. _smattra_, to clatter; Ger. _schnattern_.]
SMEAR, sm[=e]r, _v.t._ to overspread with anything sticky or oily, as
grease: to daub.--_n._ SMEAR'INESS.--_adj._ SMEAR'Y, sticky: showing
smears. [A.S. _smeru_, fat, grease; Ger. _schmeer_, grease, Ice. _smjör_,
butter.]
SMECTITE, smek't[=i]t, _n._ a greenish clay. [Gr.
_sm[=e]ktis_--_sm[=e]chein_, to rub.]
SMECTYMNUUS, smek-tim'n[=u]-us, _n._ a name compounded of the initials of
the five Puritan divines--Stephen Marshall, Edmund Calamy, Thomas Young,
Matthew Newcomen, and William Spurstow, joint authors of _An Answer_ (1641)
to Bishop Hall's _Humble Remonstrance to the High Court of Parliament_
(1641) in defence of the liturgy and episcopal government.
SMEDDUM, smed'um, _n._ fine powder: sagacity, spirit, mettle: ore small
enough to go through the sieve. [A.S. _smedema_, fine flour.]
SMEE, sm[=e], _n._ the pochard: widgeon: pintail-duck.--Also SMEATH.
SMEGMA, smeg'ma, _n._ a sebaceous secretion, esp. that under the prepuce:
an unguent.--_adj._ SMEGMAT'IC. [Gr. _sm[=e]gma_.]
SMELL, smel, _v.i._ to affect the nose: to have odour: to use the sense of
smell.--_v.t._ to perceive by the nose:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ smelled or
smelt.--_n._ the quality of bodies which affects the nose: odour: perfume:
the sense which perceives this quality.--_ns._ SMELL'ER; SMELL'-FEAST, a
greedy fellow; SMELL'ING, the sense by which smells are perceived;
SMELL'ING-BOTT'LE, a bottle containing smelling-salts, or the like;
SMELL'ING-SALTS, a preparation of ammonium carbonate with lavender, &c.,
used as a stimulant in faintness, &c.; SMELL'-TRAP, a drain-trap.--_adj._
SMELL'Y, having a bad smell.--SMELL A RAT (see RAT); SMELL OUT, to find out
by prying. [Allied to Low Ger. _smelen_, Dut. _smeulen_, to smoulder.]
SMELT, smelt, _n._ a fish of the salmon or trout family, having a
cucumber-like smell and a delicious flavour. [A.S. _smelt_.]
SMELT, smelt, _v.t._ to melt ore in order to separate the metal.--_ns._
SMEL'TER; SMEL'TERY, a place for smelting; SMEL'TING; SMEL'TING-FUR'NACE,
-HOUSE, -WORKS. [Scand., Sw. _smälta_, to smelt.]