SPATANGUS, sp[=a]-tang'gus, _n._ the typical genus of _Spatangidæ_, a
family of irregular sea-urchins, the heart-urchins.--_n.pl._ SPATANG'IDA,
the spatangoid sea-urchins.--_adj._ SPATANG'OID, like a cordate
urchin.--_n._ one of these.--_ns.pl._ SPATANGOI'DA, SPATANGOI'D[=E]A, the
_Spatangidæ_, an order of petalostichous sea-urchins, generally excluding
the clypeastroids or flat sea-urchins. [Gr. _spatang[=e]s_, a sea-urchin.]
SPATCH-COCK, spach'-kok, _n._ a fowl killed and immediately roasted or
broiled for some sudden occasion. [Prob. a corr. of _despatch_ and _cock_.]
SPATE, SPAIT, sp[=a]t, _n._ a sudden flood, as in a stream after heavy
rain. [Prob. Ir. _speid_.]
SPATHE, sp[=a]th, _n._ (_bot_.) a sheathing bract, which encloses one or
more flowers, as in the narcissus.--_adjs._ SPATH[=A]'CEOUS,
spathe-bearing; SP[=A]THED, having a spathe.--_n._ SPATHIL'LA, a secondary
or diminutive spathe.--_adjs._ SP[=A]'THOSE, SP[=A]'THOUS (_bot_.), having
a spathe or sheath-like bract, bursting longitudinally. [L. _spatha_--Gr.
_spath[=e]_, a broad blade.]
SPATHIC, spath'ik, _adj._ (_min._) foliated, lamellar.--_adj._ SPATH'IFORM,
spathic. [Ger. _spath_, spar.]
SPATHURA, sp[=a]-th[=u]'ra, _n._ a genus of humming-birds with peculiar
tail-feathers expanding into a spatule at the end, and leg-muffs. [Gr.
_spath[=e]_, a blade, _oura_, a tail.]
SPATIAL, sp[=a]'shal, _adj._ relating to space.--_n._
SP[=A]TIAL'ITY.--_adv_. SP[=A]'TIALLY.
SPATILOMANCY, sp[=a]-til'[=o]-man-si, _n._ divination by means of animal
excrements. [Gr. _spatil[=e]_, excrement, _manteia_, divination.]
[Illustration]
SPATTER, spat'[.e]r, _v.t._ to throw out or scatter upon: to scatter about:
to sprinkle with dirt or anything moist: to defame.--_n._ the act of
spattering: what is spattered.--_n.pl._ SPATT'ER-DASH'ES, coverings for the
legs, to keep them clean from water and mud, a kind of gaiters.--_n._
SPATT'ER-WORK, a method of producing designs by covering the surface with
the pattern and then spattering colouring matter on the parts exposed. [A
freq. of _spot_.]
SPATULA, spat'[=u]-la, SPATTLE, spat'l, _n._ a little spade: a broad kind
of knife for spreading plasters.--_n._ SPAT'ULAMANCY, a method of
divination by a sheep's shoulder-blade.--_adj._ SPAT'UL[=A]TE, shaped like
a spatula.--_n._ SPAT'ULE, a spatulate formation.--_adjs._ SPAT'ULIFORM,
SPATULIG'EROUS. [L. _spatula_, _spathula_, dim. of _spatha_--Gr.
_spath[=e]_.]
SPAVIN, spav'in, _n._ a disease of horses occurring under two different
forms--_bog-spavin_, in which the hock-joint is distended with
dark-coloured synovia or joint-oil, and _bone-spavin_, in which a bony
enlargement occurs towards the inside of the hock, at the head of the
shank-bone, or between some of the small bones of the hock.--_adj._
SPAV'INED, affected with spavin. [O. Fr. _esparvain_ (Fr. _éparvin_)--Old
High Ger. _sparo_, _sparwe_, a sparrow.]
SPAWL, spawl, _n._ spittle, slaver.--_v.i._ to eject saliva.
SPAWN, spawn, _n._ the eggs of fish or frogs when ejected:
offspring.--_adj._ containing spawn.--_v.t._ to produce, as fishes and
frogs do their eggs: to bring forth.--_v.i._ to deposit eggs, as fishes or
frogs: to issue, as offspring.--_ns._ SPAWN'ER, the female fish from which
the spawn is ejected; SPAWN'ING; SPAWN'ING-BED, -GROUND, a bed made in the
bottom of a stream on which fish deposit their spawn. [O. Fr. _espandre_,
to shed--L. _expand[)e]re_, to spread out.]
SPAY, sp[=a], _v.t._ to make an animal barren by destroying its
ovaries.--Also SP[=A]VE. [L. _spado_--Gr. _spad[=o]n_, a eunuch--Gr.
_spaein_, draw out.]
SPEAK, sp[=e]k, _v.i._ to utter words or articulate sounds: to say: to
talk: to converse: to sound: to give expression by any means, to intimate,
to hint.--_v.t._ to pronounce: to converse in: to address: to declare: to
express by signs:--_pa.t._ spoke or sp[=a]ke; _pa.p._ sp[=o]'ken.--_adj._
SPEAK'ABLE, capable of being spoken: (_Milt._) having the power of
speech.--_ns._ SPEAK'-EAS'Y (_U.S._), an illicit dram-shop, shebeen;
SPEAK'ER, one who speaks or proclaims: the person who presides in a
deliberative or legislative body, as the House of Commons; SPEAK'ERSHIP,
the office of Speaker; SPEAK'ING, the act of expressing ideas in words:
discourse.--_adj._ seeming to speak: natural: used to assist the
voice.--_adv._ SPEAK'INGLY.--_ns._ SPEAK'ING-TRUM'PET, an instrument for
enabling the sound of the voice to be conveyed to a greater distance;
SPEAK'ING-TUBE, a tube communicating from one room to another for speaking
through; SPEAK'ING-VOICE, the kind of voice used in speaking.--SPEAK A
SHIP, to hail and speak to some one on board her; SPEAK FAIR, to address
one in conciliatory terms; SPEAK FOR, to speak on behalf of: to be a proof
of: to bespeak, engage; SPEAKING TERMS, a relationship between two persons
not extending beyond the courtesy of verbal salutation, &c.; SPEAK OF, to
talk about: to mention, or to be worth mentioning; SPEAK ONE'S MIND, to say
frankly what one thinks; SPEAK OUT, to assert boldly or loudly; SPEAK TO,
to reprove: to attest, testify to; SPEAK UP, to speak out; SPEAK WELL FOR,
to witness favourably to.--SO TO SPEAK, as one might put it, as it were.
[A.S. _specan_ (for _sprecan_); Dut. _spreken_, Ger. _sprechen_.]
SPEAL-BONE, sp[=e]l'-b[=o]n, _n._ the shoulder-blade.
SPEAR, sp[=e]r, _n._ a long weapon used in war and hunting, made of a pole
pointed with iron: a lance with barbed prongs used for catching
fish.--_v.t._ to pierce or kill with a spear.--_ns._ SPEAR'-FISH, a kind of
carp-sucker--also _Sail-fish_ and _Skimback_: the bill-fish, a
histiophoroid fish related to the swordfish; SPEAR'-FOOT, the off or right
hind-foot of a horse; SPEAR'-GRASS, a name applied to various grasses, esp.
those known as meadow-grass, the Kentucky blue-grass: either of two New
Zealand plants of the parsley family with long spinous leaflets;
SPEAR'-HEAD, the iron point of a spear; SPEAR'-LIL'Y, a plant of one of the
species of the Australian genus _Doryanthes_ of the _Amaryllideæ_, with
sword-shaped leaves; SPEAR'MAN, a man armed with a spear; SPEAR'MINT, the
common garden-mint; SPEAR'-THIS'TLE, the common thistle; SPEAR'-WOOD, one
of two Australian trees whose wood makes good spear-shafts; SPEAR'-WORT,
the name of several species of Ranunculus with lance-shaped leaves. [A.S.
_spere_; Ger. _speer_, L. _sparus_; cf. _Spar_.]
SPEC, a colloquial abbrev. of _speculation_.
SPECIAL, spesh'al, _adj._ of a species or sort; particular: distinctive:
uncommon: designed for a particular purpose: confined to a particular
subject or application.--_n._ any special or particular person or thing:
any person or thing set apart for a particular duty--a constable, a
railway-tram, &c.: a newspaper extra, a despatch from a special
correspondent.--_n._ SPECIALIS[=A]'TION, the act or process of
specialising: differentiation, as of organs, functions, &c.--_v.t._
SPEC'IALISE, to make specifically distinct, to limit to a particular kind
of action or use.--_v.i._ to act in some particular way, to take a
particular direction, as to devote one's self especially to some particular
branch of study.--_ns._ SPEC'IALISM, devotion to some particular study or
pursuit; SPEC'IALIST, one who devotes himself to a special subject.--_adj._
SPECIALIST'IC.--_n._ SPECIAL'ITY, the particular characteristic of a person
or thing: a special occupation or object of attention.--_adv._
SPEC'IALLY.--_ns._ SPEC'IALTY, something special or distinctive: any
special product, article of sale or of manufacture: any special pursuit,
department of study, &c.: a special contract for the payment of money;
SPECIE (sp[=e]'shi), gold and silver coin, metallic money (abl. of L.
_species_, kind); SP[=E]'CIES, a group of individuals having common marks
or characteristics, specialised from others of the same _genus_ to which it
is subordinate: a group under a higher class, a kind or sort, a distinct
constituent part, an element: an appearance to the senses, an image of an
external object presented to the eye or the mind; SP[=E]'CIES-MONG'ER, one
who busies himself with classifications only, indifferent to wider
biological relations, one who makes distinctions for distinction's sake;
SP[=E]CIF'IC, a remedy which has a special power in a particular disease:
an infallible remedy.--_adjs._ SP[=E]CIF'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or
constituting, a species: that specifies: peculiar to: produced by some
special cause: precise: infallible.--_adv._ SP[=E]CIF'ICALLY.--_ns._
SP[=E]CIF'ICALNESS, SP[=E]CIF'ICNESS, the state or quality of being
specific.--SPECIAL CONSTABLE (see CONSTABLE); SPECIAL LICENSE (see
License); SPECIAL PLEADING (see PLEAD); SPECIAL VERDICT (see
VERDICT).--SPECIFIC DENSITY, the mass of any given substance contained in
unit volume; SPECIFIC GRAVITY, the weight of any given substance as
compared with the weight of an equal bulk or volume of water or other
standard substance at the same temperature and pressure; SPECIFIC HEAT (see
HEAT).
SPECIFY, spes'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to mention particularly: to set down as a
requisite:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spec'if[=i]ed.--_v.t._ SPECIF'ICATE, to
specify.--_n._ SPECIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of specifying: any point or
particular specified: the description of his invention presented by an
applicant for a patent.--LOGICAL SPECIFICATION is the counterpart of
generalisation--implying that beings the most like or homogeneous disagree
or are heterogeneous in some respect. [O. Fr.,--Low L. _specific[=a]re_--L.
_species_, kind, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]
SPECILLUM, sp[=e]-sil'um, _n._ a surgical probe: a lens, eyeglass.
[L.,--_spec[)e]re_, to look.]
SPECIMEN, spes'i-men, _n._ a portion of anything to show the kind and
quality of the whole: a sample, a typical individual: a preparation in
natural history, &c., exemplifying anything noticeable in a species or
other group. [L. _specimen_--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]
SPECIOUS, sp[=e]'shus, _adj._ that looks well at first sight: showy:
plausible: appearing actual, not merely imaginary.--_ns._ SP[=E]CIOS'ITY,
SP[=E]'CIOUSNESS, plausible appearance.--_adv._ SP[=E]'CIOUSLY. [Fr.,--L.
_speciosus_, showy--_species_, form--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]
SPECK, spek, _n._ a spot: a blemish: a mark betokening decay: a separate
piece or particle, an atom, the least morsel or quantity: a percoid fish of
the United States, a darter.--_v.t._ to spot. [A.S. _specca_; Low Ger.
_spakig_, spotted with wet.]
SPECK, spek, _n._ fat, lard.--_n._ SPECKTIONEER', the chief harpooner in
whale-fishing. [A.S. _spic_, bacon; Ger. _speck_, Dut. _spek_, fat.]
SPECKLE, spek'l, _n._ a little speck or spot in anything different in
substance or colour from the thing itself: (_Scot._) kind, sort.--_v.t._ to
mark with speckles.--_adj._ SPECK'LED, variegated, piebald.--_n._
SPECK'LEDNESS.--_adjs._ SPECK'LESS, spotless, perfectly clean; SPECK'Y,
partially spotted.
SPECTACLE, spek'ta-kl, _n._ a sight: show, a pageant, exhibition: (_pl._) a
pair of lenses mounted in frames to assist the sight, aids to mental
vision: a marking resembling spectacles, as in the cobra.--_adjs._
SPEC'TACLED, wearing spectacles: marked like spectacles, as the bear,
cobra, &c.; SPECTAC'ULAR, marked by display.--_n._ SPECTACULAR'ITY.--_adv._
SPECTAC'ULARLY. [L. _spectaculum_--_spect[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, intens. of
_spec[)e]re_, to look at.]
SPECTANT, spek'tant, _adj._ looking forward.--_v.t._ SPEC'T[=A]TE, to
survey.--_n._ SPEC'T[=A]TION. [L. _spectans_, _-antis_, pr.p. of
_spect[=a]re_.]
SPECTATOR, spek-t[=a]'tor, _n._ one who looks on:--_fem._ SPECT[=A]'TRESS,
SPECT[=A]'TRIX.--_adj._ SPECTAT[=O]'RIAL.--_n._ SPECT[=A]'TORSHIP, the
office or quality of a spectator: (_Shak._) the act of beholding.
SPECTRE, spek't[.e]r, _n._ a ghost.--_adj._ SPEC'TRAL, relating to, or
like, a spectre.--_n._ SPECTRAL'ITY, the state of being spectral, a
spectral object.--_adv._ SPEC'TRALLY.--_n._ SPEC'TRE-BAT, a South American
leaf-nosed bat or vampire. [L. _spectrum_, a vision--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]
SPECTRUM, spek'trum, _n._ the image of something seen continued after the
eyes are closed: the colours of light separated by a prism, and exhibited
as spread out on a screen:--_pl._ SPEC'TRA.--_n._ SPEC'TROGRAPH, an
apparatus for photographing a spectrum.--_adjs._ SPECTROGRAPH'IC,
-AL.--_n._ SPECTROG'RAPHY, the art of using the spectrograph.--_adj._
SPECTROLOG'ICAL.--_adv._ SPECTROLOG'ICALLY.--_ns._ SPECTROL'OGY, the
division of physical science that embraces spectrum analysis: demonology;
SPECTROM'ETER, an instrument like a spectroscope, by means of which the
angular deviation of a ray of light in passing through a prism can be
accurately measured.--_adj._ SPECTROMET'RIC.--_n._ SPEC'TROPH[=O]NE, an
adaptation of the spectroscope, in which, on the principle of the
radiophone, perception of a succession of sounds takes the place of
observation by the eye.--_adj._ SPECTROPHON'IC.--_ns._
SPEC'TRO-POLAR'ISCOPE, a polariscope combined with a spectroscope;
SPEC'TROSCOPE, an instrument for forming and examining spectra of luminous
bodies, so as to determine their composition.--_adjs._ SPECTROSC[=O]P'IC,
-AL.--_adv._ SPECTROSC[=O]P'ICALLY.--_ns._ SPEC'TROSC[=O]PIST, one skilled
in spectroscopy; SPEC'TROSC[=O]PY, the use of the spectroscope and the
study of spectrum analysis. [L.,--_spec[)e]re_, to see.]
SPECULAR, spek'[=u]-lar, _adj._ resembling a speculum: having a smooth
reflecting surface: assisting vision, serving for inspection.--SPECULAR
IRON ORE, a variety of hematite, with a brilliant metallic lustre. [L.]
SPECULARIA, spek-[=u]-l[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a genus of plants of the bellwort
family (_Campanulaceæ_), including the Venus's-looking-glass.
SPECULATE, spek'[=u]-l[=a]t, _v.i._ to look at or into with the mind: to
consider: to theorise: to traffic for great profit.--_ns._ SPECUL[=A]'TION,
act of speculating: mental view: contemplation: theory: the buying goods,
&c., to sell them at an advance, any more or less risky investment of money
for the sake of unusually large profits; SPEC'UL[=A]TIST, a speculative
philosopher.--_adj._ SPEC'[=U]L[=A]TIVE, given to speculation or theory:
ideal: pertaining to speculation in business, &c.--_adv._
SPEC'UL[=A]TIVELY.--_ns._ SPEC'UL[=A]TIVENESS, the state of being
speculative; SPEC'UL[=A]TOR, one who engages in mental speculations, or who
practises speculation in trade or business of any kind.--_adj._
SPEC'[=U]L[=A]TORY, exercising speculation: adapted for spying or
viewing.--_n._ SPEC'UL[=A]TRIX, a female speculator. [L. _speculatus_,
_pa.p._ of _specul[=a]ri_--_specula_, a lookout--_spec[)e]re_, to look.]
SPECULUM, spek'[=u]-lum, _n._ (_opt._) a reflector usually made of polished
metal: (_surg._) an instrument for bringing into view parts otherwise
hidden: an ocellus or eye-spot, the mirror of a wing: a lookout
place:--_pl._ SPEC'ULA. [L.,--_spec[)e]re_, to look.]
SPED, sped, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _speed_.
SPEECH, sp[=e]ch, _n._ that which is spoken: language: the power of
speaking: manner of speech, oration: any declaration of thoughts: mention:
colloquy: conference.--_ns._ SPEECH'-CRAFT, the science of language: the
gift of speech; SPEECH'-CR[=I]'ER, one who hawked the broadsides containing
the dying speeches of persons executed, once common; SPEECH'-DAY, the
public day at the close of a school year.--_adj._ SPEECH'FUL,
loquacious.--_ns._ SPEECHIFIC[=A]'TION, the act of making harangues;
SPEECH'IF[=I]ER.--_v.i._ SPEECH'IFY, to make speeches, harangue (implying
contempt).--_adj._ SPEECH'LESS, destitute or deprived of the power of
speech.--_adv._ SPEECH'LESSLY.--_ns._ SPEECH'LESSNESS; SPEECH'-M[=A]K'ER,
one accustomed to speak in public; SPEECH'-M[=A]K'ING, a formal speaking
before an assembly; SPEECH'-READ'ING, the art of following spoken words by
observing the speaker's lips, as taught to deaf-mutes. [A.S. _sp['æ]c_,
_spr['æ]c_; Ger. _sprache_.]
SPEED, sp[=e]d, _n._ quickness, velocity: success.--_v.i._ to move quickly,
to hurry: to succeed, to fare.--_v.t._ to despatch quickly: to hasten, as
to a conclusion: to cause to advance, to push forward: to give a certain
speed to, regulate the speed of: to send off, to put forth, to rid of, to
kill: to cause to be relieved (only in passive): to execute: to aid: to
make prosperous:--_pr.p._ speed'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ sped.--_n._
SPEED'ER, one who, or that which, promotes speed.--_adj._ SPEED'FUL,
speedy.--_advs._ SPEED'FULLY; SPEED'ILY.--_ns._ SPEED'INESS, speed, haste;
SPEED'-PULL'EY, a pulley having different faces of different diameters
giving various speeds according to the face the belt passes over;
SPEED'WELL (_Veronica_), a genus of plants of the natural order
_Scrophulariaceæ_, with blue, white, or pink flowers, the leaves of some
species used medicinally.--_adj._ SPEED'Y, hasty: quick: nimble. [A.S.
_spéd_; Dut. _spoed_.]
SPEIR, SPEER, sp[=e]r, _v.t._ and _v.i._ (_Scot._) to ask. [A.S. _spyrian_,
to inquire after, _spor_, a trace.]
SPEISS, sp[=i]s, _n._ the product first obtained (an arsenide of the metal)
when arsenical ores are smelted. [Ger. _speise_.]
SPEKBOOM, spek'b[=o]m, _n._ a large South African shrub of the purslane
family. [Dut.]
SPELÆAN, SPELEAN, sp[=e]-l[=e]'an, _adj._ cave-dwelling. [L. _spelæum_--Gr.
_sp[=e]laion_, a cave.]
SPELD, speld, _n._ a chip, splinter.--Also SPEL'DER.
SPELDING, spel'ding, _n._ (_Scot._) a small fish split and dried in the
sun.--Also SPEL'DRIN, SPEL'DRON.
SPELIN, spe-lin', _n._ an artificial linguistic system devised by G. Bauer
in 1888 for universal use.
SPELK, spelk, _n._ (_prov._) a rod, switch.--_v.t._ to use a spelk in or
upon.
SPELL, spel, _n._ any form of words supposed to possess magical power:
fascination.--_v.t._ to tell or name the letters of: to name, write, or
print the proper letters of.--_v.i._ to form words with the proper letters:
to study:--_pr.p._ spell'ing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spelled, spelt.--_adjs._
SPELL'ABLE, capable of being spelled; SPELL'-BOUND, SPELL'-STOPPED
(_Shak._), entranced, fascinated.--_ns._ SPELL'ER, one who spells: one
skilled in spelling; SPELL'ING, act of spelling or naming the letters of
words: orthography; SPELL'ING-BEE, a competition in spelling;
SPELL'ING-BOOK, a book for teaching to spell; SPELL'-WORK, that which is
wrought by spells or charms: power of magic.--SPELL BACKWARD, to spell,
repeat, or arrange in reverse order: to understand in a contrary sense: to
turn wrong-side out, misconstrue one's qualities; SPELL BAKER, to do
something difficult, that word being one of the earliest dissyllables in
children's books. [A.S. _spell_, a narrative; Goth. _spill_, Ice. _spjall_,
a tale.]
SPELL, spel, _v.t._ to take another's place at work:--_pr.p._ spell'ing;
_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spelled.--_n._ a turn at work: a short period
indefinitely: an interval of rest: a bad turn. [A.S. _spelian_, to act for
another; cf. Dut. _spelen_, Ger. _spielen_, to play.]
SPELT, spelt, _n._ a kind of wheat, probably only a race of common wheat,
still grown in the mountainous parts of Europe and elsewhere--also called
German wheat. [A.S. _spelt_--Low L. _spelta_.]