SPER, sp[.e]r, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to bolt, to shut, as a gate.
SPERABLE, sp[=e]'ra-bl, _adj._ (_Bacon_) that may be hoped.--_adj._
SP[=E]'RATE, hoped for. [L. _sperabilis_--_sper[=a]re_, to hope.]
SPERGULA, sper'g[=u]-la, _n._ a genus of polypetalous annuals belonging to
the _Caryophyllaceæ_, with small white or pink flowers--_spurry_ or
_sandweed_.--_n._ SPERGUL[=A]'RIA, an allied genus, the sand-spurry. [L.
_sparg[)e]re_, to scatter.]
SPERKET, sp[.e]r'ket, _n._ a hooked peg for hanging harness upon.--Also
SPIR'KET.
SPERM, sp[.e]rm, _n._ animal seed: spawn of fishes or frogs:
spermaceti.--_ns._ SPER'MADUCT, a spermatic duct; SPER'MAPHORE (_bot._), a
placenta; SPER'MARY, the male germ-gland; SPERMATH[=E]'CA, a spermatic case
or sheath--also SPERMATOTH[=E]'CA.--_adjs._ SPERMATH[=E]'CAL; SPERMAT'IC,
-AL, pertaining to, or consisting of, sperm or seed, seminal: connected
with the male function, testicular.--_v.i._ SPER'MATISE, to yield or to
discharge semen.--_ns._ SPER'MATISM=_Spermism_; SPER'MATIST=_Spermist_;
SPERM[=A]'TIUM, a minute spore within a spermogonium:--_pl._
SPERM[=A]'TIA.--_adj._ SPERMAT[=O]'AL, pertaining to a spermatoon.--_n._
SPER'MATOBLAST, the germ of a spermatozoon.--_adj._
SPERMATOBLAS'TIC.--_ns._ SPER'MATOCELE, swelling of the testicle;
SPER'MATOCYST, a seminal vesicle; SPERMATOCYS'TIS, inflammation of the
seminal vesicles.--_adj._ SPERMATOCY'TAL.--_ns._ SPER'MATOCYTE, a
mother-cell from which spermatozoids are developed; SPERMATOGEM'MA, a mass
of spermatocytes; SPERMATOGEN'ESIS, the formation of spermatozoa.--_adjs._
SPERMATOGENET'IC, SPERMATOG'ENOUS.--_ns._ SPERMATOG'ENY, the generation of
spermatozoa; SPERMATOG[=O]'NIUM, one of the primitive seminal cells that by
division form the spermatocytes.--_adjs._ SPER'MATOID, sperm-like;
SPERMATOLOG'ICAL, pertaining to spermatology.--_ns._ SPERMATOL'OGIST, one
versed in spermatology; SPERMATOL'OGY, the knowledge of the facts about
semen; SPERMAT[=O]'ON, the nucleus of a spermatozoon; SPERMAT'[=O]PH[=O]RE,
a case which in some Invertebrata encloses the spermatozoa.--_adj._
SPERMATOPH'OROUS.--_ns._ SPERMATORRH[=E]'A, involuntary seminal discharge;
SPERMAT[=O]'VUM, a fecundated ovum; SPERMATOZ[=O]'ID, SPERMATOZ[=O]'ON, one
of the male reproductive cells of animals, the physiological complements of
the egg-cells or ova:--_pl._ SPERMATOZ[=O]'A; SPERM'-CELL, a spermatozoon:
a spermatoblast or a spermatocyte.--_adj._ SPER'MIC=_Spermatic_--_ns._
SPER'MISM, a seminal discharge: the theory that the male sperm holds the
whole germ of the future animal; SPER'MIST, one who holds the theory of
spermism; SPERM'-N[=U]'CLEUS, the nucleus of a spermatozoon; SPER'MODERM,
the whole integument of a seed; SPERMOG[=O]'NIUM, the cavity in which,
spermatia are produced; SPERM'-OIL, oil from the sperm-whale;
SPORMOL'OGY=_Spermatology_; SPERMOPH'[=O]RUM, a seminal vesicle.--_n.pl._
SPERMOPH'YTA, one of the four divisions of the vegetable kingdom including
flowering plants.--_ns._ SPERM'[=U]LE, a sperm-cell; SPERM'-WHALE, the
cachalot, a species of whale from which spermaceti is obtained. [Fr.,--L.
_sperma_--Gr. _sperma_, _spermatos_--_speirein_, to sow.]
SPERMACETI, sper-ma-set'i, or-s[=e]'t[=i], _n._ a waxy matter obtained
mixed with oil from the head of the sperm-whale--purified by draining off
the oil and repeatedly washing with hot water and weak boiling
potash-lye.--_adj._ derived from, or yielding, spermaceti.--_n._
SPERMACET'I-WHALE, the sperm-whale. [L. _sperma_, _c[=e]tus_, a whale--Gr.
_k[=e]tos_.]
SPERMOPHILE, sper'm[=o]-f[=i]l, _n._ a rodent of the genus _Spermophilus_,
a ground-squirrel. [Gr. _sperma_, seed, _philein_, to love.]