SPIEGELEISEN, sp[=e]'gl-[=i]-zen, _n._ a white cast-iron containing from
eight to fifteen per cent. of manganese, largely used in the manufacture of
steel by the Bessemer process. [Ger.,--_spiegel_--L. _speculum_, a mirror,
Ger. _eisen_, iron.]
SPIFFY, spif'i, _adj._ (_slang_) smart, spruce, well-dressed.
SPIFLICATE, spif'li-k[=a]t, _v.t._ (_slang_) to suffocate, kill: to beat
severely, to confound.--_n._ SPIFLIC[=A]'TION.
SPIGELIA, sp[=i]-j[=e]'li-a, _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order
_Loganiaceæ_, containing the _Worm-grass_ and _Carolina-pink_, the
root--_Pink-root_--being purgative, narcotic, and poisonous, a powerful
vermifuge.--_adj._ SPIG[=E]'LIAN, denoting the _lobulus spigelii_, one of
the lobes of the liver. [From the Belgian Ad. van der _Spiegel_
(1558-1625).]
SPIGHT, sp[=i]t, v. and _n._ (_Spens._). Same as SPITE.
SPIGOT, spig'ut, _n._ a plug for stopping a small hole in a cask. [Gael.
_spiocaid_, W. _ysbigod_--L. _spica_.]
SPIKE, sp[=i]k, _n._ an ear of corn: (_bot._) an inflorescence in which
sessile flowers, or flowers having very short stalks, are arranged around
an axis: a small pointed rod: a large nail.--_v.t._ to set with spikes: to
stop the vent of with a cast-iron spike driven in hard and then broken off,
as by soldiers obliged to abandon their own guns or unable to remove those
of the enemy which they have captured.--_adjs._ SP[=I]'CATE, SP[=I]'COSE,
SP[=I]'COUS, having spikes or ears, like corn; SPICIF'EROUS, bearing
spikes: having spurs; SP[=I]'CIFORM, having the form of a spike.--_n._
SPICOS'ITY, state of being spicous or eared.--_adjs._ SPIC'[=U]LAR,
resembling a dart: in the shape of, or having, sharp points; SPIC'[=U]LATE,
covered with, or divided into, minute points.--_n._ SPIC'[=U]LE (_bot._), a
little spike--also SPIC'[=U]LA: a minute, slender granule or
point.--_adjs._ SPIC'UL[=I]FORM; SPIC[=U]LIG'ENOUS, SPIC[=U]LIF'EROUS,
producing spicules; SPIC'[=U]L[=O]SE, SPIC'[=U]LOUS, having
spicules.--_ns._ SPIC'[=U]LUM, a spicule; SPIKE'BILL, a merganser, a
sawbill: the marbled godwit.--_p.adj._ SPIKED, furnished, fastened, or
stopped with spikes.--_ns._ SPIKE'-EXTRACT'OR, an apparatus for drawing out
spikes, as from railway-ties; SPIKE'-FISH, a kind of sail-fish;
SPIKE'-GRASS, one of several American grasses with conspicuous spikelets of
flowers; SPIKE'LET, a little spike; SPIKE'-NAIL, a spike; SPIKE'-OIL, the
oil of spike, a species of lavender; SPIKE'-PLANK, a platform before the
mizzen-mast of a vessel, used in Arctic voyages.--_adj._ SP[=I]'KY,
furnished with spikes: having a sharp point. [L. _spica_, an ear of corn.]
SPIKENARD, sp[=i]k'närd, _n._ an aromatic oil or balsam yielded by an
Indian plant, the _Nardus_, closely allied to valerian: the plant itself.
[L. _spica nardi_.]
SPILE, sp[=i]l, _n._ a wooden plug serving as a spigot, a wooden pin or
wedge: a spout driven into a sugar-maple tree, a tapping-gouge: a pile, or
large timber driven into the ground for a foundation.--_v.t._ to pierce and
provide with a spile: to drive piles into.--_n._ SP[=I]'LING,
building-piles: the edge-curve of a plank or of a strake in a vessel's
hull. [Cf. _Spill_ (2).]
SPILL, spil, _v.t._ to allow to run out of a vessel: to shed: to waste:
(_coll._) to throw from a vehicle or the saddle: to empty the belly of a
sail of wind for reefing.--_v.i._ to be shed: to be allowed to fall, be
lost, or wasted:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ spilled, spilt.--_n._ a fall, a
throw: a downpour.--_ns._ SPILL'ER; SPILL'ING-LINE, a rope for spilling the
wind out of a square sail to facilitate reefing or furling; SPILL'-STREAM,
a stream formed by overflow water, a bayou; SPILL'WAY, a passage for
overflow-water from a dam. [A.S. _spillan_; Dut. _spillen_, Ice. _spilla_,
to destroy.]
SPILL, spil, _n._ a small peg or pin to stop a hole: a thin strip of wood
or twisted paper for lighting a candle, a pipe, &c.--_n._ SPILL'IKIN, one
of a number of small pieces of wood, ivory, &c. for playing a game with:
the game played--also SPIL'KIN. [A.S. _speld_, a torch; cf. Ger. _spalten_,
to cleave, Dut. _speld_, a splinter.]