SQUIRM, skwirm, _v.i._ to wriggle or writhe, to climb by wriggling up: to
escape with any awkward evasion or lie. [A variant of _squir_=_whir_.]
SQUIRREL, skwir'el, _n._ a nimble, reddish-brown, rodent little animal with
hairy tail and large eyes, mainly of arboreal habit.--_ns._ SQUIRR'EL-FISH,
a holocentroid tropical fish; SQUIRR'EL-TAIL, any one of several grasses of
the genus _Hordeum_, with long hair-like awns: a cap of squirrel-skins,
with a tail hanging down behind. [O. Fr. _escurel_--Low L. _scurellus_,
dim. of L. _sciurus_--Gr. _skiouros_--_skia_, shade, _oura_, tail.]
SQUIRT, skw[.e]rt, _v.t._ to throw out water in a stream from a narrow
opening.--_n._ a small instrument for squirting: a small, quick
stream.--_n._ SQUIRT'ER. [Skeat says the _r_ appears to be intrusive;
allied to prov. Eng. _squitter_, to squirt, and _squitter_, diarrhoea. From
Sw. dial. _skvittär_, to sprinkle all round, freq. of _skwitta_, to squirt,
Sw. _sqvätta_, to squirt; cf. Dan. _sqvatte_, to splash.]
SQUITCH, skwich, _n._ quitch-grass.
SRADDHA, srä'da, _n._ the offering of rice and flowers to the manes of a
deceased ancestor. [Sans.]
STAB, stab, _v.t._ to wound with a pointed weapon: to wound: to injure
secretly, or by slander: to roughen a brick wall with a pick so as to hold
plaster: to pierce folded sheets, near their back edges, for the passage of
thread or wire.--_v.i._ to give a stab or a mortal wound:--_pr.p._
stab'bing; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ stabbed.--_n._ a wound with a pointed
weapon: an injury given secretly.--_n._ STAB'BER, one who stabs.--_adv._
STAB'BINGLY. [Gael. _stob_, a stake.]
STABAT MATER, st[=a]'bat m[=a]'t[.e]r, _n._ a Latin hymn on the seven
dolours of the Virgin, ascribed to Jacopone da Todi, a 13th-cent. Minorite:
a musical setting of this sequence. [Its opening words.]
STABLE, st[=a]'bl, _adj._ that stands firm: firmly established: durable:
firm in purpose or character: constant, unchangeable.--_ns._ STABIL'ITY,
state of being stable: steadiness; ST[=A]'BLENESS.--_adv._ ST[=A]'BLY.
[Fr.,--L. _stabilis_--_st[=a]re_, to stand.]
STABLE, st[=a]'bl, _n._ a building for horses and cattle.--_v.t._ to put or
keep in a stable.--_v.i._ to dwell in a stable.--_ns._ ST[=A]'BLE-BOY,
-MAN, a boy, or man, who attends in a stable; ST[=A]'BLER, a stable-keeper;
ST[=A]'BLE-ROOM, room for stabling horses or cattle; ST[=A]'BLING, act of
putting into a stable: accommodation for horses and cattle. [O. Fr.
_estable_ (Fr. _étable_)--L. _stabulum_--_st[=a]re_, to stand.]
STABLISH, stab'lish, _v.t._ old form of _establish_.--_n._
STAB'LISHMENT=_Establishment_.
STACCATO, stak-kä'to, _adj._ (_mus._) with the notes to be played in an
abrupt, disconnected manner--opp. to _Legato_: marked by abrupt emphasis:
giving a clear distinct sound to each note.--_adj._ STACCATIS'SIMO, as
staccato as possible. [It., from _staccare_, for _distaccare_, to
separate.]
STACHYS, st[=a]'kis, _n._ a genus of _Labiatæ_, containing the
Hedge-nettle, the Woundwort, and according to some botanists the Common
Betony or Wood Betony. [L.,--Gr. _stachys_, an ear of corn.]
STACK, stak, _n._ a large pile of bay, corn, wood, &c.: a number of
chimneys standing together: a pyramid formed by a number of muskets with
fixed bayonets interlocked and the stocks spread widely apart.--_v.t._ to
pile into a stack: to make up cards for cheating.--_ns._ STACK'-STAND, a
frame of wood, iron, or stone, supported on short props, for building a
stack upon; STACK'YARD, a yard for stacks. [Scand.; Ice. _stakkr_, a stack
of hay.]
STACTE, stak'te, _n._ a Jewish spice, liquid myrrh.
STACTOMETER, stak-tom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ a tube with a small hole at the bottom
for measuring a liquid in drops.--Also STALAGMOM'ETER. [Gr. _staktos_,
dropping, _metron_, a measure.]
STADDA, stad'a, _n._ a double-bladed hand-saw for cutting the teeth of
combs.
STADDLE, stad'l, _n._ anything that serves for support: a staff or crutch:
a stack-stand: a small tree. [A.S. _stathol_, foundation; Ger. _stadel_.]
STADE=_Stadium_ (q.v.).
STADIA, st[=a]'di-a, _n._ a temporary surveying station: an instrument for
measuring distances.--_n._ STADIOM'ETER, a self-recording theodolite.
STADIUM, st[=a]'di-um, _n._ a Greek measure of length, 600 podes=582
English feet, the Greek foot being .971 of an English foot:--_pl._
ST[=A]'DIA.
STADTHOLDER, stad-h[=o]l'd[.e]r, _n._ a barbarous English form of the Dutch
_Stadhouder_, 'stead-holder,' of which the French _lieu-tenant_ is a
literal translation, _Statthalter_ being the corresponding German.
STAFF, staf, _n._ a stick carried for support or defence: a prop: a long
piece of wood: pole: a flagstaff: the long handle of an instrument: a stick
or ensign of authority: the five lines and spaces on which music is
written: a stanza (the previous meanings have _pl._ STAFFS or STAVES,
st[=a]vz): a body of skilled officers whose duty it is, under orders from
the commanding officers of various grades, to arrange the movements and
supply of the various bodies which go to make up an army: a similar body of
persons in any undertaking, acting under a manager or chief (the last two
meanings have _pl._ STAFFS, stafs).--_ns._ STAFF'-CAPTAIN, the senior grade
in the navigating branch in the British navy; STAFF'-COLL'EGE, a college
where military officers are trained in the higher branches of professional
knowledge, and prepared for holding staff-appointments; STAFF'-CORPS, a
body of intelligent officers and men who performed engineering and siege
duties, made reconnaissances, &c. during the wars of Wellington; (INDIAN) a
body of British officers serving on the permanent Indian establishment,
appointed from it to do duty with native regiments, &c.; STAFF'-D[=U]'TY,
the occupation of an officer who serves on a staff, having been detached
from his regiment; STAFF'-NOT[=A]'TION, musical notation in which a staff
is used, as opposed to the tonic-solfa system; STAFF'-SUR'GEON, a navy
surgeon of senior grade; STAFF'-SYS'TEM, a block-system in use on
single-line railways in which the station-master gives the engine-driver a
staff authorising him to proceed over a given portion. [A.S. _stæf_; Ice.
_stafr_, Ger. _stab_.]
STAG, stag, _n._ the male deer, esp. one of the red deer:--_fem._ _Hind_: a
speculator who applies for shares or stock in new concerns quoted at a
premium, hoping to obtain an allotment and secure a profit without holding
the stock, one who sells new securities quoted at a premium before
allotment.--_v.t._ to follow, to dog, to shadow.--_v.i._ to act as a stag
on the stock-exchange.--_ns._ STAG'-BEE'TLE, a genus of Lamellicorn
beetles, nearly allied to the Scarabees, the males with large projecting
mandibles; STAG'-DANCE, -PART'Y, a dance or party of men only; STAG'HOUND,
a name applied both to the buck-hound and the Scottish deer-hound. [Ice.
_steggr_, a male animal, _stiga_, to mount.]
STAGE, st[=a]j, _n._ an elevated platform, esp. in a theatre: the theatre:
theatrical representations, the theatrical calling: any place of exhibition
or performance: a place of rest on a journey or road: distance between
places: degree of progress.--_v.t._ to represent or place for
representation on the stage.--_ns._ STAGE'-COACH, a coach that runs
regularly with passengers from stage to stage; STAGE'-CRAFT, skill in
putting a play on the stage; STAGE'-DOOR, the actors' entrance to a
theatre; STAGE'-DRIV'ER, one who drives a stage; STAGE'-EFFECT', theatrical
effect; STAGE'-F[=E]'VER, a passion to go on the stage; STAGE'-FRIGHT,
nervousness before an audience, esp. for the first time; STAGE'-MAN'AGER,
one who superintends the production of plays, and has general charge of
everything behind the curtain; STAGE'-PLAY, a play for representation on a
stage; STAGE'-PLAY'ER, a player on the stage; ST[=A]'GER, a stage-horse:
one who has had much experience in anything.--_adj._ STAGE'-STRUCK, sorely
smitten with stage-fever.--_ns._ STAGE'-WAG'ON, a wagon for conveying goods
and passengers at fixed times; STAGE'-WHIS'PER, a loud whisper, as that of
an actor meant to be heard by the audience.--_adjs._ ST[=A]'GEY, ST[=A]'GY,
suggesting the stage, theatrical.--_ns._ ST[=A]'GINESS; ST[=A]'GING, a
structure for workmen in building. [O. Fr. _estage_ (Fr. _étage_), a story
of a house, through a L. form _staticus_, from _st[=a]re_, to stand.]
STAGGER, stag'[.e]r, _v.i._ to reel from side to side: to begin to give
way: to begin to doubt: to hesitate.--_v.t._ to cause to reel: to cause to
doubt or hesitate: to shock.--_adv._ STAGG'ERINGLY.--_n._ STAGG'ERS, a
popular term applied to several diseases of horses.--GRASS, or STOMACH,
STAGGERS, an acute indigestion; MAD, or SLEEPY, STAGGERS, an inflammation
of the brain. [Ice. _stakra_, to push, freq. of _staka_, to push.]
STAGIRITE, STAGYRITE, staj'i-r[=i]t, _adj._ pertaining to _Stageira_ in
Macedonia.--_n._ a native or inhabitant thereof, esp. Aristotle (384-322
B.C.).
STAGNANT, stag'nant, _adj._ stagnating: not flowing: motionless: impure
from being motionless: not brisk: dull.--_n._ STAG'NANCY, the state of
being stagnant.--_adv._ STAG'NANTLY.--_v.i._ STAG'NATE, to cease to flow:
to become dull or motionless.--_n._ STAGN[=A]'TION, act of stagnating:
state of being stagnant or motionless: dullness. [L. _stagnans_, _-antis_,
pr.p. of _stagn[=a]re_.]
STAHLIANISM, stäl'i-an-izm, _n._ the doctrines of Georg Ernst _Stahl_, a
German physician (1660-1734), who held that there exists a mysterious force
residing in, but independent of, matter, not only forming the body, but
directing it in all its functions--also STAHL'ISM.--_adj._ STAHL'IAN.
STAID, st[=a]d, _adj._ steady: sober: grave.--_adv._ STAID'LY.--_n._
STAID'NESS. [For _stayed_--_stay_.]
STAIG, st[=a]g, _n._ (_Scot._) a young horse, a stallion.
STAIN, st[=a]n, _v.t._ to tinge or colour: to give a different colour to:
to impregnate, as a tissue, with some substance whose reaction colours some
parts but not others, thus making form or structure plainly visible: to
dye: to mark with guilt or infamy: to bring reproach on: to sully: to
tarnish.--_v.i._ to take or impart a stain.--_n._ a discoloration: a spot:
taint of guilt: cause of reproach: shame.--_n._ STAIN'ER, one who stains or
blots: a dyer.--_adj._ STAIN'LESS, without or free from stain.--_adv._
STAIN'LESSLY.--_n._ STAIN'LESSNESS.--STAINED GLASS, glass painted with
certain pigments fused into its surface. [Short for _distain_--O. Fr.
_desteindre_--L. _dis-_, away, _ting[)e]re_, to dye.]
STAIR, st[=a]r, _n._ a series of steps for ascending to a higher level: one
of such steps: a flight of steps, only in _pl._: (_Spens._) a
degree.--_ns._ STAIR'-CAR'PET, carpet suitable for stairs; STAIR'CASE, a
flight of stairs with balusters, &c.; STAIR'-ROD, one of a number of
metallic rods for holding a stair-carpet in its place.--_adv._ DOWN'STAIRS,
in the lower part of a house--opp. to _Upstairs_.--BACK-STAIRS, adjectively
for secret, underhand; BELOW STAIRS, in a lower story, in the basement.
[A.S. _st['æ]ager_--_stígan_, to ascend; Ger. _steigen_, to climb, Ice.
_stegi_, a step.]
STAITH, STATHE, st[=a]th, _n._ (_prov._) the extremity of a line of rails
laid on a platform, for discharging coals, &c., into vessels. [A.S.
_stæth_, _steth_, bank.]
STAKE, st[=a]k, _n._ a strong stick pointed at one end: one of the upright
pieces of a fence: a post to which an animal is tied, esp. that to which a
martyr was tied to be burned: martyrdom: a tinsmith's anvil: anything
pledged in a wager: a prize, anything to gain or lose.--_v.t._ to fasten,
or pierce with a stake: to mark the bounds of with stakes (often with off
and out): to wager, to hazard.--_ns._ STAKE'-HOLD'ER, the person with whom
the stakes in a wager are deposited; STAKE'-NET, a form of fishing-net hung
on stakes.--AT STAKE, hazarded, in danger. [A.S. _staca_, a stake.]
STALACTITE, sta-lak't[=i]t, _n._ a deposit of carbonate of lime, hanging
like an icicle from the roof of a cavern, formed by the dripping of
water.--_adjs._ STALAC'TIC, -AL, STALACTIT'IC, -AL, having the form or
properties of a stalactite; STALAC'TIFORM, like a stalactite. [Gr.
_stalaktos_--_stalazein_, to drip.]
STALAGMITE, sta-lag'm[=i]t, _n._ a deposit of carbonate of lime, &c., on
the floor of a cavern, usually cylindrical or conical in form, caused by
the dripping from the roof of water holding some substance in solution; it
is the counterpart to a _Stalactite_, and both are often fused together,
forming a _Stalactitic column_.--_adjs._ STALAGMIT'IC, -AL, having the form
of stalagmites.--_adv._ STALAGMIT'ICALLY. [Gr. _stalagmos_, a
dropping--_stalazein_, to drip.]