STATUTE, stat'[=u]t, _n._ a law expressly enacted by the legislature (as
distinguished from a customary law or law of use and wont): a written law:
the act of a corporation or its founder, intended as a permanent rule or
law.--_adj._ STAT'[=U]TABLE, made by statute: according to statute.--_adv._
STAT'[=U]TABLY.--_ns._ STAT'UTE-BOOK, a record of statutes or enacted laws;
STAT'UTE-CAP (_Shak._), a kind of cap enjoined to be worn by a statute
passed in 1571 in behalf of the cap-makers; STAT'UTE-ROLL, an enrolled
statute.--_adj._ STAT'[=U]TORY, enacted by statute: depending on statute
for its authority. [L. _statutum_, that which is set up--_statu[)e]re_.]
STAUNCH, stawnsh, _adj._ firm in principle, pursuit, or support: trusty,
hearty, constant, zealous.--_adv._ STAUNCH'LY.--_n._ STAUNCH'NESS.
[_Stanch_.]
STAUROLITE, stawr'[=o]-l[=i]t, _n._ a silicate of alumina with ferrous
oxide, magnesia, and water, crystallising in trimetric forms, common as
twinned cruciform crystals in certain states.--_adj._ STAUROLIT'IC.
STAVE, st[=a]v, _n._ one of the pieces of which a cask is made: a staff or
part of a piece of music: a stanza.--_v.t._ to break a stave or the staves
of: to break: to burst: to drive off, as with a staff: to delay:--_pa.t._
and _pa.p._ st[=a]ved or st[=o]ve. [By-form of _staff_.]
STAVES, st[=a]vz, plural of _staff_ and of _stave_.
STAVESACRE, st[=a]vz'[=a]-k[.e]r, _n._ a tall larkspur whose seeds yield
delphinin for destroying lice. [O. Fr. _stavesaigre_--Low L.
_staphisagria_--Gr. _staphis_, dried grapes, _agrios_, wild.]
STAW, staw, _v.i._ (_prov._) to stand still, become fixed.--_v.t._
(_Scot._) to surfeit, to scunner at.--_n._ a surfeit.
STAW, staw, a Scotch form of _stole_.
STAY, st[=a], _v.i._ to remain: to abide for any time: to continue in a
state: to wait: to cease acting: to dwell: to trust.--_v.t._ to cause to
stand: to stop: to restrain: to delay: to prevent from falling: to prop: to
support, rest, rely:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ stayed, staid.--_n._ continuance
in a place: abode for a time: stand: stop: a fixed state: a standstill:
suspension of a legal proceeding: prop, support: (_pl._) a kind of stiff
inner waistcoat worn by women.--_ns._ STAY'-AT-HOME, one who keeps much at
home--also _adj._; STAY'-BOLT, a bolt or rod binding together opposite
plates; STAY'ER, one who, or that which, stops, holds, or supports: a
person or animal of good lasting or staying qualities for a race, &c.;
STAY'-LACE, a lace for fastening a bodice; STAY'-M[=A]'KER, one whose
occupation is to make stays.--STAY THE STOMACH, to allay the cravings of
hunger for the time. [O. Fr. _estayer, estaye_--Old Dut. _stade_, a stay.]
STAY, st[=a], _n._ a large strong rope running from the head of one mast to
another mast ('fore-and-aft' stay), or to the side of the ship
('back'-stay): the transverse piece in a chain-cable link.--_v.t._ to
support or to incline to one side by means of stays: to put on the other
tack, to cause to go about.--_v.i._ to change tack, to go about, to be in
stays.--_ns._ STAY'SAIL, a sail extended on a stay; STAY'-TACK'LE, a large
hoisting tackle fixed by a pendant to the mainstay of a ship.--MISS STAYS
(see MISS). [A.S. _stæg_; Dut. _stag_, Ger. _stag_.]
STAYED, st[=a]d, _adj._ (_Spens._). Same as _Staid_, constant.
STAYNE, st[=a]n, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to dim, deface, or disparage. [A form of
_stain_.]
STAYRE, st[=a]r, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as _Stair_, a step.
STEAD, sted, _n._ the place which another had or might have: a fixed place
of abode: use, help, service, as in 'To stand in good stead.'--_n._
STEADING, the barns, stables, &c. of a farm. [A.S. _stede_, place; Ger.
_stadt, statt_, place, Dut. _stad_, a town.]
STEADFAST, sted'fast, _adj._ firmly fixed or established: firm: constant:
resolute: steady.--_adv._ STEAD'FASTLY.--_n._ STEAD'FASTNESS. [A.S.
_stedefæst, stede_, a place, _fæst_, firm, fast.]
STEADY, sted'i, _adj._ (_comp._ STEAD'IER, _superl._ STEAD'IEST) firm in
standing or in place: fixed: stable: constant: resolute: consistent:
regular: uniform: sober, industrious.--_v.t._ to make steady: to make or
keep firm:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ stead'ied.--_n._ a rest or support, as for
the hand, a tool, or a piece of work.--_adv._ STEAD'ILY.--_n._
STEAD'INESS.--_adj._ STEAD'Y-G[=O]'ING, of steady habits or action. [A.S.
_stæ_ðð_ig_--_stæ_ð, stead, bank; Ger. _stätig_, continual.]
STEAK, st[=a]k, _n._ a slice of meat (esp. beef) broiled, or for broiling.
[Prob. Ice. _steik, steikja_, to broil.]
STEAL, st[=e]l, _v.t._ to take by theft or feloniously: to take away
without notice: to gain or win by address, insidiously, or by gradual
means: to snatch: in golf, to hole a long putt by a stealthy stroke--the
opposite of _Gobble._--_v.i._ to practise theft: to take feloniously: to
pass secretly: to slip in or out unperceived:--_pa.t._ st[=o]le; _pa.p._
st[=o]len.--_ns._ STEAL'ER; STEAL'ING, the act of taking another's property
without his knowledge or consent: stolen property.--_adv._
STEAL'INGLY.--STEAL A MARCH ON, to gain an advantage unperceived. [A.S.
_stelan_; Ger. _stehlen_, Dut. _stelen_.]
STEAL, st[=e]l, _n._ (_Spens._) a handle.
STEALTH, stelth, _n._ the act of stealing: a secret manner of bringing
anything to pass.--_adv._ STEALTH'ILY.--_n._ STEALTH'INESS.--_adj._
STEALTH'Y, done by stealth: unperceived: secret.
STEAM, st[=e]m, _n._ the vapour of water--when dry, invisible and
transparent like air, and not to be confused with the semi-liquid cloud
which comes from the chimney of a locomotive; when superheated, changing
the characteristics of a vapour for those belonging to what is known as a
'perfect gas:' the mist formed by condensed vapour: any vaporous
exhalation: energy, force, spirit.--_v.i._ to rise or pass off in steam or
vapour: to move by steam.--_v.t._ to expose to steam.--_ns._ STEAM'BOAT,
STEAM'SHIP, STEAM'-VESS'EL, a boat, ship, or vessel propelled by steam;
STEAM'-BOIL'ER, a boiler for generating steam; STEAM'-CARRIAGE, a carriage
moved by steam on common roads; STEAM'-CHEST, -DOME, a chamber above a
steam-boiler serving as a reservoir for steam; STEAM'-CRANE, a crane worked
by a steam-engine; STEAM'-DIG'GER, a machine for digging the soil by means
of steam-power, the soil being thereby much more thoroughly pulverised than
by ploughing; STEAM'-EN'GINE, an engine or machine which changes heat into
useful work through the medium of steam; STEAM'ER, a vessel moved by steam:
a road-locomotive, &c.: a vessel in which articles are steamed;
STEAM'-GAUGE, an instrument for measuring the pressure of steam in a
boiler; STEAM'-GOV'ERNOR, the governor of a steam-engine; STEAM'-GUN, a gun
projecting a missile by means of steam; STEAM'-HAMM'ER, a hammer consisting
of a steam cylinder and piston placed vertically over an anvil, the hammer
moved by the action of the steam; STEAM'INESS, the quality of being
vaporous or misty; STEAM'-JACK'ET, a hollow casing surrounding any vessel
and into which steam may be admitted; STEAM'-LAUNCH (see LAUNCH);
STEAM'-NAVIG[=A]'TION, the propulsion of vessels by steam; STEAM'-NAV'VY,
an excavator operated by steam in the making of docks, canals, &c.;
STEAM'-PACK'ET, a steam-vessel plying between certain ports; STEAM'-PIPE, a
pipe for conveying steam; STEAM'-PLOUGH, a plough or gang of ploughs worked
by a steam-engine; STEAM'-POW'ER, the force of steam when applied to
machinery; STEAM'-PRESS, a printing-press worked by steam;
STEAM'-PRINT'ING, printing in which the presses are operated by steam;
STEAM'-TRAP, a contrivance for allowing the passage of water while
preventing the passage of steam; STEAM'-TUG, a small steam-vessel used in
towing ships; STEAM'-WHIS'TLE, an apparatus attached to a steam-engine
through which steam is discharged, producing a sound in the manner of a
common whistle.--_adj._ STEAM'Y, consisting of, or like, steam: full of
steam or vapour.--_n._ STEAM'-YACHT, a yacht propelled by steam. [A.S.
_steám_; cog. with Dut. _stoom_.]
STEAN, STEEN, st[=e]n, _n._ a stone or earthenware vessel.--_n._ STEAN'ING,
the stone or brick lining of a well, &c. [A.S. _stæn_, stone.]
STEARE, st[=e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) a steer or ox.
STEARINE, st[=e]'a-r[=i]n, _n._ one of the fats occurring in animals and
plants, the chief constituent of the more solid fats, such as mutton
suet.--_n._ ST[=E]'AR[=A]TE, a salt formed by the combination of stearic
acid with a base.--_adj._ ST[=E]AR'IC, pertaining to, or obtained from,
stearine.--_n._ ST[=E]ARRH[=E]'A, an abnormal increase of secretion from
the oil-glands of the skin.--STEARIC ACID, an acid abundant in fats. [Gr.
_stear_, _steatos_, suet--_histanai_, to make to stand, to fix.]
STEATITE, st[=e]'a-t[=i]t, _n._ soapstone, a compact or massive variety of
talc, a hydrous silicate of magnesia, white or yellow, soft and greasy to
the touch--used by tailors for marking cloth, and called _Briançon Chalk_,
_French Chalk_, and _Venice Talc_.--_adj._ ST[=E]ATIT'IC.--_ns._
ST[=E]AT[=I]'TIS, inflammation of the fatty tissue; ST[=E]'ATOCELE, a fatty
tumour in the scrotum; ST[=E]AT[=O]'MA, a fatty encysted tumour.--_adj._
ST[=E]ATOM'ATOUS.--_n._ ST[=E]ATOP'YGA, an accumulation of fat on the
buttocks of the Bushmen women.--_adj._ ST[=E]ATOP'YGOUS,
fat-buttocked.--_n._ ST[=E]AT[=O]'SIS, fatty degeneration of an organ, as
the heart. [Gr. _steatit[=e]s_--_stear_, _steatos_, suet.]
STEBOY, ste-boi', _interj._ a cry in setting on a dog.--Also HIST'ABOY.
STEDFAST=_Steadfast_.
STEED, st[=e]d, _n._ a horse or stallion, esp. a spirited horse. [A.S.
_stéda_, from _stód_, a stud; Ger. _stute_, a stud-mare, _ge-stüte_, a
stud.]
STEEDY, st[=e]d'i, _adj._ (_Spens._) steady.
STEEK, st[=e]k, _n._ (_Scot._) a stitch.--_v.t._ to pierce, to stitch: to
close.
STEEL, st[=e]l, _n._ iron combined in varying proportions with carbon for
making edged tools: any instrument or weapon of steel: an instrument of
steel for sharpening knives on: a strip of steel for stiffening a corset: a
piece of steel for striking fire from a flint: extreme hardness: a
chalybeate medicine.--_adj._ made of steel: hard, unfeeling.--_v.t._ to
overlay or edge with steel: to harden: to make obdurate.--_adj._
STEEL'-CLAD, clad with steel-mail.--_ns._ STEEL'-ENGRAVING, the art of
engraving pictures on steel plates from which impressions may be taken, the
impression or print so taken; STEEL'INESS, state of being steely, great
hardness; STEEL'ING, the welding of a steel edge on a cutting instrument;
STEEL'-PEN, a pen-nib made of steel; STEEL'-PLATE, a plate of steel: a
plate of polished steel on which a design is engraved, the print taken from
such.--_adj._ STEEL'-PL[=A]T'ED, plated with steel.--_n.pl._ STEEL'-TOYS,
small articles of steel as buttons, buckles, &c.--_n._ STEEL'-WARE,
articles made of steel collectively.--_adj._ STEEL'Y, made of steel:
steel-like. [A.S. _stýle_; Ger. _stahl_.]
STEELBOW, st[=e]l'b[=o], _n._ (_Scots law_) a term for goods, such as corn,
cattle, straw, and implements of husbandry delivered by the landlord to his
tenant, by means of which the latter is enabled to stock and labour the
farm, and in consideration of which he becomes bound to return articles
equal in quantity and quality at the expiration of the lease.
STEELYARD, st[=e]l'yärd, _n._ the Roman balance, an instrument for
weighing, consisting of a lever with unequal arms, in using which a single
weight or counterpoise is employed, being moved along a graduated beam.
[Orig. the _yard_ in London where _steel_ was sold by German merchants.]
STEEM, st[=e]m (_Spens._). Same as ESTEEM.
STEEN. See STEAN.
STEENBOK, st[=a]n'bok, _n._ one of several small African antelopes. [Dut.,
_steen_, stone, _bok_, buck.]
STEENKIRK, st[=e]n'kerk, _n._ a lace cravat loosely worn, so named from the
defeat of William III. by Luxembourg at _Steenkerke_, August 3, 1692.
STEEP, st[=e]p, _adj._ rising or descending with great inclination:
precipitous: difficult, excessive, exorbitant.--_n._ a precipitous place: a
precipice.--_adj._ STEEP'-DOWN (_Shak._), deep and precipitous.--_v.i._
STEEP'EN, to become steep.--_ns._ STEEP'INESS, STEEP'NESS, the state or
quality of being steep.--_adv._ STEEP'LY.--_adj._ STEEP'Y, steep. [A.S.
_steáp_; Ice. _steypthr_.]
STEEP, st[=e]p, _v.t._ to dip or soak in a liquid: to imbue.--_n._
something steeped or used in steeping: a fertilising liquid for seed:
rennet.--_n._ STEEP'ER, a vessel in which articles are steeped. [Scand.,
Ice. _steypa_, to make to stoop, pour out, causal of _stúpa_, to stoop.]
STEEPLE, st[=e]p'l, _n._ a tower of a church or building, ending in a
point: the high head-dress of the 14th century.--_adj._ STEEP'LED,
furnished with a steeple: adorned with, or as with, steeples or
towers.--_ns._ STEEP'LE-HAT, a high and narrow-crowned hat; STEEP'LE-HOUSE,
an old Quaker name for the building in which believers meet for worship;
STEEP'LEJACK, one who climbs steeples and chimney-stalks to make repairs.
[A.S. _stýpel_, _stepel_--_steáp_, steep.]
STEEPLECHASE, st[=e]p'l-ch[=a]s, _n._ a horserace run across the open
country, over hedges, ditches, walls, and other obstacles.--_n._
STEEP'LECH[=A]SER, one who rides such.
STEER, st[=e]r, _n._ a young ox, esp. a castrated one from two to four
years old.--_n._ STEER'LING, a little or young steer. [A.S. _steór_; Ger.
_stier_.]
STEER, st[=e]r, _v.t._ to direct with the helm: to guide: to
govern.--_v.i._ to direct a ship in its course: to be directed: to
move.--_ns._ STEER'AGE, act or practice of steering: the effect of a rudder
on the ship: an apartment in the fore-part of a ship for passengers paying
a lower rate of fare; STEER'AGE-WAY, sufficient movement of a vessel to
enable it to be controlled by the helm; STEER'ER, STEERS'MAN, a man who
steers a ship; STEER'ING; STEER'ING-WHEEL, the wheel by which the rudder of
a ship is turned. [A.S. _steóran_, _stýran_, to steer; Ger. _steuern_.]
STEER, st[=e]r, _n._ a Scotch form of _stir_.
STEEVE, st[=e]v, _n._ a spar with a block at the end for packing close
certain kinds of cargo: the angle which the bowsprit of a ship makes with
the horizon or the line of her keel.--Also STEEV'ING.
STEEVE, st[=e]v, _adj._ (_Scot._) stiff, firm.--_adv._ STEEVE'LY.
STEEVE, st[=e]v, _v.t._ to stuff, pack close.--_n._ STEEV'ING.
STEGANOGRAPHY, steg-an-og'ra-fi, _n._ the art of writing in cipher or
secret characters.--_n._ STEGANOG'RAPHIST, one who writes in cipher. [Gr.
_steganos_, concealed--_stegein_, to cover, _graphein_, to write.]
STEGANOPUS, ste-gan'[=o]-pus, _n._ a genus of phalaropes with long slender
bill.--_adjs._ STEG'ANOPOD, STEGANOP'ODOUS, having all four toes webbed,
totipalmate.--_n.pl._ STEGANOP'ODES, an order of swimming birds, with all
four toes webbed and a gular pouch--cormorants, frigate-birds, pelicans,
gannets. [Gr. _steganos_, covered, _pous_, _podos_, foot.]
STEGNOSIS, steg-n[=o]'sis, _n._ constriction of the pores and vessels:
constipation.--_adj._ STEGNOT'IC.
STEGOCEPHALOUS, steg-[=o]-sef'a-lus, _adj._ with the head mailed, loricate,
cataphract. [Gr. _stegein_, to cover, _kephal[=e]_, the head.]
STEGOGNATHOUS, ste-gog'n[=a]-thus, _adj._ having a jaw composed of
imbricated plates. [Gr. _stegein_, to cover, _gnathos_, the jaw.]
STEGOPTEROUS, ste-gop'te-rus, _adj._ roof-winged, keeping the wings
deflexed when at rest. [Gr. _stegein_, to cover, _pteron_, a wing.]
STEGOSAURIAN, steg-[=o]-saw'ri-an, _adj._ pertaining to the STEGOSAU'RIA,
an order or suborder of dinosaurs, represented by the families
_Stegosauridæ_ and _Scelidosauridæ_.--_n._ STEGOSAU'RUS, the typical genus
of _Stegosauridæ_, with enormous bucklers and spines. [Gr. _stegein_, to
cover, _sauros_, a lizard.]
STEINBERGER, st[=i]n-ber'g[.e]r, _n._ an esteemed Rhenish white wine,
produced near Wiesbaden.
STEINBOCK, STEENBOK, st[=e]n'bok, _n._ the name given in German Switzerland
to the ibex of the Alps. [Ger. _stein_, stone, rock, _bock_, _buck_,
he-goat.]
STELE, st[=e]'l[=e], _n._ an upright stone slab or tablet, either
sepulchral or on which laws, decrees, &c. are inscribed--also
ST[=E]'LA.--_adj._ ST[=E]'LENE.--_n._ STELOG'RAPHY, the practice of writing
on steles. [L.,--Gr. _st[=e]l[=e]_--_histanai_, to set, stand.]
STELECHITE, stel'e-k[=i]t, _n._ a fine variety of storax.
STELL, stel, _v.t._ (_Shak._) to place, set.
[Illustration]
STELLAR, stel'ar, STELLARY, stel'ar-i, _adj._ relating to the stars:
starry.--_n._ STELL[=A]'RIA, a genus of tufted plants of the pink
family--the chickweeds or starworts.--_adjs._ STELL'[=A]TE, -D, like a
star: radiated; STELLED (_Milt._), starry: (_Shak._) set or fixed;
STELLIF'EROUS, thickly abounding with stars; STELL'IFORM, star-shaped;
STELL'ULAR, formed like little stars; STELL'ULATE (_bot._), like a little
star. [L. _stellaris_--_stella_, a star.]
STELLION, stel'yun, _n._ an agamoid lizard.
STELTHS, stelths, _n.pl._ (_Spens._) thefts.
STEM, stem, _n._ the ascending axis of a plant, which usually bears leaves
and flowers, and maintains communication between the roots and the leaves:
the little branch supporting the flower or fruit: a race or family: branch
of a family.--_n._ STEM'-LEAF, a leaf growing from the stem.--_adj._
STEM'LESS (_bot._), wanting a stem, or having it so little developed as to
seem to be wanting.--_ns._ STEM'LET, a little or young stem; STEM'MA, a
pedigree or family tree: an ocellus.--_adjs._ STEM'MATOUS; STEMMED. [A.S.
_stæfn_, _stefn_, _stemn_, from _stæf_, a staff; Ger. _stab_.]
STEM, stem, _n._ the prow of a ship: a curved piece of timber at the prow
to which the two sides of a ship are united.--_v.t._ to cut, as with the
stem: to resist or make progress against: to stop, to check:--_pr.p._
stem'ming; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ stemmed.--FROM STEM TO STERN, from one end
of a vessel to the other: completely, throughout. [Same word as above.]
STEME, st[=e]m, _v.t._ an obsolete form of _steam_.
STEMPEL, stem'pel, _n._ a timber helping to support a platform.--Also
STEM'PLE.
STEMSON, stem'sun, _n._ an arching piece of compass-timber behind the apron
of a vessel, and supporting its scarfs.
STENCH, stensh, _n._ stink: a strong bad odour or smell.--_adj._ STENCH'Y.
[A.S. _stenc_; Ger. _stank_.]
STENCIL, sten'sil, _n._ a plate of metal, &c., with a pattern cut out,
which is impressed upon a surface by drawing a brush with colour over
it.--_v.t._ to print or paint by means of a stencil:--_pr.p._ sten'cilling;
_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ sten'cilled.--_ns._ STEN'CILLER, one who does
stencil-work; STEN'CILLING, a method of printing letters or designs, the
pattern cut out on a thin plate, and brushed over so as to mark the surface
below. [O. Fr. _estinceller_, _estincelle_--L. _scintilla_, a spark.]
STEND, stend, _v.i._ (_prov._) to rear, leap, walk with long strides.--_n._
a leap.
STENOCHROME, sten'[=o]-kr[=o]m, _n._ a print from a series of
pigment-blocks arranged.--_n._ STEN'OCHROMY, the art of printing in several
colours at one impression. [Gr. _stenos_, narrow, _chr[=o]ma_, colour.]
STENOGRAPHY, sten-og'ra-fi, _n._ art of writing very quickly by means of
abbreviations: shorthand.--_n._ STEN'OGRAPH, a character used in
stenography: a stenographic machine.--_v.i._ to represent by means of
stenography.--_ns._ STENOG'RAPHER, STENOG'RAPHIST.--_adjs._ STENOGRAPH'IC,
-AL. [Gr. _stenos_, narrow, _graphein_, to write.]
STENOPAIC, sten-[=o]-p[=a]'ik, _adj._ having a narrow opening. [Gr.
_stenos_, narrow, _op[=e]_, an opening.]
STENOSIS, sten-[=o]'sis, _n._ constriction of the pores and vessels:
constipation.--_adjs._ STENOSED', contracted morbidly; STENOT'IC,
abnormally contracted. [Gr., _stenos_, narrow.]
STENOTYPY, sten'o-t[=i]p-i, _n._ a system of shorthand representing by
ordinary letters shortened signs of words or phrases.--_n._ STEN'OTYPE,
such a symbolic letter or combination of letters.--_adj._ STENOTYP'IC.
STENT, stent, _v.t._ (_prov._) to stint, restrain.--_n._ extent, limit,
amount of work required. [_Stint_.]
STENTOR, stent'or, _n._ a very loud-voiced herald in the Iliad, hence any
person with a remarkably loud voice: the ursine howler.--_adj._
STENT[=O]'RIAN, very loud or powerful. [Gr.]
STEP, step, _n._ a pace: the distance crossed by the foot in walking or
running: a small space: degree: one remove in ascending or descending a
stair: round of a ladder: footprint: manner of walking: proceeding: action:
the support on which the lower end of a mast, or staff, or a wheel rests:
(_pl._) walk, direction taken in walking: a self-supporting ladder with
flat steps.--_v.i._ to advance or retire by pacing: to walk: to walk slowly
or gravely: to walk a short distance: to move mentally.--_v.t._ to set, as
a foot: to fix, as a mast:--_pr.p._ step'ping; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._
stepped.--_ns._ STEP'PER, one who steps; STEP'PING-STONE, a stone for
stepping on to raise the feet above the water or mud; STEP'STONE, a
door-step.--STEP ASIDE, to walk to a little distance, as from company: to
err; STEP IN, or INTO, to enter easily or unexpectedly; STEP OUT, to go out
a little way: to increase the length of the step and so the speed; STEP
SHORT, to shorten the length of one's step. [A.S. _stæpe_--_stapan_, to go;
Dut. _stap_, Ger. _stapfe_.]
STEP-CHILD, step'-ch[=i]ld, _n._ one who stands in the relation of a child
through the marriage of a parent--also STEP'-BAIRN. So STEP'-BROTH'ER;
STEP'-DAUGH'TER; STEP'-FA'THER; STEP'-MOTH'ER, or -DAME; STEP'-SIS'TER;
STEP'-SON.--_n._ STEP'-COUN'TRY, an adopted country. [A.S. _steóp-_, as in
_steóp-módor_; Ger. _stieb-_; orig. an _adj._ sig. _bereft_.]
STEPHANE, stef'a-n[=e], _n._ an ancient Greek head-dress like a coronet.
[Gr.,--_stephein_, to crown.]
STEPHANITE, stef'a-n[=i]t, _n._ a metallic iron-black silver
sulph-antimonite.--Also _Brittle silver ore_ and _Sulph-antimonite of
silver_.
STEPHANOTIS, stef-a-n[=o]'tis, _n._ a genus of shrubby twining plants of
the milkweed family. [Gr. _stephanos_, a crown, _ous_, _[=o]tos,_ the ear.]
STEPPE, step, _n._ one of the vast uncultivated plains in the south-east of
Europe and in Asia. [Russ. _stepe_.]
STERCORAL, ster'ko-ral, _adj._ pertaining to excrement--also STER'CORARY,
STERCOR[=A]'CEOUS.--_ns._ STER'CORANIST, STERCOR[=A]'RIAN, one who held
that the sacramental bread was digested and evacuated like other food;
STERCOR[=A]'RIANISM; STERCOR[=A]'RIUS, a genus of _Laridæ_, the
dung-hunters or skuas.--_v.t._ STER'CORATE, to manure.
STERCULIA, ster-k[=u]'li-a, _n._ the typical genus of _Sterculiaceæ_, a
family of large trees and shrubs, with mucilaginous and demulcent
properties--Gum-tragacanth, &c. [L. _stercus_, dung.]
STERE, st[=e]r, _n._ a cubic unit of metric measure--a cubic mètre,
equivalent to 35.3156 English cubic feet.--_Decastère_=10 steres;
_Decistère_=1/10 stere. [Fr. _stère_--Gr. _stereos_, solid.]
STEREO, ster'[=e]-[=o], _adj._ and _n._ a contr. of _stereotype_.
STEREOBATE, ster'[=e]-[=o]-b[=a]t, _n._ the substructure on which a
building is based.--_adj._ STEREOBAT'IC. [Gr. _stereos_, solid, _batos_,
verbal of _bainein_, to go.]
STEREOCHROMY, ster'[=e]-[=o]-kr[=o]-mi, _n._ a process of painting on stone
or plaster-work, the colours rendered permanent by a solution of fluoric
acid.--_n._ ST[=E]'REOCHROME, a picture of this kind.--_adj._
STEREOCHR[=O]'MIC.--_adv._ STEREOCHR[=O]'MICALLY. [Gr. _stereos_, hard,
_chr[=o]ma_, colour.]
STEREOELECTRIC, ster'[=e]-[=o]-[=e]-lek'trik, _adj._ pertaining to electric
currents produced when two solids are brought together at different
temperatures.
STEREOGRAPH, st[=e]'r[=e]-[=o]-graf, _n._ a double photograph for viewing
in a stereoscope--also ST[=E]'R[=E][=O]GRAM.--_adjs._ STER[=E]OGRAPH'IC,
-AL, pertaining to stereography: made according to stereography: delineated
on a plane.--_adv._ STER[=E]OGRAPH'ICALLY.--_n._ STER[=E]OG'RAPHY, the art
of showing solids on a plane. [Gr. _stereos_, hard, _graphein_, to write.]
STEREOMETER, st[=e]-re-om'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the
specific gravity of bodies solid and liquid.--_adjs._ STER[=E]OMET'RIC,
-AL.--_adv._ STER[=E]OMET'RICALLY.--_n._ STER[=E]OM'ETRY, the art of
measuring the solid contents of solid bodies. [Gr. _stereos_, hard,
_metron_, measure.]
STEREOPTICON, ster-[=e]-op'ti-kon, _n._ a double magic-lantern, by means of
which the one picture appears to dissolve gradually into the other.
STEREOSCOPE, ster'[=e]-[=o]-sk[=o]p, _n._ an instrument in which each of
two pictures is examined by a separate lens, and the two lenses are
inclined so as to shift the images towards one another, and thus to ensure
or to facilitate the blending of the two images into one, standing out in
relief with solidity.--_adjs._ STER[=E]OSCOP'IC, -AL, pertaining to the
stereoscope.--_adv._ STER[=E]OSCOP'ICALLY.--_ns._ ST[=E]'R[=E]OSCOPIST;
STER[=E]OS'COPY. [Gr. _stereos_, solid, _skopein_, see.]
STEREOTOMY, ster-[=e]-ot'[=o]-mi, _n._ the art of cutting solids into
figures by certain sections.--_adjs._ STER[=E]O TOM'IC, -AL. [Gr.
_stereos_, solid, _temnein_, to cut.]
STEREOTROPE, ster'[=e]-[=o]-tr[=o]p, _n._ an optical contrivance by which
an object is brought into relief and made to appear as if in motion. [Gr.
_stereos_, solid, _trop[=e]_, a turning.]
STEREOTYPE, st[=e]'r[=e]-[=o]-t[=i]p, _n._ a solid metallic plate for
printing, cast from an impression of movable types, taken on some plastic
substance: art of fabricating solid casts in type-metal from pages of
movable type.--_adj._ pertaining to, or done with, stereotypes.--_v.t._ to
make a stereotype of: to print with stereotypes.--_p.adj._ ST[=E]'REOTYPED,
transferred as letterpress from set-up movable type to a mould, and thence
to a metal plate: fixed; unchangeable, as opinions.--_ns._ ST[=E]'REOTYPER,
ST[=E]'REOTYPIST, one who makes stereotype plates.--_adj._
ST[=E]REOTYP'IC.--_ns._ STER[=E]OTYPOG'RAPHER, a stereotype printer;
ST[=E]REOTYPOG'RAPHY, the art, practice, or business of printing from
stereotype plates; ST[=E]'REOTYPY, the art or employment of making
stereotype plates. [Gr. _stereos_, solid, and _type_.]
STERIGMA, st[=e]-rig'ma, _n._ (_bot._) a stalk or support.--_adj._
STERIGMAT'IC. [Gr. _st[=e]rigma_, a prop.]
STERILE, ster'il, _adj._ unfruitful: barren: (_bot._) producing no pistil,
or no spores: destitute of ideas or sentiment.--_n._ STERILIS[=A]'TION, act
of sterilising.--_v.t._ STER'ILISE, to cause to be fruitless: to destroy
bacteria or other micro-organisms in.--_ns._ STER'ILISER, anything which
sterilises; STERIL'ITY, quality of being sterile: unfruitfulness,
barrenness, in regard to reproduction. [O. Fr.,--L. _sterilis_, barren.]
STERLET, st[.e]r'let, _n._ a small sturgeon.
STERLING, st[.e]r'ling, _adj._ a designation of British money--pure,
genuine, of good quality--also generally, of value or excellence,
authoritative. [Orig. the name of a penny; prob. from the Hanse merchants
or _Easterlings_ ('men from the east'), from North Germany, who had
probably the privilege of coining money in England in the 13th century.]
STERN, st[.e]rn, _adj._ severe of countenance, manner, or feeling: austere:
harsh: unrelenting: steadfast.--_adv._ STERN'LY.--_n._ STERN'NESS. [A.S.
_styrne_.]
STERN, st[.e]rn, _n._ the hind-part of a vessel: the rump or tail of an
animal.--_v.t._ to back a boat, to row backward.--_ns._ STERN'AGE
(_Shak._), the steerage or stern of a ship; STERN'BOARD, backward motion of
a ship: loss of way in tacking; STERN'-CHASE, a chase in which one ship
follows directly in the wake of another; STERN'-CH[=A]S'ER, a cannon in the
stern of a ship.--_adj._ STERNED, having a stern of a specified
kind.--_ns._ STERN'-FAST, a rope or chain for making fast a ship's stern to
a wharf, &c.; STERN'-FRAME, the sternpost, transoms, and fashion-pieces of
a ship's stern.--_adj._ STERN'MOST, farthest astern.--_ns._ STERN'PORT, a
port or opening in the stern of a ship; STERN'POST, the aftermost timber of
a ship which supports the rudder; STERN'SHEETS, the part of a boat between
the stern and the rowers; STERN'SON, the hinder extremity of a ship's
keelson, to which the sternpost is bolted; STERN'WAY, the backward motion
of a vessel; STERN'-WHEEL'ER (_U.S._), a small vessel with one large
paddle-wheel at the stern. [Ice. _stjórn_, a steering.]
STERNUM, st[.e]r'num, _n._ the breast-bone.--_adj._ STER'NAL.--_n._
STERNAL'GIA, pain about the breast-bone, esp. angina pectoris.--_adjs._
STERNAL'GIC; STER'NEBRAL, pertaining to the STER'NEBRA or serial segments
of which the sternum of a vertebrate is composed.--_n._ STER'NITE, the
ventral portion of the somite of an arthropod.--_adjs._ STERNIT'IC;
STERNOCOST'AL, pertaining to, or connected with, the sternum and ribs:
denoting those ribs and muscles attached to the sternum. [Gr. _sternon_,
chest.]
STERNUTATION, st[.e]r-n[=u]-t[=a]'shun, _n._ the act of sneezing.--_adjs._
STERN[=U]'T[=A]TIVE, STERN[=U]'TATORY, that causes sneezing.--_n._ a
substance that causes sneezing. [L. _sternutatio_--_sternut[=a]re_,
_-[=a]tum_, inten. of _sternu[)e]re_, _-utum_, to sneeze.]
STERTOROUS, st[.e]r't[=o]-rus, _adj._ snoring.--_adv._ STER'TOROUSLY.--_n._
STER'TOROUSNESS. [L. _stert[)e]re_, to snore.]
STERVE, st[.e]rv, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to starve, to die.--Also STER'VEN.
STET, stet, _v.t._ to restore--generally on proof-sheets, in imperative,
with a line of dots under the words to be retained. [L., 'let it stand,' 3d
sing. pres. subj. of _st[=a]re_, to stand.]
STETHIÆUM, steth-i-[=e]'um, _n._ the anterior half of a bird--opp. to
_Uræum_.--_n._ STETHID'IUM, in insects, the thorax. [Gr., _st[=e]thos_, the
breast.]
STETHOMETER, steth-om'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the
relative mobility of the different sides of the chest in respiration.--_n._
STETH'OGRAPH, an instrument for marking the respiratory movements of the
thorax.--_adj._ STETHOGRAPH'IC. [Gr. _st[=e]thos_, chest, _metron_,
measure.]
STETHOSCOPE, steth'[=o]-sk[=o]p, _n._ an instrument for auscultation,
consisting of a tubular piece of wood to be applied to the patient's
body--in the _binaural_ form with tubes of rubber, &c., to convey the
sounds to the physician's ears.--_adjs._ STETHOSCOP'IC, -AL, pertaining to,
or performed by, the stethoscope.--_adv._ STETHOSCOP'ICALLY.--_ns._
STETH'OSCOPIST; STETH'OSCOPY. [Gr. _st[=e]thos_, the breast, _skopein_, to
see.]
STEVEDORE, st[=e]v'e-d[=o]r, _n._ one who loads and unloads vessels. [A
corr. of Sp. _estivador_, a wool-packer--_estivar_, to stow--L.
_stip[=a]re,_ to press.]
STEVEN, st[=e]'vn, _n._ (_Spens._) a cry, a loud clamour. [A.S. _stefn_,
the voice.]
STEW, st[=u], _v.t._ to simmer or boil slowly with little moisture.--_v.i._
to be boiled slowly and gently: (_slang_) to be in a state of worry or
agitation: to read hard for an examination.--_n._ meat stewed: mental
agitation: worry: (_slang_) one who reads hard: a room for bathing
purposes: (_pl._) a brothel.--_ns._ STEW'-PAN, -POT, a pan, pot, used for
stewing. [O. Fr. _estuve_ (_étuve_), a stove--Old High Ger. _stup[=a]_
(Ger. _stube_), a heated room.]
STEW, st[=u], _n._ an artificial oyster-bed: a vivarium.
STEWARD, st[=u]'ard, _n._ one who manages the domestic concerns of a family
or institution: one who superintends another's affairs, esp. an estate or
farm: the manager of the provision department, &c., at sea: a manager at
races, games, &c.: the treasurer of a congregation, a guild or society,
&c.--_ns._ STEW'ARDESS, a female steward: a female who waits on ladies on
shipboard; STEW'ARDSHIP, STEW'ARDRY, office of a steward: management;
STEW'ARTRY (_Scot._), a stewardship, or the extent of a stewardship--still
applied esp. to the county of Kirkcudbright.--LORD HIGH STEWARD, one of the
great officers of state, and anciently the first officer of the crown in
England. [A.S. _stíg-weard_--_stigo_, a sty, _weard_, a ward.]
STHENIC, sthen'ik, _adj._ attended with increased action of the heart:
strong, robust: inspiring.--_n._ STHEN[=I]'A, strength. [Gr. _sthenos_,
strength.]
STIBBLER, stib'l[.e]r, _n._ one who cuts the handfuls left by the reaper: a
clerical locum tenens.
STIBIUM, stib'i-um, _n._ antimony.--_adj._ STIB'IAL, like antimony.--_n._
STIB'IALISM, poisoning by antimony.--_adj._ STIB'I[=A]TED, impregnated with
antimony.--_n._ STIB'NITE, native antimony trisulphide. [Gr.]
STIBOGRAM, stib'[=o]-gram, _n._ a graphic record of footprints. [Gr.
_stibos_, a track, _gramma_, a letter.]
STICH, stik, _n._ a verse or line of poetry, of whatever measure--used in
composition: a row of trees.--_ns._ STICH[=A]'RION, a Greek vestment like
the Western alb; STICH[=E]'RON, a troparion.--_adj._ STICH'IC, pertaining
to a verse.--_n._ STICH'OMANCY, divination by the assumed meaning of a
verse, text of Scripture, or literary passage taken at random.--_adjs._
STICHOMET'RIC, -AL, pertaining to stichom'etry, stating the number of
lines.--_ns._ STICHOM'ETRY, measurement of manuscript by lines: a list
stating such; STICHOMYTH'IA, dialogue in alternate lines; STICH'OS, a line
of ordinary length in measuring a manuscript: a verse or versicle in the
usage of the Greek Church. [Gr. _stichos_, a row--_steichein_, to ascend.]
STICK, stik, _v.t._ to stab: to thrust in: to fasten by piercing: to fix
in: to set with something pointed: to cause to adhere.--_v.i._ to hold to:
to remain: to stop: to be hindered: to hesitate, to be embarrassed or
puzzled: to adhere closely in affection:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ stuck.--_ns._
STICK'ER, one who kills pigs, &c.: one who sticks to anything; STICK'ING,
the act of stabbing; STICK'ING-PLACE, the point at which a thing sticks or
stays; STICK'ING-PLAS'TER, an adhesive plaster for closing wounds;
STICK'-IN-THE-MUD, an old fogy; STICK'IT-MIN'ISTER (_Scot._), a licentiate
who never gets a pastoral charge.--STICK AT, to hesitate: to persist at;
STICK BY, to be firm in supporting, to adhere closely to; STICK OUT, to be
prominent, project; STICK PIGS, to hunt wild hogs on horseback and transfix
them with the spear; STICK TO, to persevere in holding to; STICK UP, to
stand up: to waylay and plunder, as a mail-coach by bushrangers; STICK UP
FOR, to speak or act in defence of.--BE STUCK ON (_U.S._), to be enamoured
of; STUCK UP, conceited. [A.S. _stecan_ (assumed); Ger. _stechen_, Dut.
_steken_; also A.S. _stician_, Ger. _stecken_, to set, stick fast.]
STICK, stik, _n._ a small shoot or branch cut off a tree: a staff or
walking-stick: anything in the form of a stick, a cudgel: a piece of
printers' furniture used to lock up a form in a chase, a printer's
composing-stick: a stiff, stupidly obstinate person.--_v.t._ to furnish or
set with sticks: to arrange in a composing-stick.--_n._ STICK'-IN'SECT, a
walking-stick or phasmid insect. [A.S. _sticca_; Ice. _stika_.]
STICKLE, stik'l, _v.i._ to interpose between combatants: to contend
obstinately: to hesitate.--_n._ a sharp point, a prickle, a spine.--_ns._
STICK'LEBACK, a small river-fish so called from the spines on its back;
STICK'LER, a second or umpire in a duel: an obstinate contender, esp. for
something trifling.--_adj._ STICK'LER-LIKE (_Shak._), in the manner of a
stickler. [A dim. of _stick_ (n.).]
STICKLE, stik'l, _adj._ high, rapid.--_n._ a current below a waterfall.
[A.S. _sticol_, steep.]
STICKY, stik'i, _adj._ that sticks or adheres: adhesive: glutinous.--_n._
STICK'INESS. [_Stick_.]