sc -abbr

  1. scene
  2. science
  3. scilicet
  4. he carved it; she carved it; he engraved it; she engraved it

Sc -abbr

  1. stratocumulus
  2. scandium

SC -abbr

  1. small capitals
  2. South Carolina
  3. supercalendered
  4. supreme court

scab ['skab] -n

  1. scabies of domestic animals
  2. a crust of hardened blood and serum over a wound
  3. a contemptible person
  4. a worker who refuses to join a labor union
  5. a union member who refuses to strike or returns to work before a strike has ended
  6. a worker who accepts employment or replaces a union worker during a strike
  7. one who works for less than union wages or on nonunion terms
  8. any of various bacterial or fungus diseases of plants characterized by crustaceous spots
  9. one of the spots
  10. to become covered with a scab
  11. to act as a scab

scab·bard ['ska-bərd] -n, vt

  1. a sheath for a sword, dagger, or bayonet

scab·by ['ska-bē] -adj

  1. covered with or full of scabs
    • scabby skin
  2. diseased with scab
    • a scabby animal
    • scabby potatoes
  3. mean, contemptible
    • a scabby trick

sca·bies ['skā-bēz] -n, adj

  1. contagious itch or mange esp. with exudative crusts that is caused by parasitic mites (esp. Sarcoptes scabiei)

sca·bi·ous ['skā-bē-əs, 'ska-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Scabiosa) of Old World herbs of the teasel family with terminal flower heads subtended by a leafy involucre

scabious -adj

  1. scabby
  2. of, relating to, or resembling scabies
    • scabious eruptions

scab·land ['skab-,land] -n

  1. a region characterized by elevated tracts of rocky land with little or no soil cover and traversed or isolated by postglacial dry stream channels usu. used in pl.

sca·brous ['ska-brəs also 'skā-] -adj, adv, n

  1. difficult, knotty
    • a scabrous problem
  2. : rough to the touch: as
  3. having small raised dots, scales, or points
    • a scabrous leaf
  4. covered with raised, roughened, or unwholesome patches
    • scabrous paint
    • scabrous skin
  5. dealing with suggestive, indecent, or scandalous themes : salacious
  6. squalid

scad ['skad] -n

  1. any of several carangid fishes (esp. of the genus Decapterus)
  2. a large number or quantity usu. used in pl.
    • scad s of money

scaf·fold ['ska-fəld also -,fōld] -n

  1. a temporary or movable platform for workers (as bricklayers, painters, or miners) to stand or sit on when working at a height above the floor or ground
  2. a platform on which a criminal is executed (as by hanging or beheading)
  3. a platform at a height above ground or floor level
  4. a supporting framework

scaf·fold·ing [-fəl-diŋ, -,fōl-] -n

  1. a system of scaffolds
  2. material for scaffolds

scag ['skag] -n

  1. heroin

sca·glio·la [skal-'yō-lə, -'yȯ-] -n

  1. an imitation marble used for floors, columns, and ornamental interior work

scal·able ['skā-lə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being scaled
  2. capable of being easily expanded or upgraded on demand
    • a scalable computer network

sca·lade [skə-'lād, -'läd] -n

  1. escalade

sca·lar ['skā-lər-, -,lär] -adj

  1. having an uninterrupted series of steps : graduated
    • scalar chain of authority
    • scalar cells
  2. capable of being represented by a point on a scale
    • scalar quantity
  3. of or relating to a scalar or scalar product
    • scalar multiplication

scalar -n

  1. a real number rather than a vector
  2. a quantity (as mass or time) that has a magnitude describable by a real number and no direction

sca·la·re [skə-'ler-ē, -'lär-] -n

  1. angelfish

sca·lar·i·form [skə-'la-rə-,fȯrm] -adj, adv

  1. resembling a ladder esp. in having transverse bars or markings like the rungs of a ladder
    • scalariform cells in plants

scalar product -n

  1. a real number that is the product of the lengths of two vectors and the cosine of the angle between them called also dot product inner product

scal·a·wag ['ska-li-,wag] -n

  1. scamp, reprobate
  2. a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

scald ['skȯld] -vb

  1. to burn with or as if with hot liquid or steam
  2. to subject to the action of boiling water or steam
  3. to bring to a temperature just below the boiling point
    • scald milk
  4. scorch
  5. to scald something
  6. to become scalded
  7. an injury to the body caused by scalding
  8. an act or process of scalding
  9. any of various conditions or diseases of plants or fruits marked esp. by a usu. brownish discoloration of tissue
  10. scabby, scurfy
  11. shabby, contemptible

scald ['skȯld, 'skäld] -n, adj

(variant of skald)

  1. an ancient Scandinavian poet
  2. bard

scald·ing ['skȯl-diŋ] -adj

  1. hot enough to scald
    • scalding water
  2. having or producing the feeling of being burned
    • scalding sun
    • scalding sand
  3. scathing
    • scalding criticism

scale ['skāl] -n

  1. either pan or tray of a balance
  2. a beam that is supported freely in the center and has two pans of equal weight suspended from its ends usu. used in pl.
  3. an instrument or machine for weighing
  4. to weigh in scales
  5. to have a specified weight on scales
  6. a small, flattened, rigid, and definitely circumscribed plate forming part of the external body covering esp. of a fish
  7. a small thin plate suggesting a fish scale
    • scale s of mica
    • the scale s on a moth's wing
  8. the scaly covering of a scaled animal
  9. a small thin dry lamina shed (as in many skin diseases) from the skin
  10. : a thin coating, layer, or incrustation: as
  11. a usu. black scaly coating of oxide forming on the surface of a metal (as iron) when it is heated for processing
  12. a hard incrustation usu. rich in sulfate of calcium that is deposited on the inside of a vessel (as a boiler) in which water is heated
  13. a modified leaf protecting a seed plant bud before expansion
  14. a thin, membranous, chaffy, or woody bract
  15. any of the small overlapping usu. metal pieces forming the outer surface of scale armor
  16. scale armor
  17. scale insect
  18. infestation with or disease caused by scale insects
  19. to remove the scale or scales from (as by scraping)
    • scale a fish
  20. to take off in thin layers or scales
    • scale tartar from the teeth
  21. to throw (as a thin flat stone) so that the edge cuts the air or so that it skips on water : skim
  22. to separate and come off in scales : flake
  23. to shed scales
    • scaling skin
  24. to attack with or take by means of scaling ladders
    • scale a castle wall
  25. to climb up or reach by means of a ladder
  26. to reach the highest point of : surmount
    • scale a mountain
  27. to arrange in a graduated series
  28. to measure by or as if by a scale
  29. to measure or estimate the sound content of (as logs)
  30. to pattern, make, regulate, set, or estimate according to some rate or standard : adjust
    • a production schedule scaled to actual need
    often used with back, down, or up
    • scale down imports
  31. to climb by or as if by a ladder
  32. to rise in a graduated series
  33. measure
  34. ladder
  35. a means of ascent
  36. a graduated series of musical tones ascending or descending in order of pitch according to a specified scheme of their intervals
  37. : something graduated esp. when used as a measure or rule: as
  38. a series of marks or points at known intervals used to measure distances (as the height of the mercury in a thermometer)
  39. an indication of the relationship between the distances on a map and the corresponding actual distances
  40. ruler
  41. a graduated series or scheme of rank or order
    • a scale of taxation
  42. minimum wage
  43. a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original)
  44. a distinctive relative size, extent, or degree
    • projects done on a large scale
  45. a graded series of tests or of performances used in rating individual intelligence or achievement
  46. escalade
  47. an estimate of the amount of sound lumber in logs or standing timber

scale armor -n

  1. armor of small metallic scales on leather or cloth

scaledown ['skāl-,dau̇n] -n

  1. a reduction according to a fixed ratio
    • a scaledown of debts

scale insect -n

  1. any of numerous small prolific homopterous insects (superfamily Coccoidea) that have winged males, wingless scale-covered females attached to the host plant, and young that suck the juices of plants and some of which are serious pests

scale·like ['skāl-,līk] -adj

  1. resembling a scale
    • scalelike design
  2. reduced to a minute appressed element resembling a scale

sca·lene ['skā-,lēn, skā-'] -adj

  1. having the three sides of unequal length

scal·er ['skā-lər] -n

  1. one that scales
  2. a dental instrument for removing tartar from teeth

scaleup ['skāl-,əp] -n

  1. an increase according to a fixed ratio

scall ['skȯl] -n

  1. a scurf or scabby disorder (as of the scalp)

scal·lion ['skal-yən] -n

  1. shallot
  2. leek
  3. an onion forming a thick basal portion without a bulb
  4. green onion

scal·lop ['skä-ləp, 'ska-, 'skȯ-] -n

  1. any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves
  2. the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food
  3. a valve or shell of a scallop
  4. a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop
  5. one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)
  6. pattypan
  7. a thin slice of boneless meat or fish
    • veal scallop s
    called also escalope

scallop -vt

  1. to shape, cut, or finish in scallops
  2. to form scallops in
  3. to bake in a sauce usu. covered with seasoned bread or cracker crumbs
    • scallop ed potatoes
  4. to gather or dredge scallops

scal·lop·er [-lə-pər] -n

  1. a person who dredges for or gathers scallops
  2. a boat equipped and used to dredge for scallops

scallywag ['ska-li-,wag] -n

(variant of scalawag)

  1. scamp, reprobate
  2. a white Southerner acting in support of the reconstruction governments after the American Civil War often for private gain

sca·lo·gram ['skā-lə-,gram] -n

  1. an arrangement of items (as problems on a test or features of speech) in ascending order so that the presence or accomplishment of an item at one level implies the presence of or the capability to accomplish items at all lower levels

sca·lop·pi·ne [,skä-lə-'pē-nē, ,ska-] -n

  1. thin slices of meat (as veal) sauteed or coated with flour and fried

scalp ['skalp] -n

  1. the part of the integument of the human head usu. covered with hair in both sexes
  2. the part of an animal (as a wolf or fox) corresponding to the human scalp
  3. a part of the human scalp with attached hair cut or torn from an enemy as a token of victory
  4. a trophy of victory or accomplishment
  5. a projecting mass of bare ground or rock
  6. to deprive of the scalp
  7. to remove an upper part from
  8. to remove a desired constituent from and discard the rest
  9. to buy and sell so as to make small quick profits
    • scalp stocks
    • scalp grain
  10. to resell at greatly increased prices
    • scalp theater tickets
  11. to take scalps
  12. to profit by slight market fluctuations

scal·pel ['skal-pəl also skal-'pel] -n

  1. a small straight thin-bladed knife used esp. in surgery

scalp lock -n

  1. a long tuft of hair on the crown of the otherwise shaved head esp. of a warrior of some American Indian tribes

scaly ['skā-lē] -adj, n

  1. covered with, composed of, or rich in scale or scales
  2. flaky
  3. of or relating to scaly animals
  4. despicable, poor
    • a regular scaly old shop -- Charles Dickens
  5. infested with scale insects
    • scaly fruit

scaly anteater -n

  1. pangolin

scam ['skam] -n

  1. a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation
    • an insurance scam
  2. deceive, defraud
  3. to obtain (as money) by a scam

scam·mo·ny ['ska-mə-nē] -n

  1. a twining convolvulus ( Convolvulus scammonia) of Asia Minor with a large thick root
  2. the dried root of scammony
  3. a cathartic resin obtained from scammony

scamp ['skamp] -n, adj

  1. rascal, rogue
  2. an impish or playful young person
  3. to perform or deal with in a hasty, neglectful, or imperfect manner

scam·per ['skam-pər] -vi

  1. to run nimbly and usu. playfully about

scamper -n

  1. a playful or hurried run or movement

scam·pi ['skam-pē, 'skäm-] -n

  1. a usu. large shrimp
  2. large shrimp prepared with a garlic-flavored sauce

scam·ster ['skam(p)-stər] -n

  1. one that scams : scammer

scan ['skan] -vb, adj

  1. to read or mark so as to show metrical structure
    • scan poetry
  2. : to examine by point-by-point observation or checking:
  3. to investigate thoroughly by checking point by point and often repeatedly
    • a fire lookout scanning the hills with binoculars
  4. to glance from point to point of often hastily, casually, or in search of a particular item
    • scan the want ads looking for a job
  5. to examine systematically (as by passing a beam of radiation over or through) in order to obtain data esp. for display or storage
    • scanned the patient's heart
    • radar scan s the horizon
    • scan the photos into the computer
  6. to pass over in the formation of an image
    • the electron beam scan s the picture tube
  7. to scan verse
  8. to conform to a metrical pattern
    • this poem scan s well
  9. the act or process of scanning
  10. a radar or television trace
  11. : an image formed by scanning something: as
  12. a depiction (as a photograph) of the distribution of a radioactive material in something (as a bodily organ)
  13. an image of a bodily part produced (as by computer) by combining ultrasonic or radiographic data obtained from several angles or sections

Scand -abbr

  1. Scandinavia

scan·dal ['skan-dᵊl] -n

  1. discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person
  2. conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another
  3. loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety : disgrace
  4. a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it
  5. a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality
    • a scandal to the profession
  6. malicious or defamatory gossip
  7. indignation, chagrin, or bewilderment brought about by a flagrant violation of morality, propriety, or religious opinion

scandal -vt

  1. disgrace
  2. defame, slander

scan·dal·ise ['skan-də-,līz] -vt

(variant of scandalize)

  1. to speak falsely or maliciously of
  2. to bring into reproach
  3. to offend the moral sense of : shock
    • she was scandalized by his behavior

scan·dal·ize ['skan-də-,līz] -vt

  1. to speak falsely or maliciously of
  2. to bring into reproach
  3. to offend the moral sense of : shock
    • she was scandalized by his behavior

scan·dal·mon·ger ['skan-dᵊl-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n

  1. a person who circulates scandal

scan·dal·ous ['skan-də-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. libelous, defamatory
    • scandalous allegations
  2. offensive to propriety or morality : shocking
    • scandalous behavior

scandal sheet -n

  1. a newspaper or periodical dealing to a large extent in scandal and gossip

scan·dent ['skan-dənt] -adj

  1. characterized by a climbing mode of growth
    • scandent stems
    • scandent vines

Scan·di·an ['skan-dē-ən] -adj, n

  1. scandinavian
  2. of or relating to the languages of Scandinavia

Scan·di·na·vian [,skan-də-'nā-vē-ən, -vyən] -n, adj

  1. the North Germanic languages
  2. a native or inhabitant of Scandinavia
  3. a person of Scandinavian descent

scan·di·um ['skan-dē-əm] -n

  1. a silvery-white metallic element found widely esp. in association with rare earth elements and used esp. in alloys and in high-intensity electric lamps

scan·ner ['ska-nər] -n

  1. : one that scans: as
  2. a device for sensing recorded data (as in a bar code)
    • a supermarket scanner
  3. a radio receiver that sequentially scans a range of frequencies for a signal
  4. a device that scans an image (as a photograph) or document (as a page of text) esp. for use or storage on a computer
  5. a medical device for scanning a living body to collect diagnostic information

scanning electron microscope -n

  1. an electron microscope in which a beam of focused electrons moves across the object with the secondary electrons produced by the object and the electrons scattered by the object being collected to form a three-dimensional image on a display screen called also scanning microscope

scanning tunneling microscope -n

  1. a microscope that makes use of the phenomenon of tunneling electrons to map the positions of individual atoms in a surface or to move atoms around on a surface

scan·sion ['skan(t)-shən] -n

  1. the analysis of verse to show its meter

scant ['skant] -adj, adv, n

  1. excessively frugal
  2. not prodigal : chary
  3. barely or scarcely sufficient
  4. not quite coming up to a stated measure
    • a scant teaspoon
  5. lacking in amplitude or quantity
    • scant growth
  6. having a small or insufficient supply
    • he's fat, and scant of breath -- Shak.
  7. scarcely, hardly
  8. to provide an incomplete supply of
  9. to make small, narrow, or meager
  10. to give scant attention to : slight
  11. to provide with a meager or inadequate portion or supply : stint

scant·ies ['skan-tēz] -n pl

  1. abbreviated panties for women

scant·ling ['skant-liŋ, -lən] -n

  1. the dimensions of timber and stone used in building
  2. the dimensions of a structural element used in shipbuilding often used in pl.
  3. a small quantity, amount, or proportion : modicum
  4. a small piece of lumber (as an upright piece in house framing)

scanty ['skan-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. limited or less than sufficient in degree, quantity, or extent

scape ['skāp] -vb

  1. escape
    • some innocents scape not the thunderbolt -- Shak.
  2. a peduncle arising at or beneath the surface of the ground in an acaulescent plant (as the tulip)
  3. a flower stalk
  4. the shaft of an animal part (as an antenna or feather)
  5. a view or picture of a scene usu. used in combination
    • city scape

scape·goat ['skāp-,gōt] -n

  1. a goat upon whose head are symbolically placed the sins of the people after which he is sent into the wilderness in the biblical ceremony for Yom Kippur
  2. one that bears the blame for others
  3. one that is the object of irrational hostility

scapegoat [-,gō-,ti-zəm] -vt, n

  1. to make a scapegoat of

scape·grace ['skāp-,grās] -n

  1. an incorrigible rascal

scaph·oid ['ska-,fȯid] -n, adj

  1. navicular
  2. the bone of the thumb side of the carpus that is the largest in the proximal row
  3. the navicular bone of the tarsus

scap·o·lite ['ska-pə-,līt] -n

  1. any of a group of minerals that are essentially complex silicates of aluminum, calcium, and sodium and that include some used as semiprecious stones

scap·u·la ['ska-pyə-lə] -n

  1. either of a pair of large triangular bones lying one in each dorsal lateral part of the thorax, being the principal bone of the corresponding half of the shoulder girdle, and articulating with the corresponding clavicle or coracoid called also shoulder blade

scap·u·lar [-lər] -n

  1. a long wide band of cloth with an opening for the head worn front and back over the shoulders as part of a monastic habit
  2. a pair of small cloth squares joined by shoulder tapes and worn under the clothing on the breast and back as a sacramental and often also as a badge of a third order or confraternity
  3. scapula
  4. one of the feathers covering the base of a bird's wing

scapular -adj

  1. of or relating to the shoulder, the scapula, or scapulars

scapular medal -n

  1. a medal worn in place of a sacramental scapular

scar ['skär] -n

  1. an isolated or protruding rock
  2. a steep rocky eminence : a bare place on the side of a mountain
  3. a mark left (as in the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
  4. a mark left on a stem or branch by a fallen leaf or harvested fruit
  5. cicatrix
  6. a mark or indentation resulting from damage or wear
  7. a lasting moral or emotional injury
    • one of his men had been killed...in a manner that left a scar upon his mind -- H. G. Wells
  8. to mark with a scar
  9. to do lasting injury to
  10. to form a scar
  11. to become scarred

scar·ab ['ska-rəb] -n

  1. any of a family (Scarabaeidae) of stout-bodied beetles (as a dung beetle) with lamellate or fan-shaped antennae
  2. a stone or faience beetle used in ancient Egypt as a talisman, ornament, and a symbol of resurrection

scar·a·bae·us [,ska-rə-'bē-əs] -n

  1. scarab

scar·a·mouch ['skar-ə-,müsh, -,müch, -,mau̇ch] -n

  1. a stock character in the Italian commedia dell'arte that burlesques the Spanish don and is characterized by boastfulness and cowardliness
  2. a cowardly buffoon
  3. rascal, scamp

scarce ['skers] -adj, n

  1. deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand : not plentiful or abundant
  2. intentionally absent
    • made himself scarce at inspection time
  3. scarcely, hardly
    • scarce was independence half a century old, when a...split occurred -- John McPhee

scarce·ly -adv

  1. by a narrow margin : only just
    • had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open -- Agnes S. Turnbull
  2. almost not
    • could scarcely see for the fog
  3. certainly not
    • could scarcely interfere
  4. probably not
    • there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped -- V. L. Parrington

scar·ci·ty ['sker-sə-tē, -stē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being scarce
  2. want of provisions for the support of life

scare ['sker] -vb, n

  1. to frighten esp. suddenly : alarm
  2. to become scared
  3. a sudden fright
  4. a widespread state of alarm : panic

scare·crow ['sker-,krō] -n

  1. an object usu. suggesting a human figure that is set up to frighten birds away from crops
  2. something frightening but harmless
  3. a skinny or ragged person

scared -adj

  1. thrown into or being in a state of fear, fright, or panic
    • scared of snakes
    • scared to go out

scaredycat ['sker-dē-,kat] -n

  1. an unduly fearful person

scare·head ['sker-,hed] -n

  1. a big, sensational, or alarming newspaper headline

scare·mon·ger [-,məŋ-gər, -,mäŋ-] -n

  1. one inclined to raise or excite alarms esp. needlessly

scare quotes -n pl

  1. quotation marks used to express esp. skepticism or derision concerning the use of the enclosed word or phrase

scare up -vt

  1. to find or get together with considerable labor or difficulty : scrape up
    • managed to scare up the money

scarf ['skärf] -n

  1. either of the chamfered or cutaway ends that fit together to form a scarf joint
  2. an in-line joint made by chamfering, halving, or notching two pieces to correspond and lapping them
  3. to unite by a scarf joint
  4. to form a scarf on
  5. a military or official sash usu. indicative of rank
  6. tippet
  7. a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, or over the head
  8. runner
  9. to wrap, cover, or adorn with or as if with a scarf
  10. to wrap or throw on (a scarf or mantle) loosely
  11. scoff
    • scarf ed down my sandwich
  12. snap
    • scarf ed up the best seats

scarf·pin ['skärf-,pin] -n

  1. tiepin

scarf·skin ['skärf-,skin] -n

  1. epidermis
  2. that forming the cuticle of a nail

scar·i·fi·ca·tion [,sker-ə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of scarifying
  2. a mark or marks made by scarifying

scar·i·fy ['sker-ə-,fī] -vt, n

  1. to make scratches or small cuts in (as the skin)
    • scarify an area for vaccination
  2. to lacerate the feelings of
  3. to break up, loosen, or roughen the surface of (as a field or road)
  4. to cut or soften the wall of (a hard seed) to hasten germination

scarify [-,fī-iŋ-lē] -vt, adv

  1. scare, frighten

scar·i·ous ['sker-ē-əs] -adj

  1. dry and membranous in texture
    • a scarious bract

scar·la·ti·na [,skär-lə-'tē-nə] -n, adj

  1. scarlet fever

scar·let ['skär-lət] -n

  1. scarlet cloth or clothes
  2. any of various bright reds

scarlet -adj

  1. of the color scarlet
  2. grossly and glaringly offensive
    • sinning in flagrant and scarlet fashion -- G. W. Johnson
  3. of, characterized by, or associated with sexual immorality
    • a scarlet woman

scarlet fever -n

  1. an acute contagious febrile disease caused by hemolytic Group A streptococci and characterized by inflammation of the nose, throat, and mouth, generalized toxemia, and a red rash

scarlet letter -n

  1. a scarlet A worn as a punitive mark of adultery

scarlet pimpernel -n

  1. a European pimpernel ( Anagallis arvensis) naturalized in No. America and having scarlet, white, or purplish flowers that close in cloudy weather
  2. a person who rescues others from mortal danger by smuggling them across a border

scarlet runner bean -n

  1. a tropical American high-climbing bean ( Phaseolus coccineus) that has large bright red flowers and red and black seeds and is grown widely as an ornamental and as a food bean called also scarlet runner

scarlet sage -n

  1. a salvia ( Salvia splendens) of Brazil that is widely cultivated for its long racemes of typically scarlet flowers
  2. a related salvia ( S. coccinea) of tropical and subtropical America

scarlet tanager -n

  1. a common American tanager ( Piranga olivacea) with the male having scarlet plumage and black wings during the breeding season and the female having chiefly olive plumage

scarp ['skärp] -n, adj

  1. the inner side of a ditch below the parapet of a fortification
  2. a line of cliffs produced by faulting or erosion
  3. a low steep slope along a beach caused by wave erosion

scar·per ['skär-pər] -vi

  1. flee, run away
  2. leave, depart

scar·ry ['skär-ē] -adj

  1. bearing marks of wounds : scarred

scar tissue -n

  1. the connective tissue forming a scar and composed chiefly of fibroblasts in recent scars and largely of dense collagenous fibers in old scars

scary ['sker-ē] -adj, adv

  1. causing fright : alarming
    • a scary story
  2. easily scared : timid
  3. feeling alarm or fright : frightened

scat ['skat] -vi

  1. to go away quickly
  2. to move fast : scoot
  3. an animal fecal dropping
  4. jazz singing with nonsense syllables
  5. to improvise nonsense syllables usu. to an instrumental accompaniment : sing scat

SCAT -abbr

  1. School and College Ability Test
  2. supersonic commercial air transport

scat·back ['skat-,bak] -n

  1. an offensive back in football who is an esp. fast and elusive ballcarrier

scathe ['skāth, 'skāth] -n, adj

  1. harm, injury
  2. to do harm to
  3. scorch, sear
  4. to assail with withering denunciation

scathing -adj, adv

  1. bitterly severe
    • a scathing condemnation

sca·tol·o·gy [ska-'tä-lə-jē, skə-] -n, adj

  1. interest in or treatment of obscene matters esp. in literature
  2. the biologically oriented study of excrement (as for taxonomic purposes or for the determination of diet)

scatt ['skat] -n

  1. tax, tribute

scat·ter ['ska-tər] -vb, n

  1. to cause to separate widely
  2. to cause to vanish
  3. to fling away heedlessly : squander
  4. to distribute irregularly
  5. to sow by casting in all directions : strew
  6. to reflect irregularly and diffusely
  7. to cause (a beam of radiation) to diffuse or disperse
  8. to divide into ineffectual small portions
  9. to separate and go in various directions : disperse
  10. to occur or fall irregularly or at random

scatter -n

  1. the act of scattering
  2. a small quantity or number irregularly distributed or strewn about : scattering
  3. the state or extent of being scattered
  4. dispersion

scat·ter·ation [,ska-tə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of scattering : the state of being scattered
  2. the movement of people and industry away from the city
  3. the resulting regional urbanization
  4. a policy of distributing funds and energies in too many ineffectively small units

scat·ter·brain ['ska-tər-,brān] -n

  1. a giddy heedless person

scat·ter·brained [-,brānd] -adj

  1. having the characteristics of a scatterbrain

scatter diagram -n

  1. a two-dimensional graph in rectangular coordinates consisting of points whose coordinates represent values of two variables under study

scat·ter·good ['ska-tər-,gu̇d] -n

  1. a wasteful person : spendthrift

scat·ter·gram [-,gram] -n

  1. scatter diagram

scat·ter·gun [-,gən] -n or adj

  1. shotgun

scat·ter·ing ['ska-tə-riŋ] -n

  1. an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
  2. : something scattered: as
  3. a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
    • a scattering of visitors
  4. the random change in direction of the particles constituting a beam or wave front due to collision with particles of the medium traversed

scattering ['ska-tə-riŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. going in various directions
  2. found or placed far apart and in no order
  3. divided among many or several
    • scattering votes

scatter rug -n

  1. throw rug

scat·ter·shot ['ska-tər-,shät] -adj

  1. broadly and often randomly inclusive : shotgun
    • scattershot advice
    • scattershot planning

scat·ty ['ska-tē] -adj

  1. crazy

scaup ['skȯp] -n

  1. either of two diving ducks ( Aythya affinisor A. marila) with the male having a glossy purplish or greenish head and a black breast and tail

scav·enge ['ska-vənj, -vinj] -vb

  1. to remove (as dirt or refuse) from an area
  2. to clean away dirt or refuse from : cleanse
    • scavenge a street
  3. to feed on (carrion or refuse)
  4. to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine after a working stroke
  5. to remove (as an undesirable constituent) from a substance or region by chemical or physical means
  6. to clean and purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements in chemical union
  7. to salvage from discarded or refuse material
  8. to salvage usable material from
  9. to work or act as a scavenger

scav·en·ger ['ska-vən-jər] -n

  1. a person employed to remove dirt and refuse from streets
  2. : one that scavenges: as
  3. a garbage collector
  4. a junk collector
  5. a chemically active substance acting to make innocuous or remove an undesirable substance
  6. an organism that typically feeds on refuse or carrion

scavenger hunt -n

  1. a game in which players try to acquire without buying specified items within a time limit

ScD -abbr

  1. doctor of science

sce·na ['shā-(,)nä] -n

  1. an elaborate solo vocal composition that consists of a recitative usu. followed by one or more aria sections

sce·nar·io [sə-'ner-ē-,ō, US also and esp Brit -'när-] -n

  1. an outline or synopsis of a play
  2. a plot outline used by actors of the commedia dell'arte
  3. the libretto of an opera
  4. screenplay
  5. shooting script
  6. a sequence of events esp. when imagined
  7. an account or synopsis of a possible course of action or events
    • his scenario for a settlement envisages...reunification -- Selig Harrison

sce·nar·ist [-'ner-ist] -n

  1. a writer of scenarios

scend ['send] -n

  1. the lift of a wave : send
  2. the upward movement of a pitching ship

scene ['sēn] -n

  1. : one of the subdivisions of a play: as
  2. a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place
  3. a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play
    • the love scene
  4. a motion-picture or television episode or sequence
  5. a stage setting
  6. a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting
    • a sylvan scene
  7. the place of an occurrence or action : locale
    • scene of the crime
  8. an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior
    • make a scene
  9. sphere of activity
    • the drug scene
  10. situation
    • a bad scene

scen·ery ['sē-nə-rē, 'sēn-rē] -n

  1. the painted scenes or hangings and accessories used on a theater stage
  2. a picturesque view or landscape
  3. one's usual surroundings
    • needed a change of scenery

scene·shift·er ['sēn-,shif-tər] -n

  1. a worker who moves the scenes in a theater

scenesteal·er [-,stē-lər] -n

  1. an actor who attracts attention when another is intended to be the center of attention

sce·nic ['sē-nik also 'se-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to the stage, a stage setting, or stage representation
  2. of or relating to natural scenery
    • a scenic view
  3. representing an action, event, or episode
    • a scenic bas-relief

scenic railway -n

  1. a miniature railway (as in an amusement park) with artificial scenery along the way

sce·nog·ra·phy [sē-'nä-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. the art of perspective representation esp. as applied to the design and painting of stage scenery

scent ['sent] -n, adj

  1. : effluvia from a substance that affect the sense of smell: as
  2. an odor left by an animal on a surface passed over
  3. a characteristic or particular odor
  4. one that is agreeable
  5. power of smelling : sense of smell
    • a keen scent
  6. power of detection : nose
    • a scent for heresy
  7. a course of pursuit or discovery
    • throw one off the scent
  8. inkling, intimation
    • a scent of trouble
  9. perfume
  10. bits of paper dropped in the game of hare and hounds
  11. a mixture prepared for use as a lure in hunting or fishing
  12. to perceive by the olfactory organs : smell
  13. to get or have an inkling of
    • scent trouble
  14. to imbue or fill with odor
    • scent ed the air with perfume
  15. to yield an odor of some specified kind
    • this scent s of sulfur
  16. to bear indication or suggestions
  17. to use the nose in seeking or tracking prey

scent·ed ['sen-təd] -adj

  1. : having scent: as
  2. having a perfumed smell
  3. having the sense of smell
  4. having or exhaling an odor

scent hound -n

  1. a hound (as a bloodhound) that hunts and pursues game by scent rather than by sight

scep·ter ['sep-tər] -n

  1. a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority
  2. royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

scepter [-t(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to invest with the scepter in token of royal authority

sceptered -adj

  1. invested with a scepter or sovereign authority
  2. of or relating to a sovereign or to royalty

scep·tic ['skep-tik] -n

(variant of skeptic)

  1. an adherent or advocate of skepticism
  2. a person disposed to skepticism esp. regarding religion or religious principles

scep·tre ['sep-tər] -n

(variant of scepter)

  1. a staff or baton borne by a sovereign as an emblem of authority
  2. royal or imperial authority : sovereignty

sch -abbr

  1. school

scha·den·freu·de ['shä-dᵊn-,frȯi-də] -n

  1. enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others

sched·ule ['ske-(,)jül, -jəl, Canad also 'she-, Brit usu 'she-(,)dyül] -n

  1. a written document
  2. a statement of supplementary details appended to a legal or legislative document
  3. a written or printed list, catalog, or inventory
  4. timetable
  5. program
  6. a procedural plan that indicates the time and sequence of each operation
    • finished on schedule
  7. a body of items to be dealt with : agenda
  8. a governmental list of drugs all subject to the same legal restrictions and controls usu. used with a Roman numeral I to V indicating decreasing potential for abuse or addiction

schedule -vt, n

  1. to appoint, assign, or designate for a fixed time
  2. to place in a schedule
  3. to make a schedule of

schee·lite ['shā-,līt] -n

  1. a mineral consisting of the tungstate of calcium that is an ore of tungsten

schef·flera ['she-flə-rə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Schefflera) of chiefly tropical and subtropical shrubs and trees of the ginseng family having usu. palmately compound leaves and including some (as S. actinophyllasyn. Brassaia actinophylla) grown indoors and in gardens

Sche·her·a·zade [shə-,her-ə-'zäd; -'zä-də, -dē] -n

  1. the fictional wife of a sultan and the narrator of the tales in the Arabian Nights' Entertainments

sche·ma ['skē-mə] -n

  1. a diagrammatic presentation
  2. a structured framework or plan : outline
  3. a mental codification of experience that includes a particular organized way of perceiving cognitively and responding to a complex situation or set of stimuli

sche·mat·ic [ski-'ma-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to a scheme or schema

schematic -n

  1. a schematic drawing or diagram

sche·ma·tism ['skē-mə-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. the disposition of constituents in a pattern or according to a scheme : design
  2. a particular systematic disposition of parts

sche·ma·tize ['skē-mə-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to form or to form into a scheme or systematic arrangement
  2. to express or depict schematically

scheme ['skēm] -n

  1. a mathematical or astronomical diagram
  2. a representation of the astrological aspects of the planets at a particular time
  3. a graphic sketch or outline
  4. a concise statement or table : epitome
  5. a plan or program of action
  6. a crafty or secret one
  7. a systematic or organized configuration : design
    • color scheme
  8. to form a scheme for
  9. to form plans
  10. plot, intrigue

scheming -adj

  1. given to forming schemes
  2. devious

scher·zan·do [skert-'sän-(,)dō] -adv or adj

  1. in sportive manner : playfully used as a direction in music indicating style and tempo
    • allegretto scherzando

scherzando -n

  1. a passage or movement in scherzando style

scher·zo ['skert-(,)sō] -n

  1. a sprightly humorous instrumental musical composition or movement commonly in quick triple time

Schick test ['shik-] -n

  1. a test for susceptibility to diphtheria by cutaneous injection of a diluted diphtheria toxin that causes an area of reddening and induration in susceptible individuals

Schiff's reagent ['shifs-] -n

  1. a solution of fuchsine decolorized by treatment with sulfur dioxide that gives a useful test for aldehydes because they restore the dye's color called also Schiff reagent shif-

schil·ler ['shi-lər] -n

  1. a bronzy iridescent luster (as of a mineral)

schil·ling ['shi-liŋ] -n

  1. the basic monetary unit of Austria until 2002

schip·per·ke ['ski-pər-kē, 'shi-, -kə; -pərk] -n

  1. any of a Belgian breed of small stocky black tailless dogs with foxy head and heavy coat

schism ['si-zəm, 'ski- also 'shi-; among clergy usu 'si-] -n

  1. division, separation
  2. discord, disharmony
    • a schism between political parties
  3. formal division in or separation from a church or religious body
  4. the offense of promoting schism

schis·mat·ic [siz-'ma-tik, ski-] -n

  1. one who creates or takes part in schism

schismatic [-ti-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or guilty of schism

schis·ma·tize ['siz-mə-,tīz, 'skiz-] -vb

  1. to take part in schism
  2. to make a breach of union (as in the church)
  3. to induce into schism

schist ['shist] -n

  1. a metamorphic crystalline rock that has a closely foliated structure and can be split along approximately parallel planes

schis·tose ['shis-,tōs] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to schist : having the character or structure of a schist

schis·to·some ['shis-tə-,sōm] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Schistosoma) of elongated trematode worms with the sexes separate that parasitize the blood vessels of birds and mammals and cause a destructive human schistosomiasis
  2. a worm of the family (Schistosomatidae) that includes this genus

schis·to·so·mi·a·sis [,shis-tə-sō-'mī-ə-səs] -n

  1. infestation with or disease caused by schistosomes
  2. a severe endemic disease of humans in Africa and parts of Asia and So. America that is contracted when cercariae released into freshwaters (as rivers) by a snail intermediate host penetrate the skin and that is marked esp. by blood loss and tissue damage called also snail fever

schiz- -comb form

  1. split : cleft
    • schizo carp
  2. characterized by or involving cleavage
    • schizo gony
  3. schizophrenia
    • schiz oid

schizo ['skit-(,)sō] -n, adj

  1. a schizophrenic individual

schizo·carp ['ski-zə-,kärp, 'skit-sə-] -n

  1. a dry compound fruit that splits at maturity into several indehiscent one-seeded carpels

schi·zog·o·ny [ski-'zä-gə-nē, skit-'sä-] -n, adj

  1. asexual reproduction by multiple segmentation characteristic of sporozoans (as the malaria parasite)

schiz·oid ['skit-,sȯid] -adj, n

  1. characterized by, resulting from, tending toward, or suggestive of schizophrenia

schiz·ont ['ski-,zänt, 'skit-,sänt] -n

  1. a multinucleate sporozoan that reproduces by schizogony

schizo·phrene ['skit-sə-,frēn] -n

  1. one affected with schizophrenia : schizophrenic

schizo·phre·nia [,skit-sə-'frē-nē-ə] -n, adj or n, adv

  1. a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as delusions), perception (as hallucinations), and behavior called also dementia praecox
  2. contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes
    • both parties...have exhibited schizophrenia over the desired outcome -- Elizabeth Drew

schizy ['skit-sē] -adj

  1. schizoid

schle·miel [shlə-'mēl] -n

  1. an unlucky bungler : chump

schlep ['shlep] -vb

  1. drag, haul
  2. to proceed or move esp. slowly, tediously, awkwardly, or carelessly

schlie·ren ['shlir-ən] -n pl, adj

  1. small masses or streaks in an igneous rock that differ in composition from the main body
  2. regions of varying refraction in a transparent medium often caused by pressure or temperature differences and detectable esp. by photographing the passage of a beam of light

schlock ['shläk] -adj, n

  1. of low quality or value

schlub ['shləb] -n

  1. a stupid, worthless, or unattractive person

schlump ['shləmp] -n, adj

  1. schlub

schm- [shm] -prefix

  1. used to form a rhyming term of derision by replacing the initial consonant or consonant cluster of a word or by preceding the initial vowel
    • fancy, schm ancy, I prefer plain
    • Godfather- shm odfather-enough already -- Judith Crist

schmaltz ['shmȯlts, 'shmälts] -n, adj

  1. sentimental or florid music or art
  2. sentimentality

schmear ['shmir] -n

  1. an aggregate of related things
    • the whole schmear

Schmidt camera ['shmit-] -n

  1. a photographic telescope with specialized optics that correct for spherical aberration and coma called also Schmidt telescope

schmo ['shmō] -n

  1. jerk

schmooze ['shmüz] -vb, n

  1. to converse informally : chat
  2. to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner esp. so as to gain favor, business, or connections
  3. to engage in schmoozing with
    • she schmoozed her professors
  4. a gathering or time devoted to schmoozing
  5. casual talk that is often gossipy or ingratiating

schmoozy ['shmü-zē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, characterized by, or given to schmoozing
    • a schmoozy salesclerk

schmuck ['shmək] -n

  1. jerk

schnapps ['shnaps] -n

  1. any of various liquors of high alcoholic content
  2. strong Holland gin

schnau·zer ['shnau̇-zər, 'shnau̇t-sər] -n

  1. : a dog of any of three breeds that originated in Germany and are characterized by a wiry coat, long head, pointed ears, heavy eyebrows, and long hair on the muzzle:
  2. standard schnauzer
  3. giant schnauzer
  4. miniature schnauzer

schnit·zel ['shnit-səl] -n

  1. a seasoned and garnished veal cutlet

schnook ['shnu̇k] -n

  1. a stupid or unimportant person : dolt

schnor·rer ['shnȯr-ər] -n

  1. beggar
  2. one who wheedles others into supplying his wants

schnoz ['shnäz] -n

  1. nose
  2. a large nose

schnoz·zle ['shnä-zəl] -n

  1. schnoz

scho·la can·to·rum [,skō-lə-kan-'tȯr-əm] -n

  1. a singing school esp. for church choristers
  2. the choir or choir school of a monastery or of a cathedral
  3. an enclosure designed for a choir and located in the center of the nave in early church buildings

schol·ar ['skä-lər] -n

  1. a person who attends a school or studies under a teacher : pupil
  2. a person who has done advanced study in a special field
  3. a learned person
  4. a holder of a scholarship

schol·ar·ly [-lē] -adj

  1. of, characteristic of, or suitable to learned persons : learned, academic

schol·ar·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. a grant-in-aid to a student (as by a college or foundation)
  2. the character, qualities, activity, or attainments of a scholar : learning
  3. a fund of knowledge and learning
    • drawing on the scholarship of the ancients

Scholarship level -n

  1. s level

scho·las·tic [skə-'las-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to Scholasticism
    • scholastic theology
    • scholastic philosophy
  2. suggestive or characteristic of a scholastic esp. in subtlety or aridity : pedantic
    • dull scholastic reports
  3. of or relating to schools or scholars
  4. of or relating to high school or secondary school

scholastic -n

  1. a Scholastic philosopher
  2. pedant, formalist
  3. a student in a scholasticate
  4. a person who adopts academic or traditional methods in art

scho·las·ti·cate [skə-'las-tə-,kāt, -ti-kət] -n

  1. a college-level school of general study for those preparing for membership in a Roman Catholic religious order

scho·las·ti·cism [skə-'las-tə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. a philosophical movement dominant in western Christian civilization from the 9th until the 17th century and combining religious dogma with the mystical and intuitional tradition of patristic philosophy esp. of St. Augustine and later with Aristotelianism
  2. neo-scholasticism
  3. close adherence to the traditional teachings or methods of a school or sect
  4. pedantic adherence to scholarly methods

scho·li·ast ['skō-lē-,ast, -lē-əst] -n, adj

  1. a maker of scholia : commentator, annotator

scho·li·um ['skō-lē-əm] -n

  1. a marginal annotation or comment (as on the text of a classic by an early grammarian)
  2. a remark or observation subjoined but not essential to a demonstration or a train of reasoning

school ['skül] -n

  1. : an organization that provides instruction: as
  2. an institution for the teaching of children
  3. college, university
  4. a group of scholars and teachers pursuing knowledge together that with similar groups constituted a medieval university
  5. one of the four faculties of a medieval university
  6. an institution for specialized higher education often associated with a university
    • the school of engineering
  7. an establishment offering specialized instruction
    • a secretarial school
    • driving school s
  8. the process of teaching or learning esp. at a school
  9. attendance at a school
  10. a session of a school
  11. a school building
  12. the students attending a school
  13. its teachers and students
  14. a source of knowledge
    • experience was his school
  15. a group of persons who hold a common doctrine or follow the same teacher (as in philosophy, theology, or medicine)
    • the Aristotelian school
  16. the doctrine or practice of such a group
  17. a group of artists under a common influence
  18. a group of persons of similar opinions or behavior
  19. the shared opinions or behavior of such a group
    • other school s of thought
  20. the regulations governing military drill of individuals or units
  21. the exercises carried out
    • the school of the soldier
  22. to teach or drill in a specific knowledge or skill
    • well school ed in languages
  23. to discipline or habituate to something
    • school oneself in patience
  24. to educate in an institution of learning
  25. a large number of fish or aquatic animals of one kind swimming together
  26. to swim or feed in a school
    • bluefish are school ing

schoolage -adj

  1. old enough to go to school
    • schoolage children

school·bag ['skül-,bag] -n

  1. a bag for carrying schoolbooks and school supplies

school board -n

  1. a board in charge of local public schools

school·book [-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a school textbook

school·boy [-,bȯi] -n

  1. a boy attending school

schoolboy -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a schoolboy
    • schoolboy pranks
  2. of, relating to, or being a sport for high school or prep school boys
  3. being one who participates in such sports
    • a former schoolboy and collegiate goalie -- D. J. Barr

school·boy·ish [-,bȯi-ish] -adj

  1. schoolboy

school bus -n

  1. a vehicle used for transporting children to or from school or on activities connected with school

school·child ['skül-,chī(-ə)ld] -n

  1. a child attending school

school committee -n

  1. school board

school district -n

  1. a unit for administration of a public-school system often comprising several towns within a state

school·fel·low ['skül-,fe-(,)lō] -n

  1. schoolmate

school·girl [-,gər(-ə)l] -n

  1. a girl attending school

school·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a building used as a school and esp. as an elementary school

school·ing -n

  1. instruction in school : education
  2. training, guidance, or discipline derived from experience
  3. reproof
  4. the cost of instruction and maintenance at school
  5. the training of a horse for service
  6. the teaching and exercising of horse and rider in the formal techniques of equitation

school·kid ['skül-,kid] -n

  1. a child or teenager attending school

schoolleav·er ['skül-,lē-vər] -n

  1. one who has left school usu. after completing a course of study

school·man ['skül-mən, -,man] -n

  1. one skilled in academic disputation
  2. scholastic
  3. educator
  4. educator

school·marm [-,mä(r)m] -n, adj

  1. a woman who is a schoolteacher esp. in a rural or small-town school
  2. a person who exhibits characteristics attributed to schoolteachers (as strict adherence to arbitrary rules)

school·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n, adj

  1. a man who teaches school
  2. one that disciplines or directs
  3. a reddish-brown edible snapper ( Lutjanus apodus) of the tropical Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico

school·mate [-,māt] -n

  1. a companion at school

school·mis·tress [-,mis-trəs] -n, adj

  1. a woman who teaches school

school·room [-,rüm, -,ru̇m] -n

  1. classroom

school·teach·er [-,tē-chər] -n

  1. one who teaches school

school·time [-,tīm] -n

  1. the time for beginning a session of school or during which school is held
  2. the period of life spent in school or in study

school·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. lessons done in class or assigned to be done at home

schoo·ner ['skü-nər] -n

  1. a typically 2-masted fore-and-aft rigged vessel with a foremast and a mainmast stepped nearly amidships
  2. a larger-than-usual drinking glass (as for beer)

schooner rig ['skü-nə(r)-'rigd] -n, adj

  1. fore-and-aft rig

schorl ['shȯr(-ə)l] -n

  1. tourmaline
  2. tourmaline of the black variety

schot·tische ['shä-tish, shä-'tēsh] -n

  1. a round dance resembling a slow polka
  2. music for the schottische

schrod ['skräd] -n

(variant of scrod)

  1. a young fish (as a cod or haddock)
  2. one split and boned for cooking

Schro·ding·er equation ['shrā-diŋ-ər, 'shrœ-, 'shrə(r)-] -n

  1. an equation that describes the wave nature of elementary particles and is fundamental to the description of the properties of all matter

schtick ['shtik] -n, adj

(variant of shtick)

  1. a usu. comic or repetitious performance or routine : bit
  2. one's special trait, interest, or activity : bag
    • he's alive and well and now doing his shtick out in Hollywood -- Robert Daley

schuss ['shu̇s, 'shüs] -vi, n

  1. to ski directly down a slope at high speed

schuss·boom·er [-,bü-mər] -n

  1. a skier who schusses

schwa ['shwä] -n

  1. an unstressed mid-central vowel (as the usual sound of the first and last vowels of the English word America)
  2. the symbol used for the schwa sound and less widely for a similarly articulated stressed vowel (as in cut)

Schwann cell ['shwän-] -n

  1. the myelin-secreting cell surrounding a myelinated nerve fiber between two nodes of Ranvier

schwar·me·rei [,shver-mə-'rī] -n

  1. excessive or unwholesome sentiment

sci -abbr

  1. science; scientific

sci·at·ic [sī-'a-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or situated near the hip
  2. of, relating to, or caused by sciatica
    • sciatic pains

sci·at·i·ca [sī-'a-ti-kə] -n

  1. pain along the course of a sciatic nerve esp. in the back of the thigh
  2. pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or adjacent parts

sciatic nerve -n

  1. either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of the thigh

SCID -abbr

  1. severe combined immune deficiency; severe combined immunodeficiency

sci·ence ['sī-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding
  2. a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study
    • the science of theology
  3. something (as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge
    • have it down to a science
  4. knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws esp. as obtained and tested through scientific method
  5. such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science
  6. a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws
    • cooking is both a science and an art
  7. christian science

science fair -n

  1. a competitive exhibition of science projects usu. carried out by schoolchildren

science fiction ['sī-ən(t)s-'fik-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -n, adj

  1. fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component

sci·en·tial [sī-'en(t)-shəl] -adj

  1. relating to or producing knowledge or science
  2. having efficient knowledge : capable

sci·en·tif·ic [,sī-ən-'ti-fik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science

scientific creationism -n

  1. a doctrine holding that the biblical account of creation is supported by scientific evidence

scientific method -n

  1. principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses

scientific notation -n

  1. a widely used floating-point system in which numbers are expressed as products consisting of a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by an appropriate power of 10 (as in 1.591 (10) 20or 1.591 10 20)

sci·en·tism ['sī-ən-,ti-zəm] -n, adj

  1. methods and attitudes typical of or attributed to the natural scientist
  2. an exaggerated trust in the efficacy of the methods of natural science applied to all areas of investigation (as in philosophy, the social sciences, and the humanities)

sci·en·tist ['sī-ən-tist] -n

  1. a person learned in science and esp. natural science : a scientific investigator
  2. christian scientist

sci·en·tize ['sī-ən-,tīz] -vt

  1. to treat with a scientific approach
    • the attempt to scientize reality, to name it and classify it -- John Fowles

scifi ['sī-'fī] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being science fiction
    • a scifi film

sci·li·cet ['skē-li-,ket; 'sī-lə-,set, 'si-] -adv

  1. to wit, namely

scil·la ['si-lə, 'ski-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Scilla) of Old World bulbous herbs of the lily family with narrow basal leaves and purple, blue, or white racemose flowers

scim·i·tar ['si-mə-tər, -,tär] -n

  1. a saber having a curved blade with the edge on the convex side and used chiefly by Arabs and Turks

scin·tig·ra·phy [sin-'ti-grə-fē] -n, adj

  1. a diagnostic technique in which a two-dimensional picture of internal body tissue is produced through the detection of radiation emitted by a radioactive substance administered into the body

scin·til·la [sin-'ti-lə] -n

  1. spark, trace
    • not a scintilla of doubt

scin·til·lant ['sin-tə-lənt] -adj, adv

  1. that scintillates : sparkling

scin·til·late ['sin-tə-,lāt] -vb, n

  1. to emit sparks : spark
  2. to emit quick flashes as if throwing off sparks : sparkle
    • stars scintillate in the sky
  3. to throw off as a spark or as sparkling flashes
    • scintillate witticisms

scintillating -adj

  1. brilliantly lively, stimulating, or witty
    • a scintillating conversation

scin·til·la·tion [,sin-tə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. an act or instance of scintillating
  2. rapid changes in the brightness of a celestial body
  3. a spark or flash emitted in scintillating
  4. a flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing event
  5. a brilliant outburst (as of wit)
  6. a flash of the eye

scintillation counter -n

  1. a device for detecting and registering individual scintillations (as in radioactive emission)

scin·til·lom·e·ter [,sin-tə-'lä-mə-tər] -n

  1. scintillation counter

sci·o·lism ['sī-ə-,li-zəm] -n, adj

  1. a superficial show of learning

sci·on ['sī-ən] -n

  1. a detached living portion of a plant (as a bud or shoot) joined to a stock in grafting and usu. supplying solely aerial parts to a graft
  2. descendant, child
  3. a descendant of a wealthy, aristocratic, or influential family
  4. heir
    • scion of a railroad empire

sci·re fa·cias [,sī-rē-'fā-sh(ē-)əs] -n

  1. a judicial writ founded on some matter of record and requiring the party proceeded against to show cause why the record should not be enforced, annulled, or vacated
  2. a legal proceeding instituted by a scire facias

scirocco [shə-'rä-(,)kō, sə-] -n

(variant of sirocco)

  1. a hot dust-laden wind from the Libyan deserts that blows on the northern Mediterranean coast chiefly in Italy, Malta, and Sicily
  2. a warm moist oppressive southeast wind in the same regions
  3. a hot or warm wind of cyclonic origin from an arid or heated region

scir·rhous ['sir-əs, 'skir-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a hard slow-growing malignant tumor having a preponderance of fibrous tissue

scis·sile ['si-səl, -,sī(-ə)l] -adj

  1. capable of being cut smoothly or split easily
    • a scissile peptide bond

scis·sion ['si-zhən] -n

  1. a division or split in a group or union : schism
  2. an action or process of cutting, dividing, or splitting : the state of being cut, divided, or split

scis·sor ['si-zər] -n

  1. scissors

scissor ['si-zə-riŋ, 'siz-riŋ] -vt

  1. to cut, cut up, or cut off with scissors or shears
    • scissor ed the paper into strips

scis·sors ['si-zərz] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. a cutting instrument having two blades whose cutting edges slide past each other
  2. a gymnastic feat in which the leg movements suggest the opening and closing of scissors
  3. scissors hold

scissorsandpaste -adj

  1. being a compilation rather than an effort of original and independent investigation

scissors hold -n

  1. a wrestling hold in which the legs are locked around the head or body of an opponent

scissors kick -n

  1. a swimming kick used esp. in sidestrokes in which the legs move like scissors

scis·sortailed flycatcher ['si-zər-,tāld-] -n

  1. a flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus) of the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America that has a long deeply forked tail called also scissortail

sclaff ['sklaf] -vi, n

  1. to scrape the ground instead of hitting the ball cleanly on a golf stroke

SCLC -abbr

  1. Southern Christian Leadership Conference

scler- -comb form

  1. hard
    • scler ite
    • sclero derma
  2. hardness
    • sclero meter

sclera ['skler-ə] -n, adj

  1. the dense fibrous opaque white outer coat enclosing the eyeball except the part covered by the cornea

scler·e·id ['skler-ē-əd] -n

  1. a variably shaped sclerenchymatous cell of a higher plant

scle·ren·chy·ma [sklə-'reŋ-kə-mə] -n, adj

  1. a protective or supporting tissue in higher plants composed of cells with walls thickened and often lignified

scler·ite ['skler-,īt] -n

  1. a hard chitinous or calcareous plate, piece, or spicule (as of the arthropod integument)

sclero·der·ma [,skler-ə-'dər-mə] -n

  1. a usu. slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures

scle·rom·e·ter [sklə-'rä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for determining the relative hardnesses of materials

sclero·pro·tein [,skler-ō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n

  1. any of various fibrous proteins esp. from connective and skeletal tissues

scle·ros·ing [sklə-'rō-siŋ, -ziŋ] -adj

  1. causing or characterized by sclerosis
    • sclerosing agents

scle·ro·sis [sklə-'rō-səs] -n

  1. pathological hardening of tissue esp. from overgrowth of fibrous tissue or increase in interstitial tissue
  2. a disease characterized by sclerosis
  3. an inability or reluctance to adapt or compromise
    • political sclerosis

sclero·ther·a·py [,skler-ō-'ther-ə-pē] -n

  1. the injection of a sclerosing agent (as saline) into a varicose vein to produce inflammation and scarring which closes the lumen and is followed by shrinkage

scle·rot·ic [sklə-'rä-tik] -adj

  1. being or relating to the sclera
  2. of, relating to, or affected with sclerosis

sclerotic -n

  1. sclera

sclerotic coat -n

  1. sclera

scler·o·tin ['skler-ə-tən, sklə-'rō-tᵊn] -n

  1. an insoluble tanned protein permeating and stiffening the chitin of the cuticle of arthropods

scle·ro·tium [sklə-'rō-sh(ē-)əm] -n, adj

  1. a compact mass of hardened mycelium stored with reserve food material that in some higher fungi becomes detached and remains dormant until a favorable opportunity for growth occurs

scler·o·tized ['skler-ə-,tīzd] -adj, n

  1. hardened esp. by the formation of sclerotin
    • sclerotized insect cuticle

scoff ['skäf, 'skȯf] -n

  1. an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt : gibe
  2. an object of scorn, mockery, or derision
  3. to show contempt by derisive acts or language
    • scoff ed at the idea
  4. to treat or address with derision : mock
  5. to eat greedily
    • scoff ed dinner
  6. seize often used with up
    • scoff ed up the free gifts
  7. to eat something greedily

scoff·law [-,lȯ] -n

  1. a contemptuous law violator

scold ['skōld] -n

  1. one who scolds habitually or persistently
  2. a woman who disturbs the public peace by noisy and quarrelsome or abusive behavior
  3. scolding
  4. to quarrel noisily
  5. to find fault noisily or angrily
  6. to censure severely or angrily : rebuke

scold·ing ['skōl-diŋ] -n

  1. the action of one who scolds
  2. a harsh reproof
    • gave the child a sharp scolding for running into the road

sco·le·cite ['skä-lə-,sīt, 'skō-] -n

  1. a usu. fibrous zeolite mineral that is a hydrous calcium aluminum silicate

sco·lex ['skō-,leks] -n

  1. the head of a tapeworm either in the larva or adult stage

sco·li·o·sis [,skō-lē-'ō-səs] -n, adj

  1. a lateral curvature of the spine

scollop ['skä-ləp, 'ska-, 'skȯ-] -n

(variant of scallop)

  1. any of numerous marine bivalve lamellibranch mollusks (family Pectinidae) that have a radially ribbed shell with the edge undulated and that swim by opening and closing the valves
  2. the adductor muscle of a scallop as an article of food
  3. a valve or shell of a scallop
  4. a baking dish shaped like a valve of a scallop
  5. one of a continuous series of circle segments or angular projections forming a border (as on cloth or metal)
  6. pattypan
  7. a thin slice of boneless meat or fish
    • veal scallop s
    called also escalope

scol·o·pen·dra ['skä-lə-'pen-drə] -n

  1. centipede

scom·broid ['skäm-,brȯid] -n, adj

  1. any of a suborder (Scombroidei) of marine bony fishes (as mackerels, tunas, albacores, bonitos, and swordfishes) of great economic importance as food fishes

sconce ['skän(t)s] -n

  1. a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks
  2. an electric light fixture patterned on a candle sconce
  3. head, skull
  4. a detached defensive work

scone ['skōn, 'skän] -n

  1. a rich quick bread cut into usu. triangular shapes and cooked on a griddle or baked on a sheet

scoop ['sküp] -n

  1. a large ladle
  2. a deep shovel or similar implement for digging, dipping, or shoveling
  3. a usu. hemispherical utensil for dipping food
  4. a small spoon-shaped utensil or instrument for cutting or gouging
  5. the action of scooping
  6. the amount contained by a scoop
  7. a hollow place : cavity
  8. a part forming or surrounding an opening for channeling a fluid (as air) into a desired path
  9. information esp. of immediate interest
  10. beat
  11. a rounded and usu. low-cut neckline on a woman's garment called also scoop neck
  12. to take out or up with or as if with a scoop : dip
  13. to pick up quickly or surreptitiously with or as if with a sweep of the hand often used with up
    • scoop up the treat
  14. to empty by ladling out the contents
  15. to make hollow : dig out
  16. beat
    • scoop ed the rival newspaper

scoot ['sküt] -vi, n

  1. to move swiftly
  2. to slide esp. while seated
    • scoot over and let me sit down

scoot·er ['skü-tər] -n

  1. a child's foot-operated vehicle consisting of a narrow footboard mounted between two wheels tandem with an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel
  2. motor scooter

scop ['shōp, 'skōp, 'skäp] -n

  1. an Old English bard or poet

scope ['skōp] -n

  1. intention, object
  2. space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought
  3. extent of treatment, activity, or influence
  4. : range of operation: as
  5. the range of a logical operator : a string in predicate calculus that is governed by a quantifier
  6. a grammatical constituent that determines the interpretation of a predicate or quantifier
  7. : any of various instruments for viewing: as
  8. microscope
  9. telescope
  10. a telescope mounted on a firearm for use as a sight
  11. horoscope
  12. to look at esp. for the purpose of evaluation often used with out
    • scoped her out from across the room -- Tim Allis

sco·pol·amine [skō-'pä-lə-,mēn, -mən] -n

  1. a poisonous alkaloid C 17H 21NO 4similar to atropine that is found in various solanaceous plants and is used for its anticholinergic effects (as preventing nausea in motion sickness and inducing mydriasis) called also hyoscine

scor·bu·tic [skȯr-'byü-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, producing, or affected with scurvy

scorch ['skȯrch] -vb, adv

  1. to burn a surface of so as to change its color and texture
  2. to dry or shrivel with or as if with intense heat : parch
  3. to afflict painfully with censure or sarcasm
  4. devastate
  5. to destroy (as property of possible use to an advancing enemy) before abandoning used in the phrase scorched earth
  6. to become scorched
  7. to travel at great and usu. excessive speed
  8. to cause intense heat or mental anguish
    • scorch ing sun
    • scorch ing fury
  9. a result of scorching
  10. a browning of plant tissues usu. from disease or heat
  11. cut, slash

scorched -adj

  1. parched or discolored by scorching

scorchedearth ['skȯrcht-'ərth] -adj

  1. relating to or being a military policy involving deliberate and usu. widespread destruction of property and resources (as housing and factories) so that an invading enemy cannot use them
  2. directed toward victory or supremacy at all costs : ruthless
    • scorchedearth rhetoric

scorch·er ['skȯr-chər] -n

  1. one that scorches
  2. a very hot day

score ['skȯr] -n

  1. twenty
  2. a group of 20 things often used in combination with a cardinal number
    • four score
  3. an indefinitely large number
  4. a line (as a scratch or incision) made with or as if with a sharp instrument
  5. a mark used as a starting point or goal
  6. a mark used for keeping account
  7. an account or reckoning orig. kept by making marks on a tally
  8. amount due : indebtedness
  9. grudge
    • a score to settle
  10. reason, ground
    • was accepted on the score of high academic achievement
  11. subject, topic
    • has nothing to say on that score
  12. the copy of a musical composition in written or printed notation
  13. a musical composition
  14. the music for a movie or theatrical production
  15. a complete description of a dance composition in choreographic notation
  16. a number that expresses accomplishment (as in a game or test) or excellence (as in quality) either absolutely in points gained or by comparison to a standard
  17. an act (as a goal, run, or touchdown) in any of various games or contests that gains points
  18. success in obtaining something (as money or drugs) esp. through illegal or irregular means
  19. the stark inescapable facts of a situation
    • knows the score
  20. to keep a record or account of by or as if by notches on a tally : record
  21. to enter in a record
  22. to mark with significant lines or notches (as in keeping account)
  23. to mark with lines, grooves, scratches, or notches
  24. berate, scold
  25. denounce
  26. to make (a score) in a game or contest
    • scored a touchdown
    • scored three points
  27. to enable (a base runner) to make a score
  28. to have as a value in a game or contest : count
    • a touchdown score s six points
  29. achieve, attain
    • scored a dazzling success
  30. acquire
    • help a traveler score local drugs -- Poitor Koper
  31. win
    • scored free tickets over the radio
  32. to determine the merit of : grade
  33. to write or arrange (music) for a specific performance medium
  34. to make an orchestration of
  35. to compose a score for (a movie)
  36. to keep score in a game or contest
  37. to make a score in a game or contest
  38. to gain or have the advantage
  39. : to be successful: as
  40. to succeed in having sexual intercourse
  41. to manage to obtain illicit drugs
  42. rate

score·board ['skȯr-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a large board for displaying the score of a game or match

score·card [-,kärd] -n

  1. a card for recording the score of a game
  2. a report or indication of the status, condition, or success of something or someone

score·keep·er [-,kē-pər] -n

  1. one that keeps score
  2. an official who records the score during a game or contest

score·less [-ləs] -adj

  1. having no score

sco·ria ['skȯr-ē-ə] -n, adj

  1. the refuse from melting of metals or reduction of ores : slag
  2. rough vesicular cindery lava

scorn ['skȯrn] -n

  1. open dislike and disrespect or derision often mixed with indignation
  2. an expression of contempt or derision
  3. an object of extreme disdain, contempt, or derision : something contemptible
  4. to treat with scorn : reject or dismiss as contemptible or unworthy
    • scorn ed local traditions
    • scorn ed to reply to the charge
  5. to show disdain or derision : scoff

scorn·ful ['skȯrn-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of scorn : contemptuous

scor·pae·nid [skȯr-'pē-nəd] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Scorpaenidae) of marine bony fishes possessing usu. venomous spines on the fins that includes the scorpion fishes, lionfishes, and rockfishes

Scor·pio ['skȯr-pē-,ō] -n

  1. scorpius
  2. the eighth sign of the zodiac in astrology
  3. one born under this sign

scor·pi·on ['skȯr-pē-ən] -n

  1. any of an order (Scorpionida) of nocturnal arachnids that have an elongated body and a narrow segmented tail bearing a venomous stinger at the tip
  2. scorpio
  3. a scourge prob. studded with metal
  4. something that incites to action like the sting of an insect
    • the scorpion s of absolute necessity -- Arnold Bennett

scorpion fish -n

  1. any of various scorpaenid fishes (esp. genus Scorpaena)

scorpion fly -n

  1. any of a family (Panorpidae) of insects that have cylindrical bodies, a long beak with biting mouthparts, and the male genitalia enlarged into a swollen bulb
  2. an insect of the order (Mecoptera) that includes this family

Scor·pi·us ['skȯr-pē-əs] -n

  1. a southern zodiacal constellation partly in the Milky Way and between Libra and Sagittarius

scot ['skät] -n

  1. money assessed or paid

Scot ['skät] -n

  1. a member of a Celtic people of northern Ireland settling in Scotland about a.d.500
  2. a native or inhabitant of Scotland
  3. a person of Scottish descent

scot and lot -n

  1. a parish assessment formerly laid on subjects in Great Britain according to their ability to pay
  2. obligations of all kinds taken as a whole

scotch ['skäch] -vt

  1. cut, gash, score
  2. wound
    • we have scotch ed the snake, not killed it -- Shak.
  3. to put an end to
    • scotch ed rumors of a military takeover
  4. a superficial cut : score
  5. a chock to prevent rolling or slipping
  6. to block with a chock
  7. hinder, thwart

Scotch ['skäch] -adj

  1. scottish
  2. inclined to frugality
  3. scots
  4. the people of Scotland
  5. whiskey distilled in Scotland esp. from malted barley called also Scotch whisky
  6. used for adhesive tape

Scotch bonnet -n

  1. a small roundish very hot chili pepper esp. of the Caribbean that is usu. red or yellow when mature

Scotch broom -n

  1. a deciduous broom ( Cytisus scoparius) of western Europe that is widely cultivated for its bright yellow or partly red flowers and that has become naturalized in No. America

Scotch broth -n

  1. a soup made from beef or mutton and vegetables and thickened with barley

Scotch egg -n

  1. a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, covered with bread crumbs, and fried

ScotchIrish -adj

  1. of, relating to, or descended from Scottish settlers in northern Ireland

Scotch·man ['skäch-mən] -n

  1. scotsman

Scotch pine -n

  1. a pine ( Pinus sylvestris) of northern Europe and Asia with spreading or pendulous branches, short rigid twisted needles, and hard yellow wood that provides valuable timber

Scotch terrier -n

  1. scottish terrier

Scotch verdict -n

  1. a verdict of not proven that is allowed by Scottish criminal law in some cases instead of a verdict of not guilty
  2. an inconclusive decision or pronouncement

Scotch·wom·an ['skäch-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. scotswoman

Scotch woodcock -n

  1. buttered toast spread with anchovy paste and scrambled egg

sco·ter ['skō-tər] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Melanitta) of sea ducks of chiefly coastal Eurasia, Canada, and the U.S. that have males with chiefly black plumage

scotfree ['skät-'frē] -adj

  1. completely free from obligation, harm, or penalty

sco·tia ['skō-sh(ē-)ə, -tē-ə] -n

  1. a concave molding used esp. in classical architecture in the bases of columns

Scot·ic ['skä-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the ancient Scots

Sco·tism ['skō-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. the doctrines of Duns Scotus

Scot·land Yard [,skät-lən(d)-'yärd] -n

  1. the detective department of the London metropolitan police

sco·to·ma [skə-'tō-mə] -n

  1. a spot in the visual field in which vision is absent or deficient

sco·to·pic [skə-'tō-pik, -'tä-] -adj

  1. relating to or being vision in dim light with dark-adapted eyes which involves only the retinal rods as light receptors

Scots ['skäts] -adj

  1. scottish used esp. of the people and language and in legal context
  2. the English language of Scotland

ScotsIrish -adj

  1. scotch-irish

Scots·man ['skäts-mən] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Scotland

Scots pine -n

  1. scotch pine

Scots·wom·an ['skäts-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who is a native or inhabitant of Scotland

Scot·ti·cism ['skä-tə-,si-zəm] -n

  1. a word, phrase, or expression characteristic of Scottish English

Scot·tie ['skä-tē] -n

  1. scotsman
  2. scottish terrier

Scot·tish ['skä-tish] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Scotland, Scots, or the Scots

Scottish -n

  1. scots

Scottish deerhound -n

  1. any of an old breed of dogs of Scottish origin that have the general form of a greyhound but are larger and taller with a shaggy harsh coat

Scottish Gaelic -n

  1. the Gaelic language of Scotland

Scottish rite -n

  1. a ceremonial observed by one of the Masonic systems
  2. a system or organization that observes the Scottish rite and confers the 4th through the 33d degrees

Scottish terrier -n

  1. any of an old Scottish breed of terrier that has short legs, a long head with small erect ears and a powerful muzzle, a broad deep chest, and a very hard coat of wiry hair

scoun·drel ['skau̇n-drəl] -n, adj

  1. a disreputable person : rascal

scour ['skau̇(-ə)r] -vb, n

  1. to rub hard esp. with a rough material for cleansing
  2. to remove by rubbing hard and washing
  3. to clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws
  4. to clean by purging : purge
  5. to remove dirt and debris from (as a pipe or ditch)
  6. to free from foreign matter or impurities by or as if by washing
    • scour wool
  7. to clear, dig, or remove by or as if by a powerful current of water
  8. to perform a process of scouring
  9. to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery
  10. to become clean and bright by rubbing
  11. a place scoured by running water
  12. scouring action (as of a glacier)
  13. diarrhea, dysentery usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.
  14. scouring
  15. damage done by scouring action
  16. to move about quickly esp. in search
  17. to go through or range over in or as if in a search

scourge ['skərj also 'skōrj, 'skȯrj, 'sku̇rj] -n

  1. whip
  2. one used to inflict pain or punishment
  3. an instrument of punishment or criticism
  4. a cause of wide or great affliction
  5. flog, whip
  6. to punish severely
  7. afflict
  8. to drive as if by blows of a whip
  9. chastise

scour·ing ['skau̇(-ə)r-iŋ] -n

  1. material removed by scouring or cleaning
  2. the lowest rank of society usu. used in pl.

scouring rush -n

  1. horsetail
  2. one ( Equisetum hyemale) with strongly siliceous stems formerly used for scouring

scouse ['skau̇s] -n

  1. lobscouse
  2. scouser
  3. a dialect of English spoken in Liverpool

Scous·er ['skau̇-sər] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Liverpool, England

scout ['skau̇t] -vb

  1. to explore an area to obtain information (as about an enemy)
  2. to make a search
  3. to work as a talent scout
  4. to observe in order to obtain information or evaluate
  5. to explore in order to obtain information
  6. to find by making a search
  7. one sent to obtain information
  8. a soldier, ship, or plane sent out in war to reconnoiter
  9. watchman, lookout
  10. talent scout
  11. the act of scouting
  12. a scouting expedition : reconnaissance
  13. : a member of any of various scouting movements: as
  14. boy scout
  15. girl scout
  16. individual, person used chiefly in the phrase good scout
  17. mock
  18. to reject scornfully
    • scout ed his explanation as a shabby falsehood -- Mark Twain
  19. scoff

scout car -n

  1. a military reconnaissance vehicle
  2. squad car

scout·craft ['skau̇t-,kraft] -n

  1. the craft, skill, or practice of a scout

scout·er ['skau̇-tər] -n

  1. one that scouts
  2. an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America

scouth ['sküth, 'skau̇th] -n

  1. plenty

scout·ing ['skau̇-tiŋ] -n

  1. the action of one that scouts
  2. the activities of various national and worldwide organizations for youth directed to developing character, citizenship, and individual skills

scout·mas·ter ['skau̇t-,mas-tər] -n

  1. the leader of a band of scouts
  2. the adult leader of a troop of Boy Scouts

scow ['skau̇] -n

  1. a large flat-bottomed boat with broad square ends used chiefly for transporting bulk material (as ore, sand, or refuse)

scowl ['skau̇(-ə)l] -vb, n, adv

  1. to contract the brow in an expression of displeasure
  2. to exhibit a threatening aspect
  3. to express with a scowl
  4. a facial expression of displeasure : frown

SCPO -abbr

  1. senior chief petty officer

scrab·ble ['skra-bəl] -vb, n

  1. scrawl, scribble
  2. to scratch, claw, or grope about clumsily or frantically
  3. scramble, clamber
  4. to struggle by or as if by scraping or scratching
    • scrabble for survival
  5. scramble
  6. scribble

scrabble -n

  1. scramble
  2. scribble
  3. a repeated scratching or clawing

scrab·bly ['skra-b(ə-)lē] -adj

  1. scratchy, raspy
  2. sparse, scrubby

scrag ['skrag] -n

  1. a rawboned or scrawny person or animal
  2. the lean end of a neck of mutton or veal called also scrag end
  3. neck
  4. to execute by hanging or garroting
  5. to wring the neck of
  6. choke
  7. manhandle
  8. kill, murder

scrag·gly ['skra-g(ə-)lē] -adj

  1. irregular in form or growth
    • scraggly hills
    • a scraggly beard
  2. unkempt

scrag·gy ['skra-gē] -adj

  1. rough, jagged
  2. scraggly

scraggy -adj

  1. being lean and long : scrawny

scram ['skram] -vi

  1. to go away at once
    • scram, you're not wanted
  2. a rapid emergency shutdown of a nuclear reactor

scram·ble ['skram-bəl] -vb, n

  1. to move with urgency or panic
  2. to move or climb hastily on all fours
  3. to struggle eagerly or unceremoniously for possession of something
    • scramble for front seats
  4. to get or gather something with difficulty or in irregular ways
    • scramble for a living
  5. to spread or grow irregularly : sprawl, straggle
  6. to take off quickly in response to an alert
  7. to run with the ball after the pass protection breaks down
  8. to collect by scrambling
  9. to toss or mix together : jumble
  10. to prepare (eggs) by stirring during frying
  11. to cause or order (a fighter-interceptor group) to scramble
  12. to disarrange the elements of a transmission (as a telephone or television signal) in order to make unintelligible to interception

scramble -n

  1. the act or an instance of scrambling
  2. a disordered mass : jumble
    • a...scramble of patterns and textures -- Vogue
  3. a rapid emergency takeoff of fighter-interceptor planes

scran·nel ['skra-nᵊl] -adj

  1. harsh, unmelodious

scrap ['skrap] -n

  1. fragments of discarded or leftover food
  2. a small detached piece
    • a scrap of paper
  3. a fragment of something written, printed, or spoken
    • scrap s of conversation
  4. the least bit
    • not a scrap of evidence
  5. cracklings
  6. fragments of stock removed in manufacturing
  7. manufactured articles or parts rejected or discarded and useful only as material for reprocessing
  8. waste and discarded metal
  9. to convert into scrap
  10. to abandon or get rid of as no longer of enough worth or effectiveness to retain
    • scrap outworn methods
  11. fight
  12. quarrel, fight

scrap·book ['skrap-,bu̇k] -n

  1. a blank book in which various items (as newspaper clippings or pictures) are collected and preserved

scrape ['skrāp] -vb, n

  1. to remove from a surface by usu. repeated strokes of an edged instrument
  2. to make (a surface) smooth or clean with strokes of an edged instrument or an abrasive
  3. to grate harshly over or against
  4. to damage or injure the surface of by contact with a rough surface
  5. to draw roughly or noisily over a surface
  6. to collect by or as if by scraping often used with up or together
    • scrape up the price of a ticket
  7. to move in sliding contact with a rough surface
  8. to accumulate money by small economies
  9. to draw back the foot along the ground in making a bow
  10. to make one's way with difficulty : barely manage or succeed
    • just scraped through at school
    • working two jobs and barely scraping by
  11. the act or process of scraping
  12. a sound made by scraping
  13. a mark or injury caused by scraping : abrasion
    • bumps and scrape s
  14. the nest of a bird consisting of a usu. shallow depression in the ground
  15. a cleared area on the forest floor made by a male deer during breeding season to attract a doe
  16. a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground
  17. a distressing encounter
    • a scrape with death
  18. altercation, fight

scrap heap -n

  1. a pile of discarded metal
  2. the place where useless things are discarded

scra·pie ['skrā-pē] -n

  1. a usu. fatal prion disease of sheep and goats characterized by twitching, excitability, intense itching, excessive thirst, emaciation, weakness, and finally paralysis

scrap·page ['skra-pij] -n

  1. the scrapping of discarded objects (as automobiles)
  2. the rate at which objects are scrapped

scrap·per ['skra-pər] -n

  1. fighter, quarreler
  2. a fierce competitor

scrap·pi·ly ['skra-pə-lē] -adv

  1. in a scrappy manner

scrap·pi·ness ['skra-pē-nəs] -n

  1. the quality or state of being scrappy

scrap·ple ['skra-pəl] -n

  1. a seasoned mixture of ground meat (as pork) and cornmeal set in a mold and served sliced and fried

scrap·py ['skra-pē] -adj

  1. consisting of scraps
    • scrappy meals

scrappy -adj

  1. quarrelsome
  2. having an aggressive and determined spirit : feisty

scratch ['skrach] -vb, n

  1. to scrape or dig with the claws or nails
  2. to rub and tear or mark the surface of with something sharp or jagged
  3. to scrape or rub lightly (as to relieve itching)
  4. to act on (a desire) used with itch
    • scratch the itch to travel
  5. to scrape together : collect with difficulty or by effort
    • scratch out a living
  6. to write or draw on a surface
  7. to cancel or erase by or as if by drawing a line through
  8. to withdraw (an entry) from competition
  9. scribble, scrawl
  10. to scrape along a rough surface
    • scratch a match
  11. to use the claws or nails in digging, tearing, or wounding
  12. to scrape or rub oneself lightly (as to relieve itching)
  13. to gather money or make a living by hard work and esp. through irregular means and sacrifice
    • had to scratch and save for college
  14. to make a thin grating sound
  15. to produce a rhythmic scratching sound by moving a phonograph record back and forth under a phonograph needle
  16. to withdraw from a contest or engagement
  17. to make a scratch in billiards or pool
  18. a mark or injury produced by scratching
  19. a slight wound
  20. scrawl, scribble
  21. the sound made by scratching
  22. the starting line in a race
  23. a test of courage
  24. satisfactory condition, level, or performance
    • not up to scratch
  25. a contestant whose name is withdrawn
  26. poultry feed (as mixed grains) scattered on the litter or ground esp. to induce birds to exercise called also scratch feed
  27. a shot in billiards or pool that ends a player's turn
  28. a shot in pool in which the cue ball falls into the pocket
  29. a shot that scores by chance : fluke
  30. money, funds
  31. arranged or put together with little selection : haphazard
    • a scratch team
  32. made as or used for a tentative effort
  33. made or done by chance and not as intended
    • a scratch shot
  34. having no handicap or allowance
    • a scratch golfer
  35. made from scratch : made with basic ingredients
    • a scratch cake

scratch·board ['skrach-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a black-surfaced cardboard having an undercoat of white clay on which an effect resembling engraving is achieved by scratching away portions of the surface to produce white lines

scratch hit -n

  1. a batted ball not solidly hit yet credited to the batter as a base hit

scratch pad -n

  1. a pad of scratch paper

scratch paper -n

  1. paper that may be used for casual writing

scratch sheet -n

  1. a racing publication listing competitors scratched from races and giving odds

scratch test -n

  1. a test for allergic susceptibility made by rubbing an extract of an allergen into small breaks or scratches in the skin

scratchy ['skra-chē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked or made with scratches
    • scratchy drawing
    • scratchy handwriting
  2. likely to scratch : prickly
    • scratchy undergrowth
  3. making a scratching noise
  4. uneven in quality : ragged
  5. causing tingling or itching : irritating
    • scratchy wool
  6. somewhat inflamed and sore
    • a scratchy throat

scrawl ['skrȯl] -vb, n, adj

  1. to write or draw awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly
    • scrawl ed his name
  2. to write awkwardly or carelessly

scraw·ny ['skrȯ-nē] -adj, n

  1. exceptionally thin and slight or meager in body or size
    • scrawny scrub cattle

screak ['skrēk] -vi, n, adj

  1. to make a harsh shrill noise : screech

scream ['skrēm] -vb

  1. to voice a sudden sharp loud cry
  2. to produce harsh high tones
  3. to make a noise resembling a scream
    • the siren scream ed
  4. to move with great rapidity
  5. to speak or write with intense or hysterical emotion
  6. to protest, demand, or complain vehemently
  7. to laugh hysterically
  8. to produce a vivid startling effect
  9. to utter with or as if with a scream
  10. a loud sharp penetrating cry or noise
  11. a very funny person or thing

scream·er ['skrē-mər] -n

  1. one that screams
  2. any of a small family (Anhimidae) of So. American wetland birds having a large body, long legs, and spurred wings
  3. a sensationally startling headline

scream·ing ['skrē-miŋ] -adj, adv

  1. so striking or conspicuous as to attract notice as if by screaming
    • screaming headlines
    • a screaming need for reform
    • dressed in screaming red
  2. so funny as to provoke screams of laughter
    • a screaming farce
  3. extremely fast or powerful
    • a screaming line drive

screaming mee·mies [-'mē-mēz] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. nervous hysteria : jitters

scree ['skrē] -n

  1. an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff : talus

screech ['skrēch] -n

  1. a high shrill piercing cry usu. expressing pain or terror
  2. a sound resembling a screech
  3. to utter a high shrill piercing cry : make an outcry usu. in terror or pain
  4. to make a shrill high-pitched sound resembling a screech
  5. to move with such a sound
    • the car screech ed to a stop
  6. to utter with or as if with a screech

screech·ing ['skrē-chiŋ] -adj

  1. abrupt, sudden
    • her career came to a screeching halt

screech owl -n

  1. barn owl
  2. any of various New World owls (genus Otus)
  3. either of two small owls ( O. asioof eastern No. America and O. kennicottiiof western No. America) with a pair of tufts of lengthened feathers on the head resembling ears

screechy ['skrē-chē] -adj

  1. producing a screech

screed ['skrēd] -n

  1. a lengthy discourse
  2. an informal piece of writing (as a personal letter)
  3. a ranting piece of writing
  4. a strip (as of a plaster of the thickness planned for the coat) laid on as a guide
  5. a leveling device drawn over freshly poured concrete

screen ['skrēn] -n

  1. a protective or ornamental device (as a movable partition) shielding an area from heat or drafts or from view
  2. : something that shelters, protects, or hides: as
  3. a growth or stand of trees, shrubs, or plants
  4. a protective formation of troops, ships, or planes
  5. something that covers or disguises the true nature (as of an activity or feeling)
    • his geniality is just a screen
  6. a maneuver in various sports (as basketball or ice hockey) whereby an opponent is legally impeded or the opponent's view of the play is momentarily blocked
  7. screen pass
  8. a perforated plate or cylinder or a meshed wire or cloth fabric usu. mounted and used to separate coarser from finer parts
  9. a system for examining and separating into different groups
  10. a piece of apparatus designed to prevent agencies in one part from affecting other parts
    • an optical screen
  11. a frame holding a usu. metallic netting used esp. in a window or door to exclude pests (as insects)
  12. a flat surface on which a picture or series of pictures is projected or reflected
  13. the surface on which the image appears in an electronic display (as in a television set, radar receiver, or computer terminal)
  14. the information displayed on a computer screen at one time
  15. a glass plate ruled with crossing opaque lines through which an image is photographed in making a halftone
  16. the motion-picture medium or industry
  17. to guard from injury or danger
  18. to give shelter or protection to with or as if with a screen
  19. to separate with or as if with a screen
  20. to shield (an opponent) from a play or from view of a play
  21. to pass (as coal, gravel, or ashes) through a screen to separate the fine part from the coarse
  22. to remove by a screen
  23. to examine usu. methodically in order to make a separation into different groups
  24. to select or eliminate by a screening process
  25. to test or examine for the presence of something (as a disease)
    • patients were screen ed for hepatitis
  26. to provide with a screen to keep out pests (as insects)
  27. to present (as a motion picture) for viewing on a screen
  28. to view the presentation of (as a motion picture)
  29. to present in a motion picture
  30. to appear on a motion-picture screen
  31. to provide a screen in a game or sport

screen·ful ['skrēn-,fu̇l] -n

  1. the amount of information visible at one time on a display screen

screen·ing ['skrē-niŋ] -n

  1. the act or process of one that screens
  2. material (as waste or fine coal) separated out by means of a screen
  3. metal or plastic mesh (as for window screens)
  4. a showing of a motion picture

screen·land ['skrēn-,land] -n

  1. filmdom

screen memory -n

  1. a recollection of early childhood that may be falsely recalled or magnified in importance and that masks another memory of deep emotional significance

screen pass -n

  1. a forward pass in football to a receiver at or behind the line of scrimmage who is protected by a screen of blockers

screen·play ['skrēn-,plā] -n

  1. the script and often shooting directions of a story prepared for motion-picture production

screen saver -n

  1. a computer program that usu. displays various images on the screen of a computer that is on but not in use

screen·shot ['skrēn-,shät] -n

  1. an image that shows the contents of a computer display

screen test -n, vt

  1. a short film sequence for assessing the ability or suitability of a person for a motion-picture role

screen·writ·er ['skrēn-,rī-tər] -n

  1. a writer of screenplays

screw ['skrü] -n, adj

  1. a simple machine of the inclined plane type consisting of a spirally grooved solid cylinder and a correspondingly grooved hollow cylinder into which it fits
  2. a nail-shaped or rod-shaped piece with a spiral groove and a slotted or recessed head designed to be inserted into material by rotating (as with a screwdriver) and used for fastening pieces of solid material together
  3. a screwlike form : spiral
  4. a turn of a screw
  5. a twist like the turn of a screw
  6. a screwlike device (as a corkscrew)
  7. a worn-out horse
  8. a small packet (as of tobacco)
  9. a prison guard
  10. a person who bargains shrewdly
  11. skinflint
  12. a propeller esp. of a ship
  13. thumbscrew
  14. pressure or punitive measures intended to coerce used chiefly in the phrase put the screws on or put the screws to
  15. an act of sexual intercourse
  16. a partner in sexual intercourse
  17. to attach, fasten, or close by means of a screw
  18. to unite or separate by means of a screw or a twisting motion
  19. to press tightly in a device (as a vise) operated by a screw
  20. to operate, tighten, or adjust by means of a screw
  21. to torture by means of a thumbscrew
  22. to cause to rotate spirally about an axis
  23. to twist into strained configurations : contort
    • screw ed up his face
  24. squint
  25. crumple
  26. to furnish with a spiral groove or ridge : thread
  27. to increase the intensity, quantity, or capability of
    • trying to screw up courage to confess -- Will Scott
  28. to mistreat or exploit through extortion, trickery, or unfair actions
  29. to deprive of or cheat out of something due or expected
  30. to treat so as to bring about injury or loss (as to a person's reputation)
    • use the available Federal machinery to screw our political enemies -- J. W. Dean III
    often used as a generalized curse
    • screw you
  31. to extract by pressure or threat
  32. to copulate with
  33. to rotate like or as a screw
  34. to turn or move with a twisting or writhing motion
  35. copulate

screw around -vi

  1. to waste time with unproductive activity : dally
  2. to have sexual relations with someone outside of a marriage or steady relationship : be sexually promiscuous

screw·ball ['skrü-,bȯl] -n

  1. a baseball pitch that spins and breaks in the opposite direction to a curve
  2. a whimsical, eccentric, or crazy person : zany

screwball -adj

  1. crazily eccentric or whimsical : zany

screw·bean ['skrü-,bēn] -n

  1. a leguminous shrub or small tree ( Prosopis pubescens) of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico having spirally twisted pods with sweet pulp called also screwbean mesquite
  2. the pod of the screwbean

screw·driv·er ['skrü-,drī-vər] -n

  1. a tool for turning screws
  2. vodka and orange juice served with ice

screw eye -n

  1. a wood screw with a head in the form of a loop

screw jack -n

  1. a screw-operated jack for lifting, exerting pressure, or adjusting position (as of a machine part)

screw pine -n

  1. any of a genus ( Pandanusof the family Pandanaceae, the screw-pine family) of tropical monocotyledonous Old World trees or shrubs with slender palmlike stems, often huge prop roots, and terminal crowns of swordlike leaves

screw propeller -n

  1. propeller

screw thread -n

  1. the projecting helical rib of a screw
  2. one complete turn of a screw thread

screw·up ['skrü-,əp] -n

  1. one who screws up
  2. botch, blunder

screw up -vt

  1. to tighten, fasten, or lock by or as if by a screw
  2. bungle, botch
  3. to cause to act or function in a crazy or confused way : confound, disturb
  4. to botch an activity or undertaking

screw·worm ['skrü-,wərm] -n

  1. a blowfly ( Cochliomyia hominivorax) of the warmer parts of America whose larva develops in sores or wounds or in the nostrils of mammals including humans with serious or sometimes fatal results
  2. its larva
  3. any of several flies other than the screwworm and esp. their larvae which parasitize the flesh of mammals

screwy ['skrü-ē] -adj, n

  1. crazily absurd, eccentric, or unusual
  2. crazy, insane

scrib·al ['skrī-bəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or due to a scribe

scrib·ble ['skri-bəl] -vb, n

  1. to write hastily or carelessly without regard to legibility or form
  2. to cover with careless or worthless writings or drawings
  3. to write or draw hastily and carelessly

scrib·bler ['skri-b(ə-)lər] -n

  1. one that scribbles
  2. a minor or insignificant author

scribe ['skrīb] -n

  1. a member of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists
  2. an official or public secretary or clerk
  3. a copier of manuscripts
  4. writer
  5. journalist
  6. to work as a scribe : write
  7. to mark a line on by cutting or scratching with a pointed instrument
  8. to make by cutting or scratching
  9. scriber

scrib·er ['skrī-bər] -n

  1. a sharp-pointed tool for making marks and esp. for marking off material (as wood or metal) to be cut

scrieve ['skrēv] -vi

  1. to move along swiftly and smoothly

scrim ['skrim] -n

  1. a durable plain-woven usu. cotton fabric for use in clothing, curtains, building, and industry
  2. a theater drop that appears opaque when a scene in front is lighted and transparent or translucent when a scene in back is lighted
  3. something likened to a theater scrim

scrim·mage ['skri-mij] -n

  1. a minor battle : skirmish
  2. a confused fight : scuffle
  3. the interplay between two football teams that begins with the snap of the ball and continues until the ball is dead
  4. practice play (as in football or basketball) between two squads

scrimmage -vb, n

  1. to take part in a scrimmage
  2. to play a scrimmage against

scrimmage line -n

  1. line of scrimmage

scrimp ['skrimp] -vb, adj

  1. to be stingy in providing for
  2. to make too small, short, or scanty
  3. to be frugal or stingy

scrim·shan·der ['skrim-,shan-dər] -n

  1. scrimshaw
  2. a person who creates scrimshaw

scrim·shaw ['skrim-,shȯ] -vb

  1. to carve or engrave into scrimshaw
  2. to produce scrimshaw

scrimshaw -n

  1. any of various carved or engraved articles made orig. by American whalers usu. from baleen or whale ivory
  2. scrimshawed work
  3. the art, practice, or technique of producing scrimshaw

scrip ['skrip] -n

  1. a small bag or wallet
  2. a short writing (as a certificate, schedule, or list)
  3. a small piece
  4. any of various documents used as evidence that the holder or bearer is entitled to receive something (as a fractional share of stock or an allotment of land)
  5. paper currency or a token issued for temporary use in an emergency
  6. prescription

script ['skript] -n

  1. something written : text
  2. an original or principal instrument or document
  3. manuscript
  4. the written text of a stage play, screenplay, or broadcast
  5. the one used in production or performance
  6. a style of printed letters that resembles handwriting
  7. written characters : handwriting
  8. alphabet
  9. a plan of action
  10. to prepare a script for or from
  11. to provide carefully considered details for (as a plan of action)
    • an event carefully script ed to attract attention
  12. prescription

script·er ['skrip-tər] -n

  1. scriptwriter

scrip·to·ri·um [skrip-'tȯr-ē-əm] -n

  1. a copying room for scribes esp. in a medieval monastery

scrip·tur·al ['skrip(t)-sh(ə-)rəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, contained in, or according to a sacred writing
  2. biblical

scrip·ture ['skrip(t)-shər] -n

  1. the books of the Bible often used in pl.
  2. a passage from the Bible
  3. a body of writings considered sacred or authoritative
  4. something written
    • the primitive man's awe for any scripture -- George Santayana

script·writ·er ['skrip(t)-,rī-tər] -n

  1. a person who writes scripts

scriv·en·er ['skriv-nər, 'skri-və-] -n

  1. a professional or public copyist or writer : scribe
  2. notary public

scrod ['skräd] -n

  1. a young fish (as a cod or haddock)
  2. one split and boned for cooking

scrof·u·la ['skrȯ-fyə-lə, 'skrä-] -n

  1. tuberculosis of lymph nodes esp. in the neck

scrof·u·lous [-ləs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or affected with scrofula
  2. having a diseased run-down appearance
  3. morally contaminated
    • scrofulous characters...so quick to smear -- John Garrity

scroll ['skrōl] -n, adj

  1. a roll (as of papyrus, leather, or parchment) for writing a document
  2. a written message
  3. roster, list
  4. a riband with rolled ends often inscribed with a motto
  5. something resembling a scroll in shape
  6. a spiral or convoluted form in ornamental design derived from the curves of a loosely or partly rolled parchment scroll
  7. the curved head of a bowed stringed musical instrument
  8. to move text or graphics up or down or across a display screen as if by unrolling a scroll
  9. to progress, move, or be revealed as if by the unrolling of a scroll
    • watch scenery scroll by large picture windows -- David Yeadon
  10. to cause (text or graphics on a display screen) to move in scrolling

scroll saw -n

  1. fretsaw
  2. a machine saw with a table for supporting the material and a narrow vertically reciprocating blade for cutting curved lines or ornamental openwork patterns

scroll·work ['skrōl-,wərk] -n

  1. ornamentation characterized by scrolls
  2. fancy designs in wood often made with a scroll saw

scrooge ['skrüj] -n

  1. a miserly person

scro·tum ['skrō-təm] -n, adj

  1. the external pouch that in most mammals contains the testes

scrouge ['skrau̇j, 'skrüj] -vb

  1. crowd, press

scrounge ['skrau̇nj] -vb, n

  1. steal, swipe
  2. to get as needed by or as if by foraging, scavenging, or borrowing
    • scrounging enough money for a bus ticket
  3. finagle, wheedle often used with up
  4. to search about and turn up something needed from whatever source is available
  5. to actively seek money, work, or sustenance from any available source

scroungy ['skrau̇n-jē] -adj

  1. being shabby, dirty, or unkempt

scrub ['skrəb] -n

  1. a stunted tree or shrub
  2. vegetation consisting chiefly of scrubs
  3. a tract covered with scrub
  4. a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usu. inferior conformation : mongrel
  5. a person of insignificant size or standing
  6. a player not belonging to the first string
  7. to clean with hard rubbing : scour
  8. to remove by scrubbing
  9. to subject to friction : rub
  10. wash
  11. cancel, eliminate
    • scrubbed the flight because of bad weather
  12. to use hard rubbing in cleaning
  13. to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself
  14. an act or instance of scrubbing
  15. cancellation
  16. one that scrubs
  17. a powerful and esp. cosmetic cleanser
  18. loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
    • surgical scrub s

scrubbed ['skrə-bəd] -adj

  1. scrubby
  2. giving the impression of being clean or wholesome as if from scrubbing
    • days when studios manufactured scrubbed public images for their stars -- Sally Helgesen

scrub·ber ['skrə-bər] -n

  1. one that scrubs
  2. an apparatus for removing impurities esp. from gases

scrub brush -n

  1. a brush with hard bristles for heavy cleaning called also scrubbing brush

scrub·by ['skrə-bē] -adj

  1. inferior in size or quality : stunted
    • scrubby cattle
  2. covered with or consisting of scrub
  3. shabby, paltry

scrub jay -n

  1. either of two crestless jays ( Aphelocoma californicaof the western U.S. and Mexico and A. coerulescensof Florida) typically of scrub or chaparral that have a blue head, tail, and wings and a brownish back

scrub·land ['skrəb-,land] -n

  1. land covered with scrub

scrub nurse -n

  1. a nurse who assists the surgeon in an operating room

scrub oak -n

  1. any of various chiefly American oaks (as Quercus ilicifoliaof the northeastern U.S.) of small size and usu. shrubby habit

scrub pine -n

  1. a pine of dwarf, straggly, or scrubby growth usu. by reason of environmental conditions
  2. a pine tree unsuitable for lumber by reason of inferior or defective growth

scrub typhus -n

  1. an acute febrile bacterial disease that is caused by a rickettsia ( Orientia tsutsugamushisyn. Rickettsia tsutsugamushi) transmitted by mite larvae, resembles typhus transmitted by lice, and is widespread in the western Pacific area called also tsutsugamushi disease

scrub·wom·an ['skrəb-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. charwoman

scruff ['skrəf] -n

  1. the back of the neck : nape

scruffy ['skrə-fē] -adj, adv, n

  1. unkempt, slovenly, shaggy
    • a scruffy neighborhood
    • a scruffy beard

scrum ['skrəm] -n, vi

  1. a rugby play in which the forwards of each side come together in a tight formation and struggle to gain possession of the ball using their feet when it is tossed in among them
  2. the arrangement of players in a scrum
  3. a usu. brief and disorderly struggle or fight : scrape, scuffle
  4. madhouse
  5. a usu. tightly packed or disorderly crowd : throng

scrump·tious ['skrəm(p)-shəs] -adj, adv

  1. delightful, excellent
  2. delicious

scrunch ['skrənch, 'skru̇nch] -vb

  1. crunch, crush
  2. to draw or squeeze together tightly
  3. crumple often used with up
  4. to cause (as one's features) to draw together usu. used with up
  5. to move with or make a crunching sound
  6. crouch, hunch
  7. squeeze
  8. a crunching sound

scrunch·ie ['skrən-chē, 'skru̇n-] -n

  1. a fabric-covered elastic used for holding back hair (as in a ponytail)

scru·ple ['skrü-pəl] -n

  1. a minute part or quantity : iota

scruple -n

  1. an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action
  2. the quality or state of being scrupulous
  3. mental reservation
  4. to have scruples
  5. to show reluctance on grounds of conscience : hesitate

scru·pu·los·i·ty [,skrü-pyə-'lä-sə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being scrupulous
  2. scruple

scru·pu·lous ['skrü-pyə-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. having moral integrity : acting in strict regard for what is considered right or proper
  2. punctiliously exact : painstaking
    • working with scrupulous care

scru·ta·ble ['skrü-tə-bəl] -adj

  1. capable of being deciphered : comprehensible

scru·ti·neer [,skrü-tə-'nir] -n

  1. one that examines
  2. one who takes or counts votes

scru·ti·nise ['skrü-tə-,nīz] -vb, n

(variant of scrutinize)

  1. to examine closely and minutely
  2. to make a scrutiny

scru·ti·nize ['skrü-tə-,nīz] -vb, n

  1. to examine closely and minutely
  2. to make a scrutiny

scru·ti·ny ['skrü-tə-nē, 'skrüt-nē] -n

  1. a searching study, inquiry, or inspection : examination
  2. a searching look
  3. close watch : surveillance

SCSI -abbr

  1. small computer system interface

scu·ba ['skü-bə] -n

  1. an apparatus utilizing a portable supply of compressed gas (as air) supplied at a regulated pressure and used for breathing while swimming underwater

scuba diver -n, vi

  1. one who swims underwater with the aid of scuba gear

scud ['skəd] -vi

  1. to move or run swiftly esp. as if driven forward
    • clouds scudding across the sky
  2. to run before a gale
  3. the action of scudding : rush
  4. loose vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind
  5. a slight sudden shower
  6. mist, rain, snow, or spray driven by the wind
  7. a gust of wind

scu·do ['skü-(,)dō] -n

  1. a gold or silver coin formerly used in Italy
  2. a unit of value equivalent to a scudo

scuff ['skəf] -vb

  1. to walk without lifting the feet : shuffle
  2. to poke or shuffle a foot in exploration or embarrassment
  3. to become scratched, chipped, or roughened by wear
    • a countertop that won't scuff
  4. cuff
  5. to scrape (the feet) along a surface while walking or back and forth while standing
  6. to poke at with the toe
  7. to scratch, gouge, or wear away the surface of
    • scuff ed my shoes
  8. a noise of or as if of scuffing
  9. the act or an instance of scuffing
  10. a mark or injury caused by scuffing
  11. a flat-soled slipper without quarter or heel strap

scuf·fle ['skə-fəl] -vi, n

  1. to struggle at close quarters with disorder and confusion
  2. to struggle (as by working odd jobs) to get by
  3. to move with a quick shuffling gait : scurry
  4. shuffle

scuffle hoe -n

  1. a garden hoe that has both edges sharpened and can be pushed forward or drawn back

scull ['skəl] -n

  1. an oar used at the stern of a boat to propel it forward with a thwartwise motion
  2. either of a pair of oars usu. less than 10 feet (3 meters) in length and operated by one person
  3. a racing shell propelled by one or two persons using sculls
  4. to propel (a boat) by sculls or by a large oar worked thwartwise
  5. to scull a boat

scul·lery ['skə-lə-rē, 'skəl-rē] -n

  1. a room for cleaning and storing dishes and cooking utensils and for doing messy kitchen work

scul·lion ['skəl-yən] -n

  1. a kitchen helper

scul·pin ['skəl-pən] -n

  1. any of a family (Cottidae) of spiny large-headed usu. bottom-dwelling often scaleless bony fishes with large fanlike pectoral fins
  2. a scorpion fish ( Scorpaena guttata) of the southern California coast caught for food and sport

sculpt ['skəlpt] -vb

  1. carve, sculpture

sculpt·ed ['skəlp-təd] -adj

  1. buff
    • a sculpted physique

sculp·tor ['skəlp-tər] -n

  1. an artist who makes sculptures

sculp·tress [-trəs] -n

  1. a woman who is a sculptor

sculp·tur·al ['skəlp-chə-rəl, 'skəlp-shrəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to sculpture
  2. resembling sculpture : sculpturesque

sculp·ture ['skəlp-chər] -n

  1. the action or art of processing (as by carving, modeling, or welding) plastic or hard materials into works of art
  2. work produced by sculpture
  3. a three-dimensional work of art (as a statue)
  4. impressed or raised markings or a pattern of such esp. on a plant or animal part

sculpture ['skəlp-chə-riŋ, 'skəlp-shriŋ] -vb

  1. to form an image or representation of from solid material (as wood or stone)
  2. to form into a three-dimensional work of art
  3. to change (the form of the earth's surface) by natural processes (as erosion and deposition)
  4. to shape by or as if by carving or molding
  5. to work as a sculptor

sculp·tur·esque [,skəlp-chə-'resk] -adj, adv

  1. done in the manner of or resembling sculpture

scum ['skəm] -n, adj

  1. extraneous matter or impurities risen to or formed on the surface of a liquid often as a foul filmy covering
  2. the scoria of metals in a molten state : dross
  3. a slimy film on a solid or gelatinous object
  4. refuse
  5. a low, vile, or worthless person or group of people
  6. to become covered with or as if with scum

scum·bag ['skəm-,bag also -,bāg] -n

  1. a dirty or despicable person

scum·ble ['skəm-bəl] -vt

  1. to make (as color or a painting) less brilliant by covering with a thin coat of opaque or semiopaque color applied with a nearly dry brush
  2. to apply (a color) in this manner
  3. to soften the lines or colors of (a drawing) by rubbing lightly

scumble -n

  1. the act or effect of scumbling
  2. a material used for scumbling

scun·gil·li [skün-'jē-lē, -'gē-, -'ji-] -n

  1. conch used as food

scun·ner ['skə-nər] -vi

  1. to be in a state of disgusted irritation

scunner -n

  1. an unreasonable or extreme dislike or prejudice

scup ['skəp] -n

  1. a porgy ( Stenotomus chrysops) occurring along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. chiefly from No. Carolina to Maine and used as a panfish

scup·per ['skə-pər] -n

  1. an opening cut through the bulwarks of a ship so that water falling on deck may flow overboard
  2. an opening in the wall of a building through which water can drain from a floor or flat roof

scupper -vt

  1. to defeat or put an end to : do in

scup·per·nong [-,nȯŋ, -,näŋ] -n

  1. muscadine
  2. a cultivated muscadine with yellowish-green plum-flavored fruits
  3. a sweet aromatic amber-colored wine made from scuppernongs

scurf ['skərf] -n, adj

  1. thin dry scales detached from the epidermis esp. in an abnormal skin condition
  2. dandruff
  3. something like flakes or scales adhering to a surface
  4. the foul remains of something adherent
  5. a scaly deposit or covering on some plant parts
  6. a localized or general darkening and roughening of a plant surface usu. more pronounced than russeting
  7. a plant disease characterized by scurf

scur·rile ['skər-əl, 'skə-rəl] -adj

  1. scurrilous

scur·ril·i·ty [skə-'ri-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being scurrilous
  2. scurrilous or abusive language
  3. an offensively rude or abusive remark

scur·ri·lous ['skər-ə-ləs, 'skə-rə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. using or given to coarse language
  2. vulgar and evil
    • scurrilous imposters who used a religious exterior to rob poor people -- Edwin Benson
  3. containing obscenities, abuse, or slander
    • scurrilous accusations

scur·ry ['skər-ē, 'skə-rē] -vi, n

  1. to move in or as if in a brisk pace : scamper
  2. to move around in an agitated, confused, or fluttering manner

scur·vy ['skər-vē] -n

  1. a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes

scurvy [-və-lē] -adj, adv, n

  1. arousing disgust or scorn : contemptible, despicable
    • a scurvy trick

scurvy grass -n

  1. a cruciferous herb (as Cochlearia officinalis) formerly used in preventing or treating scurvy

scut ['skət] -n

  1. a short erect tail (as of a hare)

scu·tage ['skü-tij, 'skyü-] -n

  1. a tax levied on a vassal or a knight in lieu of military service

scutch ['skəch] -vt

  1. to separate the woody fiber from (flax or hemp) by beating
  2. scutcher
  3. a bricklayer's hammer for cutting, trimming, and dressing bricks

scutch·eon ['skə-chən] -n

  1. escutcheon

scutch·er ['skə-chər] -n

  1. an implement or machine for scutching flax or cotton

scute ['sküt, 'skyüt] -n

  1. an external bony or horny plate or large scale

scu·tel·late [skü-'te-lət, skyü-; 'sk(y)ü-tə-,lāt] -adj

  1. having or covered with scutella

scu·tel·lum [skü-'te-ləm, skyü-] -n, adj

  1. a hard plate or scale (as on the thorax of an insect or the tarsus of a bird)
  2. the shield-shaped cotyledon of a monocotyledon (as a grass)

scut·ter ['skə-tər] -vi

  1. scurry, scamper

scut·tle ['skə-tᵊl] -n

  1. a shallow open basket for carrying something (as grain or garden produce)
  2. a metal pail that usu. has a bail and a sloped lip and is used esp. for carrying coal

scuttle -n

  1. : a small opening in a wall or roof furnished with a lid: as
  2. a small opening or hatchway in the deck of a ship large enough to admit a person and with a lid for covering it
  3. a small hole in the side or bottom of a ship fitted with a covering or glazed
  4. a covering that closes a scuttle
  5. to cut a hole through the bottom, deck, or side of (a ship)
  6. to sink or attempt to sink by making holes through the bottom
  7. destroy, wreck
  8. scrap
  9. a quick shuffling pace
  10. a short swift run
  11. scurry

scut·tle·butt ['skə-tᵊl-,bət] -n

  1. a cask on shipboard to contain freshwater for a day's use
  2. a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval or marine installation
  3. rumor, gossip

scu·tum ['skü-təm, 'skyü-] -n

  1. a bony, horny, or chitinous plate : scute

scut work ['skət-] -n

  1. routine and often menial labor

scuzz·ball ['skəz-,bȯl] -n

  1. an unpleasant, dirty, or dangerous person : creep

scuz·zy ['skə-zē] -adj

  1. dirty, shabby, or foul in condition or character

Scyl·la ['si-lə] -n

  1. a nymph changed into a monster in Greek mythology who terrorizes mariners in the Strait of Messina

scy·phis·to·ma [sī-'fis-tə-mə] -n

  1. a sexually produced scyphozoan larva that ultimately repeatedly constricts transversely to form free-swimming medusae

scy·pho·zo·an [,sī-fə-'zō-ən] -n, adj

  1. any of a class (Scyphozoa) of coelenterates that comprise jellyfishes lacking a true polyp and usu. a velum

scythe ['sīth, 'sī] -n

  1. an implement used for mowing (as grass) and composed of a long curving blade fastened at an angle to a long handle
  2. to use a scythe
  3. to cut with or as if with a scythe
    • scything cornstalks

Scyth·i·an ['si-thē-ən, -thē-] -n, adj

  1. a member of an ancient nomadic people inhabiting Scythia
  2. the Iranian language of the Scythians