sp -abbr

  1. special
  2. species
  3. specific
  4. spelling

Sp -abbr

  1. Spain; Spanish

SP -abbr

  1. shore patrol; shore patrolman; shore police
  2. specialist

spa ['spä, 'spȯ] -n

  1. a mineral spring
  2. a resort with mineral springs
  3. a fashionable resort or hotel
  4. soda fountain
  5. a commercial establishment (as a resort) providing facilities devoted esp. to health, fitness, weight loss, beauty, and relaxation
  6. a hot tub with a whirlpool device

space ['spās] -n

  1. a period of time
  2. its duration
  3. a limited extent in one, two, or three dimensions : distance, area, volume
  4. an extent set apart or available
    • parking space
    • floor space
  5. the distance from other people or things that a person needs in order to remain comfortable
    • invading my personal space
  6. one of the degrees between or above or below the lines of a musical staff
  7. a boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction
    • infinite space and time
  8. physical space independent of what occupies it called also absolute space
  9. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system
  10. a blank area separating words or lines
  11. material used to produce such blank area
  12. a piece of type less than one en in width
  13. a set of mathematical elements and esp. of abstractions of all the points on a line, in a plane, or in physical space
  14. a set of mathematical entities with a set of axioms of geometric character
  15. linage
  16. broadcast time available esp. to advertisers
  17. accommodations on a public vehicle
  18. the opportunity to assert or experience one's identity or needs freely
  19. an opportunity for privacy or time to oneself
  20. to place at intervals or arrange with space between often used with out
  21. to leave one or more blank spaces (as in a line of typing)

spaceage ['spās-'āj] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or befitting the age of space exploration
  2. modern
    • spaceage technology

space·band [-,band] -n

  1. a device on a linecaster that provides variable but even spacing between words in a justified line

space cadet -n

  1. a flaky, lightheaded, or forgetful person

space charge -n

  1. an electric charge distributed throughout a three-dimensional region

space·craft ['spās-,kraft] -n

  1. a vehicle or device designed for travel or operation outside the earth's atmosphere

spacedout [,spāst-'au̇t] -adj

  1. dazed or stupefied by or as if by a narcotic substance : high
  2. of very strange character : weird
    • a spacedout fantasy

space·flight ['spās-,flīt] -n

  1. flight beyond the earth's atmosphere

space frame -n

  1. a usu. open three-dimensional framework of struts and braces (as in buildings and racing cars) which defines a structure and distributes its weight evenly in all directions

space heater -n

  1. a usu. portable appliance for heating a relatively small area

space heating -n

  1. heating of spaces esp. for human comfort by any means (as fuel, electricity, or solar radiation) with the heater either within the space or external to it

space lattice -n

  1. lattice

space·less ['spās-ləs] -adj

  1. having no limits : boundless
  2. occupying no space

space·man ['spās-,man, -mən] -n

  1. one who travels outside the earth's atmosphere
  2. a visitor to earth from outer space

space mark -n

  1. the symbol

space medicine -n

  1. a branch of medicine that deals with the physiological and biological effects on the human body of spaceflight

space opera -n

  1. a futuristic melodramatic fantasy involving space travelers and extraterrestrial beings

space out -vi

  1. to become inattentive, distracted, or mentally remote
    • spaced out halfway through the lecture

space·port ['spās-,pȯrt] -n

  1. an installation for testing and launching spacecraft

space·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. a vehicle used for space travel

space shuttle -n

  1. a reusable spacecraft designed to transport people and cargo between earth and space

space station -n

  1. a large artificial satellite designed to be occupied for long periods and to serve as a base (as for scientific observation) called also space platform

space suit -n

  1. a suit equipped with life supporting provisions to make life in space possible for its wearer
  2. g suit

spacetime ['spās-'tīm, 'spās-,] -n

  1. a system of one temporal and three spatial coordinates by which any physical object or event can be located called also space-time continuum
  2. the whole or a portion of physical reality determinable by a usu. four-dimensional coordinate system
  3. the properties characteristic of such an order

space walk ['spās-,wȯk] -n, vi

  1. a period of activity spent outside a spacecraft by an astronaut in space

space·ward ['spās-wərd] -adv

  1. toward space

spac·ey ['spā-sē] -adj

  1. spaced-out

spacial ['spā-shəl] -adj, n, adv

(variant of spatial)

  1. relating to, occupying, or having the character of space
  2. of or relating to facility in perceiving relations (as of objects) in space
    • tests of spatial ability

spacing -n

  1. the act of providing with spaces or placing at intervals
  2. an arrangement in space
  3. a limited extent : space
  4. the distance between any two objects in a usu. regularly arranged series

spa·cious ['spā-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. vast or ample in extent : roomy
    • a spacious residence
  2. large or magnificent in scale : expansive
    • a more spacious and stimulating existence than the farm could offer -- H. L. Mencken

spack·le ['spa-kəl] -vt

  1. to apply Spackle paste to

Spackle -trademark

  1. used for a compound that is used as a filler for cracks or holes in a surface

spade ['spād] -n

  1. a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot
  2. a spade-shaped instrument
  3. to dig up or out or shape with or as if with a spade
  4. to use a spade
  5. the suit comprising cards marked spades
  6. a black figure that resembles a stylized spearhead on each playing card of one of the four suits
  7. a card marked with this figure
  8. black

spade beard ['spād-'bir-dəd] -n, adj

  1. an oblong beard with square ends
  2. a beard rounded off at the top and pointed at the bottom

spade·fish ['spād-,fish] -n

  1. a laterally compressed bony fish ( Chaetodipterus faberof the family Ephippidae) that resembles the angelfishes and is found in the warmer parts of the western Atlantic

spade·foot toad ['spād-,fu̇t-] -n

  1. any of a family (Pelobatidae) of burrowing toads having the inner bone of the tarsus edged with a strong horny sheath with which they dig

spade·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. work done with a spade
  2. the hard plain preliminary drudgery in an undertaking

spa·dille [spə-'dil, -'dē] -n

  1. the highest trump in various card games (as ombre)

spa·dix ['spā-diks] -n

  1. a floral spike with a fleshy or succulent axis usu. enclosed in a spathe

spae ['spā] -vt

  1. foretell

spaetz·le ['shpet-slə, -sᵊl, -slē also 'shpāt-] -n

  1. a small dumpling cooked by running batter through a colander into boiling water

spa·ghet·ti [spə-'ge-tē] -n, adj

  1. pasta made in thin solid strings
  2. insulating tubing typically of varnished cloth or of plastic for covering bare wire or holding insulated wires together

spa·ghet·ti·ni [spə-,ge-'tē-nē] -n

  1. a pasta thinner than spaghetti but thicker than vermicelli

spaghetti squash -n

  1. an oval winter squash ( Cucurbita pepo) with flesh that once cooked is similar in texture to spaghetti

spaghetti strap -n

  1. a very slender fabric shoulder strap

spaghetti western -n

  1. a western motion picture produced in Italy

spa·hi ['spä-,hē] -n

  1. one of a former corps of irregular Turkish cavalry
  2. one of a former corps of Algerian native cavalry in the French army

spake ['spēk] -vb, adj

(variant of speak)

  1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice : talk
  2. to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally
  3. to extend a greeting
  4. to be friendly enough to engage in conversation
    • still were not speak ing after the dispute
  5. to express oneself before a group
  6. to address one's remarks
    • speak to the issue
  7. to make a written statement
    • his diaries... spoke ...of his entrancement with death -- Sy Kahn
  8. to use such an expression often used in the phrase so to speak
    • was at the enemy's gates, so to speak -- C. S. Forester
  9. to serve as spokesperson
  10. to express feelings by other than verbal means
    • actions speak louder than words
  11. signal
  12. to be interesting or attractive : appeal
    • great music...speak s directly to the emotions -- A. N. Whitehead
  13. to make a request or claim used with for usu. used in passive constructions
    • the seat was already spoken for
  14. to make a characteristic or natural sound
    • all at once the thunder spoke -- George Meredith
  15. testify
  16. to be indicative or suggestive
    • his gold... spoke of riches in the land -- Julian Dana
  17. to utter with the speaking voice : pronounce
  18. to give a recitation of : declaim
  19. to express orally : declare
    • free to speak their minds
  20. address, accost
  21. hail
  22. to make known in writing : state
  23. to use or be able to use in speaking
    • speak s Spanish
  24. to indicate by other than verbal means
  25. describe, depict

spall ['spȯl] -n

  1. a small fragment or chip esp. of stone
  2. to break up or reduce by or as if by chipping with a hammer
  3. to break off chips, scales, or slabs : exfoliate
  4. to undergo spallation

spall·ation [spȯ-'lā-shən] -n

  1. a nuclear reaction in which light particles are ejected as the result of bombardment (as by high-energy protons)
  2. the process of spalling

spal·peen [spal-'pēn, spȯl-] -n

  1. rascal

spam ['spam] -n

  1. unsolicited usu. commercial e-mail sent to a large number of addresses
  2. to send spam to
  3. to send spam

Spam -trademark

  1. used for a canned meat product

span ['spin] -vb

(variant of spin)

  1. to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread
  2. to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid used esp. of a spider or insect
  3. to revolve rapidly : gyrate
  4. to feel as if in a whirl : reel
    • my head is spinning
  5. to move swiftly esp. on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle
  6. to fish with spinning bait : troll
  7. to fall in a spin
  8. to plunge helplessly and out of control
  9. to engage in spin control (as in politics)
  10. to draw out and twist into yarns or threads
  11. to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material
  12. to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning
  13. to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : protract usu. used with out
  14. to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination
    • spin a yarn
  15. to cause to whirl : impart spin to
    • spin a top
  16. to shape into threadlike form in manufacture
  17. to manufacture by a whirling process
  18. to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play
    • spin some discs
  19. to present (as information) with a particular spin
    • spin the statistics
  20. the act of spinning or twirling something
  21. an instance of spinning or of spinning something
    • doing axels and spin s
    • an assortment of spin s and lobs
  22. the whirling motion imparted (as to a ball or top) by spinning
  23. an excursion or ride in a vehicle esp. on wheels
    • go for a spin
  24. an aerial maneuver or flight condition consisting of a combination of roll and yaw with the longitudinal axis of the airplane inclined steeply downward
  25. a plunging descent or downward spiral
  26. a state of mental confusion
    • all in a spin
  27. a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
  28. the angular momentum associated with such rotation whose magnitude is quantized and which may assume either of two possible directions
  29. the angular momentum of a system of such particles derived from the spins and orbital motions of the particles
  30. a usu. ingenious twist
    • puts an Asian spin on the pasta dishes
  31. a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion
    • put the most favorable spin on the findings
  32. spin control

spa·na·ko·pi·ta [,spä-nə-'kō-pē-tə, -pi-tə] -n

  1. a traditional Greek pie of spinach, feta cheese, and seasonings baked in phyllo

span·dex ['span-,deks] -n

  1. any of various elastic textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane
  2. clothing made of this material

span·drel ['span-drəl] -n

  1. the sometimes ornamented space between the right or left exterior curve of an arch and an enclosing right angle
  2. the triangular space beneath the string of a stair

spang ['spaŋ] -adv

  1. to a complete degree
  2. in an exact or direct manner : squarely

span·gle ['spaŋ-gəl] -n

  1. a small plate of shining metal or plastic used for ornamentation esp. on clothing
  2. a small glittering object or particle

spangle ['spaŋ-g(ə-)liŋ] -vb

  1. to set or sprinkle with or as if with spangles
  2. to glitter as if covered with spangles : sparkle

Span·glish ['spaŋ-glish, -lish] -n

  1. Spanish marked by numerous borrowings from English
  2. any of various combinations of Spanish and English

Span·iard ['span-yərd] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Spain

span·iel ['span-yəl also 'spa-nᵊl] -n

  1. a member of any of several breeds of small or medium-sized mostly short-legged dogs usu. having long wavy hair, feathered legs and tail, and large drooping ears
  2. a fawning servile person

Span·ish ['spa-nish] -n, adj

  1. the Romance language of the largest part of Spain and of the countries colonized by Spaniards
  2. the people of Spain

Spanish American -n, adj

  1. a native or inhabitant of one of the countries of America in which Spanish is the national language
  2. a resident of the U.S. whose native language is Spanish and whose culture is of Spanish origin

Spanish bayonet -n

  1. any of several yuccas
  2. one ( Yucca aloifolia) of the southeastern U.S. and West Indies with rigid spine-tipped leaves

Spanish chestnut -n

  1. the sweet edible nut of a large Mediterranean chestnut ( Castanea sativa) called also marron
  2. a tree that bears Spanish chestnuts

Spanish fly -n

  1. a green blister beetle ( Lytta vesicatoria) of southern Europe
  2. cantharis

Spanish mackerel -n

  1. a large mackerel ( Scomberomorus maculatus) that is bluish above with oval brown spots on the sides, is found off the Atlantic coast of No. America from Cape Cod to the Yucatan, and is an important food and game fish

Spanish moss -n

  1. an epiphytic plant ( Tillandsia usneoides) of the pineapple family forming pendent tufts of grayish-green filaments on trees from the southern U.S. to Argentina

Spanish needles -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. any of several bur marigolds
  2. an annual ( Bidens bipinnata) of No. America and Asia having yellow flowers and dissected leaves

Spanish omelet -n

  1. an omelet served with a sauce containing chopped green pepper, onion, and tomato

Spanish onion -n

  1. a large mild-flavored onion typically having yellow or white skin

Spanish rice -n

  1. rice cooked with onions, green pepper, and tomatoes

spank ['spaŋk] -vt, n

  1. to strike esp. on the buttocks with the open hand
  2. to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly
    • spank ing along in his new car

span·ker ['spaŋ-kər] -n

  1. the fore-and-aft sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged ship
  2. the sail on the mast nearest the stern of a schooner of four or more masts

spank·ing ['spaŋ-kiŋ] -adj

  1. remarkable of its kind
  2. being fresh and strong : brisk

spanking -adv

  1. very
    • a spanking clean floor
    • spanking new

span·ner ['spa-nər] -n

  1. wrench
  2. a wrench that has a hole, projection, or hook at one or both ends of the head for engaging with a corresponding device on the object that is to be turned

spannew ['span-'nü, -'nyü] -adj

  1. brand-new

span·worm ['span-,wərm] -n

  1. looper

spar ['spär] -n

  1. a stout pole
  2. a stout rounded usu. wood or metal piece (as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging
  3. any of the main longitudinal members of the wing of an airplane that carry the ribs
  4. box
  5. to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's opponent or create an opening
  6. to engage in a practice or exhibition bout of boxing
  7. skirmish, wrangle
  8. to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of a gamecock
  9. a movement of offense or defense in boxing
  10. a sparring match or session
  11. any of various nonmetallic usu. cleavable and lustrous minerals

SPAR ['spär] -n

  1. a member of the women's reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard

spare ['sper] -vb, adj, n

  1. to forbear to destroy, punish, or harm
  2. to refrain from attacking or reprimanding with necessary or salutary severity
  3. to relieve of the necessity of doing or undergoing something
    • spare yourself the trouble
  4. to refrain from : avoid
    • spared no expense
  5. to use or dispense frugally used chiefly in the negative
    • don't spare the syrup
  6. to give up as not strictly needed
    • do you have any cash to spare
  7. to have left over or as margin
    • time to spare
  8. to be frugal
  9. to refrain from doing harm
  10. not being used
  11. held for emergency use
    • a spare tire
  12. being over and above what is needed : superfluous
    • spare time
  13. not liberal or profuse : sparing
    • a spare prose style
  14. healthily lean
  15. not abundant or plentiful
  16. a spare tire
  17. a duplicate (as a key or a machine part) kept in reserve
  18. the knocking down of all 10 pins with the first 2 balls in a frame in bowling

spare·ribs ['sper-,(r)ibz, -əbz] -n pl

  1. a cut of pork ribs separated from the bacon strip

sparge ['spärj] -vt, n

  1. sprinkle, bespatter
  2. spray
  3. to agitate (a liquid) by means of compressed air or gas entering through a pipe

sparing -adj, adv

  1. marked by or practicing careful restraint (as in the use of resources)
  2. meager, bare
    • the map is sparing of information

spark ['spärk] -n

  1. a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed
  2. a hot glowing particle struck from a larger mass
  3. one heated by friction
  4. a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by a gas (as air)
  5. the discharge in a spark plug
  6. the mechanism controlling the discharge in a spark plug
  7. sparkle, flash
  8. something that sets off a sudden force
    • provided the spark that helped the team to rally
  9. a latent particle capable of growth or developing : germ
    • still retains a spark of decency
  10. a radio operator on a ship
  11. to throw out sparks
  12. to flash or fall like sparks
  13. to produce sparks
  14. to have the electric ignition working
  15. to respond with enthusiasm
  16. to set off in a burst of activity : activate
    • the question spark ed a lively discussion
    often used with off
  17. to stir to activity : incite
    • spark ed her team to victory
  18. a foppish young man
  19. lover, beau
  20. woo, court

spark chamber -n

  1. a device usu. used to detect the path of a high-energy particle that consists of a series of charged metal plates or wires separated by a gas (as neon) in which observable electric discharges follow the path of the particle

spark gap -n

  1. a space between two high-potential terminals (as of an induction coil or spark plug) through which pass discharges of electricity
  2. a device having a spark gap

sparking plug -n

  1. spark plug

spar·kle ['spär-kəl] -vb, adj

  1. to throw out sparks
  2. to give off or reflect bright moving points of light
  3. to perform brilliantly
  4. effervesce
    • wine that sparkle s
  5. to become lively or animated
    • the dialogue sparkle s with wit
    • eyes sparkling with anger
  6. to cause to glitter or shine

sparkle -n

  1. a little spark : scintillation
  2. the quality of sparkling
  3. animation, liveliness
  4. the quality or state of being effervescent

spar·kler ['spär-klər] -n

  1. : one that sparkles: as
  2. diamond
  3. a firework that throws off brilliant sparks on burning
  4. sparkling wine

sparkling wine -n

  1. an effervescent table wine

spark plug ['spärk-,pləg] -n, vt

  1. a part that fits into the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and carries two electrodes separated by an air gap across which the current from the ignition system discharges to form the spark for combustion
  2. one that initiates or gives impetus to an undertaking

sparky ['spär-kē] -adj, adv

  1. marked by animation : lively
    • sparky children

spar·row ['spa-(,)rō] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Passerof the family Passeridae) of small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds that include some which have been widely introduced
  2. house sparrow
  3. any of numerous finches (family Emberizidae) that are New World birds (as the song sparrow or tree sparrow) resembling the Old World sparrows

sparrow hawk -n

  1. : any of various small hawks: as
  2. an Old World accipiter ( Accipiter nisus) that is dark gray to blackish above with the female having a grayish-brown barred underside and the male having a chestnut barred underside
  3. kestrel

sparse ['spärs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of few and scattered elements
  2. not thickly grown or settled

Spar·ta·cist ['spär-tə-sist] -n

  1. a member of a revolutionary political group organized in Germany in 1918 and advocating extreme socialistic doctrines

Spar·tan ['spär-tᵊn] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of ancient Sparta
  2. a person of great courage and self-discipline

Spartan -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to Sparta in ancient Greece
  2. marked by strict self-discipline or self-denial
    • a Spartan athlete
  3. marked by simplicity, frugality, or avoidance of luxury and comfort
    • a Spartan room
  4. laconic
  5. undaunted by pain or danger

spar·te·ine ['spär-tē-ən, 'spär-,tēn] -n

  1. a liquid alkaloid C 15H 26N 2extracted from Scotch broom and used in medicine in the form of its sulfate

spar·ti·na ['spär-tə-nə] -n

  1. cordgrass

spar varnish -n

  1. an exterior waterproof varnish

spasm ['spa-zəm] -n, vi

  1. an involuntary and abnormal muscular contraction
  2. a sudden violent and temporary effort, emotion, or sensation
    • a spasm of creativity
    • spasm s of pain

spas·mod·ic [spaz-'mä-dik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to or affected or characterized by spasm
  2. resembling a spasm esp. in sudden violence
    • a spasmodic jerk
  3. acting or proceeding fitfully : intermittent
    • spasmodic activity
  4. subject to outbursts of emotional excitement : excitable

spas·mo·lyt·ic [,spaz-mə-'li-tik] -adj, n

  1. tending or having the power to relieve spasms or convulsions

spas·tic ['spas-tik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, characterized by, or affected with or as if with spasm
    • a spastic patient
  2. characterized by hypertonic muscles
    • spastic cerebral palsy
  3. spasmodic
    • a spastic influx of data

spastic -n

  1. one suffering from spastic paralysis

spastic colon -n

  1. irritable bowel syndrome
  2. a colon affected with spasms

spas·tic·i·ty [spa-'sti-sə-tē] -n

  1. a spastic state or condition
  2. muscular hypertonicity with increased tendon reflexes

spastic paralysis -n

  1. paralysis with tonic spasm of the affected muscles and with increased tendon reflexes

spat ['spit] -n

(variant of spit)

  1. a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire
  2. a small point of land esp. of sand or gravel running into a body of water
  3. to fix on or as if on a spit : impale
  4. to eject (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
  5. to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by spitting
  6. to utter with a spitting sound or scornful expression
    • spat out his words
  7. to emit as if by spitting
  8. to emit (precipitation) in driving particles or in flurries
    • spit rain
  9. to set to burning
    • spit a fuse
  10. to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt
  11. to exhibit contempt
  12. to eject matter (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
  13. to rain or snow slightly or in flurries
  14. to make a noise suggesting expectoration : sputter
  15. spittle, saliva
  16. the act or an instance of spitting
  17. a frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs
  18. spittlebug
  19. perfect likeness
  20. a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow

spate ['spāt] -n

  1. freshet, flood
  2. a large number or amount
    • a spate of books on gardening
  3. a sudden or strong outburst : rush
    • a spate of anger

spathe ['spāth] -n

  1. a sheathing bract or pair of bracts partly enclosing an inflorescence and esp. a spadix on the same axis
    • the spathe of the calla lily

spath·u·late ['spath-yə-lət] -adj

  1. spatulate
    • spathulate petals of a flower

spa·tial ['spā-shəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. relating to, occupying, or having the character of space
  2. of or relating to facility in perceiving relations (as of objects) in space
    • tests of spatial ability

spatial summation -n

  1. sensory summation that involves stimulation of several spatially separated neurons at the same time

spa·tio·tem·po·ral [,spā-shē-ō-'tem-p(ə-)rəl] -adj, adv

  1. having both spatial and temporal qualities
  2. of or relating to space-time

spat·ter ['spa-tər] -vb

  1. to spurt forth in scattered drops
    • blood spatter ing everywhere
  2. to splash with or as if with a liquid
  3. to soil in this way
    • his coat was spatter ed with mud
  4. to scatter by or as if by splashing
    • spatter water
  5. to cover with or as if with splashes or spots
  6. to cast aspersions on : defame
    • spatter ed my reputation

spatter -n

  1. the act or process of spattering : the state of being spattered
  2. the noise of spattering
  3. a drop or splash spattered on something or a spot or stain due to spattering
  4. a small amount or number : sprinkle
    • a spatter of applause

spat·ter·dock ['spa-tər-,däk] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Nuphar) of water lilies having usu. cordate leaves and typically yellow flowers

spat·u·la ['spa-chə-lə, 'spach-lə] -n

  1. a flat thin implement used esp. for spreading or mixing soft substances, scooping, or lifting

spat·u·late ['spa-chə-lət] -adj

  1. shaped like a spatula
    • a spatulate leaf
    • spatulate spines of a caterpillar
    • a spatulate tool

spatzle ['shpet-slə, -sᵊl, -slē also 'shpāt-] -n

(variant of spaetzle)

  1. a small dumpling cooked by running batter through a colander into boiling water

spav·in ['spa-vən] -n

  1. swelling
  2. a bony enlargement of the hock of a horse associated with strain

spav·ined [-vənd] -adj

  1. affected with spavin
  2. old and decrepit : over-the-hill

spawn ['spȯn, 'spän] -vb, n

  1. to deposit or fertilize spawn
  2. to produce young esp. in large numbers
  3. to produce or deposit (eggs) used of an aquatic animal
  4. to induce (fish) to spawn
  5. to plant with mushroom spawn
  6. bring forth, generate
    • the idea spawn ed controversy
  7. the eggs of aquatic animals (as fishes or oysters) that lay many small eggs
  8. product, offspring
  9. offspring in great numbers
  10. the seed, germ, or source of something
  11. mycelium esp. prepared (as in bricks) for propagating mushrooms

spay ['spā, ÷ 'spād] -vt

  1. to remove the ovaries and uterus of (a female animal)

spaz ['spaz] -n

  1. one who is inept : klutz

Spc -abbr

  1. specialist

SPCA -abbr

  1. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

SPCC -abbr

  1. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children

speak ['spēk] -vb, adj

  1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice : talk
  2. to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally
  3. to extend a greeting
  4. to be friendly enough to engage in conversation
    • still were not speak ing after the dispute
  5. to express oneself before a group
  6. to address one's remarks
    • speak to the issue
  7. to make a written statement
    • his diaries... spoke ...of his entrancement with death -- Sy Kahn
  8. to use such an expression often used in the phrase so to speak
    • was at the enemy's gates, so to speak -- C. S. Forester
  9. to serve as spokesperson
  10. to express feelings by other than verbal means
    • actions speak louder than words
  11. signal
  12. to be interesting or attractive : appeal
    • great music...speak s directly to the emotions -- A. N. Whitehead
  13. to make a request or claim used with for usu. used in passive constructions
    • the seat was already spoken for
  14. to make a characteristic or natural sound
    • all at once the thunder spoke -- George Meredith
  15. testify
  16. to be indicative or suggestive
    • his gold... spoke of riches in the land -- Julian Dana
  17. to utter with the speaking voice : pronounce
  18. to give a recitation of : declaim
  19. to express orally : declare
    • free to speak their minds
  20. address, accost
  21. hail
  22. to make known in writing : state
  23. to use or be able to use in speaking
    • speak s Spanish
  24. to indicate by other than verbal means
  25. describe, depict

speak·easy ['spēk-,ē-zē] -n

  1. a place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold
  2. such a place during the period of prohibition in the U.S.

speak·er ['spē-kər] -n

  1. one that speaks
  2. one who uses a language
    • native speaker s of French
  3. one who makes a public speech
  4. one who acts as a spokesperson
  5. the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly
    • Speaker of the House of Representatives
  6. loudspeaker

speak·er·phone ['spē-kər-,fōn] -n

  1. a combination microphone and loudspeaker device for two-way communication by telephone lines

speaking -adj

  1. that speaks : capable of speech
  2. having a population that speaks a specified language usu. used in combination
    • English- speaking countries
  3. that involves talking or giving speeches
    • a speaking role
    • a speaking tour
  4. highly significant or expressive : eloquent
  5. resembling a living being or a real object

speaking tube -n

  1. a pipe through which conversation may be conducted (as between different parts of a building)

speakout ['spēk-,au̇t] -n

  1. an event in which people publicly share their experiences of or views on an issue

speak out -vi

  1. to speak loud enough to be heard
  2. to speak boldly : express an opinion frankly
    • spoke out on the issues

speak up -vi

  1. to speak loudly and distinctly
  2. to express an opinion freely
    • speak up for truth and justice -- Clive Bell

spean ['spēn] -vt

  1. wean

spear ['spir] -n

  1. a thrusting or throwing weapon with long shaft and sharp head or blade
  2. a sharp-pointed instrument with barbs used in spearing fish
  3. spearman
  4. to pierce, strike, or take with or as if with a spear
    • spear salmon
    • spear ed a chop from the platter
  5. to catch (as a baseball) with a sudden thrust of the arm
  6. to thrust at or wound something with or as if with a spear
  7. paternal
    • the spear side of the family
  8. to thrust a spear upward
  9. a usu. young blade, shoot, or sprout (as of grass)

spearcar·ri·er ['spir-,ka-rē-ər] -n

  1. a member of an opera chorus
  2. a bit actor in a play
  3. a person whose actions are of little significance or value in an event or organization

spear·fish [-,fish] -n

  1. any of several billfishes (genus Tetrapturus) having the anterior part of the first dorsal fin about as high as the body is deep

spearfish -vi

  1. to fish with a spear

spear·gun ['spir-,gən] -n

  1. a gun that shoots a spear and is used in spearfishing

spear·head [-,hed] -n

  1. the sharp-pointed head of a spear
  2. a leading element, force, or influence in an undertaking or development

spearhead -vt

  1. to serve as leader or leading element of

spear·man ['spir-mən] -n

  1. a person armed with a spear

spear·mint [-,mint, -mənt] -n

  1. a common mint ( Mentha spicata) grown for flavoring and esp. for its aromatic oil

spearthrow·er [-,thrō-ər] -n

  1. atlatl

spear·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of several buttercups (esp. Ranunculus flammula) with spear-shaped leaves

spec ['spek] -n

  1. specification usu. used in pl.
  2. a single quantity (as a dimension or a measure of performance) describing a product esp. as part of a specification
  3. speculation
    • built the house on spec
  4. to write specifications for
  5. special; specialist
  6. specifically

spe·cial ['spe-shəl] -adj, n

  1. distinguished by some unusual quality
  2. being in some way superior
    • our special blend
  3. held in particular esteem
    • a special friend
  4. readily distinguishable from others of the same category : unique
    • they set it apart as a special day of thanksgiving
  5. of, relating to, or constituting a species : specific
  6. being other than the usual : additional, extra
  7. designed for a particular purpose or occasion

special -n

  1. one that is used for a special service or occasion
    • caught the commuter special to work
  2. something (as a television program) that is not part of a regular series
  3. a featured dish at a restaurant
    • the special s of the day

special assessment -n

  1. a specific tax levied on private property to meet the cost of public improvements that enhance the value of the property

special delivery -n

  1. expedited messenger delivery of mail matter for an extra fee

special district -n

  1. a political subdivision of a state established to provide a single public service (as water supply or sanitation) within a specific geographic area

special drawing rights -n

  1. a means of exchange used by governments to settle their international indebtedness

special education -n

  1. classes or instruction designed for students with special educational needs

special effects -n pl

  1. visual or sound effects introduced into a motion picture, video recording, or taped television production

Special Forces -n pl

  1. a branch of the U.S. Army composed of soldiers specially trained in guerrilla warfare

special handling -n

  1. the handling of parcel-post or mail as first-class but not as special-delivery matter for an extra fee

special interest -n

  1. a person or group seeking to influence legislative or government policy to further often narrowly defined interests
  2. lobby

spe·cial·i·sa·tion [,spe-sh(ə-)lə-'zā-shən] -n

(variant of specialization)

  1. a making or becoming specialized
  2. structural adaptation of a body part to a particular function or of an organism for life in a particular environment
  3. a body part or an organism adapted by specialization

spe·cial·ism ['spe-shə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. specialization in an occupation or branch of learning
  2. a field of specialization : specialty

spe·cial·ist ['spe-sh(ə-)list] -n, adj

  1. one who specializes in a particular occupation, practice, or branch of learning
  2. an enlisted rank in the U.S. Army corresponding to the grade of corporal
  3. any of several former enlisted ranks corresponding to the grades of sergeant through sergeant major
  4. an organism (as a bird) specialized esp. in food or habitat

spe·ci·al·i·ty [,spe-shē-'a-lə-tē] -n

  1. a special mark or quality
  2. a special object or class of objects
  3. a special aptitude or skill
  4. specialty

spe·cial·i·za·tion [,spe-sh(ə-)lə-'zā-shən] -n

  1. a making or becoming specialized
  2. structural adaptation of a body part to a particular function or of an organism for life in a particular environment
  3. a body part or an organism adapted by specialization

spe·cial·ize ['spe-shə-,līz] -vb

  1. to make particular mention of : particularize
  2. to apply or direct to a specific end or use
    • specialized their study
  3. to concentrate one's efforts in a special activity, field, or practice
  4. to undergo specialization
  5. to change adaptively

specialized -adj

  1. characterized by or exhibiting biological specialization
  2. highly differentiated esp. in a particular direction or for a particular end
  3. designed, trained, or fitted for one particular purpose or occupation
    • specialized personnel

Special K -n

  1. the anesthetic ketamine used illicitly usu. by being inhaled in powdered form esp. for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces

spe·cial·ly ['spe-sh(ə-)lē] -adv

  1. in a special manner
    • treated her friends specially
  2. for a special purpose
    • dresses made specially for the occasion
  3. in particular : specifically
    • made specially for you
  4. especially
    • makes a specially fine curry
    • was specially pleased with the gift

special master -n

  1. master

special needs -n pl, adj

  1. the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one

special pleading -n

  1. the allegation of special or new matter to offset the effect of matter pleaded by the opposite side and admitted, as distinguished from a direct denial of the matter pleaded
  2. misleading argument that presents one point or phase as if it covered the entire question at issue

special relativity -n

  1. relativity

special theory of relativity

  1. relativity

spe·cial·ty ['spe-shəl-tē] -n

  1. a distinctive mark or quality
  2. : a special object or class of objects: as
  3. a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument
  4. a product of a special kind or of special excellence
    • fried chicken is my specialty
  5. the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar
  6. something in which one specializes

spe·ci·a·tion [,spē-shē-'ā-shən, -sē-] -n, vi, adj

  1. the process of biological species formation

spe·cie ['spē-shē, -sē] -n

  1. money in coin

specie -n

  1. species

spe·cies ['spē-(,)shēz, -(,)sēz] -n

  1. kind, sort
  2. a class of individuals having common attributes and designated by a common name
  3. a logical division of a genus or more comprehensive class
    • confessing sins in species and in number
  4. the human race : human beings often used with the
    • survival of the species in the nuclear age
  5. a category of biological classification ranking immediately below the genus or subgenus, comprising related organisms or populations potentially capable of interbreeding, and being designated by a binomial that consists of the name of a genus followed by a Latin or latinized uncapitalized noun or adjective agreeing grammatically with the genus name
  6. an individual or kind belonging to a biological species
  7. a particular kind of atomic nucleus, atom, molecule, or ion
  8. the consecrated eucharistic elements of the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Eucharist
  9. a mental image
  10. a sensible object
  11. an object of thought correlative with a natural object

species -adj

  1. belonging to a biological species as distinguished from a horticultural variety
    • a species rose

spe·cies·ism ['spē-shēz-,i-zəm, -sēz-] -n

  1. prejudice or discrimination based on species
  2. discrimination against animals
  3. the assumption of human superiority on which speciesism is based

spe·cif·ic [spi-'si-fik] -adj, adv

  1. constituting or falling into a specifiable category
  2. sharing or being those properties of something that allow it to be referred to a particular category
  3. restricted to a particular individual, situation, relation, or effect
    • a disease specific to horses
  4. exerting a distinctive influence (as on a body part or a disease)
    • specific antibodies
  5. free from ambiguity : accurate
    • a specific statement of faith
  6. of, relating to, or constituting a species and esp. a biological species
  7. being any of various arbitrary physical constants and esp. one relating a quantitative attribute to unit mass, volume, or area
  8. imposed at a fixed rate per unit (as of weight or count)
    • specific import duties

specific -n

  1. something peculiarly adapted to a purpose or use
  2. a drug or remedy having a specific mitigating effect on a disease
    • used as a specific against malaria
  3. a characteristic quality or trait
  4. details, particulars usu. used in pl.
    • haggling over the legal and financial specific s of independence -- Time
  5. specification

spec·i·fi·ca·tion [,spe-sə-fə-'kā-shən, ,spes-fə-] -n

  1. the act or process of specifying
  2. a detailed precise presentation of something or of a plan or proposal for something usu. used in pl.
  3. a statement of legal particulars (as of charges or of contract terms)
  4. a single item of such statement
  5. a written description of an invention for which a patent is sought

specific epithet -n

  1. the Latin or latinized noun or adjective that follows the genus name in a taxonomic binomial

specific gravity -n

  1. the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some substance (as pure water) taken as a standard when both densities are obtained by weighing in air

specific heat -n

  1. the heat in calories required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance one degree Celsius

specific impulse -n

  1. the thrust produced per unit rate of consumption of the propellant that is usu. expressed in pounds of thrust per pound of propellant used per second and that is a measure of the efficiency of a rocket engine

spec·i·fic·i·ty [,spe-sə-'fi-sə-tē] -n

  1. : the quality or condition of being specific: as
  2. the condition of being peculiar to a particular individual or group of organisms
    • host specificity of a parasite
  3. the condition of participating in or catalyzing only one or a few chemical reactions
    • the specificity of an enzyme

specific performance -n

  1. the performance of a legal contract strictly or substantially according to its terms
  2. an equitable remedy enjoining specific performance

spec·i·fy ['spe-sə-,fī] -vt, adj, n

  1. to name or state explicitly or in detail
  2. to include as an item in a specification

spec·i·men ['spes-mən, 'spe-sə-] -n

  1. an individual, item, or part considered typical of a group, class, or whole
  2. a portion or quantity of material for use in testing, examination, or study
    • a urine specimen
  3. something that obviously belongs to a particular category but is noticed by reason of an individual distinguishing characteristic
  4. person, individual
    • he's a tough specimen
  5. a plant grown for exhibition or in the open to display its full development
    • specimen trees

spe·cious ['spē-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. showy
  2. having deceptive attraction or allure
  3. having a false look of truth or genuineness : sophistic
    • specious reasoning

speck ['spek] -n, adj

  1. a small discoloration or spot esp. from stain or decay
  2. a very small amount : bit
  3. something marked or marred with specks
  4. to produce specks on or in

speck·le ['spe-kəl] -n

  1. a little speck (as of color)

speckle [-k(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to mark with speckles
  2. to be distributed in or on like speckles

speckled perch -n

  1. black crappie

speckled trout -n

  1. brook trout
  2. spotted sea trout

speckle interferometry -n

  1. a technique for generating a clear composite image of a celestial object blurred by atmospheric turbulence in which a large number of short-exposure photographs are mathematically correlated by a computer

specs ['speks] -n pl

  1. glasses

spec·ta·cle ['spek-ti-kəl also -,ti-kəl] -n

  1. something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining
  2. an eye-catching or dramatic public display
  3. an object of curiosity or contempt
    • made a spectacle of herself
  4. glasses
  5. something (as natural markings on an animal) suggesting a pair of glasses

spec·ta·cled [-kəld] -adj

  1. having or wearing spectacles
  2. having markings suggesting a pair of spectacles
    • a spectacled alligator

spectacled bear -n

  1. a black or dark brown bear ( Tremarctos ornatus) of the Andes mountains with white markings encircling the eyes

spec·tac·u·lar [spek-'ta-kyə-lər, spək-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being a spectacle : striking, sensational
    • a spectacular display of fireworks

spectacular -n

  1. something that is spectacular
  2. an elaborate film, television, or theatrical production

spec·tate ['spek-,tāt] -vi

  1. to be present as a spectator (as at a sports event)

spec·ta·tor ['spek-,tā-tər, spek-'] -n, adj

  1. one who looks on or watches
  2. a woman's pump usu. having contrasting colors with a perforated design at the toe and sometimes heel

spec·ter ['spek-tər] -n

  1. a visible disembodied spirit : ghost
  2. something that haunts or perturbs the mind : phantasm
    • the specter of hunger

spec·ti·no·my·cin [,spek-tə-nō-'mī-sᵊn] -n

  1. a white crystalline broad-spectrum antibiotic C 14H 24N 2O 7produced by a bacterium ( Streptomyces spectabilis) that is used clinically esp. in the form of its hydrochloride to treat gonorrhea

spec·tral ['spek-trəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or suggesting a specter : ghostly
  2. of, relating to, or made by a spectrum

spectral line -n

  1. one of a series of linear images formed by a spectrograph or similar instrument and corresponding to a narrow portion of the spectrum of the radiation emitted or absorbed by a particular source

spectro- -comb form

  1. spectrum
    • spectro scope

spec·tro·flu·o·rom·e·ter ['spek-(,)trō-,flu̇-'rä-mə-tər, -flȯ-] -n, adj

  1. a device for measuring and recording fluorescence spectra

spec·tro·gram ['spek-t(r)ə-,gram] -n

  1. a photograph, image, or diagram of a spectrum

spec·tro·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument for dispersing radiation (as electromagnetic radiation or sound waves) into a spectrum and recording or mapping the spectrum

spec·tro·he·lio·gram [,spek-trō-'hē-lē-ə-,gram] -n

  1. a photograph of the sun that is made by monochromatic light and shows the sun's faculae and prominences

spec·tro·he·lio·graph [-,graf] -n

  1. an apparatus for making spectroheliograms

spec·tro·he·lio·scope [-'hē-lē-ə-,skōp] -n

  1. spectroheliograph
  2. an instrument similar to a spectroheliograph used for visual as distinguished from photographic observations

spec·trom·e·ter [spek-'trä-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. an instrument used for measuring wavelengths of light spectra
  2. any of various analytical instruments in which an emission (as of particles or radiation) is dispersed according to some property (as mass or energy) of the emission and the amount of dispersion is measured
    • nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

spec·tro·pho·tom·e·ter [,spek-trō-fə-'tä-mə-tər] -n, adj, adv

  1. a photometer for measuring the relative intensities of the light in different parts of a spectrum

spec·tro·scope ['spek-trə-,skōp] -n, adj, adv

  1. an instrument for forming and examining spectra esp. in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum

spec·tros·co·py [spek-'träs-kə-pē] -n

  1. the process or technique of using a spectroscope or spectrometer
  2. the production and investigation of spectra

spec·trum ['spek-trəm] -n

  1. a continuum of color formed when a beam of white light is dispersed (as by passage through a prism) so that its component wavelengths are arranged in order
  2. : any of various continua that resemble a color spectrum in consisting of an ordered arrangement by a particular characteristic (as frequency or energy): as
  3. electromagnetic spectrum
  4. radio spectrum
  5. the range of frequencies of sound waves
  6. mass spectrum
  7. the representation (as a plot) of a spectrum
  8. a continuous sequence or range
    • a wide spectrum of interests
    • opposite ends of the political spectrum
  9. kinds of organisms associated with a particular situation (as an environment)
  10. a range of effectiveness against pathogenic organisms
    • an antibiotic with a broad spectrum

spec·u·lar ['spe-kyə-lər] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or having the qualities of a mirror

spec·u·late ['spe-kyə-,lāt] -vb, n

  1. to meditate on or ponder a subject : reflect
  2. to review something idly or casually and often inconclusively
  3. to assume a business risk in hope of gain
  4. to buy or sell in expectation of profiting from market fluctuations
  5. to take to be true on the basis of insufficient evidence : theorize
  6. to be curious or doubtful about : wonder
    • speculate s whether it will rain all vacation

spec·u·la·tion [,spe-kyə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. : an act or instance of speculating: as
  2. assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
  3. a transaction involving such speculation

spec·u·la·tive ['spe-kyə-lə-tiv, -,lā-] -adj, adv

  1. involving, based on, or constituting intellectual speculation
  2. theoretical rather than demonstrable
    • speculative knowledge
  3. marked by questioning curiosity
    • gave him a speculative glance
  4. of, relating to, or being a financial speculation
    • speculative stocks
    • speculative venture

spec·u·lum ['spe-kyə-ləm] -n

  1. an instrument inserted into a body passage esp. to facilitate visual inspection or medication
  2. a drawing or table showing the relative positions of all the planets (as in an astrological nativity)
  3. a patch of color on the secondaries of most ducks and some other birds

SpEd -abbr

  1. special education

speech ['spēch] -n

  1. the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words
  2. exchange of spoken words : conversation
  3. something that is spoken : utterance
  4. a usu. public discourse : address
  5. language, dialect
  6. an individual manner or style of speaking
  7. the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking

speech community -n

  1. a group of people sharing characteristic patterns of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation

speech form -n

  1. linguistic form

speech·ify ['spē-chə-,fī] -vi

  1. to make a speech

speech·less ['spēch-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. unable to speak : dumb
  2. not speaking : silent
  3. not capable of being expressed in words

speech·writ·er [-,rī-tər] -n

  1. a person who writes speeches (as for a politician)

speed ['spēd] -n

  1. prosperity in an undertaking : success
  2. the act or state of moving swiftly : swiftness
  3. : rate of motion: as
  4. velocity
  5. the magnitude of a velocity irrespective of direction
  6. impetus
  7. swiftness or rate of performance or action : velocity
  8. the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper expressed numerically
  9. the light-gathering power of a lens or optical system
  10. the time during which a camera shutter is open
  11. a transmission gear in automotive vehicles or bicycles usu. used in combination
    • a ten- speed bicycle
  12. someone or something that appeals to one's taste
    • just my speed
  13. methamphetamine
  14. a related stimulant drug and esp. an amphetamine
  15. to prosper in an undertaking
  16. get along, fare
  17. to make haste
    • sped to her bedside
  18. to go or drive at excessive or illegal speed
  19. to move, work, or take place faster : accelerate
    • the heart speed s up
  20. to cause or help to prosper : aid
  21. to further the success of
  22. to cause to move quickly : hasten
  23. to wish Godspeed to
  24. to increase the speed of : accelerate
  25. to send out
    • speed an arrow

speed·ball ['spēd-,bȯl] -n

  1. a dose of cocaine mixed with heroin or morphine or an amphetamine and usu. taken by injection
  2. a game which resembles soccer but in which a ball caught in the air may be passed with the hands and in which a score is made by kicking or heading the ball between the goalposts or by a successful forward pass over the goal line
  3. one that is outstandingly fast

speedball -vi

  1. to take a speedball esp. by injection

speed·boat [-,bōt] -n

  1. a fast launch or motorboat

speed bump -n

  1. a low raised ridge across a roadway (as in a parking lot) to limit vehicle speed

speed dating -n

  1. an event at which each participant converses individually with all the prospective partners for a few minutes in order to select those with whom dates are desired

speed dial -n, vb

  1. a telephone function by which a selected stored number can be dialed by pressing only one key

speed freak -n

  1. one who habitually misuses amphetamines and esp. methamphetamine

speed limit -n

  1. the maximum or minimum speed permitted by law in a given area under specified circumstances

speedo ['spē-(,)dō] -n

  1. speedometer

speed of light

  1. a fundamental physical constant that is the speed at which electromagnetic radiation propagates in a vacuum and that has a value fixed by international convention of 299,792,458 meters per second symbol c

speed·om·e·ter [spi-'dä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for indicating speed : tachometer
  2. an instrument for indicating distance traversed as well as speed of travel
  3. odometer

speedread·ing ['spēd-,rē-diŋ] -n, vt

  1. a method of reading rapidly by skimming

speed shop -n

  1. a shop that sells custom automotive equipment esp. to hot-rodders

speed skating -n

  1. the sport of racing on skates

speed trap -n

  1. a stretch of road policed by often concealed officers or devices (as radar) so as to catch speeders

speed·up ['spēd-,əp] -n

  1. acceleration
  2. an employer's demand for accelerated output without increased pay

speed·way ['spēd-,wā] -n

  1. a public road on which fast driving is allowed
  2. expressway
  3. a racecourse for automobiles or motorcycles
  4. a sprint race for motorcycles

speed·well ['spēd-,wel] -n

  1. a perennial European herb ( Veronica officinalis) of the snapdragon family that is naturalized in No. America and has small bluish flowers in axillary racemes
  2. veronica

speedy ['spē-dē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by swiftness of motion or action
  2. prompt

speel ['spēl] -vb

  1. climb

speer ['spir] -vb

  1. ask, inquire

spe·le·ol·o·gy [,spē-lē-'ä-lə-jē, ,spe-] -n, adj

  1. the scientific study or exploration of caves

spell ['spel] -vb

  1. to read slowly and with difficulty often used with out
  2. to find out by study : come to understand often used with out
    • it requires some pains to spell out those decorations -- F. J. Mather
  3. to name the letters of in order
  4. to write or print the letters of in order
  5. to write or print the letters of in a particular way
  6. to make up (a word)
    • what word do these letters spell
  7. write
    • catnip is spell ed as one word
  8. to add up to : mean
    • crop failure was likely to spell stark famine -- Stringfellow Barr
  9. to form words with letters
    • teach children to spell
  10. to spell words in a certain way
    • spell s the way he speaks
  11. a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power
  12. a state of enchantment
  13. a strong compelling influence or attraction
  14. to put under a spell
  15. a shift of workers
  16. one's turn at work
  17. a period spent in a job or occupation
  18. a period of rest from work, activity, or use
  19. an indeterminate period of time
    • waited a spell before advancing
  20. a continuous period of time
    • did a spell in prison
  21. a stretch of a specified type of weather
  22. a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder
    • a spell of coughing
    • fainting spell s
  23. to take the place of for a time : relieve
    • we spell each other every two hours
  24. rest
  25. to work in turns
  26. to rest from an activity for a time

spell·bind ['spel-,bīnd] -vt

  1. to bind or hold by or as if by a spell

spell·bind·er [-,bīn-dər] -n

  1. a speaker of compelling eloquence
  2. one that compels attention

spell·bind·ing [-,bīn-diŋ] -adj, adv

  1. holding the attention as if by a spell
    • a spellbinding story

spell·bound [-,bau̇nd] -adj

  1. held by or as if by a spell

spellchecker ['spel-,chek] -n, vb

  1. a computer program that identifies possible misspellings in a block of text by comparing the text with a database of accepted spellings called also spell-check spelling checker

spell·er ['spe-lər] -n

  1. a person who spells words esp. in a certain way
    • a poor speller
  2. a book with exercises for teaching spelling

spelling -n

  1. the forming of words from letters according to accepted usage : orthography
  2. a sequence of letters composing a word
  3. the way in which a word is spelled

spelling bee -n

  1. a spelling contest in which contestants are eliminated as soon as they misspell a word

spelling pronunciation -n

  1. a pronunciation of a word that is based on its spelling alone and often includes the vocalization of silent letters

spell out -vt

  1. to make plain
    • spelled out the orders in detail
  2. to write or print in letters and in full
    • numbers are to be spelled out

spelt ['spelt] -n

  1. an ancient wheat ( Triticum speltasyn. T. aestivum spelta) with spikelets containing two light red grains
  2. the grain of spelt

spelt ['spel] -vb

(variant of spell)

  1. to read slowly and with difficulty often used with out
  2. to find out by study : come to understand often used with out
    • it requires some pains to spell out those decorations -- F. J. Mather
  3. to name the letters of in order
  4. to write or print the letters of in order
  5. to write or print the letters of in a particular way
  6. to make up (a word)
    • what word do these letters spell
  7. write
    • catnip is spell ed as one word
  8. to add up to : mean
    • crop failure was likely to spell stark famine -- Stringfellow Barr
  9. to form words with letters
    • teach children to spell
  10. to spell words in a certain way
    • spell s the way he speaks
  11. a spoken word or form of words held to have magic power
  12. a state of enchantment
  13. a strong compelling influence or attraction
  14. to put under a spell
  15. a shift of workers
  16. one's turn at work
  17. a period spent in a job or occupation
  18. a period of rest from work, activity, or use
  19. an indeterminate period of time
    • waited a spell before advancing
  20. a continuous period of time
    • did a spell in prison
  21. a stretch of a specified type of weather
  22. a period of bodily or mental distress or disorder
    • a spell of coughing
    • fainting spell s
  23. to take the place of for a time : relieve
    • we spell each other every two hours
  24. rest
  25. to work in turns
  26. to rest from an activity for a time

spel·ter ['spel-tər] -n

  1. zinc
  2. zinc cast in slabs for commercial use

spe·lunk·er [spi-'ləŋ-kər, 'spē-,] -n

  1. one who makes a hobby of exploring and studying caves

spe·lunk·ing [-kiŋ] -n

  1. the hobby or practice of exploring caves

spence ['spen(t)s] -n

  1. pantry

spen·cer ['spen(t)-sər] -n

  1. a short waist-length jacket

spencer -n

  1. a trysail abaft the foremast or mainmast

Spen·ce·ri·an [spen-'sir-ē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to a form of slanting handwriting

Spen·ce·ri·an·ism [spen-'sir-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. the synthetic philosophy of Herbert Spencer that has as its central idea the mechanistic evolution of the cosmos from relative simplicity to relative complexity

spend ['spend] -vb, adj, n

  1. to use up or pay out : expend
  2. exhaust, wear out
    • the hurricane gradually spent itself
  3. to consume wastefully : squander
    • the waters are not ours to spend -- J. R. Ellis
  4. to cause or permit to elapse : pass
    • spend the night
  5. give up, sacrifice
  6. to expend or waste wealth or strength
  7. to become expended or consumed
  8. to have an orgasm

spending money -n

  1. pocket money

spend·thrift ['spen(d)-,thrift] -n, adj

  1. a person who spends improvidently or wastefully

spendy ['spen-dē] -adj

  1. expensive

Spen·gle·ri·an [,shpeŋ-'glir-ē-ən, ,speŋ-, -'lir-] -adj, n

  1. of or relating to the theory of world history developed by Oswald Spengler which holds that all major cultures undergo similar cyclical developments from birth to maturity to decay

Spen·se·ri·an stanza [spen-'sir-ē-ən-] -n

  1. a stanza consisting of eight verses of iambic pentameter and an alexandrine with a rhyme scheme ababbcbcc

spent ['spent] -adj

  1. used up : consumed
  2. exhausted of active or required components or qualities often for a particular purpose
    • spent nuclear fuel
  3. drained of energy or effectiveness : exhausted
  4. exhausted of spawn or sperm
    • spent fishes

sperm ['spərm] -n

  1. semen
  2. a male gamete
  3. spermatozoon
  4. a product of the sperm whale

sperm- -comb form

  1. seed : germ : sperm
    • sperma theca
    • spermi cide

sper·ma·ce·ti [,spər-mə-'sē-tē, -'se-] -n

  1. a waxy solid obtained from the oil of cetaceans and esp. from a closed cavity in the heads of sperm whales and used esp. formerly in ointments, cosmetics, and candles

sper·ma·go·ni·um [,spər-mə-'gō-nē-əm] -n

  1. a flask-shaped or depressed receptacle in which spermatia are produced in some fungi and lichens

sper·ma·ry ['spər-mə-rē, 'spərm-rē] -n

  1. an organ in which male gametes are developed

spermat- -comb form

  1. seed : spermatozoon
    • spermat id
    • spermato cyte

sper·ma·the·ca [,spər-mə-'thē-kə] -n

  1. a sac for sperm storage in the female reproductive tract of various lower animals and esp. insects

sper·mat·ic [(,)spər-'ma-tik] -adj

  1. relating to sperm or a spermary
  2. resembling, carrying, or full of sperm

spermatic cord -n

  1. a cord that suspends the testis within the scrotum and contains the vas deferens and vessels and nerves of the testis

sper·ma·tid ['spər-mə-təd] -n

  1. one of the haploid cells that are formed by the second division in meiosis of a spermatocyte and that differentiate into spermatozoa

sper·ma·ti·um [(,)spər-'mā-sh(ē-)əm] -n, adj

  1. a nonmotile male gamete of a red alga
  2. a nonmotile cell functioning as a male gamete in certain fungi and lichens

sper·mato·cyte [(,)spər-'ma-tə-,sīt] -n

  1. a cell giving rise to sperm cells
  2. a cell that is derived by mitosis from a spermatogonium and ultimately gives rise by meiosis to four haploid spermatids

sper·mato·gen·e·sis [(,)spər-,ma-tə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj

  1. the process of male gamete formation including formation of a spermatocyte from a spermatogonium, meiotic division of the spermatocyte, and transformation of the four resulting spermatids into spermatozoa

sper·mato·go·ni·um [-'gō-nē-əm] -n, adj

  1. a primitive male germ cell

sper·mato·phore [(,)spər-'ma-tə-,fȯr] -n

  1. a capsule, packet, or mass enclosing spermatozoa that is extruded by the male of various lower animals (as insects) and is transferred to the reproductive tract of the female

sper·mato·phyte [-,fīt] -n, adj

  1. any of a group (Spermatophyta) of higher plants comprising those that produce seeds and including the gymnosperms and angiosperms

sper·ma·to·zo·an [(,)spər-,ma-tə-'zō-ən, ,spər-mə-tə-] -n, adj

  1. spermatozoon

sper·ma·to·zo·id [-'zō-əd] -n

  1. a motile male gamete of a plant usu. produced in an antheridium

sper·ma·to·zo·on [-'zō-,än, -'zō-ən] -n, adj

  1. a motile male gamete of an animal usu. with rounded or elongate head and a long posterior flagellum
  2. spermatozoid

sperm cell -n

  1. sperm

sper·mi·cide ['spər-mə-,sīd] -n, adj

  1. a preparation or substance (as nonoxynol-9) used to kill sperm

sper·mio·gen·e·sis [,spər-mē-ō-'je-nə-səs] -n

  1. spermatogenesis
  2. transformation of a spermatid into a spermatozoon

sperm nucleus -n

  1. either of two nuclei that derive from the generative nucleus of a pollen grain and function in the fertilization of a seed plant

sperm oil -n

  1. a pale yellow oil from the sperm whale

sper·mo·phile ['spər-mə-,fī(-ə)l] -n

  1. ground squirrel

sperm whale ['spərm-] -n

  1. a large toothed whale ( Physeter macrocephalussyn. P. catodon) with a massive squarish head having a large closed cavity containing a fluid mixture of spermaceti and oil

sper·ry·lite ['sper-i-,līt] -n

  1. a mineral consisting of an arsenide of platinum

spes·sar·tite ['spe-sər-,tīt] -n

  1. a manganese aluminum garnet usu. containing other elements (as iron) in minor amounts

spew ['spyü] -vb, n

  1. vomit
  2. to come forth in a flood or gush
  3. to ooze out as if under pressure : exude
  4. vomit
  5. to send or cast forth with vigor or violence or in great quantity
    • a volcano spew ing out ash
    often used with out
  6. matter that is vomited : vomit
  7. material that exudes or is extruded

SPF -abbr

  1. sun protection factor

sp gr -abbr

  1. specific gravity

sphag·nous ['sfag-nəs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or abounding in sphagnum

sphag·num ['sfag-nəm] -n

  1. any of an order (Sphagnales, containing a single genus Sphagnum) of atypical mosses that grow only in wet acid areas where their remains become compacted with other plant debris to form peat
  2. a mass of sphagnum plants

sphal·er·ite ['sfa-lə-,rīt] -n

  1. a mineral composed essentially of zinc sulfide that is the most important ore of zinc called also zinc blende

sphene ['sfēn] -n

  1. a mineral that is a silicate of calcium and titanium and often contains other elements

sphen·odon ['sfē-nə-,dän, 'sfe-] -n, adj

  1. tuatara

sphe·noid ['sfē-,nȯid] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a winged compound bone of the base of the cranium
  2. having a wedged shape

sphenoid -n

  1. a sphenoid bone

sphe·nop·sid [sfi-'näp-səd] -n

  1. any of a class or division (Sphenopsida or Sphenophyta) of primitive vascular plants characterized by jointed ribbed stems, small leaves usu. in whorls at distinct stem nodes, and sporangia in sporangiophores and made up of the horsetails and extinct related forms

spher- -comb form

  1. sphere
    • spher ule
    • sphero meter

spher·al ['sfir-əl] -adj

  1. spherical
  2. of or relating to the spheres of ancient astronomy

sphere ['sfir] -n, adj

  1. the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky
  2. any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set
  3. a globe depicting such a sphere
  4. globe
  5. a globular body : ball
  6. planet, star
  7. a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center
  8. the bounding surface of a sphere
  9. natural, normal, or proper place
  10. social order or rank
    • not in the same sphere as his moneyed friends
  11. orbit
  12. an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance
    • the public sphere
  13. to place in a sphere or among the spheres : ensphere
  14. to form into a sphere

sphere of influence

  1. a territorial area within which the political influence or the interests of one nation are held to be more or less paramount

spher·i·cal ['sfir-i-kəl, 'sfer-] -adj, adv

  1. having the form of a sphere or of one of its segments
  2. relating to or dealing with a sphere or its properties

spherical aberration -n

  1. aberration that is caused by the spherical form of a lens or mirror and that gives different foci for central and marginal rays

spherical angle -n

  1. the angle between two intersecting arcs of great circles of a sphere measured by the plane angle formed by the tangents to the arcs at the point of intersection

spherical coordinate -n

  1. one of three coordinates that are used to locate a point in space and that comprise the radius of the sphere on which the point lies in a system of concentric spheres, the angle formed by the point, the center, and a given axis of the sphere, and the angle between the plane of the first angle and a reference plane through the given axis of the sphere

spherical geometry -n

  1. the geometry of figures on a sphere

spherical polygon -n

  1. a figure analogous to a plane polygon that is formed on a sphere by arcs of great circles

spherical triangle -n

  1. a spherical polygon of three sides

spherical trigonometry -n

  1. trigonometry applied to spherical triangles and polygons

spher·oid ['sfir-,ȯid, 'sfer-] -n, adj, adv

  1. a figure resembling a sphere
  2. an object of approximately spherical shape

sphe·rom·e·ter [sfir-'ä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring the curvature of a surface

sphe·ro·plast ['sfir-ə-,plast, 'sfer-] -n

  1. a bacterium or yeast cell that is modified (as by enzymatic action) so that there is partial loss of the cell wall and increased osmotic sensitivity

spher·ule ['sfir-ül, 'sfer-, -,yül] -n

  1. a little sphere or spherical body

spher·u·lite ['sfir-yə-,līt, 'sfer-, -ə-,līt] -n, adj

  1. a usu. spherical crystalline body of radiating crystal fibers often found in vitreous volcanic rocks

sphery ['sfir-ē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or suggestive of the celestial bodies
  2. round, spherical

sphinc·ter ['sfiŋ(k)-tər] -n, adj

  1. an annular muscle surrounding and able to contract or close a bodily opening

sphin·gid ['sfin-jəd] -n

  1. hawk moth

sphin·go·sine ['sfiŋ-gə-,sēn] -n

  1. a long-chain unsaturated amino alcohol C 18H 37O 2N found esp. in nervous tissue and cell membranes

sphinx ['sfiŋ(k)s] -n, adj

  1. a winged female monster in Greek mythology having a woman's head and a lion's body and noted for killing anyone unable to answer its riddle
  2. an enigmatic or mysterious person
    • she is a sphinx whose features hold a blank fascination
  3. an ancient Egyptian image in the form of a recumbent lion having a man's head, a ram's head, or a hawk's head

sphinx moth -n

  1. hawk moth

sp ht -abbr

  1. specific heat

sphyg·mo·graph ['sfig-mə-,graf] -n

  1. an instrument that records graphically the movements or character of the pulse

sphyg·mo·ma·nom·e·ter [,sfig-mō-mə-'nä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring blood pressure and esp. arterial blood pressure

sphynx ['sfiŋ(k)s] -n

  1. any of a breed of large-eared virtually hairless cats that originated as a spontaneous mutation

spic ['spik] -n

  1. spanish american

spi·ca ['spī-kə] -n

  1. a bandage that is applied in successive V-shaped crossings and is used to immobilize a limb esp. at a joint

Spi·ca ['spī-kə] -n

  1. a star of the first magnitude in the constellation Virgo

spi·cate ['spī-,kāt] -adj

  1. arranged in the form of a spike
    • a spicate inflorescence

spic·ca·to [spi-'kä-(,)tō] -adj

  1. performed with a slight lifting of the bow after each note used as a direction in music

spiccato -n

  1. a spiccato technique, performance, or passage

spice ['spīs] -n, adj

  1. any of various aromatic vegetable products (as pepper or nutmeg) used to season or flavor foods
  2. a small portion, quantity, or admixture : dash
  3. something that gives zest or relish
    • variety's the very spice of life -- William Cowper
  4. a pungent or fragrant odor : perfume
  5. to season with spices
  6. to add zest or relish to
    • cynicism spiced with humor -- J. W. Dawson
    often used with up

spice·bush ['spīs-,bu̇sh] -n

  1. an aromatic shrub ( Lindera benzoin) of the laurel family found chiefly in the eastern U.S. that bears dense clusters of small greenish-yellow flowers followed by usu. scarlet berries

spic·ery ['spī-sə-rē, 'spīs-rē] -n

  1. spices
  2. a repository of spices
  3. a spicy quality

spickandspan [,spik-ən(d)-'span, ,spik-ᵊŋ-] -adj

  1. fresh, brand-new
  2. spotlessly clean

spic·ule ['spi-(,)kyül] -n, adj

  1. a slender pointed usu. hard body
  2. one of the minute calcareous or siliceous bodies that support the tissue of various invertebrates (as sponges)
  3. a spikelike short-lived prominence appearing close to the chromosphere of the solar atmosphere

spicy ['spī-sē] -adj, adv, n

  1. having the quality, flavor, or fragrance of spice
  2. producing or abounding in spices
  3. lively, spirited
  4. piquant, racy
  5. somewhat scandalous or salacious
    • spicy gossip

spi·der ['spī-dər] -n, adj

  1. any of an order (Araneae syn. Araneida) of arachnids having the abdomen usu. unsegmented and constricted at the base, chelicerae modified into poison fangs, and two or more pairs of abdominal spinnerets for spinning threads of silk for various uses (as in making cocoons for their eggs or webs to catch prey)
  2. a cast-iron frying pan orig. made with short feet to stand among coals on the hearth
  3. any of various devices consisting of a frame or skeleton with radiating arms or members

spider crab -n

  1. any of a family (Majidae) of crabs with extremely long legs and nearly triangular bodies which they often cover with kelp

spider mite -n

  1. any of various small web-spinning mites (family Tetranychidae) that include destructive pests of plants called also red spider

spider monkey -n

  1. any of a genus ( Ateles) of New World monkeys with long slender limbs, the thumb absent or rudimentary, and a very long prehensile tail

spider plant -n

  1. any of several cultivars of a southern African plant ( Chlorophytum comosum) of the lily family widely grown as houseplants and having long narrow green leaves usu. striped with white or ivory and producing white flowers and tufts of plantlets on long hanging stems

spider vein -n

  1. a telangiectasia (as of the legs or face) often appearing as a central area with outward radiations resembling the legs of a spider

spi·der·web ['spī-dər-,web] -n

  1. the network of silken thread spun by most spiders and used as a resting place and as a trap for small prey
  2. something that resembles or suggests a spiderweb

spi·der·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Tradescantiaof the family Commelinaceae, the spiderwort family) of American monocotyledonous plants with ephemeral often blue or violet flowers

spi·dery ['spī-də-rē] -adj

  1. resembling a spider in form or manner
  2. resembling a spiderweb
    • spidery handwriting
  3. composed of fine threads or lines in a weblike arrangement
    • spidery lace
  4. infested with spiders

spie·gel·ei·sen ['spē-gə-,lī-zᵊn] -n

  1. a composition of iron that contains 15 to 30 percent manganese and 4.5 to 6.5 percent carbon

spiel ['spēl] -vb, n

  1. to play music
  2. to talk volubly or extravagantly
  3. to utter, express, or describe volubly or extravagantly
  4. a voluble line of often extravagant talk : pitch

spi·er ['spī(-ə)r] -n

  1. spy

spier ['spir] -vb

(variant of speer)

  1. ask, inquire

spiff ['spif] -vb, adj

  1. spruce usu. used with up
    • spiff up your wardrobe

spiffy ['spi-fē] -adj, adv, n

  1. fine looking : smart
    • a spiffy sports jacket

spig·ot ['spi-gət, -kət] -n

  1. spile
  2. the plug of a faucet or cock
  3. faucet
  4. something resembling a spigot esp. in regulating availability or flow (as of money)

spike ['spīk] -n, adj

  1. a very large nail
  2. one of a row of pointed irons placed (as on the top of a wall) to prevent passage
  3. one of several metal projections set in the sole and heel of a shoe to improve traction
  4. a pair of shoes having spikes attached to the soles or soles and heels
  5. spindle
  6. : something resembling a spike: as
  7. a young mackerel not over six inches (15.2 centimeters) long
  8. an unbranched antler of a young deer
  9. spike heel
  10. the act or an instance of spiking (as in volleyball)
  11. a pointed element in a graph or tracing
  12. an unusually high and sharply defined maximum (as of amplitude in a wave train)
  13. hypodermic needle
  14. a momentary sharp increase and fall in electric potential
  15. action potential
  16. an abrupt sharp increase (as in prices or rates)
  17. to fasten or furnish with spikes
  18. to disable (a muzzle-loading cannon) temporarily by driving a spike into the vent
  19. to suppress or block completely
    • spiked the rumor
  20. to pierce or impale with or on a spike
  21. to reject (as a story) for publication or broadcast for editorial reasons
  22. to add an alcoholic beverage to (a drink)
    • spiked the punch
  23. to add a foreign substance to
    • spike the coffee with tranquilizers
  24. to add something highly reactive (as a radioactive tracer) to
  25. to add vitality, zest, or spice to : liven
    • spiked the speech with humor
    • spike the broth with peppers
  26. to drive (as a volleyball) sharply downward with a hard blow
  27. to throw down sharply
    • spiked the ball in the end zone
  28. to undergo a sudden sharp increase in (temperature or fever)
    • the patient spiked a fever of 103
  29. to increase sharply
    • battery sales spiked after the storm
  30. an ear of grain
  31. an elongated inflorescence similar to a raceme but having the flowers sessile on the main axis

spiked ['spīkt, 'spī-kəd] -adj

  1. having an inflorescence that is a spike
  2. having a sharp projecting point
  3. arranged in stiff tufts

spike heel -n

  1. a very high tapering heel used on women's shoes
  2. shoes with spike heels

spike lavender ['spīk-] -n

  1. a European mint ( Lavandula latifolia) related to true lavender

spike·let ['spī-klət] -n

  1. a small or secondary spike
  2. one of the small few-flowered bracted spikes that make up the compound inflorescence of a grass or sedge

spike·nard ['spīk-,närd] -n

  1. a fragrant ointment of the ancients
  2. a Himalayan aromatic plant ( Nardostachys jatamansi) of the valerian family from which spikenard is believed to have been derived
  3. a No. American perennial herb ( Aralia racemosa) of the ginseng family with an aromatic root and panicled umbels

spiketooth harrow ['spīk-'tüth-] -n

  1. a harrow with straight steel teeth set in horizontal bars

spiky ['spī-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by spikes
    • spiky barbed wire
  2. sharply irritating or acerbic (as in temper or manner)

spile ['spī(-ə)l] -n

  1. pile
  2. a small plug used to stop the vent of a cask : bung
  3. a spout inserted in a tree to draw off sap
  4. to plug with a spile
  5. to supply with a spile

spill ['spil] -vb, adj, n

  1. kill, destroy
  2. to cause (blood) to be lost by wounding
  3. to cause or allow esp. accidentally or unintentionally to fall, flow, or run out so as to be lost or wasted
  4. to relieve (a sail) from the pressure of the wind so as to reef or furl it
  5. to relieve the pressure of (wind) on a sail by coming about or by adjusting the sail with lines
  6. to throw off or out
    • a horse spill ed him
  7. to let out : divulge
    • spill a secret
  8. to flow, run, or fall out, over, or off and become wasted, scattered, or lost
    • water spill ing over the dam
  9. to cause or allow something to spill
  10. to spread profusely or beyond bounds
    • crowds spill ed into the streets
  11. to fall from one's place (as on a horse)
  12. the act or an instance of spilling
  13. a fall from a horse or vehicle or an erect position
  14. something spilled
  15. a wooden splinter
  16. a small roll or twist of paper or slip of wood for lighting a fire

spill·age ['spi-lij] -n

  1. the act or process of spilling
  2. the quantity that spills : material lost or scattered by spilling

spil·li·kin ['spi-li-kən] -n

  1. jackstraw
  2. jackstraw

spill·over ['spil-,ō-vər] -n

  1. the act or an instance of spilling over
  2. a quantity that spills over
  3. an extension of something esp. when an excess exists
    • benefiting from a spillover of prosperity from neighboring states

spill·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a passage for surplus water to run over or around an obstruction (as a dam)

spilth ['spilth] -n

  1. the act or an instance of spilling
  2. something spilled
  3. refuse, rubbish

spin ['spin] -vb

  1. to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread
  2. to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid used esp. of a spider or insect
  3. to revolve rapidly : gyrate
  4. to feel as if in a whirl : reel
    • my head is spinning
  5. to move swiftly esp. on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle
  6. to fish with spinning bait : troll
  7. to fall in a spin
  8. to plunge helplessly and out of control
  9. to engage in spin control (as in politics)
  10. to draw out and twist into yarns or threads
  11. to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material
  12. to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning
  13. to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : protract usu. used with out
  14. to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination
    • spin a yarn
  15. to cause to whirl : impart spin to
    • spin a top
  16. to shape into threadlike form in manufacture
  17. to manufacture by a whirling process
  18. to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play
    • spin some discs
  19. to present (as information) with a particular spin
    • spin the statistics
  20. the act of spinning or twirling something
  21. an instance of spinning or of spinning something
    • doing axels and spin s
    • an assortment of spin s and lobs
  22. the whirling motion imparted (as to a ball or top) by spinning
  23. an excursion or ride in a vehicle esp. on wheels
    • go for a spin
  24. an aerial maneuver or flight condition consisting of a combination of roll and yaw with the longitudinal axis of the airplane inclined steeply downward
  25. a plunging descent or downward spiral
  26. a state of mental confusion
    • all in a spin
  27. a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
  28. the angular momentum associated with such rotation whose magnitude is quantized and which may assume either of two possible directions
  29. the angular momentum of a system of such particles derived from the spins and orbital motions of the particles
  30. a usu. ingenious twist
    • puts an Asian spin on the pasta dishes
  31. a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion
    • put the most favorable spin on the findings
  32. spin control

spi·na bi·fi·da [,spī-nə-'bi-fə-də] -n

  1. a congenital cleft of the spinal column with hernial protrusion of the meninges and sometimes the spinal cord

spin·ach ['spi-nich] -n, adj

  1. an Asian herb ( Spinacia oleracea) of the goosefoot family cultivated for its edible leaves which form in a dense basal rosette
  2. its leaves
  3. something unwanted, pretentious, or spurious
  4. an untidy overgrowth

spi·nal ['spī-nᵊl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column
  2. of, relating to, or affecting the spinal cord
    • spinal reflexes
  3. having the spinal cord functionally isolated (as by surgical section) from the brain
    • experiments on spinal animals
  4. of, relating to, or resembling a spine

spinal -n

  1. a spinal anesthetic

spinal canal -n

  1. vertebral canal

spinal column -n

  1. the axial skeleton of a vertebrate that consists of an articulated series of vertebrae which extend from the neck to the tail and protect the spinal cord called also backbone

spinal cord -n

  1. the cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the vertebral canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts

spinal ganglion -n

  1. a ganglion on the dorsal root of each spinal nerve that is one of a series of ganglia lodging cell bodies of sensory neurons

spi·nal·ly ['spī-nᵊl-ē] -adv

  1. with respect to or along the spine

spinal nerve -n

  1. any of the paired nerves which leave the spinal cord of a craniate vertebrate, supply muscles of the trunk and limbs, and connect with the nerves of the sympathetic nervous system, which arise by a short motor ventral root and a short sensory dorsal root, and of which there are 31 pairs in humans

spinal tap -n

  1. lumbar puncture

spin control -n

  1. the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
    • political spin control

spin·dle ['spin-dᵊl] -n

  1. a round stick with tapered ends used to form and twist the yarn in hand spinning
  2. the long slender pin by which the thread is twisted in a spinning wheel
  3. any of various rods or pins holding a bobbin in a textile machine (as a spinning frame)
  4. the pin in a loom shuttle
  5. a device usu. consisting of a long upright pin in a base on which papers can be stuck for filing called also spindle file
  6. : something shaped like a spindle: as
  7. a spindle-shaped network of chiefly microtubular fibers along which the chromosomes are distributed during mitosis and meiosis
  8. muscle spindle
  9. the bar or shaft usu. of square section that carries the knobs and actuates the latch or bolt of a lock
  10. a turned often decorative piece (as in a baluster)
  11. newel
  12. a revolving piece esp. when thinner than a shaft
  13. a horizontal or vertical axle revolving on pin or pivot ends
  14. the part of an axle on which a vehicle wheel turns

spindle ['spin(d)-liŋ, 'spin-dᵊl-iŋ] -vb, n

  1. to shoot or grow into a long slender stalk
  2. to grow to stalk or stem rather than to flower or fruit
  3. to impale, thrust, or perforate on the spike of a spindle file
  4. to make or equip (as a piece of furniture) with spindles

spindle cell -n

  1. a fusiform cell (as in some tumors)

spin·dlelegged ['spin-dᵊl-,(l)e-gəd also -,(l)ā- or -,(l)egd] -adj

  1. having long slender legs
    • a spindlelegged table
    • spindlelegged dogs

spin·dleshanked [-,shaŋ(k)t] -adj

  1. spindle-legged

spindle tree -n

  1. any of various often evergreen shrubs, small trees, or vines (genus Euonymus) of the staff-tree family

spin·dling ['spin(d)-liŋ, -lən; 'spin-dᵊl-iŋ, -ən] -adj

  1. spindly

spin·dly ['spin(d)-lē, 'spin-dᵊl-ē] -adj

  1. of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
    • spindly legs
  2. frail or flimsy in appearance or structure
    • a spindly tower

spin doctor -n, vb

  1. a person (as a political aide) responsible for ensuring that others interpret an event from a particular point of view

spin·drift ['spin-,drift] -n

  1. sea spray
  2. spray blown from waves during a gale
  3. fine wind-borne snow or sand

spine ['spīn] -n, adj

  1. spinal column
  2. something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support
  3. the part of a book to which the pages are attached and on the cover of which usu. appear the title and author's and publisher's names
  4. a stiff pointed plant process
  5. one that is a modified leaf or leaf part
  6. : a sharp rigid process on an animal: as
  7. spicule
  8. a stiff unsegmented fin ray of a fish
  9. a pointed prominence on a bone

spinechill·ing [-,chi-liŋ] -adj

  1. alarmingly or eerily frightening

spi·nel [spə-'nel] -n

  1. a hard crystalline mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum that varies from colorless to ruby red to black and is used as a gem
  2. any of a group of minerals that are essentially oxides of magnesium, ferrous iron, zinc, or manganese

spine·less ['spīn-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. free from spines, thorns, or prickles
  2. having no spinal column : invertebrate
  3. lacking strength of character

spin·et ['spi-nət also spi-'net] -n

  1. an early harpsichord having a single keyboard and only one string for each note
  2. a compactly built small upright piano
  3. a small electronic organ

spin fishing -n

  1. spinning

spi·ni·fex ['spī-nə-,feks] -n

  1. any of several Australian grasses (genera Spinifexand Triodia) with spiny seeds or stiff sharp leaves

spin·meis·ter ['spin-,mīs-tər] -n

  1. spin doctor

spin·na·ker ['spi-ni-kər] -n

  1. a large triangular sail set on a long light pole and used when running before the wind

spin·ner ['spi-nər] -n

  1. one that spins
  2. a fisherman's lure consisting of a spoon, blade, or set of wings that revolves when drawn through the water
  3. a conical sheet metal fairing that is attached to an airplane propeller boss and revolves with it
  4. a movable arrow that is spun on its dial to indicate the number or kind of moves a player may make in a board game
  5. spin doctor

spinner dolphin -n

  1. a long-beaked dolphin ( Stenella longirostris) that is typically dark gray above and white below and that is noted for its habit of spinning in the air when breaching

spin·ner·et [,spi-nə-'ret] -n

  1. an organ (as of a spider or caterpillar) for producing threads of silk from the secretion of silk glands
  2. a small metal plate, thimble, or cap with fine holes through which a chemical solution (as of cellulose) is forced in the spinning of man-made filaments (as of rayon or nylon)

spin·ney ['spi-nē] -n

  1. a small wood with undergrowth

spinning -n

  1. a method of fishing in which a lure is cast by use of a light flexible rod, a spinning reel, and a light line

spinning frame -n

  1. a machine that draws, twists, and winds yarn

spinning jen·ny [-,je-nē] -n

  1. an early multiple-spindle machine for spinning wool or cotton

spinning reel -n

  1. a fishing reel with a nonmoving spool on which the line is wound by means of a revolving arm which can be disengaged to allow the line to spiral freely off the spool during casting

spinning rod -n

  1. a light flexible fishing rod used with a spinning reel

spinning wheel -n

  1. a small domestic hand-driven or foot-driven machine for spinning yarn or thread

spinoff ['spin-,ȯf] -n

  1. the distribution by a business to its stockholders of particular assets and esp. of stock of another company
  2. the new company created by such a distribution
  3. a collateral or derived product or effect : by-product
  4. a number of such products
    • the spinoff from the space program
  5. something that is imitative or derivative of an earlier work, product, or establishment
  6. a television show starring a character popular in a secondary role of an earlier show

spin off -vt

  1. to establish or produce as a spin-off
    • the company spun off its computer division
    • spin off a new TV series
  2. to establish or become a spin-off

spin·or ['spi-nər, -,nȯr] -n

  1. a vector whose components are complex numbers in a two-dimensional or four-dimensional space and which is used esp. in the mathematics of the theory of relativity

spi·nose ['spī-,nōs] -adj, n

  1. spiny
    • a fly with black spinose legs

spi·nous ['spī-nəs] -adj

  1. spiny
    • a spinous plant
  2. spiny
  3. difficult or unpleasant to handle or meet : thorny

spin·out ['spin-,au̇t] -n

  1. a rotational skid by an automobile that usu. causes it to leave the roadway

spin out -vi

  1. to make a rotational skid in an automobile

Spi·no·zism [spi-'nō-,zi-zəm] -n, adj

  1. the philosophy of Baruch Spinoza who taught that reality is one substance with an infinite number of attributes of which only thought and extension are capable of being apprehended by the human mind

spin·ster ['spin(t)-stər] -n, adj

  1. a woman whose occupation is to spin
  2. an unmarried woman of gentle family
  3. an unmarried woman and esp. one past the common age for marrying
  4. a woman who seems unlikely to marry

spin·thar·i·scope [spin-'tha-rə-,skōp] -n

  1. an instrument for visual detection of alpha particles that consists of a fluorescent screen and a magnifying lens system

spin the bottle -n

  1. a kissing game in which one has as a partner the person a bottle points to when it stops spinning

spin·to ['spēn-(,)tō, 'spin-] -n, adj

  1. a singing voice having both lyric and dramatic qualities

spi·nule ['spī-(,)nyül] -n, adj

  1. a minute spine

spiny ['spī-nē] -adj, n

  1. abounding with difficulties, obstacles, or annoyances : thorny
    • spiny problems
  2. covered or armed with spines
  3. bearing spines, prickles, or thorns
  4. slender and pointed like a spine

spiny anteater -n

  1. echidna

spinyhead·ed worm ['spī-nē-,he-dəd-] -n

  1. any of a small phylum (Acanthocephala) of unsegmented parasitic worms that have a proboscis bearing hooks by which attachment is made to the intestinal wall of the host

spiny lobster -n

  1. any of several edible crustaceans (family Palinuridae, esp. genus Panulirus) distinguished from true lobsters by the simple unenlarged first pair of legs and claws and the spiny carapace

spi·ra·cle ['spir-i-kəl, 'spī-ri-] -n, adj

  1. a breathing hole : vent
  2. : a breathing orifice: as
  3. blowhole
  4. an external tracheal aperture of a terrestrial arthropod that in an insect is usu. one of a series of small apertures located along each side of the thorax and abdomen

spi·ral ['spī-rəl] -adj, adv

  1. winding around a center or pole and gradually receding from or approaching it
    • the spiral curve of a watch spring
  2. helical
  3. spiral-bound
    • a spiral notebook
  4. of or relating to the advancement to higher levels through a series of cyclical movements

spiral -n

  1. the path of a point in a plane moving around a central point while continuously receding from or approaching it
  2. a three-dimensional curve (as a helix) with one or more turns about an axis
  3. a single turn or coil in a spiral object
  4. : something having a spiral form as:
  5. spiral galaxy
  6. a spiral flight
  7. a kick or pass in which a football rotates on its long axis while moving through the air
  8. a continuously spreading and accelerating increase or decrease
    • wage spiral s
  9. to go and esp. to rise or fall in a spiral course
    • costs spiral ed upward
  10. to form into a spiral
  11. to cause to spiral

spiral binding -n

  1. a book or notebook binding in which a continuous spiral wire or plastic strip is passed through holes along one edge

spi·ralbound ['spī-rəl-,bau̇nd] -adj

  1. having a spiral binding

spiral cleavage -n

  1. holoblastic cleavage that is typical of protostomes and that is characterized by arrangement of the blastomeres of each upper tier over the cell junctions of the next lower tier so that the blastomeres spiral around the pole to pole axis of the embryo

spiral galaxy -n

  1. a galaxy exhibiting a central nucleus or barred structure from which extend curved arms of higher luminosity called also spiral nebula

spiral of Ar·chi·me·des [-,är-kə-'mē-dēz]

  1. a plane curve that is generated by a point moving away from or toward a fixed point at a constant rate while the radius vector from the fixed point rotates at a constant rate and that has the equation a in polar coordinates

spiral spring -n

  1. a spring consisting of a wire coiled usu. in a flat spiral or in a helix

spi·rant ['spī-rənt] -n, adj

  1. a consonant (as f, s, sh) uttered with friction of the breath against some part of the oral passage : fricative

spire ['spī(-ə)r] -n

  1. a slender tapering blade or stalk (as of grass)
  2. the upper tapering part of something (as a tree or antler) : pinnacle
  3. a tapering roof or analogous pyramidal construction surmounting a tower
  4. steeple
    • a church spire
  5. to rise like a spire
  6. spiral
  7. coil
  8. the inner or upper part of a spiral gastropod shell consisting of all the whorls except the whorl in contact with the body
  9. to rise in or as if in a spiral

spi·rea [spī-'rē-ə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Spiraea) of deciduous shrubs of the rose family with small usu. white or pink flowers in dense racemes, corymbs, cymes, or panicles
  2. any of several garden plants resembling spireas
  3. a shrub ( Astilbe japonica) of the saxifrage family

spired -adj

  1. having a spire
    • a spired church
  2. tapering usu. to a sharp point
    • spired cedars

spi·ril·lum [spī-'ri-ləm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Spirillum) of curved elongated motile bacteria having tufts of flagella at both poles
  2. a spiral filamentous bacterium (as a spirochete)

spir·it ['spir-ət] -n

  1. an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
  2. : a supernatural being or essence: as
  3. holy spirit
  4. soul
  5. an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible
  6. ghost
  7. a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
  8. temper or disposition of mind or outlook esp. when vigorous or animated
    • in high spirit s
  9. the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
  10. the activating or essential principle influencing a person
    • acted in a spirit of helpfulness
  11. an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : mood
  12. a special attitude or frame of mind
    • the money-making spirit was for a time driven back -- J. A. Froude
  13. the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing something
    • undertaken in a spirit of fun
  14. a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
  15. a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
  16. a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness
    • denied the charge with spirit
  17. : distillate
  18. the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash often used in pl.
  19. any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) often used in pl.
  20. a usu. volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
  21. prevailing tone or tendency
    • spirit of the age
  22. general intent or real meaning
    • spirit of the law
  23. an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance
    • spirit of camphor
  24. enthusiastic loyalty
    • school spirit
  25. god

spirit -vt

  1. to infuse with spirit
  2. animate
    • hope and apprehension of feasibleness spirit s all industry -- John Goodman
  3. to carry off usu. secretly or mysteriously
    • was hustled into a...motorcar and spirit ed off to the country -- W. L. Shirer

spir·it·ed ['spir-ə-təd] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of energy, animation, or courage
    • a spirited discussion

spirit gum -n

  1. a solution (as of gum arabic in ether) used esp. for attaching false hair to the skin

spir·it·ism ['spir-ə-,ti-zəm] -n, adj

  1. spiritualism

spir·it·less ['spir-ət-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking animation, cheerfulness, or courage

spirit level -n

  1. level

spirit of wine

  1. alcohol

spir·i·to·so [,spir-ə-'tō-(,)sō, -(,)zō] -adj

  1. animated used as a direction in music

spir·it·ous ['spir-ə-təs] -adj

  1. pure, refined
  2. spirituous

spirit rapping -n

  1. communication by raps held to be from the spirits of the dead

spirits of turpentine

  1. turpentine

spirits of wine

  1. rectified spirit : alcohol

spir·i·tu·al ['spir-i-chə-wəl, -i-chəl, -ich-wəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal
    • spiritual needs
  2. of or relating to sacred matters
    • spiritual songs
  3. ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal
    • spiritual authority
    • lords spiritual
  4. concerned with religious values
  5. related or joined in spirit
    • our spiritual home
    • his spiritual heir
  6. of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena
  7. of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : spiritualistic

spiritual -n

  1. things of a spiritual, ecclesiastical, or religious nature
  2. a religious song usu. of a deeply emotional character that was developed esp. among blacks in the southern U.S.
  3. any of a party of 13th and 14th century Franciscans advocating strict observance of a rule of poverty for their order

spiritual bouquet -n

  1. a card notifying the recipient of a number of devotional acts performed by a Roman Catholic on behalf of a person on special occasions (as name days or anniversaries) or for the soul of someone recently deceased esp. as an expression of sympathy

spir·i·tu·al·ism ['spir-i-chə-wə-,li-zəm, -i-chə-,li-, -ich-wə-,li-] -n, adj

  1. the view that spirit is a prime element of reality
  2. a belief that spirits of the dead communicate with the living usu. through a medium
  3. a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism

spir·i·tu·al·i·ty [,spir-i-chə-'wa-lə-tē] -n

  1. something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
  2. clergy
  3. sensitivity or attachment to religious values
  4. the quality or state of being spiritual

spir·i·tu·al·ize ['spir-i-chə-wə-,līz, -i-chə-,līz, -ich-wə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to make spiritual
  2. to purify from the corrupting influences of the world
  3. to give a spiritual meaning to or understand in a spiritual sense

spir·i·tu·al·ty ['spir-i-chə-wəl-tē, -i-chəl-tē, -ich-wəl-tē] -n

  1. spirituality
  2. clergy

spi·ri·tu·el [,spir-i-chə-'wel, spē-rē-tw(ʸ)el] -adj

  1. having or marked by a refined and esp. sprightly or witty nature

spir·i·tu·ous ['spir-i-chə-wəs, -ich-wəs] -adj

  1. containing or impregnated with alcohol obtained by distillation
    • spirituous liquors

spirit varnish -n

  1. a varnish in which a volatile liquid (as alcohol) is the solvent

spirit writing -n

  1. automatic writing held to be produced under the influence of spirits

spi·ro·chet·al [,spī-rə-'kē-tᵊl] -adj

  1. caused by spirochetes

spi·ro·chete ['spī-rə-,kēt] -n

  1. any of an order (Spirochaetales) of slender spirally undulating bacteria including those causing syphilis and Lyme disease

spi·ro·chet·osis [,spī-rə-,kē-'tō-səs] -n

  1. infection with or a disease caused by spirochetes

spi·ro·gy·ra [,spī-rə-'jī-rə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Spirogyra) of freshwater green algae with spiral chloroplasts

spi·rom·e·ter [spī-'rä-mə-tər] -n, adj

  1. an instrument for measuring the air entering and leaving the lungs

spirt ['spərt] -vb

(variant of spurt)

  1. to gush forth : spout
  2. to expel in a stream or jet : squirt
    • the faucet spurt s water
  3. a sudden gush : jet
  4. a short period of time : moment
  5. a sudden brief burst of effort, activity, or development
    • a spurt of work
    • a growth spurt
  6. a sharp or sudden increase in business activity
  7. to make a spurt

spi·ru·lina [,spī-rə-'lī-nə] -n

  1. a microscopic filamentous aquatic cyanobacterium (genus Spirulina,esp. S. platensissyn. Arthrospira platensis) that is sometimes cultivated for use as food esp. as a dietary supplement

spiry ['spī(-ə)r-ē] -adj

  1. resembling a spire
  2. tall, slender, and tapering
    • spiry trees

spit ['spit] -n

  1. a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire
  2. a small point of land esp. of sand or gravel running into a body of water
  3. to fix on or as if on a spit : impale
  4. to eject (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
  5. to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by spitting
  6. to utter with a spitting sound or scornful expression
    • spat out his words
  7. to emit as if by spitting
  8. to emit (precipitation) in driving particles or in flurries
    • spit rain
  9. to set to burning
    • spit a fuse
  10. to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt
  11. to exhibit contempt
  12. to eject matter (as saliva) from the mouth : expectorate
  13. to rain or snow slightly or in flurries
  14. to make a noise suggesting expectoration : sputter
  15. spittle, saliva
  16. the act or an instance of spitting
  17. a frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs
  18. spittlebug
  19. perfect likeness
  20. a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow

spit·al ['spi-tᵊl] -n

  1. lazaretto, hospital

spit and polish -n, adj

  1. extreme attention to cleanliness, orderliness, smartness of appearance, and ceremony often at the expense of operational efficiency

spit·ball ['spit-,bȯl] -n

  1. paper chewed and rolled into a ball to be thrown or shot as a missile
  2. a baseball pitch delivered after the ball has been moistened with saliva or sweat

spit curl -n

  1. a spiral curl that is usu. plastered on the forehead, temple, or cheek

spite ['spīt] -n

  1. petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart
  2. an instance of spite
  3. annoy, offend
  4. to fill with spite
  5. to treat maliciously (as by shaming or thwarting)

spite·ful ['spīt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. filled with or showing spite : malicious

spit·fire ['spit-,fī(-ə)r] -n

  1. a quick-tempered or highly emotional person

spit·ter ['spi-tər] -n

  1. one that spits

spitter -n

  1. spitball

spitting cobra -n

  1. any of several cobras (as Naja nigricollisand Hemachatus haemachatusof Africa) that in defense typically eject their venom toward the victim without striking

spitting image -n

  1. image

spit·tle ['spi-tᵊl] -n

  1. saliva
  2. spit

spit·tle·bug [-,bəg] -n

  1. any of a family (Cercopidae) of leaping homopterous insects whose nymphal larvae produce a frothy secretion called also froghopper

spittle insect -n

  1. spittlebug

spit·toon [spi-'tün, spə-] -n

  1. a receptacle for spit called also cuspidor

spit up -vb, n

  1. regurgitate, vomit

spitz ['spits] -n

  1. a member of any of several breeds of stocky heavy-coated dogs of northern origin with erect ears and usu. a heavily furred tail carried over the back

spiv ['spiv] -n, adj

  1. a man who lives by his wits without regular employment
  2. slacker

splanch·nic ['splaŋk-nik] -adj

  1. of or relating to the viscera : visceral

splash ['splash] -vb, n

  1. to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid substance
  2. to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid substance and cause it to spatter
  3. to become spattered about
  4. to spread or scatter in the manner of splashed liquid
  5. to fall, strike, or move with a splashing sound
    • a brook splash ing over rocks
  6. to dash a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against
  7. to soil or stain with splashed liquid
  8. to mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture
  9. to display prominently
    • a story splash ed on the front page
  10. to cause (a liquid or thinly viscous substance) to spatter about esp. with force
  11. to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid
  12. splashed liquid or semiliquid substance
  13. impounded water released suddenly
  14. a spot or daub from or as if from splashed liquid
    • a mud splash on the fender
  15. a colored patch
  16. the action of splashing
  17. a short plunge
  18. a sound produced by or as if by a liquid falling, moving, being hurled, or oscillating
  19. a vivid impression created esp. by ostentatious activity or appearance
  20. ostentatious display
  21. a small amount : sprinkling

splash·board ['splash-,bȯrd] -n

  1. dashboard
  2. a panel to protect against splashes

splash·down ['splash-,dau̇n] -n, vi

  1. the landing of a manned spacecraft in the ocean

splash guard -n

  1. a flap suspended behind a rear wheel to prevent tire splash from muddying windshields of following vehicles

splashy ['spla-shē] -adj, adv, n

  1. moving or being moved with a splash or splashing sounds
  2. tending to or exhibiting ostentatious display : making a splash
    • a splashy movie
    • a splashy debut
  3. that can be easily splashed about
  4. consisting of, being, or covered with colored splashes

splat ['splat] -n

  1. a single flat thin often ornamental member of a back of a chair
  2. a splattering or slapping sound

splat·ter ['spla-tər] -vb

  1. spatter
  2. to scatter or fall in or as if in drops

splatter -n

  1. spatter, splash
  2. characterized by extreme or excessive gore or violence
    • a splatter movie

splay ['splā] -vb

  1. to cause to spread outward
  2. to make oblique : bevel
  3. to extend apart or outward esp. in an awkward manner
  4. slope, slant
  5. a slope or bevel esp. of the sides of a door or window
  6. spread, expansion
  7. turned outward
    • splay knees
  8. awkward, ungainly

splay·foot ['splā-,fu̇t] -n, adj

  1. a foot abnormally flattened and spread out
  2. flatfoot

spleen ['splēn] -n

  1. a highly vascular ductless organ that is located in the left abdominal region near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and is concerned with final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes
  2. the seat of emotions or passions
  3. melancholy
  4. feelings of anger or ill will often suppressed
  5. a sudden impulse or whim : caprice

spleen·ful [-fəl] -adj

  1. full of or affected with spleen : splenetic

spleen·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of a large genus ( Asplenium) of chiefly evergreen ferns having linear or oblong sori

spleeny ['splē-nē] -adj

  1. full of or displaying spleen
  2. peevish and irritable with hypochondriac inclinations

splen- -comb form

  1. spleen
    • splen ectomy
    • spleno megaly

splen·dent ['splen-dənt] -adj

  1. shining, glossy
    • splendent luster
  2. illustrious, brilliant
    • splendent genius

splen·did ['splen-dəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. : possessing or displaying splendor: as
  2. shining, brilliant
  3. marked by showy magnificence
  4. illustrious, grand
  5. excellent
    • a splendid opportunity
  6. being out of the ordinary : singular

splen·dif·er·ous [splen-'di-f(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. extraordinarily or showily impressive

splen·dor ['splen-dər] -n, adj

  1. great brightness or luster : brilliancy
  2. magnificence, pomp
  3. something splendid
    • the splendor s of the past

splen·dour ['splen-dər] -n, adj

(variant of splendor)

  1. great brightness or luster : brilliancy
  2. magnificence, pomp
  3. something splendid
    • the splendor s of the past

sple·nec·to·my [spli-'nek-tə-mē] -n, vt

  1. surgical removal of the spleen

sple·net·ic [spli-'ne-tik, archaic 'sple-nə-(,)tik] -adj, n, adv

  1. given to melancholy
  2. marked by bad temper, malevolence, or spite

splen·ic ['sple-nik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or located in the spleen
    • splenic blood flow

sple·ni·us ['splē-nē-əs] -n

  1. either of two flat oblique muscles on each side of the back of the neck and upper thoracic region

spleno·meg·a·ly [,sple-nō-'me-gə-lē] -n

  1. abnormal enlargement of the spleen

spleu·chan ['splü-k̲ən, 'splyü-] -n

  1. a pouch esp. for tobacco or money

splice ['splīs] -vt, n

  1. to unite (as two ropes) by interweaving the strands
  2. to unite (as lengths of magnetic tape) by overlapping and securing together two ends
  3. to unite, link, or insert as if by splicing
  4. to combine or insert (as genes) by genetic engineering
    • spliced a human gene for insulin into a bacterium
  5. a joining or joint made by splicing something
  6. marriage, wedding

spliff ['splif] -n

  1. joint

spline ['splīn] -n

  1. a thin wood or metal strip used in building construction
  2. a key that is fixed to one of two connected mechanical parts and fits into a keyway in the other
  3. a keyway for such a key
  4. a function that is defined on an interval, is used to approximate a given function, and is composed of pieces of simple functions defined on subintervals and joined at their endpoints with a suitable degree of smoothness

splint ['splint] -n

  1. a small plate or strip of metal used in making armor
  2. a thin strip of wood suitable for interweaving (as into baskets)
  3. splinter
  4. material or a device used to protect and immobilize a body part (as a broken arm)
  5. a bony enlargement on the upper part of the cannon bone of a horse usu. on the inside of the leg
  6. to support and immobilize (as a broken bone) with a splint
  7. to brace with or as if with splints

splint bone -n

  1. one of the slender rudimentary metacarpal or metatarsal bones on either side of the cannon bone in the limbs of the horse and related animals

splin·ter ['splin-tər] -n, adj

  1. a thin piece split or broken off lengthwise : sliver
  2. a small needlelike particle
  3. a group or faction broken away from a parent body

splinter ['splin-tə-riŋ, -triŋ] -vb

  1. to split or rend into long thin pieces : shiver
  2. to split into fragments, parts, or factions
  3. to become splintered

split ['split] -vb

  1. to divide lengthwise usu. along a grain or seam or by layers
  2. to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart
    • the river split s the town in two
  3. to tear or rend apart : burst
  4. to subject (an atom or atomic nucleus) to artificial disintegration by fission
  5. to affect as if by breaking up or tearing apart : shatter
    • a roar that split the air
  6. : to divide into parts or portions: as
  7. to divide between persons : share
  8. to divide into factions, parties, or groups
  9. to mark (a ballot) or cast or register (a vote) so as to vote for candidates of different parties
  10. to divide or break down (a chemical compound) into constituents
    • split a fat into glycerol and fatty acids
  11. to remove by such separation
    • split off carbon dioxide
  12. to divide (stock) by issuing a larger number of shares to existing shareholders usu. without increase in total par value
  13. to separate (the parts of a whole) by interposing something
    • split an infinitive
  14. leave
    • split the party
    • split town
  15. to become split lengthwise or into layers
  16. to break apart : burst
  17. to become divided up or separated off
    • split into factions
    • split from the group
  18. to sever relations or connections : separate
  19. leave
  20. to leave without delay
    • split for the coast
  21. to betray confidence : act as an informer usu. used with on
  22. to apportion shares
  23. divided, fractured
  24. prepared for use by splitting
    • split bamboo
    • split hides
  25. heterozygous used esp. by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for
  26. a narrow break made by or as if by splitting
  27. an arrangement of bowling pins left standing with space for pins between them
  28. a piece split off or made thin by splitting
  29. a division into or between divergent or antagonistic elements or forces
    • a cultural split
  30. a faction formed in this way
  31. the act or process of splitting (as the stock of a corporation)
  32. the act of lowering oneself to the floor or leaping into the air with legs extended at right angles to the trunk
  33. a product of division by or as if by splitting
  34. a wine bottle holding one quarter the usual amount or about .1875 liters (6 to 6.5 ounces)
  35. the quantity held by a split
  36. an ice cream sundae served over slices of fruit (as banana)
  37. the recorded time at or for a specific part of a race

splitbrain ['split-'brān] -adj

  1. having the optic chiasma and corpus callosum severed
    • behavior in splitbrain animals

split decision -n

  1. a decision in a boxing match reflecting a division of opinion among the referee and judges

split end -n

  1. an offensive football end who lines up usu. several yards to the side of the formation
  2. a hair tip that has become frayed (as from dryness) usu. used in pl.

splitfingered fastball ['split-'fiŋ-gərd-] -n

  1. a fastball thrown with the ball gripped as for a forkball so that it drops rapidly as it nears the plate called also split-finger splitter

split infinitive -n

  1. an infinitive with tohaving a modifier between the toand the verbal (as in to really start)

splitlev·el ['split-'le-vəl] -adj, n

  1. divided vertically so that the floor level of rooms in one part is approximately midway between the levels of two successive stories in an adjoining part
    • a splitlevel house

split pea -n

  1. a dried hulled pea (as a field pea) in which the cotyledons usu. split apart

split personality -n

  1. schizophrenia not used technically
  2. multiple personality disorder not used technically
  3. a dual nature or character
    • a city with a split personality

split rail -n

  1. a fence rail split from a log

split screen -n

  1. a film or video technique in which the frame is divided into discrete nonoverlapping images
  2. the visual composition based on this technique

splitsecond -adj

  1. occurring in a split second
    • a splitsecond decision
  2. extremely precise
    • splitsecond timing

split second -n

  1. a fractional part of a second : flash

split shift -n

  1. a shift of working hours divided into two or more working periods at times (as morning and evening) separated by more than normal periods of time off (as for lunch or rest)

split shot -n

  1. a small ball-shaped sinker of malleable metal having a slit for the insertion of a fishing line

split·ter ['spli-tər] -n

  1. one that splits
  2. one who classifies organisms into numerous named groups based on relatively minor variations or characters
  3. split-fingered fastball

split ticket -n

  1. a ballot cast by a voter who votes for candidates of more than one party

splitting -adj

  1. : that splits or causes to split: as
  2. causing a piercing sensation
    • a splitting headache
  3. very fast or quick
    • racing off at a splitting pace -- Charles Dickens
  4. sidesplitting
    • a splitting laugh

splore ['splȯr] -n

  1. frolic, carousal
  2. commotion

splotch ['spläch] -n, adj

  1. spot, blotch
  2. to mark with a splotch : cover with splotches

splurge ['splərj] -n

  1. an ostentatious effort, display, or expenditure
  2. to make a splurge
  3. to indulge oneself extravagantly often used with on
    • splurge on a new dress
  4. to spend extravagantly or ostentatiously

splut·ter ['splə-tər] -n

  1. a confused noise (as of hasty speaking)
  2. a splashing or sputtering sound

splutter ['splə-tər-ər] -vt, n

  1. to utter hastily or confusedly : stammer
  2. to make a noise as if spitting
  3. to speak hastily and confusedly

splut·tery ['splə-tə-rē] -adj

  1. marked by spluttering

Spode ['spōd] -n

  1. ceramic ware (as bone china, stone china, or Parian ware) made at the works established by Josiah Spode in 1770 at Stoke in Staffordshire, England

spod·u·mene ['spä-jə-,mēn] -n

  1. a white to yellowish, purplish, or emerald-green monoclinic mineral that is a silicate of lithium and aluminum and occurs in prismatic crystals often of great size

spoil ['spȯi(-ə)l] -n

  1. plunder taken from an enemy in war or from a victim in robbery : loot
  2. public offices made the property of a successful party usu. used in pl.
  3. something valuable or desirable gained through special effort or opportunism or in return for a favor usu. used in pl.
  4. spoliation, plundering
  5. the act of damaging : harm, impairment
  6. an object of plundering : prey
  7. earth and rock excavated or dredged
  8. an object damaged or flawed in the making
  9. despoil, strip
  10. pillage, rob
  11. to seize by force
  12. to damage seriously : ruin
  13. to impair the quality or effect of
    • a quarrel spoil ed the celebration
  14. to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise
  15. to pamper excessively : coddle
  16. to practice plunder and robbery
  17. to lose valuable or useful qualities usu. as a result of decay
    • the fruit spoil ed
  18. to have an eager desire
    • spoil ing for a fight

spoil·age ['spȯi-lij] -n

  1. the act or process of spoiling
  2. the process of decay in foodstuffs
  3. something spoiled or wasted
  4. loss by spoilage

spoil·er ['spȯi-lər] -n

  1. one that spoils
  2. one (as a political candidate) having little or no chance of winning but capable of depriving a rival of success
  3. a long narrow plate along the upper surface of an airplane wing that may be raised for reducing lift and increasing drag
  4. an air deflector on an automobile to reduce the tendency to lift off the road at high speeds
  5. information about the plot of a motion picture or TV program that can spoil a viewer's sense of surprise or suspense
  6. a person who discloses such information

spoils·man ['spȯi(-ə)lz-mən] -n

  1. one who serves a party for a share of the spoils
  2. one who sanctions such practice

spoil·sport ['spȯi(-ə)l-,spȯrt] -n

  1. one who spoils the sport or pleasure of others

spoils system -n

  1. a practice of regarding public offices and their emoluments as plunder to be distributed to members of the victorious party

spoke ['spēk] -vb, adj

(variant of speak)

  1. to utter words or articulate sounds with the ordinary voice : talk
  2. to express thoughts, opinions, or feelings orally
  3. to extend a greeting
  4. to be friendly enough to engage in conversation
    • still were not speak ing after the dispute
  5. to express oneself before a group
  6. to address one's remarks
    • speak to the issue
  7. to make a written statement
    • his diaries... spoke ...of his entrancement with death -- Sy Kahn
  8. to use such an expression often used in the phrase so to speak
    • was at the enemy's gates, so to speak -- C. S. Forester
  9. to serve as spokesperson
  10. to express feelings by other than verbal means
    • actions speak louder than words
  11. signal
  12. to be interesting or attractive : appeal
    • great music...speak s directly to the emotions -- A. N. Whitehead
  13. to make a request or claim used with for usu. used in passive constructions
    • the seat was already spoken for
  14. to make a characteristic or natural sound
    • all at once the thunder spoke -- George Meredith
  15. testify
  16. to be indicative or suggestive
    • his gold... spoke of riches in the land -- Julian Dana
  17. to utter with the speaking voice : pronounce
  18. to give a recitation of : declaim
  19. to express orally : declare
    • free to speak their minds
  20. address, accost
  21. hail
  22. to make known in writing : state
  23. to use or be able to use in speaking
    • speak s Spanish
  24. to indicate by other than verbal means
  25. describe, depict

spo·ken ['spō-kən] -adj

  1. delivered by word of mouth : oral
  2. characterized by speaking in (such) a manner used in combination
    • soft- spoken
    • plain spoken

spoke·shave ['spōk-,shāv] -n

  1. a drawknife or small transverse plane with end handles for planing convex or concave surfaces

spokes·man ['spōks-mən] -n

  1. a person who speaks as the representative of another or others often in a professional capacity

spokes·mod·el [-,mä-dᵊl] -n

  1. a model who is a spokesman or spokeswoman

spokes·peo·ple [-,pē-pəl] -n pl

  1. people serving as spokesmen or spokeswomen

spokes·per·son [-,pər-sᵊn] -n

  1. spokesman

spokes·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who speaks as the representative of another or others often in a professional capacity

spo·li·ate ['spō-lē-,āt] -vt, n

  1. despoil

spo·li·a·tion [,spō-lē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. the act of plundering
  2. the state of having been plundered esp. in war
  3. the act of injuring esp. beyond reclaim

spon·dee ['spän-,dē] -n, adj or n

  1. a metrical foot consisting of two long or stressed syllables

spon·dy·li·tis [,spän-də-'lī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of the vertebrae

sponge ['spənj] -n, adj

  1. an elastic porous mass of interlacing horny fibers that forms the internal skeleton of various marine animals (phylum Porifera) and is able when wetted to absorb water
  2. a piece of sponge (as for scrubbing)
  3. a porous rubber or cellulose product used similarly to a sponge
  4. any of a phylum (Porifera) of aquatic chiefly marine simple invertebrate animals that have a double-walled body of loosely aggregated cells with a skeleton supported by spicules or spongin and are filter feeders that are sessile as adults
  5. a pad (as of folded gauze) used in surgery and medicine (as to remove discharge)
  6. one who lives on others
  7. a soft mixture of yeast, liquid, and flour that is allowed to rise and then mixed with additional ingredients to create bread dough
  8. a whipped dessert usu. containing whites of eggs or gelatin
  9. a metal (as platinum) obtained in porous form usu. by reduction without fusion
    • titanium sponge
  10. the egg mass of a crab
  11. an absorbent contraceptive device that is impregnated with spermicide and inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse to cover the cervix
  12. to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with a sponge
  13. to erase or destroy with or as if with a sponge often used with out
  14. to get by sponging on another
  15. to absorb with or as if with or in the manner of a sponge
  16. to absorb, soak up, or imbibe like a sponge
  17. to get something from or live on another by imposing on hospitality or good nature
    • sponged off of her sister
  18. to dive or dredge for sponges

sponge cake -n

  1. a light cake made without shortening

sponge cloth -n

  1. any of various soft porous fabrics esp. in a loose honeycomb weave

sponge rubber -n

  1. cellular rubber resembling a natural sponge in structure used esp. for cushions, vibration dampeners, weather stripping, and gaskets

sponge·ware ['spənj-,wer] -n

  1. a typically 19th century earthenware with background color spattered or dabbed (as with a sponge) and usu. a freehand central design

spon·gi·form encephalopathy ['spən-ji-,fȯrm-] -n

  1. any of various degenerative diseases of the brain characterized by the development of porous spongelike lesions in brain tissue and by deterioration in neurological functioning
  2. prion disease

spon·gin ['spən-jən] -n

  1. a scleroprotein that is the chief constituent of flexible fibers found in certain sponge skeletons

spongy ['spən-jē] -adj, n

  1. : resembling a sponge:
  2. soft and full of cavities
    • spongy ice
  3. elastic, porous, and absorbent
  4. not firm or solid
  5. being in the form of a metallic sponge
    • spongy iron
  6. moist and soft like a sponge full of water
    • a spongy moor

spongy parenchyma -n

  1. a spongy layer of irregular chlorophyll-bearing cells interspersed with air spaces that fills the interior part of a leaf below the palisade layer called also spongy layer spongy tissue

spon·son ['spän(t)-sən] -n

  1. a projection (as a gun platform) from the side of a ship or a tank
  2. an air chamber along a canoe to increase stability and buoyancy
  3. a light air-filled structure or a winglike part protruding from the hull of a seaplane to steady it on water

spon·sor ['spän(t)-sər] -n, adj

  1. one who presents a candidate for baptism or confirmation and undertakes responsibility for the person's religious education or spiritual welfare
  2. one who assumes responsibility for some other person or thing
  3. a person or an organization that pays for or plans and carries out a project or activity
  4. one that pays the cost of a radio or television program usu. in return for advertising time during its course

sponsor ['spän(t)s-(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to be or stand sponsor for

spon·ta·ne·i·ty [,spän-tə-'nē-ə-tē, -'nā-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being spontaneous
  2. voluntary or undetermined action or movement
  3. its source

spon·ta·ne·ous [spän-'tā-nē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint
  2. arising from a momentary impulse
  3. controlled and directed internally : self-acting
    • spontaneous movement characteristic of living things
  4. produced without being planted or without human labor : indigenous
  5. developing or occurring without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment
  6. not apparently contrived or manipulated : natural

spontaneous combustion -n

  1. self-ignition of combustible material through chemical action (as oxidation) of its constituents called also spontaneous ignition

spontaneous generation -n

  1. abiogenesis

spontaneous recovery -n

  1. reappearance of an extinguished conditioned response without positive reinforcement

spon·toon [spän-'tün] -n

  1. a short pike formerly borne by subordinate officers of infantry

spoof ['spüf] -vt

  1. deceive, hoax
  2. to make good-natured fun of
  3. hoax, deception
  4. a light humorous parody

spook ['spük] -n, adj

  1. ghost, specter
  2. an undercover agent : spy
  3. haunt
  4. to make frightened or frantic : scare
  5. to startle into violent activity (as stampeding)
  6. to become spooked
    • cattle spook ing at shadows

spook·ery ['spü-k(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the quality of being spooky
  2. something (as a story) that involves spooks

spooky ['spü-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. relating to, resembling, or suggesting spooks
  2. nervous, skittish
    • a spooky horse

spool ['spül] -n

  1. a cylindrical device which has a rim or ridge at each end and an axial hole for a pin or spindle and on which material (as thread, wire, or tape) is wound
  2. material or the amount of material wound on a spool
  3. to wind on a spool
  4. wind
    • spool the thread off the bobbin
  5. to regulate the transmission of by means of a spooler
    • spool data
  6. to wind itself on a spool
  7. to be wound or unwound
  8. to regulate data flow by means of a spooler

spool·er ['spü-lər] -n

  1. a computer utility that regulates data flow by receiving data (as from a word processor), queuing the data in a buffer, and then transmitting it (as to a printer) with increased efficiency

spoon ['spün] -n

  1. an eating or cooking implement consisting of a small shallow bowl with a relatively long handle
  2. something (as a tool or fishing lure) that resembles a spoon in shape
  3. to take up and usu. transfer in a spoon
  4. to make love by caressing, kissing, and talking amorously : neck

spoon·bill ['spün-,bil] -n

  1. any of several wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) related to the ibises that have an expanded bill that is flattened and rounded at the tip
  2. any of several broad-billed ducks (as the shoveler)

spoonbill cat -n

  1. a paddlefish ( Polyodon spathula)

spoonbilled ['spün-,bild] -adj

  1. having the bill or snout expanded and spatulate at the end

spoon bread -n

  1. soft bread made of cornmeal mixed with milk, eggs, and shortening and served with a spoon

spoo·ner·ism ['spü-nə-,ri-zəm] -n

  1. a transposition of usu. initial sounds of two or more words (as in tons of soilfor sons of toil)

spoonfeed ['spün-,fēd] -vt

  1. to feed by means of a spoon
  2. to present (information) so completely as to preclude independent thought
    • spoonfeed material to students
  3. to present information to in this manner

spoon·ful ['spün-,fu̇l] -n

  1. as much as a spoon will hold
  2. teaspoonful

spoony ['spü-nē] -adj

  1. silly, foolish
  2. unduly sentimental
  3. being sentimentally in love

spoor ['spu̇r, 'spȯr] -n

  1. a track, a trail, a scent, or droppings esp. of a wild animal
  2. a trace by which the progress of someone or something may be followed
  3. to track by a spoor
  4. to track something by its spoor

spor- -comb form

  1. seed : spore
    • sporo cyst
    • spor angium
    • spori cidal

spo·rad·ic [spə-'ra-dik] -adj, adv

  1. occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances
    • sporadic protests
    • a sporadic disease

sporadic E layer -n

  1. a layer of ionization occurring irregularly within the E region of the ionosphere

spo·ran·gio·phore [spə-'ran-jē-ə-,fȯr] -n

  1. a stalk or similar structure bearing sporangia

spo·ran·gi·um [spə-'ran-jē-əm] -n, adj

  1. a structure within which spores are produced

spore ['spȯr] -n, adj

  1. a primitive usu. unicellular often environmentally resistant dormant or reproductive body produced by plants, fungi, and some microorganisms and capable of development into a new individual either directly or after fusion with another spore
  2. to produce or reproduce by spores

spore case -n

  1. a case containing spores : sporangium

spo·ri·cid·al [,spȯr-ə-'sī-dᵊl] -adj, n

  1. tending to kill spores

spo·ro·carp ['spȯr-ə-,kärp] -n

  1. a structure (as in red algae, fungi, or mosses) in or on which spores are produced

spo·ro·cyst [-,sist] -n

  1. a case or cyst secreted by some sporozoans preliminary to sporogony
  2. a sporozoan encysted in such a case
  3. a saccular body that is the first asexual reproductive form of a digenetic trematode, develops from a miracidium, and buds off cells from its inner surface which develop into rediae

spo·ro·gen·e·sis [,spȯr-ə-'je-nə-səs] -n, adj

  1. reproduction by spores
  2. spore formation

spo·rog·o·ny [spə-'rä-gə-nē, spȯ-] -n, adj

  1. reproduction by spores
  2. formation of spores typically containing sporozoites that is characteristic of some sporozoans and that results from the encystment and subsequent division of a zygote

spo·ro·phore ['spȯr-ə-,fȯr] -n

  1. the spore-producing organ of a fungus or slime mold

spo·ro·phyll [-,fil] -n

  1. a spore-bearing and usu. greatly modified leaf

spo·ro·phyte [-,fīt] -n, adj

  1. the diploid multicellular individual or generation of a plant with alternation of generations that begins from a diploid zygote and produces haploid spores by meiotic division

spo·ro·pol·len·in [,spȯr-ə-'pä-lə-nən] -n

  1. a relatively chemically inert polymer that makes up the outer layer of pollen grains and some spores

spo·ro·tri·cho·sis [spə-,rä-tri-'kȯ-səs; ,spȯr-ə-tri-] -n

  1. infection with or disease caused by a fungus ( Sporothrix schenckii) that is characterized by often ulcerating or suppurating nodules in the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and nearby lymph nodes and is usu. transmitted by fungal entry through a skin abrasion or wound

spo·ro·zo·an [,spȯr-ə-'zō-ən] -n, adj

  1. any of a large class (Sporozoa) of strictly parasitic nonmotile protozoans that have a complex life cycle usu. involving both asexual and sexual generations often in different hosts and include important pathogens (as malaria parasites and babesias)

spo·ro·zo·ite [-'zō-,īt] -n

  1. a usu. motile infective form of some sporozoans that is a product of sporogony and initiates an asexual cycle in the new host

spor·ran ['spȯr-ən, 'spär-] -n

  1. a pouch usu. of skin with the hair or fur on that is worn in front of the kilt with Scots Highland dress

sport ['spȯrt] -vb

  1. to amuse oneself : frolic
    • lambs sport ing in the meadow
  2. to engage in a sport
  3. to mock or ridicule something
  4. to speak or act in jest : trifle
  5. to deviate or vary abruptly from type (as by bud variation) : mutate
  6. to display or wear usu. ostentatiously : boast
    • sport ing expensive new shoes
  7. to put forth as a sport or bud variation
  8. a source of diversion : recreation
  9. sexual play
  10. physical activity engaged in for pleasure
  11. a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in
  12. pleasantry, jest
  13. often mean-spirited jesting : mockery, derision
  14. something tossed or driven about in or as if in play
  15. laughingstock
  16. sportsman
  17. a person considered with respect to living up to the ideals of sportsmanship
    • a good sport
    • a poor sport
  18. a companionable person
  19. an individual exhibiting a sudden deviation from type beyond the normal limits of individual variation usu. as a result of mutation esp. of somatic tissue
  20. of, relating to, or suitable for sports
  21. styled in a manner suitable for casual or informal wear
    • sport coats

sport fish -n

  1. a fish important for the sport it affords anglers

sport·fish·er·man ['spȯrt-,fi-shər-mən] -n

  1. a motorboat equipped for sportfishing

sport·fish·ing [-,fi-shiŋ] -n

  1. fishing done with a rod and reel for sport or recreation

sport·ful [-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. productive of sport or amusement : entertaining, diverting
  2. playful, frolicsome
  3. done in sport

spor·tif ['spȯr-tif] -adj

  1. sporty

sport·ing ['spȯr-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, used, or suitable for sport
  2. trained for trapping or retrieving game
    • sporting dogs
  3. marked by or calling for sportsmanship
  4. involving such risk as a sports contender may expect to take or encounter
    • a sporting chance
  5. of or relating to dissipation and esp. gambling
  6. tending to mutate freely

sporting house -n

  1. bordello

sport·ive ['spȯr-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. frolicsome, playful
  2. ardent, wanton
  3. of or relating to sports and esp. field sports

sports bar -n

  1. a bar catering esp. to sports fans and typically containing several televisions and often sports memorabilia

sports car -n

  1. a low small usu. 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving

sports·cast ['spȯrts-,kast] -n

  1. a radio or television broadcast of a sports event or of information about sports

sports·man ['spȯrts-mən] -n, adj

  1. a person who engages in sports (as hunting or fishing)
  2. a person who shows sportsmanship

sports·man·ship [-,ship] -n

  1. conduct (as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport

sports medicine -n

  1. a field of medicine concerned with the prevention and treatment of injuries and disorders that are related to participation in sports

sports·wear ['spȯrts-,wer] -n

  1. clothing suitable for recreation
  2. clothing designed for casual or informal wear

sports·wom·an [-,wu̇-mən] -n

  1. a woman who engages in sports

sports·writ·er ['spȯrts-,rī-tər] -n

  1. a person who writes about sports esp. for a newspaper

sportutil·i·ty vehicle ['spȯrt-yü-'ti-lə-tē-] -n

  1. a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis called also sport-ute -yut sport-utility SUV

sporty ['spȯr-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. of, relating to, or typical of sports, sportsmen, sportswomen, or sportswear
  2. resembling a sports car in styling or performance
    • a sporty sedan

spor·u·late ['spȯr-yə-,lāt, -ə-,lāt] -vi

  1. to undergo sporulation

spor·u·la·tion [,spȯr-yə-'lā-shən, -ə-'lā-] -n, adj

  1. the formation of spores
  2. division into many small spores (as after encystment)

spot ['spät] -n

  1. a taint on character or reputation : fault
    • the only spot on the family name
  2. a small area visibly different (as in color, finish, or material) from the surrounding area
  3. an area marred or marked (as by dirt)
  4. a circumscribed surface lesion of disease (as measles) or decay
    • spot s of rot
    • rust spot s on a leaf
  5. a conventionalized design used on playing cards to distinguish the suits and indicate values
  6. an object having a specified number of spots or a specified numeral on its surface
  7. a small quantity or amount : bit
  8. a particular place, area, or part
  9. a small extent of space
  10. a small croaker ( Leiostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast with a black spot behind the opercula
  11. a particular position (as in an organization or a hierarchy)
  12. a place or appearance on an entertainment program
  13. spotlight
  14. a position usu. of difficulty or embarrassment
  15. a brief announcement or advertisement broadcast between scheduled radio or television programs
  16. a brief segment or report on a broadcast esp. of news
  17. to stain the character or reputation of : disgrace
  18. to mark in or with a spot : stain
  19. to locate or identify by a spot
  20. to single out : identify
  21. to note as a known criminal or a suspicious person
  22. detect, notice
    • spot a mistake
  23. to locate accurately
    • spot an enemy position
  24. to cause to strike accurately
    • spot the battery's fire
  25. to lie at intervals in or over : stud
  26. to place at intervals or in a desired spot
    • spot field telephones
  27. to fix in or as if in the beam of a spotlight
  28. to schedule in a particular spot or at a particular time
  29. to remove a spot from
  30. to allow as a handicap
  31. to become stained or discolored in spots
  32. to cause a spot
  33. to act as a spotter
  34. to locate targets
  35. to experience abnormal and sporadic bleeding in small amounts from the uterus
  36. being, originating, or done on the spot or in or for a particular spot
    • spot coverage of the news
  37. available for immediate delivery after sale
    • spot commodities
  38. paid out upon delivery
    • spot cash
  39. involving immediate cash payment
    • a spot transaction
  40. broadcast between scheduled programs
    • spot announcements
  41. originating in a local station for a national advertiser
  42. performing occasionally when needed
    • chance of making the...varsity as a spot starter and relief pitcher -- N. Y. Times
  43. made at random or restricted to a few places or instances
    • a spot check
  44. selected at random or as a sample

spotcheck ['spät-,chek] -vt

  1. to sample or investigate quickly or at random
  2. to make a spot check

spot·less ['spät-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. : having no spot:
  2. free from impurity : immaculate
    • spotless kitchens
  3. pure, unblemished
    • a spotless reputation

spot·light ['spät-,līt] -n

  1. a projected spot of light used to illuminate brilliantly a person, object, or group on a stage
  2. conspicuous public notice
    • held the political spotlight
  3. a light designed to direct a narrow intense beam of light on a small area
  4. something that illuminates brilliantly

spotlight -vt

  1. to illuminate with a spotlight
  2. to direct attention to : highlight

spoton ['spät-'än] -adj

  1. exactly correct
  2. accurate, perfect
    • a spoton forecast
    • a spoton impersonation

spot pass -n

  1. a pass (as in football or basketball) made to a predetermined spot on the field or court rather than directly to a player

spotted -adj

  1. marked with spots
  2. being sullied : tarnished
  3. characterized by the appearance of spots

spotted alfalfa aphid -n

  1. a highly destructive Old World aphid ( Therioaphis maculata) that is established in the U.S. in warmer areas and causes yellowing and stunting of affected plants

spotted cucumber beetle -n

  1. a rather slender greenish-yellow beetle ( Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) that feeds as an adult on various ornamental and crop plants and is a vector of wilt disease esp. of cucumbers and melons

spotted dick -n

  1. a pudding made with suet and currants or raisins called also spotted dog

spotted fever -n

  1. : any of various eruptive fevers: as
  2. typhus
  3. rocky mountain spotted fever

spotted knapweed -n

  1. a knapweed ( Centaurea maculosasyn. C. biebersteinii) with usu. pink flowers and deeply cleft leaves that is native to Europe and Asia but is now widespread in the U.S.

spotted owl -n

  1. a rare large dark brown dark-eyed owl ( Strix occidentalis) that has barred and spotted underparts and is found in humid old growth forests and thickly wooded canyons from British Columbia to southern California and central Mexico
  2. northern spotted owl

spotted salamander -n

  1. a common salamander ( Ambystoma maculatum) of eastern No. America with glossy black skin spotted with yellow or orange on the back

spotted sea trout -n

  1. a weakfish ( Cynoscion nebulosus) that is a valuable food and sport fish of the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. called also sea trout speckled trout spotted weakfish

spotted turtle -n

  1. a freshwater turtle ( Clemmys guttata) of the eastern U.S. that has a blackish carapace with round yellow spots

spot·ter ['spä-tər] -n

  1. one that makes or applies a spot (as for identification)
  2. : one that looks or keeps watch: as
  3. one that locates enemy targets
  4. a civilian who watches for approaching airplanes
  5. a person who assists another during exercise (as to prevent injury)
  6. one that removes spots
  7. one that places something on or in a desired spot

spot test -n

  1. a test limited to a few key or sample points or a relatively small percentage of random spots
  2. a test conducted on the spot to yield immediate results

spot·ty ['spä-tē] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked with spots : spotted
  2. lacking uniformity esp. in quality
    • the performance was spotty
  3. irregularly or sparsely distributed
    • spotty attendance
    • spotty data

spou·sal ['spau̇-zəl, -səl] -n

  1. nuptials usu. used in pl.

spouse ['spau̇s also 'spau̇z] -n, adj

  1. married person : husband, wife
  2. wed

spout ['spau̇t] -vb, n

  1. to eject (as liquid) in a stream
    • wells spout ing oil
  2. to speak or utter readily, volubly, and at length
  3. to speak or utter in a pompous or oratorical manner : declaim
    • a candidate spout ing empty promises
  4. to issue with force or in a jet : spurt
  5. to eject material (as liquid) in a jet
  6. declaim
  7. : a pipe or conductor through which a liquid is discharged or conveyed in a stream: as
  8. a pipe for carrying rainwater from a roof
  9. a projecting tube or lip from which a liquid (as water) issues
  10. : a discharge or jet of liquid or moisture from or as if from a pipe: as
  11. waterspout
  12. the blowing of a whale
  13. pawnshop

spp -abbr

  1. species ( pl)

SPQR -abbr

  1. the senate and the people of Rome

sprach·ge·fuhl ['shpräk̲-gə-,f

u̅e̅
l] -n

  1. the character of a language
  2. an intuitive sense of what is linguistically appropriate

sprad·dle ['spra-dᵊl] -vb

  1. sprawl
  2. to go or walk with a straddling gait : straddle
  3. sprawl
  4. to spread (the legs) in walking : straddle

sprag ['sprag] -n

  1. a pointed stake or steel bar let down from a halted vehicle (as a wagon) to prevent it from rolling

sprain ['sprān] -n

  1. a sudden or violent twist or wrench of a joint with stretching or tearing of ligaments
  2. a sprained condition
  3. to injure by a sudden or severe twist

sprang ['spriŋ] -vb

(variant of spring)

  1. dart, shoot
    • sparks sprang out from the fire
  2. to be resilient or elastic
  3. to move by elastic force
    • the lid sprang shut
  4. to become warped
  5. to issue with speed and force or as a stream
    • tears spring from our eyes
  6. to grow as a plant
  7. to issue by birth or descent
    • sprang from the upper class
  8. to come into being : arise
    • towns sprang up across the plains
  9. dawn
  10. to begin to blow used with up
    • a breeze quickly sprang up
  11. to make a leap or series of leaps
    • spring ing across the lawn
  12. to leap or jump up suddenly
    • sprang from their seats
  13. to stretch out in height : rise
  14. pay used with for
    • I'll spring for the drinks
  15. to cause to spring
  16. to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of
    • wind sprang the mast
  17. to undergo the opening of (a leak)
  18. to cause to operate suddenly
    • spring a trap
  19. to apply or insert by bending
  20. to bend by force
  21. to leap over
  22. to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
  23. to make lame
  24. to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody
    • sprung them from jail
  25. a source of supply
  26. a source of water issuing from the ground
  27. an ultimate source esp. of action or motion
  28. spring tide
  29. a time or season of growth or development
  30. the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usu. the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice
  31. an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted
  32. the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : bound
  33. capacity for springing : resilience
  34. energy, bounce
  35. the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
  36. to fit with springs

sprat ['sprat] -n

  1. a small European marine fish ( Sprattus sprattus) of the herring family called also brisling
  2. any of various small or young fish (as an anchovy) of the herring family
  3. a young, small, or insignificant person

sprawl ['sprȯl] -vb

  1. to lie thrashing or tossing about
  2. to creep or clamber awkwardly
  3. to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
  4. to spread or develop irregularly or without restraint
    • bushes sprawl ing along the road
    • sprawl ing suburbs
    • a sprawl ing narrative
  5. to cause to spread out carelessly or awkwardly
    • sprawl ed out her books on the table
  6. the act, posture, or condition of sprawling
  7. an irregularly spread or scattered group or mass
  8. urban sprawl

spray ['sprā] -n

  1. a usu. flowering branch or shoot
  2. a decorative flat arrangement of flowers and foliage (as on a coffin)
  3. something (as a jeweled pin) resembling a spray
  4. water flying in small drops or particles blown from waves or thrown up by a waterfall
  5. a jet of vapor or finely divided liquid
    • disinfectant spray s
  6. a device (as an atomizer or sprayer) by which a spray is dispersed or applied
  7. an application of a spray or by spraying
  8. a substance (as paint) so applied
  9. to project spray or something resembling spray on or into
    • spray the table
    • spray ing the wall with bullets
  10. to disperse or apply as a spray
    • spray ed some perfume
  11. to break up into spray
  12. to disperse or apply a spray
  13. to emit a stream or spray of urine
    • a cat may spray to mark its territory

spray can -n

  1. a pressurized container from which aerosols are dispensed

spray gun -n

  1. an apparatus resembling a gun for applying a substance (as paint or insecticide) in the form of a spray

spread ['spred] -vb, n, adj

  1. to open or expand over a larger area
    • spread out the map
  2. to stretch out : extend
    • spread its wings for flight
  3. to distribute over an area
    • spread fertilizer
  4. to distribute over a period or among a group
    • spread the work over a few weeks
  5. to apply on a surface
    • spread butter on bread
  6. to cover or overlay something with
    • spread the cloth on the table
  7. to cover completely
  8. to prepare or furnish for dining : set
    • spread the table
  9. serve
    • spread the afternoon tea
  10. to make widely known
    • spread the news
  11. to extend the range or incidence of
    • spread a disease
  12. diffuse, emit
    • flowers spread ing their fragrance
  13. to push apart by weight or force
  14. to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered
  15. to become known or disseminated
    • panic spread rapidly
  16. to grow in length or breadth : expand
  17. to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate
  18. the act or process of spreading
  19. extent of spreading
  20. : something spread out: as
  21. a surface area : expanse
  22. a ranch or homestead esp. in the western U.S.
  23. a herd of animals
  24. a prominent display in a periodical
  25. two facing pages (as of a newspaper) usu. with matter running across the fold
  26. the matter occupying these pages
  27. : something spread on or over a surface: as
  28. a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers)
    • a cheese spread
  29. a sumptuous meal : feast
  30. a cloth cover for a table or bed
  31. distance between two points : gap
  32. a commodities market transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity

spreadea·gle ['spred-,ē-gəl] -vb

  1. to execute a spread eagle (as in skating)
  2. to stand or move with arms and legs stretched out : sprawl
  3. to stretch out into the position of a spread eagle
  4. to spread over

spreadeagle -adj

  1. marked by bombast and boastful exaggeration esp. of the greatness of the U.S.
    • spreadeagle oratory

spread eagle -n

  1. a representation of an eagle with wings raised and legs extended
  2. something resembling or suggestive of a spread eagle
  3. a skating figure executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line

spread·er ['spre-dər] -n

  1. : one that spreads: as
  2. an implement for scattering material
  3. a small knife used esp. for spreading butter
  4. a device (as a bar) holding two linear elements (as lines, guys, rails) apart and usu. taut

spread formation -n

  1. an offensive football formation in which the pass receivers are spread out across the field

spreading factor -n

  1. hyaluronidase

spread·sheet ['spred-,shēt] -n

  1. an accounting program for a computer
  2. the ledger layout modeled by such a program

spree ['sprē] -n

  1. an unrestrained indulgence in or outburst of an activity
    • went on a buying spree
  2. a drunken revel
  3. binge

sprent ['sprent] -adj

  1. sprinkled over

sprier ['sprī] -adj, adv, n

(variant of spry)

  1. nimble
    • a spry 75-year-old

spriest ['sprī] -adj, adv, n

(variant of spry)

  1. nimble
    • a spry 75-year-old

sprig ['sprig] -n

  1. a small shoot : twig
    • a sprig of parsley
  2. a small division of grass used for propagation
  3. heir
  4. youth
  5. a small specimen
  6. an ornament resembling a sprig, stemmed flower, or leaf
  7. a small headless nail : brad
  8. to drive sprigs or brads into
  9. to mark or adorn with the representation of plant sprigs
  10. to propagate (a grass) by means of stolons or small divisions

spright·ful ['sprīt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. sprightly

spright·ly [-lē] -adj, n, adv

  1. marked by a gay lightness and vivacity : spirited
    • a sprightly musical
  2. having a distinctively piquant taste : zesty
    • a sprightly salsa

spring ['spriŋ] -vb

  1. dart, shoot
    • sparks sprang out from the fire
  2. to be resilient or elastic
  3. to move by elastic force
    • the lid sprang shut
  4. to become warped
  5. to issue with speed and force or as a stream
    • tears spring from our eyes
  6. to grow as a plant
  7. to issue by birth or descent
    • sprang from the upper class
  8. to come into being : arise
    • towns sprang up across the plains
  9. dawn
  10. to begin to blow used with up
    • a breeze quickly sprang up
  11. to make a leap or series of leaps
    • spring ing across the lawn
  12. to leap or jump up suddenly
    • sprang from their seats
  13. to stretch out in height : rise
  14. pay used with for
    • I'll spring for the drinks
  15. to cause to spring
  16. to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of
    • wind sprang the mast
  17. to undergo the opening of (a leak)
  18. to cause to operate suddenly
    • spring a trap
  19. to apply or insert by bending
  20. to bend by force
  21. to leap over
  22. to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
  23. to make lame
  24. to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody
    • sprung them from jail
  25. a source of supply
  26. a source of water issuing from the ground
  27. an ultimate source esp. of action or motion
  28. spring tide
  29. a time or season of growth or development
  30. the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usu. the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice
  31. an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted
  32. the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : bound
  33. capacity for springing : resilience
  34. energy, bounce
  35. the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
  36. to fit with springs

spring·ald ['spriŋ-əld] -n

  1. a young man : stripling

spring beauty -n

  1. any of a genus ( Claytonia) of herbs of the purslane family
  2. one ( C. virginica) of No. America that sends up in early spring a usu. 2-leaved stem bearing delicate pink flowers

spring·board ['spriŋ-,bȯrd] -n

  1. a flexible board usu. secured at one end and used for gymnastic stunts or diving
  2. a point of departure : jumping-off place

spring·bok ['spriŋ-,bäk] -n

  1. a swift and graceful southern African gazelle ( Antidorcas marsupialis) noted for its habit of springing lightly and suddenly into the air

spring bolt -n

  1. a bolt retracted by pressure and shot by a spring when the pressure is released

spring chicken -n

  1. a young person
    • is no spring chicken

springclean·ing ['spriŋ-'klē-niŋ] -n

  1. the act or process of doing a thorough cleaning of a place

springe ['sprinj] -n

  1. a noose fastened to an elastic body to catch small game
  2. snare, trap

spring·er ['spriŋ-ər] -n

  1. a stone or other solid laid at the impost of an arch
  2. one that springs
  3. springer spaniel
  4. a cow nearly ready to calve

springer spaniel -n

  1. : a medium-sized sporting dog of either of two breeds that is often used for finding and flushing small game:
  2. english springer spaniel
  3. welsh springer spaniel

spring fever -n

  1. a lazy or restless feeling often associated with the onset of spring

Spring·field rifle ['spriŋ-,fēld-] -n

  1. a.30 caliber bolt-action rifle used by U.S. troops esp. in World War I

spring·form pan ['spriŋ-,fȯrm-] -n

  1. a pan or mold with an upright detachable rim fastened to the bottom of the pan with a clamp or spring

spring·head ['spriŋ-,hed] -n

  1. fountainhead

spring·house [-,hau̇s] -n

  1. a small building situated over a spring and used for cool storage (as of dairy products or meat)

springing -n

  1. spring
  2. a point where an arch rises from its support

spring line -n

  1. a line led diagonally from the bow or stern of a ship to a point on a wharf and made fast to help keep the ship from moving fore and aft while docked

springload ['spriŋ-'lōd] -vt

  1. to load or secure by means of spring tension or compression

spring onion -n

  1. scallion

spring peeper -n

  1. a small brown tree frog ( Pseudacris crucifersyn. Hyla crucifer) of the eastern U.S. and Canada that has a shrill piping call and breeds in ponds and streams in the spring

spring roll -n

  1. egg roll
  2. any of various similar appetizers esp. in Asian cuisine

spring·tail ['spriŋ-,tāl] -n

  1. any of an order (Collembola) of small primitive wingless insects that exhibit incomplete metamorphosis and usu. possess a furcula used for jumping called also collembolan

spring·tide [-,tīd] -n

  1. springtime

spring tide -n

  1. a tide of greater-than-average range around the times of new moon and full moon

spring·time ['spriŋ-,tīm] -n

  1. the season of spring
  2. youth
  3. an early or flourishing stage of development

spring wagon -n

  1. a light farm wagon equipped with springs

spring·wa·ter ['spriŋ-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. water from a spring

spring·wood [-,wu̇d] -n

  1. the softer more porous portion of an annual ring of wood that develops early in the growing season

springy ['spriŋ-ē] -adj, adv, n

  1. having an elastic quality : resilient
    • green springy wood
  2. having or showing a lively and energetic movement
    • walks with a springy step

sprin·kle ['spriŋ-kəl] -vb, n

  1. to scatter in drops or particles
  2. to scatter over
  3. to scatter at intervals in or among : dot
    • sprinkled the speech with quips
  4. to wet lightly
  5. to scatter a liquid in fine drops
  6. to rain lightly in scattered drops

sprinkle -n

  1. the act or an instance of sprinkling
  2. a light rain
  3. sprinkling
  4. small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice cream) : jimmies

sprin·klered ['spriŋ-klərd] -adj

  1. having a sprinkler system

sprinkler system -n

  1. a system for protecting a building against fire by means of overhead pipes which convey an extinguishing fluid (as water) to heat-activated outlets

sprin·kling ['spriŋ-kliŋ] -n

  1. a limited quantity or amount : modicum
  2. a small quantity falling in scattered drops or particles
  3. a small number distributed at random : scattering

sprint ['sprint] -vi, n

  1. to run or go at top speed esp. for a short distance
  2. the act or an instance of sprinting
  3. dash
  4. a burst of speed

sprint car -n

  1. a rugged racing automobile that is midway in size between midget racers and ordinary racers, has about the same horsepower as the larger racers, and is usu. raced on a dirt track

sprit ['sprit] -n

  1. a spar that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally

sprite ['sprīt] -n

  1. soul
  2. a disembodied spirit : ghost
  3. elf, fairy
  4. an elfish person

sprit·sail ['sprit-,sāl, -səl] -n

  1. a sail extended by a sprit
  2. a sail formerly set on a yard beneath the bowsprit

spritz ['sprits, 'shprits] -vb, n

  1. spray
  2. to disperse or apply a spray

spritz·er ['sprit-sər, 'shprit-] -n

  1. a beverage of usu. white wine and soda water

sprock·et ['sprä-kət] -n

  1. a toothed wheel whose teeth engage the links of a chain
  2. a cylinder with teeth around the circumference at either end that project through perforations in something (as motion-picture film) to move it through a mechanism (as a projector)

sprout ['sprau̇t] -vb

  1. to grow, spring up, or come forth as or as if a sprout
  2. to send out new growth
  3. to send forth or up : cause to develop : grow
  4. shoot
  5. a young shoot (as from a seed or root)
  6. brussels sprout
  7. edible sprouts esp. from recently germinated seeds (as of alfalfa or mung beans)
  8. : something resembling a sprout: as
  9. a young person
  10. scion

sprouting broccoli -n

  1. broccoli

spruce ['sprüs] -vb

  1. to make spruce often used with up
  2. to make oneself spruce
    • spruce up a bit
  3. neat or smart in appearance : trim
  4. any of a genus ( Picea) of evergreen trees of the pine family with a conical head of dense foliage, flat or 4-sided needles, pendulous cones, and soft light wood
  5. any of several coniferous trees (as Douglas fir) of similar habit
  6. the wood of a spruce

spruce beer -n

  1. a beverage flavored with spruce
  2. one made from spruce twigs and leaves boiled with molasses or sugar and fermented with yeast

spruce budworm -n

  1. a tortricid moth ( Choristoneura fumiferana) whose larva feeds on evergreen trees (as spruce and balsam fir) in the northern U.S. and Canada
  2. a related moth ( C. occidentalis) of the northwestern U.S. and adjacent Canada

spruce pine -n

  1. an American tree (as some pines and spruces or the common eastern hemlock) of the pine family with light, soft, or weak wood

sprucy ['sprü-sē] -adj

  1. spruce

sprue ['sprü] -n

  1. the waste piece on a casting (as of metal or plastic) left by the hole through which the mold was filled
  2. the hole in which a sprue forms
  3. a disease of tropical regions that is of unknown cause and is characterized by fatty diarrhea and malabsorption of nutrients called also tropical sprue
  4. celiac disease

sprung ['spriŋ] -vb

(variant of spring)

  1. dart, shoot
    • sparks sprang out from the fire
  2. to be resilient or elastic
  3. to move by elastic force
    • the lid sprang shut
  4. to become warped
  5. to issue with speed and force or as a stream
    • tears spring from our eyes
  6. to grow as a plant
  7. to issue by birth or descent
    • sprang from the upper class
  8. to come into being : arise
    • towns sprang up across the plains
  9. dawn
  10. to begin to blow used with up
    • a breeze quickly sprang up
  11. to make a leap or series of leaps
    • spring ing across the lawn
  12. to leap or jump up suddenly
    • sprang from their seats
  13. to stretch out in height : rise
  14. pay used with for
    • I'll spring for the drinks
  15. to cause to spring
  16. to undergo or bring about the splitting or cracking of
    • wind sprang the mast
  17. to undergo the opening of (a leak)
  18. to cause to operate suddenly
    • spring a trap
  19. to apply or insert by bending
  20. to bend by force
  21. to leap over
  22. to produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly
  23. to make lame
  24. to release or cause to be released from confinement or custody
    • sprung them from jail
  25. a source of supply
  26. a source of water issuing from the ground
  27. an ultimate source esp. of action or motion
  28. spring tide
  29. a time or season of growth or development
  30. the season between winter and summer comprising in the northern hemisphere usu. the months of March, April, and May or as reckoned astronomically extending from the March equinox to the June solstice
  31. an elastic body or device that recovers its original shape when released after being distorted
  32. the act or an instance of leaping up or forward : bound
  33. capacity for springing : resilience
  34. energy, bounce
  35. the point or plane at which an arch or vault curve springs from its impost
  36. to fit with springs

sprung rhythm -n

  1. a poetic rhythm designed to approximate the natural rhythm of speech and characterized by the frequent juxtaposition of single accented syllables and the occurrence of mixed types of feet

spry ['sprī] -adj, adv, n

  1. nimble
    • a spry 75-year-old

spud ['spəd] -vb

  1. to dig with a spud
  2. to begin to drill (an oil well)
  3. to use a spud
  4. a tool or device (as for digging, lifting, or cutting) having the characteristics of a spade and a chisel
  5. potato

spume ['spyüm] -n, adj

  1. frothy matter on liquids : foam, scum
    • ocean spume
  2. froth, foam

spu·mo·ni [spu̇-'mō-nē] -n

  1. ice cream in layers of different colors, flavors, and textures often with candied fruits and nuts

spun ['spin] -vb

(variant of spin)

  1. to draw out and twist fiber into yarn or thread
  2. to form a thread by extruding a viscous rapidly hardening fluid used esp. of a spider or insect
  3. to revolve rapidly : gyrate
  4. to feel as if in a whirl : reel
    • my head is spinning
  5. to move swiftly esp. on or as if on wheels or in a vehicle
  6. to fish with spinning bait : troll
  7. to fall in a spin
  8. to plunge helplessly and out of control
  9. to engage in spin control (as in politics)
  10. to draw out and twist into yarns or threads
  11. to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material
  12. to form (as a web or cocoon) by spinning
  13. to stretch out or extend (as a story) lengthily : protract usu. used with out
  14. to evolve, express, or fabricate by processes of mind or imagination
    • spin a yarn
  15. to cause to whirl : impart spin to
    • spin a top
  16. to shape into threadlike form in manufacture
  17. to manufacture by a whirling process
  18. to set (records or compact discs) rotating on a player : play
    • spin some discs
  19. to present (as information) with a particular spin
    • spin the statistics
  20. the act of spinning or twirling something
  21. an instance of spinning or of spinning something
    • doing axels and spin s
    • an assortment of spin s and lobs
  22. the whirling motion imparted (as to a ball or top) by spinning
  23. an excursion or ride in a vehicle esp. on wheels
    • go for a spin
  24. an aerial maneuver or flight condition consisting of a combination of roll and yaw with the longitudinal axis of the airplane inclined steeply downward
  25. a plunging descent or downward spiral
  26. a state of mental confusion
    • all in a spin
  27. a quantum characteristic of an elementary particle that is visualized as the rotation of the particle on its axis and that is responsible for measurable angular momentum and magnetic moment
  28. the angular momentum associated with such rotation whose magnitude is quantized and which may assume either of two possible directions
  29. the angular momentum of a system of such particles derived from the spins and orbital motions of the particles
  30. a usu. ingenious twist
    • puts an Asian spin on the pasta dishes
  31. a special point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing opinion
    • put the most favorable spin on the findings
  32. spin control

spun·bond·ed ['spən-,bän-dəd] -adj

  1. of or relating to a nonwoven polymeric material that resembles cloth or fabric

spun glass -n

  1. blown glass that has slender threads of glass incorporated in it
  2. fiberglass

spunk ['spəŋk] -n

  1. a woody tinder : punk
  2. any of various fungi used to make tinder
  3. mettle, pluck
  4. spirit, liveliness
  5. to show spirit usu. used with up

spunk·ie ['spəŋ-kē] -n

  1. ignis fatuus

spunky ['spəŋ-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of spunk : spirited

spun sugar -n

  1. sugar boiled to long threads and gathered up and shaped or heaped on a stick as a candy

spun yarn -n

  1. a textile yarn spun from staple-length fiber
  2. a small rope or stuff formed of two or more rope yarns loosely twisted and used for seizings esp. on board ship

spur ['spər] -n

  1. a pointed device secured to a rider's heel and used to urge on the horse
  2. recognition and reward for achievement
    • won his academic spur s as the holder of a chair in a university -- James Mountford
  3. a goad to action : stimulus
  4. : something projecting like or suggesting a spur: as
  5. a projecting root or branch of a tree, shrub, or vine
  6. a stiff sharp spine (as on the wings or legs of a bird or insect)
  7. one on a cock's leg
  8. a gaff for a gamecock
  9. a hollow projecting appendage of a corolla or calyx (as in larkspur or columbine)
  10. a bony outgrowth (as on the heel of the foot)
  11. climbing iron
  12. an angular projection, offshoot, or branch extending out beyond or away from a main body or formation
  13. a ridge or lesser elevation that extends laterally from a mountain or mountain range
  14. a railroad track that branches off from a main line
  15. a reinforcing buttress of masonry in a fortification
  16. to urge (a horse) on with spurs
  17. to incite to action or accelerated growth or development : stimulate
  18. to put spurs on
  19. to spur one's horse on

spurge ['spərj] -n

  1. any of a family (Euphorbiaceae) of widely distributed herbs, shrubs, and trees often with a bitter milky juice
  2. euphorbia

spur gear -n

  1. a gear wheel with radial teeth parallel to its axis called also spur wheel

spurge laurel -n

  1. a low-growing Eurasian shrub ( Daphne laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves and axillary racemes of yellowish flowers

spu·ri·ous ['spyu̇r-ē-əs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of illegitimate birth : bastard
  2. outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities : false
    • the spurious eminence of the pop celebrity
  3. of falsified or erroneously attributed origin : forged
  4. of a deceitful nature or quality
    • spurious excuses

spurn ['spərn] -vb, n

  1. stumble
  2. kick
  3. to reject something disdainfully
  4. to tread sharply or heavily upon : trample
  5. to reject with disdain or contempt : scorn
  6. kick
  7. stumble
  8. disdainful rejection
  9. contemptuous treatment

spurofthemoment -adj

  1. occurring or developing without premeditation : hastily extemporized
    • a spurofthemoment decision

spurred -adj

  1. wearing spurs
  2. having one or more spurs
    • a spurred violet

spur·rey ['spər-ē, 'spə-rē] -n

  1. a white-flowered European annual weedy herb ( Spergula arvensis) of the pink family with whorled filiform leaves
  2. any of several related and similar herbs

spurt ['spərt] -vb

  1. to gush forth : spout
  2. to expel in a stream or jet : squirt
    • the faucet spurt s water
  3. a sudden gush : jet
  4. a short period of time : moment
  5. a sudden brief burst of effort, activity, or development
    • a spurt of work
    • a growth spurt
  6. a sharp or sudden increase in business activity
  7. to make a spurt

spur·tle ['spər-tᵊl] -n

  1. a wooden stick for stirring porridge

Sput·nik ['spu̇t-nik, 'spət-, 'spüt-] -n

  1. any of a series of earth-orbiting satellites launched by the Soviet Union beginning in 1957

sput·ter ['spə-tər] -vb, n

  1. to spit or squirt from the mouth with explosive sounds
  2. to utter hastily or explosively in confusion or excitement
    • that's ridiculous! she sputter ed
  3. to dislodge (atoms) from the surface of a material by collision with high energy particles
  4. to deposit (a metallic film) by such a process
  5. to spit or squirt particles of food or saliva noisily from the mouth
  6. to speak explosively or confusedly in anger or excitement
  7. to make explosive popping sounds

sputter -n

  1. confused and excited speech or discussion
  2. the act or sound of sputtering

spu·tum ['spyü-təm, 'spü-] -n

  1. expectorated matter esp. from the air passages in diseases of the lungs, bronchi, or upper respiratory tract

spy ['spī] -vb

  1. to watch secretly usu. for hostile purposes
  2. to catch sight of : see
  3. to search or look for intensively usu. used with out
    • spy out places fit for vending...goods -- S. E. Morison
  4. to observe or search for something : look
  5. to watch secretly as a spy
  6. : one that spies:
  7. one who keeps secret watch on a person or thing to obtain information
  8. a person employed by one nation to secretly convey classified information of strategic importance to another nation
  9. a person who conveys the trade secrets of one company to another
  10. an act of spying

spy·glass ['spī-,glas] -n

  1. a small telescope

spy·mas·ter ['spī-,mas-tər] -n

  1. the head of a ring of spies : a director of intelligence

spy·ware ['spī-,wer] -n

  1. software that is installed in a computer without the user's knowledge and transmits information about the user's computer activities over the Internet