SQUAMATE

Squamate, Squamated (skwa'mat, skwa'mat-ed), a. Squamose; covered with small scale-like bodies.

Squame, n. [L. squama, a scale.] A scale. Chaucer.

Squamella (skwa-mel'la), n. [L., dim. of squama, a scale.] In bot. a membranous scale-like bract, common on the receptacle of the species of Compositæ. Squamellate, Squamulose (skwa-mel'lät, skwam'u-los), a. In bot. furnished with little scales.

Squamiform (skwa'mi-form), a. [L. squama, a scale, and forma, form.] Having the form or shape of scales. Squamigerous (skwa-mij'èr-us), a. [L. squamiger-squama, a scale, and gero, to bear.] Bearing or having scales. Squamipen (skwa'mi-pen), n. One of the Squamipennes.

Squamipennes (skwä'mi-peu-nēz), n. [L. squama, a scale, and penna, a wing or fin.] A family of acanthopterygious (teleostean) fishes, so named on account of their fins being covered with scales, not only on the parts which have soft rays, but frequently also on those that have spinous ones. They were all included by Linnæus in the genus Chaetodon. They are chiefly small fishes, abundant in the seas of hot climates, and of the most beautiful colours. They frequent rocky shores, and their flesh is, generally speaking, very wholesome and palatable. Called also Chaetodontidæ. Squamoid (skwa'moid), a. [L. squama, a scale, and Gr. eidos, form.] Resembling a scale or scales; also covered with scales or scale-like integuments; scaly. Squamosal (skwa-mo'sal), a. In anat. Same as Squamous. H. Spencer. Squamous, Squamose (skwa'-mus, skwamos'), a. [L. squamosus, from squama, a scale, from a root skad, Skr. chhad, to cover, to conceal.] Covered with or consisting of scales; resembling scales; scaly; as, the squamous cones of the pine.-Squamous bulb, a bulb in which the outer scales are distinct, fleshy, and imbricated, like the inner scales, as in the white and orange lilies.-Squamous bones, in anat. the bones of the skull behind the ear, so called because they lie over each other like scales. -Squamous suture, the suture which connects the squamous portion of the temporal bone with the parietal.

Squamule (skwam'ül), n. [L., squama, a scale.] In bot. a minute scale in the flower of a grass.

Squamulose, a. See SQUAMELLATE. Squander (skwon'der), v. t. [From A. Sax. swindan, swand, swunden, to waste away, vanish; O.H.G. suandian, G. schwinden, to vanish; (ver)schwenden, to squander. The q has been inserted as in O.E. &quelter for swelter, squete for swete (sweet), vulgar squim for swim, &c. See SQUEAMISH.] 1. To spend lavishly or profusely; to spend prodigally; to dissipate; to waste without economy or judgment; as, to squander one's money or an estate.

The crime of squandering health is equal to the folly. Rambler. 2. To scatter; to disperse. In many thousand islands that lie squandered in the vast ocean.' Howell.

Our squandered troops he rallies. Dryden. SYN. To spend, expend, waste, lavish, dissipate.

Squander (skwon'dêr), n. Act of squandering. (Rare.]

Squanderer (skwon'dér-ér), n. One who squanders; one who spends his money prodigally, without necessity or use; a spendthrift; a prodigal; a waster; a lavisher.

Plenty in their own keeping teaches them from the beginning to be squanderers and wasters. Locke. Squanderingly (skwon'dèr-ing-li), adv.

In

a squandering manner; by squandering; prodigally; lavishly.

Square (skwar), a. [O. Fr. esquarre, a square; It. squadra; from L. ex, and quadra, a square, from quadrus, square, quatuor, four. See SQUADRON, QUARRY.] 1. Having four equal sides and four right angles; as, a square room; a square figure.-2. Forming a right angle; as, a square corner. -3. Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and angular rather than curved outlines; as, a man of a square frame. queen's square brows' (that is forehead). Shak.-4. Exactly suitable or correspondent; true; just.

My

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5. Rendering equal justice; exact; fair; honest. Let's have fair play;

Square dealing I would wish you. Beau. & Fl. 6. Even; leaving no balance; as, to make or leave the accounts square. 7. Leaving nothing; hearty; vigorous.

By Heaven, square caters! More meat, I say. Beau. & FL. 8. Complete; satisfying; as, a square meal. [Colloq.]-9. Naut. at right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon. -Three square, five square, having three or five equal sides, &c.: an old and unwarrantable use of square.-Square measures, the squares of lineal measures, as a square inch, a square foot, a square yard, &c.--Square number, the product of a number multiplied into itself. Thus the squares of the natural numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c., are respectively 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, &c. -Square root, in arith. and alg. that root which being multiplied into itself produces the given number or quantity. Thus 8 is the square root of 64, for 8x8=64; is the square root of 3, for 3 x3 =1 Also x2 is the square root of x, for x2 × x2=x1; a+x is the square root of a2+2 ax+x, for (a+x) × (a + x)= a2+2 ax + x2. When a given number or quantity is not an exact square, its square root can only be found by approximation. Thus the square root of 2 is 1-41421, &c.-. All square, all arranged; all right. Dickens.

Square (skwar), n. [See the adjective.] 1. In geom. a four-sided plane rectilineal figure, having all its sides equal, and all its angles right angles; a rectangular figure formed from any given line as the side.-2. What nearly approaches this shape; a square piece or square surface. He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of 3 inches. Sir W. Scott. Hence-(a) a pane of glass. (b) In printing, a certain number of lines forming a portion of a column nearly square: used chiefly in reckoning the prices of newspaper advertisements.-3. An area of four sides with houses on each side; sometimes a square block of houses; also, sometimes an area formed by the meeting or intersection of two or more streets.

The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. Addison.

4. An instrument used by artificers, draughtsmen, and others for trying or describing right angles. It consists of two rules or branches fastened perpendicularly at one end of their extremities so as to form a right angle. When one ruler joins the other in the middle in the form of a T, it is called a T-square. Hence-5. A measure, standard, pattern, or model.

Those that affect antiquity will follow the square
Milton.

thereof.

6. In arith, and alg. the number or quantity produced by multiplying a number or quantity by itself. Thus 64 is the square of 8, for 8×8=64.-7. Rule; regularity; exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct. 'Corinth many ways reproved, they of Galatia much more out of square.' Hooker.

I have not kept my square; but that to come
Shall all be done by the rule.
Shak.

8. A square body of troops. 'The brave
squares of war. Shak. Specifically, milit.
a body of infantry formed into a rectangu
lar figure with several ranks or rows of i
men facing on each side, with officers, horses.
colours, &c., in the centre. The front rank
kneels, the second and third stoop, and the
remaining ranks (generally two) stand. This
formation is usually employed to resist a
cavalry charge. Hollow squares are fre-
quently formed with the faces fronting in-
wards when orders and instructions, &c.,
are to be read and the like.-9.4 Extent equal
on all sides; compass or extent. [But the
meaning in the extract is doubtful.]
I profess
Myself an enemy to all other joys
Which the most precious square of sense possesses,
And find I am alone felicitate
In your highness' dear love.
Shak.

10. Level; equality; generally with the.
We live not on the square with such as these,
Such are our betters.
Dryden.

11. In astrol. quartile; the position of planets distant 90 degrees from each other. Their planetary motions and aspect, in sextile, square, and time.' Milton.-12A quarrel. See SQUARE, v.i., 2.-13. The front part of the female dress near the bosom, generally worked or embroidered.

SQUARE-COUPLING

Between her breasts, the cruel weapon rives Her curious square, emboss'd with swelling gold Fairfax -Geometrical square, a quadrant (which see).-Magic square. See MAGIC.-Square of an anchor, the upper part of the shank of an anchor. -Square of flooring or roofing, a measure of 100 superficial feet.-To see how the squares go, to see how the game proceeds, how matters are going on: a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chess-board being formed with squares.

One frog looked about him to see how squares went with their new king. Sir R. L'Estrange. -Method of least squares, the method of finding the probable error in assuming the mean of a number of discordant observations of a phenomenon. In the application of this method, the rule in all cases is the same; namely, that that result has the greatest probability in its favour, the assumption of which makes the sum of the squares of the errors the least possible, provided that all the observations are equally worthy of confidence. The method of least squares is now universally used in astronomy. On or upon the square, all right; so as not to be objectionable; fair and strictly honest; as, to play upon the square; to act on the

square.

Amongst known cheats, to play upon the square
You'll be undone.
Rochester.

I must keep things on the square if I can, sir.. I must preserve peace among them. Dickens. -To break squares, to depart from an accustomed order.-To break no squares, to make no difference; to give no offence.

I will break no squares whether it be so or not.
Sir R. L'Estrange.

Square (skwar), v.t. pret. & pp. squared; ppr. squaring. 1. To form with four equal sides and four right angles.-2. To reduce or bring accurately to right angles and straight lines; as, to square masons' or carpenters' work.-3. To reduce to any given measure or standard; to compare with a given standard.

Stubborn critics, apt, without a theme
For depravation, to square the general sex
Shak.
By Cressid's rule.

4. To adjust; to regulate; to mould; to shape; to accommodate; to fit.

O, that ever I had squared me to thy counsel. Shak,
Eye me, blest Providence, and square my trial
Milton.
To my proportioned strength.

5. To hold a quartile position respecting.
O'er Libra's sign a crowd of foes prevails,
The icy Goat and Crab that square the scales.
Creech,

6. To make even so as to leave no difference or balance; as, to square accounts.— 7. In math. to multiply by itself; as, to square a number.-8. Naut. to place at right angles with the mast or keel; as, to square the yards.-To square the circle, to determine the exact area of a circle in square measure. See QUADRATURE. —- To square the shoulders, to elevate the shoulders so as to give them a square or angular appearance: a movement of scorn or disgust. Sir W. Scott.

Square (skwar), v. i. 1. To suit; to fit; to accord or agree; as, his opinions do not square with the doctrines of philosophers.

If we bring in our minds this conception of design, nothing can more fully square with and fit in than such instances as these. Whewell.

2. To quarrel; to go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offence or defence.

SQUARE-FILE

halves of the box are bolted together on the
opposite sides as represented by the an-
nexed figure.

Square-file (skwär-fil), n. A file which is
square in its transverse section; it is usu-
ally tapering, and has one smooth side.
Square-framed (sk wår främd),a. In joinery,
applied to a work when the framing has all
the angles of its styles, rails, and mount-
ings square without being moulded.
A joint in
Square-joint (skwár joint), n.
wooden stuff in which the edges are brought
squarely together without rabbeting, tongue,
or feather.

Squarely (skwar'li), adv. 1. In a square
form: as, squarely built. -2. In a square
To deal
manner; suitably; honestly.
squarely and openly.' Sterne.
Squareness (skwär'nes), n. 1. The state of
being square.-2. Suitableness; fairness in
dealing.

Squarer (skwar'er), n. 1. One who squares; as, a squarer of the circle.-2. One who quarrels; a hot-headed contentious fellow. Is there no young squarer now that will make a Shak. voyage with him to the devil?

3. One who spars; a sparrer. Square-rig (skwār'rig), n.

Naut. that rig in which the lower sails are suspended from horizontal yards. See next entry. Square-rigged (skwär'rigd),a. Naut. a term applied to a vessel whose principal sails are extended by yards suspended by the middle, and not by stays, gaffs, booms, and lateen yards. Thus a ship and a brig are squarerigged vessels. Square-roof (skwár'röf), n. A roof in which the principal rafters meet at a right angle. A sail exSquare-sail (skwär'säl), n.

tended on a yard suspended by the middle and hanging horizontally, as distinguished from other sails which are extended obliquely.

Square-toed (skwär'tōd), a. 1. Having the toes or end square. 'Obsolete as fardingales, ruffs, and square-toed shoes.' Dr. W. Knox.-2. Formal; precise; finical; punctilious; prim.

Have we not almost all learnt these expressions of old foozles, and uttered them when in the square-toed Thackeray. state?

Square-toes (skwȧr'tōz), n. A precise, for-
The term
mal, old-fashioned personage.
arose from the wearing by gentlemen of the
old school of the square-toed boots or shoes
fashionable in their younger days.

Lewis XIV.,... the old squaretoes, the idol of bigwiggery, was in my mind an undoubted and royal snob. Thackeray.

Now, don't you be jawing away about young
Square-tees. He's no end of a sucking wiseacre.
T. Hughes.

Squarish (skwar'ish), a. Nearly square.
Squarrose, Squarrous (skwär'ōs, skwär'-
us),a. [L. squarrosus, rough, scurfy, scabby.]
In bot. covered with processes spreading at
right angles or in a greater degree.
Squarrose-slashed (skwär'ös-slasht), a. In
bot. slashed with minor divisions at right
angles to the others; squarroso-laciniate.
Lindley.

Squarroso-dentate (skwär-rō'sō-den"tät),

a.

In bot. bearing teeth on the margin not lying in the plane of the leaf, but forming an angle with it.

Squarroso-laciniate (skwär-rō'sō-la-sin"iǎt), a. In bot. lacerated or slashed in a squarrose way, as a leaf; squarrose-slashed. Squarroso-pinnatipartite (skwär-ro'sōIn bot. deeply pinnapin-nat-i-part"it), a. tifid with squarrose divisions, as the leaf of Achillea millefolium. Squarroso-pinnatisect (skwär-rō'sō-pinDat'i-sekt), a. In bot. pinnatifid with the segments so straggling as to appear on different planes, as a leaf. Squarrulose (skwärʼrû-lõs), a. In bot. somewhat squarrose; slightly squarrose. Squash (skwosh), v. t. [O.E. squacchen, from 6. Fr. esquachier, esquacher, escacher, Mod. Fr. écacher, to crush, to squash, from L. ex, out, entirely, and coactare, to constrain, from coactus, pp. of cogo, coactum, to force (whence cogent). As regards the noun, perhaps onomatopeia has had some influence in attaching the particular meanings to this word. See also SQUAT.] To crush; to beat or press into pulp or a flat mass. Squash (skwosh), n. 1. Something soft and easily crushed; something unripe and soft; especially, an unripe pea-pod.

Not yet old enough for a man, nor young enough for a boy; as a squash is before 'tis a peascod. Shak.

Since they will overload my shoulders, I shall throw down the burden with a squash among them.

Arbuthnot.

My fall was stopped by a terrible squash, that sounded louder than the cataract of Niagara. Swift. Squash (skwosh), n. [From American Inwhich the dian name: 'Askutasquash,. English from them call squashes.' Roger Williams. From asquash (pl.), raw, green.] A plant of the genus Cucurbita, C. Melopepo, and its fruit, cultivated in America as an article of food. See GOURD.

Squash is an Indian kind of pumpion that grows Boyle. apace. Squash (skwash), n. [Comp. musquash.] The American name for a species of weasel.

The smell of our weasels, and ermines, and pole. cats is fragrance itself, when compared to that of Goldsmith. the squash and the skunk.

Squash-bug (skwosh'bug), n. A name given in the United States to insects well known for their destructive ravages upon squash and pumpkin plants.

Squasher (skwosh'èr), n. One who squashes. Squash-gourd, Squash-melon (skwosh'görd, skwosh'mel-on), n. The Cucurbita Melopepo. See SQUASH.

Squashiness (skwosh'i-nes), n.

of being squashy, soft, or miry. [Colloq.] 'Give a trifle of strength and austerity to the squashiness of our friend's poetry, and reduce in almost every piece its quantity to half.' Landor.

Squash-vine (skwosh'vin), n. Same as
Squash or Squash-gourd.
Squashy (skwosh'i), a. Soft and wet; miry;
muddy; pulpy. [Colloq.]

Squat (skwot), v.i. pret. & pp. squatted; ppr. squatting. [From Prov. E. quat, to squat or cower down; 0. Fr. quatir, to duck, to bend; It. quattire, quattare, to squat or cower down, to lie close; same origin as squash, v. t.] 1. To sit down upon the hams or heels, as a human being; to sit close to the ground; to cower, as an animal; as, to squat down on one's hams.-2. To settle on land, especially public or new lands, without any title or right; as, to squat upon a piece of common. Macaulay. See SQUATTER.

Squat (skwot), v.t. 1. To bruise or make flat by a fall.-2. To put on the hams or heels; to cause to cower or lie close to the ground: used reflexively. Then squatted himself down with his legs twisted under him.' Marryat.

Squat (skwot), a. [See the verb.] 1. Sitting on the hams or heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering.

Him there they found,

Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve. Milton. 2. Short and thick, like the figure of an animal squatting. The body squat or tall.'

Prior.

FISH.

Sat. Rev.

Who can endure to hear one of the rough old Romans squeaking through the mouth of an eunuch? Addison. 2. To break silence or secrecy; to confess; to speak.

If he be obstinate, put a civil question to him upon Dryden. the rack, and he squeaks, I warrant him. A sharp shrill sound Squeak (skwék), n. suddenly uttered, either of the human voice or of any animal or instrument, such as a child utters in acute pain, or as pigs utter, or as is made by carriage wheels when dry, 'Many a dreadful or by a pipe or reed. "The grunt and doleful squeak.' Dryden. coquette with a great many skittish notes, affected squeaks. Addison. Squeaker (skwēk'ėr), n. 1. One that squeaks 'Mimical or utters a sharp shrill sound. squeakers and bawlers.' Echard.-2. A pigeon under six months of age. Squeakingly (skwek'ing-li), adv. squeaking manner. Squeal (skwel), v.i. [A thin form of squall (which see). It implies a shriller sound.] To give a more or less prolonged cry with a sharp shrill voice, as certain animals do, indicating want, displeasure, or pain.

In a

She pinched me, and called me a squealing chit. Steele. Squeal (skwěl), n. A shrill sharp cry; a squeak.

Squeamish (skwē'mish),a. [Prov. E. sweamish; O. and Prov. sweam, an attack of sickness, from A. Sax. swima, a swimming or giddiness. The q has been inserted partly perhaps through the influence of qualmish, the meaning being similar; but see SQUANDER.] Having a stomach that is easily turned, or that readily nauseates anything; hence, nice to excess in taste; fastidious; easily disgusted; apt to be offended at trifling improprieties; scrupulous.

Quoth he, that honour's very squeamish That takes a basting for a blemish. Hudibras. True humanity consists not in a squeamish ear; it consists not in starting or shrinking at tales of C. J. Fox misery. SYN. Qualmish, fastidious, dainty, overnice, scrupulous, straitlaced. In a Squeamishly (skwe'mish-li), adv. squeamish or fastidious manner; with too much niceness. T. Warton. The Squeamishness (skwe'mish-nes), n. state or quality of being squeamish; excessive niceness; fastidiousness; excessive scrupulousness.

The thorough-paced politician must presently laugh South. at the squeamishness of his conscience. Squeamous+ (skwe'mus), a. Squeamish. Squeasinesst (skwē'zi-nes), n. Nausea; queasiness. A squeasiness and rising up of the heart against any mean, vulgar, or mechanical condition of men.' Hammond. Squeasyt (skwē'zi), a. Queasy; nice; squeamish; scrupulous.

The Squeezability (skwez-a-bil'i-ti), n. state or quality of being squeezable. Spectator newspaper. Squeezable (skwēz'a-bl), a. 1. Capable or admitting of being squeezed.-2. Fig. capable of being constrained; as, a squeezable government. [Colloq.]

Squeeze (skwěz), v. t. pret. & pp. squeezed; ppr. squeezing. [Formerly squise, squize,

w, wig; wh, whig; zh, azure.-See KEY. 150

SQUEEZE

from A. Sax. cwisan, cwysan, to crush, to squeeze; with the common addition of initial 8; cog. with L.G. quese, a bruise; Sw. qväsa, to crush; G. quetschen, to squash, to bruise.] 1. To press between two bodies; to press closely; to crush; as, to squeeze an orange with the fingers or with an instrument; to be squeezed in a crowd: often to press so as to expel juice or moisture. Shak. 2. To clasp closely; to press lovingly.

When Florio speaks, what virgin could withstand, If gentle Damon did not squeeze her hand. Pope. 3. To oppress so as to make to give money; to harass by extortion.-4. To force by pressure; to compel or cause to pass; as, to squeeze water through felt: often with out; as, to squeeze out a tear.-SYN. To press, crush, compress, clasp, hug, crowd. Squeeze (skwěz), v.i. 1. To press; to press among a number of persons; to urge one's way; to pass by pressing.

Many a public minister comes empty in; but when he has crammed his guts, he is fain to squeeze hard before he can get off. Sir R. L'Estrange.

2. To pass through a body on pressure being applied. Newton.-To squeeze through, to pass through by pressing and urging forward; as, to squeeze through a crowd. Squeeze (skwez), n. 1. Pressure; compression between bodies.-2. A hug or embrace. Squeezer (skwez'èr), n. 1. One who or that which squeezes.-2. pl. In iron-working, a machine sometimes employed for shingling, or expressing the scoriae from the puddled balls. Its action resembles that of a huge pair of pliers worked by machinery. Squeezing (skwez'ing), n. 1. The act of pressing; compression; oppression.-2. That which is forced out by pressure. The dregs and squeezings of the brain. Pope. Squelch (skwelch), v. t. [From Prov. E. quelch, a blow (with prefixed & through influence of squash, &c.); allied perhaps to quell.] To crush; to destroy. [Colloq.]

He has almost trod my guts out.-
O, 'twas your luck and mine to be squelch'd.
Beau. & Fl.

Squelch (skwelch), v.i. To be crushed. Squelch (skwelch), n. A flat heavy fall. [Colloq.]

So soon as the poor devil had recovered the squelch, away he scampers, bawling like mad. Sir R. L'Estrange.

Squencht (skwensh), v.t. To quench. Squeteague (skwe-teg'), n. An American fish, the Labrus squeteague of Mitchell, the Otolithus regalis of Cuvier, very common in the waters of Long Island Sound and adjacent bays, where it is captured in large quantities for the table. It produces a dull sound like that of a drum.

Squib (skwib), n. [From O.E. squippe, for swippe (comp. squeamish for similar letter change), to move along swiftly, to sweep along; Icel. svipa, to flash, to dart, svipr, a swift movement; allied to sweep and swoop. Skeat.] 1. A little pipe or hollow cylinder of paper filled with gunpowder or other combustible matter which being ignited it flies along, throwing out a train of fiery sparks, and bursting with a crack. 'Hung up by the heels like meteors, with squibs in their tails.' B. Jonson.

Lampoons, like squibs, may make a present blaze. Waller.

2. A sarcastic speech or little censorious writing published; a petty lampoon; as, an election squib; a squib upon a rival.-3. A petty satirist.

The squibs are those who, in the common phrase of the word, are called libellers, lampooners, and pamphleteers. Steele. Squib (skwib), v.i. pret. & pp. squibbed; ppr. squibbing. To use squibs or sarcastic or severe reflections; to contend in petty dispute; as, two members of a society squib a little in debate. [Colloq. United States.] Squid (skwid), n. [Probably from squib, from its squirting out black matter.] A popular name of certain cuttle-fishes belonging to the dibranchiate group of the class Cephalopoda, and included in several genera, of which the most familiar is that of the calamaries. See CALAMARY. Squier,t n. and v. Same as Squire. Chaucer. Squierie, n. A company or number of squires. Chaucer.

Squiggle (skwigl), v.i. [Probably for swiggle (comp., as to letter change, squib above), this being a non-nasalized and dim. form akin to swing, sway, swag. See those words.] 1. To shake a fluid about in the mouth with the lips closed. [Provincial.]-2. To move

178

about like an eel; to squirm. [Vulgar, United States.]

Squill (skwil), n. [Fr.squille; from L. squilla, scilla, Gr. skilla, a squill.] A plant of the genus Scilla, nat. order Liliaceae, nearly allied to the hyacinths, onions, &c., having a spreading perianth, stamens shorter than the perianth, smooth filaments, a threeparted ovary, and

a three-cornered capsule with three many seeded cells. Two species are indigenous to BritainS. verna, very abundant on the cliffs of Cornwall, and frequent also in the Orkney and Shetland Isles, and S. autumnalis, which grows

also in

Cornwall and in Squill (Scilla maritima). other parts of

England, not being confined to the seashore. The term squill is more particularly applied to the Scilla maritima (Urginea Scilla), officinal squill or sea-onion, which has a large acrid bulbous root like an onion. It is a native of the sandy shores of the Mediterranean. The bulb has been known as a medicine from the earliest ages, and is still used as a diuretic and expectorant. In large doses it causes vomiting, purging, and may even prove fatally poisonous. S. Pancrateon (Urginea Pancrateon), pancratic squill, inhabits the Mediterranean coast, and is used in the same way as the officinal squill, but is said to be milder in its effects.

Squill (skwil), n. [L. squilla, scilla, a small fish of the lobster kind.] 1. A stomapodous crustaceous animal of the genus Squilla. See SQUILLA.-2. An insect, called also Squill Insect, from its resemblance to the preceding, having a long body covered with a crust, the head broad and squat.

Squilla (skwil'la), n. A genus of crustaceans, order Stomapoda, the type of the family Squillide, having the body long and semicylindric, somewhat resembling that of a lobster. The shell consists of a single shield of an elongated quadrilateral form, covering the head, the antennæ and eyes excepted, which are placed on a common anterior articulation. The eyes are placed on very short footstalks. The species are chiefly inhabitants of the seas of warm climates. The best known of the numerous species is the locust shrimp, mantis-crab, or mantisshrimp (S. mantis) of the Mediterranean. Squillagee, Squilgee (skwil'a-je, skwil'je), n. Naut. (a) a small swab made of untwisted yarn. (b) An instrument in the form of a hoe, covered with leather, used to rub the decks after washing.

Squillidæ (skwil'li-de), n. pl. [L. squilla, squill, and Gr. eidos, resemblance.] A family of stomapod crustaceans, of which the genus Squilla is the type. See SQUILLA. Squillitic (skwil-lit'ik), a. Of, pertaining to, or obtained from squills. 'Squillitic vinegar.' Holland. Squinancet (skwi'nans), n. nancy, 1.

Squinancy (skwi'nan-si)n.

Same as Squi

[Fr. squinancie. See QUINSY.] 1. The quinsy (which see). 2. A British plant of the genus Asperula, the A. cynanchica, called also Squinancy

Wort and Small Woodruff. It is a perennial plant withwhite flowers in terminal panicles, and grows on chalky downs in Squinch, Maxstoke Priory, many parts of Warwickshire. Britain. See WOODRUFF. Squinch, Sconce (skwinsh, skons), n. [See SCONCE. In arch. a small pendentive arch (or several combined) formed across an angle, as in a square tower to support the side of a superimposed octagon. The application of the term may have been suggested

SQUIR

by this structure resembling a corner cupboard, which was also called a squinch or

Sconce.

Squinsyt (skwin'zi), n. Same as Quinsy. Squint (skwint), a. [Comp. O. and Prov. E. squinny, squiny, to squint; allied to D. schuinte, a slope, schuin, schuinsch, sloping, oblique; perhaps connected with askant, but the history of the word is somewhat obscure.] 1. Looking obliquely; looking not directly; looking askance. Banish squint suspicion. Milton.-2. Not having the optic axes coincident: said of the eyes; a defect occasioned by a permanent shortening of one of the lateral straight muscles, and a permanent elongation of its antagonist.Squint quoin, in arch. an external oblique angle.

Squint (skwint), v.i. 1. To look with the eyes differently directed.

Some can squint when they will.

Bacon.

2. To have the axes of the eyes not coincident; to be affected with strabismus; as, a person squints badly.-3. To run or be directed obliquely; to have an indirect reference or bearing.

Not a period of this epistle but squints towards Pope. another over against it.

In prudence, too, you think my rhymes Should never squint at courtiers' crimes. Gay Squint (skwint), v.t. 1. To turn (the eye) to an oblique position.

Perkin began already to squint one eye upon the crown and another upon the sanctuary. Bacon.

2. To cause to look with non-coincident optic axes; to form to oblique vision.

He gives the web and the pin, squints the eye, and makes the hare-lip. Shak.

Squint (skwint), n. 1. The act or habit of squinting; an oblique look.-2. An affection of the eyes in which the optic axes do not coincide; as, one that has a squint.-3. In arch. an oblique opening passing through

Squint, Minster-Lovell Church, Oxfordshire. AA, Squints. BB, Transepts. C, Chancel. D, Altar.

the walls of many old churches, usually constructed for the purpose of enabling a person in the transepts or aisles to see the elevation of the host at the high altar. The usual situation for a squint is on one or both sides of the chancel arch; but they are also found in other positions though always directed to an altar. Generally they are not above a yard high, and 2 feet wide, but sometimes they form narrow arches 10 or 12 feet in height, as at Minster-Lovell, Oxfordshire. The name Hagioscope is sometimes applied to them. Squint-eye (skwinti), n. An eye that

squints.

Squint-eyed (skwint'id), a. 1. Having eyes that squint; having eyes with non-coincident axes.-2. Oblique; indirect; malignant. 'False and squint-eyed praise.' Sir J. Denham.-3. Looking obliquely or by side glances; as, squint-eyed jealousy or envy. Squintifego (skwint-i-fe'go), a. [A fanciful formation from squint.] Squinting. The timbrel and the squintifego maid.' Dryden. [Obsolete and low]

Squinting (skwint'ing), n. The act or habit of looking squint; strabismus (which see). With Squintingly (skwint'ing-li), adv. squint look; by side glances. Squiny, Squinny (skwini), v.i. To look squint. [Old and provincial.]

I remember thine eyes well enough. Dost thou Shak. squiny at me?

Squir, Squirrt (skwer), v.t. and i. [Probably imitative of the sound of a body passing rapidly through the air; comp. whirr, whiz.] To throw with a jerk; to cau-e to cut along: to move, as anything cutting through the air.

SQUIRALTY

Squiralty (skwir'al-ti), n. Same as Squirearchy. [Rare.]

Squirarchy (skwirar-ki), n. Same as Squirearchy.

Squire (skwir). n. [A contr. of esquire. See ESQUIRE.] 1. The title of a gentleman next in rank to a knight.

The rest are princes, barons, knights, squires,
And gentlemen of blood.
Shak.

2. An attendant on a knight; the knight's shield or armour bearer.

Then tending her rough lord tho' all unask'd In silence did him service as a squire. Tennyson. Hence-3. An attendant on a great warrior, a noble or royal personage, or the like; also, in colloquial language, a devoted male attendant on a lady; a male companion; a beau; a gallant.

Marry, there I'm called The squire of dames, or servant of the sex. Massinger. 4. A title popularly given to a country gentleman.-5. In the United States, a title of magistrates and lawyers. In New England it is given particularly to justices of the peace and judges; in Pennsylvania to justices of the peace only. Squire (skwir), v. t. pret. & pp. squired; ppr. squiring. 1. To attend, as a squire.-2. To attend, as a beau or gallant; to escort; as, to squire a lady to the gardens. [Colloq.]

Shak.

He (a Frenchman) squires her to every place she visits, either on pleasure or business. W. Guthrie. Squiret (skwir),n. [O. Fr. esquierre, a square. See SQUARE.] A rule; a foot-rule; a square. Not the worst of the three but jumps twelve foot and a half by the squire. Squirearch (skwir'ärk), n. A member of the squirearchy. Ld. Lytton. Squirearchal (skwir-ärk'al), a. taining to a squirearchy. Squirearchy (skwir'ärk-i), n. The squires or gentlemen of a country taken collectively; the domination or political influence exercised by squires considered as a body. Written also Squirarchy.

Of or per

Squireen (skwí-ren'), n. A small or petty squire; a half-squire, half-farmer. Ignorant and worthless squireens.' Macaulay. [Irish.] Squirehood (skwir hud), n. The rank and state of a squire. Swift.

Squireling (skwirling), n. A small or petty squire. Tennyson. [Used in contempt.] Squirely (skwir'li), a. Becoming a squire. Shelton.

Squireship (skwir'ship), n. Squirehood. Shelton.

Squirm (skwèrm), v.t. or i. [Perhaps a modification of swarm, to wriggle up a tree, the g being inserted as in squander, squeamish. Some connect it with Lith. kirm, Skr. krimi, a worm.] 1. To move like a worm or eel, with writhing or contortions. [Local.] 2. To climb by embracing and clinging with the hands and feet, as to a tree without branches. [United States.]

Squirm (skwêrm), n. 1. A wriggling motion, like that of a worm or eel.-2. Naut. a twist in a rope.

179

terus). The true squirrels are distinguished by their strongly compressed inferior incisors and by their long bushy tail. They have four toes before and five behind. The thumb of the fore-foot is sometimes marked by a tubercle. They have in all four grinders, variously tuberculated, and a very small additional one above in front, which very soon falls. The head is large, and the eyes projecting and lively. Several species are enumerated, as the common squirrel, which inhabits Europe and the north of Asia, the cat-squirrel and gray squirrel, both American species. The common British squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and several other species are remarkably nimble, running up trees and leaping from branch to branch with surprising agility. They subsist on nuts, acorns, seeds, &c., of which they lay up a store for winter, some of them in hollow trees, others in the earth. The fur of some of the American species is an article of com

merce. See also GROUND-SQUIRREL and

PTEROMYS.

Squirrel-corn (sk wir'rel-korn),n. The American name for a fragrant plant of the genus Dicentra (D. canadensis), nat. order Fumari

Squirrel-tail (skwir'rel-tål), n. A name for a species of wild barley, Hordeum maritimum.

Squirt (skwêrt), v.t. [Prov. E. swirt, L.G. swirtjen, to squirt, the q being inserted as in squander, squeamish. Comp. also Icel. skvetta, to squirt.] To eject or drive out of a narrow pipe or orifice in a stream; as, to squirt water.

The hard-featured miscreant coolly rolled his tobacco in his cheek and squirted the juice into the Sir W. Scott. fire-grate.

Squirt (skwért), v.i. 1. To be thrown out

or ejected from a narrow orifice in a rapid stream; as, water squirts from a pipe.-2. To throw out words. [Old slang.]

You are so given to squirting up and down, and chattering, that the world would say, I had chosen a jack-pudding for a prime minister. Sir R. L'Estrange. Squirt (skwért), n. 1. An instrument with which a liquid is ejected in a stream with force; a syringe.

His weapons are a pin to scratch and a squirt to bespatter. Pope.

One who or that

2. A small jet; as, a squirt of water.-3. A foppish young fellow; a whipper-snapper. [Colloq. United States.] Squirter (skwért'èr), n. which squirts. Squirting-cucumber (skwêrt'ing-ku-kumber), n. One of the popular names of the fruit of Ecballium agreste, which, when nearly ripe, separates suddenly from its peduncle, at the same time ejecting its juices and seeds. Squiry (skwi'ri), n. The body of squires; Sradha, Shraddha (sräd'ha, shräd'ha), n. the squirearchy. A funeral ceremony paid by the Hindus to the manes of deceased ancestors, to effect, by means of oblations, the re-embodying of the soul of the deceased after burning his corpse, and to raise his shade from this world up to heaven among the manes of departed ancestors.

Sravaka (srä'va-ka or shrä'va-ka), n. [Skr. sru, to hear.] A name given to those disciples of Buddha who through the practice of the four great truths attain the dignity of saints.

Stab (stab), v.t. pret. & pp. stabbed; ppr. stabbing. A word allied to staff, though its history is uncertain. Probably directly from the Celtic; comp. Gael. stob, Ir. stobaim, to stab, to thrust or drive into something; Gael. stob, a stake; Sc. stob, a stake, a prickle, a small instrument for boring holes; also Goth. stabs, a rod; G. stab, a staff. Comp. also stub.] 1. To pierce or wound with a pointed weapon; to kill by a pointed weapon; as, to be stabbed by a dagger or spear; to stab fish or eels. Whose daggers have stabbed Cæsar.' Shak.-2. To drive, thrust, or plunge, as a pointed weapon. 'Stab poniards in our flesh.' Shak.3. To pierce in a figurative sense; to injure secretly or by malicious falsehood or slander; to inflict keen or severe pain on.

None shall dare

With shorten'd sword to stab in closer war. Dryden. 2. To give a mortal wound; to mortify; to be extremely cutting.

She speaks poniards, and every word stabs. Shak. Stab (stab), n. 1. The thrust of a pointed weapon. To fall beneath a base assassin's stab.' Rowe.-2. A wound with a sharppointed weapon. His gashed stabs.' Shak. 3. An injury given in the dark; a sly mischief; keen, poignant pain. 'This sudden stab of rancour.' Shak. 'Stab (stab), n.

An abbreviation employed by workmen for established wages, as opposed to piece-work.

Stabat Mater (sta'bat ma'ter). [L., the mother stood.] The first words, and hence the name, of a medieval hymn still sung in the ecclesiastical services of the Roman Catholic Church during Holy Week. It has been set to music by Pergolesi, Rossini, and other famous composers. Stabber (stab'èr), n. 1. One that stabs; a privy murderer. 'A lurking, waylaying coward, and a stabber in the dark.' Pope. 2. Naut. a small marline-spike to make Stabbingly (stab'ing-li), adv. In a stabbing holes with; a pricker.

manner; with intent to do a secret act maliciously. Bp. Parker.

Stabilify (sta-bil'i-fi), v.t. To render stable, fixed, or firm; to establish. Render solid and stabilify mankind.' Browning. Stabiliment (sta-bil'i-ment), n. [L. stabilimentum, from stabilio, to make firm. See STABLE.] Act of making firm; firm support. [Rare.]

They serve for stabiliment, propagation, and shade. Derham. Stabilitate (sta-bil'i-tat), v.t. To make stable; to establish. Dr. H. More.

Stability (sta-bil'i-ti), n. [L. stabilitas, from

stabilis, stable. See STABLE.] 1. The state or quality of being stable or firm; stableness; firmness; strength to stand without being moved or overthrown; as, the stability of an edifice or other erection; the stability of a system; the stability of a throne; the stability of a constitution or government. 2. Steadiness or firmness of character; firmness of resolution or purpose; the qualities opposite to fickleness, irresolution, or inconstancy; as, a man of little stability or of unusual stability.-3. Fixedness, as opposed to fluidity. Since fluidness and stability are contrary qualities.' Boyle.-SYN. Steadiness, stableness, constancy, immovability, firmness. Stable (sta'bl), a. [L. stabilis, from sto, to stand, a widely-spread root, being also seen in E. stand (which see).] 1. Firmly established; not to be easily moved, shaken, or overthrown; firmly fixed or settled; as, a stable government; a stable structure.

If the world be in the middle of the heart it will be often shaken... but God in it keeps it stable. Abp. Leighton. 2. In physics, a term applied to that condition of a body in which, if its equilibrium be disturbed, it is immediately restored, as in the case when the centre of gravity is below the point of support. -Stable and unstable equilibrium. See EQUILIBRIUM.3. Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not easily diverted from a purpose; not fickle or wavering; as, a stable man; a stable character.

Ev'n the perfect angels were not stable.

But had a fall more desperate than we. Sir J. Davies. 4. Abiding; durable; not subject to be overthrown or changed; as, this life is not stable. SYN. Fixed, established, immovable, steady, constant, abiding, strong.

Stablet (stá'bl), v.t. To fix; to establish. Strype.

Stable (stä'bl), n. [L. stabulum, a standingplace, a stage, a stable, from sto, to stand. See the adjective.] A building constructed for horses to lodge and feed in, and furnished with stalls, and proper contrivances to contain their food, and necessary equipments.

If your husband have stables enough, you'll look Shak. he shall lack no barns.

This is now the regular use of the word, but it has been, and in America still is, used in a wider sense, equivalent to a house, shed, or building for beasts generally to

STABLE

lodge and feed in, as a cow-house or the like.

And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels. Ezek. xxv. 5. Stable (stä'bl), v. t. pret. & pp. stabled; ppr. stabling. To put or keep in a stable. Stable (sta'bl), v. i. To dwell or lodge in a stable; to dwell, as beasts; to kennel. In their palaces, Where luxury late reign'd, sea monsters whelp'd And stabled. Milton. Stable-boy (stā′bl-boi), n. A boy who attends at a stable. Swift. Stable-man (stä ́bl-man), n. A man who attends in a stable; a groom; an ostler. Swift.

Stableness (sta'bl-nes), n. The state or quality of being stable; stability; as, (a) fixedness and steadiness as regards position; firmness of position; strength to stand or remain unchanged; as, the stableness of a throne or of a system of laws. (b) Steadiness; constancy; firmness of purpose; as, stableness of character, of mind, of principles or opinions. Justice, verity, temperance, stableness.' Shak.

Stabler (sta bl-ér), n. A stable-keeper; one who stables horses. [Local.] Stable-room (stä'bl-röm), n. Room in a stable; room for stables.

Stable-stand (stá'bl-stand), n. In old Eng. law, the position of a man who is found at his standing in the forest with a crossbow bent, ready to shoot at a deer, or with a long-bow; or standing close by a tree with greyhounds in a leash ready to slip. This is one of the four presumptions that a man intends stealing the king's deer. Stabling (sta bl-ing), n. 1. The act or practice of keeping in a stable.-2. A house, shed, or room for keeping horses; also, in a wider sense, a house, shed, or place of shelter for other beasts. 'A stabling now for wolves.'

Thomson.

Stablisht (stab'lish), v. t. [0. Fr. establir, establissant, Mod. Fr. établir; from L. stabilio, to cause anything to stand firmly. See STABLE] To settle in a state for permanence; to make firm; to fix; to establish.

His covenant sworn To David, stablish'd as the days of Heaven. Milton. Stablishment† (stab'lish-ment), n. Establishment.

Stably (sta'bli), adv. In a stable manner; firmly; fixedly; steadily; as, a government stably settled.

Stabulationt (stab-ü-lä'shon), n. [L. stabulatio. See STABLE, n.] 1. Act of housing beasts.-2. A place or room for housing beasts.

It

Staccato (stak-kä'tō). [It., pp. of staccare, for distaccare, to separate Fr. détacher, to separate. See DETACH.] In music, disconnected; separated; distinct: a direction to perform the notes of a passage in a crisp, detached, distinct, or pointed manner. is generally indicated by dots or dashes placed over the notes, the dash implying the strongest or most marked degree of staccato or crispness. A certain amount of time is subtracted from the nominal value of any note performed staccato.

Stacher (stach'èr), v.i. [An allied form of stagger.] To stagger. [Scotch.]

Stachys (sta'kis), n. [Gr., an ear of corn, from the mode of flowering.] A genus of plants belonging to the nat, order Labiatæ. The species are very numerous. They are herbs or undershrubs with entire or toothed leaves, and sessile or very shortly stalked purple, scarlet, yellow, or white flowers arranged in whorls. They are widely distributed through the temperate regions of the globe. Four species are British, and are known under the name of woundwort. The most beautiful species of the genus is S. coccinea, a native of Chili and Peru. It has large dark scarlet flowers an inch in length. Stachytarpha, Stachytarpheta (stak-itarfa, stak-i-tar'fë-ta), n. pl. [Gr. stachys, an ear of corn, and tarpheios, thick, from its method of flowering.] A genus of aromatic flowering plants, nat. order Verbenaceae, natives, for the most part, of tropical or sub-tropical America. S. jamaicensis is held in high esteem in Brazil for its medicinal qualities, and its leaves are used to adulterate tea. In Austria it is sold under the name of Brazilian tea. Stack (stak), n. [A Scandinavian word; Icel. stakk(r), Sw. stack, Dan. stak, a stack, a pile of hay; Prov. G. stock, heustock, a stack, a hay-stack. From the same root as stake, stick, stock.] 1. Corn in the sheaf,

3. A number of funnels or chimneys standing together.-4. A single chimney or passageway for smoke; the chimney or funnel of a locomotive or steam-vessel.-5. A high rock detached; a columnar rock; a precipitous rock rising out of the sea. Sir W. Scott. -Stack of arms, a number of muskets or rifles placed together with their breeches on the ground, and the bayonets crossing Stack (stak), v.t. each other, so as to form a conical pile. To pile or build into the form of a stack; to make into a large pile; as, to stack hay or grain. To stack arms (milit.), to set up muskets, rifles, or carbines together, with the bayonets crossing each other or united by means of ramrods or hooks attached to the upper band of the weapon, so as to form a sort of conical pile. Stackage (stak ́áj), n. 1. Hay, grain, and the like, put up in stacks. [Rare. ]-2. A tax on things stacked.

Stack-borer (stak'bōr-ér), n. An instrument for piercing stacks of hay, to admit air, where the hay has acquired a dangerous degree of heat.

Stack-cover (stak'kuv-êr), n. A cloth or canvas covering for suspending over stacks during the time of their being built, to protect them from rain.

Stacket (stak'et), n. A stockade. Sir W. Scott. Stack-funnel (stak'fun-nel), n. A pyramidal open frame of wood in the centre of a stack. Its object is to allow the air to circulate through the stack, and prevent the heating of the grain. See STACK-STAND. Stack-guard (stak'gärd), n. A canvas covering for a hay or other stack; a stack

cover.

Stackhousiaceae (stak hous-i-ā”sē-ē), n. pl. [In honour of Mr. Stackhouse, a British botanist.] A family of dicotyledonous polypetalous plants allied to Celastraceæ, consisting of about twenty species, all herbaceous, with a perennial and often a woody stock, simple erect stems, alternate small narrow leaves, and terminal racemes of small white or yellow flowers. With the exception of two, they are all Australian, and are of no special interest. Stacking-band, Stacking-belt (stak'ingband, stak'ing-belt), n. A band or rope used in binding thatch or straw upon a stack. Stacking-stage (stak'ing-stāj), n. A scaffold or stage used in building stacks. Stack-stand (stak'stand), n. A basement of timber or masonry, sometimes of iron, raised on props and placed in a stack-yard,

Stack-stand with Stack funnel.

on which to build the stack. Its object is to keep the lower part of the stack dry, and exclude vermin.

Stack-yard (stakʼyärd), n. A yard or inclosure for stacks of hay or grain. Stacte (stak'tē), n. (Gr. stakte, the oil that drops from myrrh, from stazo, to drop, to distil] One of the sweet spices which composed the holy incense of the ancient Jews. Two kinds have been described, one the fresh gum of the myrrh tree (Balsamodendron Myrrha), mixed with water and squeezed out through a press; the other kind, the resin of the storax (Styrax officinale), mixed with wax and fat. Exod. xxx. 34. Staddle (stad'l), n. [A. Sax. stathol, stathel, a foundation, a basis, firm seat; from root of stead, steady, stand.] 1.† A prop or support;

STAFF

a staff; a crutch. Spenser.-2. The frame or support of a stack of hay or grain; a stack-stand.-3. A young or small tree left uncut when others are cut down.

If you leave your staddles too thick you shall never have clean underwood, but shrubs and bushes. Racon.

4. In agri. one of the separate plots into which a cock of hay is shaken out for the purpose of drying.

Staddle (stad'l), v.t. 1. To leave the staddles in, as a wood when it is cut. Tusser.-2. To Staddle-roof (stad'l-röf), n. form into staddles, as hay. The roof or covering of a stack.

Stade (stad), n. A furlong; a stadium (which see). Donne.

Same as Staddle.

Stade (stad), n. Same as Staith. Stadium (sta'di-um), n. [L., from Gr. stadion.] 1. A Greek measure of 125 geometrical paces, or 625 Roman feet, equal to 606 feet 9 inches English; consequently the Greek stadium was somewhat less than our furlong. It was the principal Greek measure of length.-2. The course for foot-races at Olympia in Greece, which was exactly a stadium in length. The name was also given to all other places throughout Greece wherever games were celebrated. - 3. In med. the stage or period of a disease, espeStadiet (stad'l), n. cially of an intermittent disease. Stadtholder (stat'hold-ér), n. [D. stadhou der-stad, a city, and houder, holder.] Formerly, the chief magistrate of the United Provinces of Holland; or the governor or lieutenant-governor of a province. Stadtholderate, Stadtholdership (stat'höld-ér-åt, stat'höld-ér-ship), n. The office of a stadtholder. Staff (staf), n. pl. Staves, Staffs (stāvz, stafs), (in last two senses always the latter). [A. Sax. stof, a stick, a staff, a support; D. and LG. staf, a staff, a sceptre; Icel. stafr, a staff, a post, a stick; G. stab, a staff. From same root as stab, and Skr. stabh, stambh, to make firm.] 1. A stick carried in the hand for support; a walking-stick. Hence2. A support; that which props or upholds. The boy was the very staff of my age, my very prop. Shak. Thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed. Is. xxxvi. 6. Swift.

Bread is the staff of life.

3. A stick used as a weapon; a club; a cudgel; as, the stick used at quarter-staff. With forks and staves the felon to pursue.' Dryden.-4. A long piece of wood used for many purposes; as, (a)t a pole; a stake. "The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff. Shak. (b) The long handle of an instrument or weapon, as the staff of a spear; the spear itself.

There stuck no plume in any English crest Shak That is removed by a staff of France. Hence, to break a staff, to tilt; to combat with a spear. 'A puisny tilter, that breaks his staff like a noble goose.' Shak. (c) A straight-edge for testing or truing a line or surface; as, the proof staff used in testing the face of the stone in a grind-mill. (d) In surv. a graduated stick, used in levelling. See also CROSS-STAFF, JACOB'S-STAFF. (e) In ship-building, a name given to several measuring and spacing rules. (f) Naut. a light pole erected in different parts of a ship on which to hoist and display the colours; as, the ensign-staff for displaying the ensign: the flag-staff for displaying the flag, and the jack-staff for extending the jack.-5. The round of a ladder.

Descending and ascending by ladders, I ascended at one of six hundred and thirty-nine staves. Dr. F. Campbell. 6. In surg. a grooved steel instrument having a curvature, used to guide the knife or gorget through the urethra into the bladder in the operation of lithotomy.-7. The name of several instruments formerly used in taking the sun's altitude at sea; as, the forestaff, back-staff, cross-staff, &c. (See these terms).-8. A stanza; a stave.

Cowley found out that no kind of staff is proper for a heroic poem, as being all too lyrical. Dryden. 9. The five parallel lines, and the four spaces

Treble Staff.

between them, on which notes and other musical characters are placed.-10. In arch. same as Rudenture.-11. An ensign of authority; a badge of office; as, a constable's