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Scupper-hose (skup'èr-hōz), n. A leathern pipe attached to the mouth of the scuppers of the lower deck of a ship to prevent the water from entering. Scupper-nail (skup'er-nal), n. A nail with a very broad head for covering a large surface of the scupper-hose. Scuppernong (skup'èr-nong), n. The American name for a species of grape, supposed to be a variety of Vitis vulpina, cultivated and found wild in the Southern States. It is said to have come from Greece. Scupper-plug (skup'ér-plug), n. A plug to stop a scupper.

Scur (sker), v.i. To move hastily; to scour. [Obsolete or provincial.]

The light shadows That in a thought scur o'er the fields of corn. Beau. & Fl. Scurf (skêrf),n. [O.E. also scorf, serof, A.Sax. scurf, Icel. skurfur (pl.), Dan. skurv, Sw. skorf, G. schorf, scurf.] 1. A material composed of minute portions of the dry external scales of the cuticle. These are, in moderate quantity, continually separated by the friction to which the surface of the body is subject, and are in due proportion replaced by others deposited on the inner surface of the cuticle. Small exfoliations of the cuticle, or scales like bran, occur naturally on the scalp, and take place after some eruptions on the skin, a new cuticle being formed underneath during the exfoliation. When scurf separates from the skin or scalp in unnatural quantities, it constitutes the disease called pityriasis, which, when it affects children, is known by the name of dandruff. Her crafty head

Was overgrown with scarf and filthy scald.
Spenser.

2. The soil or foul remains of anything adherent. [Rare.]

The scurf is worn away of each committed crime.
Dryden.

3. Anything adhering to the surface.

There stood a hill whose grisly top
Shone with a glossy scurf.

Milton.

4. In bot. the loose scaly matter that is found on some leaves, &c.

Scurff (skérf), n. Another name for the bull-trout.

Scurfiness (skérf'i-nes),n. The state of being scurfy. Skelton.

Scurfy (skérf'i), a. 1. Having scurf; covered with scurf.-2. Resembling scurf. Scurrer (skêr'èr), n. One who scurs or moves hastily. Berners. [Obsolete or provincial.]

Scurrile (skurril), a. [L. scurrilis, from scurra, a buffoon, a jester.] Such as befits a buffoon or vulgar jester; low; mean; grossly opprobrious in language; lewdly jocose; scurrilous; as, scurrile scoffing; scurrile taunts.

A scurrile or obscene jest will better advance you at the court of Charles than your father's ancient Sir W. Scott.

name.

Scurrility (skur-ril'i-ti), n. [Fr. scurrilité, L. scurrilitas. See SCURRILE.] 1. The quality of being scurrilous; low, vile, or obscene jocularity. Please you to abrogate scurrility.' Shak.-2. That which is scurrilous; such low, vulgar, indecent or abusive language as is used by mean fellows, buffoons, jesters, and the like; grossness of abuse or invective; obscene jests, &c.

We must acknowledge, and we ought to lament, that our public papers have abounded in scurrility. Bolingbroke. Scurrilous (skur'ril-us), a. 1. Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow. A scurrilous fool.' Fuller.-2. Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul; vile; obscenely jocular; as, scurrilous language.

He is ever merry, but still modest; not dissolved into undecent laughter, or tickled with wit scurril ous or injurious. Habington.

3. Opprobrious; abusive; offensive; infa

mous.

How often is a person, whose intentions are to do good by the works he publishes, treated in as scur rilous à manner as if he were an enemy to mankind. Addison.

Scurrilously (skurʼril-us-li), adv. In a scur

6

rilous manner; with gross abuse; with low indecent language.

It is barbarous incivility scurrilously to sport with what others count religion. Tillotson. Scurrilousness (skurʼril-us-nes), n. The quality of being scurrilous; indecency of language; baseness of manners; scurrility. Scurry (skur ri), v. i. [Comp. scur, skir, scour.] To move rapidly; to hasten away or along; to hurry.

He commanded the horsemen of the Numidians to scurry to the trenches.

North.

Scurry (skurʼri), n. Hurry; haste; impetuosity. In a scurvy manScurvily (skėrʼvi-li), adv. ner; basely; meanly; with coarse and vulgar incivility.

The clergy were never more learned, or so scur vily treated. Swift. Scurviness (skér'vi-nes), n. The state of being scurvy; meanness; vileness. Scurvy (sker vi), n. [From scurf (which see).] A disease essentially consisting in a depraved condition of the blood, which chiefly affects sailors and such as are deprived for a considerable time of fresh provisions and a due quantity of vegetable food. It is characterized by livid spots of various sizes, sometimes minute and sometimes large, paleness, languor, lassitude, and depression of spirits, general exhaustion, pains in the limbs, occasionally with fetid breath, spungy and bleeding gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is much more prevalent in cold climates than in warm. Fresh vegetables, farinaceous substances, and brisk fermented liquors, good air, attention to cleanliness, and due exercise, are among the principal remedies; but the most useful article, both as a preventative and as a curative agent, is lime or lemon juice.

Scurvy (skér'vi), a. 1. Scurfy; covered or affected by scurf or scabs; scabby; diseased with scurvy. Scurvy or scabbed.' Lev. xxi. 20.-2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; worthless; contemptible; as, a scurvy fellow. 'A very scurvy tune to sing at a man's funeral.' Shak. That scurvy custom of taking tobacco.' Swift.-3. Offensive; mischievous; malicious; as, a scurvy trick. Nay, but he prated And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms Against your honour. Shak. Scurvy-grass (skêr'vi-gras), n. [A corruption of scurvy-cress, so named because used as a cure for scurvy.] The common name of several British species of plants of the genus Cochlearia, nat. order Cruciferæ. They are herbaceous plants, having alternate leaves, the flowers disposed in terminal racemes, and usually white. The common scurvy. grass (C. officinalis) grows abundantly on the sea coast, and along rivers near the sea. The leaves have an acrid and slightly bitter taste; they are eaten as a salad, and are antiscorbutic and stimulating to the digestive organs.

Some scurvy-grass do bring, That inwardly applied's a wondrous sovereign thing. Drayton. 'Scuse (skus), n. Excuse. Shak. Scut (skut), n. [Icel. skott, a fox's tail; comp. L. cauda, W. cwt, a tail; W. cwta, short.] A short tail, such as that of a hare or deer. How the Indian hare came to have a long tail, whereas that part in others attains no higher than a scut. Sir T. Browne.

Scutage (skü'tāj), n. [L. L. scutagium, from L. scutum, a shield.] In feudal law, same as Escuage.

No aid or scutage should be assessed but by consent of the great council. Hallam. Scutate (skū'tāt), a. [L. scutatus, from scutum, a shield.] 1. In bot. formed like an ancient round buckler; as, a scutate leaf.2. In zool. applied to a surface protected by large scales.

Scutch (skuch), v.t. [Perhaps same as scotch, to cut, to strike; comp. also Fr. escosse, a husk, as of a bean or pea; escosser, to remove the husk from.] 1. To beat; to drub. [Old English and Scotch. 1-2. To dress by beating: specifically, (a) in flax manuf. to beat off and separate, as the woody parts of the stalks of flax; to swingle. (b) In cotton manuf. to separate, as the individual fibres after they have been loosened and cleansed. (c) In silk manuf. to disentangle, straighten, and cut into lengths, as floss and refuse silk.Scutching machine, a machine for roughdressing fibre, as flax, cotton, or silk. Scutch (skuch), n. Same as Scutcher, 2.

SCUTIBRANCHIATE

Scutcheon (skuch'on), n. [A contr. of escutcheon (which see).] 1. A shield for armorial bearings; an emblazoned shield; an escutcheon.

A shielded scutcheon blushed with blood of kings and queens. Keats. They tore down the scutcheons bearing the arms Prescott. of the family of Caraffa.

2. In anc. arch. the shield or plate on a door, from the centre of which hung the door handle.-3. The ornamental cover or frame to a key-hole.-4. A name-plate, as on a coffin, pocket-knife, or other object. Scutcher (skuch'èr), n. 1. One who scutches. 2. An implement or machine for scutching fibre. See SCUTCH, v. t.

Scute (skût), n. [L. scutum, a buckler.] 1. A small shield. Gascoigne.-2. A scale, as of a reptile. See SCUTUM.-3. An ancient French gold coin of the value of 38. 4d. sterling.

Scutel (skü'tel), n. Same as Scutellum. Scutella (sku-tel'la), n. pl. Scutellæ (skutel'lē). [L., a salver, dim. of scutra, a tray.] One of the horny plates with which the feet of birds are generally more or less covered, especially in front.

Scutellaria (sku-tel-lá'ri-a), n. [L. scutella, a salver, in allusion to the form of the calyx.] A genus of herbaceous annuals or perennials, natives of many different parts of the world, nat. order Labiatæ. They are erect or decumbent, with often toothed, sometimes pinnatifid leaves, and whorled or spiked blue, violet, scarlet, or yellow flowers. There are two British species, S. galericulata and S. minor, known by the common name of skull-cap. They grow on the banks of rivers and lakes, and in watery places.

Scutellate, Scutellated (skū'tel-lāt, skū ́tel-lät-ed), a. [See SCUTELLA.] Formed like a plate or platter; divided into small plate-like surfaces; as, the scutellated bone of a sturgeon. Woodward. Scutellida (skū-tel'i-dē), n. pl. [L. scutella, a saucer, and Gr. eidos, resemblance.] A family of radiated animals, belonging to the class Echinodermata and order Echinidæ, having a shell of a circular or elliptic form, frequently very depressed. The ambulacra are so arranged as to bear some resemblance to the petals of a flower. There are many genera and species, both recent and fossil; these forms being popularly named 'cakeurchins.'

Scutelliform (skū-telli-form), a. [L. scutella, a saucer, and forma, shape.] Scutellate. In bot. the same as patelliform, but oval instead of round, as the embryo of grasses.

Scutellum (skū-tel'um), n. pl. Scutella (sku-tel'a). [L, dim. of scutum, a shield.] 1. In bot. a term used to denote the small cotyledon on the outside of the embryo of wheat, inserted a little lower down than the other more perfect cotyledon, which is

Scutella in Cudbear (Lecanora tartarea).

pressed close to the albumen.-2. A term applied to the little coloured cup or disc found in the substance of lichens, containing the tubes filled with sporules, as in the annexed figure of Lecanora tartarea.-3. In entom. a part of the thorax, sometimes invisible, sometimes, as in some Hemiptera, large, and covering the elytra and abdomen. Scutibranchian, Scutibranchiate (skuti-brang ki-an, skū-ti-brang ki-át), n. member of the order Scutibranchiata. Scutibranchiata (skü'ti-brang-ki-ā"ta), n. pl. [L. scutum, a shield, and branchiæ, gills.] The name given to an order of hermaphro

A

Scutibranchiata-Venus' Ear (Haliotis tuberculata).

dite gasteropodous molluscs, including those which have the gills covered with a shell in the form of a shield, as the Haliotis, or ear-shell.

Scutibranchiate (sku-ti-brang'ki-āt), a. Pertaining to the order Scutibranchiata;

SCUTIFEROUS

having the gills protected by a shield-like shell

Scutiferous (skū-tif'ér-us), a. [L. scutum, a shield, and fero, to bear.] Carrying a shield or buckler.

Scutiform (skû'ti-form), a. [L. scutum, a buckler, and forma, form] Having the form of a buckler or shield.

Scutter (skut'èr), v. i. [From or allied to scud; comp. scuttle, to run.] To run or scuttle away with short quick steps; to scurry.

I saw little Miss Hughes scattering across the field. Mrs. H. Wood,

Scuttle (skut1), n. [A. Sax. scutel, scuttel, a dish, a scuttle; Icel. scutill; from L. scu tella, dim. of scutra, a dish or platter.] 1. A broad shallow basket: so called from its resemblance to a dish.

The earth and stones they are fain to carry from under their feet in scuttles and baskets. Hakewill.

2. A wide-mouthed metal pan or pail for holding coals.

Scuttle (skut'l), n. [Probably for shuttle, a dim. from the verb to shut. Comp. also 0 Fr. escoutille, Mod. Fr. écoutille, Sp. escotilla, a hatchway; origin doubtful.] 1. A square hole in the wall or roof of a house, with a lid; also, the lid that covers such an opening.-2. Naut a small hatchway or opening in the deck, with a lid for covering it; also, a like hole in the side of a ship, or through the coverings of her hatchways, &c-Air-scuttles, ports in a ship for the admission of air.

Scuttle (skut'l), v.t. [From the noun.] Naut. to cut holes through the bottom or sides of a ship, for any purpose; to sink by making holes through the bottom; as, to scuttle a ship.

He was the mildest manner'd man That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat. Byron. Scuttle (skut1), vi pret. & pp. scuttled; ppr. scuttling. [A form of scuddle, a freq. of scud.] To run with affected precipitation; to hurry; to scuddle. The old fellow scuttled out of the room.' Arbuthnot. Scuttle (skut'l), n. [See the verb.] A quick pace; a short run. Spectator. Scuttle-butt, Scuttle-cask (skut'l-but, skut'l-kask), n. A butt or cask with a hole, covered by a lid, in its side or top, for holding the fresh water for daily use in a ship or other vessel.

Scuttled-butt (skut'ld-but), n. Same as Scuttle-butt

Scuttle-fish (skut'l-fish), n. The cuttlefish. Scutum (skü'tum), n. [L.] 1. The shield of the heavy-armed Roman legionaries. It was generally oval or of a semi-cylindrical

Various forms of the Roman Scutum.

shape, made of wood or wicker-work, covered with leather, and defended with plates of iron.-2. In anat. the patella or knee-pan, from its shape.-3. In zool. (a) the second section of the upper surface of the segment of an insect. (b) Any shield-like plate, especially such as is developed in the integument of many reptiles.-4. In old law, a pent-house or awning.

Scybala (sib'a-la), n. pl. [Gr skybalon, dung] In pathol, small indurated balls or fragments into which the feces become converted when too long retained in the colon. Scye (si), n. The curve cut in a body piece of a garment before the sleeve is sewed in, to suit the contour of the arm. Scylet (sil), r.t. [A.Sax. scylan, to separate, to withdraw.] To conceal; to veil. Chau

cer.

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Scyllæa (sil-lē'a), n. A genus of nudibranchiate gasteropods. The common species (S. pelagica) is found on the Fucus natans, or gulf-weed, wherever this appears. Scyllarian (sil-là'ri-an), n. One of the family Scyllaride.

Scyllarida (sil-lāʼri-dē), n. pl. [See below.] A family of long-tailed decapodous crabs, characterized by the wide, flat carapace, the large and leaf-like outer antennæ, and the partly flexible tail-fan, by which they drive themselves through the water. They live in moderately shallow water, where the bed of the sea is soft and muddy. Here they burrow rather deeply, and only issue from their retreat for the purpose of seeking food. Scyllarus (sil-la'rus), n. [Gr. skyllaros, a kind of crab.] A genus of long-tailed tenfooted crustaceans, family Scyllaridæ, of which there are several species, some of which are eatable, and in Japan are considered as delicacies.

Scylliidæ (si-li'i-dė), n. pl. [Gr. skylion, a kind of shark.] The dog-fishes, a family of small-sized, but very abundant sharks, three species of which occur off our own coasts. They have a pair of spiracles, two dorsal fins placed above the ventrals, which latter are abdominal in position, and an anal fin; their branchial apertures, which are small, are situated above the base of the pectoral fin. They are oviparous, depositing their eggs fecundated in curious oblong horny cases, provided with filamentary appendages. These cases are frequently cast upon the beach, and are known as mermaid's purses or sea-purses. See DOG-FISH. Scymetar, Scymitar (sim'i-tér), n. A short sword with a convex blade. See SCIMI

TAR.

Scymnidæ (sim'ni-de), n. pl. [Gr. skymnos, a lion's whelp.] A family of sharks, destitute of an anal fin, but possessing two dorsals, neither of which is furnished with spines. The lobes of the caudal fin are nearly equal, and the head is furnished with a pair of small spiracles. The Greenland shark is the best known species. Scyphiform (skif'i-form), a. (Gr. skyphos, a cup, and E. form.] Goblet-shaped, as the fructification of some of the lichens.

Scyphulus (sif'ü-lus), n. [Dim. of scyphus.] In bot. the cup-like appendage from which the seta of Hepaticæ arises. Scyphus (ski'fus), n. [Gr. skyphos, a cup or goblet.] 1. A kind of large drinking-cup anciently used by the lower orders among the Greeks and Etrurians. Fairholt.-2. In bot. the coronet or cup of such plants as narcissus; also, in lichens, a cup-like dilatation of the podetium or stalk-like elonga tion of the thallus, bearing shields upon its margin.

Scytale (si'ta-lē), n. [L. and Gr.] A genus of very poisonous snakes. The species are stout, cylindrical, and rather long. The back and tail possess keeled scales. The poison-fangs resemble those of the rattlesnake. One species, S. pyramidum, is very plentiful near Cairo and in the neighbourhood of the pyramids.

Scythe (sITH), n. [Better written sithe; A. Sax. sithe for sigthe, Icel. sigth; from root of sickle.] 1. An instrument used in mowing or reaping, consisting of a long curving blade with a sharp edge, made fast at a proper angle to a handle, which is bent into a convenient form for swinging the blade to advantage. Most scythes have two projecting handles fixed to the principal handle, by which they are held. The real line of the handle is that which passes through both the hands, and ends at the head of the blade. This may be a straight line or a crooked one, generally the latter, and by moving these handles up or down the main handle, each mower can place them so as best suits the natural size and position of his body. For laying cut corn evenly, a cradle, as it is called, may be used. The cradle is a species of comb, with three or four long teeth parallel to the back of the blade, and fixed in the handle. Fig. 2 shows a species of scythe which has been called the cradle-scythe, as it is regularly used with the cradle for reaping in some localities. It has a short branching handle somewhat in the shape of the letter Y, having two small handles fixed at the extremities of the two branches at right angles to the plane in which they lie. The Hainault scythe is a scythe used with only one hand, and is employed when the corn is much laid and entangled. The person has a hook

SEA

in one hand with which he collects a small bundle of the straggling corn, and with the scythe in the other hand cuts it.-2. A

2

1, Common Scythe. 2, Cradle Scythe. curved sharp blade anciently attached to the wheels of war chariots. Scythe (SITH), v. t. pret. & pp. scythed; ppr. scything. 1. To mow; to cut with a scythe. or as with a scythe. Time has not scythed all that youth begun.' Shak.-2. To arm or furnish with a scythe or scythes. 'Chariots, scythed, on thundering axles rolled.' Glover. Scytheman (sITH'man), n. One who uses a scythe; a mower. The stooping scytheman.' Marston.

Scythe-stone (siTH'stōn), n. A whetstone for sharpening scythes.

Scythian (sith'i-an),a. Pertaining to Scythia; a name given in ancient times to a vast, indefinite, and almost unknown territory north and east of the Black Sea, the Caspian, and the Sea of Aral. Scythian (sith'i-an), n. A native or inhabitant of Scythia. The barbarous Scythian.' Shak.

Scythrops (sith'rops), n. [Gr. skythros, angry, and ops, aspect.] The channel-bill, a genus of birds belonging to the cuckoo family. Only one species is known, the S. Nova Hollandiae, a very handsome and elegantly coloured bird inhabiting part of Australia and some of the Eastern Islands, about the size of the common crow. It has a large and curiously formed beak, which gives it so singular an aspect, that on a hasty glance it might almost be taken for a toucan or hornbill.

Scytodepsic (sit-o-dep'sik), a. [Gr. skytos, a hide, and depseō, to tan.] Pertaining to the business of a tanner. [Rare.]-Scytodepsic principle, tannin.-Scytodepsic acid, gallic acid.

Sdayn,t Sdeignt (sdân), n. and v. t. Disdain. Spenser.

'Sdeath (sdeth), interj. [Corrupted from God's death.] An exclamation generally expressive of impatience. Sdeath I'll print it.' Pope.

Sdeath!

The rabble should have first unroofd the city.

Shak.

Sdeinful† (sdān'ful), a. Disdainful. Sea (se), n. [A. Sax. sæ, D. see, zee, O. Fris. se, Dan. sö, Icel. sær, sjár, sjór (r being merely the nom. sign), G. see, Goth. saivs, sea; same root as Gr. huei (for suei), it rains; Skr. sava, water. Grimm thinks sea and soul are both from a root signifying restless billowy movement. See SOUL] 1. The general name for the continuous mass of salt water which covers the greater part of the earth's surface; the ocean. (See OCEAN.) The term is also applied in a more limited though indefinite sense to an offshoot of the main sea or ocean which, from its position or configuration, is considered deserving of a special name, as the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea, &c. Inland lakes, in some cases, are also called seas, as the Caspian and Aral Seas, the Sea of Galilee.-2. A wave; a billow; a surge; as, the vessel shipped a

sea.

The broad seas swell'd to meet the keel,
And swept behind.
Tennyson.

3. The swell of the ocean in a tempest, or the direction of the waves; as, we head the sea.-4. Any large quantity; an ocean; a flood; as, a sea of difficulties. That sea of blood.' Eikon Basilike. Deep-drenched in a sea of care.' Shak.-5. A large basin, cistern, or laver which Solomon made in the temple,

SEA-ACORN

so large as to contain more than six thousand gallons. This was called the Brazen Sea, and used to hold water for the priests to wash themselves. 2 Chr. iv. 2.-At sea, (a) on the open sea; out of sight of land. When two vessels speak at sea.' Dana. (b) In a vague uncertain condition; wide of the mark; quite wrong; as, you are altogether at sea in your guesses.-At full sea, at high water; hence, at the height. God's mercy was at full sea. Jer. Taylor.-Beyond the sea, or seas, out of the realm or country.Cross sea, chopping sea, waves moving in different directions.-The four seas, the seas bounding Britain, on the north, south, east, and west. 'Within the four seas, and at the distance of less than five hundred miles from London.' Macaulay. A figure matchless between the four seas.' Lawrence. To go to sea, to follow the sea, to follow the occupation of a sailor. -Half seas over, half drunk. 'Our friend the alderman was half seas over.' Spectator. [Colloq.]-Heavy sea, a sea in which the waves run high. -The high seas, or main sea, the open ocean; as, a piracy on the high seas.-A long sea, a sea having a uniform and steady motion of long and extensive waves. Molten sea, in Scrip. the name given to the great brazen laver of the Mosaic ritual. 1 Ki. vii. 23-26.-On the sea, by the margin of the sea, on the seacoast. 'A clear-wall'd city on the sea.' Tennyson.-Short sea, a sea in which the waves are irregular, broken, and interrupted, so as frequently to break over a vessel's bow, side, or quarter.-[Sea is much used in composition, many of the compounds being selfexplanatory. A number of others are given below.]

Sea-acorn (se'a-korn), n. A name sometimes given to the Balani, small crustaceans possessing triangular shells, and which encrust rocks, from their fancied resemblance to the oak-acorn.

Sea-adder (se'ad-êr), n. The Gasterosteus spinachia, or fifteen-spined stickleback, a species of acanthopterygious fish found in the British seas.

Sea-anemone (se'a-nem-o-ne), n. The popular name given to the actinias, a cœlenterate genus (class Actinozoa) of animals. They are distinguished by the cylindrical form of the body, which is soft, fleshy, and capable of dilatation and contraction. The same aperture serves for mouth and vent, and is furnished with numerous tentacula, by means of which the animal seizes and secures its food. These tentacula, when expanded, give the animals somewhat the appearance of flowers. They may be very numerous, in some cases exceeding 200 in number, and are as a rule capable of being retracted within the body when the animal is irritated. When fully expanded the appearance of the sea-anemones in all their varieties of colour is exceedingly beautiful. But upon the slightest touch the tentacles can be quickly retracted within the mouthaperture, and the animal becomes a mere mass of jelly-like matter

Sea-ape (se'ap), n. 1. The name given by some to the sea-otter, from its gambols.2. The sea-fox or fox-shark. Sea-bank (se'bangk), n. 1. The sea-shore. 'The wild sea-banks." Shak.-2. A bank or mole to defend against the sea. Sea-bar (se bär), n. The sea-swallow. Sea-barrow (se'bar-ō), n. The egg-case of the skate or thornback. Called also Seapincushion.

Sea-basket (se'bas-ket), n. See BASKET-FISH. Sea-bass, Sea-basse (se'bas), n. See BASS. Sea-bear (se'bar), n. 1. The white or Polar bear (Ursus or Thalarctos maritimus)-2. A species of seal (Arctocephalus ursinus) found in great numbers about Kamtchatka and the Kurile Islands. Having larger and better developed limbs than the generality of seals, it can stand and walk better than the other members of the family. The fur is extremely soft and warm, and of high value. Sea-beard (se'běrd), n. A marine plant, Conferva rupestris.

Sea-beast (sēbēst), n. A beast of the sea. 'That sea-beast Leviathan.' Milton. Sea-beat, Sea-beaten (se'bēt, sē'bēt-n), a. Beaten by the sea; lashed by the waves. 'Along the sea-beat shore.' Pope. Sea-beet (se'bēt), n. See BETA. Sea-belt (se'belt), n. A plant, the sweet fucus (Laminaria saccharina), which grows upon stones and rocks by the sea-shore, the fronds of which resemble a belt or girdle.

8

Sea-bent (se'bent), n. See AMMOPHILA. Sea-bird (seběrd), n. A general name for sea-fowl or birds that frequent the sea. Sea-biscuit (se'bis-ket), n. Ship-biscuit. Sea-blubber (se blub-ér), n. A name sometimes given to the medusa or jelly-fish. Sea-board (se bōrd), n. [Sea and board, Fr. bord, side.] The sea-shore; the coastline; the sea-coast; the country bordering on the sea.

Sea-board (se bord), a. Bordering on the sea. Sea-boat (se'bot), n. A vessel considered as regards her capacity of withstanding a storm or the force of the sea. Sea-bord (se'bord), n. and a. Same as Seaboard. Spenser.

Sea-bordering (se'-bor-der-ing), a. Bordering or lying on the sea. Drayton. Sea-born (se'born), a. 1. Born of the sea; produced by the sea. Neptune and his seaborn niece.' Waller.-2. Born at sea. Sea-borne (se'börn), a. Wafted or borne upon the sea. 'Sea-borne coal.' Mayhew. Sea-bound (se'bound), a. Bounded by the

sea.

Sea-boy (se'boi), n. A boy employed on board ship.The wet sea-boy.' Shak. Sea-breach (se'brech), n. Irruption of the sea by breaking the banks. Sir R. L'Estrange. Sea-bread (se bred), n. Same as Hard-tack. Sea-bream (se'brēm), n. See BREAM. Sea-breeze (se'brez), n. See BREEZE. Sea-brief (se bref), n. Same as Sea-letter. Sea-buckthorn (se'buk-thorn), n. A plant of the genus Hippophae, the H. rhamnoides. Called also Sallow-thorn. See HIPPOPHAE. Sea-bugloss (se'bu-glos), n. A plant of the genus Lithospermum, the L. maritimum. Called also Sea-gromwell.

Sea-built (se'bilt), a. 1. Built for the sea. The sea-built forts (ships) in dreadful order move. Dryden. 2. Built on the sea. Sea-cabbage, Sea-kale (se kab-baj, se'kal), n. A plant of the genus Crambe, the C. maritima. See CRAMBE.

Sea-calf (se'kaf), n. The common seal, a species of Phoca, the P. vitulina of Linnæus and the Calocephalus vitulinus of Cuvier.

The sea-calf or seal is so called from the noise he makes like a calf. N. Grew.

Sea-cap (se kap), n. A cap made to be worn Shak.

at sea.

Sea-captain (se'kap-tan or sẽ kap-tin), n. The commander of a ship or other sea-going vessel, as distinguished from a captain in the army.

Sea-card (se kärd), n. The mariner's card or compass.

Sea-carp (se'kärp), n. A spotted fish living
among rocks and stones.
Sea-cat (sekat), n. See WOLF-FISH.
Sea-catgut (se'kat-gut), n. The name given
in Orkney to a common sea-weed, Chorda
filum; sea-lace (which see).
Sea-change (se'chanj), n. A change wrought
by the sea.

Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change

Into something rich and strange. Shak Sea-chart (se'chart), n. Same as Chart, 2. Sea-coal (se'kōl), n. Coal brought by sea, a name formerly used for mineral coal in distinction from charcoal: used adjectively in extract.

We'll have a posset for't soon at night, in faith,
At the latter end of a sea-coal fire.
Shak.

Sea-coast (sē kōst), n. The land immediately adjacent to the sea; the coast. The southern sea-coast.' Bryant.

Sea-cob (se kob), n. A sea-gull. Sea-cock (se'kok), n. 1. A name given to two fishes, Trigla cuculus and T. hirax, much sought after by Russian epicures, and owing to their scarcity fetching a high price.-2. A sea-rover or viking. Kingsley. Sea-colewort (se kōl-wěrt), n. Sea-kale (which see).

Sea-compass (se'kum-pas), n. The mariner's

compass.

Sea-cow (se'kou), n. A name given to the dugong or halicore, and also to the manatee. (See MANATEE, DUGONG.) The name is also given to the walrus or sea-horse (Trichechus rosmarus).

Sea-crab (se'krab), n. A name applied by Goldsmith to the strictly maritime crustacea, such as the Cancer pagurus and the species of Portunidæ, &c. Sea-craft (se' kraft), n. In ship-building. the uppermost strake of ceiling, which is thicker than the rest of the ceiling, and is considered the principal binding strake. Called otherwise Clamp.

SEAFARER

Sea-crawfish (se'kra-fish), n. A crustacean of the genus Palinurus, remarkable for the hardness of its crust. The common seacrawfish or spiny lobster (P. vulgaris) is in common use as a wholesome article of food. Sea-crow (se 'kro), n. A bird of the gull kind; the mire-crow or pewit-gull. Sea-cucumber (se-ku'kum-běr), n. A name given to several of the most typical species of the Holothuridae, a family of echinoderms, including the bêche-de-mer or trepang of the Chinese. Called also Sea-pudding. Sea-dace (se'dás), n. A local name for the sea-perch.

Sea-devil (se'de-vil), n. 1. The fishing-frog or toad-fish, of the genus Lophius (L. piscatorius). See LOPHIUS.-2. A large cartilaginous fish, of the genus Cephaloptera (C. Johnii or horned ray): so called from its huge size, horned head, dark colour, and threatening aspect.

Sea-dog (se dog), n. 1. The dog-fish (which see).-2. The sea-calf or common seal. 3. A sailor who has been long afloat; an old sailor.

Sea-dottrel (se dot-rel), n. The turn-stone, a grallatorial bird. See TURN-STONE. Sea-dragon (se'dra-gon), n. A teleostean fish (Pegasus draco), included among the Lophobranchii, and occurring in Javanese waters. The breast is very wide, and the large size of the pectoral fins, which form wing-like structures, together with its general appearance, have procured for this fish its popular name. The name is also given to the dragonets, fishes of the goby family. Sea-duck (se'duk), n. An aquatic bird belonging to the Fuligulinæ, a sub-family of the Anatidae or duck family. The eiderduck, surf-duck, and buffel-duck are placed among the Fuliguline.

Sea-eagle (se'e-gl), n. 1. A name given to the white-tailed or cinereous eagle (Haliaëtus albicilla). It is found in all parts of Europe, generally on the sea-coast, as it is a fishloving bird. It often, however, makes inland journeys in search of food, and seizes lambs, hares, and other animals. The name has occasionally been also applied to the American bald-headed eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) and to the osprey.-2. The eagle ray, a fish of the genus Myliobatis, mostly found in the Mediterranean and more southern seas. It sometimes attains to a very large size, weighing as much as 800 lbs.

Sea-ear (se'er), n. A gasteropodous mollusc, with a univalve shell, belonging to the genus Haliotis. See HALIOTIS.

Sea-eel (së'él), n. An eel caught in salt water; the conger.

Sea-egg (se eg), n. A sea-urchin, especially with its spines removed. See ECHINUS. Sea-elephant (se'el-e-fant), n. A species of seal, the Macrorhinus proboscideus or Morunga proboscidea; the elephant-seal: so called on account of the strange prolongation of the nose, which bears some analogy to the proboscis of the elephant, and also on account of its elephantine size. It is an inhabitant of the southern hemisphere, and

[graphic]

Sea-elephant (Macrorhinus proboscideus).

is spread through a considerable range of country. It moves southwards as the summer comes on and northwards when the cold of the winter months makes its more southern retreats unendurable. It attains an enormous size, frequently measuring as much as 30 feet in length and from 15 to 18 feet in circumference. It is extensively hunted for the sake of its skin and its oil, both of which are of very excellent quality.

Sea-fan (se'fan), n. A kind of coral. See ALCYONARIA.

Seafarer (se'fär-èr), n. One that follows the seas; a sailor; a mariner. 'Some mean seafarer in pursuit of gain.' Pope.

SEAFARING

Seafaring (se far-ing), a.

Following the business of a seaman; customarily employed in navigation. Shak. Sea-fennel (se'fen-nel), n. Samphire. Sea-fern (se'fèrn), n. A popular name for a variety of coral resembling a fern. Sea-fight (se fit), n. An engagement between ships at sea; a naval action.

Sea-fir (se'fer), n. A popular name applied to many animals of the colenterate order Sertularida (which see).

Sea-fish (se fish), n. Any marine fish; any fish that lives usually in salt water. Sea-foam (se'fōm), n. 1. The froth or foam of the sea-2. A popular name for meerschaum, from an idea that it is sea-froth in a concrete state.

Seaforthia (se-for'thi-a), n. A genus of palms indigenous to the eastern coast of tropical Australia and the Indian Archipelago, named in honour of Francis, Lord Seaforth. The species are elegant in appearance, with pinnate leaves. The flowerspikes are at first inclosed in spathes varying from one to four in number, and have numerous tail-like branches, along which the flowers are arranged either in straight lines or in spirals, the lower portions having them in threes, one female between two males, and the upper in pairs of males only. One species, S. elegans, has been introduced into our collections, and thrives in light sandy loam and heath mould.

Sea-fowl (se'foul), n. A marine fowl; any bird that lives by the sea and procures its food from salt water. Sea-fox (se'foks), n.

A fish of the shark

Fox-shark (Alopias vulpes).

family, Alopias or Alopecias vulpes, called also Fox-shark or Thresher. It measures from 12 to 15 feet in length, and is characterized by the wonderfully long upper lobe of the tail, which nearly equals in length the body from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail. The lower lobe is quite short and inconspicuous. It is called sea-fox from the length and size of its tail, and thresher from its habit of using it as a formidable weapon of attack or defence. Sea-gage, Sea-gauge (se'gaj), n. 1. The depth that a vessel sinks in the water. 2. An instrument for ascertaining the depth of the sea beyond ordinary deep-sea soundings It is a self-registering apparatus, in which the condensation of a body of air is cansed by a column of quicksilver on which the water acts. Sea-gilliflower (se-jil'li-flou-ér), n. A British plant, Armeria maritima, called also Sea-pink and Thrift. See SEA-PINK. Sea-girdle (se'gér-dl), n. A sea-weed, the Laminaria digitata, called also Tangle, Sea-wand, &c.

Sea-girkin (se'gér-kin), n. A name common to several members of the family Holothuride, akin to the sea-cucumber (which see). Sea-girt (se'gért), a. Surrounded by the water of the sea or ocean; as, a sea-girt isle. Pass we the joys and sorrows sailors find, Coop'd in their winged sea girt citadel. Byron. Sea-god (se'god), n. A marine deity; a divinity supposed to preside over the ocean or sea, as Neptune. 'Some lusty sea-god.' B. Jonson.

Sea-goddess (se'god-es), n. A female deity of the ocean; a marine goddess. Pope. Sea-going (se'go-ing), a. Lit. going or travelling on the sea; specifically, applied to a vessel which makes foreign voyages, as opposed to a coasting or river vessel. Sea-gownt (se'goun), n. A gown or garment with short sleeves worn by mariners. My sea-gown scarf'd about me.' Shak. Sea-grape (se'grap), n. 1. The popular name of a genus of plants, Ephedra, especially E. distachya, nat. order Gnetaces, closely allied to the conifers. The species consist of small trees or twiggy shrubs with

9

jointed stems, whence they are called also Joint-firs.-2. A popular name for the gulfweed.-3. A popular name for the eggs of cuttle-fishes, which are agglutinated together in masses resembling bunches of grapes.

Sea-grass (se'gras), n. A British plant of the genus Zostera, the Z. marina, called also Grasswrack and Sea-wrack. See GRASSWRACK.

Sea-green (se'gren), a. Having the colour of sea-water; being of a faint green colour. Sea-green (se'gren), n. 1. The colour of sea water. 2. A plant, the saxifrage. 3. Ground overflowed by the sea in springtides.

Sea-gromwell (se'grom-wel), n. See SEA

BUGLOSS.

Sea-gudgeon (se'gu-jon), n. The rock-fish or black goby (Gobius niger), found in the German Ocean and on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Europe. Sea-gull (se'gul), n. A bird of the genus Larus; a gull. See GULL. Seah (sé'a), n. A Jewish dry measure containing nearly 14 pints. Simmonds. Sea-hare (sehar), n. A molluscous animal of the genus Aplysia (which see). Sea-heath (se'heth), n. The common name of two species of British plants, of the genus Frankenia, the F. laevis and F. pulverulenta. See FRANKENIA.

Sea-hedgehog (se hej-hog), n. A species of Echinus, so called from its prickles, which resemble in some measure those of the hedgehog; sea-egg; sea-urchin. Sea-hen (se'hen), n. see).

Sea-hog (se'hog), n. see).

The guillemot (which

The porpoise (which

Sea-holly (se'hol-li), n. A plant of the genus Eryngium, the E. maritimum. See ERYNGO.

Sea-holm (se'holm or sẽ'hōm), n. A small uninhabited isle.

Sea-holm (se'holm or sehōm), n. Sea-holly.

Cornwall bringeth forth greater store of sea-holm and samphire than any other county. Carew. Sea-horse (se'hors), n. 1. The morse or walrus. See WALRUS.-2. Same as Hippocampus. See HIPPOCAMPUS.-3. A fabulous animal depicted with fore parts like those of a horse, and with hinder parts like those of a fish. The Nereids used seahorses as riding-steeds, and Neptune employed them for drawing his chariot. In

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Hooded or Crested Seal (Cystophora cristata). almost every sea out of the limits of the tropics, but they especially abound in the seas of the arctic and antarctic regions. The body is elongated and somewhat fishlike in shape, covered with a short dense fur or coarse hairs, and terminated behind by a short conical tail. The Phocida have their hind-feet placed at the extremity of the body, and in the same line, so as to serve the purpose of a caudal fin; the forefeet are also adapted for swimming, and furnished each with five claws. They are largely hunted for their fur and blubber, a valuable oil being obtained from the latter; and to the Esquimaux they not only furnish food for his table, oil for his lamp, and clothing for his person, but even the bones and skins supply material for his boats and his summer tents. There are numerous species. The common seal (Phoca vitulina) is not uncommon on British coasts. It averages about 4 feet in length, and its fur is grayish-brown, mottled with black. It is easily tamed, and soon becomes attached to its keeper or those who feed it. Closely allied to the common seal is the marbled seal (P.discolor) found on the coast of France. The P. greenlandica (harp-seal or saddleback seal) forms the chief object of pursuit by the seal-fishers, and has its familiar name from a black or tawny mark on the back, resembling a harp in shape, the body fur being gray. The great seal (P. barbata) measures from 8 to 10 feet in length, and occurs in southern Greenland. The gray seal (Halichorus griseus) frequents more southern regions than the preceding, and attains a length of from 8 to 9 feet. The smallest of the Greenland seals, P. foetida, is so called because of the disagreeable odour emitted by the skin of old males. species of the genus Phoca, known as the P. caspica, is found in the Caspian Sea, and also in the Siberian lakes Aral and Baikal. The crested seal (Cystophora cristata) is common on the coasts of Greenland, &c. The so-called crest is a bladder-like bag capable of being inflated with air from the animal's nostrils. The Otarida, or eared seals, have a small external ear, and the neck is much better defined than in the Phocida. They are also able to move about on land with greater ease, owing to the greater freedom of the fore-limbs. The best known forms are the Otaria ursina (sea-bear) and Otaria jubata (sea-lion). The famous under fur which forms the valued 'seal-skin' is obtained from species of the Otarida. See SEA-BEAR, SEA-ELEPHANT, SEA-LION. Seal (sel), n. [A. Sax. sigel, sigl, from L. sigillum, a little figure or image, a seal, dim. of signum, a sign, a token (whence sign, signal, signet).] 1. A piece of stone, metal, or other hard substance, usually round or oval, on which is engraved some image or device, and sometimes a legend or inscription, used for making an impression on some soft substance, as on the wax that makes fast a letter or other inclosed paper, or is affixed to legal instruments in token of performance or of authenticity. Seals are sometimes worn in rings. -Great seal, a seal used for the United Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and sometimes Ireland, in sealing the writs to summon parliament, treaties with foreign states, and all other papers of great moment.

A

SEAL

The office of the lord-chancellor, or lord keeper, is created by the delivery of the great seal into his custody. - Privy-seal, lord privy-seal. See PRIVY-SEAL.-Seal of cause, in Scots law, the grant or charter by which a royal burgh or the superior of a burgh of barony has power conferred upon them of constituting subordinate corporations or crafts, and which defines the privileges and powers to be possessed by the subordinate corporation. 2. The wax or other substance impressed with a device and attached as a mark of authenticity to letters and other instruments in writing; as, a deed under hand and seal.

Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bond, Thou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud. Shak. 3. The wax, wafer, or other fastening of a letter or other paper.

Arthur spied the letter in her hand, Stoopt, took, brake seal, and read it. Tennyson. 4. That which authenticates, confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; assurance; pledge. 2 Tim. ii. 19.

But my kisses, bring again, bring again;
Seals of love, but sealed in vain.

Shak.

5. That which effectually shuts, confines, of secures; that which makes fast. Rev. xx. 3. Under the seal of silence.' Milton.

To set one's seal to, to give one's authority or imprimatur to; to give one's assurance of. Seal (sel), v. t. [From the noun.] 1. To set or affix a seal to, as a mark of authenticity; as, to seal a deed. Hence-2. To confirm; to ratify; to establish; to fix. Seal the bargain with a holy kiss.' Shak.

And with my hand I seal our true hearts' love. Shak. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. Rom. xv. 28. Thy fate and mine are sealed. Tennyson. 3. To fasten with a fastening marked with a seal; to fasten securely, as with a wafer or with wax; as, to seal a letter.

I have seen her .. take forth paper, fold it, write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed. Shak.

So they went and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch. Mat. xxvii. 66.

4. To shut or keep close; to keep secret: sometimes with up; as, seal your lips; seal up your lips. Sealed the lips of that evangelist.' Tennyson.

Open your ears, and seal your bosom, upon the secret concerns of a friend. Dwight.

5. To inclose; to confine; to imprison; to keep secure. Sealed within the iron hills.'

Tennyson.

Back to the infernal pit I drag thee chain'd,
And seal thee so, as henceforth not to scorn
The facile gates of hell.
Milton.

6. Among the Mormons and some other polygamous sects, to take to one's self, or to assign to another, as a second or additional wife.

If a man once married desires a second helpmate, she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church. Howard Stansbury. 7. To stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal leather. [American.]-8. In hydraulics, to prevent flow or reflux of, as air or gas in a pipe, by means of carrying the end of the inlet or exit pipe below the level of the liquid.-9. In arch. to fix, as a piece of wood or iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or other binding material for staples, hinges, &c.

Seal (sel), v.i. To fix a seal.

Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond. Shak. Sea-lace (se las), n. A species of algae (Chorda Filum), the frond of which is slimy, perfectly cylindrical, and sometimes 20 or even 40 feet in length. Called also Seacatgut.

Sea-lark (selärk), n. 1. A bird of the sandpiper kind.-2. A bird of the dotterel kind; the ring dotterel or plover. Sea-lavender (se'la-ven-dér), n. A British plant of the genus Statice (S. Limonium), nat order Plumbaginaceae. The root possesses astringent properties. The sea-lavender that lacks perfume.' Crabbe. Sealed-earth (seld'èrth), n. Terra sigillata, an old name for medicinal earths, which were made up into cakes and stamped or

sealed. Sea-leech (selěch), n. See SKATE-SUCKER. Sea-legs (se'legz), n. pl. The ability to walk on a ship's deck when pitching or rolling; as, to get one's sea-legs. [Colloq.]

10

Sea-lemon (se'lem-on), n. A nudibranchiate gasteropodous mollusc, of the genus Doris, having an oval body, convex, marked with numerous punctures, and of a lemon colour.

Sea-leopard (se'lep-ärd), n. A species of seal, of the genus Leptonyx (L. Weddellii), so named from the whitish spots on the upper part of the body.

Sealer (sel'ér), n. One who seals; specifically, in America, an officer appointed to examine and try weights and measures, and set a stamp upon such as are according to the proper standard; also, an officer who inspects leather, and stamps such as is good.

Sealer (sel'èr), n. A seaman or a ship engaged in the seal-fishery. Sea-letter (se'let-ér), n. A document from the custom-house, expected to be found on board of every neutral ship on a foreign voyage. It specifies the nature and quantity of the cargo, the place whence it comes, and its destination. Called also Sea-brief. Sea-level (se-level), n. The level of the surface of the sea. Sealgh, Selch (selch), n. calf. Written also Silch. Ye needna turn away your head sae sourly, like a sealgh when he leaves the shore. Sir W. Scott.

Sea-light (selit), n.

The seal or sea[Scotch.]

A light to guide mariners during the night. See LIGHTHOUSE, HARBOUR-LIGHT.

Sealing (sel'ing), n.

[From seal, the animal.] The operation of catching seals, curing their skins, and obtaining their oil. Sealing-wax (sel'ing-waks), n. A composition of resinous materials used for fastening folded papers and envelopes, and thus concealing the writing, and for receiving impressions of seals set to instruments. Common bees'-wax was first used in this country, and in Europe generally, being mixed with earthy materials to give it consistency. Ordinary red sealing-wax is made of pure bleached lac, to which are added Venice turpentine and vermilion. In inferior qualities a proportion of common resin and red-lead is used, and black and other colours are produced by substituting appropriate pigments.

Sea-lion (se'li-on), n. 1. A name common to several large members of the seal family (Otarida), the best known of which is the Otaria jubata, or O. Stelleri. It has a thick

Sea-lion (Otaria jubata).

skin, and reddish yellow or dark brown hair, and a mane on the neck of the male reaching to the shoulders. It attains the length of 10 to 15 feet, and is found in the southern hemisphere, as also in the North Pacific about the shores of Kamtchatka and the Kurile Isles.-2. In her. a monster consisting of the upper part of a lion combined with the tail of a fish. Seal-lock (sel'lok), n. A lock in which the key-hole is covered by a seal, which can be so arranged that the lock cannot be opened without rupturing the seal. Sea-loach (se'lōch). n. A British fish of the genus Motella (M. vulgaris), of the family Gadidæ, so called from its wattles and general resemblance to the fresh-water loach. Called also Three-bearded Rockling, Whistlefish, Three-bearded Cod, Three-bearded Gade. Sea-louse (se'lous), n. A name common to various species of isopodous crustacea, such as the genus Cymothoa, parasitic on fishes. The name is also given to the Molucca crab, or Pediculus marinus. Seal-ring (sel'ring), n. A signet-ring.

I have lost a seal-ring of my grandfather's, worth forty mark. Shak. Seal-skin (sel'skin), n. The skin of the seal, which when dressed with the fur on is made into caps and other articles of clothing, or

SEA-MONSTER

when tanned is used in making boots, &c. The skin of some species, as the sea-bear or fur-seal, when the coarser long outer hairs are removed, leaving the soft under fur, is the expensive seal-skin of which ladies' jackets, &c., are made.

Seal-wax (sel'waks), n. Sealing-wax.

Your organs are not so dull that I should inform you 'tis an inch, sir, of seal-wax. Sterne.

Seam (sem), n. [A. Sax. seam, sem, a hem, a seam; Icel. saumr, Dan. and Sw. söm, D. zoom,G.saum, all from verb to sew. See SEW.] 1. A joining line or fold formed by the sewing or stitching of two different pieces of cloth, leather, and the like together; a suture.

The coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Jn. xix. 23.

2. The line or space between planks when joined or fastened together.-3. In geol. (a) the line of separation between two strata. (b) A thin layer, bed, or stratum, as of ore, coal, and the like, between two thicker strata.-4. A cicatrix or scar.

Seam (sēm), v. t. 1. To form a seam on; to sew or otherwise unite with, or as with, a seam.-2. To mark with a cicatrix; to scar; as, seamed with wounds. Seamed with an ancient sword-cut.' Tennyson. Seam (sēm), n. [A. Sax. seam, G. saum, a sack of 8 bushels, a horse-load; from L.L sauma, salma, for L. sagma, Gr. sagma, a pack-saddle.] A measure of 8 bushels of corn, or the vessel that contains it.- 4 seam of glass, the quantity of 120 pounds. or 24 stone of 5 pounds each. Seam (sem), n. [Also written saim, sayme, probably from an old French form with me, equivalent to It. saime, grease, lard, though the ordinary French form is sain; from L. sagina, a fattening, fatness.] Tallow; grease; lard. Bastes his arrogance with his own seam.' Shak. [Provincial.] Sea-maid (se'mad), n. 1. The mermaid. 'To hear the sea-maid's music.' Shak. MERMAID.-2. A sea-nymph. P. Fletcher. Sea-mall (se'mal), n. A gull; a sea-mew. Seaman (se'man), n. 1. A man whose occupation is to assist in the navigation of ships at sea; a mariner; a sailor: applied both to officers and common sailors, but technically restricted to those working below the rank of

See

officer.-Able-bodied seaman, a sailor who is well skilled in seamanship, and classed in the ship's books as such. Contracted A. B. -Ordinary seaman, one less skilled than an able-bodied seaman.-2. A merman, the male of the mermaid. 'Not to mention mermaids or seamen.' Locke. [Rare.] Seamanship (se'man-ship), n. The skill of a good seaman; an acquaintance with the art of managing and navigating a ship at

[graphic]

sea.

Sea-marge (se'märj), n. The border or shore of the sea. Thy sea-marge, sterile, and rocky hard.' Shak.

Sea-mark (se'märk), n. Any elevated object on land which serves for a direction to mariners in entering a harbour, or in sailing along or approaching a coast; a beacon, as a lighthouse, a mountain, &c.

They were executed at divers places upon the seacoast, for sea-marks or lighthouses, to teach Perkin's people to avoid the coast. Bacon.

Sea-mat (se'mat), n. See POLYZOA. Sea-maw (se'ma), n. The sea-mew or seagull. 'Gi'e our ain fish-guts to our ain seamaws.' Scotch proverb. [Scotch.] Seam-blast (sem'blast), n. A blast made by filling with powder the seams or crevices made by a previous drill-blast. Seamed (semd), a. In falconry, not in good condition; out of condition: said of a falcon. Sea-mell (se'mel), n. A sea-mew or gull. Seamer (sem'èr), n. One who or that which seams; a seamster. Sea-mew (se'mů), n. sea-gull. See GULL.

A species of gull; a

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Sea-mile (se'mil), n. A nautical or geographical mile; the sixtieth part of a degree of latitude or of a great circle of the globe. Sea-milkwort (se'milk-wêrt), n. A British plant of the genus Glaux, the G. maritima. See GLAUX. Seaming-lace, Seam-lace (sem'ing-läs, sēm❜lás), n. A lace used by coach-makers to cover seams and edges. Seamless (sem'les), a. Having no seam. Sea-monster (se'mon-ster), n. 1. A huge, hideous, or terrible marine animal. Where luxury late reigned, sea-monster's whelp."

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