SIC

order to call attention to the fact that the quotation is literally given. It is generally used to suggest that there is or seems something wrong in the quotation, to indicate a difference of opinion, or to express contempt.

Sic (sik), a. [Northern form of such.] Such. [Scotch.]

Sicamore (si'ka-mōr), n. More usually written Sycamore (which see). Peacham. Sicca (sik'ka), n. [Hind.] An Indian jeweller's weight of about 180 grains Troy.— Sicca rupee, a rupee formerly current in India, which contained about 176 grains of pure silver, and was equal to about 28. 2d. sterling.

Siccan (sik'an), a. [= E. such an.] Such kind of; as, siccan times. There's nae honest men carry siccan tools.' Sir W. Scott. [Scotch.]

Siccar (sik'ar), a. [See SICKER, SIKER.] Secure; safe; cautious; possessing solid judg ment; precise in speech. Written also Sikkar. [Scotch.]

Siccate (sik'at), v. t. [L. sicco, siccatum, to dry.] To dry.

Siccation (sik-kä'shon), n. The act or process of drying.

Siccative (sik'a-tiv), a. Drying; causing to dry.

Siccative (sik'a-tiv), n. That which promotes the process of drying, as a varnish added to an oil-paint to make it dry quickly. Siccific (sik-sif'ik), a. [L. siccus, dry, and facio, to make.] Causing dryness. Siccity (sik'si-ti), n. [L. siccitas, from siccus, dry.] Dryness; aridity; destitution of moisture. 'The siccity and dryness of its flesh.' They speak much of the elementary quality of siccity or dryness. Bacon.

Sice (sis), n. [Fr. six. See SIX.] The number six at dice.

My study was to cog the dice,

And dext'rously to throw the lucky sice. Dryden. Sicht (sich). Such. Spenser. [Still used by Cockneys and others.]

Sicilian (si-sil'i-an), a. Of or pertaining to Sicily or its inhabitants.-Sicilian Vespers, the name commonly given to the great massacre of the French in Sicily in the year 1282. The insurrection which led to this massacre broke out on the evening of Easter Monday, the signal being the first stroke of the vesper-bell, whence the name. Sicilian (si-sil'i-an), n. A native or inhabitant of Sicily.

Siciliana, Siciliano (si-sil'i-ä-na, si-sil'i-ä”no), n. In music, a composition in measures

of

6

8'

or, to be performed in a slow and graceful manner: so called from a dance peculiar to the peasantry of Sicily. Sick (sik), a. [O. E. and Sc. seke, A.Sax. seốc, O. Sax. sioc, siec, Goth. siuks, L. G. seek, sick, D. ziek, Icel. sjúkr, OH.G. siuk, Mod. G. siech; cog. Armor. seach, sick; Lettish sukt, to fade away.] 1. Affected with nausea; inclined to vomit; tending to cause vomiting; as, sick at the stomach; a sick headache. If you are sick at sea,

Or stomach-qualm'd at land, a dram of this
Will drive away distemper.
Shak.

2. Disgusted; having a strong dislike to: with of; as, to be sick of flattery; to be sick of a country life.

He was not so sick of his master as of his work.
L'Estrange.
Sick, sick to the heart of life am I. Tennyson.

3. Affected with disease of any kind; not in health: ill; as, to fall sick: followed by of; as, to be sick of a fever.

In poison there is physic; and this news,
That would, had I been well, have made me sick,
Being sick, hath in some measure made me well.
Shak

Hence -4. Applied to indispositions of the mind, or to any irregular, distempered, or corrupted state; diseased; unsound.

My sick heart comman is mine eyes to watch. Shak 'Tis meet we all go forth

To view the sick and feeble parts of France. Shak. 5. Pining; longing: languishing: with for. Sick for breathing and exploit.' Shak.6. Applied to a place occupied by or set apart for sick persons; as, a sick-room; a sick-bed. The sick, persons affected with disease; as, the sick are healed. 'Cheating the sick of a few last gasps.' Tennyson. SYN. Diseased, ill, disordered, distempered, indisposed, weak, ailing, feeble, morbid. Sickt (sik), v.t. To make sick.

Sickt (sik), v.i. To sicken; to be ill. 'Edward sick'd and died.' Shak.

Sick-bay (sik'bā), n. Naut. a portion of the

76

main deck, usually in the bow, partitioned off for invalids.

Sick-bed (sik'bed), n. A bed on which one is confined by sickness.

Sick-berth (sik'bèrth), n. An apartment for the sick in a ship of war. Sick-brained (sik'brand), a. Disordered in the brain; distempered in mind. Sicken (sik'n), v. t. 1. To make sick; to dis

ease.

Why should one earth, one clime, one stream, one
breath,
Raise this to strength, and sicken that to death?
Prior.

2. To make squeamish or qualmish; as, it sickens the stomach.-3. To disgust; as, it sickens one to hear the fawning sycophant. 4. To impair; to weaken. So sicken'd their estates.' Shak.

Sicken (sik'n), v.i. 1. To become sick; to fall into disease; to fall ill.

The judges that sat upon the jail, and those that attended, sickened upon it and died.

Bacon.

2. To become qualmish; to feel sick; to be disgusted; to be filled with aversion or abhorrence; as, he sickened at the sight of so much human misery. That surfeiting, the appetite may sicken.' Shak.

I hate, abhor, spit, sicken at him. Tennyson. 3. To become distempered; to become weak; to decay; to languish; as, plants often sicken and die.

All pleasures sicken and all glories sink. Pope. The toiling pleasure sickens into pain. Goldsmith. Sickening (sik'n-ing), a. Making sick; disgusting.

Alp turn'd him from the sickening sight. Byron. Sicker (sik'èr), a. [Also siker, sikur, Sc. siccar, O. Fris. siker, sikur, O. Sax. sikor, D. zeker, G. sicher, from L. securus, secure.] Sure; certain; firm. Spenser; Burns. [Old English and Scotch.] Sickert (sik'èr), adv. Spenser. Sickerlyt (sik'ér-li), adv. firmly. Sickerness (sik'er-nes),

Surely; certainly.

Surely; certainly;

n. The state of being sicker or secure; security; safety. [Obsolete and Scotch.] Sick-fallen (sik'fal-n), a. Struck down with sickness or disease.

Vast confusion waits,

As doth a raven on a sick-fall'n beast. Shak Sickish (sik'ish), a. 1. Somewhat sick or diseased. Hakewill.-2. Exciting disgust; nauseating; as, a sickish taste. Sickishly (sik'ish-li), adv. In a sickish man

ner.

Sickishness (sik'ish-nes), n. The quality of being sickish, or of exciting disgust. Sickle (sik'l), n. [O.E. sikul, A. Sax. sicel, sicol, D. sikkel, O.H.G. sihhila, G. sichel, Icel. sigthr, sigth, Dan. segel, a sickle: a dim. form from a root seen also in scythe, and perhaps in saw.] 1. A reaping-hook; an instrument used in agriculture for cutting down grain. It is simply a curved blade or hook of steel with a handle, and having the edge of the blade in the interior of the curve. Thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn. Deut. xxiii. 25. In the vast field of criticism on which we are entering innumerable reapers have put in their sickles. Macaulay,

2. A group of stars in the constellation Leo having the form of a sickle. Sickled (sik'ld), a. Furnished with a sickle. When autumn's yellow lustre gilds the world, And tempts the sickled swain into the fields. Thomson. Sickleman (sik'l-man), n. One that uses a sickle; a reaper. 'Yon sunburnt sickle men.' Shak.

Sickler (sik'l-ér), n. A reaper; a sickleman. Sandys.

Sickless (sik'les), a. Free from sickness or

disease.

SIDE

Sick-list (sik'list), n. A list containing the names of the sick.

Sickly (sik'li), a. 1. Somewhat sick or ill; not healthy; somewhat affected with disease or habitually indisposed; as, a sickly person; a sickly plant. For he went sickly forth.' Shak. One that is sickly, or in pain." N. Grew. Another son, a sickly one." Tennyson.-2. Connected with sickness; attended with or marked by sickness; often, marked with much or prevalent sickness; as, a sickly time; a sickly autumn. My sickly couch." Swift.

Physic but prolongs thy sickly days. Shak 3. Producing or tending to produce disease; as, a sickly climate.-4. Faint; weak; languid; unhealthy; appearing as if sick. The moon grows sickly at the sight of day. Dryden Versification in a dead language is an exotic, a farfetched, costly, sickly imitation of that which else. where may be found in healthful and spontaneous perfection. Macaulay.

SYN. Diseased, ailing, infirm, weakly, unhealthy, healthless, weak, feeble, languid, faint.

Sickly (sikli), v.t. To make sickly or diseased; to give the appearance of being sick to. 'Sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought. Shak.

Sickly (sikli), adv. In a sick manner or condition; as, (a) unhealthily. Who wear our health but sickly in his life. Shak (b) Reluctantly; with aversion or repugnance; languidly. 'Cold and sickly he vented them.' Shak.

3. A particular state of the stomach which occurs under three forms-nausea, retching. and vomiting. Shak. 4. Any disordered state. A kind of will or testament which argues a great sickness in his judgment.' Shak.

Sick-thoughted (sik-that'ed), a. Full of sick thoughts; love-sick. 'Sick-thoughted Venus. Shak.

Siclatoun, n. [0.Fr. ciclaton, a word of uncertain origin.] A rich kind of stuff which in ancient times was brought from the East. Written also Syclaton, Siglaton, Ciclatoun, &c.

Siclet (sik'l), n. A shekel.

The holy mother brought five sicles and a pair of turtle-doves to redeem the Lamb of God. Fer. Tayler. Siclike (sik'lik), a. Such like; of the same kind or description; similar. [Scotch.] Siclike (sik'lik), adv. In the same manner. [Scotch.]

Sida (si'da), n.

[Theophrastus gave this name to an aquatic plant supposed to be identical with Althæa.] An extensive genus of herbs and shrubs, nat. order Malvacea. The species are very numerous, and very extensively distributed throughout the warm parts of the world, and are abundant in India. They abound in mucilage, like all malvaceous plants, and some of them have tough ligneous fibres, which are employed for the purposes of cordage in different countries, as S. rhomboidea, rhombifolia, and tiliafolia. S. indica, asiatica, and populifolia are employed in India as demulcents. The chewed leaves of S. carpinifolia are applied in Brazil to the stings of wasps and bees. At Rio Janeiro the straight shoots of S. macrantha are employed as rocket-sticks.

Siddow (sid'do), a. Soft; pulpy. Eat like salt sea in his siddow ribs." Marston. [Old and provincial.]

Peas which become soft by boiling are said to be siddow. Halliwell. Side (sid), n. [A. Sax. side, a side, sid (adjective), wide, long; Sc. side, long, ample; Dan. side, a side, sid, long, flowing; fcel. sida, a side, sidr, long, loose, flowing; G. seite, a side. The side is the long edge or border of a thing, as opposed to the end.] 1. The broad and long part or surface of a solid body, as distinguished from the end, which is of less extent, and may be a point; one of the parts of any body that run collaterally, or that being opposite to each

SIDE

other, are extended in length; as, the side of a plank; the side of a chest; the side of house or of a ship.

The tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

Ex. xxxii. 15. 2 Margin; edge; verge; border; the exterior line of anything considered in length; as, the side of a tract of land or a field, as distinct from the end; the side of a river; the side of a road.

Empty it in the muddy ditch close by the Thames ride. Shak.

A sylvan scene with various greens was drawn, Shades on the sides and in the midst a lawn. Dryden. 3. The part of an animal between the hip and shoulder; one of the halves of the body lying on either side of a plane passing from front to back through the spine; one of the opposite parts fortified by the ribs; as, the right side; the left side.

Pinch them, arms, legs, backs, shoulders, sides, and

shins.

Shak

Hence 4. The part of persons on the right hand or the left; immediate nearness; proximity; close neighbourhood; vicinity.

The lovely Thais by his ride

Sat like a blooming Eastern bride. Dryden. What love could press Lysander from my side! Shak. 5. The part between the top and bottom; the slope, declivity, or ascent, as of a hill or mountain; as, the side of Mount Etna. The side of yon small hill.' Milton. 6. One of two principal parts or surfaces opposed to each other; one part of a thing considered apart from and yet in relation to the rest: a part or position viewed as opposite or as contrasted with another. So turns she every man the wrong side out. Shak. May that side the sun's upon

Be all that e'er shall meet thy glances. Moore. We are both of us on the right side of thirty, sir. W. Collins.

7. Any part considered in respect to its direction or its situation as to the points of the compass; quarter; region; part; as, to whichever side we direct our view; we see difficulties on every side.

8. Any party, interest, or opinion opposed to another; as, on the same side in politics. The Lord is on my side: I will not fear. Ps. cxviii. 6. There began a sharp and cruel fight, many being slain and wounded on both sides. Knolles. Wise men and gods are on the strongest side. Sedley. 9. Branch of a family; separate line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another; as, by the father's side he is descended from a noble family; by the mother's side his birth is respectable.

Brother by the mother's side, give me your hand. Shak. I fancy her sweetness only due To the sweeter blood by the other side. Tennyson. 10. In geom. any line which forms one of the boundaries of a right-lined figure; as, the side of a triangle, square, &c.; also, any of the bounding surfaces of a solid is termed a side; as, the side of a parallelopiped, prism, &c.-By the side of, near to; close at hand. Exterior side, in fort. see EXTERIOR.-Interior side, the line drawn from the centre of one bastion to that of the next, or the line of the curtain produced to the two oblique radii in front.Side by side, close together and abreast.— To choose sides, to select parties for competition in exercises of any kind.-To take a ride, to embrace the opinions or attach one's self to the interest of a party when in opposition to another.

Thou wilt proportion all thy thoughts to side Ford. Thy equals, if not equal thy superiors. Side-arms (sid'ärmz), n. pl. Milit. arms or weapons carried by the side, as sword, bayonet, &c.

SIDERITIS

horizontal; as, to lay a thing sidelong. Evelyn.

Sidelong (sid'long), a. Lateral; oblique; not directly in front; as, a sidelong glance. An oblique or sidelong impulse." Locke. The bashful virgin's sidelong looks of love.' Goldsmith. Side-look (sidlyk), n. An oblique look; a side-glance.

Side-piercing (sid'pērs-ing), a. Capable of piercing the side; hence, affecting severely; heart-rending.

O thou side-piercing sight. Side-pipe (sid'pip), n.

Shak.

In the steam-engine, a steam or exhaust pipe extending between the opposite steam-chests of a cylinder.

Side- bar (sid'bär), n. In the Court of Session, the name given to the bar in the outer parliament-house, at which the lords ordinary were in use to call their hand-rolls.Side-bar rule, in Eng. law, a rule obtained at chambers without counsel's signature to a motion paper, on a note of instructions from an attorney.

a race.

Side-post (sid'pōst), n. In carp. one of a kind of truss-posts placed in pairs, each disposed at the same distance from the middle of the truss, for the purpose of supporting the principal rafters, braces, crown or camber beams, as well as for hanging the tiebeam below. In extended roofs two or three pairs of side-posts are used. One that sides; one that takes a side or joins a party. 'Papists and their siders.' A. Wood. Sider + (si'der), n. Cider. Sideral (si'dér-al), a. stars; sidereal. [Rare.] This would not distinguish his own hypothesis of the sideral movements from the self-styled romances of Descartes. Sir W. Hamilton.

Dryden.

2. In joinery, the board placed vertically

which forms the side of the bench next to the workman. It is pierced with holes ranged at different heights in diagonal directions, so as to admit of pins for holding up one end of the object to be planed, the other end being supported by the bench

screw.

Side-box (sid’boks), n. A box or inclosed seat on the side of a theatre. Pope. In locomotive enSide-chain (sil’chân), n. gines, one of the chains fixed to the sides of the tender and engine for safety, should the central drag-bar give way.

Side-cut (sid'kut), n. 1. An indirect blow or attack.-2. A canal or road branching out from the main one. [United States.]

Side-cutting (sid'kut-ing), n. In civil engin. (a) an excavation made along the side of a canal or railroad in order to obtain material to form an embankment. (b) The formation of a road or canal along the side of a slope, where, the centre of the work being nearly on the surface, the ground requires to be cut only on the upper side to form one-half of the work, while the material thrown down forms the other half.

Sided (sid'ed), a. Having a side: used in composition; as, one-sided, two-sided, manysided.

Side-dish (sid'dish), n. A dish placed at the side of a dining-table, instead of at the head or bottom.

How we dining-out snobs sneer at your cookery, and pooh-pooh your old hock,... and know that the side-dishes of to-day are réchauffées from the dinner of yesterday. Thackeray

Side-glance (sid glans), n. A glance to one

An auxiliary slide

side; a sidelong glance. Side-head (sid'hed), n. rest on a planing-machine. Side-hook (sid'hök), n. In carp. a piece of wood having projections at the ends, used for holding a board fast while being operated on by the saw or plane.

Side-lever (sid'lé-vèr), n. In steam-engines, a heavy lever, working alongside the steamcylinder, and answering in its functions to Side-lever engine, a the working-beam. marine engine having side levers instead of a working-beam.

a building, &c., laterally; also, a window in the walls of a building, in contradistinction to a sky-light; also, a plate of glass in a frame fitted to an air-port in a ship's side, to admit light. Sideling (sid'ling), adv. [See SIDELONG.] Sidelong; on the side.

A fellow nailed up maps in a gentleman's closet, some sideling, and others upside down. Swift. Sideling (sid'ling), a. Inclined; sloping; oblique; as, sideling ground. [Rare.] Sideling (sid'ling), n. The slope of a hill; a line of country whose cross-section is inclined or sloping. [Local.] Sidelong (sid'long), adv. [Side, and term. -long, -ling, as in headlong, darkling.] 1. Laterally; obliquely; in the direction of the side. Milton.-2. On the side; with the side

1. Relating to the

2. Affecting unfavourably by the supposed Vernal influence of the stars; baleful. nippings and cold sideral blasts.' J. Philips. Siderated (sid'èr-at-ed), a. [L. sideratus, pp. of sidero. See SIDERATION.] Blasted; planet-struck. Sir T. Browne. Sideration † (sid-er-a'shon), n. [L. sideratio, siderationis, from sidero, to blast, from sidus, a star.] The state of being planetstruck; a blasting or blast in plants; a sudden deprivation of sense; an apoplexy; a slight erysipelas. A mortification or Sidereal (si-de'ré-al), a. [L. sideralis, sidersideration.' Ray. eus, from sidus, sideris, a star.] 1. Pertaining to the stars; starry; astral; as, sidereal light; the sidereal regions. - 2. Measured or marked out by the apparent motions of the stars; as, a sidereal day.-Sidereal clock, a clock adapted to measure sidereal time. It usually numbers the hours from 0 to 24.-Sidereal day, the time in which the earth makes a complete revolution on its axis in respect of the fixed stars; or it is the time which elapses between the instant when a star is in the meridian of a place and the instant when it arrives at the meridian again. A sidereal day is the most constant unit of time which we possess. length is 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4'092 seconds. -Sidereal magnetism, according to the believers in animal magnetism, the influence of the stars upon patients.-Sidereal system, the system of stars. The solar system is considered a member of the sidereal system in the same sense as the earth with its moon, and Saturn with its satellites, are considered members of the solar system. Sidereal time, time as reckoned by sidereal days, or as measured by the apparent motion of the stars. Sidereal year, the period in which the fixed stars apparently complete a revolution and come to the same point in the heavens; or it is the exact period of the revolution of the earth round the sun. sidereal year contains 366 2563612 sidereal days.

Its

A

Sidereous (si-dē're-us), a. Sidereal. The sidereous sun.' Sir T. Browne. Siderismus (sid-ér-iz'mus), n. [From Gr. sideros, iron.] The name given by the believers in animal magnetism to the effects produced by bringing metals and other inorganic bodies into a magnetic connection with the human body.

Siderite (sid'ér-it), n. [L. sideritis, Gr. siderites, from sideros, iron.] 1. In mineral. a term applied to (a) magnetic iron ore or loadstone; (b) native ferrous carbonate or spathic iron ore; (c) cube-ore; (d) a blue variety of quartz.-2. In bot. a plant of the genus Sideritis.

Sideritis (sid-ér-i'tis), n. [Gr. sideros, iron: so named from their supposed efficacy in curing flesh-wounds made with an iron instrument.] Ironwort, a genus of plants,

SIDERODENDRON

nat. order Labiatae. The species are numerous, and are inhabitants of Southern Europe, the northern parts of Asia, and the Canary Isles.

They consist of herbs and shrubs, with opposite leaves and small yellowish flowers arranged in whorls. S. canariensis (or canary ironwort) and S. syriaca (Syrian or sage-leafed ironwort) are cultivated in gardens. In both species the leaves are clothed with a villous wool on both surfaces.

Siderodendron (sid'èr-ō-den"dron), n. [Gr. sideros, iron, and dendron, a tree.] The ironwood tree. See SIDEROXYLON. Siderographic, Siderographical (sid'ér-ōgrafik, sid'er-o-grafik-al), a. Pertaining to siderography; performed by engraved plates of steel; as, siderographic art; siderographic impressions.

Siderographist (sid-ér-og'ra-fist), n. One who engraves steel plates or performs work by means of such plates. Siderography (sid-èr-og'ra-fi), n. [Gr.sidèros, steel or iron, and graphō, to engrave.] The art or practice of engraving on steel: particularly applied to the transfer process of Perkins. In this process the design is first engraved on steel blocks, which are afterwards hardened, and the engraving transferred to steel rollers under heavy pressure, the rollers being afterwards hardened and used as dies to impress the engraving upon the printing plates.

Siderolite (sid'èr-o-lit), n. [Gr. sidėros, iron, and lithos, a stone.] 1. A meteoric stone, chiefly consisting of iron.-2. A nummulite, a fossil many-chambered organism having a stellated appearance. Sideroniancy (sid'ér-o-man-si), n. [Gr. sidéros, iron, and manteia, divination.] A species of divination performed by burning straws, &c., upon red-hot iron. By observing their figures, bendings, sparkling, and burning, prognostics were obtained." Sideromelane (sid-èr-o'me-lán), n. [Gr. sideros, iron, and melas, melanos, black.] An amorphous ferruginous variety of labradorite. Dana.

Sideroschisolite (sid'èr-ō-shis”ō-lit), n. [Gr. sideros, iron, schizo, to cleave, and lithos, a stone.] A velvet-black or dark greenishgray mineral which occurs in six-sided prisms. It consists chiefly of silicate of iron. Sideroscope (sid'èr-ō-skōp), n. [Gr. sidēros, iron, and skopes, to view or explore.] An instrument for detecting small quantities of iron in any substance by means of a delicate combination of magnetic needles. Siderostat (sid'ér-ō-stat), n. (L. sidus, sideris, a star, and Gr. statos, placed, standing, from histēmi, to stand] An apparatus for observing the light of the stars in precisely the same way in which the light of the sun may be studied with the heliostat. It consists of a mirror moved by clockwork, and a fixed object-glass for concentrating the rays into a focus.

Siderotype (sid'èr-o-tip), n. [L. sidus, sideris, a star, and Gr. typos, impression.] A method of producing sun-pictures by means of ammonio-ferric citrate. Paper impregnated with this salt is exposed to light in the camera, and the picture is developed with a neutral solution of gold, or, better, of silver. Weale.

Sideroxylon (sid-ér-ok'sil-on), n. [Gr. sidéros, iron, and xylon, wood.] A genus of trees and herbs, nat. order Sapotaceæ, including about sixty species, natives of Africa, America, the East Indies, and Australia. They are evergreen trees with leathery leaves, and axillary and lateral fascicles of flowers. They are remarkable for the hardness and weight of their wood, which sinks in water, and the genus has hence derived the name of ironwood. The S. inerme, or smooth ironwood, is a native of the Cape Colony, and has long been cultivated in the greenhouses of Europe.

Side-saddle (sid'sad-1), n. A saddle for a woman, in which the feet are both presented on one side, the right knee being placed between two horns. Side-saddle-flower (sid'sad-1-flou-ér), n. A popular name of the species of Sarracenia, having hollow, pitcher, or trumpet-shaped leaves. The flowers are somewhat like a pillion, whence the name. Called also Pitcherplant and Huntsman's-cup. See SARRA

CENIACE.E.

Side-scription (sid'skrip-shon), n. In Scots law, the mode of subscribing deeds in use before the introduction of the present system of writing them bookwise. The suc

78

cessive sheets were pasted together and the party subscribing, in order to authenticate them, signed his name on the side at each junction, half on the one sheet and half on the other.

Sidesman (sidz'man), n. 1. An assistant to the churchwarden; a questman.-2. A party man; a partisan. -Milton. Side-stick (sid'stik), n. In printing, a tapering stick or bar at the side of a page or column in a galley, or of a form in a chase. The matter is locked up by driving quoins between the stick and the side of the galley or chase.

A sudden sharp Side-stiches that Shak.

Side-stitch (sid'stich), n. pain or stitch in the side. shall pen thy breath up. Side-table (sid'tă-bl), n. A table placed either against the wall or aside from the principal table.

Sidetaking (sid'tāk-ing), n.

A taking sides or engaging in a party. Bp. Hall. Side-timber, Side-waver (sid'tim-bėr, sid' wav-ér), n. In building, same as Purlin (which see). An oblique view; a

Side-view (sid'vů), n.

side-look.

Side-walk (sid’wak), n. A raised walk for foot-passengers by the side of a street or road; a footway.

Sideways (sid'waz), adv. Same as Sidewise. Milton.

Side-wind (sid'wind), n. A wind blowing laterally; fig an indirect influence or means; as, to get rid of a measure by a side-wind.

I am a straightforward man, I believe. I don't go beating about for side-winds. Dickens. Sidewise (sid'wiz), adv. 1. Toward one side; inclining; as, to hold the head sidewise. — 2. Laterally; on one side; as, the refraction Siding (sid'ing), n. 1. The attaching of one's of light sidewise. self to a party. 'Discontents drove men into sidings. Eikon Basilikē.-2. In rail. a short additional line of rails laid at the side of a main line, and connected therewith with points so that a train may either pass into the siding or continue its course along the line.-3. In carp. the boarding of the sides of a frame building.-4. In ship-building, that part of the operation of forming or trimming ships' timbers, &c., which consists in giving them their correct breadths.

Sidle (sid1), v.i. pret. sidled; ppr. sidling. 1. To go or move side foremost; to move to one side; as, to sidle through a crowd. Swift.

He... then sidled close to the astonished girl. Sir W. Scott. 2. To saunter idly about. [Provincial English.]

Sidling (sid'ling), adv. Sidewise. See SIDELING, SIDELONG.

Sie. For Seie, pret. of see. Saw. Chaucer. Siege (sej), n. [Fr. siége, a seat or sitting, a siege, which supposes a Latin form sedium, sidium, seen in obsidium, the sitting down before a town, a siege, from sedeo, to sit.] 1. The sitting of an army around or before a fortified place for the purpose of compelling the garrison to surrender; the investment of a place by an army, and attack of it by passages and advanced works which cover the besiegers from the enemy's fire. A siege differs from a blockade, as in a siege the investing army approaches the fortified place to attack and reduce it by force; but in a blockade the army secures all the avenues to the place to intercept all supplies, and waits till famine compels the garrison to surrender. 2. Any continued endeavour to gain possession.

Love stood the siege, and would not yield his breast. Dryden, 3. Seat; throne.

Besides, upon the very siege of justice,
Lord Angelo has, to the public car,
Profess'd the contrary

Shak

SIGH

Siege-train (sēj ́trăn), n. The artillery, carriages, ammunition, and equipments which are carried with an army for the purpose of attacking fortified places.

Sienite (si'en-it), n. Same as Syenite. Sienitic (si-en-it'ik), a. Same as Syenitic. Sienna, Sienna-earth (si-en'na, si-en ́naérth), n. Terra di Sienna, earth from Si enna in Italy, a ferruginous ochreous earth of a fine yellow colour, used as a pigment in both oil and water-colour painting. It is known as raw and burnt sienna according to the treatment it has received. See BURNTSIENNA

Sierra (se-er'a), n. [Sp., from L. serra, a saw.] A chain of hills or mass of mountains with jagged or saw-like ridges. Siesta (sé-es'ta), n. [Sp] The name given to the practice indulged in by the Spaniards, and the inhabitants of hot countries generally, of resting for a short time in the hot part of the day, or after dinner. Siester (sés'tër), n. A silver coin of Bavaria, worth about 8d. Simmonds. Sieur (se-ér), n. [Fr., abbrev. from seigneur.] A title of respect used by the French. Sieve (siv), n. [O.E. sive, seve, sefe, A. Sax sife, L.G. seve, sef, D. zeef, G. sieb, Icel, sía, for síva or sifa, a sieve; perhaps so called from being made originally of rushes (see SEAVE); or from same root as Prov. seye, Icel. sía, to strain or filter; Dan. sice, to ooze.] 1. An instrument for separating the smaller particles of substances from the grosser, as flour from bran. Sieves are made of various forms and sizes to suit the article to be sifted; but in its most usual form a sieve consists of a hoop from 2 to 6 inches in depth, forming a flat cylinder, and having its bottom, which is stretched tightly over the hoop, constituted of basket-work, coarse or fine hair, gut, skin perforated with small holes, canvas, muslin, lawn, net-work, or wire, according to the use intended. In agriculture sieves are used for separating corn or other seed from dust or other extraneous matter. -Drum sieve, a kind of sieve in extensive use amongst druggists, drysalters, and confectioners, so named from its form. It is used for sifting very fine powders, and consists of three parts or sections, the top and bottom sections being covered with parchment or leather, and made to fit over and under a sieve of the usual form, which is placed between them. The substance to be sifted being thus closed in, the operator is not annoyed by the clouds of powder which would otherwise be produced by the agitation, and the material under operation is at the same time saved from waste.—2. A kind of coarse basket.

Sieves and half-sieves are baskets to be met with in every quarter of Covent Garden market. Steevens. 3. In calico-printing, a cloth extending over the vat which contains the colour. Sifflement (sif'l-ment), n. [Fr., from sifter, to whistle.] The act of whistling or hissing; a whistling or a sound resembling a whistling. Uttering nought else but idle sifflements. Ant. Brewer.

Sift (sift), v.t. [A. Sax. siftan, from sife, a sieve; L.G. siften, D. ziften, to sift. See SIEVE.] 1. To pass through a sieve; to operate on by a sieve; to separate by a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime; to sift the bran from the flour.-2. To part, as by a sieve; to sep

arate.

Shak Hooker.

Tennyson.

I could sift him on that argument. We have sifted your objections. Heedfully I sifted all my thought. Sifter (sift'èr), n. One who sifts; that which sifts; a sieve.

Sig (sig), n [From root of A. Sax. sihan, to strain, to filter, to flow down. See SIGGER.] Urine; stale urine. [Provincial English.] Sigaultian (si-gal'shi-an), a. [From Sigault, a French physician, who first performed the operation. ] In obstetrics, applied to an operation for augmenting the diameter of the pelvis. See SYMPHYSEOTOMY. Sigger (sigʻèr), v. i. [Allied to sig (which see); G. seigen, to filter, seiger, a strainer or filter.] In mining, to trickle through a cranny or crevice; to ooze into a mine. Sigh (si), v.i. [O.E. syke, A. Sax. sican, Sc. sic, sich, to sigh; Dan. sukke, to sigh; D.

SIGH

zugt, a sigh, zugten, to sigh; G. seufzen. All probably imitative; comp. sough, noise of the wind, as among trees, Sc. souf, to breathe heavily or deeply] 1. To make a deep single respiration, as the result or involuntary expression of grief, sorrow, or the like; hence, to grieve; to mourn; to complain. He sighed deeply in his spirit. Mark viii. 12. To sigh

To the winds whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving wrong. Shak.

2 To utter or give expression to a sound like, or suggestive of, a sigh. 'Whenever a March wind sighs. Tennyson.-To sigh for, to long or wish ardently for.

Troilus methinks mounted the Troyan walls And sigh'd his soul toward the Grecian tents. Shak. Sigh (si), n. A single deep involuntary respiration; the inhaling of a larger quantity of air than usual and the sudden emission of it; a simple respiration modified by mental conditions, and giving involuntary expression of fatigue, or some depressing emotion, as grief, sorrow, anxiety, or the like. My sighs are many, and my heart is faint. Lam. i. 22. Sigher (si'èr), n. One who sighs. to be comforted.' Beau. & Fl. Sighingly (si'ing-li), ade. With sighing. Sight (sit), n. [A. Sax. siht, gesiht, O.G. siht, Mod. G. sicht, Dan. and Sw. sigte; from root of see.] 1. The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view; as, to gain sight of land; to lose sight of a person.

A sigher

A cloud received him out of their sight. Acts i. 9. A sight of you, Mr. H., is good for sore eyes.

Trollope. 2 The power of seeing; the faculty of vision, or of perceiving objects by the instrumentality of the eyes; as, to lose one's sight.

Thy right is young and thou shalt read. Shak. O loss of sight, of thee I most complain. Milton. 3 Range of unobstructed vision; space or limit to which the power of seeing extends; open view; visibility.

From the depth of hell they lift their sight. Dryden. 7. That which is beheld; a spectacle; a show; particularly, something novel and remarkable; something wonderful or worth seeing; as, to see the sights of a town.

They never saw a sight so fair. Spenser. Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great right, why the bush is not burned. Exod. iii. 3.

8 A small aperture through which objects are to be seen, and by which the direction is settled or ascertained; as, the sight of a quadrant.-9. A small piece of metal near the muzzle, or another near the breech, of a firearm, as a rifle, cannon, &c., to aid the eye in taking aim-10. A great many; a multitude. (Colloq.]

Very many colloquialisms current in America but not now used in England, and generally supposed to be Americanisms, are, after all, of good old British family, and people from the Eastern States, who are sometimes ridiculed for talking of a sight of people, may find comfort in learning that the famous old romance, the prose Morte d'Arthur,' uses this word for multitude, and that the high-born dame, Juliana Berners, lady prioress of the nunnery of Sopwell in the fifteenth century, informs us that in her time a bongnable syght of monkes was elegant English for a large company of friars. G. P. Marsh.

-At sight, after sight, terms applied to bills or notes payable on or after presentation.To take sight, to take aim; to look for the purpose of directing a piece of artillery, &c. -Field of sight. Same as Field of Vision. See FIELD SYN. Vision, view, show, spectacle, representation, exhibition.

Sight (sit), v. t. 1. To get sight of; to come in sight of; to see; to perceive; as, to sight the land-2 To look at or examine through a sight; to see accurately; as, to sight a star.

79

3. To give the proper elevation and direction to by means of a sight; as, to sight a rifle or

cannon.

Sight, Sighte.t Sighed. Chaucer. Sight (sit), v.i. To look along or through the sight or sights of an instrument; to take aim by means of a sight or sights, as with a rifle; to take sight.

Sight-draft (sit'draft), n. In com. a draft payable at sight or on presentation. Sighted (sit'ed), a. 1. Having sight or seeing in a particular manner: used chiefly or exclusively in composition; as, long-sighted, seeing at a great distance; short-sighted, able to see only at a small distance; quick-sighted, readily seeing, discerning, or understanding; sharp-sighted, having a keen eye or acute discernment.-2. Having a sight or sights; as, a rifle sighted for 1000 yards. Sightfult (sit'ful), a. Visible; perspicuous. Sightfulnesst (sit'ful-nes), n. Clearness of sight.

Let us not wink, though void of purest sightfulness. Sir P. Sidney. Sight-hole (sit'hōl), n. A hole to see through. Sighting-shot (sit'ing-shot), n. A shot made for the purpose of ascertaining if a firearm is properly sighted; a trial shot allowed to each shooter previous to marking his score. Sightless (sitles), a. 1. Wanting sight; blind. Of all who blindly creep, or sightless soar. Pope. Sightless Milton.' Wordsworth.-2. Offensive or unpleasing to the eye. 'Full of unpleasing blots, and sightless stains. Shak.-3. Not appearing to sight; invisible.

manner.

Sightlessness (sit'les-nes), n. The state of being sightless; want of sight. Sightliness (sitli-nes), n. The state of being sightly; comeliness; an appearance pleasing to the sight.

Glass eyes may be used, though not for seeing, for sightliness. Fuller.

Sightly (sit li), a. Pleasing to the eye; striking to the view. Many brave sightly horses. Sir R. L'Estrange.

Sight-seeing (sit'se-ing), n. The act of seeing sights; eagerness for novel or curious sights.

Sight-seer (sit'sĕ-èr), n. One who is fond of or who goes to see sights or curiosities; as, the streets were crowded with eager sight-seers.

Sight-shot (sit'shot), n.

Distance to which

the sight can reach; range of sight; eye-shot. Cowley. [Rare.]

Sightsman (sits'man), n. In music, one who reads music readily at first sight. Sigil (sij'il), n. [L. sigillum, dim. of signum, a sign.] A seal; signature; an occult sign. Sigils framed in planetary hours.' Dryden. Sigillaria (sij-il-la'ri-a), n. [L. sigillum, a seal.] The name given to certain large forms of plants, discovered in the coal formation, which have no representatives in present vegetation. They were so named by M. Brongniart, from the leaf-scars on their fluted stems, which resemble so many seal impressions on the raised flutings. The

Sigillaria in a Coal-mine near Liverpool.

stems are of various sizes, from a few inches to upwards of 3 feet in circumference, and of great length. Their internal structure most nearly approaches that of the Cycadaceæ. Their roots are known by the name stigmaria, being at first regarded as fossils belonging to a distinct and separate genus. Sigillative (sij'il-at-iv), a. [Fr. sigillatif, from L. sigillum, a seal.] Fit to seal; belonging to a seal; composed of wax. Cotgrave.

SIGN

Sigla (sig'la), n.pl. [L] The signs, characters, abbreviations, or letters used for words in ancient manuscripts, printing, coins, medals, and the like.

Sigma (sig'ma), n. The name of the Greek letter 2,, s, equivalent to our S. Sigmodon (sig'mo-don), n. [Gr. sigma, the letter s, and odous, odontos, a tooth.] A genus of small rodent mammals of the family Muridae, and sub-family Arvicolinæ. Only one species (S. hispidum) is known, about 6 inches long. It is a native of Florida, and very destructive to the crops. Sigmoid, Sigmoidal (sig'moid, sig-moi'dal), a. [Gr. sigma, and eidos, resemblance.] Curved like the letter sigma. In anat. a term applied to several parts, as the valves of the heart, the cartilages of the trachea, the semilunar cavities of the bones, and the flexure of the colon. The sigmoid flexure is the last curve of the colon, before it terminates in the rectum.

Sign (sin), n. [Fr. signe, from L. signum, a mark, a sign, of which the dim. is sigillum, hence seal. See SEAL.] 1. That by which anything is shown, made known, or represented; any visible thing, any motion, appearance, or event which indicates the existence or approach of something else; a token; a mark; an indication; a proof; as, signs of fair weather or a storm; a sign of rain.

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Mat. xvi. 3. 2. A motion, action, or gesture by which a thought is expressed, a wish made known, or a command given; hence, one of the natural or conventional gestures by which intelligence is communicated, or conversation carried on, as by deaf-mutes.

They made signs to his father, how he would have him called. Luke i. 63.

3. A remarkable event considered by the ancients as indicating the will of a deity; a prodigy; an omen.-4. Any remarkable transaction, event, or phenomenon regarded as indicating the divine will, or as manifesting an interposition of the divine power for some special end; a miracle; a wonder.

Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. John iv. 48.

5. Something serving to indicate the existence or preserve the memory of a thing; a memorial; a token; a monument.

The fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign. Num. xxvi. 10.

6. Any symbol or emblem which prefigures, typifies, or represents an idea; hence, sometimes, a picture.

The holy symbols, or signs, are not barely significative, but what they represent is as certainly delivered to us as the symbols themselves. Brerewood, 7. A word regarded as the outward manifestation of thought.

When any one uses any term, he may have in his mind a determined idea which he makes it the sign of. Bacon.

8. A mark of distinction; cognizance. When the great ensign of Messiah blazed, Aloft by angels borne, his sign in heaven. Milton. 9. That which, being external, represents or signifies something internal or spiritual: a term used in the formularies of the English Church in speaking of an ordinance considered with reference to that which it represents.-10. Something conspicuously hung or placed over or near a door, as a lettered board, or carved or painted figure, indicating the occupation of the tenant of the premises, or giving notice of what is sold or made within; a sign-board. 'An ale-house' paltry sign.' Shak.

The shops were therefore distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grotesque appearance to the streets. Macaulay.

11. In astron. a portion of the ecliptic or zodiac containing 30 degrees, or a twelfth part of the complete circle. The signs are reckoned from the point of intersection of the ecliptic and equator at the vernal equinox, and are counted onwards, proceeding from west to east, according to the annual course of the sun, all round the ecliptic. In printing they are represented by the following marks, which are attached to their respective names:-Aries V. Taurus 8, Gemini II, Cancer, Leo S, Virgo m, Libra Scorpio M, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Pisces. The first six signs, commencing with Aries, are called northern signs, because they lie on

SIGN

the north side of the equator; and the other six, commencing with Libra, are called southern signs, because they lie on the south side of the equator. The six beginning with Capricornus are called ascending signs, because the sun passes through them while advancing from the winter to the summer solstice, and is consequently acquiring altitude with respect to inhabitants of the northern hemisphere. The other six, beginning with Cancer, are called descending signs, because the sun in passing through them diminishes his altitude with respect to inhabitants of the northern hemisphere. These names are borrowed from the constellations of the zodiac of the same denomination, which were respectively comprehended within the foregoing equal divisions of the ecliptic at the time when those divisions were first made; but on account of the precession of the equinoxes the positions of these constellations in the heavens no longer correspond with the divisions of the ecliptic of the same name, but are considerably in advance of them. Thus the constellation Aries is now in that part of the ecliptic called Taurus.-12. In arith, and math. a character indicating the relation of quantities, or an operation performed by them; as the sign + [plus] prefixed to a quantity indicates that the quantity is to be added; the sign (minus] denotes that the quantity to which it is prefixed is to be subtracted. The former is prefixed to quantities called affirmative or positive; the latter to quantities called negative. The sign x [into] stands for multiplication, [divided by] for division, for the square root, for the cube root, for the nth root, &c. The signs denoting a relation are, = equal to, > greater than, < less than, &c.-13. In med. an appearance or symptom in the human body, which indicates its condition as to health or disease.-14. In music, any character, as a flat, sharp, dot, &c. - SYN. Token, mark, note, symptom, indication, symbol, type, omen, prognostic, presage, manifestation.

Sign (sin), v. t. 1. To express by a sign to make known in a typical or emblematical manner, in distinction from speech; to sig. nify; as, to sign our acceptance of something by a gesture.-2. To make a sign upon; to mark with a sign or symbol.

We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the

cross, in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed

to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

Common Prayer.

3. To affix a signature to, as to a writing or deed; to mark and ratify by writing one's name; to subscribe in one's own handwriting. To sign these papers.' Dryden.

Give him this deed and let him sign it.

Shak.

Sign (sin), v.i. 1. To be a sign or omen. Shak-2. To make a sign or signal; as, he signed to me to advance.

Signable (sin'a-bl), a. Capable of being signed; requiring to be signed; as, a deed signable by A B.

Signal (signal), n. [Fr. signal, L.L. signale, from L. signum. See SIGN.] 1. A sign that gives or is intended to give notice of something to some person, especially from a distance. Signals are used to communicate information, orders, and the like, to persons at a distance, and by any persons and for any purpose. A signal may be a motion of the hand, the raising of a flag, the showing of lights of various colours, the firing of a gun, the ringing of a bell, the beating of a drum, the sounding of a bugle, or anything which will be understood by the persons intended. Stir not until the signal. Shak.

2. Sign; token; indication.

Meantime, in signal of my love to thee,. Will I upon thy party wear this rose. Shak. Signal (signal), a. Distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; notable; as, a signal failure; a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence.

As signal now in low dejected state, As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. Milton. SYN. Eminent, remarkable, memorable, extraordinary, notable, conspicuous.

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1

Signal (signal), v.t. pret. & pp. signalled; ppr. signalling. 1. To communicate or make known by a signal or by signals; as, to signal orders; a vessel signals its arrival. 2. To make signals to; as, the vessel signalled the forts.-3. To mark with a sign. Layard. Signal (sig'nal), v.i. 1. To give a signal or signals.2. To be a sign or omen. Signal-box (signal-boks), n. A small house, often of wood, in which railway signals are worked.

SIGNIFICANCE

very generally used for signatures.-5. An external mark or figure by which physiognomists pretend to discover the temper and character of persons -6. In music, the signs placed at the commencement of a piece of

2

or

Signal-fire (sig'nal-fir), n.
A fire intended for a signal.
Signalist (signal-ist), n. One
who makes signals.
Signality (sig-nal'i-ti), n.
Quality of being signal or remarkable. Sir
T. Browne.

Signalize (sig'nal-iz), v. t. pret. & pp. signalized; ppr. signalizing. [From signal.] 1. To make remarkable or eminent; to render distinguished from what is common: commonly used reflexively with the pronouns myself, himself, themselves, and the like, or with some noun so closely connected with the subject as to be almost equivalent to a reflexive pronoun; as, the soldier signalized himself; he signalized his reign by many glorious acts. Having signalized his valour and fortune in defence of his country.' Swift.

It is this passion which drives men to all the ways we see in use of signalizing themselves. Burke.

2. To make signals to; to indicate by a sig. nal; to signal. [Not in good use.] Signal-lamp (signal-lamp), n. A railway lamp, with a bull's-eye in it, made to give Signal-light (signal-lit), n. out light of different colours as signals. A light shown

music. There are two kinds of signatures, the time signature and the key signature. The key signature, including the clefs, is usually written on every stave; and the sharps or flats there occurring affect all notes of that degree (with their octaves) throughout the piece. The time signature is only placed at the beginning of the first line and where changes occur. It indicates the number of aliquot parts into which the bar is divided.-7. In Scots law, a writing formerly prepared and presented by a writer to the signet to the baron of exchequer, as the ground of a royal grant to the person in whose name it was presented; which having, in the case of an original charter, the sign-manual of the sovereign. and in other cases the cachet, appointed by the act of union for Scotland, attached to it, became the warrant of a conveyance under one or other of the seals, according to the nature of the subject or the object in view. Signature (sig'na-tür), v. t. to distinguish. Dr. G. Cheyne. One who Signaturist (signa-tür-ist), n. holds to the doctrine of signatures impressed upon objects, indicative of character or qualities. Sir T. Browne.

To mark out;

warning, &c., by means of signals. Signalment (signal-ment), n. 1. The act of signalling. —2. A description by means of peculiar or appropriate marks. E. B. Browning. Signal-post (signal-post), n. A post or pole for displaying flags, lamps, &c., as signals. Signatary (sig'na-ta-ri), n. and a. Same as Signatory. Signation (sig-na'shon), n. Sign given; act of betokening. Sir T. Browne.

Signatory (sig'na-to-ri), a. 1. Relating to a seal; used in sealing.-2. Setting a signature to a document; signing; specifically applied to the head or representative of a state who signs a public document, as a treaty; as, the parties signatory to the Treaty of Paris. Written also Signatary and Signitary.

Signatory (sig'na-to-ri), n. One who signs; specifically, the head or representative of a state who signs a public document, as a treaty.

If the Grand Duke called upon the signatories of the treaty to fulfil the guarantee of neutrality contained in it, grave questions would undoubtedly arise. Times newspaper.

Signature (sig'na-tür), n. [Fr., L.L. signatura, from L. signo, to sign.] 1. A sign, stamp, or mark impressed. The brain being well furnished with various traces, signatures, and images. Watts. The natural and indelible signature of God, stamped on the human soul.' Bentley.-2. Especially, the name of any person written with his own hand, employed to signify that the writing which precedes accords with his wishes or intentions.-3. In old med. an external mark or character on a plant, which was supposed to indicate its suitableness to cure particular disease, or diseases of particular parts. Thus plants with yellow flowers were supposed to be adapted to the cure of jaundice, &c.

Some plants bear a very evident signature of their nature and use. Dr. H. More.

4. In printing, a letter or figure at the bottom of the first page of a sheet or half sheet, by which the sheets are distinguished and their order designated, as a direction to the binder. In older books, when the sheets are more numerous than the letters of the alphabet, a small letter is added to the capital one, as A a, B b; but afterwards a figure before the letter came to be used, as 1 A, 2 A. In modern printing figures only are

a man sets a notice of his occupation or of articles for sale.

Signet (sin), v.t.

allot. Chaucer.

To assign; to appoint; to

Signer (sin'ér), n. One who signs, especially one who signs or subscribes his name; as, a memorial with 100 signers.

Signet (sig'net), n. [O. Fr. signet, dim. of signe, a sign. See SIGN.] A seal; particularly, in England, one of the seals for the authentication of royal grants. The signet, in Scotland, is a seal by which royal warrants for the purpose of justice seem to have been at one time authenticated. Hence the title of clerks to the signet or writers to the signet, a class of legal practitioners in Edinburgh who formerly had important privileges, which are now nearly abolished. They act generally as agents or attorneys in conducting causes before the Court of Session. -Clerk of the signet, an officer in England, continually in attendance upon the principal secretary of state, who has the custody of the privy signet.

Signeted (sig'net-ed), a. Stamped or marked with a signet. Signet-ring (sig'net-ring), n. A ring containing a signet or private seal. Signifert (sig'ni-fer), n. [L. signum, a sign, and fero, to bear.] The zodiac. Chaucer. Signifiaunce,t n. Signification. Chaucer. Significt (sig-nif'ik), a. Significant. Chau

cer.

Significance, Significancy (sig-nif'i-kans, sig-nif'i-kan-si), n. [See SIGNIFICANT.] 1. Meaning; import; that which is intended to be expressed.

If he declares he intends it for the honour of an. other, he takes away by his words the significance of his action. Bp. Stillingfeet. Hence-2. The real import of anything, as opposed to that which appears; the internal and true sense, as contradistinguished from the external and partial.

Our spirits have climbed high By reason of the passion of our grief,And, from the top of sense, looked over sense, To the significance and heart of things Rather than things themselves. E. B. Browning.

3. Expressiveness; impressiveness; force; power of impressing the mind; as, a duty enjoined with particular significance.

I have been admiring the wonderful significancy of that word persecution, and what various interpretations it hath acquired. Swift.