Chapter 1548

5. (Mus.) The designation of the key (when not C major, or its relative, A minor) by means of one or more sharps or flats at the beginning of the staff, immediately after the clef, affecting all notes of the same letter throughout the piece or movement. Each minor key has the same signature as its relative major.

6. (Print.) (a) A letter or figure placed at the bottom of the first page of each sheet of a book or pamphlet, as a direction to the binder in arranging and folding the sheets. (b) The printed sheet so marked, or the form from which it is printed; as, to reprint one or more signatures .

&hand; Star signatures (as A*, 1*) are the same characters, with the addition of asterisks, used on the first pages of offcuts, as in 12mo sheets.

7. (Pharm.) That part of a prescription which contains the directions to the patient. It is usually prefaced by S or Sig. (an abbreviation for the Latin signa , imperative of signare to sign or mark).

Signature <Xpage=1339>

Sig"na*ture (?) , v. t. To mark with, or as with, a signature or signatures.

Signaturist <Xpage=1339>

Sig"na*tur`ist (?) , n. One who holds to the doctrine of signatures impressed upon objects, indicative of character or qualities. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Signboard <Xpage=1339>

Sign"board` (?) , n. A board, placed on or before a shop, office, etc., on which ssome notice is given, as the name of a firm, of a business, or the like.

Signer <Xpage=1339>

Sign"er (?) , n. One who signs or subscribes his name; as, a memorial with a hundred signers .

Signet <Xpage=1339>

Sig"net (?) , n. [OF. signet a signet, F., a bookmark, dim. of signe . See Sign , n. , and cf. Sennet .] A seal; especially, in England, the seal used by the sovereign in sealing private letters and grants that pass by bill under the sign manual; -- called also privy signet .

I had my father's signet in my purse. Shak.

Signet ring , a ring containing a signet or private seal. -- Writer to the signet (Scots Law) , a judicial officer who prepares warrants, writs, etc.; originally, a clerk in the office of the secretary of state.

Signeted <Xpage=1339>

Sig"net*ed , a. Stamped or marked with a signet.

Signifer <Xpage=1339>

Sig"ni*fer (?) , a. [L., from signum sign + ferre to bear.] Bearing signs. [Obs.] "The signifer sphere, or zodiac."

Holland.

Significance, Significancy <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*cance (?) , Sig*nif"i*can*cy (?) , n. [L. significantia .] 1. The quality or state of being significant.

2. That which is signified; meaning; import; as, the significance of a nod, of a motion of the hand, or of a word or expression .

3. Importance; moment; weight; consequence.

With this brain I must work, in order to give significancy and value to the few facts which I possess. De Quincey.

Significant <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*cant (?) , a. [L. significans , -antis , p. pr. of significare . See Signify .] 1. Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant word or sound; a significant look .

It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant , but not efficient. Sir W. Raleigh.

2. Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event .

Significant figures (Arith.) , the figures which remain to any number, or decimal fraction, after the ciphers at the right or left are canceled. Thus, the significant figures of 25,000, or of .0025, are 25 .

Significant <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*cant , n. That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.

Wordsworth.

In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts. Shak.

Significantly <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*cant*ly , adv. In a significant manner.

Significate <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*cate (?) , n. [L. significatus , p. p. of significare . See Signify .] (Logic) One of several things signified by a common term.

Whately.

Signification <Xpage=1339>

Sig`ni*fi*ca"tion (?) , n. [F. signification , L. significatio .] 1. The act of signifying; a making known by signs or other means.

A signification of being pleased. Landor.

All speaking or signification of one's mind implies an act or addres of one man to another. South.

2. That which is signified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character, or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words .

Significative <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*ca*tive (?) , a. [L. significativus : cf. F. significatif .] 1. Betokening or representing by an external sign.

The holy symbols or signs are not barely significative . Brerewood.

2. Having signification or meaning; expressive of a meaning or purpose; significant.

Neither in the degrees of kindred they were destitute of significative words. Camden.

-- Sig*nif"i*ca*tive*ly , adv. -- Sig*nif"i*ca*tive*ness , n.

Significator <Xpage=1339>

Sig"ni*fi*ca`tor (?) , n. [Cf. F. significateur .] One who, or that which, signifies.

In this diagram there was one significator which pressed remarkably upon our astrologer's attention. Sir W. Scott.

Significatory <Xpage=1339>

Sig*nif"i*ca*to*ry (?) , a. [L. significatorius .] Significant. -- n. That which is significatory.

Significavit <Xpage=1339>

Sig`ni*fi*ca"vit (?) , n. [L., (he) has signified, perf. ind. of significare to signify.] (Eng. Eccl. Law) Formerly, a writ issuing out of chancery, upon certificate given by the ordinary, of a man's standing excommunicate by the space of forty days, for the laying him up in prison till he submit himself to the authority of the church.

Crabb.

Signify <Xpage=1339>

Sig"ni*fy (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Signified (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Signifying (?) .] [F. signifier , L. significare ; signum a sign + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Sign , n. , and -fy .] 1. To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express; as, a signified his desire to be present .

I 'll to the king; and signify to him That thus I have resign'd my charge to you. Shak.

The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied. Swift.

2. To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken.

He bade her tell him what it signified . Chaucer.

A tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Shak.

&hand; Signify is often used impersonally; as, it signifies nothing, it does not signify , that is, it is of no importance.

Syn. -- To express; manifest; declare; utter; intimate; betoken; denote; imply; mean.

Signior <Xpage=1339>

Sign"ior (?) , n. Sir; Mr. The English form and pronunciation for the Italian Signor and the Spanish Se\'a4or .

Signiorize <Xpage=1339>

Sign"ior*ize (?) , v. t. [See Seigniorize .] To exercise dominion over; to lord it over. [Obs.]

Shelton.

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<page="1340"> Page 1340

Signiorize <Xpage=1340>

Sign"ior*ize (?) , v. i. To exercise dominion; to signiorize. [Obs.]

Hewyt.

Signiorship <Xpage=1340>

Sign"ior*ship , n. State or position of a signior.

Signiory <Xpage=1340>

Sign"ior*y (?) , n. Same as Seigniory .

Signor, Signore <Xpage=1340>

Si*gnor" (?) , Si*gno"re (?) , n. [It. See Seignior .] Sir; Mr; -- a title of address or respect among the Italians. Before a noun the form is Signor .

Signora <Xpage=1340>

Si*gno"ra (?) , n. [It.] Madam; Mrs; -- a title of address or respect among the Italians.

Signorina <Xpage=1340>

Si`gno*ri"na (?) , n. [It.] Miss; -- a title of address among the Italians.

Signpost <Xpage=1340>

Sign"post` (?) , n. A post on which a sign hangs, or on which papers are placed to give public notice of anything.

Sik, Sike <Xpage=1340>

Sik (?) , Sike (?) , a. Such. See Such . [Obs.] " Sike fancies weren foolerie."

Spenser.

Sike <Xpage=1340>

Sike (?) , n. [AS. s\'c6c . Cf. Sig .] A gutter; a stream, such as is usually dry in summer. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Sike <Xpage=1340>

Sike , n. [See Sick .] A sick person. [Prov. Eng.]

Sike <Xpage=1340>

Sike , v. i. To sigh. [Obs.]

That for his wife weepeth and siketh sore. Chaucer.

Sike <Xpage=1340>

Sike , n. A sigh. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Siker, a. & adv., Sikerly, adv., Sikerness <Xpage=1340>

Sik"er (?) , a. & adv. , Sik"er*ly , adv. , Sik"er*ness , n. , etc. See 2d Sicker , Sickerly , etc. [Obs.]

Sikhs <Xpage=1340>

Sikhs (?) , n. pl. ; sing. Sikh (<?/) . [Hind. Sikh , properly, a disciple.] A religious sect noted for warlike traits, founded in the Punjab at the end of the 15th century.

Silage <Xpage=1340>

Si"lage (?) , n. & v. Short for Ensilage .

Sile <Xpage=1340>

Sile (?) , v. t. [Akin to Sw. sila to strain, sil sieve, G. sielen to draw away or lead off water. &root;151 a. See Silt .] To strain, as fresh milk. [Prov. Eng.]

Sile <Xpage=1340>

Sile , v. i. To drop; to flow; to fall. [Prov. Eng.]

Sile <Xpage=1340>

Sile , n. 1. A sieve with fine meshes. [Prov. Eng.]

2. Filth; sediment. [Prov. Eng.]

Halliwell.

Sile <Xpage=1340>

Sile , n. [Icel. s\'c6ld herring; akin to Sw. sill , Dan. sild . Cf. Sill the young of a herring.] (Zo\'94l.) A young or small herring. [Eng.]

Pennant.

Silence <Xpage=1340>

Si"lence (?) , n. [F., fr. L. silentium . See Silent .]

1. The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.

I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep. Milton.

2. Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.

3. Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence .

The administration itself keeps a profound silence . D. Webster.

4. The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence .

5. Absence of mention; oblivion.

And what most merits fame, in silence hid. Milton.

Silence <Xpage=1340>

Si"lence , interj. Be silent; -- used elliptically for let there be silence , or keep silence .

Shak.

Silence <Xpage=1340>

Si"lence , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Silenced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Silencing (?) .] 1. To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.

Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle. Shak.

2. To put to rest; to quiet.

This would silence all further opposition. Clarendon.

These would have silenced their scruples. Rogers.

3. To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel .

The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity. B. Trumbull.

4. To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy .

Silene <Xpage=1340>

Si*le"ne (?) , n. [NL., fr. L. Silenus , the attendant of Bacchus.] (Bot.) A genus of caryophyllaceous plants, usually covered with a viscid secretion by which insects are caught; catchfly.

Bon Sil\'8ane . See Sil\'8ane , in the Vocabulary.

Silent <Xpage=1340>

Si"lent (?) , a. [L. silens , -entis , p. pr. of silere to be silent; akin to Goth. ana-silan.] 1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.

How silent is this town! Shak.

2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.

Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men. Broome.

This new-created world, whereof in hell Fame is not silent . Milton.

3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent .

Parnell. Sir W. Raleigh.

4. (Pron.) Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in "fable ."

5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.]

Cause . . . silent , virtueless, and dead. Sir W. Raleigh.

Silent partner . See Dormant partner , under Dormant .

Syn. -- Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See Mute , and Taciturn .

Silent <Xpage=1340>

Si"lent , n. That which is silent; a time of silence. [R.] "The silent of the night."

Shak.

Silentiary <Xpage=1340>

Si*len"ti*a*ry (?) , n. [L. silentiarius : cf. F. silenciaire . See Silence .] One appointed to keep silence and order in court; also, one sworn not to divulge secre<?/ of state.

Silentious <Xpage=1340>

Si*len"tious (?) , a. [L. silentiosus : cf. F. silencieux .] Habitually silent; taciturn; reticent. [R.]

Silently <Xpage=1340>

Si"lent*ly (?) , adv. In a silent manner.

Silentness <Xpage=1340>

Si"lent*ness , n. State of being silent; silence.

Silenus <Xpage=1340>

Si*le"nus (?) , n. [L. Silenus the tutor and attendant of Bacchus.] (Zo\'94l.) See Wanderoo .

Silesia <Xpage=1340>

Si*le"si*a (?) , n. 1. A kind of linen cloth, originally made in Silesia , a province of Prussia.

2. A twilled cotton fabric, used for dress linings.

Silesian <Xpage=1340>

Si*le"si*an (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Silesia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Silesia.

Silex <Xpage=1340>

Si"lex (?) , n. [L., a finit, a pebblestone.] (Min.) Silica, SiO2 as found in nature, constituting quarz, and most sands and sandstones. See Silica , and Silicic .

Silhouette <Xpage=1340>

Sil`hou*ette" (?) , n. [F.; -- so called from Etienne de Silhoutte , a French minister of finance in 1759, whise diversion it was to make such portraits on the walls of his apartments.] A representation of the outlines of an object filled in with a black color; a profile portrait in black, such as a shadow appears to be.

Silhouette <Xpage=1340>

Sil`hou*ette" , v. t. To represent by a silhouette; to project upon a background, so as to be like a silhouette. [Recent]

A flock of roasting vultures silhouetted on the sky. The Century.

Silica <Xpage=1340>

Sil"i*ca (?) , n. [NL., from L. silex , silics , a flint.] (Chem.) Silicon dioxide, SiO<?/. It constitutes ordinary quartz (also opal and tridymite), and is artifically prepared as a very fine, white, tasteless, inodorous powder.

Silicate <Xpage=1340>

Sil"i*cate (?) , n. [Cf. F. silicate .] (Chem.) A salt of silicic acid.

&hand; In mineralogical chemistry the silicates include; the unisilicates or orthosilicates , salts of orthosilicic acid; the bisilicates or metasilicates , salts of metasilicic acid; the polysilicates or acid silicates , salts of the polysilicic acids; the basic silicates or subsilicates , in which the equivalent of base is greater than would be required to neutralize the acid; and the hydrous silicates , including the zeolites and many hydrated decomposition products.

Silicated <Xpage=1340>

Sil"i*ca`ted (?) , a. (Chem.) Combined or impregnated with silicon or silica; as, silicated hydrogen; silicated rocks .

Silicated soap , a hard soap containing silicate of soda.

Silicatization <Xpage=1340>

Sil`i*ca*ti*za"tion (?) , n. Silicification.

Silicea <Xpage=1340>

Si*lic"e*a (?) , n. pl. [NL.] (Zo\'94l.) Same as Silicoidea .

Siliceous <Xpage=1340>

Si*li"ceous (?) , a. [L. siliceus , fr. silex , silicis , a flint.] Of or pertaining to silica; containing silica, or partaking of its nature. [Written also silisious .]

Silicic <Xpage=1340>

Si*lic"ic (?) , a. [L. silex , silicis , a flint: cf. F. silicique .] (Chem.) Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, silica; specifically, designating compounds of silicon; as, silicic acid .

Silicic acid (Chem.) , an amorphous gelatinous substance, Si(HO)4 , very unstable and easily dried to silica, but forming many stable salts; -- called also orthosilicic, &or; normal silicic, acid .

Silicicalcareous <Xpage=1340>

Si*lic`i*cal*ca"re*ous (?) , a. Consisting of silica and calcareous matter.

Silicide <Xpage=1340>

Sil"i*cide (?) , n. (Chem.) A binary compound of silicon, or one regarded as binary. [R.]

Hydrogen silicide (Chem.) , a colorless, spontaneously inflammable gas, SiH4 , produced artifically from silicon, and analogous to methane; -- called also silico-methane , silicon hydride , and formerly siliciureted hydrogen . <-- now called silane, silicon hydride, or silicane. The term silane is used as the theoretical parent compound of a large series of derivatives in which one or more of the hydrogens are substituted; the term is also used generically to refer to any one of a large series of silicon compounds, including a series containing silicon-silicon bonds, analogous to the compounds containing carbon. -->

Siliciferous <Xpage=1340>

Sil`i*cif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. silex , silicis , a flint + -ferous .] Producing silica; united with silica.

Silicification <Xpage=1340>