The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1563
Sleep of plants (Bot.) , a state of plants, usually at night, when their leaflets approach each other, and the flowers close and droop, or are covered by the folded leaves.
Syn. -- Slumber; repose; rest; nap; doze; drowse.
Sleep-at-noon <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"-at-noon" (?) , n. (Bot.) A plant ( Tragopogon pratensis ) which closes its flowers at midday; a kind of goat's beard.
Dr. Prior.
Sleep-charged <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"-charged` (?) , a. Heavy with sleep.
Sleeper <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"er (?) , n. 1. One who sleeps; a slumberer; hence, a drone, or lazy person.
2. That which lies dormant, as a law. [Obs.]
Bacon.
3. A sleeping car. [Colloq. U.S.]
4. (Zo\'94l.) An animal that hibernates, as the bear.
5. (Zo\'94l.) (a) A large fresh-water gobioid fish ( Eleotris dormatrix ). (b) A nurse shark. See under Nurse .
Sleeper <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"er , n. [Cf. Norw. sleip a sleeper (a timber), as adj., slippery, smooth. See Slape .] Something lying in a reclining posture or position. Specifically: --
(a) One of the pieces of timber, stone, or iron, on or near the level of the ground, for the support of some superstructure, to steady framework, to keep in place the rails of a railway, etc.; a stringpiece.
(b) One of the joists, or roughly shaped timbers, laid directly upon the ground, to receive the flooring of the ground story . [U.S.]
(c) (Naut.) One of the knees which connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship's quarter .
(d) (Naut. ) The lowest, or bottom, tier of casks .
Sleepful <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"ful (?) , a. Strongly inclined to sleep; very sleepy. -- Sleep"ful*ness , n.
Sleepily <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"i*ly (?) , adv. In a sleepy manner; drowsily.
Sleepiness <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"i*ness , n. The quality or state of being sleepy.
Sleeping <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"ing , a. & n. from Sleep .
Sleeping car , a railway car or carrriage, arranged with apartments and berths for sleeping. -- Sleeping partner (Com.) , a dormant partner. See under Dormant . -- Sleeping table (Mining) , a stationary inclined platform on which pulverized ore is washed; a kind of buddle.
Sleepish <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"ish (?) , a. Disposed to sleep; sleepy; drowsy.
Your sleepish , and more than sleepish , security. Ford.
Sleepless <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"less , a. 1. Having no sleep; wakeful.
2. Having no rest; perpetually agitated. "Biscay's sleepless bay."
Byron.
-- Sleep"less*ly , adv. -- Sleep"less*ness , n.
Sleepmarken <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"mark`en (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) See 1st Hag , 4.
Sleepwaker <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"wak`er (?) , n. On in a state of magnetic or mesmeric sleep.
Sleepwaking <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"wak`ing , n. The state of one mesmerized, or in a partial and morbid sleep.
Sleepwalker <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"walk`er (?) , n. One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist.
Sleepwalking <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"walk`ing , n. Walking in one's sleep.
Sleepy <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"y (?) , a. [ Compar. Sleepier (?) ; superl. Sleepiest .] [AS. sl<?/pig . See Sleep , n. ] 1. Drowsy; inclined to, or overcome by, sleep.
Shak.
She waked her sleepy crew. Dryden.
2. Tending to induce sleep; soporiferous; somniferous; as, a sleepy drink or potion .
Chaucer.
3. Dull; lazy; heavy; sluggish.
Shak.
'Tis not sleepy business; But must be looked to speedily and strongly. Shak.
4. Characterized by an absence of watchfulness; as, sleepy security .
Sleepy duck (Zo\'94l.) , the ruddy duck.
Sleepyhead <Xpage=1353>
Sleep"y*head` (?) , n. 1. A sleepy person.
To bed, to bed, says Sleepyhead . Mother Goose.
2. (Zo\'94l.) The ruddy duck.
Sleer <Xpage=1353>
Sle"er (?) , n. A slayer. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Sleet <Xpage=1353>
Sleet (?) , n. (Gun.) The part of a mortar extending from the chamber to the trunnions.
Sleet <Xpage=1353>
Sleet , n. [OE. sleet ; akin to MHG. sl<?/z , sl<?/ze hailstone, G. schlosse ; of uncertain origin.] Hail or snow, mingled with rain, usually falling, or driven by the wind, in fine particles.
Sleet <Xpage=1353>
Sleet , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sleeted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeting .] To snow or hail with a mixture of rain.
Sleetch <Xpage=1353>
Sleetch (?) , n. [Cf. Slush , Slutch .] Mud or slime, such as that at the bottom of rivers. [Scot.]
Sleetiness <Xpage=1353>
Sleet"i*ness (?) , n. The state of being sleety.
Sleety <Xpage=1353>
Sleet"y (?) , a. Of or pertaining to sleet; characterized by sleet; as, a sleety storm; sleety weather .
Sleeve <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve (?) , n. See Sleave , untwisted thread.
Sleeve <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve , n. [OE. sleeve , sleve , AS. sl<?/fe , sl<?/fe ; akin to sl<?/fan to put on, to clothe; cf. OD. sloove the turning up of anything, sloven to turn up one's sleeves, sleve a sleeve, G. schlaube a husk, pod.] 1. The part of a garment which covers the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or a gown .
Chaucer.
2. A narrow channel of water. [R.]
The Celtic Sea, called oftentimes the Sleeve . Drayton.
3. (Mach.) (a) A tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady another part, or to form a connection between two parts. (b) A long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel. (c) A short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.
Sleeve button , a detachable button to fasten the wristband or cuff. -- Sleeve links , two bars or buttons linked together, and used to fasten a cuff or wristband. -- To laugh in the sleeve , to laugh privately or unperceived, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at; that is, perhaps, originally, by hiding the face in the wide sleeves of former times. -- To pin , ∨ hang , on the sleeve of , to be, or make, dependent upon.
Sleeve <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sleeved (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeving .] To furnish with sleeves; to put sleeves into; as, to sleeve a coat .
Sleeved <Xpage=1353>
Sleeved (?) , a. Having sleeves; furnished with sleeves; -- often in composition; as, long- sleeved .
Sleevefish <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve"fish` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A squid.
Sleevehand <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve"hand` (?) , n. The part of a sleeve nearest the hand; a cuff or wristband. [Obs.]
Shak.
Sleeveless <Xpage=1353>
Sleeve"less , a. [AS. sl<?/fle\'a0s .] 1. Having no sleeves.
2. Wanting a cover, pretext, or palliation; unreasonable; profitless; bootless; useless. [Obs.]
Shak.
The vexation of a sleeveless errand. Bp. Warburton.
Sleid <Xpage=1353>
Sleid (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sleided ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleiding .] [See Sley .] To sley, or prepare for use in the weaver's sley, or slaie.
Shak.
Sleigh <Xpage=1353>
Sleigh (?) , a. Sly. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Sleigh <Xpage=1353>
Sleigh (?) , n. [Cf. D. & LG. slede , slee , Icel. sle<?/i . See Sled .] A vehicle moved on runners, and used for transporting persons or goods on snow or ice; -- in England commonly called a sledge .
Sleigh bell , a small bell attached either to a horse when drawing a slegh, or to the sleigh itself; especially a globular bell with a loose ball which plays inside instead of a clapper.
Sleighing <Xpage=1353>
Sleigh"ing , n. 1. The act of riding in a sleigh.
2. The state of the snow or ice which admits of running sleighs.
Sleight <Xpage=1353>
Sleight (?) , n. [OE. sleighte , sleihte , sleithe , Icel. sl<?/g<?/ (for sl<?/g<?/ ) slyness, cunning, fr. sl<?/gr (for sl<?/gr ) sly, cunning. See Sly .] 1. Cunning; craft; artful practice. [Obs.] "His sleight and his covin."
Chaucer.
2. An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation.
The world hath many subtle sleights . Latimer.
3. Dexterous practice; dexterity; skill. Chaucer . "The juggler's sleight ."
Hudibras.
Sleight of hand , legerdemain; prestidigitation.
<page="1354"> Page 1354
Sleigtful <Xpage=1354>
Sleigt"ful (?) , a. Cunning; dexterous. [Obs.]
Sleightly <Xpage=1354>
Sleight"ly (?) , adv. Cinningly. [Obs.]
Huloet.
Sleighty <Xpage=1354>
Sleight"y (?) , a. Cinning; sly. [Obs.]
Huloet.
Slender <Xpage=1354>
Slen"der (?) , a. [ Compar. Slenderer (?) ; superl. Slenderest .] [OE. slendre , sclendre , fr. OD. slinder thin, slender, perhaps through a French form; cf. OD. slinderen , slidderen , to creep; perh. akin to E. slide .] 1. Small or narrow in proportion to the length or the height; not thick; slim; as, a slender stem or stalk of a plant . "A slender , choleric man."
Chaucer.
She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her unadorned golden tresses wore. Milton.
2. Weak; feeble; not strong; slight; as, slender hope; a slender constitution .
Mighty hearts are held in slender chains. Pope.
They have inferred much from slender premises. J. H. Newman.
The slender utterance of the consonants. J. Byrne.
3. Moderate; trivial; inconsiderable; slight; as, a man of slender intelligence .
A slender degree of patience will enable him to enjoy both the humor and the pathos. Sir W. Scott.
4. Small; inadequate; meager; pitiful; as, slender means of support; a slender pittance .
Frequent begging makes slender alms. Fuller.
5. Spare; abstemious; frugal; as, a slender diet .
The good Ostorius often deigned To grace my slender table with his presence. Philips.
6. (Phon.) Uttered with a thin tone; -- the opposite of broad ; as, the slender vowels long e and i .
-- Slen"der*ly , adv. -- Slen"der*ness , n.
Slent <Xpage=1354>
Slent (?) , n. & v. See Slant . [Obs.]
Slep <Xpage=1354>
Slep (?) , obs. imp. of Sleep . Slept.
Chaucer.
Slepez <Xpage=1354>
Sle*pez" (?) , n. [Russ. sliepets' .] (Zo\'94l.) A burrowing rodent ( Spalax typhlus ), native of Russia and Asia Minor. It has the general appearance of a mole, and is destitute of eyes. Called also mole rat .
Slept <Xpage=1354>
Slept (?) , imp. & p. p. of Sleep .
Sleuth <Xpage=1354>
Sleuth (?) , n. [Icel. sl&omac;&edh; . See Slot a track.] The track of man or beast as followed by the scent. [Scot.]
Halliwell.
Sleuthhound <Xpage=1354>
Sleuth"hound` (?) , n. [See Sleuth , and cf. Slothound .] (Zo\'94l.) A hound that tracks animals by the scent; specifically, a bloodhound. [Spelt variously slouthhound , sluthhound , etc.]
Slew <Xpage=1354>
Slew (?) , imp. of Slay .
Slew <Xpage=1354>
Slew , v. t. See Slue .
Slewed <Xpage=1354>
Slewed (?) , a. Somewhat drunk. [Slang]
Slewth <Xpage=1354>
Slewth (?) , n. Sloth; idleness. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Sley <Xpage=1354>
Sley (?) , n. [AS. sl<?/ , fr. sle\'a0n to strike. See Slay , v. t. ] 1. A weaver's reed. [Spelt also slaie .]
2. A guideway in a knitting machine.
Knight.
Sley <Xpage=1354>
Sley , v. t. To separate or part the threads of, and arrange them in a reed; -- a term used by weavers. See Sleave , and Sleid .
Slibber <Xpage=1354>
Slib"ber (?) , a. Slippery. [Obs.]
Holland.
Slice <Xpage=1354>
Slice (?) , n. [OE. slice , sclice , OF. esclice , from esclicier , esclichier , to break to pieces, of German origin; cf. OHG. sl\'c6zan to split, slit, tear, G. schleissen to slit. See Slit , v. t. ] 1. A thin, broad piece cut off; as, a slice of bacon; a slice of cheese; a slice of bread.
2. That which is thin and broad, like a slice. Specifically: (a) A broad, thin piece of plaster. (b) A salver, platter, or tray. [Obs.] (c) A knife with a thin, broad blade for taking up or serving fish; also, a spatula for spreading anything, as paint or ink. (d) A plate of iron with a handle, forming a kind of chisel, or a spadelike implement, variously proportioned, and used for various purposes, as for stripping the planking from a vessel's side, for cutting blubber from a whale, or for stirring a fire of coals; a slice bar; a peel; a fire shovel. [Cant] (e) (Shipbuilding) One of the wedges by which the cradle and the ship are lifted clear of the building blocks to prepare for launching. (f) (Printing) A removable sliding bottom to galley.
Slice bar , a kind of fire iron resembling a poker, with a broad, flat end, for stirring a fire of coals, and clearing it and the grate bars from clinkers, ashes, etc.; a slice.
Slice <Xpage=1354>
Slice , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sliced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Slicing (?) .] 1. To cut into thin pieces, or to cut off a thin, broad piece from.
2. To cut into parts; to divide.
3. To clear by means of a slice bar, as a fire or the grate bars of a furnace.
Slicer <Xpage=1354>
Sli"cer (?) , n. One who, or that which, slices; specifically, the circular saw of the lapidary.
Slich, Slick <Xpage=1354>
Slich (?) , Slick (?) , n. (Metal.) See Schlich .
Slick <Xpage=1354>
Slick (?) , a. [See Sleek .] Sleek; smooth. "Both slick and dainty."
Chapman.
Slick <Xpage=1354>
Slick , v. t. To make sleek or smoth. " Slicked all with sweet oil."
Chapman.
Slick <Xpage=1354>
Slick , n. (Joinery) A wide paring chisel.
Slicken <Xpage=1354>
Slick"en (?) , a. Sleek; smooth. [Prov. Eng.]
Slickens <Xpage=1354>
Slick"ens (?) , n. [Cf. Slick , n. ] (Mining) The pulverized matter from a quartz mill, or the lighter soil of hydraulic mines. [Local, U. S.]
Slickensides <Xpage=1354>
Slick"en*sides` (?) , n. 1. The smooth, striated, or partially polished surfaces of a fissure or seam, supposed to have been produced by the sliding of one surface on another.
2. A variety of galena found in Derbyshire, England.
Slicker <Xpage=1354>
Slick"er (?) , n. That which makes smooth or sleek. Specifically: (a) A kind of burnisher for leather . (b) (Founding) A curved tool for smoothing the surfaces of a mold after the withdrawal of the pattern.
Slicker <Xpage=1354>
Slick"er , n. A waterproof coat. [Western U.S.]
Slicking <Xpage=1354>
Slick"ing , n. 1. The act or process of smoothing.
2. pl. (Min.) Narrow veins of ore.
Slickness <Xpage=1354>
Slick"ness , n. The state or quality of being slick; smoothness; sleekness.
Slid <Xpage=1354>
Slid (?) , imp. & p. p. of Slide .
Slidden <Xpage=1354>
Slid"den (?) , p. p. of Slide .
Slidder <Xpage=1354>
Slid"der (?) , v. t. [AS. sliderian . See Slide , v. t. ] To slide with interruption. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Slidder, Slidderly, Sliddery <Xpage=1354>
Slid"der , Slid"der*ly , Slid"der*y (?) , a. [AS. slidor . See Slide , v. t. ] Slippery. [Obs.]
To a drunk man the way is slidder . Chaucer.
Slide <Xpage=1354>
Slide (?) , v. t. [ imp. Slid (?) ; p. p. Slidden (?) , Slid ; p. pr. & vb. n. Slidding (?) .] [OE. sliden , AS. sl\'c6dan ; akin to MHG. sl\'c6ten , also to AS. slidor slippery, E. sled , Lith. slidus slippery. Cf. Sled .] 1. To move along the surface of any body by slipping, or without walking or rolling; to slip; to glide; as, snow slides down the mountain's side .
2. Especially, to move over snow or ice with a smooth, uninterrupted motion, as on a sled moving by the force of gravity, or on the feet .
They bathe in summer, and in winter slide . Waller.
3. To pass inadvertently.
Beware thou slide not by it. Ecclus. xxviii. 26.
4. To pass along smoothly or unobservedly; to move gently onward without friction or hindrance; as, a ship or boat slides through the water .
Ages shall slide away without perceiving. Dryden.
Parts answering parts shall slide into a whole. Pope.
5. To slip when walking or standing; to fall.
Their foot shall slide in due time. Deut. xxxii. 35.
6. (Mus.) To pass from one note to another with no perceptible cassation of sound.
7. To pass out of one's thought as not being of any consequence. [Obs. or Colloq.]
With good hope let he sorrow slide . Chaucer.
With a calm carelessness letting everything slide . Sir P. Sidney.
Slide <Xpage=1354>