The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 1589
Spade"foot` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus , esp. S. Holbrookii , of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad .
Spadeful <Xpage=1377>
Spade"ful (?) , n. ; pl. Spadefuls (#) . [ Spade + full .] As much as a spade will hold or lift.
Spader <Xpage=1377>
Spad"er (?) , n. One who, or that which, spades; specifically, a digging machine.
Spadiceous <Xpage=1377>
Spa*di"ceous (?) , a. [L. spadix , -icis , a date-brown or nut-brown color. See Spadix .] 1. Of a bright clear brown or chestnut color.
Sir T. Browne.
2. (Bot.) Bearing flowers on a spadix; of the nature of a spadix.
Spadicose <Xpage=1377>
Spa"di*cose` (?) , a. (Bot.) Spadiceous.
Spadille <Xpage=1377>
Spa*dille" (?) , n. [F., fr. Sp. espadilla , dim. of espada . See Spade a card.] (Card Playing) The ace of spades in omber and quadrille.
Spadix <Xpage=1377>
Spa"dix (?) , n. ; pl. L. Spadices (#) , E. Spadixes (#) . [L., a palm branch broken off, with its fruit, Gr. <?/.] 1. (Bot.) A fleshy spike of flowers, usually inclosed in a leaf called a spathe .
2. (Zo\'94l.) A special organ of the nautilus, due to a modification of the posterior tentacles.
Spado <Xpage=1377>
Spa"do (?) , n. ; pl. Spadones (#) . [L., fr. Gr. <?/.] 1. Same as Spade , 2.
2. (Law) An impotent person.
Spadroon <Xpage=1377>
Spa*droon" (?) , n. [Cf. F. & Sp. espadon , It. spadone . See Espadon , Spade .] A sword, especially a broadsword, formerly used both to cut and thrust.
Spae <Xpage=1377>
Spae (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spaed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spaeing .] [Scot. spae , spay , to foretell, to divine, Icel. sp\'be .] To foretell; to divine. [Scot.]
Spaeman <Xpage=1377>
Spae"man (?) , n. A prophet; a diviner. [Scot.]
Spaewife <Xpage=1377>
Spae"wife` (?) , n. A female fortune teller. [Scot.]
Spaghetti <Xpage=1377>
Spa*ghet"ti (?) , n. [It.] A variety or macaroni made in tubes of small diameter.
Spagyric, Spagyrical <Xpage=1377>
Spa*gyr"ic (?) , Spa*gyr"ic*al (?) , a. [LL. sparygicus , fr. Gr. <?/ to draw, to separate + <?/ to assemble; cf. F. spagirique .] Chemical; alchemical. [Obs.]
Spagyric <Xpage=1377>
Spa*gyr"ic , n. A spagyrist. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Spagyrist <Xpage=1377>
Spag"y*rist (?) , n. [Cf. F. spagiriste .] 1. A chemist, esp. one devoted to alchemistic pursuits. [Obs.]
2. One of a sect which arose in the days of alchemy, who sought to discover remedies for disease by chemical means. The spagyrists historically preceded the iatrochemists.
Encyc. Brit.
Spahi, Spahee <Xpage=1377>
Spa"hi (?) , Spa"hee , n. [Per., Turk., & Hind. sip\'beh\'c6 : cf. F. spahi . See Seroy .] 1. Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.
2. An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.
Spaid <Xpage=1377>
Spaid (?) , n. See 1st Spade .
Spake <Xpage=1377>
Spake (?) , archaic imp. of Speak .
Spakenet <Xpage=1377>
Spake"net` (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A net for catching crabs.
Halliwell.
Spaky <Xpage=1377>
Spak"y (?) , a. Specky. [Obs.]
hapman.
Spalding knife <Xpage=1377>
Spald"ing knife` (?) . A spalting knife.
Spale <Xpage=1377>
Spale (?) , n. [Cf. Spell a splinter.] 1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
2. (Shipbuilding) A strengthening cross timber.
Spall <Xpage=1377>
Spall (?) , n. [OF. espaule ; cf. It. spalla . See Epaule .] The shoulder. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Spall <Xpage=1377>
Spall , n. [Prov. E. spall , spell . See Spale , Spell a splinter.] A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
Spall <Xpage=1377>
Spall , v. t. 1. (Mining) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock.
Pryce.
2. (Masonry) To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.
Spall <Xpage=1377>
Spall , v. i. To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.
Spalpeen <Xpage=1377>
Spal"peen (?) , n. [Ir. spailpin , fr. spailp a beau, pride, self-conceit.] A scamp; an Irish term for a good-for-nothing fellow; -- often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.]
Spalt <Xpage=1377>
Spalt (?) , n. [Cf. G. spalt stein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell .] (Metal.) Spelter. [Colloq.]
Spalt <Xpage=1377>
Spalt , a. [See 1st Spell .] 1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber . [Prov. Eng.]
Halliwell.
2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]
Spalt <Xpage=1377>
Spalt , v. t. & i. [Cf. OE. spalden . See Spalt , a. ] To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]
Spalting knife <Xpage=1377>
Spalt"ing knife` (?) . A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife .]
Span <Xpage=1377>
Span (?) , archaic imp. & p. p. of Spin .
Span <Xpage=1377>
Span , n. [AS. spann ; akin to D. span , OHG. spanna , G. spanne , Icel. sp\'94nn . &root;170. See Span , v. t. ] 1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let me bound. Pope.
Life's but a span ; I'll every inch enjoy. Farquhar.
3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.
4. (Naut.) A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
5. [Cf. D. span , Sw. spann , Dan. sp\'91nd , G. gespann . See Span , v. t. ] A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
Span blocks (Naut.) , blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards. -- Span counter , an old English child's game, in which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that he can span the space between them, and touch both the counters. Halliwell. "Henry V., in whose time boys went to span counter for French crowns." Shak. -- Span iron (Naut.) , a special kind of harpoon, usually secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat. -- Span roof , a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both sides. Gwilt. -- Span shackle (Naut.) , a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Span <Xpage=1377>
Span (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning .] [AS. pannan ; akin to D. & G. spannen , OHG. spannan , Sw. sp\'84nna , Dan. sp\'91nde , Icel. spenna , and perh. to Gr. <?/ to draw, to drag, L. spatium space. &root;170. Cf. Spin , v. t. , Space , Spasm .] 1. To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.
My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Isa. xiviii. 13.
2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch.
The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry. prescott.
3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
Span <Xpage=1377>
Span , v. i. To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]
Span\'91mia <Xpage=1377>
Spa*n\'91"mi*a (?) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ scarce + <?/ blood.] (Med.) A condition of impoverishment of the blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient. <-- [Obs.] this and next word not in Stedman's. Presumably succeded by anaemia, which is in this dictionary. Why no cross-ref? -->
Span\'91mic <Xpage=1377>
Spa*n\'91"mic (? ∨ ?) , a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to span\'91mia; having impoverished blood.
Spancel <Xpage=1377>
Span"cel (?) , n. [Perhaps span + AS. s\'bel a rope.] A rope used for tying or hobbling the legs of a horse or cow. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] <-- different usage in White's "Once and future king" -->
Grose.
Spancel <Xpage=1377>
Span"cel , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanceled (?) or Spancelled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling ∨ Spancelling .] To tie or hobble with a spancel. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]
Malone.
<-- Spandex. An elastic textile material, used for clothing -->
Spandogs <Xpage=1377>
Span"dogs` (?) , n. pl. A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.
Spandrel <Xpage=1377>
Span"drel (?) , n. [From Span .] 1. (Arch.) The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.
2. A narrow mat or passe partout for a picture. [Cant]
Spane <Xpage=1377>
Spane (?) , v. t. [Akin to G. sp\'84nen , LG. & D. spennen , AS. spanu a teat.] To wean. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Spang <Xpage=1377>
Spang (?) , v. t. To spangle. [Obs.]
Spang <Xpage=1377>
Spang , v. i. To spring; to bound; to leap. [Scot.]
But when they spang o'er reason's fence, We smart for't at our own expense. Ramsay.
Spang <Xpage=1377>
Spang , n. A bound or spring. [Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.
Spang <Xpage=1377>
Spang , n. [AS. spange a clasp or fastening; akin to D. spang , G. spange , OHG. spanga , Icel. sp\'94ng a spangle.] A spangle or shining ornament. [Obs.]
With glittering spangs that did like stars appear. Spenser.
Spangle <Xpage=1377>
Span"gle (?) , n. [OE. spangel , dim. of AS. spange . See Spang a spangle.] 1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress.
2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. "The rich spangles that adorn the sky."
Waller.
Oak spangle . See under Oak .
Spangle <Xpage=1377>
Span"gle , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spangled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spangling (?) .] To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate .
Donne.
What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty? Shak.
Spangled coquette (Zo\'94l.) , a tropical humming bird ( Lophornis regin\'91 ). See Coquette , 2.
Spangle <Xpage=1377>
Span"gle , v. i. To show brilliant spots or points; to glisten; to glitter.
Some men by feigning words as dark as mine Make truth to spangle , and its rays to shine. Bunyan.
Spangler <Xpage=1377>
Span"gler (?) , n. One who, or that which, spangles.
Spangly <Xpage=1377>
Span"gly (?) , a. Resembling, or consisting of, spangles; glittering; as, spangly light .
Spaniard <Xpage=1377>
Span"iard (?) , n. A native or inhabitant of Spain.
Spaniel <Xpage=1377>
Span"iel (?) , n. [OF. espagneul , F. \'82pagneul , espagnol Spanish, Sp. espa\'a4nol , fr. Espa\'a4a Spain, from L. Hispania .] 1. (Zo\'94l.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust . under Clumber , and Cocker .
&hand; There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels , are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim ). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers , and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see Clumber ). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence.
As a spaniel she will on him leap. Chaucer.
2. A cringing, fawning person.
Shak.
Spaniel <Xpage=1377>
Span"iel (?) , a. Cringing; fawning.
Shak.
Spaniel <Xpage=1377>
Span"iel , v. i. To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.]
Churchill.
Spaniel <Xpage=1377>
Span"iel , v. t. To follow like a spaniel. [R.]
Spanish <Xpage=1377>
Span"ish (?) , a. Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards.
Spanish bayonet (Bot.) , a liliaceous plant ( Yucca alorifolia ) with rigid spine-tipped leaves. The name is also applied to other similar plants of the Southwestern United States and mexico. Called also Spanish daggers . -- Spanish bean (Bot.) See the Note under Bean . -- Spanish black , a black pigment obtained by charring cork. Ure. -- Spanish broom (Bot.) , a leguminous shrub ( Spartium junceum ) having many green flexible rushlike twigs. -- Spanish brown , a species of earth used in painting, having a dark reddish brown color, due to the presence of sesquioxide of iron. -- Spanish buckeye (Bot.) , a small tree ( Ungnadia speciosa ) of Texas, New Mexico, etc., related to the buckeye, but having pinnate leaves and a three-seeded fruit. -- Spanish burton (Naut.) , a purchase composed of two single blocks. A double Spanish burton has one double and two single blocks. Luce (Textbook of Seamanship). -- Spanish chalk (Min.) , a kind of steatite; -- so called because obtained from Aragon in Spain. -- Spanish cress (Bot.) , a cruciferous plant ( lepidium Cadamines ), a species of peppergrass. -- Spanish curiew (Zo\'94l.) , the long-billed curlew. [U.S.] -- Spanish daggers (Bot.) See Spanish bayonet . -- Spanish elm (Bot.) , a large West Indian tree ( Cordia Gerascanthus ) furnishing hard and useful timber. -- Spanish feretto , a rich reddish brown pigment obtained by calcining copper and sulphur together in closed crucibles. -- Spanish flag (Zo\'94l.) , the California rockfish ( Sebastichthys rubrivinctus ). It is conspicuously colored with bands of red and white. -- Spanish fly (Zo\'94l.) , a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under Blister , and Cantharis . -- Spanish fox (Naut.) , a yarn twisted against its lay. -- Spanish grass . (Bot.) See Esparto . -- Spanish juice (Bot.) , licorice. -- Spanish leather . See Cordwain . -- Spanish mackerel . (Zo\'94l.) (a) A species of mackerel ( Scomber colias ) found both in Europe and America. In America called chub mackerel , big-eyed mackerel , and bull mackerel . (b) In the United States, a handsome mackerel having bright yellow round spots ( Scomberomorus maculatus ), highly esteemed as a food fish. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to other species. See Illust . under Mackerel. -- Spanish main , the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World. -- Spanish moss . (Bot.) See Tillandsia . -- Spanish needles (Bot.) , a composite weed ( Bidens bipinnata ) having achenia armed with needlelike awns. -- Spanish nut (Bot.) , a bulbous plant ( Iris Sisyrinchium ) of the south of Europe. -- Spanish potato (Bot.) , the sweet potato. See under Potato . -- Spanish red , an ocherous red pigment resembling Venetian red, but slightly yellower and warmer. Fairholt. -- Spanish reef (Naut.) , a knot tied in the head of a jib-headed sail. -- Spanish sheep (Zo\'94l.) , a merino. -- Spanish white , an impalpable powder prepared from chalk by pulverizing and repeated washings, -- used as a white pigment. -- Spanish windlass (Naut.) , a wooden roller, with a rope wound about it, into which a marline spike is thrust to serve as a lever.
Spanish <Xpage=1377>
Span"ish , n. The language of Spain.
Spank <Xpage=1377>
Spank (<?/) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanked (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking .] [Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken , spenkern , to run and spring about quickly.] To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap.
Spank <Xpage=1377>
Spank , n. A blow with the open hand; a slap.
Spank <Xpage=1377>
Spank , v. i. To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly.
Thackeray.
Spanker <Xpage=1377>
Spank"er (?) , n. 1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking.
2. (Naut.) The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; -- sometimes called driver . See Illust . under Sail .
Totten.
3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also, a fast horse. [Colloq.]
4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [Colloq.]
Spanker boom (Naut.) , a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust . of Ship .