Chapter 1612

Douglas spruce (Bot.) , a valuable timber tree ( Pseudotsuga Douglasii ) of Northwestern America. -- Essence of spruce , a thick, dark-colored, bitterish, and acidulous liquid made by evaporating a decoction of the young branches of spruce. -- Hemlock spruce (Bot.) , a graceful coniferous tree ( Tsuga Canadensis ) of North America. Its timber is valuable, and the bark is largely used in tanning leather. -- Spruce beer . [G. sprossenbier ; sprosse sprout, shoot (akin to E. sprout , n.) + bier beer. The word was changed into spruce because the beer came from Prussia (OE. Spruce ), or because it was made from the sprouts of the spruce. See Sprout , n. , Beer , and cf. Spruce , n. ] A kind of beer which is tinctured or flavored with spruce, either by means of the extract or by decoction. -- Spruce grouse . (Zo\'94l.) Same as Spruce partridge , below. -- Spruce leather . See Spruce , n. , 3. -- Spruce partridge (Zo\'94l.) , a handsome American grouse ( Dendragapus Canadensis ) found in Canada and the Northern United States; -- called also Canada grouse .

Spruce <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Spruce (?) , a. [ Compar. Sprucer (?) ; superl. Sprucest ] [Perhaps fr. spruce a sort of leather from Prussia, which was an article of finery. See Spruce , n. ] 1. Neat, without elegance or dignity; -- formerly applied to things with a serious meaning; now chiefly applied to persons. "Neat and spruce array."

Remedy of Love.

2. Sprightly; dashing. [Obs.] "Now, my spruce companions."

Shak.

He is so spruce that he can never be genteel. Tatler.

Syn. -- Finical; neat; trim. See Finical .

-- Sruce"ly , adv. -- Spruce"ness , n.

Spruce <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Spruce , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spruced (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sprucing (?) .] To dress with affected neatness; to trim; to make spruce.

Spruce <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Spruce , v. i. To dress one's self with affected neatness; as, to spruce up .

Sprue <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Sprue (?) , n. [Etymol. uncertain.] 1. (Founding) (a) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. (b) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross.

2. (Med.) Same as Sprew .

Sprug <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Sprug (?) , v. t. [Cf. Prov. E. sprug up to dress neatly, sprag to prop, a., lively.] To make smart. [Obs.]

Sprung <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Sprung (?) , imp. & p. p. of Spring .

Sprung <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Sprung , a. (Naut.) Said of a spar that has been cracked or strained.

Sprunt <Xpage= Air spring , Boiling spring , etc. See under Air , Boiling , etc. -- Spring back (Bookbinding) , a back with a curved piece of thin sheet iron or of stiff pasteboard fastened to the inside, the effect of which is to make the leaves of a book thus bound (as a ledger or other account or blank book) spring up and lie flat. -- Spring balance , a contrivance for measuring weight or force by the elasticity of a spiral spring of steel. -- Spring beam , a beam that supports the side of a paddle box. See Paddle beam , under Paddle , n. -- Spring beauty . (a) (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Claytonia , delicate herbs with somewhat fleshy leaves and pretty blossoms, appearing in springtime . (b) (Zo\'94l.) A small, elegant American butterfly ( Erora l\'91ta ) which appears in spring. The hind wings of the male are brown, bordered with deep blue; those of the female are mostly blue. -- Spring bed , a mattress, under bed, or bed bottom, in which springs, as of metal, are employed to give the required elasticity. -- Spring beetle (Zo\'94l.) , a snapping beetle; an elater. -- Spring box , the box or barrel in a watch, or other piece of mechanism, in which the spring is contained. -- Spring fly (Zo\'94l.) , a caddice fly; -- so called because it appears in the spring. -- Spring grass (Bot.) , a vernal grass. See under Vernal . -- Spring gun , a firearm disharged by a spring, when this is trodden upon or is otherwise moved. -- Spring hook (Locomotive Engines) , one of the hooks which fix the driving-wheel spring to the frame. -- Spring latch , a latch that fastens with a spring. 1394 -- Spring lock , a lock that fastens with a spring. -- Spring mattress , a spring bed. -- Spring of an arch (Arch.) See Springing line of an arch , under Springing . -- Spring of pork , the lower part of a fore quarter, which is divided from the neck, and has the leg and foot without the shoulder. [Obs.] Nares. >

Sprunt (?) , v. i. [Cf. Sprout , v. i. ] To spring up; to germinate; to spring forward or outward. [Obs.]

To sprunt up , to draw one's self up suddenly, as in anger or defiance; to bristle up. [Local, U.S.]