Chapter 1615

Spumiferous <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. >

Spu*mif"er*ous (?) , a. [L. spumifier ; spuma foam + ferra bear.] Producing foam.

Spuminess <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. >

Spum"i*ness (?) , n. The quality or condition of being spumy; spumescence.

<page="1395"> Page 1395

Spumous, Spumy <Xpage=1395>

Spum"ous (?) , Spum"y (?) , a. [L. spumosus , <?/ spuma foam: cf. F. spumeux .] Consisting of, containing, or covered with, froth, scum, or foam; frothy; foamy.

The spumous and florid state of the blood. Arbuthnot.

The spumy waves proclaim the watery war. Dryden.

Spun <Xpage=1395>

Spun (?) , imp. & p. p. of Spin .

Spun hay , hay twisted into ropes for convenient carriage, as on a military expedition. -- Spun silk , a cheap article produced from floss, or short-fibered, broken, and waste silk, carded and spun, in distinction from the long filaments wound from the cocoon. It is often mixed with cotton. -- Spun yarn (Naut.) , a line formed of two or more rope-yarns loosely twisted.

Spunge <Xpage=1395>

Spunge (sp&ucr;nj) , n. A sponge. [Obs.]

Spunk <Xpage=1395>

Spunk (sp&ucr;&nsm;k) , n. [Gael. spong , or Ir. sponc , tinder, sponge; cf. AS. sponge a sponge (L. spongia ), sp&omac;n a chip. Cf. Sponge , Punk .] [Written also sponk .] 1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou.

Sir T. Browne.

2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk . [Colloq.]

A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk , and spirit, and power, both of mind and body. Prof. Wilson.

Spunky <Xpage=1395>

Spunk"y (?) , a. [ Compar. Spunkier (?) ; superl. Spunkiest .] Full of spunk; quick; spirited. [Colloq.]

Spur <Xpage=1395>

Spur (?) , n. [See Sparrow .] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A sparrow. [Scot.] (b) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]

Spur <Xpage=1395>

Spur , n. [OE. spure , AS. spura , spora ; akin to D. spoor , G. sporn , OHG. sporo , Icel. spori , Dan. spore , Sw. sporre , and to AS. spor a trace, footstep, spyrian to trace, track, examine, and E. spurn . &root;171. Cf. Sparrow , Spere , Spoor , Spurn .] 1. An implement secured to the heel, or above the heel, of a horseman, to urge the horse by its pressure. Modern spurs have a small wheel, or rowel, with short points. Spurs were the badge of knighthood.

And on her feet a pair of spurs large. Chaucer.

<-- To earn one's spurs, win one's spurs, to earn recognition for achievement or for expertise. -->

2. That which goads to action; an incitement.

Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise (That last infirmity of noble mind) To scorn delights and live laborious days. Milton.

3. Something that projects; a snag.

4. One of the large or principal roots of a tree.

Shak.

5. (Zo\'94l.) Any stiff, sharp spine, as on the wings and legs of certain burds, on the legs of insects, etc.; especially, the spine on a cock's leg.

6. A mountain that shoots from any other mountain, or range of mountains, and extends to some distance in a lateral direction, or at right angles.

7. A spiked iron worn by seamen upon the bottom of the boot, to enable them to stand upon the carcass of a whale, to strip off the blubber.

8. (Carp.) A brace strengthening a post and some connected part, as a rafter or crossbeam; a strut.

9. (Arch.) (a) The short wooden buttress of a post. (b) A projection from the round base of a column, occupying the angle of a square plinth upon which the base rests, or bringing the bottom bed of the base to a nearly square form. It is generally carved in leafage.

10. (Bot.) (a) Any projecting appendage of a flower looking like a spur. Gray. (b) Ergotized rye or other grain . [R.]

11. (Fort.) A wall that crosses a part of a rampart and joins to an inner wall.

12. (Shipbuilding) (a) A piece of timber fixed on the bilge ways before launching, having the upper ends bolted to the vessel's side. (b) A curved piece of timber serving as a half to support the deck where a whole beam can not be placed.

Spur fowl (Zo\'94l.) , any one of several species of Asiatic gallinaceous birds of the genus Galloperdix , allied to the jungle fowl. The males have two or more spurs on each leg. -- Spur gear (Mach.) , a cogwheel having teeth which project radially and stand parallel to the axis; a spur wheel. -- Spur gearing , gearing in which spur gears are used. See under Gearing . -- Spur pepper . (Bot.) See the Note under Capsicum . -- Spur wheel . Same as Spur gear , above.

Spur <Xpage=1395>

Spur , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spurred (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurring .] 1. To prick with spurs; to incite to a more hasty pace; to urge or goad; as, to spur a horse .

2. To urge or encourage to action, or to a more vigorous pursuit of an object; to incite; to stimulate; to instigate; to impel; to drive.

Love will not be spurred to what it loathes. Shak.

3. To put spurs on; as, a spurred boot .

Spur <Xpage=1395>

Spur , v. i. To spur on one' horse; to travel with great expedition; to hasten; hence, to press forward in any pursuit. "Now spurs the lated traveler."

Shak.

The Parthians shall be there, And, spurring from the fight, confess their fear. Dryden.

The roads leading to the capital were covered with multitudes of yeomen, spurring hard to Westminster. Macaulay.

Some bold men, . . . by spurring on, refine themselves. Grew.

Spurgall <Xpage=1395>

Spur"gall` (?) , n. A place galled or excoriated by much using of the spur.

Spurgall <Xpage=1395>

Spur"gall` , v. t. To gall or wound with a spur.

Spurge <Xpage=1395>

Spurge (?) , v. t. [Etymol. uncertain.] To emit foam; to froth; -- said of the emission of yeast from beer in course of fermentation. [Obs.]

W. Cartright.

Spurge <Xpage=1395>

Spurge , n. [OF. espurge , F. \'82purge , from OF. espurgier to purge, L. expurgare . See Expurgate , Purge .] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Euphobia. See Euphorbia .

Spurge flax , an evergreen shrub ( Daphne Gnidium ) with crowded narrow leaves. It is native of Southern Europe. -- Spurge laurel , a European shrub ( Daphne Laureola ) with oblong evergreen leaves. -- Spurge nettle . See under Nettle . -- Spurge olive , an evergreen shrub ( Daphne oleoides ) found in the Mediterranean region.

Spurgewort <Xpage=1395>

Spurge"wort` (?) , n. (Bot.) Any euphorbiaceous plant.

Lindley.

Spurging <Xpage=1395>

Spur"ging (?) , n. [See 2d Spurge .] A purging. [Obs.]

B. Jonson.

Spurious <Xpage=1395>

Spu"ri*ous (?) , a. [L. spurius .] 1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; false; adulterate.

2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue . "Her spurious firstborn."

Milton.

Spurious primary , &or; Spurious quill (Zo\'94l.) , the first, or outer, primary quill when rudimentary or much reduced in size, as in certain singing birds. -- Spurious wing (Zo\'94l.) , the bastard wing, or alula.

Syn. -- Counterfeit; false; adulterate; supposititious; fictitious; bastard.

-- Spu"ri*ous*ly , adv. -- Spu"ri*ous*ness , n.

Spurless <Xpage=1395>

Spur"less (?) , a. Having no spurs.

Spurling <Xpage=1395>

Spur"ling (?) , n. [See Sparling .] (Zo\'94l.) A tern. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Tusser.

Spurling-line <Xpage=1395>

Spur"ling-line` (?) , n. [Cf. Prov. E. spurling the rut of a wheel, a cart rut, AS. spor a track, trace, E. spoor . Scot. spurl to sprawl.] (Naut.) The line which forms the communication between the steering wheel and the telltale.

Spurn <Xpage=1395>

Spurn (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spurned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurning .] [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over, AS. spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS. & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna , L. spernere to despise, Skr. sphur to jerk, to push. &root;171. See Spur .] 1. To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick.

[The bird] with his foot will spurn adown his cup. Chaucer.

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. Shak.

2. To reject with disdain; to scorn to receive or accept; to treat with contempt.

What safe and nicely I might well delay By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn . Shak.

Domestics will pay a more cheerful service when they find themselves not spurned because fortune has laid them at their master's feet. Locke.

Spurn <Xpage=1395>

Spurn , v. i. 1. To kick or toss up the heels.

The miller spurned at a stone. Chaucer.

The drunken chairman in the kennel spurns . Gay.

2. To manifest disdain in rejecting anything; to make contemptuous opposition or resistance.

Nay, more, to spurn at your most royal image. Shak.

Spurn <Xpage=1395>

Spurn , n. 1. A kick; a blow with the foot. [R.]

What defence can properly be used in such a despicable encounter as this but either the slap or the spurn ? Milton.

2. Disdainful rejection; contemptuous tratment.

The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes. Shak.

3. (Mining) A body of coal left to sustain an overhanding mass.

Spurner <Xpage=1395>

Spurn"er (?) , n. One who spurns.

Spurn-water <Xpage=1395>

Spurn"-wa`ter (?) , n. (Naut.) A channel at the end of a deck to restrain the water.

Spurred <Xpage=1395>

Spurred (?) , a. 1. Wearing spurs; furnished with a spur or spurs; having shoots like spurs.

2. Affected with spur, or ergot; as, spurred rye .

Spurred corolla (Bot.) , a corolla in which there are one or more petals with a spur.

Spurrer <Xpage=1395>

Spur"rer (?) , n. One who spurs.

Spurrey <Xpage=1395>

Spur"rey (?) , n. (Bot.) See Spurry .

Spurrier <Xpage=1395>

Spur"ri*er (?) , n. One whose occupation is to make spurs. B. Jonson. "The saddlers and spurriers would be ruined by thousands." Macaulay.

Spur-royal <Xpage=1395>

Spur"-roy`al (?) , n. A gold coin, first made in the reign of Edward IV., having a star on the reverse resembling the rowel of a spur. In the reigns of Elizabeth and of James I., its value was fifteen shillings. [Written also spur-rial , and spur-ryal .]

Spurry <Xpage=1395>

Spur"ry (?) , n. [D. or OF. spurrie ; cf. G. spergel , NL. spergula .] (Bot.) An annual herb ( Spergula arvensis ) with whorled filiform leaves, sometimes grown in Europe for fodder. [Written also spurrey .]

Sand spurry (Bot.) , any low herb of the genus Lepigonum , mostly found in sandy places.

Spur-shell <Xpage=1395>

Spur"-shell` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any one of several species of handsome gastropod shells of the genus Trochus , or Imperator . The shell is conical, with the margin toothed somewhat like the rowel of a spur.

Spurt <Xpage=1395>

Spurt (?) , v. i. [Written also spirt , and originally the same word as sprit ; OE. sprutten to sprout, AS. spryttan . See Sprit , v. i. , Sprout , v. i. ] To gush or issue suddenly or violently out in a stream, as liquor from a cask; to rush from a confined place in a small stream or jet; to spirt.

Thus the small jet, which hasty hands unlock, Spurts in the gardener's eyes who turns the cock. Pope.

Spurt <Xpage=1395>

Spurt , v. t. To throw out, as a liquid, in a stream or jet; to drive or force out with violence, as a liquid from a pipe or small orifice; as, to spurt water from the mouth .

Sourt <Xpage=1395>

Sourt , n. 1. A sudden or violent ejection or gushing of a liquid, as of water from a tube, orifice, or other confined place, or of blood from a wound; a jet; a spirt.

2. A shoot; a bud. [Obs.]

Holland.

3. Fig.: A sudden outbreak; as, a spurt of jealousy .

Spurt grass (Bot.) , a rush fit for basket work.

Dr. Prior.

Spurt <Xpage=1395>

Spurt (?) , n. [Cf. Icel. sprette a spurt, spring, run, spretta to sprit, spring.] A sudden and energetic effort, as in an emergency; an increased exertion for a brief space.

The long, steady sweep of the so-called "paddle" tried him almost as much as the breathless strain of the spurt . T. Hughes.

Spurt <Xpage=1395>

Spurt , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Spurted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spurting .] To make a sudden and violent exertion, as in an emergency.

Spurtle <Xpage=1395>

Spur"tle (?) , v. t. [Freq. of spurt .] To spurt or shoot in a scattering manner. [Obs.]

Drayton.

Spurway <Xpage=1395>

Spur"way` (?) , n. [Prov. E. spoor a track, trace (AS. spor ) + way .] A bridle path. [R.]

Spur-winged <Xpage=1395>

Spur"-winged` (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Having one or more spurs on the bend of the wings.

Spur-winged goose (Zo\'94l.) , any one of several species of long-legged African geese of the genus Plectropterus and allied genera, having a strong spur on the bend of the wing, as the Gambo goose ( P. Gambensis ) and the Egyptian, or Nile, goose ( Alopochen \'92gyptiaca ). -- Spur-winged plover (Zo\'94l.) , an Old World plover ( Hoplopterus spinosus ) having a sharp spur on the bend of the wing. It inhabits Northern Africa and the adjacent parts of Asia and Europe.

Sput <Xpage=1395>

Sput (?) , n. (Steam Boiler) An annular re\'89nforce, to strengthen a place where a hole is made.

Sputation <Xpage=1395>

Spu*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. sputare to spit, v. intens. fr. spuere to spit: cf. F. sputation .] The act of spitting; expectoration.

Harvey.

Sputative <Xpage=1395>

Spu"ta*tive (?) , a. Inclined to spit; spitting much.