Chapter 12

Sax"on, a. Of or pertaining to the Saxons, their country, or their language. (b) Anglo-Saxon. (c) Of or pertaining to Saxony or its inhabitants.

Saxon blue (Dyeing), a deep blue liquid used in dyeing, and obtained by dissolving indigo in concentrated sulphuric acid. Brande & C. -- Saxon green (Dyeing), a green color produced by dyeing with yellow upon a ground of Saxon blue.

Sax*on"ic (?), a. Relating to the Saxons or Anglo- Saxons.

Sax"on*ism (?), n. An idiom of the Saxon or Anglo-Saxon language. T. Warton.

Sax"on*ist, n. One versed in the Saxon language.

Sax"on*ite (?), n. (Min.) See Mountain soap, under Mountain.

Sax"o*phone (?), n. [A.A.J. Sax, the inventor (see Saxhorn) + Gr. &?; tone.] (Mus.) A wind instrument of brass, containing a reed, and partaking of the qualities both of a brass instrument and of a clarinet.

Sax"-tu`ba (?), n. [See Saxhorn, and Tube.] (Mus.) A powerful instrument of brass, curved somewhat like the Roman buccina, or tuba.

Say (s), obs. imp. of See. Saw. Chaucer.

Say (s), n. [Aphetic form of assay.] 1. Trial by sample; assay; sample; specimen; smack. [Obs.]

If those principal works of God . . . be but certain tastes and says, as it were, of that final benefit.

Hooker.

Thy tongue some say of breeding breathes.

Shak.

2. Tried quality; temper; proof. [Obs.]

He found a sword of better say.

Spenser.

3. Essay; trial; attempt. [Obs.]

To give a say at, to attempt. B. Jonson.

Say, v. t. To try; to assay. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Say, n. [OE. saie, F. saie, fr. L. saga, equiv. to sagum, sagus, a coarse woolen mantle; cf. Gr. sa`gos. See Sagum.] 1. A kind of silk or satin. [Obs.]

Thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord!

Shak.

2. A delicate kind of serge, or woolen cloth. [Obs.]

His garment neither was of silk nor say.

Spenser.

Say, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Said (sd), contracted from sayed; p. pr. & vb. n. Saying.] [OE. seggen, seyen, siggen, sayen, sayn, AS. secgan; akin to OS. seggian, D. zeggen, LG. seggen, OHG. sagn, G. sagen, Icel. segja, Sw. säga, Dan. sige, Lith. sakyti; cf. OL. insece tell, relate, Gr. 'e`nnepe (for 'en-sepe), 'e`spete. Cf. Saga, Saw a saying.] 1. To utter or express in words; to tell; to speak; to declare; as, he said many wise things.

Arise, and say how thou camest here.

Shak.

2. To repeat; to rehearse; to recite; to pronounce; as, to say a lesson.

Of my instruction hast thou nothing bated In what thou hadst to say?

Shak.

After which shall be said or sung the following hymn.

Bk. of Com. Prayer.

3. To announce as a decision or opinion; to state positively; to assert; hence, to form an opinion upon; to be sure about; to be determined in mind as to.

But what it is, hard is to say.

Milton.

4. To mention or suggest as an estimate, hypothesis, or approximation; hence, to suppose; -- in the imperative, followed sometimes by the subjunctive; as, he had, say fifty thousand dollars; the fox had run, say ten miles.

Say, for nonpayment that the debt should double, Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble?

Shak.

It is said, or They say, it is commonly reported; it is rumored; people assert or maintain. - - That is to say, that is; in other words; otherwise.

Say, v. i. To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.

You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.

Shak.

To this argument we shall soon have said; for what concerns it us to hear a husband divulge his household privacies?

Milton.

Say, n. [From Say, v. t.; cf. Saw a saying.] A speech; something said; an expression of opinion; a current story; a maxim or proverb. [Archaic or Colloq.]

He no sooner said out his say, but up rises a cunning snap.

L'Estrange.

That strange palmer's boding say, That fell so ominous and drear Full on the object of his fear.

Sir W. Scott.

Say"er (?), n. One who says; an utterer.

Mr. Curran was something much better than a sayer of smart sayings.

Jeffrey.

Sa*yette" (?), n. [F. Cf. Say a kind of serge.] A mixed stuff, called also sagathy. See Sagathy.

Say"ing (?), n. That which is said; a declaration; a statement, especially a proverbial one; an aphorism; a proverb.

Many are the sayings of the wise, In ancient and in modern books enrolled.

Milton.

Syn. -- Declaration; speech; adage; maxim; aphorism; apothegm; saw; proverb; byword.

Say"man (?), n. [Say sample + man.] One who assays. [Obs.] Bacon.

Say"mas`ter (?), n. A master of assay; one who tries or proves. [Obs.] "Great saymaster of state." B. Jonson.

Saynd (?), obs. p. p. of Senge, to singe. Chaucer.

'Sblood (?), interj. An abbreviation of God's blood; -- used as an oath. [Obs.] Shak.

Scab (skb), n. [OE. scab, scabbe, shabbe; cf. AS. scæb, sceabb, scebb, Dan. & Sw. skab, and also L. scabies, fr. scabere to scratch, akin to E. shave. See Shave, and cf. Shab, Shabby.] 1. An incrustation over a sore, wound, vesicle, or pustule, formed by the drying up of the discharge from the diseased part.

2. The itch in man; also, the scurvy. [Colloq. or Obs.]

3. The mange, esp. when it appears on sheep. Chaucer.

4. A disease of potatoes producing pits in their surface, caused by a minute fungus (Tiburcinia Scabies).

5. (Founding) A slight irregular protuberance which defaces the surface of a casting, caused by the breaking away of a part of the mold.

6. A mean, dirty, paltry fellow. [Low] Shak.

7. A nickname for a workman who engages for lower wages than are fixed by the trades unions; also, for one who takes the place of a workman on a strike. [Cant]

Scab, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scabbed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scabbing.] To become covered with a scab; as, the wound scabbed over.

Scab"bard (?), n. [OE. scaubert, scauberk, OF. escaubers, escauberz, pl., scabbards, probably of German or Scan. origin; cf. Icel. sklpr scabbard, and G. bergen to conceal. Cf. Hauberk.] The case in which the blade of a sword, dagger, etc., is kept; a sheath.

Nor in thy scabbard sheathe that famous blade.

Fairfax.

Scabbard fish (Zoöl.), a long, compressed, silver-colored tænioid fish (Lepidopus caudatus, or argyreus), found on the European coasts, and more abundantly about New Zealand, where it is called frostfish and considered an excellent food fish.

Scab"bard (?), v. t. To put in a scabbard.

Scab"bard plane` (?). See Scaleboard plane, under Scaleboard.

Scab"bed (? or ?), a. 1. Abounding with scabs; diseased with scabs.

2. Fig.: Mean; paltry; vile; worthless. Bacon.

Scab"bed*ness (?), n. Scabbiness.

Scab"bi*ly (?), adv. In a scabby manner.

Scab"bi*ness, n. The quality or state of being scabby.

Scab"ble (?), v. t. See Scapple.

Scab"by (?), a. [Compar. Scabbier (&?;); superl. Scabbiest.] 1. Affected with scabs; full of scabs.

2. Diseased with the scab, or mange; mangy. Swift.

||Sca"bi*es (?), n. (Med.) The itch.

Sca"bi*ous (?), a. [L. scabiosus, from scabies the scab: cf. F. scabieux.] Consisting of scabs; rough; itchy; leprous; as, scabious eruptions. Arbuthnot.

Sca"bi*ous, n. [Cf. F. scabieuse. See Scabious, a.] (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Scabiosa, several of the species of which are common in Europe. They resemble the Compositæ, and have similar heads of flowers, but the anthers are not connected.

Sweet scabious. (a) Mourning bride. (b) A daisylike plant (Erigeron annuus) having a stout branching stem.

Scab"ling (?), n. [See Scapple.] A fragment or chip of stone. [Written also scabline.]

Sca*bred"i*ty (?), n. [L. scabredo, fr. scaber rough.] Roughness; ruggedness. [Obs.] Burton.

Sca"brous (?), a. [L. scabrosus, fr. scaber rough: cf. F. scabreux.] 1. Rough to the touch, like a file; having small raised dots, scales, or points; scabby; scurfy; scaly. Arbuthnot.

2. Fig.: Harsh; unmusical. [R.]

His verse is scabrous and hobbling.

Dryden.

Sca"brous*ness, n. The quality of being scabrous.

Scab"wort` (?), n. (Bot.) Elecampane.

Scad (?), n. [Gael. & Ir. sgadan a herring.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small carangoid fish (Trachurus saurus) abundant on the European coast, and less common on the American. The name is applied also to several allied species. (b) The goggler; -- called also big-eyed scad. See Goggler. (c) The friar skate. [Scot.] (d) The cigar fish, or round robin.

Scaf"fold (?), n. [OF. eschafault, eschafaut, escafaut, escadafaut, F. échafaud; probably originally the same word as E. & F. catafalque, It. catafalco. See Catafalque.] 1. A temporary structure of timber, boards, etc., for various purposes, as for supporting workmen and materials in building, for exhibiting a spectacle upon, for holding the spectators at a show, etc.

Pardon, gentles all, The flat, unraised spirits that have dared On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth So great an object.

Shak.

2. Specifically, a stage or elevated platform for the execution of a criminal; as, to die on the scaffold.

That a scaffold of execution should grow a scaffold of coronation.

Sir P. Sidney.

3. (Metal.) An accumulation of adherent, partly fused material forming a shelf, or dome-shaped obstruction, above the tuyères in a blast furnace.

Scaf"fold, v. t. To furnish or uphold with a scaffold.

Scaf"fold*age (?), n. A scaffold. [R.] Shak.

Scaf"fold*ing, n. 1. A scaffold; a supporting framework; as, the scaffolding of the body. Pope.

2. Materials for building scaffolds.

Scagl"ia (?), n. [It. scaglia a scale, a shell, a chip of marble.] A reddish variety of limestone.

Scagl*io"la (?), n. [It. scagliuola, dim. of scaglia. See Scaglia.] An imitation of any veined and ornamental stone, as marble, formed by a substratum of finely ground gypsum mixed with glue, the surface of which, while soft, is variegated with splinters of marble, spar, granite, etc., and subsequently colored and polished.

||Sca"la (?), n.; pl. Scalæ (#). [L., a ladder.] 1. (Surg.) A machine ||formerly employed for reducing dislocations of the humerus.

2. (Anat.) A term applied to any one of the three canals of the cochlea.

Scal"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being scaled.

{ Sca*lade" (?), Sca*la"do (?) }, n. (Mil.) See Escalade. Fairfax.

Sca"lar (?), n. (Math.) In the quaternion analysis, a quantity that has magnitude, but not direction; -- distinguished from a vector, which has both magnitude and direction.

||Sca*la"ri*a (?), n. [L., flight of steps.] (Zoöl.) Any one of ||numerous species of marine gastropods of the genus Scalaria, or ||family Scalaridæ, having elongated spiral turreted shells, with ||rounded whorls, usually crossed by ribs or varices. The color is ||generally white or pale. Called also ladder shell, and wentletrap. ||See Ptenoglossa, and Wentletrap.

Sca*lar"i*form (?), a. [L. scalare, scalaria, staircase, ladder + -form: cf. F. scalariforme.] 1. Resembling a ladder in form or appearance; having transverse bars or markings like the rounds of a ladder; as, the scalariform cells and scalariform pits in some plants.

2. (Zoöl.) Like or pertaining to a scalaria.

Sca"la*ry (?), a. [L. scalaris, fr. scalae, pl. scala, staircase, ladder.] Resembling a ladder; formed with steps. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Scal"a*wag (?), n. A scamp; a scapegrace. [Spelt also scallawag.] [Slang, U.S.] Bartlett.

Scald (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scalded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scalding.] [OF. eschalder, eschauder, escauder, F. échauder, fr. L. excaldare; ex + caldus, calidus, warm, hot. See Ex, and Caldron.] 1. To burn with hot liquid or steam; to pain or injure by contact with, or immersion in, any hot fluid; as, to scald the hand.

Mine own tears Do scald like molten lead.

Shak.

Here the blue flames of scalding brimstone fall.

Cowley.

2. To expose to a boiling or violent heat over a fire, or in hot water or other liquor; as, to scald milk or meat.

Scald, n. A burn, or injury to the skin or flesh, by some hot liquid, or by steam.

Scald, a. [For scalled. See Scall.] 1. Affected with the scab; scabby. Shak.

2. Scurvy; paltry; as, scald rhymers. [Obs.] Shak.

Scald crow (Zoöl.), the hooded crow. [Ireland] -- Scald head (Med.), a name popularly given to several diseases of the scalp characterized by pustules (the dried discharge of which forms scales) and by falling out of the hair.

Scald, n. Scurf on the head. See Scall. Spenser.

Scald (skld or skld; 277), n. [Icel. skld.] One of the ancient Scandinavian poets and historiographers; a reciter and singer of heroic poems, eulogies, etc., among the Norsemen; more rarely, a bard of any of the ancient Teutonic tribes. [Written also skald.]

A war song such as was of yore chanted on the field of battle by the scalds of the yet heathen Saxons.

Sir W. Scott.

Scald"er (?), n. A Scandinavian poet; a scald.

Scald"fish` (?), n. [Scald, a. + fish.] (Zoöl.) A European flounder (Arnoglossus laterna, or Psetta arnoglossa); -- called also megrim, and smooth sole.

Scald"ic (? or ?), a. Of or pertaining to the scalds of the Norsemen; as, scaldic poetry.

Scale (skl), n. [AS. scle; perhaps influenced by the kindred Icel. skl balance, dish, akin also to D. schaal a scale, bowl, shell, G. schale, OHG. scla, Dan. skaal drinking cup, bowl, dish, and perh. to E. scale of a fish. Cf. Scale of a fish, Skull the brain case.] 1. The dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; -- chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively.

Long time in even scale The battle hung.

Milton.

The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no more Now than my vows.

Waller.

2. pl. (Astron.) The sign or constellation Libra.

Platform scale. See under Platform.

Scale, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Scaled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Scaling.] To weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system.

Scaling his present bearing with his past.

Shak.

To scale, or scale down, a debt, wages, etc., to reduce a debt, etc., according to a fixed ratio or scale. [U.S.]

Scale, n. [Cf. AS. scealu, scalu, a shell, parings; akin to D. schaal, G. schale, OHG. scala, Dan. & Sw. skal a shell, Dan. skiæl a fish scale, Goth. skalja tile, and E. shale, shell, and perhaps also to scale of a balance; but perhaps rather fr. OF. escale, escaile, F. écaille scale of a fish, and écale shell of beans, pease, eggs, nuts, of German origin, and akin to Goth. skalja, G. schale. See Shale.] 1. (Anat.) One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid.

Fish that, with their fins and shining scales, Glide under the green wave.

Milton.

2. Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc.

3. (Zoöl.) One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera.

4. (Zoöl.) A scale insect. (See below.)

5. (Bot.) A small appendage like a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form, and often in arrangement; as, the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like. The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns.

6. The thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of Pocketknife.

7. An incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler.

8. (Metal.) The thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. Also, a similar coating upon other metals.

Covering scale (Zoöl.), a hydrophyllium. -- Ganoid scale. (Zoöl.) See under Ganoid. -- Scale armor (Mil.), armor made of small metallic scales overlapping, and fastened upon leather or cloth. -- Scale beetle (Zoöl.), the tiger beetle. -- Scale carp (Zoöl.), a carp having normal scales. -- Scale insect (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of small hemipterous insects belonging to the family Coccidæ, in which the females, when adult, become more or less scalelike in form. They are found upon the leaves and twigs of various trees and shrubs, and often do great damage to fruit trees. See Orange scale,under Orange. -- Scale moss (Bot.), any leafy-stemmed moss of the order Hepaticæ; -- so called from the small imbricated scalelike leaves of most of the species. See Hepatica, 2, and Jungermannia.

Scale (?), v. t. 1. To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler.

2. To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface. "If all the mountains were scaled, and the earth made even." T. Burnet.

3. To scatter; to spread. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

4. (Gun.) To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder. Totten.

Scale, v. i. 1. To separate and come off in thin layers or laminæ; as, some sandstone scales by exposure.

Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found, but the old shells never; so it is likely that they scale off.

Bacon.

2. To separate; to scatter. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

Scale, n. [L. scalae, pl., scala staircase, ladder; akin to scandere to climb. See Scan; cf. Escalade.] 1. A ladder; a series of steps; a means of ascending. [Obs.]

2. Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals. Specifically: (a) A mathematical instrument, consisting of a slip of wood, ivory, or metal, with one or more sets of spaces graduated and numbered on its surface, for measuring or laying off distances, etc., as in drawing, plotting, and the like. See Gunter's scale. (b) A series of spaces marked by lines, and representing proportionately larger distances; as, a scale of miles, yards, feet, etc., for a map or plan. (c) A basis for a numeral system; as, the decimal scale; the binary scale, etc. (d) (Mus.) The graduated series of all the tones, ascending or descending, from the keynote to its octave; -- called also the gamut. It may be repeated through any number of octaves. See Chromatic scale, Diatonic scale, Major scale, and Minor scale, under Chromatic, Diatonic, Major, and Minor.

3. Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being.

There is a certain scale of duties . . . which for want of studying in right order, all the world is in confusion.

Milton.

4. Relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile.

Scale of chords, a graduated scale on which are given the lengths of the chords of arcs from 0° to 90° in a circle of given radius, -- used in measuring given angles and in plotting angles of given numbers of degrees.

Scale, v. t. [Cf. It. scalare, fr. L. scalae, scala. See Scale a ladder.] To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to ascend by steps or by climbing; to clamber up; as, to scale the wall of a fort.

Oft have I scaled the craggy oak.

Spenser.

Scale, v. i. To lead up by steps; to ascend. [Obs.]

Satan from hence, now on the lower stair, That scaled by steps of gold to heaven-gate, Looks down with wonder.

Milton.

Scale"back` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine annelids of the family Polynoidæ, and allies, which have two rows of scales, or elytra, along the back. See Illust. under Chætopoda.

Scale"beam` (?), n. 1. The lever or beam of a balance; the lever of a platform scale, to which the poise for weighing is applied.

2. A weighing apparatus with a sliding weight, resembling a steelyard.

Scale"board` (?; commonly &?;), n. [3d scale + board.] 1. (Print.) A thin slip of wood used to justify a page. [Obs.] Crabb.

2. A thin veneer of leaf of wood used for covering the surface of articles of furniture, and the like.

Scaleboard plane, a plane for cutting from a board a wide shaving forming a scaleboard.

Scaled (?), a. 1. Covered with scales, or scalelike structures; -- said of a fish, a reptile, a moth, etc.

2. Without scales, or with the scales removed; as, scaled herring.

3. (Zoöl.) Having feathers which in form, color, or arrangement somewhat resemble scales; as, the scaled dove.

Scaled dove (Zoöl.), any American dove of the genus Scardafella. Its colored feather tips resemble scales.

Scale"less (?), a. Destitute of scales.

Sca*lene" (?), a. [L. scalenus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. scalène.] 1. (Geom.) (a) Having the sides and angles unequal; -- said of a triangle. (b) Having the axis inclined to the base, as a cone.

2. (Anat.) (a) Designating several triangular muscles called scalene muscles. (b) Of or pertaining to the scalene muscles.

Scalene muscles (Anat.), a group of muscles, usually three on each side in man, extending from the cervical vertebræ to the first and second ribs.

Sca*lene", n. (Geom.) A triangle having its sides and angles unequal.

Sca*le`no*he"dral (sk*l`n*h"dral), a. (Crystallog.) Of or pertaining to a scalenohedron.

Sca*le`no*he"dron (-drn), n. [Gr. skalhno`s uneven + "e`dra seat, base.] (Crystallog.) A pyramidal form under the rhombohedral system, inclosed by twelve faces, each a scalene triangle.

Scal"er (?), n. One who, or that which, scales; specifically, a dentist's instrument for removing tartar from the teeth.

Scale"-winged` (?), a. (Zoöl.) Having the wings covered with small scalelike structures, as the Lepidoptera; scaly-winged.

Scal"i*ness (?), n. The state of being scaly; roughness.

Scal"ing (skl"ng), a. 1. Adapted for removing scales, as from a fish; as, a scaling knife; adapted for removing scale, as from the interior of a steam boiler; as, a scaling hammer, bar, etc.

2. Serving as an aid in clambering; as, a scaling ladder, used in assaulting a fortified place.

Scal*io"la (?), n. Same as Scagliola.

Scall (?), n. [Icel. skalli a bald head. Cf. Scald, a.] A scurf or scabby disease, especially of the scalp.

It is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head.

Lev. xiii. 30.

Scall, a. Scabby; scurfy. [Obs.] Shak.

Scalled (?), a. Scabby; scurfy; scall. [Obs.] "With scalled brows black." Chaucer.

Scalled head. (Med.) See Scald head, under Scald, a.

Scal"lion (?), n. [OF. escalone, eschaloingne, L. caepa Ascalonia onion of Ascalon; caepa onion + Ascalonius of Ascalon, fr. Ascalo Ascalon, a town in Palestine. Cf. Shallot.] 1. (Bot.) A kind of small onion (Allium Ascalonicum), native of Palestine; the eschalot, or shallot.

2. Any onion which does not "bottom out," but remains with a thick stem like a leek. Amer. Cyc.

Scal"lop (?; 277), n. [OF. escalope a shell, probably of German or Dutch origin, and akin to E. scale of a fish; cf. D. schelp shell. See Scale of a fish, and cf. Escalop.] [Written also scollop.] 1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Pecten and allied genera of the family Pectinidæ. The shell is usually radially ribbed, and the edge is therefore often undulated in a characteristic manner. The large adductor muscle of some the species is much used as food. One species (Vola Jacobæus) occurs on the coast of Palestine, and its shell was formerly worn by pilgrims as a mark that they had been to the Holy Land. Called also fan shell. See Pecten, 2.

The common edible scallop of the Eastern United States is Pecten irradians; the large sea scallop, also used as food, is P. Clintonius, or tenuicostatus.

2. One of series of segments of circles joined at their extremities, forming a border like the edge or surface of a scallop shell.

3. One of the shells of a scallop; also, a dish resembling a scallop shell.