Chapter 42

Spark plug. In internal-combustion engines with electric ignition, a plug, screwed into the cylinder head, having through it an insulated wire which is connected with the induction coil or magneto circuit on the outside, and forms, with another terminal on the base of the plug, a spark gap inside the cylinder.

Spat, n. [Short for Spatterdash.] 1. A legging; a gaiter. [Scot. & Dial. Eng.]

2. A kind of short cloth or leather gaiter worn over the upper part of the shoe and fastened beneath the instep; -- chiefly in pl.

Spec`tro*bo*lom"e*ter (?), n. (Physics) A combination of spectroscope and bolometer for determining the distribution of energy in a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*bo`lo*met"ric (#), a.

Spec`tro*e*lec"tric (?), a. Pert. to or designating any form of spark tube the electric discharge within which is used in spectroscopic observations.

Spec"tro*gram (?), n. [Spectrum + -gram.] (Physics) A photograph, map, or diagram of a spectrum.

Spec"tro*graph (?), n. [Spectrum + graph.] (Physics) (a) An apparatus for photographing or mapping a spectrum. (b) A photograph or picture of a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*graph"ic (#), a. -- Spec`tro*graph"ic*al*ly (#), adv. -- Spec*trog"ra*phy (#), n.

Spec`tro*he"li*o*gram` (?), n. [Spectrum + heloi- + -gram.] (Astrophysics) A photograph of the sun made by monochromatic light, usually of the calcium line (k), and showing the sun's faculæ and prominences.

Spec`tro*he"li*o*graph (?), n. (Astrophysics) An apparatus for making spectroheliograms, consisting of a spectroscopic camera used in combination with a telescope, and provided with clockwork for moving the sun's image across the slit. -- Spec`tro*he`li*o*graph"ic (#), a.

Spec*trom"e*try (?), n. (Physics) Art or process of using the spectrometer, or of measuring wave lengths of rays of a spectrum. -- Spec`tro*met"ric (#), a.

Spec"tro*phone (?), n. [Spectrum + Gr. &?; sound.] An instrument constructed on the principle of the photophone and used in spectrum analysis as an adjunct to the spectroscope. -- Spec`tro*phon"ic (#), a.

Spec`tro*pho*tom"e*try (?), n. The art of comparing, photometrically, the brightness of two spectra, wave length by wave length; the use of the spectrophotometer. -- Spec`tro*pho`to*met"ric (#), a.

Spec*tros"co*py (?), n. The production and investigation of spectra; the use of the spectroscope; also, the science of spectroscopic phenomena.

Speed counter. (Mach.) A device for automatically counting the revolutions or pulsations of an engine or other machine; -- called also simply counter.

Speiss (?), n. (Metal.) Impure metallic arsenides, principally of iron, produced in copper and lead smelting.

Spell"bind` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spellbound (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spellbinding.] To bind or hold by, or as if by, a spell or charm; to fascinate, esp. by eloquence of speech, as in a political campaign. -- Spell"bind`er (#), n.

||Sper`ma*toph"y*ta (?), n. pl. [NL.; spermato- + Gr. &?; plant.] (Bot.) A phylum embracing the highest plants, or those that produce seeds; the seed plants, or flowering plants. They form the most numerous group, including over 120,000 species. In general, the group is characterized by the marked development of the sporophyte, with great differentiation of its parts (root, stem, leaves, flowers, etc.); by the extreme reduction of the gametophyte; and by the development of seeds. All the Spermatophyta are heterosporous; fertilization of the egg cell is either through a pollen tube emitted by the microspore or (in a few gymnosperms) by spermatozoids. The phrase "flowering plants" is less distinctive than "seed plants," since the conifers, grasses, sedges, oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular sense. For this reason the terms Anthrophyta, Phænogamia, and Panerogamia have been superseded as names of the phylum by Spermatophyta.

Sper"ma*to"phyte` (?), n. Any plant of the phylum Spermatophyta. -- Sper`ma*to*phyt"ic (#), a.

Sperm"ism (?), n. [Gr. &?; seed, sperm + -ism.] (Biol.) The theory, formerly held by many, that the sperm or spermatozoön contains the germ of the future embryo; animalculism.

Spi"der stitch. A stitch in lace making used to fill in open spaces with threads resembling a cobweb.

Spin"drift (?), n. Same as Spoondrift.

The ocean waves are broken up by wind, ultimately producing the storm wrack and spindrift of the tempest-tossed sea.

J. E. Marr.

Spi*nes"cence (?), n. The state or quality of being spinescent or spiny; also, a spiny growth or covering, as of certain animals.

Spin"i*fex (?), n. [NL.; L. spina spine + facere to make.] 1. (Bot.) A genus of chiefly Australian grasses, the seeds of which bear an elastic spine. S. hirsutus (black grass) and S. longifolius are useful as sand binders. S. paradoxusis a valuable perennial fodder plant. Also, a plant of this genus.

2. Any of several Australian grasses of the genus Tricuspis, which often form dense, almost impassable growth, their leaves being stiff and sharp-pointed.

Spin*thar"i*scope (?), n. [Gr. spinqari`s spark + -scope.] A small instrument containing a minute particle of a radium compound mounted in front of a fluorescent screen and viewed with magnifying lenses. The tiny flashes produced by the continual bombardment of the screen by the α rays are thus rendered visible. -- Spin*thar`i*scop"ic (#), a.

Spit ball. (Baseball) A pitched ball in throwing which the pitcher grips the ball between two, or three, fingers on one side (which is made slippery, as by saliva) and the thumb on the other side, and delivers it so that it slips off the fingers with the least possible friction. When pitched directly overhand a spit ball darts downward, when pitched with the arm extended sidewise it darts down and out. [Cant] -- Spit baller.

Split, n. 1. (a) (Basketwork) Any of the three or four strips into which osiers are commonly cleft for certain kinds of work; -- usually in pl. (b) (Weaving) Any of the dents of a reed. (c) Any of the air currents in a mine formed by dividing a larger current.

2. Short for Split shot or stroke.

3. (Gymnastics) The feat of going down to the floor so that the legs extend in a straight line, either with one on each side or with one in front and the other behind. [Cant or Slang]

4. A small bottle (containing about half a pint) of some drink; -- so called as containing half the quantity of the customary smaller commercial size of bottle; also, a drink of half the usual quantity; a half glass. [Cant or Slang]

Split, a. (Exchanges) (a) Divided so as to be done or executed part at one time or price and part at another time or price; -- said of an order, sale, etc. (b) Of quotations, given in sixteenth, quotations in eighths being regular; as, 10 is a split quotation. (c) (London Stock Exchange) Designating ordinary stock that has been divided into preferred ordinary and deferred ordinary.

Split dynamometer. (Elec.) An electric dynamometer having two coils so arranged that one carries the primary current, and the other the secondary current, of a transformer.

Split infinitive. (Gram.) A simple infinitive with to, having a modifier between the verb and the to; as in, to largely decrease. Called also cleft infinitive.

Split key. (Mach.) A key split at one end like a split pin, for the same purpose.

{ Split shot or stroke }. In croquet, etc., a shot or stroke in which one drives in different directions one's own and the opponent's ball placed in contact.

Split stitch. A stitch used in stem work to produce a fine line, much used in old church embroidery to work the hands and faces of figures.

Split stuff. Timber sawn into lengths and then split.

Split switch. (Railroading) = Point switch.

Split wheel. = Split pulley.

Spoon (?), n. (Golf) A wooden club with a lofted face. Encyc. of Sport.

Spoon, v. t. 1. (Fishing) To catch by fishing with a spoon bait.

He had with him all the tackle necessary for spooning pike.

Mrs. Humphry Ward.

2. In croquet, golf, etc., to push or shove (a ball) with a lifting motion, instead of striking with an audible knock.

Spoon, v. i. 1. To fish with a spoon bait.

2. In croquet, golf, etc., to spoon a ball.

Spoon"flow`er (?), n. The yautia.

Spo"ro*phyte (?), n. [Spore + Gr. &?; plant.] (Bot.) In plants exhibiting alternation of generations, the generation which bears asexual spores; -- opposed to gametophyte. It is not clearly differentiated in the life cycle of the lower plants. -- Spo`ro*phyt"ic (#), a.

Spo`ro*zo"ite (?), n. (Zoöl.) In certain Sporozoa, a small active, usually elongate, sickle-shaped or somewhat amœboid spore, esp. one of those produced by division of the passive spores into which the zygote divides. The sporozoites reproduce asexually.

Spot (?), a. Lit., being on the spot, or place; hence (Com.), on hand for immediate delivery after sale; -- said of commodities; as, spot wheat.

Spot cash. (Com.) Cash paid or ready for payment at once upon delivery of property purchased.

Spot"light` (?), n. The projected spot or circle of light used to illuminate brilliantly a single person or object or group on the stage; leaving the rest of the stage more or less unilluminated; hence, conspicuous public notice. [Cant or Colloq.]

Spot stroke. (Eng. Billiards) The pocketing of the red ball in a top corner pocket from off its own spot so as to leave the cue ball in position for an easy winning hazard in either top corner pocket.

Spray"board` (?), n. (Naut.) A screen raised above any part of the gunwale of a boat to keep out spray.

Spray"er (?), n. One that sprays; any instrument for vaporizing and spraying liquids.

Spread, n. 1. An arbitrage transaction operated by buying and selling simultaneously in two separate markets, as Chicago and New York, when there is an abnormal difference in price between the two markets. It is called a back spreadwhen the difference in price is less than the normal one.

2. (Gems) Surface in proportion to the depth of a cut stone.

Spring steel. A variety of steel, elastic, strong, and tough, rolled for springs, etc.

Sprock"et (?), n. [Etymology uncertain.] (Mach.) (a) A tooth or projection, as on the periphery of a wheel, shaped so as to engage with a chain. (b) A sprocket wheel.

Spud (?), n. A potato. [Colloq.]

Spur, n. 1. (Mining) A branch of a vein.

2. The track of an animal, as an otter; a spoor.

Squam (?), n. [From Squam, shortened fr. Annisquam, name of a village on the coast of Massachusetts.] An oilskin hat or southwester; -- a fisherman's name. [U. S.]

Squash (?), n. A game much like rackets, played in a walled court with soft rubber balls and bats like tennis rackets.

Squaw man. A white man who has married an Indian squaw; sometimes, one who has gained tribal rights by such a marriage; -- often a term of contempt. [Western U. S.]

Squaw vine. (Bot.) The partridge berry (Mitchella repens).

Squee"gee, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squeegeed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Squeegeeing (?).] To smooth, press, or treat with a squeegee; to squilgee.

Squeegee roller. A small India-rubber roller with a handle, used esp. in printing and photography as a squeegee.

Squeeze, n. 1. (Mining) The gradual closing of workings by the weight of the overlying strata.

2. Pressure or constraint used to force the making of a gift, concession, or the like; exaction; extortion. [Colloq.]

One of the many "squeezes" imposed by the mandarins.

A. R. Colquhoun.

Squelch (?), v. i. [Perh. imitative. Cf. Squelch.] To make a sound like that made by the feet of one walking in mud or slush; to make a kind of swashing sound; also, to move with such a sound.

He turned and strode to the fire, his boots squelching as he walked.

P. L. Ford.

A crazy old collier squelching along under squared yards.

W. C. Russell.

Squif"fy (?), a. Somewhat intoxicated; tipsy. [Slang] Kipling.

Squil"gee (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Squilgeed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Squilgeeing.] To swab, press, or treat with a squilgee; as, to squilgee a vessel's deck.

Squint, v. i. To have an indirect bearing, reference, or implication; to have an allusion to, or inclination towards, something.

Yet if the following sentence means anything, it is a squinting toward hypnotism.

The Forum.

Squirt, n. (Hydrodynamics) The whole system of flow in the vicinity of a source.

Stab culture. (Bacteriol.) A culture made by inoculating a solid medium, as gelatin, with the puncture of a needle or wire. The growths are usually of characteristic form.

Sta"ble, a. (Physics) So placed as to resist forces tending to cause motion; of such structure as to resist distortion or molecular or chemical disturbance; -- said of any body or substance.

{ Sta"di*a hairs or wires } (?). (Surv.) In a theodolite, etc., horizontal cross wires or hairs equidistant from the central horizontal cross wire.

Sta"di*um (?), n. A modern structure, with its inclosure, resembling the ancient stadium, used for athletic games, etc.

Staff (?), n. [G. staffiren to fill or fit out, adorn, fr. D. stoffeeren, OF. estoffer, F. étoffer, fr. OF. estoffe stuff, F. étoffe. See Stuff, n.] (Arch.) Plaster combined with fibrous and other materials so as to be suitable for sculpture in relief or in the round, or for forming flat plates or boards of considerable size which can be nailed to framework to make the exterior of a larger structure, forming joints which may afterward be repaired and concealed with fresh plaster.

Stage director. (Theat.) One who prepares a play for production. He arranges the details of the stage settings, the business to be used, all stage effects, and instructs the actors, excepting usually the star, in the general interpretation of their parts.

Stage fright. Nervousness felt before an audience.

Stage manager. (Theat.) One in control of the stage during the production of a play. He directs the stage hands, property man, etc., has charge of all details behind the curtain, except the acting, and has a general oversight of the actors. Sometimes he is also the stage director.

Sta"gy (?), a. [Written also stagey.] Having an air or manner characteristic of the stage; theatrical; artificial; as, a stagy tone or bearing; -- chiefly used depreciatively.

Stake, n. (Mormon Ch.) A territorial division; -- called also stake of Zion.

Every city, or "stake," including a chief town and surrounding towns, has its president, with two counselors; and this president has a high council of chosen men.

Schaff-Herzog Encyc.

Stalk (?), n. The act or process of stalking.

When the stalk was over (the antelope took alarm and ran off before I was within rifle shot) I came back.

T. Roosevelt.

Stall (?), n. A covering or sheath, as of leather, horn, of iron, for a finger or thumb; a cot; as, a thumb stall; a finger stall.

Stam*pede" (?), n. Any sudden unconcerted moving or acting together of a number of persons, as from some common impulse; as, a stampede to the gold regions; a stampede in a convention.

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Stance (?), n. (Golf) The position of a player's feet, relative to each other and to the ball, when he is making a stroke.

Stand (?), v. i. (Card Playing) To be, or signify that one is, willing to play with one's hand as dealt.

{ ||Stän"de*rath`, or Stän"de*rat` (?) }, n. [G.] (Switzerland) See Legislature, above.

Star drift. (Astron.) Similar and probably related motion of the stars of an asterism, as distinguished from apparent change of place due to solar motion.-- ##?? = star streaming? --

Star stereogram. A view of the universe of brighter stars as it would appear to an observer transported into space outside or beyond our universe of stars.

State socialism. A form of socialism, esp. advocated in Germany, which, while retaining the right of private property and the institution of the family and other features of the present form of the state, would intervene by various measures intended to give or maintain equality of opportunity, as compulsory state insurance, old- age pensions, etc., answering closely to socialism of the chair.

Sta"tion, n. In Australia, a sheep run or cattle run, together with the buildings belonging to it; also, the homestead and buildings belonging to such a run.

Sta"tor (?), n. (Mach.) A stationary part in or about which another part (the rotor) revolves, esp. when both are large; as, (a) (Elec.) The stationary member of an electrical machine, as of an induction motor. (b) (Steam Turbine) The case inclosing a turbine wheel; the body of stationary blades or nozzles.

Step, n. (Fives) At Eton College, England, a shallow step dividing the court into an inner and an outer portion.

Step"-down`, a. (Elec.) Transforming or converting a current of high potential or pressure into one of low pressure; as, a step-down transformer.

Step"-up`, a. (Elec.) Transforming or converting a low-pressure current into one of high pressure; as, a step-up transformer.

Ster"il*i`zer (?), n. One that sterilizes anything; specif., an apparatus for sterilizing an organic fluid or mixture.

Still"son wrench (?). A pipe wrench having an adjustable L-shaped jaw piece sliding in a sleeve that is pivoted to, and loosely embraces, the handle. Pressure on the handle increases the grip.

{ Stil"ton cheese" (?), or Stil"ton }, n. A peculiarly flavored unpressed cheese made from milk with cream added; -- so called from the village or parish of Stilton, England, where it was originally made. It is very rich in fat.

Thus, in the outset he was gastronomic; discussed the dinner from the soup to the stilton.

C. Lever.

{ Sti"mey, Sti"mie } (?), n. & v. t. See Stymie.

{ Sting ray or Sting"ray` }, n. Any one of numerous rays of the family Dasyatidæ, syn. Trygonidæ, having one or more large sharp barbed dorsal spines, on the whiplike tail, capable of inflicting severe wounds. Some species reach a large size, and some, esp., on the American Pacific coast, are very destructive to oysters.

Stitch (?), n. An arrangement of stitches, or method of stitching in some particular way or style; as, cross-stitch; herringbone stitch, etc.

Stock, n. 1. Raw material; that out of which something is manufactured; as, paper stock.

2. (Soap Making) A plain soap which is made into toilet soap by adding perfumery, coloring matter, etc.

Stock"ing (?), n. Any of various things resembling, or likened to, a stocking; as: (a) A broad ring of color, differing from the general color, on the lower part of the leg of a quadruped; esp., a white ring between the coronet and the hock or knee of a dark-colored horse. (b) A knitted hood of cotton thread which is eventually converted by a special process into an incandescent mantle for gas lighting.

Sto"gy (?), a. [Etym. uncertain. Cf. Stocky.] heavy; coarse; clumsy. [Colloq.]

Sto"gy, n.; pl. Stogies (&?;). [Written also stogie.] [Colloq.] 1. A stout, coarse boot or shoe; a brogan.

2. A kind of cheap, but not necessary inferior, cigar made in the form of a cylindrical roll.

Stoke"hold` (?), n. (Naut.) The space, or any of the spaces, in front of the boilers of a ship, from which the furnaces are fed; the stokehole of a ship; also, a room containing a ship's boilers; as, forced draft with closed stokehold; -- called also, in American ships, fireroom.

Sto`ma*tol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, mouth + -logy.] (Med.) Scientific study or knowledge of the mouth.

Stom"a*to*plas`ty (?), n. [Gr. &?;, &?;, mouth + -plasty.] Plastic surgery of the mouth.

Stop order. (Finance) An order that aims to limit losses by fixing a figure at which purchases shall be sold or sales bought in, as where stock is bought at 100 and the broker is directed to sell if the market price drops to 98.

Stop"-o`ver, n. Act or privilege of stopping over. [Cant]

Storm (?), n. -- Anticyclonic storm (Meteor.), a storm characterized by a central area of high atmospheric pressure, and having a system of winds blowing spirally outward in a direction contrary to that cyclonic storms. It is attended by low temperature, dry air, infrequent precipitation, and often by clear sky. Called also high- area storm, anticyclone. When attended by high winds, snow, and freezing temperatures such storms have various local names, as blizzard, wet norther, purga, buran, etc. -- Cyclonic storm. (Meteor.) A cyclone, or low-area storm. See Cyclone, above.

{ Sto"va*in (?), n. Also -ine }. [Stove (a translation of the name of the discoverer, Fourneau + -in, -ine.] (Pharm.) A substance, C14H22O2NCl, the hydrochloride of an amino compound containing benzol, used, in solution with strychnine, as a local anæsthetic, esp. by injection into the sheath of the spinal cord, producing anæsthesia below the point of introduction.

Strain, n. (Hort.) A cultural subvariety that is only slightly differentiated.

Stran"gle hold. In wrestling, a hold by which one's opponent is choked. It is usually not allowed.

Stra`to-cir"rus (?), n. [Stratus + cirrus.] (Meteor.) An alto-stratus cloud.

Stra`to-cu"mu*lus (?), n. [Stratus + cumulus.] (Meteor.) Large balls or rolls of dark cloud which frequently cover the whole sky, esp. in winter, and give it at times an undulated appearance.

Stream clock. (Physiol.) An instrument for ascertaining the velocity of the blood in a vessel.

Stream gold. (Mining) Gold in alluvial deposits; placer gold.

Stream line. The path of a constituent particle of a flowing fluid undisturbed by eddies or the like.

Stream"line` (?), a. Of or pert. to a stream line; designating a motion or flow that is free from turbulence, like that of a particle in a streamline; hence, designating a surface, body, etc., that is designed so as to afford an unbroken flow of a fluid about it, esp. when the resistance to flow is the least possible; as, a streamline body for an automobile or airship.

Stream wheel. A wheel used for measuring, by its motion when submerged, the velocity of flowing water; a current wheel.

Stress (?), v. t. 1. To subject to phonetic stress; to accent.

2. To place emphasis on; to make emphatic; emphasize.

Strike (?), n. 1. A sudden finding of rich ore in mining; hence, any sudden success or good fortune, esp. financial.

2. (Bowling, U. S.) Act of leveling all the pins with the first bowl; also, the score thus made. Sometimes called double spare.

3. (Baseball) Any actual or constructive striking at the pitched ball, three of which, if the ball is not hit fairly, cause the batter to be put out; hence, any of various acts or events which are ruled as equivalent to such a striking, as failing to strike at a ball so pitched that the batter should have struck at it.

4. (Tenpins) Same as Ten- strike.

String (?), n. 1. (a) In various indoor games, a score or tally, sometimes, as in American billiard games, marked by buttons threaded on a string or wire. (b) In various games, competitions, etc., a certain number of turns at play, of rounds, etc.

2. (Billiards & Pool) (a) The line from behind and over which the cue ball must be played after being out of play as by being pocketed or knocked off the table; -- called also string line. (b) Act of stringing for break.

3. A hoax; a trumped-up or "fake" story. [Slang]

String, v. t. To hoax; josh; jolly. [Slang]

String, v. i. To form into a string or strings, as a substance which is stretched, or people who are moving along, etc.

Strip"per, n. (Agric.) A cow that has nearly stopped giving milk, so that it can be obtained from her only by stripping.

Struc"tur*al shape. (Engin. & Arch.) The shape of a member especially adapted to structural purposes, esp. in giving the greatest strength with the least material. Hence, Colloq., any steel or iron member of such shape, as channel irons, I beams, T beams, etc., or, sometimes, a column, girder, etc., built up with such members.

Structural steel. (a) Rolled steel in structural shapes. (b) A kind of strong mild steel, suitable for structural shapes.