SEROUS, s[=e]'rus, _adj._ resembling serum, thin, watery: secreting serum.--_n._ SEROS'ITY. [_Serum_.]
SERPENT, s[.e]r'pent, _n._ any member of the genus _Ophidia_, more popularly known as snakes--any reptile without feet which moves by means of its ribs and scales: a snake: a person treacherous or malicious: one of the constellations in the northern hemisphere: (_mus._) a bass musical wind-instrument, entirely obsolete except in a few Continental churches, a tapered leather-covered wooden tube 8 feet long, twisted about like a serpent.--_v.i._ to wind along: to meander.--_v.t._ to girdle, as with the coils of a serpent.--_ns._ SERPENT[=A]'RIA, the Virginia snakeroot; SERPENT[=A]'RIUS, the secretary-birds: the constellation _Ophiuchus_; SER'PENT-CHARM'ER, one who charms or has power over serpents; SER'PENT-CHARM'ING, the art of charming or governing serpents; SER'PENT-C[=U]'CUMBER, a long-fruited variety of the musk-melon; SER'PENT-D[=E]'ITY, the god of the Ophites, Abraxas; SER'PENT-EAT'ER, the secretary-bird: a wild goat in India and Cashmere; SER'PENTEAU, an iron circle with spikes to which squibs are attached, used in a breach.--_n.pl._ SERPENT'ES, the second order of the third class of limbless reptiles.--_ns._ SER'PENT-FISH, the snake-fish; SER'PENT-GRASS, the alpine bistort.--_adjs._ SERPENT'IFORM, ophidian in structure: snake-like; SER'PENTINE, resembling a serpent: winding, tortuous: spiral: crooked.--_n._ a kind of firework: a 16th-cent. form of cannon: a mineral composed of silica and manganese, generally occurring massive, colour some shade of green, also red and brownish-yellow.--_v.i._ to wind or wriggle like a serpent.--_adv._ SER'PENTINELY.--_adjs._ SERPENTIN'IC, SER'PENTINOUS.--_adv._ SERPENT[=I]'NINGLY, with a serpentine motion.--_v.t._ SER'PENTINISE, to convert into serpentine.--_v.i._ SER'PENTISE, to wind: meander.--_adj._ SER'PENT-LIKE, like a serpent.--_ns._ SER'PENT-LIZ'ARD, a lizard of the genus _Seps_; SER'PENT-MOSS, a greenhouse plant from the West Indies; SER'PENTRY, serpentine motion: a place infested by serpents: serpents collectively; SER'PENT-STAR, a brittle star; SER'PENT-STONE, snake-stone, adder-stone; SER'PENT'S-TONGUE, the adder's-tongue fern; SER'PENT-TUR'TLE, an enaliosaur; SER'PENT-WITHE, a twining plant of tropical America; SER'PENT-WOOD, an East Indian shrub; SER'PENT-WOR'SHIP, one of the most ancient and widespread forms of primitive religion, and still existing amongst many savage peoples; SEA'-SER'PENT (see SEA).--SERPENTINE VERSE, a verse which begins and ends with the same word.--THE OLD SERPENT, Satan.
[L. _serpens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _serp[)e]re_, to creep; akin to Gr.
_herpein_.]
SERPET, ser'pet, _n._ (_obs._) a basket.
SERPETTE, s[.e]r-pet', _n._ a hooked pruning-knife. [Fr.]
SERPIGO, s[.e]r-p[=i]'go, _n._ (_Shak._) a skin eruption, herpes.--_adj._ SERPIG'INOUS (-pij'-). [L. _serp[)e]re_, to creep.]
SERPLATH, ser'plath, _n._ (_Scot._) 80 stone weight.
SERPOLET, ser'p[=o]-let, _n._ the wild thyme. [Fr.]
SERPULA, ser'p[=u]-la, _n._ a genus of sedentary Chaetopod worms, living in twisted calcareous tubes fastened to shells and rocks in the sea, or even to other animals, such as crabs.--_adj._ SERP[=U]'LIAN.--_n._ SER'PULITE, a fossil of the family _Serpulidae_.--_adjs._ SERPULIT'IC, SER'PULOID. [L.
_serp[)e]re_, to creep.]
SERR, ser, _v.t._ (_obs._) to crowd or press together.
SERRA, ser'a, _n._ a saw, or saw-like part [L.]
SERRADILLA, ser-a-dil'a, _n._ a Port. bird's-foot clover.
SERRANUS, ser-r[=a]'nus, _n._ the genus containing sea-perches or sea-bass.--_n.pl._ SERRAN'IDae, the family of fishes containing among its genera Sea-bass, Rockfish, &c. [L. _serra_, a saw.]
SERRASALMO, ser-a-sal'mo, _n._ a genus of characinoid fishes, with compressed belly fringed with projecting scales. [L. _serra_, a saw, _salmo_, a salmon.]
SERRATE, -D, ser'r[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ notched or cut like a saw: (_bot._) having small sharp teeth along the margin.--_n._ SERR[=A]'TION, state of being serrated.--_adj._ SERRATIROS'TRAL, saw-billed, as a bird.--_ns._ SER'R[=A]TURE, a notching like that between the teeth of a saw; SERR[=A]'TUS, one of several muscles of the thorax.--_adj._ SER'RICORN, having separate antennae.--_n.pl._ SERRIF'ERA, a group of insects, including the sawflies and horntails.--_adjs._ SERRIF'EROUS, having a serra or serrate organ; SER'RIFORM, toothed like a saw; SER'RIPED, having the feet serrate; SERRIROS'TRATE, having the bill serrated with tooth-like processes.--_n._ SER'RO-M[=O]'TOR, a steam reversing-gear, in marine engines.--_adj._ SER'ROUS, like the teeth of a saw: rough.--_n._ SER'RULA, one of the serrated appendages of the throat of the mudfish:--_pl._ SER'RULae.--_adjs._ SER'RULATE, -D, finely serrate.--_ns._ SERRUL[=A]'TION, the state of being serrulate; SERRURERIE', ornamental wrought-metal work.
[L. _serratus_--_serra_, a saw.]
SERRIED, ser'rid, _adj._ crowded: pressed together.--_v.t._ SER'RY, to crowd. [Fr. _serrer_, to crowd--L. _sera_, a door-bar.]
SERTULARIA, ser-t[=u]-l[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a common genus of Hydroids in which the branched horny investment of the plant-like colony forms a sessile cup around each polyp.--_adj._ SERTUL[=A]'RIAN. [L. _ser[)e]re_, _sertum_, to plait.]
SERUM, s[=e]'rum, _n._ the watery part of curdled milk, whey: the thin fluid which separates from the blood when it coagulates. [L.]
SERVAL, s[.e]r'val, _n._ a South African animal of the cat tribe, yellowish with black spots, valued for its fur--the _Bush-cat_, _Tiger-cat_. [Ger.]
SERVANT, s[.e]r'vant, _n._ one who is in the service of another: a labourer: a domestic: one dedicated to God: (_B._) a slave: one of low condition or spirit: a professed lover: a word of mere civility, as in 'your humble' or 'obedient servant' in letters, petitions, &c.--_v.t._ to subject.--_ns._ SER'VANT-GIRL, SER'VANT-MAID, a female domestic servant; SER'VANT-MAN, a male servant; SER'VANTRY, servants collectively; SER'VANTSHIP, position or relation of a servant.--SERVANT OUT OF LIVERY, a servant of a higher grade, as a major-domo or butler; SERVANTS' CALL, a whistle to call attendants; SERVANTS' HALL, the room in a house where the servants eat together. [Fr., pr.p. of _servir_, to serve--L. _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]
SERVATORY, s[.e]r'va-tor-i, _n. (obs.)_ that which preserves.
SERVE, s[.e]rv, _v.t._ to be a servant to, to work for and obey: to attend or wait upon: to work for: to obey: to be subservient or subordinate to: to wait upon at table, &c.: to do duty for: to treat, behave towards: to render worship to: to aid by good offices: to minister to a priest at mass: to comply with: to requite: to handle, manipulate: to furnish: (_naut._) to bind with small cord: (_law_) to deliver or present formally: to furnish: to cover, of stallions, &c.: to deliver the ball in tennis.--_v.i._ to be employed as a servant, to discharge any regular duty: to be in subjection: to suffice, to avail, to be suitable or favourable.--_n._ in tennis, the act of the first player in striking the ball, or the style in which this is done.--_ns._ SER'VAGE (_obs._), servitude: the service of a lover; SER'VER, one who serves: an attendant on the priest at the celebration of the Eucharist: the player who strikes the tennis-ball first: a salver, any utensil for distributing or helping at table.--SERVE AN OFFICE, to discharge the duties of an office; SERVE A PROCESS or WRIT, to formally communicate a process or writ to the person to whom it is addressed; SERVE AN ATTACHMENT, to levy such a writ on the person or goods by seizure; SERVE AN EXECUTION, to levy an execution on the person or goods by seizure; SERVE A SENTENCE, to undergo the punishment prescribed by a judicial sentence; SERVE ONE A TRICK, to play a trick on one; SERVE ONE OUT, to take revenge on some one; SERVE ONE RIGHT, to treat one as he deserves; SERVE ONE'S TIME, to complete one's apprenticeship; SERVE OUT, to deal or distribute; SERVE THE PURPOSE OF, to answer adequately an end for which something else is designed; SERVE THE TURN, to suffice for one's immediate purpose or need; SERVE TIME, to undergo a period of imprisonment, &c.; SERVE UP, to bring to table. [Fr. _servir_--L. _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]
SERVIAN, ser'vi-an, _n._ a native of _Servia_: the language of Servia, belonging to the southern division of the Slav tongues, its nearest congeners Bulgarian, Slovenian, and Russian.
SERVICE, s[.e]r'vis, _n._ condition or occupation of a servant: a working for another: duty required in any office: military or naval duty: any liturgical form or office, public religious worship, religious ceremonial: a musical composition for devotional purposes: labour, assistance, or kindness to another: benefit: profession of respect: order of dishes at table, or a set of them: official function, use, employment: that which is furnished: a tree of rarely more than 30 feet high, with leaves and flowers like the Rowan-tree, but the former downy beneath--also _Sorb_.--_ns._ SERVICEABIL'ITY, SER'VICEABLENESS.--_adj._ SER'VICEABLE, able or willing to serve: advantageous: useful: capable of rendering long service, durable.--_adv._ SER'VICEABLY.--_ns._ SER'VICE-BERR'Y, a berry of the service-tree: (_Scot._) the fruit of the white beam: a North American shrub, the shadbush; SER'VICE-BOOK, a book of forms of religious service: a prayer-book; SER'VICE-BOX, a form of expansion joint, used in street-mains of steam-heating systems; SER'VICE-CLEAN'ER, a portable air-compressing pump and receiver for service-pipes; SER'VICE-LINE, one of two lines drawn across the court twenty-one feet from the net, in lawn-tennis; SER'VICE-MAG'AZINE, a magazine for storing ammunition for immediate use; SER'VICE-PIPE, a smaller pipe from a main-pipe to a dwelling; SER'VICE-TREE, a tree of the pear family, with close-grained wood and an edible fruit; SER'VING-MALL'ET, a piece of wood having a groove on one side to fit the convexity of a rope; DIN'NER-SER'VICE, a full set of dishes for dinner; T[=A]'BLE-SER'VICE, a set of utensils for the table; WILD'-SER'VICE, a small species of service-tree, cultivated in England for its fruit and wood.--SERVICE OF AN HEIR (_Scots law_), a proceeding before a jury to determine the heir of a person deceased.--ACTIVE SERVICE, service of a soldier, &c., in the field, against an enemy; AT YOUR SERVICE, a phrase of civility; HAVE SEEN SERVICE, to have been in active military service: to have been put to hard use; PLAIN SERVICE, in Anglican usage, an office which is simply read. [Fr.,--L. _servitium_.]
SERVIENT, ser'vi-ent, _adj._ subordinate.
SERVIETTE, ser-vi-et', _n._ a table-napkin. [Fr.]
SERVILE, s[.e]r'v[=i]l, _adj._ pertaining to a slave or servant: slavish: meanly submissive: cringing: obedient: (_gram._) secondary or subordinate.--_n._ a slave, a menial.--_adv._ SER'VILELY.--_ns._ SER'VILISM, the spirit of a servile class; SERVIL'ITY (_obs._ SER'VILENESS), state or quality of being servile: slavery: obsequiousness; SER'VING-MAID, a female domestic servant; SER'VING-MAN, a male servant: a professed lover.--_adj._ SER'VIOUS, obsequious.--_ns._ SER'V[=I]TE, one of a mendicant order of monks and nuns founded in Italy in the 13th century; SERVIT'IUM (_law_), service; SER'VITOR, one who serves: a servant: a follower or adherent: a male servant, a menial: soldier: formerly in Oxford, an undergraduate partly supported by the college, his duty to wait on the fellows and gentlemen commoners at table; SER'VITORSHIP, the office or condition of a servitor; SER'VIT[=U]DE, state of being a slave: slavery: state of slavish dependence: menial service: compulsory servitude: (_law_) a burden affecting land or other heritable subjects, by which the proprietor is either restrained from the full use of his property or is obliged to suffer another to do certain acts upon it: service rendered in the army or navy: (_obs._) servants collectively; SER'VIT[=U]RE (_Milt._), servants collectively.--_v.i._ SER'VULATE.
SESAME, ses'a-m[=e], _n._ an annual herbaceous plant of Southern Asia, whose seed yields the valuable _gingili-oil_.--_adjs._ SES'AMOID, -AL, denoting certain small bones found in the substance of the tendons at the articulations of the great toes, and in other parts of the body.--_n._ SES'AMUM, the genus to which sesame belongs.--OPEN SESAME, the charm by which the door of the robbers' cave flew open in the tale of 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' in the _Arabian Nights_. [Fr.,--L.,--Gr.]
SESBAN, ses'ban, _n._ a shrub of the bean family, with yellow flowers, native to Egypt.--Also _Jyntee_. [Fr.,--Ar. _seiseb[=a]n_.]
SESELI, ses'el-i, _n._ a genus of umbelliferous plants, usually perennial, with erect branching stems--including the mountain _meadow-saxifrage_.
[Gr.]
SESHA, s[=a]'sha, _n._ the king of the serpents in Hindu mythology, having a thousand heads, the buttresses of the world.
SESIA, s[=e]'shi-a, _n._ a genus of clear-winged moths. [Gr. _s[=e]s_, _seos_, a moth.]
SESQUIALTERAL, ses-kwi-al'te-ral, _adj._ one and a half more--also SESQUIAL'TERATE, SESQUIAL'TEROUS.--_n._ SESQUIAL'TERA (_mus._), the interval of a perfect fifth, having the ratio of 2 to 3: a rhythm in which three minims are made equal to a preceding two. [L. _sesquialter_.]
SESQUIDUPLE, ses-kwi-d[=u]'pl, _adj._ of two and a half times.--_adj._ SESQUID[=U]'PLICATE, being in the ratio of 2 to 1, or 5 to 2.
SESQUIPEDALIAN, ses-kwi-p[=e]-d[=a]'li-an, _adj._ containing a foot and a half: often humorously said of a very long word--also SES'QUIPEDAL.--_ns._ SESQUIPED[=A]'LIANISM, SESQUIPEDAL'ITY. [L. _sesquipedalis_--_sesqui_, one-half more, _pes_, _ped-is_, a foot.]
SESQUIPLICATE, ses-kwip'li-k[=a]t, _adj._ noting the ratio of a cube to a square.
SESQUITERTIA, ses-kwi-ter'shi-a, _n._ (_mus_.) a perfect fourth, an interval having the ratio of 1 to 1-1/3, or 3 to 4.--_adjs._ SESQUITER'TIAL, SESQUITER'TIAN, -AL.
SESQUITONE, ses'kwi-t[=o]n, _n._ (_mus_.) a minor third, an interval equal to a tone and a half.
SESS, ses, _n._ Same as CESS.
SESSA, ses'a, _interj._ (_Shak._) prob. a cry to urge to swiftness in running.
[Illustration]
SESSILE, ses'il, _adj._ (_bot._) growing directly from the stem, without a foot-stalk, as some leaves. [L. _sessilis_, low--_sed[=e]re_, _sessum_, to sit.]
SESSION, sesh'un, _n._ the sitting of a court or public body: the time it sits: the period of time between the meeting and prorogation of Parliament: the act of sitting, esp. the enthronement of Christ at the right hand of God the Father: (_Scot._) the lowest Presbyterian church court, the kirk-session.--_adj._ SES'SIONAL, pertaining or belonging to a session or sessions.--_n._ SES'SION-CLERK, the official who officially records the transactions of a kirk-session.--COURT OF SESSION, the supreme civil court of Scotland. [Fr.,--L. _sessio_, _sessionis_--_sed[=e]re_, _sessum_, to sit.]
SESSPOOL. Same as CESSPOOL.
SESTERTIUS, ses-t[.e]r'shi-us, _n._ a Roman silver coin, a quarter denarius, worth 2 asses: a brass coin under the Empire, worth 4 asses--also SES'TERCE:--_pl._ SESTER'TII.--_n._ SESTER'TIUM, a money of account equal to 1000 sestertii. [L., 'two-and-a-half'--_semis_, half, _tertius_, third.]
SESTET, SESTETTE, ses'tet, _n._ the last six lines of a sonnet forming two stanzas of three lines each: (_mus_.) same as SEXTET. [It.
_sestetto_--_sesto_--L. _sextus_, sixth.]
SESTINA, ses-t[=e]'na, _n._ an old French form of verse, originally consisting of six stanzas of six unrhymed lines, with a final triplet, the same terminal words being used in each stanza, but arranged differently.
Modern sestinas are written on two or three rhymes.--Also SES'TINE.
[It.,--L. _sextus_, sixth.]