SIEUR, sier, _n._ a French title of respect, obsolete except in law-courts.
[Fr.,--L. _senior_.]
SIEVE, siv, _n._ a vessel with a bottom of woven hair or wire to separate the fine part of anything from the coarse: a person who cannot keep a secret.--_v.t._ to put through a sieve: to sift. [A.S. _sife_; Ger.
_seib_.]
SIFFLE, sif'l, _n._ a sibilant rale.--_v.i._ to whistle, hiss.--_ns._ SIFF'LET, a theatrical whistle; SIFF'LEUR, a whistler. [Fr. _siffler_--L.
_sibil[=a]re_.]
SIFT, sift, _v.t._ to separate with, or as with, a sieve: to examine closely.--_n._ SIFT'ER, one who, or that which, sifts. [A.S.
_siftan_--_sife_, a sieve.]
SIGH, s[=i], _v.i._ to inhale and respire with a long, deep, and audible breathing, as in love or grief: to sound like sighing.--_v.t._ to express by sighs.--_n._ a long, deep, audible respiration.--_n._ SIGH'ER.--_adj._ SIGH'FUL.--_adv._ SIGH'INGLY. [A.S. _sican_; Sw. _sucka_.]
SIGHT, s[=i]t, _n._ act of seeing: view: faculty of seeing: that which is seen: a spectacle: an object of especial interest: space within vision: examination: a small opening for looking through at objects: a metal pin on the top of a barrel of a gun to guide the eye in taking aim: (_slang_) a great many or a great deal.--_v.t._ to catch sight of: to present to sight or put under notice.--_adjs._ SIGHT'ED, having sight of some special character, as short-sighted: fitted with a sight, as a firearm; SIGHT'LESS, wanting sight: blind: (_Shak._) invisible: (_Shak._) unsightly, ugly.--_adv._ SIGHT'LESSLY.--_ns._ SIGHT'LESSNESS; SIGHT'LINESS.--_adjs._ SIGHT'LY, pleasing to the sight or eye: comely; SIGHT'-OUTRUN'NING (_Shak._), running faster than the eye can follow.--_ns._ SIGHT'-READ'ER, one who reads at sight, as musical notes, passages in a foreign tongue, &c.; SIGHT'-READING; SIGHT'-SEE'ING, the act of seeing sights: eagerness to see novelties or curiosities; SIGHT'-S[=E]'ER, one who is eager to see novelties or curiosities; SIGHTS'MAN, a local guide; SEC'OND-SIGHT, a gift of prophetic vision, long supposed in the Scottish Highlands and elsewhere to belong to particular persons.--AT SIGHT, without previous study or practice; AT SIGHT, AFTER SIGHT, terms applied to bills or notes payable on, or after, presentation; LOSE SIGHT OF, to cease to see: to overlook; OUT OF SIGHT, too far away to be seen: not in sight: (_coll._) beyond comparison; PUT OUT OF SIGHT, to remove from vision: (_slang_) to consume, as food. [A.S. _siht_, _ge-siht_--_ge-segen_, pa.p. of _seon_, to see; Ger.
_sicht._]
SIGHT, s[=i]t (_Spens._)=_Sighed._
SIGIL, sij'il, _n._ a seal: a signature: an occult or magical mark.--_adjs._ SIG'ILLARY, pertaining to a seal; SIG'ILLATE, decorated, as pottery, with impressed patterns: (_bot._) marked with seal-like scars.--_ns._ SIGILL[=A]'TION; SIGILLOG'RAPHY, knowledge of seals.--_n.pl._ SIG'LA, abbreviations of names, &c., on seals. [L. _sigillum_, dim. of _signum_, sign.]
SIGILLARIA, sij-il-[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a family of fossil lycopods, abundant in Carboniferous strata, with pillar-like trunks, the columnar stems ribbed and fluted longitudinally, the fluting marked by rows or whorls of scars left by fallen leaves.--_adjs._ SIGILL[=A]'RIAN, SIG'ILLAROID, SIGILL[=A]'RIOID. [L. _sigillum_, a seal.]
SIGMA, sig'ma, _n._ the Greek letter corresponding to our _s_--written [Sigma] (capital), [sigma] (small initial) or [sigmaf] (small final).--_adjs._ SIG'MATE, SIGMAT'IC.--_ns._ SIGM[=A]'TION, the adding of _s_ at the end of a word or syllable; SIG'MATISM, repetition of _s_ or the s-sound: defective pronunciation of this sound.--_adjs._ SIG'MOID, -AL, formed like _s_.
SIGN, s[=i]n, _n._ mark, token: proof: that by which a thing is known or represented: a word, gesture, symbol, or mark, intended to signify something else: a remarkable event: an omen: a miraculous manifestation: a memorial: something set up as a notice in a public place: (_math._) a mark showing the relation of quantities or an operation to be performed: (_med._) a symptom: (_astron._) one of the twelve parts of the zodiac, each comprising 30 degrees of the ecliptic.--_v.t._ to represent or make known by a sign: to attach a signature to.--_v.i._ to give one's signature: to make a particular sign.--_adj._ SIGN'ABLE, capable of being, or requiring to be, signed.--_ns._ SIGN'BOARD, a board with a sign telling a man's occupation or articles for sale; SIGN'ER; SIG'NET, the privy-seal: (_B._) a seal.--_adj._ SIG'NETED, stamped or marked with a signet.--_n._ SIG'NET-RING, a ring with a signet or private seal.--_adj._ SIGN'LESS, making no sign.--_ns._ SIGN'-MAN'UAL, the royal signature, usually only the initial of the sovereign's name, with R. for _Rex_ or _Regina_; SIGN'-PAINT'ER, one who paints signs for shops, &c.; SIGN'POST, a post on which a sign is hung: a direction-post. [Fr. _signe_--L. _signum._]
SIGNAL, sig'nal, _n._ a sign for giving notice, generally at a distance: token: the notice given: any initial impulse.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ to make signals to: to convey by signals:--_pr.p._ sig'nalling; _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ sig'nalled.--_adj._ having a sign: remarkable: notable: eminent.--_ns._ SIG'NAL-BOOK, a book containing a system of signals; SIG'NAL-BOX, -CAB'IN, &c., a small house in which railway-signals are worked: the alarm-box of a police or fire-alarm system; SIG'NAL-CODE, a code or system of arbitrary signals, esp. at sea, by flags or lights; SIG'NAL-FIRE, a fire used for a signal; SIG'NAL-FLAG, a flag used in signalling, its colour, shape, markings, and combinations indicating various significations; SIG'NAL-GUN, a gun fired as a signal.--_v.t._ SIG'NALISE, to make signal or eminent: to signal.--_ns._ SIG'NAL-LAMP, a lamp by which signals are made by glasses or slides of different colours, &c.; SIG'NALLING, the means of transmitting intelligence to a greater or less distance by the agency of sight or hearing.--_adv._ SIG'NALLY.--_ns._ SIG'NALMAN, one who makes signals and who interprets those made; SIG'NALMENT, the act of communicating by signals: description by means of marks; SIG'NAL-POST, a pole on which movable flags, arms, lights, are displayed as signals; SIG'NAL-SER'VICE, the department in the army occupied with signalling. [Fr.,--L. _signalis_, _signum_.]
SIGNATURE, sig'na-t[=u]r, _n._ a sign or mark: the name of a person written by himself: (_mus._) the flats and sharps after the clef to show the key: a sheet after being folded, the figure or letter at the foot of the page indicating such.--_adj._ SIG'N[=A]TE, designate: bearing spots resembling letters.--_ns._ SIGN[=A]'TION, anything used as a sign, an emblem; SIG'NATORY, SIG'NATARY, SIG'NITARY, one bound by signature to some agreement.--_adj._ having signed, bound by signature.--DOCTRINE OF SIGNATURES, an inveterate belief in early medicine that plants and minerals bore certain symbolical marks which indicated the diseases for which nature had intended them as special remedies. [Fr.,--Low L. _signatura_--L.
_sign[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to sign.]
SIGNIEUR, _n._ (_Shak._). Same as SEIGNIOR.
SIGNIFY, sig'ni-f[=i], _v.t._ to make known by a sign or by words: to mean: to indicate or declare: to have consequence.--_v.i._ to be of consequence:--_pa.t._ and _pa.p._ sig'nif[=i]ed.--_adj._ SIG'NIFIABLE, that may be signified or represented by symbols.--_n._ SIGNIF'ICANCE, that which is signified: meaning: importance: moment--also SIGNIF'ICANCY.--_adj._ SIGNIF'ICANT, signifying: expressive of something: standing as a sign.--_adv._ SIGNIF'ICANTLY.--_ns._ SIGNIF'ICATE, in logic, one of several things signified by a common term; SIGNIFIC[=A]'TION, act of signifying: that which is signified: meaning.--_adj._ SIGNIF'IC[=A]TIVE, signifying: denoting by a sign: having meaning: expressive.--_adv._ SIGNIF'IC[=A]TIVELY, in a significative manner: so as to betoken by an external sign.--_ns._ SIGNIF'IC[=A]TIVENESS, the quality of being significative; SIGNIF'IC[=A]TOR, one who signifies: (_astrol._) a planet ruling a house.--_adj._ SIGNIF'ICATORY. [L. _signific[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, _signum_, a sign, _fac[)e]re_, to make.]
SIGNOR, s[=e]'nyor, _n._ an Italian word of address equivalent to Mr--also SIGNIOR.--_ns._ SIGNORA (s[=e]-ny[=o]'ra), feminine of signor; SIGNORINA (s[=e]-ny[=o]-r[=e]'na), the Italian equivalent of Miss; SIG'NORY, SIG'NIORY (same as SEIGNIORY). [It. _signore_.]
SIKE, s[=i]k, _n._ (_Scot._) a small stream of water.--Also SYKE. [Ice.
_sik_, _siki_, a ditch.]
SIKH, s[=e]k, _n._ one of a religious sect of northern India, which became a great military confederacy--founded by Baba Nanak (born 1469).--_n._ SIKH'ISM. [Hind. _Sikh_, lit. follower or disciple.]
SIL, sil, _n._ a yellowish pigment of ancient painters.
SILAGE, s[=i]'laj, _n._ the term applied to fodder which has been preserved by ensilage in a silo.
SILE, s[=i]l, _v.t._ (_prov._) to strain.--_n._ a sieve, a strainer or colander. [Low Ger. _silen_; Ger. _sielen_, to filter.]
SILENCE, s[=i]'lens, _n._ state of being silent: absence of sound or speech: muteness: cessation of agitation: calmness: oblivion.--_v.t._ to cause to be silent: to put to rest: to stop.--_interj._ be silent!--_adj._ S[=I]'LENT, free from noise: not speaking: habitually taciturn: still: not pronounced: of distilled spirit, without flavour or odour.--_n._ SILEN'TIARY, one who keeps order in an assembly.--_adv._ S[=I]'LENTLY.--_n._ S[=I]'LENTNESS=_Silence_. [L. _sil[=e]re_, to be silent.]
SILENE, s[=i]-l[=e]'n[=e], _n._ a genus of plants of the natural order _Caryophyllaceae_--the _Bladder Campion_, whose young shoots eat like asparagus--the _Catchfly_, a general name for many British species.
SILENUS, s[=i]-l[=e]'nus, _n._ the foster-father of Bacchus, a little pot-bellied old man, bald-headed and snub-nosed, generally astride of an ass, drunk, and attended by a troop of satyrs.
SILESIA, si-l[=e]'shi-a, _n._ a thin brown holland for window-blinds, &c.: a thin twilled cotton.--_adj._ SIL[=E]'SIAN, pertaining to _Silesia_.
SILEX, s[=i]'leks, _n._ silica, as found in nature, occurring as flint, quartz, rock-crystal, &c. [L. _silex_, _silicis_, flint.]
[Illustration]
SILHOUETTE, sil-[=oo]-et', _n._ a shadow-outline of the human figure or profile filled in of a dark colour.--_v.t._ to represent in silhouette: to bring out a shaded profile or outline view of. [etienne de _Silhouette_ (1709-67), French minister of finance for four months in 1759, after whom everything cheap was named, from his excessive economy. According to Littre, the making of such shadow-portraits was a favourite pastime of his; hence the name.]
SILICA, sil'i-ka, _n._ silicon dioxide, or silicic anhydride, a white or colourless substance, the most abundant solid constituent of our globe, existing both in the crystalline and in the amorphous form, the best examples of the former being rock-crystal, quartz, chalcedony, flint, sandstone, and quartzose sand; of the latter, opal.--_n._ SIL'ICATE, a salt of silicic acid.--_adjs._ SIL'IC[=A]TED, combined or impregnated with silica; SILIC'IC, pertaining to, or obtained from, silica; SILICIF'EROUS, producing or containing silica.--_n._ SILICIFIC[=A]'TION, conversion into silica.--_v.t._ SILIC'IFY, to convert into silica: to render silicious.--_v.i._ to become silicious or flinty:--_pr.p._ silic'ifying; _pa.p._ silic'if[=i]ed.--_adjs._ SILIC'IOUS, SILIC'EOUS, pertaining to, containing, or resembling silica.--_n._ SIL'ICON, or SILIC'IUM, the base of silica, a non-metallic elementary substance, obtainable in three different forms, the amorphous, the graphitoid, and the crystalline. [L. _silex_, _silicis_, flint.]
[Illustration]
SILICLE, sil'i-kl, _n._ (_bot_.) a seed-vessel shorter and containing fewer seeds than a silique--also SIL'ICULE, SILIC'ULA.--_adj._ SILIC'UL[=O]SE (_bot_.), having, pertaining to, or resembling silicles: husky.--_ns._ (_bot_.) SILIQUE (si-l[=e]k'), SIL'IQUA, the two-valved elongated seed-vessel of the _Cruciferae_.--_adjs._ SIL'IQUIFORM, SIL'IQUOSE, SIL'IQUOUS (_bot_.), pertaining to, resembling, or bearing siliques. [L.
_silicula_, dim. of _siliqua_, a pod.]
SILK, silk, _n._ the delicate, soft thread produced by the larvae of certain bombycid moths which feed on the leaves of the mulberry, &c.: thread or cloth woven from it: anything resembling silk, the styles of maize, the silky lustre in the ruby, &c.--_adj._ pertaining to, or consisting of, silk.--_n._ SILK'-COTT'ON, the silky seed-covering of various species of _Bombax_.--_adjs._ SILK'EN, made of silk: dressed in silk: resembling silk: soft: delicate; SILK'-FIG'URED, having the ornamental pattern in silk.--_ns._ SILK'-GOWN, or THE SILK, the robe of a queen's or king's counsel, instead of the stuff-gown of the ordinary barrister--hence 'to take silk'=to be appointed Q.C.; SILK'-GRASS, Adam's needle, or bear-grass; SILK'INESS; SILK'-MAN (_Shak._), a dealer in silks; SILK'-MER'CER, a mercer or dealer in silks; SILK'-MILL, a mill for the manufacture of silks; SILK'-PA'PER, tissue-paper; SILK'-REEL, a machine in which raw silk is unwound from the cocoons, and wound into a thread; SILK'-THROW'ER, -THROW'STER, one who manufactures _thrown-silk_ or organzine, silk thread formed by twisting together two or more threads or singles; SILK'-WEAV'ER, a weaver of silk stuffs; SILK'WORM, the bombycid moth whose larva produces silk; SILK'WORM-GUT, a material used by anglers for dressing the hook-end of the fishing-line, consisting of the drawn-out glands of the silkworm when these are fully distended.--_adj._ SILK'Y, like silk in texture: soft: smooth: glossy. [A.S. _seolc_--L. _sericum_--Gr. _s[=e]rikon_, neut. of adj. _S[=e]rikos_, pertaining to the _S[=e]res_--_S[=e]r_, a native of China.]
SILL, sil, _n._ the timber or stone at the foot of a door or window: the lowest piece in a window-frame: (_fort_.) the inner edge of the bottom of an embrasure: the floor of a mine-passage, also a miner's term for bed or stratum. [A.S. _syl_; Ice. _sylla_, Ger. _schwelle_.]
SILLADAR, sil'a-dar, _n._ a member of a troop of irregular cavalry. [Hind.]
SILLAGO, sil'a-g[=o], _n._ a genus of acanthopterygian fishes.
SILLERY, sil'e-ri, _n._ a celebrated still white wine produced near Rheims--one of the most esteemed champagnes. [_Sillery_ in Marne.]
SILLIBUB, sil'i-bub, _n._ a dish made of wine or cider mixed with milk into a curd, flavoured, whipped into a froth, or made solid by gelatine and water, and boiling.--Also SILL'ABUB.
SILLOGRAPH, sil'[=o]-graf, _n._ a satirist. [From the _Silloi_ of Timon of Phlius, _c._ 280 B.C.]
SILLOMETER, si-lom'e-t[.e]r, _n._ an instrument for measuring the speed of a ship without a log-line. [Fr. _siller_, to make way, Gr. _metron_, a measure.]
SILLON, sil'on, _n._ (_fort_.) a. work raised in the middle of a very wide ditch, an envelope. [Fr.]
SILLSALLAT, sil'sal-at, _n._ a salad of pickled herring, with morsels of meat, eggs, onion, and beet. [Sw.]
SILLY, sil'i, _adj._ simple: harmless: foolish: witless: imprudent: absurd: stupid.--_n._ a silly person.--_adv._ SILL'ILY.--_ns._ SILL'INESS; SILL'Y-HOW, a caul. [Orig. 'blessed,' and so 'innocent,' 'simple,' A.S.
_s['ae]lig_, _gesaelig_, timely--_s['ae]l_, time; Ger. _selig_, blest, happy, Goth. _sels_, good.]
SILO, s[=i]'l[=o], _n._ a pit for packing and storing green crops for fodder in the state known as ensilage.--_v.t._ to preserve in a silo.
[Sp.,--L. _sirus_--Gr. _siros_, a pit.]
SILPHA, sil'fa, _n._ a genus of clavicorn beetles, the carrion-beetles.
[Gr. _silph[=e]_, a beetle.]
SILPHIUM, sil'fi-um, _n._ a genus of American composites with resinous juice--_prairie-dock_, _cup-plant_, _rosin-weed_: an umbelliferous plant whose juice the ancient Greeks used--the Latin _laserpitium_.