Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary 1908/Swingle Syzygy

fāte, fär; mē, hėr; mīne; mōte; mūte; mōōn; then.


Swingle, swing′gl, v.t. to dress or separate the fibrous parts of flax from the woody substance by beating.—n. an implement for this purpose.—ns. Swing′le, the part of the flail which falls on the grain in threshing; Swing′le-tree, Sing′le-tree, the cross-piece of a carriage, plough, &c. to which the traces of a harnessed horse are fixed. [Swing.]

Swinish, swī′nish, adj. like or befitting swine: gross: brutal.—adv. Swin′ishly.—n. Swin′ishness.

Swink, swingk, v.i. (Spens.) to labour, to toil, to drudge.—v.t. to tire out with labour.—n. labour.—adj. Swink′ed (Milt.), wearied with labour, fatigued. [A.S. swincan, to labour; cf. swingan, swing.]

Swipe, swīp, n. a hard blow.—v.t. to give a strong blow to: to steal by snatching.—n. Swī′per, one who swipes. [A.S. swipe, a whip.]

Swipes, swīps, n. bad or spoilt beer, also small-beer.—adj. Swī′pey, fuddled with malt liquor.

Swire, swīr, n. a hollow between two hills. [Prob. A.S. swéora, the neck.]

Swirl, swėrl, v.i. to sweep along with a whirling motion.—n. whirling motion, as of wind or water: a curl or twist: the rush of a fish through the water in rising to a fly.—adj. Swirl′y. [Skeat explains as Scand., Norw. svirla, to whirl round, a freq. of sverra, to whirl, orig. to hum.]

Swish, swish, v.t. to cause to move or to cut with a whistling sound: to flog, thrash.—n. a swishing sound.—adv. in a swishing manner or with such a sound.—ns. Swish′er, one who swishes or flogs; Swish′-swash, a swishing action or sound: a washy drink. [Imit.]

Swiss, swis, adj. of or belonging to Switzerland.—n. a native of Switzerland: the language of Switzerland: a High German patois, spoken in fifteen of the cantons.—n. Swit′zer, a native of Switzerland: one of a hired bodyguard of a king or pope.—Swiss Guards, a celebrated corps or regiment of Swiss mercenaries in the French army of the old régime, constituted 'Gardes' by royal decree in 1616.

Swissing, swis′ing, n. the calendering of bleached cloth, after dampening, by passing between bowls or pairs of rollers.

Switch, swich, n. a small flexible twig: a movable rail for transferring a carriage from one line of rails to another: a device to make or break a circuit, or transfer an electric current from one conductor to another.—v.t. to strike with a switch: to swing, whisk: to transfer a carriage from one line of rails to another by a switch: to shift from one circuit to another, or in or out of circuit, as an electric current, to shunt.—ns. Switch′back, a term applied to a zigzagging, alternate back-and-forward mode of progression up a slope; Switch′back-rail′way, an apparatus for public amusement, consisting of a short length of elevated railway with a series of rounded inclines, so that the car gains enough of momentum descending the first steep incline to ascend one or more smaller inclines till it gradually and more slowly works its way to the original level at the far end of the course; Switch′ing, a beating with a switch: trimming; Switch′man, a pointsman. [Old Dut. swick, a whip.]

Switchel, swich′el, n. treacle-beer, molasses and water, &c.

Swith, swith, adv. (obs.) quickly: away! begone!

Swither, swith′ėr, v.i. (prov.) to doubt, hesitate.—n. hesitation: a fright, a sweat.

Swivel, swiv′l, n. something fixed in another body so as to turn round in it: a ring or link that turns round on a pin or neck: a small cannon turning on a swivel.—v.i. to turn on a pin or pivot.—ns. Swiv′el-eye, a squint-eye; Swiv′el-hook, a hook secured to anything by means of a swivel. [A.S. swífan, to move quickly, to turn round.]

Swizzle, swiz′l, v.i. to drink to excess.—n. a mixed or compounded drink.

Swollen, swōln, pa.p. of swell.

Swoon, swōōn, v.i. to faint: to fall into a fainting-fit.—n. the act of swooning: a fainting-fit.—Swoond′ed, obsolete pa.t. and pa.p. of swoon.—n. Swoon′ing.—adv. Swoon′ingly, [M. E. swounen, swoghenen—A.S. swógan, to resound.]

Swoop, swōōp, v.t. to sweep down upon: to take with a sweep: to catch while on the wing: to catch up.—v.i. to descend with a sweep.—n. the act of swooping: a seizing, as a bird on its prey. [A.S. swápan, to sweep; Ger. schweifen, to rove.]

Swop, swop, v.t. to exchange, to barter:—pr.p. swop′ping; pa.t and pa.p. swopped.—n. an exchange.—Also Swap. [Most prob. the same as obs. swap, swop, to beat, cog. with swoop.]

Sword, sōrd, n. an offensive weapon with a long blade, sharp upon one or both edges, for cutting or thrusting: destruction by the sword or by war, war, military force: the emblem of vengeance or justice, or of authority and power.—adj. Sword′-and-buck′ler, fought with sword and buckler, not the rapier: armed with sword and buckler.—ns. Sword′-arm, -hand, the arm, hand, that wields the sword; Sword′-bay′onet, a bayonet shaped somewhat like a sword, and used as one; Sword′-bear′er, a public officer who carries the sword of state; Sword′-belt, a military belt from which the sword is hung; Sword′bill, a South American humming-bird with a bill longer than its body; Sword′-break′er, an old weapon for grasping and breaking an adversary's sword; Sword′-cane, -stick, a cane or stick containing a sword; Sword′craft, skill with the sword; military power; Sword′-cut, a blow, wound, or scar caused by the edge of a sword; Sword′-dance, a dance in which the display of naked swords, or movements made with such, form a part; Sword′-doll′ar, a Scotch silver coin under James VI., worth 2s. 6d. in English money, having a sword on the reverse; Sword′er (Shak.), a swordsman; Sword′fish, a family of spiny-rayed Teleostean fishes, sometimes 12 to 15 feet in length, with a sword about 3 feet long, formed from a compressed prolongation of the upper jaw; Sword′-flag, the European water-flag or yellow iris; Sword′-grass, a kind of sedge; Sword′-guard, the part of a sword-hilt that protects the bearer's hand; Sword′-knot, a ribbon tied to the hilt of a sword; Sword′-law, government by the sword.—adj. Sword′less, destitute of a sword.—ns. Sword′play, fencing; Sword′player, a fencer.—adj. Sword′-proof, capable of resisting the blow or thrust of a sword.—n. Sword′-rack, a rack for holding swords.—adj. Sword′-shaped, ensiform.—ns. Swords′man, a man skilled in the use of a sword; Swords′manship. [A.S. sweord; Ice. sverdh, Ger. schwert.]

Swore, Sworn. See Swear.

Sworn, swōrn, pa.p. of swear.—Sworn broker, a London broker who swears before the court of aldermen to maintain honesty in dealing; Sworn enemies, enemies determined not to be reconciled; Sworn friends, fast or close friends.

Swote, swōt, adv. (Spens.) sweetly.

Swound, swownd, v.i. (Shak.) to swoon—also n.

Swum, swum, pa.p. of swim.

Swung, swung, pa.t. and pa.p. of swing.

Syb, sib, adj. (Spens.). Same as Sib.

Sybarite, sib′a-rīt, n. an inhabitant of Sybaris, a Greek city in ancient Italy, on the Gulf of Tarentum, noted for the effeminacy and luxury of its inhabitants: one devoted to luxury.—adjs. Sybarit′ic, -al.—n. Syb′aritism.

Sybo, sī′bō, n. a Scotch form of Cibol (q.v.):—pl. Sy′boes.

Sybotic, sī-bot′ik, adj. pertaining to a swineherd.—n. Sy′botism. [Gr. sybōtēs, swineherd.]

Sycamine, sik′a-mīn, n. (B.) supposed to be the black mulberry-tree (Morus nigra).

Sycamore, sik′a-mōr, n. a fruit-tree of the fig family, common in Palestine, &c.: a species of maple, in Scotland usually called plane-tree: in America, the native plane. [Gr. sykomorossykon, a fig, moron, black mulberry.]

Syce. Same as Sice (q.v.).

Sycophant, sik′ō-fant, n. a common informer: a servile flatterer.—n. Syc′ophancy, the behaviour of a sycophant: mean tale-bearing: obsequious flattery: servility—also Sycophant′ism.—adjs. Sycophant′ic, -al, Sycophant′ish, like a sycophant: obsequiously flattering: parasitic.—v.i. Syc′ophantise.—adv. Syc′ophantishly.—n. Syc′ophantry, the arts of the sycophant. [Gr. sykophantēs, usually said to mean one who informed against persons exporting figs from Attica or plundering the sacred fig-trees; but more prob. one who brings figs to light by shaking the tree, hence one who makes rich men yield up their fruit by informations and other vile arts—sykon, a fig, phainein, to show.]

Sycosis, sī-kō′sis, n. a pustular eruption on the scalp or bearded part of the face, due to ringworm, acne, or impetigo. [Gr.,—sykon, a fig.]

Syenite, sī′en-īt, n. a rock composed of feldspar and hornblende.—adj. Syenit′ic, relating to Syene in Egypt: pertaining to syenite. [From Gr. Syēnē, Syene in Egypt.]

Syker, sik′ėr, adv. (Spens.) surely. [Sicker.]

Syllable, sil′a-bl, n. several letters taken together so as to form one sound: a word or part of a word uttered by a single effort of the voice: a small part of a sentence.—v.t. to express by syllables, to utter.—n. Syll′abary, a list of characters representing syllables—also Syllabā′rium.—adjs. Syllab′ic, -al, consisting of a syllable or syllables.—adv. Syllab′ically.—vs.t. Syllab′icāte, Syllab′ify (pa.t. and pa.p. syllab′ified), to form into syllables—ns. Syllabicā′tion, Syllabificā′tion; Syll′abism, syllabic character, representation of syllables. [L. syllaba—Gr. syllabēsyn, with, lab-, lambanein, to take.]

Syllabub, sil′a-bub, n. Same as Sillibub.

Syllabus, sil′a-bus, n. an abstract: a table of contents: the catalogue of eighty heresies, annexed to the Encyclical Quanta Cura, addressed by Pius IX. to all Catholic bishops, 8th Dec. 1864. [L.]

Syllepsis, sil-lep′sis, n. substitution: a figure in rhetoric by which we take the sense of words rather by the intention of the author than by the strictness of grammar: the agreement of a verb or adjective, not with the word next it, but with some other word in the sentence.—adjs. Syllep′tic, -al.—adv. Syllep′tically. [Gr. syllēpsissyn, together, lambanein, to take.]

Syllogism, sil′ō-jizm, n. logical form of every argument, consisting of three propositions, of which the first two are called the premises, and the last, which follows from them, the conclusion.—n. Syllogisā′tion.—v.i. Syll′ogise, to reason by syllogisms.—v.t. to deduce consequences from.—n. Syll′ogiser.—adjs. Syllogis′tic, -al, pertaining to a syllogism: in the form of a syllogism.—adv. Syllogis′tically. [Gr. syllogismossyllogizesthaisyn, together, logizesthai, to reckon—logos, speech.]

Sylph, silf, n. one of the elemental spirits of the air, intermediate between immaterial and material beings, occasionally holding intercourse with human creatures: a fairy.—n. Sylph′id, a little sylph.—adjs. Sylph′ine, Sylph′ish. [Fr. sylphe, of Celtic origin; but cf. Gr. silphē, a kind of beetle.]

Sylva, Silva, sil′va, n. the forest trees of any region collectively.—adjs. Syl′van, Sil′van.—n. Sylvicul′ture, arboriculture, forestry. [L.]

Symbal, sim′bal, n. Same as Cymbal.

Symbiosis, sim-bi-ō′sis, n. a term introduced by De Bary to denote certain kinds of physiological partnership between organisms of different kinds—best restricted to such intimate and complementary partnerships as exist between algoid and fungoid elements in lichens, or between unicellular Algæ; and Radiolarians.—n. Sym′bion, an organism living in such a state.—adj. Symbiot′ic.—adv. Symbiot′ically. [Gr. syn, together, bios, life.]

Symbol, sim′bol, n. a sign by which one knows a thing: an arbitrary or other conventional mark, abbreviating methods of scientific expression, as in algebra, and esp. chemistry: an emblem: that which represents something else: a figure or letter representing something: (theol.) a creed, compendium of doctrine, or a typical religious rite, as the Eucharist.—adjs. Symbol′ic, -al, pertaining to, or of the nature of, a symbol: representing by signs: emblematic: figurative: typical.—adv. Symbol′ically.—ns. Symbol′icalness; Symbol′ics, the study of the history and contents of Christian creeds; Symbolisā′tion.—v.i. Sym′bolise, to be symbolical: to resemble in qualities.—v.t. to represent by symbols.—ns. Sym′boliser, Sym′bolist, one who uses symbols; Sym′bolism, representation by symbols or signs: a system of symbols: use of symbols: (theol.) the science of symbols or creeds.—adjs. Symbolist′ic, -al.—ns. Symbol′ogy, Symbolol′ogy, the art of representing by symbols; Symbolol′atry, undue veneration for symbols; Sym′bolry, the use of symbols generally. [Gr. symbolon, from symballeinsyn, together, ballein, to throw.]

Symmetry, sim′e-tri, n. the state of one part being of the same measure with or proportionate to another: due proportion: harmony or adaptation of parts to each other.—adj. Symm′etral, commensurable, symmetrical.—n. Symmet′rian, one who is careful about symmetry.—adjs. Symmet′ric, -al, having symmetry or due proportion in its parts: harmonious.—adv. Symmet′rically, with symmetry.—ns. Symmet′ricalness; Symmetri′cian, Symm′etrist, one careful about symmetry; Symmetrisā′tion.—v.t. Symm′etrise, to make symmetrical.—n. Symmetrophō′bia, fear or strong dislike of mechanical symmetry. [L. and Gr. symmetriasyn, together, metron, a measure.]

Symmorph, sim′morf, n. a character different in form from another, but representing the same notion. [Gr. symmorphos, similar—syn, with, morphē, form.]

Sympathy, sim′pa-thi, n. like feeling: an agreement of inclination, feeling, or sensation: compassion: pity: tenderness: an agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament: mutual conformity of parts in the fine arts: correspondence of parts in similar sensations or affections, or the affection of the whole body or system, or some part of it, in consequence of local injury or disease: propensity of inanimate bodies to union or mutual action: the effective union of colours.—adjs. Sympathet′ic, -al, showing, or inclined to, sympathy: feeling with another: able to sympathise: compassionate: produced by sympathy: uniting viscera and blood-vessels in a nervous action common to them all: noting sounds induced by vibrations conveyed through air, &c., from a body already in vibration.—adv. Sympathet′ically.—n. Sympathet′icism, undue disipostion to be sympathetic.—v.i. Sym′pathise, to have sympathy: to feel with or for another: to be compassionate.—ns. Sym′pathiser; Sym′pathism; Sym′pathist.—Sympathetic ink (see Ink). [Gr. sympatheiasyn, with, pathos, suffering.]

Sympelmous, sim-pel′mus, adj. in birds, having the tendons of the deep flexors of the toes blended in one before separating to proceed one to each of the four digits—opp. to Nomopelmous. [Gr. syn, with, pelma, the sole of the foot.]

Sympetalous, sim-pet′a-lus, adj. having all the petals united.

Symphenomenon, sim-fē-nom′e-non, n. a phenomenon resembling others shown by the same object:—pl. Symphenom′ena.—adj. Symphenom′enal.

Symphony, sim′fō-ni, n. an agreeing together in sound: unison, consonance, or harmony of sound: a musical composition for a full band of instruments: an instrumental introduction or termination to a vocal composition.—n. Symphō′nia, concord in Greek music: a medieval name for the bagpipe, the virginal.—adj. Symphon′ic, relating to, or resembling, a symphony: symphonious.—n. Symphō′nion, a combination of pianoforte and harmonium, the precursor of the orchestrion.—adj. Symphō′nious, agreeing or harmonising in sound: accordant: harmonious.—n. Sym′phonist, a composer of symphonies. [Gr. symphōniasyn, together, phōnē a sound.]

Symphoricarpous, sim-fō-ri-kar′pus, adj. bearing several fruits clustered together.

Symphyla, sim′fi-la, n.pl. an order or suborder of insects related to typical Thysanura, but resembling chilopods and having many abdominal legs.—adj. Sym′phyllous. [Gr. symphylos, of the same race—syn, with, phylon, a clan.]

Symphynote, sim′fi-nōt, adj. soldered together at the hinge, as the valves of some unios. [Gr. symphyēs, growing together, nōton, the back.]

Symphyogenesis, sim-fi-ō-jen′e-sis, n. (bot.) the forming of an organ or part by union of parts formerly separate.—adj. Symphyogenet′ic. [Gr. symphyesthai, to grow together, genesis, generation.]

Symphysis, sim′fi-sis, n. the union of two parts of the skeleton, either by confluence, by direct apposition, or by the intervention of cartilage or ligament: the union of parts normally separate, coalescence or growing together of parts.—adj. Symphys′ēal.—ns. Symphys′ia, a malformation produced by the union of parts properly separate; Sym′phytism, a coalescence of word-elements. [Gr. syn, with, phyein, to grow.]

Symphytum, sim′fi-tum, n. a genus of gamopetalous plants, of the natural order Boraginaceæ.

Sympiesometer, sim-pi-e-som′e-tėr, n. a barometer in which oil and hydrogen gas replace mercury and the Toricellian vacuum: an instrument for measuring the pressure of a current. [Gr. sympiesis, a pressing together—syn, with, piezein, to press, metron, a measure.]

Symplectic, sim-plek′tik, adj. placed in or among, as if woven together.—n. a bone in the Teleostean fishes which forms the lower ossification of the suspensorium, and which articulates below with the quadrate bone by which it is firmly held. [Gr. symplektikossyn, together, plekein, to weave.]

Symplesite, sim′ple-sīt, n. a pearly, vitreous arseniate of ferrous iron. [Gr. syn, together, plēsios, near.]

Symploce, sim′plō-sē, n. (rhet.) the repetition of a word at the beginning and another at the end of successive clauses. [Gr. symplokē, an interweaving.]

Symplocium, sim-plō′si-um, n. (bot.) the annulus in the sporangium of ferns.

Sympodium, sim-pō′di-um, n. (bot.) an axis or stem morphologically made up of a series of superposed branches imitating a simple stem. [Gr. syn, with, pous, podos, foot.]

Symposium, sim-pō′zi-um, n. a drinking together: a banquet with philosophic conversation: a merry feast.—adjs. Sympō′siac, Sympō′sial.—ns. Sym-pō′siarch, the master of the feast, a toast-master; Sympō′siast, one who takes part in a symposium. [L.,—Gr. symposionsyn, together, posis, a drinking—pinein, to drink.]

Symptom, simp′tum, n. that which attends and indicates the existence of something else, not as a cause, but as a constant effect: (med.) that which indicates disease.—adjs. Symptomat′ic, -al, pertaining to symptoms: indicating the existence of something else: (med.) proceeding from some prior disorder.—adv. Symptomat′ically.—n. Symptomatol′ogy, the sum of knowledge concerning symptoms. [Gr. symptōmasyn, with, piptein, to fall.]

Symptosis, simp-tō′sis, n. the meeting of polars of the same point with reference to different loci.

Synacmy, sin-ak′mi, n. the simultaneous maturity of the anthers and stigmas of a flower.—adj. Synac′mic. [Gr. syn, with, akmē, maturity.]

Synacral, sin-ak′ral, adj. having a common vertex, as faces of a polyhedron. [Gr. syn, with, acros, top.]

Synadelphic, sin-a-del′fik, adj. acting together, as different members of an animal body. [Gr. syn, with, adelphos, a brother.]

Synadelphite, sin-a-del′fīt, n. an arseniate of manganese.

Synæresis. See Syneresis.

Synæsthesia, sin-es-thē′si-a, n. sensation produced at a point different from the point of stimulation.

Synagogue, sin′a-gog, n. an assembly of Jews for worship: a Jewish place of worship.—adjs. Syn′agogal, Synagog′ical. [Fr.,—Gr. synagōgēsyn, together, agein, to lead.]

Synalepha, sin-a-lē′fa, n. a contraction by suppressing a final vowel or diphthong before another vowel or diphthong, so that the final syllable of one word runs or melts into the first of the other.—Also Synalē′phe. [Gr. synaloiphēsynaleiphein, to melt together—syn, together with, aleiphein, to anoint.]

Synalgia, si-nal′ji-a, n. sympathetic pain. [Gr. syn, with, algos, pain.]

Synallagmatic, sin-a-lag-mat′ik, adj. mutually or reciprocally obligatory. [Gr. synallagmatikossynallagma, a covenant.]

Synancia, si-nan′si-a, n. a genus of fishes with spines and poison-glands, of family Synanciidæ.—adj. Synan′cioid. [Gr. synangchos, quinsy.]

Synangium, si-nan′ji-um, n. an arterial trunk: the boat-shaped sorus of certain ferns. [Gr. syn, with, angeion, a vessel.]

Synantherous, si-nan′ther-us, adj. (bot.) having the anthers united.

Synanthous, si-nan′thus, adj. (bot.) denoting plants whose flowers and leaves appear together or at the same time.—n. Synan′thy. [Gr. syn, together, anthos, a flower.]

Synaphea, sin-a-fē′a, n. the metrical continuity between one colon and another, mutual connection of all the verses in a system, so that they are scanned as one verse, as in anapæstics: elision or synalepha, at the end of a line, of the final vowel of a dactylic hexameter before the initial vowel of the next.—Also Synaphei′a. [Gr.,—synaptein, to join together.]

Synapte, si-nap′tē, n. (Gr. Church) a litany. [Gr. synaptē (euchē, a prayer), joined together.]

Synarchy, sin′ar-ki, n. joint sovereignty. [Gr. synarchiasyn, with, archein, to rule.]

Synartesis, sin-ar-tē′sis, n. a fastening together, close union.—adj. Synartet′ic. [Gr. synartēsissyn, with, artaein, to fasten to.]

Synarthrosis, sin-ar-thrō′sis, n. a joint permitting no motion, between the parts articulated.—adj. Synarthrō′dial.—adv. Synarthrō′dially. [Gr. syn-arthrōsissyn, with, arthron, a joint.]

Synascete, sin′a-sēt, n. a fellow-ascetic.

Synastry, si-nas′tri, n. coincidence as regards stellar influences. [Gr. syn, together with, astron, a star.]

Synaxis, si-nak′sis, n. in the early Church, an assembly for worship, esp. for celebrating the Eucharist.—n. Synaxā′rion, in Greek usage, a lection containing an account of a saint's life. [Gr. synaxis, a bringing together—syn, together, agein, to lead.]

Syncarpous, sin-kär′pus, adj. (bot.) having the carpels consolidated into one. [Gr. syn, together, karpos, a fruit.]

Syncategorematic, sin-kat-ē-gor-ē-mat′ik, adj. denoting words that can only form parts of terms, as adverbs, &c.—adv. Syncategoremat′ically.

Synchondrosis, sing-kon-drō′sis, n. an articulation formed by the addition of a plate of cartilage.—n. Synchondrot′omy, the section of such. [Gr. syngchondrōsissyn, with, chondros, a cartilage.]

Synchoresis, sing-kō-rē′sis, n. (rhet.) an admission made for the purpose of making a more effective retort. [Gr. synchōrēsissyn, with, chōros, space.]

Synchronal, sing′krō-nal, adj. happening or being at the same time: simultaneous: lasting for the same time—also Synchron′ical, Syn′chronous.—adv. Synchron′ically.—n. Synchronisā′tion.—v.i. Syn′chronise, to be synchronal or simultaneous: to agree in time.—v.t. to cause to be synchronous: to regulate a clock, &c., by some standard.—ns. Syn′chroniser; Syn′chronism, concurrence of events in time: the tabular arrangement of contemporary events, &c., in history.—adj. Synchronis′tic, showing synchronism.—adv. Synchronis′tically.—n. Synchronol′ogy, chronological arrangement side by side.—adv. Syn′chronously.—ns. Syn′chronousness; Syn′chrony, simultaneity. [Gr. synchronismossynchronizein, to agree in time—syn, together, chronos, time.]

Synchysis, sing′ki-sis, n. (rhet.) confusion of meaning due to unusual arrangement: fluidity of the vitreous humour of the eye. [Gr. syngchysissyn, together with, chein, to pour.]

Synelastic, sin-klas′tik, adj. having the same kind of curvature in all directions—opp. to Anticlastic. [Gr. syn, together, klastos, broken.]

Synclinal, sin-klī′nal, adj. sloping downwards in opposite directions so as to meet in a common point or line: (geol.) denoting strata dipping toward a common central line or plane.—ns. Syn′cline, a synclinal flexure—also Synclī′nal; Synclinō′rium, a mountain with a synclinal structure. [Gr. syn, together, klinein, to bend.]

Syncopate, sing′kō-pāt, v.t. to contract, as a word, by taking away letters from the middle: (mus.) to unite by a slur the last note of a bar to the first note of the next.—adjs. Syn′copal, Syncop′ic, pertaining to syncope.—ns. Syncopā′tion, act of syncopating; Syn′cope, the omission of letters from the middle of a word, as ne'er for never: (med.) a fainting-fit, an attack in which the breathing and circulation become faint: (mus.) syncopation.—v.t. Syn′copise, to contract by syncope.—n. Syn′copist.—adj. Syncop′tic. [Low L. syncopāre, -ātum—L. syncope-Gr. syn, together, koptein, to cut off.]

Syncretism, sin′kre-tizm, n. the attempted reconciliation of irreconcilable principles, theological compromise—between Catholics and Protestants, between Lutherans and Reformed.—adj. Syncret′ic, pertaining to syncretism, tending to blend opposing parties and speculative systems by minimising differences.—v.t. Syn′cretise.—n. Syn′cretist.—adj. Syncretis′tic. [Gr. synkrētismossynkrētizein, to unite against.]

Syndactyl, sin-dak′til, adj. having the digits connected with a web, &c.—n. Syndac′tylism, union of digits.—adj. Syndac′tylous.

Syndesmosis, sin-des-mō′sis, n. the connection of bones by ligaments.—ns. Syndesmog′raphy, description of the ligaments and joints; Syndesmol′ogy, the knowledge of the ligaments.—adj. Syndesmot′ic.—n. Syndesmot′omy, the anatomy of the ligaments. [Gr. syndesmossyn, together with, dein, to bind.]

Syndetic, -al, sin-det′ik, -al, adj. connecting by conjunctions, &c. [Gr. syndetikos, binding together—syn, together, dein, to bind.]

Syndic, sin′dik, n. the chief magistrate in Geneva, one of those officers delegated as agents by cities in France under the old régime, &c.: one chosen to transact business for others, esp. the accredited legal representative of a corporation, society, or company.—n. Syn′dicāte, a body of syndics: a council: the office of a syndic: a body of men chosen to watch the interests of a company, or to manage a bankrupt's property, esp. an association of merchants or others for the purpose of carrying through some great or important enterprise, or for securing a kind of artificial monopoly in the production or supply of some commodity.—v.t. to effect by means of a syndicate.—v.i. to join in a syndicate.—ns. Syndicā′tion; Syn′dicātor. [L. syndicus—Gr. syndikossyn, with, dikē, justice.]

Syndrome, sin′drō-mē, n. concurrence. [Gr., syn, together, dramein, to run.]

Syndyasmian, sin-di-as′mi-an, adj. coupling, noting the sexual relation. [Gr. syndyasmos, coupling.]

Synecdoche, sin-ek′dō-kē, n. a figure of speech by which a part is made to comprehend the whole, or the whole is put for a part.—adj. Synecdoch′ical, expressed by, or implying, synecdoche. [Gr. synekdochēsyn, together, ekdechesthai, to receive.]

Synechia, sin-e-kī′a, n. morbid adhesion between the iris and the cornea.—n. Synechiol′ogy, the doctrine of the connection of things by causation.—adj. Synec′tic, bringing into connection things of different nature.—n. Synectic′ity. [Gr. synektikos, holding together, synecheinsyn, together with, echein, to hold.]

Synecphonesis, si-nek-fō-nē′sis, n. syneresis.

Synedral, si-nē′dral, adj. (bot.) growing on the angle of a stem.—Also Synē′drous. [Gr. synedros, sitting together—syn, together, hedra, a seat.]

Synedrion, si-ned′ri-on, n. a judicial assembly, a sanhedrim—also Syned′rium.—adj. Syned′rial. [Sanhedrim.]

Synema, si-nē′ma, n. (bot.) the column of combined filaments in a monadelphous flower. [Gr. syn, together, nēma, a thread.]

Syneresis, Synæresis, si-ner′e-sis, n. the coalescence of two vowels or syllables—opp. to Diæresis. [Gr. syn, together, hairein, to take.]

Synergism, sin′ėr-jizm, n. the doctrine that the human will and the Divine Spirit are two efficient agents that co-operate in regeneration—ascribed to Melanchthon.—adj. Synerget′ic.—n. Syn′ergist, one maintaining the doctrine of synergism.—adj. Synergist′ic.—n. Syn′ergy, combined action. [Gr. synergia, co-operation—syn, together, ergein, to work.]

Synesis, sin′e-sis, n. a grammatical construction in harmony with the sense rather than with strict syntax. [Gr., 'understanding.']

Syngenesious, sin-je-nē′shus, adj. (bot.) cohering into a ring, as the anthers of Compositæ, &c.—those plants which show this forming the 19th class in the Linnean system, the Syngenē′sia. [Gr. syn, with, genesis, generation.]

Syngenesis, sin-jen′e-sis, n. the theory of reproduction which makes the embryo the product of both male and female by the union of spermatozoon and ovum: the theory that the germ so formed contains the germs of all future generations—opp. to Epigenesis.—adj. Syngenet′ic. [Gr. syn, with, genesis, generation.]

Syngraph, sing′graf, n. a writing signed by both or all the parties thereto. [Gr. synggraphēsyn, with, graphein, to write.]

Synizesis, sin-i-zē′sis, n. the union into one syllable of two vowels incapable of forming a diphthong: closure of the pupil of the eye, with loss of sight. [Gr. syn, with, hizein, to place.]

Synochus, sin′ō-kus, n. a continued fever—also Syn′ocha.—adjs. Syn′ochal, Syn′ochoid. [Gr. synochos, joined together—syn, with, echein, to hold.]

Synocil, sin′ō-sil, n. a filamentous formation of certain sponges, supposed to function as a sense-organ, probably an eye. [Gr. syn, with, L. cilium, an eyelid.]

Synocreate, si-nok′rē-āt, adj. (bot.) uniting together on the opposite side of the stem from the leaf, and enclosing the stem in a sheath—of stipules. [Gr. syn, with, and ocreate.]

Synod, sin′od, n. a meeting: an ecclesiastical council: among Presbyterians, a church court consisting of several presbyteries, intermediate between these and the General Assembly, also the supreme court of the United Presbyterian Church until its union with the Free Church in 1900.—adjs. Syn′odal, Synod′ic, -al, pertaining to a synod: done in a synod.-adv. Synod′ically.—n. Syn′odist. [L. synodus—Gr. synodossyn, together, hodos, a way.]

Synœcious, si-nē′shi-us, adj. (bot.) having male and female flowers in one head as in the Compositæ: having antheridia and archegonia on the same receptacle, as in many mosses. [Gr. synoikia, a living together—syn, with, oikein, to dwell.]

Synomosy, sin′ō-mō-si, n. a body of political or other conspirators bound together by oath, a secret society. [Gr. synōmosia, a conspiracy—syn, with, omnynai, to take an oath.]

Synonym, sin′o-nim, n. a name or word having the same meaning with another: one of two or more words which have the same meaning.—adjs. Synonymat′ic, Synonym′ic, -al.—ns. Synonym′icon, a dictionary of synonymous words; Synonym′ics, synonymy.—v.t. Synon′ymise, to express by other words of the same meaning.—ns. Synon′ymist, one who studies synonyms, or the different names of plants and animals; Synonym′ity, the state of being synonymous.—adj. Synon′ymous, pertaining to synonyms: expressing the same thing: having the same meaning.—adv. Synon′ymously.—n. Synon′ymy, the quality of being synonymous: a rhetorical figure by which synonymous words are used. [Gr. synōnymonsyn, with, onoma, a name.]

Synopsis, si-nop′sis, n. a view of the whole together: a collective or general view of any subject:—pl. Synop′sēs.—adjs. Synop′tic, -al, affording a general view of the whole.—adv. Synop′tically.—n. Synop′tist, one of the writers of the Synoptic Gospels.—adj. Synoptis′tic.—The Synoptic Gospels, a name first used by Griesbach for the first three gospels, those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which present such a similarity in matter and form that they readily admit of being brought under one and the same combined view or synopsis. [Gr. synopsissyn, with, together, opsis, a view.]

Synosteosis, si-nos-tē-ō′sis, n. union of different parts of the skeleton by means of bone, co-ossification—also Synostō′sis.—ns. Synosteol′ogy, the knowledge of the joints of the body; Synosteot′omy, the dissection of the joints.—adj. Synostot′ic. [Gr. syn, together, osteon, a bone.]

Synotus, si-nō′tus, n. a genus of long-eared bats having the rim of the ear produced in front of the eye, including the European Barbastel: a double monster united above the umbilicus, the head incompletely double. [Gr. syn, together, ous, ōtos, the ear.]

Synovial, sin-ō′vi-al, adj. relating to Synō′via, an unctuous albuminous fluid, secreted from certain glands in the joints.—adv. Synō′vially.—n. Synovī′tis, inflammation of a synovial membrane. [Gr. syn, with, ōon, an egg.]

Syntax, sin′taks, n. (gram.) the correct arrangement of words in sentences.—adjs. Syntac′tic, -al, pertaining to syntax: according to the rules of syntax.—adv. Syntac′tically. [Gr. syntaxissyn, together, tassein, taxein, to put in order.]

Syntenosis, sin-te-nō′sis, n. the connection of bones by tendons. [Gr. syn, with, tenōn, a sinew.]

Synteresis, sin-tē-rē′sis, n. preventive treatment, prophylaxis.—adj. Synteret′ic.—n. Synteret′ics, hygiene. [Gr. syntērēsis, observation—syn, with, tērein, to watch over.]

Syntexis, sin-tek′sis, n. a wasting of the body.—adjs. Syntec′tic, -al. [Gr. syntēxis, a wasting away—syn, with, tēkein, to melt.]

Synthermal, sin-thėrm′al, adj. having the same degree of heat. [Gr. syn, together, thermē, heat.]

Synthesis, sin′the-sis, n. a term applied to the building up of compound substances from the elements they contain or from other compounds, usually of less complexity than themselves: a making a whole out of parts: the combination of separate elements of thought into a whole, or reasoning from principles previously established to a conclusion, as opposed to analysis: (gram.) the uniting of ideas into a sentence: (med.) the reunion of parts that have been divided: (chem.) the uniting of elements to form a compound:—pl. Syn′theses (-sēz).—v.t. Syn′thesīse, to unite by synthesis.—ns. Syn′thesist, Syn′thetist, one who synthetises.—adjs. Synthet′ic, -al, pertaining to synthesis: consisting in synthesis or composition.—adv. Synthet′ically.—n. Synthet′icism, the principles of synthesis, a synthetic system.—v.t. Syn′thetise.—Synthetic philosophy, the system of Herbert Spencer, so called by himself because conceived as a fusion of the different sciences into a whole. [Gr. synthesissyn, with, together, thesis, a placing—tithēmi, I place.]

Synthronus, sin′thrō-nus, n. the seat of the bishop and his presbyters, behind the altar. [Gr. syn, together with, thronos, a throne.]

Syntonin, sin′tō-nin, n. a substance akin to fibrin, which is an important constituent of muscular tissue—also called Muscle Fibrin.

Syntonous, sin′tō-nus, adj. intense in quality.—Also Synton′ic. [Gr. syntonos, tightly drawn.]

Syntropic, sin-trop′ik, adj. turning or pointing in the same direction, as several vertebræ. [Gr. syn, together with, trepein, to turn.]

Syphilis, sif′i-lis, n. a markedly contagious, infective, and inoculable disease, capable of being transmitted to the offspring, propagated by direct contagion or by the transmission of the virus through some vessel or medium which has recently been contaminated—most commonly caused by impure sexual intercourse.—n. Syphilisā′tion.—v.t. Syph′ilise, to attempt to inoculate the system with the virus of syphilis as a preventive and curative measure.—adj. Syphilit′ic.—n. Syphilog′raphy, the description of syphilis.—adj. Syph′iloid, relating to syphilis.—ns. Syphilol′ogist, one versed in syphilology; Syphilol′ogy, the knowledge of syphilis; Syphilō′ma, a syphilitic tumour; Syphilophō′bia, a morbid dread of contracting syphilis. [The word is borrowed from the name of a figure in Fracastoro's poem, Syphilidis Libri III.]

Syphon, Syren. Same as Siphon, Siren.

Syriac, sir′i-ak, adj. relating to Syria, or to its language.—n. the language, esp. the ancient language of Syria, a western dialect of Aramaic (q.v.).—ns. Syr′iacism, Syr′ianism, a Syrian idiom.—adj. Syr′ian, relating to Syria.—n. a native of Syria.—n. Syr′iarch, the chief priest in the Roman province of Syria.

Syringa, sī-ring′ga, n. the mock-orange.

Syringe, sir′inj, n. a portable hydraulic instrument of the pump kind, used to draw in a quantity of liquid and eject it forcibly: a tube used by surgeons for injecting, &c.—v.t. to inject or clean with a syringe. [L. syrinx, (gen.) syringos—Gr. syringx, a reed.]

Syringotomy, sir-in-got′ō-mi, n. the operation of cutting for the fistula.—n. Syr′inx, a fistula or fistulous opening: a narrow gallery in the tombs of ancient Egypt. [Gr. syringx, a pipe, tomē, a cutting—temnein, to cut.]

Syrophœnician, sī-rō-fē-nish′an, adj. pertaining to Syro-Phœnicia or its people, of mixed Phœnician and Syrian descent.

Syrtis, sėr′tis, n. (Milt.) a quicksand—also Syrt.—adj. Syr′tic. [L.,—Gr.—syrein, to draw along.]

Syrup, sir′up, n. a saturated solution of sugar boiled to prevent fermentation: the juice of fruits saturated with sugar and many flavoured liquids, treated in the same way—also Sir′up.—adj. Syr′upy. [Fr. syrop—Sp. xarope, a drink—Ar. sharāb.]

Syssarcosis, sis-ar-kō′sis, n. the connection of one bone with another by intervening muscle.—adj. Syssarcō′sic. [Gr., syn, together, sarx, flesh.]

Syssitia, si-sit′i-a, n. the ancient Spartan custom of eating together in public the chief meal of the day. [Gr. syn, together with, sitos, food.]

Systaltic, sis-tal′tik, adj. alternately contracting and dilating, pulsatory. [Gr. systaltikossyn, together, stellein, to place.]

Systasis, sis′tā-sis, n. a union or confederation.—adj. Systat′ic, introductory, recommendatory. [Gr. syn, with, histanai, to set up.]

System, sis′tem, n. anything formed of parts placed together or adjusted into a regular and connected whole: an assemblage of bodies as a connected whole: an orderly arrangement of objects according to some common law or end: regular method or order: a full and connected view of some department of knowledge: an explanatory hypothesis or theory: the universe.—adjs. Systemat′ic, -al, pertaining to, or consisting of, system: formed or done according to system: methodical.—adv. Systemat′ically.—ns. Systemati′cian; Systematisā′tion, Systemisā′tion.—vs.t. Sys′tematise, Sys′temise, to reduce to a system.—ns. Sys′tematiser; Sys′tematism; Sys′tematist; Systematol′ogy.—adjs. System′ic, systematic; pertaining to the human system; Sys′temless, without system: not exhibiting organic structure.—ns. Sys′tem-māk′er, -mon′ger, one unduly fond of constructing systems. [Gr. systēmasyn, together, histēmi, I place.]

Systole, sīs′tō-lē, n. the regular contraction of the heart for impelling the blood outward—opp. to Diastole: (gram.) the shortening of a long syllable.—adj. Systol′ic. [Gr. systolēsyn, together, stellein, to place.]

Systyle, sis′tīl, n. (archit.) the arrangement of columns so that they are only two diameters apart: a front or portico having columns so arranged.—adj. Sys′tylous (bot.), having the styles united into a single body. [Gr. syn, with, stylos, a column.]

Sythe=Scythe.

Syzygy, siz′i-ji, n. the relative position of a planet (esp. the moon) when either in conjunction or in opposition with the sun: the period of new or full moon:—pl. Syz′ygies.—n. Syz′ygant (-gant), a rational integral function of the invariants of a quantic that vanishes when expressed as a function of the coefficients.—adj. Syzyget′ic, pertaining to a linear relation.—adv. Syzyget′ically.—adj. Syzyg′ial, pertaining to a syzygy. [Gr. syzygia, union.]