Spade - spanworm

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Spade (spād), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Spading.] To dig with a spade; to pare off the sward of, as land, with a spade.
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Spadebone (spādbōn), n. Shoulder blade. [Prov. Eng.]
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Spadefish (spādfĭsh), n. (Zoöl.) An American market fish (Chætodipterus faber) common on the southern coasts; -- called also angel fish, moonfish, and porgy.
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Spadefoot (spādf�t), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of burrowing toads of the genus Scaphiopus, esp. Scaphiopus Holbrookii, of the Eastern United States; -- called also spade toad.
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Spadeful (spādfụl), n.; pl. Spadefuls (spādfụlz). [Spade + full.] As much as a spade will hold or lift.
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Spader (?), n. One who, or that which, spades; specifically, a digging machine.
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Spadiceous (?), a. [L. spadix, -icis, a date-brown or nut-brown color. See .] 1. Of a bright clear brown or chestnut color. Sir T. Browne.
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2. (Bot.) Bearing flowers on a spadix; of the nature of a spadix.
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Spadicose (?), a. (Bot.) Spadiceous.
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Spadille (?), n. [F., fr. Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada. See a card.] (Card Playing) The ace of spades in omber and quadrille.
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Spadix (?), n.; pl. L. Spadices (#), E. Spadixes (#). [L., a palm branch broken off, with its fruit, Gr. �.] 1. (Bot.) A fleshy spike of flowers, usually inclosed in a leaf called a spathe.
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2. (Zoöl.) A special organ of the nautilus, due to a modification of the posterior tentacles.
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Spado (?), n.; pl. Spadones (#). [L., fr. Gr. �.] 1. Same as , 2.
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2. (Law) An impotent person.
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Spadroon (?), n. [Cf. F. & Sp. espadon, It. spadone. See , .] A sword, especially a broadsword, formerly used both to cut and thrust.
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Spae (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Spaed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spaeing.] [Scot. spae, spay, to foretell, to divine, Icel. spā.] To foretell; to divine. [Scot.]
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Spaeman (?), n. A prophet; a diviner. [Scot.]
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Spaewife (?), n. A female fortune teller. [Scot.]
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Spaghetti (?), n. [It.] A variety or macaroni made in tubes of small diameter.
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{ Spagyric (?), Spagyrical (?), } a. [LL. sparygicus, fr. Gr. � to draw, to separate + � to assemble; cf. F. spagirique.] Chemical; alchemical. [Obs.]
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Spagyric, n. A spagyrist. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Spagyrist (?), n. [Cf. F. spagiriste.] 1. A chemist, esp. one devoted to alchemistic pursuits. [Obs.]
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2. One of a sect which arose in the days of alchemy, who sought to discover remedies for disease by chemical means. The spagyrists historically preceded the iatrochemists. Encyc. Brit.
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{ Spahi (?), Spahee }, n. [Per., Turk., & Hind. sipāhī: cf. F. spahi. See .] 1. Formerly, one of the Turkish cavalry.
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2. An Algerian cavalryman in the French army.
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Spaid (?), n. See 1st .
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Spake (?), archaic imp. of .
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Spakenet (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.
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Spaky (?), a. Specky. [Obs.] hapman.
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Spalding knife (?). A spalting knife.
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Spale (?), n. [Cf. a splinter.] 1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
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2. (Shipbuilding) A strengthening cross timber.
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Spall (?), n. [OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See .] The shoulder. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Spall, n. [Prov. E. spall, spell. See , a splinter.] A chip or fragment, especially a chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
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Spall, v. t. 1. (Mining) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.
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2. (Masonry) To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.
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Spall, v. i. To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; -- said of stone, as when badly set, with the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.
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Spalpeen (?), n. [Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self-conceit.] A scamp; an Irish term for a good-for-nothing fellow; -- often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.]
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Spalt (?), n. [Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st .] (Metal.) Spelter. [Colloq.]
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Spalt, a. [See 1st .] 1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
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2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]
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Spalt, v. t. & i. [Cf. OE. spalden. See , a.] To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]
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Spalting knife (?). A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife.]
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Span (?), archaic imp. & p. p. of .
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Span, n. [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G. spanne, Icel. spönn. √170. See , v. t. ] 1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
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2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
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Yet not to earth's contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound. Pope.
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Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. Farquhar.
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3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.
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4. (Naut.) A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
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5. [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. spænd, G. gespann. See , v. t. ] A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
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Coloq. Span blocks (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards. -- Coloq. Span counter , an old English child's game, in which one throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that he can span the space between them, and touch both the counters. Halliwell. “Henry V., in whose time boys went to span counter for French crowns.” Shak. -- Coloq. Span iron (Naut.), a special kind of harpoon, usually secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat. -- Coloq. Span roof , a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both sides. Gwilt. -- Coloq. Span shackle (Naut.), a large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
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Span (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning.] [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spænde, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. � to draw, to drag, L. spatium space. √170. Cf. , v. t., , .] 1. To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.
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My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Isa. xiviii. 13.
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2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch.
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The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry. prescott.
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3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
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Span, v. i. To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]
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Spanæmia (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � scarce + � blood.] (Med.) A condition of impoverishment of the blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient.
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Spanæmic (? or ?), a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spanæmia; having impoverished blood.
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Spancel (?), n. [Perhaps span + AS. sāl a rope.] A rope used for tying or hobbling the legs of a horse or cow. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Grose.
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Spancel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanceled (?) or Spancelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling or Spancelling.] To tie or hobble with a spancel. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.] Malone.
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Spandex (?), prop. n. An elastic textile material, used for clothing [Trade name]
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Spandogs (?), n. pl. A pair of grappling dogs for hoisting logs and timber.
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Spandrel (?), n. [From .] 1. (Arch.) The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch above and inclosing them.
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2. A narrow mat or passe partout for a picture. [Cant]
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Spane (?), v. t. [Akin to G. spänen, LG. & D. spennen, AS. spanu a teat.] To wean. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
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Spang (?), v. t. To spangle. [Obs.]
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Spang, v. i. To spring; to bound; to leap. [Scot.]
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But when they spang o'er reason's fence,
We smart for't at our own expense. Ramsay.
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Spang, n. A bound or spring. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.
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Spang, n. [AS. spange a clasp or fastening; akin to D. spang, G. spange, OHG. spanga, Icel. spöng a spangle.] A spangle or shining ornament. [Obs.]
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With glittering spangs that did like stars appear. Spenser.
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Spangle (?), n. [OE. spangel, dim. of AS. spange. See a spangle.] 1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament, especially when stitched on the dress.
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2. Figuratively, any little thing that sparkless. “The rich spangles that adorn the sky.” Waller.
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Coloq. Oak spangle . See under .
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Spangle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spangled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spangling (?).] To set or sprinkle with, or as with, spangles; to adorn with small, distinct, brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. Donne.
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What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty? Shak.
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Coloq. Spangled coquette (Zoöl.), a tropical humming bird (Lophornis reginæ). See , 2.
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Spangle, v. i. To show brilliant spots or points; to glisten; to glitter.
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Some men by feigning words as dark as mine
Make truth to spangle, and its rays to shine. Bunyan.
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Spangler (?), n. One who, or that which, spangles.
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Spangly (?), a. Resembling, or consisting of, spangles; glittering; as, spangly light.
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Spaniard (?), n. A native or inhabitant of Spain.
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Spaniel (?), n. [OF. espagneul, F. épagneul, espagnol Spanish, Sp. españnol, fr. España Spain, from L. Hispania.] 1. (Zoöl.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under , and .
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☞ There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which, known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel, and the King Charles spaniel (see under ). Of the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and Clumber spaniels (see ). The smaller field spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable for their activity and intelligence.
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As a spaniel she will on him leap. Chaucer.
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2. A cringing, fawning person. Shak.
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Spaniel (?), a. Cringing; fawning. Shak.
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Spaniel, v. i. To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] Churchill.
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Spaniel, v. t. To follow like a spaniel. [R.]
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Spanish (?), a. Of or pertaining to Spain or the Spaniards.
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Coloq. Spanish bayonet (Bot.), a liliaceous plant (Yucca alorifolia) with rigid spine-tipped leaves. The name is also applied to other similar plants of the Southwestern United States and mexico. Called also Spanish daggers. -- Coloq. Spanish bean (Bot.) See the Note under . -- Coloq. Spanish black , a black pigment obtained by charring cork. Ure. -- Coloq. Spanish broom (Bot.), a leguminous shrub (Spartium junceum) having many green flexible rushlike twigs. -- Coloq. Spanish brown , a species of earth used in painting, having a dark reddish brown color, due to the presence of sesquioxide of iron. -- Coloq. Spanish buckeye (Bot.), a small tree (Ungnadia speciosa) of Texas, New Mexico, etc., related to the buckeye, but having pinnate leaves and a three-seeded fruit. -- Coloq. Spanish burton (Naut.), a purchase composed of two single blocks. A Coloq. double Spanish burton has one double and two single blocks. Luce (Textbook of Seamanship). -- Coloq. Spanish chalk (Min.), a kind of steatite; -- so called because obtained from Aragon in Spain. -- Coloq. Spanish cress (Bot.), a cruciferous plant (Lepidium Cadamines), a species of peppergrass. -- Coloq. Spanish curlew (Zoöl.), the long-billed curlew. [U.S.] -- Coloq. Spanish daggers (Bot.) See Spanish bayonet. -- Coloq. Spanish elm (Bot.), a large West Indian tree (Cordia Gerascanthus) furnishing hard and useful timber. -- Coloq. Spanish feretto , a rich reddish brown pigment obtained by calcining copper and sulphur together in closed crucibles. -- Coloq. Spanish flag (Zoöl.), the California rockfish (Sebastichthys rubrivinctus). It is conspicuously colored with bands of red and white. -- Coloq. Spanish fly (Zoöl.), a brilliant green beetle, common in the south of Europe, used for raising blisters. See Blister beetle under , and . -- Coloq. Spanish fox (Naut.), a yarn twisted against its lay. -- Coloq. Spanish grass . (Bot.) See . -- Coloq. Spanish juice (Bot.), licorice. -- Coloq. Spanish leather . See . -- Coloq. Spanish mackerel . (Zoöl.) (a) A species of mackerel (Scomber colias) found both in Europe and America. In America called chub mackerel, big-eyed mackerel, and bull mackerel. (b) In the United States, a handsome mackerel having bright yellow round spots (Scomberomorus maculatus), highly esteemed as a food fish. The name is sometimes erroneously applied to other species. See Illust. under Mackerel. -- Coloq. Spanish main , the name formerly given to the southern portion of the Caribbean Sea, together with the contiguous coast, embracing the route traversed by Spanish treasure ships from the New to the Old World. -- Coloq. Spanish moss . (Bot.) See (and note at that entry). -- Coloq. Spanish needles (Bot.), a composite weed (Bidens bipinnata) having achenia armed with needlelike awns. -- Coloq. Spanish nut (Bot.), a bulbous plant (Iris Sisyrinchium) of the south of Europe. -- Coloq. Spanish potato (Bot.), the sweet potato. See under . -- Coloq. Spanish red , an ocherous red pigment resembling Venetian red, but slightly yellower and warmer. Fairholt. -- Coloq. Spanish reef (Naut.), a knot tied in the head of a jib-headed sail. -- Coloq. Spanish sheep (Zoöl.), a merino. -- Coloq. Spanish white , an impalpable powder prepared from chalk by pulverizing and repeated washings, -- used as a white pigment. -- Coloq. Spanish windlass (Naut.), a wooden roller, with a rope wound about it, into which a marline spike is thrust to serve as a lever.
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Spanish, n. The language of Spain.
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Spank (spăṉk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanked (spăṉkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking.] [Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken, spenkern, to run and spring about quickly.] To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap.
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Spank, n. A blow with the open hand; a slap.
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Spank, v. i. To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly. Thackeray.
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Spanker (spăṉkẽr), n. 1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking.
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2. (Naut.) The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; -- sometimes called driver. See Illust. under . Totten.
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3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also, a fast horse. [Colloq.]
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4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [Colloq.]
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Coloq. Spanker boom (Naut.), a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust. of .
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Spanker, n. A small coin. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
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spanking, a. 1. Moving with a quick, lively pace, or capable of so doing; dashing.
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Four spanking grays ready harnessed. G. Colman, the Younger.
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2. Large; considerable. [Colloq.]
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3. Very; extremely; -- used especially in the phrase spanking new or brand spanking new, meaning completely new and unused. [informal]
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spanking breeze (Naut.), a strong breeze.
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spanless (spănlĕs), a. Incapable of being spanned.
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spanner (spănnẽr), n. 1. One who, or that which, spans.
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2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself. [Obs.]
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3. An iron instrument having a jaw to fit a nut or the head of a bolt, and used as a lever to turn it with; a wrench; specifically, a wrench for unscrewing or tightening the couplings of hose. [Chiefly British usage]
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4. pl. A contrivance in some of the earlier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam.
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span-new (spănnū), a. [Icel. spānnȳr, properly, new as a ship just split; spānn chip + nȳr new. See , and .] Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. “A span-new archbishop's chair.” Fuller.
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spannishing (spănnĭshĭng), n. [From OF. espanir to spread, F. épanouir. See .] The full blooming of a flower. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
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spanpiece (spănpēs), n. (Arch.) The collar of a roof; sparpiece.
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spanworm (spănwûrm), n. (Zoöl.) The larva of any geometrid moth, as the cankerworm; a geometer; a measuring worm.
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