Words whose 7th letter is U

Acanthus (n.) A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.

Acanthus (n.) An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.

Acetabular (a.) Cup-shaped; saucer-shaped; acetabuliform.

Acetabulifera (n. pl.) The division of Cephalopoda in which the arms are furnished with cup-shaped suckers, as the cuttlefishes, squids, and octopus; the Dibranchiata. See Cephalopoda.

Acetabuliform (a.) Shaped like a shallow cup; saucer-shaped; as, an acetabuliform calyx.

Achenium (n.) A small, dry, indehiscent fruit, containing a single seed, as in the buttercup; -- called a naked seed by the earlier botanists.

Actinium (n.) A supposed metal, said by Phipson to be contained in commercial zinc; -- so called because certain of its compounds are darkened by exposure to light.

Adventurous (n.) Inclined to adventure; willing to incur hazard; prone to embark in hazardous enterprise; rashly daring; -- applied to persons.

Adventurous (n.) Full of hazard; attended with risk; exposing to danger; requiring courage; rash; -- applied to acts; as, an adventurous undertaking, deed, song.

Afterguard (n.) The seaman or seamen stationed on the poop or after part of the ship, to attend the after-sails.

Ageratum (n.) A genus of plants, one species of which (A. Mexicanum) has lavender-blue flowers in dense clusters.

Amplitude (n.) The extent of a movement measured from the starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied especially to vibratory movements.

Amplitude (n.) An angle upon which the value of some function depends; -- a term used more especially in connection with elliptic functions.

Antennule (n.) A small antenna; -- applied to the smaller pair of antennae or feelers of Crustacea.

Apterous (a.) Destitute of winglike membranous expansions, as a stem or petiole; -- opposed to alate.

Aquarius (n.) The Water-bearer; the eleventh sign in the zodiac, which the sun enters about the 20th of January; -- so called from the rains which prevail at that season in Italy and the East.

Archilute (n.) A large theorbo, or double-necked lute, formerly in use, having the bass strings doubled with an octave, and the higher strings with a unison.

Arquebusade (n.) A distilled water from a variety of aromatic plants, as rosemary, millefoil, etc.; -- originally used as a vulnerary in gunshot wounds.

Arseniureted (a.) Combined with arsenic; -- said some elementary substances or radicals; as, arseniureted hydrogen.

Ascidium (n.) A pitcher-shaped, or flask-shaped, organ or appendage of a plant, as the leaves of the pitcher plant, or the little bladderlike traps of the bladderwort (Utricularia).

Bacillus (n.) A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.

Bandeau (n.) A narrow band or fillet; a part of a head-dress.

Barbecue (n.) A floor, on which coffee beans are sun-dried.

Barrigudo (n.) A large, dark-colored, South American monkey, of the genus Lagothrix, having a long prehensile tail.

Basylous (a.) Pertaining to, or having the nature of, a basyle; electro-positive; basic; -- opposed to chlorous.

Beatitude (n.) Any one of the nine declarations (called the Beatitudes), made in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. v. 3-12), with regard to the blessedness of those who are distinguished by certain specified virtues.

Bicarbureted (a.) Alt. of -retted

Bimanous (a.) Having two hands; two-handed.

Blackguard (n.) The scullions and lower menials of a court, or of a nobleman's household, who, in a removal from one residence to another, had charge of the kitchen utensils, and being smutted by them, were jocularly called the "black guard"; also, the servants and hangers-on of an army.

Boastful (a.) Given to, or full of, boasting; inclined to boast; vaunting; vainglorious; self-praising.

Borofluoride (n.) A double fluoride of boron and hydrogen, or some other positive element, or radical; -- called also fluoboride, and formerly fluoborate.

Brachyura (n. pl.) A group of decapod Crustacea, including the common crabs, characterized by a small and short abdomen, which is bent up beneath the large cephalo-thorax. [Also spelt Brachyoura.] See Crab, and Illustration in Appendix.

Campanula (n.) A large genus of plants bearing bell-shaped flowers, often of great beauty; -- also called bellflower.

Campanulaceous (a.) Of pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants (Camponulaceae) of which Campanula is the type, and which includes the Canterbury bell, the harebell, and the Venus's looking-glass.

Campanularian (n.) A hydroid of the family ampanularidae, characterized by having the polyps or zooids inclosed in bell-shaped calicles or hydrothecae.

Campanulate (a.) Bell-shaped.

Cathetus (n.) One Cerberus (n.) A monster, in the shape of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.

Cernuous (a.) Inclining or nodding downward; pendulous; drooping; -- said of a bud, flower, fruit, or the capsule of a moss.

Chestnut (n.) The tree itself, or its light, coarse-grained timber, used for ornamental work, furniture, etc.

Chevron (n.) A distinguishing mark, above the elbow, on the sleeve of a non-commissioned officer's coat.

Chlorous (a.) Of, pertaining to, or derived from, chlorine; -- said of those compounds of chlorine in which this element has a valence of three, the next lower than in chloric compounds; as, chlorous acid, HClO2.

Chlorous (a.) Pertaining to, or resembling, the electro-negative character of chlorine; hence, electro-negative; -- opposed to basylous or zincous.

Chrysaurin (n.) An orange-colored dyestuff, of artificial production.

Chylaqueous (a.) Consisting of chyle much diluted with water; -- said of a liquid which forms the circulating fluid of some inferior animals.

Cockspur (n.) A variety of Crataegus, or hawthorn (C. Crus-galli), having long, straight thorns; -- called also Cockspur thorn.

Cocoanut (n.) The large, hard-shelled nut of the cocoa palm. It yields an agreeable milky liquid and a white meat or albumen much used as food and in making oil.

Consecutive (a.) Having similarity of sequence; -- said of certain parallel progressions of two parts in a piece of harmony; as, consecutive fifths, or consecutive octaves, which are forbidden.

Consequential (a.) Assuming or exhibiting an air of consequence; pretending to importance; pompous; self-important; as, a consequential man. See Consequence, n., 4.

Convolute (a.) Rolled or wound together, one part upon another; -- said of the leaves of plants in aestivation.

Corundum (n.) The earth alumina, as found native in a crystalCouscous (n.) A kind of food used by the natives of Western Africa, made of millet flour with flesh, and leaves of the baobab; -- called also lalo.

Covetous (v. t.) Very desirous; eager to obtain; -- used in a good sense.

Covetous (v. t.) Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess (esp. money); avaricious; -- in a bad sense.

Covetousness (n.) A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense.

Crenature (n.) A rounded tooth or notch of a crenate leaf, or any part that is crenate; -- called also crenelle.

Crossruff (n.) The play in whist where partners trump each a different suit, and lead to each other for that purpose; -- called also seesaw.

Dachshund (n.) One of a breed of small dogs with short crooked legs, and long body; -- called also badger dog. There are two kinds, the rough-haired and the smooth-haired.

Delirium (n.) A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so distinguished from mania, or madness.

Denarius (n.) A Roman silver coin of the value of about fourteen cents; the "penny" of the New Testament; -- so called from being worth originally ten of the pieces called as.

Destitute (a.) Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often followed by of.

Destitute (v. t.) To make destitute; to cause to be in want; to deprive; -- followed by of.

Didymium (n.) A rare metallic substance usually associated with the metal cerium; -- hence its name. It was formerly supposed to be an element, but has since been found to consist of two simpler elementary substances, neodymium and praseodymium. See Neodymium, and Praseodymium.

Difficulty (n.) The state of being difficult, or hard to do; hardness; arduousness; -- opposed to easiness or facility; as, the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of difficulty.

Difficulty (n.) Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties.

Dinosauria (n. pl.) An order of extinct mesozoic reptiles, mostly of large size (whence the name). Notwithstanding their size, they present birdlike characters in the skeleton, esp. in the pelvis and hind limbs. Some walked on their three-toed hind feet, thus producing the large "bird tracks," so-called, of mesozoic sandstones; others were five-toed and quadrupedal. See Illust. of Compsognathus, also Illustration of Dinosaur in Appendix.

Dochmius (n.) A foot of five syllables (usually / -- -/ -).

Earthquake (n.) A shaking, trembling, or concussion of the earth, due to subterranean causes, often accompanied by a rumbling noise. The wave of shock sometimes traverses half a hemisphere, destroying cities and many thousand lives; -- called also earthdin, earthquave, and earthshock.

Electrum (n.) German-silver plate. See German silver, under German.

Emeritus (a.) Honorably discharged from the performance of public duty on account of age, infirmity, or long and faithful services; -- said of an officer of a college or pastor of a church.

Enchodus (n.) A genus of extinct Cretaceous fishes; -- so named from their spear-shaped teeth. They were allied to the pike (Esox).

Ensanguine (v. t.) To stain or cover with blood; to make bloody, or of a blood-red color; as, an ensanguined hue.

Entellus (n.) An East Indian long-tailed bearded monkey (Semnopithecus entellus) regarded as sacred by the natives. It is remarkable for the caplike arrangement of the hair on the head. Called also hoonoomaun and hungoor.

Eosaurus (n.) An extinct marine reptile from the coal measures of Nova Scotia; -- so named because supposed to be of the earliest known reptiles.

Equidiurnal (a.) Pertaining to the time of equal day and night; -- applied to the equinoctial line.

Exchequer (n.) One of the superior courts of law; -- so called from a checkered cloth, which covers, or formerly covered, the table.

Exclamation (n.) A mark or sign by which outcry or emphatic utterance is marked; thus [!]; -- called also exclamation point.

Expostulate (v. i.) To reason earnestly with a person on some impropriety of his conduct, representing the wrong he has done or intends, and urging him to make redress or to desist; to remonstrate; -- followed by with.

Exsanguinity (n.) Privation or destitution of blood; -- opposed to plethora.

Factious (a.) Given to faction; addicted to form parties and raise dissensions, in opposition to government or the common good; turbulent; seditious; prone to clamor against public measures or men; -- said of persons.

Factious (a.) Pertaining to faction; proceeding from faction; indicating, or characterized by, faction; -- said of acts or expressions; as, factious quarrels.

Forasmuch (conj.) In consideration that; seeing that; since; because that; -- followed by as. See under For, prep.

Fraudful (a.) Full of fraud, deceit, or treachery; trickish; treacherous; fraudulent; -- applied to persons or things.

Frogmouth (n.) One of several species of Asiatic and East Indian birds of the genus Batrachostomus (family Podargidae); -- so called from their very broad, flat bills.

Furniture (v. t.) A mixed or compound stop in an organ; -- sometimes called mixture.

Generous (a.) Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent; as, a generous friend or father.

Geranium (n.) A genus of plants having a beaklike tours or receptacle, around which the seed capsules are arranged, and membranous projections, or stipules, at the joints. Most of the species have showy flowers and a pungent odor. Called sometimes crane's-bill.

Glaucous (a.) Of a sea-green color; of a dull green passing into grayish blue.

Gonimous (a.) Pertaining to, or containing, gonidia or gonimia, as that part of a lichen which contains the green or chlorophyll-bearing cells.

Guaiacum (n.) The heart wood or the resin of the Guaiacum offinale or lignum-vitae, a large tree of the West Indies and Central America. It is much used in medicine.

Gymnotus (n.) A genus of South American fresh-water fishes, including the Gymnotus electricus, or electric eel. It has a greenish, eel-like body, and is possessed of electric power.

Habendum (n.) That part of a deed which follows the part called the premises, and determines the extent of the interest or estate granted; -- so called because it begins with the word Habendum.

Hallelujah (n. & interj.) Praise ye Jehovah; praise ye the Lord; -- an exclamation used chiefly in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God, and as an expression of gratitude or adoration.

Harlequin (n.) A buffoon, dressed in party-colored clothes, who plays tricks, often without speaking, to divert the bystanders or an audience; a merry-andrew; originally, a droll rogue of Italian comedy.

Herrnhuter (n.) One of the Moravians; -- so called from the settlement of Herrnhut (the Lord's watch) made, about 1722, by the Moravians at the invitation of Nicholas Lewis, count of Zinzendorf, upon his estate in the circle of Bautzen.

Heydeguy (n.) A kind of country-dance or round.

Hidebound (a.) Having the skin adhering so closely to the ribs and back as not to be easily loosened or raised; -- said of an animal.

Hidebound (a.) Having the bark so close and constricting that it impedes the growth; -- said of trees.

Homoiousian (n.) One of the semi-Arians of the 4th century, who held that the Son was of like, but not the same, essence or substance with the Father; -- opposed to homoousian.

Hymenium (n.) The spore-bearing surface of certain fungi, as that on the gills of a mushroom.

Hyopastron (n.) The second lateral plate in the plastron of turtles; -- called also hyosternum.

Iconodulist (n.) One who serves images; -- opposed to an iconoclast.

Illicium (n.) A genus of Asiatic and American magnoliaceous trees, having star-shaped fruit; star anise. The fruit of Illicium anisatum is used as a spice in India, and its oil is largely used in Europe for flavoring cordials, being almost identical with true oil of anise.

Illuminati (v. t.) Members of a sect which sprung up in Spain about the year 1575. Their principal doctrine was, that, by means of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a state as to have no need of o Internuncial (a.) Communicating or transmitting impressions between different parts of the body; -- said of the nervous system.

Interoperculum (n.) The postero-inferior opercular bone, in fishes.

Interrupted (a.) Irregular; -- said of any arrangement whose symmetry is destroyed by local causes, as when leaflets are interposed among the leaves in a pinnate leaf.

Intramundane (a.) Being within the material world; -- opposed to extramundane.

Introduce (v. t.) To lead or bring in; to conduct or usher in; as, to introduce a person into a drawing-room.

Iridious (a.) Of or pertaining to iridium; -- applied specifically to compounds in which iridium has a low valence.

Kingtruss () A truss, framed with a king-post; -- used in roofs, bridges, etc.

Kneebrush (n.) A tuft or brush of hair on the knees of some species of antelopes and other animals; -- chiefly used in the plural.

Kneebrush (n.) A thick mass or collection of hairs on the legs of bees, by aid of which they carry the collected pollen to the hive or nest; -- usually in the plural.

Kneed (a.) Having knees;- used chiefly in composition; as, in-kneed; out-kneed; weak-kneed.

Lav/sium (n.) A supposed new metallic element. It is said to have been discovered in pyrites, and some other minerals, and to be of a silver-white color, and malleable.

Lenticular (a.) Resembling a lentil in size or form; having the form of a double-convex lens.

Lippitude (n.) Soreness of eyes; the state of being blear-eyed; blearedness.

Longitude (n.) Length; measure or distance along the longest line; -- distinguished from breadth or thickness; as, the longitude of a room; rare now, except in a humorous sense.

Longmynd rocks () The sparingly fossiliferous conglomerates, grits, schists, and states of Great Britain, which lie at the base of the Cambrian system; -- so called, because typically developed in the Longmynd Hills, Shropshire.

Longspun (a.) Spun out, or extended, to great length; hence, long-winded; tedious.

Longspur (n.) Any one of several species of fringilLygodium (n.) A genus of ferns with twining or climbing fronds, bearing stalked and variously-lobed divisions in pairs.

Magnitude (n.) Extent of dimensions; size; -- applied to things that have length, breath, and thickness.

Mandibuliform (a.) Having the form of a mandible; -- said especially of the maxillae of an insect when hard and adapted for biting.

Mastigure (n.) Any one of several large spiny-tailed lizards of the genus Uromastix. They inhabit Southern Asia and North Africa.

Medialuna (n.) See Half-moon.

Meringue (n.) A delicate pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of eggs whipped up, -- with jam or cream added.

Messieurs (n. pl.) Sirs; gentlemen; -- abbreviated to Messrs., which is used as the plural of Mr.

Multicuspid (a.) Multicuspidate; -- said of teeth.

Mutandum (n.) A thing which is to be changed; something which must be altered; -- used chiefly in the plural.

Mycelium (n.) The white threads or filamentous growth from which a mushroom or fungus is developed; the so-called mushroom spawn.

Nautilus (n.) The argonaut; -- also called paper nautilus. See Argonauta, and Paper nautilus, under Paper.

Neishout (n.) The mahogany-like wood of the South African tree Pteroxylon utile, the sawdust of which causes violent sneezing (whence the name). Also called sneezewood.

Noctiluca (n.) That which shines at night; -- a fanciful name for phosphorus.

Notandum (n.) A thing to be noted or observed; a notable fact; -- chiefly used in the plural.

Barramundi (n.) A remarkable Australian fresh-water ganoid fish of the genus Ceratodus.

Bordeaux mixture () A fungicidal mixture composed of blue vitriol, lime, and water. The formula in common use is: blue vitriol, 6 lbs.; lime, 4 lbs.; water, 35 -- 50 gallons.

Carborundum () A beautiful crystalClairaudience (n.) Act of hearing, or the ability to hear, sounds not normally audible; -- usually claimed as a special faculty of spiritualistic mediums, or the like.

Columbus Day () The 12th day of October, on which day in 1492 Christopher Columbus discovered America, landing on one of the Bahama Islands (probably the one now commonly called Watling Island), and naming it "San Salvador"; -- called also Discovery Day. This day is made a legal holiday in many States of The United States.

Cucullus (n.) A hood-shaped organ, resembling a cowl or monk's hood, as certain concave and arched sepals or petals.

Europium (n.) A metallic element of the rare-earth group, discovered spectroscopically by Demarcay in 1896. Symbol, Eu; at. wt., 152.0.

Fermeture (n.) The mechanism for closing the breech of a breech-loading firearm, in artillery consisting principally of the breechblock, obturator, and carrier ring.

Filioque (n.) The Latin for, "and from the Son," equivalent to et filio, inserted by the third council of Toledo (a. d. 589) in the clause qui ex Patre procedit (who proceedeth from the Father) of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (a. d. 381), which makes a creed state that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son as well as from the Father. Hence, the doctrine itself (not admitted by the Eastern Church).

Marabou (n.) A kind of thrown raw silk, nearly white naturally, but capable of being dyed without scouring; also, a thin fabric made from it, as for scarfs, which resembles the feathers of the marabou in delicacy, -- whence the name.

Peninsula State () Florida; -- a nickname.

Sagebrush State () Nevada; -- a nickname.

Tonneau (n.) In France, a light-wheeled vehicle with square or rounded body and rear entrance.

Watteau (a.) Having the appearance of that which is seen in pictures by Antoine Watteau, a French painter of the eighteenth century; -- said esp. of women's garments; as, a Watteau bodice.

Octangular (a.) Having eight angles; eight-angled.

Opinicus (n.) An imaginary animal borne as a charge, having wings, an eagle's head, and a short tail; -- sometimes represented without wings.

Oversoul (n.) The all-containing soul.

Palanquin (n.) An inclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight feet long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the shoulders of men by means of two projecting poles, -- used in India, China, etc., for the conveyance of a single person from place to place.

Paramour (n.) A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or wife; -- used of a man or a woman.

Paramours (adv.) By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes written as two words.

Particular (a.) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; -- opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.

Particular (n.) One of the details or items of grounds of claim; -- usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.

Pennatula (n.) Any one of numerous species of Pennatula, Pteroides, and allied genera of Alcyonaria, having a featherlike form; a sea-pen. The zooids are situated along one edge of the side branches.

Penthouse (n.) A shed or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively.

Perigeum (n.) That point in the orbit of the moon which is nearest to the earth; -- opposed to apogee. It is sometimes, but rarely, used of the nearest points of other orbits, as of a comet, a planet, etc. Called also epigee, epigeum.

Pervious (a.) Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as applied to the nostrils or birds.

Petalous (a.) Having petals; petaled; -- opposed to apetalous.

Phormium (n.) A genus of liliaceous plants, consisting of one species (Phormium tenax). See Flax-plant.

Pilidium (n.) The free-swimming, hat-shaped larva of certain nemertean worms. It has no resemblance to its parent, and the young worm develops in its interior.

Pipemouth (n.) Any fish of the genus Fistularia; -- called also tobacco pipefish. See Fistularia.

Plateau (n.) A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area of land; a table-land.

Platinum (n.) A metallic element, intermediate in value between silver and gold, occurring native or alloyed with other metals, also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible, and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 194.3. Symbol Pt. > Plumbous (a.) Of, pertaining to, or containing, lead; -- used specifically to designate those compounds in which it has a lower valence as contrasted with plumbic compounds.

Podetium (n.) A stalk which bears the fructification in some lichens, as in the so-called reindeer moss.

Poenamu (n.) A variety of jade or nephrite, -- used in New Zealand for the manufacture of axes and weapons.

Polatouche (n.) A flying squirrel (Sciuropterus volans) native of Northern Europe and Siberia; -- called also minene.

Powerful (a.) Large; capacious; -- said of veins of ore.

Pratique (n.) Primarily, liberty of converse; intercourse; hence, a certificate, given after compliance with quarantine regulations, permitting a ship to land passengers and crew; -- a term used particularly in the south of Europe.

Preachman (n.) A preacher; -- so called in contempt.

Reremouse (n.) The leather-winged bat (Vespertilio murinus).

Rightful (a.) Righteous; upright; just; good; -- said of persons.

Rosicrucian (n.) One who, in the 17th century and the early part of the 18th, claimed to belong to a secret society of philosophers deeply versed in the secrets of nature, -- the alleged society having existed, it was stated, several hundred years.

Sagebrush (n.) A low irregular shrub (Artemisia tridentata), of the order Compositae, covering vast tracts of the dry alkaSaltmouth (n.) A wide-mouthed bottle with glass stopper for holding chemicals, especially crystallized salts.

Sapajou (n.) Any one of several species of South American monkeys of the genus Cebus, having long and prehensile tails. Some of the species are called also capuchins. The bonnet sapajou (C. subcristatus), the golden-handed sapajou (C. chrysopus), and the white-throated sapajou (C. hypoleucus) are well known species. See Capuchin.

Scripture (n.) The books of the Old and the new Testament, or of either of them; the Bible; -- used by way of eminence or distinction, and chiefly in the plural.

Scrophulariaceous (a.) Of or pertaining to a very large natural order of gamopetalous plants (Scrophulariaceae, or Scrophularineae), usually having irregular didynamous flowers and a two-celled pod. The order includes the mullein, foxglove, snapdragon, figwort, painted cup, yellow rattle, and some exotic trees, as the Paulownia.

Selenium (n.) A nonmetallic element of the sulphur group, and analogous to sulphur in its compounds. It is found in small quantities with sulphur and some sulphur ores, and obtained in the free state as a dark reddish powder or crystalSemidouble (a.) Having the outermost stamens converted into petals, while the inner ones remain perfect; -- said of a flower.

Sepalous (a.) Having, or relating to, sepals; -- used mostly in composition. See under Sepal.

Seppuku (n.) Same as Hara-kiri.

Sexlocular (a.) Having six cells for seeds; six-celled; as, a sexlocular pericarp.

Signature (v. t.) A resemblance between the external characters of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; -- supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.

Skillful (a.) Possessed of, or displaying, skill; knowing and ready; expert; well-versed; able in management; as, a skillful mechanic; -- often followed by at, in, or of; as, skillful at the organ; skillful in drawing.

Skimming (n.) That which is skimmed from the surface of a liquid; -- chiefly used in the plural; as, the skimmings of broth.

Sminthurid (n.) Any one of numerous small species of springtails, of the family Sminthuridae, -- usually found on flowers. See Illust. under Collembola.

Sonorous (a.) Loud-sounding; giving a clear or loud sound; as, a sonorous voice.

Sonorous (a.) Impressive in sound; high-sounding.

Sonorous (a.) Sonant; vibrant; hence, of sounds produced in a cavity, deep-toned; as, sonorous rhonchi.

Sostenuto (a.) Sustained; -- applied to a movement or passage the sounds of which are to sustained to the utmost of the nominal value of the time; also, to a passage the tones of which are to be somewhat prolonged or protacted.

Speculum (n.) A mirror, or looking-glass; especially, a metal mirror, as in Greek and Roman archaeology.

Spiritual (a.) Of or pertaining to the soul or its affections as influenced by the Spirit; controlled and inspired by the divine Spirit; proceeding from the Holy Spirit; pure; holy; divine; heavenly-minded; -- opposed to carnal.

Spiritualism (n.) The doctrine, in opposition to the materialists, that all which exists is spirit, or soul -- that what is called the external world is either a succession of notions impressed on the mind by the Deity, as maintained by Berkeley, or else the mere educt of the mind itself, as taught by Fichte.

Spirituality (n.) The quality or state of being spiritual; incorporeality; heavenly-mindedness.

Spiritualize (v. t.) To give a spiritual meaning to; to take in a spiritual sense; -- opposed to literalize.

Spiritualness (n.) The quality or state of being spiritual or spiritual-minded; spirituality.

Splenium (n.) The thickened posterior border of the corpus callosum; -- so called in allusion to its shape.

Strophulus (n.) See Red-gum, 1.

Studious (a.) Earnest in endeavors; aiming sedulously; attentive; observant; diligent; -- usually followed by an infinitive or by of; as, be studious to please; studious to find new friends and allies.

Subriguous (a.) Watered or wet beneath; well-watered.

Subsequency (n.) The act or state of following; -- opposed to precedence.

Superlunary (a.) Being above the moon; not belonging to this world; -- opposed to sublunary.

Supermundane (a.) Being above the world; -- opposed to inframundane.

Surangular (a.) Above the angular bone; supra-angular; -- applied to a bone of the lower jaw in many reptiles and birds.

Tamandu (n.) A small ant-eater (Tamandua tetradactyla) native of the tropical parts of South America.

Tantalum (n.) A rare nonmetallic element found in certain minerals, as tantalite, samarskite, and fergusonite, and isolated as a dark powder which becomes steel-gray by burnishing. Symbol Ta. Atomic weight 182.0. Formerly called also tantalium.

Tenesmus (n.) An urgent and distressing sensation, as if a discharge from the intestines must take place, although none can be effected; -- always referred to the lower extremity of the rectum.

Tentaculocyst (n.) One of the auditory organs of certain medusae; -- called also auditory tentacle.

Tenuious (a.) Rare or subtile; tenuous; -- opposed to dense.

Testamur (n.) A certificate of merit or proficiency; -- so called from the Latin words, Ita testamur, with which it commences.

Thalamus (n.) A mass of nervous matter on either side of the third ventricle of the brain; -- called also optic thalamus.

Thallium (n.) A rare metallic element of the aluminium group found in some minerals, as certain pyrites, and also in the lead-chamber deposit in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. It is isolated as a heavy, soft, bluish white metal, easily oxidized in moist air, but preserved by keeping under water. Symbol Tl. Atomic weight 203.7.

Thelphusian (n.) One of a tribe of fresh-water crabs which live in or on the banks of rivers in tropical countries.

Tinnitus (n.) A ringing, whistling, or other imaginary noise perceived in the ears; -- called also tinnitus aurium.

Titanium (n.) An elementary substance found combined in the minerals manaccanite, rutile, sphene, etc., and isolated as an infusible iron-gray amorphous powder, having a metallic luster. It burns when heated in the air. Symbol Ti. Atomic weight 48.1.

Tortuous (a.) Oblique; -- applied to the six signs of the zodiac (from Capricorn to Gemini) which ascend most rapidly and obliquely.

Translunary (a.) Being or lying beyond the moon; hence, ethereal; -- opposed to sublunary.

Triangulate (v. t.) To make triangular, or three-cornered.

Trillium (n.) A genus of liliaceous plants; the three-leaved nightshade; -- so called because all the parts of the plant are in threes.

Tympanum (n.) A drum-shaped wheel with spirally curved partitions by which water is raised to the axis when the wheel revolves with the lower part of the circumference submerged, -- used for raising water, as for irrigation.

Type (n.) A figure or representation of something to come; a token; a sign; a symbol; -- correlative to antitype.

Umbellularia (n.) A genus of deep-sea alcyonaria consisting of a cluster of large flowerlike polyps situated at the summit of a long, slender stem which stands upright in the mud, supported by a bulbous base.

Umbraculiform (a.) Having the form of anything that serves to shade, as a tree top, an umbrella, and the like; specifically (Bot.), having the form of an umbrella; umbrella-shaped.

Underhung (a.) Resting on a track at the bottom, instead of being suspended; -- said of a sliding door.

Unisexual (a.) Having one sex only, as plants which have the male and female flowers on separate individuals, or animals in which the sexes are in separate individuals; di/cious; -- distinguished from bisexual, or hermaphrodite. See Di/cious.

Urceolus (n.) Any urn-shaped organ of a plant.

Vanadium (n.) A rare element of the nitrogen-phosphorus group, found combined, in vanadates, in certain minerals, and reduced as an infusible, grayish-white metallic powder. It is intermediate between the metals and the non-metals, having both basic and acid properties. Symbol V (or Vd, rarely). Atomic weight 51.2.

Vanadous (a.) Of or pertaining to vanadium; obtained from vanadium; -- said of an acid containing one equivalent of vanadium and two of oxygen.

Vanglo (n.) Benne (Sesamum orientale); also, its seeds; -- so called in the West Indies.

Variorum (a.) Containing notes by different persons; -- applied to a publication; as, a variorum edition of a book.

Vernacular (a.) Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature; native; indigenous; -- now used chiefly of language; as, English is our vernacular language.

Viburnum (n.) A genus of shrubs having opposite, petiolate leaves and cymose flowers, several species of which are cultivated as ornamental, as the laurestine and the guelder-rose.

Vinculum (n.) A straight, horizontal mark placed over two or more members of a compound quantity, which are to be subjected to the same operation, as in the expression x2 + y2 - x + y.

Vinegar (a.) Hence, anything sour; -- used also metaphorically.

Virtuous (a.) Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women.

Voyageur (n.) A traveler; -- applied in Canada to a man employed by the fur companies in transporting goods by the rivers and across the land, to and from the remote stations in the Northwest.

Watchful (a.) Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to be regulated or guarded; as, to be watchful of one's behavior; and with against before the thing to be avoided; as, to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits.

Whiterump (n.) The American black-tailed godwit.

Wurraluh (n.) The Australian white-quilled honey eater (Entomyza albipennis).

Zephyrus (n.) The west wind, or zephyr; -- usually personified, and made the most mild and gentle of all the sylvan deities.

About the author

Mark McCracken Author: Mark McCracken is a corporate trainer and author living in Higashi Osaka, Japan. He is the author of thousands of online articles as well as the Business English textbook, "25 Business Skills in English".

Copyright © 2011 Mark McCracken , All Rights Reserved.