| spud | A triangular knife used for removing foreign bodies from the cornea. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| Spumavirinae | A subfamily of viruses (family Retroviridae) that includes the foamy viruses (agents) of primates and other mammals; in common with other retroviruses, they possess RNA-dependent DNA polymerases (reverse transcriptase). Origin: L. Spuma, foam (05 Mar 2000) |
| spumavirus | Genus of non-oncogenic retroviruses which establish persistent infections in many animal species but are considered non-pathogenic. Its organisms have been isolated from primates (including man), cattle, cats, hamsters, and sea lions. Spumaviruses have a foamy or lace-like appearance and are often accompanied by syncytium formation. Human spumavirus is the type species. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spumy | Consisting of, containing, or covered with, froth, scum, or foam; frothy; foamy. "The spumous and florid state of the blood." (Arbuthnot) "The spumy waves proclaim the watery war." (Dryden) Origin: L. Spumosus, spuma foam: cf. F. Spumeux. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spunk | 1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou. 2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk. "A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body." (Prof. Wilson) Origin: Gael. Spong, or Ir. Sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. Sponge a sponge (L. Spongia), spon a chip. Cf. Sponge, Punk Alternative forms: sponk. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spur | <botany> A tubular pouch at the base of a perianth part, often containing nectar. (04 Mar 1998) |
| spur-shell | <zoology> Any one of several species of handsome gastropod shells of the genus Trochus, or Imperator. The shell is conical, with the margin toothed somewhat like the rowel of a spur. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spur-winged | <zoology> Having one or more spurs on the bend of the wings. Spur-winged goose, an Old World plover (Hoplopterus spinosus) having a sharp spur on the bend of the wing. It inhabits Northern Africa and the adjacent parts of Asia and Europe. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spurge | <botany> Any plant of the genus Euphobia. See Euphorbia. Spurge flax, an evergreen shrub (Daphne Gnidium) with crowded narrow leaves. It is native of Southern Europe. Spurge laurel, a European shrub (Daphne Laureola) with oblong evergreen leaves. Spurge nettle. See Nettle. Spurge olive, an evergreen shrub (Daphne oleoides) found in the Mediterranean region. See: Expurgate, Purge. Origin: OF. Espurge, F. Epurge, from OF. Espurgier to purge, L. Expurgare. (04 Mar 1998) |
| spurgewort | <botany> Any euphorbiaceous plant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spurious | 1. Not proceeding from the true source, or from the source pretended; not genuine; false; adulterate. 2. Not legitimate; bastard; as, spurious issue. "Her spurious firstborn. <zoology>" Spurious primary, or Spurious quill, the bastard wing, or alula. Synonym: Counterfeit, false, adulterate, supposititious, fictitious, bastard. Origin: L. Spurius. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spurious ankylosis | extracapsular ankylosis |
| spurious cast | <nephrology> An elongated, ribbon-like mucous thread with poorly defined edges and pointed or split ends, often confused with a true urinary cast. Synonym: cylindroid, mucous cast, pseudocast, spurious cast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spurious meningocele | An extracranial or extraspinal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, due to meningeal tear. Synonym: traumatic meningocele. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spurious pregnancy | <obstetrics, psychiatry> A condition in which some signs and symptoms suggest pregnancy, although the woman is not pregnant. Synonym: hysterical pregnancy, pseudocyesis, pseudopregnancy, spurious pregnancy. (05 Mar 2000) |