| swietenia | <botany> A genus of meliaceous trees consisting of one species (Sweitenia Mahogoni), the mahogany tree. Origin: NL. Named after Gerard Van Sweiten, physician to Maria Theresa of Austria. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| swift | 1. The current of a stream. 2. <ornithology> Any one of numerous species of small, long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family Micropodidae. In form and habits the swifts resemble swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely different group allied to the humming birds. The common European swift (Cypselus, or Micropus, apus) nests in church steeples and under the tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and shrill screams. It is called also black martin, black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird, swingdevil, screech martin, and shreik owl. The common American, or chimney, swift (Chaetura pelagica) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers. It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys, and is called also chimney swallow. The Australian swift (Chaetura caudacuta) also has sharp naked tips to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift (Cypselus melba) is whitish beneath, with a white band across the breast. The common Indian swift is Cypselus affinis. See also Palm swift, and Tree swift. 3. <zoology> Any one of several species of lizards, as the pine lizard. 4. <zoology> The ghost moth. See Ghost. 5. [Cf. Swivel] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding yarn, thread, etc.; used chiefly in the plural. 6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Swift's disease | Pain in the extremities. (12 Dec 1998) |
| swiftfoot | <zoology> The courser. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swiftlet | <zoology> Any one of numerous species of small East Indian and Asiatic swifts of the genus Collocalia. Some of the species are noted for furnishing the edible bird's nest. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swim | 1. To pass or move over or on by swimming; as, to swim a stream. "Sometimes he thought to swim the stormy main." (Dryden) 2. To cause or compel to swim; to make to float; as, to swim a horse across a river. 3. To immerse in water that the lighter parts may float; as, to swim wheat in order to select seed. 1. To be supported by water or other fluid; not to sink; to float; as, any substance will swim, whose specific gravity is less than that of the fluid in which it is immersed. 2. To move progressively in water by means of strokes with the hands and feet, or the fins or the tail. "Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point." (Shak) 3. To be overflowed or drenched. "Sudden the ditches swell, the meadows swim." (Thomson) 4. To be as if borne or floating in a fluid. "[They] now swim in joy." (Milton) 5. To be filled with swimming animals. "[Streams] that swim full of small fishes." (Chaucer) Origin: AS. Swimman; akin to D. Zwemmen, OHG. Swimman, G. Schwimmen, Icel. Svimma, Dan. Swomme, Sw. Simma. Cf. Sound an air bladder, a strait. 1. The act of swimming; a gliding motion, like that of one swimming. 2. The sound, or air bladder, of a fish. 3. A part of a stream much frequented by fish. Swim bladder, an air bladder of a fish. To be in the swim, to be in a favored position; to be associated with others in active affairs. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swim bladder | 1. <anatomy> An air sac, sometimes double or variously lobed, in the visceral cavity of many fishes. It originates in the same way as the lungs of air-breathing vertebrates, and in the adult may retain a tubular connection with the pharynx or oesophagus. 2. A sac or bladder full of air in an animal or plant; also an air hole in a casting. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swim-up fry | <marine biology> Salmonid fry beginning to actively swim in search of food. (19 Jan 1998) |
| swimmer | 1. One who swims. 2. <veterinary> A protuberance on the leg of a horse. 3. <ornithology> A swimming bird; one of the natatores. <zoology> Little swimmer, a phalarope. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swimmer's ear | Infection and inflammation of the external ear canal. Symptoms include earache, ear discharge and decreased hearing. (27 Sep 1997) |
| swimmer's itch | Cutaneous larva migrans caused by larvae of hookworms. Synonym: ancylostoma dermatitis, ancylostomiasis cutis, coolie itch, dew itch, ground itch, swamp itch, swimmer's itch, toe itch, water itch, water sore. (05 Mar 2000) |
| swimmeret | <zoology> One of a series of flat, fringed, and usually bilobed, appendages, of which several pairs occur on the abdominal somites of many crustaceans. They are used as fins in swimming. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swimming | 1. That swims; capable of swimming; adapted to, or used in, swimming; as, a swimming bird; a swimming motion. 2. Suffused with moisture; as, swimming eyes. <zoology> Swimming bell, any one of numerous species of marine crabs, as those of the family Protunidae, which have some of the joints of one or more pairs of legs flattened so as to serve as fins. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swimming pool conjunctivitis | A non-specific red-eye that can be caused by pool chlorination, adenovirus, and rarely, Chlamydia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| swimming pool granuloma | Localised nodular skin inflammation (small reddish raised areas of skin) caused by a bacterium called mycobacterium marinum. Swimming pool granuloma is typically acquired by occupational or recreational exposure to salt or fresh water, often resulting from minor trauma during caring for aquariums. The diagnosis is suggested by the history of exposure and confirmed by culturing tissue specimens which yield the microscopic organism, mycobacterium marinum. The infection can be treated with a variety of antibiotics, including doxycycline, minocycline, clarithromycin, rifampin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Also called fish bowl granuloma. (12 Dec 1998) |