| swamp | <ecology> Spongy land, low ground filled with water, a wooded area having surface water much of the time. (19 Jan 1998) |
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| swamp fever | <veterinary> virology> Viral disease of horses caused by the equine infectious anaemia virus (eiav; infectious anaemia virus, equine). It is characterised by intermittent fever, weakness, and anaemia. Chronic infection consists of acute episodes with remissions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| swamp fever virus | <virology> A retrovirus, of the Lentivirinae subfamily, and the cause of equine infectious anaemia. Synonym: swamp fever virus. (05 Mar 2000) |
| swamp 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) |
| swan | 1. <zoology> Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninae. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death. The European white, or mute, swan (Cygnus gibbus), which is most commonly domesticated, bends its neck in an S-shaped curve. The whistling, or trumpeting, swans of the genus Olor do not bend the neck in an S-shaped curve, and are noted for their loud and sonorous cry, due to complex convolutions of the windpipe. To this genus belong the European whooper, or whistling swan (Olor cygnus), the American whistling swan (O. Columbianus), and the trumpeter swan (O. Buccinator). The Australian black swan (Chenopis atrata) is dull black with white on the wings, and has the bill carmine, crossed with a white band. It is a very graceful species and is often domesticated. The South American black-necked swan (Sthenelides melancorypha) is a very beautiful and graceful species, entirely white, except the head and neck, which are dark velvety seal-brown. Its bill has a double bright rose-coloured knob. 2. An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon. 3. <astronomy> The constellation Cygnus. <ornithology> Swan goose, a bird of India (Cygnopsis cygnoides) resembling both the swan and the goose. Swan shot, a large size of shot used in fowling. Origin: AS. Swan; akin to D. Zwaan, OHG. Swan, G. Schwan, Icel. Svanr, Sw. Svan, Dan. Svane; and perhaps to E. Sound something audible. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Swan-Ganz catheter | <equipment> A special haemodynamic monitoring device (long thin catheter) that is introduced into a large vein (in the neck, chest or groin) and advanced through the right heart to the pulmonary artery. Measurements of cardiac function and blood pressure can be made with this device that can greatly increase the physician's diagnostic ability and provide a way to monitor the patients response to different medications. May be used to diagnose pulmonary hypertension. (19 Jan 1998) |
| swan-neck deformity | Hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joint with flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint of the finger. (05 Mar 2000) |
| swanny | Swanlike; as, a swanny glossiness of the neck. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sward | 1. Skin; covering. 2. The grassy surface of land; that part of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass; turf. "The sward was trim as any garden lawn." (Tennyson) Sward pork, bacon in large fitches. Origin: AS. Sweard skin, covering; akin to OFries. Swarge, D. Zwoord, G. Schwarte, Icel. Svorr skin, sward of the earth. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swarm | To climb a tree, pole, or the like, by embracing it with the arms and legs alternately. See Shin. "At the top was placed a piece of money, as a prize for those who could swarm up and seize it." (W. Coxe) Origin: Cf. Swerve. 1. To collect, and depart from a hive by flight in a body; said of bees; as, bees swarm in warm, clear days in summer. 2. To appear or collect in a crowd; to throng together; to congregate in a multitude. 3. To be crowded; to be thronged with a multitude of beings in motion. "Every place swarms with soldiers." (Spenser) 4. To abound; to be filled (with). 5. To breed multitudes. "Not so thick swarmed once the soil Bedropped with blood of Gorgon." (Milton) Origin: Swarmed; Swarming. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swarming | A progressive spreading by motile bacteria over the surface of a solid medium. Origin: A.S. Swearm (05 Mar 2000) |
| swarmspore | 1. <botany> One of innumerable minute, motile, reproductive bodies, produced asexually by certain algae and fungi; a zoospore. 2. <zoology> One of the minute flagellate germs produced by the sporulation of a protozoan; called also zoospore. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swartback | <zoology> The black-backed gull (Larus marinus). Synonym: swarbie. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swash | Soft, like fruit too ripe; swashy. Origin: Cf. Swash, Squash. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| swashy | Soft, like fruit that is too ripe; quashy; swash. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |