| spadix | <botany> A spikelike inflorescence with a stout, often succulent main stem. (17 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| spaewife | A female fortune teller. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spagyric | Relating to the paracelsian or alchemical system of medicine, which stressed the treatment of disease by various types of chemical substances. Origin: G. Spao, to tear open, + ageiro, to collect (05 Mar 2000) |
| spagyrical | Chemical; alchemical. Origin: LL. Sparygicus, fr. Gr. To draw, to separate + to assemble; cf. F. Spagirique. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spagyrist | 1. <alchemy> A chemist, especially. One devoted to alchemistic pursuits. 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. Origin: Cf. F. Spagiriste. (17 Mar 1998) |
| spalding sign | <radiology> Overlapping of foetal skull bones, suggests foetal demise (12 Dec 1998) |
| spale | 1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. 2. A strengthening cross timber. Origin: Cf. Spell a splinter. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| spall | 1. <chemical> To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. 2. To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Spallanzani | Lazaro, Italian priest and scientist, 1729-1799. See: Spallanzani's law. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Spallanzani's law | The younger the individual the greater is the regenerative power of its cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spallation | Synonym: fragmentation. 2. Nuclear reaction in which nuclei, on being bombarded by high energy particles, liberate a number of protons and alpha particles. Origin: M.E. Spalle, fragment (05 Mar 2000) |
| spallation product | An atomic species produced in the course of the spallation of any atom. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spalt | <chemistry> Spelter. Origin: Cf. G. Spaltstein, from spalten to split. (17 Mar 1998) |
| spalting knife | A knife used in splitting codfish. Alternative forms: spalding knife. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| span | 1. <anatomy> The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom. 2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time. "Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let me bound." (Pope) "Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy." (Farquhar) 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. 4. 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. 5. A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in colour, form, and action. Span blocks, 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. Origin: AS. Spann; akin to D. Span, OHG. Spanna, G. Spanne, Icel. Sponn. See Span. (17 Mar 1998) |