| sparganum | The larval form of the diphyllobothriid tapeworms of the genus diphyllobothrium and spirometra. Fish-eating mammals and man are the final hosts. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| sparhawk | <zoology> The sparrow hawk. Origin: OE. Sperhauke. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparing action | The manner in which a nonessential nutritive component, by its presence in the diet, lowers the dietary requirement for an essential component; thus, nonessential l-cysteine spares essential l-methionine and nonessential l-tyrosine spares essential l-phenylalanine. Synonym: sparing phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sparing phenomenon | The manner in which a nonessential nutritive component, by its presence in the diet, lowers the dietary requirement for an essential component; thus, nonessential l-cysteine spares essential l-methionine and nonessential l-tyrosine spares essential l-phenylalanine. Synonym: sparing phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spark | 1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. "Man is born unto trouble, as hte sparks fly upward." (Job v. 7) 2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle. 3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." "Small intellectual spark." "Vital spark of heavenly flame." "We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge." (Locke) "Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark." (Wordsworth) Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas, chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. Origin: OE. Sparke, AS. Spearca; akin to D. Spark, sperk; cf. Icel. Spraka to crackle, Lith. Sprageti, Gr. A bursting with a noise, Skr. Sphrj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparkle | 1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle. "A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling." (Chaucer) 2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash. "I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes." (Milton) 3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine. Synonym: To shine, glisten, scintillate, radiate, coruscate, glitter, twinkle. Origin: See Sparkle, Spark of fire. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparkler | <zoology> A tiger beetle. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparling | <zoology> The European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus). A young salmon. A tern. Origin: Akin to G. Spierling, spiering, D. Spiering: cf. F. Eperlan. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparoid | <zoology> Of or pertaining to the Sparidae, a family of spinous-finned fishes which includes the scup, sheepshead, and sea bream. One of the Sparidae. Origin: L. Sparus the gilthead: cf. F. Sparoide. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparrow | 1. <ornithology> One of many species of small singing birds of the family Fringilligae, having conical bills, and feeding chiefly on seeds. Many sparrows are called also finches, and buntings. The common sparrow, or house sparrow, of Europe (Passer domesticus) is noted for its familiarity, its voracity, its attachment to its young, and its fecundity. See House sparrow, under House. The following American species are well known; the chipping sparrow, or chippy, the sage sparrow, the savanna sparrow, the song sparrow, the tree sparrow, and the white-throated sparrow (see Peabody bird). See these terms under Sage, Savanna, etc. 2. <zoology> Any one of several small singing birds somewhat resembling the true sparrows in form or habits, as the European hedge sparrow. See Hedge. "He that doth the ravens feed, Yea, providently caters for the sparrow, Be comfort to my age!" (Shak) Field sparrow, Fox sparrow, etc. See Field, Fox, etc. Sparrow bill, a small nail; a castiron shoe nail; a sparable. Sparrow hawk. <zoology> The female of the reed bunting. Origin: OE. Sparwe, AS. Spearwa; akin to OHG. Sparo, G. Sperling, Icel. Sporr, Dan. Spurv, spurre, Sw. Sparf, Goth. Sparwa; originally, probably, the quiverer or flutterer, and akin to E. Spurn. See Spurn, and cf. Spavin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparrow limit | <microscopy> The spatial frequency at which the modulation transfer function just becomes 0. See: Abbe limit, Rayleigh criterion. (05 Aug 1998) |
| sparrowwort | <botany> An evergreen shrub of the genus Erica (E. Passerina). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparry | Resembling spar, or consisting of spar; abounding with spar; having a confused crystalline structure; spathose. <chemical> Sparry iron, a coarsely crystalline marble. Origin: From Spar. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparse | 1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, a sparse population. 2. <botany> Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like. Origin: L. Sparsus, p.p. Of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sparsomycin | <protein> Antibiotic that inhibits peptidyltransferase in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. (18 Nov 1997) |