Wheat is a word used only in the singular number. not happening often, unusual. His forgetting his own name, was a singular instance of the loss of memory. odd, differing from others. His dress and manners are so singular, that they attract the notice of every one as he passes in the streets. Sit u ā tion, n. the place in which a person or thing is, with regard to other persons or things, either for good or for evil. The situation of Gibraltar at the entrance into the Mediterranean sea, makes it a place of great importance to the British. He found his situation as librarian very favorable to the improvement of his mind. Sketch, v. a. to draw the general appearance or figure of a thing. The view was so fine that the traveller stopped to sketch it. to give some of the most important and striking particulars. He sketched the plan of an address which he expected to deliver in the evening. Skill, n. the knowing how things ought to be done and the being able to do them easily and well. His reputation for skill as a surgeon is so great, that he is sent for from a distance to perform difficult operations. Skir mish, n. a slight contest between two armies or parts of armies. After several skirmishes, the two armies met and fought a hard battle. Slăn der, n. a telling of falsehoods about another with an intention to injure his character. "He that uttereth a slander is a fool." Slåugh ter, n. a killing, a great and violent destruction of life. There has been much less slaughter in battle since the invention of gunpowder than there was before. Sloth ful, a. inactive, not liking to move or to labor. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding, and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof." Slug gard, n. an inactive, lazy person. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing." It was a muddy sluggish stream, and we floated down it only a mile in four hours. Smug gle, v. a. to bring goods into a country, or to carry them out of it, secretly, and contrary to law, or without paying the duties. A great deal of opium has been smuggled into China. Snēēr, v. n. to show contempt by the looks, or by some insinuation. He was afraid to be seen reading his Bible, lest his wicked companions should sneer at him. Sōar, v. n. to fly high in the air. Though the lark soared so high, she did not forget her nest and little ones on the ground. He said he had deliberated much on the en Sō journ, v. n. to live for a while in a place without expecting to settle there. Abraham went down and sojourned in Egypt during a famine in Canaan. Sol ace, v. a. to relieve or cheer in trouble or affliction. The little boy tried to solace the grief of his mother, by saying that he should soon be able to take care of her, as his older brother did who had just died. terprise, and in his sober judgment they had Sō lar, a. belonging or relating to the better not undertake it. serious in thought or in looks. The reproof which his father gave him in the morning, made him feel and appear sober during the whole day. He is always cheerful and happy, although there is much sobriety in his deportment. Sō cial, a. relating to men living together in society or to the public at large. To be honest, to obey the laws, and to promote the welfare of our country, are social duties. The neighbors met frequently at each other's houses, and enjoyed much social intercourse. fond of mingling in company with others. He was very social in his feelings, and after getting through the business of the day, took great delight in conversing with his friends. So ci e ty, n. a number of persons united for some common purpose, and having common interests. Men could not live together in society without government and laws. a body of men united and acting together for a particular purpose; as a Bible Society. company. We spent an hour very agreeably in his society. sun; as solar light, a solar eclipse. Sõl emn, a. having, or producing, very grave and serious feelings. The church was dressed in black, and as he entered it his mind became solemn. The husband and wife were both buried in the same grave. It was a solemn scene. He appealed to God, and declared, in the most solemn manner, that what he said was true. deep seriousness. The solemnity of the dying father in giving his last advice to his children, impressed it strongly on their minds. So lic' it, (so lis sit,) v. a. to ask earnestly. He solicited his father to let him attend the lectures on astronomy; but he was so young that his father did not think it best to yield to his solicitation. So lic' i tous, (so līs si tus,) a. very earnest to get something. He knew it would please his father, and he was very solicitous to obtain the highest prize at school. anxious. The physician was so solicitous about his patient who was very sick, that he spent the whole night with him. There is great solicitude about the safety of the ship, as she has not been heard of since she sailed. Sōl i ta ry, a. living alone. Some animals herd together, while others lead a solitary life, as the lion and tiger. She had plenty of books and a taste for reading, and found her solitude not unpleas ant. away from others, retired. The house was solitary. It stood on the top of a mountain, many miles distant from any other dwelling. single, only one. The enemy set fire to the village, and but a solitary building was left standing. Soothe, v. a. to allay or calm, by kind words or treatment; as to soothe pain, to soothe grief, to soothe anger. Sor did, a. dirty, filthy; as a sordid dress.-low, vile. He belongs to a respectable family, but has ruined his character by abandoning himself to the most sordid vices. niggardly. Though rich, he was so sordid that he would do the meanest things to get a little The ship foundered, and every soul on board perished. Sound, v. n. or a. to make a noise.— to try how deep the water is, bottom, by sinking lead at the end of a line. Sov' er eign, (sŭv er in,) a. highest in power or authority. The sovereign ruler in Turkey, is called the Sultan. We call that which never fails to cure a disease, a sovereign remedy. Spa cious, a. not narrow or confined, having room enough. The new school-house is very convenient. The rooms are spacious and well ventilated. vast in extent; as the spacious ocean Spe' cial, (spesh al,) a. particular. He said his special reason for calling so early in the morning, was to ask him to visit a poor neighbor who was sick. extraordinary. There was a special session of the Congress of the United States in the summer of 1841. Spe' cie, (spē she,) n. coined money; as gold eagles, silver dollars, copper cents. Spec' i fy, (spès se fy,) v. a. to name or state particularly, He said the picture had several faults, which he would specify one by one. Spec' i men, (spès i men,) n. a sample; one thing, or a part of a thing, which is exhibited to show what the whole is. He told the farmer, he would buy ten bar rels of his apples, if the bushel which had been brought was a fair specimen of the rest. Spe' cious, (spē shus,) a. appearing well at first view, but perhaps not true or right. He told him his account of the matter was very specious, but he must examine the other side before he could form an opinion. and what kind of ground is at the Spec ta cle, n. something of a strik ing or affecting kind exhibited to the view. The eruption of a volcano at night is a sublime spectacle. It was an interesting spectacle to see the blind pupils, at the examination, reading the Bible with their fingers. Spec u la tion, n. an attentive view of a thing taken by the mind. In his speculations on the power of God he became lost in wonder and delight. When Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death, he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." animation, ardor. He spoke with so much spirit, that he roused the feelings of the whole assembly. disposition of mind. She had a sweet and gentle spirit, and was careful never to wound the feelings of others. eager desire. The spirit of speculation spread over the whole country, and ruined thousands. thoughts and opinions formed by that which gives power or life. meditation. He has lately published in the newspapers his speculations on the instruction of young children in the common schools. a scheme or view of a subject formed in the mind, but not carried out into practice. The mode of directing balloons, so as to travel in them through the air, is still a matter of mere speculation. When a man buys something to sell again, expecting an unusual advance in the price, we call it a speculation. Spend thrift, n. one who spends money in a wasteful and extravagant manner. The spirit of industry was seen throughout the whole village, and every thing ap peared flourishing and in the best order. Spir it u al, a. distinct from matter, belonging or relating to the mind. The spiritual part of man will live, when the body moulders in the grave. relating to the soul and to religious spontaneous rising of the whole assembly as a mark of respect. When any thing burns without fire being applied to it, we call it a spontaneous combustion. When any thing grows without being planted, or taken care of by man, we call it a spontaneous growth. Spū ri ous, a. not what it appears or claims to be. It is a spurious letter, and was never written by the person whose name is signed to it. The cashier said the bank note was a spurious one, and he would not take it. Spŭrn, v. a. to drive away as with the foot, to reject with disdain. He was offered money if he would vote for a particular man, but he spurned the proposal as an insult. Squân der, v. a. to spend in a wasteful and injudicious manner. He soon squandered the property that was left him by his father, in purchasing costly articles which he did not need, and which he could not dispose of without great loss. firm and hearty in purpose and feeling. Wilberforce was a stanch advocate of the abolition of the slave trade. Stand ard, n. a flag used in war.—a rule or measure fixed by the government of a country, and by which other things of the same kind are tried. The government of the United States determines the standard of gold coin, as how much pure gold, and how much of inferior metal shall make an eagle. a rule or model of established authority, by which other things of the same kind are tried. In judging which of the scholars wrote the best, the master made the copy which he set them the standard. The speeches of Demosthenes are among the best standards of eloquence. If you would excel in any thing, you must take a high standard to imitate. Stā ble, a. fixed strongly in its place, Staple, a. the staple productions of not easily moved or shaken. The pillar is firm on its base, and likely to be stable. He is a very stable man, and it will be of no use to attempt to change his purpose. To-day he is following one plan, and tomorrow he will follow another. His want of stability prevents his success. Stag nant, a. not flowing, having no motion; as a stagnant pond of a country are the principal ones which are raised or manufactured; as, cotton and rice are the staple productions of South-Carolina. Stāte, n. the circumstances in which a person or thing is placed, condition. In this sense of the word, however, it usually denotes more permanency than the word condition does. He enjoys a fine state of health, and has not been sick for many years. The country is in a very prosperous state, and is likely to continue so. a body of people united under one government; as the State of Vermont, the State of Georgia. |