Search the Dictionary

A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.

To conform; to adapt; to accommodate. [R.] I pray thee, sort thy heart to patience. Shak.

peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaption, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria. In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science. Coleridge. Specific character (Nat. Hist.), a charact…

Adapted to excite wonder and admiration by a display of pomp or of scenic effects; as, a spectacular celebration of some event; a spectacular play.

Intended or adapted for viewing or espying; having oversight. T. Warton.

Of or pertaining to the stereoscope; characteristic of, or adapted to, the stereoscope; as, a stereoscopic effect; the stereoscopic function of the eyeglasses; stereoscopic views. -- Ste`re*o*scop"ic*al*ly, adv.

ny sharp organ of offense and defense, especially when connected with a poison gland, and adapted to inflict a wound by piercing; as the caudal sting of a scorpion. The sting of a bee or wasp is a modified ovipositor. The caudal sting, or spine, of a sting ray is a modified dorsal fin ray. The term is sometimes applied…

As something foreign, or not one's own; in a manner adapted to something foreign and strange. [Obs.] Shak.

Stridulous; able to stridulate; used in stridulating; adapted for stridulation. Darwin.

Adapted to make a deep or effectual impression on the mind or imagination; striking or superior of the kind; powerful; forcible; cogent; as, a strong argument; strong reasons; strong evidence; a strong example; strong language.

The shape of a member especially adapted to structural purposes, esp. in giving the greatest strength with the least material. Hence, Colloq.,

Being under water, or beneath the surface of water; adapted for use under water; submarine; as, a subaqueous helmet.

Adapted for sucking; living by sucking; as, the humming birds are suctorial birds.

A cartilaginous fish with a mouth adapted for suction, as the lampery.

To fit; to adapt; to make proper or suitable; as, to suit the action to the word. Shak.

Capable of suiting; fitting; accordant; proper; becoming; agreeable; adapted; as, ornaments suitable to one's station; language suitable for the subject. -- Suit"a*ble*ness, n. -- Suit"a*bly, adv.

Liable to suspicion; adapted to raise suspicion; giving reason to imagine ill; questionable; as, an author of suspicious innovations; suspicious circumstances. I spy a black, suspicious, threatening could. Shak.

Adapted to sustain, strengthen, or corroborate; as, sustentative citations or quotations. Sustentative functions (Physiol.), those functions of the body which affect its material composition and thus determine its mass.

striking with a sledge. Swage block, a perforated block of iron, having grooved sides and adapted for use in heading bolts and swaging objects of large size.

That swims; capable of swimming; adapted to, or used in, swimming; as, a swimming bird; a swimming motion.