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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



439 words match “AFRIC”

SPEKBOOM n.
The purslane tree of South Africa, -- said to be the favorite food of elephants. Balfour (Cyc. of India).
SPHINX n.
The Guinea, or sphinx, baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx). Sphinx baboon (Zoöl.), a large West African baboon (Cynocephalus sphinx), often kept in menageries. -- Sphinx moth. (Zoöl.) Same as Sphinx, 3.
SPOOR n.
f any wild animal; as, the spoor of an elephant; -- used originally by travelers in South Africa.
SPRINGBOK; SPRINGBUCK n.
A South African gazelle (Gazella euchore) noted for its graceful form and swiftness, and for its peculiar habit of springing lighty and suddenly into the air. It has a white dorsal stripe, expanding into a broad patch of white on the rump and tail. Called also springer. [Written also springboc, and springbock.]…
SPUR-WINGED a.
e bend of the wings. Spur-winged goose (Zoöl.), any one of several species of long-legged African geese of the genus Plectropterus and allied genera, having a strong spur on the bend of the wing, as the Gambo goose (P. Gambensis) and the Egyptian, or Nile, goose (Alopochen Ægyptiaca). -- Spur-winged plover (Zoöl.), an…
SQUACCO n.
A heron (Ardea comata) found in Asia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe.
STAG n.
almata, of Florida and the West Indies. -- Stag-horn fern (Bot.), an Australian and West African fern (Platycerium alcicorne) having the large fronds branched like a stag's horns; also, any species of the same genus. -- Stag-horn sumac (Bot.), a common American shrub (Rhus typhina) having densely velvety branchlets.…
STAPELIA n.
An extensive and curious genus of African plants of the natural order Asclepiadaceæ (Milkweed family). They are succulent plants without leaves, frequently covered with dark tubercles giving them a very grotesque appearance. The odor of the blossoms is like that of carrion.
STARVE v.
surrender. Attalus endeavored to starve Italy by stopping their convoy of provisions from Africa. Arbuthnot.
STATION v.
e right of an army; to station a sentinel on a rampart; to station ships on the coasts of Africa. He gained the brow of the hill, where the English phalanx was stationed. Lyttelton.
STEATOPYGA n.
A remarkable accretion of fat upon the buttocks of Africans of certain tribes, especially of Hottentot women.
STEINBOCK n.
A small South African antelope (Nanotragus tragulus) which frequents dry, rocky districts; -- called also steenbok. [Written also steinboc, and steinbok; also called stonebock, and stonebuck.]
STINKWOOD n.
leasant smell, as that of the Foetidia Mauritiana of the Mauritius, and that of the South African Ocotea bullata.
STORK n.
ng, a chimney, a church spire, or a pillar. The black stork (C. nigra) is native of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Black-necked stork, the East Indian jabiru. -- Hair-crested stork, the smaller adjutant of India (Leptoptilos Javanica). -- Giant stork, the adjutant. -- Marabou stork. See Marabou. -- Saddle-billed stork,…
STRUTHIO n.
A genus of birds including the African ostriches.
STRUTHIONES n.
A division, or order, of birds, including only the African ostriches.
SUDD n.
A tangled mass of floating vegetal matter obstructing navigation. [Central Africa]
SUNBIRD n.
numerous species of small brilliantly colored birds of the family Nectariniidæ, native of Africa, Southern Asia, the East Indies, and Australia. In external appearance and habits they somewhat resemble humming birds, but they are true singing birds (Oscines).
SWALLOWWORT n.
) of the Milkweed family, at one time used in medicine; -- also called white swallowwort. African swallowwort, a plant of the genus Stapelia.
TAHA n.
The African rufous-necked weaver bird (Hyphantornis texor).
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