Search the Dictionary

Sufficiency; plenty; abundance; contentment. [Obs.] He could in little thing have suffisaunce. Chaucer.

tioners at court. [Obs.] -- Suit court (O. Eng. Law), the court in which tenants owe attendance to their lord. -- Suit covenant (O. Eng. Law), a covenant to sue at a certain court. -- Suit custom (Law), a service which is owed from time immemorial. -- Suit service. (Feudal Law) See Suit and service, above. -- To br…

sonata, consisting of a string or series of pieces all in the same key, mostly in various dance rhythms, with sometimes an elaborate prelude. Some composers of the present day affect the suite form.

t of sulphuric acid and the sulphates in electrolytic decomposition; -- so called in accordance with the binary theory of salts. [Written also sulphione.]

or table; sumptuous apparel. We are too magnificient and sumptuous in our tables and attendance. Atterbury. She spoke, and turned her sumptuous head, with eyes Of shining expectation fixed on mine. Tennyson. -- Sump"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Sump"tu*ous*ness, n.

and above, in addition, exceedingly; as in superimpose, supersede, supernatural, superabundance.

A greater quantity than is wanted; superabundance; as, a superfluity of water; a superfluity of wealth. A quiet mediocrity is still to be preferred before a troubled superfluity. Suckling.

More than is wanted or is sufficient; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; unnecessary; useless; excessive; as, a superfluous price. Shak. An authority which makes all further argument or illustration superfluous. E. Everett. Superfluous interval (Mus.), an interval that exceeds a major or perfect interval by a semi…

Superabundance; superfluity; an overflowing. [R.] Shak.

Yielding compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance; as, a supple horse. If punishment . . . makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender. Locke.

ord cane, a cane which conceals the blade of a sword or dagger, as in a sheath. -- Sword dance. (a) A dance in which swords are brandished and clashed together by the male dancers. Sir W. Scott. (b) A dance performed over swords laid on the ground, but without touching them. -- Sword fight, fencing; a combat or trial…

Like a sylph; airy; graceful. Sometimes a dance . . . Displayed some sylphlike figures in its maze. Byron.

A pause or cessation; suspension. [R.] Revely, and dance, and show, Suffer a syncope and solemn pause. Cowper.

at, or overcoat; -- said to be so named after a celebrated Italian family of professional dancers. He ought certainly to exchange his taglioni, or comfortable greatcoat, for a cuirass of steel. Sir W. Scott.

An old Provençal dance of a lively character, common on the stage.

A difficult dance in two-four time characterized by graceful posturing, frequent pointing positions, and a great variety of steps, including the cross step and turning steps. The dance is of Spanish origin, and is believed to have been in its original form a part of the fandango.

A rapid and delirious sort of Neapolitan dance in 6-8 time, which moves in whirling triplets; -- so called from a popular notion of its being a remedy against the poisonous bite of the tarantula. Some derive its name from Taranto in Apulia.

A nervous affection producing melancholy, stupor, and an uncontrollable desire to dance. It was supposed to be produced by the bite of the tarantula, and considered to be incapable of cure except by protraced dancing to appropriate music. [Written also tarentism.]

Manner, with respect to what is pleasing, refined, or in accordance with good usage; style; as, music composed in good taste; an epitaph in bad taste.

Having or exhibiting good taste; in accordance with good taste; tasty; as, a tasteful drapery. -- Taste"ful*ly, adv. -- Taste"ful*ness, n.