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ient, such as color, taste, odor, etc. -- Secondary quills or remiges (Zoöl.), the quill feathers arising from the forearm of a bird and forming a row continuous with the primaries; -- called also secondaries. See Illust. of Bird. -- Secondary rocks or strata (Geol.), those lying between the Primary, or Paleozoic, an…

The secretary bird. Secretary Bird. Etym: [So called in allusion to the tufts of feathers at the back of its head, which were fancifully thought to resemble pens stuck behind the ear.] (Zoöl.) A large long-legged raptorial bird (Gypogeranus serpentarius), native of South Africa, but now naturalized in the West Indies a…

The science that treats of the physical features of the moon; - - corresponding to physical geography in respect to the earth. "Accurate selenography, or description of the moon." Sir T. Browne.

A feather which has a plumelike web, with the shaft of an ordinary feather.

in and Portugal. They are as a rule darker than the northern Jews, and have more delicate features.

One of the spinelike feathers at the base of the bill of certain birds.

Bristelike in form or texture; as, a setaceous feather; a setaceous leaf.

A scarecrow, generally made of feathers tied to a string, hung up to prevent deer from breaking into a place. Halliwell.

nd dry as is a shaft. Chaucer. A shaft hath three principal parts, the stele [stale], the feathers, and the head. Ascham.

t obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features.

To let fall; to throw off, as a natural covering of hair, feathers, shell; to cast; as, fowls shed their feathers; serpents shed their skins; trees shed leaves.

ther between the threads of the warp. Like shuttles through the loom, so swiftly glide My feathered hours. Sandys.

A cork stuck with feathers, which is to be struck by a battledoor in play; also, the play itself.

y, that, if a seraphim himself should be a bishop, he would either find or make some sick feathers in his wings. Fuller. Sick bay (Naut.), an apartment in a vessel, used as the ship's hospital. -- Sick bed, the bed upon which a person lies sick. -- Sick berth, an apartment for the sick in a ship of war. -- Sick head…

The quality or state of being similar; likeness; resemblance; as, a similarity of features. Hardly is there a similarity detected between two or three facts, than men hasten to extend it to all. Sir W. Hamilton.

, a skeleton; consisting merely of the framework or outlines; having only certain leading features of anything; as, a skeleton sermon; a skeleton crystal. Skeleton bill, a bill or draft made out in blank as to the amount or payee, but signed by the acceptor. [Eng.] -- Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance…

epresentation of an object or scene as serves the artist's purpose by recording its chief features; also, a preliminary study for an original work.

furtive way; to lurk. "Want skulks in holes and crevices." W. C. Bryant. Discovered and defeated of your prey, You skulked behind the fence, and sneaked away. Dryden.

In games of chance and skill: To defeat (an opponent) (as in cards) so that he fails to gain a point, or (in checkers) to get a king. [Colloq.

To defeat (opponents at cards) by winning all the tricks of a deal or a hand. Hoyle. To slam to, to shut or close with a slam. "He slammed to the door." W. D. Howells.