SEXTON n.
An under officer of a church, whose business is to take care of the church building and the vessels, vestments, etc., belonging to the church, to attend on the officiating clergyman, and to perform other duties pertaining to the church, such as to dig graves, ring the bell, etc. Sexton beetle (Zoöl.), a burying beetle.…
SHEER n.
Shears See Shear. Sheer batten (Shipbuilding), a long strip of wood to guide the carpenters in following the sheer plan. -- Sheer boom, a boom slanting across a stream to direct floating logs to one side. -- Sheer hulk. See Shear hulk, under Hulk. -- Sheer plan, or Sheer draught (Shipbuilding), a projection of the l…
SHIFT n.
In building, the extent, or arrangement, of the overlapping of plank, brick, stones, etc., that are placed in courses so as to break joints.
SHIP n.
ble for the passage of seagoing vessels. -- Ship carpenter, a carpenter who works at shipbuilding; a shipwright. -- Ship chandler, one who deals in cordage, canvas, and other, furniture of vessels. -- Ship chandlery, the commodities in which a ship chandler deals; also, the business of a ship chandler. -- Ship feve…
SIGN n.
A lettered board, or other conspicuous notice, placed upon or before a building, room, shop, or office to advertise the business there transacted, or the name of the person or firm carrying it on; a publicly displayed token or notice. The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs, which gave a gay and grote…