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To spring; to bound; to leap. [Scot.] But when they spang o'er reason's fence, We smart for't at our own expense. Ramsay.

or correct, but not so in reality; appearing well at first view; plausible; as, specious reasoning; a specious argument. Misled for a moment by the specious names of religion, liberty, and property. Macaulay. In consequence of their greater command of specious expression. J. Morley.

The act or process of reasoning a priori from premises given or assumed.

ifers, grasses, sedges, oaks, etc., do not produce flowers in the popular sense. For this reason the terms Anthrophyta, Phænogamia, and Panerogamia have been superseded as names of the phylum by Spermatophyta.

that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoil. Shak.

To issue or proceed, as from a parent or ancestor; to result, as from a cause, motive, reason, or principle. [They found] new hope to spring Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet linked. Milton.

ood to it or ran away." Bacon. (e) To be consistent with; to agree with; as, it stands to reason that he could not have done so.

To be prevented from going farther; to stop by reason of some obstacle; to be stayed. I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat. Shak. The trembling weapon passed Through nine bull hides, . . . and stuck within the last. Dryden.

One who pertinaciously contends for some trifling things, as a point of etiquette; an unreasonable, obstinate contender; as, a stickler for ceremony. The Tory or High-church were the greatest sticklers against the exorbitant proceedings of King James II. Swift.

To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration. You shall stifle in your own report. Shak.

Unreasonably elevated; pompous; stilted; as, a stilty style.

y; hence, in general, artifice; deceptive device; secret plot; evil machination. Fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils. Shak. Those oft are stratagems which error seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream. Pope.

hy dost thou strive against him Job xxxiii. 13. Now private pity strove with public hate, Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. Denham.

riking or superior of the kind; powerful; forcible; cogent; as, a strong argument; strong reasons; strong evidence; a strong example; strong language.

Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding; persistent; hence, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion; not yielding to reason or persuasion; refractory; harsh; -- said of persons and things; as, stubborn wills; stubborn ore; a stubborn oak; as stubborn as a mule. "Bow, stubborn knees." Shak. "Stubborn att…

sh; to make a fool of; as, to stultify one by imposition; to stultify one's self by silly reasoning or conduct. Burke.

subdue. Firmness of mind that subjects every gratification of sense to the rule of right reason. C. Middleton. In one short view subjected to our eye, Gods, emperors, heroes, sages, beauties, lie. Pope. He is the most subjected, the most Locke.

dd after something else has been said or written; to ANNEX; as, to subjoin an argument or reason.

subject to control; subordination, as, to bring the imagination to act in subordinacy to reason. Spectator.

To make subject; to subject or subdue; as, to subordinate the passions to reason. -- Sub*or"di*nate*ly, adv. -- Sub*or"di*nate*ness, n.