Search the Dictionary

by the acceptor. [Eng.] -- Skeleton key, a key with nearly the whole substance of the web filed away, to adapt it to avoid the wards of a lock; a master key; -- used for opening locks to which it has not been especially fitted. -- Skeleton leaf, a leaf from which the pulpy part has been removed by chemical means, the…

To cover with skin, or as with skin; hence, to cover superficially. It will but skin and film the ulcerous place. Shak.

A lark that mounts and sings as it files, especially the common species (Alauda arvensis) found in Europe and in some parts of Asia, and celebrated for its melodious song; -- called also sky laverock. See under Lark.

from Slit. Slitting file. See Illust. (i) of File. -- Slitting mill. (a) A mill where iron bars or plates are slit into narrow strips, as nail rods, and the like. (b) A machine used by lapidaries for slicing stones, usually by means of a revolving disk, called a slicer, supplied with diamond powder. -- Slitting rolle…

A foul back street of a city, especially one filled with a poor, dirty, degraded, and often vicious population; any low neighborhood or dark retreat; -- usually in the plural; as, Westminster slums are haunts for theives. Dickens.

by which odors are perceived; the sense of smell. Locke. Smelling bottle, a small bottle filled with something suited to stimulate the sense of smell, or to remove faintness, as spirits of ammonia.

To fill or scent with smoke; hence, to fill with incense; to perfume. "Smoking the temple." Chaucer.

Filled with smoke, or with a vapor resembling smoke; thick; as, a smoky atmosphere.

A fillet; a headband; a snood. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

The fillet which binds the hair of a young unmarried woman, and is emblematic of her maiden character. [Scot.] And seldom was a snood amid Such wild, luxuriant ringlets hid. Sir W. Scott.

Filth; abomination. [Obs.] To purge the snottery of our slimy time. Marston.

A flake, or small filmy mass, of snow.

That stratum of the surface of the soil which is filled with the roots of grass, or any portion of that surface; turf; sward. She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. Collins.

Filled with water; soft with moisture; sodden; soaked; wet; as, soggy land or timber.

sections. Hutton. -- Solid square (Mil.), a square body or troops in which the ranks and files are equal.

ayed on a board with pegs or balls, in which the object is, beginning with all the places filled except one, to remove all but one of the pieces by "jumping," as in draughts.

The state of being a son, or of bearing the relation of a son; filiation. Dr. H. More.

Foul matter; excretion; dregs; filthy, useless, or rejected matter of any kind; specifically (Med.), the foul matter that collects on the teeth and tongue in low fevers and other conditions attended with great vital depression.

Filthy; foul; dirty. [Obs.] A sordid god; down from his hoary chin A length of beard descends, uncombed, unclean. Dryden.

Filled with air by beating, and baked; as, an omelette soufflé.