Part 14

SEPTEMBER, sep-tem'b[.e]r, _n._ the ninth month of the year.--_adj._ SEPTEM'BRAL.--_n._ SEPTEM'BRIST, one of the perpetrators of the atrocious massacres in the prisons of Paris, Sept. 2-7, 1792.--SEPTEMBER THORN, a British geometrid moth. [L. _septem_, seven.]

SEPTEMPARTITE, sep-tem-pär't[=i]t, _adj._ divided into seven parts.

SEPTEMVIR, sep-tem'vir, _n._ one of a board of seven men associated for certain duties.--_n._ SEPTEM'VIRATE, the office of septemvir.

SEPTENARIUS, sep-te-n[=a]'ri-us, _n._ in Latin prosody, a verse consisting of seven feet.

SEPTENARY, sep'te-n[=a]-ri, _adj._ consisting of seven: lasting seven years: occurring once in seven years.--_n.pl._ SEP'TENARIES, the number seven, the heptad. [L. _septenarius_--_septem_, seven.]

SEPTENATE, sep'te-n[=a]t, _adj._ (_bot._) having seven parts.

SEPTENNIAL, sep-ten'i-al, _adj._ lasting seven years: happening every seven years.--_n._ SEPTENN'ATE, a period of seven years.--_adv._ SEPTENN'IALLY.--_n._ SEPTENN'IUM.--SEPTENNIAL ACT, a statute of 1716 fixing the existence of a parliament at seven years. [L. _septennis_--_septem_, seven, _annus_, a year.]

SEPTENTRION, sep-ten'tri-on, _n._ (_Shak._) the north.--_adjs._ SEPTEN'TRION, -AL, northern.--_adv._ SEPTEN'TRIONALLY.--_n.pl._ SEPTENTRI[=O]'NES, the constellation of the Great Bear, or the seven stars near the north pole-star, called Charles's Wain.

SEPTET, SEPTETTE, sep-tet', _n._ a work for seven voices or instruments: a company of seven musicians.

SEPT-FOIL, sept'-foil, _n._ a plant, the roots of which are used in medicine, tanning, &c.: a figure of seven equal segments of a circle used in the R.C. Church as a symbol of her seven sacraments, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, &c. [Fr. _sept_--L. _septem_, seven, _foil_--L. _folium_, a leaf.]

SEPTICEMIA, sep-ti-s[=e]'mi-a, _n._ sepsis, blood-poisoning--also SEPTICÆ'MIA.--_n._ SEP'TIC, a substance that promotes the putrefaction of bodies.--_adjs._ SEP'TIC, -AL, promoting putrefaction.--_adv._ SEP'TICALLY.--_adj._ SEPTIC[=E]'MIC.--_n._ SEPTIC'ITY, tendency to promote putrefaction.--_adj._ SEPTIF'EROUS, conveying putrid poison. [Formed from Gr. _s[=e]ptikos_, putrefying, _haima_, blood.]

SEPTICIDAL, sep-ti-s[=i]'dal, _adj._ dividing the partitions, as when fruit splits asunder--also SEP'TICIDE.--_adv._ SEP'TICIDALLY. [L. _sæptum_, a fence, _cæd[)e]re_, to cut.]

SEPTIFARIOUS, sep-ti-f[=a]'ri-us, _adj._ turned seven different ways.

SEPTIFEROUS, sep-tif'e-rus, _adj._ having a septum or septa, septate.

SEPTIFLUOUS, sep-tif'l[=oo]-us, _adj._ flowing in seven streams.

SEPTIFOLIOUS, sep-ti-f[=o]'li-us, _adj._ seven-leaved.

SEPTIFORM, sep'ti-form, _adj._ sevenfold, having seven parts: like a septum, septal.

SEPTIFRAGAL, sep-tif'r[=a]-gal, _adj._ (_bot._) breaking away from the partitions, said of the valves of a pod. [L. _septum_, a partition, _frang[)e]re_, _fractum_, to break.]

SEPTILATERAL, sep-ti-lat'[.e]r-al, _adj._ having seven sides. [L. _septem_, seven, _latus_, _lateris_, a side.]

SEPTILLION, sep-til'yun, _n._ the product of a million raised to the seventh power, or a unit with forty-two ciphers affixed: in the United States, France, &c., the eighth power of a thousand.

SEPTIMANARIAN, sep-ti-m[=a]-n[=a]'ri-an, _n._ a monk on duty for a week. [L. _septimanus_--_septem_, seven.]

SEPTIME, sep't[=e]m, _n._ the seventh position assumed by a fencer after drawing his weapon from the scabbard. [L. _septimus_, seventh--_septem_, seven.]

SEPTIMOLE, sep'ti-m[=o]l, _n._ a group of seven notes to be played in the time of four or six: sign [septimole].--Also SEP'T[=O]LE.

SEPTINSULAR, sept-in's[=u]-lar, _adj._ consisting of seven islands. [L. _septem_, seven, _insula_, island.]

SEPTISYLLABLE, sep'ti-sil-a-bl, _n._ a word of seven syllables.

SEPTOMAXILLARY, sep-t[=o]-mak'si-l[=a]-ri, _adj._ combining characters of a nasal septum and a maxillary bone.--_n._ a bone in some birds uniting the maxillopalatines of opposite sides.

SEPTONASAL, sep-t[=o]-n[=a]'zal, _adj._ forming a nasal septum.--_n._ a bone of this kind.

SEPTUAGENARIAN, sep-t[=u]-aj-e-n[=a]'ri-an, _n._ a person seventy years old.--_adj._ SEPT[=U]AG'ENARY, consisting of seventy.--_n._ one seventy years old. [L. _septuagenarius_--_septuageni_, seventy each--_septem_, seven.]

SEPTUAGESIMA, sep-t[=u]-a-jes'i-ma, _n._ the third Sunday before Lent--the seventieth day before Easter (the common but dubious explanation).--_adj._ SEPTUAGES'IMAL, consisting of seventy: counted by seventies. [L. _septuagesimus_--_septem_, seven. The name, like _Quinquagesima_ and _Sexagesima_, was most probably adopted on a false analogy with _Quadragesima_, the Latin name of Lent.]

SEPTUAGINT, sep't[=u]-a-jint, _n._ the version in Hellenistic Greek of the Old Testament, said to have been made by 72 translators at Alexandria by command of Ptolemy Philadelphus (284-247 B.C.)--usually expressed by LXX.--_adj._ SEPTUAGIN'TAL. [L. _septuaginta_--_septem_, seven.]

SEPTUARY, sep't[=u]-[=a]-ri, _n._ (_obs._) something composed of seven.

[Illustration]

SEPTUM, sep'tum, _n._ (_bot._, _anat._) a partition separating two cavities: one of the radial plates of a coral:--_pl._ SEP'TA.--_adj._ SEP'TULATE, having imperfect or spurious septa.--_n._ SEP'TULUM, a little septum or small partition. [L.,--_sæp[=i]re_, _sep[=i]re_, to enclose.]

SEPTUPLE, sep't[=u]-pl, _adj._ sevenfold.--_v.t._ to make sevenfold: to multiply by seven.--_n._ SEP'T[=U]PLET, a septimole. [Low L. _septuplus_--_septem_, seven; on the analogy of quadruple.]

SEPULCHRE, sep'ul-k[.e]r, _n._ a place of burial: tomb: a burial vault: a recess in some early churches in which the reserved sacrament, &c., were laid from Good Friday till Easter.--_v.t._ (_Milt._) to place in a sepulchre: to bury or entomb.--_adj._ SEPUL'CHRAL, pertaining to a sepulchre, or to monuments erected for the dead: (_fig._) deep, hollow in tone.--_n._ SEP'ULTURE, act of burying the dead: interment: burial.--_v.t._ to entomb. [Fr.,--L. _sepulchrum_--_sepel[=i]re_, _sepultum_, to bury.]

SEPURTURE, sep'ur-t[=u]r, _adj._ (_her._) raised above the back and opened, of a bird's wings.

SEQUACIOUS, s[=e]-kw[=a]'shus, _adj._ inclined to follow a leader: attendant: manageable: pliant: observing logical sequence or consistence.--_ns._ SEQU[=A]'CIOUSNESS, SEQUAC'ITY, disposition to follow. [L. _sequax_, _sequacis_--_sequi_, to follow.]

SEQUEL, s[=e]'kwel, _n._ that which follows, the succeeding part: result, consequence: (_obs._) descendants: (_Scots law_) thirlage. [Fr.,--L. _sequela_--_sequi_; Gr. _hepesthai_, to follow.]

SEQUELA, s[=e]-kw[=e]'la, _n._ that which follows: an inference, a corollary:--_pl._ S[=E]'QUELÆ.

SEQUENCE, s[=e]'kwens, _n._ state of being sequent or following: order of succession: a series of things following in a certain order, as a set of three or more cards in order of value: that which follows: consequence: (_mus._) a regular succession of similar chords: in liturgics, a hymn in rhythmical prose, sung after the gradual and before the gospel.--_adjs._ S[=E]'QUENT, following, succeeding; S[=E]QUEN'TIAL.--_n._ S[=E]QUENTIAL'ITY.--_adv._ S[=E]QUEN'TIALLY. [Fr.,--L. _sequens_, pr.p. of _sequi_, to follow.]

SEQUESTER, s[=e]-kwes't[.e]r, _v.t._ to separate: to withdraw from society: to seclude: to set apart: (_law_) to place anything contested into the hands of a third person till the dispute is settled: to hold the property of another till the profits pay the demands: to take possession of the estate of a bankrupt in order to distribute it among the creditors: to confiscate.--_v.i._ to renounce any interest in the estate of a husband.--_n._ (_Shak._) the act of sequestering: an umpire.--_adjs._ S[=E]QUES'TERED, retired, secluded; SEQUES'TRABLE.--_v.t._ S[=E]QUES'TRATE (_law_), to sequester.--_ns._ S[=E]QUESTR[=A]'TION, the Scotch legal term for bankruptcy: the act of sequestering, esp. the seizure of any one's property for the use of the state during dispute, or for the benefit of creditors: state of being separated: seclusion from society; S[=E]QUESTR[=A]'TOR, one who sequesters another's property: one to whom property is committed during dispute. [O. Fr. _sequestrer_--Low L. _sequestr[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--L. _sequester_, a depositary--_sequi_, to follow.]

SEQUESTRUM, s[=e]-kwes'trum, _n._ a necrosed section of bone.--_n._ SEQUESTROT'OMY, the operation of removing such.

SEQUIN, s[=e]'kwin, _n._ a gold Venetian coin of the 13th century=9s. 4d. [Fr.,--It. _zecchino_--_zecca_, the mint; of Ar. origin.]

SEQUOIA, s[=e]-kwoi'a, _n._ a small genus of gigantic evergreen coniferous trees belonging to California--Wellingtonia. [A Latinised form of the name of the Cherokee chief _Sequoiah_.]

SERA, s[=e]'ra, _n._ a lock of any kind:--_pl._ S[=E]'RÆ. [L.]

SÉRAC, s[=a]-rak', _n._ a name for the cuboidal masses into which the névé breaks when passing down a steep incline. [Swiss Fr.]

SERAGLIO, se-ral'y[=o], _n._ the ancient residence of the Sultan at Constantinople, enclosing within its walls a variety of mosques, gardens, and large edifices, the chief of which is the Harem: a place where women are kept, a place of licentious pleasure: an enclosure. [It. _serraglio_--Low L. _ser[=a]re_, to lock up, from L. _sera_, a door-bar. The word was confused with Pers. _serai_, a palace.]

SERAI, se-rä'i, _n._ a khan, a caravansary: a seraglio for women. [Pers. _serai_, a palace.]

SERALBUMIN, s[=e]r-al-b[=u]'min, _n._ albumin of the blood.

SERANG, se-rang', _n._ the skipper of a small East Indian vessel, the boatswain of a lascar crew. [Pers. _sarhang_, a commander.]

SERAPE, se-rä'pe, _n._ a Mexican shawl worn by men, often gay-coloured.

SERAPEUM, SERAPEIUM, ser-a-p[=e]'um, _n._ a temple of _Serapis_, esp. that near Memphis.

SERAPH, ser'af, _n._ an angel of the highest rank in the traditional angelology of the church, due to Dionysius the Areopagite, who places the seraphim at the head of the nine choirs of angels, the first rank being formed by the seraphim, cherubim, and _throni_:--_pl._ SERAPHS (ser'afs), SERAPHIM (ser'af-im), celestial beings on either side of the throne of Jehovah, seen in prophetic vision by Isaiah, and by him alone (vi. 2-6): a geometrid moth.--_adjs._ SERAPH'IC, -AL, pertaining to, or becoming, a seraph: angelic: pure: sublime: refined.--_adv._ SERAPH'ICALLY. [Heb. _Ser[=a]ph[=i]m_--_s[=a]raph_, to burn.]

SERAPHINE, ser'a-f[=e]n, _n._ a coarse-toned musical reed-instrument, played with a key-board--the precursor of the harmonium.

SERAPIAS, se-r[=a]'pi-as, _n._ a genus of orchids.

SERAPIS, ser-[=a]'pis, _n._ Apis honoured by the Romans under the attributes of Osiris: a genus of gasteropods: a genus of hymenopterous insects.

SERASKIER, ser-as'k[=e]r, _n._ a Turkish general, esp. the commander-in-chief or the minister of war.--_n._ SERAS'KIERATE, the office of a seraskier. [Turk.,--Pers. _sar_, _ser_, head, Ar. _`asker_, army.]

SERB, serb, _adj._ Servian.--_n._ a Servian.

SERBONIAN, ser-b[=o]'ni-an, _adj._ relating to a dangerous bog in Egypt, hence to any difficult situation.

SERDAB, ser'dab, _n._ a secret chamber within the masonry of an ancient Egyptian tomb in which images of the deceased were stored. [Ar. _serd[=a]b_.]

SERE. Same as SEAR.

SERE, s[=e]r, _adj._ (_obs._) separate, several, many.

SERE, s[=e]r, _n._ (_obs._) a claw.

SEREIN, se-rang', _n._ a fine rain which falls from a cloudless sky. [Fr.]

SERENA, s[=e]-r[=e]'na, _n._ the damp, unwholesome air of evening.

SERENADE, ser-e-n[=a]d', _n._ evening music in the open air, esp. given by a lover to his mistress under her window at night: a piece of music suitable for such an occasion.--_v.t._ to entertain with a serenade.--_ns._ SEREN[=A]'DER, one who serenades; SERENÄ'TA, an instrumental work for performance in the open air; SER'EN[=A]TE (_Milt._), a serenade. [Fr.,--It. _serenata_, _sereno_, serene--L. _serenus_.]

SERENE, s[=e]-r[=e]n', _adj._ calm: unclouded: unruffled: an adjunct to the titles of certain German princes--a translation of _Durchlaucht_.--_v.t._ to tranquillise.--_n._ the chilly damp of evening: blight.--_adv._ SER[=E]NE'LY, calmly, coolly.--_ns._ SER[=E]NE'NESS; SEREN'ITUDE; SEREN'ITY, state or quality of being serene, calmness, peace.--_v.t._ SERENISE', to make bright: to glorify. [L. _serenus_, clear.]

SERENOA, s[=e]-r[=e]'n[=o]-a, _n._ a genus of dwarf palms in Florida.

SERF, s[.e]rf, _n._ a slave attached to the soil and sold with it: a labourer rendering forced service in Russia: a menial.--_ns._ SERF'AGE, SERF'DOM, condition of a serf. [Fr.,--L. _servus_, a slave.]

SERGE, s[.e]rj, _n._ a strong twilled fabric, once of silk, now usually of worsted.--_n._ SERGETTE', a thin serge. [Fr.,--L. _serica_, silk--_Seres_, the Chinese.]

SERGEANT, SERJEANT, sär'jent, _n._ a non-commissioned officer of the army and marines next above a corporal, overlooking the soldiers in barracks, and assisting the officers in all ways in the field: a bailiff: a constable: a servant in monastic offices: a police-officer of superior rank.--_ns._ SER'GEANCY, SER'GEANTCY, SER'GEANTSHIP, office of a sergeant; SER'GEANT-AT-ARMS, an officer of a legislative body for keeping order, &c.; SER'GEANT-FISH, the cobra, so called from the lateral stripes; SER'GEANT-M[=A]'JOR, the highest non-commissioned officer, employed to assist the adjutant: the cow-pilot, a fish; SER'GEANTRY, SER'GEANTY, a kind of feudal tenure on condition of service due to the king only; SER'JEANT-AT-ARMS, an officer who attends upon the Lord Chancellor with the mace, and who executes various writs of process in the course of a Chancery suit: a similar officer who attends on each House of Parliament, and arrests any person ordered by the House to be arrested; SER'JEANT-AT-LAW, formerly in England the highest degree of barrister, once with exclusive audience in the Court of Common Pleas, their proper dress a violet-coloured robe with a scarlet hood, and a black coif, represented in modern times by a patch of silk at the top of the wig.--GRAND SERGEANTY, a tenure of lands by special honorary service to the king; PETIT SERGEANTY, a tenure of lands by a rent or tender. [Fr. _sergent_--L. _serviens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]

SERIAL, s[=e]'ri-al, _adj._ pertaining to, or consisting of, a series: appearing periodically.--_n._ a tale or other composition appearing in successive parts, as in a periodical: a publication issued in successive numbers, a periodical.--_n._ S[=E]RIAL'ITY.--_advs._ S[=E]'RIALLY, S[=E]'RIATELY, in a series or regular order.--_adj._ S[=E]'RI[=A]TE, arranged in a series.--_adv._ S[=E]'RI[=A]TIM, one after another.--_n._ S[=E]RI[=A]'TION.

SERIAN, s[=e]'ri-an, _adj._ Chinese--also SER'IC.--_ns._ SER'ICA, a genus of melolonthine beetles; SERIC[=A]'RIA, a genus of bombycid moths, containing the mulberry silkworm.--_adjs._ SER'ICATE, -D, silky, covered with silky down; SERICEOUS (s[=e]rish'i-us), pertaining to, or consisting of, silk: (_bot._) covered with soft silky hairs, as a leaf.--_n.pl._ SERIC'IDES, a section of melolonthine beetles.--_ns._ SER'ICIN, the gelatinous substance of silk; SER'ICITE, a variety of potash mica.--_adj._ SERICIT'IC.--_ns._ SERICOCAR'PUS, a genus of composite plants of the United States; SERICOS'T[=O]MA, the typical genus of caddis-flies; SERICT[=E]'RIUM, a spinning gland; SER'ICULTURE, the breeding of silkworms--also SER'ICICULTURE; SERICUL'TURIST. [Gr. _S[=e]res_, the Seres, an Asiatic people who supplied the Greeks and Romans with their silk.]

SERICON, ser'i-kon, _n._ in the jargon of alchemy, a red tincture--opp. to _Bufo_, a black.

SERIEMA, ser-i-[=e]'ma, _n._ a long-legged, crested Brazilian bird.--Also CARIA'MA.

SERIES, s[=e]'ri-[=e]z, _n.sing._ and _pl._ a succession of things connected by some likeness: sequence: order: (_math._) a progression of numbers or quantities according to a certain law.--ARITHMETICAL SERIES, a series whose terms progress by the addition or subtraction of a constant difference; GEOMETRICAL SERIES, a series whose successive terms progress by a constant multiplier or divisor--the _common ratio_; RECIPROCAL SERIES, a series each of whose terms is the reciprocal of the corresponding term of another series. [L.,--_ser[)e]re, sertum_, to join.]

SERIF, ser'if, _n._ the short cross-line at the ends of unconnected Roman types, as in H, l, d, y, &c.--Also CER'IPH and SER'IPH.

SERIFORM, s[=e]'ri-form, _adj._ noting a section of the Altaic family of languages, comprising Chinese, &c.

SERILOPHUS, s[=e]-ril'[=o]-fus, _n._ an Indian genus of broadbills. [Gr. _s[=e]rikos_, silky, _lophos_, a crest.]

SERIN, ser'in, _n._ a small fringilline bird like the canary.--_n._ SERINETTE', a bird-organ. [Fr.,--L. _citrinus_, _citrine_, yellow.]

SERINGA, se-ring'gä, _n._ a name of several Brazilian trees yielding india-rubber. [Port.]

SERINGHI, ser-ing-g[=e]', _n._ a musical instrument of the viol class used in India.

SERINUS, s[=e]-r[=i]'nus, _n._ a genus of birds of the fringilline family, including canaries. [Fr. _serin_.]

SERIOLA, s[=e]-r[=i]'[=o]-la, _n._ a genus of carangoid fishes, the amber fishes.

SERIOUS, s[=e]'ri-us, _adj._ solemn: in earnest: important: attended with danger: weighty: professedly religious.--_adjs._ S[=E]'RIO-COM'IC, -AL, partly serious and partly comical.--_adv._ S[=E]'RIOUSLY, gravely, deeply: without levity.--_n._ S[=E]'RIOUSNESS. [Fr. _serieux_--L. _serius_, akin to _severus_, severe.]

SERIPH. See SERIF.

SERJEANT. See SERGEANT.

SERMOCINATION, ser-mos-i-n[=a]'shun, _n._ (_obs._) speech-making: (_rhet._) a form of prosopopoeia in which one answers a question he has himself asked.

SERMON, s[.e]r'mon, _n._ a discourse on a text of Scripture delivered during divine service: any serious address, any serious counsel, admonition, or reproof.--_v.t._ to tutor, to lecture.--_ns._ SERMOL'OGUS, a volume containing sermons by the Church fathers; SERMONEER', a sermoniser; SER'MONER, a preacher; SER'MONET, a little sermon.--_adjs._ SERMON'IC, -AL, having the character of a sermon.--_n._ SER'MONING, the act of preaching: a homily.--_v.i._ SER'MONISE, to compose or preach sermons: to lecture: to lay down the law.--_v.t._ to preach a sermon to.--_ns._ SERMON[=I]'SER, one who preaches or writes sermons; SERM[=O]'NIUM, a historical play, formerly acted by the inferior orders of the Roman Catholic clergy; SERMUN'CLE, a little sermon. [L. _sermo_, _sermonis_--_ser[)e]re_, to join.]

SEROON, se-r[=oo]n', _n._ a crate or hamper in which Spanish and Levantine figs, raisins, &c. are usually packed.--_n._ SER'ON, a bale of about 200 lb. of Paraguay tea wrapped in hide. [Sp. _seron_.]

SEROPURULENT, s[=e]-r[=o]-p[=u]'r[=oo]-lent, _adj._ composed of serum mixed with pus.--_adj._ SEROSANGUIN'OLENT, pertaining to bloody serum.

SEROTINE, ser'[=o]-tin, _n._ a small reddish vespertilionine bat. [L. _serotinus_--_sero_, late.]

SEROTINOUS, s[=e]-rot'i-nus, _adj._ (_bot._) appearing late the season. [L. _serotinus_--sero, late.]

SEROUS, s[=e]'rus, _adj._ resembling serum, thin, watery: secreting serum.--_n._ SEROS'ITY. [_Serum_.]

SERPENT, s[.e]r'pent, _n._ any member of the genus _Ophidia_, more popularly known as snakes--any reptile without feet which moves by means of its ribs and scales: a snake: a person treacherous or malicious: one of the constellations in the northern hemisphere: (_mus._) a bass musical wind-instrument, entirely obsolete except in a few Continental churches, a tapered leather-covered wooden tube 8 feet long, twisted about like a serpent.--_v.i._ to wind along: to meander.--_v.t._ to girdle, as with the coils of a serpent.--_ns._ SERPENT[=A]'RIA, the Virginia snakeroot; SERPENT[=A]'RIUS, the secretary-birds: the constellation _Ophiuchus_; SER'PENT-CHARM'ER, one who charms or has power over serpents; SER'PENT-CHARM'ING, the art of charming or governing serpents; SER'PENT-C[=U]'CUMBER, a long-fruited variety of the musk-melon; SER'PENT-D[=E]'ITY, the god of the Ophites, Abraxas; SER'PENT-EAT'ER, the secretary-bird: a wild goat in India and Cashmere; SER'PENTEAU, an iron circle with spikes to which squibs are attached, used in a breach.--_n.pl._ SERPENT'ES, the second order of the third class of limbless reptiles.--_ns._ SER'PENT-FISH, the snake-fish; SER'PENT-GRASS, the alpine bistort.--_adjs._ SERPENT'IFORM, ophidian in structure: snake-like; SER'PENTINE, resembling a serpent: winding, tortuous: spiral: crooked.--_n._ a kind of firework: a 16th-cent. form of cannon: a mineral composed of silica and manganese, generally occurring massive, colour some shade of green, also red and brownish-yellow.--_v.i._ to wind or wriggle like a serpent.--_adv._ SER'PENTINELY.--_adjs._ SERPENTIN'IC, SER'PENTINOUS.--_adv._ SERPENT[=I]'NINGLY, with a serpentine motion.--_v.t._ SER'PENTINISE, to convert into serpentine.--_v.i._ SER'PENTISE, to wind: meander.--_adj._ SER'PENT-LIKE, like a serpent.--_ns._ SER'PENT-LIZ'ARD, a lizard of the genus _Seps_; SER'PENT-MOSS, a greenhouse plant from the West Indies; SER'PENTRY, serpentine motion: a place infested by serpents: serpents collectively; SER'PENT-STAR, a brittle star; SER'PENT-STONE, snake-stone, adder-stone; SER'PENT'S-TONGUE, the adder's-tongue fern; SER'PENT-TUR'TLE, an enaliosaur; SER'PENT-WITHE, a twining plant of tropical America; SER'PENT-WOOD, an East Indian shrub; SER'PENT-WOR'SHIP, one of the most ancient and widespread forms of primitive religion, and still existing amongst many savage peoples; SEA'-SER'PENT (see SEA).--SERPENTINE VERSE, a verse which begins and ends with the same word.--THE OLD SERPENT, Satan. [L. _serpens_, _-entis_, pr.p. of _serp[)e]re_, to creep; akin to Gr. _herpein_.]

SERPET, ser'pet, _n._ (_obs._) a basket.

SERPETTE, s[.e]r-pet', _n._ a hooked pruning-knife. [Fr.]

SERPIGO, s[.e]r-p[=i]'go, _n._ (_Shak._) a skin eruption, herpes.--_adj._ SERPIG'INOUS (-pij'-). [L. _serp[)e]re_, to creep.]

SERPLATH, ser'plath, _n._ (_Scot._) 80 stone weight.

SERPOLET, ser'p[=o]-let, _n._ the wild thyme. [Fr.]

SERPULA, ser'p[=u]-la, _n._ a genus of sedentary Chætopod worms, living in twisted calcareous tubes fastened to shells and rocks in the sea, or even to other animals, such as crabs.--_adj._ SERP[=U]'LIAN.--_n._ SER'PULITE, a fossil of the family _Serpulidæ_.--_adjs._ SERPULIT'IC, SER'PULOID. [L. _serp[)e]re_, to creep.]

SERR, ser, _v.t._ (_obs._) to crowd or press together.

SERRA, ser'a, _n._ a saw, or saw-like part [L.]

SERRADILLA, ser-a-dil'a, _n._ a Port. bird's-foot clover.

SERRANUS, ser-r[=a]'nus, _n._ the genus containing sea-perches or sea-bass.--_n.pl._ SERRAN'IDÆ, the family of fishes containing among its genera Sea-bass, Rockfish, &c. [L. _serra_, a saw.]

SERRASALMO, ser-a-sal'mo, _n._ a genus of characinoid fishes, with compressed belly fringed with projecting scales. [L. _serra_, a saw, _salmo_, a salmon.]

SERRATE, -D, ser'r[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ notched or cut like a saw: (_bot._) having small sharp teeth along the margin.--_n._ SERR[=A]'TION, state of being serrated.--_adj._ SERRATIROS'TRAL, saw-billed, as a bird.--_ns._ SER'R[=A]TURE, a notching like that between the teeth of a saw; SERR[=A]'TUS, one of several muscles of the thorax.--_adj._ SER'RICORN, having separate antennæ.--_n.pl._ SERRIF'ERA, a group of insects, including the sawflies and horntails.--_adjs._ SERRIF'EROUS, having a serra or serrate organ; SER'RIFORM, toothed like a saw; SER'RIPED, having the feet serrate; SERRIROS'TRATE, having the bill serrated with tooth-like processes.--_n._ SER'RO-M[=O]'TOR, a steam reversing-gear, in marine engines.--_adj._ SER'ROUS, like the teeth of a saw: rough.--_n._ SER'RULA, one of the serrated appendages of the throat of the mudfish:--_pl._ SER'RULÆ.--_adjs._ SER'RULATE, -D, finely serrate.--_ns._ SERRUL[=A]'TION, the state of being serrulate; SERRURERIE', ornamental wrought-metal work. [L. _serratus_--_serra_, a saw.]

SERRIED, ser'rid, _adj._ crowded: pressed together.--_v.t._ SER'RY, to crowd. [Fr. _serrer_, to crowd--L. _sera_, a door-bar.]

SERTULARIA, ser-t[=u]-l[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a common genus of Hydroids in which the branched horny investment of the plant-like colony forms a sessile cup around each polyp.--_adj._ SERTUL[=A]'RIAN. [L. _ser[)e]re_, _sertum_, to plait.]

SERUM, s[=e]'rum, _n._ the watery part of curdled milk, whey: the thin fluid which separates from the blood when it coagulates. [L.]

SERVAL, s[.e]r'val, _n._ a South African animal of the cat tribe, yellowish with black spots, valued for its fur--the _Bush-cat_, _Tiger-cat_. [Ger.]

SERVANT, s[.e]r'vant, _n._ one who is in the service of another: a labourer: a domestic: one dedicated to God: (_B._) a slave: one of low condition or spirit: a professed lover: a word of mere civility, as in 'your humble' or 'obedient servant' in letters, petitions, &c.--_v.t._ to subject.--_ns._ SER'VANT-GIRL, SER'VANT-MAID, a female domestic servant; SER'VANT-MAN, a male servant; SER'VANTRY, servants collectively; SER'VANTSHIP, position or relation of a servant.--SERVANT OUT OF LIVERY, a servant of a higher grade, as a major-domo or butler; SERVANTS' CALL, a whistle to call attendants; SERVANTS' HALL, the room in a house where the servants eat together. [Fr., pr.p. of _servir_, to serve--L. _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]

SERVATORY, s[.e]r'va-tor-i, _n. (obs.)_ that which preserves.

SERVE, s[.e]rv, _v.t._ to be a servant to, to work for and obey: to attend or wait upon: to work for: to obey: to be subservient or subordinate to: to wait upon at table, &c.: to do duty for: to treat, behave towards: to render worship to: to aid by good offices: to minister to a priest at mass: to comply with: to requite: to handle, manipulate: to furnish: (_naut._) to bind with small cord: (_law_) to deliver or present formally: to furnish: to cover, of stallions, &c.: to deliver the ball in tennis.--_v.i._ to be employed as a servant, to discharge any regular duty: to be in subjection: to suffice, to avail, to be suitable or favourable.--_n._ in tennis, the act of the first player in striking the ball, or the style in which this is done.--_ns._ SER'VAGE (_obs._), servitude: the service of a lover; SER'VER, one who serves: an attendant on the priest at the celebration of the Eucharist: the player who strikes the tennis-ball first: a salver, any utensil for distributing or helping at table.--SERVE AN OFFICE, to discharge the duties of an office; SERVE A PROCESS or WRIT, to formally communicate a process or writ to the person to whom it is addressed; SERVE AN ATTACHMENT, to levy such a writ on the person or goods by seizure; SERVE AN EXECUTION, to levy an execution on the person or goods by seizure; SERVE A SENTENCE, to undergo the punishment prescribed by a judicial sentence; SERVE ONE A TRICK, to play a trick on one; SERVE ONE OUT, to take revenge on some one; SERVE ONE RIGHT, to treat one as he deserves; SERVE ONE'S TIME, to complete one's apprenticeship; SERVE OUT, to deal or distribute; SERVE THE PURPOSE OF, to answer adequately an end for which something else is designed; SERVE THE TURN, to suffice for one's immediate purpose or need; SERVE TIME, to undergo a period of imprisonment, &c.; SERVE UP, to bring to table. [Fr. _servir_--L. _serv[=i]re_, to serve.]

SERVIAN, ser'vi-an, _n._ a native of _Servia_: the language of Servia, belonging to the southern division of the Slav tongues, its nearest congeners Bulgarian, Slovenian, and Russian.