One day an unknown youth asked Mozart to explain to him how to start to compose a symphony.
- You are young, - answered Mozart. In the beginning write a ballade, and if you like it, come to me.
- But you! At the age of ten you have composed a lot of music.
- But I did not ask anybody how to do it.
language n. System of communication by gestures, used esp. By the deaf.
- of the cross n. Christian sign made by tracing a cross with the hand.
- —n. - thing indicating a quality, state, future event, etc. (sign of weakness).
- mark, symbol, etc.
- gesture or action conveying an order etc.
- signboard; signpost.
- each of the twelve divisions of the zodiac. —v. - a (also absol.) Write (one's name) on a document etc. As authorization. B sign (a document) as authorization.
- communicate by gesture (signed to me to come).
- engage or be engaged by signing a contract etc. (see also sign on, sign up). sign away relinquish (property etc.) By signing. Sign in 1 sign a register on arrival.
- get (a person) admitted by signing a register. Sign off 1 end work, broadcasting, etc.
- withdraw one's claim to unemployment benefit after finding work. Sign on 1 agree to a contract etc.
- employ (a person).
- register as unemployed. Sign out sign a register on departing. Sign up 1 engage (a person).
- enlist in the armed forces.
- enrol. [latin signum]
SIKH
n. Member of an indian monotheistic sect. [hindi, = disciple]
SILK
n. - fine soft lustrous fibre produced by silkworms.
- (often attrib.) Thread or cloth from this.
- (in pl.) Cloth or garments of silk, esp. As worn by a jockey.
- colloq. Queen's (or king's) counsel, as having the right to wear a silk gown.
- fine soft thread (embroidery silk). take silk become a queen's (or king's) counsel. [old english sioloc]
SILL
n. Slab of stone, wood, or metal at the foot of a window or doorway. [old english]
SILO
n. (pl. -s) 1 pit or airtight barn etc. In which green crops are kept for fodder.
- pit or tower for storing grain, cement, etc.
- underground storage chamber for a guided missile. [spanish from latin]
SILT
—n. Sediment in a channel, harbour, etc. —v. (often foll. By up) choke or be choked with silt. [perhaps scandinavian]
SINE
die adv. Formal indefinitely (postponed sine die). [latin]
- n. Ratio of the side opposite a given angle (in a right-angled triangle) to the hypotenuse. [latin *sinus]
- qua non n. Indispensable condition or qualification. [latin, = without which not]
SING
—v. (past sang; past part. Sung) 1 utter musical sounds, esp. Words with a set tune.
- utter or produce by singing.
- (of the wind, a kettle, etc.) Hum, buzz, or whistle.
- (of the ears) hear a humming sound.
- slang turn informer.
- (foll. By of) literary celebrate in verse. —n. Act or spell of singing. sing out shout. Sing the praises of praise enthusiastically. singer n. [old english]
SINH
abbr. Math. Hyperbolic sine. [sine, hyperbolic]
SINK
—v. (past sank or sunk; past part. Sunk or as adj. Sunken) 1 fall or come slowly downwards.
- disappear below the horizon.
- a go or penetrate below the surface esp. Of a liquid. B (of a ship) go to the bottom of the sea etc.
- settle comfortably.
- a decline in strength etc. B (of the voice) descend in pitch or volume.
