african —adj. Of the republic of south africa. —n. - native or national of south africa.
- person of south african descent.
- american —adj. Of south america. —n. Native or national of a south american country.
- pole see *pole2.
- sea n. (also south seas) southern pacific ocean.
- —n. - point of the horizon 90° clockwise from east.
- compass point corresponding to this.
- direction in which this lies.
- (usu. The south) part of the world, a country, or a town to the south. —adj. - towards, at, near, or facing the south.
- from the south (south wind). —adv. - towards, at, or near the south.
- (foll. By of) further south than. to the south (often foll. By of) in a southerly direction. [old english]
SPACE
age —n. Era of space travel. —attrib. Adj. (space-age) very modern.
- invaders n.pl. Computer game in which players combat aliens.
- shuttle n. Spacecraft for repeated use, esp. Between the earth and a space station.
- station n. Artificial satellite as a base for operations in outer space.
- —n. - a continuous expanse in which things exist and move. B amount of this taken by a thing or available.
- interval between points or objects.
- empty area (make a space).
- a outdoor urban recreation area (open space). B large unoccupied region (wide open spaces).
- = *outer space.
- interval of time (in the space of an hour).
- amount of paper used in writing, available for advertising, etc.
- a blank between printed, typed, or written words, etc. B piece of metal providing this.
- freedom to think, be oneself, etc. (need my own space). —v. (-cing) 1 set or arrange at intervals.
- put spaces between.
- (as spaced adj.) (often foll. By out) slang euphoric, esp. From taking drugs. space out spread out (more) widely. spacer n. [latin spatium]
SPADE
n. Long-handled digging tool with a broad sharp-edged metal blade. call a spade a spade speak bluntly. spadeful n. (pl. -s). [old english]
- n. - a playing-card of a suit denoted by black inverted heart-shaped figures with short stalks. B (in pl.) This suit.
- slang offens. Black person. [italian spada sword: related to *spade1]
SPANK
—v. - slap, esp. On the buttocks as punishment.
- (of a horse etc.) Move briskly. —n. Slap, esp. On the buttocks. [imitative]
SPARE
part n. Duplicate, esp. As a replacement.
- time n. Leisure.
- tyre n. Colloq. Roll of fat round the waist.
- —adj. - a not required for normal or immediate use; extra. B for emergency or occasional use.
- lean; thin.
- frugal. —n. Spare part. —v. (-ring) 1 afford to give, do without; dispense with (spared me ten minutes).
- a refrain from killing, hurting, etc. B abstain from inflicting (spare me this task).
- be frugal or grudging of (no expense spared). go spare colloq. Become very angry or distraught. Not spare oneself exert one's utmost efforts. Spare a person's life not kill him or her. To spare left over; additional (an hour to spare). sparely adv. Spareness n. [old english]
SPARK
—n. - fiery particle thrown from a fire, alight in ashes, or produced by a flint, match, etc.
- (often foll. By of) small amount (spark of interest).
- a flash of light between electric conductors etc. B this serving to ignite the explosive mixture in an internal-combustion engine.
- a flash of wit etc. B (also bright spark) witty or lively person. —v. - emit a spark or sparks.
- (often foll. By off) stir into activity; initiate. sparky adj. [old english]
SPASM
n. - sudden involuntary muscular contraction.
- convulsive movement or emotion etc.
- (usu. Foll. By of) colloq. Brief spell. [greek spasma from spao pull]
SPATE
n. - river-flood (river in spate).
- unexpected occurrence of similar events (spate of car thefts). [origin unknown]
SPAWN
—v. - a (of a fish, frog, etc.) Produce (eggs). B be produced as eggs or young.
- produce or generate in large numbers. —n. - eggs of fish, frogs, etc.
- mycelium of mushrooms or other fungi. [anglo-french espaundre: related to *expand]
SPEAK
comb. Form jargon (newspeak; computer speak).
- v. (past spoke; past part. Spoken) 1 utter words in an ordinary voice.
- utter (words, the truth, etc.).
- a converse; talk (spoke to her earlier; had to speak to the children about rudeness). B (foll. By of, about) mention in writing etc. C (foll. By for) act as spokesman for.
- (foll. By to) speak with reference to; support in words (spoke to the resolution).
- make a speech.
- use or be able to use (a specified language).
- a convey an idea (actions speak louder than words). B (usu. Foll. By to) communicate feeling etc.; affect, touch (the sunset spoke to her). generally (or strictly etc.) Speaking in the general (or strict etc.) Sense. Not (or nothing) to speak of not (or nothing) worth mentioning. On speaking terms friendly enough to converse. Speak for itself be sufficient evidence. Speak out (often followed by against) give one's opinion courageously. Speak up 1 speak loudly or freely; speak louder.
- (followed by for) defend. Speak volumes be very significant. [old english]
