Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPERE, v.t.

To ask; to inquire. [Local.]

SPER'ED, pp.

Asked; inquired.

SPERM, n. [Fr. sperme; L. sperma; Gr. σπερμα.]

1. Animal seed; that by which the species is propagated. – Bacon. Ray.
2. The head matter of a certain species of whale, called cachalot. It is called by the French blanc de baleine, the white of whales. It is found also in other parts of the body; but it is improperly named, not being a spermatic substance. Of this matter are made candles of a beautiful white color.
3. Spawn of fishes or frogs.

SPERM-A-CE'TI, n. [L. sperma, sperm, and cetus, a whale. It is pronounced as it is written.]

The same as sperm.

SPERM'A-PHORE, n.

In botany, that part of the ovary from which the ovules arise; it is synonymous with placenta.

SPERM-AT'IC, a.

1. Consisting of seed; seminal. – More.
2. Pertaining to the semen, or conveying it; as, spermatic vessels. – Ray. Coxe.

SPERM'A-TIZE, v.i.

To yield seed. [Not in use.] – Brown.

SPER-MA-TO-CELE', n. [Gr. σπερμα, seed, and κηλη, tumor.]

A swelling of the spermatic vessels, or vessels of the testicles. – Coxe.

SPER'MO-DERM, n. [Gr. σπερμα and δερμα.]

In botany, the whole integuments of a seed in the aggregate. – Lindley.

SPERM-OL'O-GIST, n.

One who treats of seeds.

SPERSE, v.t.

To disperse. [Not in use.] – Spenser.

SPET, n.

Spittle, or a flow. [Not in use.]

SPET, v.t.

To spit; to throw out. [Not used.]

SPEW, v.i.

To vomit; to discharge the contents of the stomach. – B. Jonson.

SPEW, v.t. [Sax. spiwan; D. spuwen, spuigen; G. speien, contracted from speichen; Sw. spy; Dan. spyer; L. spuo.]

1. To vomit; to puke; to eject from the stomach.
2. To eject, to cast forth.
3. To cast out with abhorrence. – Lev. xviii.

SPEW'ED, pp.

Vomited; ejected.

SPEW'ER, n.

One who spews.

SPEW'ING, n.

The act of vomiting.

SPEW'ING, ppr.

Vomiting; ejecting from the stomach.

SPEW'Y, a.

Wet; foggy. [Local.] – Mortimer.

SPHAC'E-LATE, v.i. [See Sphacelus.]

1. To mortify; to become gangrenous; as flesh.
2. To decay or become carious, as a bone.

SPHAC'E-LATE, v.t.

To affect with gangrene. – Sharp.

SPHAC'E-LA-TED, pp.

Affected with gangrene; mortified.

SPHAC'E-LA'TION, n.

The process of becoming or making gangrenous; mortification. – Med. Repos.

SPHAC'E-LUS, n. [Gr. σφακελος, from σφαζω, to kill.]

1. In medicine aud surgery, gangrene; mortification of the flesh of a living animal.
2. Death of a bone. – Coxe.