Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SY-RIN'GA, n. [Gr. συριγξ, συριγγος, a pipe.]

A genus of plants, the lilac.

SYR-INGE, n. [syr'inj. supra.]

An instrument for injecting liquids into animal bodies, into wounds, &c.; or an instrument in the form of a pump, serving to imbibe any fluid, and then to expel it with force.

SYR'INGE, v.t.

To inject by means of a pipe or syringe; to wash and cleanse by injections from a syringe.

SYR'ING-ED, pp.

Injected by means of a pipe or syringe.

SYR-IN-GOT'O-MY, n. [Gr. συριγξ, a pipe, and τεμνω, to cut.]

The operation of cutting for the fistula. – Cyc.

SYR'MA, n. [Gr.]

A long dress reaching to the floor, worn by tragic actors.

SYR'TIS, n. [L.]

A quicksand. [Not English.] – Milton.

SYR'UP, n. [See SIRUP.]

SYS'TA-SIS, n. [Gr. συστασις.]

The consistence of a thing; constitution. [Little used.] – Burke.

SYS'TEM, n. [Fr. système; L. systema; Gr. ουστημα; συν and ιστημι, to set.]

1. An assemblage of things adjusted into a regular whole; or a whole plan or scheme consisting of many parts connected in such a manner as to create a chain of mutual dependencies; or a regular union of principles or parts forming one entire thing. Thus we say, a systematic logic, a system of philosophy, a system of government, a system of principles, the solar system, the Copernican system, a system of divinity, a system of law, a system of morality, a system of husbandry, a system of botany or of chimistry.
2. Regular method or order.
3. In music, an interval compounded or supposed to be compounded of several lesser intervals, as the fifth, octave, &c. the elements of which are called diastems. – Busby.

SYS-TEM-AT'IC, or SYS-TEM-AT'IC-AL, a.

1. Pertaining to system; consisting in system; methodical; formed with regular connection and adaptation or subordination of parts to each other, and to the design of the whole; as, a systematic arrangement of plants or animals; a systematic course of study.
2. Proceeding according to system or regular method; as, systematic writer.

SYS-TEM-AT'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In the form of a system; methodically. – Boyle.

SYS'TEM-A-TIST, n.

One who forms a system, or reduce to system.

SYS'TEM-A-TIZE, v. [Ill formed. See Systemize.]

SYS-TEM-I-ZA'TION, n. [from systemize.]

The act or operation of systemizing; the reduction of things to system or regular method.

SYS'TEM-IZE, v.t.

To reduce to system or regular method; as, to systemize the principles of moral philosophy; to systemize plants or fossils.

SYS'TEM-IZ-ED, pp.

Reduced to system or method.

SYS'TEM-IZ-ER, n.

One who reduces things to system.

SYS'TEM-IZ-ING, ppr.

Reducing to system or due method.

SYS'TEM-MAK-ER, n.

One who forms a system.

SYS'TEM-MON-GER, n.

One given to the forming of systems. – Chesterfield.

SYS'TO-LE, or SYS'TO-LY, n. [Gr. συστολη, from συστελλω, to contract; συν and στελλω, to send.]

1. In grammar, the shortening of a long syllable.
2. In anatomy, the contraction of the heart and arteries, for expelling the blood, and carrying on the circulation. [See Diastole.]

SYS'TYLE, n. [Gr. συν, with or together, and στυλος, a column.]

In architecture, the manner of placing columns, where the place between the two shafts consists of two diameters or four modules. – Encyc.

SYTHE, n. [Sax. sithe; D. seissen; Ch. הצד, Syr. ܚܨܕ, Ar. حَصَدَ hatzada, to reap; deriv. Ar. a sickle; Sam. עצד; Eth. ዐፀደ atzad, to reap, and deriv. a sickle; Heb. and Ch. מעצד, from the same root, an ax. These verbs seem to be the same, with different prefixes, and from this evidently is derived sythe, which is written incorrectly scythe.]

1. An instrument for mowing grass, or cutting grain or other vegetables. It consists of a long curving blade with a sharp edge, made fast to a handle, which in New England is called a snath, and which is bent into a convenient form for swinging the blade to advantage. The blade is hung to the snath at an acute angle. In mythology, Saturn or Time is represented with a sythe, the emblem of destruction.
2. The curved sharp blade used anciently in war chariots.

SYTHE, v.t.

To mow. [Not in use.] – Shak.