| scute |
any external horny or bony plate, as on the shell of a turtle, that serves as protection. |
| scutellate |
of an insect or animal, protected by bony plates or scales. [2 definitions] |
| scutellum |
a small plate or shieldlike formation on a plant or animal. |
| scuttle1 |
a coal pail with a wide lip or spout. |
| scuttle2 |
to move or run as if in a hurry; scurry. [2 definitions] |
| scuttle3 |
to purposely cause (a ship) to sink, as by making holes in the bottom. [4 definitions] |
| scuttlebutt |
(informal) inside information; gossip. [2 definitions] |
| scutum |
a large shield used by infantrymen in ancient Rome. [2 definitions] |
| scut work |
(informal) work that is regarded as tedious, menial, dirty, or otherwise distasteful. |
| scuzzy |
(slang) dirty, shabby, disreputable, or sleazy. |
| Scylla and Charybdis |
in Homer's Odyssey, two monsters threatening to sailors, later identified as a rock and a whirlpool in the sea off the coast of Sicily. |
| scythe |
a tool for cutting grass, harvesting grain, or the like, having a long handle to which a long, curved blade is attached, usu. at a right angle. [2 definitions] |
| SD |
abbreviation of "South Dakota," a midwestern U.S. state between North Dakota and Nebraska. |
| SDI |
abbreviation of "Strategic Defense Initiative," a proposed U.S. defense system in which enemy missiles would be detected and destroyed in flight by weaponry contained in earth satellites, also known as "Star Wars" in reference to similar technology found in the science fiction saga of that name. |
| SE |
abbreviation of "southeast." |
| Se |
symbol of the chemical element selenium. |
| sea |
the salt water covering most of the earth; ocean. [6 definitions] |
| sea anchor |
a large canvas-covered, often conical frame that is let out as a float or drag to prevent a ship from drifting off course or to keep it headed into the wind. |
| sea anemone |
a flowerlike sedentary sea polyp, the flexible cylindrical body of which is topped with one or more rings of tentacles that encircle a mouth. |
| sea animal |
any of various animals that live in the sea, including fish, invertebrates, and certain mammals. |
| sea bag |
a large cylindrical canvas duffle bag, used by sailors to carry clothing and other personal gear. |