scurvy |
a potentially fatal disorder caused by a lack of vitamin C in one's diet, usu. accompanied initially by weakness and bleeding gums. [2 definitions] |
scurvy grass |
an arctic plant bearing white flowers and having a bitter flavor, formerly used to treat scurvy. |
scut |
a short stubby tail, as of a rabbit or deer. |
scutate |
shaped like a shield, as a leaf. [2 definitions] |
scutcheon |
variant of escutcheon. |
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. |