| spark plug |
a device threaded into the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine that produces sparks that ignite fuel. [2 definitions] |
| sparring partner |
a person who acts as a boxer's opponent in practice rounds. |
| sparrow |
any of various small songbirds that have brownish or grayish feathers and are common in many regions. [2 definitions] |
| sparrow hawk |
a small North American falcon; kestrel. [2 definitions] |
| sparse |
thinly scattered; not thick or dense; scanty. |
| Sparta |
a dominant city in the southern part of ancient Greece. |
| Spartan |
of or pertaining to ancient Sparta or its people, culture, or the like. [5 definitions] |
| spar varnish |
a hard waterproof varnish. |
| spasm |
a sudden uncontrolled contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. [2 definitions] |
| spasmodic |
concerning, resembling, or marked by a spasm or spasms; convulsive. [2 definitions] |
| spastic |
of, relating to, or afflicted by spasms. |
| spasticity |
a condition of sudden and uncontrolled contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. |
| spastic paralysis |
a condition in which certain muscles remain in a state of continuous contraction, causing rigidity of moving parts and exaggerated tendon reflexes. |
| spat1 |
a short, insignificant quarrel. [4 definitions] |
| spat2 |
a past tense and past participle of spit1. |
| spat3 |
(often pl.) a short cloth or leather covering worn over the top of the shoe and around the ankle, and usu. fastened with a strap under the shoe; gaiter. |
| spat4 |
a young oyster or other shellfish. |
| spate |
a sudden rush, outpouring, or flood. [2 definitions] |
| spathe |
a leaflike structure, often large and colorful, that surrounds or spreads out from the spadix or flower spike of certain plants. |
| spatial |
of, relating to, or occurring in space. |
| spatter |
to scatter (a liquid) in small bits, drops, or splashes. [7 definitions] |