sapphire.noun,.plural.sapphires
a clear, hard variety of corundum used as a gemstone that is usually blue but may be any color except red; a corundum gem; the blue color of a gem sapphire
sapphire.adjective
made of or resembling a gem sapphire; having the color of a blue sapphire

seldom.adverb
not often; infrequently or rarely
seldom.adjective
infrequent; rare
seldomness.noun

shrug, shrugged, shrugging, shrugs.verbs
transitive verb use.to raise (the shoulders), especially as a gesture of doubt, disdain or indifference
intransitive verb use.to raise the shoulders, especially as a gesture of doubt, disdain or indifference
shrug off, shrugging off.phrasal verbs
to minimize the importance of (shrugged off the defeat and talked about tonight's game); to get rid of (shrug off a burden so it's no longer bothersome)
shrug.noun
an expressive gesture of raising the shoulders

shrug.noun,.plural.shrugs
a woman's short jacket or sweater open down the front

samovar.noun,.plural.samovars
a large decorated container for heating water, traditionally used in Russia for making tea

selvage also selvedge.noun
the edge of a fabric that is woven so that it will not fray or ravel; an ornamental fringe at either end of an oriental rug; the edge plate of a lock that has a slot for a bolt

sequel.noun,.plural.sequels
something that follows; the next like one in line that follows after, building on the information of the original; a continuation; a movie or literary work complete in itself but continuing the narrative of an earlier work; a subsequent development (The Grand Self.is a sequel to What If? The Movie); a result or consequence; a sequel is that which builds upon and emphasizes the effect of the original

smarmy, smarmier, smarmiest.adjectives
hypocritically, complacently or effusively.earnest; unctuous
smarminess.noun

string.noun,.plural.strings
a cord usually made of fiber, used for fastening, tying or lacing (shoe laces are also known as shoe strings; something configured as a long, thin line (limp strings of hair); a plant fiber; a set of objects threaded together (a string of beads or pearls); a series of similar or related acts, events or items arranged or falling in or as if in a line (a series of happy events); a limiting or hidden condition (a gift with no strings attached); in computers, a set of consecutive characters treated by a computer as a single item; a scattered group of businesses under a single ownership or management (a string of boutiques); a cord stretched on an instrument and struck, plucked or bowed to produce tones; see also quantum strings
string, strung, stringing, strings.verbs
transitive verb use.to fit or furnish with strings or a string (string a guitar); to thread on a string; to arrange in a string or series; to fasten, tie or hang with a string or strings; to stretch out or extend (string a wire across a room)
intransitive verb use.to form strings or become stringlike; to extend or progress in a string, line or succession
string along.phrasal verb
to go along with something; agree; to keep someone waiting or in a state of uncertainty; to fool, cheat or deceive

swallow up.verb
enclose or envelop completely, as if by swallowing (huge waves swallowed the small boat and it sank shortly)

savant.noun,.plural.savants
a learned person; a scholar; an idiot savant

settle, settled, settling, settles.verbs
transitive verb use.to restore calmness or comfort to; to put to rest; to put into order; arrange or fix as desired; to put firmly into a desired position or place; establish; to establish as a land owner (settled her family in Ohio); to establish residence in (pioneers settled the West); to cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest (after constructing a new house it takes awhile for the ground around and under it to settle); to cause a liquid to become clear by forming a sediment (the dirt in the test tube finally settled out and fell to the bottom); stabilize; to make compensation for a claim; to pay a debt (finally settled the account)
intransitive verb use.to discontinue moving and come to rest in one place; to move downward; sink or descend, especially gradually (darkness settled over the fields; dust settled in the car); to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles; to become compact by sinking, as sediment when stirred up; to establish one's residence (settled in Canada); to become established or localized (the cold settled in for the winter); to reach a decision; determine (we finally settled on a solution to the problem); to provide compensation for a claim; to pay a debt
settle.noun
a long wooden bench with a high back, often including storage space beneath the seat
settle down.phrasal verb
to begin living a stable and orderly life (he settled down as a farmer with a family); to become less nervous or restless
settle for.phrasal verb
to accept as sufficient (settled on the smaller of the two homes) settleable.adjective

settler.noun,.plural.settlers
one who settles in a new region

settlement.noun,.plural.settlements
the act or process of settling; an establishment, as of a person in a business or of people in a new region; a small community; an arrangement, adjustment or other agreement reached, as in financial or business proceedings (a divorce settlement); in law, transfer of property to provide for the future needs of a person

serve, served, serving, serves.verbs
transitive verb use.to work for; to be a servant to; to prepare and offer food, for example (serve tea); to place food before someone; wait on (served the guests a wonderful dinner); to provide goods and services for customers (a hotel that has served tourists at the same location for 30 years); to supply goods or services to customers (providing service to others; served her country for five years in the navy); served God and let God serve him too); to meet the needs or requirements of; satisfy (serve the purpose); in law, to deliver or present a writ or summons; to present such a writ to; in sports, to put a ball or shuttlecock in play, as in tennis or badminton
intransitive verb use.to be employed as a servant; to do a term of duty (served the company, all his life was on time and when retired, they give him a watch); to act in a particular capacity (serve as a clerk); to be of service or use; function (allowed the incident to serve as a reminder for future interactions); to meet requirements or needs; satisfy (the vehicle served well over the years); to wait on tables (serve at luncheon); in sports, to put a ball or shuttlecock into play, as in court games
serving.noun,.plural.servings
the act of one that serves; an individual portion or helping of food or drink

servant.noun,.plural.servants
one who is serves another by helping in some way; a person who performs.domestic services; you can use servant to refer to someone or something that provides a service for people or can be used by them (technology is man's servant)

service.noun,.plural.services
employment in duties or work for another; installation, maintenance or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer (we called for service on the refrigerator); a facility providing the public with the use of something, such as water or transportation (the bus service); an act of assistance or benefit to another or others; a favor; the serving of food or the manner in which it is served; a set of dishes or utensils (a silver tea service); the act, manner or right of serving in many court games; a serve; copulation with a female; in law, the serving of a writ or summons
service, serviced, servicing, services.transitive verbs
to make fit for use; adjust, repair or maintain (service a car); to provide services to; to make interest payments on a debt; to copulate with
service.adjective
intended for use in supplying or serving (a service elevator; the service entrance); offering repairs or maintenance (a service guarantee; a road service area; a service industry); of.or.relating to the armed forces of a country

stiffnecked.adjective
stubborn, arrogant and aloof; obstinate; refractory
stiff, stiffer, stiffest.adjectives
difficult to bend; rigid; not moving or operating easily or freely; resistant (a stiff hinge made the door harder to open); lacking.easeor comfort of movement; not limber (a stiff neck); drawn tightly; taut; firm, as in purpose; resolute; having a strong, swift, steady force or movement (a stiff current; a stiff breeze); potent or strong (a stiff drink); difficult, laborious.or.arduous (a stiff hike; a stiff examination; a stiff penalty); excessively high (a stiff price)
stiff.adverb
in a stiff manner (frozen stiff); to a complete extent; totally (bored stiff)
stiff.noun
a dead body; a person regarded as constrained, priggish.or overly formal; a drunk; a person (a lucky stiff; just an ordinary working stiff)
stiff, stiffed, stiffing, stiffs.transitive verbs
to tip someone inadequately or not at all, as for a service rendered (paid the dinner check but stiffed the waiter); to cheat someone of something owed (my roommate stiffed me out of last month's rent)
stiffly.adverb
stiffness.noun,.plural.stiffnesses

stiffen, stiffened, stiffening, stiffens.transitive and intransitive verbs
to make or become stiff or stiffer
stiffener.noun,.plural.stiffeners

starchy, starchier, starchiest.adjectives
containing starch; stiffened with starch; of or resembling starch (potatoes have a high content of starch); stiff; formal
starchily.adverb
starchiness.noun

starch.noun,.plural.starches
a naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate, (C6H10O5N, found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat and rice and varying widely in appearance according to source but commonly prepared as a white, amorphous, tasteless powder; any of various substances, such as natural starch, used to stiffen cloth, as in laundering; foods having a high content of starch, as rice, breads and potatoes
starch, starched, starching, starches.transitive verbs
to stiffen with starch

sexual.adjective
of, relating to, involving or characteristic of sex, sexuality, the sexes or the sex organs and their functions; implying or symbolizing.erotic desires or activity; of, relating to or involving the union of male and female gametes (sexual reproduction)
sexuality.noun,.plural.sexualities
sexuality has to do with individual sexual preferences, as we are all different in many areas of life (some ladies like a dimmed light room with relaxing music, as an example; some men like to be on top of the woman and others below); the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex (this is a boy and this is a girl); concern with or interest in sexual activity; sexual character or potency (the desire for sex wanes when energy is low); sexuality is also preferences one has regarding having sex (most women prefer foreplay before having sex and this can include low light in the room, gentle music and friendly conversation)
sexually.adverb
sex.noun,.plural.sexes
the property or quality by which organisms are classified as female or male on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions); gender; either of the two divisions, designated female and male, of this classification; females or males considered as a group; the condition or character of being female or male; the physiological, functional and psychological differences that distinguish the female and the male; sexual feelings in behavior; sexual intercourse
sex, sexed, sexing, sexes.transitive verbs
sex is the physical activity by which people can produce babies; the physical activity that two people do together in order to produce babies or for pleasure; to arouse sexually; if two people have sex, they perform the act of sex; to determine the sex of an organism (what sex is that bird?)
sexual intercourse.noun,.plural.sexual intercourses
coitus between human beings, which is sexual union

Steinmetz, Charles Proteus.1865-1923, German-American electrical engineer and inventor, known for his research in alternating current. Originally named Karl August Rudolf Steinmetz, he was born in Breslau (now Wroclaw, Poland). Forced to leave Germany because of his socialist activities, in 1889 he immigrated to the U.S.A. In 1902 he became professor of electrophysics at Union College and University, Schenectady, New York, thereafter serving in both positions until his death. Steinmetz is best known for his research based on Nikola Tesla's work in the field of alternating current electricity, particularly on the nature and use of alternating current; his work also contributed greatly to the utilization of alternating current electricity as a source of power and light in industry. Along with Tesla, he is credited with many inventions. ...comprised with Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

stodgy, stodgier, stodgiest.adjectives
heavy (stodgy food); solidly built; stocky (the wrestler was solidly built); dull, unimaginative and commonplace; pompous; stuffy; stodgy food is very solid and heavy, making one feel very full and is difficult to digest); indigestible and starchy
stodgily.adverb
stodginess.noun