Sycamine, sik′a-mīn, n. (B.) supposed to be the black mulberry-tree (Morus nigra).
Sycamore, sik′a-mōr, n. a fruit-tree of the fig family, common in Palestine, &c.: a species of maple, in Scotland usually called plane-tree: in America, the native plane. [Gr. sykomoros—sykon, a fig, moron, black mulberry.]
Syce. Same as Sice (q.v.).
Sycophant, sik′ō-fant, n. a common informer: a servile flatterer.—n. Syc′ophancy, the behaviour of a sycophant: mean tale-bearing: obsequious flattery: servility—also Sycophant′ism.—adjs. Sycophant′ic, -al, Sycophant′ish, like a sycophant: obsequiously flattering: parasitic.—v.i. Syc′ophantise.—adv. Syc′ophantishly.—n. Syc′ophantry, the arts of the sycophant. [Gr. sykophantēs, usually said to mean one who informed against persons exporting figs from Attica or plundering the sacred fig-trees; but more prob. one who brings figs to light by shaking the tree, hence one who makes rich men yield up their fruit by informations and other vile arts—sykon, a fig, phainein, to show.]
Sycosis, sī-kō′sis, n. a pustular eruption on the scalp or bearded part of the face, due to ringworm, acne, or impetigo. [Gr.,—sykon, a fig.]
Syenite, sī′en-īt, n. a rock composed of feldspar and hornblende.—adj. Syenit′ic, relating to Syene in Egypt: pertaining to syenite. [From Gr. Syēnē, Syene in Egypt.]
Syker, sik′ėr, adv. (Spens.) surely. [Sicker.]
Syllable, sil′a-bl, n. several letters taken together so as to form one sound: a word or part of a word uttered by a single effort of the voice: a small part of a sentence.—v.t. to express by syllables, to utter.—n. Syll′abary, a list of characters representing syllables—also Syllabā′rium.—adjs. Syllab′ic, -al, consisting of a syllable or syllables.—adv. Syllab′ically.—vs.t. Syllab′icāte, Syllab′ify (pa.t. and pa.p. syllab′ified), to form into syllables—ns. Syllabicā′tion, Syllabificā′tion; Syll′abism, syllabic character, representation of syllables. [L. syllaba—Gr. syllabē—syn, with, lab-, lambanein, to take.]
Syllabub, sil′a-bub, n. Same as Sillibub.
Syllabus, sil′a-bus, n. an abstract: a table of contents: the catalogue of eighty heresies, annexed to the Encyclical Quanta Cura, addressed by Pius IX. to all Catholic bishops, 8th Dec. 1864. [L.]