Syllepsis, sil-lep′sis, n. substitution: a figure in rhetoric by which we take the sense of words rather by the intention of the author than by the strictness of grammar: the agreement of a verb or adjective, not with the word next it, but with some other word in the sentence.—adjs. Syllep′tic, -al.—adv. Syllep′tically. [Gr. syllēpsis—syn, together, lambanein, to take.]
Syllogism, sil′ō-jizm, n. logical form of every argument, consisting of three propositions, of which the first two are called the premises, and the last, which follows from them, the conclusion.—n. Syllogisā′tion.—v.i. Syll′ogise, to reason by syllogisms.—v.t. to deduce consequences from.—n. Syll′ogiser.—adjs. Syllogis′tic, -al, pertaining to a syllogism: in the form of a syllogism.—adv. Syllogis′tically. [Gr. syllogismos—syllogizesthai—syn, together, logizesthai, to reckon—logos, speech.]
Sylph, silf, n. one of the elemental spirits of the air, intermediate between immaterial and material beings, occasionally holding intercourse with human creatures: a fairy.—n. Sylph′id, a little sylph.—adjs. Sylph′ine, Sylph′ish. [Fr. sylphe, of Celtic origin; but cf. Gr. silphē, a kind of beetle.]
Sylva, Silva, sil′va, n. the forest trees of any region collectively.—adjs. Syl′van, Sil′van.—n. Sylvicul′ture, arboriculture, forestry. [L.]
Symbal, sim′bal, n. Same as Cymbal.
Symbiosis, sim-bi-ō′sis, n. a term introduced by De Bary to denote certain kinds of physiological partnership between organisms of different kinds—best restricted to such intimate and complementary partnerships as exist between algoid and fungoid elements in lichens, or between unicellular Algæ; and Radiolarians.—n. Sym′bion, an organism living in such a state.—adj. Symbiot′ic.—adv. Symbiot′ically. [Gr. syn, together, bios, life.]
Symbol, sim′bol, n. a sign by which one knows a thing: an arbitrary or other conventional mark, abbreviating methods of scientific expression, as in algebra, and esp. chemistry: an emblem: that which represents something else: a figure or letter representing something: (theol.) a creed, compendium of doctrine, or a typical religious rite, as the Eucharist.—adjs. Symbol′ic, -al, pertaining to, or of the nature of, a symbol: representing by signs: emblematic: figurative: typical.—adv. Symbol′ically.—ns. Symbol′icalness; Symbol′ics, the study of the history and contents of Christian creeds; Symbolisā′tion.—v.i. Sym′bolise, to be symbolical: to resemble in qualities.—v.t. to represent by symbols.—ns. Sym′boliser, Sym′bolist, one who uses symbols; Sym′bolism, representation by symbols or signs: a system of symbols: use of symbols: (theol.) the science of symbols or creeds.—adjs. Symbolist′ic, -al.—ns. Symbol′ogy, Symbolol′ogy, the art of representing by symbols; Symbolol′atry, undue veneration for symbols; Sym′bolry, the use of symbols generally. [Gr. symbolon, from symballein—syn, together, ballein, to throw.]
Symmetry, sim′e-tri, n. the state of one part being of the same measure with or proportionate to another: due proportion: harmony or adaptation of parts to each other.—adj. Symm′etral, commensurable, symmetrical.—n. Symmet′rian, one who is careful about symmetry.—adjs. Symmet′ric, -al, having symmetry or due proportion in its parts: harmonious.—adv. Symmet′rically, with symmetry.—ns. Symmet′ricalness; Symmetri′cian, Symm′etrist, one careful about symmetry; Symmetrisā′tion.—v.t. Symm′etrise, to make symmetrical.—n. Symmetrophō′bia, fear or strong dislike of mechanical symmetry. [L. and Gr. symmetria—syn, together, metron, a measure.]
Symmorph, sim′morf, n. a character different in form from another, but representing the same notion. [Gr. symmorphos, similar—syn, with, morphē, form.]
Sympathy, sim′pa-thi, n. like feeling: an agreement of inclination, feeling, or sensation: compassion: pity: tenderness: an agreement of affections or inclinations, or a conformity of natural temperament: mutual conformity of parts in the fine arts: correspondence of parts in similar sensations or affections, or the affection of the whole body or system, or some part of it, in consequence of local injury or disease: propensity of inanimate bodies to union or mutual action: the effective union of colours.—adjs. Sympathet′ic, -al, showing, or inclined to, sympathy: feeling with another: able to sympathise: compassionate: produced by sympathy: uniting viscera and blood-vessels in a nervous action common to them all: noting sounds induced by vibrations conveyed through air, &c., from a body already in vibration.—adv. Sympathet′ically.—n. Sympathet′icism, undue disipostion to be sympathetic.—v.i. Sym′pathise, to have sympathy: to feel with or for another: to be compassionate.—ns. Sym′pathiser; Sym′pathism; Sym′pathist.—Sympathetic ink (see Ink). [Gr. sympatheia—syn, with, pathos, suffering.]