Defn: A contagious disease, endemic in Scotland, resembling the yaws.
It is marked by ulceration of the throat and nose and by pustules and
soft fungous excrescences upon the surface of the body. In the
Orkneys the name is applied to the itch. [Written also sivvens.]
SIBERIAN
Si*be"ri*an, a. Etym: [From Siberia, Russ. Sibire.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Siberia, a region comprising all northern Asia and belonging to Russia; as, a Siberian winter. — n.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Siberia. Siberian crab (Bot.), the Siberian crab apple. See Crab apple, under Crab. — Siberian dog (Zoöl.), one of a large breed of dogs having erect ears and the hair of the body and tail very long. It is distinguished for endurance of fatigue when used for the purpose of draught. — Siberian pea tree (Bot.), a small leguminous tree (Cragana arborescens) with yellow flowers. It is a native of Siberia.
SIBILANCE; SIBILANCY
Sib"i*lance, Sib"i*lan*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being sibilant; sibilation. Milton would not have avoided them for their sibilancy, he who wrote . . . verses that hiss like Medusa's head in wrath. Lowell.
SIBILANT Sib"i*lant, a. Etym: [L. sibilans, -antis, p. pr. of sibilare to hiss: cf. F. sibilant.]
Defn: Making a hissing sound; uttered with a hissing sound; hissing; as, s, z, sh, and zh, are sibilant elementary sounds. — n.
Defn: A sibiliant letter.
SIBILATE
Sib"i*late, v. t. & i.