Shealing Sheal"ing noun Same as Sheeling . [ Scot.]

Shear Shear transitive verb [ imperfect Sheared or Shore ; past participle Sheared or Shorn ; present participle & verbal noun Shearing .] [ Middle English sheren , scheren , to shear, cut, shave, Anglo-Saxon sceran , scieran , scyran ; akin to D. & German scheren , Icelandic skera , Danish ski...re , Greek .......... Confer Jeer , Score , Shard , Share , Sheer to turn aside.] 1. To cut, clip, or sever anything from with shears or a like instrument; as, to shear sheep; to shear cloth.

» It is especially applied to the cutting of wool from sheep or their skins, and the nap from cloth.

2. To separate or sever with shears or a similar instrument; to cut off; to clip (something) from a surface; as, to shear a fleece.

Before the golden tresses . . . were shorn away.

Shak.

3. To reap, as grain. [ Scot.] Jamieson.

4. Fig.: To deprive of property; to fleece.

5. (Mech.) To produce a change of shape in by a shear. See Shear , noun , 4.

Shear Shear noun [ Anglo-Saxon sceara . See Shear , transitive verb ] 1. A pair of shears; -- now always used in the plural, but formerly also in the singular. See Shears .

On his head came razor none, nor shear .

Chaucer.

Short of the wool, and naked from the shear .

Dryden.

2. A shearing; -- used in designating the age of sheep.

After the second shearing, he is a two- shear ram; . . . at the expiration of another year, he is a three- shear ram; the name always taking its date from the time of shearing.

Youatt.

3. (Engineering) An action, resulting from applied forces, which tends to cause two contiguous parts of a body to slide relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact; -- also called shearing stress , and tangential stress .

4. (Mech.) A strain, or change of shape, of an elastic body, consisting of an extension in one direction, an equal compression in a perpendicular direction, with an unchanged magnitude in the third direction.

Shear blade , one of the blades of shears or a shearing machine. -- Shear hulk . See under Hulk . -- Shear steel , a steel suitable for shears, scythes, and other cutting instruments, prepared from fagots of blistered steel by repeated heating, rolling, and tilting, to increase its malleability and fineness of texture.

Shear Shear intransitive verb 1. To deviate. See Sheer .

2. (Engineering) To become more or less completely divided, as a body under the action of forces, by the sliding of two contiguous parts relatively to each other in a direction parallel to their plane of contact.

Shear steel Shear steel See under Shear .

Shearbill Shear"bill` noun (Zoology) The black skimmer. See Skimmer .

Sheard Sheard noun See Shard . [ Obsolete]

Shearer Shear"er noun 1. One who shears.

Like a lamb dumb before his shearer .

Acts viii. 32.

2. A reaper. [ Scot.] Jamieson.

Shearing Shear"ing noun 1. The act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine, as the wool from sheep, or the nap from cloth.

2. The product of the act or operation of clipping with shears or a shearing machine; as, the whole shearing of a flock; the shearings from cloth.

3. Same as Shearling . Youatt.

4. The act or operation of reaping. [ Scot.]

5. The act or operation of dividing with shears; as, the shearing of metal plates.

6. The process of preparing shear steel; tilting.

7. (Mining) The process of making a vertical side cutting in working into a face of coal.

Shearing machine . (a) A machine with blades, or rotary disks, for dividing plates or bars of metal . (b) A machine for shearing cloth.

Shearling Shear"ling noun A sheep but once sheared.

Shearman Shear"man noun ; plural Shearmen One whose occupation is to shear cloth.

Shearn Shearn noun [ Anglo-Saxon scearn . Confer Scarn .] Dung; excrement. [ Obsolete] [ Written also shern .] Holland.

Shears Shears noun plural [ Formerly used also in the singular. See Shear , noun , 1.] 1. A cutting instrument. Specifically: (a) An instrument consisting of two blades, commonly with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, and working on both sides of the material to be cut, -- used for cutting cloth and other substances.

Fate urged the shears , and cut the sylph in twain.

Pope.

(b) A similar instrument the blades of which are extensions of a curved spring, -- used for shearing sheep or skins. (c) A shearing machine; a blade, or a set of blades, working against a resisting edge.

2. Anything in the form of shears. Specifically: (a) A pair of wings. [ Obsolete] Spenser. (b) An apparatus for raising heavy weights, and especially for stepping and unstepping the lower masts of ships. It consists of two or more spars or pieces of timber, fastened together near the top, steadied by a guy or guys, and furnished with the necessary tackle. [ Written also sheers .]

3. (Machinery) The bedpiece of a machine tool, upon which a table or slide rest is secured; as, the shears of a lathe or planer. See Illust. under Lathe .

Rotary shears . See under Rotary .

Sheartail Shear"tail` noun (Zoology) (a) The common tern. (b) Any one of several species of humming birds of the genus Thaumastura having a long forked tail.

Shearwater Shear"wa`ter noun [ Shear + water ; confer German wassersherer ; -- so called from its running lightly along the surface of the water.] (Zoology) Any one of numerous species of long-winged oceanic birds of the genus Puffinus and related genera. They are allied to the petrels, but are larger. The Manx shearwater ( P. Anglorum ), the dusky shearwater ( P. obscurus ), and the greater shearwater ( P. major ), are well-known species of the North Atlantic. See Hagdon .

Sheatfish Sheat"fish` noun [ Confer dial. German scheid , schaid , schaiden .] (Zoology) A European siluroid fish ( Silurus glanis ) allied to the cat-fishes. It is the largest fresh-water fish of Europe, sometimes becoming six feet or more in length. See Siluroid .

Sheath Sheath noun [ Middle English schethe , Anglo-Saxon scǣð , sceáð , scēð ; akin to Old Saxon skēðia , Dutch scheede , German scheide , Old High German sceida , Swedish skida , Danish skede , Icelandic skeiðir , plural, and to English shed , v.t., originally meaning, to separate, to part. See Shed .] 1. A case for the reception of a sword, hunting knife, or other long and slender instrument; a scabbard.

The dead knight's sword out of his sheath he drew.

Spenser.

2. Any sheathlike covering, organ, or part. Specifically: (a) (Botany) The base of a leaf when sheathing or investing a stem or branch, as in grasses. (b) (Zoology) One of the elytra of an insect.

Medullary sheath . (Anat.) See under Medullary . -- Primitive sheath . (Anat.) See Neurilemma . -- Sheath knife , a knife with a fixed blade, carried in a sheath. -- Sheath of Schwann . (Anat.) See Schwann's sheath .

Sheath-winged Sheath"-winged` adjective (Zoology) Having elytra, or wing cases, as a beetle.

Sheathbill Sheath"bill` noun (Zoology) Either one of two species of birds composing the genus Chionis , and family Chionidæ , native of the islands of the Antarctic seas.

» They are related to the gulls and the plovers, but more nearly to the latter. The base of the bill is covered with a saddle- shaped horny sheath, and the toes are only slightly webbed. The plumage of both species is white.

Sheathe Sheathe transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Sheathed ; present participle & verbal noun Sheating .] [ Written also sheath .] 1. To put into a sheath, case, or scabbard; to inclose or cover with, or as with, a sheath or case.

The leopard . . . keeps the claws of his fore feet turned up from the ground, and sheathed in the skin of his toes.

Grew.

'T is in my breast she sheathes her dagger now.

Dryden.

2. To fit or furnish, as with a sheath. Shak.

3. To case or cover with something which protects, as thin boards, sheets of metal, and the like; as, to sheathe a ship with copper.

4. To obtund or blunt, as acrimonious substances, or sharp particles. [ R.] Arbuthnot.

To sheathe the sword , to make peace.

Sheathed Sheathed adjective 1. Povided with, or inclosed in, sheath.

2. (Botany) Invested by a sheath, or cylindrical membranaceous tube, which is the base of the leaf, as the stalk or culm in grasses; vaginate.

Sheather Sheath"er noun One who sheathes.

Sheathfish Sheath"fish` noun (Zoology) Same as Sheatfish .

Sheathing Sheath"ing present participle & adjective from Sheathe . Inclosing with a sheath; as, the sheathing leaves of grasses; the sheathing stipules of many polygonaceous plants.

Sheathing Sheath"ing noun That which sheathes. Specifically: (a) The casing or covering of a ship's bottom and sides; the materials for such covering; as, copper sheathing . (b) (Architecture) The first covering of boards on the outside wall of a frame house or on a timber roof; also, the material used for covering; ceiling boards in general.

Sheathless Sheath"less adjective Without a sheath or case for covering; unsheathed.

Sheathy Sheath"y adjective Forming or resembling a sheath or case. Sir T. Browne.

Sheave Sheave noun [ Akin to OD. schijve orb, disk, wheel, Dutch schiff , German scheibe , Icelandic skīfa a shaving, slice; confer Greek ......... a staff. Confer Shift , v. , Shive .] A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley.

Sheave hole , a channel cut in a mast, yard, rail, or other timber, in which to fix a sheave.

Sheave Sheave transitive verb [ See Sheaf of straw.] To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect. Ashmole.

Sheaved Sheaved adjective Made of straw. [ Obsolete] Shak.

Shebander Sheb"an·der noun [ Persian shāhbandar .] A harbor master, or ruler of a port, in the East Indies. [ Written also shebunder .]

Shebang She·bang" noun [ Confer Shebeen .] A jocosely depreciative name for a dwelling or shop. [ Slang,U.S.]

Shebeen She·been" noun [ Of Irish origin; confer Ir. seapa a shop.] A low public house; especially, a place where spirits and other excisable liquors are illegally and privately sold. [ Ireland]

Shechinah She·chi"nah noun See Shekinah .

Shecklaton Sheck"la·ton noun [ Confer Ciclatoun .] A kind of gilt leather. See Checklaton . [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Shed Shed noun [ The same word as shade . See Shade .] A slight or temporary structure built to shade or shelter something; a structure usually open in front; an outbuilding; a hut; as, a wagon shed ; a wood shed .

The first Aletes born in lowly shed .

Fairfax.

Sheds of reeds which summer's heat repel.

Sandys.

Shed Shed transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Shed ; present participle & verbal noun Shedding .] [ Middle English scheden , sch...den , to pour, to part, Anglo-Saxon scādan , sceádan , to pert, to separate; akin to Old Saxon sk......an , OFries. sk...tha, German scheiden , Old High German sceidan , Goth. skaidan , and probably to Lithuanian skëdu I part, separate, Latin scindere to cleave, to split, Greek ........., Sanskrit chid , and perch. also to Latin caedere to cut. √159. Confer Chisel , Concise , Schism , Sheading , Sheath , Shide .] 1. To separate; to divide. [ Obsolete or Prov. Eng.] Robert of Brunne.

2. To part with; to throw off or give forth from one's self; to emit; to diffuse; to cause to emanate or flow; to pour forth or out; to spill; as, the sun sheds light; she shed tears; the clouds shed rain.

Did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood?

Shak.

Twice seven consenting years have shed
Their utmost bounty on thy head.

Wordsworth.

3. To let fall; to throw off, as a natural covering of hair, feathers, shell; to cast; as, fowls shed their feathers; serpents shed their skins; trees shed leaves.

4. To cause to flow off without penetrating; as, a tight roof, or covering of oiled cloth, sheeds water.

5. To sprinkle; to intersperse; to cover. [ R.] "Her hair . . . is shed with gray." B. Jonson.

6. (Weaving) To divide, as the warp threads, so as to form a shed, or passageway, for the shuttle.

Shed Shed intransitive verb 1. To fall in drops; to pour. [ Obsolete]

Such a rain down from the welkin shadde .

Chaucer.

2. To let fall the parts, as seeds or fruit; to throw off a covering or envelope.

White oats are apt to shed most as they lie, and black as they stand.

Mortimer.

Shed Shed noun 1. A parting; a separation; a division. [ Obsolete or Prov. Eng.]

They say also that the manner of making the shed of newwedded wives' hair with the iron head of a javelin came up then likewise.

Sir T. North.

2. The act of shedding or spilling; -- used only in composition, as in blood shed .

3. That which parts, divides, or sheds; -- used in composition, as in water shed .

4. (Weaving) The passageway between the threads of the warp through which the shuttle is thrown, having a sloping top and bottom made by raising and lowering the alternate threads.

Shed Shed noun (Aëronautics) A covered structure for housing aircraft; a hangar.

Shedder Shed"der noun 1. One who, or that which, sheds; as, a shedder of blood; a shedder of tears.

2. (Zoology) A crab in the act of casting its shell, or immediately afterwards while still soft; -- applied especially to the edible crabs, which are most prized while in this state.

Shedding Shed"ding noun 1. The act of shedding, separating, or casting off or out; as, the shedding of blood.

2. That which is shed, or cast off. [ R.] Wordsworth.

Sheelfa, Shilfa Sheel"fa, Shil"fa noun (Zoology) The chaffinch; -- so named from its call note. [ Prov. Eng.]

Sheeling Sheel"ing noun [ Icelandic skjōl a shelter, a cover; akin to Dan. & Swedish skjul .] A hut or small cottage in an exposed or a retired place (as on a mountain or at the seaside) such as is used by shepherds, fishermen, sportsmen, etc.; a summer cottage; also, a shed. [ Written also sheel , shealing , sheiling , etc.] [ Scot.]

Sheely Sheel"y noun (Zoology) Same as Sheelfa .

Sheen Sheen adjective [ Middle English sehene , Anglo-Saxon sciéne , sc...ne , sc...ne , splendid, beautiful; akin to OFries. sk...ne , sk...ne , Old Saxon sc...ni , Dutch schoon , German schön , Old High German sc...ni , Goth, skanus , and English shew ; the original meaning being probably, visible, worth seeing. It is not akin to English shine . See Shew , transitive verb ] Bright; glittering; radiant; fair; showy; sheeny. [ R., except in poetry.]

This holy maiden, that is so bright and sheen .

Chaucer.

Up rose each warrier bold and brave,
Glistening in filed steel and armor sheen .

Fairfax.

Sheen Sheen intransitive verb To shine; to glisten. [ Poetic]

This town,
That, sheening far, celestial seems to be.

Byron.

Sheen Sheen noun Brightness; splendor; glitter. "Throned in celestial sheen ." Milton.

Sheenly Sheen""ly adverb Brightly. [ R.] Mrs. Browning.

Sheeny Sheen"y adjective Bright; shining; radiant; sheen. "A sheeny summer morn." Tennyson.

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