sapphire 
blfi;ti, ii., 2. 4. In ornitli., a sapphirewing. 
Asteriated sapphire, a sapphire which exhibits by re- 
flected light a star of bright rays, resulting from its crys- 
talline structure. Chatoyant sapphire, a variety of 
sapphire, sometimes translucent and nearly limpid, re- 
flecting slight tints of hlue and red, and sometimes show- 
ing pearly reflections. GlraSOl sapphire, a beautiful 
variety of sapphire with a pinkish or oluish opalescence 
and a peculiar play of light. Green sapphire, the Ori- 
ental emerald. Red sapphire, the Oriental ruby. Sap- 
phire cat's-eye, an imperfect star-sapphire cut in such 
a way that only one band of light is visible. Star sap- 
phire. Same as asteriated sapphire. Violet sapphire, 
the Oriental amethyst. White or limpid sapphire, a 
colorless or grayish and transparent or translucent variety 
of sapphire. Yellow sapphire, the Oriental topaz. See 
corundum. 
II. a. Resembling sapphire ; of a deep bril- 
liant blue. 
The living throne, the sapphire-blaze, 
Where angels tremble while they gaze, 
He saw. Gray, Progress of Poesy. 
sapphirewing (saf'ir-wing), . A humming- 
bird of the genus Pterophanes. 
sapphirine ' (saf i-rin), a. [< L. sapphirinus, < 
Gr. ocnripeipivoc, of the sapphire or lapis lazuli, < 
aairfyeipof, sapphire or lapis lazuli : see sapphire 
and -Hie 1 .] I. Made of sapphire. 2. Having 
the qualities of sapphire, especially the color. 
Compare sapphire, a. 
1 found the colliquated mass, upon breaking the cruci- 
ble, of a lovely sapphirine blue. Boyle. 
Sapphirine gurnard, a fish, Triyla hirundo. 
sapphirine- (saf 'i-rin), n. [< sapphire + -ine*.] 
1. A blue variety of spinel. 2. A pale-blue 
or greenish mineral occurring in disseminated 
grains with mica and anthophyllite in Green- 
land: it is a highly basic silicate of aluminium 
and magnesium. 
sapphism (saf'izm), n. [< Sappho, Sappho: see 
Sapphic.] Unnatural sexual relations between 
women. 
sappho (saf '6), . [NL., < Gr. Zaw^u, Sappho: 
see Sapphic.] 1. A humming-bird with a long 
6340 
sapremia, sapraemia (sap-re'mi-a), . [NL., < 
Gr. troTT/adf, rotten, + ai/ta, blood.] A condition 
of blood-poisoning due to the absorption of tox- 
ins produced by saprophytes. 
sapremic, sapraemic (sap-re'mik), a. [< <i- 
premia + -ic.] Pertaining to, of the nature 
of, or affected with sapremia. 
saprogenic (sap-ro-jen'ik), a. Producing de- 
cay or putrefaction. 
saprogenous (sap-roj'e-nus), a. [< Gr. aairp6(, 
rotten, + -yw)f, producing : see -gen.] Engen- 
dered in putridity ; produced in decaying or de- 
composing animal or vegetable substances. 
Saproharpages(sap-ro-har'pa-jez), n.pl. [NL., 
< Gr. aairpAf, rotten, + d/jraf (dftiray-), a robber: 
see Hurpax.] In ornitli., in Sundevall's system 
of classification, a group of birds of prey con- 
sisting of the Old World vultures, divided into 
the two groups of Gypaetitue ami f'ultnrinx. 
Saprolegnia (sap-ro-leg'ni-a), n. [NL. (Nees 
von Esenbeck), < Gr. aairp6<;, rotten, + Uyvov, a 
hem, an edge.] A genus of fungi, of the class 
Phycomycetaceie, giving name to the order Sa- 
prolegniacese. The filaments are branching, the zoo- 
spores clavate, the oogonia usually polyspored, and the an- 
tneHdia small, ovate or clavate. There are about 25 spe- 
cies, of which S. ferax is well known, as it causes a very 
destructive disease in salmon and other kinds of fish. See 
S;ippho (Sappho spargamtrn). 
forked tail, Sappho sparganura. 2. [cap.] A 
genus of such Trockilulee ; the comets. See 
comet, 3. Iteichenbach, 1849. 
sap-pine (sap'pin), M. See pine 1 . 
sappiness (sap'i-nes), n. 1. The state or prop- 
erty of being sappy, or full of sap ; succulence ; 
juiciness. 2. The state of being sappy or fool- 
ish; the character of a saphead; foolishness. 
[Colloq.] 
sapping (sap'ing), n. [Verbal n. of sap 3 , v.] 
The art of excavating trenches of approach 
under the musketry-fire of the besieged. 
sapping-machine (sap'ing-ma-shen' 1 '), n. A 
circular saw and saw-bench for sawing bolts for 
shingle-stuff. E. H. Knight. 
sapples (sap'lz), n. pi. [Also serplius; origin 
obscure ; by some taken to be a dim. of *sap, 
saip, Sc. form of soap.] Soapsuds. [Scotch.] 
Judge of my feelings, when I saw them rubbin' the 
clothes to juggons between their hands, above the sap- 
pies. Gait, Ayrshire Legatees, p. 265. (Jamieson.) 
sappy (sap'i), . [< ME. sapy, < AS. seepiij, 
sappy, < step, sap : see sap 1 .] 1. Abounding 
with sap; juicy; succulent. 
The sappy branches of the Thespian vine 
Ne'er cling their less beloved elm so fast. 
Quarles, Emblems, iv. 12. 
Not firm 
weak; foolish; silly; sap-head- 
2. 
ed. [Colloqi] 
This young prince was brought up among nurses till he 
arrived to the age of six years ; when he had passed this 
weak and sappy age, he was committed to Dr. Cox. 
Sir J. Hayward. 
3f. Softened by putrefaction. [Bare.] 
Sappie or unsavourie flesh. 
liaret, Alvearie, 1580. (Latham.) 
Saprolegniacese (sap-ro-leg-ni-a'sf-e), n. pi. 
[NL. (Be Bary), < Saprolegnia + -acese.] A 
family of phycomycetous fungi, typified by the 
genus Saprolegnia. The plants of this group are sap- 
rophytes or parasites, and grow quickly upon dead fishes, 
insects, etc., being found either in water or In connection 
with moist tissues. The vegetative portion is unicellular, 
though greatly elongated and branched ; the reproductive 
portions only are separated from the rest of the plant- body 
by partitions. Reproduction is both asexual and sexual, 
the hyptue producing zobsporangia which are either ter- 
minal or serial ; zoospores usually biciliate ; cogonia one- 
to many-spored. There are about IS genera. 
Saprolegnieae (sap'ro-leg-ni'e-e), n. pi. [NL., 
< Saprolegnia + -#.] Same as Saprolegniacese. 
sap-roller (sap'roler), n. A gabion of peculiar 
form, cylindrical and carefully made, solid and 
stiff, so as to roll evenly. It is pushed before the 
first workmen in a besiegers' trench at what is called the 
head of the sap to protect them while at work. 
Sapromyza (sap-ro-mi'zii), n. [NL. (Fallen, 
1810), < Gr. ffanywif, rottenj + /tb&tv, suck.] The 
typical genus of Sapromyzidee. It is a large and 
wide-spread group of reddish-yellow or dull-black flies, 
found commonly about outhouses, whose larva) live in 
decaying vegetable and animal matter. 
Sapromyzidae (sap-ro-miz'i-de), . pi. [NL., 
< Sapromyza + -idst.] A family of two-winged 
flies, belonging to the Muscidte acalyptratse, hav- 
ing a complete neuration, the front with a sin- 
gle row of bristles on each side, and a small 
erect bristle on the outer side before the end 
of the tibia. Lonchsea and Sapromyza are the 
principal genera. 
Saprophagat (sap-rof a-gii), n. pi. [NL., neut. 
pi. of saprophagiiH : see saprophagous.] In 
entom., a group of lamellicorn beetles whicli 
feed on decomposing animal and vegetable sub- 
stances ; the saphrophagans. 
saprophagan (sap-rof 'a-gan),n. [< Saprophaga 
+ -an.] A member of the Saprophaga. 
saprophagous (sap-rof 'a-gus), a. [< NL. sapro- 
phagus,^ Gr. aairpof, rotten, + Qayelv, eat.] Feed- 
ing on putrid matter; habitually eating decay- 
ing substances ; specifically, of or pertaining to 
the Saprophaga. 
sapropnilous (sap-rof'i-lus), a. [< Gr. acmp6c, 
rotten, + 0(?.of, loving.] Same as saprophytic: 
as, a saprophilous organism. 
saprophyte (sap'ro-fit), . [< Gr. aavp&t, rotten, 
+ <j>vr(n>, a plant.] In oot., a plant that grows 
on decaying vegetable matter, as many species 
of fungi, the Indian-pipe, etc. Also called hu- 
mus-plant. See hysteropliyte and Fungi. 
In parasites and plants growing on decaying vegetable 
matter (saprophytes) which are destitute of chlorophyll, 
the scales are the only foliar structures of the vegetative 
parts. Sachs. 
Facultative saprophyte. See facultative. 
saprophytic (sap-ro-fit'ik), n. [< saprophyte + 
-ic.] 1 . Pertaining to or of the nature of sapro- 
phytes ; growing on decaying vegetable matter. 
See Perisporiacese. 2. In zool., engendered or 
growing in putrid infusions, as one of number- 
less infusorial animalcules ; saprogenous : op- 
posed to holophytic. 
saprophytically (sap-ro-fit'i-kal-i), adv. As or 
in the manner of a saprophyte. 
Hyphomycetous fungi have been found occasionally to 
occur saprophytically in the intestinal canal. 
Nature, XXXV. 344. 
saprophytism (sap'ro-fi-tizm), n. [< xapni- 
lilti/ff + -ism.] The state of being saprophytic ; 
Sapsucker {Sphyropicus variut). 
Sarabaitae 
the state of living on decaying vegetable mat- 
ter. 
saprostomous (sap-ros'to-mus), a. [< Gr. aa- 
irpof, rotten, + rsrujui, mouth.] Having a foul 
breath. 
sap-rot (sap'rot), H. Dry-rot in timber. 
sapsago (sap'sa-go), . [A corruption, simulat- 
ing a compound of sap 1 + sago, of G. schab- 
::iii/rr (also called ziegtr-kiisc), Swiss green 
cheese partly prepared from vegetables, <*</<- 
bi-n, shave, scrape, pare (= E. share), + n></< i\ 
whey, posset.] A kind of hard cheese, made 
in Switzerland, having a greenish color, and 
flavored with melilot. 
sap-shield (sap'sheld),n. A steel plate mounted 
on wheels, designed to give cover to the sapper 
in a single sap, where the earth thrown up by 
him is insufficient for shelter. 
sapskull (sap'skul), n. Same as saphead,. 
[Prov. Bug.] 
sapsucker (sap'suk'er), n. The popular name 
in the United States of all the small spotted 
woodpeckers : so 
called from being 
supposed to suck 
the sap of trees. 
The commonest species 
to which the name ap- 
plies are the hairy or 
greater spotted wood- 
pecker, Pieits vfflosus; 
thedownyorlesser spot- 
ted woodpecker, Pirns 
pubescens; the red-bel- 
lied woodpecker, Centu- 
rui carolmwi ; and the 
yellow-bellied. But the 
name properly applies 
only to the yellow-bel- 
lied or sap- sucking 
woodpeckers of the 
genus Sphyropicus, 
which have the tongue 
non-extensile, brushy 
instead of barbed, and 
do much damage by de- 
nuding fruit-trees of 
their bark to get at 
the alburnum or sap- 
wood, upon which they largely feed. See also cut under 
Centurus. 
Of the several small species commonly called sapiuclcers, 
they alone deserve the name. 
Cones, Key to N. A. Birds, p. 485. 
sap-sucking (sap'suk'ing), a. Feeding on al- 
burnum or sap-wood, as a woodpecker ; belong- 
ing to the genus Sphyropicus. Cou.es. 
sap-tube (sap'tub), n. A vessel that conveys sap. 
sapucaia (sap-ij-ki'a), n. [NL.ra&cajo; < Braz. 
sapueaia (f).] The tree that yields the sapu- 
caia-nut. 
sapucaia-nut (sap-o-ki'ii-mit), . The edible 
seed of Lecythis Zabucajosmd L. Ollaria of South 
America. The seed of the latter species yields an oil 
analogous to that of the Brazil-nut, serving for food-use 
and soap-making, but soon becoming rancid. See Lecythis, 
sapucaia-oil (sap-o-ki'a-oil), M. See sapucaia- 
nut. 
sap-WOOd (sap'wud), n. Alburnum. 
Sapyga (sa-pi'ga), n. [NL. (Latreille, 1796); 
formation obscure.] A genus of digger-wasps, 
typical of the family Sapygidx, having distinct 
ocelli and the male antennse thickened at the 
tip. Eight European and twice as many North American 
species have been described. They are inquilinous in the 
nests of wild bees. S. punctata and S. clamcornis are two 
European species. 
Sapygidae (sa-pij'i-de), n. pi. [NL. (Leach, 
1819), < Sapyga + -idte.] A family of fossorial 
hymenopterous insects, named from the genus 
Sapi/ga, comprising rather small, smooth, slen- 
der forms, often ornamented with yellow. It 
is a small group, and all the forms are sup- 
posed, like Sapyga, to be inquiline. 
Sapygites (sap-i-ji'tez), w. pi. [NL., < Sapy- 
ga + -ites.] In Latreille's classification, a di- 
vision of fossorial hymenopterous insects, con- 
sisting of the genus tinpyga and its allies, and 
including, besides, certain forms now placed 
in the families Scoliidee and Mutillidse. 
saque, . A variant of sack 1 . 
sarH, a. A Middle English form of sore 1 . 
sar 2 (sar), n. [Appar. a dial. abbr. of Sp. xar- 
yo, < L. sargvs, a sea-fish: see Sargus.] Same 
as sargo. 
Several of them occur in the Mediterranean and the 
neighboring parts of the Atlantic, and are popularly called 
Sargo, Sar, and Saragu, names derived from the word Sar- 
gus, by which name these fishes were well known to the 
ancient Greeks and Romans. 
Gunthrr, Study of Fishes, p. 465. 
Sarabaitae (sar-a-bii'i-te). n. pi. [< LL. .w- 
baitie, also SaraoottK (f); appar. of Egyptian 
origin.] Sec Hi nioboth. 
