sclerosed 
Nerve fibres were afterwards found in the sclerosed tis- 
sue. Lancet, No. 3481, p. 1071. 
sclerosis (skle-ro'sis), n. [NL., < Gr. aiiUipuai$, 
an induration, < *<jK/.?ipnvi', harden, indurate, < 
nithr/pdi;, hard: see sclere.] 1. A hardening or 
induration ; specifically, the increase of the sus- 
tentacular tissue (neuroglia, or connective tis- 
sue) of a part at the expense of the more active 
tissue. 2. In hot., the induration of a tissue 
or cell-wall either by thickening of the mem- 
branes or by their lignification (that is, by the 
formation of lignin in them). Goebel Amyo- 
trophlc lateral sclerosis. See amyotrophic. Annular 
sclerosis, sclerosis of the periphery of the spinal cord. 
Also called chronic annular myelitis. Lateral sclerosis 
of the spinal Cord. Same :is primary spastic paraplegia 
(which see, under paraplegia). Multiple sclerosis, a 
chronic progressive disease of the cerebrospinal axis, 
characterized by the presence of multiple areas of scle- 
rosis scattered more or less generally over this organ, and 
producing symptoms corresponding to their location ; but 
very frequently there are present nystagmus, intention 
tremor, and scanning speech, combined with other exten- 
sive and serious, but less characteristic nervous derange- 
ments. Also called disseminated sclerosis, insular sclerosis, 
focal sclerosis, and multilocular sclerosis. Posterior scle- 
rosis, sclerosis of the posterior columns of the spinal cord, 
such as is exhibited in tabes dorsualis. 
scleroskeletal (skle-ro-skel'e-tal), a. [< sclero- 
skelet(on) + -al.] Ossified in the manner of 
the scleroskeleton; forming' a part of the sclero- 
skeleton. 
scleroskeleton (skle-ro-skel'e-ton), n. [< Gr. 
ovcA7/xif, hard, + ovce?.frov, a dry body: see skele- 
ton.] Those hard or skeletal parts, collectively 
considered, which result from the ossification 
of tendons, ligaments, and similar sclerous tis- 
sues, as sesamoid bones developed in tendons, 
ossified tendons, as those of a turkey's leg, the 
marsupial bones of marsupials, the ring of 
bonelets in the eyeball, etc. Such ossifications are 
generally considered apart from the bones of the main 
endoskeleton. To those named may be added the bone 
of the heart and of the penis of various animals. Tendons 
of birds are specially prone toossify and form scleroskeletal 
parts. See cuts under marsupial and sclerotal. 
sclerosteous (skle-ros'te-us), a. [< Gr. o-K/l^pof, 
hard, + bariov, bone.] 'Consisting of bone de- 
veloped in tendon or ligament, as a sesamoid 
bone; scleroskeletal. 
There are two such sclerosteous or ligament-bones In the 
external lateral ligament. 
Coues, Key to N. A. Birds, p. 168. 
Sclerostoina (skle-ros'to-ma), n. [NL., < Gr. 
anhiipAf, hard, + aTO/ia, mouth.] 1. In Verities, 
a genus of strongles, or uematoid worms of the 
family Strongylidx. S. dwdenale (or Dochmius an- 
chyloslomus) is a very common parasite of the human in- 
testine, about $ of an inch long. 5. syngamus is one which 
causes the disease called the impes in fowl. Also written 
Sclerostomum. De Blainville, 1828. Also called Syngamus. 
2. [7. c.] A strongle of the genus Sclcrostoma. 
sclerotal (skle-ro'tal), a. and n. [< sclerot(ic) 
+ -a?.] I. n. 1 . Having the character of, or per- 
taining to, a sclero- 
tal: distinguished 
from sclerotic. 2. 
Same as sclerotic. 
[Bare.] 
II. . 1. In^o67.,a 
bone of the eyeball ; 
one of a number of 
scleroskeletal ossifi- 
cations developed 
in the sclerotic coat 
of the eye, usually 
consisting of a ring 
of small flat squar- 
ish bones encircling 
the cornea, having slight motion upon one an- 
other, but collectively stiffening the coat of the 
eye and preserving the peculiar shape which it 
has, as in an owl, for instance. In birds the 
sclerotals are usually from twelve to twenty in 
number. 
The sclerotic coat is very dense, almost gristly in some 
cases ; and it is reinforced by a circlet of bones, the M-/C- 
rotah. These are packed alongside each other all around 
the circumference of one part of the sclerotic, like a set 
of splints. . . . The bony plates lie between the outer and 
middle coats, anterior to the greatest girth of the eyeball, 
extending from the rim of the disk nearly or quite to the 
edge of the cornea. Coues, Key to N. A. Birds, p. 182. 
2. Same as sdcrotica. [Rare.] 
sclerote (skle'rot), n. [< NL. sclerotium, q. v.] 
In bot., same as sderotium. 
Sclerothamnidae (skle-ro-tham'ni-de), n. pi 
[NL., < Sclerothamnus + -idse.~] A family of 
hexactinellidan sponges, typified by the genus 
Sclerothamnus, characterized by the arbores- 
cent body perforated at the ends and sides by 
narrow round radiating canals. 
Sclerothamnus (skle-ro-tham'nus), n. [NL. 
(Marshall, 1875), < Gr. 'm&jiptf, hard, + 
Sclerotals of Eye of Bald Eagle 
(HatiaHtiiS Itucocephaltts), natural 
size. 
5402 
a bush, shrub.] The typical genus of Sclero- 
tliiiiiniidie. 
sclerotia, w. Plural of sclerotium. 
sclerotic (skle-rot'ik), a. and n. [< NL. *7w>- 
tinix, < tderotit (-ot-): see sclerosis.] I. a. 
1. Pertaining to or of the nature of sclerosis. 
2. Belated to or derived from ergot. Also 
sclerotinic. Sclerotic acid, one of the two most active 
constituents of ergot. It is a yellowish-brown, tasteless, 
inodorous substance with a slight acid reaction : used hy- 
podermically for the same purposes as ergot. Sclerotic 
coat. Same as iflerotica. Sclerotic myelitis, highly 
chronic myelitis with much development of firm connec- 
tive tissue. Sclerotic parenchyma, in bot., certain 
parenchyma-cells with more or less thickened walls, found 
associated with various other elements in woody tissues. 
The grit-cells in pears and many other fruits are examples. 
Sclerotic ring. See ringl, and cut under sclerotal. 
II, H. 1. Same as sclerotica. 2. A medi- 
cine which hardens and consolidates the parts 
to which it is applied. 
sclerotica (skle-rot'i-kji), w. [NL., fern, of 
"scleroticus: see sclerotic.] An opaque white, 
dense, fibrous, inelastic membrane, continuous 
with the cornea in front, the two forming the 
external coat of the eyeball ; the sclerotic coat 
or tunic of the eye. See first cut under eye^. 
You can not rub the sclerotica of the eye without pro- 
ducing an expansion of the capillary arteries and corre- 
sponding increase in the amount of nutritive fluid. 
E. D. Cope, Origin of the Fittest, p. 195. 
scleroticochoroiditis (skle-rot'i-ko-ko-roi-di'- 
tis), . fNL., < sclerotic + choroid + -His.'] In- 
flammation of the sclerotic and choroid coats 
of the eye. 
sclerotinic (skle-ro-tin'ik), a. [< sclerot(ic) + 
-t'He 1 + -ic.] Same as sclerotic, 2. 
sclerotitic (skle-ro-tit'ik), a. [< sclerotitis + 
-ic.] Inflamed, as the sclerotic coat ; affected 
with sclerotitis. 
sclerotitis (skle-ro-ti'tis), n. [NL.,< sclerot(ic) 
+ -itis.] Inflammation of the sclerotic coat of 
the eye. 
sclerotium (skle-ro'shi-um), n. ; pi. sclerotia 
(-a). [NL., < Gr. oK).r/p6s, hard: see sclerosis.] 
1." In bot. : (a) A pluricellular tuber-like reser- 
voir of reserve material forming on a primary 
filamentous mycelium, from which it becomes 
detached when its development is complete. 
It usually remains dormant for a time, and ultimately 
produces shoots which develop into sporophores at the 
expense of the reserve material. The shape is usually 
spherical, but it may be horn-shaped, as in Claviceps pur~ 
purea. In the Mycetozoa the sclerotium is formed out of 
a plasmodium, and after a period of rest it develops again 
into a plasmodium. DeBary. (ft) [cap.] An old ge- 
nus of fungi, comprising hard, black, compact 
bodies which are now known to be a resting^- 
stage of the mycelium of certain other fungi, 
such as Peziza tuberosa. See ergot 1 , 2. 2. In 
zoiil., one of the peculiar quiescent cysts or hyp- 
nocysts of Mycetozoa, not giving rise to spores. 
Dryness, low temperature, and want of nutriment lead 
to a dormant condition of the protoplasm of the plasmo- 
dium of many Mycetozoa, and to its enclosure in cyst- 
like growths known as sclerotia. Encyc. Brit., XIX. 841. 
sclerotized (skle'ro-tizd), a. [< sclerosis (-ot-) + 
-ise + -ecft.] In bot., same as sclerosed. 
sclerotome (skle'ro-tom), . [< Gr. aiA^pif, 
hard, + rifiveiv, ra/iflv, cut.] 1. A sclerous or 
scleroskeletal structure intervening between 
successive myotomes; a division or partition 
of muscles by means of intervening sclerous 
tissue, as occurs in the muscles of the trunk 
of various amphibians and fishes. 2. A knife 
used in incising the sclerotic. 
sclerotomy (skle-rot'o-mi), n. [< NL. sclera + 
Gr. rofiia, < rkfivtiv, ra/itlv, cut.] Incision into 
the sclera or sclerotic coat of the eyeball. 
sclerous (skle'rus), a. [< Or. ovc/.vpof, hard, 
rough: see sclere.] Hard, firm, or indurated, 
in general ; ossified or bony, as a part of the 
scleroskeleton ; scleritic. 
Sclerurinse (skle-ro-ri'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Scle- 
rurits + -ina?.] A subfamily of Dendrocolaptidse, 
represented by the genus Sclerurns. Sclater,1862. 
sclerurine (skle-ro'rin), a. [As Scltrurus + 
-ine 1 .] Having 
stiff, hard tail- 
feathers, as a 
bird of the ge- 
nus Sclerurus. 
Sclerurus 
(sklf-ro'rus),ri. 
[NL. (Swain- 
son, 1827), < Gr. 
anfaip&s , hard, + 
ovpa, tail.] The 
only genus of 
Sclerurinie. it 
resembles F urna- Srlerurus caudacuttii. 
scoffer 
rius, but has stiff acuminate tail-feathers. There are 
about 10 species of South and Central America and Mex- 
ico, of various brown and gray coloration, as S. caudacu- 
tus, S. umbrella, and S. inexicanus. One is olivaceous, 
S. iilintmriit, of western Peru. Also called Tiiiactor and 
Oxypuiia. 
SCleyt, . A Middle English form of sly. 
sclicet, scliset, . Obsolete forms of Mice. 
sclide, sclidere. Obsolete forms of slide, xli<l- 
iler. 
SClopettet, [OF.: see escopette.] A haiul- 
culverin of the end of the fourteenth century. 
See escopette. 
sclopust, " [ML.] A hand-gun of the earliest 
form, used in the fourteenth century. 
SCOat, a. and c. See scote. 
SCObby, scoby (skob'i, sko'bi), . [Origin not 
ascertained.] The chaffinch, Fringilla ccelels. 
[Prov. Eng.] 
SCObiform (sko'bi-fdrm), a. [< L. scobis, scobs, 
sawdust, filings, etc. (see scobs), + forma, 
form.] Having the form of or resembling saw- 
dust or raspings. 
SCObinat (sko-bl'na), n. [NL., < L. scobina, a 
rasp, < scobis', scobsi sawdust, filings: seesco&s.] 
In bot., the pedicel or immediate support of the 
spikelets of grasses. 
scobs (skobz), n. [< ME. scobes, < L. scobis, also 
scobs, sawdust, scrapings, raspings, < scabere, 
scrape : see scab, scabies.] Sawdust; shavings; 
also, raspings of ivory, hartshorn, metals, or 
other hard substances; dross of metals, etc. 
Eke populer or flr is profitable 
To make and ley among hem scobes able. 
Palladia, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 93. 
scoby, n. See scobby. 
scocnont, An obsolete form of scutcheon. 
scoff (skdf ), n. [< ME. scof, skof (not found in 
AS.) = OFries. schof, a scoff, taunt; cf. MD. 
schobbe, a scoff, sarcasm, schobben, sclioppen, 
scoff, mock, schoffieren, sclioffereii, disgrace, cor- 
rupt, violate, ruin, Dan. skuffe, deceive: Icel. 
skaup, later skop, mockery, ridicule (skeypa, 
skopa, scoff, mock, skopan, railing) ; the forms 
seem to indicate a confusion of two words; 
perhaps in part orig. 'a shove,' 'a rub'; cf. AS. 
scyfe, scife, a pushing, instigation, Sw. skuff, 
a push, shove, skttffa, push ; LG. scliubben, rub, 
= OHG. scupfen, MHG. schupfen,sc1iiipfen, push : 
see scuff 1 , shove. Not connected with Gr. OK&K- 
TEIV, scoff: see scomm.] 1. An expression of 
contempt, derision, or mocking scorn ; a taunt ; 
a gibe ; a flout. 
If we but enter presence of his Grace, 
Our payment is a frown, a scof, a frump. 
Greene, James IV., li. 
With scofs and scorns and contumelious taunts. 
Shalt., 1 Hen. VI., i. 4. 38. 
So he may hunt her through the clamorous sco/g 
Of the loud world to a dishonored grave ! 
Shelley, The Cenci, iv. 1. 
I met with scoffs, I met with scorns, 
From youth and babe and hoary hairs. 
Tennyson, In Memoriam, Ixix. 
2. An object of scoffing or scorn; a mark for 
derision; a butt. 
The principles of liberty were the scoff ot every grinning 
courtier, and the Anathema Maranatha of every fawning 
dean. Macaulay, Milton. 
scoff (skdf), r. [Cf. MD. schoffieren, scoff, schob- 
ben, schoppen, scoff, = Icel. skopa, scoff: see 
scoff, n.] I. intrans. To speak jeeringly or de- 
risively; manifest mockery, derision, or ridi- 
cule ; utter contemptuous or taunting lan- 
guage; mock; deride: generally with a t before 
the object. 
They shall scoff at the kings. Hab. i. 10. 
It is an easy thing to scoff at any art or recreation ; a 
little wit, mixed with ill-nature, confidence, and malice, 
will do it. /. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 22. 
The vices we scoff at in others laugh at us within our- 
selves. Sir T. Browne, Christ. Mor., iii. 15. 
Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway, 
And fools who came to scoj^remain'd to pray. 
Goldsmith, DCS. Vil., L 180. 
= Syn. Gibe, Jeer, etc. See sneer. 
II. trans. 1. To treat with derision or scorn; 
mock at; ridicule; deride. [Bare.] 
Within the hollow crown 
That rounds the mortal temples of a king 
Keeps Death his court ; and there the antic sits, 
Scomng his state and grinning at his pomp. 
Shak., liich. II., iii. 2. 163. 
To scoff religion is ridiculously proud and immodest. 
Glanrille, Sermons, p. 213. (Latham.) 
2. To eat hastily ; devour. [Naut. slang.] 
scoffer (skof'er), n. [< scoff + -erl.] One who 
scoffs ; one who mocks or derides ; a scorner. 
They be readie scoffers, priuie mockers, and euer ouer 
light and mer[rjy. Ascham, The Scholemaster, p. 33. 
