spatha 
spatha (spa'thji), . ; pi. spatlise (-the). [< L. 
spatha, < Gr. aira&i/, a broad flat blade, a broad- 
sword: sec npatln:] 1. A broadsword, thin, 
pointed, and double-edged, such as was used 
by the Franks and kindred peoples. 
The British s\vimls, called spatha, were large, long and 
heavy. /.;,.,. /;-,._ Ix . K i. 
2. In bot., same as xp/ithe. 
spathaceous (spa-tha'shius), a. [< spathe + 
-ai'coiig.] In bot., spathe-bearing ; furnished 
with or of the nature of a spathe. 
spathal (spa'thal), <i. [< spathe. + -a/.] In 
bot., inclosed in or furnished with a spathe : 
as, spathal flowers. 
spathe (spaTH), n. [< L. spatha, < Gr. oiraOt/, a 
broad flat blade, a broadsword, a broad rib, 
the shoulder-blade, the stem of a leaf, the 
spathe of a flower, a spatula. Hence ult. (< 
Gr.) E. spade 1 , spade 2 , spatula, xjiiitiitc, gpatiUb, 
xpadtlle, spittle^, etc.] 1. In bot., a peculiar 
often large and colored bract, or pair or bracts, 
which subtend or envelop a spadix, as in 
palms and arums. The name Is also given to the pe- 
culiar several-leafed involucre of iris and allied plants. 
See spadix, 1, and cuts under Aracete, Indian turnip (un- 
der Indian), Monstem, Peltandra, and Symplocarpus. 
2. In zodl., some spatulate or spoon-shaped 
part. 
spathebill (spaTH'bil), . The spoon-billed 
sandpiper, Etirynorhynehuspygmseus. G. Cuvier 
(trans.). See cut under Eurynorhynchus. 
spathed (spaTHd), a. [< spathe + -edV.] In bot., 
surrounded or furnished with a spathe ; spatha- 
ceous. 
Spathegaster (spath-e-gas'ter), . [NL. (Har- 
tig, 1840), < (Jr. mraBi], a blade, + -yaarr/p, the 
stomach.] 1. A spurious genus of hymenop- 
terous gall-insects, containing dimorphic forms 
of Neuroterus, the name being retained as dis- 
tinctive of such forms. 2. A genus of syrphid 
flies. Schiner, 1868. Also Spatigaster (Scbinei, 
1862), Spathiogaster (Loew, 1843), Spazigaster 
and Spazoflaster (Rondani, 1843). 
spathegastric(spath-e-gas'trik),a. [< Spatlie- 
gaster + -ic. ] Pertaining to Spa thegaster (sense 
1): as, a spathegastric form. 
Spathelia (spa-the'li-a), . [NL. (Linnseus, 
1752), perhaps so called from its resemblance 
to a palm-tree; < Gr. oxdfft/, a blade, spathe, pet- 
iole of a palm-tree: see spathe.'] A genus of 
polypetalous trees, of the order Simarubaeese and 
tribe Pieranmieae. It is characterized by polygamous 
flowers without the disk usually present in the order, five 
stamens alternate to the petals, and a three-angled ovary 
with two pendulous ovules in each of its three cells. 
There are 3 species, natives of the West Indies, extending 
perhaps into Mexico. They are lofty and handsome trees 
with an erect unbranched trunk, destitute of the bitter 
principle which pervades Picramnia, the next related 
genus, and many others of the order, and in many re- 
spects, as in the ovary, resembling Boswellia. the frankin- 
cense-tree, of the order Buraeracex. They bear odd-pin- 
nate alternate leaves, composed of numerous linear-ob- 
long or sickle-shaped leaflets with a toothed or gland- 
bearing margin, and cymose clusters of red short-pedi- 
celled flowers, disposed in elongated terminal panicles. 
The fruit is a somewhat elliptical three angled and three- 
winged drupe, with a three-celled and three-seeded stone 
perforated with resin-bearing canals. S. simplex is the 
mountain-pride or mountain-green of the "West Indies, 
a handsome tree with slender trunk rising from 20 to 50 
feet, its leaves and its powdery inflorescence each several 
feet long. 
spathella (spa-thel'ii), n. [NL., dim. of L. 
spatha, a blade, NL. a spathe : see spathe.] In 
bot. : (af) A glume in grasses. (6) See spathilla. 
spathic (spath'ik), a. [< G. spath, spar (see 
spaad), + -ic.] In mineral., having an even la- 
mellar or flatly foliated structure Spathic Iron, 
spathic Iron ore, carbonate of iron : same as siderite, i. 
spathiform (spath'i-form), a. [< G. spath, spar, 
+ L. forma, form.] Eesembling spar in form : 
as, the ocherous and spathiform varieties of ura- 
nite. 
spathilla (spa-thil'a), . ; pi. spathillee (-e). 
[NL., dim. of spatha, a spathe: see spathe. 
Cf. spathella.'] In bot., a secondary or diminu- 
tive spathe in a spathaceous inflorescence, as 
in palms. Also, sometimes, spathella. 
When the spadix is compound or branching, as in Palms, 
there are smaller spathes, surrounding separate parts of 
the inflorescence, to which the name spathellte has some- 
times been given. Encyc. Brit., IV. 120. 
spathing (spa'THmg), . Same as spaying. 
spathiopyrite (spath'i-o-pi'rit), n. [< Gr. cm-d- 
8ioi>, dim. of avdffr/, a broad blade, + E. pyrite.] 
Same as safflorite. 
spathose 1 (spa'thos), a. [< spathe + -ose.] In 
bot., relating to or formed like a spathe ; spatha- 
ceous; spathal. 
spathose 2 (spath'os), . [< G. spath, spar (see 
spathic), + -ose.] In mineral., sparry; of the 
5801 
nature of spar; occurring in broad plates or 
lamellro; foliated in texture Spathose iron 
spathic iron. 
spathous (spa/thus), a. [< sjittt/tc + -i>u.i.] In 
lint., same as Hpathnne^. 
spathulate (spath'u-lat), . Same as spattilate. 
Spathulea (spa-thu'le-a), w. Same &sSpalula,3. 
Spathura (ipS-tha'rtt), n. [NL. (Gould, 1850), 
< Gr. n-niii/, a blade. + nip,',, a tail.] A remark- 
able genus of Trocltilidx, containing humining- 
birds with the lateral tail-feathers long-exsert - 
spatulamancy 
That mind must nf .u In in . rovrablv ih-prav'i! uhich, 
either by chai-c m- irujM.i tiinity tMUog hut uni.-e 
just deed, spatters at it, anl ablions tin.- n-lish < vi i ath !. 
MillHii. i;ik,,M..kl:. 
2. To undergo or cause scattering i.r splashing 
in drops or small quant it ie-. 
The colour spatters In fine drops upon the surface of the 
buttons. N/miix' l-'.nriir. Mn, inf., I. ;,i;-i 
spatter < spat'er), ii. [<pttttcr, r.] i. The act 
of spattering, or the state of being spattered; 
a spattering or splashing ell'ect. 
She . . . sometimes exposed her face to the chill spatter 
at the wind. limit In, mr, srvun Oables, xvii. 
2. A (|iiiek succession of not very loud sounds, 
such as is produced by the spattering of some 
substance. 
Racket-tuilecl Humming-bird (Sftitft 
ed, narrowed, and then dilated into a spatule 
or racket at the end, and with conspicuous leg- 
muffs. There are 4 or 5 species, as 8. under- 
woodi, also called Steganurus spatuligera. 
spatial (spa'shal), a. [Also spatial; < L. spa- 
Hum, space: see space.] Of, pertaining to, or 
relating to space ; existing in or connected with 
space. 
We have an Intuition of objects in space : that is, we 
contemplate objects as made up of spatial parts, and ap- 
prehend their spatial relations by the same act by which 
we apprehend the objects themselves. 
Whewell, Philos. of Inductive Sciences, I. p. xx. 
The ascertaining of a fixed spatial order among objects 
supposes that certain objects are at rest or occupy the 
same position. J. Sully, Outlines of Psychol., p. 160. 
To analyze the United States of America as a spatial 
extent. H. JIT. Day, Logic, p. 176. 
spatiality (spa-shi-al'i-ti), n. [Also spaciality; 
<. spatial + -ity.] Spatial character; extension. 
So far, all we have established or sought to establish is 
the existence of the vague form or quale of spatiality as 
an inseparable element bound up with the other qualita- 
tive peculiarities of each and every one of our sensations. 
W. James, Mind, XII. 10. 
spatially (spa'shal-i), adv. Having reference 
to or as regards space. Also written spatially. 
Usually we have more trouble to discriminate the qual- 
ity of an impression than to fix it spatially. 
J. Ward, Encyc. Brit., XX. 62. 
Objects of different sense-organs, experienced together, 
do not in the first instance appear either inside or along- 
side or far outside of each other, neither spatially contin- 
uous nor discontinuous, in any definite sense of these 
words. W. James, Prin. of Psychol., II. 181. 
spatiatet (spa'shi-at), v. i. [< L. spatiatus, pp. 
of spatiari (> G. spazieren), walk about, go, 
proceed, < spatium, room, space : see space. Cf. 
rxpatiale.] To rove; ramble; expatiate. 
Confined to a narrow chamber, he could spatiate at large 
through the whole universe. Bentley. 
spatilomancy (spa-til'o-man-si), . [< Gr. 
arraT<).ri, excrement, + /lavreia, divination. ] Div- 
ination by means of animal excrements and 
refuse. 
spatioust, a. An obsolete spelling of spacious. 
spatt, ii. See spafi. 
spatter (spat'er), c. [Freq. of spaft, or, with 
variation, of spot: see spat*-, spot.] I. trans. 
1 . To scatter or throw about carelessly, as some 
fluid or semi-fluid substance ; dash or splash 
so as to fall in spreading drops or small quan- 
tities: as, to spatter water or mud over a per- 
son ; to spatter oaths or calumnies. 
Where faraish'd dogs, late guardians of my door, 
Shall lick their mangled master's spatter'd gore. 
Pope, Iliad, xxii. 97. 
2. To dash or splash upon ; bespatter, literally 
or figuratively: as, to spatter a person with 
water, mud, or slander. 
Reynard, close attended at his heels 
By panting dog, tir'd man, and spatter'd horse. 
Cowper, Needless Alarm, 1. 126. 
sputtering manner. 
The Grave spattered and shouk his Head, saying, 'Twas 
the greatest Error he had committed since he knew what 
belonged to a Soldier. Hmcell, Letters, I. Iv. 16. 
A spatter of musketry was heard, which proceeded frum 
the last uf the enemy leaving the place. 
W. H. Russell, Diary In India, II. 37s. 
3. That which is spattered; a small splash, as 
of something thrown or falling in drops: as, a 
ipittter of milk, ink, or mud on one's clothes. 
The sun dripped through 
In spatters of wasted gold. 
St. Nicholas, XVIII. 987. 
spatterdash (spat'er-dash), w. [< spatter + 
ilnxlt.] A covering for the legs, used to protect 
the stockings, trousers, etc., from mud and 
wear. In modern military uniform the name is applied 
to several kinds of gaiters, and to the water-proof leggings 
or shields to the trousers of some French mounted troops. 
Also sptatterdash. 
Here 's a fellow made for a soldier : there 's a leg for a 
spatterdash, with an eye like the king of Prussia. 
Sheridan (T), The Camp, 1. 2. 
spatter-dock (spat'er-dok), H. The yellow 
pond-lily, Xymphseu (Nuphar) adveiia; also ex- 
tended to other species of the genus. See 
Nymph&al-, 1, and pond-lily, 1. [TJ. S.] 
spatterwork (spat'er-werk), n. A method of 
producing a figure or design upon a surface of 
any kind by spattering coloring matter upon 
the exposed parts of it ; any work or object, or 
objects collectively, showing an effect so pro- 
duced. 
spattle 1 (spat'i), H. [< ME. spattle, spettle, 
spatel, spotil, spotele, later spatijll (= OFries. 
spedel, spedla), < AS. spdtl, spittle, < sp&tan, 
spit: see spit 2 . Cf. spittle*.] Spittle. Bp. Hale. 
He spette in to erthe, and made clay of the spotle. 
Wyelif, John ix. 6. 
spattle 2 (spat'i), >i. [Formerly also spatule; < 
OF. spatule, espatule, F. spatule = Sp. espdtitla = 
Pg. spatula = It. spatola, < L. spatula, spatltula, 
a blade, spatula : see spatula. Doublet of spa t- 
ula, spittle*.] 1. A flat blade for stirring, 
mixing, or molding plastic powdered or liquid 
substances; a spatula. 2. Specifically, in pot- 
tery, a tool for mottling a molded article with 
coloring matter. 
spattling-machine (spat'ling-ma-shen"), n. A 
machine, consisting of a reservoir with sieves 
through which the liquid is caused to fall to 
divide it into spray, for sprinkling a colored 
glaze to form party-colored ware. 
spatula (spat'u-la), w. [< L. spatula, also 
spathula, dim. of spatha, < Gr. cmaOri, a broad 
blade, a spatula, a paddle : see spade 1 , spathe. 
Cf. spatule, spat tie? , sjnttleS.] 1. A broad flat 
blade or strip of metal or wood, with unsharp- 
ened edges and a commonly rounded outer end 
(which may be spoon-shaped), and a handle: 
used for spreading, smoothing, scraping up. or 
stirring substances, comminuting powders, etc. 
Spatulas are usually set in handles like those of table- 
knives, and are of many shapes, sizes, and materials. 
Those used by druggists, painters, etc., are comparatively 
long and narrow, straight, and made of more or less flex- 
ible steel. Fresco-painters use a trowel-shaped or spoon- 
shaped spatula for spreading wax or mortar upon the sur- 
face which is to receive the painting. 
2. [_cap.] [NL. (Boie, 1822).] A genus of Ana- 
tlnee, having the bill much longer than the 
head or tarsus, twice as wide at the end as 
at the base, there broadly rounded and spoon- 
shaped, with narrow prominent nail and 
numerous protrusive lamellre; the shoveler- 
ducks or souchets. The tail is short and pointed, of 
fourteen feathers. S. clypeata is the common shoveler 
(see cut under shoveler\ S. rhynchotis is Australian, 5. 
platalea is South American. 5. capensis is South African, 
and S. varieaata inhabits New Zealand. Also jthynchaspis, 
Clypeata, and Spathulea. Spatula mallei, in anat., the 
flattened extremity of the handle of the malleus attached 
to the umbo of the membrana tympani. See cut under 
spatulamancy (spat'u-la-mau-si), n. [Prop. 
'spatiiliimancy, < L. spattila, a blade, + ftavreta, 
divination.] A method of divination by a 
sheep's shoulder-blade. 
