Sylphlike Sylph"like` adjective Like a sylph; airy; graceful.

Sometimes a dance . . .
Displayed some sylphlike figures in its maze.

Byron.

Sylva Syl"va noun ; plural Sylvæ . [ Latin sylva , better silva , a wood. See Silva .] (Botany) Same as Silva .

Sylvan Syl"van adjective [ See Silvan , adjective ] 1. Of or pertaining to a sylva; forestlike; hence, rural; rustic.

The traditional memory of a rural and a sylvan region . . . is usually exact as well as tenacious.

De Quincey. 2. Abounding in forests or in trees; woody.

Sylvan Syl"van noun [ Latin Sylvanus , better Silvanus . See Silvan , adjective ] A fabled deity of the wood; a satyr; a faun; sometimes, a rustic.

Her private orchards, walled on every side,
To lawless sylvans all access denied.

Pope.

Sylvan Syl"van noun [ Sylva + furfur an .] (Chemistry) A liquid hydrocarbon obtained together with furfuran (tetrol) by the distillation of pine wood; -- called also methyl tetrol , or methyl furfuran .

Sylvanite Syl"van·ite noun [ So called from Tran sylvania , where it was first found.] (Min.) A mineral, a telluride of gold and silver, of a steel-gray, silver- white, or brass-yellow color. It often occurs in implanted crystals resembling written characters, and hence is called graphic tellurium . [ Written also silvanite .]

Sylvanite Syl"van·ite noun [ Fr. Tran sylvania , where first found.] (Min.) A telluride of gold and silver, (Au, Ag)Te ₂ , of a steel gray, silver white, or brass yellow. It often occurs in implanted crystals resembling written characters, and hence is called graphic tellurium . H., 1.5-2. Spanish gr., 7.9-8.3.

Sylvanium Syl·va"ni·um noun [ New Latin , so called from Tran sylvania , where it was first found.] (Chemistry) An old name for tellurium. [ Written also silvanium .]

Sylvate Syl"vate noun (Chemistry) A salt of sylvic acid.

Sylvatic Syl·vat"ic adjective [ Latin sylvaticus , better silvaticus . See Silvan , adjective ] Sylvan. [ R.]

Sylvestrian Syl·ves"tri·an adjective [ Latin sylvestris , better silvestris .] Sylvan. [ R.]

Sylvic Syl"vic adjective (Chemistry) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, pine or its products; specifically, designating an acid called also abeitic acid , which is the chief ingredient of common resin (obtained from Pinus sylvestris , and other species).

Sylvicoline Syl·vic"o·line adjective [ Latin sylva , silva , forest + colere to inhabit.] (Zoology) Of or pertaining to the family of warblers ( Sylvicolidæ ). See Warbler .

Sylviculture Syl"vi·cul`ture noun [ Latin sylva , silva , forest + English culture .] The cultivation of forest trees for timber or other purposes; forestry; arboriculture.

Sylviculturist Syl`vi·cul"tur·ist noun One who cultivates forest trees, especially as a business.

Sylvine, Sylvite Syl"vine, Syl"vite noun [ So called from New Latin sal digestivus sylvii potassium chloride.] (Min.) Native potassium chloride.

Sym- Sym- See Syn- .

Symar, Symarr Sy·mar", Sy"marr noun See Simar .

Symbal Sym"bal noun See Cimbal . [ Obsolete]

Symbiosis Sym`bi·o"sis noun [ New Latin , from Greek ... a living together, ... to live together; ... with + ... to live.] (Biol.) The living together in more or less imitative association or even close union of two dissimilar organisms. In a broad sense the term includes parasitism, or antagonistic, or antipathetic, symbiosis , in which the association is disadvantageous or destructive to one of the organisms, but ordinarily it is used of cases where the association is advantageous, or often necessary, to one or both, and not harmful to either. When there is bodily union (in extreme cases so close that the two form practically a single body, as in the union of algæ and fungi to form lichens, and in the inclusion of algæ in radiolarians) it is called conjunctive symbiosis ; if there is no actual union of the organisms (as in the association of ants with myrmecophytes), disjunctive symbiosis .

Symbiotic Sym`bi·ot"ic adjective [ Greek ....] (Biol.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, or living in, a state of symbiosis. -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al adjective -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al*ly adverb

Symbol Sym"bol noun [ Latin symbolus , symbolum , Greek sy`mbolon a sign by which one knows or infers a thing, from ... to throw or put together, to compare; sy`n with + ... to throw: confer French symbole . Confer Emblem , Parable .] 1. A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience.

A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g. , an actual part chosen to represent the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind.

Coleridge. 2. (Math.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation. » In crystallography, the symbol of a plane is the numerical expression which defines its position relatively to the assumed axes. 3. (Theol.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion. 4. [ Greek ... contributions.] That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty. [ Obsolete]

They do their work in the days of peace . . . and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.

Jer. Taylor. 5. Share; allotment. [ Obsolete]

The persons who are to be judged . . . shall all appear to receive their symbol .

Jer. Taylor. 6. (Chemistry) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element . » In pure and organic chemistry there are symbols not only for the elements, but also for their grouping in formulas, radicals, or residues, as evidenced by their composition, reactions, synthesis, etc. See the diagram of Benzene nucleus , under Benzene . Syn. -- Emblem; figure; type. See Emblem .

Symbol Sym"bol transitive verb To symbolize. [ R.] Tennyson.

Symbolic Sym·bol"ic noun [ Confer French symbolique . See Symbolic , adjective ] (Theol.) See Symbolics .

Symbolic, Symbolical Sym·bol"ic, Sym·bol"ic·al adjective [ Latin symbolicus , Greek symboliko`s : confer French symbolique .] Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ly , adverb -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ness , noun

The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed.

Jer. Taylor. Symbolical delivery (Law) , the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. -- Symbolical philosophy , the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics.

Symbolics Sym·bol"ics noun The study of ancient symbols ; esp. (Theol.) , that branch of historic theology which treats of creeds and confessions of faith; symbolism; -- called also symbolic .

Symbolism Sym"bol·ism noun 1. The act of symbolizing, or the state of being symbolized; as, symbolism in Christian art is the representation of truth, virtues, vices, etc., by emblematic colors, signs, and forms. 2. A system of symbols or representations. 3. (Chemistry) (a) The practice of using symbols, or the system of notation developed thereby. (b) A combining together of parts or ingredients. [ Obsolete] 4. (Theol.) The science of creeds; symbolics.

Symbolist Sym"bol·ist noun One who employs symbols.

Symbolistic, Symbolistical Sym`bol·is"tic, Sym`bol·is"tic·al adjective Characterized by the use of symbols; as, symbolistic poetry.

Symbolization Sym`bol·i·za"tion noun [ Confer French symbolisation .] The act of symbolizing; symbolical representation. Sir T. Browne.

Symbolize Sym"bol·ize intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Symbolized ; present participle & verbal noun Symbolizing .] [ Confer French symboliser .] 1. To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize.

The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony.

Bacon.

They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves through multiplying glasses.

Howell. 2. To hold the same faith; to agree. [ R.]

The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them.

G. S. Faber. 3. To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically.

Symbolize Sym"bol·ize transitive verb 1. To make to agree in properties or qualities. 2. To make representative of something; to regard or treat as symbolic. "Some symbolize the same from the mystery of its colors." Sir T. Browne. 3. To represent by a symbol or symbols.

Symbolizer Sym"bol·i`zer noun One who symbolizes.

Symbological Sym`bo·log"i·cal adjective Pertaining to a symbology; versed in, or characterized by, symbology.

Symbologist Sym·bol"o·gist noun One who practices, or who is versed in, symbology.

Symbology Sym·bol"o·gy noun [ Symbol + -logy .] The art of expressing by symbols.

Symbranchii Sym·bran"chi·i noun plural [ New Latin , from Greek sy`n with + ... a gill.] (Zoology) An order of slender eel-like fishes having the gill openings confluent beneath the neck. The pectoral arch is generally attached to the skull, and the entire margin of the upper jaw is formed by the premaxillary. Called also Symbranchia .

Symmetral Sym"me·tral adjective Commensurable; symmetrical. [ Obsolete] Dr. H. More.

Symmetrian Sym·me"tri·an noun One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. [ R.] Sir P. Sidney.

Symmetric Sym·met"ric adjective Symmetrical.

Symmetrical Sym·met"ric·al adjective [ Confer French symétrique . See Symmetry .] 1. Involving or exhibiting symmetry; proportional in parts; having its parts in due proportion as to dimensions; as, a symmetrical body or building. 2. (Biol.) Having the organs or parts of one side corresponding with those of the other; having the parts in two or more series of organs the same in number; exhibiting a symmetry. See Symmetry , 2. 3. (Botany) (a) Having an equal number of parts in the successive circles of floral organs; -- said of flowers. (b) Having a likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regular. 4. (Math.) Having a common measure; commensurable. (b) Having corresponding parts or relations. » A curve or a plane figure is symmetrical with respect to a given line, and a line, surface, or solid with respect to a plane, when for each point on one side of the line or plane there is a corresponding point on the other side, so situated that the line joining the two corresponding points is perpendicular to the line or plane and is bisected by it. Two solids are symmetrical when they are so situated with respect to an intervening plane that the several points of their surfaces thus correspond to each other in position and distance. In analysis, an expression is symmetrical with respect to several letters when any two of them may change places without affecting the expression; as, the expression a ² b + ab ² + a ² c + ac ² + b ² c + bc ² , is symmetrical with respect to the letters a , b , c . -- Sym*met"ric*al*ly , adverb -- Sym*met"ric*al*ness , noun

Symmetrician Sym`me·tri"cian noun Same as Symmetrian . [ R.] Holinshed.

Symmetrist Sym"me·trist noun One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. Sir H. Wotton.

Symmetrize Sym"me·trize transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Symmetrized ; present participle & verbal noun Symmetrizing .] [ Confer French symétriser .] To make proportional in its parts; to reduce to symmetry. Burke.

Symmetry Sym"me·try noun [ Latin symmetria , Greek ...; sy`n with, together + ... a measure: confer French symétrie . See Syn- , and Meter rhythm.] 1. A due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole. 2. (Biol.) The law of likeness; similarity of structure; regularity in form and arrangement; orderly and similar distribution of parts, such that an animal may be divided into parts which are structurally symmetrical. » Bilateral symmetry , or two-sidedness , in vertebrates, etc., is that in which the body can be divided into symmetrical halves by a vertical plane passing through the middle; radial symmetry , as in echinoderms, is that in which the individual parts are arranged symmetrically around a central axis; serial symmetry , or zonal symmetry , as in earthworms, is that in which the segments or metameres of the body are disposed in a zonal manner one after the other in a longitudinal axis. This last is sometimes called metamerism . 3. (Botany) (a) Equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower. (b) Likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity. Axis of symmetry . (Geom.) See under Axis . -- Respective symmetry , that disposition of parts in which only the opposite sides are equal to each other.

Sympathetic Sym`pa·thet"ic adjective [ See Sympathy , and confer Pathetic .] 1. Inclined to sympathy; sympathizing.

Far wiser he, whose sympathetic mind
Exults in all the good of all mankind.

Goldsmith. 2. Produced by, or expressive of, sympathy.

Ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears.

Gray. 3. (Physiol.) (a) Produced by sympathy; -- applied particularly to symptoms or affections. See Sympathy . (b) Of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system or some of its branches; produced by stimulation on the sympathetic nervious system or some part of it; as, the sympathetic saliva, a modified form of saliva, produced from some of the salivary glands by stimulation of a sympathetic nerve fiber. Sympathetic ink . (Chemistry) See under Ink . -- Sympathetic nerve (Anat.) , any nerve of the sympathetic system; especially, the axial chain of ganglions and nerves belonging to the sympathetic system. -- Sympathetic powder (Alchemy) , a kind of powder long supposed to be able to cure a wound if applied to the weapon that inflicted it, or even to a portion of the bloody clothes. Dunglison. -- Sympathetic sounds (Physics) , sounds produced from solid bodies by means of vibrations which have been communicated to them from some other sounding body, by means of the air or an intervening solid. -- Sympathetic system (Anat.) , a system of nerves and nerve ganglions connected with the alimentary canal, the vascular system, and the glandular organs of most vertebrates, and controlling more or less their actions. The axial part of the system and its principal ganglions and nerves are situated in the body cavity and form a chain of ganglions on each side of the vertebral column connected with numerous other ganglions and nerve plexuses.

Sympathetical Sym`pa·thet"ic·al adjective Sympathetic.

Sympathetically Sym`pa·thet"ic·al·ly adverb In a sympathetic manner.

Sympathist Sym"pa·thist noun One who sympathizes; a sympathizer. [ R.] Coleridge.

Sympathize Sym"pa·thize intransitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Sympathized ; present participle & verbal noun Sympathizing .] [ French sympathiser . See Sympathy .] 1. To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain.

The mind will sympathize so much with the anguish and debility of the body, that it will be too distracted to fix itself in meditation.

Buckminster. 2. To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.

Their countrymen . . . sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures.

Addison. 3. To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize. Dryden.