Part 251

||Ser`i*e"ma (?), n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) A large South American bird ||(Dicholophus, or Cariama cristata) related to the cranes. It is often ||domesticated. Called also cariama.

Se"ries (?), n. [L. series, fr. serere, sertum, to join or bind together; cf. Gr. &?;&?;&?; to fasten, Skr. sarit thread. Cf. Assert, Desert a solitude, Exert, Insert, Seraglio.] 1. A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.

During some years his life a series of triumphs.

Macaulay.

2. (Biol.) Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.

Sometimes a series includes several classes; sometimes only orders or families; in other cases only species.

3. (Math.) An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical series.

Ser"in (?), n. [F. serin.] (Zoöl.) A European finch (Serinus hortulanus) closely related to the canary.

Ser"ine (?), n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.) A white crystalline nitrogenous substance obtained by the action of dilute sulphuric acid on silk gelatin.

{ Se`ri*o-com"ic (?), Se`ri*o-com"ic*al (?), } a. Having a mixture of seriousness and sport; serious and comical.

Se"ri*ous (?), a. [L. serius: cf. F. sérieux, LL. seriosus.] 1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.

He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful ease.

Macaulay.

2. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving. Beaconsfield.

3. Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.

The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world.

Young.

4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious injury.

Syn. -- Grave; solemn; earnest; sedate; important; weighty. See Grave.

-- Se"ri*ous*ly, adv. -- Se"ri*ous*ness, n.

Ser"iph (?), n. (Type Founding) See Ceriph.

{ Ser"jeant (?), Ser"jeant*cy, etc. } See Sergeant, Sergeantcy, etc.

Serjeant-at-arms. See Sergeant-at- arms, under Sergeant.

Ser*moc`i*na"tion (?), n. [L. sermocinatio. See Sermon.] The making of speeches or sermons; sermonizing. [Obs.] Peacham.

Ser*moc"i*na`tor (?), n. [L.] One who makes sermons or speeches. [Obs.] Howell.

Ser"mon (?), n. [OE. sermoun, sermun, F. sermon, fr. L. sermo, -onis, a speaking, discourse, probably fr. serer, sertum, to join, connect; hence, a connected speech. See Series.] 1. A discourse or address; a talk; a writing; as, the sermons of Chaucer. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Specifically, a discourse delivered in public, usually by a clergyman, for the purpose of religious instruction and grounded on some text or passage of Scripture.

This our life exempt from public haunts Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones and good in everything.