Part 539

Sod"om*ite (?), n. 1. An inhabitant of Sodom.

2. One guilty of sodomy.

Sod`om*it"ic*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, sodomy. -- Sod`om*it"ic*al*ly, adv.

Sod"om*y (?), n. [From Sodom. a country mentioned in the Bible: cf. F. sodomite.] Carnal copulation in a manner against nature; buggery. Gen. xix. 5.

Soe (?), n. [Scot. sae, say, saye; cf. Icel. sr a large cask, Sw. s&?; a tub.] A large wooden vessel for holding water; a cowl. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Dr. H. More.

So*ev"er (?). A word compounded of so and ever, used in composition with who, what, where, when, how, etc., and indicating any out of all possible or supposable persons, things, places, times, ways, etc. It is sometimes used separate from the pronoun or adverb.

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.

Luke xii. 48.

What great thing soever a man proposed to do in his life, he should think of achieving it by fifty.

Sir W. Temple.

So"fa (?), n.; pl. Sofas (#). [Ar. soffah, from saffa to dispose in order: cf. F. sofa, It. sofà.] A long seat, usually with a cushioned bottom, back, and ends; -- much used as a comfortable piece of furniture.

Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round.

Cowper.

Sofa bed, a sofa so contrived that it may be extended to form a bed; -- called also sofa bedstead.

Sof"fit (?), n. [It. soffitta, soffitto, fr. soffiggere to hide, properly, to fix or fasten under, L. suffigere to fasten beneath or below; sub under, beneath + figere to fix, faste: cf. F. soffite.] (Arch.) The under side of the subordinate parts and members of buildings, such as staircases, entablatures, archways, cornices, or the like. See Illust. of Lintel.

So"fi (?), n.; pl. Sofis (&?;). Same as Sufi.

So"fism (?), n. Same as Sufism.

Soft (?), a. [Compar. Softer (?); superl. Softest.] [OE. softe, AS. s&?;fte, properly adv. of s&?;fte, adj.; akin to OS. sfto, adv., D. zacht, OHG. samfto, adv., semfti, adj., G. sanft, LG. sacht; of uncertain origin.] 1. Easily yielding to pressure; easily impressed, molded, or cut; not firm in resisting; impressible; yielding; also, malleable; -- opposed to hard; as, a soft bed; a soft peach; soft earth; soft wood or metal.

2. Not rough, rugged, or harsh to the touch; smooth; delicate; fine; as, soft silk; a soft skin.

They that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.

Matt. xi. 8.

3. Hence, agreeable to feel, taste, or inhale; not irritating to the tissues; as, a soft liniment; soft wines. "The soft, delicious air." Milton.

4. Not harsh or offensive to the sight; not glaring; pleasing to the eye; not exciting by intensity of color or violent contrast; as, soft hues or tints.

The sun, shining upon the upper part of the clouds . . . made the softest lights imaginable.

Sir T. Browne.

5. Not harsh or rough in sound; gentle and pleasing to the ear; flowing; as, soft whispers of music.

Her voice was ever soft, Gentle, and low, -- an excellent thing in woman.

Shak.