Part 684

Sprain fracture (Med.), the separation of a tendon from its point of insertion, with the detachment of a shell of bone to which the tendon is attached.

Spraints (?), n. pl. [OF. espraintes, espreintes, F. épreintes from espreinte a desire to go to stool, from espreindre. See Sprain, v. t.] The dung of an otter.

Sprang (?), imp. of Spring.

Sprat (?), n. [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] (Zoöl.) (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch.

Sprat borer (Zoöl.), the red- throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. -- Sprat loon. (Zoöl.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red- throated diver. See Diver. -- Sprat mew (Zoöl.), the kittiwake gull.

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Sprawl (sprl), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprawled (sprld); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.] [OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. spælle, sprælde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.] 1. To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.

2. To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or tress; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.

3. To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping.

The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled.

L'Estrange.

Sprawls (?), n. pl. Small branches of a tree; twigs; sprays. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Spray (spr), n. [Cf. Dan. sprag. See Sprig.] 1. A small shoot or branch; a twig. Chaucer.

The painted birds, companions of the spring, Hopping from spray, were heard to sing.

Dryden.

2. A collective body of small branches; as, the tree has a beautiful spray.

And from the trees did lop the needless spray.

Spenser.

3. (Founding) (a) A side channel or branch of the runner of a flask, made to distribute the metal in all parts of the mold. (b) A group of castings made in the same mold and connected by sprues formed in the runner and its branches. Knight.

Spray drain (Agric.), a drain made by laying under earth the sprays or small branches of trees, which keep passages open.

Spray, n. [probably from a Dutch or Low German form akin to E. spread. See Spread, v. t.] 1. Water flying in small drops or particles, as by the force of wind, or the dashing of waves, or from a waterfall, and the like.

2. (Med.) (a) A jet of fine medicated vapor, used either as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or a deodorizer. (b) An instrument for applying such a spray; an atomizer.

Spray condenser (Steam Engine) an injection condenser in which the steam is condensed by a spray of water which mingles with it.

Spray, v. t. 1. To let fall in the form of spray. [Poetic] M. Arnold.

2. To throw spray upon; to treat with a liquid in the form of spray; as, to spray a wound, or a surgical instrument, with carbolic acid.

Spray`board (?), n. (Naut.) See Dashboard, n., 2 (b).

Spread (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spread; p. pr. & vb. n. Spreading.] [OE. spreden, AS. sprædan; akin to D. spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G. spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. Spray water flying in drops.] 1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail.

He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent.