soliloquy (se-lil'e-kwi), a talking to one's self. solstice (sol'stis), point in the earth's orbit at which the sun is farthest from the equator; winter solstice at about December 22, summer solstice about June 21. Solway (sol'wa), an arm of the Irish Sea between England and Scotland, noted for the rapidity of its tides. sombre (som'ber), sad. sombrero (som-bra'ro), broad-brimmed hat worn in Spain and Spanish America. sonorous (so-no'rus), loud sounding. sophomore (sof'o-mor), one belonging to the second of the four classes in an American college. sordid (sor'did), base. sorebestead (sor-be-sted'), being put in great peril. Southey, Robert (south'i), (1774-1843), an English poet of the Lake School. He was made poet-laureate in 1813. sovereign (sov'er-in), monarch. spacious (spa'shus), vast in extent. Spanish Main, the name formerly given to the southern part of the Caribbean Sea and the adjoining coast, covering the route of the Spanish treasure ships. spar (spar), round timber used on a mast. Spartan (spar'tan), an inhabitant of Sparta; one of great endurance. spawn (spon), bring forth. species (spe'shez), a kind. specious (spe'shus), showy. spectacle (spek'ta-k'l), something exhibited to view. spectre (spek'ter), ghost. spherule (sfer'ool), a little sphere. spiral (spi'ral), winding like the thread of a screw. spontaneous (spon-ta'ne-us), proceeding from a natural feeling, not forced. spouse (spouz), husband or wife. sprite (sprit), fairy. spume-flakes (spum), flakes of froth or foam. spur (spur), a pricking implement fastened to a rider's heel. spurn (spurn), scorn. squadron (skwod'run), a detachment of war vessels under command of a flag-officer. squall (skwol), sudden and violent gust of wind. stagnate (stag'nat), cease to flow, become dull. stalwart (stol'wert), brave, strong. stalworth (stol'wurth), brave, strong. stanchion (stan'shun), bar for confining cattle in a stall. starboard (star'bord), side of a vessel on the right hand of one on board facing the bow. staunch (stanch), stop the flow of. stemson (stem'sun), a piece of curved timber bolted to the stem in a ship's frame. sterile (ster'il), barren. sterling (stur'ling), genuine. stern (sturn), after end of a vessel. sternsonknee (sturn'sun-ne), the continuation of a vessel's keelson to which the stern-post is secured by bolts. stirrup (stir'up), a ring for supporting a horseman's foot. stoic (sto'ik), one who appears to be indifferent to pleasure or pain. Stony Point, a fort on the west bank of the Hudson, captured by the British in 1779 and retaken by the American forces under Anthony Wayne. storied (sto'rid), having an interesting history. strained (strand), forced. strenuous (stren'u-us), earnest; active, vigorous. sturgeon (stur'jun), a large fish common on the coasts and in large rivers and lakes. Suarven (swar'ven), subaltern (sub-pi'tern), an officer of inferior position, usually below the rank of a captain.