2 VERB If you sandwich two things together with something else, you put that other thing between them. If you sandwich one thing between two other things, you put it between them. □ [V n together ] Sandwich the two halves of the sponge together with cream.
3 → see also sandwiched WORD HISTORY sandwich
This popular snack takes its name from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich in the 18th century. A keen card player, he used to ask for beef served between two slices of bread, the idea being that he wouldn't get grease on the cards from his hands. His fellow players then began asking for 'the same as Sandwich', which gradually became, simply 'a sandwich'.
sa nd|wich course (sandwich courses ) N‑COUNT A sandwich course is an educational course in which you have periods of study between periods of being at work. [BRIT ]
sand|wiched /sæ nw I dʒd, -w I tʃt/
1 ADJ If something is sandwiched between two other things, it is in a narrow space between them. □ [+ between ] The original kitchen was sandwiched between the breakfast room and the toilet.
2 → see also sandwich
sandy /sæ ndi/ (sandier , sandiest )
1 ADJ A sandy area is covered with sand. □ …long, sandy beaches.
2 ADJ Sandy hair is light orangey-brown in colour.
sane /se I n/ (saner , sanest )
1 ADJ Someone who is sane is able to think and behave normally and reasonably, and is not mentally ill. □ He seemed perfectly sane. □ It wasn't the act of a sane person.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you refer to a sane person, action, or system, you mean one that you think is reasonable and sensible. □ No sane person wishes to see conflict or casualties.
sang /sæ ŋ/ Sang is the past tense of sing .
sang-froid /sɒ ŋ frwɑː / also sangfroid N‑UNCOUNT A person's sang-froid is their ability to remain calm in a dangerous or difficult situation. [FORMAL ] □ He behaves throughout with a certain sang-froid.
san|gria /sæŋgriː ə/ N‑UNCOUNT Sangria is a Spanish drink made of red wine, orange or lemon juice, soda, and brandy.
san|guine /sæ ŋgw I n/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are sanguine about something, you are cheerful and confident that things will happen in the way you want them to. □ [+ about ] He's remarkably sanguine about the problems involved.
sani|ta|rium /sæ n I teə riəm/ (sanitariums ) → see sanatorium
sani|tary /sæ n I tri, [AM ] -teri/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Sanitary means concerned with keeping things clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply. □ Sanitary conditions are appalling.
2 ADJ If you say that a place is not sanitary , you mean that it is not very clean. □ It's not the most sanitary place one could swim.
sa ni|tary nap|kin (sanitary napkins ) N‑COUNT A sanitary napkin is the same as a sanitary towel . [AM ]
sa ni|tary pro|te c|tion N‑UNCOUNT Sanitary protection is sanitary towels or tampons.
sa ni|tary tow|el (sanitary towels ) N‑COUNT A sanitary towel is a pad of thick soft material which women wear to absorb the blood during their periods. [BRIT ] in AM, use sanitary napkin
sani|ta|tion /sæ n I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Sanitation is the process of keeping places clean and healthy, especially by providing a sewage system and a clean water supply. □ …the hazards of contaminated water and poor sanitation.
sani|tize /sæ n I ta I z/ (sanitizes , sanitizing , sanitized ) in BRIT, also use sanitise VERB To sanitize an activity or a situation that is unpleasant or unacceptable means to describe it in a way that makes it seem more pleasant or more acceptable. □ [V n] …crime writers who sanitise violence and make it respectable.
san|ity /sæ n I ti/
1 N‑UNCOUNT A person's sanity is their ability to think and behave normally and reasonably. □ He sold the company for $2.5 billion to preserve his sanity.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If there is sanity in a situation or activity, there is a purpose and a regular pattern, rather than confusion and worry. □ We must find ways of introducing some sanity into the currency market.
sank /sæ ŋk/ Sank is the past tense of sink .
San|skrit /sæ nskr I t/ N‑UNCOUNT Sanskrit is an ancient language which used to be spoken in India and is now used only in religious writings and ceremonies.
Santa Claus /sæ ntə klɔː z, [AM ] - klɔːz/ N‑PROPER Santa Claus or Santa is an imaginary old man with a long white beard and a red coat. Traditionally, young children in many countries are told that he brings their Christmas presents.
sap /sæ p/ (saps , sapping , sapped )
1 VERB If something saps your strength or confidence, it gradually weakens or destroys it. □ [V n] I was afraid the sickness had sapped my strength.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Sap is the watery liquid in plants and trees. □ The leaves, bark and sap are also common ingredients of local herbal remedies.
sa|pi|ens /sæ pienz/ → see homo sapiens
sap|ling /sæ pl I ŋ/ (saplings ) N‑COUNT A sapling is a young tree.
sap|per /sæ pə r / (sappers ) N‑COUNT A sapper is a soldier whose job is to do building, digging, and similar work. □ They requested sappers to mend bridges or remove mines.
sap|phire /sæ fa I ə r / (sapphires )
1 N‑VAR [oft N n] A sapphire is a precious stone which is blue in colour. □ …a sapphire engagement ring.