2 COLOUR Something that is sapphire is bright blue in colour. [LITERARY ] □ …white snow and sapphire skies.
sap|py /sæ pi/
1 ADJ Sappy stems or leaves contain a lot of liquid.
2 ADJ If you describe someone or something as sappy , you think they are foolish. [AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ I wrote this sappy love song.
Sa|ran wrap /səræ n ræp/ N‑UNCOUNT Saran wrap is a thin, clear, stretchy plastic which you use to cover food to keep it fresh. [AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, use clingfilm
sar|casm /sɑː r kæzəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Sarcasm is speech or writing which actually means the opposite of what it seems to say. Sarcasm is usually intended to mock or insult someone. □ 'What a pity,' Graham said with a hint of sarcasm.
sar|cas|tic /sɑː r kæ st I k/ ADJ Someone who is sarcastic says or does the opposite of what they really mean in order to mock or insult someone. □ She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks. ● sar|cas|ti|cal|ly /sɑː r kæ st I kli/ ADV [ADV with v] □ 'What a surprise!' Caroline murmured sarcastically.
sar|co|ma /sɑː r koʊ mə/ (sarcomas ) N‑VAR Sarcoma is one of the two main forms of cancer. It affects tissues such as muscle and bone.
sar|copha|gus /sɑː r kɒ fəgəs/ (sarcophagi or sarcophaguses ) N‑COUNT A sarcophagus is a large decorative container in which a dead body was placed in ancient times. □ …an Egyptian sarcophagus.
sar|dine /sɑː r diː n/ (sardines )
1 N‑COUNT Sardines are a kind of small sea fish, often eaten as food. □ They opened a tin of sardines.
2 PHRASE If you say that a crowd of people are packed like sardines , you are emphasizing that they are sitting or standing so close together that they cannot move easily. [EMPHASIS ] □ The refugees were packed like sardines.
sar|don|ic /sɑː r dɒ n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as sardonic , you mean their attitude to people or things is humorous but rather critical. □ …a big, sardonic man, who intimidated his students.
sarge /sɑː r dʒ/ N‑COUNT ; N‑SING A sergeant is sometimes addressed as sarge or referred to as the sarge . [INFORMAL ] □ 'Good luck, sarge,' he said.
sari /sɑː ri/ (saris ) N‑COUNT A sari is a piece of clothing worn especially by Indian women. It consists of a long piece of thin material that is wrapped around the body.
sar|in /sɑː r I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Sarin is an extremely poisonous gas that is used in chemical weapons.
sar|nie /sɑː r ni/ (sarnies ) N‑COUNT A sarnie is a sandwich. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …cheese sarnies and tinned tomato soup.
sa|rong /sərɒ ŋ, [AM ] -rɔːŋ/ (sarongs ) N‑COUNT A sarong is a piece of clothing that is worn especially by Malaysian men and women. It consists of a long piece of cloth wrapped round the waist or body.
SARS /sɑː r z/ N‑UNCOUNT SARS is a serious disease which affects your ability to breathe. SARS is an abbreviation for 'severe acute respiratory syndrome'.
sar|to|rial /sɑː r tɔː riəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Sartorial means relating to clothes and to the way they are made or worn. [FORMAL ] □ …Sebastian's sartorial elegance.
SAS /e s e I e s/ N‑PROPER The SAS is a group of highly trained British soldiers who work on secret or very difficult military operations. SAS is an abbreviation for 'Special Air Service'. [BRIT ]
SASE /e s e I es iː / (SASEs ) N‑SING An SASE is an envelope on which you have stuck a stamp and written your own name and address. You send it to a person or organization so that they can reply to you in it. SASE is an abbreviation for 'self-addressed stamped envelope'. [AM ] in BRIT, use s.a.e.
sash /sæ ʃ/ (sashes ) N‑COUNT A sash is a long piece of cloth which people wear round their waist or over one shoulder, especially with formal or official clothes. □ She wore a white dress with a thin blue sash.
sash|ay /sæ ʃe I , [AM ] sæʃe I / (sashays , sashaying , sashayed ) VERB If someone sashays , they walk in a graceful but rather noticeable way. □ [V prep/adv] The models sashayed down the catwalk.
sa sh wi n|dow (sash windows ) N‑COUNT A sash window is a window which consists of two frames placed one above the other. The window can be opened by sliding one frame over the other.
sas|sy /sæ si/
1 ADJ If an older person describes a younger person as sassy , they mean that they are disrespectful in a lively, confident way. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ Are you that sassy with your parents, young lady?
2 ADJ Sassy is used to describe things that are smart and stylish. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ …colourful and sassy fashion accessories.
sat /sæ t/ Sat is the past tense and past participle of sit .
SAT /e s e I tiː / (SATs ) N‑PROPER The SAT is an examination which is often taken by students who wish to enter a college or university. SAT is an abbreviation for 'Scholastic Aptitude Test'. [AM ]
Sat. Sat. is a written abbreviation for Saturday .
Satan /se I t ə n/ N‑PROPER In the Christian religion, Satan is the Devil, a powerful evil being who is the chief opponent of God.
sa|tan|ic /sətæ n I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is satanic is considered to be caused by or influenced by Satan. □ …satanic cults. □ …satanic ritual.
Sa|tan|ism /se I tən I zəm/ also satanism N‑UNCOUNT Satanism is worship of Satan. □ …black magic and satanism. ● Sa|tan|ist /se I tən I st/ (Satanists ) N‑COUNT □ …a Satanist accused of fire attacks on churches.