schtick /ʃt I k/ (schticks ) also shtick N‑VAR An entertainer's schtick is a series of funny or entertaining things that they say or do. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ]
schwa /ʃwɑː / (schwas ) N‑VAR In the study of language, schwa is the name of the neutral vowel sound represented by the symbol ə in this dictionary.
sci|ati|ca /sa I æ t I kə/ N‑UNCOUNT Sciatica is a severe pain in the nerve in your legs or the lower part of your back. [MEDICAL ]
sci|ence ◆◆◇ /sa I əns/ (sciences )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Science is the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them. □ The best discoveries in science are very simple. □ …science and technology.
2 N‑COUNT A science is a particular branch of science such as physics, chemistry, or biology. □ Physics is the best example of a science which has developed strong, abstract theories.
3 N‑COUNT A science is the study of some aspect of human behaviour, for example sociology or anthropology. □ …the modern science of psychology.
4 → see also domestic science , exact science , Master of Science , political science , social science
sci |ence fi c|tion N‑UNCOUNT Science fiction consists of stories in books, magazines, and films about events that take place in the future or in other parts of the universe.
sci |ence park (science parks ) N‑COUNT A science park is an area, usually linked to a university, where there are a lot of private companies, especially ones concerned with high technology. [BRIT ]
sci|en|tif|ic ◆◇◇ /sa I ənt I f I k/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Scientific is used to describe things that relate to science or to a particular science. □ …federal financing of basic scientific research, especially in the fields of health and national security. □ …the use of animals in scientific experiments. ● sci|en|tifi|cal|ly /sa I ənt I f I kli/ ADV □ …scientifically advanced countries.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you do something in a scientific way, you do it carefully and thoroughly, using experiments or tests. □ It's not a scientific way to test their opinions. ● sci|en|tifi|cal|ly ADV □ Efforts are being made to research it scientifically.
sci|en|tist ◆◆◇ /sa I ənt I st/ (scientists )
1 N‑COUNT A scientist is someone who has studied science and whose job is to teach or do research in science. □ Scientists have collected more data than expected.
2 → see also social scientist
sci-fi /sa I fa I / N‑UNCOUNT Sci-fi is short for science fiction . [INFORMAL ] □ …a sci-fi film.
scimi|tar /s I m I tə r / (scimitars ) N‑COUNT A scimitar is a sword with a curved blade that was used in former times in some Eastern countries.
scin|til|la /s I nt I lə/ QUANT If you say that there is not a scintilla of evidence, hope, or doubt about something, you are emphasizing that there is none at all. [LITERARY , EMPHASIS ] □ [+ of ] He says there is 'not a scintilla of evidence' to link him to any controversy.
scin|til|lat|ing /s I nt I le I t I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A scintillating conversation or performance is very lively and interesting. □ You can hardly expect scintillating conversation from a kid that age.
sci|on /sa I ən/ (scions ) N‑COUNT A scion of a rich or famous family is one of its younger or more recent members. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] Nabokov was the scion of an aristocratic family.
scis|sors /s I zə r z/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Scissors are a small cutting tool with two sharp blades that are screwed together. You use scissors for cutting things such as paper and cloth. □ He told me to get some scissors. □ She picked up a pair of scissors from the windowsill.
scle|ro|sis /skləroʊ s I s/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Sclerosis is a medical condition in which a part inside your body becomes hard. [MEDICAL ]
2 → see also multiple sclerosis
scoff /skɒ f/ (scoffs , scoffing , scoffed )
1 VERB If you scoff at something, you speak about it in a way that shows you think it is ridiculous or inadequate. □ [V + at ] At first I scoffed at the notion. □ [V ] You may scoff but I honestly feel I'm being cruel only to be kind.
2 VERB If you scoff food, you eat it quickly and greedily. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] The pancakes were so good that I scoffed the lot.
scold /skoʊ ld/ (scolds , scolding , scolded ) VERB If you scold someone, you speak angrily to them because they have done something wrong. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] If he finds out, he'll scold me. □ [V n + for ] Later she scolded her daughter for having talked to her father like that. □ [V with quote] 'You should be at school,' he scolded. [Also V ]
sconce /skɒ ns/ (sconces ) N‑COUNT A sconce is a decorated object that holds candles or an electric light, and that is attached to the wall of a room.
scone /skɒ n, skoʊ n/ (scones ) N‑COUNT A scone is a small cake made from flour and fat, usually eaten with butter. [mainly BRIT ]
scoop /skuː p/ (scoops , scooping , scooped )
1 VERB If you scoop a person or thing somewhere, you put your hands or arms under or round them and quickly move them there. □ [V n prep/adv] Michael knelt next to her and scooped her into his arms. [Also V n]
2 VERB If you scoop something from a container, you remove it with something such as a spoon. □ [V n prep/adv] …the sound of a spoon scooping dog food out of a can.