sperm /spɜː r m/ (sperms or sperm )
1 N‑COUNT A sperm is a cell which is produced in the sex organs of a male animal and can enter a female animal's egg and fertilize it. □ Any disease which undermines a man's general health will interfere with his sperm production. □ Doctor believed that his low sperm count was the problem.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Sperm is used to refer to the liquid that contains sperm when it is produced. □ …a sperm donor.
sper|ma|to|zo|on /spɜː r mətəzoʊ ɒn/ (spermatozoa /spɜː r mətəzoʊ ə/) N‑COUNT A spermatozoon is a sperm. [TECHNICAL ]
sper|mi|ci|dal /spɜː r m I sa I d ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] A spermicidal cream or jelly contains spermicide.
sper|mi|cide /spɜː r m I sa I d/ (spermicides ) N‑VAR Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm. □ Although most condoms contain spermicide, there are some manufactured without.
spe rm whale (sperm whales ) N‑COUNT A sperm whale is a large whale with a large head that has a section in it which contains oil.
spew /spjuː / (spews , spewing , spewed )
1 VERB When something spews out a substance or when a substance spews from something, the substance flows out quickly in large quantities. □ [V n with adv] The volcano spewed out more scorching volcanic ashes, gases and rocks. □ [V prep] Leaking oil spewed from the tanker.
2 VERB If someone spews or spews up , they vomit. [INFORMAL ]
sphere /sf I ə r / (spheres )
1 N‑COUNT A sphere is an object that is completely round in shape like a ball.
2 N‑COUNT A sphere of activity or interest is a particular area of activity or interest. □ [+ of ] …the sphere of international politics. □ [+ of ] …nurses, working in all spheres of the health service.
3 N‑COUNT A sphere of people is a group of them who are similar in social status or who have the same interests. □ [+ of ] …the realities of life outside the government and academic spheres of society.
spheri|cal /sfe r I k ə l, [AM ] sf I r-/ ADJ Something that is spherical is round like a ball. [FORMAL ] □ …purple and gold spherical earrings.
sphinc|ter /sf I ŋktə r / (sphincters ) N‑COUNT A sphincter is a ring of muscle that surrounds an opening to the body and that can tighten to close this opening. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the anal sphincter.
sphinx /sf I ŋks/ (sphinxes ) also Sphinx N‑COUNT The Sphinx is a large ancient statue of a creature with a human head and a lion's body that stands near the pyramids in Egypt. In mythology, sphinxes gave people puzzles to solve, and so a person who is mysterious or puzzling is sometimes referred to as a sphinx .
spice /spa I s/ (spices , spicing , spiced )
1 N‑VAR A spice is a part of a plant, or a powder made from that part, which you put in food to give it flavour. Cinnamon, ginger, and paprika are spices. □ …herbs and spices. □ …a row of spice jars.
2 VERB If you spice something that you say or do, you add excitement or interest to it. □ [V n + with ] They spiced their conversations and discussions with intrigue. ● PHRASAL VERB Spice up means the same as spice . □ [V P n] Her publisher wants her to spice up her stories with sex. □ [V n P ] …a discovery which spiced the conversation up quite a bit.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Spice is something which makes life more exciting. □ To add spice to the debate, they disagreed about method and ideology.
▸ spice up → see spice 2
spiced /spa I st/ ADJ [usu adv ADJ ] Food that is spiced has had spices or other strong-tasting foods added to it. □ …delicately spiced sauces.
spick and span /sp I k ənd spæ n/ also spick-and-span ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] A place that is spick and span is very clean and tidy. □ The apartment was spick and span.
spicy /spa I si/ (spicier , spiciest ) ADJ Spicy food is strongly flavoured with spices. □ Thai food is hot and spicy. □ …a spicy tomato and coriander sauce.
spi|der /spa I də r / (spiders ) N‑COUNT A spider is a small creature with eight legs. Most types of spider make structures called webs in which they catch insects for food.
spi|dery /spa I dəri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as handwriting as spidery , you mean that it consists of thin, dark, pointed lines. □ He saw her spidery writing on the envelope.
spiel /ʃpiː l, [AM ] spiː l/ (spiels ) N‑COUNT Someone's spiel is a well-prepared speech that they make, and that they have usually made many times before, often in order to persuade you to buy something. [INFORMAL ]
spif|fing /sp I f I ŋ/ ADJ If someone describes something such as news or an event as spiffing , they mean that it is very good. [BRIT , INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ I came to give your mother a piece of perfectly spiffing news.
spig|ot /sp I gət/ (spigots ) N‑COUNT A spigot is a faucet or tap. [AM ]
spike /spa I k/ (spikes )
1 N‑COUNT A spike is a long piece of metal with a sharp point. □ …a 15-foot wall topped with iron spikes. □ Yellowing receipts had been impaled on a metal spike.
2 N‑COUNT Any long pointed object can be referred to as a spike . □ Her hair stood out in spikes. □ [+ of ] …a long spike of white flowers.