An elaborate instrumental composition for a full orchestra, consisting usually, like the sonata, of three or four contrasted yet inwardly related movements, as the allegro, the adagio, the minuet and trio, or scherzo, and the finale in quick time. The term has recently been applied to large orchestral works in freer form, with arguments or programmes to explain their meaning, such as the "symphonic poems" of Liszt. The term was formerly applied to any composition for an orchestra, as overtures, etc., and still earlier, to certain compositions partly vocal, partly instrumental.

An instrumental passage at the beginning or end, or in the course of, a vocal composition; a prelude, interlude, or postude; a ritornello.

An order of small apterous insects having an elongated body, with three pairs of thoracic and about nine pairs of abdominal legs. They are, in many respects, intermediate between myriapods and true insects.

Of or pertaining to to symphysis.

The operation of dividing the symphysis pubis for the purpose of facilitating labor; -- formerly called the Sigualtian section.

of Symphysis

An articulation formed by intervening cartilage; as, the pubic symphysis.

The union or coalescence of bones; also, the place of union or coalescence; as, the symphysis of the lower jaw. Cf. Articulation.

Symphyseotomy.

Coalescence; a growing into one with another word.

A sensitive kind of barometer, in which the pressure of the atmosphere, acting upon a liquid, as oil, in the lower portion of the instrument, compresses an elastic gas in the upper part.

Plaiting or joining together; -- said of a bone next above the quadrate in the mandibular suspensorium of many fishes, which unites together the other bones of the suspensorium.

The symplectic bone.

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning and another at the end of successive clauses; as, Justice came down from heaven to view the earth; Justice returned to heaven, and left the earth.

A sympodium.

Composed of superposed branches in such a way as to imitate a simple axis; as, a sympodial stem.

of Sympodium

An axis or stem produced by dichotomous branching in which one of the branches is regularly developed at the expense of the other, as in the grapevine.

Of or pertaining to compotations and merrymaking; happening where company is drinking together; as, symposiac meetings.

A conference or conversation of philosophers at a banquet; hence, any similar gathering.

The master of a feast.

One engaged with others at a banquet or merrymaking.

A drinking together; a symposium.

of Symposium

A drinking together; a merry feast.

A collection of short essays by different authors on a common topic; -- so called from the appellation given to the philosophical dialogue by the Greeks.

Any affection which accompanies disease; a perceptible change in the body or its functions, which indicates disease, or the kind or phases of disease; as, the causes of disease often lie beyond our sight, but we learn their nature by the symptoms exhibited.

A sign or token; that which indicates the existence of something else; as, corruption in elections is a symptom of the decay of public virtue.

Alt. of Symptomatical

Of or pertaining to symptoms; happening in concurrence with something; being a symptom; indicating the existence of something else.