1. Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation.
They that have designed exactness and deep scrutiny have taken some one part of nature.
Sir M. Hale.
Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view
And narrower scrutiny.
Milton. 2. (Anc. Church) An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism
on Easter Day.
3. (Canon Law) A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written.
4. (Parliamentary Practice) An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the
purpose of correcting the poll. Brande & C.
Scrutiny
(Scru"ti*ny), v. t. To scrutinize. [Obs.]
Scrutoire
(Scru*toire") n. [OF. escritoire. See Escritoire.] A escritoire; a writing desk.
Scruze
(Scruze) v. t. [Cf. Excruciate.] To squeeze, compress, crush, or bruise. [Obs. or Low] Spenser.
Scry
(Scry) v. t. To descry. [Obs.] Spenser.
Scry
(Scry), n. [From Scry, v.] A flock of wild fowl.
Scry
(Scry), n. [OE. ascrie, fr. ascrien to cry out, fr. OF. escrier, F. s'écrier. See Ex-, and Cry.] A
cry or shout. [Obs.] Ld. Berners.
Scud
(Scud) v. i. [imp. & p. p. Scudded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scudding.] [Dan. skyde to shoot, shove,
push, akin to skud shot, gunshot, a shoot, young bough, and to E. shoot. &radic159. See Shoot.]
1. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something.
The first nautilus that scudded upon the glassy surface of warm primeval oceans.
I. Taylor.
The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven.
Beaconsfield. 2. (Naut.) To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.
Scud
(Scud), v. t. To pass over quickly. [R.] Shenstone.
Scud
(Scud), n.
1. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.
2. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind.
Borne on the scud of the sea.
Longfellow.
The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon.
Sir S. Baker. 3. A slight, sudden shower. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.
4. (Zoöl.) A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [Prov. Eng.]
5. (Zoöl.) Any swimming amphipod crustacean.
Storm scud. See the Note under Cloud.
