Watershoot
(Wa"ter*shoot`) n.
1. A sprig or shoot from the root or stock of a tree. [Obs.]
2. (Arch.) That which serves to guard from falling water; a drip or dripstone.
3. A trough for discharging water.
Water shrew
(Wa"ter shrew`) (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of shrews having fringed feet and capable
of swimming actively. The two common European species (Crossopus fodiens, and C. ciliatus) are
the best known. The most common American water shrew, or marsh shrew is rarely seen, owing to its
nocturnal habits.
Water snail
(Wa"ter snail`)
1. (Zoöl.) Any aquatic pulmonate gastropod belonging to Planorbis, Limnæa, and allied genera; a pond
snail.
2. (Mech.) The Archimedean screw. [R.]
Water snake
(Wa"ter snake`) (Zoöl.) (a) A common North American colubrine snake (Tropidonotus sipedon)
which lives chiefly in the water. (b) Any species of snakes of the family Homalopsidæ, all of which are
aquatic in their habits.
Water-soak
(Wa"ter-soak`) v. t. To soak water; to fill the interstices of with water.
Water soldier
(Wa"ter sol`dier) (Bot.) An aquatic European plant (Stratiotes aloides) with bayonet-shaped
leaves.
Water souchy
(Wa"ter souch`y) (Cookery) A dish consisting of small fish stewed and served in a little
water. [Written also water souchet.] See Zoutch.
Water spaniel
(Wa"ter span"iel) A curly-haired breed of spaniels, naturally very fond of the water.
Water sparrow
(Wa"ter spar"row) (Zoöl.) (a) The reed warbler. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The reed bunting.
[Prov. Eng.]
Water speedwell
(Wa"ter speed"well) (Bot.) A kind of speedwell (Veronica Anagallis) found in wet places
in Europe and America.
Water spider
(Wa"ter spi"der) (Zoöl.) (a) An aquatic European spider (Argyoneta aquatica) which constructs
its web beneath the surface of the water on water plants. It lives in a bell-shaped structure of silk, open
beneath like a diving bell, and filled with air which the spider carries down in the form of small bubbles
attached one at a time to the spinnerets and hind feet. Called also diving spider. (b) A water mite.
(c) Any spider that habitually lives on or about the water, especially the large American species (Dolomedes
lanceolatus) which runs rapidly on the surface of water; — called also raft spider.
Water spinner
(Wa"ter spin`ner) (Zoöl.) The water spider.
Waterspout
(Wa"ter*spout`) n. A remarkable meteorological phenomenon, of the nature of a tornado or
whirlwind, usually observed over the sea, but sometimes over the land.
Tall columns, apparently of cloud, and reaching from the sea to the clouds, are seen moving along,
often several at once, sometimes straight and vertical, at other times inclined and tortuous, but always
in rapid rotation. At their bases, the sea is violently agitated and heaped up with a leaping or boiling
