Sericin
(Ser"i*cin) n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.) A gelatinous nitrogenous material extracted from
crude silk and other similar fiber by boiling water; — called also silk gelatin.
Sericite
(Ser"i*cite) n. [L. sericus silken.] (Min.) A kind of muscovite occuring in silky scales having a
fibrous structure. It is characteristic of sericite schist.
Sericterium
(||Ser`ic*te"ri*um) n. [See Sericeous.] (Zoöl.) A silk gland, as in the silkworms.
Sericulture
(Ser"i*cul`ture) n. [See Sericeous, and Culture.] The raising of silkworms.
Serie
(Se"rie) n. [Cf. F. série.] Series. [Obs.]
Seriema
(||Ser`i*e"ma) n. [Native name.] (Zoöl.) A large South American bird (Dicholophus, or Cariama
cristata) related to the cranes. It is often domesticated. Called also cariama.
Series
(Se"ries) n. [L. series, fr. serere, sertum, to join or bind together; cf. Gr. to fasten, Skr. sarit
thread. Cf. Assert, Desert a solitude, Exert, Insert, Seraglio.]
1. A number of things or events standing or succeeding in order, and connected by a like relation; sequence; order; course; a
succession of things; as, a continuous series of calamitous events.
During some years his life a series of triumphs.
Macaulay. 2. (Biol.) Any comprehensive group of animals or plants including several subordinate related groups.
Sometimes a series includes several classes; sometimes only orders or families; in other cases only species.
3. (Math.) An indefinite number of terms succeeding one another, each of which is derived from one or
more of the preceding by a fixed law, called the law of the series; as, an arithmetical series; a geometrical
series.
Serin
(Ser"in) n. [F. serin.] (Zoöl.) A European finch (Serinus hortulanus) closely related to the canary.
Serine
(Ser"ine) n. [L. sericus silken.] (Chem.) A white crystalline nitrogenous substance obtained by
the action of dilute sulphuric acid on silk gelatin.
Serio-comic
(Se`ri*o-com"ic Se`ri*o-com"ic*al) a. Having a mixture of seriousness and sport; serious and
comical.
Serious
(Se"ri*ous) a. [L. serius: cf. F. sérieux, LL. seriosus.]
1. Grave in manner or disposition; earnest; thoughtful; solemn; not light, gay, or volatile.
He is always serious, yet there is about his manner a graceful ease.
Macaulay. 2. Really intending what is said; being in earnest; not jesting or deceiving. Beaconsfield.
3. Important; weighty; not trifling; grave.
The holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious things in the world.
Young. 4. Hence, giving rise to apprehension; attended with danger; as, a serious injury.
Syn. — Grave; solemn; earnest; sedate; important; weighty. See Grave.
— Se"ri*ous*ly, adv. — Se"ri*ous*ness, n.
