17-letter words containing f, o, i, s
- southern studfish — See under studfish.
- spaghettification — the theoretical stretching of an object as it encounters extreme differences in gravitational forces, especially those associated with a black hole.
- span of attention — attention span.
- spoonbill catfish — flathead catfish.
- sports facilities — places and things for doing sports
- staff association — an association of employees that performs some of the functions of a trade union, such as representing its members in discussions with the management, and may also have other social and professional purposes
- standard function — a subprogram provided by a translator that carries out a task, for example the computation of a mathematical function, such as sine, square root, etc
- stannous fluoride — a white, crystalline powder, SnF 2 , slightly soluble in water: used as a source of fluorine in the prevention of dental caries, especially as a toothpaste additive.
- statue of liberty — a large copper statue, on Liberty Island, in New York harbor, depicting a woman holding a burning torch: designed by F. A. Bartholdi and presented to the U.S. by France; unveiled 1886.
- stay of execution — If you are given a stay of execution, you are legally allowed to delay obeying an order of a court of law.
- stereospecificity — (of a reaction) producing a simple stereoisomer.
- stock certificate — a certificate evidencing ownership of one or more shares of stock in a corporation.
- strait of otranto — a stretch of water between SE Italy and Albania, connecting the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea; of strategic importance during World War I
- suffice it to say — Suffice it to say or suffice to say is used at the beginning of a statement to indicate that what you are saying is obvious, or that you will only give a short explanation.
- sufficient reason — the principle that nothing happens by pure chance, but that an explanation must always be available
- sulfonyl chloride — a colorless liquid, SO 2 Cl 2 , having a very pungent odor and corrosive to the skin and mucous membranes: used as a chlorinating or sulfonating agent.
- sustentation fund — a fund, esp in the Church of Scotland, to augment the support of ministers
- teaching software — computer software for use in providing online education
- temple of artemis — the temple at Ephesus dedicated to Artemis.
- the bag of tricks — every device; everything
- the carboniferous — the Carboniferous period or rock system
- the facts of life — the details of sexual behaviour and reproduction, esp as told to children
- the first line of — If you refer to a method as the first line of, for example, defence or treatment, you mean that it is the first or most important method to be used in dealing with a problem.
- the life and soul — a person regarded as the main source of merriment and liveliness
- the right side of — in favour with
- the south pacific — the part of the Pacific Ocean to the south of the equator
- the tet offensive — an offensive launched in January–February 1968 by the North Vietnamese Army and the Vietcong. Coinciding with the first day of the Tet, it was a surprise attack on South Vietnamese cities, including Saigon
- thermal diffusion — the separation of constituents, often isotopes, of a fluid under the influence of a temperature gradient.
- think in terms of — If you say that you are thinking in terms of doing a particular thing, you mean that you are considering it.
- thiosulfuric acid — an acid, H 2 S 2 O 3 , that may be regarded as sulfuric acid with one oxygen atom replaced by sulfur.
- thuringian forest — a forested mountain region in central Germany: a resort area.
- to raise the roof — If a group of people inside a building raise the roof, they make a very loud noise, for example by singing or shouting.
- to say nothing of — You use to say nothing of when you mention an additional thing which gives even more strength to the point you are making.
- traffic diversion — a special route arranged for traffic to follow when the normal route cannot be used
- transfer function — The transfer function of a circuit is the ratio of the response to the input.
- transformationist — transformist.
- transignification — (in the Eucharist) a change in the significance of the bread and wine to symbolize the body and blood of Christ.
- troilus butterfly — spicebush swallowtail.
- unclassified road — a road that has not been given a grade because it is of a basic standard
- under the sign of — during that portion of the year when the sun is passing through and thus subject to the influence of (a specified sign of the zodiac)
- uniformitarianism — supporting, conforming to, or derived from a theory or doctrine about uniformity, especially on the subject of geology.
- unity of interest — the equal interest in property held by joint tenants
- unofficial strike — a strike that is not approved by the strikers' trade union
- unprofessionalism — not professional; not pertaining to or characteristic of a profession.
- unselfconsciously — in an unselfconscious manner
- utmost good faith — a principle used in insurance contracts, legally obliging all parties to reveal to the others any information that might influence the others' decision to enter into the contract
- veiltail goldfish — an artificially bred, indoor variety of goldfish, usually golden or calico and of a spheroid shape, having a fully divided, drooping tail fin exceeding the body in length.
- ventilation shaft — a shaft in a mine, tunnel, or building used for providing ventilation or fresh air
- vermiform process — vermiform appendix.
- welfare economics — a branch of economics concerned with improving human welfare and social conditions chiefly through the optimum distribution of wealth, the relief or reduction of unemployment, etc.