Glossary

  • Scrutiny

    critical examination or close watch

  • Seceded

    withdrew formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state.

  • secession

    the action of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state

  • Second Bank of the United States

    The national bank of America that held the nation’s deposits and made its payments. It was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and chartered from 1816-1836.

  • Secretary of State

    The head of the State Department, responsible for foreign affairs.

  • Sediment

    Soil moved by water.

  • Selective incorporation

    the Supreme Court process of using individual cases to make the Bill of Rights apply to the states

  • Selective Service Act

    a 1917 law that authorized the President to draft men ages 21-30 for military service in response to the United States entering World War I.

  • Self-sustaining

    Able to continue in a healthy state without outside assistance.

  • seminary

    a private school or college, especially one for young women OR a religious institution