M \M\ ([e^]m).
1. M, the thirteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a
vocal consonant, and from the manner of its formation, is
called the labio-nasal consonant. See Guide to
Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 178-180, 242.
Note: The letter M came into English from the Greek, through
the Latin, the form of the Greek letter being further
derived from the Ph[oe]nician, and ultimately, it is
believed, from the Egyptian. Etymologically M is
related to n, in lime, linden; emmet, ant; also to b. M
is readily followed by b and p. the position of the
lips in the formation of both letters being the same.
The relation of b and m is the same as that of d and t
to n. and that of g and k to ng.
2. As a numeral, M stands for one thousand, both in English
and Latin.
M \M\, n.
1. (Print.) A quadrat, the face or top of which is a perfect
square; also, the size of such a square in any given size
of type, used as the unit of measurement for that type:
500 m's of pica would be a piece of matter whose length
and breadth in pica m's multiplied together produce that
number. [Written also {em}.]
2. (law) A brand or stigma, having the shape of an M,
formerly impressed on one convicted of manslaughter and
admitted to the benefit of clergy.
{M roof} (Arch.), a kind of roof formed by the junction of
two common roofs with a valley between them, so that the
section resembles the letter M.
Ma \Ma\ (m[aum]), n. [Cf. {Mamma}.]
1. A child's word for mother.
2. [Hind.] In Oriental countries, a respectful form of
address given to a woman; mother. --Balfour (Cyc. of
India).
Ma \Ma\, conj. [It.] (Mus.)
But; -- used in cautionary phrases; as, ``Vivace, ma non
troppo presto'' (i. e., lively, but not too quick). --Moore
(Encyc. of Music).
Maa \Maa\, n. [See {New} a gull.] (Zo["o]l.)
The common European gull ({Larus canus}); -- called also
{mar}. See {New}, a gull.
Maad \Maad\, obs. p. p. of {Make}.
Made. --Chaucer.
Maalin \Maa"lin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The sparrow hawk.
(b) The kestrel.
Ma'am \Ma'am\, n.
Madam; my lady; -- a colloquial contraction of madam often
used in direct address, and sometimes as an appellation.
Maara shell \Ma"a*ra shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
A large, pearly, spiral, marine shell ({Turbo
margaritaceus}), from the Pacific Islands. It is used as an
ornament.
Maasha \Ma*ash"a\, n.
An East Indian coin, of about one tenth of the weight of a
rupee.
Maat \Maat\, a. [See {Mate}, a.]
Dejected; sorrowful; downcast. [Obs.] ``So piteous and so
maat.'' --Chaucer.
Mad \Mad\, n. [Cf. W. mad a male child, a boy.]
1. A slattern. [Prov. Eng.]
2. The name of a female fairy, esp. the queen of the fairies;
and hence, sometimes, any fairy. --Shak.
Mabble \Mab"ble\, v. t.
To wrap up. [Obs.]
Mabby \Mab"by\, n.
A spirituous liquor or drink distilled from potatoes; -- used
in the Barbadoes.
Mabolo \Ma*bo"lo\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of persimmon tree ({Diospyros discolor}) from the
Philippine Islands, now introduced into the East and West
Indies. It bears an edible fruit as large as a quince.
Mac \Mac\ [Gael., son.]
A prefix, in names of Scotch origin, signifying son.
Macaco \Ma*ca"co\, n. [Cf. Pg. macaco.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of lemurs, as the ruffed lemur
({Lemur macaco}), and the ring-tailed lemur ({L. catta}).
Macacus \Ma*ca"cus\, n. [NL., a word of African origin. Cf.
{Macaco}, {Macaque}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of monkeys, found in Asia and the East Indies. They
have short tails and prominent eyebrows.
Macadamization \Mac*ad`am*i*za"tion\, n.
The process or act of macadamizing.
Macadamize \Mac*ad"am*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Macadamized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Macadamizing}.] [From John Loudon McAdam,
who introduced the process into Great Britain in 1816.]
To cover, as a road, or street, with small, broken stones, so
as to form a smooth, hard, convex surface.
Maoadam road \Mao*ad"am road`\ [See {Macadamize}.]
A macadamized road.
Macao \Ma*ca"o\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A macaw.
Macaque \Ma`caque"\, n. [F. See {Macacus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of short-tailed monkeys of the
genus {Macacus}
; as, {M. maurus}, the moor macaque of the East Indies.
Macaranga gum \Mac`a*ran"ga gum`\
A gum of a crimson color, obtained from a tree ({Macaranga
Indica}) that grows in the East Indies. It is used in taking
impressions of coins, medallions, etc., and sometimes as a
medicine. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Macarize \Mac"a*rize\, v. t. [Gr. ? to bless.]
To congratulate. [Oxford Univ. Cant] --Whately.
Macaroni \Mac`a*ro"ni\, n.; pl. {Macaronis}, or {Macaronies}.
[Prov. It. macaroni, It. maccheroni, fr. Gr. ? happiness,
later, a funeral feast, fr. ? blessed, happy. Prob. so called
because eaten at such feasts in honor of the dead; cf. Gr. ?
blessed, i. e., dead. Cf. {Macaroon}.]
1. Long slender tubes made of a paste chiefly of wheat flour,
and used as an article of food; Italian or Genoese paste.
Note: A paste similarly prepared is largely used as food in
Persia, India, and China, but is not commonly made
tubular like the Italian macaroni. --Balfour (Cyc. of
India).
2. A medley; something droll or extravagant.
3. A sort of droll or fool. [Obs.] --Addison.
4. A finical person; a fop; -- applied especially to English
fops of about 1775. --Goldsmith.
5. pl. (U. S. Hist.) The designation of a body of Maryland
soldiers in the Revolutionary War, distinguished by a rich
uniform. --W. Irving.
Macaronian \Mac`a*ro"ni*an\, Macaronic \Mac`a*ron"ic\, a. [Cf.
It. maccheronico, F. macaronique.]
1. Pertaining to, or like, macaroni (originally a dish of
mixed food); hence, mixed; confused; jumbled.
2. Of or pertaining to the burlesque composition called
macaronic; as, macaronic poetry.
Macaronic \Mac`a*ron"ic\, n.
1. A heap of thing confusedly mixed together; a jumble.
2. A kind of burlesque composition, in which the vernacular
words of one or more modern languages are intermixed with
genuine Latin words, and with hybrid formed by adding
Latin terminations to other roots.
Macaroon \Mac`a*roon"\, n. [F. macaron, It. maccherone. See
{Macaroni}.]
1. A small cake, composed chiefly of the white of eggs,
almonds, and sugar.
2. A finical fellow, or macaroni. [Obs.]
Macartney \Ma*cart"ney\, n. [From Lord Macartney.] (Zo["o]l.)
A fire-backed pheasant. See {Fireback}.
Macassar oil \Ma*cas`sar oil"\
A kind of oil formerly used in dressing the hair; -- so
called because originally obtained from Macassar, a district
of the Island of Celebes. Also, an imitation of the same, of
perfumed castor oil and olive oil.
Macauco \Ma*cau"co\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small lemurs, as {Lemur
murinus}, which resembles a rat in size.
Macavahu \Ma`ca*va"hu\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small Brazilian monkey ({Callithrix torquatus}), -- called
also {collared teetee}.
Macaw \Ma*caw"\, n. [From the native name in the Antilles.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any parrot of the genus {Sittace}, or {Macrocercus}. About
eighteen species are known, all of them American. They are
large and have a very long tail, a strong hooked bill, and a
naked space around the eyes. The voice is harsh, and the
colors are brilliant and strongly contrasted.
{Macaw bush} (Bot.), a West Indian name for a prickly kind of
nightshade ({Solanum mammosum}).
{Macaw palm}, {Macaw tree} (Bot.), a tropical American palm
({Acrocomia fusiformis} and other species) having a
prickly stem and pinnately divided leaves. Its nut yields
a yellow butter, with the perfume of violets, which is
used in making violet soap. Called also {grugru palm}.
Maccabean \Mac`ca*be"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Judas Maccabeus or to the Maccabees; as,
the Maccabean princes; Maccabean times.
Maccabees \Mac"ca*bees\, n. pl.
1. The name given later times to the Asmon[ae]ans, a family
of Jewish patriots, who headed a religious revolt in the
reign of Antiochus IV., 168-161 B. C., which led to a
period of freedom for Israel. --Schaff-Herzog.
2. The name of two ancient historical books, which give
accounts of Jewish affairs in or about the time of the
Maccabean princes, and which are received as canonical
books in the Roman Catholic Church, but are included in
the Apocrypha by Protestants. Also applied to three books,
two of which are found in some MSS. of the Septuagint.
Maccaboy \Mac"ca*boy\, Maccoboy \Mac"co*boy\, n. [From a
district in the Island of Martinique where it is made: cf. F.
macouba.]
A kind of snuff.
Macco \Mac"co\, n.
A gambling game in vogue in the eighteenth century.
--Thackeray.
Mace \Mace\, n. [Jav. & Malay. m[=a]s, fr. Skr. m[=a]sha a
bean.]
A money of account in China equal to one tenth of a tael;
also, a weight of 57.98 grains. --S. W. Williams.
Mace \Mace\, n. [F. macis, L. macis, macir, Gr. ?; cf. Skr.
makaranda the nectar or honey of a flower, a fragrant mango.]
(Bot.)
A kind of spice; the aril which partly covers nutmegs. See
{Nutmeg}.
Note: Red mace is the aril of {Myristica tingens}, and white
mace that of {M. Otoba}, -- East Indian trees of the
same genus with the nutmeg tree.
Mace \Mace\, n. [OF. mace, F. masse, from (assumed) L. matea, of
which the dim. mateola a kind of mallet or beetle, is found.]
1. A heavy staff or club of metal; a spiked club; -- used as
weapon in war before the general use of firearms,
especially in the Middle Ages, for breaking metal armor.
--Chaucer.
Death with his mace petrific . . . smote. --Milton.
2. Hence: A staff borne by, or carried before, a magistrate
as an ensign of his authority. ``Swayed the royal mace.''
--Wordsworth.
3. An officer who carries a mace as an emblem of authority.
--Macaulay.
4. A knobbed mallet used by curriers in dressing leather to
make it supple.
5. (Billiards) A rod for playing billiards, having one end
suited to resting on the table and pushed with one hand.
{Mace bearer}, an officer who carries a mace before person in
authority.
Macedonian \Mac`e*do"ni*an\, a. [L. Macedonius, Gr. ?.] (Geog.)
Belonging, or relating, to Macedonia. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Macedonia.
Macedonian \Mac`e*do"ni*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a certain religious sect, followers of Macedonius,
Bishop of Constantinople, in the fourth century, who held
that the Holy Ghost was a creature, like the angels, and a
servant of the Father and the Son.
Macedonianism \Mac`e*do"ni*an*ism\, n.
The doctrines of Macedonius.
Macer \Ma"cer\, n. [F. massier. See {Mace} staff.]
A mace bearer; an officer of a court. --P. Plowman.
Macerate \Mac"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Macerated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Macerating}.] [L. maceratus, p. p. of macerare to
make soft, weaken, enervate; cf. Gr. ? to knead.]
1. To make lean; to cause to waste away. [Obs. or R.]
--Harvey.
2. To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to
mortify. --Baker.
3. To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or without heat;
to wear away or separate the parts of by steeping; as, to
macerate animal or vegetable fiber.
Macerater \Mac"er*a`ter\, n.
One who, or that which, macerates; an apparatus for
converting paper or fibrous matter into pulp.
Maceration \Mac`er*a"tion\, n. [L. maceratio: cf. F.
mac['e]ration.]
The act or process of macerating.
Machaerodus \Ma*ch[ae]"ro*dus\, Machairodus \Ma*chai"ro*dus\, n.
[NL., fr. Gr. ? dagger + ? tooth.] (Paleon.)
A genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats, and having in
the upper jaw canine teeth of remarkable size and strength;
-- hence called saber-toothed tigers.
Machete \Ma*che"te\, n. [Sp.]
A large heavy knife resembling a broadsword, often two or
three feet in length, -- used by the inhabitants of Spanish
America as a hatchet to cut their way through thickets, and
for various other purposes. --J. Stevens.
Machiavelian \Mach`i*a*vel"ian\, a. [From Machiavel, an Italian
writer, secretary and historiographer to the republic of
Florence.]
Of or pertaining to Machiavel, or to his supposed principles;
politically cunning; characterized by duplicity or bad faith;
crafty.
Machiavelian \Mach`i*a*vel"ian\, n.
One who adopts the principles of Machiavel; a cunning and
unprincipled politician.
Machiavelism \Mach"i*a*vel*ism\, Machiavelianism
\Mach`i*a*vel"ian*ism\, n. [Cf. F. machiav['e]lisme; It.
machiavellismo.]
The supposed principles of Machiavel, or practice in
conformity to them; political artifice, intended to favor
arbitrary power.
Machicolated \Ma*chic"o*la`ted\, a. [LL. machicolatus, p. p. of
machicolare, machicollare. See {Machicolation}.]
Having machicolations. ``Machicolated turrets.'' --C.
Kingsley.
Machicolation \Mach`i*co*la"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. machicolamentum,
machacolladura, F. m[^a]chicolis, m[^a]checoulis; perh. fr.
F. m[`e]che match, combustible matter + OF. coulis, couleis,
flowing, fr. OF. & F. couler to flow. Cf. {Match} for making
fire, and {Cullis}.]
1. (Mil. Arch.) An opening between the corbels which support
a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the
roof of a portal, shooting or dropping missiles upen
assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the
construction of such defenses, in general, when of this
character. See Illusts. of {Battlement} and {Castle}.
2. The act of discharging missiles or pouring burning or
melted substances upon assailants through such apertures.
Machicoulis \Ma`chi`cou`lis"\, n. [F. m[^a]chicoulis.] (Mil.
Arch.)
Same as {Machicolation}.
Machinal \Ma*chin"al\, a. [L. machinalis: cf. F. machinal.]
Of or pertaining to machines.
Machinate \Mach"i*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Machinated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Machinating}.] [L. machinatus, p. p. of
machinari to devise, plot. See {Machine}.]
To plan; to contrive; esp., to form a scheme with the purpose
of doing harm; to contrive artfully; to plot. ``How long will
you machinate!'' --Sandys.
Machinate \Mach"i*nate\, v. t.
To contrive, as a plot; to plot; as, to machinate evil.
Machination \Mach`i*na"tion\, n. [L. machinatio: cf. F.
machination.]
1. The act of machinating. --Shak.
2. That which is devised; a device; a hostile or treacherous
scheme; an artful design or plot.
Devilish machinations come to naught. --Milton.
His ingenious machinations had failed. --Macaulay.
Machinator \Mach"i*na`tor\, n. [L.]
One who machinates, or forms a scheme with evil designs; a
plotter or artful schemer. --Glanvill. Sir W. Scott.
Machine \Ma*chine"\, n. [F., fr. L. machina machine, engine,
device, trick, Gr. ?, from ? means, expedient. Cf.
{Mechanic}.]
1. In general, any combination of bodies so connected that
their relative motions are constrained, and by means of
which force and motion may be transmitted and modified, as
a screw and its nut, or a lever arranged to turn about a
fulcrum or a pulley about its pivot, etc.; especially, a
construction, more or less complex, consisting of a
combination of moving parts, or simple mechanical
elements, as wheels, levers, cams, etc., with their
supports and connecting framework, calculated to
constitute a prime mover, or to receive force and motion
from a prime mover or from another machine, and transmit,
modify, and apply them to the production of some desired
mechanical effect or work, as weaving by a loom, or the
excitation of electricity by an electrical machine.
Note: The term machine is most commonly applied to such
pieces of mechanism as are used in the industrial arts,
for mechanically shaping, dressing, and combining
materials for various purposes, as in the manufacture
of cloth, etc. Where the effect is chemical, or other
than mechanical, the contrivance is usually denominated
an apparatus, not a machine; as, a bleaching apparatus.
Many large, powerful, or specially important pieces of
mechanism are called engines; as, a steam engine, fire
engine, graduating engine, etc. Although there is no
well-settled distinction between the terms engine and
machine among practical men, there is a tendency to
restrict the application of the former to contrivances
in which the operating part is not distinct from the
motor.
2. Any mechanical contrivance, as the wooden horse with which
the Greeks entered Troy; a coach; a bicycle. --Dryden.
--Southey. --Thackeray.
3. A person who acts mechanically or at will of another.
4. A combination of persons acting together for a common
purpose, with the agencies which they use; as, the social
machine.
The whole machine of government ought not to bear
upon the people with a weight so heavy and
oppressive. --Landor.
5. A political organization arranged and controlled by one or
more leaders for selfish, private or partisan ends.
[Political Cant]
6. Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being
introduced to perform some exploit. --Addison.
{Elementary machine}, a name sometimes given to one of the
simple mechanical powers. See under {Mechanical}.
{Infernal machine}. See under {Infernal}.
{Machine gun}.See under {Gun.}
{Machine screw}, a screw or bolt adapted for screwing into
metal, in distinction from one which is designed
especially to be screwed into wood.
{Machine shop}, a workshop where machines are made, or where
metal is shaped by cutting, filing, turning, etc.
{Machine tool}, a machine for cutting or shaping wood, metal,
etc., by means of a tool; especially, a machine, as a
lathe, planer, drilling machine, etc., designed for a more
or less general use in a machine shop, in distinction from
a machine for producing a special article as in
manufacturing.
{Machine twist}, silken thread especially adapted for use in
a sewing machine.
{Machine work}, work done by a machine, in contradistinction
to that done by hand labor.
Machine \Ma*chine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Machined}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Machining}.]
To subject to the action of machinery; to effect by aid of
machinery; to print with a printing machine.
Machiner \Ma*chin"er\, n.
One who or operates a machine; a machinist. [R.]
Machinery \Ma*chin"er*y\, n. [From {Machine}: cf. F.
machinerie.]
1. Machines, in general, or collectively.
2. The working parts of a machine, engine, or instrument; as,
the machinery of a watch.
3. The supernatural means by which the action of a poetic or
fictitious work is carried on and brought to a
catastrophe; in an extended sense, the contrivances by
which the crises and conclusion of a fictitious narrative,
in prose or verse, are effected.
The machinery, madam, is a term invented by the
critics, to signify that part which the deities,
angels, or demons, are made to act in a poem.
--Pope.
4. The means and appliances by which anything is kept in
action or a desired result is obtained; a complex system
of parts adapted to a purpose.
An indispensable part of the machinery of state.
--Macaulay.
The delicate inflexional machinery of the Aryan
languages. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
Machining \Ma*chin"ing\, a.
Of or pertaining to the machinery of a poem; acting or used
as a machine. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Machinist \Ma*chin"ist\, n. [Cf. F. machiniste.]
1. A constrictor of machines and engines; one versed in the
principles of machines.
2. One skilled in the use of machine tools.
3. A person employed to shift scenery in a theater.
Macho \Ma"cho\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
The striped mullet of California ({Mugil cephalus, or
Mexicanus}).
Macilency \Mac"i*len*cy\, n. [See {Macilent}.]
Leanness. [Obs.] --Sandys.
Macilent \Mac"i*lent\, a. [L. macilentus, fr. macies leanness,
macere to be lean.]
Lean; thin. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Macintosh \Mac"in*tosh\, n.
Same as {Mackintosh}.
Mackerel \Mack"er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau, fr. D.
makelaar mediator, agent, fr. makelen to act as agent.]
A pimp; also, a bawd. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Mackerel \Mack`er*el\, n. [OF. maquerel, F. maquereau (LL.
macarellus), prob. for maclereau, fr. L. macula a spot, in
allusion to the markings on the fish. See {Mail} armor.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of the genus {Scomber}, and of several related
genera. They are finely formed and very active oceanic
fishes. Most of them are highly prized for food.
Note: The common mackerel ({Scomber scombrus}), which
inhabits both sides of the North Atlantic, is one of
the most important food fishes. It is mottled with
green and blue. The Spanish mackerel ({Scomberomorus
maculatus}), of the American coast, is covered with
bright yellow circular spots.
{Bull mackerel}, {Chub mackerel}. (Zo["o]l.) See under
{Chub}.
{Frigate mackerel}. See under {Frigate}.
{Horse mackerel} . See under {Horse}.
{Mackerel bird} (Zo["o]l.), the wryneck; -- so called because
it arrives in England at the time when mackerel are in
season.
{Mackerel cock} (Zo["o]l.), the Manx shearwater; -- so called
because it precedes the appearance of the mackerel on the
east coast of Ireland.
{Mackerel guide}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Garfish}
(a) .
{Mackerel gull} (Zo["o]l.) any one of several species of gull
which feed upon or follow mackerel, as the kittiwake.
{Mackerel midge} (Zo["o]l.), a very small oceanic gadoid fish
of the North Atlantic. It is about an inch and a half long
and has four barbels on the upper jaw. It is now
considered the young of the genus {Onos}, or {Motella}.
{Mackerel plow}, an instrument for creasing the sides of lean
mackerel to improve their appearance. --Knight.
{Mackerel shark} (Zo["o]l.), the porbeagle.
{Mackerel sky}, or {Mackerel-back sky}, a sky flecked with
small white clouds; a cirro-cumulus. See {Cloud}.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry
low sails. --Old Rhyme.
Mackinaw blanket \Mack"i*naw blan"ket\, Mackinaw \Mack"i*naw\
[From Mackinac, the State of Michigan, where blankets and
other stores were distributed to the Indians.]
A thick blanket formerly in common use in the western part of
the United States.
Mackintosh \Mack"in*tosh\, n.
A waterproof outer garment; -- so called from the name of the
inventor.
Mackle \Mac`kle\, n. [See {Macle}.]
Same {Macule}.
Mackle \Mac"kle\, v. t. & i.
To blur, or be blurred, in printing, as if there were a
double impression.
Macle \Ma"cle\, n. [L. macula a spot: cf. F. macle. Cf.
{Mackle}, {Mascle}.] (Min.)
(a) Chiastolite; -- so called from the tessellated appearance
of a cross section. See {Chiastolite}.
(b) A crystal having a similar tessellated appearance.
(c) A twin crystal.
Macled \Ma"cled\, a.
1. (Min.)
(a) Marked like macle (chiastolite).
(b) Having a twin structure. See {Twin}, a.
2. See {Mascled}.
Maclurea \Ma*clu"re*a\, n. [NL. Named from William Maclure, the
geologist.] (Paleon.)
A genus of spiral gastropod shells, often of large size,
characteristic of the lower Silurian rocks.
Maclurin \Ma*clu"rin\, n. (Chem.)
See {Morintannic}.
Macrame lace \Mac"ra*me lace"\
A coarse lace made of twine, used especially in decorating
furniture.
Macrencephalic \Mac`ren*ce*phal"ic\, Macrencephalous
\Mac`ren*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Macro + encephalic, encephalous.]
Having a large brain.
Macro- \Mac"ro-\ [Gr. makro`s, adj.]
A combining form signifying long, large, great; as
macrodiagonal, macrospore.
Macrobiotic \Mac`ro*bi*ot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? long-lived; ? long + ?
life: cf. F. macrobiotique.]
Long-lived. -- Dunglison.
Macrobiotics \Mac`ro*bi*ot"ics\, n. (Physiol.)
The art of prolonging life.
Macrocephalous \Mac`ro*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Macro + Gr. kefalh` the
head.]
1. Having a large head.
2. (Bot.) Having the cotyledons of a dicotyledonous embryo
confluent, and forming a large mass compared with the rest
of the body. --Henslow.
Macro-chemistry \Mac`ro-chem"is*try\, n. [Macro- + chemistry.]
(Chem.)
The science which treats of the chemical properties, actions
or relations of substances in quantity; -- distinguished from
micro-chemistry.
Macrochires \Mac`ro*chi"res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.? long + ?
hand.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds including the swifts and humming birds.
So called from the length of the distal part of the wing.
Macrocosm \Mac"ro*cosm\, n. [Macro- + Gr. ? the world: cf. F.
macrocosme.]
The great world; that part of the universe which is exterior
to man; -- contrasted with microcosm, or man. See
{Microcosm}.
Macrocosmic \Mac`ro*cos"mic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the macrocosm. --Tylor.
Macrocystis \Mac`ro*cys"tis\, n. [NL. See {Macro-}, and {Cyst}.]
(Bot.)
An immensely long blackish seaweed of the Pacific
({Macrocystis pyrifera}), having numerous almond-shaped air
vessels.
Macrodactyl \Mac`ro*dac"tyl\, n. [Gr. ? long-fingered; ? long +
? finger: cf. F. macrodactyle.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of wading birds ({Macrodactyli}) having very
long toes. [Written also {macrodactyle}.]
Macrodactylic \Mac`ro*dac*tyl"ic\, Macrodactylous
\Mac`ro*dac"tyl*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having long toes.
Macrodiagonal \Mac`ro*di*ag"o*nal\, n. [Macro- + diagonal.]
(Crystallog.)
The longer of two diagonals, as of a rhombic prism. See
{Crystallization}.
Macrodome \Mac"ro*dome\, n. [Macro- + dome.] (Crystallog.)
A dome parallel to the longer lateral axis of an orthorhombic
crystal. See {Dome}, n., 4.
Macrodont \Mac"ro*dont\, a. [Macro- + Gr. ?, ?, a tooth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having large teeth. -- n. A macrodont animal.
Macrofarad \Mac"ro*far`ad\, n. [Macro- + farad.] (Elec.)
See {Megafarad}. [R.]
Macroglossia \Mac`ro*glos"si*a\, n. [NL. See {Macro-}, and
{Glossa}.] (Med.)
Enlargement or hypertrophy of the tongue.
Macrognathic \Mac`rog*nath"ic\, a. [Macro- + gnathic.]
(Anthropol.)
Long-jawed. --Huxley.
Macrology \Ma*crol"o*gy\, n. [L. macrologia, Gr. ?; ? long + ?
discourse: cf. F. macrologie.]
Long and tedious talk without much substance; superfluity of
words.
Macrometer \Ma*crom"e*ter\, n. [Macro- + -meter.]
An instrument for determining the size or distance of
inaccessible objects by means of two reflectors on a common
sextant.
Macron \Ma"cron\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? long.] (Pron.)
A short, straight, horizontal mark [-], placed over vowels to
denote that they are to be pronounced with a long sound; as,
[=a], in d[=a]me; [=e], in s[=e]am, etc.
Macropetalous \Mac`ro*pet"al*ous\, a. [Macro- + petal.] (Bot.)
Having long or large petals.
Macrophyllous \Ma*croph"yl*lous\, a. [Macro- + Gr. ? a leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having long or large leaves.
Macropinacoid \Mac`ro*pin"a*coid\, n. [Macro- + pinacoid.]
(Crystallog.)
One of the two planes of an orthorhombic crystal which are
parallel to the vertical and longer lateral (macrodiagonal)
axes.
Macropod \Mac"ro*pod\, n. [Macro- + -pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of a group of maioid crabs remarkable for the length
of their legs; -- called also {spider crab}.
Macropodal \Ma*crop"o*dal\, a.
Having long or large feet, or a long stem.
Macropodian \Mac`ro*po"di*an\, n.
A macropod.
Macropodous \Ma*crop"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having long legs or feet.
Macroprism \Mac"ro*prism\, n. [Macro- + prism.] (Crystallog.)
A prism of an orthorhombic crystal between the macropinacoid
and the unit prism; the corresponding pyramids are called
macropyramids.
Macropteres \Ma*crop"te*res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? long + ?
feather, wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds; the Longipennes.
Macropterous \Ma*crop"ter*ous\, a. [See {Macropteres}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having long wings.
Macropus \Mac"ro*pus\, n. [NL. See {Macropod}.] (Zo["o]l.)
genus of marsupials including the common kangaroo.
Macropyramid \Mac`ro*pyr"a*mid\, n. [Macro- + pyramid.]
(Crystallog.)
See {Macroprism}.
Macroscopic \Mac`ro*scop"ic\, Macroscopical \Mac`ro*scop"ic*al\,
a. [Macro- + Gr. ? to view.]
Visible to the unassisted eye; -- as opposed to
{microscopic}. -- {Mac`ro*scop"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Macrosporangium \Mac`ro*spo*ran"gi*um\, n. [NL. See {Macro-},
and {Sporangium}.] (Bot.)
A sporangium or conceptacle containing only large spores; --
opposed to {microsporangium}. Both are found in the genera
{Selaginella}, {Isoctes}, and {Marsilia}, plants remotely
allied to ferns.
Macrospore \Mac"ro*spore\, n. [Macro- + spore.] (Bot.)
One of the specially large spores of certain flowerless
plants, as {Selaginella}, etc.
Macrosporic \Mac`ro*spor"ic\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to macrospores.
Macrotone \Mac"ro*tone\, n. [Gr. ? stretched out. See {Macro-},
and {Tone}.] (Pron.)
Same as {Macron}.
Macrotous \Ma*cro"tous\, a. [Macro- + Gr. o"y^s, gen. 'wto`s,
the ear.] (Zo["o]l.)
Large-eared.
Macroura \Ma*crou"ra\, n. pl., Macroural \Ma*crou"ral\, a.,
etc.(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Macrura}, {Macrural}, etc.
Macrozoospore \Mac`ro*zo"["o]*spore\, n. [Macro- + zo["o]spore.]
(Bot.)
A large motile spore having four vibratile cilia; -- found in
certain green alg[ae].
Macrura \Ma*cru"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? long + ? tail.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A subdivision of decapod Crustacea, having the abdomen
largely developed. It includes the lobster, prawn, shrimp,
and many similar forms. Cf. {Decapoda}.
Macrural \Ma*cru"ral\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Macrurous}.
Macruran \Ma*cru"ran\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Macrura.
Macruroid \Ma*cru"roid\, a. [Macrura + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the Macrura.
Macrurous \Ma*cru"rous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Macrura; having a long tail.
Mactation \Mac*ta"tion\, n. [L. mactatio, fr. macture to slay,
sacrifice.]
The act of killing a victim for sacrifice. [Obs.]
Mactra \Mac"tra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? kneading trough, fr. ? to
knead.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any marine bivalve shell of the genus {Mactra}, and allied
genera. Many species are known. Some of them are used as
food, as {Mactra stultorum}, of Europe. See {Surf clam},
under {Surf}.
Macula \Mac"u*la\, n.; pl. {Macul[ae]}. [L., spot, stain, blot.
See {Mail} armor, and cf. {Mackle}, {Macule}.]
1. A spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun or of
some other luminous orb.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A rather large spot or blotch of color.
Maculate \Mac"u*late\, v. t. [L. maculatus, p. p. of maculare to
spot. See {Macula}, and cf. {Macule}, v.]
To spot; to stain; to blur.
Maculate the honor of their people. --Sir T.
Elyot.
Maculate \Mac"u*late\, a. [L. maculatus, p. p.]
Marked with spots or macul[ae]; blotched; hence, defiled;
impure; as, most maculate thoughts. --Shak.
Maculated \Mac"u*la`ted\, a.
Having spots or blotches; maculate.
Maculation \Mac"u*la"tion\, n. [L. maculatio.]
The act of spotting; a spot; a blemish. --Shak.
Maculatory \Mac"u*la*to*ry\, a.
Causing a spot or stain. --T. Adams.
Maculature \Mac"u*la*ture\, n.
Blotting paper. [Obs.]
Macule \Mac"ule\, n. [F. macule. See {Macula}.]
1. A spot. [Obs.]
2. (Print.) A blur, or an appearance of a double impression,
as when the paper slips a little; a mackle.
Macule \Mac"ule\, v. t. [Cf. F. maculer. See {Maculate}, v.]
To blur; especially (Print.), to blur or double an impression
from type. See {Mackle}.
Maculose \Mac"u*lose`\, a. [L. maculosus.]
Of or pertaining to spots upon a surface; spotted; maculate.
Mad \Mad\, obs.
p. p. of {Made}. --Chaucer.
Mad \Mad\, a. [Compar. {Madder}; superl. {Maddest}.] [AS. gem?d,
gem[=a]d, mad; akin to OS. gem?d foolish, OHG. gameit, Icel.
mei?a to hurt, Goth. gam['a]ids weak, broken. ?.]
1. Disordered in intellect; crazy; insane.
I have heard my grandsire say full oft, Extremity of
griefs would make men mad. --Shak.
2. Excited beyond self-control or the restraint of reason;
inflamed by violent or uncontrollable desire, passion, or
appetite; as, to be mad with terror, lust, or hatred; mad
against political reform.
It is the land of graven images, and they are mad
upon their idols. --Jer. 1. 88.
And being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities. --Acts xxvi.
11.
3. Proceeding from, or indicating, madness; expressing
distraction; prompted by infatuation, fury, or extreme
rashness. ``Mad demeanor.'' --Milton.
Mad wars destroy in one year the works of many years
of peace. --Franklin.
The mad promise of Cleon was fulfilled. --Jowett
(Thucyd.).
4. Extravagant; immoderate. ``Be mad and merry.'' --Shak.
``Fetching mad bounds.'' --Shak.
5. Furious with rage, terror, or disease; -- said of the
lower animals; as, a mad bull; esp., having hydrophobia;
rabid; as, a mad dog.
6. Angry; out of patience; vexed; as, to get mad at a person.
[Colloq.]
7. Having impaired polarity; -- applied to a compass needle.
[Colloq.]
{Like mad}, like a mad person; in a furious manner; as, to
run like mad. --L'Estrange.
{To run mad}.
(a) To become wild with excitement.
(b) To run wildly about under the influence of
hydrophobia; to become affected with hydrophobia.
{To run mad after}, to pursue under the influence of
infatuation or immoderate desire. ``The world is running
mad after farce.'' --Dryden.
Mad \Mad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Madded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Madding}.]
To make mad or furious; to madden.
Had I but seen thy picture in this plight, It would
have madded me. --Shak.
Mad \Mad\, v. i.
To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See {Madding}. [Archaic]
--Chaucer.
Festus said with great voice, Paul thou maddest.
--Wyclif
(Acts).
Mad \Mad\, n. [AS. ma?a; akin to D. & G. made, Goth. mapa, and
prob. to E. moth.] (Zo["o]l.)
An earthworm. [Written also {made}.]
Madam \Mad"am\, n.; pl. {Madams}, or {Mesdames}. [See {Madame}.]
A gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous form of address
given to a lady, especially an elderly or a married lady; --
much used in the address, at the beginning of a letter, to a
woman. The corresponding word in addressing a man is Sir.
Madame \Ma`dame"\, n.; pl. {Mesdames}. [F., fr. ma my (L. mea) +
dame dame. See {Dame}, and cf. {Madonna}.]
My lady; -- a French title formerly given to ladies of
quality; now, in France, given to all married women.
--Chaucer.
Mad-apple \Mad"-ap`ple\, n. (Bot.)
See {Eggplant}.
Madbrain \Mad"brain`\, a.
Hot-headed; rash. --Shak. -- n. A rash or hot-headed person.
Madbrained \Mad"brained`\, a.
Disordered in mind; hot-headed. --Shak.
Madcap \Mad"cap`\, a.
1. Inclined to wild sports; delighting in rash, absurd, or
dangerous amusements. ``The merry madcap lord.'' --Shak.
2. Wild; reckless. ``Madcap follies'' --Beau. & Fl.
Madcap \Mad"cap`\, n.
A person of wild behavior; an excitable, rash, violent
person. --Shak.
Madden \Mad"den\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maddened}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Maddening}.]
To make mad; to drive to madness; to craze; to excite
violently with passion; to make very angry; to enrage.
Madden \Mad"den\, v. i.
To become mad; to act as if mad.
They rave, recite, and madden round the land. --Pope.
Madder \Mad"der\, n. [OE. mader, AS. m[ae]dere; akin to Icel.
ma?ra.] (Bot.)
A plant of the {Rubia} ({R. tinctorum}). The root is much
used in dyeing red, and formerly was used in medicine. It is
cultivated in France and Holland. See {Rubiaceous}.
Note: Madder is sometimes used in forming pigments, as lakes,
etc., which receive their names from their colors; as.
madder yellow.
{Field madder}, an annual European weed ({Sherardia
arvensis}) resembling madder.
{Indian madder}, the East Indian {Rubia cordifolia}, used in
the East for dyeing; -- called also {munjeet}.
{Wild madder}, {Rubia peregrina} of Europe; also the {Galium
Mollugo}, a kind of bedstraw.
Madderwort \Mad"der*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A name proposed for any plant of the same natural order
(Rubiace[ae]) as the madder.
Madding \Mad"ding\, a.
Affected with madness; raging; furious. -- {Mad"ding*ly},
adv. [Archaic]
Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. --Gray.
The madding wheels Of brazen chariots raged. --Milton.
Maddish \Mad"dish\, a.
Somewhat mad. --Beau. & Fl.
Made \Made\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mad}, n.
Made \Made\,
imp. & p. p. of {Make}.
Made \Made\, a.
Artificially produced; pieced together; formed by filling in;
as, made ground; a made mast, in distinction from one
consisting of a single spar.
{Made up}.
(a) Complete; perfect. ``A made up villain.'' --Shak.
(b) Falsely devised; fabricated; as, a made up story.
(c) Artificial; as, a made up figure or complexion.
Madecass \Mad"e*cass\, Madecassee \Mad`e*cas"see\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Madagascar, or Madecassee; the
language of the natives of Madagascar. See {Malagasy}.
Madecassee \Mad`e*cas"see\, a.
Of or pertaining to Madagascar or its inhabitants.
Madefaction \Mad`e*fac"tion\, Madefication \Mad`e*fi*ca"tion\,
n. [L. madefacere to make wet; madere to be wet + facere to
make: cf. F. mad['e]faction.]
The act of madefying, or making wet; the state of that which
is made wet. [R.] --Bacon.
Madefy \Mad"e*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Madefied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Madefying}.] [Cf. F. mad['e]fier, L. madefacere. See
{Madefaction}.]
To make wet or moist. [R.]
Madegassy \Mad`e*gas"sy\, n. & a.
See {Madecassee}.
Madeira \Ma*dei"ra\, n. [Pg., the Island Madeira, properly,
wood, fr. L. materia stuff, wood. The island was so called
because well wooded. See {Matter}.]
A rich wine made on the Island of Madeira.
A cup of Madeira, and a cold capon's leg. --Shak.
{Madeira nut} (Bot.), the European walnut; the nut of the
{Juglans regia}.
Mademoiselle \Ma`de*moi`selle"\, n.; pl. {Mesdemoiselles}. [F.,
fr. ma my, f. of mon + demoiselle young lady. See {Damsel}.]
1. A French title of courtesy given to a girl or an unmarried
lady, equivalent to the English Miss. --Goldsmith.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A marine food fish ({Sci[ae]na chrysura}), of
the Southern United States; -- called also {yellowtail},
and {silver perch}.
Madge \Madge\, n. [Cf. OF. & Prov. F. machette.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The barn owl.
(b) The magpie.
Mad-headed \Mad"-head`ed\, a.
Wild; crack-brained.
Madhouse \Mad"house`\, n.
A house where insane persons are confined; an insane asylum;
a bedlam.
Madia \Ma"di*a\, n. [NL., fr. Sp. madi, fr. Chilian madi, the
native name.] (Bot.)
A genus of composite plants, of which one species ({Madia
sativa}) is cultivated for the oil yielded from its seeds by
pressure. This oil is sometimes used instead of olive oil for
the table.
Madid \Mad"id\, a. [L. madidus, fr. madere to be wet.]
Wet; moist; as, a madid eye. [R.] --Beaconsfield.
Madisterium \Mad`is*te"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Surg.)
An instrument to extract hairs.
Madjoun \Mad"joun\, n. [Hind., fr. Ar. ma'j?n.]
An intoxicating confection from the hemp plant; -- used by
the Turks and Hindoos. [Written also {majoun}.]
Madly \Mad"ly\, adv. [From {Mad}, a.]
In a mad manner; without reason or understanding; wildly.
Madman \Mad"man\, n.; pl. {Madmen}.
A man who is mad; lunatic; a crazy person.
When a man mistakes his thoughts for person and things,
he is mad. A madman is properly so defined.
--Coleridge.
Madnep \Mad"nep\, n. (Bot.)
The masterwort ({Peucedanum Ostruthium}).
Madness \Mad"ness\, n. [From {Mad}, a.]
1. The condition of being mad; insanity; lunacy.
2. Frenzy; ungovernable rage; extreme folly.
Syn: Insanity; distraction; derangement; craziness; lunacy;
mania; frenzy; franticness; rage; aberration;
alienation; monomania. See {Insanity}.
Madonna \Ma*don"na\, n. [It. madonna my lady. See {Dame},
{Donna}, and cf. {Madame}, {Monkey}.]
1. My lady; -- a term of address in Italian formerly used as
the equivalent of Madame, but for which Signora is now
substituted. Sometimes introduced into English. --Shak.
2. [pl. {Madonnas} (n[.a]z).] A picture of the Virgin Mary
(usually with the babe).
The Italian painters are noted for drawing the
Madonnas by their own wives or mistresses. --Rymer.
Madoqua \Ma"do*qua\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small Abyssinian antelope ({Neotragus Saltiana}), about the
size of a hare.
Madrague \Ma`drague"\, n. [R.]
A large fish pound used for the capture of the tunny in the
Mediterranean; also applied to the seines used for the same
purpose.
Madreperl \Ma"dre*perl\, n. [It. madreperla.]
Mother-of-pearl.
Madrepora \Mad`re*po"ra\, n. [NL. See {Madre?ore}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of reef corals abundant in tropical seas. It includes
than one hundred and fifty species, most of which are
elegantly branched. -- {Mad`re*po"ral}, a.
Madreporaria \Mad`re*po*ra"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Madrepore}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An extensive division of Anthozoa, including most of the
species that produce stony corals. See Illust. of {Anthozoa}.
-- {Mad`re*po*ra"ri*an}, a. & n.
Madrepore \Mad"re*pore\, n. [F. madrepore, perh. fr. madr['e]
spotted, fr. OF. madre, mazre, a kind of knotty wood with
brown spots, fr. OHG. masar a knot, grain, or vein in wood, a
speck, G. maser + pore (see {Pore}); or perh. F. madr['e]pore
is rather from It. madrepora, and this perh. fr. It. madre
mother (see {Mother}) + Gr. ? a soft stone.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any coral of the genus Madrepora; formerly, often applied to
any stony coral.
Madreporian \Mad`re*po"ri*an\, Madreporic \Mad`re*po"ric\, a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Resembling, or pertaining to, the genus Madrepora.
{Madreporic plate} (Zo["o]l.), a perforated plate in
echinoderms, through which water is admitted to the
ambulacral tubes; -- called also {madreporic tubercule}.
Madreporiform \Mad`re*po"ri*form\, a. [Madrepore + -form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Resembling a madreporian coral in form or structure.
Madreporite \Mad"re*po*rite\, n. [Cf. F. madr['e]porite]
1. (Paleon.) A fossil coral.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The madreporic plate of echinoderms.
Madrier \Ma*drier"\, n. [F., from Sp. madero, or Pg. madeiro,
fr. Sp. madera wood for building, timber, Pg. madeira, L.
materia stuff, materials, lumber. See {Matter}.]
A thick plank, used for several mechanical purposes;
especially:
(a) A plank to receive the mouth of a petard, with which it
is applied to anything intended to be broken down.
(b) A plank or beam used for supporting the earth in mines or
fortifications.
Madrigal \Mad"ri*gal\, n. [It. madrigale, OIt. madriale,
mandriale (cf. LL. matriale); of uncertain origin, possibly
fr. It mandra flock, L. mandra stall, herd of cattle, Gr. ?
fold, stable; hence, madrigal, originally, a pastoral song.]
1. A little amorous poem, sometimes called a {pastoral poem},
containing some tender and delicate, though simple,
thought.
Whose artful strains have oft delayed The huddling
brook to hear his madrigal. --Milton.
2. (Mus.) An unaccompanied polyphonic song, in four, five, or
more parts, set to secular words, but full of counterpoint
and imitation, and adhering to the old church modes.
Unlike the freer glee, it is best sung with several voices
on a part. See {Glee}.
Madrigaler \Mad"ri*gal*er\, n.
A madrigalist.
Madrigalist \Mad"ri*gal*ist\, n.
A composer of madrigals.
Madrilenian \Mad`ri*le"ni*an\, a. [Sp. Madrileno.]
Of or pertaining to Madrid in Spain, or to its inhabitants.
-- n. A native or inhabitant of Madrid.
Madrina \Ma*dri"na\, n. [Sp., prop., a godmother.]
An animal (usually an old mare), wearing a bell and acting as
the leader of a troop of pack mules. [S. America]
Madrona \Ma*dro"[~n]a\, n. [Sp. madro[~n]o.] (Bot.)
A small evergreen tree or shrub ({Arbutus Menziesii}), of
California, having a smooth bark, thick shining leaves, and
edible red berries, which are often called madro[~n]a apples.
[Written also {madro[~n]o}.]
Madwort \Mad"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of cruciferous plants ({Alyssum}) with white or
yellow flowers and rounded pods. {A. maritimum} is the
commonly cultivated sweet alyssum, a fragrant white-flowered
annual.
Maegbote \M[ae]g"bote`\, Magbote \Mag"bote`\, n. [AS. m[=ae]g
kinsman + b[=o]t compensation.] (Anglo-Saxon Law)
Compensation for the injury done by slaying a kinsman.
--Spelman.
Maelstrom \Mael"strom\, n. [Norw., a whirlpool.]
1. A celebrated whirlpool on the coast of Norway.
2. Also Fig.; as, a maelstrom of vice.
Maenad \M[ae]"nad\, n. [L. Maenas, -adis, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to
rave.]
1. A Bacchante; a priestess or votary of Bacchus.
2. A frantic or frenzied woman.
Maestoso \Ma`es*to"so\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Majestic or majestically; -- a direction to perform a passage
or piece of music in a dignified manner.
Maestricht monitor \Maes"tricht mon"i*tor\ [So called from
Maestricht, a town in Holland.] (Paleon.)
The {Mosasaurus Hofmanni}. See {Mosasaurus}.
Maestro \Ma*es"tro\, n. [It., fr. L. magister. See {Master}.]
A master in any art, especially in music; a composer.
Maffle \Maf"fle\, v. i. [Akin to OD. maffelen to stammer. Cf.
{Muffle} to mumble.]
To stammer. [Obs.]
Maffler \Maf"fler\, n.
A stammerer. [Obs.]
Magazine \Mag`a*zine"\, n. [F. magasin, It. magazzino, or Sp.
magacen, almagacen; all fr. Ar. makhzan, almakhzan, a
storehouse, granary, or cellar.]
1. A receptacle in which anything is stored, especially
military stores, as ammunition, arms, provisions, etc.
``Armories and magazines.'' --Milton.
2. The building or room in which the supply of powder is kept
in a fortification or a ship.
3. A chamber in a gun for holding a number of cartridges to
be fed automatically to the piece.
4. A pamphlet published periodically containing miscellaneous
papers or compositions.
{Magazine dress}, clothing made chiefly of woolen, without
anything metallic about it, to be worn in a powder
magazine.
{Magazine gun}, a portable firearm, as a rifle, with a
chamber carrying cartridges which are brought
automatically into position for firing.
{Magazine stove}, a stove having a chamber for holding fuel
which is supplied to the fire by some self-feeding
process, as in the common base-burner.
Magazine \Mag`a*zine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Magazined}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Magazining}.]
To store in, or as in, a magazine; to store up for use.
Magaziner \Mag`a*zin"er\, n.
One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.] --Goldsmith.
Magazining \Mag`a*zin"ing\, n.
The act of editing, or writing for, a magazine. [Colloq.]
--Byron.
Magazinist \Mag`a*zin"ist\, n.
One who edits or writes for a magazine. [R.]
Magbote \Mag"bote`\, n.
See {M[ae]gbote}.
Magdala \Mag"da*la\, a.
Designating an orange-red dyestuff obtained from
naphthylamine, and called magdala red, naphthalene red, etc.
Magdalen \Mag"da*len\, n. [From Mary Magdalene, traditionally
reported to have been the repentant sinner forgiven by
Christ. See Luke vii. 36.]
A reformed prostitute.
Magdaleon \Mag*da"le*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? crumb of bread, fr.
? to knead.] (Med.)
A medicine in the form of a roll, a esp. a roll of plaster.
Magdeburg \Mag"de*burg\, n.
A city of Saxony.
{Magdeburg centuries}, {Magdeburg hemispheres}. See under
{Century}, and {Hemisphere}.
Mage \Mage\, n. [F. mage. See {Magi}.]
A magician. [Archaic] --Spenser. Tennyson.
Magellanic \Mag`el*lan"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to, or named from, Magellan, the navigator.
{Magellenic clouds} (Astron.), three conspicuous nebul[ae]
near the south pole, resembling thin white clouds.
Magenta \Ma*gen"ta\, n. (Chem.)
An aniline dye obtained as an amorphous substance having a
green bronze surface color, which dissolves to a shade of
red; also, the color; -- so called from Magenta, in Italy, in
allusion to the battle fought there about the time the dye
was discovered. Called also {fuchsine}, {rose["i]ne}, etc.
Magged \Magged\, a. (Naut.)
Worn; fretted; as, a magged brace. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Maggiore \Mag`gio"re\, a. [It., from L. major, compar. of magnus
great. See {Major}.] (Mus.)
Greater, in respect to scales, intervals, etc., when used in
opposition to minor; major. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
Maggot \Mag"got\, n. [W. macai, pl. maceiod, magiod, a worn or
grub; cf. magu to bread.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The footless larva of any fly. See {Larval}.
2. A whim; an odd fancy. --Hudibras. Tennyson.
Maggotiness \Mag"got*i*ness\, n.
State of being maggoty.
Maggotish \Mag"got*ish\, a.
Full of whims or fancies; maggoty.
Maggot-pie \Mag"got-pie`\, n.
A magpie. [Obs.] --Shak.
Maggoty \Mag"got*y\, a.
1. Infested with maggots.
2. Full of whims; capricious. --Norris.
Maghet \Ma"ghet\, n. [Cf. Fl. maghet maid.] (Bot.)
A name for daisies and camomiles of several kinds.
Magi \Ma"gi\, n. pl. [L., pl. of Magus, Gr. ?; of Per. origin.
Cf. {Mage}, {Magic}.]
A caste of priests, philosophers, and magicians, among the
ancient Persians; hence, any holy men or sages of the East.
The inspired Magi from the Orient came. --Sandys.
Magian \Ma"gi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Magi.
Magian \Ma"gi*an\, n.
One of the Magi, or priests of the Zoroastrian religion in
Persia; an adherent of the Zoroastrian religion. --
{Ma"gi*an*ism}, n.
Magic \Mag"ic\, n. [OE. magique, L. magice, Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr.
?. See {Magic}, a., and {Magi}.]
A comprehensive name for all of the pretended arts which
claim to produce effects by the assistance of supernatural
beings, or departed spirits, or by a mastery of secret forces
in nature attained by a study of occult science, including
enchantment, conjuration, witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy,
incantation, etc.
An appearance made by some magic. --Chaucer.
{Celestial magic}, a supposed supernatural power which gave
to spirits a kind of dominion over the planets, and to the
planets an influence over men.
{Natural magic}, the art of employing the powers of nature to
produce effects apparently supernatural.
{Superstitious}, or {Geotic}, {magic}, the invocation of
devils or demons, involving the supposition of some tacit
or express agreement between them and human beings.
Syn: Sorcery; witchcraft; necromancy; conjuration;
enchantment.
Magic \Mag"ic\, Magical \Mag"ic*al\, a. [L. magicus, Gr. ?, fr.
?: cf. F. magique. See {Magi}.]
1. Pertaining to the hidden wisdom supposed to be possessed
by the Magi; relating to the occult powers of nature, and
the producing of effects by their agency.
2. Performed by, or proceeding from, occult and superhuman
agencies; done by, or seemingly done by, enchantment or
sorcery. Hence: Seemingly requiring more than human power;
imposing or startling in performance; producing effects
which seem supernatural or very extraordinary; having
extraordinary properties; as, a magic lantern; a magic
square or circle.
The painter's magic skill. --Cowper.
Note: Although with certain words magic is used more than
magical, -- as, magic circle, magic square, magic wand,
-- we may in general say magic or magical; as, a magic
or magical effect; a magic or magical influence, etc.
But when the adjective is predicative, magical, and not
magic, is used; as, the effect was magical.
{Magic circle}, a series of concentric circles containing the
numbers 12 to 75 in eight radii, and having somewhat
similar properties to the magic square.
{Magic humming bird} (Zo["o]l.), a Mexican humming bird
({Iache magica}), having white downy thing tufts.
{Magic lantern}. See {Lantern}.
{Magic square}, numbers so disposed in parallel and equal
rows in the form of a square, that each row, taken
vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall give the
same sum, the same product, or an harmonical series,
according as the numbers taken are in arithmetical,
geometrical, or harmonical progression.
{Magic wand}, a wand used by a magician in performing feats
of magic.
Magically \Mag"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a magical manner; by magic, or as if by magic.
Magician \Ma*gi"cian\, n. [F. magicien. See {Magic}, n.]
One skilled in magic; one who practices the black art; an
enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress; a
conjurer.
Magilp \Ma*gilp"\, Magilph \Ma*gilph"\, n. (Paint.)
See {Megilp}.
Magister \Ma*gis"ter\, n. [L. See {Master}.]
Master; sir; -- a title of the Middle Ages, given to a person
in authority, or to one having a license from a university to
teach philosophy and the liberal arts.
Magisterial \Mag`is*te"ri*al\, a. [L. magisterius magisterial.
See {Master}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a master or magistrate, or one in
authority; having the manner of a magister; official;
commanding; authoritative. Hence: Overbearing;
dictatorial; dogmatic.
When magisterial duties from his home Her father
called. --Glover.
We are not magisterial in opinions, nor,
dictator-like, obtrude our notions on any man. --Sir
T. Browne.
Pretenses go a great way with men that take fair
words and magisterial looks for current payment.
--L'Estrange.
2. (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Pertaining to, produced by, or of
the nature of, magistery. See {Magistery}, 2.
Syn: Authoritative; stately; august; pompous; dignified;
lofty; commanding; imperious; lordly; proud; haughty;
domineering; despotic; dogmatical; arrogant.
Usage: {Magisterial}, {Dogmatical}, {Arrogant}. One who is
magisterial assumes the air of a master toward his
pupils; one who is dogmatical lays down his positions
in a tone of authority or dictation; one who is
arrogant in sults others by an undue assumption of
superiority. Those who have long been teachers
sometimes acquire, unconsciously, a manner which
borders too much on the magisterial, and may be
unjustly construed as dogmatical, or even arrogant.
Magisteriality \Mag`is*te`ri*al"i*ty\, n.
Magisterialness; authoritativeness. [R.] --Fuller.
Magisterially \Mag`is*te"ri*al*ly\, adv.
In a magisterial manner.
Magisterialness \Mag`is*te"ri*al*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being magisterial.
Magistery \Mag"is*ter*y\, n. [L. magisterium the office of a
chief, president, director, tutor. See {Magistrate}.]
1. Mastery; powerful medical influence; renowned efficacy; a
sovereign remedy. [Obs.] --Holland.
2. A magisterial injunction. [R.] --Brougham.
3. (Chem.) A precipitate; a fine substance deposited by
precipitation; -- applied in old chemistry to certain
white precipitates from metallic solutions; as, magistery
of bismuth. --Ure.
Magistracy \Mag"is*tra*cy\, n.; pl. {Magistracies}. [From
{Magistrate}.]
1. The office or dignity of a magistrate. --Blackstone.
2. The collective body of magistrates.
Magistral \Mag"is*tral\, a. [L. magistralis: cf. F. magistral.
See {Magistrate}.]
1. Pertaining to a master; magisterial; authoritative;
dogmatic.
2. Commanded or prescribed by a magister, esp. by a doctor;
hence, effectual; sovereign; as, a magistral sirup. ``Some
magistral opiate.'' --Bacon.
3. (Pharmacy) Formulated extemporaneously, or for a special
case; -- opposed to {officinal}, and said of prescriptions
and medicines. --Dunglison.
{Magistral line} (Fort.), the guiding line, or outline, or
outline, by which the form of the work is determined. It
is usually the crest line of the parapet in fieldworks, or
the top line of the escarp in permanent fortifications.
Magistral \Mag"is*tral\, n.
1. (Med.) A sovereign medicine or remedy. [Obs.] --Burton.
2. (Fort.) A magistral line.
3. (Metal.) Powdered copper pyrites used in the amalgamation
of ores of silver, as at the Spanish mines of Mexico and
South America.
Magistrality \Mag`is*tral"i*ty\, n.; pl. {-ties}.
Magisterialness; arbitrary dogmatism. --Bacon.
Magistrally \Mag"is*tral*ly\, adv.
In a magistral manner. --Abp. Bramhall.
Magistrate \Mag"is*trate\, n. [L. magistratus, fr. magister
master: cf. F. magistrat. See {Master}.]
A person clothed with power as a public civil officer; a
public civil officer invested with the executive government,
or some branch of it. ``All Christian rulers and
magistrates.'' --Book of Com. Prayer.
Of magistrates some also are supreme, in whom the
sovereign power of the state resides; others are
subordinate. --Blackstone.
Magistratic \Mag`is*trat"ic\, Magistratical \Mag`is*trat"ic*al\,
a.
Of, pertaining to, or proceeding from, a magistrate; having
the authority of a magistrate. --Jer. Taylor.
Magistrature \Mag"is*tra`ture\, n. [Cf. F. magistrature.]
Magistracy. [Obs.]
Magma \Mag"ma\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to squeeze, knead.]
1. Any crude mixture of mineral or organic matters in the
state of a thin paste. --Ure.
2. (Med.)
(a) A thick residuum obtained from certain substances
after the fluid parts are expressed from them; the
grounds which remain after treating a substance with
any menstruum, as water or alcohol.
(b) A salve or confection of thick consistency.
--Dunglison.
3. (Geol.)
(a) The molten matter within the earth, the source of the
material of lava flows, dikes of eruptive rocks, etc.
(b) The glassy base of an eruptive rock.
4. (Chem.) The amorphous or homogenous matrix or ground mass,
as distinguished from well-defined crystals; as, the magma
of porphyry.
Magna Charta \Mag"na Char"ta\ [L., great charter.]
1. The great Charter, so called, obtained by the English
barons from King John, A. D. 1215. This name is also given
to the charter granted to the people of England in the
ninth year of Henry III., and confirmed by Edward I.
2. Hence, a fundamental constitution which guaranties rights
and privileges.
Magnality \Mag*nal"i*ty\, n. [L. magnalis mighty, fr. magnus
great.]
A great act or event; a great attainment. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Magnanimity \Mag`na*nim"i*ty\, n. [F. magnanimit['e], L.
magnanimitas.]
The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind;
elevation or dignity of soul; that quality or combination of
qualities, in character, which enables one to encounter
danger and trouble with tranquility and firmness, to disdain
injustice, meanness and revenge, and to act and sacrifice for
noble objects.
Magnanimous \Mag*nan"i*mous\, a.[L. magnanimus; magnus great +
animus mind. See {Magnate}, and {Animus}.]
1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised
above what is low, mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and
courageous spirit; as, a magnanimous character; a
magnanimous conqueror.
Be magnanimous in the enterprise. --Shak.
To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and
nobler done, and to law down Far more magnanimousan
to assume. --Milton.
2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of soul; honorable;
noble; not selfish.
Both strived for death; magnanimous debate.
--Stirling.
There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous
policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity
and felicity. --Washington.
Magnanimously \Mag*nan"i*mous*ly\, adv.
In a magnanimous manner; with greatness of mind.
Magnase black \Mag"nase black`\ (Paint.)
A black pigment which dries rapidly when mixed with oil, and
is of intense body. --Fairholt.
Magnate \Mag"nate\, [F. magnat, L. (pl.) magnates, magnati, fr.
magnus great. See {Master}.]
1. A person of rank; a noble or grandee; a person of
influence or distinction in any sphere.
--Macaulay.
2. One of the nobility, or certain high officers of state
belonging to the noble estate in the national
representation of Hungary, and formerly of Poland.
Magnes \Mag"nes\, n. [L.]
Magnet. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Magnesia \Mag*ne"si*a\ (?; 277), n. [L. Magnesia, fem. of
Magnesius of the country Magnesia, Gr. ? ? ? a magnet. Cf.
{Magnet}.] (Chem.)
A light earthy white substance, consisting of magnesium
oxide, and obtained by heating magnesium hydrate or
carbonate, or by burning magnesium. It has a slightly
alkaline reaction, and is used in medicine as a mild antacid
laxative. See {Magnesium}.
{Magnesia alba} [L.] (Med. Chem.), a bulky white amorphous
substance, consisting of a hydrous basic carbonate of
magnesium, and used as a mild cathartic.
Magnesian \Mag*ne"sian\, a.
Pertaining to, characterized by, or containing, magnesia or
magnesium.
{Magnesian limestone}. (Min.) See {Dolomite}.
Magnesic \Mag*ne"sic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, magnesium; as, magnesic oxide.
Magnesite \Mag"ne*site\, n. [Cf. F. magn['e]site.] (Min.)
Native magnesium carbonate occurring in white compact or
granular masses, and also in rhombohedral crystals.
Magnesium \Mag*ne"si*um\, n. [NL. & F. See {Magnesia}.] (Chem.)
A light silver-white metallic element, malleable and ductile,
quite permanent in dry air but tarnishing in moist air. It
burns, forming (the oxide) magnesia, with the production of a
blinding light (the so-called magnesium light) which is used
in signaling, in pyrotechny, or in photography where a strong
actinic illuminant is required. Its compounds occur
abundantly, as in dolomite, talc, meerschaum, etc. Symbol Mg.
Atomic weight, 24.4. Specific gravity, 1.75.
{Magnesium sulphate}. (Chem.) Same as {Epsom salts}.
Magnet \Mag"net\, n. [OE. magnete, OF. magnete, L. magnes,
-etis, Gr. ? ? a magnet, metal that looked like silver,
prop., Magnesian stone, fr. Gr. ?, a country in Thessaly. Cf.
{Magnesia}, {Manganese}.]
1. The loadstone; a species of iron ore (the ferrosoferric or
magnetic ore, {Fe3O4}) which has the property of
attracting iron and some of its ores, and, when freely
suspended, of pointing to the poles; -- called also
{natural magnet}.
Dinocrates began to make the arched roof of the
temple of Arsino["e] all of magnet, or this
loadstone. --Holland.
Two magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The
larger loadstone that, the nearer this. --Dryden.
2. (Physics) A bar or mass of steel or iron to which the
peculiar properties of the loadstone have been imparted;
-- called, in distinction from the loadstone, an
{artificial magnet}.
Note: An artificial magnet, produced by the action of a
voltaic or electrical battery, is called an
{electro-magnet}.
{Field magnet} (Physics & Elec.), a magnet used for producing
and maintaining a magnetic field; -- used especially of
the stationary or exciting magnet of a dynamo or
electromotor in distinction from that of the moving
portion or armature.
Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, Magnetical \Mag*net"ic*al\, a. [L.
magneticus: cf. F. magn['e]tique.]
1. Pertaining to the magnet; possessing the properties of the
magnet, or corresponding properties; as, a magnetic bar of
iron; a magnetic needle.
2. Of or pertaining to, or characterized by, the earth's
magnetism; as, the magnetic north; the magnetic meridian.
3. Capable of becoming a magnet; susceptible to magnetism;
as, the magnetic metals.
4. Endowed with extraordinary personal power to excite the
feelings and to win the affections; attractive; inducing
attachment.
She that had all magnetic force alone. --Donne.
5. Having, susceptible to, or induced by, animal magnetism,
so called; as, a magnetic sleep. See {Magnetism}.
{Magnetic amplitude}, {attraction}, {dip}, {induction}, etc.
See under {Amplitude}, {Attraction}, etc.
{Magnetic battery}, a combination of bar or horseshoe magnets
with the like poles adjacent, so as to act together with
great power.
{Magnetic compensator}, a contrivance connected with a ship's
compass for compensating or neutralizing the effect of the
iron of the ship upon the needle.
{Magnetic curves}, curves indicating lines of magnetic force,
as in the arrangement of iron filings between the poles of
a powerful magnet.
{Magnetic elements}.
(a) (Chem. Physics) Those elements, as iron, nickel,
cobalt, chromium, manganese, etc., which are capable
or becoming magnetic.
(b) (Physics) In respect to terrestrial magnetism, the
declination, inclination, and intensity.
(c) See under {Element}.
{Magnetic equator}, the line around the equatorial parts of
the earth at which there is no dip, the dipping needle
being horizontal.
{Magnetic field}, or {Field of magnetic force}, any space
through which magnet exerts its influence.
{Magnetic fluid}, the hypothetical fluid whose existence was
formerly assumed in the explanations of the phenomena of
magnetism.
{Magnetic iron}, or {Magnetic iron ore}. (Min.) Same as
{Magnetite}.
{Magnetic needle}, a slender bar of steel, magnetized and
suspended at its center on a sharp-pointed pivot, or by a
delicate fiber, so that it may take freely the direction
of the magnetic meridian. It constitutes the essential
part of a compass, such as the mariner's and the
surveyor's.
{Magnetic poles}, the two points in the opposite polar
regions of the earth at which the direction of the dipping
needle is vertical.
{Magnetic pyrites}. See {Pyrrhotite}.
{Magnetic storm} (Terrestrial Physics), a disturbance of the
earth's magnetic force characterized by great and sudden
changes.
{Magnetic telegraph}, a telegraph acting by means of a
magnet. See {Telegraph}.
Magnetic \Mag*net"ic\, n.
1. A magnet. [Obs.]
As the magnetic hardest iron draws. --Milton.
2. Any metal, as iron, nickel, cobalt, etc., which may
receive, by any means, the properties of the loadstone,
and which then, when suspended, fixes itself in the
direction of a magnetic meridian.
Magnetically \Mag*net"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By or as by, magnetism.
Magneticalness \Mag*net"ic*al*ness\, n.
Quality of being magnetic.
Magnetician \Mag`ne*ti"cian\, n.
One versed in the science of magnetism; a magnetist.
Maneticness \Ma*net"ic*ness\, n.
Magneticalness. [Obs.]
Magnetics \Mag*net"ics\, n.
The science of magnetism.
Magnetiferous \Mag`net*if"er*ous\, a. [L. magnes, -etis +
-ferous.]
Producing or conducting magnetism.
Magnetism \Mag"net*ism\, n. [Cf. F. magn['e]tisme.]
The property, quality, or state, of being magnetic; the
manifestation of the force in nature which is seen in a
magnet.
2. The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.
3. Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to
gain the affections. ``By the magnetism of interest our
affections are irresistibly attracted.'' --Glanvill.
{Animal magnetism}, a force, more or less analogous to
magnetism, which, it has been alleged, is produced in
animal tissues, and passes from one body to another with
or without actual contact. The existence of such a force,
and its potentiality for the cure of disease, were
asserted by Mesmer in 1775. His theories and methods were
afterwards called mesmerism, a name which has been
popularly applied to theories and claims not put forward
by Mesmer himself. See {Mesmerism}, {Biology}, {Od},
{Hypnotism}.
{Terrestrial magnetism}, the magnetic force exerted by the
earth, and recognized by its effect upon magnetized
needles and bars.
Magnetist \Mag"net*ist\, n.
One versed in magnetism.
Magnetite \Mag"net*ite\, n. (Min.)
An oxide of iron ({Fe3O4}) occurring in isometric crystals,
also massive, of a black color and metallic luster. It is
readily attracted by a magnet and sometimes possesses
polarity, being then called {loadstone}. It is an important
iron ore. Called also {magnetic iron}.
Magnetizable \Mag"net*i`za*ble\, a.
Capable of magnetized.
Magnetization \Mag`net*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of magnetizing, or the state of being magnetized.
Magnetize \Mag"net*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Magnetized}; prep.
& adv. {Magnetizing}.] [Cf. F. magn['e]tiser.]
1. To communicate magnetic properties to; as, to magnetize a
needle.
2. To attract as a magnet attracts, or like a magnet; to
move; to influence.
Fascinated, magnetized, as it were, by his
character. --Motley.
3. To bring under the influence of animal magnetism.
Magnetizee \Mag`net*i*zee"\, n.
A person subjected to the influence of animal magnetism. [R.]
Magnetizer \Mag"net*i`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, imparts magnetism.
Magneto- \Mag"net*o-\ [See {Magnet}.]
A prefix meaning pertaining to, produced by, or in some way
connected with, magnetism.
Magneto-electric \Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric\, Magneto-electrical
\Mag`net*o-e*lec"tric*al\, a. (Physics)
Pertaining to, or characterized by, electricity by the action
of magnets; as, magneto-electric induction.
{Magneto-electric machine}, a form of dynamo-electric machine
in which the field is maintained by permanent steel
magnets instead of electro-magnets.
Magneto-electricity \Mag`net*o-e`lec*tric"i*ty\, n.
1. Electricity evolved by the action of magnets.
2. (Physics) That branch of science which treats of the
development of electricity by the action of magnets; --
the counterpart of electro-magnetism.
Magnetograph \Mag*net"o*graph\, n. [Magneto- + -graph.]
(Physics)
An automatic instrument for registering, by photography or
otherwise, the states and variations of any of the
terrestrial magnetic elements.
Magnetometer \Mag`net*om"e*ter\, n. [Magneto- + -meter: cf. F.
magn['e]tom[`e]tre.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the intensity of magnetic forces;
also, less frequently, an instrument for determining any of
the terrestrial magnetic elements, as the dip and
declination.
Magnetometric \Mag`net*o*met"ric\, a.
Pertaining to, or employed in, the measurement of magnetic
forces; obtained by means of a magnetometer; as,
magnetometric instruments; magnetometric measurements.
Magnetomotor \Mag`net*o*mo"tor\, n.
A voltaic series of two or more large plates, producing a
great quantity of electricity of low tension, and hence
adapted to the exhibition of electro-magnetic phenomena. [R.]
Magnetotherapy \Mag`net*o*ther"a*py\, n. (Med.)
The treatment of disease by the application of magnets to the
surface of the body.
Magnifiable \Mag"ni*fi`a*ble\, a. [From {Magnify}.]
Such as can be magnified, or extolled.
Magnific \Mag*nif"ic\, Magnifical \Mag*nif"ic*al\, a. [L.
magnificus; magnus great + facere to make: cf. F. magnifique.
See {Magnitude}, {Fact}. and cf. {Magnificent}.]
Grand; splendid; illustrious; magnificent. [Obs.] --1 Chron.
xxii. 5. ``Thy magnific deeds.'' --Milton. --
{Mag*nif"ic*al*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Magnificat \Mag*nif"i*cat\, n. [L., it magnifies.]
The song of the Virgin Mary, --Luke i. 46; -- so called
because it commences with this word in the Vulgate.
Magnificate \Mag*nif"i*cate\, v. t. [L. magnificatus, p. p. of
magnificare.]
To magnify or extol. [Obs.] --Marston.
Magnification \Mag`ni*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act of magnifying; enlargement; exaggeration. [R.]
Magnificence \Mag*nif"i*cence\, n. [F. magnificence, L.
magnificentia. See {Magnific}.]
The act of doing what magnificent; the state or quality of
being magnificent. --Acts xix. 27. ``Then cometh
magnificence.'' --Chaucer.
And, for the heaven's wide circuit, let it speak The
Maker's high magnificence, who built so spacious.
--Milton.
The noblest monuments of Roman magnificence. --Eustace.
Magnificent \Mag*nif"i*cent\, a. [See {Magnificence}.]
1. Doing grand things; admirable in action; displaying great
power or opulence, especially in building, way of living,
and munificence.
A prince is never so magnificent As when he's
sparing to enrich a few With the injuries of many.
--Massinger.
2. Grand in appearance; exhibiting grandeur or splendor;
splendid' pompous.
When Rome's exalted beauties I descry Magnificent in
piles of ruin lie. --Addison.
Syn: Glorious; majestic; sublime. See {Grand}.
Magnificently \Mag*nif"i*cent*ly\, adv.
In a Magnificent manner.
Magnifico \Mag*nif"i*co\, n.; pl. {Magnificoes}. [It. See
{Magnific}.]
1. A grandee or nobleman of Venice; -- so called in courtesy.
--Shak.
2. A rector of a German university.
Magnifier \Mag"ni*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, magnifies.
Magnify \Mag"ni*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Magnified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Magnifying}.] [OE. magnifien, F. magnifier, L.
magnificare. See {Magnific}.]
1. To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of;
to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance;
as, the microscope magnifies the object by a thousand
diameters.
The least error in a small quantity . . . will in a
great one . . . be proportionately magnified.
--Grew.
2. To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or
respect in which one is held.
On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight
of all Israel. --Joshua iv.
14.
3. To praise highly; to land; to extol. [Archaic]
O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his
name together. --Ps. xxxiv.
3.
4. To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty.
{To magnify one's self} (Script.), to exhibit pride and
haughtiness; to boast.
{To magnify one's self against} (Script.), to oppose with
pride.
Magnify \Mag"ni*fy\, v. i.
1. To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than
they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of
objects; as, some lenses magnify but little.
2. To have effect; to be of importance or significance. [Cant
& Obs.] --Spectator.
{Magnifying glass}, a lens which magnifies the apparent
dimensions of objects seen through it.
Magniloquence \Mag*nil"o*quence\, n. [L. magniloquentia.]
The quality of being magniloquent; pompous discourse;
grandiloquence.
Magniloquent \Mag*nil"o*quent\, a. [L. magnus great + loquens,
-entis, p. pr. of loqui to speak. See {Magnitude},
{Loquacious}.]
Speaking pompously; using swelling discourse; bombastic;
tumid in style; grandiloquent. -- {Mag*nil"o*quent*ly}, adv.
Magniloquous \Mag*nil"o*quous\, a. [L. magniloquus.]
Magniloquent. [Obs.]
Magnitude \Mag"ni*tude\, n. [L. magnitudo, from magnus great.
See {Master}, and cf. {Maxim}.]
1. Extent of dimensions; size; -- applied to things that have
length, breath, and thickness.
Conceive those particles of bodies to be so disposed
amongst themselves, that the intervals of empty
spaces between them may be equal in magnitude to
them all. --Sir I.
Newton.
2. (Geom.) That which has one or more of the three
dimensions, length, breadth, and thickness.
3. Anything of which greater or less can be predicated, as
time, weight, force, and the like.
4. Greatness; grandeur. ``With plain, heroic magnitude of
mind.'' --Milton.
5. Greatness, in reference to influence or effect;
importance; as, an affair of magnitude.
The magnitude of his designs. --Bp. Horsley.
{Apparent magnitude} (Opt.), the angular breadth of an object
viewed as measured by the angle which it subtends at the
eye of the observer; -- called also {apparent diameter}.
{Magnitude of a star} (Astron.), the rank of a star with
respect to brightness. About twenty very bright stars are
said to be of first magnitude, the stars of the sixth
magnitude being just visible to the naked eye. Telescopic
stars are classified down to the twelfth magnitude or
lower. The scale of the magnitudes is quite arbitrary, but
by means of photometers, the classification has been made
to tenths of a magnitude.
Magnolia \Mag*no"li*a\, n. [NL. Named after Pierre Magnol,
professor of botany at Montpellier, France, in the 17th
century.] (Bot.)
A genus of American and Asiatic trees, with aromatic bark and
large sweet-scented whitish or reddish flowers.
Note: {Magnolia grandiflora} has coriaceous shining leaves
and very fragrant blossoms. It is common from North
Carolina to Florida and Texas, and is one of the most
magnificent trees of the American forest. The sweet bay
({M. glauca})is a small tree found sparingly as far
north as Cape Ann. Other American species are {M.
Umbrella}, {M. macrophylla}, {M. Fraseri}, {M.
acuminata}, and {M. cordata}. {M. conspicua} and {M.
purpurea} are cultivated shrubs or trees from Eastern
Asia. {M. Campbellii}, of India, has rose-colored or
crimson flowers.
{Magnolia warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful North American
wood warbler ({Dendroica maculosa}). The rump and under
parts are bright yellow; the breast and belly are spotted
with black; the under tail coverts are white; the crown is
ash.
Magnoliaceous \Mag*no`li*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order ({Magnoliace[ae]}) of trees of
which the magnolia, the tulip tree, and the star anise are
examples.
Magnum \Mag"num\, n. [Neut. sing. of L. magnus great.]
1. A large wine bottle.
They passed the magnum to one another freely. --Sir
W. Scott.
2. (Anat.) A bone of the carpus at the base of the third
metacarpal bone.
Magot \Mag"ot\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Barbary ape.
Magot-pie \Mag"ot-pie`\, n.
A magpie. [Obs.] --Shak.
Magpie \Mag"pie\, n. [OE. & Prov. E. magot pie, maggoty pie, fr.
Mag, Maggot, equiv. to Margaret, and fr. F. Marquerite, and
common name of the magpie. Marguerite is fr. L. margarita
pearl, Gr. ?, prob. of Eastern origin. See {Pie} magpie, and
cf. the analogous names {Tomtit}, and {Jackdaw}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of the genus {Pica} and related
genera, allied to the jays, but having a long graduated tail.
Note: The common European magpie ({Pica pica}, or {P.
caudata}) is a black and white noisy and mischievous
bird. It can be taught to speak. The American magpie
({P. Hudsonica}) is very similar. The yellow-belled
magpie ({P. Nuttalli}) inhabits California. The blue
magpie ({Cyanopolius Cooki}) inhabits Spain. Other
allied species are found in Asia. The Tasmanian and
Australian magpies are crow shrikes, as the white
magpie ({Gymnorhina organicum}), the black magpie
({Strepera fuliginosa}), and the Australian magpie
({Cracticus picatus}).
{Magpie lark} (Zo["o]l.), a common Australian bird ({Grallina
picata}), conspicuously marked with black and white; --
called also {little magpie}.
{Magpie moth} (Zo["o]l.), a black and white European
geometrid moth ({Abraxas grossulariata}); the harlequin
moth. Its larva feeds on currant and gooseberry bushes.
Maguari \Ma`gua*ri"\, n. [From native name: cf. Pg. magoari.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A South American stork ({Euxenara maguari}), having a forked
tail.
Maguey \Mag"uey\, n. [Sp. maguey, Mexican maguei and metl.]
(Bot.)
The century plant, a species of {Agave} ({A. Americana}). See
{Agave}.
Magyar \Mag"yar\, n. [Hung.]
1. (Ethnol.) One of the dominant people of Hungary, allied to
the Finns; a Hungarian.
2. The language of the Magyars.
Maha \Ma"ha\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of baboon; the wanderoo.
Mahabarata \Ma*ha*ba"ra*ta\, Mahabharatam \Ma*ha*bha"ra*tam\, n.
[Skr. mah[=a]bh[=a]rata.]
A celebrated epic poem of the Hindoos. It is of great length,
and is chiefly devoted to the history of a civil war between
two dynasties of ancient India.
Mahaled \Ma*ha"led\, n.[Ar. mahled.] (Bot.)
A cherry tree ({Prunus Mahaleb}) of Southern Europe. The wood
is prized by cabinetmakers, the twigs are used for pipe
stems, the flowers and leaves yield a perfume, and from the
fruit a violet dye and a fermented liquor (like kirschwasser)
are prepared.
Maharajah \Ma*ha*ra"jah\, n. [Skr. mah[=a]r[=a]ja; mahat great +
r[=a]ja king.]
A sovereign prince in India; -- a title given also to other
persons of high rank.
Maharif \Ma`ha*rif"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An African antelope ({Hippotragus Bakeri}). Its face is
striped with black and white.
Maharmah \Ma*har"mah\, n.
A muslin wrapper for the head and the lower part of the face,
worn by Turkish and Armenian women when they go abroad.
Mahdi \Mah"di\, n. [Ar., guide, leader.]
Among Mohammedans, the last imam or leader of the faithful.
The Sunni, the largest sect of the Mohammedans, believe that
he is yet to appear.
Note: The title has been taken by several persons in
countries where Mohammedanism prevails, -- notably by
Mohammad Ahmed, who overran the Egyptian Sudan, and in
1885 captured Khartum, his soldiers killing General
Gordon, an Englishman, who was then the Egyptian
governor of the region.
Mahl-stick \Mahl"-stick`\, n.
See {Maul-stick}.
Mahoe \Ma"hoe\, n. (Bot.)
A name given to several malvaceous trees (species of
{Hibiscus}, {Ochroma}, etc.), and to their strong fibrous
inner bark, which is used for strings and cordage.
Mahogany \Ma*hog"a*ny\, n. [From the South American name.]
1. (Bot.) A large tree of the genus {Swietenia} ({S.
Mahogoni}), found in tropical America.
Note: Several other trees, with wood more or less like
mahogany, are called by this name; as, African mahogany
({Khaya Senegalensis}), Australian mahogany
({Eucalyptus marginatus}), Bastard mahogany ({Batonia
apetala} of the West Indies), Indian mahogany ({Cedrela
Toona} of Bengal, and trees of the genera {Soymida} and
{Chukrassia}), Madeira mahogany ({Persea Indica}),
Mountain mahogany, the black or cherry birch ({Betula
lenta}), also the several species of {Cercocarpus} of
California and the Rocky Mountains.
2. The wood of the {Swietenia Mahogoni}. It is of a reddish
brown color, beautifully veined, very hard, and
susceptible of a fine polish. It is used in the
manufacture of furniture.
3. A table made of mahogany wood. [Colloq.]
{To be under the mahogany}, to be so drunk as to have fallen
under the table. [Eng.]
{To put one's legs under some one's mahogany}, to dine with
him. [Slang]
Maholi \Ma*ho"li\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South African lemur ({Galago maholi}), having very large
ears. [Written also {moholi}.]
Mahomedan \Ma*hom"ed*an\, Mahometan \Ma*hom"et*an\, n.
See {Mohammedan}.
Mahometanism \Ma*hom"et*an*ism\, n.
See {Mohammedanism}.
Mahometanize \Ma*hom"et*an*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Mahometanized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mahometanizing}.]
To convert to the religion of Mohammed; to Mohammedanize.
Mahometism \Ma*hom"et*ism\, n.
See {Mohammedanism}.
Mahometist \Ma*hom"et*ist\, n.
A Mohammedan. [R.]
Mahometry \Ma*hom"et*ry\, n.
Mohammedanism. [Obs.]
Mahone \Ma*hone"\, n.
A large Turkish ship. --Crabb.
Mahonia \Ma*ho"ni*a\, n. [Named after Bernard McMahon.] (Bot.)
The Oregon grape, a species of barberry ({Berberis
Aquifolium}), often cultivated for its hollylike foliage.
Mahon stock \Ma*hon" stock`\ (Bot.)
An annual cruciferous plant with reddish purple or white
flowers ({Malcolmia maritima}). It is called in England
{Virginia stock}, but the plant comes from the Mediterranean.
Mahoohoo \Ma*hoo"hoo\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The African white two-horned rhinoceros ({Atelodus simus}).
Mahori \Ma"ho*ri\, n. [Native name. Cf. {Maori}.] (Ethnol.)
One of the dark race inhabiting principally the islands of
Eastern Polynesia. Also used adjectively.
Mahound \Ma`hound\, n.
A contemptuous name for Mohammed; hence, an evil spirit; a
devil. [Obs.]
Who's this, my mahound cousin ? --Beau. & Fl.
Mahout \Ma*hout"\, n. [Hind. mah[=a]wat, Skr. mah[=a]m[=a]tra;
mahat great + m[=a]tr[=a] measure.]
The keeper and driver of an elephant. [East Indies]
Mahovo \Ma*ho"vo\, n. (Mach.)
A device for saving power in stopping and starting a railroad
car, by means of a heavy fly wheel.
Mahrati \Mah*rat"i\, n.
The language of the Mahrattas; the language spoken in the
Deccan and Concan. [Written also {Marathi}.]
Mahratta \Mah*rat"ta\, n. [Hind. Marhat[=a], Marh[=a]tt[=a], the
name of a famous Hindoo race, from the old Skr. name
Mah[=a]-r[=a]shtra.]
One of a numerous people inhabiting the southwestern part of
India. Also, the language of the Mahrattas; Mahrati. It is
closely allied to Sanskrit. -- a. Of or pertaining to the
Mahrattas. [Written also {Maratha}.]
Mahumetan \Ma*hu"met*an\, Mahumetanism \Ma*hu"met*an*ism\, n.
See {Mohammedan}, {Mohammedanism}.
Mahwa tree \Mah"wa tree`\ (Bot.)
An East Indian sapotaceous tree ({Bassia latifolia}, and also
{B. butyracea}), whose timber is used for wagon wheels, and
the flowers for food and in preparing an intoxicating drink.
It is one of the butter trees. The oil, known as mahwa and
yallah, is obtained from the kernels of the fruit.
Maia \Ma"i*a\, n. [From L. Maia, a goddess.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A genus of spider crabs, including the common European
species ({Maia squinado}).
(b) A beautiful American bombycid moth ({Eucronia maia}).
Maian \Ma"ian\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any spider crab of the genus Maia, or family {Maiad[ae]}.
Maid \Maid\, n. [Shortened from maiden. ?. See {Maiden}.]
1. An unmarried woman; usually, a young unmarried woman;
esp., a girl; a virgin; a maiden.
Would I had died a maid, And never seen thee, never
borne thee son. --Shak.
Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her
attire? Yet my people have forgotten me. --Jer. ii.
32.
2. A man who has not had sexual intercourse. [Obs.]
Christ was a maid and shapen as a man. --Chaucer.
3. A female servant.
Spinning amongst her maids. --Shak.
Note: Maid is used either adjectively or in composition,
signifying female, as in maid child, maidservant.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The female of a ray or skate, esp. of the gray
skate ({Raia batis}), and of the thornback ({R. clavata}).
[Prov. Eng.]
{Fair maid}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Fair}, a.
{Maid of honor}, a female attendant of a queen or royal
princess; -- usually of noble family, and having to
perform only nominal or honorary duties.
{Old maid}. See under {Old}.
Maiden \Maid"en\, n. [OE. maiden, meiden, AS. m[ae]gden, dim. of
AS. m[ae]g?, fr. mago son, servant; akin to G. magd,
m["a]dchen, maid, OHG. magad, Icel. m["o]gr son, Goth. magus
boy, child, magaps virgin, and perh. to Zend. magu youth. Cf.
{Maid} a virgin.]
1. An unmarried woman; a girl or woman who has not
experienced sexual intercourse; a virgin; a maid.
She employed the residue of her life to repairing of
highways, building of bridges, and endowing of
maidens. --Carew.
A maiden of our century, yet most meek. --Tennyson.
2. A female servant. [Obs.]
3. An instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in
Scotland for beheading criminals. --Wharton.
4. A machine for washing linen.
Maiden \Maid"en\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maidens; suitable to,
or characteristic of, a virgin; as, maiden innocence.
``Amid the maiden throng.'' --Addison.
Have you no modesty, no maiden shame ? --Shak.
2. Never having been married; not having had sexual
intercourse; virgin; -- said usually of the woman, but
sometimes of the man; as, a maiden aunt. ``A surprising
old maiden lady.'' --Thackeray.
3. Fresh; innocent; unpolluted; pure; hitherto unused.
``Maiden flowers.'' --Shak.
Full bravely hast thou fleshed Thy maiden sword.
--Shak.
4. Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been
captured, or violated. -- T. Warton. Macaulay.
{Maiden assize} (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no
criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with
blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to
present the judge with a pair of white gloves. --Smart.
{Maiden name}, the surname of a woman before her marriage.
{Maiden pink}. (Bot.) See under {Pink}.
{Maiden plum} (Bot.), a West Indian tree ({Comocladia
integrifolia}) with purplish drupes. The sap of the tree
is glutinous, and gives a persistent black stain.
{Maiden speech}, the first speech made by a person, esp. by a
new member in a public body.
{Maiden tower}, the tower most capable of resisting an enemy.
Maiden \Maid"en\, v. t.
To act coyly like a maiden; -- with it as an indefinite
object.
For had I maiden'd it, as many use. Loath for to grant,
but loather to refuse. --Bp. Hall.
Maidenhair \Maid"en*hair`\, n. (Bot.)
A fern of the genus {Adiantum} ({A. pedatum}), having very
slender graceful stalks. It is common in the United States,
and is sometimes used in medicine. The name is also applied
to other species of the same genus, as to the Venus-hair.
{Maiden grass}, the smaller quaking grass.
{Maiden tree}. See {Ginkgo}.
Maidenhead \Maid"en*head\, n. [See {Maidenhood}.]
1. The state of being a maiden; maidenhood; virginity.
--Shak.
2. The state of being unused or uncontaminated; freshness;
purity. [Obs.]
The maidenhead of their credit. --Sir H.
Wotton.
3. The hymen, or virginal membrane.
Maidenhood \Maid"en*hood\, n. [AS. m[ae]gdenh[=a]d. See {Maid},
and {-hood}.]
1. The state of being a maid or a virgin; virginity. --Shak.
2. Newness; freshness; uncontaminated state.
The maidenhood Of thy fight. --Shak.
Maidenlike \Maid"en*like`\, a.
Like a maiden; modest; coy.
Maidenliness \Maid"en*li*ness\, n.
The quality of being maidenly; the behavior that becomes a
maid; modesty; gentleness.
Maidenly \Maid"en*ly\, a.
Like a maid; suiting a maid; maiden-like; gentle, modest,
reserved.
Must you be blushing ? . . . What a maidenly
man-at-arms are you become ! --Shak.
Maidenly \Maid"en*ly\, adv.
In a maidenlike manner. ``Maidenly demure.'' --Skelton.
Maidenship \Maid"en*ship\, n.
Maidenhood. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Maidhood \Maid"hood\, n. [AS. m[ae]g?h[=a]d. See {Maid}, and
{-hood}.]
Maidenhood. --Shak.
Maidmarian \Maid`ma"ri*an\, n. [Maid + Marian, relating to Mary,
or the Virgin Mary.]
1. The lady of the May games; one of the characters in a
morris dance; a May queen. Afterward, a grotesque
character personated in sports and buffoonery by a man in
woman's clothes.
2. A kind of dance. --Sir W. Temple.
Maidpale \Maid"pale`\, a.
Pale, like a sick girl. --Shak.
Maidservant \Maid"serv`ant\, n.
A female servant.
Maid's hair \Maid's" hair`\ (Bot.)
The yellow bedstraw ({Galium verum}).
Maieutic \Ma*ieu"tic\, Maieutical \Ma*ieu"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?,
fr. ? midwife.]
1. Serving to assist childbirth. --Cudworth.
2. Fig. : Aiding, or tending to, the definition and
interpretation of thoughts or language. --Payne.
Maieutics \Ma*ieu"tics\, n.
The art of giving birth (i. e., clearness and conviction) to
ideas, which are conceived as struggling for birth. --Payne.
Maiger \Mai"ger\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The meagre.
Maigre \Mai"gre\, a. [F. See {Meager}.]
Belonging to a fast day or fast; as, a maigre day. --Walpole.
{Maigre food} (R. C. Ch.), food allowed to be eaten on fast
days.
Maihem \Mai"hem\, n.
See {Maim}, and {Mayhem}.
Maikel \Mai*kel"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American carnivore of the genus {Conepatus}, allied
to the skunk, but larger, and having a longer snout. The tail
is not bushy.
Maikong \Mai*kong"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American wild dog ({Canis cancrivorus}); the
crab-eating dog.
Mail \Mail\, n.
A spot. [Obs.]
Mail \Mail\, n. [F. maille, OF. also maaille, LL. medalia. See
{Medal}.]
1. A small piece of money; especially, an English silver
half-penny of the time of Henry V. [Obs.] [Written also
{maile}, and {maille}.]
2. Rent; tribute. [Obs., except in certain compounds and
phrases, as blackmail, mails and duties, etc.]
{Mail and duties} (Scots Law), the rents of an estate, in
whatever form paid.
Mail \Mail\, n. [OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail,
mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of
a net. Cf. {Macle}, {Macula}, {Mascle}.]
1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was
used especially for defensive armor. --Chaucer.
{Chain mail}, {Coat of mail}. See under {Chain}, and {Coat}.
2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing
off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as
the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster,
etc.
We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.
--Gay.
Mail \Mail\, v. t.
1. To arm with mail.
2. To pinion. [Obs.]
Mail \Mail\, n. [OE. male bag, OF. male, F. malle bag, trunk,
mail, OHG. malaha, malha, wallet; akin to D. maal, male; cf.
Gael. & Ir. mala, Gr. ? hide, skin.]
1. A bag; a wallet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. The bag or bags with the letters, papers, papers, or other
matter contained therein, conveyed under public authority
from one post office to another; the whole system of
appliances used by government in the conveyance and
delivery of mail matter.
There is a mail come in to-day, with letters dated
Hague. --Tatler.
3. That which comes in the mail; letters, etc., received
through the post office.
4. A trunk, box, or bag, in which clothing, etc., may be
carried. [Obs.] --Sir W. Scott.
{Mail bag}, a bag in which mailed matter is conveyed under
public authority.
{Mail boat}, a boat that carries the mail.
{Mail catcher}, an iron rod, or other contrivance, attached
to a railroad car for catching a mail bag while the train
is in motion.
{Mail guard}, an officer whose duty it is to guard the public
mails. [Eng.]
{Mail train}, a railroad train carrying the mail.
Mail \Mail\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mailed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mailing}.]
To deliver into the custody of the postoffice officials, or
place in a government letter box, for transmission by mail;
to post; as, to mail a letter. [U. S.]
Note: In the United States to mail and to post are both in
common use; as, to mail or post a letter. In England
post is the commoner usage.
Mailable \Mail"a*ble\, a.
Admissible lawfully into the mail. [U.S.]
Mailclad \Mail"clad`\, a.
Protected by a coat of mail; clad in armor. --Sir W. Scott.
Mailed \Mailed\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Protected by an external coat, or covering, of scales or
plates.
Mailed \Mailed\, a. [See 1st {Mail}.]
Spotted; speckled.
Mailing \Mail"ing\, n. [Scot., fr. mail tribute, rent. See 2d
{Mail}.]
A farm. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Mail-shell \Mail"-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A chiton.
Maim \Maim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maimed};p. pr. & vb. n.
{Maiming}.] [OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier,
meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare;
perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'ha?a to mutilate,
m[=a]c'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang?n to lack, perh.
akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. {Mayhem}.]
1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person
on fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy
his adversary.
By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man
whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced
to lose the like part. --Blackstone.
2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.
My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. --Spenser.
You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. --Shak.
Syn: To mutilate; mangle; cripple.
Maim \Maim\, n. [Written in law language {maihem}, and
{mayhem}.] [OF. mehaing. See {Maim}, v.]
1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body,
by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to
annoy his adversary.
2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling;
mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential.
See {Mayhem}.
Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want
there of be a maim than the use of it a blemish.
--Hooker.
A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history
that the acts of Parliament should not be recited.
--Hayward.
Maimedly \Maim"ed*ly\, adv.
In a maimed manner.
Maimedness \Maim"ed*ness\, n.
State of being maimed. --Bolton.
Main \Main\, n. [F. main hand, L. manus. See {Manual}.]
1. A hand or match at dice. --Prior. Thackeray.
2. A stake played for at dice. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. The largest throw in a match at dice; a throw at dice
within given limits, as in the game of hazard.
4. A match at cockfighting. ``My lord would ride twenty miles
. . . to see a main fought.'' --Thackeray.
5. A main-hamper. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Main \Main\, n. [AS. m[ae]gen strength, power, force; akin to
OHG. magan, Icel. megin, and to E. may, v. ?. See {May}, v.]
1. Strength; force; might; violent effort. [Obs., except in
certain phrases.]
There were in this battle of most might and main.
--R. of Gl.
He 'gan advance, With huge force, and with
importable main. --Spenser.
2. The chief or principal part; the main or most important
thing. [Obs., except in special uses.]
Resolved to rest upon the title of Lancaster as the
main, and to use the other two . . . but as
supporters. --Bacon.
3. Specifically:
(a) The great sea, as distinguished from an arm, bay,
etc.; the high sea; the ocean. ``Struggling in the
main.'' --Dryden.
(b) The continent, as distinguished from an island; the
mainland. ``Invaded the main of Spain.'' --Bacon.
(c) principal duct or pipe, as distinguished from lesser
ones; esp. (Engin.), a principal pipe leading to or
from a reservoir; as, a fire main.
{Forcing main}, the delivery pipe of a pump.
{For the main}, or {In the main}, for the most part; in the
greatest part.
{With might and main}, or {With all one's might and main},
with all one's strength; with violent effort.
With might and main they chased the murderous fox.
--Dryden.
Main \Main\, a. [From {Main} strength, possibly influenced by
OF. maine, magne, great, L. magnus. Cf. {Magnate}.]
1. Very or extremely strong. [Obs.]
That current with main fury ran. --Daniel.
2. Vast; huge. [Obs.] ``The main abyss.'' --Milton.
3. Unqualified; absolute; entire; sheer. [Obs.] ``It's a man
untruth.'' --Sir W. Scott.
4. Principal; chief; first in size, rank, importance, etc.
Our main interest is to be happy as we can.
--Tillotson.
5. Important; necessary. [Obs.]
That which thou aright Believest so main to our
success, I bring. --Milton.
{By main force}, by mere force or sheer force; by violent
effort; as, to subdue insurrection by main force.
That Maine which by main force Warwick did win.
--Shak.
{By main strength}, by sheer strength; as, to lift a heavy
weight by main strength.
{Main beam} (Steam Engine), working beam.
{Main boom} (Naut.), the boom which extends the foot of the
mainsail in a fore and aft vessel.
{Main brace}.
(a) (Mech.) The brace which resists the chief strain. Cf.
{Counter brace}.
(b) (Naut.) The brace attached to the main yard.
{Main center} (Steam Engine), a shaft upon which a working
beam or side lever swings.
{Main chance}. See under {Chance}.
{Main couple} (Arch.), the principal truss in a roof.
{Main deck} (Naut.), the deck next below the spar deck; the
principal deck.
{Main keel} (Naut.), the principal or true keel of a vessel,
as distinguished from the false keel.
Syn: Principal; chief; leading; cardinal; capital.
Main \Main\, adv. [See {Main}, a.]
Very; extremely; as, main heavy. ``I'm main dry.'' --Foote.
[Obs. or Low]
Maine \Maine\, n.
One of the New England States.
{Maine law}, any law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of
intoxicating beverages, esp. one resembling that enacted
in the State of Maine.
Main-gauche \Main`-gauche"\ (m[a^]N`g[=o]sh"), n. [F., the left
hand.] (Ancient Armor)
The dagger held in the left hand, while the rapier is held in
the right; -- used to parry thrusts of the adversary's
rapier.
Main-hamper \Main"-ham`per\, n. [F. main hand (see {Main} a hand
at dice) + E. hamper.]
A hamper to be carried in the hand; a hand basket used in
carrying grapes to the press.
Mainland \Main"land`\, n.
The continent; the principal land; -- opposed to {island}, or
{peninsula}. --Dryden.
After the two wayfarers had crossed from the peninsula
to the mainland. --Hawthorne.
Mainly \Main"ly\, adv. [From main strong. See {Main} strength.]
Very strongly; mightily; to a great degree. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Shak.
Mainly \Main"ly\, adv. [From main principal, chief.]
Principally; chiefly.
Mainmast \Main"mast`\, n. (Naut.)
The principal mast in a ship or other vessel.
Mainor \Main"or\, n. [Anglo-Norm. meinoure, OF. manuevre. See
{Maneuver}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A thing stolen found on the person of the thief.
Note: A thief was said to be ``taken with the mainor,'' when
he was taken with the thing stolen upon him, that is,
in his hands. --Wharton. --Bouvier.
Mainpernable \Main"per*na*ble\, a. [OF. main hand + pernable,
for prenable, that may be taken, pregnable. See
{Mainpernor}.] (Law)
Capable of being admitted to give surety by mainpernors; able
to be mainprised.
Mainpernor \Main"per*nor\, n. [OF. main hand + pernor, for
preneor, a taker, F. preneur, fr. prendre to take.] (Law)
A surety, under the old writ of mainprise, for a prisoner's
appearance in court at a day.
Note: Mainpernors differ from bail in that a man's bail may
imprison or surrender him before the stipulated day of
appearance; mainpernors can do neither; they are bound
to produce him to answer all charges whatsoever.
--Blackstone.
Mainpin \Main"pin\, n. (Vehicles)
A kingbolt.
Mainprise \Main"prise\, n. [F. main hand + prise a taking, fr.
prendre, p. p. pris to take, fr. L. prehendere, prehensum.]
(Law)
(a) A writ directed to the sheriff, commanding him to take
sureties, called mainpernors, for the prisoner's
appearance, and to let him go at large. This writ is now
obsolete. --Wharton.
(b) Deliverance of a prisoner on security for his appearance
at a day.
Mainprise \Main"prise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mainprised}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Mainprising}.] (Law)
To suffer to go at large, on his finding sureties, or
mainpernors, for his appearance at a day; -- said of a
prisoner.
Mains \Mains\, n. [Scot. See {Manse}.]
The farm attached to a mansion house. [Scot.]
Mainsail \Main"sail`\, n. (Naut.)
The principal sail in a ship or other vessel.
[They] hoised up the mainsail to the wind. -- Acts
xxvii. 40.
Note: The mainsail of a ship is extended upon a yard attached
to the mainmast, and that of a sloop or schooner upon
the boom.
Mainsheet \Main"sheet`\, n. (Naut.)
One of the ropes by which the mainsail is hauled aft and
trimmed.
Mainspring \Main"spring`\, n.
The principal or most important spring in a piece of
mechanism, especially the moving spring of a watch or clock
or the spring in a gunlock which impels the hammer. Hence:
The chief or most powerful motive; the efficient cause of
action.
Mainstay \Main"stay`\, n.
1. (Naut.) The stay extending from the foot of the foremast
to the maintop.
2. Main support; principal dependence.
The great mainstay of the Church. --Buckle.
Mainswear \Main"swear`\, v. i. [AS. m[=a]nswerian to forswear;
m[=a]n sin, crime + swerian to swear.]
To swear falsely. [Obs.] --Blount.
Maintain \Main*tain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maintained}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Maintaining}.] [OE. maintenen, F. maintenir,
properly, to hold by the hand; main hand (L. manus) + F.
tenir to hold (L. tenere). See {Manual}, and Tenable.]
1. To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to
support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer
to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of
heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to
maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach;
to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present
reputation.
2. To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to
surrender or relinquish.
God values . . . every one as he maintains his post.
--Grew.
3. To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.
Maintain talk with the duke. --Shak.
4. To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply
with what is needed.
Glad, by his labor, to maintain his life.
--Stirling.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
--Franklin.
5. To affirm; to support or defend by argument.
It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to
be maintained by it. --South.
Syn: To assert; vindicate; allege. See {Assert}.
Maintainable \Main*tain"a*ble\, a.
That maybe maintained.
Maintainer \Main*tain"er\, n.
One who maintains.
Maintainor \Main*tain"or\, n. [OF. mainteneor, F. mainteneur.]
(Crim. Law)
One who, not being interested, maintains a cause depending
between others, by furnishing money, etc., to either party.
--Bouvier. Wharton.
Maintenance \Main"te*nance\, n. [OF. maintenance. See
{Maintain}.]
1. The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense;
vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor
and the maintenance of his service, is granted to
God. --South.
2. That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance;
supply of necessaries and conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their
maintenance. --Swift.
3. (Crim. Law) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a
cause depending between others, by assisting either party
with money or means to carry it on. See {Champerty}.
--Wharton.
{Cap of maintenance}. See under {Cap}.
Maintop \Main"top`\, n. (Naut.)
The platform about the head of the mainmast in square-rigged
vessels.
Main yard \Main" yard`\ (Naut.)
The yard on which the mainsail is extended, supported by the
mainmast.
Maioid \Mai"oid\, a. [Maia + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the genus Maia, or family {Maiade[ae]}.
Maister \Mais"ter\, n.
Master. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Spenser.
Maister \Mais"ter\, a.
Principal; chief. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maistre \Mais"tre\, Maistrie \Mais"trie\, Maistry \Mais"try\, n.
Mastery; superiority; art. See {Mastery}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maistress \Mais"tress\, n.
Mistress. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maithes \Mai"thes\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Maghet}.
Maize \Maize\, n. [Sp. maiz. fr. mahiz or mahis, is the language
of the Island of Hayti.] (Bot.)
A large species of American grass of the genus {Zea} ({Z.
Mays}), widely cultivated as a forage and food plant; Indian
corn. Also, its seed, growing on cobs, and used as food for
men animals.
{Maize eater} (Zo["o]l.), a South American bird of the genus
{Pseudoleistes}, allied to the troupials.
{Maize yellow}, a delicate pale yellow.
Majestatic \Maj`es*tat"ic\, Majestatal \Maj`es*tat"*al\, a.
Majestic. [Obs.] --E. Pocock. Dr. J. Scott.
Majestic \Ma*jes"tic\, a. [From {Majesty}.]
Possessing or exhibiting majesty; of august dignity,
stateliness, or imposing grandeur; lofty; noble; grand. ``The
majestic world.'' --Shak. ``Tethys' grave majestic pace.''
--Milton.
The least portions must be of the epic kind; all must
be grave, majestic, and sublime. --Dryden.
Syn: August; splendid; grand; sublime; magnificent; imperial;
regal; pompous; stately; lofty; dignified; elevated.
Majestical \Ma*jes"tic*al\, a.
Majestic. --Cowley.
An older architecture, greater, cunninger, more
majestical. --M. Arnold.
-- {Ma*jes"tic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Ma*jes"tic*al*ness}, n.
Majesticness \Ma*jes"tic*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being majestic. --Oldenburg.
Majesty \Maj"es*ty\, n.; pl. {Majesties}. [OE. magestee, F.
majest['e], L. majestas, fr. an old compar. of magnus great.
See {Major}, {Master}.]
The dignity and authority of sovereign power; quality or
state which inspires awe or reverence; grandeur; exalted
dignity, whether proceeding from rank, character, or bearing;
imposing loftiness; stateliness; -- usually applied to the
rank and dignity of sovereigns.
The Lord reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. --Ps.
xciii. 1.
No sovereign has ever represented the majesty of great
state with more dignity and grace. --Macaulay.
2. Hence, used with the possessive pronoun, the title of an
emperor, king or queen; -- in this sense taking a plural;
as, their majesties attended the concert.
In all the public writs which he [Emperor Charles
V.] now issued as King of Spain, he assumed the
title of Majesty, and required it from his subjects
as a mark of respect. Before that time all the
monarchs of Europe were satisfied with the
appellation of Highness or Grace. --Robertson.
3. Dignity; elevation of manner or style. --Dryden.
Majolica \Ma*jol"i*ca\, n. [It.]
A kind of pottery, with opaque glazing and showy, which
reached its greatest perfection in Italy in the 16th century.
Note: The term is said to be derived from Majorca, which was
an early seat of this manufacture. --Heyse.
Major \Ma"jor\, [L. major, compar. of magnus great: cf. F.
majeur. Cf. {Master}, {Mayor}, {Magnitude}, {More}, a.]
1. Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part
of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major
part of the territory.
2. Of greater dignity; more important. --Shak.
3. Of full legal age. [Obs.]
4. (Mus.) Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in
difference of pitch from another tone.
{Major axis} (Geom.), the greater axis. See {Focus}, n., 2.
{Major key} (Mus.), a key in which one and two, two and
three, four and five, five and six and seven, make major
seconds, and three and four, and seven and eight, make
minor seconds.
{Major offense} (Law), an offense of a greater degree which
contains a lesser offense, as murder and robbery include
assault.
{Major premise} (Logic), that premise of a syllogism which
contains the major term.
{Major scale} (Mus.), the natural diatonic scale, which has
semitones between the third and fourth, and seventh and
fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees; the scale of the
major mode, of which the third is major. See {Scale}, and
{Diatonic}.
{Major second} (Mus.), a second between whose tones is a
difference in pitch of a step.
{Major sixth} (Mus.), a sixth of four steps and a half step.
In major keys the third and sixth from the key tone are
major. Major keys and intervals, as distinguished from
minors, are more cheerful.
{Major term} (Logic), that term of a syllogism which forms
the predicate of the conclusion.
{Major third} (Mus.), a third of two steps.
Major \Ma"jor\, n. [F. major. See {Major}, a.]
1. (Mil.) An officer next in rank above a captain and next
below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
2. (Law) A person of full age.
3. (Logic) That premise which contains the major term. It its
the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No
unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the
major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor].
Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for
happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
Note: In hypothetical syllogisms, the hypothetical premise is
called the major.
4. [LL. See {Major}.] A mayor. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Majorat \Ma`jo`rat"\, n. [F. majorat, LL. majoratus. See
{Major}, a., and cf. {Majorate}.]
1. The right of succession to property according to age; --
so termed in some of the countries of continental Europe.
2. (French Law) Property, landed or funded, so attached to a
title of honor as to descend with it.
Majorate \Ma"jor*ate\, n.
The office or rank of a major.
Majorate \Ma"jor*ate\, v. t. [LL. majorare to augment. See
{Major}, a.]
To augment; to increase. [Obs.] --Howell.
Majoration \Ma`jor*a"tion\, n.
Increase; enlargement. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Majorcan \Ma*jor"can\, a.
Of or pertaining to Majorca. -- n. A native or inhabitant of
Majorca.
Major-domo \Ma`jor-do"mo\, n. [Sp. mayordomo, or It.
maggiordomo; both fr. LL. majordomus; L. major greater +
domus house.]
A man who has authority to act, within certain limits, as
master of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister or
officer.
Major general \Ma"jor gen"er*al\
An officer of the army holding a rank next above that of
brigadier general and next below that of lieutenant general,
and who usually commands a division or a corps.
Majority \Ma*jor"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Majorities}. [F. majorit['e].
See {Major}.]
1. The quality or condition of being major or greater;
superiority. Specifically:
(a) The military rank of a major.
(b) The condition of being of full age, or authorized by
law to manage one's own affairs.
2. The greater number; more than half; as, a majority of
mankind; a majority of the votes cast.
3. [Cf. L. majores.] Ancestors; ancestry. [Obs.]
4. The amount or number by which one aggregate exceeds all
other aggregates with which it is contrasted; especially,
the number by which the votes for a successful candidate
exceed those for all other candidates; as, he is elected
by a majority of five hundred votes. See {Plurality}.
{To go over to, or To join}, {the majority}, to die.
Majorship \Ma"jor*ship\, n.
The office of major.
Majoun \Maj"oun\, n.
See {Madjoun}.
Majusculae \Ma*jus"cu*l[ae]\, n. pl. [L., fem. pl. fr.
majusculus somewhat greater or great, dim. of major, majus.
See {Major}.] (Pal[ae]ography)
Capital letters, as found in manuscripts of the sixth century
and earlier.
Majuscule \Ma*jus"cule\, n. [Cf. F. majuscule. See
{Majuscul[ae]}.]
A capital letter; especially, one used in ancient
manuscripts. See {Majuscul[ae]}.
{Majuscule writing}, writing composed wholly of capital
letters, especially the style which prevailed in Europe
from the third to the sixth century.
Makable \Mak"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being made.
Makaron \Mak"a*ron\, n.
See {Macaroon}, 2. [Obs.]
Make \Make\, n. [AS. maca, gemaca. See {Match}.]
A companion; a mate; often, a husband or a wife. [Obs.]
For in this world no woman is Worthy to be my make.
--Chaucer.
Make \Make\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Made}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Making}.] [OE. maken, makien, AS. macian; akin to OS. mak?n,
OFries. makia, D. maken, G. machen, OHG. mahh?n to join, fit,
prepare, make, Dan. mage. Cf. {Match} an equal.]
1. To cause to exist; to bring into being; to form; to
produce; to frame; to fashion; to create. Hence, in
various specific uses or applications:
(a) To form of materials; to cause to exist in a certain
form; to construct; to fabricate.
He . . . fashioned it with a graving tool, after
he had made it a molten calf. --Ex. xxxii.
4.
(b) To produce, as something artificial, unnatural, or
false; -- often with up; as, to make up a story.
And Art, with her contending, doth aspire To
excel the natural with made delights. --Spenser.
(c) To bring about; to bring forward; to be the cause or
agent of; to effect, do, perform, or execute; -- often
used with a noun to form a phrase equivalent to the
simple verb that corresponds to such noun; as, to make
complaint, for to complain; to make record of, for to
record; to make abode, for to abide, etc.
Call for Samson, that he may make us sport.
--Judg. xvi.
25.
Wealth maketh many friends. --Prov. xix.
4.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness in
excuse of the faults which I have made.
--Dryden.
(d) To execute with the requisite formalities; as, to make
a bill, note, will, deed, etc.
(e) To gain, as the result of one's efforts; to get, as
profit; to make acquisition of; to have accrue or
happen to one; as, to make a large profit; to make an
error; to make a loss; to make money.
He accuseth Neptune unjustly who makes shipwreck
a second time. --Bacon.
(f) To find, as the result of calculation or computation;
to ascertain by enumeration; to find the number or
amount of, by reckoning, weighing, measurement, and
the like; as, he made the distance of; to travel over;
as, the ship makes ten knots an hour; he made the
distance in one day.
(h) To put a desired or desirable condition; to cause to
thrive.
Who makes or ruins with a smile or frown.
--Dryden.
2. To cause to be or become; to put into a given state verb,
or adjective; to constitute; as, to make known; to make
public; to make fast.
Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? --Ex.
ii. 14.
See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh. --Ex. vii.
1.
Note: When used reflexively with an adjective, the reflexive
pronoun is often omitted; as, to make merry; to make
bold; to make free, etc.
3. To cause to appear to be; to constitute subjectively; to
esteem, suppose, or represent.
He is not that goose and ass that Valla would make
him. --Baker.
4. To require; to constrain; to compel; to force; to cause;
to occasion; -- followed by a noun or pronoun and
infinitive.
Note: In the active voice the to of the infinitive is usually
omitted.
I will make them hear my words. --Deut. iv.
10.
They should be made to rise at their early hour.
--Locke.
5. To become; to be, or to be capable of being, changed or
fashioned into; to do the part or office of; to furnish
the material for; as, he will make a good musician; sweet
cider makes sour vinegar; wool makes warm clothing.
And old cloak makes a new jerkin. --Shak.
6. To compose, as parts, ingredients, or materials; to
constitute; to form; to amount to.
The heaven, the air, the earth, and boundless sea,
Make but one temple for the Deity. --Waller.
7. To be engaged or concerned in. [Obs.]
Gomez, what makest thou here, with a whole
brotherhood of city bailiffs? --Dryden.
8. To reach; to attain; to arrive at or in sight of. ``And
make the Libyan shores.'' --Dryden.
They that sail in the middle can make no land of
either side. --Sir T.
Browne.
{To make a bed}, to prepare a bed for being slept on, or to
put it in order.
{To make a card} (Card Playing), to take a trick with it.
{To make account}. See under {Account}, n.
{To make account of}, to esteem; to regard.
{To make away}.
(a) To put out of the way; to kill; to destroy. [Obs.]
If a child were crooked or deformed in body or
mind, they made him away. --Burton.
(b) To alienate; to transfer; to make over. [Obs.]
--Waller.
{To make believe}, to pretend; to feign; to simulate.
{To make bold}, to take the liberty; to venture.
{To make the cards} (Card Playing), to shuffle the pack.
{To make choice of}, to take by way of preference; to choose.
{To make danger}, to make experiment. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
{To make default} (Law), to fail to appear or answer.
{To make the doors}, to shut the door. [Obs.]
Make the doors upon a woman's wit, and it will out
at the casement. --Shak.
{To make free with}. See under {Free}, a.
{To make good}. See under {Good}.
{To make head}, to make headway.
{To make light of}. See under {Light}, a.
{To make little of}.
(a) To belittle.
(b) To accomplish easily.
{To make love to}. See under {Love}, n.
{To make meat}, to cure meat in the open air. [Colloq.
Western U. S.]
{To make merry}, to feast; to be joyful or jovial.
{To make much of}, to treat with much consideration,,
attention, or fondness; to value highly.
{To make no bones}. See under {Bone}, n.
{To make no difference}, to have no weight or influence; to
be a matter of indifference.
{To make no doubt}, to have no doubt.
{To make no matter}, to have no weight or importance; to make
no difference.
{To make oath} (Law), to swear, as to the truth of something,
in a prescribed form of law.
{To make of}.
(a) To understand or think concerning; as, not to know
what to make of the news.
(b) To pay attention to; to cherish; to esteem; to
account. ``Makes she no more of me than of a slave.''
--Dryden.
{To make one's law} (Old Law), to adduce proof to clear one's
self of a charge.
{To make out}.
(a) To find out; to discover; to decipher; as, to make out
the meaning of a letter.
(b) To prove; to establish; as, the plaintiff was unable
to make out his case.
(c) To make complete or exact; as, he was not able to make
out the money.
{To make over}, to transfer the title of; to convey; to
alienate; as, he made over his estate in trust or in fee.
{To make sail}. (Naut.)
(a) To increase the quantity of sail already extended.
(b) To set sail.
{To make shift}, to manage by expedients; as, they made shift
to do without it. [Colloq.].
{To make sternway}, to move with the stern foremost; to go or
drift backward.
{To make strange}, to act in an unfriendly manner or as if
surprised; to treat as strange; as, to make strange of a
request or suggestion.
{To make suit to}, to endeavor to gain the favor of; to
court.
{To make sure}. See under {Sure}.
{To make up}.
(a) To collect into a sum or mass; as, to make up the
amount of rent; to make up a bundle or package.
(b) To reconcile; to compose; as, to make up a difference
or quarrel.
(c) To supply what is wanting in; to complete; as, a
dollar is wanted to make up the stipulated sum.
(d) To compose, as from ingredients or parts; to shape,
prepare, or fabricate; as, to make up a mass into
pills; to make up a story.
He was all made up of love and charms!
--Addison.
(e) To compensate; to make good; as, to make up a loss.
(f) To adjust, or to arrange for settlement; as, to make
up accounts.
(g) To dress and paint for a part, as an actor; as, he was
well made up.
{To make up a face}, to distort the face as an expression of
pain or derision.
{To make up one's mind}, to reach a mental determination; to
resolve.
{To make water}.
(a) (Naut.) To leak.
(b) To urinate.
{To make way}, or {To make one's way}.
(a) To make progress; to advance.
(b) To open a passage; to clear the way.
{To make words}, to multiply words.
Make \Make\, v. i.
1. To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to
interfere; to be active; -- often in the phrase to meddle
or make. [Obs.]
A scurvy, jack-a-nape priest to meddle or make.
--Shak.
2. To proceed; to tend; to move; to go; as, he made toward
home; the tiger made at the sportsmen.
Note: Formerly, authors used to make on, to make forth, to
make about; but these phrases are obsolete. We now say,
to make at, to make away, to make for, to make off, to
make toward, etc.
3. To tend; to contribute; to have effect; -- with for or
against; as, it makes for his advantage. --M. Arnold.
Follow after the things which make for peace. --Rom.
xiv. 19.
Considerations infinite Do make against it. --Shak.
4. To increase; to augment; to accrue.
5. To compose verses; to write poetry; to versify. [Archaic]
--Chaucer. Tennyson.
To solace him some time, as I do when I make. --P.
Plowman.
{To make as if}, or {To make as though}, to pretend that; to
make show that; to make believe (see under {Make}, v. t.).
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten
before them, and fled. --Josh. viii.
15.
My lord of London maketh as though he were greatly
displeased with me. --Latimer.
{To make at}, to go toward hastily, or in a hostile manner;
to attack.
{To make away with}.
(a) To carry off.
(b) To transfer or alienate; hence, to spend; to
dissipate.
(c) To kill; to destroy.
{To make off}, to go away suddenly.
{To make out}, to succeed; to be able at last; to make shift;
as, he made out to reconcile the contending parties.
{To make up}, to become reconciled or friendly.
{To make up for}, to compensate for; to supply an equivalent
for.
{To make up to}.
(a) To approach; as, a suspicious boat made up to us.
(b) To pay addresses to; to make love to.
{To make up with}, to become reconciled to. [Colloq.]
{To make with}, to concur or agree with. --Hooker.
Make \Make\, n.
Structure, texture, constitution of parts; construction;
shape; form.
It our perfection of so frail a make As every plot can
undermine and shake? --Dryden.
{On the make},bent upon making great profits; greedy of gain.
[Low, U. S.]
Makebate \Make"bate`\, n. [Make, v. + bate a quarrel.]
One who excites contentions and quarrels. [Obs.]
Make-belief \Make"-be*lief`\, n.
A feigning to believe; make believe. --J. H. Newman.
Make-believe \Make"-be*lieve`\, n.
A feigning to believe, as in the play of children; a mere
pretense; a fiction; an invention. ``Childlike
make-believe.'' --Tylor.
To forswear self-delusion and make-believe. --M.
Arnold.
Make-believe \Make"-be*lieve`\, a.
Feigned; insincere. ``Make-believe reverence.''
--G. Eliot.
Maked \Mak"ed\, obs. p. p. of {Make}.
Made. --Chaucer.
Make-game \Make"-game`\, n.
An object of ridicule; a butt. --Godwin.
Makeless \Make"less\, a. [See 1st {Make}, and cf. {Matchless},
{Mateless}.]
1. Matchless. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Without a mate. --Shak.
Make-peace \Make"-peace`\ (-p[=e]s`), n.
A peacemaker. [R.] --Shak.
Maker \Mak"er\ (m[=a]k"[~e]r), n.
1. One who makes, forms, or molds; a manufacturer;
specifically, the Creator.
The universal Maker we may praise. --Milton.
2. (Law) The person who makes a promissory note.
3. One who writes verses; a poet. [Obs.]
Note: ``The Greeks named the poet poihth`s, which name, as
the most excellent, hath gone through other languages.
It cometh of this word poiei^n, make; wherein, I know
not whether by luck or wisdom, we Englishmen have met
well the Greeks in calling him a maker.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
Makeshift \Make"shift`\, n.
That with which one makes shift; a temporary expedient.
--James Mill.
I am not a model clergyman, only a decent makeshift.
--G. Eliot.
Make-up \Make"-up`\, n.
The way in which the parts of anything are put together;
often, the way in which an actor is dressed, painted, etc.,
in personating a character.
The unthinking masses are necessarily teleological in
their mental make-up. --L. F. Ward.
Makeweight \Make"weight`\, n.
That which is thrown into a scale to make weight; something
of little account added to supply a deficiency or fill a gap.
Maki \Ma"ki\, n. [F., from native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A lemur. See {Lemur}.
Making \Mak"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who makes; workmanship; fabrication;
construction; as, this is cloth of your own making; the
making of peace or war was in his power.
2. Composition, or structure.
3. a poem. [Obs.] --Sir J. Davies.
4. That which establishes or places in a desirable state or
condition; the material of which something may be made;
as, early misfortune was the making of him.
5. External appearance; from. [Obs.] --Shak.
Making-iron \Mak"ing-i`ron\, n.
A tool somewhat like a chisel with a groove in it, used by
calkers of ships to finish the seams after the oakum has been
driven in.
Making-up \Mak"ing-up`\, n.
1. The act of bringing spirits to a certain degree of
strength, called proof.
2. The act of becoming reconciled or friendly.
Mal- \Mal-\
A prefix in composition denoting ill,or evil, F. male, adv.,
fr. malus, bad, ill. In some words it has the form male-, as
in malediction, malevolent. See {Malice}.
Note: The formmale- is chiefly used in cases where the c,
either alone or with other letters, is pronounced as a
separate syllable, as in malediction, malefactor,
maleficent, etc. Where this is not the case, as in
malfeasance or male-feasance, malformation or
male-formation, etc., as also where the word to which
it is prefixed commences with a vowel, as in
maladministration, etc., the form malis to be
preferred, and is the one commonly employed.
Mala \Ma"la\, n.; pl. of {Malum}. [L.]
Evils; wrongs; offenses against right and law.
{Mala in se} [L.] (Law), offenses which are such from their
own nature, at common law, irrespective of statute.
{Mala prohibita} [L.] (Law), offenses prohibited by statute,
as distinguished from mala in se, which are offenses at
common law.
Malabar \Mal"a*bar`\, n.
A region in the western part of the Peninsula of India,
between the mountains and the sea.
{Malabar nut} (Bot.), the seed of an East Indian acanthaceous
shrub, the {Adhatoda Vasica}, sometimes used medicinally.
Malacatune \Mal`a*ca*tune"\, n.
See {Melocoton}.
Malacca \Ma*lac"ca\, n.
A town and district upon the seacoast of the Malay Peninsula.
{Malacca cane} (Bot.), a cane obtained from a species of palm
of the genus {Calamus} ({C. Scipionum}), and of a brown
color, often mottled. The plant is a native of Cochin
China, Sumatra, and Malays.
Malachite \Mal"a*chite\, n. [Fr. Gr. ? a mallow, from its
resembling the green color of the leaf of mallows: cf. F.
malachite. Cf. {Mallow}.] (Min.)
Native hydrous carbonate of copper, usually occurring in
green mammillary masses with concentric fibrous structure.
Note: Green malachite, or malachite proper, admits of a high
polish, and is sometimes used for ornamental work. Blue
malachite, or azurite, is a related species of a deep
blue color.
{Malachite green}. See {Emerald green}, under {Green}, n.
Malacissant \Mal`a*cis"sant\, a. [See {Malacissation}.]
Softening; relaxing. [Obs.]
Malacissation \Mal`a*cis*sa"tion\, n. [L. malacissare to make
soft, Gr. ?.]
The act of making soft or supple. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Malacobdella \Mal`a*cob*del"la\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? soft + ? a
leech.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of nemertean worms, parasitic in the gill cavity of
clams and other bivalves. They have a large posterior sucker,
like that of a leech. See Illust. of {Bdellomorpha}.
Malacoderm \Mal"a*co*derm\, n. [Gr. ? soft + ? skin.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a tribe of beetles ({Malacodermata}), with a soft and
flexible body, as the fireflies.
Malacolite \Mal"a*co*lite\, n. [Gr. ? soft + -lite.] (Min.)
A variety of pyroxene.
Malacologist \Mal`a*col"o*gist\, n.
One versed in the science of malacology.
Malacology \Mal`a*col"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? soft + -logy: cf. F.
malacologie.]
The science which relates to the structure and habits of
mollusks.
Malacopoda \Mal`a*cop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? soft +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of air-breathing Arthropoda; -- called also
{Protracheata}, and {Onychophora}.
Note: They somewhat resemble myriapods, and have from
seventeen to thirty-three pairs of short, imperfectly
jointed legs, two pairs of simple jaws, and a pair of
antenn[ae]. The tranche[ae] are connected with numerous
spiracles scattered over the surface of the body.
{Peripatus} is the only known genus. See {Peripatus}.
Malacopterygian \Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*an\, n. [Cf. F.
malacopt['e]rygien.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Malacopterygii.
Malacopterygii \Mal`a*cop`te*ryg"i*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
soft + ? wing, fin, fr. ? feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes in which the fin rays, except the anterior
ray of the pectoral and dorsal fins, are closely jointed, and
not spiny. It includes the carp, pike, salmon, shad, etc.
Called also {Malacopteri}.
Malacopterygious \Mal`a*cop`ter*yg"i*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the Malacopterygii.
Malacosteon \Mal`a*cos"te*on\, n. [NL., Gr. fr. ? soft + ?
bone.] (Med.)
A peculiar disease of the bones, in consequence of which they
become softened and capable of being bent without breaking.
Malacostomous \Mal`a*cos"to*mous\, a. [Gr. ? soft + ? mouth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having soft jaws without teeth, as certain fishes.
Malacostraca \Mal`a*cos"tra*ca\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? soft +
? shell of a testacean.] (Zo["o]l.)
A subclass of Crustacea, including Arthrostraca and
Thoracostraca, or all those higher than the Entomostraca.
Malacostracan \Mal`a*cos"tra*can\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Malacostraca.
Malacostracology \Mal`a*cos`tra*col"o*gy\, n. [Malacostracan +
-logy.]
That branch of zo["o]logical science which relates to the
crustaceans; -- called also {carcinology}.
Malacostracous \Mal`a*cos"tra*cous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the Malacostraca.
Malacotoon \Mal`a*co*toon"\, n. (Bot.)
See {Melocoton}.
Malacozoa \Mal`a*co*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? soft + ? an
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive group of Invertebrata, including the Mollusca,
Brachiopoda, and Bryozoa. Called also {Malacozoaria}.
Malacozoic \Mal`a*co*zo"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Malacozoa.
Maladdress \Mal`ad*dress"\, n. [Mal- + address.]
Bad address; an awkward, tactless, or offensive way of
accosting one or talking with one. --W. D. Howells.
Maladjustment \Mal`ad*just"ment\, n. [Mal- + adjustment.]
A bad adjustment.
Maladministration \Mal`ad*min`is*tra"tion\, n. [Mal- +
administration.]
Bad administration; bad management of any business,
especially of public affairs. [Written also
{maleadministration}.]
Maladroit \Mal`a*droit"\, a. [F. See {Malice}, and {Adroit}.]
Of a quality opposed to adroitness; clumsy; awkward;
unskillful. -- {Mal"a*droit`ly}, adv. -- {Mal`a*droit"ness},
n.
Malady \Mal"a*dy\, n.; pl. {Maladies}. [F. maladie, fr. malade
ill, sick, OF. also, malabde, fr. L. male habitus, i. e.,
ill-kept, not in good condition. See {Malice}, and {Habit}.]
1. Any disease of the human body; a distemper, disorder, or
indisposition, proceeding from impaired, defective, or
morbid organic functions; especially, a lingering or
deep-seated disorder.
The maladies of the body may prove medicines to the
mind. --Buckminster.
2. A moral or mental defect or disorder.
Love's a malady without a cure. --Dryden.
Syn: Disorder; distemper; sickness; ailment; disease;
illness. See {Disease}.
Malaga \Mal"a*ga\, n.
A city and a province of Spain, on the Mediterranean. Hence,
Malaga grapes, Malaga raisins, Malaga wines.
Malagash \Mal`a*gash"\, n.
Same as {Malagasy}.
Malagasy \Mal`a*gas"y\, n. sing. & pl.
A native or natives of Madagascar; also (sing.), the
language.
Malaise \Ma`laise"\, n. [F., fr. mal ill + aise ease.] (Med.)
An indefinite feeling of uneasiness, or of being sick or ill
at ease.
Malamate \Ma*lam"ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of malamic acid.
Malambo \Ma*lam"bo\, n. [Pg.]
A yellowish aromatic bark, used in medicine and perfumery,
said to be from the South American shrub {Croton Malambo}.
Malamethane \Mal`am*eth"ane\, n. [Malamic + ethane.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance forming the ethyl salt of
malamic acid.
Malamic \Ma*lam"ic\, a. [Malic + amic.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining an acid intermediate between malic acid and
malamide, and known only by its salts.
Malamide \Ma*lam"ide\, n. [Malic + amide.] (Chem.)
The acid amide derived from malic acid, as a white
crystalline substance metameric with asparagine.
Malanders \Mal"an*ders\, n. pl. [F. malandres, fr. L. malandria
blisters or pustules on the neck, especially in horses.]
(Far.)
A scurfy eruption in the bend of the knee of the fore leg of
a horse. See {Sallenders}. [Written also {mallenders}.]
Malapert \Mal"a*pert\, a. [OF. malapert unskillful, ill-taught,
ill-bred; mal ill + apert open, adroit, intelligent, L.
apertus, p. p. of aperire to open. See {Malice}, and
{Aperient}.]
Bold; forward; impudent; saucy; pert. --Shak. -- n. A
malapert person.
Are you growing malapert! Will you force me to make use
of my authority ? --Dryden.
-- {Mal"a*pert`ly}, adv. -- {Mal"a*pert`ness}, n.
Malapropism \Mal"a*prop*ism\, n. [From Mrs. Malaprop, a
character in Sheridan's drama, `` The Rivals,'' who makes
amusing blunders in her use of words. See {Malapropos}.]
A grotesque misuse of a word; a word so used.
Malapropos \Mal*ap"ro*pos`\, a. & adv. [F. mal [`a] propos; mal
evil + [`a] propos to the purpose.]
Unseasonable or unseasonably; unsuitable or unsuitably.
Malapterurus \Mal*ap`te*ru"rus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? soft + ?
wing + ? tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of African siluroid fishes, including the electric
catfishes. See {Electric cat}, under {Electric}.
Malar \Ma"lar\, a. [L. mala the cheek: cf. F. malaire.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the region of the cheek bone, or to the
malar bone; jugal.
Malar \Ma"lar\, n. (Anat.)
The cheek bone, which forms a part of the lower edge of the
orbit.
Malaria \Ma*la"ri*a\, n. [It., contr. fr. malaaria bad air. See
{Malice}, and Air.]
1. Air infected with some noxious substance capable of
engendering disease; esp., an unhealthy exhalation from
certain soils, as marshy or wet lands, producing fevers;
miasma.
Note: The morbific agent in malaria is supposed by some to be
a vegetable microbe or its spores, and by others to be
a very minute animal blood parasite (an infusorian).
2. (Med.) A morbid condition produced by exhalations from
decaying vegetable matter in contact with moisture, giving
rise to fever and ague and many other symptoms
characterized by their tendency to recur at definite and
usually uniform intervals.
Malarial \Ma*la"ri*al\, Malarian \Ma*la"ri*an\, Malarious
\Ma*la"ri*ous\, a.
Of or pertaining, to or infected by, malaria.
{Malarial fever} (Med.), a fever produced by malaria, and
characterized by the occurrence of chills, fever, and
sweating in distinct paroxysms, At intervals of definite
and often uniform duration, in which these symptoms are
wholly absent (intermittent fever), or only partially so
(remittent fever); fever and ague; chills and fever.
Malashaganay \Ma`la*sha"ga*nay\, n. [Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The fresh-water drumfish ({Haploidonotus grunniens}).
Malassimilation \Mal`as*sim`i*la"tion\, n. [Mal- +
assimilation.] (Physiol.)
(a) Imperfect digestion of the several leading constituents
of the food.
(b) An imperfect elaboration by the tissues of the materials
brought to them by the blood.
Malate \Ma"late\, n. [L. malum apple: cf. F. malate. See
{Malic}.] (Chem.)
A salt of malic acid.
Malax \Ma"lax\, Malaxate \Ma*lax"ate\, v. t. [L. malaxare,
malaxatum, cf. Gr. ?, fr. ? soft: cf. F. malaxer.]
To soften by kneading or stirring with some thinner
substance. [R.]
Malaxation \Mal`ax*a"tion\, n. [L. malaxatio: cf. F.
malaxation.]
The act of softening by mixing with a thinner substance; the
formation of ingredients into a mass for pills or plasters.
[R.]
Malaxator \Mal"ax*a`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, malaxates; esp., a machine for
grinding, kneading, or stirring into a pasty or doughy mass.
[R.]
Malay \Ma*lay"\, n.
One of a race of a brown or copper complexion in the Malay
Peninsula and the western islands of the Indian Archipelago.
Malay \Ma*lay"\, Malayan \Ma*lay"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Malays or their country. -- n. The
Malay language.
{Malay apple} (Bot.), a myrtaceous tree ({Eugenia
Malaccensis}) common in India; also, its applelike fruit.
Malayalam \Ma"la*ya"lam\, n.
The name given to one the cultivated Dravidian languages,
closely related to the Tamil. --Yule.
Malbrouck \Mal"brouck\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
A West African arboreal monkey ({Cercopithecus cynosurus}).
Malconformation \Mal*con`for*ma"tion\, n. [Mal- + conformation.]
Imperfect, disproportionate, or abnormal formation; ill form;
disproportion of parts.
Malcontent \Mal"con*tent`\, a. [F., fr. mal ill + content. See
{Malice}, {Content}.]
discontented; uneasy; dissatisfied; especially, dissatisfied
with the government. [Written also {malecontent}.]
The famous malcontent earl of Leicester. --Milner.
Malcontent \Mal"con*tent`\, n. [F. malcontent.]
One who discontented; especially, a discontented subject of a
government; one who express his discontent by words or overt
acts. --Spenser. Berkeley.
Malcontented \Mal`con*tent"ed\, a.
Malcontent. -- {Mal`con*tent"ed*ly}, adv. --
{Mal`con*tent"ed*ness}, n.
Maldanian \Mal*da"ni*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of marine annelids of the genus {Maldane}, or
family {Maldanid[ae]}. They have a slender, round body, and
make tubes in the sand or mud.
Male- \Male-\
See {Mal-}.
Male \Male\, a. [L. malus. See {Malice}.]
Evil; wicked; bad. [Obs.] --Marston.
Male \Male\, n.
Same as {Mail}, a bag. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Male \Male\, a. [F. m[^a]le, OF. masle, mascle, fr. L. masculus
male, masculine, dim. of mas a male; possibly akin to E. man.
Cf. {Masculine}, {Marry}, v. t.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sex that begets or procreates
young, or (in a wider sense) to the sex that produces
spermatozoa, by which the ova are fertilized; not female;
as, male organs.
2. (Bot.) Capable of producing fertilization, but not of
bearing fruit; -- said of stamens and antheridia, and of
the plants, or parts of plants, which bear them.
3. Suitable to the male sex; characteristic or suggestive of
a male; masculine; as, male courage.
4. Consisting of males; as, a male choir.
5. (Mech.) Adapted for entering another corresponding piece
(the female piece) which is hollow and which it fits; as,
a male gauge, for gauging the size or shape of a hole; a
male screw, etc.
{Male berry} (Bot.), a kind of coffee. See {Pea berry}.
{Male fern} (Bot.), a fern of the genus {Aspidium} ({A.
Filixmas}), used in medicine as an anthelmintic, esp.
against the tapeworm. {Aspidium marginale} in America, and
{A. athamanticum} in South Africa, are used as good
substitutes for the male fern in medical practice. See
{Female fern}, under {Female}.
{Male rhyme}, a rhyme in which only the last syllables agree,
as laid, afraid, dismayed. See {Female rhyme}, under
{Female}.
{Male screw} (Mech.), a screw having threads upon its
exterior which enter the grooves upon the inside of a
corresponding nut or female screw.
{Male thread}, the thread of a male screw.
Male \Male\, n.
1. An animal of the male sex.
2. (Bot.) A plant bearing only staminate flowers.
Naleadministration \Nale`ad*min`is*tra"tion\, n.
Maladministration.
Maleate \Ma*le"ate\, n.
A salt of maleic acid.
Malebranchism \Male*branch"ism\, n.
The philosophical system of Malebranche, an eminent French
metaphysician. The fundamental doctrine of his system is that
the mind can not have knowledge of anything external to
itself except in its relation to God.
Maleconformation \Male*con`for*ma"tion\, n.
Malconformation.
Malecontent \Male"con*tent`\, a.
Malcontent.
Maledicency \Mal`e*di"cen*cy\, n. [L. maledicentia. See
{Maledicent}.]
Evil speaking. [Obs.] --Atterbury.
Maledicent \Mal`e*di"cent\, a. [L. maledicens, p. pr. of
maledicere to speak ill; male ill + dicere to say, speak. See
{Malice}, and {Diction}.]
Speaking reproachfully; slanderous. [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
Maledict \Mal"e*dict\, a. [L. maledictus, p. p. of maledicere.]
Accursed; abominable. [R.]
Malediction \Mal`e*dic"tion\, n. [L. maledictio: cf. F.
mal['e]diction. See {Maledicent}.]
A proclaiming of evil against some one; a cursing;
imprecation; a curse or execration; -- opposed to
{benediction}.
No malediction falls from his tongue. --Longfellow.
Syn: Cursing; curse; execration; imprecation; denunciation;
anathema.
Usage: {Malediction}, {Curse}, {Imprecation}, {Execration}.
Malediction is the most general term, denoting bitter
reproach, or wishes and predictions of evil. Curse
implies the desire or threat of evil, declared upon
oath or in the most solemn manner. Imprecation is
literally the praying down of evil upon a person.
Execration is literally a putting under the ban of
excommunication, a curse which excludes from the
kingdom of God. In ordinary usage, the last three
words describe profane swearing, execration being the
strongest.
Malefaction \Mal`e*fac"tion\, n. [See {Malefactor}.]
A crime; an offense; an evil deed. [R.] --Shak.
Malefactor \Mal`e*fac"tor\, n. [L., fr. malefacere to do evil;
male ill, evil + facere to do. See {Malice}, and {Fact}.]
1. An evil doer; one who commits a crime; one subject to
public prosecution and punishment; a criminal.
2. One who does wrong by injuring another, although not a
criminal. [Obs.] --H. Brooke. Fuller.
Syn: Evil doer; criminal; culprit; felon; convict.
Malefactress \Mal`e*fac"tress\, n.
A female malefactor. --Hawthorne.
Malefeasance \Male*fea"sance\, n.
See {Malfeasance}.
Malefic \Ma*lef"ic\, a. [L. maleficus: cf. F. mal['e]fique. See
{Malefaction}.]
Doing mischief; causing harm or evil; nefarious; hurtful.
[R.] --Chaucer.
Malefice \Mal"e*fice\, n. [L. maleficium: cf. F. mal['e]fice.
See {Malefactor}.]
An evil deed; artifice; enchantment. [Obs.]
Maleficence \Ma*lef"i*cence\, n. [L. maleficentia. Cf.
{Malfeasance}.]
Evil doing, esp. to others.
Maleficent \Ma*lef"i*cent\, a. [See {Malefic}.]
Doing evil to others; harmful; mischievous.
Maleficial \Mal`e*fi"cial\, a.
Injurious. --Fuller.
Maleficiate \Mal`e*fi"ci*ate\, v. t. [LL. maleficiatus, p. p. of
maleficiare to bewitch, fr. L. maleficium. See {Malefice}.]
To bewitch; to harm. [Obs.] --Burton.
Maleficiation \Mal`e*fi`ci*a"tion\, n.
A bewitching. [Obs.]
Maleficience \Mal`e*fi"cience\, n. [See {Maleficence}.]
The doing of evil, harm, or mischief.
Maleficient \Mal`e*fi"cient\, a. [See {Maleficent}.]
Doing evil, harm, or mischief.
Maleformation \Male`for*ma"tion\, n.
See {Malformation}.
Maleic \Ma*le"ic\, a. [Cf. F. mal['e]ique. See {Malic}.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of the ethylene
series, metameric with fumaric acid and obtained by heating
malic acid.
Malengine \Ma*len"gine\, n. [OF. malengin; L. malus bad, evil +
ingenium natural capacity. See {Engine}.]
Evil machination; guile; deceit. [Obs.] --Gower.
Maleo \Ma"le*o\, n. [From its native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of Celebes ({megacephalon maleo}), allied to the brush
turkey. It makes mounds in which to lay its eggs.
Male-odor \Male-o"dor\, n.
See {Malodor}.
Malepractice \Male*prac"tice\, n.
See {Malpractice}.
Male-spirited \Male"-spir`it*ed\, a.
Having the spirit of a male; vigorous; courageous. [R.] --B.
Jonson.
Malet \Mal"et\, n. [F. mallette, dim. of malle. See {Mail} a
bag.]
A little bag or budget. [Obs.] --Shelton.
Maletreat \Male*treat"\, v. t.
See {Maltreat}.
Malevolence \Ma*lev"o*lence\, n. [L. malevolentia. See
{Malevolent}.]
The quality or state of being malevolent; evil disposition
toward another; inclination to injure others; ill will. See
Synonym of {Malice}.
Malevolent \Ma*lev"o*lent\, a. [L. malevolens, -entis; male ill
+ volens, p. pr. of velle to be willing or disposed, to wish.
See {Malice}, and {Voluntary}.]
Wishing evil; disposed to injure others; rejoicing in
another's misfortune.
Syn: Ill-disposed; envious; mischievous; evil-minded;
spiteful; malicious; malignant; rancorous.
Malevolently \Ma*lev"o*lent*ly\, adv.
In a malevolent manner.
Malevolous \Ma*lev"o*lous\, a. [L. malevolus; fr. male ill +
velle to be disposed.]
Malevolent. [Obs.] --Bp. Warburton.
Malexecution \Mal*ex`e*cu"tion\, n. [Mal- + execution.]
Bad execution. --D. Webster.
Maleyl \Ma*le"yl\, n. [Maleic + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical derived from maleic acid.
Malfeasance \Mal*fea"sance\, n. [F. malfaisance, fr. malfaisant
injurious, doing ill; mal ill, evil + faisant doing, p. pr.
of faire to do. See {Malice}, {Feasible}, and cf.
{Maleficence}.] (Law)
The doing of an act which a person ought not to do; evil
conduct; an illegal deed. [Written also {malefeasance}.]
Malformation \Mal`for*ma"tion\, n. [Mal- + forniation.]
Ill formation; irregular or anomalous formation; abnormal or
wrong conformation or structure.
Malgracious \Mal*gra"cious\, a. [F. malgracieux.]
Not graceful; displeasing. [Obs.] --Gower.
Malgre \Mal"gre\, prep.
See {Mauger}.
Malic \Ma"lic\, a. [L. malum an apple: cf. F. malique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, apples; as, malic acid.
{Malic acid}, a hydroxy acid obtained as a substance which is
sirupy or crystallized with difficulty, and has a strong
but pleasant sour taste. It occurs in many fruits, as in
green apples, currants, etc. It is levorotatory or
dextrorotatory according to the temperature and
concentration. An artificial variety is a derivative of
succinic acid, but has no action on polarized light, and
thus malic acid is a remarkable case of physical
isomerism.
Malice \Mal"ice\, n. [F. malice, fr. L. malitia, from malus bad,
ill, evil, prob. orig., dirty, black; cf. Gr. ? black, Skr.
mala dirt. Cf. {Mauger}.]
1. Enmity of heart; malevolence; ill will; a spirit
delighting in harm or misfortune to another; a disposition
to injure another; a malignant design of evil. ``Nor set
down aught in malice.'' --Shak.
Envy, hatred, and malice are three distinct passions
of the mind. --Ld. Holt.
2. (Law) Any wicked or mischievous intention of the mind; a
depraved inclination to mischief; an intention to vex,
annoy, or injure another person, or to do a wrongful act
without just cause or cause or excuse; a wanton disregard
of the rights or safety of others; willfulness.
{Malice aforethought} or {prepense}, malice previously and
deliberately entertained.
Syn: Spite; ill will; malevolence; grudge; pique; bitterness;
animosity; malignity; maliciousness; rancor; virulence.
Usage: See {Spite}. -- {Malevolence}, {Malignity},
{Malignancy}. Malice is a stronger word than
malevolence, which may imply only a desire that evil
may befall another, while malice desires, and perhaps
intends, to bring it about. Malignity is intense and
deepseated malice. It implies a natural delight in
hating and wronging others. One who is malignant must
be both malevolent and malicious; but a man may be
malicious without being malignant.
Proud tyrants who maliciously destroy And ride
o'er ruins with malignant joy. --Somerville.
in some connections, malignity seems rather more
pertinently applied to a radical depravity of
nature, and malignancy to indications of this
depravity, in temper and conduct in particular
instances. --Cogan.
Malice \Mal"ice\, v. t.
To regard with extreme ill will. [Obs.]
Malicho \Mal"i*cho\, n. [Sp. malhecho; mal bad + hecho deed, L.
factum. See {Fact}.]
Mischief. [Obs.] --Shak.
Malicious \Ma*li"cious\, a. [Of. malicius, F. malicieux, fr. L.
malitiosus. See {Malice}.]
1. Indulging or exercising malice; harboring ill will or
enmity.
I grant him bloody, . . . Sudden, malicious,
smacking of every sin That has a name. --Shak.
2. Proceeding from hatred or ill will; dictated by malice;
as, a malicious report; malicious mischief.
3. (Law)With wicked or mischievous intentions or motives;
wrongful and done intentionally without just cause or
excuse; as, a malicious act.
{Malicious abandonment}, the desertion of a wife or husband
without just cause. --Burrill.
{Malicious mischief} (Law), malicious injury to the property
of another; -- an offense at common law. --Wharton.
{Malicious prosecution} or {arrest} (Law), a wanton
prosecution or arrest, by regular process in a civil or
criminal proceeding, without probable cause. --Bouvier.
Syn: Ill-disposed; evil-minded; mischievous; envious;
malevolent; invidious; spiteful; bitter; malignant;
rancorous; malign. -- {Ma*li"cious*ly}, adv. --
{Ma*li"cious*ness}, n.
Malign \Ma*lign"\, a. [L. malignus, for maligenus, i. e., of a
bad kind or nature; malus bad + the root of genus birth,
race, kind: cf. F. malin, masc., maligne, fem. See {Malice},
{Gender}, and cf. {Benign}, {Malignant}.]
1. Having an evil disposition toward others; harboring
violent enmity; malevolent; malicious; spiteful; --
opposed to {benign}.
Witchcraft may be by operation of malign spirits.
--Bacon.
2. Unfavorable; unpropitious; pernicious; tending to injure;
as, a malign aspect of planets.
3. Malignant; as, a malign ulcer. [R.] --Bacon.
Malign \Ma*lign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maligned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Maligning}.] [Cf. L. malignare. See {Malign}, a.]
To treat with malice; to show hatred toward; to abuse; to
wrong; to injure. [Obs.]
The people practice what mischiefs and villainies they
will against private men, whom they malign by stealing
their goods, or murdering them. --Spenser.
2. To speak great evil of; to traduce; to defame; to slander;
to vilify; to asperse.
To be envied and shot at; to be maligned standing,
and to be despised falling. --South.
Malign \Ma*lign"\, v. i.
To entertain malice. [Obs.]
Malignance \Ma*lig"nance\, Malignancy \Ma*lig"nan*cy\, n. [See
{Malignant}.]
1. The state or quality of being malignant; extreme
malevolence; bitter enmity; malice; as, malignancy of
heart.
2. Unfavorableness; evil nature.
The malignancy of my fate might perhaps distemner
yours. --Shak.
3. (Med.) Virulence; tendency to a fatal issue; as, the
malignancy of an ulcer or of a fever.
4. The state of being a malignant.
Syn: Malice; malevolence; malignity. See {Malice}.
Malignant \Ma*lig"nant\, a. [L. malignans, -antis, p. pr. of
malignare, malignari, to do or make maliciously. See
{Malign}, and cf. {Benignant}.]
1. Disposed to do harm, inflict suffering, or cause distress;
actuated by extreme malevolence or enmity; virulently
inimical; bent on evil; malicious.
A malignant and a turbaned Turk. --Shak.
2. Characterized or caused by evil intentions; pernicious.
``Malignant care.'' --Macaulay.
Some malignant power upon my life. --Shak.
Something deleterious and malignant as his touch.
--Hawthorne.
3. (Med.) Tending to produce death; threatening a fatal
issue; virulent; as, malignant diphtheria.
{Malignant pustule} (Med.), a very contagious disease,
transmitted to man from animals, characterized by the
formation, at the point of reception of the virus, of a
vesicle or pustule which first enlarges and then breaks
down into an unhealthy ulcer. It is marked by profound
exhaustion and usually fatal. Called also {charbon}, and
sometimes, improperly, {anthrax}.
Malignant \Ma*lig"nant\, n.
1. A man of extrems enmity or evil intentions. --Hooker.
2. (Eng. Hist.) One of the adherents of Charles L. or Charles
LL.; -- so called by the opposite party.
Malignantly \Ma*lig"nant*ly\, adv.
In a malignant manner.
Maligner \Ma*lign"er\, n.
One who maligns.
Malignify \Ma*lig"ni*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Malignified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Malignifying}.] [L. malignus malign + -fy.]
To make malign or malignant. [R.] ``A strong faith
malignified.'' --Southey.
Malignity \Ma*lig"ni*ty\, n. [F. malignit['e], L. malignitas.]
1. The state or quality of being malignant; disposition to do
evil; virulent enmity; malignancy; malice; spite.
2. Virulence; deadly quality.
His physicians discerned an invincible malignity in
his disease. --Hayward.
3. Extreme evilness of nature or influence; perniciousness;
heinousness; as, the malignity of fraud. [R.]
Syn: See {Malice}.
Malignly \Ma*lign"ly\, adv.
In a malign manner; with malignity.
Malinger \Ma*lin"ger\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {MAlingered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Malingering}.]
To act the part of a malingerer; to feign illness or
inability.
Malingerer \Ma*lin"ger*er\, n. [F. malingre sickly, weakly,
prob. from mal ill + OF. heingre, haingre, thin, lean,
infirm, fr. L. aeger.]
In the army, a soldier who feigns himself sick, or who
induces or protracts an illness, in order to avoid doing his
duty; hence, in general, one who shirks his duty by
pretending illness or inability.
Malingery \Ma*lin"ger*y\, n.
The spirit or practices of a malingerer; malingering.
Malison \Mal"i*son\, n. [OF. maleicon, L. maledictio. See
{Malediction}, and cf. {Benison}.]
Malediction; curse; execration. [Poetic]
God's malison on his head who this gainsays. --Sir W.
Scott.
Malkin \Mal"kin\, n. [Dim. of Maud, the proper name. Cf.
{Grimalkin}.] [Written also {maukin}.]
1. Originally, a kitchenmaid; a slattern. --Chaucer.
2. A mop made of clouts, used by the kitchen servant.
3. A scarecrow. [Prov. Eng.]
4. (Mil.) A mop or sponge attached to a jointed staff for
swabbing out a cannon.
Mall \Mall\ (m[add]l; 277), n. [Written also {maul}.] [OE.
malle, F. mail, L. malleus. Cf. {Malleus}.]
1. A large heavy wooden beetle; a mallet for driving anything
with force; a maul. --Addison.
2. A heavy blow. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. An old game played with malls or mallets and balls. See
{Pall-mall}. --Cotton.
4. A place where the game of mall was played. Hence: A public
walk; a level shaded walk.
Part of the area was laid out in gravel walks, and
planted with elms; and these convenient and
frequented walks obtained the name of the City Mall.
--Southey.
Mall \Mall\ (m[add]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Malled} (m[add]ld);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Malling}.] [Cf. OF. mailler. See {Mall}
beetle, and cf. {Malleate}.]
To beat with a mall; to beat with something heavy; to bruise;
to maul.
Mall \Mall\ (m[a^]l), n. [LL. mallum a public assembly; cf. OHG.
mahal assembly, transaction; akin to AS. m[ae][eth]el,
me[eth]el, assembly, m[=ae]lan to speak, Goth. ma[thorn]l
market place.]
Formerly, among Teutonic nations, a meeting of the notables
of a state for the transaction of public business, such
meeting being a modification of the ancient popular assembly.
Hence:
(a) A court of justice.
(b) A place where justice is administered.
(c) A place where public meetings are held.
Councils, which had been as frequent as diets or
malls, ceased. --Milman.
Mallard \Mal"lard\, n. [F. malari,fr. m[^a]le male + -art =-ard.
See {Male}, a., and {-ard}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A drake; the male of {Anas boschas}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large wild duck ({Anas boschas}) inhabiting
both America and Europe. The domestic duck has descended
from this species. Called also {greenhead}.
Malleability \Mal"le*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [CF. F.
mall['e]abilit['e].]
The quality or state of being malleable; -- opposed to
{friability} and {brittleness}. --Locke.
Malleable \Mal"le*a*ble\, a. [F. mall['e]able, fr. LL. malleare
to hammer. See {Malleate}.]
Capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer,
or by the pressure of rollers; -- applied to metals.
{Malleable iron}, iron that is capable of extension or of
being shaped under the hammer; decarbonized cast iron. See
under {Iron}.
{Malleable iron castings}, articles cast from pig iron and
made malleable by heating then for several days in the
presence of some substance, as hematite, which deprives
the cast iron of some of its carbon.
Malleableize \Mal"le*a*ble*ize\, v. t.
To make malleable.
Malleableness \Mal"le*a*ble*ness\, n.
Quality of being malleable.
Malleal \Mal"le*al\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the malleus.
Malleate \Mal"le*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Malleated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Malleating}.] [L. malleatus hammered, fr. malleus a
hammer. See {Mall}, v. t.]
To hammer; to beat into a plate or leaf.
Malleation \Mal`le*a"tion\, n. [LL. malleatio: cf. OF.
mall['e]ation.]
The act or process of beating into a plate, sheet, or leaf,
as a metal; extension by beating.
Mallecho \Mal"le*cho\, n.
Same as {Malicho}.
Mallee bird \Mal*lee" bird`\ (Zo["o]l.) [From native name.]
The leipoa. See {Leipoa}.
Mallemock \Mal"le*mock\, Mallemoke \Mal"le*moke\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mollemoke}.
Mallenders \Mal"len*ders\, n. pl. (Far.)
Same as {Malanders}.
Malleolar \Mal*le"o*lar\, a. [See {Malleolus}.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the malleolus; in the region of the
malleoli of the ankle joint.
Malleolus \Mal*le"*o*lus\, n.; pl. {Malleoli}. [L., dim. of
malleus hammer.]
1. (Anat.) A projection at the distal end of each bone of the
leg at the ankle joint. The malleolus of the tibia is the
internal projection, that of the fibula the external.
2. `` A layer, '' a shoot partly buried in the ground, and
there cut halfway through.
Mallet \Mal"let\, n. [F. maillet, dim. of mail. See {Mall} a
beetle.]
A small maul with a short handle, -- used esp. for driving a
tool, as a chisel or the like; also, a light beetle with a
long handle, -- used in playing croquet.
Malleus \Mal"le*us\, n.; pl. {Mallei}. [L., hammer. See {Mall} a
beetle.]
1. (Anat.) The outermost of the three small auditory bones,
ossicles; the hammer. It is attached to the tympanic
membrane by a long process, the handle or manubrium. See
Illust. of {Far}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the hard lateral pieces of the mastax of
Rotifera. See {Mastax}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of bivalve shells; the hammer shell.
Mallophaga \Mal*loph"a*ga\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a lock of
wool + ? to eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive group of insects which are parasitic on birds
and mammals, and feed on the feathers and hair; -- called
also {bird lice}. See {Bird louse}, under {Bird}.
Mallotus \Mal*lo"tus\, n. [NL., fr Gr. ? fleecy.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small Arctic fishes. One American species, the
capelin ({Mallotus villosus}), is extensively used as bait
for cod.
Mallow \Mal"low\, Mallows \Mal"lows\, n. [OE. malwe, AS. mealwe,
fr. L. malva, akin to Gr. mala`chh; cf. mala`ssein to soften,
malako`s soft. Named either from its softening or relaxing
properties, or from its soft downy leaves. Cf. {Mauve},
{Malachite}.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Malva}) having mucilaginous qualities.
See {Malvaceous}.
Note: The flowers of the common mallow ({M. sylvestris}) are
used in medicine. The dwarf mallow ({M. rotundifolia})
is a common weed, and its flattened, dick-shaped fruits
are called cheeses by children. Tree mallow ({M.
Mauritiana} and {Lavatera arborea}), musk mallow ({M.
moschata}), rose mallow or hollyhock, and curled mallow
({M. crispa}), are less commonly seen.
{Indian mallow}. See {Abutilon}.
{Jew's mallow}, a plant ({Corchorus olitorius}) used as a pot
herb by the Jews of Egypt and Syria.
{Marsh mallow}. See under {Marsh}.
Mallowwort \Mal"low*wort`\ (m[a^]l"l[-o]*w[^u]rt), n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the order {Malvace[ae]}.
Malm \Malm\, Malmbrick \Malm"brick`\, n. [Cf. AS. mealm sand.]
A kind of brick of a light brown or yellowish color, made of
sand, clay, and chalk.
Malma \Mal"ma\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A spotted trout ({Salvelinus malma}), inhabiting Northern
America, west of the Rocky Mountains; -- called also {Dolly
Varden trout}, {bull trout}, {red-spotted trout}, and
{golet}.
Malmag \Mal"mag\, n. [F., from native name in Madagascar.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The tarsius, or spectral lemur.
Malmsey \Malm"sey\, n. [OE. malvesie, F. malvoisie, It.
malvasia, malavagia, fr. Malvasia, or Napoli di Malvasia, in
the Morea.]
A kind of sweet wine from Crete, the Canary Islands, etc.
--Shak.
Malnutrition \Mal`nu*tri"tion\, n. [Mal- + nutrition.]
(Physiol.)
Faulty or imperfect nutrition.
Malobservation \Mal*ob`ser*va"tion\, n. [Mal- + observation.]
Erroneous observation. --J. S Mill.
Malodor \Mal*o"dor\, n.
An Offensive to the sense of smell; ill-smelling. --
{Mal*o"dor*ous*ness}. n. --Carlyle.
Malonate \Mal"o*nate\, a. (Chem.)
At salt of malonic acid.
Malonic \Ma*lon"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid produced artifically
as a white crystalline substance, {CH2.(CO2H)2}, and so
called because obtained by the oxidation of malic acid.
Malonyl \Mal"o*nyl\, n. [Malonic + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, {CH2.(CO)2}, from malonic acid.
Malpighia \Mal*pi"ghi*a\, n. [NL. See {Malpighian}.] (Bot.)
A genus of tropical American shrubs with opposite leaves and
small white or reddish flowers. The drupes of {Malpighia
urens} are eaten under the name of Barbadoes cherries.
Malpighiaceous \Mal*pi`ghi*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of tropical
trees and shrubs ({Malpighiace[ae]}), some of them climbing
plants, and their stems forming many of the curious lianes of
South American forests.
Malpighian \Mal*pi"ghi*an\, a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Marcello Malpighi, an
Italian anatomist of the 17th century.
{Malhighian} {capsules or corpuscles}, the globular
dilatations, containing the glomeruli or Malpighian tufts,
at the extremities of the urinary tubules of the kidney.
{Malpighian corpuscles of the spleen}, masses of adenoid
tissue connected with branches of the splenic artery.
Malposition \Mal`po*si"tion\, n. [Mal- + position.]
A wrong position.
Malpractice \Mal*prac"tice\, n. [Mal- + practice.]
Evil practice; illegal or immoral conduct; practice contrary
to established rules; specifically, the treatment of a case
by a surgeon or physician in a manner which is contrary to
accepted rules and productive of unfavorable results.
[Written also {malepractice}.]
Malt \Malt\, n. [AS. mealt; akin to D. mout, G. malz, Icel.,
Sw., & Dan. malt, and E. melt. [root]108. See {Melt}.]
Barley or other grain, steeped in water and dried in a kiln,
thus forcing germination until the saccharine principle has
been evolved. It is used in brewing and in the distillation
of whisky.
Malt \Malt\, a.
Relating to, containing, or made with, malt.
{Malt liquor}, an alcoholic liquor, as beer, ale, porter,
etc., prepared by fermenting an infusion of malt.
{Malt dust}, fine particles of malt, or of the grain used in
making malt; -- used as a fertilizer. `` Malt dust
consists chiefly of the infant radicle separated from the
grain.'' --Sir H. Davy.
{Malt floor}, a floor for drying malt.
{Malt house}, or {Malthouse}, a house in which malt is made.
{Malt kiln}, a heated chamber for drying malt.
Malt \Malt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Malted}: p. pr. & vb. n.
{Malting}.]
To make into malt; as, to malt barley.
Malt \Malt\, v. i.
To become malt; also, to make grain into malt. --Mortimer.
Maltalent \Mal"ta*lent\, n. [F. See {Malice}, and {Talent}.]
Ill will; malice. [Obs.] --Rom. of R. Spenser.
Maltese \Mal*tese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Malta or to its inhabitants. -- n. sing.
& pl. A native or inhabitant of Malta; the people of Malta.
{Maltese cat} (Zo["o]l.), a mouse-colored variety of the
domestic cat.
{Maltese cross}. See Illust. 5, of {Cross}.
{Maltese dog} (Zo["o]l.), a breed of small terriers, having
long silky white hair. The breed originated in Malta.
Maltha \Mal"tha\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. A variety of bitumen, viscid and tenacious, like pitch,
unctuous to the touch, and exhaling a bituminous odor.
2. Mortar. [Obs.] --Holland.
Malthusian \Mal*thu"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to the political economist, the Rev. T. R.
Malthus, or conforming to his views; as, Malthusian theories.
Note: Malthus held that population tends to increase faster
than its means of subsistence can be made to do, and
hence that the lower classes must necessarily suffer
more or less from lack of food, unless an increase of
population be checked by prudential restraint or
otherwise.
Mathusian \Ma*thu"sian\, n.
A follower of Malthus.
Malthusianism \Mal*thu"sian*ism\, n.
The system of Malthusian doctrines relating to population.
Maltin \Malt"in\, Maltine \Malt"ine\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
The fermentative principle of malt; malt diastase; also, a
name given to various medicinal preparations made from or
containing malt.
Malting \Malt"ing\, n.
The process of making, or of becoming malt.
Maltman \Malt"man\, n.; pl. {Maltmen}.
A man whose occupation is to make malt.
Maltonic \Mal*ton"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, maltose; specif.,
designating an acid called also {gluconic} or {dextronic}
acid. See {Gluconic}.
Maltose \Malt"ose`\, n. [From {Malt}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A crystalline sugar formed from starch by the action of
distance of malt, and the amylolytic ferment of saliva and
pancreatic juice. It resembles dextrose, but rotates the
plane of polarized light further to the right and possesses a
lower cupric oxide reducing power.
Maltreat \Mal*treat"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maltreated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Maltreating}.] [Mal- + treat: cf. F. maltraiter.]
To treat ill; to abuse; to treat roughly.
Maltreament \Mal*trea"ment\, n.; [Cf. F. maltraitement.]
Ill treatment; ill usage; abuse.
Maltster \Malt"ster\, n.
A maltman. --Swift.
Maltworm \Malt"worm`\, n.
A tippler. [R.] --Shak.
Malty \Malt"y\, a.
Consisting, or like, malt. --Dickens.
Malum \Ma"lum\, n.; pl. {Mala}. [L.]
An evil. See {Mala}.
Malvaceous \Mal*va"ceous\, a. [L. malvaceus, from malva mallows.
See {Mallow}.] (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants
({Malvace[ae]}), of which the mallow is the type. The cotton
plant, hollyhock, and abutilon are of this order, and the
baobab and the silk-cotton trees are now referred to it.
Malversation \Mal`ver*sa"tion\, n. [F., fr. malverser to be
corrupt in office, fr. L. male ill + versari to move about,
to occupy one's self, vertere to turn. See {Malice}, and
{Verse}.]
Evil conduct; fraudulent practices; misbehavior, corruption,
or extortion in office.
Malvesie \Mal"ve*sie\, n.
Malmsey wine. See {Malmsey}. `` A jub of malvesye.''
--Chaucer.
Mam \Mam\ (m[a^]m), n. [Abbrev. fr. mamma.]
Mamma.
Mama \Ma*ma"\, n.
See {Mamma}.
Mamaluke \Mam"a*luke\, n.
Same as {Mameluke}.
Mamelon \Mam"e*lon\, n. [F.]
A rounded hillock; a rounded elevation or protuberance.
--Westmin. Rev.
Mameluco \Mam`e*lu"co\, n. [Pg.]
A child born of a white father and Indian mother. [S. Amer.]
Mameluke \Mam"e*luke\, n. [F. mamelouk, cf. Sp. mameluco, It.
mammalucco; all fr. Ar. maml?k a purchased slave or captive;
lit., possessed or in one's power, p. p. of malaka to
possesses.]
One of a body of mounted soldiers recruited from slaves
converted to Mohammedanism, who, during several centuries,
had more or less control of the government of Egypt, until
exterminated or dispersed by Mehemet Ali in 1811.
Mamillated \Mam"il*la`ted\, a.
See {Mammillated}.
Mamma \Mam*ma"\, n. [Reduplicated from the infantine word ma,
influenced in spelling by L. mamma.]
Mother; -- word of tenderness and familiarity. [Written also
{mama}.]
Tell tales papa and mamma. --Swift.
Mamma \Mam"ma\, n.; pl. {Mamm[ae]}. [L. mamma breast.] (Anat.)
A glandular organ for secreting milk, characteristic of all
mammals, but usually rudimentary in the male; a mammary
gland; a breast; under; bag.
Mammal \Mam"mal\, n.; pl. {Mammals}. [L. mammalis belonging to
the breast, fr. mamma the breast or pap: cf. F. mammal.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the Mammalia.
{Age of mammals}. See under {Age}, n., 8.
Mammalia \Mam*ma"li*a\, n. pl. [NL., from L. mammalis. See
{Mammal}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The highest class of Vertebrata. The young are nourished for
a time by milk, or an analogous fluid, secreted by the
mammary glands of the mother.
Note: Mammalia are divided into three subclasses; -- I.
{Placentalia}. This subclass embraces all the higher
orders, including man. In these the fetus is attached
to the uterus by a placenta. II. {Marsupialia}. In
these no placenta is formed, and the young, which are
born at an early state of development, are carried for
a time attached to the teats, and usually protected by
a marsupial pouch. The opossum, kangaroo, wombat, and
koala are examples. III. {Monotremata}. In this group,
which includes the genera {Echidna} and
{Ornithorhynchus}, the female lays large eggs
resembling those of a bird or lizard, and the young,
which are hatched like those of birds, are nourished by
a watery secretion from the imperfectly developed
mamm[ae].
Mammalian \Mam*ma"li*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Mammalia or mammals.
Mammaliferous \Mam`ma*lif"er*ous\, a. [Mammal + -ferous.]
(Geol.)
Containing mammalian remains; -- said of certain strata.
Mammalogical \Mam`ma*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to mammalogy.
Mammalogist \Mam*mal"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. mammalogiste.]
One versed in mammalogy.
Mammalogy \Mam*mal"o*gy\, n. [Mamma breast + -logy: cf. f.
mammalogie.]
The science which relates to mammals or the Mammalia. See
{Mammalia}.
Mammary \Mam"ma*ry\, a. [Cf. F. mammaire.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mamm[ae] or breasts; as, the mammary
arteries and veins.
Mammee \Mam*mee"\, n. [Haytian mamey.] (Bot.)
A fruit tree of tropical America, belonging to the genus
{Mammea} ({M. Americana}); also, its fruit. The latter is
large, covered with a thick, tough ring, and contains a
bright yellow pulp of a pleasant taste and fragrant scent. It
is often called {mammee apple}.
Mammer \Mam"mer\, v. i. [Cf. G. memme coward, poltroon.]
To hesitate; to mutter doubtfully. [Obs.]
Mammet \Mam"met\, n. [See {Mawmet}.]
An idol; a puppet; a doll. [Obs.] --Selden. --Shak.
Mammetry \Mam"met*ry\, n.
See {Mawmetry}. [Obs.]
Mammifer \Mam"mi*fer\, n. [NL. See {Mammiferous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A mammal. See {Mammalia}.
Mammiferous \Mam*mif"er*ous\, a. [Mamma breast + -ferous: cf. F.
mammif[`e]re.]
Having breasts; of, pertaining to, or derived from, the
Mammalia.
Mammiform \Mam"mi*form\, a. [Mamma breast + -form: cf. F.
mammiforme.]
Having the form of a mamma (breast) or mamm[ae].
Mammilla \Mam*mil"la\, n.; pl. {Mammil[ae]}. [L., dim. of mamma
a breast.] (Anat.)
The nipple.
Mammillary \Mam"mil*la*ry\, a. [Cf. F. mammilaire. See
{Mammilla}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the mammilla, or nipple, or to the
breast; resembling a mammilla; mammilloid.
2. (Min.) Composed of convex convex concretions, somewhat
resembling the breasts in form; studded with small
mammiform protuberances.
Mammillate \Mam"mil*late\, Mammillated \Mam"mil*la`ted\, a. [See
{Mammilla}.]
1. Having small nipples, or small protuberances like nipples
or mamm[ae].
2. (Zo["o]l.) Bounded like a nipple; -- said of the apex of
some shells.
Mammilliform \Mam*mil"li*form\, a. [Mammilla + -form.]
Having the form of a mammilla.
Mammilloid \Mam"mil*loid\, a. [Mammilla + -oid.]
Like a mammilla or nipple; mammilliform.
Mammock \Mam"mock\, n. [Ir. & Gael. mam a round hill + -ock.]
A shapeless piece; a fragment. [Obs.]
Mammock \Mam"mock\, v. t.
To tear to pieces. [Obs.] --Milton.
Mammodis \Mam"mo*dis\, n. [F. mamoudis, fr. Hind. mahm[=u]d[=i]
a muslin.]
Coarse plain India muslins.
Mammology \Mam*mol"o*gy\, n. [Mamma + -logy.]
Mastology. See {Mammalogy}.
Mammon \Mam"mon\, n. [L. mammona, Gr. ? riches, Syr. mam?n[=a];
cf. Heb. matm?n a hiding place, subterranean storehouse,
treasury, fr. t[=a]man to hide.]
Riches; wealth; the god of riches; riches, personified.
Ye can not serve God and Mammon. --Matt. vi.
24.
Mammonish \Mam"mon*ish\, a.
Actuated or prompted by a devotion to money getting or the
service of Mammon. --Carlyle.
Mammonism \Mam"mon*ism\, n.
Devotion to the pursuit of wealth; worldliness. --Carlyle.
Mammonist \Mam"mon*ist\, n.
A mammonite.
Mammonite \Mam"mon*ite\, n.
One devoted to the acquisition of wealth or the service of
Mammon. --C. Kingsley.
Mammonization \Mam`mon*i*za"tion\, n.
The process of making mammonish; the state of being under the
influence of mammonism.
Mammonize \Mam"mon*ize\, v. t.
To make mammonish.
Mammose \Mam*mose"\, a. [L. mammosus having large breasts, mamma
breast.] (Bot.)
Having the form of the breast; breast-shaped.
Mammoth \Mam"moth\, n. [Russ. m[^a]mont, m['a]mant, fr. Tartar
mamma the earth. Certain Tartar races, the Tungooses and
Yakoots, believed that the mammoth worked its way in the
earth like a mole.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extinct, hairy, maned elephant ({Elephas primigenius}), of
enormous size, remains of which are found in the northern
parts of both continents. The last of the race, in Europe,
were coeval with prehistoric man.
Note: Several specimens have been found in Siberia preserved
entire, with the flesh and hair remaining. They were
imbedded in the ice cliffs at a remote period, and
became exposed by the melting of the ice.
Mammoth \Mam"moth\, a.
Resembling the mammoth in size; very large; gigantic; as, a
mammoth ox.
Mammothrept \Mam"mo*thrept\, n. [Gr. ?; ? grandmother + ? to
nourish.]
A child brought up by its grandmother; a spoiled child. [R.]
O, you are a more mammothrept in judgment. --B. Jonson.
Mammy \Mam"my\, n.; pl. {Mammies}.
A child's name for mamma, mother.
Mamzer \Mam"zer\, n. [Heb. m['a]mz?r.]
A person born of relations between whom marriage was
forbidden by the Mosaic law; a bastard. --Deut. xxiii. 2
(Douay version).
Man \Man\, n.; pl. {Men}. [AS. mann, man, monn, mon; akin to
OS., D., & OHG. man, G. mann, Icel. ma[eth]r, for mannr, Dan.
Mand, Sw. man, Goth. manna, Skr. manu, manus, and perh. to
Skr. man to think, and E. mind. [root]104. Cf. {Minx} a pert
girl.]
1. A human being; -- opposed tobeast.
These men went about wide, and man found they none,
But fair country, and wild beast many [a] one. --R.
of Glouc.
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet smells to
him as it doth to me. --Shak.
2. Especially: An adult male person; a grown-up male person,
as distinguished from a woman or a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things. --I
Cor. xiii. 11.
Ceneus, a woman once, and once a man. --Dryden.
3. The human race; mankind.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after
our likeness, and let them have dominion. --Gen. i.
26.
The proper study of mankind is man. --Pope.
4. The male portion of the human race.
Woman has, in general, much stronger propensity than
man to the discharge of parental duties. --Cowper.
5. One possessing in a high degree the distinctive qualities
of manhood; one having manly excellence of any kind.
--Shak.
This was the noblest Roman of them all . . . the
elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world ``This was a man!'' --Shak.
6. An adult male servant; also, a vassal; a subject.
Like master, like man. --Old Proverb.
The vassal, or tenant, kneeling, ungirt, uncovered,
and holding up his hands between those of his lord,
professed that he did become his man from that day
forth, of life, limb, and earthly honor.
--Blackstone.
7. A term of familiar address often implying on the part of
the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or
haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose!
8. A married man; a husband; -- correlative to wife.
I pronounce that they are man and wife. --Book of
Com. Prayer.
every wife ought to answer for her man. --Addison.
9. One, or any one, indefinitely; -- a modified survival of
the Saxon use of man, or mon, as an indefinite pronoun.
A man can not make him laugh. --Shak.
A man would expect to find some antiquities; but all
they have to show of this nature is an old rostrum
of a Roman ship. --Addison.
10. One of the piece with which certain games, as chess or
draughts, are played.
Note: Man is often used as a prefix in composition, or as a
separate adjective, its sense being usually
self-explaining; as, man child, man eater or maneater,
man-eating, man hater or manhater, man-hating,
manhunter, man-hunting, mankiller, man-killing, man
midwife, man pleaser, man servant, man-shaped,
manslayer, manstealer, man-stealing, manthief, man
worship, etc. Man is also used as a suffix to denote a
person of the male sex having a business which pertains
to the thing spoken of in the qualifying part of the
compound; ashman, butterman, laundryman, lumberman,
milkman, fireman, showman, waterman, woodman. Where the
combination is not familiar, or where some specific
meaning of the compound is to be avoided, man is used
as a separate substantive in the foregoing sense; as,
apple man, cloth man, coal man, hardware man, wood man
(as distinguished from woodman).
{Man ape} (Zo["o]l.), a anthropoid ape, as the gorilla.
{Man at arms}, a designation of the fourteenth and fifteenth
centuries for a soldier fully armed.
{Man engine}, a mechanical lift for raising or lowering
people through considerable distances; specifically
(Mining), a contrivance by which miners ascend or descend
in a shaft. It consists of a series of landings in the
shaft and an equal number of shelves on a vertical rod
which has an up and down motion equal to the distance
between the successive landings. A man steps from a
landing to a shelf and is lifted or lowered to the next
landing, upon which he them steps, and so on, traveling by
successive stages.
{Man Friday}, a person wholly subservient to the will of
another, like Robinson Crusoe's servant Friday.
{Man of straw}, a puppet; one who is controlled by others;
also, one who is not responsible pecuniarily.
{Man-of-the earth} (Bot.), a twining plant ({Ipom[oe]a
pandurata}) with leaves and flowers much like those of the
morning-glory, but having an immense tuberous farinaceous
root.
{Man of war}.
(a) A warrior; a soldier. --Shak.
(b) (Naut.) See in the Vocabulary.
{To be one's own man}, to have command of one's self; not to
be subject to another.
Man \Man\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Manning}.]
1. To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or
complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or
the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort.
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall ! --Shak.
They man their boats, and all their young men arm.
--Waller.
2. To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for
efficiency; to fortify. ``Theodosius having manned his
soul with proper reflections.'' --Addison.
3. To tame, as a hawk. [R.] --Shak.
4. To furnish with a servants. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. To wait on as a manservant. [Obs.] --Shak.
Note: In ``Othello,'' V. ii. 270, the meaning is uncertain,
being, perhaps: To point, to aim, or to manage.
{To man a yard} (Naut.), to send men upon a yard, as for
furling or reefing a sail.
{To man the yards} (Naut.), to station men on the yards as a
salute or mark of respect.
Manable \Man"a*ble\, a.
Marriageable. [Obs.]
Manace \Man"ace\, n. & v.
Same as {Menace}. [Obs.]
Manacle \Man"a*cle\, n. [OE. manicle, OF. manicle, F. manicle
sort glove, manacle, L. manicula a little hand, dim. of manus
hand; cf. L. manica sleeve, manacle, fr. manus. See
{Manual}.]
A handcuff; a shackle for the hand or wrist; -- usually in
the plural.
Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like
manacles on the right hand. --Ecclus. xxi.
19.
Manacle \Man"a*cle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manacled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Manacling}.]
To put handcuffs or other fastening upon, for confining the
hands; to shackle; to confine; to restrain from the use of
the limbs or natural powers.
Is it thus you use this monarch, to manacle and shackle
him hand and foot ? --Arbuthnot.
Manage \Man"age\, n. [F. man[`e]ge, It. maneggio, fr. maneggiare
to manage, fr. L. manushand. Perhaps somewhat influenced by
F. m['e]nage housekeeping, OF. mesnage, akin to E. mansion.
See {Manual}, and cf. {Manege}.]
The handling or government of anything, but esp. of a horse;
management; administration. See {Manege}. [Obs.]
Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions,
embrace more than they can hold. --Bacon.
Down, down I come; like glistering Pha["e]thon
Wanting the manage of unruly jades. --Shak.
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. --Shak.
Note: This word, in its limited sense of management of a
horse, has been displaced by manege; in its more
general meaning, by management.
Manage \Man"age\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Managed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Managing}.] [From {Manage}, n.]
1. To have under control and direction; to conduct; to guide;
to administer; to treat; to handle.
Long tubes are cumbersome, and scarce to be easily
managed. --Sir I.
Newton.
What wars Imanage, and what wreaths I gain. --Prior.
2. Hence: Esp., to guide by careful or delicate treatment; to
wield with address; to make subservient by artful conduct;
to bring around cunningly to one's plans.
It was so much his interest to manage his Protestant
subjects. --Addison.
It was not her humor to manage those over whom she
had gained an ascendant. --Bp. Hurd.
3. To train in the manege, as a horse; to exercise in
graceful or artful action.
4. To treat with care; to husband. --Dryden.
5. To bring about; to contrive. --Shak.
Syn: To direct; govern; control; wield; order; contrive;
concert; conduct; transact.
Manage \Man"age\, v. i.
To direct affairs; to carry on business or affairs; to
administer.
Leave them to manage for thee. --Dryden.
Manageability \Man`age*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being manageable; manageableness.
Manageable \Man"age*a*ble\, a.
Such as can be managed or used; suffering control;
governable; tractable; subservient; as, a manageable horse.
Syn: Governable; tractable; controllable; docile. --
{Man"age*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Man"age*a*bly}, adv.
Manageless \Man"age*less\, a.
Unmanageable. [R.]
Management \Man"age*ment\, n. [From {Manage}, v.]
1. The act or art of managing; the manner of treating,
directing, carrying on, or using, for a purpose; conduct;
administration; guidance; control; as, the management of a
family or of a farm; the management of state affairs.
``The management of the voice.'' --E. Porter.
2. Business dealing; negotiation; arrangement.
He had great managements with ecclesiastics.
--Addison.
3. Judicious use of means to accomplish an end; conduct
directed by art or address; skillful treatment; cunning
practice; -- often in a bad sense.
Mark with what management their tribes divide Some
stick to you, and some to t'other side. --Dryden.
4. The collective body of those who manage or direct any
enterprise or interest; the board of managers.
Syn: Conduct; administration; government; direction;
guidance; care; charge; contrivance; intrigue.
Manager \Man"a*ger\, n.
1. One who manages; a conductor or director; as, the manager
of a theater.
A skillful manager of the rabble. --South.
2. A person who conducts business or household affairs with
economy and frugality; a good economist.
A prince of great aspiring thoughts; in the main, a
manager of his treasure. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. A contriver; an intriguer. --Shak.
Managerial \Man`a*ge"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to management or a manager; as, managerial
qualities. ``Managerial responsibility.'' --C. Bront['e].
Managership \Man"a*ger*ship\, n.
The office or position of a manager.
Managery \Man"age*ry\, n. [Cf. OF. menagerie, mesnagerie. See
{Manage}, n., and cf. {Menagerie}.]
1. Management; manner of using; conduct; direction.
2. Husbandry; economy; frugality. --Bp. Burnet.
Manakin \Man"a*kin\, n. [Cf. F. & G. manakin; prob. the native
name.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous small birds belonging to {Pipra},
{Manacus}, and other genera of the family {Piprid[ae]}. They
are mostly natives of Central and South America. some are
bright-colored, and others have the wings and tail curiously
ornamented. The name is sometimes applied to related birds of
other families.
Manakin \Man"a*kin\, n.
A dwarf. See {Manikin}. --Shak.
Manatee \Man`a*tee"\, n. [Sp. manat['i], from the native name in
Hayti. Cf. {Lamantin}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Trichechus}, a genus of sirenians; -- called
also{sea cow}. [Written also {manaty}, {manati}.]
Note: One species ({Trichechus Senegalensis}) inhabits the
west coast of Africa; another ({T. Americanus})
inhabits the east coast of South America, and the
West-Indies. The Florida manatee ({T. latirostris}) is
by some considered a distinct species, by others it is
thought to be a variety of {T. Americanus}. It
sometimes becomes fifteen feet or more in length, and
lives both in fresh and salt water. It is hunted for
its oil and flesh.
Manation \Ma*na"tion\, n.[L. manatio, fr. manare to flow.]
The act of issuing or flowing out. [Obs.]
Manbote \Man"bote`\, n. [AS. man man, vassal + b[=o]t
recompense.] (Anglo-Saxon Law)
A sum paid to a lord as a pecuniary compensation for killing
his man (that is, his vassal, servant, or tenant). --Spelman.
Manca \Man"ca\, n. [LL.]
See {Mancus}.
Manche \Manche\, n. [Also {maunch}.] [F. manche, fr. L. manica.
See {Manacle}.]
A sleeve. [Obs.]
Manchet \Man"chet\, n.
Fine white bread; a loaf of fine bread. [Archaic] --Bacon.
Tennyson.
Manchineel \Man`chi*neel"\, n. [Sp. manzanillo, fr. manzana an
apple, fr. L. malum Matianum a kind of apple. So called from
its apple-like fruit.] (Bot.)
A euphorbiaceous tree ({Hippomane Mancinella}) of tropical
America, having a poisonous and blistering milky juice, and
poisonous acrid fruit somewhat resembling an apple.
{Bastard manchineel}, a tree ({Cameraria latifolia}) of the
East Indies, having similar poisonous properties.
--Lindley.
Manchu \Man*chu"\, a. [Written also Manchoo, Mantchoo, etc.]
Of or pertaining to Manchuria or its inhabitants. -- n. A
native or inhabitant of Manchuria; also, the language spoken
by the Manchus.
Mancipate \Man"ci*pate\, v. t. [L. mancipatus, p. p. of
mancipare to sell. Cf. {Emancipate}.]
To enslave; to bind; to restrict. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Mancipation \Man`ci*pa"tion\, n. [L. mancipatio a transfer.]
Slavery; involuntary servitude. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Manciple \Man"ci*ple\, n. [From OF. mancipe slave, servant (with
l inserted, as in participle), fr. L. mancipium. See
{Mancipate}.]
A steward; a purveyor, particularly of a college or Inn of
Court. --Chaucer.
Mancona bark \Man*co"na bark`\
See {Sassy bark}.
Mancus \Man"cus\, n. [AS.]
An old Anglo Saxon coin both of gold and silver, and of
variously estimated values. The silver mancus was equal to
about one shilling of modern English money.
-mancy \-man`cy\ [Gr. ? divination: cf. F. -mancie.]
A combining form denoting divination; as, aleuromancy,
chiromancy, necromancy, etc.
Mand \Mand\, n.
A demand. [Obs.] See {Demand}.
Mandamus \Man*da"mus\, n. [L., we command, fr. mandare to
command.] (Law)
A writ issued by a superior court and directed to some
inferior tribunal, or to some corporation or person
exercising authority, commanding the performance of some
specified duty.
Mandarin \Man`da*rin"\, n. [Pg. mandarim, from Malay mantr[=i]
minister of state, prop. a Hind. word, fr. Skr. mantrin a
counselor, manira a counsel, man to think.]
1. A Chinese public officer or nobleman; a civil or military
official in China and Annam.
2. (Bot.) A small orange, with easily separable rind. It is
thought to be of Chinese origin, and is counted a distinct
species ({Citrus nobilis})
.
{Mandarin duck} (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful Asiatic duck
({Dendronessa galericulata}), often domesticated, and
regarded by the Chinese as an emblem of conjugal
affection.
{Mandarin language}, the spoken or colloquial language of
educated people in China.
{Mandarin yellow} (Chem.), an artificial aniline dyestuff
used for coloring silk and wool, and regarded as a complex
derivative of quinoline.
Mandarinate \Man`da*rin"ate\, n.
The collective body of officials or persons of rank in China.
--S. W. Williams.
Mandarinic \Man`da*rin"ic\, a.
Appropriate or peculiar to a mandarin.
Mandarining \Man`da*rin"ing\, n. (Dyeing)
The process of giving an orange color to goods formed of
animal tissue, as silk or wool, not by coloring matter, but
by producing a certain change in the fiber by the action of
dilute nitric acid. --Tomlinson.
Mandarinism \Man`da*rin"ism\, n.
A government mandarins; character or spirit of the mandarins.
--F. Lieder.
Mandatary \Man"da*ta*ry\, n. [L. mandatarius, fr. mandatum a
charge, commission, order: cf. F. mandataire. See {Mandate}.]
1. One to whom a command or charge is given; hence,
specifically, a person to whom the pope has, by his
prerogative, given a mandate or order for his benefice.
--Ayliffe.
2. (Law) One who undertakes to discharge a specific business
commission; a mandatory. --Wharton.
Mandate \Man"date\, n. [L. mandatum, fr. mandare to commit to
one's charge, order, orig., to put into one's hand; manus
hand + dare to give: cf. F. mandat. See {Manual}, {Date} a
time, and cf. {Commend}, {Maundy Thursday}.]
1. An official or authoritative command; an order or
injunction; a commission; a judicial precept.
This dream all-powerful Juno; I bear Her mighty
mandates, and her words you hear. --Dryden.
2. (Canon Law) A rescript of the pope, commanding an ordinary
collator to put the person therein named in possession of
the first vacant benefice in his collation.
3. (Scots Law) A contract by which one employs another to
manage any business for him. By the Roman law, it must
have been gratuitous. --Erskine.
Mandator \Man*da"tor\, n. [L.]
1. A director; one who gives a mandate or order. --Ayliffe.
2. (Rom. Law) The person who employs another to perform a
mandate. --Bouvier.
Mandatory \Man"da*to*ry\, a. [L. mandatorius.]
Containing a command; preceptive; directory.
Mandatory \Man"da*to*ry\, n.
Same as {Mandatary}.
Mandelate \Man"del*ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mandelic acid.
Mandelic \Man*del"ic\, a. [G. mandel almond.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to an acid first obtained from benzoic aldehyde
(oil of better almonds), as a white crystalline substance; --
called also phenyl glycolic acid.
Mander \Man"der\, v. t. & i.
See {Maunder}.
Manderil \Man"der*il\, n.
A mandrel.
Mandible \Man"di*ble\, n. [L. mandibula, mandibulum, fr. mandere
to chew. Cf. {Manger}.]
1. (Anat.) The bone, or principal bone, of the lower jaw; the
inferior maxilla; -- also applied to either the upper or
the lower jaw in the beak of birds.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The anterior pair of mouth organs of insects,
crustaceaus, and related animals, whether adapted for
biting or not. See Illust. of {Diptera}.
Mandibular \Man*dib"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. mandibulaire.]
Of or pertaining to a mandible; like a mandible. -- n. The
principal mandibular bone; the mandible.
{Mandibular arch} (Anat.), the most anterior visceral arch,
-- that in which the mandible is developed.
Mandibulate \Man*dib"u*late\, Mandibulated \Man*dib"u*la`ted\,
a. (Zo["o]l.)
Provided with mandibles adapted for biting, as many insects.
Mandibulate \Man*dib"u*late\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An insect having mandibles.
Mandibuliform \Man`di*bu"li*form\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the form of a mandible; -- said especially of the
maxill[ae] of an insect when hard and adapted for biting.
Mandibulohyoid \Man*dib`u*lo*hy"oid\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining both to the mandibular and the hyoid arch, or
situated between them.
Mandil \Man"dil\, n. [OF. mandil; cf. Sp. & Pg. mandil a coarse
apron, a haircloth; all from Ar. mandil tablecloth,
handkerchief, mantle, fr. LGr. ?, fr. L. mantile, mantele.
See {Mantle}.]
A loose outer garment worn the 16th and 17th centuries.
Mandilion \Man*dil"ion\, n.
See {Mandil}. --Chapman.
Mandingos \Man*din"gos\, n. pl.
; sing. {Mandingo}. (Ethnol.) An extensive and powerful tribe
of West African negroes.
Mandioc \Man"di*oc\, Mandioca \Man`di*o"ca\, n. (Bot.)
See {Manioc}.
Mandlestone \Man"dle*stone`\, n. [G. mandelstein almond stone.]
(Min.)
Amygdaloid.
Mandment \Mand"ment\, n.
Commandment. [Obs.]
Mandolin \Man"do*lin\, Mandoline \Man"do*line\, n. [F.
mandoline, It. mandolino, dim. of mandola, fr. L. pandura.
See {Bandore}.] (Mus.)
A small and beautifully shaped instrument resembling the
lute.
Mandore \Man"dore\, n. [See {Mandolin}, and {Bandore}.] (Mus.)
A kind of four-stringed lute.
Mandragora \Man*drag"o*ra\, n. [L., mandragoras the mandrake.]
(Bot.)
A genus of plants; the mandrake. See {Mandrake}, 1.
Mandragorite \Man*drag"o*rite\, n.
One who habitually intoxicates himself with a narcotic
obtained from mandrake.
Mandrake \Man"drake\, n. [AS. mandragora, L. mandragoras, fr.
Gr. ?: cf. F. mandragore.]
1. (Bot.) A low plant ({Mandragora officinarum}) of the
Nightshade family, having a fleshy root, often forked, and
supposed to resemble a man. It was therefore supposed to
have animal life, and to cry out when pulled up. All parts
of the plant are strongly narcotic. It is found in the
Mediterranean region.
And shrieks like mandrakes, torn out of the earth,
That living mortals, hearing them, run mad. --Shak.
Note: The mandrake of Scripture was perhaps the same plant,
but proof is wanting.
2. (Bot.) The May apple ({Podophyllum peltatum}). See {May
apple} under {May}, and {Podophyllum}. [U.S.]
Mandrel \Man"drel\, n. [F. mandrin, prob. through (assumed) LL.
mamphurinum, fr. L. mamphur a bow drill.] (Mach.)
(a) A bar of metal inserted in the work to shape it, or to
hold it, as in a lathe, during the process of
manufacture; an arbor.
(b) The live spindle of a turning lathe; the revolving
arbor of a circular saw. It is usually driven by a
pulley. [Written also {manderil}.]
{Mandrel lathe}, a lathe with a stout spindle, adapted esp.
for chucking, as for forming hollow articles by turning or
spinning.
Mandrill \Man"drill\, n. [Cf. F. mandrille, Sp. mandril, It.
mandrillo; prob. the native name in Africa. Cf. {Drill} an
ape.] (Zo["o]l.)
a large West African baboon ({Cynocephalus, or Papio,
mormon}). The adult male has, on the sides of the nose,
large, naked, grooved swellings, conspicuously striped with
blue and red.
Manducable \Man"du*ca*ble\, a. [Cf. F. manducable. See
{Manducate}.]
Such as can be chewed; fit to be eaten. [R.]
Any manducable creature. --Sir T.
Herbert.
Manducate \Man"du*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manducated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Manducating}.] [L. manducatus, p. p. of
manducare to chew. See {Manger}.]
To masticate; to chew; to eat. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Manducation \Man`du*ca"tion\, n. [L. manducatio: cf. F.
manducation.]
The act of chewing. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Manducatory \Man"du*ca*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or employed in, chewing.
Manducus \Man*du"cus\, n. [L., fr. manducare to chew.] (Gr. &
Rom. Antiq.)
A grotesque mask, representing a person chewing or grimacing,
worn in processions and by comic actors on the stage.
Mane \Mane\, n. [AS. manu; akin to OD. mane, D. maan, G.
m["a]hne, OHG. mana, Icel. m["o]n, Dan. & Sw. man, AS. mene
necklace, Icel. men, L. monile, Gr. ?, ?, Skr. many[=a] neck
muscles. [root]275.]
The long and heavy hair growing on the upper side of, or
about, the neck of some quadrupedal animals, as the horse,
the lion, etc. See Illust. of {Horse}.
Man-eater \Man"-eat`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One who, or that which, has an appetite for human flesh;
specifically, one of certain large sharks (esp. {Carcharodon
Rondeleti}); also, a lion or a tiger which has acquired the
habit of feeding upon human flesh.
Maned \Maned\, a.
Having a mane.
{Maned seal} (Zo["o]l.), the sea lion.
{Maned sheep} (Zo["o]l.), the aoudad.
Manege \Ma*nege"\ (?; 277), n. [F. man[`e]ge. See {Manage}, n.]
1. Art of horsemanship, or of training horses.
2. A school for teaching horsemanship, and for training
horses. --Chesterfield.
Maneh \Ma"neh\, n. [Heb. m[=a]neh.]
A Hebrew weight for gold or silver, being one hundred shekels
of gold and sixty shekels of silver. --Ezek. xlv. 12.
Maneless \Mane"less\, a.
Having no mane.
{Maneless lion} (Zo["o]l.), a variety of the lion having a
short, inconspicuous mane. It inhabits Arabia and adjacent
countries.
Manequin \Man"e*quin\, n. [See {Manikin}.]
An artist's model of wood or other material.
Manerial \Ma*ne"ri*al\, a.
See {Manorial}.
Manes \Ma"nes\, n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
The benevolent spirits of the dead, especially of dead
ancestors, regarded as family deities and protectors.
Hail, O ye holy manes! --Dryden.
Manesheet \Mane"sheet`\, n.
A covering placed over the upper part of a horse's head.
Maneuver \Ma*neu"ver\, Manoeuvre \Ma*n[oe]u"vre\, n. [F.
man[oe]uvre, OF. manuevre, LL. manopera, lit., hand work,
manual labor; L. manus hand + opera, fr. opus work. See
{Manual}, {Operate}, and cf. {Mainor}, {Manure}.]
1. Management; dexterous movement; specif., a military or
naval evolution, movement, or change of position.
2. Management with address or artful design; adroit
proceeding; stratagem.
Maneuver \Ma*neu"ver\, Manoeuvre \Ma*n[oe]u"vre\, v. i. [imp. &
p. p. {Maneuvered}or {Man[oe]uvred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Maneuvering}, or {Man[oe]uvring}.] [Cf. F. man[oe]uvrer. See
{Maneuver}, n.]
1. To perform a movement or movements in military or naval
tactics; to make changes in position with reference to
getting advantage in attack or defense.
2. To manage with address or art; to scheme.
Maneuver \Ma*neu"ver\, Manoeuvre \Ma*n[oe]u"vre\, v. t.
To change the positions of, as of troops of ships.
Maneuverer \Ma*neu"ver*er\, Manoeuvrer \Ma*n[oe]u"vrer\, n.
One who maneuvers.
This charming widow Beaumont is a nan[oe]uvrer. We
can't well make an English word of it. --Miss
Edgeworth.
Manful \Man"ful\, a.
Showing manliness, or manly spirit; hence, brave, courageous,
resolute, noble. `` Manful hardiness.'' --Chaucer. --
{Man"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Man"ful*ness}, n.
Mamgabey \Mam"ga*bey\, n. [So called by Buffon from Mangaby, in
Madagascar, where he erroneously supposed them be native.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several African monkeys of the genus {Cercocebus},
as the sooty mangabey ({C. fuliginosus}), which is sooty
black. [Also written {mangaby}.]
Mangan \Man"gan\, n.
See {Mangonel}.
Manganate \Man"ga*nate\, n. [Cf. F. manganate.] (Chem.)
A salt of manganic acid.
Note: The manganates are usually green, and are wellknown
compounds, though derived from a hypothetical acid.
Manganesate \Man`ga*ne"sate\, n. (Chem.)
A manganate. [Obs.]
Manganese \Man`ga*nese"\, n. [F. mangan[`e]se, It. manganese,
sasso magnesio; prob. corrupted from L. magnes, because of
its resemblance to the magnet. See {Magnet}, and cf.
{Magnesia}.] (Chem.)
An element obtained by reduction of its oxide, as a hard,
grayish white metal, fusible with difficulty, but easily
oxidized. Its ores occur abundantly in nature as the minerals
pyrolusite, manganite, etc. Symbol Mn. Atomic weight 54.8.
Note: An alloy of manganese with iron (called ferromanganese)
is used to increase the density and hardness of steel.
{Black oxide of manganese}, {Manganese dioxide or peroxide},
or {Black manganese} (Chem.), a heavy black powder {MnO2},
occurring native as the mineral pyrolusite, and valuable
as a strong oxidizer; -- called also familiarly
{manganese}. It colors glass violet, and is used as a
decolorizer to remove the green tint of impure glass.
{Manganese bronze}, an alloy made by adding from one to two
per cent of manganese to the copper and zinc used in
brass.
Manganesian \Man`ga*ne"sian\, a. [Cf. F. mangan['e]sien.]
(Chem.)
Manganic. [R.]
Manganesic \Man`ga*ne"sic\, a. [Cf. F. mangan['e]sique.] (Chem.)
Manganic. [Obs.]
Manganesious \Man`ga*ne"sious\, a. (Chem.)
Manganous.
Manganesium \Man`ga*ne"si*um\, n. [NL.]
Manganese.
Manganesous \Man`ga*ne"sous\, a. (Chem.)
Manganous.
Manganic \Man`gan"ic\, a. [Cf. F. manganique.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to resembling, or containing, manganese;
specif., designating compounds in which manganese has a
higher valence as contrasted with manganous compounds. Cf.
{Manganous}.
{Manganic acid}, an acid, {H2MnO4}, formed from manganese,
analogous to sulphuric acid.
Manganiferous \Man`ga*nif"er*ous\, a. [Manganese + -ferous.]
Containing manganese.
Manganite \Man"ga*nite\, n.
1. (Min.) One of the oxides of manganese; -- called also
{gray manganese ore}. It occurs in brilliant steel-gray or
iron-black crystals, also massive.
2. (Chem.) A compound of manganese dioxide with a metallic
oxide; so called as though derived from the hypothetical
manganous acid.
Manganium \Man*ga"ni*um\, n. [NL.]
Manganese.
Manganous \Man"ga*nous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, designating, those compounds of manganese
in which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with
manganic compounds; as, manganous oxide.
{Manganous acid}, a hypothetical compound analogous to
sulphurous acid, and forming the so-called manganites.
Mangcorn \Mang"corn`\, n. [OE. mengen to mix. See {Mingle}, and
{Corn}.]
A mixture of wheat and rye, or other species of grain. [Prov
Eng.]
Mange \Mange\, n. [See {Mangy}.] (Vet.)
The scab or itch in cattle, dogs, and other beasts.
{Mange insect} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
small parasitic mites, which burrow in the skin of cattle.
horses, dogs, and other animals, causing the mange. The
mange insect of the horse ({Psoroptes, or Dermatodectes,
equi}), and that of cattle ({Symbiotes, or Dermatophagys,
bovis}) are the most important species. See {Acarina}.
Mangel-wurzel \Man"gel-wur`zel\, n. [G., corrupted fr.
mangoldwurzel; mangold beet + wurzel root.] (Bot.)
A kind of large field beet ({B. macrorhiza}), used as food
for cattle, -- by some considered a mere variety of the
ordinary beet. See {Beet}. [Written also {mangold-wurzel}.]
Manger \Man"ger\, n. [F. mangeoire, fr. manger to eat, fr. L.
manducare, fr. mandere to chew. Cf. {Mandible}, {Manducate}.]
1. A trough or open box in which fodder is placed for horses
or cattle to eat.
2. (Naut.) The fore part of the deck, having a bulkhead
athwart ships high enough to prevent water which enters
the hawse holes from running over it.
Mangily \Man"gi*ly\, adv.
In a mangy manner; scabbily.
Manginess \Man"gi*ness\, n. [From {Mangy}.]
The condition or quality of being mangy.
Mangle \Man"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mangled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mangling}.] [A frequentative fr. OE. manken to main, AS.
mancian, in bemancian to mutilate, fr. L. mancus maimed;
perh. akin to G. mangeln to be wanting.]
1. To cut or bruise with repeated blows or strokes, making a
ragged or torn wound, or covering with wounds; to tear in
cutting; to cut in a bungling manner; to lacerate; to
mutilate.
Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail.
--Milton.
2. To mutilate or injure, in making, doing, or pertaining;
as, to mangle a piece of music or a recitation.
To mangle a play or a novel. --Swift.
Mangle \Man"gle\, n. [D. mangel, fr. OE. mangonel a machine for
throwing stones, LL. manganum, Gr. ? a machine for defending
fortifications, axis of a pulley. Cf. {Mangonel}.]
A machine for smoothing linen or cotton cloth, as sheets,
tablecloths, napkins, and clothing, by roller pressure.
{Mangle rack} (Mach.), a contrivance for converting
continuous circular motion into reciprocating rectilinear
motion, by means of a rack and pinion, as in the mangle.
The pinion is held to the rack by a groove in such a
manner that it passes alternately from one side of the
rack to the other, and thus gives motion to it in opposite
directions, according to the side in which its teeth are
engaged.
{Mangle wheel}, a wheel in which the teeth, or pins, on its
face, are interrupted on one side, and the pinion, working
in them, passes from inside to outside of the teeth
alternately, thus converting the continuous circular
motion of the pinion into a reciprocating circular motion
of the wheel.
Mangle \Man"gle\, v. t. [Cf. D. mangelen. See {Mangle}, n.]
To smooth with a mangle, as damp linen or cloth.
Mangler \Man"gler\, n. [See 1st {Mangle}.]
One who mangles or tears in cutting; one who mutilates any
work in doing it.
Mangler \Man"gler\, n. [See 3d {Mangle}.]
One who smooths with a mangle.
Mango \Man"go\, n.; pl. {Mangoes}. [Pg. manga, fr. Tamil
m[=a]nk[=a]y.]
1. The fruit of the mango tree. It is rather larger than an
apple, and of an ovoid shape. Some varieties are fleshy
and luscious, and others tough and tasting of turpentine.
The green fruit is pickled for market.
2. A green muskmelon stuffed and pickled.
{Mango bird} (Zo["o]l.), an oriole ({Oriolus kundoo}), native
of India.
{Mango fish} (Zo["o]l.), a fish of the Ganges ({Polynemus
risua}), highly esteemed for food. It has several long,
slender filaments below the pectoral fins. It appears
about the same time with the mango fruit, in April and
May, whence the name.
{Mango tree} (Bot.), an East Indian tree of the genus
{Mangifera} ({M. Indica}), related to the cashew and the
sumac. It grows to a large size, and produces the mango of
commerce. It is now cultivated in tropical America.
Mangoldwurzel \Man"gold*wur`zel\, n. [G.] (Bot.)
See {Mangel-wurzel}.
Mangonel \Man"go*nel\, n. [OF. mangonel, LL. manganellus,
manganum, fr. Gr. ? See {Mangle}, n.]
A military engine formerly used for throwing stones and
javelins.
Mangonism \Man"go*nism\, n.
The art of mangonizing, or setting off to advantage. [Obs.]
Mangonist \Man"go*nist\, n.
1. One who mangonizes. [Obs.]
2. A slave dealer; also, a strumpet. [Obs.]
Mangonize \Man"go*nize\, v. t. [L. mangonizare, fr. mango a
dealer in slaves or wares, to which he tries to give an
appearance of greater value by decking them out or furbishing
them up.]
To furbish up for sale; to set off to advantage. [Obs. or R.]
--B. Jonson.
Mangosteen \Man"go*steen\, Mangostan \Man"go*stan\, n. [Malay
mangusta, mangis.] (Bot.)
A tree of the East Indies of the genus {Garcinia} ({G.
Mangostana}). The tree grows to the height of eighteen feet,
and bears fruit also called mangosteen, of the size of a
small apple, the pulp of which is very delicious food.
Mangrove \Man"grove\, n. [Malay manggi-manggi.]
1. (Bot.) The name of one or two trees of the genus
{Rhizophora} ({R. Mangle}, and {R. mucronata}, the last
doubtfully distinct) inhabiting muddy shores of tropical
regions, where they spread by emitting a["e]rial roots,
which fasten in the saline mire and eventually become new
stems. The seeds also send down a strong root while yet
attached to the parent plant.
Note: The fruit has a ruddy brown shell, and a delicate white
pulp which is sweet and eatable. The bark is
astringent, and is used for tanning leather. The black
and the white mangrove ({Avicennia nitida} and {A.
tomentosa}) have much the same habit.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The mango fish.
Mangue \Mangue\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The kusimanse.
Mangy \Man"gy\, a. [Compar. {Mangier}; superl. {Mangiest}.] [F.
mang['e], p. p. of manger to eat. See {Manger}.]
Infected with the mange; scabby.
Manhaden \Man*ha"den\, n.
See {Menhaden}.
Manhead \Man"head\, n.
Manhood. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Manhole \Man"hole`\, n.
A hole through which a man may descend or creep into a drain,
sewer, steam boiler, parts of machinery, etc., for cleaning
or repairing.
Manhood \Man"hood\, n. [Man- + -hood.]
1. The state of being man as a human being, or man as
distinguished from a child or a woman.
2. Manly quality; courage; bravery; resolution.
I am ashamed That thou hast power to shake my
manhood thus. --Shak.
Mania \Ma"ni*a\, n. [L. mania, Gr. ?, fr. ? to rage; cf. OE.
manie, F. manie. Cf. {Mind}, n., Necromancy.]
1. Violent derangement of mind; madness; insanity. Cf.
{Delirium}.
2. Excessive or unreasonable desire; insane passion affecting
one or many people; as, the tulip mania.
{Mania a potu} [L.], madness from drinking; delirium tremens.
Syn: Insanity; derangement; madness; lunacy; alienation;
aberration; delirium; frenzy. See {Insanity}.
Maniable \Man"i*a*ble\, a. [F., fr. manier to manage, fr. L.
manus hand.]
Manageable. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Maniac \Ma"ni*ac\, a. [F. maniaque. See {Mania}.]
Raving with madness; raging with disordered intellect;
affected with mania; mad.
Maniac \Ma"ni*ac\, n.
A raving lunatic; a madman.
Maniacal \Ma*ni"a*cal\, a.
Affected with, or characterized by, madness; maniac. --
{Ma*ni"a*cal*ly}, adv.
Manicate \Man"i*cate\, a. [L. manicatus sleeved, fr. manica a
sleeve.] (Bot.)
Covered with hairs or pubescence so platted together and
interwoven as to form a mass easily removed.
Manichaean \Man`i*ch[ae]"an\, Manichean \Man`i*che"an\, Manichee
\Man"i*chee\, n. [LL. Manichaeus: cf. F. manich['e]en.]
A believer in the doctrines of Manes, a Persian of the third
century A. D., who taught a dualism in which Light is
regarded as the source of Good, and Darkness as the source of
Evil.
The Manich[ae]ans stand as representatives of dualism
pushed to its utmost development. --Tylor.
Manichaean \Man`i*ch[ae]"an\, Manichean \Man`i*che"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Manich[ae]ans.
Manichaeism \Man"i*ch[ae]*ism\, Manicheism \Man"i*che*ism\, n.
[Cf. F. manich['e]isme.]
The doctrines taught, or system of principles maintained, by
the Manich[ae]ans.
Manicheist \Man"i*che*ist\, n. [Cf. F. manich['e]iste.]
Manich[ae]an.
Manichord \Man"i*chord\, Manichordon \Man`i*chor"don\, [L.
monochordon, Gr. ?; -- so called because it orig. had only
one string. See {Monochord}.] (Mus.)
The clavichord or clarichord; -- called also {dumb spinet}.
Manicure \Man"i*cure\, n. [F., fr. L. manus hand + curare to
cure.]
A person who makes a business of taking care of people's
hands, especially their nails.
[Men] who had taken good care of their hands by wearing
gloves and availing themselves of the services of a
manicure. --Pop. Sci.
Monthly.
Manid \Ma"nid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of the genus Manis, or family {Manid[ae]}.
Manie \Ma`nie"\, n. [F. See {Mania}.]
Mania; insanity. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Manifest \Man"i*fest\, a. [F. manifeste, L. manifestus, lit.,
struck by the hand, hence, palpable; manus hand + fendere (in
comp.) to strike. See {Manual}, and {Defend}.]
1. Evident to the senses, esp. to the sight; apparent;
distinctly perceived; hence, obvious to the understanding;
apparent to the mind; easily apprehensible; plain; not
obscure or hidden.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest
in his sight. -- Heb. iv.
13.
That which may be known of God is manifest in them.
--Rom. i. 19.
Thus manifest to sight the god appeared. --Dryden.
2. Detected; convicted; -- with of. [R.]
Calistho there stood manifest of shame. --Dryden.
Syn: Open; clear; apparent; evident; visible; conspicuous;
plain; obvious.
Usage: {Manifest}, {Clear}, {Plain}, {Obvious}, {Evident}.
What is clear can be seen readily; what is obvious
lies directly in our way, and necessarily arrests our
attention; what isevident is seen so clearly as to
remove doubt; what is manifest is very distinctly
evident.
So clear, so shining, and so evident, That it
will glimmer through a blind man's eye. --Shak.
Entertained with solitude, Where obvious duty
er?while appeared unsought. --Milton.
I saw, I saw him manifest in view, His voice,
his figure, and his gesture knew. --Dryden.
Manifest \Man"i*fest\, n.; pl. {Manifests}. [Cf. F. manifeste.
See {Manifest}, a., and cf. {Manifesto}.]
1. A public declaration; an open statement; a manifesto. See
{Manifesto}. [Obs.]
2. A list or invoice of a ship's cargo, containing a
description by marks, numbers, etc., of each package of
goods, to be exhibited at the customhouse.
--Bouvier.
Manifest \Man"i*fest\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manifested}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Manifesting}.]
1. To show plainly; to make to appear distinctly, -- usually
to the mind; to put beyond question or doubt; to display;
to exhibit.
There is nothing hid which shall not be manifested.
--Mark iv. 22.
Thy life did manifest thou lovedst me not. --Shak.
2. To exhibit the manifests or prepared invoices of; to
declare at the customhouse.
Syn: To reveal; declare; evince; make known; disclose;
discover; display.
Manifestable \Man"i*fest`a*ble\, a.
Such as can be manifested.
Manifestation \Man`i*fes*ta"tion\, n. [L. manifestatio: cf. F.
manifestation.]
The act of manifesting or disclosing, or the state of being
manifested; discovery to the eye or to the understanding;
also, that which manifests; exhibition; display; revelation;
as, the manifestation of God's power in creation.
The secret manner in which acts of mercy ought to be
performed, requires this public manifestation of them
at the great day. --Atterbury.
Manifestible \Man"i*fest`i*ble\, a.
Manifestable.
Manifestly \Man"i*fest*ly\, adv.
In a manifest manner.
Manifestness \Man"i*fest*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being manifest; obviousness.
Manifesto \Man`i*fes"to\, n.; pl. {Manifestoes}. [It. manifesto.
See {Manifest}, n. & a.]
A public declaration, usually of a prince, sovereign, or
other person claiming large powers, showing his intentions,
or proclaiming his opinions and motives in reference to some
act done or contemplated by him; as, a manifesto declaring
the purpose of a prince to begin war, and explaining his
motives. --Bouvier.
it was proposed to draw up a manifesto, setting forth
the grounds and motives of our taking arms. --Addison.
Frederick, in a public manifesto, appealed to the
Empire against the insolent pretensions of the pope.
--Milman.
Manifold \Man"i*fold\, a. [AS. manigfeald. See {Many}, and
{Fold}.]
1. Various in kind or quality; many in number; numerous;
multiplied; complicated.
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! --Ps. civ. 24.
I know your manifold transgressions. --Amos v. 12.
2. Exhibited at divers times or in various ways; -- used to
qualify nouns in the singular number. ``The manifold
wisdom of God.'' --Eph. iii. 10. ``The manifold grace of
God.'' --1 Pet. iv. 10.
{Manifold writing}, a process or method by which several
copies, as of a letter, are simultaneously made, sheets of
coloring paper being infolded with thin sheets of plain
paper upon which the marks made by a stylus or a
type-writer are transferred.
Manifold \Man"i*fold\, n.
1. A copy of a writing made by the manifold process.
2. (Mech.) A cylindrical pipe fitting, having a number of
lateral outlets, for connecting one pipe with several
others.
3. pl. The third stomach of a ruminant animal. [Local, U.S.]
Manifold \Man"i*fold\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manifolded}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Manifolding}.]
To take copies of by the process of manifold writing; as, to
manifold a letter.
Manifolded \Man"i*fold`ed\, a.
Having many folds, layers, or plates; as, a manifolded
shield. [Obs.]
Manifoldly \Man"i*fold`ly\, adv.
In a manifold manner.
Manifoldness \Man"i*fold`ness\, n.
1. Multiplicity. --Sherwood.
2. (Math.) A generalized concept of magnitude.
Maniform \Man"i*form\, a. [L. manus hand + -form.]
Shaped like the hand.
Maniglion \Ma*ni"glion\, n. [It. maniglio, maniglia, bracelet,
handle. Cf. {Manilio}.] (Gun.)
Either one of two handles on the back of a piece of ordnance.
Manihoc \Man"i*hoc\, Manihot \Man"i*hot\, n.
See {Manioc}.
Manikin \Man"i*kin\, n. [OD. manneken, dim. of man man. See
{Man}, and {-kin}.]
1. A little man; a dwarf; a pygmy; a manakin.
2. A model of the human body, made of papier-mache or other
material, commonly in detachable pieces, for exhibiting
the different parts and organs, their relative position,
etc.
Manila \Ma*nil"a\, Manilla \Ma*nil"la\, a.
Of or pertaining to Manila or Manilla, the capital of the
Philippine Islands; made in, or exported from, that city.
{Manila cheroot} or {cigar}, a cheroot or cigar made of
tobacco grown in the Philippine Islands.
{Manila hemp}, a fibrous material obtained from the {Musa
textilis}, a plant allied to the banana, growing in the
Philippine and other East India islands; -- called also by
the native name {abaca}. From it matting, canvas, ropes,
and cables are made.
{Manila paper}, a durable brown or buff paper made of Manila
hemp, used as a wrapping paper, and as a cheap printing
and writing paper. The name is also given to inferior
papers, made of other fiber.
Manilio \Ma*nil"io\, n.
See {Manilla}, 1. --Sir T. Herbert.
Manilla \Ma*nil"la\, n. [Sp. manilla; cf. It. maniglio,
maniglia; F. manille; Pg. manilha; all fr. L. manus hand, and
formed after the analogy of L. monile, pl. monilia, necklace:
cf. F. manille.]
1. A ring worn upon the arm or leg as an ornament, especially
among the tribes of Africa.
2. A piece of copper of the shape of a horseshoe, used as
money by certain tribes of the west coast of Africa.
--Simmonds.
Manilla \Ma*nil"la\, a.
Same as {Manila}.
Manille \Ma*nille"\, n. [F.]
See 1st {Manilla}, 1.
Manioc \Ma"ni*oc\, n. [Pg. mandioca, fr. Braz.] (Bot.)
The tropical plants ({Manihot utilissima}, and {M. Aipi}),
from which cassava and tapioca are prepared; also, cassava.
[Written also {mandioc}, {manihoc}, {manihot}.]
Maniple \Man"i*ple\, n. [L. manipulus, maniplus, a handful, a
certain number of soldiers; manus hand + root of plere to
fill, plenus full: cf. F. maniple. See {Manual}, and {Full},
a.]
1. A handful. [R.] --B. Jonson.
2. A division of the Roman army numbering sixty men exclusive
of officers, any small body of soldiers; a company.
--Milton.
3. Originally, a napkin; later, an ornamental band or scarf
worn upon the left arm as a part of the vestments of a
priest in the Roman Catholic Church. It is sometimes worn
in the English Church service.
Manipular \Ma*nip"u*lar\, a. [L. manipularis: cf. F.
manipulaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to the maniple, or company.
2. Manipulatory; as, manipular operations.
Manipulate \Ma*nip"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manipulated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Manipulating}.] [LL. manipulatus, p. p. of
manipulare to lead by the hand, fr. L. manipulus. See
{Maniple}.]
1. To treat, work, or operate with the hands, especially when
knowledge and dexterity are required; to manage in hand
work; to handle; as, to manipulate scientific apparatus.
2. To control the action of, by management; as, to manipulate
a convention of delegates; to manipulate the stock market;
also, to manage artfully or fraudulently; as, to
manipulate accounts, or election returns.
Manipulate \Ma*nip"u*late\, v. i.
To use the hands in dexterous operations; to do hand work;
specifically, to manage the apparatus or instruments used in
scientific work, or in artistic or mechanical processes;
also, specifically, to use the hand in mesmeric operations.
Manipulation \Ma*nip`u*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. manipulation.]
1. The act or process of manipulating, or the state of being
manipulated; the act of handling work by hand; use of the
hands, in an artistic or skillful manner, in science or
art.
Manipulation is to the chemist like the external
senses to the mind. --Whewell.
2. The use of the hands in mesmeric operations.
3. Artful management; as, the manipulation of political
bodies; sometimes, a management or treatment for purposes
of deception or fraud.
Manipulative \Ma*nip"u*la*tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to manipulation; performed by manipulation.
Manipulator \Ma*nip"u*la`tor\, n.
One who manipulates.
Manipulatory \Ma*nip"u*la*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to manipulation.
Manis \Ma"nis\, n. [NL., fr. L. manes the ghosts or shades of
the dead. So called from its dismal appearance, and because
it seeks for its food by night.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of edentates, covered with large, hard, triangular
scales, with sharp edges that overlap each other like tiles
on a roof. They inhabit the warmest parts of Asia and Africa,
and feed on ants. Called also {Scaly anteater}. See
{Pangolin}.
Manito \Man"i*to\, Manitou \Man"i*tou\, Manitu \Man"i*tu\, n.
A name given by tribes of American Indians to a great spirit,
whether good or evil, or to any object of worship. --Tylor.
Gitche Manito the mighty, The Great Spirit, the
creator, Smiled upon his helpless children!
--Longfellow.
Mitche Manito the mighty, He the dreadful Spirit of
Evil, As a serpent was depicted. --Longfellow.
Manitrunk \Man"i*trunk\, n. [L. manus hand + E. trunk.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The anterior segment of the thorax in insects. See {Insect}.
Mankind \Man`kind"\, n. [AS. mancynn. See {Kin} kindred, {Kind},
n.]
1. The human race; man, taken collectively.
The proper study of mankind is man. --Pore.
2. Men, as distinguished from women; the male portion of
human race. --Lev. xviii. 22.
3. Human feelings; humanity. [Obs] --B. Jonson.
Mankind \Man"kind`\, a.
Manlike; not womanly; masculine; bold; cruel. [Obs]
Are women grown so mankind? Must they be wooing?
--Beau. & Fl.
Be not too mankind against your wife. --Chapman.
Manks \Manks\, a.
Of or pertaining to the language or people of the of Man. --
n. The language spoken in the Isle of Man. See {Manx}.
Manless \Man"less\, a.
1. Destitute of men. --Bakon.
2. Unmanly; inhuman. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Manlessly \Man"less*ly\, adv.
Inhumanly. [Obs.]
Manlike \Man"like`\, a. [Man + like. Cf. {Manly}.]
Like man, or like a man, in form or nature; having the
qualities of a man, esp. the nobler qualities; manly. ``
Gentle, manlike speech.'' --Testament of Love. `` A right
manlike man.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
In glaring Chloe's manlike taste and mien. --Shenstone.
Manliness \Man"li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being manly.
Manling \Man"ling\, n.
A little man. [Obs.] -- B. Jonson.
Manly \Man"ly\, a. [Compar. {Manlier}; superl. {Manliest}.] [Man
+ -ly. Cf. {Manlike}.]
Having qualities becoming to a man; not childish or womanish;
manlike, esp. brave, courageous, resolute, noble.
Let's briefly put on manly readiness. --Shak.
Serene and manly, hardened to sustain The load of life.
--Dryden.
Syn: Bold; daring; brave; courageous; firm; undaunted; hardy;
dignified; stately.
Manly \Man"ly\, adv.
In a manly manner; with the courage and fortitude of a manly
man; as, to act manly.
Manna \Man"na\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, Heb. m[=a]n; cf. Ar. mann,
properly, gift (of heaven).]
1. (Script.) The food supplied to the Israelites in their
journey through the wilderness of Arabia; hence, divinely
supplied food. --Ex. xvi. 15.
2. (Bot.) A name given to lichens of the genus {Lecanora},
sometimes blown into heaps in the deserts of Arabia and
Africa, and gathered and used as food.
3. (Bot. & Med.) A sweetish exudation in the form of pale
yellow friable flakes, coming from several trees and
shrubs and used in medicine as a gentle laxative, as the
secretion of {Fraxinus Ornus}, and {F. rotundifolia}, the
manna ashes of Southern Europe.
Note: {Persian manna} is the secretion of the camel's thorn
(see {Camel's thorn}, under {Camel}); {Tamarisk manna},
that of the {Tamarisk mannifera}, a shrub of Western
Asia; {Australian, manna}, that of certain species of
eucalyptus; {Brian[,c]on manna}, that of the European
larch.
{Manna grass} (Bot.), a name of several tall slender grasses
of the genus {Glyceria}. they have long loose panicles,
and grow in moist places. {Nerved manna grass} is
{Glyceria nervata}, and {Floating manna grass} is {G.
flu}.
{Manna insect} (Zo["o]l), a scale insect ({Gossyparia
mannipara}), which causes the exudation of manna from the
Tamarisk tree in Arabia.
Manna croup \Man"na croup`\ [Manna + Russ. & Pol. krupa groats,
grits.]
1. The portions of hard wheat kernels not ground into flour
by the millstones: a kind of semolina prepared in Russia
and used for puddings, soups, etc. -- called also {manna
groats}.
2. The husked grains of manna grass.
Manner \Man"ner\, n. [OE. manere, F. mani[`e]re, from OF.
manier, adj., manual, skillful, handy, fr. (assumed) LL.
manarius, for L. manuarius belonging to the hand, fr. manus
the hand. See {Manual}.]
1. Mode of action; way of performing or effecting anything;
method; style; form; fashion.
The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in
the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the
God of the land. --2 Kings
xvii. 26.
The temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves
after a gentle, but very powerful,manner.
--Atterbury.
2. Characteristic mode of acting, conducting, carrying one's
self, or the like; bearing; habitual style. Specifically:
(a) Customary method of acting; habit.
Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them.
--Acts xvii.
2.
Air and manner are more expressive than words.
--Richardson.
(b) pl. Carriage; behavior; deportment; also, becoming
behavior; well-bred carriage and address.
Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices.
--Emerson.
(c) The style of writing or thought of an author;
characteristic peculiarity of an artist.
3. Certain degree or measure; as, it is in a manner done
already.
The bread is in a manner common. --1 Sam.
xxi.5.
4. Sort; kind; style; -- in this application sometimes having
the sense of a plural, sorts or kinds.
Ye tithe mint, and rue, and all manner of herbs.
--Luke xi. 42.
I bid thee say, What manner of man art thou?
--Coleridge.
Note: In old usage, of was often omitted after manner, when
employed in this sense. ``A manner Latin corrupt was
her speech.'' --Chaucer.
{By any manner of means}, in any way possible; by any sort of
means.
{To be taken} {in, or with} {the manner}. [A corruption of to
be taken in the mainor. See {Mainor}.] To be taken in the
very act. [Obs.] See {Mainor}.
{To make one's manners}, to make a bow or courtesy; to offer
salutation.
{Manners bit}, a portion left in a dish for the sake of good
manners. --Hallwell.
Syn: Method; mode; custom; habit; fashion; air; look; mien;
aspect; appearance. See {Method}.
Mannered \Man"nered\, a.
1. Having a certain way, esp. a polite way, of carrying and
conducting one's self.
Give her princely training, that she may be Mannered
as she is born. --Shak.
2. Affected with mannerism; marked by excess of some
characteristic peculiarity.
His style is in some degree mannered and confined.
--Hazlitt.
Mannerism \Man"ner*ism\, n. [Cf. F. mani['e]risme.]
Adherence to a peculiar style or manner; a characteristic
mode of action, bearing, or treatment, carried to excess,
especially in literature or art.
Mannerism is pardonable,and is sometimes even
agreeable, when the manner, though vicious, is natural
. . . . But a mannerism which does not sit easy on the
mannerist, which has been adopted on principle, and
which can be sustained only by constant effort, is
always offensive. --Macaulay.
Mannerist \Man"ner*ist\, n. [Cf. F. mani['e]riste.]
One addicted to mannerism; a person who, in action, bearing,
or treatment, carries characteristic peculiarities to excess.
See citation under {Mannerism}.
Mannerliness \Man"ner*li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mannerly; civility;
complaisance. --Sir M. Hale.
Mannerly \Man"ner*ly\, a.
Showing good manners; civil; respectful; complaisant.
What thou thinkest meet, and is most mannerly. --Shak.
Mannerly \Man"ner*ly\, adv.
With good manners. --Shak.
Mannheim gold \Mann"heim gold"\ [From Mannheim in Germany, where
much of it was made.]
A kind of brass made in imitation of gold. It contains eighty
per cent of copper and twenty of zinc. --Ure.
Mannide \Man"nide\, n. [Mannite + anhydride.] (Chem.)
A white amorphous or crystalline substance, obtained by
dehydration of mannite, and distinct from, but convertible
into, mannitan.
Mannish \Man"nish\, a. [Man + -ish: cf. AS. mennisc, menisc.]
1. Resembling a human being in form or nature; human.
--Chaucer.
But yet it was a figure Most like to mannish
creature. --Gower.
2. Resembling, suitable to, or characteristic of, a man,
manlike, masculine. --Chaucer.
A woman impudent and mannish grown. --Shak.
3. Fond of men; -- said of a woman. [Obs.] --Chaucer. --
{Man"nish*ly},adv. -- {Man"nish*ness}, n.
Mannitan \Man"ni*tan\, n. [Mannite + anhydrite.] (Chem.)
A white amorphous or crystalline substance obtained by the
partial dehydration of mannite.
Mannitate \Man"ni*tate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mannitic acid.
Mannite \Man"nite\, n. [Cf. F. mannite.]
1. (Chem.) A white crystalline substance of a sweet taste
obtained from a so-called manna, the dried sap of the
flowering ash ({Fraxinus ornus}); -- called also
{mannitol}, and {hydroxy hexane}. Cf. {Dulcite}.
2. (Bot.) A sweet white efflorescence from dried fronds of
kelp, especially from those of the {Laminaria saccharina},
or devil's apron.
Mannitic \Man*nit"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, mannite.
{Mannitic acid} (Chem.), a white amorphous substance,
intermediate between saccharic acid and mannite, and
obtained by the partial oxidation of the latter.
Mannitol \Man"ni*tol\, n. [Mannite + -ol.] (Chem.)
The technical name of mannite. See {Mannite}.
Mannitose \Man"ni*tose`\, n. (Chem.)
A variety of sugar obtained by the partial oxidation of
mannite, and closely resembling levulose.
Manoeuvre \Ma*n[oe]u"vre\, n. & v.
See {Maneuver}.
Manofwar \Man`*of*war"\, n; pl. {Men-of-war}.
A government vessel employed for the purposes of war, esp.
one of large size; a ship of war.
{Man-of-war bird} (Zo["o]l.), The frigate bird; also applied
to the skua gulls, and to the wandering albatross.
{Man-of-war hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the frigate bird.
{Man-of-war's man}, a sailor serving in a ship of war.
{Portuguese man-of-war} (Zo["o]l.), any species of the genus
{Physalia}. See {Physalia}.
Manometer \Ma*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? thin, rare + -meter: cf. F.
manom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring the tension or elastic force of
gases, steam, etc., constructed usually on the principle of
allowing the gas to exert its elastic force in raising a
column of mercury in an open tube, or in compressing a
portion of air or other gas in a closed tube with mercury or
other liquid intervening, or in bending a metallic or other
spring so as to set in motion an index; a pressure gauge. See
{Pressure}, and Illust. of {Air pump}.
Manometric \Man`o*met"ric\, Manometrical \Man`o*met"ric*al\, a.
[Cf. F. manom['e]trique.]
Of or pertaining to the manometer; made by the manometer.
Manor \Man"or\, n. [OE. maner, OF. maneir habitation, village,
F. manoir manor, prop. the OF. inf. maneir to stay, remain,
dwell, L. manere, and so called because it was the permanent
residence of the lord and of his tenants. See {Mansion}, and
cf. {Remain}.]
1. (Eng. Law) The land belonging to a lord or nobleman, or so
much land as a lord or great personage kept in his own
hands, for the use and subsistence of his family.
My manors, rents, revenues, l forego. --Shak.
Note: In these days, a manor rather signifies the
jurisdiction and royalty incorporeal, than the land or
site, for a man may have a manor in gross, as the law
terms it, that is, the right and interest of a
court-baron, with the perquisites thereto belonging.
2. (American Law) A tract of land occupied by tenants who pay
a free-farm rent to the proprietor, sometimes in kind, and
sometimes by performing certain stipulated services.
--Burrill.
{Manor house}, or {Manor seat}, the house belonging to a
manor.
Manorial \Ma*no"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a manor. `` Manorial claims.'' --Paley.
Manoscope \Man"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? thin, rare + -scope.]
Same as {Manometer}.
Manoscopy \Ma*nos"co*py\, n.
The science of the determination of the density of vapors and
gases.
Manovery \Ma*no"ver*y\, n. [See {Maneuver}.] (Eng. Law)
A contrivance or maneuvering to catch game illegally.
Manqueller \Man"quell`er\, n.
A killer of men; a manslayer. [Obs.] --Carew.
Manred \Man"red\, Manrent \Man"rent`\, n.
Homage or service rendered to a superior, as to a lord;
vassalage. [Obs. or Scots Law] --Jamieson.
Manrope \Man"rope`\, n. (Naut.)
One of the side ropes to the gangway of a ship. --Totten.
Mansard roof \Man"sard roof"\ [So called from its inventor,
Fran[,c]ois Mansard, or Mansart, a distinguished French
architect, who died in 1666.] (Arch.)
A hipped curb roof; that is, a roof having on all sides two
slopes, the lower one being steeper than the upper one.
Manse \Manse\, n. [LL. mansa, mansus, mansum, a farm, fr. L.
manere, mansum, to stay, dwell. See {Mansion}, {Manor}.]
1. A dwelling house, generally with land attached.
2. The parsonage; a clergyman's house. [Scot.]
{Capital manse}, the manor house, or lord's court.
Manservant \Man"serv`ant\, n.
A male servant.
Mansion \Man"sion\, n. [OF. mansion, F. maison, fr. L. mansio a
staying, remaining, a dwelling, habitation, fr. manere,
mansum, to stay, dwell; akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Manse}, {Manor},
{Menagerie}, {Menial}, {Permanent}.]
1. A dwelling place, -- whether a part or whole of a house or
other shelter. [Obs.]
In my Father's house are many mansions. --John xiv.
2.
These poets near our princes sleep, And in one grave
their mansions keep. --Den?am.
2. The house of the lord of a manor; a manor house; hence:
Any house of considerable size or pretension.
3. (Astrol.) A twelfth part of the heavens; a house. See 1st
{House}, 8. --Chaucer.
4. The place in the heavens occupied each day by the moon in
its monthly revolution. [Obs.]
The eight and twenty mansions That longen to the
moon. --Chaucer.
{Mansion house}, the house in which one resides;
specifically, in London and some other cities, the
official residence of the Lord Mayor. --Blackstone.
Mansion \Man"sion\, v. i.
To dwell; to reside. [Obs.] --Mede.
Mansionary \Man"sion*a*ry\, a.
Resident; residentiary; as, mansionary canons.
Mansionry \Man"sion*ry\, n.
The state of dwelling or residing; occupancy as a dwelling
place. [Obs.] --Shak.
Manslaughter \Man"slaugh`ter\, n.
1. The slaying of a human being; destruction of men.
--Milton.
2. (Law) The unlawful killing of a man, either in negligenc?
or incidentally to the commission of some unlawful act,
but without specific malice, or upon a sudden excitement
of anger.
Manslayer \Man"slay`er\, n.
One who kills a human being; one who commits manslaughter.
Manstealer \Man"steal`er\, n.
A person who steals or kidnaps a human being or beings.
Manstealing \Man"steal`ing\, n.
The act or business of stealing or kidnaping human beings,
especially with a view to e?slave them.
Mansuete \Man"suete\, a. [L. mansuetus, p. p. of mansuescere to
tame; manus hand + suescere to accustom: cf. F. mansuet.]
Tame; gentle; kind. [Obs.] --Ray.
Mansuetude \Man"sue*tude\, n. [L. mansuetudo: cf. F.
mansu['e]tude.]
Tameness; gentleness; mildness. [Archaic]
Manswear \Man"swear`\, v. i.
To swear falsely. Same as {Mainswear}.
Manta \Man"ta\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Coleoptera} and {Sea devil}.
Mantchoo \Mant*choo"\, a. & n.
Same as {Manchu}.
Manteau \Man`teau"\, n.; pl. F. {Manteaux}, E. {Manteaus}. [F.
See {Mantle}, n.]
1. A woman's cloak or mantle.
2. A gown worn by women. [Obs.]
Mantel \Man"tel\, n. [The same word as mantle a garment; cf. F.
manteau de chemin['e]e. See {Mantle}.] (Arch.)
The finish around a fireplace, covering the chimney-breast in
front and sometimes on both sides; especially, a shelf above
the fireplace, and its supports. [Written also {mantle}.]
Mantelet \Man"tel*et\, n. [F., dim. of manteau, OF. mantel. See
{Mantle}.]
1.
(a) A short cloak formerly worn by knights.
(b) A short cloak or mantle worn by women.
A mantelet upon his shoulders hanging.
--Chaucer.
2. (Fort.) A musket-proof shield of rope, wood, or metal,
which is sometimes used for the protection of sappers or
riflemen while attacking a fortress, or of gunners at
embrasures; -- now commonly written {mantlet}.
Mantelpiece \Man"tel*piece`\, n.
Same as {Mantel}.
Mantelshelf \Man"tel*shelf`\, n.
The shelf of a mantel.
Manteltree \Man"tel*tree`\, n. (Arch.)
The lintel of a fireplace when of wood, as frequently in
early houses.
Mantic \Man"tic\, a. [Gr. ? prophetic.]
Of or pertaining to divination, or to the condition of one
inspired, or supposed to be inspired, by a deity; prophetic.
[R.] ``Mantic fury.'' --Trench.
Mantilla \Man*til"la\, n. [Sp. See {Mantle}.]
1. A lady's light cloak of cape of silk, velvet, lace, or the
like.
2. A kind of veil, covering the head and falling down upon
the shoulders; -- worn in Spain, Mexico, etc.
Mantis \Man"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a prophet.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of voracious orthopterous insects
of the genus {Mantis}, and allied genera. They are remarkable
for their slender grotesque forms, and for holding their
stout anterior legs in a manner suggesting hands folded in
prayer. The common American species is {M. Carolina}.
{Mantis shrimp}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Sguilla}.
Mantispid \Man*tis"pid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any neuropterous insect of the genus {Mantispa}, and allied
genera. The larv[ae] feed on plant lice. Also used
adjectively. See Illust. under {Neuroptera}.
Mantissa \Man*tis*sa\, n. [L., an addition, makeweight; of
Tuscan origin.] (Math.)
The decimal part of a logarithm, as distinguished from the
integral part, or characteristic.
Mantle \Man"tle\, n. [OE. mantel, OF. mantel, F. manteau, fr. L.
mantellum, mantelum, a cloth, napkin, cloak, mantle (cf.
mantele, mantile, towel, napkin); prob. from manus hand + the
root of tela cloth. See {Manual}, {Textile}, and cf.
{Mandil}, {Mantel}, {Mantilla}.]
1. A loose garment to be worn over other garments; an
enveloping robe; a cloak. Hence, figuratively, a covering
or concealing envelope.
[The] children are clothed with mantles of satin.
--Bacon.
The green mantle of the standing pool. --Shak.
Now Nature hangs her mantle green On every blooming
tree. --Burns.
2. (Her.) Same as {Mantling}.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The external fold, or folds, of the soft, exterior
membrane of the body of a mollusk. It usually forms a
cavity inclosing the gills. See Illusts. of
{Buccinum}, and {Byssus}.
(b) Any free, outer membrane.
(c) The back of a bird together with the folded wings.
4. (Arch.) A mantel. See {Mantel}.
5. The outer wall and casing of a blast furnace, above the
hearth. --Raymond.
6. (Hydraulic Engin.) A penstock for a water wheel.
Mantle \Man"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mantled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mantling}.]
To cover or envelop, as with a mantle; to cloak; to hide; to
disguise. --Shak.
Mantle \Man"tle\, v. i.
1. To unfold and spread out the wings, like a mantle; -- said
of hawks. Also used figuratively.
Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch.
--Spenser.
Or tend his sparhawk mantling in her mew. --Bp.
Hall.
My frail fancy fed with full delight. Doth bathe in
bliss, and mantleth most at ease. --Spenser.
2. To spread out; -- said of wings.
The swan, with arched neck Between her white wings
mantling proudly, rows. --Milton.
3. To spread over the surface as a covering; to overspread;
as, the scum mantled on the pool.
Though mantled in her cheek the blood. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. To gather, assume, or take on, a covering, as froth, scum,
etc.
There is a sort of men whose visages Do cream and
mantle like a standing pond. --Shak.
Nor bowl of wassail mantle warm. --Tennyson.
Mantlet \Man"tlet\, n.
See {Mantelet}.
Mantling \Man"tling\, n. (Her.)
The representation of a mantle, or the drapery behind and
around a coat of arms: -- called also {lambrequin}.
Manto \Man"to\, n. [It. or Sp. manto, abbrev., from L. mantelum.
See {Mantle}.]
See {Manteau}. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Mantologist \Man*tol"o*gist\, n.
One who is skilled in mantology; a diviner. [R.]
Mantology \Man*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? prophet + -logy.]
The act or art of divination. [R.]
Mantra \Man"tra\, n. [Skr.]
A prayer; an invocation; a religious formula; a charm.
[India]
Note: Among the Hindoos each caste and tribe has a mantra
peculiar to itself; as, the mantra of the Brahmans.
--Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Mantrap \Man"trap`\, n.
1. A trap for catching trespassers. [Eng.]
2. A dangerous place, as an open hatch, into which one may
fall.
Mantua \Man"tu*a\, n.
1. A superior kind of rich silk formerly exported from Mantua
in Italy. [Obs.] --Beck (Draper's Dict.).
2. A woman's cloak or mantle; also, a woman's gown. [Obs.]
Mantuamaker \Man"tu*a*mak`er\, n.
One who makes dresses, cloaks, etc., for women; a dressmaker.
Mantuan \Man"tu*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mantua. -- n. A native or inhabitant of
Mantua.
Manu \Ma"nu\, n. [Skr.] (Hind. Myth.)
One of a series of progenitors of human beings, and authors
of human wisdom.
Manual \Man"u*al\ (m[a^]n"[-u]*al), a. [OE. manuel, F. manuel,
L. manualis, fr. manus hand; prob. akin to AS. mund hand,
protection, OHG. munt, G. m["u]ndel a ward, vormund guardian,
Icel. mund hand. Cf. {Emancipate}, {Legerdemain}, {Maintain},
{Manage}, {Manner}, {Manure}, {Mound} a hill.]
Of or pertaining to the hand; done or made by the hand; as,
manual labor; the king's sign manual. ``Manual and ocular
examination.'' --Tatham.
{Manual alphabet}. See {Dactylology}.
{Manual exercise} (Mil.) the exercise by which soldiers are
taught the use of their muskets and other arms.
{Seal manual}, the impression of a seal worn on the hand as a
ring.
{Sign manual}. See under {Sign}.
Manual \Man"u*al\, n. [Cf. F. manuel, LL. manuale. See {Manual},
a.]
1. A small book, such as may be carried in the hand, or
conveniently handled; a handbook; specifically, the
service book of the Roman Catholic Church.
This manual of laws, styled the Confessor's Laws.
--Sir M. Hale.
2. (Mus.) A keyboard of an organ or harmonium for the
fingers, as distinguished from the pedals; a clavier, or
set of keys. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
3. (Mil.) A prescribed exercise in the systematic handing of
a weapon; as, the manual of arms; the manual of the sword;
the manual of the piece (cannon, mortar, etc.).
Manualist \Man"u*al*ist\, n.
One who works with the hands; an artificer.
Manually \Man"u*al*ly\, adv.
By hand.
Manuary \Man"u*a*ry\, a. [L. manuarius, fr. manus hand.]
Manual. -- n. An artificer. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Manubial \Ma*nu"bi*al\, a. [L. manubialis, fr. manubiae money
obtained from the sale of booty, booty.]
Belonging to spoils; taken in war. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Manubrial \Ma*nu"bri*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a manubrium; shaped like a manubrium;
handlelike.
Manubrium \Ma*nu"bri*um\, n.; pl. L. {Manubria}, E.
{Manubriums}. [L., handle, fr. manus hand.]
1. (Anat.) A handlelike process or part; esp., the anterior
segment of the sternum, or presternum, and the handlelike
process of the malleus.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The proboscis of a jellyfish; -- called also
{hypostoma}. See Illust. of {Hydromedusa}.
Manucode \Man"u*code\, n. [Javanese manukdewata the bird of the
gods: cf. F. manucode.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Manucodia}, of Australia and New
Guinea. They are related to the bird of paradise.
Manuducent \Man`u*du"cent\, n.
One who leads by the hand; a manuductor. [Obs.]
Manuduction \Man`u*duc"tion\, n. [L. manus hand + ductio a
leading, ducere to lead: cf. F. manuduction.]
Guidance by the hand. [Obs.] --Glanvill. South.
Manductor \Man`duc"tor\, n. [L. manus the hand + ductor a
leader, ducere to lead: cf. F. manuducteur.] (Mus.)
A conductor; an officer in the ancient church who gave the
signal for the choir to sing, and who beat time with the
hand, and regulated the music. --Moore (Encyc. of Music.)
Manufactory \Man`u*fac"to*ry\, n.; pl. {-ries}. [Cf. L.
factorium an oil press, prop., place where something is made.
See {Manufacture}.]
1. Manufacture. [Obs.]
2. A building or place where anything is manufactured; a
factory.
Manufactory \Man`u*fac"to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to manufacturing.
Manufactural \Man`u*fac"tur*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to manufactures. [R.]
Manufacture \Man`u*fac"ture\, n. [L. manus the hand + factura a
making, fr. facere to make: cf. F. manufacture. See {Manual},
and {Fact}.]
1. The operation of making wares or any products by hand, by
machinery, or by other agency.
2. Anything made from raw materials by the hand, by
machinery, or by art, as cloths, iron utensils, shoes,
machinery, saddlery, etc.
Manufacture \Man`u*fac"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Manufactured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Manufacturing}.] [Cf. F.
manufacturer.]
1. To make (wares or other products) by hand, by machinery,
or by other agency; as, to manufacture cloth, nails,
glass, etc.
2. To work, as raw or partly wrought materials, into suitable
forms for use; as, to manufacture wool, cotton, silk, or
iron.
Manufacture \Man`u*fac"ture\, v. i.
To be employed in manufacturing something.
Manufacturer \Man`u*fac"tur*er\, n.
One who manufactures.
Manufacturing \Man`u*fac"tur*ing\, a.
1. Employed, or chiefly employed, in manufacture; as, a
manufacturing community; a manufacturing town.
2. Pertaining to manufacture; as, manufacturing projects.
Manul \Ma"nul\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A wild cat ({Felis manul}), having long, soft, light-colored
fur. It is found in the mountains of Central Asia, and dwells
among rocks.
Manumise \Man"u*mise`\, v. t. [See {Manumit}.]
To manumit. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Manumission \Man`u*mis"sion\, n. [L. manumissio: cf. F.
manumission. See {Manumit}.]
The act of manumitting, or of liberating a slave from
bondage. ``Given to slaves at their manumission.''
--Arbuthnot.
Manumit \Man`u*mit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manumitted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Manumitting}.] [L. manumittere, manumissum; manus the
hand + mittere to send, to send off. See {Manual}, and
{Missile}.]
To release from slavery; to liberate from personal bondage or
servitude; to free, as a slave. ``Manumitted slaves.''
--Hume.
Manumotive \Man"u*mo`tive\, a. [L. manus the hand + E. motive.]
Movable by hand. [R.]
Manumotor \Man"u*mo`tor\, n. [L. manus the hand + E. motor.]
A small wheel carriage, so constructed that a person sitting
in it may move it.
Manurable \Ma*nur"a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of cultivation. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
2. Capable of receiving a fertilizing substance.
Manurage \Ma*nur"age\, n.
Cultivation. [Obs.] --Warner.
Manurance \Ma*nur"ance\, n.
Cultivation. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Manure \Ma*nure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Manured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Manuring}.] [Contr, from OF. manuvrer, manovrer, to work
with the hand, to cultivate by manual labor, F. man?uvker.
See {Manual}, {Ure}, {Opera}, and cf. {Inure}.]
1. To cultivate by manual labor; to till; hence, to develop
by culture. [Obs.]
To whom we gave the strand for to manure. --Surrey.
Manure thyself then; to thyself be improved; And
with vain, outward things be no more moved. --Donne.
2. To apply manure to; to enrich, as land, by the application
of a fertilizing substance.
The blood of English shall manure the ground.
--Shak.
Manure \Ma*nure"\, n.
Any matter which makes land productive; a fertilizing
substance, as the contents of stables and barnyards, dung,
decaying animal or vegetable substances, etc. --Dryden.
Manurement \Ma*nure"ment\, n. [Cf. OF. manouvrement.]
Cultivation. [Obs.] --W. Wotton.
Manurer \Ma*nur"er\, n.
One who manures land.
Manurial \Ma*nu"ri*al\, a.
Relating to manures.
Manuring \Ma*nur"ing\, n.
The act of process of applying manure; also, the manure
applied.
Manus \Ma"nus\, n.; pl. {Manus}. [L., the hand.] (Anat.)
The distal segment of the fore limb, including the carpus and
fore foot or hand.
Manuscript \Man"u*script\, a. [L. manu scriptus. See {Manual},
and {Scribe}.]
Written with or by the hand; not printed; as, a manuscript
volume.
Manuscript \Man"u*script\, n. [LL. manuscriptum, lit., something
written with the hand. See {Manuscript}, a.]
1. A literary or musical composition written with the hand,
as distinguished from a printed copy.
2. Writing, as opposed to print; as, the book exists only in
manuscript. --Craik.
Note: The word is often abbreviated to MS., plural MSS.
Manuscriptal \Man"u*script`al\, a.
Manuscript. [Obs.]
Manutenency \Man`u*ten"en*cy\, n. [L. manus hand + tenere to
hold.]
Maintenance. [Obs.] --Abp. Sancroft.
Manway \Man"way`\, n.
A small passageway, as in a mine, that a man may pass
through. --Raymond.
Manx \Manx\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Isle of Man, or its inhabitants; as,
the Manx language.
{Manx cat} (Zo["o]l.), a breed of domestic cats having a
rudimentary tail, containing only about three vertebrae.
{Manx shearwater} (Zo["o]l.), an oceanic bird ({Puffinus
anglorum}, or {P. puffinus}), called also {Manx petrel},
{Manx puffin}. It was formerly abundant in the Isle of
Man.
Manx \Manx\, n.
The language of the inhabitants of the Isle of Man, a dialect
of the Celtic.
Many \Ma"ny\, n. [See {Meine}, {Mansion}.]
A retinue of servants; a household. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Many \Ma"ny\, a. or pron.
Note: [It has no variation to express degrees of comparison;
more and most, which are used for the comparative and
superlative degrees, are from a different root.] [OE.
mani, moni, AS. manig, m[ae]nig, monig; akin to D.
menig, OS. & OHG. manag, G. manch, Dan. mange, Sw.
m[*a]nge, Goth. manags, OSlav. mnog', Russ. mnogii; cf.
Icel. margr, Prov. E. mort. [root]103.]
Consisting of a great number; numerous; not few.
Thou shalt be a father of many nations. --Gen. xvii.
4.
Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are called. --1 Cor. i.
26.
Note: Many is freely prefixed to participles, forming
compounds which need no special explanation; as,
many-angled, many-celled, many-eyed, many-footed,
many-handed, many-leaved, many-lettered, many-named,
many-peopled, many-petaled, many-seeded, many-syllabled
(polysyllabic), many-tongued, many-voiced, many-wived,
and the like.
Comparison is often expressed by many with as or so. ``As many
as were willing hearted . . . brought bracelets.'' --Exod. xxxv.
22. ``So many laws argue so many sins.'' --Milton. Many stands
with a singular substantive with a or an.
{Many a}, a large number taken distributively; each one of
many. ``For thy sake have I shed many a tear.'' --Shak.
``Full many a gem of purest ray serene.'' --Gray.
{Many one}, many a one; many persons. --Bk. of Com. Prayer.
{The many}, the majority; -- opposed to {the few}. See
{Many}, n.
{Too many}, too numerous; hence, too powerful; as, they are
too many for us. --L'Estrange.
Syn: Numerous; multiplied; frequent; manifold; various;
divers; sundry.
Many \Ma"ny\, n. [AS. menigeo, menigo, menio, multitude; akin to
G. menge, OHG. manag[=i], menig[=i], Goth. managei. See
{Many}, a.]
1. The populace; the common people; the majority of people,
or of a community.
After him the rascal many ran. --Spenser.
2. A large or considerable number.
A many of our bodies shall no doubt Find native
graves. --Shak.
Seeing a great many in rich gowns. --Addison.
It will be concluded by manythat he lived like an
honest man. --Fielding.
Note: In this sense, many is connected immediately with
another substantive (without of) to show of what the
many consists; as, a good many [of] people think so.
He is liable to a great many inconveniences.
--Tillotson.
Many-minded \Ma"ny-mind`ed\, a.
Having many faculties; versatile; many-sided.
Manyplies \Ma"ny*plies\, n. [Many, adj. + plies, pl. of ply a
fold.] (Anat.)
The third division, or that between the reticulum, or
honeycomb stomach, and the abomasum, or rennet stomach, in
the stomach of ruminants; the omasum; the psalterium. So
called from the numerous folds in its mucous membrane. See
Illust of {Ruminant}.
Many-sided \Ma"ny-sid`ed\, a.
1. Having many sides; -- said of figures. Hence, presenting
many questions or subjects for consideration; as, a
many-sided topic.
2. Interested in, and having an aptitude for, many unlike
pursuits or objects of attention; versatile. --
{Ma"ny-sid`ed*ness}, n.
Manyways \Ma"ny*ways`\, Manywise \Ma"ny*wise`\, adv.
In many different ways; variously.
Manzanita \Man`za*ni"ta\, n. [Sp., dim. of munzana an apple.]
(Bot.)
A name given to several species of {Arctostaphylos}, but
mostly to {A. glauca} and {A. pungens}, shrubs of California,
Oregon, etc., with reddish smooth bark, ovate or oval
coriaceous evergreen leaves, and bearing clusters of red
berries, which are said to be a favorite food of the grizzly
bear.
Maori \Ma"o*ri\, n.; pl. {Maoris}. (Ethnol.)
One of the aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand; also, the
original language of New Zealand. -- a. Of or pertaining to
the Maoris or to their language.
Map \Map\, n. [From F. mappe, in mappemonde map of the world,
fr. L. mappa napkin, signal cloth; -- a Punic word. Cf.
{Apron}, {Napkin}, {Nappe}.]
1. A representation of the surface of the earth, or of some
portion of it, showing the relative position of the parts
represented; -- usually on a flat surface. Also, such a
representation of the celestial sphere, or of some part of
it.
Note: There are five principal kinds of projection used in
making maps: the orthographic, the stereographic, the
globuar, the conical, and the cylindrical, or
Mercator's projection. See {Projection}.
2. Anything which represents graphically a succession of
events, states, or acts; as, an historical map.
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn. --Shak.
{Map lichen} (Bot.), a lichen ({Lecidea geographica}.)
growing on stones in curious maplike figures. --Dr. Prior.
Map \Map\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mapped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mapping}.]
To represent by a map; -- often with out; as, to survey and
map, or map out, a county. Hence, figuratively: To represent
or indicate systematically and clearly; to sketch; to plan;
as, to map, or map out, a journey; to map out business.
I am near to the place where they should meet, if
Pisanio have mapped it truly. --Shak.
Mapach \Ma*pach"\, n. [Mexican.]
The raccoon.
Maple \Ma"ple\, n. [AS. mapolder, mapulder, mapol; akin to Icel.
m["o]purr; cf. OHG. mazzaltra, mazzoltra, G. massholder.]
(Bot.)
A tree of the genus {Acer}, including about fifty species.
{A. saccharinum} is the rock maple, or sugar maple, from the
sap of which sugar is made, in the United States, in great
quantities, by evaporation; the red or swamp maple is {A.
rubrum}; the silver maple, {A. dasycarpum}, having fruit
wooly when young; the striped maple, {A. Pennsylvanium},
called also {moosewood}. The common maple of Europe is {A.
campestre}, the sycamore maple is {A. Pseudo-platanus}, and
the Norway maple is {A. platanoides}.
Note: Maple is much used adjectively, or as the first part of
a compound; as, maple tree, maple leaf, etc.
{Bird's-eye maple}, {Curled maple}, varieties of the wood of
the rock maple, in which a beautiful lustrous grain is
produced by the sinuous course of the fibers.
{Maple honey}, {Maple molasses}, or {Maple sirup}, maple sap
boiled to the consistency of molasses.
{Maple sugar}, sugar obtained from the sap of the sugar maple
by evaporation.
Maplike \Map"like`\, a.
Having or consisting of lines resembling a map; as, the
maplike figures in which certain lichens grow.
Mappery \Map"per*y\, n. [From Map.]
The making, or study, of maps. [Obs.] --Shak.
Maqui \Ma"qui\, n. (Bot.)
A Chilian shrub ({Aristotelia Maqui}). Its bark furnishes
strings for musical instruments, and a medicinal wine is made
from its berries.
Mar \Mar\, n.
A small lake. See {Mere}. [Prov. Eng.]
Mar \Mar\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marred} (m["a]rd); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marring}.] [OE. marren, merren, AS. merran, myrran (in
comp.), to obstruct, impede, dissipate; akin to OS. merrian,
OHG. marrjan, merran; cf. D. marren, meeren, to moor a ship,
Icel. merja to bruise, crush, and Goth. marzjan to offend.
Cf. {Moor}, v.]
1. To make defective; to do injury to, esp. by cutting off or
defacing a part; to impair; to disfigure; to deface.
I pray you mar no more trees with wiring love songs
in their barks. --Shak.
But mirth is marred, and the good cheer is lost.
--Dryden.
Ire, envy, and despair Which marred all his borrowed
visage. --Milton.
2. To spoil; to ruin. ``It makes us, or it mars us.''
``Striving to mend, to mar the subject.'' --Shak.
Mar \Mar\, n.
A mark or blemish made by bruising, scratching, or the like;
a disfigurement.
Mara \Ma"ra\, n. [Skr. m[=a]ra.] (Hind. Myth.)
The principal or ruling evil spirit. --E. Arnold.
Mara \Ma"ra\, n. [Icel. mara nightmare, an ogress. See
{Nightmare}.] (Norse Myth.)
A female demon who torments people in sleep by crouching on
their chests or stomachs, or by causing terrifying visions.
Mara \Ma"ra\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Patagonian cavy ({Dolichotis Patagonicus}).
Marabou \Mar`a*bou"\, n. [F.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large stork of the genus {Leptoptilos}
(formerly {Ciconia}), esp. the African species ({L.
crumenifer}), which furnishes plumes worn as ornaments.
The Asiatic species ({L. dubius}, or {L. argala}) is the
adjutant. See {Adjutant}. [Written also {marabu}.]
2. One having five eighths negro blood; the offspring of a
mulatto and a griffe. [Louisiana] --Bartlett.
Marabout \Marabout"\, n. [F., from Pg. marabuto, Ar. mor[=a]bit.
Cf. {Maravedi}.]
A Mohammedan saint; especially, one who claims to work cures
supernaturally.
Maracan \Mar"a*can\, n. [Braz. maracan['a].] (Zo["o]l.)
A macaw.
Marai \Ma*rai"\, n.
A sacred inclosure or temple; -- so called by the islanders
of the Pacific Ocean.
Maranatha \Mar`a*nath"a\, n. [Aramaic m[=a]ran ath[=a].]
``Our Lord cometh;'' -- an expression used by St. Paul at the
conclusion of his first Epistle to the Corinthians (xvi. 22).
This word has been used in anathematizing persons for great
crimes; as much as to say, ``May the Lord come quickly to
take vengeance of thy crimes.'' See {Anathema maranatha},
under {Anathema}.
Maranta \Ma*ran"ta\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A genus of endogenous plants found in tropical America, and
some species also in India. They have tuberous roots
containing a large amount of starch, and from one species
({Maranta arundinacea}) arrowroot is obtained. Many kinds are
cultivated for ornament.
Maraschino \Ma`ra*schi"no\, n. [It., fr. marasca, amarasca, a
sour cherry, L. amarus bitter.]
A liqueur distilled from fermented cherry juice, and flavored
with the pit of a variety of cherry which grows in Dalmatia.
Marasmus \Ma*ras"mus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, to quench, as
fire; pass., to die away.] (Med.)
A wasting of flesh without fever or apparent disease; a kind
of consumption; atrophy; phthisis.
Pining atrophy, Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence.
--Milton.
{Marasmus senilis} [L.], progressive atrophy of the aged.
Maraud \Ma*raud"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Marauded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marauding}.] [F. marauder, fr. maraud vagabond, OF.
marault; of uncertain origin, perh. for malault, fr.
(assumed) LL. malaldus; fr. L. malus bad, ill + a suffix of
German origin (cf. {Herald}). Cf. {Malice}.]
To rove in quest of plunder; to make an excursion for booty;
to plunder. ``Marauding hosts.'' --Milman.
Maraud \Ma*raud"\, n.
An excursion for plundering.
Marauder \Ma*raud`er\, n. [From {Maraud}, v.: cf. F. maraudeur.]
A rover in quest of booty or plunder; a plunderer; one who
pillages. --De Quincey.
Maravedi \Mar`a*ve"di\, n. [Sp. maraved['i]; -- so called from
the Mor[=a]bit[=i]n (lit., the steadfast), an Arabian dynasty
which reigned in Africa and Spain. Cf. {Marabout}.] (Numis.)
A small copper coin of Spain, equal to three mils American
money, less than a farthing sterling. Also, an ancient
Spanish gold coin.
Marble \Mar"ble\, n. [OE. marbel, marbre, F. marbre, L. marmor,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to sparkle, flash. Cf. {Marmoreal}.]
1. A massive, compact limestone; a variety of calcite,
capable of being polished and used for architectural and
ornamental purposes. The color varies from white to black,
being sometimes yellow, red, and green, and frequently
beautifully veined or clouded. The name is also given to
other rocks of like use and appearance, as serpentine or
verd antique marble, and less properly to polished
porphyry, granite, etc.
Note:
{Breccia marble} consists of limestone fragments cemented
together.
{Ruin marble}, when polished, shows forms resembling ruins,
due to disseminated iron oxide.
{Shell marble} contains fossil shells.
{Statuary marble} is a pure, white, fine-grained kind,
including Parian (from Paros) and Carrara marble. If
coarsely granular it is called saccharoidal.
2. A thing made of, or resembling, marble, as a work of art,
or record, in marble; or, in the plural, a collection of
such works; as, the Arundel or Arundelian marbles; the
Elgin marbles.
3. A little ball of marble, or of some other hard substance,
used as a plaything by children; or, in the plural, a
child's game played with marbles.
Note: Marble is also much used in self-explaining compounds;
when used figuratively in compounds it commonly means,
hard, cold, destitute of compassion or feeling; as,
marble-breasted, marble-faced, marble-hearted.
Marble \Mar"ble\, a.
1. Made of, or resembling, marble; as, a marble mantel;
marble paper.
2. Cold; hard; unfeeling; as, a marble breast or heart.
Marble \Mar"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Marbling}.] [Cf. F. marbrer. See {Marble}, n.]
To stain or vein like marble; to variegate in color; as, to
marble the edges of a book, or the surface of paper.
Marbled \Mar"bled\, a.
1. Made of, or faced with, marble. [Obs.] ``The {marbled}
mansion.'' --Shak.
2. Made to resemble marble; veined or spotted like marble.
``Marbled paper.'' --Boyle.
3. (zo["o]l.) Varied with irregular markings, or witch a
confused blending of irregular spots and streaks.
Marble-edged \Mar"ble-edged`\, a.
Having the edge veined or spotted with different colors like
marble, as a book.
Marbleize \Mar"ble*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marbleized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Marbleizing}.]
To stain or grain in imitation of marble; to cover with a
surface resembling marble; as, to marbleize slate, wood, or
iron.
Marbler \Mar"bler\, n.
1. One who works upon marble or other stone. [R.] --Fuller.
2. One who colors or stains in imitation of marble.
Marbling \Mar"bling\, n.
1. The art or practice of variegating in color, in imitation
of marble.
2. An intermixture of fat and lean in meat, giving it a
marbled appearance.
3. pl. (Zo["o]l.) Distinct markings resembling the
variegations of marble, as on birds and insects.
Marbly \Mar"bly\, a.
Containing, or resembling, marble.
Marbrinus \Mar*bri"nus\, n. [LL., fr. OF. & F. marble marble.
See {Marble}.]
A cloth woven so as to imitate the appearance of marble; --
much used in the 15th and 16th centuries. --Beck (Draper's
Dict.).
Marc \Marc\, n. [F.]
The refuse matter which remains after the pressure of fruit,
particularly of grapes.
Marc \Marc\, n. [AS. marc; akin to G. mark, Icel. m["o]rk, perh.
akin to E. mark a sign. [root]106, 273.] [Written also
{mark}.]
1. A weight of various commodities, esp. of gold and silver,
used in different European countries. In France and
Holland it was equal to eight ounces.
2. A coin formerly current in England and Scotland, equal to
thirteen shillings and four pence.
3. A German coin and money of account. See {Mark}.
Marcantant \Mar"can*tant\, n. [It. mercatante. See {Merchant}.]
A merchant. [Obs.] --Shak.
Marcasite \Mar"ca*site\, n. [F. marcassite; cf. It. marcassita,
Sp. marquesita, Pg. marquezita; all fr. Ar. marqash[=i]tha.]
(Min.)
A sulphide of iron resembling pyrite or common iron pyrites
in composition, but differing in form; white iron pyrites.
{Golden marcasite}, tin. [Obs.]
Marcasitic \Mar`ca*sit"ic\, Marcasitical \Mar`ca*sit"ic*al\, a.
Containing, or having the nature of, marcasite.
Marcassin \Mar*cas"sin\, n. [F.] (Her.)
A young wild boar.
Marcato \Mar*ca"to\, a. [It.] (Mus.)
In a marked emphatic manner; -- used adverbially as a
direction.
Marceline \Mar"cel*ine\, n. [F., fr. L. marcidus withered, fr.
marcere to wither, shrivel.]
A thin silk fabric used for linings, etc., in ladies'
dresses.
Marcescent \Mar*ces"cent\, a. [L. marcescens, p. pr. of
marcescere to wither, decay, fr. marcere to wither, droop:
cf. F. marcescent.] (Bot.)
Withering without? falling off; fading; decaying.
Marcescible \Mar*ces"ci*ble\, a. [Cf. F. marcescible.]
Li?ble to wither or decay.
March \March\, n. [L. Martius mensis Mars'month fr. Martius
belonging to Mars, the god of war: cf. F. mars. Cf.
{Martial}.]
The third month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
The stormy March is come at last, With wind, and cloud,
and changing skies. --Bryant.
{As mad as a March Hare}, an old English Saying derived from
the fact that March is the rutting time of hares, when
they are excitable and violent. --Wright.
March \March\, n. [OE. marche, F. marche; of German origin; cf.
OHG. marcha, G. mark, akin to OS. marka, AS. mearc, Goth.
marka, L. margo edge, border, margin, and possibly to E. mark
a sign. [root]106. Cf. {Margin}, {Margrave}, {Marque},
{Marquis}.]
A territorial border or frontier; a region adjacent to a
boundary line; a confine; -- used chiefly in the plural, and
in English history applied especially to the border land on
the frontiers between England and Scotland, and England and
Wales.
Geneva is situated in the marches of several dominions
-- France, Savoy, and Switzerland. --Fuller.
Lords of waste marches, kings of desolate isles.
--Tennyson.
March \March\, v. i. [Cf. OF. marchir. See 2d {March}.]
To border; to be contiguous; to lie side by side. [Obs.]
That was in a strange land Which marcheth upon
Chimerie. --Gower.
{To march with}, to have the same boundary for a greater or
less distance; -- said of an estate.
March \March\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Marched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Marching}.] [F. marcher, in OF. also, to tread, prob. fr. L.
marcus hammer. Cf. {Mortar}.]
1. To move with regular steps, as a soldier; to walk in a
grave, deliberate, or stately manner; to advance steadily.
--Shak.
2. To proceed by walking in a body or in military order; as,
the German army {marched} into France.
March \March\, v. t.
TO cause to move with regular steps in the manner of a
soldier; to cause to move in military array, or in a body, as
troops; to cause to advance in a steady, regular, or stately
manner; to cause to go by peremptory command, or by force.
March them again in fair array. --Prior.
March \March\, n. [F. marche.]
1. The act of marching; a movement of soldiers from one
stopping place to another; military progress; advance of
troops.
These troops came to the army harassed with a long
and wearisome march. --Bacon.
2. Hence: Measured and regular advance or movement, like that
of soldiers moving in order; stately or deliberate walk;
steady onward movement.
With solemn march Goes slow and stately by them.
--Shak.
This happens merely because men will not bide their
time, but will insist on precipitating the march of
affairs. --Buckle.
3. The distance passed over in marching; as, an hour's march;
a march of twenty miles.
4. A piece of music designed or fitted to accompany and guide
the movement of troops; a piece of music in the march
form.
The drums presently striking up a march. --Knolles.
{To make a march}, (Card Playing), to take all the tricks of
a hand, in the game of euchre.
Macher \Mach"er\, n.
One who marches.
Marcher \March"er\, n. [See 2d {March}.]
The lord or officer who defended the marches or borders of a
territory.
Marchet \Mar"chet\, Merchet \Mer"chet\, n. [LL. marcheta; of
uncertain origin.]
In old English and in Scots law, a fine paid to the lord of
the soil by a tenant upon the marriage of one the tenant's
daughters.
Marching \March"ing\,
a. & n., fr. {March}, v.
{Marching money} (Mil.), the additional pay of officer or
soldier when his regiment is marching.
{In marching order} (Mil.), equipped for a march.
{Marching regiment}. (Mil.)
(a) A regiment in active service.
(b) In England, a regiment liable to be ordered into other
quarters, at home or abroad; a regiment of the line.
Marchioness \Mar"chion*ess\, n. [LL. marchionissa, fr. marchio a
marquis. See Marquis.]
The wife or the widow of a marquis; a woman who has the rank
and dignity of a marquis. --Spelman.
March-mad \March"-mad`\, a.
Extremely rash; foolhardy. See under {March}, the month.
--Sir W. Scott.
Marchman \March"man\, n.
A person living in the marches between England and Scotland
or Wales.
Marchpane \March"pane`\, n. [Cf. It. marzapane,Sp. pan,.
massepain, prob. fr. L. maza frumenty (Gr. ma^za) + L. panis
bread; but perh. the first part of the word is from the name
of the inventor.]
A kind of sweet bread or biscuit; a cake of pounded almonds
and sugar. [Obs.]
--Shak.
March-ward \March"-ward`\, n.
A warden of the marches; a marcher.
Marcian \Mar"cian\, a.
Under the influence of Mars; courageous; bold. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Marcid \Mar"cid\, a. [L. marcidus, fr. marcere to wither, pine.]
1. Pining; lean; withered. --Dryden.
2. Characterized by emaciation, as a fever. --Harvey.
Marcidity \Mar*cid"i*ty\, n. [LL. marciditas.]
The state or quality of being withered or lean. [R.]
Marcionite \Mar"cion*ite\, n. (Eccl. Hist)
A follower of Marcion, a Gnostic of the second century, who
adopted the Oriental notion of the two conflicting
principles, and imagined that between them there existed a
third power, neither wholly good nor evil, the Creator of the
world and of man, and the God of the Jewish dispensation.
--Brande & C.
Marcobrunner \Mar`co*brun"ner\, n. [G. Marcobrunner.]
A celebrated Rhine wine.
Marcor \Mar"cor\, n. [L., fr. marcere to wither.]
A wasting away of flesh; decay. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Marcosian \Mar*co"sian\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a Gnostic sect of the second century, so called from
Marcus, an Egyptian, who was reputed to be a margician.
Mardi gras \Mar"di` gras"\, n. [F., literally, fat Tuesday.]
The last day of Carnival; Shrove Tuesday; -- in some cities a
great day of carnival and merrymaking.
Mare \Mare\ (m[^a]r), n. [OE. mere, AS. mere, myre, fem of AS.
mearh horse, akin to D. merrie mare, G. m["a]hre, OHG. marah
horse, meriha mare, Icel. marr horse, OCelt. marka (Pausan.
19, 19,4), Ir. marc, W. march. Cf. {Marshal}.]
The female of the horse and other equine quadrupeds.
Mare \Mare\, n. [AS. mara incubus; akin to OHG. & Icel. mara;
cf. Pol. mora, Bohem. m[*u]ra.] (Med.)
Sighing, suffocative panting, intercepted utterance, with a
sense of pressure across the chest, occurring during sleep;
the incubus; -- obsolete, except in the compound nightmare.
I will ride thee o' nights like the mare. --Shak.
Marechal Niel \Mare"chal Niel"\ [F.]
A kind of large yellow rose. [Written also {Marshal Niel}.]
Mareis \Mar"eis\, n.
A Marsh. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Marena \Ma*re"na\, n. [NL. Salmo maraena, G. mar["a]ne,
mor["a]ne; -- so called from Lake Morin, in the March of
Brandenburg, in Prussia.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European whitefish of the genus {Coregonus}.
Mareschal \Mare"schal\, n. [OF. mareschal, F. mar['e]chal. See
{Marshal}.]
A military officer of high rank; a marshal. [Obs.]
Mare's-nest \Mare's"-nest`\, n.
A supposed discovery which turns out to be a hoax; something
grosaly absurd.
Mare's-tail \Mare's"-tail`\, n.
1. A long streaky cloud, spreading out like a horse's tail,
and believed to indicate rain; a cirrus cloud. See
{Cloud}.
Mackerel sky and mare's-tails Make tall ships carry
low sails. --Old Rhyme.
2. (Bot.) An aquatic plant of the genus {Hippuris} ({H.
vulgaris}), having narrow leaves in whorls.
Margarate \Mar"ga*rate\, n. [Cf. F. margarate.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A compound of the so-called margaric acid with a base.
Margaric \Mar*gar"ic\, a. [Cf. F. margarique. See {Margarite}.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, pearl; pearly.
{Margaric acid}.
(a) (Physiol. Chem.) A fatty body, crystallizing in pearly
scales, and obtained by digesting saponified fats (soaps)
with an acid. It was formerly supposed to be an
individual fatty acid, but is now known to be simply an
intimate mixture of stearic and palmitic acids.
(b) (Chem.) A white, crystalline substance, {C17H34O2} of the
fatty acid series, intermediate between palmitic and
stearic acids, and obtained from the wax of certain
lichens, from cetyl cyanide, and other sources.
Margarin \Mar"ga*rin\, n. [Cf. F. margarine. See {Margarite}.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A fatty substance, extracted from animal fats and certain
vegetable oils, formerly supposed to be a definite compound
of glycerin and margaric acid, but now known to be simply a
mixture or combination of tristearin and teipalmitin.
Marasritaceous \Mar`as*ri*ta"ceous\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, pearl; pearly.
Margarite \Mar"ga*rite\, n. [L. margarita, Gr. ? a pearl; cf. F.
marguerite.]
1. A pearl. [Obs.] --Peacham.
2. (Min.) A mineral related to the micas, but low in silica
and yielding brittle folia with pearly luster.
Margaritic \Mar`ga*rit"ic\, a. [Cf. F. margaritique.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
Margaric.
Margaritiferous \Mar`ga*ri*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. margaritifer;
margarita pearl + ferre to bear: cf. F. margaritif[`e]re.]
Producing pearls.
Margarodite \Mar*gar"o*dite\, n. [Gr. ? pearl-like.] (Min.)
A hidrous potash mica related to muscovite.
Margarone \Mar"ga*rone\, n. [Margaric + -one.] (Chem.)
The ketone of margaric acid.
Margarous \Mar"ga*rous\, a. (Chem.)
Margaric; -- formerly designating a supposed acid. [Obs.]
Margate fish \Mar"gate fish"\ (Zo["o]l.)
A sparoid fish ({Diabasis aurolineatus}) of the Gulf of
Mexico, esteemed as a food fish; -- called also {red-mouth
grunt}.
Margay \Mar"gay\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American wild cat ({Felis tigrina}), ranging from Mexico
to Brazil. It is spotted with black. Called also {long-tailed
cat}.
Marge \Marge\, n. [F. marge. See {Margin}.]
Border; margin; edge; verge. [Poetic] --Tennyson.
Along the river's stony marge. --Wordsworth.
Margent \Mar"gent\, n. [OE. See {Margin}.]
A margin; border; brink; edge. [Obs.]
The beached margent of the sea. --Shak.
Margent \Mar"gent\, v. t.
To enter or note down upon the margin of a page; to margin.
[Obs.] --Mir. for Mag.
Margin \Mar"gin\, n. [OE. margine, margent, L. margo, ginis. Cf.
{March} a border, {Marge}.]
1. A border; edge; brink; verge; as, the margin of a river or
lake.
2. Specifically: The part of a page at the edge left
uncovered in writing or printing.
3. (Com.) The difference between the cost and the selling
price of an article.
4. Something allowed, or reserved, for that which can not be
foreseen or known with certainty.
5. (Brokerage) Collateral security deposited with a broker to
secure him from loss on contracts entered into by him on
behalf of his principial, as in the speculative buying and
selling of stocks, wheat, etc. --N. Biddle.
{Margin draft} (Masonry), a smooth cut margin on the face of
hammer-dressed ashlar, adjacent to the joints.
{Margin of a course} (Arch.), that part of a course, as of
slates or shingles, which is not covered by the course
immediately above it. See 2d {Gauge}.
Syn: Border; brink; verge; brim; rim.
Margin \Mar"gin\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Margined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marginging}.]
1. To furnish with a margin.
2. To enter in the margin of a page.
Marginal \Mar"gin*al\, a. [Cf. F. marginal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a margin.
2. Written or printed in the margin; as, a marginal note or
gloss.
Marginalia \Mar`gi*na"li*a\, n. pl. [NL.]
Marginal notes.
Marginally \Mar"gin*al*ly\, adv.
In the margin of a book.
Marginate \Mar"gin*ate\, a. [L. marginatus, p. p. of marginare
to margin. See {Margin}, n.]
Having a margin distinct in appearance or structure.
Marginate \Mar"gin*ate\, v. t.
To furnish with a distinct margin; to margin. [R.]
--Cockeram.
Marginated \Mar"gin*a`ted\, a.
Same as {Marginate}, a.
Margined \Mar"gined\, a.
1. Having a margin. --Hawthorne.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Bordered with a distinct line of color.
Marginella \Mar`gi*nel"la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. margo, marginis,
a margin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small, polished, marine univalve shells, native of
all warm seas.
Marginicidal \Mar"gin*i*ci`dal\, a. [L. margo, -ginis, margin +
caedere to cut.] (Bot.)
Dehiscent by the separation of united carpels; -- said of
fruits.
Margosa \Mar*go"sa\, n. [Pg. amargoso bitter.] (Bot.)
A large tree of genus {Melia} ({M. Azadirachta}) found in
India. Its bark is bitter, and used as a tonic. A valuable
oil is expressed from its seeds, and a tenacious gum exudes
from its trunk. The {M. Azedarach} is a much more showy tree,
and is cultivated in the Southern United States, where it is
known as {Pride of India}, {Pride of China}, or {bead tree}.
Various parts of the tree are considered anthelmintic.
The margosa oil . . . is a most valuable balsam for
wounds, having a peculiar smell which prevents the
attacks of flies. --Sir S.
Baker.
Margravate \Mar"gra*vate\, Margraviate \Mar*gra"vi*ate\, n. [Cf.
F. margraviat.]
The territory or jurisdiction of a margrave.
Margrave \Mar"grave\, n. [G. markgraf, prop., lord chief justice
of the march; mark bound, border, march + graf earl, count,
lord chief justice; cf. Goth. gagr["e]fts decree: cf. D.
markgraaf, F. margrave. See {March} border, and cf.
{Landgrave}, {Graff}.]
1. Originally, a lord or keeper of the borders or marches in
Germany.
2. The English equivalent of the German title of nobility,
markgraf; a marquis.
Margravine \Mar"gra*vine\, n. [G. markgr["a]fin: cf. F.
margrafine.]
The wife of a margrave.
Marguerite \Mar"gue*rite\, n. [F., a pearl, a daisy. See
{Margarite}.] (Bot.)
The daisy ({Bellis perennis}). The name is often applied also
to the ox-eye daisy and to the China aster. --Longfellow.
Marian \Ma"ri*an\, a.
Pertaining to the Virgin Mary, or sometimes to Mary, Queen of
England, daughter of Henry VIII.
Of all the Marian martyrs, Mr. Philpot was the
best-born gentleman. --Fuller.
{Maid Marian}. See {Maidmarian} in the Vocabulary.
Marie \Mar"ie\, interj.
Marry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mariet \Mar"i*et\, n. [F. mariette, prop. dim. of Marie Mary.]
(Bot.)
A kind of bellflower, {Companula Trachelium}, once called
{Viola Mariana}; but it is not a violet.
Marigenous \Ma*rig"e*nous\, a. [L. mare the sea + -genous.]
Produced in or by the sea.
Marigold \Mar"i*gold\, n. [Mary + gold.] (Bot.)
A name for several plants with golden yellow blossoms,
especially the {Calendula officinalis} (see {Calendula}), and
the cultivated species of {Tagetes}.
Note: There are several yellow-flowered plants of different
genera bearing this name; as, the {African or French
marigold} of the genus {Tagetes}, of which several
species and many varieties are found in gardens. They
are mostly strong-smelling herbs from South America and
Mexico: {bur marigold}, of the genus {Bidens}; {corn
marigold}, of the genus {Chrysanthemum} ({C. segetum},
a pest in the cornfields of Italy); {fig marigold}, of
the genus {Mesembryanthemum}; {marsh marigold}, of the
genus {Caltha} ({C. palustris}), commonly known in
America as the cowslip. See {Marsh Marigold}.
{Marigold window}. (Arch.) See {Rose window}, under {Rose}.
Marikina \Mar`i*ki"na\, n. [From the native name: cf. Pg.
mariquinha.] (Zo["o]l)
A small marmoset ({Midas rosalia}); the silky tamarin.
Marimba \Ma*rim"ba\, n. [Pg.]
A musical istrument of percussion, consisting of bars
yielding musical tones when struck. --Knight.
Marimonda \Mar`i*mon"da\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
A spider monkey ({Ateles belzebuth}) of Central and South
America.
Marinade \Mar`i*nade"\, n. [F.: cf. It. marinato marinade, F.
mariner to preserve food for use at sea. See {Marinate}.]
(Cookery)
A brine or pickle containing wine and spices, for enriching
the flavor of meat and fish.
Marinate \Mar"i*nate\, v. t. [See {Marine}, and cf. {Marinade}.]
To salt or pickle, as fish, and then preserve in oil or
vinegar; to prepare by the use of marinade.
Marine \Ma*rine"\, a. [L. marinus, fr. mare the sea: cf. F.
marin. See {Mere} a pool.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sea; having to do with the ocean,
or with navigation or naval affairs; nautical; as, marine
productions or bodies; marine shells; a marine engine.
2. (Geol.) Formed by the action of the currents or waves of
the sea; as, marine deposits.
{Marine acid} (Chem.), hydrochloric acid. [Obs.]
{Marine barometer}. See under {Barometer}.
{Marine corps}, a corps formed of the officers,
noncommissioned officers, privates, and musicants of
marines.
{Marine engine} (Mech.), a steam engine for propelling a
vessel.
{Marine glue}. See under {Glue}.
{Marine insurance}, insurance against the perils of the sea,
including also risks of fire, piracy, and barratry.
{Marine interest}, interest at any rate agreed on for money
lent upon respondentia and bottomry bonds.
{Marine law}. See under {Law}.
{Marine league}, three geographical miles.
{Marine metal}, an alloy of lead, antimony, and mercury, made
for sheathing ships. --Mc Elrath.
{Marine soap}, cocoanut oil soap; -- so called because, being
quite soluble in salt water, it is much used on shipboard.
{Marine store}, a store where old canvas, ropes, etc., are
bought and sold; a junk shop. [Eng.]
Marine \Ma*rine"\, n. [F. marin a sea solider, marine naval
economy, a marine picture, fr. L. marinus. See {Marine}, a.]
1. A solider serving on shipboard; a sea soldier; one of a
body of troops trained to do duty in the navy.
2. The sum of naval affairs; naval economy; the department of
navigation and sea forces; the collective shipping of a
country; as, the mercantile marine.
3. A picture representing some marine subject.
{Tell that to the marines}, an expression of disbelief, the
marines being regarded by sailors as credulous. [Colloq.]
Marined \Ma*rined"\, a. [Cf. F. marin['e].] (Her.)
Having the lower part of the body like a fish. --Crabb.
Mariner \Mar"i*ner\, n. [F. marinier, LL. marinarius. See
{Marine}.]
One whose occupation is to assist in navigating ships; a
seaman or sailor. --Chaucer.
{Mariner's compass}. See under {Compass}.
Marinership \Mar"i*ner*ship\, n.
Seamanship. [Obs.] --Udalt.
Marinorama \Mar`i*no*ra"ma\, n. [NL., from L. marinus marine +
Gr. ? view.]
A representation of a sea view.
Mariolater \Ma`ri*ol"a*ter\, n. [See {Mariolatry}.]
One who worships the Virgin Mary.
Mariolatry \Ma`ri*ol"a*try\, n. [Gr. ? Mary + ? worship.]
The worship of the Virgin Mary.
Marionette \Mar`i*o*nette"\, n. [F. marionette, prop. a dim. of
Marie Mary.]
1. A puppet moved by strings, as in a puppet show.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The buffel duck.
Mariotte's law \Ma`ri*otte's law`\ (Physics.)
See {Boyle's law}, under {Law}.
Mariposa lily \Ma`ri*po"sa lil`y\ [Sp. mariposa a butterfly + E.
lily. So called from the gay apperance of the blossoms.]
(Bot.)
One of a genus ({Calochortus}) of tuliplike bulbous herbs
with large, and often gaycolored, blossoms. Called also
{butterfly lily}. Most of them are natives of California.
Mariput \Mar"i*put\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of civet; the zoril.
Marish \Mar"ish\, n. [Cf. F. marais, LL. marascus. See {Marsh}.]
Low, wet ground; a marsh; a fen; a bog; a moor. [Archaic]
--Milton. Tennyson.
Marish \Mar"ish\, a.
1. Moory; fenny; boggy. [Archaic]
2. Growing in marshes. ``Marish flowers.'' --Tennyson.
Marital \Mar"i*tal\, a. [F., fr. L. maritalis, fr. maritus
belonging to marriage, n., a husband. See {Marry}, v.]
Of or pertaining to a husband; as, marital rights, duties,
authority. ``Marital affection.'' --Ayliffe.
Maritated \Mar"i*ta`ted\, a. [L. maritatus married.]
Having a husband; married. [Obs.]
Maritimal \Ma*rit"i*mal\, Maritimale \Ma*rit"i*male\, a.
See {Maritime}. [Obs.]
Maritime \Mar"i*time\, a. [L. maritimus, fr. mare the sea: cf.
F. maritime. See {Mere} a pool.]
1. Bordering on, or situated near, the ocean; connected with
the sea by site, interest, or power; having shipping and
commerce or a navy; as, maritime states. ``A maritime
town.'' --Addison.
2. Of or pertaining to the ocean; marine; pertaining to
navigation and naval affairs, or to shipping and commerce
by sea. ``Maritime service.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
{Maritime law}. See {Law}.
{Maritime loan}, a loan secured by bottomry or respodentia
bonds.
{Martime nations}, nations having seaports, and using the sea
more or less for war or commerce.
Marjoram \Mar"jo*ram\, n. [OE. majoran, F. marjolaine, LL.
marjoraca, fr. L. amaracus, amaracum, Gr. ?, ?.] (Bot.)
A genus of mintlike plants ({Origanum}) comprising about
twenty-five species. The sweet marjoram ({O. Majorana}) is
pecularly aromatic and fragrant, and much used in cookery.
The wild marjoram of Europe and America is {O. vulgare}, far
less fragrant than the other.
Mark \Mark\, n.
A license of reprisals. See {Marque}.
Mark \Mark\, n. [See 2d {Marc}.]
1. An old weight and coin. See {Marc}. ``Lend me a mark.''
--Chaucer.
2. The unit of monetary account of the German Empire, equal
to 23.8 cents of United States money; the equivalent of
one hundred pfennigs. Also, a silver coin of this value.
Mark \Mark\, n. [OE. marke, merke, AS. mearc; akin to D. merk,
MHG. marc, G. marke, Icel. mark, Dan. m[ae]rke; cf. Lith.
margas party-colored. [root]106, 273. Cf. {Remark}.]
1. A visible sign or impression made or left upon anything;
esp., a line, point, stamp, figure, or the like, drawn or
impressed, so as to attract the attention and convey some
information or intimation; a token; a trace.
The Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him
should kill him. --Gen. iv. 15.
2. Specifically:
(a) A character or device put on an article of merchandise
by the maker to show by whom it was made; a
trade-mark.
(b) A character (usually a cross) made as a substitute for
a signature by one who can not write.
The mark of the artisan is found upon the most
ancient fabrics that have come to light.
--Knight.
3. A fixed object serving for guidance, as of a ship, a
traveler, a surveyor, etc.; as, a seamark, a landmark.
4. A trace, dot, line, imprint, or discoloration, although
not regarded as a token or sign; a scratch, scar, stain,
etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine mark.
I have some marks of yours upon my pate. --Shak.
5. An evidence of presence, agency, or influence; a
significative token; a symptom; a trace; specifically, a
permanent impression of one's activity or character.
The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation.
--Bacon.
6. That toward which a missile is directed; a thing aimed at;
what one seeks to hit or reach.
France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland.
--Davies.
Whate'er the motive, pleasure is the mark. --Young.
7. Attention, regard, or respect.
As much in mock as mark. --Shak.
8. Limit or standard of action or fact; as, to be within the
mark; to come up to the mark.
9. Badge or sign of honor, rank, or official station.
In the official marks invested, you Anon do meet the
Senate. --Shak.
10. Pre["e]minence; high position; as, particians of mark; a
fellow of no mark.
11. (Logic) A characteristic or essential attribute; a
differential.
12. A number or other character used in registring; as,
examination marks; a mark for tardiness.
13. Image; likeness; hence, those formed in one's image;
children; descendants. [Obs.] ``All the mark of Adam.''
--Chaucer.
14. (Naut.) One of the bits of leather or colored bunting
which are placed upon a sounding line at intervals of
from two to five fathoms. The unmarked fathoms are called
``deeps.''
{A man of mark}, a conspicuous or eminent man.
{To make one's mark}. (a) To sign, as a letter or other
writing, by making a cross or other mark.
(b) To make a distinct or lasting impression on the
public mind, or on affairs; to gain distinction.
Syn: Impress; impression; stamp; print; trace; vestige;
track; characteristic; evidence; proof; token; badge;
indication; symptom.
Mark \Mark\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Marking}.] [OE. marken, merken, AS. mearcian, from mearc.
See {Mark} the sign.]
1. To put a mark upon; to affix a significant mark to; to
make recognizable by a mark; as, to mark a box or bale of
merchandise; to mark clothing.
2. To be a mark upon; to designate; to indicate; -- used
literally and figuratively; as, this monument marks the
spot where Wolfe died; his courage and energy marked him
for a leader.
3. To leave a trace, scratch, scar, or other mark, upon, or
any evidence of action; as, a pencil marks paper; his
hobnails marked the floor.
4. To keep account of; to enumerate and register; as, to mark
the points in a game of billiards or cards.
5. To notice or observe; to give attention to; to take note
of; to remark; to heed; to regard. ``Mark the perfect
man.'' --Ps. xxxvii. 37.
{To mark out}.
(a) To designate, as by a mark; to select; as, the
ringleaders were marked out for punishment.
(b) To obliterate or cancel with a mark; as, to mark out
an item in an account.
{To mark time} (Mil.), to keep the time of a marching step by
moving the legs alternately without advancing.
Syn: To note; remark; notice; observe; regard; heed; show;
evince; indicate; point out; betoken; denote;
characterize; stamp; imprint; impress; brand.
Mark \Mark\, v. i.
To take particular notice; to observe critically; to note; to
remark.
Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh
maschief. --1 Kings xx.
7.
Markable \Mark"a*ble\, a.
Remarkable. [Obs.] --Sandys.
Marked \Marked\, a.
Designated or distinguished by, or as by, a mark; hence;
noticeable; conspicuous; as, a marked card; a marked coin; a
marked instance. -- {Mark"ed*ly}, adv. --J. S. Mill.
{A marked man}, a man who is noted by a community, or by a
part of it, as, for excellence or depravity; -- usually
with an unfavorable suggestion.
Markee \Mar*kee"\, n.
See {Marquee}.
Marker \Mark"er\, n.
One who or that which marks. Specifically:
(a) One who keeps account of a game played, as of billiards.
(b) A counter used in card playing and other games.
(c) (Mil.) The soldier who forms the pilot of a wheeling
column, or marks the direction of an alignment.
(d) An attachment to a sewing machine for marking a line on
the fabric by creasing it.
Market \Mar"ket\, n. [Akin to D. markt, OHG. mark[=a]t,
merk[=a]t, G. markt; all fr.L. mercatus trade, market place,
fr. mercari, p. p. mercatus, to trade, traffic, merx, mercis,
ware, merchandise, prob. akin to merere to deserve, gain,
acquire: cf. F. march['e]. See {Merit}, and cf. {Merchant},
{Mart}.]
1. A meeting together of people, at a stated time and place,
for the purpose of traffic (as in cattle, provisions,
wares, etc.) by private purchase and sale, and not by
auction; as, a market is held in the town every week.
He is wit's peddler; and retails his wares At wakes,
and wassails, meetings, markets, fairs. --Shak.
Three women and a goose make a market. --Old Saying.
2. A public place (as an open space in a town) or a large
building, where a market is held; a market place or market
house; esp., a place where provisions are sold.
There is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool.
--John v. 2.
3. An opportunity for selling anything; demand, as shown by
price offered or obtainable; a town, region, or country,
where the demand exists; as, to find a market for one's
wares; there is no market for woolen cloths in that
region; India is a market for English goods.
There is a third thing to be considered: how a
market can be created for produce, or how production
can be limited to the capacities of the market. --J.
S. Mill.
4. Exchange, or purchase and sale; traffic; as, a dull
market; a slow market.
5. The price for which a thing is sold in a market; market
price. Hence: Value; worth.
What is a man If his chief good and market of his
time Be but to sleep and feed ? --Shak.
6. (Eng. Law) The privelege granted to a town of having a
public market.
Note: Market is often used adjectively, or in forming
compounds of obvious meaning; as, market basket, market
day, market folk, market house, marketman, market
place, market price, market rate, market wagon, market
woman, and the like.
{Market beater}, a swaggering bully; a noisy braggart. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
{Market bell}, a bell rung to give notice that buying and
selling in a market may begin. [Eng.] --Shak.
{Market cross}, a cross set up where a market is held.
--Shak.
{Market garden}, a garden in which vegetables are raised for
market.
{Market gardening}, the raising of vegetables for market.
{Market place}, an open square or place in a town where
markets or public sales are held.
{Market town}, a town that has the privilege of a stated
public market.
Market \Mar"ket\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Marketed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marketing}.]
To deal in a market; to buy or sell; to make bargains for
provisions or goods.
Market \Mar"ket\, v. t.
To expose for sale in a market; to traffic in; to sell in a
market, and in an extended sense, to sell in any manner; as,
most of the farmes have marketed their crops.
Industrious merchants meet, and market there The
world's collected wealth. --Southey.
Marketable \Mar"ket*a*ble\, a.
1. Fit to be offered for sale in a market; such as may be
justly and lawfully sold; as, dacaye? provisions are not
marketable.
2. Current in market; as, marketable value.
3. Wanted by purchasers; salable; as, furs are not marketable
in that country.
Marketableness \Mar"ket*a*ble*ness\, n.
Quality of being marketable.
Marketer \Mar"ket*er\, n.
One who attends a market to buy or sell; one who carries
goods to market.
Marketing \Mar"ket*ing\, n.
1. The act of selling or of purchasing in, or as in, a
market.
2. Articles in, or from, a market; supplies.
Marketstead \Mar"ket*stead\, n. [Market + stead a place.]
A market place. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Markhoor \Mark"hoor`\, n. [Per. m[=a]r-kh?r snake eater.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large wild goat ({Capra megaceros}), having huge flattened
spiral horns. It inhabits the mountains of Northern India and
Cashmere.
Marking \Mark"ing\, n.
The act of one who, or that which, marks; the mark or marks
made; arrangement or disposition of marks or coloring; as,
the marking of a bird's plumage.
{Marking ink}, indelible ink, because used in marking linen.
{Marking nut} (Bot.), the nut of the {Semecarpus Anacardium},
an East Indian tree. The shell of the nut yields a
blackish resinous juice used for marking cotton cloth, and
an oil prepared from it is used for rheumatism.
Markis \Mar"kis\, n.
A marquis. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Markisesse \Mar"kis*esse\, n.
A marchioness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Markman \Mark"man\, n.
A marksman. [Obs.] --Shak.
Marksman \Marks"man\, n.; pl. {Marksmen}. [Earlier markman; mark
+ man.]
1. One skillful to hit a mark with a missile; one who shoots
well.
2. (Law) One who makes his mark, instead of writing his name,
in signing documents. --Burrill.
Marksmanship \Marks"man*ship\, n.
Skill of a marksman.
Marl \Marl\, v. t. [See {Marline}.] (Naut.)
To cover, as part of a rope, with marline, marking a pecular
hitch at each turn to prevent unwinding.
{Marling spike}. (Naut.) See under {Marline}.
Marl \Marl\, n. [OF. marle, F. marne, LL. margila, dim. of L.
marga marl. Originally a Celtic word, according to Pliny,
xvii. 7: ``Quod genus terr[ae] Galli et Britanni margam
vocant.'' [root]274.]
A mixed earthy substance, consisting of carbonate of lime,
clay, and sand, in very varivble proportions, and accordingly
designated as calcareous, clayey, or sandy. See {Greensand}.
Marl \Marl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Marling}.] [Cf. F. marner. See {Marl}, n.]
To overspread or manure with marl; as, to marl a field.
Marlaceous \Mar*la"ceous\, a.
Resembling marl; partaking of the qualities of marl.
Marlin \Mar"lin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The American great marbled godwit ({Limosa fedoa}). Applied
also to the red-breasted godwit ({Limosa h[ae]matica}).
{Hook-billed marlin}, a curlew.
Marline \Mar"line\, n. [LG. marlien, marling, or D. marling,
marlijn, fr. D. marren to tie, prob. akin to E. moor, v., and
lijn line: cf.F. merlin. See {Moor}, v., {Line}.] (Naut.)
A small line composed of two strands a little twisted, used
for winding around ropes and cables, to prevent their being
weakened by fretting.
{Marline spike}, {Marling spike} (Naut.), an iron tool
tapering to a point, used to separate the strands of a
rope in splicing and in marling. It has an eye in the
thick end to which a lanyard is attached. See {Fid}.
[Written also {marlin spike}]
{Marline-spike bird}. [The name alludes to the long middle
tail feathers.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A tropic bird.
(b) A jager, or skua gull.
Marline \Mar"line\, v. t. [F. merliner.] (Naut.)
To wind marline around; as, to marline a rope.
Marlite \Marl"ite\, n. [Cf. F. marlite. See {Marl}, n.] (Min.)
A variety of marl.
Marlitic \Mar*lit"ic\, a.
Partaking of the qualites of marlite.
Marlpit \Marl"pit`\, n.
Apit where marl is dug.
Marlstone \Marl"stone`\, n. (Geol.)
A sandy calcareous straum, containing, or impregnated with,
iron, and lying between the upper and lower Lias of England.
Marly \Marl"y\, a. [Compar. {Marlier}; superl. {Marliest}.]
Consisting or partaking of marl; resembling marl; abounding
with marl.
Marmalade \Mar"ma*lade\, n. [F. marmelade, Pg. marmelada, fr.
marm['e]lo a quince, fr. L. melimelum honey apple, Gr. ? a
sweet apple, an apple grafted on a quince; ? honey + ? apple.
Cf. {Mellifluous}, {Melon}.]
A preserve or confection made of the pulp of fruit, as the
quince, pear, apple, orange, etc., boiled with sugar, and
brought to a jamlike consistence.
{Marmalade tree} (Bot.), a sapotaceous tree ({Lucuma
mammosa}) of the West Indies and Tropical America. It has
large obovate leaves and an egg-shaped fruit from three to
five inches long, containing a pleasant-flavored pulp and
a single large seed. The fruit is called marmalade, or
natural marmalade, from its consistency and flavor.
Marmalet \Mar"ma*let`\, n.
See {Marmalade}. [Obs.]
Marmatite \Mar"ma*tite\, n. [Cf. F. marmatite.] (Min.)
A ferruginous variety of shalerite or zinc blende, nearly
black in color.
Marmolite \Mar"mo*lite\, n. [Gr. ? to sparcle + -lite.] (Min.)
A thin, laminated variety of serpentine, usually of a pale
green color.
Marmoraceous \Mar`mo*ra"ceous\, a. [L. marmor marble. See
{Marble}.]
Pertaining to, or like, marble.
Marmorate \Mar"mo*rate\, Marmorated \Mar"mo*ra`ted\, a. [L.
marmoratus, p. p. of marmorate to overlay with marble, fr.
marmor marble.]
Variegated like marble; covered or overlaid with marble. [R.]
Marmoration \Mar`mo*ra"tion\, n. [L. marmoratio.]
A covering or incrusting with marble; a casing of marble; a
variegating so as to resemble marble. [R.]
Marmoratum opus \Mar`mo*ra`tum o"pus\ [L. See {Marmorate}, and
{Opus}.] (Arch.)
A kind of hard finish for plasterwork, made of plaster of
Paris and marble dust, and capable of taking a high polish.
Marmoreal \Mar*mo"re*al\, Marmorean \Mar*mo"re*an\, a. [L.
marmoreus, fr. marmor marble: cf. F. marmor['e]en. See
{Marble}.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, marble; made of marble.
Marmorosis \Mar`mo*ro"sis\, n. [NL.] (Geol.)
The metamorphism of limestone, that is, its conversion into
marble. --Geikie.
Marmose \Mar"mose`\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of small opossum ({Didelphus murina}) ranging from
Mexico to Brazil.
Marmoset \Mar"mo*set`\, n. [F. marmouset a grotesque figure, an
ugly little boy, prob. fr. LL. marmoretum, fr. L. marmor
marble. Perhaps confused with marmot. See {Marble}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of small South American monkeys
of the genera {Hapale} and {Midas}, family {Hapalid[ae]}.
They have long soft fur, and a hairy, nonprehensile tail.
They are often kept as pets. Called also {squirrel monkey}.
Marmot \Mar"mot\, n. [It. marmotta, marmotto, prob. fr. L. mus
montanus, or mus montis, lit., mountain mouse or rat. See
{Mountain}, and {Mouse}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any rodent of the genus {Arctomys}. The common
European marmot ({A. marmotta}) is about the size of a
rabbit, and inhabits the higher regions of the Alps and
Pyrenees. The bobac is another European species. The
common American species ({A. monax}) is the woodchuck.
2. Any one of several species of ground squirrels or gophers
of the genus {Spermophilus}; also, the prairie dog.
{Marmot squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), a ground squirrel or
spermophile.
{Prairie marmot}. See {Prairie dog}.
Marmottes oil \Mar"mottes oil`\
A fine oil obtained from the kernel of {Prunus brigantiaca}.
It is used instead of olive or almond oil. --De Colange.
Marmozet \Mar"mo*zet`\, n.
See {Marmoset}.
Marone \Ma*rone"\, n.
See {Maroon}, the color.
Maronite \Mar"o*nite\, n.; pl. {Maronites}. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a body of nominal Christians, who speak the Arabic
language, and reside on Mount Lebanon and in different parts
of Syria. They take their name from one Maron of the 6th
century.
Maroon \Ma*roon"\, n. [Written also {marroon}.] [F. marron,
abbrev. fr. Sp. cimarron wild, unruly, from cima the summit
of a mountain; hence, negro cimarron a runaway negro that
lives in the mountains.]
In the West Indies and Guiana, a fugitive slave, or a free
negro, living in the mountains.
Maroon \Ma*roon"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marooned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marooning}.] [See {Maroon} a fugitive slave.]
To put (a person) ashore on a desolate island or coast and
leave him to his fate.
{Marooning party}, a social excursion party that sojourns
several days on the shore or in some retired place; a
prolonged picnic. [Southern U. S.] --Bartlett.
Maroon \Ma*roon"\, a. [F. marron chestnut-colored, fr. marron a
large French chestnut, It. marrone; cf. LGr. ?. Cf.
{Marron}.]
Having the color called maroon. See 4th {Maroon}.
{Maroon lake}, lake prepared from madder, and distinguished
for its transparency and the depth and durability of its
color.
Maroon \Ma*roon"\, n.
1. A brownish or dull red of any description, esp. of a
scarlet cast rather than approaching crimson or purple.
2. An explosive shell. See {Marron}, 3.
Marplot \Mar"plot`\, n.
One who, by his officious ?nterference, mars or frustrates a
design or plot.
Marque \Marque\, n. [F. marque, in lettre de marque letter of
marque, a commission with which the commandant of every armed
vessel was obliged to be provided, under penalty of being
considered a pirate or corsair; marque here prob. meaning,
border, boundary (the letter of marque being a permission to
go beyond the border), and of German origin. See {March}
border.] (Law)
A license to pass the limits of a jurisdiction, or boundary
of a country, for the purpose of making reprisals.
{Letters of marque}, {Letters of marque and reprisal}, a
license or extraordinary commission granted by a
government to a private person to fit out a privateer or
armed ship to cruise at sea and make prize of the enemy's
ships and merchandise. The ship so commissioned is
sometimes called a letter of marque.
Marquee \Mar*quee"\, n. [F. marquise, misunderstood as a plural;
prob. orig., tent of the marchioness. See {Marquis}.]
A large field tent; esp., one adapted to the use of an
officer of high rank. [Written also {markee}.]
Marquess \Mar"quess\, n. [Cf. Sp. marques. See {Marquis}.]
A marquis.
{Lady marquess}, a marchioness. [Obs.] --Shak.
Marquetry \Mar"quet*ry\, n. [F. marqueterie, from marqueter to
checker, inlay, fr. marque mark, sign; of German origin. See
{Mark} a sign.]
Inlaid work; work inlaid with pieces of wood, shells, ivory,
and the like, of several colors.
Marquis \Mar"quis\, n. [F. marquis, OF. markis, marchis, LL.
marchensis; of German origin; cf. G. mark bound, border,
march, OHG. marcha. See {March} border, and cf.
{Marchioness}, {Marquee}, {Marquess}.]
A nobleman in England, France, and Germany, of a rank next
below that of duke. Originally, the marquis was an officer
whose duty was to guard the marches or frontiers of the
kingdom. The office has ceased, and the name is now a mere
title conferred by patent.
Marquisate \Mar"quis*ate\, n. [Cf. F. marquisat.]
The seigniory, dignity, or lordship of a marquis; the
territory governed by a marquis.
Marquisdom \Mar"quis*dom\, n.
A marquisate. [Obs.] ``Nobles of the marquisdom of Saluce.''
--Holinshed.
Marquise \Mar`quise"\, n. [F. See {Marquis}, and cf. {Marquee}.]
The wife of a marquis; a marchioness.
Marquisship \Mar"quis*ship\, n.
A marquisate.
Marram \Mar"ram\, n. (Bot.)
A coarse grass found on sandy beaches ({Ammophila
arundinacea}). See {Beach grass}, under {Beach}.
Marrer \Mar"rer\, n.
One who mars or injures.
Marriable \Mar"ri*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. mariable.]
Marriageable. [R.] --Coleridge.
Marriage \Mar"riage\, n. [OE. mariage, F. mariage. See {Marry},
v. t.]
1. The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal
union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife;
wedlock; matrimony.
Marriage is honorable in all. --Heb. xiii.
4.
2. The marriage vow or contract. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king
which made a marriage for his son. --Matt. xxii.
2.
4. Any intimate or close union.
{Marriage brokage}.
(a) The business of bringing about marriages.
(b) The payment made or demanded for the procurement of a
marriage.
{Marriage favors}, knots of white ribbons, or bunches of
white flowers, worn at weddings.
{Marriage settlement} (Law), a settlement of property in
view, and in consideration, of marriage.
Syn: Matrimony; wedlock; wedding; nuptials.
Usage: {Marriage}, {Matrimony}, {Wedlock}. Marriage is
properly the act which unites the two parties, and
matrimony the state into which they enter. Marriage
is, however, often used for the state as well as the
act. Wedlock is the old Anglo-Saxon term for
matrimony.
Marriageability \Mar`riage*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being marriageable.
Marriageable \Mar"riage*a*ble\, a.
Fit for, or capable of, marriage; of an age at which marriage
is allowable. -- {Mar"riage*a*ble*ness}, n.
Marrried \Marr"ried\, a.
1. Being in the state of matrimony; wedded; as, a married man
or woman.
2. Of or pertaining to marriage; connubial; as, the married
state.
Marrier \Mar"ri*er\, n.
One who marries.
Marron \Mar*ron"\, n. [See {Maroon}, a.]
1. A large chestnut. [Obs.] --Holland.
2. A chestnut color; maroon.
3. (Pyrotechny & Mil.) A paper or pasteboard box or shell,
wound about with strong twine, filled with an explosive,
and ignited with a fuse, -- used to make a noise like a
cannon. [Written also {maroon}.]
Marroon \Mar*roon"\, n. & a.
Same as 1st {Maroon}.
Marrot \Mar"rot\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The razor-billed auk. See {Auk}.
(b) The common guillemot.
(c) The puffin. [Prov. Eng.] [Written also {marrott}, and
{morrot}.]
Marrow \Mar"row\, n. [OE. marou, mary, maruh, AS. mearg, mearh;
akin to OS. marg, D. merg, G. Mark, OHG. marg, marag, Icel.
mergr, Sw. merg, Dan. marv, Skr. majjan; cf. Skr. majj to
sink, L. mergere. [root]274 Cf. {Merge}.]
1. (Anat.) The tissue which fills the cavities of most bones;
the medulla. In the larger cavities it is commonly very
fatty, but in the smaller cavities it is much less fatty,
and red or reddish in color.
2. The essence; the best part.
It takes from our achievements . . . The pith and
marrow of our attribute. --Shak.
3. [OE. maru, maro; -- perh. a different word; cf. Gael.
maraon together.] One of a pair; a match; a companion; an
intimate associate. [Scot.]
Chopping and changing I can not commend, With thief
or his marrow, for fear of ill end. --Tusser.
{Marrow squash} (Bot.), a name given to several varieties of
squash, esp. to the {Boston marrow}, an ovoid fruit,
pointed at both ends, and with reddish yellow flesh, and
to the {vegetable marrow}, a variety of an ovoid form, and
having a soft texture and fine grain resembling marrow.
{Spinal marrow}. (Anat.) See {Spinal cord}, under {Spinal}.
Marrow \Mar"row\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marrowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Marrowing}.]
To fill with, or as with, marrow of fat; to glut.
Marrowbone \Mar"row*bone`\, n.
A bone containing marrow; pl. ludicrously, knee bones or
knees; as, to get down on one's marrowbones, i. e., to kneel.
Marrowfat \Mar"row*fat\, n.
A rich but late variety of pea.
Marrowish \Mar"row*ish\, a.
Of the nature of, or like, marrow.
Marrowless \Mar"row*less\, a.
Destitute of marrow.
Marrowy \Mar"row*y\, a.
Full of marrow; pithy.
Marrubium \Mar*ru"bi*um\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
A genus of bitter aromatic plants, sometimes used in
medicine; hoarhound.
Marry \Mar"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Married}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Marrying}.] [OE. marien, F. marier, L. maritare, fr. maritus
husband, fr. mas, maris, a male. See {Male}, and cf.
{Maritral}.]
1. To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony
of joining, as a man and a woman, for life; to constitute
(a man and a woman) husband and wife according to the laws
or customs of the place.
Tell him that he shall marry the couple himself.
--Gay.
2. To join according to law, (a man) to a woman as his wife,
or (a woman) to a man as her husband. See the Note to def.
4.
A woman who had been married to her twenty-fifth
husband, and being now a widow, was prohibited to
marry. --Evelyn.
3. To dispose of in wedlock; to give away as wife.
M[ae]cenas took the liberty to tell him [Augustus]
that he must either marry his daughter [Julia] to
Agrippa, or take away his life. --Bacon.
4. To take for husband or wife. See the Note below.
Note: We say, a man is married to or marries a woman; or, a
woman is married to or marries a man. Both of these
uses are equally well authorized; but given in marriage
is said only of the woman.
They got him [the Duke of Monmouth] . . . to
declare in writing, that the last king [Charles
II.] told him he was never married to his mother.
--Bp. Lloyd.
5. Figuratively, to unite in the closest and most endearing
relation.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I
am married unto you. --Jer. iii.
14.
{To marry ropes}. (Naut.)
(a) To place two ropes along side of each other so that
they may be grasped and hauled on at the same time.
(b) To join two ropes end to end so that both will pass
through a block. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Marry \Mar"ry\, v. i.
To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a
husband or a wife.
I will, therefore, that the younger women marry. --1
Tim. v. 14.
{Marrying man}, a man disposed to marry. [Colloq.]
Marry \Mar"ry\, interj.
Indeed ! in truth ! -- a term of asseveration said to have
been derived from the practice of swearing by the Virgin
Mary. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mars \Mars\, n. [L. Mars, gen. Martis, archaic Mavors, gen.
Mavortis.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) The god of war and husbandry.
2. (Astron.) One of the planets of the solar system, the
fourth in order from the sun, or the next beyond the
earth, having a diameter of about 4,200 miles, a period of
687 days, and a mean distance of 141,000,000 miles. It is
conspicuous for the redness of its light.
3. (Alchemy) The metallic element iron, the symbol of which
[male] was the same as that of the planet Mars. [Archaic]
--Chaucer.
{Mars brown}, a bright, somewhat yellowish, brown.
Marsala \Mar*sa"la\, n. [It., fr. Marsala, in Sicyly.]
A kind of wine exported from Marsala in Sicily.
Marsdenia \Mars*de"ni*a\, n. [NL. From W. Marsden, an English
author.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants of the Milkweed family, mostly woody
climbers with fragrant flowers, several species of which
furnish valuable fiber, and one species ({Marsdenia
tinctoria}) affords indigo.
Marseillais \Mar`sei`llais"\, a. m. Marseillaise
\Mar`sei`llaise"\, a. f.[F.]
Of or pertaining to Marseilles, in France, or to its
inhabitants.
{Marseillaise hymn}, or {The Marseillaise}, the national
anthem of France, popularly so called. It was composed in
1792, by Rouget de l'Isle, an officer then stationed at
Strasburg. In Paris it was sung for the first time by the
band of men who came from Marseilles to aid in the
revolution of August 10, 1792; whence the name.
Marseillais \Mar`sei`llais"\, n. m. Marseillaise
\Mar`sei`llaise"\, n. f.[F.]
A native or inhabitant of Marseilles.
Marseilles \Mar*seilles"\, n.
A general term for certain kinds of fabrics, which are formed
of two series of threads interlacing each other, thus forming
double cloth, quilted in the loom; -- so named because first
made in Marseilles, France.
Marsh \Marsh\, n. [OE. mersch, AS. mersc, fr. mere lake. See
{Mere} pool, and cf. {Marish}, {Morass}.]
A tract of soft wet land, commonly covered partially or
wholly with water; a fen; a swamp; a morass. [Written also
{marish}.]
{Marsh asphodel} (Bot.), a plant ({Nartheeium ossifragum})
with linear equitant leaves, and a raceme of small white
flowers; -- called also {bog asphodel}.
{Marsh cinquefoil} (Bot.), a plant ({Potentilla palustris})
having purple flowers, and found growing in marshy places;
marsh five-finger.
{Marsh elder}. (Bot.)
(a) The guelder-rose or cranberry tree ({Viburnum Opulus}).
(b) In the United States, a composite shrub growing in salt
marshes ({Iva frutescens}).
{Marsh five-finger}. (Bot.) See {Marsh cinquefoil} (above).
{Marsh gas}. (Chem.) See under {Gas}.
{Marsh grass} (Bot.), a genus ({Spartina}) of coarse grasses
growing in marshes; -- called also {cord grass}. The tall
{S. cynosuroides} is not good for hay unless cut very
young. The low {S. juncea} is a common component of salt
hay.
{Marsh harrier} (Zo["o]l.), a European hawk or harrier
({Circus [ae]ruginosus}); -- called also {marsh hawk},
{moor hawk}, {moor buzzard}, {puttock}.
{Marsh hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A hawk or harrier ({Circus cyaneus}), native of both
America and Europe. The adults are bluish slate above,
with a white rump. Called also {hen harrier}, and {mouse
hawk}.
(b) The marsh harrier.
{Marsh hen} (Zo["o]l.), a rail; esp., {Rallus elegans} of
fresh-water marshes, and {R. longirostris} of salt-water
marshes.
{Marsh mallow} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Alth[ae]a} ( {A.
officinalis}) common in marshes near the seashore, and
whose root is much used in medicine as a demulcent.
{Marsh marigold}. (Bot.) See in the Vocabulary.
{Marsh pennywort} (Bot.), any plant of the umbelliferous
genus {Hydrocotyle}; low herbs with roundish leaves,
growing in wet places; -- called also {water pennywort}.
{Marsh quail} (Zo["o]l.), the meadow lark.
{Marsh rosemary} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Statice} ({S.
Limonium}), common in salt marshes. Its root is powerfully
astringent, and is sometimes used in medicine. Called also
{sea lavender}.
{Marsh samphire} (Bot.), a plant ({Salicornia herbacea})
found along seacoasts. See {Glasswort}.
{Marsh St. John's-wort} (Bot.), an American herb ({Elodes
Virginica}) with small opposite leaves and flesh-colored
flowers.
{Marsh tea}. (Bot.). Same as {Labrador tea}.
{Marsh trefoil}. (Bot.) Same as {Buckbean}.
{Marsh wren} (Zo["o]l.), any species of small American wrens
of the genus {Cistothorus}, and allied genera. They
chiefly inhabit salt marshes.
Marshal \Mar"shal\, n. [OE. mareschal, OF. mareschal, F.
mar['e]chal, LL. mariscalcus, from OHG. marah-scalc (G.
marschall); marah horse + scalc servant (akin to AS. scealc,
Goth. skalks). F. mar['e]chal signifies, a marshal, and a
farrier. See {Mare} horse, and cf. {Seneschal}.]
1. Originally, an officer who had the care of horses; a
groom. [Obs.]
2. An officer of high rank, charged with the arrangement of
ceremonies, the conduct of operations, or the like; as,
specifically:
(a) One who goes before a prince to declare his coming and
provide entertainment; a harbinger; a pursuivant.
(b) One who regulates rank and order at a feast or any
other assembly, directs the order of procession, and
the like.
(c) The chief officer of arms, whose duty it was, in
ancient times, to regulate combats in the lists.
--Johnson.
(d) (France) The highest military officer. In other
countries of Europe a marshal is a military officer of
high rank, and called {field marshal}.
(e) (Am. Law) A ministerial officer, appointed for each
judicial district of the United States, to execute the
process of the courts of the United States, and
perform various duties, similar to those of a sheriff.
The name is also sometimes applied to certain police
officers of a city.
{Earl marshal of England}, the eighth officer of state; an
honorary title, and personal, until made hereditary in the
family of the Duke of Norfolk. During a vacancy in the
office of high constable, the earl marshal has
jurisdiction in the court of chivalry. --Brande & C.
{Earl marshal of Scotland}, an officer who had command of the
cavalry under the constable. This office was held by the
family of Keith, but forfeited by rebellion in 1715.
{Knight marshal}, or {Marshal of the King's house}, formerly,
in England, the marshal of the king's house, who was
authorized to hear and determine all pleas of the Crown,
to punish faults committed within the verge, etc. His
court was called the Court of Marshalsea.
{Marshal of the Queen's Bench}, formerly the title of the
officer who had the custody of the Queen's bench prison in
Southwark. --Mozley & W.
Marshal \Mar"shal\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Marshaled}or
{Marshalled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Marshaling} or {Marshalling}.]
1. To dispose in order; to arrange in a suitable manner; as,
to marshal troops or an army.
And marshaling the heroes of his name As, in their
order, next to light they came. --Dryden.
2. To direct, guide, or lead.
Thou marshalest me the way that I was going. --Shak.
3. (Her.) To dispose in due order, as the different
quarterings on an escutcheon, or the different crests when
several belong to an achievement.
Marshaler \Mar"shal*er\, n. [Written also marshaller.]
One who marshals.
Marshaling \Mar"shal*ing\, n. [Written also marshalling.]
1. The act of arranging in due order.
2. (Her.) The arrangement of an escutcheon to exhibit the
alliances of the owner.
{Marshaling of assets} (Law), the arranging or ranking of
assets in due order of administration.
Marshalsea \Mar"shal*sea\, n. [Marshal + OE. se a seat. See
{See} a seat.]
The court or seat of a marshal; hence, the prison in
Southwark, belonging to the marshal of the king's household.
[Eng.]
{Court of Marshalsea}, a court formerly held before the
steward and marshal of the king's house to administer
justice between the king's domestic servants.
--Blackstone.
Marshalship \Mar"shal*ship\, n.
The office of a marshal.
Marshbanker \Marsh"bank`er\, Marsebanker \Marse"bank`er\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
The menhaden.
Marshiness \Marsh"i*ness\, n.
The state or condition of being marshy.
Marsh marigold \Marsh mar"i*gold\ (Bot.)
A perennial plant of the genus {Caltha} ({C. palustris}),
growing in wet places and bearing bright yellow flowers. In
the United States it is used as a pot herb under the name of
{cowslip}. See {Cowslip}.
Marshy \Marsh"y\, a. [E. {Marsh}.]
1. Resembling a marsh; wet; boggy; fenny.
2. Pertaining to, or produced in, marshes; as, a marshy weed.
--Dryden.
Marsipobranch \Mar"si*po*branch`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Marsipobranchia.
Marsipobranchia \Mar"si*po*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a
pouch + ? a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of Vertebrata, lower than fishes, characterized by
their purselike gill cavities, cartilaginous skeletons,
absence of limbs, and a suckerlike mouth destitute of jaws.
It includes the lampreys and hagfishes. See {Cyclostoma}, and
{Lamprey}. Called also {Marsipobranchiata}, and
{Marsipobranchii}.
Marsupial \Mar*su"pi*al\, a. [Cf. F. marsupial.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having a pouch for carrying the immature young;
of or pertaining to the Marsupialia.
2. (Anat. & Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to a marsupium; as,
the marsupial bones.
{Marsupial frog}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Nototrema}.
Marsupial \Mar*su"pi*al\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Marsupialia.
Marsupialia \Mar*su`pi*a"li*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. marsupium a
pouch, bag, purse, Gr. ?, dim. of ?, ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A subclass of Mammalia, including nearly all the mammals of
Australia and the adjacent islands, together with the
opossums of America. They differ from ordinary mammals in
having the corpus callosum very small, in being implacental,
and in having their young born while very immature. The
female generally carries the young for some time after birth
in an external pouch, or marsupium. Called also {Marsupiata}.
Marsupialian \Mar*su`pi*a"li*an\, Marsupian \Mar*su"pi*an\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the Marsupialia.
Marsupiate \Mar*su"pi*ate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Related to or resembling the marsupials; furnished with a
pouch for the young, as the marsupials, and also some fishes
and Crustacea.
Marsupion \Mar*su"pi*on\, n. [NL.]
Same as {Marsupium}.
Marsupite \Mar"su*pite\, n. [See {Marsupial}.] (Paleon.)
A fossil crinoid of the genus {Marsupites}, resembling a
purse in form.
Marsupium \Mar*su"pi*um\, n.; pl. {Marsupia}. [L., a pouch],
(Anat. & Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pouch, formed by a fold of the skin of the abdomen,
in which marsupials carry their young; also, a pouch for
similar use in other animals, as certain Crustacea.
(b) The pecten in the eye of birds and reptiles. See
{Pecten}.
Mart \Mart\, n. [Contr. fr. market.]
1. A market.
Where has commerce such a mart . . . as London ?
--Cowper.
2. A bargain. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mart \Mart\, v. t.
To buy or sell in, or as in, a mart. [Obs.]
To sell and mart your officer for gold To undeservers.
--Shak.
Mart \Mart\, v. t.
To traffic. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mart \Mart\, n. [See {Mars}.]
1. The god Mars. [Obs.]
2. Battle; contest. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
Martagon \Mar"ta*gon\, n. [Cf. F. & Sp. martagon, It.
martagone.] (Bot.)
A lily ({Lilium Martagon}) with purplish red flowers, found
in Europe and Asia.
Martel \Mar"tel\, v. i. [F. marteler, fr. martel, marteau,
hammer, a dim. fr. L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus
hammer. Cf. {March} to step.]
To make a blow with, or as with, a hammer. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Martel de fer \Mar`tel` de fer"\ [OF., hammer of iron.]
A weapon resembling a hammer, often having one side of the
head pointed; -- used by horsemen in the Middle Ages to break
armor. --Fairholt.
Marteline \Mar"te*line\, n. [F.]
A small hammer used by marble workers and sculptors.
Martello tower \Mar*tel"lo tow`er\ [It. martello hammer. The
name was orig. given to towers erected on the coasts of
Sicily and Sardinia for protection against the pirates in the
time of Charles the Fifth, which prob. orig. contained an
alarm bell to be struck with a hammer. See {Martel}.] (Fort.)
A building of masonry, generally circular, usually erected on
the seacoast, with a gun on the summit mounted on a
traversing platform, so as to be fired in any direction.
Note: The English borrowed the name of the tower from Corsica
in 1794.
Marten \Mar"ten\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bird. See {Martin}.
Marten \Mar"ten\, n. [From older martern, marter, martre, F.
martre, marte, LL. martures (pl.), fr. L. martes; akin to AS.
mear?, meard, G. marder, OHG. mardar, Icel. m["o]r?r. Cf.
{Foumart}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several fur-bearing carnivores of
the genus {Mustela}, closely allied to the sable. Among
the more important species are the European beech, or
stone, marten ({Mustela foina}); the pine marten ({M.
martes}); and the American marten, or sable ({M.
Americana}), which some zo["o]logists consider only a
variety of the Russian sable.
2. The fur of the marten, used for hats, muffs, etc.
Martern \Mar"tern\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Marten}. [Obs.]
Mar-text \Mar"-text`\, n.
A blundering preacher.
Martial \Mar"tial\, a. [F., fr. L. martialis of or belonging to
Mars, the god of war. Cf. {March} the month.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or suited for, war; military; as,
martial music; a martial appearance. ``Martial equipage.''
--Milton.
2. Practiced in, or inclined to, war; warlike; brave.
But peaceful kings, o'er martial people set, Each
other's poise and counterbalance are. --Dryden.
3. Belonging to war, or to an army and navy; -- opposed to
{civil}; as, martial law; a court-martial.
4. Pertaining to, or resembling, the god, or the planet,
Mars. --Sir T. Browne.
5. (Old Chem. & Old Med.) Pertaining to, or containing, iron;
chalybeate; as, martial preparations. [Archaic]
{Martial flowers} (Med.), a reddish crystalline salt of iron;
the ammonio-chloride of iron. [Obs.]
{Martial law}, the law administered by the military power of
a government when it has superseded the civil authority in
time of war, or when the civil authorities are unable to
enforce the laws. It is distinguished from military law,
the latter being the code of rules for the regulation of
the army and navy alone, either in peace or in war.
Syn: {Martial}, {Warlike}.
Usage: Martial refers more to war in action, its array, its
attendants, etc.; as, martial music, a martial
appearance, a martial array, courts-martial, etc.
Warlike describes the feeling or temper which leads to
war, and the adjuncts of war; as, a warlike nation,
warlike indication, etc. The two words are often used
without discrimination.
Martialism \Mar"tial*ism\, n.
The quality of being warlike; exercises suitable for war.
[Obs.]
Martialist \Mar"tial*ist\, n.
A warrior. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Martialize \Mar"tial*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Martialized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Martializing}.]
To render warlike; as, to martialize a people.
Martially \Mar"tial*ly\, adv.
In a martial manner.
Martialness \Mar"tial*ness\, n.
The quality of being martial.
Martin \Mar"tin\, n. (Stone Working) [Etymol. uncertain.]
A perforated stone-faced runner for grinding.
Martin \Mar"tin\, n. [F. martin, from the proper name Martin.
Cf. {Martlet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of swallows, usually having the tail
less deeply forked than the tail of the common swallows.
[Written also {marten}.]
Note: The American purple martin, or bee martin ({Progne
subis, or purpurea}), and the European house, or
window, martin ({Hirundo, or Chelidon, urbica}), are
the best known species.
{Bank martin}.
(a) The bank swallow. See under {Bank}.
(b) The fairy martin. See under {Fairy}.
{Bee martin}.
(a) The purple martin.
(b) The kingbird.
{Sand martin}, the bank swallow.
Martinet \Mar"ti*net`\, n. [So called from an officer of that
name in the French army under Louis XIV. Cf. {Martin} the
bird, {Martlet}.]
In military language, a strict disciplinarian; in general,
one who lays stress on a rigid adherence to the details of
discipline, or to forms and fixed methods. [Hence, the word
is commonly employed in a depreciatory sense.]
Martinet \Mar"ti*net`\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
The martin.
Martineta \Mar`ti*ne"ta\, n. [Cf. Sp. martinete.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of tinamou ({Calopezus elegans}), having a long
slender crest.
Martinetism \Mar"ti*net`ism\, n.
The principles or practices of a martinet; rigid adherence to
discipline, etc.
Martingale \Mar"tin*gale\, Martingal \Mar"tin*gal\, n. [F.
martingale; cf. It. martingala a sort of hose, martingale,
Sp. martingala a greave, cuish, martingale, Sp. alm['a]rtaga
a kind of bridle.]
1. A strap fastened to a horse's girth, passing between his
fore legs, and fastened to the bit, or now more commonly
ending in two rings, through which the reins pass. It is
intended to hold down the head of the horse, and prevent
him from rearing.
2. (Naut.) A lower stay of rope or chain for the jib boom or
flying jib boom, fastened to, or reeved through, the
dolphin striker. Also, the dolphin striker itself.
3. (Gambling) The act of doubling, at each stake, that which
has been lost on the preceding stake; also, the sum so
risked; -- metaphorically derived from the bifurcation of
the martingale of a harness. [Cant] --Thackeray.
Martinmas \Mar"tin*mas\, n. [St. Martin + mass religious
service.] (Eccl.)
The feast of St. Martin, the eleventh of November; -- often
called {martlemans}.
{Martinmas summer}, a period of calm, warm weather often
experienced about the time of Martinmas; Indian summer.
--Percy Smith.
Martite \Mar"tite\, n. [L. Mars, Martis, the god Mars, the
alchemical name of iron.] (Min.)
Iron sesquioxide in isometric form, probably a pseudomorph
after magnetite.
Martlemas \Mar"tle*mas\, n.
See {Martinmas}. [Obs.]
Martlet \Mart"let\, n. [F. martinet. See {Martin} the bird, and
cf. {Martinet} a disciplinarian.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The European house martin.
2. [Cf. F. merlette.] (Her.) A bird without beak or feet; --
generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of
cadency it denotes the fourth son.
Martyr \Mar"tyr\, n. [AS., from L. martyr, Gr. ma`rtyr, ma`rtys,
prop., a witness; cf. Skr. sm[.r] to remember, E. memory.]
1. One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the
gospel; one who is put to death for his religion; as,
Stephen was the first Christian martyr. --Chaucer.
To be a martyr, signifies only to witness the truth
of Christ; but the witnessing of the truth was then
so generally attended with persecution, that
martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to
witness by death --South.
2. Hence, one who sacrifices his life, his station, or what
is of great value to him, for the sake of principle, or to
sustain a cause.
Then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a
blessed martyr ! --Shak.
Martyr \Mar"tyr\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Martyred}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Martyring}.]
1. To put to death for adhering to some belief, esp.
Christianity; to sacrifice on account of faith or
profession. --Bp. Pearson.
2. To persecute; to torment; to torture. --Chaucer.
The lovely Amoret, whose gentle heart Thou martyrest
with sorrow and with smart. --Spenser.
Racked with sciatics, martyred with the stone.
--Pope.
Martyrdom \Mar"tyr*dom\, n. [Martyr + -dom.]
1. The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the
suffering of death on account of adherence to the
Christian faith, or to any cause. --Bacon.
I came from martyrdom unto this peace. --Longfellow.
2. Affliction; torment; torture. --Chaucer.
Martyrization \Mar`tyr*i*za"tion\, n.
Act of martyrizing, or state of being martyrized; torture.
--B. Jonson.
Martyrize \Mar"tyr*ize\, v. t. [Cf. F. martyriser, LL.
martyrizare.]
To make a martyr of. --Spenser.
Martyrly \Mar"tyr*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a martyr.
Martyrologe \Mar"tyr*o*loge\, n. [LL. martyrologium: cf. F.
martyrologe.]
A martyrology. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Martyrologic \Mar`tyr*o*log"ic\, Martyrological
\Mar`tyr*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to martyrology or martyrs; registering, or
registered in, a catalogue of martyrs.
Martyrologist \Mar`tyr*ol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. martyrologiste.]
A writer of martyrology; an historian of martyrs. --T.
Warton.
Martyrology \Mar`tyr*ol"o*gy\, n.; pl. {-gies}. [Martyr +
-logy.]
A history or account of martyrs; a register of martyrs. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Martyrship \Mar"tyr*ship\, n.
Martyrdom. [R.] --Fuller.
Marvel \Mar"vel\, n. [OE. mervaile, F. merveille, fr. L.
mirabilia wonderful things, pl., fr. mirabilis wonderful, fr.
mirari to wonder or marvel at. See {Admire}, {Smile}, and cf.
{Miracle}.]
1. That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a miracle.
I will do marvels such as have not been done. --Ex.
xxxiv. 10.
Nature's sweet marvel undefiled. --Emerson.
2. Wonder. [R.] ``Use lessens marvel.'' --Sir W. Scott.
{Marvel of Peru}. (Bot.) See {Four-o'clock}.
Marvel \Mar"vel\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Marveled}or {Marvelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Marveling} or {Marvelling}.] [OE. merveilen,
OF. merveillier.]
To be struck with surprise, astonishment, or wonder; to
wonder.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. --1
john iii. 13.
Marvel \Mar"vel\, v. t.
1. To marvel at. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. To cause to marvel, or be surprised; -- used impersonally.
[Obs.]
But much now me marveleth. --Rich. the
Redeless.
Marvelous \Mar"vel*ous\, a. [OE. merveillous, OF. merveillos, F.
Merveilleux. See {Marvel}, n.] [Written also {marvellous}.]
1. Exciting wonder or surprise; astonishing; wonderful.
This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our
eyes. --Ps. cxiii.
23.
2. Partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural
power; incredible.
The marvelous fable includes whatever is
supernatural, and especially the machines of the
gods. --Pope.
{The marvelous}, that which exceeds natural power, or is
preternatural; that which is wonderful; -- opposed to {the
probable}.
Syn: Wonderful; astonishing; surprising; strange; improbable;
incredible.
Usage: {Marvelous}, {Wonderful}. We speak of a thing as
wonderful when it awakens our surprise and admiration;
as marvelous when it is so much out of the ordinary
course of things as to seem nearly or quite
incredible.
Marvelously \Mar"vel*ous*ly\, adv.
In a marvelous manner; wonderfully; strangely.
Marvelousness \Mar"vel*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being marvelous; wonderfulness;
strangeness.
Marver \Mar"ver\, n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. OE. or F. marbre
marble.] (Glass Marking)
A stone, or cast-iron plate, or former, on which hot glass is
rolled to give it shape.
Mary \Mar"y\, n.
Marrow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mary \Ma"ry\, interj.
See {Marry}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mary-bud \Ma"ry-bud`\, n. (Bot.)
The marigold; a blossom of the marigold. --Shak.
Maryolatry \Ma`ry*ol"a*try\, n.
Mariolatry.
Marysole \Ma"ry*sole\, n. [Mary, the proper name + sole the
fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large British fluke, or flounder ({Rhombus megastoma}); --
called also {carter}, and {whiff}.
Mascagnin \Mas*ca"gnin\, Mascagnite \Mas*ca"gnite\, n. [Cf. F.
mascagnin.] (Min.)
Native sulphate of ammonia, found in volcanic districts; --
so named from Mascagni, who discovered it.
Mascle \Mas"cle\ (m[a^]s"k'l), n. [OF. mascle, F. macle, L.
macula spot, mesh of a net, LL. macula, macla, mascla a scale
of a coat of mail. See {Mail} armor.] (Her.)
A lozenge voided.
Mascled \Mas"cled\ (-k'ld), a.
Composed of, or covered with, lozenge-shaped scales; having
lozenge-shaped divisions.
{Mascled armor}, armor composed of small lozenge-shaped
scales of metal fastened on a foundation of leather or
quilted cloth.
Mascot \Mas"cot\, Mascotte \Mas"cotte\, n. [Through French fr.
Pr. mascot a little sorcerer or magician, mascotto
witchcraft, sorcery.]
A person who is supposed to bring good luck to the household
to which he or she belongs; anything that brings good luck.
Masculate \Mas"cu*late\, v. t. [L. masculus male, masculine.]
To make strong. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
Masculine \Mas"cu*line\, a. [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male,
manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See {Male}
masculine.]
1. Of the male sex; not female.
Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons.
--Chaucer.
2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or
characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or
effeminate; strong; robust.
That lady, after her husband's death, held the reins
with a masculine energy. --Hallam.
3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males.
[R.] ``A masculine church.'' --Fuller.
4. (Gram.) Having the inflections of, or construed with,
words pertaining especially to male beings, as
distinguished from {feminine} and {neuter}. See {Gender}.
-- {Mas"cu*line*ly}, adv. -- {Mas"cu*line*ness}, n.
Masculinity \Mas`cu*lin"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being masculine; masculineness.
Mase \Mase\, n. & v.
See {Maze}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maselyn \Mas"e*lyn\, n.
A drinking cup. See 1st {Maslin}, 2. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maser \Ma"ser\, n.
Same as {Mazer}.
Mash \Mash\, n.
A mesh. [Obs.]
Mash \Mash\, n. [Akin to G. meisch, maisch, meische, maische,
mash, wash, and prob. to AS. miscian to mix. See {Mix}.]
1. A mass of mixed ingredients reduced to a soft pulpy state
by beating or pressure; a mass of anything in a soft pulpy
state. Specifically (Brewing), ground or bruised malt, or
meal of rye, wheat, corn, or other grain (or a mixture of
malt and meal) steeped and stirred in hot water for making
the wort.
2. A mixture of meal or bran and water fed to animals.
3. A mess; trouble. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
{Mash tun}, a large tub used in making mash and wort.
Mash \Mash\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mashing}.] [Akin to G. meischen, maischen, to mash, mix, and
prob. to mischen, E. mix. See 2d {Mash}.]
To convert into a mash; to reduce to a soft pulpy state by
beating or pressure; to bruise; to crush; as, to mash apples
in a mill, or potatoes with a pestle. Specifically (Brewing),
to convert, as malt, or malt and meal, into the mash which
makes wort.
{Mashing tub}, a tub for making the mash in breweries and
distilleries; -- called also {mash tun}, and {mash vat}.
Masher \Mash"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, mashes; also (Brewing), a machine
for making mash.
2. A charmer of women. [Slang] --London Punch.
Mashlin \Mash"lin\, n.
See {Maslin}.
Mashy \Mash"y\, a.
Produced by crushing or bruising; resembling, or consisting
of, a mash.
Mask \Mask\, n. [F. masque, LL. masca, mascha, mascus; cf. Sp. &
Pg. m['a]scara, It. maschera; all fr. Ar. maskharat buffoon,
fool, pleasantry, anything ridiculous or mirthful, fr.
sakhira to ridicule, to laugh at. Cf. {Masque},
{Masquerade}.]
1. A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise
or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a
ball player's mask.
2. That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.
3. A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions,
where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a
frolic; a delusive show. --Bacon.
This thought might lead me through the world's vain
mask. --Milton.
4. A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the
actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical
characters.
5. (Arch.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones
and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains,
and the like; -- called also {mascaron}.
6. (Fort.)
(a) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects
the caponiere.
(b) A screen for a battery.
7. (Zo["o]l.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly,
modified so as to form a prehensile organ.
{Mask house}, a house for masquerades. [Obs.]
Mask \Mask\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Masked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Masking}.]
1. To cover, as the face, by way of concealment or defense
against injury; to conceal with a mask or visor.
They must all be masked and vizarded. --Shak.
2. To disguise; to cover; to hide.
Masking the business from the common eye. --Shak.
3. (Mil.)
(a) To conceal; also, to intervene in the line of.
(b) To cover or keep in check; as, to mask a body of
troops or a fortess by a superior force, while some
hostile evolution is being carried out.
Mask \Mask\, v. i.
1. To take part as a masker in a masquerade. --Cavendish.
2. To wear a mask; to be disguised in any way. --Shak.
Masked \Masked\, a.
1. Wearing a mask or masks; characterized by masks;
cincealed; hidden.
2. (Bot.) Same as {Personate}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having the anterior part of the head differing
decidedly in color from the rest of the plumage; -- said
of birds.
{Masked ball}, a ball in which the dancers wear masks.
{Masked battery} (Mil.), a battery so placed as not to be
seen by an enemy until it opens fire. --H. L. Scott.
{Masked crab} (Zo["o]l.), a European crab ({Corystes
cassivelaunus}) with markings on the carapace somewhat
resembling a human face.
{Masked pig} (Zo["o]l.), a Japanese domestic hog ({Sus
pliciceps}). Its face is deeply furrowed.
Masker \Mask"er\, n.
One who wears a mask; one who appears in disguise at a
masquerade.
Masker \Mask"er\, v. t.
To confuse; to stupefy. [Obs.] --Holland.
Maskery \Mask"er*y\, n.
The dress or disguise of a maske?; masquerade. [Obs.]
--Marston.
Maskinonge \Mas"ki*nonge\, n.
The muskellunge.
Mask shell \Mask" shell`\ (Zo["o]l.)
Any spiral marine shell of the genus {Persona}, having a
curiously twisted aperture.
Maslach \Mas"lach\, n. [Ar. maslaq: cf. F. masloc.] (Med.)
An excitant containing opium, much used by the Turks.
--Dunglison.
Maslin \Mas"lin\, n. [OE. missellane, misceline, miscelin,
meslin, fr. miscellane. See {Miscellane}.]
1. A mixture composed of different materials; especially:
(a) A mixture of metals resembling brass.
(b) A mixture of different sorts of grain, as wheat and
rye. [Written also {meslin}, {mislin}, {maselyn},
{mastlin}.]
2. A vessel made of maslin, 1
(a) . [Obs.]
Mead eke in a maselyn. --Chaucer.
Maslin \Mas"lin\, a.
Composed of different sorts; as, maslin bread, which is made
of rye mixed with a little wheat. [Written also {meslin},
{mislin}, etc.]
Mason \Ma"son\, n. [F. ma?on, LL. macio, machio, mattio, mactio,
marcio, macerio; of uncertain origin.]
1. One whose occupation is to build with stone or brick;
also, one who prepares stone for building purposes.
2. A member of the fraternity of Freemasons. See {Freemason}.
{Mason bee} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
solitary bees of the genus {Osmia}. They construct curious
nests of hardened mud and sand.
{Mason moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth whose larva constructs an
earthen cocoon under the soil.
{Mason shell} (Zo["o]l.), a marine univalve shell of the
genus {Phorus}; -- so called because it cements other
shells and pebbles upon its own shell; a carrier shell.
{Mason wasp} (Zo["o]l.), any wasp that constructs its nest,
or brood cells, of hardened mud. The female fills the
cells with insects or spiders, paralyzed by a sting, and
thus provides food for its larv[ae]
Mason \Ma"son\, v. t.
To build stonework or brickwork about, under, in, over, etc.;
to construct by masons; -- with a prepositional suffix; as,
to mason up a well or terrace; to mason in a kettle or
boiler.
Masonic \Ma*son"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Freemasons or to their craft or
mysteries.
Masonry \Ma"son*ry\, n. [F. ma[,c]onnerie.]
1. The art or occupation of a mason.
2. The work or performance of a mason; as, good or bad
masonry; skillful masonry.
3. That which is built by a mason; anything constructed of
the materials used by masons, such as stone, brick, tiles,
or the like. {Dry masonry} is applied to structures made
without mortar.
4. The craft, institution, or mysteries of Freemasons;
freemasonry.
Masoola boat \Ma*soo"la boat`\
A kind of boat used on the coast of Madras, India. The planks
are sewed together with strands of coir which cross over a
wadding of the same material, so that the shock on taking the
beach through surf is much reduced. [Written also {masula},
{masulah}, etc.]
Masora \Ma*so"ra\, n. [NHeb. m[=a]s?r[=a]h tradition.]
A Jewish critical work on the text of the Hebrew Scriptures,
composed by several learned rabbis of the school of Tiberias,
in the eighth and ninth centuries. [Written also {Masorah},
{Massora}, and {Massorah}.]
Masoret \Mas"o*ret\, n.
A Masorite. [Written also {Masorete}, and {Massorete}.]
Masoretic \Mas`o*ret"ic\, Masoretical \Mas`o*ret"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. massor['e]tique.]
Of or relating to the Masora, or to its authors.
{Masoretic points and accents}, the vowel points and accents
of the Hebrew text of the Bible, of which the first
mention is in the Masora.
Masorite \Mas"o*rite\, n.
One of the writers of the Masora.
Masque \Masque\, n.
A mask; a masquerade.
Masquerade \Mas`quer*ade"\, n. [F. mascarade, fr. Sp. mascarada,
or It. mascherata. See {Mask}.]
1. An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing
themselves with dancing, conversation, or other
diversions.
In courtly balls and midnight masquerades. --Pope.
2. A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st
{Mask}, 4. [Obs.]
3. Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of
something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show;
disguise.
That masquerade of misrepresentation which
invariably accompanied the political eloquence of
Rome. --De Quincey.
4. A Spanish diversion on horseback.
Masquerade \Mas`quer*ade"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Masqueraded};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Masquerading}.]
1. To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade.
2. To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious
show of being what one is not.
A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into
the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's
skin. --L'Estrange.
Masquerade \Mas`quer*ade"\, v. t.
To conceal with masks; to disguise. ``To masquerade vice.''
--Killingbeck.
Masquerader \Mas`quer*ad"er\, n.
One who masquerades; a person wearing a mask; one disguised.
Mass \Mass\, n. [OE. masse, messe, AS. m[ae]sse. LL. missa, from
L. mittere, missum, to send, dismiss: cf. F. messe. In the
ancient churches, the public services at which the
catechumens were permitted to be present were called missa
catechumenorum, ending with the reading of the Gospel. Then
they were dismissed with these words : ``Ite, missa est''
[sc. ecclesia], the congregation is dismissed. After that the
sacrifice proper began. At its close the same words were said
to those who remained. So the word gave the name of Mass to
the sacrifice in the Catholic Church. See {Missile}, and cf.
{Christmas}, {Lammas}, {Mess} a dish, {Missal}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The sacrifice in the sacrament of the
Eucharist, or the consecration and oblation of the host.
2. (Mus.) The portions of the Mass usually set to music,
considered as a musical composition; -- namely, the Kyrie,
the Gloria, the Credo, the Sanctus, and the Agnus Dei,
besides sometimes an Offertory and the Benedictus.
{Canon of the Mass}. See {Canon}.
{High Mass}, Mass with incense, music, the assistance of a
deacon, subdeacon, etc.
{Low Mass}, Mass which is said by the priest through-out,
without music.
{Mass bell}, the sanctus bell. See {Sanctus}.
{Mass book}, the missal or Roman Catholic service book.
Mass \Mass\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Massed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Massing}.]
To celebrate Mass. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Mass \Mass\, n. [OE. masse, F. masse, L. massa; akin to Gr. ? a
barley cake, fr. ? to knead. Cf. {Macerate}.]
1. A quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one
body, or an aggregation of particles or things which
collectively make one body or quantity, usually of
considerable size; as, a mass of ore, metal, sand, or
water.
If it were not for these principles, the bodies of
the earth, planets, comets, sun, and all things in
them, would grow cold and freeze, and become
inactive masses. --Sir I.
Newton.
A deep mass of continual sea is slower stirred To
rage. --Savile.
2. (Phar.) A medicinal substance made into a cohesive,
homogeneous lump, of consistency suitable for making
pills; as, blue mass.
3. A large quantity; a sum.
All the mass of gold that comes into Spain. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
He had spent a huge mass of treasure. --Sir J.
Davies.
4. Bulk; magnitude; body; size.
This army of such mass and charge. --Shak.
5. The principal part; the main body.
Night closed upon the pursuit, and aided the mass of
the fugitives in their escape. --Jowett
(Thucyd.).
6. (Physics) The quantity of matter which a body contains,
irrespective of its bulk or volume.
Note: Mass and weight are often used, in a general way, as
interchangeable terms, since the weight of a body is
proportional to its mass (under the same or equal
gravitative forces), and the mass is usually
ascertained from the weight. Yet the two ideas, mass
and weight, are quite distinct. Mass is the quantity of
matter in a body; weight is the comparative force with
which it tends towards the center of the earth. A mass
of sugar and a mass of lead are assumed to be equal
when they show an equal weight by balancing each other
in the scales.
{Blue mass}. See under {Blue}.
{Mass center} (Geom.), the center of gravity of a triangle.
{Mass copper}, native copper in a large mass.
{Mass meeting}, a large or general assembly of people,
usually a meeting having some relation to politics.
{The masses}, the great body of the people, as contrasted
with the higher classes; the populace.
Mass \Mass\, v. t.
To form or collect into a mass; to form into a collective
body; to bring together into masses; to assemble.
But mass them together and they are terrible indeed.
--Coleridge.
Massacre \Mas"sa*cre\, n. [F., fr. LL. mazacrium; cf. Prov. G.
metzgern, metzgen, to kill cattle, G. metzger a butcher, and
LG. matsken to cut, hew, OHG. meizan to cut, Goth.
m['a]itan.]
1. The killing of a considerable number of human beings under
circumstances of atrocity or cruelty, or contrary to the
usages of civilized people; as, the massacre on St.
Bartholomew's Day.
2. Murder. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: {Massacre}, {Butchery}, {Carnage}.
Usage: Massacre denotes the promiscuous slaughter of many who
can not make resistance, or much resistance. Butchery
refers to cold-blooded cruelty in the killing of men
as if they were brute beasts. Carnage points to
slaughter as producing the heaped-up bodies of the
slain.
I'll find a day to massacre them all, And raze
their faction and their family. --Shak.
If thou delight to view thy heinous deeds,
Brhold this pattern of thy butcheries. --Shak.
Such a scent I draw Of carnage, prey innumerable
! --Milton.
Massacre \Mas"sa*cre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Massacred}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Massacring}.] [Cf. F. massacrer. See {Massacre}, n.]
To kill in considerable numbers where much resistance can not
be made; to kill with indiscriminate violence, without
necessity, and contrary to the usages of nations; to butcher;
to slaughter; -- limited to the killing of human beings.
If James should be pleased to massacre them all, as
Maximian had massacred the Theban legion. --Macaulay.
Massacrer \Mas"sa*crer\, n.
One who massacres. [R.]
Massage \Mas"sage\, n. [F.]
A rubbing or kneading of the body, especially when performed
as a hygienic or remedial measure.
Massasauga \Mas`sa*sau"ga\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The black rattlesnake ({Crotalus, or Caudisona, tergemina}),
found in the Mississippi Valley.
Mass'e \Mass['e]\, or Mass'e shot \Mass['e] shot\, n.
(Billiards)
A stroke made with the cue held vertically.
Masser \Mass"er\, n.
A priest who celebrates Mass. [R.] --Bale.
Masseter \Mas"se*ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a chewer, ? a muscle
of the lower jaw used in chewing, from ? to chew: cf. F.
mass['e]ter.] (Anat.)
The large muscle which raises the under jaw, and assists in
mastication.
Masseteric \Mas`se*ter"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the masseter.
Masseterine \Mas"se*ter`ine\, a. (Anat.)
Masseteric.
Masseur \Mas`seur"\, n. m., Masseuse \Mas`seuse"\, n. f.,][F.,
or formed in imitation of French. See {Massage}.] (Med.)
One who performs massage.
Massicot \Mas"si*cot\, n. [F. massicot; E. masticot is a
corruption.] (Chem.)
Lead protoxide, {PbO}, obtained as a yellow amorphous powder,
the fused and crystalline form of which is called {litharge};
lead ocher. It is used as a pigment.
Note: Massicot is sometimes used by painters, and also as a
drier in the composition of ointments and plasters.
Massiness \Mass"i*ness\, n. [From {Massy}.]
The state or quality of being massy; ponderousness.
Massive \Mass"ive\, a. [F. massif.]
1. Forming, or consisting of, a large mass; compacted;
weighty; heavy; massy. ``Massive armor.'' --Dr. H. More.
2. (Min.) In mass; not necessarily without a crystalline
structure, but having no regular form; as, a mineral
occurs massive.
{Massive rock} (Geol.), a compact crystalline rock not
distinctly schistone, as granite; also, with some authors,
an eruptive rock.
Massively \Mass"ive*ly\, adv.
In a heavy mass.
Massiveness \Mass"ive*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being massive; massiness.
Massoola boat \Mas*soo"la boat`\
See {Masoola boat}.
Massora \Mas*so"ra\, n.
Same as {Masora}.
Massoret \Mas"so*ret\, n.
Same as {Masorite}.
Massy \Mass"y\, a. [Compar. {Massier}; superl. {Massiest}.]
Compacted into, or consisting of, a mass; having bulk and
weight ot substance; ponderous; bulky and heavy; weight;
heavy; as, a massy shield; a massy rock.
Your swords are now too massy for your strengths, And
will not be uplifted. --Shak.
Yawning rocks in massy fragments fly. --Pope.
Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. m[ae]st, fem.; akin to G. mast, and E.
meat. See {Meat}.]
The fruit of the oak and beech, or other forest trees; nuts;
acorns.
Oak mast, and beech, . . . they eat. --Chapman.
Swine under an oak filling themselves with the mast.
--South.
Mast \Mast\, n. [AS. m[ae]st, masc.; akin to D., G., Dan., & Sw.
mast, Icel. mastr, and perh. to L. malus.]
1. (Naut.) A pole, or long, strong, round piece of timber, or
spar, set upright in a boat or vessel, to sustain the
sails, yards, rigging, etc. A mast may also consist of
several pieces of timber united by iron bands, or of a
hollow pillar of iron or steel.
The tallest pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the
mast Of some great ammiral.
--Milton.
Note: The most common general names of masts are {foremast},
{mainmast}, and {mizzenmast}, each of which may be made
of separate spars.
2. (Mach.) The vertical post of a derrick or crane.
{Afore the mast}, {Before the mast}. See under {Afore}, and
{Before}.
{Mast coat}. See under {Coat}.
{Mast hoop}, one of a number of hoops attached to the fore
edge of a boom sail, which slip on the mast as the sail is
raised or lowered; also, one of the iron hoops used in
making a made mast. See {Made}.
Mast \Mast\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Masted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Masting}.]
To furnish with a mast or masts; to put the masts of in
position; as, to mast a ship.
Mastax \Mas"tax\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? mouth, jaws.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pharynx of a rotifer. It usually contains four horny
pieces. The two central ones form the incus, against
which the mallei, or lateral ones, work so as to crush
the food.
(b) The lore of a bird.
Masted \Mast"ed\, a.
Furnished with a mast or masts; -- chiefly in composition;
as, a three-masted schooner.
Master \Mast"er\, n. (Naut.)
A vessel having (so many) masts; -- used only in compounds;
as, a two-master.
Master \Mas"ter\, n. [OE. maistre, maister, OF. maistre, mestre,
F. ma[^i]tre, fr. L. magister, orig. a double comparative
from the root of magnus great, akin to Gr. ?. Cf. {Maestro},
{Magister}, {Magistrate}, {Magnitude}, {Major}, {Mister},
{Mistress}, {Mickle}.]
1. A male person having another living being so far subject
to his will, that he can, in the main, control his or its
actions; -- formerly used with much more extensive
application than now.
(a) The employer of a servant.
(b) The owner of a slave.
(c) The person to whom an apprentice is articled.
(d) A sovereign, prince, or feudal noble; a chief, or one
exercising similar authority.
(e) The head of a household.
(f) The male head of a school or college.
(g) A male teacher.
(h) The director of a number of persons performing a
ceremony or sharing a feast.
(i) The owner of a docile brute, -- especially a dog or
horse.
(j) The controller of a familiar spirit or other
supernatural being.
2. One who uses, or controls at will, anything inanimate; as,
to be master of one's time. --Shak.
Master of a hundred thousand drachms. --Addison.
We are masters of the sea. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
3. One who has attained great skill in the use or application
of anything; as, a master of oratorical art.
Great masters of ridicule. --Maccaulay.
No care is taken to improve young men in their own
language, that they may thoroughly understand and be
masters of it. --Locke.
4. A title given by courtesy, now commonly pronounced
m[i^]ster, except when given to boys; -- sometimes written
{Mister}, but usually abbreviated to Mr.
5. A young gentleman; a lad, or small boy.
Where there are little masters and misses in a
house, they are impediments to the diversions of the
servants. --Swift.
6. (Naut.) The commander of a merchant vessel; -- usually
called captain. Also, a commissioned officer in the navy
ranking next above ensign and below lieutenant; formerly,
an officer on a man-of-war who had immediate charge, under
the commander, of sailing the vessel.
7. A person holding an office of authority among the
Freemasons, esp. the presiding officer; also, a person
holding a similar office in other civic societies.
{Little masters}, certain German engravers of the 16th
century, so called from the extreme smallness of their
prints.
{Master in chancery}, an officer of courts of equity, who
acts as an assistant to the chancellor or judge, by
inquiring into various matters referred to him, and
reporting thereon to the court.
{Master of arts}, one who takes the second degree at a
university; also, the degree or title itself, indicated by
the abbreviation M. A., or A. M.
{Master of the horse}, the third great officer in the British
court, having the management of the royal stables, etc. In
ceremonial cavalcades he rides next to the sovereign.
{Master of the rolls}, in England, an officer who has charge
of the rolls and patents that pass the great seal, and of
the records of the chancery, and acts as assistant judge
of the court. --Bouvier. --Wharton.
{Past master}, one who has held the office of master in a
lodge of Freemasons or in a society similarly organized.
{The old masters}, distinguished painters who preceded modern
painters; especially, the celebrated painters of the 16th
and 17th centuries.
{To be master of one's self}, to have entire self-control;
not to be governed by passion.
{To be one's own master}, to be at liberty to act as one
chooses without dictation from anybody.
Note: Master, signifying chief, principal, masterly,
superior, thoroughly skilled, etc., is often used
adjiectively or in compounds; as, master builder or
master-builder, master chord or master-chord, master
mason or master-mason, master workman or
master-workman, master mechanic, master mind, master
spirit, master passion, etc.
Throughout the city by the master gate.
--Chaucer.
{Master joint} (Geol.), a quarryman's term for the more
prominent and extended joints traversing a rock mass.
{Master key}, a key adapted to open several locks differing
somewhat from each other; figuratively, a rule or
principle of general application in solving difficulties.
{Master lode} (Mining), the principal vein of ore.
{Master mariner}, an experienced and skilled seaman who is
certified to be competent to command a merchant vessel.
{Master sinew} (Far.), a large sinew that surrounds the hough
of a horse, and divides it from the bone by a hollow
place, where the windgalls are usually seated.
{Master singer}. See {Mastersinger}.
{Master stroke}, a capital performance; a masterly
achievement; a consummate action; as, a master stroke of
policy.
{Master tap} (Mech.), a tap for forming the thread in a screw
cutting die.
{Master touch}.
(a) The touch or skill of a master. --Pope.
(b) Some part of a performance which exhibits very
skillful work or treatment. ``Some master touches of
this admirable piece.'' --Tatler.
{Master work}, the most important work accomplished by a
skilled person, as in architecture, literature, etc.;
also, a work which shows the skill of a master; a
masterpiece.
{Master workman}, a man specially skilled in any art,
handicraft, or trade, or who is an overseer, foreman, or
employer.
Master \Mas"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mastered}; p. pr. vb. n.
{Mastering}.]
1. To become the master of; to subject to one's will,
control, or authority; to conquer; to overpower; to
subdue.
Obstinacy and willful neglects must be mastered,
even though it cost blows. --Locke.
2. To gain the command of, so as to understand or apply; to
become an adept in; as, to master a science.
3. To own; to posses. [Obs.]
The wealth That the world masters. --Shak.
Master \Mas"ter\, v. i.
To be skillful; to excel. [Obs.]
Masterdom \Mas"ter*dom\, n. [Master + -dom.]
Dominion; rule; command. [R.] --Shak.
Masterful \Mas"ter*ful\, a.
1. Inclined to play the master; domineering; imperious;
arbitrary. --Dryden.
2. Having the skill or power of a master; indicating or
expressing power or mastery.
His masterful, pale face. --Mrs.
Browning.
Masterfully \Mas"ter*ful*ly\, adv.
In a masterful manner; imperiously.
A lawless and rebellious man who held lands masterfully
and in high contempt of the royal authority.
--Macaulay.
Masterhood \Mas"ter*hood\, n.
The state of being a master; hence, disposition to command or
hector. --C. Bront['e].
Masterless \Mas"ter*less\, a.
Destitute of a master or owner; ungoverned or ungovernable.
-- {Mas"ter*less*ness}, n.
Masterliness \Mas"ter*li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being masterly; ability to control
wisely or skillfully.
Masterly \Mas"ter*ly\, a.
1. Suitable to, or characteristic of, a master; indicating
thorough knowledge or superior skill and power; showing a
master's hand; as, a masterly design; a masterly
performance; a masterly policy. ``A wise and masterly
inactivity.'' --Sir J. Mackintosh.
2. Imperious; domineering; arbitrary.
Masterly \Mas"ter*ly\, adv.
With the skill of a master.
Thou dost speak masterly. --Shak.
Masterous \Mas"ter*ous\, a.
Masterly. [Obs.] --Milton.
Masterpiece \Mas"ter*piece`\, n.
Anything done or made with extraordinary skill; a capital
performance; a chef-d'[oe]uvre; a supreme achievement.
The top and masterpiece of art. --South.
Dissimulation was his masterpiece. --Claredon.
Mastership \Mas"ter*ship\, n.
1. The state or office of a master.
2. Mastery; dominion; superior skill; superiority.
Where noble youths for mastership should strive.
--Driden.
3. Chief work; masterpiece. [Obs.] --Dryden.
4. An ironical title of respect.
How now, seignior Launce ! what news with your
mastership ? --Shak.
Mastersinger \Mas"ter*sing`er\, n. [A translation of G.
meisters["a]nger.]
One of a class of poets which flourished in Nuremberg and
some other cities of Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries.
They bound themselves to observe certain arbitrary laws of
rhythm.
Masterwort \Mas"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A tall and coarse European umbelliferous plant
({Peucedanum Ostruthium}, formerly {Imperatoria}).
(b) The {Astrantia major}, a European umbelliferous plant
with a showy colored involucre.
(c) Improperly, the cow parsnip ({Heracleum lanatum}).
Mastery \Mas"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Masteries}. [OF. maistrie.]
1. The position or authority of a master; dominion; command;
supremacy; superiority.
If divided by mountains, they will fight for the
mastery of the passages of the tops. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. Superiority in war or competition; victory; triumph;
pre["e]minence.
The voice of them that shout for mastery. --Ex.
xxxii. 18.
Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate
in all things. --1 Cor. ix.
25.
O, but to have gulled him Had been a mastery. --B.
Jonson.
3. Contest for superiority. [Obs.] --Holland.
4. A masterly operation; a feat. [Obs.]
I will do a maistrie ere I go. --Chaucer.
5. Specifically, the philosopher's stone. [Obs.]
6. The act process of mastering; the state of having
mastered.
He could attain to a mastery in all languages.
--Tillotson.
The learning and mastery of a tongue, being
unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with
other difficulties. --Locke.
Mastful \Mast"ful\, a. [See lst {Mast}.]
Abounding in mast; producing mast in abundance; as, the
mastful forest; a mastful chestnut. --Dryden.
Masthead \Mast"head`\, n. (Naut.)
The top or head of a mast; the part of a mast above the
hounds.
Masthead \Mast"head"\, v. t. (Naut.)
To cause to go to the masthead as a punishment. --Marryat.
Masthouse \Mast"house`\, n.
A building in which vessels' masts are shaped, fitted, etc.
Mastic \Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr.
? to chew, because of its being used in the East for
chewing.] [Written also {mastich}.]
1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus {Pistacia} ({P.
Lentiscus}), growing upon the islands and coasts of the
Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called
also, {mastic tree}.
2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by
incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent
tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and
an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.
3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and
linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.
{Barbary mastic} (Bot.), the {Pistachia Atlantica}.
{Peruvian mastic tree} (Bot.), a small tree ({Schinus Molle})
with peppery red berries; -- called also {pepper tree}.
{West Indian mastic} (Bot.), a lofty tree ({Bursera
gummifera}) full of gum resin in every part.
Masticable \Mas"ti*ca*ble\, a.
Capable of being masticated.
Masticador \Mas`ti*ca"dor\, n. [Cf. Sp. mastigador. See
{Masticate}.] (Man.)
A part of a bridle, the slavering bit. [Written also
{mastigador}.]
Masticate \Mas"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Masticated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Masticating}.] [L. masticatus, p. p. of
masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See {Mastic}.]
To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth and prepare for
swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food.
Masticater \Mas"ti*ca`ter\, n.
One who masticates.
Mastication \Mas`ti*ca"tion\, n. [L. masticatio: cf. F.
mastication.]
The act or operation of masticating; chewing, as of food.
Mastication is a necessary preparation of solid
aliment, without which there can be no good digestion.
--Arbuthnot.
Masticator \Mas"ti*ca`tor\, n.
1. One who masticates.
2. A machine for cutting meat into fine pieces for toothless
people; also, a machine for cutting leather, India rubber,
or similar tough substances, into fine pieces, in some
processes of manufacture.
Masticatory \Mas"ti*ca*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. masticatoire.]
Chewing; adapted to perform the office o? chewing food.
Masticatory \Mas"ti*ca*to*ry\, n.; pl. {-ries}. (Med.)
A substance to be chewed to increase the saliva. --Bacon.
Mastich \Mas"tich\, n.
See {Mastic}.
Masticin \Mas"ti*cin\, n. (Chem.)
A white, amorphous, tenacious substance resembling
caoutchouc, and obtained as an insoluble residue of mastic.
Masticot \Mas"ti*cot\, n. (Chem.)
Massicot. [Obs.]
Mastiff \Mas"tiff\, n.; pl. {Mastiffs}. [{Mastives} is irregular
and unusual.] [Prob. fr. Prov. E. masty, adj., large, n., a
great dog, prob. fr. mast fruit, and hence, lit., fattened
with mast. There is perh. confusion with OF. mestif mongrel;
cf. also F. m[^a]tin mastiff, OF. mastin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A breed of large dogs noted for strength and courage. There
are various strains, differing in form and color, and
characteristic of different countries.
{Mastiff bat} (Zo["o]l.), any bat of the genus {Molossus}; so
called because the face somewhat resembles that of a
mastiff.
Mastigopod \Mas"ti*go*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Mastigopoda.
Mastigopoda \Mas`ti*gop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a whip
+ ?, ?, foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Infusoria.
Mastigure \Mas"ti*gure\, n. [Gr. ?., ?, a scourge + ? tail.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several large spiny-tailed lizards of the genus
{Uromastix}. They inhabit Southern Asia and North Africa.
Masting \Mast"ing\, n. (Naut.)
The act or process of putting a mast or masts into a vessel;
also, the scientific principles which determine the position
of masts, and the mechanical methods of placing them.
{Masting house} (Naut.), a large building, with suitable
mechanism overhanging the water, used for stepping and
unstepping the masts of vessels.
Mastitis \Mas*ti"tis\, n. [Gr. ? breast + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the breast.
Mastless \Mast"less\, a. [See lst {Mast}.]
Bearing no mast; as, a mastless oak or beech. --Dryden.
Mastless \Mast"less\, a. [See 2d {Mast}.]
Having no mast; as, a mastless vessel.
Mastlin \Mast"lin\, n.
See {Maslin}.
Mastodon \Mas"to*don\, n. [Gr. ? the breast + ?, ?, a tooth. So
called from the conical projections upon its molar teeth.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct genus of mammals closely allied to the elephant,
but having less complex molar teeth, and often a pair of
lower, as well as upper, tusks, which are incisor teeth. The
species were mostly larger than elephants, and their romains
occur in nearly all parts of the world in deposits ranging
from Miocene to late Quaternary time.
Mastodonsaurus \Mas`to*don*sau"rus\, n. [NL., fr. E. Mastodon +
Gr. ? a lizard.] (Paleon.)
A large extinct genus of labyrinthodonts, found in the
European Triassic rocks.
Mastodontic \Mas`to*don"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, a mastodon; as, mastodontic
dimensions. --Everett.
Mastodynia \Mas`to*dyn"i*a\, Mastodyny \Mas*tod"y*ny\, n. [NL.
mastodynia, fr. Gr. ? the breast + ? pain.] (Med.)
Pain occuring in the mamma or female breast, -- a form of
neuralgia.
Mastoid \Mas"toid\, a. [Gr. ?; ? the breast + ? form: cf. F.
masto["i]de.] (Anat.)
(a) Resembling the nipple or the breast; -- applied
specifically to a process of the temporal bone behind the
ear.
(b) Pertaining to, or in the region of, the mastoid process;
mastoidal.
Mastoidal \Mas*toid"al\, a.
Same as {Mastoid}.
Mastology \Mas*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? the breast + -logy: cf. F.
mastologie.]
The natural history of Mammalia.
Mastress \Mas"tress\, n.
Mistress. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Masturbation \Mas`tur*ba"tion\, n. [L. masturbatus, p. p. of
masturbari to practice onanism: cf. F. masturbation.]
Onanism; self-pollution.
Masty \Mast"y\, a. [See lst {Mast}.]
Full of mast; abounding in acorns, etc.
Masula boat \Ma*su"la boat`\
Same as {Masoola boat}.
Mat \Mat\, n. [Cf. {Matte}.]
A name given by coppersmiths to an alloy of copper, tin,
iron, etc., usually called white metal. [Written also
{matt}.]
Mat \Mat\, a. [OF. See 4th {Mate}.]
Cast down; dejected; overthrown; slain. [Obs.]
When he saw them so piteous and so maat. --Chaucer.
Mat \Mat\, n. [AS. matt, meatt, fr. L. matta a mat made of
rushes.]
1. A fabric of sedge, rushes, flags, husks, straw, hemp, or
similar material, used for wiping and cleaning shoes at
the door, for covering the floor of a hall or room, and
for other purposes.
2. Any similar fabric for various uses, as for covering plant
houses, putting beneath dishes or lamps on a table,
securing rigging from friction, and the like.
3. Anything growing thickly, or closely interwoven, so as to
resemble a mat in form or texture; as, a mat of weeds; a
mat of hair.
4. An ornamental border made of paper, pasterboard, metal,
etc., put under the glass which covers a framed picture;
as, the mat of a daguerreotype.
{Mat grass}. (Bot.)
(a) A low, tufted, European grass ({Nardus stricta}).
(b) Same as {Matweed}.
{Mat rush} (Bot.), a kind of rush ({Scirpus lacustris}) used
in England for making mats.
Mat \Mat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Matted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Matting}.]
1. To cover or lay with mats. --Evelyn.
2. To twist, twine, or felt together; to interweave into, or
like, a mat; to entangle.
And o'er his eyebrows hung his matted hair.
--Dryden.
Mat \Mat\, v. i.
To grow thick together; to become interwoven or felted
together like a mat.
Matachin \Ma`ta*chin"\, n. [Sp.]
An old dance with swords and bucklers; a sword dance.
Mataco \Mat"a*co\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The three-banded armadillo ({Tolypeutis tricinctus}). See
Illust. under {Loricata}.
Matadore \Mat"a*dore\, Matador \Mat"a*dor\, n. [Sp. matador,
prop., a killer, fr. matar to kill, L. mactare to sacrifice,
kill.]
1. The killer; the man appointed to kill the bull in
bullfights.
2. (Card Playing) In the game of quadrille or omber, the
three principal trumps, the ace of spades being the first,
the ace of clubs the third, and the second being the deuce
of a black trump or the seven of a red one.
When Lady Tricksey played a four, You took it with a
matadore. --Swift.
Matagasse \Mat`a*gasse"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A shrike or butcher bird; -- called also {mattages}. [Prov.
Eng.]
Matamata \Ma`ta*ma"ta\, n. [Pg.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bearded tortoise ({Chelys fimbriata}) of South American
rivers.
Matanza \Ma*tan"za\, n. [Sp., slaughter, fr. matar to kill.]
A place where animals are slaughtered for their hides and
tallow. [Western U. S.]
Match \Match\, n. [OE. macche, F. m[`e]che, F. m[`e]che, fr. L.
myxa a lamp nozzle, Gr. ? mucus, nostril, a lamp nozzle. Cf.
{Mucus}.]
Anything used for catching and retaining or communicating
fire, made of some substance which takes fire readily, or
remains burning some time; esp., a small strip or splint of
wood dipped at one end in a substance which can be easily
ignited by friction, as a preparation of phosphorus or
chlorate of potassium.
{Match box}, a box for holding matches.
{Match tub}, a tub with a perforated cover for holding slow
matches for firing cannon, esp. on board ship. The tub
contains a little water in the bottom, for extinguishing
sparks from the lighted matches.
{Quick match}, threads of cotton or cotton wick soaked in a
solution of gunpowder mixed with gum arabic and boiling
water and afterwards strewed over with mealed powder. It
burns at the rate of one yard in thirteen seconds, and is
used as priming for heavy mortars, fireworks, etc.
{Slow match}, slightly twisted hempen rope soaked in a
solution of limewater and saltpeter or washed in a lye of
water and wood ashes. It burns at the rate of four or five
inches an hour, and is used for firing cannon, fireworks,
etc.
Match \Match\, n. [OE. macche, AS. gem[ae]cca; akin to gemaca,
and to OS. gimako, OHG. gimah fitting, suitable, convenient,
Icel. mark suitable, maki mate, Sw. make, Dan. mage; all from
the root of E. make, v. See {Make} mate, and {Make}, v., and
cf. {Mate} an associate.]
1. A person or thing equal or similar to another; one able to
mate or cope with another; an equal; a mate.
Government . . . makes an innocent man, though of
the lowest rank, a match for the mightiest of his
fellow subjects. --Addison.
2. A bringing together of two parties suited to one another,
as for a union, a trial of skill or force, a contest, or
the like; as, specifically:
(a) A contest to try strength or skill, or to determine
superiority; an emulous struggle. ``Many a warlike
match.'' --Drayton.
A solemn match was made; he lost the prize.
--Dryden.
(b) A matrimonial union; a marriage.
3. An agreement, compact, etc. ``Thy hand upon that match.''
--Shak.
Love doth seldom suffer itself to be confined by
other matches than those of its own making. --Boyle.
4. A candidate for matrimony; one to be gained in marriage.
``She . . . was looked upon as the richest match of the
West.'' --Clarendon.
5. Equality of conditions in contest or competition.
It were no match, your nail against his horn.
--Shak.
6. Suitable combination or bringing together; that which
corresponds or harmonizes with something else; as, the
carpet and curtains are a match.
7. (Founding) A perforated board, block of plaster, hardened
sand, etc., in which a pattern is partly imbedded when a
mold is made, for giving shape to the surfaces of
separation between the parts of the mold.
{Match boarding} (Carp.), boards fitted together with tongue
and groove, or prepared to be so fitted.
{Match game}, a game arranged as a test of superiority.
{Match plane} (Carp.), either of the two planes used to shape
the edges of boards which are joined by grooving and
tonguing.
{Match plate} (Founding), a board or plate on the opposite
sides of which the halves of a pattern are fastened, to
facilitate molding. --Knight.
{Match wheel} (Mach.), a cogwheel of suitable pitch to work
with another wheel; specifically, one of a pair of
cogwheels of equal size.
Match \Match\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Matched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Matching}.]
1. To be a mate or match for; to be able to complete with; to
rival successfully; to equal.
No settled senses of the world can match The
pleasure of that madness. --Shak.
2. To furnish with its match; to bring a match, or equal,
against; to show an equal competitor to; to set something
in competition with, or in opposition to, as equal.
No history or antiquity can matchis policies and his
conduct. --South.
3. To oppose as equal; to contend successfully against.
Eternal might To match with their inventions they
presumed So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn.
--Milton.
4. To make or procure the equal of, or that which is exactly
similar to, or corresponds with; as, to match a vase or a
horse; to match cloth. ``Matching of patterns and
colors.'' --Swift.
5. To make equal, proportionate, or suitable; to adapt, fit,
or suit (one thing to another).
Let poets match their subject to their strength.
--Roscommon.
6. To marry; to give in marriage.
A senator of Rome survived, Would not have matched
his daughter with a king. --Addison.
7. To fit together, or make suitable for fitting together;
specifically, to furnish with a tongue and a groove, at
the edges; as, to match boards.
{Matching machine}, a planing machine for forming a tongue or
a groove on the edge of a board.
Match \Match\, v. i.
1. To be united in marriage; to mate.
I hold it a sin to match in my kindred. --Shak.
Let tigers match with hinds, and wolves with sheep.
--Dryden.
2. To be of equal, or similar, size, figure, color, or
quality; to tally; to suit; to correspond; as, these vases
match.
Matchable \Match"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being matched; comparable on equal conditions;
adapted to being joined together; correspondent. --
{Match"a*ble*ness}, n.
Sir Walter Raleigh . . . is matchable with the best of
the ancients. --Hakewill.
Match-cloth \Match"-cloth`\, n.
A coarse cloth.
Match-coat \Match"-coat`\, n.
A coat made of match-cloth.
Matcher \Match"er\, n.
One who, or that which, matches; a matching machine. See
under 3d {Match}.
Matchless \Match"less\, a. [Cf. {Mateless}.]
1. Having no equal; unequaled. ``A matchless queen.''
--Waller.
2. Unlike each other; unequal; unsuited. [Obs.] ``Matchless
ears.'' --Spenser. -- {Match"less*ly}, adv. --
{Match"less*ness}, n.
Matchlock \Match"lock`\, n.
An old form of gunlock containing a match for firing the
priming; hence, a musket fired by means of a match.
Matchmaker \Match"mak`er\, n.
1. One who makes matches for burning or kinding.
2. One who tries to bring about marriages.
Matchmaking \Match"mak`ing\, n.
1. The act or process of making matches for kindling or
burning.
2. The act or process of trying to bring about a marriage for
others.
Matchmaking \Match"mak`ing\, a.
Busy in making or contriving marriages; as, a matchmaking
woman.
Mate \Ma"te\, n. [Sp.]
The Paraguay tea, being the dried leaf of the Brazilian holly
({Ilex Paraguensis}). The infusion has a pleasant odor, with
an agreeable bitter taste, and is much used for tea in South
America.
Mate \Mate\, n. [F. mat, abbrev. fr. ['e]chec et mat. See
{Checkmate}.] (Chess)
Same as {Checkmate}.
Mate \Mate\, a.
See 2d {Mat}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mate \Mate\, v. t. [F. mater to fatigue, enfeeble, humiliate,
checkmate. See {Mate} checkmate.]
1. To confuse; to confound. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To checkmate.
Mate \Mate\, n. [Perhaps for older make a companion; cf. also
OD. maet companion, mate, D. maat. Cf. {Make} a companion,
{Match} a mate.]
1. One who customarily associates with another; a companion;
an associate; any object which is associated or combined
with a similar object.
2. Hence, specifically, a husband or wife; and among the
lower animals, one of a pair associated for propagation
and the care of their young.
3. A suitable companion; a match; an equal.
Ye knew me once no mate For you; there sitting where
you durst not soar. --Milton.
4. (Naut.) An officer in a merchant vessel ranking next below
the captain. If there are more than one bearing the title,
they are called, respectively, first mate, second mate,
third mate, etc. In the navy, a subordinate officer or
assistant; as, master's mate; surgeon's mate.
Mate \Mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mating}.]
1. To match; to marry.
If she be mated with an equal husband. --Shak.
2. To match one's self against; to oppose as equal; to
compete with.
There is no passion in the mind of man so weak but
it mates and masters the fear of death. --Bacon.
I, . . . in the way of loyalty and truth, . . . Dare
mate a sounder man than Surrey can be. --Shak.
Mate \Mate\, v. i.
To be or become a mate or mates, especially in sexual
companionship; as, some birds mate for life; this bird will
not mate with that one.
Mateless \Mate"less\, a. [Cf. {Matchless}.]
Having no mate.
Matelote \Mat"e*lote\ (m[a^]t"[-e]*l[=o]t), n. [F., fr. matelot
a sailor; properly, a dish such as sailors prepare.]
A dish of food composed of many kinds of fish.
Mateology \Ma`te*ol"o*gy\ (m[=a]`t[-e]*[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n.
[Gr. mataiologi`a; ma`taios useless, vain + lo`gos discourse:
cf. F. mat['e]ologie.]
A vain, unprofitable discourse or inquiry. [R.]
Mateotechny \Ma`te*o*tech"ny\ (m[=a]`t[-e]*[-o]*t[e^]k"n[y^]),
n. [Gr. mataiotechni`a; ma`taios vain + te`chnh art,
science.]
Any unprofitable science. [Obs.]
Mater \Ma"ter\, n. [L., mother. See {Mother}.]
See {Alma mater}, {Dura mater}, and {Pia mater}.
Material \Ma*te"ri*al\, a. [L. materialis, fr. materia stuff,
matter: cf. F. mat['e]riel. See {Matter}, and cf.
{Mat['E]riel}.]
1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical;
as, material substance or bodies.
The material elements of the universe. --Whewell.
2. Hence: Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of
man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature;
relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts.
3. Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of
cinsequence; not be dispensed with; important.
Discourse, which was always material, never
trifling. --Evelyn.
I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down
only such as are most material to our present
purpose. --Locke.
4. (Logic.) Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form,
of a thing. See {Matter}.
{Material cause}. See under {Cause}.
{Material evidence} (Law), evidence which conduces to the
proof or disproof of a relevant hypothesis. --Wharton.
Syn: Corporeal; bodily; important; weighty; momentous;
essential.
Material \Ma*te"ri*al\, n.
The substance or matter of which anything is made or may be
made.
{Raw material}, any crude, unfinished, or elementary
materials that are adapted to use only by processes of
skilled labor. Cotton, wool, ore, logs, etc., are raw
material.
Material \Ma*te"ri*al\, v. t.
To form from matter; to materialize. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Materialism \Ma*te"ri*al*ism\, n. [Cf. F. mat['e]rialisme.]
1. The doctrine of materialists; materialistic views and
tenets.
The irregular fears of a future state had been
supplanted by the materialism of Epicurus.
--Buckminster.
2. The tendency to give undue importance to material
interests; devotion to the material nature and its wants.
3. Material substances in the aggregate; matter. [R. & Obs.]
--A. Chalmers.
Materialist \Ma*te"ri*al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. mat['e]rialiste.]
1. One who denies the existence of spiritual substances or
agents, and maintains that spiritual phenomena, so called,
are the result of some peculiar organization of matter.
2. One who holds to the existence of matter, as distinguished
from the idealist, who denies it. --Berkeley.
Materialistic \Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic\, Materialistical
\Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to materialism or materialists; of the
nature of materialism.
But to me his very spiritualism seemed more
materialistic than his physics. --C. Kingsley.
Materiality \Ma*te`ri*al"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. mat['e]rialit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being material; material
existence; corporeity.
2. Importance; as, the materiality of facts.
Materialization \Ma*te`ri*al*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of materializing, or the state of being materialized.
Materialize \Ma*te"ri*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Materialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Materializing}.] [Cf. F.
mat['e]rialiser.]
1. To invest with material characteristics; to make
perceptible to the senses; hence, to present to the mind
through the medium of material objects.
Having with wonderful art and beauty materialized,
if I may so call it, a scheme of abstracted notions,
and clothed the most nice, refined conceptions of
philosophy in sensible images. --Tatler.
2. To regard as matter; to consider or explain by the laws or
principles which are appropriate to matter.
3. To cause to assume a character appropriate to material
things; to occupy with material interests; as, to
materialize thought.
4. (Spiritualism) To make visable in, or as in, a material
form; -- said of spirits.
A female spirit form temporarily materialized, and
not distinguishable from a human being. --Epes
Sargent.
Materialize \Ma*te"ri*al*ize\, v. i.
To appear as a material form; to take substantial shape.
[Colloq.]
Materially \Ma*te"ri*al*ly\, adv.
1. In the state of matter.
I do not mean that anything is separable from a body
by fire that was not materially pre["e]xistent in
it. --Boyle.
2. In its essence; substantially.
An ill intention is certainly sufficient to spoil .
. . an act in itself materially good. --South.
3. In an important manner or degree; essentaily; as, it
materially concern us to know the real motives of our
actions.
Materialness \Ma*te"ri*al*ness\, n.
The state of being material.
Materia medica \Ma*te"ri*a med"i*ca\ [L. See {Matter}, and
{Medical}.]
1. Material or substance used in the composition of remedies;
-- a general term for all substances used as curative
agents in medicine.
2. That branch of medical science which treats of the nature
and properties of all the substances that are employed for
the cure of diseases.
Materiarian \Ma*te`ri*a"ri*an\, n. [L. materiarius.]
See {Materialist}. [Obs.]
Materiate \Ma*te"ri*ate\, Materiated \Ma*te"ri*a`ted\, a. [L.
materiatus, p. p. of materiare to build of wood.]
Consisting of matter. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Materiation \Ma*te`ri*a"tion\, n. [L. materiatio woodwork.]
Act of forming matter. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Mat'eriel \Ma`t['e]`ri`el"\, n. [F. See {Material}.]
That in a complex system which constitutes the materials, or
instruments employed, in distinction from the personnel, or
men; as, the baggage, munitions, provisions, etc., of an
army; or the buildings, libraries, and apparatus of a
college, in distinction from its officers.
Materious \Ma*te"ri*ous\, a.
See {Material}. [Obs.]
Maternal \Ma*ter"nal\, a. [F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater
mother. See {Mother}.]
Of or pertaining to a mother; becoming to a mother; motherly;
as, maternal love; maternal tenderness.
Syn: See {Motherly}.
Maternally \Ma*ter"nal*ly\, adv.
In a motherly manner.
Maternity \Ma*ter"ni*ty\, n. [F. maternit['e], LL. maternitas.]
The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a
mother.
Matfelon \Mat"fel*on\, n. [W. madfelen.] (Bot.)
The knapweed ({Centaurea nigra}).
Math \Math\, n. [AS. m[=ae][eth]; akin to m[=a]wan to mow, G.
mahd math. See {Mow} to cut (grass).]
A mowing, or that which is gathered by mowing; -- chiefly
used in composition; as, an aftermath. [Obs.]
The first mowing thereof, for the king's use, is wont
to be sooner than the common math. --Bp. Hall.
Mathematic \Math`e*mat"ic\, a. [F. math['e]matique, L.
mathematicus, Gr. ? disposed to learn, belonging to learning
or the sciences, especially to mathematics, fr. ? that which
is learned, learning, pl. ? things learned, learning,
science, especially mathematical science, fr. ?, ?, to learn;
akin to E. mind. See {Mind}.]
See {Mathematical}.
Mathematical \Math`e*mat"ic*al\, a. [See {Mathematic}.]
Of or pertaining to mathematics; according to mathematics;
hence, theoretically precise; accurate; as, mathematical
geography; mathematical instruments; mathematical exactness.
-- {Math`e*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Mathematician \Math`e*ma*ti"cian\, n. [Cf. F. math['e]maticien.]
One versed in mathematics.
Mathematics \Math`e*mat"ics\, n. [F. math['e]matiques, pl., L.
mathematica, sing., Gr. ? (sc. ?) science. See {Mathematic},
and {-ics}.]
That science, or class of sciences, which treats of the exact
relations existing between quantities or magnitudes, and of
the methods by which, in accordance with these relations,
quantities sought are deducible from other quantities known
or supposed; the science of spatial and quantitative
relations.
Note: Mathematics embraces three departments, namely: 1.
{Arithmetic}. 2. {Geometry}, including {Trigonometry}
and {Conic Sections}. 3. {Analysis}, in which letters
are used, including {Algebra}, {Analytical Geometry},
and {Calculus}. Each of these divisions is divided into
pure or abstract, which considers magnitude or quantity
abstractly, without relation to matter; and mixed or
applied, which treats of magnitude as subsisting in
material bodies, and is consequently interwoven with
physical considerations.
Mather \Math"er\, n.
See {Madder}.
Mathes \Math"es\, n. [Perh. corrupted fr. L. anthemis camomile,
Gr. ? .] (Bot.)
The mayweed. Cf. {Maghet}.
Mathesis \Ma*the"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from ?, ?, to learn.]
Learning; especially, mathematics. [R.] --Pope.
Mathurin \Math"u*rin\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
See {Trinitarian}.
Matico \Ma*ti"co\, n. (Bot.)
A Peruvian plant ({Piper, or Artanthe, elongatum}), allied to
the pepper, the leaves of which are used as a styptic and
astringent.
Matie \Mat"ie\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A fat herring with undeveloped roe. [Written also {matty}.]
[Eng. & Scot.]
Matin \M[^a]`tin"\, n. [F. m[^a]tin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A French mastiff.
Matin \Mat"in\, n. [F. fr. L. matutinum the morning, matutinus
of the morning, Matuta the goddess of the morning. See
{Matutinal}.]
1. Morning. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. pl. [F. matines. See Etymol. above.] Morning worship or
service; morning prayers or songs.
The winged choristers began To chirp their matins.
--Cleveland.
3. Time of morning service; the first canonical hour in the
Roman Catholic Church.
Matin \Mat"in\, a.
Of or pertaining to the morning, or to matins; used in the
morning; matutinal.
Matinal \Mat"in*al\, a.
Relating to the morning, or to matins; matutinal.
Matin'ee \Mat`i*n['e]e"\, n. [F., from matin. See {Matin}.]
A reception, or a musical or dramatic entertainment, held in
the daytime. See {Soir['E]e}.
Matrass \Ma*trass"\, n. [F. matras; perh. so called from its
long narrow neck; cf. OF. matras large arrow, L. materis,
mataris, matara, a Celtic javelin, pike; of Celtic origin.]
(Chem.)
A round-bottomed glass flask having a long neck; a bolthead.
Matress \Mat"ress\, n.
See {Matress}.
Matriarch \Ma"tri*arch\, n. [L. mater mother + -arch.]
The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a
ruler by maternal right.
Matriarchal \Ma`tri*ar"chal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a matriarch; governed by a matriarch.
Matriarchate \Ma"tri*ar"chate\, n.
The office or jurisdiction of a matriarch; a matriarchal form
of government.
Matrice \Ma"trice\, n. [Cf. F. matrice. See {Matrix}.]
See {Matrix}.
Matricidal \Mat"ri*ci`dal\, a.
Of or pertaining to matricide.
Matricide \Mat"ri*cide\, n. [L. matricidium; mater mother +
coedere to kill, slay: cf. F. matricide. See {Mother}, and
cf. {Homicide}.]
1. The murder of a mother by her son or daughter.
2. [L. matricida: cf. F. matricide.] One who murders one's
own mother.
Matriculate \Ma*tric"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Matriculated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Matriculating}.] [L.
matricula a public roll or register, dim. of matrix a mother,
in respect to propagation, also, a public register. See
{Matrix}.]
To enroll; to enter in a register; specifically, to enter or
admit to membership in a body or society, particularly in a
college or university, by enrolling the name in a register.
In discovering and matriculating the arms of
commissaries from North America. --Sir W.
Scott.
Matriculate \Ma*tric"u*late\, v. i.
To go though the process of admission to membership, as by
examination and enrollment, in a society or college.
Matriculate \Ma*tric"u*late\, a.
Matriculated. --Skelton. -- n. One who is matriculated.
--Arbuthnot.
Matriculation \Ma*tric`u*la"tion\, n.
The act or process of matriculating; the state of being
matriculated.
Matrimoine \Mat"ri*moine\, n.
Matrimony. [Obs.]
Matrimonial \Mat`ri*mo"ni*al\, a. [L. matrimonialis: cf. F.
matrimonial. See {Matrimony}.]
Of or pertaining to marriage; derived from marriage;
connubial; nuptial; hymeneal; as, matrimonial rights or
duties.
If he relied upon that title, he could be but a king at
courtesy, and have rather a matrimonial than a regal
power. --Bacon.
Syn: Connubial; conjugal; sponsal; spousal; nuptial;
hymeneal.
Matrimonially \Mat`ri*mo"ni*al*ly\, adv.
In a matrimonial manner.
Matrimonious \Mat`ri*mo"ni*ous\, a.
Matrimonial. [R.] --Milton.
Matrimony \Mat"ri*mo*ny\, n. [OE. matrimoine, through Old
French, fr. L. matrimonium, fr. mater mother. See {Mother}.]
1. The union of man and woman as husband and wife; the
nuptial state; marriage; wedlock.
If either of you know any impediment, why ye may not
be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now
confessit. --Book of Com.
Prayer (Eng.
Ed. )
2. A kind of game at cards played by several persons.
{Matrimony vine} (Bot.), a climbing thorny vine ({Lycium
barbarum}) of the Potato family. --Gray.
Syn: Marriage; wedlock. See {Marriage}.
Matrix \Ma"trix\, n.; pl. {Matrices}. [L., fr. mater mother. See
{Mother}, and cf. {Matrice}.]
1. (Anat.) The womb.
All that openeth the matrix is mine. --Ex. xxxiv.
19.
2. Hence, that which gives form or origin to anything; as:
(a) (Mech.) The cavity in which anything is formed, and
which gives it shape; a die; a mold, as for the face
of a type.
(b) (Min.) The earthy or stony substance in which metallic
ores or crystallized minerals are found; the gangue.
(c) pl. (Dyeing) The five simple colors, black, white,
blue, red, and yellow, of which all the rest are
composed.
3. (Biol.) The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or
vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular
substance.
4. (Math.) A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and
columns. The symbols may express quantities or operations.
Matron \Ma"tron\, n. [F. matrone, L. matrona, fr. mater mother.
See {Mother}.]
1. A wife or a widow, especially, one who has borne children;
a woman of staid or motherly manners.
Your wives, your daughters, Your matrons, and your
maids. --Shak.
Grave from her cradle, insomuch that she was a
matron before she was a mother. --Fuller.
2. A housekeeper; esp., a woman who manages the domestic
economy of a public instution; a head nurse in a hospital;
as, the matron of a school or hospital.
{Jury of matrons} (Law), a jury of experienced women called
to determine the question of pregnancy when set up in bar
of execution, and for other cognate purposes.
Matronage \Mat"ron*age\, n.
1. The state of a matron.
2. The collective body of matrons. --Burke.
Can a politician slight the feelings and convictions
of the whole matronage of his country ? --Hare.
Matronal \Mat"ron*al\, a. [L. matronalis.]
Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an elderly lady or
to a married woman; grave; motherly.
Matronhood \Ma"tron*hood\, n.
The state of being a matron.
Matronize \Mat"ron*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Matronized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Matronizing}.]
1. To make a matron of; to make matronlike.
Childbed matronizes the giddiest spirits.
--Richardson.
2. To act the part of a marton toward; to superintend; to
chaperone; as, to matronize an assembly.
Matronlike \Ma"tron*like`\, a.
Like a matron; sedate; grave; matronly.
Matronly \Ma"tron*ly\, a.
1. Advanced in years; elderly.
2. Like, or befitting, a matron; grave; sedate.
Matronymic \Mat`ro*nym"ic\, n. [L. mater mother + -nymic, as in
patronimic.]
See {Metronymic}.
Matross \Ma*tross"\, n. [D. matroos, fr. F. matelot.] (Mil.)
Formerly, in the British service, a gunner or a gunner's
mate; one of the soldiers in a train of artillery, who
assisted the gunners in loading, firing, and sponging the
guns. [Obs.]
Matt \Matt\, n.
See {Matte}. --Knight.
Mattages \Mat`ta*ges"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A shrike or butcher bird; -- written also {matagasse}. [Prov.
Eng.]
Mattamore \Mat"ta*more`\, n. [F. matamore, from Ar. matm?ra.]
A subterranean repository for wheat.
Matte \Matte\, n. [F. matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte, fem.,
faint, dull, dim; -- said of metals. See {Mate} checkmate.]
1. (Metallurgy) A partly reduced copper sulphide, obtained by
alternately roasting and melting copper ore in separating
the metal from associated iron ores, and called {coarse
metal}, {fine metal}, etc., according to the grade of
fineness. On the exterior it is dark brown or black, but
on a fresh surface is yellow or bronzy in color.
2. A dead or dull finish, as in gilding where the gold leaf
is not burnished, or in painting where the surface is
purposely deprived of gloss.
Matted \Mat"ted\, a. [See {Matte}.]
Having a dull surface; unburnished; as, matted gold leaf or
gilding.
{Matted glass}, glass ornamented with figures on a dull
ground.
Matted \Mat"ted\, a. [See 3d {Mat}.]
1. Covered with a mat or mats; as, a matted floor.
2. Tangled closely together; having its parts adhering
closely together; as, matted hair.
Matter \Mat"ter\, n. [OE. matere, F. mati[`e]re, fr. L. materia;
perh. akin to L. mater mother. Cf. {Mother}, {Madeira},
{Material}.]
1. That of which anything is composed; constituent substance;
material; the material or substantial part of anything;
the constituent elements of conception; that into which a
notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the
embodiment.
He is the matter of virtue. --B. Jonson.
2. That of which the sensible universe and all existent
bodies are composed; anything which has extension,
occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body;
substance.
Note: Matter is usually divided by philosophical writers into
three kinds or classes: solid, liquid, and a["e]riform.
Solid substances are those whose parts firmly cohere
and resist impression, as wood or stone. Liquids have
free motion among their parts, and easily yield to
impression, as water and wine. A["e]riform substances
are elastic fluids, called vapors and gases, as air and
oxygen gas.
3. That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place
or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated;
subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling,
complaint, legal action, or the like; theme. ``If the
matter should be tried by duel.'' --Bacon.
Son of God, Savior of men ! Thy name Shall be the
copious matter of my song. --Milton.
Every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but
every small matter they shall judge. --Ex. xviii.
22.
4. That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do;
concern; affair; business.
To help the matter, the alchemists call in many
vanities out of astrology. --Bacon.
Some young female seems to have carried matters so
far, that she is ripe for asking advice.
--Spectator.
5. Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence;
importance; significance; moment; -- chiefly in the
phrases what matter ? no matter, and the like.
A prophet some, and some a poet, cry; No matter
which, so neither of them lie. --Dryden.
6. Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything
disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
And this is the matter why interpreters upon that
passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true
story, that the prophet took a harlot to wife.
--Milton.
7. Amount; quantity; portion; space; -- often indefinite.
Away he goes, . . . a matter of seven miles. --L'
Estrange.
I have thoughts to tarry a small matter. --Congreve.
No small matter of British forces were commanded
over sea the year before. --Mi
--lton.
8. Substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which
is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess;
pus; purulent substance.
9. (Metaph.) That which is permanent, or is supposed to be
given, and in or upon which changes are effected by
psychological or physical processes and relations; --
opposed to {form}. --Mansel.
10. (Print.) Written manuscript, or anything to be set in
type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be used, or
which has been used, in printing.
{Dead matter} (Print.), type which has been used, or which is
not to be used, in printing, and is ready for
distribution.
{Live matter} (Print.), type set up, but not yet printed
from.
{Matter in bar}, {Matter of fact}. See under {Bar}, and
{Fact}.
{Matter of record}, anything recorded.
{Upon the matter}, or {Upon the whole matter}, considering
the whole; taking all things into view.
Waller, with Sir William Balfour, exceeded in horse,
but were, upon the whole matter, equal in foot.
--Clarendon.
Matter \Mat"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mattered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mattering}.]
1. To be of importance; to import; to signify.
It matters not how they were called. --Locke.
2. To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate. [R.]
``Each slight sore mattereth.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Matter \Mat"ter\, v. t.
To regard as important; to take account of; to care for.
[Obs.]
He did not matter cold nor hunger. --H. Brooke.
Matterless \Mat"ter*less\, a.
1. Not being, or having, matter; as, matterless spirits.
--Davies (Wit's Pilgr. ).
2. Unimportant; immaterial. [Obs.]
Matter-of-fact \Mat"ter-of-fact"\, a.
Adhering to facts; not turning aside from absolute realities;
not fanciful or imaginative; commonplace; dry.
Mattery \Mat"ter*y\, a.
1. Generating or containing pus; purulent.
2. Full of substance or matter; important. --B. Jonson.
Matting \Mat"ting\, n. [From {Mat}, v. t. & i.]
1. The act of interweaving or tangling together so as to make
a mat; the process of becoming matted.
2. Mats, in general, or collectively; mat work; a matlike
fabric, for use in covering floors, packing articles, and
the like; a kind of carpeting made of straw, etc.
3. Materials for mats.
4. An ornamental border. See 3d {Mat}, 4.
Matting \Mat"ting\, n. [See {Matte}.]
A dull, lusterless surface in certain of the arts, as
gilding, metal work, glassmaking, etc.
Mattock \Mat"tock\, n. [AS. mattuc; cf. W. matog.]
An implement for digging and grubbing. The head has two long
steel blades, one like an adz and the other like a narrow ax
or the point of a pickax.
'T is you must dig with mattock and with spade. --Shak.
Mattowacca \Mat`to*wac"ca\, n. [Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An American clupeoid fish ({Clupea mediocris}), similar to
the shad in habits and appearance, but smaller and less
esteemed for food; -- called also {hickory shad}, {tailor
shad}, {fall herring}, and {shad herring}.
Mattress \Mat"tress\, n. [OF. materas, F. matelas, LL.
matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from
Ar. ma[.t]rah a place where anything is thrown, what is
thrown under something, fr. [.t]araha to throw.]
1. A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other
suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened.
[Written also {matress}.]
2. (Hydraulic Engin.) A mass of interwoven brush, poles,
etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents
or waves.
Maturant \Mat"u*rant\, n. [L. maturans, p. pr. See {Maturate}.]
(Med.)
A medicine, or application, which promotes suppuration.
Maturate \Mat"u*rate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maturated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Maturating}.] [L. maturatus, p. p. of maturare to
make ripe, fr. maturus ripe, mature. See {Mature}, v. & a.]
1. To bring to ripeness or maturity; to ripen.
A tree may be maturated artificially. --Fuller.
2. To promote the perfect suppuration of (an abscess).
Maturate \Mat"u*rate\, v. i.
To ripen; to become mature; specif?cally, to suppurate.
Maturation \Mat`u*ra"tion\, n. [L. maturatio a hastening: cf. F.
maturation.]
The process of bringing, or of coming, to maturity; hence,
specifically, the process of suppurating perfectly; the
formation of pus or matter.
Maturative \Mat"u*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. maturatif.]
Conducing to ripeness or maturity; hence, conducing to
suppuration.
Maturative \Mat"u*ra*tive\, n. (Med.)
A remedy promoting maturation; a maturant.
Mature \Ma*ture"\, a. [Compar. {Maturer}; superl. {Maturest}.]
[L. maturus; prob. akin to E. matin.]
1. Brought by natural process to completeness of growth and
development; fitted by growth and development for any
function, action, or state, appropriate to its kind;
full-grown; ripe.
Now is love mature in ear. --Tennison.
How shall I meet, or how accost, the sage, Unskilled
in speech, nor yet mature of age ? --Pope.
2. Completely worked out; fully digested or prepared; ready
for action; made ready for destined application or use;
perfected; as, a mature plan.
This lies glowing, . . . and is almost mature for
the violent breaking out. --Shak.
3. Of or pertaining to a condition of full development; as, a
man of mature years.
4. Come to, or in a state of, completed suppuration.
Syn: Ripe; perfect; completed; prepared; digested; ready.
Usage: {Mature}, {Ripe}. Both words describe fullness of
growth. Mature brings to view the progressiveness of
the process; ripe indicates the result. We speak of a
thing as mature when thinking of the successive stayes
through which it has passed; as ripe, when our
attention is directed merely to its state. A mature
judgment; mature consideration; ripe fruit; a ripe
scholar.
Mature \Ma*ture"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Matured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Maturing}.] [See {Maturate}, {Mature}.]
To bring or hasten to maturity; to promote ripeness in; to
ripen; to complete; as, to mature one's plans. --Bacon.
Mature \Ma*ture"\, v. i.
1. To advance toward maturity; to become ripe; as, wine
matures by age; the judgment matures by age and
experience.
2. Hence, to become due, as a note.
Maturely \Ma*ture"ly\, adv.
1. In a mature manner; with ripeness; completely.
2. With caution; deliberately. --Dryden.
3. Early; soon. [A Latinism, little used] --Bentley.
Matureness \Ma*ture"ness\, n.
The state or quality of being mature; maturity.
Maturer \Ma*tur"er\, n.
One who brings to maturity.
Maturescent \Mat`u*res"cent\, a. [L. maturescens, p. pr. of
maturescere to become ripe, v. incho. from maturus. See
{Mature}, a.]
Approaching maturity.
Maturing \Ma*tur"ing\, a.
Approaching maturity; as, maturing fruits; maturing notes of
hand.
Maturity \Ma*tu"ri*ty\, n. [L. maturitas: cf. F. maturit['e].]
1. The state or quality of being mature; ripeness; full
development; as, the maturity of corn or of grass;
maturity of judgment; the maturity of a plan.
2. Arrival of the time fixed for payment; a becoming due;
termination of the period a note, etc., has to run.
Matutinal \Mat`u*ti"nal\, a. [L. matutinalis, matutinus: cf. F.
matutinal. See {Matin}.]
Of or pertaining to the morning; early.
Matutinary \Ma*tu"ti*na*ry\, a.
Matutinal. [R.]
Matutine \Mat"u*tine\, a.
Matutinal. [R.]
Matweed \Mat"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A name of several maritime grasses, as the sea sand-reed
({Ammophila arundinacea}) which is used in Holland to bind
the sand of the seacoast dikes (see {Beach grass}, under
{Beach}); also, the {Lygeum Spartum}, a Mediterranean grass
of similar habit.
Maty \Mat"y\, n. [Etymology uncertain.]
A native house servant in India. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Matzoth \Matz"oth\, n. [Heb. matsts[=o]th, pl. of matsts[=a]h
unleavened.]
A cake of unleavened bread eaten by the Jews at the feast of
the Passover.
Maucaco \Mau*ca"co\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A lemur; -- applied to several species, as the White-fronted,
the ruffed, and the ring-tailed lemurs.
Maud \Maud\, n.
A gray plaid; -- used by shepherds in Scotland.
Maudle \Mau"dle\, v. t.
To throw onto confusion or disorder; to render maudlin.
[Obs.]
Maudlin \Maud"lin\, a. [From Maudlin, a contr. of Magdalen, OE.
Maudeleyne, who is drawn by painters with eyes swelled and
red with weeping.]
1. Tearful; easily moved to tears; exciting to tears;
excessively sentimental; weak and silly. ``Maudlin eyes.''
--Dryden. ``Maudlin eloquence.'' --Roscommon. ``A maudlin
poetess.'' --Pope. ``Maudlin crowd.'' --Southey.
2. Drunk, or somewhat drunk; fuddled; given to drunkenness.
Maudlin Clarence in his malmsey butt. --Byron.
Maudlin \Maud"lin\, Maudeline \Maude"line\, n. (Bot.)
An aromatic composite herb, the costmary; also, the South
European Achillea Ageratum, a kind of yarrow.
Muadlinism \Muad"lin*ism\, n.
A maudlin state. --Dickens.
Maudlinwort \Maud"lin*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The oxeye daisy.
Mauger \Mau"ger\, Maugre \Mau"gre\, prep. [OF. maugr['e],
malgr['e], F. malgr['e]. See {Mal-}, {Malice}, and {Agree}.]
In spite of; in opposition to; notwithstanding.
A man must needs love maugre his heed. --Chaucer.
This mauger all the world will I keep safe. --Shak.
Maugre \Mau"gre\, v. t.
To defy. [Obs.] --J. Webster.
Maukin \Mau"kin\, n.
1. See {Malkin}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A hare. [Scot.]
Maul \Maul\, n. [See {Mall} a hammer.]
A heavy wooden hammer or beetle. [Written also {mall}.]
Maul \Maul\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mauled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mauling}.]
1. To beat and bruise with a heavy stick or cudgel; to wound
in a coarse manner.
Meek modern faith to murder, hack, and maul. --Pope.
2. To injure greatly; to do much harm to.
It mauls not only the person misrepreseted, but him
also to whom he is misrepresented. --South.
Maule \Maule\, n. (Bot.)
The common mallow.
Mauling \Maul"ing\, n.
A severe beating with a stick, cudgel, or the fist.
Maul-stick \Maul"-stick`\, n. [G. malerstock; maler a painter +
stock stick.]
A stick used by painters as a rest for the hand while
working. [Written also {mahl-stick}.]
Maumet \Mau"met\, n.
See {Mawmet}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Maunch \Maunch\, v. t.
To munch. [Obs.]
Maunch \Maunch\, n.
See {Manche}.
Maund \Maund\, n. [AS. mand, mond.]
A hand basket. [Obs.] --Herrick.
Maund \Maund\, n. [Hind, & Per. man.]
An East Indian weight, varying in different localities from
25 to about 82 pounds avoirdupois.
Maund \Maund\, Maunder \Maund"er\, v. i. [Cf. F. mendier to beg,
E. mendicant.]
1. To beg. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. Beau. & Fl.
2. To mutter; to mumble; to grumble; to speak indistinctly or
disconnectedly; to talk incoherently.
He was ever maundering by the how that he met a
party of scarlet devils. --Sir W.
Scott.
Maunder \Maund"er\, v. t.
To utter in a grumbling manner; to mutter.
Maunder \Maund"er\, n.
A beggar. [Obs.]
Maunderer \Maund"er*er\, n.
One who maunders.
Maundril \Maun"dril\, n. [Cf. {Mandrel}.] (Coa? Mining)
A pick with two prongs, to pry with.
Maundy Thursday \Maun"dy Thurs"day\ [OE. maunde a command, OF.
mand['e], L. mandatum, from mandare to command. See called
from the ancient custom of washing the feet of the poor on
this day, which was taken to be the fulfillment of the ``new
commandment,'' --John xiii. 5, 34.] (Eccl.)
The Thursday in Passion week, or next before Good Friday.
Maungy \Maun"gy\, a.
Mangy. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Mauresque \Mau*resque"\, a. & n.
See {Moresque}.
Maurist \Maur"ist\, n. [From Maurus, the favorite disciple of
St. Benedict.]
A member of the Congregation of Saint Maur, an offshoot of
the Benedictines, originating in France in the early part of
the seventeenth century. The Maurists have been distinguished
for their interest in literature.
Mausolean \Mau`so*le"an\, a. [L. Mausoleus. See {Mausoleum}.]
Pertaining to a mausoleum; monumental.
Mausoleum \Mau`so*le"um\, n.; pl. E. {Mausoleums}, L. {-lea}.
[L. mausoleum, Gr. ?, fr. ? Mausolus, king of Caria, to whom
Artemisia, his widow, erected a stately monument.]
A magnificent tomb, or stately sepulchral monument.
Mauther \Mau"ther\, n. [Cf. AS. m[ae]g? a maid.] [Also spelled
{mawther}, {mother}.]
A girl; esp., a great, awkward girl; a wench. [Prov. Eng.]
Mauvaniline \Mauv`an"i*line\, n. (Chem.)
See {Mauve aniline}, under {Mauve}.
Mauve \Mauve\, n. [F., mallow, L. malva. So named from the
similarity of the color to that of the petals of common
mallow, Malva sylvestris. See {Mallow}.]
A color of a delicate purple, violet, or lilac.
{Mauve aniline} (Chem.), a dyestuff produced artificially by
the oxidation of commercial aniline, and the first
discovered of the so-called coal-tar, or aniline, dyes. It
consists of the sulphate of mauve["i]ne, and is a dark
brown or bronze amorphous powder, which dissolves to a
beatiful purple color. Called also {aniline purple},
{violine}, etc.
Mauveine \Mauve"["i]ne\, n. (Chem.)
An artificial organic base, obtained by oxidizing a mixture
of aniline and toluidine, and valuable for the dyestuffs it
forms. [Written also {mauvine}.]
Mauvine \Mauv"ine\, a.
Mauve-colored.
Maverick \Mav"er*ick\, n.
In the southwestern part of the united States, a bullock or
heifer that has not been branded, and is unclaimed or wild;
-- said to be from Maverick, the name of a cattle owner in
Texas who neglected to brand his cattle.
Mavis \Ma"vis\ (m[=a]"v[i^]s), n. [F. mauvis, Arm. milvid,
milfid, milc'hhouid, Corn. melhuez.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European throstle or song thrush ({Turdus musicus}).
Maw \Maw\ (m[add]), n. [See {Mew} a gull.] (Zo["o]l.)
A gull.
Maw \Maw\, n. [OE. mawe, AS. maga stomach; akin to D. maag, OHG.
mago, G. magen, Icel. magi, Sw. mage, Dan. mave. [root]103.]
1. A stomach; the receptacle into which food is taken by
swallowing; in birds, the craw; -- now used only of the
lower animals, exept humorously or in contempt. --Chaucer.
Bellies and maws of living creatures. --Bacon.
2. Appetite; inclination. [Obs.]
Unless you had more maw to do me good. --Beau. & Fl.
{Fish maw}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Fish}.
Maw \Maw\, n.
An old game at cards. --Sir A. Weldon.
Mawk \Mawk\, n. [OE. mauk, ma?ek, Icel. ma?kr; akin to Dan.
maddik, and E. mad an earthworm. See {Mad}, n.]
1. A maggot. [Scot.]
2. A slattern; a mawks. [Prov. Eng.]
Mawkin \Maw"kin\, n.
See {Malkin}, and {Maukin}.
Mawkingly \Mawk"ing*ly\, adv.
Slatternly. [Obs.]
Mawkish \Mawk"ish\, a. [Orig., maggoty. See {Mawk}.]
1. Apt to cause satiety or loathing; nauseous; disgusting.
So sweetly mawkish', and so smoothly dull. --Pope.
2. Easily disgusted; squeamish; sentimentally fastidious.
--J. H. Newman.
Mawkishly \Mawk"ish*ly\, adv.
In a mawkish way.
Mawkishness \Mawk"ish*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mawkish. --J. H. Newman.
Mawks \Mawks\, n.
A slattern; a mawk. [Prov. Eng.]
Mawky \Mawk"y\, a.
Maggoty. [Prov. Eng.]
Mawmet \Maw"met\, n. [Contr. fr. Mahomet.]
A puppet; a doll; originally, an idol, because in the Middle
Ages it was generally believed that the Mohammedans worshiped
images representing Mohammed. [Obs.] --Wyclif. Beau. & Fl.
Mawmetry \Maw"met*ry\, n.
The religion of Mohammed; also, idolatry. See {Mawmet}.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mawmish \Maw"mish\, a. [Prov. E. maum soft, mellow, rotten; cf.
OD. molm rotten wood, G. mulm.]
Nauseous. [Obs.] --L' Estrange.
Mawseed \Maw"seed`\, n. [Cf. G. magsamen.] (Bot.)
The seed of the opium poppy.
Mawworm \Maw"worm`\, n. [Maw the belly + worm.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any intestinal worm found in the stomach, esp. the common
round worm ({Ascaris lumbricoides}), and allied species.
(b) One of the larv[ae] of botflies of horses; a bot.
Maxilla \Max*il"la\, n.; pl. {Maxill[ae]}. [L., dim. of mala
jaw, jawbone.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) The bone of either the upper or the under jaw.
(b) The bone, or principal bone, of the upper jaw, the
bone of the lower jaw being the mandible. [Now
commonly used in this restricted sense.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the lower or outer jaws of arthropods.
Note: There are usually two pairs in Crustacea and one pair
in insects. In certain insects they are not used as
jaws, but may form suctorial organs. See Illust. under
{Lepidoptera}, and {Diptera}.
Maxillar \Max"il*lar\, Maxillary \Max"il*la*ry\, a. [L.
maxillaris, fr. maxilla jawbone, jaw: cf. F. maxillaire.]
1. (Anat.) Pertaining to either the upper or the lower jaw,
but now usually applied to the upper jaw only. -- n. The
principal maxillary bone; the maxilla.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to a maxilla.
Maxilliform \Max*il"li*form\, a. [Maxilla + -form: cf. F.
maxilliforme.]
Having the form, or structure, of a maxilla.
Maxilliped \Max*il"li*ped\, n. [Maxilla + L. pes, pedis, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the mouth appendages of Crustacea, situated next
behind the maxill[ae]. Crabs have three pairs, but many of
the lower Crustacea have but one pair of them. Called also
{jawfoot}, and {foot jaw}.
Maxillo-mandibular \Max*il`lo-man*dib"u*lar\, a. [Maxilla +
mandibular.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the maxilla and mandible; as, the
maxillo-mandibular nerve.
Maxillo-palatine \Max*il`lo-pal"a*tine\, a. [Maxilla +
palatine.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the maxillary and palatine regions of the
skull; as, the maxillo-palatine process of the maxilla. Also
used as n.
Maxilloturbinal \Max*il`lo*tur`bi*nal\, a. [Maxilla + turbinal.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to the maxillary and turbinal regions of the
skull. -- n. The maxillo-turbinal, or inferior turbinate,
bone.
Maxim \Max"im\, n. [F. maxime, L. maxima (sc. sententia), the
greatest sentence, proposition, or axiom, i. e., of the
greatest weight or authority, fem. fr. maximus greatest,
superl. of magnus great. See {Magnitude}, and cf. {Maximum}.]
1. An established principle or proposition; a condensed
proposition of important practical truth; an axiom of
practical wisdom; an adage; a proverb; an aphorism.
'T is their maxim, Love is love's reward. --Dryden.
2. (Mus.) The longest note formerly used, equal to two longs,
or four breves; a large.
Syn: Axiom; aphorism; apothegm; adage; proverb; saying. See
{Axiom}.
Maximilian \Max`i*mil"ian\, n. [From the proper name.]
A gold coin of Bavaria, of the value of about 13s. 6d.
sterling, or about three dollars and a quarter.
Maximization \Max`i*mi*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of increasing to the highest degree.
--Bentham.
Maximize \Max"i*mize\, v. t. [L. maximus greatest.]
To increase to the highest degree. --Bentham.
Maximum \Max"i*mum\, n.; pl. {Maxima}. [L., neut. from maximus
the greatest. See {Maxim}.]
The greatest quantity or value attainable in a given case;
or, the greatest value attained by a quantity which first
increases and then begins to decrease; the highest point or
degree; -- opposed to {minimum}.
Good legislation is the art of conducting a nation to
the maximum of happiness, and the minimum of misery.
--P.
Colquhoun.
{Maximum thermometer}, a thermometer that registers the
highest degree of temperature attained in a given time, or
since its last adjustment.
Maximum \Max"i*mum\, a.
Greatest in quantity or highest in degree attainable or
attained; as, a maximum consumption of fuel; maximum
pressure; maximum heat.
May \May\, v. [imp. {Might}] [AS. pres. m[ae]g I am able, pret.
meahte, mihte; akin to D. mogen, G. m["o]gen, OHG. mugan,
magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ. moche. ?. Cf. {Dismay},
{Main} strength, {Might}. The old imp. mought is obsolete,
except as a provincial word.]
An auxiliary verb qualifyng the meaning of another verb, by
expressing:
(a) Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener
expressed by can.
How may a man, said he, with idle speech, Be won to
spoil the castle of his health ! --Spenser.
For what he [the king] may do is of two kinds; what
he may do as just, and what he may do as possible.
--Bacon.
For of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest
are these: ``It might have been.'' --Whittier.
(b) Liberty; permission; allowance.
Thou mayst be no longer steward. --Luke xvi. 2.
(c) Contingency or liability; possibility or probability.
Though what he learns he speaks, and may advance
Some general maxims, or be right by chance. --Pope.
(d) Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a
question or remark.
How old may Phillis be, you ask. --Prior.
(e) Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction,
and the like. ``May you live happily.'' --Dryden.
{May be}, & {It may be}, are used as equivalent to possibly,
perhaps, by chance, peradventure. See 1st {Maybe}.
May \May\, n. [Cf. Icel. m[ae]r, Goth. mawi; akin to E. maiden.
?.]
A maiden. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
May \May\, n. [F. Mai, L. Maius; so named in honor of the
goddess Maia (Gr. ?), daughter of Atlas and mother of Mercury
by Jupiter.]
1. The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
--Chaucer.
2. The early part or springtime of life.
His May of youth, and bloom of lustihood. --Shak.
3. (Bot.) The flowers of the hawthorn; -- so called from
their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn.
The palm and may make country houses gay. --Nash.
Plumes that micked the may. --Tennyson.
4. The merrymaking of May Day. --Tennyson.
{Italian may} (Bot.), a shrubby species of {Spir[ae]a} ({S.
hypericifolia}) with many clusters of small white flowers
along the slender branches.
{May apple} (Bot.), the fruit of an American plant
({Podophyllum peltatum}). Also, the plant itself
(popularly called {mandrake}), which has two lobed leaves,
and bears a single egg-shaped fruit at the forking. The
root and leaves, used in medicine, are powerfully drastic.
{May beetle}, {May bug} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous
species of large lamellicorn beetles that appear in the
winged state in May. They belong to {Melolontha}, and
allied genera. Called also {June beetle}.
{May Day}, the first day of May; -- celebrated in the rustic
parts of England by the crowning of a May queen with a
garland, and by dancing about a May pole.
{May dew}, the morning dew of the first day of May, to which
magical properties were attributed.
{May flower} (Bot.), a plant that flowers in May; also, its
blossom. See {Mayflower}, in the vocabulary.
{May fly} (Zo["o]l.), any species of {Ephemera}, and allied
genera; -- so called because the mature flies of many
species appear in May. See {Ephemeral fly}, under
{Ephemeral}.
{May game}, any May-day sport.
{May lady}, the queen or lady of May, in old May games.
{May lily} (Bot.), the lily of the valley ({Convallaria
majalis}).
{May pole}. See {Maypole} in the Vocabulary.
{May queen}, a girl or young woman crowned queen in the
sports of May Day.
{May thorn}, the hawthorn.
Maya \Ma"ya\ (m[aum]"y[aum]), n. (Hindoo Philos.)
The name for the doctrine of the unreality of matter, called,
in English, idealism; hence, nothingness; vanity; illusion.
Maybe \May"be\, adv. [For it may be.]
Perhaps; possibly; peradventure.
Maybe the amorous count solicits her. --Shak.
In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way.
--Tylor.
Maybe \May"be\, a.
Possible; probable, but not sure. [R.]
Then add those maybe years thou hast to live. --Driden.
Maybe \May"be\, n.
Possibility; uncertainty. [R.]
What they offer is mere maybe and shift. --Creech.
Maybird \May"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The whimbrel; -- called also {May fowl}, {May curlew},
and {May whaap}.
(b) The knot. [Southern U. S.]
(c) The bobolink.
Maybloom \May"bloom`\, n. (Bot.)
The hawthorn.
Maybush \May"bush`\, n. (Bot.)
The hawthorn.
Mayduke \May"duke`\, n. [Corrupt. of M['e]doc, a province in
France, where it is supposed to have originated.]
A large dark-red cherry of excellent quality.
Mayfish \May"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A common American minnow ({Fundulus majalis}). See {Minnow}.
Mayflower \May"flow`er\, n. (Bot.)
In England, the hawthorn; in New England, the trailing
arbutus (see {Arbutus}); also, the blossom of these plants.
Mayhap \May"hap\, adv.
Perhaps; peradventure. [Prov. or Dialectic]
Mayhem \May"hem\, n. [The same as maim. See {Maim}.] (Law)
The maiming of a person by depriving him of the use of any of
his members which are necessary for defense or protection.
See {Maim}.
Maying \May"ing\, n.
The celebrating of May Day. ``He met her once a-Maying.''
--Milton.
Mayonnaise \Ma`yon`naise"\, n. [F.]
A sauce compounded of raw yolks of eggs beaten up with olive
oil to the consistency of a sirup, and seasoned with vinegar,
pepper, salt, etc.; -- used in dressing salads, fish, etc.
Also, a dish dressed with this sauce.
Mayor \May"or\, n. [OE. maire, F. maire, fr. L. major greater,
higher, nobler, compar. of magnus great; cf. Sp. mayor. See
{Major}, and cf. {Merino}.]
The chief magistrate of a city or borough; the chief officer
of a municipal corporation. In some American cities there is
a city court of which the major is chief judge.
Mayoral \May"or*al\, n. [Sp., fr. mayor greater, L. major.]
The conductir of a mule team; also, a head shepherd.
Mayoralty \May"or*al*ty\, n.
The office, or the term of office, of a mayor.
Mayoress \May"or*ess\, n.
The wife of a mayor.
Mayorship \May"or*ship\, n.
The office of a mayor.
Maypole \May"pole`\, n.
A tall pole erected in an open place and wreathed with
flowers, about which the rustic May-day sports were had.
Maypop \May"pop\, n. [Perh. corrupt. fr. maracock.] (Bot.)
The edible fruit of a passion flower, especially that of the
North American {Passiflora incarnata}, an oval yellowish
berry as large as a small apple.
Mayweed \May"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A composite plant ({Anthemis Cotula}), having a strong
odor; dog's fennel. It is a native of Europe, now common
by the roadsides in the United States.
(b) The feverfew.
Mazama \Ma*za"ma\, Mazame \Ma*za"me\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A goatlike antelope ({Haplocerus montanus}) which inhabits
the Rocky Mountains, frequenting the highest parts; -- called
also {mountain goat}.
Mazard \Maz"ard\, n. [Cf. F. merise a wild cherry.] (Bot.)
A kind of small black cherry.
Mazard \Maz"ard\, n. [Prob. fr. mazer, the head being compared
to a large goblet.]
The jaw; the head or skull. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mazard \Maz"ard\, v. t.,
To knock on the head. [Obs.]
Mazarine \Maz`a*rine"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Cardinal Mazarin, prime minister of
France, 1643-1661.
{Mazarine Bible}, the first Bible, and perhaps the first
complete book, printed with movable metal types; --
printed by Gutenberg at Mentz, 1450-55; -- so called
because a copy was found in the Mazarine Library, at
Paris, about 1760.
{Mazarine blue}, a deep blue color, named in honor of
Cardinal Mazarin.
Mazarine \Maz`a*rine"\, n.
Mazarine blue.
Mazdean \Maz"de*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Ahura-Mazda, or Ormuzd, the beneficent
deity in the Zoroastrian dualistic system; hence,
Zoroastrian.
Mazdeism \Maz"de*ism\, n.
The Zoroastrian religion.
Maze \Maze\, n. [OE. mase; cf. OE. masen to confuse, puzzle,
Norweg. masast to fall into a slumber, masa to be continually
busy, prate, chatter, Icel. masa to chatter, dial. Sw. masa
to bask, be slow, work slowly and lazily, mas slow, lazy.]
1. A wild fancy; a confused notion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. Confusion of thought; perplexity; uncertainty; state of
bewilderment.
3. A confusing and baffling network, as of paths or passages;
an intricacy; a labyrinth. ``Quaint mazes on the wanton
green.'' --Shak.
Or down the tempting maze of Shawford brook.
--Wordaworth.
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled
with mazes, and perplexed with error. --Addison.
Syn: Labyrinth; intricacy. See {Labyrinth}.
Maze \Maze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mazed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mazing}.]
To perplex greatly; to bewilder; to astonish and confuse; to
amaze. --South.
Maze \Maze\, v. i.
To be bewildered. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mazedness \Maz"ed*ness\, n.
The condition of being mazed; confusion; astonishment. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Mazeful \Maze"ful\, a.
Mazy. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
Mazer \Maz"er\, n. [OE. maser, akin to OD. maser an excrescence
on a maple tree, OHG. masar, G. maser spot, Icel. m["o]surr
maple.]
A large drinking bowl; -- originally made of maple. [Obs.]
Their brimful mazers to the feasting bring. --Drayton.
Mazily \Ma"zi*ly\, adv.
In a mazy manner.
Maziness \Ma"zi*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being mazy.
Mazological \Maz`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to mazology.
Mazologist \Ma*zol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in mazology or mastology.
Mazology \Ma*zol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? the breast + -logy.]
Same as {Mastology}.
Mazourka \Ma*zour"ka\, Mazurka \Ma*zur"ka\, n.
A Polish dance, or the music which accompanies it, usually in
3-4 or 3-8 measure, with a strong accent on the second beat.
Mazy \Ma"zy\, a. [From {Maze}.]
Perplexed with turns and windings; winding; intricate;
confusing; perplexing; embarrassing; as, mazy error.
--Milton.
To range amid the mazy thicket. --Spenser.
To run the ring, and trace the mazy round. --Dryden.
Me \Me\, pron.
One. See {Men}, pron. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Me \Me\ (m[=e]), pers. pron. [AS. m[=e], dat. & acc., mec, acc.
only; akin to D. mij, G. mich, Icel. & Goth. mik, L. me, Gr.
me`, 'eme`, Skr. m[=a], m[=a]m. [root]187. Cf. 2d {Mine}.]
The person speaking, regarded as an object; myself; a pronoun
of the first person used as the objective and dative case of
the pronoum I; as, he struck me; he gave me the money, or he
gave the money to me; he got me a hat, or he got a hat for
me.
Note: In methinks, me is properly in the dative case, and the
verb is impersonal, the construction being, it appears
to me. In early use me was often placed before forms of
the verb to be with an adjective; as, me were lief.
Me rather had my heart might frrl your love Than
my unpleased eye see your courtesy. --Shak.
Meach \Meach\, v. i.
To skulk; to cower. See {Mich}.
Meacock \Mea"cock\, n. [Prob. fr. meek + cock.]
An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless man. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Mead \Mead\, n. [OE. mede, AS. meodo; akin to D. mede, G. met,
meth, OHG. metu, mitu, Icel. mj["o]?r, Dan. mi["o]d, Sw.
mj["o]d, Russ. med', Lith. midus, W. medd, Gr. ? wine, Skr.
madhu honey, a sweet drink, as adj., sweet. ?. Cf.
{Metheglin}.]
1. A fermented drink made of water and honey with malt,
yeast, etc.; metheglin; hydromel. --Chaucer.
2. A drink composed of sirup of sarsaparilla or other
flavoring extract, and water. It is sometimes charged with
carbonic acid gas. [U. S.]
Mead \Mead\, n. [AS. m[=ae]d. See {Meadow}.]
A meadow.
A mede All full of freshe flowers, white and reede.
--Chaucer.
To fertile vales and dewy meads My weary, wandering
steps he leads. --Addison.
Meadow \Mead"ow\, n. [AS. meady; akin to m[=ae]d, and to G.
matte; prob. also to E. mow. See {Mow} to cut (grass), and
cf. 2d {Mead}.]
1. A tract of low or level land producing grass which is mown
for hay; any field on which grass is grown for hay.
2. Low land covered with coarse grass or rank herbage near
rives and in marshy places by the sea; as, the salt
meadows near Newark Bay.
Meadow \Mead"ow\, a.
Of or pertaining to a meadow; of the nature of a meadow;
produced, growing, or living in, a meadow. ``Fat meadow
ground.'' --Milton.
Note: For many names of plants compounded with meadow, see
the particular word in the Vocabulary.
{Meadow beauty}. (Bot.) Same as {Deergrass}.
{Meadow foxtail} (Bot.), a valuable pasture grass
({Alopecurus pratensis}) resembling timothy, but with
softer spikes.
{Meadow grass} (Bot.), a name given to several grasses of the
genus {Poa}, common in meadows, and of great value for nay
and for pasture. See {Grass}.
{Meadow hay}, a coarse grass, or true sedge, growing in
uncultivated swamp or river meadow; -- used as fodder or
bedding for cattle, packing for ice, etc. [Local, U. S.]
{Meadow hen}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The American bittern. See {Stake-driver}.
(b) The American coot ({Fulica}).
(c) The clapper rail.
{Meadow lark} (Zo["o]l.), any species of {Sturnella}, a genus
of American birds allied to the starlings. The common
species ({S. magna}) has a yellow breast with a black
crescent.
{Meadow mouse} (Zo["o]l.), any mouse of the genus {Arvicola},
as the common American species {A. riparia}; -- called
also {field mouse}, and {field vole}.
{Meadow mussel} (Zo["o]l.), an American ribbed mussel
({Modiola plicatula}), very abundant in salt marshes.
{Meadow ore} (Min.), bog-iron ore, a kind of limonite.
{Meadow parsnip}. (Bot.) See under {Parsnip}.
{Meadow pink}. (Bot.) See under {Pink}.
{Meadow pipit} (Zo["o]l.), a small singing bird of the genus
{Anthus}, as {A. pratensis}, of Europe.
{Meadow rue} (Bot.), a delicate early plant, of the genus
{Thalictrum}, having compound leaves and numerous white
flowers. There are many species.
{Meadow saffron}. (Bot.) See under {Saffron}.
{Meadow sage}. (Bot.) See under {Sage}.
{Meadow saxifrage} (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant of Europe
({Silaus pratensis}), somewhat resembling fennel.
{Meadow snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the common or jack snipe.
Meadowsweet \Mead"ow*sweet`\, Meadowwort \Mead"ow*wort`\, n.
(Bot.)
The name of several plants of the genus {Spir[ae]a},
especially the white- or pink-flowered {S. salicifolia}, a
low European and American shrub, and the herbaceous {S.
Ulmaria}, which has fragrant white flowers in compound cymes.
Meadowy \Mead"ow*y\, a.
Of or pertaining to meadows; resembling, or consisting of,
meadow.
Meager \Mea"ger\, Meagre \Mea"gre\, a. [OE. merge, F. maigre, L.
macer; akin to D. & G. mager, Icel. magr, and prob. to Gr. ?
long. Cf. {Emaciate}, {Maigre}.]
1. Destitue of, or having little, flesh; lean.
Meager were his looks; Sharp misery had worn him to
the bones. --Shak.
2. Destitute of richness, fertility, strength, or the like;
defective in quantity, or poor in quality; poor; barren;
scanty in ideas; wanting strength of diction or affluence
of imagery. ``Meager soil.'' --Dryden.
Of secular habits and meager religious belief. --I.
Taylor.
His education had been but meager. --Motley.
3. (Min.) Dry and harsh to the touch, as chalk.
Syn: Thin; lean; lank; gaunt; starved; hungry; poor;
emaciated; scanty; barren.
Meager \Mea"ger\, Meagre \Mea"gre\, v. t.
To make lean. [Obs.]
Meagerly \Mea"ger*ly\, Meagrely \Mea"gre*ly\, adv.
Poorly; thinly.
Meagerness \Mea"ger*ness\, Meagreness \Mea"gre*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being meager; leanness; scantiness;
barrenness.
Meagre \Mea"gre\, n. [F. maigre.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large European sci[ae]noid fish ({Sci[ae]na umbra} or {S.
aquila}), having white bloodless flesh. It is valued as a
food fish. [Written also {maigre}.]
Meak \Meak\, n. [Cf. AS. m[=e]ce sword, OS. m[=a]ki, Icel.
m[ae]kir.]
A hook with a long handle. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Meaking \Meak"ing\, n. [See {Meak}.] (Naut.)
The process of picking out the oakum from the seams of a
vessel which is to be recalked.
{Meaking iron} (Naut.), the tool with which old oakum is
picked out of a vessel's seams.
Meal \Meal\ (m[=e]l), n. [OE. mele, AS. m[=ae]l part, portion,
portion of time; akin to E. meal a repast. Cf. {Piecemeal}.]
A part; a fragment; a portion. [Obs.]
Meal \Meal\, n. [OE. mel; akin to E. meal a part, and to D. maal
time, meal, G. mal time, mahl meal, Icel. m[=a]l measure,
time, meal, Goth. m[=e]l time, and to E. measure. See
{Measure}.]
The portion of food taken at a particular time for the
satisfaction of appetite; the quantity usually taken at one
time with the purpose of satisfying hunger; a repast; the act
or time of eating a meal; as, the traveler has not eaten a
good meal for a week; there was silence during the meal.
What strange fish Hath made his meal on thee ? --Shak.
Meal \Meal\, n. [OE. mele, AS. melu, melo; akin to D. meel, G.
mehl, OHG. melo, Icel. mj["o]l, SW. mj["o]l, Dan. meel, also
to D. malen to grind, G. mahlen, OHG., OS., & Goth. malan,
Icel. mala, W. malu, L. molere, Gr. my`lh mill, and E. mill.
[root]108. Cf. {Mill}, {Mold} soil, {Mole} an animal,
{Immolate}, {Molar}.]
1. Grain (esp. maize, rye, or oats) that is coarsely ground
and unbolted; also, a kind of flour made from beans,
pease, etc.; sometimes, any flour, esp. if coarse.
2. Any substance that is coarsely pulverized like meal, but
not granulated.
{Meal beetle} (Zo["o]l.), the adult of the meal worm. See
{Meal worm}, below.
{Meal moth} (Zo["o]l.), a lepidopterous insect ({Asopia
farinalis}), the larv[ae] of which feed upon meal, flour,
etc.
{Meal worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a beetle ({Tenebrio
molitor}) which infests granaries, bakehouses, etc., and
is very injurious to flour and meal.
Meal \Meal\, v. t.
1. To sprinkle with, or as with, meal. --Shak.
2. To pulverize; as, mealed powder.
Mealies \Meal"ies\, n. pl. [From {Mealy}.] (Bot.)
Maize or Indian corn; -- the common name in South Africa.
Mealiness \Meal"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mealy.
Meal-mouthed \Meal"-mouthed`\, a.
See {Mealy-mouthed}.
Mealtime \Meal"time`\, n.
The usual time of eating a meal.
Mealy \Meal"y\, a. [Compar. {Mealier}; superl. {Mealiest}.]
1. Having the qualities of meal; resembling meal; soft, dry,
and friable; easily reduced to a condition resembling
meal; as, a mealy potato.
2. Overspread with something that resembles meal; as, the
mealy wings of an insect. --Shak.
{Mealy bug} (Zo["o]l.), a scale insect ({Coccus adonidum},
and related species), covered with a white powderlike
substance. It is a common pest in hothouses.
Mealy-mouthed \Meal"y-mouthed`\, a.
Using soft words; plausible; affectedly or timidly delicate
of speech; unwilling to tell the truth in plain language.
``Mealy-mouthed philanthropies.'' --Tennyson.
She was a fool to be mealy-mouthed where nature speaks
so plain. --L'Estrange.
-- {Meal"y-mouth`ness}, n.
Mean \Mean\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Meant}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meaning}.] [OE. menen, AS. m[=ae]nan to recite, tell,
intend, wish; akin to OS. m[=e]nian to have in mind, mean, D.
meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan.
mene, and to E. mind. ?. See {Mind}, and cf. {Moan}.]
1. To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to
intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do
?
What mean ye by this service ? --Ex. xii. 26.
Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good. --Gen. 1. 20.
I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not
to mean it. --Longfellow.
2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote.
What mean these seven ewe lambs ? --Gen. xxi.
29.
Go ye, and learn what that me?neth. --Matt. ix.
13.
Mean \Mean\, v. i.
To have a purpose or intention. [Rare, except in the phrase
to mean well, or ill.] --Shak.
Mean \Mean\, a. [Compar. {Meaner}; superl. {Meanest}.] [OE.
mene, AS. m?ne wicked; akin to m[=a]n, a., wicked, n.,
wickedness, OS. m?n wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid
perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gem?ne
common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gam['a]ins, and
L. communis. The AS. gem?ne prob. influenced the meaning.]
1. Destitute of distinction or eminence; common; low; vulgar;
humble. ``Of mean parentage.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
The mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth
himself. --Is. ii. 9.
2. Wanting dignity of mind; low-minded; base; destitute of
honor; spiritless; as, a mean motive.
Can you imagine I so mean could prove, To save my
life by changing of my love ? --Dryden.
3. Of little value or account; worthy of little or no regard;
contemptible; despicable.
The Roman legions and great C[ae]sar found Our
fathers no mean foes. --J. Philips.
4. Of poor quality; as, mean fare.
5. Penurious; stingy; close-fisted; illiberal; as, mean
hospitality.
Note: Mean is sometimes used in the formation of compounds,
the sense of which is obvious without explanation; as,
meanborn, mean-looking, etc.
Syn: Base; ignoble; abject; beggarly; wretched; degraded;
degenerate; vulgar; vile; servile; menial; spiritless;
groveling; slavish; dishonorable; disgraceful; shameful;
despicable; contemptible; paltry; sordid. See {Base}.
Mean \Mean\, a. [OE. mene, OF. meiien, F. moyen, fr. L. medianus
that is in the middle, fr. medius; akin to E. mid. See
{Mid}.]
1. Occupying a middle position; middle; being about midway
between extremes.
Being of middle age and a mean stature. --Sir. P.
Sidney.
2. Intermediate in excellence of any kind.
According to the fittest style of lofty, mean, or
lowly. --Milton.
3. (Math.) Average; having an intermediate value between two
extremes, or between the several successive values of a
variable quantity during one cycle of variation; as, mean
distance; mean motion; mean solar day.
{Mean distance} (of a planet from the sun) (Astron.), the
average of the distances throughout one revolution of the
planet, equivalent to the semi-major axis of the orbit.
{Mean error} (Math. Phys.), the average error of a number of
observations found by taking the mean value of the
positive and negative errors without regard to sign.
{Mean-square error}, or {Error of the mean square} (Math.
Phys.), the error the square of which is the mean of the
squares of all the errors; -- called also, especially by
European writers, {mean error}.
{Mean line}. (Crystallog.) Same as {Bisectrix}.
{Mean noon}, noon as determined by mean time.
{Mean proportional} (between two numbers) (Math.), the square
root of their product.
{Mean sun}, a fictitious sun supposed to move uniformly in
the equator so as to be on the meridian each day at mean
noon.
{Mean time}, time as measured by an equable motion, as of a
perfect clock, or as reckoned on the supposition that all
the days of the year are of a mean or uniform length, in
contradistinction from apparent time, or that actually
indicated by the sun, and from sidereal time, or that
measured by the stars.
Mean \Mean\, n.
1. That which is mean, or intermediate, between two extremes
of place, time, or number; the middle point or place;
middle rate or degree; mediocrity; medium; absence of
extremes or excess; moderation; measure.
But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is
temperance; the virtue of adversity is fortitude.
--Bacon.
There is a mean in all things. --Dryden.
The extremes we have mentioned, between which the
wellinstracted Christian holds the mean, are
correlatives. --I. Taylor.
2. (Math.) A quantity having an intermediate value between
several others, from which it is derived, and of which it
expresses the resultant value; usually, unless otherwise
specified, it is the simple average, formed by adding the
quantities together and dividing by their number, which is
called an arithmetical mean. A geometrical mean is the
square root of the product of the quantities.
3. That through which, or by the help of which, an end is
attained; something tending to an object desired;
intermediate agency or measure; necessary condition or
coagent; instrument.
Their virtuous conversation was a mean to work the
conversion of the heathen to Christ. --Hooker.
You may be able, by this mean, to review your own
scientific acquirements. --Coleridge.
Philosophical doubt is not an end, but a mean. --Sir
W. Hamilton.
Note: In this sense the word is usually employed in the
plural form means, and often with a singular attribute
or predicate, as if a singular noun.
By this means he had them more at vantage.
--Bacon.
What other means is left unto us. --Shak.
4. pl. Hence: Resources; property, revenue, or the like,
considered as the condition of easy livelihood, or an
instrumentality at command for effecting any purpose;
disposable force or substance.
Your means are very slender, and your waste is
great. --Shak.
5. (Mus.) A part, whether alto or tenor, intermediate between
the soprano and base; a middle part. [Obs.]
The mean is drowned with your unruly base. --Shak.
6. Meantime; meanwhile. [Obs.] --Spenser.
7. A mediator; a go-between. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
He wooeth her by means and by brokage. --Chaucer.
{By all means}, certainly; without fail; as, go, by all
means.
{By any means}, in any way; possibly; at all.
If by any means I might attain to the resurrection
of the dead. --Phil. iii.
ll.
{By no means}, or {By no manner of means}, not at all;
certainly not; not in any degree.
The wine on this side of the lake is by no means so
good as that on the other. --Addison.
Meander \Me*an"der\, n. [L. Maeander, orig., a river in Phrygia,
proverbial for its many windings, Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]andre.]
1. A winding, crooked, or involved course; as, the meanders
of the veins and arteries. --Sir M. Hale.
While lingering rivers in meanders glide. --Sir R.
Blackmore.
2. A tortuous or intricate movement.
3. (Arch.) Fretwork. See {Fret}.
Meander \Me*an"der\, v. t.
To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. --Dryton.
Meander \Me*an"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Meandered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Meandering}.]
To wind or turn in a course or passage; to be intricate.
Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood
and dale the sacred river ran. --Coleridge.
Meandrian \Me*an"dri*an\, a. [L. Maeandrius: cf. F.
m['e]andrien.]
Winding; having many turns.
Meandrina \Me`an*dri"na\, n. [NL.: cf. F. m['e]andrine.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of corals with meandering grooves and ridges,
including the brain corals.
Meandrous \Me*an"drous\, Meandry \Me*an"dry\, a.
Winding; flexuous.
Meaning \Mean"ing\, n.
1. That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim;
object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.
If there be any good meaning towards you. --Shak.
2. That which is signified, whether by act lanquage;
signification; sence; import; as, the meaning of a hint.
3. Sense; power of thinking. [R.] -- {Mean"ing*less}, a. --
{Mean"ing*ly}, adv.
Meanly \Mean"ly\, adv. [{Mean} middle.]
Moderately. [Obs.]
A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly
affectioned to set forward learning in others.
--Ascham.
Meanly \Mean"ly\, adv. [From {Mean} low.]
In a mean manner; unworthily; basely; poorly; ungenerously.
While the heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the
rude manger lies. --Milton.
Would you meanly thus rely On power you know I must
obey ? --Prior.
We can not bear to have others think meanly of them
[our kindred]. --I. Watts.
Meanness \Mean"ness\, n.
1. The condition, or quality, of being mean; want of
excellence; poorness; lowness; baseness; sordidness;
stinginess.
This figure is of a later date, by the meanness of
the workmanship. --Addison.
2. A mean act; as, to be guilty of meanness. --Goldsmith.
Mean-spirited \Mean"-spir`it*ed\, a.
Of a mean spirit; base; groveling. --
{Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness}, n.
Meant \Meant\,
imp. & p. p. of {Mean}.
Meantime \Mean"time`\, Meanwhile \Mean"while`\, n.
The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time).
Meantime \Mean"time`\, Meanwhile \Mean"while`\, adv.
In the intervening time; during the interval.
Mear \Mear\, n.
A boundary. See {Mere}. [Obs.]
Mease \Mease\, n. [Cf. G. mass measure.]
Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings. [Prov. Eng.]
Measelry \Mea"sel*ry\, n. [OE. meselrie, OF. mesellerie. See lst
{Measle}.]
Leprosy. [Obs.] --R. of Brunne.
Measle \Mea"sle\, n. [OE. mesel, OF. mesel, LL. misellus, L.
misellus unfortunate, dim. of miser. See {Miser}.]
A leper. [Obs.] [Written also {meazel}, and {mesel}.]
--Wyclif (Matt. x. 8. ).
Measle \Mea"sle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A tapeworm larva. See 2d {Measles}, 4.
Measled \Mea"sled\, a. [See 2d {Measles}.]
Infected or spotted with measles, as pork. --
{Mea"sled*ness}, n.
Measles \Mea"sles\, n. [From lst {Measle}.]
Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]
Measles \Mea"sles\, n.; pl. in form, but used as singular in
senses 1, 2, & 3. [D. mazelen; akin to G. masern, pl., and E.
mazer, and orig. meaning, little spots. See {Mazer}.]
1. (Med.) A contagious febrile disorder commencing with
catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the
third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots,
which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised
above the surface, and after the fourth day of the
eruption gradually decline; rubeola.
Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of
fever. --Am. Cyc.
2. (Veter. Med.) A disease of cattle and swine in which the
flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of
the tapeworm.
3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]
4. pl. (Zo["o]l.) The larv[ae] of any tapeworm ({T[ae]nia})
in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called
also {bladder worms}.
Measly \Mea"sly\, a.
1. Infected with measles.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Containing larval tapeworms; -- said of pork
and beef.
Measurable \Meas"ur*a*ble\, a. [F. mesurable, L. mensurabilis.
See {Measure}, and cf. {Mensurable}.]
1. Capable of being measured; susceptible of mensuration or
computation.
2. Moderate; temperate; not excessive.
Of his diet measurable was he. --Chaucer.
-- {Meas"ur*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Meas"ur*a*bly}, adv.
Yet do it measurably, as it becometh Christians.
--Latimer.
Measure \Meas"ure\, n. [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr.
metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure,
Gr. ?, E. meter. Cf. {Immense}, {Mensuration}, {Mete} to
measure.]
1. A standard of dimension; a fixed unit of quantity or
extent; an extent or quantity in the fractions or
multiples of which anything is estimated and stated;
hence, a rule by which anything is adjusted or judged.
2. An instrument by means of which size or quantity is
measured, as a graduated line, rod, vessel, or the like.
False ells and measures be brought all clean adown.
--R. of
Gloucester.
3. The dimensions or capacity of anything, reckoned according
to some standard; size or extent, determined and stated;
estimated extent; as, to take one's measure for a coat.
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and
broader than the sea. --Job xi. 9.
4. The contents of a vessel by which quantity is measured; a
quantity determined by a standard; a stated or limited
quantity or amount.
It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in
three measures of meal. --Luke xiii.
21.
5. Extent or degree not excessive or beyong bounds;
moderation; due restraint; esp. in the phrases, in
measure; with measure; without or beyond measure.
Hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth
without measure. --Is. v. 14.
6. Determined extent, not to be exceeded; limit; allotted
share, as of action, influence, ability, or the like; due
proportion.
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of
my days. --Ps. xxxix.
4.
7. The quantity determined by measuring, especially in buying
and selling; as, to give good or full measure.
8. Undefined quantity; extent; degree.
There is a great measure of discretion to be used in
the performance of confession. --Jer. Taylor.
9. Regulated division of movement:
(a) (Dancing) A regulated movement corresponding to the
time in which the accompanying music is performed;
but, especially, a slow and stately dance, like the
minuet.
(b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by
the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2) The
space between two bars. See {Beat}, {Triple},
{Quadruple}, {Sextuple}, {Compound time}, under
{Compound}, a., and {Figure}.
(c) (Poetry) The manner of ordering and combining the
quantities, or long and short syllables; meter;
rhythm; hence, a foot; as, a poem in iambic measure.
10. (Arith.) A number which is contained in a given number a
number of times without a remainder; as in the phrases,
the common measure, the greatest common measure, etc., of
two or more numbers.
11. A step or definite part of a progressive course or
policy; a means to an end; an act designed for the
accomplishment of an object; as, political measures;
prudent measures; an inefficient measure.
His majesty found what wrong measures he had taken
in the conferring that trust, and lamented his
error. --Clarendon.
12. The act of measuring; measurement. --Shak.
13. pl. (Geol.) Beds or strata; as, coal measures; lead
measures.
{Lineal}, or {Long}, {measure}, measure of length; the
measure of lines or distances.
{Liquid measure}, the measure of liquids.
{Square measure}, the measure of superficial area of surfaces
in square units, as inches, feet, miles, etc.
{To have hard measure}, to have harsh treatment meted out to
one; to be harshly or oppressively dealt with.
{To take measures}, to make preparations; to provide means.
{To take one's measure}, to measure one, as for a garment;
hence, to form an opinion of one's disposition, character,
ability, etc.
{To tread a measure}, to dance in the style so called. See 9
(a) .
Say to her, we have measured many miles To
tread a measure with her on this grass. --Shak.
Measure \Meas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Measured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Measuring}.] [F. mesurer, L. mensurare. See {Measure},
n.]
1. To ascertain by use of a measuring instrument; to compute
or ascertain the extent, quantity, dimensions, or capacity
of, by a certain rule or standard; to take the dimensions
of; hence, to estimate; to judge of; to value; to
appraise.
Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite Thy power!
what thought can measure thee? --Milton.
2. To serve as the measure of; as, the thermometer measures
changes of temperature.
3. To pass throught or over in journeying, as if laying off
and determining the distance.
A true devoted pilgrim is not weary To measure
kingdoms with his feeble steps. --Shak.
4. To adjust by a rule or standard.
To secure a contented spirit, measure your desires
by your fortunes, not your fortunes by your desires.
--Jer. Taylor.
5. To allot or distribute by measure; to set off or apart by
measure; -- often with out or off.
With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again. --Matt. vii.
2.
That portion of eternity which is called time,
measured out by the sun. --Addison.
{To measure swords with one}, to try another's skill in the
use of the sword; hence, figuratively, to match one's
abilities against an antagonist's.
Measure \Meas"ure\, v. i.
1. To make a measurement or measurements.
2. To result, or turn out, on measuring; as, the grain
measures well; the pieces measure unequally.
3. To be of a certain size or quantity, or to have a certain
length, breadth, or thickness, or a certain capacity
according to a standard measure; as, cloth measures three
fourths of a yard; a tree measures three feet in diameter.
Measured \Meas"ured\, a.
Regulated or determined by a standard; hence, equal; uniform;
graduated; limited; moderated; as, he walked with measured
steps; he expressed himself in no measured terms. --
{Meas"ured*ly}, adv.
Measureless \Meas"ure*less\, a.
Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. --
{Meas"ure*less*ness}, n.
Syn: Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited;
vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable.
Measurement \Meas"ure*ment\, n.
1. The act or result of measuring; mensuration; as,
measurement is required.
2. The extent, size, capacity, amount. or quantity
ascertained by measuring; as, its measurement is five
acres.
Measurer \Meas"ur*er\, n.
One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure
commondities in market.
Measuring \Meas"ur*ing\, a.
Used in, or adapted for, ascertaining measurements, or
dividing by measure.
{Measuring faucet}, a faucet which permits only a given
quantity of liquid to pass each time it is opened, or one
by means of which the liquid which passes can be measured.
{Measuring worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of any geometrid moth.
See {Geometrid}.
Meat \Meat\, n. [OE. mete, AS. mete; akin to OS. mat, meti, D.
met hashed meat, G. mettwurst sausage, OHG. maz food, Icel.
matr, Sw. mat, Dan. mad, Goth. mats. Cf. {Mast} fruit,
{Mush}.]
1. Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either
by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as,
the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg. --Chaucer.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb
bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat.
--Gen. i. 29.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for
you. --Gen. ix. 3.
2. The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle;
as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.
3. Specifically, dinner; the chief meal. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Meat biscuit}. See under {Biscuit}.
{Meat earth} (Mining), vegetable mold. --Raymond.
{Meat fly}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Flesh fly}, under {Flesh}.
{Meat offering} (Script.), an offering of food, esp. of a
cake made of flour with salt and oil.
{To go to meat}, to go to a meal. [Obs.]
{To sit at meat}, to sit at the table in taking food.
Meat \Meat\, v. t.
To supply with food. [Obs.] --Tusser.
His shield well lined, his horses meated well.
--Chapman.
Meatal \Me*a"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a meatus; resembling a meatus. --Owen.
Meated \Meat"ed\, a.
1. Fed; fattened. [Obs.] --Tusser.
2. Having (such) meat; -- used chiefly in composition; as,
thick-meated.
Meath \Meath\, Meathe \Meathe\, n. [See {Mead}.]
A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Milton.
Meatiness \Meat"i*ness\, n.
Quality of being meaty.
Meatless \Meat"less\, a.
Having no meat; without food.
``Leave these beggars meatless.'' --Sir T. More.
Meatoscope \Me*at"o*scope\, n. [Meatus + -scope.] (Med.)
A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.
Meatotome \Me*at"o*tome\, n. [Meatus + Gr. ? to cut.] (Surg.)
An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge
its orifice.
Meatus \Me*a"tus\, n. sing. & pl.; E. pl. {Meatuses}. [L., a
going, passage, fr. meare to go.] (Anat.)
A natural passage or canal; as, the external auditory meatus.
See Illust. of {Ear}.
Meaty \Meat"y\, a.
Abounding in meat.
Meaw \Meaw\, n.
The sea mew. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Meaw \Meaw\, v. i.
See {Mew}, to cry as a cat.
Meawl \Meawl\, v. i.
See {Mewl}, and {Miaul}.
Meazel \Mea"zel\, n.
See 1st {Measle}. [Obs.]
Meazling \Meaz"ling\, a.
Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.]
--Arbuthnot.
Mebles \Me"bles\, n. pl.
See {Moebles}. [Obs.]
Mecate \Me*ca"te\, n. [Sp.]
A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc.
[Southwestern U. S.]
Meccawee \Mec`ca*wee"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Mecca.
Mechanic \Me*chan"ic\, n. [F. m['e]canique mechanics. See
{Mechanic}, a.]
1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force
to construction. [Obs.]
2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices
any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and
uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of
structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of
tools, or instruments.
An art quite lost with our mechanics. --Sir T.
Browne.
Mechanic \Me*chan"ic\, a. [F. m['e]canique, L. mechanicus, Gr.
?, fr. ? a machine. See {Machine}.]
1. Having to do with the application of the laws of motion in
the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining
to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. ``These
mechanic philosophers.'' --Ray.
Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and
hammers. --Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the
class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar.
To make a god, a hero, or a king Descend to a
mechanic dialect. --Roscommon.
Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool.
--Thomson.
3. Base. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.]
1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
quantitative relations of force and matter, as
distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as,
mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical
deposits.
2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
precision; mechanical products.
We have also divers mechanical arts. --Bacon.
3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
mechanical verses; mechanical service.
4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
empirical. See the 2d Note under {Geometric}.
{Mechanical effect}, effective power; useful work exerted, as
by a machine, in a definite time.
{Mechanical engineering}. See the Note under {Engineering}.
{Mechanical maneuvers} (Mil.), the application of mechanical
appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
artillery. --Farrow.
{Mechanical philosophy}, the principles of mechanics applied
to the inverstigation of physical phenomena.
{Mechanical powers}, certain simple instruments, such as the
lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
through a great space into a great force acting through a
small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
combination.
{Mechanical solution} (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, n.
A mechanic. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mechanicalize \Me*chan"ic*al*ize\, v. t.
To cause to become mechanical.
Mechanically \Me*chan"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a mechanical manner.
Mechanicalness \Me*chan"ic*al*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being mechanical.
Mechanician \Mech`a*ni"cian\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]canicien. See
{Mechanic}.]
One skilled in the theory or construction of machines; a
machinist. --Boyle.
Mechanico-chemical \Me*chan`i*co-chem"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both
mechanics and chemistry; -- said especially of those sciences
which treat of such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws
both of mechanics and chemistry, as electricity and
magnetism.
Mechanics \Me*chan"ics\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]canique.]
That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats
of the action of forces on bodies.
Note: That part of mechanics which considers the action of
forces in producing rest or equilibrium is called
{statics}; that which relates to such action in
producing motion is called {dynamics}. The term
mechanics includes the action of forces on all bodies,
whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. It is sometimes,
however, and formerly was often, used distinctively of
solid bodies only: The mechanics of liquid bodies is
called also {hydrostatics}, or {hydrodynamics},
according as the laws of rest or of motion are
considered. The mechanics of gaseous bodies is called
also {pneumatics}. The mechanics of fluids in motion,
with special reference to the methods of obtaining from
them useful results, constitutes {hydraulics}.
{Animal mechanics} (Physiol.), that portion of physiology
which has for its object the investigation of the laws of
equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most
important mechanical principle is that of the lever, the
bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile
muscles the power, the joints the fulcra or points of
support, while the weight of the body or of the individual
limbs constitutes the weight or resistance.
{Applied mechanics}, the principles of abstract mechanics
applied to human art; also, the practical application of
the laws of matter and motion to the construction of
machines and structures of all kinds.
Mechanism \Mech"an*ism\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]canisme, L. mechanisma.
See {Mechanic}.]
1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the
parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or
relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an
effect; as, the mechanism of a watch; the mechanism of a
sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.
2. Mechanical operation or action.
He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion;
so that all must be performed either by mechanism or
accident. --Bentley.
3. (Kinematics) An ideal machine; a combination of movable
bodies constituting a machine, but considered only with
regard to relative movements.
Mechanist \Mech"an*ist\, n.
1. A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.
2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as the effects of
forces merely mechanical.
Mechanize \Mech"an*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mechanized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mechanizing}.] [Cf. F. m['e]chaniser.]
To cause to be mechanical. --Shelley.
Mechanograph \Mech"an*o*graph\, n. [Gr. ? machino + -graph.]
One of a number of copies of anything multiplied
mechanically.
Mechanographic \Mech`an*o*graph`ic\, a.
1. Treating of mechanics. [R.]
2. Written, copied, or recorded by machinery; produced by
mechanography; as, a mechanographic record of changes of
temperature; mechanographic prints.
Mechanographist \Mech`an*og"ra*phist\, n.
An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of
works of art.
Mechanography \Mech`an*og"ra*phy\, n.
The art of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or
any work of art.
Mechanurgy \Mech"an*ur`gy\, n. [Gr. ? machine + the root of ?
work.]
That branch of science which treats of moving machines.
Mechitarist \Mech"i*tar*ist\, n. [From Mechitar, an Armenian.,
who founded the congregation in the early part of the
eighteenth century.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic Church
devoted to the improvement of Armenians.
Mechlin \Mech"lin\, n.
A kind of lace made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in
Belgium.
Mechoacan \Me*cho"a*can\, n.
A species of jalap, of very feeble properties, said to be
obtained from the root of a species of {Convolvulus} ({C.
Mechoacan}); -- so called from Michoacan, in Mexico, whence
it is obtained.
Meckelian \Meck*e"li*an\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to, or discovered by, J. F. Meckel, a German
anatomist.
{Meckelian cartilage}, the cartilaginous rod which forms the
axis of the mandible; -- called also {Meckel's cartilage}.
Meconate \Mec"o*nate\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]conate.] (Chem.)
A salt of meconic acid.
Meconic \Me*con"ic\, a. [Gr. ? belonging to the poppy, fr. ? the
poppy: cf. F. m['e]conique.]
Pertaining to, or obtained from, the poppy or opium; specif.
(Chem.), designating an acid related to aconitic acid, found
in opium and extracted as a white crystalline substance.
Meconidine \Me*con"i*dine\, n. (Chem)
An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a yellow
amorphous substance which is easily decomposed.
Meconidium \Mec`o*nid"i*um\, n. [NL., dim. of Gr. ? a poppy. So
called in allusion to the shape of the seed capsules of the
poppy.] (Zo["o]l.)
A kind of gonophore produced by hydroids of the genus
{Gonothyr[ae]a}. It has tentacles, and otherwise resembles a
free medusa, but remains attached by a pedicel.
Meconin \Mec"o*nin\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]conine.] (Chem.)
A substance regarded as an anhydride of meconinic acid,
existing in opium and extracted as a white crystalline
substance. Also erroneously called meconina, meconia, etc.,
as though it were an alkaloid.
Meconinic \Mec`o*nin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid which occurs in opium,
and which may be obtained by oxidizing narcotine.
Meconium \Me*co"ni*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? poppy.] (Med.)
(a) Opium. [Obs.]
(b) The contents of the fetal intestine; hence, first
excrement.
Medal \Med"al\, n. [F. m['e]daille, It. medaglia, fr. L.
metallum metal, through (assumed) LL. metalleus made of
metal. See {Metal}, and cf. {Mail} a piece of money.]
A piece of metal in the form of a coin, struck with a device,
and intended to preserve the remembrance of a notable event
or an illustrious person, or to serve as a reward.
Medal \Med"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Medaled}, or {Medalled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Medaling} or {Medalling}.]
To honor or reward with a medal. ``Medaled by the king.''
--Thackeray.
Medalet \Med"al*et\, n.
A small medal.
Medalist \Med"al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]dailliste, It.
medaglista.] [Written also {medallist}.]
1. A person that is skilled or curious in medals; a collector
of medals. --Addison.
2. A designer of medals. --Macaulay.
3. One who has gained a medal as the reward of merit.
Medallic \Me*dal"lic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a medal, or to medals. ``Our medallic
history.'' --Walpole.
Medallion \Me*dal"lion\, n. [F. m['e]daillion, It. medaglione,
augm. of medaglia. See {Medal}.]
1. A large medal or memorial coin.
2. A circular or oval (or, sometimes, square) tablet bearing
a figure or figures represented in relief.
Medalurgy \Med"al*ur`gy\, n. [Medal + the root of Gr. ? work.]
The art of making and striking medals and coins. [Written
also {medallurgy}.]
Meddle \Med"dle`\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Meddled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Meddling}.] [OE. medlen to mix, OF. medler, mesler, F.
m[^e]ler, LL. misculare, a dim. fr. L. miscere to mix. ? See
{Mix}, and cf. {Medley}, {Mellay}.]
1. To mix; to mingle. [Obs.]
More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts.
--Shak.
2. To interest or engage one's self; to have to do; -- ? a
good sense. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Study to be quiet, and to meddle with your own
business. --Tyndale.
3. To interest or engage one's self unnecessarily or
impertinently, to interfere or busy one's self improperly
with another's affairs; specifically, to handle or distrub
another's property without permission; -- often followed
by with or in.
Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt? --2 Kings xiv.
10.
The civil lawyers . . . have meddled in a matter
that belongs not to them. --Locke.
{To meddle and make}, to intrude one's self into another
person's concerns. [Archaic] --Shak.
Syn: To interpose; interfere; intermeddle.
Meddle \Med"dle\, v. t.
To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
``Wine meddled with gall.'' --Wyclif
(Matt. xxvii.
34).
Meddler \Med"dler\, n.
One who meddles; one who interferes or busies himself with
things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a
busybody.
Meddlesome \Med"dle*some\, a.
Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others;
officiously intrusive. -- {Med"dle*some*ness}, n.
Meddling \Med"dling\, a.
Meddlesome. --Macaulay.
Meddlingly \Med"dling*ly\, adv.
In a meddling manner.
Mede \Mede\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Media in Asia.
Mede \Mede\, n.
See lst & 2d {Mead}, and {Meed}. [Obs.]
Media \Me"di*a\, n.,
pl. of {Medium}.
Media \Me"di*a\, n.; pl. {Medi[ae]} (-[=e]). [NL., fr. L. medius
middle.] (Phonetics)
One of the sonant mutes [beta], [delta], [gamma] (b, d, g),
in Greek, or of their equivalents in other languages, so
named as intermediate between the tenues, [pi], [tau],
[kappa] (p, t, k), and the aspirat[ae] (aspirates) [phi],
[theta], [chi] (ph or f, th, ch). Also called {middle mute},
or {medial}, and sometimes {soft mute}.
Mediacy \Me"di*a*cy\, n.
The state or quality of being mediate. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Mediaeval \Me`di*[ae]"val\, a. [L. medius middle + aevum age.
See {Middle}, and {Age}.]
Of or relating to the Middle Ages; as, medi[ae]val
architecture. [Written also {medieval}.]
Mediaevalism \Me`di*[ae]"val*ism\, n.
The method or spirit of the Middle Ages; devotion to the
institutions and practices of the Middle Ages; a survival
from the Middle Ages. [Written also {medievalism}.]
Mediaevalist \Me`di*[ae]"val*ist\, n.
One who has a taste for, or is versed in, the history of the
Middle Ages; one in sympathy with the spirit or forms of the
Middle Ages. [Written also {medievalist}.]
Mediaevally \Me`di*[ae]"val*ly\, adv.
In the manner of the Middle Ages; in accordance with
medi[ae]valism.
Mediaevals \Me`di*[ae]"vals\, n. pl.
The people who lived in the Middle Ages. --Ruskin.
Medial \Me"di*al\, a. [L. medialis, fr. medius middle: cf. F.
m['e]dial. See {Middle}.]
Of or pertaining to a mean or average; mean; as, medial
alligation.
Medial \Me"di*al\, n. (Phonetics)
See 2d {Media}.
Medialuna \Me"di*a*lu"na\, n. [Sp. media luna half-moon.]
(Zo["o]l.)
See {Half-moon}.
Median \Me"di*an\, a. [L. medianus, fr. medius middle. See
{Medial}.]
1. Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a
median groove.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Situated in the middle; lying in a plane
dividing a bilateral animal into right and left halves; --
said of unpaired organs and parts; as, median coverts.
{Median line}.
(a) (Anat.) Any line in the mesial plane; specif., either
of the lines in which the mesial plane meets the
surface of the body.
(b) (Geom.) The line drawn from an angle of a triangle to
the middle of the opposite side; any line having the
nature of a diameter.
{Median plane} (Anat.), the mesial plane.
{Median point} (Geom.), the point where the three median
lines of a triangle mutually intersect.
Median \Me"di*an\, n. (Geom.)
A median line or point.
Mediant \Me"di*ant\, n. [L. medians, p. p. of mediare to halve:
cf. It. mediante, F. m['e]diante.] (Mus.)
The third above the keynote; -- so called because it divides
the interval between the tonic and dominant into two thirds.
Mediastinal \Me`di*as*ti"nal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a mediastinum.
Mediastine \Me`di*as"tine\, Mediastinum \Me`di*as*ti"num\, n.
[NL. mediastinum, fr. L. medius middle; cf. mediastinus
helper, a menial servant, LL. mediastinus equiv. to medius:
cf F. m['e]diastin.] (Anat.)
A partition; a septum; specifically, the folds of the pleura
(and the space included between them) which divide the thorax
into a right and left cavity. The space included between
these folds of the pleura, called the mediastinal space,
contains the heart and gives passage to the esophagus and
great blood vessels.
Mediate \Me"di*ate\, a. [L. mediatus, p. p. of mediare, v. t.,
to halve, v. i., to be in the middle. See {Mid}, and cf.
{Moiety}.]
1. Being between the two extremes; middle; interposed;
intervening; intermediate. --Prior.
2. Acting by means, or by an intervening cause or instrument;
not direct or immediate; acting or suffering through an
intervening agent or condition.
3. Gained or effected by a medium or condition. --Bacon.
An act of mediate knowledge is complex. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Mediate \Me"di*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mediated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mediating}.] [LL. mediatus, p. p. of mediare to
mediate. See {Mediate}, a.]
1. To be in the middle, or between two; to intervene. [R.]
2. To interpose between parties, as the equal friend of each,
esp. for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation or
agreement; as, to mediate between nations.
Mediate \Me"di*ate\, v. t.
1. To effect by mediation or interposition; to bring about as
a mediator, instrument, or means; as, to mediate a peace.
2. To divide into two equal parts. [R.] --Holder.
Mediately \Me"di*ate*ly\, adv.
In a mediate manner; by a secondary cause or agent; not
directly or primarily; by means; -- opposed to {immediately}.
God worketh all things amongst us mediately. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
The king grants a manor to A, and A grants a portion of
it to B. In this case. B holds his lands immediately of
A, but mediately of the king. --Blakstone.
Mediateness \Me"di*ate*ness\, n.
The state of being mediate.
Mediation \Me`di*a"tion\, n. [OE. mediacioun, F. m['e]diation.
See {Mediate}, a.]
1. The act of mediating; action or relation of anything
interposed; action as a necessary condition, means, or
instrument; interposition; intervention.
The soul [acts] by the mediation of these passions.
--South.
2. Hence, specifically, agency between parties at variance,
with a view to reconcile them; entreaty for another;
intercession. --Bacon.
Mediative \Me"di*a*tive\, a.
Pertaining to mediation; used in mediation; as, mediative
efforts. --Beaconsfield.
Mediatization \Me`di*at`i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
m['e]diatisation.]
The act of mediatizing.
Mediatize \Me"di*a*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mediatized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mediatizing}.] [Cf. F. m['e]diatiser.]
To cause to act through an agent or to hold a subordinate
position; to annex; -- specifically applied to the annexation
during the former German empire of a smaller German state to
a larger, while allowing it a nominal sovereignty, and its
prince his rank.
The misfortune of being a mediatized prince.
--Beaconsfield.
Mediator \Me"di*a`tor\, n. [L. mediator: cf. E. m['e]diateur.]
One who mediates; especially, one who interposes between
parties at variance for the purpose of reconciling them;
hence, an intercessor.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus. --1 Tim. ii.
5.
Mediatorial \Me`di*a*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a mediator, or to mediation; mediatory;
as, a mediatorial office. -- {Me`di*a*to"ri*al*ly}, adv.
My measures were . . . healing and mediatorial.
--Burke.
Mediatorship \Me"di*a`tor*ship\, n.
The office or character of a mediator.
Mediatory \Me"di*a*to*ry\, a.
Mediatorial.
Mediatress \Me`di*a"tress\, Mediatrix \Me`di*a*"trix\, n. [L.
mediatrix, f. of mediator: cf. F. m['e]diatrice.]
A female mediator.
Medic \Med"ic\, n. [L. medica, Gr. ? (sc. ?) a kind of clover
introduced from Media, from ? Median.] (Bot.)
A leguminous plant of the genus {Medicago}. The black medic
is the {Medicago lupulina}; the purple medic, or lucern, is
{M. sativa}.
Medic \Med"ic\, a. [L. medicus.]
Medical. [R.]
Medicable \Med"i*ca*ble\, a. [L. medicabilis, from medicare,
medicari, to heal, fr. medicus physician. See {Medical}.]
Capable of being medicated; admitting of being cured or
healed.
Medical \Med"ic*al\, a. [LL. medicalis, L. medicus belonging to
healing, fr. mederi to heal; cf. Zend madha medical science,
wisdom, gr. ? to learn, E. mind: cf. F. m['e]dical.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or having to do with, the art of
healing disease, or the science of medicine; as, the
medical profession; medical services; a medical
dictionary; medical jurisprudence.
2. Containing medicine; used in medicine; medicinal; as, the
medical properties of a plant.
Medically \Med"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a medical manner; with reference to healing, or to the
principles of the healing art.
Medicament \Med"i*ca*ment\, n. [L. medicamentum, fr. medicare,
medicari, to heal: cf. F. m['e]dicament. See {Medicable}.]
Anything used for healing diseases or wounds; a medicine; a
healing application.
Medicamental \Med`ica*men"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to medicaments or healing applications;
having the qualities of medicaments. -- {Med`ica*men"tal*ly},
adv.
Medicaster \Med"i*cas`ter\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]dicastre. See
{Medical}.]
A quack. [R.] --Whitlock.
Medicate \Med"i*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Medicated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Medicating}.] [L. medicatus, p. p. of medicare,
medicari. See {Medicable}.]
1. To tincture or impregnate with anything medicinal; to
drug. ``Medicated waters.'' --Arbuthnot.
2. To treat with medicine.
Medication \Med`i*ca"tion\, [L. medicatio: cf. F.
m['e]dication.]
The act or process of medicating.
Medicative \Med"i*ca*tive\, a.
Medicinal; acting like a medicine.
Medicean \Med`i*ce"an\, a.
Of or relating to the Medici, a noted Italian family; as, the
Medicean Venus.
{Medicean planets} (Astron.), a name given by Galileo to the
satellites of Jupiter.
Medicinable \Me*dic"i*na*ble\, a.
Medicinal; having the power of healing. [Obs.] --Shak.
Medicinal \Me*dic"i*nal\, a. [L. medicinalis: cf. F.
m['e]dicinal. See {Medicine}.]
1. Having curative or palliative properties; used for the
cure or alleviation of bodily disorders; as, medicinal
tinctures, plants, or springs.
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their
medicinal gum. --Shak.
2. Of or pertaining to medicine; medical.
Medicinally \Me*dic"i*nal*ly\, adv.
In a medicinal manner.
Medicine \Med"i*cine\, n. [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus
medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. m['e]decine. See {Medical}.]
1. The science which relates to the prevention, cure, or
alleviation of disease.
2. Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a
remedial agent; a remedy; physic.
By medicine, life may be prolonged. --Shak.
3. A philter or love potion. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. [F. m['e]decin.] A physician. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Medicine bag}, a charm; -- so called among the North
American Indians, or in works relating to them.
{Medicine man} (among the North American Indians), a person
who professes to cure sickness, drive away evil spirits,
and regulate the weather by the arts of magic.
{Medicine seal}, a small gem or paste engraved with reversed
characters, to serve as a seal. Such seals were used by
Roman physicians to stamp the names of their medicines.
Medicine \Med"i*cine\, v. t.
To give medicine to; to affect as a medicine does; to remedy;
to cure. ``Medicine thee to that sweet sleep.'' --Shak.
Medico-legal \Med`i*co-le"gal\, a.
Of or pertaining to law as affected by medical facts.
Medicommissure \Med`i*com"mis*sure\, n. [L. medius middle + E.
commissure.] (Anat.)
A large transverse commissure in the third ventricle of the
brain; the middle or soft commissure. --B. G. Wildex.
Medicornu \Med`i*cor"nu\, n.; pl. {Medicornua}. [NL., fr. L.
medius middle + cornu horn.] (Anat.)
The middle or inferior horn of each lateral ventricle of the
brain. --B. G. Wilder.
Medics \Med"ics\, n.
Science of medicine. [Obs.]
Mediety \Me*di"e*ty\, n. [L. medietas.]
The middle part; half; moiety. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Medieval \Me`di*e"val\, Medievalism \Me`di*e"val*ism\,
Medievalist \Me`di*e"val*ist\ .
Same as {Medi?val}, {Medi?valism}, etc.
Medina epoch \Me*di"na ep"och\ [From Medina in New York.]
(Geol.)
A subdivision of the Niagara period in the American upper
Silurian, characterized by the formations known as the Oneida
conglomerate, and the Medina sandstone. See the Chart of
{Geology}.
Medino \Me*di"no\, n.
Same as {Para}.
Mediocral \Me"di*o`cral\, a.
Mediocre. [R.]
Mediocre \Me"di*o`cre\, a. [F. m['e]diocre, L. mediocris, fr.
medius middle. See {Mid}.]
Of a middle quality; of but a moderate or low degree of
excellence; indifferent; ordinary. `` A very mediocre poet.''
--Pope.
Mediocre \Me"di*o`cre\, n.
1. A mediocre person. [R.]
2. A young monk who was excused from performing a portion of
a monk's duties. --Shipley.
Mediocrist \Me"di*o`crist\, n.
A mediocre person. [R.]
Mediocrity \Me`di*oc"ri*ty\, n. [F. m['e]diocrit['e], L.
mediocritas.]
1. The quality of being mediocre; a middle state or degree; a
moderate degree or rate. ``A mediocrity of success.''
--Bacon.
2. Moderation; temperance. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Mediostapedial \Me`di*o*sta*pe"di*al\, a. [L. medius middle + E.
stapedial.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to that part of the columella of the ear which, in
some animals, connects the stapes with the other parts of the
columella. -- n. The mediostapedial part of the columella.
Medioxumous \Me`di*ox"u*mous\, a. [L. medioxumus middlemost.]
Intermediate. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Meditance \Med"i*tance\, n.
Meditation. [Obs.]
Meditate \Med"i*tate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Meditated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Meditating}.] [L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to
meditate; cf. Gr. ? to learn, E. mind.]
To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on
anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to
cogitate; to reflect. --Jer. Taylor.
In his law doth he meditate day and night. --Ps. i. 2.
Meditate \Med"i*tate\, v. t.
1. To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study.
``Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things.''
--Ecclus. xiv. 20.
2. To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in
the mind; as, to meditate a war.
I meditate to pass the remainder of life in a state
of undisturbed repose. --Washington.
Syn: To consider; ponder; weigh; revolve; study.
Usage: To {Meditate}, {Contemplate}, {Intend}. We meditate a
design when we are looking out or waiting for the
means of its accomplishment; we contemplate it when
the means are at hand, and our decision is nearly or
quite made. To intend is stronger, implying that we
have decided to act when an opportunity may offer. A
general meditates an attack upon the enemy; he
contemplates or intends undertaking it at the earliest
convenient season.
Meditation \Med`i*ta"tion\, n. [OE. meditacioun, F.
m['e]ditation, fr. L. meditatio.]
1. The act of meditating; close or continued thought; the
turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious
contemplation; reflection; musing.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in thy sight. --Ps. xix. 14.
2. Thought; -- without regard to kind. [Obs.]
With wings as swift As meditation or the thoughts of
love. --Shak.
Meditatist \Med"i*ta`tist\, n.
One who is given to meditation.
Meditative \Med"i*ta*tive\, a. [L. meditativus: cf. F.
m['e]ditatif.]
Disposed to meditate, or to meditation; as, a meditative man;
a meditative mood. -- {Med"i*ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Med"i*ta*tive*ness}, n.
Mediterranean \Med`i*ter*ra"ne*an\, a. [L. mediterraneus; medius
middle + terra land. See {Mid}, and {Terrace}.]
1. Inclosed, or nearly inclosed, with land; as, the
Mediterranean Sea, between Europe and Africa.
2. Inland; remote from the ocean. [Obs.]
Cities, as well mediterranean as maritime.
--Holland.
3. Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea; as,
Mediterranean trade; a Mediterranean voyage.
Mediterraneous \Med`i*ter*ra"ne*ous\, a.
Inland. --Sir T. Browne.
Medium \Me"di*um\, n.; pl. L. {Media}, {E}. {Mediums}. [L.
medium the middle, fr. medius middle. See {Mid}, and cf.
{Medius}.]
1. That which lies in the middle, or between other things;
intervening body or quantity. Hence, specifically:
(a) Middle place or degree; mean.
The just medium . . . lies between pride and
abjection. --L'Estrange.
(b) (Math.) See {Mean}.
(c) (Logic) The mean or middle term of a syllogism; that
by which the extremes are brought into connection.
2. A substance through which an effect is transmitted from
one thing to another; as, air is the common medium of
sound. Hence: The condition upon which any event or action
occurs; necessary means of motion or action; that through
or by which anything is accomplished, conveyed, or carried
on; specifically, in animal magnetism, spiritualism, etc.,
a person through whom the action of another being is said
to be manifested and transmitted.
Whether any other liquors, being made mediums, cause
a diversity of sound from water, it may be tried.
--Bacon.
I must bring together All these extremes; and must
remove all mediums. --Denham.
3. An average. [R.]
A medium of six years of war, and six years of
peace. --Burke.
4. A trade name for printing and writing paper of certain
sizes. See {Paper}.
5. (Paint.) The liquid vehicle with which dry colors are
ground and prepared for application.
{Circulating medium}, a current medium of exchange, whether
coin, bank notes, or government notes.
{Ethereal medium} (Physics), the ether.
{Medium of exchange}, that which is used for effecting an
exchange of commodities -- money or current
representatives of money.
Medium \Me"di*um\, a.
Having a middle position or degree; mean; intermediate;
medial; as, a horse of medium size; a decoction of medium
strength.
Medium-sized \Me"di*um-sized`\, a.
Having a medium size; as, a medium-sized man.
Medius \Me"di*us\, n.; pl. {Medii}. [NL., fr. L. medius middle.
See {Medium}.] (Anat.)
The third or middle finger; the third digit, or that which
corresponds to it.
Medlar \Med"lar\, n. [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F.
n['e]flier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. ?, ?. Cf.
{Naseberry}.]
A tree of the genus {Mespilus} ({M. Germanica}); also, the
fruit of the tree. The fruit is something like a small apple,
but has a bony endocarp. When first gathered the flesh is
hard and austere, and it is not eaten until it has begun to
decay.
{Japan medlar} (Bot.), the loquat. See {Loquat}.
{Neapolitan medlar} (Bot.), a kind of thorn tree
({Crat[ae]gus Azarolus}); also, its fruit.
Medle \Med"le\, v. t. [See {Meddle}.]
To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also {medly}.] [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Medley \Med"ley\, n.; pl. {Medleys}. [OE. medlee, OF. mesl['e]e,
medl['e]e, mell['e]e, F. m[^e]l['e]e. See {Meddle}, and cf.
{Mel['E]e}, {Mellay}.]
1. A mixture; a mingled and confused mass of ingredients,
usually inharmonious; a jumble; a hodgepodge; -- often
used contemptuously.
This medley of philosophy and war. --Addison.
Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions,
reconcilements, wars. --W. Walsh.
2. The confusion of a hand to hand battle; a brisk, hand to
hand engagement; a m[^e]l['e]e. [Obs.] --Holland.
3. (Mus.) A composition of passages detached from several
different compositions; a potpourri.
Note: Medley is usually applied to vocal, potpourri to
instrumental, compositions.
4. A cloth of mixed colors. --Fuller.
Medley \Med"ley\, a.
1. Mixed; of mixed material or color. [Obs.] ``A medl['e]
coat.'' --Chaucer.
2. Mingled; confused. --Dryden.
Medly \Med"ly\, v. t.
See {Medle}. --Johnson.
M'edoc \M['e]`doc"\, n. [Cf. {Mayduke}.]
A class of claret wines, including several varieties, from
the district of M['e]doc in the department of Gironde.
Medregal \Med"re*gal\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bonito}, 3.
Medrick \Med"rick\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of gull or tern. [Prov.] --Lowell.
Medulla \Me*dul"la\, n. [L.]
1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] --Milton.
2. (Anat.) The marrow of bones; the deep or inner portion of
an organ or part; as, the medulla, or medullary substance,
of the kidney; specifically, the medula oblongata.
3. (Bot.) A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or
branch of a plant; pith.
{Medulla oblongata}. [L., oblong medulla] (Anat.), the
posterior part of the brain connected with the spinal
cord. It includes all the hindbrain except the cerebellum
and pons, and from it a large part of the cranial nerves
arise. It controls very largely respiration, circulation,
swallowing, and other functions, and is the most vital
part of the brain; -- called also {bulb of the spinal
cord}. See {Brain}.
Medullar \Me*dul"lar\, a.
See {Medullary}.
Medullary \Med"ul*la*ry\, a. [L. medullaris, fr. medulla marrow:
cf. F. m['e]dullaire.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or
medulla.
(b) Pertaining to the medula oblongata.
2. (Bot.) Filled with spongy pith; pithy.
{Medullary groove} (Anat.), a groove, in the epiblast of the
vertebrate blastoderm, the edges of which unite, making a
tube (the medullary canal) from which the brain and spinal
cord are developed.
{Medullary rays} (Bot.), the rays of cellular tissue seen in
a transverse section of exogenous wood, which pass from
the pith to the bark.
{Medullary sheath} (Anat.), the layer of white semifluid
substance (myelin), between the primitive sheath and axis
cylinder of a medullated nerve fiber.
Medullated \Me*dul"la*ted\, a. (Anat.)
Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary
sheath; as, a medullated nerve fiber.
Medullin \Me*dul"lin\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]dulline.] (Bot. Chem.)
A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or
pith, of certain plants. Cf. {Lignin}, and {Cellulose}.
Medusa \Me*du"sa\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose
hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked
upon her were turned into stone.
2. [pl. {Medusae}.] (Zo["o]l.) Any free swimming acaleph; a
jellyfish.
Note: The larger medus[ae] belong to the Discophora, and are
sometimes called {covered-eyed medus[ae]}; others,
known as {naked-eyed medus[ae]}, belong to the
Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from
hidroids. See {Discophora}, {Hydroidea}, and
{Hydromedusa}.
{Medusa bud} (Zo["o]l.), one of the buds of a hydroid,
destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See
{Athecata}, and {Gonotheca}.
{Medusa's head}.
(a) (Zo["o]l.) An astrophyton.
(b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation
Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.
Medusian \Me*du"si*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A medusa.
Medusiform \Me*du"si*form\, a. [Medusa + -form.] (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling a medusa in shape or structure.
Medusoid \Me*du"soid\, a. [Medusa + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa,
but without a locomotive disk; -- said of the sessile
gonophores of hydroids. -- n. A sessile gonophore. See
Illust. under {Gonosome}.
Meech \Meech\, v. i.
See {Mich}. [Obs. or Colloq.]
Meed \Meed\, n. [OE. mede, AS. m[=e]d, meord; akin to OS. m?da,
OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth. mizd[=o] reward,
Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr. mistho`s, Skr. m[imac]dha.
[root]276.]
1. That which is bestowed or rendered in consideration of
merit; reward; recompense.
A rosy garland was the victor's meed. --Spenser.
2. Merit or desert; worth.
My meed hath got me fame. --Shak.
3. A gift; also, a bride. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Meed \Meed\, v. t.
1. To reward; to repay. [Obs.] --Waytt.
2. To deserve; to merit. [Obs.] --Heywood.
Meedful \Meed"ful\, a.
Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. ``Meedful
works.'' --Wiclif.
Meedfully \Meed"ful*ly\, adv.
According to merit; suitably.
Meek \Meek\, a. [Compar. {Meeker}; superl. {Meekest}.] [OE. mek,
meoc; akin to Icel. mj?kr mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D.
muik, Goth. mukam?dei gentleness.]
1. Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient
under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful;
forbearing; submissive.
Not the man Moses was very meek. --Num. xii. 3.
2. Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by
mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face.
``Her meek prayer.'' --Chaucer.
Syn: Gentle; mild; soft; yielding; pacific; unassuming;
humble. See {Gentle}.
Meek \Meek\, Meeken \Meek"en\ (-'n), v. t.
To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Meekly \Meek"ly\, adv.
In a meek manner. --Spenser.
Meekness \Meek"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being meek.
Meer \Meer\, a.
Simple; unmixed. See {Mere}, a. [Obs.]
Meer \Meer\, n.
See {Mere}, a lake.
Meer \Meer\, n.
A boundary. See {Mere}.
Meerkat \Meer"kat\, n. [D.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South African carnivore ({Cynictis penicillata}), allied to
the ichneumons.
Meerschaum \Meer"schaum\, n. [G., lit., sea foam; meer sea +
schaum foam; but it perh. is a corruption of the Tartaric
name myrsen. Cf. {Mere} a lake, and {Scum}.]
1. (Min.) A fine white claylike mineral, soft, and light
enough when in dry masses to float in water. It is a
hydrous silicate of magnesia, and is obtained chiefly in
Asia Minor. It is manufacturd into tobacco pipes, cigar
holders, etc. Also called {sepiolite}.
2. A tobacco pipe made of this mineral.
Meet \Meet\ (m[=e]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Met} (m[e^]t); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Meeting}.] [OE. meten, AS. m[=e]tan, fr. m[=o]t,
gem[=o]t, a meeting; akin to OS. m[=o]tian to meet, Icel.
m[ae]ta, Goth. gam[=o]tjan. See {Moot}, v. t.]
1. To join, or come in contact with; esp., to come in contact
with by approach from an opposite direction; to come upon
or against, front to front, as distinguished from contact
by following and overtaking.
2. To come in collision with; to confront in conflict; to
encounter hostilely; as, they met the enemy and defeated
them; the ship met opposing winds and currents.
3. To come into the presence of without contact; to come
close to; to intercept; to come within the perception,
influence, or recognition of; as, to meet a train at a
junction; to meet carriages or persons in the street; to
meet friends at a party; sweet sounds met the ear.
His daughter came out to meet him. --Judg. xi.
34.
4. To perceive; to come to a knowledge of; to have personal
acquaintance with; to experience; to suffer; as, the eye
met a horrid sight; he met his fate.
Of vice or virtue, whether blest or curst, Which
meets contempt, or which compassion first. --Pope.
5. To come up to; to be even with; to equal; to match; to
satisfy; to ansver; as, to meet one's expectations; the
supply meets the demand.
{To meet half way}, literally, to go half the distance
between in order to meet (one); hence, figuratively, to
yield or concede half of the difference in order to effect
a compromise or reconciliation with.
Meet \Meet\, v. t.
1. To come together by mutual approach; esp., to come in
contact, or into proximity, by approach from opposite
directions; to join; to come face to face; to come in
close relationship; as, we met in the street; two lines
meet so as to form an angle.
O, when meet now Such pairs in love and mutual honor
joined ! --Milton.
2. To come together with hostile purpose; to have an
encounter or conflict.
Weapons more violent, when next we meet, May serve
to better us and worse our foes. --Milton.
3. To assemble together; to congregate; as, Congress meets on
the first Monday of December.
They . . . appointed a day to meet together. --2.
Macc. xiv. 21.
4. To come together by mutual concessions; hence, to agree;
to harmonize; to unite.
{To meet with}.
(a) To light upon; to find; to come to; -- often with the
sense of unexpectedness.
We met with many things worthy of observation.
--Bacon.
(b) To join; to unite in company. --Shak.
(c) To suffer unexpectedly; as, to meet with a fall; to
meet with a loss.
(d) To encounter; to be subjected to.
Prepare to meet with more than brutal fury From
the fierce prince. --Rowe.
(e) To obviate. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Meet \Meet\, n.
An assembling together; esp., the assembling of huntsmen for
the hunt; also, the persons who so assemble, and the place of
meeting.
Meet \Meet\, a. [OE. mete fitting, moderate, scanty, AS. m?te
moderate; akin to gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G.
m["a]ssig moderate, gem["a]ss fitting. See {Mete}.]
Suitable; fit; proper; appropriate; qualified; convenient.
It was meet that we should make merry. --Luke xv. 32.
{To be meet with}, to be even with; to be equal to. [Obs.]
Meet \Meet\ (m[=e]t), adv.
Meetly. [Obs.] --Shak.
Meeten \Meet"en\, v. t.
To render fit. [R.]
Meeter \Meet"er\, n.
One who meets.
Meeth \Meeth\ (m[=e]th), n.
Mead. See {Meathe}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Meeting \Meet"ing\, n.
1. A coming together; an assembling; as, the meeting of
Congress.
2. A junction, crossing, or union; as, the meeting of the
roads or of two rivers.
3. A congregation; a collection of people; a convention; as,
a large meeting; an harmonius meeting.
4. An assembly for worship; as, to attend meeting on Sunday;
-- in England, applied distinctively and disparagingly to
the worshiping assemblies of Dissenters.
Syn: Conference; assembly; company; convention; congregation;
junction; confluence; union.
Meetinghouse \Meet"ing*house`\, n.
A house used as a place of worship; a church; -- in England,
applied only to a house so used by Dissenters.
Meetly \Meet"ly\, adv.
Fitly; suitably; properly.
Meetness \Meet"ness\, n.
Fitness; suitableness; propriety.
Meg- \Meg-\, Mega \Meg"a\, Megalo- \Meg"a*lo-\ [Gr. me`gas, gen.
mega`loy, great.]
Combining forms signifying:
(a) Great, extended, powerful; as, megascope, megacosm.
(b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A million times, a
million of; as, megameter, a million meters; megafarad, a
million farads; megohm, a million ohms.
Megacephalic \Meg`a*ce*phal"ic\, Megacephalous
\Meg`a*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Mega- + Gr. kefalh` head.] (Biol.)
Large headed; -- applied to animals, and to plants when they
have large flower heads.
Megaceros \Me*gac"e*ros\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + horn.]
(Paleon.)
The Irish elk.
Megachile \Meg"a*chile\, n. [Mega- + Gr. ? lip.] (Zo["o]l.)
A leaf-cutting bee of the genus {Megachilus}. See {Leaf
cutter}, under {Leaf}.
Megacosm \Meg"a*cosm\, n. [Mega- + Gr. ? world.]
See {Macrocosm}. --Croft.
Megacoulomb \Meg`a*cou`lomb"\, n. [Mega- + coulomb.] (Elec.)
A million coulombs.
Megaderm \Meg"a*derm\, n. [Mega- + Gr. ? skin.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of Old World blood-sucking bats of
the genus {Megaderma}.
Megadyne \Meg"a*dyne\, n. [Mega- + dyne.] (Physics)
One of the larger measures of force, amounting to one million
dynes.
Megafarad \Meg"a*far`ad\, n. [Mega- + farad.] (Elec.)
One of the larger measures of electrical capacity, amounting
to one million farads; a macrofarad.
Megalerg \Meg"a*lerg\, n. [Megalo- + erg.] (Physics)
A million ergs; a megerg.
Megalesian \Meg`a*le"sian\, a. [L. Megalesius, fr. Gr. Mega`lh
the Great, a surname of Cybele, the Magna Mater.]
Pertaining to, or in honor of, Cybele; as, the Megalesian
games at Rome.
Megalethoscope \Meg`a*leth"o*scope\, n. [Mega- + alethoscope.]
An optical apparatus in which pictures are viewed through a
large lens with stereoptical effects. It is often combined
with the stereoscope.
Megalith \Meg"a*lith\, n. [Mega- + -lith; cf. F. m['e]galithe.]
A large stone; especially, a large stone used in ancient
building. -- {Meg`a*lith"ic}, a.
Megalo- \Meg"a*lo-\
See {Meg-}.
Megalocyte \Meg"a*lo*cyte\, n. [Megalo- + Gr. ? a hollow
vessel.] (Physiol.)
A large, flattened corpuscle, twice the diameter of the
ordinary red corpuscle, found in considerable numbers in the
blood in profound an[ae]mia.
Megalomania \Meg`a*lo*ma"ni*a\, n. [NL., fr. megalo- + mania.]
(Pathol.)
A form of mental alienation in which the patient has
grandiose delusions.
Megalonyx \Meg`a*lon"yx\, n. [NL., from Gr. me`gas, mega`lh,
great + 'o`nyx claw.] (Paleon.)
An extinct quaternary mammal, of great size, allied to the
sloth.
Megalophonous \Meg`a*loph"o*nous\, a. [Megalo- + Gr. fwnh`
voice.]
Having a loud voice.
Megalopolis \Meg`a*lop"o*lis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. megalo`polis;
me`gas, mega`lh, great + po`lis city.]
A chief city; a metropolis. [R.]
Megalops \Meg"a*lops\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas, -a`loy, large +
'w`ps eye.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. A larva, in a stage following the zo["e]a, in the
development of most crabs. In this stage the legs and
abdominal appendages have appeared, the abdomen is
relatively long, and the eyes are large. Also used
adjectively.
2. A large fish; the tarpum.
Megalopsychy \Meg`a*lop"sy*chy\, n. [Megalo- + Gr. ? soul,
mind.]
Greatness of soul. [Obs. & R.]
Megalosaur \Meg"a*lo*saur`\, Megalosaurus \Meg`a*lo*sau"rus\, n.
[NL. megalosaurus, fr. Gr. ?, ?, great + ? lizard: cf. F.
m['e]galosaure.] (Paleon.)
A gigantic carnivorous dinosaur, whose fossil remains have
been found in England and elsewhere.
Megameter \Me*gam"e*ter\, n. [Mega- + -meter: cf. F.
m['e]gam[`e]tre.] (Physics)
1. An instrument for determining longitude by observation of
the stars.
2. A micrometer. [R.] --Knight.
Megameter \Meg"a*me`ter\, Megametre \Meg"a*me`tre\, n. [Mega- +
meter, metre, n., 2.]
In the metric system, one million meters, or one thousand
kilometers.
Megampere \Meg`am`p[`e]re"\, n. [Mega- + amp[`e]re.] (Elec.)
A million amp[`e]res.
Megaphone \Meg"a*phone\, n. [Mega- + Gr. ? voice.]
A device to magnify sound, or direct it in a given direction
in a greater volume, as a very large funnel used as an ear
trumpet or as a speaking trumpet.
Megaphyton \Me*gaph"y*ton\, n. [NL., from Gr. me`gas great +
fyto`n plant.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of tree ferns with large, two-ranked leaves,
or fronds.
Megapode \Meg"a*pode\, n. [Mega- + Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of large-footed, gallinaceous
birds of the genera {Megapodius} and {Leipoa}, inhabiting
Australia and other Pacific islands. See {Jungle fowl}
(b) under {Jungle}, and {Leipoa}.
Megapolis \Me*gap"o*lis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + po`lis
city.]
A metropolis. [Obs.] --Sir T. Herbert.
Megarian \Me*ga"ri*an\, Megaric \Me*gar"ic\, a.
Belonging, or pertaining, to Megara, a city of ancient
Greece.
{Megarian}, or {Megaric}, {school}, a school of philosophy
established at Megara, after the death of Socrates, by his
disciples, and remarkable for its logical subtlety.
Megascope \Meg"a*scope\, n. [Mega- + -scope: cf. F.
m['e]gascope.]
A modification of the magic lantern, used esp. for throwing a
magnified image of an opaque object on a screen, solar or
artificial light being used.
Megaseme \Meg"a*seme\, a. [Mega- + Gr. ? sing, mark: cf. F.
m['e]gas[`e]me.] (Anat.)
Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits
narrow transversely; -- opposed to {microseme}.
Megass \Me"gass"\, Megasse \Me*gasse"\, n.
See {Bagasse}.
Megasthene \Meg"as*thene\, n. [Gr. me`gas great + sthe`nos
strength.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group which includes the higher orders of mammals,
having a large size as a typical characteristic.
Megasthenic \Meg`as*then"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a typically large size; belonging to the megasthenes.
Megastome \Meg"a*stome\, n. [Gr. me`gas great + sto`ma mouth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of univalve shells, having a large aperture or
mouth.
Megathere \Meg"a*there\, Megatherium \Meg`a*the"ri*um\, n. [NL.
megatherium, fr. Gr. me`gas great + thyri`on beast.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct gigantic quaternary mammal, allied to the
ant-eaters and sloths. Its remains are found in South
America.
Megatheroid \Meg`a*the"roid\, n. [Megatherium + -oid.] (Paleon.)
One of a family of extinct edentates found in America. The
family includes the megatherium, the megalonyx, etc.
Megavolt \Meg`a*volt"\, n. [Mega- + volt.] (Elec.)
One of the larger measures of electro-motive force, amounting
to one million volts.
Megaweber \Meg`a*we"ber\, n. [Mega- + weber.] (Elec.)
A million webers.
Megerg \Meg"erg`\, n. [Mega- + erg.] (Physics)
One of the larger measures of work, amounting to one million
ergs; -- called also {megalerg}.
Megilp \Me*gilp"\, Megilph \Me*gilph"\, n. (Paint.)
A gelatinous compound of linseed oil and mastic varnish, used
by artists as a vehicle for colors. [Written also {magilp},
and {magilph}.]
Megohm \Meg"ohm"\, n. [Mega- + ohm.] (Elec.)
One of the larger measures of electrical resistance,
amounting to one million ohms.
Megrim \Me"grim\, n. [OE. migrim, migrene, F. migraine, LL.
hemigrania, L. hemicrania, hemicranium, Gr. ?; ?- half + ?
skull. See {Hemi-} and {Cranium}, and cf. {Hemicrania},
{Migraine}.]
1. A kind of sick or nevrous headache, usually periodical and
confined to one side of the head.
2. A fancy; a whim; a freak; a humor; esp., in the plural,
lowness of spirits.
These are his megrims, firks, and melancholies.
--Ford.
3. pl. (Far.) A sudden vertigo in a horse, succeeded
sometimes by unconsciousness, produced by an excess of
blood in the brain; a mild form of apoplexy. --Youatt.
Megrim \Me"grim\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
The British smooth sole, or scaldfish ({Psetta arnoglossa}).
Meibomian \Mei*bo"mi*an\, a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Meibomius.
{Meibomian glands}, the slender sebaceous glands of the
eyelids, which discharge, through minute orifices in the
edges of the lids, a fatty secretion serving to lubricate
the adjacent parts.
Meine \Meine\, v. t.
See {Menge}.
Meine \Mein"e\, Meiny \Mein"y\,, n. [OF. maisni['e]e, maisnie.
See {Menial}.]
1. A family, including servants, etc.; household; retinue;
train. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Shak.
2. Company; band; army. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Meiocene \Mei"o*cene\, a. (Geol.)
See {Miocene}.
Meionite \Mei"o*nite\, n. [Gr. ? smaller. So called in a
allusion to the low pyramids of the crystals.] (Min.)
A member of the scapolite, group, occuring in glassy crystals
on Monte Somma, near Naples.
Meiosis \Mei*o"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to make smaller,
from ?. See {Meionite}.] (Rhet.)
Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as
being less than it really is.
Melostemonous \Mel`o*stem"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ? smaller + ? warp,
thread.] (Bot.)
Having fever stamens than the parts of the corolla.
Meistersinger \Meis"ter*sing`er\, n. [G.]
See {Mastersinger}.
Mekhitarist \Mekh"i*tar*ist\, n. (Ecc. Hist.)
See {Mechitarist}.
Melaconite \Me*lac"o*nite\, n. [Gr. me`las black + ? dust.]
(Min.)
An earthy black oxide of copper, arising from the
decomposition of other ores.
Melada \Me*la"da\, Melado \Me*la"do\, n. [Sp., prop. p. p. of
melar to sugar, candy, fr. L. mel honey. See {Molasses}.]
A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from
the pans without being drained.
Melaena \Me*l[ae]"na\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las, m., me`laina,
f., black.] (Med.)
A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of
altered blood.
Melain \Mel"ain\, n. [See {Mel[ae]na}.]
The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttlefish.
Melainotype \Me*lai"no*type\, n.
See {Melanotype}.
Melam \Me"lam\ (m[=e]"l[a^]m), n. [Cf. F. m['e]lam.] (Chem.)
A white or buff-colored granular powder, {C6H9N11}, obtained
by heating ammonium sulphocyanate.
Melamine \Me*lam"ine\, n. (Chem.)
A strong nitrogenous base, {C3H6N6}, produced from several
cyanogen compounds, and obtained as a white crystalline
substance, -- formerly supposed to be produced by the
decomposition of melam. Called also {cyanuramide}.
Melampode \Mel"am*pode\, n. [Gr. melampo`dion; of uncertain
origin.]
The black hellebore. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Melampyrin \Mel`am*py"rin\, Melampyrite \Mel`am*py"rite\, n.
[NL. Melampyrum cowwheat; Gr. me`las black + pyro`s wheat.]
(Chem.)
The saccharine substance dulcite; -- so called because found
in the leaves of cowwheat ({Melampyrum}). See {Dulcite}.
Melanaemia \Mel`a*n[ae]"mi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las, -anos,
black + a"i^ma blood.] (Med.)
A morbid condition in which the blood contains black pigment
either floating freely or imbedded in the white blood
corpuscles.
Melanagogue \Me*lan"a*gogue\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black + ?
leading, driving, ? to lead.] (Med.)
A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler. [Obs.]
Melancholia \Mel`an*cho"li*a\, n. [L. See {Melancholy}.] (Med.)
A kind of mental unsoundness characterized by extreme
depression of spirits, ill-grounded fears, delusions, and
brooding over one particular subject or train of ideas.
Melancholian \Mel`an*cho"li*an\, n.
A person affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.]
--Dr. J. Scott.
Melancholic \Mel"an*chol`ic\, a. [L. melancholicus, Gr. ?: cf.
F. m['e]lancholique.]
Given to melancholy; depressed; melancholy; dejected;
unhappy.
Just as the melancholic eye Sees fleets and armies in
the sky. --Prior.
Melancholic \Mel"an*chol`ic\, n. [Obs.]
1. One affected with a gloomy state of mind. --J. Spenser.
2. A gloomy state of mind; melancholy. --Clarendon.
Melancholily \Mel"an*chol`i*ly\, adv.
In a melancholy manner.
Melancholiness \Mel"an*chol`i*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being melancholy. --Hallywell.
Melancholious \Mel`an*cho"li*ous\, a. [Cf. OF. melancholieux.]
Melancholy. [R.] --Milton.
Melancholist \Mel"an*chol*ist\, n.
One affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
Melancholize \Mel"an*cho*lize\, v. i.
To become gloomy or dejected in mind. --Barrow.
Melancholize \Mel"an*cho*lize\, v. t.
To make melancholy.
Melancholy \Mel"an*chol*y\, n. [OE. melancolie, F.
m['e]lancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. ?; me`las, -anos,
black + ? gall, bile. See {Malice}, and 1st {Gall}.]
1. Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a
considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess. --Shak.
2. Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to
mental unsoundness; melancholia.
3. Pensive maditation; serious thoughtfulness. [Obs.] ``Hail,
divinest Melancholy !'' --Milton.
4. Ill nature. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Melancholy \Mel"an*chol*y\, a.
1. Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal. --Shak.
2. Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection;
calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy event.
3. Somewhat deranged in mind; having the jugment impaired.
[Obs.] --Bp. Reynolds.
4. Favorable to meditation; somber.
A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered.
--Evelin.
Syn: Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted;
unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful;
dismal; calamitous; afflictive.
Melanesian \Mel`a*ne"sian\, a. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black + ?
island. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of
the natives.]
Of or pertaining to Melanesia.
M'elange \M['e]`lange"\, n. [F. See {Mell}, {Meddle}.]
A mixture; a medley.
Melanian \Me*la"ni*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks,
having a turret-shaped shell.
Melanic \Me*lan"ic\, a. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black.]
1. Melanotic.
2. (Ethnol.) Of or pertaining to the black-haired races.
--Prichard.
Melaniline \Me*lan"i*line\, n. (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous hydrocarbon obtained artificially (as
by the action of cyanogen chloride on aniline) as a white,
crystalline substance; -- called also {diphenyl guanidin}.
Melanin \Mel"a*nin\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black.] (Physiol.)
A black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the
skin (particularly in the skin of the negro), in the
epithelial cells of the external layer of the retina (then
called {fuscin}), in the outer layer of the choroid, and
elsewhere. It is supposed to be derived from the
decomposition of hemoglobin.
Melanism \Mel"a*nism\ (m[e^]l"[.a]*n[i^]z'm), n. [Gr. me`las,
-anos, black.]
1. An undue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin
or its appendages; -- the opposite of albinism.
2. (Med.) A disease; black jaundice. See {Mel?na}.
Melanistic \Mel`a*nis"tic\, a.
Affected with melanism; of the nature of melanism.
Melanite \Mel"a*nite\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black: cf. F.
m['e]lanite.] (Min.)
A black variety of garnet.
Melanochroi \Mel`a*noch"ro*i\, n. pl. [NL. See {Melanochroic}.]
(Ethnol.)
A group of the human race, including the dark whites.
Melanochroic \Mel`a*no*chro"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; me`las, -anos, black
+ ? color.]
Having a dark complexion; of or pertaining to the
Melanochroi.
Melanochroite \Mel`a*no*chro"ite\, n. [See {Melanochroic}.]
(Min.)
A mineral of a red, or brownish or yellowish red color. It is
a chromate of lead; -- called also {ph[oe]nicocroite}.
Melanocomous \Mel`a*noc"o*mous\, a. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black +
? hair.]
Having very dark or black hair; black-haired. --Prichard.
Melanorrhoea \Mel`a*nor*rh[oe]"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las,
-anos, black + ? to flow.] (Bot.)
An East Indian genus of large trees. {Melanorrh[oe]a
usitatissima} is the lignum-vit[ae] of Pegu, and yelds a
valuable black varnish.
Melanoscope \Me*lan"o*scope\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black +
-scope.] (Opt.)
An instrument containing a combination of colored glasses
such that they transmit only red light, so that objects of
other colors, as green leaves, appear black when seen through
it. It is used for viewing colored flames, to detect the
presence of potassium, lithium, etc., by the red light which
they emit.
Melanosis \Mel`a*no"sis\, [NL., fr. Gr. ? a growing black, fr.
me`las, -anos, black.] (Med.)
The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant
character, causing pigmented tumors.
Melanosperm \Me*lan"o*sperm\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black + ?
seed.] (Bot.)
An alga of any kind that produces blackish spores, or seed
dust. The melanosperms include the rockweeds and all kinds of
kelp. -- {Mel`a*no*sper"mous}, a.
Melanotic \Mel`a*not"ic\, a.
Melanistic.
Melanotype \Me*lan"o*type\, n. [Gr. me`las, -anos, black +
-type.] (Photog.)
A positive picture produced with sensitized collodion on a
smooth surface of black varnish, coating a thin plate of
iron; also, the process of making such a picture. [Written
also {melainotype}.]
Melanterite \Me*lan"ter*ite\, n. (Min.)
A hydrous sulphate of iron of a green color and vitreous
luster; iron vitriol.
Melanure \Mel"a*nure\, n. [NL. melanurus, fr. Gr. me`las, -anos,
black + ? tail.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small fish of the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See {Gilthead}
(a) .
Melanuric \Mel`a*nu"ric\, a. [Melam + urea.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid
obtained by decomposition of melam, or of urea, as a white
crystalline powder; -- called also {melanurenic acid}.
Melaphyre \Mel"a*phyre\, n. [F., fr. Gr. me`las, -anos, black +
porphyre porphyry.] (Min.)
Any one of several dark-colored augitic, eruptive rocks
allied to basalt.
Melasma \Me*las"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? black spot.] (Med.)
A dark discoloration of the skin, usually local; as,
Addison's melasma, or Addison's disease. -- {Me*las"mic}, a.
Melasses \Me*las"ses\, n.
See {Molasses}.
Melassic \Me*las"sic\, a. [See {Molasses}.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from molasses
or glucose, and probably identical with saccharic acid. See
{Saccharic}.
Melastoma \Me*las"to*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`las black + ?
mouth.] (Bot.)
A genus of evergreen tropical shrubs; -- so called from the
black berries of some species, which stain the mouth.
Melastomaceous \Mel`a*sto*ma"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Belonging to the order of which Melastoma is the type.
Melchite \Mel"chite\, n. [Heb. melek king.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect, chiefly in Syria and Egypt, which acknowledges
the authority of the pope, but adheres to the liturgy and
ceremonies of the Eastern Church.
Meleagrine \Mel`e*a"grine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the genus Meleagris.
Meleagris \Mel`e*a"gris\, n. [L., the Guinea fowl.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of American gallinaceous birds, including the common
and the wild turkeys.
Mel'ee \M[^e]`l['e]e"\ (m[asl]`l[asl]"), n. [F., fr. m[^e]ler to
mix. See {Meddle}, {Mell}, and cf. {Mellay}.]
A fight in which the combatants are mingled in one confused
mass; a hand to hand conflict; an affray.
Melena \Me*le"na\, n. (Med.)
See {Mel[ae]na}.
Melene \Mel"ene\, n. [Melissic + ethylene.] (Chem.)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon, {C30H60}, of the ethylene series,
obtained from beeswax as a white, scaly, crystalline wax; --
called also {melissene}, and {melissylene}.
Melenite \Mel"e*nite\, n. [Gr. me`li honey.]
An explosive of great destructive power; -- so called from
its color, which resembles honey.
Meletin \Mel"e*tin\, n. (Chem.)
See {Quercitin}.
Melezitose \Me*lez"i*tose`\, n. [F. m['e]l[`e]ze the larch +
melitose.] (Chem.)
A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose, extracted from the
manna of the larch ({Larix}). [Written also {melicitose}.]
Meliaceous \Me`li*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order ({Meliac[ae]}) of plants of
which the genus {Melia} is the type. It includes the mahogany
and the Spanish cedar.
Melibean \Mel`i*be"an\, Meliban \Mel`i*b?"an\, a. [From L.
Meliboeus, one of the interlocutors in Virgil's first
Eclogue.] (Rhet.)
Alternately responsive, as verses.
Melic \Mel"ic\, [Gr. ?, fr. ? song.]
Of or pertaining to song; lyric; tuneful.
Melicerous \Me*lic"er*ous\, a. [L. meliceris a kind of tumor,
fr. Gr. ?; me`li honey + ? wax.] (Med.)
Consisting of or containing matter like honey; -- said of
certain encysted tumors.
Melic grass \Mel"ic grass`\ (Bot.)
A genus of grasses ({Melica}) of little agricultural
importance.
Melicotoon \Mel`i*co*toon"\, n. (Bot.)
See {Melocoton}.
Melicratory \Me*lic"ra*to*ry\, n. [Gr. meli`kraton.]
A meadlike drink. [Obs.]
Melilite \Mel"i*lite\ (m[e^]l"[i^]*l[imac]t), n. [Gr. me`li
honey + -lite; cf. F. m['e]lilithe.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in small yellow crystals, found in the
lavas (melilite basalt) of Vesuvius, and elsewhere. [Written
also {mellilite}.]
Melilot \Mel"i*lot\ (-l[o^]t), n. [F. m['e]lilot, L. melilotus,
fr. Gr. ?, ?, a kind of clover containing honey; me`li honey
+ ? lotus.] (Bot.)
Any species of {Melilotus}, a genus of leguminous herbs
having a vanillalike odor; sweet clover; hart's clover. The
blue melilot ({Melilotus c[ae]rulea}) is used in Switzerland
to give color and flavor to sapsago cheese.
Melilotic \Mel`i*lot"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sweet clover or melilot;
specifically, designating an acid of the aromatic series,
obtained from melilot as a white crystalline substance.
Meliorate \Mel"io*rate\ (m[=e]l"y[-o]*r[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Meliorated} (-r[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meliorating}.] [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare to
meliorate, fr. melior better; akin to Gr. ma^llon rather,
ma`la very. Cf. {Ameliorate}.]
To make better; to improve; to ameliorate; to soften; to make
more tolerable.
Nature by art we nobly meliorate. --Denham.
The pure and bening light of revelation has had a
meliorating influence on mankind. --Washington.
Meliorate \Mel"io*rate\, v. i.
To grow better.
Meliorater \Mel"io*ra`ter\, n.
Same as {Meliorator}.
Melioration \Mel`io*ra"tion\, n. [L. melioratio.]
The act or operation of meliorating, or the state of being
meliorated; improvement. --Bacon.
Meliorator \Mel"io*ra`tor\, n.
One who meliorates.
Meliorism \Mel"io*rism\, n. [From L. melior better.]
The doctrine that there is a tendency throughout nature
toward improvement. --J. Sully.
Meliority \Mel*ior"i*ty\, n. [LL. melioritas, fr. L. melior. See
{Meliorate}.]
The state or quality of being better; melioration. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
Meliphagan \Me*liph"a*gan\, a. [Gr. me`li honey + ? to eat.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to the genus {Meliphaga}.
Meliphagan \Me*liph"a*gan\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Meliphaga} and allied genera; a honey
eater; -- called also {meliphagidan}.
Meliphagous \Me*liph"a*gous\, a. [See {Meliphagan}.] (Zool.)
Eating, or feeding upon, honey.
Melisma \Me*lis"ma\, n.; pl. {Melismata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a
song.] (Mus.)
(a) A piece of melody; a song or tune, -- as opposed to
{recitative} or musical declamation.
(b) A grace or embellishment.
Melissa \Me*lis"sa\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.]
(Bot.)
A genus of labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm
({Melissa officinalis}).
Melissic \Me*lis"sic\, a. [Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an
acid obtained by oxidation of myricin.
Melissyl \Me*lis"syl\, n. [Melissic +yl.] (Chem.)
See {Myricyl}.
Melissylene \Me*lis"sy*lene\, n. [Melissic + -yl + -ene.]
(Chem.)
See {Melene}.
Melitose \Mel"i*tose`\, n. [Gr. me`li honey.] (Chem.)
A variety of sugar isomeric with sucrose, extracted from
cotton seeds and from the so-called Australian manna (a
secretion of certain species of Eucalyptus).
Mell \Mell\, v. i. & t. [F. m[^e]ler, OF. meller, mester. See
{Meddle}.]
To mix; to meddle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mell \Mell\, n. [See {Mellifluous}.]
Honey. [Obs.] --Warner.
Mell \Mell\, n.
A mill. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mellate \Mel"late\, n. [L. mel, mellis, honey. Cf. {Mellitate}.]
(Chem.)
A mellitate. [R.]
Mellay \Mel"lay\, n.
A m[^e]l['e]e; a conflict. --Tennyson.
Mellic \Mel"lic\, a. (Chem.)
See {Mellitic}. [R.]
Melliferous \Mel*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. mellifer; mel, mellis,
honey + ferre to bear.]
Producing honey.
Mellific \Mel*lif"ic\, a. [L. mel, mellis, honey + -ficare (in
comp.) to make. See {-fy}.]
Producing honey.
Mellification \Mel`li*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. mellificare to make
honey: cf. F. mellification. See {Mellific}.]
The making or production of honey.
Mellifluence \Mel*lif"lu*ence\, n.
A flow of sweetness, or a sweet, smooth flow.
Mellifluent \Mel*lif"lu*ent\, a. [L. mellifluens. See
{Mellifluous}.]
Flowing as with honey; smooth; mellifluous.
Mellifluently \Mel*lif"lu*ent*ly\, adv.
In a mellifluent manner.
Mellifluous \Mel*lif"lu*ous\, a. [L. mellifluus; mel, mellis,
honey (akin to Gr. ?, Goth. milip) + fluere to flow. See
{Mildew}, {Fluent}, and cf. {Marmalade}.]
Flowing as with honey; smooth; flowing sweetly or smoothly;
as, a mellifluous voice. -- {Mel*lif"lu*ous*ly}, adv.
Melligenous \Mel*lig"e*nous\, a. [L. mel, mellis + -genous.]
Having the qualities of honey. [R.]
Melligo \Mel*li"go\, n. [L.]
Honeydew.
Melliloquent \Mel*lil"o*quent\, a. [L. mel, mellis honey +
loquens speaking, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]
Speaking sweetly or harmoniously.
Melliphagan \Mel*liph"a*gan\, n.
See {Meliphagan}.
Melliphagous \Mel*liph"a*gous\, a.
See {Meliphagous}.
Mellitate \Mel"li*tate\, n. [Cf. F. mellitate. See {Mellitic}.]
(Chem.)
A salt of mellitic acid.
Mellite \Mel"lite\, n. [L. mel, mellis, honey: cf. F. mellite.]
(Min.)
A mineral of a honey color, found in brown coal, and partly
the result of vegetable decomposition; honeystone. It is a
mellitate of alumina.
Mellitic \Mel*lit"ic\, a. [Cf. F. mellitique. See {Mellite}.]
(Chem.)
(a) Containing saccharine matter; marked by saccharine
secretions; as, mellitic diabetes.
(b) Pertaining to, or derived from, the mineral mellite.
{Mellitic acid} (Chem.), a white, crystalline, organic
substance, {C6(CO2H)6}, occurring naturally in combination
with aluminium in the mineral mellite, and produced
artificially by the oxidation of coal, graphite, etc., and
hence called also {graphitic acid}.
Mellone \Mel"lone\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow powder, {C6H3N9}, obtained from certain
sulphocyanates. It has acid properties and forms compounds
called mellonides.
Mellonide \Mel"lon*ide\, n.
See {Mellone}.
Mellow \Mel"low\, a. [Compar. {Mellower}; superl. {Mellowest}.]
[OE. melwe; cf. AS. mearu soft, D. murw, Prov. G. mollig
soft, D. malsch, and E. meal flour.]
1. Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender
pulp; as, a mellow apple.
2. Hence:
(a) Easily worked or penetrated; not hard or rigid; as, a
mellow soil. ``Mellow glebe.'' --Drayton
(b) Not coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued; soft; rich;
delicate; -- said of sound, color, flavor, style, etc.
``The mellow horn.'' --Wordsworth. ``The mellow-tasted
Burgundy.'' --Thomson.
The tender flush whose mellow stain imbues
Heaven with all freaks of light. --Percival.
3. Well matured; softened by years; genial; jovial.
May health return to mellow age. --Wordsworth.
As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed
a hound. --W. Irving.
4. Warmed by liquor; slightly intoxicated. --Addison.
Mellow \Mel"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mellowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mellowing}.]
To make mellow. --Shak.
If the Weather prove frosty to mellow it [the ground],
they do not plow it again till April. --Mortimer.
The fervor of early feeling is tempered and mellowed by
the ripeness of age. --J. C.
Shairp.
Mellow \Mel"low\, v. i.
To become mellow; as, ripe fruit soon mellows. ``Prosperity
begins to mellow.'' --Shak.
Mellowly \Mel"low*ly\, adv.
In a mellow manner.
Mellowness \Mel"low*ness\, n.
Quality or state of being mellow.
Mellowy \Mel"low*y\, a.
Soft; unctuous. --Drayton.
Melluco \Mel*lu"co\, n. (Bot.)
A climbing plant ({Ullucus officinalis}) of the Andes, having
tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for potatoes.
Melne \Mel"ne\, n.
A mill. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Melocoton \Mel`o*co*ton"\, Melocotoon \Mel`o*co*toon"\, n. [Sp.
melocoton a kind of peach tree and its fruit, L. malum
cotonium, or cotonea, or Cydonia, a quince, or quince tree,
lit., apple of Cydonia, Gr. ? ?. See {Quince}.] (Bot.)
(a) A quince.
(b) A kind of peach having one side deep red, and the flesh
yellow. [Written also {malacatoon}, {malacotune}.]
Melodeon \Me*lo"de*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? musical. See
{Melody}, and cf. {Odeon}.]
1. (Mus.) A kind of small reed organ; -- a portable form of
the seraphine.
2. A music hall.
Melodic \Me*lod"ic\, a. [L. melodicus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
m['e]lodique.]
Of the nature of melody; relating to, containing, or made up
of, melody; melodious.
Melodics \Me*lod"ics\, n.
The department of musical science which treats of the pitch
of tones, and of the laws of melody.
Melodiograph \Me*lo"di*o*graph\, n. [Melody + -graph.]
A contrivance for preserving a record of music, by recording
the action of the keys of a musical instrument when played
upon.
Melodious \Me*lo"di*ous\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]lodieux. See
{Melody}.]
Containing, or producing, melody; musical; agreeable to the
ear by a sweet succession of sounds; as, a melodious voice.
``A melodious voice.'' ``A melodious undertone.''
--Longfellow. -- {Me*lo"di*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Me*lo"di*ous*ness}, n.
Melodist \Mel"o*dist\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]lodiste.]
A composer or singer of melodies.
Melodize \Mel"o*dize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Melodized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Melodizing}.]
To make melodious; to form into, or set to, melody.
Melodize \Mel"o*dize\, v. i.
To make melody; to compose melodies; to harmonize.
Melodrama \Mel`o*dra"ma\, n. [F. m['e]lodrame, fr. Gr. ? song +
? drama.]
Formerly, a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to
intensify the effect of certain scenes. Now, a drama
abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations,
with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are
especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in
which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive
accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in
the gravedigging scene of Beethoven's ``Fidelio''.
Melodramatic \Mel`o*dra*mat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]lodramatique.]
Of or pertaining to melodrama; like or suitable to a
melodrama; unnatural in situation or action. --
{Mel`o*dra*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Melodramatist \Mel`o*dram"a*tist\, n.
One who acts in, or writes, melodramas.
Melodrame \Mel"o*drame\, n. [F.]
Melodrama.
Melody \Mel"o*dy\, n.; pl. {Melodies}. [OE. melodie, F.
m['e]lodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. ? a singing, choral song, fr.
? musical, melodious; ? song, tune + ? song. See {Ode}.]
1. A sweet or agreeable succession of sounds.
Lulled with sound of sweetest melody. --Shak.
2. (Mus.) A rhythmical succession of single tones, ranging
for the most part within a given key, and so related
together as to form a musical whole, having the unity of
what is technically called a musical thought, at once
pleasing to the ear and characteristic in expression.
Note: Melody consists in a succession of single tones;
harmony is a consonance or agreement of tones, also a
succession of consonant musical combinations or chords.
3. The air or tune of a musical piece.
Syn: See {Harmony}.
Meloe \Mel"o*e\, [ NL., fr. Gr. ? to probe a wound.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of beetles without wings, but having short oval
elytra; the oil beetles. These beetles are sometimes used
instead of cantharides for raising blisters. See {Oil
beetle}, under {Oil}.
Melograph \Mel"o*graph\, n. [Gr. ? a song + -graph : cf. F.
m['e]lographe.]
Same as {Melodiograph}.
Melolonthidian \Mel`o*lon*thid"i*an\, n. [Gr. ? the cockchafer.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A beetle of the genus {Melolontha}, and allied genera. See
{May beetle}, under {May}.
Melon \Mel"on\, n. [F., fr. L. melo, for melopepo an
apple-shaped melon, Gr. ?; ? apple + ? a species of large
melon; cf. L. malum apple. Cf. {Marmalade}.]
1. (Bot.) The juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants,
as the muskmelon, watermelon, and citron melon; also, the
plant that produces the fruit.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large, ornamental, marine, univalve shell of
the genus {Melo}.
{Melon beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a small leaf beetle ({Diabrotiea
vittata}), which damages the leaves of melon vines.
{Melon cactus}, {Melon thistle}.
(a) (Bot.) A genus of cactaceous plants ({Melocactus})
having a fleshy and usually globose stem with the
surface divided into spiny longitudinal ridges, and
bearing at the top a prickly and woolly crown in which
the small pink flowers are half concealed. {M.
communis}, from the West Indies, is often cultivated,
and sometimes called {Turk's cap}.
(b) The related genus {Mamillaria}, in which the stem is
tubercled rather than ribbed, and the flowers
sometimes large. See Illust. under {Cactus}.
Melopiano \Mel`o*pi*a"no\, n. [Gr. ? song + E. piano.]
A piano having a mechanical attachment which enables the
player to prolong the notes at will.
Meloplastic \Mel`o*plas"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to meloplasty, or the artificial formation
of a new cheek.
Meloplasty \Mel"o*plas`ty\ (m[e^]l"[-o]*pl[a^]s`t[y^]), n. [Gr.
? an apple, a cheek + -plasty: cf. F. m['e]loplastie.]
(Surg.)
The process of restoring a cheek which has been destroyed
wholly or in part.
Melopoeia \Mel`o*p[oe]"ia\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ?; song + ? to
make.] (Mus.)
The art of forming melody; melody; -- now often used for a
melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.
Melotype \Mel"o*type\, n. (Photog.)
A picture produced by a process in which development after
exposure may be deferred indefinitely, so as to permit
transportation of exposed plates; also, the process itself.
Melpomene \Mel*pom"e*ne\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, lit., the
songstress, fr. ?, ?, to sing.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Muse of tragedy.
2. (Astron.) The eighteenth asteroid.
Melrose \Mel"rose\, n.
Honey of roses.
Melt \Melt\ (m[e^]lt), n. (Zo["o]l.)
See 2d {Milt}.
Melt \Melt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Melted} (obs.) p. p. {Molten};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Melting}.] [AS. meltan; akin to Gr.
me`ldein, E. malt, and prob. to E. smelt, v. [root]108. Cf.
{Smelt}, v., {Malt}, {Milt} the spleen.]
1. To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to
liquefy; as, to melt wax, tallow, or lead; to melt ice or
snow.
2. Hence: To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to
relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences;
sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of;
to weaken.
Thou would'st have . . . melted down thy youth.
--Shak.
For pity melts the mind to love. --Dryden.
Syn: To liquefy; fuse; thaw; mollify; soften.
Melt \Melt\, v. i.
1. To be changed from a solid to a liquid state under the
influence of heat; as, butter and wax melt at moderate
temperatures.
2. To dissolve; as, sugar melts in the mouth.
3. Hence: To be softened; to become tender, mild, or gentle;
also, to be weakened or subdued, as by fear.
My soul melteth for heaviness. --Ps. cxix.
28.
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion. --Shak.
4. To lose distinct form or outline; to blend.
The soft, green, rounded hills, with their flowing
outlines, overlapping and melting into each other.
--J. C.
Shairp.
5. To disappear by being dispersed or dissipated; as, the fog
melts away. --Shak.
Meltable \Melt"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being melted.
Melter \Melt"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, melts.
Melting \Melt"ing\, n.
Liquefaction; the act of causing (something) to melt, or the
process of becoming melted.
{Melting point} (Chem.), the degree of temperature at which a
solid substance melts or fuses; as, the melting point of
ice is 0[deg] Centigrade or 32[deg] Fahr., that of urea is
132[deg] Centigrade.
{Melting pot}, a vessel in which anything is melted; a
crucible.
Melting \Melt"ing\ a.
Causing to melt; becoming melted; -- used literally or
figuratively; as, a melting heat; a melting appeal; a melting
mood. -- {Melt"ing*ly}, adv.
Melton \Mel"ton\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A kind of stout woolen cloth with unfinished face and without
raised nap. A commoner variety has a cotton warp.
Member \Mem"ber\, v. t. [See {Remember}.]
To remember; to cause to remember; to mention. [Obs.]
Member \Mem"ber\, n. [OE. membre, F. membre, fr. L. membrum; cf.
Goth. mimz flesh, Skr. mamsa.]
1. (Anat.) A part of an animal capable of performing a
distinct office; an organ; a limb.
We have many members in one body, and all members
have not the same office. --Rom. xii. 4.
2. Hence, a part of a whole; an independent constituent of a
body; as:
(a) A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a
clause; a part of a verse.
(b) (Math.) Either of the two parts of an algebraic
equation, connected by the sign of equality.
(c) (Engin.) Any essential part, as a post, tie rod,
strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss.
(d) (Arch.) Any part of a building, whether
constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the
like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of
moldings.
(e) One of the persons composing a society, community, or
the like; an individual forming part of an
association; as, a member of the society of Friends.
{Compression member}, {Tension member} (Engin.), a member, as
a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or
tension, respectively.
Membered \Mem"bered\, a.
1. Having limbs; -- chiefly used in composition.
2. (Her.) Having legs of a different tincture from that of
the body; -- said of a bird in heraldic representations.
Membership \Mem"ber*ship\, n.
1. The state of being a member.
2. The collective body of members, as of a society.
Membral \Mem"bral\, a. (Anat.)
Relating to a member.
Membranaceous \Mem`bra*na"ceous\, a. [L. membranaceus.]
1. Same as {Membranous}. --Arbuthnot.
2. (Bot.) Thin and rather soft or pliable, as the leaves of
the rose, peach tree, and aspen poplar.
Membrane \Mem"brane\, n. [F., fr. L. membrana the skin that
covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. membrum. See
{Member}.] (Anat.)
A thin layer or fold of tissue, usually supported by a
fibrous network, serving to cover or line some part or organ,
and often secreting or absorbing certain fluids.
Note: The term is also often applied to the thin, expanded
parts, of various texture, both in animals and
vegetables.
{Adventitious membrane}, a membrane connecting parts not
usually connected, or of a different texture from the
ordinary connection; as, the membrane of a cicatrix.
{Jacob's membrane}. See under {Retina}.
{Mucous membranes} (Anat.), the membranes lining passages and
cavities which communicate with the exterior, as well as
ducts and receptacles of secretion, and habitually
secreting mucus.
{Schneiderian membrane}. (Anat.) See {Schneiderian}.
{Serous membranes} (Anat.), the membranes, like the
peritoneum and pleura, which line, or lie in, cavities
having no obvious outlet, and secrete a serous fluid.
Membraneous \Mem*bra"ne*ous\, a. [L. membraneus of parchment.]
See {Membranous}.
Membraniferous \Mem`bra*nif"er*ous\, a. [Membrane + -ferous.]
Having or producing membranes.
Membraniform \Mem*bra"ni*form\, a. [Membrane + -form: cf. F.
membraniforme.]
Having the form of a membrane or of parchment.
Membranology \Mem`bra*nol"o*gy\, n. [Membrane + -logy.]
The science which treats of membranes.
Membranous \Mem"bra*nous\, a. [Cf. F. membraneux.]
1. Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, membrane; as,
a membranous covering or lining.
2. (Bot.) Membranaceous.
{Membranous croup} (Med.), true croup. See {Croup}.
Memento \Me*men"to\, n.; pl. {Mementos}. [L., remember, be
mindful, imper. of meminisse to remember. See {Mention}.]
A hint, suggestion, token, or memorial, to awaken memory;
that which reminds or recalls to memory; a souvenir.
Seasonable mementos may be useful. --Bacon.
Meminna \Me*min"na\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small deerlet, or chevrotain, of India.
Memnon \Mem"non\, n. [L., from Gr. ?, lit., the Steadfast,
Resolute, the son of Tithonus and Aurora, and king of the
Ethiopians, killed by Achilles.] (Antiq.)
A celebrated Egyptian statue near Thebes, said to have the
property of emitting a harplike sound at sunrise.
Memoir \Mem"oir\, or pl. Memoirs \Mem"oirs\, n. [F. m['e]moire,
m., memorandum, fr. m['e]moire, f., memory, L. memoria. See
{Memory}.]
1. A memorial account; a history composed from personal
experience and memory; an account of transactions or
events (usually written in familiar style) as they are
remembered by the writer. See {History}, 2.
2. A memorial of any individual; a biography; often, a
biography written without special regard to method and
completeness.
3. An account of something deemed noteworthy; an essay; a
record of investigations of any subject; the journals and
proceedings of a society.
Memoirist \Mem"oir*ist\, n.
A writer of memoirs.
Memorabilia \Mem`o*ra*bil"i*a\, n. pl. [L., fr. memorabilis
memorable. See {Memorable}.]
Things remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record; also,
the record of them.
Memorability \Mem`o*ra*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being memorable.
Memorable \Mem"o*ra*ble\, a. [L. memorabilis, fr. memorare to
bring to remembrance, fr. memor mindful, remembering. See
{Memory}, and cf. {Memorabilia}.]
Worthy to be remembered; very important or remarkable. --
{Mem"o*ra*ble*ness}, n. -- {Mem"o*ra*bly}, adv.
Surviving fame to gain, Buy tombs, by books, by
memorable deeds. --Sir J.
Davies.
Memorandum \Mem`o*ran"dum\, n.; pl. E. {Memorandums}, L.
{Memoranda}. [L., something to be remembered, neut. of
memorandus, fut. pass. p. of memorare. See {Memorable}.]
1. A record of something which it is desired to remember; a
note to help the memory.
I . . . entered a memorandum in my pocketbook.
--Guardian.
I wish you would, as opportunity offers, make
memorandums of the regulations of the academies.
--Sir J.
Reynolds.
2. (Law) A brief or informal note in writing of some
transaction, or an outline of an intended instrument; an
instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form.
{Memorandum check}, a check given as an acknowledgment of
indebtedness, but with the understanding that it will not
be presented at bank unless the maker fails to take it up
on the day the debt becomes due. It usually has Mem.
written on its face.
Memorate \Mem"o*rate\, v. t. [L. memoratus, p. p. of memorare.
See {Memorable}.]
To commemorate. [Obs.]
Memorative \Mem"o*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]moratif.]
Commemorative. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Memoria \Me*mo"ri*a\, n. [L.]
Memory.
{Memoria technica}, technical memory; a contrivance for
aiding the memory.
Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, a. [F. m['e]morial, L. memorialis, fr.
memoria. See {Memory}.]
1. Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative; as, a
memorial building.
There high in air, memorial of my name, Fix the
smooth oar, and bid me live to fame. --Pope.
2. Contained in memory; as, a memorial possession.
3. Mnemonic; assisting the memory.
This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be
expressed by the memorial word ASH. --Skeat.
{Memorial Day}. Same as {Decoration Day}. [U.S.]
Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morial.]
1. Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or
event; something which serves to keep something else in
remembrance; a monument. --Macaulay.
Churches have names; some as memorials of peace,
some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity
itself. --Hooker.
2. A memorandum; a record. [Obs. or R.] --Hayward.
3. A written representation of facts, addressed to the
government, or to some branch of it, or to a society,
etc., -- often accompanied with a petition.
4. Memory; remembrance. [Obs.]
Precious is the memorial of the just. --Evelyn.
5. (Diplomacy) A species of informal state paper, much used
in negotiation.
Memorialist \Me*mo"ri*al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morialiste.]
One who writes or signs a memorial.
Memorialize \Me*mo"ri*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Memorialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Memorializing}.]
To address or petition by a memorial; to present a memorial
to; as, to memorialize the legislature. --T. Hook.
Memorializer \Me*mo"ri*al*i`zer\, n.
One who petitions by a memorial. --T. Hook.
Memorist \Mem"o*rist\, n. [See {Memorize}.]
One who, or that which, causes to be remembered. [Obs.]
Memoriter \Me*mor"i*ter\, adv. [L., fr. memor mindful. See
{Memorable}.]
By, or from, memory.
Memorize \Mem"o*rize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Memorized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Memorizing}.] [See {Memory}.]
1. To cause to be remembered; hence, to record. [Obs.]
They neglect to memorize their conquest. --Spenser.
They meant to . . . memorize another Golgotha.
--Shak.
2. To commit to memory; to learn by heart.
Memory \Mem"o*ry\, n.; pl. {Memories}. [OE. memorie, OF.
memoire, memorie, F. m['e]moire, L. memoria, fr. memor
mindful; cf. mora delay. Cf. {Demur}, {Martyr}, {Memoir},
{Remember}.]
1. The faculty of the mind by which it retains the knowledge
of previous thoughts, impressions, or events.
Memory is the purveyor of reason. --Rambler.
2. The reach and positiveness with which a person can
remember; the strength and trustworthiness of one's power
to reach and represent or to recall the past; as, his
memory was never wrong.
3. The actual and distinct retention and recognition of past
ideas in the mind; remembrance; as, in memory of youth;
memories of foreign lands.
4. The time within which past events can be or are
remembered; as, within the memory of man.
And what, before thy memory, was done From the
begining. --Milton.
5. Something, or an aggregate of things, remembered; hence,
character, conduct, etc., as preserved in remembrance,
history, or tradition; posthumous fame; as, the war became
only a memory.
The memory of the just is blessed. --Prov. x. 7.
That ever-living man of memory, Henry the Fifth.
--Shak.
The Nonconformists . . . have, as a body, always
venerated her [Elizabeth's] memory. --Macaulay.
6. A memorial. [Obs.]
These weeds are memories of those worser hours.
--Shak.
Syn: {Memory}, {Remembrance}, {Recollection}, {Reminiscence}.
Usage: Memory is the generic term, denoting the power by
which we reproduce past impressions. Remembrance is an
exercise of that power when things occur spontaneously
to our thoughts. In recollection we make a distinct
effort to collect again, or call back, what we know
has been formerly in the mind. Reminiscence is
intermediate between remembrance and recollection,
being a conscious process of recalling past
occurrences, but without that full and varied
reference to particular things which characterizes
recollection. ``When an idea again recurs without the
operation of the like object on the external sensory,
it is remembrance; if it be sought after by the mind,
and with pain and endeavor found, and brought again
into view, it is recollection.'' --Locke.
{To draw to memory}, to put on record; to record. [Obs.]
--Chaucer. Gower.
Memphian \Mem"phi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt;
hence, Egyptian; as, Memphian darkness.
Men \Men\, n.,
pl. of {Man}.
Men \Men\, pron. [OE. me, men. ``Not the plural of man, but a
weakened form of the word man itself.'' Skeat.]
A man; one; -- used with a verb in the singular, and
corresponding to the present indefinite one or they. [Obs.]
--Piers Plowman.
Men moot give silver to the poure triars. --Chaucer.
A privy thief, men clepeth death. --Chaucer.
Menaccanite \Me*nac"can*ite\, n. [From Menaccan, in Cornwall,
where it was first found.] (Min.)
An iron-black or steel-gray mineral, consisting chiefly of
the oxides of iron and titanium. It is commonly massive, but
occurs also in rhombohedral crystals. Called also {titanic
iron ore}, and {ilmenite}.
Menace \Men"ace\, n. [F., fr. L. minaciae threats, menaces, fr.
minax, -acis, projecting, threatening, minae projecting
points or pinnacles, threats. Cf. {Amenable}, {Demean},
{Imminent}, {Minatory}.]
The show of an intention to inflict evil; a threat or
threatening; indication of a probable evil or catastrophe to
come.
His (the pope's) commands, his rebukes, his menaces.
--Milman.
The dark menace of the distant war. --Dryden.
Menace \Men"ace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Menaced} ([=a]st); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Menacing}.] [OF. menacier, F. menacer. See
{Menace}, n.]
1. To express or show an intention to inflict, or to hold out
a prospect of inflicting, evil or injury upon; to
threaten; -- usually followed by with before the harm
threatened; as, to menace a country with war.
My master . . . did menace me with death. --Shak.
2. To threaten, as an evil to be inflicted.
By oath he menaced Revenge upon the cardinal.
--Shak.
Menace \Men"ace\, v. i.
To act in threatening manner; to wear a threatening aspect.
Who ever knew the heavens menace so? --Shak.
Menacer \Men"a*cer\, n.
One who menaces.
Menacingly \Men"a*cing*ly\, adv.
In a threatening manner.
M'enage \M['e]`nage"\, n.
See {Manage}.
M'enage \M['e]`nage"\, n. [See {Menagerie}.]
A collection of animals; a menagerie. [Obs.] --Addison.
Menagerie \Men*ag"er*ie\, n. [F. m['e]nagerie, fr. m['e]nager to
keep house, m['e]nage household. See {Menial}, {Mansion}.]
1. A piace where animals are kept and trained.
2. A collection of wild or exotic animals, kept for
exhibition.
Menagogue \Men"a*gogue\, n. [F. m['e]nagogue, fr. Gr. ? month +
? leading.] (Med.)
Emmenagogue.
Menaion \Me*na"ion\, n.; pl. {Menaia} (-y[*a]). [NL., from Gr. ?
monthly.] (Eccl.)
A work of twelve volumes, each containing the offices in the
Greek Church for a month; also, each volume of the same.
--Shipley.
Menald \Men"ald\, Menild \Men"ild\, a.
Covered with spots; speckled; variegated. [Obs.]
Mend \Mend\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mending}.] [Abbrev. fr. amend. See {Amend}.]
1. To repair, as anything that is torn, broken, defaced,
decayed, or the like; to restore from partial decay,
injury, or defacement; to patch up; to put in shape or
order again; to re-create; as, to mend a garment or a
machine.
2. To alter for the better; to set right; to reform; hence,
to quicken; as, to mend one's manners or pace.
The best service they could do the state was to mend
the lives of the persons who composed it. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. To help, to advance, to further; to add to.
Though in some lands the grass is but short, yet it
mends garden herbs and fruit. --Mortimer.
You mend the jewel by the wearing it. --Shak.
Syn: To improve; help; better; emend; amend; correct;
rectify; reform.
Mend \Mend\, v. i.
To grow better; to advance to a better state; to become
improved. --Shak.
Mendable \Mend"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being mended.
Mendacious \Men*da"cious\, a. [L. mendax, -acis, lying, cf.
mentiri to lie.]
1. Given to deception or falsehood; lying; as, a mendacious
person.
2. False; counterfeit; containing falsehood; as, a mendacious
statement. -- {Men*da"cious*ly}, adv. --
{Men*da"cious*ness}, n.
Mendacity \Men*dac"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Mendacities}. [L.
mendacitas.]
1. The quality or state of being mendacious; a habit of
lying. --Macaulay.
2. A falsehood; a lie. --Sir T. Browne.
Syn: Lying; deceit; untruth; falsehood.
Mender \Mend"er\, n.
One who mends or repairs.
Mendiant \Men"di*ant\, n.
See {Mendinant}. [Obs.]
Mendicancy \Men"di*can*cy\, n.
The condition of being mendicant; beggary; begging. --Burke.
Mendicant \Men"di*cant\, a. [L. mendicans, -antis, p. pr. of
mendicare to beg, fr. mendicus beggar, indigent.]
Practicing beggary; begging; living on alms; as, mendicant
friars.
{Mendicant orders} (R. C. Ch.), certain monastic orders which
are forbidden to acquire landed property and are required
to be supported by alms, esp. the Franciscans, the
Dominicans, the Carmelites, and the Augustinians.
Mendicant \Men"di*cant\, n.
A beggar; esp., one who makes a business of begging;
specifically, a begging friar.
Mendicate \Men"di*cate\, v. t.& i. [L. mendicatus, p. p. of
mendicare to beg.]
To beg. [R.] --Johnson.
Mendication \Men`di*ca"tion\, n.
The act or practice of begging; beggary; mendicancy. --Sir T.
Browne.
Mendicity \Men*dic"i*ty\, n. [L. mendicitas: cf. F.
mendicit['e]. See {Mendicant}.]
The practice of begging; the life of a beggar; mendicancy.
--Rom. of R.
Mendinant \Men"di*nant\, n.
A mendicant or begging friar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mendment \Mend"ment\, n.
Amendment. [Obs.]
Mendole \Men"dole\, n. [Cf. F. mendol, mendole.] (Zo["o]l.)
The cackerel.
Mendregal \Men"dre*gal\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Medregal.
Mends \Mends\, n.
See {Amends}. [Obs.] --Shak.
Menge \Menge\, v. i. [imp. {Mente}, {Meinte}; p. p. {Ment},
{Meint}.] [See {Mingle}.]
To mix. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Menhaden \Men*ha"den\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American marine fish of the Herring familt ({Brevoortia
tyrannus}), chiefly valuable for its oil and as a component
of fertilizers; -- called also {mossbunker}, {bony fish},
{chebog}, {pogy}, {hardhead}, {whitefish}, etc.
Menhir \Men"hir\, n. [F. Armor. men stone + hir high.]
A large stone set upright in olden times as a memorial or
monument. Many, of unknown date, are found in Brittany and
throughout Northern Europe.
Menial \Men"ial\, a. [OE. meneal, fr. meine, maine, household,
OF. maisni['e]e, maisnie, LL. mansionaticum. See {Mansion},
and cf. {Meine}, n., {Meiny}.]
1. Belonging to a retinue or train of servants; performing
servile office; serving.
Two menial dogs before their master pressed.
--Dryden.
2. Pertaining to servants, esp. domestic servants; servile;
low; mean. `` Menial offices.'' --Swift.
Menial \Men"ial\, n.
1. A domestic servant or retainer, esp. one of humble rank;
one employed in low or servile offices.
2. A person of a servile character or disposition.
M'eniere's disease \M['e]`ni[`e]re's" dis*ease"\ (Med.)
A disease characterized by deafness and vertigo, resulting in
inco["o]rdination of movement. It is supposed to depend upon
a morbid condition of the semicircular canals of the internal
ear. Named after M['e]ni[`e]re, a French physician.
Menilite \Men"i*lite\, n. [F. m['e]nilite; -- so called because
it is found at M['e]nilmontant, near Paris.] (Min.)
See {Opal}.
Meningeal \Me*nin"ge*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the meninges.
Meninges \Me*nin"ges\, n. pl.; sing. {Meninx}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?,
?, a membrane.] (Anat.)
The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord;
the pia mater, dura mater, and arachnoid membrane.
Meningitis \Men`in*gi"tis\, n. [NL. See {Meninges}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.
{Cerebro-spinal meningitis}. See under {Cerebro-spinal}.
Meniscal \Me*nis"cal\, a.
Pertaining to, or having the form of, a meniscus.
Meniscoid \Me*nis"coid\, a. [Meniscus + -oid.]
Concavo-convex, like a meniscus.
Meniscus \Me*nis"cus\, n.; pl. L. {Menisci} (-s[=i]), E.
{Meniscuses}. [NL., from Gr. ?, dim. of mh`nh the moon.]
1. A crescent.
2. (Opt.) A lens convex on one side and concave on the other.
3. (Anat.) An interarticular synovial cartilage or membrane;
esp., one of the intervertebral synovial disks in some
parts of the vertebral column of birds.
{Converging meniscus}, {Diverging meniscus}. See {Lens}.
Menispermaceous \Men`i*sper*ma"ceous\, a. [Gr. mh`nh the moon +
spe`rma seed.] (Bot.)
Pertaining to a natural order ({Menispermace[ae]}) of
climbing plants of which moonseed ({Menispermum}) is the
type.
Menispermic \Men`i*sper"mic\, a.
Pertaining to, or obtained from, moonseed ({Menispermum}), or
other plants of the same family, as the {Anamirta Cocculus}.
Menispermine \Men`i*sper"mine\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]nispermine.]
(Chem.)
An alkaloid distinct from picrotoxin and obtained from the
cocculus indicus (the fruit of {Anamirta Cocculus}, formerly
{Menispermum Cocculus}) as a white, crystalline, tasteless
powder; -- called also {menispermina}.
Meniver \Men"i*ver\, n. [OF. menuver, menuveir, menuvair, a
grayish fur; menu small + vair a kind of fur. See {Minute},
a., and {Vair}.]
Same as {Miniver}.
Mennonist \Men"non*ist\, Mennonite \Men"non*ite\, n. (Eccl.
Hist.)
One of a small denomination of Christians, so called from
Menno Simons of Friesland, their founder. They believe that
the New Testament is the only rule of faith, that there is no
original sin, that infants should not be baptized, and that
Christians ought not to take oath, hold office, or render
military service.
Menobranch \Men"o*branch\, Menobranchus \Men`o*bran"chus\, n.
[NL. menobranchus, fr. Gr. ? to remain + ? a gill.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large aquatic American salamander of the genus {Necturus},
having permanent external gills.
Menologium \Men`o*lo"gi*um\, Menology \Me*nol"o*gy\, n.; pl. L.
{Menologia}, E. {Menologies}. [NL. menologium, fr. Gr. ?
month + ? discourse : cf. F. m['e]nologe.]
1. A register of months. --Bp. Stillingfleet.
2. (Gr. Church) A brief calendar of the lives of the saints
for each day in the year, or a simple remembrance of those
whose lives are not written.
Menopause \Men"o*pause\, n. [Gr. ? month + ? to cause to cease.
See {Menses}.] (Med.)
The period of natural cessation of menstruation. See {Change
of life}, under {Change}.
Menopoma \Men`o*po"ma\, Menopome \Men"o*pome\, n. [NL. menopoma,
fr. Gr. ? to remain + ? lid.] (Zo["o]l.)
The hellbender.
Menorrhagia \Men`or*rha"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? month + ? to
break.] (Med.)
(a) Profuse menstruation.
(b) Any profuse bleeding from the uterus; Metrorrhagia.
Menostasis \Me*nos"ta*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. mh`n month +
'istan`nai to stop.] (Med.)
Stoppage of the mences.
Menostation \Men`os*ta"tion\, n. (Med.)
Same as {Menostasis}.
Menow \Men"ow\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A minnow.
Men-pleaser \Men"-pleas`er\, n.
One whose motive is to please men or the world, rather than
God. --Eph. vi. 6.
Mensal \Men"sal\, a. [L. mensalis, fr. mensa table.]
Belonging to the table; transacted at table; as, mensa
conversation.
Mensal \Men"sal\, a. [L. mensis month.]
Occurring once in a month; monthly.
Mense \Mense\, n. [OE. menske, AS. mennisc human, man. See
{Man}.]
Manliness; dignity; comeliness; civility. [Prov. Eng. &
Scot.] -- {Mense"ful}, a. -- {Mense"less}, a.
Mense \Mense\, v. t.
To grace. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Menses \Men"ses\, n. pl. [L. mensis month, pl. menses months,
and the monthly courses of women. Cf. {Month}.] (Med.)
The catamenial or menstrual discharge, a periodic flow of
blood or bloody fluid from the uterus or female generative
organs.
Menstrual \Men"stru*al\, a. [L. menstrualis: cf. F. menstruel.
See {Menstruous}.]
1. Recurring once a month; monthly; gone through in a month;
as, the menstrual revolution of the moon; pertaining to
monthly changes; as, the menstrual equation of the sun's
place.
2. Of or pertaining to the menses; as, menstrual discharges;
the menstrual period.
3. Of or pertaining to a menstruum. --Bacon.
Menstruant \Men"stru*ant\, a. [L. menstruans, p. pr. of
menstruare to have a monthly term, fr. menstruus. See
{Menstruous}.]
Subject to monthly flowing or menses.
Menstruate \Men"stru*ate\, a.
Menstruous. [Obs.]
Menstruate \Men"stru*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Menstruated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Menstruating}.]
To discharge the menses; to have the catamenial flow.
Menstruation \Men`stru*a"tion\, n.
The discharge of the menses; also, the state or the period of
menstruating.
Menstrue \Men"strue\, n. [Cf. F. menstrues. See {Menstruous}.]
The menstrual flux; menses. [Obs.]
Menstruous \Men"stru*ous\, a. [L. menstruus, fr. mensis month.
Cf. {Menstruum}.]
1. Having the monthly flow or discharge; menstruating.
2. Of or pertaining tj the monthly flow; catamenial.
Menstruum \Men"stru*um\, n.; pl. E. {Menstruums}, L. {Menstrua}.
[L. menstruus. See {Menstruous}.]
Any substance which dissolves a solid body; a solvent.
The proper menstruum to dissolve metal. --Bacon.
All liquors are called menstruums which are used as
dissolvents, or to extract the virtues of ingredients
by infusion or decoction. --Quincy.
Note: The use is supposed to have originated in some notion
of the old chemists about the influence of the moon in
the preparation of dissolvents. --Johnson.
Mensurability \Men`su*ra*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
mensurabilit['e].]
The quality of being mensurable.
Mensurable \Men"su*ra*ble\, a. [L. mensurabilis, fr. mensurare
to measure, fr. mensura measure: cf. F. mensurable. See
{Measurable}, {Measure}.]
Capable of being measured; measurable.
Mensurableness \Men"su*ra*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mensurable; measurableness.
Mensural \Men"su*ral\, a. [L. mensuralis.]
Of or pertaining to measure.
Mensurate \Men"su*rate\, v. t. [L. mensuratus, p. p. of
mensurare. See {Measure}, v.]
To measure. [Obs.]
Mensuration \Men`su*ra"tion\, n. [L. mensuratio : cf. F.
mensuration.]
1. The act, process, or art, of measuring.
2. That branch of applied geometry which gives rules for
finding the length of lines, the areas of surfaces, or the
volumes of solids, from certain simple data of lines and
angles.
-ment \-ment\, [F. -ment, L. -mentum.]
A suffix denoting that which does a thing; an act or process;
the result of an act or process; state or condition; as,
aliment, that which nourishes, ornament, increment; fragment,
piece broken, segment; abridgment, act of abridging,
imprisonment, movement, adjournment; amazement, state of
being amazed, astonishment.
Ment \Ment\,
p. p. of {Menge}.
Mentagra \Men"ta*gra\, n. [NL., fr. L. mentum chin + Gr. ? a
catching.] (Med.)
Sycosis.
Mental \Men"tal\, a. [L. mentum the chin.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the chin; genian; as, the mental nerve;
the mental region.
Mental \Men"tal\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A plate or scale covering the mentum or chin of a fish or
reptile.
Mental \Men"tal\, a. [F., fr. L. mentalis, fr. mens, mentis, the
mind; akin to E. mind. See {Mind}.]
Of or pertaining to the mind; intellectual; as, mental
faculties; mental operations, conditions, or exercise.
What a mental power This eye shoots forth! --Shak.
{Mental alienation}, insanity.
{Mental arithmetic}, the art or practice of solving
arithmetical problems by mental processes, unassisted by
written figures.
Mentality \Men*tal"i*ty\, n.
Quality or state of mind. ``The same hard mentality.''
--Emerson.
Mentally \Men"tal*ly\, adv.
In the mind; in thought or meditation; intellectually; in
idea.
Mentha \Men"tha\, n. [L. See {Mint} the plant.] (Bot.)
A widely distributed genus of fragrant herbs, including the
peppermint, spearmint, etc. The plants have small flowers,
usually arranged in dense axillary clusters.
Menthene \Men"thene\, n. [Menthol + terpene.] (Chem.)
A colorless liquid hydrocarbon resembling oil of turpentine,
obtained by dehydrating menthol. It has an agreeable odor and
a cooling taste.
Menthol \Men"thol\, n. [Mentha + -ol.] (Chem.)
A white, crystalline, aromatic substance resembling camphor,
extracted from oil of peppermint ({Mentha}); -- called also
{mint camphor} or {peppermint camphor}.
Menthyl \Men"thyl\, n. [Mentha + -yl.] (Chem.)
A compound radical forming the base of menthol.
Menticultural \Men`ti*cul"tur*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to mental culture; serving to improve or
strengthen the mind. [R.]
Mention \Men"tion\, n. [OE. mencioun, F. mention, L. mentio,
from the root of meminisse to remember. See {Mind}.]
A speaking or notice of anything, -- usually in a brief or
cursory manner. Used especially in the phrase to make mention
of.
I will make mention of thy righteousness. --Ps. lxxi.
16.
And sleep in dull, cold marble, where no mention Of me
more must be heard of. --Shak.
Mention \Men"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mentioned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mentioning}.] [Cf. F. mentionner.]
To make mention of; to speak briefly of; to name.
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord. --Is.
lxiii. 7.
Mentionable \Men"tion*a*ble\, a.
Fit to be mentioned.
Mentomeckelian \Men`to*meck*e"li*an\, a. [1st mental +
Meckelian.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the chin and lower jaw. -- n. The bone or
cartilage forming the anterior extremity of the lower jaw in
some adult animals and the young of others.
Mentor \Men"tor\, n. [From Mentor, the counselor of Telemachus,
Gr. ?, prop., counselor. Cf. {Monitor}.]
A wise and faithful counselor or monitor.
Mentorial \Men*to"ri*al\, a. [From {Mentor}.]
Containing advice or admonition.
Mentum \Men"tum\, n. [L., chin.] (Zo["o]l.)
The front median plate of the labium in insects. See
{Labium}.
Menu \Me*nu"\, n. [F., slender, thin, minute. See 4th {Minute}.]
The details of a banquet; a bill of fare.
Menuse \Me"nuse\, v. i.
See {Amenuse}. [Obs.]
Meow \Me*ow"\, v. i. & n.
See 6th and 7th {Mew}.
Mephistophelian \Meph`is*to*phe"li*an\ (? or ?), a.
Pertaining to, or resembling, the devil Mephistopheles, ``a
crafty, scoffing, relentless fiend;'' devilish; crafty.
Mephitic \Me*phit"ic\, Mephitical \Me*phit"ic*al\, a. [L.
mephiticus, fr. mephitis mephitis: cf. F. m['e]phitique.]
1. Tending to destroy life; poisonous; noxious; as, mephitic
exhalations; mephitic regions.
2. Offensive to the smell; as, mephitic odors.
{Mephitic air} (Chem.), carbon dioxide; -- so called because
of its deadly suffocating power. See {Carbonic acid},
under {Carbonic}.
Mephitis \Me*phi"tis\, n. [L. mephitis : cf. F. m['e]phitis.]
1. Noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalations from
decomposing substances, filth, or other source.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of mammals, including the skunks.
Mephitism \Meph"i*tism\, n.
Same as {Mephitis}, 1.
Meracious \Me*ra"cious\, a. [L. meracus, fr. merus pure,
inmixed.]
Being without mixture or adulteration; hence, strong; racy.
[Obs.]
Mercable \Mer"ca*ble\, a. [L. mercabilis, fr. mercari to trade,
traffic, buy. See {Merchant}.]
Capable of being bought or sold. [Obs.]
Mercantile \Mer"can*tile\ (?; 277), a. [F. mercantile, It.
mercantile, fr. L. mercans, -antis, p. pr. of mercari to
traffic. See {Merchant}.]
Of or pertaining to merchants, or the business of merchants;
having to do with trade, or the buying and selling of
commodities; commercial.
The expedition of the Argonauts was partly mercantile,
partly military. --Arbuthnot.
{Mercantile agency}, an agency for procuring information of
the standing and credit of merchants in different parts of
the country, for the use of dealers who sell to them.
{Mercantile marine}, the persons and vessels employed in
commerce, taken collectively.
{Mercantile paper}, the notes or acceptances given by
merchants for goods bought, or received on consignment;
drafts on merchants for goods sold or consigned.
--McElrath.
Syn: {Mercantile}, {Commercial}.
Usage: Commercial is the wider term, being sometimes used to
embrace mercantile. In their stricter use, commercial
relates to the shipping, freighting, forwarding, and
other business connected with the commerce of a
country (whether external or internal), that is, the
exchange of commodities; while mercantile applies to
the sale of merchandise and goods when brought to
market. As the two employments are to some extent
intermingled, the two words are often interchanged.
Mercaptal \Mer*cap"tal\, n. [Mercaptan + aldehyde.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of compounds of mercaptans with
aldehydes.
Mercaptan \Mer*cap"tan\, n. [F., fr. NL. mercurius mercury + L.
captans, p. pr. of captare to seize, v. intens. fr. capere.]
(Chem.)
Any one of series of compounds, hydrosulphides of alcohol
radicals, in composition resembling the alcohols, but
containing sulphur in place of oxygen, and hence called also
the {sulphur alcohols}. In general, they are colorless
liquids having a strong, repulsive, garlic odor. The name is
specifically applied to ethyl mercaptan, {C2H5SH}. So called
from its avidity for mercury, and other metals.
Mercaptide \Mer*cap"tide\ (? or ?), n. (Chem.)
A compound of mercaptan formed by replacing its sulphur
hydrogen by a metal; as, potassium mercaptide, {C2H5SK}.
Mercat \Mer"cat\, n. [L. mercatus : cf. It. mercato. See
{Market}.]
Market; trade. [Obs.] --Bp. Sprat.
Mercatante \Mer`ca*tan"te\ (?; It. ?), n. [It. See {Merchant}.]
A foreign trader. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mercator's chart \Mer*ca"tor's chart"\
See under {Chart}, and see {Mercator's projection}, under
{Projection}.
Mercature \Mer"ca*ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. mercatura commerce.]
Commerce; traffic; trade. [Obs.]
Merce \Merce\, v. t. [See {Amerce}.]
To subject to fine or amercement; to mulct; to amerce. [Obs.]
Mercenaria \Mer`ce*na"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Mercenary}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The quahog.
Mercenarian \Mer`ce*na"ri*an\ (-an), n.
A mercenary. [Obs.]
Mercenarily \Mer"ce*na`ri*ly\, adv.
In a mercenary manner.
Mercenariness \Mer"ce*na*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mercenary; venality. --Boyle.
Mercenary \Mer"ce*na*ry\, a. [OE. mercenarie, F. mercenaire, fr.
L. mercenarius, fr. merces wages, reward. See {Mercy}.]
1. Acting for reward; serving for pay; paid; hired; hireling;
venal; as, mercenary soldiers.
2. Hence: Moved by considerations of pay or profit; greedy of
gain; sordid; selfish. --Shak.
For God forbid I should my papers blot With
mercenary lines, with servile pen. --Daniel.
Syn: See {Venal}.
Mercenary \Mer"ce*na*ry\, n.; pl. {Mercenaries}.
One who is hired; a hireling; especially, a soldier hired
into foreign service. --Milman.
Mercer \Mer"cer\, n. [F. mercier, fr. L. merx, mercis, wares,
merchandise. See {Merchant}.]
Originally, a dealer in any kind of goods or wares; now
restricted to a dealer in textile fabrics, as silks or
woolens. [Eng.]
Mercership \Mer"cer*ship\, n.
The business of a mercer.
Mercery \Mer"cer*y\, n. [F. mercerie.]
The trade of mercers; the goods in which a mercer deals.
Merchand \Mer"chand\, v. i. [F. marchander. See {Merchant}.]
To traffic. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Merchandisable \Mer"chan*di`sa*ble\, a.
Such as can be used or transferred as merchandise.
Merchandise \Mer"chan*dise\, n. [F. marchandise, OF.
marcheandise.]
1. The objects of commerce; whatever is usually bought or
sold in trade, or market, or by merchants; wares; goods;
commodities. --Spenser.
2. The act or business of trading; trade; traffic.
Merchandise \Mer"chan*dise\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Merchandised};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Merchandising}.]
To trade; to carry on commerce. --Bacon.
Merchandise \Mer"chan*dise\, v. t.
To make merchandise of; to buy and sell. ``Love is
merchandised.'' --Shak.
Merchandiser \Mer"chan*di`ser\, n.
A trader. --Bunyan.
Merchandry \Mer"chand*ry\, n. [See {Merchant}.]
Trade; commerce. [Obs.] --Bp. Sanderson.
Merchant \Mer"chant\, n. [OE. marchant, OF. marcheant, F.
marchand, fr. LL. mercatans, -antis, p. pr. of mercatare to
negotiate, L. mercari to traffic, fr. merx, mercis, wares.
See {Market}, {Merit}, and cf. {Commerce}.]
1. One who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign
countries; a trafficker; a trader.
Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad.
--Shak.
2. A trading vessel; a merchantman. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a
shopkeeper. [U. S. & Scot.]
Merchant \Mer"chant\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as,
the merchant service.
{Merchant bar}, {Merchant iron} or {steel}, certain common
sizes of wrought iron and steel bars.
{Merchant service}, the mercantile marine of a country. --Am.
Cyc.
{Merchant ship}, a ship employed in commerce.
{Merchant tailor}, a tailor who keeps and sells materials for
the garments which he makes.
Merchant \Mer"chant\, v. i.
To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]
Merchantable \Mer"chant*a*ble\, a.
Fit for market; such as is usually sold in market, or such as
will bring the ordinary price; as, merchantable wheat;
sometimes, a technical designation for a particular kind or
class.
Merchantly \Mer"chant*ly\, a.
Merchantlike; suitable to the character or business of a
merchant. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Merchantman \Mer"chant*man\, n.; pl. {Merchantmen}.
1. A merchant. [Obs.] --Matt. xiii. 45.
2. A trading vessel; a ship employed in the transportation of
goods, as, distinguished from a man-of-war.
Merchantry \Mer"chant*ry\, n.
1. The body of merchants taken collectively; as, the
merchantry of a country.
2. The business of a merchant; merchandise. --Walpole.
Merciable \Mer"ci*a*ble\, a. [OF.]
Merciful. [Obs.]
Merciful \Mer"ci*ful\, a. [Mercy + -ful.]
1. Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to
pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish.
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious. --Ex.
xxxiv. 6.
Be merciful, great duke, to men of mold. --Shak.
2. Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.
A merciful man will be merciful to his beast. --Old
Proverb.
Syn: Compassionate; tender; humane; gracious; kind; mild;
clement; benignant. -- {Mer"ci*ful*ly}, adv. --
{Mer"ci*ful*ness}, n.
Mercify \Mer"ci*fy\, v. t.
To pity. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Merciless \Mer"ci*less\, a.
Destitute of mercy; cruel; unsparing; -- said of animate
beings, and also, figuratively, of things; as, a merciless
tyrant; merciless waves.
The foe is merciless, and will not pity. --Shak.
Syn: Cruel; unmerciful; remorseless; ruthless; pitiless;
barbarous; savage. -- {Mer"ci*less*ly}, adv. --
{Mer"ci*less*ness}, n.
Mercurammonium \Mer`cur*am*mo"ni*um\, n. [Mercuric + ammonium.]
(Chem.)
A radical regarded as derived from ammonium by the
substitution of mercury for a portion of the hydrogen.
Mercurial \Mer*cu"ri*al\, a. [L. mercurialis, fr. Mercurius
Mercury: cf. F. mercuriel.]
1. Having the qualities fabled to belong to the god Mercury;
swift; active; sprightly; fickle; volatile; changeable;
as, a mercurial youth; a mercurial temperament.
A mercurial man Who fluttered over all things like a
fan. --Byron.
2. Having the form or image of Mercury; -- applied to ancient
guideposts. [Obs.] --Chillingworth.
3. Of or pertaining to Mercury as the god of trade; hence,
money-making; crafty.
The mercurial wand of commerce. --J. Q. Adams.
4. Of or pertaining to, or containing, mercury; as, mercurial
preparations, barometer. See {Mercury}, 2.
5. (Med.) Caused by the use of mercury; as, mercurial sore
mouth.
Mercurial \Mer*cu"ri*al\, n.
1. A person having mercurial qualities. --Bacon.
2. (Med.) A preparation containing mercury.
Mercurialist \Mer*cu"ri*al*ist\, n.
1. One under the influence of Mercury; one resembling Mercury
in character.
2. (Med.) A physician who uses much mercury, in any of its
forms, in his practice.
Mercurialize \Mer*cu"ri*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Mercurialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mercurializing}.]
1. (Med.) To affect with mercury.
2. (Photography) To treat with mercury; to expose to the
vapor of mercury.
Mercurialize \Mer*cu"ri*al*ize\, v. i.
To be sprightly, fantastic, or capricious. [Obs.]
Mercurially \Mer*cu"ri*al*ly\, adv.
In a mercurial manner.
Mercuric \Mer*cu"ric\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing
mercury; -- said of those compounds of mercury into which
this element enters in its lowest proportion.
{Mercuric chloride}, corrosive sublimate. See {Corrosive}.
Mercurification \Mer*cu`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
mercurification. See {Mercurify}.]
1. (Metal.) The process or operation of obtaining the
mercury, in its fluid form, from mercuric minerals.
2. (Chem.) The act or process of compounding, or the state of
being compounded, with mercury. [R.]
Mercurify \Mer*cu"ri*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mercurified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mercurifying}.] [Mercury + -fy.]
1. To obtain mercury from, as mercuric minerals, which may be
done by any application of intense heat that expels the
mercury in fumes, which are afterward condensed. [R.]
2. To combine or mingle mercury with; to impregnate with
mercury; to mercurialize. [R.]
Mercurism \Mer"cu*rism\, n.
A communication of news; an announcement. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Mercurous \Mer*cu"rous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, mercury; containing
mercury; -- said of those compounds of mercury in which it is
present in its highest proportion.
{Mercurous chloride}. (Chem.) See {Calomel}.
Mercury \Mer"cu*ry\, n. [L. Mercurius; akin to merx wares.]
1. (Rom. Myth.) A Latin god of commerce and gain; -- treated
by the poets as identical with the Greek Hermes, messenger
of the gods, conductor of souls to the lower world, and
god of eloquence.
2. (Chem.) A metallic element mostly obtained by reduction
from cinnabar, one of its ores. It is a heavy, opaque,
glistening liquid (commonly called {quicksilver}), and is
used in barometers, thermometers, ect. Specific gravity
13.6. Symbol Hg (Hydrargyrum). Atomic weight 199.8.
Mercury has a molecule which consists of only one atom. It
was named by the alchemists after the god Mercury, and
designated by his symbol, [mercury].
Note: Mercury forms alloys, called amalgams, with many
metals, and is thus used in applying tin foil to the
backs of mirrors, and in extracting gold and silver
from their ores. It is poisonous, and is used in
medicine in the free state as in blue pill, and in its
compounds as calomel, corrosive sublimate, etc. It is
the only metal which is liquid at ordinary
temperatures, and it solidifies at about -39[deg]
Centigrade to a soft, malleable, ductile metal.
3. (Astron.) One of the planets of the solar system, being
the one nearest the sun, from which its mean distance is
about 36,000,000 miles. Its period is 88 days, and its
diameter 3,000 miles.
4. A carrier of tidings; a newsboy; a messenger; hence, also,
a newspaper. --Sir J. Stephen. ``The monthly Mercuries.''
--Macaulay.
5. Sprightly or mercurial quality; spirit; mutability;
fickleness. [Obs.]
He was so full of mercury that he could not fix long
in any friendship, or to any design. --Bp. Burnet.
6. (Bot.) A plant ({Mercurialis annua}), of the Spurge
family, the leaves of which are sometimes used for
spinach, in Europe.
Note: The name is also applied, in the United States, to
certain climbing plants, some of which are poisonous to
the skin, esp. to the {Rhus Toxicodendron}, or poison
ivy.
{Dog's mercury} (Bot.), {Mercurialis perennis}, a perennial
plant differing from {M. annua} by having the leaves
sessile.
{English mercury} (Bot.), a kind of goosefoot formerly used
as a pot herb; -- called {Good King Henry}.
{Horn mercury} (Min.), a mineral chloride of mercury, having
a semitranslucent, hornlike appearance.
Mercury \Mer"cu*ry\, v. t.
To wash with a preparation of mercury. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Mercy \Mer"cy\, n.; pl. {Mercies}. [OE. merci, F. merci, L.
merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to
misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is prob? akin to merere
to deserve, acquire. See {Merit}, and cf. {Amerce}.]
1. Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of
provocation, when one has the power to inflict it;
compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary;
clemency.
Examples of justice must be made for terror to some;
examples of mercy for comfort to others. --Bacon.
2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless;
sometimes, favor, beneficence. --Luke x. 37.
3. Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity;
compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. --Sir T.
Elyot.
4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or
favor.
The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
--2 Cor. i. 3.
{Mercy seat} (Bib.), the golden cover or lid of the Ark of
the Covenant. See {Ark}, 2.
{Sisters of Mercy} (R. C. Ch.),a religious order founded in
Dublin in the year 1827. Communities of the same name have
since been established in various American cities. The
duties of those belonging to the order are, to attend
lying-in hospitals, to superintend the education of girls,
and protect decent women out of employment, to visit
prisoners and the sick, and to attend persons condemned to
death.
{To be at the mercy of}, to be wholly in the power of.
Syn: See {Grace}.
Merd \Merd\, n. [F. merde, L. merda.]
Ordure; dung. [Obs.] --Burton.
-mere \-mere\ [Gr. ? part.]
A combining form meaning part, portion; as, blastomere,
epimere.
Mere \Mere\, n. [Written also mar.] [OE. mere, AS. mere mere,
sea; akin to D. meer lake, OS. meri sea, OHG. meri, mari, G.
meer, Icel. marr, Goth. marei, Russ. more, W. mor, Ir. &
Gael. muir, L. mare, and perh. to L. mori to die, and meaning
originally, that which is dead, a waste. Cf. {Mortal},
{Marine}, {Marsh}, {Mermaid}, {Moor}.]
A pool or lake. --Drayton. Tennyson.
Mere \Mere\, n. [Written also meer and mear.] [AS. gem[=ae]re.
[root]269.]
A boundary. --Bacon.
Mere \Mere\, v. t.
To divide, limit, or bound. [Obs.]
Which meared her rule with Africa. --Spenser.
Mere \Mere\, n.
A mare. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mere \Mere\, a. [Superl. {Merest}. The comparative is rarely or
never used.] [L. merus.]
1. Unmixed; pure; entire; absolute; unqualified.
Then entered they the mere, main sea. --Chapman.
The sorrows of this world would be mere and unmixed.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. Only this, and nothing else; such, and no more; simple;
bare; as, a mere boy; a mere form.
From mere success nothing can be concluded in favor
of any nation. --Atterbury.
Merely \Mere"ly\, adv.
1. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely.
Ulysses was to force forth his access, Though merely
naked. --Chapman.
2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only.
Prize not your life for other ends Than merely to
obige your friends. --Swift.
Syn: Solely; simply; purely; barely; scarcely.
Merenchyma \Me*ren"chy*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a part +
-enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.)
Tissue composed of spheroidal cells.
Meresman \Meres"man\, n.
An officer who ascertains meres or boundaries. [Eng.]
Merestead \Mere"stead\, n. [Mere boundary + stead place.]
The land within the boundaries of a farm; a farmstead or
farm. [Archaic.] --Longfellow.
Merestone \Mere"stone`\, n.
A stone designating a limit or boundary; a landmark. --Bacon.
Meretricious \Mer`e*tri"cious\, a. [L. meretricius, from
meretrix, -icis, a prostitute, lit., one who earns money, i.
e., by prostitution, fr. merere to earn, gain. See {Merit}.]
1. Of or pertaining to prostitutes; having to do with
harlots; lustful; as, meretricious traffic.
2. Resembling the arts of a harlot; alluring by false show;
gaudily and deceitfully ornamental; tawdry; as,
meretricious dress or ornaments. -- {Mer`e*tri"cious*ly},
adv. -- {Mer`e*tri"cious*ness}, n.
Merganser \Mer*gan"ser\, n. [Sp. merg['a]nsar, fr. mergo a diver
(L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ['a]nsar goose, L.
anser.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Merganser}, and allied genera. They
are allied to the ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill.
Note: The red-breasted merganser ({Merganser serrator})
inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also {sawbill},
{harle}, and {sheldrake}. The American merganser ({M.
Americanus}.) and the hooded merganser ({Lophodytes
cucullatus}) are well-known species.
{White merganser}, the smew or white nun.
Merge \Merge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Merged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Merging}.] [L. mergere, mersum. Cf. {Emerge}, {Immerse},
{Marrow}.]
To cause to be swallowed up; to immerse; to sink; to absorb.
To merge all natural . . . sentiment in inordinate
vanity. --Burke.
Whig and Tory were merged and swallowed up in the
transcendent duties of patriots. --De Quincey.
Merge \Merge\, v. i.
To be sunk, swallowed up, or lost.
Native irresolution had merged in stronger motives.
--I. Taylor.
Merger \Mer"ger\, n.
1. One who, or that which, merges.
2. (Law) An absorption of one estate, or one contract, in
another, or of a minor offense in a greater.
Mericarp \Mer"i*carp\, n. [Gr. ? a part + ? fruit.] (Bot.)
One carpel of an umbelliferous fruit. See {Cremocarp}.
Meride \Mer"ide\ (? or ?), n. [Gr. ? a part.] (Biol.)
A permanent colony of cells or plastids which may remain
isolated, like Rotifer, or may multiply by gemmation to form
higher aggregates, termed zoides. --Perrier.
Meridian \Me*rid"i*an\, a. [F. m['e]ridien, L. meridianus
pertaining to noon, fr. meridies noon, midday, for older
medidies; medius mid, middle + dies day. See {Mid}, and
{Diurnal}.]
1. Being at, or pertaining to, midday; belonging to, or
passing through, the highest point attained by the sun in
his diurnal course. ``Meridian hour.'' --Milton.
Tables . . . to find the altitude meridian.
--Chaucer.
2. Pertaining to the highest point or culmination; as,
meridian splendor.
Meridian \Me*rid"i*an\, n. [F. m['e]ridien. See {Meridian}, a.]
1. Midday; noon.
2. Hence: The highest point, as of success, prosperity, or
the like; culmination.
I have touched the highest point of all my
greatness, And from that full meridian of my glory I
haste now to my setting. --Shak.
3. (Astron.) A great circle of the sphere passing through the
poles of the heavens and the zenith of a given place. It
is crossed by the sun at midday.
4. (Geog.) A great circle on the surface of the earth,
passing through the poles and any given place; also, the
half of such a circle included between the poles.
Note: The planes of the geographical and astronomical
meridians coincide. Meridians, on a map or globe, are
lines drawn at certain intervals due north and south,
or in the direction of the poles.
{Calculated for}, or {fitted to}, or {adapted to}, {the
meridian of}, suited to the local circumstances,
capabilities, or special requirements of.
All other knowledge merely serves the concerns of
this life, and is fitted to the meridian thereof.
--Sir M. Hale.
{First meridian}, the meridian from which longitudes are
reckoned. The meridian of Greenwich is the one commonly
employed in calculations of longitude by geographers, and
in actual practice, although in various countries other
and different meridians, chiefly those which pass through
the capitals of the countries, are occasionally used; as,
in France, the meridian of Paris; in the United States,
the meridian of Washington, etc.
{Guide meridian} (Public Land Survey), a line, marked by
monuments, running North and South through a section of
country between other more carefully established meridians
called principal meridians, used for reference in
surveying. [U.S.]
{Magnetic meridian}, a great circle, passing through the
zenith and coinciding in direction with the magnetic
needle, or a line on the earth's surface having the same
direction.
{Meridian circle} (Astron.), an instrument consisting of a
telescope attached to a large graduated circle and so
mounted that the telescope revolves like the transit
instrument in a meridian plane. By it the right ascension
and the declination of a star may be measured in a single
observation.
{Meridian instrument} (Astron.), any astronomical instrument
having a telescope that rotates in a meridian plane.
{Meridian of a globe}, or {Brass meridian}, a graduated
circular ring of brass, in which the artificial globe is
suspended and revolves.
Meridional \Me*rid"i*o*nal\, a. [F. m['e]ridional, L.
meridionalis, fr. meridies midday. See {Meridian}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the meridian.
2. Having a southern aspect; southern; southerly.
Offices that require heat . . . should be
meridional. --Sir H.
Wotton.
{Meridional distance}, the distance or departure from the
meridian; the easting or westing.
{Meridional parts}, parts of the meridian in Mercator's
projection, corresponding to each minute of latitude from
the equator up to 70 or 80 degrees; tabulated numbers
representing these parts used in projecting charts, and in
solving cases in Mercator's sailing.
Meridionality \Me*rid`i*o*nal"i*ty\, n.
1. The state of being in the meridian.
2. Position in the south; aspect toward the south.
Meridionally \Me*rid"i*o*nal*ly\, adv.
In the direction of the meridian.
Merils \Mer"ils\, n. [F. m['e]relle, marelle, marelles, LL.
marella, marrella. Cf. {Morris} the game.]
A boy's play, called also {fivepenny morris}. See {Morris}.
Meringue \Me`ringue"\ (F. ?; E. ?), n. [F.]
A delicate pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of
eggs whipped up, -- with jam or cream added.
Merino \Me*ri"no\, a. [Sp. merino moving from pasture to
pasture, fr. merino a royal judge and superintendent or
inspector of sheep walks, LL. merinus, fr. majorinus, i. e.,
major vill?, fr. L. major greater. See {Major}. Merino sheep
are driven at certain seasons from one part of Spain to
another, in large flocks, for pasturage.]
1. Of or pertaining to a variety of sheep with very fine
wool, originally bred in Spain.
2. Made of the wool of the merino sheep.
Merino \Me*ri"no\, n.; pl. {Merinos}. [Sp.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A breed of sheep originally from Spain, noted
for the fineness of its wool.
2. A fine fabric of merino wool.
Merismatic \Mer`is*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? division, fr. ? part.]
(Biol.)
Dividing into cells or segments; characterized by separation
into two or more parts or sections by the formation of
internal partitions; as, merismatic growth, where one cell
divides into many.
Meristem \Mer"i*stem\, n. [Gr. ? divisible.] (Bot.)
A tissue of growing cells, or cells capable of further
division.
Merit \Mer"it\, n. [F. m['e]rite, L. meritum, fr. merere,
mereri, to deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share;
akin to Gr. ? part, ? fate, doom, ? to receive as one's
portion. Cf. {Market}, {Merchant}, {Mercer}, {Mercy}.]
1. The quality or state of deserving well or ill; desert.
Here may men see how sin hath his merit. --Chaucer.
Be it known, that we, the greatest, are misthought
For things that others do; and when we fall, We
answer other's merits in our name. --Shak.
2. Esp. in a good sense: The quality or state of deserving
well; worth; excellence.
Reputation is . . . oft got without merit, and lost
without deserving. --Shak.
To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, And
every author's merit, but his own. --Pope.
3. Reward deserved; any mark or token of excellence or
approbation; as, his teacher gave him ten merits.
Those laurel groves, the merits of thy youth.
--Prior.
Merit \Mer"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Merited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meriting}.] [F. m['e]riter, L. meritare, v. intens. fr.
merere. See {Merit}, n.]
1. To earn by service or performance; to have a right to
claim as reward; to deserve; sometimes, to deserve in a
bad sense; as, to merit punishment. ``This kindness merits
thanks.'' --Shak.
2. To reward. [R. & Obs.] --Chapman.
Merit \Mer"it\, v. i.
To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to
profit. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Meritable \Mer"it*a*ble\, a.
Deserving of reward. [R.]
Meritedly \Mer"it*ed*ly\, adv.
By merit; deservedly.
Merithal \Mer"i*thal\, Merithallus \Mer`i*thal"lus\, n. [NL.
merithallus, fr. Gr. ?, or ?, a part + ? a young shoot.]
(Bot.)
Same as {Internode}.
Meritmonger \Mer"it*mon`ger\, n.
One who depends on merit for salvation. [Obs.] --Milner.
Meritorious \Mer`i*to"ri*ous\, a. [L. meritorius that brings in
money.]
Possessing merit; deserving of reward or honor; worthy of
recompense; valuable.
And meritorious shall that hand be called, Canonized,
and worshiped as a saint. --Shak.
-- {Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Mer`i*to"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Meritory \Mer"i*to*ry\, a.
Meritorious. [Obs.]
Meritot \Mer"i*tot\, n.
A play of children, in swinging on ropes, or the like, till
they are dizzy.
Merk \Merk\, n. [See {Marc}.]
An old Scotch silver coin; a mark or marc. [Scot.]
Merk \Merk\, n.
A mark; a sign. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Merke \Merke\, a.
Murky. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Merkin \Mer"kin\, n.
Originally, a wig; afterwards, a mop for cleaning cannon.
Merl \Merl\, Merle \Merle\, n. [F. merle, L. merula, merulus.
Cf. {Ousel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European blackbird. See {Blackbird}. --Drayton.
Merlin \Mer"lin\, n. [OE. merlion, F. ['e]merillon; cf. OHG.
smirl, G. schmerl; prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf.
{Merle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small European falcon ({Falco lithofalco}, or {F.
[ae]salon}).
Merling \Mer"ling\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European whiting.
Merlon \Mer"lon\, n. [F., perh. fr. L. moerus, for murus a wall,
through (assumed) dim. moerulus.] (Fort.)
One of the solid parts of a battlemented parapet; a
battlement. See Illust. of {Battlement}.
Merluce \Mer"luce\, n. [F. merluche, merlus.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European hake; -- called also {herring hake} and {sea
pike}.
Mermaid \Mer"maid\, n. [AS. mere lake, sea. See {Mere} lake, and
{maid}.]
A fabled marine creature, typically represented as having the
upper part like that of a woman, and the lower like a fish; a
sea nymph, sea woman, or woman fish.
Note: Chaucer uses this word as equivalent to the siren of
the ancients.
{Mermaid fish} (Zo["o]l.) the angel fish ({Squatina}).
{Mermaid's glove} (Zo["o]l.), a British branched sponge
somewhat resembling a glove.
{Mermaid's head} (Zo["o]l.), a European spatangoid sea urchin
({Echinocardium cordatum}) having some resemblance to a
skull.
{Mermaid weed} (Bot.), an aquatic herb with dentate or
pectinate leaves ({Proserpinaca palustris} and {P.
pectinacea}).
Merman \Mer"man\, n.; pl. {Mermen}.
The male corresponding to mermaid; a sea man, or man fish.
Meroblast \Mer"o*blast\, n. [Gr. ? part + -blast.] (Biol.)
An ovum, as that of a mammal, only partially composed of
germinal matter, that is, consisting of both a germinal
portion and an albuminous or nutritive one; -- opposed to
{holoblast}.
Meroblastic \Mer`o*blas"tic\, a. (Biol.)
Consisting only in part of germinal matter; characterized by
partial segmentation only; as, meroblastic ova, in which a
portion of the yolk only undergoes fission; meroblastic
segmentation; -- opposed to holoblastic.
Merocele \Me"ro*cele\, n. [Gr. ? thigh + ? tumor.] (Med.)
Hernia in the thigh; femoral hernia .
Meroistic \Mer`o*is"tic\, a. [Gr. ? part + ? an egg.] (Zo["o]l.)
Applied to the ovaries of insects when they secrete
vitelligenous cells, as well as ova.
Meropidan \Me*rop"i*dan\, n. [L. merops a bee-eating bird, Gr.
me`rops.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a family of birds ({Meropid[ae]}), including the
bee-eaters.
Meropodite \Me*rop"o*dite\, n. [Gr. ? thigh + ?, ?, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The fourth joint of a typical appendage of Crustacea.
Merorganization \Mer*or`gan*i*za"tion\, n. [Gr. ? part + E.
organization.]
Organization in part. [R.]
Meros \Me"ros\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? part.] (Arch.)
The plain surface between the channels of a triglyph.
[Written also {merus}.] --Weale.
Meros \Me"ros\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the thigh.] (Anat.)
The proximal segment of the hind limb; the thigh.
Merosome \Mer"o*some\, n. [Gr. ? part + -some body.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the serial segments, or metameres, of which the bodies
of vertebrate and articulate animals are composed.
Merostomata \Mer`o*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thigh + ?,
-?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of Arthropoda, allied to the Crustacea. It includes
the trilobites, Eurypteroidea, and Limuloidea. All are
extinct except the horseshoe crabs of the last group. See
{Limulus}.
M'erou \M['e]`rou"\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Jack}, 8
(c) .
Merovingian \Mer`o*vin"gi*an\, a. [From Merovaeus, the Latin
name of a king of the Franks.]
Of or pertaining to the first Frankish dynasty in Gaul or
France. -- n. One of the kings of this dynasty.
Merrily \Mer"ri*ly\, adv. [From {Merry}.]
In a merry manner; with mirth; with gayety and laughter;
jovially. See {Mirth}, and {Merry}.
Merrily sing, and sport, and play. --Granville.
Merrimake \Mer"ri*make`\, n.
See {Merrymake}, n.
Merrimake \Mer"ri*make`\, v. i.
See {Merrymake}, v. --Gay.
Merriment \Mer"ri*ment\, n.
Gayety, with laughter; mirth; frolic. ``Follies and light
merriment.'' --Spenser.
Methought it was the sound Of riot and ill-managed
merriment. --Milton.
Merriness \Mer"ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being merry; merriment; mirth;
gayety, with laughter.
Merry \Mer"ry\, a. [Compar. {Merrier}; superl. {Merriest}.] [OE.
merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige,
pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short,
Goth. gama['u]rgjan to shorten; cf. L. murcus a coward, who
cuts off his thumb to escape military service; the
Anglo-Saxon and English meanings coming from the idea of
making the time seem short. Cf. {Mirth}.]
1. Laughingly gay; overflowing with good humor and good
spirits; jovial; inclined to laughter or play; sportive.
They drank, and were merry with him. --Gen. xliii.
34.
I am never merry when I hear sweet music. --Shak.
2. Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy.
Is any merry ? let him sing psalms. --Jas. v. 13.
3. Causing laughter, mirth, gladness, or delight; as, ? merry
jest. ``Merry wind and weather.'' --Spenser.
{Merry dancers}. See under {Dancer}.
{Merry men}, followers; retainers. [Obs.]
His merie men commanded he To make him bothe game
and glee. --Chaucer.
{To make merry}, to be jovial; to indulge in hilarity; to
feast with mirth. --Judg. ix. 27.
Syn: Cheerful; blithe; lively; sprightly; vivacious; gleeful;
joyous; mirthful; jocund; sportive; hilarious.
Merry \Mer"ry\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of wild red cherry.
Merry-andrew \Mer"ry-an"drew\, n.
One whose business is to make sport for others; a buffoon; a
zany; especially, one who attends a mountebank or quack
doctor.
Note: This term is said to have originated from one Andrew
Borde, an English physician of the 16th century, who
gained patients by facetious speeches to the multitude.
Merry-go-round \Mer"ry-go`-round"\, n.
Any revolving contrivance for affording amusement; esp., a
ring of flying hobbyhorses.
Merrymake \Mer"ry*make`\, n.
Mirth; frolic; a meeting for mirth; a festival. [Written also
{merrimake}.]
Merrymake \Mer"ry*make`\, v. i.
To make merry; to be jolly; to feast. [Written also
{merrimake}.]
Merrymaker \Mer"ry*mak`er\, n.
One who makes merriment or indulges in conviviality; a jovial
comrade.
Merrymaking \Mer"ry*mak`ing\, a.
Making or producing mirth; convivial; jolly.
Merrymaking \Mer"ry*mak`ing\, n.
The act of making merry; conviviality; merriment; jollity.
--Wordsworth.
Merrymeeting \Mer"ry*meet`ing\, n.
A meeting for mirth.
Merrythought \Mer"ry*thought`\, n.
The forked bone of a fowl's breast; -- called also
{wishbone}. See {Furculum}.
Note: It is a sportive custom for two persons to break this
bone by pulling the ends apart to see who will get the
longer piece, the securing of which is regarded as a
lucky omen, signifying that the person holding it will
obtain the gratification of some secret wish.
Mersion \Mer"sion\, n. [L. mersio. See {Merge}.]
Immersion. [R.] --Barrow.
Merulidan \Me*ru"li*dan\, n. [L. merula, merulus, blackbird. See
{Merle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of the Thrush family.
Merus \Me"rus\, n. [NL.] (Arch.)
See {Meros}.
Mervaille \Mer"vaille`\, n.
Marvel. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mes- \Mes-\
See {Meso-}.
Mesa \Me"sa\, ?. [Sp.]
A high tableland; a plateau on a hill. [Southwestern U.S.]
--Bartlett.
Mesaconate \Mes*ac"o*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesaconic acid.
Mesaconic \Mes`a*con"ic\, a. [Mes- + -aconic, as in citraconic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, one of several isomeric acids
obtained from citric acid.
Mesad \Mes"ad\, adv.
Same as {Mesiad}.
Mesal \Mes"al\, a.
Same as {Mesial}.
M'esalliance \M['e]`sal`li`ance"\, n. [F.]
A marriage with a person of inferior social position; a
misalliance.
Mesally \Mes"al*ly\ (m[e^]s"al*l[y^]), adv.
Same as {Mesially}.
Mesamoeboid \Mes`a*m[oe]"boid\ (m[e^]s`[ador]*m[=e]"boid), n.
[Mes- + am[oe]boid.] (Biol.)
One of a class of independent, isolated cells found in the
mesoderm, while the germ layers are undergoing
differentiation.
Mesaraic \Mes`a*ra"ic\, a. [Gr. mesa`raion mesentery; me`sos
middle + 'araia` flank.] (Anat.)
Mesenteric.
Mesaticephalic \Mes`a*ti*ce*phal"ic\, a. [Gr. ? midmost + E.
cephalic.] (Anat.)
Having the ratio of the length to the breadth of the cranium
a medium one; neither brachycephalic nor dolichocephalic.
Mesaticephalous \Mes`a*ti*ceph"a*lous\, a. (Anat.)
Mesaticephalic.
Mescal \Mes*cal"\, n. [Sp.]
A distilled liquor prepared in Mexico from a species of
agave. See {Agave}.
Mesdames \Mes`dames"\ (F. ?, E. ?), n.,
pl. of {Madame} and {Madam}.
Meseems \Me*seems"\, v. impers. [imp. {Meseemed}.]
It seems to me. [Poetic]
Mesel \Me"sel\, n. [See {Measle}.]
A leper. [Obs.]
Meselry \Me"sel*ry\, n.
Leprosy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mesembryanthemum \Me*sem`bry*an"the*mum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
midday + ? flower.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous or suffruticose plants, chiefly natives
of South Africa. The leaves are opposite, thick, and f?eshy.
The flowers usually open about midday, whence the name.
Mesencephalic \Mes`en*ce*phal"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesencephalon or midbrain.
Mesencephalon \Mes`en*ceph"a*lon\, n. [NL. See {Meso-} and
{Encephalon}.] (Anat.)
The middle segment of the brain; the midbrain. Sometimes
abbreviated to {mesen}. See {Brain}.
Mesenchyma \Mes*en"chy*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle +
-enchyma, as in E. parenchyma.] (Biol.)
The part of the mesoblast which gives rise to the connective
tissues and blood.
Mesenteric \Mes`en*ter"ic\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]sent['e]rique.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to a mesentery; mesaraic.
Mesenteron \Mes*en"te*ron\, n. [NL. See {Meso-}, and {Enteron}.]
(Anat.)
All that part of the alimentary canal which is developed from
the primitive enteron and is lined with hypoblast. It is
distinguished from the stomod?um, a part at the anterior end
of the canal, including the cavity of the mouth, and the
proctod?um, a part at the posterior end, which are formed by
invagination and are lined with epiblast.
Mesentery \Mes"en*ter*y\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ?, ? + ? intestine:
cf. F. m['e]sent[`e]re.]
1. (Anat.) The membranes, or one of the membranes (consisting
of a fold of the peritoneum and inclosed tissues), which
connect the intestines and their appendages with the
dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity. The mesentery proper
is connected with the jejunum and ilium, the other
mesenteries being called mesoc[ae]cum, mesocolon,
mesorectum, etc.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the vertical muscular radiating
partitions which divide the body cavity of Anthozoa into
chambers.
Meseraic \Mes`e*ra"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Mesaraic.
Mesethmoid \Mes*eth"moid\, a. [Mes- + ethmoid.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the middle of the ethmoid region or
ethmoid bone. -- n. (Anat.) The median vertical plate, or
median element, of the ethmoid bone.
Mesh \Mesh\, n. [AS. masc, max, m?scre; akin to D. maas, masche,
OHG. masca, Icel. m["o]skvi; cf. Lith. mazgas a knot, megsti
to weave nets, to knot.]
1. The opening or space inclosed by the threads of a net
between knot and knot, or the threads inclosing such a
space; network; a net.
A golden mesh to entrap the hearts of men. --Shak.
2. (Gearing) The engagement of the teeth of wheels, or of a
wheel and rack.
{Mesh stick}, a stick on which the mesh is formed in netting.
Mesh \Mesh\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Meshed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meshing}.]
To catch in a mesh. --Surrey.
Mesh \Mesh\, v. i. (Gearing)
To engage with each other, as the teeth of wheels.
Meshed \Meshed\, a.
Mashed; brewed. [Obs.] --Shak.
Meshy \Mesh"y\, a.
Formed with meshes; netted.
Mesiad \Mes"i*ad\, adv. [Gr. me`sos middle + L. ad to.] (Anat.)
Toward, or on the side toward, the mesial plane; mesially; --
opposed to {laterad}.
Mesial \Me"sial\ (?; 277), a. [Gr. ? middle.] (Anat.)
Middle; median; in, or in the region of, the mesial plane;
internal; -- opposed to {lateral}.
{Mesial plane}. (Anat.) See {Meson}.
Mesially \Me"sial*ly\, adv. (Anat.)
In, near, or toward, the mesial plane; mesiad.
Mesityl \Mes"i*tyl\, n. (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical formerly supposed to exist in mesityl
oxide.
{Mesityl oxide} (Chem.), a volatile liquid having the odor of
peppermint, obtained by certain dehydrating agents from
acetone; -- formerly called also {dumasin}.
Mesitylenate \Me*sit"y*le*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesitylenic acid.
Mesitylene \Me*sit"y*lene\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless, fragrant liquid, {C6H3(CH3)3}, of the benzene
series of hydrocarbons, obtained by distilling acetone with
sulphuric acid. -- {Me*sit`y*len"ic}, a.
Mesitylol \Me*sit"y*lol\, n. [Mesitylene + -ol.] (Chem.)
A crystalline substance obtained from mesitylene.
Meslin \Mes"lin\ (? or ?), n.
See {Maslin}.
Mesmeree \Mes`mer*ee"\, n.
A person subjected to mesmeric influence; one who is
mesmerized. [R.]
Mesmeric \Mes*mer"ic\, Mesmerical \Mes*mer"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
mesm['e]rique.]
Of, pertaining to, or induced by, mesmerism; as, mesmeric
sleep.
Mesmerism \Mes"mer*ism\, n. [From Mesmer, who first brought it
into notice at Vienna, about 1775: cf. F. mesm['e]risme.]
The art of inducing an extraordinary or abnormal state of the
nervous system, in which the actor claims to control the
actions, and communicate directly with the mind, of the
recipient. See {Animal magnetism}, under {Magnetism}.
Mesmerist \Mes"mer*ist\, n.
One who practices, or believes in, mesmerism.
Mesmerization \Mes`mer*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of mesmerizing; the state of being mesmerized.
Mesmerize \Mes"mer*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mesmerized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mesmerizing}.]
To bring into a state of mesmeric sleep.
Mesmerizer \Mes"mer*i`zer\, n.
One who mesmerizes.
Mesne \Mesne\, a. [Cf. {Mean} intermediate.] (Law)
Middle; intervening; as, a mesne lord, that is, a lord who
holds land of a superior, but grants a part of it to another
person, in which case he is a tenant to the superior, but
lord or superior to the second grantee, and hence is called
the mesne lord.
{Mesne process}, intermediate process; process intervening
between the beginning and end of a suit, sometimes
understood to be the whole process preceding the
execution. --Blackstone. Burrill.
{Mesne profits}, profits of premises during the time the
owner has been wrongfully kept out of the possession of
his estate. --Burrill.
Meso- \Mes"o-\, Mes- \Mes-\ [Gr. me`sos in the middle.]
A combining form denoting in the middle, intermediate;
specif. (Chem.), denoting a type of hydrocarbons which are
regarded as methenyl derivatives. Also used adjectively.
Mesoarium \Mes`o*a"ri*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. me`sos middle +
'w,a`rion, dim. of 'w,o`n an egg.] (Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum which suspends the ovary from the
dorsal wall of the body cavity.
Mesoblast \Mes"o*blast\, n. [Meso- + -blast.] (Biol.)
(a) The mesoderm.
(b) The cell nucleus; mesoplast.
Mesoblastic \Mes`o*blas"tic\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to the mesoblast; as, the mesoblastic layer.
Mesobranchial \Mes`o*bran"chi*al\, a. [Meso- + branchial.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a region of the carapace of a crab
covering the middle branchial region.
Mesobronchium \Mes`o*bron"chi*um\, n.; pl. {Mesobronchia}. [NL.
See {Meso-}, and {Bronchia}.] (Anat.)
The main bronchus of each lung.
Mesocaecum \Mes`o*c[ae]"cum\, n. (Anat.) [NL. See {Meso-}, and
{C[ae]cum}.]
The fold of peritoneum attached to the c[ae]cum. --
{Mes`o*c[ae]"cal}, a.
Mesocarp \Mes"o*carp\, n. [Meso- + Gr. ? fruit.] (Bot.)
The middle layer of a pericarp which consists of three
distinct or dissimilar layers. --Gray.
Mesocephalic \Mes`o*ce*phal"ic\, a. [Meso- + cephalic.] (Anat.)
(a) Of or pertaining to, or in the region of, the middle of
the head; as, the mesocephalic flexure.
(b) Having the cranial cavity of medium capacity; neither
megacephalic nor microcephalic.
(c) Having the ratio of the length to the breadth of the
cranium a medium one; mesaticephalic.
Mesocephalon \Mes`o*ceph"a*lon\, n. [NL. See {Meso-}, and
{Cephalon}.] (Anat.)
The pons Varolii.
Mesocephalous \Mes`o*ceph"a*lous\, a. (Anat.)
Mesocephalic.
Mesocoele \Mes`o*c[oe]"le\, Mesocoelia \Mes`o*c[oe]"li*a\, n.
[NL. mesocoelia. See {Meso-}, and {C[oe]lia}.] (Anat.)
The cavity of the mesencephalon; the iter.
Mesocolon \Mes`o*co"lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; me`sos middle + ?
the colon : cf. F. m['e]soc[^o]lon.] (Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum, or mesentery, attached to the colon.
-- {Mes`o*col"ic}, a.
Mesocoracoid \Mes`o*cor"a*coid\, n. [Meso- + coracoid.] (Anat.)
A process from the middle of the coracoid in some animals.
Mesocuneiform \Mes`o*cu*ne"i*form\, Mesocuniform
\Mes`o*cu"ni*form\, n. [Meso- + cuneiform, cuniform.] (Anat.)
One of the bones of the tarsus. See 2d {Cuneiform}.
Mesoderm \Mes"o*derm\, n. [Meso- + Gr. ? skin.] (Biol.)
(a) The layer of the blastoderm, between the ectoderm and
endoderm; mesoblast. See Illust. of {Blastoderm} and
{Ectoderm}.
(b) The middle body layer in some invertebrates.
(c) The middle layer of tissue in some vegetable structures.
Mesodermal \Mes`o*der"mal\, a. (Biol.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the mesoderm; as, mesodermal
tissues.
Mesodermic \Mes`o*der"mic\, a.
Same as {Mesodermal}.
Mesodont \Mes"o*dont\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ?, ?, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having teeth of moderate size.
Mesogaster \Mes`o*gas"ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? middle + ?
belly.] (Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum connecting the stomach with the dorsal
wall of the abdominal cavity; the mesogastrium.
Mesogastric \Mes`o*gas"tric\, a. [Meso- + gastric.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) Of or pertaining to the middle region of the abdomen,
or of the stomach.
(b) Of or pertaining to the mesogaster.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the middle gastric lobe of
the carapace of a crab.
Mesogastrium \Mes`o*gas"tri*um\, n. [NL. See {Mesogaster}.]
(Anat.)
(a) The umbilical region.
(b) The mesogaster.
Mesogloea \Mes`o*gl[oe]"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ? a
glutinous substance.] (Zo["o]l.)
A thin gelatinous tissue separating the ectoderm and endoderm
in certain c[oe]lenterates. -- {Mes`o*gl[oe]"al}, a.
Mesognathous \Me*sog"na*thous\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ? jaw.] (Anat.)
Having the jaws slightly projecting; between prognathous and
orthognathous. See {Gnathic index}, under {Gnathic}.
Mesohepar \Mes`o*he"par\, n. [NL. See {Meso-}, and {Hepar}.]
(Anat.)
A fold of the peritoneum connecting the liver with the dorsal
wall of the abdominal cavity.
Mesohippus \Mes`o*hip"pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ? a
horse.] (Paleon.)
An extinct mammal of the Horse family, but not larger than a
sheep, and having three toes on each foot.
Mesolabe \Mes"o*labe\, n. [L. mesolabium, Gr. ?; me`sos middle +
? to take.]
An instrument of the ancients for finding two mean
proportionals between two given lines, required in solving
the problem of the duplication of the cube. --Brande & C.
Mesole \Mes"ole\, n. [Gr. me`sos middle.] (Min.)
Same as {Thomsonite}.
Mesolite \Mes"o*lite\ (?; 277), n. [Meso- + -lite.] (Min.)
A zeolitic mineral, grayish white or yellowish, occuring in
delicate groups of crystals, also fibrous massive. It is a
hydrous silicate of alumina, lime, and soda.
Mesologarithm \Mes`o*log"a*rithm\, n. [Meso- + logarithm : cf.
F. m['e]sologarithme.] (Math.)
A logarithm of the cosine or cotangent. [Obs.] --Kepler.
Hutton.
Mesometrium \Mes`o*me"tri*um\, n. [NL. See {Meso-}, and
{Metrium}.] (Anat.)
The fold of the peritoneum supporting the oviduct.
Mesomyodian \Mes`o*my*o"di*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bird having a mesomyodous larynx.
Mesomyodous \Mes`o*my"o*dous\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ?, ?, a muscle.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the intrinsic muscles of the larynx attached to the
middle of the semirings.
Meson \Mes"on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`son middle, neut. of me`sos,
a., middle.] (Anat.)
The mesial plane dividing the body of an animal into similar
right and left halves. The line in which it meets the dorsal
surface has been called the dorsimeson, and the corresponding
ventral edge the ventrimeson. --B. G. Wilder.
Mesonasal \Mes`o*na"sal\, a. [Meso- + nasal.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the middle portion of the nasal region.
Mesonephric \Mes`o*neph"ric\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesonephros; as, the mesonephric, or
Wolffian, duct.
Mesonephros \Mes`o*neph"ros\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle +
nefro`s kidney.] (Anat.)
The middle one of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs
developed in most vertebrates; the Wolffian body.
Mesonotum \Mes`o*no"tum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle +
nw^ton the back.] (Zo["o]l.)
The dorsal portion of the mesothorax of insects.
Mesophloeum \Mes`o*phl[oe]"um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle +
floio`s bark.] (Bot.)
The middle bark of a tree; the green layer of bark, usually
soon covered by the outer or corky layer, and obliterated.
Mesophryon \Me*soph"ry*on\, n. [NL., from Gr. meso`fryon.]
(Anat.)
See {Glabella}.
Mesophyllum \Mes`o*phyl"lum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ?
leaf.] (Bot.)
The parenchyma of a leaf between the skin of the two
surfaces. --Gray.
Mesoplast \Mes"o*plast\, n. [Meso- + -plast.] (Biol.)
The nucleus of a cell; mesoblast. --Agassiz.
Mesopodial \Mes`o*po"di*al\ (m[e^]s`[-o]*p[=o]"d[i^]*al), a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesopodialia or to the parts of the
limbs to which they belong.
Mesopodiale \Mes`o*po`di*a"le\, n.; pl. {Mesopodialia}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot.] (Anat.)
One of the bones of either the carpus or tarsus.
Mesopodium \Mes`o*po"di*um\, n. [NL. See {Mesopodiale}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The middle portion of the foot in the Gastropoda and
Pteropoda.
Mesopterygium \Me*sop`te*ryg"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos
middle + ? a fin.] (Anat.)
The middle one of the three principal basal cartilages in the
fins of fishes. -- {Me*sop`ter*yg"i*al}, a.
Mesorchium \Me*sor"chi*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ? a
testicle.] (Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum which attaches the testis to the
dorsal wall of the body cavity or scrotal sac.
Mesorectum \Mes`o*rec"tum\, n. [Meso- + rectum.] (Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum, or mesentery, attached to the rectum.
-- {Mes`o*rec"tal}, a.
Mesorhine \Mes"o*rhine\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ?, ?, the nose.]
(Anat.)
Having the nose of medium width; between leptorhine and
platyrhine.
Mesosauria \Mes`o*sau"ri*a\, n.
Same as {Mosasauria}.
Mesoscapula \Mes`o*scap"u*la\, n. [Meso- + scapula.] (Anat.)
A process from the middle of the scapula in some animals; the
spine of the scapula.
Mesoscapular \Mes`o*scap"u*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesoscapula.
Mesoscutum \Mes`o*scu"tum\, n. [Meso- + scutum.] (Zo["o]l.)
The scutum or dorsal plate of the middle thoracic segment of
an insect. See Illust. of {Butterfly}.
Mesoseme \Mes"o*seme\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ? sign, mark; cf. F.
m['e]sos[`e]me.] (Anat.)
Having a medium orbital index; having orbits neither broad
nor narrow; between megaseme and microseme.
Mesosiderite \Mes`o*sid"er*ite\, n. [Meso- + siderite.] (Min.)
See the Note under {Meteorite}.
Mesosperm \Mes"o*sperm\, n. [Meso- + Gr. ? seed: cf. F.
m['e]sosperme.] (Bot.)
A membrane of a seed. See {Secundine}.
Mesostate \Mes"o*state\, n. [Meso- + Gr. ? to make to stand.]
(Physiol.)
A product of metabolic action.
Note: Every mesostate is either an anastate or katastate,
according as it is formed by an anabolic or katabolic
process. See {Metabolism}.
Mesosternal \Mes`o*ster"nal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the mesosternum.
Mesosternum \Mes`o*ster"num\, n. [Meso- + sternum.]
1. (Anat.) The middle portion, or body, of the sternum.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The ventral piece of the middle segment of the
thorax in insects.
Mesotartaric \Mes`o*tar*tar"ic\, a. [Meso- + tartaric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also {inactive
tartaric acid}.
Mesotheca \Mes`o*the"ca\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ?
box.] (Zo["o]l.)
The middle layer of the gonophore in the Hydrozoa.
Mesothelium \Mes`o*the"li*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle +
E. epithelium.] (Biol.)
Epithelial mesoderm; a layer of cuboidal epithelium cells,
formed from a portion of the mesoderm during the
differetiation of the germ layers. It constitutes the
boundary of the c[oe]lum.
Mesothoracic \Mes`o*tho*rac"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the mesothorax.
Mesothorax \Mes`o*tho"rax\, n. [Meso- + thorax: cf. F.
m['e]sothorax.] (Zo["o]l.)
The middle segment of the thorax in insects. See Illust. of
{Coleoptera}.
Mesotrochal \Mes"o*tro`chal\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ? anything round,
a hoop.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the middle of the body surrounded by bands of cilia;
-- said of the larv[ae] of certain marine annelids.
Mesotype \Mes"o*type\, n. [Meso- + -type: cf. F. m['e]sotype.]
(Min.)
An old term covering natrolite or soda mesolite, scolecite or
lime mesotype, and mesolite or lime-soda mesotype.
Mesovarium \Mes`o*va"ri*um\, n. [NL. See {Meso-}, and {Ovary}.]
(Anat.)
The fold of peritoneum connecting the ovary with the wall of
the abdominal cavity.
Mesoxalate \Mes*ox"a*late\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mesoxalic acid.
Mesoxalic \Mes`ox*al"ic\, a. [Mes- + oxalic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, {CH2O2(CO2H)2},
obtained from amido malonic acid.
Mesozoa \Mes`o*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mesozoic}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of very lowly organized, wormlike parasites,
including the Dicyemata. They are found in cephalopods. See
{Dicyemata}.
Mesozoic \Mes`o*zo"ic\, a. [Meso- + Gr. ? life, fr. ? to live.]
(Geol.)
Belonging, or relating, to the secondary or reptilian age, or
the era between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic. See Chart of
{Geology}.
Mesozoic \Mes`o*zo"ic\, n.
The Mesozoic age or formation.
Mesprise \Mes*prise"\, n. [OF. mespris, F. m['e]pris. See
{Misprize}.]
1. Contempt; scorn. [Obs.]
2. [Perh. for F. m['e]prise mistake. Cf. {Misprision}.]
Misadventure; ill-success. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Mesquite \Mes*qui"te\, Mesquit \Mes*quit"\, n. [Sp. mezquite;
said to be a Mexican Indian word.] (Bot.)
A name for two trees of the southwestern part of North
America, the honey mesquite, and screw-pod mesquite.
{Honey mesquite}. See {Algaroba}
(b) .
{Screw-pod mesquite}, a smaller tree ({Prosopis pubescens}),
having spiral pods used as fodder and sometimes as food by
the Indians.
{Mesquite grass}, a rich native grass in Western Texas
({Bouteloua oligostachya}, and other species); -- so
called from its growing in company with the mesquite tree;
-- called also {muskit grass}, {grama grass}.
Mess \Mess\, n.
Mass; church service. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mess \Mess\, n. [OE. mes, OF. mets, LL. missum, p. p. of mittere
to put, place (e. g., on the table), L. mittere to send. See
{Mission}, and cf. {Mass} religious service.]
1. A quantity of food set on a table at one time; provision
of food for a person or party for one meal; as, a mess of
pottage; also, the food given to a beast at one time.
At their savory dinner set Of herbs and other
country messes. --Milton.
2. A number of persons who eat together, and for whom food is
prepared in common; especially, persons in the military or
naval service who eat at the same table; as, the wardroom
mess. --Shak.
3. A set of four; -- from the old practice of dividing
companies into sets of four at dinner. [Obs.] --Latimer.
4. The milk given by a cow at one milking. [U.S.]
5. [Perh. corrupt. fr. OE. mesh for mash: cf. muss.] A
disagreeable mixture or confusion of things; hence, a
situation resulting from blundering or from
misunderstanding; as, he made a mess of it. [Colloq.]
Mess \Mess\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Messed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Messing}.]
To take meals with a mess; to belong to a mess; to eat (with
others); as, I mess with the wardroom officers. --Marryat.
Mess \Mess\, v. t.
To supply with a mess.
Message \Mes"sage\ (?; 48), n. [F., fr. LL. missaticum, fr. L.
mittere, missum, to send. See {Mission}, and cf.
{Messenger}.]
1. Any notice, word, or communication, written or verbal,
sent from one person to another.
Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee.
--Judg. iii.
20.
2. Hence, specifically, an official communication, not made
in person, but delivered by a messenger; as, the
President's message.
{Message shell}. See {Shell}.
Message \Mes"sage\, v. t.
To bear as a message. [Obs.]
Message \Mes"sage\, n. [OE., fr. OF. message, fr. LL.
missaticus. See 1st {Message}.]
A messenger. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Messager \Mes"sa*ger\, n. [OE.]
A messenger. [Obs.]
Messenger \Mes"sen*ger\, n. [OE. messager, OF. messagier, F.
messager. See {Message}.]
1. One who bears a message; the bearer of a verbal or written
communication, notice, or invitation, from one person to
another, or to a public body; specifically, an office
servant who bears messages.
2. One who, or that which, foreshows, or foretells.
Yon gray lines That fret the clouds are messengers
of day. --Shak.
3. (Naut.) A hawser passed round the capstan, and having its
two ends lashed together to form an endless rope or chain;
-- formerly used for heaving in the cable.
4. (Law) A person appointed to perform certain ministerial
duties under bankrupt and insolvent laws, such as to take
charge og the estate of the bankrupt or insolvent.
--Bouvier. Tomlins.
Syn: Carrier; intelligencer; courier; harbinger; forerunner;
precursor; herald.
{Messenger bird}, the secretary bird, from its swiftness.
Messet \Mes"set\, n.
A dog. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Messiad \Mes*si"ad\, n.
A German epic poem on the Messiah, by Klopstock.
Messiah \Mes*si"ah\, n. [Heb. m[=a]sh[=i]akh anointed, fr.
m[=a]shakh to anoint. Cf. {Messias}.]
The expected king and deliverer of the Hebrews; the Savior;
Christ.
And told them the Messiah now was born. --Milton.
Messiahship \Mes*si"ah*ship\, n.
The state or office of the Messiah.
Messianic \Mes`si*an"ic\, a.
Of or relating to the Messiah; as, the Messianic office or
character.
Messias \Mes*si"as\, n. [LL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Messiah}.]
The Messiah.
I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ.
--John iv. 25.
Messidor \Mes`si`dor"\ (F. ?; E. ?), n. [F., fr. L. messis
harvest.]
The tenth month of the French republican calendar dating from
September 22, 1792. It began June 19, and ended July 18. See
{Vend['E]miaire}.
Messieurs \Mes"sieurs\ (?; F. ?; 277), n. pl. [F.; pl. of
monsieur.]
Sirs; gentlemen; -- abbreviated to Messrs., which is used as
the plural of Mr.
Messinese \Mes`si*nese"\ (? or ?), a.
Of or pertaining to Messina, or its inhabitans.
Messmate \Mess"mate`\, n.
An associate in a mess.
Messuage \Mes"suage\ (?; 48), n. [Cf. OF. mesuage, masnage, LL.
messuagium, mansionaticum, fr. L. mansio, -onis, a staying,
remaining, dwelling, fr. manere, mansum, to stay, remain, E.
mansion, manse.] (Law)
A dwelling house, with the adjacent buildings and curtilage,
and the adjoining lands appropriated to the use of the
household. --Cowell. Bouvier.
They wedded her to sixty thousand pounds, To lands in
Kent, and messuages in York. --Tennyson.
Mest \Mest\, a.
Most. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mestee \Mes*tee"\, n. [See {Mestizo}.]
The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; -- so called
in the West Indies. [Written also {mustee}.]
Mester \Mes"ter\, n. [Obs.]
See {Mister}, a trade.
Mestino \Mes*ti"no\, n.; pl. {Mestinos}.
See {Mestizo}.
Mestizo \Mes*ti"zo\, n.; pl. {Mestizos}. [Sp. mestizo; akin to
OF. mestis, F. m['e]tis; all fr. (assumed) LL. mixtitius, fr.
L. mixtus mixed, p. p. of miscere to mix. See {Mix}, and cf.
{Mestee}, {M['E]tif}, {M['E]tis}, {Mustee}.]
The offspring of an Indian or a negro and a European or
person of European stock. [Spanish America]
{Mestizo wool}, wool imported from South America, and
produced by mixed breeds of sheep.
Mestling \Mest"ling\, n.
A kind of brass. See {Maslin}. [Obs.]
Mesymnicum \Me*sym"ni*cum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + ? a
festive song. See {Hymn}.] (Anc. Poetry)
A repetition at the end of a stanza.
Met \Met\,
imp. & p. p. of {Meet}.
Met \Met\, obs.
imp. & p. p. of {Mete}, to measure. --Chapman.
Met \Met\, obs.
p. p. of {Mete}, to dream. --Chaucer.
Meta- \Met"a-\, Met- \Met-\ [Gr. ? between, with, after; akin to
AS. mid with, G. mit, Goth. mi[thorn], E. mid, in midwife.]
1. A prefix meaning between, with, after, behind, over,
about, reversely; as, metachronism, the error of placing
after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying over;
metathesis, a placing reversely.
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting:
(a) Other; duplicate, corresponding to; resembling; hence,
metameric; as, meta-arabinic, metaldehyde.
(b) (Organic Chem.) That two replacing radicals, in the
benzene nucleus, occupy the relative positions of 1
and 3, 2 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 6, 5 and 1, or 6 and 2;
as, metacresol, etc. See {Ortho-}, and {Para-}.
(c) (Inorganic Chem.) Having less than the highest number
of hydroxyl groups; -- said of acids; as,
metaphosphoric acid. Also used adjectively.
Metabasis \Me*tab"a*sis\, n.; pl. {Metabases}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?,
fr. ? to pass over; ? beyond, over + ? to go.]
1. (Rhet.) A transition from one subject to another.
2. (Med.) Same as {Metabola}.
Metabola \Me*tab"o*la\, Metabole \Me*tab"o*le\, n. [NL., from
Gr. ? change; ? beyond + ? to throw.] (Med.)
A change or mutation; a change of disease, symptoms, or
treatment.
Metabola \Me*tab"o*la\, Metabolia \Met`a*bo"li*a\, n. pl. [NL.
See 1st {Metabola}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A comprehensive group of insects, including those that
undegro a metamorphosis.
Metabolian \Met`a*bo"li*an\, n. [See {Metabola}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An insect which undergoes a metamorphosis.
Metabolic \Met`a*bol"ic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Metabola}.]
1. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to metamorphosis; pertaining to,
or involving, change.
2. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to metabolism; as, metabolic
activity; metabolic force.
Metabolisis \Met`a*bol"i*sis\, n. [NL.]
Metabolism. [R.]
Metabolism \Me*tab"o*lism\, n. (Physiol.)
The act or process, by which living tissues or cells take up
and convert into their own proper substance the nutritive
material brought to them by the blood, or by which they
transform their cell protoplasm into simpler substances,
which are fitted either for excretion or for some special
purpose, as in the manufacture of the digestive ferments.
Hence, metabolism may be either constructive ({anabolism}),
or destructive ({katabolism}).
Metabolite \Me*tab"o*lite\, n. (Physiol Chem.)
A product of metabolism; a substance produced by metabolic
action, as urea.
Metabolize \Me*tab"o*lize\, v. t. & i. (Physiol.)
To change by a metabolic process. See {Metabolism}.
Metabranchial \Met`a*bran"chi*al\, a. [Meta- + branchial.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the lobe of the carapace of crabs
covering the posterior branchi[ae].
Metacarpal \Met`a*car"pal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. -- n. A metacarpal bone.
Metacarpus \Met`a*car"pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? beyond,
between + ? the wrist.] (Anat.)
That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the
carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See
Illust. of {Artiodactyla}.
Metacenter \Met`a*cen"ter\or -tre \-tre\, n. [Pref. meta- +
center.] (Hydrostatics)
The point of intersection of a vertical line through the
center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body
which is tipped through a small angle from its position of
equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through
the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
Note: When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the
position of the body is stable; when below it,
unstable.
Metacetone \Me*tac"e*tone\, n. [Pref. met- + acetone.] (Chem.)
A colorless liquid of an agreeable odor, {C6H10O}, obtained
by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; -- so called
because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of
acetone.
Metachloral \Met`a*chlo"ral\, n. [Pref. meta- + chloral.]
(Chem.)
A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a
polymeric variety of chloral.
Metachronism \Me*tach"ro*nism\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, after the time,
happening afterward; ? beyond + ? time: cf. F.
m['e]tachronisme.]
An error committed in chronology by placing an event after
its real time.
Metachrosis \Met`a*chro"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? beyond + ? a
coloring.] (Biol.)
The power og changing color at will by the expansion of
special pigment cells, under nerve influence, as seen in many
reptiles, fishes, etc. --Cope.
Metacinnabarite \Met`a*cin"na*bar*ite\, n. [Pref. meta- +
cinnabar.] (Min.)
Sulphide of mercury in isometric form and black in color.
Metacism \Met"a*cism\, n. [L. metacismus, Gr. ? fondness for the
letter ?.]
A defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use
of it.
Metacrolein \Met`a*cro"le*in\, n. [Pref. met- + acrolein.]
(Chem.)
A polymeric modification of acrolein obtained by heating it
with caustic potash. It is a crystalline substance having an
aromatic odor.
Metacromion \Met`a*cro"mi*on\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
A process projecting backward and downward from the acromion
of the scapula of some mammals.
Metadiscoidal \Met`a*dis*coid"al\, a. [Meta- + discoidal.]
(Anat.)
Discoidal by derivation; -- applied especially to the
placenta of man and apes, because it is supposed to have been
derived from a diffused placenta.
Metagastric \Met`a*gas"tric\, a. [Pref. meta- + gastric.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the two posterior gastric lobes of the
carapace of crabs.
Metage \Met"age\ (?; 48), n. [From {Mete}, v.]
1. Measurement, especially of coal. --De Foe.
2. Charge for, or price of, measuring. --Simmonds.
Metagenesis \Met`a*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pref. meta- + genesis.]
1. (Biol.) The change of form which one animal species
undergoes in a series of successively produced
individuals, extending from the one developed from the
ovum to the final perfected individual. Hence, metagenesis
involves the production of sexual individuals by nonsexual
means, either directly or through intervening sexless
generations. Opposed to {monogenesis}. See {Alternate
generation}, under {Generation}.
2. (Biol.) Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous
generations; -- in distinction from heterogamy.
Metagenetic \Met`a*ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to metagenesis.
Metagenic \Met`a*gen"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Metagenetic.
Metagnathous \Me*tag"na*thous\, a. [Pref. meta- + Gr. ? the
jaw.] (Zo["o]l.)
Cross-billed; -- said of certain birds, as the crossbill.
Metagrammatism \Met`a*gram"ma*tism\, n.
Anagrammatism.
Metagraphic \Met`a*graph"ic\, a.
By or pertaining to metagraphy.
Metagraphy \Me*tag"ra*phy\, n. [Pref. meta- + -graphy.]
The art or act of rendering the letters of the alphabet of
one language into the possible equivalents of another;
transliteration. --Stormonth.
Metal \Met"al\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F. m['e]tal, L. metallum
metal, mine, Gr. ? mine; cf. Gr. ? to search after. Cf.
{Mettle}, {Medal}.]
1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or
copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than
acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or
metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals
and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid
and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
Note: Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible
metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc,
nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic
alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc.
2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners.
--Raymond.
3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.]
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. --Jer.
Taylor.
4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence,
constitutional disposition; character; temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than
earth. --Shak.
5. Courage; spirit; mettle. See {Mettle}. --Shak.
Note: The allusion is to the temper of the metal of a sword
blade. --Skeat.
6. The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting
railroads.
7. The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel
of war.
8. Glass in a state of fusion. --Knight.
9. pl. The rails of a railroad. [Eng.]
{Base metal} (Chem.), any one of the metals, as iron, lead,
etc., which are readily tarnished or oxidized, in contrast
with the noble metals. In general, a metal of small value,
as compared with gold or silver.
{Fusible metal} (Metal.), a very fusible alloy, usually
consisting of bismuth with lead, tin, or cadmium.
{Heavy metals} (Chem.), the metallic elements not included in
the groups of the alkalies, alkaline earths, or the
earths; specifically, the heavy metals, as gold, mercury,
platinum, lead, silver, etc.
{Light metals} (Chem.), the metallic elements of the alkali
and alkaline earth groups, as sodium, lithium, calcium,
magnesium, etc.; also, sometimes, the metals of the
earths, as aluminium.
{Muntz metal}, an alloy for sheathing and other purposes,
consisting of about sixty per cent of copper, and forty of
zinc. Sometimes a little lead is added. It is named from
the inventor.
{Prince's metal} (Old Chem.), an alloy resembling brass,
consisting of three parts of copper to one of zinc; --
also called {Prince Rupert's metal}.
Metal \Met"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Metaled} (? or ?) or
{Metalled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Metaling} or {Metalling}.]
To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a
road.
Metalammonium \Met`al*am*mo"ni*um\, n. [Metal + ammonium.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical radical derived from ammonium by the
substitution of metallic atoms in place of hydrogen.
Metalbumin \Met`al*bu"min\, n. [Pref. met- + albumin.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
A form of albumin found in ascitic and certain serous fluids.
It is sometimes regarded as a mixture of albumin and mucin.
Metaldehyde \Me*tal"de*hyde\, n. [Pref. met- + aldehyde.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline substance isomeric with, and obtained
from, acetic aldehyde by polymerization, and reconvertible
into the same.
Metalepsis \Met`a*lep"sis\, n.; pl. {Metalepses}. [L., fr. Gr. ?
participation, alteration, fr. ? to partake, to take in
exchange; ? beyond + ? to take.] (Rhet.)
The continuation of a trope in one word through a succession
of significations, or the union of two or more tropes of a
different kind in one word.
Metalepsy \Met"a*lep`sy\, n. (Chem.)
Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]
Metaleptic \Met`a*lep"tic\, a. [Gr. ?]
1. Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.
2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle.
3. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, concerned in, or occurring by,
metalepsy.
Metaleptical \Met`a*lep"tic*al\, a.
Metaleptic. -- {Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Metallic \Me*tal"lic\, a. [L. metallicus, fr. metallum: cf. F.
m['e]tallique. See {Metal}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a metal; of the nature of metal;
resembling metal; as, a metallic appearance; a metallic
alloy.
2. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or characterized by, the
essential and implied properties of a metal, as contrasted
with a nonmetal or metalloid; basic; antacid; positive.
{Metallic iron}, iron in the state of the metal, as
distinquished from its ores, as magnetic iron.
{Metallic paper}, paper covered with a thin solution of lime,
whiting, and size. When written upon with a pewter or
brass pencil, the lines can hardly be effaced.
{Metallic tinking} (Med.), a sound heard in the chest, when a
cavity communicating with the air passages contains both
air and liquid.
Metallical \Me*tal"lic*al\, a.
See {Metallic}. [Obs.]
Metallicly \Me*tal"lic*ly\, adv.
In a metallic manner; by metallic means.
Metallifacture \Me*tal`li*fac"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. metallum
metal + facere, factum, to make.]
The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.]
--R. Park.
Metalliferous \Met`al*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. metallifer; metallum
metal + ferre to bear: cf. F. m['e]tallif[`e]re.]
Producing metals; yielding metals.
Metalliform \Me*tal"li*form\, a. [L. metallum metal + -form: cf.
F. m['e]talliforme.]
Having the form or structure of a metal.
Metalline \Met"al*line\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]tallin.] (Chem.)
(a) Pertaining to, or resembling, a metal; metallic; as,
metalline properties.
(b) Impregnated with metallic salts; chalybeate; as,
metalline water. [R.]
Metalline \Met"al*line\ (? or ?), n. (Chem.)
A substance of variable composition, but resembling a soft,
dark-colored metal, used in the bearings of machines for
obviating friction, and as a substitute for lubricants.
Metallist \Met"al*list\, n.
A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals.
Metallization \Met`al*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]tallisation.]
The act or process of metallizing. [R.]
Metallize \Met"al*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Metallized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Metallizing}.] [Cf. F. m['e]talliser.]
To impart metallic properties to; to impregnate with a metal.
[R.]
Metallochrome \Me*tal"lo*chrome\, n. [See {Metallochromy}.]
A coloring produced by the deposition of some metallic
compound; specifically, the prismatic tints produced by
depositing a film of peroxide of lead on polished steel by
electricity.
Metallochromy \Me*tal"lo*chro`my\, n. [L. metallum metal + Gr. ?
color.]
The art or process of coloring metals.
Metallograph \Me*tal"lo*graph\, n. [L. metallum metal + -graph.]
A print made by metallography.
Metallographic \Me*tal`lo*graph"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.
Metallographist \Met`al*log"ra*phist\, n.
One who writes on the subject of metals.
Metallography \Met`al*log"ra*phy\, n. [L. metallum metal +
-graphy: cf. F. m['e]tallographie.]
1. The science or art of metals and metal working; also, a
treatise on metals.
2. A method of transferring impressions of the grain of wood
to metallic surfaces by chemical action. --Knight.
3. A substitute for lithography, in which metallic plates are
used instead of stone. --Knight.
Metalloid \Met"al*loid\, n. [L. metallum metal + -oid: cf. F.
m['e]tallo["i]de.]
(a) Formerly, the metallic base of a fixed alkali, or
alkaline earth; -- applied by Sir H. Davy to sodium,
potassium, and some other metallic substances whose
metallic character was supposed to be not well
defined.
(b) Now, one of several elementary substances which in the
free state are unlike metals, and whose compounds
possess or produce acid, rather than basic,
properties; a nonmetal; as, boron, carbon, phosphorus,
nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, bromine, etc.,
are metalloids.
Metalloid \Met"al*loid\, a.
1. Having the appearance of a metal.
2. (Chem.) Having the properties of a nonmetal; nonmetallic;
acid; negative.
Metalloidal \Met`al*loid"al\, a.
Metalloid.
Metallorganic \Met`al*lor*gan"ic\, a.
Metalorganic.
Metallotherapy \Me*tal`lo*ther"a*py\, n. [L. metallum metal + E.
therapy.] (Med.)
Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the
surface of the body.
Metallurgic \Met`al*lur"gic\, Metallurgical \Met`al*lur"gic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. m['e]tallurgique.]
Of or pertaining to metallurgy.
Metallurgist \Met"al*lur`gist\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]tallurgiste.]
One who works in metals, or prepares them for use; one who is
skilled in metallurgy.
Metallurgy \Met"al*lur`gy\, n. [F. m['e]tallurgie, fr. L.
metallum metal, Gr. ? a mine + the root of ? work. See
{Metal}, and {Work}.]
The art of working metals, comprehending the whole process of
separating them from other matters in the ore, smelting,
refining, and parting them; sometimes, in a narrower sense,
only the process of extracting metals from their ores.
Metalman \Met"al*man\, n.; pl. {Metalmen}.
A worker in metals.
Metalogical \Met`a*log"ic*al\, a.
Beyond the scope or province of logic.
Metalorganic \Met`al*or*gan"ic\, a. [Metal, L. metallum + E.
organic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or denoting, any one of a series of compounds
of certain metallic elements with organic radicals; as, zinc
methyl, sodium ethyl, etc. [Written also {metallorganic}.]
Metamer \Met"a*mer\, n. [See {Metamere}.] (Chem.)
Any one of several metameric forms of the same substance, or
of different substances having the same composition; as,
xylene has three metamers, viz., orthoxylene, metaxylene, and
paraxylene.
Metamere \Met"a*mere\, n. [Pref. meta- + -mere.] (Biol.)
One of successive or homodynamous parts in animals and
plants; one of a series of similar parts that follow one
another in a vertebrate or articulate animal, as in an
earthworm; a segment; a somite. See Illust. of {Loeven's
larva}.
Metameric \Met`a*mer"ic\, a. [Pref. meta- + Gr. ? part.]
1. (Chem.) Having the same elements united in the same
proportion by weight, and with the same molecular weight,
but possessing a different structure and different
properties; as, methyl ether and ethyl alcohol are
metameric compounds. See {Isomeric}.
Note: The existence of metameric compounds is due to the
different arrangement of the same constituents in the
molecule.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation;
as, metameric segmentation.
Metamerically \Met`a*mer"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a metameric manner.
Metamerism \Me*tam"er*ism\, n.
1. (Biol.) The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial
symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.
2. (Chem.) The state or quality of being metameric; also, the
relation or condition of metameric compounds.
Metamorphic \Met`a*mor"phic\, a. [See {Metamorphosis}.]
1. Subject to change; changeable; variable.
2. Causing a change of structure.
3. (Geol.) Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain
changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since
their original deposition; -- especially applied to the
recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone
through the influence of heat and pressure, after which
they are called metamorphic rocks.
Metamorphism \Met`a*mor"phism\, n. (Geol.)
The state or quality of being metamorphic; the process by
which the material of rock masses has been more or less
recrystallized by heat, pressure, etc., as in the change of
sedimentary limestone to marble. --Murchison.
Metamorphist \Met`a*mor"phist\, n. (Eccl.)
One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the
Deity when he ascended.
Metamorphize \Met`a*mor"phize\, v. t.
To metamorphose.
Metamorphose \Met`a*mor"phose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Metamorphosed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Metamorphosing}.] [Cf. F.
m['e]tamorphoser.]
To change into a different form; to transform; to transmute.
And earth was metamorphosed into man. --Dryden.
Metamorphose \Met`a*mor"phose\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]tamorphose. See
{Metamorphosis}.]
Same as {Metamorphosis}.
Metamorphoser \Met`a*mor"pho*ser\, n.
One who metamorphoses. [R.] --Gascoigne.
Metamorphosic \Met`a*mor"pho*sic\, a.
Changing the form; transforming. [R.] --Pownall.
Metamorphosis \Met`a*mor"pho*sis\, n.; pl. {Metamorphoses}. [L.,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to be transformed; ? beyond, over + ? form.]
1. Change of form, or structure; transformation.
2. (Biol.) A change in the form or function of a living
organism, by a natural process of growth or development;
as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the embryo, of a
tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom.
Especially, that form of sexual reproduction in which an
embryo undergoes a series of marked changes of external
form, as the chrysalis stage, pupa stage, etc., in
insects. In these intermediate stages sexual reproduction
is usually impossible, but they ultimately pass into final
and sexually developed forms, from the union of which
organisms are produced which pass through the same cycle
of changes. See {Transformation}.
3. (Physiol.) The change of material of one kind into another
through the agency of the living organism; metabolism.
{Vegetable metamorphosis} (Bot.), the doctrine that flowers
are homologous with leaf buds, and that the floral organs
are transformed leaves.
Metanauplius \Met`a*nau"pli*us\, n. [NL. See {Meta-}, and
{Nauplius}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A larval crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and
having about seven pairs of appendages.
Metanephritic \Met`a*ne*phrit"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metanephros.
Metanephros \Met`a*neph"ros\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? behind + ?
kidney.] (Anat.)
The most posterior of the three pairs of embryonic renal
organs developed in many vertebrates.
Metanotum \Met`a*no"tum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? behind + ? back.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The dorsal portion of the metaphorax of insects.
Metantimonate \Met`an*ti*mo"nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metantimonic acid.
Metantimonic \Met`an*ti*mon"ic\, a. [Pref. met- + antimonic.]
(Chem.)
(a) Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (formerly called
{antimonic acid}) analogous to metaphosphoric acid, and
obtained as a white amorphous insoluble substance,
({HSbO3}).
(b) Formerly, designating an acid, which is now properly
called {pyroantimonic acid}, and analogous to
pyrophosphoric acid.
Metapectic \Met`a*pec"tic\, a. [Pref. meta- + pectic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a supposed acid obtained from
pectin.
Metapectin \Met`a*pec"tin\, n. (Chem.)
A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and
occurring in overripe fruits.
Metapeptone \Met`a*pep"tone\, n. [Pref. meta- + peptone.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
An intermediate product formed in the gastric digestion of
albuminous matter.
Metaphor \Met"a*phor\, n. [F. m['e]taphore, L. metaphora, fr.
Gr. ?, fr. ? to carry over, transfer; meta` beyond, over +
fe`rein to bring, bear.] (Rhet.)
The transference of the relation between one set of objects
to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a
compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea. --Abbott &
Seeley. ``All the world's a stage.'' --Shak.
Note: The statement, ``that man is a fox,'' is a metaphor;
but ``that man is like a fox,'' is a simile,
similitude, or comparison.
Metaphoric \Met`a*phor"ic\, Metaphorical \Met`a*phor"ic*al\, a.
[Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]taphorique.]
Of or pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; not
literal; figurative; tropical; as, a metaphorical expression;
a metaphorical sense. -- {Met`a*phor"ic*al*ly}, adv. --
{Met`a*phor"ic*al*ness}, n.
Metaphorist \Met"a*phor*ist\, n.
One who makes metaphors.
Metaphosphate \Met`a*phos"phate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metaphosphoric acid.
Metaphosphoric \Met`a*phos*phor"ic\, a. [Pref. meta- +
phosphoric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a monobasic acid, {HPO3},
analogous to nitric acid, and, by heating phosphoric acid,
obtained as a crystalline substance, commonly called glacial
phosphoric acid.
Metaphrase \Met"a*phrase\, n. [Gr. meta`frasis, from metafrazein
to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over + fra`zein to speak: cf. F.
m['e]taphrase.]
1. A verbal translation; a version or translation from one
language into another, word for word; -- opposed to
{paraphrase}. --Dryden.
2. An answering phrase; repartee. --Mrs. Browning.
Metaphrased \Met"a*phrased\, a.
Translated literally.
Metaphrasis \Me*taph"ra*sis\, n. [NL. See {Metaphrase}.]
Metaphrase.
Metaphrast \Met"a*phrast\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]taphraste.]
A literal translator.
Metaphrastic \Met`a*phras"tic\, Metaphrastical
\Met`a*phras"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Close, or literal.
Metaphysic \Met`a*phys"ic\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]taphysique.]
See {Metaphysics}.
Metaphysic \Met`a*phys"ic\, a.
Metaphysical.
Metaphysical \Met`a*phys"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]taphysique. See
{Metaphysics}.]
1. Of or pertaining to metaphysics.
2. According to rules or principles of metaphysics; as,
metaphysical reasoning.
3. Preternatural or supernatural. [Obs.]
The golden round *Which fate and metaphysical aid
doth seem To have thee crowned withal. --Shak.
Metaphysically \Met`a*phys"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of metaphysical science, or of a metaphysician.
--South.
Metaphysician \Met`a*phy*si"cian\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]taphysicien.]
One who is versed in metaphysics.
Metaphysics \Met`a*phys"ics\, n. [Gr. ? ? ? after those things
which relate to external nature, after physics, fr. ? beyond,
after + ? relating to external nature, natural, physical, fr.
? nature: cf. F. m['e]taphysique. See {Physics}. The term was
first used by the followers of Aristotle as a name for that
part of his writings which came after, or followed, the part
which treated of physics.]
1. The science of real as distinguished from phenomenal
being; ontology; also, the science of being, with
reference to its abstract and universal conditions, as
distinguished from the science of determined or concrete
being; the science of the conceptions and relations which
are necessarily implied as true of every kind of being;
phylosophy in general; first principles, or the science of
first principles.
Note: Metaphysics is distinguished as general and special.
{General metaphysics} is the science of all being as
being. {Special metaphysics} is the science of one kind
of being; as, the metaphysics of chemistry, of morals,
or of politics. According to Kant, a systematic
exposition of those notions and truths, the knowledge
of which is altogether independent of experience, would
constitute the science of metaphysics.
Commonly, in the schools, called metaphysics, as
being part of the philosophy of Aristotle, which
hath that for title; but it is in another sense:
for there it signifieth as much as ``books
written or placed after his natural philosophy.''
But the schools take them for ``books of
supernatural philosophy;'' for the word
metaphysic will bear both these senses. --Hobbes.
Now the science conversant about all such
inferences of unknown being from its known
manifestations, is called ontology, or
metaphysics proper. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Metaphysics are [is] the science which determines
what can and what can not be known of being, and
the laws of being, a priori. --Coleridge.
2. Hence: The scientific knowledge of mental phenomena;
mental philosophy; psychology.
Metaphysics, in whatever latitude the term be taken,
is a science or complement of sciences exclusively
occupied with mind. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Whether, after all, A larger metaphysics might not
help Our physics. --Mrs.
Browning.
Metaphysis \Me*taph"y*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? after + ?
nature.]
Change of form; transformation.
Metaplasm \Met"a*plasm\, n. [L. metaplasmus, Gr. ?; ? beyond,
over + ? to mold: cf. F. m['e]taplasme.] (Gram.)
A change in the letters or syllables of a word.
Metaplast \Met"a*plast\, n. [See {Metaplasm}.] (Gram.)
A word having more than one form of the root.
Metapode \Met"a*pode\, n. [NL. metapodium, from Gr. ? behind +
?, dim. of ?, ?, foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda and
Pteropoda.
Metapodial \Met`a*po"di*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metapodialia, or to the parts of the
limbs to which they belong.
Metapodiale \Met`a*po`di*a"le\, n.; pl. {Metapodialia}. [NL. See
{Metapode}.] (Anat.)
One of the bones of either the metacarpus or metatarsus.
Metapodium \Met`a*po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Metapodia}. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Metapode}.
Metapophysis \Met`a*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Metapophyses}. [NL.
See {Meta-}, and {Apophysis}.] (Anat.)
A tubercle projecting from the anterior articular processes
of some vertebr[ae]; a mammillary process.
Metapterygium \Me*tap`te*ryg"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? after + ?
fin.] (Anat.)
The posterior of the three principal basal cartilages in the
fins of fishes. -- {Me*tap`ter*yg"i*al}, a.
Metasilicate \Met`a*sil"i*cate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metasilicic acid.
Metasilicic \Met`a*si*lic"ic\, a. [Pref. meta- + silicic.]
(Chem.)
Designating an acid derived from silicic acid by the removal
of water; of or pertaining to such an acid.
Note: The salts of metasilicic acid are often called
bisilicates, in mineralogy, as Wollastonite ({CaSiO3}).
{Metasilicic acid} (Chem.), a gelatinous substance, or white
amorphous powder, analogous to carbonic acid, and forming
many stable salts.
Metasomatism \Met`a*so"ma*tism\, n. [Pref. meta- + Gr. ?, ?,
body.] (Geol.)
An alteration in a mineral or rock mass when involving a
chemical change of the substance, as of chrysolite to
serpentine; -- opposed to ordinary metamorphism, as implying
simply a recrystallization. -- {Met`a*so*mat"ic}, a.
Metasome \Met"a*some\, n. [Pref. meta- + -some body.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the component segments of the body of an animal.
Metastannate \Met`a*stan"nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metastannic acid.
Metastannic \Met`a*stan"nic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a compound of tin (metastannic
acid), obtained, as an isomeric modification of stannic acid,
in the form of a white amorphous substance.
Metastasis \Me*tas"ta*sis\, n.; pl. {Metastases}. [L.,
transition, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to place in another way; ? after
+ ? to place.]
1. (Theol.) A spiritual change, as during baptism.
2. (Med.) A change in the location of a disease, as from one
part to another. --Dunglison.
3. (Physiol.) The act or process by which matter is taken up
by cells or tissues and is transformed into other matter;
in plants, the act or process by which are produced all of
those chemical changes in the constituents of the plant
which are not accompanied by a production of organic
matter; metabolism.
Metastatic \Met`a*stat"ic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or caused by, metastasis; as, a metastatic
abscess; the metastatic processes of growth.
Metasternal \Met`a*ster"nal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the metasternum.
Metasternum \Met`a*ster"num\, n. [Pref. meta- + sternum.]
1. (Anat.) The most posterior element of the sternum; the
ensiform process; xiphisternum.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The ventral plate of the third or last segment
of the thorax of insects.
Metastoma \Me*tas"to*ma\, Metastome \Met"a*stome\, n. [NL.
metastoma, from Gr. meta` behind + sto`ma mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A median elevation behind the mouth in the arthropods.
Metatarsal \Met`a*tar"sal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the metatarsus. -- n. A metatarsal bone.
Metatarse \Met"a*tarse\, n. (Anat.)
Metatarsus.
Metatarsus \Met`a*tar"sus\, n.; pl. {Metatarsi}. [NL. See
{Meta-}, and {Tarsus}.] (Anat.)
That part of the skeleton of the hind or lower limb between
the tarsus and phalanges; metatarse. It consists, in the
human foot, of five bones. See Illustration in Appendix.
Metathesis \Me*tath"e*sis\, n.; pl. {Metatheses}. [L., fr. Gr.
meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place differently, to
transpose; meta` beyond, over + tithe`nai to place, set. See
{Thesis}.]
1. (Gram.) Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a
word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.
2. (Med.) A mere change in place of a morbid substance,
without removal from the body.
3. (Chem.) The act, process, or result of exchange,
substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals; thus,
by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its
hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or
base, and forms a salt.
Metathetic \Met`a*thet"ic\, Metathetical \Met`a*thet"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to metathesis.
Metathoracic \Met`a*tho*rac"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the metathorax.
Metathorax \Met`a*tho"rax\, n. [NL.: cf. F. m['e]tathorax. See
{Meta-}, and {Thorax}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The last or posterior segment of the thorax in insects. See
Illust. of {Coleoptera}.
Metatitanic \Met`a*ti*tan"ic\, a. [Pref. meta- + titanic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of titanium
analogous to metasilicic acid.
Metatungstate \Met`a*tung"state\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metatungstic acid.
Metatungstic \Met`a*tung"stic\, a. [Pref. meta- + tungstic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid known only in its
salts (the metatungstates) and properly called polytungstic,
or pyrotungstic, acid.
Metavanadate \Met`a*van"a*date\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of metavanadic acid.
Metavanadic \Met`a*va*nad"ic\, a. [Pref. meta- + vanadic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a vanadic acid analogous
to metaphosphoric acid.
Metaxylene \Met`a*xy"lene\, n. [Pref. meta- + xylene.] (Chem.)
That variety of xylene, or dimethyl benzene, in which the two
methyl groups occupy the meta position with reference to each
other. It is a colorless inf?ammable liquid.
M'etayage \M['e]`ta`yage"\, n. [F. See {M['e]tayer}.]
A system of farming on halves. [France & Italy]
M'etayer \M['e]`ta`yer"\ (F. ?; E. ?), n. [F., fr. LL.
medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See {Mid}, a.]
One who cultivates land for a share (usually one half) of its
yield, receiving stock, tools, and seed from the landlord.
[France & Italy] --Milman.
Metazoa \Met`a*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? after + ? an
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Those animals in which the protoplasmic mass, constituting
the egg, is converted into a multitude of cells, which are
metamorphosed into the tissues of the body. A central cavity
is commonly developed, and the cells around it are at first
arranged in two layers, -- the ectoderm and endoderm. The
group comprises nearly all animals except the Protozoa.
Metazoan \Met`a*zo"an\, n.; pl. {Metazoans}. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Metazoa.
Metazoic \Met`a*zo"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.
Metazoon \Met`a*zo"["o]n\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Metazoa.
Mete \Mete\, n.
Meat. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mete \Mete\, v. t. & i.
To meet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mete \Mete\, v. i. & t. [imp. {Mette}; p. p. {Met}.] [AS.
m?tan.]
To dream; also impersonally; as, me mette, I dreamed. [Obs.]
``I mette of him all night.'' --Chaucer.
Mete \Mete\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Meted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Meting}.] [AS. metan; akin to D. meten, G. messen, OHG.
mezzan, Icel. meta, Sw. m["a]ta, Goth. mitan, L. modus
measure, moderation, modius a corn measure, Gr. ? to rule, ?
a corn measure, and ultimately from the same root as E.
measure, L. metiri to measure; cf. Skr. m[=a] to measure.
[root]99. Cf. {Measure}, {Meet}, a., {Mode}.]
To find the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by any rule
or standard; to measure.
Mete \Mete\, v. i.
To measure. [Obs.] --Mark iv. 24.
Mete \Mete\, n. [AS. met. See {Mete} to measure.]
Measure; limit; boundary; -- used chiefly in the plural, and
in the phrase metes and bounds.
Metecorn \Mete"corn`\, n.
A quantity of corn formerly given by the lord to his
customary tenants, as an encouragement to, or reward for,
labor and faithful service.
Metely \Mete"ly\, a.
According to measure or proportion; proportionable;
proportionate. [Obs.]
Metempiric \Met`em*pir"ic\, Metempirical \Met`em*pir"ic*al\, a.
[Pref. met- + empiric, -ical.] (Metaph.)
Related, or belonging, to the objects of knowledge within the
province of metempirics.
If then the empirical designates the province we
include within the range of science, the province we
exclude may be fitly styled the metempirical. --G. H.
Lewes.
Metempiricism \Met*em*pir"i*cism\, n.
The science that is concerned with metempirics.
Metempirics \Met`em*pir"ics\, n.
The concepts and relations which are conceived as beyond, and
yet as related to, the knowledge gained by experience.
Metempsychose \Me*temp"sy*chose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Metempsychosed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Metempsychosing}.] [See
{Metempsychosis}.]
To translate or transfer, as the soul, from one body to
another. [R.] --Peacham.
Metempsychosis \Me*temp`sy*cho"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ?
beyond, over + ? to animate; ? in + ? soul. See
{Psychology}.]
The passage of the soul, as an immortal essence, at the death
of the animal body it had inhabited, into another living
body, whether of a brute or a human being; transmigration of
souls. --Sir T. Browne.
Metemptosis \Met`emp*to"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? beyond, after
+ ? a falling upon, fr. ? to fall in or upon; ? in + ? to
fall.] (Chron.)
The suppression of a day in the calendar to prevent the date
of the new moon being set a day too late, or the suppression
of the bissextile day once in 134 years. The opposite to this
is the proemptosis, or the addition of a day every 330 years,
and another every 2,400 years.
Metencephalon \Met`en*ceph"a*lon\, n. [Met- + encephalon.]
(Anat.)
The posterior part of the brain, including the medulla; the
afterbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to meten.
Metensomatosis \Met`en*so`ma*to"sis\, n. [L., a change of body
(by the soul), fr. Gr. ?.] (Biol.)
The assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of
another.
Meteor \Me"te*or\, n. [F. m['e]t['e]ore, Gr. ?, pl. ? things in
the air, fr. ? high in air, raised off the ground; ? beyond +
?, ?, a suspension or hovering in the air, fr. ? to lift,
raise up.]
1. Any phenomenon or appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds,
rain, hail, snow, etc.
Hail, an ordinary meteor. --Bp. Hall.
2. Specif.: A transient luminous body or appearance seen in
the atmosphere, or in a more elevated region.
The vaulty top of heaven Figured quite o'er with
burning meteors. --Shak.
Note: The term is especially applied to fireballs, and the
masses of stone or other substances which sometimes
fall to the earth; also to shooting stars and to ignes
fatui. Meteors are often classed as: aerial meteors,
winds, tornadoes, etc.; aqueous meteors, rain, hail,
snow, dew, etc.; luminous meteors, rainbows, halos,
etc.; and igneous meteors, lightning, shooting stars,
and the like.
Meteoric \Me`te*or"ic\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]t['e]orique.]
1. Of or pertaining to a meteor, or to meteors; atmospheric,
as, meteoric phenomena; meteoric stones.
2. Influenced by the weather; as, meteoric conditions.
3. Flashing; brilliant; transient; like a meteor; as,
meteoric fame. ``Meteoric politician.'' --Craik.
{Meteoric iron}, {Meteoric stone}. (Min.) See {Meteorite}.
{Meteoric paper}, a substance of confervoid origin found
floating in the air, and resembling bits of coarse paper;
-- so called because formerly supposed to fall from
meteors.
{Meteoric showers}, periodical exhibitions of shooting stars,
occuring about the 9th or 10th of August and 13th of
November, more rarely in April and December, and also at
some other periods.
Meteorical \Me`te*or"ic*al\, a.
Meteoric.
Meteorism \Me"te*or*ism\, n. (Med.)
Flatulent distention of the abdomen; tympanites.
Meteorite \Me"te*or*ite\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]t['e]orite.] (Min.)
A mass of stone or iron which has fallen to the earth from
space; an a["e]rolite.
Note: Meteorites usually show a pitted surface with a fused
crust, caused by the heat developed in their rapid
passage through the earth's atmosphere. A meteorite may
consist: 1. Of metallic iron, alloyed with a small
percentage of nickel (meteoric iron, holosiderite).
When etched this usually exhibits peculiar crystalline
figures, called Widmanst["a]tten figures. 2. Of a
cellular mass of iron with imbedded silicates
(mesosiderite or siderolite). 3. Of a stony mass of
silicates with little iron (meteoric stone,
sporadosiderite). 4. Of a mass without iron
(asiderite).
Meteorize \Me"te*or*ize\, v. i. [Gr. ? to raise to a height.]
To ascend in vapors; to take the form of a meteor. --Evelyn.
Meteorograph \Me`te*or"o*graph\, n. [Meteor + -graph.]
An instrument which registers meteorologic phases or
conditions.
Meteorographic \Me`te*or`o*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to meteorography.
Meteorography \Me`te*or*og"ra*phy\, n. [Meteor + -graphy.]
The registration of meteorological phenomena.
Meteoroid \Me"te*or*oid\, n. [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.)
A small body moving through space, or revolving about the
sun, which on entering the earth's atmosphere would be
deflagrated and appear as a meteor.
These bodies [small, solid bodies] before they come
into the air, I call meteoroids. --H. A.
Newton.
Meteoroidal \Me`te*or*oid"al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.
Meteorolite \Me`te*or"o*lite\ (?; 277), n. [Meteor + -lite : cf.
F. m['e]t['e]orolithe.]
A meteoric stone; an a["e]rolite; a meteorite.
Meteoroligic \Me`te*or`o*lig"ic\, Meteorological
\Me`te*or`o*log"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]t['e]orologique.]
Of or pertaining to the atmosphere and its phenomena, or to
meteorology.
{Meteorological table}, {Meteorological register}, a table or
register exhibiting the state of the air and its
temperature, weight, dryness, moisture, motion, etc.
Meteorologist \Me`te*or*ol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F.
m['e]t['e]orologiste.]
A person skilled in meteorology.
Meteorology \Me`te*or*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? + ? discourse: cf.
F. m['e]t['e]orologie. See {Meteor}.]
The science which treats of the atmosphere and its phenomena,
particularly of its variations of heat and moisture, of its
winds, storms, etc.
Meteoromancy \Me`te*or"o*man`cy\, n. [Meteor + -mancy : cf. F.
m['e]t['e]oromancie.]
A species of divination by meteors, chiefly by thunder and
lightning, which was held in high estimation by the Romans.
Meteorometer \Me`te*or*om"e*ter\, n. [Meteor + -meter.]
An apparatus which transmits automatically to a central
station atmospheric changes as marked by the anemometer,
barometer, thermometer, etc.
Meteoroscope \Me`te*or"o*scope\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?
observing the heavenly bodies; ? + ? to view: cf. F.
m['e]t['e]oroscope. See {Meteor}.] (Astron.)
(a) An astrolabe; a planisphere. [Obs.]
(b) An instrument for measuring the position, length, and
direction, of the apparent path of a shooting star.
Meteorous \Me*te"o*rous\ (? or ?), a. [See {Meteor}.]
Of the nature or appearance of a meteor.
-meter \-me"ter\ [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr. ?. See
{Meter} rhythm.]
A suffix denoting that by which anything is measured; as,
barometer, chronometer, dynamometer.
Meter \Me"ter\, n. [From {Mete} to measure.]
1. One who, or that which, metes or measures. See
{Coal-meter}.
2. An instrument for measuring, and usually for recording
automatically, the quantity measured.
{Dry meter}, a gas meter having measuring chambers, with
flexible walls, which expand and contract like bellows and
measure the gas by filling and emptying.
{W?t meter}, a gas meter in which the revolution of a
chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through
it.
Meter \Me"ter\, n.
A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is
attached in order to strengthen it.
Meter \Me"ter\, Metre \Me"tre\, n. [OE. metre, F. m[`e]tre, L.
metrum, fr. Gr. ?; akin to Skr. m[=a] to measure. See {Mete}
to measure.]
1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses,
stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on
number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm;
measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical
arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter.
The only strict antithesis to prose is meter.
--Wordsworth.
2. A poem. [Obs.] --Robynson (More's Utopia).
3. A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the
standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights
and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly,
the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to
the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an
arc of a meridian. See {Metric system}, under {Metric}.
{Common meter} (Hymnol.), four iambic verses, or lines,
making a stanza, the first and third having each four
feet, and the second and fourth each three feet; --
usually indicated by the initials C.M.
{Long meter} (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines of four feet
each, four verses usually making a stanza; -- commonly
indicated by the initials L. M.
{Short meter} (Hymnol.), iambic verses or lines, the first,
second, and fourth having each three feet, and the third
four feet. The stanza usually consists of four lines, but
is sometimes doubled. Short meter is indicated by the
initials S. M.
Meterage \Me"ter*age\, n. [See 1st {Meter}.]
The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.
Metergram \Me"ter*gram`\, n. (Mech.)
A measure of energy or work done; the power exerted in
raising one gram through the distance of one meter against
gravitation.
Metewand \Mete"wand`\, n. [Mete to measure + wand.]
A measuring rod. --Ascham.
Meteyard \Mete"yard`\, n. [AS. metgeard. See {Mete} to measure,
and {Yard} stick.]
A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.] --Shak.
Meth \Meth\, n.
See {Meathe}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Methaemoglobin \Met`h[ae]m*o*glo"bin\ (? or ?), n. [Pref. met- +
h[ae]moglobin.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A stable crystalline compound obtained by the decomposition
of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood stains.
Methal \Meth"al\, n. [Myristic + ether + alcohol.] (Chem.)
A white waxy substance, found in small quantities in
spermaceti as an ethereal salt of several fatty acids, and
regarded as an alcohol of the methane series.
Methane \Meth"ane\, n. [See {Methal}.] (Chem.)
A light, colorless, gaseous, inflammable hydrocarbon, {CH4};
marsh gas. See {Marsh gas}, under {Gas}.
{Methane series} (Chem.), a series of saturated hydrocarbons,
of which methane is the first member and type, and
(because of their general chemical inertness and
indifference) called also the {paraffin (little affinity)
series}. The lightest members are gases, as methane,
ethane; intermediate members are liquids, as hexane,
heptane, etc. (found in benzine, kerosene, etc.); while
the highest members are white, waxy, or fatty solids, as
paraffin proper.
Metheglin \Me*theg"lin\, n. [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn
liquor, juice. See {Mead} a drink.]
A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. --Gay.
Methene \Meth"ene\, n. [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)
See {Methylene}.
Methenyl \Meth"e*nyl\, n. [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical {CH}, regarded as an
essential residue of certain organic compounds.
Methide \Meth"ide\ (? or ?), n. [See {Methyl}.] (Chem.)
A binary compound of methyl with some element; as, aluminium
methide, {Al2(CH3)6}.
Methinks \Me*thinks"\, v. impers. [imp. {Methought}.] [AS.
[thorn]yncan to seem, m[=e] [thorn]ynce[eth], m[=e]
[thorn][=u]hte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G.
d["u]nken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See {Me},
and {Think}.]
It seems to me; I think. See {Me}. [R., except in poetry.]
In all ages poets have been had in special reputation,
and, methinks, not without great cause. --Spenser.
Methionate \Me*thi"on*ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of methionic acid.
Methionic \Meth`i*on"ic\, a. [Methyl + thionic.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a sulphonic (thionic) acid
derivative of methane, obtained as a stable white crystalline
substance, {CH2.(SO3H)2}, which forms well defined salts.
Method \Meth"od\, n. [F. m['e]thode, L. methodus, fr. Gr.
meqodos method, investigation following after; meta` after +
"odo`s way.]
1. An orderly procedure or process; regular manner of doing
anything; hence, manner; way; mode; as, a method of
teaching languages; a method of improving the mind.
--Addison.
2. Orderly arrangement, elucidation, development, or
classification; clear and lucid exhibition; systematic
arrangement peculiar to an individual.
Though this be madness, yet there's method in it.
--Shak.
All method is a rational progress, a progress toward
an end. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Classification; a mode or system of
classifying natural objects according to certain common
characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the
method of Ray; the Linn[ae]an method.
Syn: Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode;
course; process; means.
Usage: {Method}, {Mode}, {Manner}. Method implies
arrangement; mode, mere action or existence. Method is
a way of reaching a given end by a series of acts
which tend to sec?re it; mode relates to a single
action, or to the form which a series of acts, viewed
as a whole, exhibits. Manner is literally the handling
of a thing, and has a wider sense, embracing both
method and mode. An instructor may adopt a good method
of teaching to write; the scholar may acquire a bad
mode of holding his pen; the manner in which he is
corrected will greatly affect his success or failure.
Methodic \Me*thod"ic\, Methodical \Me*thod"ic*al\, a. [L.
methodicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]thodique.]
1. Arranged with regard to method; disposed in a suitable
manner, or in a manner to illustrate a subject, or to
facilitate practical observation; as, the methodical
arrangement of arguments; a methodical treatise.
``Methodical regularity.'' --Addison.
2. Proceeding with regard to method; systematic. ``Aristotle,
strict, methodic, and orderly.'' --Harris.
3. Of or pertaining to the ancient school of physicians
called methodists. --Johnson. -- {Me*thod"ic*al*ly}, adv.
-- {Me*thod"ic*al*ness}, n.
Methodios \Me*thod"ios\, n.
The art and principles of method.
Methodism \Meth"o*dism\, n. (Eccl.)
The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect
called Methodists. --Bp. Warburton.
Methodist \Meth"o*dist\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]thodiste. See
{Method}.]
1. One who observes method. [Obs.]
2. One of an ancient school of physicians who rejected
observation and founded their practice on reasoning and
theory. --Sir W. Hamilton.
3. (Theol.) One of a sect of Christians, the outgrowth of a
small association called the ``Holy Club,'' formed at
Oxford University, A.D. 1729, of which the most
conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother
Charles; -- originally so called from the methodical
strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.
4. A person of strict piety; one who lives in the exact
observance of religious duties; -- sometimes so called in
contempt or ridicule.
Methodist \Meth"o*dist\, a.
Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist
hymns; a Methodist elder.
Methodistic \Meth`o*dis"tic\, Methodistical \Meth`o*dis"tic*al\,
a.
Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the Methodists. --
{Meth`o*dis"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Methodization \Meth`od*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of methodizing, or the state of being
methodized.
Methodize \Meth"od*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Methodized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Methodizing}.]
To reduce to method; to dispose in due order; to arrange in a
convenient manner; as, to methodize one's work or thoughts.
--Spectator.
Methodizer \Meth"od*i`zer\, n.
One who methodizes.
Methodological \Meth`od*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to methodology.
Methodology \Meth`od*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? method + -logy.]
The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method.
--Coleridge.
Methol \Meth"ol\, n. [Gr. ? wine + -ol.] (Chem.)
The technical name of methyl alcohol or wood spirit; also, by
extension, the class name of any of the series of alcohols of
the methane series of which methol proper is the type. See
{Methyl alcohol}, under {Methyl}.
Methought \Me*thought"\,
imp. of {Methinks}.
Methoxyl \Meth*ox"yl\, n. [Methyl + hydroxyl.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical, {CH3O}, analogous to hydroxyl.
Methyl \Meth"yl\, n. [See {Methylene}.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, {CH3}, not existing alone but regarded
as an essential residue of methane, and appearing as a
component part of many derivatives; as, methyl alcohol,
methyl ether, methyl amine, etc. [Formerly written also
{methule}, {methyle}, etc.]
{Methyl alcohol} (Chem.), a light, volatile, inflammable
liquid, {CH3.OH}, obtained by the distillation of wood,
and hence called {wood spirit}
; -- called also {methol}, {carbinol}, etc.
{Methyl amine} (Chem.), a colorless, inflammable, alkaline
gas, {CH3.NH2}, having an ammoniacal, fishy odor. It is
produced artificially, and also occurs naturally in
herring brine and other fishy products. It is regarded as
ammonia in which a third of its hydrogen is replaced by
methyl, and is a type of the class of substituted
ammonias.
{Methyl ether} (Chem.), a light, volatile ether {CH3.O.CH3},
obtained by the etherification of methyl alcohol; --
called also {methyl oxide}.
{Methyl green}. (Chem.) See under {Green}, n.
{Methyl orange}. (Chem.) See {Helianthin}.
{Methyl violet} (Chem.), an artificial dye, consisting of
certain methyl halogen derivatives of rosaniline.
Methylal \Meth"yl*al\, n. [Methylene + alcohol.] (Chem.)
A light, volatile liquid, {H2C(OCH3)2}, regarded as a complex
ether, and having a pleasant ethereal odor. It is obtained by
the partial oxidation of methyl alcohol. Called also
{formal}.
Methylamine \Meth`yl*am"ine\ (? or ?), n. (Chem.)
See {Methyl amine}, under {Methyl}.
Methylate \Meth"yl*ate\, n. [Methyl + alcoholate.] (Chem.)
An alcoholate of methyl alcohol in which the hydroxyl
hydrogen is replaced by a metal, after the analogy of a
hydrate; as, sodium methylate, {CH3ONa}.
Methylate \Meth"yl*ate\, v. t.
To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.
Methylated \Meth"yl*a`ted\, a. (Chem.)
Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood
spirit; as, methylated spirits.
Methylene \Meth"yl*ene\, n. [F. m['e]thyl[`e]ne, from Gr. ? wine
+ ? wood; -- a word coined to correspond to the name wood
spirit.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical, {CH2}, not known in the free state,
but regarded as an essential residue and component of certain
derivatives of methane; as, methylene bromide, {CH2Br2}; --
formerly called also {methene}.
{Methylene blue} (Chem.), an artificial dyestuff consisting
of a complex sulphur derivative of diphenyl amine; --
called also {pure blue}.
Methylic \Me*thyl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl;
specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under {Methyl}.
Methysticin \Me*thys"ti*cin\, n. (Chem.)
A white, silky, crystalline substance extracted from the
thick rootstock of a species of pepper ({Piper methysticum})
of the South Sea Islands; -- called also {kanakin}.
Metic \Met"ic\ (? or ?; 277), n. [Gr. ?, prop., changing one's
abode; ?, indicating change + ? house, abode: cf. L.
metoecus, F. m['e]t[`e]que.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A sojourner; an immigrant; an alien resident in a Grecian
city, but not a citizen. --Mitford.
The whole force of Athens, metics as well as citizens,
and all the strangers who were then in the city.
--Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
Meticulous \Me*tic"u*lous\, a. [L. meticulosus, fr. metus fear:
cf. F. m['e]ticuleux.]
Timid; fearful. -- {Me*tic"u*lous*ly}, adv.
M'etif \M['e]`tif"\, n. m. M'etive \M['e]`tive"\, n. f.[F.]
See {M['e]tis}.
M'etis \M['e]`tis"\, n. m. M'etisse \M['e]`tisse"\, n. f.[F.;
akin to Sp. mestizo. See {Mestizo}.]
1. The offspring of a white person and an American Indian.
2. The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; an
octoroon. [Local, U. S.] --Bartlett.
Metoche \Met"o*che\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a sharing, fr. ? to
share in; ? with + ? to have.] (Arch.)
(a) The space between two dentils.
(b) The space between two triglyphs.
Metonic \Me*ton"ic\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]tonique.]
Pertaining to, or discovered by, Meton, the Athenian.
{Metonic} {cycle or year}. (Astron.) See under {Cycle}.
Metonymic \Met`o*nym"ic\, Metonymical \Met`o*nym"ic*al\, a. [See
{Metonymy}.]
Used by way of metonymy. -- {Met`o*nym"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Metonymy \Me*ton"y*my\ (?; 277), n. [L. metonymia, Gr. ?; ?,
indicating change + ?, for ? a name: cf. F. m['e]tonymie. See
{Name}.] (Rhet.)
A trope in which one word is put for another that suggests
it; as, we say, a man keeps a good table instead of good
provisions; we read Virgil, that is, his poems; a man has a
warm heart, that is, warm affections.
Metope \Met"o*pe\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? with, between + ?
opening, hole, the hole in the frieze between the beam ends.]
1. (Arch.) The space between two triglyphs of the Doric
frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with
carved work. See Illust. of {Entablature}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The face of a crab.
Note: In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high
relief occupy the metopes.
Metopic \Me*top"ic\, a. [Gr. ? the forehead.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the forehead or frontal bones; frontal;
as, the metopic suture.
Metopomancy \Met"o*po*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? the forehead + -mancy.]
Fortune telling by physiognomy. [R.] --Urquhart.
Metoposcopic \Met`o*po*scop"ic\, Metoposcopical
\Met`o*po*scop"ic*al\, a.
Of or relating to metoposcopy.
Metoposcopist \Met`o*pos"co*pist\, n.
One versed in metoposcopy.
Metoposcopy \Met`o*pos"co*py\, n. [Gr. ? observing the forehead;
? the forehead + ? to view: cf. F. m['e]toposcopie.]
The study of physiognomy; the art of discovering the
character of persons by their features, or the lines of the
face.
Metosteon \Me*tos"te*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? after + ? bone.]
(Anat.)
The postero-lateral ossification in the sternum of birds;
also, the part resulting from such ossification.
Metre \Me"tre\, n.
See {Meter}.
Metric \Met"ric\, a. [L. metricus, Gr. ?: cf. F. m['e]trique.
See {Meter} rhythm.]
1. Relating to measurement; involving, or proceeding by,
measurement.
2. Of or pertaining to the meter as a standard of
measurement; of or pertaining to the decimal system of
measurement of which a meter is the unit; as, the metric
system; a metric measurement.
{Metric analysis} (Chem.), analysis by volume; volumetric
analysis.
{Metric system}, a system of weights and measures originating
in France, the use of which is required by law in many
countries, and permitted in many others, including the
United States and England. The principal unit is the meter
(see {Meter}). From this are formed the are, the liter,
the stere, the gram, etc. These units, and others derived
from them, are divided decimally, and larger units are
formed from multiples by 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000. The
successive multiplies are designated by the prefixes,
deca-, hecto-, kilo-, and myria-; successive parts by
deci-, centi-, and milli-. The prefixes mega- and micro-
are sometimes used to denote a multiple by one million,
and the millionth part, respectively. See the words formed
with these prefixes in the Vocabulary. For metric tables,
see p. 1682.
Metrical \Met"ric*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the meter; arranged in meter;
consisting of verses; as, metrical compositions.
2. Of or pertaining to measurement; as, the inch, foot, yard,
etc., are metrical terms; esp., of or pertaining to the
metric system.
Metrically \Met"ric*al*ly\, adv.
In a metrical manner.
Metrician \Me*tri"cian\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]tricien. See {Meter}
rhythm.]
A composer of verses. [Obs.]
Metric system \Met"ric sys"tem\
See {Metric}, a.
Metrification \Met`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n.
Composition in metrical form; versification. [R.] --Tennyson.
Metrify \Met"ri*fy\, v. i. [L. metrum meter + -fy: cf. F.
m['e]trifier.]
To make verse. [R.] --Skelton.
Metrist \Me"trist\, n.
A maker of verses. --Bale.
Spenser was no mere metrist, but a great composer.
--Lowell.
Metritis \Me*tri"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? womb + -tis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the womb.
Metrochrome \Met"ro*chrome\, n. [Gr. ? + ? color.]
An instrument for measuring colors.
Metrograph \Met"ro*graph\, n. [Gr. ? measure + -graph.]
An instrument attached to a locomotive for recording its
speed and the number and duration of its stops.
Metrological \Met`ro*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. m['e]trologique.]
Of or pertaining to metrology.
Metrology \Me*trol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? measure + -m['e]trologie.]
The science of, or a system of, weights and measures; also, a
treatise on the subject.
Metromania \Met`ro*ma"ni*a\, n. [Gr. ? measure + E. mania.]
A mania for writing verses.
Metromaniac \Met`ro*ma"ni*ac\, n.
One who has metromania.
Metrometer \Me*trom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? womb + -meter.] (Med.)
An instrument for measuring the size of the womb. --Knight.
Metronome \Met"ro*nome\, n. [Gr. ? measure + ? distribute,
assign: cf. F. m['e]tronome, It. metronomo.]
An instrument consisting of a short pendulum with a sliding
weight. It is set in motion by clockwork, and serves to
measure time in music.
Metronomy \Me*tron"o*my\, n. [See {Metronome}.]
Measurement of time by an instrument.
Metronymic \Met`ro*nym"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; ? mother + ?, for ?
name.]
Derived from the name of one's mother, or other female
ancestor; as, a metronymic name or appellation. -- A
metronymic appellation.
Metropole \Met"ro*pole\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]tropole. See
{Metropolis}.]
A metropolis. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Metropolis \Me*trop"o*lis\, n. [L. metropolis, Gr. ?, prop., the
mother city (in relation to colonies); ? mother + ? city. See
{Mother}, and {Police}.]
1. The mother city; the chief city of a kingdom, state, or
country.
[Edinburgh] gray metropolis of the North.
--Tennyson.
2. (Eccl.) The seat, or see, of the metropolitan, or highest
church dignitary.
The great metropolis and see of Rome. --Shak.
Metropolitan \Met`ro*pol"i*tan\ (?; 277), a. [L. metropolitanus:
cf. F. m['e]tropolitain.]
1. Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a
country; as, metropolitan luxury.
2. (Eccl.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a metropolitan
or the presiding bishop of a country or province, his
office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan authority.
``Bishops metropolitan.'' --Sir T. More.
Metropolitan \Met`ro*pol"i*tan\, n. [LL. metropolitanus.]
1. The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.
2. (Lat. Church.) An archbishop.
3. (Gr. Church) A bishop whose see is civil metropolis. His
rank is intermediate between that of an archbishop and a
patriarch. --Hook.
Metropolitanate \Met`ro*pol"i*tan*ate\, n.
The see of a metropolitan bishop. --Milman.
Metropolite \Me*trop"o*lite\, n. [L. metropolita, Gr. ?.]
A metropolitan. --Barrow.
Metropolitical \Met`ro*po*lit"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a metropolis; being a metropolis;
metropolitan; as, the metropolitical chair. --Bp. Hall.
Metrorrhagia \Met`ror*rha"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? womb + ? to
break.] (Med.)
Profuse bleeding from the womb, esp. such as does not occur
at the menstrual period.
Metroscope \Met"ro*scope\, n. [Gr. ? womb + -scope.]
A modification of the stethoscope, for directly auscultating
the uterus from the vagina.
Metrosideros \Met`ro*si*de"ros\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? heart of a
tree + ? iron.] (Bot.)
A myrtaceous genus of trees or shrubs, found in Australia and
the South Sea Islands, and having very hard wood.
Metrosideros vera is the true ironwood.
Metrotome \Met"ro*tome\, n. [See {Metrotomy}.] (Surg.)
An instrument for cutting or scarifying the uterus or the
neck of the uterus.
Metrotomy \Me*trot"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? womb + ? to cut: cf. F.
m['e]trotomie.] (Surg.)
The operation of cutting into the uterus; hysterotomy; the
C[ae]sarean section.
-metry \-me*try\ [See {-meter}.]
A suffix denoting the art, process, or science, of measuring;
as, acidmetry, chlorometry, chronometry.
Mette \Mette\, obs.
imp. of {Mete}, to dream. --Chaucer.
Mettle \Met"tle\, n. [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in
allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See
{Metal}.]
Substance or quality of temperament; spirit, esp. as regards
honor, courage, fortitude, ardor, etc.; disposition; --
usually in a good sense.
A certain critical hour which shall . . . try what
mettle his heart is made of. --South.
Gentlemen of brave mettle. --Shak.
The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most
true mettle when you check his course. --Pope.
{To put one one's mettle}, to cause or incite one to use
one's best efforts.
Mettled \Met"tled\, a.
Having mettle; high-spirited; ardent; full of fire.
--Addison.
Mettlesome \Met"tle*some\, a.
Full of spirit; possessing constitutional ardor; fiery; as, a
mettlesome horse. -- {Met"tle*some*ly}, adv. --
{Met"tle*some*ness}, n.
Meute \Meute\, n.
A cage for hawks; a mew. See 4th {Mew}, 1. --Milman.
Meve \Meve\, v. t. & i.
To move. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mew \Mew\, n. [AS. m?w, akin to D. meeuw, G. m["o]we, OHG. m?h,
Icel. m[=a]r.] (Zo["o]l.)
A gull, esp. the common British species ({Larus canus});
called also {sea mew}, {maa}, {mar}, {mow}, and {cobb}.
Mew \Mew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mewed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mewing}.] [OE. muen, F. muer, fr. L. mutare to change, fr.
movere to move. See {Move}, and cf. {Mew} a cage, {Molt}.]
To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his
feathers.
Nine times the moon had mewed her horns. --Dryden.
Mew \Mew\, v. i.
To cast the feathers; to molt; hence, to change; to put on a
new appearance.
Now everything doth mew, And shifts his rustic winter
robe. --Turbervile.
Mew \Mew\, n. [OE. mue, F. mue change of feathers, scales, skin,
the time or place when the change occurs, fr. muer to molt,
mew, L. mutare to change. See 2d {Mew}.]
1. A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for fattening fowls;
hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or shelter;
-- in the latter sense usually in the plural.
Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe. --Chaucer.
Forthcoming from her darksome mew. --Spenser.
Violets in their secret mews. --Wordsworth.
2. A stable or range of stables for horses; -- compound used
in the plural, and so called from the royal stables in
London, built on the site of the king's mews for hawks.
Mew \Mew\, v. t. [From {Mew} a cage.]
To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other
inclosure.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed. --Shak.
Close mewed in their sedans, for fear of air. --Dryden.
Mew \Mew\, v. i. [Of imitative origin; cf. G. miauen.]
To cry as a cat. [Written also {meaw}, {meow}.] --Shak.
Mew \Mew\, n.
The common cry of a cat. --Shak.
Mewl \Mewl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mewled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mewling}.] [Cf. F. miauler to mew, E. mew to cry as a cat.
Cf. {Miaul}.]
To cry, as a young child; to squall. [Written also {meawl}.]
--Shak.
Mewler \Mewl"er\, n.
One that mewls.
Mews \Mews\, n. sing. & pl. [Prop. pl. of mew. See {Mew} a
cage.]
An alley where there are stables; a narrow passage; a
confined place. [Eng.]
Mr. Turveydrop's great room . . . was built out into a
mews at the back. --Dickens.
Mexal \Mex*al"\, Mexical \Mex"i*cal\, n. [Sp. mexcal.]
See {Mescal}.
Mexican \Mex"i*can\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mexico or its people. -- n. A native or
inhabitant of Mexico.
{Mexican poppy} (Bot.), a tropical American herb of the Poppy
family ({Argemone Mexicana}) with much the look of a
thistle, but having large yellow or white blossoms.
{Mexican tea} (Bot.), an aromatic kind of pigweed from
tropical America ({Chenopodium ambrosioides}).
Mexicanize \Mex"i*can*ize\, v. t.
To cause to be like the Mexicans, or their country, esp. in
respect of frequent revolutions of government.
Mexicanize \Mex"i*can*ize\, v. i.
To become like the Mexicans, or their country or government.
Neyne \Neyn"e\, n. [Obs.]
Same as {Meine}.
Mezcal \Mez*cal"\, n.
Same as {Mescal}.
Mezereon \Me*ze"re*on\, n. [F. m['e]z['e]r['e]on, Per.
m[=a]zriy[=u]n.] (Bot.)
A small European shrub ({Daphne Mezereum}), whose acrid bark
is used in medicine.
Mezquita \Mez*qui"ta\, n. [Sp.]
A mosque.
Mezuzoth \Mez"u*zoth\, n. [Heb. m[e^]z[=u]z[=o]th, pl. of
m[e^]z[=u]z[=a]h doorpost.]
A piece of parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to
the doorpost; -- in use among orthodox Hebrews.
Mezzanine \Mez"za*nine\, n. [F. mezzanine, It. mezzanino, fr.
mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half. See {Mezzo}.] (Arch.)
(a) Same as {Entresol}.
(b) A partial story which is not on the same level with the
story of the main part of the edifice, as of a back
building, where the floors are on a level with landings
of the staircase of the main house.
Mezza voce \Mez"za vo"ce\ [It., fr. mezzo, fem. mezza middle,
half + voce voice, L. vox.] (Mus.)
With a medium fullness of sound.
Mezzo \Mez"zo\, a. [It., from L. medius middle, half. See {Mid},
a.] (Mus.)
Mean; not extreme.
Mezzo-relievo \Mez"zo-re*lie"vo\, n.
Mezzo-rilievo.
Mezzo-rilievo \Mez"zo-ri*lie"vo\, n. [It.]
(a) A middle degree of relief in figures, between high and
low relief.
(b) Sculpture in this kind of relief. See under
{Alto-rilievo}.
Mezzo-soprano \Mez"zo-so*pra"no\, a. (Mus.)
Having a medium compass between the soprano and contralto; --
said of the voice of a female singer. -- n.
(a) A mezzo-soprano voice.
(b) A person having such a voice.
Mezzotint \Mez"zo*tint\, n. [Cf. F. mezzo-tinto.]
A manner of engraving on copper or steel by drawing upon a
surface previously roughened, and then removing the roughness
in places by scraping, burnishing, etc., so as to produce the
requisite light and shade. Also, an engraving so produced.
Mezzotint \Mez"zo*tint\, v. t.
To engrave in mezzotint.
Mezzotinter \Mez"zo*tint`er\, n.
One who engraves in mezzotint.
Mezzotinto \Mez`zo*tin"to\, n. [It. mezzo half + tinto tinted,
p. p. of tingere to dye, color, tinge, L. tingere. See
{Mezzo}.]
Mezzotint.
Mezzotinto \Mez`zo*tin"to\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mezzotintoed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Mezzotintoing}.]
To engrave in mezzotint; to represent by mezzotint.
Mhorr \Mhorr\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mohr}.
Mi \Mi\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
A syllable applied to the third tone of the scale of C, i.
e., to E, in European solmization, but to the third tone of
any scale in the American system.
Miamis \Mi*a"mis\, n. pl.; sing. {Miami}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians that formerly occupied the country between
the Wabash and Maumee rivers.
Miargyrite \Mi*ar"gy*rite\, n. [Gr. ? less + ? silver. So called
because it contains less silver than some kindred ore.]
(Min.)
A mineral of an iron-black color, and very sectile,
consisting principally of sulphur, antimony, and silver.
Mias \Mi"as\, n. [Malayan.]
The orang-outang.
Miascite \Mi*asc"ite\, n. [Named from Miask, in the Ural
Mountains.] (Min.)
A granitoid rock containing feldspar, biotite, el[ae]olite,
and sodalite.
Miasm \Mi"asm\, n. [Cf. F. miasme.]
Miasma.
Miasma \Mi*as"ma\, n.; pl. {Miasmata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
defilement, fr. ? to pollute.]
Infectious particles or germs floating in the air; air made
noxious by the presence of such particles or germs; noxious
effluvia; malaria.
Miasmal \Mi*as"mal\, a.
Containing miasma; miasmatic.
Miasmatic \Mi`as*mat"ic\, Miasmatical \Mi`as*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. miasmatique.]
Containing, or relating to, miasma; caused by miasma; as,
miasmatic diseases.
Miasmatist \Mi*as"ma*tist\, n.
One who has made a special study of miasma.
Miasmology \Mi`as*mol"o*gy\, n. [Miasma + -logy.]
That department of medical science which treats of miasma.
Miaul \Mi*aul"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Miauled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Miauling}.] [Cf. F. miauler, of imitative origin, and E.
mew. Cf. {Mewl}.]
To cry as a cat; to mew; to caterwaul. --Sir W. Scott.
Miaul \Mi*aul"\, n.
The crying of a cat.
Mica \Mi"ca\, n. [L. mica crumb, grain, particle; cf. F. mica.]
(Min.)
The name of a group of minerals characterized by highly
perfect cleavage, so that they readily separate into very
thin leaves, more or less elastic. They differ widely in
composition, and vary in color from pale brown or yellow to
green or black. The transparent forms are used in lanterns,
the doors of stoves, etc., being popularly called
{isinglass}. Formerly called also {cat-silver}, and
{glimmer}.
Note: The important species of the mica group are:
{muscovite}, common or potash mica, pale brown or
green, often silvery, including {damourite} (also
called {hydromica}); {biotite}, iron-magnesia mica,
dark brown, green, or black; {lepidomelane}, iron,
mica, black; {phlogopite}, magnesia mica, colorless,
yellow, brown; {lepidolite}, lithia mica, rose-red,
lilac. Mica (usually muscovite, also biotite) is an
essential constituent of granite, gneiss, and mica
slate; {biotite} is common in many eruptive rocks;
{phlogopite} in crystalline limestone and serpentine.
{Mica diorite} (Min.), an eruptive rock allied to diorite but
containing mica (biotite) instead of hornblende.
{Mica powder}, a kind of dynamite containing fine scales of
mica.
{Mica schist}, {Mica slate} (Geol.), a schistose rock,
consisting of mica and quartz with, usually, some
feldspar.
Micaceo-calcareous \Mi*ca`ce*o-cal*ca"re*ous\, a. (Geol.)
Partaking of the nature of, or consisting of, mica and lime;
-- applied to a mica schist containing carbonate of lime.
Micaceous \Mi*ca"ceous\, a. [Cf. F. micac['e].]
Pertaining to, or containing, mica; splitting into lamin[ae]
or leaves like mica.
Mice \Mice\, n.,
pl of {Mouse}.
Micella \Mi*cel"la\, n.; pl. {Micell[ae]}. [NL., dim. of L. mica
a morsel, grain.] (Biol.)
A theoretical aggregation of molecules constituting a
structural particle of protoplasm, capable of increase or
diminution without change in chemical nature.
Mich \Mich\, Miche \Miche\, v. i. [OE. michen; cf. OE. muchier,
mucier, to conceal, F. musser, and OHG. m[=u]hhen to waylay.
Cf. {Micher}, {Curmudgeon}, {Muset}.]
To lie hid; to skulk; to act, or carry one's self,
sneakingly. [Obs. or Colloq.] [Written also {meach} and
{meech}.] --Spenser.
Michaelmas \Mich"ael*mas\, n. [Michael + mass religious service;
OE. Mighelmesse.]
The feat of the archangel Michael, a church festival,
celebrated on the 29th of September. Hence, colloquially,
autumn.
{Michaelmas daisy}. (Bot.) See under {Daisy}.
Micher \Mich"er\, n. [OE. michare, muchare. See {Mich}.]
One who skulks, or keeps out of sight; hence, a truant; an
idler; a thief, etc. [Obs.] --Shak.
Michery \Mich"er*y\, n.
Theft; cheating. [Obs.] --Gower.
Miching \Mich"ing\, a.
Hiding; skulking; cowardly. [Colloq.] [Written also
{meaching} and {meeching}.]
Mickle \Mic"kle\, a. [OE. mikel, muchel, mochel, mukel, AS.
micel, mycel; akin to OS. mikil, OHG. mihil, mihhil, Icel.
mikill, mykill, Goth. mikils, L. magnus, Gr. ?, gen. ?; cf.
Skr. mahat. [root]103. Cf. {Much}, {Muckle}, {Magnitude}.]
Much; great. [Written also {muckle} and {mockle}.] [Old Eng.
& Scot.] ``A man of mickle might.'' --Spenser.
Micmacs \Mic"macs\, n. pl.; sing. {Micmac}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians inhabiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
[Written also {Mikmaks}.]
Mico \Mi"co\, n. [Sp. or Pg. mico.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small South American monkey ({Mico melanurus}), allied to
the marmoset. The name was originally applied to an albino
variety.
Micracoustic \Mi`cra*cous"tic\, a.
Same as {Microustic}.
Micraster \Mi*cras"ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. mikro`s small + ?
star.] (Paleon.)
A genus of sea urchins, similar to Spatangus, abounding in
the chalk formation; -- from the starlike disposal of the
ambulacral furrows.
Micrencephalous \Mi`cren*ceph"a*lous\, [Micr- + Gr. ? brain.]
Having a small brain.
Micro- \Mi"cro-\, Micr- \Mi"cr-\ . [Gr. mikro`s small.]
A combining form signifying:
(a) Small, little, trivial, slight; as, microcosm,
microscope.
(b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.) A millionth part of;
as, microfarad, microohm, micrometer.
Microampere \Mi`cro*am`p[`e]re"\, n. [Micr- + amp[`e]re.]
(Elec.)
One of the smaller measures of electrical currents; the
millionth part of one amp[`e]re.
Microbacteria \Mi`cro*bac*te"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Micro-},
and {Bacterium}.] (Biol.)
In the classification of Cohn, one of the four tribes of
Bacteria.
Note: In this classification bacteria are divided into four
tribes: 1. {Spherobacteria}, or spherical bacteria, as
the genus {Micrococcus}. 2. {Microbacteria}, or
bacteria in the form of short rods, including the genus
{Bacterium}. 3. {Desmobacteria}, or bacteria in
straight filaments, of which the genus {Bacillus} is a
type. 4. {Spirobacteria}, or bacteria in spiral
filaments, as the genus {Vibrio}.
Microbe \Mi"crobe\, Microbion \Mi*cro"bi*on\, n. [NL. microbion,
fr. Gr. ? little + ? life.] (Biol.)
A microscopic organism; -- particularly applied to bacteria
and especially to pathogenic forms; as, the microbe of fowl
cholera.
Microbian \Mi*cro"bi*an\, a. (Biol.)
Of, pertaining to, or caused by, microbes; as, the microbian
theory; a microbian disease.
Microbic \Mi*crob"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a microbe.
Microbicide \Mi*crob"i*cide\, n. [Microbe + L. caedere to kill.]
(Biol.)
Any agent detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of
microbes or bacterial organisms.
Microcephalic \Mi`cro*ce*phal"ic\, Microcephalous
\Mi`cro*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Micro- + cephalic, cephalous.] (Anat.)
Having a small head; having the cranial cavity small; --
opposed to {megacephalic}.
Micro-chemical \Mi`cro-chem"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to micro-chemistry; as, a micro-chemical
test.
Micro-chemistry \Mi`cro-chem"is*try\, n. [Micro- + chemistry.]
The application of chemical tests to minute objects or
portions of matter, magnified by the use of the microscopy;
-- distinguished from macro-chemistry.
Microchronometer \Mi`cro*chro*nom"e*ter\, n.
A chronoscope.
Microcline \Mi"cro*cline\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? to incline.]
(Min.)
A mineral of the feldspar group, like orthoclase or common
feldspar in composition, but triclinic in form.
Micrococcal \Mi`cro*coc"cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to micrococci; caused by micrococci.
--Nature.
Micrococcus \Mi`cro*coc"cus\, n.; pl. {Micrococci}. [NL. See
{Micro-}, and {Coccus}.] (Biol.)
A genus of {Spherobacteria}, in the form of very small
globular or oval cells, forming, by transverse division,
filaments, or chains of cells, or in some cases single
organisms shaped like dumb-bells ({Diplococcus}), all without
the power of motion. See Illust. of {Ascoccus}.
Note: Physiologically, micrococci are divided into three
groups; chromogenic, characterized by their power of
forming pigment; zymogenic, including those associated
with definite chemical processes; and pathogenic, those
connected with disease.
Microcosm \Mi"cro*cosm\, n. [F. microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr.
Gr. mikro`s small + ko`smos the world.]
A little world; a miniature universe. Hence (so called by
Paracelsus), a man, as a supposed epitome of the exterior
universe or great world. Opposed to {macrocosm}. --Shak.
Microcosmic \Mi`cro*cos"mic\, Microcosmical \Mi`cro*cos"mic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. microcosmique.]
Of or pertaining to the microcosm.
{Microcosmic salt} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance
obtained by mixing solutions of sodium phosphate and
ammonium phosphate, and also called
{hydric-sodic-ammonic-phosphate}. It is a powerful flux,
and is used as a substitute for borax as a blowpipe
reagent in testing for the metallic oxides. Originally
obtained by the alchemists from human urine, and called
{sal microcosmicum}.
Microcosmography \Mi`cro*cos*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Microcosm +
-graphy.]
Description of man as a microcosm.
Microcoulomb \Mi`cro*cou`lomb"\, n. [Micro- + coulomb.] (Elec.)
A measure of electrical quantity; the millionth part of one
coulomb.
Microcoustic \Mi`cro*cous"tic\, a. [Micro- + acoustic: cf. F.
microcoustique, micracoustique.]
Pertaining, or suited, to the audition of small sounds;
fitted to assist hearing.
Microcoustic \Mi`cro*cous"tic\, n.
An instrument for making faint sounds audible, as to a
partially deaf person.
Microcrith \Mi`cro*crith"\, n. [Micro- + crith.] (Chem.)
The weight of the half hydrogen molecule, or of the hydrogen
atom, taken as the standard in comparing the atomic weights
of the elements; thus, an atom of oxygen weighs sixteen
microcriths. See {Crith}. --J. P. Cooke.
Microcrystalline \Mi`cro*crys"tal*line\, a. [Micro- +
crystalline.] (Crystallog.)
Crystalline on a fine, or microscopic, scale; consisting of
fine crystals; as, the ground mass of certain porphyrics is
microcrystalline.
Microcyte \Mi"cro*cyte\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? a hollow vessel.]
(Physiol.)
One of the elementary granules found in blood. They are much
smaller than an ordinary corpuscle, and are particularly
noticeable in disease, as in an[ae]mia.
Microdont \Mic"ro*dont\, a. [Micr- + Gr. ?, ?, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having small teeth.
Microfarad \Mi`cro*far"ad\, n. [Micro- + farad.] (Elec.)
The millionth part of a farad.
Microform \Mi"cro*form\, n. [Micro- + form, n.] (Biol.)
A microscopic form of life; an animal or vegetable organism
microscopic size.
Micro-geological \Mi`cro-ge`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to micro-geology.
Micro-geology \Mi`cro-ge*ol"o*gy\, n. [Micro- + geology.]
The part of geology relating to structure and organisms which
require to be studied with a microscope.
Micrograph \Mi"cro*graph\, n. [See {Micrography}.]
An instrument for executing minute writing or engraving.
Micrographic \Mi`cro*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to micrography.
Micrography \Mi*crog"ra*phy\, n. [Micro- + -graphy: cf. F.
micrographie.]
The description of microscopic objects.
Microhm \Mi*crohm"\, n. [Micr- + ohm.] (Elec.)
The millionth part of an ohm.
Microlepidoptera \Mi`cro*lep`i*dop"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Micro-}, and {Lepidoptera}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of Lepidoptera, including a vast number of minute
species, as the plume moth, clothes moth, etc.
Microlestes \Mi`cro*les"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. mikro`s small +
? a robber.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of small Triassic mammals, the oldest yet
found in European strata.
Microlite \Mi"cro*lite\, n. [Micro- + -lite.] (Min.)
1. A rare mineral of resinous luster and high specific
gravity. It is a tantalate of calcium, and occurs in
octahedral crystals usually very minute.
2. (Min.) A minute inclosed crystal, often observed when
minerals or rocks are examined in thin sections under the
microscope.
Microlith \Mi"cro*lith\, n. [Micro- + lith.] (Min.)
Same as {Microlite}, 2.
Microlithic \Mi`cro*lith"ic\, a.
Formed of small stones.
Micrologic \Mi`cro*log"ic\, Micrological \Mi`cro*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to micrology; very minute; as, micrologic
examination. -- {Mi`cro*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Micrology \Mi*crol"o*gy\, n. [Micro- + -logy.]
1. That part of science which treats of microscopic objects,
or depends on microscopic observation.
2. Attention to petty items or differences. --W. Taylor.
Micromere \Mi"cro*mere\, n. [Micro- + -mere.] (Biol.)
One of the smaller cells, or blastomeres, resulting from the
complete segmentation of a telolecithal ovum.
Micrometer \Mi*crom"e*ter\, n. [Micro- + -meter: cf. F.
microm[`e]tre.]
An instrument, used with a telescope or microscope, for
measuring minute distances, or the apparent diameters of
objects which subtend minute angles. The measurement given
directly is that of the image of the object formed at the
focus of the object glass.
{Circular, or Ring}, {micrometer}, a metallic ring fixed in
the focus of the object glass of a telescope, and used to
determine differences of right ascension and declination
between stars by observations of the times at which the
stars cross the inner or outer periphery of the ring.
{Double image micrometer}, a micrometer in which two images
of an object are formed in the field, usually by the two
halves of a bisected lens which are movable along their
line of section by a screw, and distances are determined
by the number of screw revolutions necessary to bring the
points to be measured into optical coincidence. When the
two images are formed by a bisected object glass, it is
called a divided-object-glass micrometer, and when the
instrument is large and equatorially mounted, it is known
as a heliometer.
{Double refraction micrometer}, a species of double image
micrometer, in which the two images are formed by the
double refraction of rock crystal.
{Filar, or Bifilar}, {micrometer}. See under {Bifilar}.
{Micrometer} {caliper or gauge} (Mech.), a caliper or gauge
with a micrometer screw, for measuring dimensions with
great accuracy.
{Micrometer head}, the head of a micrometer screw.
{Micrometer microscope}, a compound microscope combined with
a filar micrometer, used chiefly for reading and
subdividing the divisions of large astronomical and
geodetical instruments.
{Micrometer screw}, a screw with a graduated head used in
some forms of micrometers.
{Position micrometer}. See under {Position}.
{Scale}, or {Linear}, {micrometer}, a minute and very
delicately graduated scale of equal parts used in the
field of a telescope or microscope, for measuring
distances by direct comparison.
Micrometric \Mi`cro*met"ric\, Micrometrical \Mi`cro*met"ric*al\,
a. [Cf. F. microm['e]trique.]
Belonging to micrometry; made by the micrometer. --
{Mi`cro*met"ric*al*ly}, adv.
Micrometry \Mi*crom"e*try\, n.
The art of measuring with a micrometer.
Micromillimeter \Mi`cro*mil"li*me`ter\, n. [Micro- +
millimeter.]
The millionth part of a meter.
Micron \Mic"ron\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. mikro`s small.] (Physics)
A measure of length; the thousandth part of one millimeter;
the millionth part of a meter.
Micronesian \Mi"cro*ne"sian\, a. [From Micronesia, fr. Gr.
mikro`s small + nh^sos an island.]
Of or pertaining to Micronesia, a collective designation of
the islands in the western part of the Pacific Ocean,
embracing the Marshall and Gilbert groups, the Ladrones, the
Carolines, etc.
Micronesians \Mi`cro*ne"sians\, n. pl.; sing. {Micronesian}.
(Ethnol.)
A dark race inhabiting the Micronesian Islands. They are
supposed to be a mixed race, derived from Polynesians and
Papuans.
Micronometer \Mi`cro*nom"e*ter\, n. [Micro- + chronometer.]
An instrument for noting minute portions of time.
Microorganism \Mi`cro*["o]r"gan*ism\, n. [Micro- + organism.]
(Biol.)
Any microscopic form of life; -- particularly applied to
bacteria and similar organisms, esp. such are supposed to
cause infectious diseases.
Micropantograph \Mi`cro*pan"to*graph\, n. [Micro- + pantograph.]
A kind of pantograph which produces copies microscopically
minute.
Micropegmatite \Mi`cro*peg"ma*tite\, n. [Micro- + pegmatite.]
(Min.)
A rock showing under the microscope the structure of a
graphic granite (pegmatite). -- {Mi`cro*peg`ma*tit"ic}, a.
Microphone \Mi"cro*phone\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? sound, voice: cf.
F. microphone.] (Physics)
An instrument for intensifying and making audible very feeble
sounds. It produces its effects by the changes of intensity
in an electric current, occasioned by the variations in the
contact resistance of conducting bodies, especially of
imperfect conductors, under the action of acoustic
vibrations.
Microphonics \Mi`cro*phon"ics\, n. [See {Microphone}.]
The science which treats of the means of increasing the
intensity of low or weak sounds, or of the microphone.
Microphonous \Mi*croph"o*nous\, a.
Serving to augment the intensity of weak sounds;
microcoustic.
Microphotograph \Mi`cro*pho"to*graph\, n. [Micro- + photograph.]
1. A microscopically small photograph of a picture, writing,
printed page, etc.
2. An enlarged representation of a microscopic object,
produced by throwing upon a sensitive plate the magnified
image of an object formed by a microscope or other
suitable combination of lenses.
Note: A picture of this kind is preferably called a
photomicrograph.
Microphotography \Mi`cro*pho*tog"ra*phy\, n.
The art of making microphotographs.
Microphthalmia \Mi`croph*thal"mi*a\, Microphthalmy
\Mi`croph*thal"my\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? eye.]
An unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring as the result
of disease or of imperfect development.
Microphyllous \Mi*croph"yl*lous\, a. [Micro- + Gr. ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Small-leaved.
Microphytal \Mi*croph"y*tal\, a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, microphytes.
Microphyte \Mi"cro*phyte\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? a plant: cf. F.
microphyte.] (Bot.)
A very minute plant, one of certain unicellular alg[ae], such
as the germs of various infectious diseases are believed to
be.
Micropyle \Mi"cro*pyle\, n. [Micro- + Gr. ? gate, orifice: cf.
F. micropyle.] (Biol.)
(a) An opening in the membranes surrounding the ovum, by
which nutrition is assisted and the entrance of the
spermatozoa permitted.
(b) An opening in the outer coat of a seed, through which the
fecundating pollen enters the ovule. -- {Mi*crop"y*lar},
a.
Microscopal \Mi*cros"co*pal\, a.
Pertaining to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope.
--Huxley.
Microscope \Mi"cro*scope\, n. [Micro- + -scope.]
An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination
of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is
too minute to be viewed by the naked eye.
{Compound microscope}, an instrument consisting of a
combination of lenses such that the image formed by the
lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the
objective) is magnified by another lens called the ocular
or eyepiece.
{Oxyhydrogen microscope}, and {Solar microscope}. See under
{Oxyhydrogen}, and {Solar}.
{Simple, or Single}, {microscope}, a single convex lens used
to magnify objects placed in its focus.
Microscopial \Mi`cro*sco"pi*al\, a.
Microscopic. [R.] --Berkeley.
Microscopic \Mi`cro*scop"ic\, Microscopical \Mi`cro*scop"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. microscopique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the microscope or to microscopy; made
with a microscope; as, microscopic observation.
2. Able to see extremely minute objects.
Why has not man a microscopic eye? --Pope.
3. Very small; visible only by the aid of a microscope; as, a
microscopic insect.
Microscopically \Mi`cro*scop"ic*al*ly\, adv.
By the microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic
manner.
Microscopist \Mi*cros"co*pist\ (?; 277), n.
One skilled in, or given to, microscopy.
Microscopy \Mi*cros"co*py\, n.
The use of the microscope; investigation with the microscope.
Microseme \Mi"cro*seme\, a. [Micro- + Gr. ? sign, mark: cf. F.
micros[`e]me.] (Anat.)
Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits
broad transversely; -- opposed to {megaseme}.
Microspectroscope \Mi`cro*spec"tro*scope\, n. [Micro- +
spectroscope.] (Physics)
A spectroscope arranged for attachment to a microscope, for
observation of the spectrum of light from minute portions of
any substance.
Microsporangium \Mi`cro*spo*ran"gi*um\, n. [NL. See {Micro-},
and {Sporangium}.] (Bot.)
A sporangium or conceptacle containing only very minute
spores. Cf. {Macrosporangium}.
Microspore \Mi"cro*spore\, n. [Micro- + spore.] (Bot.)
One of the exceedingly minute spores found in certain
flowerless plants, as {Selaginella} and {Isoetes}, which bear
two kinds of spores, one very much smaller than the other.
Cf. {Macrospore}.
Microsporic \Mi`cro*spor"ic\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to microspores.
Microsthene \Mi"cro*sthene\, n. [Micro- + Gr. sqe`nos might,
strength.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of mammals having a small size as a typical
characteristic. It includes the lower orders, as the
{Insectivora}, {Cheiroptera}, {Rodentia}, and {Edentata}.
Microsthenic \Mi`cro*sthen"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a typically small size; of or pertaining to the
microsthenes.
Microtasimeter \Mi`cro*ta*sim"e*ter\, n. [Micro- + tasimeter.]
(Physics)
A tasimeter, especially when arranged for measuring very
small extensions. See {Tasimeter}.
Microtome \Mi"cro*tome\, n. [Micro- + Gr. te`mnein to cut.]
An instrument for making very thin sections for microscopical
examination.
Microtomist \Mi*crot"o*mist\, n.
One who is skilled in or practices microtomy.
Microtomy \Mi*crot"o*my\, n.
The art of using the microtome; investigation carried on with
the microtome.
Microvolt \Mi`cro*volt"\, n. [Micro- + volt.] (Elec.)
A measure of electro-motive force; the millionth part of one
volt.
Microweber \Mi`cro*we"ber\, n. [Micro- + weber.] (Elec.)
The millionth part of one weber.
Microzoa \Mi`cro*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. mikro`s small +
zw^,on an animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Infusoria.
Microzoospore \Mi`cro*zo"["o]*spore\, n. [Micro- + zo["o]spore.]
(Bot.)
A small motile spore furnished with two vibratile cilia,
found in certain green alg[ae].
Microzyme \Mi"cro*zyme\, n. [Micro- + Gr. zy`mh leaven.] (Biol.)
A micro["o]rganism which is supposed to act like a ferment in
causing or propagating certain infectious or contagious
diseases; a pathogenic bacterial organism.
Micturition \Mic`tu*ri"tion\, n. [L. micturire to desire to make
water, v. desid. fr. mingere, mictum, to make water.]
The act of voiding urine; also, a morbidly frequent passing
of the urine, in consequence of disease.
Mid \Mid\ (m[i^]d), a. [Compar. wanting; superl. {Midmost}.]
[AS. midd; akin to OS. middi, D. mid (in comp.), OHG. mitti,
Icel. mi[eth]r, Goth. midjis, L. medius, Gr. me`sos, Skr.
madhya. [root]271. Cf. {Amid}, {Middle}, {Midst}, {Mean},
{Mediate}, {Meridian}, {Mizzen}, {Moiety}.]
1. Denoting the middle part; as, in mid ocean.
No more the mounting larks, while Daphne sings,
Shall list'ning in mid air suspend their wings.
--Pope.
2. Occupying a middle position; middle; as, the mid finger;
the mid hour of night.
3. (Phon.) Made with a somewhat elevated position of some
certain part of the tongue, in relation to the palate;
midway between the high and the low; -- said of certain
vowel sounds; as, [=a] ([=a]le), [e^] ([e^]ll), [=o]
([=o]ld). See Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 10, 11.
Note: Mid is much used as a prefix, or combining form,
denoting the middle or middle part of a thing; as,
mid-air, mid-channel, mid-age, midday, midland, etc.
Also, specifically, in geometry, to denote a circle
inscribed in a triangle (a midcircle), or relation to
such a circle; as, mid-center, midradius.
Mid \Mid\, n.
Middle. [Obs.]
About the mid of night come to my tent. --Shak.
Mid \Mid\, prep.
See {Amid}.
Mida \Mi"da\, n. [Gr. ? a destructive insect in pulse.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The larva of the bean fly.
Midas \Mi"das\, n. [So called from L. Midas, a man fabled to
have had ass's ears.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of longeared South American monkeys, including
numerous species of marmosets. See {Marmoset}.
Midas's ear \Mi"das's ear"\ [See {Midas}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A pulmonate mollusk ({Auricula, or Ellobium, aurismid[ae]});
-- so called from resemblance to a human ear.
Midbrain \Mid"brain`\, n. [Mid, a. + brain.] (Anat.)
The middle segment of the brain; the mesencephalon. See
{Brain}.
Midday \Mid"day`\, n. [AS. midd[ae]g. See {Mid}, a., and {Day}.]
The middle part of the day; noon.
Midday \Mid"day`\, a.
Of or pertaining to noon; meridional; as, the midday sun.
Midden \Mid"den\, n. [Also {midding}.] [Cf. Dan. m["o]gdynge, E.
muck, and dung.]
1. A dunghill. [Prov. Eng.]
2. An accumulation of refuse about a dwelling place;
especially, an accumulation of shells or of cinders,
bones, and other refuse on the supposed site of the
dwelling places of prehistoric tribes, -- as on the shores
of the Baltic Sea and in many other places. See {Kitchen
middens}.
Midden crow \Mid"den crow"\ (Zo["o]l.)
The common European crow. [Prov. Eng.]
Middest \Mid"dest\, a.; superl. of {Mid}. [See {Midst}.]
Situated most nearly in the middle; middlemost; midmost.
[Obs.] `` 'Mongst the middest crowd.'' --Spenser.
Middest \Mid"dest\, n.
Midst; middle. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Midding \Mid"ding\, n.
Same as {Midden}.
Middle \Mid"dle\, a. [OE. middel, AS. middel; akin to D. middel,
OHG. muttil, G. mittel. ????. See {Mid}, a.]
1. Equally distant from the extreme either of a number of
things or of one thing; mean; medial; as, the middle house
in a row; a middle rank or station in life; flowers of
middle summer; men of middle age.
2. Intermediate; intervening.
Will, seeking good, finds many middle ends. --Sir J.
Davies.
Note: Middle is sometimes used in the formation of
selfexplaining compounds; as, middle-sized,
middle-witted.
{Middle Ages}, the period of time intervening between the
decline of the Roman Empire and the revival of letters.
Hallam regards it as beginning with the sixth and ending
with the fifteenth century.
{Middle class}, in England, people who have an intermediate
position between the aristocracy and the artisan class. It
includes professional men, bankers, merchants, and small
landed proprietors
The middle-class electorate of Great Britain. --M.
Arnold.
{Middle distance}. (Paint.) See {Middle-ground}.
{Middle English}. See {English}, n., 2.
{Middle Kingdom}, China.
{Middle oil} (Chem.), that part of the distillate obtained
from coal tar which passes over between 170[deg] and
230[deg] Centigrade; -- distinguished from the light, and
the heavy or dead, oil.
{Middle passage}, in the slave trade, that part of the
Atlantic Ocean between Africa and the West Indies.
{Middle post}. (Arch.) Same as {King-post}.
{Middle States}, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Delaware; which, at the time of the formation of the
Union, occupied a middle position between the Eastern
States (or New England) and the Southern States. [U.S.]
{Middle term} (Logic), that term of a syllogism with which
the two extremes are separately compared, and by means of
which they are brought together in the conclusion.
--Brande.
{Middle tint} (Paint.), a subdued or neutral tint.
--Fairholt.
{Middle voice}. (Gram.) See under {Voice}.
{Middle watch}, the period from midnight to four A. M.; also,
the men on watch during that time. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
{Middle weight}, a pugilist, boxer, or wrestler classed as of
medium weight, i. e., over 140 and not over 160 lbs., in
distinction from those classed as {light weights}, {heavy
weights}, etc.
Middle \Mid"dle\, n. [AS. middel. See {Middle}, a.]
The point or part equally distant from the extremities or
exterior limits, as of a line, a surface, or a solid; an
intervening point or part in space, time, or order of series;
the midst; central portion; specif., the waist. --Chaucer.
``The middle of the land.'' --Judg. ix. 37.
In this, as in most questions of state, there is a
middle. --Burke.
Syn: See {Midst}.
Middle-age \Mid"dle-age`\, [Middle + age. Cf. {Medi[ae]val}.]
Of or pertaining to the Middle Ages; medi[ae]val.
Middle-aged \Mid"dle-aged`\, a.
Being about the middle of the ordinary age of man; between 30
and 50 years old.
Middle-earth \Mid"dle-earth`\, n.
The world, considered as lying between heaven and hell.
[Obs.]
--Shak.
Middle-ground \Mid"dle-ground`\, n. (Paint.)
That part of a picture between the foreground and the
background.
Middleman \Mid"dle*man\, n.; pl. {Middlemen}.
1. An agent between two parties; a broker; a go-between; any
dealer between the producer and the consumer; in Ireland,
one who takes land of the proprietors in large tracts, and
then rents it out in small portions to the peasantry.
2. A person of intermediate rank; a commoner.
3. (Mil.) The man who occupies a central position in a file
of soldiers.
Middlemost \Mid"dle*most`\, a. [Cf. {Midmost}.]
Being in the middle, or nearest the middle; midmost.
Middler \Mid"dler\, n.
One of a middle or intermediate class in some schools and
seminaries.
Middling \Mid"dling\, a.
Of middle rank, state, size, or quality; about equally
distant from the extremes; medium; moderate; mediocre;
ordinary. ``A town of but middling size.'' --Hallam.
Plainly furnished, as beseemed the middling
circumstances of its inhabitants. --Hawthorne.
-- {Mid"dling*ly}, adv. -- {Mid"dling*ness}, n.
Middlings \Mid"dlings\, n. pl.
1. A combination of the coarser parts of ground wheat the
finest bran, separated from the fine flour and coarse bran
in bolting; -- formerly regarded as valuable only for
feed; but now, after separation of the bran, used for
making the best quality of flour. Middlings contain a
large proportion of gluten.
2. In the southern and western parts of the United States,
the portion of the hog between the ham and the shoulder;
bacon; -- called also {middles}. --Bartlett.
Middy \Mid"dy\, n.; pl. {Middies}.
A colloquial abbreviation of {midshipman}.
Midfeather \Mid"feath`er\, n.
1. (Steam Boilers) A vertical water space in a fire box or
combustion chamber.
2. (Mining) A support for the center of a tunnel.
Midgard \Mid"gard`\, n. [Icel. mi[eth]gar[eth]r.] (Scand. Myth.)
The middle space or region between heaven and hell; the abode
of human beings; the earth.
Midge \Midge\, n. [OE. migge, AS. mycge; akin to OS. muggia, D.
mug, G. m["u]cke, OHG. mucca, Icel. m?, Sw. mygga, mygg, Dan.
myg; perh. named from its buzzing; cf. Gr. ? to low, bellow.]
(Zo["o]l.)
1. Any one of many small, delicate, long-legged flies of the
{Chironomus}, and allied genera, which do not bite. Their
larv[ae] are usually aquatic.
2. A very small fly, abundant in many parts of the United
States and Canada, noted for the irritating quality of its
bite.
Note: The name is also applied to various other small flies.
See {Wheat midge}, under {Wheat}.
Midget \Midg"et\, n. [Dim. of midge.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A minute bloodsucking fly. [Local, U. S.]
2. A very diminutive person.
Midgut \Mid"gut`\, n. [Mid, a. + gut.] (Anat.)
The middle part of the alimentary canal from the stomach, or
entrance of the bile duct, to, or including, the large
intestine.
Midheaven \Mid"heav`en\, n.
1. The midst or middle of heaven or the sky.
2. (Astron.) The meridian, or middle line of the heavens; the
point of the ecliptic on the meridian.
Midland \Mid"land\, a.
1. Being in the interior country; distant from the coast or
seashore; as, midland towns or inhabitants. --Howell.
2. Surrounded by the land; mediterranean.
And on the midland sea the French had awed.
--Dryden.
Midland \Mid"land\, n.
The interior or central region of a country; -- usually in
the plural. --Drayton.
Midmain \Mid"main`\, n.
The middle part of the main or sea. [Poetic] --Chapman.
Midmost \Mid"most`\, a. [OE. middemiste. Cf. {Foremost}.]
Middle; middlemost.
Ere night's midmost, stillest hour was past. --Byron.
Midnight \Mid"night`\, n. [AS. midniht.]
The middle of the night; twelve o'clock at night.
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. --Shak.
Midnight \Mid"night`\, a.
Being in, or characteristic of, the middle of the night; as,
midnight studies; midnight gloom. ``Midnight shout and
revelry.'' --Milton.
Midrash \Mid*rash"\, n.; pl. {Midrashim}, {Midrashoth}. [Heb.,
explanation.]
A talmudic exposition of the Hebrew law, or of some part of
it.
Midrib \Mid"rib`\, n. (Bot.)
A continuation of the petiole, extending from the base to the
apex of the lamina of a leaf.
Midriff \Mid"riff\, n. [AS. midhrif; midd mid, middle + hrif
bowels, womb; akin to OFries. midref midriff, rif, ref,
belly, OHG. href body, and to L. corpus body. See {Corpse}.]
(Anat.)
See {Diaphragm}, n., 2.
Smote him into the midriff with a stone. --Milton.
Mid sea \Mid" sea"\, or Mid-sea \Mid"-sea"\
The middle part of the sea or ocean. --Milton.
{The Mid-sea}, the Mediterranean Sea. [Obs.]
Midship \Mid"ship`\, a.
Of or pertaining to, or being in, the middle of a ship.
{Midship beam} (Naut.), the beam or timber upon which the
broadest part of a vessel is formed.
{Midship bend}, the broadest frame in a vessel. --Weale.
Midshipman \Mid"ship`man\, n.; pl. {Midshipmen}.
1.
(a) Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war,
whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports,
etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and
those of the forecastle, and render other services as
required.
(b) In the English naval service, the second rank attained
by a combatant officer after a term of service as
naval cadet. Having served three and a half years in
this rank, and passed an examination, he is eligible
to promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
(c) In the United States navy, the lowest grade of
officers in line of promotion, being graduates of the
Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of
ensign.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An American marine fish of the genus
{Porichthys}, allied to the toadfish.
{Cadet midshipman}, formerly a title distinguishing a cadet
line officer from a cadet engineer at the U. S. Naval
Academy. See under {Cadet}.
{Cadet midshipman}, formerly, a naval cadet who had served
his time, passed his examinations, and was awaiting
promotion; -- now called, in the United States,
{midshipman}; in England, {sublieutenant}.
Midships \Mid"ships`\, adv. [For amidships.] (Naut.)
In the middle of a ship; -- properly {amidships}.
Midships \Mid"ships`\, n. pl. (Naut.)
The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel. --R. H. Dana,
Jr.
Midst \Midst\, n. [From middest, in the middest, for older in
middes, where -s is adverbial (orig. forming a genitive), or
still older a midde, a midden, on midden. See {Mid}, and cf.
{Amidst}.]
1. The interior or central part or place; the middle; -- used
chiefly in the objective case after in; as, in the midst
of the forest.
And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he
came out of him. --Luke iv. 35.
There is nothing . . . in the midst [of the play]
which might not have been placed in the beginning.
--Dryden.
2. Hence, figuratively, the condition of being surrounded or
beset; the press; the burden; as, in the midst of official
duties; in the midst of secular affairs.
Note: The expressions in our midst, in their midst, etc., are
avoided by some good writers, the forms in the midst of
us, in the midst of them, etc., being preferred.
Syn: {Midst}, {Middle}.
Usage: Midst in present usage commonly denotes a part or
place surrounded on enveloped by or among other parts
or objects (see {Amidst}); while middle is used of the
center of length, or surface, or of a solid, etc. We
say in the midst of a thicket; in the middle of a
line, or the middle of a room; in the midst of
darkness; in the middle of the night.
Midst \Midst\, prep.
In the midst of; amidst. --Shak.
Midst \Midst\, adv.
In the middle. [R.] --Milton.
Midsummer \Mid"sum`mer\, n. [AS. midsumor.]
The middle of summer. --Shak.
{Midsummer daisy} (Bot.), the oxeye daisy.
Midward \Mid"ward\, a.
Situated in the middle.
Midward \Mid"ward\, adv.
In or toward the midst.
Midway \Mid"way`\, n.
The middle of the way or distance; a middle way or course.
--Shak.
Paths indirect, or in the midway faint. --Milton.
Midway \Mid"way`\, a.
Being in the middle of the way or distance; as, the midway
air. --Shak.
Midway \Mid"way`\, adv.
In the middle of the way or distance; half way. ``She met his
glance midway.'' --Dryden.
Midweek \Mid"week`\, n.
The middle of the week. Also used adjectively.
Midwife \Mid"wife`\, n.; pl. {Midwives}. [OE. midwif, fr. AS.
mid with (akin to Gr. ?) + ? woman, wife. Properly, the woman
or wife who is attendant upon a woman in childbirth. See
{Meta-}, and {Wife}.]
A woman who assists other women in childbirth; a female
practitioner of the obstetric art.
Midwife \Mid"wife`\, v. t.
To assist in childbirth.
Midwife \Mid"wife`\, v. i.
To perform the office of midwife.
Midwifery \Mid"wife`ry\ (?; 277), n.
1. The art or practice of assisting women in childbirth;
obstetrics.
2. Assistance at childbirth; help or co["o]peration in
production.
Midwinter \Mid"win`ter\, n. [AS. midwinter.]
The middle of winter. --Dryden.
Midwive \Mid"wive`\, v. t.
To midwife. [Obs.]
Mien \Mien\, n. [F. mine; perh. from sane source as mener to
lead; cf. E. demean, menace, mine, n.]
Aspect; air; manner; demeanor; carriage; bearing.
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As, to be
hated, needs but to be seen. --Pope.
Miff \Miff\, n. [Cf. Prov. G. muff sullenness, sulkiness, muffen
to be silky, muff["i]g sullen, pouting.]
A petty falling out; a tiff; a quarrel; offense. --Fielding.
Miff \Miff\, v. t.
To offend slightly. [Colloq.]
Might \Might\,
imp. of {May}. [AS. meahte, mihte.]
Might \Might\, n. [AS. meaht, miht, from the root of magan to be
able, E. may; akin to D. magt, OS. maht, G. macht, Icel.
m[=a]ttr, Goth. mahts. ????. See {May}, v.]
Force or power of any kind, whether of body or mind; energy
or intensity of purpose, feeling, or action; means or
resources to effect an object; strength; force; power;
ability; capacity.
What so strong, But wanting rest, will also want of
might? --Spenser.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. --Deut.
vi. 5.
{With might and main}. See under 2d {Main}.
Mightful \Might"ful\, a.
Mighty. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mightily \Might"i*ly\, adv. [From {Mighty}.]
1. In a mighty manner; with might; with great earnestness;
vigorously; powerfully.
Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his
working, which worketh in me mightily. --Col. i. 29.
2. To a great degree; very much.
Practical jokes amused us mightily. --Hawthorne.
Mightiness \Might"i*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being mighty; possession of might; power;
greatness; high dignity.
How soon this mightiness meets misery. --Shak.
2. Highness; excellency; -- with a possessive pronoun, a
title of dignity; as, their high mightinesses.
Mightless \Might"less\, a.
Without; weak. [Obs.]
Mighty \Might"y\, a. [Compar. {Mightier}; superl. {Mightiest}.]
[AS. meahtig, mihtig; akin to G. m["a]chtig, Goth. mahteigs.
See {Might}, n.]
1. Possessing might; having great power or authority.
Wise in heart, and mighty in strength. --Job ix. 4.
2. Accomplished by might; hence, extraordinary; wonderful.
``His mighty works.'' --Matt. xi. 20.
3. Denoting and extraordinary degree or quality in respect of
size, character, importance, consequences, etc. ``A mighty
famine.'' --Luke xv. 14. ``Giants of mighty bone.''
--Milton.
Mighty was their fuss about little matters.
--Hawthorne.
Mighty \Might"y\, n.; pl. {Mighties}.
A warrior of great force and courage. [R. & Obs.] --1 Chron.
xi. 12.
Mighty \Might"y\, adv.
In a great degree; very. [Colloq.] ``He was mighty
methodical.'' --Jeffrey.
We have a mighty pleasant garden. --Doddridge.
Migniard \Mign"iard\, a. [F. mignard, akin to mignon. See
{Minion}.]
Soft; dainty. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Migniardise \Mign"iard*ise\, n. [F. mignardise.]
Delicate fondling. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Mignon \Mi"gnon\, a. [F.]
See 3d {Minion}.
Mignon \Mi"gnon\, v. t.
To flatter. [R. & Obs.] --Danie?.
Mignonette \Mi`gnon*ette"\, n. [F. mignonnette, dim. of mignon
darling. See 2d {Minion}.] (Bot.)
A plant ({Reseda odorata}) having greenish flowers with
orange-colored stamens, and exhaling a delicious fragrance.
In Africa it is a low shrub, but further north it is usually
an annual herb.
{Mignonette pepper}, coarse pepper.
Migraine \Mi*graine"\, n. [F.]
Same as {Megrim}. -- {Mi*grain"ous}, a.
Migrant \Mi"grant\, a. [L. migrans, p. pr. of migrare. See
{Migrate}.]
Migratory. --Sir T. Browne. -- n. A migratory bird or other
animal.
Migrate \Mi"grate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Migrated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Migrating}.] [L. migratus, p. p. of migrare to migrate,
transfer.]
1. To remove from one country or region to another, with a
view to residence; to change one's place of residence; to
remove; as, the Moors who migrated from Africa into Spain;
to migrate to the West.
2. To pass periodically from one region or climate to another
for feeding or breeding; -- said of certain birds, fishes,
and quadrupeds.
Migration \Mi*gra"tion\, n. [L. migratio: cf. F. migration.]
The act of migrating.
Migratory \Mi"gra*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. migratoire.]
1. Removing regularly or occasionally from one region or
climate to another; as, migratory birds.
2. Hence, roving; wandering; nomad; as, migratory habits; a
migratory life.
{Migratory locust} (Zo["o]l.) See {Locust}.
{Migratory thrush} (Zo["o]l.), the American robin. See
{Robin}.
Mikado \Mi*ka"do\, n. [Jap.]
The popular designation of the hereditary sovereign of Japan.
Mikmaks \Mik"maks\, n.
Same as {Micmacs}.
Milage \Mil"age\ (?; 48), n.
Same as {Mileage}.
Milanese \Mil`an*ese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Milan in Italy, or to its inhabitants. --
n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Milan; people of
Milan.
Milch \Milch\, a. [OE. milche; akin to G. melk, Icel. milkr,
mj?lkr, and to E. milk. See {Milk}.]
1. Giving milk; -- now applied only to beasts. ``Milch
camels.'' --Gen. xxxii. ``Milch kine.'' --Shak.
2. Tender; pitiful; weeping. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mild \Mild\, a. [Compar. {Milder}; superl. {Mildest}.] [AS.
milde; akin to OS. mildi, D. & G. mild, OHG. milti, Icel.
mildr, Sw. & Dan. mild, Goth. milds; cf. Lith. melas dear,
Gr. ? gladdening gifts.]
Gentle; pleasant; kind; soft; bland; clement; hence, moderate
in degree or quality; -- the opposite of harsh, severe,
irritating, violent, disagreeable, etc.; -- applied to
persons and things; as, a mild disposition; a mild eye; a
mild air; a mild medicine; a mild insanity.
The rosy morn resigns her light And milder glory to the
noon. --Waller.
Adore him as a mild and merciful Being. --Rogers.
{Mild}, or {Low}, {steel}, steel that has but little carbon
in it and is not readily hardened.
Syn: Soft; gentle; bland; calm; tranquil; soothing; pleasant;
placid; meek; kind; tender; indulgent; clement;
mollifying; lenitive; assuasive. See {Gentle}.
Milden \Mild"en\, v. t.
To make mild, or milder. --Lowell.
Mildew \Mil"dew\, n. [AS. melede['a]w; akin to OHG. militou, G.
mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; cf. Goth.
milip honey. See {Mellifluous}, and {Dew}.] (Bot.)
A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of
different colors, found on various diseased or decaying
substances.
Mildew \Mil"dew\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mildewed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mildewing}.]
To taint with mildew.
He . . . mildews the white wheat. --Shak.
Mildew \Mil"dew\, v. i.
To become tainted with mildew.
Mildly \Mild"ly\, adv.
In a mild manner.
Mildness \Mild"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mild; as, mildness of temper;
the mildness of the winter.
Mile \Mile\, n. [AS. m[=i]l, fr. L. millia, milia; pl. of mille
a thousand, i. e., milia passuum a thousand paces. Cf. {Mill}
the tenth of a cent, {Million}.]
A certain measure of distance, being equivalent in England
and the United States to 320 poles or rods, or 5,280 feet.
Note: The distance called a mile varies greatly in different
countries. Its length in yards is, in Norway, 12,182;
in Brunswick, 11,816; in Sweden, 11,660; in Hungary,
9,139; in Switzerland, 8,548; in Austria, 8,297; in
Prussia, 8,238; in Poland, 8,100; in Italy, 2,025; in
England and the United States, 1,760; in Spain, 1,552;
in the Netherlands, 1,094.
{Geographical}, or {Nautical mile}, one sixtieth of a degree
of a great circle of the earth, or 6080.27 feet.
{Mile run}. Same as {Train mile}. See under {Train}.
{Roman mile}, a thousand paces, equal to 1,614 yards English
measure.
{Statute mile}, a mile conforming to statute, that is, in
England and the United States, a mile of 5,280 feet, as
distinguished from any other mile.
Mileage \Mile"age\ (?; 48), n.
1. An allowance for traveling expenses at a certain rate per
mile.
2. Aggregate length or distance in miles; esp., the sum of
lengths of tracks or wires of a railroad company,
telegraph company, etc. [Written also {milage}.]
{Constructive mileage}, a mileage allowed for journeys
supposed to be made, but not actually made. --Bartlett.
Milepost \Mile"post`\, n.
A post, or one of a series of posts, set up to indicate
spaces of a mile each or the distance in miles from a given
place.
Milesian \Mi*le"sian\, a. [L. Milesius, Gr. ?.]
1. (Anc. Geog.) Of or pertaining to Miletus, a city of Asia
Minor, or to its inhabitants.
2. (Irish Legendary Hist.) Descended from King Milesius of
Spain, whose two sons are said to have conquered Ireland
about 1300 b. c.; or pertaining to the descendants of King
Milesius; hence, Irish.
Milesian \Mi*le"sian\, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Miletus.
2. A native or inhabitant of Ireland.
Milestone \Mile"stone`\, n.
A stone serving the same purpose as a milepost.
Milfoil \Mil"foil\, n. [F. mille-feuille, L. millefolium; mille
thousand + folium leaf. See {Foil} a leaf.] (Bot.)
A common composite herb ({Achillea Millefolium}) with white
flowers and finely dissected leaves; yarrow.
{Water milfoil} (Bot.), an aquatic herb with dissected leaves
({Myriophyllum}).
Miliaria \Mil`i*a"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Miliary}.] (Med.)
A fever accompanied by an eruption of small, isolated, red
pimples, resembling a millet seed in form or size; miliary
fever.
Miliary \Mil"ia*ry\ (?; 277), a. [L. miliarius, fr. milium
millet: cf. F. miliaire.]
1. Like millet seeds; as, a miliary eruption.
2. (Med.) Accompanied with an eruption like millet seeds; as,
a miliary fever.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Small and numerous; as, the miliary tubercles
of Echini.
Miliary \Mil"ia*ry\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the small tubercles of Echini.
Milice \Mi`lice"\, n. [F.]
Militia. [Obs.]
Miliola \Mil"i*o`la\, n. [NL., dim. of L. milium millet. So
named from its resemblance to millet seed.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Foraminifera, having a porcelanous shell with
several longitudinal chambers.
Miliolite \Mil"i*o*lite\, n. (Paleon.)
A fossil shell of, or similar to, the genus Miliola.
Miliolite \Mil"i*o*lite\, a.
The same {Milliolitic}.
{Miliolite limestone} (Geol.), a building stone, one of the
group of the Paris basin, almost entirely made up of
many-chambered microscopic shells.
Miliolitic \Mil`i*o*lit"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the genus Miliola; containing miliolites.
Militancy \Mil"i*tan*cy\, n. [See {Militant}.]
1. The state of being militant; warfare.
2. A military spirit or system; militarism. --H. Spencer.
Militant \Mil"i*tant\, a. [L. militans, -antis, p. pr. of
militare to be soldier: cf. F. militant. See {Militate}.]
Engaged in warfare; fighting; combating; serving as a
soldier. -- {Mil"i*tant*ly}, adv.
At which command the powers militant . . . Moved on in
silence. --Milton.
{Church militant}, the Christian church on earth, which is
supposed to be engaged in a constant warfare against its
enemies, and is thus distinguished from the church
triumphant, in heaven.
Militar \Mil"i*tar\, a.
Military. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Militarily \Mil"i*ta*ri*ly\, adv.
In a military manner.
Militarism \Mil"i*ta*rism\, n. [Cf. F. militarisme.]
1. A military state or condition; reliance on military force
in administering government; a military system.
2. The spirit and traditions of military life. --H. Spencer.
Militarist \Mil"i*ta*rist\, n.
A military man. [Obs.] --Shak.
Military \Mil"i*ta*ry\, a. [L. militaris, militarius, from
miles, militis, soldier: cf. F. militaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war;
belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs
of war; as, a military parade; military discipline;
military bravery; military conduct; military renown.
Nor do I, as an enemy to peace, Troop in the throngs
of military men. --Shak.
2. Performed or made by soldiers; as, a military election; a
military expedition. --Bacon.
{Military law}. See {Martial law}, under {Martial}.
{Military order}. (a) A command proceeding from a military
superior.
(b) An association of military persons under a bond of
certain peculiar rules; especially, such an
association of knights in the Middle Ages, or a body
in modern times taking a similar form, membership of
which confers some distinction.
{Military tenure}, tenure of land, on condition of performing
military service.
Military \Mil"i*ta*ry\, n. [Cf. F. militaire.]
The whole body of soldiers; soldiery; militia; troops; the
army.
Militate \Mil"i*tate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Militated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Militating}.] [L. militare, militatum, to be a
soldier, fr. miles, militis, soldier.]
To make war; to fight; to contend; -- usually followed by
against and with.
These are great questions, where great names militate
against each other. --Burke.
The invisible powers of heaven seemed to militate on
the side of the pious emperor. --Gibbon.
Militia \Mi*li"tia\, n. [L., military service, soldiery, fr.
miles, militis, soldier: cf. F. milice.]
1. In the widest sense, the whole military force of a nation,
including both those engaged in military service as a
business, and those competent and available for such
service; specifically, the body of citizens enrolled for
military instruction and discipline, but not subject to be
called into actual service except in emergencies.
The king's captains and soldiers fight his battles,
and yet . . . the power of the militia is he. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. Military service; warfare. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Militiaman \Mi*li"tia*man\, n.; pl. {Militiamen}.
One who belongs to the militia.
Militiate \Mi*li"ti*ate\, v. i.
To carry on, or prepare for, war. [Obs.] --Walpole.
Milk \Milk\, n. [AS. meoluc, meoloc, meolc, milc; akin to
OFries. meloc, D. melk, G. milch, OHG. miluh, Icel. mj?ok,
Sw. mj["o]lk, Dan. melk, Goth. miluks, G. melken to milk,
OHG. melchan, Lith. milszti, L. mulgere, Gr. ?. ????. Cf.
{Milch}, {Emulsion}, {Milt} soft roe of fishes.]
1. (Physiol.) A white fluid secreted by the mammary glands of
female mammals for the nourishment of their young,
consisting of minute globules of fat suspended in a
solution of casein, albumin, milk sugar, and inorganic
salts. ``White as morne milk.'' --Chaucer.
2. (Bot.) A kind of juice or sap, usually white in color,
found in certain plants; latex. See {Latex}.
3. An emulsion made by bruising seeds; as, the milk of
almonds, produced by pounding almonds with sugar and
water.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The ripe, undischarged spat of an oyster.
{Condensed milk}. See under {Condense}, v. t.
{Milk crust} (Med.), vesicular eczema occurring on the face
and scalp of nursing infants. See {Eczema}.
{Milk fever}.
(a) (Med.) A fever which accompanies or precedes the first
lactation. It is usually transitory.
(b) (Vet. Surg.) A form puerperal peritonitis in cattle;
also, a variety of meningitis occurring in cows after
calving.
{Milk glass}, glass having a milky appearance.
{Milk knot} (Med.), a hard lump forming in the breast of a
nursing woman, due to obstruction to the flow of milk and
congestion of the mammary glands.
{Milk leg} (Med.), a swollen condition of the leg, usually in
puerperal women, caused by an inflammation of veins, and
characterized by a white appearance occasioned by an
accumulation of serum and sometimes of pus in the cellular
tissue.
{Milk meats}, food made from milk, as butter and cheese.
[Obs.] --Bailey.
{Milk mirror}. Same as {Escutcheon}, 2.
{Milk molar} (Anat.), one of the deciduous molar teeth which
are shed and replaced by the premolars.
{Milk of lime} (Chem.), a watery emulsion of calcium hydrate,
produced by macerating quicklime in water.
{Milk parsley} (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant ({Peucedanum
palustre}) of Europe and Asia, having a milky juice.
{Milk pea} (Bot.), a genus ({Galactia}) of leguminous and,
usually, twining plants.
{Milk sickness} (Med.), a peculiar malignant disease,
occurring in some parts of the Western United States, and
affecting certain kinds of farm stock (esp. cows), and
persons who make use of the meat or dairy products of
infected cattle. Its chief symptoms in man are
uncontrollable vomiting, obstinate constipation, pain, and
muscular tremors. Its origin in cattle has been variously
ascribed to the presence of certain plants in their food,
and to polluted drinking water.
{Milk snake} (Zo["o]l.), a harmless American snake
({Ophibolus triangulus}, or {O. eximius}). It is variously
marked with white, gray, and red. Called also {milk
adder}, {chicken snake}, {house snake}, etc.
{Milk sugar}. (Physiol. Chem.) See {Lactose}, and {Sugar of
milk} (below).
{Milk thistle} (Bot.), an esculent European thistle ({Silybum
marianum}), having the veins of its leaves of a milky
whiteness.
{Milk thrush}. (Med.) See {Thrush}.
{Milk tooth} (Anat.), one of the temporary first set of teeth
in young mammals; in man there are twenty.
{Milk tree} (Bot.), a tree yielding a milky juice, as the cow
tree of South America ({Brosimum Galactodendron}), and the
{Euphorbia balsamifera} of the Canaries, the milk of both
of which is wholesome food.
{Milk vessel} (Bot.), a special cell in the inner bark of a
plant, or a series of cells, in which the milky juice is
contained. See {Latex}.
{Rock milk}. See {Agaric mineral}, under {Agaric}.
{Sugar of milk}. The sugar characteristic of milk; a hard
white crystalline slightly sweet substance obtained by
evaporation of the whey of milk. It is used in pellets and
powder as a vehicle for homeopathic medicines, and as an
article of diet. See {Lactose}.
Milk \Milk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Milked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Milking}.]
1. To draw or press milk from the breasts or udder of, by the
hand or mouth; to withdraw the milk of. ``Milking the
kine.'' --Gay.
I have given suck, and know How tender 't is to love
the babe that milks me. --Shak.
2. To draw from the breasts or udder; to extract, as milk;
as, to milk wholesome milk from healthy cows.
3. To draw anything from, as if by milking; to compel to
yield profit or advantage; to plunder. --Tyndale.
They [the lawyers] milk an unfortunate estate as
regularly as a dairyman does his stock. --London
Spectator.
{To milk the street}, to squeeze the smaller operators in
stocks and extract a profit from them, by alternately
raising and depressing prices within a short range; --
said of the large dealers. [Cant]
{To milk a telegram}, to use for one's own advantage the
contents of a telegram belonging to another person. [Cant]
Milk \Milk\, v. i.
To draw or to yield milk.
Milken \Milk"en\, a.
Consisting of milk. [Obs.]
Milker \Milk"er\, n.
1. One who milks; also, a mechanical apparatus for milking
cows.
2. A cow or other animal that gives milk.
Milkful \Milk"ful\, a.
Full of milk; abounding with food. [R.] ``Milkful vales.''
--Sylvester.
Milkily \Milk"i*ly\, adv.
In a milky manner.
Milkiness \Milk"i*ness\, n.
State or quality of being milky.
Milk-livered \Milk"-liv`ered\, a.
White-livered; cowardly; timorous.
Milkmaid \Milk"maid`\, n.
A woman who milks cows or is employed in the dairy.
Milkman \Milk"man\, n.; pl. {Milkmen}.
A man who sells milk or delivers is to customers.
Milksop \Milk"sop`\, n.
A piece of bread sopped in milk; figuratively, an effeminate
or weak-minded person. --Shak.
To wed a milksop or a coward ape. --Chaucer.
Milk vetch \Milk" vetch`\ (Bot.)
A leguminous herb ({Astragalus glycyphyllos}) of Europe and
Asia, supposed to increase the secretion of milk in goats.
Note: The name is sometimes taken for the whole genus
{Astragalus}, of which there are about two hundred
species in North America, and even more elsewhere.
Milkweed \Milk"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genera {Asclepias} and {Acerates}, abounding
in a milky juice, and having its seed attached to a long
silky down; silkweed. The name is also applied to several
other plants with a milky juice, as to several kinds of
spurge.
Milkwort \Milk"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of plants ({Polygala}) of many species. The common
European {P. vulgaris} was supposed to have the power of
producing a flow of milk in nurses.
Note: The species of {Campanula}, or bellflower, are
sometimes called milkwort, from their juice.
Milky \Milk"y\, a.
1. Consisting of, or containing, milk.
Pails high foaming with a milky flood. --Pope.
2. Like, or somewhat like, milk; whitish and turbid; as, the
water is milky. ``Milky juice.'' --Arbuthnot.
3. Yielding milk. ``Milky mothers.'' --Roscommon.
4. Mild; tame; spiritless.
Has friendship such a faint and milky heart? --Shak.
{Milky Way}. (Astron.) See {Galaxy}, 1.
Mill \Mill\ (m[i^]l), n. [L. mille a thousand. Cf. {Mile}.]
A money of account of the United States, having the value of
the tenth of a cent, or the thousandth of a dollar.
Mill \Mill\, n. [OE. mille, melle, mulle, milne, AS. myln,
mylen; akin to D. molen, G. m["u]hle, OHG. mul[=i], mul[=i]n,
Icel. mylna; all prob. from L. molina, fr. mola millstone;
prop., that which grinds, akin to molere to grind, Goth.
malan, G. mahlen, and to E. meal. [root]108. See Meal flour,
and cf. {Moline}.]
1. A machine for grinding or comminuting any substance, as
grain, by rubbing and crushing it between two hard, rough,
or intented surfaces; as, a gristmill, a coffee mill; a
bone mill.
2. A machine used for expelling the juice, sap, etc., from
vegetable tissues by pressure, or by pressure in
combination with a grinding, or cutting process; as, a
cider mill; a cane mill.
3. A machine for grinding and polishing; as, a lapidary mill.
4. A common name for various machines which produce a
manufactured product, or change the form of a raw material
by the continuous repetition of some simple action; as, a
sawmill; a stamping mill, etc.
5. A building or collection of buildings with machinery by
which the processes of manufacturing are carried on; as, a
cotton mill; a powder mill; a rolling mill.
6. (Die Sinking) A hardened steel roller having a design in
relief, used for imprinting a reversed copy of the design
in a softer metal, as copper.
7. (Mining)
(a) An excavation in rock, transverse to the workings,
from which material for filling is obtained.
(b) A passage underground through which ore is shot.
8. A milling cutter. See Illust. under {Milling}.
9. A pugilistic. [Cant] --R. D. Blackmore.
{Edge mill}, {Flint mill}, etc. See under {Edge}, {Flint},
etc.
{Mill bar} (Iron Works), a rough bar rolled or drawn directly
from a bloom or puddle bar for conversion into merchant
iron in the mill.
{Mill cinder}, slag from a puddling furnace.
{Mill head}, the head of water employed to turn the wheel of
a mill.
{Mill pick}, a pick for dressing millstones.
{Mill pond}, a pond that supplies the water for a mill.
{Mill race}, the canal in which water is conveyed to a mill
wheel, or the current of water which drives the wheel.
{Mill tail}, the water which flows from a mill wheel after
turning it, or the channel in which the water flows.
{Mill tooth}, a grinder or molar tooth.
{Mill wheel}, the water wheel that drives the machinery of a
mill.
{Roller mill}, a mill in which flour or meal is made by
crushing grain between rollers.
{Stamp mill} (Mining), a mill in which ore is crushed by
stamps.
{To go through the mill}, to experience the suffering or
discipline necessary to bring one to a certain degree of
knowledge or skill, or to a certain mental state.
Mill \Mill\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Milled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Milling}.] [See {Mill}, n., and cf. {Muller}.]
1. To reduce to fine particles, or to small pieces, in a
mill; to grind; to comminute.
2. To shape, finish, or transform by passing through a
machine; specifically, to shape or dress, as metal, by
means of a rotary cutter.
3. To make a raised border around the edges of, or to cut
fine grooves or indentations across the edges of, as of a
coin, or a screw head; also, to stamp in a coining press;
to coin.
4. To pass through a fulling mill; to full, as cloth.
5. To beat with the fists. [Cant] --Thackeray.
6. To roll into bars, as steel.
{To mill chocolate}, to make it frothy, as by churning.
Mill \Mill\, v. i. (Zo["o]l.)
To swim under water; -- said of air-breathing creatures.
Millboard \Mill"board`\, n.
A kind of stout pasteboard.
Mill-cake \Mill"-cake`\, n.
The incorporated materials for gunpowder, in the form of a
dense mass or cake, ready to be subjected to the process of
granulation.
Milldam \Mill"dam`\, n.
A dam or mound to obstruct a water course, and raise the
water to a height sufficient to turn a mill wheel.
Milled \Milled\, a.
Having been subjected to some process of milling.
{Milled cloth}, cloth that has been beaten in a fulling mill.
{Milled lead}, lead rolled into sheets.
Millefiore glass \Mil`le*fi*o"re glass`\ [It. mille thousand +
flore flower.]
Slender rods or tubes of colored glass fused together and
embedded in clear glass; -- used for paperweights and other
small articles.
Millenarian \Mil`le*na"ri*an\, a. [See {Millenary}.]
Consisting of a thousand years; of or pertaining to the
millennium, or to the Millenarians.
Millenarian \Mil`le*na"ri*an\, n.
One who believes that Christ will personally reign on earth a
thousand years; a Chiliast.
Millenarianism \Mil`le*na"ri*an*ism\, Millenarism
\Mil"le*na*rism\, n.
The doctrine of Millenarians.
Millenary \Mil"le*na*ry\, a. [L. millenarius, fr. milleni a
thousand each, fr. mille a thousand: cf. F. mill['e]naire.
See {Mile}.]
Consisting of a thousand; millennial.
Millenary \Mil"le*na*ry\, n.
The space of a thousand years; a millennium; also, a
{Millenarian}.``During that millenary.'' --Hare.
Millennial \Mil*len"ni*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the millennium, or to a thousand years;
as, a millennial period; millennial happiness.
Millennialist \Mil*len"ni*al*ist\, n.
One who believes that Christ will reign personally on earth a
thousand years; a Chiliast; also, a believer in the universal
prevalence of Christianity for a long period.
Millennialism \Mil*len"ni*al*ism\, Millenniarism
\Mil*len"ni*a*rism\, n.
Belief in, or expectation of, the millennium; millenarianism.
Millennist \Mil"len*nist\ (m[i^]l"l[e^]n*n[i^]st), n.
One who believes in the millennium. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Millennium \Mil*len"ni*um\ (m[i^]l*l[e^]n"n[i^]*[u^]m), n. [LL.,
fr. L. mille a thousand + annus a year. See {Mile}, and
{Annual}.]
A thousand years; especially, the thousand years mentioned in
the twentieth chapter in the twentieth chapter of Revelation,
during which holiness is to be triumphant throughout the
world. Some believe that, during this period, Christ will
reign on earth in person with his saints.
Milleped \Mil"le*ped\ (m[i^]l"l[-e]*p[e^]d[i^]), n. [L.
millepeda; mille a thousand + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F.
mille-pieds.] (Zo["o]l.)
A myriapod with many legs, esp. a chilognath, as the
galleyworm. [Written also {millipede} and {milliped}.]
Millepora \Mil*le*po"ra\ (m[i^]l*l[-e]*p[=o]"r[.a]), n. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Hydrocorallia, which includes the millipores.
Millepore \Mil"le*pore\ (m[i^]l"l[-e]*p[=o]r), n. [L. mille
thousand + porus pore: cf. F. mill['e]pore.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any coral of the genus Millepora, having the surface nearly
smooth, and perforated with very minute unequal pores, or
cells. The animals are hydroids, not Anthozoa. See
{Hydrocorallia}.
Milleporite \Mil"le*po*rite\, n. (Paleon.)
A fossil millepore.
Miller \Mill"er\ (m[i^]l"[~e]r), n.
1. One who keeps or attends a flour mill or gristmill.
2. A milling machine.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A moth or lepidopterous insect; -- so called because
the wings appear as if covered with white dust or
powder, like a miller's clothes. Called also {moth
miller}.
(b) The eagle ray.
(c) The hen harrier. [Prov. Eng.]
{Miller's thumb}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small fresh-water fish of the genus {Uranidea}
(formerly {Cottus}), as the European species ({U.
gobio}), and the American ({U. gracilis}); -- called
also {bullhead}.
(b) A small bird, as the gold-crest, chiff-chaff, and
long-tailed tit. [Prov. Eng.]
Millerite \Mil"ler*ite\, n.
A believer in the doctrine of William Miller (d. 1849), who
taught that the end of the world and the second coming of
Christ were at hand.
Millerite \Mil"ler*ite\, n. [From W. H. Miller, of Cambridge,
Eng.] (Min.)
A sulphide of nickel, commonly occurring in delicate
capillary crystals, also in incrustations of a bronze yellow;
-- sometimes called {hair pyrites}.
Millesimal \Mil*les"i*mal\, a. [L. millesimus, fr. mille a
thousand.]
Thousandth; consisting of thousandth parts; as, millesimal
fractions.
Millet \Mil"let\, n. [F., dim. of mil, L. milium; akin to Gr. ?,
AS. mil.] (Bot.)
The name of several cereal and forage grasses which bear an
abundance of small roundish grains. The common millets of
Germany and Southern Europe are {Panicum miliaceum}, and
{Setaria Italica}.
Note:
{Arabian millet} is {Sorghum Halepense}.
{Egyptian or East Indian},
{millet} is {Penicillaria spicata}.
{Indian millet} is {Sorghum vulgare}. (See under {Indian}.)
{Italian millet} is {Setaria Italica}, a coarse, rank-growing
annual grass, valuable for fodder when cut young, and
bearing nutritive seeds; -- called also {Hungarian grass}.
{Texas millet} is {Panicum Texanum}.
{Wild millet}, or
{Millet grass}, is {Milium effusum}, a tail grass growing in
woods.
Milli- \Mil"li-\ [From L. mille a thousand.] (Metric System,
Elec., Mech., etc.)
A prefix denoting a thousandth part of; as, millimeter,
milligram, milliamp[`e]re.
Milliampere \Mil`li*am`p[`e]re"\, n. [Milli- + amp[`e]re.]
(Elec.)
The thousandth part of one amp[`e]re.
Milliard \Mil`liard"\, n. [F., from mille, mil, thousand, L.
mille.]
A thousand millions; -- called also {billion}. See {Billion}.
Milliary \Mil"li*a*ry\, a. [L. milliarius containing a thousand,
fr. mille thousand: cf. F. milliaire milliary. See {Mile}.]
Of or pertaining to a mile, or to distance by miles; denoting
a mile or miles.
A milliary column, from which they used to compute the
distance of all the cities and places of note.
--Evelyn.
Milliary \Mil"li*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Milliaries}. [L. milliarium.
See {Milliary}, a.]
A milestone.
Millier \Mil`lier"\, n. [F., fr. mille thousand.]
A weight of the metric system, being one million grams; a
metric ton.
Millifold \Mil"li*fold`\, a. [L. mille thousand + E. fold
times.]
Thousandfold. [R.] --Davies (Holy Roode).
Milligram \Mil"li*gram\, Milligramme \Mil"li*gramme\, n. [F.
milligramme; milli- milli- + gramme. See 3d {Gram}.]
A measure of weight, in the metric system, being the
thousandth part of a gram, equal to the weight of a cubic
millimeter of water, or .01543 of a grain avoirdupois.
Milliliter \Mil"li*li`ter\, Millilitre \Mil"li*li`tre\, n. [F.
millilitre; milli- milli- + litre. See {Liter}.]
A measure of capacity in the metric system, containing the
thousandth part of a liter. It is a cubic centimeter, and is
equal to .061 of an English cubic inch, or to .0338 of an
American fluid ounce.
Millimeter \Mil"li*me`ter\, Millimetre \Mil"li*me`tre\, n. [F.
millim[`e]tre; milli- milli- + m[`e]tre. See 3d {Meter}.]
A lineal measure in the metric system, containing the
thousandth part of a meter; equal to .03937 of an inch. See
3d {Meter}.
Milliner \Mil"li*ner\, n. [From Milaner an inhabitant of Milan,
in Italy; hence, a man from Milan who imported women's
finery.]
1. Formerly, a man who imported and dealt in small articles
of a miscellaneous kind, especially such as please the
fancy of women. [Obs.]
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
--Shak.
2. A person, usually a woman, who makes, trims, or deals in
hats, bonnets, headdresses, etc., for women.
{Man milliner}, a man who makes or deals in millinery; hence,
contemptuously, a man who is busied with trifling
occupations or embellishments.
Millinery \Mil"li*ner*y\, n.
1. The articles made or sold by milliners, as headdresses,
hats or bonnets, laces, ribbons, and the like.
2. The business of work of a milliner.
Millinet \Mil`li*net"\, n.
A stiff cotton fabric used by milliners for lining bonnets.
Milling \Mill"ing\, n.
The act or employment of grinding or passing through a mill;
the process of fulling; the process of making a raised or
intented edge upon coin, etc.; the process of dressing
surfaces of various shapes with rotary cutters. See {Mill}.
{High milling}, milling in which grain is reduced to flour by
a succession of crackings, or of slight and partial
crushings, alternately with sifting and sorting the
product.
{Low milling}, milling in which the reduction is effected in
a single crushing or grinding.
{Milling cutter}, a fluted, sharp-edged rotary cutter for
dressing surfaces, as of metal, of various shapes.
{Milling machine}, a machine tool for dressing surfaces by
rotary cutters.
{Milling tool}, a roller with indented edge or surface, for
producing like indentations in metal by rolling pressure,
as in turning; a knurling tool; a milling cutter.
Million \Mil"lion\, n. [F., from LL. millio, fr. L. mille a
thousand. See {Mile}.]
1. The number of ten hundred thousand, or a thousand
thousand, -- written 1,000, 000. See the Note under
{Hundred}.
2. A very great number; an indefinitely large number.
Millions of truths that a man is not concerned to
know. --Locke.
3. The mass of common people; -- with the article the.
For the play, I remember, pleased not the million.
--Shak.
Millionaire \Mil`lion*aire"\ (?; 277), n. [F. millionnaire.]
One whose wealth is counted by millions of francs, dollars,
or pounds; a very rich person; a person worth a million or
more. [Written also {millionnaire}.]
Millionairess \Mil`lion*air"ess\, n.
A woman who is a millionaire, or the wife of a millionaire.
[Humorous] --Holmes.
Millionary \Mil"lion*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to millions; consisting of millions; as, the
millionary chronology of the pundits. --Pinker?on.
Millioned \Mil"lioned\, a.
Multiplied by millions; innumerable. [Obs.] --Shak.
Millionnaire \Mil`lion`naire"\, n. [F.]
Millionaire.
Millionth \Mil"lionth\, a.
Being the last one of a million of units or objects counted
in regular order from the first of a series or succession;
being one of a million.
Millionth \Mil"lionth\, n.
The quotient of a unit divided by one million; one of a
million equal parts.
Milliped \Mil"li*ped\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The same {Milleped}.
Millistere \Mil"li*stere\, n. [F. millist[`e]re, from milli-
milli- + st[`e]re.]
A liter, or cubic decimeter.
Milliweber \Mil`li*we"ber\, n. [Milli- + weber.] (Physics)
The thousandth part of one weber.
Millrea \Mill"rea`\, Millree \Mill"ree`\, Millreis \Mill"reis`\,
n.
See {Milreis}.
Millrind \Mill"rind`\, Millrynd \Mill"rynd`\, n. [Mill + rynd.]
(Her.)
A figure supposed to represent the iron which holds a
millstone by being set into its center.
Mill-sixpence \Mill"-sixpence\, n.
A milled sixpence; -- the sixpence being one of the first
English coins milled (1561).
Millstone \Mill"stone`\, n.
One of two circular stones used for grinding grain or other
substance.
No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to
pledge. --Deut. xxiv.
6.
Note: The cellular siliceous rock called buhrstone is usually
employed for millstones; also, some kinds of lava, as
that Niedermendig, or other firm rock with rough
texture. The surface of a millstone has usually a
series of radial grooves in which the powdered material
collects.
{Millstone girt} (Geol.), a hard and coarse, gritty
sandstone, dividing the Carboniferous from the
Subcarboniferous strata. See {Farewell rock}, under
{Farewell}, a., and Chart of {Geology}.
{To see} {into, or through, {a millstone}, to see into or
through a difficult matter. (Colloq.)
Millwork \Mill"work`\, n.
1. The shafting, gearing, and other driving machinery of
mills.
2. The business of setting up or of operating mill machinery.
Millwright \Mill"wright`\, n.
A mechanic whose occupation is to build mills, or to set up
their machinery.
Milreis \Mil"reis`\, n. [Pg. mil reis, i. e., one thousand reis;
mil a thousand + reis, pl. of real a rei.]
A Portuguese money of account rated in the treasury
department of the United States at one dollar and eight
cents; also, a Brazilian money of account rated at fifty-four
cents and six mills.
Milt \Milt\, n. [AS. milte; akin to D. milt, G. milz, OHG.
milzi, Icel. milti, Dan. milt, Sw. mj["a]lte, and prob. to E.
malt, melt. [root]108. See {Malt} the grain.] (Anat.)
The spleen.
Milt \Milt\, n. [Akin to Dan. melk, Sw. mj["o]lke, G. milch, and
E. milk. See {Milk}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The spermatic fluid of fishes.
(b) The testes, or spermaries, of fishes when filled with
spermatozoa.
Milt \Milt\, v. t.
To impregnate (the roe of a fish) with milt.
Milter \Milt"er\, n. [Cf. D. milter, G. milcher, milchner. See
2d {Milt}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A male fish.
Miltonian \Mil*to"ni*an\, a.
Miltonic. --Lowell.
Miltonic \Mil*ton"ic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, Milton, or his writings;
as, Miltonic prose.
Miltwaste \Milt"waste`\, [1st milt + waste.] (Bot.)
A small European fern ({Asplenium Ceterach}) formerly used in
medicine.
Milvine \Mil"vine\, a. [L. milvus kite.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or resembling birds of the kite kind.
Milvine \Mil"vine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bird related to the kite.
Milvus \Mil"vus\, n. [L., a kite.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of raptorial birds, including the European kite.
Mime \Mime\, n. [L. mimus, Gr. ?, akin to ? to imitate, to
mimic: cf. F. mime. Cf. {Mimosa}.]
1. A kind of drama in which real persons and events were
generally represented in a ridiculous manner.
2. An actor in such representations.
Mime \Mime\, v. i.
To mimic. [Obs.] -- {Mim"er}, n.
Mimeograph \Mim"e*o*graph\, n. [Gr. ? to imitate + -graph.]
An autographic stencil copying device invented by Edison.
Mimesis \Mi*me"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? imitation.] (Rhet. &
Biol.)
Imitation; mimicry.
Mimetene \Mim"e*tene\, n. (Min.)
See {Mimetite}.
Mimetic \Mi*met"ic\ (?; 277), Mimetical \Mi*met"ic*al\, [Gr. ?,
fr. ? to imitate.]
1. Apt to imitate; given to mimicry; imitative.
2. (Biol.) Characterized by mimicry; -- applied to animals
and plants; as, mimetic species; mimetic organisms. See
{Mimicry}.
Mimetism \Mim"e*tism\, n. [From Gr. ? to mimic.] (Biol.)
Same as {Mimicry}.
Mimetite \Mim"e*tite\, n. [Gr. ? an imitator. So called because
it resembles pyromorphite.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in pale yellow or brownish hexagonal
crystals. It is an arseniate of lead.
Mimic \Mim"ic\, Mimical \Mim"ic*al\, a. [L. mimicus, Gr. ?, fr.
? mime: cf. F. mimique. See {Mime}.]
1. Imitative; mimetic.
Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes To imitate
her. --Milton.
Man is, of all creatures, the most mimical. --W.
Wotton.
2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation; imitated; as,
mimic gestures. ``Mimic hootings.'' --Wordsworth.
3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by resemblance to other
forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning resemble
simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry.
Note: Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous, and
is less dignified than imitative.
{Mimic beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a beetle that feigns death when
disturbed, esp. the species of {Hister} and allied genera.
Mimic \Mim"ic\, n.
One who imitates or mimics, especially one who does so for
sport; a copyist; a buffoon. --Burke.
Mimic \Mim"ic\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mimicked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mimicking}.]
1. To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule by imitation.
The walk, the words, the gesture, could supply, The
habit mimic, and the mien belie. --Dryden.
2. (Biol.) To assume a resemblance to (some other organism of
a totally different nature, or some surrounding object),
as a means of protection or advantage.
Syn: To ape; imitate; counterfeit; mock.
Mimically \Mim"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In an imitative manner.
Mimicker \Mim"ick*er\, n.
1. One who mimics; a mimic.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An animal which imitates something else, in
form or habits.
Mimicry \Mim"ic*ry\, n.
1. The act or practice of one who mimics; ludicrous imitation
for sport or ridicule.
2. (Biol.) Protective resemblance; the resemblance which
certain animals and plants exhibit to other animals and
plants or to the natural objects among which they live, --
a characteristic which serves as their chief means of
protection against enemies; imitation; mimesis; mimetism.
Mimographer \Mi*mog"ra*pher\, n. [L. mimographus, Gr. ?; ? a
mime + ? to write: cf. F. mimographe.]
A writer of mimes. --Sir T. Herbert.
Mimosa \Mi*mo"sa\ (?; 277), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? imitator. Cf.
{Mime}.] (Bot.)
A genus of leguminous plants, containing many species, and
including the sensitive plants ({Mimosa sensitiva}, and {M.
pudica}).
Note: The term mimosa is also applied in commerce to several
kinds bark imported from Australia, and used in
tanning; -- called also {wattle bark}. --Tomlinson.
Mimotannic \Mi`mo*tan"nic\, a. [Mimosa + tannic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a variety of tannin or tannic
acid found in Acacia, Mimosa, etc.
Mina \Mi"na\, n.; pl. L. {Min[ae]}, E. {Minas}. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
An ancient weight or denomination of money, of varying value.
The Attic mina was valued at a hundred drachmas.
Mina \Mi"na\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Myna}.
Minable \Min"a*ble\, a.
Such as can be mined; as, minable earth. --Sir T. North.
Minacious \Mi*na"cious\, a. [L. minax, -acis. See {Menace}.]
Threatening; menacing. [R.]
Minacity \Mi*nac"i*ty\, n.
Disposition to threaten. [R.]
Minaret \Min"a*ret\, n. [Sp. minarete, Ar. man[=a]rat lamp,
lantern, lighthouse, turret, fr. n[=a]r to shine.] (Arch.)
A slender, lofty tower attached to a mosque and surrounded by
one or more projecting balconies, from which the summon to
prayer is cried by the muezzin.
Minargent \Min*ar"gent\, n. [Prob. contr. from aluminium + L.
argentum silver.]
An alloy consisting of copper, nickel, tungsten, and
aluminium; -- used by jewelers.
Minatorially \Min`a*to"ri*al*ly\, Minatorily \Min"a*to*ri*ly\,
adv.
In a minatory manner; with threats.
Minatory \Min"a*to*ry\, a. [L. minatorius, fr. minari to
threaten. See {Menace}.]
Threatening; menacing. --Bacon.
Minaul \Mi*naul"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Manul}.
Mince \Mince\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Minging}.] [AS. minsian to grow less, dwindle, fr. min
small; akin to G. minder less, Goth. minniza less, mins less,
adv., L. minor, adj. (cf. {Minor}); or more likely fr. F.
mincer to mince, prob. from (assumed) LL. minutiare. ????.
See {Minish}.]
1. To cut into very small pieces; to chop fine; to hash; as,
to mince meat. --Bacon.
2. To suppress or weaken the force of; to extenuate; to
palliate; to tell by degrees, instead of directly and
frankly; to clip, as words or expressions; to utter half
and keep back half of.
I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to
say -- ``I love you.'' --Shak.
Siren, now mince the sin, And mollify damnation with
a phrase. --Dryden.
If, to mince his meaning, I had either omitted some
part of what he said, or taken from the strength of
his expression, I certainly had wronged him.
--Dryden.
3. To affect; to make a parade of. [R.] --Shak.
Mince \Mince\, v. i.
1. To walk with short steps; to walk in a prim, affected
manner.
The daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with
stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, . . . mincing
as they go. --Is. iii. 16.
I 'll . . . turn two mincing steps Into a manly
stride. --Shak.
2. To act or talk with affected nicety; to affect delicacy in
manner.
Mince \Mince\, n.
A short, precise step; an affected manner.
Mince-meat \Mince"-meat`\, n.
Minced meat; meat chopped very fine; a mixture of boiled
meat, suet, apples, etc., chopped very fine, to which spices
and raisins are added; -- used in making mince pie.
Mince pie \Mince" pie`\
A pie made of mince-meat.
Mincer \Min"cer\, n.
One who minces.
Mincing \Min"cing\, a.
That minces; characterized by primness or affected nicety.
Mincingly \Min"cing*ly\, adv.
In a mincing manner; not fully; with affected nicety.
Mind \Mind\, n. [AS. mynd, gemynd; akin to OHG. minna memory,
love, G. minne love, Dan. minde mind, memory, remembrance,
consent, vote, Sw. minne memory, Icel. minni, Goth. gamunds,
L. mens, mentis, mind, Gr. ?, Skr. manas mind, man to think.
????, ???. Cf. {Comment}, {Man}, {Mean}, v., 3d {Mental},
{Mignonette}, {Minion}, {Mnemonic}, {Money}.]
1. The intellectual or rational faculty in man; the
understanding; the intellect; the power that conceives,
judges, or reasons; also, the entire spiritual nature; the
soul; -- often in distinction from the body.
By the mind of man we understand that in him which
thinks, remembers, reasons, wills. --Reid.
What we mean by mind is simply that which perceives,
thinks, feels, wills, and desires. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
--Rom. xiv. 5.
The mind shall banquet, though the body pine.
--Shak.
2. The state, at any given time, of the faculties of
thinking, willing, choosing, and the like; psychical
activity or state; as:
(a) Opinion; judgment; belief.
A fool uttereth all his mind. --Prov. xxix.
11.
Being so hard to me that brought your mind, I
fear she'll prove as hard to you in telling her
mind. --Shak.
(b) Choice; inclination; liking; intent; will.
If it be your minds, then let none go forth. --2
Kings ix. 15.
(c) Courage; spirit. --Chapman.
3. Memory; remembrance; recollection; as, to have or keep in
mind, to call to mind, to put in mind, etc.
{To have a mind} or {great mind}, to be inclined or strongly
inclined in purpose; -- used with an infinitive. ``Sir
Roger de Coverly . . . told me that he had a great mind to
see the new tragedy with me.'' --Addison.
{To lose one's mind}, to become insane, or imbecile.
{To make up one's mind}, to come to an opinion or decision;
to determine.
{To put in mind}, to remind. ``Regard us simply as putting
you in mind of what you already know to be good policy.''
--Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Mind \Mind\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Minding}.] [AS. myndian, gemynd[=i]an to remember. See
{Mind}, n.]
1. To fix the mind or thoughts on; to regard with attention;
to treat as of consequence; to consider; to heed; to mark;
to note. ``Mind not high things, but condescend to men of
low estate.'' --Rom. xii. 16.
My lord, you nod: you do not mind the play. --Shak.
2. To occupy one's self with; to employ one's self about; to
attend to; as, to mind one's business.
Bidding him be a good child, and mind his book.
--Addison.
3. To obey; as, to mind parents; the dog minds his master.
4. To have in mind; to purpose. --Beaconsfield.
I mind to tell him plainly what I think. --Shak.
5. To put in mind; to remind. [Archaic] --M. Arnold.
He minded them of the mutability of all earthly
things. --Fuller.
I do thee wrong to mind thee of it. --Shak.
{Never mind}, do not regard it; it is of no consequence; no
matter.
Syn: To notice; mark; regard; obey. See {Attend}.
Mind \Mind\, v. i.
To give attention or heed; to obey; as, the dog minds well.
Minded \Mind"ed\, a.
Disposed; inclined; having a mind.
Joseph . . . was minded to put her away privily.
--Matt. i. 19.
If men were minded to live virtuously. --Tillotson.
Note: Minded is much used in composition; as, high-minded,
feeble-minded, sober-minded, double-minded.
Minder \Mind"er\, n.
1. One who minds, tends, or watches something, as a child, a
machine, or cattle; as, a minder of a loom.
2. One to be attended; specif., a pauper child intrusted to
the care of a private person. [Eng.] --Dickens.
Mindful \Mind"ful\, a.
Bearing in mind; regardful; attentive; heedful; observant.
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? --Ps. viii.
4.
I promise you to be mindful of your admonitions.
--Hammond.
-- {Mind"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Mind"ful*ness}, n.
Minding \Mind"ing\, n.
Regard; mindfulness.
Mindless \Mind"less\, a.
1. Not indued with mind or intellectual powers; stupid;
unthinking.
2. Unmindful; inattentive; heedless; careless.
Cursed Athens, mindless of thy worth. --Shak.
Mine \Mine\, n. [F.]
See {Mien}. [Obs.]
Mine \Mine\, pron. & a. [OE. min, fr. AS. m[=i]n; akin to D.
mijn, OS., OFries., & OHG. m[=i]n, G. mein, Sw. & Dan. min,
Icel. minn, Goth. meins my, mine, meina of me, and E. me.
????. See {Me}, and cf. {My}.]
Belonging to me; my. Used as a pronominal to me; my. Used as
a pronominal adjective in the predicate; as, ``Vengeance is
mine; I will repay.'' --Rom. xii. 19. Also, in the old style,
used attributively, instead of my, before a noun beginning
with a vowel.
I kept myself from mine iniquity. --Ps. xviii.
23.
Note: Mine is often used absolutely, the thing possessed
being understood; as, his son is in the army, mine in
the navy.
When a man deceives me once, says the Italian
proverb, it is his fault; when twice, it is mine.
--Bp. Horne.
This title honors me and mine. --Shak.
She shall have me and mine. --Shak.
Mine \Mine\, v. i. [F. miner, L. minare to drive animals, in LL.
also, to lead, conduct, dig a mine (cf. E. lode, and lead to
conduct), akin to L. minari to threaten; cf. Sp. mina mine,
conduit, subterraneous canal, a spring or source of water,
It. mina. See {Menace}, and cf. {Mien}.]
1. To dig a mine or pit in the earth; to get ore, metals,
coal, or precious stones, out of the earth; to dig in the
earth for minerals; to dig a passage or cavity under
anything in order to overthrow it by explosives or
otherwise.
2. To form subterraneous tunnel or hole; to form a burrow or
lodge in the earth; as, the mining cony.
Mine \Mine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mining}.]
1. To dig away, or otherwise remove, the substratum or
foundation of; to lay a mine under; to sap; to undermine;
hence, to ruin or destroy by slow degrees or secret means.
They mined the walls. --Hayward.
Too lazy to cut down these immense trees, the
spoilers . . . had mined them, and placed a quantity
of gunpowder in the cavity. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. To dig into, for ore or metal.
Lead veins have been traced . . . but they have not
been mined. --Ure.
3. To get, as metals, out of the earth by digging.
The principal ore mined there is the bituminous
cinnabar. --Ure.
Mine \Mine\, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See {Mine}, v. i.]
1. A subterranean cavity or passage; especially:
(a) A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic
ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral
substances are taken by digging; -- distinguished from
the pits from which stones for architectural purposes
are taken, and which are called quarries.
(b) (Mil.) A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification
or other work, for the purpose of blowing up the
superstructure with some explosive agent.
2. Any place where ore, metals, or precious stones are got by
digging or washing the soil; as, a placer mine.
3. Fig.: A rich source of wealth or other good. --Shak.
{Mine dial}, a form of magnetic compass used by miners.
{Mine pig}, pig iron made wholly from ore; in distinction
from cinder pig, which is made from ore mixed with forge
or mill cinder.
--Raymond.
Miner \Min"er\, n. [Cf. F. mineur.]
1. One who mines; a digger for metals, etc.; one engaged in
the business of getting ore, coal, or precious stones, out
of the earth; one who digs military mines; as, armies have
sappers and miners.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any of numerous insects which, in the larval state,
excavate galleries in the parenchyma of leaves. They
are mostly minute moths and dipterous flies.
(b) The chattering, or garrulous, honey eater of Australia
({Myzantha garrula}).
{Miner's elbow} (Med.), a swelling on the black of the elbow
due to inflammation of the bursa over the olecranon; -- so
called because of frequent occurrence in miners.
{Miner's inch}, in hydraulic mining, the amount of water
flowing under a given pressure in a given time through a
hole one inch in diameter. It is a unit for measuring the
quantity of water supplied.
Mineral \Min"er*al\, n. [F. min['e]ral, LL. minerale, fr. minera
mine. See {Mine}, v. i.]
1. An inorganic species or substance occurring in nature,
having a definite chemical composition and usually a
distinct crystalline form. Rocks, except certain glassy
igneous forms, are either simple minerals or aggregates of
minerals.
2. A mine. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. Anything which is neither animal nor vegetable, as in the
most general classification of things into three kingdoms
(animal, vegetable, and mineral).
Mineral \Min"er*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to minerals; consisting of a mineral or
of minerals; as, a mineral substance.
2. Impregnated with minerals; as, mineral waters.
{Mineral acids} (Chem.), inorganic acids, as sulphuric,
nitric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, acids, etc., as
distinguished from the {organic acids}.
{Mineral blue}, the name usually given to azurite, when
reduced to an impalpable powder for coloring purposes.
{Mineral candle}, a candle made of paraffine.
{Mineral caoutchouc}, an elastic mineral pitch, a variety of
bitumen, resembling caoutchouc in elasticity and softness.
See {Caoutchouc}, and {Elaterite}.
{Mineral chameleon} (Chem.) See {Chameleon mineral}, under
{Chameleon}.
{Mineral charcoal}. See under {Charcoal}.
{Mineral cotton}. See {Mineral wool} (below).
{Mineral green}, a green carbonate of copper; malachite.
{Mineral kingdom} (Nat. Sci.), that one of the three grand
divisions of nature which embraces all inorganic objects,
as distinguished from plants or animals.
{Mineral oil}. See {Naphtha}, and {Petroleum}.
{Mineral paint}, a pigment made chiefly of some natural
mineral substance, as red or yellow iron ocher.
{Mineral patch}. See {Bitumen}, and {Asphalt}.
{Mineral right}, the right of taking minerals from land.
{Mineral salt} (Chem.), a salt of a mineral acid.
{Mineral tallow}, a familiar name for {hatchettite}, from its
fatty or spermaceti-like appearance.
{Mineral water}. See under {Water}.
{Mineral wax}. See {Ozocerite}.
{Mineral wool}, a fibrous wool-like material, made by blowing
a powerful jet of air or steam through melted slag. It is
a poor conductor of heat.
Mineralist \Min"er*al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. min['e]raliste.]
One versed in minerals; mineralogist. [R.]
Mineralization \Min`er*al*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
min['e]ralisation.]
1. The process of mineralizing, or forming a mineral by
combination of a metal with another element; also, the
process of converting into a mineral, as a bone or a
plant.
2. The act of impregnating with a mineral, as water.
3. (Bot.) The conversion of a cell wall into a material of a
stony nature.
Mineralize \Min"er*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mineralized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Mineralizing}.] [Cf. F. min['e]raliser.]
1. To transform into a mineral.
In these caverns the bones are not mineralized.
--Buckland.
2. To impregnate with a mineral; as, mineralized water.
Mineralize \Min"er*al*ize\, v. i.
To go on an excursion for observing and collecting minerals;
to mineralogize.
Mineralizer \Min"er*al*i`zer\, n.
An element which is combined with a metal, thus forming an
ore. Thus, in galena, or lead ore, sulphur is a mineralizer;
in hematite, oxygen is a mineralizer.
Mineralogical \Min`er*al*og"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. min['e]ralogique.
See {Mineralogy}.]
Of or pertaining to mineralogy; as, a mineralogical table.
Mineralogically \Min`er*al*og"ic*al*ly\, adv.
According to the principles of, or with reference to,
mineralogy.
Mineralogist \Min`er*al"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. min['e]ralogiste.]
1. One versed in mineralogy; one devoted to the study of
minerals.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A carrier shell ({Phorus}).
Mineralogize \Min`er*al"o*gize\, v. i.
To study mineralogy by collecting and examining minerals.
--Miss Edgeworth.
Mineralogy \Min`er*al"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Mineralogies}. [Mineral +
-logy: cf. F. min['e]ralogie.]
1. The science which treats of minerals, and teaches how to
describe, distinguish, and classify them.
2. A treatise or book on this science.
Minerva \Mi*ner"va\, n. [L.] (Rom. Myth.)
The goddess of wisdom, of war, of the arts and sciences, of
poetry, and of spinning and weaving; -- identified with the
Grecian Pallas Athene.
Minette \Mi*nette"\, n.
The smallest of regular sizes of portrait photographs.
Minever \Min"e*ver\, n.
Same as {Miniver}.
Minge \Minge\, v. t. [AS. myngian; akin to E. mind.]
To mingle; to mix. [Obs.]
Minge \Minge\, n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. midge.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small biting fly; a midge. [Local, U. S.]
Mingle \Min"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mingled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mingling}.] [From OE. mengen, AS. mengan; akin to D. & G.
mengen, Icel. menga, also to E. among, and possibly to mix.
Cf. {Among}, {Mongrel}.]
1. To mix; intermix; to combine or join, as an individual or
part, with other parts, but commonly so as to be
distinguishable in the product; to confuse; to confound.
There was . . . fire mingled with the hail. --Ex.
ix. 24.
2. To associate or unite in society or by ties of
relationship; to cause or allow to intermarry; to
intermarry.
The holy seed have mingled themselves with the
people of those lands. --Ezra ix. 2.
3. To deprive of purity by mixture; to contaminate.
A mingled, imperfect virtue. --Rogers.
4. To put together; to join. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. To make or prepare by mixing the ingredients of.
[He] proceeded to mingle another draught.
--Hawthorne.
Mingle \Min"gle\, v. i.
To become mixed or blended.
Mingle \Min"gle\, n.
A mixture. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Mingleable \Min"gle*a*ble\, a.
That can be mingled. --Boyle.
Mingledly \Min"gled*ly\, adv.
Confusedly.
Mingle-mangle \Min"gle-man`gle\, v. t. [Reduplicated fr.
mingle.]
To mix in a disorderly way; to make a mess of. [Obs.]
--Udall.
Mingle-mangle \Min"gle-man`gle\, n.
A hotchpotch. [Obs.] --Latimer.
Minglement \Min"gle*ment\, n.
The act of mingling, or the state of being mixed.
Mingler \Min"gler\, n.
One who mingles.
Minglingly \Min"gling*ly\, adv.
In a mingling manner.
Minaceous \Min`*a"ceous\, a.
Of the color of minium or red lead; miniate.
Miniard \Min"iard\, a.
Migniard. [Obs.]
Miniardize \Min"iard*ize\, v. t.
To render delicate or dainty. [Obs.] --Howell.
Miniate \Min"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Miniated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Miniating}.] [L. miniatus, p. p. of miniare. See
{Minium}.]
To paint or tinge with red lead or vermilion; also, to
decorate with letters, or the like, painted red, as the page
of a manuscript. --T. Wharton.
Miniate \Min"i*ate\, a.
Of or pertaining to the color of red lead or vermilion;
painted with vermilion.
Miniature \Min"i*a*ture\ (?; 277), n. [It. miniatura, fr. L.
miniare. See {Miniate}, v.,{Minium}.]
1. Originally, a painting in colors such as those in
medi[ae]val manuscripts; in modern times, any very small
painting, especially a portrait.
2. Greatly diminished size or form; reduced scale.
3. Lettering in red; rubric distinction. [Obs.]
4. A particular feature or trait. [Obs.] --Massinger.
Miniature \Min"i*a*ture\, a.
Being on a small; much reduced from the reality; as, a
miniature copy.
Miniature \Min"i*a*ture\, v. t.
To represent or depict in a small compass, or on a small
scale.
Miniaturist \Min"i*a*tur`ist\, n.
A painter of miniatures.
Minibus \Min"i*bus\, n. [L. minor less + -bus, as in omnibus.]
A kind of light passenger vehicle, carrying four persons.
Minie ball \Min"ie ball`\ [From the inventor, Captain Mini['e],
of France.]
A conical rifle bullet, with a cavity in its base plugged
with a piece of iron, which, by the explosion of the charge,
is driven farther in, expanding the sides to fit closely the
grooves of the barrel.
Minie rifle \Min"ie ri"fle\
A rifle adapted to minie balls.
Minify \Min"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Minifying}.] [L. minor less + -fly.]
1. To make small, or smaller; to diminish the apparent
dimensions of; to lessen.
2. To degrade by speech or action.
Minikin \Min"i*kin\, n. [OD. minneken a darling, dim. of minne
love; akin to G. minne, and to E. mind.]
1. A little darling; a favorite; a minion. [Obs.] --Florio.
2. A little pin. [Obs.]
Minikin \Min"i*kin\, a.
Small; diminutive. --Shak.
Minim \Min"im\, n. [F. minime, L. minimus the least, smallest, a
superl. of minor: cf. It. minima a note in music. See
{Minor}, and cf. Minimum.]
1. Anything very minute; as, the minims of existence; --
applied to animalcula; and the like.
2. The smallest liquid measure, equal to about one drop; the
sixtieth part of a fluid drachm.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A small fish; a minnow. [Prov. Eng.]
4. A little man or being; a dwarf. [Obs.] --Milton.
5. (Eccl. Hist.) One of an austere order of mendicant hermits
of friars founded in the 15th century by St. Francis of
Paola.
6. (Mus.) A time note, formerly the shortest in use; a half
note, equal to half a semibreve, or two quarter notes or
crotchets.
7. A short poetical encomium. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Minim \Min"im\, a.
Minute. ``Minim forms.'' --J. R. Drake.
Miniment \Min"i*ment\, n. [Prob. corrupt. of moniment.]
A trifle; a trinket; a token. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Minimization \Min`i*mi*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of minimizing. --Bentham.
Minimize \Min"i*mize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minimized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Minimizimg}.]
To reduce to the smallest part or proportion possible; to
reduce to a minimum. --Bentham.
Minimum \Min"i*mum\, n.; pl. {Minima}. [L., fr. minimus. See
{Minim}.]
The least quantity assignable, admissible, or possible, in a
given case; hence, a thing of small consequence; -- opposed
to {maximum}.
{Minimum thermometer}, a thermometer for recording the lowest
temperature since its last adjustment.
Minimus \Min"i*mus\, n.; pl. {Minimi}. [L. See {Minim}.]
1. A being of the smallest size. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. (Anat.) The little finger; the fifth digit, or that
corresponding to it, in either the manus or pes.
Mining \Min"ing\, n. [See {Mine}, v. i.]
The act or business of making mines or of working them.
Mining \Min"ing\, a.
Of or pertaining to mines; as, mining engineer; mining
machinery; a mining region.
{Mining engineering}. See the Note under {Engineering}.
Minion \Min"ion\, n.
Minimum. [Obs.] --Burton.
Minion \Min"ion\, n. [F. mignon, fr. OHG. minni love, G. minne;
akin to E. mind. See {Mind}, and cf. {Mignonette}.]
1. A loved one; one highly esteemed and favored; -- in a good
sense. [Obs.]
God's disciple and his dearest minion. --Sylvester.
Is this the Athenian minion whom the world Voiced so
regardfully? --Shak.
2. An obsequious or servile dependent or agent of another; a
fawning favorite. --Sir J. Davies.
Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy! --Shak.
3. (Print.) A small kind of type, in size between brevier and
nonpareil. [hand] This line is printed in minion type.
4. An ancient form of ordnance, the caliber of which was
about three inches. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Minion \Min"ion\, a. [See 2d {Minion}.]
Fine; trim; dainty. [Obs.] ``Their . . . minion dancing.''
--Fryth.
Minionette \Min`ion*ette"\, a.
Small; delicate. [Obs.] ``His minionette face.'' --Walpole.
Minionette \Min"ion*ette\, n. (Print.)
A size of type between nonpareil and minion; -- used in
ornamental borders, etc.
Minioning \Min"ion*ing\, n.
Kind treatment. [Obs.]
Minionize \Min"ion*ize\, v. t.
To flavor. [Obs.]
Minionlike \Min"ion*like`\, Minionly \Min"ion*ly\, a. & adv.
Like a minion; daintily. --Camden.
Minionship \Min"ion*ship\, n.
State of being a minion. [R.]
Minious \Min"ious\, a. [L. minium red lead.]
Of the color of red or vermilion. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Minish \Min"ish\, v. t. [OE. menusen, F. menuiser to make small,
cut small, fr. (assumed) LL. minutiare, for minutare, fr. L.
minutus small. See {Minute}, a., and cf. {Diminish},
{Minge}.]
To diminish; to lessen.
The living of poor men thereby minished. --Latimer.
Minishment \Min"ish*ment\, n.
The act of diminishing, or the state of being diminished;
diminution. [Obs.]
Minister \Min"is*ter\, n. [OE. ministre, F. ministre, fr. L.
minister, orig. a double comparative from the root of minor
less, and hence meaning, an inferior, a servant. See 1st
{Minor}, and cf. {Master}, {Minstrel}.]
1. A servant; a subordinate; an officer or assistant of
inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument.
Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua. --Ex. xxiv.
13.
I chose Camillo for the minister, to poison My
friend Polixenes. --Shak.
2. An officer of justice. [Obs.]
I cry out the on the ministres, quod he, That
shoulde keep and rule this cit['e]. --Chaucer.
3. One to whom the sovereign or executive head of a
government intrusts the management of affairs of state, or
some department of such affairs.
Ministers to kings, whose eyes, ears, and hands they
are, must be answerable to God and man. --Bacon.
4. A representative of a government, sent to the court, or
seat of government, of a foreign nation to transact
diplomatic business.
Note: Ambassadors are classed (in the diplomatic sense) in
the first rank of public ministers, ministers
plenipotentiary in the second. ``The United States
diplomatic service employs two classes of ministers, --
ministers plenipotentiary and ministers resident.''
--Abbott.
5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal
duties; the pastor of a church duly authorized or licensed
to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments.
--Addison.
Syn: Delegate; official; ambassador; clergyman; parson;
priest.
Minister \Min"is*ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ministered}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Ministering}.] [OE. ministren, OF. ministrer, fr.
L. ministrare. See {Minister}, n.]
To furnish or apply; to afford; to supply; to administer.
He that ministereth seed to the sower. --2 Cor. ix.
10.
We minister to God reason to suspect us. --Jer. Taylor.
Minister \Min"is*ter\, v. i.
1. To act as a servant, attendant, or agent; to attend and
serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or
secular.
The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister. --Matt. xx.
28.
2. To supply or to things needful; esp., to supply
consolation or remedies. --Matt. xxv. 44.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased? --Shak.
Ministerial \Min`is*te"ri*al\, a. [L. ministerialis: cf. F.
minist['e]riel. See {Minister}, and cf. {Minstrel}.]
1. Of or pertaining to ministry or service; serving;
attendant.
Enlightening spirits and ministerial flames.
--Prior.
2. Of or pertaining to the office of a minister or to the
ministry as a body, whether civil or sacerdotal.
``Ministerial offices.'' --Bacon. ``A ministerial
measure.'' --Junius. ``Ministerial garments.'' --Hooker.
3. Tending to advance or promote; contributive. ``Ministerial
to intellectual culture.'' --De Quincey.
{The ministerial benches}, the benches in the House of
Commons occupied by members of the cabinet and their
supporters; -- also, the persons occupying them. ``Very
solid and very brilliant talents distinguish the
ministerial benches.'' --Burke.
Syn: Official; priestly; sacerdotal; ecclesiastical.
Ministerialist \Min`is*te"ri*al*ist\, n.
A supporter of the ministers, or the party in power.
Ministerially \Min`is*te"ri*al*ly\, adv.
In a ministerial manner; in the character or capacity of a
minister.
Ministery \Min"is*ter*y\, n.
See {Ministry}. --Milton.
Ministracy \Min"is*tra*cy\, n.
Ministration. [Obs.]
Ministral \Min"is*tral\, a.
Ministerial. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Ministrant \Min"is*trant\, a. [L. ministrans, -antis, of
ministrare to minister.]
Performing service as a minister; attendant on service;
acting under command; subordinate. ``Princedoms and
dominations ministrant.'' --Milton. -- n. One who ministers.
Ministration \Min`is*tra"tion\, n. [L. ministratio, fr.
ministrare.]
The act of ministering; service; ministry. ``The days of his
ministration.'' --Luke i. 23.
Ministrative \Min"is*tra*tive\, a.
Serving to aid; ministering.
Ministress \Min"is*tress\, n. [Cf. L. ministrix.]
A woman who ministers. --Akenside.
Ministry \Min"is*try\, n.; pl. Ministries . [L. ministerium. See
{Minister}, n., and cf. {Mystery} a trade.]
1. The act of ministering; ministration; service. ``With
tender ministry.'' --Thomson.
2. Hence: Agency; instrumentality.
The ordinary ministry of second causes. --Atterbury.
The wicked ministry of arms. --Dryden.
3. The office, duties, or functions of a minister, servant,
or agent; ecclesiastical, executive, or ambassadorial
function or profession.
4. The body of ministers of state; also, the clergy, as a
body.
5. Administration; rule; term in power; as, the ministry of
Pitt.
Ministryship \Min"is*try*ship\, n.
The office of a minister. --Swift.
Minium \Min"i*um\ (?; 277), n. [L. minium, an Iberian word, the
Romans getting all their cinnabar from Spain; cf. Basque
armine['a].] (Chem.)
A heavy, brilliant red pigment, consisting of an oxide of
lead, {Pb3O4}, obtained by exposing lead or massicot to a
gentle and continued heat in the air. It is used as a cement,
as a paint, and in the manufacture of flint glass. Called
also {red lead}.
Miniver \Min"i*ver\, n. [See {Meniver}.]
A fur esteemed in the Middle Ages as a part of costume. It is
uncertain whether it was the fur of one animal only or of
different animals.
Minivet \Min"i*vet\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A singing bird of India of the family {Campephagid[ae]}.
Mink \Mink\, n. [Cf. 2d {Minx}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A carnivorous mammal of the genus {Putorius}, allied to the
weasel. The European mink is {Putorius lutreola}. The common
American mink ({P. vison}) varies from yellowish brown to
black. Its fur is highly valued. Called also {minx}, {nurik},
and {vison}.
Minnesinger \Min"ne*sing`er\, n. [G., fr. minne love + singen to
sing.]
A love-singer; specifically, one of a class of German poets
and musicians who flourished from about the middle of the
twelfth to the middle of the fourteenth century. They were
chiefly of noble birth, and made love and beauty the subjects
of their verses.
Minnow \Min"now\, n. [OE. menow, cf. AS. myne; also OE. menuse,
OF. menuise small fish; akin to E. minish, minute.] [Written
also {minow}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A small European fresh-water cyprinoid fish
({Phoxinus l[ae]vis}, formerly {Leuciscus phoxinus});
sometimes applied also to the young of larger kinds; --
called also {minim} and {minny}. The name is also applied
to several allied American species, of the genera
{Phoxinus}, {Notropis}, or {Minnilus}, and {Rhinichthys}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any of numerous small American cyprinodont
fishes of the genus {Fundulus}, and related genera. They
live both in fresh and in salt water. Called also
{killifish}, {minny}, and {mummichog}.
Minny \Min"ny\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A minnow.
Mino bird \Mi"no bird"\ [Hind. main[=a].] (Zo["o]l.)
An Asiatic bird ({Gracula musica}), allied to the starlings.
It is black, with a white spot on the wings, and a pair of
flat yellow wattles on the head. It is often tamed and taught
to pronounce words.
Minor \Mi"nor\, a. [L., a comparative with no positive; akin to
AS. min small, G. minder less, OHG. minniro, a., min, adv.,
Icel. minni, a., minnr, adv., Goth. minniza, a., mins, adv.,
Ir. & Gael. min small, tender, L. minuere to lessen, Gr. ?,
Skr. mi to damage. Cf. {Minish}, {Minister}, {Minus},
{Minute}.]
1. Inferior in bulk, degree, importance, etc.; less; smaller;
of little account; as, minor divisions of a body.
2. (Mus.) Less by a semitone in interval or difference of
pitch; as, a minor third.
{Asia Minor} (Geog.), the Lesser Asia; that part of Asia
which lies between the Euxine, or Black Sea, on the north,
and the Mediterranean on the south.
{Minor mode} (Mus.), that mode, or scale, in which the third
and sixth are minor, -- much used for mournful and solemn
subjects.
{Minor orders} (Eccl.), the rank of persons employed in
ecclesiastical offices who are not in holy orders, as
doorkeepers, acolytes, etc.
{Minor scale} (Mus.) The form of the minor scale is various.
The strictly correct form has the third and sixth minor,
with a semitone between the seventh and eighth, which
involves an augmented second interval, or three semitones,
between the sixth and seventh, as, ^{6/F}, ^{7/G[sharp]},
^{8/A}. But, for melodic purposes, both the sixth and the
seventh are sometimes made major in the ascending, and
minor in the descending, scale, thus:
See {Major}.
{Minor term of a syllogism} (Logic), the subject of the
conclusion.
Minor \Mi"nor\, n.
1. A person of either sex who has not attained the age at
which full civil rights are accorded; an infant; in
England and the United States, one under twenty-one years
of age.
Note: In hereditary monarchies, the minority of a sovereign
ends at an earlier age than of a subject. The minority
of a sovereign of Great Britain ends upon the
completion of the eighteenth year of his age.
2. (Logic) The minor term, that is, the subject of the
conclusion; also, the minor premise, that is, that premise
which contains the minor term; in hypothetical syllogisms,
the categorical premise. It is the second proposition of a
regular syllogism, as in the following: Every act of
injustice partakes of meanness; to take money from another
by gaming is an act of injustice; therefore, the taking of
money from another by gaming partakes of meanness.
3. A Minorite; a Franciscan friar.
Minorate \Mi"nor*ate\, v. t. [L. minoratus; p. p. of minorare to
diminish, fr. minor, a. See 1st {Minor}.]
To diminish. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Minoration \Mi`nor*a"tion\, n. [L. minoratio: cf. F.
minoration.]
A diminution. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Minoress \Mi"nor*ess\, n.
See {Franciscan Nuns}, under {Franciscan}, a.
Minorite \Mi"nor*ite\, n. [L. minor less. Cf. 2d {Minor}, 3.]
A Franciscan friar.
Minority \Mi*nor"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Minorities}. [Cf. F.
minorit['e]. See {Minor}, a. & n.]
1. The state of being a minor, or under age.
2. State of being less or small. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
3. The smaller number; -- opposed to {majority}; as, the
minority must be ruled by the majority.
Minos \Mi"nos\, n. [Gr. ?.] (Class. Myth.)
A king and lawgiver of Crete, fabled to be the son of Jupiter
and Europa. After death he was made a judge in the Lower
Regions.
Minotaur \Min"o*taur\, n. [L. Minotaurus, Gr. ?; Mi`nos, the
husband of Pasipha["e] + tay^ros a bull, the Minotaur being
the offspring of Pasipha["e] and a bull: cf. F. minotaure.]
(Class. Myth.)
A fabled monster, half man and half bull, confined in the
labyrinth constructed by D[ae]dalus in Crete.
Minow \Min"ow\, n.
See {Minnow}.
Minster \Min"ster\, n. [AS. mynster, fr. L. monasterium. See
{Monastery}.] (Arch.)
A church of a monastery. The name is often retained and
applied to the church after the monastery has ceased to exist
(as Beverly Minster, Southwell Minster, etc.), and is also
improperly used for any large church.
{Minster house}, the official house in which the canons of a
cathedral live in common or in rotation. --Shipley.
Minstrel \Min"strel\, n. [OE. minstrel, menestral, OF.
menestrel, fr. LL. ministerialis servant, workman (cf.
ministrellus harpist), fr. L. ministerium service. See
{Ministry}, and cf. {Ministerial}.]
In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by
the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the
accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times,
a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician. --Chaucer.
Minstrelsy \Min"strel*sy\, n.
1. The arts and occupation of minstrels; the singing and
playing of a minstrel.
2. Musical instruments. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. A collective body of minstrels, or musicians; also, a
collective body of minstrels' songs. --Chaucer. ``The
minstrelsy of heaven.'' --Milton.
Mint \Mint\, n. [AS. minte, fr. L. mentha, Gr. ?, ?.] (Bot.)
The name of several aromatic labiate plants, mostly of the
genus {Mentha}, yielding odoriferous essential oils by
distillation. See {Mentha}.
Note:
{Corn mint} is {Mentha arvensis}.
{Horsemint} is {M. sylvestris}, and in the United States
{Monarda punctata}, which differs from the true mints in
several respects.
{Mountain mint} is any species of the related genus
{Pycnanthemum}, common in North America.
{Peppermint} is {M. piperita}.
{Spearmint} is {M. viridis}.
{Water mint} is {M. aquatica}.
{Mint camphor}. (Chem.) See {Menthol}.
{Mint julep}. See {Julep}.
{Mint sauce}, a sauce flavored with spearmint, for meats.
Mint \Mint\, n. [AS. mynet money, coin, fr. L. moneta the mint,
coined money, fr. Moneta, a surname of Juno, in whose at Rome
money was coined; akin to monere to warn, admonish, AS.
manian, and to E. mind. See {Mind}, and cf. {Money},
{Monition}.]
1. A place where money is coined by public authority.
2. Hence: Any place regarded as a source of unlimited supply;
the supply itself.
A mint of phrases in his brain. --Shak.
Mint \Mint\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Minting}.] [AS. mynetian.]
1. To make by stamping, as money; to coin; to make and stamp
into money.
2. To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to fashion.
Titles . . . of such natures as may be easily
minted. --Bacon.
{Minting mill}, a coining press.
Mintage \Mint"age\, n.
1. The coin, or other production, made in a mint.
Stamped in clay, a heavenly mintage. --Sterling.
2. The duty paid to the mint for coining.
Minter \Mint"er\, n.
One who mints.
Mintman \Mint"man\, n.; pl. {Mintmen}.
One skilled in coining, or in coins; a coiner.
Mint-master \Mint"-mas`ter\, n.
The master or superintendent of a mint. Also used
figuratively.
Minuend \Min"u*end\, n. [L. minuendus to be diminished, fr.
minuere to lessen, diminish. See {Minish}.] (Arith.)
The number from which another number is to be subtracted.
Minuet \Min"u*et\, n. [F., fr. menu small, L. minutus small. So
called on account of the short steps of the dance. See 4th
{Minute}.]
1. A slow graceful dance consisting of a coupee, a high step,
and a balance.
2. (Mus.) A tune or air to regulate the movements of the
dance so called; a movement in suites, sonatas,
symphonies, etc., having the dance form, and commonly in
3-4, sometimes 3-8, measure.
Minum \Min"um\, n. [See 2d {Minion}, {Minum}, 6.] [Obs.]
1. A small kind of printing type; minion.
2. (Mus.) A minim.
Minus \Mi"nus\, a. [L. See {Minor}, and cf. {Mis-} pref. from
the French.] (Math.)
Less; requiring to be subtracted; negative; as, a minus
quantity.
{Minus sign} (Math.), the sign [-] denoting minus, or less,
prefixed to negative quantities, or quantities to be
subtracted. See {Negative sign}, under {Negative}.
Minuscule \Mi*nus"cule\, n. [L. minusculus rather small, fr.
minus less: cf. F. minuscule.]
1. Any very small, minute object.
2. A small Roman letter which is neither capital nor uncial;
a manuscript written in such letters. -- a. Of the size
and style of minuscules; written in minuscules.
These minuscule letters are cursive forms of the
earlier uncials. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
Minutary \Min"u*ta*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or consisting of, minutes. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Minute \Min"ute\ (?; 277), n. [LL. minuta a small portion, small
coin, fr. L. minutus small: cf. F. minute. See 4th {Minute}.]
1. The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds. (Abbrev. m.;
as, 4 h. 30 m.)
Four minutes, that is to say, minutes of an hour.
--Chaucer.
2. The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty seconds (Marked thus
('); as, 10[deg] 20').
3. A nautical or a geographic mile.
4. A coin; a half farthing. [Obs.] --Wyclif (Mark xii. 42)
5. A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a
jot; a tittle. [Obs.]
Minutes and circumstances of his passion. --Jer.
Taylor.
6. A point of time; a moment.
I go this minute to attend the king. --Dryden.
7. The memorandum; a record; a note to preserve the memory of
anything; as, to take minutes of a contract; to take
minutes of a conversation or debate.
8. (Arch.) A fixed part of a module. See {Module}.
Note: Different writers take as the minute one twelfth, one
eighteenth, one thirtieth, or one sixtieth part of the
module.
Minute \Min"ute\, a.
Of or pertaining to a minute or minutes; occurring at or
marking successive minutes.
{Minute bell}, a bell tolled at intervals of a minute, as to
give notice of a death or a funeral.
{Minute book}, a book in which written minutes are entered.
{Minute glass}, a glass measuring a minute or minutes by the
running of sand.
{Minute gun}, a discharge of a cannon repeated every minute
as a sign of distress or mourning.
{Minute hand}, the long hand of a watch or clock, which makes
the circuit of the dial in an hour, and marks the minutes.
Minute \Min"ute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Minuted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Minuting}.]
To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a
minute or a brief summary of.
The Empress of Russia, with her own hand, minuted an
edict for universal tolerance. --Bancroft.
Minute \Mi*nute"\, a. [L. minutus, p. p. of minuere to lessen.
See {Minish}, {Minor}, and cf. {Menu}, {Minuet}.]
1. Very small; little; tiny; fine; slight; slender;
inconsiderable. ``Minute drops.'' --Milton.
2. Attentive to small things; paying attention to details;
critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer;
minute observation.
Syn: Little; diminutive; fine; critical; exact;
circumstantial; particular; detailed.
Usage: {Minute}, {Circumstantial}, {Particular}. A
circumstantial account embraces all the leading
events; a particular account includes each event and
movement, though of but little importance; a minute
account goes further still, and omits nothing as to
person, time, place, adjuncts, etc.
Minute-jack \Mi*nute"-jack`\, n.
1. A figure which strikes the hour on the bell of some
fanciful clocks; -- called also {jack of the clock house}.
2. A timeserver; an inconstant person. --Shak.
Minutely \Mi*nute"ly\, adv. [From 4th {Minute}.]
In a minute manner; with minuteness; exactly; nicely.
Minutely \Min"ute*ly\, a. [From 1st {Minute}.]
Happening every minute; continuing; unceasing. [Obs.]
Throwing themselves absolutely upon God's minutely
providence. --Hammond.
Minutely \Min"ute*ly\, adv.
At intervals of a minute; very often and regularly. --J.
Philips.
Minutely proclaimed in thunder from heaven. --Hammond.
Minuteman \Min"ute*man\, n.; pl. {Minutemen}.
A militiaman who was to be ready to march at a moment's
notice; -- a term used in the American Revolution.
Minuteness \Mi*nute"ness\, n.
The quality of being minute.
Minutia \Mi*nu"ti*a\, n.; pl. {Minuti[ae]} (-[=e]). [L., fr.
minutus small, minute. See 4th {Minute}.]
A minute particular; a small or minor detail; -- used chiefly
in the plural.
Minx \Minx\, n. [Prob. of Low German origin; cf. LG. minsk
wench, jade, hussy, D. mensch; prop. the same word as D. & G.
mensch man, human being, OHG. mennisco, AS. mennisc, fr. man.
See {Man}.]
1. A pert or a wanton girl. --Shak.
2. A she puppy; a pet dog. [Obs.] --Udall.
Minx \Minx\, n. [See {Mink}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The mink; -- called also {minx otter}. [Obs.]
Miny \Min"y\, a.
Abounding with mines; like a mine. ``Miny caverns.''
--Thomson.
Miocene \Mi"o*cene\, a. [Gr. ? less + ? new, fresh, recent.]
(Geol.)
Of or pertaining to the middle division of the Tertiary. --
n. The Miocene period. See {Chart} of {Geology}.
Miohippus \Mi`o*hip"pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? less + ? horse.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct Miocene mammal of the Horse family, closely
related to the genus {Anhithecrium}, and having three usable
hoofs on each foot.
Miquelet \Miq"ue*let\, n. [Sp. miquelete.] (Mil.)
An irregular or partisan soldier; a bandit.
Mir \Mir\, n.
A Russian village community. --D. M. Wallace.
Mir \Mir\, n. [Per. m[=i]r.]
Same as {Emir}.
Mira \Mi"ra\, n. [NL., from L. mirus wonderful.] (Astron.)
A remarkable variable star in the constellation Cetus
({[omicron] Ceti}).
Mirabilary \Mi*rab"i*la*ry\, n.; pl. {Mirabilaries}.
One who, or a work which, narrates wonderful things; one who
writes of wonders. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Mirabilis \Mi*rab"i*lis\, n. [L., wonderful.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants. See {Four-o'clock}.
Mirabilite \Mi*rab"i*lite\, n. (Min.)
Native sodium sulphate; Glauber's salt.
Mirable \Mi"ra*ble\, a. [L. mirabilis, fr. mirari to wonder: cf.
OF. mirable. See {Marvel}.]
Wonderful; admirable. [Obs.] --Shak.
Miracle \Mir"a*cle\, n. [F., fr. L. miraculum, fr. mirari to
wonder. See {Marvel}, and cf. {Mirror}.]
1. A wonder or wonderful thing.
That miracle and queen of genus. --Shak.
2. Specifically: An event or effect contrary to the
established constitution and course of things, or a
deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural
event, or one transcending the ordinary laws by which the
universe is governed.
They considered not the miracle of the loaves.
--Mark vi. 52.
3. A miracle play.
4. A story or legend abounding in miracles. [Obs.]
When said was all this miracle. --Chaucer.
{Miracle monger}, an impostor who pretends to work miracles.
{Miracle play}, one of the old dramatic entertainments
founded on legends of saints and martyrs or (see 2d
{Mystery}, 2) on events related in the Bible.
Miracle \Mir"a*cle\, v. t.
To make wonderful. [Obs.] --Shak.
Miraculize \Mi*rac"u*lize\, v. t.
To cause to seem to be a miracle. [R.] --Shaftesbury.
Miraculous \Mi*rac"u*lous\, a. [F. miraculeux. See {Miracle}.]
1. Of the nature of a miracle; performed by supernatural
power; effected by the direct agency of almighty power,
and not by natural causes.
2. Supernatural; wonderful.
3. Wonder-working. ``The miraculous harp.'' --Shak. --
{Mi*rac"u*lous*ly}, adv. -- {Mi*rac"u*lous*ness}, n.
Mirador \Mir`a*dor"\, n. [Sp., fr. mirar to behold, view. See
{Mirror}.] (Arch.)
Same as {Belvedere}.
Mirage \Mi`rage"\, n. [F., fr. mirer to look at carefully, to
aim, se mirer to look at one's self in a glass, to reflect,
to be reflected, LL. mirare to look at. See {Mirror}.]
An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more
frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at
the surface common to two strata of air differently heated.
The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted
position, while the real object may or may not be in sight.
When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the
appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is
seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye,
the image is seen projected against the sky. The fata Morgana
and looming are species of mirage.
By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in the
ether, Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the
motionless air. --Longfellow.
Mirbane \Mir"bane\, n.
See {Nitrobenzene}.
Mire \Mire\, n. [AS. m[=i]re, m?re; akin to D. mier, Icel.
maurr, Dan. myre, Sw. myra; cf. also Ir. moirbh, Gr. ?.]
An ant. [Obs.] See {Pismire}.
Mire \Mire\, n. [OE. mire, myre; akin to Icel. m?rr swamp, Sw.
myra marshy ground, and perh. to E. moss.]
Deep mud; wet, spongy earth. --Chaucer.
He his rider from the lofty steed Would have cast down
and trod in dirty mire. --Spenser.
{Mire crow} (Zo["o]l.), the pewit, or laughing gull. [Prov.
Eng.]
{Mire drum}, the European bittern. [Prov. Eng.]
Mire \Mire\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mired}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Miring}.]
1. To cause or permit to stick fast in mire; to plunge or fix
in mud; as, to mire a horse or wagon.
2. To soil with mud or foul matter.
Smirched thus and mired with infamy. --Shak.
Mire \Mire\, v. i.
To stick in mire. --Shak.
Mirific \Mi*rif"ic\, Mirifical \Mi*rif"ic*al\, a. [L. mirificus;
mirus wonderful + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {-fy}.]
Working wonders; wonderful.
Mirificent \Mi*rif"i*cent\, a.
Wonderful. [Obs.]
Miriness \Mir"i*ness\, n.
The quality of being miry.
Mirk \Mirk\, a. [See {Murky}.]
Dark; gloomy; murky. --Spenser. Mrs. Browning.
Mirk \Mirk\, n.
Darkness; gloom; murk. ``In mirk and mire.'' --Longfellow.
Mirksome \Mirk"some\, a.
Dark; gloomy; murky. [Archaic] --Spenser. --
{Mirk"some*ness}, n. [Archaic]
Mirky \Mirk"y\, a.
Dark; gloomy. See {Murky}.
Mirror \Mir"ror\, n. [OE. mirour, F. miroir, OF. also mireor,
fr. (assumed) LL. miratorium, fr. mirare to look at, L.
mirari to wonder. See {Marvel}, and cf. {Miracle},
{Mirador}.]
1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished
substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of
light.
And in her hand she held a mirror bright, Wherein
her face she often view[`e]d fair. --Spenser.
2. That which gives a true representation, or in which a true
image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar.
She is mirour of all courtesy. --Chaucer.
O goddess, heavenly bright, Mirror of grace and
majesty divine. --Spenser.
3. (Zo["o]l.) See {Speculum}.
{Mirror carp} (Zo["o]l.), a domesticated variety of the carp,
having only three or fur rows of very large scales side.
{Mirror plate}.
(a) A flat glass mirror without a frame.
(b) Flat glass used for making mirrors.
{Mirror writing}, a manner or form of backward writing,
making manuscript resembling in slant and order of letters
the reflection of ordinary writing in a mirror. The
substitution of this manner of writing for the common
manner is a symptom of some kinds of nervous disease.
Mirror \Mir"ror\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mirrored}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mirroring}.]
To reflect, as in a mirror.
Mirth \Mirth\, n. [OE. mirthe, murthe, merthe, AS. myr[eth],
myrg[eth], merh[eth], mirh[eth]. See {Merry}.]
1. Merriment; gayety accompanied with laughter; jollity.
Then will I cause to cease . . . from the streets of
Jerusalem, the voice of mirth. --Jer. vii.
34.
2. That which causes merriment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: Merriment; joyousness; gladness; fun; frolic; glee;
hilarity; festivity; jollity. See {Gladness}.
Mirthful \Mirth"ful\, a.
1. Full of mirth or merriment; merry; as, mirthful children.
2. Indicating or inspiring mirth; as, a mirthful face.
Mirthful, comic shows. --Shak.
-- {Mirth"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Mirth"ful*ness}, n.
Mirthless \Mirth"less\, a.
Without mirth. -- {Mirth"less*ness}, n.
Miry \Mir"y\, a. [From 2d {Mire}.]
Abounding with deep mud; full of mire; muddy; as, a miry
road.
Mirza \Mir"za\, n. [Per. m[=i]rz[=a], abbrev. fr. m[=i]rz[=a]deh
son of the prince; m[=i]r prince (Ar. am[=i]r, em[=i]r) +
z[=a]deh son.]
The common title of honor in Persia, prefixed to the surname
of an individual. When appended to the surname, it signifies
Prince.
Mis- \Mis-\ [In words of Teutonic origin, fr. AS. mis-; akin to
D. mis-, G. miss-, OHG. missa-, missi-, Icel. & Dan. mis-,
Sw. miss-, Goth. missa-; orig., a p. p. from the root of G.
meiden to shun, OHG. m[=i]dan, AS. m[=i]?an (????. Cf. {Miss}
to fail of). In words from the French, fr. OF. mes-, F.
m['e]-, mes-, fr. L. minus less (see {Minus}). In present
usage these two prefixes are commonly confounded.]
A prefix used adjectively and adverbially in the sense of
amiss, wrong, ill, wrongly, unsuitably; as, misdeed, mislead,
mischief, miscreant.
Mis \Mis\, a. & adv. [See {Amiss}.]
Wrong; amiss. [Obs.] ``To correcten that [which] is mis.''
--Chaucer.
Misacceptation \Mis*ac`cep*ta"tion\, n.
Wrong acceptation; understanding in a wrong sense.
Misaccompt \Mis`ac*compt"\, v. t.
To account or reckon wrongly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Misadjust \Mis`ad*just"\, v. t.
To adjust wrongly of unsuitably; to throw of adjustment. --I.
Taylor.
Misadjustment \Mis`ad*just"ment\, n.
Wrong adjustment; unsuitable arrangement.
Misadventure \Mis`ad*ven"ture\ (?; 135), n. [OE. mesaventure, F.
m['e]saventure.]
Mischance; misfortune; ill lick; unlucky accident; ill
adventure. --Chaucer.
{Homicide by misadventure} (Law), homicide which occurs when
a man, doing a lawful act, without any intention of
injury, unfortunately kills another; -- called also
{excusable homicide}. See {Homicide}. --Blackstone.
Syn: Mischance; mishap; misfortune; disaster; calamity.
Misadventured \Mis`ad*ven"tured\, a.
Unfortunate. [Obs.]
Misadventurous \Mis`ad*ven"tur*ous\, a.
Unfortunate.
Misadvertence \Mis`ad*vert"ence\, n.
Inadvertence.
Misadvice \Mis`ad*vice"\, n.
Bad advice.
Misadvise \Mis`ad*vise"\, v. t.
To give bad counsel to.
Misadvised \Mis`ad*vised"\, a.
Ill advised. -- {Mis`ad*vis"ed*ly}, adv.
Misaffect \Mis`af*fect"\, v. t.
To dislike. [Obs.]
Misaffected \Mis`af*fect"ed\, a.
Ill disposed. [Obs.]
Misaffection \Mis`af*fec"tion\, n.
An evil or wrong affection; the state of being ill affected.
[Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Misaffirm \Mis`af*firm"\, v. t.
To affirm incorrectly.
Misaimed \Mis*aimed"\, a.
Not rightly aimed. --Spenser.
Misallegation \Mis*al`le*ga"tion\, n.
A erroneous statement or allegation. --Bp. Hall.
Misallege \Mis`al*lege"\, v. t.
To state erroneously.
Misalliance \Mis`al*li"ance\, n. [F. m['e]salliance.]
A marriage with a person of inferior rank or social station;
an improper alliance; a mesalliance.
A Leigh had made a misalliance, and blushed A Howard
should know it. --Mrs.
Browning.
Misallied \Mis`al*lied"\, a.
Wrongly allied or associated.
Misallotment \Mis`al*lot"ment\, n.
A wrong allotment.
Misalter \Mis*al"ter\, v. t.
To alter wrongly; esp., to alter for the worse. --Bp. Hall.
Misanthrope \Mis"an*thrope\, n. [Gr. ?; ? to hate + ? a man; cf.
F. misanthrope. Cf. {Miser}.]
A hater of mankind; a misanthropist.
Misanthropic \Mis`an*throp"ic\, Misanthropical
\Mis`an*throp"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. misanthropique.]
Hating or disliking mankind.
Misanthropist \Mis*an"thro*pist\, n.
A misanthrope.
Misanthropos \Mis*an"thro*pos\, n. [NL. See {Misanthrope}.]
A misanthrope. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misanthropy \Mis*an"thro*py\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. misanthropie.]
Hatred of, or dislike to, mankind; -- opposed to
{philanthropy}. --Orrery.
Misapplication \Mis*ap`pli*ca"tion\, n.
A wrong application. --Sir T. Browne.
Misapply \Mis`ap*ply"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misapplied}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Misapplying}.]
To apply wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose; as, to misapply
a name or title; to misapply public money.
Misappreciated \Mis`ap*pre"ci*a`ted\, a.
Improperly appreciated.
Misapprehend \Mis*ap`pre*hend"\, v. t.
To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand. --Locke.
Misapprehension \Mis*ap`pre*hen"sion\, n.
A mistaking or mistake; wrong apprehension of one's meaning
of a fact; misconception; misunderstanding.
Misapprehensively \Mis*ap`pre*hen"sive*ly\, adv.
By, or with, misapprehension.
Misappropriate \Mis`ap*pro"pri*ate\, v. t.
To appropriate wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose.
Misappropriation \Mis`ap*pro`pri*a"tion\, n.
Wrong appropriation; wrongful use.
Misarrange \Mis`ar*range"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misarranged};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Misarranging}.]
To place in a wrong order, or improper manner.
Misarrangement \Mis`ar*range"ment\, n.
Wrong arrangement.
Misarcribe \Mis`ar*cribe"\, v. t.
To ascribe wrongly.
Misassay \Mis`as*say"\, v. t.
To assay, or attempt, improperly or unsuccessfully. [Obs.]
--W. Browne.
Misassign \Mis`as*sign"\, v. t.
To assign wrongly.
Misattend \Mis`at*tend"\, v. t.
To misunderstand; to disregard. [Obs.] --Milton.
Misaventure \Mis`a*ven"ture\, n.
Misadventure. [Obs.]
Misavize \Mis`a*vize"\, v. t.
To misadvise. [Obs.]
Misbear \Mis*bear"\, v. t.
To carry improperly; to carry (one's self) wrongly; to
misbehave. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Misbecome \Mis`be*come"\, v. t.
Not to become; to suit ill; not to befit or be adapted to.
--Macaulay.
Thy father will not act what misbecomes him. --Addison.
Misbecoming \Mis`be*com"ing\, a.
Unbecoming. --Milton. -- {Mis`be*com"ing*ly}, adv. --
{Mis`be*com"ing*ness}, n. --Boyle.
Misbede \Mis*bede"\, v. t. [imp. {Misbode}; p. p. {Misboden}.]
[AS. mis-be[^o]dan.]
To wrong; to do injury to. [Obs.]
Who hath you misboden or offended? --Chaucer.
Misbefitting \Mis`be*fit"ting\, a.
No befitting.
Misbegot \Mis`be*got"\, Misbegotten \Mis`be*got"ten\, p. a.
Unlawfully or irregularly begotten; of bad origin;
pernicious. ``Valor misbegot.'' --Shak.
Misbehave \Mis`be*have"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Misbehaved};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Misbehaving}.]
To behave ill; to conduct one's self improperly; -- often
used with a reciprocal pronoun.
Misbehaved \Mis`be*haved"\, a.
Guilty of ill behavior; illbred; rude. ``A misbehaved and
sullen wench.'' --Shak.
Misbehavior \Mis`be*hav"ior\, n.
Improper, rude, or uncivil behavior; ill conduct. --Addison.
Misbelief \Mis`be*lief"\, n.
Erroneous or false belief.
Misbelieve \Mis`be*lieve"\, v. i.
To believe erroneously, or in a false religion. ``That
misbelieving Moor.'' --Shak.
Misbeliever \Mis`be*liev"er\, n.
One who believes wrongly; one who holds a false religion.
--Shak.
Misbeseem \Mis`be*seem"\, v. t.
To suit ill.
Misbestow \Mis`be*stow"\, v. t.
To bestow improperly.
Misbestowal \Mis`be*stow"al\, n.
The act of misbestowing.
Misbileve \Mis`bi*leve"\, n.
Misbelief; unbelief; suspicion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Misbode \Mis*bode"\,
imp. of {Misbede}.
Misboden \Mis*bo"den\,
p. p. of {Misbede}.
Misborn \Mis"born`\, a.
Born to misfortune. --Spenser.
Miscalculate \Mis*cal"cu*late\, v. t. & i.
To calculate erroneously; to judge wrongly. --
{Mis*cal`cu*la"tion}, n.
Miscall \Mis*call"\, v. t.
1. To call by a wrong name; to name improperly.
2. To call by a bad name; to abuse. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Miscarriage \Mis*car"riage\, n.
1. Unfortunate event or issue of an undertaking; failure to
attain a desired result or reach a destination.
When a counselor, to save himself, Would lay
miscarriages upon his prince. --Dryden.
2. Ill conduct; evil or improper behavior; as, the failings
and miscarriages of the righteous. --Rogers.
3. The act of bringing forth before the time; premature
birth.
Miscarriageable \Mis*car"riage*a*ble\, a.
Capable of miscarrying; liable to fail. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Miscarry \Mis*car"ry\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Miscarried}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Miscarrying}.]
1. To carry, or go, wrong; to fail of reaching a destination,
or fail of the intended effect; to be unsuccessful; to
suffer defeat.
My ships have all miscarried. --Shak.
The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried.
--Shak.
2. To bring forth young before the proper time.
Miscast \Mis*cast"\, v. t.
To cast or reckon wrongly.
Miscast \Mis*cast"\, n.
An erroneous cast or reckoning.
Miscegenation \Mis`ce*ge*na"tion\, n. [L. miscere to mix + the
root of genus race.]
A mixing of races; amalgamation, as by intermarriage of black
and white.
Miscellanarian \Mis`cel*la*na"ri*an\, a. [See {Miscellany}.]
Of or pertaining to miscellanies. --Shaftesbury. -- n. A
writer of miscellanies.
Miscellane \Mis"cel*lane\, n. [See {Miscellaneous}, and cf.
{Maslin}.]
A mixture of two or more sorts of grain; -- now called
{maslin} and {meslin}. --Bacon.
Miscellanea \Mis"cel*la"ne*a\, n. pl. [L. See {Miscellany}.]
A collection of miscellaneous matters; matters of various
kinds.
Miscellaneous \Mis`cel*la"ne*ous\, a. [L. miscellaneus mixed,
miscellaneous, fr. miscellus mixed, fr. miscere to mix. See
{Mix}, and cf. {Miscellany}.]
Mixed; mingled; consisting of several things; of diverse
sorts; promiscuous; heterogeneous; as, a miscellaneous
collection. ``A miscellaneous rabble.'' --Milton. --
{Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ness}, n.
Miscellanist \Mis"cel*la*nist\, n.
A writer of miscellanies; miscellanarian.
Miscellany \Mis"cel*la*ny\, n.; pl. {Miscellanies}. [L.
miscellanea, neut. pl. of. miscellaneus: cf. F.
miscellan['e]e, pl. miscellan['e]es. See {Miscellaneous}.]
A mass or mixture of various things; a medley; esp., a
collection of compositions on various subjects.
'T is but a bundle or miscellany of sin; sins original,
and sins actual. --Hewyt.
{Miscellany madam}, a woman who dealt in various fineries; a
milliner. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Miscellany \Mis"cel*la*ny\, a.
Miscellaneous; heterogeneous. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Miscensure \Mis*cen"sure\, v. t.
To misjudge. [Obs.] --Daniel. -- n. Erroneous judgment.
[Obs.] --Sylvester.
Mischance \Mis*chance"\, n. [OE. meschance, OF. mescheance.]
Ill luck; ill fortune; mishap. --Chaucer.
Never come mischance between us twain. --Shak.
Syn: Calamity; misfortune; misadventure; mishap; infelicity;
disaster. See {Calamity}.
Mischance \Mis*chance"\, v. i.
To happen by mischance. --Spenser.
Mischanceful \Mis*chance"ful\, a.
Unlucky. --R. Browning.
Mischaracterize \Mis*char"ac*ter*ize\, v. t.
To characterize falsely or erroneously; to give a wrong
character to.
They totally mischaracterize the action. --Eton.
Mischarge \Mis*charge"\, v. t.
To charge erroneously, as in account. -- n. A mistake in
charging.
Mischief \Mis"chief\, n. [OE. meschef bad result, OF. meschief;
pref. mes- (L. minus less) + chief end, head, F. chef chief.
See {Minus}, and {Chief}.]
1. Harm; damage; esp., disarrangement of order; trouble or
vexation caused by human agency or by some living being,
intentionally or not; often, calamity, mishap; trivial
evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. --Chaucer.
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs. --Ps. lii. 2.
The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from
many mischiefs. --Fuller.
2. Cause of trouble or vexation; trouble. --Milton.
The mischief was, these allies would never allow
that the common enemy was subdued. --Swift.
{To be in mischief}, to be doing harm or causing annoyance.
{To make mischief}, to do mischief, especially by exciting
quarrels.
{To play the mischief}, to cause great harm; to throw into
confusion. [Colloq.]
Syn: Damage; harm; hurt; injury; detriment; evil; ill.
Usage: {Mischief}, {Damage}, {Harm}. Damage is an injury
which diminishes the value of a thing; harm is an
injury which causes trouble or inconvenience; mischief
is an injury which disturbs the order and consistency
of things. We often suffer damage or harm from
accident, but mischief always springs from perversity
or folly.
Mischief \Mis"chief\, v. t.
To do harm to. [Obs.] --Milton.
Mischiefable \Mis"chief*a*ble\, a.
Mischievous. [R.] --Lydgate.
Mischiefful \Mis"chief*ful\, a.
Mischievous. [Obs.] --Foote.
Mischief-maker \Mis"chief-mak`er\, n.
One who makes mischief; one who excites or instigates
quarrels or enmity.
Mischief-making \Mis"chief-mak`ing\, a.
Causing harm; exciting enmity or quarrels. --Rowe. -- n. The
act or practice of making mischief, inciting quarrels, etc.
Mischievous \Mis"chie*vous\, a.
Causing mischief; harmful; hurtful; -- now often applied
where the evil is done carelessly or in sport; as, a
mischievous child. ``Most mischievous foul sin.'' --Shak.
This false, wily, doubling disposition is intolerably
mischievous to society. --South.
Syn: Harmful; hurtful; detrimental; noxious; pernicious;
destructive. -- {Mis"chie*vous*ly}, adv. --
{Mis"chie*vous*ness}, n.
Mischna \Misch"na\, n.
See {Mishna}.
Mischnic \Misch"nic\, a.
See {Mishnic}.
Mischoose \Mis*choose"\, v. t. [imp. {Mischose}; p. p.
{Mischosen}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mischoosing}.]
To choose wrongly. --Milton.
Mischoose \Mis*choose"\, v. i.
To make a wrong choice.
Mischristen \Mis*chris"ten\, v. t.
To christen wrongly.
Miscibility \Mis`ci*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. miscibilit['e].]
Capability of being mixed.
Miscible \Mis"ci*ble\, a. [Cf. F. miscible, fr. L. miscere to
mix.]
Capable of being mixed; mixable; as, water and alcohol are
miscible in all proportions. --Burke.
Miscitation \Mis`ci*ta"tion\, n.
Erroneous citation.
Miscite \Mis*cite"\, v. t.
To cite erroneously.
Misclaim \Mis*claim"\, n.
A mistaken claim.
Miscognizant \Mis*cog"ni*zant\, a. (Law)
Not cognizant; ignorant; not knowing.
Miscognize \Mis*cog"nize\, v. t.
To fail to apprehend; to misunderstand. [Obs.] --Holland.
Miscollocation \Mis*col`lo*ca"tion\, n.
Wrong collocation. --De Quincey.
Miscolor \Mis*col"or\, v. t.
To give a wrong color to; figuratively, to set forth
erroneously or unfairly; as, to miscolor facts. --C.
Kingsley.
Miscomfort \Mis*com"fort\, n.
Discomfort. [Obs.]
Miscomprehend \Mis*com`pre*hend"\, v. t.
To get a wrong idea of or about; to misunderstand.
Miscomputation \Mis*com`pu*ta"tion\, n.
Erroneous computation; false reckoning.
Miscompute \Mis`com*pute"\, v. t. [Cf. {Miscount}.]
To compute erroneously. --Sir T. Browne.
Misconceit \Mis`con*ceit"\, n.
Misconception. [Obs.]
Misconceive \Mis`con*ceive"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Misconceived}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Misconceiving}.]
To conceive wrongly; to interpret incorrectly; to receive a
false notion of; to misjudge; to misapprehend.
Those things which, for want of due consideration
heretofore, they have misconceived. --Hooker.
Syn: To misapprehend; misunderstand; mistake.
Misconceiver \Mis`con*ceiv"er\, n.
One who misconceives.
Misconception \Mis`con*cep"tion\, n.
Erroneous conception; false opinion; wrong understanding.
--Harvey.
Misconclusion \Mis`con*clu"sion\, n.
An erroneous inference or conclusion. --Bp. Hall.
Misconduct \Mis*con"duct\, n.
Wrong conduct; bad behavior; mismanagement. --Addison.
Syn: Misbehavior; misdemeanor; mismanagement; misdeed;
delinquency; offense.
Misconduct \Mis`con*duct"\, v. t.
To conduct amiss; to mismanage. --Johnson.
{To misconduct one's self}, to behave improperly.
Misconduct \Mis`con*duct"\, v. i.
To behave amiss.
Misconfident \Mis*con"fi*dent\, a.
Having a mistaken confidence; wrongly trusting. [R.] --Bp.
Hall.
Misconjecture \Mis`con*jec"ture\ (?; 135), n.
A wrong conjecture or guess. --Sir T. Browne.
Misconjecture \Mis`con*jec"ture\, v. t. & i.
To conjecture wrongly.
Misconsecrate \Mis*con"se*crate\, v. t.
To consecrate amiss. ``Misconsecrated flags.'' --Bp. Hall.
Misconsecration \Mis*con`se*cra"tion\, n.
Wrong consecration.
Misconsequence \Mis*con"se*quence\, n.
A wrong consequence; a false deduction.
Misconstruable \Mis*con"stru*a*ble\, a.
Such as can be misconstrued, as language or conduct. --R.
North.
Misconstruct \Mis`con*struct"\, v. t.
To construct wrongly; to construe or interpret erroneously.
Misconstruction \Mis`con*struc"tion\, n.
Erroneous construction; wrong interpretation. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Misconstrue \Mis*con"strue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misconstrued};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Misconstruing}.]
To construe wrongly; to interpret erroneously.
Do not, great sir, misconstrue his intent. --Dryden.
Much afflicted to find his actions misconstrued.
--Addison.
Misconstruer \Mis*con"stru*er\, n.
One who misconstrues.
Miscontent \Mis`con*tent"\, a.
Discontent. [Obs.]
Miscontinuance \Mis`con*tin"u*ance\, n. (Law)
Discontinuance; also, continuance by undue process.
Miscopy \Mis*copy"\, v. t.
To copy amiss.
Miscopy \Mis*copy"\, n.
A mistake in copying. --North Am. Rev.
Miscorrect \Mis`cor*rect"\, v. t.
To fail or err in attempting to correct. ``Scaliger
miscorrects his author.'' --Dryden.
Miscounsel \Mis*coun"sel\, v. t.
To counsel or advise wrongly.
Miscount \Mis*count"\, v. t. & i. [Cf. OF. mesconter, F.
m['e]compter. Cf. {Miscompute}.]
To count erroneously.
Miscount \Mis*count"\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]compte error, OF.
mesconte.]
An erroneous counting.
Miscovet \Mis*cov"et\, v. t.
To covet wrongfully. [Obs.]
Miscreance \Mis"cre*ance\, Miscreancy \Mis"cre*an*cy\, n. [OF.
mescreance, F. m['e]cr['e]ance incredulity.]
The quality of being miscreant; adherence to a false
religion; false faith. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Miscreant \Mis"cre*ant\, n. [OF. mescreant, F. m['e]cr['e]ant;
pref. mes- (L. minus less) + p. pr. fr. L. credere to
believe. See {Creed}.]
1. One who holds a false religious faith; a misbeliever.
[Obs.] --Spenser. De Quincey.
Thou oughtest not to be slothful to the destruction
of the miscreants, but to constrain them to obey our
Lord God. --Rivers.
2. One not restrained by Christian principles; an
unscrupulous villain; a while wretch. --Addison.
Miscreant \Mis"cre*ant\, a.
1. Holding a false religious faith.
2. Destitute of conscience; unscrupulous. --Pope.
Miscreate \Mis`cre*ate"\, a.
Miscreated; illegitimate; forged; as, miscreate titles. [Obs.
or Poet.] --Shak.
Miscreate \Mis`cre*ate"\, v. t.
To create badly or amiss.
Miscreated \Mis`cre*at"ed\, a.
Formed unnaturally or illegitimately; deformed. --Spenser.
Milton.
Miscreative \Mis`cre*a"tive\, a.
Creating amiss. [R.]
Miscredent \Mis*cre"dent\, n. [Pref. mis- + credent. Cf.
{Miscreant}.]
A miscreant, or believer in a false religious doctrine.
[Obs.] --Holinshed.
Miscredulity \Mis`cre*du"li*ty\, n.
Wrong credulity or belief; misbelief. --Bp. Hall.
Miscue \Mis*cue"\, n. (Billiards)
A false stroke with a billiard cue, the cue slipping from the
ball struck without impelling it as desired.
Misdate \Mis*date"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misdated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misdating}.]
To date erroneously. --Young.
Misdeal \Mis*deal"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Misdealt}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Misdealing}.]
To deal or distribute wrongly, as cards; to make a wrong
distribution.
Misdeal \Mis*deal"\, n.
The act of misdealing; a wrong distribution of cards to the
players.
Misdeed \Mis*deed"\, n. [AS. misd?d. See {Deed}, n.]
An evil deed; a wicked action.
Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought. --Milton.
Syn: Misconduct; misdemeanor; fault; offense; trespass;
transgression; crime.
Misdeem \Mis*deem"\, v. t.
To misjudge. [Obs.] --Milton.
Misdemean \Mis`de*mean"\, v. t.
To behave ill; -- with a reflexive pronoun; as, to misdemean
one's self.
Misdemeanant \Mis`de*mean"ant\, n.
One guilty of a misdemeanor. --Sydney Smith.
Misdemeanor \Mis`de*mean"or\, n.
1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. --Shak.
2. (Law) A crime less than a felony. --Wharton.
Note: As a rule, in the old English law, offenses capitally
punishable were felonies; all other indictable offenses
were misdemeanors. In common usage, the word crime is
employed to denote the offenses of a deeper and more
atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less
consequence are comprised under the gentler name of
misdemeanors. --Blackstone. The distinction, however,
between felonies and misdemeanors is purely arbitrary,
and is in most jurisdictions either abrogated or so far
reduced as to be without practical value. Cf. {Felony}.
--Wharton.
Syn: Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass;
transgression.
Misdempt \Mis*dempt"\, obs.
p. p. of {Misdeem}. --Spenser.
Misdepart \Mis`de*part"\, v. t.
To distribute wrongly. [Obs.]
He misdeparteth riches temporal. --Chaucer.
Misderive \Mis`de*rive"\, v. t.
1. To turn or divert improperly; to misdirect. [Obs.] --Bp.
Hall.
2. To derive erroneously.
Misdescribe \Mis`de*scribe"\, v. t.
To describe wrongly.
Misdesert \Mis`de*sert"\, n.
Ill desert. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misdevotion \Mis`de*vo"tion\, n.
Mistaken devotion.
Misdiet \Mis*di"et\, n.
Improper. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misdiet \Mis*di"et\, v. t.
To diet improperly.
Misdight \Mis*dight"\, a.
Arrayed, prepared, or furnished, unsuitably. [Archaic] --Bp.
Hall.
Misdirect \Mis`di*rect"\, v. t.
To give a wrong direction to; as, to misdirect a passenger,
or a letter; to misdirect one's energies. --Shenstone.
Misdirection \Mis`di*rec"tion\, n.
1. The act of directing wrongly, or the state of being so
directed.
2. (Law) An error of a judge in charging the jury on a matter
of law. --Mozley & W.
Misdisposition \Mis*dis`po*si"tion\, n.
Erroneous disposal or application. --Bp. Hall.
Misdistinguish \Mis`dis*tin"guish\, v. t.
To make wrong distinctions in or concerning. --Hooker.
Misdivide \Mis`di*vide"\, v. t.
To divide wrongly.
Misdivision \Mis`di*vi"sion\, n.
Wrong division.
Misdo \Mis*do"\, v. t. [imp. {Misdid}; p. p. {Misdone}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misdoing}.] [AS. misd?n. See {Do}, v.]
1. To do wrongly.
Afford me place to show what recompense To wards
thee I intend for what I have misdone. --Milton.
2. To do wrong to; to illtreat. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Misdo \Mis*do"\, v. i.
To do wrong; to commit a fault.
I have misdone, and I endure the smart. --Dryden.
Misdoer \Mis*do"er\, n.
A wrongdoer. --Spenser.
Misdoing \Mis*do"ing\, n.
A wrong done; a fault or crime; an offense; as, it was my
misdoing.
Misdoubt \Mis*doubt"\, v. t. & i.
To be suspicious of; to have suspicion. [Obs.]
I do not misdoubt my wife. --Shak.
Misdoubt \Mis*doubt"\, n.
1. Suspicion. [Obs.]
2. Irresolution; hesitation. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misdoubtful \Mis*doubt"ful\, a
Misgiving; hesitating. [Obs.] ``Her misdoubtful mind.''
--Spenser.
Misdread \Mis*dread"\, n.
Dread of evil. [Obs.]
Mise \Mise\, n. [F. mise a putting, setting, expense, fr. mis,
mise, p. p. of mettre to put, lay, fr. LL. mittere to send.]
1. (Law) The issue in a writ of right.
2. Expense; cost; disbursement. [Obs.]
3. A tax or tallage; in Wales, an honorary gift of the people
to a new king or prince of Wales; also, a tribute paid, in
the country palatine of Chester, England, at the change of
the owner of the earldom. [Obs.]
Misease \Mis*ease"\, n. [OE. mesaise, OF. mesaise.]
Want of ease; discomfort; misery. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Miseased \Mis*eased"\, a.
Having discomfort or misery; troubled. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Miseasy \Mis*eas"y\, a.
Not easy; painful. [Obs.]
Misedition \Mis`e*di"tion\, n.
An incorrect or spurious edition. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Miseducate \Mis*ed"u*cate\ (?; 135), v. t.
To educate in a wrong manner.
Misemploy \Mis`em*ploy"\, v. t.
To employ amiss; as, to misemploy time, advantages, talents,
etc.
Their frugal father's gains they misemploy. --Dryden.
Misemployment \Mis`em*ploy"ment\, n.
Wrong or mistaken employment. --Johnson.
Misenter \Mis*en"ter\, v. t.
To enter or insert wrongly, as a charge in an account.
Misentreat \Mis`en*treat"\, v. t.
To treat wrongfully. [Obs.] --Grafton.
Misentry \Mis*en"try\, n.
An erroneous entry or charge, as of an account.
Miser \Mi"ser\, n. [L. miser wretched, miserable; cf. Gr. ?
hate, ?, ? to hate: cf. It. & Sp. misero wretched,
avaricious.]
1. A wretched person; a person afflicted by any great
misfortune. [Obs.] --Spenser.
The woeful words of a miser now despairing. --Sir P.
Sidney.
2. A despicable person; a wretch. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. A covetous, grasping, mean person; esp., one having
wealth, who lives miserably for the sake of saving and
increasing his hoard.
As some lone miser, visiting his store, Bends at his
treasure, counts, recounts it o'er. --Goldsmith.
4. A kind of large earth auger. --Knight.
Miserable \Mis"er*a*ble\, a. [F. mis['e]rable, L. miserabilis,
fr. miserari to lament, pity, fr. miser wretched. See
{Miser}.]
1. Very unhappy; wretched.
What hopes delude thee, miserable man? --Dryden.
2. Causing unhappiness or misery.
What 's more miserable than discontent? --Shak.
3. Worthless; mean; despicable; as, a miserable fellow; a
miserable dinner.
Miserable comforters are ye all. --Job xvi. 2.
4. Avaricious; niggardly; miserly. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Syn: Abject; forlorn; pitiable; wretched.
Miserable \Mis"er*a*ble\, n.
A miserable person. [Obs.] --Sterne.
Miserableness \Mis"er*a*ble*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being miserable.
Miserably \Mis"er*a*bly\, adv.
In a miserable; unhappily; calamitously; wretchedly; meanly.
They were miserably entertained. --Sir P.
Sidney.
The fifth was miserably stabbed to death. --South.
Miseration \Mis`er*a"tion\, n.
Commiseration. [Obs.]
Miserere \Mis`e*re"re\, n. [L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have
mercy, fr. miser. See {Miser}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The psalm usually appointed for penitential
acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It
commences with the word miserere.
2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm.
Where only the wind signs miserere. --Lowell.
3. (Arch.) A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under
side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see {Stall}).
It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some
support to a worshiper when standing. Called also
misericordia.
4. (Med.) Same as {Ileus}.
Misericorde \Mis"er*i*corde"\, n. [F. mis['e]ricorde. See
{Misericordia}.]
1. Compassion; pity; mercy. [Obs.]
2. (Anc. Armor.) Same as {Misericordia}, 2.
Misericordia \Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a\, n. [L., mercy, compassion;
miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.]
1. (O. Law) An amercement. --Burrill.
2. (Anc. Armor.) A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the
Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or
``mercy'' stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. (Eccl.) An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a
member of a religious order. --Shipley.
Miserly \Mi"ser*ly\, a. [From {Miser}.]
Like a miser; very covetous; sordid; niggardly.
Syn: Avaricious; niggardly; sordid; parsimonious; penurious;
covetous; stingy; mean. See {Avaricious}.
Misery \Mi"ser*y\, n.; pl. {Miseries}. [OE. miserie, L. miseria,
fr. miser wretched: cf. F. mis[`e]re, OF. also, miserie.]
1. Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind;
wretchedness; distress; woe. --Chaucer.
Destruction and misery are in their ways. --Rom.
iii. 16.
2. Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune.
When we our betters see bearing our woes, We
scarcely think our miseries our foes. --Shak.
3. Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice. [Obs.]
Syn: Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish;
distress; calamity; misfortune.
Misesteem \Mis`es*teem"\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]sestime.]
Want of esteem; disrespect. --Johnson.
Misestimate \Mis*es"ti*mate\, v. t.
To estimate erroneously. --J. S. Mill.
Misexplanation \Mis*ex`pla*na"tion\, n.
An erroneous explanation.
Misexplication \Mis*ex`pli*ca"tion\, n.
Wrong explication.
Misexposition \Mis*ex`po*si"tion\, n.
Wrong exposition.
Misexpound \Mis`ex*pound"\, v. t.
To expound erroneously.
Misexpression \Mis`ex*pres"sion\, n.
Wrong expression.
Misfaith \Mis*faith"\, n.
Want of faith; distrust. ``[Anger] born of your misfaith.''
--Tennyson.
Misfall \Mis*fall"\, v. t. [imp. {Misfell}; p. p. {Misfallen};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Misfalling}.]
To befall, as ill luck; to happen to unluckily. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Misfare \Mis*fare"\, v. i. [AS. misfaran.]
To fare ill. [Obs.] -- n. Misfortune. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misfashion \Mis*fash"ion\, v. t.
To form wrongly.
Misfeasance \Mis*fea"sance\, n. [OF. pref. mes- wrong (L. minus
less) + faisance doing, fr. faire to do, L. facere. Cf.
{Malfeasance}.] (Law)
A trespass; a wrong done; the improper doing of an act which
a person might lawfully do. --Bouvier. Wharton.
Misfeature \Mis*fea"ture\, n.
Ill feature. [R.] --Keats.
Misfeeling \Mis*feel"ing\, a.
Insensate. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Misfeign \Mis*feign"\, v. i.
To feign with an evil design. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misfit \Mis*fit"\, n.
1. The act or the state of fitting badly; as, a misfit in
making a coat; a ludicrous misfit.
2. Something that fits badly, as a garment.
I saw an uneasy change in Mr. Micawber, which sat
tightly on him, as if his new duties were a misfit.
--Dickens.
Misform \Mis*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misformed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misforming}.]
To make in an ill form. --Spenser.
Misformation \Mis`for*ma"tion\, n.
Malformation.
Misfortunate \Mis*for"tu*nate\ (?; 135), a.
Producing misfortune. [Obs.]
Misfortune \Mis*for"tune\, n.
Bad fortune or luck; calamity; an evil accident; disaster;
mishap; mischance.
Consider why the change was wrought, You 'll find his
misfortune, not his fault. --Addison.
Syn: Calamity; mishap; mischance; misadventure; ill; harm;
disaster. See {Calamity}.
Misfortune \Mis*for"tune\, v. i.
To happen unluckily or unfortunately; to miscarry; to fail.
[Obs.] --Stow.
Misfortuned \Mis*for"tuned\, a.
Unfortunate. [Obs.]
Misframe \Mis*frame"\, v. t.
To frame wrongly.
Misget \Mis*get"\, v. t.
To get wrongfully. [Obs.]
Misgie \Mis*gie"\, v. t.
See {Misgye}. [Obs.]
Misgive \Mis*give"\, v. t. [imp. {Misgave}; p. p. {Misgiven}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Misgiving}.]
1. To give or grant amiss. [Obs.] --Laud.
2. Specifically: To give doubt and apprehension to, instead
of confidence and courage; to impart fear to; to make
irresolute; -- usually said of the mind or heart, and
followed by the objective personal pronoun.
So doth my heart misgive me in these conflicts What
may befall him, to his harm and ours. --Shak.
Such whose consciences misgave them, how ill they
had deserved. --Milton.
3. To suspect; to dread. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misgive \Mis*give"\, v. i.
To give out doubt and apprehension; to be fearful or
irresolute. ``My mind misgives.'' --Shak.
Misgiving \Mis*giv"ing\, n.
Evil premonition; doubt; distrust. ``Suspicious and
misgivings.'' --South.
Migo \Mi*go"\, v. i.
To go astray. --Spenser.
Misgotten \Mis*got"ten\, a.
Unjustly gotten. --Spenser.
Misgovern \Mis*gov"ern\, v. t.
To govern ill; as, to misgovern a country. --Knolles.
Misgovernance \Mis*gov"ern*ance\, n.
Misgovernment; misconduct; misbehavior. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Spenser.
Misgoverned \Mis*gov"erned\, a.
Ill governed, as a people; ill directed. ``Rude, misgoverned
hands.'' --Shak.
Misgovernment \Mis*gov"ern*ment\, n.
Bad government; want of government. --Shak.
Misgracious \Mis*gra"cious\, a.
Not gracious. [Obs.]
Misgraff \Mis*graff"\, v. t.
To misgraft. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misgraft \Mis*graft"\, v. t.
To graft wrongly.
Misground \Mis*ground"\, v. t.
To found erroneously. ``Misgrounded conceit.'' --Bp. Hall.
Misgrowth \Mis*growth"\, n.
Bad growth; an unnatural or abnormal growth.
Misguess \Mis*guess"\, v. t. & i.
To guess wrongly.
Misguidance \Mis*guid"ance\, n.
Wrong guidance.
Misguide \Mis*guide"\, v. t.
To guide wrongly; to lead astray; as, to misguide the
understanding.
Misguide \Mis*guide"\, n.
Misguidance; error. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misguiding \Mis*guid"ing\, a.
Misleading. -- {Mis*guid"ing*ly}, adv.
Misgye \Mis*gye"\, v. t.
To misguide. [Obs.]
Mishandle \Mis*han"dle\, v. t.
To handle ill or wrongly; to maltreat.
Mishap \Mis*hap"\, n.
Evil accident; ill luck; misfortune; mischance. --Chaucer.
Secure from worldly chances and mishaps. --Shak.
Mishap \Mis*hap"\, v. i.
To happen unluckily; -- used impersonally. [Obs.] ``If that
me mishap.'' --Chaucer.
Mishappen \Mis*hap"pen\, v. i.
To happen ill or unluckily. --Spenser.
Mishappy \Mis*hap"py\, a.
Unhappy. [Obs.]
Mishcup \Mish*cup"\, n. [See {Scup}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The scup. [Local, U. S.]
Mishear \Mis*hear"\, v. t. & i.
To hear incorrectly.
Mishmash \Mish"mash`\, n. [Cf. G. mish-mash, fr. mischen to
mix.]
A hotchpotch. --Sir T. Herbert.
Mishna \Mish"na\, n. [NHeb. mishn[=a]h, i. e., repetition,
doubling, explanation (of the divine law), fr. Heb.
sh[=a]n[=a]h to change, to repeat.]
A collection or digest of Jewish traditions and explanations
of Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud. [Written also
{Mischna}.]
Mishnic \Mish"nic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Mishna.
Misimagination \Mis`im*ag`i*na"tion\, n.
Wrong imagination; delusion. --Bp. Hall.
Misimprove \Mis`im*prove"\, v. t.
To use for a bad purpose; to abuse; to misuse; as, to
misimprove time, talents, advantages, etc. --South.
Misimprovement \Mis`im*prove"ment\, n.
Ill use or employment; use for a bad purpose.
Misincline \Mis"in*cline"\, v. t.
To cause to have a wrong inclination or tendency; to affect
wrongly.
Misinfer \Mis`in*fer"\, v. t.
To infer incorrectly.
Misinform \Mis`in*form"\, v. t.
To give untrue information to; to inform wrongly.
Misinform \Mis`in*form"\, v. i.
To give untrue information; (with against) to calumniate.
[R.] --Bp. Montagu.
Misinformant \Mis`in*form"ant\, n.
A misinformer.
Misinformation \Mis*in`for*ma"tion\, n.
Untrue or incorrect information. --Bacon.
Misinformer \Mis`in*form"er\, n.
One who gives or incorrect information.
Misinstruct \Mis`in*struct"\, v. t.
To instruct amiss.
Misinstruction \Mis`in*struc"tion\, n.
Wrong or improper instruction.
Misintelligence \Mis`in*tel"li*gence\, n.
1. Wrong information; misinformation.
2. Disagreement; misunderstanding. [Obs.]
Misintend \Mis`in*tend"\, v. t.
To aim amiss. [Obs.]
Misinterpret \Mis`in*ter"pret\, v. t.
To interpret erroneously; to understand or to explain in a
wrong sense.
Misinterpretable \Mis`in*ter"pret*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being misinterpreted; liable to be misunderstood.
Misinterpretation \Mis`in*ter"pre*ta"tion\, n.
The act of interpreting erroneously; a mistaken
interpretation.
Misinterpreter \Mis`in*ter"pret*er\, n.
One who interprets erroneously.
Misjoin \Mis*join"\, v. t.
To join unfitly or improperly.
Misjoinder \Mis*join"der\, n. (Law)
An incorrect union of parties or of causes of action in a
procedure, criminal or civil. --Wharton.
Misjudge \Mis*judge"\, v. t. & i.
To judge erroneously or unjustly; to err in judgment; to
misconstrue.
Misjudgment \Mis*judg"ment\, n. [Written also misjudgement.]
A wrong or unjust judgment.
Miskeep \Mis*keep"\, v. t.
To keep wrongly. --Chaucer.
Misken \Mis*ken"\, v. t.
Not to know. [Obs.]
Miskin \Mis"kin\, n. [Prob. for music + -kin.] (Mus.)
A little bagpipe. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Miskindle \Mis*kin"dle\, v. t.
To kindle amiss; to inflame to a bad purpose; to excite
wrongly.
Misknow \Mis*know"\, v. t.
To have a mistaken notion of or about. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Mislactation \Mis`lac*ta"tion\, n. (Med.)
Defective flow or vitiated condition of the milk.
Mislay \Mis*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mislaid}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mislaying}.]
1. To lay in a wrong place; to ascribe to a wrong source.
The fault is generally mislaid upon nature. --Locke.
2. To lay in a place not recollected; to lose.
The . . . charter, indeed, was unfortunately
mislaid: and the prayer of their petition was to
obtain one of like import in its stead. --Hallam.
Mislayer \Mis*lay"er\, n.
One who mislays.
Misle \Mi"sle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Misled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Misling}.] [Prop. mistle, fr. mist. Cf. {Mistle}, {Mizzle}.]
To rain in very fine drops, like a thick mist; to mizzle.
Misle \Mi"sle\, n.
A fine rain; a thick mist; mizzle.
Mislead \Mis*lead"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Misleading}.] [AS. misl?dan. See {Mis-}, and {Lead} to
conduct.]
To lead into a wrong way or path; to lead astray; to guide
into error; to cause to mistake; to deceive.
Trust not servants who mislead or misinform you.
--Bacon.
To give due light To the mislead and lonely traveler.
--Milton.
Syn: To delude; deceive. See {Deceive}.
Misleader \Mis*lead"er\, n.
One who leads into error.
Misleading \Mis*lead"ing\, a.
Leading astray; delusive.
Mislearn \Mis*learn"\, v. t.
To learn wrongly.
Misled \Mis*led"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Mislead}.
Milen \Mi"len\, n.
See {Maslin}.
Misletoe \Mis"le*toe\, n.
See {Mistletoe}.
Mislight \Mis*light"\, v. t.
To deceive or lead astray with a false light. --Herrick.
Mislike \Mis*like"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Misliked}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Misliking}.] [AS. misl[=i]cian to displease. See
{Like}, v.]
To dislike; to disapprove of; to have aversion to; as, to
mislike a man.
Who may like or mislike what he says. --I. Taylor.
Mislike \Mis*like"\, n.
Dislike; disapprobation; aversion.
Misliker \Mis*lik"er\, n.
One who dislikes.
Misliking \Mis*lik"ing\, n.
Dislike; aversion.
Mislin \Mis"lin\, n. & a.
See {Maslin}.
Mislive \Mis*live"\, v. i.
To live amiss.
Mislodge \Mis*lodge"\, v. t.
To lodge amiss. [Obs.]
Misluck \Mis*luck"\, n.
Ill luck; misfortune.
Misly \Mis"ly\, a.
Raining in very small drops.
Mistake \Mis*take"\, v. t.
To make or form amiss; to spoil in making. ``Limping
possibilities of mismade human nature.'' --Mrs. Browning.
Mismanage \Mis*man"age\, v. t. & i.
To manage ill or improperly; as, to mismanage public affairs.
Mismanagement \Mis*man"age*ment\, n.
Wrong or bad management; as, he failed through mismagement.
Mismanager \Mis*man"a*ger\, n.
One who manages ill.
Mismark \Mis*mark"\, v. t.
To mark wrongly.
Mismatch \Mis*match"\, v. t.
To match unsuitably.
Mismate \Mis*mate"\, v. t.
To mate wrongly or unsuitably; as, to mismate gloves or
shoes; a mismated couple.
Mismeasure \Mis*meas"ure\ (?; 135), v. t.
To measure or estimate incorrectly.
Mismeasurement \Mis*meas"ure*ment\, n.
Wrong measurement.
Mismeter \Mis*me"ter\, v. t.
To give the wrong meter to, as to a line of verse. [R.]
--Chaucer.
Misname \Mis*name"\, v. t.
To call by the wrong name; to give a wrong or inappropriate
name to.
Misnomer \Mis*no"mer\, n. [OF. pref. mes- amiss, wrong (L. minus
less) + F. nommer to name, L. nominare, fr. nomen name. See
{Name}.]
The misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a
complaint or indictment; any misnaming of a person or thing;
a wrong or inapplicable name or title.
Many of the changes, by a great misnomer, called
parliamentary ``reforms''. --Burke.
The word ``synonym'' is fact a misnomer. --Whatel?.
Misnomer \Mis*no"mer\, v. t.
To misname. [R.]
Misnumber \Mis*num"ber\, v. t.
To number wrongly.
Misnurture \Mis*nur"ture\ (?; 135), v. t.
To nurture or train wrongly; as, to misnurture children.
--Bp. Hall.
Misobedience \Mis`o*be"di*ence\, n.
Mistaken obedience; disobedience. [Obs.] --Milton.
Misobserve \Mis`ob*serve"\, v. t.
To observe inaccurately; to mistake in observing. --Locke.
Misobserver \Mis`ob*serv"er\, n.
One who misobserves; one who fails to observe properly.
Misogamist \Mi*sog"a*mist\, n. [Gr. ? to hate + ? marriage.]
A hater of marriage.
Misogamy \Mi*sog"a*my\, n. [Cf. F. misogamie.]
Hatre? of marriage.
Misogynist \Mi*sog"y*nist\, n. [Gr. ?, ?; ? to hate + ? woman:
cf. F. misogyne.]
A woman hater. --Fuller.
Misogynous \Mi*sog"y*nous\, a.
Hating women.
Misogyny \Mi*sog"y*ny\ (?; 277), n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. misogynie.]
Hatred of women. --Johnson.
Misology \Mi*sol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? to hate + ? discourse.]
Hatred of argument or discussion; hatred of enlightenment.
--G. H. Lewes.
Misopinion \Mis`o*pin"ion\, n.
Wrong opinion. [Obs.]
Misorder \Mis*or"der\, v. t.
To order ill; to manage erroneously; to conduct badly. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Misorder \Mis*or"der\, n.
Irregularity; disorder. [Obs.] --Camden.
Misorderly \Mis*or"der*ly\, a.
Irregular; disorderly. [Obs.]
Misordination \Mis*or`di*na"tion\, n.
Wrong ordination.
Misotheism \Mis"o*the`ism\, n. [Gr. ? to hate + ? god.]
Hatred of God. --De Quincey.
Mispaint \Mis*paint"\, v. t.
To paint ill, or wrongly.
Mispassion \Mis*pas"sion\, n.
Wrong passion or feeling. [Obs.]
Mispay \Mis*pay"\, v. t. [Cf. {Appay}.]
To dissatisfy. [Obs.]
Mispell \Mis*pell"\, v. t., Mispend \Mis*pend"\, v. t., etc.
See {Misspell}, {Misspend}, etc.
Mispense \Mis*pense"\, n.
See {Misspense}. --Bp. Hall.
Misperception \Mis`per*cep"tion\, n.
Erroneous perception.
Mispersuade \Mis`per*suade"\, v. t.
To persuade amiss.
Mispersuasion \Mis`per*sua"sion\, n.
A false persuasion; wrong notion or opinion. --Dr. H. More.
Mispickel \Mis*pick"el\, n. [G.] (Min.)
Arsenical iron pyrites; arsenopyrite.
Misplace \Mis*place"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misplaced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misplacing}.]
To put in a wrong place; to set or place on an improper or
unworthy object; as, he misplaced his confidence.
Misplacement \Mis*place"ment\, n.
The act of misplacing, or the state of being misplaced.
Misplead \Mis*plead"\, v. i.
To err in pleading.
Mispleading \Mis*plead"ing\, n. (Law)
An error in pleading.
Mispoint \Mis*point"\, v. t.
To point improperly; to punctuate wrongly.
Mispolicy \Mis*pol"i*cy\, n.
Wrong policy; impolicy.
Mispractice \Mis*prac"tice\, n.
Wrong practice.
Mispraise \Mis*praise"\, v. t.
To praise amiss.
Misprint \Mis*print"\, v. t.
To print wrong.
Misprint \Mis*print"\, n.
A mistake in printing; a deviation from the copy; as, a book
full of misprints.
Misprise \Mis*prise"\, v. t.
See {Misprize}. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misprise \Mis*prise"\, v. t. [OF. mesprise mistake, F.
m['e]prise, fr. mespris, masc., mesprise, fem., p. p. of
mesprendre to mistake; F. m['e]prendre; pref. mes- amiss +
prendre to take, L. prehendere.]
To mistake. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misprision \Mis*pri"sion\, n. [LL. misprisio, or OF. mesprison,
prop., a mistaking, but confused with OF. mespris contempt,
F. m['e]pris. See 2d {Misprise}, {Misprize}, {Prison}.]
1. The act of misprising; misapprehension; misconception;
mistake. [Archaic] --Fuller.
The misprision of this passage has aided in
fostering the delusive notion. --Hare.
2. Neglect; undervaluing; contempt. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. (Law) A neglect, negligence, or contempt.
Note: In its larger and older sense it was used to signify
``every considerable misdemeanor which has not a
certain name given to it in the law.'' --Russell. In a
more modern sense it is applied exclusively to two
offenses: -- 1. Misprision of treason, which is
omission to notify the authorities of an act of treason
by a person cognizant thereof. --Stephen. 2. Misprision
of felony, which is a concealment of a felony by a
person cognizant thereof. --Stephen.
Misprize \Mis*prize"\, v. t. [OF. mesprisier to deprise, F.
m['e]priser; pref. amiss, wrong (L. minus less + LL. pretium
price. See {price}, {Prize}, v.]
To slight or undervalue.
O, for those vanished hours, so much misprized!
--Hillhouse.
I do not blame them, madam, nor misprize. --Mrs.
Browning.
Misproceeding \Mis`pro*ceed"ing\, n.
Wrong or irregular proceding.
Misprofess \Mis`pro*fess"\, v. i.
To make a false profession; to make pretensions to skill
which is not possessed.
Misprofess \Mis`pro*fess"\, v. t.
To make a false profession of.
Mispronounce \Mis`pro*nounce"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Mispronounced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mispronouncing}.]
To pronounce incorrectly.
Mispronunciation \Mis`pro*nun`ci*a"tion\ (? or ?), n.
Wrong or improper pronunciation.
Misproportion \Mis`pro*por"tion\, v. t.
To give wrong proportions to; to join without due proportion.
Misproud \Mis*proud"\, a.
Viciously proud. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mispunctuate \Mis*punc"tu*ate\ (?; 135), v. t.
To punctuate wrongly or incorrectly.
Misquotation \Mis`quo*ta"tion\, n.
Erroneous or inaccurate quotation.
Misquote \Mis*quote"\, v. t. & i.
To quote erroneously or incorrectly. --Shak.
Misraise \Mis*raise"\, v. t.
To raise or exite unreasonable. ``Misraised fury.'' --Bp.
Hall.
Misrate \Mis*rate"\, v. t.
To rate erroneously.
Misread \Mis*read"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misread}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Misreading}.]
To read amiss; to misunderstand in reading.
Misreceive \Mis`re*ceive"\, v. t.
To receive wrongly.
Misrecital \Mis`re*cit"al\, n.
An inaccurate recital.
Misrecite \Mis`re*cite"\, v. t. & i.
To recite erroneously.
Misreckon \Mis*reck"on\, v. t. & i.
To reckon wrongly; to miscalculate. --Swift.
Misreckoning \Mis*reck"on*ing\, n.
An erroneous computation.
Misrecollect \Mis*rec`ol*lect"\, v. t. & i.
To have an erroneous remembrance of; to suppose erroneously
that one recollects. --Hitchcock.
Misrecollection \Mis*rec`ol*lec"tion\, n.
Erroneous or inaccurate recollection.
Misreform \Mis`re*form"\, v. t.
To reform wrongly or imperfectly.
Misregard \Mis`re*gard"\, n.
Wrong understanding; misconstruction. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misregulate \Mis*reg"u*late\, v. t.
To regulate wrongly or imperfectly; to fail to regulate.
Misrehearse \Mis`re*hearse"\, v. t.
To rehearse or quote incorrectly. --Sir T. More.
Misrelate \Mis`re*late"\, v. t.
To relate inaccurately.
Misrelation \Mis`re*la"tion\, n.
Erroneous relation or narration. --Abp. Bramhall.
Misreligion \Mis`re*li"gion\, n.
False religion. [R.]
Misremember \Mis`re*mem"ber\, v. t. & i.
To mistake in remembering; not to remember correctly. --Sir
T. More.
Misrender \Mis*ren"der\, v. t.
To render wrongly; to translate or recite wrongly. --Boyle.
Misrepeat \Mis`re*peat"\, v. t.
To repeat wrongly; to give a wrong version of. --Gov.
Winthrop.
Misreport \Mis`re*port"\, v. t. & i.
To report erroneously; to give an incorrect account of.
--Locke.
Misreport \Mis`re*port"\, n.
An erroneous report; a false or incorrect account given.
--Denham. South.
Misrepresent \Mis*rep`re*sent"\, v. t.
To represent incorrectly (almost always, unfacorably); to
give a false erroneous representation of, either maliciously,
ignirantly, or carelessly. --Swift.
Misrepresent \Mis*rep`re*sent"\, v. i.
To make an incorrect or untrue representation. --Milton.
Misrepresentation \Mis*rep`re*sen*ta"tion\, n.
Untrue representation; false or incorrect statement or
account; -- usually unfavorable to the thing represented; as,
a misrepresentation of a person's motives. --Sydney Smith.
Note: In popular use, this word often conveys the idea of
intentional untruth.
Misrepresentative \Mis*rep`re*sent"a*tive\, a.
Tending to convey a wrong impression; misrepresenting.
Misrepresenter \Mis*rep`re*sent"er\, n.
One who misrepresents.
Misrepute \Mis`re*pute"\, v. t.
To have in wrong estimation; to repute or estimate
erroneously.
Misrule \Mis*rule"\, v. t. & i.
To rule badly; to misgovern.
Misrule \Mis*rule"\, n.
1. The act, or the result, of misruling.
2. Disorder; confusion; tumult from insubordination.
Enormous riot and misrule surveyed. --Pope.
{Abbot}, or {Lord}, {of Misrule}. See under {Abbot}, and
{Lord}.
Misruly \Mis*rul"y\, a.
Unruly. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Miss \Miss\, n.; pl. {Misses}. [Contr. fr. mistress.]
1. A title of courtesy prefixed to the name of a girl or a
woman who has not been married. See {Mistress}, 5.
Note: There is diversity of usage in the application of this
title to two or more persons of the same name. We may
write either the Miss Browns or the Misses Brown.
2. A young unmarried woman or a girl; as, she is a miss of
sixteen.
Gay vanity, with smiles and kisses, Was busy 'mongst
the maids and misses. --Cawthorn.
3. A kept mistress. See {Mistress}, 4. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
4. (Card Playing) In the game of three-card loo, an extra
hand, dealt on the table, which may be substituted for the
hand dealt to a player.
Miss \Miss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Missed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Missing}.] [AS. missan; akin to D. & G. missen, OHG. missan,
Icel. missa, Sw. mista, Dan. miste. [root]100. See {Mis-},
pref.]
1. To fail of hitting, reaching, getting, finding, seeing,
hearing, etc.; as, to miss the mark one shoots at; to miss
the train by being late; to miss opportunites of getting
knowledge; to miss the point or meaning of something said.
When a man misses his great end, happiness, he will
acknowledge he judged not right. --Locke.
2. To omit; to fail to have or to do; to get without; to
dispense with; -- now seldom applied to persons.
She would never miss, one day, A walk so fine, a
sight so gay. --Prior.
We cannot miss him; he does make our fire, Fetch in
our wood. --Shak.
3. To discover the absence or omission of; to feel the want
of; to mourn the loss of; to want. --Shak.
Neither missed we anything . . . Nothing was missed
of all that pertained unto him. --1 Sam. xxv.
15, 21.
What by me thou hast lost, thou least shalt miss.
--Milton.
{To miss stays}. (Naut.) See under {Stay}.
Miss \Miss\, v. i.
1. To fail to hit; to fly wide; to deviate from the true
direction.
Men observe when things hit, and not when they miss.
--Bacon.
Flying bullets now, To execute his rage, appear too
slow; They miss, or sweep but common souls away.
--Waller.
2. To fail to obtain, learn, or find; -- with of.
Upon the least reflection, we can not miss of them.
--Atterbury.
3. To go wrong; to err. [Obs.]
Amongst the angels, a whole legion Of wicked sprites
did fall from happy bliss; What wonder then if one,
of women all, did miss? --Spenser.
4. To be absent, deficient, or wanting. [Obs.] See {Missing},
a.
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
--Shak.
Miss \Miss\, n.
1. The act of missing; failure to hit, reach, find, obtain,
etc.
2. Loss; want; felt absence. [Obs.]
There will be no great miss of those which are lost.
--Locke.
3. Mistake; error; fault. --Shak.
He did without any great miss in the hardest points
of grammar. --Ascham.
4. Harm from mistake. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Missa \Mis"sa\, n.; pl. {Miss[ae]}. [LL. See 1st {Mass}.]
(R.C.Ch.)
The service or sacrifice of the Mass.
Missal \Mis"sal\, n. [LL. missale, liber missalis, from missa
mass: cf. F. missel. See 1st {Mass}.]
The book containing the service of the Mass for the entire
year; a Mass book.
Missal \Mis"sal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Mass, or to a missal or Mass book.
--Bp. Hall.
Missay \Mis*say"\, v. t.
1. To say wrongly.
2. To speak evil of; to slander. [Obs.]
Missay \Mis*say"\, v. i.
To speak ill. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misseek \Mis*seek"\, v. t.
To seek for wrongly. [Obs.]
Misseem \Mis*seem"\, v. i.
1. To make a false appearance. [Obs.]
2. To misbecome; to be misbecoming. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Missel \Mis"sel\, n.
Mistletoe. [Obs.]
{Missel bird}, {Missel thrush} (Zo["o]l.), a large European
thrush ({Turdus viscivorus}) which feeds on the berries of
the mistletoe; -- called also {mistletoe thrush} and
missel.
Misseldine \Mis"sel*dine\, n. [See {Mistletoe}.] [Written also
{misselden}.]
The mistletoe. [Obs.] --Baret.
Misseltoe \Mis"sel*toe\, n.
See {Mistletoe}.
Missemblance \Mis*sem"blance\, n.
False resemblance or semblance. [Obs.]
Missend \Mis*send"\, v. t.
To send amiss or incorrectly.
Misserve \Mis*serve"\, v. t. & i.
To serve unfaithfully.
Misset \Mis*set"\, v. t.
To set pr place wrongly.
Misshape \Mis*shape"\, v. t.
To shape ill; to give an ill or unnatural from to; to deform.
``Figures monstrous and misshaped.'' --Pope.
Misshapen \Mis*shap"en\, a.
Having a bad or ugly form. ``The mountains are misshapen.''
--Bentley. -- {Mis*shap"en*ly}, adv. -- {Mis*shap"en*ness},
n.
Missheathed \Mis*sheathed"\, a.
Sheathed by mistake; wrongly sheathed; sheathed in a wrong
place. --Shak.
Missificate \Mis*sif"i*cate\, v. i. [LL. missa Mass + -ficare
(in comp.) to make. See {fy-}.]
To perform Mass. [Obs.] --Milton.
Missile \Mis"sile\, a. [L. missils, fr. mittere, missum, to
cause to go, to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf.
F. missile. Cf. {Admit}, {Dismiss}, {Mass} the religious
service, {Message}, {Mission}.]
Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be
projected from the hand, or from any instrument or rngine, so
as to strike an object at a distance.
We bend the bow, or wing the missile dart. --Pope.
Missile \Mis"sile\, n. [L. missile.]
A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projcted, as a
lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
Missing \Miss"ing\, a. [From {Miss}, v. i.]
Absent from the place where it was expected to be found;
lost; wanting; not present when called or looked for.
Neither was there aught missing unto them. --1 Sam.
xxv. 7.
For a time caught up to God, as once Moses was in the
mount, and missing long. --Milton.
Missingly \Miss"ing*ly\, adv.
With a sense of loss. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mission \Mis"sion\, n. [L. missio, fr. mittere, missum, to send:
cf. F. mission. See {Missile}.]
1. The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being
sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for
transacting business; comission.
Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late,
Made emulous missions' mongst the gods themselves.
--Shak.
2. That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an
errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a
commission.
How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of
being on earth, and mission high. --Milton.
3. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform
any service; a delegation; an embassy.
In these ships there should be a mission of three of
the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house. --Bacon.
4. An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station
or residence of missionaries.
5. An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or
more churches.
6. A course of extraordinary sermons and services at a
particular place and time for the special purpose of
quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of
converting unbelievers. --Addis & Arnold.
7. Dismission; discharge from service. [Obs.]
{Mission school}.
(a) A school connected with a mission and conducted by
missionaries.
(b) A school for the religious instruction of children not
having regular church privileges.
Syn: Message; errand; commission; deputation.
Mission \Mis"sion\, v. t.
To send on a mission. [Mostly used in the form of the past
participle.] --Keats.
Missionary \Mis"sion*ary\, n.; pl. {Missionaries}. [Cf. F.
missionnaire. See {Mission}, n.]
One who is sent on a mission; especially, one sent to
propagate religion. --Swift.
{Missionary apostolic}, a Roman Catholic missionary sent by
commission from the pope.
Missionary \Mis"sion*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to missions; as, a missionary meeting; a
missionary fund.
Missioner \Mis"sion*er\, n.
A missionary; an envoy; one who conducts a mission. See
{Mission}, n., 6. ``Like mighty missioner you come.''
--Dryden.
Missis \Mis"sis\, n.
A mistress; a wife; -- so used by the illiterate. --G. Eliot.
Missish \Miss"ish\, a.
Like a miss; prim; affected; sentimental. -- {Miss"ish*ness},
n.
Missit \Mis*sit"\, v. t.
To sit badly or imperfectly upon; to misbecome. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Missive \Mis"sive\, a. [See {Missive}, n.]
1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a
letter missive. --Ayliffe.
2. Missile. ``The missive weapons fly.'' --Dryden.
{Letters missive}, letters conveying the permission, comand,
or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They
are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons,
and are distinguished from letters patent, which are
addressed to the public.
Missive \Mis"sive\, n. [F. lettre missive. See {Mission}, n.]
1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message.
2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] --Shak.
Missound \Mis*sound"\, v. t.
To sound wrongly; to utter or pronounce incorrectly.
--E,Hall.
Misspeak \Mis*speak"\, v. i.
To err in speaking.
Misspeak \Mis*speak"\, v. t.
To utter wrongly.
Misspeech \Mis*speech"\, n.
Wrong speech. [Obs.]
Misspell \Mis*spell"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misspelled}, or
{Misspelt}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Misspelling}.]
To spell incorrectly.
Misspelling \Mis*spell"ing\, n.
A wrong spelling.
Misspend \Mis*spend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misspent}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misspending}.]
To spend amiss or for wrong purposes; to aquander; to waste;
as, to misspend time or money. --J. Philips.
Misspender \Mis*spend"er\, n.
One who misspends.
misspense \mis*spense"\, n.
A spending improperly; a wasting. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Misspent \Mis*spent"\,
imp. & p. p. of {Misspend}.
Misstate \Mis*state"\, v. t.
To state wrongly; as, to misstate a question in debate. --Bp.
Sanderson.
Misstatement \Mis*state"ment\, n.
An incorrect statement.
Misstayed \Mis*stayed"\, a. (Naut.)
Having missed stays; -- said of a ship.
Misstep \Mis*step"\, n.
A wrong step; an error of conduct.
Misstep \Mis*step"\, v. i.
To take a wrong step; to go astray.
Missuccess \Mis`suc*cess"\, n.
Failure. [Obs.]
Missuggestion \Mis`sug*ges"tion\ (? or ?), n.
Wrong or evil suggestion. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Missummation \Mis`sum*ma"tion\, n.
Wrong summation.
Misswear \Mis*swear"\, v. i.
To swear falsely.
Missy \Mis"sy\, n. (Min.)
See {Misy}.
Missy \Mis"sy\, n.
An affectionate, or contemptuous, form of miss; a young girl;
a miss. -- a. Like a miss, or girl.
Mist \Mist\ (m[i^]st), n. [AS. mist; akin to D. & Sw. mist,
Icel. mistr, G. mist dung, Goth. ma['i]hstus, AS. m[=i]gan to
make water, Icel. m[=i]ga, Lith. migla mist, Russ. mgla, L.
mingere, meiere, to make water, gr. ? to make water, ? mist,
Skr. mih to make water, n., a mist m[hand]gha cloud.
[root]102. Cf. {Misle}, {Mizzle}, {Mixen}.]
1. Visible watery vapor suspended in the atmosphere, at or
near the surface of the earth; fog.
2. Coarse, watery vapor, floating or falling in visible
particles, approaching the form of rain; as, Scotch mist.
3. Hence, anything which dims or darkens, and obscures or
intercepts vision.
His passion cast a mist before his sense. --Dryden.
{Mist flower} (Bot.), a composite plant ({Eupatorium
c[oe]lestinum}), having heart-shaped leaves, and corymbs
of lavender-blue flowers. It is found in the Western and
Southern United States.
Mist \Mist\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Misted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Misting}.]
To cloud; to cover with mist; to dim. --Shak.
Mist \Mist\, v. i.
To rain in very fine drops; as, it mists.
Mistakable \Mis*tak"a*ble\, a.
Liable to be mistaken; capable of being misconceived. --Sir
T. Browne.
Mistake \Mis*take"\, v. t. [imp. & obs. p. p. {Mistook}; p. p.
{Mistaken}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mistaking}.] [Pref. mis- + take:
cf. Icel. mistaka.]
1. To take or choose wrongly. [Obs. or R.] --Shak.
2. To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand misapprehend,
or misconceive; as, to mistake a remark; to mistake one's
meaning. --Locke.
My father's purposes have been mistook. --Shak.
3. To substitute in thought or perception; as, to mistake one
person for another.
A man may mistake the love of virtue for the
practice of it. --Johnson.
4. To have a wrong idea of in respect of character,
qualities, etc.; to misjudge.
Mistake me not so much, To think my poverty is
treacherous. --Shak.
Mistake \Mis*take"\, v. i.
To err in knowledge, perception, opinion, or judgment; to
commit an unintentional error.
Servants mistake, and sometimes occasion
misunderstanding among friends. --Swift.
Mistake \Mis*take"\, n.
1. An apprehending wrongly; a misconception; a
misunderstanding; a fault in opinion or judgment; an
unintentional error of conduct.
Infallibility is an absolute security of the
understanding from all possibility of mistake.
--Tillotson.
2. (Law) Misconception, error, which when non-negligent may
be ground for rescinding a contract, or for refusing to
perform it.
{No mistake}, surely; without fail; as, it will happen at the
appointed time, and no mistake. [Low]
Syn: Blunder; error; bull. See {Blunder}.
Mistaken \Mis*tak"en\, p.a.
1. Being in error; judging wrongly; having a wrong opinion or
a misconception; as, a mistaken man; he is mistaken.
2. Erroneous; wrong; as, a mistaken notion.
Mistakenly \Mis*tak"en*ly\, adv.
By mistake. --Goldsmith.
Mistakenness \Mis*tak"en*ness\, n.
Erroneousness.
Mistaker \Mis*tak"er\, n.
One who mistakes.
Well meaning ignorance of some mistakers. --Bp. Hall.
Mistaking \Mis*tak"ing\, n.
An error; a mistake. --Shak.
Mistakingly \Mis*tak"ing*ly\, adv.
Erroneously.
Mistaught \Mis*taught"\, a. [See {Misteach}.]
Wrongly taught; as, a mistaught youth. --L'Estrange.
Misteach \Mis*teach"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mistaught}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Misteaching}.] [AS. mist?can.]
To teach wrongly; to instruct erroneously.
Mistell \Mis*tell"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mistold}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mistelling}.]
To tell erroneously.
Mistemper \Mis*tem"per\, v. t.
To temper ill; to disorder; as, to mistemper one's head.
--Warner.
This inundation of mistempered humor. --Shak.
Mister \Mis"ter\, n. [See {Master}, and cf. {Mistress}.]
A title of courtesy prefixed to the name of a man or youth.
It is usually written in the abbreviated form Mr.
To call your name, inquire your where, Or whet you
think of Mister Some-one's book, Or Mister Other's
marriage or decease. --Mrs.
Browning.
Mister \Mis"ter\, v. t.
To address or mention by the title Mr.; as, he mistered me in
a formal way. [Colloq.]
Mister \Mis"ter\, n. [OF. mistier trade, office, ministry, need,
F. m['e]tier trade, fr. L. ministerium service, office,
ministry. See {Ministry}, {Mystery} trade.] [Written also
{mester}.]
1. A trade, art, or occupation. [Obs.]
In youth he learned had a good mester. --Chaucer.
2. Manner; kind; sort. [Obs.] --Spenser.
But telleth me what mester men ye be. --Chaucer.
3. Need; necessity. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Mister \Mis"ter\, v. i.
To be needful or of use. [Obs.]
As for my name, it mistereth not to tell. --Spenser.
Misterm \Mis*term"\, v. t.
To call by a wrong name; to miscall.
Mistery \Mis"ter*y\, n.
See {Mystery}, a trade.
Mistful \Mist"ful\, a.
Clouded with, or as with, mist.
Misthink \Mis*think"\, v. i. [See {Think}.]
To think wrongly. [Obs.] ``Adam misthought of her.''
--Milton.
Misthink \Mis*think"\, v. t.
To have erroneous thoughts or judgment of; to think ill of.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Misthought \Mis*thought"\, n.
Erroneous thought; mistaken opinion; error. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Misthrive \Mis*thrive"\, v. i.
To thrive poorly; to be not thrifty or prosperous. [Obs.]
Misthrow \Mis*throw"\, v. t.
To throw wrongly.
Mistic \Mis"tic\, Mistico \Mis"ti*co\, n. [Sp. m['i]stico.]
A kind of small sailing vessel used in the Mediterranean. It
is rigged partly like a xebec, and partly like a felucca.
Mistide \Mis*tide"\, v. i. [AS. mist[=i]dan. See {Tide}.]
To happen or come to pass unfortunately; also, to suffer evil
fortune. [Obs.]
Mistigris \Mis`ti`gris"\, Mistigri \Mis`ti`gri"\, n. [F.
mistigri.]
A variety of the game of poker in which the joker is used,
and called mistigris or mistigri.
Mistihead \Mist"i*head\, n.
Mistiness. [Obs.]
Mistily \Mist"i*ly\, adv.
With mist; darkly; obscurely.
Mistime \Mis*time"\, v. t. [AS. mist[=i]main to turn out ill.]
To time wrongly; not to adapt to the time.
Mistiness \Mist"i*ness\, n.
State of being misty.
Mistion \Mis"tion\, n. [L. mistio, mixtio. See {Mix}, and cf.
{Mixtion}.]
Mixture. [Obs.]
Mistitle \Mis*ti"tle\, v. t.
To call by a wrong title.
Mistle \Mis"tle\, v. i. [Eng. mist. See {Misle}, and {Mizzle}.]
To fall in very fine drops, as rain.
Mistletoe \Mis"tle*toe\, n. [AS. mistelt[=a]n; mistel mistletoe
+ t[=a]n twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw.
mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. t[=a]n to D.
teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. {Missel}.]
(Bot.)
A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album), bearing
a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare,
it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A
bird lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also
{misletoe}, {misseltoe}, and {mistleto}.] --Lindley. Loudon.
Note: The mistletoe of the United States is {Phoradendron
flavescens}, having broader leaves than the European
kind. In different regions various similar plants are
called by this name.
Mistonusk \Mis"to*nusk\, n. [From the Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The American badger.
Mistook \Mis*took"\,
imp. & obs. p. p. of {Mistake}.
Mistradition \Mis`tra*di"tion\, n.
A wrong tradition. ``Monsters of mistradition.'' --Tennyson.
Mistrain \Mis*train"\, v. t.
To train amiss.
Mistral \Mis"tral\, n. [F., fr. Proven[,c]al.]
A violent and cold northwest wind experienced in the
Mediterranean provinces of France, etc.
Mistranslate \Mis`trans*late"\, v. t.
To translate erroneously.
Mistranslation \Mis`trans*la"tion\, n.
Wrong translation.
Mistransport \Mis`trans*port"\, v. t.
To carry away or mislead wrongfully, as by passion. [Obs.]
--Bp. Hall.
Mistreading \Mis*tread"ing\, n.
Misstep; misbehavior. ``To punish my mistreadings.'' --Shak.
Mistreat \Mis*treat"\, v. t.
To treat amiss; to abuse.
Mistreatment \Mis*treat"ment\, n.
Wrong treatment.
Mistress \Mis"tress\, n. [OE. maistress, OF. maistresse, F.
ma[^i]tresse, LL. magistrissa, for L. magistra, fem. of
magister. See {Master}, {Mister}, and cf. {Miss} a young
woman.]
1. A woman having power, authority, or ownership; a woman who
exercises authority, is chief, etc.; the female head of a
family, a school, etc.
The late queen's gentlewoman! a knight's daughter!
To be her mistress' mistress! --Shak.
2. A woman well skilled in anything, or having the mastery
over it.
A letter desires all young wives to make themselves
mistresses of Wingate's Arithmetic. --Addison.
3. A woman regarded with love and devotion; she who has
command over one's heart; a beloved object; a sweetheart.
[Poetic] --Clarendon.
4. A woman filling the place, but without the rights, of a
wife; a concubine; a loose woman with whom one consorts
habitually. --Spectator.
5. A title of courtesy formerly prefixed to the name of a
woman, married or unmarried, but now superseded by the
contracted forms, Mrs., for a married, and Miss, for an
unmarried, woman.
Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul). --Cowper.
6. A married woman; a wife. [Scot.]
Several of the neighboring mistresses had assembled
to witness the event of this memorable evening.
--Sir W.
Scott.
7. The old name of the jack at bowls. --Beau. & Fl.
{To be one's own mistress}, to be exempt from control by
another person.
Mistress \Mis"tress\, v. i.
To wait upon a mistress; to be courting. [Obs.] --Donne.
Mistressship \Mis"tress*ship\, n.
1. Female rule or dominion.
2. Ladyship, a style of address; -- with the personal
pronoun. [Obs.] --Massinger.
Mistrial \Mis*tri"al\, n. (Law)
A false or erroneous trial; a trial which has no result.
Mistrist \Mis*trist"\, v. t.
To mistrust. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mistrow \Mis*trow"\, v. i.
To think wrongly. [Obs.]
Mistrust \Mis*trust"\, n.
Want of confidence or trust; suspicion; distrust. --Milton.
Mistrust \Mis*trust"\, v. t.
1. To regard with jealousy or suspicion; to suspect; to doubt
the integrity of; to distrust.
I will never mistrust my wife again. --Shak.
2. To forebode as near, or likely to occur; to surmise.
By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing
dangers. --Shak.
Mistruster \Mis*trust"er\, n.
One who mistrusts.
Mistrustful \Mis*trust"ful\, a.
Having or causing mistrust, suspicions, or forebodings.
Their light blown out in some mistrustful wood. --Shak.
-- {Mis*trust"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Mis*trust"ful*ness}, n.
Mistrustingly \Mis*trust"ing*ly\, adv.
With distrust or suspicion.
Mistrustless \Mis*trust"less\, a.
Having no mistrust or suspicion.
The swain mistrustless of his smutted face.
--Goldsmith.
Mistune \Mis*tune"\, v. t.
To tune wrongly.
Mistura \Mis*tu"ra\, n. [L. See {Mixture}.] (Med.)
(a) A mingled compound in which different ingredients are
contained in a liquid state; a mixture. See {Mixture},
n., 4.
(b) Sometimes, a liquid medicine containing very active
substances, and which can only be administered by drops.
--Dunglison.
Misturn \Mis*turn"\, v. t.
To turn amiss; to pervert.
Mistutor \Mis*tu"tor\, v. t.
To instruct amiss.
Misty \Mist"y\, a. [Compar. {Mistier}; superl. {Mistiest}.] [AS.
mistig. See {Mist}. In some senses misty has been confused
with mystic.]
1. Accompained with mist; characterized by the presence of
mist; obscured by, or overspread with, mist; as, misty
weather; misty mountains; a misty atmosphere.
2. Obscured as if by mist; dim; obscure; clouded; as, misty
sight.
The more I muse therein [theology], The mistier it
seemeth. --Piers
Plowman.
Misunderstand \Mis*un`der*stand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Misunderstood}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Misunderstanding}.]
To misconceive; to mistake; to miscomprehend; to take in a
wrong sense.
Misunderstander \Mis*un`der*stand"er\, n.
One who misunderstands. --Sir T. More.
Misunderstanding \Mis*un`der*stand"ing\, n.
1. Mistake of the meaning; error; misconception. --Bacon.
2. Disagreement; difference of opinion; dissension; quarrel.
``Misunderstandings among friends.'' --Swift.
Misurato \Mi`su*ra"to\, a. [It.] (Mus.)
Measured; -- a direction to perform a passage in strict or
measured time.
Misusage \Mis*us"age\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]susage.]
Bad treatment; abuse. --Spenser.
Misuse \Mis*use"\, v. t. [F. m['e]suser. See {Mis-}, prefix from
French, and {Use}.]
1. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to
misapply; as, to misuse one's talents. --South.
The sweet poison of misused wine. --Milton.
2. To abuse; to treat ill.
O, she misused me past the endurance of a block.
--Shak.
Syn: To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply.
Misuse \Mis*use"\, n.
1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use.
Words little suspected for any such misuse. --Locke.
2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.] --Shak.
Misusement \Mis*use"ment\, n.
Misuse. [Obs.]
Misuser \Mis*us"er\, n.
1. One who misuses. ``Wretched misusers of language.''
--Coleridge.
2. (Law) Unlawful use of a right; use in excess of, or
varying from, one's right. --Bouvier.
Misvalue \Mis*val"ue\, v. t.
To value wrongly or too little; to undervalue.
But for I am so young, I dread my work Wot be misvalued
both of old and young. --W. Browne.
Misvouch \Mis*vouch"\, v. t.
To vouch falsely.
Miswander \Mis*wan"der\, v. i.
To wander in a wrong path; to stray; to go astray. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Misway \Mis*way"\, n.
A wrong way. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Miswear \Mis*wear"\, v. t.
To wear ill. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Miswed \Mis*wed"\, v. t.
To wed improperly.
Misween \Mis*ween"\, v. i.
To ween amiss; to misjudge; to distrust; to be mistaken.
[Obs.] --Spenser.
Miswend \Mis*wend"\, v. i.
To go wrong; to go astray. [Obs.] ``The world is miswent.''
--Gower.
Misword \Mis*word"\, v. t.
To word wrongly; as, to misword a message, or a sentence.
Misword \Mis*word"\, n.
A word wrongly spoken; a cross word. [Obs.] --Sylvester.
Breton.
Misworship \Mis*wor"ship\, n.
Wrong or false worship; mistaken practices in religion. --Bp.
Hall.
Such hideous jungle of misworships. --Carlyle.
Misworship \Mis*wor"ship\, v. t.
To worship wrongly. --Bp. Hall.
Misworshiper \Mis*wor"ship*er\, n.
One who worships wrongly.
Miswrite \Mis*write"\, v. t.
To write incorrectly.
Miswrought \Mis*wrought"\, a.
Badly wrought. --Bacon.
Misy \Mi"sy\, n. [Cf. L. misy a mineral, perh. copperas, Gr. ?.]
(Min.)
An impure yellow sulphate of iron; yellow copperas or
copiapite.
Misyoke \Mis*yoke"\, v. t.
To yoke improperly.
Miszealous \Mis*zeal"ous\, a.
Mistakenly zealous. [Obs.]
Mite \Mite\, n. [AS. m[=i]te mite (in sense 1); akin to LG.
mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. m[=i]za; cf. Goth. maitan to
cut.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of
which there are many species; as, the cheese mite, sugar
mite, harvest mite, etc. See {Acarina}.
2. [D. mijt; prob. the same word.] A small coin formerly
circulated in England, rated at about a third of a
farthing. The name is also applied to a small coin used in
Palestine in the time of Christ.
Two mites, which make a farthing. --Mark xii.
49.
3. A small weight; one twentieth of a grain.
4. Anything very small; a minute object; a very little
quantity or particle.
For in effect they be not worth a myte. --Chaucer.
Miter \Mi"ter\, Mitre \Mi"tre\, n. [F. mitre, fr. L. mitra
headband, turban, Gr. ?.]
1. A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by
church dignitaries. It has been made in many forms, the
present form being a lofty cap with two points or peaks.
--Fairholt.
2. The surface forming the beveled end or edge of a piece
where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or a
junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter
joint.
3. (Numis.) A sort of base money or coin.
{Miter box} (Carp. & Print.), an apparatus for guiding a
handsaw at the proper angle in making a miter joint; esp.,
a wooden or metal trough with vertical kerfs in its
upright sides, for guides.
{Miter dovetail} (Carp.), a kind of dovetail for a miter
joint in which there is only one joint line visible, and
that at the angle.
{Miter gauge} (Carp.), a gauge for determining the angle of a
miter.
{Miter joint}, a joint formed by pieces matched and united
upon a line bisecting the angle of junction, as by the
beveled ends of two pieces of molding or brass rule, etc.
The term is used especially when the pieces form a right
angle. See {Miter}, 2.
{Miter shell} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
marine univalve shells of the genus {Mitra}.
{Miter square} (Carp.), a bevel with an immovable arm at an
angle of 45[deg], for striking lines on stuff to be
mitered; also, a square with an arm adjustable to any
angle.
{Miter wheels}, a pair of bevel gears, of equal diameter,
adapted for working together, usually with their axes at
right angles.
Miter \Mi"ter\, Mitre \Mi"tre\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mitered}or
{Mitred}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mitering}or {Mitring}.]
1. To place a miter upon; to adorn with a miter. ``Mitered
locks.'' --Milton.
2. To match together, as two pieces of molding or brass rule
on a line bisecting the angle of junction; to bevel the
ends or edges of, for the purpose of matching together at
an angle.
Miter \Mi"ter\, Mitre \Mi"tre\, v. i.
To meet and match together, as two pieces of molding, on a
line bisecting the angle of junction.
Miterwort \Mi"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Mitella}, -- slender, perennial herbs
with a pod slightly resembling a bishop's miter; bishop's
cap.
{False miterwort}, a white-flowered perennial herb of the
United States ({Tiarella cardifolia}).
Mithic \Mith"ic\, a.
See {Mythic}.
Mithras \Mi"thras\, n. [L., from Gr. ?.]
The sun god of the Persians.
Mithridate \Mith"ri*date\, n. (Med.)
An antidote against poison, or a composition in form of an
electuary, supposed to serve either as a remedy or a
preservative against poison; an alexipharmic; -- so called
from King Mithridates, its reputed inventor.
[Love is] a drop of the true elixir; no mithridate so
effectual against the infection of vice. --Southey.
Mithridatic \Mith`ri*dat"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to King Mithridates, or to a mithridate.
Mitigable \Mit"i*ga*ble\, a.
Admitting of mitigation; that may be mitigated.
Mitigant \Mit"i*gant\, a. [L. mitigans, p. pr. of mitigare. See
{Mitigate}.]
Tending to mitigate; mitigating; lentitive. --Johnson.
Mitigate \Mit"i*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mitigated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mitigating}.] [L. mitigatus, p. p. of mitigare to
soften, mitigate; mitis mild, soft + the root of agere to do,
drive.]
1. To make less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful,
etc.; to soften; to meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish;
to lessen; as, to mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate
grief.
2. To make mild and accessible; to mollify; -- applied to
persons. [Obs.]
This opinion . . . mitigated kings into companions.
--Burke.
Syn: To alleviate; assuage; allay. See {Alleviate}.
Mitigation \Mit`i*ga"tion\, n. [OE. mitigacioun, F. mitigation,
fr. L. mitigatio.]
The act of mitigating, or the state of being mitigated;
abatement or diminution of anything painful, harsh, severe,
afflictive, or calamitous; as, the mitigation of pain, grief,
rigor, severity, punishment, or penalty.
Syn: Alleviation; abatement; relief.
Mitigative \Mit"i*ga*tive\, a. [L. mitigativus: cf. F.
mitigatif.]
Tending to mitigate; alleviating.
Mitigator \Mit"i*ga`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, mitigates.
Mitigatory \Mit"i*ga*to*ry\, a.
Tending to mitigate or alleviate; mitigative.
Miting \Mit"ing\, n. [From {Mite}.]
A little one; -- used as a term of endearment. [Obs.]
--Skelton.
Mitome \Mi"tome\, n. [Gr. ? a thread.] (Biol.)
The denser part of the protoplasm of a cell.
Mitosis \Mi*to"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a thread.] (Biol.)
See {Karyokinesis}.
Mitraille \Mi`traille"\, n. [F. See {Mitrailleur}.]
Shot or bits of iron used sometimes in loading cannon.
Mitrailleur \Mi`tra`illeur"\, n. [F.] (Mil.)
One who serves a mitrailleuse.
Mitrailleuse \Mi`tra`illeuse"\, n. [F., fr. mitrailler to fire
grapeshot, fr. mitraille old iron, grapeshot, dim. of OF.
mite a mite.] (Mil.)
A breech-loading machine gun consisting of a number of
barrels fitted together, so arranged that the barrels can be
fired simultaneously, or successively, and rapidly.
Mitral \Mi"tral\, a. [Cf. F. mitral. See {Miter}.]
Pertaining to a miter; resembling a miter; as, the mitral
valve between the left auricle and left ventricle of the
heart.
Mitre \Mi"tre\, n. & v.
See {Miter}.
Mitriform \Mit"ri*form\, a. [Miter + -form: cf. F. mitriforme.]
Having the form of a miter, or a peaked cap; as, a mitriform
calyptra. --Gray.
Mitt \Mitt\, n. [Abbrev. fr. mitten.]
A mitten; also, a covering for the wrist and hand and not for
the fingers.
Mitten \Mit"ten\, n. [OE. mitaine, meteyn, F. mitaine, perh. of
Celtic origin; cf. Ir. miotog, Gael. miotag, Ir. & Gael.
mutan a muff, a thick glove. Cf. {Mitt}.]
1. A covering for the hand, worn to defend it from cold or
injury. It differs from a glove in not having a separate
sheath for each finger. --Chaucer.
2. A cover for the wrist and forearm.
{To give the mitten to}, to dismiss as a lover; to reject the
suit of. [Colloq.]
{To handle without mittens}, to treat roughly; to handle
without gloves. [Colloq.]
Mittened \Mit"tened\, a.
Covered with a mitten or mittens. ``Mittened hands.''
--Whittier.
Mittent \Mit"tent\, a. [L. mittens, p. pr. of mittere to send.]
Sending forth; emitting. [Obs.] --Wiseman.
Mittimus \Mit"ti*mus\, n. [L., we send, fr. mittere to send.]
(Law)
(a) A precept or warrant granted by a justice for committing
to prison a party charged with crime; a warrant of
commitment to prison. --Burrill.
(b) A writ for removing records from one court to another.
--Brande & C.
Mitter's green \Mit"ter's green`\ (Chem.)
A pigment of a green color, the chief constituent of which is
oxide of chromium.
Mitty \Mit"ty\, n.
The stormy petrel. [Prov. Eng.]
Mitu \Mi"tu\, n. [Braz. mitu poranga.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South American curassow of the genus {Mitua}.
Mity \Mit"y\, a. [From {Mite}.]
Having, or abounding with, mites.
Mix \Mix\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mixed}(less properly {Mixt}); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mixing}.] [AS. miscan; akin to OHG. misken, G.
mischen, Russ. mieshate, W. mysgu, Gael. measg, L. miscere,
mixtum, Gr. ?, ?, Skr. mi[,c]ra mixed. The English word has
been influenced by L. miscere, mixtum (cf. {Mixture}), and
even the AS. miscan may have been borrowed fr. L. miscere.
Cf. {Admix}, {Mash} to bruise, {Meddle}.]
1. To cause a promiscuous interpenetration of the parts of,
as of two or more substances with each other, or of one
substance with others; to unite or blend into one mass or
compound, as by stirring together; to mingle; to blend;
as, to mix flour and salt; to mix wines.
Fair persuasions mixed with sugared words. --Shak.
2. To unite with in company; to join; to associate.
Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people.
--Hos. vii. 8.
3. To form by mingling; to produce by the stirring together
of ingredients; to compound of different parts.
Hast thou no poison mixed? --Shak.
I have chosen an argument mixed of religious and
civil considerations. --Bacon.
Mix \Mix\, v. i.
1. To become united into a compound; to be blended
promiscuously together.
2. To associate; to mingle.
He had mixed Again in fancied safety with his kind.
--Byron.
Mixable \Mix"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being mixed.
Mixed \Mixed\, a.
Formed by mixing; united; mingled; blended. See {Mix}, v. t.
& i.
{Mixed action} (Law), a suit combining the properties of a
real and a personal action.
{Mixed angle}, a mixtilineal angle.
{Mixed fabric}, a textile fabric composed of two or more
kinds of fiber, as a poplin.
{Mixed marriage}, a marriage between persons of different
races or religions; specifically, one between a Roman
Catholic and a Protestant.
{Mixed number}, a whole number and a fraction taken together.
{Mixed train}, a railway train containing both passenger and
freight cars.
{Mixed voices} (Mus.), voices of both males and females
united in the same performance.
Mixedly \Mix"ed*ly\, adv.
In a mixed or mingled manner.
Mixen \Mix"en\, n. [AS. mixen, myxen, fr. meohx, meox, dung,
filth; akin to E. mist. See {Mist}.]
A compost heap; a dunghill. --Chaucer. Tennyson.
Mixer \Mix"er\, n.
One who, or that which, mixes.
Mixogamous \Mix*og"a*mous\, a. [Gr. ? a mixing + ? marriage.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Pairing with several males; -- said of certain fishes of
which several males accompany each female during spawning.
Mixolydian mode \Mix`o*lyd"i*an mode`\ [Gr. ? a mixing + E.
Lydian.] (Mus.)
The seventh ecclesiastical mode, whose scale commences on G.
Mixtilineal \Mix`ti*lin"e*al\, Mixtilinear \Mix`ti*lin"e*ar\, a.
[L. mixtus mixed (p. p. of miscere to mix) + E. lineal,
linear.]
Containing, or consisting of, lines of different kinds, as
straight, curved, and the like; as, a mixtilinear angle, that
is, an angle contained by a straight line and a curve. [R.]
Mixtion \Mix"tion\, n. [L. mixtio, mistio: cf. F. mixtion. See
{Mistion}, {Mix}.]
1. Mixture. [Obs.]
2. A kind of cement made of mastic, amber, etc., used as a
mordant for gold leaf.
Mixtly \Mixt"ly\, adv.
With mixture; in a mixed manner; mixedly. --Bacon.
Mixture \Mix"ture\, n. [L. mixtura, fr. miscere, mixtum, to mix:
cf. F. mixture. See {Mix}.]
1. The act of mixing, or the state of being mixed; as, made
by a mixture of ingredients. --Hooker.
2. That which results from mixing different ingredients
together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of molasses
and water; -- also, a medley.
There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely
distributed by God, to serve the ends of his
providence. --Atterbury.
3. An ingredient entering into a mixed mass; an additional
ingredient.
Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a
community to exist that had not a prevailing mixture
of piety in its constitution. --Addison.
4. (Med.) A kind of liquid medicine made up of many
ingredients; esp., as opposed to {solution}, a liquid
preparation in which the solid ingredients are not
completely dissolved.
5. (Physics & Chem.) A mass of two or more ingredients, the
particles of which are separable, independent, and
uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and
finely commingled; -- contrasted with a compound; thus,
gunpowder is a mechanical mixture of carbon, sulphur, and
niter.
6. (Mus.) An organ stop, comprising from two to five ranges
of pipes, used only in combination with the foundation and
compound stops; -- called also {furniture stop}. It
consists of high harmonics, or overtones, of the ground
tone.
Syn: Union; admixture; intermixture; medley.
Mizmaze \Miz"maze`\, n.
A maze or labyrinth. [Obs.]
Mizzen \Miz"zen\, a. [It. mezzana, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo
middle, half: cf. F. misaine foresail. See {Mezzo}.] (Naut.)
Hindmost; nearest the stern; as, the mizzen shrouds, sails,
etc.
Mizzen \Miz"zen\, n. (Naut.)
The hindmost of the fore and aft sails of a three-masted
vessel; also, the spanker.
Mizzenmast \Miz"zen*mast\, n. (Naut.)
The hindmost mast of a three-masted vessel, or of a
yawl-rigged vessel.
Mizzle \Miz"zle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mizzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mizzling}.] [See {Misle}, and cf. {Mistle}.]
1. To rain in very fine drops.
--Spenser.
2. To take one's self off; to go. [Slang]
As long as George the Fourth could reign, he
reigned, And then he mizzled. --Epigram,
quoted by
Wright.
Mizzle \Miz"zle\, n.
Mist; fine rain.
Mizzy \Miz"zy\, n. [Cf. F. moisi moldy, musty, p. p. of moisir
to mold, fr. L. mucere to be moldy.]
A bog or quagmire. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Mnemonic \Mne*mon"ic\, Mnemonical \Mne*mon"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?,
fr. ? mindful, remembering, ? memory, ? to think on,
remember; akin to E. mind.]
Assisting in memory.
Mnemonician \Mne`mo*ni"cian\, n.
One who instructs in the art of improving or using the
memory.
Mnemonics \Mne*mon"ics\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. mn['e]monique.]
The art of memory; a system of precepts and rules intended to
assist the memory; artificial memory.
Mnemosyne \Mne*mos"y*ne\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? remembrance, memory,
and the goddess of memory. See {Mnemonic}.] (Class Myth.)
The goddess of memory and the mother of the Muses.
Mnemotechny \Mne"mo*tech`ny\, n. [Gr. ? memory + ? art: cf. F.
mn['e]motechnie.]
Mnemonics.
Mo \Mo\, a., adv., & n. [Written also {moe}.] [AS. m[=a]. See
{More}.]
More; -- usually, more in number. [Obs.]
An hundred thousand mo. --Chaucer.
Likely to find mo to commend than to imitate it.
--Fuller.
-mo \-mo\
A suffix added to the names of certain numerals or to the
numerals themselves, to indicate the number of leaves made by
folding a sheet of paper; as, sixteenmo or 16mo; eighteenmo
or 18mo. It is taken from the Latin forms similarly used; as,
duodecimo, sextodecimo, etc. A small circle, placed after the
number and near its top, is often used for -mo; as, 16[deg],
18[deg], etc.
Moa \Mo"a\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several very large extinct species of wingless
birds belonging to {Dinornis}, and other related genera, of
the suborder {Dinornithes}, found in New Zealand. They are
allied to the apteryx and the ostrich. They were probably
exterminated by the natives before New Zealand was discovered
by Europeans. Some species were much larger than the ostrich.
Moabite \Mo"ab*ite\, n.
One of the posterity of Moab, the son of Lot. (--Gen. xix.
37.) Also used adjectively.
Moabitess \Mo"ab*i`tess\, n.
A female Moabite. --Ruth i. 22.
Moabitish \Mo"ab*i`tish\, a.
Moabite. --Ruth ii. 6.
Moan \Moan\ (m[=o]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Moaned} (m[=o]nd); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Moaning}.] [AS. m[=ae]nan to moan, also, to
mean; but in the latter sense perh. a different word. Cf.
{Mean} to intend.]
1. To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether
articulate or not; to groan softly and continuously.
Unpitied and unheard, where misery moans. --Thomson.
Let there bechance him pitiful mischances, To make
him moan. --Shak.
2. To emit a sound like moan; -- said of things inanimate;
as, the wind moans.
Moan \Moan\, v. t.
1. To bewail audibly; to lament.
Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan My dear
Columbo, dead and gone. --Prior.
2. To afflict; to distress. [Obs.]
Which infinitely moans me. --Beau. & Fl.
Moan \Moan\, n. [OE. mone. See {Moan}, v. i.]
1. A low prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of
pain or of grief; a low groan.
Sullen moans, hollow groans. --Pope.
2. A low mournful or murmuring sound; -- of things.
Rippling waters made a pleasant moan. --Byron.
Moanful \Moan"ful\, a.
Full of moaning; expressing sorrow. -- {Moan"ful*ly}, adv.
Moat \Moat\, n. [OF. mote hill, dike, bank, F. motte clod, turf:
cf. Sp. & Pg. mota bank or mound of earth, It. motta clod,
LL. mota, motta, a hill on which a fort is built, an
eminence, a dike, Prov. G. mott bog earth heaped up; or perh.
F. motte, and OF. mote, are from a LL. p. p. of L. movere to
move (see {Move}). The name of moat, properly meaning, bank
or mound, was transferred to the ditch adjoining: cf. F. dike
and ditch.] (Fort.)
A deep trench around the rampart of a castle or other
fortified place, sometimes filled with water; a ditch.
Moat \Moat\, v. t.
To surround with a moat. --Dryden.
Moate \Moate\, v. i. [See {Mute} to molt.]
To void the excrement, as a bird; to mute. [Obs.]
Mob \Mob\, n. [See {Mobcap}.]
A mobcap. --Goldsmith.
Mob \Mob\, v. t.
To wrap up in, or cover with, a cowl. [R.]
Mob \Mob\, n. [L. mobile vulgus, the movable common people. See
{Mobile}, n.]
1. The lower classes of a community; the populace, or the
lowest part of it.
A cluster of mob were making themselves merry with
their betters. --Addison.
2. Hence: A throng; a rabble; esp., an unlawful or riotous
assembly; a disorderly crowd.
The mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease. --Pope.
Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every
Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.
--Madison.
Confused by brainless mobs. --Tennyson.
{Mob law}, law administered by the mob; lynch law.
{Swell mob}, well dressed thieves and swindlers, regarded
collectively. [Slang] --Dickens.
Mob \Mob\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mobbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mobbing}.]
To crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy; as, to mob a
house or a person.
Mobbish \Mob"bish\, a.
Like a mob; tumultuous; lawless; as, a mobbish act. --Bp.
Kent.
Mobcap \Mob"cap`\, n. [D. mop-muts; OD. mop a woman's coif + D.
muts cap.]
A plain cap or headdress for women or girls; especially, one
tying under the chin by a very broad band, generally of the
same material as the cap itself. --Thackeray.
Mobile \Mo"bile\, a. [L. mobilis, for movibilis, fr. movere to
move: cf. F. mobile. See {Move}.]
1. Capable of being moved; not fixed in place or condition;
movable. ``Fixed or else mobile.'' --Skelton.
2. Characterized by an extreme degree of fluidity; moving or
flowing with great freedom; as, benzine and mercury are
mobile liquids; -- opposed to viscous, viscoidal, or oily.
3. Easily moved in feeling, purpose, or direction; excitable;
changeable; fickle. --Testament of Love.
The quick and mobile curiosity of her disposition.
--Hawthorne.
4. Changing in appearance and expression under the influence
of the mind; as, mobile features.
5. (Physiol.) Capable of being moved, aroused, or excited;
capable of spontaneous movement.
Mobile \Mo"bile\, n. [L. mobile vulgus. See {Mobile}, a., and
cf. 3d {Mob}.]
The mob; the populace. [Obs.] ``The unthinking mobile.''
--South.
Mobility \Mo*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. mobilitas: cf. F. mobilit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being mobile; as, the mobility of
a liquid, of an army, of the populace, of features, of a
muscle. --Sir T. Browne.
2. The mob; the lower classes. [Humorous] --Dryden.
Mobilization \Mob`i*li*za"tion\, n. [F. mobilization.]
The act of mobilizing.
Mobilize \Mob"i*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mobilized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mobilizing}.] [F. mobiliser.]
To put in a state of readiness for active service in war, as
an army corps.
Moble \Mo"ble\, v. t. [From {Mob} to wrap up.]
To wrap the head of in a hood. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mobles \Mo"bles\, n. pl.
See {Moebles}. [Obs.]
Mobocracy \Mob*oc"ra*cy\, n. [Mob rabble + -cracy, as in
democracy.]
A condition in which the lower classes of a nation control
public affairs without respect to law, precedents, or vested
rights.
It is good name that Dr. Stevens has given to our
present situation (for one can not call it a
government), a mobocracy. --Walpole.
Mobocrat \Mob"o*crat\, n.
One who favors a form of government in which the
unintelligent populace rules without restraint. --Bayne.
Mobocratic \Mob`o*crat"ic\, a.
Of, or relating to, a mobocracy.
Moccasin \Moc"ca*sin\, n. [An Indian word. Algonquin makisin.]
[Sometimes written {moccason}.]
1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole
and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe
worn by the American Indians.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A poisonous snake of the Southern United
States. The water moccasin ({Ancistrodon piscivorus}) is
usually found in or near water. Above, it is olive brown,
barred with black; beneath, it is brownish yellow, mottled
with darker. The upland moccasin is {Ancistrodon
atrofuscus}. They resemble rattlesnakes, but are without
rattles.
{Moccasin flower} (Bot.), a species of lady's slipper
({Cypripedium acaule}) found in North America. The lower
petal is two inches long, and forms a rose-colored
moccasin-shaped pouch. It grows in rich woods under
coniferous trees.
Moccasined \Moc"ca*sined\, a.
Covered with, or wearing, a moccasin or moccasins.
``Moccasined feet.'' --Harper's Mag.
Mocha \Mo"cha\, n.
1. A seaport town of Arabia, on the Red Sea.
2. A variety of coffee brought from Mocha.
3. An Abyssinian weight, equivalent to a Troy grain.
{Mocha stone} (Min.), moss agate.
Moche \Moche\, n. [F.]
A bale of raw silk.
Moche \Moche\, a.
Much. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mochel \Moch"el\, a. & adv.
Much. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mochila \Mo*chi"la\, n. [Sp.]
A large leather flap which covers the saddletree. [Western
U.S.]
Mock \Mock\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mocked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mocking}.] [F. moquer, of uncertain origin; cf. OD. mocken
to mumble, G. mucken, OSw. mucka.]
1. To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in sport, contempt,
or derision; to deride by mimicry.
To see the life as lively mocked as ever Still sleep
mocked death. --Shak.
Mocking marriage with a dame of France. --Shak.
2. To treat with scorn or contempt; to deride.
Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud. --1 Kings
xviii. 27.
Let not ambition mock their useful toil. --Gray.
3. To disappoint the hopes of; to deceive; to tantalize; as,
to mock expectation.
Thou hast mocked me, and told me lies. --Judg. xvi.
13.
He will not . . . Mock us with his blest sight, then
snatch him hence. --Milton.
Syn: To deride; ridicule; taunt; jeer; tantalize; disappoint.
See {Deride}.
Mock \Mock\, v. i.
To make sport contempt or in jest; to speak in a scornful or
jeering manner.
When thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
--Job xi. 3.
She had mocked at his proposal. --Froude.
Mock \Mock\, n.
1. An act of ridicule or derision; a scornful or contemptuous
act or speech; a sneer; a jibe; a jeer.
Fools make a mock at sin. --Prov. xiv.
9.
2. Imitation; mimicry. [R.] --Crashaw.
Mock \Mock\, a.
Imitating reality, but not real; false; counterfeit; assumed;
sham.
That superior greatness and mock majesty. --Spectator.
{Mock bishop's weed} (Bot.), a genus of slender umbelliferous
herbs ({Discopleura}) growing in wet places.
{Mock heroic}, burlesquing the heroic; as, a mock heroic
poem.
{Mock lead}. See {Blende} (
a ).
{Mock nightingale} (Zo["o]l.), the European blackcap.
{Mock orange} (Bot.), a genus of American and Asiatic shrubs
({Philadelphus}), with showy white flowers in panicled
cymes. {P. coronarius}, from Asia, has fragrant flowers;
the American kinds are nearly scentless.
{Mock sun}. See {Parhelion}.
{Mock turtle soup}, a soup made of calf's head, veal, or
other meat, and condiments, in imitation of green turtle
soup.
{Mock velvet}, a fabric made in imitation of velvet. See
{Mockado}.
Mockable \Mock"a*ble\, a.
Such as can be mocked. --Shak.
Mockado \Mock"a*do\, n.
A stuff made in imitation of velvet; -- probably the same as
{mock velvet}. [Obs.]
Our rich mockado doublet. --Ford.
Mockadour \Mock"a*dour\, n.
See {Mokadour}. [Obs.]
Mockage \Mock"age\, n.
Mockery. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Mockbird \Mock"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European sedge warbler ({Acrocephalus phragmitis}).
Mocker \Mock"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, mocks; a scorner; a scoffer; a
derider.
2. A deceiver; an impostor.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A mocking bird.
{Mocker nut} (Bot.), a kind of hickory ({Carya tomentosa})
and its fruit, which is far inferior to the true shagbark
hickory nut.
Mockery \Mock"er*y\, n.; pl. {Mockeries}. [F. moquerie.]
1. The act of mocking, deriding, and exposing to contempt, by
mimicry, by insincere imitation, or by a false show of
earnestness; a counterfeit appearance.
It is, as the air, invulnerable, And our vain blows
malicious mockery. --Shak.
Grace at meals is now generally so performed as to
look more like a mockery upon devotion than any
solemn application of the mind to God. --Law.
And bear about the mockery of woe. --Pope.
2. Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous
merriment; derision; ridicule.
The laughingstock of fortune's mockeries. --Spenser.
3. Subject of laughter, derision, or sport.
The cruel handling of the city whereof they made a
mockery. --2 Macc.
viii. 17.
Mocking \Mock"ing\, a.
Imitating, esp. in derision, or so as to cause derision;
mimicking; derisive.
{Mocking bird} (Zo["o]l.), a North American singing bird
({Mimus polyglottos}), remarkable for its exact imitations
of the notes of other birds. Its back is gray; the tail
and wings are blackish, with a white patch on each wing;
the outer tail feathers are partly white. The name is also
applied to other species of the same genus, found in
Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies.
{Mocking thrush} (Zo["o]l.), any species of the genus
{Harporhynchus}, as the brown thrush ({H. rufus}).
{Mocking wren} (Zo["o]l.), any American wren of the genus
{Thryothorus}, esp. {T. Ludovicianus}.
Mockingly \Mock"ing*ly\, adv.
By way of derision; in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
Mockingstock \Mock"ing*stock`\, n.
A butt of sport; an object of derision. [R.]
Mockish \Mock"ish\, a.
Mock; counterfeit; sham. [Obs.]
Mockle \Moc"kle\, a.
See {Mickle}.
Moco \Mo"co\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American rodent ({Cavia rupestris}), allied to the
Guinea pig, but larger; -- called also {rock cavy}.
Modal \Mo"dal\, a. [Cf. F. modal. See {Mode}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a mode or mood; consisting in mode or
form only; relating to form; having the form without the
essence or reality. --Glanvill.
2. (Logic & Metaph.) Indicating, or pertaining to, some mode
of conceiving existence, or of expressing thought.
Modalist \Mo"dal*ist\, n. (Theol.)
One who regards Father, Son, and Spirit as modes of being,
and not as persons, thus denying personal distinction in the
Trinity. --Eadie.
Modality \Mo*dal"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. modalit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being modal.
2. (Logic & Metaph.) A modal relation or quality; a mode or
point of view under which an object presents itself to the
mind. According to Kant, the quality of propositions, as
assertory, problematical, or apodeictic.
Modally \Mo"dal*ly\, adv.
In a modal manner.
A compound proposition, the parts of which are united
modally . . . by the particles ``as'' and ``so.''
--Gibbs.
Mode \Mode\, n. [L. modus a measure, due or proper measure,
bound, manner, form; akin to E. mete: cf. F. mode. See
{Mete}, and cf. {Commodious}, {Mood} in grammar, {Modus}.]
1. Manner of doing or being; method; form; fashion; custom;
way; style; as, the mode of speaking; the mode of
dressing.
The duty of itself being resolved on, the mode of
doing it may easily be found. --Jer. Taylor.
A table richly spread in regal mode. --Milton.
2. Prevailing popular custom; fashion, especially in the
phrase the mode.
The easy, apathetic graces of a man of the mode.
--Macaulay.
3. Variety; gradation; degree. --Pope.
4. (Metaph.) Any combination of qualities or relations,
considered apart from the substance to which they belong,
and treated as entities; more generally, condition, or
state of being; manner or form of arrangement or
manifestation; form, as opposed to {matter}.
Modes I call such complex ideas, which, however
compounded, contain not in them the supposition of
subsisting by themselves, but are considered as
dependencies on, or affections of, substances.
--Locke.
5. (Logic) The form in which the proposition connects the
predicate and subject, whether by simple, contingent, or
necessary assertion; the form of the syllogism, as
determined by the quantity and quality of the constituent
proposition; mood.
6. (Gram.) Same as {Mood}.
7. (Mus.) The scale as affected by the various positions in
it of the minor intervals; as, the Dorian mode, the Ionic
mode, etc., of ancient Greek music.
Note: In modern music, only the major and the minor mode, of
whatever key, are recognized.
8. A kind of silk. See {Alamode}, n.
Syn: Method; manner. See {Method}.
Model \Mod"el\, n. [F. mod[`e]le, It. modello, fr. (assumed) L.
modellus, fr. modulus a small measure, dim. of modus. See
{Mode}, and cf. {Module}.]
1. A miniature representation of a thing, with the several
parts in due proportion; sometimes, a facsimile of the
same size.
In charts, in maps, and eke in models made.
--Gascoigne.
I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the
model of that Danish seal. --Shak.
You have the models of several ancient temples,
though the temples and the gods are perished.
--Addison.
2. Something intended to serve, or that may serve, as a
pattern of something to be made; a material representation
or embodiment of an ideal; sometimes, a drawing; a plan;
as, the clay model of a sculpture; the inventor's model of
a machine.
[The application for a patent] must be accompanied
by a full description of the invention, with
drawings and a model where the case admits of it.
--Am. Cyc.
When we mean to build We first survey the plot, then
draw the model. --Shak.
3. Anything which serves, or may serve, as an example for
imitation; as, a government formed on the model of the
American constitution; a model of eloquence, virtue, or
behavior.
4. That by which a thing is to be measured; standard.
He that despairs measures Providence by his own
little, contracted model. --South.
5. Any copy, or resemblance, more or less exact.
Thou seest thy wretched brother die, Who was the
model of thy father's life. --Shak.
6. A person who poses as a pattern to an artist.
A professional model. --H. James.
{Working model}, a model of a machine which can do on a small
scale the work which the machine itself does, or expected
to do.
Model \Mod"el\, a.
Suitable to be taken as a model or pattern; as, a model
house; a model husband.
Model \Mod"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modeled}or {Modelled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Modeling} or {Modelling}.] [Cf. F. modeler, It.
modellare.]
To plan or form after a pattern; to form in model; to form a
model or pattern for; to shape; to mold; to fashion; as, to
model a house or a government; to model an edifice according
to the plan delineated.
Model \Mod"el\, v. i. (Fine Arts)
To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as,
to model in wax.
Modeler \Mod"el*er\, n.
One who models; hence, a worker in plastic art. [Written also
{modeller}.]
Modeling \Mod"el*ing\, n. (Fine Arts)
The act or art of making a model from which a work of art is
to be executed; the formation of a work of art from some
plastic material. Also, in painting, drawing, etc., the
expression or indication of solid form. [Written also
{modelling}.]
{Modeling plane}, a small plane for planing rounded objects.
{Modeling wax}, beeswax melted with a little Venice
turpentine, or other resinous material, and tinted with
coloring matter, usually red, -- used in modeling.
Modelize \Mod"el*ize\, v. t.
To model. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Modena \Mod"e*na\, n. [From Modena, in Italy.]
A certain crimsonlike color. --Good.
Modenese \Mod`e*nese"\, a.
Of or pertaining to Modena or its inhabitants. -- n. sing. &
pl. A native or inhabitant of Modena; the people of Modena.
Moder \Mo"der\, n. [OE. See {Mother} female parent.]
1. A mother. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. The principal piece of an astrolabe, into which the others
are fixed. [Obs.]
Moder \Mod"er\, v. t.
To moderate. [Obs.]
Moderable \Mod"er*a*ble\, a. [L. moderabilis.]
Modeate; temperate. [Obs.]
Moderance \Mod"er*ance\, n.
Moderation. [Obs.] --Caxton.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, a. [L. moderatus, p. p. of moderate,
moderati, to moderate, regulate, control, fr. modus measure.
See {Mode}.]
Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not
excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited;
restrained; as:
(a) Limited in quantity; sparing; temperate; frugal; as,
moderate in eating or drinking; a moderate table.
(b) Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement;
reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate
endeavors.
(c) Not extreme in opinion, in partisanship, and the like;
as, a moderate Calvinist.
A number of moderate members managed . . . to
obtain a majority in a thin house. --Swift.
(d) Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a
moderate winter. ``Moderate showers.'' --Walter.
(e) Limited as to degree of progress; as, to travel at
moderate speed.
(f) Limited as to the degree in which a quality, principle,
or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate strength;
a man of moderate abilities.
(g) Limited in scope or effects; as, a reformation of a
moderate kind. --Hooker.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century,
and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of
church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moderated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Moderating}.]
1. To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a
state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within
bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to
repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage,
action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind.
By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing
quality of warm water. --Arbuthnot.
To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.
--Spenser.
2. To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting;
as, to moderate a synod.
Moderate \Mod"er*ate\, v. i.
1. To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as,
the wind has moderated.
2. To preside as a moderator.
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him
in the divinity disputation. --Bp. Barlow's
Remains
(1693).
Moderately \Mod"er*ate*ly\, adv.
In a moderate manner or degree; to a moderate extent.
Each nymph but moderately fair. --Waller.
Moderateness \Mod"er*ate*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being moderate; temperateness;
moderation.
Moderation \Mod`er*a"tion\, n. [L. moderatio: cf. F.
mod['e]ration.]
1. The act of moderating, or of imposing due restraint.
2. The state or quality of being mmoderate.
In moderation placing all my glory, While Tories
call me Whig, and Whigs a Tory. --Pope.
3. Calmness of mind; equanimity; as, to bear adversity with
moderation.
The calm and judicious moderation of Orange.
--Motley.
4. pl. The first public examinations for degrees at the
University of Oxford; -- usually contracted to {mods}.
Moderatism \Mod"er*a*tism\, n.
Moderation in doctrines or opinion, especially in politics or
religion.
Moderato \Mod`e*ra"to\, a. & adv. [It. See {Moderate}.] (Mus.)
With a moderate degree of quickness; moderately.
{Allegro moderato}, a little slower than allegro.
{Andante moderato}, a little faster than andante.
Moderator \Mod"er*a`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. mod['e]rateur.]
1. One who, or that which, moderates, restrains, or pacifies.
--Sir W. Raleigh.
Angling was . . . a moderator of passions. --Walton.
2. The officer who presides over an assembly to preserve
order, propose questions, regulate the proceedings, and
declare the votes.
3. In the University of Oxford, an examiner for moderations;
at Cambridge, the superintendant of examinations for
degrees; at Dublin, either the first (senior) or second
(junior) in rank in an examination for the degree of
Bachelor of Arts.
4. A mechamical arrangement for regulating motion in a
machine, or producing equality of effect.
Moderatorship \Mod"er*a`tor*ship\, n.
The office of a moderator.
Moderatress \Mod"er*a`tress\, n.
A female moderator. --Fuller.
Moderatrix \Mod"er*a`trix\, n. [L.]
A female moderator.
Modern \Mod"ern\, a. [F. moderne, L. modernus; akin to modo just
now, orig. abl. of modus measure; hence, by measure, just
now. See {Mode}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long
past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent
period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors;
modern fashions; modern taste; modern practice. --Bacon.
2. New and common; trite; commonplace. [Obs.]
We have our philosophical persons, to make modern
and familiar, things supernatural and causeless.
--Shak.
{Modern English}. See the Note under {English}.
Modern \Mod"ern\, n.
A person of modern times; -- opposed to {ancient}. --Pope.
Modernism \Mod"ern*ism\, n.
Modern practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a modern usage
or mode of expression.
Modernist \Mod"ern*ist\, n. [Cf. F. moderniste.]
One who admires the moderns, or their ways and fashions.
Modernity \Mo*der"ni*ty\, n.
Modernness; something modern. --Walpole.
Modernization \Mod`ern*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of rendering modern in style; the act or process of
causing to conform to modern of thinking or acting.
Modernize \Mod"ern*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modernized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Modernizing}.] [Cf. F. moderniser.]
To render modern; to adapt to modern person or things; to
cause to conform to recent or present usage or taste.
--Percy.
Modernizer \Mod"ern*i`zer\, n.
One who modernizes.
Modernly \Mod"ern*ly\, adv.
In modern times. --Milton.
Modernness \Mod"ern*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being modern; recentness; novelty.
--M. Arnold.
Modest \Mod"est\, a. [F. modeste, L. modestus, fr. modus
measure. See {Mode}.]
1. Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward,
bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than
pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest
youth; a modest man.
2. Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act
or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or
lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; -- said of a
woman.
Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife.
--Shak.
The blushing beauties of a modest maid. --Dryden.
3. Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not
showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate;
as, a modest request; modest joy.
Syn: Reserved; unobtrusive; diffident; bashful; coy; shy;
decent; becoming; chaste; virtuous.
Modestly \Mod"est*ly\, adv.
In a modest manner.
Modesty \Mod"es*ty\, n. [L. modestia: cf. F. modestie. See
{Modest}.]
1. The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper
which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth
and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and
presumption; humility respecting one's own merit.
2. Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and
the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due
regard for propriety in speech or action.
Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. --Shak.
{Modesty piece}, a narrow piece of lace worn by women over
the bosom. [Obs.] --Addison.
Syn: Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See
{Bashfulness}, and {Humility}.
Modicity \Mo*dic"i*ty\, n. [LL. modicitas; cf. F. modicit['e].]
Moderateness; smallness; meanness. [Obs.]
Modicum \Mod"i*cum\, n. [L., fr. modicus moderate, fr. modus.
See {Mode}.]
A little; a small quantity; a measured simply. ``Modicums of
wit.'' --Shak.
Her usual modicum of beer and punch. --Thackeray.
Modifiability \Mod`i*fi`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability of being modified; state or quality of being
modifiable.
Modifiable \Mod"i*fi`a*ble\, a. [From {Modify}.]
Capable of being modified; liable to modification.
Modificable \Mo*dif"i*ca*ble\, a.
Modifiable. [Obs.]
Modificate \Mod"i*fi*cate\, v. t. [See {Modify}.]
To qualify. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
Modification \Mod`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. modificatio a measuring:
cf. F. modification. See {Modify}.]
The act of modifying, or the state of being modified; a
modified form or condition; state as modified; a change; as,
the modification of an opinion, or of a machine; the various
modifications of light. --Bentley.
Modificative \Mod"i*fi*ca*tive\, n.
That which modifies or qualifies, as a word or clause.
Modificatory \Mod"i*fi*ca`to*ry\, a.
Tending or serving to modify; modifying. --Max M["u]ller.
Modifier \Mod"i*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, modifies. --Hume.
Modify \Mod"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Modifying}.] [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari;
modus limit + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Mode}, and
{-fy}.]
1. To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter
somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some
mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of a contract.
2. To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to
qualify; to lower.
Of his grace He modifies his first severe decree.
--Dryden.
Modillion \Mo*dil"lion\, n. [F. modillon, It. modiglione. Cf.
{Module}, n.] (Arch.)
The enriched block or horizontal bracket generally found
under the cornice of the Corinthian and Composite
entablature, and sometimes, less ornamented, in the Ionic and
other orders; -- so called because of its arrangement at
regulated distances.
Modiolar \Mo*di"o*lar\, a. [L. modiolus, dim. of modius the
Roman corn measure.]
Shaped like a bushel measure.
Modiolus \Mo*di"o*lus\, n.; pl. {Modioli}. [L., a small
measure.] (Anat.)
The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.
Modish \Mod"ish\, a.
According to the mode, or customary manner; conformed to the
fashion; fashionable; hence, conventional; as, a modish
dress; a modish feast. --Dryden. ``Modish forms of address.''
--Barrow. -- {Mod"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Mod"ish*ness}, n.
Modist \Mod"ist\, n.
One who follows the fashion.
Modiste \Mo`diste"\, n. [F. See {Mode}, and cf. {Modist}.]
A female maker of, or dealer in, articles of fashion,
especially of the fashionable dress of ladies; a woman who
gives direction to the style or mode of dress.
Modius \Mo"di*us\, n.; pl. {Modii}. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A dry measure, containing about a peck.
Modocs \Mo"docs\, n. pl.; sing. {Modoc}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of warlike Indians formerly inhabiting Northern
California. They are nearly extinct.
Modular \Mod"u*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to mode, modulation, module, or modius; as,
modular arrangement; modular accent; modular measure.
Modulate \Mod"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modulated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Modulating}.] [L. modulatus, p. p. of modulari to
measure, to modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter,
melody, dim. of modus. See {Mode}.]
1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain
portion.
2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical
manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in
reading or speaking.
Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive
so many? --Broome.
Modulate \Mod"u*late\, v. i. (Mus.)
To pass from one key into another.
Modulation \Mod`u*la"tion\, n. [L. modulatio: cf. F.
modulation.]
1. The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated;
as, the modulation of the voice.
2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.] --Thomson.
3. (Mus.) A change of key, whether transient, or until the
music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of
the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center
upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of
the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it
may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote.
There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.
Modulator \Mod"u*la`tor\, n. [L.]
One who, or that which, modulates. --Denham.
Module \Mod"ule\, n. [F., fr. L. modulus a small measure, dim.
of modus. See {Mode}, and cf. {Model}, {Modulus}, {Mold} a
matrix.]
1. A model or measure.
2. (Arch.) The size of some one part, as the diameter of
semi-diameter of the base of a shaft, taken as a unit of
measure by which the proportions of the other parts of the
composition are regulated. Generally, for columns, the
semi-diameter is taken, and divided into a certain number
of parts, called minutes (see {Minute}), though often the
diameter is taken, and any dimension is said to be so many
modules and minutes in height, breadth, or projection.
Module \Mod"ule\, v. t. [See {module}, n., {Modulate}.]
To model; also, to modulate. [Obs.] --Sandys. Drayton.
Modulus \Mod"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Moduli}. [L., a small measure. See
{Module}, n.] (Math., Mech., & Physics)
A quantity or coefficient, or constant, which expresses the
measure of some specified force, property, or quality, as of
elasticity, strength, efficiency, etc.; a parameter.
{Modulus of a machine}, a formula expressing the work which a
given machine can perform under the conditions involved in
its construction; the relation between the work done upon
a machine by the moving power, and that yielded at the
working points, either constantly, if its motion be
uniform, or in the interval of time which it occupies in
passing from any given velocity to the same velocity
again, if its motion be variable; -- called also the
efficiency of the machine. --Mosley. --Rankine.
{Modulus of a system of logarithms} (Math.), a number by
which all the Napierian logarithms must be multiplied to
obtain the logarithms in another system.
{Modulus of elasticity}.
(a) The measure of the elastic force of any substance,
expressed by the ratio of a stress on a given unit of the
substance to the accompanying distortion, or strain.
(b) An expression of the force (usually in terms of the
height in feet or weight in pounds of a column of the
same body) which would be necessary to elongate a
prismatic body of a transverse section equal to a given
unit, as a square inch or foot, to double, or to compress
it to half, its original length, were that degree of
elongation or compression possible, or within the limits
of elasticity; -- called also {Young's modulus}.
{Modulus of rupture}, the measure of the force necessary to
break a given substance across, as a beam, expressed by
eighteen times the load which is required to break a bar
of one inch square, supported flatwise at two points one
foot apart, and loaded in the middle between the points of
support. --Rankine.
Modus \Mo"dus\, n.; pl. {Modi}. [L. See {Mode}.] (Old Law)
1. The arrangement of, or mode of expressing, the terms of a
contract or conveyance.
2. (Law) A qualification involving the idea of variation or
departure from some general rule or form, in the way of
either restriction or enlargement, according to the
circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an
agreement between parties, and the like. --Bracton.
3. (Law) A fixed compensation or equivalent given instead of
payment of tithes in kind, expressed in full by the phrase
modus decimandi. --Blackstone.
They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus, or
composition. --Landor.
{Modus operandi}[L.], manner of operating.
Mody \Mod"y\, a. [From {Mode}.]
Fashionable. [R.]
Moe \Moe\, n.
A wry face or mouth; a mow. [Obs.]
Moe \Moe\, v. i.
To make faces; to mow. [Obs.]
Moe \Moe\, a., adv., & n. [AS. m[=a] See {More}.]
More. See {Mo}. [Obs.] ``Sing no more ditties, sing no moe.''
--Shak.
Moebles \Moe"bles\, n. pl. [OE., fr. OF. moeble, mueble,
movable, from L. mobilis.]
Movables; furniture; -- also used in the singular ({moeble}).
[Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Moelline \Mo"el*line\, n. [F. moelle, fr. L. medulla marrow.]
An unguent for the hair.
Moellon \Mo"el*lon\, n. [F.]
Rubble masonry.
Moesogothic \M[oe]`so*goth"ic\, a.
Belonging to the M[oe]sogoths, a branch of the Goths who
settled in M[oe]sia.
Moesogothic \M[oe]`so*goth"ic\, n.
The language of the M[oe]sogoths; -- also called {Gothic}.
Moeve \Moeve\, v. t. & i.
To move. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Moff \Moff\, n.
A thin silk stuff made in Caucasia.
Moggan \Mog"gan\, n.
A closely fitting knit sleeve; also, a legging of knitted
material. [Scot.]
Mogul \Mo*gul"\, n. [From the Mongolian.]
1. A person of the Mongolian race.
2. (Railroad) A heavy locomotive for freight traffic, having
three pairs of connected driving wheels and a two-wheeled
truck.
{Great}, or {Grand}, {Mogul}, the sovereign of the empire
founded in Hindostan by the Mongols under Baber in the
sixteenth century. Hence, a very important personage; a
lord; -- sometimes only {mogul}.
--Dryden.
Moha \Mo"ha\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of millet ({Setaria Italica}); German millet.
Mohair \Mo"hair`\, n. [F. moire, perh. from Ar. mukhayyar a kind
of coarse camelot or haircloth; but prob. fr. L. marmoreus of
marble, resembling marble. Cf. {Moire}, {Marble}.]
The long silky hair or wool of the Angora goat of Asia Minor;
also, a fabric made from this material, or an imitation of
such fabric.
Mohammedan \Mo*ham"med*an\, a. [From Mohammed, fr. Ar.
muh['a]mmad praiseworthy, highly praised.]
Of or pertaining to Mohammed, or the religion and
institutions founded by Mohammed. [Written also {Mahometan},
{Mahomedan}, {Muhammadan}, etc.]
Mohammedan \Mo*ham"med*an\, n.
A follower of Mohammed, the founder of Islamism; one who
professes Mohammedanism or Islamism.
Mohammedanism \Mo*ham"med*an*ism\, Mohammedism \Mo*ham"med*ism\
, n.
The religion, or doctrines and precepts, of Mohammed,
contained in the Koran; Islamism.
Mohammedanize \Mo*ham"med*an*ize\, Mohammedize \Mo*ham"med*ize\
, v. t.
To make conformable to the principles, or customs and rites,
of Mohammedanism. [Written also {Mahometanize}.]
Mohawk \Mo"hawk\, n.
1. (Ethnol.) One of a tribe of Indians who formed part of the
Five Nations. They formerly inhabited the valley of the
Mohawk River.
2. One of certain ruffians who infested the streets of London
in the time of Addison, and took the name from the Mohawk
Indians. [Slang] --Spectator. Macaulay.
Mohicans \Mo*hi"cans\, n. pl.; sing. {Mohican}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Lenni-Lenape Indians who formerly inhabited
Western Connecticut and Eastern New York. [Written also
{Mohegans}.]
Moho \Mo"ho\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A gallinule ({Notornis Mantelli}) formerly inhabiting New
Zealand, but now supposed to be extinct. It was incapable of
flight. See {Notornis}.
Mohock \Mo"hock\, n.
See {Mohawk}.
Moholi \Mo*ho"li\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Maholi}.
Mohr \Mohr\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A West African gazelle ({Gazella mohr}), having horns on
which are eleven or twelve very prominent rings. It is one of
the species which produce bezoar. [Written also {mhorr}.]
Mohur \Mo"hur\, n. [Hind., fr. Per. muhur, muhr, a gold coin, a
seal, seal ring.]
A British Indian gold coin, of the value of fifteen silver
rupees, or $7.21. --Malcom.
Mohurrum \Mo*hur"rum\, Muharram \Mu*har"ram\, n. [Ar. muharram,
prop., sacred, forbidden, n., the first month of the
Mohammedan lunar year.]
1. The first month of the Mohammedan year. --Whitworth.
2. A festival of the Shiah sect of the Mohammedans held
during the first ten days of the month Mohurrum.
Moider \Moi"der\, v. i.
To toil. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Moidore \Moi"dore\, n. [Pg. moeda d'ouro, lit., coin of gold.
Cf. {Money}, and {Aureate}.]
A gold coin of Portugal, valued at about 27s. sterling.
Moiety \Moi"e*ty\, n.; pl. {Moieties}. [F. moiti['e], L.
medietas, fr. medius middle, half. See {Mid}, a., and cf.
{Mediate}, {Mediety}.]
1. One of two equal parts; a half; as, a moiety of an estate,
of goods, or of profits; the moiety of a jury, or of a
nation. --Shak.
The more beautiful moiety of his majesty's subject.
--Addison.
2. An indefinite part; a small part. --Shak.
Moil \Moil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moiled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Moiling}.] [OE. moillen to wet, OF. moillier, muillier, F.
mouller, fr. (assumed) LL. molliare, fr. L. mollis soft. See
{Mollify}.]
To daub; to make dirty; to soil; to defile.
Thou . . . doest thy mind in dirty pleasures moil.
--Spenser.
Moil \Moil\, v. i. [From {Moil} to daub; prob. from the idea of
struggling through the wet.]
To soil one's self with severe labor; to work with painful
effort; to labor; to toil; to drudge.
Moil not too much under ground. --Bacon.
Now he must moil and drudge for one he loathes.
--Dryden.
Moil \Moil\, n.
A spot; a defilement.
The moil of death upon them. --Mrs.
Browning.
Moile \Moile\, n. [F. mule a slipper.]
A kind of high shoe anciently worn. [Written also {moyle}.]
Moineau \Moi"neau\, n. [F.] (Fort.)
A small flat bastion, raised in the middle of an overlong
curtain.
Moira \Moi"ra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Greek Myth.)
The deity who assigns to every man his lot.
Moire \Moire\, n. [F. Cf. {Mohair}.]
1. Originally, a fine textile fabric made of the hair of an
Asiatic goat; afterwards, any textile fabric to which a
watered appearance is given in the process of calendering.
2. A watered, clouded, or frosted appearance produced upon
either textile fabrics or metallic surfaces.
{Moire antique}, a superior kind of thick moire.
Moir'e m'etallique \Moi`r['e]" m['e]`tal`lique"\ [F.]
A crystalline or frosted appearance produced by some acids on
tin plate; also, the tin plate thus treated.
Moist \Moist\, a. [OE. moiste, OF. moiste, F. moite, fr. L.
muccidus, for mucidus, moldy, musty. Cf. {Mucus}, {Mucid}.]
1. Moderately wet; damp; humid; not dry; as, a moist
atmosphere or air. ``Moist eyes.'' --Shak.
2. Fresh, or new. [Obs.] ``Shoes full moist and new.'' ``A
draught of moist and corny ale.'' --Chaucer.
Moist \Moist\, v. t.
To moisten. [Obs.] --Shak.
Moisten \Mois"ten\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moistened}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Moistening}.]
1. To make damp; to wet in a small degree.
A pipe a little moistened on the inside. --Bacon.
2. To soften by making moist; to make tender.
It moistened not his executioner's heart with any
pity. --Fuller.
Moistener \Mois"ten*er\, n.
One who, or that which, moistens. --Johnson.
Moistful \Moist"ful\, a.
Full of moisture. [R.]
Moistless \Moist"less\, a.
Without moisture; dry. [R.]
Moistness \Moist"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being moist.
Moisture \Mois"ture\, n. [Cf. OF. moistour, F. moiteur.]
1. A moderate degree of wetness. --Bacon.
2. That which moistens or makes damp or wet; exuding fluid;
liquid in small quantity.
All my body's moisture Scarce serves to quench my
furnace-burning heat. --Shak.
Moistureless \Mois"ture*less\, a.
Without moisture.
Moisty \Moist"y\, a.
Moist. [Obs.]
Moither \Moi"ther\, v. t. [Etymol. uncertain.]
To perplex; to confuse. [Prov. Eng.] --Lamb.
Moither \Moi"ther\, v. i.
To toil; to labor. [Prov. Eng.]
Mokadour \Mok"a*dour\, n. [Sp. mocador handkerchief.]
A handkerchief. [Obs.]
Moke \Moke\, n.
A donkey. [Cant] --Thackeray.
Moke \Moke\, n.
A mesh of a net, or of anything resembling a net.
--Halliwell.
Moky \Mo"ky\, a. [Cf. Icel. m["o]kkvi cloud, mist, m["o]kkr a
dense cloud, W. mwg smoke, and E. muggy, muck.]
Misty; dark; murky; muggy. [Obs.]
Mola \Mo"la\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Sunfish}, 1.
Molar \Mo"lar\, a. [L. moles mass.] (Mech.)
Of or pertaining to a mass of matter; -- said of the
properties or motions of masses, as distinguished from those
of molecules or atoms. --Carpenter.
Molar \Mo"lar\, a. [L. molaris, fr. mola mill, fr. molere to
grind in a mill. See {Mill} the machine.]
Having power to grind; grinding; as, the molar teeth; also,
of or pertaining to the molar teeth. --Bacon.
Molar \Mo"lar\, n. (Anat.)
Any one of the teeth back of the incisors and canines. The
molar which replace the deciduous or milk teeth are
designated as {premolars}, and those which are not preceded
by deciduous teeth are sometimes called {true molars}. See
{Tooth}.
Molary \Mo"la*ry\, a.
Same as 2d {Molar}.
Molasse \Mo*lasse"\, n. [F. molasse, prob. fr. mollasse flabby,
flimsy, fr. L. mollis soft.] (Geol.)
A soft Tertiary sandstone; -- applied to a rock occurring in
Switzerland. See Chart of {Geology}.
Molasses \Mo*las"ses\, n. [F. m['e]lasse, cf. Sp. melaza, Pg.
mela[,c]o, fr. L. mellaceus honeylike, honey-sweet, mel,
mellis, honey. See {Mellifluous}, and cf. {Melasses}.]
The thick, brown or dark colored, viscid, uncrystallizable
sirup which drains from sugar, in the process of manufacture;
any thick, viscid, sweet sirup made from vegetable juice or
sap, as of the sorghum or maple. See {Treacle}.
Mold \Mold\, n. [See {Mo??} a spot.]
A spot; a blemish; a mole. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, n. [OE. molde, AS. molde; akin to D.
mul, G. mull, mulm, OHG. molt, molta, Icel. mold, Dan. muld,
Sw. mull, Goth. mulda, and E. meal flour. See {Meal}, and cf.
{Mole} an animal, {Mull}, v.] [The prevalent spelling is,
perhaps, {mould}; but as the u has not been inserted in the
other words of this class, as bold, gold, old, cold, etc., it
seems desirable to complete the analogy by dropping it from
this word, thus spelling it as Spenser, South, and many
others did. The omission of the u is now very common in
America.]
1. Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the
remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to
the growth of plants; soil.
2. Earthy material; the matter of which anything is formed;
composing substance; material.
The etherial mold, Incapable of stain. --Milton.
Nature formed me of her softest mold. --Addison.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Molded} or
{Moulded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Molding} or {Moulding}.]
To cover with mold or soil. [R.]
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, n. [From the p. p. of OE. moulen to
become moldy, to rot, prob. fr. Icel. mygla to grow musty,
mugga mugginess; cf. Sw. m["o]gla to grow moldy. See {Muggy},
and cf. {Moldy}.] (Bot.)
A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of the
great groups {Hyphomycetes}, and {Physomycetes}, forming on
damp or decaying organic matter.
Note: The common blue mold of cheese, the brick-red cheese
mold, and the scarlet or orange strata which grow on
tubers or roots stored up for use, when commencing to
decay, are familiar examples. --M. J. Berkley.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, v. t.
To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, v. i.
To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in
part, with a mold.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, n. [OE. molde, OF. mole, F. moule,
fr. L. modulus. See {Model}.] [For spelling, see 2d {Mold},
above.]
1. The matrix, or cavity, in which anything is shaped, and
from which it takes its form; also, the body or mass
containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly mold.
--Milton.
2. That on which, or in accordance with which, anything is
modeled or formed; anything which serves to regulate the
size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a
shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason.
The glass of fashion and the mold of form. --Shak.
3. Cast; form; shape; character.
Crowned with an architrave of antique mold. --Pope.
4. (Arch.) A group of moldings; as, the arch mold of a porch
or doorway; the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the
whole profile, section, or combination of parts.
5. (Anat.) A fontanel.
6. (Paper Making) A frame with a wire cloth bottom, on which
the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making paper by
hand.
Mold \Mold\, Mould \Mould\, v. t. [Cf. F. mouler, OF. moler,
moller. See {Mold} the matrix.]
1. To form into a particular shape; to shape; to model; to
fashion.
He forgeth and moldeth metals. --Sir M. Hale.
Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mold me
man? --Milton.
2. To ornament by molding or carving the material of; as, a
molded window jamb.
3. To knead; as, to mold dough or bread.
4. (Founding) To form a mold of, as in sand, in which a
casting may be made.
Moldable \Mold"a*ble\, Mouldable \Mould"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being molded or formed.
Moldboard \Mold"board`\, Mouldboard \Mould"board`\, n.
1. A curved plate of iron (originally of wood) back of the
share of a plow, which turns over the earth in plowing.
2. (Founding) A follow board.
Molder \Mold"er\, Moulder \Mould"er\, n.
One who, or that which, molds or forms into shape;
specifically (Founding), one skilled in the art of making
molds for castings.
Molder \Mold"er\, Moulder \Mould"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Moldered}or {Mouldered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Moldering} or
{Mouldering}.] [From {Mold} fine soft earth: cf. Prov. G.
multern.]
To crumble into small particles; to turn to dust by natural
decay; to lose form, or waste away, by a gradual separation
of the component particles, without the presence of water; to
crumble away.
The moldering of earth in frosts and sun. --Bacon.
When statues molder, and when arches fall. --Prior.
If he had sat still, the enemy's army would have
moldered to nothing. --Clarendon.
Molder \Mold"er\, Moulder \Mould"er\, v. t.
To turn to dust; to cause to crumble; to cause to waste away.
[Time's] gradual touch Has moldered into beauty many a
tower. --Mason.
Moldery \Mold"er*y\, Mouldery \Mould"er*y\, a.
Covered or filled with mold; consisting of, or resembling,
mold.
Moldiness \Mold"i*ness\, Mouldiness \Mould"i*ness\, n. [From
{Moldy}.]
The state of being moldy.
Molding \Mold"ing\, Moulding \Mould"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of shaping in or on a mold, or of
making molds; the art or occupation of a molder.
2. Anything cast in a mold, or which appears to be so, as
grooved or ornamental bars of wood or metal.
3. (Arch.) A plane, or curved, narrow surface, either sunk or
projecting, used for decoration by means of the lights and
shades upon its surface. Moldings vary greatly in pattern,
and are generally used in groups, the different members of
each group projecting or retreating, one beyond another.
See {Cable}, n., 3, and {Crenelated molding}, under
{Crenelate}, v. t.
Molding \Mold"ing\, Moulding \Mould"ing\, p.a.
Used in making a mold or moldings; used in shaping anything
according to a pattern.
{Molding, or Moulding}, {board}.
(a) See {Follow board}, under {Follow}, v. t.
(b) A board on which bread or pastry is kneaded and shaped.
{Molding, or Moulding}, {machine}.
(a) (Woodworking) A planing machine for making moldings. (
b ) (Founding) A machine to assist in making molds for
castings.
{Molding, or Moulding}, {mill}, a mill for shaping timber.
{Molding, or Moulding}, {sand} (Founding), a kind of sand
containing clay, used in making molds.
Moldwarp \Mold"warp\, Mouldwarp \Mould"warp\, n. [OE. moldwerp:
AS. molde soil + weorpan to throw up; cf. OD. molworp, G.
maulwurf, Icel. moldvarpa, Dan. muldvarp. See {Mold} soil,
{Warp}, and cf. {Mole} the animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mole} the animal. --Spenser.
Moldy \Mold"y\, Mouldy \Mould"y\, a. [Compar. {Moldier}or
{Mouldier}; superl. {Moldiest} or {Mouldiest}.] [From {Mold}
the growth of fungi.]
Overgrown with, or containing, mold; as, moldy cheese or
bread.
Mole \Mole\, n. [AS. m[=a]l; akin to OHG. meil, Goth. mail Cf.
{Mail} a spot.]
1. A spot; a stain; a mark which discolors or disfigures.
[Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
2. A spot, mark, or small permanent protuberance on the human
body; esp., a spot which is dark-colored, from which
commonly issue one or more hairs.
Mole \Mole\, n. [L. mola.]
A mass of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated
in the uterus.
Mole \Mole\, n. [F. m[^o]le, L. moles. Cf. {Demolish},
{Emolument}, {Molest}.]
A mound or massive work formed of masonry or large stones,
etc., laid in the sea, often extended either in a right line
or an arc of a circle before a port which it serves to defend
from the violence of the waves, thus protecting ships in a
harbor; also, sometimes, the harbor itself. --Brande & C.
Mole \Mole\, n. [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or
from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See
{Moldwarp}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any insectivore of the family {Talpid[ae]}.
They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large
and strong fore feet.
Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp ({Talpa
Europ[ae]a}), is noted for its extensive burrows. The
common American mole, or shrew mole ({Scalops
aquaticus}), and star-nosed mole ({Condylura cristata})
have similar habits.
Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two
unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole
rat.
2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground
drains. [U.S.]
{Duck mole}. See under {Duck}.
{Golden mole}. See {Chrysochlore}.
{Mole cricket} (Zo["o]l.), an orthopterous insect of the
genus {Gryllotalpa}, which excavates subterranean
galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those
of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots
of plants. The common European species ({Gryllotalpa
vulgaris}), and the American ({G. borealis}), are the best
known.
{Mole rat} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of Old
World rodents of the genera {Spalax}, {Georychus}, and
several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and
habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary.
{Mole shrew} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
short-tailed American shrews of the genus {Blarina}, esp.
{B. brevicauda}.
{Water mole}, the duck mole.
Mole \Mole\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Moling}.]
1. To form holes in, as a mole; to burrow; to excavate; as,
to mole the earth.
2. To clear of molehills. [Prov. Eng.] --Pegge.
Molebut \Mole"but\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The sunfish ({Orthagoriscus}, or {Mola}). [Written also
{molebat}.]
Molecast \Mole"cast`\, n.
A little elevation of earth made by a mole; a molehill.
--Mortimer.
Molech \Mo"lech\, n. [Heb. molek king.] (Script.)
The fire god of the Ammonites, to whom human sacrifices were
offered; Moloch. --Lev. xviii. 21.
Molecular \Mo*lec"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. mol['e]culare. See
{Molecule}.] (Phys. & Chem.)
Pertaining to, connected with, produced by, or consisting of,
molecules; as, molecular forces; molecular groups of atoms,
etc.
{Molecular attraction} (Phys.), attraction acting between the
molecules of bodies, and at insensible distances.
{Molecular weight} (Chem.), the weight of a molecule of any
gas or vapor as compared with the hydrogen atom as a
standard; the sum of the atomic weights of the
constituents of a molecule; thus, the molecular weight of
water ({H2O}) is 18.
Molecularity \Mo*lec`u*lar"i*ty\, n. (Phys. & Chem.)
The state of consisting of molecules; the state or quality of
being molecular.
Molecularly \Mo*lec"u*lar*ly\, adv. (Phys. & Chem.)
With molecules; in the manner of molecules. --W. R. Grove.
Molecule \Mol"e*cule\, n. [Dim. fr. L. moles a mass: cf. F.
mol['e]cule. See 3d {Mole}.]
1. One of the very small invisible particles of which all
matter is supposed to consist.
2. (Physics) The smallest part of any substance which
possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of
that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state.
3. (Chem.) A group of atoms so united and combined by
chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated
whole, being the smallest portion of any particular
compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of
water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen.
Cf. {Atom}.
Mole-eyed \Mole"-eyed`\, a.
Having eyes like those of the mole; having imperfect sight.
Molehill \Mole"hill`\, n.
A little hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under
ground; hence, a very small hill, or an insignificant
obstacle or difficulty.
Having leapt over such mountains, lie down before a
molehill. --South.
Molendinaceous \Mo*len`di*na"ceous\, Molendinarious
\Mo*len`di*na"ri*ous\, a. [L. molendinarius, fr. molendinum a
mill, fr. molere to grind.] (Bot.)
Resembling the sails of a windmill.
Moleskin \Mole"skin`\, n.
Any fabric having a thick soft shag, like the fur of a mole;
esp., a kind of strong twilled fustian.
Molest \Mo*lest"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Molested}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Molesting}.] [F. molester, L. molestare, fr. molestus
troublesome, fr. moles a heavy mass, load, burden. See 3d
{Mole}.]
To trouble; to disturb; to render uneasy; to interfere with;
to vex.
They have molested the church with needless opposition.
--Hooker.
Syn: To trouble; disturb; incommode; inconvenience; annoy;
vex; tease.
Molest \Mo*lest"\, n.
Molestation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Molestation \Mol`es*ta"tion\, n. [Cf. F. molestation.]
The act of molesting, or the state of being molested;
disturbance; annoyance.
Molester \Mo*lest"er\, n.
One who molests.
Molestful \Mo*lest"ful\, a.
Troublesome; vexatious. [R.]
Molestie \Mo*les"tie\, Molesty \Mo*les"ty\, n. [L. molestia.]
Molestation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Molewarp \Mole"warp`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Moldwarp}.
Moliminous \Mo*lim"i*nous\, a. [L. molimen a great exertion;
moles a heavy mass.]
Of great bulk or consequence; very important. [Obs.] --Dr. H.
More.
Moline \Mo"line\, n. [L. molina mill, fr. molere to grind. See
{Mill}.]
The crossed iron that supports the upper millstone by resting
on the spindle; a millrind.
{Cross moline} (Her.), a cross each arm of which is divided
at the end into two rounded branches or divisions.
Molinism \Mo"lin*ism\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
The doctrines of the Molinists, somewhat resembling the
tenets of the Arminians.
Molinist \Mo"lin*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of the opinions of Molina, a Spanish Jesuit (in
respect to grace); an opposer of the Jansenists.
Moll \Moll\, a. [G., fr. L. mollis soft, tender, elegiac. Cf.
{Molle}.] (Mus.)
Minor; in the minor mode; as, A moll, that is, A minor.
Mollah \Mol"lah\, n. [Ar. maul[=a], commonly moll[=a]in Turkey.]
One of the higher order of Turkish judges; also, a Turkish
title of respect for a religious and learned man. [Written
also {moolah}.]
Molle \Mol"le\, a. [See {Moll}.] (Mus.)
Lower by a semitone; flat; as, E molle, that is, E flat.
Mollebart \Mol"le*bart\, n.
An agricultural implement used in Flanders, consisting of a
kind of large shovel drawn by a horse and guided by a man.
[Written also {molleb[ae]rt} and {mouldeb[ae]rt}.]
--Simmonds.
Mollemoke \Mol"le*moke`\, n. [Sw. mallemucke the stormy petrel.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of large pelagic petrels and
fulmars, as {Fulmarus glacialis}, of the North Atlantic, and
several species of {[AE]strelata}, of the Southern Ocean. See
{Fulmar}. [Written also {mollymawk}, {malmock}, {mollemock},
{mallemocke}, etc.]
Mollient \Mol"lient\, a. [L. molliens, p. p. of mollire to
soften, fr. mollis soft.]
Serving to soften; assuaging; emollient.
Molliently \Mol"lient*ly\, adv.
Assuagingly.
Mollifiable \Mol"li*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being mollified.
Mollification \Mol`li*fi*ca"tion\, n. [LL. mollificatio; cf. F.
mollification.]
The act of mollifying, or the state of being mollified; a
softening. --Chaucer.
Mollifier \Mol"li*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, mollifies. --Bacon.
Mollify \Mol"li*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mollified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mollifying}.] [F. mollifier, L. mollificare; mollis
soft + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Enmollient}, {Moil},
v. t., and {-fy}.]
1. To soften; to make tender; to reduce the hardness,
harshness, or asperity of; to qualify; as, to mollify the
ground.
With sweet science mollified their stubborn hearts.
--Spenser.
2. To assuage, as pain or irritation, to appease, as excited
feeling or passion; to pacify; to calm.
Mollinet \Mol"li*net\, n. [Cf. {Moline}.]
A little mill.
Mollipilose \Mol`li*pi*lose"\, a. [L. mollis soft + pilosus
hairy.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having soft hairs; downy.
Mollities \Mol*li"ti*es\, n. [L., softness.] (Med.)
Unnatural softness of any organ or part. --Dunglison.
Mollitude \Mol"li*tude\, n. [L. mollitudo, fr. mollis soft.]
Softness; effeminacy; weakness. [R.]
Mollusc \Mol"lusc\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Mollusk}.
Mollusca \Mol*lus"ca\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mollusk}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, including
the classes Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, PteropodaScaphopoda, and
Lamellibranchiata, or Conchifera. These animals have an
unsegmented bilateral body, with most of the organs and parts
paired, but not repeated longitudinally. Most of them develop
a mantle, which incloses either a branchial or a pulmonary
cavity. They are generally more or less covered and protected
by a calcareous shell, which may be univalve, bivalve, or
multivalve.
Note: Formerly the Brachiopoda, Bryzoa, and Tunicata were
united with the Lamellibranchiata in an artificial
group called Acephala, which was also included under
Mollusca. See {Molluscoudea}.
Molluscan \Mol*lus"can\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to mollusks. -- n. A mollusk; one of the
Mollusca.
Molluscoid \Mol*lus"coid\, a. [Mollusca + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling the true mollusks; belonging to the Molluscoidea.
-- n. One of the Molluscoidea.
Molluscoidal \Mol`lus*coid"al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Molluscoid.
Molluscoidea \Mol`lus*coi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mollusk}, and
{-oid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Invertebrata which includes the classes
Brachiopoda and Bryozoa; -- called also {Anthoid Mollusca}.
Note: Originally the Tunicata were included under
Molluscoidea, from which they are known to differ
widely in structure and embryology. Molluscoidea were
formerly considered a subdivision of Mollusca, but they
are now known to have more relationship with Annelida
than with Mollusca.
Molluscous \Mol*lus"cous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Molluscan.
Molluscum \Mol*lus"cum\, n. [NL. See {Mollusk}.] (Med.)
A cutaneous disease characterized by numerous tumors, of
various forms, filled with a thick matter; -- so called from
the resemblance of the tumors to some molluscous animals.
--Dunglison.
Mollusk \Mol"lusk\, n. [F. mollusque, L. mollusca a kind of soft
nut with a thin shell, fr. molluscus soft, mollis soft. See
{Mollify}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Mollusca. [Written also {mollusc}.]
Molly \Mol"ly\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Mollemoke}.
Molly \Mol"ly\, n.
A pet or colloquial name for Mary.
{Molly cottontail}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Cottontail}.
{Molly Maguire} (m[.a]*gw[imac]r"); pl. {Molly Maguires}
(-gw[imac]rz).
(a) A member of a secret association formed among the
tenantry in Ireland about 1843, principally for the
purpose of intimidating law officers and preventing the
service of legal writs. Its members disguised themselves
in the dress of women.
(b) A member of a similar association of Irishmen organized
in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania, about
1854, for the purpose of intimidating employers and
officers of the law, and for avenging themselves by
murder on persons obnoxious to them. The society was
broken up by criminal prosecutions in 1876.
Molly-mawk \Mol"ly-mawk`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mollemoke}.
Moloch \Mo"loch\, n. [Heb. molek king.]
1. (Script.) The fire god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to whom
human sacrifices were offered; Molech. Also applied
figuratively.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A spiny Australian lizard ({Moloch horridus}).
The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give
it a most formidable appearance.
Molosse \Mo*losse"\, n.
See {Molossus}.
Molosses \Mo*los"ses\, n.
Molasses. [Obs.]
Molossine \Mo*los"sine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bat of the genus {Molossus}, as the monk bat.
Molossus \Mo*los"sus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, prop., Molossian,
belonging to the Molossians, a people in the eastern part of
Epirus.] (Gr. & Lat. Pros.)
A foot of three long syllables. [Written also {molosse}.]
Molt \Molt\, obs.
imp. of {Melt}. --Chaucer. --Spenser.
Molt \Molt\, Moult \Moult\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Molted} or
{Moulted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Molting} or {Moulting}.] [OE.
mouten, L. mutare. See {Mew} to molt, and cf. {Mute}, v. t.]
[The prevalent spelling is, perhaps, {moult}; but as the {u}
has not been inserted in the otherwords of this class, as,
bolt, colt, dolt, etc., it is desirable to complete the
analogy by the spelling {molt}.]
To shed or cast the hair, feathers, skin, horns, or the like,
as an animal or a bird. --Bacon.
Molt \Molt\, Moult \Moult\, v. t.
To cast, as the hair, skin, feathers, or the like; to shed.
Molt \Molt\, Moult \Moult\, n.
The act or process of changing the feathers, hair, skin,
etc.; molting.
Moltable \Molt"a*ble\, a.
Capable of assuming a molten state; meltable; fusible. [Obs.]
Molten \Mol"ten\, a. [See {Melt}.]
1. Melted; being in a state of fusion, esp. when the liquid
state is produced by a high degree of heat; as, molten
iron.
2. Made by melting and casting the substance or metal of
which the thing is formed; as, a molten image.
Molto \Mol"to\, adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Much; very; as, molto adagio, very slow.
Moly \Mo"ly\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. A fabulous herb of occult power, having a black root and
white blossoms, said by Homer to have been given by Hermes
to Ulysses to counteract the spells of Circe. --Milton.
2. (Bot.) A kind of garlic ({Allium Moly}) with large yellow
flowers; -- called also {golden garlic}.
Molybdate \Mo*lyb"date\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of molybdic acid.
Molybdena \Mol`yb*de"na\, n. [L. molybdaena galena, Gr. ?, fr. ?
lead.] (Min.)
See {Molybdenite}.
Molybdenite \Mo*lyb"de*nite\, n. [Cf. F. molybd['e]nite. See
{Molybdena}.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring in soft, lead-gray, foliated masses or
scales, resembling graphite; sulphide of molybdenum.
Molybdenous \Mo*lyb"de*nous\, a. (Chem.)
See {Molybdous}.
Molybdenum \Mol`yb*de"num\, n. [NL.: cf. F. molybd[`e]ne. See
{Molybdena}.] (Chem.)
A rare element of the chromium group, occurring in nature in
the minerals molybdenite and wulfenite, and when reduced
obtained as a hard, silver-white, difficulty fusible metal.
Symbol Mo. Atomic weight 95.9.
Molybdic \Mo*lyb"dic\, a. [Cf. F. molybdique. See {molybdena}.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif.,
designating those compounds in which the element has a higher
valence, as contrasted with molybdous compounds; as, molybdic
oxide.
Molybdite \Mo*lyb"dite\, n. (Min.)
Molybdic ocher.
Molybdous \Mo*lyb"dous\, a. [See {Molybdena}.]
Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif.,
designating those compounds in which molybdenum has a lower
valence as contrasted with molybdic compounds.
Mome \Mome\, n. [Cf. {Mumm}, {Momus}.]
A dull, silent person; a blockhead. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Moment \Mo"ment\, n. [F. moment, L. momentum, for movimentum
movement, motion, moment, fr. movere to move. See {Move}, and
cf. {Momentum}, {Movement}.]
1. A minute portion of time; a point of time; an instant; as,
at thet very moment.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. --1 Cor.
xv. 52.
2. Impulsive power; force; momentum.
The moments or quantities of motion in bodies.
--Berkley.
Touch, with lightest moment of impulse, His free
will. --Milton.
3. Importance, as in influence or effect; consequence; weight
or value; consideration.
Matters of great moment. --Shak.
It is an abstruse speculation, but also of far less
moment and consequence of us than the others.
--Bentley.
4. An essential element; a deciding point, fact, or
consideration; an essential or influential circumstance.
5. (Math.) An infinitesimal change in a varying quantity; an
increment or decrement. [Obs.]
6. (Mech.) Tendency, or measure of tendency, to produce
motion, esp. motion about a fixed point or axis.
{Moment of a couple} (Mech.), the product of either of its
forces into the perpendicular distance between them.
{Moment of a force}. (Mech.)
(a) With respect to a point, the product of the intensity
of the force into the perpendicular distance from the
point to the line of direction of the force.
(b) With respect to a line, the product of that component
of the force which is perpendicular to the plane
passing through the line and the point of application
of the force, into the shortest distance between the
line and this point.
(c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force,
the product of the force into the perpendicular
distance of its point of application from the plane.
{Moment of inertia}, of a rotating body, the sum of the mass
of each particle of matter of the body into the square of
its distance from the axis of rotation; -- called also
{moment of rotation} and {moment of the mass}.
{Statical moment}, the product of a force into its leverage;
the same as {moment of a force} with respect to a point,
line, etc.
{Virtual moment}. See under {Virtual}.
Syn: Instant; twinkling; consequence; weight; force; value;
consideration; signification; avail.
Momental \Mo*men"tal\, a. [Cf. OF. momental.] [Obs.]
1. Lasting but a moment; brief.
Not one momental minute doth she swerve. --Breton.
2. Important; momentous.
3. (Mech.) Of or pertaining to moment or momentum.
Momentally \Mo*men"tal*ly\, adv.
For a moment. [Obs.]
Momentaneous \Mo`men*ta"ne*ous\, Momentany \Mo"men*ta*ny\, a.
[L. momentaneus: cf. F. momentan['e].]
Momentary. [Obs.] --Hooker. ``Momentany as a sound.'' --Shak.
Momentarily \Mo"men*ta*ri*ly\, adv.
Every moment; from moment to moment.
--Shenstone.
Momentariness \Mo"men*ta*ri*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being momentary; shortness of
duration.
Momentary \Mo"men*ta*ry\, a. [L. momentarius. See {Moment}.]
Done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very
short time; as, a momentary pang.
This momentary joy breeds months of pain. --Shak.
Momently \Mo"ment*ly\, adv.
1. For a moment.
2. In a moment; every moment; momentarily.
Momentous \Mo*men"tous\, a. [Cf. L. momentosus rapid,
momentary.]
Of moment or consequence; very important; weighty; as, a
momentous decision; momentous affairs. -- {Mo*men"tous*ly},
adv. -- {Mo*men"tous*ness}, n.
Momentum \Mo*men"tum\, n.; pl. L. {Momenta}, F. {Momentums}. [L.
See {Moment}.]
1. (Mech.) The quantity of motion in a moving body, being
always proportioned to the quantity of matter multiplied
into the velocity; impetus.
2. Essential element, or constituent element.
I shall state the several momenta of the distinction
in separate propositions. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Momier \Mom"i*er\, n. [F. m[^o]mier, fr. OF. momer, mommer, to
mumm, to mask one's self.]
A name given in contempt to strict Calvinists in Switzerland,
France, and some parts of Germany, in the early part of the
19th century.
Mommery \Mom"mer*y\, n.
See {Mummery}. --Rowe.
Momot \Mo"mot\, n. [Momot and motmot, the native American name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
See {Motmot}.
Momus \Mo"mus\, n. [Gr. ? blame, ridicule, Momus.] (Gr. Myth.)
The god of mockery and censure.
Mon- \Mon-\
Same as {Mono-}.
Mona \Mo"na\, n. [CF. Sp. & Pg. mona, fem. of mono a monkey,
ape.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, handsome, long-tailed West American monkey
({Cercopithecus mona}). The body is dark olive, with a spot
of white on the haunches.
Monachal \Mon"a*chal\, a. [L. monachus a monk: cf. F. monacal.
See {Monk}.]
Of or pertaining to monks or a monastic life; monastic.
Monachism \Mon"a*chism\, n. [Cf. F. monachisme.]
The system and influences of a monastic life; monasticism.
Monacid \Mon*ac"id\, a. [Mon- + acid.] (Chem.)
Having one hydrogen atom replaceable by a negative or acid
atom or radical; capable of neutralizing a monobasic acid; --
said of bases, and of certain metals.
Monad \Mon"ad\, n. [L. monas, -adis, a unit, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ?
alone.]
1. An ultimate atom, or simple, unextended point; something
ultimate and indivisible.
2. (Philos. of Leibnitz) The elementary and indestructible
units which were conceived of as endowed with the power to
produce all the changes they undergo, and thus determine
all physical and spiritual phenomena.
3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the smallest flangellate Infusoria;
esp., the species of the genus Monas, and allied genera.
4. (Biol.) A simple, minute organism; a primary cell, germ,
or plastid.
5. (Chem.) An atom or radical whose valence is one, or which
can combine with, be replaced by, or exchanged for, one
atom of hydrogen.
{Monad deme} (Biol.), in tectology, a unit of the first order
of individuality.
Monadaria \Mon`a*da"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Monad}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Infusoria.
Monadelphia \Mon`a*del"phi*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? alone + ?
brother.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants having the stamens united into a
tube, or ring, by the filaments, as in the Mallow family.
Monadelphian \Mon`a*del"phi*an\, Monadelphous \Mon`a*del"phous\,
a. [Cf. F. monadelphie.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the Monadelphia; having the stamens
united in one body by the filaments.
Monadic \Mo*nad"ic\, Monadical \Mo*nad"ic*al\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, a monad, in any of its senses.
See {Monad}, n. --Dr. H. More.
Monadiform \Mo*nad"i*form\, a. [Monad + -form.] (Biol.)
Having the form of a monad; resembling a monad in having one
or more filaments of vibratile protoplasm; as, monadiform
young.
Monadology \Mon`ad*ol"o*gy\, n. [Monad + -logy.] (Philos.)
The doctrine or theory of monads.
Monal \Mo*nal"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any Asiatic pheasant of the genus {Lophophorus}, as the
Impeyan pheasant.
Monamide \Mon*am"ide\, n. [Mon- + amide.] (Chem.)
An amido compound with only one amido group.
Monamine \Mon*am"ine\, n. [Mon- + amine.] (Chem.)
A basic compound containing one amido group; as, methyl amine
is a monamine.
Monander \Mo*nan"der\, n. (Bot.)
One of the Monandria.
Monandria \Mo*nan"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? alone + ?, ?,
a man.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants embracing those having but a
single stamen.
Monandrian \Mo*nan"dri*an\, a.; (Bot.)
Same as {Monandrous}.
Monandric \Mo*nan"dric\, a.
Of or pertaining to monandry; practicing monandry as a system
of marriage.
Monandrous \Mo*nan"drous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the monandria; having but one stamen.
Monandry \Mo*nan"dry\, n. [See {Monandria}.]
The possession by a woman of only one husband at the same
time; -- contrasted with polyandry.
Monanthous \Mo*nan"thous\, a. [Mon- + Gr. ? flower.] (Bot.)
Having but one flower; one-flowered. --Gray.
Monarch \Mon"arch\, n. [F. monarque, L. monarcha, fr. Gr. ?, ?;
? alone + ? to be first, rule, govern. See {Archi-}.]
1. A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler;
an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief.
He who reigns Monarch in heaven, . . . upheld by old
repute. --Milton.
2. One superior to all others of the same kind; as, an oak is
called the monarch of the forest.
3. A patron deity or presiding genius.
Come, thou, monarch of the vine, Plumpy Bacchus.
--Shak.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A very large red and black butterfly ({Danais
Plexippus}); -- called also {milkweed butterfly}.
Monarch \Mon"arch\, a.
Superior to others; pre["e]minent; supreme; ruling. ``Monarch
savage.'' --Pope.
Monarchal \Mo*nar"chal\, a.
Pertaining to a monarch; suiting a monarch; sovoreign; regal;
imperial.
Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his
fellows, with monarchal pride. --Milton.
Monarchess \Mon"arch*ess\, n.
A female monarch. [Obs.]
Monarchial \Mo*nar"chi*al\, a.
Monarchic. --Burke.
Monarchian \Mo*nar"chi*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect in the early Christian church which rejected
the doctrine of the Trinity; -- called also {patripassian}.
Monarchic \Mo*nar"chic\, Monarchical \Mo*nar"chic*al\, a. [F.
monarchique, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to a monarch, or to monarchy. --Burke. --
{Mo*nar"chic*al*ly}, adv.
Monarchism \Mon"arch*ism\, n.
The principles of, or preference for, monarchy.
Monarchist \Mon"arch*ist\, n. [Cf. F. monarchiste.]
An advocate of, or believer in, monarchy.
Monarchize \Mon"arch*ize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Monarchized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Monarchizing}.]
To play the sovereign; to act the monarch. [R.] --Shak.
Monarchize \Mon"arch*ize\, v. t.
To rule; to govern. [R.]
Monarchizer \Mon"arch*i`zer\, n.
One who monarchizes; also, a monarchist.
Monarcho \Mo*nar"cho\, n.
The nickname of a crackbrained Italian who fancied himself an
emperor. [Obs.] --Shak.
Monarchy \Mon"arch*y\, n.; pl. {Monarchies}. [F. monarchie, L.
monarchia, Gr. ?. See {Monarch}.]
1. A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged
in the hands of a monarch.
2. A system of government in which the chief ruler is a
monarch.
In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy.
--Macaulay.
3. The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom.
What scourage for perjury Can this dark monarchy
afford false Clarence. --Shak.
{Fifth monarchy}, a universal monarchy, supposed to be the
subject of prophecy in Daniel ii.; the four preceding
monarchies being Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman.
See {Fifth Monarchy men}, under {Fifth}.
Monas \Mo"nas\, n. [NL. See {Monad}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of minute flagellate Infusoria of which there are
many species, both free and attached. See Illust. under
{Monad}.
Monasterial \Mon`as*te"ri*al\, a. [L. monasterials, fr.
monasterium.]
Of or pertaining to monastery, or to monastic life. --
{Mon`as*te"ri*al*ly}, adv.
Monastery \Mon"as*te*ry\, n.; pl. {Monasteries}. [L.
monasterium, Gr. ?, fr. ? a solitary, a monk, fr. ? to be
alone, live in solitude, fr. ? alone. Cf. {Minister}.]
A house of religious retirement, or of secusion from ordinary
temporal concerns, especially for monks; -- more rarely
applied to such a house for females.
Syn: Convent; abbey; priory. See {Cloister}.
Monastic \Mo*nas"tic\, n.
A monk.
Monastic \Mo*nas"tic\, Monastical \Mo*nas"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?
monk: cf. F. monastique. See {Monastery}.]
1. Of or pertaining to monasteries, or to their occupants,
rules, etc., as, monastic institutions or rules.
2. Secluded from temporal concerns and devoted to religion;
recluse. ``A life monastic.'' --Denham.
Monastically \Mo*nas"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a monastic manner.
Monasticism \Mo*nas"ti*cism\, n.
The monastic life, system, or condition. --Milman.
Monasticon \Mo*nas"ti*con\, n. [NL. See {Monastic}.]
A book giving an account of monasteries.
Monatomic \Mon`a*tom"ic\, adv. [Mon- + atomic.] (Chem.)
(a) Consisting of, or containing, one atom; as, the molecule
of mercury is monatomic.
(b) Having the equivalence or replacing power of an atom of
hydrogen; univalent; as, the methyl radical is monatomic.
Monaxial \Mo*nax"i*al\, a. [Mon- + axial.] (Biol.)
Having only one axis; developing along a single line or
plane; as, monaxial development.
Monazite \Mon"a*zite\ (m[o^]n"[.a]*z[imac]t), n. [From Gr.
mona`zein to be solitary, in allusion to its isolated
crystals.] (Min.)
A mineral occurring usually in small isolated crystals, -- a
phosphate of the cerium metals.
Monday \Mon"day\ (m[u^]n"d[asl]; 48), n. [OE. moneday, monenday,
AS. m[=o]nand[ae]g, i.e., day of the moon, day sacred to the
moon; akin to D. maandag, G. montag, OHG. m[=a]natag, Icel.
m[=a]nadagr, Dan. mandag, Sw. m[*a]ndag. See {Moon}, and
{Day}.]
The second day of the week; the day following Sunday.
Monde \Monde\ (m[^o]Nd), n. [F. See {Mundane}.]
The world; a globe as an ensign of royalty. [R.] --A.
Drummond.
{Le beau monde} [F.], fashionable society. See {Beau monde}.
{Demi monde}. See {Demimonde}.
Mone \Mone\, n.
The moon. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mone \Mone\, n.
A moan. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Monecian \Mo*ne"cian\, Monecious \Mo*ne"cious\, a. (Bot.)
See {Mon[oe]cian}, and {Mon[oe]cious}.
Monembryony \Mon*em"bry*o*ny\, n. [See {Mono-}, and {Embryo}.]
(Bot.)
The condition of an ovule having but a single embryo. --
{Mon*em`bry*on"ic}, a.
Moner \Mo"ner\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Monera.
Monera \Mo*ne"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lowest division of rhizopods, including those which
resemble the am[oe]bas, but are destitute of a nucleus.
Moneral \Mo*ne"ral\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Monera.
Moneran \Mo*ne"ran\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Monera. -- n. One of the Monera.
Moneron \Mo*ne"ron\, n.; pl. L. {Monera}; E. {Monerons}. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the Monera.
Monerula \Mo*ner"u*la\, n. [NL., dim. of moner. See {Monera}.]
(Biol.)
A germ in that stage of development in which its form is
simply that of a non-nucleated mass of protoplasm. It
precedes the one-celled germ. So called from its likeness to
a moner. --Haeckel.
Monesia \Mo*ne"sia\, n. (Pharm.)
The bark, or a vegetable extract brought in solid cakes from
South America and believed to be derived from the bark, of
the tree {Chrysophyllum glycyphl[oe]um}. It is used as an
alterative and astringent.
Monesin \Mo*ne"sin\, n.
The acrid principle of Monesia, sometimes used as a medicine.
Monest \Mo*nest"\, v. t. [See {Admonish}.]
To warn; to admonish; to advise. [Obs.] --Wyclif (2 Cor. v.
20).
Monetary \Mon"e*ta*ry\, a. [L. monetarius belonging to a mint.
See {Money}.]
Of or pertaining to money, or consisting of money; pecuniary.
``The monetary relations of Europe.'' --E. Everett.
{Monetary unit}, the standard of a national currency, as the
dollar in the United States, the pound in England, the
franc in France, the mark in Germany.
Moneth \Mon"eth\, n.
A month. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Monetization \Mon`e*ti*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of converting into money, or of adopting
as money; as, the monetization of silver.
Monetize \Mon"e*tize\, v. t.
To convert into money; to adopt as current money; as, to
monetize silver.
Money \Mon"ey\, n.; pl. {Moneys}. [OE. moneie, OF. moneie, F.
monnaie, fr. L. moneta. See {Mint} place where coin is made,
{Mind}, and cf. {Moidore}, {Monetary}.]
1. A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper, etc., coined,
or stamped, and issued by the sovereign authority as a
medium of exchange in financial transactions between
citizens and with government; also, any number of such
pieces; coin.
To prevent such abuses, . . . it has been found
necessary . . . to affix a public stamp upon certain
quantities of such particular metals, as were in
those countries commonly made use of to purchase
goods. Hence the origin of coined money, and of
those public offices called mints. --A. Smith.
2. Any written or stamped promise, certificate, or order, as
a government note, a bank note, a certificate of deposit,
etc., which is payable in standard coined money and is
lawfully current in lieu of it; in a comprehensive sense,
any currency usually and lawfully employed in buying and
selling.
Note: Whatever, among barbarous nations, is used as a medium
of effecting exchanges of property, and in the terms of
which values are reckoned, as sheep, wampum, copper
rings, quills of salt or of gold dust, shovel blades,
etc., is, in common language, called their money.
3. In general, wealth; property; as, he has much money in
land, or in stocks; to make, or lose, money.
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
--1 Tim vi. 10
(Rev. Ver. ).
{Money bill} (Legislation), a bill for raising revenue.
{Money broker}, a broker who deals in different kinds of
money; one who buys and sells bills of exchange; -- called
also {money changer}.
{Money cowrie} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
{Cypr[ae]a} (esp. {C. moneta}) formerly much used as money
by savage tribes. See {Cowrie}.
{Money of account}, a denomination of value used in keeping
accounts, for which there may, or may not, be an
equivalent coin; e. g., the mill is a money of account in
the United States, but not a coin.
{Money order}, an order for the payment of money;
specifically, a government order for the payment of money,
issued at one post office as payable at another; -- called
also {postal money order}.
{Money scrivener}, a person who produces the loan of money to
others. [Eng.]
{Money spider}, {Money spinner} (Zo["o]l.), a small spider;
-- so called as being popularly supposed to indicate that
the person upon whom it crawls will be fortunate in money
matters.
{Money's worth}, a fair or full equivalent for the money
which is paid.
{A piece of money}, a single coin.
{Ready money}, money held ready for payment, or actually
paid, at the time of a transaction; cash.
{To make money}, to gain or acquire money or property; to
make a profit in dealings.
Money \Mon"ey\, v. t.
To supply with money. [Obs.]
Moneyage \Mon"ey*age\, n. [Cf. F. monnayage coinage.]
1. A tax paid to the first two Norman kings of England to
prevent them from debashing the coin. --Hume.
2. Mintage; coinage. [Obs.]
Moneyed \Mon"eyed\, adv.
1. Supplied with money; having money; wealthy; as, moneyey
men. --Bacon.
2. Converted into money; coined.
If exportation will not balance importation, away
must your silver go again, whether moneyed or not
moneyed. --Locke.
3. Consisting in, or composed of, money. --A. Hamilton.
Moneyer \Mon"ey*er\, n. [From {Money}; cf. OF. monoier, F.
monnoayeur, L. monetarius a master of the mint. Cf.
{Monetary}.]
1. A person who deals in money; banker or broker. [Obs. or
R.]
2. An authorized coiner of money. --Sir M. Hale.
{The Company of Moneyers}, the officials who formerly coined
the money of Great Britain, and who claimed certain
prescriptive rights and privileges.
Moneyless \Mon"ey*less\, a.
Destitute of money; penniless; impecunious. --Swift.
Money-maker \Mon"ey-mak`er\, n.
1. One who coins or prints money; also, a counterfeiter of
money. [R.]
2. One who accumulates money or wealth; specifically, one who
makes money-getting his governing motive.
Money-making \Mon"ey-mak`ing\, n.
The act or process of making money; the acquisition and
accumulation of wealth.
Obstinacy in money-making. --Milman.
Money-making \Mon"ey-mak`ing\, a.
1. Affording profitable returns; lucrative; as, a
money-making business.
2. Sussessful in gaining money, and devoted to that aim; as,
a money-making man.
Moneywort \Mon"ey*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A trailing plant ({Lysimachia Nummularia}), with rounded
opposite leaves and solitary yellow flowers in their axils.
Mongcorn \Mong"corn`\, n.
See {Mangcorn}.
Monger \Mon"ger\, n. [AS. mangere, fr. mangian to trade; akin to
Icel. manga to trade, mangari a trader, OHG. mangari,
mengari; cf. L. mango a dealer in slaves.]
1. A trader; a dealer; -- now used chiefly in composition;
as, fishmonger, ironmonger, newsmonger.
2. A small merchant vessel. [Obs.] --Blount.
Monger \Mon"ger\, v. t.
To deal in; to make merchandise of; to traffic in; -- used
chiefly of discreditable traffic.
Mongol \Mon"gol\, n.
One of the Mongols. -- a. Of or pertaining to Mongolia or the
Mongols.
Mongolian \Mon*go"li*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mongolia or the Mongols. -- n. One of the
Mongols.
Mongolic \Mon*gol"ic\, a.
See {Mongolian}.
Mongoloid \Mon"go*loid\, a. [Mongol + -oid.]
Resembling a Mongol or the Mongols; having race
characteristics, such as color, hair, and features, like
those of the Mongols. --Huxley.
Mongols \Mon"gols\, Mongolians \Mon*go"li*ans\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
One of the great races of man, including the greater part of
the inhabitants of China, Japan, and the interior of Asia,
with branches in Northern Europe and other parts of the
world. By some American Indians are considered a branch of
the Mongols. In a more restricted sense, the inhabitants of
Mongolia and adjacent countries, including the Burats and the
Kalmuks.
Mongoose \Mon"goose\, Mongoos \Mon"goos\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of ichneumon ({Herpestes griseus}), native of
India. Applied also to other allied species, as the African
banded mongoose ({Crossarchus fasciatus}). [Written also
{mungoose}, {mungoos}, {mungous}.]
Mongrel \Mon"grel\, n. [Prob. shortened fr. mongrel, and akin to
AS. mengan to mix, and E. mingle. See {Mingle}.]
The progeny resulting from a cross between two breeds, as of
domestic animals; anything of mixed breed. --Drayton.
Mongrel \Mon"grel\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Not of a pure breed.
2. Of mixed kinds; as, mongrel language.
Mongrelize \Mon"grel*ize\, v. t. & i.
To cause to be mongrel; to cross breeds, so as to produce
mongrels.
'Mongst \'Mongst\, prep.
See {Amongst}.
Monied \Mon"ied\, a.
See {Moneyed}.
Monifier \Mo*nif"i*er\, n. [NL., fr. L. monile necklace + ferre
to bear.] (Paleon.)
A fossil fish.
Moniliform \Mo*nil"i*form\, a. [L. monile necklace + -form: cf.
F. moniliforme.] (Biol.)
Joined or constricted, at regular intervals, so as to
resemble a string of beads; as, a moniliform root; a
moniliform antenna. See Illust. of {Antenna}.
Moniment \Mon"i*ment\, n. [L. monimentum, monumentum. See
{Monument}.]
Something to preserve memory; a reminder; a monument; hence,
a mark; an image; a superscription; a record. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Monish \Mon"ish\, v. t. [OE. monesten. See {Admonish},
{Monition}.]
To admonish; to warn. See {Admonish}. [Archaic] --Ascham.
Monisher \Mon"ish*er\, n.
One who monishes; an admonisher. [Archaic]
Monishment \Mon"ish*ment\, n.
Admonition. [Archaic]
Monism \Mon"ism\, n. [From Gr. ? single.]
1. (Metaph.) That doctrine which refers all phenomena to a
single ultimate constituent or agent; -- the opposite of
dualism.
Note: The doctrine has been held in three generic forms:
matter and its phenomena have been explained as a
modification of mind, involving an idealistic monism;
or mind has been explained by and resolved into matter,
giving a materialistic monism; or, thirdly, matter,
mind, and their phenomena have been held to be
manifestations or modifications of some one substance,
like the substance of Spinoza, or a supposed unknown
something of some evolutionists, which is capable of an
objective and subjective aspect.
2. (Biol.) See {Monogenesis}, 1.
Monist \Mon"ist\, n.
A believer in monism.
Monistic \Mo*nis"tic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or involving, monism.
Monition \Mo*ni"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. monitio, from monere to
warn, bring to mind; akin to E. mind. See {Mind}, and cf.
{Admonish}, {Money}, {Monster}.]
1. Instruction or advice given by way of caution; an
admonition; a warning; a caution.
Sage monitions from his friends. --Swift.
2. Information; indication; notice; advice.
We have no visible monition of . . . other periods,
such as we have of the day by successive light and
darkness. --Holder.
3. (Admiralty Practice) A process in the nature of a summons
to appear and answer.
4. (Eccl. Law) An order monishing a party complained against
to obey under pain of the law. --Shipley.
Monitive \Mon"i*tive\, a.
Conveying admonition; admonitory. --Barrow.
Monitor \Mon"i*tor\, n. [L., fr. monere. See {Monition}, and cf.
{Mentor}.]
1. One who admonishes; one who warns of faults, informs of
duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or
caution.
You need not be a monitor to the king. --Bacon.
2. Hence, specifically, a pupil selected to look to the
school in the absence of the instructor, to notice the
absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a
division or class.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any large Old World lizard of the genus
{Varanus}; esp., the Egyptian species ({V. Niloticus}),
which is useful because it devours the eggs and young of
the crocodile. It is sometimes five or six feet long.
4. [So called from the name given by Captain Ericson, its
designer, to the first ship of the kind.] An ironclad war
vessel, very low in the water, and having one or more
heavily-armored revolving turrets, carrying heavy guns.
5. (Mach.) A tool holder, as for a lathe, shaped like a low
turret, and capable of being revolved on a vertical pivot
so as to bring successively the several tools in holds
into proper position for cutting.
{Monitor top}, the raised central portion, or clearstory, of
a car roof, having low windows along its sides.
Monitorial \Mon`i*to"ri*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a monitor or monitors.
2. Done or performed by a monitor; as, monitorial work;
conducted or taught by monitors; as, a monitorial school;
monitorial instruction.
Monitorially \Mon`i*to"ri*al*ly\, adv.
In a monitorial manner.
Monitorship \Mon"i*tor*ship\, n.
The post or office of a monitor.
Monitory \Mon"i*to*ry\, a. [L. monitorius.]
Giving admonition; instructing by way of caution; warning.
Losses, miscarriages, and disappointments, are monitory
and instructive. --L'Estrange.
Monitory \Mon"i*to*ry\, n.
Admonition; warning; especially, a monition proceeding from
an ecclesiastical court, but not addressed to any one person.
Monitress \Mon"i*tress\, Monitrix \Mon"i*trix\, n.
A female monitor.
Monk \Monk\, n. [AS. munuc, munec, munc, L. monachus, Gr. ?, fr.
? alone. Cf. {Monachism}.]
1. A man who retires from the ordinary temporal concerns of
the world, and devotes himself to religion; one of a
religious community of men inhabiting a monastery, and
bound by vows to a life of chastity, obedience, and
poverty. ``A monk out of his cloister.'' --Chaucer.
Monks in some respects agree with regulars, as in
the substantial vows of religion; but in other
respects monks and regulars differ; for that
regulars, vows excepted, are not tied up to so
strict a rule of life as monks are. --Ayliffe.
2. (Print.) A blotch or spot of ink on a printed page, caused
by the ink not being properly distributed. It is
distinguished from a friar, or white spot caused by a
deficiency of ink.
3. A piece of tinder made of agaric, used in firing the
powder hose or train of a mine.
4. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A South American monkey ({Pithecia monachus}); also
applied to other species, as {Cebus xanthocephalus}.
(b) The European bullfinch.
{Monk bat} (Zo["o]l.), a South American and West Indian bat
({Molossus nasutus}); -- so called because the males live
in communities by themselves.
{Monk bird}(Zo["o]l.), the friar bird.
{Monk seal} (Zo["o]l.), a species of seal ({Monachus
albiventer}) inhabiting the Black Sea, the Mediterranean
Sea, and the adjacent parts of the Atlantic.
{Monk's rhubarb} (Bot.), a kind of dock; -- also called
{patience} ({Rumex Patientia}).
Monkery \Monk"er*y\, n.; pl. {Monkeries}.
1. The life of monks; monastic life; monastic usage or
customs; -- now usually applied by way of reproach.
Miters, and wretched dead medi[ae]val monkeries.
--Carlyle.
2. A collective body of monks. [Obs.]
Though he have a whole monkery to sing for him.
--Latimer.
Monkey \Mon"key\, n.; pl. {Monkeys}. [Cf. OIt. monicchio, It.
monnino, dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr.
fr. madonna. See {Madonna}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana,
including apes, baboons, and lemurs.
(b) Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs.
(c) Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such
as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of
apes and baboons.
Note: The monkeys are often divided into three groups: ({a})
{Catarrhines}, or {Simid[ae]}. These have an oblong
head, with the oblique flat nostrils near together.
Some have no tail, as the apes. All these are natives
of the Old World. ({b}) {Platyrhines}, or {Cebid[ae]}.
These have a round head, with a broad nasal septum, so
that the nostrils are wide apart and directed downward.
The tail is often prehensile, and the thumb is short
and not opposable. These are natives of the New World.
({c}) {Strepsorhines}, or {Lemuroidea}. These have a
pointed head with curved nostrils. They are natives of
Southern Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for a
mischievous child.
This is the monkey's own giving out; she is
persuaded I will marry her. --Shak.
3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very
heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on
the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the
falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century.
{Monkey boat}. (Naut.)
(a) A small boat used in docks.
(b) A half-decked boat used on the River Thames.
{Monkey block} (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a
swivel. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
{Monkey flower} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Mimulus}; -- so
called from the appearance of its gaping corolla. --Gray.
{Monkey gaff} (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast
for the better display of signals at sea.
{Monkey jacket}, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by
sailors.
{Monkey rail} (Naut.), a second and lighter rail raised about
six inches above the quarter rail of a ship.
{Monkey shine}, monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.]
{Monkey trick}, a mischievous prank. --Saintsbury.
{Monkey wheel}. See {Gin block}, under 5th {Gin}.
{Monkey wrench}, a wrench or spanner having a movable jaw.
Monkey \Mon"key\, v. t. & i.
To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a
grotesque or meddlesome manner.
{To monkey with}, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.]
Monkey-bread \Mon"key-bread`\, n. (Bot.)
The fruit of the {Adansonia digitata}; also, the tree. See
{Adansonia}.
Monkey-cup \Mon"key-cup`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Nepenthes}.
Monkey-pot \Mon"key-pot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The fruit of two South American trees ({Lecythis Ollaria},
and {L. Zabucajo}), which have for their fruit large,
pot-shaped, woody capsules containing delicious nuts, and
opening almost explosively by a circular lid at the top.
Vases and pots are made of this capsule.
Monkey's puzzle \Mon"key's puz"zle\ (Bot.)
A lofty coniferous Chilian tree ({Araucaria imbricata}), the
branches of which are so crowded and intertwisted ``as to
puzzle a monkey to climb.'' The edible nuts are over an inch
long, and are called pi[~n]on by the Chilians.
Monkeytail \Mon"key*tail`\, n. (Naut.)
A short, round iron bar or lever used in naval gunnery.
--Totten.
Monkfish \Monk"fish\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The angel fish ({Squatina}).
(b) The angler ({Lophius}).
Monkflower \Monk"flow`er\, n. (Bot.)
A name of certain curious orchids which bear three kinds of
flowers formerly referred to three genera, but now
ascertained to be sexually different forms of the same genus
({Catasetum tridentatum}, etc.).
Monkhood \Monk"hood\, n. [Monk + -hood.]
1. The character or condition of a monk. --Atterbury.
2. Monks, regarded collectively. --Longfellow.
Monking \Monk"ing\, a.
Monkish. [R.] --Coleridge.
Monkish \Monk"ish\, a.
Like a monk, or pertaining to monks; monastic; as, monkish
manners; monkish dress; monkish solitude. -- {Monk"ish*ness},
n.
Monkly \Monk"ly\, a.
Like, or suitable to, a monk. [R.]
Monkshood \Monks"hood`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Aconitum}; aconite. See {Aconite}.
Monk's seam \Monk's" seam`\ (Naut.)
An extra middle seam made at the junction of two breadths of
canvas, ordinarily joined by only two rows of stitches.
Mono- \Mon"o-\, Mon- \Mon-\ [Gr. ?.]
A prefix signifying one, single, alone; as, monocarp,
monopoly; (Chem.) indicating that a compound contains one
atom, radical, or group of that to the name of which it is
united; as, monoxide, monosulphide, monatomic, etc.
Mono \Mo"no\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
The black howler of Central America ({Mycetes villosus}).
Monobasic \Mon`o*ba"sic\, a. [Mono- + basic.] (Chem.)
Capable of being neutralized by a univalent base or basic
radical; having but one acid hydrogen atom to be replaced; --
said of acids; as, acetic, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are
monobasic.
Monocarbonic \Mon`o*car*bon"ic\, a. [Mono- + carbonic.] (Chem.)
Containing one carboxyl group; as, acetic acid is a
monocarbonic acid.
Monocardian \Mon`o*car"di*an\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? heart.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having a single heart, as fishes and amphibians. -- n. An
animal having a single heart.
Monocarp \Mon"o*carp\, n. (Bot.)
A monocarpic plant.
Monocarpellary \Mon`o*car"pel*la*ry\, a. [Mono- + carpellary.]
(Bot.)
Consisting of a single carpel, as the fruit of the pea,
cherry, and almond.
Monocarpic \Mon`o*car"pic\, Monocarpous \Mon`o*car"pous\, a.
[Mono- + Gr. ? fruit: cf. F. monocarpe.] (Bot.)
Bearing fruit but once, and dying after fructification, as
beans, maize, mustard, etc.
Note: Annual and biennual herbs are monocarpic, so also some
plants of longer duration, as the century plant.
Monocephalous \Mon`o*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. kefalh`
head.] (Bot.)
Having a solitary head; -- said of unbranched composite
plants.
Monoceros \Mo*noc"e*ros\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; mo`nos alone,
single + ke`ras horn.]
1. A one-horned creature; a unicorn; a sea monster with one
horn.
Mighty monoceroses with immeasured tails. --Spenser.
2. (Astron.) The Unicorn, a constellation situated to the
east Orion.
Monochlamydeous \Mon`o*chla*myd"e*ous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ?, ?,
cloak: cf. F. monochlamyd['e].] (Bot.)
Having a single floral envelope, that is, a calyx without a
corolla, or, possibly, in rare cases, a corolla without a
calyx.
Monochord \Mon"o*chord\, n. [L. monochordon, Gr. ?, fr. ? with
but one string; ? only, single + ? string: cf. F. monocorde.
See {Chord}, and cf. {Mainchord}.] (Mus.)
An instrument for experimenting upon the mathematical
relations of musical sounds. It consists of a single string
stretched between two bridges, one or both of which are
movable, and which stand upon a graduated rule for the
purpose of readily changing and measuring the length of the
part of the string between them.
Monochromatic \Mon`o*chro*mat"ic\, a. [Cf. F. monochromatique.
See {Monochrome}.]
Consisting of one color, or presenting rays of light of one
color only.
{Monochromatic lamp} (Opt.),a lamp whose flame yields rays of
some one homogenous light. It is of great importance in
optical experiments.
Monochrome \Mon"o*chrome\, n. [Gr. ? of one color; ? single + ?
color: cf. F. monochrome.]
A painting or drawing in a single color; a picture made with
a single color.
Monochromic \Mon`o*chro"mic\, a.
Made, or done, with a single color; as, a monochromic
picture.
Monochromy \Mon"o*chro`my\, n.
The art of painting or drawing in monochrome.
Monochronic \Mon`o*chron"ic\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? time.]
Existing at the same time; contemporaneous.
Monociliated \Mon`o*cil"i*a`ted\, a. [Mono- + ciliated.] (Biol.)
Having but one cilium.
Monocle \Mon"o*cle\, n. [F. See {Monocular}.]
An eyeglass for one eye. --Simmonds.
Monoclinal \Mon`o*cli"nal\, a. [See {Monoclinic}.] (Geol.)
Having one oblique inclination; -- applied to strata that dip
in only one direction from the axis of elevation.
Monocline \Mon"o*cline\, n. (Geol.)
A monoclinal fold.
Monoclinic \Mon`o*clin"ic\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? to incline.]
(Crystallog.)
Having one oblique intersection; -- said of that system of
crystallization in which the vertical axis is inclined to
one, but at right angles to the other, lateral axis. See
{Crystallization}.
Monoclinous \Mo*noc"li*nous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? couch, fr. ? to
lie down: cf. F. monocline.] (Bot.)
Hermaphrodite, or having both stamens and pistils in every
flower.
Monocondyla \Mon`o*con"dy*la\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mono-}, and
{Condyle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of vertebrates, including the birds and reptiles, or
those that have only one occipital condyle; the Sauropsida.
Monocotyl \Mon"o*co*tyl\, n. (Bot.)
Any monocotyledonous plant.
Monocotyle \Mon"o*co*tyle\, a. [Cf. F. monocotyle.] (Bot.)
Monocotyledonous.
Monocotyledon \Mon`o*cot`y*le"don\, n. [Mono- + cotyledon: cf.
F. monocotyl['e]done.] (Bot.)
A plant with only one cotyledon, or seed lobe.
Note: The plural, monocotyledons, is used as the name of a
large class of plants, and is generally understood to
be equivalent to the term endogens.
Monocotyledonous \Mon`o*cot`y*le"don*ous\, a. [Cf. F.
monocotyl['e]don['e].] (Bot.)
Having only one cotyledon, seed lobe, or seminal leaf.
--Lindley.
Monocracy \Mo*noc"ra*cy\, n. [Mono- + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Government by a single person; undivided rule. --Sydney
Smith.
Monocrat \Mon"o*crat\, n. [Cf. Gr. ? ruling alone.]
One who governs alone.
Monocrotic \Mon`o*crot"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Of, pertaining to, or showing, monocrotism; as, a monocrotic
pulse; a pulse of the monocrotic type.
Monocrotism \Mo*noc"ro*tism\, n. [Gr. mo`nos alone + ? a
beating.] (Physiol.)
That condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve or
sphygmogram shows but a single crest, the dicrotic elevation
entirely disappearing.
Monocular \Mo*noc"u*lar\, a. [L. monoculus; Gr. ? single + L.
oculus eye: cf. F. monoculaire.]
1. Having only one eye; with one eye only; as, monocular
vision.
2. Adapted to be used with only one eye at a time; as, a
monocular microscope.
Monocule \Mon"o*cule\, n. [See {Monocular}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small crustacean with one median eye.
Monoculous \Mo*noc"u*lous\, a.
Monocular. --Glanvill.
Monocystic \Mon`o*cys"tic\, a. [See {Mono-}, and {Cyst}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a division ({Monocystidea}) of
Gregarinida, in which the body consists of one sac.
Monodactylous \Mon`o*dac"tyl*ous\, a. [Gr. ?; ? single + ?
finger: cf. F. monodactyle.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having but one finger or claw.
Monodelph \Mon"o*delph\, Monodelphian \Mon`o*del"phi*an\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the Monodelphia.
Monodelphia \Mon`o*del"phi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
the womb.] (Zo["o]l.)
The group that includes all ordinary or placental mammals;
the Placentalia. See {Mammalia}.
Monodelphic \Mon`o*del"phic\, Monodelphous \Mon`o*del"phous\, a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Monodelphia.
Monodic \Mo*nod"ic\, Monodical \Mo*nod"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?.]
1. Belonging to a monody.
2. (Mus.)
(a) For one voice; monophonic.
(b) Homophonic; -- applied to music in which the melody is
confined to one part, instead of being shared by all
the parts as in the style called polyphonic.
Monodimetric \Mon`o*di*met"ric\, a. [Mono- + dimetric.]
(Crystallog.)
Dimetric.
Monodist \Mon"o*dist\, n.
A writer of a monody.
Monodrama \Mon"o*dra`ma\, Monodrame \Mon"o*drame\, n. [Mono- +
Gr. ? drama.]
A drama acted, or intended to be acted, by a single person.
Monodramatic \Mon`o*dra*mat"ic\, a.
Pertaining to a monodrama.
Monody \Mon"o*dy\, n.; pl. {Monodies}. [L. monodia, Gr. ?, fr. ?
singing alone; ? single + ? song: cf. F. monodie. See {Ode}.]
A species of poem of a mournful character, in which a single
mourner expresses lamentation; a song for one voice.
Monodynamic \Mon`o*dy*nam"ic\, a. [Mono- + dynamic.]
Possessing but one capacity or power. ``Monodynamic men.''
--De Quincey.
Monodynamism \Mon`o*dy"na*mism\, n.
The theory that the various forms of activity in nature are
manifestations of the same force. --G. H. Lewes.
Monoecia \Mo*n[oe]"ci*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
house.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants, whose stamens and pistils are
in distinct flowers in the same plant.
Monoecian \Mo*n[oe]"cian\, a.
1. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Mon[oe]cia; mon[oe]cious.
-- n. One of the Mon[oe]cia.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A mon[oe]cious animal, as certain mollusks.
Monoecious \Mo*n[oe]"cious\, a. (Biol.)
Having the sexes united in one individual, as when male and
female flowers grow upon the same individual plant;
hermaphrodite; -- opposed to {di[oe]cious}.
Monoecism \Mo*n[oe]"cism\, n. (Biol.)
The state or condition of being mon[oe]cious.
Monogam \Mon"o*gam\, n. (Bot.)
One of the Monogamia.
Monogamia \Mon`o*ga"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Monogamous}.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants, having solitary flowers with
united anthers, as in the genus {Lobelia}.
Monogamian \Mon`o*ga"mi*an\, Monogamic \Mon`o*gam"ic\, a. [See
{Monogamous}.]
1. Pertaining to, or involving, monogamy.
2. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Monogamia; having a simple
flower with united anthers.
Monogamist \Mo*nog"a*mist\, n.
One who practices or upholds monogamy. --Goldsmith.
Monogamous \Mo*nog"a*mous\, a. [L. monogamus having but one
wife, Gr. ?; ? single + ? marriage.]
1. Upholding, or practicing, monogamy.
2. (Bot.) Same as {Monogamian}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Mating with but one of the opposite sex; --
said of birds and mammals.
Monogamy \Mo*nog"a*my\, n. [L. monogamia, Gr. ?: cf. F.
monogamie.]
1. Single marriage; marriage with but one person, husband or
wife, at the same time; -- opposed to {polygamy}. Also,
one marriage only during life; -- opposed to
{deuterogamy}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) State of being paired with a single mate.
Monogastric \Mon`o*gas"tric\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? belly.]
Having but a single stomach.
Monogenesis \Mon`o*gen"e*sis\, n. [Mono- + genesis.]
1. Oneness of origin; esp. (Biol.), development of all beings
in the universe from a single cell; -- opposed to
{polygenesis}. Called also {monism}. --Dana. --Haeckel.
2. (Biol.) That form of reproduction which requires but one
parent, as in reproduction by fission or in the formation
of buds, etc., which drop off and form new individuals;
asexual reproduction. --Haeckel.
3. (Biol.) The direct development of an embryo, without
metamorphosis, into an organism similar to the parent
organism; -- opposed to {metagenesis}. --E. van Beneden.
Monogenetic \Mon`o*ge*net"ic\, a. [See {Monogenesis}.]
1. (Geol.) One in genesis; resulting from one process of
formation; -- used of a mountain range. --Dana.
2. (Biol.) Relating to, or involving, monogenesis; as, the
monogenetic school of physiologists, who admit but one
cell as the source of all beings.
Monogenic \Mon`o*gen"ic\, a.
1. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to monogenesis.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Producing only one kind of germs, or young;
developing only in one way.
Monogenism \Mo*nog"e*nism\, n. (Anthropol.)
The theory or doctrine that the human races have a common
origin, or constitute a single species.
Monogenist \Mo*nog"e*nist\, n. (Anthropol.)
One who maintains that the human races are all of one
species; -- opposed to {polygenist}.
Monogenistic \Mon`o*ge*nis"tic\, a.
Monogenic.
Monogenous \Mo*nog"e*nous\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to monogenesis; as, monogenous, or asexual,
reproduction.
Monogeny \Mo*nog"e*ny\, n.
1. Monogenesis.
2. (Anthropol.) The doctrine that the members of the human
race have all a common origin.
Monogoneutic \Mon`o*go*neu"tic\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? offspring.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having but one brood in a season.
Monogram \Mon"o*gram\, n. [L. monogramma; Gr. ? single + ?
letter, fr. ? to write: cf. F. monogramme. See {Graphic}.]
1. A character or cipher composed of two or more letters
interwoven or combined so as to represent a name, or a
part of it (usually the initials). Monograms are often
used on seals, ornamental pins, rings, buttons, and by
painters, engravers, etc., to distinguish their works.
Monogram.
Note: The monogram above, combining the letters of the name
{Karolvs}, was used by Charlemagne.
2. A picture in lines; a sketch. [R.]
3. An arbitrary sign for a word. [R.]
Monogrammal \Mon"o*gram`mal\, a.
See {Monogrammic}.
Monogrammatic \Mon`o*gram*mat"ic\, a.
Monogrammic.
Monogrammic \Mon`o*gram"mic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a monogram.
Monogrammous \Mon"o*gram`mous\, a.
Monogrammic.
Monograph \Mon"o*graph\, n. [Mono- + -graph.]
A written account or description of a single thing, or class
of things; a special treatise on a particular subject of
limited range.
Monographer \Mo*nog"ra*pher\, n.
A writer of a monograph.
Monographic \Mon`o*graph"ic\, Monographical \Mon`o*graph"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. monographique.]
Of or pertaining to a monograph, or to a monography; as, a
monographic writing; a monographic picture. --
{Mon`o*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Monographist \Mo*nog"ra*phist\, n.
One who writes a monograph.
Monographous \Mo*nog"ra*phous\, a.
Monographic. [Obs.]
Monography \Mo*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Mono- + -graphy: cf. F.
monographie.]
1. Representation by lines without color; an outline drawing.
2. A monograph. [Obs.]
Monogyn \Mon"o*gyn\, n. (Bot.)
One of the Monogynia.
Monogynia \Mon`o*gyn"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
woman, female.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants, including those which have only
one style or stigma.
Monogynian \Mon`o*gyn"i*an\, a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to the Monogynia; monogynous. -- n. One of the
Monogynia.
Monogynous \Mo*nog"y*nous\, a. [Cf. F. monogyne.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to Monogynia; having only one style or
stigma.
Monogyny \Mo*nog"y*ny\, n. [See {Monogynia}.]
1. Marriage with the one woman only.
2. (Bot.) The state or condition of being monogynous.
Monohemerous \Mon`o*hem"er*ous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? day.] (Med.)
Lasting but one day.
Monoicous \Mo*noi"cous\, a. (Bot.)
Mon[oe]cious.
Monolatry \Mo*nol"a*try\, n. [Mono- + Gr. ? worship.]
Worship of a single deity.
Monolith \Mon"o*lith\, n. [F. monolithe, L. monolithus
consisting of a single stone, Gr. ?; ? single + ? stone.]
A single stone, especially one of large size, shaped into a
pillar, statue, or monument.
Monolithal \Mon"o*lith`al\, a.
Monolithic.
Monolithic \Mon`o*lith"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a monolith; consisting of a single stone.
Monologist \Mo*nol"o*gist\, n. [See {Monologue}.]
One who soliloquizes; esp., one who monopolizes conversation
in company. --De Quincey.
Monologue \Mon"o*logue\, n. [F. monologue, Gr. ? speaking alone;
mo`nos alone, single, sole + ? speech, discourse, ? to speak.
See {Legend}.]
1. A speech uttered by a person alone; soliloquy; also, talk
or discourse in company, in the strain of a soliloquy; as,
an account in monologue. --Dryden.
2. A dramatic composition for a single performer.
Monology \Mo*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?.]
The habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation.
It was not by an insolent usurpation that Coleridge
persisted in monology through his whole life. --De
Quincey.
Monomachia \Mon`o*ma"chi*a\, Monomachy \Mo*nom"a*chy\, n. [L.
monomachia, Gr. ?, fr. ? fighting in single combat; ? single,
alone + ? to fight.]
A duel; single combat. ``The duello or monomachia.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
Monomachist \Mo*nom"a*chist\, n.
One who fights in single combat; a duelist.
Monomane \Mon"o*mane\, n.
A monomaniac. [R.]
Monomania \Mon`o*ma"ni*a\, n. [Mono- + mania.]
Derangement of the mind in regard of a single subject only;
also, such a concentration of interest upon one particular
subject or train of ideas to show mental derangement.
Syn: Insanity; madness; alienation; aberration; derangement;
mania. See {Insanity}.
Monomaniac \Mon`oma"ni*ac\, n.
A person affected by monomania.
Monomaniac \Mon`oma"ni*ac\, Monomaniacal \Mon`oma"ni*a*cal\, a.
[Cf. F. monomaniaque.]
Affected with monomania, or partial derangement of intellect;
caused by, or resulting from, monomania; as, a monomaniacal
delusion.
Monome \Mon"ome\, n. [F., fr. Gr. ? single + -nome as in binome.
See {Binomial}.] (Math.)
A monomial.
Monomerous \Mo*nom"er*ous\, a. [Gr. ? single; mo`nos alone + ?
part.]
1. (Bot.) Composed of solitary parts, as a flower with one
sepal, one petal, one stamen, and one pistil.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having but one joint; -- said of the foot of
certain insects.
Monometallic \Mon`o*me*tal"lic\, a.
Consisting of one metal; of or pertaining to monometallism.
Monometallism \Mon`o*met"al*lism\, n. [Mono- + metal.]
The legalized use of one metal only, as gold, or silver, in
the standard currency of a country, or as a standard of money
values. See {Bimetallism}.
Monometallist \Mon`o*met"al*list\, n.
One who believes in monometallism as opposed to bimetallism,
etc.
Monometer \Mo*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? of one meter; ? single + ?
measure.]
A rhythmic series, consisting of a single meter.
Monometric \Mon`o*met"ric\, a. [Cf. F. monom['e]trique.]
(Crystallog.)
Same as {Isometric}.
Monomial \Mo*no"mi*al\, n. [See {Monome}, {Binomial}.] (Alg.)
A single algebraic expression; that is, an expression
unconnected with any other by the sign of addition,
substraction, equality, or inequality.
Monomial \Mo*no"mi*al\, a. (Alg.)
Consisting of but a single term or expression.
Monomorphic \Mon`o*mor"phic\, Monomorphous \Mon`o*mor"phous\, a.
[Mono- + Gr. ? form.] (Biol.)
Having but a single form; retaining the same form throughout
the various stages of development; of the same or of an
essentially similar type of structure; -- opposed to
{dimorphic}, {trimorphic}, and {polymorphic}.
Monomphalus \Mo*nom"pha*lus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. mo`nos alone + ?
the navel.]
A form of double monster, in which two individuals are united
by a common umbilicus.
Monomya \Mo*no"my*a\, Monomyaria \Mon`o*my*a"ri*a\, n.pl. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ? single + ?, ?, muscle.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of lamellibranchs having but one muscle for closing
the shell, as the oyster.
Monomyarian \Mon`o*my"a*ri*an\, Monomyary \Mon`o*my"a*ry\, a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Monomya. -- n. One of the Monomya.
Mononomial \Mon`o*no"mi*al\, n. & a.
Monomyal.
Monoousian \Mon`o*ou"si*an\, Monoousious \Mon`o*ou"si*ous\, a.
[Mono- + Gr. ? being, substance, essence.] (Theil.)
Having but one and the same nature or essence.
Monopathy \Mo*nop"a*thy\, n. [Gr. ?; mo`nos alone + ?, ?, to
suffer.]
Suffering or sensibility in a single organ or function. --
{Mon`o*path"ic}, a.
Monopersonal \Mon`o*per"son*al\, a. [Mono- + personal.]
Having but one person, or form of existence.
Monopetalous \Mon`o*pet"al*ous\, a. [Mono- + petal: cf. F.
monop['e]tale.] (Bot.)
Having only one petal, or the corolla in one piece, or
composed of petals cohering so as to form a tube or bowl;
gamopetalous.
Note: The most recent authors restrict this form to flowers
having a solitary petal, as in species of {Amorpha},
and use {gamopetalous} for a corolla of several petals
combined into one piece. See Illust. of {Gamopetalous}.
Monophanous \Mo*noph"a*nous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? to show.]
Having one and the same appearance; having a mutual
resemblance.
Monophonic \Mon`o*phon"ic\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? a voice.] (Mus.)
Single-voiced; having but one part; as, a monophonic
composition; -- opposed to {polyphonic}.
Monophthong \Mon"oph*thong\, n. [Gr. ? with one sound; mo`nos
alone + ? sound, voice.]
1. A single uncompounded vowel sound.
2. A combination of two written vowels pronounced as one; a
digraph.
Monophthongal \Mon`oph*thon"gal\, a.
Consisting of, or pertaining to, a monophthong.
Monophyletic \Mon`o*phy*let"ic\, a. [Gr. ? of one tribe, fr. ?
single + ? clan.] (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a single family or stock, or to
development from a single common parent form; -- opposed to
{polyphyletic}; as, monophyletic origin.
Monophyllous \Mo*noph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ?; mo`nos alone + ?
leaf: cf. F. monophylle.] (Bot.)
One-leaved; composed of a single leaf; as, a monophyllous
involucre or calyx.
Monophyodont \Mon`o*phy"o*dont\, a. [Gr. ? single (mo`nos alone
+ ? to produce) + ?, ?, a tooth.] (Anat.)
Having but one set of teeth; -- opposed to {diphyodont}.
Monophysite \Mo*noph"y*site\, n. [Gr. ?; ? single + ? nature:
cf. F. monophysite.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect, in the ancient church, who maintained that the
human and divine in Jesus Christ constituted but one
composite nature. Also used adjectively.
Monophysitical \Mon`o*phy*sit"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to Monophysites, or their doctrines.
Monoplast \Mon"o*plast\, n. [Mono- + -plast.] (Biol.)
A monoplastic element.
Monoplastic \Mon`o*plas"tic\, a. [Mono- + -plastic.] (Biol.)
That has one form, or retains its primary form, as, a
monoplastic element.
Monoplegia \Mon`ople"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ? a
stroke.] (Med.)
Paralysis affecting a single limb.
Monopneumona \Mon`op*neu"mo*na\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mono-}, and
{Pneumonia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of Dipnoi, including the Ceratodus. [Written also
{monopneumonia}.]
Monopode \Mon"o*pode\, n.
1. One of a fabulous tribe or race of Ethiopians having but
one leg and foot. --Sir J. Mandeville. Lowell.
2. (Bot.) A monopodium.
Monopodial \Mon`o*po"di*al\, a. (Bot.)
Having a monopodium or a single and continuous axis, as a
birchen twig or a cornstalk.
Monopodium \Mon`o*po"di*um\, n.; pl. L. {Monopodia}, E. {-ums}.
[L. See {Monopody}.] (Bot.)
A single and continuous vegetable axis; -- opposed to
{sympodium}.
Monopody \Mo*nop"o*dy\, n. [Mono- + Gr. ?, ?, foot: cf. ?, ?,
one-footed.] (Pros.)
A measure of but a single foot.
Monopoler \Mo*nop"o*ler\, n.
A monopolist. [Obs.]
Monopolist \Mo*nop"o*list\, n.
One who monopolizes; one who has a monopoly; one who favors
monopoly.
Monopolistic \Mo*nop`o*lis"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a monopolist. --North Am. Rev.
Monopolite \Mo*nop"o*lite\, n.
A monopolist. --Sylvester.
Monopolize \Mo*nop"o*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Monopolized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Monopolizing}.] [From {Monopoly}.]
To acquire a monopoly of; to have or get the exclusive
privilege or means of dealing in, or the exclusive possession
of; to engross the whole of; as, to monopolize the coffee
trade; to monopolize land.
Monopolizer \Mo*nop"o*li`zer\, n.
One who monopolizes.
Monopoly \Mo*nop"o*ly\, n.; pl. {Monopolies}. [L. monopolium,
Gr. ?, ?; mo`nos alone + ? to sell.]
1. The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity;
the exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in
some article, or of trading in some market; sole command
of the traffic in anything, however obtained; as, the
proprietor of a patented article is given a monopoly of
its sale for a limited time; chartered trading companies
have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote
regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a
particular product.
Raleigh held a monopoly of cards, Essex a monopoly
of sweet wines. --Macaulay.
2. Exclusive possession; as, a monopoly of land.
If I had a monopoly out, they would have part on 't.
--Shak.
3. The commodity or other material thing to which the
monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in France.
[Colloq.]
Monopolylogue \Mon`o*pol"y*logue\, n. [Mono- + Gr. poly`s many +
lo`gos speech.]
An exhibition in which an actor sustains many characters.
Monopsychism \Mon`o*psy"chism\, n. [Mono- + Gr. ? soul.]
The doctrine that there is but one immortal soul or intellect
with which all men are endowed.
Monopteral \Mo*nop"ter*al\, a. [Gr. ? with a row of pillars
only; mo`nos alone, only + ? feather, wing, also, a row of
pillars: cf. F. monopt[`e]re.] (Arch.)
Round and without a cella; consisting of a single ring of
columns supporting a roof; -- said esp. of a temple.
Monopteron \Mo*nop"ter*on\, n.; pl. {Monoptera}. [NL. See
{Monopteral}.] (Arch.)
A circular temple consisting of a roof supported on columns,
without a cella.
Monoptote \Mon"op*tote\, n. [L. monoptotum, Gr. ?; mo`nos single
+ ? apt to fall, fallen, fr. ? to fall; cf. ? case.] (Gram.)
1. A noun having only one case. --Andrews.
2. A noun having only one ending for the oblique cases.
Monopyrenous \Mon`o*py*re"nous\, a. [Mono- + pyrene.] (Bot.)
Having but a single stone or kernel.
Monorganic \Mon`or*gan"ic\, a. [Mon- + organic.] (Biol. & Med.)
Belonging to, or affecting, a single organ, or set of organs.
Monorhina \Mon`o*rhi"na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?, ?,
nose.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Marsipobranchiata.
Monorhyme \Mon"o*rhyme\, n. [Mono- + rhyme: cf. F. monorime.]
A composition in verse, in which all the lines end with the
same rhyme.
Monosepalous \Mon`o*sep"al*ous\, a. [Mono- + sepal: cf. F.
monos['e]pale.] (Bot.)
Having only one sepal, or the calyx in one piece or composed
of the sepals united into one piece; gamosepalous.
Note: The most recent writers restrict this term to flowers
having a solarity sepal, and use gamosepalous for a
calyx formed by several sepals combined into one piece.
Cf. {Monopetalous}.
Monosperm \Mon"o*sperm\, n. (Bot.)
A monospermous plant.
Monospermal \Mon`o*sper"mal\, Monospermous \Mon`o*sper"mous\, a.
[Mono- + Gr. spe`rma seed: cf. F. monosperme.] (Bot.)
Having only one seed.
Monospherical \Mon`o*spher"ic*al\, a. [Mono- + spherical.]
Consisting of one sphere only.
Monostich \Mon"o*stich\, n. [Gr. ?, from ? consisting of one
verse; ? single + ? line, verse.]
A composition consisting of one verse only.
Monostichous \Mo*nos"ti*chous\ (m[-o]*n[o^]s"t[i^]*k[u^]s), a.
[See {Monostich}.] (Bot.)
Arranged in a single row on one side of an axis, as the
flowers in grasses of the tribe {Chlorid[ae]}.
Monostrophe \Mo*nos"tro*phe\ (m[-o]*n[o^]s"tr[-o]*f[-e]), n.
[NL., fr. Gr. mono`strofos monostrophic.]
A metrical composition consisting of a single strophe.
Monostrophic \Mon`o*stroph"ic\ (m[o^]n`[-o]*str[o^]f"[i^]k), a.
[Gr. monostrofiko`s; mo`nos single + strofh` strophe.]
(Pros.)
Having one strophe only; not varied in measure; written in
unvaried measure. --Milton.
Monosulphide \Mon`o*sul"phide\, n. [Mono- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
A sulphide containing one atom of sulphur, and analogous to a
monoxide; -- contrasted with a {polysulphide}; as, galena is
a monosulphide.
Monosulphuret \Mon`o*sul"phu*ret\, n. [Mono- + sulphuret.]
(Chem.)
See {Monosulphide}.
Monosyllabic \Mon`o*syl*lab"ic\, a. [Cf. F. monosyllabique.]
Being a monosyllable, or composed of monosyllables; as, a
monosyllabic word; a monosyllabic language. --
{Mon`o*syl*lab"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Monosyllabism \Mon`o*syl"la*bism\, n.
The state of consisting of monosyllables, or having a
monosyllabic form; frequent occurrence of monosyllables.
Monosyllable \Mon"o*syl`la*ble\, n. [L. monosyllabus of one
syllable, Gr. ?: cf. F. monosyllabe. See {Mono-},
{Syllable}.]
A word of one syllable.
Monosyllabled \Mon"o*syl`la*bled\, a.
Formed into, or consisting of, monosyllables. --Cleveland.
Monosymmetric \Mon`o*sym*met"ric\, Monosymmetrical
\Mon`o*sym*met"ric*al\, a. [Mono- + symmetric, -ical.]
(Crystallog.)
Same as {Monoclinic}.
Monotessaron \Mon`o*tes"sa*ron\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
four.]
A single narrative framed from the statements of the four
evangelists; a gospel harmony. [R.]
Monothalama \Mon`o*thal"a*ma\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
a chamber.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Foraminifera including those that have only one
chamber.
Monothalaman \Mon`o*thal"a*man\, n. [See {Monothalamous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A foraminifer having but one chamber.
Monothalamous \Mon`o*thal"a*mous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? chamber:
cf. F. monothalame.] (Zo["o]l.)
One-chambered.
Monothalmic \Mon`o*thal"mic\, a. [See {Monothalamous}.] (Bot.)
Formed from one pistil; -- said of fruits. --R. Brown.
Monothecal \Mon`o*the"cal\, a. [Mono- + Br. ? box.] (Bot.)
Having a single loculament.
Monotheism \Mon"o*the*ism\, n. [Mono- + Gr. ? god: cf. F.
monoth['e]isme.]
The doctrine or belief that there is but one God.
Monotheist \Mon"o*the*ist\, n. [Cf. F. monoth['e]iste.]
One who believes that there is but one God.
Monotheistic \Mon`o*the*is"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to monotheism.
Monothelism \Mo*noth"e*lism\, Monothelitism \Mo*noth"e*li*tism\,
n. [Cf. F. monoth['e]lisme, monoth['e]litisme.]
The doctrine of the Monothelites.
Monothelite \Mo*noth"e*lite\, n. [Gr. ?; mo`nos alone, only + ?,
?, to will, be willing: cf. F. monoth['e]lite.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of an ancient sect who held that Christ had but one will
as he had but one nature. Cf. {Monophysite}. --Gibbon.
Monothelitic \Mon`o*the*lit"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Monothelites, or their doctrine.
Monotocous \Mo*not"o*cous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? birth, offspring.]
1. (Bot.) Bearing fruit but once; monocarpic.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Uniparous; laying a single egg.
Monotomous \Mo*not"o*mous\, a. [Mono- + Gr. ? cutting, fr. ? to
cut.] (Min.)
Having a distinct cleavage in a single direction only.
Monotone \Mon"o*tone\, n. [See {Monotonous}, {Monotony}.]
1. (Mus.) A single unvaried tone or sound.
2. (Rhet.) The utterance of successive syllables, words, or
sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.
Monotonic \Mon`o*ton"ic\, Monotonical \Mon`o*ton"ic*al\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or uttered in, a monotone; monotonous.
``Monotonical declamation.'' --Chesterfield.
Monotonist \Mo*not"o*nist\, n.
One who talks in the same strain or on the same subject until
weariness is produced. --Richardson.
Monotonous \Mo*not"o*nous\, a. [Gr. ?; mo`nos alone, single + ?
tone. See {Tone}.]
Uttered in one unvarying tone; continued with dull
uniformity; characterized by monotony; without change or
variety; wearisome. -- {Mo*not"o*nous*ly}, adv. --
{Mo*not"o*nous*ness}, n.
Monotony \Mo*not"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. monotonie. See
{Monotonius}.]
1. A frequent recurrence of the same tone or sound, producing
a dull uniformity; absence of variety, as in speaking or
singing.
2. Any irksome sameness, or want of variety.
At sea, everything that breaks the monotony of the
surrounding expanse attracts attention. --W. Irving.
Monotremata \Mon`o*trem"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ?
hole.] (Zo["o]l.)
A subclass of Mammalia, having a cloaca in which the ducts of
the urinary, genital, and alimentary systems terminate, as in
birds. The female lays eggs like a bird. See {Duck mole},
under {Duck}, and {Echidna}.
Monotrematous \Mon`o*trem"a*tous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Monotremata.
Monotreme \Mon"o*treme\, n. [Cf. F. monotr[`e]me.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Monotremata.
Monotriglyph \Mon`o*tri"glyph\, n. [Mono- + triglyph: cf. F.
monotriglyphe.] (Arch.)
A kind of intercolumniation in an entablature, in which only
one triglyph and two metopes are introduced.
Monotropa \Mo*not"ro*pa\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? single + ? turn,
from ? to turn.] (Bot.)
A genus of parasitic or saprophytic plants including the
Indian pipe and pine sap. The name alludes to the dropping
end of the stem.
Monotype \Mon"o*type\, Monotypic \Mon`o*typ"ic\, a. [Mono- +
-type: cf. F. monotype.] (Biol.)
Having but one type; containing but one representative; as, a
monotypic genus, which contains but one species.
Monovalent \Mo*nov"a*lent\, a. [Mono- + L. valens, p. pr. See
{Valence}.] (Chem.)
Having a valence of one; univalent. See {Univalent}.
Monoxide \Mo*nox"ide\, n. [Mon- + oxide.] (Chem.)
An oxide containing one atom of oxygen in each molecule; as,
barium monoxide.
Monoxylon \Mo*nox"y*lon\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ? made from
one piece of wood; mo`nos alone + ? wood.]
A canoe or boat made from one piece of timber.
Monoxylous \Mo*nox"y*lous\, a. [See {Monoxylon}.]
Made of one piece of wood.
Monozoa \Mon`o*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? single + ? an
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Radiolaria; -- called also {Monocyttaria}. --
{Mon`o*zo"ic}, a.
Monroe doctrine \Mon*roe" doc"trine\
See under {Doctrine}.
Monseigneur \Mon`sei`gneur"\, n.; pl. {Messeigneurs}. [F., fr.
mon my + seigneur lord, L. senior older. See {Senior}, and
cf. {Monsieur}.]
My lord; -- a title in France of a person of high birth or
rank; as, Monseigneur the Prince, or Monseigneur the
Archibishop. It was given, specifically, to the dauphin,
before the Revolution of 1789. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
Monsel's salt \Mon"sel's salt`\ (Med.)
A basic sulphate of iron; -- so named from Monsel, a
Frenchman.
Monsel's solution \Mon"sel's so*lu"tion\ [See {Monsel's salt}.]
(Med.)
An aqueous solution of Monsel's salt, having valuable styptic
properties.
Monsieur \Mon*sieur"\, n.; pl. {Messieurs}. [F., fr. mon my +
Sieur, abbrev. of seigneur lord. See {Monseigneur}.]
1. The common title of civility in France in speaking to, or
of, a man; Mr. or Sir. [Represented by the abbreviation M.
or Mons. in the singular, and by {MM.} or {Messrs.} in the
plural.]
2. The oldest brother of the king of France.
3. A Frenchman. [Contemptuous] --Shak.
Monsignore \Mon`si*gno"re\, n.; pl. {Monsignors}. [It., my lord.
Cf. {Monseigneur}.]
My lord; -- an ecclesiastical dignity bestowed by the pope,
entitling the bearer to social and domestic rank at the papal
court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
Monsoon \Mon*soon"\, n. [Malay m[=u]sim, fr. Ar. mausim a time,
season: cf. F. monson, mousson, Sr. monzon, Pg. mon[,c][~a]o,
It. monsone.]
A wind blowing part of the year from one direction,
alternating with a wind from the opposite direction; -- a
term applied particularly to periodical winds of the Indian
Ocean, which blow from the southwest from the latter part of
May to the middle of September, and from the northeast from
about the middle of October to the middle of December.
Monster \Mon"ster\, n. [OE. monstre, F. monstre, fr. L.
monstrum, orig., a divine omen, indicating misfortune; akin
of monstrare to show, point out, indicate, and monere to
warn. See {Monition}, and cf. {Demonstrate}, {Muster}.]
1. Something of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy;
an enormity; a marvel.
A monster or marvel. --Chaucer.
2. Specifically, an animal or plant departing greatly from
the usual type, as by having too many limbs.
3. Any thing or person of unnatural or excessive ugliness,
deformity, wickedness, or cruelty.
Monster \Mon"ster\, a.
Monstrous in size. --Pope.
Monster \Mon"ster\, v. t.
To make monstrous. [Obs.] --Shak.
Monstrance \Mon"strance\, n. [LL. monstrantia, fr. L. monstrare
to show: cf. OF. monstrance. See {Monster}.] (R. C. Ch.)
A transparent pyx, in which the consecrated host is exposed
to view.
Monstration \Mon*stra"tion\, n. [L. monstratio.]
The act of demonstrating; proof. [Obs.]
A certain monstration. --Grafton.
Monstrosity \Mon*stros"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Monstrosities}. [Cf. F.
monstruosit['e]. See {Monstrous}.]
The state of being monstrous, or out of the common order of
nature; that which is monstrous; a monster. --South.
A monstrosity never changes the name or affects the
immutability of a species. --Adanson
(Trans. ).
Monstrous \Mon"strous\, a. [OE. monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr.
L. monstruosus, fr. monstrum. See {Monster}.]
1. Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from
the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a monstrous
birth. --Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom
he is bound to love . . . is unnatural and monstrous
in his affections. --Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder, dislike,
apprehension, etc.; -- said of size, appearance, color,
sound, etc.; as, a monstrous height; a monstrous ox; a
monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or
wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a monstrous life. --Shak.
5. Abounding in monsters. [R.]
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world.
--Milton.
Monstrous \Mon"strous\, adv.
Exceedingly; very; very much. ``A monstrous thick oil on the
top.'' --Bacon.
And will be monstrous witty on the poor. --Dryden.
Monstrously \Mon"strous*ly\, adv.
In a monstrous manner; unnaturally; extraordinarily; as,
monstrously wicked. ``Who with his wife is monstrously in
love.'' --Dryden.
Monstrousness \Mon"strous*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being monstrous, unusual,
extraordinary. --Shak.
Monstruosity \Mon`stru*os"i*ty\, n.
Monstrosity. [Obs.] --Shak.
Monstruous \Mon"stru*ous\, a.
Monstrous. [Obs.]
Mont \Mont\, n. [F. See {Mount}, n.]
Mountain.
Montaigne \Mon"taigne\, n.
A mountain. [Obs.]
Montanic \Mon*tan"ic\, a. [L. montanus, fr. mons, montis,
mountain. See {Mount}, n.]
Of or pertaining to mountains; consisting of mountains.
Montanist \Mon"ta*nist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Mintanus, a Phrygian enthusiast of the second
century, who claimed that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
dwelt in him, and employed him as an instrument for purifying
and guiding men in the Christian life. -- {Mon`ta*nis"tic},
{Mon`ta*nis"tic*al}, a.
Montant \Mon"tant\, n. [F.,prop., mounting, fr. monter to mount,
fr. L. mons, montis, mountain. See {Mount}.]
1. (Fencing) An upward thrust or blow. --Shak.
2. (Arch.) An upright piece in any framework; a mullion or
muntin; a stile. [R.] See {Stile}.
Mont de pi'et'e \Mont" de pi`['e]`t['e]"\ [F., fr. It. monte di
piet[`a] mount of piety.]
One of certain public pawnbroking establishments which
originated in Italy in the 15th century, the object of which
was to lend money at a low rate of interest to poor people in
need; -- called also {mount of piety}. The institution has
been adopted in other countries, as in Spain and France. See
{Lombard-house}.
Monte \Mon"te\, n. [Sp., lit., mountain, hence, the stock of
cards remaining after laying out a certain number, fr. L.
mons, montis, mountain.]
A favorite gambling game among Spaniards, played with dice or
cards.
Monte-acid \Monte`-ac"id\, n. [F. monter to raise + acide acid.]
(Chem.)
An acid elevator, as a tube through which acid is forced to
some height in a sulphuric acid manufactory.
Monteith \Mon*teith"\, n.
See {Monteth}.
Montem \Mon"tem\, n. [L. ad montem to the hillock. See {Mount},
n.]
A custom, formerly practiced by the scholars at Eton school,
England, of going every third year, on Whittuesday, to a
hillock near the Bath road, and exacting money from all
passers-by, to support at the university the senior scholar
of the school.
Montero \Mon*te"ro\, n. [Sp. montera a hunting cap, fr. montero
a huntsman, monte a mountain, forest, L. mons, montis,
mountain. See {Mount}, n.]
An ancient kind of cap worn by horsemen or huntsmen. --Bacon.
Monteth \Mon*teth"\, Monteith \Mon*teith"\, n.
A vessel in which glasses are washed; -- so called from the
name of the inventor.
New things produce new words, and thus Monteth Has by
one vessel saved his name from death. --King.
Montgolfier \Mont`gol"fier\, n.
A balloon which ascends by the buoyancy of air heated by a
fire; a fire balloon; -- so called from two brothers, Stephen
and Joseph Montgolfier, of France, who first constructed and
sent up a fire balloon.
Month \Month\, n. [OE. month, moneth, AS. m[=o]n?, m[=o]na?;
akin to m[=o]na moon, and to D. maand month, G. monat, OHG.
m[=a]n[=o]d, Icel. m[=a]nu?r, m[=a]na?r, Goth. m[=e]n[=o]?s.
[root]272. See {Moon}.]
One of the twelve portions into which the year is divided;
the twelfth part of a year, corresponding nearly to the
length of a synodic revolution of the moon, -- whence the
name. In popular use, a period of four weeks is often called
a month.
Note: In the common law, a month is a lunar month, or
twenty-eight days, unless otherwise expressed.
--Blackstone. In the United States the rule of the
common law is generally changed, and a month is
declared to mean a calendar month. --Cooley's
Blackstone.
{A month mind}.
(a) A strong or abnormal desire. [Obs.] --Shak.
(b) A celebration made in remembrance of a deceased person a
month after death. --Strype.
{Calendar months}, the months as adjusted in the common or
Gregorian calendar; April, June, September, and November,
containing 30 days, and the rest 31, except February,
which, in common years, has 28, and in leap years 29.
{Lunar month}, the period of one revolution of the moon,
particularly a synodical revolution; but several kinds are
distinguished, as the {synodical month}, or period from
one new moon to the next, in mean length 29 d. 12 h. 44 m.
2.87 s.; the {nodical month}, or time of revolution from
one node to the same again, in length 27 d. 5 h. 5 m. 36
s.; the {sidereal}, or time of revolution from a star to
the same again, equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 11.5 s.; the
{anomalistic}, or time of revolution from perigee to
perigee again, in length 27 d. 13 h. 18 m. 37.4 s.; and
the {tropical}, or time of passing from any point of the
ecliptic to the same again, equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 4.7
s.
{Solar month}, the time in which the sun passes through one
sign of the zodiac, in mean length 30 d. 10 h. 29 m. 4.1
s.
Monthling \Month"ling\, n.
That which is a month old, or which lives for a month. [R.]
--Wordsworth.
Monthly \Month"ly\, a.
1. Continued a month, or a performed in a month; as, the
monthly revolution of the moon.
2. Done, happening, payable, published, etc., once a month,
or every month; as, a monthly visit; monthly charges; a
monthly installment; a monthly magazine.
{Monthly nurse}, a nurse who serves for a month or some short
time, esp. one which attends women after childbirth.
Monthly \Month"ly\, n.; pl. {Monthlies}.
A publication which appears regularly once a month.
Monthly \Month"ly\, adv.
1. Once a month; in every month; as, the moon changes
monthly. --Shak.
2. As if under the influence of the moon; in the manner of a
lunatic. [Obs.] --Middleton.
Monticle \Mon"ti*cle\, n. [L. monticulus, dim. of mons, montis,
mountain: cf. F. monticule. See {Mount}, n.]
A little mount; a hillock; a small elevation or prominence.
[Written also {monticule}.]
Monticulate \Mon*tic"u*late\, a.
Furnished with monticles or little elevations.
Monticule \Mon"ti*cule\, n.
See {Monticle}.
Monticulous \Mon*tic"u*lous\, a.
Monticulate.
Montiform \Mon"ti*form\, a. [L. mons, montis, mountain + -form.]
Resembling a mountain in form.
Montigenous \Mon*tig"e*nous\, a. [L. montigena; mons, montis,
mountain + the root of gignere to beget.]
Produced on a mountain.
Montoir \Mon`toir"\, n. [F., fr. monter to mount. See
{Montant}.]
A stone used in mounting a horse; a horse block.
Monton \Mon"ton\, n. [Sp.] (Mining)
A heap of ore; a mass undergoing the process of amalgamation.
Montross \Mon*tross"\, n.
See {Matross}. [Obs.]
Montrue \Mon"true\, n. [F., fr. monter to mount. See {Montoir}.]
That on which anything is mounted; a setting; hence, a saddle
horse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Monument \Mon"u*ment\, n. [F., fr. L. monumentum, fr. monere to
remind, admonish. See {Monition}, and cf. {Moniment}.]
1. Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance
what is past; a memorial.
Of ancient British art A pleasing monument.
--Philips.
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments. --Shak.
2. A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to
preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.;
as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument.
Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions.
On your family's old monument Hang mournful
epitaphs, and do all rites That appertain unto a
burial. --Shak.
3. A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a
limit or to mark a boundary.
4. A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.
Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous
days. --Foxe.
Syn: Memorial; remembrance; tomb; cenotaph.
Monumental \Mon`u*men"tal\, a. [L. monumentalis: cf. F.
monumental.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or suitable for, a monument; as, a
monumental inscription.
2. Serving as a monument; memorial; preserving memory. ``Of
pine, or monumental oak.'' --Milton.
A work outlasting monumental brass. --Pope.
Monumentally \Mon`u*men"tal*ly\, adv.
1. By way of memorial.
2. By means of monuments.
Monureid \Mon*u"re*id\, n. [Mon- + ureid.] (Chem.)
Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous substances
regarded as derived from one molecule of urea; as, alloxan is
a monureid. [Written also {monureide}.]
Moo \Moo\, a., adv., & n.
See {Mo}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Moo \Moo\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mooed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mooing}.] [Of imitative origin.]
To make the noise of a cow; to low; -- child's word.
Moo \Moo\, n.
The lowing of a cow.
Mood \Mood\, n. [The same word as mode, perh. influenced by mood
temper. See {Mode}.]
1. Manner; style; mode; logical form; musical style; manner
of action or being. See {Mode} which is the preferable
form).
2. (Gram.) Manner of conceiving and expressing action or
being, as positive, possible, hypothetical, etc., without
regard to other accidents, such as time, person, number,
etc.; as, the indicative mood; the infinitive mood; the
subjunctive mood. Same as {Mode}.
Mood \Mood\, n. [OE. mood, mod, AS. m[=o]dmind, feeling, heart,
courage; akin to OS. & OFries. m[=o]d, D. moed, OHG. muot, G.
muth, mut, courage, Dan. & Sw. mod, Icel. m[=o]?r wrath,
Goth. m[=o]ds.]
Temper of mind; temporary state of the mind in regard to
passion or feeling; humor; as, a melancholy mood; a suppliant
mood.
Till at the last aslaked was mood. --Chaucer.
Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us
anything. --Shak.
The desperate recklessness of her mood. --Hawthorne.
Mooder \Moo"der\, n.
Mother. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Moodily \Mood"i*ly\, adv.
In a moody manner.
Moodiness \Mood"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being moody; specifically, liability
to strange or violent moods.
Moodir \Moo"dir\, n. [Ar. mud[=i]r.]
The governor of a province in Egypt, etc. [Written also
{mudir}.]
Moodish \Mood"ish\, a.
Moody. [Obs.]
Moodishly \Mood"ish*ly\, adv.
Moodily. [Obs.]
Moody \Mood"y\, a. [Compar. {Moodier}; superl. {Moodiest}.] [AS.
m[=o]dig courageous.]
1. Subject to varying moods, especially to states of mind
which are unamiable or depressed.
2. Hence: Out of humor; peevish; angry; fretful; also,
abstracted and pensive; sad; gloomy; melancholy. ``Every
peevish, moody malcontent.'' --Rowe.
Arouse thee from thy moody dream! --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Gloomy; pensive; sad; fretful; capricious.
Moolah \Moo"lah\, Moollah \Mool"lah\, n.
See {Mollah}.
Moolley \Mool"ley\, n.
Same as {Mulley}.
Moon \Moon\, n. [OE. mone, AS. m[=o]na; akin to D. maan, OS. &
OHG. m[=a]no, G. mond, Icel. m[=a]ni, Dan. maane, Sw.
m[*a]ne, Goth. m[=e]na, Lith. men?, L. mensis month, Gr. ?
moon, ? month, Skr. m[=a]s moon, month; prob. from a root
meaning to measure (cf. Skr. m[=a] to measure), from its
serving to measure the time. [root]271. Cf. {Mete} to
measure, {Menses}, {Monday}, {Month}.]
1. The celestial orb which revolves round the earth; the
satellite of the earth; a secondary planet, whose light,
borrowed from the sun, is reflected to the earth, and
serves to dispel the darkness of night. The diameter of
the moon is 2,160 miles, its mean distance from the earth
is 240,000 miles, and its mass is one eightieth that of
the earth. See {Lunar month}, under {Month}.
The crescent moon, the diadem of night. --Cowper.
2. A secondary planet, or satellite, revolving about any
member of the solar system; as, the moons of Jupiter or
Saturn.
3. The time occupied by the moon in making one revolution in
her orbit; a month. --Shak.
4. (Fort.) A crescentlike outwork. See {Half-moon}.
{Moon blindness}.
(a) (Far.) A kind of ophthalmia liable to recur at
intervals of three or four weeks.
(b) (Med.) Hemeralopia.
{Moon dial}, a dial used to indicate time by moonlight.
{Moon face}, a round face like a full moon.
{Moon madness}, lunacy. [Poetic]
{Moon month}, a lunar month.
{Moon trefoil} (Bot.), a shrubby species of medic ({Medicago
arborea}). See {Medic}.
{Moon year}, a lunar year, consisting of lunar months, being
sometimes twelve and sometimes thirteen.
Moon \Moon\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mooned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mooning}.]
To expose to the rays of the moon.
If they have it to be exceeding white indeed, they
seethe it yet once more, after it hath been thus sunned
and mooned. --Holland.
Moon \Moon\, v. i.
To act if moonstruck; to wander or gaze about in an
abstracted manner.
Elsley was mooning down the river by himself. --C.
Kingsley.
Moonbeam \Moon"beam`\, n.
A ray of light from the moon.
Moonblind \Moon"blind`\, a.
Dim-sighted; purblind.
Moonblink \Moon"blink`\, n.
A temporary blindness, or impairment of sight, said to be
caused by sleeping in the moonlight; -- sometimes called
nyctalopia.
Mooncalf \Moon"calf`\, n.
1. A monster; a false conception; a mass of fleshy matter,
generated in the uterus.
2. A dolt; a stupid fellow. --Dryden.
Moon-culminating \Moon"-cul"mi*na`ting\, a.
Culminating, or coming to the meredian, at or about the same
time with the moon; -- said of a star or stars, esp. of
certain stars selected beforehand, and named in an ephemeris
(as the Nautical Almanac), as suitable to be observed in
connection with the moon at culmination, for determining
terrestrial longitude.
Mooned \Mooned\, a.
Of or resembling the moon; symbolized by the moon.
``Sharpening in mooned horns.'' ``Mooned Ashtaroth.''
--Milton.
Mooner \Moon"er\, n.
One who abstractedly wanders or gazes about, as if
moonstruck. [R.] --Dickens.
Moonery \Moon"er*y\, n.
Conduct of one who moons. [R.]
Moonet \Moon"et\, n.
A little moon. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Moon-eye \Moon"-eye`\, n.
1. A eye affected by the moon; also, a disease in the eye of
a horse.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any species of American fresh-water fishes of the
genus {Hyodon}, esp. {H. tergisus} of the Great Lakes
and adjacent waters.
(b) The cisco.
Moon-eyed \Moon"-eyed`\, a.
Having eyes affected by the moon; moonblind; dim-eyed;
purblind.
Moon-faced \Moon"-faced`\, a.
Having a round, full face.
Moonfish \Moon"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An American marine fish ({Vomer setipennis}); -- called
also {bluntnosed shiner}, {horsefish}, and {sunfish}.
(b) A broad, thin, silvery marine fish ({Selene vomer}); --
called also {lookdown}, and {silver moonfish}.
(c) The mola. See {Sunfish}, 1.
Moonflower \Moon"flow`er\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The oxeye daisy; -- called also {moon daisy}.
(b) A kind of morning glory ({Ipom[oe]a Bona-nox}) with large
white flowers opening at night.
Moong \Moong\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Mung}.
Moonglade \Moon"glade`\, n.
The bright reflection of the moon's light on an expanse of
water. [Poetic]
Moonie \Moo"nie\ (m[=oo]"n[i^]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European goldcrest.
Moonish \Moon"ish\ (m[=oo]n"[i^]sh), a.
Like the moon; variable.
Being but a moonish youth. --Shak.
Moonless \Moon"less\, a.
Being without a moon or moonlight.
Moonlight \Moon`light`\, n.
The light of the moon. -- a. Occurring during or by
moonlight; characterized by moonlight.
Moonling \Moon"ling\, n.
A simpleton; a lunatic. [Obs.]
Moonlit \Moon"lit`\, a.
Illumined by the moon. ``The moonlit sea.'' --Moore.
``Moonlit dells.'' --Lowell.
Moonraker \Moon"rak`er\, n. (Naut.)
Same as {Moonsail}.
Moonrise \Moon"rise`\, n.
The rising of the moon above the horizon; also, the time of
its rising.
Moonsail \Moon"sail`\, n. (Naut.)
A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail.
--R. H. Dana, Jr.
Moonseed \Moon"seed`\, n. (Bot.)
A climbing plant of the genus {Menispermum}; -- so called
from the crescentlike form of the seeds.
Moonset \Moon"set`\, n.
The descent of the moon below the horizon; also, the time
when the moon sets.
Moonshee \Moon"shee\, n. [Hind. munish[=i], fr. Ar. munish[=i] a
writer, author, secretary, tutor.]
A Mohammedan professor or teacher of language. [India]
Moonshine \Moon"shine`\, n.
1. The light of the moon.
2. Hence, show without substance or reality.
3. A month. [R.] --Shak.
4. A preparation of eggs for food. [Obs.]
Moonshine \Moon"shine`\, a.
Moonlight. [R.] --Clarendon.
Moonshiner \Moon"shin`er\, n.
A person engaged in illicit distilling; -- so called because
the work is largely done at night. [Cant, U.S.]
Moonshiny \Moon"shin`y\, a.
Moonlight. [Colloq.]
I went to see them in a moonshiny night. --Addison.
Moonstone \Moon"stone`\, n. (Min.)
A nearly pellucid variety of feldspar, showing pearly or
opaline reflections from within. It is used as a gem. The
best specimens come from Ceylon.
Moonsticken \Moon"stick`en\, a.
See {Moonstruck}.
Moonstruck \Moon"struck`\, a.
1. Mentally affected or deranged by the supposed influence of
the moon; lunatic.
2. Produced by the supposed influence of the moon.
``Moonstruck madness.'' --Milton.
3. Made sick by the supposed influence of the moon, as a
human being; made unsuitable for food, as fishes, by such
supposed influence.
Moonwort \Moon"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The herb lunary or honesty. See {Honesty}.
(b) Any fern of the genus {Botrychium}, esp. {B. Lunaria};
-- so named from the crescent-shaped segments of its
frond.
Moony \Moon"y\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the moon.
Soft and pale as the moony beam. --J. R. Drake.
2. Furnished with a moon; bearing a crescent.
But soon the miscreant moony host Before the victor
cross shall fly. --Fenton.
3. Silly; weakly sentimental. [Colloq.] --G. Eliot.
Moor \Moor\, n. [F. More, Maure, L. Maurus a Moor, a
Mauritanian, an inhabitant of Mauritania, Gr. ?; cf. ? black,
dark. Cf. {Morris} a dance, {Morocco}.]
1. One of a mixed race inhabiting Morocco, Algeria, Tunis,
and Tripoli, chiefly along the coast and in towns.
2. (Hist.) Any individual of the swarthy races of Africa or
Asia which have adopted the Mohammedan religion. ``In
Spanish history the terms Moors, Saracens, and Arabs are
synonymous.'' --Internat. Cyc.
Moor \Moor\, n. [OE. mor, AS. m[=o]r moor, morass; akin to D.
moer moor, G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere.
See {Mere} a lake.]
1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and
having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy, and
abounding in peat; a heath.
In her girlish age she kept sheep on the moor.
--Carew.
2. A game preserve consisting of moorland.
{Moor buzzard} (Zo["o]l.), the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.]
{Moor coal} (Geol.), a friable variety of lignite.
{Moor cock} (Zo["o]l.), the male of the moor fowl or red
grouse of Europe.
{Moor coot}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Gallinule}.
{Moor fowl}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European ptarmigan, or red grouse ({Lagopus
Scoticus}).
(b) The European heath grouse. See under {Heath}.
{Moor game}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Moor fowl} (above).
{Moor grass} (Bot.), a tufted perennial grass ({Sesleria
c[ae]rulea}), found in mountain pastures of Europe.
{Moor hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the marsh harrier.
{Moor hen}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The female of the moor fowl.
(b) A gallinule, esp. the European species. See
{Gallinule}.
(c) An Australian rail ({Tribonyx ventralis}).
{Moor monkey} (Zo["o]l.), the black macaque of Borneo
({Macacus maurus}).
{Moor titling} (Zo["o]l.), the European stonechat
({Pratinocola rubicola}).
Moor \Moor\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mooring}.] [Prob. fr. D. marren to tie, fasten, or moor a
ship. See {Mar}.]
1. (Naut.) To fix or secure, as a vessel, in a particular
place by casting anchor, or by fastening with cables or
chains; as, the vessel was moored in the stream; they
moored the boat to the wharf.
2. Fig.: To secure, or fix firmly. --Brougham.
Moor \Moor\, v. i.
To cast anchor; to become fast.
On oozy ground his galleys moor. --Dryden.
Moorage \Moor"age\, n.
A place for mooring.
Moorball \Moor"ball`\, n. (Bot.)
A fresh-water alga ({Cladophora [AE]gagropila}) which forms a
globular mass.
Moorband \Moor"band`\, n.
See {Moorpan}.
Mooress \Moor"ess\, n.
A female Moor; a Moorish woman.
Mooring \Moor"ing\, n.
1. The act of confining a ship to a particular place, by
means of anchors or fastenings.
2. That which serves to confine a ship to a place, as
anchors, cables, bridles, etc.
3. pl. The place or condition of a ship thus confined.
And the tossed bark in moorings swings. --Moore.
{Mooring block} (Naut.), a heavy block of cast iron sometimes
used as an anchor for mooring vessels.
Moorish \Moor"ish\, a. [From 2d {Moor}.]
Having the characteristics of a moor or heath. ``Moorish
fens.'' --Thomson.
Moorish \Moor"ish\, a. [See 1st {Moor}, and cf. {Morris},
{Moresque}.]
Of or pertaining to Morocco or the Moors; in the style of the
Moors.
{Moorish architecture}, the style developed by the Moors in
the later Middle Ages, esp. in Spain, in which the arch
had the form of a horseshoe, and the ornamentation
admitted no representation of animal life. It has many
points of resemblance to the Arabian and Persian styles,
but should be distinguished from them. See Illust. under
{Moresque}.
Moorland \Moor"land\, n. [AS. m[=o]rland.]
Land consisting of a moor or moors.
Moorpan \Moor"pan`\, n. [Cf. Hard pan, under {Hard}.]
A clayey layer or pan underlying some moors, etc.
Moorstone \Moor"stone`\, n.
A species of English granite, used as a building stone.
Mooruk \Moo"ruk\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of cassowary ({Casuarius Bennetti}) found in New
Britain, and noted for its agility in running and leaping. It
is smaller and has stouter legs than the common cassowary.
Its crest is biloted; the neck and breast are black; the
back, rufous mixed with black; and the naked skin of the
neck, blue.
Moory \Moor"y\, a.
Of or pertaining to moors; marshy; fenny; boggy; moorish.
--Mortimer.
As when thick mists arise from moory vales. --Fairfax.
Moory \Moor"y\, n.
A kind of blue cloth made in India. --Balfour (Cyc of India).
Moose \Moose\, n. [A native name; Knisteneaux mouswah; Algonquin
monse. Mackenzie.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large cervine mammal ({Alces machlis}, or {A. Americanus}),
native of the Northern United States and Canada. The adult
male is about as large as a horse, and has very large,
palmate antlers. It closely resembles the European elk, and
by many zo["o]logists is considered the same species. See
{Elk}.
{Moose bird} (Zo["o]l.), the Canada jayor whisky jack. See
{Whisky jack}.
{Moose deer}. Same as {Moose}.
{Moose yard} (Zo["o]l.), a locality where moose, in winter,
herd together in a forest to feed and for mutual
protection.
Moosewood \Moose"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The striped maple (Acer Pennsylvanicum).
(b) Leatherwood.
Moot \Moot\, v.
See 1st {Mot}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Moot \Moot\, n. (Shipbuilding)
A ring for gauging wooden pins.
Moot \Moot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mooted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mooting}.] [OE. moten, motien, AS. m[=o]tan to meet or
assemble for conversation, to discuss, dispute, fr. m[=o]t,
gem[=o]t, a meeting, an assembly; akin to Icel. m[=o]t, MHG.
muoz. Cf. {Meet} to come together.]
1. To argue for and against; to debate; to discuss; to
propose for discussion.
A problem which hardly has been mentioned, much less
mooted, in this country. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
2. Specifically: To discuss by way of exercise; to argue for
practice; to propound and discuss in a mock court.
First a case is appointed to be mooted by certain
young men, containing some doubtful controversy.
--Sir T.
Elyot.
Moot \Moot\, v. i.
To argue or plead in a supposed case.
There is a difference between mooting and pleading;
between fencing and fighting. --B. Jonson.
Moot \Moot\, n. [AS. m[=o]t, gem[=o]t, a meeting; -- usually in
comp.] [Written also {mote}.]
1. A meeting for discussion and deliberation; esp., a meeting
of the people of a village or district, in Anglo-Saxon
times, for the discussion and settlement of matters of
common interest; -- usually in composition; as, folk-moot.
--J. R. Green.
2. [From {Moot}, v.] A discussion or debate; especially, a
discussion of fictitious causes by way of practice.
The pleading used in courts and chancery called
moots. --Sir T.
Elyot.
{Moot case}, a case or question to be mooted; a disputable
case; an unsettled question. --Dryden.
{Moot court}, a mock court, such as is held by students of
law for practicing the conduct of law cases.
{Moot point}, a point or question to be debated; a doubtful
question.
Moot \Moot\, a.
Subject, or open, to argument or discussion; undecided;
debatable; mooted.
Mootable \Moot"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being mooted.
Mooter \Moot"er\, n.
A disputer of a mooted case.
Moot-hall \Moot"-hall`\, Moot-house \Moot"-house`\, n. [AS.
m[=o]th?s.]
A hall for public meetings; a hall of judgment. [Obs.] ``The
moot-hall of Herod.'' --Wyclif.
Moot-hill \Moot"-hill`\, n. (O. Eng. Law)
A hill of meeting or council; an elevated place in the open
air where public assemblies or courts were held by the
Saxons; -- called, in Scotland, mute-hill. --J. R. Green.
Mootman \Moot"man\, n.; pl. {Mootmen}. (O. Eng. Law)
One who argued moot cases in the inns of court.
Mop \Mop\, n. [See {Mope}.]
A made-up face; a grimace. ``What mops and mowes it makes!''
--Beau. & Fl.
Mop \Mop\, v. i.
To make a wry mouth. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mop \Mop\, n. [CF. W. mop, mopa, Ir. moipal, Gael. moibeal,
moibean; or OF. mappe a napkin (see {Map}, {Napkin}).]
1. An implement for washing floors, or the like, made of a
piece of cloth, or a collection of thrums, or coarse yarn,
fastened to a handle.
2. A fair where servants are hired. [Prov. Eng.]
3. The young of any animal; also, a young girl; a moppet.
[Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
{Mop head}.
(a) The end of a mop, to which the thrums or rags are
fastened.
(b) A clamp for holding the thrums or rags of a mop.
[U.S.]
Mop \Mop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mopped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mopping}.]
To rub or wipe with a mop, or as with a mop; as, to mop a
floor; to mop one's face with a handkerchief.
Mopboard \Mop"board`\, n. (Carp.)
A narrow board nailed against the wall of a room next to the
floor; skirting board; baseboard. See {Baseboard}.
Mope \Mope\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Moped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Moping}.] [Cf. D. moppen to pout, Prov. G. muffen to sulk.]
To be dull and spiritless. ``Moping melancholy.'' --Milton.
A sickly part of one true sense Could not so mope.
--Shak.
Mope \Mope\, v. t.
To make spiritless and stupid. [Obs.]
Mope \Mope\, n.
A dull, spiritless person. --Burton.
Mope-eyed \Mope"-eyed`\, a.
Shortsighted; purblind.
Mopeful \Mope"ful\, a.
Mopish. [R.]
Mopish \Mop"ish\, a.
Dull; spiritless; dejected. -- {Mop"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Mop"ish*ness}, n.
Moplah \Mop"lah\, n. [Malayalam m[=a]pplia.]
One of a class of Mohammedans in Malabar.
Moppet \Mop"pet\, n. [From 3d {Mop}.]
1. A rag baby; a puppet made of cloth; hence, also, in
fondness, a little girl, or a woman.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A long-haired pet dog.
Mopsey \Mop"sey\, Mopsy \Mop"sy\, n.
1. A moppet.
2. A slatternly, untidy woman. --Halliwell.
Mopsical \Mop"si*cal\, a.
Shortsighted; mope-eyed.
Mopstick \Mop"stick`\, n.
The long handle of a mop.
Mopus \Mo"pus\, n.
A mope; a drone. [Obs.] --Swift.
Moquette \Mo*quette"\, n. [F.]
A kind of carpet having a short velvety pile.
Mora \Mor"a\, n. [It.]
A game of guessing the number of fingers extended in a quick
movement of the hand, -- much played by Italians of the lower
classes.
Mora \Mo"ra\, n. (Bot.)
A leguminous tree of Guiana and Trinidad ({Dimorphandra
excelsa}); also, its timber, used in shipbuilding and making
furniture.
Mora \Mo"ra\, n. [L.] (Rom. & Civil Law)
Delay; esp., culpable delay; postponement.
Moraine \Mo*raine"\, n. [F. Cf. Prov. G. mur stones broken off,
It. mora a heap of stones, hillock, G. m["u]rbe soft, broken
up, OHG. muruwi, AS. mearu tender, Gr. ? to cause to wither,
Skr. ml[=a] to relax.] (Geol.)
An accumulation of earth and stones carried forward and
deposited by a glacier. --Lyell.
Note: If the moranie is at the extremity of the glacier it is
a terminal moranie; if at the side, a lateral moranie;
if parallel to the side on the central portion of the
glacier, a medial moranie. See Illust. of {Glacier}. In
the last case it is formed by the union of the lateral
moranies of the branches of the glacier. A ground
moranie is one beneath the mass of ice.
Morainic \Mo*rain"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a moranie.
Moral \Mor"al\, a. [F., fr. It. moralis, fr. mos, moris, manner,
custom, habit, way of life, conduct.]
1. Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those
intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue
and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such
intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to
the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings
in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so
far as they are properly subject to rules.
Keep at the least within the compass of moral
actions, which have in them vice or virtue.
--Hooker.
Mankind is broken loose from moral bands. --Dryden.
She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral
wilderness. --Hawthorne.
2. Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity
with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used
sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral
rather than a religious life.
The wiser and more moral part of mankind. --Sir M.
Hale.
3. Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by
a sense of right; subject to the law of duty.
A moral agent is a being capable of those actions
that have a moral quality, and which can properly be
denominated good or evil in a moral sense. --J.
Edwards.
4. Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of
right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral
arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to
{material} and {physical}; as, moral pressure or support.
5. Supported by reason or probability; practically
sufficient; -- opposed to {legal} or {demonstrable}; as, a
moral evidence; a moral certainty.
6. Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson;
moral tales.
{Moral agent}, a being who is capable of acting with
reference to right and wrong.
{Moral certainty}, a very high degree or probability,
although not demonstrable as a certainty; a probability of
so high a degree that it can be confidently acted upon in
the affairs of life; as, there is a moral certainty of his
guilt.
{Moral insanity}, insanity, so called, of the moral system;
badness alleged to be irresponsible.
{Moral philosophy}, the science of duty; the science which
treats of the nature and condition of man as a moral
being, of the duties which result from his moral
relations, and the reasons on which they are founded.
{Moral play}, an allegorical play; a morality. [Obs.]
{Moral sense}, the power of moral judgment and feeling; the
capacity to perceive what is right or wrong in moral
conduct, and to approve or disapprove, independently of
education or the knowledge of any positive rule or law.
{Moral theology}, theology applied to morals; practical
theology; casuistry.
Moral \Mor"al\, n.
1. The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of
living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; --
usually in the plural.
Corrupt in their morals as vice could make them.
--South.
2. The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative,
an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson
which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the
doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim.
Thus may we gather honey from the weed, And make a
moral of the devil himself. --Shak.
To point a moral, or adorn a tale. --Johnson.
We protest against the principle that the world of
pure comedy is one into which no moral enters.
--Macaulay.
3. A morality play. See {Morality}, 5.
Moral \Mor"al\, v. i.
To moralize. [Obs.] --Shak.
Morale \Mo`rale"\, n. [F. See {Moral}, a.]
The moral condition, or the condition in other respects, so
far as it is affected by, or dependent upon, moral
considerations, such as zeal, spirit, hope, and confidence;
mental state, as of a body of men, an army, and the like.
Moraler \Mor"al*er\, n.
A moralizer. [Obs.] --Shak.
Moralism \Mor"al*ism\, n.
A maxim or saying embodying a moral truth. --Farrar.
Moralist \Mor"al*ist\, n. [Cf. F. moraliste.]
1. One who moralizes; one who teaches or animadverts upon the
duties of life; a writer of essays intended to correct
vice and inculcate moral duties. --Addison.
2. One who practices moral duties; a person who lives in
conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment and
dealings with his fellow-creatures; -- sometimes used in
contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by
religious motives.
The love (in the moralist of virtue, but in the
Christian) of God himself. --Hammond.
Morality \Mo*ral"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Moralities}. [L. moralitas: cf.
F. moralit['e].]
1. The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral
standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an
action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the
standard of right.
The morality of an action is founded in the freedom
of that principle, by virtue of which it is in the
agent's power, having all things ready and requisite
to the performance of an action, either to perform
or not perform it. --South.
2. The quality of an action which renders it good; the
conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right.
Of moralitee he was the flower. --Chaucer.
I am bold to think that morality is capable of
demonstration. --Locke.
3. The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of
men in their social character; ethics.
The end of morality is to procure the affections to
obey reason, and not to invade it. --Bacon.
The system of morality to be gathered out of . . .
ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in
the gospel. --Swift.
4. The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life;
conformity to the standard of right; virtue; as, we often
admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.
5. A kind of allegorical play, so termed because it consisted
of discourses in praise of morality between actors
representing such characters as Charity, Faith, Death,
Vice, etc. Such plays were occasionally exhibited as late
as the reign of Henry VIII. --Strutt.
6. Intent; meaning; moral. [Obs.]
Taketh the morality thereof, good men. --Chaucer.
Moralization \Mor`al*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. moralisation.]
1. The act of moralizing; moral reflections or discourse.
2. Explanation in a moral sense. --T. Warton.
Moralize \Mor"al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moralized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Moralizing}.] [Cf. F. moraliser.]
1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense;
to draw a moral from.
This fable is moralized in a common proverb.
--L'Estrange.
Did he not moralize this spectacle? --Shak.
2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to
lend a moral to.
While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed
By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road. --Wordsworth.
3. To render moral; to correct the morals of.
It had a large share in moralizing the poor white
people of the country. --D. Ramsay.
4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality
of, either for better or worse.
Good and bad stars moralize not our actions. --Sir
T. Browne.
Moralize \Mor"al*ize\, v. i.
To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as
involving a moral.
Moralizer \Mor"al*i`zer\, n.
One who moralizes.
Morally \Mor"al*ly\, adv.
1. In a moral or ethical sense; according to the rules of
morality.
By good, good morally so called, ``bonum honestum''
ought chiefly to be understood. --South.
2. According to moral rules; virtuously. ``To live morally.''
--Dryden.
3. In moral qualities; in disposition and character; as, one
who physically and morally endures hardships.
4. In a manner calculated to serve as the basis of action;
according to the usual course of things and human
judgment; according to reason and probability.
It is morally impossible for an hypocrite to keep
himself long upon his guard. --L'Estrange.
Morass \Mo*rass"\, n. [OE. marras, mareis (perh. through D.
moeras), fr. F. marais, prob. from L. mare sea, in LL., any
body of water; but perh. influenced by some German word. See
{Mere} a lake, and cf. {Marsh}.]
A tract of soft, wet ground; a marsh; a fen.
{Morass ore}. (Min.) See {Bog ore}, under {Bog}.
morassy \mo*rass"y\, a.
Marshy; fenny. [R.] --Pennant.
Morate \Mo"rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of moric acid.
Moration \Mo*ra"tion\, n. [L. moratio.]
A delaying tarrying; delay. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Moravian \Mo*ra"vi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Moravia, or to the United Brethren. See
{Moravian}, n.
Moravian \Mo*ra"vi*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a religious sect called the United Brethren (an
offshoot of the Hussites in Bohemia), which formed a separate
church of Moravia, a northern district of Austria, about the
middle of the 15th century. After being nearly extirpated by
persecution, the society, under the name of The Renewed
Church of the United Brethren, was re["e]stablished in
1722-35 on the estates of Count Zinzendorf in Saxony. Called
also {Herrnhuter}.
Moravianism \Mo*ra"vi*an*ism\, n.
The religious system of the Moravians.
Moray \Mor"ay\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A mur[ae]na.
Morbid \Mor"bid\, a. [L. morbidus, fr. morbus disease; prob.
akin to mori to die: cf. F. morbide, It. morbido. See
{Mortal}.]
1. Not sound and healthful; induced by a diseased or abnormal
condition; diseased; sickly; as, morbid humors; a morbid
constitution; a morbid state of the juices of a plant.
``Her sick and morbid heart.'' --Hawthorne.
2. Of or pertaining to disease or diseased parts; as, morbid
anatomy.
Syn: Diseased; sickly; sick.
Usage: {Morbid}, {Diseased}. Morbid is sometimes used
interchangeably with diseased, but is commonly
applied, in a somewhat technical sense, to cases of a
prolonged nature; as, a morbid condition of the
nervous system; a morbid sensibility, etc.
Morbidezza \Mor`bi*dez"za\, n. [It., softness, delicacy. See
{Morbid}.]
1. (Fine Arts) Delicacy or softness in the representation of
flesh.
2. (Mus.) A term used as a direction in execution,
signifying, with extreme delicacy. --Ludden.
Morbidity \Mor*bid"i*ty\, n.
1. The quality or state of being morbid.
2. Morbid quality; disease; sickness. --C. Kingsley.
3. Amount of disease; sick rate.
Morbidly \Mor"bid*ly\, adv.
In a morbid manner.
Morbidness \Mor"bid*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being morbid; morbidity.
Morbific \Mor*bif"ic\, Morbifical \Mor*bif"ic*al\, a. [L. morbus
disease + -ficare (in comp.) to make: cf. F. morbifique. See
{-fy}.]
Causing disease; generating a sickly state; as, a morbific
matter.
Morbillous \Mor*bil"lous\, a. [LL. morbilli measles, dim. of L.
morbus disease: cf. F. morbilleux.]
Pertaining to the measles; partaking of the nature of
measels, or resembling the eruptions of that disease; measly.
Morbose \Mor*bose"\, a. [L. morbosus, fr. morbus disease.]
Proceeding from disease; morbid; unhealthy.
Morbose tumors and excrescences of plants. --Ray.
Morbosity \Mor*bos"i*ty\, n. [L. morbositas.]
A diseased state; unhealthiness. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Morceau \Mor`ceau"\, n. [F.]
A bit; a morsel.
Mordacious \Mor*da"cious\, a. [L. mordax, -acis, fr. mordere,
morsum, to bite. See {Morsel}.]
Biting; given to biting; hence, figuratively, sarcastic;
severe; scathing. -- {Mor*da"cious*ly}, adv.
Mordacity \Mor*dac"i*ty\, n. [L. mordacitas: cf. F.
mordacit['e]. See {Mordacious}.]
The quality of being mordacious; biting severity, or
sarcastic quality. --Bacon.
Mordant \Mor"dant\, a. [F., p. pr. of mordere to bite; L.
mordere. See {Morsel}.]
1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving to fix colors.
Mordant \Mor"dant\, n. [F., originally, biting.]
1. Any corroding substance used in etching.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Any substance, as alum or
copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic
fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and
thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.
3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made
to adhere.
Mordant \Mor"dant\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mordanted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mordanting}.]
To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to
mordant goods for dyeing.
Mordantly \Mor"dant*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a mordant.
Mordente \Mor*den"te\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
An embellishment resembling a trill.
Mordicancy \Mor"di*can*cy\, n.
A biting quality; corrosiveness. [R.] --Evelyn.
Mordicant \Mor"di*cant\, a. [L. mordicans, p. pr. of mordicare
to bite, fr. mordere: cf. F. mordicant.]
Biting; acrid; as, the mordicant quality of a body. [R.]
--Boyle.
Mordication \Mor`di*ca"tion\, n. [L. mordicatio.]
The act of biting or corroding; corrosion. [R.] --Bacon.
Mordicative \Mor"di*ca*tive\, a. [L. mordicativus.]
Biting; corrosive. [R.] --Holland.
More \More\, n. [AS. m[=o]r. See {Moor} a waste.]
A hill. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
More \More\, n. [AS. more, moru; akin to G. m["o]hre carrot,
OHG. moraha, morha.]
A root. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
More \More\, a., compar. [Positive wanting; superl. {Most}.]
[OE. more, mare, and (orig. neut. and adv.) mo, ma, AS.
m[=a]ra, and (as neut. and adv.) m[=a]; akin to D. meer, OS.
m[=e]r, G. mehr, OHG. m[=e]ro, m[=e]r, Icel. meiri, meirr,
Dan. meere, meer, Sw. mera, mer, Goth. maiza, a., mais, adv.,
and perh. to L. major greater, compar. of magnus great, and
magis, adv., more. [root]103. Cf. {Most}, {uch}, {Major}.]
1. Greater; superior; increased; as:
(a) Greater in quality, amount, degree, quality, and the
like; with the singular.
He gat more money. --Chaucer.
If we procure not to ourselves more woe.
--Milton.
Note: More, in this sense, was formerly used in connection
with some other qualifying word, -- a, the, this,
their, etc., -- which now requires the substitution of
greater, further, or the like, for more.
Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse
height, Do make them music for their more
delight. --Spenser.
The more part knew not wherefore they were come
together. --Acts xix.
32.
Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt.
--Shak.
(b) Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; -- with the
plural.
The people of the children of Israel are more
and mighter than we. --Ex. i. 9.
2. Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more
words to conquer.
With open arms received one poet more. --Pope.
More \More\, n.
1. A greater quantity, amount, or number; that which exceeds
or surpasses in any way what it is compared with.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered,
some more, some less. --Ex. xvi. 17.
2. That which is in addition; something other and further; an
additional or greater amount.
They that would have more and more can never have
enough. --L'Estrange.
O! That pang where more than madness lies. --Byron.
{Any more}.
(a) Anything or something additional or further; as, I do
not need any more.
(b) Adverbially: Further; beyond a certain time; as, do
not think any more about it.
{No more}, not anything more; nothing in addition.
{The more and less}, the high and low. [Obs.] --Shak. ``All
cried, both less and more.'' --Chaucer.
More \More\, adv.
1. In a greater quantity; in or to a greater extent or
degree.
(a) With a verb or participle.
Admiring more The riches of Heaven's pavement.
--Milton.
(b) With an adjective or adverb (instead of the suffix
-er) to form the comparative degree; as, more durable;
more active; more sweetly.
Happy here, and more happy hereafter. --Bacon.
Note: Double comparatives were common among writers of the
Elizabeth period, and for some time later; as, more
brighter; more dearer.
The duke of Milan And his more braver daughter.
--Shak.
2. In addition; further; besides; again.
Yet once more, Oye laurels, and once more, Ye
myrtles brown, with ivy never sere, I come to pluck
your berries harsh and crude. --Milton.
{More and more}, with continual increase. ``Amon trespassed
more and more.'' --2 Chron. xxxiii. 23.
{The more}, to a greater degree; by an added quantity; for a
reason already specified.
{The more -- the more}, by how much more -- by so much more.
``The more he praised in himself, the more he seems to
suspect that in very deed it was not in him.'' --Milton.
{To be no more}, to have ceased to be; as, Cassius is no
more; Troy is no more.
Those oracles which set the world in flames, Nor
ceased to burn till kingdoms were no more. --Byron.
More \More\, v. t.
To make more; to increase. [Obs.] --Gower.
Moreen \Mo*reen"\, n. [Cf. {Mohair}.]
A thick woolen fabric, watered or with embossed figures; --
used in upholstery, for curtains, etc.
Morel \Mor"el\, n. [See {Moril}.] (Bot.)
An edible fungus ({Morchella esculenta}), the upper part of
which is covered with a reticulated and pitted hymenium. It
is used as food, and for flavoring sauces. [Written also
{moril}.]
Morel \Mor"el\, n. [See {Morelle}.] (Bot.)
1. Nightshade; -- so called from its blackish purple berries.
[Written also {morelle}.]
2. A kind of cherry. See {Morello}.
{Great morel}, the deadly nightshade.
{Petty morel}, the black nightshade. See {Nightshade}.
Moreland \More"land\, n.
Moorland.
Morelle \Mo*relle"\, n. [F., orig. fem. of moreau black, OF.
morel, fr. LL. morellus. Cf. {Morello}, {Murrey}.] (Bot.)
Nightshade. See 2d {Morel}.
Morello \Mo*rel"lo\, n. [Cf. It. morello blackish, OF. morel.
Cf. {Morelle}.] (Bot.)
A kind of nearly black cherry with dark red flesh and juice,
-- used chiefly for preserving.
Morendo \Mo*ren"do\, a. & n. [It.] (Mus.)
Dying; a gradual decrescendo at the end of a strain or
cadence.
Moreness \More"ness\, n.
Greatness. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Moreover \More*o"ver\, adv. [More + over.]
Beyond what has been said; further; besides; in addition;
furthermore; also; likewise.
Moreover, he hath left you all his walks. --Shak.
Syn: {Besides}, {Moreover}.
Usage: Of the two words, moreover is the stronger and is
properly used in solemn discourse, or when what is
added is important to be considered. See {Besides}.
Morepork \More"pork`\, n. [So named from its cry.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Australian crested goatsucker ({[AE]gotheles
Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]}). Also applied to other allied birds,
as {Podargus Cuveiri}.
Moresk \Mo*resk"\, a. & n.
Moresque. [Obs.]
Moresque \Mo*resque"\, a. [F., fr. It. moresco, or Sp. morisco.
See {Morris}.]
Of or pertaining to, or in the manner or style of, the Moors;
Moorish. -- n. The Moresque style of architecture or
decoration. See {Moorish architecture}, under {Moorish}.
[Written also {mauresque}.]
Morganatic \Mor`ga*nat"ic\, a. [LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam,
fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the
morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan
morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See
{Morn}.]
Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of
marriage, called also {left-handed marriage}, between a man
of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is
stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall
enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband.
--Brande & C. -- {Mor`ga*nat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Morgay \Mor"gay\, n. [W. morgi dogfish, shark; mor sea + ci
dog.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European small-spotted dogfish, or houndfish. See the
Note under {Houndfish}.
Morglay \Mor"glay\, n. [Cf. {Claymore}.]
A sword. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Morgue \Morgue\, n. [F.]
A place where the bodies of persons found dead are exposed,
that they may be identified, or claimed by their friends; a
deadhouse.
Moria \Mo"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? folly.]
Idiocy; imbecility; fatuity; foolishness.
Morian \Mo"ri*an\, n. (Ethnol.)
A Moor. [Obs.]
In vain the Turks and Morians armed be. --Fairfax.
Moribund \Mor"i*bund\, a. [L. moribundus, from moriri to die.
See {Mortal}.]
In a dying state; dying; at the point of death.
The patient was comatose and moribund. --Copland.
Moribund \Mor"i*bund\, n.
A dying person. [R.]
Moric \Mo"ric\, a.
Pertaining to, or derived from, fustic (see {Morin}); as,
moric acid.
Morice \Mor"ice\, n.
See {Morisco}.
Morigerate \Mo*rig"er*ate\, a. [L. morigeratus, p. p. of
morigerari to comply with. See {Morigerous}.]
Obedient. [Obs.]
Morigeration \Mo*rig`er*a"tion\, n. [L. morigeratio.]
Obsequiousness; obedience. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Morigerous \Mo*rig"er*ous\, a. [L. morigerus; oss, moris,
custom, manner + gerere to bear, conduct.]
Obedient; obsequious. [Obs.] --Brathwait.
Moril \Mor"il\, n. [F. morille; cf. OHG. morhila, G. morchel,
OHG. morha carrot. See {More} a root.] (Bot.)
An edible fungus. Same as 1st {Morel}.
Morin \Mo"rin\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance of acid properties extracted
from fustic ({Maclura tinctoria}, formerly called {Morus
tinctoria}); -- called also {moric acid}.
Morinda \Mo*rin"da\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of rubiaceous trees and shrubs, mostly East Indian,
many species of which yield valuable red and yellow dyes. The
wood is hard and beautiful, and used for gunstocks.
Morindin \Mo*rin"din\, n. (Chem.)
A yellow dyestuff extracted from the root bark of an East
Indian plant ({Morinda citrifolia}).
Morinel \Mor"i*nel`\, n. [Cf. F. morinelle.] (Zo["o]l.)
The dotterel.
Moringa \Mo*rin"ga\, n. [Malayam murunggi.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees of Southern India and Northern Africa. One
species ({Moringa pterygosperma}) is the horse-radish tree,
and its seeds, as well as those of {M. aptera}, are known in
commerce as ben or ben nuts, and yield the oil called oil of
ben.
Moringic \Mo*rin"gic\, a. (Chem.)
Designating an organic acid obtained from oil of ben. See
{Moringa}.
Morintannic \Mo`rin*tan"nic\, a. [NL. Morus fustic + E. tannic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a variety of tannic acid
extracted from fustic ({Maclura, formerly Morus, tinctoria})
as a yellow crystalline substance; -- called also {maclurin}.
Morion \Mo"ri*on\, n. [F. morion, Sp. morrion; cf. Sp. morra the
upper part of the head, morro anything that is round.]
A kind of open helmet, without visor or beaver, and somewhat
resembling a hat.
A battered morion on his brow. --Sir W.
Scott.
Morion \Mo"ri*on\, n. [G.] (Min.)
A dark variety of smoky quartz.
Morioplasty \Mo"ri*o*plas`ty\, n. [Gr. ? piece (dim. of ? a part
+ -plasty.] (Surg.)
The restoration of lost parts of the body.
Morisco \Mo*ris"co\, a. [Sp. See {Morris} the dance.]
Moresque.
Morisco \Mo*ris"co\, n. [Sp. morisco Moorish.]
A thing of Moorish origin; as:
(a) The Moorish language.
(b) A Moorish dance, now called morris dance. Marston.
(c) One who dances the Moorish dance. Shak.
(d) Moresque decoration or architecture.
Morisk \Mo"risk\, n.
Same as {Morisco}.
Morkin \Mor"kin\, n. [Akin to Sw. murken putrefied, Icel.
morkinn putrid.]
A beast that has died of disease or by mischance. [Obs.]
--Bp. Hall.
Morland \Mor"land\, n.
Moorland. [Obs.]
Morling \Mor"ling\, n. [Cf. F. mort dead, L. mortuus, fr. moriri
to die.]
Mortling. [Eng.] --Ainsworth.
Mormal \Mor"mal\, n. [F. mort-mai a deadly evil. Nares.]
A bad sore; a gangrene; a cancer. [Obs.] [Written also
{morrimal} and {mortmal}.] --Chaucer.
Mormo \Mor"mo\, n. [Gr. mormw` a hideous she-monster, a
bugbear.]
A bugbear; false terror. [Obs.] --Jonhson.
Mormon \Mor"mon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? monster, bugbear.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) A genus of sea birds, having a large, thick bill; the
puffin.
(b) The mandrill.
Mormon \Mor"mon\, n. (Eccl.)
One of a sect in the United States, followers of Joseph
Smith, who professed to have found an addition to the Bible,
engraved on golden plates, called the Book of Mormon, first
published in 1830. The Mormons believe in polygamy, and their
hierarchy of apostles, etc., has control of civil and
religious matters.
Note: The Mormons call their religious organization The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its head
claims to receive revelations of God's will, and to
have certain supernatural powers.
Mormon \Mor"mon\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Mormons; as, the Mormon religion;
Mormon practices.
Mormondom \Mor"mon*dom\, n.
The country inhabited by the Mormons; the Mormon people.
Mormonism \Mor"mon*ism\, n.
The doctrine, system, and practices of the Mormons.
Mormonite \Mor"mon*ite\, n.
A Mormon. -- a. Mormon. ``Mormonite religion.'' --F. W.
Newman.
Morn \Morn\, n. [OE. morwen, morgen, AS. morgen; akin to D.
morgen, OS. morgan, G. morgen, Icel. morginn, morgunn, Sw.
morgon, Dan. morgen, Goth. ma['u]rgins. Cf. {Morrow},
{Morning}.]
The first part of the day; the morning; -- used chiefly in
poetry.
From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve.
--Milton.
Morne \Mor"ne\, a.
Of or pertaining to the morn; morning. [Obs.] ``White as
morne milk.'' --Chaucer.
Morne \Morne\, n. [F., fr. morne sad, sorrowful. See {Mourn}.]
A ring fitted upon the head of a lance to prevent wounding an
adversary in tilting.
Morn'e \Mor`n['e]"\, a. [F., fr. morne a morne.] (Her.)
Without teeth, tongue, or claws; -- said of a lion
represented heraldically.
Morne \Morne\, n. [OE. morning, morwening. See {Morn}.]
1. The first or early part of the day, variously understood
as the earliest hours of light, the time near sunrise; the
time from midnight to noon, from rising to noon, etc.
2. The first or early part; as, the morning of life.
3. The goddess Aurora. [Poetic] --Shak.
Morning \Morn"ing\, a.
Pertaining to the first part or early part of the day; being
in the early part of the day; as, morning dew; morning light;
morning service.
She looks as clear As morning roses newly washed with
dew. --Shak.
{Morning gown}, a gown worn in the morning before one is
dressed for the day.
{Morning gun}, a gun fired at the first stroke of reveille at
military posts.
{Morning sickness} (Med.), nausea and vomiting, usually
occurring in the morning; -- a common sign of pregnancy.
{Morning star}.
(a) Any one of the planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mars, or Saturn)
when it precedes the sun in rising, esp. Venus. Cf.
{Evening star}, {Evening}.
(b) Satan. See {Lucifer}.
Since he miscalled the morning star, Nor man nor
fiend hath fallen so far. --Byron.
(c) A weapon consisting of a heavy ball set with spikes,
either attached to a staff or suspended from one by a
chain.
{Morning watch} (Naut.), the watch between four A. M. and
eight A. M..
Morning-glory \Morn"ing-glo`ry\, n. (Bot.)
A climbing plant ({Ipom[oe]a purpurea}) having handsome,
funnel-shaped flowers, usually red, pink, purple, white, or
variegated, sometimes pale blue. See {Dextrorsal}.
Morningtide \Morn"ing*tide`\, n.
Morning time. [Poetic]
Mornward \Morn"ward\, adv.
Towards the morn. [Poetic]
And mornward now the starry hands move on. --Lowell.
Moro \Mo"ro\, n. [Cf. It. mora mulberry, L. morum.] (Med.)
A small abscess or tumor having a resemblance to a mulberry.
--Dunglison.
Moroccan \Mo*roc"can\, a.
Of or pertaining to Morocco, or its inhabitants.
Morocco \Mo*roc"co\, n. [Named from Morocco, the country. Cf.
{Morris} the dance.]
A fine kind of leather, prepared commonly from goatskin
(though an inferior kind is made of sheepskin), and tanned
with sumac and dyed of various colors; -- said to have been
first made by the Moors.
Morology \Mo*rol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? foolish talk, ? foolish + ?
discourse.]
Foolish talk; nonsense; folly. [Obs.]
Morone \Mo*rone"\, n.
Maroon; the color of an unripe black mulberry.
Morosaurus \Mo`ro*sau"rus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? stupid + ?
lizard.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of large herbivorous dinosaurs, found in
Jurassic strata in America.
Morose \Mo*rose"\, a. [L. morosus, prop., excessively addicted
to any particular way or habit, fr. mos, moris, manner,
habit, way of life: cf. F. morose.]
1. Of a sour temper; sullen and austere; ill-humored; severe.
``A morose and affected taciturnity.'' --I. Watts.
2. Lascivious; brooding over evil thoughts. [Obs.]
Syn: Sullen; gruff; severe; austere; gloomy; crabbed; crusty;
churlish; surly; ill-humored.
Morosely \Mo*rose"ly\, adv.
Sourly; with sullen austerity.
Moroseness \Mo*rose"ness\, n.
Sourness of temper; sulenness.
Learn good humor, never to oppose without just reason;
abate some degrees of pride and moroseness. --I. Watts.
Note: Moroseness is not precisely peevishness or fretfulness,
though often accompained with it. It denotes more of
silence and severity, or ill-humor, than the
irritability or irritation which characterizes
peevishness.
Morosis \Mo*ro"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? silly, foolish.]
(Med.)
Idiocy; fatuity; stupidity.
Morosity \Mo*ros"i*ty\, n. [L. morositas: cf. F. morosit['e].]
Moroseness. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Moroshop \Mo"ro*shop\, n. [Gr. ? foolish + ? wise.]
A philosophical or learned fool. [Obs.]
Morosous \Mo*ro"sous\, a.
Morose. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
Moroxite \Mo*rox"ite\, n. [Cf. Gr. ?, ?, a sort of pipe clay.]
(Min.)
A variety of apatite of a greenish blue color.
Moroxylate \Mo*rox"y*late\, n. (Chem.)
A morate.
Moroxylic \Mor`ox*yl"ic\, a. [L. morus a mulberry tree + Gr. ?
wood.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the mulberry; moric.
Morphean \Mor"phe*an\, a.
Of or relating to Morpheus, to dreams, or to sleep. --Keats.
Morpheus \Mor"pheus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? prop., the fashioner or
molder, because of the shapes he calls up before the sleeper,
fr. ? form, shape.] (Class. Myth.)
The god of dreams.
Morphew \Mor"phew\, n. [F. morphe['e], LL. morphea; cf. It.
morfea.]
A scurfy eruption. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Morphew \Mor"phew\, v. t.
To cover with a morphew. [Obs.]
Morphia \Mor"phi*a\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
Morphine.
Morphine \Mor"phine\, n. [From Morpheus: cf. F. morphine.]
(Chem.)
A bitter white crystalline alkaloid found in opium,
possessing strong narcotic properties, and much used as an
anodyne; -- called also {morphia}, and {morphina}.
Morphinism \Mor"phin*ism\, n. (Med.)
A morbid condition produced by the excessive or prolonged use
of morphine.
Morpho \Mor"pho\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, an epithet of Venus.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of large, handsome, tropical
American butterflies, of the genus {Morpho}. They are noted
for the very brilliant metallic luster and bright colors
(often blue) of the upper surface of the wings. The lower
surface is usually brown or gray, with eyelike spots.
Morphogeny \Mor*phog"e*ny\, n. [form + root of ? to be born.]
(Biol.)
History of the evolution of forms; that part of ontogeny that
deals with the germ history of forms; -- distinguished from
physiogeny. --Haeckel.
Morphologic \Mor`pho*log"ic\, Morphological \Mor`pho*log"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. morphologique.] (Biol.)
Of, pertaining to, or according to, the principles of
morphology. -- {Mor`pho*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Morphologist \Mor*phol"o*gist\, n. (Biol.)
One who is versed in the science of morphology.
Morphology \Mor*phol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? form + -logy: cf. F.
morphologie.] (Biol.)
That branch of biology which deals with the structure of
animals and plants, treating of the forms of organs and
describing their varieties, homologies, and metamorphoses.
See {Tectology}, and {Promorphology}.
Morphon \Mor"phon\, n. [Gr. ?, p. pr. of ? to form.] (Biol.)
A morphological individual, characterized by definiteness of
form bion, a physiological individual. See {Tectology}.
--Haeckel.
Note: Of morphons there are six orders or categories: 1.
Plastids or elementary organisms. 2. Organs,
homoplastic or heteroplastic. 3. Antimeres (opposite or
symmetrical or homotypic parts). 4. Metameres
(successive or homodynamous parts). 5. Person[ae]
(shoots or buds of plants, individuals in the narrowest
sense among the higher animals). 6. Corms (stocks or
colonies). For orders 2, 3, and 4 the term idorgan has
been recently substituted. See {Idorgan}.
Morphonomy \Mor*phon"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? form + ? a law.] (Biol.)
The laws of organic formation.
Morphophyly \Mor"pho*phy`ly\, n. [Gr. ? form + ? a clan.]
(Biol.)
The tribal history of forms; that part of phylogeny which
treats of the tribal history of forms, in distinction from
the tribal history of functions. --Haeckel.
Morphosis \Mor*pho"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? form, fr. ? form.]
(Biol.)
The order or mode of development of an organ or part.
Morphotic \Mor*phot"ic\, a. [Gr. ? fit for forming.] (Physiol.)
Connected with, or becoming an integral part of, a living
unit or of the morphological framework; as, morphotic, or
tissue, proteids. --Foster.
-morphous \-mor"phous\ [Gr. ? form.]
A combining form denoting form, shape; as, isomorphous.
Morpion \Mor"pi*on\, n. [F., fr. mordre to bite + L. pedis
louse.] (Zo["o]l.)
A louse. --Hudibras.
Morrice \Mor"rice\, n.
Same as 1st {Morris}.
Morrice \Mor"rice\, a.
Dancing the morrice; dancing.
In shoals and bands, a morrice train. --Wordsworth.
Morricer \Mor"ri*cer\, n.
A morris dancer. [Obs.]
Morrimal \Mor"ri*mal\, n. & a.
See {Mormal}.
Morris \Mor"ris\, n. [Sp. morisco Moorish, fr. Moro a Moor: cf.
F. moresque, It. moresca.]
1. A Moorish dance, usually performed by a single dancer, who
accompanies the dance with castanets.
2. A dance formerly common in England, often performed in
pagenats, processions, and May games. The dancers,
grotesquely dressed and ornamented, took the parts of
Robin Hood, Maidmarian, and other fictious characters.
3. An old game played with counters, or men, which are placed
angles of a figure drawn on a board or on the ground;
also, the board or ground on which the game is played.
The nine-men's morris is filled up with mud. --Shak.
Note: The figure consists of three concentric squares, with
lines from the angles of the outer one to those of the
inner, and from the middle of each side of the outer
square to that of the inner. The game is played by two
persons with nine or twelve pieces each (hence called
nine-men's morris or twelve-men's morris). The pieces
are placed alternately, and each player endeavors to
prevent his opponent from making a straight row of
three. Should either succeed in making a row, he may
take up one of his opponent's pieces, and he who takes
off all of his opponent's pieces wins the game.
Morris \Mor"ris\, n. [So called from its discoverer.] (Zo["o]l.)
A marine fish having a very slender, flat, transparent body.
It is now generally believed to be the young of the conger
eel or some allied fish.
Morris-pike \Mor"ris-pike`\, n.
A Moorish pike. [Obs.]
Morrot \Mor"rot\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Marrot}.
Morrow \Mor"row\, n. [OE. morwe, morwen, AS. morgen. See
{Morn}.]
1. Morning. [Obs.] ``White as morrow's milk.'' --Bp. Hall.
We loved he by the morwe a sop in wine. --Chaucer.
2. The next following day; the day subsequent to any day
specified or understood. --Lev. vii. 16.
Till this stormy night is gone, And the eternal
morrow dawn. --Crashaw.
3. The day following the present; to-morrow.
{Good morrow}, good morning; -- a form of salutation.
{To morrow}. See {To-morrow} in the Vocabulary.
Morse \Morse\, n. [F. morse, Russ. morj'; perh. akin to E. mere
lake; cf. Russ. more sea.] (Zo["o]l.)
The walrus. See {Walrus}.
Morse \Morse\, n. [L. morsus a biting, a clasp, fr. mordere to
bite.]
A clasp for fastening garments in front. --Fairholt.
Morse alphabet \Morse" al"pha*bet\
A telegraphic alphabet in very general use, inventing by
Samuel F.B.Morse, the inventor of Morse's telegraph. The
letters are represented by dots and dashes impressed or
printed on paper, as, .- (A), - . . . (B), -.. (D), . (E), ..
(O), . . . (R), -- (T), etc., or by sounds, flashes of light,
etc., with greater or less intervals between them.
Morsel \Mor"sel\, n. [OF. morsel, F. morceau, LL. morsellus, a
dim. fr. L. morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite; prob.
akin to E. smart. See {Smart}, and cf. {Morceau}, {Mordant},
{Muse}, v., {Muzzle}, n.]
1. A little bite or bit of food. --Chaucer.
Every morsel to a satisfied hunger is only a new
labor to a tired digestion. --South.
2. A small quantity; a little piece; a fragment.
Morsing horn \Mor"sing horn`\
A horn or flask for holding powder, as for priming. [Scot.]
--Sir W. Scott.
Morsitation \Mor`si*ta"tion\, n.
The act of biting or gnawing. [Obs.]
Morsure \Mor"sure\, n. [F., fr. L. mordere, morsum, to bite.]
The act of biting. --Swift.
Mort \Mort\, n. [Cf. Icel. margt, neut. of margr many.]
A great quantity or number. [Prov. Eng.]
There was a mort of merrymaking. --Dickens.
Mort \Mort\, n. [Etym. uncert.]
A woman; a female. [Cant]
Male gypsies all, not a mort among them. --B. Jonson.
Mort \Mort\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
A salmon in its third year. [Prov. Eng.]
Mort \Mort\, n. [F., death, fr. L. mors, mortis.]
1. Death; esp., the death of game in the chase.
2. A note or series of notes sounded on a horn at the death
of game.
The sportsman then sounded a treble mort. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. The skin of a sheep or lamb that has died of disease.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
{Mort cloth}, the pall spread over a coffin; black cloth
indicative or mourning; funeral hangings. --Carlyle.
{Mort stone}, a large stone by the wayside on which the
bearers rest a coffin. [Eng.] --H. Taylor.
Mortal \Mor"tal\, a. [F. mortel, L. mortalis, from mors, mortis,
death, fr. moriri 8die; akin to E. murder. See {Murder}, and
cf. {Filemot}, {Mere} a lake, {Mortgage}.]
1. Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is mortal.
2. Destructive to life; causing or occasioning death;
terminating life; exposing to or deserving death; deadly;
as, a mortal wound; a mortal sin.
3. Fatally vulnerable; vital.
Last of all, against himself he turns his sword, but
missing the mortal place, with his poniard finishes
the work. --Milton.
4. Of or pertaining to the time of death.
Safe in the hand of one disposing Power, Or in the
natal or the mortal hour. --Pope.
5. Affecting as if with power to kill; deathly.
The nymph grew pale, and in a mortal fright.
--Dryden.
6. Human; belonging to man, who is mortal; as, mortal wit or
knowledge; mortal power.
The voice of God To mortal ear is dreadful.
--Milton.
7. Very painful or tedious; wearisome; as, a sermon lasting
two mortal hours. [Colloq.] --Sir W. Scott.
{Mortal foe}, {Mortal enemy}, an inveterate, desperate, or
implacable enemy; a foe bent on one's destruction.
Mortal \Mor"tal\, n.
A being subject to death; a human being; man. ``Warn poor
mortals left behind.'' --Tickell.
Mortality \Mor*tal"i*ty\, n. [L. mortalitas: cf. F.
mortalit['e].]
1. The condition or quality of being mortal; subjection to
death or to the necessity of dying.
When I saw her die, I then did think on your
mortality. --Carew.
2. Human life; the life of a mortal being.
From this instant There 's nothing serious in
mortality. --Shak.
3. Those who are, or that which is, mortal; the human cace;
humanity; human nature.
Take these tears, mortality's relief. --Pope.
4. Death; destruction. --Shak.
5. The whole sum or number of deaths in a given time or a
given community; also, the proportion of deaths to
population, or to a specific number of the population;
death rate; as, a time of great, or low, mortality; the
mortality among the settlers was alarming.
{Bill of mortality}. See under {Bill}.
{Law of mortality}, a mathematical relation between the
numbers living at different ages, so that from a given
large number of persons alive at one age, it can be
computed what number are likely to survive a given number
of years.
{Table of mortality}, a table exhibiting the average relative
number of persons who survive, or who have died, at the
end of each year of life, out of a given number supposed
to have been born at the same time.
Mortalize \Mor"tal*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mortalized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mortalizing}.]
To make mortal. [R.]
Mortally \Mor"tal*ly\, adv.
1. In a mortal manner; so as to cause death; as, mortally
wounded.
2. In the manner of a mortal or of mortal beings.
I was mortally brought forth. --Shak.
3. In an extreme degree; to the point of dying or causing
death; desperately; as, mortally jealous.
Adrian mortally envied poets, painters, and
artificers, in works wherein he had a vein to excel.
--Bacon.
Mortalness \Mor"tal*ness\, n.
Quality of being mortal; mortality.
Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [OE. morter, AS. mort[=e]re, L. mortarium:
cf. F. mortier mortar. Cf. sense 2 (below), also 2d {Mortar},
{Martel}, {Morter}.]
1. A strong vessel, commonly in form of an inverted bell, in
which substances are pounded or rubbed with a pestle.
2. [F. mortier, fr. L. mortarium mortar (for trituarating).]
(Mil.) A short piece of ordnance, used for throwing bombs,
carcasses, shells, etc., at high angles of elevation, as
45[deg], and even higher; -- so named from its resemblance
in shape to the utensil above described.
{Mortar bed} (Mil.), a framework of wood and iron, suitably
hollowed out to receive the breech and trunnions of a
mortar.
{Mortar boat} or {vessel} (Naut.), a boat strongly built and
adapted to carrying a mortar or mortars for bombarding; a
bomb ketch.
{Mortar piece}, a mortar. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [OE. mortier, F. mortier, L. mortarium
mortar, a large basin or trough in which mortar is made, a
mortar (in sense 1, above). See 1st {Mortar}.] (Arch.)
A building material made by mixing lime, cement, or plaster
of Paris, with sand, water, and sometimes other materials; --
used in masonry for joining stones, bricks, etc., also for
plastering, and in other ways.
{Mortar bed}, a shallow box or receptacle in which mortar is
mixed.
{Mortar board}.
(a) A small square board with a handle beneath, for holding
mortar; a hawk.
(b) A cap with a broad, projecting, square top; -- worn by
students in some colleges. [Slang]
Mortar \Mor"tar\, v. t.
To plaster or make fast with mortar.
Mortar \Mor"tar\, n. [F. mortier. See {Mortar} a vessel.]
A chamber lamp or light. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mortgage \Mort"gage\, n. [F. mort-gage; mort dead (L. mortuus) +
gage pledge. See {Mortal}, and {Gage}.]
1. (Law) A conveyance of property, upon condition, as
security for the payment of a debt or the preformance of a
duty, and to become void upon payment or performance
according to the stipulated terms; also, the written
instrument by which the conveyance is made.
Note: It was called a mortgage (or dead pledge) because,
whatever profit it might yield, it did not thereby
redeem itself, but became lost or dead to the mortgager
upon breach of the condition. But in equity a right of
redemption is an inseparable incident of a mortgage
until the mortgager is debarred by his own laches, or
by judicial decree. --Cowell. Kent.
2. State of being pledged; as, lands given in mortgage.
{Chattel mortgage}. See under {Chattel}.
{To foreclose a mortgage}. See under {Foreclose}.
{Mortgage deed} (Law), a deed given by way of mortgage.
Mortgage \Mort"gage\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mortgaged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mortgaging}.]
1. (Law) To grant or convey, as property, for the security of
a debt, or other engagement, upon a condition that if the
debt or engagement shall be discharged according to the
contract, the conveyance shall be void, otherwise to
become absolute, subject, however, to the right of
redemption.
2. Hence: To pledge, either literally or figuratively; to
make subject to a claim or obligation.
Mortgaging their lives to covetise. --Spenser.
I myself an mortgaged to thy will. --Shak.
Mortgagee \Mort`ga*gee"\, n. (Law)
The person to whom property is mortgaged, or to whom a
mortgage is made or given.
Mortgageor \Mort"gage*or\, Mortgagor \Mort"ga*gor\, n. (Law)
One who gives a mortgage.
Note: The letter e is required analogically after the second
g in order to soften it; but the spelling mortgagor is
in fact the prevailing form. When the word is
contradistinguished from mortgagee it is accented on
the last syllable (?).
Mortgager \Mort"ga*ger\, n. (Law)
gives a mortgage.
Mortiferous \Mor"tif"er*ous\, a. [L. mortifier; mors, mortis,
death + ferre to bring: cf. F. mortif[`e]re.]
Bringing or producing death; deadly; destructive; as, a
mortiferous herb. --Gov. of Tongue.
Mortification \Mor`ti*fi*ca"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. mortificatio a
killing. See {Mortify}.]
1. The act of mortifying, or the condition of being
mortified; especially:
(a) (Med.) The death of one part of an animal body, while
the rest continues to live; loss of vitality in some
part of a living animal; gangrene. --Dunglison.
(b) (Alchem. & Old Chem.) Destruction of active qualities;
neutralization. [Obs.] --Bacon.
(c) Subjection of the passions and appetites, by penance,
absistence, or painful severities inflicted on the
body.
The mortification of our lusts has something in
it that is troublesome, yet nothing that is
unreasonable. --Tillotson.
(d) Hence: Deprivation or depression of self-approval;
abatement or pride; humiliation; chagrin; vexation.
We had the mortification to lose sight of
Munich, Augsburg, and Ratisbon. --Addison.
2. That which mortifies; the cause of humiliation, chagrin,
or vexation.
It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a
studious man to have his thoughts discovered by a
tedious visit. --L'Estrange.
3. (Scots Law) A gift to some charitable or religious
institution; -- nearly synonymous with mortmain.
Syn: Chagrin; vexation; shame. See {Chagrin}.
Mortified \Mor"ti*fied\,
imp. & p. p. of {Mortify}.
Mortifiedness \Mor"ti*fied*ness\, n.
The state of being mortified; humiliation; subjection of the
passions. [R.]
Mortifier \Mor"ti*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, mortifies.
Mortify \Mor"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mortified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mortifying}.] [OE. mortifien, F. mortifier, fr. L.
mortificare; L. mors, mortis, death + -ficare (in comp.) to
make. See {Mortal}, and {-fy}.]
1. To destroy the organic texture and vital functions of; to
produce gangrene in.
2. To destroy the active powers or essential qualities of; to
change by chemical action. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Quicksilver is mortified with turpentine. --Bacon.
He mortified pearls in vinegar. --Hakewill.
3. To deaden by religious or other discipline, as the carnal
affections, bodily appetites, or worldly desires; to bring
into subjection; to abase; to humble.
With fasting mortified, worn out with tears.
--Harte.
Mortify thy learned lust. --Prior.
Mortify, rherefore, your members which are upon the
earth. --Col. iii. 5.
4. To affect with vexation, chagrin, or humiliation; to
humble; to depress.
The news of the fatal battle of Worcester, which
exceedingly mortified our expectations. --Evelyn.
How often is the ambitious man mortified with the
very praises he receives, if they do not rise so
high as he thinks they ought! --Addison.
Mortify \Mor"ti*fy\, v. i.
1. To lose vitality and organic structure, as flesh of a
living body; to gangrene.
2. To practice penance from religious motives; to deaden
desires by religious discipline.
This makes him . . . give alms of all that he hath,
watch, fast, and mortify. --Law.
3. To be subdued; to decay, as appetites, desires, etc.
Mortifying \Mor"ti*fy`ing\, a.
1. Tending to mortify; affected by, or having symptoms of,
mortification; as, a mortifying wound; mortifying flesh.
2. Subduing the appetites, desires, etc.; as, mortifying
penances.
3. Tending to humble or abase; humiliating; as, a mortifying
repulse.
Mortifyingly \Mor"ti*fy`ing*ly\, adv.
In a mortifying manner.
Mortise \Mor"tise\, n. [F. mortaise; cf. Sp. mortaja, Ar.
murtazz fixed, or W. mortais, Ir. mortis, moirtis, Gael.
moirteis.]
A cavity cut into a piece of timber, or other material, to
receive something (as the end of another piece) made to fit
it, and called a tenon.
{Mortise and tenon} (Carp.), made with a mortise and tenon;
joined or united by means of a mortise and tenon; -- used
adjectively.
{Mortise joint}, a joint made by a mortise and tenon.
{Mortise lock}. See under {Lock}.
{Mortise wheel}, a cast-iron wheel, with wooden clogs
inserted in mortises on its face or edge; -- also called
{mortise gear}, and {core gear}.
Mortise \Mor"tise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mortised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mortising}.]
1. To cut or make a mortisein.
2. To join or fasten by a tenon and mortise; as, to mortise a
beam into a post, or a joist into a girder.
Mortling \Mort"ling\, n. [See {Morling}.]
1. An animal, as a sheep, dead of disease or privation; a
mortling. [Eng.]
2. Wool plucked from a dead sheep; morling.
Mortmain \Mort"main`\, n. [F. mort, morte, dead + main hand; F.
main-morte. See {Mortal}, and {Manual}.] (Law)
Possession of lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead
hands, or hands that cannot alienate.
Note: The term was originally applied to conveyance of land
made to ecclesiastical bodies; afterward to conveyance
made to any corporate body. --Burrill.
Mortmal \Mort"mal\, n.
See {Mormal}. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Mortpay \Mort"pay`\, n. [F. mort dead + E. pay.]
Dead pay; the crime of taking pay for the service of dead
soldiers, or for services not actually rendered by soldiers.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
Mortress \Mor"tress\, Mortrew \Mor"trew\, n. [See {Mortar}.]
A dish of meats and other ingredients, cooked together; an
ollapodrida. --Chaucer. Bacon.
Mortuary \Mor"tu*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Mortuaries}. [LL. mortuarium.
See {Mortuary}, a.]
1. A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed
by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a
parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary
bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any
failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had
been guilty.
2. A burial place; a place for the dead.
3. A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a
deadhouse; a morgue.
Mortuary \Mor"tu*a*ry\, a. [L. mortuarius, fr. mortuus dead: cf.
F. mortuaire. See {Mortal}.]
Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments.
{Mortuary urn}, an urn for holding the ashes of the dead.
Morula \Mor"u*la\, n.; pl. {Morul[ae]}. [NL., dim. of L. morum a
mulberry.] (Biol.)
The sphere or globular mass of cells (blastomeres), formed by
the clevage of the ovum or egg in the first stages of its
development; -- called also {mulberry mass}, {segmentation
sphere}, and {blastosphere}. See {Segmentation}.
Morulation \Mor`u*la"tion\, n. (Biol.)
The process of cleavage, or segmentation, of the ovum, by
which a morula is formed.
Morus \Mo"rus\, n. [L., mulberry tree. See {Mulberry}.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees, some species of which produce edible fruit;
the mulberry. See {Mulberry}.
Note:
{Morus alba} is the white mulberry, a native of India or
China, the leaves of which are extensively used for
feeding silkworms, for which it furnishes the chief food.
{Morus multicaulis}, the many-stemmed or Chinese mulberry, is
only a form of white mulberry, preferred on account of its
more abundant leaves.
{Morus nigra}, the black mulberry, produces a dark-colored
fruit, of an agreeable flavor.
Morwe \Mor"we\, n.
See {Morrow}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Morwening \Mor"wen*ing\, n.
Morning. [Obs.]
Mosaic \Mo*sa"ic\, n. [F. mosa["i]que; cf. Pr. mozaic, musec,
Sp. & Pg. mosaico, It. mosaico, musaico, LGr. ?, ?, L.
musivum; all fr. Gr. ? belonging to the Muses. See {Muse} the
goddess.]
1. (Fine Arts) A surface decoration made by inlaying in
patterns small pieces of variously colored glass, stone,
or other material; -- called also {mosaic work}.
2. A picture or design made in mosaic; an article decorated
in mosaic.
Mosaic \Mo*sa"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the style of work called mosaic; formed
by uniting pieces of different colors; variegated;
tessellated; also, composed of various materials or
ingredients.
A very beautiful mosaic pavement. --Addison.
{Florentine mosaic}. See under {Florentine}.
{Mosaic gold}.
(a) See {Ormolu}.
(b) Stannic sulphide, {SnS2}, obtained as a yellow scaly
crystalline powder, and used as a pigment in bronzing and
gilding wood and metal work. It was called by the
alchemists {aurum musivum}, or {aurum mosaicum}. Called
also {bronze powder}.
{Mosaic work}. See {Mosaic}, n.
Mosaic \Mo*sa"ic\, a. [From Moses.]
Of or pertaining to Moses, the leader of the Israelites, or
established through his agency; as, the Mosaic law, rites, or
institutions.
Mosaical \Mo*sa"ic*al\, a.
Mosaic (in either sense). ``A mosaical floor.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
Mosaically \Mo*sa"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the manner of a mosaic.
Mosaism \Mo"sa*ism\, n.
Attachment to the system or doctrines of Moses; that which is
peculiar to the Mosaic system or doctrines.
Mosasaur \Mos"a*saur\, Mosasaurian \Mos`a*sau"ri*an\, n.
(Paleon.)
One of an extinct order of reptiles, including Mosasaurus and
allied genera. See {Mosasauria}.
Mosasauria \Mos`a*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Mosasaurus}.]
(Paleon.)
An order of large, extinct, marine reptiles, found in the
Cretaceous rocks, especially in America. They were
serpentlike in form and in having loosely articulated and
dilatable jaws, with large recurved tteth, but they had
paddlelike feet. Some of them were over fifty feet long. They
are, essentially, fossil sea serpents with paddles. Called
also {Pythonomarpha}, and {Mosasauria}.
Mosasaurus \Mos`a*sau"rus\, n. [NL., fr. L. Mosa the River Meuse
(on which Meastricht is situated) + Gr. ? a lizard.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of extinct marine reptiles allied to the lizards, but
having the body much elongated, and the limbs in the form of
paddles. The first known species, nearly fifty feet in
length, was discovered in Cretaceous beds near Maestricht, in
the Netherlands. [Written also {Mososaurus}.]
Moschatel \Mos"cha*tel`\, n. [Gr. ? musk: cf. F. moscatelline.
See {Muscadel}, {Musk}.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Adoxa} ({A. moschatellina}), the
flowers of which are pale green, and have a faint musky
smell. It is found in woods in all parts of Europe, and is
called also {hollow root} and {musk crowfoot}. --Loudon.
Moschine \Mos"chine\, a.
Of or pertaining to {Moschus}, a genus including the musk
deer.
Mosel \Mos"el\, n. & v.
See {Muzzle}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Moselle \Mo*selle"\, n.
A light wine, usually white, produced in the vicinity of the
river Moselle.
Moses \Mo"ses\, n.
A large flatboat, used in the West Indies for taking freight
from shore to ship.
Mosk \Mosk\, n.
See {Mosque}.
Moslem \Mos"lem\, n.; pl. {Moslems}, or collectively {Moslem}.
[Ar. muslim a true believer in the Mohammedan faith, fr.
salama to submit to God, to resign one's self to the divine
will. Cf. {Islam}, {Mussulman}.]
A Mussulman; an orthodox Mohammedan. [Written also {muslim}.]
``Heaps of slaughtered Moslem.'' --Macaulay.
They piled the ground with Moslem slain. --Halleck.
Moslem \Mos"lem\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Mohammedans; Mohammedan; as, Moslem
lands; the Moslem faith.
Moslings \Mos"lings\, n. pl.
Thin shreds of leather shaved off in dressing skins.
--Simmonds.
Mososaurus \Mos`o*sau"rus\, n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
Same as {Mosasaurus}.
Mosque \Mosque\, n. [F. mosqu['e]e, Sp. mezquita, Ar. masjid,
from sajada to bend, adore.]
A Mohammedan church or place of religious worship. [Written
also {mosk}.]
Mosquito \Mos*qui"to\, n.; pl. {Mosquitoes}. [Sp. mosquito, fr.
moscafly, L. musca. Cf. {Musket}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of various species of gnats of the genus {Culex} and
allied genera. The females have a proboscis containing,
within the sheathlike labium, six fine, sharp, needlelike
organs with which they puncture the skin of man and animals
to suck the blood. These bites, when numerous, cause, in many
persons, considerable irritation and swelling, with some
pain. The larv[ae] and pup[ae], called wigglers, are aquatic.
[Written also {musquito}.]
{Mosquito bar}, {Mosquito net}, a net or curtain for
excluding mosquitoes, -- used for beds and windows.
{Mosquito fleet}, a fleet of small vessels.
{Mosquito hawk} (Zo["o]l.), a dragon fly; -- so called
because it captures and feeds upon mosquitoes.
{Mosquito netting}, a loosely-woven gauzelike fabric for
making mosquito bars.
Moss \Moss\, n. [OE. mos; akin to AS. me['o]s, D. mos, G. moos,
OHG. mos, mios, Icel. mosi, Dan. mos, Sw. mossa, Russ. mokh',
L. muscus. Cf. {Muscoid}.]
1. (Bot.) A cryptogamous plant of a cellular structure, with
distinct stem and simple leaves. The fruit is a small
capsule usually opening by an apical lid, and so
discharging the spores. There are many species,
collectively termed Musci, growing on the earth, on rocks,
and trunks of trees, etc., and a few in running water.
Note: The term moss is also popularly applied to many other
small cryptogamic plants, particularly lichens, species
of which are called tree moss, rock moss, coral moss,
etc. Fir moss and club moss are of the genus
{Lycopodium}. See {Club moss}, under {Club}, and
{Lycopodium}.
2. A bog; a morass; a place containing peat; as, the mosses
of the Scottish border.
Note: Moss is used with participles in the composition of
words which need no special explanation; as,
moss-capped, moss-clad, moss-covered, moss-grown, etc.
{Black moss}. See under {Black}, and {Tillandsia}.
{Bog moss}. See {Sphagnum}.
{Feather moss}, any moss branched in a feathery manner, esp.
several species of the genus {Hypnum}.
{Florida moss}, {Long moss}, or {Spanish moss}. See
{Tillandsia}.
{Iceland moss}, a lichen. See {Iceland Moss}.
{Irish moss}, a seaweed. See {Carrageen}.
{Moss agate} (Min.), a variety of agate, containing brown,
black, or green mosslike or dendritic markings, due in
part to oxide of manganese. Called also {Mocha stone}.
{Moss animal} (Zo["o]l.), a bryozoan.
{Moss berry} (Bot.), the small cranberry ({Vaccinium
Oxycoccus}).
{Moss campion} (Bot.), a kind of mosslike catchfly ({Silene
acaulis}), with mostly purplish flowers, found on the
highest mountains of Europe and America, and within the
Arctic circle.
{Moss land}, land produced accumulation of aquatic plants,
forming peat bogs of more or less consistency, as the
water is grained off or retained in its pores.
{Moss pink} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Phlox} ({P.
subulata}), growing in patches on dry rocky hills in the
Middle United States, and often cultivated for its
handsome flowers. --Gray.
{Moss rose} (Bot.), a variety of rose having a mosslike
growth on the stalk and calyx. It is said to be derived
from the Provence rose.
{Moss rush} (Bot.), a rush of the genus {Juncus} ({J.
squarrosus}).
{Scale moss}. See {Hepatica}.
Moss \Moss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mossed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mossing}.]
To cover or overgrow with moss.
An oak whose boughs were mossed with age. --Shak.
Mossback \Moss"back`\, n.
A veteran partisan; one who is so conservative in opinion
that he may be likened to a stone or old tree covered with
moss. [Political Slang, U.S.]
Mossbanker \Moss"bank`er\, Mossbunker \Moss"bunk`er\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
The menhaded.
Moss-grown \Moss"-grown`\, a.
Overgrown with moss.
Mossiness \Moss"i*ness\, n.
The state of being mossy.
Mosstrooper \Moss"troop`er\, n. [Moss + trooper.]
One of a class of marauders or bandits that formerly infested
the border country between England and Scotland; -- so called
in allusion to the mossy or boggy character of much of the
border country.
Mossy \Moss"y\, a. [Compar. {Mossier}; superl. {Mossiest}.]
1. Overgrown with moss; abounding with or edged with moss;
as, mossy trees; mossy streams.
Old trees are more mossy far than young. --Bacon.
2. Resembling moss; as, mossy green.
Most \Most\, a., superl. of {More}. [OE. most, mast, mest, AS.
m?st; akin to D. meest, OS. m[=e]st, G. meist, Icel. mestr,
Goth. maists; a superl. corresponding to E. more. [root]103.
See {More}, a.]
1. Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in
number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all. ``Most
men will proclaim every one his own goodness.'' --Prov.
xx. 6.
The cities wherein most of his mighty works were
done. --Matt. xi.
20.
2. Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it. ``In
the moste pride.'' --Chaucer.
3. Highest in rank; greatest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Note: Most is used as a noun, the words part, portion,
quantity, etc., being omitted, and has the following
meanings: 1. The greatest value, number, or part;
preponderating portion; highest or chief part. 2. The
utmost; greatest possible amount, degree, or result;
especially in the phrases to make the most of, at the
most, at most.
A quarter of a year or some months at the most.
--Bacon.
A covetous man makes the most of what he has.
--L'Estrange.
{For the most part}, in reference to the larger part of a
thing, or to the majority of the persons, instances, or
things referred to; as, human beings, for the most part,
are superstitious; the view, for the most part, was
pleasing.
{Most an end}, generally. See {An end}, under {End}, n.
[Obs.] ``She sleeps most an end.'' --Massinger.
Most \Most\, adv. [AS. m[=ae]st. See {Most}, a.]
In the greatest or highest degree.
Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites,
were courtiers and prelates. --Milton.
Note: Placed before an adjective or adverb, most is used to
form the superlative degree, being equivalent to the
termination -est; as, most vile, most wicked; most
illustrious; most rapidly. Formerly, and until after
the Elizabethan period of our literature, the use of
the double superlative was common. See {More}, adv.
The most unkindest cut of all. --Shak.
The most straitest sect of our religion. --Acts
xxvi. 5.
Mostahiba \Mos`ta*hi"ba\, n.
See {Mustaiba}.
Moste \Mos"te\, obs.
imp. of {Mote}. --Chaucer.
Mostic \Mos"tic\, Mostick \Mos"tick\, n. [See {Maul-stick}.]
A painter's maul-stick.
Mostly \Most"ly\, adv.
For the greatest part; for the most part; chiefly; in the
main.
Mostra \Mos"tra\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
See {Direct}, n.
Mostwhat \Most"what`\, adv.
For the most part. [Obs.] ``All the rest do mostwhat far
amiss.'' --Spenser.
Mot \Mot\ (m[=o]t), v. [Sing. pres. ind. {Mot}, {Mote}, {Moot}
(m[=o]t), pl. {Mot}, {Mote}, {Moote}, pres. subj. {Mote};
imp. {Moste}.] [See {Must}, v.] [Obs.]
May; must; might.
He moot as well say one word as another --Chaucer.
The wordes mote be cousin to the deed. --Chaucer.
Men moot [i.e., one only] give silver to the poore
freres. --Chaucer.
{So mote it be}, so be it; amen; -- a phrase in some rituals,
as that of the Freemasons.
Mot \Mot\ (m[o^]t; m[-o], def. 2), n. [F. See {Motto}.]
1. A word; hence, a motto; a device. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Tarquin's eye may read the mot afar. --Shak.
2. A pithy or witty saying; a witticism. [A Gallicism]
Here and there turns up a . . . savage mot. --N.
Brit. Rev.
3. A note or brief strain on a bugle. --Sir W. Scott.
Motacil \Mot"a*cil\, n. [Cf. F. motacille.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any singing bird of the genus {Motacilla}; a wagtail.
Motation \Mo*ta"tion\, n. [L. motare, motatum, to keep moving.]
The act of moving; motion. [Obs.]
Mote \Mote\, v.
See 1st {Mot}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mote \Mote\, n. [See {Moot}, a meeting.] [Obs., except in a few
combinations or phrases.]
1. A meeting of persons for discussion; as, a wardmote in the
city of London.
2. A body of persons who meet for discussion, esp. about the
management of affairs; as, a folkmote.
3. A place of meeting for discussion.
{Mote bell}, the bell rung to summon to a mote. [Obs.]
Mote \Mote\, n.
The flourish sounded on a horn by a huntsman. See {Mot}, n.,
3, and {Mort}. --Chaucer.
Mote \Mote\, n. [OE. mot, AS. mot.]
A small particle, as of floating dust; anything proverbially
small; a speck.
The little motes in the sun do ever stir, though there
be no wind. --Bacon.
We are motes in the midst of generations. --Landor.
Moted \Mot"ed\, a.
Filled with motes, or fine floating dust; as, the air.
``Moted sunbeams.'' --Tennyson.
Motet \Mo*tet"\, n. [F., a dim. of mot word; cf. It. mottetto,
dim. of motto word, device. See {Mot}, {Motto}.] (Mus.)
A composition adapted to sacred words in the elaborate
polyphonic church style; an anthem.
Moth \Moth\ (m[o^]th), n.
A mote. [Obs.] --Shak.
Moth \Moth\, n.; pl. {Moths} (m[o^]thz). [OE. mothe, AS.
mo[eth][eth]e; akin to D. mot, G. motte, Icel. motti, and
prob. to E. mad an earthworm. Cf. {Mad}, n., {Mawk}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not
included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; Io
moth; hawk moth.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any lepidopterous insect that feeds upon
garments, grain, etc.; as, the clothes moth; grain moth;
bee moth. See these terms under {Clothes}, {Grain}, etc.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of various other insects that destroy
woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the larv[ae] of several
species of beetles of the genera {Dermestes} and
{Anthrenus}. Carpet moths are often the larv[ae] of
Anthrenus. See {Carpet beetle}, under {Carpet},
{Dermestes}, {Anthrenus}.
4. Anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or
wastes any other thing.
{Moth blight} (Zo["o]l.), any plant louse of the genus
{Aleurodes}, and related genera. They are injurious to
various plants.
{Moth gnat} (Zo["o]l.), a dipterous insect of the genus
{Bychoda}, having fringed wings.
{Moth hunter} (Zo["o]l.), the goatsucker.
{Moth miller} (Zo["o]l.), a clothes moth. See {Miller}, 3,
(a) .
{Moth mullein} (Bot.), a common herb of the genus {Verbascum}
({V. Blattaria}), having large wheel-shaped yellow or
whitish flowers.
Moth-eat \Moth"-eat`\, v. t.
To eat or prey upon, as a moth eats a garment. [Rarely used
except in the form moth-eaten, p. p. or a.]
Ruin and neglect have so moth-eaten her. --Sir T.
Herbert.
Mothen \Moth"en\, a.
Full of moths. [Obs.] --Fulke.
Mother \Moth"er\, n. [OE. moder, AS. m[=o]dor; akin to D.
moeder, OS. m[=o]dar, G. mutter, OHG. muotar, Icel.
m[=o][eth]ir, Dan. & Sw. moder, OSlav. mati, Russ. mate, Ir.
& Gael. mathair, L. mater, Gr. mh`thr, Skr. m[=a]t[.r]; cf.
Skr. m[=a] to measure. [root]268. Cf. {Material}, {Matrix},
{Metropolis}, {Father}.]
1. A female parent; especially, one of the human race; a
woman who has borne a child.
2. That which has produced or nurtured anything; source of
birth or origin; generatrix.
Alas! poor country! . . . it can not Be called our
mother, but our grave. --Shak.
I behold . . . the solitary majesty of Crete, mother
of a religion, it is said, that lived two thousand
years. --Landor.
3. An old woman or matron. [Familiar]
4. The female superior or head of a religious house, as an
abbess, etc.
5. Hysterical passion; hysteria. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Mother Carey's chicken} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several
species of small petrels, as the stormy petrel
({Procellaria pelagica}), and Leach's petrel ({Oceanodroma
leucorhoa}), both of the Atlantic, and {O. furcata} of the
North Pacific.
{Mother Carey's goose} (Zo["o]l.), the giant fulmar of the
Pacific. See {Fulmar}.
{Mother's mark} (Med.), a congenital mark upon the body; a
n[ae]vus.
Mother \Moth"er\, a.
Received by birth or from ancestors; native, natural; as,
mother language; also acting the part, or having the place of
a mother; producing others; originating.
It is the mother falsehood from which all idolatry is
derived. --T. Arnold.
{Mother cell} (Biol.), a cell which, by endogenous divisions,
gives rise to other cells (daughter cells); a parent cell.
{Mother church}, the original church; a church from which
other churches have sprung; as, the mother church of a
diocese.
{Mother country}, the country of one's parents or ancestors;
the country from which the people of a colony derive their
origin.
{Mother liquor} (Chem.), the impure or complex residual
solution which remains after the salts readily or
regularly crystallizing have been removed.
{Mother queen}, the mother of a reigning sovereign; a queen
mother.
{Mother tongue}.
(a) A language from which another language has had its
origin.
(b) The language of one's native land; native tongue.
{Mother water}. See {Mother liquor} (above).
{Mother wit}, natural or native wit or intelligence.
Mother \Moth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mothered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mothering}.]
To adopt as a son or daughter; to perform the duties of a
mother to.
The queen, to have put lady Elizabeth besides the
crown, would have mothered another body's child.
--Howell.
Mother \Moth"er\, n. [Akin to D. modder mud, G. moder mold, mud,
Dan. mudder mud, and to E. mud. See {Mud}.]
A film or membrane which is developed on the surface of
fermented alcoholic liquids, such as vinegar, wine, etc., and
acts as a means of conveying the oxygen of the air to the
alcohol and other combustible principles of the liquid, thus
leading to their oxidation.
Note: The film is composed of a mass of rapidly developing
micro["o]rganisms of the genus {Mycoderma}, and in the
{mother of vinegar} the micro["o]rganisms ({Mycoderma
aceti}) composing the film are the active agents in the
Conversion of the alcohol into vinegar. When thickened
by growth, the film may settle to the bottom of the
fluid. See {Acetous fermentation}, under
{Fermentation}.
Mother \Moth"er\, v. i.
To become like, or full of, mother, or thick matter, as
vinegar.
Mothered \Moth"ered\, a.
Thick, like mother; viscid.
They oint their naked limbs with mothered oil.
--Dryden.
Motherhood \Moth"er*hood\, n.
The state of being a mother; the character or office of a
mother.
Mothering \Moth"er*ing\, n.
A rural custom in England, of visiting one's parents on
Midlent Sunday, -- supposed to have been originally visiting
the mother church to make offerings at the high altar.
Mother-in-law \Moth"er-in-law`\, n.
The mother of one's husband or wife.
Motherland \Moth"er*land`\, n.
The country of one's ancestors; -- same as {fatherland}.
Motherless \Moth"er*less\, a. [AS. m[=o]dorle['a]s.]
Destitute of a mother; having lost a mother; as, motherless
children.
Motherliness \Moth"er*li*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being motherly.
Motherly \Moth"er*ly\, a. [AS. m[=o]dorlic.]
Of or pertaining to a mother; like, or suitable for, a
mother; tender; maternal; as, motherly authority, love, or
care. --Hooker.
Syn: Maternal; paternal.
Usage: {Motherly}, {Maternal}. Motherly, being Anglo-Saxon,
is the most familiar word of the two when both have
the same meaning. Besides this, maternal is confined
to the feelings of a mother toward her own children,
whereas motherly has a secondary sense, denoting a
care like that of a mother for her offspring. There
is, perhaps, a growing tendency thus to separate the
two, confining motherly to the latter signification.
``They termed her the great mother, for her motherly
care in cherishing her brethren whilst young.'' --Sir
W. Raleigh.
Motherly \Moth"er*ly\, adv.
In a manner of a mother.
Mother-naked \Moth"er-na`ked\, a.
Naked as when born.
Mother-of-pearl \Moth"er-of-pearl`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The hard pearly internal layer of several kinds of shells,
esp. of pearl oysters, river mussels, and the abalone shells;
nacre. See {Pearl}.
Mother-of-thyme \Moth"er-of-thyme`\, n. (Bot.)
An aromatic plant ({Thymus Serphyllum}); -- called also {wild
thyme}.
Motherwort \Moth"er*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) A labiate herb ({Leonurus Cardiaca}), of a bitter taste,
used popularly in medicine; lion's tail.
(b) The mugwort. See {Mugwort}.
Mothery \Moth"er*y\, a.
Consisting of, containing, or resembling, mother (in
vinegar).
Mothy \Moth"y\, a.
Infested with moths; moth-eaten. ``An old mothy saddle.''
--Shak.
Motif \Mo"tif\, n. [F.]
Motive.
Motific \Mo*tif"ic\, a. [L. motus motion (fr. movere to move) +
facere to make.]
Producing motion. [R.]
Motile \Mo"tile\, a. [See {Motive}.]
1. (Biol.) Having powers of self-motion, though unconscious;
as, the motile spores of certain seaweeds.
2. Producing motion; as, motile powers.
Motility \Mo*til"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. motilit['e].] (Physiol.)
Capability of motion; contractility.
Motion \Mo"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr. movere, motum, to
move. See {Move}.]
1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position;
movement; the passing of a body from one place or position
to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed
to {rest}.
Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace attends
thee, and each word, each motion, forms. --Milton.
2. Power of, or capacity for, motion.
Devoid of sense and motion. --Milton.
3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of
the planets is from west to east.
In our proper motion we ascend. --Milton.
4. Change in the relative position of the parts of anything;
action of a machine with respect to the relative movement
of its parts.
This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its
motion. --Dr. H. More.
5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or
impulse to any action; internal activity.
Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his
heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from
God. --South.
6. A proposal or suggestion looking to action or progress;
esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly;
as, a motion to adjourn.
Yes, I agree, and thank you for your motion. --Shak.
7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in
open court. Its object is to obtain an order or rule
directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant.
--Mozley & W.
8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in
the same part or in groups of parts.
The independent motions of different parts sounding
together constitute counterpoint. --Grove.
Note: Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale.
Contrary motion is that when parts move in opposite
directions. Disjunct motion is motion by skips. Oblique
motion is that when one part is stationary while
another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when
parts move in the same direction.
9. A puppet show or puppet. [Obs.]
What motion's this? the model of Nineveh? --Beau. &
Fl.
Note: Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound.
{Simple motions} are: ({a}) straight translation, which, if
of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. ({b})
Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or
reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called
oscillating. ({c}) Helical, which, if of indefinite
duration, must be reciprocating.
{Compound motion} consists of combinations of any of the
simple motions.
{Center of motion}, {Harmonic motion}, etc. See under
{Center}, {Harmonic}, etc.
{Motion block} (Steam Engine), a crosshead.
{Perpetual motion} (Mech.), an incessant motion conceived to
be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces
independently of any action from without.
Syn: See {Movement}.
Motion \Mo"tion\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Motioned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Motioning}.]
1. To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the
hand; as, to motion to one to take a seat.
2. To make proposal; to offer plans. [Obs.] --Shak.
Motion \Mo"tion\, v. t.
1. To direct or invite by a motion, as of the hand or head;
as, to motion one to a seat.
2. To propose; to move. [Obs.]
I want friends to motion such a matter. --Burton.
Motioner \Mo"tion*er\, n.
One who makes a motion; a mover. --Udall.
Motionist \Mo"tion*ist\, n.
A mover. [Obs.]
Motionless \Mo"tion*less\, a.
Without motion; being at rest.
Motive \Mo"tive\, n. [F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus
moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.]
1. That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. That which incites to action; anything prompting or
exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason;
inducement; object.
By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves,
excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether
that be one thing singly, or many things
conjunctively. --J. Edwards.
3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage
which is reproduced and varied through the course of a
comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of
which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading
motive, under {Leading}. [Written also {motivo}.]
4. (Fine Arts) That which produces conception, invention, or
creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his
subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a
work of art, or any part of one.
Syn: Incentive; incitement; inducement; reason; spur;
stimulus; cause.
Usage: {Motive}, {Inducement}, {Reason}. Motive is the word
originally used in speaking of that which determines
the choice. We call it an inducement when it is
attractive in its nature. We call it a reason when it
is more immediately addressed to the intellect in the
form of argument.
Motive \Mo"tive\, a.
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as,
a motive argument; motive power. ``Motive faculty.'' --Bp.
Wilkins.
{Motive power} (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam,
wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to
machinery; a motor; a mover.
Motive \Mo"tive\, v. t.
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
Motiveless \Mo"tive*less\, a.
Destitute of a motive; not incited by a motive. --
{Mo"tive*less*ness}, n. --G. Eliot.
Motivity \Mo*tiv"i*ty\, n. [See {Motive}, n.]
1. The power of moving or producing motion.
2. The quality of being influenced by motives. [R.]
Motivo \Mo*ti"vo\, n. [It. See {Motive}, n.]
See {Motive}, n., 3, 4.
Motley \Mot"ley\, a. [OE. mottelee, motle; cf. OF. mattel['e]
clotted, curdled, OF, ciel mattonn['e] a mottled sky, mate,
maton, curdled milk, Prov. G. matte curd. Cf. {Mottle}.]
1. Variegated in color; consisting of different colors;
dappled; party-colored; as, a motley coat.
2. Wearing motley or party-colored clothing. See {Motley},
n., 1. ``A motley fool.'' --Shak.
3. Composed of different or various parts; heterogeneously
made or mixed up; discordantly composite; as, motley
style. --Byron.
Motley \Mot"ley\, n.
1. A combination of distinct colors; esp., the party-colored
cloth, or clothing, worn by the professional fool.
--Chaucer. ``Motley 's the only wear.'' --Shak.
2. Hence, a jester, a fool. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Man of motley}, a fool. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Motley-minded \Mot"ley-mind`ed\, a.
Having a mind of a jester; foolish. --Shak.
Motmot \Mot"mot\, n. [Cf. {Momot}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of long-tailed, passerine birds of
the genus {Momotus}, having a strong serrated beak. In most
of the species the two long middle tail feathers are
racket-shaped at the tip, when mature. The bird itself is
said by some writers to trim them into this shape. They feed
on insects, reptiles, and fruit, and are found from Mexico to
Brazil. The name is derived from its note. [Written also
{momot}.]
Moto \Mo"to\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
Movement; manner of movement; particularly, movement with
increased rapidity; -- used especially in the phrase con
moto, directing to a somewhat quicker movement; as, andante
con moto, a little more rapidly than andante, etc.
Moton \Mo"ton\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Anc. Armor)
A small plate covering the armpit in armor of the 14th
century and later.
Motor \Mo"tor\, n. [L., fr. movere, motum, to move.]
1. One who, or that which, imparts motion; a source of
mechanical power.
2. (Mach.) A prime mover; a machine by means of which a
source of power, as steam, moving water, electricity,
etc., is made available for doing mechanical work.
Motor \Mo"tor\, Motory \Mo"to*ry\, Motorial \Mo*to"ri*al\, a.
[L. motorius that has motion. See {Motor}, n.]
Causing or setting up motion; pertaining to organs of motion;
-- applied especially in physiology to those nerves or nerve
fibers which only convey impressions from a nerve center to
muscles, thereby causing motion.
Motorman \Mo"tor*man\, n.
A man who controls a motor.
Motorpathic \Mo`tor*path"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to motorpathy.
Motorpathy \Mo*tor"pa*thy\, n. [L. motor a mover + Gr. ?, ?, to
suffer.] (Med.)
Kinesiatrics.
Motte \Motte\, n. [Cf. F. motte a clod, clump, or hillock.]
A clump of trees in a prairie. [Local, U.S.]
Mottle \Mot"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mottled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mottling}.] [From {Mottled}.]
To mark with spots of different color, or shades of color, as
if stained; to spot; to maculate.
Mottle \Mot"tle\, n.
A mottled appearance.
Mottled \Mot"tled\, a. [From {Motley}.]
Marked with spots of different colors; variegated; spotted;
as, mottled wood. ``The mottled meadows.'' --Drayton.
Motto \Mot"to\, n.; pl. {Mottoes}. [It. motto a word, a saying,
L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter,
mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. {Mot} a word.]
1. (Her.) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an
heraldic achievment.
2. A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay,
discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its
subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a
guiding principle; a maxim.
It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety
and good works, . . . ``Serve God, and be
cheerful.'' --Addison.
Mottoed \Mot"toed\, a.
Bearing or having a motto; as, a mottoed coat or device.
Motty \Mot"ty\, a.
Full of, or consisting of, motes. [Written also {mottie}.]
[Scot.]
The motty dust reek raised by the workmen. --H. Miller.
Mouchoir \Mou`choir"\, n. [F.]
A handkerchief.
Mouazzin \Mou*az"zin\, n. [F.]
See {Muezzin}.
Mouflon \Mouf"lon\, n. [F. mouflon.] (Zo["o]l.)
A wild sheep ({Ovis musimon}), inhabiting the mountains of
Sardinia, Corsica, etc. Its horns are very large, with a
triangular base and rounded angles. It is supposed by some to
be the original of the domestic sheep. Called also {musimon}
or {musmon}. [Written also {moufflon}.]
Mought \Mought\, obs. imp. of {May}.
Might.
Mouillation \Mouil*la"tion\, n. [See {Mouill['e]}.] (Phon.)
The act of uttering the sound of a mouill['e] letter.
Mouill'e \Mouil`l['e]"\, a. [F., lit., wet.] (Phon.)
Applied to certain consonants having a ``liquid'' or softened
sound; e.g., in French, l or ll and gn (like the lli in
million and ni in minion); in Italian, gl and gn; in Spanish,
ll and [~n]; in Portuguese, lh and nh.
Mould \Mould\ (m[=o]ld), Moulder \Mould"er\, Mouldy \Mould"y\,
etc.
See {Mold}, {Molder}, {Moldy}, etc.
Moule \Moule\ (m[=o]l), v. i. [OE. moulen. See {Mold}.]
To contract mold; to grow moldy; to mold. [Obs.]
Let us not moulen thus in idleness. --Chaucer.
Mouline \Mou*line"\, Moulinet \Mou"li*net\, n. [F. moulinet,
orig., a little mill, dim. of moulin mill. See {Mill}.]
1. The drum upon which the rope is wound in a capstan, crane,
or the like.
2. A machine formerly used for bending a crossbow by winding
it up.
3. In sword and saber exercises, a circular swing of the
weapon.
Moult \Moult\ (m[=o]lt), v. & n.
See {Molt}.
Moulten \Moult"en\ (-'n), a.
Having molted. [Obs.] ``A moulten raven.'' --Shak.
Moun \Moun\ (moun), v.,
pl. of {Mow}, may. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Mounch \Mounch\ (mounch), v. t.
To munch. [Obs.]
Mound \Mound\ (mound), n. [F. monde the world, L. mundus. See
{Mundane}.]
A ball or globe forming part of the regalia of an emperor or
other sovereign. It is encircled with bands, enriched with
precious stones, and surmounted with a cross; -- called also
{globe}.
Mound \Mound\, n. [OE. mound, mund, protection, AS. mund
protection, hand; akin to OHG. munt, Icel. mund hand, and
prob. to L. manus. See {Manual}.]
An artificial hill or elevation of earth; a raised bank; an
embarkment thrown up for defense; a bulwark; a rampart; also,
a natural elevation appearing as if thrown up artificially; a
regular and isolated hill, hillock, or knoll.
To thrid the thickets or to leap the mounds. --Dryden.
{Mound bird}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Mound maker} (below).
{Mound builders} (Ethnol.), the tribe, or tribes, of North
American aborigines who built, in former times, extensive
mounds of earth, esp. in the valleys of the Mississippi
and Ohio Rivers. Formerly they were supposed to have
preceded the Indians, but later investigations go to show
that they were, in general, identical with the tribes that
occupied the country when discovered by Europeans.
{Mound maker} (Zo["o]l.), any one of the megapodes.
{Shell mound}, a mound of refuse shells, collected by
aborigines who subsisted largely on shellfish. See
{Midden}, and {Kitchen middens}.
Mound \Mound\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mounded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mounding}.]
To fortify or inclose with a mound.
Mount \Mount\ (mount), n. [OE. munt, mont, mount, AS. munt, fr.
L. mons, montis; cf. L. minae protections, E. eminent,
menace: cf. F. mont. Cf. {Mount}, v., {Mountain}, {Mont},
{Monte}, {Montem}.]
1. A mass of earth, or earth and rock, rising considerably
above the common surface of the surrounding land; a
mountain; a high hill; -- used always instead of mountain,
when put before a proper name; as, Mount Washington;
otherwise, chiefly in poetry.
2. A bulwark for offense or defense; a mound. [Obs.]
Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against
Jerusalem. --Jer. vi. 6.
3. [See {Mont de pi['e]t['e]}.] A bank; a fund.
{Mount of piety}. See {Mont de pi['e]t['e]}.
Mount \Mount\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mounted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mounting}.] [OE. mounten, monten, F. monter, fr. L. mons,
montis, mountain. See {Mount}, n. (above).]
1. To rise on high; to go up; to be upraised or uplifted; to
tower aloft; to ascend; -- often with up.
Though Babylon should mount up to heaven. --Jer. li.
53.
The fire of trees and houses mounts on high.
--Cowley.
2. To get up on anything, as a platform or scaffold;
especially, to seat one's self on a horse for riding.
3. To attain in value; to amount.
Bring then these blessings to a strict account, Make
fair deductions, see to what they mount. --Pope.
Mount \Mount\, v. t.
1. To get upon; to ascend; to climb.
Shall we mount again the rural throne? --Dryden.
2. To place one's self on, as a horse or other animal, or
anything that one sits upon; to bestride.
3. To cause to mount; to put on horseback; to furnish with
animals for riding; to furnish with horses. ``To mount the
Trojan troop.'' --Dryden.
4. Hence: To put upon anything that sustains and fits for
use, as a gun on a carriage, a map or picture on cloth or
paper; to prepare for being worn or otherwise used, as a
diamond by setting, or a sword blade by adding the hilt,
scabbard, etc.
5. To raise aloft; to lift on high.
What power is it which mounts my love so high?
--Shak.
Note: A fort or ship is said to mount cannon, when it has
them arranged for use in or about it.
{To mount guard} (Mil.), to go on guard; to march on guard;
to do duty as a guard.
{To mount a play}, to prepare and arrange the scenery,
furniture, etc., used in the play.
Mount \Mount\, n. [From {Mount}, v.]
That upon which a person or thing is mounted, as:
(a) A horse.
She had so good a seat and hand, she might be
trusted with any mount. --G. Eliot.
(b) The cardboard or cloth on which a drawing, photograph, or
the like is mounted; a mounting.
Mountable \Mount"a*ble\, a.
Such as can be mounted.
Mountain \Moun"tain\, n. [OE. mountaine, montaine, F. montagne,
LL. montanea, montania, fr. L. mons, montis, a mountain; cf.
montanus belonging to a mountain. See 1st {Mount}.]
1. A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common
level of the earth or adjacent land; earth and rock
forming an isolated peak or a ridge; an eminence higher
than a hill; a mount.
2. pl. A range, chain, or group of such elevations; as, the
White Mountains.
3. A mountainlike mass; something of great bulk.
I should have been a mountain of mummy. --Shak.
{The Mountain} (--La montagne) (French Hist.), a popular name
given in 1793 to a party of extreme Jacobins in the
National Convention, who occupied the highest rows of
seats.
Mountain \Moun"tain\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or
living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains;
among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines;
mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer.
2. Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very great.
The high, the mountain majesty of worth. --Byron.
{Mountain antelope} (Zo["o]l.), the goral.
{Mountain ash} (Bot.), an ornamental tree, the {Pyrus
(Sorbus) Americana}, producing beautiful bunches of red
berries. Its leaves are pinnate, and its flowers white,
growing in fragrant clusters. The European species is the
{P. aucuparia}, or rowan tree.
{Mountain barometer}, a portable barometer, adapted for safe
transportation, used in measuring the heights of
mountains.
{Mountain beaver} (Zo["o]l.), the sewellel.
{Mountain blue} (Min.), blue carbonate of copper; azurite.
{Mountain cat} (Zo["o]l.), the catamount. See {Catamount}.
{Mountain chain}, a series of contiguous mountain ranges,
generally in parallel or consecutive lines or curves.
{Mountain cock} (Zo["o]l.), capercailzie. See {Capercailzie}.
{Mountain cork} (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling
cork in its texture.
{Mountain crystal}. See under {Crystal}.
{Mountain damson} (Bot.), a large tree of the genus
{Simaruba} ({S. amarga}) growing in the West Indies, which
affords a bitter tonic and astringent, sometimes used in
medicine.
{Mountain dew}, Scotch whisky, so called because often
illicitly distilled among the mountains. [Humorous]
{Mountain ebony} (Bot.), a small leguminous tree ({Bauhinia
variegata}) of the East and West Indies; -- so called
because of its dark wood. The bark is used medicinally and
in tanning.
{Mountain flax} (Min.), a variety of asbestus, having very
fine fibers; amianthus. See {Amianthus}.
{Mountain fringe} (Bot.), climbing fumitory. See under
{Fumitory}.
{Mountain goat}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Mazama}.
{Mountain green}. (Min.)
(a) Green malachite, or carbonate of copper.
(b) See {Green earth}, under {Green}, a.
{Mountain holly} (Bot.), a branching shrub ({Nemopanthes
Canadensis}), having smooth oblong leaves and red berries.
It is found in the Northern United States.
{Mountain laurel} (Bot.), an American shrub ({Kalmia
latifolia}) with glossy evergreen leaves and showy
clusters of rose-colored or white flowers. The foliage is
poisonous. Called also {American laurel}, {ivy bush}, and
{calico bush}. See {Kalmia}.
{Mountain leather} (Min.), a variety of asbestus, resembling
leather in its texture.
{Mountain licorice} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Trifolium}
({T. Alpinum}).
{Mountain limestone} (Geol.), a series of marine limestone
strata below the coal measures, and above the old red
standstone of Great Britain. See Chart of {Geology}.
{Mountain linnet} (Zo["o]l.), the twite.
{Mountain magpie}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The yaffle, or green woodpecker.
(b) The European gray shrike.
{Mountain mahogany} (Bot.) See under {Mahogany}.
{Mountain meal} (Min.), a light powdery variety of calcite,
occurring as an efflorescence.
{Mountain milk} (Min.), a soft spongy variety of carbonate of
lime.
{Mountain mint}. (Bot.) See {Mint}.
{Mountain ousel} (Zo["o]l.), the ring ousel; -- called also
{mountain thrush} and {mountain colley}. See {Ousel}.
{Mountain pride}, or {Mountain green} (Bot.), a tree of
Jamaica ({Spathelia simplex}), which has an unbranched
palmlike stem, and a terminal cluster of large, pinnate
leaves.
{Mountain quail} (Zo["o]l.), the plumed partridge ({Oreortyx
pictus}) of California. It has two long, slender,
plumelike feathers on the head. The throat and sides are
chestnut; the belly is brown with transverse bars of black
and white; the neck and breast are dark gray.
{Mountain range}, a series of mountains closely related in
position and direction.
{Mountain rice}. (Bot.)
(a) An upland variety of rice, grown without irrigation,
in some parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
(b) An American genus of grasses ({Oryzopsis}).
{Mountain rose} (Bot.), a species of rose with solitary
flowers, growing in the mountains of Europe ({Rosa
alpina}).
{Mountain soap} (Min.), a soft earthy mineral, of a brownish
color, used in crayon painting; saxonite.
{Mountain sorrel} (Bot.), a low perennial plant ({Oxyria
digyna} with rounded kidney-form leaves, and small
greenish flowers, found in the White Mountains of New
Hampshire, and in high northern latitudes. --Gray.
{Mountain sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), the European tree sparrow.
{Mountain spinach}. (Bot.) See {Orach}.
{Mountain tobacco} (Bot.), a composite plant ({Arnica
montana}) of Europe; called also {leopard's bane}.
{Mountain witch} (Zo["o]l.), a ground pigeon of Jamaica, of
the genus {Geotrygon}.
Mountaineer \Moun`tain*eer"\, n. [OF. montanier, LL.
montanarius. See {Mountain}.]
1. An inhabitant of a mountain; one who lives among
mountains.
2. A rude, fierce person. [Obs.]
No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer. --Milton.
Mountaineer \Moun`tain*eer"\, v. i.
To lie or act as a mountaineer; to climb mountains.
You can't go mountaineering in a flat country. --H.
James.
Mountainer \Moun"tain*er\, n.
A mountaineer. [Obs.]
Mountainet \Moun"tain*et\, n.
A small mountain. [R.]
Mountainous \Moun"tain*ous\, a. [F. montagneux, L. montaniosus.]
1. Full of, or containing, mountains; as, the mountainous
country of the Swiss.
2. Inhabiting mountains. [Obs.] --Bacon.
3. Large as, or resembling, a mountain; huge; of great bulk;
as, a mountainous heap. --Prior.
Mountainousness \Moun"tain*ous*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being mountainous.
Mountance \Mount"ance\, n. [OF. montance.]
Amount; sum; quantity; extent. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mountant \Mount"ant\, a. [F. montant, p. pr. of monter. See
{Mount}, and cf. {Montant}.]
Raised; high. [Obs.]
Mountebank \Mount"e*bank\, n. [It. montimbanco, montambanco;
montare to mount + in in, upon + banco bench. See {Mount},
and 4th {Bank}.]
1. One who mounts a bench or stage in the market or other
public place, boasts of his skill in curing diseases, and
vends medicines which he pretends are infalliable
remedies; a quack doctor.
Such is the weakness and easy credulity of men, that
a mountebank . . . is preferred before an able
physician. --Whitlock.
2. Any boastful or false pretender; a charlatan; a quack.
Nothing so impossible in nature but mountebanks will
undertake. --Arbuthnot.
Mountebank \Mount"e*bank\, v. t.
To cheat by boasting and false pretenses; to gull. [R.]
--Shak.
Mountebank \Mount"e*bank\, v. i.
To play the mountebank.
Mountebankery \Mount"e*bank`er*y\, n.
The practices of a mountebank; quackery; boastful and vain
pretenses.
Mountebankish \Mount"e*bank`ish\, a.
Like a mountebank or his quackery. --Howell.
Mountebankism \Mount"e*bank*ism\, n.
The practices of a mountebank; mountebankery.
Mounted \Mount"ed\, a.
1. Seated or serving on horseback or similarly; as, mounted
police; mounted infantry.
2. Placed on a suitable support, or fixed in a setting; as, a
mounted gun; a mounted map; a mounted gem.
Mountenaunce \Mount"e*naunce\, n.
Mountance. [Obs.]
Mounter \Mount"er\, n.
1. One who mounts.
2. An animal mounted; a monture. [Obs.]
Mounting \Mount"ing\, n.
1. The act of one that mounts.
2. That by which anything is prepared for use, or set off to
advantage; equipment; embellishment; setting; as, the
mounting of a sword or diamond.
Mountingly \Mount"ing*ly\, adv.
In an ascending manner.
Mountlet \Mount"let\, n.
A small or low mountain. [R.]
Mounty \Mount"y\, n. [F. mont['e]e, fr. monter. See {Mount}, v.]
The rise of a hawk after prey. --Sir P. Sidney.
Mourn \Mourn\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mourned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mourning}.] [AS. murnan; akin to OS. mornian, OHG. mornen,
Goth. ma['u]rnan.]
1. To express or to feel grief or sorrow; to grieve; to be
sorrowful; to lament; to be in a state of grief or
sadness.
Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for
her. --Gen. xxiii.
2.
2. To wear the customary garb of a mourner.
We mourn in black; why mourn we not in blood?
--Shak.
Grieve for an hour, perhaps, then mourn a year.
--Pope.
Mourn \Mourn\, v. t.
1. To grieve for; to lament; to deplore; to bemoan; to
bewail.
As if he mourned his rival's ill success. --Addison.
And looking over the hills, I mourn The darling who
shall not return. --Emerson.
2. To utter in a mournful manner or voice.
The lovelorn nightingale Nightly to thee her sad
song mourneth well. --Milton.
Syn: See {Deplore}.
Mourne \Mourne\, n. [See 2d {Morne}.]
The armed or feruled end of a staff; in a sheephook, the end
of the staff to which the hook is attached. --Sir P. Sidney.
Mourner \Mourn"er\, n.
1. One who mourns or is grieved at any misfortune, as the
death of a friend.
His mourners were two hosts, his friends and foes.
--Byron.
2. One who attends a funeral as a hired mourner.
Mourners were provided to attend the funeral.
--L'Estrange.
Mournful \Mourn"ful\, a.
Full of sorrow; expressing, or intended to express, sorrow;
mourning; grieving; sad; also, causing sorrow; saddening;
grievous; as, a mournful person; mournful looks, tones, loss.
-- {Mourn"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Mourn"ful*ness}, n.
Syn: Sorrowful; lugubrious; sad; doleful; heavy; afflictive;
grievous; calamitous.
Mourning \Mourn"ing\, n. [AS. murnung.]
1. The act of sorrowing or expressing grief; lamentation;
sorrow.
2. Garb, drapery, or emblems indicative of grief, esp.
clothing or a badge of somber black.
The houses to their tops with black were spread, And
ev'n the pavements were with mourning hid. --Dryden.
{Deep mourning}. See under {Deep}.
Mourning \Mourn"ing\, a.
1. Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting.
2. Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn or used as
appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing;
as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a mourning pin,
and the like.
{Mourning bride} (Bot.), a garden flower ({Scabiosa
atropurpurea}) with dark purple or crimson flowers in
flattened heads.
{Mourning dove} (Zo["o]l.), a wild dove ({Zenaidura
macroura}) found throughout the United States; -- so named
from its plaintive note. Called also {Carolina dove}. See
Illust. under {Dove}.
{Mourning warbler} (Zo["o]l.), an American ground warbler
({Geothlypis Philadelphia}). The male has the head, neck,
and chest, deep ash-gray, mixed with black on the throat
and chest; other lower parts are pure yellow.
Mourningly \Mourn"ing*ly\, adv.
In a mourning manner.
Mournival \Mour"ni*val\, n.
See {Murnival}.
Mouse \Mouse\ (mous), n.; pl. {Mice} (m[imac]s). [OE. mous, mus,
AS. m[=u]s, pl. m[=y]s; akin to D. muis, G. maus, OHG. &
Icel. m[=u]s, Dan. muus, Sw. mus, Russ. muishe, L. mus, Gr.
my^s, Skr. m[=u]sh mouse, mush to steal. [root]277. Cf.
{Muscle}, {Musk}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small rodents
belonging to the genus {Mus} and various related genera of
the family {Murid[ae]}. The common house mouse ({Mus
musculus}) is found in nearly all countries. The American
white-footed, or deer, mouse ({Hesperomys leucopus})
sometimes lives in houses. See {Dormouse}, {Meadow mouse},
under {Meadow}, and {Harvest mouse}, under {Harvest}.
2. (Naut.)
(a) A knob made on a rope with spun yarn or parceling to
prevent a running eye from slipping.
(b) Same as 2d {Mousing}, 2.
3. A familiar term of endearment. --Shak.
4. A dark-colored swelling caused by a blow. [Slang]
5. A match used in firing guns or blasting.
{Field mouse}, {Flying mouse}, etc. See under {Field},
{Flying}, etc.
{Mouse bird} (Zo["o]l.), a coly.
{Mouse deer} (Zo["o]l.), a chevrotain, as the kanchil.
{Mouse galago} (Zo["o]l.), a very small West American galago
({Galago murinus}). In color and size it resembles a
mouse. It has a bushy tail like that of a squirrel.
{Mouse hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A hawk that devours mice.
(b) The hawk owl; -- called also {mouse owl}.
{Mouse lemur} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of very
small lemurs of the genus {Chirogaleus}, found in
Madagascar.
{Mouse piece} (Cookery), the piece of beef cut from the part
next below the round or from the lower part of the latter;
-- called also {mouse buttock}.
Mouse \Mouse\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Moused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mousing}.]
1. To watch for and catch mice.
2. To watch for or pursue anything in a sly manner; to pry
about, on the lookout for something.
Mouse \Mouse\, v. t.
1. To tear, as a cat devours a mouse. [Obs.] ``[Death]
mousing the flesh of men.'' --Shak.
2. (Naut.) To furnish with a mouse; to secure by means of a
mousing. See {Mouse}, n., 2.
Mouse-ear \Mouse"-ear`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) The forget-me-not ({Myosotis palustris}) and other
species of the same genus.
(b) A European species of hawkweed ({Hieracium
Pilosella}).
{Mouse-ear chickweed}, a name of two common species of
chickweed ({Cerastium vulgarium}, and {C. viscosum}).
{Mouse-ear cress}, a low cruciferous herb ({Sisymbrium
Thaliana}). All these are low herbs with soft, oval, or
obovate leaves, whence the name.
Mousefish \Mouse"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Frogfish}.
Mousehole \Mouse"hole`\, n.
A hole made by a mouse, for passage or abode, as in a wall;
hence, a very small hole like that gnawed by a mouse.
Mousekin \Mouse"kin\, n.
A little mouse. --Thackeray.
Mouser \Mous"er\, n.
1. A cat that catches mice.
2. One who pries about on the lookout for something.
Mousetail \Mouse"tail`\, n. (Bot.)
A genus of ranunculaceous plants ({Myosurus}), in which the
prolonged receptacle is covered with imbricating achenes, and
so resembles the tail of a mouse.
Mousie \Mous"ie\, n.
Diminutive for {Mouse}. --Burns.
Mousing \Mous"ing\, a.
Impertinently inquisitive; prying; meddlesome. ``Mousing
saints.'' --L'Estrange.
Mousing \Mous"ing\, n.
1. The act of hunting mice.
2. (Naut.) A turn or lashing of spun yarn or small stuff, or
a metallic clasp or fastening, uniting the point and shank
of a hook to prevent its unhooking or straighening out.
3. A ratchet movement in a loom.
{Mousing hook}, a hook with an attachment which prevents its
unhooking.
Mousle \Mou"sle\, v. t.
To sport with roughly; to rumple. [Written also {mouzle}.]
[Obs.] --Wycherley.
Mousseline \Mousse`line"\, n. [F.]
Muslin.
{Mousseline de laine}. [F., muslin of wool.] Muslin delaine.
See under {Muslin}.
{Mousseline glass}, a kind of thin blown glassware, such as
wineglasses, etc.
Moustache \Mous`tache"\, n. [F.]
Mustache.
Mousy \Mous"y\, a.
Infested with mice; smelling of mice.
Moutan \Mou"tan\, n. (Bot.)
The Chinese tree peony ({P[ae]onia Mountan}), a shrub with
large flowers of various colors.
Mouth \Mouth\ (mouth), n.; pl. {Mouths} (mou[th]z). [OE. mouth,
mu[thorn], AS. m[=u][eth]; akin to D. mond, OS. m[=u][eth],
G. mund, Icel. mu[eth]r, munnr, Sw. mun, Dan. mund, Goth.
mun[thorn]s, and possibly L. mentum chin; or cf. D. muil
mouth, muzzle, G. maul, OHG. m[=u]la, Icel. m[=u]li, and Skr.
mukha mouth.]
1. The opening through which an animal receives food; the
aperture between the jaws or between the lips; also, the
cavity, containing the tongue and teeth, between the lips
and the pharynx; the buccal cavity.
2. Hence: An opening affording entrance or exit; orifice;
aperture; as:
(a) The opening of a vessel by which it is filled or
emptied, charged or discharged; as, the mouth of a jar
or pitcher; the mouth of the lacteal vessels, etc.
(b) The opening or entrance of any cavity, as a cave, pit,
well, or den.
(c) The opening of a piece of ordnance, through which it
is discharged.
(d) The opening through which the waters of a river or any
stream are discharged.
(e) The entrance into a harbor.
3. (Saddlery) The crosspiece of a bridle bit, which enters
the mouth of an animal.
4. A principal speaker; one who utters the common opinion; a
mouthpiece.
Every coffeehouse has some particular statesman
belonging to it, who is the mouth of the street
where he lives. --Addison.
5. Cry; voice. [Obs.] --Dryden.
6. Speech; language; testimony.
That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established. --Matt. xviii.
16.
7. A wry face; a grimace; a mow.
Counterfeit sad looks, Make mouths upon me when I
turn my back. --Shak.
{Down in the mouth}, chapfallen; of dejected countenance;
depressed; discouraged. [Obs. or Colloq.]
{Mouth friend}, one who professes friendship insincerely.
--Shak.
{Mouth glass}, a small mirror for inspecting the mouth or
teeth.
{Mouth honor}, honor given in words, but not felt. --Shak.
{Mouth organ}. (Mus.)
(a) Pan's pipes. See {Pandean}.
(b) An harmonicon.
{Mouth pipe}, an organ pipe with a lip or plate to cut the
escaping air and make a sound.
{To stop the mouth}, to silence or be silent; to put to
shame; to confound.
The mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
--Ps. lxiii.
11.
Whose mouths must be stopped. --Titus i. 11.
Mouth \Mouth\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mouthed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mouthing}.]
1. To take into the mouth; to seize or grind with the mouth
or teeth; to chew; to devour. --Dryden.
2. To utter with a voice affectedly big or swelling; to speak
in a strained or unnaturally sonorous manner. ``Mouthing
big phrases.'' --Hare.
Mouthing out his hollow oes and aes. --Tennyson.
3. To form or cleanse with the mouth; to lick, as a bear her
cub. --Sir T. Browne.
4. To make mouths at. [R.] --R. Blair.
Mouth \Mouth\, v. i.
1. To speak with a full, round, or loud, affected voice; to
vociferate; to rant.
I'll bellow out for Rome, and for my country, And
mouth at C[ae]sar, till I shake the senate.
--Addison.
2. To put mouth to mouth; to kiss. [R.] --Shak.
3. To make grimaces, esp. in ridicule or contempt.
Well I know, when I am gone, How she mouths behind
my back. --Tennyson.
Mouthed \Mouthed\, a.
1. Furnished with a mouth.
2. Having a mouth of a particular kind; using the mouth,
speech, or voice in a particular way; -- used only in
composition; as, wide-mouthed; hard-mouthed; foul-mouthed;
mealy-mouthed.
Mouther \Mouth"er\, n.
One who mouths; an affected speaker.
Mouth-footed \Mouth"-foot`ed\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the basal joints of the legs converted into jaws.
Mouthful \Mouth"ful\, n.; pl. {Mouthfuls}.
1. As much as is usually put into the mouth at one time.
2. Hence, a small quantity.
Mouthless \Mouth"less\, a. [AS. m[=u][eth]le['a]s.]
Destitute of a mouth.
Mouth-made \Mouth"-made`\, a.
Spoken without sincerity; not heartfelt. ``Mouth-made vows.''
--Shak.
Mouthpiece \Mouth"piece`\, n.
1. The part of a musical or other instrument to which the
mouth is applied in using it; as, the mouthpiece of a
bugle, or of a tobacco pipe.
2. An appendage to an inlet or outlet opening of a pipe or
vessel, to direct or facilitate the inflow or outflow of a
fluid.
3. One who delivers the opinion of others or of another; a
spokesman; as, the mouthpiece of his party.
Egmont was imprudent enough to make himself the mouthpiece
of their remonstrance. --Motley.
Movability \Mov`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Movableness.
Movable \Mov"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. movable. See {Move}.]
1. Capable of being moved, lifted, carried, drawn, turned, or
conveyed, or in any way made to change place or posture;
susceptible of motion; not fixed or stationary; as, a
movable steam engine.
2. Changing from one time to another; as, movable feasts, i.
e., church festivals, the date of which varies from year
to year.
{Movable letter} (Heb. Gram.), a letter that is pronounced,
as opposed to one that is quiescent.
Movable \Mov"a*ble\, n.; pl. {Movables}.
1. An article of wares or goods; a commodity; a piece of
property not fixed, or not a part of real estate;
generally, in the plural, goods; wares; furniture.
Furnished with the most rich and princely movables.
--Evelyn.
2. (Rom. Law) Property not attached to the soil.
Note: The word is not convertible with personal property,
since rents and similar incidents of the soil which are
personal property by our law are immovables by the
Roman law. --Wharton.
Movableness \Mov"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being movable; mobility;
susceptibility of motion.
Movably \Mov"a*bly\, adv.
In a movable manner or condition.
Move \Move\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Moved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Moving}.] [OE. moven, OF. moveir, F. mouvoir, L. movere; cf.
Gr. ? to change, exchange, go in or out, quit, Skr. m[=i]v,
p. p. m[=u]ta, to move, push. Cf. {Emotion}, {Mew} to molt,
{Mob}, {Mutable}, {Mutiny}.]
1. To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set
in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place
to another; to impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a
vessel; the horse moves a carriage.
2. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) To transfer (a piece or man) from
one space or position to another, according to the rules
of the game; as, to move a king.
3. To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to
rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to
influence.
Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold.
--Knolles.
No female arts his mind could move. --Dryden.
4. To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to
excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch pathetically;
to excite, as an emotion. --Shak.
When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them. --Matt. ix.
36.
[The use of images] in orations and poetry is to
move pity or terror. --Felton.
5. To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose
formally for consideration and determination, in a
deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be
adopted; as, to move to adjourn.
Let me but move one question to your daughter.
--Shak.
They are to be blamed alike who move and who decline
war upon particular respects. --Hayward.
6. To apply to, as for aid. [Obs.] --Shak.
Syn: To stir; agitate; trouble; affect; persuade; influence;
actuate; impel; rouse; prompt; instigate; incite;
induce; incline; propose; offer.
Move \Move\, v. i.
1. To change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner,
from one place or position to another; as, a ship moves
rapidly.
The foundations also of the hills moved and were
shaken, because he was wroth. --Ps. xviii.
7.
On the green bank I sat and listened long, . . . Nor
till her lay was ended could I move. --Dryden.
2. To act; to take action; to stir; to begin to act; as, to
move in a matter.
3. To change residence; to remove, as from one house, town,
or state, to another.
4. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) To change the place of a piece in
accordance with the rules of the game.
Move \Move\, n.
1. The act of moving; a movement.
2. (Chess, Checkers, etc.) The act of moving one of the
pieces, from one position to another, in the progress of
the game.
3. An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the
execution of a plan or purpose.
{To make a move}.
(a) To take some action.
(b) To move a piece, as in a game.
{To be on the move}, to bustle or stir about. [Colloq.]
Moveless \Move`less\, a.
Motionless; fixed. ``Moveless as a tower.'' --Pope.
Movement \Move"ment\, n. [F. mouvement. See {Move}, and cf.
{Moment}.]
1. The act of moving; change of place or posture;
transference, by any means, from one situation to another;
natural or appropriate motion; progress; advancement; as,
the movement of an army in marching or maneuvering; the
movement of a wheel or a machine; the party of movement.
2. Motion of the mind or feelings; emotion.
3. Manner or style of moving; as, a slow, or quick, or
sudden, movement.
4. (Mus.)
(a) The rhythmical progression, pace, and tempo of a
piece. ``Any change of time is a change of movement.''
--Busby.
(b) One of the several strains or pieces, each complete in
itself, with its own time and rhythm, which make up a
larger work; as, the several movements of a suite or a
symphony.
5. (Mech.) A system of mechanism for transmitting motion of a
definite character, or for transforming motion; as, the
wheelwork of a watch.
{Febrille movement} (Med.), an elevation of the body
temperature; a fever.
{Movement cure}. (Med.) See {Kinesiatrics}.
{Movement of the bowels}, an evacuation or stool; a passage
or discharge.
Syn: Motion.
Usage: {Movement}, {Motion}. Motion expresses a general idea
of not being at rest; movement is oftener used to
express a definite, regulated motion, esp. a progress.
Movent \Mo"vent\, a. [L. movens, p. pr. of movere. See {Move}.]
Moving. [R.] --Grew.
Movent \Mo"vent\, n.
That which moves anything. [R.]
Mover \Mov"er\, n.
1. A person or thing that moves, stirs, or changes place.
2. A person or thing that imparts motion, or causes change of
place; a motor.
3. One who, or that which, excites, instigates, or causes
movement, change, etc.; as, movers of sedition.
These most poisonous compounds, Which are the movers
of a languishing death. --Shak.
4. A proposer; one who offers a proposition, or recommends
anything for consideration or adoption; as, the mover of a
resolution in a legislative body.
Moving \Mov"ing\, a.
1. Changing place or posture; causing motion or action; as, a
moving car, or power.
2. Exciting movement of the mind; adapted to move the
sympathies, passions, or affections; touching; pathetic;
as, a moving appeal.
I sang an old moving story. --Coleridge.
{Moving force} (Mech.), a force that accelerates, retards, or
deflects the motion of a body.
{Moving plant} (Bot.), a leguminous plant ({Desmodium
gyrans}); -- so called because its leaflets have a
distinct automatic motion.
Moving \Mov"ing\, n.
The act of changing place or posture; esp., the act of
changing one's dwelling place or place of business.
{Moving day}, a day when one moves; esp., a day when a large
number of tenants change their dwelling place.
Movingly \Mov"ing*ly\, adv.
In a moving manner. --Addison.
Movingness \Mov"ing*ness\, n.
The power of moving.
Mow \Mow\, n. [Written also {moe} and {mowe}.] [F. moue pouting,
a wry face; cf. OD. mouwe the protruded lip.]
A wry face. ``Make mows at him.'' --Shak.
Mow \Mow\, v. i.
To make mouths.
Nodding, becking, and mowing. --Tyndale.
Mow \Mow\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Mew}, a gull.
Mow \Mow\, v. [pres. sing. {Mow}, pl. {Mowe}, {Mowen}, {Moun}.]
[AS. magan. See {May}, v.]
May; can. ``Thou mow now escapen.'' [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Our walles mowe not make hem resistence. --Chaucer.
Mow \Mow\, v. t. [imp. {Mowed}; p. p. {Mowed} or {Mown}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Mowing}.] [OE. mowen, mawen, AS. m[=a]wan; akin to
D. maaijen, G. m["a]hen, OHG. m[=a]jan, Dan. meie, L. metere
to reap, mow, Gr. ?. Cf. {Math}, {Mead} a meadow, {Meadow}.]
1. To cut down, as grass, with a scythe or machine.
2. To cut the grass from; as, to mow a meadow.
3. To cut down; to cause to fall in rows or masses, as in
mowing grass; -- with down; as, a discharge of grapeshot
mows down whole ranks of men.
Mow \Mow\, v. i.
To cut grass, etc., with a scythe, or with a machine; to cut
grass for hay.
Mow \Mow\, n. [OE. mowe, AS. m?ga.]
1. A heap or mass of hay or of sheaves of grain stowed in a
barn.
2. The place in a barn where hay or grain in the sheaf is
stowed.
Mow \Mow\, v. t.
To lay, as hay or sheaves of grain, in a heap or mass in a
barn; to pile and stow away.
Mowburn \Mow"burn`\, v. i.
To heat and ferment in the mow, as hay when housed too green.
Mowe \Mowe\, v.
See 4th {Mow}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Mowe \Mowe\, n. & v.
See 1st & 2d {Mow}. [Obs.]
Mower \Mow"er\, n.
One who, or that which, mows; a mowing machine; as, a lawn
mower.
Mowing \Mow"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who, or the operation of that which, mows.
2. Land from which grass is cut; meadow land.
{Mowing machine}, an agricultural machine armed with knives
or blades for cutting standing grass, etc. It is drawn by
a horse or horses, or propelled by steam.
Mown \Mown\, p. p. & a.
Cut down by mowing, as grass; deprived of grass by mowing;
as, a mown field.
Mowyer \Mow"yer\, n.
A mower. [Obs.]
Moxa \Mox"a\, n. [A corruption of Japan. mogusa (pronounced
mongsa), an escharotic made from the plant yomigi: cf. F.
moxa.]
1. (Med.) A soft woolly mass prepared from the young leaves
of {Artemisia Chinensis}, and used as a cautery by burning
it on the skin; hence, any substance used in a like
manner, as cotton impregnated with niter, amadou.
2. (Bot.) A plant from which this substance is obtained, esp.
{Artemisia Chinensis}, and {A. moxa}.
Moxie \Mox"ie\, n. [fr. Moxie, a trade name for a beverage.]
1. energy; pep.
2. courage, determination.
3. Know-how, expertise. --MW10.
Moya \Moy"a\, n.
Mud poured out from volcanoes during eruptions; -- so called
in South America.
Moyle \Moyle\, n. & v.
See {Moil}, and {Moile}.
Mozarab \Moz"a*rab\, Mozarabic \Moz`a*rab"ic\
Same as {Muzarab}, {Muzarabic}.
Mozetta \Mo*zet"ta\, Mozzetta \Moz*zet"ta\, n. [It. mozzetta:
cf. F. mosette. Cf. {Amice} a hood or cape.] (Eccl.)
A cape, with a small hood; -- worn by the pope and other
dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr \Mr.\ .
The customary abbreviation of Mister in writing and printing.
See {Master}, 4.
Mrs \Mrs.\
The customary abbreviation of Mistress when used as a title
of courtesy, in writing and printing.
Mucamide \Mu*cam"ide\, n. [Mucic + amide.] (Chem.)
The acid amide of mucic acid, obtained as a white crystalline
substance.
Mucate \Mu"cate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of mucic acid.
Muce \Muce\, n.
See {Muse}, and {Muset}.
Mucedin \Mu*ce"din\, n. [From {Mucus}.] (Bot. Chem.)
A yellowish white, amorphous, nitrogenous substance found in
wheat, rye, etc., and resembling gluten; -- formerly called
also {mucin}.
Much \Much\, a. [Compar. & superl. wanting, but supplied by
{More}, and {Most}, from another root.] [OE. moche, muche,
miche, prob. the same as mochel, muchel, michel, mikel, fr.
AS. micel, mycel; cf. Gr. ?, fem. ?, great, and Icel.
mj["o]k, adv., much. [root]103. See {Mickle}.]
1. Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much rain has
fallen; much time.
Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and
shalt gather but little in. --Deut.
xxviii. 38.
2. Many in number. [Archaic]
Edom came out against him with much people. --Num.
xx. 20.
3. High in rank or position. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Much \Much\, n.
1. A great quantity; a great deal; also, an indefinite
quantity; as, you have as much as I.
He that gathered much had nothing over. --Ex. xvi.
18.
Note: Muchin this sense can be regarded as an adjective
qualifying a word unexpressed, and may, therefore, be
modified by as, so, too, very.
2. A thing uncommon, wonderful, or noticeable; something
considerable.
And [he] thought not much to clothe his enemies.
--Milton.
{To make much of}, to treat as something of especial value or
worth.
Much \Much\, adv. [Cf. Icel. mj["o]k. See {Much}, a.]
To a great degree or extent; greatly; abundantly; far;
nearly. ``Much suffering heroes.'' --Pope.
Thou art much mightier than we. --Gen. xxvi.
16.
Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do
lying lips a prince. --Prov. xvii.
7.
Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong Life
much. --Milton.
All left the world much as they found it. --Sir W.
Temple.
Muchel \Much"el\, a. [[root]103. See {Mickle}.]
Much. [Obs.]
Muchness \Much"ness\, n.
Greatness; extent. [Obs. or Colloq.]
The quantity and muchness of time which it filcheth.
--W. Whately.
{Much of a muchness}, much the same. [Colloq.] ``Men's men;
gentle or simple, they're much of a muchness.'' --G.
Eliot.
Muchwhat \Much"what`\, adv.
Nearly; almost; much. [Obs.] ``Muchwhat after the same
manner.'' --Glanvill.
Mucic \Mu"cic\, a. [L. mucus mucus: cf. F. mucique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, gums and micilaginous
substances; specif., denoting an acid obtained by the
oxidation of gums, dulcite, etc., as a white crystalline
substance isomeric with saccharic acid.
Mucid \Mu"cid\, a. [L. mucidus, fr. L. mucus mucus. See {Mucus},
and cf. {Moist}.]
Musty; moldy; slimy; mucous. -- {Mu"cid*ness}, n.
Mucific \Mu*cif"ic\, a. [Mucus + L. -ficare (in comp.) to make.
See {-fy}.]
1. (Med.) Inducing or stimulating the secretion of mucus;
blennogenous.
2. (Physiol.) Secreting mucus.
Muciform \Mu"ci*form\, a. [Mucus + -form.] (Physiol.)
Resembling mucus; having the character or appearance of
mucus.
Mucigen \Mu"ci*gen\, n. [Mucin + -gen.] (Physiol.)
A substance which is formed in mucous epithelial cells, and
gives rise to mucin.
Mucigenous \Mu*cig"e*nous\, a. (Physiol.)
Connected with the formation of mucin; resembling mucin.
The mucigenous basis is manufactured at the expense of
the ordinary protoplasm of the cell. --Foster.
Mucilage \Mu"ci*lage\, n. [F., from L. mucilago a musty juice,
fr. mucus mucus, slime. See {Mucus}.]
1. (Bot. Chem.) A gummy or gelatinous substance produced in
certain plants by the action of water on the cell wall, as
in the seeds of quinces, of flax, etc.
2. An aqueous solution of gum, or of substances allied to it;
as, medicinal mucilage; mucilage for fastening envelopes.
Mucilaginous \Mu`ci*lag"i*nous\, a. [Cf. F. mucilagineux. See
{Mucilage}.]
1. Partaking of the nature of, or resembling, mucilage;
moist, soft, and viscid; slimy; ropy; as, a mucilaginous
liquid.
2. Of, pertaining to, or secreting, mucilage; as, the
mucilaginous glands.
3. Soluble in water, but not in alcohol; yielding mucilage;
as, mucilaginous gums or plants. --
{Mu`ci*lag"i*nous*ness}, n.
Mucin \Mu"cin\ (m[=u]"s[i^]n), n. [From {Mucus}.]
1. (Bot. Chem.) See {Mucedin}. [Obs.]
2. (Physiol. Chem.) An albuminoid substance which is
contained in mucus, and gives to the latter secretion its
peculiar ropy character. It is found in all the secretions
from mucous glands, and also between the fibers of
connective tissue, as in tendons. See Illust. of
{Demilune}.
Mucinogen \Mu*cin"o*gen\ (m[-u]*s[i^]n"[-o]*j[e^]n), n. [Mucin +
-gen.] (Physiol.)
Same as {Mucigen}.
Muciparous \Mu*cip"a*rous\ (m[-u]*s[i^]"p[.a]*r[u^]s), a. [Mucus
+ L. parere to produce.] (Physiol.)
Secreting, or producing, mucus or mucin.
Mucivore \Mu"ci*vore\ (m[=u]"s[i^]*v[=o]r), n. [L. mucus slime,
mucus + vorare to devour.] (Zo["o]l.)
An insect which feeds on mucus, or the sap of plants, as
certain Diptera, of the tribe {Mucivora}.
Muck \Muck\ (m[u^]k),
abbreviation of Amuck.
{To run a muck}. See {Amuck}.
Muck \Muck\, n. [Icel. myki; akin to D. m["o]g. Cf. {Midden}.]
1. Dung in a moist state; manure. --Bacon.
2. Vegetable mold mixed with earth, as found in low, damp
places and swamps.
3. Anything filthy or vile. --Spenser.
4. Money; -- in contempt.
The fatal muck we quarreled for. --Beau. & Fl.
{Muck bar}, bar iron which has been through the rolls only
once.
{Muck iron}, crude puddled iron ready for the squeezer or
rollers. --Knight.
Muck \Muck\, a.
Like muck; mucky; also, used in collecting or distributing
muck; as, a muck fork.
Muck \Muck\, v. t.
To manure with muck.
Muckender \Muck"en*der\, n. [Sp. mocador. Cf. {Mokadour}.]
A handkerchief. [Obs.] [Written also {muckinder}, {muckiter},
{mockadour}.]
Mucker \Muck"er\, n.
A term of reproach for a low or vulgar labor person. [Slang]
Mucker \Muck"er\, v. t.
To scrape together, as money, by mean labor or shifts. [Obs.]
--Udall.
Muckerer \Muck"er*er\, n.
A miser; a niggard. [Obs.]
Muckiness \Muck"i*ness\, n.
The quality of being mucky.
Muckle \Muc"kle\, a. [See {Mickle}.]
Much. [Obs.]
Muckmidden \Muck"mid`den\, n.
A dunghill. [Scot.]
Mucksy \Muck"sy\, a.
Somewhat mucky; soft, sticky, and dirty; muxy. [Prov. Eng.]
--R. D. Blackmore.
Muckworm \Muck"worm`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A larva or grub that lives in muck or manure;
-- applied to the larv[ae] of the tumbledung and allied
beetles.
2. One who scrapes together money by mean labor and devices;
a miser. ``Misers are muckworms.'' --Pope.
Mucky \Muck"y\, a.
1. Filthy with muck; miry; as, a mucky road. ``Mucky filth.''
--Spenser.
2. Vile, in a moral sense; sordid. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Mucky money and false felicity. --Latimer.
Mucocele \Mu"co*cele\, n. [Mucus + Gr. ? tumor.] (Med.)
An enlargement or protrusion of the mucous membrane of the
lachrymal passages, or dropsy of the lachrymal sac, dependent
upon catarrhal inflammation of the latter. --Dunglison.
Mucoid \Mu"coid\, a. [Mucus + -oid.]
Resembling mucus. --Dunglison.
{Mucoid degeneration}, a form of degeneration in which the
tissues are transformed into a semisolid substance
resembling mucus. --Quain.
Muconate \Mu"co*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of muconic acid.
Muconic \Mu*con"ic\, a. [Mucic + itaconic.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid, obtained
indirectly from mucic acid, and somewhat resembling itaconic
acid.
Mucopurulent \Mu`co*pu"ru*lent\, a. [Mucus + purulent.] (Med.)
Having the character or appearance of both mucus and pus.
--Dunglison.
Mucor \Mu"cor\, n. [L., fr. mucere to be moldy or musty.] (Bot.)
A genus of minute fungi. The plants consist of slender
threads with terminal globular sporangia; mold.
Mucosity \Mu*cos"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being mucous or slimy; mucousness.
Mucous \Mu"cous\, a. [L. mucosus, fr. mucus mucus.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or resembling, mucus; slimy, ropy, or
stringy, and lubricous; as, a mucous substance.
2. Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance; as, the mucous
membrane.
{Mucous membrane}. (Anat.) See under {Membrane}.
{Mucous patches} (Med.), elevated patches found in the mucous
membranes of the mouth and anus, usually due to syphilis.
{Mucous tissue} (Anat.), a form of connective tissue in an
early stage of development, found in the umbilical cord
and in the embryo, and also in certain tumors called
myxomata.
Mucousness \Mu"cous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mucous; sliminess.
Mucro \Mu"cro\, n. [L.] (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
A minute abrupt point, as of a leaf; any small, sharp point
or process, terminating a larger part or organ.
Mucronate \Mu"cro*nate\, Mucronated \Mu"cro*na`ted\, a. [L.
mucronatus, fr. mucro a sharp point: cf. F. mucron['e].]
Ending abruptly in a sharp point; abruptly tipped with a
short and sharp point; as, a mucronate leaf. --
{Mu"cro*nate*ly}, adv.
Mucronulate \Mu*cron"u*late\, a.
Having, or tipped with, a small point or points.
Muculent \Mu"cu*lent\, a. [L. muculentus, fr. mucus.]
Slimy; moist, and moderately viscous.
Mucus \Mu"cus\, n. [L. mucus, muccus; cf. mucere 8be moldy or
musty, Gr. ? mucus, and Skr. muc to release. Cf. {Match} for
striking fire, {Moist}, {Mucilage}.]
1. (Physiol.) A viscid fluid secreted by mucous membranes,
which it serves to moisten and protect. It covers the
lining membranes of all the cavities which open
externally, such as those of the mouth, nose, lungs,
intestinal canal, urinary passages, etc.
2. (Physiol.) Any other animal fluid of a viscid quality, as
the synovial fluid, which lubricates the cavities of the
joints; -- improperly so used.
3. (Bot.) A gelatinous or slimy substance found in certain
alg[ae] and other plants.
Mucusin \Mu"cus*in\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
Mucin. [R.]
Mud \Mud\, n. [Akin to LG. mudde, D. modder, G. moder mold, OSw.
modd mud, Sw. modder mother, Dan. mudder mud. Cf. {Mother} a
scum on liquors.]
Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive.
{Mud bass} (Zo["o]l.), a fresh-water fish ({Acantharchum
pomotis}) of the Eastern United States. It produces a deep
grunting note.
{Mud bath}, an immersion of the body, or some part of it, in
mud charged with medicinal agents, as a remedy for
disease.
{Mud boat}, a large flatboat used in deredging.
{Mud cat}. See {Catfish}.
{Mud crab} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several American marine
crabs of the genus {Panopeus}.
{Mud dab} (Zo["o]l.), the winter flounder. See {Flounder},
and {Dab}.
{Mud dauber} (Zo["o]l.), a mud wasp.
{Mud devil} (Zo["o]l.), the fellbender.
{Mud drum} (Steam Boilers), a drum beneath a boiler, into
which sediment and mud in the water can settle for
removal.
{Mud eel} (Zo["o]l.), a long, slender, aquatic amphibian
({Siren lacertina}), found in the Southern United States.
It has persistent external gills and only the anterior
pair of legs. See {Siren}.
{Mud frog} (Zo["o]l.), a European frog ({Pelobates fuscus}).
{Mud hen}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The American coot ({Fulica Americana}).
(b) The clapper rail.
{Mud lark}, a person who cleans sewers, or delves in mud.
[Slang]
{Mud minnow} (Zo["o]l.), any small American fresh-water fish
of the genus {Umbra}, as {U. limi}. The genus is allied to
the pickerels.
{Mud plug}, a plug for stopping the mudhole of a boiler.
{Mud puppy} (Zo["o]l.), the menobranchus.
{Mud scow}, a heavy scow, used in dredging; a mud boat.
[U.S.]
{Mud turtle}, {Mud tortoise} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous
species of fresh-water tortoises of the United States.
{Mud wasp} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
hymenopterous insects belonging to {Pep[ae]us}, and allied
genera, which construct groups of mud cells, attached,
side by side, to stones or to the woodwork of buildings,
etc. The female places an egg in each cell, together with
spiders or other insects, paralyzed by a sting, to serve
as food for the larva. Called also {mud dauber}.
Mud \Mud\, v. t.
1. To bury in mud. [R.] --Shak.
2. To make muddy or turbid. --Shak.
Mudar \Mu"dar\, n. [Hind. mad[=a]r.] (Bot.)
Either one of two asclepiadaceous shrubs ({Calotropis
gigantea}, and {C. procera}), which furnish a strong and
valuable fiber. The acrid milky juice is used medicinally.
Mudarin \Mu"da*rin\, n. (Chem.)
A brown, amorphous, bitter substance having a strong emetic
action, extracted from the root of the mudar.
Muddily \Mud"di*ly\, adv.
In a muddy manner; turbidly; without mixture; cloudily;
obscurely; confusedly.
Muddiness \Mud"di*ness\, n.
1. The condition or quality of being muddy; turbidness;
foulness caused by mud, dirt, or sediment; as, the
muddiness of a stream.
2. Obscurity or confusion, as in treatment of a subject;
intellectual dullness.
Muddle \Mud"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muddling}.] [From {Mud}.]
1. To make turbid, or muddy, as water. [Obs.]
He did ill to muddle the water. --L'Estrange.
2. To cloud or stupefy; to render stupid with liquor; to
intoxicate partially.
Epicurus seems to have had brains so muddled and
confounded, that he scarce ever kept in the right
way. --Bentley.
Often drunk, always muddled. --Arbuthnot.
3. To waste or misuse, as one does who is stupid or
intoxicated. [R.]
They muddle it [money] away without method or
object, and without having anything to show for it.
--Hazlitt.
4. To mix confusedly; to confuse; to make a mess of; as, to
muddle matters; also, to perplex; to mystify. --F. W.
Newman.
Muddle \Mud"dle\, v. i.
1. To dabble in mud. [Obs.] --Swift.
2. To think and act in a confused, aimless way.
Muddle \Mud"dle\, n.
A state of being turbid or confused; hence, intellectual
cloudiness or dullness.
We both grub on in a muddle. --Dickens.
Muddlehead \Mud"dle*head`\, n.
A stupid person. [Colloq.] --C. Reade. -- {Mud"dle-head`ed},
a. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Muddler \Mud"dler\, n.
One who, or that which, muddles.
Muddy \Mud"dy\, a. [Compar. {Muddier}; superl. {Muddiest}.]
1. Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a
muddy road or path; muddy boots.
2. Turbid with mud; as, muddy water.
3. Consisting of mud or earth; gross; impure.
This muddy vesture of decay. --Shak.
4. Confused, as if turbid with mud; cloudy in mind; dull;
stupid; also, immethodical; incoherent; vague.
Cold hearts and muddy understandings. --Burke.
Dost think I am so muddy, so unsettled. --Shak.
5. Not clear or bright. --Swift.
Muddy \Mud"dy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muddied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muddying}.]
1. To soil with mud; to dirty; to render turbid.
2. Fig.: To cloud; to make dull or heavy. --Grew.
Muddy-headed \Mud"dy-head`ed\, a.
Dull; stupid.
Muddy-mettled \Mud"dy-met`tled\, a.
Dull-spirited. --Shak.
Mudfish \Mud"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European loach.
(b) The bowfin.
(c) The South American lipedosiren, and the allied African
species ({Protopterus annectens}). See {Lipedosiren}.
(d) The mud minnow.
Mudhole \Mud"hole`\, n.
1. A hole, or hollow place, containing mud, as in a road.
2. (Steam Boilers) A hole near the bottom, through which the
sediment is withdrawn.
Mudir \Mu"dir\, n.
Same as {Moodir}.
Mudsill \Mud"sill`\, n.
The lowest sill of a structure, usually embedded in the soil;
the lowest timber of a house; also, that sill or timber of a
bridge which is laid at the bottom of the water. See {Sill}.
Mudsucker \Mud"suck`er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A woodcock.
Mudwall \Mud"wall`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European bee-eater. See {Bee-eater}. [Written also
{modwall}.]
Mudwort \Mud"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A small herbaceous plant growing on muddy shores ({Limosella
aquatica}).
Mue \Mue\ (m[=u]), v. i.
To mew; to molt. [Obs.] --Quarles.
Muezzin \Mu*ez"zin\ (m[-u]*[e^]z"z[i^]n), n. [Ar.]
A Mohammedan crier of the hour of prayer. [Written also
{mouezzin}, {mueddin}, and {muwazzin}.]
Muff \Muff\ (m[u^]f), n. [Cf. LG. muff, D. mof, G., Dan., & Sw.
muff, F. moufle mitten, LL. muffula, MHG. mouwe sleeve, D.
mouw, and E. muffle, v.]
1. A soft cover of cylindrical form, usually of fur, worn by
women to shield the hands from cold.
2. (Mech.) A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object, as
a pipe.
3. (Glass Manuf.) A blown cylinder of glass which is
afterward flattened out to make a sheet.
4. [Perhaps a different word; cf. Prov. E. maffle to
slammer.] A stupid fellow; a poor-spirited person.
[Colloq.] ``A muff of a curate.'' --Thackeray.
5. [See 4.] (Baseball) A failure to hold a ball when once in
the hands.
6. (Zo["o]l.) The whitethroat. [Prov. Eng.]
Muff \Muff\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muffed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muffing}.]
To handle awkwardly; to fumble; to fail to hold, as a ball,
in catching it.
Muffetee \Muf`fe*tee"\, n.
A small muff worn over the wrist. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Muffin \Muf"fin\, n. [From {Muff}.]
A light, spongy, cylindrical cake, used for breakfast and
tea.
Muffineer \Muf`fin*eer"\, n.
A dish for keeping muffins hot.
Muffish \Muff"ish\, a. [See {Muff}, 4 & 5.]
Stupid; awkward. [Colloq.]
Muffle \Muf"fle\ (m[u^]f"f'l), n.
The bare end of the nose between the nostrils; -- used esp.
of ruminants.
Muffle \Muf"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muffled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muffling}.] [Cf. F. moufle a mitten, LL. muffula, OD. moffel
a muff. See {Muff}.]
1. To wrap up in something that conceals or protects; to
wrap, as the face and neck, in thick and disguising folds;
hence, to conceal or cover the face of; to envelop; to
inclose; -- often with up. --South.
The face lies muffled up within the garment.
--Addison.
He muffled with a cloud his mournful eyes. --Dryden.
Muffled up in darkness and superstition.
--Arbuthnot.
2. To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound
about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.
3. To wrap with something that dulls or deadens the sound of;
as, to muffle the strings of a drum, or that part of an
oar which rests in the rowlock.
Muffle \Muf"fle\, v. i. [Cf. F. maffle, mumble, D. moffelen.]
To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation.
Muffle \Muf"fle\, n. [F. moufle, prop., a mitten, from the
resemblance in shape. See {Muffle}, v. t., {Muff}.]
1. Anything with which another thing, as an oar or drum, is
muffled; also, a boxing glove; a muff.
2. (Metal.) An earthenware compartment or oven, often shaped
like a half cylinder, used in furnaces to protect objects
heated from the direct action of the fire, as in
scorification of ores, cupellation of ore buttons, etc.
3. (Ceramics) A small oven for baking and fixing the colors
of painted or printed pottery, without exposing the
pottery to the flames of the furnace or kiln.
4. A pulley block containing several sheaves. --Knight.
Muffler \Muf"fler\, n.
1. Anything used in muffling; esp., a scarf for protecting
the head and neck in cold weather; a tippet.
Fortune is painted blind, with a muffler above her
eyes. --Shak.
2. (Mus.) A cushion for terminating or softening a note made
by a stringed instrument with a keyboard.
3. A kind of mitten or boxing glove, esp. when stuffed.
4. One who muffles.
Muflon \Muf"lon\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mouflon}.
Mufti \Muf"ti\, n.; pl. {Muftis}. [Ar. mufti.]
An official expounder of Mohammedan law.
Mufti \Muf"ti\, n.
Citizen's dress when worn by a naval or military officer; --
a term derived from the British service in India. [Colloq.
Eng.]
Mug \Mug\, n. [Cf. Ir. mugam a mug, mucog a cup.]
1. A kind of earthen or metal drinking cup, with a handle, --
usually cylindrical and without a lip.
2. The face or mouth. [Slang] --Thackeray.
Muggard \Mug"gard\, a. [Cf. G. mucker a sulky person, muckish
sullen, peevish, mucken to mutter, grumble.]
Sullen; displeased. [Obs.]
Mugget \Mug"get\, n.
The small entrails of a calf or a hog.
Mugginess \Mug"gi*ness\, n.
The condition or quality of being muggy.
Muggish \Mug"gish\, a.
See {Muggy}.
Muggletonian \Mug`gle*to"ni*an\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of an extinct sect, named after Ludovic Muggleton, an
English journeyman tailor, who (about 1657) claimed to be
inspired. --Eadie.
Muggy \Mug"gy\, a. [Compar. {Muggier}; superl. {Muggiest}.] [Cf.
Icel. mugga mist, mugginess. Cf. 4th {Mold}.]
1. Moist; damp; moldy; as, muggy straw.
2. Warm, damp, and close; as, muggy air, weather.
Mughouse \Mug"house`\, n.
An alehouse; a pothouse. --Tickel.
Mugiency \Mu"gi*en*cy\, n.
A bellowing. [Obs.]
Mugient \Mu"gi*ent\, a. [L. mugiens, p. pr. of mugire to
bellow.]
Lowing; bellowing. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Mugil \Mu"gil\, n. [L., a sort of fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fishes including the gray mullets. See {Mullet}.
Mugiloid \Mu"gi*loid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Mugil, or family
{Mugilid[ae]}.
Mugweed \Mug"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A slender European weed ({Galium Cruciata}); -- called also
{crossweed}.
Mugwort \Mug"wort`\, n. [AS. mucgwyrt. Cf. {Midge}.] (Bot.)
A somewhat aromatic composite weed ({Artemisia vulgaris}), at
one time used medicinally; -- called also {motherwort}.
Mugwump \Mug"wump`\, n. [Cf. Algonquin mugquomp a chief.]
A bolter from the Republican party in the national election
of 1884; an Independent. [Political Cant, U.S.]
Mugwumpery \Mug"wump`er*y\, Mugwumpism \Mug"wump*ism\, n.
The acts and views of the mugwumps. [Political Cant, U.S.]
Muhammadan \Mu*ham"mad*an\, Muhammedan \Mu*ham"med*an\, a. & n.
Mohammedan.
Muhammadanism \Mu*ham"mad*an*ism\, n.
Mohammedanism.
Mulada \Mu*la"da\, n.
A moor. [Scot.] --Lockhart.
Mulada \Mu*la"da\, n. [Sp. Amer., fr. Sp. mulo, mula, a mule.]
A drove of mules. [Southwest. U.S.]
Mulatto \Mu*lat"to\, n.; pl. {Mulattoes}. [Sp. & Pg. mulato,
masc., mulata, fem., of a mixed breed, fr. mulo mule, L.
mulus. See {Mule}.]
The offspring of a negress by a white man, or of a white
woman by a negro, -- usually of a brownish yellow complexion.
Mulattress \Mu*lat"tress\, n.
A female mulatto. --G. W. Gable.
Mulberry \Mul"ber*ry\, n.; pl. {Mulberries}. [OE. moolbery,
murberie, AS. murberie, where the first part is fr. L. morum
mulberry; cf. Gr. ?, ?. Cf. {Murrey}, {Sycamore}.]
1. (Bot.) The berry or fruit of any tree of the genus
{Morus}; also, the tree itself. See {Morus}.
2. A dark pure color, like the hue of a black mulberry.
{Mulberry mass}. (Biol.) See {Morula}.
{Paper mulberry}, a tree ({Broussonetia papyrifera}), related
to the true mulberry, used in Polynesia for making tapa
cloth by macerating and pounding the inner bark, and in
China and Japan for the manufacture of paper. It is seen
as a shade tree in America.
Mulberry-faced \Mul"ber*ry-faced`\ (-f[=a]st`), a.
Having a face of a mulberry color, or blotched as if with
mulberry stains.
Mulch \Mulch\, n. [Cf. mull dirt, also Prov. G. mulsch, molsch,
rotten, soft, mellow, as fruit.]
Half-rotten straw, or any like substance strewn on the
ground, as over the roots of plants, to protect from heat,
drought, etc., and to preserve moisture.
Mulch \Mulch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mulched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mulching}.]
To cover or dress with mulch.
Mulct \Mulct\, n. [L. mulcta, multa.]
1. A fine or penalty, esp. a pecuniary punishment or penalty.
2. A blemish or defect. [Obs.]
Syn: Amercement; forfeit; forfeiture; penalty.
Mulct \Mulct\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mulcted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mulcting}.] [L. mulctare, multare.]
1. To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine
or forfeiture, esp. a pecuniary fine; to fine.
2. Hence, to deprive of; to withhold by way of punishment or
discipline. [Obs.]
Mulctary \Mulc"ta*ry\, Mulctuary \Mulc"tu*a*ry\, a.
Imposing a pecuniary penalty; consisting of, or paid as, a
fine.
Fines, or some known mulctuary punishments. --Sir W.
Temple.
Mule \Mule\ (m[=u]l), n. [F., a she-mule, L. mula, fem. of
mulus; cf. Gr. my`klos, mychlo`s. Cf. AS. m[=u]l, fr. L.
mulus. Cf. {Mulatto}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A hybrid animal; specifically, one generated
between an ass and a mare, sometimes a horse and a
she-ass. See {Hinny}.
Note: Mules are much used as draught animals. They are hardy,
and proverbial for stubbornness.
2. (Bot.) A plant or vegetable produced by impregnating the
pistil of one species with the pollen or fecundating dust
of another; -- called also {hybrid}.
3. A very stubborn person.
4. A machine, used in factories, for spinning cotton, wool,
etc., into yarn or thread and winding it into cops; --
called also {jenny} and {mule-jenny}.
{Mule armadillo} (Zo["o]l.), a long-eared armadillo (Tatusia
hybrida), native of Buenos Aires; -- called also {mulita}.
See Illust. under {Armadillo}.
{Mule deer} (Zo["o]l.), a large deer ({Cervus, or Cariacus,
macrotis}) of the Western United States. The name refers
to its long ears.
{Mule pulley} (Mach.), an idle pulley for guiding a belt
which transmits motion between shafts that are not
parallel.
{Mule twist}, cotton yarn in cops, as spun on a mule; -- in
distinction from yarn spun on a throstle frame.
Mule-jenny \Mule"-jen`ny\, n.
See {Mule}, 4.
Muleteer \Mu`le*teer"\, n. [F. muletier, fr. mulet a mule, dim.
fr. L. mulus.]
One who drives mules.
Mulewort \Mule"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A fern of the genus {Hemionitis}.
Muley \Mu"ley\, n. (Sawmills)
A stiff, long saw, guided at the ends but not stretched in a
gate.
{Muley axle} (Railroad), a car axle without collars at the
outer ends of the journals. --Forney.
Muley \Mul"ey\, n.
See {Mulley}.
Muliebrity \Mu`li*eb"ri*ty\, n. [L. muliebritas, fr. muliebris
belonging to a woman, fr. mulier a woman.]
1. The state of being a woman or of possessing full womanly
powers; womanhood; -- correlate of virility.
2. Hence: Effeminancy; softness.
Mulier \Mu"li*er\, n. [L., a woman.]
1. A woman.
2. (Law)
(a) Lawful issue born in wedlock, in distinction from an
elder brother born of the same parents before their
marriage; a lawful son.
(b) (Civ. Law) A woman; a wife; a mother. --Blount.
Cowell.
Mulierly \Mu"li*er*ly\, adv.
In the manner or condition of a mulier; in wedlock;
legitimately. [Obs.]
Mulierose \Mu"li*er*ose`\, a. [L. mulierosus.]
Fond of woman. [R.] --Charles Reade.
Mulierosity \Mu`li*er*os"i*ty\, n. [L. mulierositas.]
A fondness for women. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Mulierty \Mu"li*er*ty\, n. (Law)
Condition of being a mulier; position of one born in lawful
wedlock.
Mulish \Mul"ish\ (m[=u]l"[i^]sh), a.
Like a mule; sullen; stubborn. -- {Mul"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Mul"ish*ness}, n.
Mull \Mull\ (m[u^]l), n. [Perh. contr. fr. mossul. See
{Muslin}.]
A thin, soft kind of muslin.
Mull \Mull\, n. [Icel. m[=u]li a snout, muzzle, projecting crag;
or cf. Ir. & Gael. meall a heap of earth, a mound, a hill or
eminence, W. moel. Cf. {Mouth}.]
1. A promontory; as, the Mull of Cantyre. [Scot.]
2. A snuffbox made of the small end of a horn.
Mull \Mull\, n. [Prob. akin to mold. [root]108. See {Mold}.]
Dirt; rubbish. [Obs.] --Gower.
Mull \Mull\, v. t. [OE. mullen. See 2d {Muller}.]
To powder; to pulverize. [Prov. Eng.]
Mull \Mull\, v. i.
To work (over) mentally; to cogitate; to ruminate; -- usually
with over; as, to mull over a thought or a problem. [Colloq.
U.S.]
Mull \Mull\, n.
An inferior kind of madder prepared from the smaller roots or
the peelings and refuse of the larger.
Mull \Mull\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mulled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mulling}.] [From mulled, for mold, taken as a p. p.; OE.
mold-ale funeral ale or banquet. See {Mold} soil.]
1. To heat, sweeten, and enrich with spices; as, to mull
wine.
New cider, mulled with ginger warm. --Gay.
2. To dispirit or deaden; to dull or blunt. --Shak.
Mulla \Mul"la\, n.
Same as {Mollah}.
Mullagatawny \Mul`la*ga*taw"ny\, n. [Tamil milagu-tann[=i]r
pepper water.]
An East Indian curry soup.
Mullah \Mul"lah\, n.
See {Mollah}.
Mullar \Mul"lar\, n.
A die, cut in intaglio, for stamping an ornament in relief,
as upon metal.
Mullein \Mul"lein\, n. [OE. moleyn, AS. molegn.] (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Verbascum}. They are tall herbs
having coarse leaves, and large flowers in dense spikes. The
common species, with densely woolly leaves, is {Verbascum
Thapsus}.
{Moth mullein}. See under {Moth}.
{Mullein foxglove}, an American herb ({Seymeria macrophylla})
with coarse leaves and yellow tubular flowers with a
spreading border.
{Petty mullein}, the cowslip. --Dr. Prior.
Mullen \Mul"len\, n. (Bot.)
See {Mullein}.
Muller \Mull"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, mulls.
2. A vessel in which wine, etc., is mulled over a fire.
Muller \Mull"er\, n. [OE. mullen to pulverize, bruise; cf. Icel.
mylja; prob. akin to E. mold soil. See {Mold} soil, and cf.
{Mull} dirt.]
A stone or thick lump of glass, or kind of pestle, flat at
the bottom, used for grinding pigments or drugs, etc., upon a
slab of similar material.
Mullerian \M["u]l*le"ri*an\, a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Johannes M["u]ller.
{M["u]llerian ducts} (Anat.), a pair of embryonic ducts which
give rise to the genital passages in the female, but
disappear in the male.
{M["u]llerian fibers} (Anat.), the sustentacular or
connective-tissue fibers which form the framework of the
retina.
Mullet \Mul"let\, n. [OE. molet, mulet, F. mulet, fr. L.
mullus.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous fishes of the genus Mugil;
-- called also {gray mullets}. They are found on the
coasts of both continents, and are highly esteemed as
food. Among the most valuable species are {Mugil capito}
of Europe, and {M. cephalus} which occurs both on the
European and American coasts.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of the genus {Mullus}, or family
{Mullid[ae]}; called also {red mullet}, and {surmullet},
esp. the plain surmullet ({Mullus barbatus}), and the
striped surmullet ({M. surmulletus}) of Southern Europe.
The former is the mullet of the Romans. It is noted for
the brilliancy of its colors. See {Surmullet}.
{French mullet}. See {Ladyfish}
(a) .
Mullet \Mul"let\, n. [F. molette.] (Her.)
A star, usually five pointed and pierced; -- when used as a
difference it indicates the third son.
Mullet \Mul"let\, n. [Cf. F. molet a sort of pinchers.]
Small pinchers for curling the hair. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Mulley \Mul"ley\, Moolley \Mool"ley\, n. [CF. Gael. maolag a
hornless cow, maol bald, hornless, blunt.]
1. A mulley or polled animal. [U. S.]
2. A cow. [Prov. Eng.; U.S., a child's word.]
Leave milking and dry up old mulley, thy cow.
--Tusser.
Mulley \Mul"ley\, Moolley \Mool"ley\, a.
Destitute of horns, although belonging to a species of
animals most of which have horns; hornless; polled; as,
mulley cattle; a mulley (or moolley) cow. [U. S.] [Written
also {muley}.]
Mulligatawny \Mul`li*ga*taw"ny\, n.
See {Mullagatawny}.
Mulligrubs \Mul"li*grubs\, n. [Cf. Prov. E. mull to squeeze,
pull about, mulling numb or dull.]
1. A griping of the intestines; colic. [Slang]
Whose dog lies sick of the mulligrubs? --Beau. & Fl.
2. Hence, sullenness; the sulks. [Slang]
Mullingong \Mul"lin*gong\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Duck mole}, under {Duck}. [Written also {mollingong}.]
Mullion \Mul"lion\, n. [A corruption of munnion, F. moignon
stump of an amputated limb, stump, OF. moing mutilated; cf.
Armor. mo[~n], mou[~n], mank, monk, and also L. mancus
maimed.] (Arch.)
(a) A slender bar or pier which forms the division between
the lights of windows, screens, etc.
(b) An upright member of a framing. See {Stile}.
Mullion \Mul"lion\, v. t.
To furnish with mullions; to divide by mullions.
Mullock \Mul"lock\, n. [From {Mull} dirt: cf. Scot. mulloch,
mulock, crumb. [root]108.]
Rubbish; refuse; dirt. [Obs.]
All this mullok [was] in a sieve ythrowe. --Chaucer.
Mulliod \Mul"liod\, a. [NL. Mullus, generic name (fr. L. mullus
surmullet) + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus {Mullus}, which includes the
surmullet, or red mullet.
Mulmul \Mul"mul\, n.
A fine, soft muslin; mull.
Mulse \Mulse\, n. [L. mulsum (sc. vinum), fr. mulsus mixed with
honey, honey-sweet, p. p. of mulcere to sweeten, soften.]
Wine boiled and mingled with honey.
Mult- \Mult-\
See {Multi-}.
Multangular \Mul*tan"gu*lar\, a. [L. multangulus; multus much,
many + angulus angle: cf. F. multangulaire.]
Having many angles. -- {Mul*tan"gu*lar*ly}, adv. --
{Mul*tan"gu*lar*ness}, n.
Multanimous \Mul*tan"i*mous\, a. [Mult- + L. animus mind.]
Many-minded; many-sided.
The multanimous nature of the poet. --J. R.
Lowell.
Multarticulate \Mul`tar*tic"u*late\, a. [Mult- + articulate.]
Having many articulations or joints.
Multeity \Mul*te"i*ty\, n. [L. multus much, many.]
Multiplicity. [R.] --Coleridge.
Multi- \Mul"ti-\, Mult- \Mult-\ [L. multus much.]
A prefix signifying much or many; several; more than one; as,
multiaxial, multocular.
Multiaxial \Mul`ti*ax"i*al\, a. [Multi- + axial.] (Biol.)
Having more than one axis; developing in more than a single
line or plain; -- opposed to {monoaxial}.
Multicapsular \Mul`ti*cap"su*lar\, a. [Multi- + capsular: cf. F.
multicapsulaire.] (Bot.)
Having many, or several, capsules.
Multicarinate \Mul`ti*car"i*nate\, a. [Multi- + carinate.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Many-keeled.
Multicavous \Mul`ti*ca"vous\, a. [L. multicavus; multus much,
many + cavum, cavus, a cavity, hole, fr. cavus hollow.]
Having many cavities.
Multicellular \Mul`ti*cel"lu*lar\, a.
Consisting of, or having, many cells or more than one cell.
Multicentral \Mul`ti*cen"tral\, a. [Multi- + central.]
Having many, or several, centers; as, a multicentral cell.
{Multicental development} (Biol.), growth, or development,
from several centers. According as the insubordination to
a single center is more or less pronounced, the resultant
organism will be more or less irregular in form and may
even discontinuous.
Multicipital \Mul`ti*cip"i*tal\, a. [Multi- + L. caput head.]
(Bot.)
Having many heads or many stems from one crown or root.
--Gray.
Multicolor \Mul"ti*col`or\, a. [See {Multi-}, and {Color}.]
Having many, or several, colors.
Multicostate \Mul`ti*cos"tate\, a. [Multi- + costate.]
Having numerous ribs, or cost[ae], as the leaf of a plant, or
as certain shells and corals.
Multicuspid \Mul`ti*cus"pid\, a. [See Multi-, and Cuspid.]
Multicuspidate; -- said of teeth.
Multicuspidate \Mul`ti*cus"pi*date\, a. [Multi- + cuspidate.]
Having many cusps or points.
Multidentate \Mul`ti*den"tate\, a. [Multi- + dentate.]
Having many teeth, or toothlike processes.
Multidigitate \Mul`ti*dig"i*tate\, a. [Multi- + digitate.]
Having many fingers, or fingerlike processes.
Multifaced \Mul"ti*faced`\, a. [Multi- + face.]
Having many faces.
Multifarious \Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous\, a. [L. multifarius; multus
much, many. Cf. {Bifarious}.]
1. Having multiplicity; having great diversity or variety; of
various kinds; diversified; made up of many differing
parts; manifold.
There is a multifarious artifice in the structure of
the meanest animal. --Dr. H. More.
2. (Bot.) Having parts, as leaves, arranged in many vertical
rows.
Multifariously \Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
With great multiplicity and diversity; with variety of modes
and relations.
Multifariousness \Mul`ti*fa"ri*ous*ness\, n.
1. Multiplied diversity.
2. (Law) The fault of improperly uniting in one bill distinct
and independent matters, and thereby confounding them.
--Burrill.
Multiferous \Mul*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. multifer; multus much, many
+ ferre to bear.]
Bearing or producing much or many. [R.]
Multifid \Mul"ti*fid\, a. [L. multifidus; multus much, many +
findere to split: cf. F. multifide.] (Bot.)
Having many segments; cleft into several parts by linear
sinuses; as, a multifid leaf or corolla.
Multiflorous \Mul`ti*flo"rous\, a. [L. multiflorus; multus much,
many + flos, floris, flower: cf. F. multiflore.] (Bot.)
Having many flowers.
Multiflue \Mul"ti*flue\, a. [Multi- + flue.]
Having many flues; as, a multiflue boiler. See {Boiler}.
Multifoil \Mul"ti*foil\, n. [Multi- + foil.] (Arch.)
An ornamental foliation consisting of more than five
divisions or foils. [R.] See {Foil}.
Multifoil \Mul"ti*foil\, a.
Having more than five divisions or foils.
Multifold \Mul"ti*fold\, a. [Multi- + fold.]
Many times doubled; manifold; numerous.
Multiform \Mul"ti*form\, a. [L. multiformis; multus much, many +
forma shape: cf. F. multiforme.]
Having many forms, shapes, or appearances.
A plastic and multiform unit. --Hare.
Multiformity \Mul`ti*form"i*ty\, n. [L. multiformitas.]
The quality of being multiform; diversity of forms; variety
of appearances in the same thing. --Purchas.
Multiformous \Mul`ti*form"ous\, a.
Multiform. [Obs.]
Multigenerous \Mul`ti*gen"er*ous\, a. [L. multigenerus; multus +
genus, generis, kind.]
Having many kinds.
Multigranulate \Mul`ti*gran"u*late\, a. [Multi- + granulate.]
Having, or consisting of, many grains.
Multijugate \Mul*tij"u*gate\, a.
Having many pairs of leaflets.
Multijugous \Mul*tij"u*gous\, a. [L. multijugus; multus + jugum
yoke.]
1. Consisting of many parts.
2. (Bot.) Same as {Multijugate}.
Multilateral \Mul`ti*lat"er*al\, a. [Multi- + lateral.]
Having many sides; many-sided.
Multilineal \Mul`ti*lin"e*al\, a. [Multi- + lineal.]
Having many lines. --Steevens.
Multilobar \Mul`ti*lo"bar\, a. [Multi- + lobar.]
Consisting of, or having, many lobes.
Multilocular \Mul`ti*loc"u*lar\, a. [Multi- + locular: cf. F.
multiloculaire.]
Having many or several cells or compartments; as, a
multilocular shell or capsule.
Multiloquence \Mul*til"o*quence\, n.
Quality of being multiloquent; use of many words;
talkativeness.
Multiloquent \Mul*til"o*quent\, Multiloquous \Mul*til"o*quous\,
a. [L. multiloquus; multus much, many + loqui to speak.]
Speaking much; very talkative; loquacious.
Multiloquy \Mul*til"o*quy\, n. [L. multiloquium.]
Excess of words or talk. [R.]
Multinodate \Mul`ti*no"date\, a. [Multi- + nodate.]
Having many knots or nodes.
Multinodous \Mul`ti*no"dous\, a. [L. multinodus.]
Same as {Multinodate}.
Multinomial \Mul`ti*no"mi*al\, n. & a. [Multi- + -nomial, as in
binomial. See {Binomial}.] (Alg.)
Same as {Polynomial}.
Multinominal \Mul`ti*nom"i*nal\, Multinominous
\Mul`ti*nom"i*nous\, a. [L. multinominis; multus many + nomen
nominis name.]
Having many names or terms.
Multinuclear \Mul`ti*nu"cle*ar\, a. [Multi- + nuclear.] (Biol.)
Containing many nuclei; as, multinuclear cells.
Multinucleate \Mul`ti*nu"cle*ate\, Multinucleated
\Mul`ti*nu"cle*a`ted\, a. (Biol.)
Multinuclear.
Multiparous \Mul*tip"a*rous\, a. [Multi- + L. parere to produce:
cf. F. multipare.]
Producing many, or more than one, at a birth.
Multipartite \Mul*tip"ar*tite\, a. [L. multipartitus multus
much, many partitus divided, p. p.: cf. F. multipartite. See
{Partite}.]
Divided into many parts; having several parts.
Multiped \Mul"ti*ped\, n. [L. multipes, multipeda; multus much,
many + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. multip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
An insect having many feet, as a myriapod.
Multiped \Mul"ti*ped\, a.
Having many feet.
Multiple \Mul"ti*ple\, a. [Cf. F. multiple, and E. quadruple,
and multiply.]
Containing more than once, or more than one; consisting of
more than one; manifold; repeated many times; having several,
or many, parts.
{Law of multiple proportion} (Chem.), the generalization that
when the same elements unite in more than one proportion,
forming two or more different compounds, the higher
proportions of the elements in such compounds are simple
multiplies of the lowest proportion, or the proportions
are connected by some simple common factor; thus, iron and
oxygen unite in the proportions {FeO}, {Fe2O3}, {Fe3O4},
in which compounds, considering the oxygen, 3 and 4 are
simple multiplies of 1. Called also the {Law of Dalton},
from its discoverer.
{Multiple algebra}, a branch of advanced mathematics that
treats of operations upon units compounded of two or more
unlike units.
{Multiple conjugation} (Biol.), a coalescence of many cells
(as where an indefinite number of am[oe]boid cells flow
together into a single mass) from which conjugation proper
and even fertilization may have been evolved.
{Multiple fruits}. (Bot.) See {Collective fruit}, under
{Collective}.
{Multiple star} (Astron.), several stars in close proximity,
which appear to form a single system.
Multiple \Mul"ti*ple\, n. (Math.)
A quantity containing another quantity a number of times
without a remainder.
Note:
{A common multiple} of two or more numbers contains each of
them a number of times exactly; thus, 24 is a common
multiple of 3 and 4. The
{least common multiple} is the least number that will do
this; thus, 12 is the least common multiple of 3 and 4.
Multiplex \Mul"ti*plex\, a. [L. multiplex, -plicis. See
{Multiply}.]
Manifold; multiple.
Multipliable \Mul"ti*pli`a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. multipliable.]
Capable of being multiplied. -- {Mul"ti*pli`a*ble*ness}, n.
Multiplicable \Mul"ti*pli*ca*ble\, a. [L. multiplicabilis.]
Capable of being multiplied; multipliable.
Multiplicand \Mul"ti*pli*cand`\, n. [L. multiplicandus to be
multiplied: cf. F. multiplicande.] (Math.)
The number which is to be multiplied by another number called
the multiplier. See Note under {Multiplication}.
Multiplicate \Mul"ti*pli*cate\, a. [L. multiplicatus, p. p. of
multiplicare. See {Multiply}.]
Consisting of many, or of more than one; multiple; multifold.
{Multiplicate flower} (Bot.), a flower that is double, or has
an unusual number of petals in consequence of the abnormal
multiplication of the parts of the floral whorls.
Multiplication \Mul`ti*pli*ca"tion\, n. [L. multiplicatio: cf.
F. multiplication. See {Multiply}.]
1. The act or process of multiplying, or of increasing in
number; the state of being multiplied; as, the
multiplication of the human species by natural generation.
The increase and multiplication of the world.
--Thackeray.
2. (Math.) The process of repeating, or adding to itself, any
given number or quantity a certain number of times;
commonly, the process of ascertaining by a briefer
computation the result of such repeated additions; also,
the rule by which the operation is performed; -- the
reverse of division.
Note: The word multiplication is sometimes used in
mathematics, particularly in multiple algebra, to
denote any distributive operation expressed by one
symbol upon any quantity or any thing expressed by
another symbol. Corresponding extensions of meaning are
given to the words multiply, multiplier, multiplicand,
and product. Thus, since [phi](x + y) = [phi]x + [phi]y
(see under {Distributive}), where [phi](x + y), [phi]x,
and [phi]y indicate the results of any distributive
operation represented by the symbol [phi] upon x + y,
x, and y, severally, then because of many very useful
analogies [phi](x + y) is called the product of [phi]
and x + y, and the operation indicated by [phi] is
called multiplication. Cf. {Facient}, n., 2.
3. (Bot.) An increase above the normal number of parts,
especially of petals; augmentation.
4. The art of increasing gold or silver by magic, --
attributed formerly to the alchemists. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Multiplication table}, a table giving the product of a set
of numbers multiplied in some regular way; commonly, a
table giving the products of the first ten or twelve
numbers multiplied successively by 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 10
or 12.
Multiplicative \Mul"ti*pli*ca*tive\, a. [Cf. F. multiplicatif.]
Tending to multiply; having the power to multiply, or incease
numbers.
Multiplicatively \Mul"ti*pli*ca*tive*ly\, adv.
So as to multiply.
Multiplicator \Mul"ti*pli*ca`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F.
multiplicateur. Cf. {Multiplier}.]
The number by which another number is multiplied; a
multiplier.
Multiplicious \Mul`ti*pli"cious\, a. [See {Multiplex}.]
Manifold. [Obs.]
Multiplicity \Mul`ti*plic"ity\, n. [Cf. F. multiplicit['e].]
The quality of being multiple, manifold, or various; a state
of being many; a multitude; as, a multiplicity of thoughts or
objects. ``A multiplicity of goods.'' --South.
Multiplier \Mul"ti*pli`er\, n. [Cf. F. multiplier. Cf.
{Multiplicator}.]
1. One who, or that which, multiplies or increases number.
2. (Math.) The number by which another number is multiplied.
See the Note under {Multiplication}.
3. (Physics) An instrument for multiplying or increasing by
repetition or accumulation the intensity of a force or
action, as heat or electricity. It is particularly used to
render such a force or action appreciable or measurable
when feeble. See {Thermomultiplier}.
Multiply \Mul"ti*ply\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Multiplied}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Multiplying}.] [F. multiplier, L. multiplicare, fr.
multiplex manifold. See {Multitude}, {Complex}.]
1. To increase in number; to make more numerous; to add
quantity to.
Impunity will multiply motives to disobedience.
--Ames.
2. (Math.) To add (any given number or quantity) to itself a
certain number of times; to find the product of by
multiplication; thus 7 multiplied by 8 produces the number
56; to multiply two numbers. See the Note under
{Multiplication}.
3. To increase (the amount of gold or silver) by the arts of
alchemy. [Obs.]
{Multiplying gear} (Mach.), gear for increasing speed.
{Multiplying lens}. (Opt.) See under {Lens}.
Multiply \Mul"ti*ply\, v. i.
1. To become greater in number; to become numerous.
When men began to multiply on the face of the earth,
and daughters were born unto them. --Gen. vi. 1.
2. To increase in extent and influence; to spread.
The word of God grew and multiplied. --Acts xii.
24.
3. To increase amount of gold or silver by the arts of
alchemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Multipolar \Mul`ti*po"lar\, a. [Multi- + polar.] (Biol.)
Having many poles; -- applied especially to those ganglionic
nerve cells which have several radiating processes.
Multipotent \Mul*tip"o*tent\, a. [L. multipotens; multus much +
potens powerful. See {Potent}.]
Having manifold power, or power to do many things. ``Jove
multipotent.'' --Shak.
Multipresence \Mul`ti*pres"ence\, n.
The state or power of being multipresent.
The multipresence of Christ's body. --Bp. Hall.
Multipresent \Mul`ti*pres"ent\, a. [Multi- + present, a.]
Being, or having the power to be, present in two or more
places at once.
Multiradiate \Mul`ti*ra"di*ate\, a. [Multi- + radiate.]
Having many rays.
Multiramified \Mul`ti*ram"i*fied\, a. [Multi- + p. p. of
ramify.]
Divided into many branches.
Multiramose \Mul`ti*ra*mose"\, a. [Multi- + ramose.]
Having many branches.
Multiscious \Mul*tis"cious\, a. [L. multiscius; multus much +
scius knowing, fr. scire to know.]
Having much or varied knowledge. [Obs.]
Multisect \Mul"ti*sect\, a. [Multi- + L. sectus, p. p. of secare
to cut.] (Zo["o]l.)
Divided into many similar segments; -- said of an insect or
myriapod.
Multiseptate \Mul`ti*sep"tate\, a. [Multi- + septate.] (Bot.)
Divided into many chambers by partitions, as the pith of the
pokeweed.
Multiserial \Mul`ti*se"ri*al\, a. [Multi- + serial.] (Bot.)
Arranged in many rows, or series, as the scales of a pine
cone, or the leaves of the houseleek.
Multisiliquous \Mul`ti*sil"i*quous\, a. [Multi- + siliquious.]
(Bot.)
Having many pods or seed vessels.
Multisonous \Mul*tis"o*nous\, a. [L. multisonus; multus much,
many + sonus sound.]
Having many sounds, or sounding much.
Multispiral \Mul`ti*spi"ral\, a. [Multi- + spiral.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having numerous spiral coils round a center or nucleus; --
said of the opercula of certain shells.
Multistriate \Mul`ti*stri"ate\, a. [Multi- + striate.]
Having many streaks.
Multisulcate \Mul`ti*sul"cate\, a. [Multi- + sulcate.]
Having many furrows.
Multisyllable \Mul"ti*syl`la*ble\, n. [Multi- + syllable.]
A word of many syllables; a polysyllable. [R.] --
{Mul`ti*syl*lab"ic}, a.
Multititular \Mul`ti*tit"u*lar\, a. [Multi- + titular.]
Having many titles.
Multitubular \Mul`ti*tu"bu*lar\, a. [Multi- + tubular.]
Having many tubes; as, a multitubular boiler.
Multitude \Mul"ti*tude\, n. [F. multitude, L. multitudo,
multitudinis, fr. multus much, many; of unknown origin.]
1. A great number of persons collected together; a numerous
collection of persons; a crowd; an assembly.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with
compassion on them. --Matt. ix.
36.
2. A great number of persons or things, regarded
collectively; as, the book will be read by a multitude of
people; the multitude of stars; a multitude of cares.
It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they
uttery neglect method in their harangues. --I.
Watts.
A multitude of flowers As countless as the stars on
high. --Longfellow.
3. The state of being many; numerousness.
They came as grasshoppers for multitude. --Judg. vi.
5.
{The multitude}, the populace; the mass of men.
Syn: Throng; crowd; assembly; assemblage; commonalty; swarm;
populace; vulgar. See {Throng}.
Multitudinary \Mul`ti*tu"di*na*ry\, a.
Multitudinous.
Multitudinous \Mul`ti*tu"di*nous\, a.
1. Consisting of a multitude; manifold in number or
condition; as, multitudinous waves. ``The multitudinous
seas.'' --Shak.
A renewed jingling of multitudinous chains. --G.
Kennan.
2. Of or pertaining to a multitude. ``The multitudinous
tongue.'' --Shak. -- {Mul`ti*tu"di*nous*ly}, adv. --
{Mul`ti*tu"di*nous*ness}, n.
Multivagant \Mul*tiv"a*gant\, Multivagous \Mul*tiv"a*gous\, a.
[L. multivagus; multus much + vagus wandering; cf. vagans, p.
pr. of vagari. See {Vagary}.]
Wandering much. [Obs.]
Multivalence \Mul*tiv"a*lence\, n. (Chem.)
Quality, state, or degree, of a multivalent element, atom, or
radical.
Multivalent \Mul*tiv"a*lent\, a. [Multi- + L. valens, p. pr. See
{Valence}.] (Chem.)
(a) Having a valence greater than one, as silicon.
(b) Having more than one degree of valence, as sulphur.
Multivalve \Mul"ti*valve\, n. [Cf. F. multivalve.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any mollusk which has a shell composed of more than two
pieces.
Multivalve \Mul"ti*valve\, Multivalvular \Mul`ti*val"vu*lar\, a.
[Multi- + valve, valvular: cf. F. multivalve.]
1. Having many valves.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Many-valved; having more than two valves; --
said of certain shells, as the chitons.
Multiversant \Mul*tiv"er*sant\, a. [Multi- + L. versans, p. pr.
See {Versant}.]
Turning into many shapes; assuming many forms; protean.
Multivious \Mul*tiv"i*ous\, a. & adv. [L. multivius; multus many
+ via way.]
Having many ways or roads; by many ways. [Obs.]
Multivocal \Mul*tiv"o*cal\, a. [Multi- + vocal.]
Signifying many different things; of manifold meaning;
equivocal. ``An ambiguous multivocal word.'' --Coleridge. --
n. A multivocal word. [R.] --Fitzed. Hall.
Multocular \Mul*toc"u*lar\, a. [Multi- + L. oculus eye.]
Having many eyes, or more than two.
Multum \Mul"tum\, n.
An extract of quassia licorice, fraudulently used by brewers
in order to economize malt and hops. --Craig.
{Hard multum}, a preparation made from {Cocculus Indicus},
etc., used to impart an intoxicating quality to beer.
Multungulate \Mul*tun"gu*late\, a. [Multi- + ungulate.]
Having many hoofs.
Multure \Mul"ture\, n. [OF. multure, moulture, F. mouture, fr.
L. molitura a grinding, molere to grind. See {Mill} the
machine.]
1. (Scots Law) The toll for grinding grain. --Erskine.
2. A grist or grinding; the grain ground.
Mum \Mum\, a. [Of imitative origin. Cf. {Mumble}.]
Silent; not speaking. --Thackeray.
The citizens are mum, and speak not a word. --Shak.
Mum \Mum\, interj.
Be silent! Hush!
Mum, then, and no more. --Shak.
Mum \Mum\, n.
Silence. [R.] --Hudibras.
Mum \Mum\, n. [G. mummere, fr. Christian Mumme, who first brewed
it in 1492.]
A sort of strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.
--Addison.
The clamorous crowd is hushed with mugs of mum. --Pope.
Mumble \Mum"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mumbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mumbling}.] [OE. momelen; cf. D. mompelen, mommelen, G.
mummelen, Sw. mumla, Dan. mumle. Cf. {Mum}, a., {Mumm},
{Mump}, v.]
1. To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the
sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a
grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or
displeasure; to mutter.
Peace, you mumbling fool. --Shak.
A wrinkled hag, with age grown double, Picking dry
sticks, and mumbling to herself. --Otway.
2. To chew something gently with closed lips.
Mumble \Mum"ble\, v. t.
1. To utter with a low, inarticulate voice. --Bp. Hall.
2. To chew or bite gently, as one without teeth.
Gums unarmed, to mumble meat in vain. --Dryden.
3. To suppress, or utter imperfectly.
Mumblenews \Mum"ble*news`\, n.
A talebearer. [Obs.]
Mumbler \Mum"bler\, n.
One who mumbles.
Mumbling \Mum"bling\, a.
Low; indistinct; inarticulate. -- {Mum"bling*ly}, adv.
Mumbo Jumbo \Mum"bo Jum`bo\
An object of superstitious homage and fear. --Carlyle.
The miserable Mumbo Jumbo they paraded. --Dickens.
Mum-chance \Mum"-chance`\, n.
1. A game of hazard played with cards in silence. [Obs. or
Prov. Eng.] --Decker.
2. A silent, stupid person. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Mum-chance \Mum"-chance`\, a.
Silent and idle. [Colloq.]
Boys can't sit mum-chance always. --J. H. Ewing.
Mumm \Mumm\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mummed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mumming}.] [D. mimmen to mask, mom a mask; akin to G. mumme
disguise; prob. of imitative origin, and akin to E. mum,
mumble, in allusion to the indistinctness of speech
occasioned by talking from behind a mask. Cf. {Mumble},
{Mummery}.]
To sport or make diversion in a mask or disguise; to mask.
With mumming and with masking all around. --Spenser.
Mummer \Mumm"er\, n. [Cf. OF. mommeur. See {Mumm}, and cf.
{Momier}.]
One who mumms, or makes diversion in disguise; a masker; a
buffon.
Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers. --Milton.
Mummery \Mum"mer*y\, n.; pl. {Mummeries}. [F. momerie, of Dutch
or German origin. See {Mumm}.]
1. Masking; frolic in disguise; buffoonery.
The mummery of foreign strollers. --Fenton.
2. Farcical show; hypocritical disguise and parade or
ceremonies. --Bacon.
Mummichog \Mum"mi*chog\, n. [Amer. Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small American cyprinodont
fishes of the genus {Fundulus}, and of allied genera; the
killifishes; -- called also {minnow}. [Written also
{mummychog}, {mummachog}.]
Mummification \Mum`mi*fi*ca"tion\, n. [See {Mummify}.]
The act of making a mummy.
Mummified \Mum"mi*fied\, a.
Converted into a mummy or a mummylike substance; having the
appearance of a mummy; withered.
Mummiform \Mum"mi*form\, a. [Mummy + -form.]
Having some resemblance to a mummy; -- in zo["o]logy, said of
the pup[ae] of certain insects.
Mummify \Mum"mi*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mummified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mummifying}.] [Mummy + -fy: cf. F. momifier.]
To embalm and dry as a mummy; to make into, or like, a mummy.
--Hall (1646).
Mummy \Mum"my\, n.; pl. {Mummies}. [F. momie; cf. Sp. & Pg.
momia, It. mummia; all fr. Per. m?miy[=a], fr. m?m wax.]
1. A dead body embalmed and dried after the manner of the
ancient Egyptians; also, a body preserved, by any means,
in a dry state, from the process of putrefaction. --Bacon.
2. Dried flesh of a mummy. [Obs.] --Sir. J. Hill.
3. A gummy liquor that exudes from embalmed flesh when
heated; -- formerly supposed to have magical and medicinal
properties. [Obs.] --Shak. --Sir T. Herbert.
4. A brown color obtained from bitumen. See {Mummy brown}
(below).
5. (Gardening) A sort of wax used in grafting, etc.
6. One whose affections and energies are withered.
{Mummy brown}, a brown color, nearly intermediate in tint
between burnt umber and raw umber. A pigment of this color
is prepared from bitumen, etc., obtained from Egyptian
tombs.
{Mummy wheat} (Bot.), wheat found in the ancient mummy cases
of Egypt. No botanist now believes that genuine mummy
wheat has been made to germinate in modern times.
{To beat to a mummy}, to beat to a senseless mass; to beat
soundly.
Mummy \Mum"my\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mummied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mummying}.]
To embalm; to mummify.
Mummychog \Mum"my*chog\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mummichog}.
Mump \Mump\, v. i. [Akin to mumble; cf. D. mompen to cheat;
perh. orig., to whine like a beggar, D. mompelen to mumble.
See {Mumble}, {Mum}, and cf. {Mumps}.]
1. To move the lips with the mouth closed; to mumble, as in
sulkiness.
He mumps, and lovers, and hangs the lip. --Taylor,
1630.
2. To talk imperfectly, brokenly, or feebly; to chatter
unintelligibly.
3. To cheat; to deceive; to play the beggar.
And then when mumping with a sore leg, . . . canting
and whining. --Burke.
4. To be sullen or sulky. [Prov. Eng.]
Mump \Mump\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mumped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mumping}.]
1. To utter imperfectly, brokenly, or feebly.
Old men who mump their passion. --Goldsmith.
2. To work over with the mouth; to mumble; as, to mump food.
3. To deprive of (something) by cheating; to impose upon.
Mumper \Mump"er\, n.
A beggar; a begging impostor.
Deceived by the tales of a Lincoln's Inn mumper.
--Macaulay.
Mumpish \Mump"ish\, a.
Sullen, sulky. -- {Mump"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Mump"ish*ness}, n.
Mumps \Mumps\, n. [Prov. E. mump to be sulky. Cf. {Mump},
{Mumble}, and {Mum}.]
1. pl. Sullenness; silent displeasure; the sulks. --Skinner.
2. [Prob. so called from the patient's appearance.] (Med.) A
specific infectious febrile disorder characterized by a
nonsuppurative inflammation of the parotid glands;
epidemic or infectious parotitis.
Mun \Mun\, n. [See {Mouth}.]
The mouth. [Obs.]
One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns, Butter them
and sugar them and put them in your muns. --Old Rhyme.
Halliwell.
Munch \Munch\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Munched}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Munching}.] [Prob. akin to mumble: cf. also F. manger to
eat (cf. {Mange}), and m[^a]cher to cher (cf. {Masticate}).
See {Mumble}.]
To chew with a grinding, crunching sound, as a beast chews
provender; to chew deliberately or in large mouthfuls.
[Formerly written also {maunch} and {mounch}.]
I could munch your good dry oats. --Shak.
Munchausenism \Mun*chau"sen*ism\, n. [So called in allusion to
Baron Munchausen's extravagant tales of travel.]
An extravagant fiction embodying an account of some marvelous
exploit or adventure.
Muncher \Munch"er\, n.
One who munches.
Mund \Mund\, n.
See {Mun}.
Mundane \Mun"dane\, a. [L. mundanus, fr. mundus the world, an
implement, toilet adornments, or dress; cf. mundus, a.,
clean, neat, Skr. ma[.n][dsdot] to adorn, dress,
ma[.n][dsdot]a adornment. Cf. {Monde}, {Mound} in heraldry.]
Of or pertaining to the world; worldly; earthly; terrestrial;
as, the mundane sphere. -- {Mun"dane*ly}, adv.
The defilement of mundane passions. --I. Taylor.
Mundanity \Mun*dan"i*ty\, n.
Worldliness. [Obs.]
Mundation \Mun*da"tion\, n. [L. mundatio, fr. mundare to make
clean.]
The act of cleansing. [Obs.]
Mundatory \Mun"da*to*ry\, a. [L. mundatorius.]
Cleansing; having power to cleanse. [Obs.]
Mundic \Mun"dic\, n.
Iron pyrites, or arsenical pyrites; -- so called by the
Cornish miners.
Mundificant \Mun*dif"i*cant\, a. [L. mundificans, p. pr. of
mundificare to make clean, fr. mundus clean + -ficare (in
comp.) to make. See {-fy}.]
Serving to cleanse and heal. -- n. A mundificant ointment or
plaster.
Mundification \Mun`di*fi*ca"tion\, n.
The act or operation of cleansing.
Mundificative \Mun*dif"i*ca*tive\, a.
Cleansing. -- n. A detergent medicine or preparation.
Mundify \Mun"di*fy\, v. t. [Cf. F. mondifier, L. mundificare.
See {Mundificant}.]
To cleanse. [Obs.]
Mundil \Mun"dil\, n.
A turban ornamented with an imitation of gold or silver
embroidery.
Mundivagant \Mun*div"a*gant\, a. [L. mundus the world + vagans
wandering, p. pr. of vagari. See {Vagary}.]
Wandering over the world. [R.]
Mundungus \Mun*dun"gus\, n. [Cf. Sp. mondongo paunch, tripe,
black pudding.]
A stinking tobacco.
Munnerary \Mun"ner*a*ry\, a. [L. munerarius, from munus a gift.]
Having the nature of a gift. [Obs.]
Munnerate \Mun"ner*ate\, v. t. [L. muneratus, p. p. of munerare
to give, bestow, fr. munus a gift.]
To remunerate.
Muneration \Mu`ner*a"tion\, n. [L. muneratio.]
Remuneration. [Obs.]
Mung \Mung\, n. [Hind. m?ng.] (Bot.)
Green gram, a kind of pulse ({Phaseolus Mungo}), grown for
food in British India. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Munga \Mun"ga\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Bonnet monkey}, under {Bonnet}.
Mungcorn \Mung"corn`\, n.
Same as {Mangcorn}.
Mungo \Mun"go\, n.
A fibrous material obtained by deviling rags or the remnants
of woolen goods.
Note: Mungo properly signifies the disintegrated rags of
woolen cloth, as distinguished from those of worsted,
which form shoddy. The distinction is very commonly
disregarded. --Beck (Draper's Dict. ).
Mungoose \Mun"goose\, Mungoos \Mun"goos\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mongoose}.
Mungrel \Mun"grel\, n. & a.
See {Mongrel}.
Municipal \Mu*nic"i*pal\, a. [L. municipalis, fr. municipium a
town, particularly in Italy, which possessed the right of
Roman citizenship, but was governed by its own laws, a free
town, fr. municeps an inhabitant of a free town, a free
citizen; munia official duties, functions + capere to take:
cf. F. municipal. Cf. {Immunity}, and {Capacoius}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a city or a corporation having the
right of administering local government; as, municipal
rights; municipal officers.
2. Of or pertaining to a state, kingdom, or nation.
Municipal law is properly defined to be a rule of
civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a
state. --Blackstone.
Municipalism \Mu*nic"i*pal*ism\, n.
Municipal condition.
Municipality \Mu*nic`i*pal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Municipalities}. [Cf.
F. municipalit['e].]
A municipal district; a borough, city, or incorporated town
or village.
Municipally \Mu*nic"i*pal*ly\, adv.
In a municipal relation or condition.
Munific \Mu*nif"ic\, a. [See {Munificent}.]
Munificent; liberal. [Obs. or R.]
Munificate \Mu*nif"i*cate\, v. t. [L. munificatus, p. p. of
munificare to present with a thing, fr. munificus. See
{Munificent}.]
To enrich. [Obs.]
Munificence \Mu*nif"i*cence\, n. [Cf. L. munire to fortify.]
Means of defense; fortification. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Munificence \Mu*nif"i*cence\, n. [L. munificentia: cf. F.
munificence.]
The quality or state of being munificent; a giving or
bestowing with extraordinary liberality; generous bounty;
lavish generosity.
The virtues of liberality and munificence. --Addison.
Syn: Benevolence; beneficence; liberality; generosity;
bounty; bounteousness. See {Benevolence}.
Munificent \Mu*nif"i*cent\, a. [L. munificus; munus service,
gift + -ficare (in comp.) to make. Cf. {Immunity}, {-fy}.]
Very liberal in giving or bestowing; lavish; as, a munificent
benefactor. -- {Mu*nif"i*cent*ly}, adv.
Syn: Bounteous; bountiful; liberal; generous.
Munify \Mu"ni*fy\, v. t. & i. [See {Munificate}.]
To prepare for defense; to fortify. [Obs.]
Muniment \Mu"ni*ment\, n. [L. munimentum, fr. munire to fortify.
See {Munition}.]
1. The act of supporting or defending. [Obs.]
2. That which supports or defends; stronghold; place or means
of defense; munition; assistance. ``Other muniments and
petty helps.'' --Shak.
3. (Law) A record; the evidences or writings whereby a man is
enabled to defend the title to his estate; title deeds and
papers. --Blount.
{Muniment} {house or room}, that room in a cathedral, castle,
or other public building, which is used for keeping the
records, charters, seals, deeds, and the like. --Gwilt.
Munite \Mu*nite"\, v. t. [L. munitus, p. p. of munire to wall,
fortify.]
To fortify; to strengthen. [Obs.]
Munition \Mu*ni"tion\, n. [F., munition of war, L. munitio a
fortifying, fortification, fr. munire to fortify, defend with
a wall; cf. moenia walls, murus (for moirus) a wall, and Skr.
mi to fix, make firm. Cf. {Ammunition}.]
1. Fortification; stronghold. [Obs.]
His place of defense shall be the munitions of
rocks. --Is. xxxiii.
16.
2. Whatever materials are used in war for defense or for
annoying an enemy; ammunition; also, stores and
provisions; military stores of all kinds.
The bodies of men, munition, and money, may justly
be called the sinews of war. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
Munity \Mu"ni*ty\, n. [See {Immunity}.]
Freedom; security; immunity. [Obs.] --W. Montagu.
Munjeet \Mun*jeet"\, n. [Hind. maj[=i][.t]h a drug used for
dyeing red.]
See {Indian madder}, under {Madder}.
Munjistin \Mun"jis*tin\, n. (Chem.)
An orange-red coloring substance resembling alizarin, found
in the root of an East Indian species of madder ({Rubia
munjista}).
Munnion \Mun"nion\, n.
See {Mullion}.
Muntin \Mun"tin\, Munting \Mun"ting\, n. [CF. {Montant}.]
(Arch.)
Same as {Mullion}; -- especially used in joiner's work.
Muntjac \Munt"jac\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small Asiatic deer of the genus
{Cervulus}, esp. {C. muntjac}, which occurs both in India and
on the East Indian Islands. [Written also {muntjak}.]
Muntz metal \Muntz" met`al\
See under {Metal}.
Muraena \Mu*r[ae]"na\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large eels of the family {Mir[ae]nid[ae]}. They
differ from the common eel in lacking pectoral fins and in
having the dorsal and anal fins continuous. The murry
({Mur[ae]na Helen[ae]}) of Southern Europe was the mur[ae]na
of the Romans. It is highly valued as a food fish.
Muraenoid \Mu*r[ae]"noid\, Murenoid \Mu*re"noid\, a. [NL.
Mur[ae]na, the generic name + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Mur[ae]na, or family
{Mur[ae]nid[ae]}.
Murage \Mu"rage\, n. [F., fr. murer to wall, fr. mur wall, L.
murus. See {Mure} a wall.]
A tax or toll paid for building or repairing the walls of a
fortified town.
Mural \Mu"ral\, a. [F., fr. L. muralis, fr. murus wall. See
{Mure} a wall.]
1. Of or pertaining to a wall; being on, or in, a wall;
growing on, or against, a wall; as, a mural quadrant.
``Mural breach.'' --Milton. ``Mural fruit.'' --Evelyn.
2. Resembling a wall; perpendicular or steep; as, a mural
precipice.
{Mural circle} (Astron.), a graduated circle, in the plane of
the meridian, attached permanently to a perpendicular
wall; -- used for measuring arcs of the meridian. See
{Circle}, n., 3.
{Mural crown} (Rom. Antiq.), a golden crown, or circle of
gold indented so as to resemble a battlement, bestowed on
him who first mounted the wall of a besieged place, and
there lodged a standard.
Murder \Mur"der\, n. [OE. morder, morther, AS. mor[eth]or, fr.
mor[eth] murder; akin to D. moord, OS. mor[eth], G., Dan., &
Sw. mord, Icel. mor[eth], Goth. ma['u]r[thorn]r, OSlav.
mr[=e]ti to die, Lith. mirti, W. marw dead, L. mors, mortis,
death, mori, moriri, to die, Gr. broto`s (for mroto`s)
mortal, 'a`mbrotos immortal, Skr. m[.r] to die, m[.r]ta
death. [root]105. Cf. {Amaranth}, {Ambrosia}, {Mortal}.]
The offense of killing a human being with malice prepense or
aforethought, express or implied; intentional and unlawful
homicide. ``Mordre will out.'' --Chaucer.
The killing of their children had, in the account of
God, the guilt of murder, as the offering them to idols
had the guilt of idolatry. --Locke.
Slaughter grows murder when it goes too far. --Dryden.
Note: Murder in the second degree, in most jurisdictions, is
a malicious homicide committed without a specific
intention to take life. --Wharton.
Murder \Mur"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Murdered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Murdering}.] [OE. mortheren, murtheren, AS. myr?rian;
akin to OHG. murdiren, Goth. ma['u]r?rjan. See {Murder}, n.]
1. To kill with premediated malice; to kill (a human being)
willfully, deliberately, and unlawfully. See {Murder}, n.
2. To destroy; to put an end to.
[Canst thou] murder thy breath in middle of a word?
--Shak.
3. To mutilate, spoil, or deform, as if with malice or
cruelty; to mangle; as, to murder the king's English.
Syn: To kill; assassinate; slay. See {Kill}.
Murderer \Mur"der*er\, n.
1. One guilty of murder; a person who, in possession of his
reason, unlawfully kills a human being with premeditated
malice.
2. A small cannon, formerly used for clearing a ship's decks
of boarders; -- called also {murdering piece}. [Obs.]
Murderess \Mur"der*ess\, n.
A woman who commits murder.
Murderment \Mur"der*ment\, n.
Murder. [Obs.] --Farfax.
Murderous \Mur"der*ous\, a.
Of or pertaining to murder; characterized by, or causing,
murder or bloodshed; having the purpose or quality of murder;
bloody; sanguinary; as, the murderous king; murderous rapine;
murderous intent; a murderous assault. ``Murderous coward.''
--Shak. -- {Mur"der*ous*ly}, adv.
Syn: Bloody; sanguinary; bloodguilty; bloodthirsty; fell;
savage; cruel.
Murdress \Mur"dress\, n.
A battlement in ancient fortifications with interstices for
firing through.
Mure \Mure\, n. [L. murus; or F. mur, fr. L. murus. Cf.
{Munition}.]
A wall. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mure \Mure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mured}.] [F. murer, L. murare.
See {Mure}, n.]
To inclose in walls; to wall; to immure; to shut up.
--Spenser.
The five kings are mured in a cave. --John. x.
(Heading).
Murenger \Mu"ren*ger\, n.
One who had charge of the wall of a town, or its repairs.
Murex \Mu"rex\, n.; pl. {Murices}. [L., the purple fish.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine gastropods, having rough, and frequently
spinose, shells, which are often highly colored inside; the
rock shells. They abound in tropical seas.
Murexan \Mu*rex"an\, n. [From {Murexide}.] (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous substance obtained from murexide,
alloxantin, and other ureids, as a white, or yellowish,
crystalline which turns red on exposure to the air; -- called
also {uramil}, {dialuramide}, and formerly {purpuric acid}.
Murexide \Mu*rex"ide\, n. [L. murex the purple fish, purple.]
(Chem.)
A crystalline nitrogenous substance having a splendid
dichroism, being green by reflected light and garnet-red by
transmitted light. It was formerly used in dyeing calico, and
was obtained in a large quantities from guano. Formerly
called also {ammonium purpurate}.
Murexoin \Mu*rex"o*["i]n\, n. (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous compound obtained as a scarlet
crystalline substance, and regarded as related to murexide.
Muriate \Mu"ri*ate\, n. [See {Muriatic}.] (Chem.)
A salt of muriatic hydrochloric acid; a chloride; as, muriate
of ammonia.
Note: This term, as also the word muriatic, was formerly
applied to the chlorides before their true composition
was understood, and while they were erroneously
supposed to be compounds of an acid with an oxide.
Muriate and muriatic are still occasionally used as
commercial terms, but are obsolete in scientific
language.
Muriated \Mu"ri*a`ted\, a.
1. Put in brine. --Evelyn.
2. (Chem.) Combined or impregnated with muriatic or
hydrochloric acid.
3. (Photog.) Prepared with chloride of silver through the
agency of common salt.
Muriatic \Mu`ri*at"ic\, a. [L. muriaticus pickled, from muria
brine: cf. F. muriatique.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sea salt, or from
chlorine, one of the constituents of sea salt; hydrochloric.
{Muriatic acid}, hydrochloric acid, {HCl}; -- formerly called
also {marine acid}, and {spirit of salt}. See
{hydrochloric}, and the Note under {Muriate}.
Muriatiferous \Mu`ri*a*tif"er*ous\, a. [Muriatic + -ferous.]
(Old Chem.)
Producing muriatic substances or salt. [Obs.]
Muricate \Mu"ri*cate\, Muricated \Mu"ri*ca`ted\, a. [L.
muricatus, fr. murex a pointed rock or stone.]
Formed with sharp points; full of sharp points or of pickles;
covered, or roughened, as a surface, with sharp points or
excrescences.
Muricoid \Mu"ri*coid\, a. [Murex + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Murex, or family
{Muricid[ae]}.
Muriculate \Mu*ric"u*late\, a.
Minutely muricate.
Muride \Mu"ride\, n. [L. muria brine.] (Old Chem.)
Bromine; -- formerly so called from its being obtained from
sea water.
Muriform \Mu"ri*form\, a. [L. murus a wall + -form.] (Bot.)
Resembling courses of bricks or stones in squareness and
regular arrangement; as, a muriform variety of cellular
tissue.
Murine \Mu"rine\, a. [L. murinus, from mus, muris, mouse: cf. F.
murin.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to a family of rodents ({Murid[ae]}), of which the
mouse is the type.
Murine \Mu"rine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of a tribe of rodents, of which the mouse is the type.
Muringer \Mu"rin*ger\, n.
See {Murenger}. --Jacob.
Murk \Murk\, a. [See {Murky}.]
Dark; murky.
He can not see through the mantle murk. --J. R. Drake.
Murk \Murk\, n.
Darkness; mirk. [Archaic] --Shak.
Murk \Murk\, n.
The refuse of fruit, after the juice has been expressed;
marc.
Murkily \Murk"i*ly\, adv.
Darkly; gloomily.
Murkiness \Murk"i*ness\, n.
The state of being murky.
Murky \Murk"y\, a. [Compar. {Murkier}; superl. {Murkiest}.] [OE.
mirke, merke, AS. myrce, mirce; akin to Icel. myrkr, Dan. &
Sw. m["o]rk.]
Dark; obscure; gloomy. ``The murkiest den.'' --Shak.
A murky deep lowering o'er our heads. --Addison.
Murlins \Mur"lins\, n. (Bot.)
A seaweed. See {Baddrelocks}.
Murmur \Mur"mur\, n. [F. murmure: cf. L. murmur. CF. {Murmur},
v. i.]
1. A low, confused, and indistinct sound, like that of
running water.
2. A complaint half suppressed, or uttered in a low,
muttering voice. --Chaucer.
Some discontents there are, some idle murmurs.
--Dryden.
Murmur \Mur"mur\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Murmured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Murmuring}.] [F. murmurer, L. murmurare, murmurari, fr.
murmur murmur; cf. Gr.? to roar and boil, said of water, Skr.
marmara a rustling sound; prob. of imitative origin.]
1. To make a low continued noise, like the hum of bees, a
stream of water, distant waves, or the wind in a forest.
They murmured as doth a swarm of bees. --Chaucer.
2. To utter complaints in a low, half-articulated voice; to
feel or express dissatisfaction or discontent; to grumble;
-- often with at or against. ``His disciples murmured at
it.'' --John vi. 61.
And all the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and against Aaron. --Num. xiv. 2.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured.
--1 Cor. x.
10.
Murmur \Mur"mur\, v. t.
To utter or give forth in low or indistinct words or sounds;
as, to murmur tales. --Shak.
The people murmured such things concerning him. --John
vii. 32.
Murmuration \Mur`mur*a"tion\, n. [L. murmuratio.]
The act of murmuring; a murmur. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Murmurer \Mur"mur*er\, n.
One who murmurs.
Murmuring \Mur"mur*ing\, a. & n.
Uttering murmurs; making low sounds; complaining. --
{Mur"mur*ing*ly}, adv.
Murmurous \Mur"mur*ous\, a. [Cf. L. murmuriosus, OF. murmuros.]
Attended with murmurs; exciting murmurs or complaint;
murmuring. [Archaic or Poetic]
The lime, a summer home of murmurous wings. --Tennyson.
Murnival \Mur"ni*val\, n. [Perh. fr. F. mornifle a game at
cards.]
In the game of gleek, four cards of the same value, as four
aces or four kings; hence, four of anything. [Obs.] [Written
also {mournival}.]
Murphy \Mur"phy\, n.
A potato. [Humorous] --Thackeray.
Murr \Murr\, n. [Prob. abbrev. from murrain.]
A catarrh. [Obs.] --Gascoigne.
Murrain \Mur"rain\, n. [OE. moreine, OF. morine, fr. OF. morir,
murir, 8die, L. mori, moriri.] (Far.)
An infectious and fatal disease among cattle. --Bacon.
{A murrain on you}, may you be afflicted with a pestilent
disease. --Shak.
Murrain \Mur"rain\, a.
Having, or afflicted with, murrain.
Murrayin \Mur"ray*in\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside found in the flowers of a plant ({Murraya
exotica}) of South Asia, and extracted as a white amorphous
slightly bitter substance.
Murre \Murre\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of sea birds of the genus {Uria},
or {Catarractes}; a guillemot.
Note: The murres are allied to the auks, and are abundant on
the northern coasts of Europe and America. They often
breed in large communities on the projecting ledges of
precipituous cliffs, laying one or two large eggs on
the bare rocks.
Murrelet \Murre"let\, n. [Murre + -let.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of several species of sea birds of the genera
{Synthliboramphus} and {Brachyramphus}, inhabiting the North
Pacific. They are closely related to the murres.
Murrey \Mur"rey\, n. [OF. mor['e]e a dark red color, mor
blackish brown, fr. L. morum mulberry, blackberry, or fr.
Maurus a Moor. Cf. {Mulberry}, {Moor}, {Morelle}.]
A dark red color. -- a. Of a dark red color. --Bacon.
Murrhine \Mur"rhine\, a. [L. murrhinus, fr. murrha: cf. F.
murrhin.]
Made of the stone or material called by the Romans murrha; --
applied to certain costly vases of great beauty and delicacy
used by the luxurious in Rome as wine cups; as, murrhine
vases, cups, vessels.
{Murrhine glass}, glassware made in imitation of murrhine
vases and cups.
Murrion \Mur"ri*on\, a. [See {Murrain}.]
Infected with or killed by murrain. [Obs.] --Shak.
Murrion \Mur"ri*on\, n.
A morion. See {Morion}.
Murry \Mur"ry\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mur[ae]na}.
Murth \Murth\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Plenty; abundance. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Murther \Mur"ther\, n. & v.
Murder, n. & v. [Obs. or Prov.] ``The treason of the
murthering.'' --Chaucer.
Murtherer \Mur"ther*er\, n.
A murderer. [Obs. or Prov.]
Murza \Mur"za\, n.
One of the hereditary nobility among the Tatars, esp. one of
the second class.
Note: This word must not be confounded with the Persian
Mirza, though perhaps of the same origin.
Mus \Mus\, n.; pl. {Mures}. [L., a mouse.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small rodents, including the common mouse and rat.
Musa \Mu"sa\, n.; pl. {Mus[ae]}. [NL., fr. Ar. mauz, mauza,
banana.] (Bot.)
A genus of perennial, herbaceous, endogenous plants of great
size, including the banana ({Musa sapientum}), the plantain
({M. paradisiaca} of Linn[ae]us, but probably not a distinct
species), the Abyssinian ({M. Ensete}), the Philippine Island
({M. textilis}, which yields Manila hemp), and about eighteen
other species. See Illust. of {Banana} and {Plantain}.
Musaceous \Mu*sa"ceous\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, plants of the genus Musa.
Musal \Mus"al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Muses, or to Poetry. [R.]
Musang \Mu*sang"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small animal of Java ({Paradoxirus fasciatus}), allied to
the civets. It swallows, but does not digest, large
quantities of ripe coffee berries, thus serving to
disseminate the coffee plant; hence it is called also {coffee
rat}.
Musar \Mu"sar\, n.
An itinerant player on the musette, an instrument formerly
common in Europe.
Musard \Mu"sard\, n. [F., fr. muser to loiter, trifle. See
{Muse}, v. i.]
A dreamer; an absent-minded person. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Musca \Mus"ca\, n.; pl. {Musc[ae]}. [L., a fly.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of dipterous insects, including the
common house fly, and numerous allied species.
Note: Formerly, a large part of the Diptera were included
under the genus {Musca}.
2. (Astron.) A small constellation situated between the
Southern Cross and the Pole.
{Musc[ae] volitantes}. [L., flying flies.] (Med.) Specks or
filaments apparently seen moving or glinding about in the
field of vision. Their appearance is often a symptom of
disease of the eye, or of disorder of the nervous system.
Muscadel \Mus"ca*del`\, n. [It. moscadello, moscatello, LL.
muscatellum or muscadellum (sc. vinum), fr. muscatellus
nutmeglike, dim. of muscatus smelling like musk, muscatum and
muscata (sc. nux) nutmeg: cf. F. muscadelle, fr. Italian. See
{Musk} and cf. {Moschatel}, {Muscardin}, {Muscat}, {Nutmeg}.]
See {Muscatel}, n.
Quaffed off the muscadel. --Shak.
Muscadine \Mus"ca*dine\, n. [See {Muscadel}.]
1. (Bot.) A name given to several very different kinds of
grapes, but in America used chiefly for the scuppernong,
or southern fox grape, which is said to be the parent
stock of the Catawba. See {Grapevine}.
2. (Bot.) A fragrant and delicious pear.
3. (Zo["o]l.) See {Muscardin}.
{Northern muscadine} (Bot.), a derivative of the northern fox
grape, and scarcely an improvement upon it.
{Royal muscadine} (Bot.), a European grape of great value.
Its berries are large, round, and of a pale amber color.
Called also {golden chasselas}.
Muscales \Mus*ca"les\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. muscus moss.] (Bot.)
An old name for mosses in the widest sense, including the
true mosses and also hepatic[ae] and sphagna.
Muscallonge \Mus"cal*longe\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Muskellunge}.
Muscardin \Mus"car*din\, n. [F., fr. muscadin a musk-scented
lozenge, fr. muscade nutmeg, fr. L. muscus musk. See
{Muscadel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The common European dormouse; -- so named from its odor.
[Written also {muscadine}.]
Muscardine \Mus`car*dine"\, n. [F.]
A disease which is very destructive to silkworms, and which
sometimes extends to other insects. It is attended by the
development of a fungus (provisionally called {Botrytis
bassiana}). Also, the fungus itself.
Muscariform \Mus*car"i*form\, a. [L. muscarium fly brush +
-form.]
Having the form of a brush.
Muscarin \Mus*ca"rin\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A solid crystalline substance, {C5H13NO2}, found in the
toadstool ({Agaricus muscarius}), and in putrid fish. It is a
typical ptomaine, and a violent poison.
Muscat \Mus"cat\, n. [F. See {Muscadel}.] (Bot.)
A name given to several varieties of Old World grapes,
differing in color, size, etc., but all having a somewhat
musky flavor. The muscat of Alexandria is a large oval grape
of a pale amber color. [Written also {muskat}.]
Muscatel \Mus"ca*tel`\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or designating, or derived from, a muscat
grapes or similar grapes; a muscatel grapes; muscatel wine,
etc.
Muscatel \Mus"ca*tel`\, n.
1. A common name for several varieties of rich sweet wine,
made in Italy, Spain, and France.
2. pl. Finest raisins, dried on the vine; ``sun raisins.''
[Variously written {moscatel}, {muscadel}, etc.]
Muschelkalk \Musch"el*kalk`\, n. [G., from muschel shell + kalk
limestone.] (Geol.)
A kind of shell limestone, whose strata form the middle one
of the three divisions of the Triassic formation in Germany.
See Chart, under {Geology}.
Musci \Mus"ci\, n. pl. [L. muscus moss.] (Bot.)
An order or subclass of cryptogamous plants; the mosses. See
{Moss}, and {Cryptogamia}.
Muscicapine \Mus*cic"a*pine\, a. [L. musca a fly + capere to
catch.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the {Muscicapid[ae]}, a family of birds
that includes the true flycatchers.
Muscid \Mus"cid\, n.
Any fly of the genus Musca, or family {Muscid[ae]}.
Musciform \Mus"ci*form\, a. [Musca + -form.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the form or structure of flies of the genus Musca, or
family {Muscid[ae]}.
Musciform \Mus"ci*form\, a. [Muscus + -form.] (Bot.)
Having the appearance or form of a moss.
Muscle \Mus"cle\, n. [F., fr. L. musculus a muscle, a little
mouse, dim. of mus a mouse. See {Mouse}, and cf. sense 3
(below).]
1. (Anat.)
(a) An organ which, by its contraction, produces motion.
See Illust. of Muscles of the Human Body, in Appendix.
(b) The contractile tissue of which muscles are largely
made up.
Note: Muscles are of two kinds, striated and nonstriated. The
striated muscles, which, in most of the higher animals,
constitute the principal part of the flesh, exclusive
of the fat, are mostly under the control of the will,
or voluntary, and are made up of great numbers of
elongated fibres bound together into bundles and
inclosed in a sheath of connective tissue, the
perimysium. Each fiber is inclosed in a delicate
membrane (the sarcolemma), is made up of alternate
segments of lighter and darker material which give it a
transversely striated appearance, and contains,
scattered through its substance, protoplasmic nuclei,
the so-called muscle corpuscles. The nonstriated
muscles are involuntary. They constitute a large part
of the walls of the alimentary canal, blood vessels,
uterus, and bladder, and are found also in the iris,
skin, etc. They are made up of greatly elongated cells,
usually grouped in bundles or sheets.
2. Muscular strength or development; as, to show one's muscle
by lifting a heavy weight. [Colloq.]
3. [AS. muscle, L. musculus a muscle, mussel. See above.]
(Zo["o]l.) See {Mussel}.
{Muscle curve} (Physiol.), contraction curve of a muscle; a
myogram; the curve inscribed, upon a prepared surface, by
means of a myograph when acted upon by a contracting
muscle. The character of the curve represents the extent
of the contraction.
Muscled \Mus"cled\, a.
Furnished with muscles; having muscles; as, things well
muscled.
Muscling \Mus"cling\, n. (Fine Arts)
Exhibition or representation of the muscles. [R.]
A good piece, the painters say, must have good
muscling, as well as coloring and drapery.
--Shaftesbury.
Muscogees \Mus*co"gees\, n. pl.
See {Muskogees}.
Muscoid \Mus"coid\, a. [Muscus + -oid: cf. F. muscoide.] (Bot.)
Mosslike; resembling moss.
Muscoid \Mus"coid\, n. (Bot.)
A term formerly applied to any mosslike flowerless plant,
with a distinct stem, and often with leaves, but without any
vascular system.
Muscology \Mus*col"o*gy\, n. [Muscus + -logy.]
Bryology.
Muscosity \Mus*cos"i*ty\, n. [L. muscosus mossy, fr. muscus
moss.]
Mossiness. --Jonhson.
Muscovado \Mus`co*va"do\, a. [Corrupted fr. Sp. mascabado; cf.
Pg. mascavado, F. moscouade, n., formerly also mascovade, It.
mascavato.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, unrefined or raw sugar,
obtained from the juice of the sugar cane by evaporating and
draining off the molasses. Muscovado sugar contains
impurities which render it dark colored and moist.
Muscovado \Mus`co*va"do\, n.
Unrefined or raw sugar.
Muscovite \Mus"co*vite\, n. [See {Muscovy glass}.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Muscovy or ancient Russia;
hence, a Russian.
2. (Min.) Common potash mica. See {Mica}.
Muscovy duck \Mus"co*vy duck`\ [A corruption of musk duck.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A duck ({Cairina moschata}), larger than the common duck,
often raised in poultry yards. Called also {musk duck}. It is
native of tropical America, from Mexico to Southern Brazil.
Muscovy glass \Mus"co*vy glass`\ [From Muscovy, the old name of
Russia: cf. F. verre de Moscovie.]
Mica; muscovite. See {Mica}.
Muscular \Mus"cu*lar\, a. [Cf. F. musculaire. See {Muscle}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a muscle, or to a system of muscles;
consisting of, or constituting, a muscle or muscles; as,
muscular fiber.
Great muscular strength, accompanied by much
awkwardness. --Macaulay.
2. Performed by, or dependent on, a muscle or the muscles.
``The muscular motion.'' --Arbuthnot.
3. Well furnished with muscles; having well-developed
muscles; brawny; hence, strong; powerful; vigorous; as, a
muscular body or arm.
{Muscular Christian}, one who believes in a part of religious
duty to maintain a healthful and vigorous physical state.
--T. Hughes.
{Muscular CHristianity}.
(a) The practice and opinion of those Christians who
believe that it is a part of religious duty to
maintain a vigorous condition of the body, and who
therefore approve of athletic sports and exercises as
conductive to good health, good morals, and right
feelings in religious matters. --T. Hughes.
(b) An active, robust, and cheerful Christian life, as
opposed to a meditative and gloomy one. --C. Kingsley.
{Muscular excitability} (Physiol.), that property in virtue
of which a muscle shortens, when it is stimulated;
irritability.
{Muscular sense} (Physiol.), muscular sensibility; the sense
by which we obtain knowledge of the condition of our
muscles and to what extent they are contracted, also of
the position of the various parts of our bodies and the
resistance offering by external objects.
Muscularity \Mus`cu*lar"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being muscular. --Grew.
Muscularize \Mus"cu*lar*ize\, v. t.
To make muscular. --Lowell.
Muscularly \Mus"cu*lar*ly\, adv.
In a muscular manner.
Musculation \Mus`cu*la"tion\, n. (Anat.)
The muscular system of an animal, or of any of its parts.
Musculature \Mus"cu*la*ture\, n. [Cf. F. musculature.] (Anat.)
Musculation.
Muscule \Mus"cule\, n. [L. musculus: cf. F. muscule.] (Mil.)
A long movable shed used by besiegers in ancient times in
attacking the walls of a fortified town.
Musculin \Mus"cu*lin\, n. [L. musculus a muscle.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
See {Syntonin}.
Musculocutaneous \Mus`cu*lo*cu*ta"ne*ous\, a. [L. musculus + E.
cutaneous.] (Anat.)
Pertaining both to muscles and skin; as, the musculocutaneous
nerve.
Musculophrenic \Mus`cu*lo*phren"ic\, a. [L. musculus muscle + E.
phrenic.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the muscles and the diaphragm; as, the
musculophrenic artery.
Musculosity \Mus`cu*los"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being musculous; muscularity. [Obs.]
Musculospiral \Mus`cu*lo*spi"ral\, a. [L. musculus muscle + E.
spiral.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the muscles, and taking a spiral course;
-- applied esp. to a large nerve of the arm.
Musculous \Mus"cu*lous\, a. [L. musculosus: cf. F. musculeux.]
Muscular. [Obs.] --Jonhson.
Muse \Muse\, n. [From F. musse. See {Muset}.]
A gap or hole in a hedge, hence, wall, or the like, through
which a wild animal is accustomed to pass; a muset.
Find a hare without a muse. --Old Prov.
Muse \Muse\, n. [F. Muse, L. Musa, Gr. ?. Cf. {Mosaic}, n.,
{Music}.]
1. (Class. Myth.) One of the nine goddesses who presided over
song and the different kinds of poetry, and also the arts
and sciences; -- often used in the plural.
Granville commands; your aid, O Muses, bring: What
Muse for Granville can refuse to sing? --Pope.
Note: The names of the Muses were Calliope, Clio, Erato,
Euterpe, Melpomene, Polymnia or Polyhymnia,
Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania.
2. A particular power and practice of poetry. --Shak.
3. A poet; a bard. [R.] --Milton.
Muse \Muse\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Musing}.] [F. muser to loiter or trifle, orig., to stand
with open mouth, fr. LL. musus, morsus, muzzle, snout, fr. L.
morsus a biting, bite, fr. mordere to bite. See {Morsel}, and
cf. Amuse, Muzzle, n.]
1. To think closely; to study in silence; to meditate.
``Thereon mused he.'' --Chaucer.
He mused upon some dangerous plot. --Sir P.
Sidney.
2. To be absent in mind; to be so occupied in study or
contemplation as not to observe passing scenes or things
present; to be in a brown study. --Daniel.
3. To wonder. [Obs.] --Spenser. B. Jonson.
Syn: To consider; meditate; ruminate. See {Ponder}.
Muse \Muse\, v. t.
1. To think on; to meditate on.
Come, then, expressive Silence, muse his praise.
--Thomson.
2. To wonder at. [Obs.] --Shak.
Muse \Muse\, n.
1. Contemplation which abstracts the mind from passing
scenes; absorbing thought; hence, absence of mind; a brown
study. --Milton.
2. Wonder, or admiration. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Museful \Muse"ful\, a.
Meditative; thoughtfully silent. ``Museful mopings.''
--Dryden. -- {Muse"ful*ly}, adv.
Museless \Muse"less\, a.
Unregardful of the Muses; disregarding the power of poetry;
unpoetical. --Milton.
Muser \Mus"er\, n.
One who muses.
Muset \Mu"set\, n. [OF. mussette, dim. of musse, muce, a hiding
place, fr. F. musser, OF. mucier, muchier, to conceal, hide.
Cf. {Micher}.]
A small hole or gap through which a wild animal passes; a
muse. --Shak.
Musette \Mu*sette"\, n. [F., dim. of OF. muse.]
1. A small bagpipe formerly in use, having a soft and sweet
tone.
2. An air adapted to this instrument; also, a kind of rustic
dance.
Museum \Mu*se"um\, n. [L., a temple of the Muses, hence, a place
of study, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? a Muse.]
A repository or a collection of natural, scientific, or
literary curiosities, or of works of art.
{Museum beetle}, {Museum pest}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Anthrenus}.
Mush \Mush\, n. [Cf. Gael. mus, muss, pap, porridge, any thick
preparation of fruit, OHG. muos; akin to AS. & OS. m[=o]s
food, and prob, to E. meat. See {Meat}.]
Meal (esp. Indian meal) boiled in water; hasty pudding;
supawn. [U.S.]
Mush \Mush\, v. t. [Cf. F. moucheter to cut with small cuts.]
To notch, cut, or indent, as cloth, with a stamp.
Mushroom \Mush"room\, n. [OE. muscheron, OF. mouscheron, F.
mousseron; perhaps fr. mousse moss, of German origin. See
{Moss}.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) An edible fungus ({Agaricus campestris}), having a
white stalk which bears a convex or oven flattish
expanded portion called the pileus. This is whitish
and silky or somewhat scaly above, and bears on the
under side radiating gills which are at first
flesh-colored, but gradually become brown. The plant
grows in rich pastures and is proverbial for rapidity
of growth and shortness of duration. It has a pleasant
smell, and is largely used as food. It is also
cultivated from spawn.
(b) Any large fungus, especially one of the genus
{Agaricus}; a toadstool. Several species are edible;
but many are very poisonous.
2. One who rises suddenly from a low condition in life; an
upstart. --Bacon.
Mushroom \Mush"room\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to mushrooms; as, mushroom catchup.
2. Resembling mushrooms in rapidity of growth and shortness
of duration; short-lived; ephemerial; as, mushroom cities.
{Mushroom anchor}, an anchor shaped like a mushroom, capable
of grasping the ground in whatever way it falls.
{Mushroom coral} (Zo["o]l.), any coral of the genus Fungia.
See {Fungia}.
{Mushroom spawn} (Bot.), the mycelium, or primary filamentous
growth, of the mushroom; also, cakes of earth and manure
containing this growth, which are used for propagation of
the mushroom.
Mushroom-headed \Mush"room-head`ed\, a. (Bot.)
Having a cylindrical body with a convex head of larger
diameter; having a head like that of a mushroom.
Mushy \Mush"y\, a.
Soft like mush; figuratively, good-naturedly weak and
effusive; weakly sentimental.
She 's not mushy, but her heart is tender. --G. Eliot.
Music \Mu"sic\, n. [F. musique, fr. L. musica, Gr. ? (sc. ?),
any art over which the Muses presided, especially music,
lyric poetry set and sung to music, fr. ? belonging to Muses
or fine arts, fr. ? Muse.]
1. The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i.
e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform
and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various
degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which
treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties,
dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art
of combining tones in a manner to please the ear.
Note: Not all sounds are tones. Sounds may be unmusical and
yet please the ear. Music deals with tones, and with no
other sounds. See {Tone}.
2.
(a) Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable
succession of tones.
(b) Harmony; an accordant combination of simultaneous
tones.
3. The written and printed notation of a musical composition;
the score.
4. Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.
The man that hath no music in himself Nor is not
moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for
treasons, stratagems, and spoils. --Shak.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A more or less musical sound made by many of
the lower animals. See {Stridulation}.
{Magic music}, a game in which a person is guided in finding
a hidden article, or in doing a specific art required, by
music which is made more loud or rapid as he approaches
success, and slower as he recedes. --Tennyson.
{Music box}. See {Musical box}, under {Musical}.
{Music hall}, a place for public musical entertainments.
{Music loft}, a gallery for musicians, as in a dancing room
or a church.
{Music of the spheres}, the harmony supposed to be produced
by the accordant movement of the celestial spheres.
{Music paper}, paper ruled with the musical staff, for the
use of composers and copyists.
{Music pen}, a pen for ruling at one time the five lines of
the musical staff.
{Music shell} (Zo["o]l.), a handsomely colored marine
gastropod shell ({Voluta musica}) found in the East
Indies; -- so called because the color markings often
resemble printed music. Sometimes applied to other shells
similarly marked.
{To face the music}, to meet any disagreeable necessity
without flinching. [Colloq. or Slang]
Musical \Mu"sic*al\, a. [Cf. F. musical.]
Of or pertaining to music; having the qualities of music; or
the power of producing music; devoted to music; melodious;
harmonious; as, musical proportion; a musical voice; musical
instruments; a musical sentence; musical persons.
{Musical}, or {Music}, {box}, a box or case containing
apparatus moved by clockwork so as to play certain tunes
automatically.
{Musical fish} (Zo["o]l.), any fish which utters sounds under
water, as the drumfish, grunt, gizzard shad, etc.
{Musical glasses}, glass goblets or bowls so tuned and
arranged that when struck, or rubbed, they produce musical
notes. CF. {Harmonica}, 1.
Musical \Mu"sic*al\, n.
1. Music. [Obs.]
To fetch home May with their musical. --Spenser.
2. A social entertainment of which music is the leading
feature; a musical party. [Colloq.]
Musicale \Mu`si`cale"\, n. [F. Cf. Soir['e]e musicale.]
A social musical party. [Colloq.]
Musically \Mu"sic*al*ly\, adv.
In a musical manner.
Musicalness \Mu"sic*al*ness\, n.
The quality of being musical.
Musician \Mu*si"cian\, n. [F. musicien.]
One skilled in the art or science of music; esp., a skilled
singer, or performer on a musical instrument.
Musicomania \Mu`si*co*ma"ni*a\, n. [Music + mania: cf. F.
musicomanie.] (Med.)
A kind of monomania in which the passion for music becomes so
strong as to derange the intellectual faculties. --Dunglison.
Musimon \Mus"i*mon\, n. [See {Musmon}.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mouflon}.
Musingly \Mus"ing*ly\, adv.
In a musing manner.
Musit \Mu"sit\, n.
See {Muset}.
Musk \Musk\, n. [F. musc, L. muscus, Per. musk, fr. Skr. mushka
testicle, orig., a little mouse. See {Mouse}, and cd.
{Abelmosk}, {Muscadel}, {Muscovy duck}, {Nutmeg}.]
1. A substance of a reddish brown color, and when fresh of
the consistence of honey, obtained from a bag being behind
the navel of the male musk deer. It has a slightly bitter
taste, but is specially remarkable for its powerful and
enduring odor. It is used in medicine as a stimulant
antispasmodic. The term is also applied to secretions of
various other animals, having a similar odor.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The musk deer. See {Musk deer} (below).
3. The perfume emitted by musk, or any perfume somewhat
similar.
4. (Bot.)
(a) The musk plant ({Mimulus moschatus}).
(b) A plant of the genus {Erodium} ({E. moschatum}); --
called also {musky heron's-bill}.
(c) A plant of the genus {Muscari}; grape hyacinth.
{Musk beaver} (Zo["o]l.), muskrat (1).
{Musk beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a European longicorn beetle
({Aromia moschata}), having an agreeable odor resembling
that of attar of roses.
{Musk cat}. See {Bondar}.
{Musk cattle} (Zo["o]l.), musk oxen. See {Musk ox} (below).
{Musk deer} (Zo["o]l.), a small hornless deer ({Moschus
moschiferus}), which inhabits the elevated parts of
Central Asia. The upper canine teeth of the male are
developed into sharp tusks, curved downward. The male has
scent bags on the belly, from which the musk of commerce
is derived. The deer is yellow or red-brown above, whitish
below. The pygmy musk deer are chevrotains, as the kanchil
and napu.
{Musk duck}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The Muscovy duck.
(b) An Australian duck ({Biziura lobata}).
{Musk lorikeet} (Zo["o]l.), the Pacific lorikeet
({Glossopsitta australis}) of Australia.
{Musk mallow} (Bot.), a name of two malvaceous plants:
(a) A species of mallow ({Malva moschata}), the foliage of
which has a faint musky smell.
(b) An Asiatic shrub. See {Abelmosk}.
{Musk orchis} (Bot.), a European plant of the Orchis family
({Herminium Minorchis}); -- so called from its peculiar
scent.
{Musk ox} (Zo["o]l.), an Arctic hollow-horned ruminant
({Ovibos moschatus}), now existing only in America, but
found fossil in Europe and Asia. It is covered with a
thick coat of fine yellowish wool, and with long dark
hair, which is abundant and shaggy on the neck and
shoulders. The full-grown male weighs over four hundred
pounds.
{Musk parakeet}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Musk lorikeet} (above).
{Musk pear} (Bot.), a fragrant kind of pear much resembling
the Seckel pear.
{Musk plant} (Bot.), the {Mimulus moschatus}, a plant found
in Western North America, often cultivated, and having a
strong musky odor.
{Musk root} (Bot.), the name of several roots with a strong
odor, as that of the nard ({Nardostachys Jatamansi}) and
of a species of {Angelica}.
{Musk rose} (Bot.), a species of rose ({Rosa moschata}),
having peculiarly fragrant white blossoms.
{Musk seed} (Bot.), the seed of a plant of the Mallow family
({Hibiscus moschatus}), used in perfumery and in
flavoring. See {Abelmosk}.
{Musk sheep} (Zo["o]l.), the musk ox.
{Musk shrew} (Zo["o]l.), a shrew ({Sorex murinus}), found in
India. It has a powerful odor of musk. Called also
{sondeli}, and {mondjourou}.
{Musk thistle} (Bot.), a species of thistle ({Carduus
nutans}), having fine large flowers, and leaves smelling
strongly of musk.
{Musk tortoise}, {Musk turtle} (Zo["o]l.), a small American
fresh-water tortoise ({Armochelys, or Ozotheca, odorata}),
which has a distinct odor of musk; -- called also
{stinkpot}.
Musk \Musk\, v. t.
To perfume with musk.
Muskadel \Mus"ka*del`\, n.
See {Muscadel}.
Muskat \Mus"kat\, n.
See {Muscat}.
Muskellunge \Mus"kel*lunge\, n. [From the Amer. Indian name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A large American pike ({Esox nobilitor}) found in the Great
Lakes, and other Northern lakes, and in the St. Lawrence
River. It is valued as a food fish. [Written also
{maskallonge}, {maskinonge}, {muskallonge}, {muskellonge},
and {muskelunjeh}.]
Musket \Mus"ket\, n. [F. mousquet, It. moschetto, formerly, a
kind of hawk; cf. OF. mousket, moschet, a kind of hawk
falcon, F. mouchet, prop., a little fly (the hawk prob. being
named from its size), fr. L. musca a fly. Cf. {Mosquito}.]
[Sometimes written also {musquet}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of the sparrow hawk.
2. A species of firearm formerly carried by the infantry of
an army. It was originally fired by means of a match, or
matchlock, for which several mechanical appliances
(including the flintlock, and finally the percussion lock)
were successively substituted. This arm has been generally
superseded by the rifle.
Musketeer \Mus`ket*eer"\, n. [F. mousquetaire; cf. It.
moschettiere.]
A soldier armed with a musket.
Musketo \Mus*ke"to\, n.
See {Mosquito}.
Musketoon \Mus`ket*oon"\, n. [F. mousqueton; cf. It.
moschettone.]
1. A short musket.
2. One who is armed with such a musket.
Musketry \Mus"ket*ry\, n. [F. mousqueterie; cf. It.
moschetteria.]
1. Muskets, collectively.
2. The fire of muskets. --Motley.
Muskiness \Musk"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being musky; the scent of musk.
Muskmelon \Musk"mel`on\, n. [Musk + melon.] (Bot.)
The fruit of a cucubritaceous plant ({Cicumis Melo}), having
a peculiar aromatic flavor, and cultivated in many varieties,
the principal sorts being the cantaloupe, of oval form and
yellowish flesh, and the smaller nutmeg melon with greenish
flesh. See Illust. of {Melon}.
Muskogees \Mus*ko"gees\, n. pl.; sing. {Muskogee}. (Ethnol.)
A powerful tribe of North American Indians that formerly
occupied the region of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. They
constituted a large part of the Creek confederacy. [Written
also {Muscogees}.]
Muskrat \Musk"rat`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A North American aquatic fur-bearing rodent
({Fiber zibethicus}). It resembles a rat in color and
having a long scaly tail, but the tail is compressed, the
bind feet are webbed, and the ears are concealed in the
fur. It has scent glands which secrete a substance having
a strong odor of musk. Called also {musquash}, {musk
beaver}, and {ondatra}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The musk shrew.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The desman.
Muskwood \Musk"wood`\, n. [So called from its fragrance.] (Bot.)
(a) The wood of a West Indian tree of the Mahogany family
({Moschoxylum Swartzii}).
(b) The wood of an Australian tree ({Eurybia argophylla}).
Musky \Musk"y\, a.
Having an odor of musk, or somewhat the like. --Milton.
Muslim \Mus"lim\, n.
See {Moslem}.
Muslin \Mus"lin\, n. [F. mousseline; cf. It. mussolino, mussolo,
Sp. muselina; all from Mussoul a city of Mesopotamia, Ar.
Mausil, Syr. Mauzol, Muzol, Mosul, where it was first
manufactured. Cf. {Mull} a kind of cloth.]
A thin cotton, white, dyed, or printed. The name is also
applied to coarser and heavier cotton goods; as, shirting and
sheeting muslins.
{Muslin cambric}. See {Cambric}.
{Muslin delaine}, a light woolen fabric for women's dresses.
See {Delaine}. [Written also {mousseline de laine}.]
Muslinet \Mus`lin*et"\, n. [F. mousselinette.]
A sort of coarse or light cotton cloth.
Musmon \Mus"mon\, n. [L. musmo, musimo, a Sardinian animal; cf.
Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mouflon}.
Musomania \Mu`so*ma"ni*a\, n.
See {Musicomania}.
Musquash \Mus"quash\, n. [American Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Muskrat}.
{Musquash root} (Bot.), an umbelliferous plant ({Cicuta
maculata}), having a poisonous root. See {Water hemlock}.
Musquaw \Mus"quaw\, n. [American Indian name.] (Zo["o]l.)
The American black bear. See {Bear}.
Musquet \Mus"quet\, n.
See {Musket}.
Musquito \Mus*qui"to\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Mosquito}.
Musrole \Mus"role\, Musrol \Mus"rol\, n. [F. muserolle, fr.
muserau a muzzle, OF. musel. See {Muzzle}.]
The nose band of a horse's bridle.
Muss \Muss\, n. [Cf. OF. mousche a fly, also, the play called
muss, fr. L. musca a fly.]
A scramble, as when small objects are thrown down, to be
taken by those who can seize them; a confused struggle.
--Shak.
Muss \Muss\, n.
A state of confusion or disorder; -- prob. variant of mess,
but influenced by muss, a scramble. [Colloq. U.S.]
Muss \Muss\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mussed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Mussing}.]
To disarrange, as clothing; to rumple. [Colloq. U.S.]
Muss \Muss\, n. [Cf. OE. mus a mouse. See {Mouse}.]
A term of endearment. [Obs.] See {Mouse}. --B. Jonson.
Mussel \Mus"sel\, n. [See {Muscle}, 3.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of many species of marine bivalve
shells of the genus {Mytilus}, and related genera, of the
family {Mytid[ae]}. The common mussel ({Mytilus edulis};
see Illust. under {Byssus}), and the larger, or horse,
mussel ({Modiola modiolus}), inhabiting the shores both of
Europe and America, are edible. The former is extensively
used as food in Europe.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of {Unio}, and
related fresh-water genera; -- called also {river mussel}.
See {Naiad}, and {Unio}.
{Mussel digger} (Zo["o]l.), the grayback whale. See {Gray
whale}, under {Gray}.
Mussitation \Mus`si*ta"tion\, n. [L. mussitatio suppression of
the voice, fr. mussitare to be silent, to murmur.]
A speaking in a low tone; mumbling. [Obs.]
Mussite \Mus"site\, n. (Min.)
A variety of pyroxene, from the Mussa Alp in Piedmont;
diopside.
Mussulman \Mus"sul*man\, n.; pl. {Mussulmans}. [Ar. muslim[=i]n,
pl. of muslim: cf. F. & Sp. musulman. See {Moslem}.]
A Mohammedan; a Moslem.
Mussulmanic \Mus`sul*man"ic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, the Mussulmans, or their customs:
Mohammedan.
Mussulmanish \Mus"sul*man*ish\, a.
Mohammedan.
Mussulmanism \Mus"sul*man*ism\, n.
Mohammedanism.
Mussulmanly \Mus"sul*man*ly\, adv.
In the manner of Moslems.
Mussy \Muss"y\, a. [From 2d {Muss}.]
Disarranged; rumpled. [Colloq. U.S.]
Must \Must\ (m[u^]st), v. i. or auxiliary. [OE. moste, a pret.
generally meaning, could, was free to, pres. mot, moot, AS.
m[=o]ste, pret. m[=o]t, pres.; akin to D. moetan to be
obliged, OS. m[=o]tan to be free, to be obliged, OHG. muozan,
G. m["u]ssen to be obliged, Sw. m[*a]ste must, Goth.
gam[=o]tan to have place, have room, to able; of unknown
origin.]
1. To be obliged; to be necessitated; -- expressing either
physical or moral necessity; as, a man must eat for
nourishment; we must submit to the laws.
2. To be morally required; to be necessary or essential to a
certain quality, character, end, or result; as, he must
reconsider the matter; he must have been insane.
Likewise must the deacons be grave. --1 Tim. iii.
8.
Morover, he [a bishop] must have a good report of
them which are without. --1 Tim. iii.
7.
Note: The principal verb, if easily supplied by the mind, was
formerly often omitted when must was used; as, I must
away. ``I must to Coventry.'' --Shak.
Must \Must\, n. [AS. must, fr. L. mustum (sc. vinum), from
mustus young, new, fresh. Cf. {Mustard}.]
1. The expressed juice of the grape, or other fruit, before
fermentation. ``These men ben full of must.'' --Wyclif
(Acts ii. 13. ).
No fermenting must fills . . . the deep vats.
--Longfellow.
2. [Cf. {Musty}.] Mustiness.
Must \Must\, v. t. & i.
To make musty; to become musty.
Mustac \Mus"tac\, n. [F. moustac.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small tufted monkey.
Mustache \Mus*tache"\ (m[u^]s*t[.a]sh"; 277), n.; pl.
{Mustaches}. [Written also {moustache}.] [F. moustache, It.
mostaccio visage, mostacchio mustache, fr. Gr. my`stax upper
lip and the beard upon it; cf. ma`stax mouth: cf. Sp.
mostacho.]
1. That part of the beard which grows on the upper lip; hair
left growing above the mouth.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A West African monkey ({Cercopithecus cephus}).
It has yellow whiskers, and a triangular blue mark on the
nose.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any conspicuous stripe of color on the side of
the head, beneath the eye of a bird.
Mustacho \Mus*ta"cho\, n.; pl. {Mustachios}.
A mustache. --Longfellow.
Mustachoed \Mus*ta"choed\, a.
Having mustachios.
Mustaiba \Mus`ta*i"ba\, n.
A close-grained, neavy wood of a brownish color, brought from
Brazil, and used in turning, for making the handles of tools,
and the like. [Written also {mostahiba}.] --MaElrath.
Mustang \Mus"tang\, n. [Sp. muste[~n]o belonging to the
graziers, strayed, wild.] (Zo["o]l.)
The half-wild horse of the plains in Mexico, California, etc.
It is small, hardy, and easily sustained.
{Mustard grape} (Bot.), a species of grape ({Vitis
candicans}), native in Arkansas and Texas. The berries are
small, light-colored, with an acid skin and a sweet pulp.
Mustard \Mus"tard\, n. [OF. moustarde, F. moutarde, fr. L.
mustum must, -- mustard was prepared for use by being mixed
with must. See {Must}, n.]
1. (Bot.) The name of several cruciferous plants of the genus
{Brassica} (formerly {Sinapis}), as white mustard ({B.
alba}), black mustard ({B. Nigra}), wild mustard or
charlock ({B. Sinapistrum}).
Note: There are also many herbs of the same family which are
called mustard, and have more or less of the flavor of
the true mustard; as, bowyer's mustard ({Lepidium
ruderale}); hedge mustard ({Sisymbrium officinale});
Mithridate mustard ({Thlaspi arvense}); tower mustard
({Arabis perfoliata}); treacle mustard ({Erysimum
cheiranthoides}).
2. A powder or a paste made from the seeds of black or white
mustard, used as a condiment and a rubefacient. Taken
internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large
doses is emetic.
{Mustard oil} (Chem.), a substance obtained from mustard, as
a transparent, volatile and intensely pungent oil. The
name is also extended to a number of analogous compounds
produced either naturally or artificially.
Mustee \Mus*tee"\, n.
See {Mestee}.
Musteline \Mus"te*line\, a. [L. mustelinus, fr. mustela weasel.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the family {Mustelid[ae]}, or the
weasels and martens.
Muster \Mus"ter\, n. [OE. moustre, OF. mostre, moustre, F.
montre, LL. monstra. See {Muster}, v. t.]
1. Something shown for imitation; a pattern. [Obs.]
2. A show; a display. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
3. An assembling or review of troops, as for parade,
verification of numbers, inspection, exercise, or
introduction into service.
The hurried muster of the soldiers of liberty.
--Hawthorne.
See how in warlike muster they appear, In rhombs,
and wedges, and half-moons, and wings. --Milton.
4. The sum total of an army when assembled for review and
inspection; the whole number of effective men in an army.
And the muster was thirty thousands of men.
--Wyclif.
Ye publish the musters of your own bands, and
proclaim them to amount of thousands. --Hooker.
5. Any assemblage or display; a gathering.
Of the temporal grandees of the realm, mentof their
wives and daughters, the muster was great and
splendid. --Macaulay.
{Muster book}, a book in which military forces are registred.
{Muster file}, a muster roll.
{Muster master} (Mil.), one who takes an account of troops,
and of their equipment; a mustering officer; an inspector.
[Eng.]
{Muster roll} (Mil.), a list or register of all the men in a
company, troop, or regiment, present or accounted for on
the day of muster.
{To pass muster}, to pass through a muster or inspection
without censure.
Such excuses will not pass muster with God. --South.
Muster \Mus"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mustered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mustering}.] [OE. mustren, prop., to show, OF. mostrer,
mustrer, moustrer, monstrer, F. montrer, fr. L. monstrare to
show. See {Monster}.]
1. To collect and display; to assemble, as troops for parade,
inspection, exercise, or the like. --Spenser.
2. Hence: To summon together; to enroll in service; to get
together. ``Mustering all its force.'' --Cowper.
All the gay feathers he could muster. --L'Estrange.
{To muster troops into service} (Mil.), to inspect and enter
troops on the muster roll of the army.
{To muster troops out of service} (Mil.), to register them
for final payment and discharge.
{To muster up}, to gather up; to succeed in obtaining; to
obtain with some effort or difficulty.
One of those who can muster up sufficient
sprightliness to engage in a game of forfeits.
--Hazlitt.
Muster \Mus"ter\, v. i.
To be gathered together for parade, inspection, exercise, or
the like; to come together as parts of a force or body; as,
his supporters mustered in force. ``The mustering squadron.''
--Byron.
Mustily \Mus"ti*ly\, a.
In a musty state.
Mustiness \Mus"ti*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being musty.
Musty \Mus"ty\, a. [Compar. {Mustier}; superl. {Mustiest}.]
[From L. mustum must; or perh. fr. E. moist. Cf. {Must}, n.,
{Moist}.]
1. Having the rank, pungent, offencive odor and taste which
substances of organic origin acquire during warm, moist
weather; foul or sour and fetid; moldy; as, musty corn;
musty books. --Harvey.
2. Spoiled by age; rank; stale.
The proverb is somewhat musty. --Shak.
3. Dull; heavy; spiritless. ``That he may not grow musty and
unfit for conversation.'' --Addison.
Mutability \Mu`ta*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. mutabilitas: cf. F.
mutabilit['e].]
The quality of being mutable, or subject to change or
alteration, either in form, state, or essential character;
susceptibility of change; changeableness; inconstancy;
variation.
Plato confessed that the heavens and the frame of the
world are corporeal, and therefore subject to
mutability. --Stillingfleet.
Mutable \Mu"ta*ble\, a. [L. mutabilis, fr. mutare to change. See
{Move}.]
1. Capable of alteration; subject to change; changeable in
form, qualities, or nature.
Things of the most accidental and mutable nature.
--South.
2. Changeable; inconstant; unsettled; unstable; fickle.
``Most mutable wishes.'' --Byron.
Syn: Changeable; alterable; unstable; unsteady; unsettled;
wavering; inconstant; variable; fickle.
Mutableness \Mu"ta*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being mutable.
Mutably \Mu"ta*bly\, adv.
Changeably.
Mutacism \Mu"ta*cism\, n.
See {Mytacism}.
Mutage \Mu"tage\, n. [F.]
A process for checking the fermentation of the must of
grapes.
Mutandum \Mu*tan"dum\, n.; pl. {Mutanda}. [L., fr. mutare to
change.]
A thing which is to be changed; something which must be
altered; -- used chiefly in the plural.
Mutation \Mu*ta"tion\, n. [L. mutatio, fr. mutare to change: cf.
F. mutation. See {Mutable}.]
Change; alteration, either in form or qualities.
The vicissitude or mutations in the superior globe are
no fit matter for this present argument. --Bacon.
Mutch \Mutch\, n. [Cf. D. mutse a cap, G. m["u]tze. Cf. {Amice}
a cape.]
The close linen or muslin cap of an old woman. [Prov. Eng. &
Scot.]
Muchkin \Much"kin\, n.
A liquid measure equal to four gills, or an imperial pint.
[Scot.]
Mute \Mute\, v. t. [L. mutare to change. See {Molt}.]
To cast off; to molt.
Have I muted all my feathers? --Beau. & Fl.
Mute \Mute\, v. t. & i. [F. mutir, ['e]meutir, OF. esmeltir, fr.
OD. smelten, prop., to melt. See {Smelt}.]
To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds. --B.
Jonson.
Mute \Mute\, n.
The dung of birds. --Hudibras.
Mute \Mute\, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. ? to shut, Skr. m?ta bound,
m?ka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L.
mutus.]
1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.
All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was
in heaven. --Milton.
Note: In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon
being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead
directly, or will not put himself on trial.
2. Incapable of speaking; dumb. --Dryden.
3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by
complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the
passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th
{Mute}, 2.
4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a
metal.
{Mute swan} (Zo["o]l.), a European wild white swan ({Cygnus
gibbus}), which produces no loud notes.
Syn: Silent; dumb; speechless.
Usage: {Mute}, {Silent}, {Dumb}. One is silent who does not
speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper
organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence,
figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with
astonishment, etc. One is mute who is held back from
speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute
through fear; mute astonishment, etc. Such is the case
with most of those who never speak from childhood;
they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they
are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence
their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes.
They spake not a word; But, like dumb statues,
or breathing stones, Gazed each on other.
--Shak.
All sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep
thoughts. --Milton.
Mute \Mute\, n.
1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability,
unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically:
(a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from
early life, is unable to use articulate language; a
deaf-mute.
(b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
(c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to
speak.
(d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is
selected for his place because he can not speak.
2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent
letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech
formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the
passage of the breath; as, {p}, {b}, {d}, {k}, {t}.
3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other
material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect
position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument,
in order to deaden or soften the tone.
Mute-hill \Mute"-hill`\, n.
See {Moot-hill}. [Scot.]
Mutely \Mute"ly\, adv.
Without uttering words or sounds; in a mute manner; silently.
Muteness \Mute"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being mute; speechlessness.
Mutic \Mu"tic\, Muticous \Mu"ti*cous\, a. [L. muticus, for
mutilus. See {Mutilate}.] (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Without a point or pointed process; blunt.
Mutilate \Mu"ti*late\, a. [L. mutilatus, p. p. of mutilare to
mutilate, fr. mutilus maimed; cf. Gr. ?, ?. Cf. {Mutton}.]
1. Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.
--Sir T. Browne.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having finlike appendages or flukes instead of
legs, as a cetacean.
Mutilate \Mu"ti*late\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A cetacean, or a sirenian.
Mutilate \Mu"ti*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mutilated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mutilating}.]
1. To cut off or remove a limb or essential part of; to maim;
to cripple; to hack; as, to mutilate the body, a statue,
etc.
2. To destroy or remove a material part of, so as to render
imperfect; as, to mutilate the orations of Cicero.
Among the mutilated poets of antiquity, there is
none whose fragments are so beautiful as those of
Sappho. --Addison.
{Mutilated gear}, {Mutilated wheel} (Mach.), a gear wheel
from a portion of whose periphery the cogs are omitted. It
is used for giving intermittent movements.
Mutilation \Mu`ti*la"tion\, n. [L. mutilatio: cf. F.
mutilation.]
The act of mutilating, or the state of being mutilated;
deprivation of a limb or of an essential part.
Mutilator \Mu"ti*la"tor\, n. [Cf. F. mutilateur.]
One who mutilates.
Mutilous \Mu"ti*lous\, a. [L. mutilus. See {Mutilate}.]
Mutilated; defective; imperfect. [Obs.]
Mutine \Mu"tine\, n. [F. mutin.]
A mutineer. [Obs.]
Mutine \Mu"tine\, v. i. [F. mutiner.]
To mutiny. [Obs.]
Mutineer \Mu"ti*neer`\, n. [See {Mutiny}.]
One guilty of mutiny.
Muting \Mut"ing\, n.
Dung of birds.
Mutinous \Mu"ti*nous\, a. [See {Mutiny}.]
Disposed to mutiny; in a state of mutiny; characterized by
mutiny; seditious; insubordinate.
The city was becoming mutinous. --Macaulay.
-- {Mu"ti*nous*ly}, adv. -- {Mu"ti*nous*ness}, n.
Mutiny \Mu"ti*ny\, n.; pl. {Mutinies}. [From mutine to mutiny,
fr. F. se mutiner, fr. F. mutin stubborn, mutinous, fr. OF.
meute riot, LL. movita, fr. movitus, for L. motus, p. p. of
movere to move. See {Move}.]
1. Insurrection against constituted authority, particularly
military or naval authority; concerted revolt against the
rules of discipline or the lawful commands of a superior
officer; hence, generally, forcible resistance to rightful
authority; insubordination.
In every mutiny against the discipline of the
college, he was the ringleader. --Macaulay.
2. Violent commotion; tumult; strife. [Obs.]
o raise a mutiny betwixt yourselves. --Shak.
{Mutiny act} (Law), an English statute re["e]nacted annually
to punish mutiny and desertion. --Wharton.
Syn: See {Insurrection}.
Mutiny \Mu"ti*ny\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Mutinied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Mutinying}.]
1. To rise against, or refuse to obey, lawful authority in
military or naval service; to excite, or to be guilty of,
mutiny or mutinous conduct; to revolt against one's
superior officer, or any rightful authority.
2. To fall into strife; to quarrel. [Obs.] --Shak.
Mutism \Mut"ism\, n.
The condition, state, or habit of being mute, or without
speech. --Max M["u]ller.
Mutter \Mut"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Muttered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Muttering}.] [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. L. muttire,
mutire.]
1. To utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips
partly closed; esp., to utter indistinct complaints or
angry expressions; to grumble; to growl.
Wizards that peep, and that mutter. --Is. viii.
19.
Meantime your filthy foreigner will stare, And
mutter to himself. --Dryden.
2. To sound with a low, rumbling noise.
Thick lightnings flash, the muttering thunder rolls.
--Pope.
Mutter \Mut"ter\, v. t.
To utter with imperfect articulations, or with a low voice;
as, to mutter threats. --Shak.
Mutter \Mut"ter\, n.
Repressed or obscure utterance.
Mutterer \Mut"ter*er\, n.
One who mutters.
Mutteringly \Mut"ter*ing*ly\, adv.
With a low voice and indistinct articulation; in a muttering
manner.
Mutton \Mut"ton\, n. [OE. motoun, OF. moton, molton, a sheep,
wether, F. mouton, LL. multo, by transposition of l fr. L.
mutilus mutilated. See {Mutilate}.]
1. A sheep. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Not so much ground as will feed a mutton. --Sir H.
Sidney.
Muttons, beeves, and porkers are good old words for
the living quadrupeds. --Hallam.
2. The flesh of a sheep.
The fat of roasted mutton or beef. --Swift.
3. A loose woman; a prostitute. [Obs.]
{Mutton bird} (Zo["o]l.), the Australian short-tailed petrel
({Nectris brevicaudus}).
{Mutton chop}, a rib of mutton for broiling, with the end of
the bone at the smaller part chopped off.
{Mutton fish} (Zo["o]l.), the American eelpout. See
{Eelpout}.
{Mutton fist}, a big brawny fist or hand. [Colloq.] --Dryden.
{Mutton monger}, a pimp. [Low & Obs.] --Chapman.
{To return to one's muttons}. [A translation of a phrase from
a farce by De Brueys, revenons [`a] nos moutons let us
return to our sheep.] To return to one's topic, subject of
discussion, etc. [Humorous]
I willingly return to my muttons. --H. R.
Haweis.
Muttony \Mut"ton*y\, a.
Like mutton; having a flavor of mutton.
Mutual \Mu"tu*al\, a. [F. mutuel, L. mutuus, orig., exchanged,
borrowed, lent; akin to mutare to change. See {Mutable}.]
1. Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and
giving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal;
interchanged; as, a mutual love, advantage, assistance,
aversion, etc.
Conspiracy and mutual promise. --Sir T. More.
Happy in our mutual help, And mutual love. --Milton.
A certain shyness on such subjects, which was mutual
between the sisters. --G. Eliot.
2. Possessed, experienced, or done by two or more persons or
things at the same time; common; joint; as, mutual
happiness; a mutual effort. --Burke.
A vast accession of misery and woe from the mutual
weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
--Bentley.
Note: This use of mutual as synonymous with common is
inconsistent with the idea of interchange, or
reciprocal relation, which properly belongs to it; but
the word has been so used by many writers of high
authority. The present tendency is toward a careful
discrimination.
Mutual, as Johnson will tell us, means something
reciprocal, a giving and taking. How could people
have mutual ancestors? --P. Harrison.
{Mutual insurance}, agreement among a number of persons to
insure each other against loss, as by fire, death, or
accident.
{Mutual insurance company}, one which does a business of
insurance on the mutual principle, the policy holders
sharing losses and profits pro rata.
Syn: Reciprocal; interchanged; common.
Mutualism \Mu"tu*al*ism\, n. (Ethics)
The doctrine of mutual dependence as the condition of
individual and social welfare. --F. Harrison. --H. Spencer.
--Mallock.
Mutuality \Mu`tu*al"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. mutualit['e].]
1. The quality of correlation; reciprocation; interchange;
interaction; interdependence.
2. (Law) Reciprocity of consideration. --Wharton.
Mutually \Mu"tu*al*ly\, adv.
In a mutual manner.
Mutuary \Mu"tu*a*ry\, n. [L. mutuarius mutual.See {Mutuation}.]
(Law)
One who borrows personal chattels which are to be consumed by
him, and which he is to return or repay in kind. --Bouvier.
Mutuation \Mu`tu*a"tion\, n. [L. mutuatio, fr. mutuare, mutuari,
to borrow, fr. mutuus. See {Mutual}.]
The act of borrowing or exchanging. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Mutule \Mu"tule\, n. [F., fr. L. mutulus.] (Arch.)
A projecting block worked under the corona of the Doric
corice, in the same situation as the modillion of the
Corinthian and Composite orders. See Illust. of {Gutta}.
--Oxf. Gloss.
Mux \Mux\, n. [Cf. {Mixen}.]
Dirt; filth; muck. [Prov. Eng.] --ose.
Mux \Mux\, v. t.
To mix in an unitidy and offensive way; to make a mess of.
[Prov. Eng.; Colloq. U.S.]
Muxy \Mux"y\, a.
Soft; sticky, and dirty. [Prov. Eng.] See {Mucky}.
Muzarab \Muz"a*rab\, n. [Sp. mozarabe, fr. Ar. mosta'rib, a name
applied to strange tribes living among the Arabs.] (Eccl.
Hist.)
One of a denomination of Christians formerly living under the
government of the Moors in Spain, and having a liturgy and
ritual of their own. [Written also {Mozarab}, {Mostarab}.]
--Brande & C.
Muzarabic \Muz`a*rab"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Muzarabs; as, the Muzarabic liturgy.
[Written also {Mozarabic}.]
Muzziness \Muz"zi*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being muzzy.
Muzzle \Muz"zle\, n. [OE. mosel, OF. musel, F. museau muzzle or
snout, LL. musellus, fr. musus, morsus. See {Muse}, v. i.,
and cf. {Morsel}.]
1. The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a
horse; a snout.
2. The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge;
as, the muzzle of a gun.
3. A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth
of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting.
With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound
--Dryden.
{Muzzle sight}. (Gun.) See {Dispart}, n., 2.
Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muzzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Muzzling}.] [F. museler.]
1. To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to
prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to
sheathe; to restrain from speech or action. ``My dagger
muzzled.'' --Shak.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out
the corn. --Deut. xxv.
4.
2. To fondle with the closed mouth. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. i.
To bring the mouth or muzzle near.
The bear muzzles and smels to him. --L'Estrange.
Muzzle-loader \Muz"zle-load`er\, n.
A firearm which receives its charge through the muzzle, as
distinguished from one which is loaded at the breech.
Muzzle-loading \Muz"zle-load`ing\, a.
Receiving its charge through the muzzle; as, a muzzle-loading
rifle.
Muzzy \Muz"zy\, a. [Cf. F. muse.]
Absent-minded; dazed; muddled; stupid.
The whole company stared at me with a whimsical, muzzy
look, like men whose senses were a little obfuscated by
beer rather then wine. --W. Irving.
My \My\, a. & poss. pron. [OE. mi, fr. min. See {Mine}, and cf.,
for loss of n, {A}, a., {An}, a.]
Of or belonging to me; -- used always attributively; as, my
body; my book; -- mine is used in the predicate; as, the book
is mine. See {Mine}.
Mya \My"a\, n. [L. mya a kind of mussel.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bivalve mollusks, including the common long, or
soft-shelled, clam.
Myalgia \My*al"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? muscle + ? pain.]
(Med.)
Pain in the muscles; muscular rheumatism or neuralgia.
Myall wood \My*all" wood`\ (Bot.)
A durable, fragrant, and dark-colored Australian wood, used
by the natives for spears. It is obtained from the small tree
{Acacia homolophylla}.
Myaria \My*a"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of bivalve mollusks of which the common clam
({Mya}) is the type.
Mycelium \My*ce"li*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. my`khs a mushroom.]
(Bot.)
The white threads or filamentous growth from which a mushroom
or fungus is developed; the so-called mushroom spawn. --
{My*ce"li*al}, a.
Myceloid \Myc"e*loid\, a. [Mycelium + -oid.] (Bot.)
Resembling mycelium.
Mycetes \My*ce"tes\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. mykhth`s a bellower, fr.
myka^sqai to bellow.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of South American monkeys, including the howlers. See
{Howler}, 2, and Illust.
Mycetoid \Myc"e*toid\, [Gr. my`khs, -htos, a fungus + -oid.]
(Bot.)
Resembling a fungus.
Mycoderma \My`co*der"ma\, n. [NL., from Gr. my`khs a fungus +
de`rma skin.]
1. (Biol.) One of the forms in which bacteria group
themselves; a more or less thick layer of motionless but
living bacteria, formed by the bacteria uniting on the
surface of the fluid in which they are developed. This
production differs from the zo["o]l[oe]a stage of bacteria
by not having the intermediary mucous substance.
2. A genus of micro["o]rganisms of which the acetic ferment
({Mycoderma aceti}), which converts alcoholic fluids into
vinegar, is a representative. Cf. {Mother}.
Mycologic \My`co*log"ic\, Mycological \My`co*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or relating to mycology, or the fungi.
Mycologist \My*col"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in, or who studies, mycology.
Mycology \My*col"o*gy\, n. [Gr. my`khs fungus + -logy.]
That branch of botanical science which relates to the
musgrooms and other fungi.
Mycomelic \My`co*mel"ic\, a. [Gr. (spurious) my^kos mucus (L.
mucus) + me`li honey.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitrogenous acid of
the alloxan group, obtained as a honey-yellow powder. Its
solutions have a gelatinous consistency.
Mycoprotein \My`co*pro"te*in\, n. [Gr. (spirious) my^kos mucus
(L. mucus) + E. protein.] (Biol.)
The protoplasmic matter of which bacteria are composed.
Mycose \My"cose\, n. [Gr. ? a mushroom.] (Chem.)
A variety of sugar, isomeric with sucrose and obtained from
certain lichens and fungi. Called also {trehalose}. [Written
also {mykose}.]
Mycothrix \Myc"o*thrix\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. (spurious) ? mucus (L.
mucus) + ?, ?, hair.] (Biol.)
The chain of micrococci formed by the division of the
micrococci in multiplication.
Mydaleine \My*da"le*ine\, n. [Gr. ? to be clammy (from decay).]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A toxic alkaloid (ptomaine) obtained from putrid flesh and
from herring brines. As a poison it is said to execute
profuse diarrh[oe]a, vomiting, and intestinal inflammation.
--Brieger.
Mydatoxin \Myd`a*tox"in\, n. [Gr. ? to be clammy (from decay) +
toxic + in.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A poisonous amido acid, {C6H13NO2}, separated by Brieger from
decaying horseflesh. In physiological action, it is similar
to curare.
Mydaus \Myd"a*us\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to be clammy or damp.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The teledu.
Mydriasis \My*dri"a*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Physiol. & Med.)
A long-continued or excessive dilatation of the pupil of the
eye.
Mydriatic \Myd`ri*at"ic\, a.
Causing dilatation of the pupil. -- n. A mydriatic medicine
or agent, as belladonna.
Myelencephala \My`e*len*ceph"a*la\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Myelencephalon}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Vertebrata}.
Myelencephalic \My`e*len`ce*phal"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the myelencephalon; cerebro-spinal.
Myelencephalon \My`e*len*ceph"a*lon\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? marrow
+ E. encephalon.] (Anat.)
(a) The brain and spinal cord; the cerebro-spinal axis; the
neuron. Sometimes abbreviated to myelencephal.
(b) The metencephalon. --Huxley.
Myelencephalous \My`e*len*ceph"a*lous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Myelencephala.
Myelin \My"e*lin\, n. [Gr. ? marrow.] (Physiol. Chem.)
(a) A soft white substance constituting the medullary sheats
of nerve fibers, and composed mainly of cholesterin,
lecithin, cerebrin, albumin, and some fat.
(b) One of a group of phosphorized principles occurring in
nerve tissue, both in the brain and nerve fibers.
Myelitis \My`e*li"tis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? marrow + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the spinal marrow or its membranes.
Myelocoele \My"e*lo*c[oe]le`\, n. [Gr. ? marrow + ? hollow.]
(Anat.)
The central canal of the spinal cord.
Myelogenic \My`e*lo*gen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? marrow + the root of ? to
be born.] (Physiol.)
Derived from, or pertaining to, the bone marrow.
Myeloid \My"e*loid\, a. [Gr. ? marrow + -oid.]
Resembling marrow in appearance or consistency; as, a myeloid
tumor.
Myeloidin \My`e*loid"in\, n. [Myelin + -oid + -in.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
A substance, present in the protoplasm of the retinal
epithelium cells, and resembling, if not identical with, the
substance (myelin) forming the medullary sheaths of nerve
fibers.
Myelon \My"e*lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? marrow.] (Anat.)
The spinal cord. (Sometimes abbrev. to myel.)
Myelonal \My"e*lo`nal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the myelon; as, the myelonal, or spinal,
nerves.
Myeloneura \My`e*lo*neu"ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? + ? a
nerve.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Vertebrata.
Myeloplax \My*el"o*plax\, n.; pl. E. {Myeloplaxes}, L.
{Myeloplaces}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? marrow + ? anything flat and
broad.] (Anat.)
One of the huge multinucleated cells found in the marrow of
bone and occasionally in other parts; a giant cell. See
{Osteoclast}.
Mygale \Myg"a*le\, n. [L., a field mouse, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of very large hairy spiders having four lungs and
only four spinnerets. They do not spin webs, but usually
construct tubes in the earth, which are often furnished with
a trapdoor. The South American bird spider ({Mygale
avicularia}), and the crab spider, or matoutou ({M.
cancerides}) are among the largest species. Some of the
species are erroneously called tarantulas, as the Texas
tarantula ({M. Hentzii}).
Mylodon \Myl"o*don\, n. [Gr. ? a mill + ?, ?, a tooth.]
(Paleon.)
An extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates,
allied to Megatherium.
Mylohyoid \My`lo*hy"oid\, a. [Gr. ? the molar teeth + E. hyoid.]
(Anat.)
Pertaining to, or in the region of, the lower jaw and the
hyoid apparatus; as, the mylohyoid nerve.
Myna \My"na\, n. [See {Mino bird}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of Asiatic starlings of the
genera {Acridotheres}, {Sturnopastor}, {Sturnia}, {Gracula},
and allied genera. In habits they resemble the European
starlings, and like them are often caged and taught to talk.
See {Hill myna}, under {Hill}, and {Mino bird}. [Spelt also
{mynah}.]
Mynchen \Myn"chen\, n. [AS. mynecen, fr. munec monk. See
{Monk}.]
A nun. [Obs.]
Mynchery \Myn"cher*y\, n.
A nunnery; -- a term still applied to the ruins of certain
nunneries in England.
Mynheer \Myn*heer"\, n. [D. mijnheer.]
The Dutch equivalent of Mr. or Sir; hence, a Dutchman.
Myo- \My"o-\
A combining form of Gr. ?, ?, a muscle; as, myograph,
myochrome.
Myocarditis \My`o*car*di"tis\, n. [NL. see {Myocardium}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the myocardium.
Myocardium \My`o*car"di*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, muscle + ?
heart.] (Anat.)
The main substance of the muscular wall of the heart inclosed
between the epicardium and endocardium.
Myochrome \My"o*chrome\, n. [Myo- + Gr. ? color.] (Physiol.)
A colored albuminous substance in the serum from red-colored
muscles. It is identical with hemoglobin.
Myocomma \My`o*com"ma\, n.; pl. L. {Myocommata}, E. {Myocommas}.
[NL. See {Myo-}, and {Comma}.] (Anat.)
A myotome.
Myodynamics \My`o*dy*nam"ics\, n. [Myo- + dynamics.] (Physiol.)
The department of physiology which deals with the principles
of muscular contraction; the exercise of muscular force or
contraction.
Myodynamiometer \My`o*dy*na`mi*om"e*ter\, n.
A myodynamometer.
Myodynamometer \My`o*dy`na*mom"e*ter\, n. [Myo- + E.
dynamometer.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for measuring the muscular strength of man or
of other animals; a dynamometer. --Dunglison.
Myoepithelial \My`o*ep`i*the"li*al\, a. [Myo- + epithelial.]
1. (Biol.) Derived from epithelial cells and destined to
become a part of the muscular system; -- applied to
structural elements in certain embryonic forms.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having the characteristics of both muscle and
epithelium; as, the myoepithelial cells of the hydra.
Myogalid \My*og"a*lid\, n. [Myo- + Gr. ? a weasel.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the {Myogalod[ae]}, a family of Insectivora, including
the desman, and allied species.
Myogram \My"o*gram\, n. [Myo- + -gram.] (Physiol.)
See {Muscle curve}, under {Muscle}.
Myograph \My"o*graph\, n. [Myo- + -graph.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for determining and recording the different
phases, as the intensity, velocity, etc., of a muscular
contraction.
Myographic \My`o*graph"ic\, Myographical \My`o*graph"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to myography.
Myography \My*og"ra*phy\, n. [Cf. F. myographie.]
The description of muscles, including the study of muscular
contraction by the aid of registering apparatus, as by some
form of myograph; myology.
Myohaematin \My`o*h[ae]m"a*tin\, n. [Myo- + h[ae]matin.]
(Physiol.)
A red-colored respiratory pigment found associated with
hemoglobin in the muscle tissue of a large number of animals,
both vertebrate and invertebrate.
Myoid \My"oid\, a. [Myo- + -oid.]
Composed of, or resembling, muscular fiber.
Myolemma \My`o*lem"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a muscle + ?
skin.] (Anat.)
Sarcolemma.
Myolin \My"o*lin\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, muscle.] (Physiol.)
The essential material of muscle fibers.
Myologic \My`o*log"ic\, Myological \My`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to myology.
Myologist \My*ol"o*gist\, n.
One skilled in myology.
Myology \My*ol"o*gy\, n. [Myo- + -logy: cf. F. myologie.]
That part of anatomy which treats of muscles.
Myoma \My*o"ma\, n. [NL. See {Myo-}, and {-oma}.] (Med.)
A tumor consisting of muscular tissue.
Myomancy \My"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? mouse + -mancy.]
Divination by the movements of mice.
Myomorph \My"o*morph\, n.
One of the Myomorpha.
Myomorpha \My`o*mor"pha\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a mouse + ?
form.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive group of rodents which includes the rats, mice,
jerboas, and many allied forms.
Myopathia \My`o*pa*thi"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a muscle + ?,
?, to suffer.] (Med.)
Any affection of the muscles or muscular system.
Myopathic \My`o*path"ic\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to myopathia.
Myopathy \My*op"a*thy\, n.
Same as {Myopathia}.
Myope \My"ope\, n. [F., fr. Gr. ?, ?; ? to close, shut the eyes
+ ?, ?, the eye.]
A person having myopy; a myops.
Myophan \My"o*phan\, n. [Myo- + Gr. ? to show.] (Zo["o]l.)
A contractile striated layer found in the bodies and stems of
certain Infusoria.
Myopia \My*o"pi*a\, n. [NL. See {Myope}.] (Med.)
Nearsightedness; shortsightedness; a condition of the eye in
which the rays from distant object are brought to a focus
before they reach the retina, and hence form an indistinct
image; while the rays from very near objects are normally
converged so as to produce a distinct image. It is corrected
by the use of a concave lens.
Myopic \My*op"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, or affected with, or characterized by, myopia;
nearsighted.
{Myopic astigmatism}, a condition in which the eye is
affected with myopia in one meridian only.
Myips \My"ips\, n. [NL.]
See {Myope}.
Myopsis \My*op"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? fly + ? sight.] (Med.)
The appearance of musc[ae] volitantes. See {Musc[ae]
volitantes}, under {Musca}.
Myopy \My"o*py\, n. [F. myopie.] (Med.)
Myopia.
Myosin \My"o*sin\, n. [Gr. ?, a muscle.] (Physiol. Chem.)
An albuminous body present in dead muscle, being formed in
the process of coagulation which takes place in rigor mortis;
the clot formed in the coagulation of muscle plasma. See
{Muscle plasma}, under {Plasma}.
Note: Myosin belongs to the group of globulins. It is
insoluble in water, but soluble in dilute solution of
salt, and is especially characterized by being
completely precipitated by saturation of its solutions
with salt.
Myosis \My*o"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to close the eyes or
lips.] (Med.)
Long-continued contraction of the pupil of the eye.
Myositic \My`o*sit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Myotic.
Myositis \My`o*si"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, muscle + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the muscles.
Myosotis \My`o*so"tis\, n. [NL.; Gr. ?, lit., mouse ear.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants. See {Mouse-ear}.
Myotic \My*ot"ic\, a. [See {Myosis}.] (Med.)
Producing myosis, or contraction of the pupil of the eye, as
opium, calabar bean, etc. -- n. A myotic agent.
Myotome \My"o*tome\, n. [See {Myotomy}.] (Anat.)
(a) A muscular segment; one of the zones into which the
muscles of the trunk, especially in fishes, are divided;
a myocomma.
(b) One of the embryonic muscular segments arising from the
protovertebr[ae]; also, one of the protovertebr[ae]
themselves.
(c) The muscular system of one metamere of an articulate.
Myotomic \My`o*tom"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a myotome or myotomes.
Myotomy \My*ot"o*my\, n. [Myo- + Gr. ? to cut: cf. F. myotomie.]
The dissection, or that part of anatomy which treats of the
dissection, of muscles.
Myrcia \Myr"ci*a\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A large genus of tropical American trees and shrubs, nearly
related to the true myrtles ({Myrtus}), from which they
differ in having very few seeds in each berry.
Myria- \Myr"i*a-\ [Gr. ? a myriad. See {Myriad}.]
A prefix, esp. in the metric system, indicating ten thousand,
ten thousand times; as, myriameter.
Myriacanthous \Myr`i*a*can"thous\, a. [Gr. ? numberless + ? a
spine.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having numerous spines, as certain fishes.
Myriad \Myr"i*ad\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? numberless, pl. ? ten
thousand: cf. F. myriade.]
1. The number of ten thousand; ten thousand persons or
things.
2. An immense number; a very great many; an indefinitely
large number.
Myriad \Myr"i*ad\, a.
Consisting of a very great, but indefinite, number; as,
myriad stars.
Myriagram \Myr"i*a*gram\, Myriagramme \Myr"i*a*gramme\, n. [F.
myriagramme. See {Myria-}, and 3d {Gram}.]
A metric weight, consisting of ten thousand grams or ten
kilograms. It is equal to 22.046 lbs. avoirdupois.
Myrialiter \Myr"i*a*li`ter\, Myrialitre \Myr"i*a*li`tre\, n. [F.
myrialitre. See {Myria-}, and {Liter}.]
A metric measure of capacity, containing ten thousand liters.
It is equal to 2641.7 wine gallons.
Myriameter \Myr"i*a*me`ter\, Myriametre \Myr"i*a*me`tre\, n. [F.
myriam[`e]tre. See {Myria-}, and {Meter}.]
A metric measure of length, containing ten thousand meters.
It is equal to 6.2137 miles.
Myriapod \Myr"i*a*pod\, n. [Cf. F. myriapode.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Myriapoda.
Myriapoda \Myr`i*ap"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? numberless +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class, or subclass, of arthropods, related to the hexapod
insects, from which they differ in having the body made up of
numerous similar segments, nearly all of which bear true
jointed legs. They have one pair of antenn[ae], three pairs
of mouth organs, and numerous tracha[ae], similar to those of
true insects. The larv[ae], when first hatched, often have
but three pairs of legs. See {Centiped}, {Galleyworm},
{Milliped}.
Note: The existing Myriapoda are divided into three orders:
Chilopoda, Chilognatha or Diplopoda, and Pauropoda (see
these words in the Vocabulary). Large fossil species
(very different from any living forms) are found in the
Carboniferous formation.
Myriarch \Myr"i*arch\, n. [Gr. ?, ?; ? ten thousand + ? chief.]
A captain or commander of ten thousand men.
Myriare \Myr"i*are\, n. [F. See {Myria-}, and 2d {Are}.]
A measure of surface in the metric system containing ten
thousand ares, or one million square meters. It is equal to
about 247.1 acres.
Myrica \My*ri"ca\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? tamarisk.] (Bot.)
A widely dispersed genus of shrubs and trees, usually with
aromatic foliage. It includes the bayberry or wax myrtle, the
sweet gale, and the North American sweet fern, so called.
Myricin \Myr"i*cin\, n. [Cf. F. myricine. Prob. so called from a
fancied resemblance to the wax of the bayberry (Myrica).]
(Chem.)
A silky, crystalline, waxy substance, forming the less
soluble part of beeswax, and regarded as a palmitate of a
higher alcohol of the paraffin series; -- called also
{myricyl alcohol}.
Myricyl \Myr"i*cyl\, n. [Myricin + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical regarded as the essential residue of
myricin; -- called also {melissyl}.
Myriological \Myr`i*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or relating to a myriologue.
Myriologist \Myr`i*ol"o*gist\, n.
One who composes or sings a myriologue.
Myriologue \Myr"i*o*logue\, n. [F. myriologue, myriologie, NGr.
?, ?, fr. Gr. ? the goddess of fate or death + ? speech,
discourse.]
An extemporaneous funeral song, composed and sung by a woman
on the death of a friend. [Modern Greece]
Myriophyllous \Myr`i*oph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ? numberless + ?
leaf.] (Bot.)
Having an indefinitely great or countless number of leaves.
Myriopoda \Myr`i*op"o*da\, n. pl.
See {Myriapoda}.
Myriorama \Myr`i*o*ra"ma\, n. [Gr. ? numberless + ? a sight, fr.
? to see.]
A picture made up of several smaller pictures, drawn upon
separate pieces in such a manner as to admit of combination
in many different ways, thus producing a great variety of
scenes or landscapes.
Myrioscope \Myr"i*o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? numberless + -scope.]
A form of kaleidoscope.
Myristate \My*ris"tate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of myristic acid.
Myristic \My*ris"tic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, the nutmeg ({Myristica}).
Specifically, designating an acid found in nutmeg oil and
otoba fat, and extracted as a white crystalline waxy
substance.
Myristin \My*ris"tin\, n. (Chem.)
The myristate of glycerin, -- found as a vegetable fat in
nutmeg butter, etc.
Myristone \My*ris"tone\, n. [Myristc + -one.] (Chem.)
The ketone of myristic acid, obtained as a white crystalline
substance.
Myrmicine \Myr"mi*cine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to {Myrmica}, a genus of ants including the
small house ant ({M. molesta}), and many others.
Myrmidon \Myr"mi*don\, n. [L. Myrmidones, Gr. ?, pl.]
1. One of a fierce tribe or troop who accompained Achilles,
their king, to the Trojan war.
2. A soldier or a subordinate civil officer who executes
cruel orders of a superior without protest or pity; --
sometimes applied to bailiffs, constables, etc.
--Thackeray.
With unabated ardor the vindictive man of law and
his myrmidons pressed forward. --W. H.
Ainsworth.
Myrmidonian \Myr`mi*do"ni*an\, a.
Consisting of, or like, myrmidons. --Pope.
Myrmotherine \Myr`mo*the"rine\, a. [Gr. ? an ant + ? to hunt.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Feeding upon ants; -- said of certain birds.
Myrobalan \My*rob"a*lan\, Myrobolan \My*rob"o*lan\, n. [L.
myrobalanum the fruit of a palm tree from which a balsam was
made, Gr. ?; ? any sweet juice distilling from plants, any
prepared unguent or sweet oil + ? an acorn or any similar
fruit: cf. F. myrobolan.]
A dried astringent fruit much resembling a prune. It contains
tannin, and was formerly used in medicine, but is now chiefly
used in tanning and dyeing. Myrobolans are produced by
various species of {Terminalia} of the East Indies, and of
{Spondias} of South America.
Myronic \My*ron"ic\, a. [Gr. ? a sweet-smelling unguent.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, mustard; -- used
specifically to designate a glucoside called myronic acid,
found in mustard seed.
Myropolist \My*rop"o*list\, n. [Gr. ?; ? unguent + ? to sell.]
One who sells unguents or perfumery. [Obs.] --Jonhson.
Myrosin \Myr"o*sin\, n. (Chem.)
A ferment, resembling diastase, found in mustard seeds.
Myroxylon \My*rox"y*lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a sweet juice
distilling from a plant + ? wood.] (Bot.)
A genus of leguminous trees of tropical America, the
different species of which yield balsamic products, among
which are balsam of Peru, and balsam of Tolu. The species
were formerly referred to Myrospermum.
Myrrh \Myrrh\, n. [OE. mirre, OF. mirre, F. myrrhe, L. myrrha,
murra, Gr. ?; cf. Ar. murr bitter, also myrrh, Heb. mar
bitter.]
A gum resin, usually of a yellowish brown or amber color, of
an aromatic odor, and a bitter, slightly pungent taste. It is
valued for its odor and for its medicinal properties. It
exudes from the bark of a shrub of Abyssinia and Arabia, the
{Balsamodendron Myrrha}. The myrrh of the Bible is supposed
to have been partly the gum above named, and partly the
exudation of species of {Cistus}, or rockrose.
{False myrrh}. See the Note under {Bdellium}.
Myrrhic \Myr"rhic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, myrrh.
Myrrhine \Myr"rhine\, a.
Murrhine.
Myrtaceous \Myr*ta"ceous\, a. [L. myrtaceus.] (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a large and important
natural order of trees and shrubs ({Myrtace[ae]}), of which
the myrtle is the type. It includes the genera {Eucalyptus},
{Pimenta}, {Lechythis}, and about seventy more.
Myrtiform \Myr"ti*form\, a. [L. myrtus myrtle + -form: cf. F.
myrtiforme.]
Resembling myrtle or myrtle berries; having the form of a
myrtle leaf.
Myrtle \Myr"tle\ (m[~e]r"t'l), n. [F. myrtil bilberry, prop., a
little myrtle, from myrte myrtle, L. myrtus, murtus, Gr.
my`rtos; cf. Per. m[=u]rd.] (Bot.)
A species of the genus {Myrtus}, especially {Myrtus
communis}. The common myrtle has a shrubby, upright stem,
eight or ten feet high. Its branches form a close, full head,
thickly covered with ovate or lanceolate evergreen leaves. It
has solitary axillary white or rosy flowers, followed by
black several-seeded berries. The ancients considered it
sacred to Venus. The flowers, leaves, and berries are used
variously in perfumery and as a condiment, and the
beautifully mottled wood is used in turning.
Note: The name is also popularly but wrongly applied in
America to two creeping plants, the blue-flowered
periwinkle and the yellow-flowered moneywort. In the
West Indies several myrtaceous shrubs are called
myrtle.
{Bog myrtle}, the sweet gale.
{Crape myrtle}. See under {Crape}.
{Myrtle warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a North American wood warbler
({Dendroica coronata}); -- called also {myrtle bird},
{yellow-rumped warbler}, and {yellow-crowned warbler}.
{Myrtle wax}. (Bot.) See {Bayberry tallow}, under {Bayberry}.
{Sand myrtle}, a low, branching evergreen shrub ({Leiophyllum
buxifolium}), growing in New Jersey and southward.
{Wax myrtle} ({Myrica cerifera}). See {Bayberry}.
Myself \My*self"\, pron.; pl. {Ourselves}.
I or me in person; -- used for emphasis, my own self or
person; as I myself will do it; I have done it myself; --
used also instead of me, as the object of the first person of
a reflexive verb, without emphasis; as, I will defend myself.
Myselven \My*selv"en\, pron.
Myself. [Obs.]
Mysis \My"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a closing of the lips or
eyes.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of small schizopod shrimps found both in fresh and
salt water; the opossum shrimps. One species inhabits the
Great Lakes of North America, and is largely eaten by the
whitefish. The marine species form part of the food of right
whales.
Mystacal \Mys"ta*cal\, a. [Gr. my`stax mustache.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the upper lip, or mustache.
Mystagogic \Mys`ta*gog"ic\, Mystagogical \Mys`ta*gog"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to interpretation of mysteries or to
mystagogue; of the nature of mystagogy.
Mystagogue \Mys"ta*gogue\, n. [L. mystagogus, Gr. ?; ? one
initiated in mysteries + ? leading, n., a leader, fr. ? to
lead: cf. F. mystagogue. See 1st {Mystery}.]
1. interprets mysteries, especially of a religious kind.
2. One who keeps and shows church relics.
Mystagogy \Mys"ta*go`gy\, n.
The doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue;
interpretation of mysteries.
Mysterial \Mys*te"ri*al\, a.
Mysterious. [Obs.]
Mysteriarch \Mys*te"ri*arch\, n. [L. mysteriarches, Gr. ?; ?
mystery + ? chief.]
One presiding over mysteries. [Obs.]
Mysterious \Mys*te"ri*ous\, a. [F. myst[`e]rieux. See 1st
{Mystery}.]
Of or pertaining to mystery; containing a mystery; difficult
or impossible to understand; obscure not revealed or
explained; enigmatical; incomprehensible.
God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied,
Thought in mysterious terms. --Milton.
Syn: Obscure; secret; occult; dark; mystic; cabalistic;
enigmatical; unintelligible; incomprehensible.
Mysteriously \Mys*te"ri*ous*ly\, adv.
In a mysterious manner.
Mysteriousness \Mys*te"ri*ous*ness\, n.
1. The state or quality of being mysterious.
2. Something mysterious; a mystery. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Mysterize \Mys"ter*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mysterized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Mysterizing}.]
To make mysterious; to make a mystery of.
Mystery \Mys"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Mysteries}. [L. mysterium, Gr. ?,
fr. ? one initiated in mysteries; cf. ? to initiate into the
mysteries, fr. ? to shut the eyes. Cf. {Mute}, a.]
1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something
kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting
curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can
not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is
beyond human comprehension.
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. --1 Cor.
ii. 7.
If God should please to reveal unto us this great
mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in
our holy religion, we should not be able to
understand them, unless he would bestow on us some
new faculties of the mind. --Swift.
2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were
admitted except those who had been initiated by certain
preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the
Eleusinian mysteries.
3. pl. The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
Mystery \Mys"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Mysteries}. [OE. mistere, OF.
mestier, F. m['e]tier, L. ministerium. See {Ministry}.]
1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one
is usually occupied.
Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. --Shak.
And that which is the noblest mystery Brings to
reproach and common infamy. --Spenser.
2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often
some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition
of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting
of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city
in the early part of the 14th century.
``Mystery plays,'' so called because acted by
craftsmen. --Skeat.
Mystic \Mys"tic\, Mystical \Mys"tic*al\, a. [L. mysticus, Gr. ?
belonging to secret rites, from ? one initiated: cf. F.
mystique. See 1st {Mystery}, {Misty}.]
1. Remote from or beyond human comprehension; baffling human
understanding; unknowable; obscure; mysterious.
Heaven's numerous hierarchy span The mystic gulf
from God to man. --Emerson.
God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural.
--Hooker.
2. Importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret
meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic dance;
mystic Babylon.
Thus, then, did the spirit of unity and meekness
inspire every joint and sinew of the mystical body.
--Milton.
-- {Mys"tic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Mys"tic*al*ness}, n.
Mystic \Mys"tic\, n.
One given to mysticism; one who holds mystical views,
interpretations, etc.; especially, in ecclesiastical history,
one who professed mysticism. See {Mysticism}.
Mysticete \Mys"ti*cete\, n. [Gr. my`stax the upper lip, also,
the mustache + kh^tos a whale.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any right whale, or whalebone whale. See {Cetacea}.
Mysticism \Mys"ti*cism\, n. [Cf. F. mysticisme.]
1. Obscurity of doctrine.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) The doctrine of the Mystics, who professed a
pure, sublime, and wholly disinterested devotion, and
maintained that they had direct intercourse with the
divine Spirit, and aquired a knowledge of God and of
spiritual things unattainable by the natural intellect,
and such as can not be analyzed or explained.
3. (Philos.) The doctrine that the ultimate elements or
principles of knowledge or belief are gained by an act or
process akin to feeling or faith.
Mystification \Mys`ti*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. mystification.]
The act of mystifying, or the state of being mystied; also,
something designed to, or that does, mystify.
The reply of Pope seems very much as though he had been
playing off a mystification on his Grace. --De Quincey.
Mystificator \Mys"ti*fi*ca`tor\, n.
One who mystifies.
Mystify \Mys"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mystified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mystifying}.] [F. mystifier, fr. Gr. ? + L. -ficare
(in comp.) to make. See 1st {Mystery}, and {-fy}.]
1. To involve in mystery; to make obscure or difficult to
understand; as, to mystify a passage of Scripture.
2. To perplex the mind of; to puzzle; to impose upon the
credulity of; as, to mystify an opponent.
He took undue advantage of his credulity and
mystified him exceedingly. --Ld.
Campbell.
Mytacism \My"ta*cism\, n. [Gr. ?. Cf. {Metacism}.]
Too frequent use of the letter m, or of the sound represented
by it.
Myth \Myth\, n. [Written also {mythe}.] [Gr. my^qos myth, fable,
tale, talk, speech: cf. F. mythe.]
1. A story of great but unknown age which originally embodied
a belief regarding some fact or phenomenon of experience,
and in which often the forces of nature and of the soul
are personified; an ancient legend of a god, a hero, the
origin of a race, etc.; a wonder story of prehistoric
origin; a popular fable which is, or has been, received as
historical.
2. A person or thing existing only in imagination, or whose
actual existence is not verifiable.
As for Mrs. Primmins's bones, they had been myths
these twenty years. --Ld. Lytton.
{Myth history}, history made of, or mixed with, myths.
Mythe \Mythe\, n.
See {Myth}. --Grote.
Mythic \Myth"ic\, Mythical \Myth"ic*al\, a. [L. mythicus, Gr. ?.
See {Myth}.]
Of or relating to myths; described in a myth; of the nature
of a myth; fabulous; imaginary; fanciful. -- {Myth"ic*al*ly},
adv.
The mythic turf where danced the nymphs. --Mrs.
Browning.
Hengist and Horsa, Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and
Mordred, are mythical persons, whose very existence may
be questioned. --Macaulay.
Mythographer \My*thog"ra*pher\, n. [Gr. myqogra`fos; my^qos +
gra`fein to write.]
A composer of fables.
Mythologer \My*thol"o*ger\, n.
A mythologist.
Mythologian \Myth`o*lo"gi*an\, n.
A mythologist.
Mythologic \Myth`o*log"ic\, Mythological \Myth`o*log"ic*al\, a.
[L. mythologicus: cf. F. mytholigique.]
Of or pertaining to mythology or to myths; mythical;
fabulous. -- {Myth`o*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Mythologist \My*thol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. mythologiste.]
One versed in, or who writes on, mythology or myths.
Mythologize \My*thol"o*gize\, v. i. [Cf. F. mythologiser.]
1. To relate, classify, and explain, or attempt to explain,
myths; to write upon myths.
2. To construct and propagate myths.
Mythologizer \My*thol"o*gi`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, mythologizes.
Imagination has always been, and still is, in a
narrower sense, the great mythologizer. --Lowell.
Mythologue \Myth"o*logue\, n. [See {Mythology}.]
A fabulous narrative; a myth. [R.]
May we not . . . consider his history of the fall as an
excellent mythologue, to account for the origin of
human evil? --Geddes.
Mythology \My*thol"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Mythologies}. [F. mythologie,
L. mythologia, Gr. myqologi`a; my^qos, fable, myth + lo`gos
speech, discourse.]
1. The science which treats of myths; a treatise on myths.
2. A body of myths; esp., the collective myths which describe
the gods of a heathen people; as, the mythology of the
Greeks.
Mythoplasm \Myth"o*plasm\, n. [Gr. my^qos myth + pla`ssein to
form.]
A narration of mere fable.
Mythopoeic \Myth`o*p[oe]"ic\, a. [Gr. myqopoio`s making myths;
my^qos myth + poiei^n to make.]
Making or producing myths; giving rise to mythical
narratives.
The mythop[oe]ic fertility of the Greeks. --Grote.
Mythopoetic \Myth`o*po*et"ic\, a. [Gr. my^qos myth + ? able to
make, producing, fr. ? to make.]
Making or producing myths or mythical tales.
Mytiloid \Myt"i*loid\, a. [Mytilus + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Mytilus, or family
{Mytilid[ae]}.
Mytilotoxine \Myt`i*lo*tox"ine\, n. [Mytilus + toxic.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
A poisonous base (leucomaine) found in the common mussel. It
either causes paralysis of the muscles, or gives rise to
convulsions, including death by an accumulation of carbonic
acid in the blood.
Mytilus \Myt"i*lus\, n. [L., a sea mussel, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine bivalve shells, including the common
mussel. See Illust. under {Byssus}.
Myxa \Myx"a\, n. [L., a lamp nozzle, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
The distal end of the mandibles of a bird.
Myxine \Myx"ine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marsipobranchs, including the hagfish. See {Hag},
4.
Myxinoid \Myx"i*noid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus Myxine. -- n. A hagfish.
Myxocystodea \Myx`o*cys*to"de*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? mucus +
? a bladder.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Infusoria including the Noctiluca. See
{Noctiluca}.
Myxoma \Myx*o"ma\, n.; pl. {Myxomata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? mucus +
-oma.] (Med.)
A tumor made up of a gelatinous tissue resembling that found
in the umbilical cord.
Myxopod \Myx"o*pod\, n. [Gr. ? mucus, slime + -pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
A rhizopod or moneran. Also used adjectively; as, a myxopod
state.
Myzontes \My*zon"tes\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to suck.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The Marsipobranchiata.
Myzostomata \My`zo*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. my`zein to
suck + sto`ma, -atos, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of curious parasitic worms found on crinoids. The
body is short and disklike, with four pairs of suckers and
five pairs of hook-bearing parapodia on the under side.