Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 33 of 60)

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (part 33 of 60)

MATERIALIST Ma*te"ri*al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. matérialiste.]

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; MATERIALISTICAL Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic, Ma*te`ri*al*is"tic*al, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. matérialité.]

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.

Defn: 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.] Etym: [Cf. F. matérialiser.]

1. To invest wich material characteristics; to make perceptible to the senses; hence, to present to the mind through the medium of material objects. Having wich 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)

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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 preëxistent 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.

Defn: The state of being material.

MATERIA MEDICA Ma*te"ri*a med"i*ca. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. materiarius.]

Defn: See Materialist. [Obs.]

MATERIATE; MATERIATED Ma*te"ri*ate, Ma*te"ri*a`ted, a. Etym: [L. materiatus, p. p. of materiare to build of wood.]

Defn: Consisting of matter. [Obs.] Bacon.

MATERIATION Ma*te`ri*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. materiatio woodwork.]

Defn: Act of forming matter. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

MATERIEL Ma`té`ri`el", n. Etym: [F. See Material.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Material. [Obs.]

MATERNAL Ma*ter"nal, a. Etym: [F. maternel, L. maternus, fr. mater mother. See Mother.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: In a motherly manner.

MATERNITY Ma*ter"ni*ty, n. Etym: [F. maternité, LL. maternitas.]

Defn: The state of being a mother; the character or relation of a mother.

MATFELON Mat"fel*on, n. Etym: [W. madfelen.] (Bot.)

Defn: The knapweed (Centaurea nigra).

MATH Math, n. Etym: [AS. mmawan to mow, G. mahd math. See Mow to cut (grass).]

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. mathématique, L. mathematicus, Gr. mind. See Mind.]

Defn: See Mathematical.

MATHEMATICAL Math`e*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [See Mathematic.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mathématicien.]

Defn: One versed in mathematics.

MATHEMATICS Math`e*mat"ics, n. Etym: [F. mathématiques, pl., L. mathematica, sing., Gr. Mathematic, and -ics.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Madder.

MATHES Math"es, n. Etym: [Perh. corrupted fr. L. anthemis camomile, Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The mayweed. Cf. Maghet.

MATHESIS Ma*the"sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

Defn: Learning; especially, mathematics. [R.] Pope.

MATHURIN Math"u*rin, n. (R. C. Ch.)

Defn: See Trinitarian.

MATICO Ma*ti"co, n. (Bot.)

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A fat herring with undeveloped roe. [Written also matty.] [Eng. & Scot.]

MATIN Ma`tin", n. Etym: [F. matin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A French mastiff.

MATIN Mat"in, n. Etym: [F. fr. L. matutinum the morning, matutinus of the morning, Matuta the goddess of the morning. See Matutinal.]

1. Morning. [Obs.] Shak.

2. pl. Etym: [F. matines. See Etymol. above.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the morning, or to matins; used in the morning; matutinal.

MATINAL Mat"in*al, a.

Defn: Relating to the morning, or to matins; matutinal.

MATINEE Mat`i*née", n. Etym: [F., from matin. See Matin.]

Defn: A reception, or a musical or dramatic entertainment, held in the daytime. See SoirÉe.

MATRASS Ma*trass", n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A round-bottomed glass flask having a long neck; a bolthead.

MATRESS Mat"ress, n.

Defn: See Matress.

MATRIARCH Ma"tri*arch, n. Etym: [L. mater mother + -arch.]

Defn: The mother and ruler of a family or of her descendants; a ruler by maternal right.

MATRIARCHAL Ma`tri*ar"chal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a matriarch; governed by a matriarch.

MATRIARCHATE Ma"tri*ar"chate, n.

Defn: The office or jurisdiction of a matriarch; a matriarchal form of government.

MATRICE Ma"trice, n. Etym: [Cf. F. matrice. See Matrix.]

Defn: See Matrix.

MATRICIDAL Mat"ri*ci`dal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to matricide.

MATRICIDE Mat"ri*cide, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. matricida: cf. F. matricide.]

Defn: One who murders one's own mother.

MATRICULATE Ma*tric"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Matriculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Matriculating.] Etym: [L. matricula a public roll or register, dim. of matrix a mother, in respect to propagation, also, a public register. See Matrix.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Matriculated. Skelton. -- n.

Defn: One who is matriculated. Arbuthnot.

MATRICULATION Ma*tric`u*la"tion, n.

Defn: The act or process of matriculating; the state of being matriculated.

MATRIMOINE Mat"ri*moine, n.

Defn: Matrimony. [Obs.]

MATRIMONIAL Mat`ri*mo"ni*al, a. Etym: [L. matrimonialis: cf. F. matrimonial. See Matrimony.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: In a matrimonial manner.

MATRIMONIOUS Mat`ri*mo"ni*ous, a.

Defn: Matrimonial. [R.] Milton.

MATRIMONY Mat"ri*mo*ny, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [L., fr. mater mother. See Mother, and cf. Matrice.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: 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)

Defn: The five simple colors, black, white, blue, red, and yellow, of which all the rest are composed.

3. (Biol.)

Defn: The lifeless portion of tissue, either animal or vegetable, situated between the cells; the intercellular substance.

4. (Math.)

Defn: A rectangular arrangement of symbols in rows and columns. The symbols may express quantities or operations.

MATRON Ma"tron, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. matronalis.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a matron; suitable to an elderly lady or to a married woman; grave; motherly.

MATRONHOOD Ma"tron*hood, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. mater mother + -nymic, as in patronimic.]

Defn: See Metronymic.

MATROSS Ma*tross", n. Etym: [D. matroos, fr. F. matelot.] (Mil.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Matte. Knight.

MATTAGES Mat`ta*ges", n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A shrike or butcher bird; -- written also matagasse. [Prov. Eng.]

MATTAMORE Mat"ta*more`, n. Etym: [F. matamore, from Ar. matm.]

Defn: A subterranean repository for wheat.

MATTE Matte, n. Etym: [F. matte; cf. F. mat, masc., matte, fem., faint, dull, dim; -- said of metals. See Mate checkmate.]

1. (Metallurgy)

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Matte.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [OE. matere, F. matière, 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 aëriform. 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. Aëriform 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [See Matte.]

Defn: A dull, lusterless surface in certain of the arts, as gilding, metal work, glassmaking, etc.

MATTOCK Mat"tock, n. Etym: [AS. mattuc; cf. W. matog.]

Defn: 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.

MATTOID Mat"toid, n. [It. matto mad (cf. L. mattus, matus, drunk) + -oid.]

Defn: A person of congenitally abnormal mind bordering on insanity or degeneracy.

MATTOIR Mat*toir", n. [F. matoir.] (Engraving)

Defn: A kind of coarse punch with a rasplike face, used for making a rough surface on etching ground, or on the naked copper, the effect after biting being very similar to stippled lines.

MATTOWACCA Mat`to*wac"ca, n. Etym: [Indian name.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. materas, F. matelas, LL. matratium; cf. Sp. & Pg. almadraque, Pr. almatrac; all from Ar. matsrah a place where anything is thrown, what is thrown under something, fr. tsaraha 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.)

Defn: A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.

MATURANT Mat"u*rant, n. Etym: [L. maturans, p. pr. See Maturate.] (Med.)

Defn: A medicine, or application, which promotes suppuration.

MATURATE Mat"u*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maturated; p. pr. & vb. n. Maturating.] Etym: [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.

Defn: To ripen; to become mature; specif

MATURATION Mat`u*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. maturatio a hastening: cf. F. maturation.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. maturatif.]

Defn: Conducing to ripeness or maturity; hence, conducing to suppuration.

MATURATIVE Mat"u*ra*tive, n. (Med.)

Defn: A remedy promoting maturation; a maturant.

MATURE Ma*ture", a. [Compar. Maturer; superl. Maturest.] Etym: [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. -- 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.] Etym: [See Maturate, Mature.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: The state or quality of being mature; maturity.

MATURER Ma*tur"er, n.

Defn: One who brings to maturity.

MATURESCENT Mat`u*res"cent, a. Etym: [L. maturescens, p. pr. of maturescere to become ripe, v. incho. from maturus. See Mature, a.]

Defn: Approaching maturity.

MATURING Ma*tur"ing, a.

Defn: Approaching maturity; as, maturing fruits; maturing notes of hand.

MATURITY Ma*tu"ri*ty, n. Etym: [L. maturitas: cf. F. maturité.]

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. Etym: [L. matutinalis, matutinus: cf. F. matutinal. See Matin.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the morning; early.

MATUTINARY Ma*tu"ti*na*ry, a.

Defn: Matutinal. [R.]

MATUTINE Mat"u*tine, a.

Defn: Matutinal. [R.]

MATWEED Mat"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Etymology uncertain.]

Defn: A native house servant in India. Balfour (Cyc. of India).

MATZOTH Matz"oth, n. Etym: [Heb. matstsoth, pl. of matstsah unleavened.]

Defn: A cake of unleavened bread eaten by the Jews at the feast of the Passover.

MAUCACO Mau*ca"co, n. Etym: [From the native name.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A lemur; -- applied to several species, as the White-fronted, the ruffed, and the ring-tailed lemurs.

MAUD Maud, n.

Defn: A gray plaid; -- used by shepherds in Scotland.

MAUDLE Mau"dle, v. t.

Defn: To throw onto confusion or disorder; to render maudlin. [Obs.]

MAUDLIN Maud"lin, a. Etym: [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; MAUDELINE Maud"lin, Maude"line, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An aromatic composite herb, the costmary; also, the South European Achillea Ageratum, a kind of yarrow.

MAUDLINISM Maud"lin*ism, n.

Defn: A maudlin state. Dickens.

MAUDLINWORT Maud"lin*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The oxeye daisy.

MAUGER; MAUGRE Mau"ger, Mau"gre, prep. Etym: [OF. maugré, malgré, F. malgré. See Mal-, Malice, and Agree.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To defy. [Obs.] J. Webster.

MAUKIN Mau"kin, n.

1. See Malkin.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A hare. [Scot.]

MAUL Maul, n. Etym: [See Mall a hammer.]

Defn: 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.)

Defn: The common mallow.

MAULING Maul"ing, n.

Defn: A severe beating with a stick, cudgel, or the fist.

MAUL-STICK Maul"-stick`, n. Etym: [G. malerstock; maler a painter + stock stick.]

Defn: A stick used by painters as a rest for the hand while working. [Written also mahl-stick.]

MAUMET Mau"met, n.

Defn: See Mawmet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAUNCH Maunch, v. t.

Defn: To munch. [Obs.]

MAUNCH Maunch, n.

Defn: See Manche.

MAUND Maund, n. Etym: [AS. mand, mond.]

Defn: A hand basket. [Obs.] Herrick.

MAUND Maund, n. Etym: [Hind, & Per. man.]

Defn: An East Indian weight, varying in different localities from 25 to about 82 pounds avoirdupois.

MAUND; MAUNDER Maund, Maund"er, v. i. Etym: [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.

Defn: To utter in a grumbling manner; to mutter.

MAUNDER Maund"er, n.

Defn: A beggar. [Obs.]

MAUNDERER Maund"er*er, n.

Defn: One who maunders.

MAUNDRIL Maun"dril, n. Etym: [Cf. Mandrel.] (Coa

Defn: A pick with two prongs, to pry with.

MAUNDY COINS; MAUNDY MONEY Maundy coins or money.

Defn: Silver coins or money of the nominal value of 1d., 2d., 3d., and 4d., struck annually for the Maundy alms.

MAUNDY THURSDAY Maun"dy Thurs"day. Etym: [OE. maunde a command, OF. mandé, 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.)

Defn: The Thursday in Passion week, or next before Good Friday.

MAUNGY Maun"gy, a.

Defn: Mangy. [Obs.] Skelton.

MAURESQUE Mau*resque", a. & n.

Defn: See Moresque.

MAURIST Maur"ist, n. Etym: [From Maurus, the favorite disciple of St. Benedict.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Mausoleus. See Mausoleum.]

Defn: Pertaining to a mausoleum; monumental.

MAUSOLEUM Mau`so*le"um, n.; pl. E. Mausoleums, L. -lea. Etym: [L. mausoleum, Gr.

Defn: A magnificent tomb, or stately sepulchral monument.

MAUTHER Mau"ther, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. mæg a maid.] [Also spelled mawther, mother.]

Defn: A girl; esp., a great, awkward girl; a wench. [Prov. Eng.]

MAUVANILINE Mauv`an"i*line, n. (Chem.)

Defn: See Mauve aniline, under Mauve.

MAUVE Mauve, n. Etym: [F., mallow, L. malva. So named from the similarity of the color to that of the petals of common mallow, Malva sylvestris. See Mallow.]

Defn: 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 mauveïne, and is a dark brown or bronze amorphous powder, which dissolves to a beatiful purple color. Called also aniline purple, violine, etc.

MAUVEINE Mauve"ïne, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Mauve-colored.

MAVERICK Mav"er*ick, n.

Defn: 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 naglected to brand his cattle.

MAVERICK BRAND Maverick brand.

Defn: A brand originated by a dishonest cattleman, who, without owning any stock, gradually accumulates a herd by finding mavericks. [Western U. S.]

MAVIS Ma"vis (ma"vîs), n. Etym: [F. mauvis, Arm. milvid, milfid, milc'hhouid, Corn. melhuez.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European throstle or song thrush (Turdus musicus).

MAVOURNIN; MAVOURNEEN Ma*vour"nin, Ma*vour"neen (ma*voor"nen), n. [Ir. mo mhuirnin my darling; mo my + mhuirnin darling.]

Defn: My darling; -- an Irish term of endearment for a girl or woman. "Erin mavournin." Campbell.

MAW Maw, n. Etym: [See Mew a gull.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A gull.

MAW Maw, n. Etym: [OE. mawe, AS. maga stomach; akin to D. maag, OHG. mago, G. magen, Icel. magi, Sw. mage, Dan. mave.

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. (Zoöl.) See under Fish.

MAW Maw, n.

Defn: An old game at cards. Sir A. Weldon.

MAWK Mawk, n. Etym: [OE. mauk, ma, Icel. ma; 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.

Defn: See Malkin, and Maukin.

MAWKINGLY Mawk"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: Slatternly. [Obs.]

MAWKISH Mawk"ish, a. Etym: [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.

Defn: In a mawkish way.

MAWKISHNESS Mawk"ish*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mawkish. J. H. Newman.

MAWKS Mawks, n.

Defn: A slattern; a mawk. [Prov. Eng.]

MAWKY Mawk"y, a.

Defn: Maggoty. [Prov. Eng.]

MAWMET Maw"met, n. Etym: [Contr. fr. Mahomet.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: The religion of Mohammed; also, idolatry. See Mawmet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAWMISH Maw"mish, a. Etym: [Prov. E. maum soft, mellow, rotten; cf. OD. molm rotten wood, G. mulm.]

Defn: Nauseous. [Obs.] L' Estrange.

MAWSEED Maw"seed`, n. Etym: [Cf. G. magsamen.] (Bot.)

Defn: The seed of the opium poppy.

MAWWORM Maw"worm`, n. Etym: [Maw the belly + worm.] (Zoöl.) (a) Any intestinal worm found in the stomach, esp. the common round worm (Ascaris lumbricoides), and allied species. (b) One of the larvæ of botflies of horses; a bot.

MAXILLA Max*il"la, n.; pl. Maxillæ. Etym: [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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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; MAXILLARY Max"il*lar, Max"il*la*ry, a. Etym: [L. maxillaris, fr. maxilla jawbone, jaw: cf. F. maxillaire.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to either the upper or the lower jaw, but now usually applied to the upper jaw only. -- n.

Defn: The principal maxillary bone; the maxilla.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a maxilla.

MAXILLIFORM Max*il"li*form, a. Etym: [Maxilla + -form: cf. F. maxilliforme.]

Defn: Having the form, or structure, of a maxilla.

MAXILLIPED Max*il"li*ped, n. Etym: [Maxilla + L. pes, pedis, foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the mouth appendages of Crustacea, situated next behind the maxillæ. 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. Etym: [Maxilla + mandibular.] (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to the maxilla and mandible; as, the maxillo- mandibular nerve.

MAXILLO-PALATINE Max*il`lo-pal"a*tine, a. Etym: [Maxilla + palatine.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Maxilla + turbinal.] (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to the maxillary and turbinal regions of the skull. -- n.

Defn: The maxillo-turbinal, or inferior turbinate, bone.

MAXIM Max"im, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: The longest note formerly used, equal to two longs, or four breves; a large.

Syn. -- Axiom; aphorism; apothegm; adage; proverb; saying. See Axiom.

MAXIM GUN Max"im gun`.

Defn: A kind of machine gun; -- named after its inventor, Hiram S. Maxim.

MAXIMILIAN Max`i*mil"ian, n. Etym: [From the proper name.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: The act or process of increasing to the highest degree. Bentham.

MAXIMIZE Max"i*mize, v. t. Etym: [L. maximus greatest.]

Defn: To increase to the highest degree. Bentham.

MAXIMUM Max"i*mum, n.; pl. Maxima. Etym: [L., neut. from maximus the greatest. See Maxim.]

Defn: 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 Ant: 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.

Defn: 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] Etym: [AS. pres. mæg I am able, pret. meahte, mihte; akin to D. mogen, G. mögen, OHG. mugan, magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ. moche. Dismay, Main strength, Might. The old imp. mought is obsolete, except as a provincial word.]

Defn: 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, and It may be, are used as equivalent to possibly, perhaps, by chance, peradventure. See 1st Maybe.

MAY May, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. mær, Goth. mawi; akin to E. maiden.

Defn: A maiden. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAY May, n. Etym: [F. Mai, L. Maius; so named in honor of the goddess Maia (Gr.

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.)

Defn: 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 Spiræa (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 (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), 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, n. (Hindoo Philos.)

Defn: The name for the doctrine of the unreality of matter, called, in English, idealism; hence, nothingness; vanity; illusion.

MAYAN Ma"yan, a.

1. Designating, or pertaining to, an American Indian linguistic stock occupying the Mexican States of Veracruz, Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, and Yucatan, together with a part of Guatemala and a part of Salvador. The Mayan peoples are dark, short, and brachycephallic, and at the time of the discovery had attained a higher grade of culture than any other American people. They cultivated a variety of crops, were expert in the manufacture and dyeing of cotton fabrics, used cacao as a medium of exchange, and were workers of gold, silver, and copper. Their architecture comprised elaborately carved temples and places, and they possessed a superior calendar, and a developed system of hieroglyphic writing, with records said to go back to about 700 a. d.

2. Of or pertaining to the Mayas.

MAYAN ARCH; MAYA ARCH Mayan arch, or Maya arch .

Defn: A form of corbel arch employing regular small corbels.

MAYBE May"be, adv. Etym: [For it may be.]

Defn: Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. Maybe the amorous count solicits her. Shak. In a liberal and, maybe, somewhat reckless way. Tylor.

MAYBE May"be, a.

Defn: Possible; probable, but not sure. [R.] Then add those maybe years thou hast to live. Driden.

MAYBE May"be, n.

Defn: Possibility; uncertainty. [R.] What they offer is mere maybe and shift. Creech.

MAYBIRD May"bird`, n. (Zoöl.) (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.)

Defn: The hawthorn.

MAYBUSH May"bush`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The hawthorn.

MAYDUKE May"duke`, n. Etym: [Corrupt. of Médoc, a province in France, where it is supposed to have originated.]

Defn: A large dark-red cherry of excellent quality.

MAYFISH May"fish`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A common American minnow (Fundulus majalis). See Minnow.

MAYFLOWER May"flow`er, n. (Bot.)

Defn: In England, the hawthorn; in New England, the trailing arbutus (see Arbutus); also, the blossom of these plants.

MAYHAP May"hap, adv.

Defn: Perhaps; peradventure. [Prov. or Dialectic]

MAYHEM May"hem, n. Etym: [The same as maim. See Maim.] (Law)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The celebrating of May Day. "He met her once a-Maying." Milton.

MAY LAWS May laws.

1. See Kulturkampf, above.

2. In Russia, severe oppressive laws against Jews, which have given occasion for great persecution; -- so called because they received the assent of the czar in May, 1882, and because likened to the Prussian May laws (see Kulturkampf).

MAYONNAISE Ma`yon`naise", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. maire, F. maire, fr. L. major greater, higher, nobler, compar. of magnus great; cf. Sp. mayor. See Major, and cf. Merino.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Sp., fr. mayor greater, L. major.]

Defn: The conductir of a mule team; also, a head shepherd.

MAYORALTY May"or*al*ty, n.

Defn: The office, or the term of office, of a mayor.

MAYORESS May"or*ess, n.

Defn: The wife of a mayor.

MAYORSHIP May"or*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a mayor.

MAYPOLE May"pole`, n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Perh. corrupt. fr. maracock.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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; MAZAME Ma*za"ma, Ma*za"me, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A goatlike antelope (Haplocerus montanus) which inhabits the Rocky Mountains, frequenting the highest parts; -- called also mountain goat.

MAZARD Maz"ard, n. Etym: [Cf. F. merise a wild cherry.] (Bot.)

Defn: A kind of small black cherry.

MAZARD Maz"ard, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. mazer, the head being compared to a large goblet.]

Defn: The jaw; the head or skull. [Obs.] Shak.

MAZARD Maz"ard, v. t.,

Defn: To knock on the head. [Obs.]

MAZARINE Maz`a*rine", a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Mazarine blue.

MAZDEAN Maz"de*an, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Ahura-Mazda, or Ormuzd, the beneficent deity in the Zoroastrian dualistic system; hence, Zoroastrian.

MAZDEISM Maz"de*ism, n.

Defn: The Zoroastrian religion.

MAZE Maze, n. Etym: [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.]

Defn: To perplex greatly; to bewilder; to astonish and confuse; to amaze. South.

MAZE Maze, v. i.

Defn: To be bewildered. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAZEDNESS Maz"ed*ness, n.

Defn: The condition of being mazed; confusion; astonishment. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MAZEFUL Maze"ful, a.

Defn: Mazy. [Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.

MAZER Maz"er, n. Etym: [OE. maser, akin to OD. maser an excrescence on a maple tree, OHG. masar, G. maser spot, Icel. mösurr maple.]

Defn: A large drinking bowl; -- originally made of maple. [Obs.] Their brimful mazers to the feasting bring. Drayton.

MAZILY Ma"zi*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mazy manner.

MAZINESS Ma"zi*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mazy.

MAZOLOGICAL Maz`o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to mazology.

MAZOLOGIST Ma*zol"o*gist, n.

Defn: One versed in mazology or mastology.

MAZOLOGY Ma*zol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: Same as Mastology.

MAZOURKA; MAZURKA Ma*zour"ka, Ma*zur"ka, n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [From Maze.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One. See Men, pron. [Obs.] Chaucer.

ME Me, pers. pron. Etym: [AS. m, dat. & acc., mec, acc. only ; akin to D. mij, G. mich, Icel. & Goth. mik, L. me, Gr. ma, mam. Mine.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To skulk; to cower. See Mich.

MEACOCK Mea"cock, n. Etym: [Prob. fr. meek + cock.]

Defn: An uxorious, effeminate, or spiritless man. [Obs.] Johnson.

MEAD Mead, n. Etym: [OE. mede, AS. meodo; akin to D. mede, G. met, meth, OHG. metu, mitu, Icel. mjö, Dan. miöd, Sw. mjöd, Russ. med', Lith. midus, W. medd, Gr. madhu honey, a sweet drink, as adj., sweet. 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. Etym: [AS. m. See Meadow.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [AS. meady; akin to m, 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.

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.) (a) The American bittern. See Stake-driver. (b) The American coot (Fulica). (c) The clapper rail. -- Meadow lark (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), any mouse of the genus Arvicola, as the common American species A. riparia; -- called also field mouse, and field vole. -- Meadow mussel (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), 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 (Zoöl.), the common or jack snipe.

MEADOWSWEET; MEADOWWORT Mead"ow*sweet`, Mead"ow*wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: The name of several plants of the genus Spiræa, 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to meadows; resembling, or consisting of, meadow.

MEAGER; MEAGRE Mea"ger, Mea"gre, a. Etym: [OE. merge, F. maigre, L. macer; akin to D. & G. mager, Icel. magr, and prob. to Gr. 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.)

Defn: Dry and harsh to the touch, as chalk.

Syn. -- Thin; lean; lank; gaunt; starved; hungry; poor; emaciated; scanty; barren.

MEAGER; MEAGRE Mea"ger, Mea"gre, v. t.

Defn: To make lean. [Obs.]

MEAGERLY; MEAGRELY Mea"ger*ly, Mea"gre*ly, adv.

Defn: Poorly; thinly.

MEAGERNESS; MEAGRENESS Mea"ger*ness, Mea"gre*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being meager; leanness; scantiness; barrenness.

MEAGRE Mea"gre, n. Etym: [F. maigre.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large European sciænoid fish (Sciæna umbra or S. aquila), having white bloodless flesh. It is valued as a food fish. [Written also maigre.]

MEAK Meak, n. Etym: [Cf. AS. m sword, OS. maki, Icel. mækir.]

Defn: A hook with a long handle. [Obs.] Tusser.

MEAKING Meak"ing, n. Etym: [See Meak.] (Naut.)

Defn: 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, n. Etym: [OE. mele, AS. m part, portion, portion of time; akin to E. meal a repast. Cf. Piecemeal.]

Defn: A part; a fragment; a portion. [Obs.]

MEAL Meal, n. Etym: [OE. mel; akin to E. meal a part, and to D. maal time, meal, G. mal time, mahl meal, Icel. mal measure, time, meal, Goth. m time, and to E. measure. See Measure.]

Defn: 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 acas, 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. Etym: [OE. mele, AS. melu, melo; akin to D. meel, G. mehl, OHG. melo, Icel. mjöl, SW. mjöl, Dan. meel, also to D. malen to grind, G. mahlen, OHG., OS., & Goth. malan, Icel. mala, W. malu, L. molere, Gr. mill. 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 (Zoöl.), the adult of the meal worm. See Meal worm, below. -- Meal moth (Zoöl.), a lepidopterous insect (Asopia farinalis), the larvæ of which feed upon meal, flour, etc. -- Meal worm (Zoöl.), 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. Etym: [From Mealy.] (Bot.)

Defn: Maize or Indian corn; -- the common name in South Africa.

MEALINESS Meal"i*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mealy.

MEAL-MOUTHED Meal"-mouthed`, a.

Defn: See Mealy-mouthed.

MEALTIME Meal"time`, n.

Defn: 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 (Zoöl.), 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.

Defn: 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.] Etym: [OE. menen, AS. mænan to recite, tell, intend, wish; akin to OS. menian to have in mind, mean, D. meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan. mene, and to E. mind. 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. Matt. ix. 13.

MEAN Mean, v. i.

Defn: To have a purpose or intention. [Rare, except in the phrase to mean well, or ill.] Shak.

MEAN Mean, a. [Compar. Meaner; superl. Meanest.] Etym: [OE. mene, AS. m wicked; akin to man, a., wicked, n., wickedness, OS. m wickedness, OHG. mein, G. meineid perjury, Icel. mein harm, hurt, and perh. to AS. gem common, general, D. gemeen, G. gemein, Goth. gamáins, and L. communis. The AS. gem 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 Cæsar 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. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Maeander, orig., a river in Phrygia, proverbial for its many windings, Gr. méandre.]

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.)

Defn: Fretwork. See Fret.

MEANDER Me*an"der, v. t.

Defn: To wind, turn, or twist; to make flexuous. Dryton.

MEANDER Me*an"der, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meandered; p. pr. & vb. n. Meandering.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Maeandrius: cf. F. méandrien.]

Defn: Winding; having many turns.

MEANDRINA Me`an*dri"na, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. méandrine.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of corals with meandering grooves and ridges, including the brain corals.

MEANDROUS; MEANDRY Me*an"drous, Me*an"dry, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mean middle.]

Defn: Moderately. [Obs.] A man meanly learned himself, but not meanly affectioned to set forward learning in others. Ascham.

MEANLY Mean"ly, adv. Etym: [From Mean low.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of a mean spirit; base; groveling. -- Mean"-spir`it*ed*ness, n.

MEANT Meant, imp. & p. p.

Defn: of Mean.

MEANTIME; MEANWHILE Mean"time`, Mean"while`, n.

Defn: The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time).

MEANTIME; MEANWHILE Mean"time`, Mean"while`, adv.

Defn: In the intervening time; during the interval.

MEAR Mear, n.

Defn: A boundary. See Mere. [Obs.]

MEASE Mease, n. Etym: [Cf. G. mass measure.]

Defn: Five hundred; as, a mease of herrings. [Prov. Eng.]

MEASELRY Mea"sel*ry, n. Etym: [OE. meselrie, OF. mesellerie. See lst Measle.]

Defn: Leprosy. [Obs.] R. of Brunne.

MEASLE Mea"sle, n. Etym: [OE. mesel, OF. mesel, LL. misellus, L. misellus unfortunate, dim. of miser. See Miser.]

Defn: A leper. [Obs.] [Written also meazel, and mesel.] Wyclif (Matt. x. 8. ).

MEASLE Mea"sle, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tapeworm larva. See 2d Measles, 4.

MEASLED Mea"sled, a. Etym: [See 2d Measles.]

Defn: Infected or spotted with measles, as pork. -- Mea"sled*ness, n.

MEASLES Mea"sles, n. Etym: [From lst Measle.]

Defn: Leprosy; also, a leper. [Obs.]

MEASLES Mea"sles, n.; pl. in form, but used as singular in senses 1, 2, & 3. Etym: [D. mazelen; akin to G. masern, pl., and E. mazer, and orig. meaning, little spots. See Mazer.]

1. (Med.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larvæ of any tapeworm (Tænia) in the cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also bladder worms.

MEASLY Mea"sly, a.

1. Infected with measles.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Containing larval tapeworms; -- said of pork and beef.

MEASURABLE Meas"ur*a*ble, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [OE. mesure, F. mesure, L. mensura, fr. metiri, mensus, to measure; akin to metrum poetical measure, Gr. 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 dane, like the minuet. (b) (Mus.) (1) The group or grouping of beats, caused by the regular recurrence of accented beats. (2)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Without measure; unlimited; immeasurable. -- Meas"ure*less*ness, n.

Syn. -- Boundless; limitless; endless; unbounded; unlimited; vast; immense; infinite; immeasurable. Where Alf, the sacred river ran, Through canyons measureless to man, Down to a hidden sea. Coleridge

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.

Defn: One who measures; one whose occupation or duty is to measure commondities in market.

MEASURING Meas"ur*ing, a.

Defn: 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 (Zoöl.), the larva of any geometrid moth. See Geometrid.

MEAT Meat, n. Etym: [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. (Zoöl.) 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.

Defn: To supply with food. [Obs.] Tusser. His shield well lined, his horses meated well. Chapman.

MEATAL Me*a"tal, a.

Defn: 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; MEATHE Meath, Meathe, n. Etym: [See Mead.]

Defn: A sweet liquor; mead. [Obs.] Chaucer. Milton.

MEATINESS Meat"i*ness, n.

Defn: Quality of being meaty.

MEATLESS Meat"less, a.

Defn: Having no meat; without food. "Leave these beggars meatless." Sir T. More.

MEATOSCOPE Me*at"o*scope, n. Etym: [Meatus + -scope.] (Med.)

Defn: A speculum for examining a natural passage, as the urethra.

MEATOTOME Me*at"o*tome, n. Etym: [Meatus + Gr. (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for cutting into the urethra so as to enlarge its orifice.

MEATUS Me*a"tus, n. sing. & pl.; E. pl. Meatuses (. Etym: [L., a going, passage, fr. meare to go.] (Anat.)

Defn: A natural passage or canal; as, the external auditory meatus. See Illust. of Ear.

MEATY Meat"y, a.

Defn: Abounding in meat.

MEAW Meaw, n.

Defn: The sea mew. [Obs.] Spenser.

MEAW Meaw, v. i.

Defn: See Mew, to cry as a cat.

MEAWL Meawl, v. i.

Defn: See Mewl, and Miaul.

MEAZEL Mea"zel, n.

Defn: See 1st Measle. [Obs.]

MEAZLING Meaz"ling, a.

Defn: Falling in small drops; mistling; mizzing. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

MEBLES Me"bles, n. pl.

Defn: See Moebles. [Obs.]

MECATE Me*ca"te, n. Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A rope of hair or of maguey fiber, for tying horses, etc. [Southwestern U. S.]

MECCAWEE Mec`ca*wee", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mecca, in Arabia. -- n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Mecca.

MECHANIC Me*chan"ic, n. Etym: [F. mécanique 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. Etym: [F. mécanique, L. mechanicus, Gr. Machine.]

1. Having to do woth 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. Etym: [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 throught 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.

Defn: A mechanic. [Obs.] Shak.

MECHANICALIZE Me*chan"ic*al*ize, v. t.

Defn: To cause to become mechanical.

MECHANICALLY Me*chan"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mechanical manner.

MECHANICALNESS Me*chan"ic*al*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mechanical.

MECHANICIAN Mech`a*ni"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanicien. See Mechanic.]

Defn: One skilled in the theory or construction of machines; a machinist. Boyle.

MECHANICO-CHEMICAL Me*chan`i*co-chem"ic*al, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanique.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mécanisme, 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)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [Cf. F. méchaniser.]

Defn: To cause to be mechanical. Shelley.

MECHANOGRAPH Mech"an*o*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of works of art.

MECHANOGRAPHY Mech`an*og"ra*phy, n.

Defn: The art of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or any work of art.

MECHANURGY Mech"an*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: That branch of science which treats of moving machines.

MECHITARIST Mech"i*tar*ist, n. Etym: [From Mechitar, an Armenian., who founded the congregation in the early part of the eighteenth century.] (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: One of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic Church devoted to the improvement of Armenians.

MECHLIN Mech"lin, n.

Defn: A kind of lace made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in Belgium.

MECHOACAN Me*cho"a*can, n.

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. méconate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of meconic acid.

MECONIC Me*con"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. méconique.]

Defn: 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)

Defn: An alkaloid found in opium, and extracted as a yellow amorphous substance which is easily decomposed.

MECONIDIUM Mec`o*nid"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A kind of gonophore produced by hydroids of the genus Gonothyræa. It has tentacles, and otherwise resembles a free medusa, but remains attached by a pedicel.

MECONIN Mec"o*nin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méconine.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid which occurs in opium, and which may be obtained by oxidizing narcotine.

MECONIUM Me*co"ni*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) Opium. [Obs.] (b) The contents of the fetal intestine; hence, first excrement.

MEDAL Med"al, n. Etym: [F. médaille, It. medaglia, fr. L. metallum metal, through (assumed) LL. metalleus made of metal. See Metal, and cf. Mail a piece of money.]

Defn: 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.]

Defn: To honor or reward with a medal. "Medaled by the king." Thackeray.

MEDALET Med"al*et, n.

Defn: A small medal.

MEDALIST Med"al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médailliste, 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a medal, or to medals. "Our medallic history." Walpole.

MEDALLION Me*dal"lion, n. Etym: [F. médaillion, 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.

MEDAL PLAY Med"al play`. (Golf)

Defn: Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the number of strokes.

MEDALURGY Med"al*ur`gy, n. Etym: [Medal + the root of Gr.

Defn: 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.] Etym: [OE. medlen to mix, OF. medler, mesler, F. mêler, LL. misculare, a dim. fr. L. miscere to mix. 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; -- [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.

Defn: To mix; to mingle. [Obs.] Chaucer. "Wine meddled with gall." Wyclif (Matt. xxvii. 34).

MEDDLER Med"dler, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; officiously intrusive. -- Med"dle*some*ness, n.

MEDDLING Med"dling, a.

Defn: Meddlesome. Macaulay.

MEDDLINGLY Med"dling*ly, adv.

Defn: In a meddling manner.

MEDE Mede, n.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Media in Asia.

MEDE Mede, n.

Defn: See lst & 2d Mead, and Meed. [Obs.]

MEDIA Me"di*a, n.,

Defn: pl. of Medium.

MEDIA Me"di*a, n.; pl. Mediæ (-e). Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle.] (Phonetics)

Defn: One of the sonant mutes b, d, g (b, d, g), in Greek, or of their equivalents in other languages, so named as intermediate between the tenues, p, t, k (p, t, k), and the aspiratæ (aspirates) f, th, x (ph or f, th, ch). Also called middle mute, or medial, and sometimes soft mute.

MEDIACY Me"di*a*cy, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being mediate. Sir W. Hamilton.

MEDIAEVAL Me`di*æ"val, a. Etym: [L. medius middle + aevum age. See Middle, and Age.]

Defn: Of or relating to the Middle Ages; as, mediæval architecture. [Written also medieval.]

MEDIAEVALISM Me`di*æ"val*ism, n.

Defn: 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*æ"val*ist, n.

Defn: 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*æ"val*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of the Middle Ages; in accordance with mediævalism.

MEDIAEVALS Me`di*æ"vals, n. pl.

Defn: The people who lived in the Middle Ages. Ruskin.

MEDIAL Me"di*al, a. Etym: [L. medialis, fr. medius middle: cf. F. médial. See Middle.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a mean or average; mean; as, medial alligation.

MEDIAL Me"di*al, n. (Phonetics)

Defn: See 2d Media.

MEDIALUNA Me"di*a*lu"na, n. Etym: [Sp. media luna half-moon.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Half-moon.

MEDIAN Me"di*an, a. Etym: [L. medianus, fr. medius middle. See Medial.]

1. Being in the middle; running through the middle; as, a median groove.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A median line or point.

MEDIANT Me"di*ant, n. Etym: [L. medians, p. p. of mediare to halve: cf. It. mediante, F. médiante.] (Mus.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a mediastinum.

MEDIASTINE; MEDIASTINUM Me`di*as"tine, Me`di*as*ti"num, n. Etym: [NL. mediastinum, fr. L. medius middle; cf. mediastinus helper, a menial servant, LL. mediastinus equiv. to medius: cf F. médiastin.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [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.] Etym: [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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: The state of being mediate.

MEDIATION Me`di*a"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mediacioun, F. médiation. 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.

Defn: Pertaining to mediation; used in mediation; as, mediative efforts. Beaconsfield.

MEDIATIZATION Me`di*at`i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médiatisation.]

Defn: The act of mediatizing.

MEDIATIZE Me"di*a*tize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mediatized; p. pr. & vb. n. Mediatizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. médiatiser.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. mediator: cf. E. médiateur.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: The office or character of a mediator.

MEDIATORY Me"di*a*to*ry, a.

Defn: Mediatorial.

MEDIATRESS; MEDIATRIX Me`di*a"tress, Me`di*a*"trix, n. Etym: [L. mediatrix, f. of mediator: cf. F. médiatrice.]

Defn: A female mediator.

MEDIC Med"ic, n. Etym: [L. medica, Gr. Media, from (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. medicus.]

Defn: Medical. [R.]

MEDICABLE Med"i*ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. medicabilis, from medicare, medicari, to heal, fr. medicus physician. See Medical.]

Defn: Capable of being medicated; admitting of being cured or healed.

MEDICAL Med"ic*al, a. Etym: [LL. medicalis, L. medicus belonging to healing, fr. mederi to heal; cf. Zend madha medical science, wisdom, gr. mind: cf. F. médical.]

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.

Defn: In a medical manner; with reference to healing, or to the principles of the healing art.

MEDICAMENT Med"i*ca*ment, n. Etym: [L. medicamentum, fr. medicare, medicari, to heal: cf. F. médicament. See Medicable.]

Defn: Anything used for healing diseases or wounds; a medicine; a healing application.

MEDICAMENTAL Med`ica*men"tal, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. médicastre. See Medical.]

Defn: A quack. [R.] Whitlock.

MEDICATE Med"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Medicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Medicating.] Etym: [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, Etym: [L. medicatio: cf. F. médication.]

Defn: The act or process of medicating.

MEDICATIVE Med"i*ca*tive, a.

Defn: Medicinal; acting like a medicine.

MEDICEAN Med`i*ce"an, a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Medicinal; having the power of healing. [Obs.] Shak.

MEDICINAL Me*dic"i*nal, a. Etym: [L. medicinalis: cf. F. médicinal. 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.

Defn: In a medicinal manner.

MEDICINE Med"i*cine, n. Etym: [L. medicina (sc. ars), fr. medicinus medical, fr. medicus: cf. F. médecine. 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. Etym: [F. médecin.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to law as affected by medical facts.

MEDICOMMISSURE Med`i*com"mis*sure, n. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. commissure.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle + cornu horn.] (Anat.)

Defn: The middle or inferior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain. B. G. Wilder.

MEDICS Med"ics, n.

Defn: Science of medicine. [Obs.]

MEDIETY Me*di"e*ty, n. Etym: [L. medietas.]

Defn: The middle part; half; moiety. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

MEDIEVAL; MEDIEVALISM; MEDIEVALIST Me`di*e"val, Me`di*e"val*ism, Me`di*e"val*ist.

Defn: Same as Medi, Medi, etc.

MEDINA EPOCH Me*di"na ep"och. Etym: [From Medina in New York.] (Geol.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Same as Para.

MEDIOCRAL Me"di*o`cral, a.

Defn: Mediocre. [R.]

MEDIOCRE Me"di*o`cre, a. Etym: [F. médiocre, L. mediocris, fr. medius middle. See Mid.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: A mediocre person. [R.]

MEDIOCRITY Me`di*oc"ri*ty, n. Etym: [F. médiocrité, 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. Etym: [L. medius middle + E. stapedial.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The mediostapedial part of the columella.

MEDIOXUMOUS Me`di*ox"u*mous, a. Etym: [L. medioxumus middlemost.]

Defn: Intermediate. [Obs.] Dr. H. More.

MEDITANCE Med"i*tance, n.

Defn: Meditation. [Obs.]

MEDITATE Med"i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Meditated; p. pr. & vb. n. Meditating.] Etym: [L. meditatus, p. p. of meditari to meditate; cf. Gr. mind.]

Defn: 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. -- 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. Etym: [OE. meditacioun, F. méditation, 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.

Defn: One who is given to meditation.

MEDITATIVE Med"i*ta*tive, a. Etym: [L. meditativus: cf. F. méditatif.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [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.

MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY Mediterranean fruit fly.

Defn: A two-winged fly (Ceratitis capitata) with black and white markings, native of the Mediterranean countries, but now widely distributed. Its larva lives in ripening oranges, peaches, and other fruits, causing them to decay and fall.

MEDITERRANEOUS Med`i*ter*ra"ne*ous, a.

Defn: Inland. Sir T. Browne.

MEDIUM Me"di*um, n.; pl. L. Media, E. Mediums. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Having a medium size; as, a medium-sized man.

MEDIUS Me"di*us, n.; pl. Medii. Etym: [NL., fr. L. medius middle. See Medium.] (Anat.)

Defn: The third or middle finger; the third digit, or that which corresponds to it.

MEDJIDIE; MEDJIDIEH Me*dji"di*e, Me*dji"di*eh, n. [Turk. majidieh (prop. fem. a., fr. Ar. mejid glorious); -- so called after the sultan Abdul Mejid, lit., "servant of the Glorious One," i.e., of God.]

1. (a) A silver coin of Turkey formerly rated at twenty, but since 1880 at nineteen, piasters (about 83 cents). (b) A gold coin of Turkey equal to one hundred piastres ($4.396 or 18s. ¾d.); a lira, or Turkish pound.

2. A Turkish honorary order established in 1851 by Abdul-Mejid, having as its badge a medallion surrounded by seven silver rays and crescents. It is often conferred on foreigners.

MEDLAR Med"lar, n. Etym: [OE. medler medlar tree, OF. meslier, F. néflier, L. mespilum, mespilus, Gr. Naseberry.]

Defn: 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 (Cratægus Azarolus); also, its fruit.

MEDLE Med"le, v. t. Etym: [See Meddle.]

Defn: To mix; to mingle; to meddle. [Written also medly.] [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEDLEY Med"ley, n.; pl. Medleys. Etym: [OE. medlee, OF. meslée, medlée, mellée, F. mêlée. See Meddle, and cf. MelÉe, 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 mêlée. [Obs.] Holland.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: 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 medlè coat." Chaucer.

2. Mingled; confused. Dryden.

MEDLY Med"ly, v. t.

Defn: See Medle. Johnson.

MEDOC Mé`doc", n. Etym: [Cf. Mayduke.]

Defn: A class of claret wines, including several varieties, from the district of Médoc in the department of Gironde.

MEDREGAL Med"re*gal, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Bonito, 3.

MEDRICK Med"rick, n. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A species of gull or tern. [Prov.] Lowell.

MEDULLA Me*dul"la, n. Etym: [L.]

1. Marrow; pith; hence, essence. [Obs.] Milton.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A soft tissue, occupying the center of the stem or branch of a plant; pith. Medulla oblongata. Etym: [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.

Defn: See Medullary.

MEDULLARY Med"ul*la*ry, a. Etym: [L. medullaris, fr. medulla marrow: cf. F. médullaire.]

1. (Anat.) (a) Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or medulla. (b) Pertaining to the medula oblongata.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Furnished with a medulla or marrow, or with a medullary sheath; as, a medullated nerve fiber.

MEDULLIN Me*dul"lin, n. Etym: [Cf. F. médulline.] (Bot. Chem.)

Defn: A variety of lignin or cellulose found in the medulla, or pith, of certain plants. Cf. Lignin, and Cellulose.

MEDUSA Me*du"sa, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: 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 (.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any free swimming acaleph; a jellyfish.

Note: The larger medusæ belong to the Discophora, and are sometimes called covered-eyed medusæ; others, known as naked-eyed medusæ, belong to the Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from hidroids. See Discophora, Hydroidea, and Hydromedusa. Medusa bud (Zoöl.), one of the buds of a hydroid, destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See Athecata, and Gonotheca. -- Medusa's head. (a) (Zoöl.) An astrophyton. (b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.

MEDUSIAN Me*du"si*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A medusa.

MEDUSIFORM Me*du"si*form, a. Etym: [Medusa + -form.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Resembling a medusa in shape or structure.

MEDUSOID Me*du"soid, a. Etym: [Medusa + -oid.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Like a medusa; having the fundamental structure of a medusa, but without a locomotive disk; -- said of the sessile gonophores of hydroids. -- n.

Defn: A sessile gonophore. See Illust. under Gonosome.

MEECH Meech, v. i.

Defn: See Mich. [Obs. or Colloq.]

MEED Meed, n. Etym: [OE. mede, AS. med, meord; akin to OS. m, OHG. miata, mieta, G. miethe hire, Goth. mizdo reward, Bohem. & Russ. mzda, Gr. mistho`s, Skr. midha. sq. root276.]

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.

Defn: Worthy of meed, reward, or recompense; meritorious. "Meedful works." Wiclif.

MEEDFULLY Meed"ful*ly, adv.

Defn: According to merit; suitably.

MEEK Meek, a. [Compar. Meeker; superl. Meekest.] Etym: [OE. mek, meoc; akin to Icel. mj mild, soft, Sw. mjuk, Dan. myg, D. muik, Goth. mukam

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; MEEKEN Meek, Meek"en (-'n), v. t.

Defn: To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEEKLY Meek"ly, adv.

Defn: In a meek manner. Spenser.

MEEKNESS Meek"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being meek.

MEER Meer, a.

Defn: Simple; unmixed. See Mere, a. [Obs.]

MEER Meer, n.

Defn: See Mere, a lake.

MEER Meer, n.

Defn: A boundary. See Mere.

MEERKAT Meer"kat, n. Etym: [D.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A South African carnivore (Cynictis penicillata), allied to the ichneumons.

MEERSCHAUM Meer"schaum, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Met; p. pr. & vb. n. Meeting.] Etym: [OE. meten, AS. m, fr. m, gem, a meeting; akin to OS. m to meet, Icel. mæta, Goth. gam. 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. mete fitting, moderate, scanty, AS. m moderate; akin to gemet fit, meet, metan to mete, and G. mässig moderate, gemäss fitting. See Mete.]

Defn: 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, adv.

Defn: Meetly. [Obs.] Shak.

MEETEN Meet"en, v. t.

Defn: To render fit. [R.]

MEETER Meet"er, n.

Defn: One who meets.

MEETH Meeth

Defn: , 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Fitly; suitably; properly.

MEETNESS Meet"ness, n.

Defn: Fitness; suitableness; propriety.

MEG-; MEGA; MEGALO- Meg-, Meg"a, Meg"a*lo-. Etym: [Gr. me`gas, gen. mega`loy, great.]

Defn: Combining forms signifying: (a) Great, extended, powerful; as, megascope, megacosm. (b) (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.)

Defn: A million times, a million of; as, megameter, a million meters; megafarad, a million farads; megohm, a million ohms.

MEGACEPHALIC; MEGACEPHALOUS Meg`a*ce*phal"ic, Meg`a*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Mega- Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: Large headed; -- applied to animals, and to plants when they have large flower heads.

MEGACEROS Me*gac"e*ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + horn.] (Paleon.)

Defn: The Irish elk.

MEGACHILE Meg"a*chile, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A leaf-cutting bee of the genus Megachilus. See Leaf cutter, under Leaf.

MEGACOSM Meg"a*cosm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.

Defn: See Macrocosm. Croft.

MEGACOULOMB Meg`a*cou`lomb", n. Etym: [Mega- + coulomb.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million coulombs.

MEGADERM Meg"a*derm, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of Old World blood-sucking bats of the genus Megaderma.

MEGADYNE Meg"a*dyne, n. Etym: [Mega- + dyne.] (Physics)

Defn: One of the larger measures of force, amounting to one million dynes.

MEGAFARAD Meg"a*far`ad, n. Etym: [Mega- + farad.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical capacity, amounting to one million farads; a macrofarad.

MEGALERG Meg"a*lerg, n. Etym: [Megalo- + erg.] (Physics)

Defn: A million ergs; a megerg.

MEGALESIAN Meg`a*le"sian, a. Etym: [L. Megalesius, fr. Gr. Mega`lh the Great, a surname of Cybele, the Magna Mater.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or in honor of, Cybele; as, the Megalesian games at Rome.

MEGALETHOSCOPE Meg`a*leth"o*scope, n. Etym: [Mega- + alethoscope.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mega- + -lith; cf. F. mégalithe.]

Defn: A large stone; especially, a large stone used in ancient building. -- Meg`a*lith"ic, a.

MEGALO- Meg"a*lo-.

Defn: See Meg-.

MEGALOCEPHALIA; MEGALOCEPHALY Meg`a*lo*ce*pha"li*a, Meg`a*lo*ceph"a*ly, n. [NL. megalocephalia, fr. Gr. having a large head.] (Med.)

Defn: The condition of having an abnormally large head. -- Meg`a*lo*ce*phal"ic (#), a.

MEGALOCYTE Meg"a*lo*cyte, n. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: A large, flattened corpuscle, twice the diameter of the ordinary red corpuscle, found in considerable numbers in the blood in profound anæmia.

MEGALOMANIA Meg`a*lo*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. megalo- + mania.] (Pathol.)

Defn: A form of mental alienation in which the patient has grandiose delusions.

MEGALONYX Meg`a*lon"yx, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas, mega`lh, great + 'o`nyx claw.] (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct quaternary mammal, of great size, allied to the sloth.

MEGALOPHONOUS Meg`a*loph"o*nous, a. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr. fwnh` voice.]

Defn: Having a loud voice.

MEGALOPOLIS Meg`a*lop"o*lis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. megalo`polis; me`gas, mega`lh, great + po`lis city.]

Defn: A chief city; a metropolis. [R.]

MEGALOPS Meg"a*lops, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas, -a`loy, large + 'w`ps eye.] (Zoöl.)

1. A larva, in a stage following the zoëa, 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. Etym: [Megalo- + Gr.

Defn: Greatness of soul. [Obs. & R.]

MEGALOSAUR; MEGALOSAURUS Meg"a*lo*saur`, Meg`a*lo*sau"rus, n. Etym: [NL. megalosaurus, fr. Gr. mégalosaure.] (Paleon.)

Defn: A gigantic carnivorous dinosaur, whose fossil remains have been found in England and elsewhere.

MEGAMETER Me*gam"e*ter, n. Etym: [Mega- + -meter: cf. F. mégamètre.] (Physics)

1. An instrument for determining longitude by observation of the stars.

2. A micrometer. [R.] Knight.

MEGAMETER; MEGAMETRE Meg"a*me`ter, Meg"a*me`tre, n. Etym: [Mega- + meter, metre, n., 2.]

Defn: In the metric system, one million meters, or one thousand kilometers.

MEGAMPERE Meg`am`père", n. Etym: [Mega- + ampère.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million ampères.

MEGAPHONE Meg"a*phone, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr.

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., from Gr. me`gas great + fyto`n plant.] (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct genus of tree ferns with large, two-ranked leaves, or fronds.

MEGAPODE Meg"a*pode, n. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`gas great + po`lis city.]

Defn: A metropolis. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.

MEGARIAN; MEGARIC Me*ga"ri*an, Me*gar"ic, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mega- + -scope: cf. F. mégascope.]

Defn: 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.

MEGASCOPIC; MEGASCOPICAL Meg`a*scop"ic, Meg`a*scop"ic*al, a.

1. (Physics) Of or pertaining to the megascope or the projection upon a screen of images of opaque objects. (b) Enlarged or magnified; -- said of images or of photographic pictures, etc.

2. (Geol.) Large enough to be seen; --said of the larger structural features and components of rocks which do not require the use of the microscope to be perceived. Opposed to microscopic.

MEGASEME Meg"a*seme, a. Etym: [Mega- + Gr. mégasème.] (Anat.)

Defn: Having the orbital index relatively large; having the orbits narrow transversely; -- opposed to microseme.

MEGASS; MEGASSE Me"gass", Me*gasse", n.

Defn: See Bagasse.

MEGASTHENE Meg"as*thene, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sthe`nos strength.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a typically large size; belonging to the megasthenes.

MEGASTOME Meg"a*stome, n. Etym: [Gr. me`gas great + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a group of univalve shells, having a large aperture or mouth.

MEGATHERE; MEGATHERIUM Meg"a*there, Meg`a*the"ri*um, n. Etym: [NL. megatherium, fr. Gr. me`gas great + thyri`on beast.] (Paleon.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Megatherium + -oid.] (Paleon.)

Defn: One of a family of extinct edentates found in America. The family includes the megatherium, the megalonyx, etc.

MEGAVOLT Meg`a*volt", n. Etym: [Mega- + volt.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electro-motive force, amounting to one million volts.

MEGAWEBER Meg`a*we"ber, n. Etym: [Mega- + weber.] (Elec.)

Defn: A million webers.

MEGERG Meg"erg`, n. Etym: [Mega- + erg.] (Physics)

Defn: One of the larger measures of work, amounting to one million ergs; -- called also megalerg.

MEGILP; MEGILPH Me*gilp", Me*gilph", n. (Paint.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mega- + ohm.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the larger measures of electrical resistance, amounting to one million ohms.

MEGRIM Me"grim, n. Etym: [OE. migrim, migrene, F. migraine, LL. hemigrania, L. hemicrania, hemicranium, Gr. 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The British smooth sole, or scaldfish (Psetta arnoglossa).

MEIBOMIAN Mei*bo"mi*an, a. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Menge.

MEINE; MEINY Mein"e, Mein"y, (, n. Etym: [OF. maisniée, 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.)

Defn: See Miocene.

MEIONITE Mei"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A member of the scapolite, group, occuring in glassy crystals on Monte Somma, near Naples.

MEIOSIS Mei*o"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Meionite.] (Rhet.)

Defn: Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is.

MEIOSTEMONOUS Mei`o*stem"o*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Having fever stamens than the parts of the corolla.

MEISTERSINGER Meis"ter*sing`er, n. Etym: [G.]

Defn: See Mastersinger.

MEKHITARIST Mekh"i*tar*ist, n. (Ecc. Hist.)

Defn: See Mechitarist.

MELACONITE Me*lac"o*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: An earthy black oxide of copper, arising from the decomposition of other ores.

MELADA; MELADO Me*la"da, Me*la"do, n. Etym: [Sp., prop. p. p. of melar to sugar, candy, fr. L. mel honey. See Molasses.]

Defn: A mixture of sugar and molasses; crude sugar as it comes from the pans without being drained.

MELAENA Me*læ"na, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A discharge from the bowels of black matter, consisting of altered blood.

MELAIN Mel"ain, n. Etym: [See Melna.]

Defn: The dark coloring matter of the liquid of the cuttlefish.

MELAINOTYPE Me*lai"no*type, n.

Defn: See Melanotype.

MELAM Me"lam, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mélam.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white or buff-colored granular powder,

MELAMINE Me*lam"ine, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: The black hellebore. [Obs.] Spenser.

MELAMPYRIN; MELAMPYRITE Mel`am*py"rin, Mel`am*py"rite, n. Etym: [NL. Melampyrum cowwheat; Gr. (Chem.)

Defn: The saccharine substance dulcite; -- so called because found in the leaves of cowwheat (Melampyrum). See Dulcite.

MELANAEMIA Mel`a*næ"mi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A medicine supposed to expel black bile or choler. [Obs.]

MELANCHOLIA Mel`an*cho"li*a, n. Etym: [L. See Melancholy.] (Med.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: A person affected with melancholy; a melancholic. [Obs.] Dr. J. Scott.

MELANCHOLIC Mel"an*chol`ic, a. Etym: [L. melancholicus, Gr. mélancholique.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: In a melancholy manner.

MELANCHOLINESS Mel"an*chol`i*ness, n.

Defn: The state or quality of being melancholy. Hallywell.

MELANCHOLIOUS Mel`an*cho"li*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. melancholieux.]

Defn: Melancholy. [R.] Milton.

MELANCHOLIST Mel"an*chol*ist, n.

Defn: One affected with melancholy or dejection. [Obs.] Glanvill.

MELANCHOLIZE Mel"an*cho*lize, v. i.

Defn: To become gloomy or dejected in mind. Barrow.

MELANCHOLIZE Mel"an*cho*lize, v. t.

Defn: To make melancholy.

MELANCHOLY Mel"an*chol*y, n. Etym: [OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. 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.

MELANCONIACEAE Mel`an*co`ni*a"ce*æ, n. pl. [NL.] (Bot.)

Defn: A family of fungi constituting the order Melanconiales. -- Mel`an*co`ni*a"ceous (#), a.

MELANCONIALES Mel`an*co`ni*a"les, n. pl. [NL., fr. Melanconium, name of the typical genus, fr. Gr. black + dust, in allusion to the dark spores.] (Bot.)

Defn: The smallest of the three orders of Fungi Imperfecti, including those with no asci nor pycnidia, but as a rule having the spores in cavities without special walls. They cause many of the plant diseases known as anthracnose.

MELANESIAN Mel`a*ne"sian, a. Etym: [Gr. Melanesia was so called from the dark complexion of the natives.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to Melanesia.

MELANGE Mé`lange", n. Etym: [F. See Mell, Meddle.]

Defn: A mixture; a medley.

MELANIAN Me*la"ni*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a family of fresh-water pectinibranchiate mollusks, having a turret-shaped shell.

MELANIC Me*lan"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

1. Melanotic.

2. (Ethnol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the black-haired races. Prichard.

MELANILINE Me*lan"i*line, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: 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, n. Etym: [Gr. , , black.]

1. An indue development of dark-colored pigment in the skin or its appendages; -- the opposite of albinism.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A disease; black jaundice. See Mel.

MELANISTIC Mel`a*nis"tic, a.

Defn: Affected with melanism; of the nature of melanism.

MELANITE Mel"a*nite, n. Etym: [Gr. mélanite.] (Min.)

Defn: A black variety of garnet.

MELANOCHROI Mel`a*noch"ro*i, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Melanochroic.] (Ethnol.)

Defn: A group of the human race, including the dark whites.

MELANOCHROIC Mel`a*no*chro"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having a dark complexion; of or pertaining to the Melanochroi.

MELANOCHROITE Mel`a*no*chro"ite, n. Etym: [See Melanochroic.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of a red, or brownish or yellowish red color. It is a chromate of lead; -- called also phoenicocroite.

MELANOCOMOUS Mel`a*noc"o*mous, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Having very dark or black hair; black-haired. Prichard.

MELANOMA Mel`a*no"ma, n.; L. pl. -nomata (#). [NL.; Gr. , , black + -oma.] (Med.) (a) A tumor containing dark pigment. (b) Development of dark-pigmented tumors.

MELANORRHOEA Mel`a*nor*rhoe"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: An East Indian genus of large trees. Melanorrhoea usitatissima is the lignum-vitæ of Peru, and yelds a valuable black varnish.

MELANOSCOPE Me*lan"o*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.] (Opt.)

Defn: 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, Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: The morbid deposition of black matter, often of a malignant character, causing pigmented tumors.

MELANOSPERM Me*lan"o*sperm, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: 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

Defn: , Melanistic.

MELANOTYPE Me*lan"o*type, n. Etym: [Gr. -type.] (Photog.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A hydrous sulphate of iron of a green color and vitreous luster; iron vitriol.

MELANURE Mel"a*nure, n. Etym: [NL. melanurus, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small fish of the Mediterranean; a gilthead. See Gilthead (a).

MELANURIC Mel`a*nu"ric, a. Etym: [Melam + urea.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F., fr. Gr. phyre porphyry.] (Min.)

Defn: Any one of several dark-colored augitic, eruptive rocks allied to basalt.

MELASMA Me*las"ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Molasses.

MELASSIC Me*las"sic, a. Etym: [See Molasses.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Belonging to the order of which Melastoma is the type.

MELCHITE Mel"chite, n. Etym: [Heb. melek king.] (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: 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.

MELD Meld, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Melded; p. pr. & vb. n. Melding.] [G. melden to announce.] (Card Playing)

Defn: In the game of pinochle, to declare or announce for a score; as, to meld a sequence.

MELD Meld, n. (Card Playing)

Defn: Any combination or score which may be declared, or melded, in pinochle.

MELEAGRINE Mel`e*a"grine, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the genus Meleagris.

MELEAGRIS Mel`e*a"gris, n. Etym: [L., the Guinea fowl.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of American gallinaceous birds, including the common and the wild turkeys.

MELEE Mê`lée", n. Etym: [F., fr. mêler to mix. See Meddle, Mell, and cf. Mellay.]

Defn: A fight in which the combatants are mingled

MELENA Me*le"na, n. (Med.)

Defn: See Mel.

MELENE Mel"ene, n. Etym: [Melissic + ethylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.]

Defn: An explosive of great destructive power; -- so called from its color, which resembles honey.

MELETIN Mel"e*tin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: See Quercitin.

MELEZITOSE Me*lez"i*tose`, n. Etym: [F. mélèze the larch + melitose.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Pertaining to a natural order (Meliacæ) of plants of which the genus Melia is the type. It includes the mahogany and the Spanish cedar.

MELIBEAN; MELIBOEAN Mel`i*be"an, Mel`i*boe"an, a. Etym: [From L. Meliboeus, one of the interlocutors in Virgil's first Eclogue.] (Rhet.)

Defn: Alternately responsive, as verses.

MELIC Mel"ic, Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Of or pertaining to song; lyric; tuneful.

MELICEROUS Me*lic"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. meliceris a kind of tumor, fr. Gr. me`li honey + (Med.)

Defn: Consisting of or containing matter like honey; -- said of certain encysted tumors.

MELIC GRASS Mel"ic grass`. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of grasses (Melica) of little agricultural importance.

MELICOTOON Mel`i*co*toon", n. (Bot.)

Defn: See Melocoton.

MELICRATORY Me*lic"ra*to*ry, n. Etym: [Gr. meli`kraton.]

Defn: A meadlike drink. [Obs.]

MELILITE Mel"i*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + -lite; cf. F. mélilithe.] (Min.)

Defn: A mineral occurring in small yellow crystals, found in the lavas (melilite basalt) of Vesuvius, and elsewhere. [Written also mellilite.]

MELILOT Mel"i*lot, n. Etym: [F. mélilot, L. melilotus, fr. Gr. me`li honey + (Bot.)

Defn: Any species of Melilotus, a genus of leguminous herbs having a vanillalike odor; sweet clover; hart's clover. The blue melilot (Melilotus cærulea) is used in Switzerland to give color and flavor to sapsago cheese.

MELILOTIC Mel`i*lot"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, sweet clover or meliot; specifically, designating an acid of the aromatic series, obtained from melilot as a white crystalline substance.

MELINITE Mé"lin*ite, n. [F.] (Chem.)

Defn: A high explosive similar to lyddite, consisting principally of picric acid, used in the French military service.

MELIORATE Mel"io*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meliorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Meliorating.] Etym: [L. melioratus, p. p. of meliorare to meliorate, fr. melior better; akin to Gr. Ameliorate.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To grow better.

MELIORATER Mel"io*ra`ter, n.

Defn: Same as Meliorator.

MELIORATION Mel`io*ra"tion, n. Etym: [L. melioratio.]

Defn: The act or operation of meliorating, or the state of being meliorated; improvement. Bacon.

MELIORATOR Mel"io*ra`tor, n.

Defn: One who meliorates.

MELIORISM Mel"io*rism, n. Etym: [From L. melior better.]

Defn: The doctrine that there is a tendency throughout nature toward improvement. J. Sully.

MELIORITY Mel*ior"i*ty, n. Etym: [LL. melioritas, fr. L. melior. See Meliorate.]

Defn: The state or quality of being better; melioration. [Obs.] Bacon.

MELIPHAGAN Me*liph"a*gan, a. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey + (Zoöl.)

Defn: Belonging to the genus Meliphaga.

MELIPHAGAN Me*liph"a*gan, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any bird of the genus Meliphaga and allied genera; a honey eater; -- called also meliphagidan.

MELIPHAGOUS Me*liph"a*gous, a. Etym: [See Meliphagan.] (Zool.)

Defn: Eating, or feeding upon, honey.

MELISMA Me*lis"ma, n.; pl. Melismata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of labiate herbs, including the balm, or bee balm (Melissa officinalis).

MELISSIC Me*lis"sic, a. Etym: [Gr. me`lissa a bee, honey.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, beeswax; specif., denoting an acid obtained by oxidation of myricin.

MELISSYL Me*lis"syl, n. Etym: [Melissic +yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Myricyl.

MELISSYLENE Me*lis"sy*lene, n. Etym: [Melissic + -yl + -ene.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Melene.

MELITOSE Mel"i*tose`, n. Etym: [Gr. me`li honey.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. mêler, OF. meller, mester. See Meddle.]

Defn: To mix; to meddle. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELL Mell, n. Etym: [See Mellifluous.]

Defn: Honey. [Obs.] Warner.

MELL Mell, n.

Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELLATE Mel"late, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey. Cf. Mellitate.] (Chem.)

Defn: A mellitate. [R.]

MELLAY Mel"lay, n.

Defn: A mêlée; a conflict. Tennyson.

MELLIC Mel"lic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: See Mellitic. [R.]

MELLIFEROUS Mel*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifer; mel, mellis, honey + ferre to bear.]

Defn: Producing honey.

MELLIFIC Mel*lif"ic, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]

Defn: Producing honey.

MELLIFICATION Mel`li*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. mellificare to make honey: cf. F. mellification. See Mellific.]

Defn: The making or production of honey.

MELLIFLUENCE Mel*lif"lu*ence, n.

Defn: A flow of sweetness, or a sweet, smooth flow.

MELLIFLUENT Mel*lif"lu*ent, a. Etym: [L. mellifluens. See Mellifluous.]

Defn: Flowing as with honey; smooth; mellifluous.

MELLIFLUENTLY Mel*lif"lu*ent*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mellifluent manner.

MELLIFLUOUS Mel*lif"lu*ous, a. Etym: [L. mellifluus; mel, mellis, honey (akin to Gr. milip) + fluere to flow. See Mildew, Fluent, and cf. Marmalade.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. mel, mellis + -genous.]

Defn: Having the qualities of honey. [R.]

MELLIGO Mel*li"go, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Honeydew.

MELLILOQUENT Mel*lil"o*quent, a. Etym: [L. mel, mellis honey + loquens speaking, p. pr. of loqui to speak.]

Defn: Speaking sweetly or harmoniously.

MELLIPHAGAN Mel*liph"a*gan, n.

Defn: See Meliphagan.

MELLIPHAGOUS Mel*liph"a*gous, a.

Defn: See Meliphagous.

MELLITATE Mel"li*tate, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mellitate. See Mellitic.] (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of mellitic acid.

MELLITE Mel"lite, n. Etym: [L. mel, mellis, honey: cf. F. mellite.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A yellow powder, C6H3N9, obtained from certain sulphocyanates. It has acid properties and forms compounds called mellonides.

MELLONIDE Mel"lon*ide, n.

Defn: See Mellone.

MELLOW Mel"low, a. [Compar. Mellower; superl. Mellowest.] Etym: [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.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To become mellow; as, ripe fruit soon mellows. "Prosperity begins to mellow." Shak.

MELLOWLY Mel"low*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mellow manner.

MELLOWNESS Mel"low*ness, n.

Defn: Quality or state of being mellow.

MELLOWY Mel"low*y, a.

Defn: Soft; unctuous. Drayton.

MELLUCO Mel*lu"co, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A climbing plant (Ullucus officinalis) of the Andes, having tuberous roots which are used as a substitute for potatoes.

MELNE Mel"ne, n.

Defn: A mill. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MELOCOTON; MELOCOTOON Mel`o*co*ton", Mel`o*co*toon", n. Etym: [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. 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Melody, and cf. Odeon.]

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A kind of small reed organ; -- a portable form of the seraphine.

2. A music hall.

MELODIC Me*lod"ic, a. Etym: [L. melodicus, Gr. mélodique.]

Defn: Of the nature of melody; relating to, containing, or made up of, melody; melodious.

MELODICS Me*lod"ics, n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Melody + -graph.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodieux. See Melody.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodiste.]

Defn: A composer or singer of melodies.

MELODIZE Mel"o*dize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melodized; p. pr. & vb. n. Melodizing.]

Defn: To make melodious; to form into, or set to, melody.

MELODIZE Mel"o*dize, v. i.

Defn: To make melody; to compose melodies; to harmonize.

MELODRAMA Mel`o*dra"ma, n. Etym: [F. mélodrame, fr. Gr.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mélodramatique.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One who acts in, or writes, melodramas.

MELODRAME Mel"o*drame, n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Melodrama.

MELODY Mel"o*dy, n.; pl. Melodies. Etym: [OE. melodie, F. mélodie, L. melodia, fr. Gr. Ode.]

1. A sweet or agreeable succession of sounds. Lulled with sound of sweetest melody. Shak.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: 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, Etym: [ NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. -graph : cf. F. mélographe.]

Defn: Same as Melodiograph.

MELOLONTHIDIAN Mel`o*lon*thid"i*an, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A beetle of the genus Melolontha, and allied genera. See May beetle, under May.

MELON Mel"on, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. melo, for melopepo an apple-shaped melon, Gr. malum apple. Cf. Marmalade.]

1. (Bot.)

Defn: The juicy fruit of certain cucurbitaceous plants, as the muskmelon, watermelon, and citron melon; also, the plant that produces the fruit.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large, ornamental, marine, univalve shell of the genus Melo. Melon beetle (Zoöl.), 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. Etym: [Gr. piano.]

Defn: A piano having a mechanical attachment which enables the player to prolong the notes at will.

MELOPLASTIC Mel`o*plas"tic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to meloplasty, or the artificial formation of a new cheek.

MELOPLASTY Mel"o*plas`ty, n. Etym: [Gr. -plasty: cf. F. méloplastie.] (Surg.)

Defn: The process of restoring a cheek which has been destroyed wholly or in part.

MELOPOEIA Mel`o*poe"ia, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Mus.)

Defn: The art of forming melody; melody; -- now often used for a melodic passage, rather than a complete melody.

MELOTYPE Mel"o*type, n. (Photog.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. (Class. Myth.)

Defn: The Muse of tragedy.

2. (Astron.)

Defn: The eighteenth asteroid.

MELROSE Mel"rose, n.

Defn: Honey of roses.

MELT Melt, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See 2d Milt.

MELT Melt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melted (obs.) p. p. Molten; p. pr. & vb. n. Melting.] Etym: [AS. meltan; akin to Gr. malt, and prob. to E. smelt, v. Smelt, v., Malt, Milt the spleen.]

1. To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to liquefy; as, to mell 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.

Defn: Capable of being melted.

MELTER Melt"er

Defn: , One who, or that which, melts.

MELTING Melt"ing, n.

Defn: 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 0º Centigrade or 32º Fahr., that of urea is 132º Centigrade. -- Melting pot, a vessel in which anything is melted; a crucible.

MELTING Melt"ing a.

Defn: 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, Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]

Defn: A kind of stout woolen cloth with unfinished face and without raised nap. A commoner variety has a cotton warp.

MELUNGEON Me*lun"geon, n. [Cf. F. mélanger to mix, mélange a mixture.]

Defn: One of a mixed white and Indian people living in parts of Tennessee and the Carolinas. They are descendants of early intermixtures of white settlers with natives. In North Carolina the Croatan Indians, regarded as descended from Raleigh's lost colony of Croatan, formerly classed with negroes, are now legally recognized as distinct.

MEMBER Mem"ber, v. t. Etym: [See Remember.]

Defn: To remember; to cause to remember; to mention. [Obs.]

MEMBER Mem"ber, n. Etym: [OE. membre, F. membre, fr. L. membrum; cf. Goth. mimz flesh, Skr. mamsa.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Relating to a member.

MEMBRANACEOUS Mem`bra*na"ceous, a. Etym: [L. membranaceus.]

1. Same as Membranous. Arbuthnot.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Thin and rather soft or pliable, as the leaves of the rose, peach tree, and aspen poplar.

MEMBRANE Mem"brane, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. membrana the skin that covers the separate members of the body, fr. L. membrum. See Member.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. membraneus of parchment.]

Defn: See Membranous.

MEMBRANIFEROUS Mem`bra*nif"er*ous, a. Etym: [Membrane + -ferous.]

Defn: Having or producing membranes.

MEMBRANIFORM Mem*bra"ni*form, a. Etym: [Membrane + -form: cf. F. membraniforme.]

Defn: Having the form of a membrane or of parchment.

MEMBRANOLOGY Mem`bra*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Membrane + -logy.]

Defn: The science which treats of membranes.

MEMBRANOUS Mem"bra*nous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. membraneux.]

1. Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, membrane; as, a membranous covering or lining.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Membranaceous. Membranous croup (Med.), true croup. See Croup.

MEMENTO Me*men"to, n.; pl. Mementos. Etym: [L., remember, be mindful, imper. of meminisse to remember. See Mention.]

Defn: A hint, suggestion, token, or memorial, to awaken memory; that which reminds or recalls to memory; a souvenir. Seasonable mementos may be useful. Bacon.

MEMENTO MORI Me*men"to mo"ri. [L.]

Defn: Lit., remember to die, i.e., that you must die; a warning to be prepared for death; an object, as a death's-head or a personal ornament, usually emblematic, used as a reminder of death.

MEMINNA Me*min"na, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small deerlet, or chevrotain, of India.

MEMNON Mem"non, n. Etym: [L., from Gr. (Antiq.)

Defn: A celebrated Egyptian statue near Thebes, said to have the property of emitting a harplike sound at sunrise.

MEMOIR; MEMOIRS Mem"oir, or pl. Mem"oirs, n. Etym: [F. mémoire, m., memorandum, fr. mémoire, 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.

Defn: A writer of memoirs.

MEMORABILIA Mem`o*ra*bil"i*a, n. pl. Etym: [L., fr. memorabilis memorable. See Memorable.]

Defn: Things remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record; also, the record of them.

MEMORABILITY Mem`o*ra*bil"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being memorable.

MEMORABLE Mem"o*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. memorabilis, fr. memorare to bring to remembrance, fr. memor mindful, remembering. See Memory, and cf. Memorabilia.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [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)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. memoratus, p. p. of memorare. See Memorable.]

Defn: To commemorate. [Obs.]

MEMORATIVE Mem"o*ra*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mémoratif.]

Defn: Commemorative. [Obs.] Hammond.

MEMORIA Me*mo"ri*a, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Memory. Memoria technica, technical memory; a contrivance for aiding the memory.

MEMORIAL Me*mo"ri*al, a. Etym: [F. mémorial, 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mémorial.]

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)

Defn: A species of informal state paper, much used in negotiation.

MEMORIAL DAY Me*mo"ri*al Day.

Defn: A day, May 30, appointed for commemorating, by decorating their graves with flowers, by patriotic exercises, etc., the dead soldiers and sailors who served the Civil War (1861-65) in the United States; Decoration Day. It is a legal holiday in most of the States. In the Southern States, the Confederate Memorial Day is: May 30 in Virginia; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in North Carolina and South Carolina; the second Friday in May in Tennessee; June 3 in Louisiana. [U. S.]

MEMORIALIST Me*mo"ri*al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mémorialiste.]

Defn: One who writes or signs a memorial.

MEMORIALIZE Me*mo"ri*al*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Memorialized; p. pr. & vb. n. Memorializing.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One who petitions by a memorial. T. Hook.

MEMORIAL ROSE Memorial rose.

Defn: A Japanese evergreen rose (Rosa wichuraiana) with creeping branches, shining leaves, and single white flowers. It is often planted in cemeteries.

MEMORIST Mem"o*rist, n. Etym: [See Memorize.]

Defn: One who, or that which, causes to be remembered. [Obs.]

MEMORITER Me*mor"i*ter, adv. Etym: [L., fr. memor mindful. See Memorable.]

Defn: By, or from, memory.

MEMORIZE Mem"o*rize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Memorized; p. pr. & vb. n. Memorizing.] Etym: [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. Etym: [OE. memorie, OF. memoire, memorie, F. mémoire, 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. 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the ancient city of Memphis in Egypt; hence, Egyptian; as, Memphian darkness.

MEM-SAHIB Mem"-sa`hib, n. [Hind. mem-sahib; mem (fr. E. ma'am) + Ar. çahib master. See Sahib.]

Defn: Lady; mistress; -- used by Hindustani-speaking natives in India in addressing European women.

MEN Men, n.,

Defn: pl. of Man.

MEN Men, pron. Etym: [OE. me, men. "Not the plural of man, but a weakened form of the word man itself." Skeat.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [From Menaccan, in Cornwall, where it was first found.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F., fr. L. minaciae threats, menaces, fr. minax, - acis, projecting, threatening, minae projecting points or pinnacles, threats. Cf. Amenable, Demean, Imminent, Minatory.]

Defn: 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 (ast); p. pr. & vb. n. Menacing.] Etym: [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.

Defn: To act in threatening manner; to wear a threatening aspect. Who ever knew the heavens menace so Shak.

MENACER Men"a*cer, n.

Defn: One who menaces.

MENACINGLY Men"a*cing*ly, adv.

Defn: In a threatening manner.

MENAGE Mé`nage", n.

Defn: See Manage.

MENAGE Mé`nage", n. Etym: [See Menagerie.]

Defn: A collection of animals; a menagerie. [Obs.] Addison.

MENAGERIE Men*ag"er*ie, n. Etym: [F. ménagerie, fr. ménager to keep house, ménage 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. Etym: [F. ménagogue, fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Emmenagogue.

MENAION Me*na"ion, n.; pl. Menaia (-yå). Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Eccl.)

Defn: A work of twelve volumes, each containing the offices in the Greek Church for a month; also, each volume of the same. Shipley.

MENALD; MENILD Men"ald, Men"ild, a.

Defn: Covered with spots; speckled; variegated. [Obs.]

MEND Mend, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mended; p. pr. & vb. n. Mending.] Etym: [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.

Defn: To grow better; to advance to a better state; to become improved. Shak.

MENDABLE Mend"a*ble, a.

Defn: Capable of being mended.

MENDACIOUS Men*da"cious, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [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.

MENDELIAN Men*de"li*an, a. [See Mendel's law.] (Biol.)

Defn: Pert. to Mendel, or to Mendel's law. -- Men*de"li*an*ism (#), Men*del"ism (#), n.

MENDELIAN CHARACTER Mendelian character. (Biol.)

Defn: A character which obeys Mendel's law in regard to its hereditary transmission.

MENDEL'S LAW Men"del's law.

Defn: A principle governing the inheritance of many characters in animals and plants, discovered by Gregor J. Mendel (Austrian Augustinian abbot, 1822-84) in breeding experiments with peas. He showed that the height, color, and other characters depend on the presence of determinating factors behaving as units. In any given germ cell each of these is either present or absent. The following example (using letters as symbols of the determining factors and hence also of the individuals possessing them) shows the operation of the law: Tallness being due to a factor T, a tall plant, arising by the union in fertilization of two germ cells both bearing this factor, is TT; a dwarf, being without T, is tt. Crossing these, crossbreeds, Tt, result (called generation F1). In the formation of the germ cells of these crossbreeds a process of segregation occurs such that germ cells, whether male or female, are produced of two kinds, T and t, in equal numbers. The T cells bear the factor "tallness," the t cells are devoid of it. The offspring, generation F2, which arise from the chance union of these germ cells in pairs, according to the law of probability, are therefore on an average in the following proportions:

1 TT : 2 Tt : 1 tt;

and thus plants pure in tallness (TT) and dwarfness (tt), as well as crossbreeds (Tt), are formed by the interbreeding of crossbreeds. Frequently, as in this example, owning to what is called the dominance of a factor, the operation of Mendel's law may be complicated by the fact that when a dominant factor (as T) occurs with its allelomorph (as t), called recessive, in the crossbreed Tt, the individual Tt is itself indistinguishable from the pure form TT. Generation F1, containing only the Tt form, consists entirely of dominants (tall plants) and generation F2 consists of three dominants (2 Tt, 1 TT) to one dwarf (tt), which, displaying the feature suppressed in F1, is called recessive. Such qualitative and numerical regularity has been proved to exist in regard to very diverse qualities or characters which compose living things, both wild and domesticated, such as colors of flowers, of hair or eyes, patterns, structure, chemical composition, and power of resisting certain diseases. The diversity of forms produced in crossbreeding by horticulturists and fanciers generally results from a process of analytical variation or recombination of the factors composing the parental types. Purity of type consequently acquires a specific meaning. An individual is pure in respect of a given character when it results from the union of two sexual cells both bearing that character, or both without it.

MENDER Mend"er, n.

Defn: One who mends or repairs.

MENDIANT Men"di*ant, n.

Defn: See Mendinant. [Obs.]

MENDICANCY Men"di*can*cy, n.

Defn: The condition of being mendicant; beggary; begging. Burke.

MENDICANT Men"di*cant, a. Etym: [L. mendicans, -antis, p. pr. of mendicare to beg, fr. mendicus beggar, indigent.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: A beggar; esp., one who makes a business of begging; specifically, a begging friar.

MENDICATE Men"di*cate, v. t.& i. Etym: [L. mendicatus, p. p. of mendicare to beg.]

Defn: To beg. [R.] Johnson.

MENDICATION Men`di*ca"tion, n.

Defn: The act or practice of begging; beggary; mendicancy. Sir T. Browne.

MENDICITY Men*dic"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. mendicitas: cf. F. mendicité. See Mendicant.]

Defn: The practice of begging; the life of a beggar; mendicancy. Rom. of R.

MENDINANT Men"di*nant, n.

Defn: A mendicant or begging friar. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MENDMENT Mend"ment, n.

Defn: Amendment. [Obs.]

MENDOLE Men"dole, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mendol, mendole.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The cackerel.

MENDREGAL Men"dre*gal, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Medregal.

MENDS Mends, n.

Defn: See Amends. [Obs.] Shak.

MENGE Menge, v. i. [imp. Mente, Meinte; p. p. Ment, Meint.] Etym: [See Mingle.]

Defn: To mix. [Obs.] Spenser.

MENHADEN Men*ha"den, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. Armor. men stone + hir high.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. meneal, fr. meine, maine, household, OF. maisniée, 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.

MENIERE'S DISEASE Mé`nière's" dis*ease". (Med.)

Defn: A disease characterized by deafness and vertigo, resulting in incoördination of movement. It is supposed to depend upon a morbid condition of the semicircular canals of the internal ear. Named after Ménière, a French physician.

MENILITE Men"i*lite, n. Etym: [F. ménilite; -- so called because it is found at Ménilmontant, near Paris.] (Min.)

Defn: See Opal.

MENINGEAL Me*nin"ge*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the meninges.

MENINGES Me*nin"ges, n. pl.; sing. Meninx (. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The three membranes that envelop the brain and spinal cord; the pia mater, dura mater, and arachnoid membrane.

MENINGITIS Men`in*gi"tis, n. Etym: [NL. See Meninges, and -itis.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord. Cerebro-spinal meningitis. See under Cerebro-spinal.

MENISCAL Me*nis"cal, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or having the form of, a meniscus.

MENISCOID Me*nis"coid, a. Etym: [Meniscus + -oid.]

Defn: Concavo-convex, like a meniscus.

MENISCUS Me*nis"cus, n.; pl. L. Menisci (-si), E. Meniscuses. Etym: [NL., from Gr. mh`nh the moon.]

1. A crescent.

2. (Opt.)

Defn: A lens convex on one side and concave on the other.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. mh`nh the moon + spe`rma seed.] (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to a natural order (Menispermaceæ) of climbing plants of which moonseed (Menispermum) is the type.

MENISPERMIC Men`i*sper"mic (, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or obtained from, moonseed (Menispermum), or other plants of the same family, as the Anamirta Cocculus.

MENISPERMINE Men`i*sper"mine, n. Etym: [Cf. F. ménispermine.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [OF. menuver, menuveir, menuvair, a grayish fur; menu small + vair a kind of fur. See Minute, a., and Vair.]

Defn: Same as Miniver.

MENNONIST; MENNONITE Men"non*ist, Men"non*ite, n. (Eccl. Hist.)

Defn: 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; MENOBRANCHUS Men"o*branch, Men`o*bran"chus, n. Etym: [NL. menobranchus, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A large aquatic American salamander of the genus Necturus, having permanent external gills.

MENOLOGIUM; MENOLOGY Men`o*lo"gi*um, Me*nol"o*gy, n.; pl. L. Menologia, E. Menologies. Etym: [NL. menologium, fr. Gr. ménologe.]

1. A register of months. Bp. Stillingfleet.

2. (Gr. Church)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. Menses.] (Med.)

Defn: The period of natural cessation of menstruation. See Change of life, under Change.

MENOPOMA; MENOPOME Men`o*po"ma, Men"o*pome, n. Etym: [NL. menopoma, fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The hellbender.

MENORRHAGIA Men`or*rha"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.) (a) Profuse menstruation. (b) Any profuse bleeding from the uterus; Metrorrhagia.

MENOSTASIS Me*nos"ta*sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. mh`n month + 'istan`nai to stop.] (Med.)

Defn: Stoppage of the mences.

MENOSTATION Men`os*ta"tion, n. (Med.)

Defn: Same as Menostasis.

MENOW Men"ow, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A minnow.

MEN-PLEASER Men"-pleas`er, n.

Defn: One whose motive is to please men or the world, rather than God. Eph. vi. 6.

MENSAL Men"sal, a. Etym: [L. mensalis, fr. mensa table.]

Defn: Belonging to the table; transacted at table; as, mensa conversation.

MENSAL Men"sal, a. Etym: [L. mensis month.]

Defn: Occurring once in a month; monthly.

MENSE Mense, n. Etym: [OE. menske, AS. mennisc human, man. See Man.]

Defn: Manliness; dignity; comeliness; civility. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] -- Mense"ful, a. -- Mense"less, a.

MENSE Mense, v. t.

Defn: To grace. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

MENSES Men"ses, n. pl. Etym: [L. mensis month, pl. menses months, and the monthly courses of women. Cf. Month.] (Med.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. menstruans, p. pr. of menstruare to have a monthly term, fr. menstruus. See Menstruous.]

Defn: Subject to monthly flowing or menses.

MENSTRUATE Men"stru*ate, a.

Defn: Menstruous. [Obs.]

MENSTRUATE Men"stru*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Menstruated; p. pr. & vb. n. Menstruating.]

Defn: To discharge the menses; to have the catamenial flow.

MENSTRUATION Men`stru*a"tion, n.

Defn: The discharge of the menses; also, the state or the period of menstruating.

MENSTRUE Men"strue, n. Etym: [Cf. F. menstrues. See Menstruous.]

Defn: The menstrual flux; menses. [Obs.]

MENSTRUOUS Men"stru*ous, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [L. menstruus. See Menstruous.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mensurabilité.]

Defn: The quality of being mensurable.

MENSURABLE Men"su*ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. mensurabilis, fr. mensurare to measure, fr. mensura measure: cf. F. mensurable. See Measurable, Measure.]

Defn: Capable of being measured; measurable.

MENSURABLENESS Men"su*ra*ble*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mensurable; measurableness.

MENSURAL Men"su*ral, a. Etym: [L. mensuralis.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to measure.

MENSURATE Men"su*rate, v. t. Etym: [L. mensuratus, p. p. of mensurare. See Measure, v.]

Defn: To measure. [Obs.]

MENSURATION Men`su*ra"tion, n. Etym: [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, Etym: [F. -ment, L. -mentum.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: of Menge.

MENTAGRA Men"ta*gra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. mentum chin + Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Sycosis.

MENTAL Men"tal, a. Etym: [L. mentum the chin.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the chin; genian; as, the mental nerve; the mental region.

MENTAL Men"tal, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A plate or scale covering the mentum or chin of a fish or reptile.

MENTAL Men"tal, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. mentalis, fr. mens, mentis, the mind; akin to E. mind. See Mind.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Quality or state of mind. "The same hard mentality." Emerson.

MENTALLY Men"tal*ly, adv.

Defn: In the mind; in thought or meditation; intellectually; in idea.

MENTHA Men"tha, n. Etym: [L. See Mint the plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Menthol + terpene.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mentha + -ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white, crystalline, aromatic substance resembling camphor, extracted from oil of peppermint (Mentha); -- called also mint camphor or peppermint camphor.

MENTHYL Men"thyl, n. Etym: [Mentha + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A compound radical forming the base of menthol.

MENTICULTURAL Men`ti*cul"tur*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to mental culture; serving to improve or strengthen the mind. [R.]

MENTION Men"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mencioun, F. mention, L. mentio, from the root of meminisse to remember. See Mind.]

Defn: 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.] Etym: [Cf. F. mentionner.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Fit to be mentioned.

MENTOMECKELIAN Men`to*meck*e"li*an, a. Etym: [1st mental + Meckelian.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the chin and lower jaw. -- n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [From Mentor, the counselor of Telemachus, Gr. Monitor.]

Defn: A wise and faithful counselor or monitor.

MENTORIAL Men*to"ri*al, a. Etym: [From Mentor.]

Defn: Containing advice or admonition.

MENTUM Men"tum, n. Etym: [L., chin.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The front median plate of the labium in insects. See Labium.

MENU Me*nu", n. Etym: [F., slender, thin, minute. See 4th Minute.]

Defn: The details of a banquet; a bill of fare.

MENUSE Me"nuse, v. i.

Defn: See Amenuse. [Obs.]

MEOW Me*ow", v. i. & n.

Defn: See 6th and 7th Mew.

MEPHISTOPHELIAN Meph`is*to*phe"li*an ( or ), a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or resembling, the devil Mephistopheles, "a crafty, scoffing, relentless fiend;" devilish; crafty.

MEPHITIC; MEPHITICAL Me*phit"ic, Me*phit"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. mephiticus, fr. mephitis mephitis: cf. F. méphitique.]

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. Etym: [L. mephitis : cf. F. méphitis.]

1. Noxious, pestilential, or foul exhalations from decomposing substances, filth, or other source.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of mammals, including the skunks.

MEPHITISM Meph"i*tism, n.

Defn: Same as Mephitis, 1.

MERACIOUS Me*ra"cious, a. Etym: [L. meracus, fr. merus pure, inmixed.]

Defn: Being without mixture or adulteration; hence, strong; racy. [Obs.]

MERCABLE Mer"ca*ble, a. Etym: [L. mercabilis, fr. mercari to trade, traffic, buy. See Merchant.]

Defn: Capable of being bought or sold. [Obs.]

MERCANTILE Mer"can*tile, a. Etym: [F. mercantile, It. mercantile, fr. L. mercans, -antis, p. pr. of mercari to traffic. See Merchant.]

Defn: 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. 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. Etym: [Mercaptan + aldehyde.] (Chem.)

Defn: Any one of a series of compounds of mercaptans with aldehydes.

MERCAPTAN Mer*cap"tan, n. Etym: [F., fr. NL. mercurius mercury + L. captans, p. pr. of captare to seize, v. intens. fr. capere.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A compound of mercaptan formed by replacing its sulphur hydrogen by a metal; as, potassium mercaptide, C2H5SK.

MERCAT Mer"cat, n. Etym: [L. mercatus : cf. It. mercato. See Market.]

Defn: Market; trade. [Obs.] Bp. Sprat.

MERCATANTE Mer`ca*tan"te (; It. ), n. Etym: [It. See Merchant.]

Defn: A foreign trader. [Obs.] Shak.

MERCATOR'S CHART Mer*ca"tor's chart".

Defn: See under Chart, and see Mercator's projection, under Projection.

MERCATURE Mer"ca*ture, n. Etym: [L. mercatura commerce.]

Defn: Commerce; traffic; trade. [Obs.]

MERCE Merce, v. t. Etym: [See Amerce.]

Defn: To subject to fine or amercement; to mulct; to amerce. [Obs.]

MERCENARIA Mer`ce*na"ri*a, n. Etym: [NL. See Mercenary.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The quahog.

MERCENARIAN Mer`ce*na"ri*an (-an), n.

Defn: A mercenary. [Obs.]

MERCENARILY Mer"ce*na`ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mercenary manner.

MERCENARINESS Mer"ce*na*ri*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mercenary; venality. Boyle.

MERCENARY Mer"ce*na*ry, a. Etym: [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 (.

Defn: One who is hired; a hireling; especially, a soldier hired into foreign service. Milman.

MERCER Mer"cer, n. Etym: [F. mercier, fr. L. merx, mercis, wares, merchandise. See Merchant.]

Defn: Originally, a dealer in any kind of goods or wares; now restricted to a dealer in textile fabrics, as silks or woolens. [Eng.]

MERCERIZE Mer"cer*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -ized; p. pr. & vb. n. -izing.] [From (John) Mercer (1791-1866), an English calico printer who introduced the process + -ize.]

Defn: To treat (cotton fiber or fabrics) with a solution of caustic alkali. Such treatment causes the fiber to shrink in length and become stronger and more receptive of dyes. If the yarn or cloth is kept under tension during the process, it assumes a silky luster. -- Mer`cer*i*za"tion (#), n.

MERCERSHIP Mer"cer*ship, n.

Defn: The business of a mercer.

MERCERY Mer"cer*y, n. Etym: [F. mercerie.]

Defn: The trade of mercers; the goods in which a mercer deals.

MERCHAND Mer"chand, v. i. Etym: [F. marchander. See Merchant.]

Defn: To traffic. [Obs.] Bacon.

MERCHANDISABLE Mer"chan*di`sa*ble, a.

Defn: Such as can be used or transferred as merchandise.

MERCHANDISE Mer"chan*dise, n. Etym: [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.]

Defn: To trade; to carry on commerce. Bacon.

MERCHANDISE Mer"chan*dise, v. t.

Defn: To make merchandise of; to buy and sell. "Love is merchandised." Shak.

MERCHANDISER Mer"chan*di`ser, n.

Defn: A trader. Bunyan.

MERCHANDRY Mer"chand*ry, n. Etym: [See Merchant.]

Defn: Trade; commerce. [Obs.] Bp. Sanderson.

MERCHANT Mer"chant, n. Etym: [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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]

MERCHANTABLE Mer"chant*a*ble, a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [OF.]

Defn: Merciful. [Obs.]

MERCIFUL Mer"ci*ful, a. Etym: [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.

Defn: To pity. [Obs.] Spenser.

MERCILESS Mer"ci*less, a.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mercuric + ammonium.] (Chem.)

Defn: A radical regarded as derived from ammonium by the substitution of mercury for a portion of the hydrogen.

MERCURIAL Mer*cu"ri*al, a. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A preparation containing mercury.

MERCURIALISM Mer*cu"ri*al*ism, n. [Mercurial + -ism.] (Med.)

Defn: The morbid condition produced by the excessive use of mercury, or by exposure to its fumes, as in mining or smelting.

MERCURIALIST Mer*cu"ri*al*ist, n.

1. One under the influence of Mercury; one resembling Mercury in character.

2. (Med.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: To affect with mercury.

2. (Photography)

Defn: To treat with mercury; to expose to the vapor of mercury.

MERCURIALIZE Mer*cu"ri*al*ize, v. i.

Defn: To be sprightly, fantastic, or capricious. [Obs.]

MERCURIALLY Mer*cu"ri*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a mercurial manner.

MERCURIC Mer*cu"ric, a. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mercurification. See Mercurify.]

1. (Metal.)

Defn: The process or operation of obtaining the mercury, in its fluid form, from mercuric minerals.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [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.

Defn: A communication of news; an announcement. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

MERCUROUS Mer*cu"rous, a. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Mercurius; akin to merx wares.]

1. (Rom. Myth.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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 -39º Centigrade to a soft, malleable, ductile metal.

3. (Astron.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: To wash with a preparation of mercury. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

MERCY Mer"cy, n.; pl. Mercies. Etym: [OE. merci, F. merci, L. merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is probmerere 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. Etym: [F. merde, L. merda.]

Defn: Ordure; dung. [Obs.] Burton.

-MERE -mere. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: A combining form meaning part, portion; as, blastomere, epimere.

MERE Mere, n. Etym: [Written also mar.] Etym: [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.]

Defn: A pool or lake. Drayton. Tennyson.

MERE Mere, n. Etym: [Written also meer and mear.] Etym: [AS. gemære. sq. root269.]

Defn: A boundary. Bacon.

MERE Mere, v. t.

Defn: To divide, limit, or bound. [Obs.] Which meared her rule with Africa. Spenser.

MERE Mere, n.

Defn: A mare. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MERE Mere, a. [Superl. Merest. The comparative is rarely or never used.] Etym: [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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.)

Defn: Tissue composed of spheroidal cells.

MERESMAN Meres"man, n.

Defn: An officer who ascertains meres or boundaries. [Eng.]

MERESTEAD Mere"stead, n. Etym: [Mere boundary + stead place.]

Defn: The land within the boundaries of a farm; a farmstead or farm. [Archaic.] Longfellow.

MERESTONE Mere"stone`, n.

Defn: A stone designating a limit or boundary; a landmark. Bacon.

MERETRICIOUS Mer`e*tri"cious, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [Sp. mergánsar, fr. mergo a diver (L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ánsar goose, L. anser.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. mergere, mersum. Cf. Emerge, Immerse, Marrow.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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)

Defn: An absorption of one estate, or one contract, in another, or of a minor offense in a greater.

MERICARP Mer"i*carp, n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: One carpel of an umbelliferous fruit. See Cremocarp.

MERIDE Mer"ide ( or ), n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. méridien, 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. Etym: [F. méridien. 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. méridional, 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.

Defn: In the direction of the meridian.

MERILS Mer"ils, n. Etym: [F. mérelle, marelle, marelles, LL. marella, marrella. Cf. Morris the game.]

Defn: A boy's play, called also fivepenny morris. See Morris.

MERINGUE Me`ringue" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A delicate pastry made of powdered sugar and the whites of eggs whipped up, -- with jam or cream added.

MERINO Me*ri"no, a. Etym: [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 villmajor 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. Etym: [Sp.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A tissue of growing cells, or cells capable of further division.

MERIT Mer"it, n. Etym: [F. mérite, L. meritum, fr. merere, mereri, to deserve, merit; prob. originally, to get a share; akin to Gr. 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.] Etym: [F. mériter, 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.

Defn: To acquire desert; to gain value; to receive benefit; to profit. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

MERITABLE Mer"it*a*ble, a.

Defn: Deserving of reward. [R.]

MERITEDLY Mer"it*ed*ly, adv.

Defn: By merit; deservedly.

MERITHAL; MERITHALLUS Mer"i*thal, Mer`i*thal"lus, n. Etym: [NL. merithallus, fr. Gr. or (Bot.)

Defn: Same as Internode.

MERITMONGER Mer"it*mon`ger, n.

Defn: One who depends on merit for salvation. [Obs.] Milner.

MERITORIOUS Mer`i*to"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. meritorius that brings in money.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Meritorious. [Obs.]

MERITOT Mer"i*tot, n.

Defn: A play of children, in swinging on ropes, or the like, till they are dizzy.

MERK Merk, n. Etym: [See Marc.]

Defn: An old Scotch silver coin; a mark or marc. [Scot.]

MERK Merk, n.

Defn: A mark; a sign. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MERKE Merke, a.

Defn: Murky. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

MERKIN Mer"kin, n.

Defn: Originally, a wig; afterwards, a mop for cleaning cannon.

MERL; MERLE Merl, Merle, n. Etym: [F. merle, L. merula, merulus. Cf. Ousel.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European blackbird. See Blackbird. Drayton.

MERLIN Mer"lin, n. Etym: [OE. merlion, F. émerillon ; cf. OHG. smirl, G. schmerl ; prob. fr. L. merula blackbird. Cf. Merle.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A small European falcon (Falco lithofalco, or F. æsalon).

MERLING Mer"ling, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European whiting.

MERLON Mer"lon, n. Etym: [F., perh. fr. L. moerus, for murus a wall, through (assumed) dim. moerulus.] (Fort.)

Defn: One of the solid parts of a battlemented parapet; a battlement. See Illust. of Battlement.

MERLUCE Mer"luce, n. Etym: [F. merluche, merlus.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The European hake; -- called also herring hake and sea pike.

MERMAID Mer"maid, n. Etym: [AS. mere lake, sea. See Mere lake, and maid.]

Defn: 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 (Zoöl.) the angel fish (Squatina). -- Mermaid's glove (Zoöl.), a British branched sponge somewhat resembling a glove. -- Mermaid's head (Zoöl.), 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 (.

Defn: The male corresponding to mermaid; a sea man, or man fish.

MERO; MERO DE LOALTO; MERO CABROLLA Me"ro, n. [Sp.; cf. Pg. mero.]

Defn: Any of several large groupers of warm seas, esp. the guasa (Epinephelus guaza), the red grouper (E. morio), the black grouper (E. nigritas), distinguished as Me"ro de lo al"to, and a species called also rock hind, distinguished as Me"ro ca*brol"la.

MEROBLAST Mer"o*blast, n. Etym: [Gr. -blast.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Hernia in the thigh; femoral hernia .

MEROISTIC Mer`o*is"tic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Applied to the ovaries of insects when they secrete vitelligenous cells, as well as ova.

MEROPIDAN Me*rop"i*dan, n. Etym: [L. merops a bee-eating bird, Gr. me`rops.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of a family of birds (Meropidæ), including the bee-eaters.

MEROPODITE Me*rop"o*dite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The fourth joint of a typical appendage of Crustacea.

MERORGANIZATION Mer*or`gan*i*za"tion, n. Etym: [Gr. organization.]

Defn: Organization in part. [R.]

MEROS Me"ros, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Arch.)

Defn: The plain surface between the channels of a triglyph. [Written also merus.] Weale.

MEROS Me"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The proximal segment of the hind limb; the thigh.

MEROSOME Mer"o*some, n. Etym: [Gr. -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.

MEROU Mé`rou", n. Etym: [F.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Jack, 8 (c).

MEROVINGIAN Mer`o*vin"gi*an, a. Etym: [From Merovaeus, the Latin name of a king of the Franks.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the first Frankish dynasty in Gaul or France. -- n.

Defn: One of the kings of this dynasty.

MEROZOITE Mer`o*zo"ite, n. [Gr. part + Sporozoa.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A form of spore, usually elongate or falciform, and somewhat amoboid, produced by segmentation of the schizonts of certain Sporozoa, as the malaria parasite.

MERRILY Mer"ri*ly, adv. Etym: [From Merry.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Merrymake, n.

MERRIMAKE Mer"ri*make`, v. i.

Defn: See Merrymake, v. Gay.

MERRIMENT Mer"ri*ment, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: The quality or state of being merry; merriment; mirth; gayety, with laughter.

MERRY Mer"ry, a. [Compar. Merrier; superl. Merriest.] Etym: [OE. merie, mirie, murie, merry, pleasant, AS. merge, myrige, pleasant; cf. murge, adv.; prob. akin to OHG. murg, short, Goth. gamaúrgjan 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 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.)

Defn: A kind of wild red cherry.

MERRY-ANDREW Mer"ry-an"drew, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Any revolving contrivance for affording amusement; esp., a ring of flying hobbyhorses.

MERRYMAKE Mer"ry*make`, n.

Defn: Mirth; frolic; a meeting for mirth; a festival. [Written also merrimake.]

MERRYMAKE Mer"ry*make`, v. i.

Defn: To make merry; to be jolly; to feast. [Written also merrimake.]

MERRYMAKER Mer"ry*mak`er, n.

Defn: One who makes merriment or indulges in conviviality; a jovial comrade.

MERRYMAKING Mer"ry*mak`ing, a.

Defn: Making or producing mirth; convivial; jolly.

MERRYMAKING Mer"ry*mak`ing, n.

Defn: The act of making merry; conviviality; merriment; jollity. Wordsworth.

MERRYMEETING Mer"ry*meet`ing, n.

Defn: A meeting for mirth.

MERRYTHOUGHT Mer"ry*thought`, n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. mersio. See Merge.]

Defn: Immersion [R.] Barrow.

MERULIDAN Me*ru"li*dan, n. Etym: [L. merula, merulus, blackbird. See Merle.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bird of the Thrush family.

MERUS Me"rus, n. Etym: [NL.] (Arch.)

Defn: See Meros.

MERVAILLE Mer"vaille`, n.

Defn: Marvel. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MES- Mes-.

Defn: See Meso-.

MESA Me"sa, Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A high tableland; a plateau on a hill. [Southwestern U.S.] Bartlett.

MESACONATE Mes*ac"o*nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of mesaconic acid.

MESACONIC Mes`a*con"ic, a. Etym: [Mes- + -aconic, as in citraconic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, one of several isomeric acids obtained from citric acid.

MESAD Mes"ad, adv.

Defn: Same as Mesiad.

MESAL Mes"al, a.

Defn: Same as Mesial.

MESALLIANCE Mé`sal`li`ance", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A marriage with a person of inferior social position; a misalliance.

MESALLY Mes"al*ly, adv.

Defn: Same as Mesially.

MESAMEBOID; MESAMOEBOID Mes`a*me"boid, Mes`a*moe"boid, n. Etym: [Mes- + amoeboid.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Mesenteric.

MESATICEPHALIC Mes`a*ti*ce*phal"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. midmost + E. cephalic.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Mesaticephalic.

MESCAL Mes*cal", n. Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A distilled liquor prepared in Mexico from a species of agave. See Agave.

MESDAMES Mes`dames" (F. , E. ), n.,

Defn: pl. of Madame and Madam.

MESEEMS Me*seems", v. impers. [imp. Meseemed.]

Defn: It seems to me. [Poetic]

MESEL Me"sel, n. Etym: [See Measle.]

Defn: A leper. [Obs.]

MESELRY Me"sel*ry, n.

Defn: Leprosy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM Me*sem`bry*an"the*mum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of herbaceous or suffruticose plants, chiefly natives of South Africa. The leaves are opposite, thick, and f

MESENCEPHALIC Mes`en*ce*phal"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the mesencephalon or midbrain.

MESENCEPHALON Mes`en*ceph"a*lon, n. Etym: [NL. See Meso- and Encephalon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The middle segment of the brain; the midbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to mesen. See Brain.

MESENCHYMA Mes*en"chy*ma, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -enchyma, as in E. parenchyma.] (Biol.)

Defn: The part of the mesoblast which gives rise to the connective tissues and blood.

MESENTERIC Mes`en*ter"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mésentérique.] (Anat.)

Defn: Pertaining to a mesentery; mesaraic.

MESENTERON Mes*en"te*ron, n. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Enteron.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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, a part at the anterior end of the canal, including the cavity of the mouth, and the proctod, a part at the posterior end, which are formed by invagination and are lined with epiblast.

MESENTERY Mes"en*ter*y, n. Etym: [Gr. mésentère.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: 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, mesocolon, mesorectum, etc.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the vertical muscular radiating partitions which divide the body cavity of Anthozoa into chambers.

MESERAIC Mes`e*ra"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Mesaraic.

MESETHMOID Mes*eth"moid, a. Etym: [Mes- + ethmoid.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the middle of the ethmoid region or ethmoid bone. -- n. (Anat.)

Defn: The median vertical plate, or median element, of the ethmoid bone.

MESH Mesh, n. Etym: [AS. masc, max, m; akin to D. maas, masche, OHG. masca, Icel. möskvi; 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)

Defn: 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.]

Defn: To catch in a mesh. Surrey.

MESH Mesh, v. i. (Gearing)

Defn: To engage with each other, as the teeth of wheels.

MESHED Meshed, a.

Defn: Mashed; brewed. [Obs.] Shak.

MESHY Mesh"y, a.

Defn: Formed with meshes; netted.

MESIAD Mes"i*ad, adv. Etym: [Gr. ad to.] (Anat.)

Defn: Toward, or on the side toward, the mesial plane; mesially; -- opposed to laterad.

MESIAL Me"sial, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: In, near, or toward, the mesial plane; mesiad.

MESITYL Mes"i*tyl, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A salt of mesitylenic acid.

MESITYLENE Me*sit"y*lene, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mesitylene + -ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: A crystalline substance obtained from mesitylene.

MESLIN Mes"lin ( or ), n.

Defn: See Maslin.

MESMEREE Mes`mer*ee", n.

Defn: A person subjected to mesmeric influence; one who is mesmerized. [R.]

MESMERIC; MESMERICAL Mes*mer"ic, Mes*mer"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mesmérique.]

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or induced by, mesmerism; as, mesmeric sleep.

MESMERISM Mes"mer*ism, n. Etym: [From Mesmer, who first brought it into notice at Vienna, about 1775: cf. F. mesmérisme.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One who practices, or believes in, mesmerism.

MESMERIZATION Mes`mer*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: The act of mesmerizing; the state of being mesmerized.

MESMERIZE Mes"mer*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mesmerized; p. pr. & vb. n. Mesmerizing.]

Defn: To bring into a state of mesmeric sleep.

MESMERIZER Mes"mer*i`zer, n.

Defn: One who mesmerizes.

MESNE Mesne, a. Etym: [Cf. Mean intermediate.] (Law)

Defn: 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- Mes"o-, Mes-. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of peritoneum which suspends the ovary from the dorsal wall of the body cavity.

MESOBLAST Mes"o*blast, n. Etym: [Meso- + -blast.] (Biol.) (a) The mesoderm. (b) The cell nucleus; mesoplast.

MESOBLASTIC Mes`o*blas"tic, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Relating to the mesoblast; as, the mesoblastic layer.

MESOBRANCHIAL Mes`o*bran"chi*al, a. Etym: [Meso- + branchial.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Bronchia.] (Anat.)

Defn: The main bronchus of each lung.

MESOCAECUM Mes`o*cæ"cum, n. (Anat.) Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Cæcum.]

Defn: The fold of peritoneum attached to the cæcum. -- Mes`o*cæ"cal, a.

MESOCARP Mes"o*carp, n. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The middle layer of a pericarp which consists of three distinct or dissimilar layers. Gray.

MESOCEPHALIC Mes`o*ce*phal"ic, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Cephalon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The pons Varolii.

MESOCEPHALOUS Mes`o*ceph"a*lous, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Mesocephalic.

MESOCOELE; MESOCOELIA Mes`o*coe"le, Mes`o*coe"li*a, n. Etym: [NL. mesocoelia. See Meso-, and Coelia.] (Anat.)

Defn: The cavity of the mesencephalon; the iter.

MESOCOLON Mes`o*co"lon, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. mésocôlon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of peritoneum, or mesentery, attached to the colon. -- Mes`o*col"ic, a.

MESOCORACOID Mes`o*cor"a*coid, n. Etym: [Meso- + coracoid.] (Anat.)

Defn: A process from the middle of the coracoid in some animals.

MESOCUNEIFORM; MESOCUNIFORM Mes`o*cu*ne"i*form, Mes`o*cu"ni*form, n. Etym: [Meso- + cuneiform, cuniform.] (Anat.)

Defn: One of the bones of the tarsus. See 2d Cuneiform.

MESODERM Mes"o*derm, n. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (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.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, the mesoderm; as, mesodermal tissues.

MESODERMIC Mes`o*der"mic, a.

Defn: Same as Mesodermal.

MESODONT Mes"o*dont, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Having teeth of moderate size.

MESOGASTER Mes`o*gas"ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of peritoneum connecting the stomach with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity; the mesogastrium.

MESOGASTRIC Mes`o*gas"tric, a. Etym: [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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the middle gastric lobe of the carapace of a crab.

MESOGASTRIUM Mes`o*gas"tri*um, n. Etym: [NL. See Mesogaster.] (Anat.) (a) The umbilical region. (b) The mesogaster.

MESOGLEA; MESOGLOEA Mes`o*gloe"a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A thin gelatinous tissue separating the ectoderm and endoderm in certain coelenterates. -- Mes`o*gloeal, a.

MESOGNATHOUS Me*sog"na*thous, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Having the jaws slightly projecting; between prognathous and orthognathous. See Gnathic index, under Gnathic.

MESOHEPAR Mes`o*he"par, n. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Hepar.] (Anat.)

Defn: A fold of the peritoneum connecting the liver with the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity.

MESOHIPPUS Mes`o*hip"pus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. mesolabium, Gr.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: Same as Thomsonite.

MESOLITE Mes"o*lite, n. Etym: [Meso- + -lite.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Meso- + logarithm : cf. F. mésologarithme.] (Math.)

Defn: A logarithm of the cosine or cotangent. [Obs.] Kepler. Hutton.

MESOMETRIUM Mes`o*me"tri*um, n. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Metrium.] (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of the peritoneum supporting the oviduct.

MESOMYCETES Mes`o*my*ce"tes, n. pl. [NL.; meso- + mycetes.] (Bot.)

Defn: One of the three classes into which the fungi are divided in Brefeld's classification. -- Mes`o*my*ce"tous (#), a.

MESOMYODIAN Mes`o*my*o"di*an, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A bird having a mesomyodous larynx.

MESOMYODOUS Mes`o*my"o*dous, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the intrinsic muscles of the larynx attached to the middle of the semirings.

MESON Mes"on, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Meso- + nasal.] (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the middle portion of the nasal region.

MESONEPHRIC Mes`o*neph"ric, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the mesonephros; as, the mesonephric, or Wolffian, duct.

MESONEPHROS Mes`o*neph"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The middle one of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in most vertebrates; the Wolffian body.

MESONOTUM Mes`o*no"tum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The dorsal portion of the mesothorax of insects.

MESOPHLOEUM Mes`o*phloe"um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: See Glabella.

MESOPHYLLUM Mes`o*phyl"lum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: The parenchyma of a leaf between the skin of the two surfaces. Gray.

MESOPLAST Mes"o*plast, n. Etym: [Meso- + -plast.] (Biol.)

Defn: The nucleus of a cell; mesoblast. Agassix.

MESOPODIAL Mes`o*po"di*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: One of the bones of either the carpus or tarsus.

MESOPODIUM Mes`o*po"di*um, n. Etym: [NL. See Mesopodiale.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The middle portion of the foot in the Gastropoda and Pteropoda.

MESOPTERYGIUM Me*sop`te*ryg"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Meso- + rectum.] (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of peritoneum, or mesentery, attached to the rectum. -- Mes`o*rec"tal, a.

MESORHINE Mes"o*rhine, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Having the nose of medium width; between leptorhine and platyrhine.

MESOSAURIA Mes`o*sau"ri*a, n.

Defn: Same as Mosasauria.

MESOSCAPULA Mes`o*scap"u*la, n. Etym: [Meso- + scapula.] (Anat.)

Defn: A process from the middle of the scapula in some animals; the spine of the scapula.

MESOSCAPULAR Mes`o*scap"u*lar, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the mesoscapula.

MESOSCUTUM Mes`o*scu"tum, n. Etym: [Meso- + scutum.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The scutum or dorsal plate of the middle thoracic segment of an insect. See Illust. of Butterfly.

MESOSEME Mes"o*seme, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. mésosème.] (Anat.)

Defn: Having a medium orbital index; having orbits neither broad nor narrow; between megaseme and microseme.

MESOSIDERITE Mes`o*sid"er*ite, n. Etym: [Meso- + siderite.] (Min.)

Defn: See the Note under Meteorite.

MESOSPERM Mes"o*sperm, n. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. mésosperme.] (Bot.)

Defn: A membrane of a seed. See Secundine.

MESOSTATE Mes"o*state, n. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the mesosternum.

MESOSTERNUM Mes`o*ster"num, n. Etym: [Meso- + sternum.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The middle portion, or body, of the sternum.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The ventral piece of the middle segment of the thorax in insects.

MESOTARTARIC Mes`o*tar*tar"ic, a. Etym: [Meso- + tartaric.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also inactive tartaric acid.

MESOTHECA Mes`o*the"ca, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The middle layer of the gonophore in the Hydrozoa.

MESOTHELIUM Mes`o*the"li*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. thelium.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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 coelum.

MESOTHORACIC Mes`o*tho*rac"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the mesothorax.

MESOTHORAX Mes`o*tho"rax, n. Etym: [Meso- + thorax: cf. F. mésothorax.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The middle segment of the thorax in insects. See Illust. of Coleoptera.

MESOTHORIUM Mes`o*tho"ri*um, n. [NL.; meso-+ thorium.] (Chem.)

Defn: A radioactive product intermediate between thorium and radiothorium, with a period of 5.5 years.

MESOTROCHAL Mes"o*tro`chal, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the middle of the body surrounded by bands of cilia; -- said of the larvæ of certain marine annelids.

MESOTYPE Mes"o*type, n. Etym: [Meso- + -type: cf. F. mésotype.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Meso-, and Ovary.] (Anat.)

Defn: The fold of peritoneum connecting the ovary with the wall of the abdominal cavity.

MESOXALATE Mes*ox"a*late, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of mesoxalic acid.

MESOXALIC Mes`ox*al"ic, a. Etym: [Mes- + oxalic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, CH2O2(CO2H)2, obtained from amido malonic acid.

MESOZOA Mes`o*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mesozoic.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A group of very lowly organized, wormlike parasites, including the Dicyemata. They are found in cephalopods. See Dicyemata.

MESOZOIC Mes`o*zo"ic, a. Etym: [Meso- + Gr. (Geol.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The Mesozoic age or formation.

MESPRISE Mes*prise", n. Etym: [OF. mespris, F. mépris. See Misprize.]

1. Contempt; scorn. [Obs.]

2. Etym: [Perh. for F. méprise mistake. Cf. Misprision.]

Defn: Misadventure; ill-success. [Obs.] Spenser.

MESQUITE; MESQUIT Mes*qui"te, Mes*quit", n. Etym: [Sp. mezquite; said to be a Mexican Indian word.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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.

MESQUITE BEAN Mes*qui"te bean.

Defn: The pod or seed of the mesquite.

MESS Mess, n.

Defn: Mass; church service. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MESS Mess, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [Perh. corrupt. fr. OE. mesh for mash: cf. muss.]

Defn: 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.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To supply with a mess.

MESSAGE Mes"sage (; 48), n. Etym: [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.

Defn: To bear as a message. [Obs.]

MESSAGE Mes"sage, n. Etym: [OE., fr. OF. message, fr. LL. missaticus. See 1st Message.]

Defn: A messenger. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MESSAGER Mes"sa*ger, n. Etym: [OE.]

Defn: A messenger. [Obs.]

MESSAGE STICK Mes"sage stick.

Defn: A stick, carved with lines and dots, used, esp. by Australian aborigines, to convey information.

MESS BEEF Mess beef.

Defn: Barreled salt beef, packed with about 80 pounds chuck and rump, two flanks, and the rest plates.

MESSENGER Mes"sen*ger, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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)

Defn: 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.

Defn: A dog. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

MESSIAD Mes*si"ad, n.

Defn: A German epic poem on the Messiah, by Klopstock.

MESSIAH Mes*si"ah, n. Etym: [Heb. mashiakh anointed, fr. mashakh to anoint. Cf. Messias.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: The state or office of the Messiah.

MESSIANIC Mes`si*an"ic, a.

Defn: Of or relating to the Messiah; as, the Messianic office or character.

MESSIAS Mes*si"as, n. Etym: [LL., fr. Gr. Messiah.]

Defn: The Messiah. I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ. John iv. 25.

MESSIDOR Mes`si`dor" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. L. messis harvest.]

Defn: The tenth month of the French republican calendar dating from September 22, 1792. It began June 19, and ended July 18. See VendÉmiaire.

MESSIEURS Mes"sieurs (; F. ; 277), n. pl. Etym: [F.; pl. of monsieur.]

Defn: Sirs; gentlemen; -- abbreviated to Messrs., which is used as the plural of Mr.

MESSINESE Mes`si*nese" ( or ), a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Messina, or its inhabitans.

MESSMATE Mess"mate`, n.

Defn: An associate in a mess.

MESSUAGE Mes"suage (; 48), n. Etym: [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)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Most. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MESTEE Mes*tee", n. Etym: [See Mestizo.]

Defn: The offspring of a white person and a quadroon; -- so called in the West Indies. [Written also mustee.]

MESTER Mes"ter, n. [Obs.]

Defn: See Mister, a trade.

MESTINO Mes*ti"no, n.; pl. Mestinos (.

Defn: See Mestizo.

MESTIZO Mes*ti"zo, n.; pl. Mestizos. Etym: [Sp. mestizo; akin to OF. mestis, F. métis; all fr. (assumed) LL. mixtitius, fr. L. mixtus mixed, p. p. of miscere to mix. See Mix, and cf. Mestee, MÉtif, MÉtis, Mustee.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: A kind of brass. See Maslin. [Obs.]

MESYMNICUM Me*sym"ni*cum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Hymn.] (Anc. Poetry)

Defn: A repetition at the end of a stanza.

MET Met, imp. & p. p.

Defn: of Meet.

MET Met, obs. imp. & p. p.

Defn: of Mete, to measure. Chapman.

MET Met, obs. p. p.

Defn: of Mete, to dream. Chaucer.

META-; MET- Met"a-, Met-. Etym: [Gr. mid with, G. mit, Goth. miÞ, 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. at a level above, as metaphysics, metalanguage.

METABASIS Me*tab"a*sis, n.; pl. Metabases. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Rhet.)

Defn: A transition from one subject to another.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Same as Metabola.

METABOLA; METABOLE Me*tab"o*la, Me*tab"o*le, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Med.)

Defn: A change or mutation; a change of disease, symptoms, or treatment.

METABOLA; METABOLIA Me*tab"o*la, Met`a*bo"li*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See 1st Metabola.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A comprehensive group of insects, including those that undegro a metamorphosis.

METABOLIAN Met`a*bo"li*an, n. Etym: [See Metabola.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: An insect which undergoes a metamorphosis.

METABOLIC Met`a*bol"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. Metabola.]

1. (Biol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to metamorphosis; pertaining to, or involving, change.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to metabolism; as, metabolic activity; metabolic force.

METABOLISIS Met`a*bol"i*sis, n. Etym: [NL.]

Defn: Metabolism. [R.]

METABOLISM Me*tab"o*lism, n. (Physiol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A product of metabolism; a substance produced by metabolic action, as urea.

METABOLIZE Me*tab"o*lize, v. t. & i. (Physiol.)

Defn: To change by a metabolic process. See Metabolism.

METABRANCHIAL Met`a*bran"chi*al, a. Etym: [Meta- + branchial.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the lobe of the carapace of crabs covering the posterior branchiæ.

METACARPAL Met`a*car"pal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metacarpus. -- n.

Defn: A metacarpal bone.

METACARPUS Met`a*car"pus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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; METACENTRE Met`a*cen"ter or; Metacentre, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + center.] (Hydrostatics)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. met- + acetone.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + chloral.] (Chem.)

Defn: A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral.

METACHRONISM Me*tach"ro*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. métachronisme.]

Defn: An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time.

METACHROSIS Met`a*chro"sis, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + cinnabar.] (Min.)

Defn: Sulphide of mercury in isometric form and black in color.

METACISM Met"a*cism, n. Etym: [L. metacismus, Gr.

Defn: A defect in pronouncing the letter m, or a too frequent use of it.

METACROLEIN Met`a*cro"le*in, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + acrolein.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)

Defn: A process projecting backward and downward from the acromion of the scapula of some mammals.

METADISCOIDAL Met`a*dis*coid"al, a. Etym: [Meta- + discoidal.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + gastric.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the two posterior gastric lobes of the carapace of crabs.

METAGE Met"age (; 48), n. Etym: [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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + genesis.]

1. (Biol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Alternation of sexual and asexual or gemmiparous generations; - - in distinction from heterogamy.

METAGENETIC Met`a*ge*net"ic, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to metagenesis.

METAGENIC Met`a*gen"ic, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Metagenetic.

METAGNATHOUS Me*tag"na*thous, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Cross-billed; -- said of certain birds, as the crossbill.

METAGRAMMATISM Met`a*gram"ma*tism, n.

Defn: Anagrammatism.

METAGRAPHIC Met`a*graph"ic, a.

Defn: By or pertaining to metagraphy.

METAGRAPHY Me*tag"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -graphy.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. métal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. Mettle, Medal.]

1. (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.]

Defn: To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.

METALAMMONIUM Met`al*am*mo"ni*um, n. Etym: [Metal + ammonium.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hypothetical radical derived from ammonium by the substitution of metallic atoms in place of hydrogen.

METALBUMIN Met`al*bu"min, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + albumin.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. met- + aldehyde.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Rhet.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Exchange; replacement; substitution; metathesis. [R.]

METALEPTIC Met`a*lep"tic, a. Etym: [Gr.

1. Of or pertaining to a metalepsis.

2. Transverse; as, the metaleptic motion of a muscle.

3. (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, concerned in, or occurring by, metalepsy.

METALEPTICAL Met`a*lep"tic*al, a.

Defn: Metaleptic. -- Met`a*lep"tic*al*ly, adv.

METALLIC Me*tal"lic, a. Etym: [L. metallicus, fr. metallum: cf. F. métallique. 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: See Metallic. [Obs.]

METALLICLY Me*tal"lic*ly, adv.

Defn: In a metallic manner; by metallic means.

METALLIFACTURE Me*tal`li*fac"ture, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + facere, factum, to make.]

Defn: The production and working or manufacture of metals. [R.] R. Park.

METALLIFEROUS Met`al*lif"er*ous, a. Etym: [L. metallifer; metallum metal + ferre to bear: cf. F. métallifère.]

Defn: Producing metals; yielding metals.

METALLIFORM Me*tal"li*form, a. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -form: cf. F. métalliforme.]

Defn: Having the form or structure of a metal.

METALLINE Met"al*line, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métallin.] (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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: A worker in metals, or one skilled in metals.

METALLIZATION Met`al*li*za"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métallisation.]

Defn: The act or process of metallizing. [R.]

METALLIZE Met"al*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metallized; p. pr. & vb. n. Metallizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. métalliser.]

Defn: To impart metallic properties to; to impregnate with a metal. [R.]

METALLOCHROME Me*tal"lo*chrome, n. Etym: [See Metallochromy.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. metallum metal + Gr.

Defn: The art or process of coloring metals.

METALLOGRAPH Me*tal"lo*graph, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -graph.]

Defn: A print made by metallography.

METALLOGRAPHIC Me*tal`lo*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Pertaining to, or by means of, metallography.

METALLOGRAPHIST Met`al*log"ra*phist, n.

Defn: One who writes on the subject of metals.

METALLOGRAPHY Met`al*log"ra*phy, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -graphy: cf. F. métallographie.]

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. Etym: [L. metallum metal + -oid: cf. F. métalloïde.] (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.)

Defn: Having the properties of a nonmetal; nonmetallic; acid; negative.

METALLOIDAL Met`al*loid"al, a.

Defn: Metalloid.

METALLOPHONE Me*tal"lo*phone, n. [L. metallum metal + Gr. sound.] (Music) (a) An instrument like a pianoforte, but having metal bars instead of strings. (b) An instrument like the xylophone, but having metallic instead of wooden bars.

METALLORGANIC Met`al*lor*gan"ic, a.

Defn: Metalorganic.

METALLOTHERAPY Me*tal`lo*ther"a*py, n. Etym: [L. metallum metal + E. therapy.] (Med.)

Defn: Treatment of disease by applying metallic plates to the surface of the body.

METALLURGIC; METALLURGICAL Met`al*lur"gic, Met`al*lur"gic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métallurgique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to metallurgy.

METALLURGIST Met"al*lur`gist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métallurgiste.]

Defn: One who works in metals, or prepares them for use; one who is skilled in metallurgy.

METALLURGY Met"al*lur`gy, n. Etym: [F. métallurgie, fr. L. metallum metal, Gr. Metal, and Work.]

Defn: 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 (.

Defn: A worker in metals.

METALOGICAL Met`a*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Beyond the scope or province of logic.

METALORGANIC Met`al*or*gan"ic, a. Etym: [Metal, L. metallum + E. organic.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Metamere.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -mere.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr.

1. (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a metamere or its formation; as, metameric segmentation.

METAMERICALLY Met`a*mer"ic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a metameric manner.

METAMERISM Me*tam"er*ism, n.

1. (Biol.)

Defn: The symmetry of a metameric structure; serial symmetry; the state of being made up of metameres.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: The state or quality of being metameric; also, the relation or condition of metameric compounds.

METAMORPHIC Met`a*mor"phic, a. Etym: [See Metamorphosis.]

1. Subject to change; changeable; variable.

2. Causing a change of structure.

3. (Geol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: One who believes that the body of Christ was merged into the Deity when he ascended.

METAMORPHIZE Met`a*mor"phize, v. t.

Defn: To metamorphose.

METAMORPHOSE Met`a*mor"phose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Metamorphosed; p. pr. & vb. n. Metamorphosing.] Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphoser.]

Defn: To change into a different form; to transform; to transmute. And earth was metamorphosed into man. Dryden.

METAMORPHOSE Met`a*mor"phose, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métamorphose. See Metamorphosis.]

Defn: Same as Metamorphosis.

METAMORPHOSER Met`a*mor"pho*ser, n.

Defn: One who metamorphoses. [R.] Gascoigne.

METAMORPHOSIC Met`a*mor"pho*sic, a.

Defn: Changing the form; transforming. [R.] Pownall.

METAMORPHOSIS Met`a*mor"pho*sis, n.; pl. Metamorphoses. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.

1. Change of form, or structure; transformation.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Nauplius.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A larval crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and having about seven pairs of appendages.

METANEPHRITIC Met`a*ne*phrit"ic, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metanephros.

METANEPHROS Met`a*neph"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The most posterior of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in many vertebrates.

METANOTUM Met`a*no"tum, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The dorsal portion of the metaphorax of insects.

METANTIMONATE Met`an*ti*mo"nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metantimonic acid.

METANTIMONIC Met`an*ti*mon"ic, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + pectic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a supposed acid obtained from pectin.

METAPECTIN Met`a*pec"tin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and occurring in overripe fruits.

METAPEPTONE Met`a*pep"tone, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + peptone.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: An intermediate product formed in the gastric digestion of albuminous matter.

METAPHOR Met"a*phor, n. Etym: [F. métaphore, L. metaphora, fr. Gr. meta` beyond, over + fe`rein to bring, bear.] (Rhet.)

Defn: 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; METAPHORICAL Met`a*phor"ic, Met`a*phor"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. métaphorique.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One who makes metaphors.

METAPHOSPHATE Met`a*phos"phate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metaphosphoric acid.

METAPHOSPHORIC Met`a*phos*phor"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + phosphoric.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. meta`frasis, from metafrazein to paraphrase; meta` beyond, over + fra`zein to speak: cf. F. métaphrase.]

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.

Defn: Translated literally.

METAPHRASIS Me*taph"ra*sis, n. Etym: [NL. See Metaphrase.]

Defn: Metaphrase.

METAPHRAST Met"a*phrast, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphraste.]

Defn: A literal translator.

METAPHRASTIC; METAPHRASTICAL Met`a*phras"tic, Met`a*phras"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: Close, or literal.

METAPHYSIC Met`a*phys"ic, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique.]

Defn: See Metaphysics.

METAPHYSIC Met`a*phys"ic, a.

Defn: Metaphysical.

METAPHYSICAL Met`a*phys"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysique. 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.

Defn: In the manner of metaphysical science, or of a metaphysician. South.

METAPHYSICIAN Met`a*phy*si"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métaphysicien.]

Defn: One who is versed in metaphysics.

METAPHYSICS Met`a*phys"ics, n. Etym: [Gr. métaphysique. 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

Defn: Change of form; transformation.

METAPLASM Met"a*plasm, n. Etym: [L. metaplasmus, Gr. métaplasme.] (Gram.)

Defn: A change in the letters or syllables of a word.

METAPLAST Met"a*plast, n. Etym: [See Metaplasm.] (Gram.)

Defn: A word having more than one form of the root.

METAPODE Met"a*pode, n. Etym: [NL. metapodium, from Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The posterior division of the foot in the Gastropoda and Pteropoda.

METAPODIAL Met`a*po"di*al, a. (Anat.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Metapode.] (Anat.)

Defn: One of the bones of either the metacarpus or metatarsus.

METAPODIUM Met`a*po"di*um, n.; pl. Metapodia. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Metapode.

METAPOPHYSIS Met`a*poph"y*sis, n.; pl. Metapophyses. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Apophysis.] (Anat.)

Defn: A tubercle projecting from the anterior articular processes of some vertebræ; a mammillary process.

METAPTERYGIUM Me*tap`te*ryg"i*um, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A salt of metasilicic acid.

METASILICIC Met`a*si*lic"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + silicic.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + Gr. (Geol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Pref. meta- + -some body.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the component segments of the body of an animal.

METASTANNATE Met`a*stan"nate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metastannic acid.

METASTANNIC Met`a*stan"nic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L., transition, fr. Gr.

1. (Theol.)

Defn: A spiritual change, as during baptism.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A change in the location of a disease, as from one part to another. Dunglison.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or caused by, metastasis; as, a metastatic abscess; the metastatic processes of growth.

METASTERNAL Met`a*ster"nal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metasternum.

METASTERNUM Met`a*ster"num, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + sternum.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: The most posterior element of the sternum; the ensiform process; xiphisternum.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The ventral plate of the third or last segment of the thorax of insects.

METASTOMA; METASTOME Me*tas"to*ma, Met"a*stome, n. Etym: [NL. metastoma, from Gr. meta` behind + sto`ma mouth.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A median elevation behind the mouth in the arthropods.

METATARSAL Met`a*tar"sal, a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metatarsus. -- n.

Defn: A metatarsal bone.

METATARSE Met"a*tarse, n. (Anat.)

Defn: Metatarsus.

METATARSUS Met`a*tar"sus, n.; pl. Metatarsi. Etym: [NL. See Meta-, and Tarsus.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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.

METATE Me*ta"te, n. [Sp., fr. Mex. metlatl.]

Defn: A flat or somewhat hollowed stone upon which grain or other food is ground, by means of a smaller stone or pestle. [Southwestern U. S. & Sp. Amer.]

METATHESIS Me*tath"e*sis, n.; pl. Metatheses (. Etym: [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.)

Defn: Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.

2. (Med.)

Defn: A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.

3. (Chem.)

Defn: 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; METATHETICAL Met`a*thet"ic, Met`a*thet"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to metathesis.

METATHORACIC Met`a*tho*rac"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the metathorax.

METATHORAX Met`a*tho"rax, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. métathorax. See Meta-, and Thorax.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The last or posterior segment of the thorax in insects. See Illust. of Coleoptera.

METATITANIC Met`a*ti*tan"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + titanic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid of titanium analogous to metasilicic acid.

METATUNGSTATE Met`a*tung"state, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of metatungstic acid.

METATUNGSTIC Met`a*tung"stic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + tungstic.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A salt of metavanadic acid.

METAVANADIC Met`a*va*nad"ic, a. Etym: [Pref. meta- + vanadic.] (Chem.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or designating, a vanadic acid analogous to metaphosphoric acid.

METAXYLENE Met`a*xy"lene, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + xylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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

METAYAGE Mé`ta`yage", n. Etym: [F. See Métayer.]

Defn: A system of farming on halves. [France & Italy]

METAYER Mé`ta`yer" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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 (. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Metazoa.

METAZOIC Met`a*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.

METAZOON; METAZOOEN Met`a*zo"ön, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Metazoa.

METE Mete, n.

Defn: Meat. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METE Mete, v. t. & i.

Defn: To meet. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METE Mete, v. i. & t. [imp. Mette; p. p. Met.] Etym: [AS. m.]

Defn: 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.] Etym: [AS. metan; akin to D. meten, G. messen, OHG. mezzan, Icel. meta, Sw. mäta, Goth. mitan, L. modus measure, moderation, modius a corn measure, Gr. measure, L. metiri to measure; cf. Skr. ma to measure. sq. root99. Cf. Measure, Meet, a., Mode.]

Defn: To find the quantity, dimensions, or capacity of, by any rule or standard; to measure.

METE Mete, v. i.

Defn: To measure. [Obs.] Mark iv. 24.

METE Mete, n. Etym: [AS. met. See Mete to measure.]

Defn: Measure; limit; boundary; -- used chiefly in the plural, and in the phrase metes and bounds.

METECORN Mete"corn`, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: According to measure or proportion; proportionable; proportionate. [Obs.]

METEMPIRIC; METEMPIRICAL Met`em*pir"ic, Met`em*pir"ic*al, a. Etym: [Pref. met- + empiric, - ical.] (Metaph.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The science that is concerned with metempirics.

METEMPIRICS Met`em*pir"ics, n.

Defn: 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.] Etym: [See Metempsychosis.]

Defn: To translate or transfer, as the soul, from one body to another. [R.] Peacham.

METEMPSYCHOSIS Me*temp`sy*cho"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. Psychology.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Chron.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Met- + encephalon.] (Anat.)

Defn: The posterior part of the brain, including the medulla; the afterbrain. Sometimes abbreviated to meten.

METENSOMATOSIS Met`en*so`ma*to"sis, n. Etym: [L., a change of body (by the soul), fr. Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: The assimilation by one body or organism of the elements of another.

METEOR Me"te*or, n. Etym: [F. météore, Gr.

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. Etym: [Cf. F. météorique.]

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.

Defn: Meteoric.

METEORISM Me"te*or*ism, n. (Med.)

Defn: Flatulent distention of the abdomen; tympanites.

METEORITE Me"te*or*ite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. météorite.] (Min.)

Defn: A mass of stone or iron which has fallen to the earth from space; an aërolite.

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 Widmanstätten 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. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: To ascend in vapors; to take the form of a meteor. Evelyn.

METEOROGRAPH Me`te*or"o*graph, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graph.]

Defn: An instrument which registers meteorologic phases or conditions.

METEOROGRAPHIC Me`te*or`o*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to meteorography.

METEOROGRAPHY Me`te*or*og"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Meteor + -graphy.]

Defn: The registration of meteorological phenomena.

METEOROID Me"te*or*oid, n. Etym: [Meteor + -oid.] (Astron.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a meteoroid or to meteoroids.

METEOROLITE Me`te*or"o*lite, n. Etym: [Meteor + -lite : cf. F. météorolithe.]

Defn: A meteoric stone; an aërolite; a meteorite.

METEOROLOGIC; METEOROLOGICAL Me`te*or`o*log"ic, Me`te*or`o*log"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. météorologique.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. météorologiste.]

Defn: A person skilled in meteorology.

METEOROLOGY Me`te*or*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. météorologie. See Meteor.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Meteor + -mancy : cf. F. météoromancie.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Meteor + -meter.]

Defn: 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, n. Etym: [Gr. météoroscope. 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. Etym: [See Meteor.]

Defn: Of the nature or appearance of a meteor.

-METER -me"ter. Etym: [L. metrum measure, or the allied Gr. Meter rhythm.]

Defn: A suffix denoting that by which anything is measured; as, barometer, chronometer, dynamometer.

METER Me"ter, n. Etym: [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, a gas meter in which the revolution of a chambered drum in water measures the gas passing through it.

METER Me"ter, n.

Defn: A line above or below a hanging net, to which the net is attached in order to strengthen it.

METER; METRE Me"ter, Me"tre, n. Etym: [OE. metre, F. mètre, L. metrum, fr. Gr. ma 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. Etym: [See 1st Meter.]

Defn: The act of measuring, or the cost of measuring.

METERGRAM Me"ter*gram`, n. (Mech.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Mete to measure + wand.]

Defn: A measuring rod. Ascham.

METEYARD Mete"yard`, n. Etym: [AS. metgeard. See Mete to measure, and Yard stick.]

Defn: A yard, staff, or rod, used as a measure. [Obs.] Shak.

METH Meth, n.

Defn: See Meathe. [Obs.] Chaucer.

METHAEMOGLOBIN Met`hæm*o*glo"bin ( or ), n. Etym: [Pref. met- + h.] (Physiol. Chem.)

Defn: A stable crystalline compound obtained by the decomposition of hemoglobin. It is found in old blood stains.

METHAL Meth"al, n. Etym: [Myristic + ether + alcohol.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Methal.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

METHANOMETER Meth`a*nom"e*ter, n. [Methane + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument, resembling a eudiometer, to detect the presence and amount of methane, as in coal mines.

METHEGLIN Me*theg"lin, n. Etym: [W. meddyglyn; medd mead + llyn liquor, juice. See Mead a drink.]

Defn: A fermented beverage made of honey and water; mead. Gay.

METHENE Meth"ene, n. Etym: [Methyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: See Methylene.

METHENYL Meth"e*nyl, n. Etym: [Methene + -yl.] (Chem.)

Defn: The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical CH, regarded as an essential residue of certain organic compounds.

METHIDE Meth"ide ( or ), n. Etym: [See Methyl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A binary compound of methyl with some element; as, aluminium methide, Al2(CH3)6.

METHINKS Me*thinks", v. impers. [imp. Methought.] Etym: [AS. þyncan to seem, me þynceedh, me þuhte, OE. me thinketh, me thoughte; akin to G. dünken to seem, denken to think, and E. think. See Me, and Think.]

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A salt of methionic acid.

METHIONIC Meth`i*on"ic, a. Etym: [Methyl + thionic.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. méthode, 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.)

Defn: Classification; a mode or system of classifying natural objects according to certain common characteristics; as, the method of Theophrastus; the method of Ray; the Linnæan method.

Syn. -- Order; system; rule; regularity; way; manner; mode; course; process; means. -- 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 secmode 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; METHODICAL Me*thod"ic, Me*thod"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. methodicus, Gr. méthodique.]

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.

Defn: The art and principles of method.

METHODISM Meth"o*dism, n. (Eccl.)

Defn: The system of doctrines, polity, and worship, of the sect called Methodists. Bp. Warburton.

METHODIST Meth"o*dist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. méthodiste. 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a Methodist elder.

METHODISTIC; METHODISTICAL Meth`o*dis"tic, Meth`o*dis"tic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to methodists, or to the Methodists. -- Meth`o*dis"tic*al*ly, adv.

METHODIZATION Meth`od*i*za"tion, n.

Defn: 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.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: One who methodizes.

METHODOLOGICAL Meth`od*o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to methodology.

METHODOLOGY Meth`od*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -logy.]

Defn: The science of method or arrangement; a treatise on method. Coleridge.

METHOL Meth"ol, n. Etym: [Gr. -ol.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: of Methinks.

METHOXYL Meth*ox"yl, n. Etym: [Methyl + hydroxyl.] (Chem.)

Defn: A hypothetical radical, CH3O, analogous to hydroxyl.

METHYL Meth"yl, n. Etym: [See Methylene.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Methylene + alcohol.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: See Methyl amine, under Methyl.

METHYLATE Meth"yl*ate, n. Etym: [Methyl + alcoholate.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: To impregnate or mix with methyl or methyl alcohol.

METHYLATED Meth"yl*a`ted, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Impregnated with, or containing, methyl alcohol or wood spirit; as, methylated spirits.

METHYLENE Meth"yl*ene, n. Etym: [F. méthylène, from Gr. wood spirit.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, methyl; specifically, designating methyl alcohol. See under Methyl.

METHYSTICIN Me*thys"ti*cin, n. (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. metoecus, F. métèque.] (Gr. Antiq.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. meticulosus, fr. metus fear: cf. F. méticuleux.]

Defn: Timid; fearful. -- Me*tic"u*lous*ly, adv.

METIER Mé`tier", n. [F.]

Defn: Calling; vocation; business; trade.

Not only is it the business of no one to preach the truth but it is the métier of many to conceal it. A. R. Colquhoun.

METIF; METIVE Mé`tif", n. m. Mé`tive", n. f.Etym: [F.]

Defn: See Métis.

METIS; METISSE Mé`tis", n. m. Mé`tisse", n. f.Etym: [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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Arch.) (a) The space between two dentils. (b) The space between two triglyphs.

METOL Me"tol, n. [G.; trade name, fr. meta- + kresol cresol.]

Defn: A whitish soluble powder used as a developer in photography. Chemically, it is the sulphate of methyl-p-amino-m-cresol.

METONIC Me*ton"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. métonique.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or discovered by, Meton, the Athenian. Metonic cycle or year. (Astron.) See under Cycle.

METONYMIC; METONYMICAL Met`o*nym"ic, Met`o*nym"ic*al, a. Etym: [See Metonymy.]

Defn: Used by way of metonymy. -- Met`o*nym"ic*al*ly, adv.

METONYMY Me*ton"y*my, n. Etym: [L. metonymia, Gr. métonymie. See Name.] (Rhet.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

1. (Arch.)

Defn: The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See Illust. of Entablature.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the forehead or frontal bones; frontal; as, the metopic suture.

METOPOMANCY Met"o*po*man`cy, n. Etym: [Gr. -mancy.]

Defn: Fortune telling by physiognomy. [R.] Urquhart.

METOPOSCOPIC; METOPOSCOPICAL Met`o*po*scop"ic, Met`o*po*scop"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or relating to metoposcopy.

METOPOSCOPIST Met`o*pos"co*pist, n.

Defn: One versed in metoposcopy.

METOPOSCOPY Met`o*pos"co*py, n. Etym: [Gr. métoposcopie.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: The postero-lateral ossification in the sternum of birds; also, the part resulting from such ossification.

METRE Me"tre, n.

Defn: See Meter.

METRIC Met"ric, a. Etym: [L. metricus, Gr. métrique. 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.

Defn: In a metrical manner.

METRICIAN Me*tri"cian, n. Etym: [Cf. F. métricien. See Meter rhythm.]

Defn: A composer of verses. [Obs.]

METRIC SYSTEM Met"ric sys"tem.

Defn: See Metric, a.

METRIC TON Met"ric ton.

Defn: A weight of 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds avoirdupois.

METRIFICATION Met`ri*fi*ca"tion, n.

Defn: Composition in metrical form; versification. [R.] Tennyson.

METRIFY Met"ri*fy, v. i. Etym: [L. metrum meter + -fy: cf. F. métrifier.]

Defn: To make verse. [R.] Skelton.

METRIST Me"trist, n.

Defn: A maker of verses. Bale. Spenser was no mere metrist, but a great composer. Lowell.

METRITIS Me*tri"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. -tis.] (Med.)

Defn: Inflammation of the womb.

METROCHROME Met"ro*chrome, n. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: An instrument for measuring colors.

METROGRAPH Met"ro*graph, n. Etym: [Gr. -graph.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. métrologique.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to metrology.

METROLOGY Me*trol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr. -métrologie.]

Defn: The science of, or a system of, weights and measures; also, a treatise on the subject.

METROMANIA Met`ro*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [Gr. mania.]

Defn: A mania for writing verses.

METROMANIAC Met`ro*ma"ni*ac, n.

Defn: One who has metromania.

METROMETER Me*trom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.] (Med.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring the size of the womb. Knight.

METRONOME Met"ro*nome, n. Etym: [Gr. métronome, It. metronomo.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Metronome.]

Defn: Measurement of time by an instrument.

METRONYMIC Met`ro*nym"ic, a. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. métropole. See Metropolis.]

Defn: A metropolis. [Obs.] Holinshed.

METROPOLIS Me*trop"o*lis, n. Etym: [L. metropolis, Gr. 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.)

Defn: 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, a. Etym: [L. metropolitanus: cf. F. métropolitain.]

1. Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a country; as, metropolitan luxury.

2. (Eccl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [LL. metropolitanus.]

1. The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.

2. (Lat. Church.)

Defn: An archbishop.

3. (Gr. Church)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The see of a metropolitan bishop. Milman.

METROPOLITE Me*trop"o*lite, n. Etym: [L. metropolita, Gr.

Defn: A metropolitan. Barrow.

METROPOLITICAL Met`ro*po*lit"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to a metropolis; being a metropolis; metropolitan; as, the metropolitical chair. Bp. Hall.

METRORRHAGIA Met`ror*rha"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)

Defn: Profuse bleeding from the womb, esp. such as does not occur at the menstrual period.

METROSCOPE Met"ro*scope, n. Etym: [Gr. -scope.]

Defn: A modification of the stethoscope, for directly auscultating the uterus from the vagina.

METROSIDEROS Met`ro*si*de"ros, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Metrotomy.] (Surg.)

Defn: An instrument for cutting or scarifying the uterus or the neck of the uterus.

METROTOMY Me*trot"o*my, n. Etym: [Gr. métrotomie.] (Surg.)

Defn: The operation of cutting into the uterus; hysterotomy; the Cæsarean section.

-METRY -me*try. Etym: [See -meter.]

Defn: A suffix denoting the art, process, or science, of measuring; as, acidmetry, chlorometry, chronometry.

METTE Mette, obs. imp.

Defn: of Mete, to dream. Chaucer.

METTLE Met"tle, n. Etym: [E. metal, used in a tropical sense in allusion to the temper of the metal of a sword blade. See Metal.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Having mettle; high-spirited; ardent; full of fire. Addison.

METTLESOME Met"tle*some, a.

Defn: Full of spirit; possessing constitutional ardor; fiery; as, a mettlesome horse. -- Met"tle*some*ly, adv. -- Met"tle*some*ness, n.

MEUM Me"um, n. [L., neut. of meus mine.]

Defn: Lit., mine; that which is mine; -- used in the phrase meum et tuum, or meum and tuum; as, to confound meum and tuum, to fail to distinguish one's own property from that of others; to be dishonest.

Ancestors . . . generally esteemed more renowned for ancient family and high courage than for accurately regarding the trifling distinction of meum and tuum. Sir W. Scott.

MEUTE Meute, n.

Defn: A cage for hawks; a mew. See 4th Mew, 1. Milman.

MEVE Meve, v. t. & i.

Defn: To move. [Obs.] Chaucer.

MEW Mew, n. Etym: [AS. m, akin to D. meeuw, G. möwe, OHG. m, Icel. mar.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [OE. muen, F. muer, fr. L. mutare to change, fr. movere to move. See Move, and cf. Mew a cage, Molt.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [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. Etym: [From Mew a cage.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Of imitative origin; cf. G. miauen.]

Defn: To cry as a cat. [Written also meaw, meow.] Shak.

MEW Mew, n.

Defn: The common cry of a cat. Shak.

MEWL Mewl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mewled; p. pr. & vb. n. Mewling.] Etym: [Cf. F. miauler to mew, E. mew to cry as a cat. Cf. Miaul.]

Defn: To cry, as a young child; to squall. [Written also meawl.] Shak.

MEWLER Mewl"er, n.

Defn: One that mewls.

MEWS Mews, n. sing. & pl. Etym: [Prop. pl. of mew. See Mew a cage.]

Defn: 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; MEXICAL Mex*al", Mex"i*cal, n. Etym: [Sp. mexcal.]

Defn: See Mescal.

MEXICAN Mex"i*can, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Mexico or its people. -- n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: To become like the Mexicans, or their country or government.

MEYNE Meyn"e, n. [Obs.]

Defn: Same as Meine.

MEZCAL Mez*cal", n.

Defn: Same as Mescal.

MEZEREON Me*ze"re*on, n. Etym: [F. mézéréon, Per. mazriyun.] (Bot.)

Defn: A small European shrub (Daphne Mezereum), whose acrid bark is used in medicine.

MEZQUITA Mez*qui"ta, n. Etym: [Sp.]

Defn: A mosque.

MEZUZOTH Mez"u*zoth, n. Etym: [Heb. mêzuzoth, pl. of mêzuzah doorpost.]

Defn: A piece of parchment bearing the Decalogue and attached to the doorpost; -- in use among orthodox Hebrews.

MEZZA MAJOLICA Mez"za ma*jol"i*ca. [It. See Mezzo; Majolica.] (Ceramics)

Defn: Italian pottery of the epoch and general character of majolica, but less brilliantly decorated, esp. such pottery without tin enamel, but painted and glazed.

MEZZANINE Mez"za*nine, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [It., fr. mezzo, fem. mezza middle, half + voce voice, L. vox.] (Mus.)

Defn: With a medium fullness of sound.

MEZZO Mez"zo, a. Etym: [It., from L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.] (Mus.)

Defn: Mean; not extreme.

MEZZO-RELIEVO Mez"zo-re*lie"vo, n.

Defn: Mezzo-rilievo.

MEZZO-RILIEVO Mez"zo-ri*lie"vo, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. mezzo-tinto.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: To engrave in mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTER Mez"zo*tint`er, n.

Defn: One who engraves in mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTO Mez`zo*tin"to, n. Etym: [It. mezzo half + tinto tinted, p. p. of tingere to dye, color, tinge, L. tingere. See Mezzo.]

Defn: Mezzotint.

MEZZOTINTO Mez`zo*tin"to, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mezzotintoed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mezzotintoing.]

Defn: To engrave in mezzotint; to represent by mezzotint.

MHO Mho, n. [Anagram of ohm.] (Elec.)

Defn: A unit of conductivity, being the reciprocal of the ohm.

MHOMETER Mhom"e*ter, n. [Mho + -meter.] (Elec.)

Defn: An instrument for measuring conductivity.

MHORR Mhorr, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Mohr.

MI Mi, n. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians that formerly occupied the country between the Wabash and Maumee rivers.

MIARGYRITE Mi*ar"gy*rite, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of an iron-black color, and very sectile, consisting principally of sulphur, antimony, and silver.

MIAS Mi"as, n. Etym: [Malayan.]

Defn: The orang-outang.

MIASCITE Mi*asc"ite, n. Etym: [Named from Miask, in the Ural Mountains.] (Min.)

Defn: A granitoid rock containing feldspar, biotite, elæolite, and sodalite.

MIASM Mi"asm, n. Etym: [Cf. F. miasme.]

Defn: Miasma.

MIASMA Mi*as"ma, n.; pl. Miasmata. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Containing miasma; miasmatic.

MIASMATIC; MIASMATICAL Mi`as*mat"ic, Mi`as*mat"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. miasmatique.]

Defn: Containing, or relating to, miasma; caused by miasma; as, miasmatic diseases.

MIASMATIST Mi*as"ma*tist, n.

Defn: One who has made a special study of miasma.

MIASMOLOGY Mi`as*mol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Miasma + -logy.]

Defn: That department of medical science which treats of miasma.

MIAUL Mi*aul", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Miauled; p. pr. & vb. n. Miauling.] Etym: [Cf. F. miauler, of imitative origin, and E. mew. Cf. Mewl.]

Defn: To cry as a cat; to mew; to caterwaul. Sir W. Scott.

MIAUL Mi*aul", n.

Defn: The crying of a cat.

MICA Mi"ca, n. Etym: [L. mica crumb, grain, particle; cf. F. mica.] (Min.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. F. micacé.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or containing, mica; splitting into laminæ or leaves like mica.

MICE Mice, n.,

Defn: pl of Mouse.

MICELLA Mi*cel"la, n.; pl. Micellæ. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. mica a morsel, grain.] (Biol.)

Defn: A theoretical aggregation of molecules constituting a structural particle of protoplasm, capable of increase or diminution without change in chemical nature.

MICH; MICHE Mich, Miche, v. i. Etym: [OE. michen; cf. OE. muchier, mucier, to conceal, F. musser, and OHG. muhhen to waylay. Cf. Micher, Curmudgeon, Muset.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Michael + mass religious service; OE. Mighelmesse.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. michare, muchare. See Mich.]

Defn: One who skulks, or keeps out of sight; hence, a truant; an idler; a thief, etc. [Obs.] Shak.

MICHERY Mich"er*y, n.

Defn: Theft; cheating. [Obs.] Gower.

MICHING Mich"ing, a.

Defn: Hiding; skulking; cowardly. [Colloq.] [Written also meaching and meeching.]

MICKLE Mic"kle, a. Etym: [OE. mikel, muchel, mochel, mukel, AS. micel, mycel; akin to OS. mikil, OHG. mihil, mihhil, Icel. mikill, mykill, Goth. mikils, L. magnus, Gr. mahat. sq. root103. Cf. Much, Muckle, Magnitude.]

Defn: Much; great. [Written also muckle and mockle.] [Old Eng. & Scot.] "A man of mickle might." Spenser.

MICMACS Mic"macs, n. pl.; sing. Micmac (. (Ethnol.)

Defn: A tribe of Indians inhabiting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. [Written also Mikmaks.]

MICO Mi"co, n. Etym: [Sp. or Pg. mico.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: Same as Microustic.

MICRASTER Mi*cras"ter, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: 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, Etym: [Micr- + Gr.

Defn: Having a small brain.

MICRO-; MICR- Mi"cro-, Mi"cr-. Etym: [Gr.

Defn: 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`père", n. Etym: [Micr- + ampère.] (Elec.)

Defn: One of the smaller measures of electrical currents; the millionth part of one ampère.

MICROANALYSIS Mi`cro*a*nal"y*sis, n. [Micro-+ analysis.]

Defn: Analysis of the structure of materials from careful observation of photomicrographs.

MICROBACTERIA Mi`cro*bac*te"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Micro-, and Bacterium.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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.

MICROBAROGRAPH Mi`cro*bar"o*graph, n. [Micro-+ barograph.]

Defn: An instrument for recording minor fluctuations of atmospheric pressure, as opposed to general barometric surges.

MICROBE; MICROBION Mi"crobe, Mi*cro"bi*on, n. Etym: [NL. microbion, fr. Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or caused by, microbes; as, the microbian theory; a microbian disease.

MICROBIC Mi*crob"ic, a. (Biol.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to a microbe.

MICROBICIDE Mi*crob"i*cide, n. Etym: [Microbe + L. caedere to kill.] (Biol.)

Defn: Any agent detrimental to, or destructive of, the life of microbes or bacterial organisms.

MICROBIOLOGY Mi`cro*bi*ol"o*gy, n. [See Microbe; -logy.]

Defn: The study of minute organisms, or microbes, as the bacteria. -- Mi`cro*bi`o*log"ic*al (#), a. -- Mi`cro*bi*ol"o*gist (#), n.

MICROCEPHALIC; MICROCEPHALOUS Mi`cro*ce*phal"ic, Mi`cro*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Micro- + cephalic, cephalous.] (Anat.)

Defn: Having a small head; having the cranial cavity small; -- opposed to Ant: megacephalic.

MICRO-CHEMICAL Mi`cro-chem"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to micro-chemistry; as, a micro-chemical test.

MICRO-CHEMISTRY Mi`cro-chem"is*try, n. Etym: [Micro- + chemistry.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: A chronoscope.

MICROCLINE Mi"cro*cline, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. (Min.)

Defn: A mineral of the feldspar group, like orthoclase or common feldspar in composition, but triclinic in form.

MICROCOCCAL Mi`cro*coc"cal, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to micrococci; caused by micrococci. Nature.

MICROCOCCUS Mi`cro*coc"cus, n.; pl. Micrococci. Etym: [NL. See Micro-, and Coccus.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F. microcosme, L. microcosmus, fr. Gr.

Defn: 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; MICROCOSMICAL Mi`cro*cos"mic, Mi`cro*cos"mic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. microcosmique.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Microcosm + -graphy.]

Defn: Description of man as a microcosm.

MICROCOULOMB Mi`cro*cou`lomb", n. Etym: [Micro- + coulomb.] (Elec.)

Defn: A measure of electrical quantity; the millionth part of one coulomb.

MICROCOUSTIC Mi`cro*cous"tic, a. Etym: [Micro- + acoustic: cf. F. microcoustique, micracoustique.]

Defn: Pertaining, or suited, to the audition of small sounds; fitted to assist hearing.

MICROCOUSTIC Mi`cro*cous"tic, n.

Defn: An instrument for making faint sounds audible, as to a partially deaf person.

MICROCRITH Mi`cro*crith", n. Etym: [Micro- + crith.] (Chem.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Micro- + crystalline.] (Crystallog.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. (Physiol.)

Defn: One of the elementary granules found in blood. They are much smaller than an ordinary corpuscle, and are particularly noticeable in disease, as in anæmia.

MICRODONT Mic"ro*dont, a. Etym: [Micr- + Gr. (Anat.)

Defn: Having small teeth.

MICROFARAD Mi`cro*far"ad, n. Etym: [Micro- + farad.] (Elec.)

Defn: The millionth part of a farad.

MICROFORM Mi"cro*form, n. Etym: [Micro- + form, n.] (Biol.)

Defn: A microscopic form of life; an animal or vegetable organism microscopic size.

MICRO-GEOLOGICAL Mi`cro-ge`o*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to micro-geology.

MICRO-GEOLOGY Mi`cro-ge*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Micro- + geology.]

Defn: The part of geology relating to structure and organisms which require to be studied with a microscope.

MICROGRAPH Mi"cro*graph, n. Etym: [See Micrography.]

Defn: An instrument for executing minute writing or engraving.

MICROGRAPHIC Mi`cro*graph"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to micrography.

MICROGRAPHY Mi*crog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Micro- + -graphy: cf. F. micrographie.]

Defn: The description of microscopic objects.

MICROHM Mi*crohm", n. Etym: [Micr- + ohm.] (Elec.)

Defn: The millionth part of an ohm.

MICROLEPIDOPTERA Mi`cro*lep`i*dop"te*ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Micro-, and Lepidoptera.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A tribe of Lepidoptera, including a vast number of minute species, as the plume moth, clothes moth, etc.

MICROLESTES Mi`cro*les"tes, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Paleon.)

Defn: An extinct genus of small Triassic mammals, the oldest yet found in European strata.

MICROLITE Mi"cro*lite, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: A minute inclosed crystal, often observed when minerals or rocks are examined in thin sections under the microscope.

MICROLITH Mi"cro*lith, n. Etym: [Micro- + lith.] (Min.)

Defn: Same as Microlite, 2.

MICROLITHIC Mi`cro*lith"ic, a.

Defn: Formed of small stones.

MICROLOGIC; MICROLOGICAL Mi`cro*log"ic, Mi`cro*log"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to micrology; very minute; as, micrologic examination. -- Mi`cro*log"ic*al*ly, adv.

MICROLOGY Mi*crol"o*gy, n. Etym: [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. Etym: [Micro- + -mere.] (Biol.)

Defn: One of the smaller cells, or blastomeres, resulting from the complete segmentation of a telolecithal ovum.

MICROMETER Mi*crom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Micro- + -meter: cf. F. micromètre.]

Defn: 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 objects 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; MICROMETRICAL Mi`cro*met"ric, Mi`cro*met"ric*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. micrométrique.]

Defn: Belonging to micrometry; made by the micrometer. -- Mi`cro*met"ric*al*ly, adv.

MICROMETRY Mi*crom"e*try, n.

Defn: The art of measuring with a micrometer.

MICROMILLIMETER Mi`cro*mil"li*me`ter, n. Etym: [Micro- + millimeter.]

Defn: The millionth part of a meter.

MICRON Mic"ron, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Physics)

Defn: A measure of length; the thousandth part of one millimeter; the millionth part of a meter.

MICRONESIAN Mi"cro*ne"sian, a. Etym: [From Micronesia, fr. Gr.

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Micro- + chronometer.]

Defn: An instrument for noting minute portions of time.

MICROORGANISM; MICRO-ORGANISM Mi`cro*ör"gan*ism, n. Etym: [Micro- + organism.] (Biol.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Micro- + pantograph.]

Defn: A kind of pantograph which produces copies microscopically minute.

MICROPARASITE Mi`cro*par"a*site, n.

Defn: A parasitic microörganism. -- Mi`cro*par`a*sit"ic (#), a.

MICROPEGMATITE Mi`cro*peg"ma*tite, n. Etym: [Micro- + pegmatite.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. microphone.] (Physics)

Defn: 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.

MICROPHONIC Mi`cro*phon"ic, a.

Defn: Of or pert. to a microphone; serving to intensify weak sounds.

MICROPHONICS Mi`cro*phon"ics, n. Etym: [See Microphone.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Serving to augment the intensity of weak sounds; microcoustic.

MICROPHOTOGRAPH Mi`cro*pho"to*graph, n. Etym: [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.

Defn: The art of making microphotographs.

MICROPHTHALMIA; MICROPHTHALMY Mi`croph*thal"mi*a, Mi`croph*thal"my, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr.

Defn: An unnatural smallness of the eyes, occurring as the result of disease or of imperfect development.

MICROPHYLLOUS Mi*croph"yl*lous, a. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. (Bot.)

Defn: Small-leaved.

MICROPHYTAL Mi*croph"y*tal, a. (Bot.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or of the nature of, microphytes.

MICROPHYTE Mi"cro*phyte, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. microphyte.] (Bot.)

Defn: A very minute plant, one of certain unicellular algæ, such as the germs of various infectious diseases are believed to be.

MICROPYLE Mi"cro*pyle, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. 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.

Defn: Pertaining to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope. Huxley.

MICROSCOPE Mi"cro*scope, n. Etym: [Micro- + -scope.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Microscopic. [R.] Berkeley.

MICROSCOPIC; MICROSCOPICAL Mi`cro*scop"ic, Mi`cro*scop"ic*al, a. Etym: [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.

Defn: By the microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic manner.

MICROSCOPIST Mi*cros"co*pist, n.

Defn: One skilled in, or given to, microscopy.

MICROSCOPY Mi*cros"co*py, n.

Defn: The use of the microscope; investigation with the microscope.

MICROSEISM Mi"cro*seism, n. [Micro- + Gr. an earthquake, fr. to shake.]

Defn: A feeble earth tremor not directly perceptible, but detected only by means of specially constructed apparatus. -- Mi`cro*seis"mic (#), *seis"mic*al (#), a.

MICROSEISMOGRAPH Mi`cro*seis"mo*graph, n. [Microseiem + -graph.]

Defn: A microseismometer; specif., a microseismometer producing a graphic record.

MICROSEISMOLOGY Mi`cro*seis*mol"o*gy, n. [Microseiem + -logy.]

Defn: Science or study of microseisms.

MICROSEISMOMETER Mi`cro*seis*mom"e*ter, n. [Microseism + -meter.]

Defn: A seismometer for measuring amplitudes or periods, or both, of microseisms. --Mi`cro*seis*mom"e*try (#), n.

MICROSEME Mi"cro*seme, a. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. microsème.] (Anat.)

Defn: Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits broad transversely; -- opposed to Ant: megaseme.

MICROSPECTROSCOPE Mi`cro*spec"tro*scope, n. Etym: [Micro- + spectroscope.] (Physics)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Micro-, and Sporangium.] (Bot.)

Defn: A sporangium or conceptacle containing only very minute spores. Cf. Macrosporangium.

MICROSPORE Mi"cro*spore, n. Etym: [Micro- + spore.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to microspores.

MICROSTHENE Mi"cro*sthene, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a typically small size; of or pertaining to the microsthenes.

MICROTASIMETER Mi`cro*ta*sim"e*ter, n. Etym: [Micro- + ta.] (Physics)

Defn: A tasimeter, especially when arranged for measuring very small extensions. See Tasimeter.

MICROTOME Mi"cro*tome, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr.

Defn: An instrument for making very thin sections for microscopical examination.

MICROTOMIC; MICROTOMICAL Mi`cro*tom"ic, Mi`cro*tom"ic*al, a.

Defn: Of or pert. to the microtome or microtomy; cutting thin slices.

MICROTOMIST Mi*crot"o*mist, n.

Defn: One who is skilled in or practices microtomy.

MICROTOMY Mi*crot"o*my, n.

Defn: The art of using the microtome; investigation carried on with the microtome.

MICROVOLT Mi`cro*volt", n. Etym: [Micro- + volt.] (Elec.)

Defn: A measure of electro-motive force; the millionth part of one volt.

MICROWEBER Mi`cro*we"ber, n. Etym: [Micro- + weber.] (Elec.)

Defn: The millionth part of one weber.

MICROZOA Mi`cro*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The Infusoria.

MICROZOOSPORE; MICROZOOESPORE Mi`cro*zo"ö*spore, n. Etym: [Micro- + zoöspore.] (Bot.)

Defn: A small motile spore furnished with two vibratile cilia, found in certain green algæ.

MICROZYME Mi"cro*zyme, n. Etym: [Micro- + Gr. (Biol.)

Defn: A microörganism 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. Etym: [L. micturire to desire to make water, v. desid. fr. mingere, mictum, to make water.]

Defn: The act of voiding urine; also, a morbidly frequent passing of the urine, in consequence of disease.

MID Mid, a. [Compar. wanting; superl. Midmost.] Etym: [AS. midd; akin to OS. middi, D. mid (in comp.), OHG. mitti, Icel. mi, Goth. midjis, L. medius, Gr. madhya. 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.)

Defn: 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 (ale), ê (êll), o (old). See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 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.

Defn: Middle. [Obs.] About the mid of night come to my tent. Shak.

MID Mid, prep.

Defn: See Amid.

MIDA Mi"da, n. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The larva of the bean fly.

MIDAS Mi"das, n. Etym: [So called from L. Midas, a man fabled to have had ass's ears.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of longeared South American monkeys, including numerous species of marmosets. See Marmoset.

MIDAS'S EAR Mi"das's ear". Etym: [See Midas.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A pulmonate mollusk (Auricula, or Ellobium, aurismidæ); -- so called from resemblance to a human ear.

MIDBRAIN Mid"brain`, n. Etym: [Mid, a. + brain.] (Anat.)

Defn: The middle segment of the brain; the mesencephalon. See Brain.

MIDDAY Mid"day`, n. Etym: [AS. middæg. See Mid, a., and Day.]

Defn: The middle part of the day; noon.

MIDDAY Mid"day`, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to noon; meridional; as, the midday sun.

MIDDEN Mid"den, n. [Also midding.] Etym: [Cf. Dan. mögdynge, 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". (Zoöl.)

Defn: The common European crow. [Prov. Eng.]

MIDDEST Mid"dest, a.; superl. of Mid. Etym: [See Midst.]

Defn: Situated most nearly in the middle; middlemost; midmost. [Obs.] " 'Mongst the middest crowd." Spenser.

MIDDEST Mid"dest, n.

Defn: Midst; middle. [Obs.] Fuller.

MIDDING Mid"ding, n.

Defn: Same as Midden.

MIDDLE Mid"dle, a. Etym: [OE. middel, AS. middel; akin to D. middel, OHG. muttil, G. mittel. 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 170º and 230º 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. Etym: [AS. middel. See Middle, a.]

Defn: 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`, Etym: [Middle + age. Cf. Mediæval.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to the Middle Ages; mediæval.

MIDDLE-AGED Mid"dle-aged`, a.

Defn: Being about the middle of the ordinary age of man; between 30 and 50 years old.

MIDDLE-EARTH Mid"dle-earth`, n.

Defn: The world, considered as lying between heaven and hell. [Obs.] Shak.

MIDDLE-GROUND Mid"dle-ground`, n. (Paint.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: The man who occupies a central position in a file of soldiers.

MIDDLEMOST Mid"dle*most`, a. Etym: [Cf. Midmost.]

Defn: Being in the middle, or nearest the middle; midmost.

MIDDLER Mid"dler, n.

Defn: One of a middle or intermediate class in some schools and seminaries.

MIDDLING Mid"dling, a.

Defn: 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 (.

Defn: A colloquial abbreviation of midshipman.

MIDFEATHER Mid"feath`er, n.

1. (Steam Boilers)

Defn: A vertical water space in a fire box or combustion chamber.

2. (Mining)

Defn: A support for the center of a tunnel.

MIDGARD Mid"gard`, n. Etym: [Icel. miedhgaredhr.] (Scand. Myth.)

Defn: The middle space or region between heaven and hell; the abode of human beings; the earth.

MIDGARD; MIDGARTH; MITHGARTHR Mid"gard (mid"gärd), n. Also Mid"garth (-gärth), Mith"garthr (Icel. meth"gärthr'). [Icel. miðgarðr.] (Teut. Myth.)

Defn: The middle space or region between heaven and hell, the abode of human beings; the earth.

MIDGE Midge, n. Etym: [OE. migge, AS. mycge; akin to OS. muggia, D. mug, G. mücke, OHG. mucca, Icel. m, Sw. mygga, mygg, Dan. myg; perh. named from its buzzing; cf. Gr. (Zoöl.)

1. Any one of many small, delicate, long-legged flies of the Chironomus, and allied genera, which do not bite. Their larvæ 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. Etym: [Dim. of midge.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: A minute bloodsucking fly. [Local, U. S.]

2. A very diminutive person.

MIDGUT Mid"gut`, n. Etym: [Mid, a. + gut.] (Anat.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: The interior or central region of a country; -- usually in the plural. Drayton.

MIDMAIN Mid"main`, n.

Defn: The middle part of the main or sea. [Poetic] Chapman.

MIDMOST Mid"most`, a. Etym: [OE. middemiste. Cf. Foremost.]

Defn: Middle; middlemost. Ere night's midmost, stillest hour was past. Byron.

MIDNIGHT Mid"night`, n. Etym: [AS. midniht.]

Defn: The middle of the night; twelve o'clock at night. The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. Shak.

MIDNIGHT Mid"night`, a.

Defn: Being in, or characteristic of, the middle of the night; as, midnight studies; midnight gloom. "Midnight shout and revelry." Milton.

MIDNIGHT SUN Mid"night` sun.

Defn: The sun shining at midnight in the arctic or antarctic summer.

MIDRASH Mid*rash", n.; pl. Midrashim, Midrashoth. Etym: [Heb., explanation.]

Defn: A talmudic exposition of the Hebrew law, or of some part of it.

MIDRIB Mid"rib`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A continuation of the petiole, extending from the base to the apex of the lamina of a leaf.

MIDRIFF Mid"riff, n. Etym: [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.)

Defn: See Diaphragm, n., 2. Smote him into the midriff with a stone. Milton.

MID SEA; MID-SEA Mid" sea", or; Mid"-sea".

Defn: The middle part of the sea or ocean. Milton. The Mid-sea, the Mediterranean Sea. [Obs.]

MIDSHIP Mid"ship`, a.

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [For amidships.] (Naut.)

Defn: In the middle of a ship; -- properly amidships.

MIDSHIPS Mid"ships`, n. pl. (Naut.)

Defn: The timbers at the broadest part of the vessel. R. H. Dana, Jr.

MIDST Midst, n. Etym: [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. 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.

Defn: In the midst of; amidst. Shak.

MIDST Midst, adv.

Defn: In the middle. [R.] Milton.

MIDSUMMER Mid"sum`mer, n. Etym: [AS. midsumor.]

Defn: The middle of summer. Shak. Midsummer daisy (Bot.), the oxeye daisy.

MIDWARD Mid"ward, a.

Defn: Situated in the middle.

MIDWARD Mid"ward, adv.

Defn: In or toward the midst.

MIDWAY Mid"way`, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Being in the middle of the way or distance; as, the midway air. Shak.

MIDWAY Mid"way`, adv.

Defn: In the middle of the way or distance; half way. "She met his glance midway." Dryden.

MIDWEEK Mid"week`, n.

Defn: The middle of the week. Also used adjectively.

MIDWIFE Mid"wife`, n.; pl. Midwives. Etym: [OE. midwif, fr. AS. mid with (akin to Gr. Meta-, and Wife.]

Defn: A woman who assists other women in childbirth; a female practitioner of the obstetric art.

MIDWIFE Mid"wife`, v. t.

Defn: To assist in childbirth.

MIDWIFE Mid"wife`, v. i.

Defn: To perform the office of midwife.

MIDWIFERY Mid"wife`ry, n.

1. The art or practice of assisting women in childbirth; obstetrics.

2. Assistance at childbirth; help or coöperation in production.

MIDWINTER Mid"win`ter, n. Etym: [AS. midwinter.]

Defn: The middle of winter. Dryden.

MIDWIVE Mid"wive`, v. t.

Defn: To midwife. [Obs.]

MIEN Mien, n. Etym: [F. mine; perh. from sane source as mener to lead; cf. E. demean, menace, mine, n.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Cf. Prov. G. muff sullenness, sulkiness, muffen to be silky, muffïg sullen, pouting.]

Defn: A petty falling out; a tiff; a quarrel; offense. Fielding.

MIFF Miff, v. t.

Defn: To offend slightly. [Colloq.]

MIGHT Might,

Defn: imp. of May. Etym: [AS. meahte, mihte.]

MIGHT Might, n. Etym: [AS. meaht, miht, from the root of magan to be able, E. may; akin to D. magt, OS. maht, G. macht, Icel. mattr, Goth. mahts. May, v.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Mighty. [Obs.] Shak.

MIGHTILY Might"i*ly, adv. Etym: [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.

Defn: Without; weak. [Obs.]

MIGHTY Might"y, a. [Compar. Mightier; superl. Mightiest.] Etym: [AS. meahtig, mihtig; akin to G. mächtig, 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.

Defn: A warrior of great force and courage. [R. & Obs.] 1 Chron. xi. 12.

MIGHTY Might"y, adv.

Defn: In a great degree; very. [Colloq.] "He was mighty methodical." Jeffrey. We have a mighty pleasant garden. Doddridge.

MIGNIARD Mign"iard, a. Etym: [F. mignard, akin to mignon. See Minion.]

Defn: Soft; dainty. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

MIGNIARDISE Mign"iard*ise, n. Etym: [F. mignardise.]

Defn: Delicate fondling. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

MIGNON Mi"gnon, a. Etym: [F.]

Defn: See 3d Minion.

MIGNON Mi"gnon, v. t.

Defn: To flatter. [R. & Obs.] Danie

MIGNONETTE Mi`gnon*ette", n. Etym: [F. mignonnette, dim. of mignon darling. See 2d Minion.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Same as Megrim. -- Mi*grain"ous, a.

MIGRANT Mi"grant, a. Etym: [L. migrans, p. pr. of migrare. See Migrate.]

Defn: Migratory. Sir T. Browne. -- n.

Defn: A migratory bird or other animal.

MIGRATE Mi"grate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Migrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Migrating.] Etym: [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. Etym: [L. migratio: cf. F. migration.]

Defn: The act of migrating.

MIGRATORY Mi"gra*to*ry, a. Etym: [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 (Zoöl.) See Locust. -- Migratory thrush (Zoöl.), the American robin. See Robin.

MIKADO Mi*ka"do, n. Etym: [Jap.]

Defn: The popular designation of the hereditary sovereign of Japan.

MIKMAKS Mik"maks, n.

Defn: Same as Micmacs.

MILADY Mi*la"dy, n. [F., fr. English.]

Defn: Lit., my lady; hence (as used on the Continent), an English noblewoman or gentlewoman.

MILAGE Mil"age (; 48), n.

Defn: Same as Mileage.

MILANESE Mil`an*ese", a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to Milan in Italy, or to its inhabitants. -- n. sing. & pl.

Defn: A native or inhabitant of Milan; people of Milan.

MILCH Milch, a. Etym: [OE. milche; akin to G. melk, Icel. milkr, mj, 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.] Etym: [AS. milde; akin to OS. mildi, D. & G. mild, OHG. milti, Icel. mildr, Sw. & Dan. mild, Goth. milds; cf. Lith. melas dear, Gr.

Defn: 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.

Defn: To make mild, or milder. Lowell.

MILDEW Mil"dew, n. Etym: [AS. meledeáw; akin to OHG. militou, G. mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; cf. Goth. milip honey. See Mellifluous, and Dew.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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.]

Defn: To taint with mildew. He... mildews the white wheat. Shak.

MILDEW Mil"dew, v. i.

Defn: To become tainted with mildew.

MILDLY Mild"ly, adv.

Defn: In a mild manner.

MILDNESS Mild"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being mild; as, mildness of temper; the mildness of the winter.

MILE Mile, n. Etym: [AS. mil, fr. L. millia, milia; pl. of mille a thousand, i. e., milia passuum a thousand paces. Cf. Mill the tenth of a cent, Million.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. Milesius, Gr.

1. (Anc. Geog.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to Miletus, a city of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants.

2. (Irish Legendary Hist.)

Defn: 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.

Defn: A stone serving the same purpose as a milepost.

MILFOIL Mil"foil, n. Etym: [F. mille-feuille, L. millefolium; mille thousand + folium leaf. See Foil a leaf.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [NL. See Miliary.] (Med.)

Defn: 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, a. Etym: [L. miliarius, fr. milium millet: cf. F. miliaire.]

1. Like millet seeds; as, a miliary eruption.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Accompanied with an eruption like millet seeds; as, a miliary fever.

3. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Small and numerous; as, the miliary tubercles of Echini.

MILIARY Mil"ia*ry, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the small tubercles of Echini.

MILICE Mi`lice", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Militia. [Obs.]

MILIEU Mi`lieu", n. [F., fr. mi middle (L. medius) + lieu place. See Demi-, Lieu.]

Defn: Environment.

The intellectual and moral milieu created by multitudes of self- centered, cultivated personalities. J. A. Symonds.

It is one of the great outstanding facts of his progressive relation to the elements of his social milieu. J. M. Baldwin.

MILIOLA Mil"i*o`la, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. milium millet. So named from its resemblance to millet seed.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of Foraminifera, having a porcelanous shell with several longitudinal chambers.

MILIOLITE Mil"i*o*lite, n. (Paleon.)

Defn: A fossil shell of, or similar to, the genus Miliola.

MILIOLITE Mil"i*o*lite, a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the genus Miliola; containing miliolites.

MILITANCY Mil"i*tan*cy, n. Etym: [See Militant.]

1. The state of being militant; warfare.

2. A military spirit or system; militarism. H. Spencer.

MILITANT Mil"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. militans, -antis, p. pr. of militare to be soldier: cf. F. militant. See Militate.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: Military. [Obs.] Bacon.

MILITARILY Mil"i*ta*ri*ly, adv.

Defn: In a military manner.

MILITARISM Mil"i*ta*rism, n. Etym: [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.

Defn: A military man. [Obs.] Shak.

MILITARY Mil"i*ta*ry, a. Etym: [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. Etym: [Cf. F. militaire.]

Defn: 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.] Etym: [L. militare, militatum, to be a soldier, fr. miles, militis, soldier.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [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 (.

Defn: One who belongs to the militia.

MILITIATE Mi*li"ti*ate, v. i.

Defn: To carry on, or prepare for, war. [Obs.] Walpole.

MILK Milk, n. Etym: [AS. meoluc, meoloc, meolc, milc; akin to OFries. meloc, D. melk, G. milch, OHG. miluh, Icel. mj, Sw. mjölk, Dan. melk, Goth. miluks, G. melken to milk, OHG. melchan, Lith. milszti, L. mulgere, Gr. Milch, Emulsion, Milt soft roe of fishes.]

1. (Physiol.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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 (Zoöl.), 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.

Defn: To draw or to yield milk.

MILKEN Milk"en, a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: Full of milk; abounding with food. [R.] "Milkful vales." Sylvester.

MILKILY Milk"i*ly, adv.

Defn: In a milky manner.

MILKINESS Milk"i*ness, n.

Defn: State or quality of being milky.

MILK-LIVERED Milk"-liv`ered, a.

Defn: White-livered; cowardly; timorous.

MILKMAID Milk"maid`, n.

Defn: A woman who milks cows or is employed in the dairy.

MILKMAN Milk"man, n.; pl. Milkmen (.

Defn: A man who sells milk or delivers is to customers.

MILK SICKNESS Milk sickness. (Veter.)

Defn: A peculiar malignant disease, occurring in parts of the western United States, and affecting certain kinds of farm stock (esp. cows), and persons using 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 water.

MILKSOP Milk"sop`, n.

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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, n. Etym: [L. mille a thousand. Cf. Mile.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [OE. mille, melle, mulle, milne, AS. myln, mylen; akin to D. molen, G. mühle, OHG. muli, mulin, 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. Meal flour, and cf. Moline.]

1. A machine for grinding or commuting 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)

Defn: 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.] Etym: [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. (Zoöl.)

Defn: To swim under water; -- said of air-breathing creatures.

MILLBOARD Mill"board`, n.

Defn: A kind of stout pasteboard.

MILL-CAKE Mill"-cake`, n.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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.

Defn: 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`. Etym: [It. mille thousand + flore flower.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [See Millenary.]

Defn: Consisting of a thousand years; of or pertaining to the millennium, or to the Millenarians.

MILLENARIAN Mil`le*na"ri*an, n.

Defn: One who believes that Christ will personally reign on earth a thousand years; a Chiliast.

MILLENARIANISM; MILLENARISM Mil`le*na"ri*an*ism, Mil"le*na*rism, n.

Defn: The doctrine of Millenarians.

MILLENARY Mil"le*na*ry, a. Etym: [L. millenarius, fr. milleni a thousand each, fr. mille a thousand: cf. F. millénaire. See Mile.]

Defn: Consisting of a thousand; millennial.

MILLENARY Mil"le*na*ry, n.

Defn: The space of a thousand years; a millennium; also, a Millenarian."During that millenary." Hare.

MILLENNIAL Mil*len"ni*al, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to the millennium, or to a thousand years; as, a millennial period; millennial happiness.

MILLENNIALISM; MILLENNIARISM Mil*len"ni*al*ism, Mil*len"ni*a*rism, n.

Defn: Belief in, or expectation of, the millennium; millenarianism.

MILLENNIALIST Mil*len"ni*al*ist, n.

Defn: 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.

MILLENNIST Mil"len*nist, n.

Defn: One who believes in the millennium. [Obs.] Johnson.

MILLENNIUM Mil*len"ni*um, n. Etym: [LL., fr. L. mille a thousand + annus a year. See Mile, and Annual.]

Defn: A thousand years; especially, 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, n. Etym: [L. millepeda; mille a thousand + pes, pedis, foot: cf. F. mille-pieds.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A myriapod with many legs, esp. a chilognath, as the galleyworm. [Written also millipede and milliped.]

MILLEPORA Mil*le*po"ra, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A genus of Hydrocorallia, which includes the millipores.

MILLEPORE Mil"le*pore, n. Etym: [L. mille thousand + porus pore: cf. F. millépore.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: A fossil millepore.

MILLER Mill"er, n.

1. One who keeps or attends a flour mill or gristmill.

2. A milling machine.

3. (Zoöl.) (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. (Zoöl.) (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.

Defn: 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. Etym: [From W. H. Miller, of Cambridge, Eng.] (Min.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. millesimus, fr. mille a thousand.]

Defn: Thousandth; consisting of thousandth parts; as, millesimal fractions.

MILLET Mil"let, n. Etym: [F., dim. of mil, L. milium; akin to Gr. mil.] (Bot.)

Defn: 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-. Etym: [From L. mille a thousand.] (Metric System, Elec., Mech., etc.)

Defn: A prefix denoting a thousandth part of; as, millimeter, milligram, milliampère.

MILLIAMPERE Mil`li*am`père", n. Etym: [Milli- + ampère.] (Elec.)

Defn: The thousandth part of one ampère.

MILLIARD Mil`liard", n. Etym: [F., from mille, mil, thousand, L. mille.]

Defn: A thousand millions; -- called also billion. See Billion.

MILLIARY Mil"li*a*ry, a. Etym: [L. milliarius containing a thousand, fr. mille thousand: cf. F. milliaire milliary. See Mile.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [L. milliarium. See Milliary, a.]

Defn: A milestone.

MILLIER Mil`lier", n. Etym: [F., fr. mille thousand.]

Defn: A weight of the metric system, being one million grams; a metric ton.

MILLIFOLD Mil"li*fold`, a. Etym: [L. mille thousand + E. fold times.]

Defn: Thousandfold. [R.] Davies (Holy Roode).

MILLIGRAM; MILLIGRAMME Mil"li*gram, Mil"li*gramme, n. Etym: [F. milligramme; milli- milli- + gramme. See 3d Gram.]

Defn: 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; MILLILITRE Mil"li*li`ter, Mil"li*li`tre, n. Etym: [F. millilitre; milli- milli- + litre. See Liter.]

Defn: 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; MILLIMETRE Mil"li*me`ter, Mil"li*me`tre, n. Etym: [F. millimètre; milli- milli- + mètre. See 3d Meter.]

Defn: A lineal measure in the metric system, containing the thousandth part of a meter; equal to .03937 of an inch. See 3d Meter.

MILLIMICRON Mil"li*mi`cron, n. [Milli- + micron.]

Defn: The thousandish part of a micron or the millionth part of a millimeter; -- a unit of length used in measuring light waves, etc.

MILLINER Mil"li*ner, n. Etym: [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.

Defn: A stiff cotton fabric used by milliners for lining bonnets.

MILLING Mill"ing, n.

Defn: 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. Etym: [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", n. Etym: [F. millionnaire.]

Defn: 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.

Defn: A woman who is a millionaire, or the wife of a millionaire. [Humorous] Holmes.

MILLIONARY Mil"lion*a*ry, a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to millions; consisting of millions; as, the millionary chronology of the pundits. Pinker

MILLIONED Mil"lioned, a.

Defn: Multiplied by millions; innumerable. [Obs.] Shak.

MILLIONNAIRE Mil`lion`naire", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Millionaire.

MILLIONTH Mil"lionth, a.

Defn: 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.

Defn: The quotient of a unit divided by one million; one of a million equal parts.

MILLIPED Mil"li*ped, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: The same Milleped.

MILLISTERE Mil"li*stere, n. Etym: [F. millistère, from milli- milli- + stère.]

Defn: A liter, or cubic decimeter.

MILLIWEBER Mil`li*we"ber, n. Etym: [Milli- + weber.] (Physics)

Defn: The thousandth part of one weber.

MILLREA; MILLREE; MILLREIS Mill"rea`, Mill"ree`, Mill"reis`, n.