List of Abbreviations Used in This Dictionary (part 10)

Luck, luk, n. fortune, good or bad: chance: lot: good fortune.—adv. Luck′ily.—n. Luck′iness.—adj. Luck′less, without good luck: unhappy.—adv. Luck′lessly.—ns. Luck′lessness; Luck′-penn′y, a trifle returned for luck by a seller to a buyer: a coin carried for luck.—adj. Luck′y, having good luck: auspicious.—n. Luck′y-bag, a receptacle for lost property on board a man-of-war.—Be down on one's luck, to be unfortunate. [From a Low Ger. root, seen in Dut. luk; cf. Ger. glück, prosperity.]

Lucky, Luckie, luk′i, n. (Scot.) an elderly woman.

Lucky, luk′i, n. (slang) departure.—Cut one's lucky, to bolt.

Lucre, lū′kėr, n. gain (esp. sordid gain): profit: advantage.—adj. Lū′crative, bringing lucre or gain: profitable.—adv. Lū′cratively. [Fr.,—L. lucrum, gain.]

Luctation, luk-tā′shun, n. struggle. [L.,—luctāri.]

Lucubrate, lū′kū-brāt, v.i. to study by lamplight or at night.—n. Lucubrā′tion, a product of close study or thought, any composition produced in retirement.—adj. Lū′cubrātory, composed by candle-light. [L. lucubrāre, -ātum—lux.]

Luculent, lū′kū-lent, adj. lucid: clear: transparent: evident.—adv. Lū′culently. [L. luculentus—lux.]

Lucumo, lū′kū-mō, n. an appellation of the Etruscan princes and priests. [L.]

Lud, n. a minced form of lord.

Ludicrous, lū′di-krus, adj. that serves for sport: adapted to excite laughter: laughable: comic.—adv. Lū′dicrously.—n. Lū′dicrousness. [L. ludicrus—ludĕre, to play.]

Lue, lū, v.t. to sift.

Lues, lū′ēz, n. a plague.—adj. Luet′ic. [L.]

Luff, luf, n. the windward side of a ship: the act of sailing a ship close to the wind: the loof.—v.t. to turn a ship towards the wind. [M. E. lof, a paddle; cf. Scot. loof, Dut. loef.]

Luffa, luf′a, n. a genus of climbing herbs of the gourd family, whose seeds are contained in a fibrous network removed entire by soaking, &c., and used as a flesh-brush.—Also Loof′a, &c. [Ar.]

Lug, lug, v.t. to pull along: to drag: to pull with difficulty:—pr.p. lug′ging; pa.t. and pa.p. lugged.—ns. Lug′gage, the trunks and other baggage of a traveller; Lug′gage-van, a wagon for baggage; Lug′ger, a small vessel with two or three masts, a running bowsprit, and long or lug sails; Lug′sail, Lug, a square sail bent upon a yard that hangs obliquely to the mast.—Lug in, to introduce without any apparent connection. [Scand., Sw. lugga, to pull by the hair—lugg, the forelock; from a base luk, to pull, present in Scot. lug, the ear.]

Lug, lug, n. (Spens.) a perch or rod of land.

Lug, lug, n. (Scot.) the ear.—adj. Lugged, having ears.—n. Lug′gie, a small vessel with ears.

Lugubrious, lū-gū′bri-us, adj. mournful: dismal.—adv. Lugū′briously. [L. lugubris—lugēre, to mourn.]

Lugworm, lug′wurm, n. a sluggish worm found in the sand on the sea-shore, much used for bait by fishermen.—Also Lobworm.

Lukewarm, lūk′wawrm, adj. partially or moderately warm: indifferent—also Luke.—adv. Luke′warmly.—ns. Luke′warmness, Luke′warmth. [M. E. leuk, luke, an extension of lew, cog. with the A.S. hleó, the source of lee; prob. confused with A.S. wlæc, wlacu, tepid; cf. Dut. leuk, Ger. lau.]

Lull, lul, v.t. to soothe: to compose: to quiet.—v.i. to become calm: to subside.—n. a season of calm.—n. Lull′aby, a song to lull children to sleep, a cradle-song.—v.t. to lull to sleep. [Scand., as in Sw. lulla; imit. like Ger. lallen, Gr. lalein.]

Lum, lum, n. (Scot.) a chimney. [W. llumon.]

Lumbago, lum-bā′gō, n. a rheumatic affection of the muscles or fibrous tissues in the lumbar region.—adjs. Lumbag′inous; Lum′bar, Lum′bal, pertaining to, or near, the loins. [L.,—lumbus, loin.]

Lumber, lum′bėr, n. anything cumbersome or useless: timber sawed or split for use.—v.t. to fill with lumber: to heap together in confusion.—n. Lum′berer, one employed in felling timber and bringing it from the forest.—adj. Lum′bering, filling with lumber: putting in confusion.—n. Lum′ber-room, a room for holding things not in use. [Fr. Lombard—Ger. Langbart; the lumber-room being orig. the Lombard-room or place where the Lombards, the medieval bankers and pawnbrokers, stored their pledges.]

Lumber, lum′bėr, v.i. to move heavily. [Scand.; prov. Sw. lomra, to resound, Ice. hljómr, a sound.]

Lumbrical, lum′brik-al, adj. (anat.) worm-like.—adj. Lumbric′iform. [L. lumbricus, a worm.]

Luminary, lū′min-ar-i, n. any body which gives light, esp. one of the heavenly bodies: one who illustrates any subject or instructs mankind.—adj. Lū′minant, emitting light.—n. an illuminating agent.—n. Luminā′tion, a lighting up.—v.t. Lū′mine (Spens.), to illumine.—adjs. Luminif′erous, transmitting light; Lū′minous, giving light: shining: illuminated: clear: lucid.—adv. Lū′minously.—ns. Lū′minousness, Luminos′ity.—Luminous paint, a phosphorescent powder, such as sulphide or oxysulphide of calcium, ground up with a colourless varnish or other medium, and used as a paint. [L. lumen, luminis, light—lucēre, to shine.]

Lummy, lum′i, adj. (slang) knowing, cute.

Lump, lump, n. a small shapeless mass: a protuberance: swelling: the whole together: the gross.—v.t. to throw into a confused mass: to take in the gross.—ns. Lump′er, a labourer employed in the lading or unlading of ships: (prov.) a militiaman; Lump′fish, a clumsy sea-fish with a short, deep, and thick body and head, and a ridge on its back, also called Lump′sucker, from the power of its sucker.—adjs. Lump′ing, in a lump: heavy: bulky; Lump′ish, like a lump: heavy: gross: dull.—adv. Lump′ishly.—ns. Lump′ishness; Lump′-sug′ar, loaf-sugar in small pieces.—adj. Lump′y, full of lumps.—In the lump, in gross. [Scand., Norw. lump, a block; Dut. lomp.]

Lunar, lū′nar, adj. belonging to the moon: measured by the revolutions of the moon: caused by the moon: like the moon—also Lū′nary.—ns. Lū′nacy, a kind of madness formerly supposed to be affected by the moon: insanity; Lunā′rian, Lū′narist, a student of lunar phenomena; Lū′nary, the moonwort fern.—adjs. Lū′nāte, -d, formed like a half-moon: crescent-shaped; Lū′natic, affected with lunacy.—n. a person so affected: a madman (De lunatico inquirendo, the title of the writ or commission for inquiry into the mental state of an alleged lunatic).—n. Lunā′tion, the time between two revolutions of the moon: a lunar month.—adjs. Lū′niform, moon-shaped; Lū′nisolar, resulting from the united action of the sun and moon: compounded of the revolution of the sun and the moon.—n. Lū′nula, a crescent-like appearance, esp. the whitish area at the base of the nails.—adjs. Lū′nulate, -d (bot.), shaped like a small crescent.—ns. Lū′nule, Lū′nulet, anything in form like a small crescent; Lū′nulite, a small circular fossil coral.—Lunar caustic, fused crystals of nitrate of silver, applied to ulcers, &c.; Lunar cycle=Metonic cycle (q.v.); Lunar month (see Month); Lunar observation, an observation of the moon's distance from a star for the purpose of finding the longitude; Lunar rainbow (see Rainbow, under Rain); Lunar theory, a term employed to denote the a priori deduction of the moon's motions from the principles of gravitation; Lunar year (see Year). [L. lunaris—luna, the moon—lucēre, to shine.]

Lunch, lunsh, n. a slight repast between breakfast and dinner—also Lunch′eon.—v.i. to take lunch.—n. Lunch′eon-bar, a counter at a restaurant where luncheons are served. [Lunch, a contr. of luncheon, itself extended from lunch, a lump.]

Lune, lūn, n. anything in the shape of a half-moon: (Shak.) a fit of lunacy.—n. Lunette′, a little moon: (fort.) a detached bastion: a hole in a concave ceiling to admit light: a watch-glass flattened more than usual in the centre: in the R.C. Church, a moon-shaped case of crystal used for receiving the consecrated host. [Fr. lune—L. luna.]

Lung, lung, n. one of the organs of breathing—from its spongy texture.—adjs. Lunged; Lung′-grown, having an adhesion of the lung to the pleura.—n. Lung′wort, an herb with purple flowers and spotted leaves: a lichen on tree-trunks, used as a remedy for pulmonary diseases. [A.S. lunge, pl. lungan, the lungs; cog. with light (adj.).]

Lunge, lunj, n. a sudden thrust in fencing.—v.i. to give such.—v.t. to cause to plunge. [Fr. allonger, to lengthen—L. ad, to, longus, long.]

Luniform, Lunisolar, Lunulate. See Lunar.

Lunt, lunt, n. a light, blaze.—v.i. (Scot.) to burn, to smoke. [Dut. lont, a match; cf. Ger. lunte.]

Lupine, lū′pīn, adj. like a wolf: wolfish.—n. a genus of leguminous plants.—adj. Lupanā′rian, bawdy.—n. Lupercā′lia, a festival among the ancient Romans, held on the 15th of February, in honour of Lupercus (Pan), god of fertility and patron of shepherds—(Shak.) Lū′percal. [L. lupinus—lupus, a wolf, lupa, a whore.]

Luppa, lup′a, n. cloth having so much gold and silver thread as to look as if made entirely of metal.

Lupulus, lū′pu-lus, n. the common hop.—n. Lū′pulin, the peculiar bitter aromatic principle of the hop.

Lupus, lū′pus, n. a chronic tuberculosis of the skin, often affecting the nose. [L. lupus, a wolf.]

Lurch, lurch, n. an ancient card-game: in cribbage, the position of the party who has gained every point before the other makes one.—v.t. to overreach: (arch.) to steal.—Leave in the lurch, to leave in a difficult situation without help. [O. Fr. lourche.]

Lurch, lurch, v.i. to evade by stooping, to lurk: to roll or pitch suddenly to one side (as a ship).—n. a sudden roll of a ship.—n. Lurch′er, a name applied to any dog with a distinct cross of greyhound: one who lies in wait: a glutton. [Lurk.]

Lurdan, lur′dan, adj. (arch.) stupid.—n. a stupid person.—Also Lur′dane, Lur′den. [O. Fr. lourdein, dull—lourd, heavy.]

Lure, lūr, n. any enticement: bait: decoy: (Shak.) a stuffed bird used in falconry for training the hawk.—v.t. to entice: decoy. [O. Fr. loerre (Fr. leurre)—Mid. High Ger. luoder (Ger. luder), bait.]

Lure, lūr, n. a trumpet with long curved tube, used for calling cattle, &c. [Ice. lúdhr.]

Lurid, lū′rid, adj. ghastly pale, wan: ghastly and sensational: gloomy.—adv. Lū′ridly. [L. luridus.]

Lurk, lurk, v.i. to lie in wait: to be concealed.—n. a swindle.—n. Lurk′er.—adj. Lurk′ing, lying hid: keeping out of sight.—n. Lurk′ing-place, a hiding-place. [Scand., Sw. prov. luska.]

Lurry, lur′i, n. (Milt.) confusion.

Luscious, lush′us, adj. sweet in a great degree: delightful: fulsome, as flattery.—adv. Lusc′iously.—n. Lusc′iousness. [Old form lushious, from lusty.]

Lush, lush, adj. rich and juicy, of grass. [A contr. of lushious, old form of luscious.]

Lush, lush, v.t. to swill.—n. plentiful liquor.—adj. Lush′y, tipsy.

Lusiad, lū′si-ad, n. a Portuguese epic by Camoens, celebrating the chief events in the history of Portugal.—adj. Lusitā′nian, Portuguese. [Port. Os Lusiadas, the Lusitanians.]

Lusk, lusk, adj. (obs.) lazy.—v.i. to lie about lazily.—adj. Lusk′ish (obs.).—n. Lusk′ishness (Spens.).

Lust, lust, n. longing desire: eagerness to possess: carnal appetite: (B.) any violent or depraved desire.—v.i. to desire eagerly (with after, for): to have carnal desire: to have depraved desires.—adjs. Lust′-breathed (Shak.), animated by lust; Lust′-dī′eted (Shak.), pampered by lust.—n. Lust′er.—adj. Lust′ful, having lust: inciting to lust: sensual.—adv. Lust′fully.—n. Lust′fulness.—adj. Lust′ic (Shak.), lusty, healthy, vigorous.—ns. Lust′ihead, Lust′ihood, Lust′iness.—adv. Lust′ily.—adj. Lust′less (Spens.), listless, feeble.—n. Lust′wort, the sundew.—adj. Lust′y, vigorous: healthful: stout: bulky: (Milt.) lustful. [A.S. lust, pleasure.]

Lustre, lus′tėr, n. brightness, gloss, splendour: (fig.) renown: a candlestick ornamented with pendants of cut-glass: the characteristic appearance of a bright metallic surface, or of air within glass under water as seen under certain angles of total reflection: a dress material having a highly finished surface: a glaze applied to porcelain.—adjs. Lus′treless, destitute of lustre; Lus′trous, bright: shining: luminous.—adv. Lus′trously. [Fr.,—Low L. lustrum, a window—L. lucēre, to shine.]

Lustre, lus′tėr, Lustrum, lus′trum, n. a period of five years: (orig.) the solemn offering for the purification of the Roman people made by one of the censors at the conclusion of the census, taken every five years.—adj. Lus′tral, relating to or used in lustration: of or pertaining to a lustre.—n. Lustrā′tion, a purification by sacrifice: act of purifying.—adj. Lus′trical, pertaining to purification by lustration. [L. lustrum—luĕre, to wash, to purify.]

Lustring, lus′tring, n. a glossy silk cloth.—Also Lus′trine, Lute′string. [Fr. lustrine—It. lustrino.]

Lusty. See Lust.

Lute, lūt, n. a medieval stringed instrument of music like the guitar.—v.i. to play on the lute.—ns. Lut′anist, Lut′er, Lut′ist, a player on a lute; Lute′string, the string of a lute. [O. Fr. lut (Fr. luth); like Ger. laute, from Ar. al, the, ‛úd, wood, the lute.]

Lute, lūt, n. a composition used to exclude air, as round pipe-joints: a brickmaker's straight-edge scraper: a rubber packing-ring for a jar.—v.t. to close or coat with lute.—adjs. Lutā′rious, Lū′teous, of or like mud.—n. Lutā′tion.—adj. Lū′tose, miry. [L. lutum, from luĕre, to wash.]

Luteolin, lū′tē-ō-lin, n. the yellow colouring matter of weld or dyer's weed.—adjs. Lutē′olous, yellowish; Lū′teous, golden-yellowish. [L. lutum, weld.]

Lutetian, lū-tē′shan, adj. Parisian. [L.]

Lutheran, lū′thėr-an, adj. pertaining to Luther, the great German Protestant reformer (1483-1546), or to his doctrines: a follower of Luther.—ns. Lu′theranism, Lū′therism; Lū′therist.

Luxate, luks′āt, v.t. to put out of joint: to displace.—n. Luxā′tion, a dislocation. [L. luxāre, -ātum—luxus—Gr. loxos, slanting.]

Luxury, luk′sū-ri, n. free indulgence in rich diet or costly dress or equipage: anything delightful: a dainty: (Shak.) wantonness.—ns. Luxū′riance, Luxū′riancy, Luxurī′ety.—adj. Luxū′riant, exuberant in growth: overabundant.—adv. Luxū′riantly.—v.i. Luxū′riate, to be luxuriant: to grow exuberantly: to live luxuriously: to expatiate with delight.—n. Luxuriā′tion, the act of luxuriating.—adj. Luxū′rious, given to luxury: administering to luxury: furnished with luxuries: softening by pleasure: (Milt.) luxuriant: (Shak.) lustful.—adv. Luxū′riously.—ns. Luxū′riousness; Lux′urist, one given to luxury. [O. Fr. luxurie—L. luxuria, luxury—luxus, excess.]

Luz, luz, n. a bone supposed by Rabbinical writers to be indestructible, probably the sacrum.

Luzula, lū′zū-lä, n. a genus of plants of the rush family, having plain leaves, covered with thinly scattered, longish hairs. [Old It. luzziola, a firefly.]

Lyam, lī′am, n. a leash.—Also Lime.

Lyart. See Liard.

Lycanthropy, lī-kan′thro-pi, n. the power possessed by a person of changing himself into a wolf: a kind of madness, in which the patient fancies himself to be a wolf.—ns. Lycan′thrope, Lycan′thropist, a wolf-man or were-wolf, one affected with lycanthropy.—adjs. Lycanthrop′ic, Lycan′thropous. [Gr. lykos, a wolf, anthrōpos, a man.]

Lyceum, lī-sē′um, n. a place devoted to instruction by lectures: an association for literary improvement. [Orig. the name of a place in the immediate neighbourhood of Athens, consecrated to Apollo Lyceios, where Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, taught.]

Lychgate. Same as Lichgate.

Lychnic, lik′nik, n. a part of the vespers of the Greek Church on the occasion of a vigil.—n. Lychnap′sia, a series of seven prayers in the vespers of the Greek Church.—adj. Lychnid′iate, emitting light, phosphorescent.—ns. Lych′nobite, one who works by night and sleeps by day; Lych′nomancy, divination by means of lamps; Lych′noscope, a small window-like opening in the south wall of a church. [Gr. lychnos, a light.]

Lychnis, lik′nis, n. a genus of erect ornamental herbs of the pink family—campions or wall-flowers. [L.]

Lycopodiaceæ, lī-ko-pō-di-ā′se-ē, n.pl. a class of isoporous vascular cryptogams, having mostly a dichotomous form of branching—its typical genus Lycopō′dium.—n. Ly′copode, a highly inflammable yellow powder made up of the spores of Lycopodium. [Gr. lykos, a wolf, pous, the foot.]

Lyddite, lid′īt, n. a powerful explosive made (at Lydd in Kent) from picrate of potash.

Lydian, lid′i-an, adj. pertaining to Lydia in Asia Minor: of an ancient Greek mode of music: (mus.) soft and slow: luxurious and effeminate.

Lye, lī, n. a short side-branch of railway.

Lye, lī, n. a solution leached from ashes: a solution of the fixed alkalies, potash and soda, in water. [A.S. leáh; Ger. lauge; allied to lavāre, to wash.]

Lyencephalous, lī-en-sef′a-lus, adj. having the corpus callosum absent or rudimentary.

Lying, lī′ing, adj. addicted to telling lies.—n. the habit of telling lies.—adv. Ly′ingly.

Lying, lī′ing, adj. being in a horizontal position.—n. Ly′ing-in, the confinement of women during child-bearing—also adj.

Lyke-wake, līk′-wāk, n. Same as Lich-wake.

Lym, lim, n. (Shak.) a lime-hound.—Also Lym′-hound.

Lyme-grass, līm′-gras, n. any one of various coarse grasses of genus Elymus.

Lymph, limf, n. water: a colourless or faintly-yellowish fluid in animal bodies, of a rather saltish taste, and with an alkaline reaction.—n. Lymphangī′tis (see Weed, 3).—adj. Lymphat′ic, pertaining to lymph.—n. a vessel which conveys the lymph.—adjs. Lymph′y, Lymph′oid. [L. lympha.]

Lymphad, lim′fad, n. (Scot.) a kind of sailing-vessel.

Lynch, linsh, v.t. to judge and punish without the usual forms of law.—n. Lynch′-law (Amer.), a kind of summary justice exercised by the people. [From Charles Lynch (1736-96) of Virginia.]

Lynx, lingks, n. a genus of Felidæ, with the body elevated at the haunches, long fur, a short tail, the ears tipped with tufts of hair.—adjs. Lyncē′an, Lynx′-eyed, sharp-sighted. [L.,—Gr.]

Lyon Court, lī′un kōrt, n. the court in Scotland with jurisdiction in questions of coat-armour and precedency—presided over by the Lyon King-of-arms. [From the heraldic lion of Scotland.]

Lyre, līr, n. a musical instrument like the harp, anciently used as an accompaniment to poetry.—n. Ly′ra, one of the northern constellations.—adjs. Ly′rate, -d (bot.), lyre-shaped.—ns. Lyre′bird, an Australian bird about the size of a pheasant, having the 16 tail-feathers of the male arranged in the form of a lyre; Lyric (lir′-), a lyric poem: (obs.) a composer of lyric poetry.—adjs. Lyric, -al (lir′-), pertaining to the lyre: fitted to be sung to the lyre: written in stanzas: said of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet: that composes lyrics.—ns. Lyricism (lir′-), a lyrical expression or composition; Lyr′ism, the art of playing on the lyre; Lyr′ist, a player on the lyre or harp. [Fr.,—L. lyra—Gr.]

Lysimeter, lī-sim′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rate of percolation of rain through a soil.

Lysis, lī′sis, n. the gradual abatement of a disease, as distinguished from crisis: (archit.) a plinth or step above the cornice of the podium in an ancient temple. [Gr.]

Lyssa, lis′a, n. hydrophobia. [Gr.]

Lyterian, lī-tē′ri-an, adj. terminating a disease. [Gr.]

Lythe, līth, adj. (Spens.) pliant, flexible. [Lithe.]

Lytta, lit′a, n. a longitudinal vermiform cartilaginous or fibrous band on the under surface of the tongue in carnivores—the 'worm' of a dog's tongue. [Gr.]

the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, belonging to the labio-nasal class of consonants. M=1000; M=1,000,000.—M-roof, a roof formed by the junction of two common roofs, so that its end is like the letter M.

Ma, mä, n. a childish contraction for mamma.

Ma′am, mäm, n. a colloquial contraction of madam—vulgarly Marm, Mum.

Mab, mab, n. the name of a female fairy: the queen of the fairies—hence any fairy. [W. mab, child.]

Mab, mab, v.t. and v.i. (prov.) to dress untidily.

Mabinogion, mab-i-nō′ji-on, n. a collection of four Arthurian romances, embodied in the 12th century, embraced with seven other prose tales in the Red Book, or Hergest, a Welsh MS. of the 14th century—the whole published and translated by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1838. [W., 'children's tales.']

Mac, mak, a prefix in Scotch names, meaning son (of). [Gael. and Ir. mac, son; W. map, mab, also ap, ab.]

Macaberesque, ma-kā-bėr-esk′, adj. pertaining to, or like, the Dance of Death. [Fr. La Danse Macabre, Low L. Machabæorum chorea, the dance of the Maccabees, prob. because the seven brothers whose martyrdom is recorded in the 7th chapter of the 2d Book of Maccabees played an important part in the earliest form of the 14th-cent. drama on the subject.]

Macadamise, mak-ad′am-īz, v.t. to cover, as a road, with small broken stones, so as to form a smooth, hard surface.—ns. Macad′am, macadamised pavement; Macadamisā′tion. [From John Loudon Macadam (1756-1836).]

Macaque, ma-kak′, n. a monkey of genus Macacus, between baboons and the African mangabeys.

Macarise, mak′a-rīz, v.t. to bless, pronounce happy.—adj. Macā′rian, blessed.—n. Mac′arism, a beatitude. [Gr. makar, happy.]

Macaroni, mak-a-rō′ni, n. a kind of paste or dough prepared from the glutinous granular flour of hard varieties of wheat, pressed out through a perforated vessel into long tubes, and then dried: a medley: something fanciful and extravagant: a fool: a fop:—pl. Macarō′nis, Macarō′nies.—n. Macaron′ic, a confused heap, a medley: a macaronic poem.—adjs. Macaron′ic, Macarō′nian, like a macaroni, trifling, affected: of a kind of burlesque verse, consisting of modern words Latinised, or Latin words modernised, intermixed with genuine Latin words. [Old It. maccaroni—maccare, to crush.]

Macaroon, mak-a-rōōn′, n. a sweet biscuit made chiefly of almonds and sugar. [Fr.,—It. maccaroni above.]

Macassar-oil, ma-kas′ar-oil, n. an oil much used for the hair, imported from India and other Eastern countries. [From Macassar in Celebes.]

Macaw, ma-kaw′, n. a genus of large and beautiful birds with a long tail, found in tropical America, closely allied to the parrots. [Brazil. macao.]

Maccabean, mak-a-bē′an, adj. pertaining to Judas Maccabeus, or to the Maccabees, an ancient Jewish family who rescued Judea from the persecutions of Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, about 166 B.C.—as related in two historical books of the Apocrypha.

Mace, mās, n. a staff used as a mark of authority: a light, flat-headed stick in use at billiards before the introduction of the bridge or cue-rest: formerly, a weapon of war, consisting of a staff headed with a heavy spiked ball of iron: a mallet used by a currier in dressing leather.—n. Mace′-bear′er, one who carries the mace in a procession, or before men in authority—also Mac′er. [O. Fr. mace (Fr. masse)—obs. L. matea, whence L. dim. mateola, a mallet.]

Mace, mās, n. a kind of spice: the second coat of the nutmeg. [O. Fr. macis—L. macer—Gr. maker.]

Macerate, mas′ėr-āt, v.t. to steep: to soften by steeping: to make lean: to mortify.—n. Macerā′tion, act of softening by steeping: mortification of the flesh by fasting and other severe modes of living. [L. macerāre, -ātum, to steep.]

Machete, ma-chā′tā, n. a heavy knife or cutlass used by the Cubans, &c. [Sp.]

Machiavellian, mak-i-a-vēl′yan, adj. destitute of political morality, following expediency rather than right: cunning, crafty, perfidious.—n. one who imitates Machiavel—more correctly, Niccolo Machiavelli—of Florence (1469-1527): any cunning and unprincipled statesman.—n. Machiavell′ianism, the principles taught by Machiavel, or conduct regulated by them: cunning statesmanship.

Machicolation, mach-i-ko-lā′shun, n. (archit.) a projecting parapet or gallery with openings for pouring molten substances upon an attacking force below: the construction or use of such means of defence.—adj. Machic′olated. [Fr. mâchicoulis, from mâche, mash, coulis, a flowing—L. colāre, to filter.]

Machinate, mak′i-nāt, v.t. to contrive skilfully: to form a plot or scheme, esp. for doing harm.—ns. Machinā′tion, act of machinating or contriving a scheme for carrying out some purpose, esp. an evil one: an artful design or plot: Mach′inator, one who machinates. [L. machināri, -ātus—machĭna.]

Machine, ma-shēn′, n. any artificial means or contrivance: any instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message—whence the expression Deus ex machĭna for a sudden interposition of Providence: any literary contrivance for the development of a plot: supernatural agency in a poem.—v.t. to use machinery for, esp. to print or sew by such: to make by means of machinery.—ns. Machine′-gun, a gun firing a great many shots one after the other, sometimes as many as 1000 per minute; Machine′-man, a man who manages the working of a machine, esp. in a printing-office; Machin′ery, machines in general: the working parts of a machine: combined means for keeping anything in action, or for producing a desired result; Machine′-shop, a workshop where machines are made; Machine′-tool, an adjustable machine for doing work with cutting-tools, or one utilising minor tools, as a planing-, drilling-machine, &c.; Machine′-work, work done by a machine; Machin′ist, a constructor of machines: one well versed in machinery: one who works a machine. [Fr.,—L. machĭna—Gr. mēchanē, akin to mēch-os, contrivance.]

Mack′erel, mak′ėr-el, n. a food fish, dark blue, with wavy cross-streaks above, and silvery below.—n. Mack′erel-sky, a sky with clouds broken into long, thin, white, parallel masses. [O. Fr. makerel (Fr. maquereau), prob. from L. macula, a spot.]

Mackintosh, mak′in-tosh, n. a waterproof overcoat. [From Charles Mackintosh (1766-1843), the inventor.]

Mackle, mak′l, n. a spot or blemish in printing, by a double impression, wrinkling, &c.—v.t. to spot, blur.

Macle, mak′l, n. a kind of twin crystal: a kind of cross-stone or hollow-spar, called also Chiastolite, having the axis and angles of its crystals coloured differently from the rest.—adj. Mac′led, spotted. [Through Fr., from L. macula, spot.]

Macmillanite, mak-mil′an-īt, n. an old name for a member of the Scottish sect of Cameronians or Reformed Presbyterians. [From John Macmillan, (1670-1753), the first ordained minister who associated himself with the 'suffering remnant.']

Macramé, mak-ra-mā′, n. a fringe or trimming of knotted thread—also knotted bar-work. [It.]

Macrobiotic, mak-rō-bi-ot′ik, adj. long-lived.—ns. Macrobiō′sis, long life; Macrō′biote, one who lives long; Macrobiot′ics, the study of longevity.

Macrocephalous, mak-ro-sef′a-lus, adj. having a large or long head.—Also Macrocephal′ic. [Gr. makros, long or great, kephalē, a head.]

Macrocosm, mak′ro-kozm, n. the great world: the whole universe:—opp. to Microcosm.—adj. Macrocos′mic. [Gr. makros, long, kosmos, world.]

Macrodactyl, mak-ro-dak′til, adj. having long toes.—n. a wading-bird having such:—pl. Macrodac′tylī, and -a. [Gr. makros, long, daktylos, finger.]

Macrology, mak-rol′o-ji, n. much talk with little to say. [Gr. makros, long, logos, a word.]

Macron, mak′ron, n. a straight line placed over a vowel to show that it is long:—opp. to Breve, the mark of a short vowel. [Gr., 'long.']

Macropod, mak′ro-pod, adj. having long feet.—n. a long-legged or long-footed animal: one of the spider-crabs.—adjs. Macrop′odal, Macrop′odan, Macropō′dian, Macrop′odous (bot.). [Gr. makros, long, pous, podos, a foot.]

Macropterous, mak-rop′te-rus, adj. long-winged. [Gr. makros, long, pteron, a wing.]

Macroscian, mak-ros′i-an, adj. casting a long shadow.—n. an inhabitant of the Arctic or Antarctic zones. [Gr. makros, long, skia, shadow.]

Macroscopic, mak-ro-skop′ik, adj. visible to the naked eye:—opp. to Microscopic.—adv. Macroscop′ically. [Gr. makros, long, skopein, to see.]

Macrospore, mak′ro-spōr, n. a more than usually large spore of a flowerless plant, as in club-mosses, &c.—n. Macrosporan′gium, a sporangium containing macrospores. [Gr. makros, long, spora, a seed.]

Macrurous, mak-rōō′rus, adj. long-tailed.—Also Macru′ral. [Gr. makros, long, oura, tail.]

Macula, mak′ū-la, n. a spot, as on the skin, or on the surface of the sun, moon, or planets:—pl. Maculæ (mak′ū-lē).—v.t. Mac′ulāte, to spot, to defile.—n. Maculā′tion, act of spotting, a spot.—adj. Maculose (mak′ū-lōz), spotted. [L. maculāre, -ātum—macula, a spot.]

Mad, mad, adj. (comp. Mad′der; superl. Mad′dest) disordered in intellect: insane: proceeding from madness, rabid: troubled in mind: excited with any violent passion or appetite: furious with anger.—v.t. (Shak.) to drive mad.—adjs. Mad′brain, Mad′brained (Shak.), disordered in brain or mind: rash: hot-headed; Mad′-bred (Shak.), bred in madness or heat of passion.—n. Mad′cap, a person who acts madly: a wild, rash, hot-headed person.—adj. fond of wild and reckless action.—v.t. Mad′den, to make mad: to enrage.—v.i. to become mad: to act as one mad.—adj. Mad′ding, distracted, acting madly.—advs. Mad′dingly, Mad′ly.—ns. Mad′-doc′tor, a doctor who studies and treats the diseases of mad people; Mad′house, a house for mad persons: a lunatic asylum; Mad′ling, a mad person; Mad′man, a man who is mad: a maniac; Mad′ness; Mad′wort, a plant believed to cure canine madness.—Go mad, to become demented; Like mad, madly, furiously. [A.S. ge-mǽd; Old Sax. ge-méd, foolish, Ice. meidd-r, hurt.]

Madam, mad′am, n. a courteous form of address to a lady, esp. an elderly or a married one: a woman of fashion:—pl. Mad′ams, or Mesdames (mā-dam′). [Fr.,—ma, my, dame, lady—L. mea domina.]

Mad-apple, mad′-ap-l, n. the egg-plant.

Madarosis, mad-a-rō′sis, n. loss of the hair, esp. of the eyelashes. [Gr.,—madaros, bald, madan, to fall off.]

Madder, mad′ėr, n. a plant whose root affords a red dye.—ns. Madd′er-lake, a colour mixed either with oil or water, made from madder; Madd′er-wort, any plant of the Rubiaceæ or madder family. [A.S. mæderu; Ice. maðra, Dut. meed.]

Made, mād, pa.t. and pa.p. of make.—Made continually (Pr. Bk.), established for ever; Made dish, a dish of meat, &c., recooked: an entrée; Made up, put together, finished: dressed for a part, disguised: perfect: artificial, invented.

Madeira, ma-dē′ra, n. a rich wine of the sherry class produced in Madeira.

Mademoiselle, mad-mwa-zel′, n. a courteous form of address to a young lady: Miss. [Fr., ma, my, and demoiselle.]

Madge, maj, n. a leaden hammer.

Madge, maj, n. the magpie.

Madia, mā′di-a, n. a genus of American herbs of the aster family, the tarweeds—a Chilian species yielding a valuable oil.

Madid, mad′id, adj. wet, dank. [L. madidus—madēre, to be wet; akin to Gr. madaein.]

Madonna, Madona, ma-don′a, n. a name given to the Virgin, esp. as seen in works of art: (Shak.) my lady.—adv. Madonn′a-wise, after the fashion of the Madonna, esp. in the arrangement of a woman's hair. [It., lit. 'my lady'—L. mea domina.]

Madras, ma-dras′, n. a large handkerchief of silk and cotton, usually in bright colours, worn on the head by West Indian negroes.

Madrepore, mad′re-pōr, n. the common coral. [Fr.,—It., from madre, mother—L. mater, and -pora—Gr. pōros, a soft stone.]

Madrigal, mad′ri-gal, n. (mus.) a piece of music for the voice in five or six parts: a short poem expressing a graceful and tender thought.—adj. Madrigā′lian.—n. Mad′rigalist. [It., from mandra, a sheep-fold—L. mandra.]

Madroño, ma-drō′nyō, n. a handsome evergreen tree of North California.—Also Madrō′ña.

Mæcenas, mā-sē′nas, n. a Roman knight who befriended the poets Virgil and Horace: any rich patron of art or literature.

Maelstrom, māl′strom, n. a celebrated whirlpool off the coast of Norway: any resistless overpowering influence for destruction. [Norw., 'grinding stream.']

Mænad, mē′nad, n. a female follower of Bacchus, a woman beside herself with frenzy.—adj. Mænad′ic, bacchanalian: furious. [Gr. mainas, -ados, raving—mainesthai, to be mad.]

Maestoso, mā-es-tō′zo, adj. and adv. (mus.) with dignity or majesty. [It.]

Maestro, ma-es′trō, n. a master, esp. an eminent musical composer or conductor. [It.]

Maffled, maf′ld, adj. (prov.) confused in the intellect.—n. Maff′ling, a simpleton.

Mag, mag, n. a halfpenny.—Also Maik, Make.

Mag, mag, v.i. (prov.) to chatter.—v.t. to tease.—n. chatter: the magpie: the long-tailed titmouse.

Mag, mag, v.t. (slang) to steal.—n. Mags′man, a street swindler.

Magazine, mag-a-zēn′, n. a storehouse: a place for military stores: the gunpowder-room in a ship: a pamphlet or small book published from time to time, containing compositions on various subjects.—ns. Magazine′-gun, or -rī′fle, a gun or rifle from which many shots can be fired one after another without reloading. [Fr. magasin—It. magazzino—Ar. makhzan, a storehouse.]

Magdalen, mag′da-len, n. a repentant prostitute.—Also Mag′dalene. [From Mary Magdalene (Luke, viii. 2), confused with the woman of Luke vii. 37-50.]

Magdeburg hemispheres, mag′de-bōōrg hem′i-sfērz, n.pl. two hemispherical cups from within which, when placed together, the air can be removed by an air-pump to show the pressure of the air on the outside. [Invented at Magdeburg in Germany.]

Mage, māj, n. a magician, enchanter (see Magi).

Magenta, ma-jen′ta, n. a colour between pink and red. [From the battle of Magenta in North Italy, 1859.]

Maggot, mag′ut, n. a worm or grub: a whim.—adj. Magg′oty, full of maggots. [W. maceiad, akin to magiaid, worms, magu, to breed.]

Magi, mā′jī, n.pl. priests of the ancient Persians: the Wise Men of the East.—adj. Mā′gian, pertaining to the Magi.—n. one of the Magi.—ns. Mā′gianism, or Mā′gism, the philosophy or doctrines of the Magi. [L.,—Gr. magos, orig. a title given to the wise men of Chaldea, astrologers and wizards.]

Magic, maj′ik, n. the pretended art of producing marvellous results by the aid of spirits, or of the secret forces of nature: enchantment: sorcery.—adjs. Mag′ic, -al, pertaining to, used in, or done by magic: causing wonderful or startling results.—adv. Mag′ically.—ns. Magic′ian, one skilled in magic: a wizard: an enchanter; Mag′ic-lan′tern (see Lantern).—Magic square, a square filled with rows of figures so arranged that the sums of all the rows will be the same, perpendicularly or horizontally—as 2, 7, 6; 9, 5, 1; 4, 3, 8, &c.; there are also Magic circles, cubes, cylinders, and spheres similarly arranged.—Black magic, the black art, magic by means of union with evil spirits; Natural magic, the art of working wonders by a superior knowledge of the powers of nature; White magic, magic without the aid of the devil. [O. Fr. magique—L.,—Gr. See Magi.]

Magilp, ma-gilp′, n. a vehicle used by oil-painters, consisting of linseed-oil and mastic varnish—written also Megilp′. [Prob. from a proper name.]

Magisterial, maj-is-tē′ri-al, adj. pertaining or suitable to a master: in the manner of a master: of the rank of a magistrate: authoritative: proud: dignified.—n. Magis′ter, master.—adv. Magistē′rially.—ns. Magistē′rialness; Magistē′rium, an authoritative statement; Mag′istery, a term in alchemy for various preparations, esp. a precipitate of bismuth: any sovereign remedy: a mandate. [L. magisterius—magister, a master—mag, root of L. magnus, great.]

Magistrate, maj′is-trāt, n. a person entrusted with the power of putting the laws in force: a justice of the peace.—n. Mag′istracy, the office or dignity of a magistrate: the body of magistrates.—adj. Mag′istral, magisterial: specially prescribed or made up, as a medicine: effectual.—n. (fort.) the guiding line determining the other positions: a special preacher in Spanish cathedrals, &c.—n. Magistrand′, an arts student ready to proceed to graduation, at Aberdeen.—adj. Magistrat′ic. [O. Fr.,—L. magistratus, magister.]

Magma, mag′ma, n. any soft doughy mass: the molten mass within the earth's crust: the residuum after expressing the juice from fruits. [Gr.]

Magna Charta, mag′na kär′ta, n. the Great Charter obtained from King John, 1215 A.D. [L.]

Magnanerie, man-yan′e-rē, n. a place for rearing silkworms. [Fr.]

Magnanimity, mag-na-nim′i-ti, n. greatness of soul: elevation of dignity, of mind: that quality of mind which raises a person above all that is mean of unjust: generosity.—adj. Magnan′imous, elevated in sentiment, noble: brave: unselfish.—adv. Magnan′imously. [L. magnanimitas—magnus, great, animus, the mind.]

Magnate, mag′nāt, n. a noble: a man of rank or wealth. [Fr. magnat, a title of Hungarian and Polish nobles—L. magnas, magnatis, a prince—magnus, great.]

Magnes, mag′nēz, n. (Spens.) the magnet. [L.]

Magnesium, mag-nē′shi-um, or -si-um, n. a metal of a bright, silver-white colour, which while burning gives a dazzling white light, and forms magnesia.—n. Magnē′sia, a light white powder, got by burning magnesium, used as a medicine.—adj. Magnē′sian, belonging to, containing, or resembling magnesia.—n. Mag′nesite, native magnesium carbonate.

Magnet, mag′net, n. the lodestone, an iron ore which attracts iron, and, when hung so that it can move freely, points to the poles: a bar or piece of steel to which the properties of the lodestone have been imparted.—adjs. Magnet′ic, -al, pertaining to the magnet: having the properties of the magnet: attractive.—adv. Magnet′ically.—ns. Magnetic′ian, Mag′netist, one versed in magnetism.—adj. Magnetis′able.—n. Magnetisā′tion.—v.t. Mag′netise, to render magnetic: to attract as if by a magnet.—v.i. to become magnetic.—ns. Mag′netiser, one who, or that which, imparts magnetism; Mag′netism, the cause of the attractive power of the magnet: attraction: the science which treats of the properties of the magnet—(Animal magnetism, Mesmer's name for the phenomena of mesmerism; Terrestrial magnetism, the magnetic properties possessed by the earth as a whole); Mag′netist, one skilled in magnetism.—adjs. Mag′neto-elec′tric, -al, pertaining to magneto-electricity.—ns. Mag′neto-electric′ity, electricity produced by the action of magnets: the science which treats of electricity produced by magnetism; Bar′-mag′net, a magnet in the form of a bar.—Magnetic battery, several magnets placed with their like poles together, so as to act with great force; Magnetic curves, the curves formed by iron-filings around the poles of a magnet; Magnetic equator, the line round the earth where the magnetic needle remains horizontal; Magnetic field, the space over which magnetic force is felt; Magnetic fluid, a hypothetical fluid assumed to explain the phenomena of magnetism; Magnetic meridian, the meridian lying in the direction in which the magnetic needle points; Magnetic needle, the light bar in the mariner's compass which, because it is magnetised, points always to the north; Magnetic north, that point of the horizon which is indicated by the direction of the magnetic needle; Magnetic poles, two nearly opposite points on the earth's surface, where the dip of the needle is 90°; Magnetic storm, a disturbance in the magnetism of the earth or air, which causes the magnetic needle to move rapidly backwards and forwards.—Artificial magnet, a magnet made by rubbing with other magnets; Horse-shoe magnet, a magnet bent like a horse-shoe; Permanent magnet, a magnet that keeps its magnetism after the force which magnetised it has been removed. [Through O. Fr., from L. magnes, a magnet—Gr. magnēs=Magnesian stone, from Magnēsia, in Lydia or Thessaly.]

Magnificat, mag-nif′i-kat, n. the song of the Virgin Mary, Luke, i. 46-55, beginning in the Vulgate with this word. [L. '(my soul) doth magnify,' 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of magnificāre.]

Magnificent, mag-nif′i-sent, adj. great in deeds or in appearance: grand: noble: pompous: displaying greatness of size or extent.—n. Magnif′icence.—adv. Magnif′icently.—n. Magnif′ico (Shak.), a title for a Venetian nobleman: a grandee.

Magnify, mag′ni-fī, v.t. to make great or greater: to enlarge: to cause to appear greater: to exaggerate: to praise highly:—pa.p. mag′nified.—adjs. Mag′nifiable, that may be magnified; Magnif′ic, -al, great: splendid: noble.—adv. Magnif′ically, in a magnificent manner.—ns. Magnificā′tion, act of magnifying: increase of visual power in penetration as well as enlargement; Mag′nifier, one who, or that which, magnifies or enlarges: one who extols.—Magnify one's self, show great pride—against, oppose with pride; Magnifying glass, in optics, a convex lens, objects seen through it having their apparent dimensions increased. [Fr.,—L. magnificāre—magnus, great, facĕre, to make.]

Magniloquent, mag-nil′o-kwent, adj. speaking in a grand or pompous style: bombastic.—n. Magnil′oquence.—adv. Magnil′oquently. [L., from magnus, great, loqui, to speak.]

Magnitude, mag′ni-tūd, n. greatness: size: extent: importance. [L. magnitudo—magnus.]

Magnolia, mag-nōl′i-a, or -ya, n. a North American tree with beautiful foliage, and large, white or purplish, sweet-scented flowers. [From Pierre Magnol (1638-1715), a Montpellier botanist.]

Magnum, mag′num, n. a bottle holding two quarts: the quantity of wine filling such. [L.]

Magot, mag′ot, n. the Barbary ape, the only species of monkey existing in Europe: a small grotesque figure, crouching on the covers of vases; &c.

Magpie, mag′pī, n. a chattering bird, of a genus allied to the crow, with pied or coloured feathers: (slang) a halfpenny—(Shak.) Mag′ot-pie, Magg′ot-pie. [Mag, a familiar contr. of Margaret (cf. Robin-Redbreast, Jenny Wren), pie, from L. pica, a magpie—pingĕre, pictum, to paint.]

Magyar, ma-jär′, or mag′yär, n. one of the prevailing race in Hungary: the native speech of Hungary.

Mahabharata, ma-hä-bä′ra-tä, n. the name of one of the two great epic poems of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana. [Sans.; prob. 'the great history of the descendants of Bharata.']

Mahadeva, ma-ha-dā′va, n. one of the names of the Hindu god Siva. [Sans. mahā, great, deva, god.]

Maharajah, ma-ha-rä′jä, n. the title given to a great Indian prince:—fem. Mahara′ni, Mahara′nee. [Sans. mahā, great, rāja, prince or king.]

Mahatma, ma-hat′ma, n. one skilled in mysteries or religious secrets: an adept. [Sans., 'high-souled.']

Mahdi, mä′dē, n. the great leader of the faithful Mohammedans, who is to appear in the last days—one pretended Mahdi overthrew the Egyptian power in the Soudan in 1884-85.—ns. Mah′dism; Mah′dist.

Mahl-stick, mäl′-stik, n. a tapering staff used by painters as a rest for the right hand.—Also Mal′stick, Maul′stick. [Ger. mahlstock.]

Mahogany, ma-hog′a-ni, n. a tree of tropical America: its wood, which is of great value for making furniture.—n. Mahog′any-tree, same as mahogany: (hum.) the dinner-table. [Mahogoni, the native South American name.]

Mahomedan, Mahometan. See Mohammedan.

Mahoun, Mahound, ma-hown′, ma-hownd′, or mä′-, n. an old form of the name of Mohammed: an evil spirit: the devil.

Mahout, ma-hōōt′, n. the keeper and driver of an elephant. [Hind. mahāut, mahāwat.]

Mahratta, ma-rat′a, n. one of a once powerful race of Hindus in Western and Central India.

Maid, mād, n. an unmarried woman, esp. one young: a virgin: a female servant.—ns. Maid′-child (B.), a female child; Maid′-Mā′rian, the May-queen; a character in the old Morris-dance, usually represented by a man in woman's clothes (Marian, relating to Mary or to the Virgin Mary).—adj. Maid′-pale (Shak.), pale, like a sick girl.—n. Maid′servant, a female servant.—Maid of all work, a domestic who does general housework; Old maid, a woman left unmarried: a card game. [A.S. mægden—mægeð, a maid; cf. magu, son, mǽg, may.]

Maidan, mī′dan, n. an esplanade or parade-ground near a town in Persia and India. [Pers.]

Maiden, mād′n, n. a maid: in Scotland, a machine like the guillotine, formerly used for beheading criminals.—adj. pertaining to a virgin or young woman: consisting of maidens: (fig.) unpolluted: fresh: new: unused: first: that has never been captured, said of a fortress.—ns. Maid′enhair, a name given to a fern from the fine hair-like stalks of its fronds; Maid′enhood, Maid′enhead, the state of being a maid: virginity: purity: freshness; Maid′enliness.—adjs. Maid′enly, maiden-like: becoming a maiden: gentle: modest; Maid′en-meek (Tenn.), meek as a maiden; Maid′en-tongued, gentle in voice like a girl; Maid′en-wid′owed, widowed while still a virgin.—n. Maid′hood (Shak.).—Maiden assize, an assize at which there are no criminal cases; Maiden battle, a first contest; Maiden fortress, a fortress that has never been captured; Maiden name, the family name of a married woman before her marriage; Maiden over, in cricket, an over in which no runs are made; Maiden speech, the first public speech made by a person, esp. in Parliament; Maiden stakes, in horse-racing, the money contended for in a race between horses that have never run before.

Maieutic, mā-ū′tik, adj. helping childbirth.—n. midwifery. [Gr.]

Maigre, mā′gėr, adj. made neither from flesh-meat nor from gravy: belonging to a fast-day or to a fast.—Maigre food, food allowed to be eaten on fast-days. [Fr. maigre, lean—L. macer.]

Mail, māl, n. defensive armour for the body formed of steel rings or network: armour generally.—v.t. to clothe in mail: (Scot.) to stain.—adjs. Mail′-clad, clad with a coat of mail; Mailed, protected by mail. [Fr. maille—L. macula, a spot or a mesh.]

Mail, māl, n. a bag for the conveyance of letters, &c.: the contents of such a bag: the person or the carriage by which the mail is conveyed.—v.t. to put into the mail: to send by mail.—adj. Mail′able, capable of being sent by mail.—ns. Mail′-bag, a bag in which letters are carried; Mail′-boat, a boat which carries the public mails; Mail′-cart, a cart in which mails are carried: a small cart, with long handles, for the amusement of children; Mail′-catch′er, an apparatus attached to a mail-carriage to catch up mail-bags while the train is in motion; Mail′-coach, -car, or -drag, the conveyance which carries the public mails; Mail′-guard, an officer who guards the public mails; Mail′ing-tā′ble, a table used in a post-office in sorting letters; Mail′-train, a railway train which carries the public mails. [O. Fr. male, a trunk, a mail—Old High Ger. malaha, a sack; Gael. mala, a sack.]

Mail, māl, n. an old French coin—half a denier: rent.—n. Mail′ing, a farm. [See Blackmail.]

Maim, mām, n. a bruise: an injury: a lameness: the loss of any essential part.—v.t. to bruise: to disfigure: to injure: to lame or cripple: to render defective.—n. Maim′edness, the state of being maimed or injured. [O. Fr. mehaing, a bruise.]

Main, mān, n. might: strength. [A.S. mægen.]

Main, mān, adj. chief, principal: first in importance: leading.—n. the chief or principal part: the ocean or main sea: a continent or a larger island as compared with a smaller: a principal gas or water pipe in a street, or the largest conductor in a system of electric lights.—ns. Main′boom, the spar which extends the foot of a fore-and-aft mainsail; Main′deck, the principal deck of a ship—so in Main′brace, the brace attached to the mainyard (see Splice); Main′land, the principal or larger land, as opposed to a smaller portion.—adv. Main′ly, chiefly, principally.—ns. Main′mast, the principal mast of a ship, second from the prow; Main′sail, the principal sail generally attached to the mainmast; Main′sheet, the sheet or rope attached to the lower corner of the mainsail; Main′spring, the spring which gives motion to any piece of machinery, esp. that of a watch or a clock; Main′stay, the rope which stretches forward from the top of the mainmast: chief support; Main′top, a platform on the top of the mainmast; Main′topmast, the mast next above the lower mainmast; Main′topsail, the sail above the mainsail, in square-rigged vessels; Main′yard, the lower yard on the mainmast. [O. Fr. maine or magne, great—L. magnus, great.]

Main, mān, n. a hand at dice: a match at cockfighting: a banker's shovel for coin. [O. Fr. main—L. manus, hand.]

Mainor, mā′nor, n. act or fact, esp. of theft: that which is stolen.

Mains, mānz, n. (Scot.) the principal or home farm.

Maintain, men-tān′, v.t. to keep in any state: to keep possession of: to preserve from capture or loss: to carry on: to keep up: to support: to make good: to support by argument: to affirm: to defend.—v.i. to affirm, as a position: to assert.—adj. Maintain′able, that can be supported or defended.—ns. Maintain′er, one who maintains; Main′tenance, the act of maintaining, supporting, or defending: continuance: the means of support: defence, protection: (law) an interference in a lawsuit, &c., in favour of one of the parties, by one who has no right or interest.—Cap of maintenance, a cap of dignity borne by or before nobles and other persons of rank. [Fr. maintenir—L. manu tenēre, to hold in the hand—manus, a hand, tenēre, to hold.]

Maister, mās′tėr, n. an obsolete form of Master.—Maistery=Mastery; Maistring=Mastering; Maître=Master.

Maize, māz, n. a plant, and its fruit, called also Indian corn or wheat. [Sp.,—Haitian.]

Majesty, maj′es-ti, n. greatness: grandeur: dignity: elevation of manner or style: royal state: a title of kings and other sovereigns, esp. with possessive pronouns, as His or Her Majesty, &c.: a symbolic representation of the first person of the Trinity enthroned: the canopy of a hearse: (her.) an eagle crowned and sceptred.—adjs. Majes′tic, -al, having or exhibiting majesty: stately: sublime.—adv. Majes′tically, in a majestic manner.—n. Majes′ticalness, Majes′ticness, majesty. [Fr. majesté—L. majestas—majus, comp. of magnus, great.]

Majolica, ma-jol′i-ka, n. name applied to decorative enamelled pottery, esp. that of Italy from the 15th to the 17th cent.: a modern ware in imitation, used for vases, &c. [From Majorca, where first made.]

Major, mā′jur, adj. greater in number, quantity, or size: more important: (mus.) greater by a semitone.—n. a person of full age (21 years): an officer in rank between a captain and lieutenant-colonel.—v.i. to play the major, to talk big.—ns. Majorat (ma-zhō-rä′), primogeniture; Mā′jorate, Mā′jorship, the office or rank of major: majority; Mā′jor-dō′mo, an official who has the general management in a large household: a general steward: a chief minister (Sp. mayor-domo, a house-steward—L. major, greater, domus, a house); Mā′jor-gen′eral, an officer in the army next in rank below a lieutenant-general; Major′ity, the greater number: the amount between the greater and the less number: full age (at 21): the office or rank of major.—Major key (mus.), a key in which the semitones lie between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth; Major premise (logic), the principal or major statement in a syllogism; Major scale (see Major key).—Go over to, or Join, the majority, to die; The majority, the Great majority, the dead. [L., comp. of magnus.]

Majuscule, mā-jus′kūl, n. in paleography, a capital or uncial letter:—opp. to Minuscule. [L. majuscula (litera), a somewhat larger letter.]

Make, māk, v.t. to fashion, frame, or form: to produce: to bring about: to perform: to force: to render: to represent, or cause to appear to be: to turn: to occasion: to bring into any state or condition: to establish: to prepare: to obtain: to ascertain: to arrive in sight of: to reach: (B.) to be occupied with: to do.—v.i. to tend or move: to contribute: (B.) to feign or pretend:—pa.t. and pa.p. māde.—n. form or shape: structure, texture.—v.i. Make′-believe′, to pretend, feign.—n. a mere pretence.—ns. Make′-peace (Shak.), a peace-maker; Mak′er, one who makes: the Creator: a poet; Make′shift, something done or used to serve a shift or turn: something used only for a time.—adj. having the character of a temporary resource.—ns. Make′-up, the way anything is arranged: an actor's materials for personating a part: (print.) the arrangement of composed types into columns or pages, as in imposition; Make′-weight, that which is thrown into a scale to make up the weight: something of little value added to supply a deficiency; Mak′ing, the act of forming: structure: form.—Make account of (see Account); Make a figure, to be conspicuous; Make after, to follow or pursue; Make amends, to render compensation or satisfaction; Make as if, to act as if, to pretend that; Make at, to make a hostile movement against; Make away, to put out of the way, to destroy; Make away with, to squander; Make believe (see Believe); Make bold (see Bold); Make for, to move toward, to tend to the advantage of—so in B.; Make free with, to treat freely or without ceremony; Make good, to maintain, to justify, to fulfil; Make head against, to oppose successfully; Make light of (see Light); Make little of, to treat as insignificant; Make love to (see Love); Make much of, to treat with fondness, to cherish, to foster; Make no doubt, to have no doubt, to be confident; Make of, to understand by, to effect: to esteem; Make off with, to run away with; Make one's way, to proceed: to succeed; Make out, to discover: to prove: to furnish: to succeed; Make over, to remake, reconstruct: to transfer; Make pace, to increase the speed; Make sail, to increase the quantity of sail: to set sail; Make sure, to be certain of; Make sure of, to consider as certain, to secure to one's self; Make the most of, to use to the best advantage; Make up, to fabricate: to feign: to collect into one: to complete, supplement: to assume a particular form of features: to determine: to reckon: to make good: to repair: to harmonise, adjust; Make up for, to compensate; Make up to, to approach: to become friendly. [A.S. macian; Ger. machen.]

Make, māk, n. (Spens.) a mate, consort, equal.—adj. Make′less (Shak.), without a make or mate. [A.S. ge-maca; Ice. maki, a mate.]

Maketh, māk′eth, old 3d pers. sing. pres. ind. of make.

Makimono, mak-i-mō′nō, n. a roll, as of silk, esp. a long picture or writing rolled up and not hung. [Jap.]

Makwa, mak′wa, n. a Chinese short outer jacket.

Malachite, mal′a-kīt, n. a green-coloured mineral, composed essentially of carbonate of copper, much used for inlaid-work. [Gr. malachē, a mallow, a plant of a green colour.]

Malacolite, mal′a-kō-līt, n. a greenish lime-magnesia variety of pyroxene.

Malacology, mal-a-kol′o-ji, n. the branch of natural history which treats of the structure and habits of molluscs.—adj. Mal′acoid, soft-bodied.—n. Malacol′ogist. [Gr. malakos, soft, logia, a discourse.]

Malacopterygian, mal-a-kop-tėr-ij′i-an, adj. having the rays of the fins soft, excepting the first ray of the dorsal and pectoral fins, as in the pike, salmon, &c.—Also Malacopteryg′ious. [Gr. malakos, soft, pteryx, pterygos, a wing.]

Malacostracan, mal-a-kos′tra-kan, n. an individual belonging to a sub-class of crustaceans, including the shrimps, lobsters, &c.—adj. belonging to this class—also Malacos′tracous.—adj. Malacostracolog′ical.—ns. Malacostracol′ogist; Malacostracol′ogy. [Gr. malakos, soft, ostrakon, a shell.]

Malacozoa, mal-a-ko-zō′a, n.pl. soft-bodied animals, the Mollusca generally.—adj. Malacozō′ic, possessing the common features of molluscan life.

Maladaptation, mal-ad-ap-tā′shun, n. faulty adaptation.

Maladdress, mal-a-dres′, n. awkwardness: clumsiness.

Maladjustment, mal-ad-just′ment, n. a wrong adjustment.

Maladministration, mal-ad-min-is-trā′shun, n. bad management, esp. of public affairs.

Maladroit, mal-a-droit′, adj. not dexterous: unskilful: clumsy.—adv. Maladroit′ly.—n. Maladroit′ness, want of adroitness: awkwardness.

Malady, mal′a-di, n. illness: disease, either of the body or of the mind. [Fr. maladie—malade, sick—L. male habitus, in ill condition—male, badly, habitus, pa.p. of habēre, have, hold.]

Malaga, mal′a-ga, n. a wine imported from Malaga in Spain.

Malagasy, mal-a-gas′i, adj. of or pertaining to Madagascar or its inhabitants.—n. a native of Madagascar.—Also Malagash′.

Malaguetta pepper. See Pepper.

Malaise, ma-lāz′, n. uneasiness: a feeling of discomfort or of sickness. [O. Fr. malaise.]

Malapert, mal′a-pėrt, adj. bold: forward: saucy: impudent.—adv. Mal′apertly.—n. Mal′apertness. [O. Fr., mal—L. malus, bad, apert, well-bred—L. apertus, open.]

Malappropriate, mal-a-prō′pri-āt, v.t. to misuse.—adj. Malapropos (mal-ap-ro-pō′), out of place: unsuitable: inapt.—adv. badly apropos: not suited to the purpose: unseasonably.

Malapropism, mal′a-prop-izm, n. the act of misapplying words, in the attempt to use fine language, from Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's play, The Rivals.

Malar, mā′lar, adj. pertaining to the cheek.—n. the bone which forms the prominence of the cheek. [L. mala, the cheek—mandĕre, to chew.]

Malaria, ma-lā′ri-a, n. the poisonous air arising from marshy districts, producing fever, &c.: miasma: the fever so caused.—adjs. Malā′rious, Malā′rial, Malā′rian. [It. mal' aria—L. malus, bad, aër, air.]

Malassimilation, mal-a-sim-i-lā′shun, n. imperfect assimilation or nutrition.

Malay, -an, ma-lā′, -an, n. a native or inhabitant of Malacca, or of the Malay Archipelago.—adj. of or pertaining to the Malays.—n. Malayä′lam, the language of Malabar, a Dravidian dialect.—adj. Malay′sian, relating to the Malay Peninsula, or to the Malays.

Malconformation, mal-kon-for-mā′shun, n. bad conformation or form: imperfection or disproportion of parts.

Malcontent, mal′kon-tent, adj. discontented, dissatisfied, esp. in political matters.—n. one discontented—also Malcontent′ed.—adv. Malcontent′edly.—n. Malcontent′edness.—adv. Malcontent′ly.

Male, māl, n. (Spens.) mail, armour.

Male, māl, adj. masculine: pertaining to the sex that begets (not bears) young: (bot.) bearing stamens.—n. one of the male sex: a he-animal: a stamen-bearing plant.—n. Male′-fern, an elegant fern, with the fronds growing in a crown.—Male order, in architecture, the Doric order; Male rhymes, those in which only the final syllables correspond; Male screw, a screw whose threads correspond to and enter the spiral grooves of the female screw. [O. Fr. male—L. masculus, male—mas, a male.]

Malediction, mal-e-dik′shun, n. evil-speaking: a calling down of evil: curse: execration or imprecation.—adjs. Maledict′ory, imprecatory; Maledikt′, accursed. [O. Fr.,—L. malediction-em—male, badly, dicĕre, dictum, to speak.]

Malefactor, mal′e-fak-tur, or mal-e-fak′tur, n. an evil-doer: a criminal.—n. Malefac′tion (Shak.), a crime, an offence.—adj. Malef′ic, doing mischief: producing evil.—adv. Malef′ically.—v.t. Malef′icate, to bewitch.—ns. Mal′efice (obs.), an evil deed: enchantment; Malef′icence, the character of being maleficent.—adjs. Malef′icent, Malefic′ient. [L., male, badly, facĕre, to do.]

Maleic, ma-lē′ik, adj. obtained from malic acid.

Malengine, ma-len′jin, n. (Spens.) evil device, deceit. [L. malus, bad, ingenium, ingenuity.]

Maletote, mal′e-tōt, n. an illegal exaction.—Also Mal′etolt. [O. Fr.]

Malevolent, mal-ev′o-lent, adj. wishing evil: ill-disposed towards others: rejoicing in another's misfortune: envious: malicious—also Malev′olous.—n. Malev′olence.—adv. Malev′olently. [L. male, badly, volens, pr.p. of velle, to wish.]

Malfeasance, mal-fē′zans, n. evil-doing: the doing of what one ought not to do: an illegal deed. [Fr. malfaisance—L. male, evil, facĕre, to do.]

Malformation, mal-for-mā′shun, n. bad or wrong formation: irregular or anomalous structure.—adj. Malformed′.

Malgrado, mal-grä′do, adv. in spite of. [It.]

Malgre. Same as Maugre.

Malic, mā′lik, adj. obtained from the juice of several fruits, esp. the apple. [L. malum, an apple.]

Malice, mal′is, n. ill-will: spite: disposition to harm others: deliberate mischief: intention to harm another.—adj. Malic′ious, bearing ill-will or spite: moved by hatred or ill-will: having mischievous intentions.—adv. Malic′iously.—n. Malic′iousness. [Fr.,—L. malitia—malus, bad.]

Malign, ma-līn′, adj. of an evil disposition towards others: malicious: unfavourable.—v.t. to speak evil of: (obs.) to treat with malice.—ns. Malign′er; Malig′nity, state or quality of being malign: great hatred, virulence: deadly quality.—adv. Malign′ly.—n. Malign′ment. [Fr. malin, fem. maligne—L. malignus for maligenus, of evil disposition—malus, bad, and gen, root of genus.]

Malignant, ma-lig′nant, adj. disposed to do harm or to cause suffering: malign: acting maliciously: actuated by great hatred: tending to cause death.—n. a name applied by the Puritan party to one who had fought for Charles I. in the Civil War.—n. Malig′nancy, Malig′nance, state or quality of being malignant.—adv. Malig′nantly. [L. malignans, pr.p. of malignāre, to act maliciously.]

Malines lace. Same as Mechlin lace. See Lace.

Malinfluence, mal-in′flōō-ens, n. evil influence.

Malinger, ma-ling′gėr, v.i. to feign sickness in order to avoid duty.—ns. Maling′erer; Maling′ery, feigned sickness. [Fr. malingre—mal—L. malus, bad, O. Fr. heingre, ailing—L. æger, sick.]

Malison, mal′i-zn, n. a curse:—opp. to Benison. [O. Fr.; a doublet of malediction; cf. benison and benediction.]

Malkin, maw′kin, n. (Shak.) a term used in contempt for a dirty woman: a mop: (Scot.) a hare.—Also Maw′kin. [Dim. of Mal or Moll, Mary.]

Mall, mawl, or mal, n. a large wooden beetle or hammer.—v.t. to beat with a mall or something heavy: to bruise. [O. Fr. mail—L. malleus.]

Mall, mel, or mal, n. a level shaded walk: a public walk. [Contr. through O. Fr. of Old It. palamaglio—It. palla, a ball, maglio, a mace.]

Mallard, mal′ard, n. a drake: the common duck in its wild state. [O. Fr. malard (Fr. malart)—male, male, and suffix -ard.]

Malleate, mal′e-āt, v.t. to hammer: to form into a plate or leaf by hammering.—adj. Mall′eable, that may be malleated or beaten out by hammering.—ns. Mall′eableness, Malleabil′ity, quality of being malleable; Malleā′tion.—adj. Mall′eiform, hammer-shaped.—n. Mall′eus, one of the small bones of the middle ear in mammals. [L. malleus, a hammer.]

Mallecho, mal′ē-chō, n. (Shak.) villainy—probably a corruption of Spanish malhecho, mischief.—Also Mal′icho.

Mallee, mal′ē, n. two dwarf species of Eucalyptus in Australia.—ns. Mall′ee-bird, Mall′ee-hen, an Australian mound-bird or megapode.

Mallemaroking, mal′ē-ma-rō′king, n. the visiting and carousing of seamen in the Greenland ships. [Prob. to act like the mallemuck.]

Mallemuck, mal′e-muk, n. the fulmar petrel. [Ger.]

Malleolus, ma-lē′ō-lus, n. a bony protuberance on either side of the ankle.—adj. Mal′lēolar. [L.]

Mallet, mal′et, n. a small wooden hammer: the long-handled hammer for driving the balls in croquet. [Fr. maillet, dim. of mail, a mall.]

Mallow, mal′ō, n. any plant of genus Malva—from its emollient properties or its soft downy leaves. [A.S. malwe—L. malva; Gr. malachē—malassein, to make soft.]

Malm, Maum, mäm, n. calcareous loam, earth specially good for brick. [A.S. mealm, sand.]

Malmsey, mäm′ze, n. a sort of grape: a strong and sweet wine, first made in Greece, but now also in the Canary Islands and the Azores. [O. Fr. malvoisie, from Malvasia in the Morea.]

Malodour, mal-ō′dor, n. an offensive odour.—adj. Malō′dorous.—n. Malō′dorousness.

Malpighian, mal-pig′i-an, adj. applied in anatomy to several structures in the kidney and spleen investigated by Marcello Malpighi (1628-94).

Malposition, mal-pō-zish′un, n. a wrong position, misplacement.

Malpractice, mal-prak′tis, n. evil practice or conduct: practice contrary to established rules.—n. Malpractit′ioner, a physician guilty of malpractice.

Malpresentation, mal-prē-zen-tā′shun, n. abnormal presentation in childbirth.

Malstick. See Mahl-stick.

Malt, mawlt, n. barley or other grain steeped in water, allowed to sprout, and dried in a kiln, used in brewing ale, &c.—v.t. to make into malt.—v.i. to become malt: (hum.) to drink malt liquor.—adj. containing or made with malt.—ns. Malt′-dust, grain-sprouts produced and 'screened off' in malt-making; Malt′-floor, a perforated floor in the chamber of a malt-kiln, through which heat rises; Malt′-horse, a heavy horse, such as used by brewers—hence (Shak.) used in reproach for a dull, stupid person; Malt′ing; Malt′-kiln; Malt′-mill, a mill for grinding malt; Malt′ose, a hard, white, crystalline sugar, formed by the action of malt or diastase on starch; Malt′ster, Malt′man, one whose trade or occupation it is to make malt (-ster was up to the end of the 13th century a feminine affix); Malt′worm (Shak.), a lover of malted liquors, a tippler.—adj. Malt′y.—Malt liquor, a liquor, as beer, ale, or porter, formed from malt; Malt tea, the liquid infusion of the mash in brewing. [A.S. mealt, pa.t. of meltan, to soften; cf. Ger. malz.]

Maltalent, mal′tal-ent, n. (Spens.) bad inclination, ill-humour.

Maltese, mal-tēz′, n. a native, or the natives, of Malta: the dialect, a corrupt Arabic mixed with Italian.—adj. belonging to Malta, or to its inhabitants.—Maltese cross (see Cross); Maltese dog, a very small spaniel with long silky hair.

Maltha, mal′tha, n. a thick mineral pitch: any similar preparation used by the ancients as a cement, stucco, or mortar. [L.]

Malthusian, mal-thū′zhan, adj. relating to Malthus or to the principles he taught regarding the necessity of preventing population from increasing faster than the means of living.—n. a disciple of Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834).

Maltreat, mal-trēt′, v.t. to abuse: to use roughly or unkindly.—n. Maltreat′ment. [Fr. maltraiter—L. male, ill, tractāre, to treat.]

Malvaceous, mal-vā′shus, adj. (bot.) pertaining to plants of the mallow family.

Malversation, mal-vėr-sā′shun, n. evil conduct: misbehaviour in office: corruption: extortion. [Fr.—L. male, badly, versāri, -ātus, to occupy one's self.]

Malvoisie, mal′vwä-zē, n. Same as Malmsey.

Mambrino, mam-brē′no, n. a medieval iron hat, from its likeness to the barber's basin in Don Quixote.

Mameluke, mam′e-lōōk, n. one of a force of light horse in Egypt formed of Circassian slaves—dispersed in 1811. [Fr.,—Ar. mamlûk, a purchased slave—malaka, to possess.]

Mamma, Mama, mam-mä′, n. mother—used chiefly by young children.—n. Mamm′y, mother. [Mama, a repetition of ma, the first syllable a child naturally utters.]

Mammalia, mam-mā′li-a, n.pl. (zool.) the whole class of animals that suckle their young.—ns. Mam′elon, a small hillock with a rounded top; Mam′ma, the mammary gland:—pl. Mam′mæ; Mam′mal, (zool.), one of the mammalia:—pl. Mammals (mam′alz).—adjs. Mammā′lian; Mammalif′erous (geol.), bearing mammals; Mammalog′ical.—ns. Mammal′ogist; Mammal′ogy, the scientific knowledge of mammals.—adjs. Mam′mary, relating to the mammæ or breasts; Mam′mate, having breasts.—n. Mam′mifer, an animal having mammæ.—adjs. Mammif′erous, having mammaæ; Mam′miform, having the form of a breast or pap—also Mammil′iform.—n. Mammil′la, the nipple of the mammary gland:—pl. Mammil′læ.—adjs. Mam′millary, pertaining to, or resembling, the breasts: studded with rounded projections; Mam′millate, having a mammilla; Mam′millated, having small nipples, or little globes like nipples: nipple-shaped.—n. Mammillā′tion—adj. Mammose′ (bot.), breast-shaped. [L.]

Mammee, mam-mē′, n. a highly esteemed fruit of the West Indies and tropical America, having a sweet taste and aromatic odour: the tree producing the fruit, the Mammea. [Haitian.]

Mammer, mam′ėr, v.i. (Shak.) to hesitate, to stand muttering and in doubt. [Prob. imit.]

Mammet, mam′et, n. (Shak.) a puppet, a figure dressed up. [Cf. mawmet, an idol.]

Mammock, mam′uk, n. a shapeless piece.—v.t. (Shak.) to tear to pieces, to mangle.

Mammon, mam′un, n. riches: the god of riches.—adj. Mamm′onish, devoted to money-getting.—ns. Mamm′onism, devotion to gain; Mamm′onist, Mamm′onite, a person devoted to riches: a worldling.—adj. Mammonist′ic. [Low L. mammona—Gr. mamōnas—Syriac mamônâ, riches.]

Mammoth, mam′uth, n. an extinct species of elephant.—adj. resembling the mammoth in size: very large. [Russ. mamantŭ—Tartar mamma, the earth.]

Man, man, n. a human being: mankind: a grown-up male: a male attendant: one possessing a distinctively masculine character: a husband: a piece used in playing chess or draughts: a ship, as in man-of-war: a word of familiar address:—pl. Men.—v.t. to supply with men: to strengthen or fortify:—pr.p. man′ning; pa.t. and pa.p. manned.—ns. Man′-at-arms, a soldier; Man-child, a male child: a boy; Man′dom (rare), humanity, men collectively; Man′-eat′er, a cannibal: a tiger; Man′-en′gine, an elevator for raising and lowering men in some deep mines.—adj. Man′ful, having the qualities of a man: full of manliness: bold: courageous: noble-minded.—adv. Man′fully.—ns. Man′fulness; Man′-hole, a hole in a drain, cesspool, &c., large enough to admit a man, for the purpose of cleaning or repairing it; Man′hood, state of being a man: manly quality: human nature; Man′kind, the kind or race of man: the mass of human beings.—adj. Man′-like, having the appearance, characteristics, or qualities of a man.—n. Man′liness.—adj. Man′ly, becoming a man: brave: dignified: noble: pertaining to manhood: not childish or womanish.—n. Man′-mill′iner, a man engaged in millinery—often in contempt.—adjs. Man′-mind′ed (Tenn.), having the mind or qualities of a man; Man′nish, like a man: masculine: bold.—ns. Man′-of-war, a war-ship: (B.) a soldier; Man′-of-war's-man, a man who serves on board a war-ship; Man′-quell′er (Shak.), a man-killer, a murderer; Man′slaughter, the slaying of a man: (law) the killing of any one unlawfully, but without malice or forethought; Man′slayer, one who kills a man; Man′stealer, one who steals human beings, esp. to make slaves of them; Man′trap, a trap or machine for catching people who trespass.—Man about town, a fashionable idler, dangling about clubs, theatres, &c.; Man alive! an exclamation of surprise; Man Friday, a servile attendant, factotum—from Robinson Crusoe's man; Man in the moon, a fancied semblance of a man walking in the moon, with a bush near, and his dog behind him; Man of business, an agent or a lawyer; Man of (his) hands, a handy, clever fellow; Man of letters, a scholar and writer; Man of sin, the devil: Antichrist; Man of straw, a person put in the front of some business, but who is not really responsible; Man of the world, a person well accustomed to the ways and dealings of men. [A.S. mann; Ger. mann, Dut. man, L. mas—mans, a male, Sans. manu, a man.]

Manacle, man′a-kl, n. a handcuff.—v.t. to put manacles on: to restrain the use of the limbs or any of the natural powers. [Through O. Fr., from L. manicula, dim. of manica, sleeve—manus, hand.]

Manage, man′āj, v.t. to guide by use of the hands: to have under command or control: to bring round to one's plans: to conduct with great carefulness: to wield: to handle: to contrive: to train by exercise, as a horse.—v.i. to conduct affairs.—n. Manageabil′ity, the quality of being manageable.—adj. Man′ageable, that can be managed: governable.—n. Man′ageableness.—adv. Man′ageably.—ns. Man′agement, art or act of managing: manner of directing or of using anything: administration: skilful treatment: a body of managers; Man′ager, one who manages: a person who controls a business or other concern.—adj. Managē′rial, of or pertaining to a manager, or to management. [Fr. manége, the managing of a horse—It. maneggio—L. manus, the hand.]

Manakin, man′a-kin, n. a small tropical American piproid bird: a variant form of manikin.

Manatee, man-a-tē′, n. an aquatic animal—also called the Sea-cow or Dugong (q.v.).

Manche, manch, n. (her.) a sleeve: the neck of a violin, &c. [Fr.]

Manchester goods, man′ches-tėr goods, n.pl. goods or articles made in Manchester, esp. cotton and woollen cloths: similar goods made elsewhere.

Manchet, man′chet, n. (Tenn.) a small loaf or cake of fine white bread. [Ety. dub.]

Manchette, man-shet′, n. an ornamental cuff.

Manchineel, manch-i-nēl′, n. a West Indian tree, remarkable for the poisonous qualities of its juice, and having a fruit resembling a small apple. [Sp. manzanillo, a small apple.]

Manchu, Manchoo, man-chōō′, n. one of the race from which Manchuria took its name, and which governed China in the 17th century.—adj. of or pertaining to Manchuria or to its inhabitants. [Chin., meaning 'pure.']

Mancipation, man-si-pā′shun, n. in ancient Rome, a legal formality for acquiring title to property by actual or by simulated purchase.—v.t. Man′cipate.—adj. Man′cipatory.

Manciple, man′si-pl, n. a steward: a purveyor, particularly of a college or an inn of court. [O. Fr.,—L. manceps, a purchaser—manus, hand, capĕre, take.]

Mandæan, man-dē′an, n. and adj. one of an ancient and still surviving sect in southern Babylonia, their religion a corrupt Gnosticism, with many Jewish and Parsee elements.—Also Mendaites, Nasoreans, and Sabians, and also Christians of St John. [Mandæan mandā, knowledge, gnosis.]

Mandamus, man-dā′mus, n. a writ or command issued by a higher court to a lower. [L., 'we command'—mandāre, to command.]

Mandarin, man-da-rēn′, n. a European name for a Chinese official, civil or military: a small kind of orange, thought to be of Chinese origin.—-n. Mandarī′nate. [Port, mandarim—Malayan mantrí, counsellor—Sans. mantra, counsel.]

Mandate, man′dāt, n. a charge: a command from a superior official or judge to an inferior, ordering him how to act, esp. from the Pope to a legate, &c.: a right given to a person to act in name of another: a rescript of the Pope.—ns. Man′datary, Man′datory, one to whom a mandate is given by a Man′dator.—adj. Man′datory, containing a mandate or command; preceptive: directory. [Fr. mandat—L. mandātum, mandāre—manus, hand, dăre, give.]

Mandible, man′di-bl, n. a jaw-bone, esp. that of the lower jaw.—adjs. Mandib′ular, relating to the jaw; Mandib′ulāte, -d, having mandibles for biting, like many insects. [L. mandibula—mandĕre, chew.]

Mandoline, Mandolin, man′do-lin, n. a musical instrument somewhat like a lute, having strings, finger-board, and neck like a guitar.—n. Mandō′la, a large mandoline. [Fr.,—It. mandola, mandora, a lute.]

Mandorla, man-dor′la, n. an oval panel, or a work of art filling such: the vesica piscis. [It.]

Mandrake, man′drāk, n. a plant of the genus Mandragora, with narcotic properties, once regarded as an aphrodisiac, shrieking when pulled out of the ground.—Mandrag′ora (Shak.). [L.,—Gr. mandragoras.]

Mandrel, man′drel, n. a bar of iron fitted to a turning-lathe on which articles to be turned are fixed: the axle of a circular saw.—Also Man′dril. [Fr. mandrin; prob. through Low L. from Gr. mandra.]

Mandrill, man′dril, n. a large kind of baboon, a native of Western Africa. [Fr.]

Manducate, man′dū-kāt, v.t. to chew or eat.—adj. Man′ducable.—n. Manducā′tion.—adj. Man′ducatory. [L. manducāre—mandĕre, to chew.]

Mane, mān, n. the long hair flowing from the neck of some quadrupeds, as the horse and the lion.—adjs. Maned, having a mane; Mane′less, without a mane; Mane′-like (Tenn.), like a mane: hanging in the form of a mane.—n. Mane′-sheet, a covering for the upper part of a horse's head. [A.S. manu; Ice. mön; Ger. mähne.]

Manège, man-āzh′, n. the managing of horses: the art of horsemanship or of training horses: a riding-school.—v.t. to train, as a horse. [Fr.; cf. manage.]

Maneh, mā′ne, n. a Hebrew weight of uncertain value. See Mina. [Heb.]

Manequin. Same as Manikin.

Manes, mā′nēz, n. (Roman myth.) the benevolent or tutelary spirits of departed persons: the lower world, as being the abode of the manes. [L.]

Manet, mā′net, he remains, a stage direction. [L. 3d sing. pres. ind. of manēre, to remain.]

Manga, man′ga, n. a covering for a cross.

Mangabey, mang′ga-bā, n. a slender and agile African monkey.

Mangal, man′gal, n. a Turkish brazier for charcoal.

Manganese, mang-ga-nēz′, or mang′ga-nēz, n. a hard and brittle metal of a grayish-white colour, somewhat like iron.—adjs. Manganē′sian, Manganē′sic, Mangan′ic, Mang′anous; Manganif′erous.—n. Mang′anite, gray ore of manganese, used in glass manufacture. [O. Fr. manganese, a material used in making glass, prob. from It. and cog. with magnesia.]

Mange, mānj, n. the scab or itch which eats the skin of domestic animals. [From adj. mangy.]

Mangel-wurzel, mang′gl-wur′zl, n. a plant of the beet kind cultivated as food for cattle.—Also Mang′old-wur′zel. [Ger. mangold, beet, wurzel, root.]

Manger, mānj′ėr, n. a trough in which food is laid for horses and cattle.—Dog in the manger, one who will neither enjoy something himself nor let others do so—also adjectively. [O. Fr. mangeoire—mangier, to eat—L. manducus, a glutton—mandĕre, to chew.]

Mangle, mang′gl, v.t. to cut and bruise: to tear in cutting: to mutilate: to take by piecemeal.—n. Mang′ler. [Skeat suggests a freq. form of O. Fr. mahaigner, to maim—mehaing, a hurt.]

Mangle, mang′gl, n. a rolling-press for smoothing linen.—v.t. to smooth with a mangle: to calender.—n. Mang′ler. [Dut. mangelen, to roll with a rolling-pin, through Low L., from Gr. manganon, the axis of a pulley.]

Mango, mang′gō, n. the fruit of the mango-tree of the East Indies: a green musk-melon pickled. [Malay mañggā.]

Mangonel, mang′go-nel, n. an engine used before the invention of cannon for throwing stones, &c. [O. Fr.,—Low L. mangonellus—Gr. manganon, a machine for throwing stones.]

Mangostan, mang′go-stan, Mangosteen, mang′go-stēn, n. an East Indian tree, and its fruit, which is of a most delicious taste. [Malay.]

Mangrove, man′grōv, n. a tree which grows on muddy shores and river-banks in the East and West Indies. [Malayan.]

Mangy, mānj′i, adj. scabby.—n. Mang′iness. [Anglicised form of Fr. mangé, eaten, pa.p. of manger, to eat—L. manducāre, to chew.]

Mania, mā′ni-a, n. violent madness: insanity: excessive or unreasonable desire.—n. Mā′niac, a person affected with mania: a madman.—adj. raving mad.—adj. Maniacal (ma-nī′a-kal).—adv. Manī′acally. [L.,—Gr. mania; cf. menos, mind.]

Manicate, man′i-kāt, adj. (bot.) covered with hairs so matted or interwoven as to be easily stripped off. [L. manicātus, sleeved—manicæ, long sleeves.]

Manichæan, Manichean, man-i-kē′an, adj. pertaining to the Manichees or followers of Mani, a native of Ecbatana (215-276 A.D.), who taught that everything sprang from two chief principles, light and darkness, or good and evil.—n. a believer in Manichæanism—also Man′ichee.—ns. Manichæ′anism, Manichē′ism, the doctrines of the Manichæans.

Manicure, man′i-kūr, n. the care of hands and nails: one who practises this.—v.t. to treat the hands and nails. [L. manus, hand, cura, care.]

Manifest, man′i-fest, adj. that may be easily seen by the eye or perceived by the mind: clear: apparent: evident.—v.t. to make clear or easily seen: to show plainly: to put beyond doubt: to reveal or declare.—n. an open or public statement: a list or invoice of a ship's cargo to be exhibited at the custom-house.—adjs. Manifest′able, Manifest′ible, that can be manifested or clearly shown.—n. Manifestā′tion, act of disclosing what is dark or secret: that by which something is manifested or shown: display: revelation.—adv. Man′ifestly.—n. Man′ifestness, state of being manifest. [Fr.,—L. manifestus—manus, the hand, -festus, pa.p. of obs. fendĕre, to dash against.]

Manifesto, man-i-fest′ō, n. a public written declaration of the intentions, opinions, or motives of a sovereign or of a leader of a party.—v.i. (rare) to issue a manifesto. [It.,—L.; see Manifest.]

Manifold, man′i-fōld, adj. various in kind or quality: many in number: multiplied.—adj. Man′ifolded (Spens.), having many folds or complications.—adv. Man′ifoldly.—n. Man′ifoldness.

Maniform, man′i-form, adj. having the shape or form of a hand. [L. manus, the hand, forma, a shape.]

Manigraph, man′i-graf, n. a device for multiplying copies of writings or drawings.

Manihot, man′i-hot, n. a genus of tropical American, mainly Brazilian, herbs of the spurge family—two species yielding the bitter and the sweet cassava respectively.

Manikin, man′i-kin, n. a dwarf: a pasteboard model exhibiting the different parts and organs of the human body. [Old Dut. mann-ek-en, a double dim. of man, Eng. man.]

Manila, Manilla, ma-nil′a, n. a cheroot manufactured in Manila, in the Philippine Islands.

Manilla, ma-nil′a, n. a ring worn as an ornament on the arm or leg, or used as money among the tribes of West Africa.—Also Mā′nilio, Manille′. [Low L. manilia, a bracelet—L. manus, the hand.]

Manille, ma-nil′, n. in ombre and quadrille, the highest card but one. [Fr.]

Manioc, mā′ni-ok, n. a tropical plant from which cassava and tapioca are obtained.—Also written Man′dioc, Mā′nihoc, Mā′nihot. [Sp. mandioca—Brazilian.]

Maniple, man′i-pl, n. a company of foot-soldiers in the Roman army: in the Western Church, a eucharistic vestment, a narrow strip worn on the left arm.—adj. Manip′ular, of or pertaining to a maniple: pertaining to handling or manipulation. [L. manipulus—manus, the hand, plēre, to fill.]

Manipulate, ma-nip′ū-lāt, v.t. to work with the hands.—v.i. to use the hands, esp. in scientific experiments: to handle or manage: to give a false appearance to: to turn to one's own purpose or advantage.—n. Manipulā′tion, act of manipulating or working by hand: use of the hands in a skilful manner in science or in art.—adjs. Manip′ulative, Manip′ulatory, done by manipulation.—n. Manip′ulator, one who manipulates or works with the hand. [Low L. manipulāre, -ātum. See Maniple.]

Manis, mā′nis, n. the pangolin or scaly ant-eater.

Manito, man′i-tō, n. a spirit or other object of reverence among some of the American Indians.—Also Manitou. [Algonkin.]

Manna, man′a, n. the food supplied to the Israelites in the wilderness of Arabia: delicious food for body or mind: a sweet juice or gum got from many trees, as the ash of Sicily.—adj. Mannif′erous. [Heb. mān hū, what is it? or from man, a gift.]

Manner, man′ėr, n. the way in which anything is done: method: fashion: personal style of acting or bearing one's self: habit: custom: style of writing or of thought: sort: style: (pl.) morals: good behaviour: character: respectful deportment.—adj. Mann′ered, having manners (esp. in compounds, as well- or ill-mannered): affected with mannerism: artificial: stilted.—ns. Mann′erism, a constant sameness of manner: a marked peculiarity of style or manner, esp. in literary composition: manner or style becoming wearisome by its sameness; Mann′erist, one addicted to mannerism.—adj. Manneris′tic.—adv. Manneris′tically.—n. Mann′erliness.—adj. Mann′erly, showing good manners: well-behaved: complaisant: not rude.—adv. with good manners: civilly: respectfully: without rudeness.—By no manner of means, under no circumstances whatever; In a manner, to a certain degree; In, or With, the manner (B.), in the very act; Make one's manners, to salute a person on meeting by a bow, courtesy, &c.; Shark's manners, rapacity; To the manner born, accustomed to something from birth. [Fr. manière—main—L. manus, the hand.]

Manning, man′ing, n. the act of supplying with men.

Mannite, man′īt, n. a sweetish crystalline compound found in celery, sea-grasses, the dried sap of the flowering ash, &c.

Manœuvre, ma-nōō′vėr, or ma-nū′-, n. a piece of dexterous management: stratagem: a skilful and clever movement in military or naval tactics.—v.i. and v.t. to perform a manœuvre: to manage with art: to change the position of troops or of ships: to affect or to gain by manœuvres.—n. Manœu′vrer. [Fr.,—Low L. manuopera—L. manu, by hand, opera, work. Cf. manure.]

Manometer, man-om′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the rarity or density of gases from their elastic force—also Man′oscope.—adjs. Manomet′ric, -al.—n. Manos′copy. [Gr. manos, rare, metron, measure.]

Manor, man′or, n. the land belonging to a nobleman, or so much as he formerly kept for his own use: the district over which the court of the lord of the manor had authority: a tract of land in America for which a fee-farm rent was paid.—ns. Man′or-house, -seat, the house or seat belonging to a manor.—adj. Manō′rial, pertaining to a manor. [O. Fr. manoir—L. manēre, mansum, to stay.]

Manqué, mang′kā, adj. spoiled: defective: off: lost: missed. [Fr.]

Mansard-roof, man′sard-rōōf, n. a form of roof having a break in the slope, the lower part being steeper than the upper, so called from the architect, François Mansart (1598-1666).

Manse, mans, n. the residence of a clergyman, esp. of Presbyterians in Scotland. [O. Fr.,—Low L. mansa, a farm—manēre, mansus, to remain.]

Mansion, man′shun, n. a house, esp. one of some size: a manor-house: the dwelling of a nobleman or a landholder: (B.) a resting-place.—ns. Man′sion-house, a mansion: the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London; Man′sionry (Shak.), a mansion, place of residence. [O. Fr.,—L. mansion-em—manēre, mansus, to remain.]

Mansuetude, man′swe-tūd, n. gentleness: tameness: mildness.—adj. Man′suete (rare), mild. [Fr.,—L. mansuetudo, mildness.]

Mansworn, man′sworn, p.adj. (obs.) perjured. [A.S. manswérian, to swear falsely.]

Mantel, man′tl, n. the ornamental shelf over a fireplace.—Also Man′tel-piece, Man′tel-shelf.

Mantic, man′tik, adj. relating to divination: prophetic. [Gr. mantikos—mantis, a prophet.]

Manticore, man′ti-kōr, n. a fabulous beast of prey with a human head. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. mantichōras.]

Mantilla, man-til′a, n. a small mantle: a kind of veil covering the head and falling down upon the shoulders. [Sp.; cf. mantle.]

Mantis, man′tis, n. a genus of orthopterous insects somewhat like locusts, carrying their large spinous forelegs in the attitude of prayer. [Gr. mantis.]

Mantle, man′tl, n. a covering: a cloak or loose outer garment: spirit: (zool.) the thin fleshy membrane lining a mollusc's shell: a conical wire-network covered with some highly refractory earth that becomes luminous under a flame.—v.t. to cover: to disguise.—v.i. to spread like a mantle: to revel: to joy: to froth: to rush to the face and impart a crimson glow, as blood.—ns. Man′tlet, Man′telet, a small cloak for women: (fort.) a movable shield or screen to protect an attacking force, or gunners while serving their guns; Man′tling, cloth suitable for mantles: (her.) the representation of a mantle, or the drapery of a coat-of-arms. [O. Fr. mantel (Fr. manteau)—L. mantellum, a napkin.]

Mantology, man-tol′ō-ji, n. the act or art of divination.—n. Mantol′ogist.

Manton, man′tun, n. a shawl or wrap. [Sp.,—manta, a cloak. Same root as mantle.]

Mantra, man′tra, n. a Vedic hymn of praise: the matter of the Sanhita or first division of the Veda: a sacred text used as an incantation. [Sans., 'thought.']

Mantua, man′tū-a, n. a lady's cloak or mantle: a lady's gown—(Scot.) Mant′y.—n. Man′tua-mak′er, a maker of ladies' gowns and dresses. [Prob. arose through confusion of manteau (It. manto) with Mantua, in Italy.]

Mantuan, man′tū-an, adj. of or pertaining to Mantua in Italy, or to the poet Virgil or his works.—n. a native of Mantua, esp. Virgil.

Manual, man′ū-al, adj. pertaining to the hand: done, made, or used by the hand.—n. drill in the use of weapons, &c.: a handbook: a handy compendium of a large subject or treatise: the key-board of an organ, &c.: an old office-book like the modern R.C. ritual.—adv. Man′ually.—Manual alphabet, the letters made by the deaf and dumb with the hand in conversation; Manual exercise, the exercise by which soldiers are made to handle their arms. [L. manualis—manus, the hand.]

Manubrium, mā-nū′bri-um, n. the presternum of most mammals: in organ-building, a stop-knob or handle.—adj. Manū′briāted. [L., 'a handle.']

Manufacture, man-ū-fakt′ūr, v.t. to make from raw materials by any means into a form suitable for use.—v.i. to be occupied in manufactures.—n. the process of manufacturing: anything manufactured.—n. Manufact′ory, a factory or place where goods are manufactured.—adj. Manufact′ural.—n. Manufact′urer, one who manufactures.—p.adj. Manufact′uring, pertaining to manufactures. [Fr.,—L. manus, the hand, factura, a making, from facĕre, factum, to make.]

Manumit, man-ū-mit′, v.t. to release from slavery: to set free, as a slave:—pr.p. manūmit′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. manūmit′ted.—n. Manumiss′ion, act of manumitting or setting free from slavery. [L. manumittĕre—manus, the hand, mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Manumotor, man-ū-mō′tor, n. a small wheel-carriage moved by the hand of the person in it.—adj. Manumō′tive. [L. manus, hand, motor, a mover.]

Manure, man-ūr′, v.t. to enrich land with any fertilising substance.—n. any substance applied to land to make it more fruitful.—ns. Manur′ance (Spens.), cultivation; Manur′er.—adj. Manū′rial.—n. Manur′ing, a dressing or spreading of manure on land. [Contr. of Fr. manœuvrer. See Manœuvre.]

Manus, mā′nus, n. the hand, the corresponding part of an animal's fore-limb.

Manuscript, man′ū-skript, adj. written by the hand: not printed.—n. a book or paper written by the hand.—adj. Manuscript′al. [L. manus, the hand, scribĕre, scriptum, to write.]

Manx, mangks, n. the language of the Isle of Man, belonging to the Gadhelic branch of Celtic.—adj. pertaining to the Isle of Man or to its inhabitants.

Many, men′i, adj. consisting of a great number of individuals: not few: numerous:—comp. More (mōr); superl. Most (mōst).—n. many persons: a great number: (with def. art.) the people.—adj. Man′y-sid′ed, having many qualities or aspects: not narrow-minded.—n. Man′y-sid′edness.—The many, the crowd. [A.S. manig.]

Manyplies, men′i-plīz, n.sing. and pl. the third stomach of a ruminant—the omasum or psalterium.—Also Man′iplies and Mon′yplies.

Manzanilla, man-za-nil′a, n. a very dry and light kind of sherry, esp. that produced in the district of San Lucar de Barrameda in Spain. [Prob. from the town near Seville.]

Maori, mow′ri, or mä′ō-ri, n. a native of New Zealand:—pl. Mao′ris. [A New Zealand word signifying native or indigenous.]

Maormor, mär′mōr, n. a royal steward in ancient Scotland. [Gael., maor, maer, steward, mor, great.]

Map, map, n. a representation of the surface of the earth, or of part of it on a plane surface: a similar drawing of the stars in the sky.—v.t. to draw in the form of a map, as the figure of any portion of land: to describe clearly:—pr.p. map′ping; pa.t. and pa.p. mapped.—ns. Map′-meas′urer, an instrument for measuring distances other than in straight lines on a map; Map′-mount′er, one who mounts maps, or backs them with canvas and fixes them on rollers, &c.; Map′pery (Shak.), the art of planning and designing maps; Map′pist.—Map out, to mark down the chief points clearly. [L. mappa, a napkin, a painted cloth, orig. Punic.]

Maple, mā′pl, n. a tree of several species, from one of which, the rock-maple, sugar is made.—adj. of or pertaining to maple. [A.S. mapul, maple.]

Maqui, mā′kwi, n. an evergreen shrub, native of Chili, producing a berry yielding wine.

Mar, mär, v.t. to injure by wounding or by cutting off a part: to damage: to interrupt: to disfigure:—pr.p. mar′ring; pa.t. and pa.p. marred. [A.S. merran, mirran; cf. Dut. marren, to retard.]

Marabou, mar′a-bōō, n. a species of Indian stork, the feathers of which are much used as ornaments by ladies: a very white raw silk.

Marabout, mar′a-bōōt, n. one of a priestly race of Mohammedans in Northern Africa. [Ar.]

Marah, mā′ra, n. bitterness: something bitter. [Heb.]

Maranatha, mar-a-nā′tha, or mar-a-nath′a, n. See Anathema.

Maraschino, mar-as-kē′no, n. a liqueur distilled from a species of cherry grown in Dalmatia. [It.,—marasca, amarasca, a sour cherry—L. amārus, bitter.]

Marasmus, ma-raz′mus, n. a wasting of flesh without apparent disease, a kind of consumption. [Gr. marasmos—marainein, to decay.]

Marathi, ma-ra′thi, n. the language of the Mahrattas.—Also Mahrat′ti.

Maraud, ma-rawd′, v.i. to rove in quest of plunder.—n. Maraud′er, one who roves in quest of booty or plunder. [Fr. maraud, rogue; prob. O. Fr. mar-ir, to wander—Old High Ger. marrjan, to hinder.]

Maravedi, mar-a-vā′dī, n. the smallest copper coin of Spain, less than a farthing. [Sp.,—Ar. Murābitīn, the dynasty of the Almoravides (1086-1147 A.D.).]

Marble, mär′bl, n. any species of limestone taking a high polish: that which is made of marble, as a work of art: a little ball used by boys in play.—adj. made of marble: veined like marble: hard: insensible.—v.t. to stain or vein like marble.—adjs. Mar′ble-breast′ed, hard-hearted, cruel; Mar′ble-con′stant, constant or firm as marble, immovable.—n. Mar′ble-cut′ter, one who hews marble: a machine for cutting marble.—adjs. Mar′ble-edged, having the edges marbled, as a book; Mar′ble-heart′ed, hard-hearted, insensible.—ns. Mar′ble-pā′per, paper coloured in imitation of variegated marble; Mar′bler; Mar′bling, the act of veining or painting in imitation of marble.—adv. Mar′bly, resembling marble, in the manner of marble.—Elgin marbles, a collection of marbles obtained chiefly from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin in 1811, now in the British Museum. [O. Fr. marbre—L. marmor; cf. Gr. marmaros, marmairein, to sparkle.]

Marcando, mar-kän′do, adj. and adv. (mus.) with distinctness or precision.—Also Marca′to. [It., marcare, to mark.]

Marcasite, mär′ka-sīt, n. an iron ore, a variety of pyrites (q.v.). [Fr.; prob. of Ar. origin.]

Marcescent, mar-ses′ent, adj. withering, decaying.—adj. Marcesc′ible, that may wither. [L. marcescens, -entis, pr.p. of marcescĕre—marcēre, to fade.]

March, märch, n. the third month of the year, named from Mars, the god of war. [L. Martius (mensis), (the month) of Mars.]

March, märch, n. a border: boundary of a territory:—used chiefly in pl. March′es.—v.i. to border: to be adjacent.—ns. March′man, a borderer; March′-trea′son, the betrayal of a border or march to an enemy.—Riding the marches, a ceremony in which the magistrates and chief men of a city ride on horseback round the bounds of the property of the city, so as to mark plainly what are its limits. [A.S. mearc; doublet of mark.]

March, märch, v.i. to move in order, as soldiers: to walk in a grave or stately manner.—v.t. to cause to march.—n. the movement of troops: regular advance: a piece of music fitted for marching to: the distance passed over.—March past, the march of a body of soldiers in front of one remaining stationary to review them; Forced march, a march in which the men are vigorously pressed forward for combative or strategic purposes; Rogue's march, music played in derision of a person when he is expelled as a soldier, &c. [Fr. marcher. Ety. dub.; acc. to Scheler, prob. from L. marcus, a hammer (cf. 'to beat time'); others suggest root of march, a frontier.]

Märchen, Mährchen, märh′hen, n.sing. and pl. a story or fable, a folk-tale. [Ger.]

Marchioness, mär′shun-es, Marchesa, mar-chē′za, n. feminine of Marquis.

Marchpane, märch′pān, n. (Shak.) a kind of sweet bread or biscuit composed of sugar, almonds, and a small quantity of flour. [Fr. massepain, the latter part of the word being from L. panis, bread.]

Marcid, mär′sid, adj. withered, wasted.

Marcionite, mar′shun-īt, n. and adj. a follower of Marcion of Sinope (died 165 A.D.), who, partly under Gnostic influences, constructed an ethico-dualistic philosophy of religion, with rigorously ascetic practices. He claimed alone to have understood Paul aright, and accepted as authoritative his own version of Luke and ten of Paul's epistles.—ns. Mar′cionist; Mar′cionitism.

Marcobrunner, mär′ko-brōōn-ėr, n. a remarkably fine white wine, produced in Erbach, near Wiesbaden—from the Markbrunnen fountain hard by.

Mare, mār, n. the female of the horse.—ns. Mare's′-nest, a supposed discovery which turns out to be a hoax; Mare's-tail, a tall, erect marsh plant of the genus Hippuris: (pl.) long straight fibres of gray cirrus cloud; Shank's′-mare, a person's own legs, as a means of travelling.—The gray mare is the better horse, the wife rules her husband. [A.S. mere, fem. of mearh, a horse; cog. with Ger. mähre, Ice. marr, W. march, a horse.]

Mareschal, mär′shal. Same as Marshal.

Margarine, mär′gar-in, n. the solid ingredient of human fat, olive-oil, &c.—so called from its pearly lustre: oleo-margarine or imitation butter (see under Olein).—adj. Margar′ic.—n. Mar′garite, one of the brittle micas. [L. margarita—Gr. margaritēs, a pearl.]

Margay, mär′gā, n. a spotted S. American tiger-cat.

Margin, mär′jin, n. an edge, border: the blank edge on the page of a book: something allowed more than is needed, in case of unforeseen things happening: a sum of money, or its value in securities, deposited with a broker to protect him against loss on transactions made on account: a deposit made by each of two brokers, parties to a contract, when one is 'called up' by the other.—v.t. to furnish with margins, enter on the margin.—ns. Marge, Marg′ent (poet.), edge, brink.—adjs. Marged; Mar′ginal, pertaining to a margin: placed in the margin.—n. Marginā′lia, notes written on the margin.—v.t. Mar′ginalise, to furnish with notes.—adv. Mar′ginally.—adjs. Mar′ginate, -d, having a margin; Mar′gined.—Marginal credit, a method by which a merchant at home can render bills drawn upon him abroad saleable there, by associating a well-known banker's name on their margin with his own; Marginal notes, notes written or printed on the margin of a book or writing. [L. margo, marginis; cf. mark.]

Margrave, mär′grāv, n. a German nobleman of rank equivalent to an English marquis:—fem. Margravine (mär′gra-vēn).—ns. Mar′gravate, Margrā′viate, the jurisdiction or dignity of a margrave. [Dut. markgraaf (Ger. markgraf)—mark, a border, graaf, a count; cf. Ger. graf, A.S. geréfa, Eng. reeve and she-riff.]

Marguerite, mär′ge-rēt, n. the common garden daisy: the ox-eye daisy: the China aster.

Marian, mā′ri-an, adj. relating to the Virgin Mary: to the great Roman general Caius Marius: to Queen Mary of England.

Marigold, mar′i-gōld, n. a name applied to several composite plants bearing yellow flowers. [From the Virgin Mary and gold.]

Marine, ma-rēn′, adj. of or belonging to the sea: done at sea: representing the sea: near the sea.—n. a soldier serving on shipboard: the whole navy of a country or state: naval affairs: a sea-piece in painting.—ns. Mar′igraph, a self-registering tide-gauge; Marinade′, a liquor or pickle in which fish or meat is steeped before cooking, to improve the flavour.—v.t. Mar′inate, to salt or pickle.—n. Mar′iner, a seaman or sailor: one who assists in navigating ships.—Marine acid, hydrochloric acid; Marine boiler, a boiler fitted for use in steamships; Marine engine, an engine fitted for use in a steamship; Marine insurance, insurance of ships or their cargoes when at sea; Marine soap, a kind of coconut-oil soap, adapted for washing with sea-water; Marine store, a place where old ships' materials are bought and sold.—Tell that to the marines, a phrase expressive of disbelief and ridicule, from the sailor's contempt for the marine's ignorance of seamanship. [Fr.,—L. marinus—mare, sea.]

Mariolatry, mā-ri-ol′a-tri, n. the undue worship of the Virgin Mary—the veneration paid to her is strictly Hyperdulia.—n. Mariol′ater, one who practises mariolatry. [L. Maria, Mary, Gr. latreia, worship.]

Marionette, mar-i-o-net′, n. a puppet moved by strings, a puppet-show. [Fr.]

Mariotte's law. See Law.

Mariput, mar′i-put, n. the African zoril.

Marischal, a Scotch form of marshal.

Marish, mar′ish, n. and adj. Same as Marsh.

Marist, mā′rist, n. a member of a modern R.C. congregation for teaching.—adj. devoted to the service of the Virgin.

Marital, mar′i-tal, adj. pertaining to a husband: of the nature of a marriage.—n. Maritā′gium, in the feudal system, the right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage. [Fr.,—L. maritalis—maritus, a husband—mas, maris, a male.]

Maritime, mar′i-tim, adj. pertaining to the sea: relating to navigation or to naval affairs: situated near the sea: living on the shore, littoral—opp. to Marine: having a navy and a naval commerce. [L. maritimus—mare, sea.]

Marjoram, mär′jo-ram, n. an aromatic plant used as a seasoning in cookery. [Fr. marjolaine—Low L. majoraca—L. amaracus—Gr. amarakos.]

Mark, märk, n. a visible sign: any object serving as a guide: that by which anything is known: a badge: a trace, impression, proof: any visible effect: symptom: a thing aimed at or striven for: an attainable point: a character made by one who cannot write: any impressed sign or stamp: a physical peculiarity: distinction: a boundary, limit: in medieval times, a tract of common land belonging to a community.—v.t. to make a mark on anything: to impress with a sign: to take notice of: to regard.—v.i. to take particular notice.—adj. Marked, distinguished: prominent: notorious.—adv. Mark′edly, noticeably.—ns. Mark′er, one who marks the score at games, as at billiards: a counter used at card-playing, &c.: the soldier who forms the pivot round which a body of soldiers wheels; Mark′ing, act of making a mark: a mark made upon anything; Mark′ing-ink, indelible ink, used for marking clothes; Mark′ing-nut, the fruit of an East Indian tree of the cashew family, yielding a black juice used in marking cloths; Mark′man, one of the community owning a mark; Marks′man, one good at hitting a mark: one who shoots well.—Mark down, set down in writing, put a note of; Mark out, to lay out the plan or outlines of anything; Mark time, to move the feet alternately in the same manner as in marching, but without changing ground.—A man of mark, a well-known or famous man; Beside the mark, not properly referring to the matter in hand; God bless, or save, the mark, or Save the mark, a phrase expressing ironical astonishment or scorn, from the usage of archery; Make one's mark, to leave a lasting impression: to gain great influence; Toe the mark, to stand to one's obligations, facing the consequences; Trade mark, a distinctive mark put on goods, &c., to show by whom they were made; Up to the mark, good enough, measured by a certain standard. [A.S. mearc, a boundary; Ger. mark, Goth. marka.]

Mark, märk, n. an obsolete English coin=13s. 4d.: a coin of the present German Empire=about one shilling: a silver coin of Hamburg=about 1s. 4d. [A.S. marc, another form of the above word.]

Market, mär′ket, n. a public place for the purposes of buying and selling: the time for the market: sale: rate of sale: value.—v.i. to deal at a market: to buy and sell.—ns. Marketabil′ity, Mar′ketableness.—adj. Mar′ketable, fit for the market: saleable.—ns. Mar′ket-bell (Shak.), a bell to give notice of the time; Mar′ket-cross, a cross anciently set up where a market was held; Mar′ket-day, the fixed day on which a market is usually held; Mar′keter; Mar′ket-gar′den, a garden in which fruit and vegetables are grown for market; Mar′ket-gar′dener; Mar′ket-house, a building in which a market is held; Mar′keting, the act or practice of buying and selling in market; Mar′ket-place, the open space in a town where markets are held; Mar′ket-price, the price at which anything is sold in the market: the current price; Mar′ket-town, a town having the privilege of holding a public market. [Through the O. Fr. (Fr. marché, It. mercato), from L. mercatus, trade, a market—merx, merchandise.]

Marl, märl, n. a fat earth or clay often used as manure.—v.t. to cover with marl.—adj. Marlā′ceous, having the qualities of marl: like marl.—n. Mar′lite, a variety of marl.—adjs. Marlit′ic; Mar′ly, like marl: abounding in marl.—n. Marl′stone, argillaceous limestone. [O. Fr. marle (Fr. marne)—Low L. margila, a dim. of L. marga, marl.]

Marline, mär′lin, n. a small rope for winding round a larger one to keep it from being worn by rubbing.—v.t. Mar′line, Marl, to bind or wind round with marline.—n. Mar′linespike, an iron tool, like a spike, for separating the strands of a rope in splicing. [Dut. marlijn, marling—marren, to bind, lijn, a rope—Fr. ligne; cf. moor and line.]

Marmalade, mär′ma-lād, n. a jam or preserve generally made of the pulp of oranges, originally of quinces. [Fr., from Port. marmelada—marmelo, a quince—L. melimēlum—Gr. melimēlon, a sweet apple—meli, honey, mēlon, an apple.]

Marmoraceous, mar-mo-rā′shus, adj. belonging to, or like, marble.—adjs. Mar′morate, -d, covered with marble: variegated like marble.—n. Marmorā′tion.—adjs. Marmō′real, Marmō′rean, belonging to, or like, marble. [L. marmor, marble.]

Marmose, mar′mōs, n. one of several small South American opossums.

Marmoset, mär′mo-zet, n. a small variety of American monkey. [Fr. marmouset, a little grotesque figure beside a fountain—L. marmor, marble.]

Marmot, mär′mot, n. a rodent animal, about the size of a rabbit, which inhabits the higher parts of the Alps and Pyrenees. [It. marmotto—Romansch murmont—L. mus montanus, mountain-mouse.]

Maronite, mar′ō-nīt, n. one of a sect of Christians who live on or around the mountains of Lebanon. [St Maron, about 400 A.D., or John Maron, a patriarch of the sect in the 7th century.]

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a brownish crimson. [Fr. marron, a chestnut—It. marrone, a chestnut.]

Maroon, ma-rōōn′, n. a fugitive slave living on the mountains, in the West Indies.—v.t. to put on shore on a desolate island.—ns. Maroon′er; Maroon′ing. [Fr. marron—Sp. cimarron, wild—cima, a mountain-summit—L. cyma—Gr. kyma.]

Maroquin, mar′o-kwin, n. leather prepared from goatskin: morocco leather. [Fr.]

Marplot, mär′plot, n. one who mars or defeats a plot or design by interference where he has no right.

Marprelate, mär-prel′āt, adj. pertaining to the series of vigorous pamphlets against prelacy issued in England in 1588-9, in spite of severe repression.

Marque, märk, n. a license to pass the marches or limits of a country for the purpose of making reprisals: a ship commissioned for making captures.—Letter-of-marque (see Letter). [Fr.]

Marquee, mär-kē′, n. a large field-tent. [For marquees, the s being dropped as if a plural, from Fr. marquise, acc. to Littré, orig. a marchioness's tent.]

Marquetry, märk′et-ri, n. work inlaid with pieces of various-coloured wood. [Fr. marqueterie—marqueter, to inlay—marque, a mark.]

Marquis, mär′kwis, Marquess, mär′kwes, n. a title of nobility next below that of a duke, first given in England in 1386:—fem. Mar′chioness.—ns. Mar′quisāte, the dignity or lordship of a marquis; Marquise (mär-kēz′), in France, a marchioness: a style of parasol about 1850. [O. Fr. markis (Fr. marquis, It. marchese)—Low L. marchensis, a prefect of the marches.]

Marriage, mar′ij, n. the ceremony by which a man and woman become husband and wife: the union of a man and woman as husband and wife.—adj. Marr′iageable, suitable, or at a proper age, for marriage.—ns. Marr′iageableness; Marr′iage-con′tract, an agreement to be married: an agreement respecting property by persons about to marry.—n.pl. Marr′iage-fā′vours, knots or decorations worn at a marriage.—n. Marr′iage-sett′lement, an arrangement of property, &c., before marriage, by which something is secured to the wife or her children, in case of her husband's death. [O. Fr. mariage. See Marry.]

Marrow, mar′ō, n. the soft, fatty matter in the hollow parts of the bones: the pith of certain plants: the essence or best part of anything: the inner meaning or purpose.—ns. Marr′ow-bone, a bone containing marrow: (pl.) the knees or the bones of the knees; Marr′owfat, a rich kind of pea, called also Dutch Admiral pea.—adjs. Marr′owish, of the nature of, or resembling, marrow; Marr′owless, having no marrow.—n. Marr′ow-squash (U.S.), vegetable marrow.—adj. Marr′owy, full of marrow: strong: forcible: pithy. [A.S. mearg; Ger. mark.]

Marry, mar′i, v.t. to take for husband or wife: to give in marriage: to unite in matrimony.—v.i. to enter into the married state: to take a husband or a wife:—pr.p. marr′ying; pa.t. and pa.p. marr′ied. [Fr. marier—L. maritāre, to marry, maritus, a husband—mas, maris, a male.]

Marry, mar′i, interj. indeed! forsooth! [By Mary.]

Mars, märz, n. the Roman god of war: the planet next to the earth in the order of distance from the sun. [L. Mars, Martis.]

Marsala, mar′sä-la, n. a light wine resembling sherry, from Marsala in Sicily.

Marseillaise, mär-se-lyāz′, or mär-se-lāz′, n. the French revolutionary hymn composed by Rouget de Lisle in 1792, sung by the volunteers of Marseilles as they entered Paris, 30th July, and when they marched to the storming of the Tuileries.

Marsh, märsh, n. a tract of low wet land: a morass, swamp, or fen.—adj. pertaining to wet or boggy places.—ns. Marsh′-gas, fire-damp; Marsh′-harr′ier, a harrier of genus Circus frequenting marshes; Marsh′iness; Marsh′-mall′ow, a species of mallow common in meadows and marshes; Marsh′-mar′igold, a genus of plants of the Ranunculus order, having large yellow flowers like those of a buttercup.—adj. Marsh′y, pertaining to, or produced in, marshes: abounding in marshes. [A.S. mersc, for mer-isc, as if 'mere-ish,' full of meres. Cf. mere, a pool.]

Marshal, mär′shal, n. an officer charged with the regulation of ceremonies, preservation of order, points of etiquette, &c.: the chief officer who regulated combats in the lists: a pursuivant or harbinger: a herald: in France, an officer of the highest military rank: (U.S.) the civil officer of a district, corresponding to the sheriff of a county in England.—v.t. to arrange in order: to lead, as a herald:—pr.p. mar′shalling; pa.t. and pa.p. mar′shalled.—ns. Mar′shaller, one who marshals; Mar′shalling, act of arranging in due order; Mar′shalsea, till 1842 a prison in Southwark, under the marshal of the royal household; Mar′shalship, office of marshal. [O. Fr. mareschal (Fr. maréchal); from Old High Ger. marah, a horse, schalh (Ger. schalk), a servant.]

Marsipobranchiate, mar-si-po-brang′ki-āt, adj. having pursed gills, as lampreys, hags, &c.—Also Mar′sipobranch.

Marsupial, mär-sū′pi-al, adj. carrying young in a pouch.—n. a marsupial animal, as the opossum or the kangaroo.—n. Marsū′pium, a brood-pouch. [L. marsupium—Gr. marsipion, a pouch.]

Mart, märt, n. a place of trade. [Contr. of market.]

Martagon, mär′ta-gon, n. the Turk's-cap lily.

Martel, mär′tel, v.t. (Spens.) to hammer, to strike. [Fr. marteler, It. martello. See Martello.]

Martello, mar-tel′o, n. a circular fort erected to protect a coast. [It. martello, a hammer—L. martulus, marculus, dim. of marcus, a hammer; or from Mortella Point in Corsica, where a tower of this kind withstood an English cannonade in 1794.]

Marten, mär′ten, n. a destructive kind of weasel valued for its fur. [Fr. martre, also marte—Low L. marturis, from a Teut. root seen in Ger. marder, and A.S. mearð, a marten.]

Mar-text, mär′-tekst, n. an ignorant preacher.

Martial, mär′shal, adj. belonging to Mars, the god of war, or to the planet Mars: of or belonging to war, or to the army and navy: warlike: brave.—ns. Mar′tialism; Mar′tialist.—adv. Mar′tially.—Martial law, law enforced during a state of war for the proper government of armies, and for the punishment of those who break the laws of war. [Fr.,—L. martialis—Mars, Martis.]

Martin, mär′tin, n. a bird of the swallow kind.—Also Mar′tinet. [The name Martin; cf. robin, &c.]

Martinet, mär′tin-et, n. a strict disciplinarian.—n. Martinet′ism. [From Martinet, a very strict officer in the army of Louis XIV. of France.]

Martingale, mär′tin-gāl, n. a strap passing between a horse's forelegs, fastened to the girth and to the bit, to keep his head down: in ships, a short spar under the bowsprit.—Also Mar′tingal. [Fr., from a kind of breeches worn at Martigues in Provence.]

Martinmas, mär′tin-mas, n. the mass or feast of St Martin: 11th Nov., a term-day in Scotland.

Martlet, märt′let, n. the martin, the name of a bird: (her.) a martin or swallow without feet, used as a bearing, a crest, or a mark of cadency to designate the fourth son. [From Fr. martinet, dim. of martin.]

Martyr, mär′tėr, n. one who by his death bears witness to the truth: one who suffers for his belief: one who suffers greatly from any cause.—v.t. to put to death for one's belief.—n. Mar′tyrdom, state of being a martyr: the sufferings or death of a martyr: torment generally.—v.t. Mar′tyrise (Browning), to offer as a sacrifice: to cause to suffer martyrdom.—adj. Martyrolog′ical.—ns. Martyrol′ogist; Martyrol′ogy, a history of martyrs: a discourse on martyrdom. [A.S.,—L.,—Gr., a witness.]

Marvel, mär′vel, n. a wonder: anything astonishing or wonderful: astonishment.—v.i. to wonder: to feel astonishment:—pr.p. mar′velling; pa.t. and pa.p. mar′velled.—adj. Mar′vellous, astonishing: almost or altogether beyond belief: improbable.—adv. Mar′vellously.—n. Mar′vellousness. [Fr. merveille—L. mirabilis, wonderful—mirāri, to wonder.]

Marybud, mā′ri-bud, n. the marigold.

Mascle, mas′kl, n. (her.) a bearing, lozenge-shaped and perforated: a plate of steel in the form of a lozenge, used in making scale-armour.—adjs. Mas′cled, Mascule′, Mas′culy. [Fr. macle—L. macula, the mesh of a net.]

Mascot, mas′kot, n. a luck-penny or talisman: a person whose presence brings good luck. [Fr. mascotte.]

Masculine, mas′kū-lin, adj. of the male sex: having the qualities of a man: resembling a man, or suitable to a man: robust: of a woman, bold, forward, unwomanly: denoting nouns which are names of males.—n. (gram.) the masculine gender.—adv. Mas′culinely.—ns. Mas′culineness, Masculin′ity. [Fr.,—L. masculinus—masculus, male—mas, a male.]

Mash, mash, v.t. to beat into a mixed mass: to bruise: in brewing, to mix malt and hot water together.—v.i. to act violently.—n. a mixture of ingredients beaten or stirred together, as of bran, meal, &c., or bran and boiled turnips, &c., for feeding cattle or horses: in brewing, a mixture of crushed malt and hot water.—ns. Mash′ing; Mash′-tub, Mash′ing-tub, a tub in which the mash in breweries is mixed.—adj. Mash′y, produced by mashing; of the nature of a mash. [The noun is older than the verb, and seems to be connected with mix (A.S. miscian); cf. Mish-mash.]

Masher, mash′ėr, n. a fellow who dresses showily to attract the attention of silly young women, a fop.—v.t. Mash, to gain the affections of one of the opposite sex, to treat as a sweetheart.—Be mashed on (slang), to be struck with love for another.

Mashie, Mashy, mash′i, n. a kind of golf-club.

Masjid, mas′jid, n. a Mohammedan mosque.

Mask, Masque, mask, n. anything disguising or concealing the face: anything that disguises: a pretence: a masquerade: a former kind of dramatic spectacle, in which actors personified mythological deities, shepherdesses, &c.: a representation or impression of a face in any material, as in marble, plaster, &c.: a fox's head.—v.t. to cover the face with a mask: to hide.—v.i. to join in a mask or masquerade: to be disguised in any way: to revel.—n. Mas′caron (archit.), a grotesque face on door-knockers, spouts, &c.—adj. Masked, wearing a mask, concealed.—ns. Masked′-ball, a ball in which the dancers wear masks; Mask′er, one who wears a mask.—Masked battery (see Battery). [Fr. masque—Sp. mascara—Ar. maskharat, a jester, man in masquerade.]

Mask, mask, v.t. (Scot.) to steep, infuse.—v.i. to be infusing. [A form of mash.]

Maslin, mas′lin, n. mixed grain, esp. rye and wheat.—Also Mash′lin, Mash′lim, Mash′lum.

Mason, mā′sn, n. one who cuts, prepares, and lays stones: a builder in stone: a member of the society of freemasons.—v.t. to build.—adjs. Mason′ic, relating to freemasonry; Mā′sonried, constructed of masonry.—n. Mā′sonry, the skill or practice of a mason: the work of a mason: the art of building in stone: freemasonry.—adj. consisting of mason-work.—n. Mas′ter-mā′son (see under Master). [O. Fr. masson (Fr. maçon)—Low L. macion-em; prob. Teut.; cf. Mid. High Ger. mezzo, a mason, whence steinmetz, a stone-mason, cog. with Old High Ger. meizan, to hew, whence Ger. meissel, a chisel.]

Masoolah-boat, ma-sōō′la-bōt, n. a high many-oared East Indian surf-boat.—Also Masu′la-boat.

Masque. See Mask.

Masquerade, mask-ėr-ād′, n. an assembly of persons wearing masks, generally at a ball: disguise.—v.i. to wear a mask: to join in a masquerade: to go in disguise.—n. Masquerad′er, a person wearing a mask: a person or thing disguised in any manner. [Fr. mascarade. See Mask.]

Mass, mas, n. a lump of matter: a quantity: a collected body: the main body: magnitude: the principal part or main body: quantity of matter in any body, weight being proportional to mass: (pl.) the lower classes of the people.—v.t. to form into a mass: to bring together in masses.—v.i. to assemble in masses.—adj. Mass′ive, bulky: weighty: not separated into parts or elements: without crystalline form, geologically homogeneous.—adv. Mass′ively.—ns. Mass′iveness, Mass′iness; Mass′-meeting, a public meeting of persons of all classes to discuss some matter of general interest.—adj. Mass′y, massive, made up of masses. [Fr. masse—L. massa—Gr. maza—massein, to squeeze together.]

Mass, mas, n. the celebration of the Lord's Supper or Eucharist in R.C. churches, also the office for the same: a musical setting of certain parts of the R.C. liturgy: a church festival or feast-day, as in Candlemas, Christmas, Martinmas, &c.—ns. Mass′-bell, or Sacring-bell, a bell rung during the celebration of mass, at the elevation of the host; Mass′-book, the R.C. missal or service-book; Mass′-priest, formerly a R.C. secular priest, as distinct from those living under a rule—later, a priest retained in chantries, &c., to say masses for the dead: a R.C. priest generally.—Mass for the dead, a funeral mass for the faithful in Christ, to hasten their release from purgatory; Conventual mass, a mass for the general community of a religious house: a mass at which special remembrance is made of pious founders and benefactors; Dry mass, or service, a rite in which there is neither consecration nor communion; High mass, a mass celebrated with music, ritual, ceremonies, and incense; Low mass, the ordinary mass celebrated without music and incense; Midnight mass, that mass which is said at midnight on Christmas-eve; Private mass, any mass where only the priest communicates, esp. in a private oratory; Solemn mass, a mass resembling a high mass, but without some of its special ceremonies; Votive mass, a special mass over and above those ordinarily said for the day, for some particular grace or purpose, and provided by some individual. [A.S. mæsse—Low L. missa—L. missus, mittĕre, to send away, from the phrase at the close of service, Ite, missa est (ecclesia), 'Go, the congregation is dismissed.']

Massa, mas′ä, n. a negro corruption of master.

Massacre, mas′a-kėr, n. indiscriminate slaughter, esp. with cruelty: carnage.—v.t. to kill with violence and cruelty: to slaughter. [Fr.; from the Teut., as in Low Ger. matsken, to cut; cf. Ger. metz-ger, a butcher.]

Massage, ma-säzh′, n. in medicine, a system of treatment in which the manipulation and exercise of parts (passive movement) are employed for the relief of morbid conditions—by stroking, pressing, tapping, kneading, friction with kneading, &c.—v.t. to subject to massage.—ns. Massa′gist, Masseur′:—fem. Masseuse′. [Fr., from Gr. massein, to knead.]

Masse, ma-sā′, n. in billiards, a sharp stroke made with the cue perpendicular or nearly so. [Fr.]

Masseter, mas-ē′tėr, n. a muscle which raises the under jaw, and thus closes the mouth. [Gr. masētēr—masasthai, to chew.]

Massicot, mas′i-kot, n. protoxide of lead or yellow oxide of lead. [Fr.]

Massif, ma-sēf, n. a central mountain-mass; an orographic fault-block. [Fr.]

Massorah, Masora, mas′ō-rä, n. the tradition by which Jewish scholars tried to preserve the text of the Old Testament—a collection of critical notes on the text of the Old Testament, first committed to writing in Tiberias between the 6th and 9th cent. A.D.—the Great Massorah was finally arranged about the 11th century; the Small Massorah is an extract therefrom.—ns. Mass′orete, Mass′orite.—adjs. Massoret′ic, Masoret′ic.—Massoretic points and accents, the vowel-points in Hebrew furnished by the Massorah. [Heb., 'tradition.']

Mast, mast, n. a long upright pole for bearing the yards, rigging, &c. in a ship.—v.t. to supply with a mast or masts.—adj. Mast′ed.—n. Mast′-head, the head or top of the mast of a ship.—v.t. to raise to the mast-head: to punish by sending a sailor to the mast-head for a certain time.—n. Mast′-house, the place in dockyards where masts are made.—adj. Mast′less, having no mast. [A.S. mæst, the stem of a tree; Ger. mast.]

Mast, mast, n. the fruit of the oak, beech, chestnut, and other forest trees, on which swine feed: nuts, acorns.—adjs. Mast′ful; Mast′less; Mast′y. [A.S. mæst; Ger. mast, whence mästen, to feed.]

Master, mas′tėr, n. one who commands: a lord or owner: a leader or ruler: a teacher: an employer: the commander of a merchant-ship: formerly the navigator or sailing-master of a ship-of-war: one eminently skilled in anything: the common title of address to a young gentleman, &c.: a title of dignity or office—a degree conferred by universities, as Master of Arts, &c., the title of the eldest son of a Scotch viscount or baron, the head of some corporations, as Balliol College, &c., of a lodge of freemasons, &c.: a husband.—adj. the chief, predominant: belonging to a master, chief, principal, as in Master-builder, &c.—v.t. to become master of: to overcome: to become skilful in: to execute with skill.—ns. Mas′ter-build′er, a chief builder, one who directs or employs others; Mas′terdom, power of control.—adj. Mas′terful, exercising the authority or power of a master: imperious: having the skill of a master.—adv. Mas′terfully, in a masterful or imperious manner.—ns. Mas′terfulness; Mas′ter-hand, the hand of a master: a person highly skilled; Mas′terhood; Mas′ter-joint, the most marked system of joints or divisional planes by which a rock is intersected; Mas′terkey, a key that opens many locks: a clue fitted to guide one out of many difficulties.—adj. Mas′terless, without a master or owner: ungoverned: unsubdued: beyond control.—n. Mas′terliness, quality of being masterly: masterly skill.—adj. Mas′terly, like a master: with the skill of a master: skilful: excellent: overbearing.—adv. with the skill of a master.—ns. Mas′ter-mar′iner, the captain of a merchant-vessel or fishing-vessel; Mas′ter-mā′son, a freemason who has attained the third degree; Mas′ter-mind; Mas′ter-pass′ion; Mas′terpiece, a piece of work worthy of a master: a work of superior skill: chief excellence; Mas′tership, the office of master: rule or dominion: superiority; Mas′terstroke, a stroke or performance worthy of a master: superior performance; Mas′ter-wheel, the wheel in a machine which imparts motion to other parts; Mas′ter-work, work worthy of a master: masterpiece; Mas′terwort, a perennial umbelliferous herb, native to northern Europe, its root reputed as a stomachic, sudorific, diuretic, &c.; Mas′tery, the power or authority of a master: dominion: victory: superiority: the attainment of superior power or skill.—Master of ceremonies, of the Rolls, &c. (see Ceremonies, Rolls, &c.); Master of the horse, the Roman Magister Equitum, an official appointed by the dictator to act next under himself: an equerry, esp. the exalted official bearing this name at the British court; Master of the Temple, the preacher of the Temple Church in London; Masters of the schools, at Oxford, the conductors of the first examination (Responsions) for the degree of B.A.—Masterly inactivity, the position or part of a neutral or a Fabian combatant, carried out with diplomatic skill, so as to preserve a predominant influence without risking anything.—Passed, or Past, master, one who has occupied the office of master, esp. among freemasons—hence any one known to possess ample knowledge of some subject; The little masters, a 16th-17th cent. group of followers of Dürer, notable for fine work on wood and copper; The old masters, a term applied collectively to the great painters about the time of the Renaissance, esp. the Italians.—Be master of one's self, to have one's passions or emotions under control. [O. Fr. maistre (Fr. maître)—L. magister, from root of magnus, great.]

Mastic, Mastich, mas′tik, n. a species of gum-resin from the lentisk-tree: a cement from mastic: the tree producing mastic. [Fr.,—L. mastiche—Gr. mastichē—mas-tizein, to chew.]

Masticate, mas′ti-kāt, v.t. to chew: to grind with the teeth.—adj. Mas′ticable, that may be chewed.—ns. Masticā′tion, act or process of chewing; Masticā′tor, a machine for cutting up meat for people unable to chew: a machine used in purifying india-rubber.—adj. Mas′ticatory, chewing: adapted for chewing.—n. a substance chewed to increase the saliva. [L. masticāre, -ātum—mastiche, mastic.]

Masticot. Same as Massicot.

Mastiff, mas′tif, n. a thick-set and powerful variety of dog much used as a watch-dog. [Skeat follows Scheler and Diez in explaining mastiff as 'house-dog,' from an assumed O. Fr. mastif, prob. a variant of O. Fr. mastin (Fr. mâtin)—Low L. masnata, a family—L. mansion-em, a house. Others explain as O. Fr. mestif (Fr. métif), of mixed breed, mongrel, or O. Fr. mestis (métis), mongrel, or even as the above O. Fr. mastin (Fr. mâtin), all, through Low L. forms, from L. mixtus, mistus, miscēre, to mix.]

Mastitis, mas-tī′tis, n. inflammation of the mammary gland.—n. Mastodyn′ia, pain in the breast.—adj. Mas′toid, like a nipple or teat: denoting a part or process of the temporal bone.—n. Mastol′ogy, mammology. [Gr. mastos, a nipple.]

Mastodon, mas′to-don, n. a genus of extinct elephants, so named from the mamillary cusps or teat-like prominences on the molar teeth. [Gr. mastos, the breast, odous, odontos, a tooth.]

Masturbation, mas-tur-bā′shun, n. self-defilement, onanism.—v.i. Mas′turbate, to commit self-abuse.—n. Mas′turbator, one guilty of this. [L. masturbāri.]

Mat, mat, n. a texture of sedge, rushes, straw, &c. for cleaning the feet on: a web of rope-yarn: an ornamental border for a picture: a piece of cloth, &c. put below dishes on a table: anything like a mat in appearance, thick and closely set: any interwoven structure used as a revetment on river-banks, &c.: a sack of matting used to cover tea and coffee chests, such a sack containing a certain quantity of coffee: the closely-worked portion of lace: any annular pad to protect the head in bearing burdens.—v.t. to cover with mats: to interweave: to entangle:—pr.p. mat′ting; pa.t. and pa.p. mat′ted. [A.S. meatta—L. matta, a mat.]

Mat, mat, adj. and n. having a dull or dead surface, without lustre: an instrument by means of which such is produced.—v.t. to produce such a surface on metal. [Ger. matt, dull.]

Matador, Matadore, mat-a-dōr′, n. the man who kills the bull in bull-fights: one of the three chief cards at ombre and quadrille. [Sp. matador—matar, to kill—L. mactāre, to kill, to honour by sacrifice—mactus, honoured.]

Matafunda, mat-a-fun′da, n. an old military engine which slung stones. [Low L., prob. Sp. matar, to kill, L. funda, a sling.]

Match, mach, n. a piece of inflammable material which easily takes or carries fire: a prepared rope for firing a gun, &c.: a lucifer.—ns. Match′-box, a box for holding matches; Match′lock, the lock of a musket containing a match for firing it: a musket so fired; Match′wood, wood cut down to a size suitable for making matches: wood broken into small pieces; Quick′-match, a match made of threads of cotton, and steeped in various inflammable substances so as to burn a yard in thirteen seconds; Safe′ty-match, a match which will only light when rubbed on a specially prepared surface; Slow′-match, a match made to burn at the rate of from four to five inches in an hour, for blasting, &c. [O. Fr. mesche (Fr. mèche)—Low L. myxus—Gr. myxa, the snuff or wick of a lamp.]

Match, mach, n. anything which agrees with or suits another thing: an equal: one able to cope with another: a contest or game: a pairing, a marriage: one to be gained in marriage.—v.i. to be of the same make, size, &c., to correspond: to form a union with.—v.t. to be equal to, to set a counterpart to anything: to be able to compete with: to find an equal to: to set against as equal: to suit: to give in marriage.—adj. Match′able.—ns. Match′board, a board with a tongue cut along one edge and a groove in the opposite edge, their joining being called a Match′-joint; Match′er.—adj. Match′less, having no match or equal: superior to all: peerless: unpaired.—adv. Match′lessly.—ns. Match′lessness; Match′-mak′er, one who makes matches: one who plans to bring about marriages. [A.S. gemæca, gemaca, a mate, a wife.]

Mate, māt, n. a companion: an equal: one of a pair, the male or female of animals that go in pairs: in a merchant-ship the first-mate is the second in command—in the navy the term is now confined to petty-officers, such as boatswain's mate, gunner's mate, &c.: an assistant, deputy.—v.t. to be equal to: to become a companion to: to marry.—adj. Mate′less, without a mate or companion. [A.S. ge-maca; Ice. maki, an equal, from the same root as make. Cf. match. Prob. mate in its naut. sense is Dutch—Old Dut. maet, mod. maat.]

Mate, māt, n. and v.t. in chess=Checkmate.

Mate, Maté, mä′tā, n. a South American species of holly, the leaves and green shoots of which, dried and roughly ground, furnish the yerba de mate of Paraguay and Brazil. [Sp. mate, orig. the vessel in which it was infused for drinking.]

Mate, māt, v.t. (Bacon) to weaken, to confound, to crush. [O. Fr. mater; cf. Sp. matar, to weaken.]

Matelasse, mat-las′ā, adj. and n. having a raised pattern on the surface as if quilted, of silks. [Fr. matelas, a mattress.]

Matelote, mat′e-lōt, n. fish stewed with wine-sauce, onions, &c. [Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

Mateology, mat-ē-ol′o-ji, n. a foolish inquiry. [Gr. mataios, vain, matē, folly, logia, discourse.]

Mater, mā′tėr, n. a mother: one of the two membranes of the brain, outer and inner, separated by the arachnoid—the dura mater, or dura, and pia mater, or pia.—Mā′ter dolorō′sa, the Virgin Mary represented as the sorrowing mother; Māterfamil′ias, the mother of a family. [L.,—Gr. mētēr.]

Material, ma-tē′ri-al, adj. consisting of matter: corporeal, not spiritual: substantial: essential: important, esp. of legal importance: (phil.) pertaining to matter and not to form, relating to the object as it exists.—n., esp. in pl., that out of which anything is to be made.—n. Materialisā′tion.—v.t. Matē′rialīse, to render material: to reduce to or regard as matter: to occupy with material interests.—ns. Matē′rialism, the doctrine that denies the independent existence of spirit, and maintains that there is but one substance—viz. matter—thus professing to find in matter (monistic or philosophical materialism), or in material entities (atomistic materialism), or in material qualities and forces (scientific or physical materialism), a complete explanation of all life and existence whatsoever; Matē′rialist, one who holds the doctrine of materialism: one absorbed in material interests, who takes a low view of life and its responsibilities.—adjs. Materialist′ic, -al, pertaining to materialism.—adv. Matē′rially.—ns. Matē′rialness, Material′ity.—Material being, existence in the form of matter; Material cause, that which gives being to the thing; Material distinction, a distinction between individuals of the same species; Material evidence, evidence tending to prove or to disprove the matter under judgment; Material fallacy, a fallacy in the matter or thought, rather than in the logical form; Material form, a form depending on matter; Material issue (see Issue).—Raw material, stuff as yet unworked into anything useful. [Fr.,—L. materialis—materia.]

Materia medica, ma-tē′ri-a med′i-ka, n. the various substances used in making up medicines: the science of the nature and use of substances used as medicines. [L. materia, material, medicus, medical.]

Matériel, ma-tā-re-el′, n. the totality of materials or instruments employed (as in an army), as distinguished from the personnel or men—applied esp. to military stores, arms, baggage, horses, &c. [Fr.]

Maternal, ma-tėr′nal, adj. belonging to a mother: motherly.—adv. Mater′nally.—n. Mater′nity, the state, character, or relation of a mother: motherhood: a lying-in hospital. [Fr. maternel (It. maternale)—L. maternus—mater, mother.]

Math, math, n. a mowing.

Mathematic, -al, math-e-mat′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to, or done by, mathematics: very accurate.—adv. Mathemat′ically.—ns. Mathematic′ian, one versed in mathematics; Mathemat′ics, the science of magnitude and number, and of all their relations—usually divided into Pure, and Mixed or Applied, the first including all deductions from the abstract, self-evident relations of magnitude and number—the second, the results arrived at by applying the principles so established to certain relations found by observation to exist among the phenomena of nature.—Higher mathematics, a term applied generally to all the scientifically treated branches of mathematics. [Fr. mathématique—L. mathematica—Gr. mathēmatikē (epistēmē, skill, knowledge), relating to learning—mathēma—manthanein, to learn.]

Mathesis, ma-thē′sis, n. mental discipline. [Gr.]

Matico, ma-tē′ko, n. a Peruvian shrub, used in medicine as a styptic and astringent.

Matin, mat′in, adj. morning: used in the morning.—n. in pl. the daily morning service of the Church of England: one of the seven canonical hours, usually sung between midnight and daybreak.—adj. Mat′inal.—n. Matinée (mat-i-nā′), a musical entertainment or reception held in the day-time, usually in the afternoon: a woman's dress for wear in the forenoon or before dinner. [Fr.,—L. matutinus, belonging to the morning—Matuta, goddess of morning, prob. akin to maturus, early.]

Matrass, mat′ras, n. a chemical vessel with a tapering neck, a cucurbit.

Matriarchy, mā′tri-är-ki, n. government by a mother or by mothers, esp. a primitive order of society existing in many Indian tribes, in which the mother takes precedence of the father in tracing line of descent and in inheritance: descent in the female line.—ns. Mā′triarch, a woman in whom matriarchy rests: a patriarch's wife.—adj. Matriar′chal.—ns. Matriar′chalism, the character of possessing matriarchal customs; Matriar′chate, the position of a matriarch. [Gr. mētēr, mother, archos, a ruler.]

Matrice, mā′tris, n. Same as Matrix.

Matricide, mat′ri-sīd, n. a murderer of one's own mother: the murder of one's own mother.—adj. Mat′ricidal [Fr.,—L. matricida, matricidium—mater, mother, cædĕre, to kill.]

Matriculate, ma-trik′ū-lāt, v.t. to admit to membership by entering one's name in a register, esp. in a college.—v.i. to become a member of a college, university, &c., by being enrolled.—n. one admitted to membership in a society.—n. Matriculā′tion, act of matriculating: state of being matriculated. [Late L. matricula, a register, dim. of matrix.]

Matrimony, mat′ri-mun-i, n. union of husband and wife, marriage: state of marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nial, relating to, derived from, marriage.—adj. Matrimō′nially. [O. Fr.,—L. matrimonium—mater.]

Matrix, mā′triks, or mat′riks, n. (anat.) the cavity in which an animal is formed before its birth, the womb: the cavity in which anything is formed, a mould: (mining) earthy or stony substances in which minerals are found embedded: (dyeing) the five simple colours (black, white, blue, red, and yellow) from which all the others are formed: (math.) a rectangular array of quantities, usually square—a multiple quantity having as many dimensions as it has spaces:—pl. Matrices (mā′tri-sez or mat′ri-sez). [L. matrix, -icis—mater, mother.]

Matron, mā′trun, n. an elderly married woman: an elderly lady of staid and sober habits: a head-nurse in a hospital, or a female superintendent in a school.—ns. Mā′tronage, Mā′tronhood, state of being a matron: a body of matrons.—adj. Mā′tronal, pertaining or suitable to a matron: motherly: grave.—v.t. Mā′tronise, to render matronly: to attend a lady to public places, as protector: to chaperon.—adjs. Mā′tron-like, Mā′tronly, like, becoming, or belonging to a matron: elderly: sedate.—n. Matronym′ic, a name derived from a mother or maternal ancestor—also adj. [Fr.,—L. matrona, a married lady—mater, mother.]

Matross, ma-tros′, n. formerly a soldier set to help the gunners in an artillery train. [Dut. matroos—Fr. matelot, a sailor.]

Matte, mat, n. a product of the smelting of sulphuretted ores.—Also Regulus and Coarse metal. [Fr.,—Ger.]

Matter, mat′ėr, n. that which occupies space, and with which we become acquainted by our bodily senses: that out of which anything is made: that which receiving a form becomes a substance: the subject or thing treated of: anything engaging the attention: that with which one has to do: cause of a thing: thing of consequence: something requiring remedy or explanation: any special allegation in law: importance: a measure, &c., of indefinite amount: (print.) material for work, type set up: mere dead substance, that which is thrown off by a living body, esp. pus, or the fluid in boils, tumours, and festering sores.—v.i. to be of importance: to signify: to form or discharge matter in a sore:—pr.p. matt′ering; pa.p. matt′ered.—adjs. Matt′erful, full of matter, pithy; Matt′erless; Matt′er-of-fact, adhering to the matter of fact: not fanciful: dry; Matt′ery, significant: purulent.—Matter of course, occurring in natural time and order, as a thing to be expected; Matter of fact, really happening and not fanciful or supposed: not wandering beyond realities. [O. Fr. matiere—L. materia, matter.]

Matting, mat′ing, n. a covering with mats: a texture like a mat, but larger: material for mats.

Mattins. Same as Matins, pl. of Matin.

Mattock, mat′uk, n. a kind of pickaxe for loosening the soil, having the iron ends broad instead of pointed. [A.S. mattuc—W. matog.]

Mattress, mat′res, n. a bed made of a bag stuffed with wool, horse-hair, &c.: a mass of brushwood, &c., used to form a foundation for roads, &c., or for the walls of embankments, &c.—Spring mattress, a mattress in which springs of twisted wire are used to support the stuffed part; Wire mattress, one whose elasticity is produced by a sheet of tightly-stretched wire. [O. Fr. materas (Fr. matelas)—Ar. matrah, a place where anything is thrown.]

Maturate, mat′ū-rāt, v.t. to make mature: (med.) to promote the suppuration of.—v.i. (med.) to suppurate perfectly.—ns. Mat′urant, a maturative; Maturā′tion, a bringing or a coming to maturity: the process of suppurating fully.—adj. Matū′rative, maturing or ripening: (med.) promoting suppuration.—n. a medicine promoting suppuration. [L. maturāre—maturus, ripe.]

Mature, ma-tūr′, adj. grown to its full size: perfected: ripe: (med.) come to suppuration: fully digested, as a plan.—v.t. to ripen: to bring to perfection: to prepare for use.—v.i. to become ripe: to become payable, as a bill.—adj. Matur′able, capable of being matured.—adv. Mature′ly.—ns. Mature′ness, state or quality of being ripe or ready for use; Matur′ity, ripeness: a state of completeness or readiness for use. [L. maturus, ripe.]

Maturescent, mat-ū-res′ent, adj. becoming ripe: approaching maturity. [L. maturescĕre, to become ripe—maturus.]

Matutinal, mat-ū-tī′nal, adj. pertaining to the morning: happening early in the day.—Also Mat′utine. [L. matutinalis, matutinus. See Matin.]

Maud, mawd, n. a Scotch shepherd's woollen plaid.

Maudlin, mawd′lin, adj. silly: sickly-sentimental: fuddled, half-drunk: (obs.) tearful.—n. Maud′linism, the tearful stage of drink. [Contr. from M. E. Maudelein, which comes through O. Fr. and L. from Gr. Magdalēnē, the orig. sense being 'tearful from penitence,' hence 'with eyes red and swollen with weeping,' like Mary Magdalene, erroneously identified with the penitent woman of Luke vii. 37.]

Maugre, maw′gėr, prep. in spite of.—n. (obs.) ill-will: spite. [O. Fr. malgré—L. male gratum—male, badly, gratum, agreeable.]

Maul, mawl, v.t. to beat with a mall or a heavy stick: to injure greatly by beating.—n. a heavy wooden hammer: a struggle for the ball in football, when it has been carried across the goal-line, but has not yet been touched down. [Mall.]

Maulstick. See Mahl-stick.

Maumet, Mammet. Same as Mawmet.

Maund, mawnd, n. (Shak.) a basket. [A.S. mand.]

Maund, mawnd, n. a measure of weight in India, its value varying in different places from about 25 to about 85 pounds avoirdupois. [Hind. mān.]

Maunder, mawn′dėr, v.i. to beg: to whine like a beggar, to grumble: to mutter, to talk foolishly, to drivel.—ns. Maun′derer; Maun′dering, drivelling talk. [O. Fr. mendier, to beg—L. mendicāre.]

Maundril, mawn′dril, n. a pick with two prongs.

Maundy, mawn′di, n. the religious ceremony of washing the feet of others, esp. of inferiors, in commemoration of Christ's washing His disciples' feet at the Last Supper—still practised in Austria by the emperor.—Maundy money, the money given away on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday in Passion week, by the royal almoner, usually a penny for each year of the sovereign's reign—the small silver coins specially coined since 1662. [O. Fr. mande (Fr. mandé)—L. mandātum, command, i.e. the 'new Commandment' of John, xiii. 34.]

Maurist, maw′rist, n. a member of the reformed Benedictine Congregation of St Maur, settled from 1618 at the abbey of St Maur-sur-Loire, near Saumur, notable for its great services to learning.

Mauser, mow′zėr, n. a German magazine rifle, invented by Wilhelm Mauser (1834-82).

Mausoleum, maw-so-lē′um, n. a magnificent tomb or monument.—adj. Mausolē′an, pertaining to a mausoleum: monumental. [L.,—Gr., Mausōleion, from Mausolus, king of Caria, to whom his widow, Artemisia, erected a splendid tomb about 350 B.C.]

Mauther, mä′thėr, n. an Eng. prov. form of mother.

Mauve, mawv, n. a beautiful purple dye extracted from coal-tar, so called from its likeness in colour to the flowers of the common mallow.—adj. of the colour of mauve. [Fr.,—L. malva, the mallow.]

Maverick, mav′ėr-ik, n. (U.S.) an animal found straying without an owner's brand, esp. a strayed calf: anything dishonestly obtained.—v.t. to seize without legal claim. [From Samuel Maverick, a Texas cattle-raiser.]

Mavis, mā′vis, n. the song-thrush. [Fr. mauvis; prob. from Bret. milfid, a mavis.]

Mavourneen, ma-vōōr′nēn, n. and interj. a term of endearment=my dear one. [Ir.]

Maw, maw, n. the stomach, esp. in the lower animals: the craw, in birds.—ns. Maw′-seed, poppy-seed, so called when used as food for cage birds; Maw′-worm, the thread-worm infesting the stomach. [A.S. maga; Ger. magen.]

Mawkin. Same as Malkin (q.v.).

Mawkish, mawk′ish, adj. loathsome, disgusting, as anything beginning to breed mawks or maggots.—n. Mawk, a maggot.—adv. Mawk′ishly.—n. Mawk′ishness. [Explained by Skeat as formed, with suffix -ish, from M. E. mawk, mauk, a contr. form of M. E. maðek, a maggot—Ice. maðkr, a maggot.]

Mawmet, maw′met, n. a puppet: an idol—Mohammed.

Max, maks, n. a kind of gin. [L. maximus, greatest.]

Maxillary, maks′il-ar-i, adj. pertaining to the jawbone or jaw.—n. a maxillary bone, or maxilla.—n. Maxill′a, a jawbone.—adjs. Maxillif′erous; Maxill′iform.—n. Maxill′ipede, in crustacea, one of those limbs serving both for mastication and locomotion. [L. maxilla, jawbone.]

Maxim, maks′im, n. a general principle, serving as a rule or guide: a pithy saying: a proverb.—adjs. Max′imal; Max′imed, reduced to a maxim.—ns. Max′imist, Max′im-mong′er. [Fr.,—L. maxima (sententia, an opinion), superl. of magnus, great.]

Maxim, maks′im, n. often put for Max′im-gun, an automatic machine-gun capable of firing as many as 620 rounds per minute, and of accurate shooting up to 3000 yards. [From Hiram Maxim, the inventor.]

Maximum, maks′i-mum, adj. the greatest.—n. the greatest number, quantity, or degree: the highest point reached: (math.) the value of a variable when it ceases to increase and begins to decrease:—pl. Max′ima:—opp. to Minimum.—adj. Max′imal, of the highest or maximum value.—adv. Max′imally.—v.t. Max′imise, to raise to the highest degree. [L., superl. of magnus, great.]

May, mā, v.i. to be able: to be allowed: to be free to act: to be possible: to be by chance: to be competent:—pa.t. might (mīt).—adv. May′be, perhaps, possibly.—n. a possibility.—adv. May′hap, perhaps. [A.S. mæg, pr.t. of mugan, to be able, pa.t. mihte; cog. with Goth. magan, Ger. mögen.]

May, mā, n. the fifth month of the year: the early or gay part of life.—v.i. to gather May (prov. Eng. the blossom of the hawthorn, which blooms in May):—pr.p. May′ing.—ns. May′-bee′tle, May′-bug, the cockchafer; May′-bloom, the hawthorn flower; May′day, the first day of May; May′-dew, the dew of May, esp. that of the morning of the first day of May, which is said to whiten linen, and to enable a face washed with it to keep its beauty; May′-duke, a variety of sour cherry; May′-flow′er, the hawthorn, which blooms in May; May′fly, a short-lived fly which appears in May; May′-game, sport such as is usual on 1st May, frolic generally; May′ing, the observance of Mayday sports and games; May′-lā′dy, the queen of the May; May′-lil′y, the lily of the valley, so called because it blooms in May; May′-morn (Shak.), freshness, like that of a morning in May, vigour; May′pole, a pole erected for dancing round on Mayday; May′-queen, a young woman crowned with flowers as queen on Mayday; May′time, May, the season of May. [O. Fr. Mai—L. Maius (mensis, a month), sacred to Maia, the mother of Mercury.]

May, mā, n. a maid. [A.S. mǽg, a kinswoman.]

Maya, mä′ya, n. an illusive appearance, esp. of a celestial maiden personifying the active will of the creator of the universe. [Hind.]

Mayhem, mā′hem, n. the offence of depriving a person by violence of any limb, member, or organ, or causing any mutilation of the body. [Maim.]

Mayonnaise, mā-on-āz′, n. a sauce composed of the yoke of eggs, salad-oil, and vinegar or lemon-juice, seasoned: any cold dish of which the foregoing is an ingredient, as lobster. [Fr.]

Mayor, mā′ur, n. the chief magistrate of a city or borough:—fem. May′oress.—adj. May′oral.—ns. May′oralty, May′orship, the office of a mayor. [Fr. maire—L. major, comp. of magnus, great.]

Mazard, Mazzard, maz′ard, n. (Shak.) a head or skull: a wild European cherry. [Prob. from mazer, from the likeness of the skull to a goblet.]

Mazarinade, maz-a-rin-ād′, n. a pamphlet or satire against the French minister, Cardinal Mazarin (1602-61).—n. Mazarine′, a rich blue colour: a blue gown.—Mazarin Bible, the first printed Bible, printed by Gutenberg and Fust about 1450, so called because Cardinal Mazarin possessed twenty-five copies.

Mazda, maz′da, n. or Ahura Mazdâh, the supreme deity and creator of the Zend-Avesta.—adj. Maz′dēan.—n. Maz′dēism, the religious system of the Zend-Avesta, the ancient sacred writings of the Parsees, Zoroastrianism. [Zend ahu=the living, life, or spirit, root ah=to be; Mazdâh, the great Creator, maz+dâ=Sans. mahâ+dhâ.]

Maze, māz, n. a place full of intricate windings: confusion of thought: perplexity.—v.t. to bewilder: to confuse.—adjs. Maze′ful (Spens.), Maz′y, full of mazes or windings: intricate.—adv. Maz′ily.—n. Maz′iness, state or quality of being mazy. [Scand., as in Ice. masa, to jabber.]

Mazer, maz′ėr, n. (Spens.) a kind of hard wood, probably maple: a cup or goblet made of maple, and usually highly ornamented. [Skeat explains as Ice. mösurr, a maple-tree, lit. 'spot-wood.']

Mazourka, Mazurka, ma-zōōr′ka, n. a lively Polish round dance for four or eight couples: the music such as is played to it.

Me, mē, personal pron. the objective case of I, including both the old English accusative and dative of the first personal pronoun. [A.S. mé.]

Meacock, mē′kok, adj. (Shak.) timorous, effeminate, cowardly. [Perh. dim. of meek.]

Mead, mēd, n. honey and water fermented and flavoured. [A.S. medu; Ger. meth, W. medd.]

Meadow, med′ō, n. a level tract producing grass to be mown down: a rich pasture-ground—(poet.) Mead.—ns. Mead′ow-fox′tail (see Foxtail); Mead′ow-grass, the larger and more useful kinds of grass, grown in meadows for hay and pasture; Mead′ow-hay, a coarse grass or sedge growing in moist places, used as fodder or bedding; Mead′ow-lark, the American field-lark; Mead′ow-saff′ron, the colchicum—also Autumn-crocus, or Naked lady; Mead′ow-sweet, Mead′ow-wort, an ornamental shrub or plant with white flowers, called also Queen of the meadow.—adj. Mead′owy. [A.S. mǽd—máwan, to mow; Ger. mahd, a mowing, Swiss matt, a meadow, as in Zermatt, &c.]

Meagre, mē′gėr, adj. having little flesh: lean: poor: without richness or fertility: barren: scanty: without strength.—adv. Mea′grely.—n. Mea′greness, state or quality of being meagre. [Fr. maigre—L. macer, lean; cf. Ger. mager.]

Meal, mēl, n. the food taken at one time: the act or the time of taking food: a breakfast, dinner, or supper.—ns. Meal′er, one who takes his meals at a boarding-house, lodging elsewhere; Meal′-time, the time for meals.—Square meal, a full meal. [A.S. mǽl, time, portion of time; Dut. maal, Ger. mahl.]

Meal, mēl, n. grain ground to powder.—v.i. to yield or be plentiful in meal.—ns. Meal′-ark (Scot.), a large chest for holding meal; Meal′iness; Meal′-man, or Meal′-mong′er, one who deals in meal; Meal′-pock, or -poke, a beggar's meal-bag; Meal′worm, the larva of an insect abounding in granaries and flour-stores.—adj. Meal′y, resembling meal: covered with meal or with something like meal: whitish.—n. Meal′y-bug, a small species of cochineal insect covered with a while powdery substance resembling meal or flour.—adj. Meal′y-mouthed, smooth-tongued.—n. Meal′y-mouthedness. [A.S. melu, melo; Ger. mehl, Dut. meel, meal.]

Mealie, mēl′i, n. an ear of maize or Indian corn, esp. in pl., maize.

Mean, mēn, adj. low in rank or birth: base: sordid: low in worth or estimation: of little value or importance: poor, humble: despicable.—adj. Mean′-born, of humble origin.—adv. Mean′ly.—n. Mean′ness, state or quality of being mean: want of nobility or excellence: a low action.—adj. Mean′-spir′ited, having a mean spirit, base.—n. Mean′-spir′itedness. [A.S. mǽne, wicked, from mán, wickedness; perh. conn. with A.S. gemǽne, Ger. gemein, common.]

Mean, mēn, adj. middle: coming between two others in size, degree, quantity, time, &c.: average: moderate.—n. the middle point, quantity, value, or degree: (math.) a term interpolated between two terms of a series, and consequently intermediate in magnitude: (mus.) a middle voice or voice-part, as the tenor or alto, the second or third string in a viol: instrument or medium: (pl.) that by which anything is caused or brought to pass: income: estate: instrument.—n. Mean′-time, the interval between two given times.—advs. Mean′time, Mean′while, in the intervening time.—Means of grace, divine ordinances, by which divine grace reaches the hearts of men—word and sacraments.—Arithmetical mean, the average obtained by adding several quantities together and dividing the sum by their number; Harmonic mean, the reciprocal of the arithmetical mean of the reciprocals of the quantities concerned; Geometric mean, the mean obtained by multiplying two quantities together and extracting the square root of the product; Golden mean, the middle course between two extremes: a wise moderation; Quadratic mean, the square root of the arithmetical mean of the squares of the given quantities.—By all means, certainly; By any means, in any way; By no means, certainly not.—In the mean (Spens.), in the meantime. [O. Fr. meien (Fr. moyen)—L. medianus, enlarged form of medius.]

Mean, mēn, v.t. to have in the mind or thoughts: to intend, to purpose: to signify.—v.i. to have in the mind: to have meaning or disposition:—pr.p. mean′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. meant (ment).—n. Mean′ing, that which is in the mind or thoughts: signification: the sense intended: purpose.—adj. significant.—adj. Mean′ingless, without meaning.—adv. Mean′ingly. [A.S. mǽnan; Ger. meinen, to think.]

Mean, mēn, v.i. (Shak.) to lament, to moan.

Meander, mē-an′dėr, n. a winding course: a maze: an intricate variety of fretwork: perplexity.—v.i. to flow, run, or proceed in a winding course: to be intricate.—v.t. to wind or flow round.—adjs. Mean′dered, formed into mazy passages or patterns; Mean′dering, winding in a course; Mean′drian, Mean′drous, winding.—n. a winding course. [L.,—Gr. Maiandros, a winding river in Asia Minor.]

Meant, pa.t. and pa.p. of mean (v.t.).

Mear, mēr, n. (Spens.) a boundary. [See Mere.]

Mease, mēs, or mēz, n. a tale of 500 herrings.

Measles, mē′zlz, n.sing. a contagious fever accompanied with eruptions of small red spots upon the skin: a disease of swine and cattle, caused by larval tapeworms: a disease of trees, the leaves being covered with spots.—adjs. Mea′sled, Mea′sly, infected with measles: good for nothing, miserable.—n. Meas′liness.—German measles, a name somewhat loosely used of a disease, resembling measles, but mostly less prolonged and severe. [Dut. maselen, measles, from Old Dut. masche, a spot, cog. with Old High Ger. māsā, a spot; Ger. masern, measles.]

Measure, mezh′ūr, n. that by which extent is ascertained or expressed: the size of anything: a rule or standard by which anything is adjusted (Apothecaries', Cubic, Decimal, Dry, Liquid, &c.): (politics) a proposal or plan by which some end can be brought about: proportion: a stated quantity: degree: extent: moderation: means to an end: metre: (mus.) that division of time, containing a specified number of beats, by which the air and motion of music are regulated: rate of movement, time, rhythm, metre, arrangement of syllables in poetry: a slow and stately dance, as the minuet: (print.) the width of a page or column, usually in ems: (pl., geol.) a series of beds or strata.—v.t. to ascertain the dimensions of: to adjust by a rule or standard: to mark out: to allot: to show a certain measurement.—v.i. to be of a certain size: to be equal or uniform.—adj. Meas′urable, that may be measured or computed: moderate: in small quantity or extent.—n. Meas′urableness, the quality of being measurable.—adv. Meas′urably.—adjs. Meas′ured, of a certain measure: equal: uniform: steady: restricted; Meas′ureless, boundless: immense.—ns. Meas′urement, the act of measuring: quantity found by measuring—(Measurement goods, light goods carried for charges according to bulk, not weight); Meas′urer, one who, or that which, measures.—adj. Meas′uring, that measures, or fitted for measuring.—Measure one's length, to fall or be thrown down at full length; Measure strength, to engage in a contest; Measure swords, to fight with swords: to try one's skill against.—Above, or Beyond, measure, to an exceedingly great degree; In a measure, to some degree.—Take measures, to adopt means (to gain an end); Take one's measure, to find out what one is, and what he can or cannot do; Tread a measure, to dance; Use hard measures, to apply harsh treatment to; Within measure, moderately; Without measure, immoderately. [O. Fr. mesure—L. mensura, a measure—metīri, to measure.]

Meat, mēt, n. anything eaten as food, the edible part of anything: act of taking meat: (obs.) meal, flour: the flesh of animals used as food—sometimes beef, mutton, pork, veal, &c., as opposed to poultry, fish, &c.—ns. Meat′-bis′cuit, a preparation of meat, made with meal into a biscuit; Meat′iness, quality of being meaty; Meat′-off′ering, a Jewish sacrificial offering of fine flour or first-fruits with oil and frankincense; Meat′-pie, a pie mainly made up of meat; Meat′-safe, a receptacle for storing meat, walled with perforated zinc or gauze; Meat′-sales′man, one who sells meat, esp. to the retail butchers; Meat′-tea, a high tea, at which meat is served; Meat′-tub, a pickling-tub.—adj. Meat′y, full of meat: fleshy: pithy.—Hang meat, to hang up meat before cooking; Sit at meat, to sit at table. [A.S. mete; Dut. met.]

Meath, Meathe, mēth, n. a form of mead, liquor.

Meatus, mē-ā′tus, n. a passage or canal, as the urethral meatus.—adj. Meā′tal.—n. Meat′oscope, an instrument for examining the urethral or other meatus. [L. meātus—meāre, to go.]

Meazel, mē′zl, n. (Shak.) a leper. [Measles.]

Mechanic, -al, me-kan′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to machines or mechanics: constructed according to the laws of mechanics: possessing mechanical talent: acting by physical power: done by a machine: pertaining to artisans: done simply by force of habit, slavish, artificial: vulgar.—n. Mechan′ic, one engaged in a mechanical trade: an artisan—(Shak.) Mechan′ical.—adv. Mechan′ically.—ns. Mechanic′ian, Mech′anist, a machine-maker: one skilled in mechanics; Mechan′ics, the science which treats of machines: the science which treats of the nature of forces and of their action on bodies, either directly or by the agency of machinery.—v.t. Mech′anise, to make mechanical: to work out the details of a machine.—ns. Mech′anism, the construction of a machine: the arrangement and action of its parts, by which it produces a given result; Mech′anograph, a copy, esp. of a work of art produced by a mechanical process on a machine.—adj. Mech′anographic.—ns. Mechanog′raphist; Mechanog′raphy, the art of multiplying copies of a writing or work of art by means of a machine; Mechanol′ogy, a treatise on mechanics: the knowledge of such.—Mechanical effect, work produced by the use of mechanical power; Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to solve questions or phenomena involving force; Mechanical powers, the elementary forms or parts of machines—three primary, the lever, inclined plane, and pulley; and three secondary, the wheel-and-axle, the wedge, and the screw.—Mechanics' institute, an institution for mechanics, with lectures, library, museum, &c. [O. Fr.,—L. mechanicus; Gr. mēchanikos—mēchane, a contrivance.]

Mechlin, meh′lin, adj. and n. produced at Mechlin or Malines: lace made at Mechlin.

Meconic, me-kon′ik, adj. denoting an acid obtained from poppies.—ns. Mec′onate, a salt of meconic acid; Mec′onine, a white, fusible, neutral substance existing in opium; Mecō′nium, the first fæces of a new-born child: opium. [Gr. mēkōn, the poppy.]

Medal, med′al, n. a piece of metal in the form of a coin bearing some device or inscription, struck or cast: a reward of merit.—v.t. to decorate with a medal.—n. Med′alet, a small medal, esp. the representation of saints, worn by Roman Catholics.—adj. Medall′ic, pertaining to medals.—ns. Medall′ion, a large medal: a bas-relief of a round (sometimes a square) form: a round ornament enclosing a portrait or lock of hair; Med′allist, Med′alist, one skilled in medals: an engraver of medals: one who has gained a medal; Med′allurgy, the art of producing medals and coins. [O. Fr. medaille—It. medaglia; through a Low L. form medalla or medalia, a small coin, from L. metallum, a metal.]

Meddle, med′l, v.i. to interfere unnecessarily (with or in): to take part in a matter with which one has nothing to do: to have to do (with).—n. Medd′ler, one who interferes with matters in which he has no concern.—adj. Medd′lesome, given to meddling.—n. Medd′lesomeness.—adj. Medd′ling, interfering in the concerns of others: officious—also n. [O. Fr. medler, a corr. of mesler (Fr. mêler)—Low L. misculare—L. miscēre, to mix.]

Media. See Medium.

Mediæval, Mediævalist. See Medieval.

Medial, mē′di-al, adj. lying between two extremes, median: of or pertaining to a mean or average.—n. one of the sonant-mute group, g, d, b, intermediate between the surd or smooth group (c, t, p) and the rough or aspirate group (gh, dh, bh, kh, th, ph). [Low L. medialis—L. medius, middle.]

Median, mē′di-an, adj. being in the middle, running through the middle: situated in the median plane, that dividing the body longitudinally into symmetrical halves.—adv. Med′ianly.—n. Med′iant (mus.), the third tone of a diatonic scale. [L. medianus—medius, middle.]

Median, mē′di-an, adj. pertaining to Media or the Medes, an ancient Aryan race which became fused with the Persians under the victorious Cyrus about 550 B.C.—n. Mede, a member of this race.

Mediastinum, mē-di-as-tī′num, n. a membranous septum or cavity between two principal portions of an organ, esp. the folds of the pleura and the space between the right and left lungs.—adj. Mediastī′nal. [L., medius.]

Mediate, mē′di-āt, adj. middle: between two extremes: acting by or as a means: not direct and independent: dependent on some intervening thing.—v.i. to interpose between parties as a friend of each: to intercede: to hold a mediate position: to act as a spiritualistic medium.—v.t. to bring about by mediation: to effect a relation between two things.—n. Mē′diacy.—adv. Mē′diately.—ns. Mē′diateness, state of being mediate; Mediā′tion, the act of mediating or coming between: entreaty for another; Mediatisā′tion.—v.t. Mē′diatīse, to cause to act in a subordinate position or through an agent: to annex, or to subordinate, as a smaller state to a larger neighbouring one.—adj. Mē′diative.—n. Mē′diator, one who mediates between parties at strife:—fem. Mediat′ress, Mē′diatrix.—adj. Mediatō′rial, belonging to a mediator or intercessor.—adv. Mediatō′rially.—n. Mediat′orship, the office of a mediator.—adj. Mē′diatory. [Low L. mediāre, -ātum—L. medius.]

Medic, med′ik, n. one of several plants of the genus Medicago, esp. the purple medic or lucerne—leguminous plants, with leaves like those of clover.—Also Med′ick. [L. medica—Gr. mēdikē (poa), 'median' (grass).]

Medical, med′i-kal, adj. relating to the art of healing diseases: containing that which heals: intended to promote the study of medicine.—adv. Med′ically.—Medical jurisprudence (see Jurisprudence). [Fr.,—Low L. medicalis—L. medicus, pertaining to healing, a physician—medēri, to heal.]

Medicate, med′i-kāt, v.t. to treat with medicine: to impregnate with anything medicinal.—adj. Med′icable, that may be healed.—n. Med′icament, anything used for healing: a medicine: healing power.—adj. Medicamen′tal.—n. Med′icaster, an ignorant physician.—adj. Med′icated, mixed with medicine: made medicinal: treated with medicine.—n. Medicā′tion, the act or process of medicating or of mixing with medicinal substances: the use of medicine.—adj. Med′icative, having the power of healing: tending to heal.—n. Medicā′tor, any medical appliance. [L. medicāre, to heal—medicus.]

Medicean, med-i-sē′an, adj. relating to the Medici, a distinguished Florentine family which attained to sovereign power in the 15th century, and became extinct in 1737.

Medicine, med′i-sin, or med′sin, n. anything applied for the cure or lessening of disease or pain, whether simple or compound (made up of more than one ingredient): the science which treats of the prevention or cure of disease: a charm.—v.t. to treat or cure by medicine.—adj. Medic′inal, relating to medicine: fitted to cure or to lessen disease or pain.—adv. Medic′inally.—ns. Med′icine-bag, a Red Indian's receptacle for charms; Med′icine-chest, a chest for keeping medicines in a ship, &c.; Med′icine-man, among savages, a witch-doctor or exorciser.—adjs. Med′ico-chirur′gical, relating to both medicine and surgery; Med′ico-lē′gal, relating to the application of medicine to questions of law. [Fr.,—L. medicina—medicus.]

Medieval, Mediæval, mē-di-ē′val, adj. relating to the Middle Ages.—ns. Mediē′valism, the spirit of the Middle Ages, devotion to medieval ideals; Mediē′valist, Mediæ′valist, one versed in the history of the Middle Ages.—Medieval architecture, Medieval art, the style of architecture and art used in public buildings in Europe from the 4th to the 16th century. [L. medius, middle, ævum, age.]

Medio-, Medi-, middle, in compounds like mediocarpal, mediodorsal, mediotarsal, medioventral. [L. medius, middle.]

Mediocre, mē′di-ō-kėr, adj. of middling extent or quality: moderate.—n. Medioc′rity, a middle state or condition: a moderate degree: a person of little power or importance. [Fr.,—L. mediocris—medius, middle.]

Medism, mēd′izm, n. the adoption of Persian interests—to a Greek, a treachery to his country.

Meditate, med′i-tāt, v.i. to consider thoughtfully: to purpose (with on, upon).—v.t. to think on: to revolve in the mind: to intend.—adj. Med′itated, thought of: planned.—n. Meditā′tion, the act of meditating: deep thought: serious contemplation: the direction of the thoughts of others, in a discourse, &c.: a literary or musical theme treated in a meditative manner.—adj. Med′itative, given to meditation: expressing design.—adv. Med′itatively.—n. Med′itativeness. [L. meditāri, prob. cog. with L. medēri, to heal.]

Mediterranean, med-i-tėr-rā′ne-an, adj. situated in the middle of earth or land: inland—also Mediterrā′neous.—Mediterranean Sea, so called from being, as it were, in the middle of the land of the Old World. [L., medius, middle, terra, earth.]

Medium, mē′di-um, n. the middle: the middle place or degree: any intervening means, instrument, or agency: the substance in which bodies exist, or through which they move: in spiritualism, the person through whom spirits are said to make themselves seen or heard:—pl. Mē′diums, or Mē′dia.—adjs. Mē′dium, mediocre; Mediumis′tic, of or pertaining to spiritualistic mediums.—Circulating medium, money passing from hand to hand, as coin, bank-notes, &c. [L.]

Medius, mē′di-us, n. the middle finger of the hand.

Medjidie, me-jid′i-e, n. a Turkish order of knighthood instituted in 1852, having five classes. [Turk. mejīd, glorious.]

Medlar, med′lar, n. a small tree of the rose family, or its fruit. [O. Fr. meslier, a medlar-tree—L. mespilum—Gr. mespilon.]

Medley, med′li, n. a mingled and confused mass: a miscellany: a song or piece of music made up of bits from various sources continuously: a cloth woven from yarn of different colours: (obs.) a mêlée, fight. [O. Fr. medler, mesler, to mix.]

Médoc, me-dok′, n. a French wine produced in the district of Médoc, department of Gironde.

Medorrhea, mē-dor-ē′a, n. mucous discharge from the genitals. [Gr. mēdos, bladder, rhoia, a flowing.]

Medulla, me-dul′a, n. the inner portion of an organ or part, as the pith of a hair, spinal cord, or its continuation within the cranium, (medulla oblongata): the pith of a plant, the thallus in lichens, &c.—adjs. Medull′ar, -y, consisting of, or resembling, marrow or pith; Med′ullated, provided with a medullary sheath.—n. Medull′in, the cellulose in the medulla of plants like the lilac.—adj. Med′ullose, like pith.—Medullary rays, the bands of cells in various trees extending across the wood from the pith to the bark; Medullary sheath (bot.), a thin layer surrounding the pith. [L. medulla, marrow.]

Medusa, me-dū′sa, n. one of the three Gorgons, whose head, cut off by Perseus, and placed in the ægis of Minerva, had the power of turning those who looked on it into stone: the name given to the common kinds of jelly-fishes, prob. from the likeness of their tentacles to the snakes on Medusa's head:—pl. Medū′sæ, a division of hydrozoans.—adjs. Medū′siform, Medū′soid—also ns. [Gr., 'ruler,' fem.]

Meed, mēd, n. wages: reward: what is bestowed for merit. [A.S. méd, meord; Ger. miethe.]

Meek, mēk, adj. mild and gentle of temper: submissive.—adv. Meek′ly.—n. Meek′ness, state or quality of being meek. [Ice. mjúkr; Dut. muik.]

Meer, mēr, n. a form of mere.

Meerschaum, mēr′shawm, n. a fine light whitish clay making excellent tobacco-pipes—once supposed to be a petrified sea-scum: a pipe made of this material. [Ger. meer, sea, schaum, foam.]

Meet, mēt, adj. fitting: qualified.—adv. Meet′ly.—n. Meet′ness. [A.S. ge-met—metan, to measure.]

Meet, mēt, v.t. to come face to face: to encounter in conflict: to find or experience; to refute: be suitable to: satisfy, as by payment: to receive as a welcome.—v.i. to come together from different points: to assemble: to have an encounter: to balance or come out correct:—pa.t. and pa.p. met.—n. a meeting, as of huntsmen.—ns. Meet′ing, a coming face to face for friendly or hostile ends: an interview: an assembly: a crossing of two roads: a junction of two rivers; Meet′ing-house, a house or building where people, esp. Dissenters, meet for public worship; Race′-meet′ing, a stated occasion for horse-racing.—Meet half-way, to make mutual concessions; Meet the ear, or eye, to be told, or shown, anything distinctly: to be readily apparent; Meet with, to come to or upon, esp. unexpectedly: (Bacon) to obviate (as an objection).—Well met, an old complimentary greeting. [A.S. métan, to meet—mót, ge-mót, a meeting.]

Megacephalous, meg-a-sef′a-lus, adj. large-headed.

Megafarad, meg′a-far-ad, n. in electrometry, a unit equal to a million farads.

Megalichthys, meg-a-lik′this, n. a genus of extinct ganoid fishes. [Gr. megas, megalē, great, ichthys, a fish.]

Megalith, meg′a-lith, n. a huge stone.—adj. Megalith′ic. [Gr. megas, great, lithos, a stone.]

Megalomania, meg-a-lō-mā′ni-a, n. the delusion that one is great or powerful. [Gr. megas, great, mania.]

Megalosaurus, meg-a-lō-saw′rus, n. a gigantic extinct reptile of carnivorous habits.—adj. Megalosau′rian. [Gr. megas, megalē, great, sauros, a lizard.]

Megaphone, meg′a-fōn, n. an appliance for making words audible—a form of speaking-trumpet.

Megapodidæ, meg-a-pod′i-dē, n. mound-birds (q.v.).

Megascope, meg′a-skōp, n. a form of solar microscope for throwing enlarged images on a screen: (phot.) an enlarging camera.

Megatherium, meg-a-thē′ri-um, n. a gigantic extinct quadruped of the order Edentata, found in the pampas of South America. [Gr. megas, great, thērion, wild beast.]

Megilp, me-gilp′. See Magilp.

Megohm, meg′ōm, n. a unit of electrical resistance, equal to one million ohms. [Gr. megas, great, and ohm.]

Megrim, mē′grim, n. a pain affecting only one half of the head or face: lowness of spirits: a sudden sickness of a horse at work. [Fr. migraine—Gr. hēmicrania—hēmi, half, kranion, skull.]

Meiny, mē′ni, n. (Shak.) a retinue or company of servants attending upon a person of high rank. [O. Fr. mesnie, a company, through Low L. forms, from L. mansio, a dwelling.]

Meiocene. Same as Miocene.

Meiosis, mī-ō′sis, n. (rhet.) a figure of speech representing a thing as less than it is. [Gr.]

Meistersinger, mīs′tėr-sing′ėr, n. one of the burgher poets and musicians of Germany in the 14th-16th centuries, the successors of the Minnesingers. [Ger.]

Melampode, mel-am′pōd, n. (Spens.) the black hellebore. [Gr.]

Melanæmia, mel-a-nē′mi-a, n. a morbid condition of the blood in which the vessels contain an unusual quantity of dark colouring matter.

Melancholy, mel′an-kol-i, n. continued depression of spirits: dejection: a gloomy state of mind causing groundless fears: (Milt.) pensiveness.—adj. gloomy: producing grief.—n. Melanchō′lia, a form of insanity, in which there is continued depression or pain of mind.—adjs. Melanchol′ic, Melanchō′lious, affected with, or caused by, melancholy: dejected: mournful. [Through Fr.,—L.,—Gr. melancholia—melan, black, cholē, bile.]

Melange, mā-longzh′, n. a mixture: a medley. [Fr.]

Melanic, me-lan′ik, adj. black.—n. Mel′anism, an undue development of colouring matter in the skin and its appendages.—adj. Melanis′tic.—n. Mel′anite, a deep-black variety of garnet.—adjs. Melanochrō′ic, Melanoch′rōous, dark-coloured; Mel′anoid, dark-looking.—n. Melanō′sis, an abnormal deposition of pigmentary matter in such organs as the spleen, liver, &c.: the condition of the system associated with such, black degeneration.—adjs. Melanot′ic; Mel′anous, dark-complexioned.—n. Melanū′ria, the presence of a dark pigment in the urine.—adj. Melanū′ric.—ns. Mel′aphyre, a pre-Tertiary basalt, usually altered; Melas′ma, a skin disease showing dark discolouration in spots.

Mêlée, mā-lā′, n. a fight in which the combatants are mingled together: a confused conflict: an affray. [Fr.,—mêler, to mix.]

Melibean, Melibœan, mel-i-bē′an, adj. in poetry, alternately responsive—from the name of a shepherd in Virgil's first eclogue.

Melic, mel′ik, adj. pertaining to song.

Melilot, mel′i-lot, n. a genus of clover-like plants with white or yellow flowers and a peculiar sweet odour. [Gr. melilōtos—meli, honey, lōtos, lotus.]

Melinite, mā′lin-īt, n. an explosive of great force obtained from picric acid. [Fr.]

Meliorate, mē′lyo-rāt, v.t. to make better.—v.i. to grow better.—ns. Meliorā′tion, the act of making or becoming better; Meliorā′tor, an improver; Mē′liorism, the doctrine that the world is capable of improvement, as opposed to Optimism and Pessimism; Mē′liorist, one who holds this doctrine; Melior′ity, the state of being better: betterness. [L. meliorāre, -ātum, to make better.]

Meliphagous, mel-if′a-gus, adj. feeding upon honey. [Gr. meli, honey, phagein, to eat.]

Mell, mel, v.i. (Spens.) to mingle: to be concerned with: to meddle. [Meddle.]

Mellay, mel′ā, n. another form of mêlée.

Melliferous, mel-if′ėr-us, adj. honey-producing.—adj. Mellif′ic, honey-making.—ns. Mellificā′tion, the production of honey; Mellif′luence, a flow of sweetness: a smooth sweet flow.—adjs. Mellif′luent, Mellif′luous, flowing with honey or sweetness: smooth.—advs. Mellif′luently, Mellif′luously.—adj. Mellig′enous, producing honey.—n. Mell′ite, honey stone.—adjs. Mellit′ic; Melliv′orous, eating honey. [L. mellifer—mel, honey, ferre, to bear.]

Mellow, mel′ō, adj. soft and ripe: well matured: soft to the touch, palate, ear, &c.: genial: half-tipsy.—v.t. to soften by ripeness or age: to mature.—v.i. to become soft: to be matured.—adv. Mell′owly.—n. Mell′owness, softness: maturity.—adj. Mell′owy, soft: friable. [A.S. mearu, soft; Dut. murw, mollig, L. mollis, Gr. malakos.]

Melocoton, mel′ō-kot-on, n. (Bacon) a quince: a large kind of peach.—Also Mel′ocotoon. [Late L. melum cotoneum (a corr. of Cydonium), a quince, lit. apple of Cydonia, in Crete.]

Melodrama, mel-o-dram′a, n. a kind of romantic and sensational drama, formerly largely intermixed with songs—also Mel′odrame.—adj. Melodramat′ic, of the nature of melodrama: overstrained: sensational.—n. Melodram′atist, a writer of melodramas. [Gr. melos, a song, drama, a play.]

Melody, mel′o-di, n. an air or tune: music: an agreeable succession of single musical sounds, as distinguished from harmony or the concord of a succession of simultaneous sounds.—n. Melō′deon, a small reed organ: an improved variety of the accordeon.—adj. Melod′ic—n.pl. Melod′ics, the branch of music concerned with melody.—adj. Melō′dious, full of melody: agreeable to the ear.—adv. Melō′diously.—n. Melō′diousness.—v.t. Mel′odise, to make melodious: to reduce to the form of a melody.—v.i. to compose or sing melodies.—n. Mel′odist. [Fr.,—Late L.—Gr. melōdia—melos, a song, ōdē, a lay.]

Melon, mel′un, n. a kind of cucumber and its fruit, which in shape resembles an apple. [Fr.,—L. melo, -onis—Gr. mēlon, an apple.]

Melpomene, mel-pom′e-ne, n. the Muse of tragedy. [Gr. melpomĕnē, songstress.]

Melrose, mel′rōz, n. honey of roses.

Melt, melt, v.t. to make liquid, to dissolve: to soften: to waste away.—v.i. to become liquid: to dissolve: to become tender or mild: to lose distinct form: to be discouraged:—pa.p. melted, or molten.—n. Melt′ing, the act of making liquid or of dissolving: the act of softening or rendering tender.—adv. Melt′ingly.—n. Melt′ing-pot, a crucible. [A.S. meltan; Ice. melta, Gr. meldein.]

Melton, mel′ton, n. a strong cloth for men's wear, the surface without nap, neither pressed nor finished.

Member, mem′bėr, n. an integral part of a whole, esp. a limb of an animal: a clause: one of a society: a representative in a legislative body.—adj. Mem′bered, having limbs.—n. Mem′bership, the state of being a member or one of a society: the members of a body regarded as a whole.—adj. Mem′bral, pertaining to the limbs rather than the trunk. Member of Parliament, a member of the House of Commons, M.P. [Fr. membre—L. membrum.]

Membrane, mem′brān, n. (anat.) one of the thin textures which cover the organs or line the cavities or canals of the body: the film containing the seeds of a plant.—adjs. Membran′eous, Mem′branous, Membranā′ceous, relating to, consisting of, or like a membrane; Membranif′erous; Mem′braniform.—Mucous membrane, the membrane lining the various channels of the body which communicate with the outside. [Fr.,—L. membrana—membrum.]

Memento, me-men′tō, n. something to awaken memory: a reminder of what is past or of what is yet to come:—pl. Memen′tos.—Memento mori, remember death: an ornament by its form reminding one of death. [L., imper. of meminisse, to remember.]

Memnon, mem′non, n. a hero who fought for Troy against the Greeks: a statue at Thebes in Egypt which gave out a musical sound at sunrise. [Gr.]

Memoir, mem′wor, or me-moir′, n. a sketch or description of something as remembered by the writer: a short biographical sketch of some one now dead: a record of facts personally found out on any subject: the transactions of a society.—ns. Mem′oirism, the act or art of writing memoirs; Mem′oirist, a writer of memoirs. [Fr. mémoire—L. memoria, memory—memor, mindful.]

Memory, mem′o-ri, n. the power of retaining and reproducing mental or sensory impressions: a having or keeping in the mind: time within which past things can be remembered: that which is remembered: commemoration: remembrance.—n.pl. Memorabil′ia, things worth remembering: noteworthy points.—adj. Mem′orable, deserving to be remembered: remarkable.—adv. Mem′orably.—n. Memoran′dum, something to be remembered: a note to assist the memory: (law) a brief note of some transaction: (diplomacy) a summary of the state of a question:—pl. Memoran′dums, Memoran′da.—adjs. Mem′orātive, pertaining to memory: aiding the memory; Memō′rial, bringing to memory: contained in memory.—n. that which serves to keep in remembrance: a monument: a note to help the memory: a written statement forming the ground of a petition, laid before a legislative or other body: (B.) memory.—v.t. Memō′rialise, to present a memorial to: to petition by a memorial.—n. Memō′rialist, one who writes, signs, or presents a memorial.—v.t. Mem′orise, to commit to memory: (Shak.) to cause to be remembered.—adv. Memor′iter, from memory: by heart.

Memphian, mem′fi-an, adj. relating to Memphis, an ancient capital of Egypt.—Also Mem′phite, Memphit′ic.

Men, plural of man.

Menace, men′ās, v.t. to threaten.—v.i. to act in a threatening manner.—n. a threat or threatening: a show of an intention to do harm.—adj. Men′acing, overhanging: threatening.—adv. Men′acingly. [Fr.,—L. minaciæ, threats—minæ, the overhanging points of a wall.]

Menage, obsolete form of manage.

Menage, me-nazh′, n. a household: the management of a house: a club of working-men. [Fr. through Late L.,—L. mansio, -onis, a dwelling.]

Menagerie, men-aj′ėr-i, n. a place for keeping wild animals for exhibition: a collection of such animals.—Also Menag′ery. [Fr., from ménage.]

Menagogue, men′a-gog, n. a medicine that promotes the menstrual flux.

Mend, mend, v.t. to remove a fault: to repair, as something broken or worn: to make better: to correct, improve.—v.i. to grow better.—ns. Mend′er, one who mends; Mend′ing, the act of repairing: things requiring to be mended. [Short for amend.]

Mendacious, men-dā′shus, adj. given to lying: speaking falsely: of the nature of a lie.—adv. Mendā′ciously.—n. Mendac′ity, a tendency to lying: a habit of lying: falsehood. [L. mendax, -acis, conn. with mentīri, to lie.]

Mendicant, men′di-kant, adj. in the condition of a beggar: practising beggary.—n. one who is in extreme want: a beggar: a member of one of the R.C. orders who live by begging: a begging friar.—ns. Men′dicancy, Mendic′ity, the state of being a mendicant or beggar: the life of a beggar.—Mendicant orders, religious bodies who depended on begging for their support. [L. mendicans, -antis, pr.p. of mendicāre, to beg—mendicus, a beggar.]

Mends, mendz, for amends.

Menhaden, men-hā′dn, n. a species of herring or shad, found off the east coast of the United States.

Menhir, men′hēr, n. a tall, often massive, stone, set up on end as a monument in ancient times, either singly or in groups, circles, &c. [W. maen, a stone, hir, long.]

Menial, mē′ni-al, adj. of or pertaining to a train of servants: doing servile work: low.—n. a domestic servant: one performing servile work: a person of servile disposition. [O. Fr., mesnee, a household. See Mansion.]

Meninx, mē′ningks, n. one of three membranes that envelop the brain:—pl. Meniniges (men-in′jēz).—adj. Mening′eal.—ns. Meningitis (-jī′-), inflammation of the membranes investing the brain or spinal cord; Mening′ocele, hernia of those membranes. [Gr. meninx, meningos, a membrane.]

Meniscus, mē-nis′kus, n. a crescent or a new moon: a lens hollow on one side and bulging on the other.—adjs. Menis′cal; Menis′cate; Menis′ciform; Menis′coid. [Gr. mēnē, the moon, -iskos, small.]

Mennonite, men′on-īt, n. one of a Protestant sect, combining some of the distinctive characteristics of the Baptists and Friends. [From Menno Simons (died 1559), their chief founder.]

Menology, mē-nol′o-ji, n. a register of months: a list or calendar of martyrs, with festivals celebrated, &c.

Menopome, men′o-pōm, n. a large North American amphibian—from its persistent gill-aperture. [Gr. menein, to remain, pōma, lid.]

Mensal, men′sal, adj. occurring once in a month: monthly.—Also Men′sual.

Mensal, men′sal, adj. belonging to the table. [L.]

Mense, mens, n. (Scot.) propriety: ornament: credit.—v.t. to grace or set off something.—adjs. Mense′ful, decorous: respectable; Mense′less, graceless, uncivil. [M. E. mensk—A.S. mennisc, mannish.]

Menses, men′sēz, n.pl. the monthly discharge from the uterus.—ns. Men′opause, the final cessation of the menses; Menorrhā′gia (phys.), the ordinary flow of the menses: (path.) an immoderate menstrual discharge.—adj. Menorrhag′ic.—n. Menos′tasis, the retention of the menses.—n.pl. Men′strua, the menses.—adjs. Men′strual, monthly; Men′struant, subject to menses.—v.i. Men′struāte, to discharge the menses.—n. Menstruā′tion.—adj. Men′struous, having or belonging to menses. [Pl. of L. mensis, a month.]

Menstruum, men′strōō-um, n. any fluid substance which dissolves a solid body.

Mensurable, mens′ū-ra-bl, adj. that can be measured: measurable.—n. Mensurabil′ity, quality of being mensurable.—adj. Mens′ural, pertaining to measure.—n. Mensurā′tion, the act or art of finding by measurement and calculation the length, area, volume, &c. of bodies.—adj. Mensurā′tive. [L. mensurāre, to measure.]

Ment, ment (obs.), pa.t. and pa.p. of ming, to mix.

Mental, men′tal, adj. pertaining to the mind: done in the mind.—ns. Mental′ity, Mentā′tion.—adv. Men′tally.—adjs. Menticul′tural, improving the mind; Mentif′erous, conveying thought, telepathic.—Mental alienation, insanity; Mental arithmetic, arithmetic performed without the help of written figures. [Fr.,—L. mens, mentis, the mind.]

Menthol, men′thol, n. a camphor obtained from oil of peppermint by cooling, which gives relief in neuralgia, &c. [L. mentha, mint.]

Mention, men′shun, n. a brief notice: a hint.—v.t. to notice briefly: to remark: to name.—adj. Men′tionable, fit to be mentioned. [L. mentio, -onis.]

Mentonnière, men-ton-nyār′, n. a piece of armour attached to the helmet, worn to protect the chin and throat. [Fr., menton, the chin—L. mentum.]

Mentor, men′tor, n. a wise counsellor.—adj. Mentor′ial. [Gr. Mentōr, the tutor of Telemachus.]

Mentum, men′tum, n. the chin: the central part of the labium in insects: (bot.) a projection in front of the flower in some orchids.—n. Mentag′ra, an eruption about the chin forming a crust.—adj. Men′tal (anat.), pertaining to the chin. [L., the chin.]

Menu, men′ü, n. a bill of fare. [Fr.,—L. minutus, small.]

Mephistopheles, mef-is-tof′e-lēz, n. the name of the devil in Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and Goethe's Faust.—adj. Mephistophē′lean, cynical, scoffing, malicious. [Ety. unknown; prob. formed from Gr. mē, not, phōs (phot-), light, philos, loving.]

Mephitis, me-fī′tis, n. a poisonous exhalation from the ground or from decaying substances—also Mephī′tism.—adjs. Mephit′ic, -al. [L. mephitis.]

Mercantile, mėr′kan-tīl, adj. pertaining to merchants: having to do with trade: commercial.—ns. Mer′cantilism; Mer′cantilist.—Mercantile agency, a means of getting information about the circumstances of merchants all over the country, for the use of those who sell to them; Mercantile law, the points of law referring to the dealings of merchants with each other; Mercantile marine, the ships and their crews which in any country are employed in commerce; Mercantile system (polit. econ.), the system of encouraging exportation and restricting importation, so that more may be received than is paid away. [Fr.,—Low L.—L. mercans, -antis, pr.p. of mercāri, to trade—merx, mercis, merchandise—merēre, to gain.]

Mercator's projection. See under Project.

Mercenary, mėr′se-nar-i, adj. hired for money: actuated by the hope of reward: greedy of gain: sold or done for money.—n. one who is hired: a soldier hired into foreign service.—adv. Mer′cenarily. [Fr.,—L., mercenarius—merces, hire.]

Mercer, mėr′sėr, n. a merchant in silks and woollen cloths, or in small wares.—n. Mer′cery, the trade of a mercer: the goods of a mercer. [Fr. mercier.]

Merchant, mėr′chant, n. one who carries on trade, esp. on a large scale: one who buys and sells goods: a trader: (obs.) a supercargo: a merchant-vessel.—adj. pertaining to trade or merchandise.—v.i. Merch′and (Bacon), to trade or traffic.—n. Mer′chandīse, goods bought and sold for gain: (B. and Shak.) trade: dealing.—adjs. Mer′chantable, suitable for sale: inferior to the very best, but suitable for ordinary purposes; Mer′chant-like (Shak.), like a merchant.—ns. Mer′chantman, a trading-ship: (B.) a merchant:—pl. Mer′chantmen; Mer′chantry, the business of a merchant; merchants collectively.—Merchant prince, one who has made a great fortune as a merchant; Merchant service, the ships, &c., engaged in commerce: the commerce which is carried on by sea; Merchant ship or vessel, a ship used for carrying goods; Merchant tailor, a tailor who supplies the cloth for the clothes which he makes. [Fr. marchand.]

Mercury, mėr′kū-ri, n. the god of merchandise and eloquence, and the messenger of the gods: the planet nearest the sun: a white, liquid metal, also called quicksilver: the column of mercury in a thermometer or barometer: a messenger: a newspaper.—adj. Mercū′rial, having the qualities said to belong to the god Mercury: active: sprightly: often changing: of or pertaining to trade: containing, or consisting of, mercury—also Mercū′ric.—v.t. Mercū′rialise (med.), to affect with mercury: to expose to the vapour of mercury.—n. Mercū′rialist.—adv. Mercū′rially.—n. Mercurificā′tion.—v.t. Mercū′rify.—adj. Mer′cūrous. [Fr.,—L. Mercurius—merx, mercis, merchandise.]

Mercy, mėr′si, n. tenderness and forbearance shown in sparing an offender in one's power: a forgiving disposition: clemency: an act of mercy: an undeserved blessing: compassion or benevolence.—adjs. Mer′ciable (Spens.), merciful; Mer′ciful, full of, or exercising, mercy.—adv. Mer′cifully.—n. Mer′cifulness.—v.t. Mer′cify (Spens.), to deal mercifully with, to pity.—adj. Mer′ciless, without mercy: unfeeling: cruel.—adv. Mer′cilessly.—ns. Mer′cilessness, want of mercy; Mer′cy-seat, the seat or place of mercy; the covering of the Jewish Ark of the Covenant: the throne of God.—At the mercy of (another), wholly in the power of; For mercy! or For mercy's sake! an exclamatory appeal to pity; Great mercy=Gramercy; Sisters of mercy, members of female religious communities who tend the sick, &c. [Fr. merci, grace—L. merces, mercedis, pay, in later L. also 'favour.']

Mere, mēr, n. a pool or lake.—Also Meer. [A.S. mere; Ger. and Dut. meer, L. mare, the sea.]

Mere, mēr, adj. unmixed: pure: only this and nothing else: alone: absolute.—adj. Mered (Shak.), only, entire.—adv. Mere′ly, purely, simply: only: thus and no other way: solely. [L. merus, unmixed (of wine).]

Mere, mēr, n. a boundary.—v.t. to limit or bound.—ns. Mere′stead, the land within the boundaries of a farm: Mere′stone, a stone which marks a boundary. [A.S. ge-mǽre.]

Meretricious, mer-e-trish′us, adj. of or pertaining to harlots: alluring by false show: gaudy and deceitful: false.—adv. Meretric′iously.—ns. Meretric′iousness; Mer′etrix, a harlot. [L. meretricius—meretrix, a harlot, merēre, to earn.]

Merganser, mėr-gan′sėr, n. a diving bird, sea-duck. [L. mergus, a diving bird, anser, a goose.]

Merge, mėrj, v.t. to dip or plunge in: to sink: to cause to be swallowed up.—v.i. to be swallowed up, or lost.—n. Mer′ger (law), a sinking of an estate or a security in one of larger extent or of higher value. [L. mergĕre, mersum.]

Mericarp, mer′i-karp, n. one carpel or part of the fruit of an umbelliferous plant. [Gr. meros, a part, karpos, fruit.]

Meridian, me-rid′i-an, adj. pertaining to midday: being on the meridian or at midday: raised to the highest point.—n. midday: a midday dram: the highest point, as of success: an imaginary circle on the earth's surface passing through the poles and any given place: (astron.) an imaginary circle, passing through the poles of the heavens, and the zenith of the spectator, which the sun crosses at midday.—adj. Merid′ional, pertaining to the meridian: southern: having a southern aspect.—n. Meridional′ity.—adv. Merid′ionally.—Meridian splendour, fullest point of brightness; Meridian sun, the sun at its full height, as at midday.—First meridian, the meridian passing through Greenwich, from which longitudes are measured east or west; Magnetic meridian (see Magnetic). [Fr.,—L. meridianus, from meridies (orig. medidies), midday—medius, middle, dies, day.]

Meringue, me-rang′, n. a mixture of sugar and white of eggs slightly browned for garnishing other confections: a pudding or tart covered with this.—Meringue glacé, ice-cream with a casing of meringue. [Fr., prob. from Mehringen.]

Merino, me-rē′no, n. a variety of sheep having very fine wool, originally from Spain: a fine French all-wool dress fabric for women, originally of merino wool.—adj. belonging to the merino sheep or their wool. [Sp.,—merino, inspector of sheep-walks—Low L. majorinus, a head-man—L. major, greater.]

Meristem, mer′is-tem, n. the formative tissue of plants, distinguished from the permanent tissues by the power its cells have of dividing and forming new cells.—adj. Meristemat′ic. [Gr. meristos, verbal adj. of merizein, to divide—meros, a part.]

Merit, mer′it, n. excellence that deserves honour or reward: worth: value: that which one has earned.—v.t. to earn: to have a right to claim as a reward: to deserve: (pl., in law) the right or wrong of a case, apart from questions of procedure.—adj. Meritō′rious, possessing merit or desert: deserving of reward, honour, or praise.—adv. Meritō′riously.—n. Meritō′riousness.—Order for merit, a Prussian order, the military class founded by Frederick the Great in 1740—the civil class, by Frederick William IV. in 1842 for eminence in science and art; Order of merit, place in a class or list in which the best is placed first, the next best second, and so on. [Fr.,—L. meritum—merēre, -ĭtum, to obtain as a lot, to deserve.]

Merk, mėrk, n. an old Scotch silver coin, worth 13s. 4d. Scots, or 13⅓d. sterling. [Mark.]

Merle, mėrl, n. the blackbird. [Fr.,—L. merula.]

Merlin, mėr′lin, n. a species of small hawk. [Fr. émerillon, prob. from L. merula.]

Merling, mer′ling, n. a small gadoid fish, the whiting.

Merlon, mėr′lon, n. (fort.) the part of a wall with battlements which lies between two openings. [Fr., prob. through Low L. forms from L. murus, a wall.]

Mermaid, mėr′mād, n. a sea-woman, having the head and body of a lovely woman to the waist, ending in the tail of a fish.—ns. Mer′maiden (Tenn.):—masc. Mer′man; Mer′maid's-glove, the largest kind of British sponge. [A.S. mere, a lake (influenced by Fr. mer, the sea), mægden, maid.]

Meroblast, mer′ō-blast, n. a meroblastic ovum.—adj. Meroblast′ic, undergoing segmentation only in the germinal disc, as the eggs of birds.

Merognostic, mer-og-nos′tik, n. one who claims to know in part.—n. Merognos′ticism.

Meropidan, me-rop′i-dan, n. a bird of the family of bee-eaters. [L. merops, the bee-eater—Gr.]

Merosome, mer′ō-sōm, n. one of the serial segments of which a body is composed, as the ring of a worm, a metamere, a somite.

Merovingian, mer-o-vin′ji-an, adj. pertaining to the first dynasty of Frankish kings in Gaul, named from Merwig, king of the western or Salian Franks (448-457), grandfather of Clovis.

Merry, mer′i, adj. sportive: cheerful: noisily gay: causing laughter: lively.—adv. Merr′ily.—ns. Merr′imake, Merr′y-make (Spens.), a meeting for making merry, a festival, mirth.—v.i. to make merry, to feast.—ns. Merr′iment, Merr′iness, gaiety with laughter and noise: mirth: hilarity; Merr′y-an′drew, one who makes sport for others: a buffoon: one who goes round with a mountebank or a quack doctor—also Merr′yman; Merr′y-go-round, a revolving ring of hobby-horses, &c., on which children ride round at fairs, &c.; Merr′y-mak′ing, a merry entertainment, a festival; Merr′y-thought, the forked bone of a fowl's breast, which two persons pull at in play, the one who breaks off the longer part being thought likely to be first married. [A.S. merg, from the Celtic, as in Gael. and Ir. mear, merry, Gael. mir, to sport.]

Merry, mer′i, n. an English wild-cherry. [Fr. merise.]

Mersion, mėr′shun, n. Same as Immersion.

Merulidan, me-rōō′li-dan, n. a bird of the thrush family (Turdidæ), the typical genus of which is the Mer′ula. [Merle.]

Merycism, mer′i-sizm, n. rumination in the human species. [Gr., mērykizein, to chew the cud.]

Mesail, mes′āl, n. the vizor of a helmet, esp. when made in two parts.

Mesal, mes′al, adj. See Mesial.

Mésalliance, mā-zal-lē-an(g)s′, n. a marriage with a person of lower rank or social condition. [Fr.]

Mesaraic, mes-a-rā′ik, adj. mesenteric. [Gr. mesos, middle, araia, the belly.]

Meseems, me-sēmz′, v.impers. it seems to me (used only in poetry). [Me, the dative of I, and seems used impersonally.]

Mesembryanthemum, me-zem-bri-an′the-mum, n. a genus of succulent plants, mostly belonging to South Africa. [Gr. mesēmbria, midday—mesos, middle, hēmera, day, anthemon, a flower.]

Mesencephalon, mes-en-sef′a-lon, n. the mid-brain.—adj. Mesencephal′ic.

Mesentery, mes′en-tėr-i, or mez′-, n. a membrane in the cavity of the abdomen, attached to the backbone, and serving to keep the intestines in their place.—adj. Mesenter′ic.—n. Mesenterī′tis, inflammation of the mesentery. [L.,—Gr. mesenterion—mesos, middle, enteron, intestines.]

Mesfaith, mes′fāth, n. (Tenn.) wrong faith, error of belief. [Fr. mes—L. mis, wrong, and faith.]

Mesh, mesh, n. the opening between the threads of a net: the threads and knots which bound the opening: network.—v.t. to catch in a net: to engage or interlock, as gear-teeth.—v.i. to become engaged thus.—n. Mesh′-work, a network, web.—adj. Mesh′y, formed like network. [A.S. max, a net; Ger. masche.]

Mesial, mē′zi-al, adj. pertaining to the middle: median—also Mes′al, Mes′ian.—advs. Mes′ally, Mes′ially. [Gr. mesos, middle.]

Mesmerise, mez′mėr-īz, v.t. to induce an extraordinary state of the nervous system, in which the operator is supposed to control the actions and thoughts of the subject.—n. Mesmeree′, one mesmerised.—adjs. Mesmer′ic, -al, of or relating to mesmerism.—ns. Mesmerisā′tion; Mes′meriser, Mes′merist, one who mesmerises: Mes′merism, act of mesmerising. [From Friedrich Anton or Franz Mesmer, a German physician (1733-1815), who first published his discovery in 1775.]

Mesne, mēn, adj. intermediate: applied to a writ issued between the beginning and end of a suit.—Mesne lord, one who held land of a superior, but had granted part of it to another person. [Norm. Fr. mesne, middle.]

Mesoblast, mes′o-blast, n. the middle one of the three germinal layers of any metazoic embryo between the epiblast and the hypoblast: the mesoderm.—adj. Mesoblas′tic.

Mesocarp, mes′o-kärp, n. (bot.) the middle one of the three layers of a seed-vessel.

Mesocephalic, mes-ō-sē-fal′ik, adj. of medium breadth or capacity—of the skull—also Mesoceph′alous.—ns. Mesoceph′alism, Mesoceph′aly.

Mesoderm, mes′o-derm, n. Same as Mesoblast.

Mesodic, me-sod′ik, adj. (pros.) pertaining to a system of different form intervening between a strophe and its antistrophe.

Mesogastric, mes-o-gas′trik, adj. of or belonging to the middle of the stomach: denoting the membrane which sustains the stomach.

Mesophlœum, mes-ō-flē′um, n. (bot.) the middle or green layer of bark.

Mesothorax, mes-o-thō′raks, n. the middle one of the three segments of an insect's thorax.—adj. Mesothorac′ic.

Mesozoic, mes-o-zō′ik, adj. of the Secondary geological period, including the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous systems. [Gr. mesos, middle, zōē, life.]

Mesprise, mes-prīz′, n. (Spens.) contempt, scorn. [O. Fr. mespriser, to despise—L. minus, less, pretiāre, to prize.]

Mesquite, mes′kēt, mes-kēt′, n. a leguminous tree or shrub of America, with nutritious pods. [Sp.]

Mess, mes, n. a mixture disagreeable to the sight or taste: a medley: disorder: confusion.—v.t. to make a mess of: to muddle.—adj. Mess′y, confused, untidy. [A form of mash.]

Mess, mes, n. a dish or quantity of food served up at one time: a number of persons who take their meals together at the same table, esp. in the army and navy: the take of fish at one time.—v.t. to supply with a mess.—v.i. to eat of a mess: to eat at a common table. [O. Fr. mes (Fr. mets), a dish—L. mittĕre, missum, to send, in Low L. to place.]

Mess, mes, n.=mass.—Mess John, a domestic chaplain.

Message, mes′āj, n. any communication sent from one person to another: an errand: an official communication, of advice, &c., as a President's Message in the United States.—n. Mess′enger, the bearer of a message: a forerunner: a light scudding cloud preceding a storm: a piece of paper, &c., blown up the string to the kite: the secretary-bird: a rope or chain by which cables were formerly connected to the capstan when heaving up the anchor: (Scots law) an officer who executes the summonses of the Court of Session, called a Mess′enger-at-arms.—Queen's, or King's, messenger, an officer who carries official despatches whether at home or abroad. [Fr.,—Low L. missaticum—L. mittĕre, missum, to send.]

Messiah, mes-sī′a, n. the anointed One, the Christ—also Messī′as.—n. Messī′ahship, the character and work of Christ as the Saviour of the world.—adj. Messian′ic, relating to the Messiah. [Heb. māshīach, anointed—māshach, to anoint.]

Messidor, mes-si-dōr′, n. the tenth month of the French revolutionary calendar, June 19th-July 18th. [Fr.,—L. messis, harvest, Gr. dōron, a gift.]

Messieurs, plural of Monsieur (q.v.).

Messin, mes′in, n. (Scot.) a mongrel dog, a cur.—adj. mongrel. [Cf. Mastiff.]

Messmate, mes′māt, n. one who eats at the same table. [Mess and mate.]

Messuage, mes′wāj, n. (law) a dwelling and offices with the adjoining lands appropriated to the household: a mansion-house and grounds. [O. Fr.,—Low L. messuagium—L. mansa, pa.p. of manēre, to remain.]

Mestee, mes-tē′, n. the offspring of a white person and a quadroon. [Cf. Fr. métis, mongrel.]

Mestizo, mes-tē′zō, n. the offspring of a person of mixed Spanish and American Indian parentage, &c. [Sp.,—L. mixtus—miscēre, to mix.]

Met, pa.t. and pa.p. of meet.

Metabasis, me-tab′a-sis, n. a change, as in treatment or remedies: a transition.—adj. Metabat′ic. [Gr., meta, beyond, bainein, to go.]

Metabolism, me-tab′o-lizm, n. a general term for the chemical changes of living matter: retrograde metamorphosis, catabolism: complete metamorphosis, as in Diptera, &c.—adj. Metabol′ic, undergoing complete metamorphosis: polymorphic: exhibiting metabolism.—v.t. Metab′olise. [Gr. metabolē, change.]

Metacarpal, met-a-kär′pal, adj. pertaining to the part of the hand between the wrist and the fingers, the Metacar′pus: denoting the foreleg of a horse between knee and fetlock joint.

Metacentre, met-a-sen′tėr, n. that point in a floating body slightly displaced from equilibrium through which the resultant upward pressure of the fluid always passes.

Metachronism, me-tak′ron-izm, n. an error made by placing an event after its real time. [Fr.,—Gr. metachronos—meta, beyond, chronos, time.]

Metachrosis, met-a-krō′sis, n. colour-change, as of a chameleon.

Metacism. See Mytacism.

Metage, mēt′āj, n. measurement of coal: price of measurement. [Mete.]

Metagenesis, met-a-jen′e-sis, n. (biol.) a kind of alteration of generations in which a series of generations of unlike forms come between the egg and the parent type.—adj. Metagenet′ic.

Metagnostic, met-ag-nos′tik, adj. transcending present knowledge.—n. one who holds that there is a supreme being, but that he transcends knowledge.—n. Metagnos′ticism.

Metairie, mē-tā′rē, n. a piece of land cultivated for a share of the produce. [Fr. See Metayer.]

Metal, met′al, n. an opaque substance, possessing a peculiar lustre, fusibility, conductivity for heat and electricity, &c., such as gold, &c.: courage or spirit (now spelt mettle): intrinsic quality: the number and power of guns carried by a ship-of-war: broken stones used for macadamised roads: (pl.) the rails of a railroad.—v.t. to put metal on, as a road.—n. Metalic′ity.—adjs. Met′alled, covered with metal, as a road; Metal′lic, pertaining to, or like, a metal: consisting of metal.—adv. Metal′lically.—adjs. Metallif′erous, producing or yielding metals; Metal′liform, having the form of metals: like metal; Met′alline, pertaining to a metal: consisting of, or mixed with, metal.—ns. Met′alling, road-metal, broken stones; Metallisā′tion.—v.t. Met′allise, to form into metal: to give to a substance its metallic properties.—ns. Met′allist, a worker in metals: one who is skilled in metals: an advocate of the use of metal as currency; Metal′lograph, a print produced by metallographic process.—adj. Metallograph′ic—ns. Metallog′raphist; Metallog′raphy, an account or description of metals: a process for utilising metal plates in a manner similar to lithographic stones: a process of imitating the grain of wood on metals; Met′alloid, one of the metallic bases of the fixed alkalies and alkaline earths: any of the elements which are non-metallic in the chemical sense of being able to replace hydrogen in an acid, and thus forming a salt: one of the inflammable non-metallic elements (sulphur, phosphorus, &c.).—adjs. Met′alloid, Metalloid′al, pertaining to, or of the nature of, the metalloids.—ns. Metal′lophone, a kind of piano, having graduated metal bars in place of strings: a musical instrument, differing from the xylophone in having metal instead of wooden bars; Met′allotherapy, the treatment of disease by the external application of metals.—Metallic oxide, a compound of metal and oxygen; Metallic salts, salts having a metal or metallic oxide for base.—Base metals, lead, zinc, copper, iron; Fusible metal, a metallic alloy that fuses at a very low temperature—usually of lead, tin, and bismuth; Light metals, those whose specific gravity is less than 5; Noble, or Perfect, metals, gold, silver, platinum, so called because they keep their lustre when exposed to the air. [Fr.,—L. metallum—Gr. metallon, a mine, a metal.]

Metalepsis, met-a-lep′sis, n. (rhet.) a compound figure that consists in uniting two or more different tropes in the same word, or in so using a word as to suggest two or three different figures by it.—adjs. Metalep′tic, -al. [Gr.]

Metallurgy, met′al-ur-ji, n. the art of working metals: the art of separating metals from their ores.—adj. Metallur′gic, pertaining to metallurgy.—n. Met′allurgist, one who works metals: one skilled in metallurgy. [Gr. metallon, a metal, ergon, work.]

Metamerism, met′a-me-rizm, n. (chem.) a particular form of isomerism, seen in substances having the same molecular formula, but in which all the atoms in the molecule are not directly united: (zool.) segmentation of the body of an animal along the primary axis, producing a series of homologous parts.—adjs. Met′amēral, Metamer′ic.—n. Met′amere. [Gr. meta, after, meros, a part.]

Metamorphic, met-a-mor′fik, adj. subject to change of form: (geol.) applied to the alteration undergone by rocks under heat, pressure, &c., so that they assume a crystalline or semi-crystalline structure.—ns. Metamor′phism, state or quality of being metamorphic; Metamor′phist, one who believes that the body of Christ merged into the Deity when He ascended.—v.t. Metamor′phose, to transform.—n. Metamor′phosis, change of shape, transformation: the frequent transformation of human beings to beasts, stones, trees, &c.—an essential part of folklore everywhere: the marked change which some living beings undergo in the course of their growth, as caterpillar to insect, tadpole to frog, &c.:—pl. Metamor′phoses. [Gr. metamorphōsis—meta, expressing change, morphē, form.]

Metaphery, me-taf′e-ri, n. (bot.) the transposition of various floral organs. [Gr.: see Metaphor.]

Metaphor, met′a-fur, n. a transference of meaning, the putting of one thing for another which it only resembles, as when words are said to be bitter: an implicit simile.—adjs. Metaphor′ic, -al, pertaining to, or containing, metaphor: figurative.—adv. Metaphor′ically.—ns. Metaphor′icalness; Met′aphorist.—Mixed metaphor, an expression in which two or more metaphors are confused, where one only is capable of being intelligibly evolved or conceived objectively, as Cromwell's 'God has kindled a seed in this nation.' [Fr.,—Gr. metaphora—metapherein—meta, over, pherein, to carry.]

Metaphrase, met′a-frāz, n. a translation from one language into another word for word—opp. to Paraphrase: a repartee—also Metaph′rasis.—n. Met′aphrast, one who translates word for word.—adj. Metaphras′tic, literal in translation. [Gr. metaphrasis—meta, over, phrasis, a speaking.]

Metaphysics, met-a-fiz′iks, n.sing. the science which investigates the first principles of nature and thought: ontology or the science of being.—adj. Metaphys′ical, pertaining to metaphysics; abstract.—adv. Metaphys′ically.—n. Metaphysic′ian, one versed in metaphysics. [From certain works of Aristotle to be studied after his physics—Gr. meta, after, physika, physics—physis, nature.]

Metaphyta, met-a-fī′ta, n.pl. many-celled plants, in contrast to the single-celled Protophytes.

Metaplasia, met-a-plā′si-a, n. the direct conversion of one form of an adult tissue into another—also Metap′lasis.—n. Met′aplasm, a grammatical change in a word by adding or dropping a letter. [Gr. meta, over, plasis—plassein, to form.]

Metapophysis, met-a-pof′i-sis, n. (anat.) a dorsolateral apophysis on the anterior articular process of a vertebra. [Gr. meta, after, apophysis, a process.]

Metastasis, me-tas′ta-zis, n. a change in nature, form, or quality; a change from one part to another, as a disease: (bot.) metabolism.—adj. Metastat′ic. [Gr.,—methistēmi, I change place.]

Metatarsal, met-a-tär′sal, adj. belonging to the front part of the foot, behind the toes, nearly the same as the instep in man.—n. Metatar′sus. [Gr. meta, beyond, tarsos, the flat of the foot.]

Metathesis, me-tath′es-is, n. (gram.) a change of place of the letters or syllables of a word.—adjs. Metathet′ic, -al. [Gr.,—metatithenai, to transpose—meta, over, tithenai, to place.]

Metathorax, met-a-thō′raks, n. the third segment of an insect's thorax.—adj. Metathorac′ic.

Metatome, met′a-tōm, n. (archit.) the space between two dentils.

Metayer, me-tā′yėr, n. a farmer who pays, instead of money rent, a fixed proportion of the crops.—n. Metā′yage, this system. [Fr.,—Low L. medietarius—L. medietas, the half—medius, middle.]

Metazoa, met-a-zō′a, n.pl. many-celled animals possessing cellular differentiation:—opp. to single-celled Protozoa.—adjs. Metazō′an, Metazō′ic.—n.sing. Met′azōon. [Gr. meta, after, zōon, animal.]

Mete, mēt, v.t. to measure.—ns. Mete′wand, a measuring-stick; Mete′yard (B.), a yard or rod for meting or measuring. [A.S. metan; Ger. messen.]

Metempiric, -al, met-em-pir′ik, -al, adj. beyond or outside of experience:—opp. to Empirical or Experiential.—ns. Metempir′icism; Metempir′icist.

Metempsychosis, me-temp-si-kō′sis, n. the passing of the soul after death into some other body, whether that of a human being or of an animal:—pl. Metempsychō′ses. [Gr.,—meta, expressing change, empsychōsis, an animating—en, in, psychē, soul.]

Metensomatosis, met-en-sō-ma-tō′sis, n. transference of the elements of one body into another.

Meteor, mē′te-or, n. one of numberless small bodies travelling through space, continually being encountered by the earth on its orbital path, and then revealed to our observation as aerolites, fire-balls, or shooting-stars: formerly used of any appearance in the atmosphere, as clouds, rain: (fig.) anything that for a time dazzles or strikes with wonder.—adj. Meteor′ic, pertaining to, or consisting of, meteors: proceeding from a meteor: flashing like a meteor: influenced by the weather.—ns. Mē′teorograph, an instrument by which several meteorological elements are recorded in combination; Meteor′olite, Mē′teorite, a meteoric stone.—adjs. Meteorolog′ic, -al.—ns. Meteorol′ogist; one skilled in meteorology; Meteorol′ogy, that department of physics which treats of the phenomena of the atmosphere as regards weather and climate.—adj. Mē′tēorous (Milt.), having the nature of a meteor.—Meteoric iron, iron as found in meteoric stones; Meteoric showers, showers of meteors or shooting-stars; Meteoric Stones, aerolites. [Gr. meteōron—meta, beyond, eōra, anything suspended—aeirein, to lift.]

Meter, a form of metre.