← Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Volume 5
Chapter 15
M (part 4)
MINT Mint, n. Etym: [AS. mynet money, coin, fr. L. moneta the mint, coined money, fr. Moneta, a surname of Juno, in whose at Rome money was coined; akin to monere to warn, admonish, AS. manian, and to E. mind. See Mind, and cf. Money, Monition.]
1. A place where money is coined by public authority.
2. Hence: Any place regarded as a source of unlimited supply; the supply itself. A mint of phrases in his brain. Shak.
MINT
Mint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Minted; p. pr. & vb. n. Minting.] Etym:
[AS. mynetian.]
1. To make by stamping, as money; to coin; to make and stamp into money.
2. To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to fashion. Titles… of such natures as may be easily minted. Bacon. Minting mill, a coining press.
MINTAGE
Mint"age, n.
1. The coin, or other production, made in a mint. Stamped in clay, a heavenly mintage. Sterling.
2. The duty paid to the mint for coining.
MINTER
Mint"er, n.
Defn: One who mints.
MINTMAN
Mint"man, n.; pl. Mintmen (.
Defn: One skilled in coining, or in coins; a coiner.
MINT-MASTER
Mint"-mas`ter, n.
Defn: The master or superintendent of a mint. Also used figuratively.
MINT SAUCE
Mint sauce.
1. A sauce of vinegar and sugar flavored with spearmint leaves.
2. Money. [Slang, Eng.]
MINUEND Min"u*end, n. Etym: [L. minuendus to be diminished, fr. minuere to lessen, diminish. See Minish.] (Arith.)
Defn: The number from which another number is to be subtracted.
MINUET Min"u*et, n. Etym: [F., fr. menu small, L. minutus small. So called on account of the short steps of the dance. See 4th Minute.]
1. A slow graceful dance consisting of a coupee, a high step, and a balance.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A tune or air to regulate the movements of the dance so called; a movement in suites, sonatas, symphonies, etc., having the dance form, and commonly in 3-4, sometimes 3-8, measure.
MINUM
Min"um, n. Etym: [See 2d Minion, Minum, 6.] [Obs.]
1. A small kind of printing type; minion.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A minim.
MINUS
Mi"nus, a. Etym: [L. See Minor, and cf. Mis- pref. from the French.]
(Math.)
Defn: Less; requiring to be subtracted; negative; as, a minus quantity. Minus sign (Math.), the sign [-] denoting minus, or less, prefixed to negative quantities, or quantities to be subtracted. See Negative sign, under Negative.
MINUSCULE Mi*nus"cule, n. Etym: [L. minusculus rather small, fr. minus less: cf. F. minuscule.]
1. Any very small, minute object.
2. A small Roman letter which is neither capital nor uncial; a manuscript written in such letters. — a.
Defn: Of the size and style of minuscules; written in minuscules.
These minuscule letters are cursive forms of the earlier uncials. I.
Taylor (The Alphabet).
MINUTARY
Min"u*ta*ry, a.
Defn: Pertaining to, or consisting of, minutes. [Obs.] Fuller.
MINUTE Min"ute, n. Etym: [LL. minuta a small portion, small coin, fr. L. minutus small: cf. F. minute. See 4th Minute.]
1. The sixtieth part of an hour; sixty seconds. (Abbrev. m.; as, 4 h. 30 m.) Four minutes, that is to say, minutes of an hour. Chaucer.
2. The sixtieth part of a degree; sixty seconds (Marked thus (`); as, 10º 20`.)
3. A nautical or a geographic mile.
4. A coin; a half farthing. [Obs.] Wyclif (Mark xii. 42)
5. A very small part of anything, or anything very small; a jot; a tittle. [Obs.] Minutes and circumstances of his passion. Jer. Taylor.
6. A point of time; a moment. I go this minute to attend the king. Dryden.
7. The memorandum; a record; a note to preserve the memory of anything; as, to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate.
8. (Arch.)
Defn: A fixed part of a module. See Module.
Note: Different writers take as the minute one twelfth, one eighteenth, one thirtieth, or one sixtieth part of the module.
MINUTE
Min"ute, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a minute or minutes; occurring at or marking successive minutes. Minute bell, a bell tolled at intervals of a minute, as to give notice of a death or a funeral. — Minute book, a book in which written minutes are entered. — Minute glass, a glass measuring a minute or minutes by the running of sand. — Minute gun, a discharge of a cannon repeated every minute as a sign of distress or mourning. — Minute hand, the long hand of a watch or clock, which makes the circuit of the dial in an hour, and marks the minutes.
MINUTE
Min"ute, v. t. Etym: [imp. & p. p. Minuted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Minuting.]
Defn: To set down a short sketch or note of; to jot down; to make a minute or a brief summary of. The Empress of Russia, with her own hand, minuted an edict for universal tolerance. Bancroft.
MINUTE
Mi*nute", a. Etym: [L. minutus, p. p. of minuere to lessen. See
Minish, Minor, and cf. Menu, Minuet.]
1. Very small; little; tiny; fine; slight; slender; inconsiderable. "Minute drops." Milton.
2. Attentive to small things; paying attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer; minute observation.
Syn. — Little; diminutive; fine; critical; exact; circumstantial; particular; detailed. — Minute, Circumstantial, Particular. A circumstantial account embraces all the leading events; a particular account includes each event and movement, though of but little importance; a minute account goes further still, and omits nothing as to person, time, place, adjuncts, etc.
MINUTE-JACK
Mi*nute"-jack`, n.
1. A figure which strikes the hour on the bell of some fanciful clocks; — called also jack of the clock house.
2. A timeserver; an inconstant person. Shak.
MINUTELY
Mi*nute"ly, adv. Etym: [From 4th Minute.]
Defn: In a minute manner; with minuteness; exactly; nicely.
MINUTELY
Min"ute*ly, a. Etym: [From 1st Minute.]
Defn: Happening every minute; continuing; unceasing. [Obs.]
Throwing themselves absolutely upon God's minutely providence.
Hammond.
MINUTELY
Min"ute*ly, adv.
Defn: At intervals of a minute; very often and regularly. J. Philips.
Minutely proclaimed in thunder from heaven. Hammond.
MINUTEMAN
Min"ute*man, n.; pl. Minutemen (.
Defn: A militiaman who was to be ready to march at a moment's notice; — a term used in the American Revolution.
MINUTENESS
Mi*nute"ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being minute.
MINUTIA Mi*nu"ti*a, n.; pl. Minutiæ (-e). Etym: [L., fr. minutus small, minute. See 4th Minute.]
Defn: A minute particular; a small or minor detail; — used chiefly in the plural.
MINX Minx, n. Etym: [Prob. of Low German origin; cf. LG. minsk wench, jade, hussy, D. mensch; prop. the same word as D. & G. mensch man, human being, OHG. mennisco, AS. mennisc, fr. man. See Man.]
1. A pert or a wanton girl. Shak.
2. A she puppy; a pet dog. [Obs.] Udall.
MINX
Minx, n. Etym: [See Mink.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The mink; — called also minx otter. [Obs.]
MINY
Min"y, a.
Defn: Abounding with mines; like a mine. "Miny caverns." Thomson.
MINYAN
Min*yan", n. (Jewish Relig.)
Defn: A quorum, or number necessary, for conducting public worship.
MIOCENE
Mi"o*cene, a. Etym: [Gr. (Geol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the middle division of the Tertiary.
— n.
Defn: The Miocene period. See Chart of Geology.
MIOHIPPUS
Mi`o*hip"pus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Paleon.)
Defn: An extinct Miocene mammal of the Horse family, closely related to the genus Anhithecrium, and having three usable hoofs on each foot.
MIQUELET
Miq"ue*let, n. Etym: [Sp. miquelete.] (Mil.)
Defn: An irregular or partisan soldier; a bandit.
MIR
Mir, n.
Defn: A Russian village community. D. M. Wallace.
MIR
Mir, n. Etym: [Per. mir.]
Defn: Same as Emir.
MIRA
Mi"ra, n. Etym: [NL., from L. mirus wonderful.] (Astron.)
Defn: A remarkable variable star in the constellation Cetus (o Ceti).
MIRABILARY
Mi*rab"i*la*ry, n.; pl. Mirabilaries (.
Defn: One who, or a work which, narrates wonderful things; one who writes of wonders. [Obs.] Bacon.
MIRABILIS
Mi*rab"i*lis, n. Etym: [L., wonderful.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of plants. See Four-o'clock.
MIRABILITE
Mi*rab"i*lite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Native sodium sulphate; Glauber's salt.
MIRABLE Mi"ra*ble, a. Etym: [L. mirabilis, fr. mirari to wonder: cf. OF. mirable. See Marvel.]
Defn: Wonderful; admirable. [Obs.] Shak.
MIRACLE
Mir"a*cle, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. miraculum, fr. mirari to wonder. See
Marvel, and cf. Mirror.]
1. A wonder or wonderful thing. That miracle and queen of genus. Shak.
2. Specifically: An event or effect contrary to the established constitution and course of things, or a deviation from the known laws of nature; a supernatural event, or one transcending the ordinary laws by which the universe is governed. They considered not the miracle of the loaves. Mark vi. 52.
3. A miracle play.
4. A story or legend abounding in miracles. [Obs.] When said was all this miracle. Chaucer. Miracle monger, an impostor who pretends to work miracles. — Miracle play, one of the old dramatic entertainments founded on legends of saints and martyrs or (see 2d Mystery, 2) on events related in the Bible.
MIRACLE
Mir"a*cle, v. t.
Defn: To make wonderful. [Obs.] Shak.
MIRACULIZE
Mi*rac"u*lize, v. t.
Defn: To cause to seem to be a miracle. [R.] Shaftesbury.
MIRACULOUS
Mi*rac"u*lous, a. Etym: [F. miraculeux. See Miracle.]
1. Of the nature of a miracle; performed by supernatural power; effected by the direct agency of almighty power, and not by natural causes.
2. Supernatural; wonderful.
3. Wonder-working. "The miraculous harp." Shak.
— Mi*rac"u*lous*ly, adv.
— Mi*rac"u*lous*ness, n.
MIRADOR
Mir`a*dor", n. Etym: [Sp., fr. mirar to behold, view. See Mirror.]
(Arch.)
Defn: Same as Belvedere.
MIRAGE
Mi`rage", n. Etym: [F., fr. mirer to look at carefully, to aim, se
mirer to look at one's self in a glass, to reflect, to be reflected,
LL. mirare to look at. See Mirror.]
Defn: An optical effect, sometimes seen on the ocean, but more frequently in deserts, due to total reflection of light at the surface common to two strata of air differently heated. The reflected image is seen, commonly in an inverted position, while the real object may or may not be in sight. When the surface is horizontal, and below the eye, the appearance is that of a sheet of water in which the object is seen reflected; when the reflecting surface is above the eye, the image is seen projected against the sky. The fata Morgana and looming are species of mirage. By the mirage uplifted the land floats vague in the ether, Ships and the shadows of ships hang in the motionless air. Longfellow.
MIRBANE
Mir"bane, n.
Defn: See Nitrobenzene.
MIRE
Mire, n. Etym: [AS. mire, m; akin to D. mier, Icel. maurr, Dan. myre,
Sw. myra; cf. also Ir. moirbh, Gr.
Defn: An ant. [Obs.] See Pismire.
MIRE Mire, n. Etym: [OE. mire, myre; akin to Icel. m swamp, Sw. myra marshy ground, and perh. to E. moss.]
Defn: Deep mud; wet, spongy earth. Chaucer.
He his rider from the lofty steed Would have cast down and trod in
dirty mire. Spenser.
Mire crow (Zoöl.), the pewit, or laughing gull. [Prov. Eng.] — Mire
drum, the European bittern. [Prov. Eng.]
MIRE
Mire, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mired; p. pr. & vb. n. Miring.]
1. To cause or permit to stick fast in mire; to plunge or fix in mud; as, to mire a horse or wagon.
2. To soil with mud or foul matter. Smirched thus and mired with infamy. Shak.
MIRE
Mire, v. i.
Defn: To stick in mire. Shak.
MIRIFIC; MIRIFICAL Mi*rif"ic, Mi*rif"ic*al, a. Etym: [L. mirificus; mirus wonderful + - ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.]
Defn: Working wonders; wonderful.
MIRIFICENT
Mi*rif"i*cent, a.
Defn: Wonderful. [Obs.]
MIRINESS
Mir"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being miry.
MIRK
Mirk, a. Etym: [See Murky.]
Defn: Dark; gloomy; murky. Spenser. Mrs. Browning.
MIRK
Mirk, n.
Defn: Darkness; gloom; murk. "In mirk and mire." Longfellow.
MIRKSOME
Mirk"some, a.
Defn: Dark; gloomy; murky. [Archaic] Spenser.
— Mirk"some*ness, n. [Archaic]
MIRKY
Mirk"y, a.
Defn: Dark; gloomy. See Murky.
MIRLITON
Mir"li*ton, n. [F.]
Defn: A kind of musical toy into which one sings, hums, or speaks, producing a coarse, reedy sound.
Trilby singing "Ben Bolt" into a mirliton was a thing to be remembered, whether one would or no! Du Maurier.
MIRROR
Mir"ror, n. Etym: [OE. mirour, F. miroir, OF. also mireor, fr.
(assumed) LL. miratorium, fr. mirare to look at, L. mirari to wonder.
See Marvel, and cf. Miracle, Mirador.]
1. A looking-glass or a speculum; any glass or polished substance that forms images by the reflection of rays of light. And in her hand she held a mirror bright, Wherein her face she often viewèd fair. Spenser.
2. That which gives a true representation, or in which a true image may be seen; hence, a pattern; an exemplar. She is mirour of all courtesy. Chaucer. O goddess, heavenly bright, Mirror of grace and majesty divine. Spenser.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Speculum. Mirror carp (Zoöl.), a domesticated variety of the carp, having only three or fur rows of very large scales side. — Mirror plate. (a) A flat glass mirror without a frame. (b) Flat glass used for making mirrors. — Mirror writing, a manner or form of backward writing, making manuscript resembling in slant and order of letters the reflection of ordinary writing in a mirror. The substitution of this manner of writing for the common manner is a symptom of some kinds of nervous disease.
MIRROR
Mir"ror, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mirrored; p. pr. & vb. n. Mirroring.]
Defn: To reflect, as in a mirror.
MIRRORSCOPE
Mir"ror*scope, n. [Mirror + -scope.]
Defn: See Projector, below.
MIRTH Mirth, n. Etym: [OE. mirthe, murthe, merthe, AS. myredh, myrgedh, merhedh, mirhedh. See Merry.]
1. Merriment; gayety accompanied with laughter; jollity. Then will I cause to cease … from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth. Jer. vii. 34.
2. That which causes merriment. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn. — Merriment; joyousness; gladness; fun; frolic; glee; hilarity; festivity; jollity. See Gladness.
MIRTHFUL
Mirth"ful, a.
1. Full of mirth or merriment; merry; as, mirthful children.
2. Indicating or inspiring mirth; as, a mirthful face.
Mirthful, comic shows. Shak.
— Mirth"ful*ly, adv.
— Mirth"ful*ness, n.
MIRTHLESS
Mirth"less, a.
Defn: Without mirth.
— Mirth"less*ness, n.
MIRY
Mir"y, a. Etym: [From 2d Mire.]
Defn: Abounding with deep mud; full of mire; muddy; as, a miry road.
MIRYACHIT Mir"ya*chit`, n. [Written also myriachit.] [Yakoot merjäk epileptic, fr. imerek jerk, rage.] (Med.)
Defn: A nervous disease in which the patient involuntarily imitates the words or action of another.
MIRZA Mir"za, n. Etym: [Per. mirza, abbrev. fr. mirzadeh son of the prince; mir prince (Ar. amir, emir) + zadeh son.]
Defn: The common title of honor in Persia, prefixed to the surname of an individual. When appended to the surname, it signifies Prince.
MIS- Mis-. Etym: [In words of Teutonic origin, fr. AS. mis-; akin to D. mis-, G. miss-, OHG. missa-, missi-, Icel. & Dan. mis-, Sw. miss-, Goth. missa-; orig., a p. p. from the root of G. meiden to shun, OHG. midan, AS. mi (Miss to fail of). In words from the French, fr. OF. mes-, F. mé-, mes-, fr. L. minus less (see Minus). In present usage these two prefixes are commonly confounded.]
Defn: A prefix used adjectively and adverbially in the sense of amiss, wrong, ill, wrongly, unsuitably; as, misdeed, mislead, mischief, miscreant.
MIS
Mis, a. & adv. Etym: [See Amiss.]
Defn: Wrong; amiss. [Obs.] "To correcten that [which] is mis."
Chaucer.
MISACCEPTATION
Mis*ac`cep*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong acceptation; understanding in a wrong sense.
MISACCOMPT
Mis`ac*compt", v. t.
Defn: To account or reckon wrongly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISADJUST
Mis`ad*just", v. t.
Defn: To adjust wrongly of unsuitably; to throw of adjustment. I.
Taylor.
MISADJUSTMENT
Mis`ad*just"ment, n.
Defn: Wrong adjustment; unsuitable arrangement.
MISADVENTURE
Mis`ad*ven"ture, n. Etym: [OE. mesaventure, F. mésaventure.]
Defn: Mischance; misfortune; ill lick; unlucky accident; ill adventure. Chaucer. Homicide by misadventure (Law), homicide which occurs when a man, doing a lawful act, without any intention of injury, unfortunately kills another; — called also excusable homicide. See Homicide. Blackstone.
Syn.
— Mischance; mishap; misfortune; disaster; calamity.
MISADVENTURED
Mis`ad*ven"tured, a.
Defn: Unfortunate. [Obs.]
MISADVENTUROUS
Mis`ad*ven"tur*ous, a.
Defn: Unfortunate.
MISADVERTENCE
Mis`ad*vert"ence, n.
Defn: Inadvertence.
MISADVICE
Mis`ad*vice", n.
Defn: Bad advice.
MISADVISE
Mis`ad*vise", v. t.
Defn: To give bad counsel to.
MISADVISED
Mis`ad*vised", a.
Defn: Ill advised.
— Mis`ad*vis"ed*ly, adv.
MISAFFECT
Mis`af*fect", v. t.
Defn: To dislike. [Obs.]
MISAFFECTED
Mis`af*fect"ed, a.
Defn: Ill disposed. [Obs.]
MISAFFECTION
Mis`af*fec"tion, n.
Defn: An evil or wrong affection; the state of being ill affected.
[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
MISAFFIRM
Mis`af*firm", v. t.
Defn: To affirm incorrectly.
MISAIMED
Mis*aimed", a.
Defn: Not rightly aimed. Spenser.
MISALLEGATION
Mis*al`le*ga"tion, n.
Defn: A erroneous statement or allegation. Bp. Hall.
MISALLEGE
Mis`al*lege", v. t.
Defn: To state erroneously.
MISALLIANCE
Mis`al*li"ance, n. Etym: [F. mésalliance.]
Defn: A marriage with a person of inferior rank or social station; an
improper alliance; a mesalliance.
A Leigh had made a misalliance, and blushed A Howard should know it.
Mrs. Browning.
MISALLIED
Mis`al*lied", a.
Defn: Wrongly allied or associated.
MISALLOTMENT
Mis`al*lot"ment, n.
Defn: A wrong allotment.
MISALTER
Mis*al"ter, v. t.
Defn: To alter wrongly; esp., to alter for the worse. Bp. Hall.
MISANTHROPE
Mis"an*thrope, n. Etym: [Gr. misanthrope. Cf. Miser.]
Defn: A hater of mankind; a misanthropist.
MISANTHROPIC; MISANTHROPICAL Mis`an*throp"ic, Mis`an*throp"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. misanthropique.]
Defn: Hating or disliking mankind.
MISANTHROPIST
Mis*an"thro*pist, n.
Defn: A misanthrope.
MISANTHROPOS
Mis*an"thro*pos, n. Etym: [NL. See Misanthrope.]
Defn: A misanthrope. [Obs.] Shak.
MISANTHROPY
Mis*an"thro*py, n. Etym: [Gr. misanthropie.]
Defn: Hatred of, or dislike to, mankind; — opposed to philanthropy.
Orrery.
MISAPPLICATION
Mis*ap`pli*ca"tion, n.
Defn: A wrong application. Sir T. Browne.
MISAPPLY
Mis`ap*ply", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misapplied; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misapplying.]
Defn: To apply wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose; as, to misapply a name or title; to misapply public money.
MISAPPRECIATED
Mis`ap*pre"ci*a`ted, a.
Defn: Improperly appreciated.
MISAPPREHEND
Mis*ap`pre*hend", v. t.
Defn: To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand. Locke.
MISAPPREHENSION
Mis*ap`pre*hen"sion, n.
Defn: A mistaking or mistake; wrong apprehension of one's meaning of a fact; misconception; misunderstanding.
MISAPPREHENSIVELY
Mis*ap`pre*hen"sive*ly, adv.
Defn: By, or with, misapprehension.
MISAPPROPRIATE
Mis`ap*pro"pri*ate, v. t.
Defn: To appropriate wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose.
MISAPPROPRIATION
Mis`ap*pro`pri*a"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong appropriation; wrongful use.
MISARRANGE
Mis`ar*range", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misarranged; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misarranging.]
Defn: To place in a wrong order, or improper manner.
MISARRANGEMENT
Mis`ar*range"ment, n.
Defn: Wrong arrangement.
MISASCRIBE
Mis`as*cribe", v. t.
Defn: To ascribe wrongly.
MISASSAY
Mis`as*say", v. t.
Defn: To assay, or attempt, improperly or unsuccessfully. [Obs.] W.
Browne.
MISASSIGN
Mis`as*sign", v. t.
Defn: To assign wrongly.
MISATTEND
Mis`at*tend", v. t.
Defn: To misunderstand; to disregard. [Obs.] Milton.
MISAVENTURE
Mis`a*ven"ture, n.
Defn: Misadventure. [Obs.]
MISAVIZE
Mis`a*vize", v. t.
Defn: To misadvise. [Obs.]
MISBEAR
Mis*bear", v. t.
Defn: To carry improperly; to carry (one's self) wrongly; to misbehave. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISBECOME
Mis`be*come", v. t.
Defn: Not to become; to suit ill; not to befit or be adapted to.
Macaulay.
Thy father will not act what misbecomes him. Addison.
MISBECOMING
Mis`be*com"ing, a.
Defn: Unbecoming. Milton.
— Mis`be*com"ing*ly, adv.
— Mis`be*com"ing*ness, n. Boyle.
MISBEDE Mis*bede", v. t. [imp. Misbode; p. p. Misboden.] Etym: [AS. mis- beôdan.]
Defn: To wrong; to do injury to. [Obs.]
Who hath you misboden or offended Chaucer.
MISBEFITTING
Mis`be*fit"ting, a.
Defn: No befitting.
MISBEGOT; MISBEGOTTEN
Mis`be*got", Mis`be*got"ten (, p. a.
Defn: Unlawfully or irregularly begotten; of bad origin; pernicious.
"Valor misbegot." Shak.
MISBEHAVE
Mis`be*have", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Misbehaved; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misbehaving.]
Defn: To behave ill; to conduct one's self improperly; — often used with a reciprocal pronoun.
MISBEHAVED
Mis`be*haved", a.
Defn: Guilty of ill behavior; illbred; rude. "A misbehaved and sullen wench." Shak.
MISBEHAVIOR
Mis`be*hav"ior, n.
Defn: Improper, rude, or uncivil behavior; ill conduct. Addison.
MISBELIEF
Mis`be*lief", n.
Defn: Erroneous or false belief.
MISBELIEVE
Mis`be*lieve" (, v. i.
Defn: To believe erroneously, or in a false religion. "That misbelieving Moor." Shak.
MISBELIEVER
Mis`be*liev"er, n.
Defn: One who believes wrongly; one who holds a false religion. Shak.
MISBESEEM
Mis`be*seem", v. t.
Defn: To suit ill.
MISBESTOW
Mis`be*stow", v. t.
Defn: To bestow improperly.
MISBESTOWAL
Mis`be*stow"al, n.
Defn: The act of misbestowing.
MISBILEVE
Mis`bi*leve", n.
Defn: Misbelief; unbelief; suspicion. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISBODE
Mis*bode", imp.
Defn: of Misbede.
MISBODEN
Mis*bo"den, p. p.
Defn: of Misbede.
MISBORN
Mis"born`, a.
Defn: Born to misfortune. Spenser.
MISCALCULATE
Mis*cal"cu*late, v. t. & i.
Defn: To calculate erroneously; to judge wrongly.
— Mis*cal`cu*la"tion, n.
MISCALL
Mis*call", v. t.
1. To call by a wrong name; to name improperly.
2. To call by a bad name; to abuse. [Obs.] Fuller.
MISCARRIAGE
Mis*car"riage, n.
1. Unfortunate event or issue of an undertaking; failure to attain a desired result or reach a destination. When a counselor, to save himself, Would lay miscarriages upon his prince. Dryden.
2. Ill conduct; evil or improper behavior; as, the failings and miscarriages of the righteous. Rogers.
3. The act of bringing forth before the time; premature birth.
MISCARRIAGEABLE
Mis*car"riage*a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of miscarrying; liable to fail. [R.] Bp. Hall.
MISCARRY
Mis*car"ry, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Miscarried; p. pr. & vb. n.
Miscarrying.]
1. To carry, or go, wrong; to fail of reaching a destination, or fail of the intended effect; to be unsuccessful; to suffer defeat. My ships have all miscarried. Shak. The cardinal's letters to the pope miscarried. Shak.
2. To bring forth young before the proper time.
MISCAST
Mis*cast", v. t.
Defn: To cast or reckon wrongly.
MISCAST
Mis*cast", n.
Defn: An erroneous cast or reckoning.
MISCEGENATION Mis`ce*ge*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. miscere to mix + the root of genus race.]
Defn: A mixing of races; amalgamation, as by intermarriage of black and white.
MISCELLANARIAN
Mis`cel*la*na"ri*an, a. Etym: [See Miscellany.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to miscellanies. Shaftesbury.
— n.
Defn: A writer of miscellanies.
MISCELLANE
Mis"cel*lane, n. Etym: [See Miscellaneous, and cf. Maslin.]
Defn: A mixture of two or more sorts of grain; — now called maslin and meslin. Bacon.
MISCELLANEA
Mis"cel*la"ne*a, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Miscellany.]
Defn: A collection of miscellaneous matters; matters of various kinds.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mis`cel*la"ne*ous, a. Etym: [L. miscellaneus mixed, miscellaneous,
fr. miscellus mixed, fr. miscere to mix. See Mix, and cf.
Miscellany.]
Defn: Mixed; mingled; consisting of several things; of diverse sorts; promiscuous; heterogeneous; as, a miscellaneous collection. "A miscellaneous rabble." Milton. — Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ly, adv. — Mis`cel*la"ne*ous*ness, n.
MISCELLANIST
Mis"cel*la*nist, n.
Defn: A writer of miscellanies; miscellanarian.
MISCELLANY
Mis"cel*la*ny, n.; pl. Miscellanies. Etym: [L. miscellanea, neut. pl.
of. miscellaneus: cf. F. miscellanée, pl. miscellanées. See
Miscellaneous.]
Defn: A mass or mixture of various things; a medley; esp., a
collection of compositions on various subjects.
'T is but a bundle or miscellany of sin; sins original, and sins
actual. Hewyt.
Miscellany madam, a woman who dealt in various fineries; a milliner.
[Obs.] B. Jonson.
MISCELLANY
Mis"cel*la*ny, a.
Defn: Miscellaneous; heterogeneous. [Obs.] Bacon.
MISCENSURE
Mis*cen"sure, v. t.
Defn: To misjudge. [Obs.] Daniel.
— n.
Defn: Erroneous judgment. [Obs.] Sylvester.
MISCHANCE
Mis*chance", n. Etym: [OE. meschance, OF. mescheance.]
Defn: Ill luck; ill fortune; mishap. Chaucer.
Never come mischance between us twain. Shak.
Syn.
— Calamity; misfortune; misadventure; mishap; infelicity; disaster.
See Calamity.
MISCHANCE
Mis*chance", v. i.
Defn: To happen by mischance. Spenser.
MISCHANCEFUL
Mis*chance"ful, a.
Defn: Unlucky. R. Browning.
MISCHARACTERIZE
Mis*char"ac*ter*ize, v. t.
Defn: To characterize falsely or erroneously; to give a wrong
character to.
They totally mischaracterize the action. Eton.
MISCHARGE
Mis*charge", v. t.
Defn: To charge erroneously, as in account.
— n.
Defn: A mistake in charging.
MISCHIEF
Mis"chief, n. Etym: [OE. meschef bad result, OF. meschief; pref. mes-
(L. minus less) + chief end, head, F. chef chief. See Minus, and
Chief.]
1. Harm; damage; esp., disarrangement of order; trouble or vexation caused by human agency or by some living being, intentionally or not; often, calamity, mishap; trivial evil caused by thoughtlessness, or in sport. Chaucer. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs. Ps. lii. 2. The practice whereof shall, I hope, secure me from many mischiefs. Fuller.
2. Cause of trouble or vexation; trouble. Milton. The mischief was, these allies would never allow that the common enemy was subdued. Swift. To be in mischief, to be doing harm or causing annoyance. — To make mischief, to do mischief, especially by exciting quarrels. — To play the mischief, to cause great harm; to throw into confusion. [Colloq.]
Syn. — Damage; harm; hurt; injury; detriment; evil; ill. — Mischief, Damage, Harm. Damage is an injury which diminishes the value of a thing; harm is an injury which causes trouble or inconvenience; mischief is an injury which disturbs the order and consistency of things. We often suffer damage or harm from accident, but mischief always springs from perversity or folly.
MISCHIEF
Mis"chief, v. t.
Defn: To do harm to. [Obs.] Milton.
MISCHIEFABLE
Mis"chief*a*ble, a.
Defn: Mischievous. [R.] Lydgate.
MISCHIEFFUL
Mis"chief*ful, a.
Defn: Mischievous. [Obs.] Foote.
MISCHIEF-MAKER
Mis"chief-mak`er, n.
Defn: One who makes mischief; one who excites or instigates quarrels or enmity.
MISCHIEF-MAKING
Mis"chief-mak`ing, a.
Defn: Causing harm; exciting enmity or quarrels. Rowe.
— n.
Defn: The act or practice of making mischief, inciting quarrels, etc.
MISCHIEVOUS
Mis"chie*vous, a.
Defn: Causing mischief; harmful; hurtful; — now often applied where the evil is done carelessly or in sport; as, a mischievous child. "Most mischievous foul sin." Shak. This false, wily, doubling disposition is intolerably mischievous to society. South.
Syn.
— Harmful; hurtful; detrimental; noxious; pernicious; destructive.
— Mis"chie*vous*ly, adv.
— Mis"chie*vous*ness, n.
MISCHNA
Misch"na, n.
Defn: See Mishna.
MISCHNIC
Misch"nic, a.
Defn: See Mishnic.
MISCHOOSE
Mis*choose", v. t. [imp. Mischose; p. p. Mischosen; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mischoosing.]
Defn: To choose wrongly. Milton.
MISCHOOSE
Mis*choose", v. i.
Defn: To make a wrong choice.
MISCHRISTEN
Mis*chris"ten, v. t.
Defn: To christen wrongly.
MISCIBILITY
Mis`ci*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. miscibilité.]
Defn: Capability of being mixed.
MISCIBLE
Mis"ci*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. miscible, fr. L. miscere to mix.]
Defn: Capable of being mixed; mixable; as, water and alcohol are miscible in all proportions. Burke.
MISCITATION
Mis`ci*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous citation.
MISCITE
Mis*cite", v. t.
Defn: To cite erroneously.
MISCLAIM
Mis*claim", n.
Defn: A mistaken claim.
MISCOGNIZANT
Mis*cog"ni*zant, a. (Law)
Defn: Not cognizant; ignorant; not knowing.
MISCOGNIZE
Mis*cog"nize, v. t.
Defn: To fail to apprehend; to misunderstand. [Obs.] Holland.
MISCOLLOCATION
Mis*col`lo*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong collocation. De Quincey.
MISCOLOR
Mis*col"or, v. t.
Defn: To give a wrong color to; figuratively, to set forth erroneously or unfairly; as, to miscolor facts. C. Kingsley.
MISCOMFORT
Mis*com"fort, n.
Defn: Discomfort. [Obs.]
MISCOMPREHEND
Mis*com`pre*hend", v. t.
Defn: To get a wrong idea of or about; to misunderstand.
MISCOMPUTATION
Mis*com`pu*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous computation; false reckoning.
MISCOMPUTE
Mis`com*pute", v. t. Etym: [Cf. Miscount.]
Defn: To compute erroneously. Sir T. Browne.
MISCONCEIT
Mis`con*ceit", n.
Defn: Misconception. [Obs.]
MISCONCEIVE Mis`con*ceive", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Misconceived; p. pr. & vb. n. Misconceiving.]
Defn: To conceive wrongly; to interpret incorrectly; to receive a false notion of; to misjudge; to misapprehend. Those things which, for want of due consideration heretofore, they have misconceived. Hooker.
Syn.
— To misapprehend; misunderstand; mistake.
MISCONCEIVER
Mis`con*ceiv"er, n.
Defn: One who misconceives.
MISCONCEPTION
Mis`con*cep"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous conception; false opinion; wrong understanding.
Harvey.
MISCONCLUSION
Mis`con*clu"sion, n.
Defn: An erroneous inference or conclusion. Bp. Hall.
MISCONDUCT
Mis*con"duct, n.
Defn: Wrong conduct; bad behavior; mismanagement. Addison.
Syn. — Misbehavior; misdemeanor; mismanagement; misdeed; delinquency; offense.
MISCONDUCT
Mis`con*duct", v. t.
Defn: To conduct amiss; to mismanage. Johnson. To misconduct one's self, to behave improperly.
MISCONDUCT
Mis`con*duct", v. i.
Defn: To behave amiss.
MISCONFIDENT
Mis*con"fi*dent, a.
Defn: Having a mistaken confidence; wrongly trusting. [R.] Bp. Hall.
MISCONJECTURE
Mis`con*jec"ture, n.
Defn: A wrong conjecture or guess. Sir T. Browne.
MISCONJECTURE
Mis`con*jec"ture, v. t. & i.
Defn: To conjecture wrongly.
MISCONSECRATE
Mis*con"se*crate, v. t.
Defn: To consecrate amiss. "Misconsecrated flags." Bp. Hall.
MISCONSECRATION
Mis*con`se*cra"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong consecration.
MISCONSEQUENCE
Mis*con"se*quence, n.
Defn: A wrong consequence; a false deduction.
MISCONSTRUABLE
Mis*con"stru*a*ble, a.
Defn: Such as can be misconstrued, as language or conduct. R. North.
MISCONSTRUCT
Mis`con*struct", v. t.
Defn: To construct wrongly; to construe or interpret erroneously.
MISCONSTRUCTION
Mis`con*struc"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous construction; wrong interpretation. Bp.
Stillingfleet.
MISCONSTRUE
Mis*con"strue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misconstrued; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misconstruing.]
Defn: To construe wrongly; to interpret erroneously.
Do not, great sir, misconstrue his intent. Dryden.
Much afflicted to find his actions misconstrued. Addison.
MISCONSTRUER
Mis*con"stru*er, n.
Defn: One who misconstrues.
MISCONTENT
Mis`con*tent", a.
Defn: Discontent. [Obs.]
MISCONTINUANCE
Mis`con*tin"u*ance, n. (Law)
Defn: Discontinuance; also, continuance by undue process.
MISCOPY
Mis*copy", v. t.
Defn: To copy amiss.
MISCOPY
Mis*copy", n.
Defn: A mistake in copying. North Am. Rev.
MISCORRECT
Mis`cor*rect", v. t.
Defn: To fail or err in attempting to correct. "Scaliger miscorrects his author." Dryden.
MISCOUNSEL
Mis*coun"sel, v. t.
Defn: To counsel or advise wrongly.
MISCOUNT
Mis*count", v. t. & i. Etym: [Cf. OF. mesconter, F. mécompter. Cf.
Miscompute.]
Defn: To count erroneously.
MISCOUNT
Mis*count", n. Etym: [Cf. F. mécompte error, OF. mesconte.]
Defn: An erroneous counting.
MISCOVET
Mis*cov"et, v. t.
Defn: To covet wrongfully. [Obs.]
MISCREANCE; MISCREANCY Mis"cre*ance, Mis"cre*an*cy, n. Etym: [OF. mescreance, F. mécréance incredulity.]
Defn: The quality of being miscreant; adherence to a false religion; false faith. [Obs.] Ayliffe.
MISCREANT Mis"cre*ant, n. Etym: [OF. mescreant, F. mécréant; pref. mes- (L. minus less) + p. pr. fr. L. credere to believe. See Creed.]
1. One who holds a false religious faith; a misbeliever. [Obs.] Spenser. De Quincey. Thou oughtest not to be slothful to the destruction of the miscreants, but to constrain them to obey our Lord God. Rivers.
2. One not restrained by Christian principles; an unscrupulous villain; a while wretch. Addison.
MISCREANT
Mis"cre*ant, a.
1. Holding a false religious faith.
2. Destitute of conscience; unscrupulous. Pope.
MISCREATE
Mis`cre*ate", a.
Defn: Miscreated; illegitimate; forged; as, miscreate titles. [Obs. or Poet.] Shak.
MISCREATE
Mis`cre*ate", v. t.
Defn: To create badly or amiss.
MISCREATED
Mis`cre*at"ed, a.
Defn: Formed unnaturally or illegitimately; deformed. Spenser.
Milton.
MISCREATIVE
Mis`cre*a"tive, a.
Defn: Creating amiss. [R.]
MISCREDENT
Mis*cre"dent, n. Etym: [Pref. mis- + credent. Cf. Miscreant.]
Defn: A miscreant, or believer in a false religious doctrine. [Obs.]
Holinshed.
MISCREDULITY
Mis`cre*du"li*ty, n.
Defn: Wrong credulity or belief; misbelief. Bp. Hall.
MISCUE
Mis*cue", n. (Billiards)
Defn: A false stroke with a billiard cue, the cue slipping from the ball struck without impelling it as desired.
MISDATE
Mis*date", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misdated; p. pr. & vb. n. Misdating.]
Defn: To date erroneously. Young.
MISDEAL
Mis*deal", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Misdealt; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misdealing.]
Defn: To deal or distribute wrongly, as cards; to make a wrong distribution.
MISDEAL
Mis*deal", n.
Defn: The act of misdealing; a wrong distribution of cards to the players.
MISDEED
Mis*deed", n. Etym: [AS. misd. See Deed, n.]
Defn: An evil deed; a wicked action.
Evils which our own misdeeds have wrought. Milton.
Syn. — Misconduct; misdemeanor; fault; offense; trespass; transgression; crime.
MISDEEM
Mis*deem", v. t.
Defn: To misjudge. [Obs.] Milton.
MISDEMEAN
Mis`de*mean", v. t.
Defn: To behave ill; — with a reflexive pronoun; as, to misdemean one's self.
MISDEMEANANT
Mis`de*mean"ant, n.
Defn: One guilty of a misdemeanor. Sydney Smith.
MISDEMEANOR
Mis`de*mean"or, n.
1. Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault. Shak.
2. (Law)
Defn: A crime less than a felony. Wharton.
Note: As a rule, in the old English law, offenses capitally punishable were felonies; all other indictable offenses were misdemeanors. In common usage, the word crime is employed to denote the offenses of a deeper and more atrocious dye, while small faults and omissions of less consequence are comprised under the gentler name of misdemeanors. Blackstone. The distinction, however, between felonies and misdemeanors is purely arbitrary, and is in most jurisdictions either abrogated or so far reduced as to be without practical value. Cf. Felony. Wharton.
Syn.
— Misdeed; misconduct; misbehavior; fault; trespass; transgression.
MISDEMPT
Mis*dempt", obs. p. p.
Defn: of Misdeem. Spenser.
MISDEPART
Mis`de*part", v. t.
Defn: To distribute wrongly. [Obs.]
He misdeparteth riches temporal. Chaucer.
MISDERIVE
Mis`de*rive", v. t.
1. To turn or divert improperly; to misdirect. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
2. To derive erroneously.
MISDESCRIBE
Mis`de*scribe", v. t.
Defn: To describe wrongly.
MISDESERT
Mis`de*sert", n.
Defn: Ill desert. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISDEVOTION
Mis`de*vo"tion, n.
Defn: Mistaken devotion.
MISDIET
Mis*di"et, n.
Defn: Improper. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISDIET
Mis*di"et, v. t.
Defn: To diet improperly.
MISDIGHT
Mis*dight", a.
Defn: Arrayed, prepared, or furnished, unsuitably. [Archaic] Bp.
Hall.
MISDIRECT
Mis`di*rect", v. t.
Defn: To give a wrong direction to; as, to misdirect a passenger, or a letter; to misdirect one's energies. Shenstone.
MISDIRECTION
Mis`di*rec"tion, n.
1. The act of directing wrongly, or the state of being so directed.
2. (Law)
Defn: An error of a judge in charging the jury on a matter of law.
Mozley & W.
MISDISPOSITION
Mis*dis`po*si"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous disposal or application. Bp. Hall.
MISDISTINGUISH
Mis`dis*tin"guish, v. t.
Defn: To make wrong distinctions in or concerning. Hooker.
MISDIVIDE
Mis`di*vide", v. t.
Defn: To divide wrongly.
MISDIVISION
Mis`di*vi"sion, n.
Defn: Wrong division.
MISDO
Mis*do", v. t. [imp. Misdid; p. p. Misdone; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misdoing.] Etym: [AS. misd. See Do, v.]
1. To do wrongly. Afford me place to show what recompense To wards thee I intend for what I have misdone. Milton.
2. To do wrong to; to illtreat. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISDO
Mis*do", v. i.
Defn: To do wrong; to commit a fault.
I have misdone, and I endure the smart. Dryden.
MISDOER
Mis*do"er, n.
Defn: A wrongdoer. Spenser.
MISDOING
Mis*do"ing, n.
Defn: A wrong done; a fault or crime; an offense; as, it was my misdoing.
MISDOUBT
Mis*doubt", v. t. & i.
Defn: To be suspicious of; to have suspicion. [Obs.]
I do not misdoubt my wife. Shak.
MISDOUBT
Mis*doubt", n.
1. Suspicion. [Obs.]
2. Irresolution; hesitation. [Obs.] Shak.
MISDOUBTFUL
Mis*doubt"ful, a
Defn: Misgiving; hesitating. [Obs.] "Her misdoubtful mind." Spenser.
MISDREAD
Mis*dread", n.
Defn: Dread of evil. [Obs.]
MISE Mise, n. Etym: [F. mise a putting, setting, expense, fr. mis, mise, p. p. of mettre to put, lay, fr. LL. mittere to send.]
1. (Law)
Defn: The issue in a writ of right.
2. Expense; cost; disbursement. [Obs.]
3. A tax or tallage; in Wales, an honorary gift of the people to a new king or prince of Wales; also, a tribute paid, in the country palatine of Chester, England, at the change of the owner of the earldom. [Obs.]
MISEASE
Mis*ease", n. Etym: [OE. mesaise, OF. mesaise.]
Defn: Want of ease; discomfort; misery. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISEASED
Mis*eased", a.
Defn: Having discomfort or misery; troubled. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISEASY
Mis*eas"y, a.
Defn: Not easy; painful. [Obs.]
MISEDITION
Mis`e*di"tion, n.
Defn: An incorrect or spurious edition. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
MISEDUCATE
Mis*ed"u*cate, v. t.
Defn: To educate in a wrong manner.
MISEMPLOY
Mis`em*ploy", v. t.
Defn: To employ amiss; as, to misemploy time, advantages, talents,
etc.
Their frugal father's gains they misemploy. Dryden.
MISEMPLOYMENT
Mis`em*ploy"ment, n.
Defn: Wrong or mistaken employment. Johnson.
MISENTER
Mis*en"ter, v. t.
Defn: To enter or insert wrongly, as a charge in an account.
MISENTREAT
Mis`en*treat", v. t.
Defn: To treat wrongfully. [Obs.] Grafton.
MISENTRY
Mis*en"try, n.
Defn: An erroneous entry or charge, as of an account.
MISER Mi"ser, n. Etym: [L. miser wretched, miserable; cf. Gr. misero wretched, avaricious.]
1. A wretched person; a person afflicted by any great misfortune. [Obs.] Spenser. The woeful words of a miser now despairing. Sir P. Sidney.
2. A despicable person; a wretch. [Obs.] Shak.
3. A covetous, grasping, mean person; esp., one having wealth, who lives miserably for the sake of saving and increasing his hoard. As some lone miser, visiting his store, Bends at his treasure, counts, recounts it o'er. Goldsmith.
4. A kind of large earth auger. Knight.
MISERABLE Mis"er*a*ble, a. Etym: [F. misérable, L. miserabilis, fr. miserari to lament, pity, fr. miser wretched. See Miser.]
1. Very unhappy; wretched. What hopes delude thee, miserable man Dryden.
2. Causing unhappiness or misery. What 's more miserable than discontent Shak.
3. Worthless; mean; despicable; as, a miserable fellow; a miserable dinner. Miserable comforters are ye all. Job xvi. 2.
4. Avaricious; niggardly; miserly. [Obs.] Hooker.
Syn.
— Abject; forlorn; pitiable; wretched.
MISERABLE
Mis"er*a*ble, n.
Defn: A miserable person. [Obs.] Sterne.
MISERABLENESS
Mis"er*a*ble*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being miserable.
MISERABLY
Mis"er*a*bly, adv.
Defn: In a miserable; unhappily; calamitously; wretchedly; meanly.
They were miserably entertained. Sir P. Sidney.
The fifth was miserably stabbed to death. South.
MISERATION
Mis`er*a"tion, n.
Defn: Commiseration. [Obs.]
MISERERE Mis`e*re"re, n. Etym: [L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See Miser.]
1. (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It commences with the word miserere.
2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm. Where only the wind signs miserere. Lowell.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also misericordia.
4. (Med.)
Defn: Same as Ileus.
MISERICORDE
Mis"er*i*corde", n. Etym: [F. miséricorde. See Misericordia.]
1. Compassion; pity; mercy. [Obs.]
2. (Anc. Armor.)
Defn: Same as Misericordia, 2.
MISERICORDIA Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a, n. Etym: [L., mercy, compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.]
1. (O. Law)
Defn: An amercement. Burrill.
2. (Anc. Armor.)
Defn: A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or "mercy" stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. (Eccl.)
Defn: An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order. Shipley.
MISERLY
Mi"ser*ly, a. Etym: [From Miser.]
Defn: Like a miser; very covetous; sordid; niggardly.
Syn. — Avaricious; niggardly; sordid; parsimonious; penurious; covetous; stingy; mean. See Avaricious.
MISERY Mi"ser*y, n.; pl. Miseries. Etym: [OE. miserie, L. miseria, fr. miser wretched: cf. F. misère, OF. also, miserie.]
1. Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; wretchedness; distress; woe. Chaucer. Destruction and misery are in their ways. Rom. iii. 16.
2. Cause of misery; calamity; misfortune. When we our betters see bearing our woes, We scarcely think our miseries our foes. Shak.
3. Covetousness; niggardliness; avarice. [Obs.]
Syn. — Wretchedness; torture; agony; torment; anguish; distress; calamity; misfortune.
MISESTEEM
Mis`es*teem", n. Etym: [Cf. F. mésestime.]
Defn: Want of esteem; disrespect. Johnson.
MISESTIMATE
Mis*es"ti*mate, v. t.
Defn: To estimate erroneously. J. S. Mill.
MISEXPLANATION
Mis*ex`pla*na"tion, n.
Defn: An erroneous explanation.
MISEXPLICATION
Mis*ex`pli*ca"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong explication.
MISEXPOSITION
Mis*ex`po*si"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong exposition.
MISEXPOUND
Mis`ex*pound", v. t.
Defn: To expound erroneously.
MISEXPRESSION
Mis`ex*pres"sion, n.
Defn: Wrong expression.
MISFAITH
Mis*faith", n.
Defn: Want of faith; distrust. "[Anger] born of your misfaith."
Tennyson.
MISFALL
Mis*fall", v. t. [imp. Misfell; p. p. Misfallen (; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misfalling.]
Defn: To befall, as ill luck; to happen to unluckily. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISFARE
Mis*fare", v. i. Etym: [AS. misfaran.]
Defn: To fare ill. [Obs.] — n.
Defn: Misfortune. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISFASHION
Mis*fash"ion, v. t.
Defn: To form wrongly.
MISFEASANCE Mis*fea"sance, n. Etym: [OF. pref. mes- wrong (L. minus less) + faisance doing, fr. faire to do, L. facere. Cf. Malfeasance.] (Law)
Defn: A trespass; a wrong done; the improper doing of an act which a person might lawfully do. Bouvier. Wharton.
MISFEATURE
Mis*fea"ture, n.
Defn: Ill feature. [R.] Keats.
MISFEELING
Mis*feel"ing, a.
Defn: Insensate. [Obs.] Wyclif.
MISFEIGN
Mis*feign", v. i.
Defn: To feign with an evil design. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISFIT
Mis*fit", n.
1. The act or the state of fitting badly; as, a misfit in making a coat; a ludicrous misfit.
2. Something that fits badly, as a garment. I saw an uneasy change in Mr. Micawber, which sat tightly on him, as if his new duties were a misfit. Dickens.
MISFORM
Mis*form", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misformed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misforming.]
Defn: To make in an ill form. Spenser.
MISFORMATION
Mis`for*ma"tion, n.
Defn: Malformation.
MISFORTUNATE
Mis*for"tu*nate, a.
Defn: Producing misfortune. [Obs.]
MISFORTUNE
Mis*for"tune, n.
Defn: Bad fortune or luck; calamity; an evil accident; disaster;
mishap; mischance.
Consider why the change was wrought, You 'll find his misfortune, not
his fault. Addison.
Syn.
— Calamity; mishap; mischance; misadventure; ill; harm; disaster.
See Calamity.
MISFORTUNE
Mis*for"tune, v. i.
Defn: To happen unluckily or unfortunately; to miscarry; to fail.
[Obs.] Stow.
MISFORTUNED
Mis*for"tuned, a.
Defn: Unfortunate. [Obs.]
MISFRAME
Mis*frame", v. t.
Defn: To frame wrongly.
MISGET
Mis*get", v. t.
Defn: To get wrongfully. [Obs.]
MISGIE
Mis*gie", v. t.
Defn: See Misgye. [Obs.]
MISGIVE
Mis*give", v. t. [imp. Misgave; p. p. Misgiven; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misgiving.]
1. To give or grant amiss. [Obs.] Laud.
2. Specifically: To give doubt and apprehension to, instead of confidence and courage; to impart fear to; to make irresolute; — usually said of the mind or heart, and followed by the objective personal pronoun. So doth my heart misgive me in these conflicts What may befall him, to his harm and ours. Shak. Such whose consciences misgave them, how ill they had deserved. Milton.
3. To suspect; to dread. [Obs.] Shak.
MISGIVE
Mis*give", v. i.
Defn: To give out doubt and apprehension; to be fearful or irresolute. "My mind misgives." Shak.
MISGIVING
Mis*giv"ing, n.
Defn: Evil premonition; doubt; distrust. "Suspicious and misgivings."
South.
MISGO
Mis*go", v. i.
Defn: To go astray. Spenser.
MISGOTTEN
Mis*got"ten, a.
Defn: Unjustly gotten. Spenser.
MISGOVERN
Mis*gov"ern, v. t.
Defn: To govern ill; as, to misgovern a country. Knolles.
MISGOVERNANCE
Mis*gov"ern*ance, n.
Defn: Misgovernment; misconduct; misbehavior. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Spenser.
MISGOVERNED
Mis*gov"erned, a.
Defn: Ill governed, as a people; ill directed. "Rude, misgoverned hands." Shak.
MISGOVERNMENT
Mis*gov"ern*ment, n.
Defn: Bad government; want of government. Shak.
MISGRACIOUS
Mis*gra"cious, a.
Defn: Not gracious. [Obs.]
MISGRAFF
Mis*graff", v. t.
Defn: To misgraft. [Obs.] Shak.
MISGRAFT
Mis*graft", v. t.
Defn: To graft wrongly.
MISGROUND
Mis*ground", v. t.
Defn: To found erroneously. "Misgrounded conceit." Bp. Hall.
MISGROWTH
Mis*growth", n.
Defn: Bad growth; an unnatural or abnormal growth.
MISGUESS
Mis*guess", v. t. & i.
Defn: To guess wrongly.
MISGUIDANCE
Mis*guid"ance, n.
Defn: Wrong guidance.
MISGUIDE
Mis*guide", v. t.
Defn: To guide wrongly; to lead astray; as, to misguide the understanding.
MISGUIDE
Mis*guide", n.
Defn: Misguidance; error. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISGUIDING
Mis*guid"ing, a.
Defn: Misleading.
— Mis*guid"ing*ly, adv.
MISGYE
Mis*gye", v. t.
Defn: To misguide. [Obs.]
MISHANDLE
Mis*han"dle, v. t.
Defn: To handle ill or wrongly; to maltreat.
MISHAP
Mis*hap", n.
Defn: Evil accident; ill luck; misfortune; mischance. Chaucer.
Secure from worldly chances and mishaps. Shak.
MISHAP
Mis*hap", v. i.
Defn: To happen unluckily; — used impersonally. [Obs.] "If that me mishap." Chaucer.
MISHAPPEN
Mis*hap"pen, v. i.
Defn: To happen ill or unluckily. Spenser.
MISHAPPY
Mis*hap"py, a.
Defn: Unhappy. [Obs.]
MISHCUP
Mish*cup", n. Etym: [See Scup.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The scup. [Local, U. S.]
MISHEAR
Mis*hear", v. t. & i.
Defn: To hear incorrectly.
MISHMASH
Mish"mash`, n. Etym: [Cf. G. mish-mash, fr. mischen to mix.]
Defn: A hotchpotch. Sir T. Herbert.
MISHNA Mish"na, n. Etym: [NHeb. mishnah, i. e., repetition, doubling, explanation (of the divine law), fr. Heb. shanah to change, to repeat.]
Defn: A collection or digest of Jewish traditions and explanations of
Scripture, forming the text of the Talmud. [Written also Mischna.]
MISHNIC
Mish"nic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Mishna.
MISIMAGINATION
Mis`im*ag`i*na"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong imagination; delusion. Bp. Hall.
MISIMPROVE
Mis`im*prove", v. t.
Defn: To use for a bad purpose; to abuse; to misuse; as, to misimprove time, talents, advantages, etc. South.
MISIMPROVEMENT
Mis`im*prove"ment, n.
Defn: Ill use or employment; use for a bad purpose.
MISINCLINE
Mis"in*cline", v. t.
Defn: To cause to have a wrong inclination or tendency; to affect wrongly.
MISINFER
Mis`in*fer", v. t.
Defn: To infer incorrectly.
MISINFORM
Mis`in*form", v. t.
Defn: To give untrue information to; to inform wrongly.
MISINFORM
Mis`in*form", v. i.
Defn: To give untrue information; (with against) to calumniate. [R.]
Bp. Montagu.
MISINFORMANT
Mis`in*form"ant, n.
Defn: A misinformer.
MISINFORMATION
Mis*in`for*ma"tion, n.
Defn: Untrue or incorrect information. Bacon.
MISINFORMER
Mis`in*form"er, n.
Defn: One who gives or incorrect information.
MISINSTRUCT
Mis`in*struct", v. t.
Defn: To instruct amiss.
MISINSTRUCTION
Mis`in*struc"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong or improper instruction.
MISINTELLIGENCE
Mis`in*tel"li*gence, n.
1. Wrong information; misinformation.
2. Disagreement; misunderstanding. [Obs.]
MISINTEND
Mis`in*tend", v. t.
Defn: To aim amiss. [Obs.]
MISINTERPRET
Mis`in*ter"pret, v. t.
Defn: To interpret erroneously; to understand or to explain in a wrong sense.
MISINTERPRETABLE
Mis`in*ter"pret*a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being misinterpreted; liable to be misunderstood.
MISINTERPRETATION
Mis`in*ter"pre*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of interpreting erroneously; a mistaken interpretation.
MISINTERPRETER
Mis`in*ter"pret*er, n.
Defn: One who interprets erroneously.
MISJOIN
Mis*join", v. t.
Defn: To join unfitly or improperly.
MISJOINDER
Mis*join"der, n. (Law)
Defn: An incorrect union of parties or of causes of action in a procedure, criminal or civil. Wharton.
MISJUDGE
Mis*judge", v. t. & i.
Defn: To judge erroneously or unjustly; to err in judgment; to misconstrue.
MISJUDGMENT
Mis*judg"ment, n. Etym: [Written also misjudgement.]
Defn: A wrong or unjust judgment.
MISKEEP
Mis*keep", v. t.
Defn: To keep wrongly. Chaucer.
MISKEN
Mis*ken", v. t.
Defn: Not to know. [Obs.]
MISKIN
Mis"kin, n. Etym: [Prob. for music + -kin.] (Mus.)
Defn: A little bagpipe. [Obs.] Drayton.
MISKINDLE
Mis*kin"dle, v. t.
Defn: To kindle amiss; to inflame to a bad purpose; to excite wrongly.
MISKNOW
Mis*know", v. t.
Defn: To have a mistaken notion of or about. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
MISLACTATION
Mis`lac*ta"tion, n. (Med.)
Defn: Defective flow or vitiated condition of the milk.
MISLAY
Mis*lay", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mislaid; p. pr. & vb. n. Mislaying.]
1. To lay in a wrong place; to ascribe to a wrong source. The fault is generally mislaid upon nature. Locke.
2. To lay in a place not recollected; to lose. The… charter, indeed, was unfortunately mislaid: and the prayer of their petition was to obtain one of like import in its stead. Hallam.
MISLAYER
Mis*lay"er, n.
Defn: One who mislays.
MISLE
Mi"sle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Misled; p. pr. & vb. n. Misling.] Etym:
[Prop. mistle, fr. mist. Cf. Mistle, Mizzle.]
Defn: To rain in very fine drops, like a thick mist; to mizzle.
MISLE
Mi"sle, n.
Defn: A fine rain; a thick mist; mizzle.
MISLEAD
Mis*lead", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misled; p. pr. & vb. n. Misleading.]
Etym: [AS. misl. See Mis-, and Lead to conduct.]
Defn: To lead into a wrong way or path; to lead astray; to guide into
error; to cause to mistake; to deceive.
Trust not servants who mislead or misinform you. Bacon.
To give due light To the mislead and lonely traveler. Milton.
Syn.
— To delude; deceive. See Deceive.
MISLEADER
Mis*lead"er, n.
Defn: One who leads into error.
MISLEADING
Mis*lead"ing, a.
Defn: Leading astray; delusive.
MISLEARN
Mis*learn", v. t.
Defn: To learn wrongly.
MISLED
Mis*led", imp. & p. p.
Defn: of Mislead.
MISLEN
Mis"len, n.
Defn: See Maslin.
MISLETOE
Mis"le*toe, n.
Defn: See Mistletoe.
MISLIGHT
Mis*light", v. t.
Defn: To deceive or lead astray with a false light. Herrick.
MISLIKE
Mis*like", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Misliked; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misliking.] Etym: [AS. mislician to displease. See Like, v.]
Defn: To dislike; to disapprove of; to have aversion to; as, to
mislike a man.
Who may like or mislike what he says. I. Taylor.
MISLIKE
Mis*like", n.
Defn: Dislike; disapprobation; aversion.
MISLIKER
Mis*lik"er, n.
Defn: One who dislikes.
MISLIKING
Mis*lik"ing, n.
Defn: Dislike; aversion.
MISLIN
Mis"lin, n. & a.
Defn: See Maslin.
MISLIVE
Mis*live", v. i.
Defn: To live amiss.
MISLODGE
Mis*lodge", v. t.
Defn: To lodge amiss. [Obs.]
MISLUCK
Mis*luck", n.
Defn: Ill luck; misfortune.
MISLY
Mis"ly, a.
Defn: Raining in very small drops.
MISMAKE
Mis*make", v. t.
Defn: To make or form amiss; to spoil in making. "Limping possibilities of mismade human nature." Mrs. Browning.
MISMAKE
Mis*make" (mis*mak"), v. t.
Defn: To make or form amiss; to spoil in making. "Limping possibilities of mismade human nature." Mrs. Browning.
MISMANAGE
Mis*man"age, v. t. & i.
Defn: To manage ill or improperly; as, to mismanage public affairs.
MISMANAGEMENT
Mis*man"age*ment, n.
Defn: Wrong or bad management; as, he failed through mismagement.
MISMANAGER
Mis*man"a*ger, n.
Defn: One who manages ill.
MISMARK
Mis*mark", v. t.
Defn: To mark wrongly.
MISMATCH
Mis*match", v. t.
Defn: To match unsuitably.
MISMATE
Mis*mate", v. t.
Defn: To mate wrongly or unsuitably; as, to mismate gloves or shoes; a mismated couple.
MISMEASURE
Mis*meas"ure, v. t.
Defn: To measure or estimate incorrectly.
MISMEASUREMENT
Mis*meas"ure*ment, n.
Defn: Wrong measurement.
MISMETER
Mis*me"ter, v. t.
Defn: To give the wrong meter to, as to a line of verse. [R.]
Chaucer.
MISNAME
Mis*name", v. t.
Defn: To call by the wrong name; to give a wrong or inappropriate name to.
MISNOMER
Mis*no"mer, n. Etym: [OF. pref. mes- amiss, wrong (L. minus less) +
F. nommer to name, L. nominare, fr. nomen name. See Name.]
Defn: The misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a complaint or indictment; any misnaming of a person or thing; a wrong or inapplicable name or title. Many of the changes, by a great misnomer, called parliamentary "reforms". Burke. The word "synonym" is fact a misnomer. Whatel
MISNOMER
Mis*no"mer, v. t.
Defn: To misname. [R.]
MISNUMBER
Mis*num"ber, v. t.
Defn: To number wrongly.
MISNURTURE
Mis*nur"ture, v. t.
Defn: To nurture or train wrongly; as, to misnurture children. Bp.
Hall.
MISOBEDIENCE
Mis`o*be"di*ence, n.
Defn: Mistaken obedience; disobedience. [Obs.] Milton.
MISOBSERVE
Mis`ob*serve", v. t.
Defn: To observe inaccurately; to mistake in observing. Locke.
MISOBSERVER
Mis`ob*serv"er, n.
Defn: One who misobserves; one who fails to observe properly.
MISOGAMIST
Mi*sog"a*mist, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A hater of marriage.
MISOGAMY
Mi*sog"a*my, n. Etym: [Cf. F. misogamie.]
Defn: Hatre
MISOGYNIST
Mi*sog"y*nist, n. Etym: [Gr. misogyne.]
Defn: A woman hater. Fuller.
MISOGYNOUS
Mi*sog"y*nous, a.
Defn: Hating women.
MISOGYNY
Mi*sog"y*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. misogynie.]
Defn: Hatred of women. Johnson.
MISOLOGY
Mi*sol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Hatred of argument or discussion; hatred of enlightenment. G.
H. Lewes.
MISOPINION
Mis`o*pin"ion, n.
Defn: Wrong opinion. [Obs.]
MISORDER
Mis*or"der, v. t.
Defn: To order ill; to manage erroneously; to conduct badly. [Obs.]
Shak.
MISORDER
Mis*or"der, n.
Defn: Irregularity; disorder. [Obs.] Camden.
MISORDERLY
Mis*or"der*ly, a.
Defn: Irregular; disorderly. [Obs.]
MISORDINATION
Mis*or`di*na"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong ordination.
MISOTHEISM
Mis"o*the`ism, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Hatred of God. De Quincey.
MISPAINT
Mis*paint", v. t.
Defn: To paint ill, or wrongly.
MISPASSION
Mis*pas"sion, n.
Defn: Wrong passion or feeling. [Obs.]
MISPAY
Mis*pay", v. t. Etym: [Cf. Appay.]
Defn: To dissatisfy. [Obs.]
MISPELL; MISPEND
Mis*pell", v. t., Mis*pend" (, v. t., etc.
Defn: See Misspell, Misspend, etc.
MISPENSE
Mis*pense", n.
Defn: See Misspense. Bp. Hall.
MISPERCEPTION
Mis`per*cep"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous perception.
MISPERSUADE
Mis`per*suade", v. t.
Defn: To persuade amiss.
MISPERSUASION
Mis`per*sua"sion, n.
Defn: A false persuasion; wrong notion or opinion. Dr. H. More.
MISPICKEL
Mis*pick"el, n. Etym: [G.] (Min.)
Defn: Arsenical iron pyrites; arsenopyrite.
MISPLACE
Mis*place", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misplaced; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misplacing.]
Defn: To put in a wrong place; to set or place on an improper or unworthy object; as, he misplaced his confidence.
MISPLACEMENT
Mis*place"ment, n.
Defn: The act of misplacing, or the state of being misplaced.
MISPLEAD
Mis*plead", v. i.
Defn: To err in pleading.
MISPLEADING
Mis*plead"ing, n. (Law)
Defn: An error in pleading.
MISPOINT
Mis*point", v. t.
Defn: To point improperly; to punctuate wrongly.
MISPOLICY
Mis*pol"i*cy, n.
Defn: Wrong policy; impolicy.
MISPRACTICE
Mis*prac"tice, n.
Defn: Wrong practice.
MISPRAISE
Mis*praise", v. t.
Defn: To praise amiss.
MISPRINT
Mis*print", v. t.
Defn: To print wrong.
MISPRINT
Mis*print", n.
Defn: A mistake in printing; a deviation from the copy; as, a book full of misprints.
MISPRISE
Mis*prise", v. t.
Defn: See Misprize. [Obs.] Shak.
MISPRISE Mis*prise", v. t. Etym: [OF. mesprise mistake, F. méprise, fr. mespris, masc., mesprise, fem., p. p. of mesprendre to mistake; F. méprendre; pref. mes- amiss + prendre to take, L. prehendere.]
Defn: To mistake. [Obs.] Shak.
MISPRISION
Mis*pri"sion, n. Etym: [LL. misprisio, or OF. mesprison, prop., a
mistaking, but confused with OF. mespris contempt, F. mépris. See 2d
Misprise, Misprize, Prison.]
1. The act of misprising; misapprehension; misconception; mistake. [Archaic] Fuller. The misprision of this passage has aided in fostering the delusive notion. Hare.
2. Neglect; undervaluing; contempt. [Obs.] Shak.
3. (Law)
Defn: A neglect, negligence, or contempt.
Note: In its larger and older sense it was used to signify "every considerable misdemeanor which has not a certain name given to it in the law." Russell. In a more modern sense it is applied exclusively to two offenses: —1. Misprision of treason, which is omission to notify the authorities of an act of treason by a person cognizant thereof. Stephen. 2. Misprision of felony, which is a concealment of a felony by a person cognizant thereof. Stephen.
MISPRIZE
Mis*prize", v. t. Etym: [OF. mesprisier to deprise, F. mépriser;
pref. amiss, wrong (L. minus less + LL. pretium price. See price,
Prize, v.]
Defn: To slight or undervalue.
O, for those vanished hours, so much misprized! Hillhouse.
I do not blame them, madam, nor misprize. Mrs. Browning.
MISPROCEEDING
Mis`pro*ceed"ing, n.
Defn: Wrong or irregular proceding.
MISPROFESS
Mis`pro*fess", v. i.
Defn: To make a false profession; to make pretensions to skill which is not possessed.
MISPROFESS
Mis`pro*fess", v. t.
Defn: To make a false profession of.
MISPRONOUNCE Mis`pro*nounce", v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Mispronounced; p. pr. & vb. n. Mispronouncing.]
Defn: To pronounce incorrectly.
MISPRONUNCIATION
Mis`pro*nun`ci*a"tion ( or ), n.
Defn: Wrong or improper pronunciation.
MISPROPORTION
Mis`pro*por"tion, v. t.
Defn: To give wrong proportions to; to join without due proportion.
MISPROUD
Mis*proud", a.
Defn: Viciously proud. [Obs.] Shak.
MISPUNCTUATE
Mis*punc"tu*ate, v. t.
Defn: To punctuate wrongly or incorrectly.
MISQUOTATION
Mis`quo*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous or inaccurate quotation.
MISQUOTE
Mis*quote", v. t. & i.
Defn: To quote erroneously or incorrectly. Shak.
MISRAISE
Mis*raise", v. t.
Defn: To raise or exite unreasonable. "Misraised fury." Bp. Hall.
MISRATE
Mis*rate", v. t.
Defn: To rate erroneously.
MISREAD
Mis*read", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misread; p. pr. & vb. n. Misreading.]
Defn: To read amiss; to misunderstand in reading.
MISRECEIVE
Mis`re*ceive", v. t.
Defn: To receive wrongly.
MISRECITAL
Mis`re*cit"al, n.
Defn: An inaccurate recital.
MISRECITE
Mis`re*cite", v. t. & i.
Defn: To recite erroneously.
MISRECKON
Mis*reck"on, v. t. & i.
Defn: To reckon wrongly; to miscalculate. Swift.
MISRECKONING
Mis*reck"on*ing, n.
Defn: An erroneous computation.
MISRECOLLECT
Mis*rec`ol*lect", v. t. & i.
Defn: To have an erroneous remembrance of; to suppose erroneously that one recollects. Hitchcock.
MISRECOLLECTION
Mis*rec`ol*lec"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous or inaccurate recollection.
MISREFORM
Mis`re*form", v. t.
Defn: To reform wrongly or imperfectly.
MISREGARD
Mis`re*gard", n.
Defn: Wrong understanding; misconstruction. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISREGULATE
Mis*reg"u*late, v. t.
Defn: To regulate wrongly or imperfectly; to fail to regulate.
MISREHEARSE
Mis`re*hearse", v. t.
Defn: To rehearse or quote incorrectly. Sir T. More.
MISRELATE
Mis`re*late", v. t.
Defn: To relate inaccurately.
MISRELATION
Mis`re*la"tion, n.
Defn: Erroneous relation or narration. Abp. Bramhall.
MISRELIGION
Mis`re*li"gion, n.
Defn: False religion. [R.]
MISREMEMBER
Mis`re*mem"ber, v. t. & i.
Defn: To mistake in remembering; not to remember correctly. Sir T.
More.
MISRENDER
Mis*ren"der, v. t.
Defn: To render wrongly; to translate or recite wrongly. Boyle.
MISREPEAT
Mis`re*peat", v. t.
Defn: To repeat wrongly; to give a wrong version of. Gov. Winthrop.
MISREPORT
Mis`re*port", v. t. & i.
Defn: To report erroneously; to give an incorrect account of. Locke.
MISREPORT
Mis`re*port", n.
Defn: An erroneous report; a false or incorrect account given.
Denham. South.
MISREPRESENT
Mis*rep`re*sent", v. t.
Defn: To represent incorrectly (almost always, unfacorably); to give a false erroneous representation of, either maliciously, ignirantly, or carelessly. Swift.
MISREPRESENT
Mis*rep`re*sent", v. i.
Defn: To make an incorrect or untrue representation. Milton.
MISREPRESENTATION
Mis*rep`re*sen*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Untrue representation; false or incorrect statement or account; — usually unfavorable to the thing represented; as, a misrepresentation of a person's motives. Sydney Smith.
Note: In popular use, this word often conveys the idea of intentional untruth.
MISREPRESENTATIVE
Mis*rep`re*sent"a*tive, a.
Defn: Tending to convey a wrong impression; misrepresenting.
MISREPRESENTER
Mis*rep`re*sent"er, n.
Defn: One who misrepresents.
MISREPUTE
Mis`re*pute", v. t.
Defn: To have in wrong estimation; to repute or estimate erroneously.
MISRULE
Mis*rule", v. t. & i.
Defn: To rule badly; to misgovern.
MISRULE
Mis*rule", n.
1. The act, or the result, of misruling.
2. Disorder; confusion; tumult from insubordination. Enormous riot and misrule surveyed. Pope. Abbot, or Lord, of Misrule. See under Abbot, and Lord.
MISRULY
Mis*rul"y, a.
Defn: Unruly. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
MISS
Miss, n.; pl. Misses. Etym: [Contr. fr. mistress.]
1. A title of courtesy prefixed to the name of a girl or a woman who has not been married. See Mistress, 5.
Note: There is diversity of usage in the application of this title to two or more persons of the same name. We may write either the Miss Browns or the Misses Brown.
2. A young unmarried woman or a girl; as, she is a miss of sixteen. Gay vanity, with smiles and kisses, Was busy 'mongst the maids and misses. Cawthorn.
3. A kept mistress. See Mistress, 4. [Obs.] Evelyn.
4. (Card Playing)
Defn: In the game of three-card loo, an extra hand, dealt on the table, which may be substituted for the hand dealt to a player.
MISS
Miss, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Missed; p.pr. & vb.n. Missing.] Etym: [AS.
missan; akin to D. & G. missen, OHG. missan, Icel. missa, Sw. mista,
Dan. miste. *100. See Mis-, pref.]
1. To fail of hitting, reaching, getting, finding, seeing, hearing, etc.; as, to miss the mark one shoots at; to miss the train by being late; to miss opportunites of getting knowledge; to miss the point or meaning of something said. When a man misses his great end, happiness, he will acknowledge he judged not right. Locke.
2. To omit; to fail to have or to do; to get without; to dispense with; — now seldom applied to persons. She would never miss, one day, A walk so fine, a sight so gay. Prior. We cannot miss him; he does make our fire, Fetch in our wood. Shak.
3. To discover the absence or omission of; to feel the want of; to mourn the loss of; to want. Shak. Neither missed we anything … Nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him. 1 Sam. xxv. 15, 21. What by me thou hast lost, thou least shalt miss. Milton. To miss stays. (Naut.) See under Stay.
MISS
Miss, v. i.
1. To fail to hit; to fly wide; to deviate from the true direction. Men observe when things hit, and not when they miss. Bacon. Flying bullets now, To execute his rage, appear too slow; They miss, or sweep but common souls away. Waller.
2. To fail to obtain, learn, or find; — with of. Upon the least reflection, we can not miss of them. Atterbury.
3. To go wrong; to err. [Obs.] Amongst the angels, a whole legion Of wicked sprites did fall from happy bliss; What wonder then if one, of women all, did miss Spenser.
4. To be absent, deficient, or wanting. [Obs.] See Missing, a. What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. Shak.
MISS
Miss, n.
1. The act of missing; failure to hit, reach, find, obtain, etc.
2. Loss; want; felt absence. [Obs.] There will be no great miss of those which are lost. Locke.
3. Mistake; error; fault. Shak. He did without any great miss in the hardest points of grammar. Ascham.
4. Harm from mistake. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISSA
Mis"sa, n.; pl. Missæ. Etym: [LL. See 1st Mass.] (R.C.Ch.)
Defn: The service or sacrifice of the Mass.
MISSAL
Mis"sal, n. Etym: [LL. missale, liber missalis, from missa mass: cf.
F. missel. See 1st Mass.]
Defn: The book containing the service of the Mass for the entire year; a Mass book.
MISSAL
Mis"sal, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Mass, or to a missal or Mass book. Bp.
Hall.
MISSAY
Mis*say", v. t.
1. To say wrongly.
2. To speak evil of; to slander. [Obs.]
MISSAY
Mis*say", v. i.
Defn: To speak ill. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISSEEK
Mis*seek", v. t.
Defn: To seek for wrongly. [Obs.]
MISSEEM
Mis*seem", v. i.
1. To make a false appearance. [Obs.]
2. To misbecome; to be misbecoming. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISSEL
Mis"sel, n.
Defn: Mistletoe. [Obs.] Missel bird, Missel thrush (Zoöl.), a large European thrush (Turdus viscivorus) which feeds on the berries of the mistletoe; — called also mistletoe thrush and missel.
MISSELDINE
Mis"sel*dine, n. Etym: [See Mistletoe.] [Written also misselden.]
Defn: The mistletoe. [Obs.] Baret.
MISSELTOE
Mis"sel*toe, n.
Defn: See Mistletoe.
MISSEMBLANCE
Mis*sem"blance, n.
Defn: False resemblance or semblance. [Obs.]
MISSEND
Mis*send", v. t.
Defn: To send amiss or incorrectly.
MISSERVE
Mis*serve", v. t. & i.
Defn: To serve unfaithfully.
MISSET
Mis*set", v. t.
Defn: To set pr place wrongly.
MISSHAPE
Mis*shape", v. t.
Defn: To shape ill; to give an ill or unnatural from to; to deform.
"Figures monstrous and misshaped." Pope.
MISSHAPEN
Mis*shap"en, a.
Defn: Having a bad or ugly form. "The mountains are misshapen."
Bentley.
— Mis*shap"en*ly, adv.
— Mis*shap"en*ness, n.
MISSHEATHED
Mis*sheathed", a.
Defn: Sheathed by mistake; wrongly sheathed; sheathed in a wrong place. Shak.
MISSIFICATE Mis*sif"i*cate, v. i. Etym: [LL. missa Mass + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See fy-.]
Defn: To perform Mass. [Obs.] Milton.
MISSILE
Mis"sile, a. Etym: [L. missils, fr. mittere, missum, to cause to go,
to send, to throw; cf. Lith. mesti to throw: cf. F. missile. Cf.
Admit, Dismiss, Mass the religious service, Message, Mission.]
Defn: Capable of being thrown; adapted for hurling or to be projected
from the hand, or from any instrument or rngine, so as to strike an
object at a distance.
We bend the bow, or wing the missile dart. Pope.
MISSILE
Mis"sile, n. Etym: [L. missile.]
Defn: A weapon thrown or projected or intended to be projcted, as a lance, an arrow, or a bullet.
MISSING
Miss"ing, a. Etym: [From Miss, v. i.]
Defn: Absent from the place where it was expected to be found; lost; wanting; not present when called or looked for. Neither was there aught missing unto them. 1 Sam. xxv. 7. For a time caught up to God, as once Moses was in the mount, and missing long. Milton.
MISSINGLY
Miss"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: With a sense of loss. [Obs.] Shak.
MISSION Mis"sion, n. Etym: [L. missio, fr. mittere, missum, to send: cf. F. mission. See Missile.]
1. The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; comission. Whose glorious deeds, but in these fields of late, Made emulous missions' mongst the gods themselves. Shak.
2. That with which a messenger or agent is charged; an errand; business or duty on which one is sent; a commission. How to begin, how to accomplish best His end of being on earth, and mission high. Milton.
3. Persons sent; any number of persons appointed to perform any service; a delegation; an embassy. In these ships there should be a mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Solomon's house. Bacon.
4. An assotiation or organization of missionaries; a station or residence of missionaries.
5. An organization for worship and work, dependent on one or more churches.
6. A course of extraordinary sermons and services at a particular place and time for the special purpose of quickening the faith and zeal participants, and of converting unbelievers. Addis & Arnold.
7. Dismission; discharge from service. [Obs.] Mission school. (a) A school connected with a mission and conducted by missionaries. (b) A school for the religious instruction of children not having regular church privileges.
Syn.
— Message; errand; commission; deputation.
MISSION
Mis"sion, v. t.
Defn: To send on a mission. [Mostly used in the form of the past participle.] Keats.
MISSIONARY
Mis"sion*ary, n.; pl. Missionaries. Etym: [Cf. F. missionnaire. See
Mission, n.]
Defn: One who is sent on a mission; especially, one sent to propagate religion. Swift. Missionary apostolic, a Roman Catholic missionary sent by commission from the pope.
MISSIONARY
Mis"sion*a*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to missions; as, a missionary meeting; a missionary fund.
MISSIONER
Mis"sion*er, n.
Defn: A missionary; an envoy; one who conducts a mission. See
Mission, n., 6. "Like mighty missioner you come." Dryden.
MISSIS
Mis"sis, n.
Defn: A mistress; a wife; — so used by the illiterate. G. Eliot.
MISSISH
Miss"ish, a.
Defn: Like a miss; prim; affected; sentimental.
— Miss"ish*ness, n.
MISSIT
Mis*sit", v. t.
Defn: To sit badly or imperfectly upon; to misbecome. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISSIVE
Mis"sive, a. Etym: [See Missive, n.]
1. Specially sent; intended or prepared to be sent; as, a letter missive. Ayliffe.
2. Missile. "The missive weapons fly." Dryden. Letters missive, letters conveying the permission, comand, or advice of a superior authority, as a sovereign. They are addressed and sent to some certain person or persons, and are distinguished from letters patent, which are addressed to the public.
MISSIVE
Mis"sive, n. Etym: [F. lettre missive. See Mission, n.]
1. That which is sent; a writing containing a message.
2. One who is sent; a messenger. [Obs.] Shak.
MISSOUND
Mis*sound", v. t.
Defn: To sound wrongly; to utter or pronounce incorrectly. E,Hall.
MISSPEAK
Mis*speak", v. i.
Defn: To err in speaking.
MISSPEAK
Mis*speak", v. t.
Defn: To utter wrongly.
MISSPEECH
Mis*speech", n.
Defn: Wrong speech. [Obs.]
MISSPELL Mis*spell", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misspelled, or Misspelt (; p. pr. & vb. n. Misspelling.]
Defn: To spell incorrectly.
MISSPELLING
Mis*spell"ing, n.
Defn: A wrong spelling.
MISSPEND
Mis*spend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misspent; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misspending.]
Defn: To spend amiss or for wrong purposes; to aquander; to waste; as, to misspend time or money. J. Philips.
MISSPENDER
Mis*spend"er, n.
Defn: One who misspends.
MISSPENSE mis*spense", n.
Defn: A spending improperly; a wasting. [Obs.] Barrow.
MISSPENT
Mis*spent", imp. & p. p.
Defn: of Misspend.
MISSTATE
Mis*state", v. t.
Defn: To state wrongly; as, to misstate a question in debate. Bp.
Sanderson.
MISSTATEMENT
Mis*state"ment, n.
Defn: An incorrect statement.
MISSTAYED
Mis*stayed", a. (Naut.)
Defn: Having missed stays; — said of a ship.
MISSTEP
Mis*step", n.
Defn: A wrong step; an error of conduct.
MISSTEP
Mis*step", v. i.
Defn: To take a wrong step; to go astray.
MISSUCCESS
Mis`suc*cess", n.
Defn: Failure. [Obs.]
MISSUGGESTION
Mis`sug*ges"tion ( or ), n.
Defn: Wrong or evil suggestion. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
MISSUMMATION
Mis`sum*ma"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong summation.
MISSWEAR
Mis*swear", v. i.
Defn: To swear falsely.
MISSY
Mis"sy, n. (Min.)
Defn: See Misy.
MISSY
Mis"sy, n.
Defn: An affectionate, or contemptuous, form of miss; a young girl; a miss. — a.
Defn: Like a miss, or girl.
MIST Mist, n. Etym: [AS. mist; akin to D. & Sw. mist, Icel. mistr, G. mist dung, Goth. maíhstus, AS. migan to make water, Icel. miga, Lith. migla mist, Russ. mgla, L. mingere, meiere, to make water, gr. mih to make water, n., a mist m*gha cloud. *102. Cf. Misle, Mizzle, Mixen.]
1. Visible watery vapor suspended in the atmosphere, at or near the surface of the earth; fog.
2. Coarse, watery vapor, floating or falling in visible particles, approaching the form of rain; as, Scotch mist.
3. Hence, anything which dims or darkens, and obscures or intercepts vision. His passion cast a mist before his sense. Dryden. Mist flower (Bot.), a composite plant (Eupatorium coelestinum), having heart-shaped leaves, and corymbs of lavender-blue flowers. It is found in the Western and Southern United States.
MIST
Mist, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misted; p. pr. & vb. n. Misting.]
Defn: To cloud; to cover with mist; to dim. Shak.
MIST
Mist, v. i.
Defn: To rain in very fine drops; as, it mists.
MISTAKABLE
Mis*tak"a*ble, a.
Defn: Liable to be mistaken; capable of being misconceived. Sir T.
Browne.
MISTAKE Mis*take", v. t. [imp. & obs. p. p. Mistook; p. p. Mistaken; p. pr. & vb. n. Mistaking.] Etym: [Pref. mis- + take: cf. Icel. mistaka.]
1. To take or choose wrongly. [Obs. or R.] Shak.
2. To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand misapprehend, or misconceive; as, to mistake a remark; to mistake one's meaning. Locke. My father's purposes have been mistook. Shak.
3. To substitute in thought or perception; as, to mistake one person for another. A man may mistake the love of virtue for the practice of it. Johnson.
4. To have a wrong idea of in respect of character, qualities, etc.; to misjudge. Mistake me not so much, To think my poverty is treacherous. Shak.
MISTAKE
Mis*take", v. i.
Defn: To err in knowledge, perception, opinion, or judgment; to commit an unintentional error. Servants mistake, and sometimes occasion misunderstanding among friends. Swift.
MISTAKE
Mis*take", n.
1. An apprehending wrongly; a misconception; a misunderstanding; a fault in opinion or judgment; an unintentional error of conduct. Infallibility is an absolute security of the understanding from all possibility of mistake. Tillotson.
2. (Law)
Defn: Misconception, error, which when non-negligent may be ground for rescinding a contract, or for refusing to perform it. No mistake, surely; without fail; as, it will happen at the appointed time, and no mistake. [Low]
Syn.
— Blunder; error; bull. See Blunder.
MISTAKEN
Mis*tak"en, p.a.
1. Being in error; judging wrongly; having a wrong opinion or a misconception; as, a mistaken man; he is mistaken.
2. Erroneous; wrong; as, a mistaken notion.
MISTAKENLY
Mis*tak"en*ly, adv.
Defn: By mistake. Goldsmith.
MISTAKENNESS
Mis*tak"en*ness, n.
Defn: Erroneousness.
MISTAKER
Mis*tak"er, n.
Defn: One who mistakes.
Well meaning ignorance of some mistakers. Bp. Hall.
MISTAKING
Mis*tak"ing, n.
Defn: An error; a mistake. Shak.
MISTAKINGLY
Mis*tak"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: Erroneously.
MISTAUGHT
Mis*taught", a. Etym: [See Misteach.]
Defn: Wrongly taught; as, a mistaught youth. L'Estrange.
MISTEACH
Mis*teach", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mistaught; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misteaching.] Etym: [AS. mist.]
Defn: To teach wrongly; to instruct erroneously.
MISTELL
Mis*tell", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mistold; p. pr. & vb. n. Mistelling.]
Defn: To tell erroneously.
MISTEMPER
Mis*tem"per, v. t.
Defn: To temper ill; to disorder; as, to mistemper one's head.
Warner.
This inundation of mistempered humor. Shak.
MISTER
Mis"ter, n. Etym: [See Master, and cf. Mistress.]
Defn: A title of courtesy prefixed to the name of a man or youth. It
is usually written in the abbreviated form Mr.
To call your name, inquire your where, Or whet you think of Mister
Some-one's book, Or Mister Other's marriage or decease. Mrs.
Browning.
MISTER
Mis"ter, v. t.
Defn: To address or mention by the title Mr.; as, he mistered me in a formal way. [Colloq.]
MISTER
Mis"ter, n. Etym: [OF. mistier trade, office, ministry, need, F.
métier trade, fr. L. ministerium service, office, ministry. See
Ministry, Mystery trade.] [Written also mester.]
1. A trade, art, or occupation. [Obs.] In youth he learned had a good mester. Chaucer.
2. Manner; kind; sort. [Obs.] Spenser. But telleth me what mester men ye be. Chaucer.
3. Need; necessity. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
MISTER
Mis"ter, v. i.
Defn: To be needful or of use. [Obs.]
As for my name, it mistereth not to tell. Spenser.
MISTERM
Mis*term", v. t.
Defn: To call by a wrong name; to miscall.
MISTERY
Mis"ter*y, n.
Defn: See Mystery, a trade.
MISTFUL
Mist"ful, a.
Defn: Clouded with, or as with, mist.
MISTHINK
Mis*think", v. i. Etym: [See Think.]
Defn: To think wrongly. [Obs.] "Adam misthought of her." Milton.
MISTHINK
Mis*think", v. t.
Defn: To have erroneous thoughts or judgment of; to think ill of.
[Obs.] Shak.
MISTHOUGHT
Mis*thought", n.
Defn: Erroneous thought; mistaken opinion; error. [Obs.] Spenser.
MISTHRIVE
Mis*thrive", v. i.
Defn: To thrive poorly; to be not thrifty or prosperous. [Obs.]
MISTHROW
Mis*throw", v. t.
Defn: To throw wrongly.
MISTIC; MISTICO
Mis"tic, Mis"ti*co, n. Etym: [Sp. místico.]
Defn: A kind of small sailing vessel used in the Mediterranean. It is rigged partly like a xebec, and partly like a felucca.
MISTIDE
Mis*tide", v. i. Etym: [AS. mistidan. See Tide.]
Defn: To happen or come to pass unfortunately; also, to suffer evil fortune. [Obs.]
MISTIGRIS; MISTIGRI
Mis`ti`gris", Mis`ti`gri", n. Etym: [F. mistigri.]
Defn: A variety of the game of poker in which the joker is used, and called mistigris or mistigri.
MISTIHEAD
Mist"i*head, n.
Defn: Mistiness. [Obs.]
MISTILY
Mist"i*ly, adv.
Defn: With mist; darkly; obscurely.
MISTIME
Mis*time", v. t. Etym: [AS. mistimain to turn out ill.]
Defn: To time wrongly; not to adapt to the time.
MISTINESS
Mist"i*ness, n.
Defn: State of being misty.
MISTION
Mis"tion, n. Etym: [L. mistio, mixtio. See Mix, and cf. Mixtion.]
Defn: Mixture. [Obs.]
MISTITLE
Mis*ti"tle, v. t.
Defn: To call by a wrong title.
MISTLE
Mis"tle, v. i. Etym: [Eng. mist. See Misle, and Mizzle.]
Defn: To fall in very fine drops, as rain.
MISTLETOE Mis"tle*toe, n. Etym: [AS. misteltan; mistel mistletoe + tan twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw. mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. tan to D. teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. Missel.] (Bot.)
Defn: A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe (Viscum album), bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also misletoe, misseltoe, and mistleto.] Lindley. Loudon.
Note: The mistletoe of the United States is Phoradendron flavescens, having broader leaves than the European kind. In different regions various similar plants are called by this name.
MISTONUSK
Mis"to*nusk, n. Etym: [From the Indian name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The American badger.
MISTOOK
Mis*took", imp. & obs. p. p.
Defn: of Mistake.
MISTRADITION
Mis`tra*di"tion, n.
Defn: A wrong tradition. "Monsters of mistradition." Tennyson.
MISTRAIN
Mis*train", v. t.
Defn: To train amiss.
MISTRAL
Mis"tral, n. Etym: [F., fr. Provençal.]
Defn: A violent and cold northwest wind experienced in the
Mediterranean provinces of France, etc.
MISTRANSLATE
Mis`trans*late", v. t.
Defn: To translate erroneously.
MISTRANSLATION
Mis`trans*la"tion, n.
Defn: Wrong translation.
MISTRANSPORT
Mis`trans*port", v. t.
Defn: To carry away or mislead wrongfully, as by passion. [Obs.] Bp.
Hall.
MISTREADING
Mis*tread"ing, n.
Defn: Misstep; misbehavior. "To punish my mistreadings." Shak.
MISTREAT
Mis*treat", v. t.
Defn: To treat amiss; to abuse.
MISTREATMENT
Mis*treat"ment, n.
Defn: Wrong treatment.
MISTRESS Mis"tress, n. Etym: [OE. maistress, OF. maistresse, F. maîtresse, LL. magistrissa, for L. magistra, fem. of magister. See Master, Mister, and cf. Miss a young woman.]
1. A woman having power, authority, or ownership; a woman who exercises authority, is chief, etc.; the female head of a family, a school, etc. The late queen's gentlewoman! a knight's daughter! To be her mistress' mistress! Shak.
2. A woman well skilled in anything, or having the mastery over it. A letter desires all young wives to make themselves mistresses of Wingate's Arithmetic. Addison.
3. A woman regarded with love and devotion; she who has command over one's heart; a beloved object; a sweetheart. [Poetic] Clarendon.
4. A woman filling the place, but without the rights, of a wife; a concubine; a loose woman with whom one consorts habitually. Spectator.
5. A title of courtesy formerly prefixed to the name of a woman, married or unmarried, but now superseded by the contracted forms, Mrs., for a married, and Miss, for an unmarried, woman. Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul). Cowper.
6. A married woman; a wife. [Scot.] Several of the neighboring mistresses had assembled to witness the event of this memorable evening. Sir W. Scott.
7. The old name of the jack at bowls. Beau. & Fl. To be one's own mistress, to be exempt from control by another person.
MISTRESS
Mis"tress, v. i.
Defn: To wait upon a mistress; to be courting. [Obs.] Donne.
MISTRESSSHIP
Mis"tress*ship, n.
1. Female rule or dominion.
2. Ladyship, a style of address; — with the personal pronoun. [Obs.] Massinger.
MISTRIAL
Mis*tri"al, n. (Law)
Defn: A false or erroneous trial; a trial which has no result.
MISTRIST
Mis*trist", v. t.
Defn: To mistrust. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISTROW
Mis*trow", v. i.
Defn: To think wrongly. [Obs.]
MISTRUST
Mis*trust", n.
Defn: Want of confidence or trust; suspicion; distrust. Milton.
MISTRUST
Mis*trust", v. t.
1. To regard with jealousy or suspicion; to suspect; to doubt the integrity of; to distrust. I will never mistrust my wife again. Shak.
2. To forebode as near, or likely to occur; to surmise. By a divine instinct, men's minds mistrust Ensuing dangers. Shak.
MISTRUSTER
Mis*trust"er, n.
Defn: One who mistrusts.
MISTRUSTFUL
Mis*trust"ful, a.
Defn: Having or causing mistrust, suspicions, or forebodings.
Their light blown out in some mistrustful wood. Shak.
— Mis*trust"ful*ly, adv.
— Mis*trust"ful*ness, n.
MISTRUSTINGLY
Mis*trust"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: With distrust or suspicion.
MISTRUSTLESS
Mis*trust"less, a.
Defn: Having no mistrust or suspicion.
The swain mistrustless of his smutted face. Goldsmith.
MISTUNE
Mis*tune", v. t.
Defn: To tune wrongly.
MISTURA Mis*tu"ra, n. Etym: [L. See Mixture.] (Med.) (a) A mingled compound in which different ingredients are contained in a liquid state; a mixture. See Mixture, n., 4. (b) Sometimes, a liquid medicine containing very active substances, and which can only be administered by drops. Dunglison.
MISTURN
Mis*turn", v. t.
Defn: To turn amiss; to pervert.
MISTUTOR
Mis*tu"tor, v. t.
Defn: To instruct amiss.
MISTY
Mist"y, a. [Compar. Mistier; superl. Mistiest.] Etym: [AS. mistig.
See Mist. In some senses misty has been confused with mystic.]
1. Accompained with mist; characterized by the presence of mist; obscured by, or overspread with, mist; as, misty weather; misty mountains; a misty atmosphere.
2. Obscured as if by mist; dim; obscure; clouded; as, misty sight. The more I muse therein [theology], The mistier it seemeth. Piers Plowman.
MISUNDERSTAND
Mis*un`der*stand", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Misunderstood; p. pr. & vb. n.
Misunderstanding.]
Defn: To misconceive; to mistake; to miscomprehend; to take in a wrong sense.
MISUNDERSTANDER
Mis*un`der*stand"er, n.
Defn: One who misunderstands. Sir T. More.
MISUNDERSTANDING
Mis*un`der*stand"ing, n.
1. Mistake of the meaning; error; misconception. Bacon.
2. Disagreement; difference of opinion; dissension; quarrel. "Misunderstandings among friends." Swift.
MISURATO
Mi`su*ra"to, a. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: Measured; — a direction to perform a passage in strict or measured time.
MISUSAGE
Mis*us"age, n. Etym: [Cf. F. mésusage.]
Defn: Bad treatment; abuse. Spenser.
MISUSE
Mis*use", v. t. Etym: [F. mésuser. See Mis-, prefix from French, and
Use.]
1. To treat or use improperly; to use to a bad purpose; to misapply; as, to misuse one's talents. South. The sweet poison of misused wine. Milton.
2. To abuse; to treat ill. O, she misused me past the endurance of a block. Shak.
Syn.
— To maltreat; abuse; misemploy; misapply.
MISUSE
Mis*use", n.
1. Wrong use; misapplication; erroneous or improper use. Words little suspected for any such misuse. Locke.
2. Violence, or its effects. [Obs.] Shak.
MISUSEMENT
Mis*use"ment, n.
Defn: Misuse. [Obs.]
MISUSER
Mis*us"er, n.
1. One who misuses. "Wretched misusers of language." Coleridge.
2. (Law)
Defn: Unlawful use of a right; use in excess of, or varying from, one's right. Bouvier.
MISVALUE
Mis*val"ue, v. t.
Defn: To value wrongly or too little; to undervalue. But for I am so young, I dread my work Wot be misvalued both of old and young. W. Browne.
MISVOUCH
Mis*vouch", v. t.
Defn: To vouch falsely.
MISWANDER
Mis*wan"der, v. i.
Defn: To wander in a wrong path; to stray; to go astray. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
MISWAY
Mis*way", n.
Defn: A wrong way. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MISWEAR
Mis*wear", v. t.
Defn: To wear ill. [Obs.] Bacon.
MISWED
Mis*wed", v. t.
Defn: To wed improperly.
MISWEEN
Mis*ween", v. i.
Defn: To ween amiss; to misjudge; to distrust; to be mistaken. [Obs.]
Spenser.
MISWEND
Mis*wend", v. i.
Defn: To go wrong; to go astray. [Obs.] "The world is miswent."
Gower.
MISWORD
Mis*word", v. t.
Defn: To word wrongly; as, to misword a message, or a sentence.
MISWORD
Mis*word", n.
Defn: A word wrongly spoken; a cross word. [Obs.] Sylvester. Breton.
MISWORSHIP
Mis*wor"ship, n.
Defn: Wrong or false worship; mistaken practices in religion. Bp.
Hall.
Such hideous jungle of misworships. Carlyle.
MISWORSHIP
Mis*wor"ship, v. t.
Defn: To worship wrongly. Bp. Hall.
MISWORSHIPER
Mis*wor"ship*er, n.
Defn: One who worships wrongly.
MISWRITE
Mis*write", v. t.
Defn: To write incorrectly.
MISWROUGHT
Mis*wrought", a.
Defn: Badly wrought. Bacon.
MISY
Mi"sy, n. Etym: [Cf. L. misy a mineral, perh. copperas, Gr. (Min.)
Defn: An impure yellow sulphate of iron; yellow copperas or copiapite.
MISYOKE
Mis*yoke", v. t.
Defn: To yoke improperly.
MISZEALOUS
Mis*zeal"ous, a.
Defn: Mistakenly zealous. [Obs.]
MITE Mite, n. Etym: [AS. mite mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. miza; cf. Goth. maitan to cut.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many species; as, the cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest mite, etc. See Acarina.
2. Etym: [D. mijt; prob. the same word.]
Defn: A small coin formerly circulated in England, rated at about a
third of a farthing. The name is also applied to a small coin used in
Palestine in the time of Christ.
Two mites, which make a farthing. Mark xii. 49.
3. A small weight; one twentieth of a grain.
4. Anything very small; a minute object; a very little quantity or particle. For in effect they be not worth a myte. Chaucer.
MITER; MITRE
Mi"ter, Mi"tre, n. Etym: [F. mitre, fr. L. mitra headband, turban,
Gr.
1. A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by church dignitaries. It has been made in many forms, the present form being a lofty cap with two points or peaks. Fairholt.
2. The surface forming the beveled end or edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or a junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter joint.
3. (Numis.)
Defn: A sort of base money or coin. Miter box (Carp. & Print.), an apparatus for guiding a handsaw at the proper angle in making a miter joint; esp., a wooden or metal trough with vertical kerfs in its upright sides, for guides. — Miter dovetail (Carp.), a kind of dovetail for a miter joint in which there is only one joint line visible, and that at the angle. — Miter gauge (Carp.), a gauge for determining the angle of a miter. — Miter joint, a joint formed by pieces matched and united upon a line bisecting the angle of junction, as by the beveled ends of two pieces of molding or brass rule, etc. The term is used especially when the pieces form a right angle. See Miter, 2. — Miter shell (Zoöl.), any one of numerous species of marine univalve shells of the genus Mitra. — Miter square (Carp.), a bevel with an immovable arm at an angle of 45º, for striking lines on stuff to be mitered; also, a square with an arm adjustable to any angle. — Miter wheels, a pair of bevel gears, of equal diameter, adapted for working together, usually with their axes at right angles.
MITER; MITRE Mi"ter, Mi"tre, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mitered or Mitred; p. pr. & vb. n. Mitering or Mitring.]
1. To place a miter upon; to adorn with a miter. "Mitered locks." Milton.
2. To match together, as two pieces of molding or brass rule on a line bisecting the angle of junction; to bevel the ends or edges of, for the purpose of matching together at an angle.
MITER; MITRE
Mi"ter, Mi"tre, v. i.
Defn: To meet and match together, as two pieces of molding, on a line bisecting the angle of junction.
MITERWORT
Mi"ter*wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any plant of the genus Mitella, — slender, perennial herbs with a pod slightly resembling a bishop's miter; bishop's cap. False miterwort, a white-flowered perennial herb of the United States (Tiarella cardifolia).
MITHIC
Mith"ic, a.
Defn: See Mythic.
MITHRAS
Mi"thras, n. Etym: [L., from Gr.
Defn: The sun god of the Persians.
MITHRIDATE
Mith"ri*date, n. (Med.)
Defn: An antidote against poison, or a composition in form of an electuary, supposed to serve either as a remedy or a preservative against poison; an alexipharmic; — so called from King Mithridates, its reputed inventor. [Love is] a drop of the true elixir; no mithridate so effectual against the infection of vice. Southey.
MITHRIDATIC
Mith`ri*dat"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to King Mithridates, or to a mithridate.
MITIGABLE
Mit"i*ga*ble, a.
Defn: Admitting of mitigation; that may be mitigated.
MITIGANT
Mit"i*gant, a. Etym: [L. mitigans, p.pr. of mitigare. See Mitigate.]
Defn: Tending to mitigate; mitigating; lentitive. Johnson.
MITIGATE
Mit"i*gate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mitigated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mitigating.] Etym: [L. mitigatus, p.p. of mitigare to soften,
mitigate; mitis mild, soft + the root of agere to do, drive.]
1. To make less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful, etc.; to soften; to meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish; to lessen; as, to mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate grief.
2. To make mild and accessible; to mollify; — applied to persons. [Obs.] This opinion … mitigated kings into companions. Burke.
Syn.
— To alleviate; assuage; allay. See Alleviate.
MITIGATION Mit`i*ga"tion, n. Etym: [OE. mitigacioun, F. mitigation, fr. L. mitigatio.]
Defn: The act of mitigating, or the state of being mitigated; abatement or diminution of anything painful, harsh, severe, afflictive, or calamitous; as, the mitigation of pain, grief, rigor, severity, punishment, or penalty.
Syn.
— Alleviation; abatement; relief.
MITIGATIVE
Mit"i*ga*tive, a. Etym: [L. mitigativus: cf. F. mitigatif.]
Defn: Tending to mitigate; alleviating.
MITIGATOR
Mit"i*ga`tor, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, mitigates.
MITIGATORY
Mit"i*ga*to*ry, a.
Defn: Tending to mitigate or alleviate; mitigative.
MITING
Mit"ing, n. Etym: [From Mite.]
Defn: A little one; — used as a term of endearment. [Obs.] Skelton.
MITIS CASTING
Mi"tis cast`ing. [Perh. fr. L. mitis mild.]
Defn: A process, invented by P. Ostberg, for producing malleable iron castings by melting wrought iron, to which from 0.05 to 0.1 per cent of aluminium is added to lower the melting point, usually in a petroleum furnace, keeping the molten metal at the bubbling point until it becomes quiet, and then pouring the molten metal into a mold lined with a special mixture consisting essentially of molasses and ground burnt fire clay; also, a casting made by this process; — called also wrought-iron casting.
MITIS METAL
Mitis metal.
Defn: The malleable iron produced by mitis casting; — called also simply mitis.
MITOME
Mi"tome, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: The denser part of the protoplasm of a cell.
MITOSIS
Mi*to"sis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: See Karyokinesis.
MITOTIC
Mi*tot"ic, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to mitosis; karyokinetic; as, mitotic cell division; — opposed to amitotic. —Mi*tot"ic*al*ly (#), adv.
MITRAILLE
Mi`traille", n. Etym: [F. See Mitrailleur.]
Defn: Shot or bits of iron used sometimes in loading cannon.
MITRAILLEUR
Mi`tra`illeur", n. Etym: [F.] (Mil.)
Defn: One who serves a mitrailleuse.
MITRAILLEUSE Mi`tra`illeuse", n. Etym: [F., fr. mitrailler to fire grapeshot, fr. mitraille old iron, grapeshot, dim. of OF. mite a mite.] (Mil.)
Defn: A breech-loading machine gun consisting of a number of barrels fitted together, so arranged that the barrels can be fired simultaneously, or successively, and rapidly.
MITRAL
Mi"tral, a. Etym: [Cf. F. mitral. See Miter.]
Defn: Pertaining to a miter; resembling a miter; as, the mitral valve between the left auricle and left ventricle of the heart.
MITRE
Mi"tre, n. & v.
Defn: See Miter.
MITRIFORM
Mit"ri*form, a. Etym: [Miter + -form: cf. F. mitriforme.]
Defn: Having the form of a miter, or a peaked cap; as, a mitriform calyptra. Gray.
MITT
Mitt, n. Etym: [Abbrev. fr. mitten.]
Defn: A mitten; also, a covering for the wrist and hand and not for the fingers.
MITTEN Mit"ten, n. Etym: [OE. mitaine, meteyn, F. mitaine, perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. miotog, Gael. miotag, Ir. & Gael. mutan a muff, a thick glove. Cf. Mitt.]
1. A covering for the hand, worn to defend it from cold or injury. It differs from a glove in not having a separate sheath for each finger. Chaucer.
2. A cover for the wrist and forearm. To give the mitten to, to dismiss as a lover; to reject the suit of. [Colloq.] — To handle without mittens, to treat roughly; to handle without gloves. [Colloq.]
MITTENED
Mit"tened, a.
Defn: Covered with a mitten or mittens. "Mittened hands." Whittier.
MITTENT
Mit"tent, a. Etym: [L. mittens, p.pr. of mittere to send.]
Defn: Sending forth; emitting. [Obs.] Wiseman.
MITTIMUS Mit"ti*mus, n. Etym: [L., we send, fr. mittere to send.] (Law) (a) A precept or warrant granted by a justice for committing to prison a party charged with crime; a warrant of commitment to prison. Burrill. (b) A writ for removing records from one court to another. Brande & C.
MITTLER'S GREEN
Mitt"ler's green`. (Chem.)
Defn: A pigment of a green color, the chief constituent of which is oxide of chromium.
MITTY
Mit"ty, n.
Defn: The stormy petrel. [Prov. Eng.]
MITU
Mi"tu, n. Etym: [Braz. mitu poranga.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South American curassow of the genus Mitua.
MITY
Mit"y, a. Etym: [From Mite.]
Defn: Having, or abounding with, mites.
MIX Mix, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mixed (less properly Mixt); p. pr. & vb. n. Mixing.] Etym: [AS. miscan; akin to OHG. misken, G. mischen, Russ. mieshate, W. mysgu, Gael. measg, L. miscere, mixtum, Gr. miçra mixed. The English word has been influenced by L. miscere, mixtum (cf. Mixture), and even the AS. miscan may have been borrowed fr. L. miscere. Cf. Admix, Mash to bruise, Meddle.]
1. To cause a promiscuous interpenetration of the parts of, as of two or more substances with each other, or of one substance with others; to unite or blend into one mass or compound, as by stirring together; to mingle; to blend; as, to mix flour and salt; to mix wines. Fair persuasions mixed with sugared words. Shak.
2. To unite with in company; to join; to associate. Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people. Hos. vii. 8.
3. To form by mingling; to produce by the stirring together of ingredients; to compound of different parts. Hast thou no poison mixed Shak. I have chosen an argument mixed of religious and civil considerations. Bacon.
MIX
Mix, v. i.
1. To become united into a compound; to be blended promiscuously together.
2. To associate; to mingle. He had mixed Again in fancied safety with his kind. Byron.
MIXABLE
Mix"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being mixed.
MIXED
Mixed, a.
Defn: Formed by mixing; united; mingled; blended. See Mix, v. t. & i.
Mixed action (Law), a suit combining the properties of a real and a
personal action.
— Mixed angle, a mixtilineal angle.
— Mixed fabric, a textile fabric composed of two or more kinds of
fiber, as a poplin.
— Mixed marriage, a marriage between persons of different races or
religions; specifically, one between a Roman Catholic and a
Protestant.
— Mixed number, a whole number and a fraction taken together.
— Mixed train, a railway train containing both passenger and
freight cars.
— Mixed voices (Mus.), voices of both males and females united in
the same performance.
MIXEDLY
Mix"ed*ly, adv.
Defn: In a mixed or mingled manner.
MIXEN Mix"en, n. Etym: [AS. mixen, myxen, fr. meohx, meox, dung, filth; akin to E. mist. See Mist.]
Defn: A compost heap; a dunghill. Chaucer. Tennyson.
MIXER
Mix"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, mixes.
MIXOGAMOUS
Mix*og"a*mous, a. Etym: [Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Pairing with several males; — said of certain fishes of which several males accompany each female during spawning.
MIXOLYDIAN MODE
Mix`o*lyd"i*an mode`. Etym: [Gr. Lydian.] (Mus.)
Defn: The seventh ecclesiastical mode, whose scale commences on G.
MIXTILINEAL; MIXTILINEAR Mix`ti*lin"e*al, Mix`ti*lin"e*ar, a. Etym: [L. mixtus mixed (p.p. of miscere to mix) + E. lineal, linear.]
Defn: Containing, or consisting of, lines of different kinds, as straight, curved, and the like; as, a mixtilinear angle, that is, an angle contained by a straight line and a curve. [R.]
MIXTION
Mix"tion, n. Etym: [L. mixtio, mistio: cf. F. mixtion. See Mistion,
Mix.]
1. Mixture. [Obs.]
2. A kind of cement made of mastic, amber, etc., used as a mordant for gold leaf.
MIXTLY
Mixt"ly, adv.
Defn: With mixture; in a mixed manner; mixedly. Bacon.
MIXTURE Mix"ture, n. Etym: [L. mixtura, fr. miscere, mixtum, to mix: cf. F. mixture. See Mix.]
1. The act of mixing, or the state of being mixed; as, made by a mixture of ingredients. Hooker.
2. That which results from mixing different ingredients together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of molasses and water; — also, a medley. There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely distributed by God, to serve the ends of his providence. Atterbury.
3. An ingredient entering into a mixed mass; an additional ingredient. Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a community to exist that had not a prevailing mixture of piety in its constitution. Addison.
4. (Med.)
Defn: A kind of liquid medicine made up of many ingredients; esp., as opposed to solution, a liquid preparation in which the solid ingredients are not completely dissolved.
5. (Physics & Chem.)
Defn: A mass of two or more ingredients, the particles of which are separable, independent, and uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and finely commingled; — contrasted with a compound; thus, gunpowder is a mechanical mixture of carbon, sulphur, and niter.
6. (Mus.)
Defn: An organ stop, comprising from two to five ranges of pipes, used only in combination with the foundation and compound stops; — called also furniture stop. It consists of high harmonics, or overtones, of the ground tone.
Syn.
— Union; admixture; intermixture; medley.
MIZMAZE
Miz"maze`, n.
Defn: A maze or labyrinth. [Obs.]
MIZZEN Miz"zen, a. Etym: [It. mezzana, fr. mezzano middle, fr. mezzo middle, half: cf. F. misaine foresail. See Mezzo.] (Naut.)
Defn: Hindmost; nearest the stern; as, the mizzen shrouds, sails, etc.
MIZZEN
Miz"zen, n. (Naut.)
Defn: The hindmost of the fore and aft sails of a three-masted vessel; also, the spanker.
MIZZENMAST
Miz"zen*mast, n. (Naut.)
Defn: The hindmost mast of a three-masted vessel, or of a yawl-rigged vessel.
MIZZLE
Miz"zle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mizzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Mizzling.]
Etym: [See Misle, and cf. Mistle.]
1. To rain in very fine drops. Spenser.
2. To take one's self off; to go. [Slang] As long as George the Fourth could reign, he reigned, And then he mizzled. Epigram, quoted by Wright.
MIZZLE
Miz"zle, n.
Defn: Mist; fine rain.
MIZZY Miz"zy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. moisi moldy, musty, p.p. of moisir to mold, fr. L. mucere to be moldy.]
Defn: A bog or quagmire. [Obs.] Ainsworth.
M'-NAUGHT
M'-Naught" (mak*nalt"), v. t. (Steam Engines)
Defn: To increase the power of (a single-cylinder beam engine) by adding a small high-pressure cylinder with a piston acting on the beam between the center and the flywheel end, using high-pressure steam and working as a compound engine, — a plan introduced by M'Naught, a Scottish engineer, in 1845.
MNEMONIC; MNEMONICAL
Mne*mon"ic, Mne*mon"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. mind.]
Defn: Assisting in memory.
MNEMONICIAN
Mne`mo*ni"cian, n.
Defn: One who instructs in the art of improving or using the memory.
MNEMONICS
Mne*mon"ics, n. Etym: [Gr. mnémonique.]
Defn: The art of memory; a system of precepts and rules intended to assist the memory; artificial memory.
MNEMOSYNE
Mne*mos"y*ne, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Mnemonic.] (Class Myth.)
Defn: The goddess of memory and the mother of the Muses.
MNEMOTECHNY
Mne"mo*tech`ny, n. Etym: [Gr. mnémotechnie.]
Defn: Mnemonics.
MO
Mo, a., adv., & n. [Written also moe.] Etym: [AS. ma. See More.]
Defn: More; — usually, more in number. [Obs.]
An hundred thousand mo. Chaucer.
Likely to find mo to commend than to imitate it. Fuller.
-MO -mo.
Defn: A suffix added to the names of certain numerals or to the numerals themselves, to indicate the number of leaves made by folding a sheet of paper; as, sixteenmo or 16mo; eighteenmo or 18mo. It is taken from the Latin forms similarly used; as, duodecimo, sextodecimo, etc. A small circle, placed after the number and near its top, is often used for -mo; as, 16°, 18°, etc.
MOA
Mo"a, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several very large extinct species of wingless birds belonging to Dinornis, and other related genera, of the suborder Dinornithes, found in New Zealand. They are allied to the apteryx and the ostrich. They were probably exterminated by the natives before New Zealand was discovered by Europeans. Some species were much larger than the ostrich.
MOABITE
Mo"ab*ite, n.
Defn: One of the posterity of Moab, the son of Lot. (Gen. xix. 37.)
Also used adjectively.
MOABITESS
Mo"ab*i`tess, n.
Defn: A female Moabite. Ruth i. 22.
MOABITE STONE
Mo"ab*ite stone. (Archæol.)
Defn: A block of black basalt, found at Dibon in Moab by Rev. F. A. Klein, Aug. 19, 1868, which bears an inscription of thirty-four lines, dating from the 9th century b. c., and written in the Moabite alphabet, the oldest Phonician type of the Semitic alphabet. It records the victories of Mesha, king of Moab, esp. those over Israel (2 Kings iii. 4, 5, 27).
MOABITISH
Mo"ab*i`tish, a.
Defn: Moabite. Ruth ii. 6.
MOAN
Moan, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Moaned; p. pr. & vb. n. Moaning.] Etym:
[AS. m to moan, also, to mean; but in the latter sense perh. a
different word. Cf. Mean to intend.]
1. To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; to groan softly and continuously. Unpitied and unheard, where misery moans. Thomson. Let there bechance him pitiful mischances, To make him moan. Shak.
2. To emit a sound like moan; — said of things inanimate; as, the wind moans.
MOAN
Moan, v. t.
1. To bewail audibly; to lament. Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan My dear Columbo, dead and gone. Prior.
2. To afflict; to distress. [Obs.] Which infinitely moans me. Beau. & Fl.
MOAN
Moan, n. Etym: [OE. mone. See Moan, v. i.]
1. A low prolonged sound, articulate or not, indicative of pain or of grief; a low groan. Sullen moans, hollow groans. Pope.
2. A low mournful or murmuring sound; — of things. Rippling waters made a pleasant moan. Byron.
MOANFUL
Moan"ful, a.
Defn: Full of moaning; expressing sorrow.
— Moan"ful*ly, adv.
MOAT Moat, n. Etym: [OF. mote hill, dike, bank, F. motte clod, turf: cf. Sp. & Pg. mota bank or mound of earth, It. motta clod, LL. mota, motta, a hill on which a fort is built, an eminence, a dike, Prov. G. mott bog earth heaped up; or perh. F. motte, and OF. mote, are from a LL. p.p. of L. movere to move (see Move). The name of moat, properly meaning, bank or mound, was transferred to the ditch adjoining: cf. F. dike and ditch.] (Fort.)
Defn: A deep trench around the rampart of a castle or other fortified place, sometimes filled with water; a ditch.
MOAT
Moat, v. t.
Defn: To surround with a moat. Dryden.
MOATE
Moate, v. i. Etym: [See Mute to molt.]
Defn: To void the excrement, as a bird; to mute. [Obs.]
MOB
Mob, n. Etym: [See Mobcap.]
Defn: A mobcap. Goldsmith.
MOB
Mob, v. t.
Defn: To wrap up in, or cover with, a cowl. [R.]
MOB
Mob, n. Etym: [L. mobile vulgus, the movable common people. See
Mobile, n.]
1. The lower classes of a community; the populace, or the lowest part
of it.
A cluster of mob were making themselves merry with their betters.
Addison.
2. Hence: A throgn; a rabble; esp., an unlawful or riotous assembly; a disorderly crowd. The mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease. Pope. Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob. Madison. Confused by brainless mobs. Tennyson. Mob law, law administered by the mob; lynch law. — Swell mob, well dressed thieves and swindlers, regarded collectively. [Slang] Dickens.
MOB
Mob, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mobbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mobbing.]
Defn: To crowd about, as a mob, and attack or annoy; as, to mob a house or a person.
MOBBISH
Mob"bish, a.
Defn: Like a mob; tumultuous; lawless; as, a mobbish act. Bp. Kent.
MOBCAP Mob"cap`, n. Etym: [D. mop-muts; OD. mop a woman's coif + D. muts cap.]
Defn: A plain cap or headdress for women or girls; especially, one tying under the chin by a very broad band, generally of the same material as the cap itself. Thackeray.
MOBILE
Mo"bile, a. Etym: [L. mobilis, for movibilis, fr. movere to move: cf.
F. mobile. See Move.]
1. Capable of being moved; not fixed in place or condition; movable. "Fixed or else mobile." Skelton.
2. Characterized by an extreme degree of fluidity; moving or flowing with great freedom; as, benzine and mercury are mobile liquids; — opposed to viscous, viscoidal, or oily.
3. Easily moved in feeling, purpose, or direction; excitable; changeable; fickle. Testament of Love. The quick and mobile curiosity of her disposition. Hawthorne.
4. Changing in appearance and expression under the influence of the mind; as, mobile features.
5. (Physiol.)
Defn: Capable of being moved, aroused, or excited; capable of spontaneous movement.
MOBILE
Mo"bile, n. Etym: [L. mobile vulgus. See Mobile, a., and cf. 3d Mob.]
Defn: The mob; the populace. [Obs.] "The unthinking mobile." South.
MOBILITY
Mo*bil"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. mobilitas: cf. F. mobilité.]
1. The quality or state of being mobile; as, the mobility of a liquid, of an army, of the populace, of features, of a muscle. Sir T. Browne.
2. The mob; the lower classes. [Humorous] Dryden.
MOBILIZATION
Mob`i*li*za"tion, n. Etym: [F. mobilization.]
Defn: The act of mobilizing.
MOBILIZE
Mob"i*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mobilized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mobilizing.] Etym: [F. mobiliser.]
Defn: To put in a state of readiness for active service in war, as an army corps.
MOBLE
Mo"ble, v. t. Etym: [From Mob to wrap up.]
Defn: To wrap the head of in a hood. [Obs.] Shak.
MOBLES
Mo"bles, n. pl.
Defn: See Moebles. [Obs.]
MOBOCRACY
Mob*oc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Mob rabble + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Defn: A condition in which the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect to law, precedents, or vested rights. It is good name that Dr. Stevens has given to our present situation (for one can not call it a government), a mobocracy. Walpole.
MOBOCRAT
Mob"o*crat, n.
Defn: One who favors a form of government in which the unintelligent populace rules without restraint. Bayne.
MOBOCRATIC
Mob`o*crat"ic, a.
Defn: Of, or relating to, a mobocracy.
MOCCASIN Moc"ca*sin, n. Etym: [An Indian word. Algonquin makisin.] [Sometimes written moccason.]
1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe worn by the American Indians.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A poisonous snake of the Southern United States. The water moccasin (Ancistrodon piscivorus) is usually found in or near water. Above, it is olive brown, barred with black; beneath, it is brownish yellow, mottled with darker. The upland moccasin is Ancistrodon atrofuscus. They resemble rattlesnakes, but are without rattles. Moccasin flower (Bot.), a species of lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) found in North America. The lower petal is two inches long, and forms a rose-colored moccasin-shaped pouch. It grows in rich woods under coniferous trees.
MOCCASINED
Moc"ca*sined, a.
Defn: Covered with, or wearing, a moccasin or moccasins. "Moccasined feet." Harper's Mag.
MOCHA
Mo"cha, n.
1. A seaport town of Arabia, on the Red Sea.
2. A variety of coffee brought from Mocha.
3. An Abyssinian weight, equivalent to a Troy grain. Mocha stone (Min.), moss agate.
MOCHE
Moche, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A bale of raw silk.
MOCHE
Moche, a.
Defn: Much. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOCHEL
Moch"el, a. & adv.
Defn: Much. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOCHILA
Mo*chi"la, n. Etym: [Sp.]
Defn: A large leather flap which covers the saddletree. [Western
U.S.]
MOCK
Mock, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mocked; p. pr. & vb. n. Mocking.] Etym: [F.
moquer, of uncertain origin; cf. OD. mocken to mumble, G. mucken,
OSw. mucka.]
1. To imitate; to mimic; esp., to mimic in sport, contempt, or derision; to deride by mimicry. To see the life as lively mocked as ever Still sleep mocked death. Shak. Mocking marriage with a dame of France. Shak.
2. To treat with scorn or contempt; to deride. Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud. 1 Kings xviii. 27. Let not ambition mock their useful toil. Gray.
3. To disappoint the hopes of; to deceive; to tantalize; as, to mock
expectation.
Thou hast mocked me, and told me lies. Judg. xvi. 13.
He will not … Mock us with his blest sight, then snatch him hence.
Milton.
Syn.
— To deride; ridicule; taunt; jeer; tantalize; disappoint. See
Deride.
MOCK
Mock, v. i.
Defn: To make sport contempt or in jest; to speak in a scornful or
jeering manner.
When thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed Job xi. 3.
She had mocked at his proposal. Froude.
MOCK
Mock, n.
1. An act of ridicule or derision; a scornful or contemptuous act or speech; a sneer; a jibe; a jeer. Fools make a mock at sin. Prov. xiv. 9.
2. Imitation; mimicry. [R.] Crashaw.
MOCK
Mock, a.
Defn: Imitating reality, but not real; false; counterfeit; assumed;
sham.
That superior greatness and mock majesty. Spectator.
Mock bishop's weed (Bot.), a genus of slender umbelliferous herbs
(Discopleura) growing in wet places.
— Mock heroic, burlesquing the heroic; as, a mock heroic poem.
— Mock lead. See Blende (a).
— Mock nightingale (Zoöl.), the European blackcap.
— Mock orange (Bot.), a genus of American and Asiatic shrubs
(Philadelphus), with showy white flowers in panicled cymes. P.
coronarius, from Asia, has fragrant flowers; the American kinds are
nearly scentless.
— Mock sun. See Parhelion.
— Mock turtle soup, a soup made of calf's head, veal, or other
meat, and condiments, in imitation of green turtle soup.
— Mock velvet, a fabric made in imitation of velvet. See Mockado.
MOCKABLE
Mock"a*ble, a.
Defn: Such as can be mocked. Shak.
MOCKADO
Mock"a*do, n.
Defn: A stuff made in imitation of velvet; — probably the same as
mock velvet. [Obs.]
Our rich mockado doublet. Ford.
MOCKADOUR
Mock"a*dour, n.
Defn: See Mokadour. [Obs.]
MOCKAGE
Mock"age, n.
Defn: Mockery. [Obs.] Fuller.
MOCKBIRD
Mock"bird`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European sedge warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis).
MOCKER
Mock"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, mocks; a scorner; a scoffer; a derider.
2. A deceiver; an impostor.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A mocking bird. Mocker nut (Bot.), a kind of hickory (Carya tomentosa) and its fruit, which is far inferior to the true shagbark hickory nut.
MOCKERY
Mock"er*y, n.; pl. Mockeries. Etym: [F. moquerie.]
1. The act of mocking, deriding, and exposing to contempt, by mimicry, by insincere imitation, or by a false show of earnestness; a counterfeit appearance. It is, as the air, invulnerable, And our vain blows malicious mockery. Shak. Grace at meals is now generally so performed as to look more like a mockery upon devotion than any solemn application of the mind to God. Law. And bear about the mockery of woe. Pope.
2. Insulting or contemptuous action or speech; contemptuous merriment; derision; ridicule. The laughingstock of fortune's mockeries. Spenser.
3. Subject of laughter, derision, or sport. The cruel handling of the city whereof they made a mockery. 2 Macc. viii. 17.
MOCKING
Mock"ing, a.
Defn: Imitating, esp. in derision, or so as to cause derision; mimicking; derisive. Mocking bird (Zoöl.), a North American singing bird (Mimus polyglottos), remarkable for its exact imitations of the notes of other birds. Its back is gray; the tail and wings are blackish, with a white patch on each wing; the outer tail feathers are partly white. The name is also applied to other species of the same genus, found in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. — Mocking thrush (Zoöl.), any species of the genus Harporhynchus, as the brown thrush (H. rufus). — Mocking wren (Zoöl.), any American wren of the genus Thryothorus, esp. T. Ludovicianus.
MOCKINGLY
Mock"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: By way of derision; in a contemptuous or mocking manner.
MOCKINGSTOCK
Mock"ing*stock`, n.
Defn: A butt of sport; an object of derision. [R.]
MOCKISH
Mock"ish, a.
Defn: Mock; counterfeit; sham. [Obs.]
MOCKLE
Moc"kle, a.
Defn: See Mickle.
MOCO
Mo"co, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A South American rodent (Cavia rupestris), allied to the Guinea pig, but larger; — called also rock cavy.
MODAL
Mo"dal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. modal. See Mode.]
1. Of or pertaining to a mode or mood; consisting in mode or form only; relating to form; having the form without the essence or reality. Glanvill.
2. (Logic & Metaph.)
Defn: Indicating, or pertaining to, some mode of conceiving existence, or of expressing thought.
MODALIST
Mo"dal*ist, n. (Theol.)
Defn: One who regards Father, Son, and Spirit as modes of being, and not as persons, thus denying personal distinction in the Trinity. Eadie.
MODALITY
Mo*dal"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. modalité.]
1. The quality or state of being modal.
2. (Logic & Metaph.)
Defn: A modal relation or quality; a mode or point of view under which an object presents itself to the mind. According to Kant, the quality of propositions, as assertory, problematical, or apodeictic.
MODALLY
Mo"dal*ly, adv.
Defn: In a modal manner. A compound proposition, the parts of which are united modally … by the particles "as" and "so." Gibbs.
MODE
Mode, n. Etym: [L. modus a measure, due or proper measure, bound,
manner, form; akin to E. mete: cf. F. mode. See Mete, and cf.
Commodious, Mood in grammar, Modus.]
1. Manner of doing or being; method; form; fashion; custom; way; style; as, the mode of speaking; the mode of dressing. The duty of itself being resolved on, the mode of doing it may easily be found. Jer. Taylor. A table richly spread in regal mode. Milton.
2. Prevailing popular custom; fashion, especially in the phrase the mode. The easy, apathetic graces of a man of the mode. Macaulay.
3. Variety; gradation; degree. Pope.
4. (Metaph.)
Defn: Any combination of qualities or relations, considered apart from the substance to which they belong, and treated as entities; more generally, condition, or state of being; manner or form of arrangement or manifestation; form, as opposed to matter. Modes I call such complex ideas, which, however compounded, contain not in them the supposition of subsisting by themselves, but are considered as dependencies on, or affections of, substances. Locke.
5. (Logic)
Defn: The form in which the proposition connects the predicate and subject, whether by simple, contingent, or necessary assertion; the form of the syllogism, as determined by the quantity and quality of the constituent proposition; mood.
6. (Gram.)
Defn: Same as Mood.
7. (Mus.)
Defn: The scale as affected by the various positions in it of the minor intervals; as, the Dorian mode, the Ionic mode, etc., of ancient Greek music.
Note: In modern music, only the major and the minor mode, of whatever key, are recognized.
8. A kind of silk. See Alamode, n.
Syn.
— Method; manner. See Method.
MODEL
Mod"el, n. Etym: [F. modèle, It. modello, fr. (assumed) L. modellus,
fr. modulus a small measure, dim. of modus. See Mode, and cf.
Module.]
1. A miniature representation of a thing, with the several parts in due proportion; sometimes, a facsimile of the same size. In charts, in maps, and eke in models made. Gascoigne. I had my father's signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal. Shak. You have the models of several ancient temples, though the temples and the gods are perished. Addison.
2. Something intended to serve, or that may serve, as a pattern of something to be made; a material representation or embodiment of an ideal; sometimes, a drawing; a plan; as, the clay model of a sculpture; the inventor's model of a machine. [The application for a patent] must be accompanied by a full description of the invention, with drawings and a model where the case admits of it. Am. Cyc. When we mean to build We first survey the plot, then draw the model. Shak.
3. Anything which serves, or may serve, as an example for imitation; as, a government formed on the model of the American constitution; a model of eloquence, virtue, or behavior.
4. That by which a thing is to be measured; standard. He that despairs measures Providence by his own little, contracted model. South.
5. Any copy, or resemblance, more or less exact. Thou seest thy wretched brother die, Who was the model of thy father's life. Shak.
6. A person who poses as a pattern to an artist. A professional model. H. James. Working model, a model of a machine which can do on a small scale the work which the machine itself does, or expected to do.
MODEL
Mod"el, a.
Defn: Suitable to be taken as a model or pattern; as, a model house; a model husband.
MODEL
Mod"el, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modeled or Modelled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Modeling or Modelling.] Etym: [Cf. F. modeler, It. modellare.]
Defn: To plan or form after a pattern; to form in model; to form a model or pattern for; to shape; to mold; to fashion; as, to model a house or a government; to model an edifice according to the plan delineated.
MODEL
Mod"el, v. i. (Fine Arts)
Defn: To make a copy or a pattern; to design or imitate forms; as, to model in wax.
MODELER
Mod"el*er, n.
Defn: One who models; hence, a worker in plastic art. [Written also modeller.]
MODELING
Mod"el*ing, n. (Fine Arts)
Defn: The act or art of making a model from which a work of art is to be executed; the formation of a work of art from some plastic material. Also, in painting, drawing, etc., the expression or indication of solid form. [Written also modelling.] Modeling plane, a small plane for planing rounded objects. — Modeling wax, beeswax melted with a little Venice turpentine, or other resinous material, and tinted with coloring matter, usually red, — used in modeling.
MODELIZE
Mod"el*ize, v. t.
Defn: To model. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
MODENA
Mod"e*na, n. Etym: [From Modena, in Italy.]
Defn: A certain crimsonlike color. Good.
MODENESE
Mod`e*nese", a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Modena or its inhabitants.
— n. sing. & pl.
Defn: A native or inhabitant of Modena; the people of Modena.
MODER
Mo"der, n. Etym: [OE. See Mother female parent.]
1. A mother. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. The principal piece of an astrolabe, into which the others are fixed. [Obs.]
MODER
Mod"er, v. t.
Defn: To moderate. [Obs.]
MODERABLE
Mod"er*a*ble, a. Etym: [L. moderabilis.]
Defn: Modeate; temperate. [Obs.]
MODERANCE
Mod"er*ance, n.
Defn: Moderation. [Obs.] Caxton.
MODERATE Mod"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. moderatus, p.p. of moderate, moderati, to moderate, regulate, control, fr. modus measure. See Mode.]
Defn: Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained; as: (a) Limited in quantity; sparing; temperate; frugal; as, moderate in eating or drinking; a moderate table. (b) Limited in degree of activity, energy, or excitement; reasonable; calm; slow; as, moderate language; moderate endeavors. (c) Not extreme in opinion, in partisanship, and the like; as, a moderate Calvinist. A number of moderate members managed … to obtain a majority in a thin house. Swift.
(d) Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter. "Moderate showers." Walter. (e) Limited as to degree of progress; as, to travel at moderate speed. (f) Limited as to the degree in which a quality, principle, or faculty appears; as, an infusion of moderate strength; a man of moderate abilities. (g) Limited in scope or effects; as, a reformation of a moderate kind. Hooker.
MODERATE
Mod"er*ate, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
MODERATE
Mod"er*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moderated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Moderating.]
1. To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind. By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water. Arbuthnot. To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive. Spenser.
2. To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting; as, to moderate a synod.
MODERATE
Mod"er*ate, v. i.
1. To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.
2. To preside as a moderator. Dr. Barlow [was] engaged … to moderate for him in the divinity disputation. Bp. Barlow's Remains (1693).
MODERATELY
Mod"er*ate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a moderate manner or degree; to a moderate extent.
Each nymph but moderately fair. Waller.
MODERATENESS
Mod"er*ate*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being moderate; temperateness; moderation.
MODERATION
Mod`er*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. moderatio: cf. F. modération.]
1. The act of moderating, or of imposing due restraint.
2. The state or quality of being mmoderate. In moderation placing all my glory, While Tories call me Whig, and Whigs a Tory. Pope.
3. Calmness of mind; equanimity; as, to bear adversity with moderation. The calm and judicious moderation of Orange. Motley.
4. pl.
Defn: The first public examinations for degrees at the University of
Oxford; — usually contracted to mods.
MODERATISM
Mod"er*a*tism, n.
Defn: Moderation in doctrines or opinion, especially in politics or religion.
MODERATO
Mod`e*ra"to, a. & adv. Etym: [It. See Moderate.] (Mus.)
Defn: With a moderate degree of quickness; moderately. Allegro moderato, a little slower than allegro. — Andante moderato, a little faster than andante.
MODERATOR
Mod"er*a`tor, n. Etym: [L.: cf. F. modérateur.]
1. One who, or that which, moderates, restrains, or pacifies. Sir W. Raleigh. Angling was … a moderator of passions. Walton.
2. The officer who presides over an assembly to preserve order, propose questions, regulate the proceedings, and declare the votes.
3. In the University of Oxford, an examiner for moderations; at Cambridge, the superintendant of examinations for degrees; at Dublin, either the first (senior) or second (junior) in rank in an examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
4. A mechamical arrangement for regulating motion in a machine, or producing equality of effect.
MODERATORSHIP
Mod"er*a`tor*ship, n.
Defn: The office of a moderator.
MODERATRESS
Mod"er*a`tress, n.
Defn: A female moderator. Fuller.
MODERATRIX
Mod"er*a`trix, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: A female moderator.
MODERN Mod"ern, a. Etym: [F. moderne, L. modernus; akin to modo just now, orig. abl. of modus measure; hence, by measure, just now. See Mode.]
1. Of or pertaining to the present time, or time not long past; late; not ancient or remote in past time; of recent period; as, modern days, ages, or time; modern authors; modern fashions; modern taste; modern practice. Bacon.
2. New and common; trite; commonplace. [Obs.] We have our philosophical persons, to make modern and familiar, things supernatural and causeless. Shak. Modern English. See the Note under English.
MODERN
Mod"ern, n.
Defn: A person of modern times; — opposed to ancient. Pope.
MODERNISM
Mod"ern*ism, n.
Defn: Modern practice; a thing of recent date; esp., a modern usage or mode of expression.
MODERNIST
Mod"ern*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. moderniste.]
Defn: One who admires the moderns, or their ways and fashions.
MODERNITY
Mo*der"ni*ty, n.
Defn: Modernness; something modern. Walpole.
MODERNIZATION
Mod`ern*i*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act of rendering modern in style; the act or process of causing to conform to modern of thinking or acting.
MODERNIZE
Mod"ern*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modernized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Modernizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. moderniser.]
Defn: To render modern; to adapt to modern person or things; to cause to conform to recent or present usage or taste. Percy.
MODERNIZER
Mod"ern*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who modernizes.
MODERNLY
Mod"ern*ly, adv.
Defn: In modern times. Milton.
MODERNNESS
Mod"ern*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being modern; recentness; novelty. M.
Arnold.
MODEST
Mod"est, a. Etym: [F. modeste, L. modestus, fr. modus measure. See
Mode.]
1. Restraining within due limits of propriety; not forward, bold, boastful, or presumptious; rather retiring than pushing one's self forward; not obstructive; as, a modest youth; a modest man.
2. Observing the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; — said of a woman. Mrs. Ford, the honest woman, the modest wife. Shak. The blushing beauties of a modest maid. Dryden.
3. Evincing modestly in the actor, author, or speaker; not showing presumption; not excessive or extreme; moderate; as, a modest request; modest joy.
Syn. — Reserved; unobtrusive; diffident; bashful; coy; shy; decent; becoming; chaste; virtuous.
MODESTLY
Mod"est*ly, adv.
Defn: In a modest manner.
MODESTY
Mod"es*ty, n. Etym: [L. modestia: cf. F. modestie. See Modest.]
1. The quality or state of being modest; that lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance; absence of self-assertion, arrogance, and presumption; humility respecting one's own merit.
2. Natural delicacy or shame regarding personal charms and the sexual relation; purity of thought and manners; due regard for propriety in speech or action. Her blush is guiltiness, not modesty. Shak. Modesty piece, a narrow piece of lace worn by women over the bosom. [Obs.] Addison.
Syn.
— Bashfulness; humility; diffidence; shyness. See Bashfulness, and
Humility.
MODICITY
Mo*dic"i*ty, n. Etym: [LL. modicitas; cf. F. modicité.]
Defn: Moderateness; smallness; meanness. [Obs.]
MODICUM
Mod"i*cum, n. Etym: [L., fr. modicus moderate, fr. modus. See Mode.]
Defn: A little; a small quantity; a measured simply. "Modicums of
wit." Shak.
Her usual modicum of beer and punch. Thackeray.
MODIFIABILITY
Mod`i*fi`a*bil"i*ty, n.
Defn: Capability of being modified; state or quality of being modifiable.
MODIFIABLE
Mod"i*fi`a*ble, a. Etym: [From Modify.]
Defn: Capable of being modified; liable to modification.
MODIFICABLE
Mo*dif"i*ca*ble, a.
Defn: Modifiable. [Obs.]
MODIFICATE
Mod"i*fi*cate, v. t. Etym: [See Modify.]
Defn: To qualify. [Obs.] Bp. Pearson.
MODIFICATION Mod`i*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. modificatio a measuring: cf. F. modification. See Modify.]
Defn: The act of modifying, or the state of being modified; a modified form or condition; state as modified; a change; as, the modification of an opinion, or of a machine; the various modifications of light. Bentley.
MODIFICATIVE
Mod"i*fi*ca*tive, n.
Defn: That which modifies or qualifies, as a word or clause.
MODIFICATORY
Mod"i*fi*ca`to*ry, a.
Defn: Tending or serving to modify; modifying. Max Müller.
MODIFIER
Mod"i*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, modifies. Hume.
MODIFY
Mod"i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modified; p. pr. & vb. n. Modifying.]
Etym: [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit + -ficare
(in comp.) to make. See Mode, and -fy.]
1. To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of a contract.
2. To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to qualify; to lower. Of his grace He modifies his first severe decree. Dryden.
MODILLION
Mo*dil"lion, n. Etym: [F. modillon, It. modiglione. Cf. Module, n.]
(Arch.)
Defn: The enriched block or horizontal bracket generally found under the cornice of the Corinthian and Composite entablature, and sometimes, less ornamented, in the Ionic and other orders; — so called because of its arrangement at regulated distances.
MODIOLAR Mo*di"o*lar, a. Etym: [L. modiolus, dim. of modius the Roman corn measure.]
Defn: Shaped like a bushel measure.
MODIOLUS
Mo*di"o*lus, n.; pl. Modioli. Etym: [L., a small measure.] (Anat.)
Defn: The central column in the osseous cochlea of the ear.
MODISH
Mod"ish, a.
Defn: According to the mode, or customary manner; conformed to the fashion; fashionable; hence, conventional; as, a modish dress; a modish feast. Dryden. "Modish forms of address." Barrow. — Mod"ish*ly, adv. — Mod"ish*ness, n.
MODIST
Mod"ist, n.
Defn: One who follows the fashion.
MODISTE
Mo`diste", n. Etym: [F. See Mode, and cf. Modist.]
Defn: A female maker of, or dealer in, articles of fashion, especially of the fashionable dress of ladies; a woman who gives direction to the style or mode of dress.
MODIUS
Mo"di*us, n.; pl. Modii. Etym: [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A dry measure, containing about a peck.
MODOCS
Mo"docs, n. pl.; sing. Modoc (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of warlike Indians formerly inhabiting Northern
California. They are nearly extinct.
MODULAR
Mod"u*lar, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to mode, modulation, module, or modius; as, modular arrangement; modular accent; modular measure.
MODULATE
Mod"u*late, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Modulated; p. pr. & vb. n.
Modulating.] Etym: [L. modulatus, p.p. of modulari to measure, to
modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus.
See Mode.]
1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion.
2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking. Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many Broome.
MODULATE
Mod"u*late, v. i. (Mus.)
Defn: To pass from one key into another.
MODULATION
Mod`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. modulatio: cf. F. modulation.]
1. The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the voice.
2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.] Thomson.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: A change of key, whether transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations.
MODULATOR
Mod"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who, or that which, modulates. Denham.
MODULE
Mod"ule, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. modulus a small measure, dim. of modus.
See Mode, and cf. Model, Modulus, Mold a matrix.]
1. A model or measure.
2. (Arch.)
Defn: The size of some one part, as the diameter of semi-diameter of the base of a shaft, taken as a unit of measure by which the proportions of the other parts of the composition are regulated. Generally, for columns, the semi-diameter is taken, and divided into a certain number of parts, called minutes (see Minute), though often the diameter is taken, and any dimension is said to be so many modules and minutes in height, breadth, or projection.
MODULE
Mod"ule, v. t. Etym: [See module, n., Modulate.]
Defn: To model; also, to modulate. [Obs.] Sandys. Drayton.
MODULUS Mod"u*lus, n.; pl. Moduli. Etym: [L., a small measure. See Module, n.] (Math., Mech., & Physics)
Defn: A quantity or coefficient, or constant, which expresses the measure of some specified force, property, or quality, as of elasticity, strength, efficiency, etc.; a parameter. Modulus of a machine, a formula expressing the work which a given machine can perform under the conditions involved in its construction; the relation between the work done upon a machine by the moving power, and that yielded at the working points, either constantly, if its motion be uniform, or in the interval of time which it occupies in passing from any given velocity to the same velocity again, if its motion be variable; — called also the efficiency of the machine. Mosley. Rankine. — Modulus of a system of logarithms (Math.), a number by which all the Napierian logarithms must be multiplied to obtain the logarithms in another system. — Modulus of elasticity. (a) The measure of the elastic force of any substance, expressed by the ratio of a stress on a given unit of the substance to the accompanying distortion, or strain. (b) An expression of the force (usually in terms of the height in feet or weight in pounds of a column of the same body) which would be necessary to elongate a prismatic body of a transverse section equal to a given unit, as a square inch or foot, to double, or to compress it to half, its original length, were that degree of elongation or compression possible, or within the limits of elasticity; — called also Young's modulus. — Modulus of rupture, the measure of the force necessary to break a given substance across, as a beam, expressed by eighteen times the load which is required to break a bar of one inch square, supported flatwise at two points one foot apart, and loaded in the middle between the points of support. Rankine.
MODUS
Mo"dus, n.; pl. Modi. Etym: [L. See Mode.] (Old Law)
1. The arrangement of, or mode of expressing, the terms of a contract or conveyance.
2. (Law)
Defn: A qualification involving the idea of variation or departure from some general rule or form, in the way of either restriction or enlargement, according to the circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an agreement between parties, and the like. Bracton.
3. (Law)
Defn: A fixed compensation or equivalent given instead of payment of
tithes in kind, expressed in full by the phrase modus decimandi.
Blackstone.
They, from time immemorial, had paid a modus, or composition. Landor.
Modus operandi ( Etym: [L.], manner of operating.
MODUS VIVENDI
Mo"dus vi*ven"di. [L.]
Defn: Mode, or manner, of living; hence, a temporary arrangement of affairs until disputed matters can be settled.
MODY
Mod"y, a. Etym: [From Mode.]
Defn: Fashionable. [R.]
MOE
Moe, n.
Defn: A wry face or mouth; a mow. [Obs.]
MOE
Moe, v. i.
Defn: To make faces; to mow. [Obs.]
MOE
Moe, a., adv., & n. Etym: [AS. ma See More.]
Defn: More. See Mo. [Obs.] "Sing no more ditties, sing no moe." Shak.
MOEBLES Moe"bles, n. pl. Etym: [OE., fr. OF. moeble, mueble, movable, from L. mobilis.]
Defn: Movables; furniture; — also used in the singular (moeble).
[Obs.] Chaucer.
MOELLINE
Mo"el*line, n. Etym: [F. moelle, fr. L. medulla marrow.]
Defn: An unguent for the hair.
MOELLON
Mo"el*lon, n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: Rubble masonry.
MOESOGOTHIC
Moe`so*goth"ic, a.
Defn: Belonging to the Moesogoths, a branch of the Goths who settled in Moesia.
MOESOGOTHIC
Moe`so*goth"ic, n.
Defn: The language of the Moesogoths; — also called Gothic.
MOEVE
Moeve, v. t. & i.
Defn: To move. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOFF
Moff, n.
Defn: A thin silk stuff made in Caucasia.
MOG Mog, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mogged; p. pr. & vb. n. Mogging.] [Etym. unknown.]
Defn: To move away; to go off. [Prov. Eng. or Local, U. S.]
MOGGAN
Mog"gan, n.
Defn: A closely fitting knit sleeve; also, a legging of knitted material. [Scot.]
MOGUL
Mo*gul", n. Etym: [From the Mongolian.]
1. A person of the Mongolian race.
2. (Railroad)
Defn: A heavy locomotive for freight traffic, having three pairs of connected driving wheels and a two-wheeled truck. Great, or Grand, Mogul, the sovereign of the empire founded in Hindostan by the Mongols under Baber in the sixteenth century. Hence, a very important personage; a lord; — sometimes only mogul. Dryden.
MOHA
Mo"ha, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of millet (Setaria Italica); German millet.
MOHAIR Mo"hair`, n. Etym: [F. moire, perh. from Ar. mukhayyar a kind of coarse camelot or haircloth; but prob. fr. L. marmoreus of marble, resembling marble. Cf. Moire, Marble.]
Defn: The long silky hair or wool of the Angora goat of Asia Minor; also, a fabric made from this material, or an imitation of such fabric.
MOHAMMEDAN Mo*ham"med*an, a. Etym: [From Mohammed, fr. Ar. muhámmad praiseworthy, highly praised.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Mohammed, or the religion and institutions founded by Mohammed. [Written also Mahometan, Mahomedan, Muhammadan, etc.]
MOHAMMEDAN
Mo*ham"med*an, n.
Defn: A follower of Mohammed, the founder of Islamism; one who professes Mohammedanism or Islamism.
MOHAMMEDAN CALENDAR
Mo*ham"med*an cal"en*dar.
Defn: A lunar calendar reckoning from the year of the hegira, 622 a. d. Thirty of its years constitute a cycle, of which the 2d, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th, and 29th are leap years, having 355 days; the others are common, having 354 days. By the following tables any Mohammedan date may be changed into the Christian date, or vice versa, for the years 1900-1935 a. d.
Months of the Mohammedan year.
1 Muharram . . . .. 30 2 Safar . . . . . . .. 29 3 Rabia I . . . . . . 30 4 Rabia II . . . .. 29 5 Jumada I . . . .. 30 6 Jumada II . . . . 29 7 Rajab . . . . . . .. 30 8 Shaban . . . . . . . 29 9 Ramadan . . . . . . 30 10 Shawwal . . . . . . 29 11 Zu'lkadah . . . . 30 12 Zu'lhijjah . . . 29* * in leap year, 30 days
a. h. a. d. a. h. a. d.
1317 begins May 12, 1899 1336* begins Oct.17, 1917 1318 May 1, 1900 1337 Oct. 7, 1918 1319* Apr.20, 1901 1338* Sept.26,1919 1320 Apr.10, 1902 1339 Sept.15,1920 1321+ Mar.30, 1903 1340 Sept.4, 1921 1322* Mar.18, 1904 1341* Aug.24, 1922 1323 Mar. 8, 1905 1342 Aug.14, 1923 1324 Feb.25, 1906 1343 Aug. 2, 1924 1325* Feb.14, 1907 1344* July 22,1925 1326 Feb. 4, 1908 1345 July 12,1926 1327* Jan.23, 1909 1346* July 1, 1927 1328 Jan.13, 1910 1347 June 20,1928 1329 Jan. 2, 1911 1348 June 9, 1929 1330* Dec.22, 1911 1349* May 29, 1930 1331 Dec.11, 1912 1350 May 19, 1931 1332 Nov.30, 1913 1351++ May 7, 1932 1333* Nov.19, 1914 1352* Apr.26, 1933 1334 Nov. 9, 1915 1353 Apr.16, 1934 1335 Oct.28, 1916 1354 Apr. 5, 1935 * Leap year + First year of the 45th cycle ++ First year of the 46th cycle
The following general rule for finding the date of commencement of any Mohammedan year has a maximum error of a day: Multiply 970,224 by the Mohammedan year, point off six decimal places, and add 621.5774. The whole number will be the year a. d., and the decimal multiplied by 365 will give the day of the year.
MOHAMMEDAN ERA
Mohammedan Era.
Defn: The era in use in Mohammedan countries. See Mohammedan year, below.
MOHAMMEDANISM; MOHAMMEDISM
Mo*ham"med*an*ism, Mo*ham"med*ism, n.
Defn: The religion, or doctrines and precepts, of Mohammed, contained in the Koran; Islamism.
MOHAMMEDANIZE; MOHAMMEDIZE
Mo*ham"med*an*ize, Mo*ham"med*ize, v. t.
Defn: To make conformable to the principles, or customs and rites, of
Mohammedanism. [Written also Mahometanize.]
MOHAMMEDAN YEAR
Mohammedan year.
Defn: The year used by Mohammedans, consisting of twelve lunar months without intercalation, so that they retrograde through all the seasons in about 32½ years. The Mohammedan era begins with the year 622 a.d., the first day of the Mohammedan year 1332 begin Nov. 30, 1913, acording to the Gregorian calendar.
MOHAWK
Mo"hawk, n.
1. (Ethnol.)
Defn: One of a tribe of Indians who formed part of the Five Nations.
They formerly inhabited the valley of the Mohawk River.
2. One of certain ruffians who infested the streets of London in the time of Addison, and took the name from the Mohawk Indians. [Slang] Spectator. Macaulay.
MOHICANS
Mo*hi"cans, n. pl.; sing. Mohican (. (Ethnol.)
Defn: A tribe of Lenni-Lenape Indians who formerly inhabited Western
Connecticut and Eastern New York. [Written also Mohegans.]
MOHO
Mo"ho, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A gallinule (Notornis Mantelli) formerly inhabiting New
Zealand, but now supposed to be extinct. It was incapable of flight.
See Notornis.
MOHOCK
Mo"hock, n.
Defn: See Mohawk.
MOHOLI
Mo*ho"li, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Maholi.
MOHR
Mohr, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A West African gazelle (Gazella mohr), having horns on which are eleven or twelve very prominent rings. It is one of the species which produce bezoar. [Written also mhorr.]
MOHUR Mo"hur, n. Etym: [Hind., fr. Per. muhur, muhr, a gold coin, a seal, seal ring.]
Defn: A British Indian gold coin, of the value of fifteen silver rupees, or $7.21. Malcom.
MOHURRUM; MUHARRAM Mo*hur"rum, Mu*har"ram, n. Etym: [Ar. muharram, prop., sacred, forbidden, n., the first month of the Mohammedan lunar year.]
1. The first month of the Mohammedan year. Whitworth.
2. A festival of the Shiah sect of the Mohammedans held during the first ten days of the month Mohurrum.
MOIDER
Moi"der, v. i.
Defn: To toil. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
MOIDORE Moi"dore, n. Etym: [Pg. moeda d'ouro, lit., coin of gold. Cf. Money, and Aureate.]
Defn: A gold coin of Portugal, valued at about 27s. sterling.
MOIETY Moi"e*ty, n.; pl. Moieties. Etym: [F. moitié, L. medietas, fr. medius middle, half. See Mid, a., and cf. Mediate, Mediety.]
1. One of two equal parts; a half; as, a moiety of an estate, of goods, or of profits; the moiety of a jury, or of a nation. Shak. The more beautiful moiety of his majesty's subject. Addison.
2. An indefinite part; a small part. Shak.
MOIL
Moil, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Moiling.] Etym:
[OE. moillen to wet, OF. moillier, muillier, F. mouller, fr.
(assumed) LL. molliare, fr. L. mollis soft. See Mollify.]
Defn: To daub; to make dirty; to soil; to defile.
Thou … doest thy mind in dirty pleasures moil. Spenser.
MOIL Moil, v. i. Etym: [From Moil to daub; prob. from the idea of struggling through the wet.]
Defn: To soil one's self with severe labor; to work with painful
effort; to labor; to toil; to drudge.
Moil not too much under ground. Bacon.
Now he must moil and drudge for one he loathes. Dryden.
MOIL
Moil, n.
Defn: A spot; a defilement.
The moil of death upon them. Mrs. Browning.
MOILE
Moile, n. Etym: [F. mule a slipper.]
Defn: A kind of high shoe anciently worn. [Written also moyle.]
MOINEAU
Moi"neau, n. Etym: [F.] (Fort.)
Defn: A small flat bastion, raised in the middle of an overlong curtain.
MOIRA
Moi"ra, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Greek Myth.)
Defn: The deity who assigns to every man his lot.
MOIRE
Moire, n. Etym: [F. Cf. Mohair.]
1. Originally, a fine textile fabric made of the hair of an Asiatic goat; afterwards, any textile fabric to which a watered appearance is given in the process of calendering.
2. A watered, clouded, or frosted appearance produced upon either textile fabrics or metallic surfaces. Moire antique, a superior kind of thick moire.
MOIRE METALLIQUE
Moi`ré" mé`tal`lique". Etym: [F.]
Defn: A crystalline or frosted appearance produced by some acids on tin plate; also, the tin plate thus treated.
MOIST Moist, a. Etym: [OE. moiste, OF. moiste, F. moite, fr. L. muccidus, for mucidus, moldy, musty. Cf. Mucus, Mucid.]
1. Moderately wet; damp; humid; not dry; as, a moist atmosphere or air. "Moist eyes." Shak.
2. Fresh, or new. [Obs.] "Shoes full moist and new." "A draught of moist and corny ale." Chaucer.
MOIST
Moist, v. t.
Defn: To moisten. [Obs.] Shak.
MOISTEN
Mois"ten, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moistened; p. pr. & vb. n. Moistening.]
1. To make damp; to wet in a small degree. A pipe a little moistened on the inside. Bacon.
2. To soften by making moist; to make tender. It moistened not his executioner's heart with any pity. Fuller.
MOISTENER
Mois"ten*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, moistens. Johnson.
MOISTFUL
Moist"ful, a.
Defn: Full of moisture. [R.]
MOISTLESS
Moist"less, a.
Defn: Without moisture; dry. [R.]
MOISTNESS
Moist"ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being moist.
MOISTURE
Mois"ture, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. moistour, F. moiteur.]
1. A moderate degree of wetness. Bacon.
2. That which moistens or makes damp or wet; exuding fluid; liquid in small quantity. All my body's moisture Scarce serves to quench my furnace-burning heat. Shak.
MOISTURELESS
Mois"ture*less, a.
Defn: Without moisture.
MOISTY
Moist"y, a.
Defn: Moist. [Obs.]
MOITHER
Moi"ther, v. t. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Defn: To perplex; to confuse. [Prov. Eng.] Lamb.
MOITHER
Moi"ther, v. i.
Defn: To toil; to labor. [Prov. Eng.]
MOJARRA
Mo*jar"ra, n. [Sp.]
Defn: Any of certain basslike marine fishes (mostly of tropical seas, and having a deep, compressed body, protracile mouth, and large silvery scales) constituting the family Gerridæ, as Gerres plumieri, found from Florida to Brazil and used as food. Also, any of numerous other fishes of similar appearance but belonging to other families.
MOKADOUR
Mok"a*dour, n. Etym: [Sp. mocador handkerchief.]
Defn: A handkerchief. [Obs.]
MOKE
Moke, n.
Defn: A donkey. [Cant] Thackeray.
MOKE
Moke, n.
Defn: A mesh of a net, or of anything resembling a net. Halliwell.
MOKY
Mo"ky, a. Etym: [Cf. Icel. mökkvi cloud, mist, mökkr a dense cloud,
W. mwg smoke, and E. muggy, muck.]
Defn: Misty; dark; murky; muggy. [Obs.]
MOLA
Mo"la, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Sunfish, 1.
MOLAR
Mo"lar, a. Etym: [L. moles mass.] (Mech.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a mass of matter; — said of the properties or motions of masses, as distinguished from those of molecules or atoms. Carpenter.
MOLAR Mo"lar, a. Etym: [L. molaris, fr. mola mill, fr. molere to grind in a mill. See Mill the machine.]
Defn: Having power to grind; grinding; as, the molar teeth; also, of or pertaining to the molar teeth. Bacon.
MOLAR
Mo"lar, n. (Anat.)
Defn: Any one of the teeth back of the incisors and canines. The molar which replace the deciduous or milk teeth are designated as premolars, and those which are not preceded by deciduous teeth are sometimes called true molars. See Tooth.
MOLARY
Mo"la*ry, a.
Defn: Same as 2d Molar.
MOLASSE Mo*lasse", n. Etym: [F. molasse, prob. fr. mollasse flabby, flimsy, fr. L. mollis soft.] (Geol.)
Defn: A soft Tertiary sandstone; — applied to a rock occurring in
Switzerland. See Chart of Geology.
MOLASSES
Mo*las"ses, n. Etym: [F. mélasse, cf. Sp. melaza, Pg. melaço, fr. L.
mellaceus honeylike, honey-sweet, mel, mellis, honey. See
Mellifluous, and cf. Melasses.]
Defn: The thick, brown or dark colored, viscid, uncrystallizable sirup which drains from sugar, in the process of manufacture; any thick, viscid, sweet sirup made from vegetable juice or sap, as of the sorghum or maple. See Treacle.
MOLD
Mold, n. Etym: [See Mo a spot.]
Defn: A spot; a blemish; a mole. [Obs.] Spenser.
MOLD; MOULD Mold, Mould, n. Etym: [OE. molde, AS. molde; akin to D. mul, G. mull, mulm, OHG. molt, molta, Icel. mold, Dan. muld, Sw. mull, Goth. mulda, and E. meal flour. See Meal, and cf. Mole an animal, Mull, v.] [The prevalent spelling is, perhaps, mould; but as the u has not been inserted in the other words of this class, as bold, gold, old, cold, etc., it seems desirable to complete the analogy by dropping it from this word, thus spelling it as Spenser, South, and many others did. The omission of the u is now very common in America.]
1. Crumbling, soft, friable earth; esp., earth containing the remains or constituents of organic matter, and suited to the growth of plants; soil.
2. Earthy material; the matter of which anything is formed; composing
substance; material.
The etherial mold, Incapable of stain. Milton.
Nature formed me of her softest mold. Addison.
MOLD; MOULD
Mold, Mould, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Molded or Moulded; p. pr. & vb. n.
Molding or Moulding.]
Defn: To cover with mold or soil. [R.]
MOLD; MOULD Mold, Mould, n. Etym: [From the p.p. of OE. moulen to become moldy, to rot, prob. fr. Icel. mygla to grow musty, mugga mugginess; cf. Sw. mögla to grow moldy. See Muggy, and cf. Moldy.] (Bot.)
Defn: A growth of minute fungi of various kinds, esp. those of the great groups Hyphomycetes, and Physomycetes, forming on damp or decaying organic matter.
Note: The common blue mold of cheese, the brick-red cheese mold, and the scarlet or orange strata which grow on tubers or roots stored up for use, when commencing to decay, are familiar examples. M. J. Berkley.
MOLD; MOULD
Mold, Mould, v. t.
Defn: To cause to become moldy; to cause mold to grow upon.
MOLD; MOULD
Mold, Mould, v. i.
Defn: To become moldy; to be covered or filled, in whole or in part, with a mold.
MOLD; MOULD
Mold, Mould, n. Etym: [OE. molde, OF. mole, F. moule, fr. L. modulus.
See Model.] [For spelling, see 2d Mold, above.]
1. The matrix, or cavity, in which anything is shaped, and from which it takes its form; also, the body or mass containing the cavity; as, a sand mold; a jelly mold. Milton.
2. That on which, or in accordance with which, anything is modeled or formed; anything which serves to regulate the size, form, etc., as the pattern or templet used by a shipbuilder, carpenter, or mason. The glass of fashion and the mold of form. Shak.
3. Cast; form; shape; character. Crowned with an architrave of antique mold. Pope.
4. (Arch.)
Defn: A group of moldings; as, the arch mold of a porch or doorway; the pier mold of a Gothic pier, meaning the whole profile, section, or combination of parts.
5. (Anat.)
Defn: A fontanel.
6. (Paper Making)
Defn: A frame with a wire cloth bottom, on which the pump is drained to form a sheet, in making paper by hand.
MOLD; MOULD Mold, Mould, v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. mouler, OF. moler, moller. See Mold the matrix.]
1. To form into a particular shape; to shape; to model; to fashion. He forgeth and moldeth metals. Sir M. Hale. Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay To mold me man Milton.
2. To ornament by molding or carving the material of; as, a molded window jamb.
3. To knead; as, to mold dough or bread.
4. (Founding)
Defn: To form a mold of, as in sand, in which a casting may be made.
MOLDABLE; MOULDABLE
Mold"a*ble, Mould"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being molded or formed.
MOLDBOARD; MOULDBOARD
Mold"board`, Mould"board`, n.
1. A curved plate of iron (originally of wood) back of the share of a plow, which turns over the earth in plowing.
2. (Founding)
Defn: A follow board.
MOLDER; MOULDER
Mold"er, Mould"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, molds or forms into shape; specifically
(Founding), one skilled in the art of making molds for castings.
MOLDER; MOULDER Mold"er, Mould"er, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Moldered or Mouldered; p. pr. & vb. n. Moldering or Mouldering.] Etym: [From Mold fine soft earth: cf. Prov. G. multern.]
Defn: To crumble into small particles; to turn to dust by natural decay; to lose form, or waste away, by a gradual separation of the component particles, without the presence of water; to crumble away. The moldering of earth in frosts and sun. Bacon. When statues molder, and when arches fall. Prior. If he had sat still, the enemy's army would have moldered to nothing. Clarendon.
MOLDER; MOULDER
Mold"er, Mould"er, v. t.
Defn: To turn to dust; to cause to crumble; to cause to waste away.
[Time's] gradual touch Has moldered into beauty many a tower. Mason.
MOLDERY; MOULDERY
Mold"er*y, Mould"er*y, a.
Defn: Covered or filled with mold; consisting of, or resembling, mold.
MOLDINESS; MOULDINESS
Mold"i*ness, Mould"i*ness, n. Etym: [From Moldy.]
Defn: The state of being moldy.
MOLDING; MOULDING
Mold"ing, Mould"ing, n.
1. The act or process of shaping in or on a mold, or of making molds; the art or occupation of a molder.
2. Anything cast in a mold, or which appears to be so, as grooved or ornamental bars of wood or metal.
3. (Arch.)
Defn: A plane, or curved, narrow surface, either sunk or projecting, used for decoration by means of the lights and shades upon its surface. Moldings vary greatly in pattern, and are generally used in groups, the different members of each group projecting or retreating, one beyond another. See Cable, n., 3, and Crenelated molding, under Crenelate, v. t.
MOLDING; MOULDING
Mold"ing, Mould"ing, p.a.
Defn: Used in making a mold or moldings; used in shaping anything according to a pattern. Molding, or Moulding, board. (a) See Follow board, under Follow, v. t. (b) A board on which bread or pastry is kneaded and shaped. — Molding, or Moulding, machine. (a) (Woodworking) A planing machine for making moldings. (b) (Founding) A machine to assist in making molds for castings. — Molding, or Moulding, mill, a mill for shaping timber. — Molding, or Moulding, sand (Founding), a kind of sand containing clay, used in making molds.
MOLDWARP; MOULDWARP
Mold"warp, Mould"warp, n. Etym: [OE. moldwerp: AS. molde soil +
weorpan to throw up; cf. OD. molworp, G. maulwurf, Icel. moldvarpa,
Dan. muldvarp. See Mold soil, Warp, and cf. Mole the animal.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Mole the animal. Spenser.
MOLDY; MOULDY
Mold"y, Mould"y, a. [Compar. Moldier or Mouldier; superl. Moldiest or
Mouldiest.] Etym: [From Mold the growth of fungi.]
Defn: Overgrown with, or containing, mold; as, moldy cheese or bread.
MOLE Mole, n. Etym: [AS. mal; akin to OHG. meil, Goth. mail Cf. Mail a spot.]
1. A spot; a stain; a mark which discolors or disfigures. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
2. A spot, mark, or small permanent protuberance on the human body; esp., a spot which is dark-colored, from which commonly issue one or more hairs.
MOLE
Mole, n. Etym: [L. mola.]
Defn: A mass of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated in the uterus.
MOLE
Mole, n. Etym: [F. môle, L. moles. Cf. Demolish, Emolument, Molest.]
Defn: A mound or massive work formed of masonry or large stones, etc., laid in the sea, often extended either in a right line or an arc of a circle before a port which it serves to defend from the violence of the waves, thus protecting ships in a harbor; also, sometimes, the harbor itself. Brande & C.
MOLE Mole, n. Etym: [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See Moldwarp.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any insectivore of the family Talpidæ. They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet.
Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp (Talpa Europæa), is noted for its extensive burrows. The common American mole, or shrew mole (Scalops aquaticus), and star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) have similar habits.
Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole rat.
2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground drains. [U.S.] Duck mole. See under Duck. — Golden mole. See Chrysochlore. — Mole cricket (Zoöl.), an orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllotalpa, which excavates subterranean galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots of plants. The common European species (Gryllotalpa vulgaris), and the American (G. borealis), are the best known. — Mole rat (Zoöl.), any one of several species of Old World rodents of the genera Spalax, Georychus, and several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary. — Mole shrew (Zoöl.), any one of several species of short-tailed American shrews of the genus Blarina, esp. B. brevicauda. — Water mole, the duck mole.
MOLE
Mole, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moled; p. pr. & vb. n. Moling.]
1. To form holes in, as a mole; to burrow; to excavate; as, to mole the earth.
2. To clear of molehills. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.
MOLEBUT
Mole"but, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The sunfish (Orthagoriscus, or Mola). [Written also molebat.]
MOLECAST
Mole"cast`, n.
Defn: A little elevation of earth made by a mole; a molehill.
Mortimer.
MOLECH
Mo"lech, n. Etym: [Heb. molek king.] (Script.)
Defn: The fire god of the Ammonites, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Moloch. Lev. xviii. 21.
MOLECULAR
Mo*lec"u*lar, a. Etym: [Cf. F. moléculare. See Molecule.] (Phys. &
Chem.)
Defn: Pertaining to, connected with, produced by, or consisting of, molecules; as, molecular forces; molecular groups of atoms, etc. Molecular attraction (Phys.), attraction acting between the molecules of bodies, and at insensible distances. — Molecular weight (Chem.), the weight of a molecule of any gas or vapor as compared with the hydrogen atom as a standard; the sum of the atomic weights of the constituents of a molecule; thus, the molecular weight of water (H2O) is 18.
MOLECULARITY
Mo*lec`u*lar"i*ty, n. (Phys. & Chem.)
Defn: The state of consisting of molecules; the state or quality of being molecular.
MOLECULARLY
Mo*lec"u*lar*ly, adv. (Phys. & Chem.)
Defn: With molecules; in the manner of molecules. W. R. Grove.
MOLECULE Mol"e*cule, n. Etym: [Dim. fr. L. moles a mass: cf. F. molécule. See 3d Mole.]
1. One of the very small invisible particles of which all matter is supposed to consist.
2. (Physics)
Defn: The smallest part of any substance which possesses the characteristic properties and qualities of that substance, and which can exist alone in a free state.
3. (Chem.)
Defn: A group of atoms so united and combined by chemical affinity that they form a complete, integrated whole, being the smallest portion of any particular compound that can exist in a free state; as, a molecule of water consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Cf. Atom.
MOLE-EYED
Mole"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having eyes like those of the mole; having imperfect sight.
MOLEHILL
Mole"hill`, n.
Defn: A little hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under
ground; hence, a very small hill, or an insignificant obstacle or
difficulty.
Having leapt over such mountains, lie down before a molehill. South.
MOLENDINACEOUS; MOLENDINARIOUS Mo*len`di*na"ceous, Mo*len`di*na"ri*ous, a. Etym: [L. molendinarius, fr. molendinum a mill, fr. molere to grind.] (Bot.)
Defn: Resembling the sails of a windmill.
MOLESKIN
Mole"skin`, n.
Defn: Any fabric having a thick soft shag, like the fur of a mole; esp., a kind of strong twilled fustian.
MOLEST
Mo*lest", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Molested; p. pr. & vb. n. Molesting.]
Etym: [F. molester, L. molestare, fr. molestus troublesome, fr. moles
a heavy mass, load, burden. See 3d Mole.]
Defn: To trouble; to disturb; to render uneasy; to interfere with; to
vex.
They have molested the church with needless opposition. Hooker.
Syn.
— To trouble; disturb; incommode; inconvenience; annoy; vex; tease.
MOLEST
Mo*lest", n.
Defn: Molestation. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOLESTATION
Mol`es*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. molestation.]
Defn: The act of molesting, or the state of being molested; disturbance; annoyance.
MOLESTER
Mo*lest"er, n.
Defn: One who molests.
MOLESTFUL
Mo*lest"ful, a.
Defn: Troublesome; vexatious. [R.]
MOLESTIE; MOLESTY
Mo*les"tie, Mo*les"ty, n. Etym: [L. molestia.]
Defn: Molestation. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOLEWARP
Mole"warp`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Moldwarp.
MOLIMINOUS Mo*lim"i*nous, a. Etym: [L. molimen a great exertion; moles a heavy mass.]
Defn: Of great bulk or consequence; very important. [Obs.] Dr. H.
More.
MOLINE
Mo"line, n. Etym: [L. molina mill, fr. molere to grind. See Mill.]
Defn: The crossed iron that supports the upper millstone by resting on the spindle; a millrind. Cross moline (Her.), a cross each arm of which is divided at the end into two rounded branches or divisions.
MOLINISM
Mo"lin*ism, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: The doctrines of the Molinists, somewhat resembling the tenets of the Arminians.
MOLINIST
Mo"lin*ist, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: A follower of the opinions of Molina, a Spanish Jesuit (in respect to grace); an opposer of the Jansenists.
MOLL
Moll, a. Etym: [G., fr. L. mollis soft, tender, elegiac. Cf. Molle.]
(Mus.)
Defn: Minor; in the minor mode; as, A moll, that is, A minor.
MOLLAH
Mol"lah, n. Etym: [Ar. maula, commonly mollain Turkey.]
Defn: One of the higher order of Turkish judges; also, a Turkish title of respect for a religious and learned man. [Written also moolah.]
MOLLE
Mol"le, a. Etym: [See Moll.] (Mus.)
Defn: Lower by a semitone; flat; as, E molle, that is, E flat.
MOLLEBART
Mol"le*bart, n.
Defn: An agricultural implement used in Flanders, consisting of a kind of large shovel drawn by a horse and guided by a man. [Written also mollebært and mouldebært.] Simmonds.
MOLLEMOKE
Mol"le*moke`, n. Etym: [Sw. mallemucke the stormy petrel.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of large pelagic petrels and fulmars, as Fulmarus glacialis, of the North Atlantic, and several species of Æstrelata, of the Southern Ocean. See Fulmar. [Written also mollymawk, malmock, mollemock, mallemocke, etc.]
MOLLIENT Mol"lient, a. Etym: [L. molliens, p.p. of mollire to soften, fr. mollis soft.]
Defn: Serving to soften; assuaging; emollient.
MOLLIENTLY
Mol"lient*ly, adv.
Defn: Assuagingly.
MOLLIFIABLE
Mol"li*fi`a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being mollified.
MOLLIFICATION
Mol`li*fi*ca"tion, n. Etym: [LL. mollificatio; cf. F. mollification.]
Defn: The act of mollifying, or the state of being mollified; a softening. Chaucer.
MOLLIFIER
Mol"li*fi`er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, mollifies. Bacon.
MOLLIFY
Mol"li*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mollified; p. pr. & vb. n.
Mollifying.] Etym: [F. mollifier, L. mollificare; mollis soft + -
ficare (in comp.) to make. See Enmollient, Moil, v. t., and -fy.]
1. To soften; to make tender; to reduce the hardness, harshness, or asperity of; to qualify; as, to mollify the ground. With sweet science mollified their stubborn hearts. Spenser.
2. To assuage, as pain or irritation, to appease, as excited feeling or passion; to pacify; to calm.
MOLLINET
Mol"li*net, n. Etym: [Cf. Moline.]
Defn: A little mill.
MOLLIPILOSE
Mol`li*pi*lose", a. Etym: [L. mollis soft + pilosus hairy.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having soft hairs; downy.
MOLLITIES
Mol*li"ti*es, n. Etym: [L., softness.] (Med.)
Defn: Unnatural softness of any organ or part. Dunglison.
MOLLITUDE
Mol"li*tude, n. Etym: [L. mollitudo, fr. mollis soft.]
Defn: Softness; effeminacy; weakness. [R.]
MOLLUSC
Mol"lusc, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Mollusk.
MOLLUSCA
Mol*lus"ca, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mollusk.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom, including the classes Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, PteropodaScaphopoda, and Lamellibranchiata, or Conchifera. These animals have an unsegmented bilateral body, with most of the organs and parts paired, but not repeated longitudinally. Most of them develop a mantle, which incloses either a branchial or a pulmonary cavity. They are generally more or less covered and protected by a calcareous shell, which may be univalve, bivalve, or multivalve.
Note: Formerly the Brachiopoda, Bryzoa, and Tunicata were united with the Lamellibranchiata in an artificial group called Acephala, which was also included under Mollusca. See Molluscoudea.
MOLLUSCAN
Mol*lus"can, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to mollusks.
— n.
Defn: A mollusk; one of the Mollusca.
MOLLUSCOID
Mol*lus"coid, a. Etym: [Mollusca + -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Resembling the true mollusks; belonging to the Molluscoidea.
— n.
Defn: One of the Molluscoidea.
MOLLUSCOIDAL
Mol`lus*coid"al, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Molluscoid.
MOLLUSCOIDEA
Mol`lus*coi"de*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mollusk, and -oid.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Invertebrata which includes the classes
Brachiopoda and Bryozoa; — called also Anthoid Mollusca.
Note: Originally the Tunicata were included under Molluscoidea, from which they are known to differ widely in structure and embryology. Molluscoidea were formerly considered a subdivision of Mollusca, but they are now known to have more relationship with Annelida than with Mollusca.
MOLLUSCOUS
Mol*lus"cous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Molluscan.
MOLLUSCUM
Mol*lus"cum, n. Etym: [NL. See Mollusk.] (Med.)
Defn: A cutaneous disease characterized by numerous tumors, of various forms, filled with a thick matter; — so called from the resemblance of the tumors to some molluscous animals. Dunglison.
MOLLUSK Mol"lusk, n. Etym: [F. mollusque, L. mollusca a kind of soft nut with a thin shell, fr. molluscus soft, mollis soft. See Mollify.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Mollusca. [Written also mollusc.]
MOLLY
Mol"ly, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Mollemoke.
MOLLY
Mol"ly, n.
Defn: A pet or colloquial name for Mary. Molly cottontail. (Zoöl.) See Cottontail. — Molly Maguire (ma*gwir"); pl. Molly Maguires (-gwirz). (a) A member of a secret association formed among the tenantry in Ireland about 1843, principally for the purpose of intimidating law officers and preventing the service of legal writs. Its members disguised themselves in the dress of women. (b) A member of a similar association of Irishmen organized in the anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania, about 1854, for the purpose of intimidating employers and officers of the law, and for avenging themselves by murder on persons obnoxious to them. The society was broken up by criminal prosecutions in 1876.
MOLLY-MAWK
Mol"ly-mawk`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Mollemoke.
MOLOCH
Mo"loch, n. Etym: [Heb. molek king.]
1. (Script.)
Defn: The fire god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to whom human sacrifices were offered; Molech. Also applied figuratively.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A spiny Australian lizard (Moloch horridus). The horns on the head and numerous spines on the body give it a most formidable appearance.
MOLOKANE; MOLOKANY
Mol`o*ka"ne, Mol`o*ka"ny, n. pl. [Russ. molokane.]
Defn: See Raskolnik.
MOLOSSE
Mo*losse", n.
Defn: See Molossus.
MOLOSSES
Mo*los"ses, n.
Defn: Molasses. [Obs.]
MOLOSSINE
Mo*los"sine, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bat of the genus Molossus, as the monk bat.
MOLOSSUS
Mo*los"sus, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. (Gr. & Lat. Pros.)
Defn: A foot of three long syllables. [Written also molosse.]
MOLT
Molt, obs.imp.
Defn: of Melt. Chaucer. Spenser.
MOLT; MOULT Molt, Moult, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Molted or Moulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Molting or Moulting.] Etym: [OE. mouten, L. mutare. See Mew to molt, and cf. Mute, v. t.] [The prevalent spelling is, perhaps, moult; but as the u has not been inserted in the otherwords of this class, as, bolt, colt, dolt, etc., it is desirable to complete the analogy by the spelling molt.]
Defn: To shed or cast the hair, feathers, skin, horns, or the like, as an animal or a bird. Bacon.
MOLT; MOULT
Molt, Moult, v. t.
Defn: To cast, as the hair, skin, feathers, or the like; to shed.
MOLT; MOULT
Molt, Moult, n.
Defn: The act or process of changing the feathers, hair, skin, etc.; molting.
MOLTABLE
Molt"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of assuming a molten state; meltable; fusible. [Obs.]
MOLTEN
Mol"ten, a. Etym: [See Melt.]
1. Melted; being in a state of fusion, esp. when the liquid state is produced by a high degree of heat; as, molten iron.
2. Made by melting and casting the substance or metal of which the thing is formed; as, a molten image.
MOLTO
Mol"to, adv. Etym: [It.] (Mus.)
Defn: Much; very; as, molto adagio, very slow.
MOLY
Mo"ly, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. A fabulous herb of occult power, having a black root and white blossoms, said by Homer to have been given by Hermes to Ulysses to counteract the spells of Circe. Milton.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A kind of garlic (Allium Moly) with large yellow flowers; — called also golden garlic.
MOLYBDATE
Mo*lyb"date, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A salt of molybdic acid.
MOLYBDENA
Mol`yb*de"na, n. Etym: [L. molybdaena galena, Gr. (Min.)
Defn: See Molybdenite.
MOLYBDENITE
Mo*lyb"de*nite, n. Etym: [Cf. F. molybdénite. See Molybdena.] (Min.)
Defn: A mineral occurring in soft, lead-gray, foliated masses or scales, resembling graphite; sulphide of molybdenum.
MOLYBDENOUS
Mo*lyb"de*nous, a. (Chem.)
Defn: See Molybdous.
MOLYBDENUM
Mol`yb*de"num, n. Etym: [NL.: cf. F. molybdène. See Molybdena.]
(Chem.)
Defn: A rare element of the chromium group, occurring in nature in the minerals molybdenite and wulfenite, and when reduced obtained as a hard, silver-white, difficulty fusible metal. Symbol Mo. Atomic weight 95.9.
MOLYBDIC
Mo*lyb"dic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. molybdique. See molybdena.] (Chem.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence, as contrasted with molybdous compounds; as, molybdic oxide.
MOLYBDITE
Mo*lyb"dite, n. (Min.)
Defn: Molybdic ocher.
MOLYBDOUS
Mo*lyb"dous, a. Etym: [See Molybdena.]
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or containing, molybdenum; specif., designating those compounds in which molybdenum has a lower valence as contrasted with molybdic compounds.
MOME
Mome, n. Etym: [Cf. Mumm, Momus.]
Defn: A dull, silent person; a blockhead. [Obs.] Spenser.
MOMENT
Mo"ment, n. Etym: [F. moment, L. momentum, for movimentum movement,
motion, moment, fr. movere to move. See Move, and cf. Momentum,
Movement.]
1. A minute portion of time; a point of time; an instant; as, at thet very moment. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. 1 Cor. xv. 52.
2. Impulsive power; force; momentum. The moments or quantities of motion in bodies. Berkley. Touch, with lightest moment of impulse, His free will. Milton.
3. Importance, as in influence or effect; consequence; weight or value; consideration. Matters of great moment. Shak. It is an abstruse speculation, but also of far less moment and consequence of us than the others. Bentley.
4. An essential element; a deciding point, fact, or consideration; an essential or influential circumstance.
5. (Math.)
Defn: An infinitesimal change in a varying quantity; an increment or decrement. [Obs.]
6. (Mech.)
Defn: Tendency, or measure of tendency, to produce motion, esp. motion about a fixed point or axis. Moment of a couple (Mech.), the product of either of its forces into the perpendicular distance between them. — Moment of a force. (Mech.) (a) With respect to a point, the product of the intensity of the force into the perpendicular distance from the point to the line of direction of the force. (b) With respect to a line, the product of that component of the force which is perpendicular to the plane passing through the line and the point of application of the force, into the shortest distance between the line and this point. (c) With respect to a plane that is parallel to the force, the product of the force into the perpendicular distance of its point of application from the plane. — Moment of inertia, of a rotating body, the sum of the mass of each particle of matter of the body into the square of its distance from the axis of rotation; — called also moment of rotation and moment of the mass. — Statical moment, the product of a force into its leverage; the same as moment of a force with respect to a point, line, etc. — Virtual moment. See under Virtual.
Syn. — Instant; twinkling; consequence; weight; force; value; consideration; signification; avail.
MOMENTAL
Mo*men"tal, a. Etym: [Cf. OF. momental.] [Obs.]
1. Lasting but a moment; brief. Not one momental minute doth she swerve. Breton.
2. Important; momentous.
3. (Mech.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to moment or momentum.
MOMENTALLY
Mo*men"tal*ly, adv.
Defn: For a moment. [Obs.]
MOMENTANEOUS; MOMENTANY Mo`men*ta"ne*ous, Mo"men*ta*ny, a. Etym: [L. momentaneus: cf. F. momentané.]
Defn: Momentary. [Obs.] Hooker. "Momentany as a sound." Shak.
MOMENTARILY
Mo"men*ta*ri*ly, adv.
Defn: Every moment; from moment to moment. Shenstone.
MOMENTARINESS
Mo"men*ta*ri*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being momentary; shortness of duration.
MOMENTARY
Mo"men*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. momentarius. See Moment.]
Defn: Done in a moment; continuing only a moment; lasting a very short time; as, a momentary pang. This momentary joy breeds months of pain. Shak.
MOMENTLY
Mo"ment*ly, adv.
1. For a moment.
2. In a moment; every moment; momentarily.
MOMENTOUS
Mo*men"tous, a. Etym: [Cf. L. momentosus rapid, momentary.]
Defn: Of moment or consequence; very important; weighty; as, a
momentous decision; momentous affairs.
— Mo*men"tous*ly, adv.
— Mo*men"tous*ness, n.
MOMENTUM
Mo*men"tum, n.; pl. L. Momenta, F. Momentums. Etym: [L. See Moment.]
1. (Mech.)
Defn: The quantity of motion in a moving body, being always proportioned to the quantity of matter multiplied into the velocity; impetus.
2. Essential element, or constituent element. I shall state the several momenta of the distinction in separate propositions. Sir W. Hamilton.
MOMIER Mom"i*er, n. Etym: [F. mômier, fr. OF. momer, mommer, to mumm, to mask one's self.]
Defn: A name given in contempt to strict Calvinists in Switzerland, France, and some parts of Germany, in the early part of the 19th century.
MOMMERY
Mom"mer*y, n.
Defn: See Mummery. Rowe.
MOMOT
Mo"mot, n. Etym: [Momot and motmot, the native American name.]
(Zoöl.)
Defn: See Motmot.
MOMUS
Mo"mus, n. Etym: [Gr. (Gr. Myth.)
Defn: The god of mockery and censure.
MON-
Mon-.
Defn: Same as Mono-.
MONA
Mo"na, n. Etym: [CF. Sp. & Pg. mona, fem. of mono a monkey, ape.]
(Zoöl.)
Defn: A small, handsome, long-tailed West American monkey (Cercopithecus mona). The body is dark olive, with a spot of white on the haunches.
MONACHAL
Mon"a*chal, a. Etym: [L. monachus a monk: cf. F. monacal. See Monk.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to monks or a monastic life; monastic.
MONACHISM
Mon"a*chism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monachisme.]
Defn: The system and influences of a monastic life; monasticism.
MONACID
Mon*ac"id, a. Etym: [Mon- + acid.] (Chem.)
Defn: Having one hydrogen atom replaceable by a negative or acid atom or radical; capable of neutralizing a monobasic acid; — said of bases, and of certain metals.
MONAD
Mon"ad, n. Etym: [L. monas, -adis, a unit, Gr.
1. An ultimate atom, or simple, unextended point; something ultimate and indivisible.
2. (Philos. of Leibnitz)
Defn: The elementary and indestructible units which were conceived of as endowed with the power to produce all the changes they undergo, and thus determine all physical and spiritual phenomena.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the smallest flangellate Infusoria; esp., the species of the genus Monas, and allied genera.
4. (Biol.)
Defn: A simple, minute organism; a primary cell, germ, or plastid.
5. (Chem.)
Defn: An atom or radical whose valence is one, or which can combine with, be replaced by, or exchanged for, one atom of hydrogen. Monad deme (Biol.), in tectology, a unit of the first order of individuality.
MONADARIA
Mon`a*da"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Monad.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Infusoria.
MONADELPHIA
Mon`a*del"phi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of plants having the stamens united into a tube, or ring, by the filaments, as in the Mallow family.
MONADELPHIAN; MONADELPHOUS
Mon`a*del"phi*an, Mon`a*del"phous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monadelphie.]
(Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monadelphia; having the stamens united in one body by the filaments.
MONADIC; MONADICAL
Mo*nad"ic, Mo*nad"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or like, a monad, in any of its senses. See
Monad, n. Dr. H. More.
MONADIFORM
Mo*nad"i*form, a. Etym: [Monad + -form.] (Biol.)
Defn: Having the form of a monad; resembling a monad in having one or more filaments of vibratile protoplasm; as, monadiform young.
MONADOLOGY
Mon`ad*ol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Monad + -logy.] (Philos.)
Defn: The doctrine or theory of monads.
MONAL
Mo*nal", n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any Asiatic pheasant of the genus Lophophorus, as the Impeyan pheasant.
MONAMIDE
Mon*am"ide, n. Etym: [Mon- + amide.] (Chem.)
Defn: An amido compound with only one amido group.
MONAMINE
Mon*am"ine, n. Etym: [Mon- + amine.] (Chem.)
Defn: A basic compound containing one amido group; as, methyl amine is a monamine.
MONANDER
Mo*nan"der, n. (Bot.)
Defn: One of the Monandria.
MONANDRIA
Mo*nan"dri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of plants embracing those having but a single stamen.
MONANDRIAN
Mo*nan"dri*an, a.; (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Monandrous.
MONANDRIC
Mo*nan"dric, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to monandry; practicing monandry as a system of marriage.
MONANDROUS
Mo*nan"drous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the monandria; having but one stamen.
MONANDRY
Mo*nan"dry, n. Etym: [See Monandria.]
Defn: The possession by a woman of only one husband at the same time; — contrasted with polyandry.
MONANTHOUS
Mo*nan"thous, a. Etym: [Mon- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having but one flower; one-flowered. Gray.
MONARCH
Mon"arch, n. Etym: [F. monarque, L. monarcha, fr. Gr. Archi-.]
1. A sole or supreme ruler; a sovereign; the highest ruler; an emperor, king, queen, prince, or chief. He who reigns Monarch in heaven, … upheld by old repute. Milton.
2. One superior to all others of the same kind; as, an oak is called the monarch of the forest.
3. A patron deity or presiding genius. Come, thou, monarch of the vine, Plumpy Bacchus. Shak.
4. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A very large red and black butterfly (Danais Plexippus); — called also milkweed butterfly.
MONARCH
Mon"arch, a.
Defn: Superior to others; preëminent; supreme; ruling. "Monarch savage." Pope.
MONARCHAL
Mo*nar"chal, a.
Defn: Pertaining to a monarch; suiting a monarch; sovoreign; regal;
imperial.
Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised Above his fellows, with
monarchal pride. Milton.
MONARCHESS
Mon"arch*ess, n.
Defn: A female monarch. [Obs.]
MONARCHIAL
Mo*nar"chi*al, a.
Defn: Monarchic. Burke.
MONARCHIAN
Mo*nar"chi*an, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a sect in the early Christian church which rejected the doctrine of the Trinity; — called also patripassian.
MONARCHIC; MONARCHICAL
Mo*nar"chic, Mo*nar"chic*al, a. Etym: [F. monarchique, Gr.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a monarch, or to monarchy. Burke.
— Mo*nar"chic*al*ly, adv.
MONARCHISM
Mon"arch*ism, n.
Defn: The principles of, or preference for, monarchy.
MONARCHIST
Mon"arch*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monarchiste.]
Defn: An advocate of, or believer in, monarchy.
MONARCHIZE
Mon"arch*ize, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Monarchized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Monarchizing.]
Defn: To play the sovereign; to act the monarch. [R.] Shak.
MONARCHIZE
Mon"arch*ize, v. t.
Defn: To rule; to govern. [R.]
MONARCHIZER
Mon"arch*i`zer, n.
Defn: One who monarchizes; also, a monarchist.
MONARCHO
Mo*nar"cho, n.
Defn: The nickname of a crackbrained Italian who fancied himself an emperor. [Obs.] Shak.
MONARCHY
Mon"arch*y, n.; pl. Monarchies. Etym: [F. monarchie, L. monarchia,
Gr. Monarch.]
1. A state or government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch.
2. A system of government in which the chief ruler is a monarch. In those days he had affected zeal for monarchy. Macaulay.
3. The territory ruled over by a monarch; a kingdom. What scourage for perjury Can this dark monarchy afford false Clarence. Shak. Fifth monarchy, a universal monarchy, supposed to be the subject of prophecy in Daniel ii.; the four preceding monarchies being Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman. See Fifth Monarchy men, under Fifth.
MONAS
Mo"nas, n. Etym: [NL. See Monad.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of minute flagellate Infusoria of which there are many species, both free and attached. See Illust. under Monad.
MONASTERIAL
Mon`as*te"ri*al, a. Etym: [L. monasterials, fr. monasterium.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to monastery, or to monastic life.
— Mon`as*te"ri*al*ly, adv.
MONASTERY
Mon"as*te*ry, n.; pl. Monasteries. Etym: [L. monasterium, Gr.
Minister.]
Defn: A house of religious retirement, or of secusion from ordinary temporal concerns, especially for monks; — more rarely applied to such a house for females.
Syn.
— Convent; abbey; priory. See Cloister.
MONASTIC
Mo*nas"tic, n.
Defn: A monk.
MONASTIC; MONASTICAL
Mo*nas"tic, Mo*nas"tic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. monastique. See Monastery.]
1. Of or pertaining to monasteries, or to their occupants, rules, etc., as, monastic institutions or rules.
2. Secluded from temporal concerns and devoted to religion; recluse. "A life monastic." Denham.
MONASTICALLY
Mo*nas"tic*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a monastic manner.
MONASTICISM
Mo*nas"ti*cism, n.
Defn: The monastic life, system, or condition. Milman.
MONASTICON
Mo*nas"ti*con, n. Etym: [NL. See Monastic.]
Defn: A book giving an account of monasteries.
MONATOMIC Mon`a*tom"ic, adv. Etym: [Mon- + atomic.] (Chem.) (a) Consisting of, or containing, one atom; as, the molecule of mercury is monatomic. (b) Having the equivalence or replacing power of an atom of hydrogen; univalent; as, the methyl radical is monatomic.
MONAXIAL
Mo*nax"i*al, a. Etym: [Mon- + axial.] (Biol.)
Defn: Having only one axis; developing along a single line or plane; as, monaxial development.
MONAZITE
Mon"a*zite, n. Etym: [From Gr. (Min.)
Defn: A mineral occurring usually in small isolated crystals, — phosphate of the cerium metals.
MONDAY Mon"day, n. Etym: [OE. moneday, monenday, AS. monandæg, i.e., day of the moon, day sacred to the moon; akin to D. maandag, G. montag, OHG. manatag, Icel. manadagr, Dan. mandag, Sw. måndag. See Moon, and Day.]
Defn: The second day of the week; the day following Sunday.
MONDE
Monde, n. Etym: [F. See Mundane.]
Defn: The world; a globe as an ensign of royalty. [R.] A. Drummond.
Le beau monde Etym: [F.], fashionable society. See Beau monde.
— Demi monde. See Demimonde.
MONE
Mone, n.
Defn: The moon. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MONE
Mone, n.
Defn: A moan. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MONECIAN; MONECIOUS
Mo*ne"cian, Mo*ne"cious, a. (Bot.)
Defn: See Monoecian, and Monoecious.
MONEMBRYONY
Mon*em"bry*o*ny, n. Etym: [See Mono-, and Embryo.] (Bot.)
Defn: The condition of an ovule having but a single embryo.
— Mon*em`bry*on"ic, a.
MONER
Mo"ner, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Monera.
MONERA
Mo*ne"ra, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The lowest division of rhizopods, including those which resemble the amoebas, but are destitute of a nucleus.
MONERAL
Mo*ne"ral, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monera.
MONERAN
Mo*ne"ran, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monera.
— n.
Defn: One of the Monera.
MONERON
Mo*ne"ron, n.; pl. L. Monera; E. Monerons. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Monera.
MONERULA
Mo*ner"u*la, n. Etym: [NL., dim. of moner. See Monera.] (Biol.)
Defn: A germ in that stage of development in which its form is simply that of a non-nucleated mass of protoplasm. It precedes the one- celled germ. So called from its likeness to a moner. Haeckel.
MONESIA
Mo*ne"sia, n. (Pharm.)
Defn: The bark, or a vegetable extract brought in solid cakes from
South America and believed to be derived from the bark, of the tree
Chrysophyllum glycyphloeum. It is used as an alterative and
astringent.
MONESIN
Mo*ne"sin, n.
Defn: The acrid principle of Monesia, sometimes used as a medicine.
MONEST
Mo*nest", v. t. Etym: [See Admonish.]
Defn: To warn; to admonish; to advise. [Obs.] Wyclif (2 Cor. v. 20).
MONETARY
Mon"e*ta*ry, a. Etym: [L. monetarius belonging to a mint. See Money.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to money, or consisting of money; pecuniary. "The monetary relations of Europe." E. Everett. Monetary unit, the standard of a national currency, as the dollar in the United States, the pound in England, the franc in France, the mark in Germany.
MONETH
Mon"eth, n.
Defn: A month. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MONETIZATION
Mon`e*ti*za"tion, n.
Defn: The act or process of converting into money, or of adopting as money; as, the monetization of silver.
MONETIZE
Mon"e*tize, v. t.
Defn: To convert into money; to adopt as current money; as, to monetize silver.
MONEY
Mon"ey, n.; pl. Moneys. Etym: [OE. moneie, OF. moneie, F. monnaie,
fr. L. moneta. See Mint place where coin is made, Mind, and cf.
Moidore, Monetary.]
1. A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper, etc., coined, or stamped, and issued by the sovereign authority as a medium of exchange in financial transactions between citizens and with government; also, any number of such pieces; coin. To prevent such abuses, … it has been found necessary … to affix a public stamp upon certain quantities of such particular metals, as were in those countries commonly made use of to purchase goods. Hence the origin of coined money, and of those public offices called mints. A. Smith.
2. Any written or stamped promise, certificate, or order, as a government note, a bank note, a certificate of deposit, etc., which is payable in standard coined money and is lawfully current in lieu of it; in a comprehensive sense, any currency usually and lawfully employed in buying and selling.
Note: Whatever, among barbarous nations, is used as a medium of effecting exchanges of property, and in the terms of which values are reckoned, as sheep, wampum, copper rings, quills of salt or of gold dust, shovel blades, etc., is, in common language, called their money.
3. In general, wealth; property; as, he has much money in land, or in stocks; to make, or lose, money. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 1 Tim vi. 10 (Rev. Ver. ). Money bill (Legislation), a bill for raising revenue. — Money broker, a broker who deals in different kinds of money; one who buys and sells bills of exchange; — called also money changer. — Money cowrie (Zoöl.), any one of several species of Cypræa (esp. C. moneta) formerly much used as money by savage tribes. See Cowrie. — Money of account, a denomination of value used in keeping accounts, for which there may, or may not, be an equivalent coin; e.g., the mill is a money of account in the United States, but not a coin. — Money order, an order for the payment of money; specifically, a government order for the payment of money, issued at one post office as payable at another; — called also postal money order. — Money scrivener, a person who produces the loan of money to others. [Eng.] — Money spider, Money spinner (Zoöl.), a small spider; — so called as being popularly supposed to indicate that the person upon whom it crawls will be fortunate in money matters. — Money's worth, a fair or full equivalent for the money which is paid. — A piece of money, a single coin. — Ready money, money held ready for payment, or actually paid, at the time of a transaction; cash. — To make money, to gain or acquire money or property; to make a profit in dealings.
MONEY
Mon"ey, v. t.
Defn: To supply with money. [Obs.]
MONEYAGE
Mon"ey*age, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monnayage coinage.]
1. A tax paid to the first two Norman kings of England to prevent them from debashing the coin. Hume.
2. Mintage; coinage. [Obs.]
MONEYED
Mon"eyed, adv.
1. Supplied with money; having money; wealthy; as, moneyey men. Bacon.
2. Converted into money; coined. If exportation will not balance importation, away must your silver go again, whether moneyed or not moneyed. Locke.
3. Consisting in, or composed of, money. A. Hamilton.
MONEYER Mon"ey*er, n. Etym: [From Money; cf. OF. monoier, F. monnoayeur, L. monetarius a master of the mint. Cf. Monetary.]
1. A person who deals in money; banker or broker. [Obs. or R.]
2. An authorized coiner of money. Sir M. Hale. The Company of Moneyers, the officials who formerly coined the money of Great Britain, and who claimed certain prescriptive rights and privileges.
MONEYLESS
Mon"ey*less, a.
Defn: Destitute of money; penniless; impecunious. Swift.
MONEY-MAKER
Mon"ey-mak`er, n.
1. One who coins or prints money; also, a counterfeiter of money. [R.]
2. One who accumulates money or wealth; specifically, one who makes money-getting his governing motive.
MONEY-MAKING
Mon"ey-mak`ing, n.
Defn: The act or process of making money; the acquisition and accumulation of wealth. Obstinacy in money-making. Milman.
MONEY-MAKING
Mon"ey-mak`ing, a.
1. Affording profitable returns; lucrative; as, a money-making business.
2. Sussessful in gaining money, and devoted to that aim; as, a money- making man.
MONEYWORT
Mon"ey*wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A trailing plant (Lysimachia Nummularia), with rounded opposite leaves and solitary yellow flowers in their axils.
MONGCORN
Mong"corn`, n.
Defn: See Mangcorn.
MONGER Mon"ger, n. Etym: [AS. mangere, fr. mangian to trade; akin to Icel. manga to trade, mangari a trader, OHG. mangari, mengari; cf. L. mango a dealer in slaves.]
1. A trader; a dealer; — now used chiefly in composition; as, fishmonger, ironmonger, newsmonger.
2. A small merchant vessel. [Obs.] Blount.
MONGER
Mon"ger, v. t.
Defn: To deal in; to make merchandise of; to traffic in; — used chiefly of discreditable traffic.
MONGOL
Mon"gol, n.
Defn: One of the Mongols.
— a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Mongolia or the Mongols.
MONGOLIAN
Mon*go"li*an, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Mongolia or the Mongols.
— n.
Defn: One of the Mongols.
MONGOLIC
Mon*gol"ic, a.
Defn: See Mongolian.
MONGOLOID
Mon"go*loid, a. Etym: [Mongol + -oid.]
Defn: Resembling a Mongol or the Mongols; having race characteristics, such as color, hair, and features, like those of the Mongols. Huxley.
MONGOLS; MONGOLIANS
Mon"gols, Mon*go"li*ans, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
Defn: One of the great races of man, including the greater part of the inhabitants of China, Japan, and the interior of Asia, with branches in Northern Europe and other parts of the world. By some American Indians are considered a branch of the Mongols. In a more restricted sense, the inhabitants of Mongolia and adjacent countries, including the Burats and the Kalmuks.
MONGOOSE; MONGOOS
Mon"goose, Mon"goos, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of ichneumon (Herpestes griseus), native of India.
Applied also to other allied species, as the African banded mongoose
(Crossarchus fasciatus). [Written also mungoose, mungoos, mungous.]
MONGREL Mon"grel, n. Etym: [Prob. shortened fr. mongrel, and akin to AS. mengan to mix, and E. mingle. See Mingle.]
Defn: The progeny resulting from a cross between two breeds, as of domestic animals; anything of mixed breed. Drayton.
MONGREL
Mon"grel, a.
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Not of a pure breed.
2. Of mixed kinds; as, mongrel language.
MONGRELIZE
Mon"grel*ize, v. t. & i.
Defn: To cause to be mongrel; to cross breeds, so as to produce mongrels.
'MONGST
'Mongst, prep.
Defn: See Amongst.
MONIED
Mon"ied, a.
Defn: See Moneyed.
MONIFIER
Mo*nif"i*er, n. Etym: [NL., fr. L. monile necklace + ferre to bear.]
(Paleon.)
Defn: A fossil fish.
MONILIALES Mo*nil`i*a"les, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. monile necklace, — because the conidia are produced in chains.] (Bot.)
Defn: The largest of the three orders into which the Fungi Imperfecti are divided, including various forms.
MONILIFORM Mo*nil"i*form, a. Etym: [L. monile necklace + -form: cf. F. moniliforme.] (Biol.)
Defn: Joined or constricted, at regular intervals, so as to resemble a string of beads; as, a moniliform root; a moniliform antenna. See Illust. of Antenna.
MONIMENT
Mon"i*ment, n. Etym: [L. monimentum, monumentum. See Monument.]
Defn: Something to preserve memory; a reminder; a monument; hence, a mark; an image; a superscription; a record. [Obs.] Spenser.
MONISH
Mon"ish, v. t. Etym: [OE. monesten. See Admonish, Monition.]
Defn: To admonish; to warn. See Admonish. [Archaic] Ascham.
MONISHER
Mon"ish*er, n.
Defn: One who monishes; an admonisher. [Archaic]
MONISHMENT
Mon"ish*ment, n.
Defn: Admonition. [Archaic]
MONISM
Mon"ism, n. Etym: [From Gr.
1. (Metaph.)
Defn: That doctrine which refers all phenomena to a single ultimate constituent or agent; — the opposite of dualism.
Note: The doctrine has been held in three generic forms: matter and its phenomena have been explained as a modification of mind, involving an idealistic monism; or mind has been explained by and resolved into matter, giving a materialistic monism; or, thirdly, matter, mind, and their phenomena have been held to be manifestations or modifications of some one substance, like the substance of Spinoza, or a supposed unknown something of some evolutionists, which is capable of an objective and subjective aspect.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: See Monogenesis, 1.
MONIST
Mon"ist, n.
Defn: A believer in monism.
MONISTIC
Mo*nis"tic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or involving, monism.
MONITION
Mo*ni"tion, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. monitio, from monere to warn, bring
to mind; akin to E. mind. See Mind, and cf. Admonish, Money,
Monster.]
1. Instruction or advice given by way of caution; an admonition; a warning; a caution. Sage monitions from his friends. Swift.
2. Information; indication; notice; advice. We have no visible monition of … other periods, such as we have of the day by successive light and darkness. Holder.
3. (Admiralty Practice)
Defn: A process in the nature of a summons to appear and answer.
4. (Eccl. Law)
Defn: An order monishing a party complained against to obey under pain of the law. Shipley.
MONITIVE
Mon"i*tive, a.
Defn: Conveying admonition; admonitory. Barrow.
MONITOR
Mon"i*tor, n. Etym: [L., fr. monere. See Monition, and cf. Mentor.]
1. One who admonishes; one who warns of faults, informs of duty, or gives advice and instruction by way of reproof or caution. You need not be a monitor to the king. Bacon.
2. Hence, specifically, a pupil selected to look to the school in the absence of the instructor, to notice the absence or faults of the scholars, or to instruct a division or class.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any large Old World lizard of the genus Varanus; esp., the Egyptian species (V. Niloticus), which is useful because it devours the eggs and young of the crocodile. It is sometimes five or six feet long.
4. Etym: [So called from the name given by Captain Ericson, its designer, to the first ship of the kind.]
Defn: An ironclad war vessel, very low in the water, and having one or more heavily-armored revolving turrets, carrying heavy guns.
5. (Mach.)
Defn: A tool holder, as for a lathe, shaped like a low turret, and capable of being revolved on a vertical pivot so as to bring successively the several tools in holds into proper position for cutting. Monitor top, the raised central portion, or clearstory, of a car roof, having low windows along its sides.
MONITORIAL
Mon`i*to"ri*al, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a monitor or monitors.
2. Done or performed by a monitor; as, monitorial work; conducted or taught by monitors; as, a monitorial school; monitorial instruction.
MONITORIALLY
Mon`i*to"ri*al*ly, adv.
Defn: In a monitorial manner.
MONITOR NOZZLE
Monitor nozzle.
Defn: A nozzle capable of turning completely round in a horizontal plane and having a limited play in a vertical plane, used in hydraulic mining, fire-extinguishing apparatus, etc.
MONITORSHIP
Mon"i*tor*ship, n.
Defn: The post or office of a monitor.
MONITORY
Mon"i*to*ry, a. Etym: [L. monitorius.]
Defn: Giving admonition; instructing by way of caution; warning. Losses, miscarriages, and disappointments, are monitory and instructive. L'Estrange.
MONITORY
Mon"i*to*ry, n.
Defn: Admonition; warning; especially, a monition proceeding from an ecclesiastical court, but not addressed to any one person.
MONITRESS; MONITRIX
Mon"i*tress, Mon"i*trix, n.
Defn: A female monitor.
MONK
Monk, n. Etym: [AS. munuc, munec, munc, L. monachus, Gr. Monachism.]
1. A man who retires from the ordinary temporal concerns of the world, and devotes himself to religion; one of a religious community of men inhabiting a monastery, and bound by vows to a life of chastity, obedience, and poverty. "A monk out of his cloister." Chaucer. Monks in some respects agree with regulars, as in the substantial vows of religion; but in other respects monks and regulars differ; for that regulars, vows excepted, are not tied up to so strict a rule of life as monks are. Ayliffe.
2. (Print.)
Defn: A blotch or spot of ink on a printed page, caused by the ink not being properly distributed. It is distinguished from a friar, or white spot caused by a deficiency of ink.
3. A piece of tinder made of agaric, used in firing the powder hose or train of a mine.
4. (Zoöl.) (a) A South American monkey (Pithecia monachus); also applied to other species, as Cebus xanthocephalus. (b) The European bullfinch. Monk bat (Zoöl.), a South American and West Indian bat (Molossus nasutus); — so called because the males live in communities by themselves. — Monk bird(Zoöl.), the friar bird. — Monk seal (Zoöl.), a species of seal (Monachus albiventer) inhabiting the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the adjacent parts of the Atlantic. — Monk's rhubarb (Bot.), a kind of dock; — also called patience (Rumex Patientia).
MONKERY
Monk"er*y, n.; pl. Monkeries (.
1. The life of monks; monastic life; monastic usage or customs; — now usually applied by way of reproach. Miters, and wretched dead mediæval monkeries. Carlyle.
2. A collective body of monks. [Obs.] Though he have a whole monkery to sing for him. Latimer.
MONKEY
Mon"key, n.; pl. Monkeys. Etym: [Cf. OIt. monicchio, It. monnino,
dim. of monna an ape, also dame, mistress, contr. fr. madonna. See
Madonna.]
1. (Zoöl.) (a) In the most general sense, any one of the Quadrumana, including apes, baboons, and lemurs. (b) Any species of Quadrumana, except the lemurs. (c) Any one of numerous species of Quadrumana (esp. such as have a long tail and prehensile feet) exclusive of apes and baboons.
Note: The monkeys are often divided into three groups: (a) Catarrhines, or Simidæ. These have an oblong head, with the oblique flat nostrils near together. Some have no tail, as the apes. All these are natives of the Old World. (b) Platyrhines, or Cebidæ. These have a round head, with a broad nasal septum, so that the nostrils are wide apart and directed downward. The tail is often prehensile, and the thumb is short and not opposable. These are natives of the New World. (c) Strepsorhines, or Lemuroidea. These have a pointed head with curved nostrils. They are natives of Southern Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.
2. A term of disapproval, ridicule, or contempt, as for mischievous child. This is the monkey's own giving out; she is persuaded I will marry her. Shak.
3. The weight or hammer of a pile driver, that is, a very heavy mass of iron, which, being raised on high, falls on the head of the pile, and drives it into the earth; the falling weight of a drop hammer used in forging.
4. A small trading vessel of the sixteenth century. Monkey boat.
(Naut.) (a) A small boat used in docks. (b) A half-decked boat used
on the River Thames.
— Monkey block (Naut.), a small single block strapped with a
swivel. R. H. Dana, Jr.
— Monkey flower (Bot.), a plant of the genus Mimulus; — so called
from the appearance of its gaping corolla. Gray.
— Monkey gaff (Naut.), a light gaff attached to the topmast for the
better display of signals at sea.
— Monkey jacket, a short closely fitting jacket, worn by sailors.
— Monkey rail (Naut.), a second and lighter rail raised about six
inches above the quarter rail of a ship.
— Monkey shine, monkey trick. [Slang, U.S.] — Monkey trick, a
mischievous prank. Saintsbury.
— Monkey wheel. See Gin block, under 5th Gin.
— Monkey wrench, a wrench or spanner having a movable jaw.
MONKEY
Mon"key, v. t. & i.
Defn: To act or treat as a monkey does; to ape; to act in a grotesque or meddlesome manner. To monkey with, to handle in a meddlesome manner. [Colloq.]
MONKEY-BREAD
Mon"key-bread`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: The fruit of the Adansonia digitata; also, the tree. See
Adansonia.
MONKEY-CUP
Mon"key-cup`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: See Nepenthes.
MONKEY-POT
Mon"key-pot`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The fruit of two South American trees (Lecythis Ollaria, and L. Zabucajo), which have for their fruit large, pot-shaped, woody capsules containing delicious nuts, and opening almost explosively by a circular lid at the top. Vases and pots are made of this capsule.
MONKEY'S PUZZLE
Mon"key's puz"zle. (Bot.)
Defn: A lofty coniferous Chilian tree (Araucaria imbricata), the branches of which are so crowded and intertwisted "as to puzzle a monkey to climb." The edible nuts are over an inch long, and are called piñon by the Chilians.
MONKEYTAIL
Mon"key*tail`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A short, round iron bar or lever used in naval gunnery. Totten.
MONKFISH Monk"fish, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The angel fish (Squatina). (b) The angler (Lophius).
MONKFLOWER
Monk"flow`er, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A name of certain curious orchids which bear three kinds of flowers formerly referred to three genera, but now ascertained to be sexually different forms of the same genus (Catasetum tridentatum, etc.).
MONKHOOD
Monk"hood, n. Etym: [Monk + -hood.]
1. The character or condition of a monk. Atterbury.
2. Monks, regarded collectively. Longfellow.
MONKING
Monk"ing, a.
Defn: Monkish. [R.] Coleridge.
MONKISH
Monk"ish, a.
Defn: Like a monk, or pertaining to monks; monastic; as, monkish manners; monkish dress; monkish solitude. — Monk"ish*ness, n.
MONKLY
Monk"ly, a.
Defn: Like, or suitable to, a monk. [R.]
MONKSHOOD
Monks"hood`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A plant of the genus Aconitum; aconite. See Aconite.
MONK'S SEAM
Monk's" seam`. (Naut.)
Defn: An extra middle seam made at the junction of two breadths of canvas, ordinarily joined by only two rows of stitches.
MONO-; MON-
Mon"o-, Mon-. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A prefix signifying one, single, alone; as, monocarp, monopoly; (Chem.) indicating that a compound contains one atom, radical, or group of that to the name of which it is united; as, monoxide, monosulphide, monatomic, etc.
MONO
Mo"no, n. Etym: [Sp.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The black howler of Central America (Mycetes villosus).
MONOBASIC
Mon`o*ba"sic, a. Etym: [Mono- + basic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Capable of being neutralized by a univalent base or basic radical; having but one acid hydrogen atom to be replaced; — said of acids; as, acetic, nitric, and hydrochloric acids are monobasic.
MONOCARBONIC
Mon`o*car*bon"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + carbonic.] (Chem.)
Defn: Containing one carboxyl group; as, acetic acid is a monocarbonic acid.
MONOCARDIAN
Mon`o*car"di*an, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having a single heart, as fishes and amphibians.
— n.
Defn: An animal having a single heart.
MONOCARP
Mon"o*carp, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A monocarpic plant.
MONOCARPELLARY
Mon`o*car"pel*la*ry, a. Etym: [Mono- + carpellary.] (Bot.)
Defn: Consisting of a single carpel, as the fruit of the pea, cherry, and almond.
MONOCARPIC; MONOCARPOUS
Mon`o*car"pic, Mon`o*car"pous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monocarpe.]
(Bot.)
Defn: Bearing fruit but once, and dying after fructification, as beans, maize, mustard, etc.
Note: Annual and biennual herbs are monocarpic, so also some plants of longer duration, as the century plant.
MONOCEPHALOUS
Mon`o*ceph"a*lous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a solitary head; — said of unbranched composite plants.
MONOCEROS
Mo*noc"e*ros, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr.
1. A one-horned creature; a unicorn; a sea monster with one horn. Mighty monoceroses with immeasured tails. Spenser.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: The Unicorn, a constellation situated to the east Orion.
MONOCHLAMYDEOUS
Mon`o*chla*myd"e*ous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monochlamydé.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having a single floral envelope, that is, a calyx without a corolla, or, possibly, in rare cases, a corolla without a calyx.
MONOCHORD Mon"o*chord, n. Etym: [L. monochordon, Gr. monocorde. See Chord, and cf. Mainchord.] (Mus.)
Defn: An instrument for experimenting upon the mathematical relations of musical sounds. It consists of a single string stretched between two bridges, one or both of which are movable, and which stand upon a graduated rule for the purpose of readily changing and measuring the length of the part of the string between them.
MONOCHROMATIC
Mon`o*chro*mat"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monochromatique. See Monochrome.]
Defn: Consisting of one color, or presenting rays of light of one color only. Monochromatic lamp (Opt.),a lamp whose flame yields rays of some one homogenous light. It is of great importance in optical experiments.
MONOCHROME
Mon"o*chrome, n. Etym: [Gr. monochrome.]
Defn: A painting or drawing in a single color; a picture made with a single color.
MONOCHROMIC
Mon`o*chro"mic, a.
Defn: Made, or done, with a single color; as, a monochromic picture.
MONOCHROMY
Mon"o*chro`my, n.
Defn: The art of painting or drawing in monochrome.
MONOCHRONIC
Mon`o*chron"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: Existing at the same time; contemporaneous.
MONOCILIATED
Mon`o*cil"i*a`ted, a. Etym: [Mono- + ciliated.] (Biol.)
Defn: Having but one cilium.
MONOCLE
Mon"o*cle, n. Etym: [F. See Monocular.]
Defn: An eyeglass for one eye. Simmonds.
MONOCLINAL
Mon`o*cli"nal, a. Etym: [See Monoclinic.] (Geol.)
Defn: Having one oblique inclination; — applied to strata that dip in only one direction from the axis of elevation.
MONOCLINE
Mon"o*cline, n. (Geol.)
Defn: A monoclinal fold.
MONOCLINIC
Mon`o*clin"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Crystallog.)
Defn: Having one oblique intersection; — said of that system of crystallization in which the vertical axis is inclined to one, but at right angles to the other, lateral axis. See Crystallization.
MONOCLINOUS
Mo*noc"li*nous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monocline.] (Bot.)
Defn: Hermaphrodite, or having both stamens and pistils in every flower.
MONOCONDYLA
Mon`o*con"dy*la, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mono-, and Condyle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of vertebrates, including the birds and reptiles, or those that have only one occipital condyle; the Sauropsida.
MONOCOTYL
Mon"o*co*tyl, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Any monocotyledonous plant.
MONOCOTYLE
Mon"o*co*tyle, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monocotyle.] (Bot.)
Defn: Monocotyledonous.
MONOCOTYLEDON Mon`o*cot`y*le"don, n. Etym: [Mono- + cotyledon: cf. F. monocotylédone.] (Bot.)
Defn: A plant with only one cotyledon, or seed lobe.
Note: The plural, monocotyledons, is used as the name of a large class of plants, and is generally understood to be equivalent to the term endogens.
MONOCOTYLEDONOUS
Mon`o*cot`y*le"don*ous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monocotylédoné.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having only one cotyledon, seed lobe, or seminal leaf. Lindley.
MONOCRACY
Mo*noc"ra*cy, n. Etym: [Mono- + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Defn: Government by a single person; undivided rule. Sydney Smith.
MONOCRAT
Mon"o*crat, n. Etym: [Cf. Gr.
Defn: One who governs alone.
MONOCROTIC
Mon`o*crot"ic, a. (Physiol.)
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or showing, monocrotism; as, a monocrotic pulse; a pulse of the monocrotic type.
MONOCROTISM
Mo*noc"ro*tism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Physiol.)
Defn: That condition of the pulse in which the pulse curve or sphygmogram shows but a single crest, the dicrotic elevation entirely disappearing.
MONOCULAR Mo*noc"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. monoculus; Gr. oculus eye: cf. F. monoculaire.]
1. Having only one eye; with one eye only; as, monocular vision.
2. Adapted to be used with only one eye at a time; as, a monocular microscope.
MONOCULE
Mon"o*cule, n. Etym: [See Monocular.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A small crustacean with one median eye.
MONOCULOUS
Mo*noc"u*lous, a.
Defn: Monocular. Glanvill.
MONOCYSTIC
Mon`o*cys"tic, a. Etym: [See Mono-, and Cyst.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a division (Monocystidea) of Gregarinida, in which the body consists of one sac.
MONODACTYLOUS
Mon`o*dac"tyl*ous, a. Etym: [Gr. monodactyle.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having but one finger or claw.
MONODELPH; MONODELPHIAN
Mon"o*delph, Mon`o*del"phi*an, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Monodelphia.
MONODELPHIA
Mon`o*del"phi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The group that includes all ordinary or placental mammals; the
Placentalia. See Mammalia.
MONODELPHIC; MONODELPHOUS
Mon`o*del"phic, Mon`o*del"phous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monodelphia.
MONODIC; MONODICAL
Mo*nod"ic, Mo*nod"ic*al, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. Belonging to a monody.
2. (Mus.) (a) For one voice; monophonic. (b) Homophonic; — applied to music in which the melody is confined to one part, instead of being shared by all the parts as in the style called polyphonic.
MONODIMETRIC
Mon`o*di*met"ric, a. Etym: [Mono- + dimetric.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: Dimetric.
MONODIST
Mon"o*dist, n.
Defn: A writer of a monody.
MONODRAMA; MONODRAME
Mon"o*dra`ma, Mon"o*drame, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: A drama acted, or intended to be acted, by a single person.
MONODRAMATIC
Mon`o*dra*mat"ic, a.
Defn: Pertaining to a monodrama.
MONODY
Mon"o*dy, n.; pl. Monodies. Etym: [L. monodia, Gr. monodie. See Ode.]
Defn: A species of poem of a mournful character, in which a single mourner expresses lamentation; a song for one voice.
MONODYNAMIC
Mon`o*dy*nam"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + dynamic.]
Defn: Possessing but one capacity or power. "Monodynamic men." De
Quincey.
MONODYNAMISM
Mon`o*dy"na*mism, n.
Defn: The theory that the various forms of activity in nature are manifestations of the same force. G. H. Lewes.
MONOECIA
Mo*noe"ci*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan class of plants, whose stamens and pistils are in distinct flowers in the same plant.
MONOECIAN
Mo*noe"cian, a.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monoecia; monoecious. — n.
Defn: One of the Monoecia.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A monoecious animal, as certain mollusks.
MONOECIOUS
Mo*noe"cious, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Having the sexes united in one individual, as when male and female flowers grow upon the same individual plant; hermaphrodite; — opposed to Ant: dioecious.
MONOECISM
Mo*noe"cism, n. (Biol.)
Defn: The state or condition of being monoecious.
MONOGAM
Mon"o*gam, n. (Bot.)
Defn: One of the Monogamia.
MONOGAMIA
Mon`o*ga"mi*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Monogamous.] (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan order of plants, having solitary flowers with united anthers, as in the genus Lobelia.
MONOGAMIAN; MONOGAMIC
Mon`o*ga"mi*an, Mon`o*gam"ic, a. Etym: [See Monogamous.]
1. Pertaining to, or involving, monogamy.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monogamia; having a simple flower with united anthers.
MONOGAMIST
Mo*nog"a*mist, n.
Defn: One who practices or upholds monogamy. Goldsmith.
MONOGAMOUS
Mo*nog"a*mous, a. Etym: [L. monogamus having but one wife, Gr.
1. Upholding, or practicing, monogamy.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Monogamian.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Mating with but one of the opposite sex; — said of birds and mammals.
MONOGAMY
Mo*nog"a*my, n. Etym: [L. monogamia, Gr. monogamie.]
1. Single marriage; marriage with but one person, husband or wife, at the same time; — opposed to polygamy. Also, one marriage only during life; — opposed to deuterogamy.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: State of being paired with a single mate.
MONOGASTRIC
Mon`o*gas"tric, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: Having but a single stomach.
MONOGENESIS
Mon`o*gen"e*sis, n. Etym: [Mono- + genesis.]
1. Oneness of origin; esp. (Biol.), development of all beings in the universe from a single cell; — opposed to polygenesis. Called also monism. Dana. Haeckel.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: That form of reproduction which requires but one parent, as in reproduction by fission or in the formation of buds, etc., which drop off and form new individuals; asexual reproduction. Haeckel.
3. (Biol.)
Defn: The direct development of an embryo, without metamorphosis, into an organism similar to the parent organism; — opposed to metagenesis. E. van Beneden.
MONOGENETIC
Mon`o*ge*net"ic, a. Etym: [See Monogenesis.]
1. (Geol.)
Defn: One in genesis; resulting from one process of formation; — used of a mountain range. Dana.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: Relating to, or involving, monogenesis; as, the monogenetic school of physiologists, who admit but one cell as the source of all beings.
MONOGENIC
Mon`o*gen"ic, a.
1. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to monogenesis.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Producing only one kind of germs, or young; developing only in one way.
MONOGENISM
Mo*nog"e*nism, n. (Anthropol.)
Defn: The theory or doctrine that the human races have a common origin, or constitute a single species.
MONOGENIST
Mo*nog"e*nist, n. (Anthropol.)
Defn: One who maintains that the human races are all of one species; — opposed to polygenist.
MONOGENISTIC
Mon`o*ge*nis"tic, a.
Defn: Monogenic.
MONOGENOUS
Mo*nog"e*nous, a. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to monogenesis; as, monogenous, or asexual, reproduction.
MONOGENY
Mo*nog"e*ny, n.
1. Monogenesis.
2. (Anthropol.)
Defn: The doctrine that the members of the human race have all a common origin.
MONOGONEUTIC
Mon`o*go*neu"tic, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having but one brood in a season.
MONOGRAM
Mon"o*gram, n. Etym: [L. monogramma; Gr. monogramme. See Graphic.]
1. A character or cipher composed of two or more letters interwoven or combined so as to represent a name, or a part of it (usually the initials). Monograms are often used on seals, ornamental pins, rings, buttons, and by painters, engravers, etc., to distinguish their works. Monogram.
Note: The monogram above, combining the letters of the name Karolvs, was used by Charlemagne.
2. A picture in lines; a sketch. [R.]
3. An arbitrary sign for a word. [R.]
MONOGRAMMAL
Mon"o*gram`mal, a.
Defn: See Monogrammic.
MONOGRAMMATIC
Mon`o*gram*mat"ic, a.
Defn: Monogrammic.
MONOGRAMMIC
Mon`o*gram"mic, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a monogram.
MONOGRAMMOUS
Mon"o*gram`mous, a.
Defn: Monogrammic.
MONOGRAPH
Mon"o*graph, n. Etym: [Mono- + -graph.]
Defn: A written account or description of a single thing, or class of things; a special treatise on a particular subject of limited range.
MONOGRAPHER
Mo*nog"ra*pher, n.
Defn: A writer of a monograph.
MONOGRAPHIC; MONOGRAPHICAL
Mon`o*graph"ic, Mon`o*graph"ic*al, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monographique.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to a monograph, or to a monography; as, a monographic writing; a monographic picture. — Mon`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
MONOGRAPHIST
Mo*nog"ra*phist, n.
Defn: One who writes a monograph.
MONOGRAPHOUS
Mo*nog"ra*phous, a.
Defn: Monographic. [Obs.]
MONOGRAPHY
Mo*nog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Mono- + -graphy: cf. F. monographie.]
1. Representation by lines without color; an outline drawing.
2. A monograph. [Obs.]
MONOGYN
Mon"o*gyn, n. (Bot.)
Defn: One of the Monogynia.
MONOGYNIA
Mon`o*gyn"i*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A Linnæan order of plants, including those which have only one style or stigma.
MONOGYNIAN
Mon`o*gyn"i*an, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Pertaining to the Monogynia; monogynous.
— n.
Defn: One of the Monogynia.
MONOGYNOUS
Mo*nog"y*nous, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monogyne.] (Bot.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to Monogynia; having only one style or stigma.
MONOGYNY
Mo*nog"y*ny, n. Etym: [See Monogynia.]
1. Marriage with the one woman only.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: The state or condition of being monogynous.
MONOHEMEROUS
Mon`o*hem"er*ous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Lasting but one day.
MONOICOUS
Mo*noi"cous, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Monoecious.
MONOLATRY
Mo*nol"a*try, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: Worship of a single deity.
MONOLITH Mon"o*lith, n. Etym: [F. monolithe, L. monolithus consisting of a single stone, Gr.
Defn: A single stone, especially one of large size, shaped into a pillar, statue, or monument.
MONOLITHAL
Mon"o*lith`al, a.
Defn: Monolithic.
MONOLITHIC
Mon`o*lith"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a monolith; consisting of a single stone.
MONOLOGIST
Mo*nol"o*gist, n. Etym: [See Monologue.]
Defn: One who soliloquizes; esp., one who monopolizes conversation in company. De Quincey.
MONOLOGUE
Mon"o*logue, n. Etym: [F. monologue, Gr. Legend.]
1. A speech uttered by a person alone; soliloquy; also, talk or discourse in company, in the strain of a soliloquy; as, an account in monologue. Dryden.
2. A dramatic composition for a single performer.
MONOLOGY
Mo*nol"o*gy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: The habit of soliloquizing, or of monopolizing conversation. It was not by an insolent usurpation that Coleridge persisted in monology through his whole life. De Quincey.
MONOMACHIA; MONOMACHY
Mon`o*ma"chi*a, Mo*nom"a*chy, n. Etym: [L. monomachia, Gr.
Defn: A duel; single combat. "The duello or monomachia." Sir W.
Scott.
MONOMACHIST
Mo*nom"a*chist, n.
Defn: One who fights in single combat; a duelist.
MONOMANE
Mon"o*mane, n.
Defn: A monomaniac. [R.]
MONOMANIA
Mon`o*ma"ni*a, n. Etym: [Mono- + mania.]
Defn: Derangement of the mind in regard of a single subject only; also, such a concentration of interest upon one particular subject or train of ideas to show mental derangement.
Syn.
— Insanity; madness; alienation; aberration; derangement; mania.
See Insanity.
MONOMANIAC
Mon`oma"ni*ac, n.
Defn: A person affected by monomania.
MONOMANIAC; MONOMANIACAL
Mon`oma"ni*ac, Mon`oma"ni*a*cal, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monomaniaque.]
Defn: Affected with monomania, or partial derangement of intellect; caused by, or resulting from, monomania; as, a monomaniacal delusion.
MONOME
Mon"ome, n. Etym: [F., fr. Gr. -nome as in binome. See Binomial.]
(Math.)
Defn: A monomial.
MONOMEROUS
Mo*nom"er*ous, a. Etym: [Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Composed of solitary parts, as a flower with one sepal, one petal, one stamen, and one pistil.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having but one joint; — said of the foot of certain insects.
MONOMETALLIC
Mon`o*me*tal"lic, a.
Defn: Consisting of one metal; of or pertaining to monometallism.
MONOMETALLISM
Mon`o*met"al*lism, n. Etym: [Mono- + metal.]
Defn: The legalized use of one metal only, as gold, or silver, in the standard currency of a country, or as a standard of money values. See Bimetallism.
MONOMETALLIST
Mon`o*met"al*list, n.
Defn: One who believes in monometallism as opposed to bimetallism, etc.
MONOMETER
Mo*nom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A rhythmic series, consisting of a single meter.
MONOMETRIC
Mon`o*met"ric, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monométrique.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: Same as Isometric.
MONOMIAL
Mo*no"mi*al, n. Etym: [See Monome, Binomial.] (Alg.)
Defn: A single algebraic expression; that is, an expression unconnected with any other by the sign of addition, substraction, equality, or inequality.
MONOMIAL
Mo*no"mi*al, a. (Alg.)
Defn: Consisting of but a single term or expression.
MONOMORPHIC; MONOMORPHOUS
Mon`o*mor"phic, Mon`o*mor"phous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Having but a single form; retaining the same form throughout the various stages of development; of the same or of an essentially similar type of structure; — opposed to dimorphic, trimorphic, and polymorphic.
MONOMPHALUS
Mo*nom"pha*lus, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A form of double monster, in which two individuals are united by a common umbilicus.
MONOMYA; MONOMYARIA
Mo*no"my*a, Mon`o*my*a"ri*a, n.pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: An order of lamellibranchs having but one muscle for closing the shell, as the oyster.
MONOMYARIAN; MONOMYARY
Mon`o*my"a*ri*an, Mon`o*my"a*ry, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monomya.
— n.
Defn: One of the Monomya.
MONONOMIAL
Mon`o*no"mi*al, n. & a.
Defn: Monomyal.
MONOOUSIAN; MONOOUSIOUS
Mon`o*ou"si*an, Mon`o*ou"si*ous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Theil.)
Defn: Having but one and the same nature or essence.
MONOPATHY
Mo*nop"a*thy, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: Suffering or sensibility in a single organ or function.
— Mon`o*path"ic, a.
MONOPERSONAL
Mon`o*per"son*al, a. Etym: [Mono- + personal.]
Defn: Having but one person, or form of existence.
MONOPETALOUS
Mon`o*pet"al*ous, a. Etym: [Mono- + petal: cf. F. monopétale.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having only one petal, or the corolla in one piece, or composed of petals cohering so as to form a tube or bowl; gamopetalous.
Note: The most recent authors restrict this form to flowers having a solitary petal, as in species of Amorpha, and use gamopetalous for a corolla of several petals combined into one piece. See Illust. of Gamopetalous.
MONOPHANOUS
Mo*noph"a*nous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: Having one the same appearance; having a mutual resemblance.
MONOPHONIC
Mon`o*phon"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Mus.)
Defn: Single-voiced; having but one part; as, a monophonic composition; — opposed to Ant: polyphonic.
MONOPHTHONG
Mon"oph*thong, n. Etym: [Gr.
1. A single uncompounded vowel sound.
2. A combination of two written vowels pronounced as one; a digraph.
MONOPHTHONGAL
Mon`oph*thon"gal, a.
Defn: Consisting of, or pertaining to, a monophthong.
MONOPHYLETIC
Mon`o*phy*let"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a single family or stock, or to development from a single common parent form; — opposed to polyphyletic; as, monophyletic origin.
MONOPHYLLOUS
Mo*noph"yl*lous, a. Etym: [Gr. monophylle.] (Bot.)
Defn: One-leaved; composed of a single leaf; as, a monophyllous involucre or calyx.
MONOPHYODONT
Mon`o*phy"o*dont, a. Etym: [Gr. (Anat.)
Defn: Having but one set of teeth; — opposed to diphyodont.
MONOPHYSITE
Mo*noph"y*site, n. Etym: [Gr. monophysite.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of a sect, in the ancient church, who maintained that the human and divine in Jesus Christ constituted but one composite nature. Also used adjectively.
MONOPHYSITICAL
Mon`o*phy*sit"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to Monophysites, or their doctrines.
MONOPLAST
Mon"o*plast, n. Etym: [Mono- + -plast.] (Biol.)
Defn: A monoplastic element.
MONOPLASTIC
Mon`o*plas"tic, a. Etym: [Mono- + -plastic.] (Biol.)
Defn: That has one form, or retains its primary form, as, a monoplastic element.
MONOPLEGIA
Mon`ople"gi*a, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Med.)
Defn: Paralysis affecting a single limb.
MONOPNEUMONA
Mon`op*neu"mo*na, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Mono-, and Pneumonia.]
(Zoöl.)
Defn: A suborder of Dipnoi, including the Ceratodus. [Written also monopneumonia.]
MONOPODE
Mon"o*pode, n.
1. One of a fabulous tribe or race of Ethiopians having but one leg and foot. Sir J. Mandeville. Lowell.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: A monopodium.
MONOPODIAL
Mon`o*po"di*al, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a monopodium or a single and continuous axis, as a birchen twig or a cornstalk.
MONOPODIUM
Mon`o*po"di*um, n.; pl. L. Monopodia, E. -ums. Etym: [L. See
Monopody.] (Bot.)
Defn: A single and continuous vegetable axis; — opposed to sympodium.
MONOPODY
Mo*nop"o*dy, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Pros.)
Defn: A measure of but a single foot.
MONOPOLER
Mo*nop"o*ler, n.
Defn: A monopolist. [Obs.]
MONOPOLIST
Mo*nop"o*list, n.
Defn: One who monopolizes; one who has a monopoly; one who favors monopoly.
MONOPOLISTIC
Mo*nop`o*lis"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a monopolist. North Am. Rev.
MONOPOLITE
Mo*nop"o*lite, n.
Defn: A monopolist. Sylvester.
MONOPOLIZE
Mo*nop"o*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Monopolized; p. pr. & vb. n.
Monopolizing.] Etym: [From Monopoly.]
Defn: To acquire a monopoly of; to have or get the exclusive privilege or means of dealing in, or the exclusive possession of; to engross the whole of; as, to monopolize the coffee trade; to monopolize land.
MONOPOLIZER
Mo*nop"o*li`zer, n.
Defn: One who monopolizes.
MONOPOLY
Mo*nop"o*ly, n.; pl. Monopolies. Etym: [L. monopolium, Gr.
1. The exclusive power, or privilege of selling a commodity; the exclusive power, right, or privilege of dealing in some article, or of trading in some market; sole command of the traffic in anything, however obtained; as, the proprietor of a patented article is given a monopoly of its sale for a limited time; chartered trading companies have sometimes had a monopoly of trade with remote regions; a combination of traders may get a monopoly of a particular product. Raleigh held a monopoly of cards, Essex a monopoly of sweet wines. Macaulay.
2. Exclusive possession; as, a monopoly of land. If I had a monopoly out, they would have part on 't. Shak.
3. The commodity or other material thing to which the monopoly relates; as, tobacco is a monopoly in France. [Colloq.]
MONOPOLYLOGUE Mon`o*pol"y*logue, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. poly`s many + lo`gos speech.]
Defn: An exhibition in which an actor sustains many characters.
MONOPSYCHISM
Mon`o*psy"chism, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
Defn: The doctrine that there is but one immortal soul or intellect with which all men are endowed.
MONOPTERAL
Mo*nop"ter*al, a. Etym: [Gr. monoptère.] (Arch.)
Defn: Round and without a cella; consisting of a single ring of columns supporting a roof; — said esp. of a temple.
MONOPTERON
Mo*nop"ter*on, n.; pl. Monoptera. Etym: [NL. See Monopteral.] (Arch.)
Defn: A circular temple consisting of a roof supported on columns, without a cella.
MONOPTOTE
Mon"op*tote, n. Etym: [L. monoptotum, Gr. mo`nos single + (Gram.)
1. A noun having only one case. Andrews.
2. A noun having only one ending for the oblique cases.
MONOPYRENOUS
Mon`o*py*re"nous, a. Etym: [Mono- + pyrene.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having but a single stone or kernel.
MONORGANIC
Mon`or*gan"ic, a. Etym: [Mon- + organic.] (Biol. & Med.)
Defn: Belonging to, or affecting, a single organ, or set of organs.
MONORHINA
Mon`o*rhi"na, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The Marsipobranchiata.
MONORHYME
Mon"o*rhyme, n. Etym: [Mono- + rhyme: cf. F. monorime.]
Defn: A composition in verse, in which all the lines end with the same rhyme.
MONOSACCHARIDE; MONOSACCHARID
Mon`o*sac"cha*ride, n. Also -rid . [Mono- + saccharide.] (Chem.)
Defn: A simple sugar; any of a number of sugars (including the trioses, tetroses, pentoses, hexoses, etc.), not decomposable into simpler sugars by hydrolysis. Specif., as used by some, a hexose. The monosaccharides are all open-chain compounds containing hydroxyl groups and either an aldehyde group or a ketone group.
MONOSEPALOUS
Mon`o*sep"al*ous, a. Etym: [Mono- + sepal: cf. F. monosépale.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having only one sepal, or the calyx in one piece or composed of the sepals united into one piece; gamosepalous.
Note: The most recent writers restrict this term to flowers having a solarity sepal, and use gamosepalous for a calyx formed by several sepals combined into one piece. Cf. Monopetalous.
MONOSPERM
Mon"o*sperm, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A monospermous plant.
MONOSPERMAL; MONOSPERMOUS
Mon`o*sper"mal, Mon`o*sper"mous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monosperme.]
(Bot.)
Defn: Having only one seed.
MONOSPHERICAL
Mon`o*spher"ic*al, a. Etym: [Mono- + spherical.]
Defn: Consisting of one sphere only.
MONOSTICH
Mon"o*stich, n. Etym: [Gr.
Defn: A composition consisting of one verse only.
MONOSTICHOUS
Mo*nos"ti*chous, a. Etym: [See Monostich.] (Bot.)
Defn: Arranged in a single row on one side of an axis, as the flowers in grasses of the tribe Chloridæ.
MONOSTROPHE
Mo*nos"tro*phe, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A metrical composition consisting of a single strophe.
MONOSTROPHIC
Mon`o*stroph"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Pros.)
Defn: Having one strophe only; not varied in measure; written in unvaried measure. Milton.
MONOSULPHIDE
Mon`o*sul"phide, n. Etym: [Mono- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
Defn: A sulphide containing one atom of sulphur, and analogous to a monoxide; — contrasted with a Ant: polysulphide; as, galena is a monosulphide.
MONOSULPHURET
Mon`o*sul"phu*ret, n. Etym: [Mono- + sulphuret.] (Chem.)
Defn: See Monosulphide.
MONOSYLLABIC
Mon`o*syl*lab"ic, a. Etym: [Cf. F. monosyllabique.]
Defn: Being a monosyllable, or composed of monosyllables; as, a monosyllabic word; a monosyllabic language. — Mon`o*syl*lab"ic*al*ly, adv.
MONOSYLLABISM
Mon`o*syl"la*bism, n.
Defn: The state of consisting of monosyllables, or having a monosyllabic form; frequent occurrence of monosyllables.
MONOSYLLABLE Mon"o*syl`la*ble, n. Etym: [L. monosyllabus of one syllable, Gr. monosyllabe. See Mono-, Syllable.]
Defn: A word of one syllable.
MONOSYLLABLED
Mon"o*syl`la*bled, a.
Defn: Formed into, or consisting of, monosyllables. Cleveland.
MONOSYMMETRIC; MONOSYMMETRICAL Mon`o*sym*met"ric, Mon`o*sym*met"ric*al, a. Etym: [Mono- + symmetric, -ical.] (Crystallog.)
Defn: Same as Monoclinic.
MONOTESSARON
Mon`o*tes"sa*ron, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr.
Defn: A single narrative framed from the statements of the four evangelists; a gospel harmony. [R.]
MONOTHALAMA
Mon`o*thal"a*ma, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Foraminifera including those that have only one chamber.
MONOTHALAMAN
Mon`o*thal"a*man, n. Etym: [See Monothalamous.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A foraminifer having but one chamber.
MONOTHALAMOUS
Mon`o*thal"a*mous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monothalame.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One-chambered.
MONOTHALMIC
Mon`o*thal"mic, a. Etym: [See Monothalamous.] (Bot.)
Defn: Formed from one pistil; — said of fruits. R. Brown.
MONOTHECAL
Mon`o*the"cal, a. Etym: [Mono- + Br. (Bot.)
Defn: Having a single loculament.
MONOTHEISM
Mon"o*the*ism, n. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. monothéisme.]
Defn: The doctrine or belief that there is but one God.
MONOTHEIST
Mon"o*the*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monothéiste.]
Defn: One who believes that there is but one God.
MONOTHEISTIC
Mon`o*the*is"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to monotheism.
MONOTHELISM; MONOTHELITISM Mo*noth"e*lism, Mo*noth"e*li*tism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monothélisme, monothélitisme.]
Defn: The doctrine of the Monothelites.
MONOTHELITE
Mo*noth"e*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. monothélite.] (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: One of an ancient sect who held that Christ had but one will as he had but one nature. Cf. Monophysite. Gibbon.
MONOTHELITIC
Mon`o*the*lit"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monothelites, or their doctrine.
MONOTOCOUS
Mo*not"o*cous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr.
1. (Bot.)
Defn: Bearing fruit but once; monocarpic.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Uniparous; laying a single egg.
MONOTOMOUS
Mo*not"o*mous, a. Etym: [Mono- + Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Having a distinct cleavage in a single direction only.
MONOTONE
Mon"o*tone, n. Etym: [See Monotonous, Monotony.]
1. (Mus.)
Defn: A single unvaried tone or sound.
2. (Rhet.)
Defn: The utterance of successive syllables, words, or sentences, on one unvaried key or line of pitch.
MONOTONIC; MONOTONICAL
Mon`o*ton"ic, Mon`o*ton"ic*al, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or uttered in, a monotone; monotonous.
"Monotonical declamation." Chesterfield.
MONOTONIST
Mo*not"o*nist, n.
Defn: One who talks in the same strain or on the same subject until weariness is produced. Richardson.
MONOTONOUS
Mo*not"o*nous, a. Etym: [Gr. Tone.]
Defn: Uttered in one unvarying tone; continued with dull uniformity;
characterized by monotony; without change or variety; wearisome.
— Mo*not"o*nous*ly, adv.
— Mo*not"o*nous*ness, n.
MONOTONY
Mo*not"o*ny, n. Etym: [Gr. monotonie. See Monotonius.]
1. A frequent recurrence of the same tone or sound, producing a dull uniformity; absence of variety, as in speaking or singing.
2. Any irksome sameness, or want of variety. At sea, everything that breaks the monotony of the surrounding expanse attracts attention. W. Irving.
MONOTREMATA
Mon`o*trem"a*ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A subclass of Mammalia, having a cloaca in which the ducts of
the urinary, genital, and alimentary systems terminate, as in birds.
The female lays eggs like a bird. See Duck mole, under Duck, and
Echidna.
MONOTREMATOUS
Mon`o*trem"a*tous, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Monotremata.
MONOTREME
Mon"o*treme, n. Etym: [Cf. F. monotrème.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Monotremata.
MONOTRIGLYPH
Mon`o*tri"glyph, n. Etym: [Mono- + triglyph: cf. F. monotriglyphe.]
(Arch.)
Defn: A kind of intercolumniation in an entablature, in which only one triglyph and two metopes are introduced.
MONOTROPA
Mo*not"ro*pa, n. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of parasitic or saprophytic plants including the Indian pipe and pine sap. The name alludes to the dropping end of the stem.
MONOTYPE; MONOTYPIC
Mon"o*type, Mon`o*typ"ic, a. Etym: [Mono- + -type: cf. F. monotype.]
(Biol.)
Defn: Having but one type; containing but one representative; as, a monotypic genus, which contains but one species.
MONOVALENT
Mo*nov"a*lent, a. Etym: [Mono- + L. valens, p. pr. See Valence.]
(Chem.)
Defn: Having a valence of one; univalent. See Univalent.
MONOXIDE
Mo*nox"ide, n. Etym: [Mon- + oxide.] (Chem.)
Defn: An oxide containing one atom of oxygen in each molecule; as, barium monoxide.
MONOXYLON
Mo*nox"y*lon, n. Etym: [NL., from Gr.
Defn: A canoe or boat made from one piece of timber.
MONOXYLOUS
Mo*nox"y*lous, a. Etym: [See Monoxylon.]
Defn: Made of one piece of wood.
MONOZOA
Mon`o*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., from Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A division of Radiolaria; — called also Monocyttaria.
— Mon`o*zo"ic, a.
MONROE DOCTRINE
Mon*roe" doc"trine.
Defn: See under Doctrine.
MONSEIGNEUR Mon`sei`gneur", n.; pl. Messeigneurs. Etym: [F., fr. mon my + seigneur lord, L. senior older. See Senior, and cf. Monsieur.]
Defn: My lord; — a title in France of a person of high birth or rank; as, Monseigneur the Prince, or Monseigneur the Archibishop. It was given, specifically, to the dauphin, before the Revolution of 1789. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
MONSEL'S SALT
Mon"sel's salt`. (Med.)
Defn: A basic sulphate of iron; — so named from Monsel, a Frenchman.
MONSEL'S SOLUTION
Mon"sel's so*lu"tion. Etym: [See Monsel's salt.] (Med.)
Defn: An aqueous solution of Monsel's salt, having valuable styptic properties.
MONSIEUR Mon*sieur", n.; pl. Messieurs. Etym: [F., fr. mon my + Sieur, abbrev. of seigneur lord. See Monseigneur.]
1. The common title of civility in France in speaking to, or of, a man; Mr. or Sir. [Represented by the abbreviation M. or Mons. in the singular, and by MM. or Messrs. in the plural.]
2. The oldest brother of the king of France.
3. A Frenchman. [Contemptuous] Shak.
MONSIGNORE
Mon`si*gno"re, n.; pl. Monsignors. Etym: [It., my lord. Cf.
Monseigneur.]
Defn: My lord; — an ecclesiastical dignity bestowed by the pope, entitling the bearer to social and domestic rank at the papal court. (Abbrev. Mgr.)
MONSOON
Mon*soon", n. Etym: [Malay musim, fr. Ar. mausim a time, season: cf.
F. monson, mousson, Sr. monzon, Pg. monç\'eeo, It. monsone.]
Defn: A wind blowing part of the year from one direction, alternating with a wind from the opposite direction; — a term applied particularly to periodical winds of the Indian Ocean, which blow from the southwest from the latter part of May to the middle of September, and from the northeast from about the middle of October to the middle of December.
MONSTER Mon"ster, n. Etym: [OE. monstre, F. monstre, fr. L. monstrum, orig., a divine omen, indicating misfortune; akin of monstrare to show, point out, indicate, and monere to warn. See Monition, and cf. Demonstrate, Muster.]
1. Something of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy; an enormity; a marvel. A monster or marvel. Chaucer.
2. Specifically , an animal or plant departing greatly from the usual type, as by having too many limbs.
3. Any thing or person of unnatural or excessive ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty.
MONSTER
Mon"ster, a.
Defn: Monstrous in size. Pope.
MONSTER
Mon"ster, v. t.
Defn: To make monstrous. [Obs.] Shak.
MONSTRANCE
Mon"strance, n. Etym: [LL. monstrantia, fr. L. monstrare to show: cf.
OF. monstrance. See Monster.] (R. C. Ch.)
Defn: A transparent pyx, in which the consecrated host is exposed to view.
MONSTRATION
Mon*stra"tion, n. Etym: [L. monstratio.]
Defn: The act of demonstrating; proof. [Obs.]
A certain monstration. Grafton.
MONSTROSITY
Mon*stros"i*ty, n.; pl. Monstrosities. Etym: [Cf. F. monstruosité.
See Monstrous.]
Defn: The state of being monstrous, or out of the common order of nature; that which is monstrous; a monster. South. A monstrosity never changes the name or affects the immutability of a species. Adanson (Trans. ).
MONSTROUS Mon"strous, a. Etym: [OE. monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr. L. monstruosus, fr. monstrum. See Monster.]
1. Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a monstrous birth. Locke. He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he is bound to love … is unnatural and monstrous in his affections. Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder, dislike, apprehension, etc.; — said of size, appearance, color, sound, etc.; as, a monstrous height; a monstrous ox; a monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful. So bad a death argues a monstrous life. Shak.
5. Abounding in monsters. [R.] Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world. Milton.
MONSTROUS
Mon"strous, adv.
Defn: Exceedingly; very; very much. "A monstrous thick oil on the
top." Bacon.
And will be monstrous witty on the poor. Dryden.
MONSTROUSLY
Mon"strous*ly, adv.
Defn: In a monstrous manner; unnaturally; extraordinarily; as, monstrously wicked. "Who with his wife is monstrously in love." Dryden.
MONSTROUSNESS
Mon"strous*ness, n.
Defn: The state or quality of being monstrous, unusual, extraordinary. Shak.
MONSTRUOSITY
Mon`stru*os"i*ty, n.
Defn: Monstrosity. [Obs.] Shak.
MONSTRUOUS
Mon"stru*ous, a.
Defn: Monstrous. [Obs.]
MONT
Mont, n. Etym: [F. See Mount, n.]
Defn: Mountain.
MONTAIGNE
Mon"taigne, n.
Defn: A mountain. [Obs.]
MONTANIC
Mon*tan"ic, a. Etym: [L. montanus, fr. mons, montis, mountain. See
Mount, n.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to mountains; consisting of mountains.
MONTANIST
Mon"ta*nist, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
Defn: A follower of Mintanus, a Phrygian enthusiast of the second century, who claimed that the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, dwelt in him, and employed him as an instrument for purifying and guiding men in the Christian life. — Mon`ta*nis"tic, Mon`ta*nis"tic*al, a.
MONTANT Mon"tant, n. Etym: [F.,prop., mounting, fr. monter to mount, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain. See Mount.]
1. (Fencing)
Defn: An upward thrust or blow. Shak.
2. (Arch.)
Defn: An upright piece in any framework; a mullion or muntin; a stile. [R.] See Stile.
MONT DE PIETE
Mont" de pi`é`té". Etym: [F., fr. It. monte di pietà mount of piety.]
Defn: One of certain public pawnbroking establishments which originated in Italy in the 15th century, the object of which was to lend money at a low rate of interest to poor people in need; — called also mount of piety. The institution has been adopted in other countries, as in Spain and France. See Lombard-house.
MONTE Mon"te, n. Etym: [Sp., lit., mountain, hence, the stock of cards remaining after laying out a certain number, fr. L. mons, montis, mountain.]
Defn: A favorite gambling game among Spaniards, played with dice or cards.
MONTE-ACID
Monte`-ac"id, n. Etym: [F. monter to raise + acide acid.] (Chem.)
Defn: An acid elevator, as a tube through which acid is forced to some height in a sulphuric acid manufactory.
MONTEITH
Mon*teith", n.
Defn: See Monteth.
MONTE-JUS
Monte"-jus", n. [F., fr. monter to bring up + jus juice.]
Defn: An apparatus for raising a liquid by pressure of air or steam in a reservoir containing the liquid.
MONTEM
Mon"tem, n. Etym: [L. ad montem to the hillock. See Mount, n.]
Defn: A custom, formerly practiced by the scholars at Eton school, England, of giing every third year, on Whittuesday, to a hillock near the Bath road, and exacting money from all passers-by, to support at the university the senior scholar of the school.
MONTERO
Mon*te"ro, n. Etym: [Sp. montera a hunting cap, fr. montero a
huntsman, monte a mountain, forest, L. mons, montis, mountain. See
Mount, n.]
Defn: An ancient kind of cap worn by horsemen or huntsmen. Bacon.
MONTESSORI METHOD
Mon`tes*so"ri Meth"od. (Pedagogy)
Defn: A system of training and instruction, primarily for use with normal children aged from three to six years, devised by Dr. Maria Montessori while teaching in the "Houses of Childhood" (schools in the poorest tenement districts of Rome, Italy), and first fully described by her in 1909. Leading features are freedom for physical activity (no stationary desks and chairs), informal and individual instruction, the very early development of writing, and an extended sensory and motor training (with special emphasis on vision, touch, perception of movement, and their interconnections), mediated by a patented, standardized system of "didactic apparatus," which is declared to be "auto-regulative." Most of the chief features of the method are borrowed from current methods used in many institutions for training feeble-minded children, and dating back especially to the work of the French-American physician Edouard O. Seguin (1812- 80).
MONTETH; MONTEITH
Mon*teth", Mon*teith", n.
Defn: A vessel in which glasses are washed; — so called from the
name of the inventor.
New things produce new words, and thus Monteth Has by one vessel
saved his name from death. King.
MONTGOLFIER
Mont`gol"fier, n.
Defn: A balloon which ascends by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire; a fire balloon; — so called from two brothers, Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier, of France, who first constructed and sent up a fire balloon.
MONTH Month, n. Etym: [OE. month, moneth, AS. mon, mona; akin to mona moon, and to D. maand month, G. monat, OHG. manod, Icel. manu, mana, Goth. meno. *272. See Moon.]
Defn: One of the twelve portions into which the year is divided; the twelfth part of a year, corresponding nearly to the length of a synodic revolution of the moon, — whence the name. In popular use, a period of four weeks is often called a month.
Note: In the common law, a month is a lunar month, or twenty-eight days, unless otherwise expressed. Blackstone. In the United States the rule of the common law is generally cahanged, and a month is declared to mean a calendar month. Cooley's Blackstone. A month mind. (a) A strong or abnormal desire. [Obs.] Shak. (b) A celebration made in remembrance of a deceased person a month after death. Strype. — Calendar months, the months as adjusted in the common or Gregorian calendar; April, June, September, and November, containing 30 days, and the rest 31, except February, which, in common years, has 28, and in leap years 29. — Lunar month, the period of one revolution of the moon, particularly a synodical revolution; but several kinds are distinguished, as the synodical month, or period from one new moon to the next, in mean length 29 d. 12 h. 44 m. 2.87 s.; the nodical month, or time of revolution from one node to the same again, in length 27 d. 5 h. 5 m. 36 s.; the sidereal, or time of revolution from a star to the same again, equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 11.5 s.; the anomalistic, or time of revolution from perigee to perigee again, in length 27 d. 13 h. 18 m. 37.4 s.; and the tropical, or time of passing from any point of the ecliptic to the same again, equal to 27 d. 7 h. 43 m. 4.7 s. — Solar month, the time in which the sun passes through one sign of the zodiac, in mean length 30 d. 10 h. 29 m. 4.1 s.
MONTHLING
Month"ling, n.
Defn: That which is a month old, or which lives for a month. [R.]
Wordsworth.
MONTHLY
Month"ly, a.
1. Continued a month, or a performed in a month; as, the monthly revolution of the moon.
2. Done, happening, payable, published, etc., once a month, or every month; as, a monthly visit; monthly charges; a monthly installment; a monthly magazine. Monthly nurse, a nurse who serves for a month or some short time, esp. one which attends women after childbirth.
MONTHLY
Month"ly, n.; pl. Monthlies (.
Defn: A publication which appears regularly once a month.
MONTHLY
Month"ly, adv.
1. Once a month; in every month; as, the moon changes monthly. Shak.
2. As if under the influence of the moon; in the manner of a lunatic. [Obs.] Middleton.
MONTICLE Mon"ti*cle, n. Etym: [L. monticulus, dim. of mons, montis, mountain: cf. F. monticule. See Mount, n.]
Defn: A little mount; a hillock; a small elevation or prominence.
[Written also monticule.]
MONTICULATE
Mon*tic"u*late, a.
Defn: Furnished with monticles or little elevations.
MONTICULE
Mon"ti*cule, n.
Defn: See Monticle.
MONTICULOUS
Mon*tic"u*lous, a.
Defn: Monticulate.
MONTIFORM
Mon"ti*form, a. Etym: [L. mons, montis, mountain + -form.]
Defn: Resembling a mountain in form.
MONTIGENOUS Mon*tig"e*nous, a. Etym: [L. montigena; mons, montis, mountain + the root of gignere to beget.]
Defn: Produced on a mountain.
MONTOIR
Mon`toir", n. Etym: [F., fr. monter to mount. See Montant.]
Defn: A stone used in mounting a horse; a horse block.
MONTON
Mon"ton, n. Etym: [Sp.] (Mining)
Defn: A heap of ore; a mass undergoing the process of amalgamation.
MONTRE
Mon"tre, n. [F., show, show case, organ case.]
1. (Organ Building) A stop, usually the open diapason, having its pipes "shown" as part of the organ case, or otherwise specially mounted.
2. A hole in the wall of a pottery kiln, by which the state of the pieces within can be judged.
MONTROSS
Mon*tross", n.
Defn: See Matross. [Obs.]
MONTRUE
Mon"true, n. Etym: [F., fr. monter to mount. See Montoir.]
Defn: That on which anything is mounted; a setting; hence, a saddle horse. [Obs.] Spenser.
MONUMENT Mon"u*ment, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. monumentum, fr. monere to remind, admonish. See Monition, and cf. Moniment.]
1. Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is
past; a memorial.
Of ancient British art A pleasing monument. Philips.
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments. Shak.
2. A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.; as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument. Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions. On your family's old monument Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites That appertain unto a burial. Shak.
3. A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.
4. A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record. Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous days. Foxe.
Syn.
— Memorial; remembrance; tomb; cenotaph.
MONUMENTAL
Mon`u*men"tal, a. Etym: [L. monumentalis: cf. F. monumental.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or suitable for, a monument; as, a monumental inscription.
2. Serving as a monument; memorial; preserving memory. "Of pine, or monumental oak." Milton. A work outlasting monumental brass. Pope.
MONUMENTALLY
Mon`u*men"tal*ly, adv.
1. By way of memorial.
2. By means of monuments.
MONUREID
Mon*u"re*id, n. Etym: [Mon- + ureid.] (Chem.)
Defn: Any one of a series of complex nitrogenous substances regarded as derived from one molecule of urea; as, alloxan is a monureid. [Written also monureide.]
MOO
Moo, a., adv., & n.
Defn: See Mo. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOO Moo, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Mooed; p. pr. & vb. n. Mooing.] Etym: [Of imitative origin.]
Defn: To make the noise of a cow; to low; — child's word.
MOO
Moo, n.
Defn: The lowing of a cow.
MOOD Mood, n. Etym: [The same word as mode, perh. influenced by mood temper. See Mode.]
1. Manner; style; mode; logical form; musical style; manner of action or being. See Mode which is the preferable form).
2. (Gram.)
Defn: Manner of conceiving and expressing action or being, as positive, possible, hypothetical, etc., without regard to other accidents, such as time, person, number, etc.; as, the indicative mood; the infinitive mood; the subjunctive mood. Same as Mode.
MOOD
Mood, n. Etym: [OE. mood, mod, AS. modmind, feeling, heart, courage;
akin to OS. & OFries. mod, D. moed, OHG. muot, G. muth, mut, courage,
Dan. & Sw. mod, Icel. mo wrath, Goth. mods.]
Defn: Temper of mind; temporary state of the mind in regard to
passion or feeling; humor; as, a melancholy mood; a suppliant mood.
Till at the last aslaked was mood. Chaucer.
Fortune is merry, And in this mood will give us anything. Shak.
The desperate recklessness of her mood. Hawthorne.
MOODER
Moo"der, n.
Defn: Mother. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOODILY
Mood"i*ly, adv.
Defn: In a moody manner.
MOODINESS
Mood"i*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being moody; specifically, liability to strange or violent moods.
MOODIR
Moo"dir, n. Etym: [Ar. mudir.]
Defn: The governor of a province in Egypt, etc. [Written also mudir.]
MOODISH
Mood"ish, a.
Defn: Moody. [Obs.]
MOODISHLY
Mood"ish*ly, adv.
Defn: Moodily. [Obs.]
MOODY Mood"y, a. [Compar. Moodier; superl. Moodiest.] Etym: [AS. modig courageous.]
1. Subject to varying moods, especially to states of mind which are unamiable or depressed.
2. Hence: Out of humor; peevish; angry; fretful; also, abstracted and pensive; sad; gloomy; melancholy. "Every peevish, moody malcontent." Rowe. Arouse thee from thy moody dream! Sir W. Scott.
Syn.
— Gloomy; pensive; sad; fretful; capricious.
MOOLAH; MOOLLAH
Moo"lah, Mool"lah, n.
Defn: See Mollah.
MOOLLEY
Mool"ley, n.
Defn: Same as Mulley.
MOON Moon, n. Etym: [OE. mone, AS. mona; akin to D. maan, OS. & OHG. mano, G. mond, Icel. mani, Dan. maane, Sw. måne, Goth. mena, Lith. men, L. mensis month, Gr. mas moon, month; prob. from a root meaning to measure (cf. Skr. ma to measure), from its serving to measure the time. *271. Cf. Mete to measure, Menses, Monday, Month.]
1. The celestial orb which revolves round the earth; the satellite of the earth; a secondary planet, whose light, borrowed from the sun, is reflected to the earth, and serves to dispel the darkness of night. The diameter of the moon is 2,160 miles, its mean distance from the earth is 240,000 miles, and its mass is one eightieth that of the earth. See Lunar month, under Month. The crescent moon, the diadem of night. Cowper.
2. A secondary planet, or satellite, revolving about any member of the solar system; as, the moons of Jupiter or Saturn.
3. The time occupied by the moon in making one revolution in her orbit; a month. Shak.
4. (Fort.)
Defn: A crescentlike outwork. See Half-moon. Moon blindness. (a)
(Far.) A kind of ophthalmia liable to recur at intervals of three or
four weeks. (b) (Med.) Hemeralopia.
— Moon dial, a dial used to indicate time by moonlight.
— Moon face, a round face like a full moon.
— Moon madness, lunacy. [Poetic] — Moon month, a lunar month.
— Moon trefoil (Bot.), a shrubby species of medic (Medicago
arborea). See Medic.
— Moon year, a lunar year, consisting of lunar months, being
sometimes twelve and sometimes thirteen.
MOON
Moon, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mooned; p. pr. & vb. n. Mooning.]
Defn: To expose to the rays of the moon. If they have it to be exceeding white indeed, they seethe it yet once more, after it hath been thus sunned and mooned. Holland.
MOON
Moon, v. i.
Defn: To act if moonstruck; to wander or gaze about in an abstracted
manner.
Elsley was mooning down the river by himself. C. Kingsley.
MOONBEAM
Moon"beam`, n.
Defn: A ray of light from the moon.
MOONBLIND
Moon"blind`, a.
Defn: Dim-sighted; purblind.
MOONBLINK
Moon"blink`, n.
Defn: A temporary blindness, or impairment of sight, said to be caused by sleeping in the moonlight; — sometimes called nyctalopia.
MOONCALF
Moon"calf`, n.
1. A monster; a false conception; a mass of fleshy matter, generated in the uterus.
2. A dolt; a stupid fellow. Dryden.
MOON-CULMINATING
Moon"-cul"mi*na`ting, a.
Defn: Culminating, or coming to the meredian, at or about the same time with the moon; — said of a star or stars, esp. of certain stars selected beforehand, and named in an ephemeris (as the Nautical Almanac), as suitable to be observed in connection with the moon at culmination, for determining terrestrial longitude.
MOONED
Mooned, a.
Defn: Of or resembling the moon; symbolized by the moon. "Sharpening in mooned horns." "Mooned Ashtaroth." Milton.
MOONER
Moon"er, n.
Defn: One who abstractedly wanders or gazes about, as if moonstruck.
[R.] Dickens.
MOONERY
Moon"er*y, n.
Defn: Conduct of one who moons. [R.]
MOONET
Moon"et, n.
Defn: A little moon. [R.] Bp. Hall.
MOON-EYE
Moon"-eye`, n.
1. A eye affected by the moon; also, a disease in the eye of a horse.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) Any species of American fresh-water fishes of the genus Hyodon, esp. H. tergisus of the Great Lakes and adjacent waters. (b) The cisco.
MOON-EYED
Moon"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Having eyes affected by the moon; moonblind; dim-eyed; purblind.
MOON-FACED
Moon"-faced`, a.
Defn: Having a round, full face.
MOONFISH Moon"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) An American marine fish (Vomer setipennis); — called also bluntnosed shiner, horsefish, and sunfish. (b) A broad, thin, silvery marine fish (Selene vomer); — called also lookdown, and silver moonfish. (c) The mola. See Sunfish, 1.
MOONFLOWER Moon"flow`er, n. (Bot.) (a) The oxeye daisy; — called also moon daisy. (b) A kind of morning glory (Ipomoea Bona-nox) with large white flowers opening at night.
MOONG
Moong, n. (Bot.)
Defn: Same as Mung.
MOONGLADE
Moon"glade`, n.
Defn: The bright reflection of the moon's light on an expanse of water. [Poetic]
MOONIE
Moo"nie, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The European goldcrest.
MOONISH
Moon"ish, a.
Defn: Like the moon; variable.
Being but a moonish youth. Shak.
MOONLESS
Moon"less, a.
Defn: Being without a moon or moonlight.
MOONLIGHT
Moon`light`, n.
Defn: The light of the moon.
— a.
Defn: Occurring during or by moonlight; characterized by moonlight.
MOONLIGHTER Moon"light`er, n. One who follows an occupation or pastime by moonlight; as: (a) A moonshiner. (b) In Ireland, one of a band that engaged in agrarian outrages by night. (c) A serenader by moonlight. [Local, U. S.]
MOONLING
Moon"ling, n.
Defn: A simpleton; a lunatic. [Obs.]
MOONLIT
Moon"lit`, a.
Defn: Illumined by the moon. "The moonlit sea." Moore. "Moonlit dells." Lowell.
MOONRAKER
Moon"rak`er, n. (Naut.)
Defn: Same as Moonsail.
MOONRISE
Moon"rise`, n.
Defn: The rising of the moon above the horizon; also, the time of its rising.
MOONSAIL
Moon"sail`, n. (Naut.)
Defn: A sail sometimes carried in light winds, above a skysail. R. H.
Dana, Jr.
MOONSEED
Moon"seed`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A climbing plant of the genus Menispermum; — so called from the crescentlike form of the seeds.
MOONSET
Moon"set`, n.
Defn: The descent of the moon below the horizon; also, the time when the moon sets.
MOONSHEE Moon"shee, n. Etym: [Hind. munishi, fr. Ar. munishi a writer, author, secretary, tutor.]
Defn: A Mohammedan professor or teacher of language. [India]
MOONSHINE
Moon"shine`, n.
1. The light of the moon.
2. Hence, show without substance or reality.
3. A month. [R.] Shak.
4. A preparation of eggs for food. [Obs.]
MOONSHINE
Moon"shine`, a.
Defn: Moonlight. [R.] Clarendon.
MOONSHINER
Moon"shin`er, n.
Defn: A person engaged in illicit distilling; — so called because the work is largely done at night. [Cant, U.S.]
MOONSHINING
Moon"shin`ing, n.
Defn: Illicit distilling. [Slang or Colloq., U. S.]
MOONSHINY
Moon"shin`y, a.
Defn: Moonlight. [Colloq.]
I went to see them in a moonshiny night. Addison.
MOONSTONE
Moon"stone`, n. (Min.)
Defn: A nearly pellucid variety of feldspar, showing pearly or opaline reflections from within. It is used as a gem. The best specimens come from Ceylon.
MOONSTRICKEN
Moon"strick`en, a.
Defn: See Moonstruck.
MOONSTRUCK
Moon"struck`, a.
1. Mentally affected or deranged by the supposed influence of the moon; lunatic.
2. Produced by the supposed influence of the moon. "Moonstruck madness." Milton.
3. Made sick by the supposed influence of the moon, as a human being; made unsuitable for food, as fishes, by such supposed influence.
MOONWORT Moon"wort`, n. (Bot.) (a) The herb lunary or honesty. See Honesty. (b) Any fern of the genus Botrychium, esp. B. Lunaria; — so named from the crescent-shaped segments of its frond.
MOONY
Moon"y, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the moon. Soft and pale as the moony beam. J. R. Drake.
2. Furnished with a moon; bearing a crescent. But soon the miscreant moony host Before the victor cross shall fly. Fenton.
3. Silly; weakly sentimental. [Colloq.] G. Eliot.
MOOR Moor, n. Etym: [F. More, Maure, L. Maurus a Moor, a Mauritanian, an inhabitant of Mauritania, Gr. Morris a dance, Morocco.]
1. One of a mixed race inhabiting Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, and Tripoli, chiefly along the coast and in towns.
2. (Hist.)
Defn: Any individual of the swarthy races of Africa or Asia which have adopted the Mohammedan religion. "In Spanish history the terms Moors, Saracens, and Arabs are synonymous." Internat. Cyc.
MOOR
Moor, n. Etym: [OE. mor, AS. mor moor, morass; akin to D. moer moor,
G. moor, and prob. to Goth. marei sea, E. mere. See Mere a lake.]
1. An extensive waste covered with patches of heath, and having a poor, light soil, but sometimes marshy, and abounding in peat; a heath. In her girlish age she kept sheep on the moor. Carew.
2. A game preserve consisting of moorland. Moor buzzard (Zoöl.), the marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.] — Moor coal (Geol.), a friable variety of lignite. — Moor cock (Zoöl.), the male of the moor fowl or red grouse of Europe. — Moor coot. (Zoöl.) See Gallinule. — Moor fowl. (Zoöl.) (a) The European ptarmigan, or red grouse (Lagopus Scoticus). (b) The European heath grouse. See under Heath. — Moor game. (Zoöl.) Same as Moor fowl (above). — Moor grass (Bot.), a tufted perennial grass (Sesleria cærulea), found in mountain pastures of Europe. — Moor hawk (Zoöl.), the marsh harrier. — Moor hen. (Zoöl.) (a) The female of the moor fowl. (b) A gallinule, esp. the European species. See Gallinule. (c) An Australian rail (Tribonyx ventralis). — Moor monkey (Zoöl.), the black macaque of Borneo (Macacus maurus). — Moor titling (Zoöl.), the European stonechat (Pratinocola rubicola).
MOOR
Moor, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moored; p. pr. & vb. n. Mooring.] Etym:
[Prob. fr. D. marren to tie, fasten, or moor a ship. See Mar.]
1. (Naut.)
Defn: To fix or secure, as a vessel, in a particular place by casting anchor, or by fastening with cables or chains; as, the vessel was moored in the stream; they moored the boat to the wharf.
2. Fig.: To secure, or fix firmly. Brougham.
MOOR
Moor, v. i.
Defn: To cast anchor; to become fast.
On oozy ground his galleys moor. Dryden.
MOORAGE
Moor"age, n.
Defn: A place for mooring.
MOORBALL
Moor"ball`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A fresh-water alga (Cladophora Ægagropila) which forms a globular mass.
MOORBAND
Moor"band`, n.
Defn: See Moorpan.
MOORESS
Moor"ess, n.
Defn: A female Moor; a Moorish woman.
MOORING
Moor"ing, n.
1. The act of confining a ship to a particular place, by means of anchors or fastenings.
2. That which serves to confine a ship to a place, as anchors, cables, bridles, etc.
3. pl.
Defn: The place or condition of a ship thus confined.
And the tossed bark in moorings swings. Moore.
Mooring block (Naut.), a heavy block of cast iron sometimes used as
an anchor for mooring vessels.
MOORISH
Moor"ish, a. Etym: [From 2d Moor.]
Defn: Having the characteristics of a moor or heath. "Moorish fens."
Thomson.
MOORISH
Moor"ish, a. Etym: [See 1st Moor, and cf. Morris, Moresque.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to Morocco or the Moors; in the style of the Moors. Moorish architecture, the style developed by the Moors in the later Middle Ages, esp. in Spain, in which the arch had the form of a horseshoe, and the ornamentation admitted no representation of animal life. It has many points of resemblance to the Arabian and Persian styles, but should be distinguished from them. See Illust. under Moresque.
MOORLAND
Moor"land, n. Etym: [AS. morland.]
Defn: Land consisting of a moor or moors.
MOORPAN
Moor"pan`, n. Etym: [Cf. Hard pan, under Hard.]
Defn: A clayey layer or pan underlying some moors, etc.
MOORSTONE
Moor"stone`, n.
Defn: A species of English granite, used as a building stone.
MOORUK
Moo"ruk, n. Etym: [Native name.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A species of cassowary (Casuarius Bennetti) found in New Britain, and noted for its agility in running and leaping. It is smaller and has stouter legs than the common cassowary. Its crest is biloted; the neck and breast are black; the back, rufous mixed with black; and the naked skin of the neck, blue.
MOORY
Moor"y, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to moors; marshy; fenny; boggy; moorish.
Mortimer.
As when thick mists arise from moory vales. Fairfax.
MOORY
Moor"y, n.
Defn: A kind of blue cloth made in India. Balfour (Cyc of India).
MOOSE
Moose, n. Etym: [A native name; Knisteneaux mouswah; Algonquin monse.
Mackenzie.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A large cervine mammal (Alces machlis, or A. Americanus), native of the Northern United States and Canada. The adult male is about as large as a horse, and has very large, palmate antlers. It closely resembles the European elk, and by many zoölogists is considered the same species. See Elk. Moose bird (Zoöl.), the Canada jayor whisky jack. See Whisky jack. — Moose deer. Same as Moose. — Moose yard (Zoöl.), a locality where moose, in winter, herd together in a forest to feed and for mutual protection.
MOOSEWOOD Moose"wood`, n. (Bot.) (a) The striped maple (Acer Pennsylvanicum). (b) Leatherwood.
MOOT
Moot, v.
Defn: See 1st Mot. [Obs.] Chaucer.
MOOT
Moot, n. (Shipbuilding)
Defn: A ring for gauging wooden pins.
MOOT
Moot, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mooted; p. pr. & vb. n. Mooting.] Etym:
[OE. moten, motien, AS. motan to meet or assemble for conversation,
to discuss, dispute, fr. mot, gemot, a meeting, an assembly; akin to
Icel. mot, MHG. muoz. Cf. Meet to come together.]
1. To argue for and against; to debate; to discuss; to propose for discussion. A problem which hardly has been mentioned, much less mooted, in this country. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. Specifically: To discuss by way of exercise; to argue for practice; to propound and discuss in a mock court. First a case is appointed to be mooted by certain young men, containing some doubtful controversy. Sir T. Elyot.
MOOT
Moot, v. i.
Defn: To argue or plead in a supposed case. There is a difference between mooting and pleading; between fencing and fighting. B. Jonson.
MOOT
Moot, n. Etym: [AS. mot, gemot, a meeting; — usually in comp.]
[Written also mote.]
1. A meeting for discussion and deliberation; esp., a meeting of the people of a village or district, in Anglo-Saxon times, for the discussion and settlement of matters of common interest; — usually in composition; as, folk-moot. J. R. Green.
2. Etym: [From Moot, v.]
Defn: A discussion or debate; especially, a discussion of fictitious causes by way of practice. The pleading used in courts and chancery called moots. Sir T. Elyot. Moot case, a case or question to be mooted; a disputable case; an unsettled question. Dryden. — Moot court, a mock court, such as is held by students of law for practicing the conduct of law cases. — Moot point, a point or question to be debated; a doubtful question.
MOOT
Moot, a.
Defn: Subject, or open, to argument or discussion; undecided; debatable; mooted.
MOOTABLE
Moot"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being mooted.
MOOTER
Moot"er, n.
Defn: A disputer of a mooted case.
MOOT-HALL; MOOT-HOUSE
Moot"-hall`, Moot"-house`, n. Etym: [AS. moth.]
Defn: A hall for public meetings; a hall of judgment. [Obs.] "The moot-hall of Herod." Wyclif.
MOOT-HILL
Moot"-hill`, n. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: A hill of meeting or council; an elevated place in the open air where public assemblies or courts were held by the Saxons; — called, in Scotland, mute-hill. J. R. Green.
MOOTMAN
Moot"man, n.; pl. Mootmen (. (O. Eng. Law)
Defn: One who argued moot cases in the inns of court.
MOP
Mop, n. Etym: [See Mope.]
Defn: A made-up face; a grimace. "What mops and mowes it makes!"
Beau. & Fl.
MOP
Mop, v. i.
Defn: To make a wry mouth. [Obs.] Shak.
MOP Mop, n. Etym: [CF. W. mop, mopa, Ir. moipal, Gael. moibeal, moibean; or OF. mappe a napkin (see Map, Napkin).]
1. An implement for washing floors, or the like, made of a piece of cloth, or a collection of thrums, or coarse yarn, fastened to a handle.
2. A fair where servants are hired. [Prov. Eng.]
3. The young of any animal; also, a young girl; a moppet. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell. Mop head. (a) The end of a mop, to which the thrums or rags are fastened. (b) A clamp for holding the thrums or rags of a mop. [U.S.]
MOP
Mop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mopped; p. pr. & vb. n. Mopping.]
Defn: To rub or wipe with a mop, or as with a mop; as, to mop a floor; to mop one's face with a handkerchief.
MOPBOARD
Mop"board`, n. (Carp.)
Defn: A narrow board nailed against the wall of a room next to the floor; skirting board; baseboard. See Baseboard.
MOPE
Mope, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Moped; p. pr. & vb. n. Moping.] Etym: [Cf.
D. moppen to pout, Prov. G. muffen to sulk.]
Defn: To be dull and spiritless. "Moping melancholy." Milton.
A sickly part of one true sense Could not so mope. Shak.
MOPE
Mope, v. t.
Defn: To make spiritless and stupid. [Obs.]
MOPE
Mope, n.
Defn: A dull, spiritless person. Burton.
MOPE-EYED
Mope"-eyed`, a.
Defn: Shortsighted; purblind.
MOPEFUL
Mope"ful, a.
Defn: Mopish. [R.]
MOPISH
Mop"ish, a.
Defn: Dull; spiritless; dejected.
— Mop"ish*ly, adv.
— Mop"ish*ness, n.
MOPLAH
Mop"lah, n. Etym: [Malayalam mapplia.]
Defn: One of a class of Mohammedans in Malabar.
MOPPET
Mop"pet, n. Etym: [From 3d Mop.]
1. A rag baby; a puppet made of cloth; hence, also, in fondness, a little girl, or a woman.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A long-haired pet dog.
MOPSEY; MOPSY
Mop"sey, Mop"sy, n.
1. A moppet.
2. A slatternly, untidy woman. Halliwell.
MOPSICAL
Mop"si*cal, a.
Defn: Shortsighted; mope-eyed.
MOPSTICK
Mop"stick`, n.
Defn: The long handle of a mop.
MOPUS
Mo"pus, n.
Defn: A mope; a drone. [Obs.] Swift.
MOQUETTE
Mo*quette", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A kind of carpet having a short velvety pile.
MORA
Mor"a, n. Etym: [It.]
Defn: A game of guessing the number of fingers extended in a quick movement of the hand, — much played by Italians of the lower classes.
MORA
Mo"ra, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A leguminous tree of Guiana and Trinidad (Dimorphandra excelsa); also, its timber, used in shipbuilding and making furniture.
MORA
Mo"ra, n. Etym: [L.] (Rom. & Civil Law)
Defn: Delay; esp., culpable delay; postponement.
MORAINE Mo*raine", n. Etym: [F. Cf. Prov. G. mur stones broken off, It. mora a heap of stones, hillock, G. mürbe soft, broken up, OHG. muruwi, AS. mearu tender, Gr. mla to relax.] (Geol.)
Defn: An accumulation of earth and stones carried forward and deposited by a glacier. Lyell.
Note: If the moranie is at the extremity of the glacier it is a terminal moranie; if at the side, a lateral moranie; if parallel to the side on the central portion of the glacier, a medial moranie. See Illust. of Glacier. In the last case it is formed by the union of the lateral moranies of the branches of the glacier. A ground moranie is one beneath the mass of ice.
MORAINIC
Mo*rain"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to a moranie.
MORAL Mor"al, a. Etym: [F., fr. It. moralis, fr. mos, moris, manner, custom, habit, way of life, conduct.]
1. Relating to duty or obligation; pertaining to those intentions and actions of which right and wrong, virtue and vice, are predicated, or to the rules by which such intentions and actions ought to be directed; relating to the practice, manners, or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, as respects right and wrong, so far as they are properly subject to rules. Keep at the least within the compass of moral actions, which have in them vice or virtue. Hooker. Mankind is broken loose from moral bands. Dryden. She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral wilderness. Hawthorne.
2. Conformed to accepted rules of right; acting in conformity with such rules; virtuous; just; as, a moral man. Used sometimes in distinction from religious; as, a moral rather than a religious life. The wiser and more moral part of mankind. Sir M. Hale.
3. Capable of right and wrong action or of being governed by a sense of right; subject to the law of duty. A moral agent is a being capable of those actions that have a moral quality, and which can properly be denominated good or evil in a moral sense. J. Edwards.
4. Acting upon or through one's moral nature or sense of right, or suited to act in such a manner; as, a moral arguments; moral considerations. Sometimes opposed to material and physical; as, moral pressure or support.
5. Supported by reason or probability; practically sufficient; — opposed to legal or demonstrable; as, a moral evidence; a moral certainty.
6. Serving to teach or convey a moral; as, a moral lesson; moral tales. Moral agent, a being who is capable of acting with reference to right and wrong. — Moral certainty, a very high degree or probability, although not demonstrable as a certainty; a probability of so high a degree that it can be confidently acted upon in the affairs of life; as, there is a moral certainty of his guilt. — Moral insanity, insanity, so called, of the moral system; badness alleged to be irresponsible. — Moral philosophy, the science of duty; the science which treats of the nature and condition of man as a moral being, of the duties which result from his moral relations, and the reasons on which they are founded. — Moral play, an allegorical play; a morality. [Obs.] — Moral sense, the power of moral judgment and feeling; the capacity to perceive what is right or wrong in moral conduct, and to approve or disapprove, independently of education or the knowledge of any positive rule or law. — Moral theology, theology applied to morals; practical theology; casuistry.
MORAL
Mor"al, n.
1. The doctrine or practice of the duties of life; manner of living as regards right and wrong; conduct; behavior; — usually in the plural. Corrupt in their morals as vice could make them. South.
2. The inner meaning or significance of a fable, a narrative, an occurrence, an experience, etc.; the practical lesson which anything is designed or fitted to teach; the doctrine meant to be inculcated by a fiction; a maxim. Thus may we gather honey from the weed, And make a moral of the devil himself. Shak. To point a moral, or adorn a tale. Johnson. We protest against the principle that the world of pure comedy is one into which no moral enters. Macaulay.
3. A morality play. See Morality, 5.
MORAL
Mor"al, v. i.
Defn: To moralize. [Obs.] Shak.
MORALE
Mo`rale", n. Etym: [F. See Moral, a.]
Defn: The moral condition, or the condition in other respects, so far as it is affected by, or dependent upon, moral considerations, such as zeal, spirit, hope, and confidence; mental state, as of a body of men, an army, and the like.
MORALER
Mor"al*er, n.
Defn: A moralizer. [Obs.] Shak.
MORALISM
Mor"al*ism, n.
Defn: A maxim or saying embodying a moral truth. Farrar.
MORALIST
Mor"al*ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. moraliste.]
1. One who moralizes; one who teaches or animadverts upon the duties of life; a writer of essays intended to correct vice and inculcate moral duties. Addison.
2. One who practices moral duties; a person who lives in conformity with moral rules; one of correct deportment and dealings with his fellow-creatures; — sometimes used in contradistinction to one whose life is controlled by religious motives. The love (in the moralist of virtue, but in the Christian) of God himself. Hammond.
MORALITY Mo*ral"i*ty, n.; pl. Moralities. Etym: [L. moralitas: cf. F. moralité.]
1. The relation of conformity or nonconformity to the moral standard or rule; quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when tried by the standard of right. The morality of an action is founded in the freedom of that principle, by virtue of which it is in the agent's power, having all things ready and requisite to the performance of an action, either to perform or not perform it. South.
2. The quality of an action which renders it good; the conformity of an act to the accepted standard of right. Of moralitee he was the flower. Chaucer. I am bold to think that morality is capable of demonstration. Locke.
3. The doctrines or rules of moral duties, or the duties of men in their social character; ethics. The end of morality is to procure the affections to obey reason, and not to invade it. Bacon. The system of morality to be gathered out of … ancient sages falls very short of that delivered in the gospel. Swift.
4. The practice of the moral duties; rectitude of life; conformity to the standard of right; virtue; as, we often admire the politeness of men whose morality we question.